Condo Restoration Complete

 Much work has been done in the past month, and I have to say, I love it.  It is ready for occupancy, just waiting for a few mirrors to arrive.  Everything has been stripped and repainted, respackled, new tiles and marble and granite, new bathroom fixtures, new toilets and tub, new kitchen.. and the look is lighter, brighter and cozy.

 The front door opened to wood floor, which was messy in snow and rain.
Tile installed instead.
This the view at front door looking in.
Before….
After…
Bathroom in between living room and kitchen….
Before
After

Kitchen.. this is the big WOW factor compared to the old one.
All windows were replaced and insulated too..
it was a very flimsy, chilly place before.
Before
 After…

Looking back in to the living room….
Before…

After
and heading up the stairs…

Full bath before…
After

  Master bedroom…

second bedroom

Back downstairs…

to basement just off kitchen…
Before…
After…

Oops I did it again.

 Day One – 2012
Initial thoughts:  
Look at the dirty floors
oh my aching back
loving that pile of dishes in the sink
WHY are the chickens picking on that one poor chicken!?
Son is off on his scooter with friends again..
will everyone please exit the roads, back away slowly with your hands up
until he returns safely?
I caught myself.
How I reversed the negative thought process:

2012

We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives… not looking for flaws, but for potential.   

~Ellen Goodman

 I’ve been dwelling on the negative too much lately, and quite frankly it’s exhausting.  It’s not  the stuff I  want to be made of, either.  So, if we must call it a resolution… mine will be to look for the potential…MY potential.. and to make an honest effort to walk the walk  and talk the talk of positive thinking.

because we only come through this way once.
My favorite part of this blog is when you participate on the posts.
Please join me by sending me a photo of yourself.. either a self portrait or
one someone has taken of you..
and a brief statement that expresses your outlook, hopes or goals
for the New Year.  E-mail entries to karenthisoldhouse@hotmail.com
As you send me your entries, I’ll post them right here, below Ben and I.
In 2012, I hope for good health, financial prosperity, abundance, peace, contentment, laughter and love *  I pray for healing for my parents, my dogs, and all the beings in our world that suffer for any reason *  I pray for an end to war and endless fighting, whether here at home or around the world * I pray that every child has a roof over his head, love surrounding him and a sense of hope about the future *  I pray that every dog or cat that needs a home is adopted. And that man stops hunting and maiming innocent animals  *  I pray that everyone who has lost a job, or a home, and is bewildered about a country that seems to value the very rich over the poor, finds work, a home and begins to feel valued by their country.                       xClaudia

My hopes for 2012 are to be more positive and kick the negativity out…
and make sure I get to the Vineyard for soul restoration.

Happy New Year Joan

He turns 18 next week. He graduates soon. He is our last one. I also became a grandmother in 2011. I’m entering a new chapter in my life. It’s a little scary. I want to make it less scary and more exciting. I almost feel like I will be re-inventing myself in 2012. And… Time seems to be going faster and faster. I wish I could slow things down. I realize I can’t. So I hope to make the most of every minute, hour, day, week, month, opportunity….  ~ Jodi

I want to cut out ALL processed food, start walking and using weights– I want to get fit–not just to look better, but to feel BETTER! This year has been difficult, but I have hopes 2012 will bring new blessings! I’m praying that eldest daughter comes through this difficult pregnancy without any more complications, that the baby is well (it’s a GIRL) and son heals from the divorce, and youngest daughter finds happiness and direction in her life. I pray for all my children and grandchildren that they will be faithful and protected from evil. I hope I can stay with my Read the Bible in One Year project–we’ll see. I’m seeking a job transfer and hoping for the right decision. I have several projects in my home I would like to have accomplished by this time next year! I hope we can have a real vacation this year–not another staycation!
 Hope 2012 brings peace, hope and joy to all!  ~ Cowgirl V

***

I pray for balance and peace; for the grief to lessen and for life to begin again.
In time, it will happen but probably not soon enough to suit me.

May the worst of 2012 be from the best of 2011;
 Happy New Year from Thistle Cove Farm.


***

My goal for 2012 is to make a good memory for someone each day.  I retired last February, and 2011 has been a whirlwind.  When we retired we decided to make the move to spend our days at the cottage.  Our summer was filled with fishing, pontooning, and ATV’ing.  Besides these activities, I also enjoy photography and sewing.  My kids call me gramma jamma, as I make my granddaughters summer nighties out of recycled bed sheets.  This holiday season was a very emotionally mixed up season.  My two grown children and their families spent their last Christmas in the house they grew up in.  The Monday after Christmas we packed our belongings, donated or gave away the things we didn’t need, and took the rest to our cottage.  As of January 15th we will be permanent residents of Pearson, Wisconsin.  (Try and find that on a map!!!)  We still have a lot of stuff to deal with, but will all straighten out in time.  The first of February we are taking an hiatus from the cold, snowy weather by driving to Lake Havasu, Arizona for a month or so.  Then back to our new home to make some summer memories.   – Mary Ann

My wish is good health for everyone, a cure for diabetes, happiness, warm homes,
friendship, prosperity and at the risk of sounding like a beauty queen, world peace!




Happy 2012!
Mary



As this year ends I face two difficult situations . my grandfather , mentor , teacher , best friend was diagnosed with bone cancer this week and I’ve been told today 6 to 7 months . As this new year comes I pray and hope for a great year . I want to share the knowledge and great family values with my children what he has taught me . He has taught me to do what ever no matter how hard it is to support my family .
So i have come to the conclusion they I may loose him in 2012 but I pray he leaves me comfortable and not in pain.   – Andy

This was us last night, celebrating the New Year with friends. We were all talking about resolutions. But I explained that there are no resolutions, only recommitments to our healthy lifestye, spending time with positive people and not squandering one single moment. Every day is a gift. We are so blessed!
 ~ Raven

My goals for the New Year is to just keep putting one foot in front of the other and move forward. I would like to improve my health, get in better shape, walk more and even hike. I’m getting a dog, she’s just a small pup right now, and I should be able to bring her home in February. It will be nice to have a pal to walk and hike with. I have hopes that this election year, a GOOD President will be elected, that more people will have jobs, roofs, food and comfort in their lives. I really hope for world peace, it would be wonderful to have, but I’m skeptical on that. I hope for our soldiers to be reunited with their families, and that they will get the attention they need to ease back into life without war.
One more thing, I am so grateful for all I do have.  ~ Susan

My “word” for 2012 is TIME. I want to spend more time with God, more time with friends, more time building relationships.  ~ dorothy

My wish is that we may touch one another’s lives in a tender manner. To be more than tolerant . (Elie Wiesel) May we be sensitive of the needs of others. Personally, I hope to lose some of this weight that I have regained. It is a continual journey. I hope to be able to know where I am supposed to be. I don’t think I’m quite there, yet. I was so blessed to become a first time grandma in 2011 and now I have a new person looking to me for an example of the woman she may be one day. I also hope to get out of debt and to save some money. I hope to be brave and to listen to the voice in my head that tells me everything is o.k. and to silence the voice that tells me it isn’t.



Warm wishes from Whosyergurl in Southern Indiana, xo, Cheryl

My resolution is to let it be. I find myself getting stressed out over the small stuff in life and I know I have it better than so many people. So this year I am going to let things roll off my back and take the time to enjoy life.  ~ Elaine

My goals for 2012 are to be the best wife and mom that I can be! My
baby goes to 1st grade next year and will be in school all day
everyday. I am going to make the most of these last few months of
having her to myself for part of the day and create memories that will
last a lifetime. I am going to lose 3 to 4 lbs. each month by eating
better and exercising
and I am going to go for my dream and make my
photography business a reality!
– Kat

Ivy and the Two Moons

 Great news tonight… a Rescue group out of Middletown, CT is pulling Ivy from the kill shelter and bringing her to a foster home in Vermont.  She will still need a forever home, but now she will know the nurturing of a home environment and the love of a family.  This is an example of when networking on the internet does some fantastic work. 

There are two moons here tonight…
A sliver up in the sky…

And my son’s head…
He tried to give himself a buzz cut today..and buzzed one patch right in the middle
with too short of a blade.  Off to the salon we went to get it fixed.
Turns out, getting it “fixed” meant taking most of it off.

Men roll with these things a lot better than women, don’t they.

 

Cottage Charm

 Not far from here is a summer colony of tiny cottages, nestled on the edges of Hammonasset State Park and Beach. For many years it’s been a summer retreat for families – affordable, walking distance to the water and close to everything else as well.  I googled, and a 4 bedroom 1 bath cottage can be yours for $69,000!   I don’t know what this one is going for.

  That’s a bargain!…Considering just down the road a hop, skip and jump you can buy a Mansion, see below,  on the very same strip of  sand and water for $7,000,000. or so… if you’re so inclined.   

 Most of the little cottages are seasonal ~ however as I drove through yesterday I noticed several were decorated for Christmas with cars in the driveway.

 Here’s what sticks out as I drive between the two ends of the spectrum… those mansions are beautiful, but they lack a certain charm that you will only find in small beloved cottages, those little touches that make even a passer-by smile.  I think it’s in the pride of ownership.  I think….If you don’t have tons of money at your disposal, you’re more appreciative of the things you do have… the good fortune to be able to share a little cottage with your family and friends for the purpose of respite.. good times.. togetherness with like-minded people. 

It’s been a dreary windy grey week so far…
I’m ready for snow.
(did I say that?)

This place is for sale. It’s on that stretch where the mansions begin.
It’s seasonal also…and $69,000. won’t buy the spit of land its 1 car garage sits on. 

 I do love it, though.    Reminds me of an Andrew Wyeth painting….

Dogs in Desperate need of a home

 Time is running out for these dogs… if you or anyone you know might be interested in meeting one of them, their information is below each picture.  All are healthy, family friendly, in Connecticut.  Unfortunately, people have given their  breed a bad rap, so it’s always more difficult to find homes for them. In truth they are wonderful dogs, loyal and loving.  These girls deserve better than what life has handed them so far.

Gigi is the SWEETEST girl, an American Bulldog mix, she plays well with other dogs, cats probably not so much. She’s had a sad life, bounced around and now basically in boarding and deteriorating – she’s about 2, is energetic and LOVES kids,  but may not do great with a tiny dog.  Gets along fine with my dogs here – she’s a love.. Contact Lorin at lorin@godogdays.org

Euthanasia date one week from today…..

Ivy, another beautiful girl… is very depressed, stressed and deteriorating in the shelter. She has lost a lot of weight which at this point will only be regained if in a new home or quieter environment. She only has a few weeks to find a new place to go…The shelter can’t let her suffer any longer. One-year-old Ivy is a large handsome girl that is full of energy and love. She is a very friendly dog that with steady direction will make a perfect companion. She loves to play with tennis balls but will not bring them back to you. She will try to get a little jumpy but will obey commands to calm down. She walks well on a leash and loves to be petted. She should live with kids 12+. You can also see Ivy’s video at www.youtube.com/fotnhas NO APPOINTMENTS NEEDED. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ADOPTING THIS PET PLEASE VISIT THE SHELTER MONDAY – SATURDAY 12:30 – 4:30 OR CALL
New Haven Animal Shelter AT (203) 946-8110
 All dogs are vaccinated and altered…
Two more… Canella and Tessa… view HERE

Visiting Monks

  On Christmas Eve we had our first ever Monk Parrot visit.  A pair of them were perched in the white birch outside the kitchen window, eye-ing the birdfeeder.  As far as I know, they never came down to eat.  It’s an odd thing, to see green tropical birds living in the cold weather of New England…

I googled… The Monk Parakeet or Parrot is globally very common .   In Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, Monk Parakeets are regarded as major agricultural pests (as noted by Charles Darwin among others). Their population explosion in South American rural areas seems to be associated with the expansion of eucalyptus forestry for paper pulp production, which offers the bird the opportunity to build protected nests in artificial forests where there is small ecological competition from other species.

The Monk Parakeet is the only parrot that builds a stick nest, in a tree or on a man-made structure, rather than using a hole in a tree. This gregarious species often breeds colonially, building a single large nest with separate entrances for each pair. In the wild, the colonies can become quite large, with pairs occupying separate “apartments” in nests that can reach the size of a small automobile.
The lifespan of Monk Parakeets has been given as 15–20 years. Monk Parakeets are highly intelligent, social birds. Those kept as pets routinely develop large vocabularies. They are able to learn scores of words and phrases.

These pics below are not my images, but give a better idea of the bird and it’s nest.

Birds of a feather?….

 

Family and Food

A good day was had by all…
even though some of us look a little tired.
Time spent with family we don’t always see,
and food we don’t allow ourselves to eat frequently.
(hello, heartburn… my old foe)
At the end of the day I was more than grateful
for the opportunities we have to be together. 
That in itself is a gift.  
I hope you spent the day in whatever way rejuvenates your spirit.
To me, it’s what the day is all about.
That.. and a mountain of dirty dishes.
They’re calling me..I hear them.

T’is the Season through your eyes…

Quiet Reflections of the season  ~ There’s a bit of melancholy in the holiday season for me, but it’s also filled with bursts of joy, and the quiet contentment I find in simple things that gladden my heart. Candlelight is one of the things that warms my heart.                                                       
  Kate Young ~  chronicles of a country girl

My fondest Christmas memories are when we would travel to my grandparent’s house in Greensboro, NC to stay with them through Christmas. We didn’t go every year, but when we did it was great. I would walk in the house and go straight to the kitchen where I would find Christmas tins filled with home baked cookies. Some in the traditional sugar cookies made with cookie cutters and sprinkles and some other varieties, too. My grandmother was a teacher of first graders. She taught for 35 years before she retired. When I was young and her school was not out for Christmas break yet I got to go with her to school and spend the day in her class. I had to do the lessons just like all the other kids, but I loved it. Of course, I had the big head thinking that the other kid’s teacher was my grandmother. I will never ever forget her letting me go to work with her.

Kim ~  http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

Christmas Magic
Sue at Beach Bungalow       http://sue-beachbungalow.blogspot.com/

Nancy  ~  A Rural Journal

December 1952

I am actually holding a doll that belonged to my older brother, Wesley. It’s name is Patti, and that is what they named me. Mother still has this doll, however my brother is no longer with us.
Patti – Osage Bluff Quilter

 Happiness is….
There’s no rhyme or reason why this picture is my favorite today.
 It makes me smile and want to go hug my grandpup.

“Taking a break from wood-chopping”

Sandy at Aging Disgracefully
Tradition – Family Portrait on Christmas Day

 I choose this picture because these two silly little ornaments mean so much to me. The angel was made for us over 30 years ago by our niece. We didn’t have children but my sister selflessly shared hers with us, this little angel is on my tree every year. The trailer park ornament was given to me by my dear friend of 27 years who passed away this summer. We travel and live in our motor coach most of the time, so we jokingly call ourselves trailer trash. I must have cried buckets today as I put all the ornaments she has sent to us over the years, on the tree. To me this is what Christmas is, family and friends.
 Joyce Ann –  http://joyceagray.blogspot.com/

Christmas in Florida! …Santa on the Rainbow River.

 “And the stockings were hung…”      I don’t know how I found the time to stitch four such intricate stockings… one for each son. The smaller ones behind the stitched ones are for the boys respective pets. And the blue store bought one is for the new daughter-in-law….it’s too bad for her that my stitching days are over!! 🙂                                                             Grace ~   http://www.newsfromthehill.com/

*Letter for Santa *
Kathryn at Take my Breath Away –   http://www.jemsmom.blogspot.com/

“Missing you, dad”                                                                           Sheryl ~   ain’t for city gals…..

I was thinking  last night while watching my favorite Christmas tv program,  the Andy Griffith show “A Christmas story ” … what I love about Christmas is the great food, the look in your kids face Christmas morning, being with 60 family members Christmas eve night, and being at moms for christmas morning breakfast!  Merry Christmas to you –                  Andy – http://thelittlewhitehouse-andy.blogspot.com/ 

This  is my Scottish grandmother’s Christmas pudding recipe. Passed down to her from her mum. This was taped inside a very old cookbook that was passed on to me! It is really yummy. A traditional Xmas
pudding.  May your holiday be merry and bright! 
Deborah ~   http://fashionplate-hungryforstyle.blogspot.com/

Lynn ~ I love to decorate my house with both real and artifical greenery –

First white Christmas in 60 years!
Andy ~  thelittewhitehouse-andy.blogspot.com

Chip’s happy ending – a new beginning

Some of you have asked for an update on Chip and his new family.  Here’s an e-mail from them and photos  – I’m crying tears of joy. (p.s  Bruno is their other dog. )

I came home early from school (sorry, JV Basketball) so I could look in on “the boys” while Linda was at work. Chip was in his crate, as good as gold, tail wagging as he waited for release. Bruno was pleased I was home early. He was standing sentry – as he always does – front legs up on the back of the living room couch, eyes fixed on the road.


Now the dilemma was: Do I give Bruno his beloved 2-miler before dark (it was 3pm)? Or do I get Chip outside, right quick (bathroom break), and see if maybe HE is ready for a full 2-mile loop? I chose Chip. Bruno was crushed, but stoic.


As Chip and I walked up the driveway to the road, I looked back, and there was Bruno’s head framed in the living room window, as he stood vigil on the back of the couch, sadly watching us and the road.


The temp. was mid-to-upper 30’s and Chip was being good, so we turned down Woodchuck Hill Road and into the Full Loop. Chip was very good on the leash, behaving very much as Bruno does, taking great and studied interest in smells that he paused to investigate along the way. He responded well to me. I tend to say very little on a dog walk, unless I have something to discuss with Bruno, who is an excellent listener. Chip doesn’t yet have Bruno’s wisdom, so I kept my philosophical queries to myself. But I DID utter my occasional home-brewed utterances – “GIT off-the-road” and “UP! GIT up.” when a car approaches. Chip was darned good, and he was attentive.


When he and I got home, Linda was getting ready to take Bruno out for a walk. When they left, Chip wolfed down his treat, his antibiotic (wrapped in ham), and his dinner. Then he went right to the living room couch, where he stood, front legs on the windowsill, standing vigil over the road where Linda and Bruno had just walked.


Chip is fast becoming a family member. And a tip of the hat to patient Saint Bruno, who is absolutely remarkable, as he calmly assumes the role of mentor to his rambunctious protege.


So the family solidifies. I’m very pleased.


Toby

  Are you feeling the love here, like I am?  Tears are hitting my keyboard as I type this, and it goes way beyond my joy for this loving dog and his new lease on life. The news out in the world can be so discouraging, and there is so much we can’t fix.  But there is so much we CAN do, even in the tiniest of measures.  Chip is just one dog among millions that need help. Each of you that take the time and make the effort, big or small… to assist a person or an animal in need… you are helping to change the world for the better. Your deed counts.   Just as the  beach needs every grain of sand to be a beach….  Every grain of kindness we impose on this earth brings it closer to the kind of world we want it to be.

Chip on October 3rd visiting the vet…

Chip with Michelle West, Shoreline Vet extraordinare….
Chip with Lorin, his Caregiver and this story’s HERO.
Chip with his new Dad.
Hooray for the Underdog.
And for people who make this world a better place.