Always Interesting

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

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!

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!

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!

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

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!

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.

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!

Meow!

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

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!

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)

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

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

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)

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!

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!

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

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

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

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.