UhOh

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?

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"

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!

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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?

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

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 ....

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!

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

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

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

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 :-)