Thirty-one years ago tonight, I met my husband at a dance club where we danced the final two or three dances of the night. I was a 20-year old single mother with a six-month old son, Bob was a freewheeling, 24-year old guy out sowing his oats.











I would never ever have imagined that we'd have three more kids together and one grandchild, that we'd have managed to emotionally overcome the loss of both of our fathers, that we'd have survived the financial crises that we have, not to mention the countless other life experiences we've shared--some joyous, some devastating. So much water under the bridge...it hasn't always been easy, but it's always been worth it.

I know the depth of my husband's love for me...he makes it evident almost every day. This saying sums it all up for me; it's how I can go out and face this crazy world every day. It is how I feel about him, and it is how I feel about our children.

"To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone gives you courage."

I hope you all have the same strength and courage from both loving and being loved.

Bomb Threat Today!

Raise your hand if... you were in Walmart this afternoon when they had to EVACUATE IT BECAUSE OF A BOMB THREAT!!

There I was, just shopping my little heart out, buying cinnamints for school, a new sleeveless black tank top, and tons of other necessities, when they made an announcement that all employees and customers were to "proceed to the front of the store in an orderly manner as quickly as possible". Many of us just kind of stood there for a few seconds wondering if we heard right, then it came on again and this time he said "we need to evacuate the building immediately; just leave your carriages where they are and evacuate the building immediately". Then we moved...orderly yes, but quickly for sure!

I was really nervous and once I got to my car, I didn't hesitate one second...I just got in and drove home. Considering the craziness that goes on all around us, my heart was pounding just a bit harder than usual, to say the least. There were two cruisers outside at that point.

All this happened around 5:15 this afternoon and as of right now, 8:50 p.m., all they're saying is that it was a bomb threat with an ongoing investigation, and that the store still has not opened. Yikes. I think I'll say an extra thanks to the big guy upstairs tonight! (Not my husband...get your minds out of the gutter! I meant GOD!) You just never know when you get up in the morning how the day's going to progress. Stay safe everyone.

A rainy morning, a sleeping family, and coffee on the porch. For the moment, all is well.

Hypnosis Session #1

Raise your hand if... this is your motto for every single Friday from now until next summer vacation!

I'm surprised at myself for not having written in one whole week; shame on me! I think I shall ground myself, send myself to my room for the whole weekend. Yeah, that should do it! :)

So guess what I did! I went to a hypnotist this past Wednesday for weight loss. Fer real...I did! I'd gone about 30 years ago and it worked then, except after that, I had three more kids (and a lot more Hostess products). Since then, I've put on about 40 pounds and let me tell you, those 40 pounds have settled in places that once upon a time, there were no places! Sad but true.

So far, so good. After each of the three sessions, I get a CD of that session which I listen to each day. At first I was all like..."I don't wanna. GrumbleGrumble. Waaah." When I was done whining, I realized that listening to a hypnosis CD for 30 minutes a day would actually be relaxing for 30 minutes a day...alone...quiet...peaceful.... Ooooh, in that case, okay!

I listened to it this afternoon in my cottage and it really was kind of relaxing. I feel pretty good right now; I also haven't overeaten or snacked or binged since Wednesday. Nice. The only issue now is that I think I'll be needing a recliner for my cottage. :)

Hike #2

Hi again. Chilly here finally, which is what I've been waiting for since the warm weather started last June!

Went on hike #2 last night and it was neat. There are no photos as it was too dark! This 3 1/2 mile path is mostly underneath towering pines which block out the little bit of light that was left. By the time we got out of the woods, it was too dark to see much of anything, let alone take photos. The other hikers mentioned something about "headlamps" for next week! Headlamps? How about just a flashlight?! They also mentioned joining them for this Saturday's hike up Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire...um, maybe next year guys!

I realized something as I was walking though...what I really wanted to do was enjoy the water, the trees, the paths, but what I was doing was talking with the 2 other women the whole way, getting to know them. Perhaps that's part of this whole venture, but I need to drink-in the nature around me while I walk. Next week's goal will be just that. Oh, and not tripping over any tree roots in the dark!

Hi there. Well, we never got out onto the river last night! Whoever was supposed to be at the dock to "launch" us was not there, so we missed the lesson. We did spend time frolicing on the shore (and by frolicing I mean hanging around), then took a drive and went to the farmstand where our daughter was working. She made us both our favorite ice cream sundaes, and we sat in the rocking chairs on the farmstand's porch, eating ice cream and checking out the stars. It was almost like a date, except that we ended up home before our curfew, and our kids were waiting up instead of our parents! Weird how that happens.

I am going on my second "hike" tomorrow night, though. This one is also around a reservoir, but not the same one as last weekend. I called the hike leader and he says it's flat, about 3 1/2 miles long and should take us a little over an hour. It's out of my comfort zone...going out at night in the woods with strangers...but that's why I joined. It's sort of a safe "risk", if you will. I think this year I'll stick to the "fun" or "easy" hikes, then maybe work my way up to the "moderate" ones next year.

I'm bringing my camera, so hopefully I'll have something to show you. See you. :)

Kayak Lesson #2 or "What Was I Thinking?!"

Raise your hand if... you and your husband are going for your second kayak lessons tonight! Yikes!

A few months ago when I suggested getting two kayaks for something totally different, I was picturing only peaceful, clean lakes that have no current. However, these lessons are given on a really big and scary river nearby, a river with a strong current, a river that I'm only moderately comfortable driving OVER looking down, never mind paddling ON, looking up!

Last week when we went for our first (and "only", I thought) lesson, the woman asked if I'd ever kayaked before, which I have. Apparently, in outdoorsman language that translates to..."give her the tiny kayak that her battleship hips barely fit into and that tends to tip with the slightest movement from the paddler". Uh, never again, thankyouverymuch. This week I want one that I like to call the "wide bottom" style.

Cover me...I'm goin' in! (Why did I say that? I damn well better NOT be goin' in!)

My First “Hike”

Raise your hand if…today was the first day you went out with the hiking club you joined to get yourself out of your mid-life rut!  And, being that it was a “photo walk”, raise your hand if you even remembered to take a few photos along the way. :)

Being the new kid on the block, I felt a little awkward at first, but the leader of the group was kind enough to hang out with me on this walk.  We’re both from the same town so we had things we could chat about, which made it more comfortable. 

Watching the other 6 or 7 walkers helped me see the group dynamics, and that in itself helped me decide to stay on the fringes for now.  A few of them are welcoming; others tended to stay to themselves.  That’s ok though, we’re all there for different reasons I suppose.

Well, being that it was a photo hike, I did snap a few photos, though not many.  I was busy listening to the Canadian geese and imagining a small log cabin of my very own built along the shoreline.   So what if it’s a reservoir!   We also saw a spotted salamander, a variety of ducks and one egret swooping overhead.  My first thought was, “Oh wow, if only I had my cam…”! Of course it was tucked away at that moment!

This was one of the trails that we had walked on.  I’ve always heard that we should look behind us sometimes…I’m glad I did.

Here’s the path as it’s entering the woods.  I just love the smells in there!  We spent time walking through both woods and open areas. 

This creek is from a small bridge and it makes a great reflection picture.

It was a good time, a great way to start the weekend.  I hope to get myself “out there” with the group as often as I can.  They have walks/hikes almost every day of the week, so I have no excuse.  Well, except for the fact that I am most definitely NOT ready for any 15-mile mountain hikes, thankyouverymuch!  Not yet anyway.  I guess if I’m really ready to change myself, I’ll have to make that a goal.  Perhaps I’ll sleep on that idea. :) 

Hi there. Long time no see...:)

Well, my husband and I went on our country ride this past Sunday, up into central Vermont. I wanted to go all the way up into the Northeast Kingdom, but that would require an overnight and with no reservations anywhere, it wasn't such a good idea. Once upon a time we would have been a bit more adventurous and maybe slept in the van, but now now, it's just not comfortable enough.

Our first stop, although not very exciting, is a nice place. It's the first rest stop once you enter Vermont from Massachusetts. There's a beautiful building manned with really knowledgeable and friendly people to answer any questions you may have. I've been here before, but for some reason, I never noticed their gorgeous weathervane, perched way up on top of this massive barn-shaped structure. Isn't this cool? It took me a minute, but I finally recognized the "VT". Duuuh!

These two guys wait outside to greet you before you enter...I'd much rather meet them here than out in the woods somewhere!

This is the first Vermont Country Store we encountered; the other is about 10 miles up the road. We meandered through this one checking out all the "old-time" stuff they carry, like old candies, old "health and beauty" products...remember "Sun In" for your hair? Or "Gee, Your Hair Smells Terrific"?!

They also carry old-time toys...sock monkeys, Slinkies, kaleidoscopes, wooden toys, etc. Vermont cheddar cheese is a big seller, as is their clothing. It's just a cool place to walk through, but way too expensive for our taste!  I did buy a big bag of balsam at a store across the street that I’ll use for making balsam pillows this winter. One sniff and I’m transported into the woods. :)

The second, larger store has this mural painted on the side of the building. Isn't it wonderful?

This last photo is of a random driftwood sea serpent sculpture we saw in front of someone's house, out on a back road. You can't see them, but his "creator" had put seashells all over his back. 

We finished the drive with a pretty good meal at a typical roadside diner.  My father-in-law used to say that diners had the best food around; add to that the fact that the parking lot was filled with Vermont license plates, and we knew we’d found where the locals ate. 

It was a good change of scenery for both of us, especially considering the year we’ve had.  We’re both thinking that we need to do this more often, like we did way-back-when.  Maybe next time it’ll be a night or two away. :) 

PS~Remember how I said I was joining a hiking club?  Well, my first hike is this coming Saturday.  It’s more of a photo walk through a local reservoir area with the possibility of a short hike up to a summit, but  I am so excited!   Have camera, will hike. :D

Frig Quotes

Hi friends. I miss you. (Insert deep, discontented sigh here.)

Apparently I'm in a funk, or as my daughter said tonight, "you're pretty depressed, aren't you?" I guess I am. No blogging, no reading blogs, no working on my book, not a lot of smiling, etc. I hope it's just because school/work started which takes its toll. It may also have something to do with the beautifully full moon; either way, I'll be happy when I feel better.

In any case, I cleaned the OUTSIDE of my frig today and thought I'd share my "frig quotes" with you. I've always had Biblical and inspirational quotes on the frig, but today, I changed them just a tad. Hope you like them...(you'll notice that I didn't leave God out totally, though!)

The will of God will never take you
where the grace of God will not protect you.

“Wear the old coat, buy the new book."
-Erasmus

"This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls...."

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." -- Anaïs Nin

To all powerful women:
live your life in such a way,
that when your feet hit the
floor in the morning,
Satan shudders and says…
“Oh shit! She’s awake!”

"You have not come this far to play small."

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count,
it’s the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln

The Lord will give me what I need, when I need it.

Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the
things you have for which you would not take money.”

Onward.