Thursday, July 31, 2008

Cool give aways I'm dieing to win!

Laurie at La Vie de Laurie is giving away the cutest bag! It's a fabulous brand new COACH SOHO MULTI PRINT HOBO and I would probably pass out if I were to win it!

Mary over at Owl Haven is having a great give away for a Land' End backpack that I'm dieing to win! My pack finally gave up the ghost after several seasons and this would be the perfect replacement.

Then The Give Away has some gorgeous jewelry!

Nature Deva has some great tote bags she's giving away.

Labels: ,

Vintage Thingies Thursday


Found a new meme today while surfing around and thought it would be fun to give it a try. It's called Vintage Thingies Thursday and if I'm reading right, you share some of your vintage things.

For me, photos are what I have to share. I enjoy genealogy and try to collect photos from my ancestors from generations ago.


To join in the fun, head on over to Confessions of an Apron Queen.

Labels: , , ,

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Jamestown Jammers

We had a free day on Monday, so of course, we load up the car and head off for the day. We ended up in Jamestown, NY, and decided to go to a baseball game there. We had been there one other time and before the game, two players are available to sign autographs and the rest of the team will sign while warming up on the field and after the game on their way to the locker room. They are the most fan friendly team I've even met and we go to a lot of games. They will sign anything and everything.



I have an 8x8 travel scrapbook I carry around everywhere we go and one page is devoted to each sporting team, politician, singer, actor, etc... that I meet.

My Jammers' page is now full. I have almost the entire team's signatures on the page in addition to the pocket schedule and some baseball themed stickers. I also had some photos from the last game that the players signed for me.

The rest of the week, I have to catch up on some features the newspaper has assigned me since we're going away next week on our family vacation. We're heading off to Busch Gardens and VA Beach. Really looking forward to that. We'll be gone Monday til Sunday, come home and do some laundry, the Randy and I are going to Gettysburg to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary (Yes, I was a child bride!) We're staying at the Farnsworth Inn which is called one of the most haunted places in the world and we have their most haunted room - The Sarah Black room. I'm beyond excited about that. We'll take many photos, video and even try our hand at EVPs. If we're ever going to capture a ghost on film, it will be there. :)

Labels: , , ,

Worldless Wednesday

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Is everyone ok out in CA land?

Hope everyone out there in southern CA is ok after the 5.8 quake that hit a bit ago.


Breaking News: Strong Earthquake Shakes Southern CA





Posted: July 29, 2008 02:53 PM

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A strong earthquake has shaken Southern California.

The late Tuesday morning jolt was felt from Los Angeles to San Diego, and slightly in Las Vegas.

Preliminary information from the U.S. Geological Survey estimated the
quake at magnitude 5.8, centered 29 miles east-southeast of downtown
Los Angeles near Chino Hills.

http://www.ktnv. com/global/ story.asp? s=8754303

Labels: ,

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Camera Critters



The sweet Aphrodite


Labels: , , , ,

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Worldless Wednesday

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Altoona Curve Double Header


Since the kids are off at camp all this week, Randy and I decided to take a drive and wound up in Altoona for a double header last night. We had a great time! The weather cooperated and the Curve won both games.

We had planned to get to another game tonight, but it's been pouring all day. Not a fun idea to drive 1 1/2 hours to have the game rained out. Maybe we'll go see a movie instead.

Hope everyone is having a good day!

Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Camera Critters






This is just one of the many magnificent wild elk that live not far from where I live. :) I try to get to Benezette every month or so to get new photos.

Labels: , , , ,

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Happy Birthday, Love Bug!

Today is my hubby's 42nd birthday. He had to work this morning, but we'll be going out for a nice meal when he gets home. I'm thinking maybe Red Lobster, we all love seafood and he deserves a night out for all the hard work he does.



Our anniversary is coming up next month. It'll be 20 years we've been married. Where do all those years go? I've spent my entire adult life with him. We got together the weekend before I left for college. He was home on leave (US Marines) and we ran into each other and have been together ever since. I never did graduate from college, but I wouldn't change a thing about the life we've had so far. :)

Labels: ,

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Worldless Wednesday

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Camera Critters




This is the last photo I took of Muffin (the grey cat) with Mittens. We brought them home a couple weeks apart and they were as close as sisters. Muffin was the nice one who kept Mittens in check. Once Muffin went to the Rainbow Bridge, Mittens turned into the evil Darth Mittens and began beating up our poor dogs. She's still that way. She'll walk by Aphrodite and just up and slap her in the head for no reason. CATS!!!

Labels: , , , , ,

Friday, July 11, 2008

How can a year be gone?

I knew today would happen, no matter how badly I tried to wish it away. It still snuck up on me and here I sit, crying at the computer. There are a couple poems at the end that always make me cry, but they fit today so well, I had to include them.

A year ago today at just about 1 p.m., my dearest friend died. I loved him more than I could ever put in words and he felt the same way. His formal name was Lord Adonis Yoshi, but he never stood on formality and he was Adonis or my Yoshi boy. He was the most gorgeous Golden Retriever ever born. Sweet, kind and loving and loyal. Human friends betray, but he never did. He was always there. My rock, my love, my beloved, Mein Engel.

He was so much more than just that though. He always knew when I needed him and would just be there. I've cried rivers in his soft fur. If I wanted to walk, he was always ready, if I wanted to just be a couch potato and eat carrots, he was ready for that, too. (He loved baby carrots and would do all sorts of tricks to get one.) When the pain was too bad for even a sight touch of his sweet head on my leg, he'd just lie there beside me, not too close to hurt, but just so his presence could give me strength. He could always make me laugh just by doing something silly.

When the day came to say good bye, we went on our normal morning hike, came home and took footprints in plaster cast. They didn't turn out too well, but they're all I have left. I took him to McDonalds for a final treat, then it was good bye. I felt his final breath on my face and the last things he heard were, "I love you. Gehst Du nach Hause und Wartezeit für mich, meine Liebchen."

I miss him more every day. I realize some people won't ever understand the bond between a person and the right animal. "Get another dog" is the advice I keep hearing. No, there can't be another dog. When you were blessed with the perfect dog, nothing else can even come close and I can't do that to myself or the dog. We still have his mate Aphrodite and I do love her dearly, but she's not my boy.

I truly believe I'll see him again. He's just waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge.



Until we meet again, I'll love you forever and a day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all
of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is
plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and
comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and
vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The
animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each
miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly
stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His
eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying
over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally
meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the
beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your
pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I STOOD BY YOUR BED LAST NIGHT

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peek.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew,
in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.

~ Author unknown

Labels: , ,

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Jamestown Jammers

Randy had the day off, so we wanted to do something different and decided to try out a new minor league ballpark last night and drove up to Jamestown, NY to see the Jamestown Jammers take on the Brooklyn Cyclones. It was dollar night, so it was a pretty inexpensive for us, even with the 1 1/2 hour drive to get there. Admission, hot dogs, pop and beer was only $1 each.

The park is a nice one, the fans were pretty friendly and I met the vice president of the Jammers' booster club. The seats were wonderful! We were right between third base and home plate in the third row. I took a "few" photos during the game. Of course, for me, the definition of a "few" might be slightly different than others. OK, I took about 700 photos. :)

The players themselves are very nice and were all happy to sign autographs. My scrapbook looks nice with all the new autographs in it. I won a $10 gift certificate for a local cafe called The Cherry, just for buying a $3 program, so we picked those up on our way home. Randy assured me they were very good. It was after midnight when we got home and there was no way I could even think of eating wings that late.

T had a scary few minutes after the game when he couldn't find his cellphone. We tore the car apart, no phone. Great, here we are in a different State, we know nobody and he can't find his phone. I called his number a few times and on the last try, the person who answered it was the assistant general manager of the Jammers. He found the phone and put it in the office, figuring someone would come looking. I can't thank you enough, George! You saved the night and have made us Jammers' fans for life!

Labels: , ,

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Worldless Wednesday

Monday, July 07, 2008

Happy Birthday, Mom!



Today is my mother's birthday. She's my hero and I can't imagine life without her.

Labels: ,

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Family Reunion Time


Yesterday was my dad's family's annual reunion. He comes from a family of 18 brothers and sisters. Yes, that's 18! I can barely manage two, so I can't imagine dealing with that many.

Not everyone made it this year and we've lost several uncles, but it was still fun to catch up with my aunts and uncles I rarely see and get to meet all the new cousins. My kids really don't know them at all, so it was all new to them.

Labels: , ,

Camera Critters




Aphrodite is waiting for her share of the Fourth of July BBQ feast! We had ribs and boneless chicken breast, so she got to sample some chicken and all the bones she could eat.

Labels: , , , ,

Friday, July 04, 2008

Happy Independence Day, America!!


SEXY & HOT COMMENTS


CLICK HERE!


Just wanted to tell all my American friends to have a wonderful Fourth of July! Hope it's filled with fun and fireworks. :)

Labels: ,

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Getting ready for the long weekend

Just trying to get caught up posting and wanted to say hello to everyone. Being out of town for a couple days really puts me behind, but we sure needed the break.

Anyone have plans for the Fourth? We're going to have a BBQ here. Then on Saturday, we're going to my dad's family reunion. We rarely see any of his brothers and sisters (they are a family of 18!), so we try to go most years. I enjoy working on our family tree, so this gives me a chance to get new photos and catch up on what's going on in everyone's lives.

We were at a baseball game on Tuesday down in State College. It was a minor league game between the State College Spikes (Pittsburgh Pirate farm team) and the Williamsport Crosscutters (Philadelphia Phillies). Only took about 450 photos.

My daughter and I got quite a few autographs from each team in our scrapbooks. They'll look really nice once I add the tickets, programs and some photos. We can look at them and always remember that night. I love scrapbooking and collecting autographs.

Of course, we had to go to the mall while we were there. I have no clothes that fit since I've lost so much weight. My daughter is addicted to Aeropostale, so we went there first. I was able to find a pair of jeans and they fit! I wanted to cry. It's been so long since I was able to go into a store and find cute clothes. Quite a feeling. Then we went to Hot Topic, my favorite store. Found a new fairy shirt. Their shirts are slim fit, so I never could wear the nice ones. It feels like a whole new life is being opened up for me! If you've lost weight, you know what I mean.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend!

Labels: , , , , ,

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Worldless Wednesday