First entry here is for a friend...

My first entry & it isn't even about me. I still haven't figured out how to make my journal beautiful, I don't deal with change well, so I haven't done anything. But I will....

But tonight a request was asked by a very dear journal friend "Dad"....

Dad's Tomato Garden journal mysteriously disappeared here in blogland today. They are trying to restore it (fingers crossed) but until then, he's asking people to post where he can be found. If you haven't read his journal, please stop over for a visit. At 95, I do believe he is possibly the oldest blogger, a treasure for sure.

Here's your temporary link Dad,
Anything to make you smile... All will be ok.

http://tomatogardeningwithdad.blogspot.com/

Summertime Musings

 

 

 

Summer is just skipping along.   Hasn't been the best summer weather-wise, too much rain for my liking.   Thinking someone really pissed off mother nature.   I'm still waiting for the dog days of summer, but this week has felt like the beginning of fall.   I think we'll be closing the pool early this year.   

Life has been good, busy & I always wish summer would slow down a bit.    

We're leaving tomorrow for a camping trip on Cape Cod this weekend.   The weatherman said that there is a chance of showers/thunderstorms until Sunday.  No worries, but hoping we're able to sit around the fire at night to talk and check out the stars.   August skies at night are a great time to watch for meteors/shooting stars. 

As we packed for our trip this evening, it seemed everything went wrong.   I'm pretty sure we scared off some potential buyers for the house next door in the process, lol.   

As the potential buyers approached the realtor, I saw them glance over and suddenly realized how chaotic my yard seemed too look.   My lawn needs to be mowed, (hoping to get to it tomorrow) and Mike had pulled our 26ft camper into the driveway (along side the boat).   I had one child bouncing on the trampoline, a dog on a leash, and a child riding his bike up and down the sidewalk.   I had to park in the street because there was no room in the driveway & began lugging groceries into the camper.

When I opened the fridge in the camper, I became irritated.   Mike forgot to turn the fridge on and somehow the fridge door closed.   I opened the door and saw mold.  I HATE mold, arghhhhhhh!   I was aggravated & Mike was aggravated because I was aggravated.   No big blow out or anything, but we became a little loud.   Those poor buyer's, lol, they didn't stay long.  

Just as I began to pack for the trip the skies opened up, raining again, what a shock, lol.  Not!   And then I broke the paper towel holder in the camper.   Began to feel that perhaps this was a bad omen for our trip.   But then hope was restored.  A double rainbow appeared, that has to be a good sign, so now no worries about this weekend.  : )

Let's see.....what else is new.  Oh, my hair color or lack of it.   I decided about 3 months ago to stop coloring.   I've been coloring since my mid 20's, ( our family has been blessed with the gene for premature graying).   After coloring for the past 20 or so years, I'm tired of it.   While on a quest for a healthier lifestyle, I've decided that pouring those chemicals on my skin can't be good.   I'm still adjusting to my new look.    Sammi has told me she likes my "brown hair" better, (secretly so do I), but I'm determined to not color.   Hey, if guys can do it, so can I!   Why is it that society thinks men become distinguished looking & often better looking, but women who choose to go natural are thought of as matronly?   Not fair!  And this 40-something is going to try to change that opinion one white hair at a time, lol.   

A few funny things have happened since I've decided to go natural.  Hey, I like that better than saying "gray", lol.   My parents and I brought the little ones to Storyland  Story Land - At the Park and the young girl at the counter gave me the senior citizen discount.   Only realized it later when looking at my receipt.   (I was a little insulted), lol.   The other notable reaction I received was from the parents of a childhood friend.   My friend's Dad came up to me and said, "When's the last time you saw Kathy?"   I told him last year and he said, "Can I take your picture so I can show her what you look like now?"   (Again, a bit insulted, I think).   But I'm determined....  I've lost 20 lbs since May, but thinking I need to lose more so people will notice that instead of my hair.

Today while grocery shopping Sammi wanted to buy baby food.  I let her buy two jars of banana's.   Sam & Mikey weren't impressed when they tasted it.   Later on while cooking supper, I heard giggling,  I peeked around the corner into their room.   Buddy (our 120lb bernese mountain dog) and the kids were sitting on the floor.   They had put a bib on him and were spoon feeding their "baby" those banana's.   He liked them!  Good baby, I mean, dog.   

It's 11:30pm here, should go to bed.  Will be another busy day here tomorrow..... 

Say What???

What the heck?? 

I just logged on to my journal and noticed that the pictures of our vacation aren't working and the paragraph about my abdominal surgery is ***poof***

Well, not rewriting, maybe just a glitch.  Gotta love AOL.  Not. 

A Voice Still Here....

I knew it had been awhile since I've updated, but since January?  January??  ::::Seriously, in shock::::  Where the heck did time go?

The last time I wrote I mentioned my snowbird folks wouldn't be back until the snows melted up here in New England.  Well, it's April and they are heading home this coming Monday. 

Lots has happened....  But considering I haven't posted since January that shouldn't be a shock, lol.   We did go to FL during school vacation in February.  (A few pics are above).  We brought along Mikes Mom with us.  In 72 years she had never gone anywhere.   Long story short?  I think there is a reason she has never gone anywhere in 72 years.  Lots of anxiety being so far from home....  We are glad we brought her, but, we're pretty confident that she'll be quite content to spend the next 72 years in her own lil' town.  Our time in FL was a whirlwind because we drove down.  The kids are great travelers, but driving is always an adventure.   While in FL, we visited my folks, my brother and his family, my fav aunt & uncle and my foster sister Missi and her granddaughter.  We went to Cypress Gardens, Disney and SeaWorld.    Mikey LOVED rollercoasters, see that face in the pic above?  He wanted to ride them again and again.  I've always loved rollercoasters, so glad to have a lil' rollercoaster buddy.

We returned home happy and rested.

When Mike went back to work Monday he found out he could "rest" more.  He was laid off from work.   Sucked the way it happened, but can't say it was a total surprise.   For the past 6 years, his employment status was always like a yo-yo.  Work was very up and down & more recently the work load had been down.  His job was very stressful there on a daily basis.  Anyone that has been reading my journal for awhile, knows that his boss was not a very nice man.  Anyways, I think his lay-off is somewhat of a blessing.  I totally believe in "When one door closes another opens...."  

>>Tonight is my first day back to work.  Can't do any lifting for 4 - 6 weeks, but thinking that won't be a problem.  Will definitely be taking a nap before going in tonight though. 

 Hmmmm, a nap? 

                    Sounds pretty good right about now.....

Welcome 2008!

And so Christmas is over and a New Year has arrived.   Welcome 2008!

All was truly wonderful, probably the best Christmas I can remember, but I'm glad to be back to a routine.  I should say, I'm glad that the kids are back to their routine.  Makes life alot less hectic.... 

After the New Year, my folks have made their journey south to Florida where they'll stay until the snow melts up here in New England.  We are planning on going down this year to visit, just not really sure exactly when.  We wanted to take the kids during school vacation in February; unfortunately things are a bit crazy for Mike at work right now.   But no worries, we'll get there.  We won't do alot of touristy stuff, just want to soak in that sunshine,  but definitely will do one day at Disney & bring the kids to Sea World.  Fun stuff....

We are in the middle of a January thaw.  Yesterday was 64 degrees, today it's about 62.  Almost all of our snow, exposing leaves I didn't rake, is gone.  There's no doubt in my mind that global warming is real, but for a girl who hates snow it's hard to complain about the welcome Spring temps.  Seems almost cruel to have these beautiful days in the middle of winter.  Because it's only a tease, thanks Mother Nature!.  No doubt that soon we'll be plunged back into the artic air that usually surrounds us this time of year.  

Hmmmmm, think I'll share a few more pics from the holidays & then go out and enjoy this beautiful day.  Who knows, might snow tomorrow, lol.  

Mikey opening up his much wished for Hess Truck

Sammi LOVES these dolls....

Spencer and his girl, Jenni

Sammi & her "new sister Violet" in Mikey/Sammi's new F-150 Power Wheel

 

They LOVE bowling.... "New Years Day"

Dancing New Year's Eve to "YMCA"  Love the hats? LOL....

 

 

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Yes, it's really me

I came home this morning after working 7pm - 7am and was greeted by Mike (leaving for work) saying, "Buddy had diarrhea in his cage this morning...."  He cleaned the cage but the smell still lingered in the air.  Seems Buddy still has some on his tail, but try as I may, I couldn't get our 90+lb puppy into the shower.   There I was, exhausted from the night working at the nursing home & now I was trying to drag the dog into the shower....  Didn't happen.  But a funny thing did happen.  I suddenly wanted to come here and put in an entry.    

And so, here I am....

Not really sure one should write in a journal when they've been up for over 26 hours, but I'm going to give it a try.  I'll add pictures so at least those will be amusing if the writing is pathetic. 

Lots has gone on....  Might be easier to show you some of what is happening in my life with the pictures. 

 

First of all, Mom remains in remission and is doing great.  I already have everything I want for Christmas this year.  Truly the most wonderful gift and everyday I say "Hey God, it's me Michelle, thank-you". (Here's a pic of her at the kids birthday party in August.)  We had Curious Creatures come to the party and this albino python was one of the stars.  I think the alligator came in a close second as a favorite.  Couldn't believe Mom wanted to hold the snake.  Mom is MUCH braver than Dad when it comes to snakes, he wouldn't even touch it, lol.   

Here are Sammi and Mikey with a few cousins and a friend holding the python.  I think both adults and kids had a good time with all the creatures.   Another thing that has been happening over at my end of the swamp is house renovations.  Our house is over 150 years old.  I believe the last time itwas updated was in the 70's.  The outside is now complete, but the inside is a work in progress.

Before pic....  

Another before pic....

And here's an after pic.  Actually I just noticed that the house is not totally completed in this picture, (there are some shutters missing) but as you can see, things are looking ALOT better.... 

Lets see, what else, what else?  Ohhhhh, I know.  Another big thing that happened here since I've last written is that the kids had plastic surgery.  I know they are a bit young, but peer pressure to look a certain way has already begun in kindergarten and 1st grade.  They hated their thin lips & so following the lead of popular actors/actresses  they had their lips plumped up.

A great improvement here too.  : )   

 

 

 

Ok, beginning to seriously nod off here, :::::must keep my eyes open and finish this entry::::::  Here are a few pics of our 8 month old puppy Buddy.  In this first pic he's wearing Mikey's t-shirt.  The kids used to love to dress him up.  The big goof would just let them.  They can't dress him up anymore though, because he's outgrown their clothes.  (And I better not come home and see Buddy wearing mine, lol). Sammi weighs 42lbs, Mikey weighs 46lbs, Buddy weighs 90+lbs. 

 

And lastly,here's a recent pic of all my kids.  (Spencer just turned 20 years old on Decemeber 15th!  20!  Is that possible?)  Guess it is & life is good. 

Well, my bed is definitely calling me now, have nodded off here a few times in the past few minutes.  I'll be back soon, still have lots to say. 

Everyone have their Christmas shopping done?  ....Like my house, that is also a work in progress.  Like my house, that is also a work in progress.  Oh, oh.... repeating myself.

Heading for bed...

                  Take care all & stay warm....

                          

Autumn has arrived

                                                  

Just in case you've wondered.....

Walking a 6 month old 80 lb (yes, 80 lbs!) puppy on a leash is no fun when they decide to chase every falling leaf they see.  Ok, so maybe it was a little fun experiencing Buddy's unbridled joy and enthusiasm seeing his first autumn leaves, and hey, at least my neighbors had a good laugh.   (His leash got wrapped around my legs a few times almost knocking me over.)

But one thing is for sure....

I'm not taking Buddy walking outside the first time he see's snowflakes.