The past several years have been eventful. The girls have grown in so many ways. I will have to play catch up in a big way very soon...wow!!!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Someone is enjoying the apples....
Barbie Q soo loved the apples--tart or not!!
She had We had a blast watching her eat it!!!
Also, since it is the 1st day of Fall--someone is enjoying her few warm--ish, sunny days!!
Ginger, our Aracauna, is basking in the sun out back !!
Also, since it is the 1st day of Fall--someone is enjoying her few warm--ish, sunny days!!
Ginger, our Aracauna, is basking in the sun out back !!
First Day of Autumn 2009
Yesterday the girls and I went and picked a half a bushel of apples over in Lovell, Maine! I was not real happy with the Orchard we chose and will surely be going picking again this season! We agreed on Cortlands since the apples were crisp and tart and would be used mostly for cooking/baking! We did throw a few Macs in the mix though for fun!! I got up this morning and found a recipe for Baked Apple Fritters and was happy with the turn out though missing what I am used to in them--all the FAT!! I felt good eating them though--since they were a healthier take on them!
Adrienne asked to glaze them up and had fun doing so!
Adrienne asked to glaze them up and had fun doing so!
Ohhh and look at that glaze...yummm!!
It was fun and they were mmm....good!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Maine State Museum
We went to Augusta to visit a friend of Ashley's and visited the State Museum and also took some pics of the State House! It was a fun trip and we want to return real soon to explore some more! We took so many pics that I put them into a slide show as follows: (Video was deleted--oops!).
Groundhog Day...
..will have new meaning for our family now! I wrote back along about our baby boxer boy, Charlie and how he was ill. Well on Feb. 2, 2009 our puppy passed away! I sent out the following to all our family and friends that knew us and our beloved furbaby:
A note to all that haven't heard the news yet---A thank you to those that have sent their condolences!
For those that didn't know how things went down:
We went looking for a puppy for my cousin in July of 2002 and ended up in Casco, Maine -my cousin not taking the puppy that was seen--but US going home with a 1yr old boxer that was staring through a sliding glass door at us--bouncing all over the place!
He was so full of energy and had to be tamed a bit(he loved to run) the girl told us, and he had no manners! We were up for a challenge--and a challenge we had for some time! He quickly learned that running was acceptable--but: not into neighbors yard, without an invite AND not to the river for a swim, without supervision! He quickly adjusted to his new home and learned the trash was NOT an acceptable snack--neither were my lampshades, blankets, pillows, remotes and anything else that WE did NOT eat!! Besides his food, of course--yuck to us..lol!
He continued to get better at understanding the house rules--except for one--stop trying to visit the neighbor pups without permission/invitation! He oh so badly wanted to play and jump with the "kids" (pups) next door--sorry Heidi! Finally, we had to get seriously stern with poor Charlie and we put up an invisible fence and OH BOY he learned quickly that we meant business about the neighbors! --Not that he didn't look there and wish everyday! Well that took about a week or so and he no longer needed the collar and was broken to the rule of Staying in his own yard! After other little lessons and rules--he turned out to be well disciplined and loving boy who loved us as much as we loved him! He was also a very patient dog--accepting lots of things into his yard--other dogs that visited, chickens and of course a pig in his house and even shared his bed with it!
We had so many fun times and memories with him, babysitting, camping, rides, swimming and walks! There wasn't a person that met him that didn't fall in love with him or that he didn't like enough to bite! He was a happy, gentle boy that greeted with a big hello woof and an even bigger butt wiggle! He had a million expressions and a lovely voice (he sang with the harmonica)--his face brightened each day!--Even to his last minutes! He was healthy and always strong and then much too suddenly...
Charlie woke up on/around Nov. 19th with a head tilt and was leaning somewhat to the right! We scheduled him an appt. And he was seen Nov.24th and was diagnosed with an inner ear infection and treated with an antibiotic flush and a cleanser for his ears. We were told to treat him for 14 days and return on Dec. 8th for a recheck. Following through, we returned with no good news as he was seemingly unchanged, with good and bad days reported and we were directed to finish the meds we had for another week and call if any change. She said it looked like he had what they call Vestibular Disease and it could just last and not go away..there was no telling then... Only some time would tell...well time went continuing to have some good days without any signs of problems, other days tilting almost over and tipping here and there--still playing and being happy through it all--what a Boy!
He was no longer able to climb our stairs to bed at night--we began rotating between me, Jim, Adrienne, Me AND Adrienne, Jim AND I --each and every night to make a bed with him downstairs in our living room so that he was with at least some of his pack! Lots of nights hugging our boy close!
On Jan. 5th --NOT so good day--suddenly there was severe change and his first seizure that morning and an urgent call to the vet for the earliest appt. Available--that day, thank god! OR maybe not--Jim took him this time and with fire in his soul--a plea to help his Buddy! Something was wrong and it wasn't his ears! We were told that with seizures happening and after an Xray and seeing something but not sure of exactly what it could be (due to really needing an MRI at a cost of over $2,000.00), she told us it could be a tumor on his brain and was causing Neurological damage--and that, it did! After pleading--there must be something else we can try to see if it's something else--we were sent home with more Vestibular meds--oral doses this time--may help dissolve whatever that may be that was showing deep in his inner ear, near his brain! Two weeks of meds and no improvement--STILL! SIGH! This SUCKS!
More seizures, each one lasting longer--as we held him through each one--we became his seeing eye humans as his sight, hearing and mannerisms weakened and faded! He was slowly losing his strength --but not his will-- he fought to be what he had always been to us--loyal and faithful!
We had decided, with the signs and the voice of the vet, that we had done all we could do--considering our financial constraints with paying thousands of dollars to find out that it was a brain tumor or cancer --and then still being told there was nothing that could be done to save him...we just tried to be there for him and keep him comfortable--as much as we could--without causing him suffering!
On, Feb. 2, Jim knew the day felt sad--he felt that Charlie was not going to have a "good day"--as we would keep note of whether he was having a "good day" or a "bad day" or an extremely horrid one (the extremely good ones were no more)! As the day went on, Charlie tried to stand to eat--fell--tried to get water--fell--it took Jim and I both to get him outdoors to go to the bathroom! Jim cried, as he told me--today is the day--we just have to call the vet and see if we can schedule an appt.--I was frozen with sadness and yet somewhat relieved that it was Jim that made "the call" to give them a ring and not me--as I was feeling really bad about mentioning it before as it was getting very tough to watch him on his "bad days"! I called at around noon and...
They surprised us both with a same day appt. --we thought we might have some time to just let it sink in and suck up the love with our puppy! NOPE---so fast--at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 --we lost (too soon) our bestest, most faithful friend and fur-kid ever EVER--Charlie! Rest in Peace, my boy !
A note to all that haven't heard the news yet---A thank you to those that have sent their condolences!
For those that didn't know how things went down:
We went looking for a puppy for my cousin in July of 2002 and ended up in Casco, Maine -my cousin not taking the puppy that was seen--but US going home with a 1yr old boxer that was staring through a sliding glass door at us--bouncing all over the place!
He was so full of energy and had to be tamed a bit(he loved to run) the girl told us, and he had no manners! We were up for a challenge--and a challenge we had for some time! He quickly learned that running was acceptable--but: not into neighbors yard, without an invite AND not to the river for a swim, without supervision! He quickly adjusted to his new home and learned the trash was NOT an acceptable snack--neither were my lampshades, blankets, pillows, remotes and anything else that WE did NOT eat!! Besides his food, of course--yuck to us..lol!
He continued to get better at understanding the house rules--except for one--stop trying to visit the neighbor pups without permission/invitation! He oh so badly wanted to play and jump with the "kids" (pups) next door--sorry Heidi! Finally, we had to get seriously stern with poor Charlie and we put up an invisible fence and OH BOY he learned quickly that we meant business about the neighbors! --Not that he didn't look there and wish everyday! Well that took about a week or so and he no longer needed the collar and was broken to the rule of Staying in his own yard! After other little lessons and rules--he turned out to be well disciplined and loving boy who loved us as much as we loved him! He was also a very patient dog--accepting lots of things into his yard--other dogs that visited, chickens and of course a pig in his house and even shared his bed with it!
We had so many fun times and memories with him, babysitting, camping, rides, swimming and walks! There wasn't a person that met him that didn't fall in love with him or that he didn't like enough to bite! He was a happy, gentle boy that greeted with a big hello woof and an even bigger butt wiggle! He had a million expressions and a lovely voice (he sang with the harmonica)--his face brightened each day!--Even to his last minutes! He was healthy and always strong and then much too suddenly...
Charlie woke up on/around Nov. 19th with a head tilt and was leaning somewhat to the right! We scheduled him an appt. And he was seen Nov.24th and was diagnosed with an inner ear infection and treated with an antibiotic flush and a cleanser for his ears. We were told to treat him for 14 days and return on Dec. 8th for a recheck. Following through, we returned with no good news as he was seemingly unchanged, with good and bad days reported and we were directed to finish the meds we had for another week and call if any change. She said it looked like he had what they call Vestibular Disease and it could just last and not go away..there was no telling then... Only some time would tell...well time went continuing to have some good days without any signs of problems, other days tilting almost over and tipping here and there--still playing and being happy through it all--what a Boy!
He was no longer able to climb our stairs to bed at night--we began rotating between me, Jim, Adrienne, Me AND Adrienne, Jim AND I --each and every night to make a bed with him downstairs in our living room so that he was with at least some of his pack! Lots of nights hugging our boy close!
On Jan. 5th --NOT so good day--suddenly there was severe change and his first seizure that morning and an urgent call to the vet for the earliest appt. Available--that day, thank god! OR maybe not--Jim took him this time and with fire in his soul--a plea to help his Buddy! Something was wrong and it wasn't his ears! We were told that with seizures happening and after an Xray and seeing something but not sure of exactly what it could be (due to really needing an MRI at a cost of over $2,000.00), she told us it could be a tumor on his brain and was causing Neurological damage--and that, it did! After pleading--there must be something else we can try to see if it's something else--we were sent home with more Vestibular meds--oral doses this time--may help dissolve whatever that may be that was showing deep in his inner ear, near his brain! Two weeks of meds and no improvement--STILL! SIGH! This SUCKS!
More seizures, each one lasting longer--as we held him through each one--we became his seeing eye humans as his sight, hearing and mannerisms weakened and faded! He was slowly losing his strength --but not his will-- he fought to be what he had always been to us--loyal and faithful!
We had decided, with the signs and the voice of the vet, that we had done all we could do--considering our financial constraints with paying thousands of dollars to find out that it was a brain tumor or cancer --and then still being told there was nothing that could be done to save him...we just tried to be there for him and keep him comfortable--as much as we could--without causing him suffering!
On, Feb. 2, Jim knew the day felt sad--he felt that Charlie was not going to have a "good day"--as we would keep note of whether he was having a "good day" or a "bad day" or an extremely horrid one (the extremely good ones were no more)! As the day went on, Charlie tried to stand to eat--fell--tried to get water--fell--it took Jim and I both to get him outdoors to go to the bathroom! Jim cried, as he told me--today is the day--we just have to call the vet and see if we can schedule an appt.--I was frozen with sadness and yet somewhat relieved that it was Jim that made "the call" to give them a ring and not me--as I was feeling really bad about mentioning it before as it was getting very tough to watch him on his "bad days"! I called at around noon and...
They surprised us both with a same day appt. --we thought we might have some time to just let it sink in and suck up the love with our puppy! NOPE---so fast--at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 --we lost (too soon) our bestest, most faithful friend and fur-kid ever EVER--Charlie! Rest in Peace, my boy !
Sunday, January 18, 2009
okay some catching up...what's new for me!
Well Christmas and New Year's has come and gone once again for another year! I am moving on to Valentines Day..I love decorating for the holidays and was always BIG on doing Christmas and never anything else...as time moves along, I am beginning to decorate for more of the holidays! I have found that transforming the house to all the Christmassy (is that a word?!--NO, it's not!) things makes me feel so happy and puts a huge smile on my face and a warm feeling in my soul--and such an empty feeling when I take everything down! I decided to start looking for reasons to decorate--and found I can keep going for most of the year..hehe! I also discovered that I just love doing Valentine's Day--I love all the hearts and the pinks, reds and whites!--OH, and the "sweetness" that seems to surround it all!
I have some pics--loads of them--but will thin them some in order to post lightly of Christmas and everything between then and now! I had a wonderful New Year's! It also rang in my 6th wedding anniversary...yayy! If anyone's counting from that date...my kids always count like me from our "meet" date almost 13 years ago..WOW..that looks sooo different in writing...kewl!! More to come sooner than later!
I have some pics--loads of them--but will thin them some in order to post lightly of Christmas and everything between then and now! I had a wonderful New Year's! It also rang in my 6th wedding anniversary...yayy! If anyone's counting from that date...my kids always count like me from our "meet" date almost 13 years ago..WOW..that looks sooo different in writing...kewl!! More to come sooner than later!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Here's to all the Last Minute Crafters/Sewers...
'Twas the night before Christmas,
when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
not even my spouse;
The stockings weren't hung yet,
as they were still where
I was frantically stitching them,
pulling my hair;
Quite unlike my children,
each snug in a bed,
While visions of mattresses danced in my head,
In my sweat pants and T-shirt and old baseball cap,
Drinking triple espressos,
no time for a nap;
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tripped over the tote bag, then threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the look of metallics to objects below,
When, what to my sleep deprived eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
Gliding like silk thread his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As floss scraps that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
Then, losing my needle, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I let my thread fall, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
I snatched up my stitching and flung it far back,
For fear of the soot on his clothes and his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
He looked like the chart I had bought for the reason
Of stitching it up for the holiday season.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
To fill all the stockings, but turned with a jerk.
"And where are the stockings?" He looked down his nose.
I handed them over, and blushed like a rose.
He finished his work, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Get done early next year, don't wait 'til the last night!"
when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
not even my spouse;
The stockings weren't hung yet,
as they were still where
I was frantically stitching them,
pulling my hair;
Quite unlike my children,
each snug in a bed,
While visions of mattresses danced in my head,
In my sweat pants and T-shirt and old baseball cap,
Drinking triple espressos,
no time for a nap;
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tripped over the tote bag, then threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the look of metallics to objects below,
When, what to my sleep deprived eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
Gliding like silk thread his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As floss scraps that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
Then, losing my needle, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I let my thread fall, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
I snatched up my stitching and flung it far back,
For fear of the soot on his clothes and his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
He looked like the chart I had bought for the reason
Of stitching it up for the holiday season.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
To fill all the stockings, but turned with a jerk.
"And where are the stockings?" He looked down his nose.
I handed them over, and blushed like a rose.
He finished his work, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Get done early next year, don't wait 'til the last night!"
First Day of Winter...
...Brought in a Blizzard! Yes a blizzard! We got about 18 inches of actual snow and have 2 foot snow drifts with the 40 mph winds! WoooHooo...we will have a White Christmas for sure!
I will post more pics as the day gets brighter...these were taken at 6:30 a.m. this morning!
I will post more pics as the day gets brighter...these were taken at 6:30 a.m. this morning!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tree Time
Well usually we put up our 7.5' artificial tree that we have had now for 10 years +/- the weekend following Thanksgiving. This year we were dreading putting up the ole girl since she has seen better days. Well after more days than should have been, Jim decided that we should just buy a new tree---and make it a prelit one, so he won't have to fuss with lights. I personally enjoy engaging in the process of wrapping each other in lights and then having one part go out and having to sit down and go through the strand to find it, while I sing to Christmas carols..hehehe!
Well I, of course, honored my husband's plea to relief HIM of the stress of fussing with all that, which in turn would relief the rest of us too... if you know what I mean--it is all about bringing peace to those we love and ourselves! I was off on a scout for a large, full, real looking, prelit tree for under a $100.00 (I was thinking more around $50.00). I called home with specs on each tree we came across that even came close to his description, which was about 30... then, the price... OMG, $200.00, $350.00... are these people crazy! Absolutely not!!! I was NOT going to spend that on something I was going to look at for only 4 weeks out of the year! I mean I love a tree--it's one of my favorite decorations! Sooooo, I convinced Jim into "Let's just use what we have this year and we can shop for some after Christmas sales for next year's tree!" and he agreed.
Well.......... we didn't use the tree we already had... he continued to put off hauling it up out of the basement! I finally realized it was'n't just the lights he was dreading... it was the putting in the 300 branches that have to be sorted, fluffed and slipped into place--he didn't want to build the tree this year... SIGH, okay okay, the kids are very anxious at this point and I'm trying to give the "I love you so much, Hon" look...but it came across as the "Hurry up and figure this out or else" look and out came.. "let's just go out in the woods and CUT one down! " Omgosh--- that was the best idea ever, Adrienne thought--she was all excited! Ash on the other hand was like hmmm, well she said, "That is what you're supposed to do really, right mom, go cut one down?!" I smiled and said it surely was! We bundled up and headed out into the woods on our property....We found a TREASURE!
Well I, of course, honored my husband's plea to relief HIM of the stress of fussing with all that, which in turn would relief the rest of us too
Well.......... we didn't use the tree we already had... he continued to put off hauling it up out of the basement! I finally realized it was'n't just the lights he was dreading... it was the putting in the 300 branches that have to be sorted, fluffed and slipped into place--he didn't want to build the tree this year... SIGH, okay okay, the kids are very anxious at this point and I'm trying to give the "I love you so much, Hon" look...but it came across as the "Hurry up and figure this out or else" look and out came.. "let's just go out in the woods and CUT one down! " Omgosh--- that was the best idea ever, Adrienne thought--she was all excited! Ash on the other hand was like hmmm, well she said, "That is what you're supposed to do really, right mom, go cut one down?!" I smiled and said it surely was! We bundled up and headed out into the woods on our property....We found a TREASURE!
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Monday, December 1, 2008
Oh boy..I am slacking, as far as the internet goes...
...on the home side, I have been feeling like the expression-running like a chicken with its head cut off! The girls have both been active in their own things and together things.
We had fun this year.. the past few years my girls have taken Halloween off, as far as going out collecting treats. They love to dress up and go out--but Ashley was feeling a bit old to do it, since some friends that knew her age were making comments in regards to dressing up and going around house to house--it was "for wee little kids". So my girls would dress and go to the local community hall and volunteer their time for the annual Halloween party so they could still dress up.
Well over the past few years, both girls have noticed that those same friends, were dressing up and were seen out collecting that night...hmmm. Well, they decided that they were NOT too old to still go around dressed up...and did just that this year! They had a wonderful time! It was so different to see how different they acted in regards to their candy since there are no limits now, except for the ones they place themselves. I saw big bowls sitting around to be shared by all (never happened pre unschooling) and then most being left to the extent of enough is enough on just sitting on the counter and was tossed away... WOW!!!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and it was shared with a friend this year, which made us all happy, as we try to invite someone each year that could use a place to come/go to for that day! She was the perfect person, since she has no family close by and was planning on spending the day alone at home!
The girls made a lot of the appetizers and before munchies and Jim made the actual meal, as he does each year! He looks forward to spending the whole morning in the kitchen that day! I usually create the desserts the day before and the girls get most of their prep done the day before as well. They put together the platters and plates the morning of--before Jim gets going--and set it out on tables to pick at while the smell of thankfulness bakes in the oven (well, the rotisserie this year, since our oven broke).
We had fun this year.. the past few years my girls have taken Halloween off, as far as going out collecting treats. They love to dress up and go out--but Ashley was feeling a bit old to do it, since some friends that knew her age were making comments in regards to dressing up and going around house to house--it was "for wee little kids". So my girls would dress and go to the local community hall and volunteer their time for the annual Halloween party so they could still dress up.
Well over the past few years, both girls have noticed that those same friends, were dressing up and were seen out collecting that night...hmmm. Well, they decided that they were NOT too old to still go around dressed up...and did just that this year! They had a wonderful time! It was so different to see how different they acted in regards to their candy since there are no limits now, except for the ones they place themselves. I saw big bowls sitting around to be shared by all (never happened pre unschooling) and then most being left to the extent of enough is enough on just sitting on the counter and was tossed away... WOW!!!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and it was shared with a friend this year, which made us all happy, as we try to invite someone each year that could use a place to come/go to for that day! She was the perfect person, since she has no family close by and was planning on spending the day alone at home!
The girls made a lot of the appetizers and before munchies and Jim made the actual meal, as he does each year! He looks forward to spending the whole morning in the kitchen that day! I usually create the desserts the day before and the girls get most of their prep done the day before as well. They put together the platters and plates the morning of--before Jim gets going--and set it out on tables to pick at while the smell of thankfulness bakes in the oven (well, the rotisserie this year, since our oven broke).
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