thinking about a birthday...

My hunny has a birthday this week... the 17th to be exact.. so tonite we did a last minute supper out with the "kids" and some friends. Any excuse to eat out and be together with the kids is great by me....









Since his procedure last November, things have gone really well. He is feeling absolutely great, is getting his energy back, and has lost 22 pounds... (just by eating a little more carefully and feeling good)... He's excited about the weight loss and is determined to keep this trend going....








Everyone is keeping him encouraged, and I think by the summer... it's going to be hard to keep up with him....


Happy "early" birthday wishes!!!!!

a snowy day....

It's been a while since we have had a snowy day... funny, snow for Halloween, and now nothing, strange winter for sure. But today made up for that and we enjoyed a nice quiet snowy day at home. It was kind of fun.....our guest doggies enjoyed being out in it....









Puppies and kids know how to make the things that adults consider "a pain".. tons of fun. I just enjoyed watching them run and play....











Abbie couldn't wait to get out there.. she kept asking me "can we go now Baby??" I put her off for a little bit, because it was pretty cold and very windy... but just before lunch, Abbie, Papa and Baby all bundled up and headed out. She got a couple of new sleds for Christmas and Papa offered her a ride on one of them.






She had a pretty good time taking a ride up and down the driveway...













until the wind....... the snow started hitting her in the face (and being so close to the ground she really got it...) and she decided that this wasn't as much fun... she kept saying "make the snow stop"... so our outside adventure was short lived, but fun. We came in with rosey cheeks and had a nice lunch all together.

As the day progressed, it got colder and the wind really picked up. I am guessing that winter has found us again... as it should.

back to normal... projects around the farm

I don't have any photos for this blog :( they're in the "other" computer... the other "sick" computer!!!! again!!! Ed bought a nice laptop maybe five years ago. At first he used it for his business and such, but then decided that a desk top computer really was better for the business... so, I got to take over the lap top. I love that lap top, because I can sit while he watches TV and watch and blog at the same time. But then, the little lap top got "sick".. so we took it to the doctor and he made it better.. and sort of said.. it was beginning to get old. Still we used it, and it went along well.. and then... it got sick again. And has been sick for a number of times... but this time.. I think it really has had it. Now, the folks that are living in the big camp this winter are computer geniuses.. and so we took the lap top to them to see if they could fix it.. and they did, but said it's probably time for a new one. I guess lap tops don't typically have long lives.

We decided to go and look at a new one... and found that if you don't want too many fancies (and I actually don't' want ANY) you can get a nice little lap top for a fairly reasonable price. So, we did..... the old lap top is back at the computer doctor (along with my photos) and the new one is up and running. I know... ever heard of "backing up" the things on the computer... well, yes... but it's one of those things that requires "doing it".. however, I promise, this time... back ups will be in order. Our friends believe they can save our photos, and if I can get them off the old computer, I'll be happy......

So... with Ginger off to college, it's time to get busy with other things. One big project involved Rick and his wood chipper again. We've been wanting to clear some of the wood behind the barn to make more room. Rick is (sadly) in a quiet time of his work, so he offered to come and work with Ed. They got a nice big area cleared, and all the pines either cut up for the furnace or made into chips. Now, I can move our manure pile out of sight and we're going to set up a tent building to house the wagons and sleighs, and they'll be undercover.

It's been a strange winter, even for New England... fairly mild and no snow... high 30's and bare ground in January is really odd.... I don't know if we'll slide threw like this or if it's going to sneak up on us and we'll get slammed with "winter" towards the end... time will tell.

I have opted to grab any extra days I can at the post office. I worked all last week and it looks like I'll be covering the next few Fridays. Might as well.. come good weather, the last place I will want to be is inside!!! I had hoped by working these few hours each week at the post would cover our hay bill, and it seems as though it has. So that's a nice feeling.

I feel as though there isn't too much exciting going on... just winter.. just normal... but all in all, normal is goodr

Ginger goes to college.....

well.. here we are - "turn in day", and the second time that I have done this. Saying goodbye to this gal is going to be hard... very hard!!! I got to keep her longer than we did with Chester... she is a bit of a "softer" dog and so the extra time gave her the chance to grow up a little more and experience more things. I don't know if I actually spent "more time' on ginger than I did on Chester, but we certainly became very close. She is a great - great dog!!!

It was a pretty cold day, and I was hoping to run around the farm and take all kinds of photos of her here and there... but I wimped out, and settled for these few by the old hay cutter. She, of course was a good as could be and put up with all my foolishness.....

"where are we heading now, Mom?"

Along with Ginger, Leo and T turned in as well. How many times have these two goldens ridden together in the back of the truck??? countless.... and it was so much fun for Kathleen and I to have the chance to raise siblings together. Only one thing could be even better, to have them graduate together!!!! (that would be really cool)

Bernice and I traveled down together - Kathleen had a trip planned many months ago, so she left Leo with me to take in for her. I was happy the weather was good and the traveling was easy.... can't always count on that in January. Here Bernice and T head in.....

I pretty much cried the whole trip in... and then while we were there.... going over the final reports with Dave and just getting used to the idea... this is "IT"... We'll have the chance to meet up with the puppies again, but from here on in... they are no longer ours... this is "goodbye".....

T... looking regal and like he is ready to go to work.....

Ginger and Leo sharing a secret.....

and then.. it's time.. I speak her name and she turns that sweet face and asks "what can I do for you Mom"...



I give her that one last hug... that one last kiss... hand the leash to Dave, and walk out the door... my job is done..... Ginger's is just beginning....

I hang the vests by the door... once they were Chester's... then they belonged to Ginger...

and we wait for who's next....

because between the tears, I am all ready to do it again...........

saying goodbye

Happy New Years... and I hope that my "title of the post" isn't too sad, but in a way, the new year does say goodbye to lots of things -- other than the old year. Saying goodbye isn't always bad, like when you loose some weight - you don't mind saying goodbye to those extra pounds.. or paying off a bill... things like that, but saying goodbye certainly can be sad.







Ginger certainly wasn't sad today!!! Kathleen is going to visit family, so she dropped Leo off with us.. to take care of and to return to NEADS on Tuesday. The "puppies" certainly had a grand time together....I let them right out into the dog yard and they got to racing, tugging with the toys and digging in the mud. They were a complete mess, but I'll deal with that tomorrow....





To say I'm going to miss this dog is an under statement. We have become very close and I truly love her.












The last night here with us, I took tons of pictures, especially with Abbie, because I doubt that Abbie will actually remember Ginger. We talk to her about Chester, and show her the pictures and will do the same with Ginger. I wonder what she will think as she gets older about this puppy thing that her grandmother does!!!

As sad as I do feel, I know I will continue to this puppy raising "thing" for a long time. My goal is to raise at least 10 dogs... and any interim - which do come along occasionally, like Edgar. So, we'll see.

Big hugs and kisses.................

"don't worry Ginger... it's going to be great, and you're going to be great".....

So, Tuesday's the day.... hold on dear reader, the next blog may be a bumpy one!!!!!

new year's eve day...

New Year's Eve day... a bit like any other Saturday, in that I had to work. But that was OK.. it was a quiet steady, the morning went quick, and I was out by noon --- my usual time. The only glitch was, it was raining, and with the ground being so cool... everything turned to ice once it hit. Pretty, but dangerous. My mail truck was 30 minutes late... thankfully the mail volume was "small" so we quickly caught up, so glad that didn't happen during the Christmas rush.

We had been invited to Lauren's for a bon fire later that evening, but I backed out. Worried that the roads would be not fun on the ride home.

I felt sad to have done this, but we'll have to catch up with them on another day.

We did, last minute, decide to go to dinner with Kelli and Rick and catch a movie... so the evening wasn't without entertainment. And were home early... I'm not much of a party person ...and to me, New Year's feels more like the end of the holidays than the beginning...so, it was a good way to say goodbye to 2011......

photo opts

Babies in the house!!! And though they are exactly "ours"... they are certainly a welcomed addition. Our friends, the Gamble family - asked if they might come one afternoon and do a family photo opt. This is a rare occasion for them, with one daughter, son-in-law and grandbaby living in the south, and the other daughter, son-in-law and grandbaby living in Germany.... it's hard for this family to be together... but they were over Christmas.






Julie, the photographer (and another friend) thought the farm would have many good places for photo opts... and so, it seemed it did.












It was fun to watch, and see the farm in the eyes of someone else. How many times do I walk past places and never "see" them... but then from behind the camera they become "a really cool place".....









Abbie was fascinated with the babies... she had a million questions for their Moms......











Pictures were taken both inside and out.... I felt so special and honored that they would choose to use our house for this special time together....














even the little sleigh was put to use, and with snow flakes gently falling......










Abbie wanted to go for a ride. "Once the snow comes back.... once the snow comes back"......

Merry Christmas

Christmas morning, and in the few quiet moments, with a warm cup of coffee.. I sit and look at the beautiful tree with it's bounty beneath and I remember how truly blessed I am. I say thank you to God, for sending His Son to save us and promise us a home forever in Heaven... and I say thank you for the amazing family that I have been blessed with and humbly think of all the blessings that surround me. And I pray too for those who don't know our Lord, and ask that they might come to understand the real meaning of Christmas.. and wish to all my "readers" blessings for this day and the new year that is ahead...

I think that this Christmas morning has been one of my favorites, other than when the girls were little. I loved waking up Christmas mornings to eager little girls who couldn't wait for the parents to roll out of bed. This year, we had Abbie for Christmas morning.. so Kass "gave up" her usual Christmas breakfast, and she and Nate traveled to the farm ... to have Christmas with us and let Abbie have her Christmas at home. While we waited for them to arrive... Sadie tried her hand at a new project... spinning. We were given this beautiful spinning wheel just a few days ago.. and since both Sadie and I have this on our "to learn" list... she jumped on the chance to take it. We kind of know how it works, and have been playing around with it.. but after Christmas, we plan to go and learn the correct way!!!

Abbie dug into her stocking... it kept her busy until Tee Tee and Krunkle could arrive. Hunter was most interested in what she found in that stocking as well......

And soon, "my" house was filled with kids... and for a Mom, there is nothing better in the world than that. (Thank you Kas and Nate....)

and then "it" all began....................

"

"Merry Christmas!!!!"

I could have watched Abbie all day long.......

and she became the expert at opening.. and gave advise to everyone on how it is done!!!!!!

The house is a mess and I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are our girls..............

Nate is a huge Lego fan... so I picked up a couple of little "projects" for him to "play with"

Abbie was pretty happy with her Legos... and loved playing with Krunkle and learning how they all go together......

Uncle Bill joined us as well... and after presents, we had a great family breakfast... then everyone was off... Kas and Nates' to Dave and Deb's... Abbie off to her Dad... Bill to friends and us to my folks....

but the morning is a treasure that I will always keep

We had a wonderful lunch, visit and more presents with my folks, sisters and their families. The day was relaxed and such fun. I love Christmas when it isn't rushed around....

My Mom, niece, and sisters......

Naomi got this cute little puppy and thought it looked just like Ginger... and so it does... and now, Auntie Sue has to make a cape and gentle leader so that Naomi can begin to work with "her service puppy".....

And then Christmas was over, and real life will creep back in... but we'll have these magical hours to keep forever.