Tuck it In...

As I drive to Ripley and back, there are 3 houses that always have my interest..you know, the kind that you look at and think you'd like to sit on the porch there for awhile...

The first one I come to in the morning is new construction, a nice front porch, it is tucked back from a road a bit and trees snuggle around not too far from it... kind of tucked into a pocket here... it is fun watching it grow and change...

The next one is tucked around a curved driveway, behind a horse pasture and this barn/garage building. I wouldn't know what it was like, but one day on my way home, a horse was on the outside of the fence, so I pulled into the driveway and knocked and yoohoo'd... again, private and tucked in the trees...And this is the last one... do you sense the pattern?? Tucked into the woods, fairly new construction... not big and showy, more small and homey.. It was a rather dreary day here, so the pictures are rather dreary, too. But I've been looking at seed catalogs and even picked up some peat pellets and pepper and tomato seeds for Bert to give it a go... I remember the magic of my 4H years and watching the peat pellets grow when you add water..

I really don't remember if the SEEDS grew, though!! I don't really think about 4H much, as I didn't think I was that into it and it fell by the wayside when life got busier, but every now and then I think of sewing, knitting, growing, woodworking, a few other things that I started in 4H and I'm glad for the people that made that possible. Thanks Joyce Groters and Nancy King and Alberta Oonk and Linda TeWinkle and the others, so many others who have given this gift to the local kids through the years...

Oh, yeah, and the snow total right now?? 284 inches...want some?!?!

Andrea's Victory over Jigsaw ... and then she packed it all back in the box already... guess after a month or so, she was tired of looking at that one, and she has a new one in the box ready to break out...so she did and now a new nightmare begins... the edge of the new one looks like lace, irregular and holey... it comes with an instruction sheet... I saw her eyeing Dan's new puzzle..no go, chickie!! You picked it, you practice perserverance!! AND.. there is more reading going on in our house... and Dan is trying to pass the test for baseball and Andrea is practicing for playoffs in basketball and the prom has moved to a topic of discussion and when will there be free time to go dress shopping??? Should have gone last week...maybe we'll use some time after the dentist one day... as long as we are alread there... I think I need a nap just looking back over this list, but there's dishes and washing and dusting and processing returns and people are always hungry here... :o) It's nice to be needed!!

What's a Mom to do...

yes, I know that if the Girls Basketball team goes to States, it will be on Scrap & Sew weekend...don't ask what I think about that... I shall remain quiet. I will continue to plan the S&S and we'll take it as it comes... Willowe will stand in for me, if that is necessary and I will still do all the prep work and be there when I can. No one told me to check that date first... but anyway...

another saturday...running and walking...

Running around and then walking the dog, that is. I once tried running for a couple of weeks. I always felt that I was slower running than I was walking, so I backed it off.

We found out today that the cottage that we booked over a month ago in Cape Cod was overbooked and so we start the search again... 6 weeks of vacationers later, so the options are much more limited than they were the first time. We are wanting the same beach area that we usually stay at when we are with the bigger group in the bigger house. We have to make a decision pretty quick, while we still have options... RATS!!

267 inches..and a bit about me...

that's right...we have had that much snow in Findley Lake this winter and I feel it unfair to kept getting more and depriving others of the snow that they should be getting. However, today, it is snowing again...

I have been tagged several times on FACEBOOK for random things about me, and I really don't go over there much, so I guess if you want to know random things, Annette & Laurie, you'll have to come here.!!

1) I believe chocolate is the MOST important food group. I hide it all over...


2) I like to clean - but in the daylight (morning).... My family just thinks I don't like to.
3) I have been to Russia ...and I cried because I was homesick..



4) Chapstick is my friend. I should have stock in it. It is time for summer...I feel like a lizard. Pass the lotion and who took my CHAPSTICK?!?!?

5) I am quite crafty, but I start alot of things and don't have (take) the time to finish them. But at Christmas, I did make several items and I was NOT finishing anything on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day...
6) I walked 60 miles in 3 days last summer and made over $4000 doing it!!
THE BC 3 DAY ROCKS!!



7) I stayed up VERY late the other night to work on this...

I finished it in the morning, but you may notice a little side note written on the box...yes, all complete except the missing corner piece... not to be found and done in a very controlled area. Can't sweat it... at least it wasn't a place that I kept trying to put pieces in. And then last night I took it back apart, putting all the separate pieces into the box, marking the top for future reference...ready to pass on to Daniel, who was quite depressed that I had already completed it, so that he can do it next... Or for my mom, who is running out, or perhaps Mrs Caflisch, who has one going in her classroom... in any case, it was a fun puzzle and not too difficult, but addicting, just the same.

8) I LOVE the music I grew up with...EAGLES being the top and I have seen them in concert in Columbus OH, Buffalo NY, Washington DC, and Nashville TN ....and I'll see them next month in CLEVELAND!!
9) I do the MOM job pretty good.... I must, because my kids think I am one of the meanest Mom's in the world!!

10) I prefer flannel...my hub doesn't, but he buys it for me anyway...I will NEVER fall out of bed in the winter...I am like my own flannelgraph story!!

11) I miss having a cat, but I can't bring myself to 'litter box' again, and we are gone so much, that would be necessary...I think it would be a great dog toy!! Maybe later..

12) Twice a year a group of girls escapes together to a HI Express for a Scrap & Sew weekend and I would not miss it... I get less done every time, but more talking and visiting. I DO have my priorities straight!!

13) I was the prom queen!! That one was a surprise!!

14) I read all about alpacas last year and got real into the whole thing, but I still haven't gotten to visit one and give it a fluffy hug. I don't want to have some... (you can't have just one, kind of like LAY'S potato chips), just get to know a couple.

15) I just finished Bridget Jones's Diary...another notch on my reading list for the year and the BIG READ reading list...WOOHOO!!

guess I should save some up for a later time... it's good to keep people in suspense.

there goes the neighborhood....

Remember the house that burned in my neighborhood?? Well, Tuesday when we walked, it looked much the same as before...this morning it was gone!! See the wooden fence to the left?? That will keep you from falling into the hole where the basement is. Pretty wild. Talked to the owner this morning... she says the taxes on new construction the same size as the old one is way to high, so they will probably look for a house elsewhere...that will be sad for Albert...but he has discovered some friends not too far around the lake that would probably be within biking distance this summer...

Tuesday morning walk...

This was the view out my bedroom slider this morning...around 7a.m. Too pretty not to share...so I got ready and Ernie and I met Mary at the road for our morning stroll. We have adjusted our days to no-tax days...or not the days I go to Erie. My outside sensor for my LL Bean indoor/outdoor blew off last week in the big wind and I haven't got it to read yet, so I was not really aware of the fact that it was 4degrees...I probably would have worn a hat, instead of just the ear warmer, but it was very still, so that was OK. Last week it was pretty windy and I was alot colder then....

just sit back and enjoy

sometimes I listen to my music, and sometimes I google search songs and listen to the you tube here... we have no radio reception because of all of the machines and everything... This is one of my favorite videos
just wanted you to know....

Happy Day, good friends!!

Greetings and good evening... it is the end of Sunday and I want you to know how much I LOVE my friend Kathy Heil... Yep, this morning after church she came over and said she had 4 dozen cookies in her car that were left over from her big bake, that I could send to church tonight for the contempory service. I was asked to furnish 4 dozen cookies and I agreed, but after 6 nights of basketball in a row, they weren't done and I knew that was one of my top jobs this afternoon. Kathy had heard the little whining in my voice and bailed me out. Isn't that great!!?!?!? AND she was whining today, because we talked her into the James Challenge, but she still mixes up the 3 verses and now we want her to learn 3 MORE!?!?!? I haven't figured out how to help her out of her problem, but I'm working on it. I gave a set of cards to Cheryl's daughter, Kate, because she has learned the first 3 verses, too. Now I'm wondering if that was a good idea, because perhaps she will just go hide with her 3 verses and not drill her mom and then Cheryl will be so sad....hmmm...

OH, YEAH!! And for Valentine's Day, we got VENISON!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?? SCOTT HIT IT AND BUSTED THE FRONT BUMPER!! Just makes you sick... the fender and hood look good, so it may just be a fix and not an insurance thing...

Oops..where is the picture??

Last night, Dan repeated Andrea's good night by also beating Maple Grove. It was a tough game, but they played very well. I didn't stay for the varsity game...I wanted to clipper Bert's hair and get him some cartoon time, which he has been missing...just some wind down time...so Andrea would bring him home. When I stood up, I bumped something with my foot and realizied I had my camera and I hadn't taken a single picture - I was too busy watching the game. I maintain that I can't click and watch at the same time...At home, Dan asked if I took a lot of pictures, nope, sorry, not a one. I'll try harder next time!! Tonight it is road-trip to Forestville for Andrea...tough week- 5 nights/5 games...need the fairies to stop in tonight and catch up my chores!!

Senior Night

Yes, last night was senior night at CCS. We have 2 seniors this year - Lindsey Lictus...

and Tara Bailey...The pictures are not good, but that is my gym photography...sorry...it is hit or miss...mostly miss!They won the game and Andrea had a double double, so that was good. They have to go to Forestville on Friday and then to Cassadaga Valley the next Friday... still undefeated... gotta guard against over confidence at this point.


After the game the girls opened their gifts and ooh'd and aah'd and gave out hugs. It has been a fun year and they have all seemed to get along together, which is the real determination of a winning year... of course 18-0 helps!!



Tara & Lindsey - Best Wishes - you'll be missed...I get teary-eyed at these senior things...but they did a little slideshow of these girls with the music"ThankYou for Being a Friend" that was really cute and I remember them both when they were that little, just like it was yesterday...I think it was...God's Blessings on you and your futures!!

Deck Duty

Dan was sent out to do a little deck shoveling, but it was so nice, he decided to do it in his shorts!!


Of course, he had on his music to help pass the time... and then he can't hear us when we call him...

Guess What??

Oh, I'm sorry... mamarazzi has had to close the my-favorite-things swap because she had a swapping 100 names in!! I wonder who I'll get?? She is planning another one in spring...(Spring? what's that??I hope Phil found some spring the other day when he popped out of his hole)...anyway, I'll let you know when I know what her next swap is. This is my first swap, I hope I'm not a flop! Happy Swapping Blogging Buddies!! I'm huddled over the heater here at work, because it was -10 this morning in my neighborhood..we skipped the walk..we are wussing out in our old age..we don't have time to be sick..yeah, we've definately lost the edge...when you wonder how you will get all your work done from your sick bed, you've lost the edge. Does it come back I wonder?? You know, after your kids are gone and you look in the mirror again??

Tax Time...

Working here in Erie...today I ran some errands. Had to get a couple of things, so Hub sent me up to the local Office Depot to see what the closing the store markdowns were. Nothing there much we can't live without... had already bopped into the Christian Bookstore to pick up a couple of items for my friend's birthday package. I believe she's in her 80's birthdays. Decided to hit Target quick for the cereal & valentines Andy requested and a couple of other items. When I came out to my car a young man came up to me and said he had run out of gas in the parking lot ..his girlfriend and 8month old were in the car, right across from mine..he offered for his girlfriend to go with me if that would be better for me...I called the hubby and then left...I know, I watch Without A Trace. It just felt OK..back in the parking lot after 2 gas station stops (first one had no cans!) he had continued to thank me profusely, offer me $10, apologize for the smell, I found out he was from Sherman..nearly a neighbor...I thought he had looked familiar...

Oh,Yeah... and this is REALLY my 100th post, 'cuz I had some drafts and they were counted and now they are deleted...CELEBRATE 100!!

How about if you go to this . I think you might find it interesting...

Favorite Things Swap over at Mamarazzi

Have you ever done a swap?? We're just starting a Secret Blessings thing at church to send goodies, prayers and encouragement to the person whose name we picked and lately I've been reading some blog histories where they have swaps and they sound like FUN,FUN,FUN!! ...and now guess what?!?! I found one that is just starting, so I can get in on it...and SO CAN YOU!! Just hop over to see what Mamarazzi has planned and get on her list!! I found it through April, who gave me a few helps on some of my posting...I'm still learning the techno stuff here! Anyway, who wouldn't want to swap a box of her favorite things for a box of favorite things from someone else, so of course the swap is called FAVORITE THINGS..not too complicated so far!! Hop over quick and see how it's done, and maybe you'll have a new friend before it is done!!

GOTTA WALK!!

How about this trick...ok that trick didn't work.. I'm still trying to figure out how to write a word that you can click on to transport you to another galaxy in blogland...hmmm...

Heidi

FYI- I've finished another of my goal books... Heidi. Don't you just like the look of it??. It was a 1927 copy and fun to read. The pages were really thick, so I often thought I had turned 2 pages together. I watched the old movie not too long ago with Burl Ives... I love Burl Ives... Mrs. Ostrander used to play Burl Ives music during nap time in kindergarten. We were an all-day program, so we got to nap with Burl. I listen for him every Christmas, too. Brings back lovely memories of cots and milk break...

Not too many pictures, but this is one of them...

It is a nice day, but I guess we're bracing for the next storm, perhaps Wednesday... we need more salt before that here in Erie. The drive is pretty icy...unfortunately, I don't think it will melt enough before then and the parking lot gets smaller, and smaller, and smaller... The last posting in Findley Lake was 229 inches of snow...UPDATE: while driving by the firehall tonight, I see they have changed the reading to 258 inches this winter here in Findley Lake NY...

Sunday, Sunday...

Church Dinner... a tradition on SuperBowl Sunday, is a Soup Dinner after church. We made Seafood bisque and Taco soup... quite a combination, don't you know!! And then for a change Scott left before we were all picked up. I stayed until the end, but didn't do too much constructive. Someone found a cell phone in the parking lot, so we tried to give to away at church, but no one claimed it, so we got a charger to fit, got some juice, of course there is no signal at church...perhaps that is a GOD thing!! and I got Grandma's House phone number to come up, so I called her and said.."Is this someone's Grandma"... she was quite funny and it didn't take her too long to figure out whose phone it was, so she would try to get ahold of him or she would come out today and get the phone... Always feels good to make someone's day, doesn't it?? Now I need to get my dip ready for later, but I am doing some tidying. All week, and more weeks than I care to mention, things just get set down. Close enough to be out of the way, but not put away, just put down. I think it could be an all-day job. But it is Sunday, so I'm looking at it for my day of rest, but really, I'll be able to rest better if I can sit down and not see all of these piles. Bert is out in the snow... 14 degrees yesterday, 40 degrees today. Here we go again. I guess we are supposed to get a good dump of snow this week again, so this may just keep us from having snow blow around by making snow 'crust'!! LisaLoo- I'll try to take a picture of Bert next to the snow so you can see how deep!!

Yep, Bert is the height of an average 11yr old and the snow is this deep!! I am making little card holding things for our James challenge. Only, I didn't print the second page and thought 12 verses, no sweat... then I open my Bible, instead of the internet copy I was copying to space them out and SURPISE!! Where did all these verses come from!?!?! We will see how the first chapter goes...perhaps that will be the extent of our memory to start with... but I think the whole book will be awesome, so it will just be a matter of how long it takes us.