Just fun!

I love days like today! Other than one appointment, I or we, did not have to be anywhere, do anything at any specific time.

This has been one of my challenges because I have been a schedule person for the last...oh....thirty five years or something!

Since retirement, I have been trying to get us on some type of schedule. As my DH said yesterday, "babe that is the joy of retirement, no schedule!" It has been fun ever since :)

Some snaps from today...

Overcast

...but still beautiful. So time to take the pups to the lake and wear their butts out.

We saw early, and I mean really early, wild leeks,  geese and seagalls flying overhead, a lone duck gliding across the lake and heard the birds singing their evening songs.

It looks chilly but it wasn't as the temps were in the 50's. A glorious day to take advantage of this long warm break and spend some time there.

If you zoom in you might see one of the closest ducks to us.

Some cattails managing to hold on despite wind, snow, and storms.

Just beautiful.

This is an accurate shot of Sweet Pea as she was in constant motion not wanting to miss a smell or movement. She's a hot mess!

All good times must end so now time to go home and make dinner for hubby and the pups!

Love me some Joe!

How can I possibly say "no"?

Twins...

Missed your birthday yesterday - so wanted to give a shout out to you in case you ever check back here.

To let you know, you are thought of often, loved strongly, prayed for always for happiness and peace.

Happiest of birthdays to you and may this year be blessed.

Twins for a month.

February Snow Moon

Last night was the night of the "Snow" moon. We lucked out as the clouds parted and the snow stopped to allow the full moon to glow down on the blanket of fresh snow. It was beautiful!

Interestingly, many of the women of my family were up and admiring it in various parts of the country at exactly the same time. PA, GA, MI, AZ are states in which some of us currently call home.

Given the lore of the moons pull, babies being born, crazies coming out, etc. makes you wonder if there isn't something to it. Not to worry though. No werewolves or bigfoots were spotted!

Another move home and then gone again!

After graduation my middle son moved home for just a bit. It was so great to have him with us, even for a little while before he started his new job and moved into his new place.

We really didn't exciting things, just day to day. But you know that just made it even more bittersweet. One of my most favorite pictures was of him and his dad sitting out under the shade tree after they had finished planting the garden.

A walk on the bike trail...

enjoying the visit to the lake...

Treasured memories for sure.

Very proud...

My posts are going to be a little out of order here, but 2012 was that kind of year. I am going to try to post some of the highlights that at the time, I was so busy living life that I did not have much opportunity to share that with any of you. Or at least document it for myself.

My husband and I are very blessed and proud to be the first generation on each side of our families, to have all three of our children graduate college.

Our first born graduated from Devry University with a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology, is working in his field and has gone on to get his journeyman in Electrical Engineering.

Our youngest son went to Paul Smiths College, graduated with his degree in Ecological Forest Management, and is working in his field also.

Our middle son (a fiercely independent person) decided, as you may have read from earlier posts,  to go a different route. He joined the army at age 18 (signed up 3 days after his birthday!), as an MP, advanced to the level of Sargent, took some college courses as he went to get the preliminary classes out of the way, did a tour in Iraq and was honorably discharged at the end of his five year tour of duty. Then he went to college on the G.I. bill at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington in Recreational Therapy. I am happy to say, that his father and I had the honor of watching him graduate!

There he is in front of the Clock Tower on Campus before Graduation.

Pretty impressive! Love my "Joe Cool" son!

The two of us in front of a Magnolia, wish I could plant one here!

Magnolia blossom.

Proud papa and son!

College Professors congratulating the graduate.

Much to his surprise (and our delight), he received the Recreation Therapy Most Outstanding Student award at his college! He didn't know he was receiving this award and we didn't either!

Look at that smile! He is posing with one of his college professors, they still keep in touch.

On the big screen at the auditorium!

It was a huge auditorium, we were in the balcony. This pic was before the ceremony got started. Can you see how huge that big screen is? Every seat was filled and people were standing against the walls in the back of the auditorium, on all levels. Really glad we got there early!

Currently he is residing in NC and working in his field also. So although I know this post is long over due, 

Congrats Son, love you and always proud of you!

Valentine's Day

From my DH...

...and inside said "No wonder we're so good together. Happy Valentines Day!" plus a personal note ;-)

Our gift to each other?

FISHING LICENSES!!!

So that we can spend even more time together! Spring is coming!

Happy Valentines you all!

My latest knitting projects...

I have been working on this doll for my little neice Maddy for a while now as time and schedule would permit. It was a lot of fun to make and I will, at some point in the future, make another for my grandbaby hope chest. I was really tickled with how well it turned out!

While doing this project I learned some new techniques like the curly q hair, a new style of increase, an interesting way to embroider the eyes, and how to make knees! 

I loved knitting the button nose,

her little toes,

and she even has a little outie belly button!

Not to mentione the outfit of clothes and a matching hat for dolly and Maddy!

I don't think Maddy quite new what to think of her at first. She also did not want to wear her hat (she doesn't like hats but her momma says she has to wear one!) But with encouragement from her big sisters Morgan, Sammy and Amanda, she was soon wearing it with a smile!

Anyone who knows me, knows I always have a pair of socks on the needle. This pair was made while my mom was in surgery, during visiting hours at the hospital, and when Mom and I knitted together during Mom's recovery before I returned to PA.

They were made for my office mate Amy who held down the office while I was away.

As you can see, she has happy feet!

Next up, an overdue high school graduation present for another neice, a pair of socks for my son Tim, and finishing my son & daughter~n~laws afghan. Yes Samantha, I will finish yours first!!!

What do you have on the needles?

Surprise!!!

  While I apologize for the blurriness of this picture, you can still make out the big smile when I surprised Kerry for his 50th Birthday at his second home...yep, the archery club! I forgot the camera (again) so all the pictures were taken with the cell phone, between that and the lighting, we are lucky any of them came out half way decent!

The cake turned out really nice!

And of course no birthday is complete without balloons!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Sometimes letting go isn't easy...

...most of the time it is just downright painful. I will admit I am a collector. No not in the hoarder sense or in material things. I think that would be easier. No, I am a collector of people/relationships.

The relationships vary; acquaintances, different degrees of friendship, family, etc. but the point is that once you are in my circle I really do care. I may not call on an hourly, weekly or in some cases, monthly basis; I let the other person set the pace according to their preferences.

I will also admit to a trait that while well meaning, can be detrimental to me as well as another, and that is I hate to see anyone hurting. I have been called Miss Fix-it on more than one occasion. And while I don't offer unsolicited advice, if we are having a conversation (in the true meaning of the word, not the one sided kind) if you are my friend, I may suggest thinking positively, try to give a different outlook or offer an alternative perspective. I do believe that a person can believe themselves into a happy life/set of circumstances, so I guess that makes me an optimist as well.

I also believe in unconditional acceptance. No one is perfect. I accept people for who they are, warts and all (Lord knows I could be a frog princess with all my warts!) I look for the good qualities and talents in people and wish sometimes that I had a mirror, that when a person looked into it, they would see what I see.

I have very recently come to the understanding, that some relationships cannot be saved. A relationship is two sided, just like a conversation is supposed to be. Some people simply do not have the energy/ability to participate in a relationship. Sometimes it takes all a body's energy to get through the day with a healthy outlook. This is not selfishness. It is a survival technique. I understand that for them, hearing about someones happy life can be painful for that person if they are not happy themselves. Even when they have asked "how is so and so doing".

There was a line in a movie once that said "those that loved him, bashed themselves against the rock that was ________". I get it.

Out of friendship and respect for a person, sometimes you just have to honor their wishes, pray for them, keep the door open, a light in the window, wish them well, cherish the memories and let them go...

Just sharing a thought.

A peaceful Sunday ride...

Hubby and I decided to take one Sunday, pack a picnic lunch and bike from Oil Creek to Drake Well. Would you like to come along?

Petroeum Railway Center

One of two bridges we cross over, very scenic views as you can see below.

And if you look even closer...

a lovely heron. I love how everything reflects in the water on days like this.

A very quiet peaceful ride and quite beautiful with the leaves and the moss growing on the trail.

The trees take no notice of the calendar, it looks as though autumn has arrived.

Along the bike trail you see sign posts of villages that used to be and even the remnants of previous inhabitants. If only the trees could speak, to tell of the past they have witnessed.

Part of an old foundation.

We sat and had our picnic here at Drake Well near the station. We just missed the train but could hear the whistle blowing.

I love this old brick house that now is the manager's home. I especially love the flower bed surrounding it.

On the return trip we spotted these two lovelies eating apples from trees that I am sure Johnny Appleseed planted.

They seem to be just as curious about us, as we were about them.

We finally did catch a glimpse of the Drake Well "Express" as it meandered through the forest. If you click on the picture you can see how clear the water is and the stones beneath the surface.

Lovely old railroad bridge...we are almost back to the beginning of the trail.

I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as we did, sans the sore seat!