Directed Path - Lord, please guide me through!

Always Interesting

2012-01-15T12:58:00.000-08:00

A blogging friend of mine is always finding interesting things to take pictures of, write about and share with her online friends. Her latest treasure is a book of remedies that Amish have practiced over the years. She does not follow these practices or use their remedies but found the book to be very interesting and thought her readers would, too. She has a VERY interesting blog to read...a VERY interesting story to tell. I would love for you to meet her if you haven't already: http://ajoyfulchaos.blogspot.com/2012/01/giveaway.html Start at the beginning and work your way to the present. Truly a gifted writer and soon to have the first of 3 books published!

Meanwhile, I'm working on my next thought, never mind a book!

...Almost Christmas

2011-12-16T20:52:00.001-08:00

What brings you the "Christmas Spirit?" Is there really such a thing? Some people "need" snow to "feel" Christmasy; or need to "hear" certain songs of the season. As Christians, how are we supposed to "feel" at Christmas time?

Many years ago, I found that only things that pertain to my faith in Jesus Christ really gave me anything that resembled the "Christmas Spirit." So called "Christmas Music" playing in department stores the day after Halloween doesn't cut it for me. Neither do the decorations that soon follow. Salvation Army bell ringers are annoying and I pay them to stop ringing for just a few seconds ... (kidding!)

I had a long talk with myself about the things that make up "Christmas" for my family, years past and present, prayed about them and asked the Lord to help me sort out what was for His glory and what was just for my love of the winter season. So far this is how I've been lead:

1. Writing a Christmas letter to my friends and/or designing our card = Christmas Spirit
2. Searching for the perfect tree out on our tree farm = Love of Winter
3. Organizing gifts I've purchased all summer/fall to be wrapped = Christmas Spirit
4. Checking the mailbox/side steps for online purchases that have been delivered = Christmas Spirit
5. Art projects with children at elementary schools this time of year = Love of Winter
6. School concerts; especially my granddaughter's and daughter-in-law's ...where they still sing of the birth of Jesus Christ! = Christmas Spirit
7. Choir practice; cantata performances = Christmas Spirit
8. Planning the meals/get-togethers with family - Christmas Spirit
9. Baking - Love of Winter
10. Opening cards/letters from friends - Christmas Spirit
11. Decorating the outside and inside of our home - Love of Winter

...and the winner is: Christmas Spirit, sprinkled with doses of Love of Winter - sanctioned by God through His Saving Grace, first seen by shepherds who had none of the above but left the manger praising Him; and who has blessed us here in the northeast with the winter season to be enjoyed but not worshiped.

I am reminded of the portion of a verse in Corinthinans: "and these three remain, hope, faith and love; but the greatest of these is love." We seem to focus on "love" and neglect the other two. Why? I don't know... anyone can have "faith" by definition, but the Christian faith is the only one with real "hope." No other religion can provide the hope of a happy "ever after." Some allude to the possibility of one ... if you work hard enough in this life and the next; but Christianity is the ONLY one that offers it free and clear, just for the trusting and asking. It's Biblical. It's real. It satisfies the soul as no other religion can do. I learned this years ago and hope you, dear reader, have this understanding, too.

Been riding on the coat-tails of your parents faith? Let go, step away and begin this walk on your own, right now! Find the Real Christmas Spirit that is waiting just for YOU... a personal gift from God through Jesus Christ. The very best way to celebrate Christmas! Not sure how? Message me @ppitcher@nycap.rr.com

Merry Christmas to all of you and may the light of our Heavenly Father shine upon you this holy season, reminding you of the Cost of Christmas. It cost Jesus everything so everyone, thank him right now!

Home, Sweet Home!

2011-10-25T18:12:00.000-07:00

We had an amazing trip to Costa Rica! It was not without it's foibles ... pushing us to truly rely on God for answers since man did not seem to be coming through!

An uneventful drive to www.pillars2.com to stay with our friends, Nancy and Lamont who graciously fed us and took us to the airport after breakfast.

Our flight was on time when we arrived but by boarding time, it was obvious it wasn't going to stay that way. The plane was there and everyone had disembarked, we thought. For some reason, there were still elderly people on the plane and I'm guessing only one skycap to escort each one off? The cleaners couldn't begin their job (not that they did a very good one) until the last passenger was off... meanwhile, we waited.

Finally boarded and waited again! Then a thunderstorm delayed us and by the time we arrived to meet our plane in Atlanta, our 1 hour layover turned into a "missed our plane by 25 minutes." ... or so we thought. No one seemed to know! Our next flight wasn't even on the monitors! After MUCH discussion as to who was to blame, the airline or the weather, we were finally given hotel and meal vouchers and then they realized that our flight had never left, but was postponed til the following morning! However, even that was messed up as one person said the flight was 5:45 AM and another said 7:00 AM ... So we got to the airport 2 1/2 hours early (international flight) and found out it was a 7:00 AM flight ... we could have stayed in bed and asleep for longer than 3 hours. BIG SIGH! This was all a not so gentle reminder that "it is not about us." Many others were inconvenienced as well ... we made the most of it; making friends with a woman who spoke no English and making sure she got to her hotel and turned her over to people who spoke Spanish better than us :-)

We managed to get to our conference JUST in time for Bill to speak! He had just enough time to pull out his laptop, go over his notes, find a translator and begin. He did a very good job! He spoke on police ethics and it was well received. I spoke next with the wives of police officers, and Bill was told I was "over the top." ... I guess that means I did a good job :-)

We thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The hotel was a classic, old style but nicely maintained. www.hotelamericacr.com Great food and pleasant staff. We were on the 2nd floor. The rooms have no AC but each had a fan and open louvered windows way up high ... you needed to keep them open but then you could hear all that goes on in the hallway... and they could hear you!

While we were there on Saturday, Bill's 92 year old dad (back in the States) had the opportunity to fly to Washington, DC to see the WW2 Monument!! Richie Lindmark, a former Sunday School Student of Dad's, helped organize the local contingent and "chaperoned" the group down and back. He posted pictures on Facebook and we got to see them Saturday night. We were both in tears and found ourselves having to explain it to our friends with our limited Spanish! YIKES!

When the conference was over, we rented a car and bravely made our way out of the city of Herredia (near San Jose) and over the mountains and down the west coast along the Pacific Ocean, traveling to Quepos/Manuel Antonio National Park to www.hotelparador.com Wow!

Met with a cold washcloth for our faces and a cool passion fruit drink (non alcoholic) to sip ...we followed our bellhop to our upgraded room overlooking the monkey trail/ocean view and immediately saw the monkeys playing in the trees :-) It was raining but we didn't care! In fact, it rained all but about 6 hours for the two days we were there and we still didn't care! Good food, good music, a nice pool (for when it only misted out) and pretty neat hiking trail that was absolutely soaking wet (but we had umbrellas) and did I mention the food? We hiked down to the beach when the rain stopped for a few hours and swam in the Pacific Ocean ... warm water with cool currents (probably from all the rain) .. did I mention the food? :-)

I was concerned with all the rain; mudslides we saw on the way down ... and sure enough; we had to wait in traffic on the mountain for over 2 hours for them to clear a BIG one ... 12 ambulances left the mountain but only 3 had their lights on. We're not sure how many were hurt/ killed but he rocks were HUGE; one the size of our living room. We did not see any damaged cars, so figure only the workers were affected. Prayed a long time for these workers.

The same rain that poured on our conference and vacation is the same rain that eventually formed Hurricane Rena. We were home by then with very minor delays and a warm welcome back at www.pillars2.com a delicious supper, great company and a good night's sleep! We slept in the next morning, breakfasting with our friends and returning home later in the afternoon.

It was a great week sharing with other Christians, encouraging them in their walk with the Lord and in the Word!

Excitement!

2011-10-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

Such plans we have! Bill will be a guest speaker in Costa Rica at a Christian Law Enforcement conference and I will have a few minutes to speak with the wives of the police officers, as well. This means we have to pack.

1. No checked baggage - we just don't want to deal with it
2. Buy new carry on for me - Bill gets the old one :-)
3. Cram stuff into every nook and crannie - I'm good at this
4. Soap the zipper on the old one to make it run smoother - Hey! It worked!
5. Sit on Bill's suitcase to close it - good thing I have not reached my desired weight
6. Find time to brush up on Espanol - Uh oh
7. Clean house so if we die no one sees how messy I really am - double Uh Oh
9. Try to figure out TSA's rules about liquids/gels/aerosols - what is my lipstick considered?
10. " " " " " - what is my deodorant " ?
11. " " " " " - what is my sun screen stick " ?
12. Wait patiently for Bill to come home from work - I'm getting antsy
13. Remember where in my gigantic bag I put the Dramamine - (_____left blank intentionally)
14. Pray for good health, good travel, open hearts and relaxing schedule - should be #1, eh?

Thank you, Lord, for this opportunity to share with other Christians in Law Enforcement and help us to be good ambassadors for You.

Negative!

2011-09-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

That title pretty much sums up the conversation I had @3:30 with the surgeon's office! It was nice to breathe and smile again at the same time :-)

Fifteen minutes earlier, though I was rather distressed. It seems the hospital tells you to call your doctor's office the next day for the results but the results are often not in, yet. What's a person to do? Just keep calling and feeling sick each time they pick up the phone? The office said that often the reports don't come in for two or even three days and she understands just how stressful that is for people. I felt sorry for her having to deal with frightened people over a telephone.

Just as Bill was getting ready to leave for his class at church, the phone rang. Bill mistakened the caller from my friend, Deb, but I saw the caller ID and knew it was the doctor's office! Longest 1 second of my life was bringing that phone to my ear and lips.

So, to wrap up a very stressfull end to summer, let me say I'm thankful for your hugs and prayers (some of you knew about this earlier) and well wishes and I want to remind all of you women to ALWAYS check yourself every month, and ALWAYS schedule a mammogram, and ALWAYS know that God is in control, even if you aren't!

Have a great finish to September and I'll see you when the laundry is done and I'm finished with my pie! That could take some time!

Summer's End

2011-09-28T10:24:00.000-07:00

In my last post, I stole, I mean, borrowed a "no whining" sign from a blogging friend. I'm trying to hold to it.

The only REALLY good thing about the end of summer is that autum arrives with all her beauty and bounty; and we can eat apples and things made of apples (which includes drinking cider.)
And we can make/eat pumpkin pies, eat pumpkin cheese cake and decorate with pumpkins.

Another pretty good thing is I get to substitute in my favorite schools, again; and get paid for it, too!

Being able to take a walk in the fields or in the woods without sweating is another good feature but it takes me awhile to get used to wearing long pants again. With all the eating I mentioned above, I better get to it.

But this autumn has been different. I am preoccupied by finding a lump in my breast and though I have prayed, had tests, had my surgeon think it was not cancer; had a biopsy (yesterday) and should have the results today, I find myself with a sick stomach and a headache. I waited until after 1pm to call the surgeon's office for the results but they are not in, yet. So I am writing to pass some time and vent some thoughts.

Finding this lump to begin with was a bit strange and almost humorous: I tried on my new "body shaper" and put it on backwards ... yes, you may laugh! When I tried to get it off, it got stuck and squashed "the girls" like nothing I had felt before except a mammogram!! Well, I managed to get out of it, spin it around and put it on correctly. Trying to take it off again, resulted in more squashing but I finally figured out how to w/o any further discomfort. (I was suddenly reminded of my mom wearing girdles.)

Anyhow, the next morning, during my shower I discovered this lump. I had checked just two weeks earlier and found nothing so this was a complete and frightening surprise. I scheduled a mammogram and ulstrasound through my GP who thought it was a cyst. The mammogram did not show anything! The ultrasound showed something but was not definitive.

It's biopsy time. Honestly, it took longer for the paperwork to be done than it did for the prep and surgery! First off, the hopital had me down for the wrong breast.... uh... no, it's my RIGHT one; the one with the lump in it!! Happily, the Dr's info was all correct so the red faced nurses corrected all the wrong info and it went all the way to the top. A very nice hospital staff, though and friendly, calming (also humorous) nurses in the OR.

And guess what? Halfway through I realzed I could see a reflection of my surgery in a small area of the overhead light!!! I watched him poke around, wipe away some moisture, (no blood because they had already cauterized the little vessels) and then suture it! When I could feel the tugging, I decided to stop watching but that was it! In and out!

I'm hoping and praying this is it; that there is no need for further tests. I've been this route before and each time I wonder if "this" time it is the big "C"... My God knows, and he has been my ultimate source of comfort during this time. It's is amazing how and when he chooses to send me "special" comfort! Passages of Scriputre that come to mind, hymns sung in church and some that just float into my head; friends contact me out of the blue; family members need a baby sitter for the weekend (really took my mind off of it!)

The worst so far, though, is that I had to be without my husband for all of this time, but God carried me through. My blood pressure didn't even go sky high! Bill was in training in New Hampshire all while I had my mammogram/ulstrasound and first visit to the surgeon; but he was with me for the biopsy and he's here with me, now. Actually, he's always with me... even when he was 5 hours away. That is the kind of relationship we have and I'm going to give God ALL the glory! Some day I'll post how He brought us together...such a cute and wonderful story!

Well, I need to get laundry done, biopsy results in or not. I'm waiting until @3 to call them back. I think I can do that.

Needing to end on a humorous note and not being able to think of anything, God just allowed my husband to turn to me and say: "We are entering the Snapdragon phase of our lives." I said nothing, but looked at him with raised eyebrows. He continued, "Part of us has snapped and other parts are dragon." HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!! If you identify with this statement, please leave me a comment!!!

Oh the SHAME of it!

2011-06-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

I decided to get serious about blogging last year and kept up with myself fairly well; then sunk to a new low this past spring. It's been a few days since April 25th and not that my life is so interesting that anyone has missed any thing, but some of you get a good laugh (or cry) and just a knowing smile out of the antics I post and I hate to disappoint people! I am ashamed of my self. (anyone laughing, yet?) Thanks http://www.theimperfecthousewife.blogspot.com/ for the inspiration!

Bill and I buried ourselves up at http://www.grandviewminigolf.com/ and finally surfaced for air, only to find it was still raining. ENOUGH! We are trying so hard not to whine because other states have had it much worse than us. But we opened for business the end of May and made as much all Memorial Weekend as we did on one day last year. It was cloudy and cool the next weeknd and the one following that, it rained both days. Last weekend we had nice weather and finally had some business on Father's Day. FINALLY we can pay our bills! I hate leaving people hanging like that, especially since some of them, like Cal's Printing and DeJong Septic let us take the goods before paying! (Well, DeJong delivered, actually ... and they also take away ....)

We're hoping for a nice weekend (to make up for this past week) and, since it's graduation weekend (here in upstate NY) AND my birthday, we are having some special specials! Graduates play free and so do my friends! We also get to eat cake!

I did have a good laugh last weekend. It seems that Mooch (aka Kittykittykitty) realized the mini golf was opened for the season and came running over to visit; only to lie down (as usual) on hole #18 (unusual) and block the putt. What was so funny was, as the ball hit her in the butt, she didn't move. She didn't even flinch. She just laid there like the Queen Kitty that she is and we had to remove her so this family could finish their game...if they could finish their game as they were laughing so hard no one could breathe! Kittykittykitty (as I like to call her) was oblivious to the laughter and had the nerve to return to #18 to lay down AGAIN! She finally found wandrered off on her own hopefully to chase some mice, a local red squirrel or to intimidate still another cat from entering HER property. Sheesh!! I feel like I'm opening a petting zoo!

Ramblings or Rumblings ... just not quite sure.

2011-04-25T19:43:00.000-07:00

It's raining
It's pouring
The old man
is getting sick and tired of this weather.

Yeah, I know it doesn't match up with my other poetry ... in fact, there's no rhyme nor meter to make it work even a little bit. *sigh*

Just wanting spring to come "for real." The peepers have been driven back once ... My mom said they had to be driven back 3 times in order for it to be spring, but she lived in central NJ and I don't. I SAY they only have to be driven back once!

Warmer temps promised this week .. oh, that's right, if you have warmer temps you have to have rain! I told a friend this morning that I would settle for gray skies and dry pavement.

I'm sure all this damp and chilly weather has been the reason for my creative writing block. I can't even be funny about bad weather. Have you seen any "smileys" in this post? No. You haven't. I'm not smiling. I almost did in the 2nd paragraph, but it was replaced by a *sigh*.

I'm not posting a new poem until the sun shines warm upon my face and NO rain falls upon my fields... and until one pops into my head. That's how they happen, you know. I never really plan them. I have had a new title for one, but the words just haven't materialized ... LOL (kidding). I really didn't laugh ... but really DO have a new title waiting for inspiration.

It's most always God who inspires me in one way or another ... he uses people and nature over and over again. I say "most always" because I'm honest. Sometimes it's just me, but those poems never seem to "gel."

I believe all talent is from God. How you use it depends on you, and you can be influenced by other than Godly things. It breaks my heart to see God given talent being unused, misused or worse, abused. Everyone has talent. Ask Him what yours is and then use it for His glory. It can be life changing, mind boggling, very rewarding and will most likely make you smile :-)

Oops!

Schoolday Sillies

2011-04-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

I helped out in 5th grade this week. OH MY GOODNESS!

Schoolday Sillies

Oh, what do you do when the sillies come

and you have to go to school?

Do you pack them in your back pack

or your lunch box to stay cool?

Do you hide them in your pocket

or sneak them in your sock?

Do you disguise them with a shirt and tie

or tape them to the clock?

Don’t let them get away from you

to go running down the hall;

and please make sure they keep their

dirty fingers off the wall.

Perhaps they’ll bring their manners

and you’ll have no need to hide

the sillies just as long as they

behave ‘til you’re outside!

Meow!

2011-04-05T17:25:00.000-07:00

What’s this I see
on my hillside tree;
a bud so soft and gray?
I’m surprised it popped out
without giving a shout
on this crisp,
not quite spring kind of day.

What’s that, you say,
tree buds aren’t gray?
Then give me a hint if you will,
and identify that
which feels like a cat
and bursts forth every year
on my hill!

Brownies from Scratch

2011-04-02T11:25:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you the last time I made brownies from scratch. Isn't that terrible? What kind of a mother/homemaker am I to have relied on Duncan Hines Brownie Mix all these years? Oh, once in a while I would switch to Betty Crocker's Brownie Mix, and rarely *insert your store name* Brownie Mix. Why, I even splurged at times and got the Duncan Hines DELUXE Brownie Mix. But today is different. You see, yesterday was our son Chris' birthday and since he was about 12 years old, has requested brownies for his birthday; brownies with powdered sugar on top. He hasn't requested them in years and in fact, I think the last time we made brownies for him on request was back when he turned 21 and was just finishing boot camp in South Carolina. I relegated the baking to our niece who was living with us at the time. She eagerly purchased good 'ol Duncan Hines and set to work mixing and baking and sugaring. It was delicious looking when it was all finished and we carefully packed it up and placed it inside my carry on bag for the flight to South Carolina. Can you see where this is going? No you can't! We arrived in South Carolina around midnight after leaving work, and a VERY long delay due to thunderstorms only to find our "reserved" rental car was nowhere to be found. We called our rental agreement people and complained and was told to go back to the counter and have them call. We were given an "upgrade" from a "full size" sedan to a "sport utility" ... well, that sounded nice enough but it had a gazillion miles on it and sounded like the nuts and bolts that held it together weren't doing a very good job. It also used dual definition for the word "shocks." We had no choice. I don't remember the hotel. I only remember falling asleep, exhausted and ready to see our son who had overcome some nasty boot camp illness/injuries just in time to graduate :-) Though we couldn't have contact with him, yet, we were allowed on the grounds where they were assembling in their companies. He was in Delta and we thought we spotted him. Took pictures of the whole group and then realized we were in the wrong company. Ooops! They all look alike with their uniforms and tanned faces and necks :-) We went to graduation and spotted him with his outfit ... he was the one limping but only slightly! Our eyes followed him and him only. After graduation we were able to join him for dinner at the NCO dining hall and a walk/ride around the base. He took us everywhere and showed us everything. We got to go to the commissary where he purchased a flight bag. Now, since he was finally allowed off base, we offered to take him anywhere he wanted to go. "You name it, Chris, we'll go there!" What did he choose? Ready for this one? WALMART! He could see it every single stinkin' day he ran. In the freezing rain, in the regular rain, in the high humidity of springtime. He wanted to go to Walmart. So we did. I don't recall any of us buying anything there, but he enjoyed all the colors besides green and tan. We drove passed the zoo and thought it would have been nice to go there but I guess boot camp was zoo enough for Chris! We found a very nice area near a pond and some ironwood trees where we could take some pictures and sit quietly to talk. Oh, yeah .. and eat brownies! He was sure surprised; not once but twice. Sadly, our niece did not realize and we did not check but the Duncan Hines Brownie Mix contained walnuts. :-( Oh, Chris, we are SO SORRY! He does not like nuts (still doesn't) but he managed to find his way around them and so enjoyed his birthday brownies and it was just a few days after his real birthday! On his real birthday, he was busy experiencing the tear gas room (gag). Since it was his birthday, they gave him (and his buddies) cake to eat first ... there was a whole lot more than just tears leaving those poor boys according to Chris, except for him. He forced himself to keep it down. Good boy! Just like his Daddy! *ding* .. really! The timer just went off as I was typing the last sentence. I can't believe it took me 45 minutes to type this. They do look and smell REALLY good! So, 'fess up folks, let me know how many other lazy bone cooks are out there substituting box mixes for the real thing. I KNOW I'm not the only one! PS ... my pancakes are from scratch lest you think I'm a total lazy wife and mother!

No Joke! April 1st is his birthday!

2011-03-31T21:18:00.000-07:00

A few things have changed since I posted this 3 years ago. First, our baby granddaughter is now 3 1/2 and just as cute as a bug in a rug. She talks a lot ... calls me Grammy Obble Gobble or just plain "Gob" for short. I call her my "Gobble Girl"; and Bill (my husband) suggested I call her "Goblet" LOL!!! Her mom and dad have bought a house up the road about 1 1/2 miles from us so we get to see them more often. It's still Chris' birthday today and happily, the snow storm forecasted is only going to be a few inches. Whew! Chris was thinking he did NOT want more snow on his birthday, of all days, even though it is April Fool's Day :-)

His Birthday is April 1. He was due on April 3rd, but God's sense of humor prevailed! Happy Birthday to our son, Chris! I fondly remember asking the nurses if there was any chance of me having my baby in March .... they all laughed! It was about 3 minutes to midnight and I wasn't even close! At 1:16 AM, he was born ... no C-Section like the doctor thought! My supposed 8 pound + baby turned out to be 7 lb 3 oz and was quickly scooped up by his Dad. I still remember the pride in his Dad's face as he gazed down at his 2nd son... this beautiful, blue eyed baby boy with blonde hair already showing on the top of his head.

We began making our phone calls ... the first one to Mom Lester, who promptly said, "You better not be fooling me!" "Mom!" I replied, "It's 3AM! I don't play jokes at 3AM!" To which she replied, "I mean about it being another boy!" We all had a laugh and I assured her he was indeed a boy and was beginning to resemble my dad .. who had died a few months earlier. He still does! Mom and Dad Pitcher were barely asleep, having gone out for the evening only to come home and find cousin Marie babysitting for little Billy. They were quite excited and relieved to know baby Chris had arrived quickly and safely. Bill got to go home after 3 but I stayed in the recovery ward for a few hours and cuddled my precious new little boy. He was born on a Sunday; the Lord's Day, and I sang hymns to him as lullabies, as my mom had sung to me.

The following day was filled with well wishers coming to the hospital to see him. Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, friends and neighbors. Lots of flowers from family and church graced the little bedside table. Bill came back and had a delicious dinner prepared just for us by the hospital ... Prime Rib! They also gave me a single rose to make our "dinner table" more beautiful.

We brought him home on Tuesday to the delight of his big brother ... who checked on him constantly until bedtime! At one point, he almost tipped over the empty bassinette trying to find him! Doesn't seem possible that the years have gone by so quickly ... but now he is married and a daddy of his own little blonde haired, blue eyed baby girl! How we love them and wish we could see them more often. Time has a way of getting IN the way. May our heavenly Father hold them tight; guard their days and every night; show them His Love and remind them of Life; the one He paid for; the one sacrificed.

Working Vacation (part 2)

2011-03-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

We left the Fletcher family on Sunday afternoon traveling to Virginia Beach; checking into an Econo Lodge right on the boardwalk. Now, I have to tell you, I'm not a fan of Econo Lodges but the description sounded ok and it was going to be cheaper than our usual Quality Inn. Well, we slept ok once we got past the noise of the elevator right outside our door but in the AM decided to check out and head for the aforementioned Quality Inn. Whew! There is something nice about the familiar and this makes the 3rd time we've stayed here; on the 4th floor, overlooking the ocean.

Our dinners were delicious and at 3 different places; all seafood, of course :-) Crab cakes, scallops, shrimp, etc. Rockefellers down by Rudee Inlet is our favorite but each year we try to find one more place we have not been. This year it was Bubba's on the north shore. Fun and picturesque.

The beach was beautful and the water was cold. Very cold. Bill went in up to his knees. I went in up to my ankles. Lots of teeny tiny shells this year, probably dredged up from the inlet where they have been working all year. Interesting operation with a lot of the pipe work underground.

The weather was warm upon our arrival and the next day (after the fog wore off) but then it turned cooler ... still walked in the wet sand but the next day it was socks and snkeakers for the feet and fleece jackets for our bodies! We enjoyed our indoor pool with it's warmer than warm temperature ... not sure why it was so warm but there was no complaint from us!

We were able to visit Thomas, Rene' and their children. Just too much fun! Thanks, Rene' for the delicioius brownies and icecream! We also had the chance to visit Aunt Barbara and Uncle Bob, with their granddaughter Olivia to entertain us. She did a very good job and is an undending source of fun and pride for them. We met up with our niece and her husband, Cindy, Brandon and the boys Perry, Bryan and Braden at their new home in Newport News. Brandon is in the Army stationed at Ft. Eustice (they moved from Ft. Drum ... much snow to not much snow!) and treated them to dinner at Cracker Barrel. We had such a good time and was entertained mostly by Braden trying to get the pins out of the board, leaving only 1. He did it several times but not when the camera was rolling. LOL!!!

We headed for home by stopping for the night in Ocean City, MD .. on the boardwalk. The weather was not cooperative but the hotel was very nice and their pool was NOT across the street! Warm and inviting .. we spent awhile there after our chilly walk on the boardwalk in the morning. They gave us a late check out since we arrived so late. We finally got underway and reached home before midnight.

Whew! Fun as always but it's good to be home :-)

A Wonderful Afternoon and Evening

2011-03-26T20:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Mom Pitcher and I had a wonderful afternoon and evening visiting her hometown, swapping stories with her cousin, Avis, who treated us to delicous chicken salad sandwiches and then a trip to the Odyssey Book Store across from Mt. Holyoke College to meet author, Saloma Furlong.

Meeting Saloma was a special treat for me as I have been following her blog and subsequently her story that she has written and published: "Why I Left the Amish". She was exactly the way I percieved her from her writings online. I told her we are like old friends who hadn't had the chance to meet before!

I have not read her book, yet, but from the excerpts she has shared and comments on her blog, I can know without a doubt, it's not going to be your average autobigraphy! Leaving her family and the only way of life she had ever known took incredible courage and I'm going to have to stop my own story here so I can begin reading :-)

Winter's End

2011-03-26T20:31:00.001-07:00

Winter’s End

The sun streams warm upon my face
and spring birds tickle my ears.
My hat has wiggled itself from my head
and warm mittens have disappeared.

Puddles of cold water gather
where snowbanks were once piled high.
Mud clings to my shoes as I muddle on through
to play on the swings and slide.

Crocuses peek through the crusty, old snow;
a promising sign of spring.
Wispy clouds in the sky are flying quite high
no surprises this day, they’ll bring.

Though winter is fun with its sledding and skating;
It’s sure a delight to find spring patiently waiting!

Working Vacation (part 1)

2011-03-25T09:46:00.001-07:00

The snow flurries are dancing past my window but the robins cheerio'ing their greeting woke me this morning. This can only mean one thing: Spring is just around the corner! I know, I know ... the calendar already says "spring" but in the north country, we must wait just a little longer. Some of our biggest snow storms have occured in March!

We have just returned from our annual "Let's find Spring!" vacation to Virginia and we weren't dissapointed. We stopped in Gettysburg, PA the first night, finding a pretty awesome sunset and sunrise the following morning.

We travelled on to Spotsylvania to spend a few days with missionary friends of ours. My husband, a long time police officer and martial arts instructor, had 3 demonstrations for their first "Home Safety Fair" and the weather was just perfect! We enjoyed our visit immensely, especially Brenda's good cooking!

Vacation!

2011-03-24T19:16:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a vacation looking for signs of spring. We found them and can assure all of our northern friends that it truly is on the way!

I WON!

2011-03-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

I could hardly believe it! My blogging friend www.joyfulchaos.blogspot.com used "Random Generator" to pull my name/number for the subscription to the Amish Family Magazine! I am really looking forward to reading them and trying out some of the recipes :-) Thanks again, Mary Ann!

Blogging Give-Away

2011-03-13T19:02:00.000-07:00

Another nice give-away from my blogging friend http://ajoyfulchaos.blogspot.com/ who has a terrific true story blog. She is very interesting, informative, and can also make me laugh on a drizzly winter day :-)

Socks 'n Boots

2011-03-11T20:17:00.000-08:00

A little early, I know, as spring is not for another week and a few days; but the warmer, rainy weather was just begging for me to post this little favorite of mine, sure to bring back memories for many:

Socks ‘n Boots

Splishing, sploshing,
squishing, squoshing;
my boots are singing
this fine spring day

Wishing, washing,
fishing, sloshing;
Mom’s not singing
this fine spring day

For my stinky,
soggy socks are
stuck in muck
this fine spring day

21 Thoughts Before Bedtime

2011-03-10T20:45:00.000-08:00

1. I've been neglecting my poetry... and my housework. Both will survive.

2. Friends are buried under 24 inches of snow up north and I felt a bit guilty with only 10; but only a little.

3. Taking a working vacation and hoping for good weather so we can enjoy a taste of spring; then headed to the beach.

4. Planning my garden and hoping to start it inside. Mustn't forget to water it.

5. Remember those 10 inches of snow? Well it's mostly about 6 inches of slush, now.

6. Remember our friends with 24 inches of snow? They have flood warnings every day.

7. Our friends are safe but their friends have a mess to clean up. Been praying for them, though I don't know them.

8. I love my husband. We were chosen for each other and our relationship is based on God's love, not our own.

9. Humans have been disappointing humans since shortly after time began but God does not disappoint!

10. I need to work extra for a few weeks to pay a dental bill. Kids, brush and floss your teeth!

11. Grownups, brush and floss your teeth and make sure your kids and YOU go to the dentist regularly!

12. Erika has a short boogie board in the garage right in plain sight that keeps reminding me of summer.

13. There are snow shoes protruding from a snowbank outside our back door reminding me that summer is a ways off. Belle's saucer is next to them just to drive the point home!

14. Working at school today, reminded me how blessed I am to have had well behaved (for the most part) children to raise. Now they are successful adults :-)

15. I am also reminded how blessed I was to have been raised by a mom and dad who thought manners were as important as breathing.

16. Thinking, how is it that God in all of His majestic splendor in Heaven would want to bother creating the likes of us... knowing full well how we would treat each other and Him as well?

17. Amazed that God, being eternal and having infinite knowledge of all that He created, chose to create me, in particular, and give me such a blessed life!

18. Grateful that our perfect God, seeking to have a relationship with us; more than just being our creator, provided a way for us to be forgiven of our sins, promised a Comforter and an everlasting life with Him!

19. Thankful that a Sunday School teacher took the time to lead me into understanding what it takes to be a true Christian; one who not only "believes" in Jesus Christ but who is trusting in His finished work at the cross.

20. Many people don't agree with me but according to God's Word if it weren't for His shed blood, there would be no forgiveness of sins.

21. My final authority is not mine but God and His Word.

Anticipation

2011-02-28T17:01:00.000-08:00

What’s that sound?
My sleepy brain awakens
to the patter outside
on my window.

It’s sleet; how neat!
Now contemplating
the hour and hoping
it continues;

For 6 AM
is winter’s magic hour
when decisions are made
for school buses!

Will school be closed
or just delayed?
My brain chooses to return
to sleep!

Birthday Tribute to Daddy (part 3)

2011-02-18T19:03:00.000-08:00

My junior and senior years in high school found me, my nephew Ricky and some of our friends working for Daddy. I worked afternoons and evenings. It was tough. It certainly was not as much fun as when I was little. Daddy was exhausted; burned out; physically ill. Years of smoking was catching up to him and the summer of my junior year found Daddy so ill, he could not work. He could not breathe. He was hospitalized with emphysema and they were not sure he would live through the night. Helplessly and hopelessly terrified, all I could do was work. I went to see him the next night; a Tuesday night and sat with him while he struggled for air. I remember the All Star game was on and he didn't have a clue...that was not like Daddy.

I don't remember who worked for me. I do remember going back to work and essentially firing the afternoon cook...one who demanded his pay, when the paymaster was at death's door. The only worker who did this, he threatened to quit and I told him it might be a good idea! He did. Then, alone, I cried. My older brothers, Bill, a postal worker who took on the morning cooking and Jack, a worker at IBM who took over the books for Daddy both said it was ok ... that it was probably a good thing since all the others had agreed to a late pay envelope. His type was not needed in our diner family.

David S, a long time summer employee, who had left just a few weeks before for a better paying job found out Daddy was in the hospital and that we no longer had an afternoon cook. He offered to come to work from 3 -9 and didn't want to be paid. Jack would have none of that and hired him on the spot. Dave helped us through those weeks of summer and Daddy slowly got better, returning to work, grateful for the support of his family and friends.

Sadly, times were changing. It was difficult to watch what was once a lovely and lively diner, begin to crumble financially. Sadly, it wasn't just us. Our resort town of Cairo didn't seem to have the draw it used to. People were looking for more exciting places to eat and take vacations. Daddy never said anything but he didn't have to. I helped him do payroll and realized that as he filled the pay envelopes for the cooks, waitresses and dishwashers; paid the bread man, the milk man, the meat man and the egg man, he was leaving what was left for our family. It wasn't much. It wasn't long before he knew it was time to sell and he put the diner on the market.

When I was 18, I had saved enough money for a down payment on a car. I was looking in the paper for a used one and thought I found it: a 1965 Volkswagen Beetle. It took the paper into the diner kitchen to show Daddy. I never saw him look like this before, his face was red, his eyes were, too .. and then he sobbed. He choked out the word, "No!" Recovered enough to speak he said, in a controlled but somewhat angry voice: "Don't you remember? I'm supposed to buy you your first car!" Instantly I remembered my childhood scrapbook picture, his promise to me, and blurted out before my own tears took over, "Daddy, I don't want a pink convertible!" I hadn't thought about that pink convertible in years! We hugged each other at that counter in the diner kitchen and I told him I understood. Things were different; times had changed and everything was really ok. He then told me that he did NOT want me driving a "death trap" beetle but we could go car shopping.

Daddy was now closing the diner on Mondays so on that very next Monday, we answered an ad for a 1969 Opel Kadette Station Wagon; such a cute little car and only a year old. Traded in by it's owner because it was a little too small for his liking, it was just right for a college bound girl with lots of church youth group responsibilities. I could also reach the gas pedal! It had a standard transmission! Daddy didn't have time nor patience to teach me how to shift, but thankfully we lived in the country and the back roads soon recognized the sound of me grinding gears! The same back roads that just a few years earlier found my sister, Barb, teaching me how to drive! Though Daddy could not buy me my car, he took over the payments after I made the down payment. It was more than I had hoped for! Daddy gave me his best and I was so very thankful!

Daddy sold the diner in 1971 but what was to become of the man who always worked? What now? He refused to work for anyone being so independent all these years. So, he was content to sit in his chair by the window. He finally had the chance to read more than just the daily newspaper and read he did! Everything interested him and there was always a book or two waiting by his window.

Daddy took pride in his family and especially enjoyed the company of his granddaughter and her guitar, though she had no idea he was listening! He had the undivided attention of Mommy perhaps too much so, becoming cranky and demanding at times and with his health beginning to deteriorate, needed to have oxygen on a daily basis. For respite, Mommy took great delight in going shopping with her daughters and grandchildren! Daddy took great pride in my sister's ability to cook and manage restaurants. He taught her well and she enjoyed serving the public as he had done.

In 1974, Daddy gruffly told my then, boyfriend, Billy we were too young to get married all the while stifling a smile that soon spread across his face. He loved Billy. He loved that Billy loved me and loved his own family. He knew that our marriage was one made in heaven and Daddy was not about to argue with God! He gave me away to my handsome groom on a grand June day and danced at our reception. I had never seen him dance before. There is a first for everything!

It wasn't long before Daddy was able to take great delight in reading stories to his little grandson and watching him play and grow. He enjoyed the letters from Cary and Carole, even traveling to Arkansas to visit them. Their family was growing and he enjoyed reading of the events of their life that revolved at that time around their growing, little boy, Ethan. He enjoyed visits from Bill and Jack, now with grown families of their own, eager to hear stories of their successes and of the things he missed while being too busy during their growing up years.

A few regrets of course, but at 73 Daddy realized the forgiveness he had through Jesus Christ and this made such a difference in his last years. Comfortable, now, with who he was; where he'd been; that "the sins of his youth" had been forgiven, at 75 Daddy suffered a stroke late one night. After one last "talk" with his children, with only his eyes, he spoke volumes to his boys. Then sweeping his only good arm, he motioned to his son-in-law, my husband, to come closer. He reached out to Billy and with power that could only come from God, himself, grabbed his hand and pulled himself up to search his eyes. Billy, 'replied', "Dad, I'll take good care of her, you know I will!" And with that, Dad relaxed his grip and slowly sank back to his pillow. That was the last time I saw those beautiful blue eyes.

Daddy went home to be with his Savior the next evening; leaving a legacy of hard work, pride and love behind. Thank you Lord for my daddy...remembering him on the 108th day of his birth, February 16, 1903.

Birthday Tribute to Daddy (part 2)

2011-02-17T20:41:00.000-08:00

We had nice, large tables in the dining room of the Rockface Diner and since we weren't busy at 3:30 or 4:00 in the afternoon, it was a great place to do homework and school projects. My friends were invited to come to the diner to work on school projects as well and Daddy would feed them, too.

He felt school was extremely important and talked often of my going to college. I would have to work hard and save my money. My brother, with the help of a friend went to college in the 60's and Daddy really wanted that same opportunity for me. His plan was to buy me a car for my 16th birthday, with the understanding that I would continue with my education. When I was little I decided it was going to be a pink convertible and even cut out a picture of one for my scrapbook.

Weekends were difficult as Daddy worked 7 days. I always wished there was some way he could be home with me during the day. I don't know what we would have done, really, but it would be our decision and not one already made by this business of "work." One day stands out in my mind above all the rest. We awoke in the morning to a sudden snowfall. I was already dressed for school when the radio announced that school was closed. Daddy was ready to go to work and the snow was continuing to fall, heavily. I remember being a little nervous about Daddy driving to work and prayed that God would keep him safe. God kept him safe and brought him right back to me in a matter of just a few minutes. It seems that his car and others in front of him just couldn't make it up Aratoga Hill! It made no sense for him to keep on trying so he returned home and called the diner to talk to his workers. No one there wanted to try to venture home, though home was where they really wanted to be. He decided that if the day workers could make it in, the night workers could go home, if they could. If not, they could sub for the ones who couldn't make it at all. There would be no cook as this was Daddy's job but this worked out fine as there wasn't a whole lot of customers looking for dinner, anyway. Short order was the order for the day.

I got to keep my daddy all morning, something I had never done before! Usually, He skipped breakfast but he couldn't resist having pancakes with Cary, Mommy and me! He went to work in the early afternoon after the plows and sanders had taken care of the roads. Funny thing is I don't remember what we did all morning. I guess it was enough for me just to have him home!

I remember two times, though there were probably more, that Daddy found someone to take his place at the diner and took us on vacation in the springtime. It was absolutely thrilling for me to ride with him all the way to NJ, watching snow melt along the NYS Thruway near Kingston; the forsythia begin to bloom on the Garden State Parkway in Union and warm air would greet us on Werstville Rd. in Ringoes where he would spend the night with us at the farm of family friends. Sadly, he had to leave us there in the morning, so he could be back to work in time for the dinner hour but it was just one more time I got to have him almost to myself! He enjoyed his brief "daycation" with our friends, often commenting how he wished he could stay on the Hill and Drake Farm just a little longer. Sometimes he would come back to get us but usually, time and a replacement worker would be scarce so our friends, the Drakes or Aunt Jane and cousin Barb from the little river hamlet of Andalusia, PA; near Philadelphia...another lovely and delicious vacation destination, would drive us home a week or 10 days later. I loved our spring vacations but I loved my daddy more.

As I got older, times were changing. Progress was making it's way to our area and a 4 lane highway being built, literally by-passed the diner. In fact, they called it the Cairo "by-pass." Business dropped off as tourists in the summer time drove right past the road that lead to town. Long distance truckers just kept trucking, not even knowing the diner was around the bend on that little access road. Locals still came by and that was good, but not good enough and as business dwindled, so did our income. I was old enough to understand, but too young to do anything about it. My lunch money was kept in the change box in Daddy's desk drawer. I just took my quarter every morning; 35 cents when I was a senior. I also got an allowance each week. One day, I simply decided to use my allowance for lunch money and never said a word; ever and I realized there wasn't going to be a car for me when I turned 16.

to be continued

Birthday Tribute to Daddy

2011-02-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

Daddy was much older than most men, being already 50 years old when I was born. He had always wanted a baby daughter, having had 2 sons of his own and finished raising a step daughter and was raising a step son. He had also always wanted his own diner.

He grew up the youngest of seven children of Albert Andrew-Alverson and Alice Elsie (Bunting) Lester in Accord, NY. His parents, hardworking, urged their children to be the same. Leaving school after 8th grade, he worked several jobs always being drawn to diners. He married much too young, tried an unsuccessful stint in the Army, then returned to face his responsibilities. He had a wife and two young sons and was always looking for his place in this world. I have gleaned information from old newspaper articles and know that as difficult as life was for Daddy, God was there the whole time, protecting him from others and from himself. He had a plan for him and nothing stands in God's way. Daddy, successfully this time, joined the US Army and served overseas during WWII as a cook, saying "No one in my unit ever got sick when I was cooking!" My brothers, Bill and Jack also joined the US Army, serving in different capacities during the same war. Though difficult at times, they all grew to love him, even working with him. My brother Bill also found himself leaning towards cooking in diners and owned one for a short time with the help of Daddy. In the late 40's Daddy co-owned the Rockface Diner in Cairo, NY with the Rose brothers whom he knew from his Army days. By the early 60's, Daddy had become the sole owner of the diner.

We started our working years there, eventually wandering off to other local establishments but we knew where our roots were. My brother, Cary and I knew no other way and had nothing to compare it to. We had no choice but to compete with the diner and make the best of it. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em and in our teen years that's just what we did as our sister had already done.

But what was it like to have a daddy who worked 14 hours a day; 7 days a week? Growing up in Sandy Plains, we all woke together in the morning and Daddy tucked me in at night. We didn't get to play as afternoons were meant for naps; his, not mine! We joined him at work on Wednesday evenings, as that was shopping day for Mommy. The grocery store where my brother was now working was across the street from the diner. We would have our groceries delivered there and then enjoy a table reserved for us in the dining room and all the sights, sounds and smells a diner had to offer. The waitresses were called to pick up their orders by listening for the buzzer. One buzz was for the dining room waitress; two buzzes for the counter waitress; three buzzes was for me. Happily, I would hurry into the kitchen where Daddy would have prepared my supper and Mommy's, too! I was never allowed to eat it there by him, but I could have my dessert there ... most always home-made chocolate cream pie. Dad would take breaks at the counter where that very pie was made earlier in the day by our baker. It was also where Daddy read the paper, had his supper ... and I had my pie. I would also have the chance to watch Daddy make mashed potatoes in the big mixer, and I would be a big help to him by adding chunks of butter! Mommy and I would enjoy our supper and converse with those who wandered over to our table. Usually, I would hear 3 more buzzes a little later and would scurry to the kitchen to find Daddy smiling with some quarters in his hand for the jukebox. I could choose any songs I wanted as long as I gave at least once choice to Mommy!

Homework was done at that table many nights, especially as I got older, staying after school and then needing a ride home. I could walk to the diner, but walking home was 3 miles and would have been most often in the dark so that was not really an option. Instead, after cheerleading practice I would wander down to the diner, arms laden with notebooks, text books, etc...back packs were not cool in the 1960's. There I would spread out at our table and work away. Sometimes, teachers would come in to eat... and find me busy! This was good for my reputation as my grades were not stellar! At least they knew I was trying. They also knew that Daddy was too busy to help and in those days, many mothers had only an 8th grade education...something they were trying to change.

To be continued...

Generous Blogging Friend

2011-02-15T21:34:00.000-08:00

A blogging friend who, without realizing it, prompted me to share my poetry. She has a wonderful story to tell.

http://aboutamish.blogspot.com/2011/02/giveaway-of-copy-of-why-i-left-amish.html

Choosing

2011-02-13T20:47:00.000-08:00

Limerick style ... just a little fun poem for the L-O-N-G month of February!

I like summer better than winter
with AC instead of a heater;
when my brain doesn't freeze
and my cold nose can breathe
with my nostrils not sticking together!

Winter Vacation

2011-02-12T08:03:00.000-08:00

Frosty faces;frozen laces
children skating on the pond;
sleds competing; saucers spinning
wildly down the hill and beyond.

Snow flakes falling; north wind blowing
winter down each un-scarved neck.
Friendly shoves with snow caked gloves, now
homeward they begin their trek.

Smiles beaming; cocoa steaming;
soothing to their snow stung smiles.
Shower warming; outside storming;
more snow gathering for awhile.

Now they sleep; dreaming deep of
kings and castles, mountains; then
awaken, hasten, breakfast chasing
to capture winter once again.

The week after this one coming, many children and educators will have a week off from school. It was meant for a "recuperation" time so that all the little sniffles, sneezes, coughs and wheezes would go away; all the stomach viruses would, too, hopefully.

I have many friends and acquaintances in the education field who feel the best place to recuperate is any place there is no snow or temps below 50 degrees! Y'all have fun down south, but I'm waiting and hoping for at least one BIG snow storm before spring begins to peak through the clouds. March will be here before you know it and THEN you will find me hastening spring's return by heading south.

Will you be going anywhere special? Praying safe journeys for all my traveling friends :-)

Pricker Bushes

2011-02-05T18:35:00.000-08:00

I mentioned pricker bushes a few posts back and said it was for a another story. Well, thanks to my friend Anne, I came across the picture to go with the story. LOL!!! There isn't much of a story and I don't have a poem to go with it but... Once upon a time there was a hill behind Anne's house and a bunch of kids from church who wanted a "winter weekend." So we complied. One of the featured activities was sledding on Morgan's Hill. It was an interesting hill, with bumps and a few little turns and a rocky drop off at the bottom that we never actually reached, but a nice long ride nonetheless. Well, after a few trips down which made the track nice and fast, it was my turn again, and for no good reason, other than it was going to be her turn next, Anne screams, "Peg! Look out!!" Since there was no danger in front of me, there had to be danger coming up behind me so I did the most sensible thing. I bailed from the sled as soon as I could, giving absolutley no thought to where I would land. Anne just happened to have her camera on hand and when she arrived, safely by sled .. she took my picture. She was laughing so hard, I can't believe this picture didn't blur; but it didn't so you can all see what I looked like climbing out of the pricker bushes :-) End of story! Well, not really; I got even with Anne when she was wearing her bunny slippers LOL!!!! but that's another story...

Making Do

2011-02-05T10:05:00.000-08:00

Cloudless sky,
deep azure
Seamless ice,
hard frozen
Hatless child,
log sitting
Lace-less skate,
loose fitting
Smile-less owner,
quick thinking
Hopeless scarf,
unraveling
Useless threads,
skate lacing
Scarf-less boy,
fast skating!

A different style of poetry ... I never know how the words are going to form.

Another giveaway on my blogging friend's site: http://ajoyfulchaos.blogspot.com/?spref=fb I really enjoy her blog!

Mr. Groundhog

2011-02-02T10:17:00.000-08:00

Oh, what will he do
on the 2nd day
of the month with the fewest days?

Will he scurry right out
and give a big shout
to frighten his shaddow away?

Will he peek o'er the edge
of his hole in the ground
and look to see if it's clear?

Will he blink and look tired
or be bouncing and wired
and start running as fast as a deer? (I doubt it.)

Well, today is no problem
as the skies have snow in them
so pop up and party away

From morning til noon
but remember this June,
from my garden stay far away!

Mittens or Gloves?

2011-01-29T17:51:00.000-08:00

Mittens or gloves is the question

the answer to which I am certain

lies on the inside

where fingers and thumbs cry

for comfort, warmth and protection!

Working in the school district full time for over 20 years has allowed me the opportunity to view first hand how parents dress their children. Now, why would parents send their kids to school in the wintertime, knowing there was outside play at recess, with no snowpants, no boots, no hat (or hood on their jacket)and only stretchy gloves, if any, for hand protection? Poor kids used to have to borrow mittens/gloves and hats from the teacher or nurse's office and then stand where it was plowed and just watch the other kids play. What great memories those kids have ... NOT! The rest of the kids would be building snowmen, playing King of the Hill on the snowbanks and making forts. They weren't allowed to throw snowballs at each other but we managed to find a way to play snowbaseball and got away with it and it was my idea! Don't tell the principal.

My memory helped me understand the importance of good winter clothing and I definitely remember back in highschool wishing I had my mittens instead of my gloves; my wool socks instead of my nylon/cotton blended ones; my hat with little ear protectors built in and my real boots as opposed to my sneakers which were way cooler but definitely not practical .. and my mom did not know I left the house in them, heh, heh, heh! Oh, wait .. the jokes on me :-(

My own daughter in love came to play the other day with our 3 year old granddaughter, Belle, who had on snowpants, a warm hat that fastened over her chin, boots and mittens. Her mommy had a jacket, athletic shoes, no hat and nothing for her hands!! Then she complained about winter time. Helloooooo!!!!! Since I was working, she borrowed my snow boots and mittens and had a great time outdoors with Dad and her daughter, sledding and snowshoeing. Another daughter-in-love dresses very similarly for winter but doesn't complain. She also doesn't play in the snow as she and our son have no children, yet...

A couple of days later, we had our other granddaughter, also dressed for winter, over to play in the snow and had equally as great a time and I didn't miss a thing because it was Sunday after church! The sky was just beautiful and I hope my pics turned out on this page the way they are supposed to. Her mommy, our third daughter-in-love couldn't come but if she could she would be dressed for it as she has snowpants, boots, hats, mittens and now some of our snow shoes so they can trek around and take pictures. I think I'm going to invest in some winter gear for the other girls :-) The family that snowshoes together, drinks hot chocolate together and that sounds mighty fine right about now!

Meanwhile, back to my rant ... parents, dress your kids and yourselves for the weather. It's Feburary! My final words go back to my poem: Mittens are always warmer than gloves since your fingers get to hang out together and share

body heat. I even slip my thumbs out of their little home to be curled up inside my hand and sometimes I even drive the car that way! Just sayin' .. .around our house, mittens makes the difference between happy hands or miserable grandmommy!

End of rant.

Snow Day!

2011-01-26T13:34:00.000-08:00

When roads are slick

and sidewalks thick

with ice on a weekday morn;

When radios say,

"No school today!"

when suddenly sleep is done;

When breakfast is eaten

and a shoveled path's beaten

to the shed to fetch the sled;

Then hills in all places

announce winter races

where everyone wins in

The End!

It never fails to amaze me the amount of energy a child (and some adults) have when they realize there is no school due to snow and/or ice! Neighbors of mine would be up at the crack of dawn, which in the winter around here comes close to 7 AM, and would be putting their skiis on top of their station wagon and be ready to go as soon as the last child gulped down their breakfast! Sometimes the car would be ready the night before in anticipation of a "snow day."

I really don't have room to talk, though ... snow days off from school would have me into my snowpants at almost the same time so I could take advantage of the new fallen snow on our community hill before the other kids got there! I liked making the "track" for the saucer and made sure it didn't go into the pricker bushes. Pricker bushes remind of another time but that's another story .....

Things haven't changed much and though I don't regularly go sledding, there is still something pretty magical about waking up to a winter wonderland and hearing Tom and Steve on the radio announce that the schools are closed! I work for the school districts and though I may not get paid for snow days, I get to breathe the cold, crisp, clean air as I help shovel and the anticipation of playing with my grandchidren in the snow is worth a whole lot more than a pay check!

Winter Life

2011-01-19T12:23:00.001-08:00

Under boughs of evergreen
beneath cold dirt you'll find
little rooms in tidy nests
for critters of every kind.

Grey mice and squirrels; chipmunks, too,
seek shelter from winter's air
They burrow a furrow and line the end
with some of their soft, warm fur.

They venture out on warmish days
and skitter across the snow
to search for food and stretch their limbs...
then it's back to the evergreen boughs.

Winter Statue

2011-01-15T18:37:00.000-08:00

Winter Statue

Eye lashes gathering

Cold nose breathing

Red cheeks feeling

Pink tongue catching

Swirling flakes of winter

Good Reading

2011-01-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

Another poem is on the way but first, I wanted to share a blogging friends offer of a give-away. She writes very well and loves to make new friends; now having over 700 reading her blog! Check her out:

http://ajoyfulchaos.blogspot.com/2011/01/giveaway-just-because.html

It Finally Snowed

2011-01-07T23:07:00.000-08:00

It wasn't a humdinger of a snow storm, but you could measure it! Six inches at last measure and it's still lightly snowing. The schools stayed open and the busses were only a little bit late this AM. No one has much trouble unless they are going too fast, have poor tires or have someone in front of them matching that same description.

I slid back down the driveway this AM; of course it was not plowed or sanded. I managed to get a running start and was able to quckly check traffic before sliding out into the road. That was it, though; the rest of the way into work today was easy. I forgot I had to be outside for bus duty in the afternoon, though .. and left my boots in the car! I survived.

I think I may make an apple pie tomorrow .... saw a picture of one on another blog and that did it for me.

About Amish: A January Deal... and a Question

2011-01-07T23:02:00.000-08:00

About Amish: A January Deal... and a Question

Such an interesting woman and a great offer on her book. She's appearing throughout MA, VT and VA this winter/spring.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-05T18:22:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, everyone! We had a great New Year's Eve at the Glen Glade Country Store with old and new friends; sharing food and playing games. Managed to get home in time to watch the crystal ball drop in NYC to announce the end of the old and the beginning of the new. We updated our facebook statuses, kissed and went to bed. Woke up in the morning to the same dishes and what not ... boring by some people's standards but not to us :-)

Well, I told some people I was going to do it ... so here goes: Poetry time! (short and sweet)

Playing In Winter

Snowsuit stuffing
Huffing, puffing;
Boots too big for little feet

Mittened fingers;
Fuzz balls linger
at the tips where fingers meet

Scarf wrapped 'round;
Hat pulled down;
Two eyes, one nose now showing

All ready for
the opened door
to meet cold wind now blowing!

UhOh

2010-12-30T19:54:00.000-08:00

UhOh ... I can't remember my last post! I'm sure it was before Christmas and I'm afraid I may have been whining :-( I was not feeling well for a while, but antibiotics have brought me around and I'm good to go! Good thing, too!

We had a very nice Christmas, with no baking done on my part (I rested a lot) but the tree got trimmed and the presents (bought through Amazon, mostly, 'cause I couldn't shop) were wrapped on time!

Christmas Eve found us at church with Bill and I along with two teens doing a comedic skit on travelers stranded on Christmas Eve (that told the Christmas story in a wonderfully funny way) and then singing in the choir's cantata. I'm so glad I was well enough to participate in all of it! We also had the Children's choir sing with us on a few numbers and they performed a couple of songs with hand bells. The brass ensemble started us off and the praise team finished us up with silent night, everyone holding a candle in the darkness. Praise be to God for His unspeakable gift!

Two days after Christmas, Bill and I headed for Lancaster Co with our 10 year old granddaughter to take in two presentations at Sight and Sound Theatre ... what a super time! She was quite taken by the performances and loved seeing the horses trot right up the aisle. I heard her actually exclaim "OH!" out loud when the first angel showed up in the air overhead during "Miracle of Christmas." ... She loved the music and prefered the CD of that show over "Voices of Christmas" which were familiar carols. She surprised me!

We ate a lot ... too much... at Millers and Hershey Farms but our favorite place was the Bird-in- Hand Bakery; too scrumptious to talk about here as I would drool on the keyboard!

Something new: Found many Amish riding on large wheeled scooters ... very intersting things that can move almost as fast as a bicycle since the wheels are larger than traditional scooters.

Stayed at the Sleep Inn in Ronks that borders on farmland ... perfect for this country girl!

Time for bed ...way too tired for typing and afraid my spelling may have suffered. I already checked to make sure my "wrapped presents" were indeed, wrapped and not warpped. Good night all ... have a safe New Year's Eve.

Where Does the Time Go?

2010-12-19T19:03:00.000-08:00

Just when you think you have everything under control, the clock AND the calendar speed up! So much to do but I refuse to get stressed out :-) Years ago I caught on to the fact that cookie baking could take place AFTER Christmas, when the kids were home from school (and I was, too) and would enjoy them freshly baked from the oven. Computer generated address list/labels made doing my cards much easier and more fun ...no hand cramps. However, buying presents still took a lot of time ... til last year when I discovered Amazon!!!

These were just a few quick thoughts running around my head and thought I would share them. I would also like to share a link from an online blogging author who is offering a free copy of her book in a drawing. She has a very interesting, heartbreaking yet heart warming story to tell. I will enjoy reading her book whether I win or purchase it for myself! You can find her at http://aboutamish.blogspot.com/

"We're Havin' a Heat Wave ... a Tropical (well, not really....) Heat Wave"

2010-12-11T19:18:00.000-08:00

Here me singing? I think Bing Crosby sang this ... It was a balmy 35 degrees here today which so SO much better than the 3 degrees I had yesterday morning!

I finally finished my outdoor decorating tonight ... I've been sidelined by a cold/layrngitis and with temps in the teens, decided the decorations could wait! I'm hoping for a little snow to brighten the lawn and then I'll take pictures.

An absolutely delicious Christmas Party tonight at the home of some friends from church. Everyone brings a dish to pass and there is always such an assortment of good things to eat. We brought Wasabi Peas ... pretty enough with red, green and white. Had a label made so no one just popped a few and got surprised :-) They were a hit with those who like hot/spicy/horseradish type things.

Did not get anything accomplished today ... overslept to begin with but Bill got up early to go hunting with a friend back in his hometown. We'll be eating venison this winter ... I can taste the steaks and gravy already!

Busy tomorrow with Church, Sunday School, birthday party for a little boy and then our choir will perform at the nursing home. We then go back to church for our play practice and then the evening service. Tired, already!

Snow Flurries!

2010-12-06T10:53:00.000-08:00

It's been snowing all day but there's nothing to show for it. Lots of flurries, some of the flakes quite huge, have been cascading past my windows but appear to be blowing into the next county! I love the snow but hate the cold. Isn't that quite a combination? It's pretty hard to have one without the other, but all I ask is that God hold back the frigid temps and the wind! Please!

I still have to finish my outdoor decorations (just a bit) and our front yard will look very festive. I'll post a picture when it's ready.

Right now, I'm battling my first cold of the season (Zicam works great) and feel pretty good... good thing, too... I'm about to go help with the children at Bible Club. I take them into the gym to play dodge ball, tag ..etc. You know, quiet games :-) I'm sure I'll lose my voice but get it back in time for substitute teaching tomorrow!

My blogging friend has another cool giveway! http://ajoyfulchaos.blogspot.com/

Busy, Busy, Busy

2010-12-04T18:34:00.001-08:00

This AM Mom Pitcher called to see if I would like to have lunch with her, Dad and Aunt Doris ... oh, yeah! What a great day! We met at Michael's, a very nice restaurant around the corner from The Red Lion Inn and enjoyed eating, talking, talking and talking! Amazing how fast the time went by ... but it did and we had to say our goodbyes. Aunt Doris will be leaving this week to spend the winter in California .. a much nice climate for her to spend the winter in. Her family lives there and she is sure to have a great time! God speed, Aunt Doris, and we'll see you in the spring!

A crisp, cold night here in NY and we spent some time in a live Nativity for the village of Northville :-) It's one of the few towns left that encourage this type of participation .. of course, it helps to have a Christian on the board for the Association! It's more of a "tableau" where we are "frozen in time" at the stable and not really acting. But it's fun to listen to parents as they explain to their children who all the characters are. Not quite in keeping with the Biblical account, we also have 3 wise men at the stable, though they really appeared later, after they saw the star and traveled "to the house" where the young child was. But nevertheless, I was a shepherd, Bill was a wiseguy and we managed to stifle our shivering for 30 minutes!

We were able to warm up by the bonfire afterwards with some hot cocoa and cookies but didn't stick around long enough to watch them turn the lights on the Christmas tree. The best pizza in town was calling me ... we enjoyed eating and then wandered back to where we parked our car at our church. A delightful evening.

Thankfulness (never ends)

2010-11-28T19:32:00.000-08:00

So thankful we have things to be thankful for! Our tummies are still full from breakfast, dinner and dessert :-) Many thinks to Chris and Kristen for such a variety of pies and a welcome into their new home! We've had some snow flurries and even enough to cover the ground so we could wake up this AM to a blanket of white .. even thankful for that! It was so pretty.

Wanted to mention that one of my favorite bloggers has another book giveaway! http://ajoyfulchaos.blogspot.com/

Thankfulness (cont'd, still)

2010-11-23T19:45:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on thankfulness continues with friendship and all we share with each other. Joys and triumphs. Saddness and sorrows. Sometimes your friends are closer than family and that's not a bad thing, really! Here are a few ideas on friendship:

1. Never gossip about your friends. EVER.
2. Walk away when someone else starts to gossip .. about anybody! You can let them know why you walked away, later.
3. Make lots of friends ...younger ones, so that when you get older, you won't be the one saying "Goodbye."
4. Pray for them, often. Don't wait to be asked .. you already know most of their needs, anyway.
5. Call them if you haven't seen them in awhile ... keep in touch via phone, mail, email and social networks. There's really no excuse.
6. Send them Christmas cards. They aren't expensive and it is still fun to get stuff in the mail addressed personally.
7. It's ok to be friends with your adult kids, but let them have their own friends. You can be friendly with them but from a distance. The reverse is also true.
8. Friendship is cultivated ... like a flower garden. Friendships don't grow over night. Acquaintances, do; friends do not.
9. Some friends can be dropped in on; some friends can't. Be a good friend and figure this out.
10. Don't be afraid to say "No" to a friend. If you are too busy, too tired, too 'whatever', your friend will understand. If they don't, then perhaps they are only an acquaintance.

Thankfulness (cont'd, again)

2010-11-20T11:14:00.000-08:00

Oh, how I love my family! I am so thankful for the parents I had, my brothers and sister. But I am most thankful for my husband and children God gave me. They are my present and will be my future, as well!

My darling sons who married my daughters-in-love give me wonderful things to think and pray about each day. My two granddaughters of sweetness fill my days with pleasant thoughts and plans for future fun. But it's my husband of 36 years who absolutely thrills my heart. Chosen for me and arriving on my doorstep "by chance" one afternoon ... I am SO glad I listened to that still, small voice of God!

We do so much together. I remember listening to the laments of some people who have retired and can't stand to spend so much time together and I can assure you, we do not have that problem! We are both semi retired and can't find free time anywhere!! How did we ever manage when we worked "for real?" It will be fun growing old with him .. if we choose to grow old, that is ...

We love to cook and it would be fun to try some new recipes from this cookbook if I win it :-) Yes .. another giveaway from one of my favorite bloggers:
http://ajoyfulchaos.blogspot.com/

Thankfulness (cont'd)

2010-11-15T16:15:00.000-08:00

There are so many things to be thankful for: My church family, who being far from perfect, is quick to pray and help out on a moment's notice; not because they have to, or it's expected but because they genuinely care for one another. There are some who come to church to "get something out of the sermon" but many come simply to worship with others of like faith.

We have a senior pastor that is so in tune with the things of God, desiring to serve, he can barely pull himself away from work, even if he is sick! I love his dedication. He is such an example for the rest of the flock. These same things can be said of our Associate Pastor, too! He is such a man of character. The two of them work well together.

The deacons and trustees are a trustworthy group of men, ready to act and quick to fix things that are troubling. We have deaconesses who serve the Lord so willingly and many have no clue what they even do! It was assumed I was a deaconess one day, and I was quick to say no (I'm not) but I was very flattered. It would be an honor but it should never be taken lightly. I would have to pray about it because there are duties that need to be done and a right heart with the right time needs to be present... not left over time given grudgingly after a busy day.

If you have church family like this, be sure to thank your leaders! If you DON'T have a church family like this ... maybe YOU are the one God's been waiting for! So, start something :-)

Indian Summer and Thankfulness

2010-11-11T21:35:00.000-08:00

We have had 2 days of 50+ degrees and SUNSHINE! I didn't get much done the first day, but today I managed to clean out the car; trim 3 small trees, two lilac bushes, and cut down the goldenrod that grew along the side of the garage (it was pretty when it was yellow ... but it isn't yellow any longer!) I raked out the flower beds, transplanted 5 pots of chrysanthemums and had my hands so dirty, I was not able to ge them clean when by the time we went to prayer meeting! I have garden gloves... can't stand to wear them.

We also put a pump in the water that has collected on the cover of the pool. We've had so much rain, that the sides of the cover were almost slipping over the edge of the pool! We have 3 pillows in it, too. I'm hoping we can switch to snow, which will blow off more quickly than water can evaporate :-)

Getting my thoughts together for Thanksgiving; thinking of cooking a small dinner this year as we are not sure who will be here. We always have a big breakfast and that seems to be a big hit. Here's my thought: Big breakfast, small dinner, Big dessert. If they come, they can eat if they don't, there's always leftovers!

Things I'm thankful for: First and foremost, my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and His saving grace! My husband, helpmeet, soulmate, chosen and delivered by God himself to my front door 37 years ago! Long story ... quite comical, I may share it some day. My children and their families.

Thankfulness to be cont'd ...

First Snow

2010-11-08T17:17:00.000-08:00

The first snow is always exciting, and though it did not really accumulate on the ground, it was certainly pretty as it fell! It would be a lot prettier if it had not been accompanied by sleet and rain, first! The roads were not too bad, so I traveled a bit to have supper with Bill; ham and potaoto soup and a ham sandwich on walnut bread :-) Delicious! Bill was working for the Sheriff's dept. though and was kept busy investigation accidents most of the afternoon and evening. He finally got to the country store where I had finished my supper, but he got to enjoy his.

I really need to make my own soups; It's not like I have to go to work every day! The first on my list is Hamburg Chowder. I'll make enough to freeze some, too. I'm going to try a beef stew and freeze that, too. It's soup/stew weather. Snow flakes and all ...

Another great give-a-away from one of my favorite bloggers, Mary Ann from: http://ajoyfulchaos.blogspot.com/2010/11/giveaway.html If my name comes up in her ranodm drawing, I will definitely enjoy reading this book! I love pioneer type stories and since this pioneer woman and her family was friends with Mary Ann's grandmother, well, that just makes it even more special!

Which is Worse .. Halloween or the Elections?

2010-11-01T18:43:00.000-07:00

Halloween, with it's very un Christian practices has come and gone. If it were just a children's fun thing to do .. gathering candy while wearing costumes, it would be ok; but it isn't. Nuff said.

The "mid-term" elections are almost here. I can not tell you how grateful I will be when it's over. The phone calls, the nasty ads on TV, the stuff in my mail box ... I am so discouraged by politics, especially this year in the great state of NY. I don't want to vote for governor because I do not like anyone running .. and there are 7 of them!! I could complain but ....

Our pastor gave a one liner just before our prayer time this past Sunday that felt like a special little slap ... I can't quote him, but basicaly he said: 'Our God is in control, regarless of who wins these elections ... therefore there is no need for you to be pessimistic...."

We love our pastor! I wish he would run for governor ... he's honest, intelligent, genuinely loves all people. He hates sin, spells out salvation to all who will listen, believes the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, and preaches to this effect. Of course, if became governor, he would no longer be our pastor .. so I won't push the issue :)

Thinking of the Reformation era martyrs on this November 1st. Quite a rough road for those who believed as I do now, back in the 1500 and 1600's. For some the road led to certain death, but this was not unnoticed by our God.

My pretty little maple tree in the front yard is still pretty. The last to turn color, I get to keep it right into November or unitl the first killing frost. I should post a picture .. let's see if I have one....NOPE! I'll have to change that.

Time to catch up on some favorite blogs .. catch you later!

October Glory

2010-10-27T19:09:00.000-07:00

The wind and rain have swept most of our beautiful leaves from the trees and on into the next county ... I do not remember such a windy, rainy autumn before. However, there is one tree whose leaves are intact! Our "October Glory" maple tree in the front yard. We've had it for about 6 years and is just now beginning to look like a "real" tree. We'll be old before it is big enough to be called a shade tree but that's ok. I love to look at the leaves in November when all the others are gone. We have bird feeder in it, now ... actually found a branch strong enough to hold one ... and the birds figured it out in no time flat!

Been enjoying something a little different on the internet: A blog written by a former Amish woman who is still just a conservative, country, Christian girl with a darling family. She has a very interesting story .. a GREAT memory of her plain life growing up and tells it well. She occasionally has giveaways and here is one of them. I think she enjoys autumn just as much as I do! http://ajoyfulchaos.blogspot.com/2010/10/time-for-giveaway.html

Ta Dahhhh!!! Fall ....

2010-09-15T06:44:00.000-07:00

Hey! What happened to summer? My tomato plants are asking the same thing. They sit there with green tomatoes ... My corn is almost ready to be picked which seems a bit late but I had to plant it three times .. once because of temps and twice more because of birds! They didn't like the balloons that hung out there this last time :-)

Grandview Mini Golf was our busy spot this summer, having taken it over from our son and daughter-in-love. Friends own it but lease it to the Pitchers each year .. at least one more year, I think then they may be ready to run it themselves. They're quite busy with several other investments and enjoy having us in charge up there. One less thing for them to worry about.

Sacandaga Bible Conference was my other place of "employment" this summer :-) Actually I volunteered there as their arts and crafts director. Fun stuff with, at one time, 34 kids at 3 picnic tables! It could have been worse ... it could have rained! They brought mne another table! WHEW! Looking forward already to next year ... great couselors/staff and great kids, too!

But summer is over and after a few weeks of "me" time, I will be back to subbing in the school districts. I really enjoy this ... two or three times a week and ther rest of the week is mine! Bill does the same thing with the Sherrif's dept.

With all this time on our hands, you'd think the housework/landscape work would be done! HA!

We are planning our annual "Last Vestiges of Summer" vacation to Ocean Ctiy NJ in a few weeks ... Ahhhhhh!!!!!!

Right now, as I type, Bill and a friend are on the first part of their "New England Road Trip." Bill has a new motorcycle .. Harely Davidson Road King that replaces the one he wrecked earlier this summer. He was only slightly injured and the other motorcylist he hit was ok .. both bikes totaled, though. Thankful for the lessons learned.

That's about it ... see you all when it's winter. Ta Dahhhh!!! ... just about that fast, too!

Ta Dahhhh!!! Summer!

2010-06-25T16:12:00.001-07:00

Well, the first day of summer was an absolutely beautiful day but I had to work :-( However, subbing is over and mini golf is here .. with me ... right here under my feet! Running Grandview Mini Golf this year instead of our oldest son and his wife will prove an interesting occupation for the summer months. 7 days a week with a great helper in the AM on weekdays but still, no running away with my hubby for at least 2 1/2 months!

Of course, we already ran away to Oklahoma for Shelly and Jim's wedding (awesome) ... (I think their video stream has been removed) and a family reunion with distant cousins ... a great trip, too! No rain til we were headed back through Tennesee and Virginia. Got to visit some really great people and were treated to some fine dining and entertainment!

But now, it's time to work and garden and vaccum the pool .... ick ... what a shock THAT was when we took the cover off! For the last two years, our springs have been cool and the pool water has been ok at first peek ... but not this year! Maybe if we had opened it sooner than usual, but we weren't going to be home ... oh, well; we're hoping for some swim time on Monday ..

Looking forward to spending a little more time with my granddaughters this summer .. maybe at the same time and in the same place :-)

Congratulations go to our neice, Amber, who graduated with honors this past weekend. You GO, girl! She's headed for Bible School on Long Island and then perhaps nursing school. Our nephew, Brandon is also graduating this weekend and I have no idea what his plans are but he is a great kid and will be successful no matter where he goes or what he does!

Bill and Julie are working at Sacandaga Bible Conference ( www.sacandagacamp.com ) for the summer. Julie for the week days and Bill on the weekends .. cooking, of course!

Chris and Kristen are in the process of buying a house not too far from us.

Jeff and Amanda continue to write new songs and perform them as openings come up .. all for and to the Glory of God ... great music from dedicated Christians :-)

Bill's working p/t and volunteering and riding his motorcycle ... a full summer for him and he's smilig big time because of his semi-retirement! Hey ... me, too!

DeOme - Spillman Wedding

2010-06-05T21:54:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful wedding but sadly, no longer able to be viewed here. The Newlyweds are doing well :-)

Watch live video from Windsor Hills Baptist Church on Justin.tv

January 2010

2010-01-18T11:08:00.000-08:00

Is anyone else having trouble typing 2010? I keep getting my fingers mixed up and have attempted several times to join the year 2100. I don't think I'll be around then. If I am, NO ONE is allowed to take any pictures of me!

New Year's Day came in like a lamb. It was above freezing and everyone was healthy. A few days later we were sick, but not too .. just enough to give us some immunity, we hope :-) We also hope March comes in like a lamb, too. I don't like winter as much as I used to....

All is quiet .. we like it this way! The grandchildren are growing and happy. The children are working hard and enjoying their families and cats and dogs and guitars and drums. I've heard from nieces and nephews and saw pictures of a grand niece and a grand nephew .. such doll babies!! I know why we live so far away from each other. I would probably smother the babies with kisses and we ALL KNOW how much THAT is appreciated!!

I did have one niece comment on my last post :-) She posted as annonymous and I'm DYING to find out if she blogs! She is intelligent, creative, thoughtful and too far away from me. We grew up together more like sisters and seldom fought. BJ ... come back online!!!

I've been "messing" with Google/Picasa/Blogger and who knows where my pictures and trips and posts will show up! I try to keep some things private but want people to be able to find me ... hmmm .. that's tricky. Do me a favor, and let me know if my blog appears too public for my own good.

No real big personal plans for January or February. We are both working part-time and enjoying it. Bill is involved in a grassroots attempt to re-introduce a Sportsmen's Day through Sacandaga Bible Conference and this is taking up lots of his waking moments. It should be a great day and if it works, I'll link my blog to it. Lots of different vendors and a great guest speaker. Men and women are invited and I hope to be there helping with registration or something.

Hoping to take a sun and warmth seeking vacation to VA in March, much as last year .. we have family down there we don't get to see very often. There are pics on here of last year's trip so I won't do that again :-) unless they are REALLY, REALLY good!

January thaw has come ... it was 43 degrees at noon but has come down a bit .. to 39. This is what we needed to help clear out some of the icky, icy areas in our driveway to a degree ... at least now, if it snows, we won't have a speed bump of ice to contend with as well.

Well, this has been more of a blahg than a blog, but creativity is out the window today ... some days are like that. I really should put a poem or two on here ... I wrote them last year and wanted to get them copyrighted first, but that hasn't happened. Too lazy, I guess :-) Several of them could actually make great children's books and it was suggested that I look into that. I may ... still enjoying my first year of retirement (aka doing nothing) to get too involved in something as time consuming as that! Time will tell.

(semi) RETIRED! A Year in Review

2010-01-05T09:59:00.001-08:00

A Happy New Year's day walk behind our house

A visit to Isabella's house

Amanda made us proud at the Donkey Basketball Game at NCS!

Coach Bill and his team, including Erika

Winter vacation to Virginia Beach, VA

Spring vacation to Letchworth State Park, NY

Spring brings ice cream and checkers at Wemple and Edicks

Sorting seeds for Grammy

A lovely red fox in our back yard

Recorder concert at Erika's school

Kristen's art show in Saratoga

Renewing our wedding vows and celebrating our 35th anniversary!

Portland Head Light, Portland ME

On top of Cadillac Mt., Acadia National Park, ME

At Bubble Pond in Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, ME

At Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, CA

Near Rustico, PEI (aka Avonlea)

At Green Gables, storybook home of "Anne" ... actual home of LM Montgomery's cousin

The beautiful farmland of Tantramar (Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada) where my great grandfather, David Sherman Alverson was born. Very interesting history.

Eating lobster (of course) on Prince Edward Island

Who turned 90?

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Our new little friend came to play at Grandview Mini Golf. www.grandviewminigolf.com

Hailee, a faithful and fun worker

One Less Star perfroms in Amsterdam at Riverfront Park

"Last Vestiges of Summer" vacation to Atlantic City, NY and Ocean City, MD

Fall brings pumpkins; big and little ones :-)

Sacandaga Bible Conference, where Bill is on the Board and likes to spend his time volunteering

Fall turned to Winter Very Quickly

Thanksgiving morning

Isabella playing, "Baby's Stuck in the Window" with her mommy, Kristen.

Christmas celebrations abound in our household: At our home with Chris and Kristen, in Chatham with Bill's family and in NJ with Bill and Julie, Jeff and Amanda.

Bill's birthday falls on Christmas Day so we get to have some fun with his cake at the family gathering every year :-)

Falls done .. in just 2 more days!

2009-12-19T12:00:00.001-08:00

Well, shame on me. I have no excuse for not upadting my blog, but I don't think too many of you have been updating your own, either!!

There's not too much to add ... been working (both of us). Christmas shopping online (a little annoying but the traffic was non-existant.) Got to play in the snow and make a snowman (with a girl's hat) .. sorry no picture, yet :-)

Working on plans for this coming week ... eat, sing, eat, wrap, eat, trim, .... I better be careful; don't want to undo those 18 pounds!

Since my last post, Jeff and Amanda have purchased the house they live in .. we are so excited for them! A place to call their own with room for a music studio, too!

See you after Christmas ... don't forget to worship Him!

2009-10-30T20:13:00.000-07:00

Well, it sure was a quick summer, if you can call it that! Just two weeks of hot weather was not enough for me. I really needed more swimming time and the vegetable garden was just too wet. I'm sure in a few years, when we need the rain, I'll think back on this summer.

Fall fell quickly. The colors were not as brilliant this time around, but beautiful nonetheless. It's been

quite rainy and I'll try hard not to complain but I can't help wondering if all of this precipation continues into winter; the cold, COLD winter, what will winter be like? :-)

Bill and I are enjoying our retirement to the max. I'm subbing where I want, when I want and am just thrilled to help out old friends, meet new ones and see "my" kids from yesteryear as they grow through the grades at the other schools.

We enjoy cooking and have showed off a bit: Bill with his Blueberry Grunt and me with my Apple Pie which took 3rd place at a contest.

At church I am volunteering a few times a week, sing in choir, am on the music committee and head up the Drama team. Once a week I get to play with our granddaughter, Isabella, which helps out her mommy as she bathes their show dogs, works on her painting and other things that need attention from grown up fingers, not little ones!

Bill is now on the board of dirctors at Sacandaga Bible Conference where he has been voluteering this past summer. He's working P/T with the Montgomery Co. Sherrif's Office, still and continues to help out at SBC.

We managed to sneak away at the beginning of fall ... to find the last vestiges of summer down in NJ, DE and MD.

Bill and Julie are busy at work in New Jersey, but come up very often to help out at Sacandaga Bible Conference as the cooks. Granddaughter, Erika and granddoggie, Dito sometimes come to spend the nights with us. This makes Grammy and Papa very happy!

We were able to purchase another 12 acres of land attached to ours which will give us a measure of privacy as the Avery's begin to sell off their Christmas Tree farm here in Meco. Bill has been clearing out some of the overgrowth in a few areas and we should have some nice little trees of our own. This clearing out has given us fuel for some bonfires in the back yard. Mmmm S'mores!

It's been a quiet time of life for us and we really like it this way! Family, friends, a little work a little play ... a lot of God who sustains us in all we do.

Summer is Here!

2009-08-17T21:25:00.000-07:00

Wow! It sure took it's time but summer is finally in full bloom around these parts. The pool is so inviting, we just might take a late night plunge ... still so humid outside. Water temp is 83.

Yesterday was Bill's dad's 90th birthday. We had a fine celebration for him with all the fixin's! Cold cuts, salads, ziti and a beautiful cake (made by my daughter in love, Julie!) Lots of friends and family sure made the day special.

Bill read an essay he wrote just for his Dad ... he choked up at the end when he tried to say Happy Birthday, Dad. Whew ... everyone else was swallowing their tears, as well. Amanda, another daughter in love, wrote a cute song and sang about 1919 and events that took place at that time. Bill's brother Jim read a letter from their sister who is in the Philippines with her husband as missionaries.

Standing room only and no one wanted to leave the air conditioned building :-) Lots of nice presents and balloons. One bunch from Aunt Barbara and Uncle Bob in Virginia had a balloon that read: "I demand a re-count!" Granddaughter, Isabella had a grand time chasing balloons and "falling" down ... she is SO two! She had everyone smiling and laughing. Erika, our other granddaughter helped serve the cake, along with her cousins. Such a grown up little girl! I'm not allowed to call her "little" anymore :-( She did agree to let me call her a "little, big girl." *sigh*

I hope to upload pics soon, but for now, here's a video clip that we made just for the special occasion. It better work .. I spent HOURS and HOURS on this thing!

Spring has Come and is Almost Gone!

2009-05-30T20:27:00.001-07:00

Where have I been? Really .. someone tell me!! Retiring in January, you'd think I would have time to update this blog ... but that's what happens when you start really digging into your hobbies. Ancestry.com had me in it's grips so badly that I suffered from tendonitis for months. Awful, really. Had trouble lifting, pulling, grabbing. Housework suffered, but that's one of those things that will wait.

Subbing for the local school districts has been a great adventure; lots of fun meeting new kids and reuniting with "old" ones from my Pre K days at Warren St. School. I can't believe they remember me. I've been quite busy subbing; some weeks working every day.

The family is fine ... hard to believe Erika will be 9 this summer and "baby" Isabella will be 2. She's been practicing for a while ... talks up a storm and repeats EVERY thing she hears :-) Mom an Dad Pitcher are doing well. Their birthdays this summer will have them 86 and 90 respectively with a wedding anniversary of 66 years, too.

That's it .. just a quick update. Enjoy your summer and share your pictures!

We are making plans to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary this June ... a party here at the house, renewing our wedding vows in church and then a 2nd honeymoon to parts NORTH.

Wonderful Winter

2009-01-23T14:13:00.000-08:00

I really thought I had updated this blog :-) WRONG! I remember trying to upload pictures and having it fail over and over again ... I lose patience rather quickly when that happens! After typing this, I found my "draft" that had never been posted. I found TWO of them that had not been posted. No clue!

I didn't change anything on this post to reflect the "new findings" so some of this will be old news. Oh, well! Here goes:

Lots of newsy stuff ...

With Bill (and his Harley) safely home, I started thinking of Thanksgiving and decided to prepare a simple dinner ... which doesn't sound like me, but we always have so much to eat and I would much rather spend time with family than be fussing in the kitchen. I figured I would start early and have everything ready to be cooked or baked ahead of time ... we invited our kids over for breakfast (not knowing who could come for dinner) and Bill took over ... MY KITCHEN! So much for preparing ahead, BUT I did get to visit with Chris, Kristen and Isabella, Bill, Julie and Erika that morning while we ate eggs, bacon, homefries and pancakes and Jeff and Amanda during our dinner of turkey, stuffing, smashed potatoes, gravy, creamed onions, carrots, broccoli, squash. The pies came from Chatham with Mom and Dad Pitcher, Christina, Jim, Heather, Amber and Wesely. All in all a delicious day filled with chatter... just the way I like it!

We pretty much had a repeat for Christmas ... Christmas Eve was spent at church with Julie and Erika, (Bill drove up late) and Christmas morning found us eating a creation of my husband's... not even sure what he calls it, but he makes homefries in a cast iron skillet, polish saugsage in another, some peppers ... scrambles some eggs... puts in all together in another skillet and bakes it. I think he has cheese in it, too ... quite delicious and all his doing! Those who couldn't eat breakfast with us, got to have dinner of roast beef, smashed potatoes, carrots, cottage cheese, creamed onions and lots of gravy....

We got to have great visits with all of our children and niece, Cindy and her husband Brandon and "the boys." I love our family!

Isabella is growing taller and taller ... walks and talks a storm. She loves her "cracker bears" and we do, too! (Teddy Grahams) Papa ate the rest of the box she left here, but not to fear ... we will get some more to replace them!

Erika is growing, too ... such a beautiful girl from the inside out! I love spending time with her. We have fun and I know how to make her laugh ... Grammy and Erika can get silly as only Grammy and Erika know how!

I have to tell you about our Church's Christmas program ... just a bit ... Bill was the Angel Gabriel ... complete with wings and halo. However, the wings just were not ... apporpriate for someone the size of Bill .... Dear friend, Anne, said, "Bill has to lose those wings .. he looks more like the tooth fairy!" She was right ... and then undertook a mission to make Bill look more like Gabriel ... a man's angel ... a man with wings that could be used for flying or for taking out adversaries in one swoop! Thank you, Anne! You are a gem!

No Excuses!

2008-12-21T13:32:00.000-08:00

No real excuse except that we've been busy. Fall just swept right past us and tomorrow is the first day of winter. We've had several little snow storms, already ... nothing to exciting unless you listen to the news. I suppose if the weather is the big newsmaker, then no one is getting murdered ..

There was a big ice storm south and east of us ... power was out for days. All is restored, now ... just in time for blizzard like conditions for the next two days.

Thanksgiving was super this year (as usual) with a visit from Brandon and Cindy; boys Perry, Bryan and Braden. Bill, Julie and Erika came for the weekend, too. A housefull of family ... wonderful! Jeff and Amanda came for the day and Chris, Kristen and Isabella came for the morning and Dad's BIG breakfast.

Christmas is coming and should be a feeding frenzy just like Thanksgiving :-)

Seriously, though .. Christmas is just a wonderful time to share the good news of Jesus Christ with our friends and family. To think that God's son willingly gave up his home in heaven to come to earth, born in a stable, lived a poor carpenters life then gave that up to teach men of His purpose for them; died an horrible death ... and he did it for us. Why? ...because men needed to be redeemed from their sinful nature and it was going to take a sacrifce. This was God's plan ... giving us free will to choose right or wrong and then providing a way out .., again, a choice.

Merry Christmas to our friends and family ...may our God reign in your heart and Jesus shine through your life.

Home from Tennessee

2008-10-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

Bill's home from Tennessee and is just chock full of wonderful stories. He had a grand time with his Christian friends. Had no trouble fording the creek. Seems when the water was low, they poured a cement road bed. No gravel like I thought. It was trickier for him to try to turn the bike around on the rutted, dirt road when he realized he missed the little lane to the camp!

His ride was uneventful and down and back, met interesting people. Wearing one of his POFCI mission T shirts, he was asked questions and of course, riding a 79 Harley brought more questions! When he reached Clarks Summit the other night, he was ready for a good night's sleep and a 5 hour ride home in the AM ... but, after a good night's sleep, his bike just wouldn't go fast enough to ride the interstate ... something's wrong. Long story short: There was a Harley dealer nearby; Bill had towing/repair insurance; the Harley dealer was having an open house complete with free food and people to talk to; they thought they had his bike fixed, but it had problems again; Bill rented a car to come home and will go back to get his bike when it is fixed!

It was good to have him home, bike or no bike!

I am over my cold ... it was mean ... I took a day off from work to get my strength back.

Bill, Julie and Erika went apple picking and pumpkin patching. I was too sick to join them :-(

Chris and Kristen got to go away for the weekend to celebrate Kristen's birthday. I got sloppy kisses from Isabella!

Jeff and Amanda are moving to Northville .. we are very excited for them!

Grammy and Grampy are doing well. Grampy is getting some long needed exercise and gaining back some strength.

October

2008-10-12T20:01:00.000-07:00

October gave a party;

The leaves by hundreds came;

The chestnut, oak and maple

and those of every name.

This was October's party

and everything was grand!

Miss Maple led the dancing;

Professor Wind, the band.

My mom taught me this poem/song when I was really little and, in fact, used it and others as lullabies. I wish I could sing it for you! Some of you already know it ... since it was sung to you when you were just babies, too! I checked online and believe the author to be George Cooper. His version is slightly different and may have additional verses.

Now that Autumn is here and I finally managed to let summer go (thanks to Ocean City NJ) I can say that I am really enjoying the season. The leaf colors are spectacular this year and I'm patiently waiting for our "October Glory" maple tree to turn. It's still pretty small as trees go .. might be a shade tree in another 10 - 15 years :-) but we'll be patient!

I mentioned Ocean City, in a previous post... it was just the ticket to say goodbye to summer! A beautiful B & B, The Scarborough Inn, recommended by our friends, Lamont and Nancy (who happen to own one) was waiting for us and not only was it beautiful, clean, comfortable and served tasty breakfasts, but they also provided cookies and beverages with access to their "Butler's Pantry" ... where I was so excited to see the chocolate chip cookies, that I laid down my camera's picture card and forgot to pick it up. Fortunately, my internal memory did not have too many pictures stored and I was able to get some sunrise pictures the next day. Happily, they found my picture card and returned it to me at breakfast!

First Peek of Sunrise

Sunset and "Moonrise"

We enjoyed walking on the Boardwalk here, as well. I like it better than Atlantic City since it is cleaner and not as crowded with rowdy people. OC is a 'dry' city ... no alcohol.

Atlantic City Sand Dunes

The ocean water was a nice 70 degrees and the air temp was about the same. My feet were SO HAPPY being in the surf, again ... until we started splashing our way down a long stretch and found one Jelly Fish after another! They were washing up on shore and we then had to be content with walking in the wet sand.

On the section of beach closest to our Inn, there were no Jellies so we were quite happy to run in and out of the water right there; no pictures of us dong that, though; thought better of bringing the camera into the water, what with my history of losing things...

We were able to spend some real quality time with dear friends, Ruth and Bill from Absecon, NJ. Morning worship and then the afternoon of talking and laughing; remembering old times and listening to Ruth's tapes of the wonderful music and preaching from our old church on Staten Island. Oh, to be just a few miles closer!

We took in a couple of quick side trips; One to Atlantic City to walk on the board walk (just to say we'd been there ;-) and to see the Absecon Light House. Another to Cape May to check out the light house and nature trails. Uncooperative Swans tried very hard not to have their pictures taken. The Snowy Egret was not exactly mugging for the camera, either.

Absecon Light

Cape May Light

So, it's back to Meco and the cooler temps that October brings ...

I realized that in an earlier post I mention the garden ... well, it ended up just being a cornfield and yielded a nice crop for us to enjoy towards the end of summer. I plan to tie up the stalks for decorating the front porch for Thanksgiving. The crows had some fun, trying to strip the husks off, damaging some of corn in the process. I may have to string up some shiny aluminum pans next year to keep them away. Such work for your own tasty veggies!

Bill is loving retirement! He works 2 - 3 days a week as a deputy and plays with motorcycles and tractors the other 3 - 4 days! Right now, he is on a "road trip" to Colby, TN to meet up with other Christian Game Wardens at "Beaver Dam" camp "somewhere" east of Colby .. in the woods ... He met up with these guys online over 10 years ago. Some of them supported us financially when we went out on our first mission trip to Venezuela:-)

I was quite nervous about him riding his Harley (1979) all that way .. alone .. but I had to use the faith God gave me and let him go! He called me several times each day to let me know of his progress and so far he has had only minor problems with the 'bike.' He called me this afternoon, not too many miles from his destination ... saying he did not think he would have cell service much longer and wanted me to know he was almost there. He still had to find two more roads and ford a creek ... FORD A CREEK??? Yep, that's what they told him. It has a gravel bed and the road ends on one side and you pick it up on the other. Not too much water flowing in it right now, they said. He should have no problem. Well, you can imagine my imagination! I have a mental picture of him 1/2 way across and realizing he's not going to make it. Stopping and getting off in just a little more water than he expected and either slogging/slopping his way pushing his 1000 lb Harley the rest of the way OR leaving it unattended on one side of the creek and walking in the rest of the way ... LEAVING IT UNATTENDED??? Isn't there a law against leaving "your baby" alone? SIGH.... I probably won't hear from him again until he starts for home when he gets back into cell service on Tuesday ... after he slogs back across the creek and finds his way back to civilization. I found pictures of this place and the people he will be meeting up with. I believe them to have been taken mostly by Ken who is now a missionary in Rwanda, Africa. http://www.flickr.com/photos/58111894@N00/1555353667/

Bill will be in this year's pictures and should be taking some, too ... he bought a new digital camera for the trip... AND .. he learned how to use it, too!

Well, it's time for me to "retire" (LOL) for the night. Tomorrow is a day off from work and if my cold is any better, I plan to get lots of work done. ZICAM ... gotta love it!

Here's one more poem/song from my mother, no author for this one. She attributed it to her teacher, Miss Ella Ruple, at the one room school house in either Rocktown or Ringoes, NJ. back in 1914 - 17 or thereabouts.

Oh, October, how we love you;

see the gay leaves fall,

and the pretty milkweed babies

fly off, one and all.

Oh, October; bright October

hear the fairies sing.

All the birds are flying southward;

Robins on the wing!

Good night everyone and may God bless you this week.

Bill's Retirement Video Presentation

2008-09-15T18:53:00.001-07:00

After no less than 10 tries, we finally have Bill's retirement video presentation uploaded to this blog! Go ahead, click on it :-) It's just over 12 minutes long.

2008-09-15T17:21:00.000-07:00

Random Pictures from Summer

2008-09-14T19:06:00.001-07:00

OK, time for some pictures to re-capture summer ... bear with me, or enjoy them!

Technically, Father's Day is in the spring, but .... here's Papa's Father's Day gift! His two favorite little girls sitting on his Harley!

The start of summer found Erika and her Papa at Wemple and Edicks doing more than just eating icecream!

Isabella Marie turned 1 year old in July ... we think she looks like Chris' baby pictures ;-)

Erika is picking black raspberries at our house. We also went to Mrs. Cleland's to pick blueberries.

The we captured her mom using sticky s'more fingers while camping at Northampton Campgrounds!

Here's a nice picture of Erika with her cousins, Hailee and Isaiah while camping.

My sister-in-law, Beth and me after a nice swim ... Beth's gonna KILL me! No .. wait! They're on their way to the Philippines and won't be back for at least a year or two ... I think I"m safe!

For Dad Pitcher's 89th birthday, Jimmy arranged a Model T ride for Dad, compliments of good friend, Danny (driver.) We all got to have a ride ...a first for me! Pictured from L to R: Dan and Beth DeOme, Mom and Dad, Danny, Bill ... don't know where Jimmy is ... I took the picture.

Mom and Dad Pitcher, married over 65 years! We treated them to dinner at the Homefront Cafe in Altamont, NY ...a really cool place to eat!

Swimming pool fun with Isaiah and friend, Daniel.

We had a really nice campfire going, and the rainbow did a "double" and stole the show!

Grandma and Dad Chapin came to the graduation party to celebrate with Amanda

No campfire would be complete without .... yeah, you guessed it!

Congratulations ... go to Bill for retiring from NYSDEC after over 26 years of service. Erika and I painted the banner. Erika also colored some pretty neat pictures of what Papa will do in retirement :-)

Bill, Julie and Erika Pitcher were the caterers and truly outdid themselves. Pictured here is Bill grilling his face, arms, shrimp and chicken.

Julie serving up the homemade coleslaw ... everything was homemade ... and absolutely delicious!

So, we don't mess with the ones holding sharp knives :-) Erika and Julie had matching shirts with a little "Ditomarie" applique on the front. Bill's shirt was red, but minus the applique.

One Less Star offered their music throughout the afternoon ... yes, this is Jeffrey and Amanda Pitcher! A favorite song for the crowd was ... one the "old" people could sing along with: "Earth Angel!"

Last but by no means, least was Linda Goodrich's cake .... OH ,YEAH! Also, many sincere thank yous to Anne and Theresa for their kind and able service behind the scenes ... appreciated by all!

What Happened to Summer?

2008-09-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

Waaaahhhh! I want August back! I can't believe I haven't posted since July 21st .. shame on me! Summer was a blur and though it wasn't hot enough (or sunny enough) to swim EVERY day, we did enjoy our pool and watch our oldest granddaughter practice her swimming skills. She learned to float on her back and swim under water ... such a little fish! She loves goggles and swimming in the lake .. she can see all kinds of things under water! Her other Grandparents have beach rights on the Sacandaga Lake and took her there a lot this summer.

It has been wonderful having Erika close by! Her mom, Julie, ran the mini-golf course in Northampton again, with her dad coming up on weekends to give her a break. I helped out, too, and thoroughly enjoyed my duties in the fresh air on the shore of the lake. Meeting people as they come to play mini-golf is fun, too. When the Hammons' came to play, we ended up talking more than playing golf!

Our granddaughter, Isabella, has turned 1 ... what a beauty! We have the cutest pictures of her and Erika on Papa's motorcycle .. if I ever get them on here :-) Her mom and dad have sent cute ones, too ... you can see them on Isabellas page: http://www.isabellababygirl.blogspot.com/

BIG NEWS! Bill RETIRED!!!! After 26 1/2 years with NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation, the Game Warden has retired! We had a great party for him yesterday, with fine fare prepared by Bill and Julie (Erika was a big help in decorating and running errands for the cooks.) Jeff and Amanda (http://www.amandolinmoon.blogspot.com/) brought their musical talents http://www.onelessstar.com/ and played through dinner (getting rave reviews!) It was supposed to be at Northampton Picnic Pavilion but Tropical Storm Hanna took care of that and we ended up at our church's activity center, B.C.O.N. Corner in Northville. It was tight, but we had fun and several guests said it was the best retirement part they had been to in a long time ... I believe it! Everyone just laughed and talked and kids got to play "Pin the Badge on the Deputy" (which is what Bill is, now, going to work for Montgomery Co. Sheriff's Dept part-time.)

We had guests from Virginia (Auntie Barb and Uncle Bob), Watertown, Camilus, Chatham NY and local friends as well.

Bill and Julie special ordered a painting by a local artist, Emma (can't spell her last name... maybe, it's: Oburn) who specializes in nature and makes her own frames ... those who contributed to the gift were not disappointed. Bill had no idea and was quite surprised and pleased, having commented several times last year and this that he would really like one of her paintings for the wall over our sofa ... :-) Now we have to hang it!

He doesn't know it, but hopefully he'll have another one to hang in his office, if I can find the photo, and have our daughter-in-law commissioned to paint it!

Well, that's it for an update ... I have pictures to upload and order before the price goes up at midnight!

Summer's Fun

2008-07-23T08:46:00.001-07:00

With summer well underway, I thought I would pop on here and say hi ... just in case my annonymous message leaver checks up on me. Such a friend ... checking to see if I upload anything new!

It has been great to wake in the morning and realize I don't have to go work ... for several more weeks! There's the pool to clean, the house to clean, the boxes of stuff left over from our "flood" to go through, ... hmmmm... sounds like work to me.....

This week is Vacation Bible School ... 78 kids the first night with more on the 2nd. Our church has so much fun with the kids. The junior high and highschool get to go to "pink chicken" for their lessons and then hop a school bus for a trip to Alter-Whittaker Beach for some true summer fun. The younger ones have their lessons in the church, crafts (that's me) and snack, too. Their games are out in the parking lot and usually have something to do with water or at least getting dirty! If it rains outside, they play games inside .. hopefully with no water :-)

Crafts have been "challenging" this year; not only for the kids but for the adults as well! One of them took over an hour for me to make and I had my 8 year old granddaughter helping me! Glue does not dry quickly in humid weather.

Speaking of my 8 year old granddaughter, her birthday was last week and she celebrated all week long! First she had her "kid" party in NJ complete with cupcakes which when placed together formed a beautiful horse. Then she got to celebrate it again at the Johnson Family Reunion in Northville! (Her Grandmother Worden was a Johnson.) So our "baby" is growing up!

But not to be outdone, our REAL baby granddaughter, Isabella, turned 1 just before Erika's birthday and got to celebrate as well. She is such a doll baby! With hair that reminds of Chris' when he was little ...not able to be styled :-) She loves to talk and makes the cutest noises when she plays and reads. Reading books is a favorite. She takes small steps by herself but prefers crawling when she really wants to get somewhere. She loves the cats ... one of them even lets her!

Well, times a wasting! Guests for lunch tomorrow, so must get the dining room ready. Plans are being made for Bill's retirement party in September and more crafts to get ready for VBS.

Hopefully I'll have some summer pics to post in a week or two. Catch you then!

It's About Time ...

2008-07-01T21:13:00.000-07:00

It's about time I posted!

What a wonderful vacation this spring ... through Pennsylvania to visit friends who live in a quiet county with lots of Amish and no tourists; on to Lancaster Co, with lots of Amish and MANY tourists (where we enjoyed Sight and Sound Theatre); on to Gettysburg to stay in a B & B on the battlefield ... VERY interesting and a 'must do again' destination; on down through Virginia on the Skyline Drive, staying at Skylands Resort ... may need to do that again, too! Across VA to the coast to stay with Aunt Barb (Babs) and Uncle Bob ... just a super family with endless stories! On up to Washington DC to take in the memorials ... WW2 is awesome! Police Memorial is, too! To Pennsylvania, again to visit with cousins and have lunch with them at a Cracker Barrel ...doesn't get much better than that! Into New Jersey to spend the night with Bill, Julie and Erika (who had a fishing contest .. just for fun!) and home again ... sigh! It was a GREAT 10 days.

No sooner was school out, literally, when Bill scooped me up in the parking lot and whisked me away on still ANOTHER vacation!!! Our annual trek to Maine to take in the sights, sounds and smells of York Beach, Freeport and Bailey Island. We managed to pack in a lot in just 4 days, even worked around some bad weather. Fog didn't stop us, but the rain slowed us down :-) We were able to attend church in Kittery (The Church at Spruce Creek) which is our church away from church. Enjoyed our open door to the balcony just feet away from the ocean ... high tide is magnificent at night, in the dark! Our favorite breakfast place is The Goldenrod and they just happen to make the best salt water taffy! Lobster (for me) for dinner each night ... mmmm .... Fosters, Lobster Cove, Cooks ... it's hard to wait another whole year! My feet long for the damp sand and edge of the surf. My appetite longs for lobster, too ... but it just doesn't taste as good inland at The Weathervane or Red Lobster .... SIGH!!!

Ok, ok, ok ....

2008-04-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

I have to learn to use this blog thing and be clever about it! I've been reading other people's blogs and am.... not exactly jealous, cause that would be sinful... so let's say... CURIOUS as to how they make them so appealing to look at! Some of you have pictures and videos and things down the side that mine does not. I tried rearraning the layout and ended up with FAT pictures. You aren't going to see ME on here if that is what happens to the pictures! I'm going to try to post a picture or two within this posting area ...using the same method I do for a forum I belong to ... we'll see. If I succeed with not too much difficulty, I may get carried away, so forgive me if that happens!

In the meantime, the snow is melting, the birds are singing ... it's still cold out, but the weatherman is "promising" us several days of nice weather. Several days in a row!!!

Bill and I attended Word of Life's Law Enforcement Conference last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It was lead by Robin Oake, retired Chief of Police from the Isle of Man,
Great Britain. A wonderful Christian man, with good spritual and practical advice for police officers and their families. Having "lost" a son (police officer) in the line of duty, he spoke as a father as well as an officer. He and his wife, Chris were a delight.

We also attended a luncheon honoring Bill's (and others') years of service to NYS Dept. of
Environmental Conservation. This was very nice and each honoree was presented with a plaque and a gift. Bill will be retiring soon, so this was a nice gesture on DEC's part.

We managed to go cross country skiing at Cascades in Lake Placid, NY. Though we love to do it, we never seem to make the time for it, and the weather this year just did not lend itself to skiing after work, though our friend's Christmas tree farm bordering our property is perfect for it. Lets not forget a knee injury two years ago and the fact that we had to move to Northville for several months last winter because of our house flooding, so after a 3 year hiatus, we took to the trails.

Neither one of us fell, not even once, though our skis were so sticky in the fresh, falling snow, that we were afraid we were going to go head first down the hills instead of our "usual" side/bottom first that we fear .... fear, because we are older, now and may break easily! We trudged our way back to the lodge where Bill bought some wax for waxless skis and then we were able to glide our way to success. I wouldn't let him put a lot on mine, for fear of gliding out of control ... with bad results. We had a lot of fun and after a couple of hours, called it quits so we would not have aching legs for the rest of the weekend. Besides, the "snow showers" that were predicted were gathering rather heavily on my fleece jacket, hat and exposed hair. I think they ended up with 7 inches of snow showers that day.

With warmer weather coming, our thoughts remain on the outdoors and my garden! I should say "our" garden, because if Bill did not plow and cultivate it, there wouldn't be one! I have work to do to get it ready. Little metal fasteners to pull out of the black plastic ... plastic because I was too lazy to weed every day .... and may do it again this year, too! I'm a little skiddish of taking it up, since I KNOW there are critters that made tunnels out there. I saw the black paper sort of wiggling/flapping one day when the wind was not blowing ... it "wiggled/flapped" one way .... and then back again. I love the country, born and raised in it with all kinds of gardens and a woods to play in .. but I do NOT like critters smaller than a chipmunk. We have moles, voles, shrew and mice. They may be God's critters, but he better find a safer place than my back yard for them!

My flower garden is calling me, too .... it needs some TLC and then should be lovely and ready for a garden party this summer for some little/big girls and their mommies.

By the way, thank you for your nice comments and your emails! I know many of you don't blog, but a quick email to me to say hi was just what I needed to get me through these muddy days of March and April! I have a feeling when it really does get warmer ... and they say it will ... that I won't be blogging! Once or twice a month might be all we do this summer, but we'll have to post some pictures of Grandview Mini-Golf that Julie and Bill run. They work hard to make it pretty and it shows!

OK ... now for some picture posting .... Here's a look back about 22 years ago ... most of you will remember:

No Joke! His Birthday is April 1

2008-04-01T19:51:00.000-07:00

He was due on April 3rd, but God's sense of humor prevailed!

Happy Birthday to our son, Chris! I fondly remember asking the nurses if there was any chance of me having my baby in March .... they all laughed! It was about 3 minutes to midnight and I wasn't even close! At 1:16 AM, he was born ... no C-Section like the doctor thought! My supposed 8 pound + baby turned out to be 7 lb 3 oz and was quickly scooped up by his Dad. I still remember the pride in his Dad's face as he gazed down at his 2nd son... this beautiful, blue eyed baby boy with blonde hair already showing on the top of his head.

We began making our phone calls ... the first one to Mom Lester, who promptly said, "You better not be fooling me!" "Mom!" I replied, "It's 3AM! I don't play jokes at 3AM!" To which she replied, "I mean about it being another boy!" We all had a laugh and I assured her he was indeed a boy and was beginning to resemble my dad .. who had died a few months earlier. He still does!

Mom and Dad Pitcher were barely asleep, having gone out for the evening only to come home and find cousin Marie babysitting for little Billy. They were quite excited and relieved to know baby Chris had arrived quickly and safely.

Bill got to go home after 3 but I stayed in the recovery ward for a few hours and cuddled my precious new little boy. He was born on a Sunday; the Lord's Day, and I sang hymns to him as lullabies, as my mom had sung to me.

The following day was filled with well wishers coming to the hospital to see him. Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, friends and neighbors. Lots of flowers from family and church graced the little bedside table. Bill came back and had a delicious dinner prepared just for us by the hospital ... Prime Rib! They also gave me a single rose to make our "dinner table" more beautiful.

We brought him home on Tuesday to the delight of his big brother ... who checked on him constantly until bedtime! At one point, he almost tipped over the empty bassinette trying to find him!

Doesn't seem possible that the years have gone by so quickly ... but now he is married and a daddy of his own little blonde haired, blue eyed baby girl! How we love them and wish we could see them more often. Time has a way of getting IN the way.

May our heavenly Father hold them tight; guard their days and every night; show them His Love and remind them of Life; the one He paid for; the one sacrificed.

Resurrection Sunday

2008-03-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

It's the day before Easter, or as I like to call it: Resurrection Sunday! Our whole world seems to get caught up in the Spring ... Bunnies ... Chickies ... Candy ... aspect of this time of year and barely pays any tribute to our Savior, Jesus Christ. The very word, Easter, has absolutely nothing to with Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. I don't feel like looking it up but it comes from either the Latin or Greek and is the name of a goddess ... Aestre ... or something like that ... she was quite fertile and that would explain rabbits and new life for this time of year!

Sadly, I bought into the commerciality of this time of year a bit more than I should have, though it has improved. When the kids were really little, we had "Easter Baskets" with candy and toys. Then when they got older, we skipped the comercial festivities of Easter and waited until "Bunny Day." Bunny Day was an idea from our friends, the DeRitters. They would choose a nice, warm, day in April or May and having purchased all their "stuff" at half price after Easter, would proceed to hide eggs out in the yard and wherever ... the kids would know it was Bunny Day becasue they would find their Bunny Day Baskets hanging on their doorknobs in the AM.

Advantages:

1. Weather was always perfect 'cause you picked the day.
2. Kids love supspense... never knowing what day it would be.
3. Candy and stuff were cheap.
4. Your family could focus on Easter as "Resurrection Sunday!"

However, MY kids always seemed to find where I hid the candy! For them, Bunny Day ended up being whatever day they found the "hidden" candy!

Now, I just hide things around the house ... inside this year ... for my oldest granddaughter to find. I don't wait for Bunny Day since we don't get to see her that often.

So, as you celebrate Resurrection Sunday, may you carefully and reverently, meditate on Jesus' gift of salvation! The cost of that gift was everything, to Him. The price, his very life. His blood, the final, atoning sacrifice for our sins. If you have never confessed your sins before God and trusted Jesus as your Savior, now is the BEST and PERFECT time! Then I'll see you in Heaven, if not before!!!

2008-03-19T19:36:00.001-07:00

Wooo Hooo! A little late, but If this works I'll be a happy blogger!

This is Isabella aka Bella/Belly/etc ... and she has a voice! She would like to tell you in her own words what she thinks about the book she is holding, and the cat that is sitting near her. She really liked her Papa's pen ... having already taken it out of his pocket, we thought at first she wanted to write an essay, but truly, she just wanted to vocalize :-)

March Comes in Like a Lion

2008-03-06T19:31:00.000-08:00

"If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb." My mom always said this and I believed her implicitly! I have not done the research to find out where this saying originated, but as I grew older, I realized that a whole lot more people besides my mom shared this saying ... one that seemed to prove more right than wrong! But then again, this is spring for you ... the snow and winds of winter seem to give their last hurrah in March then make way for those milder temperatures, often accompanied by rain ... but that's ok! We need the rain to soften the earth for nature's seeds to germinate and grow. Who but our clever God could arrange such a transformation we call "nature" on His own earth! Yet, we plant and cultivate and water and prune and step back and say to ourselves (and maybe to others,) "Just look at MY garden! Isn't it pretty?" MY ... just two letters and yet it can bring to mind the selfishness that creeps into our souls if we are not careful ... not prayerful. I'm speaking from experience, here :-)

So, here's to God's Garden! Be it flowers and vegetables ... or our creative and intelligent brains where God continues to plant seeds, I have to remember to give Him the glory! Now, I have to get busy and begin planting the little vegetable and flower seedlings so I can watch God work on the outside... while he works on the inside! GO GOD!

Beginning Blogger ... that's me!

2008-02-19T11:41:00.000-08:00

I've had a little practice on Myspace, http://www.myspace.com/stair_mom and Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=500776825 but people seldom read them. Not like many people will read this either. Go ahead, prove me wrong!

I had trouble coming up with a blog address and a title ... thought of using a play on words with our last name, but I'm sort of tired of that; especially after all these years of having it misspelled and mispronounced, i.e. "Picture, Pritchard, Pritcher, Picher .. you get the idea. So instead, I chose the dearest thing to our family's heart for the title, being Proverbs 3: 6a, and an all encompassing "name" for our address!

Pitchers past would include my hobby/research in genealogy; not only the Pitcher familybut the allied families of Bill and me which include: Lines, Wier, Thayer, Haight, Jones, Sherman, Beebe, Emery, Shepherd, Quick, Alverson, Bunting/Bunton, and others.

Pitchers present would include our family of 3 boys and their families (got to love those granddaughters!); our occupations: Bill's forthcoming retirement from NYSDEC (and subsequent part-time work somewhere in law enforcement!) and my work as a teacher's aide; Our new business: Little Red Tractor Company of Meco ... dealing with mostly, but not limitted to Farmall/IH tractor parts and attachments. Let's not forget Bill's Harley Davidson ... though I doubt Bill will be writing on here any time soon! I may post some pictures as photography is a hobby of mine ... and shared with my daughter-in-law, Julie (she's much better than I!) We'll also include our Christian family! Baptist Church of Northville http://www.bconny.org/ is our church family, but our Christian family has brothers and sisters from all over! Check out the church website for interesting news, announcements and events plus the photo gallery is SUPER! We are also a part of Peace Officers for Christ International, Bill being a regional representative. Check them out at http://www.pofci.org/.

Pitchers future would include our realtionship with Jesus Christ, our Savior! Our future is in heaven, of this we are certain! No hocus pocus ... just plain God given faith! He sought us, bought us with a price, we answered his call. Are we perfect? Not by a long shot, but we are forgiven by God's grace through the saving work of Jesus Christ. He paid for our sins by shedding his blood .. an atoning sacrifce... in our place!

May our postings be fun, informative, and most of all, pleasing in His sight! Go, God!