Animal Rescue

Sometimes working at a hotel, you get guests with more then 2 legs. We are considered a "Pet Friendly" hotel but the guests I'm referring to aren't registered.
A couple years ago our old GM Sandra and I preformed "Cat Rescue 2006" - a small kitten had ran into a drainage pipe and was lodged were we couldn't reach it. The more things we tried, the farther back in the drain the cat went.
Then, our intern Gentry went onto the top of the building and without warning, dumped GALLONS of water into the down spout not only soaking and scaring the cat out of the drain but DRENCHING Sandra & myself.
Today, we had a similar incident when a full grown rabbit came INSIDE through the meeting room and into the lobby!
I grabbed a box out of the office while a desk clerk got on the other side of the buffet the varmint was hiding behind and tried to push him out with a yard stick. The rabbit ran to the box as we had hoped but then JUMPED ON TOP OF THE BOX looking eye to eye with me and took off through the hotel! He then proceeded down the hall, into the office and settled into the GM office.
Picture 4 adults chasing a rabbit around a desk and chairs within a 8x8 ft room. It was a spectacle to say the least.
After setting a number of traps, we finally got him into a Pier One Bag. The new guy grabs the bag and holds it up and yells "I Got Him!" - if only we were so lucky. The rabbit jumps out of the top of the bag - onto the desk - everyone screams and he's back in the floor. The hunt continues.
Its been about 30 minutes now. I finally get close to him, knell down and get my hands around him. He was completely relaxed and let me hold him without a fight.
Then the desk clerk starts yelling "He's going to bite you!" I get scared, the rabbit starts squirming and I start running! Through the lobby, with guests watching, I run with rabbit in hand out the door.
WHEW! Rabbit Rescue is complete. I wish we had pictures. If were on a two year trend here I'm worried of what 2010 has in store.

St. Jude

Even though we are a little behind this month, we didn't want that to take away from our "Blog for a Cause".

Every year, across the nation, your standard radio programs are interrupted for two days to host the St. Jude Radio-athon. Its the music you normally listen to with stories of the families and children with a St. Jude connection asking you to become a Partner in Hope. Every year, I turn it on and every year I tear up but can't make myself change the channel.

This past January was no different. On the first day of the radio-athon, I was driving to work and hadn't even made the 3 minute drive before I had Jonathan on the phone. We have been talking about starting a family since we first got engaged (not starting immediately, but planning for the future). "We HAVE to do this" was all I could really say. Without question he told me to give them a call.

St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility. Discoveries made here have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. With research and patient care under one roof, St. Jude is where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to do science more quickly.

St. Jude researchers are published and cited more often in high impact publications than any other private pediatric oncology research institution in America. St. Jude is a place where many doctors send some of their sickest patients and toughest cases. A place where cutting-edge research and revolutionary discoveries happen every day. We've built America's second-largest health-care charity so the science never stops.

Each month we receive our statement along a picture of a child and their story.

Rebekah, age 2 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Asia, age 9, who is now cancer free. Abby, age 5 who suffered from Acute Myeloid Leukemia is also cancer free. The story from Clayton's mother who told about hearing the news that her 7 month baby boy had an aggressive brain tumor know as PNET but has now been cancer free for 9 months. And then there is Amanda who at 19 has beat cancer not once but twice! First with a brain tumor and then in the lungs and is now planning to start college in the fall.

The television ads say "Give Thanks". "Give thanks for the healthy children in your life and give to those who are not."

There are a number of ways that you can help. By shopping where you see the St. Jude magnifying glass, by phone, by mail, and even online. Go to www.stjude.com and click on Ways to Help.

Recap

OK, So its been basically a month since I last even logged on here and even then I didn't finish my post which is why the last story about the reunion wasn't posted until today. I didn't realize I hadn't hit the button - sorry.

Anyway, we are still alive and well in the boro and I'm going to make an attempt to bring you up to date.

Let's see...

• I got Rock Band for Wii!!!! I think I may have missed my calling and should have been a world class drumer. If any bands are out there in need - give me a call. I'll take any reasonable offer.
• I've been teaching Jonathan to play tennis... we've only got one actual game in so far... still practicing.
• Riverfest 2008 was a blast! It makes me miss Loudon - the parade, the cookouts, and even the karaoke! Despite a minor tubing injury followed by a quick drop down the stairs, it was a good weekend.
• Chris, Darla, & Kristin all came to Loudon this past weekend. I'm truely blest to have in-laws that get along so well! We did what we always do when we are in Loudon - EAT! Altough they had some car trouble on the way down, Jonathan and I spent the day laying in the pool at the Orr Oasis. Kristin did not get eatten by a bear and the cake & peaches all made it safe & sound.
• The finale approval came through on the Homewood Suites project we have been waiting on and we hope to break ground by the end of the year! This will be our 3rd property in Murfreesboro!! - a little excited about that.
• Monday night we went to see the new Batman movie which Jonthan has been waiting for for nearly a year now... not really my type of movie but it was OK.
• Last night was triva night at The Flying Saucer. Being the trivia buff that I am I'm sure you are surprised that I didn't walk away with first place. To be honest, I couldn't even tell you what any of the questions were - I went to hang out & talk to Steph so Jonathan and Craig can take full credit for thier 29 questionable points. PS The winning team had over 80.
  

I think that touches most of the highlights. I'm making myself a reminder to start updating this thing more often.

The kids getting ready for the parade

The River Gang in thier Riverfest wear

Yes, we look just alike... and Cliff is always in the back ground.

Even Brycen got a T-Shirt! He should be able to wear this for the next 3-5 years.