I dont remember not knowing her

My best friend Tracy is an amazing person.  I just stumbled across an e-mail from her a while ago.  She had me in tears, first with laughter, then tears of loss for her with her memory of our lives as little girls, her soft underbelly showing.  Something she rarely shows.  She is a complicated person.  Yet to me she is comfortable and knows she is in a safe place.  Not many people are as blessed as I am to be able to call  someone friend who has known me since the beginning of my memories.  Tracy is funny, thoughtful, compassionate and fun to be around.  It is too bad our paths do not cross more.  She too has a house on the Delmarva Peninsula.  Who would have thought we both would have a second home to go to on the weekends!?

I've found this photo of us and my Dad.  It has to be the summer of 1970.  Dad had a new camera and was learning how to use the timer.  Tracy and I must have been willing participants in the learning!
Dad took a wonderful series of photos that fall of the 3 sisters, my brother Mike and his new bride and their new son David.  Alas there are few of him. 

Here are Tracy's thoughts on our childhood....Just a few... She lets me in a little at a time....

 

Was looking at your blog last night.  Really like it.  You are so in tune with your family and others around you.  What an honor to know someone even reads my thoughts!  Of all people my Tracy.

 Found the entry re: your dad’s recent birthday interesting.  The whole bluebird troop was there?  I had probably quit by then.  But must say I was very surprised/disappointed when I woke up that morning and discovered that I wasn’t going to your dad’s funeral, but to school. You were a best friend.  I did feel that I was supposed to be there. I think my parents didn’t want me to experience funerals. They weren’t good at it either.  My mom told me recently how she got dressed up to go to Roseanne’s brother Joseph’s funeral and then just couldn’t bring herself to go. The first funeral I ever went to was for Betina’s sister, not that it was ever something I “wanted” to experience. Would prefer people just go on living.

I do remember Mrs. Kunz asking me about you at school that day and telling her that your dad had died, then going to the bathroom to cry.

Remember dropping off a shoebox of valentines for you after school. My valentine box full of cards.  I remember that so well.  All the love poured into that box I had made with so much hope....Alas it would be decades until I found my true love. 

Your house was dark and quiet and there was an overwhelming feeling of sorrow.  I really have very little memory of the time after my Dad died.  I do know I could not leave my Mom's side...my Dad was gone and my life was so unsure.

Can’t remember when Tiger Lilly (who plopped down and ate one of your white patent leather shoes with red lace ribbons . . . after racing around your dining room table playing keep away with us) moved away -- when your dad first became ill or later.

I don’t ever remember seeing your dad smoke and always had this story in my head that he worked in the coal mines in Pennsylvania for a brief period in his youth.  I have lots of false memories like this. I don’t know where they come from.  Sometimes they scare me.

I remember you coming to our house in the mornings for breakfast before school for awhile.  I had the room next to the living room with a bed that folded up into the wall and was held up with pegs.  I remember that bed.  It was so cool.  Hoover just whipped it up...it seemed like in a weekend.  It may have taken longer.  He was quite handy with wood.  He made  your kitchen cabinets too.

I remember you calling your mom when you got home from school each day.  I had a code to talk to her.  If I didn't want to do something after school the code was "how about".  IF I said how about I do whatever.  She knew the answer was no!  Amazing Mom.

I remember you reconciling your mom’s checkbook at your dining room table (that must have been junior high or high school?).  It was my job in 11th and 12th grade to balance her checkbook, write the checks and mail the bills in a timely fashion.  Taught me about money like no one else I knew at the time.  A redeeming quality Tim really liked in me.  My ability to balance a checkbook, save and not spend money like water!

I remember looking all over the neighborhood on a very windy day, for Richard Segar’s knit hat “that his grandmother made for him” which you plucked from his head and tossed up into a tree, since he was not in the mood to play keep away with us that day.  Some people have no sense of humor.  I think that was 7^th grade? That is one of Roseanne's favorite childhood stories!  Ricky Segar!  Mr. Military!

 . . . Turned out he had come back to the tree earlier and retrieved his hat and took great delight in our having to scour the neighborhood for several hours looking for it.

 

Thank you for the memories Tracy.  Thank you for being the best friend a girl could hope for.

101 things to do in 1001 days

Well, the end of the year is upon us.  Christmas is just about past. The world has not come to an end, but rather this is a new beginning for a new era.  So, recently I saw Andrea's sisters post (don't ask me how I got there!) of 101 things to do in 1001 days.  I like this.  It is better than a new years resolution list, that gets put aside after a week or two.  This way I will have a long time to accomplish all that I hope to do.  So, my list is not complete, but here is a start:

1. Organize office
2. Send birthday cards to everyone on my birthday calender for 1001 days!
3. Finish started projects...maybe I should list a few to make them count toward the 101!
4. Make 2 more blankets for presents
5. Find second blanket....from #4!
6. get pattern from Aunt Janet for baby blanket
7. figure out pattern for Erica bead scarf
8. finish purple  knit scarf
9. finish Karen wedding present
10. organize craft room closet
11. Learn how to cross things off this list with a------------that you can read through!
12. Work on Mom's party
13. Work on Mom's invitation
14. Send Save the Date letter for Mom's 90th!
15. Work on Mom's present
16. Make Alaska book for Tim, Mom and Kate
17. Sort my bedroom closet
18. Call about conover bed
19. Get house keeper set up 2-2013
20. walk around the block once a week
21. Water plants weekly
22. Do yard work once a week:
23. zoisha to front yard...the grass
24. cut "s" stick in back yard, rid up sticks on fence
25. weed front bed under bedroom window
26. weed by shed
27. get electricity to shed again
28. clean shed after electricity goes in!
29. get bird seed!
30. feed the finches
31. set up new bird feeder
32. move birdseed to shed....after electricity goes in!
33. Write 52 letters of appreciation:  WP, PB, Dr. A, RH
34. Make Christmas cards
35. Clean gift closet
36. Remodel basement bathroom  done! 3-2013
37. Clean up basement after bathroom remodel  done 5-2013
38. Clean guest room closet
39. Loose weight
40. Keep my car clean to Tim standards
41. Use recycle bags at grocery
42. Get new couch in TV room-conover
43. Sell bissell carpet cleaner
44. sell table in Mom's basement
45. Sell table in Dove Knoll garage
46. Sell metal bin at Dove Knoll
47. help Mom get rid of other stuff in basement
48. get bridge for TV
49. frame mom cross stitch
50. frame turtle
51. get queen bed for guest room by wedding 9-2013 1/1/2013!
52. plant tomatoes and peppers 2013
53. hang cross stitch x 2
54. get trio back into frame
55. organize recipes!
56. organize photos!
57. Get "Nathan" project complete
58. blog monthly!
59. Replace light in Tim's office
60. Clean hall medicine cabinet
61. clean guest room medicine cabinet
62. re caulk guest room bathroom floor
63. get Mom's quilt to hand quilters in Delaware
64. finish turtle lap quilt
65. refinish foot stool at dove knoll
66. repair closet door in guest room
67. take review course for PANCE
68. pass recertification
69. move hosta at dove knoll
70. make a birth announcement for Autumn
71. make a birth announcement for Benjamin Oppenheim
72. sort through shoes
73. clean closet under stairs at Conover
74. Have furnace doors redone
75. Mail Marta baby present
76. Alexander graduation gift
77. Dallin graduation gift
78. Michael Kuchta graduation gift
79. Paint hall bath at Dove Knoll

Oh my gosh!  I discovered how to do #12 on here.  Now to figure it out in word!
So, I am up to 53, I have a lot more to go.  If anyone even reads this anymore you are welcome to make suggestions!
Happy 2013!

Friday, September 18, 2015 that is the date I should have all this done.  Seems very "do" able to me. HA!

12-28-12  Getting there.  These come to me at the strangest times.  I am liking just getting this list together.

1-1-2013 Bought the bed yesterday!  Tim is getting it now.  Up to 65 things.  Who knew it would be so hard to think of 101 things to do.  See, even making this list makes me realize life is not that complicated after all!

5-25-2013  Slowly crossing things off, but still only at 74!

5-7-2013  Still working on getting to 101...and crossing some things off the list!  I like this one very much!

Mending!

How many people still mend?  (the art of sewing clothes or items that need repair!)
I do and I love it.
Perhaps that comes from my Mom who instilled in me to not throw anything away before it's time and to be able to "fix" something to good as new.

I brought my Mom to her home from a 3 day stay in the ICU today.  She had a low sodium...116.  It needs to be 140 and she landed herself right in the ICU.  She was fine really, mostly her complaint was weakness which for the earlier part of the week she had chalked up to being 89!  And the fact that her muscles were not working well without enough sodium.  I'd go visit her and bring, of all things, potato chips!  To someone in the ICU that is not the usual.  But it did the trick for her, and a Saline IV and salt on her food.  Home she came with a sodium of 132!  Pink, strong and much more spry.

While she showered and settled in after her jaunt in the ICU I mended towels!  The sides were coming undone and I love these 2 red towels.  I felt good in doing so, but realized I may be the only person in the universe who mends...much less a towel!

I felt good, spent time with Mom and saved the land fill for awhile from my discarded things!

That's one big frog!

Wowza! While getting ready to leave Rehoboth Sunday I zoomed around back to pick some flowers to bring home. The lilies, daises, and (a flower who's name escapes me, that Tim planted and are so pretty in pink) are in full bloom and look so pretty together. Well there he was! Right in the lilies! I looked him up, an American bull frog. Gotta love him, and no I will not be eating his legs! Although I have in Canada. And that was a long time ago and I don't think I could do that again!  And Not in Delaware! Have the flower photos on my phone....not sure how to get those in here. That posses a problem. Maybe Bethany can help me with that one!

41 years old, 41 years gone

Hard to imagine him 82. My Dad forever 41.

The day was a usual Friday for me today. Busy day at work, after an unexpected 4 day work week.

I had Wednesday off and puttered around the house in the morning and picked Mom up by 11:30. She and I rode to Columbia Mall. I had gifts to exchange there and she patiently waited in the car reading, her knee was bothering her and she did not want to walk a lot. I found an Aveda store and picked up a few things for me and a treat for Tim for Valentine's day. I exchanged my gifts and we rode home. A lovely day with Mom.

Then Friday the 10th came. It seems to always sneak up on me. I remember the day well. It was a warm sunny afternoon and Dad was waiting for me to get home from school. It was Valentine's week and I was excited making my Valentine box. He was in the bed in the downstairs bedroom, he could not go up a flight of steps anymore, he got to winded. He kissed me and told me he loved me, the rest is a bit of a blur. I know Mom had our rocks out that we had finished tumbling from a Christmas present. Kate came over with a catalog for the summer classes at the University of Maryland. Dad was always bettering himself. The ambulance was in the driveway. Dad was so quiet, I remember him there on the stretcher in the living room, he seemed so still. Then he was in the ambulance.... Mom drove away following the ambulance. Kate and I did the laundry from his bed. He never came home that time. The funeral is a blur except for all my camp fire girl troop there in their uniforms and Ken Crowley. He had just played the scare crow in an Einstein Theater production of the Wizard of Oz and I was so impressed with him. I made a pipe cleaner pink heart to put in his coat pocket in the casket with him. Mom had a hard time deciding about weather to keep his wedding ring or not. She did and I am eternally grateful.

I really have no recollections about life from then until well into Junior High school.

My heart was broken, I was lost and lonely. Thank heaven for Mom, she for me and me for her. We became inseparable. I was the first latch key kid in my world. Everyone else had a Mom at home. I did not, she was at work. We did fine, my Mom and I.

And now, 41 years later, I am blessed to still have my Mom, to spend an unexpected day off with. To giggle with, spend time with and do the things together that we have always loved to do.

I miss you do much Dad. As usual, I'd love to sit and have a meal with you. I know you are with me often... I've sent many people to see you. Most recently Tim's Mom, Aunt Lois, Darlene, Mike, even Emily Blanche!

I have my Tim who is a constant companion and comfort to me. Thank you for sending him my way.

I love you Dad.
I love you too Momma.

Life and blessings

It seems in life no matter what I do there is always someone who takes things the wrong way. No matter who I have spoken to, everyone has the same problem. Why do people get upset and not talk to the person they are upset with? How can someone fix a wrong or explain their thoughts if no one lets them know there is something wrong.
I shall go on living the best life I can and know that I deal with others the way I want to be dealt with. Like it or not. That is how I am.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. A good model to live by
I try to be willing to say anything to someones face that I say to another about them to others. But sometimes that is not the best thing to do.

I have a wonderful, thoughtful, considerate husband who I am blessed to have in my life.
I am lucky to have my Mom still, she is an inspiration for me to be like when I am 88!
My sisters are my best friends and will always be. They can make me mad, but we get over it and always have each others back.
My brother blessed this family with 6 children who keep me on my toes. As adults they have each grown into individuals who I love and am proud of each of them in their own way.
My other niece and nephew hold a special place in my heart as well, each of them I have been blessed to live near in their youth.
I am blessed with many friends, and count many of them as family.

Perhaps this is a lesson to make me appreciate all that I do have and know I am indeed blessed.

Count your blessings, name them one by one. You'll be amazed at the glory in your life.

Hello February 2012

This will be just my thoughts:

• Where did January go? This seems to be a recurring theme with me. I cannot believe it is Feb. 1! Hardly any snow this winter and today it was 72 degrees!
• I have a new fangled computer. Mine died about 2 weeks before Christmas which gave Santa Tim the opportunity he had been waiting for to give me my gift early. He almost absolutely cannot wait till Christmas morning to open presents. My hard drive fried, and he could hardly wait to give me this wonderful new fangled laptop with all kinds of bells and whistles that I am still learning. If anyone wants "facetime" with me, I now have a camera and I will be here at the appointed time to talk....once I figure out this "easy application!"
• I had been having difficulty opening my own blog, but I seem to have overcome that issue. Now I just don't have any one's address. SO, if you want to e-mail me them I'd appreciate it, though no one seems to be "blogging" these days as facebook has taken over the world.
• Tim has been at his new job the appointed 90 days, so I guess he will be there a while.
• Mom has had a tough winter. She had a pacemaker placed December 20, 2011! Doing just fine from that. Now last Thursday she chipped off half her front tooth opening a creamer....now has a new tooth too! Has to be tough to be 88. But she is working busily away on her new stained glass project for Kate. A beautiful entry door panel with 5 iris. It will be breathtaking like all her other work.
• Tim and I are back to our weekly weekend trips to Rehoboth Beach. It is so nice to get away to our "other" house. We seem to putter and relax quite well out there. It is nice Eileen and Joe are in Lewes now and Pat is out much more often.
• My office is still ahead of me, but I am winning the race. Tim also bought me a neat desk to scan all my papers. Now to learn how to use that too.

That seems to be all for now. Time for bed and another day at work.

Toddo is 40, Lordy Lordy!

My first recolection of Todd is my brother being so proud to have a second son and saying: "Now David has what I always wanted! A brother!". That being said I am sure there were times Mike wished the order was a bit different when Todd and David were young. Though now they are much better friends, geography and life keeps them apart. Just like my sisters Kate and Holly who were arch enimies in their teens, now my sisters call themselves twins and I am lucky to be included as a sister. Todd, the second born of my brothers children. Born in Maryland, like me. The only other Marylander. Though you'd never know it, he is rooted quite deeply in Washington State. I doubt he will venture far from the Hogmans. His whole life it was David and Todd. Rarely Todd and David. And when the next sibling came along it was the blessed sister! Todd is definately the second child, overachiever. First to graduate from college, first to get a master's degree. Only one to have 7 children! He has spent his life being compaired to someone else, his brother, his wifes family, how they did things. And yet he is his own self. A good father to 6 sons and one daughter....so far! He loves the outdoors, unlike his father who only tolerated it. He is extremely busy, he will take the time for you if you reach out to him, though he rarely has time for himself or to reach out to you. The love of his life is his wife who is amazing after 7 children still looks like a teenager herself, yet she too is pushing 40!

So my Toddo, the second son of my brother.....who head butted his way into your heart. Here are a few copies of slides I've found and scanned and send to you. Know you are loved and have a family out east who still thinks of you, especailly one Aunt Heidi.

A funny thing happened

In high school it was a thrill to talk on the phone for hours to a girlfriend or developing relationship. Then college came and nights in dorm rooms spent studying, and talking replaced the phone. Letters from home and an occasional well timed call from home were the treat. Some where along the line in came the computer and your all important E-MAIL ADDRESS enters the picture. At the same time a cell phone which let me call anyone anytime (if I had the minutes) and a phone call, once again, became routine. Then it was a treat to get an e-mail from my friends and family. I'd open my e-mail with great anticipation of a quick note from someone keeping up or saying hello. Then came texting and no need to talk or be in person or even send more than a one liner. Then the photo on the phone, why text when you can send a picture, it is worth 1000 words isn't it?

So, now I sit in isolation from everyone and everything. No one calls, no one sends letters, rarely I get a text, and never do I have a personal e-mail. Except for my dear sweet Mom, she does all of the above. I sure do love her. Thanks Mom for calling, mailing, e-mailing and even reading my blog. I sure do love you.

It's always good at Sunshine!

At the corner of New Hampshire and Georgia Avenue is a small no nothing little store: Sunshine General Store. Unless you knew to come in and try their menu you'd not even stop. But this is a place my husband brought me when we were "courting" and he won me over. Inside it's not much either. Crooked isles, poorly stocked shelves, not full fridges. In the back of this little no nothing store is a counter that often you have to wait for a one of the four seats, where these 4 gentleman would not even think of giving up their seat for me, where you will get the best breakfast sandwich, french toast or pancakes this side of heaven. The burgers will be another story!
When we walked in this morning the place was packed, not a seat to be had, but by the time I snapped a few photos outside (see above) the "rush" had thinned out and we had a seat at the table.

Tim got the sausage, egg and cheese sandwich.....yummo. Fresh hand patted sausage, and farm fresh eggs.

My bacon, egg and cheese was the bomb, and Tim managed to share 2 triangles of his yummy french toast with a "side" of bacon! All in all amazing! We love to take a drive up to this little store, it is about 15 miles north through beautiful rolling hills.

Since we were in the neck of the woods where his Mom grew up Tim also drove me to the little creek where she wants her ashes scattered. I feel better about that now too. Beautiful up county area where Kathie rode her horse and played with cousins. A peaceful, calm, beautiful place to be.

One the way home Tim drove me past his new office building in downtown Gaithersburg. I like being able to visualize where he will be working. Nice old town Gaithersburg, right across from a post office! I'd be in heaven.

Now on to football......for Tim. Me, I think I'll putter!

A snapshot of my afternoon

How can it be the end of October already?

Where did the summer go?

As I gaze out my window today I see a beautiful sugar maple that is yellow and bold and SNOW!

It has actually been snowing off and on today!

I am not quite ready for snow.

I'll snap a photo with my phone, e-mail it to me and see if I can put it in here. Any other ideas as to how to do that!?

A little blurry, but you get the idea.

Now Sylvester the gigundo "kitten" is here "helping"....more photos with phone.

He somehow knows just where I am looking

Neil Young "One of these days" is playing on my Pandora radio taking me back to my days at Alderson Broaddus College. It really is amazing it's been over 25 years since I was there and one song can take me back. Bonnie Weston, Jeff Fine, Joyce Kerpchar. The loss of 4 friends in a car crash. I now can see Bonnie's 3 children grown on Facebook. Jeff sends out chilly photos from the cold wintery Maine, and Joyce is happy in Florida with her 3.

Where does the time go?

Now this is my view of the computer screen! He loves to follow the mouse, and even the cursor!



And if I stop this is the look I get! He really is funny!


So a lazy Saturday. Made yummy peameal, eggs and toast breakfast for Tim, we have been having Houlpkee (a stuffed cabbage dish he usually only makes a the new year!) he made last night.

I am on my eternal putter with papers, projects and the office. The beach house is rented for the weekend. They are loving it as much as we do!

Life is good. Tim starts his new job at NBCOT on Monday November 7, 2011.

I am content at work. Twenty two years there have flown by too.
Happy Fall/Winder weekend.

Mary Kathleen Larcombe Freese

Today my husband lost his Mom. A very sad day for many. Tim will miss his pilar of family. I will miss the best mother-in-law anyone could ask for. I'll post her mini bio here and a few photos.

Mary Kathleen (Kathie) Larcombe Freese

Mary Kathleen (Kathie) Larcombe Freese passed away peacefully at the age of 80 on August 15, 2011 at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. She succumbed to chronic heart and lung conditions.
Kathie was born on September 12, 1930 in Washington, D.C. She was the oldest daughter of John and Olive Larcombe. She grew up in Washington Grove and Gaithersburg where she enjoyed horseback riding in Laytonsville, spending time with family and friends, and playing sports. Kathie graduated from St. Martins of Tours School in 1944 and Gaithersburg High School in 1948. In high school, she was a distinguished athlete and captain of several sports teams. In college, she was a member of the University of Maryland’s renowned Gymkana Troupe, where she earned numerous awards including Best Trouper in 1949.

Kathie was a devoted mother of eight children. As an Air Force Officer’s wife, she raised her children in a variety of places including Arizona, Washington, DC, Georgia and New Mexico. She and her first husband homesteaded in Kenai Alaska, then moved to Bangkok, Thailand and finally returned to Maryland in 1970.

At age 44, Kathie returned to college and earned her BS degree in recreation from the University of Maryland, College Park. Kathie then worked for the Montgomery County Recreation Department for 23 years. A highlight of her career with the Recreation Department was her tenure as Director of Longwood Community Center where she and her second husband Graham Little were active in community affairs. Kathie was recognized by the Maryland House of Delegates for her outstanding contributions to the greater Olney Civic Association.
After being widowed for 9 years, Kathie was happily married to Russel Freese in 1996.
Kathleen is survived by her husband, Russel Freese of Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, MD and her sister Jacqueline Doyle of Belvedere, CA and Santa Fe, NM. She is also survived by seven children, Joseph Kuchta and his wife Susan of Gaithersburg, John Kuchta of Redmond, WA, Mary Foster and her husband James of Baltimore, Carol Scannelli and her husband Vincent of Bethesda, Thomas Kuchta and his wife Stephanie of Kenai, AK and Pryor Lake, MN, Tim Kuchta and his wife Heidi of Kensington, and Jacqueline Kuchta and her husband David Wachter of Takoma Park. She is also survived by her step-son Robert Freese of Germantown and step-daughter Linda Privet of Brunswick, MD. She was predeceased by an infant daughter, Susan Virginia Kuchta. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Kathie was devoted to her family. She will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by them all.

Kathie made an anatomical gift to the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD.

There will be a memorial service for Kathie on Friday August 19, 2011 at 11:00 AM at The Guild Memorial Chapel in Asbury Methodist Village, 211 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877. A reception will follow the service. Gifts in her memory may be made to the Asbury Foundation – Benevolent Fund, 201 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877, (301-216-4051).

Say hello to my Dad and Brother Kathie. Enjoy all the angels that have gone before you. Enjoy getting to know your Susan. I love you. Heidi

My Dad

Today is his birthday. He was born August 13, 1929

He would have been 82! He now lived only half a life time, to die at 41 is a bummer!

Eighty-two, I cannot imagine him an old man. I guess that is the only good thing in dying young. He left this earth at 41. Forty one years is hardly any time at all to live. But in his 41 years he did so much, and made our family very happy and lucky.

I am honored that my brother took it upon himself to have 3 sons, and those 3 sons in turn now have 12 sons between them to carry on the Kestner name. Also my sister Holly has a son with the Kestner name and he has a son with the Kestner name. I hope each of those 13 young men turn out to be as good a man as their fathers, my brother and my dad. The world will be a better place all around with all those Kestner men in it! Two of the 13 Great Grandsons have the same middle name as my father. An honor I hope they grow to understand one day.

I have been going through slides lately. I found the ones below of my dear friend Tracy, me and Dad. I did not even remember the slide, much less the event. I know Dad came home from his 6 month civilian tour in Viet Nam with a new 35mm camera with a timer in it and he was so tickled to be able to get in the photo. This was very new in 1970 and he loved electronics. He may have been playing with it in anticipation of some family photos we took in the fall of 1970. I am sure he wanted Tracy and I to be his "models". I wonder if he missed getting in the first one, or if it was a "scout" shot to be sure the camera was working. So here we are. I think this was about August 70 (that is what the edge of the slide said). That would make Tracy 10, me 9 and Dad 40. He would not live to see another summer.






Dad would be so into all the electronics, computers, cameras, and cell phones. Even in 1971 he was excited about this new "fangled" thing that one day everyone would own.....a computer. At the time they took up entire rooms. But he was excited about them and knew they were going to happen. He would have so much fun with a digital camera and it's instant gratification it offers. We are so spoiled today to be able to instantly see the image we have captured digitally and not have to wait for processing and development.

As always I'd just like to have lunch with him, or be able to ask his opinion on something. For now I can only dream about him and hope he is having a good visit with Mike.

Happy Birthday Dad. I still miss you tons.
Forever your poochy pants

Random thoughts in no particular order

My sister is 63 today, she wears it quite well. We went to dinner tonight at Dutches Daughter in Frederick. A lovely meal, even with ice between her 2 daughters. I do hope this passes and they both come to realize life is more important than she said, he said.

My mother-in-law is deathly ill in Shady Grove ICU. This has been an exhausting 4 days and I fear many more to come. I feel so helpless and yet want to make everything right for my husband to shield him from this pain and make this time pass. Death is an inevitable end for all of us, yet so difficult for those left behind to mourn and adjust to life without the person just gone.

Work is difficult at best. I seem to make it all work, at times I fear I am not doing a good job. I have been distracted this week, and do not like it when it carries over to my work.

Our kittens are the best. Sylvester is funny, lovable and fun to have around. Smokey is her own self, beautiful and gives us love when she is in the mood!

I am blessed my Mom is in such good health for 87. May I be just like her at 87!

I've read a great book: Cutting for Stone. If you (whoever my reader is) have not read it I highly recommend it.

I am slowly getting somewhere with my office, very s l o w. But making progress. This week I am mailing cook books out west to the nieces and nephews and giving dog books to Karen. I can actually see floor in the office, and know where things are. Maybe by Christmas I will actually be able to use the table to "do" my Christmas cards. We all know how much I love to do those!

I hope to get some more hand work projects done. But I've been on a reading kick and that takes time too!

I wish I had my cell phone here. Sylvester has just coiled himself up in a bin and gone to sleep. I shall have to remember this one forever! He looks like ET in all my stuff on the desk! Maybe I can sneak away and get my phone. But he follows me like a shadow (I love that)

Summe Cume Laude

He did it!
My husband has a Bachelor Degree! He graduated Summe Cume Laude (that is a 4.0! for those of you who don't know) ALL A's!

The title is a bit long, but worth the wait!

Bachelor of Science

Concentration in Networking

Minor in Security Administration


I am so proud of my husband.




We had a celebration for him today. All his friends and family came to wish him well.
Many thanks to those who attended, sent cards and called to wish him well.
One huge accoplishment for my Timothy.

TA DA!

Memorial Day 2011

This morning I woke and called Mom to tell her to pick flowers to take to Dad in Gettysburg.
My Dad has been gone 40 years now. Very hard to type. But he is in a place with reverence and respect and I like to take Mom there on Memorial Day. Each grave has it's own American flag (two when husband and wife are together). A very moving sight.

We went, and took azaleas I planted in Mom's yard many moons ago.

We took stones that Mindy's four children had scavenged on a trip here earlier this month. Very special rocks were tucked by his stone this year. From his 4 great grand children, representing a new generation and also his 4 children. Mom brought him a stone from the blue lagoon in Iceland. A wonderful place that is worth going back to. It is the tiny black and white one.

A tearful, yet memorial journey. We had a good HOT day! Only 98 degrees today! Shew

The kittens

The other night I had to close my kittens out of my office as I could not get anything done on the computer. They were either sitting right in front of the screen, following the mouse/letters &/or cards or running a muck in all my "stuff" in the office that I still don't have control of. I felt bad, but as you've seen from prior posts, they do not let me get much done smack dab in front of the screen. They are leaning the "lay down" command that Kelly understood so well!

After a while I left the office to go have dinner with Tim. Dinner was over, we cleaned up and were watching TV, no kittens?! We called and they did not come, I looked in their usual sleeping places, no kittens. I could not find them, so I went upstairs and I had left the office door open. I went in the office to find my 2 sweet kittens sound asleep together on the seat of my chair. Too cute!

Life is good with Kittens in the house!

Easter 2011

My sister hit it out of the park this year for Easter. Kate has become quite the hostess with the mostest. She had the 6 of our shrinking little family over on Easter Sunday for brunch at 1pm. (Mom, Kate, Garry, Karen, Tim and I)

Her table was adorned with a mirror with crocus she had started 2 weeks prior to the event and ringed with all her eggs, both new and old. Each place had a mini bouquet spring flowers from her yard. She has Aunt Frannie's Iris dishes that make the table very special to Mom and perfect for an Easter event.







Tim and I were a little late as the beach holiday traffic hung us up. Garry went to get Mom and Karen arrived with her very pregnant 3 pound doglet. (My Smokey kitten is 6 lbs to give you an idea of how small this dog is) She is having a litter of unplanned puppies and her little mother is quite uncomfortable at this point, 4 for sure and maybe 6! She looks like a balloon with sewn on legs!

Kate made ham, yummy scalloped potatoes, cooked fresh green beans and carrots, deviled eggs and I added in the Mom broccoli salad. She borrowed my bundt cake pan and made yummy warm gooey buns! Kate had Easter baskets for the adults too. I will admit something in me is thrilled with an Easter basket. Although I had asked Tim if he wanted a basket and he said NO. So I felt off the hook. I must say I was so happy to have one to share with him. He ate all the reses peanut butter eggs and cups, but I still love him!

A lovey meal for sure. We all had a wonderful visit and were home in plenty of time to relax to get ready for the week.

Gardening, Kitten help!

HUM! How can I spend so much time in the yard and get so little done. Oh, yes. Spend too much time sitting and recovering from work I am doing. But it is good to be outside and I have a woodpecker that I love to find in the tree or on the telephone pole, silly wood pecker. I did not think telephone poles ever rotted, but he is trying very diligently to get into the top 12 inches of the one in my front yard.

Tim went to Costco today as we ready for the family of 6. Thank heaven I have an idea of what they eat. This is going to be fun, I just hope I can keep them entertained for 10 days.


The shutter people are scheduled to come for the guest room and Tim's office.


Tim has 2 tentative interviews next week! Wahoooo. I say practice practice practice till you find the perfect job for you! Interviewing is hard, and then you have to wait more.



I think my kitten is in heat again. I am just glad that means she is NOT PG! She goes on Monday for the fixin.


She has been helping me tonight on the computer. She at least will lay down for Oprah!

Mostly she sits right in front of the screen and tries to watch the mouse go. I try to make her think it's gone around the back, that only lasts as long as it takes her to walk back there and see it is not there, but I can get a lot done in that brief interlude.

I've put her outside the office.....she is making me nutso!

I think she misses Sylvester....for more than one reason. I just miss his personality!

April is wonderful

The moon this month is amazing. Actually better to me than the big hype last month. It has been a huge orange orb in the night sky lighting my way home. I've been on a work marathon, up most of the night Saturday and worked about 6 hours Sunday. Light day Monday and back on call tonight. Hopefully it will be a quiet one....but sure as I type this the phone will ring.

Tim is busy with his full time job of finding a job. We will take any and all leads to get him to his goal of a job he will enjoy and is qualified to do. Today it was one at Navy Federal. He has an interview on Tuesday next week, this from a resume sent out over a month ago. So response is slow, and we will be patient.

The daffodils are in full bloom, the grape hyacinths are here, and my red tulips are up and reminding me of my Dad every time I come in and out of the house. My cherry tree came and went far to fast this year, may be time for a dogwood out front too.

Grape Hyacinths are so cute and such happy little clumps of purple.


Daffodils and red tulips in the back ..Hi Dad!

Hostas from Mom's yard. I love these little ones.

And these are just special.

Tim and I are busy little bees getting ready for Mindy and her lovely family of 5 to be here for 10 days. I am sure I'll be totally exhausted after they are here, but will LOVE every minute of it. I, of course, have 20 things for them to do and only 10 days to do them! We'll see how far we get! Plus I am sure there are requests from them. Mostly it will be a blessing to have them here and celebrate Daniels graduation with his Master's degree from UMUC!

Sylvester has been at Moms for the past 2 weeks as Miss Smokey has gone into heat and we really do not need any unplanned kittens in this house. She is coming into her own of being quite the social puddy. She plays and loves her climbing tree and a new feather toy Tim bought her.

I am on pins and needles awaiting the arrival of Karen's unplanned puppies at her house. Her Chihuahua is due any day now with at LEAST 4 puppies, they must be as big as kittens when they are born as her "dog" is smaller than my adolescent kitten!

My office is still a clutter, I'll just have to close the door for company! That is life!