Stitchen in the Willows

I AM afraid..

2012-02-13T13:45:00.000-05:00

of lots of things....

I am one of these people that are afraid of things unknown, even things I do know, mostly what I can't control, I guess... I worry about stupid stuff(even at the moment when its not so stupid)...what others think, how other people feel about me....

This will come as a surprise to many who know me.. I put up a good front... so why blow my cover now? I have not a clue... Its my armor, but also the chink in my armor all at the same time.

I am afraid of normal things too..... sharks... but unlike a lot of people afraid of sharks, I have personally met one or two in the ocean... 1987, Daytona Beach... I wandered out pretty far, because the water was waist high and clear... all of a sudden a school of fish swam through my legs, with a couple of sharks (about 3ft long)on their tails.... at that point I could have been an Olympic sprinter....

I am afraid of people being upset with me... I work myself up into an upset that is usually worse than the person/persons reaction I am fearing.... then I feel stupid...my husband gives me the look, like was all this necessary...and he is correct.

I mean I have faith in myself, I accomplish some really complicated things, things that when its over I go, "holy shit, did I really do that?" I jump in with both feet and work better problem solving head on.

I need/want to be better...and I have grown the last couple years letting the kids go and learn their own lessons by keeping my own fears to myself so as not to discourage them and I still have not had to have my teeth surgically removed from my tongue...

I know I need to find the answer within myself and within the things I fear...I know I have the ability to calm myself and approach things with the steely resolve that I all of a sudden have when working on a complicated job, but I have to find out what flips those switches and stop my fear breaker from popping. I guess its a good thing I married an electrician....not that in this situation it helps...

missing?

2012-02-09T12:27:00.000-05:00

No I am not missing... Ive been spending sometime updating my Genealogy blogs...but I will be back.

so what can I update you on quickly? hmmmm....

1 Family Crisis averted...not at liberty to divulge

Saturday night with Noodle and Captain Undercoverpants...Great dinner, dice and cards... We had fun, got home LATE....
Noodle Ninjas little doodle is sporting a broken heart... Ive had to keep her from reverting back to her covert days(secret kill missions).... What that woman can do with a pool noodle would scare your pants right off.....
Joel's parents and great Aunt Rose and great Uncle Harold came to visit and see our home on Sunday...They are just too cute for words...You can't not help but have a smile around these two..

Work is plugging along...late nights at the office, but we did get to hire the Noodle full time.....OH, happy dance...

Valentines day is next week... and we made these... We ='s me and the noodle...

busy lil' beaver...

2012-02-03T10:25:00.002-05:00

This is my NEW closet door up in my sewing loft...

Joel started on this after he finished my mom's cabinet. I love it... made from milled lumber by my dad and totally handmade by my husband... what a lucky girl I am....

Nate went back to school at Onondaga over a week ago after making Deans list his first semester and is busy making his plans for next fall... He has already gotten an acceptance from Mansfield University... he is waiting on replies from Misicordia University and Nazareth College, possibly Elmira. He wants to get his 4yr Nursing Degree and possibly an NP...

Samantha, well, she goes back to Keuka this weekend, right now it looks like in the Spring of 2013 she will graduate with a Bachelor in Criminal Justice, Minor in ASL translation, Minor in Sociology... This winter break she ended up getting a job at Cornell University, doing under cover security. I know how cool is that?... and she has had a blast...

The house will again be quiet during the week... I am ready for some quiet....

Masterpiece unveiled...

2012-01-27T21:58:00.000-05:00

So here is the finished product... Isn't it fantastic????

Here it is in my mom's room, with the boxes I made her to put her paints in.... She was so happy and loved her surprise...

thanks for everyones thoughts for the family... My Aunt and cousin are having a rough time of it, and my heart just aches for them...

Snow?...nope, thats sawdust...

2012-01-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

Awwww. Looks like he has a splinter...

Fast forward 40 years and this Mr. Willow did end up with several splinters...so far.... He started with this pile of wood, cut and sawed by my dad at his farm...

ended up running the pile through this machine a few times....

made bags and bags of this stuff....

So he could start this project for my mom... The Top

The bottom... She wanted something to organized her paints and beading supplies...

but this is far from the finished project, which at the moment is blowing my mind, that my husband has created this wonderful piece of furniture. Its close to being finished and you will get to see the finished project. The question is will I really let it go to my mom's...

still at a loss for words...

2012-01-24T09:28:00.000-05:00

On Saturday evening, our family lost Dan (my cousin) in a tragic snowmobile accident at Tug Hill, NY

Dan was a fine husband, father, son, brother, nephew and cousin.....I hope they have motorcycles in heaven...xoxo

As promised.....

2012-01-18T13:39:00.002-05:00

An update on the adventures of Noodle.... Well...I cant tell you the whole thing because being a Noodle Ninja Warrior... part of her life is classified...(really!) I am only included in the non-kill missions... except for the one time in the pool, but that was an emergency mission and there was no way to shield me from the reality's of her job, so reluctantly that time I witnessed a kill....

As it would have it....due to budget cuts... Kill missions have come to a halt... for the time being... I think... and there was a opening at my office (not for a kill mission, although some days....) and the Noodle accepted my proposal of a kind of career change and has been working with us... For a killer....a master of espionage... she really has fit in well with the rest of the staff.... They love her, the patients love her.... and we all know how I feel about the Noodle... and here she is....doesn't look like a killer at all... THE MASTER OF DISGUISES... Now, a few weeks ago we were invited to the killers.... I mean the Noodles and her Doodle (aka Tim, aka Inspector Underpants) Yes, sometimes they work closely together on missions... I am not privy to the low down, but twice it has resulted in hostages.... I mean baby noodles and doodles...

Back to the invite... They had an "Ugly Holiday Sweater Party"... and of course we were not going to miss that for anything.... So I "not owning any ugly sweaters" of my own and I didn't want to ask the Noodle if I could borrow from her extensive collections...(did I just type that out loud?)

We set out to make ours...Mr. Willow Witch, aka Hunkydunkydoo, aka JOEL.... went all out... first he decked out in his red long johns, shorts.... crazy socks my mom knitted him for Christmas, his logging boots, sock hat from hockey, and to top it off the sweater that we embellished with a 3-D snowman stocking, holding Noodles favorite snake(another adventure I will have to post)...
And he won....

So below is pictured the winner Mr. Willow Witch....Second place is Mr. Doodle...Don't they look excited to have won... Yes, I was proud and snookered, Mr. Willow Witch had made me my own mason jar of B-52's and I was a happy camper....did I mention the party was outside? Crazy people, where do we come from?

Stitchen....???

2012-01-16T23:12:00.002-05:00

Well....yes.. I have been stitchen...
but... the photos are trapped in the camera.. but its safe to say there are fabric scraps on the floor.... snippets of thread.... EvErY wHeRe...

as I type, it's late...but I am restless after my crazy day... So here I sit at the computer and I moved in the chair and it squeaked.... Joel bolts up in bed..."what happened?''' I just lost it and started laughing.... he lays back down... a few minutes pass..."no really what happened, I heard this big bang?" "Honey, I just moved in my chair", "oh" now he is passed out cold again...

I have to catch you all up on the adventures of the Noodle Ninja Warrior....AKA my partner in crime.... AKA my best friend... but you will be seeing her soon enough we have some thing cooking for Valentines day... that I will be sharing.

better hit the hay or at least try... I know batteries... they are on the list... with horse feed, chicken scratch and crumbles, dog food....milk, bread, bologna.....bagels...

Greetings from the Dark side...

2012-01-15T22:02:00.002-05:00

of the moon.... at least it feels like the dark side... If your looking for an up beat...top o the morning post... THIS.... is not it...

I have photos...but I need batteries for the camera... why don't I have any?... Well that's pretty easy... I haven't left work this past week before 7pm... I haven't had a lunch hour going on about 4 weeks.... I had to give up the week I was supposed to have off around the holidays... I worked part of last weekend and I worked at the office today... So for the same reason, we don't have bread or milk in the house... I have not had time...

I am in a terrible mood...I am tired... I feel under appreciated...over bullied...I want to stay in bed and pull the covers over my head and make the world go away...

I am in the middle of a new practice management system and EMR install...after 3 years we found a product we felt it was worth throwing our money at.... Ive arranged and managed the hardware install, (lucky for me I had a trusted electrician that did our new network wiring), Ive been trouble shooting the hardware issues for the last few weeks and at the same time, helping with the programing for the data conversion. Training on the PMS....and setting up provider schedules, fixing the bugs in the final conversion...double checking... triple checking... We go live tomorrow with the new PMS (I think these initials are fitting...)

Next... weeks of getting ready to go live with the EMR.... god help me... then I get to try and get the incentive money back from the government to pay for this... I know, my bosses and I are not counting on it...but its my job to try.....

To top all this... I had a woman last Friday go up one side of me and down the other because in the three times she used our rest room that day... a man was in there before her and left the seat up, peed on the rim, dribbled on the floor... and just upset her day... Yes, we have a unisex bathroom and I guess, I need to hire security for the bathroom or start doing potty checks myself... I am looking for suggestions as to what I should put on the sign on the wall to discourage this behavior in the future... and this was one of the nicer things that happened on Friday...

HOT DOGS AND LIVER

2012-01-02T13:44:00.000-05:00

I am guilty of many petty crimes as a child and I did ruin my mothers dining room chair. Is this worthy of jail time...depends on who you ask...

So... my family likes liver... I do not... so there must be compromises in this type of situation...Since it had to go on my plate and disappear, my compromise was to cut it into tiny pieces and stuff it in the crack of my vinyl chair...

Then one magical day my mother thought to be generous and asked me if I would like a hot dog instead...at this moment I thought the heavens had opened up and my mother was an angel with a heavenly glow... I swear...I heard music....

Right up until I heard the sizzle of the hot dog hitting the pan with the liver....the horror... to this day am still not sure whats worse...liver or a hot dog that tastes like liver...

Years later she went to recover that chair, she was curious as to what these tiny hard, dried nuggets were in my chair... I smiled a little evil smile and smuggled replied "liver" and walked away...

Can you imagine the field day CSI would have today with that chair....

Are you an expert? Am I?

2012-01-01T13:28:00.000-05:00

They say we are putting too much of ourselves out on the Internet. That we use it as our thought trashcan. Really? I thought I was putting out my thoughts worthy of being written down. Does this imply that every bibliography out there is a bunch of trash?

We write about ourselves and others in our lives. I do consider myself and expert on the subject of me... I am however not an expert on you or steroid use... only me...

For instance I know for a fact that I hate "liver", I also hate "hot dogs cooked with liver" as for you, I have no idea what you "hate".

I have a fondness for four leaf clovers, cracked old pottery and fabric. Your fond of........ Ummmm.... sorry "no clue" what your fond of....

I love my family... It would be nice to think that you love your family too... but I am only an expert on me... and some people have families that suck...

Someone some where is going to think these thoughts are trash... and that's OK, everyone is entitled to their opinion but how can they be sure, since they are not an expert on "me" only "them".... this gets quite complicated, doesn't it.....

So another mans trash, is someone Else's treasure...

Time to say goodbye....

2011-12-31T11:22:00.000-05:00

to 2011.... Joel also had to say goodbye to his old friend..... but he has a new friend sitting in the driveway...and this one is minus the zip ties holding on the bumper....ya, I know its clever and fashionable... I guess its a guy thing....

Hockey fight.....

2011-12-30T11:00:00.000-05:00

The die hard Blackhawks fan was taunted by the die hard Red wings Fan with their new shirt.. Next thing we know, gloves are off... Red wings fan recovers his present....

I think they both should have been put in the box...just saying as a Sabers fan...

Glimps into our holiday....

2011-12-29T20:00:00.000-05:00

Joel starting things off right... Opening presents with the family... look at Ollies face... priceless...

My parents watching the kids....

what do you feed a crowd like this... a 20 pound ham.....

hey...who let you in here...Merry Christmas, cat...

still peeking

2011-12-29T19:55:00.000-05:00

Im...just shaking my head on this one.... Trevor got something he really wanted from Grandma....

dancing to the tune on my camera?

shocker, I know my kids making faces....

well I said smile... and she did....

We had a wonderful holiday....

Sams Holiday Prank....

2011-12-28T22:53:00.002-05:00

On Joel...
Christmas wrap, plastic wrap, baby wrap... tape, more tape...need to move this to the floor...

a few books for weight... a note to reassure Joel, so he doesn't get discouraged....

If you cant tell he thinks this is hysterical, we all did... Good job Sam...

he was also thrilled with his present... I do not know why he is wearing this hat? But he is wearing his new sweatpants, Mom....

who's cleaning up this mess??????? Hey, get back here...where do you think you guys are going?

Treasures...

2011-12-26T07:00:00.001-05:00

treasures are different for everyone.... a rug we got in turkey on our honeymoon...

a shaving mug, horse from my great grandfathers weather vane (you can see marks from the fire) some of Joels cut glass collection...

one of my favorite baskets...

old clock shelf, my grandmothers enamel pitcher

May your day be blessed with Christmas Angels...

2011-12-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

We wish you a Merry Christmas and

2011-12-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

a happy new year.... From the Beckman Family.... Have a HOLLY JOLLY HOLIDAY!

oh Christmas tree..oh christmas tree...

2011-12-23T07:00:00.002-05:00

I love this shot with our 1860's chestnut stepback cupboard in the background with my grandmothers china... little happy gingerbread man.....

wise holiday owl...

the cruise ship..Joel found to remind us of our honeymoon... Awwwww, honey your so sentimental, just one of the reasons I love you...

Ribbons and more ribbons...

All that sparkles and glitters...

2011-12-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

I really love the tree...

My favorite Red Door...greets me everyday when I come home...

This painting was painted by the childrens great great grandmother... What a treasure for Nathan to have.

Another one of my christmas quilts...

Deck the halls....or is it hit the deck?

2011-12-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

all I know is the finery is out... and I love it... Joel.... can I keep it out all year? See the tree Joel made me to hang my grandmothers ornaments?

I just love it.. I hope I can re use it for Easter, Halloween...

Its Ok Joel, the bar is open....

The deer are waiting for.... Santa to get his rear in gear....

The Holidays are coming...The holiday is coming...

2011-12-19T07:00:00.002-05:00

The Beckmans are Ready.... BooBoo is Ready...

Zeke is Ready...

Dougie is Ready...

Are you ready??????

Gingerbread Bootcamp 2011

2011-12-18T22:04:00.002-05:00

sugar, more sugar and a lot of sugar.... Sugar makes the world go round.... right? Trevor... he is comptemplating mass distruction...

Mom...here is your wallet... can we go shopping? I think we need more sugar...

Hailie... girl, I am not sure you have enough candy....

Logan, getting started and Uncle Joel teasing Ollie.... UNCLE JOEL...

Gingerbread Bootcamp 2011

2011-12-18T21:57:00.002-05:00

Here are all of my brothers and my children ages 21 years to 15months... What a crew... Sara, Ollie and Logan.. Ollie still isnt sure what this is all about...

Hannah...

Uncle Joel drinking his Joe...

Well, if Uncle Joel is drinking than Ollie needs to be drinking too....

Gingerbread Bootcamp 2011

2011-12-18T21:52:00.003-05:00

Hannahs house... Vera Bradley Gingerbread House....

Nate and his girl....

Katies House

Count down to Gingerbread Bootcamp...

2011-12-17T22:37:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is Gingerbread Bootcamp..... and the scampering behind the scene has begun...

yes, it was a tragic accident... Never point a loaded icing bottle...

The houses are going together....

Holiday Cheer from the Willows

2011-12-17T22:32:00.003-05:00

Holidays are in full swing aroung the Willows....

a smal cross stitch quilt I've made...

My jolly kitchen decorations... I just love my baking Santa..

I know it looks strange..

2011-12-06T23:11:00.001-05:00

the blog, I mean... I havent decided how I want to redecorate it..

Mr. Strong...

2011-12-05T10:25:00.002-05:00

Francis... Mr. Strong lived down the road over the lip of the mountain I grew up on in a tiny shack... Lots of history with Mr. Strong... His family had built my parents home. He grew up in a tiny house that was built next to my parents home. He was so tiny when he was born they kept him in the warmer of the oven with the door open to stay warm. He was friends with my grandfather (my dads father)growing up.

When I say he lived in a shack, I kid you not. You could see the light through the door and walls. He heated it with an open natural gas flame. Oh and he smoked to... How he did not blow himself and Fart Blossom sky high I will never know... There was no bathroom, just an out house. If I recall correctly there was a hand pump at the sink, a wood stove too and it was used for cooking.

The place was stacked with news papers and such... I knew him to be a strange bird...but he fascinated me...he was always kind to us children, and my father considered him a friend.

Did I mention he made his living as a gambler? Card man... My parents would invite him for breakfast on Sunday mornings... and he would teach my brother and I to play... Not many people can say they were taught to play by a professional... I happen to think I play very well...and a card game always makes me think of those simple Sunday mornings. He never married or had children...

He didn't think much of shooting his dinner when and where ever he found it... I think he had a stressed relationship with the Game Warden... From other stories I think he didn't think much of rules period so the law knew Mr. Strong, too...Must have something to do with growing up on that mountain....

My youngest brother gave Ollie her middle name after Mr. Strong...and I remember we all teared up at his gesture because we all have fond memories, and felt it a touching tribute. I think Mr. Strong would find it surprising that he made such impressions on us, as he didn't live his life to impress anyone, he did what he did to survive, nothing that would get him citizen of the year thats for sure...but to these back wood kids and our parents he was something...

So Mr. Strong, Francis... you have been gone for years but not forgotten, I hope all of your hands have been full of royalty and your drinks stout...

Childhood memories...

2011-12-02T10:03:00.002-05:00

At holiday time as families gather for their traditions.... Do you remember those crazy relatives that in one way or another caused us trauma that lasted for years....

My fathers older brother, Bob.... today I love him to death... still a strange bird, but as an adult I now understand him... As a child... he scared me to death... I would run for the hills, when he would come around our home or at my grandparents... He would always say, "Hey, come here, Ive got a screw driver and I'll unscrew your belly button so your legs will fall off" WHAT... of course I believed him, at the time to me, my belly button served no other purpose...

I also believed that the lady down the roads real name was "Fart Blossom", that there was a gorilla in a part of the house my father didn't want me to enter.... I even remember the morning I went upstairs to find a clean shaven man in my parents bed, we ran downstairs and my mother said it was "Uncle George" and I wanted to know where my father was.... I had never seen my father without a beard.... The TRAUMA, we cause our children....

Am I guilty..... of course.... it was a lot of fun... Nate still thinks I found him at the zoo...Sam was harder...she asked questions, but she did buy the one about ground beef being woodchuck (still my personal favorite)...

Meet Godzilla....

2011-11-25T23:47:00.003-05:00

the 30# Thanksgiving Turkey.... come to think of it... We had children there that didnt weight 30#'s.....

We are set for a cozy....

2011-11-21T09:43:00.003-05:00

snug as a bug in a rug, winter....

Wood is piled up on the porch, with in easy reach...

The wood stove is working very well so far... The last time they came to fill the propane tank it only took 32 gallons vs 100's... so I hope this continues to be the case. We have been able to keep the furnace shut off and only turn it on when we have been out of town. Soon we will have to turn it on at night when the temps really start to dip at night, just as back up, but I hope that the wood stove will keep it at a minimum. We still heat our water and cook with propane so there will always be fill ups...

Joel has been busy weathering in the buildings. He has built gliding doors for the garden shed, enclosed the open ends of the garage and built door for that too... so he is going to be all snug in his man cave this winter too...

I am looking forward to having everyone here this week to celebrate the holiday... what joy...

Come on Snow...

2011-11-16T08:36:00.002-05:00

Please... So Joel will stop jumping around like he has ants in his pants... it only has to last long enough for him to buzz around the field on the snowmobile....

Last night he claimed that the new icicle lights are on the house to call the snow home... I came home Monday night and the house was all lit up and ready for the holidays... I was like "wow" honey... His reply was "What you think because I was raised in a Jewish household that I don't know how to hang Christmas lights?" We both laughed, and I said "no" its just a little early... "Well, I don't want to wait till its cold out to hang them!" so I laughed some more and I guess he has a point...

Thanksgiving is at our house this year... Joel's parents are coming in from Buffalo, my parents and brothers families, and hopefully some of my sister in laws family too... Joel's dad found us a 30# turkey, we have a 10# ham, so I think we will be all set... (why ham, my dad has gotten so he really doesn't like turkey any more) We are going to have a great crowd and as Joel exclaims " The best Thanksgiving, ever" he really gets into the holiday's and makes it that much more fun and special... he loves to have the house full of people and its such a joyous change for me...

Yia sou from Crete, Greece

2011-11-13T22:02:00.003-05:00

Chrisi Akti beach.. The water was really cold, but after 1/2 hour I was so numb, I couldnt tell... :) and stayed in for quite a while till something nibbled at my heel, then I was OUT A THERE... yikes..

Look at that clear water... oh... and Joel... HI, JOEL.... he is trying not to look cold...Its the glasses...

The Venetian Lighthouse on the Chania Harbor...

Water front of the Harbor next to Firka Fortress

Where we ate huge honking pieces of baklava with icecream at a wonderful cafe.

More of the water front.... I wish we had had more time here. This is where there was amazing little streets with cute interesting shops, that I just didnt have enough time to explore... We did get a lovely linen table cloth here.

Taormina, Sicily Italy

2011-11-09T20:38:00.003-05:00

this was before we went to Bottega Del Buongustaio... the bakery where we made sure we got cannoli.... I had Sicilian pizza for lunch... I have to say the pizza in Rome was better. I am just standing on a side street Fountain at the Piazza IX Aprile...

Joel in a random door way. The doors were so huge and impressive... I kept waiting for someone to come running out of a door way and flatten someone with one of the massive doors.

The view of the coast line from the Greek theatre.

Looking down into the Greek Theatre, with the town of Taormina in the background....

Taormina, Sicily Italy

2011-11-09T20:27:00.002-05:00

Joel, in the Greek Theatre... "no Joel, there are not any beer vendors!" and your just a few thousand years late for the show... sorry honey... taken a map break...

Ok, I was pretending to be Juliet....in Corvaja Palace and Medieval Palace built by the Arabs

this was a lovely church..even with the gypsy beggar...whom we did give coins to, I was not taking a chance on a curse...

This was in S. Nicola Cathedral, a medieval caathedral built around 1400.
Here I took a few moments and lit a candle for my grandmother.

Taormina, Sicily Italy

2011-11-09T20:11:00.002-05:00

Porta Messina - ancient city gate on the northern end of the old town I loved this narrow building, the iron balconies with the plants...

This is out side the walls of the Greek theatre...the tree looked weak and it needed to be held up.... really I was laughing about what Joel said the huge pot was used for... I cant repeat it here in this public domain.

I Loved the streets here in Taormina, it remains my favorite place.

Not sure if this is the church of San giorgio or San guiseppe... hmmmm

It's been Six Months...

2011-11-07T10:08:00.003-05:00

and they have flown by... Its amazing all that has happened in these few months. We have done things and gone places that some people never experience in their whole lives and we have done it in the first six months.

He still takes my breath away with his handsome face...
He still amazes me with his outlook...
I finally got to watch him play hockey the other night and well, I loved hockey before I met him, NOW.... Damn...(not the part where he flatten my boss on the ice, though)(disclaimer, just in case)
I think we have handled our growing pains very well.... Sorting thorough all our stuff and deciding what stays, what we sell, what we give away... That went great and very diplomatic like... I think the hardest part is we were used to having our own spaces, set up the way we liked them and we have different needs... I need it to look nice and he needs it to have a florescent orange fuzzy blanket on it... YOU got it the MANCLINER... it still has the fuzzy florescent orange fuzzy blanket.... Yes a COO for all MEN kind.... (For now)

Remember Fisher-Price....

2011-11-06T21:26:00.002-05:00

Well my handsome husband.... started out his career as a model... for Fisher-Price... that is until... he knocked some little girl off of the coaster and made her cry...He had a thing for speed even then.... He made it on the cover of a few of the Fisher-Price toys... I happen to think it is so totally cool...

So his modeling career was brief... But he still has that SMILE...

Really?? Are people....

2011-11-03T08:27:00.002-04:00

not responsible for their own actions anymore? What is our country coming to? Where is the pride in our personal responsibility?

This morning I had a gentleman pull out in front of me, he blew the stop sign and pulled out into traffic. I was going an appropriate speed, didn't feel the need to slam on my brakes to accommodate his traffic violation and was about a 1/2 a car length behind him, he flips me off in his rear view mirror, REALLY????

These examples keep hitting home with me. A few weeks ago Nate went to leave our driveway and didn't look left, pulled out in front of a car. The car missed him but hit our mailbox and took out our fence at the end of the driveway. No one was hurt, minor damage to her car. The police were called, no tickets issued because there was no contact between the cars, BUT when the police officer approached my son and ask who was driving and what happened, my 18 year old son, said " I was, Sir. It was my fault, I didn't look" No attempt at a feeble excuse, he took responsibility for his actions... Luckily, she agreed to let us pay for the damages and not turn it into the insurance. Which I am grateful for, even after having to pay the huge bill for seemingly minor damages. I was proud of Nate, for the way he didn't try to make excuses, his immediate reaction was responsible.

Then not even a week later, fate (I say this because an unusual comedy of errors put me in this particular place at the very minute I needed to be there) would have me waiting to turn into traffic from our local grocery store. I am waiting for the two lane traffic to clear, a car approaches from the right with her turning signal on, waiting for on coming traffic to clear... On coming traffic was quite a distance away and she could have made the turn, but obviously wasn't comfortable so she waited "with her turn signal on" traffic behind her just assumes she is going to turn and doesn't slow down.... so they end up having to apply their brakes at the last second because "they" were not anticipating the situation "they" were approaching... so I see the car have to stop quickly, the person grab the steering wheel and start "screaming" at the person stopped "with their turning signal on".... I mean "REALLY?" so when the woman was done with her rant, she turns and looks in my direction and realizes I have just witnessed her entire absurd traffic manners... Did I mention, this was the same woman that Nate pull out in front of not even a week earlier....

Her reaction spoke volumes...

and I am still shaking my head....

Ephesus, Turkey

2011-11-01T20:55:00.001-04:00

Just an ancient ally way in the city.... Me, Just messing around with my photos...

Athens, Greece The Acropolis

2011-10-30T20:51:00.002-04:00

See the look of amazement... I looked this way most of the time.... Erechtheum...

Parthenon

Its been a long week....

2011-10-28T15:45:00.002-04:00

and I am about spent... in the monetary sense as well as mental and physical...

One of the wonders of my honeymoon was that I was going to Italy, I have a ton of family history here so my grandmother was on my mind. As I viewed the sights, churches, I knew even though I wished she was there, she was...forever an angel on my shoulder...never one to be left behind, she would horn in on my honeymoon too, which was fine with me... I wish all the time she was still here to meet Joel.

I was looking for trinkets and for sometime now(weeks) I'd been thinking about a bracelet that my grandmother always wore. It was a silver bangle with two rams heads on it. I don't remember her without it. I walked into a shop in Sicily and was glancing over things and there right in front of me was the bracelet... I was stunned... it was almost like she was leading me to it... I purchased it and gave it to my mom when we returned...

I will never forget the look on my mothers face when she saw it or the tears... My mom said that my grandmothers bracelet had been stolen...My grandmother had found when she was a young woman one day walking on Rehoboth Beach, put it on and never took it off.

Quick Trip - Niagara Falls

2011-10-23T23:07:00.002-04:00

Today, was a quick trip to say hello to Joel's parents in Buffalo... Then off for a quick drive around the UB campus for Sam... Then off to Niagara Falls (the American Side).. Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe...then back to drop Sam back at Keuka, Nate had to get his LAUNDRY....and headed back to his school... Long day, but I loved every minute....even if I upset Sam, by leaving her left over steak on the table...and didn't take her to Sea World...But she felt better when I told her Shamoo is dead....shhhhh (she will never know the difference)

I think this is a pretty good shot....

The three... well lets leave that on alone... My husband broke the news to me that the best Christmas store in the world (that he said we could go to today) Ridge Road Station...Closed in July.... WHAT?... I only got to go once...(whine) tragic!!!!! I don't care if they felt the NEED to close after 19 years to retire.... I ONLY GOT TO GO ONCE.... I demand a re-count.... Oh the humanity...Drat! Darn....shucks.....that really sucks....I'd throw a tantrum...but I am afraid, I would have to wake Joel up to help get me off the floor.... and its not worth having to explain...Crap! I swear this store was worth all this disappointment, I swear...CRAP!

We are Home from an Amazing Honeymoon...

2011-10-19T06:17:00.002-04:00

Joel in Turkey.... Joel in Greece....

Me... in an Olive tree..in Sicily..

Joel in the theater walkway in Sicily...

Joel... popping the cork on the begining of a fantastic week.... "Here honey..."

There is so much more to come, hundreds of photos were taken, the ship was great, everything we saw was amazing...

So Sorry....

2011-10-06T00:36:00.002-04:00

time has just drifted away from me...I guess I have been lost in my own time warp... NO, not my warped mind, just in a time limbo...(anyone else hear that music?)

Seems my life is about to change in a few days... I will be something I never expected to be, dreamed I would be, hoped I would be, but deep down never expected.... I will be a world traveler... and I am seeing a part of the world that I just thought was out of my reach... Why????? Well, I am not sure... I guess just because I am a simple country kid....

regardless now...We will touch down in Rome, Italy... take a tour of Rome and head for the ship then spend a few days visiting more of Italy, Greece, Turkey and Crete... yes, I know we were supposed to go to Ireland, but they cancelled our tour due to lack of participation...So we had to pick something else that fell in the time off I had from work...

I am nervous, excited... I cant wait to share all of these new experiences with Joel...neither of us know what to expect...but being that we both are easily amused...we can have a blast almost anywhere... It should be outstanding...
he is worried about the missing rocket launchers from Libya... I am worried about if I should have enough cash for any open air markets we should go to... he's worried about protests in Greece and water cannon's... I just don't want their signs to get in the way of my photos or my hair wet...you see how it goes...without each other one of us would be to the extreme and the other oblivious... together, we are fine...

Some days you just have to wonder....

2011-09-11T23:29:00.003-04:00

As most of you know.... I have a little problem with speed bumps, the furry with a long tail kind also known as squirrels... they just run out of no where attacking my tires and on more than a few occasions have become casualties of their own sick game...

This year I have hit a turkey and a deer, but.... but.... what does it mean when you start out your day and take out a pigeon???

I was taking the garbage to the dump, early Saturday morning... as I rounded the corner in my old green dodge pickup... WHACK....pigeon down... I got a photo op on the way out...

despite the evil pigeons plan... I had a great day... he should have had a helmet on.

Sweetness in life...

2011-09-05T22:41:00.002-04:00

Usually has to do with Birthday Cake.... a year ago today Ollie... made her grand entrance.. today...she learned to eat cake...rip paper... she is walking, trying her best to talk

She is such a happy girl... and we love her dearly.

So this is what Ive been stitchen....

2011-08-29T18:07:00.003-04:00

Ive had these ideas rolling around upstairs for a few months, figuring out how I could make them 3 dimensional with fabric, clay, wood and paint... I would like to introduce the first two from the Frog Hollow Series: Queen Bea and Wilma the Witch... they are between 20 and 21 inches tall...

Bea has a hand made crown and her pet bee...

her totally froggy feet...

would love some feed back....

Wilma the Witch

2011-08-29T18:02:00.001-04:00

Her friendly lil spider hangs down from her hat....

her tiny mole..

and froggy feet...

Summer Daze 2011

2011-08-23T23:38:00.000-04:00

I've already done this once....

2011-08-22T08:58:00.002-04:00

so you would think dropping the second (last) child off for college would have been a piece of cake.... I smiled, kept my focus on making sure he was settled, knew how to get to the school, ect. We came to one intersection and he exclaimed, "thank god, a Wegmans!" to you out of towners that's a large supermarket here in central and western NY... I laughed... So I am confident... he will be fine....
I cried the whole hour home... it started raining so I felt like I was getting the go ahead from some where, and someone upstairs.

Last few weeks have been total stressed... trying to finalize financial aid, loans, housing, MD appts, paperwork, health insurance... the list just goes on...

Thanks to the LYMIES, Ive not felt well, wish the pain would pick a place and stay put, I hate surprises and everyday having something different hurt is beginning to piss me off...its just frustrating. I did get to talk with an MD who deals with Lyme disease and told me whats happening is normal, at least I am not going crazy....doesn't feel like much of a consolation.

I feel bad for Joel, between me losing my mind trying to make sure the kids are all set for school, being sick... I am afraid I've had my moments of not being rational and being an emotional roller coaster... How can he understand, when I don't myself.... *sigh*

Family...

2011-08-16T23:03:00.002-04:00

Here is Joel, his brother, parents and the kids.... I know isnt this a nice photo.. I think so too.. Joel and Todd...

Joel and Pete....

Joel and ..... hey... where is Joel... this is just Sissy...

Joel................ Joel.............. hey, quit kidding around....where are you? JOEL.....

men...

An Official Ollie Gram.....

2011-08-05T12:29:00.002-04:00

How can all this cuteness be between two pig tails??????
I can't believe she is 11 months old today!

Rock the Harbor- 7/30/2011 - Buffalo, NY

2011-08-01T12:05:00.002-04:00

This was our Saturday.... I rode my motorcycle to Buffalo.. Joel had been there since Thursday when his dad came home from the hospital.

I have to tell you, I count and re count my blessing's when it comes to Joel's parents. My father in law is just one of the sweetest men. Whether its in person or on the phone, his greetings are always so welcoming and it just makes me smile. He calls me "Teen" for Tina, and the first time I met him he called me that and I almost cried... My favorite Uncle Ralph, that we lost in 1988, always called me "Teen" and I had no idea till that moment how much I missed hearing that endearment...so a million smooches to you Sandy for that, and a billion thanks to the above, left or right that you went to the MD, that you got through the triple bypass, and that you look sooooo good... Love you... Joel called Sandy last night and when he got off the phone he said " I don't know what I would do with out my dad, I have a question, I call him...he knows everything and everyone!"

Now back to where I started... I saw that Joel had "Rock the Harbor" marked on our calender on the desk, so I sent him a message late Friday and said "hey, what if I ride the bike and we go out on the boat and see the rock the harbor on Saturday night and maybe even spend the night on the boat... that's just what we did... These are just a few of the boats that were there... the buffalo police boat kept going through and having people pull up anchor and move their boat to keep the channel clear... A bonus was the fire works that went off about 10pm on the opposite side of the channel. Someone on a boat to our left kept lighting those floating candle lanterns during the concert and they floated way off into the distance above that HSBS building in the photo.... OH Ya, I still owe Joel two bucks... I bet that one was going to crash into the building but it didn't....our kick a buck game...on going and I never win...must be rigged..

I had fun sleeping on the boat, I don't think Joel enjoyed it that much...but he did it to make me happy...

I wanted to go out and have fun in the sun before I started my treatment for this stupid Lyme disease...You cant take the medication and be exposed to the sun. So I started it lastnight, not feeling so hot, today, but they said it makes some people sick. Hopefully it will go away after a few days, dont think I want to feel this way for the next month, but then again if it works...

more Portsmouth...

2011-07-29T23:42:00.002-04:00

Did I mention, I loved this city... are you sure?????

Had to take a photo of this... Me and Ollie's.... Just made me smile..
honest food?? is there a cafe that serves dishonest food?? like what? devils food cake vs angel food cake??? Here is where we ate... Library Steak House.... the meal well it was to die for, melt in your mouth... yum... and the old world wood work, Victorian atmosphere was wonderful..

Another house... I just love how this place presents itself....

Portsmouth Historical Society... John Paul Jones House... *sigh* the history....

Check out this crazy bike....its was soooooo funny...

July 2011 - Trip to New Hampshire

2011-07-28T23:22:00.003-04:00

Joel at the top of Mount Washington... Just a wee bit windy... one way to get the stink blown off of ya.... Portsmouth, New Hampshire... I really fell in love with this city...the buildings, the coast, the history... my kind of place... See the cannons flanking this door way...

Center Harbor, New Hampshire.... I love shopping at Keepsake Quilting.....LOVE....

North Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.... George Washington read the Declaration of Independence in this very city square...sigh.....

Mr. and Mrs... at the beach...

The past really does....

2011-07-26T10:11:00.004-04:00

shape the future....

While waiting with my mother in law during Joel's dad's surgery, we were talking about my mom and the subject of her childhood came up after I said the way my mom is, is a direct result of her childhood, and she asked what I meant... so I explained.... then one of Sharon's friends came and told me her fathers story, then her friends husband told his fathers story... all tragic, sad, full of loss of lives and love that never should have been, but the history of men, mad, insane men dictated the directions that these families would suffer, travel, lose, re-unite, morn and forever be scared, and yet.... These families would go on, have children, grand children and remember and be grateful that forever those moments in the past have brought them to where they are today.

I am glad they shared their stories. These stories are worth the time it would take to put them to pen for the pertinence of the statements they create. I have wondered for a while if I should tell my grandparents story... its not pretty, its not a fairytale...but it is the truth, and as I am finding out, not so uncommon.

My grandparents met in Oklahoma in the 1940's. My grandfather(from Linden, NJ) was there in the Army for Officer training, my grandmother (Benton, AR)was there working as a waitress, she had followed her older brother (in the military) there to escape her strict parents. My grandmother claimed she had quite the wild streak. I am sure this is what attracted my grandfather, along with the fact she was quite fetching. It wouldn't be long and they would marry in Kingfisher, OK and my uncle would be born shortly after.

So this doesn't turn in to a long droning saga, I will do in separate posts...

Still standing....

2011-07-24T22:24:00.002-04:00

Ok... so, I've been a little absent... Graduation party for Nate...Road trip to New Hampshire....a tiny trip to the hospital (Joel's dad)....yes, these are all excuses... but I have photographic evidence to support most of it...

all except....

when Joel tried to end our trip to New Hampshire after only 2 hours in the car... he discovered that he can only dump 14 M&M's into his mouth at a time.... see number 15, didn't follow his other pal's and Mr. I DO NOt HAVE TO cHEW MY fOOD... Dumped another 14 on top of the 15th one that was making a bee line for his lung.... next thing I know, I am giving the husband the LOOK as he is firing M&M's back out of his mouth.

I know those of you that know him will be astounded that first of all he can't fit 100 M&M's in his mouth.... or that he even considered wasting ANY chocolate by spitting it out... But alas it is all true...

More daring espionage and intrigue to come...

Finally got the film developed...

2011-07-08T23:41:00.002-04:00

I love my 35mm camera...but film is a problem... until I discovered Snapfish... I can send in my film and they post it in my account on line....

So anyway, this is the last photo taken of Roo... Joel was introducing them and setting the rules of engagement for fair kitty play in the bedroom.. This is me... and OLLIE... the baby is cute, I on the other hand am not...

Have I ever mentioned that we really love hockey? Well, Joel played hockey as a kid and still loves hockey... Hopefully being in a hockey town now, he can get back into it with the adult leagues.

the teen years....

Now for a little country lesson.... Here in the country our outhouses are serious business... where we take care of serious business... But like the people in the city we find ways to multi task too.... Like putting directions on the side of the outhouse... Just in case... lost people happen everywhere, even in the country... on the way to the outhouse... Just saying....

Ithaca.... that a way....

All the sites, smells and ...well everything

2011-07-05T00:03:00.003-04:00

Hope you all enjoyed your holiday weekend... We did... delivered the boat to Buffalo, had a great cook-out with the family in Buffalo and some very nice friends.

I know I have not mentioned or gone into detail on here, but Joel and I have received some of the most generous and amazing wedding gifts from family and friends. I have to say I have been overwhelmed and this weekend was no exception, some very wonderful ladies purchased us the most beautiful Waterford crystal and "thank you" it is just exquisite...

Today, we started out at Home Depot... A very generous person gave us a gift card there for a wedding gift, so we invested in a small air conditioner for the bedroom, lumber for the bath room closet and some bins to organize my mess in the loft closet.

Next stop was the Tractor Supply store to get the rails for the garden shed doors... Gulp... dang... they are just rails and hangers... not gold... jeez Louise... I feel like we have been scalped... actually I think I AM missing my scalp... sorry my mistake...my checkbook is now so light I was confused...lightheaded...I think I need glucose...

Anyway to relieve the pain... We got on our very fuel efficient bikes and headed out for a 6 hour ride... Lovely, lovely day for a ride around the lakes and I am so happy to announce that I am now qualified to be the editor and chief of the following publication after today's ride.....

Yes, I now can identify by grease spots, small patches of fir and most defiantly smell, all kinds of road kill.... Ya, for me... and thank you to all the motorist who over the last few days did their part in contributing to my new found success.... I am positively glowing with pride... Oh, maybe that's just a little touch of sun... Opps... slight confusion... seems to be happening a lot today...

despite the many sites and smells, positively rancid smells...it was a great 4th... even if my attempt at ribs...failed miserably... yes, Joel... I will leave the barbecuing to you from now on... It's OK... I know it's impossible to screw up the salt potatoes...I will be happy with that task from now on, thanks for pointing that out honey...What, What would I do with out you sweetheart...

Speaking of Fireworks...

2011-07-01T15:41:00.002-04:00

Off for a few days to spend the Fourth of July with my Husband... YA! Everyone have a great holiday weekend and be safe...

humble...is good

2011-06-29T14:25:00.002-04:00

Today I was faced with a situation, where someone who has not been very nice to me in my professional career, sometimes intentionally spiteful and mean spirited just because they had the power to do so, had something devastating happen to them...

Not for a moment did I rejoice or think "there".... I instantly felt sad for them and told them I was sorry, that life sometimes hands us deals that we are ill prepared for or ones we do not deserve. The only advise I could offer is "We are not remembered by these awful situations we are given in life, but how we rise to the best of our ability to handle them". I have no idea if it will or did make a difference.

I know it made a difference to me. Right now, I feel like the person my parents raised me to be.

This is what the Newlyweds have been doing....

2011-06-26T22:03:00.002-04:00

Not what you would expect... but I am just as tired.... ;)

Finished the front door with a round of white paint, getting rid of the grays....

my new mantra is "no more mulch, no more mulch"...

Joel built our very unique railing

It all came out just like he described it in the beginning.... Its more than I ever thought it could be...

I love it... enjoy all the pictures that are below....

3

2011-06-26T22:00:00.000-04:00

2

2011-06-26T21:57:00.000-04:00

1

2011-06-26T21:50:00.001-04:00

Graduation 2011

2011-06-25T23:00:00.002-04:00

Very proud... and at the moment the photo was taken, very weepy... I was doing OK till I saw Paige, she was a blubbering mess....it was contagious...

Sneak peek...

2011-06-21T21:53:00.002-04:00

I love this frog that I found shopping with my mother in law....

I promised Joel that I wouldn't take photo's till it was all done... (sad face) but he has worked so hard, how could I say no.. Remember I told you to remember what the door looked like before? Well now.... Sorry it was getting dark...

Each night after work I get a bit more done... So soon... promise

Another weekend...and I cant move...

2011-06-19T22:25:00.002-04:00

This is the house beginning of May 2011... this was the boss this weekend.... are we doing landscaping or hunting vampires?

This is the house before we started doing the landscaping project.... See our front porch, steps and sidewalk? I have never had a sidewalk before.... I love it...

Pay attention to what that front door looks like now....

More of before..but and improvement over May...

This is the other end of my LLLLLLOOOOONNNNNGGGGG porch! I am so happy with how my vision for a front porch has turned out...

OH, I am sorry were you looking for the photos of what we actually got done... YOU WERE???

Well, lets say two days of working non stop from 8am into the evening and we are moving like.. well we arn't moving at all... but you are going to be amazed of what we did... I still cant believe it myself... a truck load of lumber and 3 1/2 yards of topsoil...

Some place to start...

2011-06-15T22:00:00.002-04:00

This is Sissy, looks good for 28 years old...

This is Sissy and Pete's Shack.... This is the new back yard garden, best part all planted with divided plants from the front...

sorry had to get batteries for the camera, so now I can get more of our progress documented!

Made a new chocolate cake tonight....

1 chocolate cake mix

1 pint of chocolate ice cream (soft)

3 eggs

1 cup of water

Mix all ingredients, place in a greased bundt or tube pan. Bake in a 350 degree pre heated oven for 45 min...

Its is soooooo moist and yummy

What is in a name?

2011-06-13T11:09:00.001-04:00

Truly.... a lot

My name means something... Historically, locally... So when you find yourself in a position where you have to consider changing it... Yee Gads... For me it was a grand amount of soul searching... When I married my children's dad, I took his name but I missed my birth name... I am very proud of my birth name: Searles...

More than the name, I've always been proud to be my fathers daughter... See, my dad's name gets attention in these parts... WHY you may ask? No, not because his is wealthy or a land baron, quite the opposite... saying my family was poor makes me feel like I somehow put them in a lower class, so let's say my family has Chosen to live simply... I mean I never realized that we lived simply... I know I didn't have everything everyone else had and yes as a kid I said typical kid things( I mean everyone wanted a Walkman), but it never made me sad...

My dad's name gets recognized because he is a man of principal, in all situations, work, farming, hunting, family and dealing with his fellow man... he is also a man many would never seek to cross... Not for fear of retaliation...because disapproval of a man like my dad leaves you feeling,less that fit to be walking among good people.. He leads a life of examples... if your hungry he will feed you and show you how to grow what you need, or hunt it... if your needing in money, he will show you how to use your hands to earn a living... if your needing in a friend, he will only give solicited advise... if you need love, he will tell you to look back to your family, for its always there...
He is also the guy that if you need a part for an agricultural piece of equipment, it's in his hedgerow or he knows where its in someones hedgerow...

As you can tell, I hold my father in very high esteem, not just because he is my dad, but because I find him to always be a good human...

So a few weeks ago when I had to sign my marriage certificate I had to make some choices... I didn't want to loose my middle name because both of my grandmothers middle name was Marie.. So I added it to my first name, took my maiden name as my middle name and my husbands last name. Now, I feel like my name reflex who I am on the inside, Me, my grandmothers name sake, my fathers daughter and the woman my husband wanted to give his name to. That's whats in my name...

RIP >^..^< Roo

2011-06-08T11:04:00.002-04:00

Tuesday night we lost a member of our family.... Russell the Cat... "Roo" for short....

Mr. Roo came to live with us via the dairy farm as a kitten... He was about 15 years old... He used one of his nine lives very early when he was hit by a car. He dragged one of his back legs for a very long time, eventully regaining use of it.

He survived the house fire and this past fall we discovered he was totally deaf. Mr. Roo was an easy going guy that put up with Samantha dressing him in doll clothes and a few other indignaties at the hands of small children... He paid them back by killing their beta and goldfish!

You will be missed... >^..^< Mr. Roo!

I've realized

2011-06-06T08:41:00.003-04:00

that this blog has moved from its origin's by leaps and bounds. I started it with the intentions of chronicling my creative outlets, quilting, embroidery and all the other stuff I love to do, in my spare time.

Then on here I met other farmers and wanted to share my farming life experiences...

Then I met gardeners and wanted to share my growing attempts...

I started talking with other mothers and wanted to share my pride and joy's...

and it has grown from there and has become so much more

We traveled to Buffalo this weekend, got up early Saturday morning and began a landscaping project at Joel's parents. Joel has been talking about this for the last year, his visions for what he hoped to make, an easier mowing pattern for his dad and a little piece of her own paradise for his mom. Some thing easy to care for but visually satisfying for them both.

I have to say that it just came together with us working together we just move around each other completing tasks. Cutting the border, digging the holes for the plants that we knew where we wanted them to go, laying the landscaping plastic, planting the plants and then mulching. We did hosta's (which came from our place) then Joel's mom purchased ornamental grass that gives off a plume in the fall called Maiden grass. Sharon wanted some of the rocks from the front bed moved to the back and I have to say they were the crowning touch. I had so much fun working with them that it really wasn't much like work... And they fed us like kings... Oh, those baby back ribs and the Challah french toast...OMG lets not forget the blueberry pie...

We also had to go back to Joel's old place and move some firewood and cinderblocks...then pack up a few things that Joel's parents had been storing in their basement for Joel... So with a full load we headed back home Sunday afternoon.

As far as sewing... I have one cross stitch project I am working on, one knotting project in the works, a couple of quilt's on the burner and a stamping project I hope to finish tonight.

Farming: I still miss my cows, I have bovine envy...Chickens, six and they are laying... One lazy good for nothing but a quack duck...

Gardening: well, that I have pictures to post of...

Parenting: they are living and breathing, improving their manners every day... Oh and my kids are fine, too! hehehehee

Everything else: is stupendous...bright and shiny...

Some of my favorites...

2011-06-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

These are some of my favorite shots of Joel from our Photo shoot... I can't help it...really I can't,I'm smitten....

I think I need my grams to come along and slap me in the back of the head, tell me to "snap out of it, child...quit acting pie-eyed and get about your business!"

but to tell you the truth that probably wouldn't have happen...because as stern as she could be I guarantee that Joel would have charmed her to the moon, and she would have jumped out of that rocking chair and been so busy baking him cookies that she wouldn't have even noticed me...

Even my grandfather would have gotten a chuckle out of Joel... I hate that they are all gone, there was so much more for them to see and share...

This is Pete...

2011-06-02T08:41:00.002-04:00

He has many names: Texas Pete, Pretty Boy Pete, MULE, God damn it, Pain in my *ss, to name a few....

I know he looks so sweet in the photo, but unfortunatly I never had time to get the camara up when he would try to buck my head off... He has settled down in the last year, it really helped getting a farrier that had no problem putting him in his place and gave me more self confidence to handle him... Ive had Pete for about 2 years.

He is now about 4 years and that is the recommended time frame for Halflingers to be broken. So he is going to be broke to ride and ground drive, if the trainer can get something to hook him upto he will do some driving with him and possibly some log pulling... After meeting Joe, I felt so much better about the investment we are making in training Pete. Joel really wants to learn to drive and use him to skid logs... I just want a horse with manners, that the nieces, nephews and myself can ride.

I will try and get some photos of everything that is going on around here posted...

things are starting to happen...

2011-06-01T15:41:00.002-04:00

Our front porch, front steps and sidewalk..should be poured by Friday...then on to landscaping... Oh and the back patio, too... I am so excited..

Pete, our Halflinger, yesterday boarded the bus and is off to horsey school for the next two months... hopefully he will graduate with honors and come home a well mannered young gelding...

Zeke the stupid rock eating dog, left me two piles of presents this morning and of course I was running late... at least the rocks are easy to pick up... Stupid dog....

Raider, Joel's cat is getting comfortable with going outside and is starting to ask to be let out. He is a nice cat and it has taken some getting used to having a cat inside again.

Joel set up his old air conditioner in the garage, so this guy has the man cave of the millennium...While he sorts through all the stuff from his move and so do the cat's who lounge in the garage, Joel put in a cat door for them so they can come and go as they please...

Well, no rest for the wicked...toodles....

Not so bright....

2011-05-30T21:23:00.003-04:00

Yes, that would be me....
We went for a loooonnnnggg motorcycle ride on Sunday... Warm enough to just wear a t-shirt.
but guess what I forgot... Sunscreen... Important for anyone, but for me even more so... I have vitiligo, which means on about 40% of my body I no longer have any pigment....

Most of these areas are ALWAYS covered by clothing, but not my hands... Today my mits are swollen and red... they look like mickey mouse hands. Yes, it hurts... I have been reprimanded.. but the real punishment will be in the next few days as the blisters come to the surface.

Still it was a nice ride and we went through Waterloo, NY as they were having their Memorial Day Celebration on Main Street. Waterloo is the birthplace of Memorial Day, so its always a huge deal. We stopped at Dobbins Cemetery where my GGGG Grandparents and GGG Grandparents are buried. My GGGG Grandfather Jonathan Chesley was a veteran of the war of 1812. He moved his family here from New Hampshire and Vermont in the 1840's.

I can explain most of them...

2011-05-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

Nate playing with sticks again... taking 3rd place in the 4x4...

this is after he dropped his stick...

Hope you had a great birthday, buddy... I know I survived it so that's what matters... Is there any cake left?

Well this is from the move... Moving an electrical business... was not fun...

this one... I can't always explain Joel, but I cant help bust out laughing at some of the things we come up with to amuse ourselves... I buzzed off Joel's hair.... I know that looks like the LEAST of his problems...

Happy Birthday, Monkey Face....

2011-05-26T08:15:00.001-04:00

Gosh... 18 years has gone so fast... I was so excited... I had the little girl and now I was getting the boy to complete the package...

The anticipation of seeing your little face was killing me... So I heard the pop and they lifted you up, but all I saw was your butt and you peeing all over the doctor... I swear this is the truth... I didn't get to see your face till you were up close and personal...Its funny, you looked just like I thought you would. Id been seeing you in my dreams for months.

Just a few comments and words of wisdom:

I am glad you got over eating out of the dog's dish...

I am very glad you were easy to potty train, in those days you would do anything for a cookie..

I am sorry we lost your old friend tig...remember when you first got him and he would roar?

Never ever, stop liking to dance...gives you one up on most guys...trust me...

I love your imagination... you could play all day with that and a stick... keep it close...

Keep helping little old ladies... I am working on getting there someday...

But the most important thing is, Never forget how much I love you... and finally...maybe you have figured it out...but I didn't get you at the zoo... I really am your mother... I hope your not disappointed...

Oh, I almost forgot I guess your old enough now to handle this truth... Hamburger is not woodchuck, its really beef... I hope this doesn't send you over the edge...so yes, you did eat your favorite steer - Chocolate, he was Delicious...you said so...

Please prepare yourselves...

2011-05-25T20:00:00.000-04:00

to be blinded by cuteness.... I will have to remind my brother there ARE child labor laws....

I don't think Ive ever told you....

2011-05-25T00:17:00.003-04:00

about how Paige and I became friends.... Forgive me old friend but the years have blurred together and I cant remember exactly how many its been.... No we didn't meet in school, nor were we friends on the bus... We were brought together by something AWFUL, sinister, nothing that either of us ever asked for, god forbid did we pray for... but the same thing happened to both Paige and I. Not on the same day or even the same year, but still the same...

One day a doctor walked into a room that we occupied with our beautiful daughters and told us that they had type one diabetes and would be insulin dependent for the rest of their lives....and that our lives would change too...

I can't tell you what my friends reaction was.... but it would bring us together in a support group.

This year Paige's daughter has been going through the process of deciding like so many other high school students across America, what she wants to do and where she wants to head when she graduates next year... I find it hard to believe that she is already old enough.... But like another girl I know, she has never let this disease hold her back.... she is an accomplished athlete, she is smart, funny...she has an impish smile that melts my heart... not to mention that freckled nose...she doesn't comprehend her beauty.

Let me introduce you to Paige's joy.... Jordan This year at her prom....

Jordan is going on to school to become a pastry chef. I am so excited for her....and me too... I love pastry... Just call me Ginny pig.... I promise I'll try it...even if you put fruit in it... (please remember how much I love M&M's) wink, wink....give the fruit crap to your mother...

Did I mention she is a great athlete...Softball, Basketball... Look at the arms on this chick, she must eat her spinach... Or Paige is related to Popeye and Olive oil....

I know Jordan that you sometimes think whats the point... But let me tell you something... Your one of my hero's... Day in and day out you keep trying to please everyone... your parents, your family, your friends and your teachers. Has anyone told you lately how your smile makes others feel good inside? How when you bounce through the house with your pony tale flopping you remind me of Judy Jetson?
You have the spirit of a butterfly, you flit here then there...leaving sparkle where ever you land...smile in hand... I don't like what brought us into each others lives any more than you do, sweetheart, but I am soooo glad I've had the chance to watch you grow and bloom into the marvelous woman you have become...

Do me a favor... remember when you look in the mirror and see that lovely face...just remember that beauty that stares back at you is god given and all those others have to work very hard at not even coming close...

Love you, kiddo.... you too Paigie... oh stop your bawlin....go blow your nose... I hate it when you get all snotty...just stop it... people are lookin...

Do I get a super hero suit for this job?

2011-05-24T11:01:00.003-04:00

Diffuser..... I wonder how this word would look on my resume? Because that is a huge part of what I do... Disgruntled consumers...either with their bills, service or even the ones that are just pissed off at the world. There have been the crazies that I have also had to involve help from law enforcement....

So what does a diffuser do? Sometime I just listen to them scream and carry on... then I calmly interject and bring reason to the situation, work out a solution or compromise. Sometimes I tell them flat out that they are right and I fix it... Sometimes I have to physically put myself in between distraught individuals and staff, only twice in 24 years have I come close to being physically hurt.

Really just comes down to it that most of the time, they just want someone to listen and validate that what happened to them sucked. It is amazing to me that saying " I am so sorry for your experience" will give people what they need, and its even better when I can fix it.

Ya, so you can guess, I had someone roaring at me today... to the point my hair looks like I was in a wind tunnel... Unfortunately, they were upset at the world and it was my turn to take their unleashing of the Kraken.... I work very hard to keep a polite smile on my face and tell them I am sorry... but today it wasn't enough.... at least this is not the norm...

Maybe if I did have a super hero suit, they would be to busy laughing to remember why they are upset?

Hit and Run....

2011-05-18T12:04:00.002-04:00

No it has nothing to do with baseball.... Deer.... Deer just hit you and run... they should at least get a ticket (when they survive that is)...

Went to visit the folks on the mountain last night... tried to get me to stay for dinner, but I wanted to go home and fix Joel dinner... So after listening to my mother complain that she buys spice and fruit Jelly Beans so that her and my dad each have their own bag(she hates spice)... and my dad stole her jelly beans and then still had his own bag.... I scolded my dad and his reply was " Well, she was feeding the black ones to the dog, instead of giving them to me!" I just had to laugh.... OMG....

Then it turned to what was the best way to cook asparagus... So I determined it was time to head home, with my bag of FRESH asparagus.... oh so yummy...

Didn't even get a mile away, BAM.... Right into the side of my Jeep.... pushed in the whole back quarter on the drivers side, right where the gas cap is... Needless to say when you open the gas door the nozzle is barely visible.... Called my dad, Called Joel... Deer was no where to be found... Went back to my parents called the sheriff department and while I waited for them... I had dinner anyway...

An hour later... the deputy sheriff asked me: Were you the only one in the car? Yes, Sir.... Were you driving? Are you kidding????????

So I again left to go home and my dad informs me, if you hit another deer, we are not feeding you dinner again tonight.... Well then, whats the point....jeeze... I still had to go home and cook Joel dinner....

Just for your information, I sauteed the asparagus with onions and mushrooms in butter with salt and pepper...lil garlic... grilled mesquite chicken breast...

I was going to write

2011-05-17T10:37:00.002-04:00

about something totally different today. Then I saw the headlines and I am so heartbroken over this little boy that no one seems to know, except the person who left his tiny little broken body on the side of the road in Maine.

I know I am not the only one that can't understand how these things happen, but I can't and truthfully I don't think I want to understand. Understanding something like this means that you have been able to reason with it. Reasoning should not be possible, he was a tiny child, a gift, a blessing to someone, at least he could have been.

There are so many things that are running through my mind... Why would someone chose to kill a child instead of giving them up. Do you think the stigma of murder is less than acknowledging that you have met with circumstances that don't allow you to do what is best for your children?

I know I am making a huge assumption here, but there is not a mother or father on the news begging for the return of this sweet boy, so I am assuming he is not the victim of a kidnapping... No one has reported him missing.

Children are naughty, clumsy, sassy, determined, gullible, forgiving, innocent, curious, spirited, lovable... so far I haven't come across a word describing children that makes them worthy of death.... yet it happens to so many...

Children do not have patience or understanding (with out explanation) "Because I said so" means nothing.... "Because if you do that... it will cut you, hurt and we will have to see a doctor" means something...

I am no expert...just a mom, so far the best job I have ever been blessed to have. Was everyday a joy, no... everyday was new and different, with little joy's hidden in some of hard stuff.... I remember one particularly hard day with Samantha... she was around 3 and we were in the car returning from somewhere, and she had been especially naughty... I was looking forward to putting her down for her nap, so I could gather myself. From the back seat she says " your mean, mama", I said " well, maybe we should get you a new mommy, will that make you happy?" and I hear this tiny voice say " but mama, I picked you from all the rest"... I actually pulled the car over and cried... It still makes me weepy...

I am so sorry, little boy that you didn't find what you deserved and needed here. So find an angel, hold their hand and let him take you home...

all that pretty sparkle...

2011-05-15T21:41:00.003-04:00

Here is a photo of Nate and his girlfriend, all duded up for the prom....Saturday Evening.. I know its been a few day's but I have a good excuse.... Ive been sold into slave labor... But as of 3pm today with the help of my brother Chip, my nephews, Logan and Trevor, Paige and Tim.... Yes... Paige, even though all you did was carry a grubby blanket and bucket... you helped. The U-haul was unloaded and Joel is moved... Thank you my wonderful family and friends.... really Paige, that bucket needed to get moved....

Oh, my aching tootsies, among other things.... Slave Labor I tell you.... yes this is my feeble attempt at getting sympathy... please throw M&M's... I am covered with bruises (I am a bumble, the dolly and I had many an argument), bug bites... (the black flies out there are big as bats)

There were many adventures this past week and weekend... I will fill you in as I get the photos loaded.. but the best ones involved CAKE.... my vacation is over....back to work tomorrow... I know getting married is exhausting....

today I marry....

2011-05-07T10:00:00.001-04:00

You....

From: our first 5 hour phone call...

that moment I pulled in to the North Shore Grill, and saw your handsome face for the first time...

from our first bike ride around the lakes...

your sincere smile and infectious laugh....

your green eyes that are full of your impish personality...

a quest for a life that is uniquely true to who you are...

you still leave me breathless...till forever....

here are two people who compliment each others differences, enhance our similarities, never thought we would met...yet here we are... how amazing is this...

I am treating you to.....

2011-05-05T12:14:00.002-04:00

An Ollie thon......

Careful this much cuteness just may make you smile.....

7 months old.... already...and this auntie just loves her to the moon and back....

Count down...

2011-05-04T15:45:00.003-04:00

Minus the top hats... 3 days to go.... I love this photo...everyone is Really Happy.... that's why they called it the Roaring 20's, right?

If you were a cartoon...

2011-04-28T15:01:00.002-04:00

Who would you be?

Well Calvin and Hobbes have always been a favorite of mine....

Low and behold would I meet a real life Calvin...aka Joel.... totally fights any authority of any kind...school a total waste of his brilliance... anything to out smart his parents... even mean to little girls name Susie... the biggest dreamer Ive ever met...

These are actual Calvin Quotes... Just for you, Sharon...

As a math atheist, I should be excused from this.

I'm learning real skills that I can apply throughout the rest of my life...Procrastinating and rationalizing.

Where do we keep all our chainsaws, Mom?

It's psychosomatic. You need a lobotomy. I'll get a saw.

I like the maxims that don't encourage behavior modification

Reality continues to ruin my life.

Never really thinking about it till I met the Real life Calvin, I guess I am a lot like Hobbes... the voice of reason... pointing out the holes in his plan ... prankster ala king...his constant loyal friend...always along for the ride...

Here a few Calvin and Hobbes interactions that just prove my point....

Calvin: I 'm a genius, but I'm a misunderstood genius

Hobbes: What's misunderstood about you?

Calvin: Nobody thinks I'm a genius

Calvin: I'm a simple man, Hobbes

Hobbes: You?? Yesterday you wanted a nuclear powered car, that could turn into a jet with laser-guided heat seeking missiles!

Calvin: I'm a simple man with complex tastes.

Calvin: See any UFO's?

Hobbes: Not Yet

Calvin: Well keep your eyes open, they are bound to land here sometime

Hobbes: What will we do when they come?

Calvin: See if we can sell mom and dad into slavery for a star cruiser!

truly, I know Joel would freak just like Calvin, if I was ever missing, for a minute,even in the dryer... now that's love...

Just in case you haven't...

2011-04-26T08:55:00.003-04:00

Heard.... Well, it kinda goes like this.... Joel is telling people that I am taking him to court.... I have a feeling the judge is going to throw the book at us and the sentence will be a life time of hard labor on a chain gang of two.... If I am going to be shackled to someone for life, there just isn't anyone better than Joel.

So on May 7th... we are going to court, minus our lawyers but with his parents and Sam (but its kinda the same thing right? just kidding)... So I know the verdict will be in our favor...

Life will be grand, stupendous and most enjoyable... If he will quit making me laugh for a second we also may get somethings accomplished that are on our list of things to accomplish this lifetime...

I will be putting in for a change in venue regarding our future attire... I just don't look good in stripes or orange day glow.... We had a photo session yesterday, doing our official wedding photo's, and I have to tell you, it was a blast and not having to rush, just being casual and ourselves... I cant wait to share them with you, all...

Huge thank yous going out to the Sheridan family that owns Taughannock Farms Inn, http://www.t-farms.com/ a historical icon here in the Finger Lakes, it is a beautiful upscale Bed and Breakfast, Restaurant. They graciously let us do part of our photo shoot

utilizing the entire Inn.

And to our photographer that was fun and full of great ideas, Valerie of Timeless Treasures, http://www.savingyourmemories.com/. If your here in the Finger Lakes region, I highly recommend her.

the day's are gone

2011-04-25T22:18:00.004-04:00

I am afraid of the holiday mornings with little Nate coming up to my room and poking me in the eye or prying my eye open..

"Mama, are you sleeping? The Easter bunny was here... Mama he left me a BIG basket..." and on it would go till I got up... he was always so chatty...

Now I am lucky to get a grunt, in the morning... And as for this holiday, we were out the door and on our way to my parents and the kids were still fast asleep in their beds. This early morning wake up call on holidays, I will forever miss... I always had a hard time not laughing as he tried to wake me, usually his little fingers were sticky from whatever he had been munching on from his basket or stocking.

I hope to round up some photo's of the hunt this year, as I didn't have my camera with me in the woods.

My Aunt Pat and Uncle Jerry joined us this year. Their daughter Mellisa was in town from Philadelphia with her two very young daughters. Lily is about 3 and every time she found an egg she would just squeal with delight... So the house was packed with all of us and even with all the people, I could not escape the wisecracks from my brothers. I was hoping they would focus on poor Aunt Pat... foiled again...

Hitch up your wagon....

2011-04-22T11:00:00.000-04:00

to your chick...get on your bunny suit and throw all your peeps in the back...
Have a very Happy Easter... poor bunny... look's like his britches are a little tight.... maybe he ate too much ham...poor piggles... seems like nobodys safe at Easter, except for the stupid turkey...

Never, ever...

2011-04-21T13:50:00.001-04:00

ever, will you see this sign at my house....

Because I am one of the very lucky ladies (whom I was always jealous of before) because I am getting one very wonderful woman as my mother in law.... truly she is as nice as nice can be...

I was informed last night that yet again this year, I was in charge of the scavenger hunt for the older kids and I needed to come up with clues.... Last year they out smarted me and found clues that put them ahead of schedule, so this year I decided to put symbols on the eggs and only if they bring them in order will they get the next clue (instead of putting the clues in the eggs).... I think I have the eggs spread out that they shouldn't stumble over one looking for another...

I decided to take nursery rhymes and twist them into clues, I used family member names to make it funny... here is a few

*****************************

Little Miss Hailie

sat on her tuffet

Eating her turds and whey,

Enjoying her tasty snack,

Next to her new shack,

Along came a blue bird that

Plopped down beside her and

Said "Chick here you can not stay"

*******************************

Wee Willie Trevor Winkie

Runs through the town,

Upstairs, downstairs

In his nightgown.

Rapping at the chicken house window,

crying through the lock,

"I have to pee!"

For it's now eight o'clock.

Somebody open the door

And turn on the light

or I'll be out here all darn night!

******************************

A poet I am not....

Did I mention...

2011-04-20T13:12:00.001-04:00

that we booked our honeymoon??? Yep, I get to go on a honeymoon (I mean "we").... happy dance...

and we are headed for Ireland... I've dreamed of going to Ireland since I was 5... I know that it started with Darby O' Gill and the little people, but over the years it has become more than a childish fantasy to see the little people...

It's felt more like a need to go home, back to a place that I have been before, long before this lifetime. I have always had very vivid dreams of places in Ireland. I have ancestry in Ireland on my dad's side. I hope I find what I am seeking...this longing is old and almost at an end...

But for the child in all of us:

http://www.irelandseye.com/leprechaun/webcam.htm

the art of me....

2011-04-19T11:30:00.003-04:00

If Picasso took my life and made it into an abstract painting, I wonder what it would look like?

Life has been so crazy getting from point A to point B that my painting would probably look normal, HA... it would be his first true abstract... Please I do not intend to offend this great painter.

But really as I sit here and type, flashes of my past come in little shards of memories, lucky me they all make me smile...even the painful ones... because all of them regardless of how they happenstance bringing us to the point that we are at...

A young lady, a virtual stranger asked me last Friday, if I believed in fate. What a tricky question, because if you say "yes", you imply that you are not the person or force in control of your destiny... If you say "no", I feel that means my life is just a ball of decisions. To me the later feels soulless, and my life has been far from soulless, but neither has it not been in my control.

I like to think that my life has been/is a song, full of rich melody, sweetness, light chipper tunes and sometimes mournful tones that make me weep. Carefully orchestrated, conducted, keeping in time and if for some reason, I don't care for the tune, I have the power to change the notes...

So do I believe in "fate"? Let's just say I believe in my song....

Much was accomplished

2011-04-17T22:26:00.002-04:00

this long weekend.

We went on Friday and got our marriage licence, set out to the local post office to update Joel's passport, only to have to drive 20 miles out of our way to another post office to accomplish what we set out to do. Don't worry I got the opportunity to give the clerk at the first P.O. a piece of my mind.... *&##@! But this is a post of its own...

We then headed to Buffalo on Saturday, surveyed Joel's place to see where we could start packing it up for the move 250 miles east... But before we could start packing we met up with his parents, great Aunt and Uncle to celebrate his dad's Birthday!

I have to tell you, Joel's been telling me this whole time about his Great Aunt Rose and Great Uncle Harold in their very young 90's and how cute they are, married 65 years. Well, they are cute, adorable, sweet and sharp as tacks...

It's funny, I don't think they like being called cute or adorable, because let's face it, cute and adorable is for babies and you do not get to your early 90's or your 65th wedding anniversary by anything short of a lot of living, loving and compromise.

Rose and Harold are the couple, everyone in love hopes to be someday... The one's that you hope to learn their secret...maybe just the ones that fate has blessed with time because they make everyone around them smile, with their spunk and whit. It was a wonderful dinner and I hope to see them again soon...

We ended the evening with yummy cake and looking through photo's that we will be using for wedding stuff.

Joel and I ended up with our first large load of stuff packed in the Jeep and on the trailer, and headed east. We got everything in the house and the re arranging has begun.. I then got out my photo albums to look for photos of me for our wedding project.

Among them was this one... Me and my Pop's... I was/am a lucky girl, I got to grow up with a Dad that always made me feel safe and loved, never did I have to wonder....

And now this lucky girl gets to have that all over again, with a man that makes me feel safe, loved and I never have to wonder... 20 days and counting....

POOF....

2011-04-14T09:08:00.002-04:00

and the blast of feathers went over the hood of my Jeep....

Out of the drivers window I got to watch the turkey somersault though the air, loosing more of his feathers in the aerial dance of death.... Then the damn bird landed on his feet and took off.

He lived...my headlight on the other hand... did not...

This may be the day I start drinking coffee.... CRAP... I just paid the dang car off...

2011-04-13T14:15:00.002-04:00

It's raining...things are turning green... Easter is just a week or so away...

My mother has been busily stuffing eggs with candy for the annual egg hunt (about 300, give or take a few). I am as excited as the kids, I love watching them go crazy in the woods chasing colored eggs and plucking animals out of the trees. My brothers love it too. We see how much it means to Mom and Dad to do this for our kids.

I know for many of you there is a larger reason behind the season and I respect that, but the reason behind our season at Easter on the mountain is family. Bringing our families home to our mountain, getting to play with our kids for the day, with bubbles, kites, too many marshmallow peeps and a big ole ham, nobody is in a hurry. The kids get to be with all their cousins, trading this and that from the treasure hunts, sharing special moments with their Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents.

Times like these .... are just what it's all about... We are lucky that we haven't been spread far and wide like many families..