Excitement in Akron, Ohio!

Tonight was the "unveiling" of the new logo for the new Akron Art Museum, scheduled to be open in Spring of 2007. What a simple yet effective design! We were privileged to have been invited to this event held at the Oneil House Bed and Breakfast due to our involvement with the Art Museum's annual Wine Auction.
Oneil House is an absolutely delightful bed and breakfast which was the former home of one of the families in the rubber industry in Akron in the early 1900's. Not only is the house a charmer, the food is INCREDIBLE! If your path leads you to Akron DON'T MISS THIS ONE!

We're going to Scotland!

My husband Don had a birthday a few weeks back. He's NOT the easiest guy to buy for. If he wants something he just goes and gets it. This year, I finally found something unique that he was wild about. Using HIS frequent flyer miles :>) I arranged a trip for us to go to Scotland. I had read in the Wall Street Journal about a scotch distillery on Islay where you can go and live on the premises including all of your accommodation, meals and BAR for 4 days whilst working side-by-side with the employees to make Scotch Whisky!!
With dogged determination, I was able put the whole thing together for him as a surprise. We'll go in September We’ll also do the scotch whisky trail and a night in Glasgow and 3 in Edinburgh. Can’t wait! Neither of us has been there before.
Yippee!

A day off...

Or at least part of one. This morning I'm playing hooky to play golf with some friends. Ditto for this afternoon! I am eager to get back later this evening and do a "real" post, however, so see ya then!

Above The Crowds Travel deals

While I'm not overly fond of advertising on my blog, today I learned of a fantastic deal. This one is almost too good to be true but since it comes from Apple Vacations I know that it IS true. If you've been longing to get away, here's the scoop:
Cleveland to Cancun's Riviera Maya at Iberostar resorts (all are 5 to 6 "Apples" in rating) and all are all-inclusive.
At Iberostar Tucan and Iberostar Paraiso del Mar, Kids 12 and under stay, play and eat for FREE Adult prices are 3 nights for $499, 4 nights for $569 or 7 nights for $759. All prices include air, all meals, drinks, activities.
At Iberostar Paraiso Maya the costs are $899 for 3 nights, $999 for 4 nights nad $1399 for 7 nights.
Iberostar Paraiso Lindo is the 6 Golden Apple property and they are featuring 3 nights for $879, 4 nights for $999 or 7 nights for $1359.
Here's the sweet part -- prices apply for select departures from August 18 through October 29! All you have to do is book by June 17.
And you can do that by calling me at 330-644-1870 or e-mailing me at abovethecrowds@sbcglobal.net

A Book for Remembering

Last week I received my order of "for my Grandchild. A GRANDMOTHER'S GIFT OF MEMORY" books. I ordered one for myself and two for friends who are also Grannies. I learned of this book through a newspaper article that referred me to AARP to buy it (which then directs you to Barnes & Noble). If you buy it through AARP, it is less than $10 per copy.
So what is this book? It is a place for you to record all the facts and fun and photos all about YOU to give to your grandchild(ren). It is kind of the opposite of one of those Baby Books that you filled out for your kids way back when.
From the cover flap: "Today's grandmothers lead full and active lives that include everything from working and traveling to taking classes and volunteering". Thay got MY attention! Sounded like they were writing about me! Anyhow, I'm looking forward to filling my book(s) and handing them out, maybe as birthday presents for the older grandkids -- along with their normal present, of course.

Got minutes?

Today I read about a really cool thing that you can do with those unlimited weekend minutes on your cell phone. When traveling to places like New York, Boston and Washington DC, you can listen to audio tours narrated by celebrities such as Larry King, Steven Tyler and Sigourney Weaver.
Check it out at TalkingStreet

Check out this website

Just a note today about the really fine job Phat Web Solutions has done on their new web site. If you'd like to check it out, see
Phat Web Solutions
It is simple yet effective; easy to navigate yet "punchy". Good job guys!

As promised .... Here's Poppy!

Sometimes you have to just play

After a dreary weekend full of gray skies and rain, the past two days have been glorious. Will anyone blame me for not composing a blog full of deep thoughts but just going out to play golf instead??????

Consistency is key

As much as I know this, it is still sometimes difficult to accomplish!
All I know about blogging says to write SOMETHING every day and yet there are times when it JUST ISN'T THERE!
Just as I'm beginning to get postings to my blog and should be going with the flow, when what comes into my life but a NEW PUPPY! Being a new parent at least gets you "in the mood" for nine months but with a puppy it's kind of BANG -- here you go!
That said, I will soon post a photo of our new little darling. Her name is Poppy and she is a Papillon. She was acquired at a charity auction. Both my husband Don & I thought we had had too many martinis prior to the event as we woke up the morning after saying, "What have we done????!!"
Now we're saying, "This is nice".
Poppy is officially 12 weeks old today and is a bundle of energy and comfort all wrapped up in a soft, furry, black and white ball with HUGE ears. We adore her!
So, just when you think you have nothing to write, a puppy comes into your life and -- VOILA!