We refinished the old steamer trunk

Christmas Eve 2003, the trunk was finally ready. In fact, Santa delivered it! The guys did a good job I think - green velvet lining with cream braiding. They put new canvas on the outside of the trunk. It caught me off guard at first because I was expecting the trunk to be brown. The trunk was brown because of use - okay, dirt - but the trunks from that time period usually had trays in the top, so the guys made a tray for me. The picture is from the original paper lining, and is a Russian cossack on a galloping horse.

Looks like new again

This is Grampa Nelson's "old" steamer trunk. Mom gave me this trunk a long time ago; I think it was in the late 80's or so. After years of use, and the stress of moving it from one duty station to the next, parts were falling off or had broken completely. For my birthday in 2002, Jeff had it restored.

This is Max - the Head Westie

Chasing squirrels is tough work!

Max is a two year old West Highland White Terrier. He's not too happy about moving to the new apartment.

Max is very enthusiastic about his new playmate (Emma Jean)

Mom, he won't play with me!

Meet Emma Jean! Max isn't too thrilled about sharing his parent or his toys, with her. He was getting pretty demanding, not to mention spoiled, when we got Em. Poor Max.

Navy Stuff

My retirement shadowbox

I officially retired on September 30th, 2003. The war on terrorism medals aren't in this shadow box because they hadn't been released yet. It's kind of weird - Congress authorizes the medals to the participating units, then they are released after a year or so. Too much trouble to rearrange things for a couple of medals.

The red rope and "cookie" is from my tour as a Recruit Division Commander (RDC). The cookie is actually a pin with the Navy emblem in the center, and recruit division commander written around the outside of the pin. My aviation warfare specialist wings are over the top of my ribbons. Also included are miniature pins of aircraft I worked on, honorable discharge pin, and a retired pin. To the right of my medals are "crows" I wore, and a Soviet Union flag pin I got from a Russian scientist in exchange for one of my squadron patches.

More Navy stuff

Some patches I collected while in the Navy

I have all the official patches from commands I was in (except for one), and some unofficial patches - the skull and crossbones patch. While in VXE-6 Helo Dept, someone made up the nickname of Ice Pirates, and that's how we were known until the helos were decommissioned in 1996. Eventually, the command's nickname was officially changed to the "Ice Pirates," but the patch shown was made in 1994. There's also a patch from Operation Southern Watch (post Gulf War surveillance of Iraq's activities), 9-11, and mine sweeping equipment.

The Kitten came to visit

Carrie at Civil War Battlegrounds

Carrie came to visit over the Fourth of July in 2002. This was a "girls day out." Carrie was itching to work out, so I took her to Newport News Park where we walk the dogs. Placards are posted throughout the park describing the battles that took place, lists the officers who commanded the regiments, and the victor of that particular battle.

Girls Day Out

Guess who?

Still at Newport News Park. Carrie and I rented a paddle boat that day - it was a good workout - and a lot more work than I expected!

Okay, I've been hanging on to some pictures

Civil War Battlegrounds at Newport News Park, Virginia

We call her Miss Buttons

Carrie Little-Weez

One of the many foot bridges in the park. Some of the streams are rather wide, so the bridges make it easier to explore all the nooks and crannies of the park. This park is so large, it couldn't be covered in one day on foot.

The Kitten and Max 

A Maine Vacation

Me & Jeff at Sea Point Beach

We visited all of my favorite places this year. I remember when I was little, Mom used to bring us kids to Sea Point and we'd stay all day.

At the Shooting Range

Mom, Dad, and Me (Jeff took the pic)

This is one of the reasons we all get along so well - we all like to go shooting. Everyone was sampling different pistols. It was obvious the .45 was the favorite, but I like my CZ .380 much better.

The Newlyweds

August 6, 2006

Maggie and Chris. The reception was held at her father's house.

Their Wedding Day

Maggie & Chris 8/06/2005

This is Maggie's favorite pose - and my favorite too!