So sorry it has been so long but FJ has had places to go and people to see. The Girls’ Road Trip recently ended with a Thelma and Louise approach to the Tour of the South. Marcie, her friend, Linda, and I were accompanied by FJ as we left Daytona for Charleston, S Carolina. We spent most of our trip in the car traveling between locations and eating. The weather was foul and our touring was limited to hotel rooms and restaurants!

Here was our first exciting stop.

The Gas Station

Note the sign on the gas pump (which we could hardly remember how to work since it was the old fashioned type)

But going back in time, I have some cute photos to share of some fun times with FJ.

The month of November was a busy one with FJ accompanying Ken to the Homestead Air Show. FJ was a ready participant and was invited to fly many of the faster planes in the show.

TOP GUN

Ken gave the “all thumbs up” sign before FJ took off.

After a speedy takeoff, Flat Joshua outperformed everyone in the air.

He was such an amazing pilot, the Air Force tried to recruit him

But FJ decided to stick with the Navy and “Sherry Berry”.

Over Homestead, FJ got to celebrate Ken’s birthday. He, along with Logan and Jayden, sang “Happy Birthday”. We can’t wait til the day comes when everyone in the family can be there for Dad’s birthday–How about his 65th!!! Yikes!!!

Logan gave FJ a spin around the block before it was time to go.

Back to the air show for some other activities.

Notice who is Smokey’s Left Hand Man.

FJ showed off some of his graffiti art that he presented at the show.

FJ was even recruited as the Homestead Clown.

A great weekend all around–in the air and on the ground.

Took a short trip to Desoto with Marcie —followed by a dinner with Vicky, Marcie and FJ.

Ken left me in Miami for my trip with two of my favorite boys–Jeff and FJ. We boarded the new Seaborn cruise for a short trip to nowhere.

Never leave home without him.

Of course, we all had to check in at the pier.

Followed by a toast in the cabin.

Before getting ready for the safety drill, we checked out the pillows. As Flat Joshua learned the hard way–” You don’t fold pillows on a bed” (FYI–J got written up for the heinous offense)

We all got ready for the lifeboat drill.

And then set sail.

Upon returning, we made a trip back to Desoto for Thanksgiving weekend. There were lots of visitors with us and FJ’s good friends, Steff and Lee came to share the time all the way from Virginia.

With a Kiss,

A Toast,

And Some Pumpkin Pie,

A good Time was Had by All.

Well, that pretty much takes care of FJ’s hectic November. As we plan for the holidays and get ready to celebrate the end of the year, we realize that it will only be 1 more Chanukah/Christmas/New Years with Flat Joshua because our real Joshua will be home. Just 1—

For Flat Joshua and his not so flat twin sister—Happy Birthday.

Yes, that is right. Flat Joshua has figured out how to be in two places at once. If one Flat Joshua is good, 2 must be better yet. FJ has been so busy recently that it has been hard to track him down, get good photo ops and bring them to you here.

But we caught up with him and here is what he’s been doing and where he has been.

Marcie and David planned to have FJ join them for a quick trip to Montreal, Canada for a family wedding.

J'aime Montreal--Ou est la bibliotecque?

As you can see, FJ speaks French as well as the rest of the family does!!

The W Hotel, of course

FJ only stays at the finest hotels.

Everyone loves a good FJ cuddle

What a gorgeous couple!

Marcie had a date with the Best Man–thank Goodness that David is not the jealous type-especially when they chilled by the fire after a great night out.

But while FJ #1 was leaving (or is it fleeing) the country, FJ #2 was off to New Jersey to visit Ross, Tracy and the kids.

Glad the kids got all the hair

There is nothing Flat Joshua likes better than to be with family–and there is nothing the family likes better than to have him with us.

Taking FJ out for dinner

Everyone wanted to go where FJ wanted for dinner–he’s really wanted Chinese food (and it was a Sunday night)

Big, bigger, biggest

FJ doesn't eat ribs, but Taylor does

Hope it was a good Fortune Cookie

Since eating Chinese food, FJ got inspired and wanted to show us what a cute Karate Kid he Is.

The Karate Kid

FJ was so happy to be in New Jersey to see the change in the colors of the leaves.

Too bad the timing was bad and FJ #1 and FJ #2 just missed each other as FJ #1 returned to NYC in time to appear on the Dr. OZ show. The topic was Libido–think we should save that for a much later date to air.

The Road to Oz (FJ was upstaged by Marcie)

While FJ #1 was visiting the Big Apple, FJ #2 was celebrating Halloween at the Wyvern Hotel in Punta Gorda.

Rooftop View from the Wyvern Hotel, Punta Gorda

FJ Poolside

Quick change and then ready for the Halloween party on the rooftop.

Guess who was chosen to be the Judge of the pumpkin carving contest? FJ, of course.

And the Winner, thanks to FJ

The Winner!!

Even the band wanted FJ to play with them..

Rockin' FJ

Before we left Punta Gorda, we took FJ for an all too short visit to the town of Arcadia–to see Desoto from the outside. FJ can’t wait to meet our real Joshua–can’t happen soon enough.

FJ is always smiling--even at Desoto CI

Since FJ is as happy as Dolly in being cloned–where will you see them next?

It’s October–that means it is time for Flat Joshua to celebrate the arrival of the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. We know that the 3 ships with Columbus in charge were looking for a good time so instead so we thought we would celebrate their arrival to the Americas in conjunction with the arrival of the Pilgrims (in case we are not there for Thanksgiving). Instead of Plymouth Rock ( a little too dull for FJ) he and his family took off for Martha’s Vineyard (close enough).

Whenever possible, FJ likes to travel with his family (as crazy as they are–and you know who I mean–today) and his brother from a different mother (Jeff).

From Miami to Boston to our Cape Air Flight. FJ was so happy to have gotten a window seat–but with a 9 passenger commuter plane, everyone gets a window seat.

Martha’s Vineyard in October is as beautiful as ever and we planned the weekend to visit all of Flat Joshua’s favorite spots with a few surprises along the way. The little ones, especially Jayden and Samuel were so happy to have him with us.

Our first night we visited one of FJ’s favorite restaurants–the Sea Shanty. FJ checked out the lobsters but since they are not Kosher he decided to pass. He also had a different perspective on their struggle for freedom from the lobster pound. Seemed there was simpatico between FJ and the incarcerated lobsters.

Everyone wanted FJ to sit next to them so he had to move around the table all night long.

I don’t remember seeing him actually eat dinner–there was so much catching up with everyone–but he certainly wasn’t going to miss dessert–Ice Cream at Mad Martha’s–a local’s favorite spot. (except for Rob)

We had a big day planned for Saturday so FJ, et al, headed for an early night in.

The next morning was a gorgeous sunny day. We were staying at the Harborview, across from the Edgartown lighthouse. October must be the time when Senior tourists arrive and there was a busload of them arriving early Saturday morning. Guess who was their driver and guide?? Flat Joshua, of course. I think he is a charmer for those older women.

But we pulled him away from Dr. Ruth and her friends and off to Oak Bluffs we went. The Flying Horses, the oldest working carousel in the country awaited. FJ became like a little boy again!!!

Flat Joshua thought the prize might be the Golden Ring but the afternoon event proved him wrong.

In the afternoon we learned that there might be a pirate ship that was offshore of Edgartown. The source, of course, was Poppy (Ken) who is the treasure diver in the family. He recruited the smartest of the bunch who would be most capable of solving the mystery of the hidden treasure.Our master solvers–Samuel and Jayden.

As Poppy related the story of The Poseidon (the pirate ship that went ashore near the lighthouse due to a very overweight woman onboard), the attentive, studious master solvers heard every word and eagerly searched for the very first clue to finding the treasure. The MAP!!!

With the help of their older cousins, Samuel and Jayden learned what 50 paces meant.  There under the sand, was a buried pirate pointing the way to the buried treasure  After a little confusion between North, South, East and West, our adventurers reached the location where “X marks the Spot”  (always wondered where that came from!)

We found other buried pirates in the sand, too, who were stuck trying to get to the Booty.

Fortunately chisels and shovels were not needed and with their bare hands the digging began.

THEY DID IT!!! THEY FOUND IT!!! The treasure that had been buried for centuries. As they opened the gold (ish) treasure box to find the jewels (or was it Jews?) out came Flat Joshua’s ancestor!

The Smithsonian has requested that we contribute the treasure box to the Country but we told them it was too priceless to us.

But serving the community and Country is important so FJ and the family agreed to help. Since Lisa and Rob are part of Edgartown’s finest EMT squad, FJ joined them in their call to duty. Alongside the cutest firefighters in the land (Sammy and Jayden)–off to the rescue they went.

\

What a full day!! With a need for a little R & R, FJ and the little ones went to the family disco/ pizza party. Jayden stole the show (of course–what with her family’s genes for dancing).

Before FJ left for his next adventure, he want to experience fall in New England.

So WHERE WILL FJ SHOW UP NEXT???

While I went to the spa for a day of maintenance–nails, facial, hair, Ken and Flat Joshua thought they would have a day of relaxation out by the hot tub enjoying the last day of beautiful mountain views.

Ski Slope in Back

SOME LIKE IT HOT!

THIS LITTLE PIGGY......

THOUGHT I’D JOIN FJ”

And for a good-bye from Vail, Ken and Flat Joshua say “adieu” until Winter and Flat Joshua returns for a season of snowboarding.

Welcome to Flat Joshua (similar to Flat Stanley). For anyone not familiar, Flat Stanley was a project created by a teacher in Canada to have her students see the world through the image of Flat Stanley. We often saw parents and grandparents traveling with Stanley and including him in all of their photos.

So, why not bring Joshua along? He can be everywhere and anywhere. In fact, he joined us in Colorado to see the change of colors and traveled with us to the cute town of Redstone.

Joshua's Got His Wheels

Off we went with the cutest chauffeur.

Our first stop was in Glenwood Canyon. This canyon runs for 16 miles on either side of the Colorado River. This is one of Flat Joshua’s favorite locations to hike, bike and white water raft. We stopped along the river at the entrance to Hanging Lake. Hanging Lake is a lake that sits 1.5 miles above the canyon and is a favorite hike for Flat Joshua.

Joshua on the Colorado

Joshua and Nature

Up a Tree is Better than Down A River

“>[/Flat Joshua and his Mom]

After a picnic lunch on the river and another hour’s drive, we arrived in the town of Redstone. It is a cute one-horse town, as you shall soon see, with little shops, art galleries and cafes. The Redstone Inn which will be our home for the night is on the National Registry of Historic Places as is the entire town. A few photos of our tour on the town.

The Metal Sculpture at the Redstone Inn

Flat Joshua and Dad Out Shopping for a Fur”][/caption]

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New Ad for The Ice Cream Club

Flat Joshua wanted to stop at the playground since it had been awhile since he went down a slide…

But the playground felt too much like his new home!! So we got outta there.

Who's Got the Key??

There was a message waiting for us at the end of the town.

Good Advice, Flat Joshua!!

Even the town’s Santa takes Flat Joshua on his road trip.

But back to the hotel for a relaxing dinner at the quaint Inn.

Don't See any Honeybuns with Peanut Butter on the Menu

As we were about to retire for the night, we noticed that Flat Joshua had a halo around him–could he be an angel?? Only sometimes, I guess.

In we went for the night–one is never too old to cuddle.

I found my Whistle!!

And Baby Makes Three

The next morning we headed out of town on our drive back to Flat Joshua’s home in Vail.

FJ and Mom say good-bye to the Inn

The Happy Camper

NEXT WEEK JOIN FLAT JOSHUA ON HIS TRAVELS BACK TO MIAMI AND ON TO MARTHA’S VINEYARD WITH THE FAMILY……

Just left the flyboy who is headed for his pilot briefing to be able to fly in the airshow today. I was there for the whole week and Ken never got to fly. I leave and Up He Goes!

It was hard to leave the “WURST” capital of the world— Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Liverwurst, and, of course, the good old hotdog. It will take me a week to purge the garbage food out of my body.

I don’t think I saw the color green on a plate all week.

But I’m not complaining!!!! It was an adventure.

I’ve already signed up for the Welcome Wagon next year (I’ll show them)–and re-booked my trailer. But next year I’ll leave my Manolos home–they really don’t go with my turquoise Welcome Wagon Official t-shirt and Orange Welcome Wagon Official baseball cap.

See ya on the flip-flop, good buddy–niner out.

Yes, the Welcome Wagon team, the Wing Walkers, the Line Crew and the Blue Angels will have to finish the show without me. Team Fardie will be checking out early. So, for the next to the last Oshkosh blog, I hought I’d give you a complete tour of the airshow through the eyes (mine) of a GIB (that’s Girl in Back). Read the rest of this entry »

Day 3 at Sloshkosh. That’s our new name for the trailer park since it poured all night. Sounded like we were inside a tin can with the rain coming down.

But an update on Day 2. To give you an idea how little anyone pays attention to the actual flying part of the show, no one noticed that one of the major pilots, Jack Rausch, of Rausch Aviation and Rausch Racing, who has a fleet of planes and was scheduled to be a speaker at the show arrived with his wife flying his corporate jet (obviously a wealthy pilot). However upon landing, he, too, did not have his wheels down and crashed his plane splitting his jet in 2. He and his wife will be in the hospital for a week but no major issues and will fully recover. So twice in one week we’ve gotten to see belly landings–I now know that planes are made to fly but don’t like to land.
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The Lepers have landed!!! The flight to Oshkosh was pretty amazing as 5 Lepers proceeded in a line to the World’s Busiest Airport! The airport was landing 6 planes a minute! I now know the #1 most stressful job in the universe– the ATC (that’s Air Traffic Controller for you lay people) at Oshkosh. But he was cool as a cucumber and we came right in. There are approximately 8,000 planes here and they all have to land and will take off within a short time period.

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Arrived at the Sheboygan airport, suited up, ready for my Virgin flight to Oshkosh. We are presently on hold since the runway is closed for the time being. It seems like an arriving plane this morning neglected to put his wheels down. It’s always in the details!! No injuries–guess that means that belly landings are just a nuisance. Didn’t the pilot know that we have places to go and things to see?

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