So long Santa..............

While I have tried to teach my son the true meaning of Christmas, I have always taken some delight in keeping with the "Santa tradition". There is something magical and warming watching little ones get excited. Every year I figure it will be the last year, certain that some "know-it-all" kid will spoil it for him. This year he turned 9 and much to my surprise he still anticipated Santa's arrival, leaving milk and cookies and being careful to leave enough carrots for the reindeer. With all that has happened to us in the last month, it felt good and wonderful to feed off his excitement. When he woke in the morning thrilled that again mysteriously the jolly man had snuck in and snuck out undetected. With Christmas over and a wrap, my son sat next to me "I knew he would come, some kids say hes not real that its really moms and dads, but I know he is real". I wondered if his being naive will get him picked on in school. I asked him "did he want to ask me something"?, he looked frightened like I was going to give him crushing news- "just tell me he said" then he covered his ears and closed his eyes, and that's when I told him--- Linus in Charlie Brown was wrong there is no "great pumpkin"!!--------- I just could not do it, I could not crush his spirit, he has had a great loss this month with loosing his grandfather and I just could not tell him. He laughed, so hard and told me "well I knew that, I know the truth about the OTHER thing too but we don't need to say it out loud do we?". And that is where we left things, sitting side by side silent on the couch enjoying our beautiful lit tree..........

"cat in a trap" and finding the holiday spirit

With my father now put to rest, I am trying very hard to move on, but its not easy when everywhere I turn there are reminders of him.
Finally this week we were able to catch his stupid cat. I call the cat stupid as a term of endearment because that's what he called it. My father was not a cat lover, he was without a doubt 100% for team dog. However about a year and a half ago his neighbors home foreclosed and they carelessly packed up and left leaving behind a cat to fend for itself. Well this cat found his way to my fathers doorstep, and my father caved and began feeding the cat. He begged us to come get the cat "I don't want it" he would say, however everyday he had some exaggerated hilarious story about the "stupid cats" antics. Despite his complaining we new he was smitten with this cat, especially when we found out that the cat loved to take boat rides with him (my father lived on a lake). How many cats love to take boat rides let alone go near any water. (Just to clarify for any Pita people, this cat would follow my father on the boat and was not forced, my father would drive and the cat would sit in the seat next to him and catch some rays-I regret never getting a picture) It wasn't long before my father started letting this cat that he now named "BUB" into the house, and he would stress over buying gourmet cat food or finding the right cozy blanket for a cat. My father needed the cat as much as the cat needed him. When my father passed we could not get near the cat who was outside at the time my father was transferred to the hospital. Day after day my sister would leave food, but unable to approach the cat or leer it in. finally in a last ditch effort we left a "have a heart" trap hoping to get the cat. My husband went out the first night to check it (my sister and I to afraid other critters might find there way in), and my heart melted when my husband called and said "hope someone is ready because I have one really angry cat in a trap". So the cat is now with my sister and she says he is 100% love, and so affectionate and happy. So with finally catching this cat I feel I can move on. Decided to finally put up a tree, which thrilled my son, I'm slowly finding my way through the grief and finding a little Christmas magic -My father would have wanted it that way!

"Goodbyes"

Trying to hold it together has been tough this week. My father at only age 59 got ill and rapidly declined. In a decision that is unfair to make for someone of such a young age my sister and I had to make the difficult decision to make my father comfortable as life saving measures were to big a gamble and being dependent on machines was not my fathers wishes.
It is difficult when your world shuts down, and all around you life goes on, people continue shopping, buying there lattes, putting gas in there cars, laughing at jokes. Making that drive to the hospital the last few days I wanted to scream at the people in the cars near me, stop it! stop and pay attention he is really sick! To these innocent strangers I wanted to scream!
It is tough to take those phone calls from well wishers wanting updates, reliving over and over the grim details, and just when you think the tears have stopped, a flood of emotion erupts as you try to console the person on the other end that its the right thing.
I second guessed myself several times wondering if the right decisions were made, but that was just spinning my wheels and got me nowhere. (just to clarify, the RIGHT decisions were made)
I met many of my fathers friends that I did not know prior to this event, who came and shared there wonderful stories. Stories that I had never heard- without knowing these people made me laugh when I Really needed to laugh.(discovered my father was quite the prankster). I also learned the name of my fathers friends, for years I only new them by there nicknames, like "bonehead", "no toes" "butt head".... you get the picture (don't ask about "no toes its a long story")
I promised my father to bequeath his favorite fishing pole "big red" to his only grandchild, the fishing pole he taught him to fish with.
I met some some Amazzzzzzzzzing hospital staff who when you are at your lowest they are at there best to keep you afloat and going.
The hardest thing of all this week was saying goodbye. I do believe we were granted a gift in having an opportunity to say "goodbye" to say "I love you", but that does not make saying "goodbye" any easier.
"I love you Pop, come visit me in my dreams"!!!

Bad luck ;(

Serious and focused she cocked her head to one side looking on intensely at the puppy starring back. We giggled and laughed when she started barking at her reflection, eager for the little puppy in he mirror to come play. She soon became impatient and irritated at the dog in the "looking glass", and began jumping and barking louder, eventually charging at the mirror. Crash!!! The mirror fell off the wall crashing into a million little pieces, our puppy unharmed, the puppy in the mirror not so good! Now is that 7 years of bad luck in human years or dog years?

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

"Hold on tight"

Today my baby turned 9!! Very exciting time around here! Yesterday a family member called to wish him early happy birthday wishes and asked him "what he was looking forward to about turning 9". My sons response about melted my heart... he said "I cant wait for mom to come in my room in the morning and say 'happy birthday 9 year old'!" Evidently my yearly tradition of going into my sons room and wishing him happy birthday with his new age, has become important to him. Who new something so small and mundane would mean so much, its funny what kids value sometimes.
In any case while it excites me that he is growing, it also aches. Last night as I tucked him into bed and hugged him goodnight, I hugged him hard and tight, he giggled and yelled "your smothering me" what he didn't know was that like his tradition of morning birthday wishes, I have a secret tradition of hugging him tight the night before his birthday, it was the last time I was going to hug/hold my eight year old, and a year from now I will give my 9 year old his last hug as a nine year old, and two years I will hold on tight to my 10 year old.........I love him so much!! Happy Birthday 9 year old!!!

"Someday"

years ago my son received a beautiful book from his grandfather called "Someday is not a day of the week" written by Denise Brennan-Nelson and Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley. It is about a little Beaver named Max who is so eager to do things with the grown-ups in his life, like build a fort or go fishing. Unfortunately the Adults are all to busy and caught up in there daily routines that they tell him "Someday but not today". Little Max consults his calendar, only to find that "someday" is not a day of the week or on the calender. With this knowledge he takes it to the grown-ups which is very sobering. The Adults quickly make time for little Max and all is good.
Although it is a kids book I think the message ideally is for the adults. I don't know how many times I have caught myself uttering those same words to my son "Someday"! Or even to myself!
Recently I had my son pull the book off his shelf, because with the holidays coming and so much to do I want to be reminded about not getting bogged down in commitments, chores and work and remember to take time for the little things that are important, be it a small little walk with my son or snuggling on the couch with my hubby... just don't put it off till "someday"

Things I learned this week!

Not a very eventful week. No great photos, no great stories.... just ho-hum! I did learn a few things though,Like for instance when walking your growing puppy never hand the leash to you son who is on roller blades... when I finished tying my shoe I looked up to see my son shooting across the parking lot being pulled by the anxious critter, (luckily a man out jogging caught my son by his hood- scary but when over the funniest thing I ever saw)!
Another thing I learned was that men don't do getting sick well, or at least my husband doesn't, he has a cold and you would think the man was dieing, I need to plan a girlfriend getaway for the times he is going to be sick!
A third thing I learned is that the wind at my house is strong enough to knock a port a potty over. Road construction crews left a port a potty set up in front of my home and this week it got windy enough to knock the disgusting thing over, I'm thankful no one was in it, and I am thankful that when they saw it knocked over they removed it- so no more port a potty on my front lawn!! (and yes it was the wind that knocked it over, not this disgruntled home owner.)

Happy Halloween

Hitting the neighborhood tonight with my son in his not so scary costume. This year he went for the laugh, dressing as the Travelocity Roaming Gnome.

I have been struggling this week to find sanity. I have let to many external factors, things not in my control upset me. For instance the craziness on my road as they prepare to spend stimulus dollars to widen it, the constant noise from sun up to sun down, the view out my front window once a splendor of mighty maple trees now torn up, the workers port-a-potty now my view. A crazy work schedule as flu and cold season takes hold... you get the picture.
I don't even like me right now, I can't even imagine how my family feels about my constant complaining.
I forget sometimes to stop and think about what is good in my life, which is odd, because I consider myself a "glass half full" girl.
So here I am tonight in my warm house, my comfy cloths, my little one practicing "Hot Cross Buns" on his violin, husband washing the supper dishes, I am admiring the lovingly made wall hanging from my mother hanging in front of me, thinking about rapping myself in one of her quilts later with a good book..........ah life is good!

TRICK or treat?

This is totally random but I don't really have much to say this week so here goes...I am a shameful mother, I love to play practical jokes and make things fun even if it means sometimes scarring the pants of my kid. This week I was sitting on the floor of our living room trying to finish up some last minute work on my work laptop, I always have my cell phone nearby, as I was still on call for work. While I was sitting the new pup came along and sat beside me sitting comfortably on my phone. My son walked into the room and I don't know what possessed me but I said "oh dear I think the puppy ate my phone". The thought of this is quite believable because new puppy will chew or eat anything not secured high above her reach. My son panicked, and quickly started dialing my cell phone from the home phone. Then from beneath the puppy just under her belly the phone started to ring sounding to an eight year old like it was in her Belly. My kid stood in disbelief, then ran for the phonebook yelling we need to call the vet now. At that moment I could not have planned it any better the dog stretched and belched. I quickly removed the phone and hollered to my kid never mind she coughed it back up. yes its shameful of me, yes its disgusting behavior you might expect of an adolescence, but boy was it funny. Of course I did set the record straight later so he would not be telling tall tales at school.

Is it worth it?

Oh sweet puppy! A 2 mile walk followed by play time outdoors with an energetic 8 year old boy, yet you puppy choose to pee the minute we walk back through the door, why? Oh sweet puppy its bad enough to pair up socks, but with you stealing them away its next to impossible. Oh sweet puppy I'm late for work and can't find my shoes, the four legged bandit strikes again. Oh sweet puppy with you muddy paws.......... Oh sweet puppy with you little wagging behind, big brown eyes, and excitement when an 8 year old boy gets home from school, falling asleep together after hours of play, Is it worth it? Absolutely!

wordless Wednesday

Gonna jump on the Wordless Wednesday bandwagon.......

Charlottes Story- the beginning anyway

Nearly 11 years ago my husband and I got our first dog, Miss Oreo. She without a doubt is the sweetest, kindest and gentlest dog you will ever meet. My son came along and she earned the nickname "little momma" because she would watch over him as he played, quick to bark if he started to wander, or come wake me when he woke. She tolerated his terrible twos, allowing him to use her as his personal horse or step stool. She was/is just all around love. In the last year she has slowed down, content just to sleep as she ages and her bones have started to suffer from arthritis. Still eager to participate her stamina is limited. This is where are decision to add another dog to our family comes in...
For two years now my son has begged for a puppy. He is dog obsessed. Every week he brings home a different library book about a different dog breed. Initially against the idea after a while it came to light what this dog really meant for my son. He is an only child, and we live in an area where there are no other kids his age. With Oreo aging he has lost his playmate. So the decision was made. We planned on getting him a puppy for his birthday in November. Not really wanting to pay for a dog from a breeder, I began stalking web sites of animal shelters within a 100mile radius but puppies in this area are rare and the odds that we would get one specifically for his birthday were little. Until an article in the paper about our local shelter getting puppies from over crowded shelters in the Midwest where they have a high kill rate. I called my husband at work and we agreed I should go pay a visit. The shelter was crowded with people wanting to get a glimpse of the little cuties, I couldn't get close enough to see. I called my husband and told him how crazy it was, we both felt we should fill out an application for a puppy and see where it got us. I filled out an application, the assistant read me descriptions of the dog as I could not see them. On mere speculation I picked a dog named Amy. The assistant told me to wait she would have the manager review my application and check references with my current vet. Within ten minutes she came back and told me the dog was mine I could pick her up Friday. I asked if I could meet her, so they led me to a private room and brought her in. I'm not gonna lie and this will sound sappy but I could not stop crying- she was perfect, she was going to be the perfect addition and the perfect best friend for my son.
So this Friday I brought he home, hid her in my room. Picked my son up after school, he immediately came home and took Miss Oreo out as he has always done. I hollered out to him what about the other one, "what?" he said and that's when I let her out. She immediately ran to him. He looked shocked, and was at a loss for words. Eventually as he took it all in he asked me "is this for real"! The two were smitten "is she mine?, can I name her, cause she looks like her name should be Charlotte" -So Charlotte she became. I was crazily snapping pictures of the meeting and he went over to Miss Oreo (the older dog) hugged her and said "I have enough love for you both"...... And so our new adventure with Charlotte begins

U2

This is what I did this past weekend. Went to Boston to see U2 in concert! I had the best time, it was amazing, worth every penny!!!!!!Can you spot me in that crazy crowd!!!

U2.com > News > 'Back home in Boston.'

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curtain rods in the land of make believe

Lost: 1 curtain rod, last seen on the night of Sept. 12Th.... This past weekend as the temperature fell outside, I got the seasonal urge to clean, not just any clean but get ready for, oh dare I say it.....WINTER. Anyhow this cleaning meant washing all my curtains, blah a boring task but ah well it has to be done. When curtains were all washed and ready to be hung I found myself mysteriously short one curtain rod. Kind of like that darn missing sock from the laundry but ordinarily not something you loose. I tore my house apart looking for this curtain rod, but alas it was not found. Defeated and in need to hang my curtain back up so as not to give my neighbors a show, I went to the store today to replace lost curtain rod. Happily the curtain is hung back in its place and privacy is restored. So why the title "curtain rod in the land of make believe", well just as I had guessed, about an hour or two after I hung my curtain, there in my yard is my little one, playing pirate, with his sword, the lost curtain rod. Go figure......

The Clydesdale

No complaints about this summer, while the weather started out a bit rocky it did not stop us from having many new experiences and adventures. One of our most memorable was our first ever trip to Virgina (and hopefully not our last), loved it! So beautiful, so much to see and do. one of my sons most talked about favorite memories is captured in this picture, when he got what he called a "kiss" from one of the famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses.

"The Tree"

over 13 years ago my husband and I purchased our first home, an old house, requiring much TLC. We were drawn to the charm old houses have, not to mention the history. We were also young and stupid, thinking that we could do all the work ourselves, but that's another story for another day.
One of the key charms that drew us in was the large maple standing in the front yard, a big "ole" Maple tree, that over the years has developed the unimaginative name "The Tree". We love this tree, my husband in particular who will spend one weekend in the spring and another in the fall, fertilizing this aging but beautiful tree.
We had a "tree doctor" once pay a visit to the tree, and he guessed it to be OVER 200 YEARS OLD! That's a lot of history. That's a lot of little boys (and girls) hanging from low limbs like monkeys, a lot of birds nest nestled safely amongst the branches, a lot of leaves to rake, but a lot of leave piles to jump in, a good amount of shade over the decades, and a lot of back drops for photo ops. 200 years of past and hopefully many years of future. Unfortunately the great stimulus package passed by the government has put "The Tree" in harms way. For whatever stupid (although I'm told there is a purpose) reason some of the local money is going to widen our road. As a result we have had to give up some of our land to "immanent domain" We are loosing many maple along the roadside (most likely offspring from "the Tree) and we are told if the roots interfere with the project other trees will come down as well. We are 80% sure the tree is far enough back that it will avoid any execution, however, in the next few weeks if you hear about a crazy family of three chained to a tree, well you can no doubt guess it will be us trying to save "The Tree".

3d grade

My not so "wee one" started the third grade this week. This year he was a little more focused on "the first day outfit." Of course his usual wardrobe staple of jeans and tee-shirt, but this year he could not wait to put on the new sneaks. It was funny to catch him primping in the mirror. He by no means is stuck on his looks, just pays a little more attention, for sure by the end of the day he was covered in dirt.

sweet moments

I think the title explains it all. As my baby gets older those cute tender moments seem to fade away. Not that every moment isn't precious and a gift, its just that those "little kiddo" moments seem to be fading away as he grows into the young man he is to be. I find myself staring in awe at how big he is getting and how mature. I am ambivalent,wanting him to grow and in the same breath wanting him to stay little. In any case I was allotted one of those, now rare "how sweet" moments this weekend. After a long hot day I walked into my living room to find my little (ok not so little) one fast asleep on the living room floor with the dog. Ahhhh.................

castaways

Today we took to the coast and found the solitude of the ocean. I had a blast watching my little one take to the water like a fish, his confidence in the water this year makes me a proud momma (not to mention reassures me the swimming lessons paid off!). I always love it when I figure out where his mind is and what kind of imaginary game he is playing. Today he was a castaway stranded on an island. He tried to catch minnows for his dinner and shells to catch rain water to drink. It was all very amusing, we were on "Gilligans Island" and I had myself a little professor, to bad we don't have any coconut trees in the state, I bet he could do a lot with a coconut shell (insert smile here!)

sk8er

My little one was super excited this weekend, took him rollerblading and according to him he "was really good at it".
Loved seeing him successfully tackle a new challenge even if it means he has to grow up and need me less.

sticky bun

I'm always up for a good laugh, even better if I can capture the moment with a photo. Its no secret in my house that my husband and sons most favorite food/sweet in the whole world is sticky buns. I am thankful there is no cinnabun in close proximity otherwise.... This past weekend my husband and son got up early to take trash to transfer station. My husband decided to treat my son to a sticky bun from local coffee shop as a Thank you and I guess a father son thing? Anyhow can you believe the size of this thing. Guess you had to be there, I don't know who was more excited the big kid or the little kid, anyway that's all I got this week.

Harmony

Most weeks I live for Friday, that last hour of the work week, thoughts racing about weekend plans... I don't dislike my job, (well maybe the paperwork). I love working with people. On even the busiest or craziest of days I will have at least one patient teach me something even though it is my job to teach them. I have learned so much about different cultures, beliefs, values... The stories I could tell (the stories I cant tell because of confidentiality). while I became a nurse to make some sort of difference, (when we are young seems like we are anxious to save the world) what I did not realize was the difference it would make on me. I could not even put into words the growth I have had over the last 10-15 years. Any good nurse can tell you not the stories about how many lives they saved but rather the stories about the patients that left some impression on them.
Recently I was telling a patient this who was lonely and wanted to talk. She asked me if I liked what I did?, I started telling her that most days I loved it, that I loved that everyday meant a new person, new experience. She wanted to know if working with people different from me and my beliefs every bothered me? It was a funny question but I told her that no, I had no issue with being respectful of others beliefs . That is when in a most heartwarming touching way she took my hand and said "good for you, If we all sang the same notes there would never be any Harmony". Can I just tell you that it is moments like these that make me love my job make me proud to do what I do. What a beautiful thing to say. What a beautiful way of seeing the world.
"If we all sang the same notes there would never be any harmony"

Fearless

It makes my knees weak and my stomach churn every time my kid takes on a new "adventure". For instance the day he hollered to me from outside, I went racing out thinking the worse only to find he was hollering for me to see he had climbed to the Tip Top of the tree.
On vacation last week we went to Bush Gardens. I took comfort in the fact that I was sure he would be to short to ride some of the crazy coasters, no such luck, the kid grew over winter and was able to get on two of the four coasters one of which went upside down, and loop de loop. It was without a doubt five of the longest minutes of my life, I could barely breath with thoughts of being the 1100 o'clock news story about amusement park disaster. yeah a bit morbid, but I'm one of those mothers who worries a bit much, much to my relief he survived coming out the exit hollering "That was Awesome, I wanna do it again", (Ugh....).
Later in the week the boys went tubing. This year my son decided he didn't want dad to go with him and he went alone. Again my heart went in my throat and stomach quaked every time he gave the thumbs up indicating he wanted my brother-in-law to "go faster". I have decided that if he is this adventurous at 8 years old, I am doomed, as he gets older I am told it only gets worse.

benifit to driving

I was not overly excited about driving over 600miles(600 miles each way)for vacation, but I was unable to find any last minute flight deals. My husband was thrilled about taking his baby BIG RED (his super big, red truck, not to be confused with my fathers longtime fishing pole also named big red). Traffic over the holiday week was gridlock, and I swore I would never drive To Maryland again, that is until I unloaded our little souvenir and discovered that traveling with a big truck does have its benefits......... During our week long stay, it only rained once and even then only a few hours, but a good time and excuse to take our activities indoors and go antiquing. That's when I found my new (OK, really its old but new to me) whitewashed corner cupboard. Something I had wanted for a longtime, had considered building one, but to many other projects at the top of the list, and here it was in front of me for pennies. I would not be able to even buy the lumber to build one for what this was going for. It was a perfect fit in the back of BIG RED, and now it is a perfect fit in my dining room. And as I grumbled about the traffic my husband was quick to remind me that had we flown we would not have been able to buy my big souvenir/corner cupboard.

VACATION

Just got back from a terrific vacation starting in Maryland with family then on to Virgina to Bush Gardens and Williamsburg then back to Maryland for more fun. In the past we have flown, however this year my husband wanted to drive his new truck. Lets just say they should make a bumper sticker that says "My marriage survived gridlock traffic during the holiday weekend"! Anyhow here are some of my favorite pics from Williamsburg.

Have a safe and happy 4th!

Oh so beautiful peonies!

ugh, I am so tired of the rain. We have been stuck inside for days, and while indoor activites are fun we are anxious to get out and climb some trees.

not much to say, working hard, and getting ready for our big vacation/road trip. I have had my suitcase out for weeks now ready to pack. (yeah I am pathetic). Its been nothing but rain, and rain is in the forecast for the next 6 days- blah. I am hoping for good weather for our trip, otherwise we may need to be traveling by boat instead of car.

picture perfect

It went from beautiful weather to raining(insert sad face here). Decided to finally play with my photoshop elements 7 I got for my birthday, (I have so much to learn). Anyhow here is what I did with a picture of my charming boy who is finally feeling better!!

Running

Never cared much for the movie "forest gump" thought it a bit silly that this man would run and run . Today I'm feeling a lot like forest gump, feeling like I need to run and keep running to deal with recent pain. (This is a bit funny to picture in my head, as I by no means like to run and I doubt seriously they make a sports bra big enough to prevent me from getting black eyes. ) I wish seriously I could run until it didn't hurt anymore, until things were normal again, but I guess that only happens in the movies. I hate it when family hurts, I hate it when I cant fix things, I hate it when I cant even find the right words to provide some kind of solace. Maybe if I had a magic wand like in Cinderella, I could"bibity boppity boo" things to perfect but again I'm pretty sure that only happens in the movies. A good cry maybe, a warm hug? don't think there is ever an easy fix perhaps just time and support I don't know. Just felt like writing, I think writing helps anyhow, that's how I feel today, hug someone you love tight for no reason at all. I will be back later, for now I'm going for a jog.................

With my kiddo feeling a little better today , we ventured out to Portland Headlight. It was a beautiful day and it felt good to get out after a week of being stuck in the house only going out for doctors appointments. Hopefully later this week we will know what is going on with his little body. Today did bring some comfort to see him acting as his usual self.

First Robin (yes I know its late in the year)

Journaling reads;
My grandmother used to say that "spying a robin or robins was a sure sign that spring was soon to come." So at the near end of every winter we would watch for the little birds and excitedly call my grandmother to let her know "the robins are here!" A tradition that as a kid became like a game to see who would spot the first one. Even now, as an adult I pick up the phone to let her know, "The robins are here, springs coming!"

funny, "had to be there" moment

I LOVE those "had to be there moments". You know, the ones where the joke really is only funny to you and the others there at that moment. The ones where two years from now you can just look at that person involved and say remember that time... and then just erupt in spontaneous laughter. I seem to be having a lot of those moments with my son lately, possibly because he like me can find the silliness in random things, (or maybe I have the humor of a second grader?). Anyhow today we had one of those random belly laughs.
Getting home after work and school, my son snacking on gold fish asked if he could walk across our busy street with me to get the mail. looking hopeful for me to say yes, I decided to let him. (We live on a busy road and I usually don't let him cross with me). On return from the mailbox in a puddle (3 days of rain leaves many puddles), we spied goldfish crackers that my son had dropped. It was kind of surreal, and at the exact moment we both looked at each other and exploded in laughter, which grew louder when my son said "I guess I set the fish free and returned them to nature". It was funny, guess you "had to be there".

the rewards of spontaneity

The only plan for this holiday weekend was/is no alarm clocks. So with little expectations we awoke this morning with my husband suggesting we let someone else cook breakfast. Off to a hearty breakfast we went..... with our bellies full our next plan, just drive see where the road takes us. Antique shops, flea markets everyone found treasure (a later post maybe). A good history lesson for my little one who loved to ask "whats this for, what did they use that for?"
Next stop a little railway village, where dedicated volunteers keep history and passion for the railroad alive. For a few dollars we had a wonderful train ride, but the "cherry on top" was when both my son and husband were asked if they wanted to sit up in the engine and help. I don't know who was more excited the bid kid or the little kid....... anyhow it was a lovely day, a day with no plans a day with no expectations and it was just perfect.

silly

over the moon

Happy Mothers Day! This am I woke up to my usual mothers day of breakfast in bed along with a smothering of little butterfly kisses from my little one. I received the most beautiful homemade card that explained why "my mom is the best" and in it my son had placed a $1.00 of his hard earned money he had made picking up all the pine cones last weekend, so that I might indulge in one of my favorite things, Dunkin Donuts coffee. Little did he know that the biggest joy it brought was watching his little face when we went to get the coffee later that morning. He had the most joyous excitement that he was buying his mom a coffee . I could hardly hold back the tears as he paid the woman behind the counter who also reportedly was holding back the tears. "How is it?" he asked anxious for me to answer I told him the truth- it was the "best cup of coffee I ever had".
Later that morning I got another surprise- I found out my younger sister is pregnant with her first child. Learning this was amazing and my own mothers reaction UNFORGETTABLE!!! But now I know why, not because she wants to be a grandmother, but because she wants for my sister to experience those moments much like I did this morning. She wants my sister to experience the joy of being a mother.
Happy mothers Day and Congratulations Liz and Steve!

Better luck next year

Spent time this am at the local fishing Derby for kids 16 and under. Alex caught a fish, yellow perch, but it came in at just under 8 inches and had to be thrown back in. You can barely see it in the picture of it being measured. Despite not placing he had a blast and in his own words "it was good to at least get out and practice for when the bigger fish comes along." I love how a child's mind puts it all together and he is right "the bigger one will come along someday".

birthday weekend

Loving my birthday cake this year, my one request for year number 35, just a plain old peanut butter cup, ah...........yum!!!

This weekend we had some of the best weather, or at least the best we have had in a LONG time. Spent Saturday hiking Bradbury Mountain.

To all my "peeps"..

Happy Easter

artwork

I was presented with this beautiful piece of artwork today, the work of my 8 year old in his second grade art class. Per his explanation it is a dinosaur drinking hot lava out of a volcano, below it is a baby dinosaur and that's a broken tree behind them. I was beaming with pride up until he joyfully told me "mom but that's not the best or funniest part", he then pointed to the detail of dinosaur dung he had also made sure to include. Yup.........mom sure is proud?