Perfect Christmas Present...

My Mother and I each received a unique present this year; an elephant coffee mug hand made in Etna, NY (much like the ones in the picture). Along with the mugs came a poem which I want to share. For those who don't know, my Mother has collected elephants for years and I share her fondness for the species!

Coffee Cups
by Michelle Reynolds

Somewhere out there
When you wake up
Someone else has coffee
In a matching elephant cup.

No Matter how far away
You might seem to each other
Your love will cross the miles
For both daughter and Mother.

So sit and relax
And enjoy a strong brew
Because somewhere out there
Someone is thinking of you too.


Mom, I'm enjoying my coffee, are you?

The Meaning of Christmas...

What does Christmas mean to you and to your family? Is it a time of reflection? A time of giving? A time of peace and tranquility? Too often I think we lose sight of what the spirit of Christmas is really all about. Charlie Brown and his friends know what it is and remind us every year. Enjoy the holidays everyone!

Noise in the Attic

Noise in the Attic
by Michelle D. Reynolds


There was a noise in the attic
but I set a little trap
then about 10:30 last night
I heard it loudly snap.

I woke up this morning
and climbed the rickety stairs
and what to my wondering eyes
a mouse with little hairs.

:-)

Now there is one less noise maker
over my head at night.
Maybe today I'll trap one more
and then I can sleep tight.

Where did the Summer go?

Back to my blog... Where did the Summer go?
June, July, and August, these months seem to fly by faster and faster each year. I treasured (once again) and took full advantage of the nice Summer weather with activities such as:

Bike Nights with the boys
Golfing with the girls
Pig Roast in Cambridge, NY
The Flynn (always)
Camping at the lake with the family
New baby and wedding in Morgantown
House Warming parties
Wine Tasting birthday parties
and ... tons of fun with a new friend in Elmira!

As we close in on winter, here's my pledge to write entries from November through May to keep my parents up to date while they are in the sunny South!

Tears

My question for the day: "Why do we shed tears both when we're really happy and when we're really sad?"

Jubilation:
I love to watch golf (actually, I love to watch most sporting events). If you didn't watch the US Open coverage Saturday and Sunday you missed some of the best golf shots made by the pros in a very long time, if ever. I found myself jumping up and down with tears rolling down my cheeks Saturday night when Tiger made eagle on 18, and again on Sunday when he made birdie to force the play-off.

Sadness:
I also spent part of the weekend watching specials about Tim Russert's legacy. The tributes were all fabulous, but the dialog between Matt Lauer and Tim's son Luke this morning on the Today show was amazing. I wasn't sure if my tears were because I was sad or because I was SO proud of Luke!

So, once again, my question: "Why do we shed tears both when we're really happy and when we're really sad?"

It seems to me maybe the tears should change colors so onlookers can tell the difference between happy and sad tears.

May Day May Day!

Holy Crap! May is over. Where did it go? Here's to a warmer June! I've had my fireplace burning most of the afternoon. brrrrrr...

How do I spell success?

L I P I T O R

6 weeks of meds and my total cholesterol is down to 139!

woohoo!

The doc said it was the largest decrease he's ever seen.

A "Maxine" Classic...

This comic makes me laugh each time I see it. Tonight it reminded me that I haven't posted anything lately! No "escape key" for me, I'm still here! I really need someone to send me daily blog topics because my mind is pretty blank by the time I arrive home from work. If you think of something you want me to blog about, let me know!

Spring is in the Air and so is Mariah!

It's that time of year, SPRING, the time when the robins are in the back yard, many birds are trying to make nests where you'd prefer they didn't, and of course, the Rochester Peregrine falcons are busy in their nest at the Kodak Tower! Mariah and Kaver have 3 eggs so far this season and we anticipate a few more before they begin sitting on the eggs. It won't be long and the babies (eyas) hatch! Woohoo! I love Spring.

Sunny Days

We have had a few really sunny days this week but the temperatures remain too cool to ride (it was 12 this morning)! Looks like warmer days next week!

Easter Sunrise

Kobe woke me up just in time to see the sunrise this morning! Lucky for me I didn't have to go outside (brrrr...) and I was able to snuggle back under the covers :-)
Happy Easter!

Survived the Storm...

Bad thunderstorms and tornados throughout central Floriday yesterday, high winds and more than 2 inches of rain here. We went out to dinner last night and this is how bad it was. Nice night to stay in and watch The Price is Right Spectacular (which, by the way, I would have won both showcases and a million dollars too).

I posted a picture of my Dad yesterday, so here is one of my Mom posing with her Valentines Teddy Bear. Off to the flea markets today. We will load up and head north tomorrow morning.

Vacation winding down...

I arrived back in Ocala from Anna Maria Island at noon yesterday and took advantage of the sunshine to wash and wax the hauler. I'm thinking maybe this is the way to haul it around, what do you think? It might take a bit of time to make it all the way to NY, but it would sure turn some heads. Oh, and it rained 1/2 hour after I finished so I was able to see the water bead up on the rig :-)


My parent's park here is having its annual yard sale to raise money for the park association, Dad came home in the rain last night wearing this body condom, isn't he cute?

Fun in the Sun!

Well into week number 2 of my vacation! I am at Chas and Erma's on Anna Maria Island, what a great place to relax and enjoy the sun and sand! Chas just built a new Tikki Hut, do you recognize the Looney one?

Can you pick me out of the crowd?

My brother Jim scanned this picture of his archives. It's a reunion picture of all my Grandma Wright's family in 1964. There is Grandma, her three children, with their spouses, and all 15 grandchildren. Can you pick me out of the crowd?

Nature Wins

Nature won this time in the old Nature vs. Nurture competition. 6 weeks of eating low-fat, low-cholesterol foods did nothing. My cholesterol went UP! Now I must research to decide which medicine to take for this. I've read lots about the side effects and I'm not looking forward to this next adventure. I will start on something after my vacation.

Living Room - yet again.

I agreed with Mom and Sandy, the wall was too cluttered, so here are pictures of the new arrangement. ALL I need now is the flat screen TV on the wall!

Ground Hog Day!

Rupert and I are sitting at the computer wondering if the ground hog saw his shadow. Most likely not, there hasn't been any sunshine here today! I guess that means 6 more weeks of winter. Don't we always have 6 more weeks of winter anyhow? 6 seems to be a good number, Rupert is 6 months old today!

February 1st, Month no. 2 in my cholesterol battle!

Day No. 32!
The fish oil pills only lasted one week, their side effects were too much for me (constant taste of fish, yuck). I've been taking pectin supplements for three weeks. If found studies that show fruit pectin naturally lowers LDL levels and its only side effect is curbing your appetite (not a bad thing!). Anyhow, today is day number 32 of looking at labels for cholesterol and trans-fat content. I will have more blood work done in a few weeks to see my new cholesterol levels (hopefully LOWER). Oh, and today my Florida countdown begins, 23 days until I head to the Sunshine State!!!!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

January 31st, 1959
Covert Alvord and Estella Wright were married, 49 years later and they are enjoying the winters in their southern home in Ocala, FL! Woohoo!

Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Today is very special.
Happy Anniversary to you!

49 years.
What an awesome feat!
Enjoy your company today,
And have plenty to eat!

The critters send their love.
I send it too.
I will say it again,
Happy, Happy Anniversary to you!

Enjoy your day!


I took this picture last night, doesn't it look like Rupert wants to say "Happy Anniversary"?

Critter Ambition

I took these pictures a few weeks ago, actually New Year's Eve day. I took a nap and when I woke up, here is how I found the three critters, what a huge show of ambition, don't you think?

New Look for Living Room

I had a bit of cabin fever and decided to move things around my living room last weekend. Now, I move the furniture around quite a lot, but the TV has only moved once in the 11 years I've lived in my house. Well, now it's moved twice, this time it's along the long wall opposite the french doors. Both sofas are lined up across from it (not sure about this look). I figured I would try this out because the wall is really the only location I could hang a new flat screen TV (no, I haven't purchased one yet). I think I need a sectional couch or a love seat instead of one couch to pull this look off. What do you think?

New Look for 2008!

Made you look! I thought about going with a red hair-do for the new year but instead I chose a new blog look. It might be the best decision I've made so far this year!

Oh, so you wonder if I made any resolutions for 2008? Well, not exactly. However, the Dr. tells me that I have to lower my cholesterol (total came in at a whopping 275, up from 225 last year) or go on medicine (actually he said I should do both). So... today is day number 6 of oatmeal for breakfast (yep, this means no more breakfasts at diners or restaurants for me). I'm trying to add more fruits and vegetables to my daily intake (sigh) and the Dr. suggested I start taking fish oil supplements. Take a look at these:

They are pretty gross (and huge), but if taking them lowers my numbers, I guess it is worth forcing them down. I visit the Dr. again in the middle of February, so wish me luck!