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. 

New place to trod...

It has been way way too long since my last post...sorry. So busy! Usual work stuff plus summer activities (yard work, drag racing, etc...) plus added exercise back into my schedule. I have not liked my floors since we bought our house 16 years ago :( I finally had the boost I needed to get it done! My Mom got new carpet in her big beautiful house so she blessed me with her old carpet...and it's only about 10 years old (at best).

I had not intended to purchase new flooring for my dining room...was hoping floor hiding under the carpet would be sound enough to refinish. But, as usual, it did not work out that way. My carpet is at least 20-25 years old (and I suspect older). When I pulled it out the padding had "glued" inself to the PINE floor hiding below. I was still hopeful...I have seen pine floors redone and they were beautiful. Well that dream went out the door when I discovered over by the livingroom there was a patch of sorts, made from a different kind of wood.

That led me to call a local flooring guy, Dowd Floors Inc, to the rescue. I chose a mid-price range laminate that looks like hard wood. I love it!!! He worked so fast and neatly...only took a half a day. He will be back next week to install my new/used carpet...very excited! I will post pictures of the before and after...it will be dramatic I can assure you.

If you need a flooring guy I would HIGHLY recommend Dowd Floors in Minerva Ohio!

A day in my life...

 The day started as most days do...put the coffee on, started hubby's car and fixed his lunch. Thought I would get a jump on my cleaning and take the S.O.S. pad into the shower with me to scrub the shower while I scrubbed my body. Strange...I know but I take multi-tasking VERY seriously!

As many of you know I own my own bookkeeping business and since yesterday was the last day of tax season (phew...thank goodness), I thought today would be a bit more relaxed. What was I thinking?!

I was at my computer browsing through blogs, enjoying my last cup of coffee, when I heard this horrible thudding sound coming from my fireplace chimney. My poor dog, who was also enjoying the laid back morning, jumped up and headed for the bedroom with her tail between her legs. I looked through the glass doors and didn't see anything, then the thudding started again. So as I'm staring into the fireplace and down plops a DUCK!

Great...now what am I gonna do? Hubby is working a 12 hour shift and had band practice so he won't be home until late. Waiting for my 13 year old to help didn't seem like a good option. All I could envision was this soot covered duck flying around my house knocking things over. But I can't leave this poor creature in there all day looking so wide eyed and scared. Thankfully my neighbor came over to help. As I slowly opened the glass doors he leaned in and gently put a blanket over her and pulled her out.

I wanted to get a picture of her (of course). As I began to pull the blanket off of her head my neighbor suggested we might want to try this outside. That turned out to be EXCELLENT advice! Outside I pulled the blanket back revealing her bright eyes and smooth little head and as I was getting my camera ready, she wiggled free and flew like the wind. Sadly the only picture I got is of very poor quality but enough to offer proof that his story is indeed true!

Today is a day we have been anticipating....it's Chick Day!!! We added 10 babies to our flock today, including Araucanas, Black Giants and Light Brahmas. They are soooo cute! I love the little lady staring directly into the camera. This will bring the total to 17 chickens and 3 ducks (and before you ask...no none of these one's have been in the fireplace).

After a busy day of shower scrubbing, grocery getting, duck releasing and chick retrieval I decided to make lasagna for dinner. Easy to put together, easy for family members to heat up when they get home (at all different times tonight) and a yummy lunch for tomorrow.

Sadly this is not an abnormal day for me. OK...maybe the duck is a little abnormal. My 'to do' list is way to long and never gets done...but I'm NEVER bored!!! Every day is a gift and I can't wait to see what I unwrap tomorrow, but for now I'm going to go check on the chicks, put my jammies on and watch The Biggest Loser! Good Evening to you all....I promise I'm going to post more often....I PROMISE!

I am linking this up over at Homestead Revival's Barn Hop...take some time and check out some of the blogs, they are awesome!!!

Bluegrass...

Saturday we went to our first Bluegrass Festival. I grew up on Country Western music...which is a long way from today's country music (of which I listen to regularly). My family used to watch Hee-Haw all the time...I was fortunate enough to find it on tv the other day. What a fun time! People enjoying being with people making music either by playing beautiful instruments, picking up a set of spoons or joinin their voices together.

I didn't know what to expect when my friends asked us along. Jon and I went with an open mind looking forward to enjoying a new experience. It was held at a local hotel. From what they said during the summer they hold them outside at campgrounds and such. In the main banquet room bluegrass acts would perform and change every half hour or so. Everything was free but they did take donations. There were instruments and goodies for sale to. But that wasn't the best part!

I come from a musical family. My Grandmother and Mom both have beautiful singing voices, my Uncle plays piano, daughter plays clarinet, son plays trumper and french horn, and hubby plays an amazing guitar. Plus we have many friends who are musically talented. There have been many nights sitting around a bonfire or just the kitchen table that the guitars come out and a "jam session" insues. This is a time when everyone joins in tapping their foot, playing or singing along...sooo much fun.

The best part of the Bluegrass Festival are the jam sessions aka picking rooms. As you walk up and down the hallways of the hotel many rooms will be open with music flowing. You are welcome to hang in the doorway, sit on the bed or if you have an instrument in hand you can join right in. These pictures were of some very very talented musicians just a pickin' and a grinin'. My son and I were sitting on the floor inside the room because there were so many people. At one point the banjo player asked the guitarist if he wanted to play it slow or fast, to which he replied "well, how fast can you play it"...it was game on! The banjoist tightened his finger picks and they were off. WOW! They were so good...what a great time.

Even if you are not into bluegrass I think you would enjoy checking a festival out. They are usually free. A few clicks of the mouse would tell you if any are playing in your area. For me it took me back to a simpler, happier time.

**sorry for the picture quality...I forgot my camera and only had the camera on my phone**

A first for us...

My dear friend, Beth and I used to work the Vacation Bible School kitchen together at her church.  Their VBS is the biggest in the area, usually have between 150 and 200 children.  We had so much fun coming up with menus, making wagon wheels out of rice krispy treats and fellowship the entire time.  That was about 6 years ago (but we "worked" together for about 3 or 4).  Beth and I are still good friends, although we don't get to see each other as much :( 

Every year on the last day of VBS they have a little carnival for all the participants.  They have blow up slides and bounce-a-rounds, cotton candy, hot dogs, snow cones and lots of games for the kids to play (prizes are candy)...and its all FREE.  Oh almost forgot..they also have a full band that plays Christian rock music, very cool.

Well this year Beth asked me if we could bring the Camaro out because they were wanting to have a small car show to go along with the festivities...gives Dad something to look at too.  Of course, we agreed!

This was our first car show...and I have a feeling it will be the last!  Frank was extremely uncomfortable with people getting too close to his car, especially the little ones with snow cones in hand.  However, it did allow time for the guys to sit and visit, tell old hunting and racing stories...that's always a good time.

The black cherry 1967 Camaro w/ the picture in front is ours, the green Monza is Beth's husbands and the blue truck (my personal favorite) belongs to Beth's Father in Law.

Silent bowl...

As many of you know Morgan took American Sign Language (ASL) classes this summer at Kent State University.  She absolutely fell in love with it.  It paved the way for her decision to study Speech Pathology this fall.  She has also developed several friendships in both the deaf and hearing communities. Morgan's dear friend, Emily, is sooo sweet and full of energy. They met in ASL. Emily is deaf and helped during the classes. She also made fast friends with Jessica.  As you can see the 3 of them enjoy time spent together. Morgan is behind, Jessica is on the left and Emily's on the right.

 We were invited to an ASL silent bowl this evening.  While I understand the name (since to most of the participants it was "silent") we were anything but silent.  We had an absolute blast!!! 

When they turned the regular lights off and the black lights on and cranked up the music...that's when things got really fun. 

 One of the songs that came on was the Village People's YMCA.  As you would expect, Mo & I (and 1/2 the alley) started singing and dancing.  This picture shows Emily, Kevin, Adam & Morgan (L-R) dancing to YMCA...keep in mind Emily cannot hear the song but she sure had fun following along with her friends.  FYI, they also played MICKY...you remember..."oh Micky your so fine, your so fine you blow my mind, Hey Micky"...we sang and cheered to that too!

Beautiful...

Beauty is all around us...if we take the time to look. My children are beautiful! I know...nothing new...a mom saying her children are beautiful. But I'm talking about on the inside, too!

Jonathan's compassion and beauty is still masked (for the most part) behind being a 12 year old boy. I see glimpses when he holds the door for an elderly person, rushes to give me a hug when I come home but most profoundly is his love of animals. While he certainly enjoys hunting. If an animal is in need...he's there. He has a lassie vision in his head...even though I don't think he's ever seen the show. He loves that when Sidney is tired she curls up on his bed to sleep, and sleeps there every night.

Morgan's beauty has been shining brightly for sometime. Not only her stunning outer beauty when she's ready for a dance but her inner beauty when spending time with challenged friends. Most of you know she loves her sign language and has a good friend with CP. Well thanks to her Christmas gift from Nana and Pap Pap I get to show you a glimps of another side of Morgan...perhaps HER favorite side. We all know how much she loves her drag racing. Well Dad has also thought it was important for her to be able to take care of herself. I agree! She knows how to change her own oil. She's played a part in changing many engines, big and small. And now she knows how to change her tires. And no I don't mean a flat. I mean CHANGE her tires. Her grandparents bought her new tires for Christmas...I detect a little worry of a young girl on the snowy roads of Ohio. So Frank and Morgan went to his shop the day after Christmas to put her new 'boots' on. (that's racing talk) She loved it..really! She takes great pride in being a prima donna one minute and then going in throwing on her jeans and hoodie and getting dirty.

We were blessed with a beautiful snowfall this morning. I have always said "if it has to be cold...it better snow". The maple and oak trees are all ladden with snow on every branch. The pine boughs are almost touching the ground. It's that squeaky snow...the kind that the snow balls hurt.

So you see...beauty comes in many forms...if you take the time to look. I would like to wish everybody a very Happy New Year! Bring on 2010!!!

A country convenience...

As far back as I can remember we have dried clothes on the line in the summer. We aren't die-hard clothes liners like some of the local Mennonite ladies around town. They hang their clothes out year round. Talk about going green!

My husband likes "crunchy" towels. Aka...towels hung on the line with little or no liquid fabric softener. He says they absorb better. I don't hang jeans, socks or heaven forbid...underwear, on the line. Don't like stiff jeans or socks and nobody should have to see our privates in public...this could be a hint to lots of younguns out there showing off their privates on a daily basis :)

Anyway...thought I would share one of my summertime favorites...what's yours?

Crazy weekend....

Too bad we can't find the glory in "being bored" when we are young. This weekend was sooo busy. Today I cut grass and actually enjoyed the time to reflect and enjoy the sun on my face. It was an absolutely beautiful day.

I spent my day off on Friday baking cookies for the band banquet on Sunday. Made about 18 dozen snickerdoodles and lemon drops. Morgan was still home from school recovering from pneumonia, and she was my official taste tester. They must not have tasted quite right, since she had to "test" several cookies to make sure they were okay.

Saturday was a points day at the drag strip. Morgan lost first round unfortunately, she ran under her dial-in by .04. Jonathan won first round then lost second round, he ran under his dial-in by .26. We are still trying to figure out how to "dial these cars in" according to what the weather conditions are like.

Frank got to combine two of his passions this weekend, drag racing and playing guitar. Driving Force is the official band of the Nostalgia Wars at QCR. That said, Saturday was the first of six gigs this summer. We had a blast! We had lots of room to set up, which is always nice. The band also has a new member. A new singer who definately brings alot to the table.

Tonight was the Leetonia Band banquet. It's a time to fellowship, commend the kids on their great work and say good-bye to the senior members of the band. Hard to believe Mo will be sitting at that senior table next year. Mo's classmates were happy to see that she hadn't died from swine flu...since that was what the rumor was she had!

Kitty is doing well. Currently she is asleep in the shoes in the hallway. Haven't had much luck training her on the litter box, but she has done good "going" when I take her outside in the grass. She's getting very playful and Jon is enjoying her alot. Hope he handles it ok when she has to start staying outside.

A new experience...

Last night our Marching band was invited to the chevy centre to perform during the minor league hockey game. Morgan is in the front row, second from the left with the dark jeans on. They had their own section and were featured three times during the evening. Once during the local news and between two different periods of the game. They showed them on the jumbo trons and had the spot lights on them...pretty neat for them. Especially since we aren't a big school...Mo's graduating class is something like 65 kids.

While I'm not a fan of hockey...I think it's just an excuse for boys to be boys, we had a good time. Actually the opponents (Motorcity Machines) goaly was sooo much fun to watch. He was very limber and had warm up routines that made him look like a frog...but I think he enjoyed playing to the fans. I think it's a guy thing. He actually ended up winning the game for the team. They were tied even after overtime and they had a "shootout" (I think that's what it was called). This is were one player from the opposing team tries to get a goal...they go back and forth one on one 5 times. Whoever has the most goals after 5 tries by each team wins. The machines won!

I have been a "Band Mom" for 6 years now and I really love it. The other Moms on our board of boosters are wonderful. We laugh and usually get into more trouble than the kids:) That's probably because our band kids are so well behaved we get bored! We have the most amazing, thoughtful and well behaved kids ever...no really...we do!!

Fun at the Fair?!...

The kids and I went to the fair and had a wonderful time. Morgan talked Jonathan into going on the G Force. As you can see by their faces, Mo (as we call her) was having more fun than Jon. And while Jon shook for a bit after the ride he went on again later...must be the adrenalin (sp?) rush!

When we first arrived my children had switched sides. Usually J wants to ride and Mo wants to walk through the animal barns...they were the complete opposite today. And while we kept on a budget and didn't indulge in the usual fair foods, we enjoyed the displays...like the 1000+ lb pumpkin, the kids rode lots of rides and we saw several people we knew.

This year Morgan & I had the opportunity to "man" the Hospice booth. We started volunteering with Hospice a little over a year ago. Hospice is the most amazing organization ever founded. If you have a loved one with a terminal illness, please contact Hospice. They offer nursing, doctors, clergy and volunteer help. They focus on keeping the patient comfortable and allowing them to pass with dignity. I put the Hospice scrapbook together, complete with obituaries, pictures, letters and cards. The stories are all unique with one common thread running thru them...how much Hospice meant to them and their loved one in their final days.