Another year has passed.....

November 11, 2008 - November 11, 2010

To my Dad in Heaven -  It's hard to believe that two years have passed since you have gone Home.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of you.  I still cry sometimes, knowing that you are not here, but I know you were tired and wanted to go Home.  And I hope it is a glorious Home.

Even though there are tears, there is laughter too.  The antics that you used to do, still make me laugh.  And I want you to know that I was and still am proud of you.  You fought a hard battle right to the end.  I'm so proud to be your daughter.  I hope I make you just as proud.

I love you, Dad.

Heaven has a new Angel...

Uncle Donald made his journey Home this morning.  At least he's no longer suffering.

I guess I'm feeling sorry for myself....but how many more people that I love so much do I have to lose from cancer?  Scott's been through this 4 times so far...how much more can he take?

Please just say prayer for Uncle Donald....may he rest in peace.  And never, ever take life for granted.

thanks

Delay in postings...

I know it has been a very, very long time since I last posted.  Guess you could say I'm taking a break from posting.  Right now, I need to be with my family and friends more.

Visiting Scott's Uncle Donald and Aunt Annie.  Uncle Donald has lost alot of weight since the last time we saw him.  And he's aged.  I try to keep my sense of humor around him, but it's so hard.  He reminds me of how my dad was when he was fighting cancer.  It's just not fair!  To see someone so strong to dwindle from life.  Why???????

I tell myself because God has something else in mind for them, but it's hard to understand.

Needless to say, I'm so glad Scott and I came to see them.  It's going to be a hard visit. 

Please keep Uncle Donald in your thoughts and prayers.  They are desparately needed.

Belated July 4th....

What is the matter with me?  I just can't seem to write to the blog lately!  I guess my life just isn't very exciting.

Didn't do much this three-day weekend.  I did some yard work with my "Garden Groom" (I LOVE that thing!) and some weedwacking.  Scotty washed the vehicle and cleaned the cloudy headlights on my mom's and my cars.  Some kit he picked up at Advance Auto.  They do look better, though.  Then floated around in the pool in the afternoons.

We didn't go to the fireworks in Putnam this year.  I asked him if he wanted to go, he said, "No...we've seen them once."  I guess once is it.

On Saturday, we went to We-Lik-It (YUM).  We both had hot fudge sundaes (not enough fudge for me!).  He got the Holstein and I got Meadow Marsh or Mash, something like that.  It was vanilla ice cream with fudge ripple and chocolate brownie bites in it.  His was chocolate with some vanilla and almonds.  Then I saw one of my classmates from grammar school (many, many years ago) there.  (She works there running the stand.)  Becky hasn't changed a bit.  Isn't that weird how the past comes back around.  It's amazing.

Well, tomorrow another work week begins.  I'm sure it will be a very long 4 days.  At least vacation is only a month away.

Stay cool!

A long time....

I know....I've been slacking off big time.

It's another hot one today.  Thank goodness the pool is up and running.  I think Scott's having more fun with it than I am.  We bought some floats yesterday and outdoor cushions for the chairs.  Nothing very exciting.

Scott called West Virginia last night...Uncle Donald isn't doing well with the chemo he's getting for his cancer.  I guess they are giving him double doses.  We're going in August to visit with them.  I think it's going to be a tough one for all of us.  I've been saying extra prayers for him and Aunt Annie.

Mom's getting ready to watch the NASCAR race at Loudon Speedway.  Her man is #5, Mark Martin.  Scott's is #88, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.  Mine?  I don't really have one.  I watch it, but going around in a circle?  I don't know.  It's like golf, running around after a little ball....puhleaze.  I'd rather be driving the golf cart.  That looks like it's much more exciting.

No other news, which I guess is good news.  I'm still reading the book "Little Bee" which is pretty good.  Just taking me a long time to finish.  The afghan?  I'm still working on that too.  I've got to start moving though if I want it done for August for Aunt Annie and Uncle Donald.

Stay cool!!

Aunt Annie's home!

Scott and I got good news yesterday about his Aunt Annie.  She's home from the hospital ahead of schedule.  He talked to her yesterday and she sounded good.  I am so relieved; Scott is too.

Didn't do much this weekend.  Too hot and humid for me.  Yesterday Scott and I did some errands and visited with some of his friends at the park.  I broke down and went to Woolworks yarn store in Putnam yesterday.  Bad, bad, bad!!!  But I just can't help it.  I walk in there and the yarn is calling my name.  Nan-ceeeeee, knit with meeeee!  Blasted yarn.

There really isn't too much other excitement going on.  Been working on separating the paint cans in the cellar for the Hazardous Waste thing in Pomfret next Saturday.  I even found a small can of bowling alley wax!  No bowling alleys here, so I have no idea what my dad was doing with that.

Been awhile since my "words of Yankee wisdom", hasn't it?  So here it is:

"If it rains on the first Sunday of the month, every Sunday except one will be wet"

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Dad

Today's my Dad's birthday.  He would have been 77 years old.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of him.  And some of the things that Scotty does, reminds me of my dad.  (or maybe it's the "guy mold" thing?)

My dad was a simple man.  He loved working on his family farm, which is below my mom's home now.  He loved working with the farm animals.  He always wanted to have that "big green tractor".  He ended up with a green lawnmower instead.

Dad loved working outside.  Puttering around.  I remember in the summers when he would take some weeks off with me, he would be mowing the lawn and have the stereo speakers in the windows of the house, blaring, with music of the Statler Brothers, the Oak Ridge Boys, and the Kendalls.  And that stereo was blaring!

Dad loved working his garden too.  Always too big.  Too many veggies.  My mother had a poodle named Gina, and she loved helping herself to the peas, ripping the pods right off the vines.  She always seemed to know when they were ready.  Dad always planted extra peas!

Thank goodness the good memories are more plentiful than the bad ones.  Some days are still harder than others.  But then there are the good days when you can't help but laugh at something that my Dad might have done or said.  Thank God for those days.

So I say it again.  Happy Birthday in Heaven, Dad.  I hope you are planting the biggest garden, riding the biggest tractor, fishing in the biggest stream, and free of all the pain you were in toward the end of your Earth life.  And I hope I'm making you proud, as I was proud of you during your brave fight to the end.

I love you, Dad, and miss you every day.

Happy Birthday

Remembering....

It's Memorial Day....Time to remember the ones who fought for us, for our free country.

My grandfather Ericson (my mom's dad) was in World War I, a cook on the USS Florida.  My uncles Karl and Alan were in Korea.  And that's about all I know who were in the military in my family.  In Scott's - whew.  His father was in the Navy, his aunts and uncles and cousins.  Many of them were and still are in the military.  God bless them all.  It takes a lot of courage.

Scott's Aunt Annie is recovering from Friday's surgery.  Scott and I talked to her yesterday.  Not too long because she tires easily.  It was so good to hear her voice.  She has her morphine, they took out the catheter yesterday, and she went to the bathroom by herself.  She's taking it day by day, which is what we all should do.  Live each day.  Easily said, hard to do.

Scott's Uncle Donald goes for his appointment tomorrow, so naturally Scott and I are worried about that.  It's hard when the ones you care about are so far away.  Scott's hoping that he gets the week in August off so we can go see them and do some things for them.

Anyways....

It's been a quiet weekend at the Noon/Wolfe household.  Quiet is good.  Today Scotty's cooking on the grill and then who knows what.  And I was good....Woolworks yarn store in Putnam has a HUGE sale going on for their 5 year anniversary under the current ownership.  And I didn't go.  It's hard, but I didn't go.  Scott said I could, but I said no.  (It's hard to say no, isn't it?)

Anyways....again....

Happy Memorial Day and remember....

Good news....

Some good news =)  Scott's Aunt Annie from West Virginia made it through her surgery okay on Friday.  Thank goodness!  Now the healing process begins, but at least the surgery is over.  Scott's Uncle Donald said the surgery was a success!

It's so nice to have a 3 day weekend....no big  plans, just relax and do some crocheting.  Not sure what Scotty's up to.  His grandfather, Bumpa, is down visiting from Maine, so maybe he'll go see him.

I just wanted to take a moment to remember the fallen soldiers (heroes) who put their lives on the line for us.  Without them and their courage, we would not be today.

Be safe this holiday weekend.

Why?

Scott got some sad news from West Virginia Monday night.  His Uncle Donald has Stage 4 cancer; in the esophaugus (I know I didn't spell that right) and on the liver.  Scott's Aunt Annie (Uncle Donald's wife) is going in for surgery on Friday because they have to pull down her stomach from behind her lungs and heart.

I just don't understand.....

Why do such evil things happen to such nice people?  These things should happen to criminals and evil people.

Scott is very close to his Uncle Donald; he was the best man at our wedding.  Uncle Donald is a fun type of person.  He's always joking around, and he sometimes can be a male chauvinist.  But I can give it right back to him (and Aunt Annie cheering me right along!)  They both made me feel very welcome the first time I met them.

Scott and I weren't planning to go to West Virginia this year; but with this news we'll probably go in the summer.  I have a vacation then and Scott put in for one.

So that's why I titled this blog "Why?"  because I just don't understand why.

And the hexagon afghan I'm working on?  I decided that I wanted to give it to them.  They let Scott and I stay at the house while they were away and they always want us to come and visit them.  So I decided that I would do that.  I can always make another one for myself.

It's been very, very hot the past couple of days.  Hopefully this spell breaks soon.  I'm not ready for summer yet.

Saturday....

Was a busy Saturday for me.  Went to Target in the morning...had to get some vitamins.  Although I'm feeling better than last week, I'm still kind of weak.  I "helped" Scott move my mom's entertainment center to the Storage Shed and I ended up dropping my end.  The unit only lost one of the plastic wheels, but I know Scott was a little peeved that I dropped it.  I didn't do it intentionally; and I think he realized that eventually.  I hate not having the strength I had!  So, that's why I'm going to start vitamins.

After Target, Scott and I went to Chase Road Growers in Thompson to get some veggie plants and cemetery pots.  I love that place!  And the people are so nice too.  Then it was off to the cemeteries.  When I got to my dad's, the caretaker kind of ticked me off.  I had the pot of pansies that I put there a couple of weeks ago (that was for the whole Noon family), and I put a purple pot on my dad's, and a pink pot between my Grandma and Grandpa Noon.  Well, I don't know if the caretaker was "on watch" or something, but he tells us we can't plant the flowers there.  I have never done that.  Then he started talking about the "by-laws" (which we have yet to see), and said that next year he wanted only 1 plant per family plot!  I was very upset by this.  How can he say that?  What if there a huge family?  What if it's grandparents who have 10 grandchildren and they want to put flowers there?  Now they can't?  That's poo!!!!!  My dad paid for the plot of seven, my mom sends donations to the Pomfret Cemetery Association.  And only one pot?  I don't think so!  I could see if it was trashy or something, but it's not.  I think they are the caretaker's by-laws.  And then he goes to me, "Oh, don't tell your mother...it will make her upset."  Her?  What about me?  And believe me, I was!   What's next?  Close the cemetery?  I know my dad's not really there, but that's not the point!

Ooooooooooooohhhhh.....

I'm getting ticked...I better stop about this...I'm getting steamed again...

So after that, we went and got clamcakes at Hank's Dairy Bar.  They were yummy = )

Then we came home and mowed the lawn.  I was doing the push mower, but I was getting pooped pretty fast.  Scott gave me the rider to use while he did the other.  So I know I need some kind of boost for my system.

Tomorrow is a quiet day, I think.  Then back to work on Monday.  I have vacation in August, so I'm counting down.

A Springy Saturday....

Oh, what a beautiful day out there.  It's perfect, I think.

Scott and I did go to Alan Jackson's "Freight Train" concert last night at Mohegan Sun.  It was awesome!  Chris Young came on first, then my guy, Josh Turner, came on.  Then Alan came on.  Scott really enjoyed Alan.  I've seen Alan in concert a few times in Tennessee when I went to the Nashville Fan Fair quite a few years ago.  But I'd seen Josh!!!!!  ; )

It was a 3 hour show.  Chris played a half hour; Josh - an hour; and Alan - an hour and a half.  We got there around 3 in the afternoon (show started at 7) and walked around and then ate at "Johnny Rockets".  Didn't play any slots though.  I didn't want to and Scott didn't either.  And there were alot of slot machines that were not being played.  A lot of them at the card tables though.  I would not do any good at that; I only know how to play rummy (and I think I'm using my own rules, not the rules that I'm supposed to use.).

But I'm glad we went.  Our seats were waaaaay up the top of the arena, so it was very, very far down.  But I managed.  But if there's a next time there, I'll pay the higher price to get closer seats to the ground.

I finally starting to feel a little better.  All my bloodwork came back okay, except for the Lyme disease.  There's no answer on that one.  So, I will call and pester them on Monday.  I do not want to feel sick like that again.  That was (*ll.

So for the rest of the weekend, just take it easy.  I feel like doing things outside, but I know I'll overdo it.  And missing one week of work was bad enough.

Take a chance to enjoy this gorgeous day.

I know you've been waiting for some Yankee wisdom!  So here we go.....

"When butterflies come early in the season, they mean fair weather."

Don't like being sick....

UGH!  That's all I can come up with.

The last few days I've been light-headed, nauseous, weak, no appetite, and sleepy.  Went to the Doctor's today and he ordered some blood tests.  Hopefully nothing too serious, but I do want to know what it is.  (And no, I'm not pregnant, even though there's a rumor about it at work.  People obviously have nothing better to do.)

Scott and I did celebrate our anniversary on Saturday.  We went to Warwick and had dinner at the Olive Garden.  Yum!  At least that tasted good before I got sick.

This Friday, we're supposed to go see Alan Jackson, Josh Turner (hold me back!!!!!) and Chris Young at Mohegan Sun.  I hope I'm better by then, or at least have some kind of med to make me better.

So far, Scott's been fine.  Thank goodness.  One of us has to work!

Can't think of anything else...hope everyone is doing better than me!  : - (

Friday's coming.....

You know the saying...."Thank God It's Friday???"  Well, I am very thankful for that.  It's been a so-so (bleah) week.  I can't really pinpoint anything, except that it was bleah.

I actually have a decent paycheck for this week.  So far I only lost 30 minutes.  That's pretty good.  I can't remember the last time I had a paycheck like that (except for vacation). 

On May 9 (Mother's Day)  Scott and I celebrate our 1 year anniversary.  We going out Saturday to Warwick, RI to go shopping and eat (hopefully at the Olive Garden).  I have to remember to take out our wedding cake top (can't imagine how that will taste.)

I can't think of too much news.  Even that is bleah.

Bleah, BLEAH, BLEAH

Anyways.....In case I don't write before Sunday.....Happy Mother's Day to all.  I know I'm very thankful for my mom.  She's always there for me through thick and thin.  Thanks you, Mom!

Another Yankee Weather wisdom......

If all the stars are out tonight, it will be a nice day tomorrow.

A Steamy Sunday....

Boy, it's HOT!!!!  Yesterday was warm too.  Summer feels like it's coming.

Scott and I did some work for his mother yesterday.  Then we had chinese with her for lunch.  Then I brought some pansies to the cemetary for my Dad.  He wasn't a flower person (that's what the weed eater was for, he thought!), but it made me feel better to know that he had some Spring flowers there.

Not too much excitement here.  Which is good.  Work is slow, as usual. 

It was a rought week last week for my mom.  Thursday was the funeral for my uncle Louie (her brother).  I know I shouldn't say this, but it was nice.  A very simple graveside service.  Because Uncle Louie was very simple too.  Both my mom and I had chills off and on days prior to the service and just felt drained.  At least now he's at peace...no more brace for his leg, no more hearing aids.  Just carefree and healthy.

The house is very quiet today.  Scott's been sleeping the day away (says he's fine, but tired).  And my mom's been sleeping too.  Me?  Just trying to amuse myself.  And stay cool!  (Janet, that Sweet Tea sounds mighty good right now!)

I have finally read 1 book from my many stacks of novels.  "The Nazi Officer's Wife" by Edith Hahn Beer.  It's about "how one Jewish woman survived the Holocaust" during World War II.  It was a very, very good read.  She was put in the Vienna ghetto then sent to a labor camp.  She returned home to Vienna, then went underground.  She did survive the war with a Christian identity and married a German Nazi soldier during the war who knew she was Jewish. 

The horrors that they went through.  I cannot even fathom it.  How another "human being" (not that they were human) could treat another human being like that....

So, this is a very quiet Sunday.  Not bad to have one of them once in a while.  Monday will be here soon enough.

And now, some Yankee weather wisdom!  = )  (from the "Yankee Weather Proverbs" book)

A cold wet May means a barn full of hay..

28 YEARS!!!!!!

28 Years!  That's how long it has been since I have seen 2 of my friends from grammar school...I have decided today that I am OLD!  (Actually I know I'm old, but now I know I am!)

The two friends I saw was Kristen Franklin Donovan and Penny Wong. And I met their friend Tia from their High School.  It was a great afternoon.  We went to the Vanilla Bean Cafe in Pomfret.  I had never been there (and I'm from Pomfret I must add). 

This is the inside of the Vanilla Bean Cafe.  It used to be an old barn.  For more info, go to http://www.vanillabeancafe.com/

I had a slice of the out of this world Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake.  It was absolute heaven!  But the best thing was seeing my friends and making new ones.

After the Bean, I went to Hazelwood Art Gallery on Route 44 in Pomfret.  Oh, the crafts in there!  A lot of glass.  (No I didn't break anything, thank goodness!)  Everything is handcrafted and beautiful!  I bought a Mother's Day gift for my mom, a book of Yankee Weather Lore (my dad's family were true Yankees) and a Moon Pill Box.  I love sun, moon, and star collectibles.  At least now I can say I've been to two places in Pomfret - the Bean and Hazelwood.  One of these days I want to go to Celebrations on Pomfret Hill.

Today I visited with my Uncle Alan and Aunt Connie in Putnam.  It was a nice visit.  My uncle reminds me so much of my dad (they were brothers).  It was good to see them both.

So it's back to work tomorrow.  Need I say more?  I'm already ready for another weekend!

by hook and granny....

Well, it's official!  I have started my Reynolds "Saucy Cotton" afghan!  I've been thinking about starting it for a long time now, (very, very long time I must add) and I've started.  I feel like celebrating and buying more yarn!  After all, my stash is down...

Instead of the regular crocheted granny squares, I'm crocheting hexagon granny squares....

The first one....it had to have purple in it! 

The second one....

The third one....

And the work in progress....

The pattern I was looking at from the Ravelry website (which is awesome!) called for 39 hexies...only 35ish more to go!

My Grandma Ericson was a big influence in my love for handcrafts...especially crocheting.  She did knit some, but the crocheting was easier for her.  Many afternoons when I came home from school, she would be making squares for another afghan while watching her soaps (Days of Our Lives and Another World).  When she wasn't crocheting, she was doing crewel embroidery.  My mom and I have a lot of her pictures she made.  Each one is special to both of us.  I think Grandma taught me to crochet when I was maybe 7 or 8?  (A long, long time ago, that much I know).  I felt so honored to go through her scrap yarn bag to pick out some yarns for squares.  She would also let me go through her old "WorkBasket" magazines.  I wish I had hung on to those.

There I go reminiscing again (I tend to do that alot).  But crocheting makes me feel "warm and fuzzy" I guess.

Tomorrow is going to be a different day for me.  I have been chatting with one of my old friends from Grammar School (Pomfret Community School) and we are to meet for a reunion with a couple of others from grammar school.  I have not seen these people since 8th grade!  That was 28 years ago.  God, am I OLD!  But I'm really looking forward to it.   

A sad day....

Got some not so good news this morning. My uncle, Louis Ericson, (my mom's brother) passed away at UMASS last night. He was 79. He went into the hospital this past weekend and never really recovered.

My uncle didn't have an easy life. He had two strokes 40 years ago, and has had his share of illnesses. But one thing about Uncle Louie, he never, ever complained. How he managed to continue life after those series of strokes....he was a strong man.

Uncle Louie worked and wrote for the Norwich Bulletin. Another person who recently passed away was Bill Stanley, another Norwich Bulletin writer. My uncle and Mr. Stanley were good friends.

They say bad things happen in threes: First, Mr. Stanley; second, Mervin Whipple (Mr. Christmas to people around here), and then my uncle.

So today was a hard day. I wasn't really weepy; just numb. And I was worried about my mom. Uncle Louie and my mom were close, even though there was a 12 year age difference. And with it being so close to when my dad passing away in 2008, I can't imagine what she's feeling.

It's hard to let someone go - I know I wanted my grandmother, my aunt, and especially my dad to be here forever. But then when I look back and see the suffering and pain they went through, I don't want to see them in that kind of pain. I rather see them happy and full of life: my grandmother working in the biggest flower garden ever, my aunt and my grandmother on the biggest shopping spree of a lifetime (and they could shop, mind you!) and my dad owning the biggest farm in the world, riding the biggest tractor and owning as many cows as he wants. No pain, no suffering. There has to be a heaven!

And I know Uncle Louie is in heaven too. He's there with his wife and all his friends and family. After dealing with the after effects of his strokes for 40+ years, he deserves to be pain free and worry free. He is no longer in pain, and that is a blessing.

Dedicated to my uncle, Louis Ericson

A Day at Harkness....

On Wednesday, Scott and I went to Harkness State Park in Waterford, CT. The weather was gorgeous! The first time I went there was last year and I loved it. They were just starting to plant the pansies yesterday, so hopefully we'll go back in the late spring/early summer. Here are some pics:

Seashells, Seashells by the seashore....Yes, we collected alot of small seashells.  Scott's pockets were loaded!

Scott

me

Side pic of Harkness Mansion.  There are quite a few flowers gardens around the mansion that visitors can walk through.  It's absolutely gorgeous.

After Harkness, we stopped at Crystal Mall, walked around a bit, then went to Hank's Dairy Bar where we had our first Hot Fudge Sundae of the season. Not enough Hot Fudge for me, but it was yummy!

Vacation definitely went too quickly. They always do. Sigh.

Hoping and praying for my friends and family! God Bless!

Tuesday...

Today was an odd day. Scott and I did a lot of cleaning. Scott took care of the shed with all the equipment; I took care of the cellar. Stuff that I hadn't used since we moved in with my mom - out. Scott put up shelves in the shed for all the different machine bottles and things.

I like getting rid of things, but it's hard getting rid of the stuff in the cellar. My dad used to putter around in the cellar. He did woodworking and other things down there. Even now, I still get the feeling that he's there. Sometimes I turn around and it feels like he's there watching. I know nothing would happen, but just the same.

While I finished cleaning, Scott did some lawnmowing at the park where his mother lives. I ended up taking a nap.

Tomorrow Scott and I are supposed to take a ride to Harkness State Park in Waterford, CT. I went there for the first time last year. It's beautiful! Plus I love the ocean. So at least we'll be getting away from here for a little while.

Other than that, not too much new, which is good.

Still saying prayers for my friends...they are in my thoughts.

Doctor Day...

Today was a busy day for Scott and I. Scott had his dentist appointment at 8:00, I had my eye doctor's appointment at 9:30, then I had my dentist appointment at 11:00. Whew!! Scott had 5 cavities, I had none and my vision didn't change.

Didn't do much else exciting today. Laundry, laundry, laundry and helped my mom put up some curtains. She's short (5'3" on a good day) and it's hard for her to get up and down on a step stool (bad balance runs on this side of the family), so I did those for her.

Then Rudy (my mom's dog) and I took a walk outside in the field. Now I'm on facebook, just wondering about things. Nothing in particular. Just wondering.

Oh, I started working on my hexagon afghan. It's going to be crocheted, but it's got different colors of COTTON yarn (the reason why I call myself cotton girl) I want to use. When I actually have something to show, I will put pics on.

Other than that...not much is going on. Just thinking and praying for some of my friends who have received some not so good news over the weekend.

A Beautiful Sunday!

What a beautiful day outside! A little breezy, but sunny and bright...love it!

Scott surprised me yesterday and asked if I wanted to take a ride to Barnes and Noble. Of course I shook my head "yes!" Then I thought, hmmm, what does he want? lol. But we went today to the B&N in Millbury, MA. Then stopped at Morse's in Southbridge, MA to pick up some pansies. I love pansies! They all have little faces on them. My Grandma Ericson (my om's mom) loved pansies too, and she used them all the time when she pressed flowers for pictures she sold at craft shows in the area. Then we got Chinese at Jade Garden for lunch with my mom (it was the best thing I could come up with - we're supposed to share the cooking, but, geesh, it's hard!) After lunch, I helped my mom clean bird cages. God, they are slobs! But at least they look cleaner (for today)

Tomorrow is doctor day for Scott and me. Dentist for him; eye doctor and dentist for me; then he has to go to the vet with his mom and her dog. Then the rest of the week looks pretty quiet. At least the drs appt. will be done in one day.

Scott just finished mowing the lawn (I helped a little). It's definitely spring now. Pretty soon the garden will be rototilled and we can start planting that. Not that I eat many vegetables - I just like watching things grow.

Ahhhhh, vacation. Gotta love it! :)

Start of vacation

Vacation!!!! What a lovely word! ahhhhhhhhhh......

It was raining today (good, I don't have to water the flowers tonight!). Scott was a little disappointed; he wants to work on his truck. This time it's putting on some hitch thing to tow the trailer around. I don't think it's ever over for all the gadgets guys want on their trucks. sigh....I keep telling myself it could be worse.

No big plans for vacation....just relaxing and vegging out. Would like to go to Barnes and Noble one day (hint, hint Scotty) and definitely go to We-Lik-It Ice Cream in Abington too. A word of caution though - don't get the Mashmoquet Mud unless you have extra clothes with you or a bib. It's soooooooooooo good, but you know how a pig likes to lay in mud? Well, I wore it the one time I had it. Shirt and shorts. Thank goodness my parents live in Pomfret. I was so humiliated! Of course, Scott thought it was hilarious! When I got to my parents' house, my dad saw me and said "What the h*%& happened to you?" I told him and he said "That's my daughter." I still have to laugh about that, even now.

I absolutely LOVE Barnes and Noble. It sounds silly, but I love the smell when you walk in the doors. Like a kid in a candy store I guess. I always head to the mag section first to check out the knitting, crocheting and quilting magazines. Then I check out the novels and the staff suggestion books. Then it's off to the crafting books. Like I need more books. My bureau has at least two stacks of books to be read, not to mention the footstool has some hidden in there. It's awful! But I always manage to find something new.

Anyways....it looks like it's trying to clear up. Maybe I'll tackle one of my afghan ideas this afternoon??? My hand are itching to handle some yarn. And I definitely could open a yarn store of my own. So I need to start using that too.
Oh the tangled webs we weave!

A tragedy in West Virginia...

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the miners in the tragic mine explosion in West Virginia.

I never knew too much about West Virginia until I started dating Scott. His father's family is from Morgantown, W.V. The first year we were dating (2008), I went with him to meet some of his family and his Grandmother Wolfe in Morgantown. I was also dealing with my anxiety at that time too. When we left, I was a wreck...but I started calming down when we got to Middletown, CT. Well, then I fell asleep for a while (I always fall asleep when I'm a passenger...I'm like a bobble head figurine with my head going every which way!) New York and Pennsylvania weren't bad. Then there's Maryland. I didn't realize there were MOUNTAINS too! And we had to travel through those HIGH mountains. I'm sure Scott mentioned it, but to actually see them (did I mention they were very HIGH mountains???) was quite frightening (to me anyways).

Needless to say, I survived. And then I fell in love with West Virginia. It's totally different than CT. I love CT because it's my home, but there's something about West Virginia. And the people seem friendlier there too.

At least I knew what to expect the second time we went down. Yes, those were BIG mountains, but they didn't seem as frightening though. I felt like I was heading home. Now I understand why Scott loves it so much.

I don't know if we're going to go to West Virginia this year....his grandmother Wolfe passed away last year in July (bless her soul) and he went down mostly to be there for her birthday in April. She always knew him when he came to see her at the nursing home. You could see how happy she was.

I know my dad would have loved West Virginia too. I miss him so much, but I know he's watching over my mom and me.

I guess you could say this is a melancholy posting...sorry. But I feel better, somewhat.

I'll try to write about something happier next time.

Oh, I just thought of something!...Tomorrow's my last day of work for a week and a day! That's GREAT news! Silly me...

:)

Monday...bleah

Monday again....those weekends go by too fast. Oh well, at least I only have 4 days of work this week, then I'm on vacation! Thank goodness!

I don't know why some days are harder than others. I know I should be happy, but sometimes it's hard to be. I know I'm lucky - I got up this morning, I have a job, not the best - but it's a job, I have people who love me and care about me, I have friends, I have a home and family. But I still get so bleah! I just don't understand it.

Then I think about people who have it worse than me. Don't have a job, don't have a roof over their heads, don't have family, or have a family member who is dying from some horrible disease. But yet they still manage to go on, somehow.

I guess I'm rambling. I try not to take out my mood on others, but I know I do. I don't mean to. But I guess I do. Part of human nature...

Well, tommorrow is another day...hopefully a better day for everyone.

"Things happen for a reason, just believe" I find myself referring back to this saying a lot lately. But I still don't understand why. I probably never will.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! It looks like another gorgeous day outside. The sun is shining and the birds are chirping...sounds like a song to me!

Scott is glad the sky has cleared up. He bought some more lights (sigh) for his truck...this time for the front. I think he wants to turn it into a UFO! Oh well, it could be worse...

Yesterday I took advantage of the gorgeous weather and went for a walk at the Wyndham Land Trust in Pomfret Center, just a couple of driveways down from my mom's house. The property used to belong in my family on the Noon side. I remember taking walks with my parents when I was little. My dad loved that property. It was perfect! You could see where the Mashmoquet Brook overflowed the banks; all the grass was pushed down. It's true, Mother Nature wins every time, doesn't she? I also took some pics too.

Hoof prints in the mud near the Mashmoquet Brook

The pile toward the back of the pic shows how much was pushed back from the brook A tiny egg I found alongside its nest. It was a coral color. Poor thing.
The bird's nest I found on the ground with the tiny egg nearby
I love barns. This barn was used by my grandparents and my dad when they lived on the land that is now Wyndham Land Trust. I always loved the Weeping Willow next to the barn.

A bee's nest in a tree, still hanging there!

Happy Easter to everyone!

Spring has Sprung!

Spring has definitely sprung here in CT. Today, Scott and I went to Lowe's to get plants for around my mom's house. We got phlox, rhododendrons and other ground plants. Spring is here!

This is my first blog, so bear with me on this. I will post pics eventually.

Enjoy the weather!

Oh, and you're probably wondering why I chose "Cotton Girl"? Well, I enjoy knitting and shop quite frequently at Woolworks LTD in Putnam CT. (A Candy Store for Yarn Lovers!) Well, I love working with Cotton yarns, and Jen, Woolworks owner, calls me Cotton Girl when I come in the store...hence the name.


This is the new rock garden Scott and I planted today. We put rhododendrons in the back and 3 blue phlox in front of the stone.