Long time, no talk to!

I couldn't believe it when I noticed my last post was so long ago. Time flies when you are working full-time! Yes, the part-time has grown into a regular position, but hopefully I will still have some flexibility to take time off when I want to. Boo-hoo, no afternoon naps or days at the beach!!!!!!! I know, you are crying buckets for me, huh?

Let's see what has been happening....Will turned two in late March, I had another birthday (yes, 21 ONCE again!), and spending my spare time working in the flower gardens and doing some sewing. My right knee has been giving me some trouble for years, but now it's at the point where any long-term standing or activity bothers it. The surgeon says the knee-cap needs replacing, but is hoping to put it off a bit longer. Meanwhile, I try to stay off of it when I can, keep the ice pack handy, and the shots every three months are too bad after all.

My late father's birthday of May 26th was marked by planting a tree (Papa's tree)by his grandsons in the backyard. As you can see by the pictures, Will was more entralled with making a moat with the water than the actual planting, but what do you expect from a kid? Like Sam says, "Water keeps me out of trouble"

Mom is a bundle of energy, and keeping me busy around the house. Besides getting the flower beds planted and tended, we are getting ready to put up her greenhouse (she got it for her birthday last September), and this fall taking down the old stockade fence in the backyard and having a new on installed. The reason we put off setting up the greenhouse is that the area is so wet that we couldn't set it up last fall, and the same issue as apparent this spring. Since we couldn't start any plants it it, we decided to take our time setting it up AFTER all the other outdoor work is completed.

The kiddies are growing like weeds--Kathryn is turning 12 next week, and is busy with every kind of sport camp possible, Sam, 7, will be going into the 2nd grade, is losing his baby face and getting taller. And Will, well, he is his own person, and if anyone believes in reincarnation, his grandfather has come back in his body. This kid is something else--takes no guff, can take on his older brother with no problem, and if he says he is done with something (like his meal), you had better move it or it will be a flying object! He hates to be dirty, but loves the dirt--you figure that one out! While he isn't talking much, he makes his point known very clearly. The dogs adore him, especially Katie. He "handles" them well, and stops them from barking. I wish I could do that!

Well, enough for now. I will try to post a few recent pictures for you to view of the gardens and the kids. Take care, and reply if you wish....miss you all, and be sure to have a blessed day!

Time to catch up...

Hello there! Long time since I posted, but my spare time has been limited. So, sit back and enjoy this post. It covers almost a month, and plenty has happened!

First, poor Sam was so ill that he had to delay his official 7th birthday party. So, we had a small one once he was feeling perky again.



On a sadder note, January 3rd brought Bill's first anniversary of his death. In order to bring some closure, I took off our wedding rings and made a visit to our local jeweler to have a piece of custom jewelry made. A very kind young man took the time to sit down with me to design a necklace that would take both of our wedding bands and turn them into hearts without disturbing the inscriptions inside of the rings. He also took the diamond out of my engagement ring and placed it in the center as a token of our everlasting love and commitment.

Our little baby Will is turning into a toddler, and not far from turning into the "terrible two's." He is certainly his own person, and won't take any guff. He's too smart for his own good, and you can see that in this picture. Mom and I are trying to get him pick up his toys after playing, so you can see how he plays and picks up at the same time!

As most of you know, I haven't been working since last March. Well, the honeymoon is over, and I just spent the last ten days in Dallas training for my new job. I will be going back to my former career in customer service and sales in office supplies. The best part is that I am only working part-time (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) five days a week, and I am working out of my home office. Yes, I spent the last two mornings working in my jammies! I have my own toll-free number, copier, fax machine, and all expenses paid. Sound too good to be true, huh? Well, my co-work, Kathryn (yes, this will be confusing!) taught me the ropes. She and I got along like two peas in a pod, so the transition should be easier to handle. The best part of the job training allowed me to visit my brother and his family. Here is a picture of Kathryn, age 11, and me at one of the many restaurants we visited during my stay, and one of her during a soccer practice.

P.S. I failed to mention that during my stay in the Dallas area they experienced their coldest weather in years, and to top it off, SNOW!!!!!! They even had to cancel school--something that is very rare indeed! When I was introduced to family friends and mentioned I was from Maine, they told me "Yankee, go home."

More Pictures to Share

You asked for them, so here they are!

Let the fun begin..

Kathryn has arrived, and has developed a special bond with Will. Please enjoy the pictures...more later!

Found some old pictures to share

Now that I can post pictures lighting fast(thanks, Verizon!?, here are a few more to brighten up your so-to-be winter day!

Wow!

This DSL is great! I can't believe how fast those last two pictures of the kids uploaded! Here are a few more to view. I think they created a monster, lol!

Happy Holidays!

Folks, I just switched over to Verizon DSL service, so hopefully I will be able to upload pictures much faster.

Well, winter seems to have made a U-turn and headed west. Today we enjoyed temps in the 40's. In fact, it's almost 8:40 p.m. and it's still 40 degrees outside. I went to church tonight to pray for snow, lol!

Here are a few more pictures of the kids. Enjoy!

Some Holiday Spirit

Okay, okay, I know that I sounded down in my Nov. 10th post. The decorations are all up and I still can't seem to get my motor in gear. Mom and spent last Saturday shopping in Boston (Quincy Market area). We asked the bus driver for a good place to eat, and he suggested "Dick's Last Resort." Apparently, they abuse the customers, and give special attention to those to dish it right back to them. Mom and I looked at each other--that's like two bulls with red flags flying! We went, and after a while the waitress wasn't playing ball with us. After a few zingers on my part, she gave it right back to me. One of the things they do to the customers is make them wear paper hats with smart comments handwritten on them. My mom's says "former playmate" and mine said "one step from the old folks home". After spilling some sauce on her sweater, the waitress came back with a large bib stating "I have crabs". Mom got a big kick out of it. We found out later that even though several of our fellow bus mates also ate lunch there, we were the only ones with hats. I guess it pays to be nasty, lol!

I will try to post a few pictures of Mom's holiday decorations. Usually, the tree is done completely in mauve victorian decorations, but since wild Will is in the house, we decided to get out those saved holiday cards and use them. Please note the doll--this is my mother's first grandchild, Laura Jean. I made her, along with her holiday garb for my mother so that she would finally have a baby to love. Of course, now we have three to spoil. Only a few more weeks until they all get together!

What Winter???

Wow! Living in Maine isn't what it's cracked up to be--so far, that is! Today, we enjoyed 68 degree weather--both cars got a good cleaning and wash, and the dogs enjoyed an extra long walk outside. Sadly, rain and whatever is in our forecast for the next few days, so the party didn't last for long. However, the house and gardens are all in order for winter's icy grip. Okay Mother Nature, bring it on!