MEANWHILE, BACK IN RALEIGH...............

Lenny and I finally arrived in Raleigh for an extended visit and a chance to spend time with family, friends, and address some 4 Runner issues in the process. Thankfully, as in previous visits, we had the good fortune of staying with my brother and his wife (Uncle Bob and Aunt Kim). There is no 5 star hotel in Raleigh that can even begin to compete with their level of hospitality. Each time Lenny and I stay with them they create some of the best home cooked meals, the bed in the guest room is super comfy, and my brother outdid himself this time by folding my laundry as it was coming out of the dryer. Can you believe that?? Guess I better add him to my last will.

Lenny wastes no time making himself feel right at home and even gets the ZOOMIES from time to time.

And Aunt Kim wastes no time stretching out and using her new ottoman, the Lenny version.

So let's talk about the 4 Runner. Where to begin about all this maintenance in Raleigh.......how bout a set a new tires for starters, then an oil change, then a Safelite windshield repair job (which really wasn't a very good job) and finally, multiple washes to remove this buggy film from trees in Uncle Bob's yard. Weird, huh? Thankfully, that sticky film could be removed without much difficulty. Neither UB nor I have ever experienced this sort of coating on a vehicle. Think I missed most of the yellow pollen this time....thank goodness.

There is no denying that Raleigh is home to some of the most interesting specialty stores, including this gem which my brother holds in high regard.....and for good reason. This place is just amazing and has the absolute best gelato I have ever had. Imported directly from Torino Italy.

Makes my mouth water just looking at this stuff.

YIKES!!!! The selection of wines is without equal. Folks, this is a dangerous place for those of us who LOVE italian products. Or in the words of my Wyoming friend and former nurse colleague, AL....."EYEtalian" products.

And speaking of EYEtalian food, I met up with my best friend, former scuba diving partner, and long time consigliere, Rob I. A wonderful opportunity to break bread at a place he had never been to before.

Rob thoroughly enjoyed the italian sub while I went in a different direction.

It was so damn good that I couldn't even wait to snap a picture......just had to have a bite. It didn't disappoint. BTW, that bread was to die for. One of the best chicken parm sandwiches I've ever had.

Pizza (one of my top 5 all time picks for the best pizza ever) courtesy of Bella Italia in North Raleigh.

and even MORE pizza from a new place in Oxford, NC. However, the end result is always the same......always.

Leftovers??? you've got to be joking........this is pizza......the only leftover was a few pieces of pizza crust which I saved for Lenny. He was most appreciative of that gesture and gobbled it down without hesitation.

So, if you ever find yourself in Oxford, NC, check this place out. In addition to some great pizza, they have some wonderful cakes and cookies.........even our waitress brought us a slice of cheesecake since our order was taking longer than usual.

makes my mouth water just looking at this photo.......very very YUMMY....could have used another slice or two for the table.

I had the good fortune of catching up with a former nursing school classmate, Jennifer H. It has been 30 plus years since I've seen Jennifer and we met up in Durham at Geer Street Garden for dinner and wonderful conversation. Jennifer, along with fellow classmate Debbie L were responsible for getting me through nursing school and offering encouragement and support through that entire experience. Sorry we missed you on this get together Debbie, let's try and get another crack at this soon.

One of the best parts of this extended time in Raleigh was getting together with these two handsome devils. My sons. Brian on the left, Jay on the right. A really nice evening visiting over dinner. Thanks you guys....I hope you enjoyed our time together as much as I did.

Big family get together and these two weasels are growing up way way too fast. Hunter to the left, Hayden to the right. I swear, each time I see them they become more difficult to identify which one is which. My grandsons will be entering 8th grade next school year. So hard to believe they are almost in high school.

The granddaughter......Ms "P" aka Peyton. She's a wild thing just like her mother and tons of fun to be around.

and finally, my beautiful daughter, Sara. I don't know where she gets her energy from, but she and her husband Robbie are doing a wonderful job as parents. So proud of them. Eventually, it will be wonderful to be much closer to the family once I move to Western NC. A GREAT time with family and friends in Raleigh and it's onto the next destination.........NJ, the Garden State.