My Favorite Things in pictures

The smell and feel of clothes fresh off the line

My horses...oh how I love them

Sidney

Sweet Maria and Frank

Jon and his junior dragster

Jon has a definite need for speed

Sidney is never far away

Jon on Meg (sure miss her) so does Romeo

Frank and I at Presque isle

Morgan and her Daddy

Mo and Dad-o share a passion for racing

Morgan keeping kitty warm

Being out in the sunshine working out is my passion

2013...the year of change!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Through different phases of our lives we are defined.

The first 20 years we are students. Babies and toddlers learning to walk and talk. Children learning our ABCs and 123s. Teenagers learning how to socialize, drive cars and dreaming of what we want to be. Young adults moving through college or young career paths. 

The next 20 we become spouses, parents and/or home owners. Working, going to sporting events and school programs...helping with homework, doing home repair and paying to bills.

During the first 40+ years of your life you fall into patterns. For us that meant me being a Mom first and foremost. Volunteering for Girl Scouts, Band boosters, working concession stands, anything that had to do with the kids. Christmas baking, birthday parties, cleaning, etc...  For my husband it certainly meant working to pay the bills. As a Dad it was taking the kids hunting and fishing. Teaching them to be self sufficient. They can clean fish, butcher a deer and change their oil and a flat. As a family it was sit down dinners (every night), game nights, lots of love and laughter. I definitely feel blessed that we enjoyed such an "all American" family.

Along the way you could always count on me creating something in the kitchen, hubby creating amazing music in his band, fall hunting, visits to the lake in the summer, snowman building and cutting down our Christmas tree. Yep...all American. Surprisingly enough two of my all-time favorite TV shows are The Walton's and Happy Days.

Well 2013 saw most of these things change. Hubby left the band scene, this was the first New Year's Eve we have not "played out" in years. Our daughter moved out on her own. Our son has his drivers license and is preparing for life after high school (he's a junior). For the first time in yeeeaaars I am not volunteering with any organization. We purchased our first artificial Christmas tree. Family dinners at the table are now a special occasion. 

Sounds sad but, with the right perspective, it is really invigorating and exciting. No I did not arrive at excitement overnight. But to be sad would be hanging onto the past. When we graduated we were kinda sad to leave the phase of our lives, and oh so excited about what was to come. So it makes sense that while I'm sad about moving from the full-time family mode to the next phase of my life, I am super excited.

What will 2014 hold? My business has been steadily growing, and recently experienced a growth spurt. Hubby is back at a flat-rate dealership and dabbling with entrepreneurship. Watching (and helping where I can) my children grow into the next "phase" of their lives is rewarding and exciting. Soooo many things on my list for 2014 I can't wait to get started and see what the next 20 years hold for myself and my family.

And believe you/me, I won't take ONE moment for granted. 

Building a life...

Today my husband and I are celebrating 22 years of marriage. I am VERY proud of how we have persevered through the trials and tribulations of building a life together...work, raising children, building a loving and lasting relationship.

We are so blessed to have had two beautiful children come from our love for one another. Thank God for all our blessings.

Jon, Me, Frank, Morgan

Today was wonderful. Even though Morgan has moved out on her own, she came and spent the day with us. We put steaks on the grill, made roasted cauliflower and broccoli and pudding cream pie for dessert.

I couldn't ask for any better!

The Sun will come out Tomorrow...


A good friend of mine has recently began performing in Live theater. He has performed in two plays so far and they were both wonderful. His most recent was "Annie". While my guys went hunting, his wife and I went to see the performance. The talent on that stage from the children, the adults, the orchestra and the dog was FANTASTIC! The little girl playing Annie is 11 years old and WOW....what a talent! Her voice is strong and beautiful.



Annie, Sandy and Lt Ward

This was Medfords first scene with the extremely talented Courtney, and of course her beloved stray dog, Sandy. He played three different roles for this particular play.

Orphans

The girls who played the orphans were funny, adorable and positively brilliant. Medford said backstage they were typical little kids...running around being mischeivous. But when they were given their que to be ready they snapped to quiet attention. He was as impressed with their professionalism behind the scenes. Strong voices, well learned choreography and cute as the dickens...yep they had it all going on.



Tap dancers...WOW!

When the dancers added their tap shoes I was so excited! Not only because I could listen to tap dancing for hours, but because my Mom tap dances and was looking forward to sharing how good they did with her. 



Annie and Sandy

And lastly, but in my opinion, the MOST important part...Sandy! The dog is NOT a professionally training dog. Nope, he is from the local shelter. He is beautiful and was very well behaved. Courtney and her family took him home so he could get used to them. As luck would have it, they fell in love with him and adopted him. AND there was a little beagle puppy in the scene with the dog warden and he too has been adopted by a cast member.

I just can't say enough about what a good time we had. If you have a theater close by, take the time to go see something...you won't be sorry.

Mother nature....

Even as a little girl I've loved being outside. While I must admit, I enjoy nice weather better than cold. If the temperature is around 30° or above I'm good. I have blogged before about "going down south" camping. My husband and I have gone down several times recently. We have enjoyed some beautiful snowfall, warm fall conditions and most recently an unusally brilliant spring day.

My husband works way to many hours at an entirely too physically demanding job. So when we got to the campground he decided to take a nap. I took the opportunity to go for a long hike/walk. There are horse trails everywhere with well worn trails. During the 45 minutes I was gone I enjoyed a lot of sun, saw many birds and critters and walked up on a Doe who never knew I was there. She had been drinking from a pond and when I saw her I froze. She flicked her tail, looked around and slowly walked off. It was exhilerating to witness her so calm going about her day.

Our weekend ended early the next day due to rain. But prior to that as we were leaving the campground to go to our hunting/hiking grounds our only exit was blocked by a fallen tree. We walked about 2 miles until we found an elderly gentleman brush hogging who had a chainsaw and gave us a ride back. He was a delightful man with smooth skin, bright blue eyes and told us he had lived in the area his whole life. When he asked where we were from he told us he used to play 6-on-6 football against our local team back in 1952 and '53. He also asked if we had been morel mushroom gathering, to which I replied "no", but he told me where we could go if we wanted to.  How I would have loved to talk with him longer.  After hubby cut up the tree to clear our path, we loaded the wood in his truck (as a thank you for his kindness -- he refused the money we offered) the rain began and we decided to head back home. So short lived break, but refreshing and we have a couple new stories. Looking forward to many many more fun times in the great outdoors.

What a fun night...

My children are 5 1/2 years apart in age. While it has some advantages, mostly financial...time between drivers licenses, prom and college to name a few. It also has some disadvantages. And one of those disadvantages is the fact that they never got to march together in the band. Mo graduated in the spring of 2010 and Jon was able to join the marchers in the fall of 2010.

Well tonight it all changed! Our band director had an alumni night. First I must tell you it made daughter a bit sad when she realized she is now in the "alumni" category. She was no excited! About 25 or so alumni participated, ranging in age from just graduated to Mom's of band kids who have graduated! It was pretty cool.

Jon plays mellophone/french horn and Mo plays clarinet and was field commander for her Junior and Senior years. Her good friend Tina, a fellow commander, also joined in on the festivities!

They played God Bless America, Star Wars theme and Land of a Thousand Dances...and countless stand tunes. They danced and laughed and just enjoyed the entire experience.

  

My Mom was able to join in on the fun and I left the concession stand (gasp) to watch them perform pre-game and half time. Wouldn't have missed it for the world.

FYI -- I realized tonight that I have been a Band Booster officer for 6 years!

Comfort...

This post will have very few photos. While I love to look at pics from other blogs...I want you to "see" the pics in your mind.

What brings you comfort? That kind of comfort that makes you sigh and calms your soul. Makes all the days worries and stesses fade away. All is right with the world....if only for a few moments.

Is it in the evening when the chores are done and your family has settled in for an evening of television and nummies (snacks)?

Is it watching your children sleep peacefully?

Is it sharing time with your aging Mama?

Staring at a camp fire on a cool summer evening?

Rolling over to snuggle with your honey?

One of the things I have always loved is....water! On a sweltering, hot, humid day to feel the cool water of a shower wash over your body,,,ahhh pure relaxation. On a cold winter morning, feeling the steaming shower warm your body...you know the kind when you don't want to turn off the shower. The local pool for the kids on a steamy summer day!

But my favorite water is night time water. Picture a backyard pool or spa with the blue lights glowing. The steam rolling on the waters surface. Your on the lake and the full moon is shimmering across the water as the sound of little waves lap against the boat. Or if you are on the river to see the skyline reflected on the water. Ahhh night time water is definitely my favorite.

My dream is to have a lap pool/hot tub out back. To end my day relaxing in a swirling tub, the cool night air washing over my skin as the days stresses float away...now that is a little piece of heaven...right here on earth!

Heaven has a new Angel...

My cousin Danny was 38 years old with beautiful thick red hair. He had a gentle soul. He suffered from severe cerebral palsy and has been in a home since he was 2 years old. He passed away in the wee hours of the morning today. I can just picture him standing up straight and tall with the heavenly beams shining through his hair.

My Aunt Linda (his Mama), my Mom and daughter (Morgan) went to visit him last year. My beautiful girl has a soft golden heart. He knew that! They shared a fun visit and made lasting memories.

Please pray for Aunt Linda, Uncle Bill, Grandma, Cousin Candi and all of us as we say good-bye "see you when we get there".

Down time...

Hubby and I took the weekend off! It was supposed to be a family camping trip but turned out to be just the two of us. What a wonderful time! Nothing special...just peaceful time together.

We loaded the motorhome with food and clothes and headed south to Cadiz, Ohio. This little town was founded in 1803. It's basically a mining town. Lots of lush hunting ground, beautiful horse trails and very little phone service. While it was a little hard to be out of touch with the kids...they all had plans themselves...and emergency numbers they could turn to.

After we made camp Friday evening we headed out to do some sight seeing and get a bite to eat. There was this little eatery called Country Kettle that my husband and his hunting buddies eat at during archery. The food was fabulous! A real burger was $2.25!!! They had home brewed sweet tea and the most delicious and moist corn bread I've ever eaten. We scoped out his hunting grounds since they change year to year depending on where they are mining. Saw a few deer but it was still pretty warm and sunny out. Headed to the shooting range for some pistol practice, too.

When we returned to camp I laid a blanket down and enjoyed some reading while hubby got the fire going. It was so peaceful! We stay at a camping area designed for horseman and family camping. The areas are far apart with restroom buildings, water hydrants and marked trails for walking or horse back riding. With the exception of voices and horse hooves in the distance we were alone. Ahhh how nice!

Saturday we started the day with bacon, donuts and coffee over the open fire! Then we just relaxed. Hubby caught up on some sleep and I enjoyed reading my book...which I finished by Sunday morning. Later in the afternoon we headed out to get some pictures of the "museum". It's an area where they park old machinery and that's where it stays. Old drag lines, bulldozers, mining Eucs...all kinds of stuff. It's amazing to see up close how massive these things are. To think how powerful the engines needed to be to move not only the machines but the dirt and limestone ..WOW! And the men that operated them...strong and gruff probably with a cigarette hanging from their lips. The entire town oozes with history!

One of the blades has been hand painted to memorialize some of their beloved machinery. Very impressive!

We always have steaks and corn on the cob over the fire! First we marinate the steaks in red wine and seasonings...the wine helps tenderize the beefy goodness! And of course, you have to use a cast iron skillet! I think this was my husband's favorite part of the whole vacation. He set the table...even picked some black eyed susans for a centerpiece. We have been married almost 20 years and I love him more now than I ever have!

We had several "visitors" during our trip. Some not so welcome...flies, bees and misquitoes. Others were very welcome! There was this gorgeous black and blue butterfly who showed up Saturday morning and stayed to see us off on Sunday. The flash of the camera showed his beautiful blue hues...to the naked eye they look black. Stunning! Then of course there were the herds of deer who came out at night...you could hear their hooves on the blacktop outside the camper. And last but not least...the raccoons!!! When we finished eating we decided to clean up in the morning. No  need...the coons did it for us...hahaha. They ate every beef bone, the last ear of corn, the italian dressing and a pound of butter. I'm sure they wish we had left some tums out too! I got a couple of pictures of their greasy paw prints but their a little fuzzy.

  We are back home now...hubby is napping...one more day off from work tomorrow! So much better than a busy expensive weekend anywhere else. Looking forward to the next trip!