We're bacckkkkk......

Long time no post. We actually went on a mini vacation, our first in about 6 yrs. First I'd like to add to the post below. That's Emma Grace our 2 yr old grandaughter on the anniversary of the day of her birth. Now I can add pics! Thanks NEB!

Speaking of NEB, she and her hubby Nate took excellent care of our pets while we were gone. We are eternally grateful. I do think Zeke our African Grey Parrot misses uncle Nate though.

Our trip was to Wildwood Crest NJ for the weekend and it was largely successful except for an abcessed molar in my mouth. That sure kept me from sleeping in and missing the surnrise each day. I'll add pictures later but will tell you they were spectacular.

Hannah was just such a water rat all weekend. I knew she loved the pool but never realized how adventurous she'd be in the surf. We had to buy her a wave board? or some such thing the 1st day. Kinda like a small surfboard with a leash. She was so unafraid as soon as she got to the beach. Went right in with no hesitation, made friends immediately, and promptly floated in the direction of Wildwood. We had to keep moving our 3 chairs, toys, cooler, umbrella and our butts. There was one water rescue while we were there, which didn't faze her at all "what? a what? Oh, can I go back in now?" I am NOT a swimmer and therefore questioned the lifeguards as to the advisability of her being in the Dangerous Surf. They looked at me as if I was from Mars and answered "there is no one out there in water over waist deep. She is fine". I slunk away but still managed to get her out and bring her back up in our general vicinity. When not actively swimming or shopping she pretty much sulked and questioned when she could go back in water.

In which we search for the elusive hermit crab....

Sunday night we went in search of the much needed hermit crab. We started at the boardwalk in Wildwood (why didn't I have Jerry stop in Cape May where we saw them?) and after walking about a half block I realized we weren't in Kansas anymore. Gone were the family style stores and families with kids. There were kids alright but slinky, half naked, and gothic types. No hermit crabs but if we wanted our palms read (by a bored looking teen), any body parts pierced or tatooed, or to buy any sort of trashy clothes with obscene messages, boy they had it there. So we got our tiny hineys out of there, much to Hannahs dismay "but why can't I bungee jump from the roof while getting a tatoo?" and went to eat. Yes, there was sulking during dinner since obviously we were the worst parents in the world. Then we went further afield to find said crab. Drove up and down each street searching in vain for a souviener (sp?) shop. I might add the gasoline situation was getting a bit desperate and it was now 8:30 Sunday night. Finally we stopped in a beach type store and asked "If you were a tired parent with a child who had to have a hermit crab Tonight (YOU promised!), where would you look?" She was very nice and told us the boardwalk. I told her what we found there and she actually said "You were in Wildwood weren't you?" yesss... okay we needed to be in North Wildwood where apparently the family shops were. So we drive a few blocks down, find a parking space, feed the meter (.25 buys you 15 min.) and get on the boardwalk. First shop, voila', there is a huge cage of crabs. Hmm buy the cage and get the crab, food, sponge (who knew they needed a sponge) free. Can't find a painted one we like in that cage, move on to next store, get distracted with cheap junk toys (at least they weren't obscene), find a crab we like. Okay now we're in business and a girl who is yawning constantly comes out and in broken english explains the deal. Check out prices on cages. Dinky little wire cage from 6.99 and up. Nice sized one that i think said crab could be happy in ( roomy enough to cavort in yet have his palm tree and shells, hut - yes they have huts- extra shells in case he wants to upgrade from his present condo, and don't forget the wood play tube). That little number would cost me 29.99 so we opted for the cabin style for 13.99. but what's this? we find that food is not included here so need that. Also need the palm tree feeder extra shells just in case he couldn't make it through the night without moving, and the log to play in/on. Okay, I think we're all set, she chooses one, and we find out the FREE crab is only an au natural one. her pick is 3.99. Well by golly I am NOT going to miss out on the FREE crab so I pick a tiny one that is very pretty. Did I mention that crabs look alot to me like spiders? Well, they do. Smaller is better. Ah this is good says Natasha (most young pretty employees are from Bulgaria we find) seeing the numbers add up until I decide to buy my new little pet another shell. Seems there are no shells just a size larger for mine. They're too big or too small. Over and over she says "Buy bigger crab". I say no, I like my little one. She compares the size and declares the others "no bigger". Yes, they are. Finally she gives up and we go to checkout. I lose 32.50 and look for Hannah who Should be next to me delighting in her little pet. Nope she is off checking out the bling and disgusting toys that you squeeze like a blister. Yuk. Lets move on, back to the car and to bed. Slept with Hermie and Dorrie between the beds. I hope they are happy living in Pa instead of the oceans in Fla.

Well, it's late. Will try to post pics tommorrow depending on what happens with tooth. Judy