I've been using my camera a lot outside. I'm trying to get decent pictures so that I can have one or two enlarged and put on the wall in Florida. We have such a beautiful setting here, and during different times of the day, the sun comes through the trees and shadows the lawn so that the greens are different colors.
Our flowers are pretty also - the colors are really sharp and bright. BUT - The colors aren't showing up well far away. We need a new camera.
We are enjoying the peace and quiet of being home by ourselves for a while. But looking forward to Nancy and Dan's visit the second half of next week.
Heard from brother Bob. He's home now after spending a week traveling after leaving us. He's been gone a month. He and his little papillon, Martini, left his friend Mark's house in Toronto. Mark has a Bernase Mountain Dog - Bentley - who is a year old. He's enormous. Bob said Martin "ruled the roost." Good. I was worried about that.
Bob traveled to Pittsburg, picked up his son, Paul, and the two of them traveled home to Venice. Paul will be looking for a gunsmithing job near Venice. He graduated from gunsmithing school in Pittsburg this Spring. Anyway - Bob said Martini "is jubilant about going home!" I wonder if he was talking about himself. . . Ya think?
We're in the process of getting to the end of our leases on our cars. This is the first time I've leased a car, and it's rather disconcerting to me to have to turn it in. I'm gonna buy my next one, but I'm going to wait til we get back from Florida since I turn my car in in October, and we leave then. I can't see making payments on a car that will sit in the garage for six months.
I'm learning how to crochet. When Brenda and Noi were here, they got me started. They were always sitting and crocheting and it rubbed off on me.
They taught me a lot, but when they left, I still felt I needed some more guidance so I am using Youtube also. They have some marvelous videos that you can watch, for all kinds of things. There's a lot of beginner crocheting, and what's great, is that you can stop the video, reverse it, watch sections over and over again. Now it's getting to be fun to do. I must admit, it was frustrating at first, but sticking to it has its rewards.
We went to Dunn field to watch the Junior Pioneers baseball team play on Saturday morning. It's nice because they have regular seating, it's in the shade (some seats), and it's not crowded. It was a beautiful day. The only unpositive thing was they didn't have decaf coffee. Paul got some regular and I had a sip or two. I'm not supposed to have regular, due to health problems. If we'd known, we'd have stopped on the way. They frown on bringing food in, but if they don't supply it - too bad!
Afterwards, we stopped at the Christmas House - which is a gigantic old house that has every inch of every room in the first floor covered with mostly Christmas things. It's right on the way home and every time I've wanted to stop, so on the spur of the moment, we did. It is filled with collectables, ornaments of every size and shape and kind.
They even had a huge display of The Christmas Story - complete with little figures of Ralphy, and the other characters, plus the house, the school. The faces weren't the greatest tho. So, I wouldn't consider collecting them. I don't know why they don't make them better. They'd sell a lot more. One thing I'd like is a new creche for Florida, and they have some small ones at decent prices. Perhaps I'll go back and get that, when I have the chance. Maybe after another baseball game at Dunn field.
I wouldn't start collecting things though. Not at my age. We're supposed to get rid of things. Everyone I know has that problem. Too much stuff. What do you do with it all? Especially the really really old old things that have been handed down for generations. I don't need new things.
I've heard if you move five times, it's like starting new. . .you're supposed to throw things out each time. I've moved four.
I can remember my first house that I built by myself, had a big basement and it was full of boxes. I had a great couple who did my lawn and yard, and handy work. They had a truck and came down to the basement and helped me get rid of a lot of stuff. I can remember they had a little girl that was very very interested in my daughter's doll house, but of course, that went with me. And ended up at Nancy's. Well, I don't think we've done that well getting rid of things here.
Of course, Paul lived in his house in Montour for 50 years. And we didn't build a smaller house. We have lots of places to store things. Have fun, kids, when we're no longer around. Only kidding. We're being very conscious of throwing things away. I hope it looks like it, and we're really trying. Really. And I'm not going to collect any Christmas things!
So - that's all the news from this end. What's happenin' in your neck o' the woods?
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
As the World Turns
We're back to normal weather here at the Woods Edge. We can take a breath and relax for now.
I think it's a shame that Bob couldn't enjoy the cooler clearer weather we have now. Paul is in seventh Heaven. He loves the cooler weather. I do too, but the heat doesn't bother me as much as it does Paul. It was either raining (in the beginning - one of the queries Bob made was - Did it ever stop?) Or it was hotter than Florida. Or as hot as Florida. Go figure.
Well, all I have to compare with our area here is Long Island. The summers there could be very hot and humid, and August wasn't much better. August up here can be like Fall.
According to a text message, Bob's back from Toronto, and now is in Pittsburgh with his son, Paul. Paul will be driving back to Florida with Bob and looking for work in his field, Gunsmithing. He graduated in May. He has a lead on a couple of jobs near Venice. They'll be home by Sunday.
Had a nice lunch Monday with a teacher/friend of mine from Corning. Rosemarie and Ron were the people I visited for a time in Shanghai, ten years ago. They have a home on Waneta Lake, one of the smaller lakes around here, and they have a home at The Villages in Florida. They spent three winters in Venice beforehand. So we've kept in touch. We met at the Seneca Harbor Station in Watkins and sat outside.
So - Rosemarie has four grown children.
A prayer request for her youngest, Emily and her husband: Good Lord. And we think we've got problems. . .
Emily got married two years ago. Emily knew she never could carry a pregnancy to term. She and her husband are expecting twins by a surrogate mother who lives in Guatamala. The surrogate has had a problem pregnancy - and is on bed rest until the babies come. The due date would have been December, but they're thinking - because of twins - end of October, into November.
In late September, Emily, her husband and Rosemarie and Ron are going down to Guatamala to be with the surrogate. Emily's husband needs to get back to work, but Emily, her mom and dad, will stay down there til the babies are born and then bring them back up when they're able to travel.
Guess that's all the news from this end. How're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
I think it's a shame that Bob couldn't enjoy the cooler clearer weather we have now. Paul is in seventh Heaven. He loves the cooler weather. I do too, but the heat doesn't bother me as much as it does Paul. It was either raining (in the beginning - one of the queries Bob made was - Did it ever stop?) Or it was hotter than Florida. Or as hot as Florida. Go figure.
Well, all I have to compare with our area here is Long Island. The summers there could be very hot and humid, and August wasn't much better. August up here can be like Fall.
According to a text message, Bob's back from Toronto, and now is in Pittsburgh with his son, Paul. Paul will be driving back to Florida with Bob and looking for work in his field, Gunsmithing. He graduated in May. He has a lead on a couple of jobs near Venice. They'll be home by Sunday.
Had a nice lunch Monday with a teacher/friend of mine from Corning. Rosemarie and Ron were the people I visited for a time in Shanghai, ten years ago. They have a home on Waneta Lake, one of the smaller lakes around here, and they have a home at The Villages in Florida. They spent three winters in Venice beforehand. So we've kept in touch. We met at the Seneca Harbor Station in Watkins and sat outside.
So - Rosemarie has four grown children.
A prayer request for her youngest, Emily and her husband: Good Lord. And we think we've got problems. . .
Emily got married two years ago. Emily knew she never could carry a pregnancy to term. She and her husband are expecting twins by a surrogate mother who lives in Guatamala. The surrogate has had a problem pregnancy - and is on bed rest until the babies come. The due date would have been December, but they're thinking - because of twins - end of October, into November.
In late September, Emily, her husband and Rosemarie and Ron are going down to Guatamala to be with the surrogate. Emily's husband needs to get back to work, but Emily, her mom and dad, will stay down there til the babies are born and then bring them back up when they're able to travel.
Guess that's all the news from this end. How're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Belhurst Castle Day
Bob wondered last time why I didn't write about our Tuesday trip to Belhurst Castle, so I told him I thought the previous blog about our trip to Oswego was long enough. This deserved a posting all itself.
Tuesday morning, on the spur of the moment, Paul said - Let's go have lunch at the Belhurst. What a marvelous idea!
So - within 15 minutes, just before noon, we started up route 14, past a host of wineries, up the lake, and back to Geneva and the Belhurst Castle. I had pointed out the Belhurst to Bob, both coming and going, from Oswego. It's so far back from the road; he couldn't see anything. It's on a beautiful spot of land overlooking Seneca Lake.
Being a Tuesday, I didn't think we'd need a reservation. The Belhurst has been added on to over the years, and it has a huge covered area with several roof-lines, made to look like a big stone castle. It includes a winery, gift shop, two restaurants, several outdoor/indoor dining areas. Plus it includes two hotels. One on the property and one up the hill a ways, on the other side of route 14.
There's a long long driveway through shade trees into the parking area. As we got closer, we noticed it was full of tour buses, and antique cars. Lots of people wandering inside and out. Uh Oh. Probably not the best idea coming without a reservation. We like to eat at the buffet area which is in the older area of the castle. Inside, we walked past an english-style pub that was half-filled.
It seems the tour and other groups have separate rooms off the main long hall. Phew. That doesn't affect normal customer traffic. We had a beautiful table, in the corner of a long room overlooking the lawn, trees, flowers, stone walks, and the lake. There were tables and chairs under an awning, set outside our windows; we didn't see anyone at them while we were there - due to the heat, probably. Lots of people walking around outside though. Linen tablecloth, napkins, candles, ornate china dishes out there and inside. For a while, we were the only ones in our room, until two other couples arrived. Very quiet and peaceful. We almost could have used (a piano player, Bob said) some music.
As we ended our meal, they served us six huge chocolate-covered strawberries surrounding a huge mound of whipped cream drizzled with chocolate sauce. Oh, my. It was blissful. So, can I put a crack in this beautiful picture? The wait/staff was wonderful. The ambiance was also. The food was just mediocre. But it was well-worth the trip. I'm glad Bob had a chance to see it.
We went outside to the parking lot and wandered around these wonderful show-car quality vintage cars. Real beauties. We took pictures of them. In hindsight, we probably should have gotten permission, but we didn't. One of the gentlemen told me a long story reminding me of the Taylor name and Bully Hill run by Walter S. Taylor. He couldn't use his name on his wines.They all said REO on them, which I found out stood for R.E. Olds. As in Oldsmobile.
On our way home, we stopped at Fox Run for a wine tasting. Bob bought some wine and glasses to take with him to his friend Mark's in Toronto. We also stopped at Miles Vineyard, closer to home, which is owned by friends of Brenda's. I wanted Bob to see it. It looks like a southern mansion - with weeping willow trees and other shade trees, going down to the lake. Their wine wasn't as good, but we got free glasses (for the $3. wine tasting charge so actually we paid for them.)
We got home and decided we didn't need any supper. But eventually Bob cooked some hotdogs on the grill and they tasted delicious.
We're home alone now. Bob left this morning for Mark's. We miss him! It should be a five hour trip to Toronto. Of course the heat spell has dissipated. Wouldn't you know it? Such is life. Bob came up north to get out of the heat. It's cloudy today. I'm doing wash.
Paul and I are both tired.
So how're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
Tuesday morning, on the spur of the moment, Paul said - Let's go have lunch at the Belhurst. What a marvelous idea!
So - within 15 minutes, just before noon, we started up route 14, past a host of wineries, up the lake, and back to Geneva and the Belhurst Castle. I had pointed out the Belhurst to Bob, both coming and going, from Oswego. It's so far back from the road; he couldn't see anything. It's on a beautiful spot of land overlooking Seneca Lake.
Being a Tuesday, I didn't think we'd need a reservation. The Belhurst has been added on to over the years, and it has a huge covered area with several roof-lines, made to look like a big stone castle. It includes a winery, gift shop, two restaurants, several outdoor/indoor dining areas. Plus it includes two hotels. One on the property and one up the hill a ways, on the other side of route 14.
There's a long long driveway through shade trees into the parking area. As we got closer, we noticed it was full of tour buses, and antique cars. Lots of people wandering inside and out. Uh Oh. Probably not the best idea coming without a reservation. We like to eat at the buffet area which is in the older area of the castle. Inside, we walked past an english-style pub that was half-filled.
It seems the tour and other groups have separate rooms off the main long hall. Phew. That doesn't affect normal customer traffic. We had a beautiful table, in the corner of a long room overlooking the lawn, trees, flowers, stone walks, and the lake. There were tables and chairs under an awning, set outside our windows; we didn't see anyone at them while we were there - due to the heat, probably. Lots of people walking around outside though. Linen tablecloth, napkins, candles, ornate china dishes out there and inside. For a while, we were the only ones in our room, until two other couples arrived. Very quiet and peaceful. We almost could have used (a piano player, Bob said) some music.
As we ended our meal, they served us six huge chocolate-covered strawberries surrounding a huge mound of whipped cream drizzled with chocolate sauce. Oh, my. It was blissful. So, can I put a crack in this beautiful picture? The wait/staff was wonderful. The ambiance was also. The food was just mediocre. But it was well-worth the trip. I'm glad Bob had a chance to see it.
We went outside to the parking lot and wandered around these wonderful show-car quality vintage cars. Real beauties. We took pictures of them. In hindsight, we probably should have gotten permission, but we didn't. One of the gentlemen told me a long story reminding me of the Taylor name and Bully Hill run by Walter S. Taylor. He couldn't use his name on his wines.They all said REO on them, which I found out stood for R.E. Olds. As in Oldsmobile.
On our way home, we stopped at Fox Run for a wine tasting. Bob bought some wine and glasses to take with him to his friend Mark's in Toronto. We also stopped at Miles Vineyard, closer to home, which is owned by friends of Brenda's. I wanted Bob to see it. It looks like a southern mansion - with weeping willow trees and other shade trees, going down to the lake. Their wine wasn't as good, but we got free glasses (for the $3. wine tasting charge so actually we paid for them.)
We got home and decided we didn't need any supper. But eventually Bob cooked some hotdogs on the grill and they tasted delicious.
We're home alone now. Bob left this morning for Mark's. We miss him! It should be a five hour trip to Toronto. Of course the heat spell has dissipated. Wouldn't you know it? Such is life. Bob came up north to get out of the heat. It's cloudy today. I'm doing wash.
Paul and I are both tired.
So how're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Bob and Jeanne's Glorious Adventure
I wrote on Sunday and have been meaning to write ever since we got back from Oswego on Monday, but the days have been flying by.
First - I'm feeling ever so much better. I can't believe what a difference a week has made. Being back on the original medication is what's made the difference.
Paul took me to my doctor's appointment yesterday. The doctor counseled me on the medication he wanted me to take. It's the same medication I've been off and on for about a year. It's very strong. But. . . .it's the only one that works.
Unfortunately, people have sometimes had bad side effects from this type of med. My particular medication hasn't shown any yet, but he said that the drug hasn't been used long-term long enough to show what could happen, but he had to let me know.
I will be on three pills a day for three months. The following month, I'll take two pills a day for two weeks, then one pill a day every day from then on. ( Formerly, I would be on one pill a day for two weeks and then off it. This is the schedule I've been following for a year. . . when off the drug completely, the colitis flares up within a week.) The doctor is seeing me again in a month.
Our trip to Oswego: We had a blast! It was a beautiful day - blue skies, big puffy clouds. A little on the warmside, not as warm as it is today - mid 90's, but Oswego, on Lake Ontario, had a cool breeze coming off the lake. My body was still very achy from the colitis, so I took my cane, but didn't use it!
Bob and I left around 10:00 from here and got to Oswego at 12:20 - right on time according to the GPS. The trip was beautiful - partly on country roads, partly on the Thruway - for two exits. Coming into Oswego from the west, we could see the "smokestacks" that we as Freshmen were required to know. Huey, Louey, Dewey, Frank and Sylvester. What memories. . . .
The GPS took us directly to Bob's fraternity house. We pulled up. I had forgotten what a beautiful location it was! - one street beyond the lake, with an expanse of lawn going down to a sea wall. A "new" marina was a little ways away. Beyond that the breakwater from the left, reached out with a lighthouse at the end toward our right.
The fraternity house was a disappointment for Bob. At first it looked the same - but at closer look, it was really run-down. Had a blue tarp on part of the roof. Some of the wooden columns were cracked. But it's been 50 years. We wondered if people lived there or was it condemned. But we didn't see any signs posted. There were two cars parked on the side, but it was closed up and no one answered.
So - on we went - found Bob and Sue's first apartment building, the little park out front. Everything was close by - the property where I think my sorority house was, had two story apartments.
We drove around campus and found the original campus. We figured it consists of 20% of the present campus. It's still as pretty. The new part - when you look off from the old - had a lot of huge huge buildings set up - and to the west, on the lake, no forests were left between there and the fish shacks. We would go for their marvelous fish sandwiches. We did go for a fish sandwich before going back home. Rudy's Fish Shack - same name, same inside - modernized somewhat. Picnic tables with umbrellas, out by the seawall,
We made a brief stop at Cali's Florist - owned by a good friend from college, but he wasn't in. We figured he could let us know about some things. I left my phone number with the gal at the desk.
It sounds like we didn't have a good time, but we did! It was fun to travel around - and even find out that our favorite bar was a parking lot! It was a nice day, full day, and we were ready to begin the trip home when the time came. I'm glad we went.
Lue said that Jennifer went back to Cobleskill and found the same thing - lots of growth. It's hard to see change, but know it's inevitable. Paul and I traveled through Cobleskill in May from our trip to Alicia and Howard's anniversary party in Connecticut. We thought it looked beautiful. I bet people say that about Oswego.
First - I'm feeling ever so much better. I can't believe what a difference a week has made. Being back on the original medication is what's made the difference.
Paul took me to my doctor's appointment yesterday. The doctor counseled me on the medication he wanted me to take. It's the same medication I've been off and on for about a year. It's very strong. But. . . .it's the only one that works.
Unfortunately, people have sometimes had bad side effects from this type of med. My particular medication hasn't shown any yet, but he said that the drug hasn't been used long-term long enough to show what could happen, but he had to let me know.
I will be on three pills a day for three months. The following month, I'll take two pills a day for two weeks, then one pill a day every day from then on. ( Formerly, I would be on one pill a day for two weeks and then off it. This is the schedule I've been following for a year. . . when off the drug completely, the colitis flares up within a week.) The doctor is seeing me again in a month.
Our trip to Oswego: We had a blast! It was a beautiful day - blue skies, big puffy clouds. A little on the warmside, not as warm as it is today - mid 90's, but Oswego, on Lake Ontario, had a cool breeze coming off the lake. My body was still very achy from the colitis, so I took my cane, but didn't use it!
Bob and I left around 10:00 from here and got to Oswego at 12:20 - right on time according to the GPS. The trip was beautiful - partly on country roads, partly on the Thruway - for two exits. Coming into Oswego from the west, we could see the "smokestacks" that we as Freshmen were required to know. Huey, Louey, Dewey, Frank and Sylvester. What memories. . . .
The GPS took us directly to Bob's fraternity house. We pulled up. I had forgotten what a beautiful location it was! - one street beyond the lake, with an expanse of lawn going down to a sea wall. A "new" marina was a little ways away. Beyond that the breakwater from the left, reached out with a lighthouse at the end toward our right.
The fraternity house was a disappointment for Bob. At first it looked the same - but at closer look, it was really run-down. Had a blue tarp on part of the roof. Some of the wooden columns were cracked. But it's been 50 years. We wondered if people lived there or was it condemned. But we didn't see any signs posted. There were two cars parked on the side, but it was closed up and no one answered.
So - on we went - found Bob and Sue's first apartment building, the little park out front. Everything was close by - the property where I think my sorority house was, had two story apartments.
We drove around campus and found the original campus. We figured it consists of 20% of the present campus. It's still as pretty. The new part - when you look off from the old - had a lot of huge huge buildings set up - and to the west, on the lake, no forests were left between there and the fish shacks. We would go for their marvelous fish sandwiches. We did go for a fish sandwich before going back home. Rudy's Fish Shack - same name, same inside - modernized somewhat. Picnic tables with umbrellas, out by the seawall,
We made a brief stop at Cali's Florist - owned by a good friend from college, but he wasn't in. We figured he could let us know about some things. I left my phone number with the gal at the desk.
It sounds like we didn't have a good time, but we did! It was fun to travel around - and even find out that our favorite bar was a parking lot! It was a nice day, full day, and we were ready to begin the trip home when the time came. I'm glad we went.
Lue said that Jennifer went back to Cobleskill and found the same thing - lots of growth. It's hard to see change, but know it's inevitable. Paul and I traveled through Cobleskill in May from our trip to Alicia and Howard's anniversary party in Connecticut. We thought it looked beautiful. I bet people say that about Oswego.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
When Bob first arrived, it seemed like a nice long visit, but now the three weeks is going by very quickly, and next Saturday he'll be on his way to visit with his friend, Mark, up in Toronto. Martini is getting acclimated also and she and Gracie play and enjoy each other. Bob's currently at the YMCA in Corning doing his exercising. That's something I've missed. But soon I hope to get back to Curves.
I've been sick. I've had a bout of microscopic colitis for about a week now because my doctor wanted me to try a new medication that didn't have as serious side effects as the one I'm taking now. Unfortunately, it didn't work. At all. I'm tired, thirsty, and sick of being unable to leave the house. So I suffered for a week and enjoyed crawling under the covers and hibernating or something like that. Which I've been doing. My doctor started me up yesterday on my original medication and I almost immediately felt somewhat better. Not great. . . . but better. It'll take time again.
Listen to this: My doctor said that of all the things I could have, at least this one doesn't kill you. Oh, great. It is a positive.
And hey - get this - Ivan, Nancy's german shephard ate a half pound of raw bacon the other day and had diarria. Nancy rolled up all the rugs ( throw rugs over hardwood floors) to protect them but he climbed up on one and proceeded to do his business. Ivan is now close to ten years old. He's a beautiful dog, but sometimes he gets very bad reviews. They're such good dog/parents. A pet is yours for life. Ivan's a member of the family. Good or bad. He's pretty good most of the time.
I'm writing on Sunday now, and the change in my physical being and mental outlook is a marvel to see. (Don't look - I looked at me on a recent video Paul took, and it's impossible to see I lost 30 pounds. ) We went out to breakfast - my first foray out into the world. Had a wonderful breakfast at Sugar and Spice. I only ate half my omelet. But all is okay, and I feel up to a great adventure tomorrow with Bob.
We're going to Oswego! Paul's watching the dogs. It's only a little over two hours from here. It'll be a walk down memory lane for us. 50 years ago we were both students there. I believe his fraternity house is still standing, but I think my sorority house had a big fire and was torn down years ago. But it'll be good to see the campus, Lake Ontario, and perhaps visit with an old friend, Mike, who has a Greenhouse/Florist business there in town. Have lunch with him. See if there is anything left of "the stands." Places to get a fish sandwich on the lake.
Isn't it wonderful that I feel well enough to do all this? That medicine is wonderful. I'm so glad it's readily available and it does the trick!
So - now that I'm among the living. How're things goin' in your neck o' the woods? It's hot here.
But, it's summer and July. Not unusual. Maybe there'll be a cool breeze on Lake Ontario. One never knows.
I've been sick. I've had a bout of microscopic colitis for about a week now because my doctor wanted me to try a new medication that didn't have as serious side effects as the one I'm taking now. Unfortunately, it didn't work. At all. I'm tired, thirsty, and sick of being unable to leave the house. So I suffered for a week and enjoyed crawling under the covers and hibernating or something like that. Which I've been doing. My doctor started me up yesterday on my original medication and I almost immediately felt somewhat better. Not great. . . . but better. It'll take time again.
Listen to this: My doctor said that of all the things I could have, at least this one doesn't kill you. Oh, great. It is a positive.
And hey - get this - Ivan, Nancy's german shephard ate a half pound of raw bacon the other day and had diarria. Nancy rolled up all the rugs ( throw rugs over hardwood floors) to protect them but he climbed up on one and proceeded to do his business. Ivan is now close to ten years old. He's a beautiful dog, but sometimes he gets very bad reviews. They're such good dog/parents. A pet is yours for life. Ivan's a member of the family. Good or bad. He's pretty good most of the time.
I'm writing on Sunday now, and the change in my physical being and mental outlook is a marvel to see. (Don't look - I looked at me on a recent video Paul took, and it's impossible to see I lost 30 pounds. ) We went out to breakfast - my first foray out into the world. Had a wonderful breakfast at Sugar and Spice. I only ate half my omelet. But all is okay, and I feel up to a great adventure tomorrow with Bob.
We're going to Oswego! Paul's watching the dogs. It's only a little over two hours from here. It'll be a walk down memory lane for us. 50 years ago we were both students there. I believe his fraternity house is still standing, but I think my sorority house had a big fire and was torn down years ago. But it'll be good to see the campus, Lake Ontario, and perhaps visit with an old friend, Mike, who has a Greenhouse/Florist business there in town. Have lunch with him. See if there is anything left of "the stands." Places to get a fish sandwich on the lake.
Isn't it wonderful that I feel well enough to do all this? That medicine is wonderful. I'm so glad it's readily available and it does the trick!
So - now that I'm among the living. How're things goin' in your neck o' the woods? It's hot here.
But, it's summer and July. Not unusual. Maybe there'll be a cool breeze on Lake Ontario. One never knows.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Been Busy. . .Oh. Yes.
Time passes at a different speed depending upon what you're doing. Our usual routine, or other. It's the other we're doing now. Things are slowing down. I could have sworn I didn't write for two or three weeks, but looking at the July 1st date, it's obviously been much sooner. It doesn't seem possible that we've done so much. There's no connection between time and the amount of things done. There's so much we've been doing.
Last Wednesday, July 3rd, was NeeNee's 16th birthday, so her family invited the whole family, who were available, to the Thai restaurant on the Commons in Ithaca. I counted 16 people. For those of you who don't know about the Commons: It's a street that has been closed to cars for years. It has interesting shops to go into. Restaurants too. The middle had beautiful trees, gardens, places to sit, listen to concerts. Unfortunately, the Commons is all torn up. I would guess they're going to "improve it." We'll see, next year when we visit.
The Thai food was delicious as usual. Some of their dishes have a hotness level of 1-5. Noi got a #5. The waiter said they can make it hotter, but she said that was okay. She'd been in the states too long. A #5 was enough! Me, I had the sweet and sour chicken. Paul had the sweet and sour beef. We had birthday cake when we got home. (Red Velvet Cake baked by Greg)
Bob's friend Mark, from Toronto, came in on the Fourth. He stayed until Sunday afternoon. He's such a welcomed guest. Very personable. We had 22 people for a barbecue on the Fourth. Mostly relatives. Our friend Ruth, from Watkins Glen, and Mark were the others. As usual it was hot outside. Thank goodness for the a/c!
Brenda made her delicious potato salad. I made Gram's four-bean salad. Paul cooked hamburgs, hotdogs and bratz. Plus baked beans. Ruth made a most delicious frozen dessert. We had so much leftover! But it all is gone by today - Monday.
Alaina, and her dad, Jeff came in on Friday night from Ontario. Alaina was in the Kids Kamp with the girls. Jeff slept on an air mattress in the Library. Dorothy came Saturday from Ontario - she had to work until then. They stayed Saturday night with the Corning Relatives.
This will probably be the last time we'll see Alaina before she goes in the Peace Corp. She's scheduled for Uganda in November. God Bless her. I'm so glad she got to be with all the family. She's going to write a blog. Wonderful!
Saturday was Lee's High School Graduation Party. It went from 3PM til approximately 10:30 when the fireworks ended. They had a pool party in the afternoon, mexican food for dinner, and fireworks after dark. You could see there was a lot of effort put into it! I didn't count how many people were there, but there were many cars, groupings of lawn furniture, and many kids in the pool. We were glad we brought our bag chairs for Bob, Mark and us. They came in handy watching all the fireworks from the deck.
Jeff and Dorothy stayed in with the Corning Relatives Saturday night, but came back here to spend time with us all on Sunday. Noi cooked a Thai dinner - twice this trip! Our second one was yesterday. Just wonderful. She's such an excellent cook. She never follows a recipe, but just puts things together - she said it's the way she learned at home from her mother. What a wonderful thing to be able to do.
I'm learning to crochet. Noi, Brenda, NeeNee were all crocheting. It's been something I've wanted to do for a long time. So - when we went to Hobby Lobby earlier in the week, I got some wool and some crochet hooks. I learned how to knit when I was young, but never crocheted. It's harder than I expected, but then - I'm not a spring chicken (duh) and it takes me longer to get it all down and understand it. Brenda and Noi were/are very patient with me. I think it's coming along. Slowly. I made a lot of mistakes in the beginning, but now I (perhaps) have it down. It takes me forever.
I watch Brenda and Noi and I'm amazed at how fast they go - and talk, watch tv, do other things. zip,zip, zip, zip. . .they finish a line. It's coming tho. Dorothy told me that they have good YouTube videos on beginning crocheting. I checked it out and they look good. She said she learned this winter by that. So I won't feel panicky after Brenda leaves. And of course, I have Lue. She's wonderful at anything.
I saw on Facebook that Nancy's family had a good time at the Cardinals' game up in St. Louis. Walter cooperated and took two naps. He had on a Cardinal onesy, and the rest were all dressed up in Cardinal outfits. Including Nancy and Dan - with hats, and t-shirts. And they won! I guess Evie is going through the terrible two/three's. She's been having temper tantrums. Life is never easy. Especially for a two-year old getting to be a three year old soon. Where has the time gone?
Greg, Noi and the kids left today for Florida. They're stopping at Duke University on the way down so Brenan can look at it. The week after next, NeeNee and Brenan are flying out to the west coast and staying with Brenda, Emma and Eric. They're going to see USC. Brenan so far likes Cornell. We'd love to have him here in the northeast. And so close.
I haven't heard from Bill and Epril for a while. That's the way it goes. (I know that her mother reads my blog. It's another way to find out what's going on with them. They do keep in touch with Epril's family. So my blog goes to the Philippines! As soon as I find out something, Nila, I'll let you know!)
So - I've probably forgotten a lot o things. Oh, yes. Lue's niece and nephew, Sue and Eric, came up from Middletown for the party, and stayed overnight with her. They're such nice people. They always give me a big hug and call me Aunt Jeanne.
How're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
Last Wednesday, July 3rd, was NeeNee's 16th birthday, so her family invited the whole family, who were available, to the Thai restaurant on the Commons in Ithaca. I counted 16 people. For those of you who don't know about the Commons: It's a street that has been closed to cars for years. It has interesting shops to go into. Restaurants too. The middle had beautiful trees, gardens, places to sit, listen to concerts. Unfortunately, the Commons is all torn up. I would guess they're going to "improve it." We'll see, next year when we visit.
The Thai food was delicious as usual. Some of their dishes have a hotness level of 1-5. Noi got a #5. The waiter said they can make it hotter, but she said that was okay. She'd been in the states too long. A #5 was enough! Me, I had the sweet and sour chicken. Paul had the sweet and sour beef. We had birthday cake when we got home. (Red Velvet Cake baked by Greg)
Bob's friend Mark, from Toronto, came in on the Fourth. He stayed until Sunday afternoon. He's such a welcomed guest. Very personable. We had 22 people for a barbecue on the Fourth. Mostly relatives. Our friend Ruth, from Watkins Glen, and Mark were the others. As usual it was hot outside. Thank goodness for the a/c!
Brenda made her delicious potato salad. I made Gram's four-bean salad. Paul cooked hamburgs, hotdogs and bratz. Plus baked beans. Ruth made a most delicious frozen dessert. We had so much leftover! But it all is gone by today - Monday.
Alaina, and her dad, Jeff came in on Friday night from Ontario. Alaina was in the Kids Kamp with the girls. Jeff slept on an air mattress in the Library. Dorothy came Saturday from Ontario - she had to work until then. They stayed Saturday night with the Corning Relatives.
This will probably be the last time we'll see Alaina before she goes in the Peace Corp. She's scheduled for Uganda in November. God Bless her. I'm so glad she got to be with all the family. She's going to write a blog. Wonderful!
Saturday was Lee's High School Graduation Party. It went from 3PM til approximately 10:30 when the fireworks ended. They had a pool party in the afternoon, mexican food for dinner, and fireworks after dark. You could see there was a lot of effort put into it! I didn't count how many people were there, but there were many cars, groupings of lawn furniture, and many kids in the pool. We were glad we brought our bag chairs for Bob, Mark and us. They came in handy watching all the fireworks from the deck.
Jeff and Dorothy stayed in with the Corning Relatives Saturday night, but came back here to spend time with us all on Sunday. Noi cooked a Thai dinner - twice this trip! Our second one was yesterday. Just wonderful. She's such an excellent cook. She never follows a recipe, but just puts things together - she said it's the way she learned at home from her mother. What a wonderful thing to be able to do.
I'm learning to crochet. Noi, Brenda, NeeNee were all crocheting. It's been something I've wanted to do for a long time. So - when we went to Hobby Lobby earlier in the week, I got some wool and some crochet hooks. I learned how to knit when I was young, but never crocheted. It's harder than I expected, but then - I'm not a spring chicken (duh) and it takes me longer to get it all down and understand it. Brenda and Noi were/are very patient with me. I think it's coming along. Slowly. I made a lot of mistakes in the beginning, but now I (perhaps) have it down. It takes me forever.
I watch Brenda and Noi and I'm amazed at how fast they go - and talk, watch tv, do other things. zip,zip, zip, zip. . .they finish a line. It's coming tho. Dorothy told me that they have good YouTube videos on beginning crocheting. I checked it out and they look good. She said she learned this winter by that. So I won't feel panicky after Brenda leaves. And of course, I have Lue. She's wonderful at anything.
I saw on Facebook that Nancy's family had a good time at the Cardinals' game up in St. Louis. Walter cooperated and took two naps. He had on a Cardinal onesy, and the rest were all dressed up in Cardinal outfits. Including Nancy and Dan - with hats, and t-shirts. And they won! I guess Evie is going through the terrible two/three's. She's been having temper tantrums. Life is never easy. Especially for a two-year old getting to be a three year old soon. Where has the time gone?
Greg, Noi and the kids left today for Florida. They're stopping at Duke University on the way down so Brenan can look at it. The week after next, NeeNee and Brenan are flying out to the west coast and staying with Brenda, Emma and Eric. They're going to see USC. Brenan so far likes Cornell. We'd love to have him here in the northeast. And so close.
I haven't heard from Bill and Epril for a while. That's the way it goes. (I know that her mother reads my blog. It's another way to find out what's going on with them. They do keep in touch with Epril's family. So my blog goes to the Philippines! As soon as I find out something, Nila, I'll let you know!)
So - I've probably forgotten a lot o things. Oh, yes. Lue's niece and nephew, Sue and Eric, came up from Middletown for the party, and stayed overnight with her. They're such nice people. They always give me a big hug and call me Aunt Jeanne.
How're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
Monday, July 1, 2013
Rain, Company, Fun Anyway
I had very mixed emotions this morning. Either go take a nap, go to Curves, or blog. It's raining out. I didn't feel like leaving the house. So no Curves. I can take a nap this afternoon. So - here I am!
We have a houseful. Bob is here. He's just left for the Corning YMCA, which makes me kinda feel guilty. I CAN go to Curves at 3:00 instead, which I may still do. Noi and Greg are going to cook spare ribs tonight. Sounds good. One meal I don't have to prepare. So it looks like I can fit everything in. . . . if I want to.
Yes. We have a houseful. Brenda arrived, as mentioned before, before graduations.
Bob came in on Wednesday afternoon from Pittsburg, where he dropped his son, Paul, off. Paul had flown down to Fla. for his own birthday, June 18th, and then drove back up with his dad, so he had company on the drive up to visit.
Noi, Greg, Brenan and NeeNee and their little dog, Gus, arrived Saturday morning at 6 AM. They drove all the way through - 19+ hours - from Gainesville.
All of a sudden on Saturday, we had 18 people for lunch. Everyone came - from Corning to Odessa. Brenda even had her roommate and her husband drive up from Princeton for an overnight stay. (They stayed in a hotel. No room here.) Brenda made her pickled bologna sandwiches for everyone. We used up two loaves of bread. Plus Paul made up a huge batch of wimpies - 5 lbs. of hamburger mix. We had chips galore, so everyone had something to eat. Bob and I had gone to Sam's club in the morning and gotten one of their huge containers of small sugar donuts. They were gone.
It has been raining almost the whole time Bob has been here. He asked if it ever stopped. It's supposed to be better weather coming along, so that on Fourth of July, which is in four days we should have perfect Fourth weather. Let's hope so.
The whole family went to a Pioneers Baseball Game in Elmira at Dunn Field yesterday. We went for the game, but we mostly came because our Corning Grandson's baseball team was to be honored by the players being called onto the field before the game. Their team is sponsored by the Pioneers. Paul's son is the manager.
The weather forecast was mediocre to bad. A lot of chance of rain. The game was supposed to start at 5. All of us were to get there at 4:30 to make sure we saw the kids. The stadium is completely covered, but we sat half-way up the rows - to be sure to be out of the rain .. . if it rained. But - the best laid plans. . . We got there, and the first game hadn't been finished - due to rain. The tarp was still over the infield. That had to be unrolled. Then they had to rake up the dirt, and play from the 5th to the 7th inning. They did that. And began to prepare the infield.
Then a huge rain cloud appeared and they again covered the infield. The storm to beat all storms, perhaps a slight exaggeration, came up - the wind, the rain. We were all soaked because the rain poured over the roof, and the wind blew with such force that the rain blew into the stadium from the openings in the back. The roof leaked. Paul, I and Bob had umbrellas. Nobody else did. So we sat in our chairs, the rest ran downstairs to the lobby/ refreshment area. Soaked. The roof leaked there too. It was unfortunate.
After a while, Paul, Bob and I made our wet apologies and left for home. So did most of the family. We all felt guilty, but time-wise there was so much time left before the game could even start - the field had to be prepared for the new game. We got home at 8:00. Our daughter-in-law sent us an e-mail this morning that the game had been cancelled. Phew. Felt much better about the whole thing. It was not pleasant.
I want to thank everyone for our anniversary cards. We had a nice day: we had 18 people there for lunch and then in the evening Paul and I went to Tanino's Restaurant in Horseheads. It's my favorite. Our meals were very good. As usual. And I like the ambiance. Perfect.
So - I found that my math isn't so good. I want to apologize for my other post. To me, it made sense that two coffees would be $2.10, but people have pointed out to me that with tax, it comes to $2.11. So I grandly and with much fanfare, am showing the error in my math ways.
You can see that my Ph. D in Math daughter got her math abilities from her engineering/mathematically minded father. Not me. Mea Culpa.
Our week is full of activities. I'll report on them as soon as I can. It's nice to be busy, but we also like our quiet, which will come, and then we'll miss everyone again. It's a vicious cycle.
So - how're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
We have a houseful. Bob is here. He's just left for the Corning YMCA, which makes me kinda feel guilty. I CAN go to Curves at 3:00 instead, which I may still do. Noi and Greg are going to cook spare ribs tonight. Sounds good. One meal I don't have to prepare. So it looks like I can fit everything in. . . . if I want to.
Yes. We have a houseful. Brenda arrived, as mentioned before, before graduations.
Bob came in on Wednesday afternoon from Pittsburg, where he dropped his son, Paul, off. Paul had flown down to Fla. for his own birthday, June 18th, and then drove back up with his dad, so he had company on the drive up to visit.
Noi, Greg, Brenan and NeeNee and their little dog, Gus, arrived Saturday morning at 6 AM. They drove all the way through - 19+ hours - from Gainesville.
All of a sudden on Saturday, we had 18 people for lunch. Everyone came - from Corning to Odessa. Brenda even had her roommate and her husband drive up from Princeton for an overnight stay. (They stayed in a hotel. No room here.) Brenda made her pickled bologna sandwiches for everyone. We used up two loaves of bread. Plus Paul made up a huge batch of wimpies - 5 lbs. of hamburger mix. We had chips galore, so everyone had something to eat. Bob and I had gone to Sam's club in the morning and gotten one of their huge containers of small sugar donuts. They were gone.
It has been raining almost the whole time Bob has been here. He asked if it ever stopped. It's supposed to be better weather coming along, so that on Fourth of July, which is in four days we should have perfect Fourth weather. Let's hope so.
The whole family went to a Pioneers Baseball Game in Elmira at Dunn Field yesterday. We went for the game, but we mostly came because our Corning Grandson's baseball team was to be honored by the players being called onto the field before the game. Their team is sponsored by the Pioneers. Paul's son is the manager.
The weather forecast was mediocre to bad. A lot of chance of rain. The game was supposed to start at 5. All of us were to get there at 4:30 to make sure we saw the kids. The stadium is completely covered, but we sat half-way up the rows - to be sure to be out of the rain .. . if it rained. But - the best laid plans. . . We got there, and the first game hadn't been finished - due to rain. The tarp was still over the infield. That had to be unrolled. Then they had to rake up the dirt, and play from the 5th to the 7th inning. They did that. And began to prepare the infield.
Then a huge rain cloud appeared and they again covered the infield. The storm to beat all storms, perhaps a slight exaggeration, came up - the wind, the rain. We were all soaked because the rain poured over the roof, and the wind blew with such force that the rain blew into the stadium from the openings in the back. The roof leaked. Paul, I and Bob had umbrellas. Nobody else did. So we sat in our chairs, the rest ran downstairs to the lobby/ refreshment area. Soaked. The roof leaked there too. It was unfortunate.
After a while, Paul, Bob and I made our wet apologies and left for home. So did most of the family. We all felt guilty, but time-wise there was so much time left before the game could even start - the field had to be prepared for the new game. We got home at 8:00. Our daughter-in-law sent us an e-mail this morning that the game had been cancelled. Phew. Felt much better about the whole thing. It was not pleasant.
I want to thank everyone for our anniversary cards. We had a nice day: we had 18 people there for lunch and then in the evening Paul and I went to Tanino's Restaurant in Horseheads. It's my favorite. Our meals were very good. As usual. And I like the ambiance. Perfect.
So - I found that my math isn't so good. I want to apologize for my other post. To me, it made sense that two coffees would be $2.10, but people have pointed out to me that with tax, it comes to $2.11. So I grandly and with much fanfare, am showing the error in my math ways.
You can see that my Ph. D in Math daughter got her math abilities from her engineering/mathematically minded father. Not me. Mea Culpa.
Our week is full of activities. I'll report on them as soon as I can. It's nice to be busy, but we also like our quiet, which will come, and then we'll miss everyone again. It's a vicious cycle.
So - how're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
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