tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74212340842885712212024-03-13T03:15:15.139-05:00Less Of Me.....Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.comBlogger375125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-30145020815590338732012-02-16T10:09:00.003-05:002012-02-16T10:32:22.588-05:00Lora who?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIoyjLUTNqxWwnNmGiTwtypZmkAr-bnCJPN5RyYPc0kaOUkdaeJGq-y1jMwcXSDfdgcPBPCd99gRRuMmumluA8s57ZL77lVBxTSGqRL8pMGPhNUlecatntHTZsw8lQjVEK6HWZuWNrIg/s1600/house.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709756566827594034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIoyjLUTNqxWwnNmGiTwtypZmkAr-bnCJPN5RyYPc0kaOUkdaeJGq-y1jMwcXSDfdgcPBPCd99gRRuMmumluA8s57ZL77lVBxTSGqRL8pMGPhNUlecatntHTZsw8lQjVEK6HWZuWNrIg/s320/house.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">To say I've been busy lately is an understatement. Life has been moving along at break neck speed and I'm tyring to keep up withall the changes!<br /><br />We are (I repeat ARE) finally in the new house! Moved in December 17th. Just in time for Christmas. At 4 am December 23rd, hubby was still installing the molding in the dining room. 10 minutes before the family arrived on Christmas Eve we were hanging the kitchen curtains. I felt like I was the star in an HGTV show - pounding to meet the deadline before the big reveal. But we did it! We were tired (read: exhausted) but happy and proud and relieved all at the same time. Everyone loved the house....the tree looked phenomenal (bigger than it did when it was growing out back in the yard...) Hubby had to chop the top off and then run out and buy an over-sized gold start to make it look even. The house was full of people and good food and laughter and love. As a house should be.<br /><br />The next morning all the kids came back over for breakfast and I got to use my first ever dining room! The woodstove was bathing us in the kind of heat only a wood stove can give, cinnamon rolls were baking in my new stainless steel oven, and the boom box (okay - the stero didn't get hooked up in time) was supplying Christmas melodies. It was Norman Rockwell morning!<br /><br />Two weeks later my youngest daughter and her hubby produced a beautiful 7lb 6 oz princess they named Shea. My first grandaughter and I am totally and indescribably in love with her! And come next June, middle daughter and her hubby will give us a grandson! Patrick (after my late husband). Can life get any better?<br /><br />And to top all of that off - I have managed to shed 30 pounds! I said I would do it before I moved into the new house! And I did it! Still want to lose another 20...but in time. Right now I am reveling in all the newness of everything here. I wake up each morning and marvel at all I have been blessed with.<br /><br />I will post pics of the house...and the baby....very soon. And I will try to post more regularly. if anyone is even still checking in here.<br /><br />Happy 2012 to all my blogger friends! It's good to be back!</div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-28972980136254068732011-03-10T13:07:00.003-05:002011-03-10T13:40:27.714-05:00Groovy Musings!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkBYwDKFoLfNRi3GYi5kifLjnXSVi-w7mQDyp0nA0nep83pP1h4Ne7FtppaCKdO_FXsDUt2uGE17Z5XYA49T15Q04qlOu4R-9nu73a7NXktK4v1c-xopowjPHW2I9AuC6iLV4Tuc7oG0/s1600/60s+party.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582522817607168354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkBYwDKFoLfNRi3GYi5kifLjnXSVi-w7mQDyp0nA0nep83pP1h4Ne7FtppaCKdO_FXsDUt2uGE17Z5XYA49T15Q04qlOu4R-9nu73a7NXktK4v1c-xopowjPHW2I9AuC6iLV4Tuc7oG0/s320/60s+party.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Before you wonder what decade that pic is from....it's last weekend. We were invited to a 60's theme party to celebrate my broher-in-law's 60th birthday. (Egads - Am I old enough to have a brother-in-law that old??)<br /><br />It's almost Spring! At least that's what the calendar says. I live in Upstate New York so it's anybody's guess what season we're really in right now! Only here can it be blizzarding one day and finding daffodils poking out the next. Yesterday it was snowing. Today it's supposed to be in the 50's. Kind of like that new fitness craze called "muscle confusion" only here it's weather confusion.<br /><br />That said I'll be heading off to Fort Myers (where the sun <em>always</em> shines) in 13 days. My 2 sisters, sister-in-law and a friend are accompanying me as we head for a little well needed R&R (sans the hubsters) for a 4 day vacation. While I'm still not at all happy about donning a bathing suit (or <em>anything</em> that will show all my winter-white skin) I am excited that my weight watchers experience is paying off handsomely. I joined on January 12 (8 weeks ago) and have tipped the scales at a negative 15 pounds so far! I'm finding the new Points Plus Program to be very do-able. I still have a long way to go to reach my goal but I've been aiming for 5 pound increments and finding that to be a very acheivable way to hit the marks.<br /><br />The new house is actually getting somewhere. Hubby has been working hard and the end is truly in sight. I estimate we'll have a working kithen in about a week. I'm going to pick out the carpeting this weekend. Yay!<br /><br />I haven't been attacking the gym latley - mostly due to my daughter's new work schedule which has me scooting right home after work to watch junior. Aside from the fact that I really need to get in there and tone these muscles - it's also killing me that I'm paying $30/month for something that I'm not using. I hate gym memberships. They muscled me into a 2 year contract and now I'm stuck. Unless I move or become incapacitated.<br /><br />Note to self and others: if you decide to join a gym - find one that doesn't have a contract!! My daughter pays $10 a month for a "pay-as-you-go" membership. <em>I should've shopped around...</em><br /><em></em><br />Speaking of daughters - youngest told me yesterday that she & hubby have decided to start a family! I promised not to tell anyone but the blogosphere doesn't count. (does it?)<br /><br />Ciao all and I'll try to be back sooner next time!</div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-90669433322520221412011-01-13T18:45:00.007-05:002011-01-13T22:19:38.543-05:00Well Look Who's Here!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktRy5OjboBKQ3TxuZgsCMoYpfu1G0RpJxNfZ4cbdKR1IVJcEE45pQ97rB0KB9MXUIe7xRVM4iF4KxiWYiUldDImqnNK0SwIZoQWd2RNF8-fCmzO0BeEefC_2sniASXF9MrGGIVJ1W5_A/s1600/NoChristmasTree1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 170px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561874853457613074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktRy5OjboBKQ3TxuZgsCMoYpfu1G0RpJxNfZ4cbdKR1IVJcEE45pQ97rB0KB9MXUIe7xRVM4iF4KxiWYiUldDImqnNK0SwIZoQWd2RNF8-fCmzO0BeEefC_2sniASXF9MrGGIVJ1W5_A/s320/NoChristmasTree1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>So Christmas came and went in our house (or should I say <em>the OLD house)</em> and I didn't even decorate. Well, almost. I gave in begrudgingly the week before Christmas and stuck a 2 foot fiber optic jobber in the front window. And lit a snowman candle that I got as a gift the week before.<br /></div><div>You see, hubby promised me that the new house would be finished by this Christmas. When did he promise me this you say? Why, last year as I was taking down the decorations. The very same decorations that I swore I would not put up if we weren't in the new house LAST year!<br /></div><div>It's not that I'm this nagging prima dona who throws a hissy fit if she doesn't get her own way. Truly I'm not. I'm actually quite patient. And for those of you who have following my blog for several years - you will recall that I <em>have</em> been waiting for quite some time!<br /></div><div>So this year I stuck to my guns. When October rolled around (the month he said he'd start working on it again) and nothing happened....I began the subtle threats. When November arrived and he still had not lifted a hammer....I laid out the stakes. No Christmas in the new place...no Christmas here either. (Not really<em> no Christmas)</em> just no Christmas decorations.<br /></div><div>You see - I have been living out of boxes for 2 years. My walls are bare because all the decor has been taken down and stored. My living room has no furniture because we gave it to my daughter because hubby said we would be moving soon. We had to go to my middle daughter's house Christmas morning because this house wasn't suitable to entertain in. It hasn't been in 2 years.<br /></div><div>People are beginning to cite me for sainthood. They want to know why I'm not going crazy over all this. Well...ahem...I sort of am! It's not that one can't have Christmas without all the trappings. One can - and we did. Jesus is the reason and we managed to remember and embrace that fact. It was just so...so...<em>frustrating!</em><br /></div><div>Fortunately for all concerned (mostly him because I was ready to toss him out in a snow bank) he has finally (FINALLY) found his groove again and is working on the house. I am not making any claims as to when we will be in there. But at least he's in there doig something!<br /></div><div>Other that that - life has been busy. Now that I'm working (it's been a whole year now!) I just don't find the time to blog like I used to. (But I think about it a lot.) And I'm not ready to hang up my keyboard just yet. (I guess there has been a lack of motivation in more places than just one in our household these days.)<br /></div><div>So I joined Weight Watchers last night. They gave me this cute little blue calculator the size of a compact to track my points. I get 29 a day. I have one left for today. Not bad. I am cautiously optimistic this may be the ticket. I've proven to myself time and again that I need accountability.<br /></div><div>Anyhoo....that's what I've been up to. I'll try to be more faithful! (oh and yes...I <em>have</em> been going to the gym. Now and then...)</div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-42424674542848334432010-10-02T07:51:00.010-05:002010-10-02T08:35:36.270-05:00Joy and Tragedy.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NhHn8S2CAIh2lw7LXMun8WtZ1PiRqoahIHJjHk5KqfuUb_SXCreaeL1IBKXqemPhYBuftyVvegN49m8CEd4RtS_gifSdai3Ki8N5sw_xljIv6Y0GuCgzuFn8Q4X26Qg8FxcDkGzYR9U/s1600/rachel+and+alans+wedding.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 98px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523439590329678018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NhHn8S2CAIh2lw7LXMun8WtZ1PiRqoahIHJjHk5KqfuUb_SXCreaeL1IBKXqemPhYBuftyVvegN49m8CEd4RtS_gifSdai3Ki8N5sw_xljIv6Y0GuCgzuFn8Q4X26Qg8FxcDkGzYR9U/s320/rachel+and+alans+wedding.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXv799LQpAOKv_PQSwiNeW_JM37_Z4lPphmTL7fdb4QGzI_0zzekJVYLvBxwgC1fJgErLhuvbZzSlQEfMtrn5xIXRJ6zgAY1iwPxoDDFXFTBPInnFXMTHEjDX81qWfJInDVTtmJqUFbg/s1600/momma+and+yelle.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 98px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 130px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523439417352858914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXv799LQpAOKv_PQSwiNeW_JM37_Z4lPphmTL7fdb4QGzI_0zzekJVYLvBxwgC1fJgErLhuvbZzSlQEfMtrn5xIXRJ6zgAY1iwPxoDDFXFTBPInnFXMTHEjDX81qWfJInDVTtmJqUFbg/s320/momma+and+yelle.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdRU_89QyWdtXxg8HZ5rQEzxTWZeI0pwEsFQkMObq1WM6fE4hfkOetUqPxbRxULUG2a9kfRZZP63UdLFQzn_ulc8lUyyK-23jHwYSVqcfZ6jhkU_s507wAYuwrG_GZzRjqTNDu36v3mA/s1600/Rachel+and+Alan%27s+wedding.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523438034146756050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdRU_89QyWdtXxg8HZ5rQEzxTWZeI0pwEsFQkMObq1WM6fE4hfkOetUqPxbRxULUG2a9kfRZZP63UdLFQzn_ulc8lUyyK-23jHwYSVqcfZ6jhkU_s507wAYuwrG_GZzRjqTNDu36v3mA/s320/Rachel+and+Alan%27s+wedding.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDcDD39dE5q388JK6RfCd-8H0zY8dBO7m5vehw3S3bSZyOG8nIETyggrtst05y3mxxqQ3KQoUPVNn1Dd0VGhEPnSh1mHanbs19E_EhWBHYMiviopnl5U8oHBnHutLhiQMrlizKkhDSPM/s1600/rachelalanwedding.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523437671969989906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDcDD39dE5q388JK6RfCd-8H0zY8dBO7m5vehw3S3bSZyOG8nIETyggrtst05y3mxxqQ3KQoUPVNn1Dd0VGhEPnSh1mHanbs19E_EhWBHYMiviopnl5U8oHBnHutLhiQMrlizKkhDSPM/s320/rachelalanwedding.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KQ_8yqA54oqvwOGwt_ahvfFfnyaXT-KSqJNHyVrTAHVe2TKyLw-OhSUlA8z2-Tl2iNpSqSdk0YSoo8CGfFF1nesZI5T4kuVimGM8OhemLs7YCjGZJZNDty6uh1zaoGMd6fJiWz1IhhQ/s1600/Rachel+and+Alan%27s+wedding.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>So where have I been? I don't know! The time has been flying by faster than can keep track of. Days slip into weeks.... Weeks into months... And now it's autumn already and I didn't even notice summer. Well, that's not totally accurate. Summer was awesome - the BEST weather I can remember in years! And I did manage to eek out a few extended stays at the lake. And I did manage to stay faithful to the gym and lost 11 pounds and a bunch of inches! </div><div> </div><div></div><div>But mainly - this summer was focused <em>on THE WEDDING</em>. My oldest tied the knot on September 18th. So the past few months have been steeped in wedding plans. Now I am finally breathing a sigh of relief that it's all over and I can focus on....finishing the house in time for Christmas! (I know. I <em>know!</em>) To those of you who have been with my for the past several years - we have been trying to finish the new house in time for Christmas since 2007! But this year (you heard it here folks!) it WILL be done!</div><div></div><br /><div>The thing is...I'm not all that consumed with it. Used to be, I was re-arranging the yet to be purchased furniture in my head....determining where to hang all the new pictures my kids have been giving me as gifts the past few years in anticipation of the big move...and nagging hubby to just (as the Nike commercial says) <em>DO IT! </em>But as of late...I'm not in such a hurry. Because life is happening all around me and moving into the new house is just another chapter. And to be honest....the pages have been turning much too quickly lately. The frailty of life has been knocking at my door and I right now - change is the last thing on my mind.</div><br /><div></div><div>Five months ago my brother-in-law took his own life. It rocked us all to the core. And this past week - his brother's wife was stabbed to death - by her own son. The boy was in his early 20s and was schizophrenic. never any indications of violence...and he truly loved his mom. We can't understand it and will probably spend the rest of our lives trying to wrap our minds around it. After killing his mom - he stabbed himself several times in the neck. He is in the hospital as I write this. Poor Bob... In the span of 5 months he lost his brother, his wife and even his son - who, though he will recover from his wounds - will ultimately be locked away somewhere for a very long time... And Mark - his son. He found them. He's only 25. How does one that young recover from such a tragedy...save the grace of God.</div><br /><div></div><div>So I've been thinking a lot lately. And realizing that awful things don't just happen to other people. And I'm feeling a lot more compassionate to the nameless faces I see in the news now. And realizing that everyday - in some way - someone is hurting. Makes me want to spend a lot more time on my knees. And a lot more time looking up. To the only One who truly has the answers.</div><br /><div></div><div>Please pray for Bob and Mark....their very foundations have been shattered this past week. And pray for Kurt. He will live with what he did for the rest of his life. I can not judge. I will not judge. Only God can do that. I can only pray and continue to praise the One who holds all things together... in the midst of this terrible storm.</div><div></div><br /><div>On a happier note (because in spite of the sadness - there <em>have</em> been some happy times....) I've posted some pics from the wedding. </div><div><br /> </div><div>hugs *</div><div>Lora</div></div></div></div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-56784805133587363432010-07-30T10:18:00.003-05:002010-07-30T10:56:37.734-05:005 Weeks Later....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NGi5l8BYjKHNJ5ZPwxnEtxwfjrYY0HgNn8xq6yw8-xa15SHbFy6d5as99fQkpc8fGwNBZzEXlWzCY4EPtyKh7RIDwngWHQMDjvuzeSypQ71N6aceSl-H4LRETJrslcqv5Ggm2UZUigg/s1600/eighties.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 184px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499727940474815858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NGi5l8BYjKHNJ5ZPwxnEtxwfjrYY0HgNn8xq6yw8-xa15SHbFy6d5as99fQkpc8fGwNBZzEXlWzCY4EPtyKh7RIDwngWHQMDjvuzeSypQ71N6aceSl-H4LRETJrslcqv5Ggm2UZUigg/s400/eighties.jpg" /></a><br /><div>So it's been 5 weeks since I joined the gym and I can proudly say I have been attending faithfully! Except for the week I spent at the lake (well...10 days there actually) I've gone at least 3x a week and sometimes 4. And the week at the lake I did a lot of walking and swimming (actually swam across the lake 3 times...with my noodle of course!) So I've been pretty active ~ more so than in a long time!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I've only managed to drop 5 pounds, but my shape is changing. Not dramatically - but enough to encourage me to keep at it! I have to drive right by the gym each afternoon when I leave work so it's hard to not go. Yesterday I drove right by and then turned around and went back. Good girl, Lora!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I plug in my earphones and watch Dr. Phil while I'm on the treadmill and then move on to the machines. There are people bigger than me and smaller than me so I don't feel all that self-conscious. Back in the day when you went to the gym it was a fashion parade. You know - the high cut leotards, tight, leg-warmers and headbands. (see pic!) Thanks goodness we've progressed to being more dedicated to our health than our outfits!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Yesterday I read a quote on Spark-People from a member that said <em>"I am a work in progress...and if I want to progress - I have to work!"</em> That's gonna' be my new mantra!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Last Saturday I went to the beach with my youngest daughter. It was so much fun! We brought some lunch and spread out our towels and soaked up the sunshine in between dips in the lake because it was so hot! Tuesday night I went out to dinner with my 2 sisters and sister-in-law. We found a nice restaurant overlooking the lake and ate outside. I just love summer! And last night I went yet once again to the lake with 6 of my old high school friends to a nice outdoor restaurant that overlooked the harbour. I grew up less than 10 minutes from Lake Ontario and yet never seem to get there enough. And now 3 times in one week! Yoohoo!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I can't believe it's almost August. Where has the summer gone? I ave 2 more trips to the cottage (this on a smaller lake - not one of the Great Lakes!) my class reunion and then my daughter's wedding. And then the night air will start getting a nip in it, the leaves will begin to turn color and I'll find myself wearing a sweater to work. I love fall too - but fall always comes with winter on it's heels...and we all know how I hate snow!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But until then - I'm going to enjoy the sunshine! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-86026003773631342582010-06-20T09:06:00.003-05:002010-06-20T09:35:40.390-05:00Happy Dad's Day and other ramblings...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArvy6FWLVbfrXNad9-SxZIvWJynelnqRSnN6OqQ_f4hlsDt2zqCWShjjAhTU3u3SApcxrLnD27s_zvpm50bE0uXePnoduZ9c-IsWBKS-ehibAofeqorPA1TAUUcB_sYyrOXdu3cDvth4/s1600/gym+membership.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 289px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484863337441717266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArvy6FWLVbfrXNad9-SxZIvWJynelnqRSnN6OqQ_f4hlsDt2zqCWShjjAhTU3u3SApcxrLnD27s_zvpm50bE0uXePnoduZ9c-IsWBKS-ehibAofeqorPA1TAUUcB_sYyrOXdu3cDvth4/s400/gym+membership.jpg" /></a><br /><div>It's Father's Day and guess where I am? Sitting in my office at work.....killing time. I had to visit a church today on this side of town (1/2 hour from home) for a volunteer recruitment gig and had a big lapse between services so I came here.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It's quiet...and it's nice to get to visit with the volunteers that come here on weekends. I never really get to meet the folks who come during the hours I'm not here except on the phone - so this is nice. Except that I'm wearing a skirt and high heels and all I can think about is getting them off and jumping into my shorts and flip flops!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We're having the family over for a picnic this afternoon. Hubby is setting up the big blowup water slide we bought last year for the kids and the weather is supposed to cooperate!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So.....on Friday I drove past the gym that is down the street from where I work for the umpteenth time and decided this time that I would stop in and check out that special they have going for summer. An hour later I walked out with a 2 year contract and a promise from the 102 pound gal that talked me into it - that in 4-6 weeks she's have me seeing results.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Heaven knows I certainly have some motivating factors in my life to make me want to do this. Um...wait a minute. I think I've been saying that for several years now.... but really - I do! My Class reunion is coming up in August and I can't possibly skip it. It's being hosted at my house! We have the big yard - pavilion - outdoor bathroom and kitchen - so we can easily accommodate everyone.... So there's motivator #1. Then there's my daughter's wedding in September. When the other 2 got married 4 years ago (in a double wedding) I vowed I would lose weight. I thought I'd lost enough to at least look okay - but when the pictures came back - I looked like a giant blueberry. So the Sept. wedding is motivator #2. Moving on to #3 - this one is a ways off - but I'm hoping that it will keep me accountable for any weight I do manage to take off. My sisters and I are going to Florida again in March. To celebrate another milestone birthday like we did last fall. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So I'm hoping to keep me relationship with afore mentioned gym. I'm in it for 2 years - so I'd better! Besides - flashbacks from my traumatic shopping trip last week to buy a swimsuit should keep me going.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I swear....I'm getting to the point where I should be needing to take a Valium before that kind of a shopping trip. Not that I take Valium - but it sure would've helped! Anyway - found a suit that helped camouflage my lesser features (or maybe "greater" would be a more fitting desciptor?) forked over the money and left. That probably explains the reason my car turned into the parking lot of the gym last Friday.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'll keep you posted.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Happy Father's Day ~ enjoy!</div><br /><div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-6760514466978519532010-05-25T06:48:00.004-05:002010-05-25T07:07:38.832-05:00Saying Goodbye When You Don't Want To....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp66tp_INvF7Pwugix2nibJx38aPW8758KB7nCl9yFz_AjWtKMHxkwcnNfRImip-6Zyvd7rSDeclfN5Ydy_8XMfoyxbftCkJiPv-mlUh_kh-TwcNefAvJ3crbBnDPGppLdgyCgB2ntubc/s1600/grief.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 130px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475177847718360834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp66tp_INvF7Pwugix2nibJx38aPW8758KB7nCl9yFz_AjWtKMHxkwcnNfRImip-6Zyvd7rSDeclfN5Ydy_8XMfoyxbftCkJiPv-mlUh_kh-TwcNefAvJ3crbBnDPGppLdgyCgB2ntubc/s400/grief.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Shortly after I wrote my last post one of those life altering events occurred in my life...the kind that causes you to mark time in a before and after mode. As I get older my life seems to get categorized into chunks of time. Like before and after the month I lost my parents. Or before and after my husband died. And now it's been divided even further. Into before and after my brother-in-law took his own life.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>No one knew the pain and torment he was going through. Until it was too late. The saga began with his disappearance..a week of searching....and my sister finding him moments before he put a gun into his mouth and ended his torment.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>And now we are all left with the all of the unanswerable questions that plague the survivors after a suicide. Our lives have been shaken to the core. We walk through our days in a fog as we try to manage our grief. So many emotions. Guilt... Sadness... Anger... Denial... My brother-in-law was my late husband's best friend. Way before my sister and I came into their lives. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is one of those time where words aren't flowing as easily as they usually do. I just felt the need to explain my absence and ask for a few prayers. For my sister. For her three children. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thanks...</div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-24929383957785698872010-04-11T07:21:00.005-05:002010-04-11T19:32:26.266-05:00Thinking of My Mother....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4i5PcEYz62ETcx6o0qYt6laEEFbJ3dHrmj7T_MgQcPQPcddSyet3Gxv2Mrf0hmwsKVhWBvhOlpkeIUBFfFPxa6zc1fwA24-jcV4UncE8QslGtPbEGockJgq0aA-sNxHcjLjr4WLwKc4/s1600/aaaaa.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 138px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 106px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458868952586395842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4i5PcEYz62ETcx6o0qYt6laEEFbJ3dHrmj7T_MgQcPQPcddSyet3Gxv2Mrf0hmwsKVhWBvhOlpkeIUBFfFPxa6zc1fwA24-jcV4UncE8QslGtPbEGockJgq0aA-sNxHcjLjr4WLwKc4/s320/aaaaa.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Yesterday was a rather surreal day. It was one of those days where God was working behind the scenes but revealed enough of Himself to let me know He was there. I'll preface with a little history....</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The year was 1976. I was a freshman in college and dirt poor. All college students are, right? Mother's Day was coming up and I wanted to give my mom something special but had no money. So I wrote her a poem. Hokey....yes. But it was from the heart. Really. I typed it up on my little manual typewriter (there were no word processors back then) on several half-sheets of onion skin typing paper and taped them all together to make a scroll. She loved it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Flash forward to 1997. Mom has just died and my sisters and I are standing in her bedroom trying to absorb her lingering scent, touch her clothes, handle the pretty figurines on her dresser...anything to connect with her somehow while her essence is still in this room. In a few short hours we will go to her calling hours with my dad. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I open the top middle drawer on her bureau and there I find a bunch of letters and notes and cards all held together with a rubber band. Some letters from my dad, a note to the tooth fairy from my little sister, various cards from over the years.....and my little scrolled poem from that Mother's Day 21 years before. I read it through my tears and clutch it to my heart. The words I'd penned meant even more now. Now that I was a mother myself. Now that she was gone.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I stuff it quickly in my purse because we are late and head off to the funeral home. I think of putting the little scroll in with her in the casket but decide to keep it. Between viewings we head off to a restaurant with the aunts and uncles for dinner. It is there that I realize it is gone! I call the funeral home frantically and ask them to check for it. I go through the restaurant with a fine tooth comb. I search my car. It's nowhere and in the delicacy of my grief at that moment I feel utterly crushed. That night I drive back to the parking lot of the restaurant and search with a flash light. Nothing. It's gone. Forever.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There was reporter in our local paper at that time named Carol Ritter. She wrote a folksy column about everyday happenings and often specialized in helping her readers locate things. An old recipe, a certain antique...stuff like that. So I write to her and plead my case. Could she <em>please</em> ask her readers to watch out for my little scroll if the found it? And if someone <em>had</em> found it - could they please send it back to me? She didn't answer my letter so after a week or so I called and left a message. I received a call back on my answering machine the next day. Very curt and to the point. "I don't do last and found anymore." For several years after that, I couldn't look at her picture next to her column without being a little mad.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Flash forward another thirteen years. Last month I am at my organization's annual fundraising gala. Because I am one of the key staff members, hubby and I are seated at the table with the guest speakers. One of the speakers, who does the auction part of the evening is none other than- Carol Ritter! All of the memories come rushing back. Here I am sitting face to face with this woman and I want so bad to tell her about my little scroll. And how she could've helped but she didn't. But I don't. Because that was so long ago and I know she wouldn't remember anyway. Besides, I'd come to terms with the fact that the words I'd penned those many years ago were lost and it really wasn't her fault. So I'm cordial and I smile and make small talk. But the little scroll has once again found a way into the corners of my mind and I think of it...and mom.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So now it's yesterday. I am cleaning out some stuff in the basement in anticipation of our future move. I lug out my old hope chest that has not been opened in over 16 years - since the last move. It's all dusty and musty but I plod through it and spend way more time than I need to - handling all it's contents gently as I revisit the past. Old corsages from proms...love letters from the guy I almost married....pay stubs from my first job back in 1973 (I was making $1.65 an hour!)...lots of loose pictures....notes scratched on napkins......matchbooks....a notebook with magazine pictures taped to its pages of furniture that I wanted to decorate my house with when I married aforementioned boyfriend. Ghastly stuff in lime green and orange! (it was the 70's - what can I say?)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Then way back in the corner of the bottom drawer I find a wad of notebook paper all crumbled up. There are two sheets and one is torn in half. Something I must've meant to throw away at one time but decided not to and stuffed it into the hope chest. As I gently unroll the wad I see that it is the rough draft of the poem I'd written for mom 34 years ago! It was all there - every line! I thought I'd never see those words again! Reminiscent of the last time I came across that poem - I clutch the wad of paper to my heart and whisper a <em>thank you</em> to God.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The surreal part of it all....that after all these years I'd run into Carol Ritter again and think about the poem once more. That this would all happen so very close to Mother' Day....and that I would find my precious poem....on the eve of the anniversary of Mom's death. You see, she went to be with Jesus 13 years ago today. And I miss her so very much.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So here's the poem. A little hokey (like I mentioned) but I was only 18....</div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center">A Prayer for Mother's Day</div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Not a day goes by I do not pray</div><div align="center">And thank the Lord above</div><div align="center">For the mother that he's given me</div><div align="center">Her thoughts, her words, her love.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I thank Him for the way she has</div><div align="center">Of making each day brighter</div><div align="center">Understanding all my cares and fears</div><div align="center">So that my burdens might be lighter.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">And I thank Him for the times we have</div><div align="center">To sit and talk a while</div><div align="center">Whether arguing or whispering</div><div align="center">Through tears or through a smile.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">And then I'll sit and think a bit</div><div align="center">Of How she'll give and never take</div><div align="center">How she'll do it in her children's names</div><div align="center">and for her children's' sake.</div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Then I'll think of all the worries</div><div align="center">And the problems she must bear</div><div align="center">But there's always time enough for us</div><div align="center">Time enough to care.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">And she never seems too busy</div><div align="center">Never seems too worn</div><div align="center">To lend an ear or helping hand</div><div align="center">Whenever I'm forlorn.</div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">She'll just look at me and smile</div><div align="center">And then through loving eyes</div><div align="center">She'll answer all my questions</div><div align="center">All the who's - the what's - the whys.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">And I'll just sit and listen</div><div align="center">When all at once I'll see</div><div align="center">There's not a greater friend in all the world</div><div align="center">As this woman here by me.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">For there's no one I trust more than her</div><div align="center">In who I can confide</div><div align="center">And know that through the thick of it</div><div align="center">She'll be ever at my side.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">No one else could be so patient</div><div align="center">No one else could be so true</div><div align="center">No one else could ever understand</div><div align="center">The way that mothers do.</div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">So I'll repent for all the wasted times</div><div align="center">In vain I always fought her</div><div align="center">And will remember always God</div><div align="center">She's my mother - I'm her daughter.</div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">And though others may spend all their lives</div><div align="center">Searching the whole world round</div><div align="center">The mother that they're looking for</div><div align="center">Has already been found.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">And maybe when she read this</div><div align="center">She'll cry and make a fuss</div><div align="center">But that's just another of her special ways</div><div align="center">Of saying she loves us.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">And I can't think of a better time</div><div align="center">Or a better way to say</div><div align="center">How very much she means to me</div><div align="center">Than on her special day.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">So here's to a Happy Mother's Day</div><div align="center">May God hold you in his palm</div><div align="center">And may you never have to ask me</div><div align="center">Just how much I love you, Mom!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-71646257422936760012010-04-09T17:31:00.003-05:002010-04-09T17:50:27.513-05:00Call Me Old-fashioned...."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHPSzZl2YEUDc9prGUr6CAGJgIUnh02sPosJ4E4a2_5yzhVZuo9kALTpkCvE6jsBQm4EWKX9kkkKy4euOF9BRhWP-8gJwVnU2Ytld-Xny4jUKvFP97kUUNCJh8olIBZMygZLTcwKdm3A/s1600/tiger.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 192px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458273691842033554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHPSzZl2YEUDc9prGUr6CAGJgIUnh02sPosJ4E4a2_5yzhVZuo9kALTpkCvE6jsBQm4EWKX9kkkKy4euOF9BRhWP-8gJwVnU2Ytld-Xny4jUKvFP97kUUNCJh8olIBZMygZLTcwKdm3A/s320/tiger.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Is it just me or is anyone else a bit flabbergasted at the "graceful" return of Tiger Woods? Almost reminiscent of the Clinton debacle... where my innocent little girls learned what "oral sex" was. Gheesh!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm all for restoring a repentant sinner. I'm certainly not perfect and have made my share of mistakes. But it's a little disheartening to consider our society has reached the point where we are willing to "overlook" pretty blatant indiscretions and just get back to <em>business as usual.</em></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Consider these recent headlines<em>: "</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>Tiger Woods gets best wishes from his jilted porn star Joselyn James"</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>"Tiger Woods lost his moral compass - not his swing!"</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>"Tiger Woods wife Elin not to attend Masters"</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div>There was a time when a person's moral character would make or break them. That's the mantra I repeated to my daughters over and over as they were growing up. Especially when Bill and Monica were taking over the headlines.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm a little scared for our society.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-92180098946344722772010-03-31T12:30:00.005-05:002010-03-31T13:39:50.012-05:00The House That Love Built.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLP-xFT0fKVXD-klaBNuz3NgcKzCxgXTrKSkpp869qSiYRDLA_T7a13V-1jIBVjpFQtCsI21pUgK2XWV2dg0ibP2SZ5mRmOUxKnYi53i1c_5DASg_GK35P4LVC3hIwML305dpcSY6eGjs/s1600/imagesCAW4OFQ7.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 48px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 127px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454867068553620578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLP-xFT0fKVXD-klaBNuz3NgcKzCxgXTrKSkpp869qSiYRDLA_T7a13V-1jIBVjpFQtCsI21pUgK2XWV2dg0ibP2SZ5mRmOUxKnYi53i1c_5DASg_GK35P4LVC3hIwML305dpcSY6eGjs/s400/imagesCAW4OFQ7.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Lately I've had writer's cramp. Have ya' noticed? Used to be my blog posts would begin forming in my head no matter where was or what I was doing. Reminds me of my late brother-in-law...he wrote a column for a local newspaper and often times in the midst of an activity he'd start staring off in the distance and one of hi s kids would say..."I sense a future column in the works!"</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>The past few months though, for me, have been somewhat dry in the idea process. I guess with the new job and the house in its final stages - my mind has been (shall we say...) pre-occupied. We've been working on the house for so long now (we broke ground in April of 2007!) that some of the walls already need re-painting! I often walk through the rooms (none of which are completely finished yet) and try to imagine us living there. I can't tell you how many times I've stepped into the new shower - closed my eyes - and pretended it was all done and I was really in there for a shower. Is that weird? (C'mon I know you guys must do weird things like that too...<em>right?)</em> </div><div></div><br /><br /><div>I keep bringing over little things to make it home-like (as much as it can be in the midst of sawhorses and ladders and buckets of tools...) like this little red lamp that I put on an old table in the master bedroom. Or the lace curtains I hung up in the bathroom that has the aforementioned shower - but no toilet or sinks yet. There is a single wine goblet in one of the cupboards in the kitchen (still no counter tops mind you) and an old chair that we found on the side of the road last fall that I knew would be perfect in the guest room. I sit on that chair sometimes too (eyes closed of course) and pretend that the room is finished.<br /></div><div></div><br /><div>Sometimes, when I start feeling impatient and get a little grumpy because the house is taking so l-o-n-g - I have to remind myself how lucky I am to be able to be able to be "starting over" at this phase in my life with everything all new and different. I never really had a lot of new stuff. We always made do with other people's cast offs and were thankful that they were at least "new" to us. To be able to actually pick out things the way I want them - that reflect me and who I am and what I love has been a real treat. So if it's taking longer than I expected (and those of you who have been following me for some time know exactly how long that has been!)then I can wait a little more.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>Underneath the drywall in the kitchen - written between the existing studs on the old backer wall is a note I scrawled in marker to inspire hubby & I as we worked. </div><div></div><br /><br /><div>It reads: <em>Don't focus on the destination so much....that you forget to enjoy the journey.</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div>Someday...many, many years from now - some young couple may be tearing apart the walls in a remodeling project and find the note. Perhaps they will wonder about us....and the house that love built...</div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-71780497613450773892010-03-05T10:10:00.006-05:002010-03-05T11:28:46.429-05:00Wnter Warmth....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8x09NGr2F0ayrg1OaaXJ1Rd2s0butMQdCYiKhByKnE-rEUXer5-Vi5BkaSLrKrOGv2hY29bl8i33VLvV0ig6Krhaoi0nUu66TTKruSQPs4bZ8HmI1Q-aSqDMT_YaVs8Fj5kkDMCJiFQ/s1600-h/4200708342_c513a6e2de.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445181162896569394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8x09NGr2F0ayrg1OaaXJ1Rd2s0butMQdCYiKhByKnE-rEUXer5-Vi5BkaSLrKrOGv2hY29bl8i33VLvV0ig6Krhaoi0nUu66TTKruSQPs4bZ8HmI1Q-aSqDMT_YaVs8Fj5kkDMCJiFQ/s400/4200708342_c513a6e2de.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I'm sitting here at my desk - have finished my newsletter, returned all necessary phone calls, reviewed the residents' charts and had my obligatory cup of coffee. And decided to post on my blog....haven't been able to do that as regularly as I'd like. </div><div><br /></div><div>The sun is shining right now and it almost feels like spring! The other day as I was walking to my car in the morning I actually heard birds chirping! Even though there is still a foot of snow in some places around here - I do believe that we are turning the page on a new season. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love spring! It signifies the end of winter and is the prelude to summer. (I love summer even better!) When late hubby was still here, on the first real sunny day of spring - we would open the garage door and position our chase lounges so that we were blocked from the wind but sitting smack in the middle of the sunlight - turn the radio on and close our eyes and pretend we were sitting on some exotic beach somewhere.<br /></div><div></div><div>Neither of us were fans of the snow and cold.<br /></div><div>When the kids were younger we decorated our finished basement in a beach theme. Painted the walls a sand color - installed an aqua carpet and hung pictures of beaches, light houses and seashells all around. It was our escape from winter get-away. One time we set up the patio umbrella table down there, cranked up the kerosene heater so it felt warm and almost humid, and lit some coconut candles. I made a macaroni salad and hubby pulled the gas grill under an eave outside and cooked some hot dogs. With a jar of dill pickles and a bag of chips we had our own little picnic with the kids - smack dab in the middle of February.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Those were good times! </div><div><br /></div><div>I miss that the girls are all grown up now. And I miss that I seem to be so busy these days that I don't give into the spontaneity that used to be such a big part of my life. So two weeks ago I decided to have snow day with my 5 year old grandson. We bundled up and went over to the new house where grandpa was working. First we had a snowball war. Then we followed deer tracks into the woods. We hiked down the path that leads to the swamp (and I got a soaker!) We built a snowman with a fat orange carrot for a nose and real charcoal chunks for his eyes and mouth. We gathered wood and made a big roaring campfire that we sat at as we munched on crackers and let our wet mittens dry on a branch nearby.<br /></div><div>At one point the little guy looked up at me with his big round blue eyes and said "Gramma - this is the funnest thing ever!" </div><div><br /></div><div>These are still good times....!</div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-89304329777844933312010-02-27T08:03:00.005-05:002010-02-27T08:35:27.012-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxwpJ6M4ICD2NLiI5Ssv0UCQ-GZS4AcnaYWdJh9CIlKruYKhDOaaqCeXsAC9yC5JqTsJTLWTBAzjQWTorSHPZDMbvUIiBbITTimqdB7ri9FMKO1mkNLVRati7vSG62rmn_9A5F6IEtiA/s1600-h/house+008.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442915418022762418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxwpJ6M4ICD2NLiI5Ssv0UCQ-GZS4AcnaYWdJh9CIlKruYKhDOaaqCeXsAC9yC5JqTsJTLWTBAzjQWTorSHPZDMbvUIiBbITTimqdB7ri9FMKO1mkNLVRati7vSG62rmn_9A5F6IEtiA/s400/house+008.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM0gTk4NdQPhGvSQSJijsDmf3XzCwqX5ldnBHDS47MxdhSRYIbzgfgwwoQUod9oQwosvPnmV4UklOT9g6CvmetgWImgHYREwycGeqG-if58HnP67YoqbTI0DbvfulE2mR17ZaMV7BioA/s1600-h/house+006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442915414591927058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM0gTk4NdQPhGvSQSJijsDmf3XzCwqX5ldnBHDS47MxdhSRYIbzgfgwwoQUod9oQwosvPnmV4UklOT9g6CvmetgWImgHYREwycGeqG-if58HnP67YoqbTI0DbvfulE2mR17ZaMV7BioA/s400/house+006.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQi98YucYIYs1hyphenhyphenx2Z2TJLeCgEh2lDUR-ChNtcunZ9UTSjmAL_E08MaJtUZZbeRARKy4oMJ-cOo_w3y3NEJOwqpOZ3CV6n7mi8qtLEe3PI4EBsmx_qn-LRdQUj2hptxsoiHxH6_SUDGA/s1600-h/house+009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442915409449745266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQi98YucYIYs1hyphenhyphenx2Z2TJLeCgEh2lDUR-ChNtcunZ9UTSjmAL_E08MaJtUZZbeRARKy4oMJ-cOo_w3y3NEJOwqpOZ3CV6n7mi8qtLEe3PI4EBsmx_qn-LRdQUj2hptxsoiHxH6_SUDGA/s400/house+009.jpg" /></a> <div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAUvPWEqP4my7EYGluJnyZRu6HYl9KFDD4Pgi-3UFzgD-VYdS0NIV7rHXZTy4j_34Wo1GHFn9UyJVWKjqaBxnUB_CGfQCLOrpWvDGA8hrYoswEDM5aHRKOqWzxY-czLytyTKKluMFyVU/s1600-h/Copy+of+mike%27s+house+001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442915394808649410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAUvPWEqP4my7EYGluJnyZRu6HYl9KFDD4Pgi-3UFzgD-VYdS0NIV7rHXZTy4j_34Wo1GHFn9UyJVWKjqaBxnUB_CGfQCLOrpWvDGA8hrYoswEDM5aHRKOqWzxY-czLytyTKKluMFyVU/s400/Copy+of+mike%27s+house+001.jpg" /></a> <div><div><br /><div>February has flown by and I haven't had time to write here at all! The new job is keeping me busy as I lean the ropes and as always...we are s-t-i-l-l working on the house! I'm beginning to think we will never move in there! My house here is semi-boxed up and ready to go - there are whole rooms with barely any furniture - and I feel very displaced. I certainly long for the routine and normalcy that have been set aside these past few years <em>(did I say YEARS?)</em> Ummm...yes I did.<br /></div><br /><div>I came across some pictures last week that are earmarked for the photo album/journal that I hope to complete when the house is done - that will chronicle this "labor of love" - and the date in the corner of one batch was 2007! We have been working on this crazy house for 3 years! I can't tell you how many times I have walked through the empty rooms - first when they were just divided by 2x4's....then bare drywall....and now at least painted...and daydreamed of how it will be when we finally move in. </div><div><br /> </div><div>Of course I realize all the problems I have now will follow me. The house won't be a panacea for all that ails me. I keep reminding myself that <em>"Unless the Lord builds the house - he that builds it labors in vain..."</em> And so I am plodding on and trying to be grateful for today and content to live with a greater part of my life in boxes! </div><div><br /> </div><div>I've posted some pics of our progress....enjoy! (they aren't in order...obviously...)</div><div><br /> </div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">And a side note to all the ANONYMOUS SPAMMERS who have been leaving comments on my blog - do not waste your time. I only post comments from my legitimate followers. This blog is not a forum forum for advertising your links to "male enhancement techniques" and all the other garbage I've been receiving. Don't waste your time posting. it takes more time for you to type than it does for me to hit "reject."</span></em></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-91655368796352187332010-01-16T09:44:00.005-05:002010-02-04T15:36:22.594-05:00A New Year...A New Direction for my Life...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghraFRCmTrfqtFmbS-p5U-IHCASoszSGtgo4o7n6_xQcrb3Yo3_C4u4WLsZkca6hvaY-s7gpfsChPGjUL8qbOce9yUnVrcG3Kt3Fs-wchcr5hENJ4LP2bjqfbIwKED9WpYkfp7DAALaAY/s1600-h/chalie+brown+christmas+tree.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427356613314270402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghraFRCmTrfqtFmbS-p5U-IHCASoszSGtgo4o7n6_xQcrb3Yo3_C4u4WLsZkca6hvaY-s7gpfsChPGjUL8qbOce9yUnVrcG3Kt3Fs-wchcr5hENJ4LP2bjqfbIwKED9WpYkfp7DAALaAY/s200/chalie+brown+christmas+tree.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e1dwyZklYwq3T3F2vwIRjpaF06yNLD4_h_ZXlHUP6hTsXp9IgMsXkPuxBgasKAP6W7v-_rQj4RhjNrB-QdBSm9Li26xe0Em1knn-Nh1CunlDyJpxHuCdQmGgiRgMQwbtG03Y5lJCey4/s1600-h/chalie+brown+christmas+tree.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div>Remember last year - how one of my New Year's resolutions was to NOT procrastinate? It's January 16th and my Christmas tree is still up. Enough said.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>I haven't watered it in over 2 weeks because I kept thinking I was going to take it down "the next day" and why bother. It's at the point now where I walk by and just the gentle breeze from my passing body causes the needles to fall off. Reminiscent of that old Charlie brown Christmas special where all the needs fall of the tree with a tinkling sound. </div><div></div><br /><br /><div>The tree needs to come down. I am pathetic! Today is the day.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>The new job is 2 weeks in and I am loving it! I didn't think anything would ever measure up to teaching but this is it. The people I work with are awesome and it is so low key there and peaceful. As peaceful as one can expect in a Hospice Home. While it can be sad to be in the midst of dying people and their grieving families - there is an element of satisfaction in knowing that you are there beside them to help then through this difficult time and makes things as comfortable as you can in the process.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'd always been drawn to this kind of work....but kept it tucked in the corners of my mind because I figured I would be a better art teacher. The thing that hooked me on the Hospice philosophy <em>(so many years ago) </em>occurred one weekend in the spring of 1988. We got a call to rush to Ohio where my father-in-law lay dying. He was in a Hospice facility and I was awed by the gentleness and kindness of the people there. He died peacefully as we all stood around his bedside and encouraged him to "let go...that it was okay....that we were all here..." It was a strange experience for me. I had never seen someone die.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>The next day as my emotions were still in overdrive, I got a call from my sister. She was in labor and wanted me to come over and keep her company. Several hours later I stood yet again at a bedside and was encouraging my sister (along with her hubby of course) "that it was okay...we were all here..." In the course of 48 hours I saw one human being leave this world and another enter it. The similarity between the two was striking. I was hooked. I bought Elizabeth Kubler Ross's book "Death and Dying" and tried to learn as much as I could about the hospice philosophy. I took a home health aide course and began caring for Hospice patients in their homes.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>Then the real world enveloped me and I found myself caring for my own mom in a hospice setting....then a month later my dad....and a few years after that...my husband. I had now seen 4 people die and I figured that was enough for my lifetime. So I went back to school and got my teaching degree.<br /><br /></div><div>My sisters took a different course. One became a Hospice Nurse and the other, a Hospice Volunteer Coordinator. Then one day this past fall, sis called me up and said there was an opening for a Volunteer Coordinator at one of the local Hospice Homes in our area...and was I interested. Fast forward and here I am. The job fits like a glove. The administrative part is right up my alley - and the interaction with the families and the residents (we don't call them patients) is immensely rewarding.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>I am struck by the words in the bible that say "<em>He comforts us in our afflictions, so that we might comfort others..."</em></div><div><em></em></div><br /><br /><div>It's amazing how hindsight causes all the pieces in a puzzle to fit together. This is where I was meant to be. </div><div></div><br /><br /><div>Now you must excuse me now while I go tackle that tree!</div><div></div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-70762389020436403122009-12-29T12:39:00.004-05:002009-12-29T13:12:01.621-05:00The Week In-Between....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9NXaBfXl71Loubx9zAuaWqA6HyCZq-1mKtXXy4k0Y07NWk8RDTnJAR54YRD45IRqI5WgtqePwPAcXSzbh9rgAd4A-0gjRRVBsjFGLMkBpOoIh5S1-uwyC7M4ElAawGIsGWOP-V5UsD4/s1600-h/ChristmasMorning.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 259px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420721851618349714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9NXaBfXl71Loubx9zAuaWqA6HyCZq-1mKtXXy4k0Y07NWk8RDTnJAR54YRD45IRqI5WgtqePwPAcXSzbh9rgAd4A-0gjRRVBsjFGLMkBpOoIh5S1-uwyC7M4ElAawGIsGWOP-V5UsD4/s400/ChristmasMorning.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Ever notice the week between Christmas and New Year's is kind of like the <em>twighlight zone? </em>It has no real identity. Rather like the lull before the storm. In our house, the tree is still up (albeit missing more than a few needles) there are gifts haphazardly strewn beneath its branches, and the kitchen counter holds several different saran-wrapped plates with goodies from the past festivities. Some half-eaten fudge from a neighbor ...2 stale sticky buns from the batch daughter & her hubby brought over Christmas morning....and a plate of mis-matched Christmas cookies consolidated from several different sources....</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I really need to clean up the house (there are tree needles everywhere, stray bits of wrapping paper that never made it to the trash bag, and piles of new things that need to find a home...) but I am biding my time. The lull before the storm thing again. We'll go to my brother's on New Year's Eve and do the whole blow the horns, wear silly hats and throw streamers thing at midnight. We'll hug and cry and remember the people we lost this year (Aunt June & niece Betsy) and stay up way too late laughing and talking.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>After that - then and only then - does the season officially end for me. At least the part with the parties and decorations...I really hope I can treasure the true spirit throughout the coming year. We'll hang out all New Year's day...napping and watching TV and munching on stale Christmas cookies. *sigh* All those months of prepping and it's over so quickly.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So for today, I'm just hanging out here - during this nameless week that's sandwiched in between two holidays and enjoying doing nothing. There's a nice fire in the wood stove that I've been stoking since 7 am, grandson is nestled on the couch watching "UP" (a great kid's movie by the way!) and I'm getting ready to brew a cup of java in my one-shot and share a cookie on the couch with my little guy. Does life get any better than this?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I guess for those of you that have to work this week - you probably can't relate. I never had to, so or me - this is normal. Being the stay-at-home mom for many years, then returning to work as the teacher...I always had the luxury of this week. But when the new career begins come January- it will be different. For the first time EVER - Lora will have to work during the "twilight" week. But that is then - and this is now.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My coffee awaits me. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Happy New Year friends! </div><br /><div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-78260428499279864102009-12-23T13:06:00.005-05:002009-12-23T19:43:24.695-05:00Merry Christmas!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoaM7wqAtL2e79zmB3JH0pK96v8f3_D2bc-2FCVvz1MatUu-BVu8hcrV21YtLSizaMGQC0Pxjbyf4-03DPt4K1Cv6-8ILs2k4DN1xYJyWM_qNWSGNBfstAYswR-eBPFkxR1RO7l4Atbs/s1600-h/christmas+card+002.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418505557194774530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoaM7wqAtL2e79zmB3JH0pK96v8f3_D2bc-2FCVvz1MatUu-BVu8hcrV21YtLSizaMGQC0Pxjbyf4-03DPt4K1Cv6-8ILs2k4DN1xYJyWM_qNWSGNBfstAYswR-eBPFkxR1RO7l4Atbs/s400/christmas+card+002.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFuGFBSXXNq6mbVjccN1entD8xmysByUS42n8NRnLqD2c9hw8e66GikQzfW1pwrBxv2zDL-_UGrFHMjyGuFJGLak131j5eiPw4j1vzpGclzALkJ2TUizFIo8_0hHV-5Ec6SFokKszwCc/s1600-h/house+001.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div>Oh what a slacker I've been! So, so busy and no time to write. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>The house (alas) is not finished for the holidays (we are <em>s-o s-l-o-w)</em> but we're making progress. I've downscaled on the decorations this year to make things less stressful since we're in transition mode here with much packed away and some rooms almost empty... It still looks like Christmas but on a less grander way (and way less stressful too!)<br /></div><div></div><br /><br /><div>I have retired my teaching cap and accepted a job as a Volunteer Coordinator at one of our local Hospice Homes. The hours are great - the pay is great - and I know that the rewards will be even greater. I begin on January 4th and can't wait to start this new chapter in my life.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>The kids will all be together for the holidays (yay!). Youngest daughter & her hubby will be in late tonight from Massachusetts. Then the festivities can officially begin!<br /></div><br /><div>My shopping is done. The presents are wrapped. The food is bought and ready to be prepared. Today is supposed to be a cleaning day ( my poor house here so sorely needs it) and tonight I plan to put my favorite 1940's Christmas CD on <em>(A very American Christmas)</em>, lite the tree along with some candles, pour myself a glass of wine and revel in the joy this season brings.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>Stress? Yes. Family tensions? Yes. Rude shoppers? Double yes. But in the midst of all the turmoil God gently reminds me that the true reason for the season super cedes anything that may be stressing me out.<br /></div><br /><div>The year I lost both parents in a month, I vividly remember passing a manger scene in front ofa church near our local supermarket. I'd been shopping and dreading the fact that this holiday me, my siblings and our children would be facing our first Christmas without mom and dad. I suddenly had this strong sense that God was speaking to me as I focused on the baby in the manger through teary eyes. He was saying <em>"Don't you see? This is what Christmas is really all about. This is where it all started...I came and conquered death! So celebrate this Christmas Lora! It's <strong>because</strong> of Christmas that you'll see your mom and dad once again!"</em></div><div><em></em><br /></div><br /><div>I've kept that very special moment with me these past 12 years. it has helped me put things in perspective when the icing doesn't stick to the cookies...when the lady with 30 items is in front of me in the "10 items or less" line and I am in a hurry to get to the post office before it closes...when I am wrapping gifts and I run out of tape and all the stores are closed because it's after midnight and I have to get the next morning at 6 am for work...when my mother-in-law wakes me from a sound sleep the following night (when I'm trying to catch up from the night before) to tell me she doesn't think I bought enough rolls for the Christmas dinner - when I had vowed I would not have to go to one more store after I got the tape on my lunch break the day before....<br /></div><div>All those things that want to trip me up and make me curse the season...they can't. I may grumble a bit. And vent to hubby. But I still can smile and rejoice. For unto us a Savior has been born. And I will see mom and dad and late hubby again.<br /></div><div></div><br /><div>Merry Christmas to all! </div><div></div><br /><div>love,</div><div>Lora</div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-46295123927715611452009-11-25T09:21:00.004-05:002009-11-25T09:40:22.299-05:00The Holiday Season is About to Begin!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxtQboNr87E70Y8vbCrtQBifozUAUETXiU7VrbIUWE7keyZBBFvm4jrx-ANK3TyU8v7sA-jXezbYjS4vTQOtePj-1t8uxQCzaNPOzf4jnnZWuG9qBlkbh0G8sD8dnlxqELjgerlQGE7I/s1600/rockwell_thanksgiving1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 313px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408051071722818642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxtQboNr87E70Y8vbCrtQBifozUAUETXiU7VrbIUWE7keyZBBFvm4jrx-ANK3TyU8v7sA-jXezbYjS4vTQOtePj-1t8uxQCzaNPOzf4jnnZWuG9qBlkbh0G8sD8dnlxqELjgerlQGE7I/s400/rockwell_thanksgiving1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Tomorrow we trek out to late hubby's (late brother's) farm for Thanksgiving. Does that make sense? There is nothing like Thanksgiving on the farm...I swear I feel like I've stepped into a Norman Rockwell painting when I walk through the door. A big old fashioned cooking stove sits proudly in the kitchen (there was a time that hot cider would be warming over the coals but now it just serves as a shelf for our beverages.) The dining room boasts a big old cello in the corner and an upright piano along the west wall. Being a musical family, both get played spontaneously and folks will gather round whoever happens to be making the music and then the singing starts.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Even though this isn't the family I grew up with (I get to have Thanksgiving with them <em>next</em> year) and even though hubby is no longer with us - I still feel at home there. It's warm and cozy and full of love. Family from several states gather to share a meal on this special day and I am thankful to be a part of this family. The neat part is - even present hubby likes it there! Our very first Thanksgiving as husband and wife - was spent at the farm! Not with his family..not with mine....but at the farm!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In the meantime we are cranking down hard trying to get the house finished! I've resigned myself tot he fact it won't be perfect. There's a section we will close off because it will still be "under construction" and full of junk! But as long as I have a working kitchen, a carpet in the living room and my family with me - it will be home! Christmas shopping is almost done. At least 3/4 done anyway. And it's all wrapped! That last week before Christmas will be spent moving furniture, stocking cupboards and decorating. No time to be running to the mall.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm also going to attempt my first "black friday" expedition. Middle daughter raved last year about all the deals. I'm not camping out a 5 am....there's nothing in particular I'm after. Just want to see what the deals are and maybe finish up the last of the shopping.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! If you eat too much - just hop back on the wagon Friday!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Cheers!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-53599698298180217892009-11-22T08:24:00.005-05:002009-11-22T08:48:34.391-05:00Is it November Already?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq09vb8ENYlccopu5pF2Ifl4c8WYN9vyVdSd2qwt-hsONvJpuAgnIgMRgbHNkgLdmggH-Krb2iXlCfxQYJTfJM9lJAxp49VkTz8Z9zbnih2NKIQRMdZL3GM0gAdaf5gJoNWE0Tbrvm7E/s1600/florida+152.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406923436323181698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq09vb8ENYlccopu5pF2Ifl4c8WYN9vyVdSd2qwt-hsONvJpuAgnIgMRgbHNkgLdmggH-Krb2iXlCfxQYJTfJM9lJAxp49VkTz8Z9zbnih2NKIQRMdZL3GM0gAdaf5gJoNWE0Tbrvm7E/s400/florida+152.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><div></div><div>November here has been pleasant as far as the weather goes. No snow. Mild temps (sparing a few frosty mornings that required the obligatory scraping of my windshield...) I still have to trek down to the lake to empty out the last few things in the fridge, purge the waterlines and sweep up any remaining crumbs that might invite vermin to move in and set up housekeeping while we're away for the season. Then I can settle into winter.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>The new house is in the final stages. We need a crew from HGTV to come in do their magic so we can be in by Christmas. You know those episodes where they revamp a house in the span of a half hour show? Seriously - we have SO much to do in the next 30 some odd days! Thankfully I've put a major bite in my Christmas shopping. Middle Daughter and her hubby are going to come over and help set up furniture and decorate for the holiday. Unfortunately that won't be until the final hour (maybe even December 23rd....) but I'm confident they can successfully transform the place into one of those warm fuzzy hallmark settings. Of course the cabinets aren't installed yet, we still need a hot water heater, the flooring isn't in, the trim work and doors aren't installed.... YIKES!!!<br /></div><div>Remember last year how I obsessed about the new carpet in the living room of the old house in time for the holidays? Things always work out. As long as my family is all together - that's what matters.</div><div></div><br /><div>Weight-wise I was doing quite well. But then I kind of got in an over confident phase and a few pounds have crept back on. In the nick of time my niece decided to hold a family weight loss challenge so I'm back on track. Oldest daughter is getting married next September so we have a goal once again. The biggest thing this time though is the health issues. My blood pressure and cholesterol are not good. It's no longer a matter of vanity. I want to be here for my future grandkids. And there's that pressure knowing that if something should happen to me...the girls would be parent-less. Sure they have a wonderful step-dad that loves them. But it's not the same. Their real dad has been gone for 7 years now. They aren't ready to see both of our names on that gravestone just yet. One has been hard enough...<br /></div><div>I know I haven't posted much. Or visited your blogs much either. Every free minute has been subbing at school or working on the house. Oh for the day it's done and we can relax! But the proverbial train really never does arrive at the station until the end does it? I need to enjoy the ride. Take in the scenery. Savor the journey - bumps and all.</div><div> </div><div>Happy Thanksgiving!</div><div> </div><div>ps...The pic above is from our girl's trip last month to Florida. It was awesome!<br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-75762805666019027142009-10-19T05:21:00.004-05:002009-10-19T05:43:43.363-05:00Woo Hoo - Still Here...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAz0jGrFVAjZFmzKVTE7KLChzeehGwBqytpPvDDk3RHCQJNRhjABw7sQm_YRo6G60ifdEFe3c2bA0T3ICyIdDeHi8wQQ6e5zv0VHRxQq8arcOtIYdpqQwgPyciqftxWc8egrkRtkOcTw/s1600-h/mini+reunion+002.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394259457255409778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAz0jGrFVAjZFmzKVTE7KLChzeehGwBqytpPvDDk3RHCQJNRhjABw7sQm_YRo6G60ifdEFe3c2bA0T3ICyIdDeHi8wQQ6e5zv0VHRxQq8arcOtIYdpqQwgPyciqftxWc8egrkRtkOcTw/s400/mini+reunion+002.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Wasn't it me who promised I'd never "fall off the ends of the earth" and stop posting without letting you all know.... yes. That was me. Sorry. I've just been so busy - so stressed - and so not on a schedule that the blog has taken a back seat. But I'm still here!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The new house is coming along and by golly I DO think we will be in there for Christmas! Most of the rooms are painted, the kitchen cabinets have been ordered, the lighting has all been purchased and we have even hung the blinds in our bedroom. It's going to be a mad rush to get the flooring in, order counter tops and install the appliances (not to mention hang the doors, install the trim and the ten million other little things that will make this house our home) but we're making progress and I do see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This past week I got my official diploma in the mail. I now hold a Masters Degree. No job to show for it...but at least now when I fill out those silly surveys that ask about your education I can check the next box down. <span style="font-size:78%;">(big deal..) </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><br /><div>Tomorrow I leave for Florida with my 2 sisters and sister-in-law to visit my niece in Pensacola and celebrate my sister's 50th birthday. We decided we needed a "girl's" trip and since we haven't done a get away like this since 2003 - it was time. I managed to lose 9 pounds and seem to be holding at that. It's a small dent. But enough to keep me motivated. We're bringing our sneakers so we can walk every morning while we're there. I can't wait! We had a non-existent summer here this year (it actually didn't arrive until until mid August and then ended abruptly) so I'm looking forward to a spell of warm weather. We'll be gone till Sunday and I plan to leave all my stress at home and just enjoy life while I'm there!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I also promise to try to write more. And visit you all more. And post some pics too!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Oh - and about the min-reunion last month. It was a blast! The old boyfriend was there and as I sat between him and my best friend since second grade (that lives too far away!) it felt like we were back in high school! There were 19 of us and as I looked around the circle as we sat around the campfire - I swear I didn't even notice the wrinkles or graying temples or extra chins that each of us sported in one way or another. It was just the same bunch of friends from so many years ago and it felt so good! The pic is of me and two wonderful friends!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Have a happy week!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-50997375206331609332009-09-18T07:25:00.002-05:002009-09-18T07:56:41.706-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8flZTO8F2pZRjfEqH8QTcnFXRVCb_kvbVqzXbO8huTQspitwH-dIm2cfqXrNZUYZOOl9YN3JxG3MOFOnqj7_NvmKeHGyJvlo-fiwYkPicBME9H5REjjXr9yj26xnTQrTpA8nw4Oum3uQ/s1600-h/autumn_leaves.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382790323866404914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8flZTO8F2pZRjfEqH8QTcnFXRVCb_kvbVqzXbO8huTQspitwH-dIm2cfqXrNZUYZOOl9YN3JxG3MOFOnqj7_NvmKeHGyJvlo-fiwYkPicBME9H5REjjXr9yj26xnTQrTpA8nw4Oum3uQ/s400/autumn_leaves.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I have been busy. I think about writing here but get side-tracked daily!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There were family reunions, trips to the lake and funerals. After we said good bye to my dear aunt June, a close friend at the lake committed suicide. Seems he was prescribed the drug Lyrica for nerve pain in his legs and he was one of the unlucky people that succumbed to the "suicide side effect." After 2 weeks on it he began to have crying spells. After 4 weeks he leaned over a shot gun and wasn't found until the next day.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Suicide hurts so much. There's so much guilt. Why didn't we see it. What could we have done...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In between the roller coaster of emotions and over-scheduled days, I managed to get a lot of painting done in the new house. We WILL be in there for Christmas this year. We WILL! <em>I have threatened dear hubby on this :-)</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div>I've also gotten control of the pie hole and have managed to lose 8 pounds. It's a start. I got a kick in the rear end from my Dr. at my physical last month. Seems my blood pressure is not as low as he's like it (I've never had a problem with this before) but I've read enough from Dr. Oz about how this is the ONE number you don't want to mess around with. With the history of heart disease in my family I'm not taking any chances.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So I've reduced my salt intake... I never was an <em>over-salter</em>, but now that I'm reading labels I'm finding that it's hidden everywhere. Especially in so-called "diet" foods! Yesterday I was about to have a cup of instant soup. Only 45 calories. But when I looked at the label it had aver 2000 grams of sodium. Yikes! I opted for some tuna instead. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I've also been filling up on lots of fresh fruit and veggies. And avoiding the dreaded Golden Arches (except for a Southwest Salad now and then). Now I need to step up on the exercise. Hopefully those numbers will be down when I see him again next month.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tomorrow night I'm hosting an outdoor party at the new house for about 25 former classmates from my high school days. A mini-reunion of sorts. An old flame will be there. (an old flame that actually asked me to marry him way back when.) Last time I saw him he reminded me of how I remember his dad. I wonder if I'll remind him of my mom. Last time he saw her she was about 45 years old. I'm now 52. That's kind of scary!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'll take some pics of the house this weekend and post them next week. Cactus keeps asking me to do this so I guess I should! (that's weird - I just tried to create a link to her blog and I can't...hmmm.)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyhoo friends - I'm still here. I'll try to be more consistent. Things seem to be slowing down. Hope you're all well and happy :-)</div><div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-3594058787052916732009-08-11T06:16:00.004-05:002009-08-11T07:01:39.495-05:00How I Spent My Summer Vacation...(or why I haven't been blogging!")<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcFOTQI_oJmqGxFjbimGFTlRmSHUfNMX4fPfiuu76zC3NJiVUf3r2SMmpxMP9z-Dfxpa3lC3jMeEoycqlUMcojrFDMs83Sp-SG2Rz4SKwBsRZV7PYBhW0CgULfTQJJBNG7av1t2ax6nE/s1600-h/summer-vacation-beach.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368675142678789474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 360px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcFOTQI_oJmqGxFjbimGFTlRmSHUfNMX4fPfiuu76zC3NJiVUf3r2SMmpxMP9z-Dfxpa3lC3jMeEoycqlUMcojrFDMs83Sp-SG2Rz4SKwBsRZV7PYBhW0CgULfTQJJBNG7av1t2ax6nE/s400/summer-vacation-beach.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This summer is flying by and I have nothing to really show for it. Except a few extra pounds. You'd think when you're so busy you often don't even have time to pee in the morning that you'd not have time to eat. Not me. I'm at my all time high and I want to scream!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It's been a very busy few months but not so busy that I didn't pack on an extra 5 pounds. Doesn't sound like much - but when the 5 pounds is going in the wrong direction it's discouraging. I'm not going to say I don't know why. Because I do. I'm mindlessly snacking.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em>Hello...my name is Lora and I'm a snackaholic.</em> There. I said it. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>ARGHH!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyway, I'm determined to turn this around. My sisters and I are going to Florida in October to celebrate a 50th birthday for one of them and I refuse to go weighing what I do. I've been so lax lately. Eating whatever I please...not exercising....it's gotta' stop!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Enough on the fat soapbox. Here's my essay on <em>"How I spent my summer vacation"</em> by Lora.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I've managed to squeeze another trip to lake in. I tried to get the order of protection against Mr. Imanass but because no charges were filed in the last altercation it couldn't be done. *sigh* But he did lay low this past weekend and didn't bother me at all. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I camped with my kids in the Adirondack mountains 2 weeks ago and we survived. No bears - just rain. But hasn't it been doing that all summer? Gheesh!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm still volleying back and forth with my advisers on my thesis. I want it done already! And I'm still searching for a full time job. Though I desperately want to teach art - I'm willing to do just about anything now to have a steady paycheck and some kind of health insurance benefits. I hate the home health aide job. Can't stand living away from home 2 days every week! It throws off my entire rhythm.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The new house is coming along slowly. Very slowly. Hubby has been so busy with his seasonal job that there hasn't been much time to do anything else. We finally have a front lawn. The rain washed away the seed three times!! Most of the drywall is primed. Other than that - it's still un-livable.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We have a massive garden this summer (I don't know what my husband was thinking - like we don't have <em>enough</em> to do right now) but at least we'll be eating lots of fresh veggies from here on in. And the berry bushes have been bountiful with all the rain. I have 12 quarts of blackberries in the freezer and will have that many blueberries after today's picking. The garlic and onions are picked and hung in bunches to store in the fruit cellar for winter. We're still waiting on the tomatoes but the snap peas are doing great and so is the corn! The beans on the other hand are being ravaged by Japanese beetles. Any suggestions on how to handle those pesky things without resorting to pesticides? We're also waiting on the beets, carrots, swiss chard and a bunch of other stuff I don't recognize, but we did pick our first cucumbers yesteray and a big zucchini.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>And lastly we laid my dear Aunt June to rest 2 weeks ago. She was my mom's sister and I adored her. Last Christmas she was diagnosed with fronto-tempera lobe dementia. It doesn't effect the mind though - just the body. With in a few months she could barely talk and by May she was in a wheel chair. It happened so fast and it was sad to watch. After the ceremony by the graveside my siblings and I walked across the street to "visit" with our parents and my late hubby. They are all buried together in a mausoleum. We decided that we are the official "grown ups" now. Whether we want to be or not. We took some roses from the spray on Aunt June's casket and wedged them into the crevices around the around the face stone by mom and dad and Pat. No one cried. Just a few arms around the shoulders....</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So that's my summer so far. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm sorry I've been so AWOL lately. It seems my "to-do" list is always a mile long and blogging gets put on the back burner. This weekend we're hosting our annual family picnic at the new place - the yard is hospitable - just not the house. And we have an outdoor kitchen and bathroom so it's do-able. Of course it will rain....this has been the summer of rain here in upstate New York. But we'll manage.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Always do!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-46098787832972014302009-07-13T15:14:00.004-05:002009-07-13T15:59:17.632-05:00Back to Reality....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW3TB5u8BMbcGWZLWZnVSW3XVPNfaeFKBsf9R9Pjjq6j_DyjjQ7NVdrVnaoBRiP-O-KgEdfptnq6wIHNDc9fcCSf-W4sxJgcGjqlKWHlllvPUWDBSKXzptWN7CMpFsVEA70zSoM0zw7g/s1600-h/cottage+fall+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358051040145952946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW3TB5u8BMbcGWZLWZnVSW3XVPNfaeFKBsf9R9Pjjq6j_DyjjQ7NVdrVnaoBRiP-O-KgEdfptnq6wIHNDc9fcCSf-W4sxJgcGjqlKWHlllvPUWDBSKXzptWN7CMpFsVEA70zSoM0zw7g/s400/cottage+fall+011.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Oh my...I've been way for a while! Tweaking the thesis, working on the new house and then away for 10 days at the lake. Oh complete blissfulness!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We were finally there long enough to settle into somewhat of a routine. Morning coffee on the dock...leisurely strolls around the lake after dinner....campfires in the evening with Benny Goodman crooning endlessly from the boom box (yeah, we're rustic there - no fancy stereo system, a TV that only plays videos, no A/C or laundry - but we do have an array of cellphones when we're all there that we actually have created a shelf for now!)<br /></div><div>All of my daughters were there - the hubbies were gone to work during the week so we had some extra nice bonding time. My sister was across the lake (a short sprint across on the boat) with her 2 daughters and my youngest sister drove in for a night, so we definitely had an excess of estrogen at times. All good!<br /></div><div>I received a complimentary bottle of green tea supplements from a fellow blogger (see side link under <a href="http://weightlossave.com/">"Diet and Weightloss"</a> ) the day I left for the lake so I decided to give them a shot and see what happens. I've read good stuff about green tea so I'll let you know!<br /></div><div>The only flaw in the whole vacation was Mr. Imanass. (He's my jerky neighbor - the deranged one that is always harassing me.) Last night as I was leaving to go home with my 4 year old grandson (everyone else had gone - it was just the 2 of us) I walked to the top of the stairs and there he was in all his looniness - drunker than skunk with a pitchfork in his hand. Reminded me of that Grant Wood Portrait - Gothic America. Anyhoo - as I'm backing out the idiot whacks my car with the pitchfork! I jumped out (shaking like a leaf) and used some of the words I try not to say very much on him. Then I went back to my cottage and called the police. He hightailed it inside his cottage and turned all the lights out. We're on a small lake and word travels fast so it wasn't long before a few neighbors showed up. When the cops finally came (it was almost an hour...) <em>note to self - if I'm ever in a real crisis - don't call the Bath Police! </em>we had a small crowd and Mr. Imanass was nowhere in sight.</div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div>Well it seems that because there wasn't any damage to my car they couldn't charge him with criminal mischief. And because he never raised the pitchfork towards me (just my car) he couldn't be charged with attempted assault. My car was assaulted - what the heck??! But that's how it is down there. We actually have him on video tape throwing my lawn ornaments into the lake but he was never charged. There's lame D.A. down there that doesn't like to deal with "lake stuff". But the officer last night was nice enough and said he go down and try to scare some sense into the guy. In the meantime he told me to get an order of protection so the creep would maybe finally leave me alone.<br /></div><div>Who knows what his issue is. He's not very popular on the lake (remember small lake - big mouths...) I think when first hubby died he kind of like to think of himself of my "guardian". He was always friendly before that (still creepy and perverted - but nice enough). Then he started referring to me and my 3 daughters as his little "Harem." Enter hubby number 2 and all hell breaks loose. The "harem" was busted up and Mr. Imanass started getting jerky about property lines and other petty issues. Anything to start a fight. Ah but I'll leave it at that or I could go on forever!</div><div></div><br /><div>Yet even he could not wreck the peaceful bliss I experienced the past 10 days with my family at our little cottage, nestled in the hemlocks, perched on the edge of a small lake where the bass are big and gentle summer breeze rustles the curtains as the sun sets and sparkle time starts - casting glinting diamonds of light across the ceiling. How I wish I lived there all the time! Even in spite of Mr. Imanass.<br /></div><div>Hope you all had a delightful 4th of July - picnicking with family and friends, watching the fireworks, puttering in the garden....<br /></div><div>I'll be catching up on blogs this week. No computer at the lake so I've been out of the loop.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Ciao!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-72504742199004037162009-06-12T11:45:00.003-05:002009-06-12T12:10:11.740-05:00Dr. Phil Called.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe14iDrO5QR0nIymRlcjuMTigFXhro6OA1-zMhBofXwY7e8NIwSR5E32XE8POshLBlhc_-IT4OE9irmhiShvgAef57plXpploMqPIhRTKWhjVbrsiqNUryXE-goyFcpRtF_KhC6xmubrQ/s1600-h/spring+chicken.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346489517838397922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 385px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe14iDrO5QR0nIymRlcjuMTigFXhro6OA1-zMhBofXwY7e8NIwSR5E32XE8POshLBlhc_-IT4OE9irmhiShvgAef57plXpploMqPIhRTKWhjVbrsiqNUryXE-goyFcpRtF_KhC6xmubrQ/s400/spring+chicken.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><em>I really am still here.</em> Just up to my elbows and other nether parts in primer and plaster dust. We SO want to be in the new place before summer is over. Hubby is up to his own body parts in grease working 12 hour days at his mechanic job (and since said machines are of the lawn care nature) this is the B-U-S-Y season!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My diet (or lack thereof) is in the hole. I'll be wrapping a big towel around my rear end anytime I get the nerve up to take a dip in the lake. I've been so sore and achey lately that exercise seems daunting. When the weather changes (especially the humidity) these old joints remind me that I'm not a spring chicken anymore. Not that I'm ready to join the old hen party yet - but somewhere in between.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A few weeks ago one of the Producers from the Dr. Phil Show called (in response to a letter I'd written) and asked if I would be interested in partaking in a weight loss segment. Hello?! Like - YES! So I sent in the obligatory full length pics and answered all the questions they had. And then was told that it (meaning the segment) was on the table for now and maybe they would be contacting me in the future. *sigh* (I'm not holding my breath). But too be able to say one was on Oprah AND Dr. Phil! Wouldn't <em>that</em> make a fine addendum to my resume! Oh well. My biggest "alas" was because I thought just <em>maybe</em> the accountability factor would spur me into thinness.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Guess I'm back to doing it on my own. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My sisters and I are going to Florida in October for a few days so I have that in front of me. Perhaps it will be incentive enough.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm still job hunting fiercely and coming up short. Last night I went to a cocktail gala that celebrated accomplishments in the PR field. My middle daughter was receiving what's called the "Rising Star in Journalism" award so hubby and I went as her guests. The place was filled with youngsters! As in - almost every business person there was younger than 30. There were a few oldsters (maybe 10?) but everyone else was looked squeaky clean - barely out of college! It's a young persons world out there right now. Explains why someone my age is having a hard time breaking into the professional scene.... I actually have been omitting my Masters Degree on my resume as of late as I apply outside of my chosen field so as not to appear "over qualified". It doesn't make sense. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Right now I have to pack a lunch (healthy of course...) for hubby and I before I head over to the new place to prime some more walls. The downstairs is done. Only 3 more bedrooms. a bathroom, stairway, hall and walk in closet to do. ARGHH! (It must count for <em>some</em> sort of exercise though, right?)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-2657234034085254592009-05-26T08:12:00.003-05:002009-05-26T08:34:25.271-05:00Coming Home After a Long Weekend!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEgbNjA3FokaOkoPcJFpV9SNvZP8BvOr9IWdMt091CXUfnlf-Vw0XL1A6B7ee1bWHcB5bm_9eNsGGl8Vb36Y_E8ycTspEKJeuAWTw75Lf4i9GAOXto3xKsx4DQ8TGDsO_X7BnK6JU2cI/s1600-h/4th+at+cottage+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340125491371197282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEgbNjA3FokaOkoPcJFpV9SNvZP8BvOr9IWdMt091CXUfnlf-Vw0XL1A6B7ee1bWHcB5bm_9eNsGGl8Vb36Y_E8ycTspEKJeuAWTw75Lf4i9GAOXto3xKsx4DQ8TGDsO_X7BnK6JU2cI/s400/4th+at+cottage+016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Oh My. Where have I been? Just so busy with the new house (the drywall is done and we've been priming which is a tedious job as the walls are still white after all that painting!) I'm still away 2 night s a week at the aide job and then there's the cottage! Been there the past two weekends and what a needed respite!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Last weekend we opened it for the season. Dusted the cobwebs -opened all the windows to let out the musty smell (7 months will do that) and checked for signs of mice, Nada! I socked the fridge and cupboards with staples and we got all the outdoor furniture out. The weather was great and it wasn't so hard to go home knowing we'd return the following weekend.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We got home last night and it was so-o hard to leave! My 2 older daughters were there for the holiday weekend along with one hubby and one boyfriend (who confided in me that he would like to ask my daughter to marry him!) Youngest daughter and her hubby couldn't make it - they had to attend an anniversary party in Long Island. We missed them!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I don't realize how much I miss walking around the lake until I get there each year. I never tire of it. The old dirt road hugs the lake and grants us a view of the water almost the entire round except the little jaunt that takes us through a well worn trail in the woods loops through the old abandoned Camp Fire Kids Camp. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Little grandson went swimming with my son-in-aw and they swore the water was warm - yet both were shivering when they got out and scrambled for their towels! My daughter got w hooked on the Twilight Books and brought the second one down for me to read so we spent many hours on the dock with our noses in the books.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I love the lake so much! Time stands still and I swear I can almost hear the laughter of past generations echo across the lake at night. The stars spill across the sky and campfires dot the shoreline. Nothing is sweeter...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I definitely have to get on the stick and watch my eating though. While my shorts weren't tight - they certainly weren't loose. I need to get my walking regime going full throttle and maybe even try the running gig again this summer. Ah summer! It's officially here and it feels so good to hear myself say that.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Hope you all had a glorious Memorial Day Weekend!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-65903322812792494812009-05-02T07:08:00.005-05:002009-05-03T15:58:29.932-05:00Farewell Sweet Betsy....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzxG1ZrG-MyvZFkivTLncOKZCsWWLiYmwkGh2a7T-1VvpMbKrD22dYjN0XkV0tNU3oow01ZihotqlIXvH7-Tw1Wau_Wb6AdIR3z415nQupBaI3LICv5jhk0ufTIjkFa0JiHZpW8kX17A/s1600-h/betsy.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331215556161630338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzxG1ZrG-MyvZFkivTLncOKZCsWWLiYmwkGh2a7T-1VvpMbKrD22dYjN0XkV0tNU3oow01ZihotqlIXvH7-Tw1Wau_Wb6AdIR3z415nQupBaI3LICv5jhk0ufTIjkFa0JiHZpW8kX17A/s400/betsy.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Yesterday afternoon my late hubby's sister and her husband arrived here from Colorado. They came to town for a class reunion. When the plane touched down my sister-in-law turned on her cell phone to see a voice mail alert. The new message had been sent many hours ago. It was from her son-in-law. Their daughter Betsy, had died in her sleep.</div><div></div><br /><div>Betsy was only 35 years old. She had been fighting breast cancer since she was 24 when a Doctor mis-diagnosed a lump in her breast. Told her it was only a cyst. She believed him until a year later there were more lumps and it was too late.<br /></div><div>Betsy refused to accept this prognosis and decided to live her life. She continued on with school and became a Physician's assistant. Although her fiancee at the time of the diagnosis called off the engagement (he couldn't deal with the cancer and his dad was part of the oncology group that misdiagnosed her in the first place...but we won't even go there....) she went on to meet a wonderful guy named Jeff. Four years ago they flew to Hawaii with his family and hers and were married on the beach on New Years Eve.<br /></div><div>Betsy continued to swim (she was an avid swimmer) and starred in a Nike commercial doing just that! She was featured on a television show a while ago about cancer survivors and Haley Berry read her story. She was so positive and so smiley and we all believed she would beat this. She never asked "Why me?" She just lived her life and wouldn't even consider the alternative. But last night the alternative came. And her poor parents had to learn the news as the de-boarded a plane in Rochester New York. Thousands of miles away.<br /></div><div>Besty's wish was to donate her body to cancer research. She hated the disease. I hate it too. It took both of my grandmothers. It took my mom. It took two of my uncles and it took my late husband. The next time you have the opportunity to donate to the American Cancer Society...please do so. For Betsy. And all the other wonderful people that have been taken from us too soon.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421234084288571221.post-61991190499727165372009-04-11T15:44:00.004-05:002009-04-11T16:10:49.408-05:00Saturday....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1G2DvoHvgTXLyAU9a-U-w9gKtZ9Fyy5r8MzU25pOLwsMUlAl2_mAH_nmu7hYv7I_py8bxVQpknuy7HlpuRJkY9TkUAthJ4mbnnHpFAIO0eLikynAHk1NxBq8Oo_-r42xuXSM82Sdq3s/s1600-h/easter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323544163450707090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 118px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 118px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1G2DvoHvgTXLyAU9a-U-w9gKtZ9Fyy5r8MzU25pOLwsMUlAl2_mAH_nmu7hYv7I_py8bxVQpknuy7HlpuRJkY9TkUAthJ4mbnnHpFAIO0eLikynAHk1NxBq8Oo_-r42xuXSM82Sdq3s/s400/easter.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6K3PygaACuMiik8FqBhMBRuEYzplxaKe2oF3WifdF05ywgx9dyybK784kgOaAYdi9mWX9Ahilhfz-HMxsicI-2nDcmbazxG7jy9IDCw-NAL83Xngzr-Nex0cqIJFK7gs6af6a4Wlaeo/s1600-h/easter.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div>The rough draft of the thesis has been submitted. I'll find it in a few days how much I have to revise. I'm praying not much - but having never been through this before I haven't a clue what to expect. I definitely feel as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. At least for now.<br /><br /></div><div>Youngest daughter arrived in town from Massachusetts with her hubby last night and we all got together here and colored eggs. Then we sat around the table and ate Easter cookies as we sipped coffee and enjoyed the impromptu prelude to tomorrow's festivities.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>The in-laws are coming over after church for brunch and hubby's mom will be armed with her traditional 1,000 pounds of cream puffs. Okay - maybe not 1,000 pounds - but it sure seems like it when I'm looking at them the whole next week and fighting the urge to devour them all in one sitting.<br /></div><br /><div>After that we'll head over to my cousin's and visit with family that we don't get to see as often as we should. These same cousins that I've shared every holiday with since - well - ever! And even though we're all older now....with laughlines etched on our faces and silver peppering our temples....when we're together on holidays such as this - we're all kids again! Reliving the memories of chocolate bunnies and rainbow eggs....jellybeans and fancy clothes that we're warned to keep clean -at least until we get to Grandma's house! I can't wait!</div><div></div><br /><div>Bridgette (my cousin's little girl that so many of you have been praying for) will be there and we have much to celebrate! The chemo is doing it's job and in spite of the fact that she was diagnosed stage 4 - the Doctors are very optimistic for a recovery!!<br /></div><br /><div>Right now I'm in the throes of heavy duty house cleaning and just took a break while the kitchen floor dries. During the thesis "event" the poor house was sorely neglected. Hubby and I have only been married 5 years. The in-laws still think I'm a neat freak. Can't tarnish the image. Ha!</div><div></div><br /><div>Right now my heart is a tad heavy as today is the anniversary of my mom's death. But tomorrow I shall rejoice because I know that Christ's resurrection assures me that I will see her (and my dad - and my first hubby) again someday on the other side of eternity!!!</div><div></div><br /><div>Happy Easter to you all! May the Lord shine His countenance upon you tomorrow and always!</div><br /><div><em>(and Honi - may your Passover celebration be blessed as well!)</em></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Lorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16090094523848914985noreply@blogger.com7