Our sweet girl

Today we went to see the movie "Marley and me". From a previous post you can see I loved the book. The movie did not disappoint and leaving the theater, tears streaming down my face, I was quick to observe I was not alone, everyone leaving the theater was crying. Even my son, who I warned before going in was crying. We are a house with a tight canine bond-long before my son was born, we introduced our sweet girl Oreo to the family. Our four legged baby, quickly won over our hearts always there in the good and bad- tail wagging ready to love unconditionally. When our son was born she became a second mother, standing Gard at his bedroom quick to wake us when he stirred, she never minded being his step stool so he could climb onto the couch. She like any dog loves long walks especially at the ocean, but her favorite activity is snow ball fights. She loves family snow ball fights at 10 years old she still will fly through the air trying to catch them ,it is like watching a child play in snow for the first time. I am thankful for our canine family member, thankful for her devotion, her love, and the lessons she unknowingly teaches us on a daily basis.

He still believes!

My little one just turned eight. Last year I was convinced was the last year he would believe in Santa, however I am happy to report that his Christmas innocence remains. He is still writing letters to Santa, is, (as always- ha ha) on his best behavior, making sure I don't forget to buy carrots for 9 reindeer and, planning strategies for catching Santa in the act on Christmas Eve- don't I just love it!!!

yuck!

It would be an understatement to say I can't stand winter. I detest it, I loath it, I dread it! Just look at what it brought overnight, and I'm afraid our decent into the long months of winter has just begun :(

"Its begining to look a lot like Christmas"

Almost as soon as the Thanksgiving day dishes are washed I start getting ready for Christmas. While most are out waiting in line for early bird specials I am dragging out my boxes of Christmas decorations, hanging wreaths and garlands, getting crafty- it is a compulsion.

seatbelts save lives

Its been an emotional week. Last Tuesday my husband kissed me goodbye and left for work, an hour later I got a call that he had rolled his truck. Somehow he was lucky, ? divine intervention, or a promise he made to me long ago to always wear his seat belt- ? I don't know. He did walk away. Unbelievable!! Only a few aches followed in the next few days. Something to truly be thankful for this season.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Its been a crazy, eventful week. My baby turned 8 this past weekend. I have never seen him bounce out of bed so quickly in the morning. He was so anxious to embrace his new age. Its funny how when we are young we cant wait to get older and when we are older we wish the clock would slow down.

Pink ( no its not baby news)

I live in an OLD house, full of charm and character. My husband and I had big dreams about restoring an old house to its former glory. I love my house but there are days and particular projects when I wonder what "in the world were we thinking". I wish that someone had stopped us. Then I have days when I am so full of pride in the work we have done. Most recently we are working on the living room. Mostly just paint, but the biggest chore is agreeing on a color. For weeks we tried numerous paint samples, finally we came to an agreement. Actually I think my husband settled on what I like because after all "if I am happy he is happy" Well the other day I came home from work and got a real shock, my husband did not tell me that it was cheaper to use pink primer and when I got home all the trim was pink. The room looked like a candy shop! It actually started to grow on both of us and now we are debating to keep it pink, it has great shock value, but after siting in the room for just 20 min its hard not to crave cotton candy.

Read it

I'm not going to tell your about how I laughed and cried, I am only simply going to tell you if you ever loved a dog read it!

The Richest Kid in hard Economic times

With his teeth falling out left and right, thanks to the tooth fairy my kid is financially doing OK in these hard economic times. Is he not the cutest!

just another picture

This is a picture mostly for family to appreciate, had wanted to share this picture but misplaced it, only recently found it.

Don't loose your head!

My mother-in-law and her sister are always "cleaning out their attics", any visit with either of them involves a show and tell of their latest find followed by a "thought you might want it or could use it". Its hard to say no after watching them get all nostalgic telling the tale. This can be really hard when the items they try to give you is just a transfer of their clutter to ours, things like old floral vases, or box's of baby food or mason jars. (Their attics would be an eBay sellers dream come true). Many of the items they have passed along have had a great deal of family history involved like the wooden chair with animals carved in it that my husbands grandfather was given after playing the church organ for decades. Or most recently my mother-in-law asked if I wanted a hat box as she had several she wanted to get rid of. I accepted a box, and when we opened it to tuck away some other things she was sending home we discovered an old tailored hat ,nesting neatly inside, just as the day it was bought. She was surprised and beamed with pride as she recalled the uncle who used to wear it, "how he was a small man but he dressed so smart and neat he looked ten feet tall". I went to give her the box and hat back thinking now she might want to keep it, but she insisted I keep it saying "I want you to have it- you will take good care of it and find a use". She is right about that- I will but in a different way. It is not the hat I will cherish for her grandson after all they are as some would say "just things", it is the story and how she told it that I will pass along. ... Can you just picture this man the year is 1939, he is barely 5'2 but all dressed to the nines and a confidence about him he stands so tall and Rigel.....

Its a dogs life

Alex and the inlaws!

He he, just kidding, this is from 2007 my kid at the Haunted day ride at Chipman farms. The pictures are courtesy of my sister.

Sweet Tooth

You are what you eat

If you are what you eat then my cat would be a big Ole chicken! (Admit it- its cute to bad the cat didn't think so, don't bother telling me to get a life I already know how sad it is to dress my cat in a chicken costume- I have the scratches showing me just how wrong.)

call me acorn-another belly laugh

My 7 year old can come up with some of the greatest lines, tonight was no exception... At dinner he was telling us about school, he informed us that he had asked his friends to start calling him "Acorn" Why Acorn we asked- his reply............... "because Im a little nuts, I like all the scary rides". Maybe another had to be there moment but it was funny.

pictures

belly laughs

It has been a great holiday weekend- and its not even over. Yesterday we spent the day at fun town, and today we got up and in a bit of spontaneity decided to go hiking at Grafton Notch. I will post pictures later in the week, but I thought I would at least post this one pic. Driving along, dead silence in the truck and then suddenly belly rolls of laughter as we spy this doctored sign out in the middle of nowhere, probably a "had to be there moment" but it was funny.

second grade

Here he is one of the most enthusiastic second graders you will ever meet. Sporting his trade mark denim jeans and t-shirt, tied together with a sweatshirt for the cool morning air (don't be alarmed by the paw prints on the shirt they are only a design he reassures me this morning that the dog did not walk on his sweatshirt.) On his back is the traditional L.L. Bean back pack full of the mandatory second grade tools(IE glue sticks, crayons, pencils,) and topping of the whole look is a wide eyed grin that I am sure will fade as the school year moves along. So big round of applause for my terrific second grader. (toot toot! yes mom is proud)

monkeys in trees

You wont catch a glimpse of birds perched high in my maple tree- no sadly the monkey hanging from its branches scarred them all away.

Hubby wont appreciate this layout

MY LITTLE COOK

My little helper- helping me make "Buffalo chicken Chili" from Rachel Rays new cookbook. It was "YUM-O".

Jedi knight in training

What is it with "Star Wars" that draws little boys in. My 7 year old has already gone and marked the calender with the release date of the new "clone wars " movie. He has been on his best behavior around the house asking for extra chores in hopes of a bigger allowance/payday, so that he may save for the newest "star wars" merchandise. I catch him in the corners pretending to be a "Jedi knight". I asked him if he was "Darth Vader" and he sternly corrected me that "Darth Vader" has a red light saber not a blue one. When did my little boy graduate from the sweet "Thomas the Train" to "A Galaxy far far away..."- I blame his father.....the slightly bigger kid:)

some more summer pics

A good book

Sorry no pics today. I am on vacation this week, no serious plans as my husband is working- just small day trips. I did kick off my vacation starting a new summer read and in less then two days have finished. The book was EXCELLENT- I couldn't put it down My sisters keeper by Jodi Piccoult. I STRONGLY recommend it. I will not go into details about the book ,as the subject matter may turn you away- just keep in mind it is beautifully written from all points of views- and it is a book I found myself crying and at times laughing. I also just found out they are turning it into a movie...
I am telling you if you want a good read go get this book.

License to drive

I couldnt help but giggle when my son was driving his grandfathers boat this past weekend, he kept uping the speed and would get this "big ol" silly grin of pleasure on his face. It was infectious, but then I got home and thought not so funny ,if he likes speed it wont be good when he is older and gets his license- I can fell the gray hairs already..........

Rain

I Love the rain. I love to sit on porch with a warm cup of coffee (or coff-a-cuppe) and listen to the rain, maybe a good book perched on my lap. The rain is also a good excuse to go shopping, although those who know me best know I don't need and excuse to shop! The rain means taking in a good movie or cooking a good hearty meal. By far my favorite thing to do in the rain is run around in it like a raving lunatic. There is something so innocent and fun- maybe even magical about running around in the rain. Most of my best memories take place on rainy days. Ask my son and he will tell you one of his favorite memories in his 7 years is getting caught in a rain storm walking the dog with mom- we laughed hysterically all the way home, shoes squishing and all. So its no wonder with the recent summer rain storms he and I run out there- daring one another to sprint out in the pouring rain to the tree and back- now that's a memory you cant buy. The neighbors must think we are crazy.

Back to Work

So its been a busy week. Its difficult to get back into the swing of things after a great vacation, luckily I have another week coming up in August. Been a little crafty lately. Made these vintage looking stars from the June Jenni Bowlin kit. I have them stuck in some old mill bobbins for now to take this picture.

So here are some more vacation pictures- (sadly they are not very good the tubing pictures were taken with a camera phone)

Vacation!!

Just returned from a great vacation in Maryland were we visited my sister-in-law and her family. They have this amazing boat and we spent most of the vacation boating on the Potomac river taking in the Historic sites and getting in a little recreation. My sons favorite was the tow tubing and water-skiing-(sadly my husband snapped these pictures and not a single one came out as his finger was always in the way). We also managed to find time to head over to DC where we went to the Smithsonian museum of natural History. It was a great Vacation- so much to see and do. Thank you to my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and nephew for having us we had a really good time.

Any regrets

I had an awkward moment this week. I saw an old friend, one that I grew up with- at some point I guess you could say we were best friends- It was awkward because for some strange reason we have grown so far apart over the last ten years- tapering off to the occasional phone call or letter, and then that once a year Christmas card- until somewhere one of us broke the chain of communication and it just ceased. I haven't talked to her in almost three years. You would think that being tight for so many years this just wouldn't happen but it did. After college we each took different roads. I settled for family and she is off being ambitious "trying to make the world a better place."
What do you say to someone you were once so close to and now .... It was definitely uncomfortable small talk- "hows the job, how are the kids". After a weird and bizarre 10 minutes I was saved by the chime of my work beeper (thank heavens just this once for that damn beeper) We ended things with a "I will call you we will have to do lunch" but I'm not sure who is supposed to call who- and so do wait for another chance meeting somewhere three years from now.
Really, I guess we just no longer have anything in common- she doesn't want to hear about my husbands crazy antics or my sons latest accomplishment. And I have to admit I am just a bit bored with hearing about her latest high power job or which political figure she is campaigning for. (boy it sounds really superficial). At one point though -about twenty years ago- some Friday night slumber party we were lying in sleeping bags on her living room floor- talking about where we wanted our futures to go ........ I don't think we anticipated awkward small talk between the two of us.
That all being said I have no regrets for my life- alright, well maybe I regret that second slice of pizza I had at lunch today:)

toot, toot!

So yes, I am going to toot my horn about my kid- (its my right). My son painted this picture last Sept. and it hung on a wall at his school- all year. I saw it at an open house and was so proud. From the picture you cant tell- but it is huge- bigger then the 7 year old that painted it. Anyhow I kept asking him "are you going to bring the bird picture home?" well finally on the last day of school he was so excited to see me and finally present me with his artwork. I know it looks like a 7 year old did paint it- but to me it is as beautiful as anything hanging in the most prestigious art gallery.

What my kid learned on the bus.

Pirate mania

so my son is not happy with me. He saw the picture of his dad dressed as a pirate and doesn't understand why all the pictures of him on my blog are "lame, and there are none of him as a pirate." So I post this picture to make him happy. In our house we have a bit of pirate mania. my son is convinced that there is buried treasure in our back yard and walks around with a plastic beach shovel and pail looking for it. We live in an old house and have been working at remodeling it for over a decade now, and while we remodel we keep building all kinds of hidden spaces into the house. In one such space we tucked away a stack of $2 dollar bills my husband had since he was young, and on the wall in another section of the house we drew a map showing treasure buried outside beneath one of our trees (we plan to bury something fun there ? a jar full of pennies) and there other little secrets we have built in. Its fun to think that when we are long gone and someone else lives in our house.......... I guess we have read treasure island or watched goonies and national treasure one to many times.

ARhhhhhhhhh!

Try not to laugh to hard (I call this the constipated pirate). I'm sure my husband will shoot me when he finds out/if he finds out I posted this picture. This is from our recent trip to Florida, my husband had his face painted with my son. I guess this picture is of him getting into character. Oh boy, hope none of his co-workers see this he will never live it down ;)