Summer Family Cruise Pics--Professional

Don't get used to it.

I know, I know- 2 posts in 2 days?

Oh, STOP THAT.

I normally would play catch-up chronologically, but since The-Nicest-Girl-I-Didn't-Give-Birth-To™ requested, I will endeavor to post the Summer Family Cruise photos first ...beginning with the ones taken by the amazing Crystal Photographers from Paragon Pixels.

(and yes, I bought the rights to publish them....if you know me, you know I try my best to respect copyrights.......)

Soooooooooooooooo, just for you, Mrs. Pryor!!!!

Looks like a formal night to me.



My gang with nephew Austin and my cousin Merrill (Bob) and his wife Andi.

The newlyweds.



I love how the wineglasses make a halo around AJ's head.  So appropriate.  The observant of you will notice that Anna-Grace is wearing the bridesmaid's dress from HER OWN WEDDING.  She borrowed it from her bestie.

When one goes to Nordkapp, Norway,  a photo with reindeer and Sami is obligatory (I think it's the same reindeer.....)



(no, those aren't artifacts in the photo...or snowflakes.  It was raining just a bit....)

The fam at Nordkapp, minus Hutch and Will, who were off exploring.



Cousin Merrill (Bob) isn't doing a reindeer impersonation, he's supposed to be holding up the world.

Cousins.



Vintage Room Dinner.  Arranged by the Best Sommelier in the World (family award), Crystal Serenity's Head Sommelier-- and my friend-- Bart DuFour.



If you've forgotten the cast o' characters, it's seated, left to right: Cousin Suzanne, Me, Mama/Gran/Jane,  sis-in-law Julie, Anna-Grace, cousin Ashley, and Alix.  Standing, left to right: Suzanne's husband Bill, nephew Austin, brother Will, brother Ed, cousin Merrill(Bob), AJ and Ashley's husband Buzz.

Finally a photo of me I'm happy to post.



With my beautiful niece, Emerson.

Dinnertime!  ( I love the background lady on the left!!)



Those two in gold are Julia (who actually runs the ship...go figure) and Mary Cecile (who is the family athlete.  She inherited her mama's tennis prowess). Yep, you've seen them before, but they grow up so fast.

Formal Family Photo.



Note that everyone got the black, white, and blue/green memo.

We visited with Captain Vorland.



And I have a happy formal portrait of "my three".



And because it's become a family habit....



THUMBS UP!

The First Post Is The Hardest

Hi!  Allow me to introduce myself.  I'm Elizabeth Horne.

That's for everyone but readers of my blog.  All three of you.  You know who you are.

Oh, the guilt, the guilt, for not posting since October.  Or really from posting anything of my travels, etc in all of 2013.  Let's just say it was a busy year.

And I am no longer doing the guilt thing on myself.  Yes, folks, I cut myself some slack.  I think everyone should.

Wait that word...should.  I am stealing a line from Jude Law and saying that "should" is my least favorite word in the English language.  I am working to eliminate it from my vocabulary.  Uses like "you SHOULD clean out the fridge."  or "you SHOULD be a member of this committee."

What was Yoda's phrase?  "Do or do not; there is no try."

Which also entails fully incorporating the word "No" into my vocab as well.

It will be a work in progress, for sure.

Well, 2013 was jam-packed with events in my life.  And I will write about these as much as I can.  But for now, I'm starting off 2014...

-Mostly in Louisiana, with trips back to Georgia.  I still own the original Maison Cou Rouge (but PLEASE talk to me if you are at all interested in owning a lovely 4800 square foot  historic home in the middle of nowhere).

-Acting as my mother's major domo for her house in Shreveport, and as the family concierge.

-Working and designing for Hanging By A Thread, the premier needlepoint shop in the ArkLaTex.

-Still a mother to two amazing children...

....a son who is working on his PhD in Astrophysics at UCLA in California (who happens to be married to the Nicest-Girl-I-Didn't-Give-Birth-To™)

... a daughter who is in her second year at Georgia Tech in Atlanta studying biomechanical engineering , nuclear & radiological engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science.

I have a whole new cast of characters in my life, but some of them are quiet shy and will make appearances only when I've been authorized.  Yes, they are more illusive than brother Ed (aka Larry).

So, well, in a phrase....I'm BACK!

(and leaving for Tahiti in a week...)

So HANG ON!!!!

ps...I've missed writing.....I've missed YOU!