This was taken a few years back-never been so close to a baby bird before. He was in a low shrub for hours. When I decided to photograph him, he hopped along the front yard into a forsythia bush where I believe his true nest really was.
Sean snapped this goldfinch hanging onto a window in the family room.
That’s right, 50 yrs ago, yours truly floated into the world in a rather fast labor and delivery-one hour to be exact. Yours truly was the loudest baby in the nursery too. My mom said she heard me over the other babies and got up to comfort me and was ushered back to bed. I was welcomed home by my older brother David, age 5. Three months later, my mom got pregnant again and was also coping with a troubled marriage. My father was to leave us all in 1972 (by that time there were 4 kids, Ken came along in 1967) to go back to his home state of Oregon where he would pass on alone in Feb. ’08.
Though I’ve had a rough childhood, I think we still had many blessings and I’ve tried to hold on to family traditions with my own son. Mom always outdid herself on birthdays, Halloween and Christmas and we had so much fun. I don’t remember wearing a store bought costume. In fact one year, she cut up her wedding dress for a 1st grader. It felt a bit odd wearing it, but I’m sure I felt pretty special. My birthday was usually shared with my year younger brother Don. We had the best one when we were about 6 and 7 when we had a house full of neighbors and cousins. Christmases were special, down to the overstuffed stockings that would always hang on the stair railing. One year my mom and grandmom(she was my second mom) sold some evergreen trees that my late grandfather had planted to have money for gifts.
Here’s me as a newborn babe-with my mouth open:
I turned out to be a stay at home (mostly, I’ve had a few jobs) wife and mom, though I went to college to be an Early Childhood Education teacher and came very close to doing so. I have been an aide to many children over the years. I think I would love to do art projects with little ones now. Sean always enjoyed doing projects from making paper to painting wooden plaques.
I think I’ve been a good wife, sister, aunt and mom. I’ve been there for people. I look forward to this part of my life when I hope, things will get easier soon. It’s hard to believe only 10 yrs ago I had a son entering his teens and now he’s a young man. He’s been my best gift ever. And he was almost my birthday gift back in 1986.
And lastly, thanks to Brian for being there for me through thick and thin. He’s been a great husband and best friend. I hope when we are 80, we have scooters to toot around Longwood Gardens on.
Beeutiful and creative!
I wanted to see the amazing mum display before Longwood Gardens dismantled it to finish putting up their Christmas display (which they are in the process of doing). It was a nice day to take a stroll and good for me as I am still getting over that bug (my tummy is acting up a bit). I will probably add a mosiac later.
Went out in the 70(!) degree weather and decided to take a few shots of the last of the fall color. I did see some of my garden things still laying around and Bri was helping me round them up. Not too much more, but he needs to finish the leaf clean up.
I’m feeling better each day. I even ate bacon on toast this morning and made beef stew for dinner! I found a beautiful rosemary plant I forgot about and picked several stems of it and added some to the stew.
Sean and his friend went out last night and the guy’s car got towed, so that was a bit of a drama as they had to walk to the place where it was-a few miles away and at 12:30 at night. Needless to say, we all didn’t get to sleep until late. Sean’s a good guy and his friend wouldn’t listen to him as not to park where they did. I guess it was a lesson learned.
Hopefully I can get some primping done tomorrow and that will make me feel lots better!
Being a music lover and singer, I had quite a few photos to chose from. I have made a few artist trading cards with a music theme too. I ran across this photo of a music box on display at Longwood Gardens in January. It was not playing at the time. I think they are very magical.
My life has been enriched with the music of James Taylor since I’ve been 13 yrs old. Thanks JT!
So that ‘big’ day is fast approaching. In a pipe dream a few months ago, I thought it would be nice to go to NYC for a few days. I also thought it would have been nice on our 25th in April too. Don’t think it’s going to happen any time soon. 2009 hasn’t been the greatest year for us in many ways. My son is still struggling to find employment. He got called Thursday night to go to a warehouse type place for an interview Friday. My son with the ‘B’ average in Geography/Climatology. He got there and they said it was only for a month and he was either to work in the bakery or the cashier line. And by the way, if you don’t hear from us, you didn’t get the job. Same thing happened at the shoe store. It has to get better!
I thought it would be nice to try a new restaurant at least. I asked on Face*book and my friend John mentioned a few places and a place a few towns over sounds good. And a cross stitch pal lives in the general area! Waiting to hear from her if she’s been there. Going out to eat is usually fine with me…and a nice cake. I don’t have sisters or a healthy mom, so no big surprises for me.
I’m doing better, was feeling a little sick again Friday morning, but popped another pill and had a big mug of tea and half a bagel. My guys have been food shopping-not one big order, bit 3 small ones and they always forget something. I can’t wait to get on my feet again. I sure hope I feel good on Monday to get my hair done. : )
I was really suffering with Montezuma’s revenge Thursday morning and called the doctor’s office to see what I could take. I waited and waited. That was 8:15. At 9:15 I called the pharmacist and she said to take Immodium. It worked and calmed my tummy down-thank goodness. I called the doctor’s office 3 times and they finally got back to me at 5:15 and 5:20-two different nurses. The one said it sounded like I had a touch of the swine flu! I thought maybe the seasonal flu, but she said it was too early. I could have had it worse, but this morning was a nightmare. I think Sean picked it up at the gym, as a few days later, while up at PSU, he was ‘very warm’ and had to turn the air on and then he was running to the bathroom all day. Yep-what a gift! I haven’t felt well since last Thursday.
The Nor’easter is stirring up many beach areas around here, mainly with inlet areas. It’s rain, gloom and wind around here.
Take care and stay healthy.
I spoke too soon as I did get a fever in the early evening-about 100. So far today, it’s in the normal range, but if I do too much or think about food, I get nauseated. I’m eating here and there, and laying down. This virus seems to affect what bugs you when you are feeling ok-like my back, joints and tummy haven’t felt good. One good thing-I got my Dell
* laptop today! It’s awesome! It’s fast enough for me. I just need to figure out where I go to get Windows 7 on it.
Woke up super early with wide range aches and pains, but no fever. Tylenol is taking the edge off, but I think I have some virus as I’m feeling a little nauseous, though I can eat. Go figure. I feel 90 when I’m almost 50. Brian came home from work for lunch and just felt worn out, so he stayed put. He did yard work over the weekend and I was working at mom’s and overdoing bending and lifting, etc. The tummy was off on Thursday. I took a little walk around the yard today and picked some arugula and lettuce. Shouldn’t have been leaning over. I think a nap sounds like a good idea!
We are having a contractor come and give us an estimate for a much needed basement door tonight. We have those metal doors that open outside, but this is for the door at the bottom of the steps. Since the metal doors could be replaced too, all this air is coming in during the wintertime and our master bedroom is right above that and I freeze now. Hope we can get a good price. Used an website called (but don’t quote me) Service* master. They found 3 guys in the area. One sounded familiar and we are pretty sure he messed up something in the house years ago-electrical in the family room, and had to be redone-pass on him. Wish us luck!
Collages & Creative Goodness 