The Kuchta Christmas 2010 trip

We put 1800 miles under our tires in 7 days. To some that may not seem relaxing, but to us it was just what we needed.

Our first top was in Savannah where I had hoped to go to The lady and sons for dinner, but Paula Deen was closed Dec 25 and 26. We saw her on the cooking channel doing a Christmas dessert cook off, that must have been taped. None the less she was closed, so we managed other ways!

Tim and I and Pat all left the DC area Christmas morning and drove tandem to Savannah, the eight hour drive was easy. We even stopped at Denny's for Christmas morning breakfast out. It was really amazing how many families were out Christmas morning. Who knew!? We arrived in Savannah without a hitch and checked into the Holiday Inn Express. We had a river view and the moss covered trees were everywhere. It was beginning to snow and Savannah was in a panic, we asked if there was a spot for dinner in walking distance, there was: J. J. Bonerz!
The 3 of us had dinner in a local sports bar near hotel. We arrived just in time for the Dallas game, Tim was in heaven. Pat was in heaven as you can still smoke in pubs in Georgia. I was just happy to be in Savannah and have a relaxing week to look forward to.

The next morning we drove to Tybee island, had a chilly tour there and wound up at Uncle Bubbas for lunch.

Another Paula Deen spot. Not too impressed, but did have my first fried pickles, dill to be sure, and Tim and Pat had oysters.

Yes, those are individual fried dill pickles! They are so cute! This could actually the the oyster vacation for Tim.

The next morning Pat went north a bit to Hilton Head to find a smoking hotel and Tim and I forged on to Clermont, Florida. We saw Mark Kazda, I got to meet his lovely parents and see life in a retirement community.

Then to Melbourne beach to see my long lost Friend Glenn Birdsong Boykin. The joys of Facebook, it is amazing who can find you, and you can find. She and her husband Rob have chosen a wonderful little piece of Florida to call their own and have a fun Burrito restaurant there. If you are ever in Melbourne beach Florida Robburritos is a MUST. Below is a view from outside and Bambi in her Christmas finest. She dresses for most seasons, you will see her on the bench out front!

We spent 2 wonderful nights with the sliding door open to hear the surf. My favorite sound to sleep to, and wake to. We bid farewell to Melbourne Beach to turn north to Jacksonville Beach to see Jake and Angelika and the imfamous bull dog, one Ludus! And their Martha Stewart Christmas tree topper! What else would 2 Marylanders in Florida have a top their christmas tree?

We had a nice visit with Jake and Angelika and had 2 more nights of ocean surf right out our door. I cannot tire of that sound.

All in all a very relaxing vacation. Just somehow makes it harder to go back to work on Monday, but oh so many fond memories!

Happy New Year! Below is Thelma Lou of Rob and Glenn. She is a talker just like my Kelly was. I miss having a puddin in the house.

Happy Winter Solstice

So, the shortest day of the year! Shew we made it! It can only get better from here and we had quite a spectacular lunar eclipse last night.
My cards are out, a few packages are mailed, and I still have tons o presents to wrap.
Most important my Tim continued his 4.0! Four more classes down, and only 2 to go! Wahoooo!
We are looking forward to Christmas eve at Mom's and then hitting the road for some bonding in the truck and visiting points and people south for a week.
We still have tiny remnants of snow on the ground from our snow last week. Mostly I seem to have 2 ice skating rinks on the path to take the trash and recycling around. Nearly bought the farm last night, but had 2 cans to steady me!

Merry Christmas one and all. From here on in, the days are longer! Till that beloved day in June, the 21st, where night seems to never come and the air is warm and the living is outside.

A blustery winter Sunday

Only 3 whole weeks till Christmas and I am not even close to "ready". But what does "ready" really mean? I've not put up a tree. I've not pulled out the wrapping paper or card box, which are usually out in November...... I have purchased a few little gifts for a few family members. I've attempted a Christmas letter, but just am not in the Christmas spirit. Usually by now I am piles deep into cards and happily humming Christmas carols all day at home. But tons o work and Tim's school is first priority this year and I will take what ever comes with it as a blessing.
Perhaps I'll get out the creche set, that is easy and for sure emulates the true reason for the season! Perhaps I'll snap a photo of it too!

From my Mom, sister Holly and sister Kate

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY HEIDI

(from Holly)
1- You were such a sweet baby and little girl and your blond corkscrew hair was always having a party!
2- I loved it when you had to leave Baltimore…so…you went sailing in the Caribbean J
3- I loved it when you were the medical person aboard and traveled around the world!
4- You’re great about sharing your friends—the Kestners wouldn’t be the same without the McInerneys.
5- You have the best hug! And a great giggle too!
6- Whenever I need to move 1,000 miles or more…I know you’ll be up for another road trip!
7- Whatever is up with the moon, I know you’ll be looking at it too.
8- I loved Kelly and Allis, too, you gave them the best home in the world!
9- I love your waffle breakfasts!
10- I love living under the same roof as you J
11- Your ‘big book’ is full - with the things you enjoy! Lots of color, rocks, triangles, earrings, baskets, puppies and kittens, knitting and crocheting, plants and flowers….
12- You have an awesome career. I’m so very proud of you!
13- “Holly, just go talk to her.” Thank you for Doug, Ashley, Hadley and Will C.
14- You didn’t give up on true-love and you married your Knight barefooted!
15- You’re an outstanding wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. The world is a better place because of all you are and all you do.
16- You are the most ‘Kestner’ of us all…You were Dad’s angel and now he is yours.

(from Mom)
17- You are so patient when helping us learn to use the computer.
18- You’ve been cutting my hair for decades – and doing it so well.
19- You took your mouse, Green Grape, up to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
20- You can usually identify my ‘mystery’ items.
21- Without a blink you got in the foreign cars and drove off on the left side of the road – even shifting gears with your right hand.
22- You are always ready to house and nurse convalescing family and friends.
23- I loved our “how about” secret from your friends.
24- You’ve kept in close touch with friends from all periods of your life.
25- I finally have a daughter who enjoys all kinds of hand work as much as I do.
26- You stuck to the task until you finally earned your PA-C.
27- You bake the best apple cakes and pecan pies in the whole wide world.
28- Al insisted that you be given a ‘happy name’. And you’ve lived up to our family choice.
29- Mike loved to let you ride in his ‘way-back’ in his VW bug when he picked you up from daycare.
30- You’ve always managed your money well and have even helped your friends with theirs.
31- I love to hear you laugh and giggle. I’d recognize those sounds anywhere.
32- We’ve loved having you as the family travel agent since you were 14.
33- You always brought such joy to your Daddy – and to all the other family members as well.
34- It was fun to be able to speak with you in Arp.

(from Kate)
35- I remember how proud and excited I was to bicycle all over the neighborhood to tell everyone that I knew that I had a new baby sister.
36- I remember singing that baby sister to sleep for so long that my voice was gone. Then laying her gently in her crib; only to see her blue eyes POP open.
37- I remember teaching her to walk down the hall, urged on by a dill pickle. And then missing her little ‘bottom-scoot’ once she learned to walk.
38- I remember playing “catch the baby” with her among Michael, Holly and myself.
39- I remember teaching her to do the twist to Chubby Checker; and then watching her twist out of her soggy diaper.
40- I remember the sheer terror of dropping her on the wood floor and thinking that I had killed her. And the relief when she grabbed onto to me like a baby monkey and howled.
41- I remember walking all over the neighborhood with her in the stroller; my friend Diane and her little nephew in another stroller; and marveling that our route took us by the homes of all the cute boys.
41- I remember registering the now 5 year old sister for Kindergarten and making the registrar wonder if I was a very young mother, or just a very old sister.
42- I remember being home alone with the now 10 year old baby sister and wondering how I was going to protect her from the greatest loss either of us had ever known, or would know for 32 more years.
43- I remember deciding not to let the now teenage baby sister grow up without my “bad influence”; and then being delighted to see that she was growing up to be a lot like me after all.
44- I remember taking her up to Jake Lake to have the time of her life; and forming the bond that holds us all there to this day.
45- I remember being so proud of all her accomplishments in handwork, woodwork, baking, sewing and so much more that always escaped me.
46- I remember being riveted by her descriptions of life in the OR and so proud of her medical knowledge. I remember deciding to grow up to be just like her. And I remember her answering in the affirmative when I asked if she thought I could do it, too.
47- I remember her assistance in helping me through classes, rotations, and her learning to tie left-handed; so that she could teach me that too.
48- I remember realizing that the roles were reversing and that I was coming to depend on her for help with the computer, travel arrangements, work assignments, and a gazillion other details of living.
49- I remember the pride and joy I felt being in her wedding party. What a lovely day!
50- And now that my baby sister is turning 50; I can’t seem to remember anything very important, fun, sad or hilarious in which she was not a central character.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY SISTER, I LOVE YOU A LOT !!!


(I could not get through these without shedding a tear or two. Thank you to the 3 very influential women in my life. I am truely blessed in so many ways.)

Girls weekend in RB, can we really be 50!?

Here we are celebrating our 50th year of life here in Rehoboth beach. Already we have many memories to cherish and hold. Alas, I must right them down, or I'll forget them! :)

I think just time together to relax and chat and not have a plan is what is really great!

Last night we (Betina, Sandy, Roseanne, Laura, Pat and I) drove 2 hours south to see Tracy and Keith in Chincoteague, VA. They have a lovely mini home there. We had a fantastic spaghetti dinner, salad, zucchini and garlic bread and the best apple crisp I've had in a long time.

I want to get in the apple crisp recipe that Tracy made. It was yummo from the apple tree in her back yard (BETHANY KESTNER).

TKO Apple Crisp

10 cups apples
1 cup sugar
2 TBS flour
1 TBS cinnamon
1/2 cup H2O

1 cup quick cooking oats
1 cup flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup melted butter

cut apples up in to chunks. mix with first list of ingredients (sugar, flour, cinnamon and H2O) spread in 9 x 13 pan

combine next list of ingredients till coarse. press on top of apples.

bake in oven 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

There will be photos to follow once I find a USB to mini cable....which I think is in Silver Spring.

Because I Said So: Week In Review: October 18th, 2010

Because I Said So: Week In Review: October 18th, 2010

Fantastic photos. You did a wonderful job. You will be amazed at how you cherish these as they get older.

Football

Funny how much a game can consume a man, a town a state, a region and a country. While I have learned the fine details of the game and who the main players are and what they do and who the coaches are, I still have not been bit. When I hear of a certain team my mind turns to those who are obsessed with that particular team, rather then how they are doing or if they are on a buy week or if they are playing at home or not. Here is a rundown of just a few of my thoughts and teams:

Dallas Cowboy's: my beloved Tim
Washington Redskins: Dr. Gray, Ashley Sharp and most of the entire town of DC, other than those few who have strayed to Dallas!
New England Patriots: Patrick Murray (work), Joe Salem, (and his dad, may he rest in peace).
Philly: David Fields (work), Kevin Keane and all his boys
Baltimore Ravens: Craig and Linda Dresser, Jake Snider and Angelika soon to be Snider!
Denver Broncos: Mark Jones (former work)
Seattle Sea Hawks: my whole west coast family; their mother at the head of the pack, she would actually skip church to watch football! David (who proclaims his two favorite teams are the Sea Hawks and anyone who beats Dallas, slight problem for #1 listed above!) Andy and my brother (may he too rest in Peace!)
Colts: Betina! She actually gave me colts sox. I think if anyone at work ever saw me wear them then would cut my ankles off! But they hide quite well under my scrubs, and after all, they are only sox with a horseshoe on them to me!

So, it is a fantastic fall afternoon and most of the country is glued to the TV, or hopefully outside squinting into the sun or the wind waiting to see their favorite team (hopefully) win. We planned our whole arrival from Rehoboth today to be in time for Tim to see the Cowboys kick off. On the drive home we listened intently (on the radio) to the Patriots vs. the Ravens, each play carefully called out to those of us without the screen right in front of us. Each replay expressed so we can make up our own mind (or that of the announcer) how the play should be called.

I've slipped away during a time out or an injured player for the Dallas game, I am hardly missed until my return. I hope Dallas wins today, it makes for a much happier Tim. Both teams are 1-4 (that is one win and 4 losses for those of you who used to be like me and not know or care exactly what that meant!)

I still love the fall, just now realize a large part of it will be spent watching football on beautiful fall afternoons. At least I've gotten it out of my system to want to BE there. It is much more fun at home, on comfy couches, clean toilets, and computers to slip away to!

So, enjoy your favorite team, and IF I've forgotten you and yours, please reply and I'll happily add you to my list, so I can think of you when I see your team play! I have a photo of Tim and I in our Dallas jerseys, but I cannot find it. That gets me into a whole other project........photos!

Happy 50th Brithday to my dear friend Mary

My dear friend Mary is 50 today. I hardly remember a time in my life when she was not in it. We met in 7th grade in English class. It was September of 1972! We were 11 years old that September. Somehow the K's and the M's were seated near one another in that fateful class. She a middle child with a brother one year ahead of her. Me a baby of the family, my closest sibling 11 years older, wearing a long dress I made, thinking I was cool. I raised my hand to use the bathroom and she decided I was a nice person she would like to meet, we did. The rest is as they say history. We became fast friends. She the sister my age I never had, me the confidant she needed through those awful teenage years. We remained fast friends through high school. She the track team member. Me in the theater, choir on the fringe of the pom pom squad. I had a major crush on her brother. He returned the affection as much as he was able. We shared secrets, crushes, life, walked home together and knew every up and down of life together. We each went our own ways for college, she to the city, me to the wilds of West Virginia, we graduated from college. She ahead of me, I managed to squeeze 4 years of college into 7! Mary put herself though The George Washington University and she graduated with a history major, having worked the entire 6 years of school. It was then that I knew what an amazing dedicated person she was. I'd come home from the country to stay with her in her downtown DC row house. It was so far from my life in the rolling hills of West Virginia and medicine. She in her history and books, me in medicine and patients. I floundered in school, went to Europe for a semester, she stayed stead fast to her goal of graduation. She did and landed a job as a reporter writing wedding announcements for a small paper in Pennsylvania. She had followed a summer crush to that town. It was there in that news room she first laid eyes on her beloved Kevin Keane. A man whom she would have ups and downs with before both realizing they were meant for one another. I was honored to be a bridesmaid in her Philadelphia wedding that warm day in September in 1989. Since then she has had her Kevin and her wonderful growing family. Four beautiful children came to them in the ensuing years. I again am honored to call their baby my God son. A child born to Mary in a year I only dreamt of and hoped to taste the love of Motherhood. That has not been a blessing for me, but I have my Jack to keep warm in my heart forever. This year Mary's Jack is in 7th grade. I wonder if he will be as lucky in life to find a friend he can call brother 39 years from now. I am lucky to call Mary McInerney friend, confidnet, and sister.

This is the earliest photo I can find of the 2 of us. Pat (her brother) is in the photo too. He became my sidekick for many years. This is 1978, the summer we graduated. She was borrowing my bike to ride to school from her Georgetown apartment. Pat and I were heading to Goshen boy scout camp for the summer.

I may have some of these facts wrong, or in the wrong order. But this I know for sure, Mary and I will always and all ways be friends.

Happy Birthday to my Mary. Your forever friend. Heidi

Droid am I!

An early birthday present. That is what I am thinking of it as! Tim has fit the 2 of us with brand new phones! wahoooo!

A phone with all 27 buttons for letters and others for all sorts of symbols! Now I can text with the rest of the world and not loath texting! Not fast, but I can do it! Seems that is the only way to "talk" to some. Cest la vie. Still love a good letter, e-mail or phone call. But a text will do in loo of nothing at all!

Love it, have my Joni Mitchell playing in my ear already on my Pandora. Now I am cool like everyone else. I just have to get the book out to learn all there is to do!

Happy Fall! Happy cool nights and sunny days! Happy Life. It is good.

A beautiful fall day

I love the fall. No matter that a cold winter will follow I love the fall. The cool nights, the crisp air, the crunch of leaves under your feet, the beautiful array of colors brought on by the changing of leaves, pumpkins, apple butter, new crisp apples, and now even football!

My heart is heavy today. I am a lone Mohegan for 10 days. For the first time in my recent memory my family has gathered on the west coast and I am here on the east coast, not with them. A very sad feeling. But I have made commitments and connections that I must honor. Still I am sad and lonely and wishing I could share in the family memories, fun, grins and giggles. Wonder if I am even missed, wonder what everyone is doing, imagine the love and stories I am missing out on. Hope I cam be connected via phone and photos soon.

Tim is on a 3 week break and I am honored, proud and ecstatic to report he once again has attained a 4.o for his 4 classes this semester! Thus he still has a 4.0 at Strayer University! So the pressure deepens for him as he sets forth in October to take 4 more classes this fall. Then 2 classes in the winter and he will finish and start the full time job of finding a job!

One year of blogging, and one long year of loss

What a year. I started with thoughts about loosing my beloved friend, mentor and plastic surgeon; Thomas Sanzaro suddenly. It was exactly one year ago today. I have honestly missed him daily since I heard the awful news from Ashley in Rehoboth Beach. Good news for him, he has had a wonderful addition to his family, a new granddaughter Carolina Chase Butler on 9-9-10. Hard to believe, but she actually looks like her beloved Grandpa. I am thrilled for the whole family.


This year has been a year of changes for me too, in a much better way than above. Tim quit his IT job at Sibley and become a full time student for the first time in his whole life. It is much harder than he thought, but he is now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel for his Bachelor's degree in IT and a minor in computer securities! Waaaahoooo! He has 9 of his 15 classes done and is already registered for 4 more this fall. Then two in the winter and he can start looking hard to find the perfect match for employment and qualifications. We have had an interesting year of major changes in life style, spending habits and no dining out. We are doing quite well, better than we both had hoped. Amazing what you can do when you make a budget and stick to it, even when it is easier not to! We both are working hard in our own ways, and are working toward one goal together. What doesn't kill us will make us stronger!


I have posted 95 blogs. I think I am getting better every time. Some are short, some are long. Some I expect responses from and get none, some I only have my faithful commenter Bethany, and occasionally I get 3 or 4 comments! I'll have to join a blog community like Bethany did and diverse my readers! And my reading. I'm looking for good gardening, cooking, organizing one. Any suggestions will be welcome!


And on a much happier note today Mom and I picked up the lamp base. Major changes to it, the addition of 3 bulb holders, a top to accommodate the shade, six pounds of lead in the bottom to keep it from toppling over from the weight of the shade and viola, we have a renovated lamp base. They cleaned her up and she is shiny new. And looks spectacular if I do say so myself. Here are a few photos, we still need to darken the silver solder, and we will soon. (or maybe after Mom gets back from Portland/Chelan)






Pretty impressive! And we are not done, we also want to find the perfect cobalt beads for the pulls. But that will come in time.

Almost, but not quite

Well here she is, not quite done, but we are getting there. We needed to lower to top and the light rigging done underneath, hence the measuring. The base is Mom's from her junior high school years. I'll pin her down on when. The lamp base is being modified to fit such a lovely top! We still need to patina the soder and "get er all washed up". I have been the main slow down, being number one tutor and paper editor! This is from July 24, 2010. So the base was promised "around Labor Day", which has now come and gone, so maybe this week!


We are getting there, who knew it could take so long (mostly me the hold-up!)

Six years and still madly in love

It seems like yesterday, and yet it seems like a million years ago. To all of you who attended, our many thanks for making this day all I had ever dreamed of.

Cutie patuttie Mom and her sunflowers

Here is Mom in all her glory with her 10 foot sunflowers. She has had quite the success with them. The little flowers below them are cone flowers, that used to be tall until their steroid cousins the sunflowers were planted. And these from little seeds she just stuck in the ground with her finger!

HUM!

So here I sit in my office, remember me the queen of clutter? Filing away until that little voice in my head said put Pandora on, it is so nice in the OR....and Pat loves it and David loves it.....

SO, I've finally ventured into the world of Pandora. Love Love Love is such an understatement.
I entered Joni Mitchell, I know, how original! But she is my all time favorite and all this FANTASTIC music is streaming from my computer while I sit here and file.......making new folders for Funerals, Jesus Valdez and ridding up files for Tim and Sibley!

Such a sign of the times.
What a wonderful play list I've had so far. Mostly took me back to my foggy days at Alderson Broaddus College. Bonnie Weston, Jeff Fine, Mellow: Neil Young, he always takes me there. I can see Jeff Fine sitting around a hog fest fire singing his heart out, me swooning to the music and Jeff! Oh, unrequited love!

Let me put my play list in and see if you are jealous now!
Joni Mitchell, Clouds
The Beatles Norwegian Wood......mmmmm
Simon and Garfunkel Bookends
Fleetwood Mac Landslide
Joni Mitchell Song to Aging Children Come
Bonnie Rait I can't Make you love me......my own personal theme song....till my Tim!
The Rolling Stones As Tears go by
Steely Dan Dirty work
Neil Young Old Man ...live I love it and that prompted me to HAVE to blog!
Joni Mitchell Michael from mountains.....actually took me back to 32o3 Weaving in my big bedroom....I sung that song so many times.......alas, my voice is not what it once was. Tim will tell you that for sure!
The Beatles Blackbird....love it too short, but good
Paul Simon St. Judy's Comet
Cat Stevens Katmandu......Jeff Fine at his best!
Joni Mitchell........Court and Spark My classic favorite for a woman who influenced so many artists in the 20th century.

Wow, I am a happy girl. Who knew one type of a word in Pandora could bring back so many memories!

I highly recommend this web site. Here is to you too Pat McInerney who first told me about this site and David Kestner my man blogging nephew at work, and all the OR folks who have had this on their phones!

Music is a bond that binds us all in so many ways.
I can hardly wait to try another name, but it will be a while until I tire of this Genre for sure!

Happy music and happy filing!
Am slowly ridding up my piles of paper!

My Dad

Today he would be 81! How can that be? I hardly remember him at 41, much less a retired man at 81. I hope he and Mom would have traveled this great big country of ours in their RV, and been to see all the grandchildren and children all over the country and been to all the state parks and driven to Alaska, and done England and been on cruises and danced and laughed together all these long lost years.

I wonder how his looks would have changed over the last 4o years. It is hard for me to imagine that, as I have such a hard time even picturing him in my mind. The photo below is of him coming out the door of a house before I was even born. It is dated February 1958. It must be the house on Lexington Street in Virginia. In has a hat he looks so handsome. He has a pipe and is dressed up. I think he liked to step out looking dapper. He looks so handsome and put together to me in this photo. This sits on the dresser in the guest room. I think I'll leave it in here in the office with me so I can say hello to him every day.






I wonder what he would think of this country and all that has happened in the last 40 years. I wonder if he had anything to do with the little souls sent this way to our family. Mostly Mike's children's children. But many others as well.

I know he would still have the bluest eyes like a beautiful blue sky day at the lake. He would still love babies, baby anything, even an earth worm according to Mom! He would be so glad to meet all the new additions to our family, no matter what branch they are on. I know he would still love and adore my Mom and all of her children. I know he would be proud of me and what I have become in my 49 years. I know he would be happy for Holly to be able to help raise the next generation of a Will Knight Kestner. I know he would be proud that both Kate and I are physician assistants and love our work. I know he would be proud of Kate and her daughter, and her ability to let us all still enjoy the lake as a family. I know he would be honored to have so many fine young grandsons to carry on the Kestner name.

I know he would be a computer whiz kid! He was impressed with computers in 1971. He would have had all the computers between now and then.

Below is one of my next favorite photos. This is Dad and his siblings in 1957. Dad is the blond in the front row. Alvin Knight, Dale Elwood, William David, Lois Elaine, And Uncle Wayne. They are all gone now. Aunt Lois was at our wedding, she was the last of the Mohican's. She died just last year of colon cancer.

Dad was a wonderful man. He changed the course of this family and brought me here to live with this wonderful family. I miss him often. And know he is with me often. A rainbow makes me think of him and lets me know he is around

Happy 81st Birthday Dad. I still miss you.

8/9/10 What a great date!

A Monday at work at at 7:45am when writing my first post-op orders I had such a treat with this date! 8-9-10! Too bad it was not 11:12 or something like that (my birthday) A Fun day for sure. Almost as good as M. David's Pi day birthday! 3.14!

All is hot and humid here in the lovely state of Maryland. I was back to work, Tim is in school tonight. Mom is home lonely, call or e-mail her. Kate is at the lake and thinking of Holly being there.

The lamp, veggin', vacation a go go

So, where did today go? Oh! We went to see Salt, a good spy mystery with Angelina Jolie, Tim loves her, and she is a pretty good actress. Did some snipping of skin tags on the man o my dreams. Soldered a bit o finishing touches on the lamp....still working on that project!
Read a bit o my book. Puttered in the garden. Took photos of the sunflowers, will post, just this computer does not like the card, so have to go home to do that.

This week Pat did "put up" a bushel of tomatoes we got at our local favorite farmers market...that will taste like heaven in the winter! If they last that long!

Tomorrow the plan is to do my toes, proof a paper, finish up the house projects. We had a leaky back hose bib, fixed! An ice maker not wanting to make ice....still perplexed by that one. And two spots that need to be replaced in the siding....It is always something with houses, I suggested Ice trays! Did not go over too well! :)

Cannot believe my week of vacation is over again! But I've had a lovely time and mostly did not HAVE to be anywhere or DO anything!
But next will be a conference right back here in Sept. with Audrey and Kate in Ocean City, MD, we will commute from here! Should be fun. And then our 6 year anniversary! Talk about where does the time go!

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes to Tim!

Time is flying

Hard to believe it's been since July 16 that I posted. Life is busy. Tim is in school and taking 3 math classes and a Humanaties class. I am the number one tutor for the math classes and editor for all the papers. Three are at Strayer and one is on line. This keeps him quite busy. He is also in charge of the houses, groceries and errands. He is doing quite well and just through midterms and I think has 4 A's again. YEA!
Last Friday the 30th we had a lovely visit with Mary McInerney and the Keanes. They are on the east coast for their annual Keane week at the Jersey shore. Mary and Kevin's children are all doing well. Colette will be a Sophmore at Fordham in NYC, Brendan is a senior at his catholic school and playing basketball. He is 6'10", I missed seeing him as he took a red eye east after his baskedball games. Will is taller than Colette now and will be in 9th grade. And Jack has wonderful curls back in his blonde locks and will be in 7th grade. Will and Jack are doing their usual summer meals while out of school. I so enjoy visitng with all of them, and do wish they lived closer.
I am working myself silly. I'd say I average about 50-60 hours a week and am taking call on the weekends to help make ends meet. I am off this week and totally enjoying a week of nothing. Pat was down in the beginning of the week while Tim was in MD in school, they switched places and now I get to enjoy the end of the week with Tim. I brought a few projects to work on, none of which are getting done. I am reading the Shack, an interesting take on The trinity. We'll see how it ends.
Kate is at the lake for 3 weeks, so no news of Sibley this week from her. I am sure she is in total bliss.
Holly is busy with Will and teaching him songs. His little 2 year old voice is so sweet on the phone.
Mom is lonely and bored at home with Kate and I gone this week. BUT she will be going to see the west coast family in Portland and Washington state soon. Kate is joining her on that trip. I'll stay here and hold the fort down.
I cannot belive how hot it has been here. The beginning of the week we had the windows open and today there is a red hot heat advisory!
My sunflowers are doing well here. The fountain attracts hundreds of birds as water is at a premium with no rain and intense heat.
Life is good. We are doing well.

3.6 Earthquake? In Gaithersburg?

And I worry about Mary McInerney and the Keans in Alameda! Who knew an earthquake would sound like a plane flying too low, or a helicopter about to fly into your bedroom at 5:04AM!? In Montgomery county Maryland!
We are all fine, Tim was more aware of what was going on than I was, but an interesting news morning here in our nations capitol. Apparently it was felt as far away as New Jersey! So our little Appalachian mountains are not done moving either. We live on a constantly changing earth!
Perhaps the oil from the gulf slicked up our plates and made them move!

But on a positive note about the oil slick. The first batch of relocated loggerhead baby turtles has hatched on the east coast of Florida for our cleaner waters over here and are off to sea to fend for themselves. So, in 15 or 20 years we may have a bumper crop of females laying eggs on the east coast, because they return to where they hatch, not where they were laid. They are relocating over 500 clutches of eggs from the gulf to the east coast via fed ex and special incubators on special anti jiggle crates. Makes me tear up just to write this.

Read all of July

So a secret about my blog. I cannot get to it every day and have been known to "back blog" as I call it. All of July was done in one sitting, with the photos, my computer and some time all finally together in one spot. I must admit I look forward to the comments, so comment away. I think I've made it easy, and you should not have to do all that goofey sign in and type word thing I have to do for so many.
Let me know if you do and I'll uncheck what ever I need to uncheck (this may require some help from Bethany!)

So, I've had a busy week at work, being away a week sometimes make you rethink being away. I have had to pay for my time off in spades! Tim is deep in school I am helping with 3 math classes this term. He did get 5 A's last term! I am so proud of him.

Night one and all.

Just a bit-o-what I'm growing

These are on the side of the house, when you come out the garage, or the front door you can smell them. They really are spectacular!






A lace cap hydrangea from Ashley Sharp. So pretty, but still a big shocky from the move and I want to get them blue. Just a little acid in the soil will do that for next year. Perhaps they will be as nice as this hedge. She said she put miracle grow on them. I think I'll do the same!

This is not my house, but along route one north of Rehoboth Beach. This was so spectacular from the road. And a nice Antique store too!

Below are the first of my 4 types of sunflowers. This one is so cute. It is only about 3 feet high, so pretty and yellow.

Hot time in the summer

Well, it is the 10th of July and we FINALLY had some rain today here in beautiful LSD (lower, slower, Delaware!). I am at the end of my week away from work on my stay-cation. I've had a lovely time, just not long enough! But the first week in August is coming fast and furious. A few things I accomplished, no in particular order:

*caught up on sleep
*visited with Mom
*caught up on sleep
*worked on helping Tim with his new statistics class, this one is going to be a doosie of a class
*caught up on sleep
*spent time with Tim
*caught up on sleep
*watched sunset on beach
*caught up on sleep
*went to see Eclipse (do not see the big deal, interesting love triangle, but that is about it)
*caught up on sleep
*had some wonderful meals Tim cooked
*caught up on sleep
*made tons-o-lists for things I want to get done
*caught up on sleep
*fixed the fountain at the beach, it works now! YEA!
*caught up on sleep
*had tons-o-fresh fruit and veggies at the local markets here in RB
*caught up on sleep (get the Idea!)
*got a new haircut and relaxing facial


*caught up on sleep
*chatted with neices and nephews and sisters
*caught up on sleep
*purchased some new summer clothes
*caught up on sleep
*enjoyed watching my sunflowers zoom to the sun
*caught up on sleep
*watched fireworks on the porch in Rehoboth and then inside of Boston
*caught up on sleep

I'll work on images of the fountain working, the lamp about to be finished, the sunflowers about to bloom, my hew haircut, and whatever else I can think of.

Just a bit-o-what I'm making

This with Mom........And finally here is a preliminary look at the lamp. This really has been a chalange. Actually the final soldering has really worked on Mom and I. It seems like such a simple thing to do. IT IS NOT. We are so close to done. Now to wait till the base is done.......by Labor day. Which is getting closer and closer.




And this with Tim..........I had no idea this fountain would take so much puttering with. But I love it when it works and the birds love it too. I love the sound of moving water.

Just a bit-o-what Mom is making

Since Kate has taken to going to Haiti far before it was cool to go (after the earthquake) Mom had been to a toast of Haiti event, AKA as a fundraiser for the hospital. There were items to bid on and Mom wanted to help too. We've all seen and received the adorable little Christmas ornaments Mom made last year for the whole famdamily. Well she embarked on a project to make 50 of the little sweaters pictured below. She hopes they can be auctioned off at the taste of Haiti for at least $20.00 each, making her donation to the cause in Kate's little hospital in the Merlot be a grand total of $1,000.00. So Mom has been knitting to the bone, and here are the final 50 in her little display before they went to Kate for delivery. The emblem on them is the knights of Malta emblem, they run the hospital and are very involved in its daily life with the nuns.




Here she is with the final one. She is so clever, and cute.


Let me know if you want to donate your $20.00 to Haiti and get a sweater!

Confessions of a clutterholic-take One

So, today I found the floor to the closet, took down a 2008 Mary Engelbreit calender and found a bag of work goodies and papers that needed to be filed from......wait for it.......November 2006! I found more cards, it is official, I have a problem with cards, but I am working on that issue, old catalogs with Christmas ideas for a Christmas long ago. But in that bag I also found a few things I knew were missing and I just could not locate! I knew they were in that "special" place, I had not ever imagined they were all together! Imagine my joy just a few short hours ago to find:

My sensa Pen from Monty, a yellow stickie pad we 4 women have to remember Mike and one of my favorite lip stick colors! (I had 2 and could only put my hands on one.)



VIOLA, 3 less things to wonder about.

AND today I found a new home for my Murphy 6.0 Briggs and stratton lawnmower which I have not used in more than 10 years. Jesus used to help with that chore, and that did not last long. A quick pocket of cash! So, one more thing out of the shed that we do not use. Yes, even on a financial diet we have the lawn mowed. Much cheaper than a trip to the ER with chest pains (Tim or Heidi) or an asthma attack from the grass and dust (Heidi)

Now to get the gas trimmer and weed whacker started and on to a new home too. Gotta love that Craigslist! I've also listed some books for Tim from last semester, I hope I get a bite soon on those too!

Tim and I cleared the "raised garden" beds he has been working on for 2 years, that may just happen this summer too. After half an hour in the 100 degrees, we were done!

Amazing what one can do at home, on call, and I even went in to work too!

Happy Sunday!

Here and gone

Just this morning Holly was standing in my bathroom door asking for toothpaste. And tonight when I went to brush my teeth I had already heard she was safe and sound 3000miles away in her new hometown of Chelan. Only an hour to go for her to be home to her new nest she has made 110 steps from her Grandson Will and his parents in Orondo, Washington.

She was here 2 weeks and they flew. It just seems right to have her here, but alas it almost makes the void even bigger with her gone. She is my sister and I love her so. It is not fair she is so far from us. But she is doing the best thing for her grandson and that is most important. A child raised with the love from Holly can call themselves lucky. I am her first child she raised. I know I am lucky to call Holly Kestner my sister. I have missed her all day. She does not travel well, so this journey home was a sacrifice for her too. May she stay well and happy and content in her new home on the hill in Washington State.

Today Pat is 51. Where does the time go there too? I think I was 12 or so when I first met him as the brother of my dear lifelong friend Mary. He was the older brother, who Mary loved and I grew to love in my own way. Pat is my lifelong friend I am lucky to have him in my life too.

Happy 51st birthday Pat Pat Pat.

Quite the day here in June!

Andy is 32, 1978 was a banner year

I greaduated from high school in 1978. I thought I owned the world. My brother had his fourth child, a son. Stewart Andrew. To be known as Andy. Cute as a button and legs like lead. Here are a few of my favorites of him.

Note the cubaton keys in the lower right. Those were his Mom's no doubt, she was never without the cubaton for a long time for safety.


My brother and his newest son. On his first birthday.


Andy's first cupcake...from Daddy, and his huge hand.


Sweet baby boy




Grandma Kestner and her 5th grandchild. She was 55 here, Andy is one.




The back of this photo reads: Aunt Heidi Andy Age 1 taken June 1979
(He went through a stage when he spit at everything-especially when he was discusted!)




Andy Fall 1979 Junior year. I believe he had already met one Bethany Norman who would one day become his wife and give him four wonderful sons.


Happy 32nd birthday Andy! What a wonderful man you have turned out to be. I know your Dad would be proud of you. I know your Mom is and I sure had a fun time with you this spring. I am proud to call you my nephew!

A get away for the 4 of us to Rehoboth Beach

Holly is here and the time is zooming. The saying time flies when you are having fun is too true!

We stopped in awe of these hydrangeas on Route 1. Amazing display.



Here is a bad attempt at a self portrait, then some nice lady came along and took the one to follow.




This is the only photo of the 4 of us at Rehoboth Beach, we went to the beach. Kate and Holly had a lovely walk on the beach, I stayed and visited with Mom. A beautiful day.



Mom does love the sound of the ocean, but she decided she'd rather watch it than swim in it anymore.



Kate and Holly on the way to the ocean.



We had a great time shopping, visiting, and relaxing. Tim came down on Thursday night and made us a lovely dinner. Holly, Kate and Mom went back to DC on Friday morning as Holly was to be at the Sharps by 3pm. Tim and I had the rest of the weekend to putter about the house and run errands.

The week zoomed, we got so much accomplished, and had a great visit