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.
Category: Uncategorized
Oops I did it again.
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.
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
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
Happy 2012!
Mary
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
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.
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.
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
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…
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.
Family and Food
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
Kim ~ http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/
Christmas Magic
Sue at Beach Bungalow http://sue-beachbungalow.blogspot.com/
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
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/
“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/
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.