Free at Last!

Home safe and sound from the hospital...yet the saga does not end. I will say that for now I feel better and things are good! =)

Another Favorite Blogger!!

I must have a great influence on the budding writers in my family. My neice Jillian has begun a blog and she is calling Jilly's Jibber Jabber! I love that name. Jilly has an incredible, and dry sense of humor, so her writing should be fun and interesting. If you have been following my blogging for some time, I have shared much about her...now you can read her yourselves!

Although I still might have a thing or two to brag about, so my stories of JillyBean and her brother Joshua have not ended simply because they are now bloggers. How could they? What kind of Aunt would I be?

Good luck Jilly on your writing and adventures in the blogging world. LY!

Down and Out...Singing the Hospital Blues

I am writing this post from my hospital bed. It's all about an old gallbladder problem, that despite being yanked out years ago, the duct that remains is decided to rear it's ugly head. I hate hospitals.

I know this sounds somewhat strange coming from a nurse, but the truth is, unless I am on my feet taking care of the patient, I am no good at being one. I am feeling great as I write this, but few short hours ago, I was not so happy. Thankfully a few doses of narcotics and I am now back to being myself. I have had a meal after being with out food for many hours and I want to go home. However, the MDs have not yet made rounds (its 3pm) and it is now that I find myself a prisoner, and not a happy one. So thankfully, my hubby has a laptop that is available, so I could do school work and destress from not being able to do that. Being behind in that makes me nuts.

So for now I must be patient...and try and be a good one. Oy!

My Favorite New Blogger!

My nephew Joshua has joined the bazillions of online bloggers and will share his daily, or almost daily (depending on his life) activities and what's "going down" in his life (I just know he just read this and rolled his eyes).

Joshua has always been able share stories in a very animated way, and quite well at that. While he does not like to read (thanks to the schools for piling on the homework) and feels he needs better writing skills, I happen to think that there is this hidden talented writer in him, just eeking to come out! So I am asking my blog followers to take a peek at his blog and let him know you are out there reading. Maybe together we can pull that hidden Hemingway out of him!

You can find him here Joshua Jive

Summer Vacation With the Kids!

My sister Sue and I just took our niece Jillian and nephew Joshua on our “annual summer vacation with the kids” vacation. We went to Massachusetts and Connecticut. We stayed at the Bass Rocks Inn, Mass, which was very lovely and I would highly recommend it to anyone. The rooms were clean, roomy, and the food (continental breakfast) not bad at all. And for those in the need of a sugar fix, chocolate chip cookies were available all day long, with fresh coffee or tea to wash them down.

Day One: On our way to the inn, we stopped at Sturbridge Village in Mass. This is a quaint old village At Old where one “will come face-to-face with the past and the events that shaped life from the late 1700s to early 1800s”. It was a great place to unwind a little from driving and have lunch. The kids found it somewhat “awesome” so that was a plus. Sue and I enjoyed the visit too.

Then we headed for the Inn, settled in, and headed to dinner and a walk in downtown Gloucester. We visited the Fisherman Lost at Sea Memorial. We ate a place the Inn recommended (Captain Carlos), however we would not. The food was reasonable priced, however after eating it; we thought it was well over priced! YUCK. We did a little shopping while downtown, and then headed back to play pool, and enjoy each other’s company (which usually leads to a lot of laughing and silliness).

Day Two: We got up early and headed to Salem! We jumped on a trolley and headed to the House of the Seven Gables. Very awesome and quite interesting. We all loved this place. We then headed to the “Witches Brew Café” for lunch and had a great lunch! Nothing fancy, but when you have been walking and are hungry, it all looks and tastes good! And the chowda’ was oh so rich and yummy! The walk continued as we headed to the Salem Old Burying Point Cemetery, where we visited the graves of the 12 witches that were buried and one crushed to death. A memorial park was dedicated in Salem with a stone bench for each of those executed in 1692. Also buried here was one of the original pilgrims, Richard More.

The kids and I went to Frankenstein’s Lab, and were supposed to be scared walking around in the dark, while high school kids jumped out to scare us. The only thing we got out of it was a shortage of good cash, and Jillian’s increased coughing from all the fake smoke. Their disclaimer reads: "In the case of our haunted attractions we wish our patrons to know that it is our goal to scare; we will not issue refunds due to attractions being too scary". How about if we were not scared at all?

Sue sat at Dunkin’ Donuts and had coffee, apparently the only smart one in the group. We then headed to a place where we had fun doing dress up witch photos! THAT was fun!! The day was done in Salem, so we headed back home. Back in Gloucester, we took in dinner at a place called “Lobsta Land”. I cannot even begin to express how good this meal was for all of us! We could have licked the plates clean! The day was done, and it was off to unwind with some pool, hot tea, and then some light TV!

Day Three: We got up early and after breakfast (and I can report the corn bread was the best Jilly and Joshua have ever had, except for their mom’s), we headed to Cape Ann, where we got on board a big boat to head out to sea to do some whale watching. And did we ever whale watch! We saw a dozen whales (humpbacks and minkes), including two mom’s and two babies! They came so close to the boat, you could almost touch them. WE all loved this and took many pictures! Very cool!! After this, we headed to Rockport where we took in a national park, Halibut State Park, which was once an Old Quarry. It was interesting, a great walk around the park, and the view out to sea and surrounding areas, breath taking! Good choice Sue.

Then we headed into the town of Rockport and spent time walking around the small shops, ate lunch, and nibbled at sweets. We saw Motif #1, which is a “fishing shack on Bearskin Neck is one of the most famous buildings in the world and instantly recognizable to any student of art or art history”. So of course, out came the cameras! We all had fun here. Then it was back to Gloucester, and to dinner! We ate at the Gloucester House Restaurant and had a great meal. Joshua was finally able to get his lobsters, and he loved every morsel! We then headed back for a relaxing evening of pool, and Scrabble.

Day Four: We packed up early and headed south to Mystic, Connecticut, where we spent the majority of the day at the Seaport. It’s a seaport, it has boats, and ships, and old buildings. The lunch was good, and the shopping not bad. I’m sorry, but it was not the highlight of the trip. BUT we can all say we were there!! After this stop, we were finally on our way home.
Sister Sue was in charge of this vacation, and without her great planning, it might have been a bust. She deserves a great deal of credit for organizing a fun and awesome vacation with me and the kids! Thanks Sue!

Where Have I Been?

Beeing busy.




This school stuff is keeping me quite busy, and getting Dan ready to head back to school is keeping me busy. Life. My time on the Internet has been devoted to sending out a few emails, yakking with Caitlin, or researching like mad. And I still owe people email replies! Jim has also been traveling a lot, so that puts all the household and animal chores on my plate. Not that I ever mind, but it does keep me hopping. So not much to report via this blog.




Beeing busy.

Jim's Stay in Grenada

I shared earlier, Jim took a week and headed to Grenada to help Caitlin get settled in her new apartment. I was glad he went, and he was even gladder (I know this is the right word, but it works well here).

He had a few odds and ends to do down there, and he wasn't able to do it without a trip to the hardware store. Now there are no Home Depots in Grenada, but whatever it was he found, he was more than elated to find it (even gladder). Of course, I knew sending him was the perfect idea, because 1) he loves to fix things up, and 2) Caitlin has her daddy still tightly wrapped around her little finger. So he fixed and got things that she needed without her having to even ask.

Caitlin took him to the campus and gave him the 25 cent tour, and then showed him the areas that she shops at for food and extras. The apartment is on a rather steep incline, so he got to do much exercising while there. He discovered that she is minutes from our American Embassy and that made him gladder still. "If you ever get into trouble or need help..."

Jim came home with a sense of accomplishment, and the knowledge that his little girl is safe, and that she has grown into a very independent young woman, who despite being able to do just about everything on her own, there's this little girl inside who still needs her dad at times, and he is very happy about that! In fact, he was very glad.

Vacation Time (for some)

It's almost time for me to take my annual vacation with my sister Sue, my niece Jillian, and my nephew Joshua. This year we are heading north to Gloucester, Mass. I have been north to Mass, but not to this area. I am so looking forward to time away with the kids and my sister.

In the mean time, Jillian and Joshua are in Canada with their Bubbe, and already, day two, Jillian reports the trip to me "awesome". The photo is one in which she has shared with us so far (there are others, but I chose this one as I liked it the best). I'm sure they will continue to have an awesome time for the duration of the trip, as Bubbe has lots of adventures planned for them. I wish i had a Bubbe to take me away. However, I do have a Jim, and he and I will be sailing away to the Bahamas in a few short weeks.

He just returned from his week in Grenada, and that will be another blog entry.

Rose Ridge Farm

My sister-in-law Heidi is very much into horseys. Now you know if you have read my blog for any length of time, that I am NOT a fan of horseys. However, I am a fan of those who are into education, even if it is all about horses, so I wanted to take this blog space and share Heidi’s passion for horses. And she is passionate about these beautiful numbskulls (except for Huey, who I adore). I do not mean to offend the horse owners that might read this blog, but seriously, they are not the brightest of animals.

Her web page “Rose Ridge Performance Horses” best explains her diverse background in working with horses and those that sit on them. I do wonder however, what is meant by “Young or old, nervous or bold, optimize your horse's ride and increase your versatility” which can be found at the top of her home page. Is she speaking of the horse, or the rider? If she speaks of the rider, she must have had me in mind, as I am both old and nervous, especially around some horses, most horses, except Huey (my favorite horse). Or is she speaking of an old and nervous nag? (Which again could be me again)

I am thinking she means the horse and if you are an owner of such horse, she will help to turn your horse into something better. She also promises to help minimize any conflicts. I once again guess she means between rider and horse, and not a horse and another horse. I have been out to the farm (obviously) and I have yet to see any real conflicts, although I have witnessed my brother get firm with those who have acted up (horses, not riders). “Be a good girl” he quietly whispers. Hmmmph. Like that helps.

The farm is a great place. I have never observed Heidi’s teaching, although she has taught my brother a thing or two over the past decades, so that should count for something. He can be as stubborn as a mule, which is similar to a horse. She is also a pretty funny writer, and you can check out her blog "Thoughts from the Saddle". So if you are in need of a good place for training (you or your horse), or even a nice place in the country for your horsey to live, give Heidi and Rose Ridge Farms a jingle. It’s truly a great place. I know firsthand. And tell Huey I sent you!

Midnight Buffets

I have written before in my blog how much I love my little vegetable garden. Despite its tiny size, I have gotten quite a lot out of it each year. In fact, last year I got enough tomatoes to make 20 quarts of tomato sauce. Not bad, eh? However, this year I already know there will not be a repeat performance.

My tomato plants took off early, and before long, they were truly brimming with green tomatoes. However, by the time they began to turn their red color, I had begun to see the demise of each tomato. It seems, I am not the only one who was waiting for this year’s bumper crop. I have discovered my local chipmunks love them as well.

Each morning I head out to the garden to see what has gone on the night before and I find the remainders of slightly orange tomatoes strewn about the yard. The little pigs are eating ALL my crops! In addition, they do not even finish eating them! I can’t pick the green ones, although I should, and just eat them fried, but how many fried green tomatoes can one eat? I like the big red juicy tomatoes!

Even Daniel’s cucumbers have been nibbled on! We are running a midnight buffet in our yard and no one is leaving us a tip! Damn chipmunks. I wish they were not so cute.

Safe in Grenada!

Caitlin, Jim, and Migo are safe in Grenada, and Jim is helping her get settled in to her new digs. Migo did well on the trip, and was in fact, the "perfect service dog" all the way down. It was a long day, long flights, but they all survived.

Jim's inital comment about Cait's new apartment is "awesome", so I feel good about that. She is unpacking, and will start grocery shopping while Jim is there. 6 boxes have been mailed (I could own the United States PO with all the money I have given them lately), and hopefully some of them will arrive while Jim is there to help her carry them home.

Now I can spend my time getting Daniel ready for school. Next stop...Rhode Island.

Tick, Tock

I cannot believe my summer with Caitlin is gone! Where does time go? No, seriously, where does it go? I’m thinking we had a good time together, despite our jobs, conflicting schedules, etc. Our day trip to Cape May was fun, shopping in Atlantic City, and the occasional beach day added, making the summer better.

She’s headed back to Grenada tomorrow am, with Migo, and Jim, who will be there a week to get her settled into her new apartment. He also wants the opportunity to see what Grenada is all about, as well as the chance to do some exploring of the University. I know he will love it, and I love that he is going down there with her. I feel better knowing he will be on hand to get her and Migo settled.


Now I have December to look forward to when she and Migo will reappear for the holidays. But until then, I have Daniel to get ready for school, and I look forward to sharing this new opportunity with him. It also provides me the chance to miss one more kid...until Thanksgiving. I am not sure I am ready for the quiet.

Starfish are not Frisbees

According to an article by the Associated Press today, “Tourism officials on the Caribbean island of Grenada say they are concerned about dog owners snatching starfish out of the sea and throwing them like flying discs for their dogs to catch”. Besides adding to the end of a tiny life, the beaches are starting to smell of rotting starfish. That alone should compel people to stop, but they do not.

Caitlin assures me she and Migo will not be involved in the demise of local starfish. Phew! Not that I thought she would allow Migo to put something in his mouth that did not belong there. Nope. Not happening.

So, while in Grenada, she might show Migo a starfish if one should cross their paths, but that will be the end of it. He will be happy fetching his ball on the beach and snacking on appropriate doggy snacks. I know I would be happy doing just that if I were on the beach in the Caribbean. But then who wouldn’t be?