Thank You For Choosing Abby Gabs Air

If I had a kazillion dollars, the first thing I would purchase would be my own private jet.

Sure, it would be terrific to have one so we could travel the world. We could see Greece by day, and dine in Venice by night. We could flit off to the Virgin Islands at a moment's notice. Can you imagine---Abby and Brian as jetsetters?

These two goobers in funny hats? Well, I didn't say "sophisticated" jetsetters, did I?

The problem is that I have friends.


Wait. Rewind and rephrase.


The problem is that I have so many friends (and family) who live so far away. And acquiring a jet would solve that problem.

If I had my own private jet, I could fly to North Carolina and have dinner with my college roomie, Jenna, and her beautiful family. I could then jaunt over to Nevada and spend a week or two with my witty and handsome (you're welcome, Walt) father-in-law and spoil my little-sister-in-law, Rosie. After Vegas I could make a quick stop in San Diego to (finally) meet Deepak's lovely wife Sarah, and I'm sure a glass bottle of wine would be shared by all. Then I'd head to Louisiana, where I could spend some much needed time with my best friend, Heather, and her family. I could spoil her kids rotten, have some much-needed girl time, and see the sights around her town. Next, I'd head on up to Maryland, pick up my oldest friend, Becca, and we'd head on up to NYC. We'd take in a show, do LOTS of shopping, and maybe meet a celebrity. Finally, to wind down, I'd spend some time with Brian's Aunt Tina and Uncle Paul in quiet Pamlico County, NC. A little RNR in the wilderness, some quiet reading time on their side porch, long, comfortable conversations over dinner. And, well-rested and feeling loved, I'd head back to Charleston, SC.


Sounds fun, right?


Best. Vacation. Ever.


But more importantly, if a friend needed me, I could be there. There instead of here.


If Jenna was having a bad day and just needed someone to help her wash dishes, I could be there.


If Heather needed someone to lean on while she was going through a scary situation, I could be there.


If Becca needed to blow off some steam to ease the stress from work, I could be there.


Yes, Facebook and Twitter and smart phones are all grand things. I wouldn't want to live without them. But it would be SO MUCH BETTER if I could just grab a bag, hit the tarmac, and be physically present in my friends' lives.


So...who wants to donate to the "Abby Wants a Private Jet" fund? Cuz I don't have a kazillion dollars.


Yet.

Monday with Manny

Hello, boys and girls! It's time for another adventure with our friend Manny, the Meerkat! This week, Manny's wanderlust took him to Waxhaw, North Carolina!

♪♫ On the road again... ♪♫

You, dear reader, may wonder why Manny would visit Waxhaw, North Carolina. Well there are LOTS of reasons. It's one of the oldest towns in Union County, it's extremely picturesque, and there's a railroad track that runs right through the center of town. 


Also, our friends Jenna and Reid, and their son Jacob, live in Waxhaw.


That's the most important reason.


A few weeks ago, we got an invitation in the mail to attend Jacob's 1st birthday party. When Manny heard about it, he packed his bags and sat by the door patiently, waiting for his chance to meet our college roommate and her family.


It takes us about 3 hours by car to get to Jenna's house, and Manny wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to take the wheel.

Thank goodness for cruise control.

After a few close calls with the median, a traffic cone, and an eighteen-wheeler, Manny noticed that we were getting low on fuel. So we directed him to the nearest gas station, and taught him all about pumping gas, inflated gas prices, and the importance of finding alternate sources of fuel.

Gas...fumes....are....awesome....

Finally, after the long three hour trek, Manny got to meet our favorite Waxhawian, and best college roommate ever, Jenna.

It was love at first sight.

Neither of them were disappointed.


After a quick snuggle-fest, Jenna put Manny in charge of greeting guests. He was granted a place of honor, next to Jacob's teeny little birthday cake. 

Good thing it was a strawberry and not a grub worm on top, or Jacob's cake would've been in danger.

There was food and cake and laughter. There were presents in the form of a drum kit, a swing to hang in the tree outside, a keyboard in the shape of a cat, and a family-sized blow-up pool for summer fun. 


When the guests had finished off the cake, the candles had been blown out and all the wishes made, they all began to make their way back home. And Manny finally had some bonding time with Birthday Boy Jacob.

"Mrrpph."

 Mr. Jacob was enthralled with our friend, Manny. And Manny, ever the fun-loving Meerkat, was as good of a babysitter as you can imagine. He was hugged, kissed, squeezed, tossed, and ultimately, hung upside down by his toes.

He even assisted in some ear-wax removal.

After a thorough half-hour play session, Jacob was whisked off to beddy-bye. And Manny enjoyed a refreshing adult beverage.

(And maybe a Zoloft...)

A few hours later, and Manny was back in South Carolina, enjoying the snug blanket he calls "burrow." Stay tuned for Manny's next adventure, coming soon!


Manny would like to thank Jenna, Reid and Jacob for inviting him to take part in such a momentous occasion. Upon meeting Master Jacob, Manny has decided that March 13 should be a national holiday, and he is taking it upon himself to start a letter-writing campaign. If you are interested in helping us institute a National Jacob's Birthday Day, please write to your Congressman-or-woman. Thank you.

Meet & Greet with Manny the Meerkat

Meet Manny.

Manny. The Meerkat. That's right, I said meerkat.

We met Manny at our local Toys-R-Us store one fateful winter's night. My husband, who is an avid collector of all things Transformers, and I were perusing the aisles when we happened upon this adorable little Meerkat. Since we were huge fans of Meerkat Manor, we were immediately drawn to his adorable little face. At first, we were a bit confused, because we thought Manny might be an employee of TRU...

Once we determined that this wayward little meerkat was NOT, in fact, an employee (he wasn't wearing a name tag, you see), B immediately whipped out his cell phone and took this craptastic picture. We felt in our hearts that this little meerkat deserved a good home, and so B tucked him under his arm, marched up to the register, and we legally adopted Manny. 


Manny dreams of seeing the world. He talks often of the green hills of Ireland, the patisserie's of Paris, the beaches of Rio De Janeiro. 


But for now, he roams the Low Country of South Carolina, and awaits the day when he can pack up and head for the destinations of his dreams.


One day, little meerkat. One day, you will see the world...

♪♫The HILLS are alive....with the sound of music...♪♫

If you would like Manny to come and visit your part of the world, and if you're willing to send us photo documentation of his stay, please let us know! Our goal is to have a photo journal of all of Manny's adventures for him to keep once he settles down. And to help realize his dream of seeing the beauties of this world we live in.