Wordless Wednesday

I know it is suppose to be a Wordless Wednesday, but I have trouble keeping my mouth shut sometimes. (Yeah right just sometimes?)

My brother Bill and his grand-daughter Olivia born August 6th, 2010.

Needles and Shovels

I'm up way too early today so I figured it would be a good time to do some blogging and catch you up on my knitting and the garden's harvest...

Finished one of the socks that I've been knitting in the Hedera pattern by Cookie A. I've made these socks before and they are super easy and pretty. This yarn was some the shop in CT chose and mailed to me and it is super pretty.

I may be giving this pair away.... we'll see.

Here is my Top Down Scoop Neck Cardigan by Janet Soucy. I made the smaller size in this pattern and it seems smaller than expected. Made mom the medium and it fits her perfectly. Was thinking of someone in particular for this, but it may not work now. We'll have to see once it is finished and off the needles, sometimes it just looks small before it is done. Yes, I'm pushing forward!

This time I didn't forget to take a photo of the potatoes Mike dug. Again, the garden is only in its' first year of harvest and this Virginia clay, excuse me soil, takes A LOT of doctoring before it will produce a plentiful crop. We are still surprisingly pleased with it!

Notice the peppers, which have grown beautifully, and the acorn squash which is only 1 of about 5 we have!

Can't help but look at our 6+, 5 of which is wooded and on the side of a mountain ridge, and think where can we expand our garden to for next year? However, Mike quickly reminds me it is him that does the majority of the work (okay 95% of it is a pretty big majority) and he isn't as excited to expand as I am. But gosh do I LOVE the rewards of having a garden!!

Birthday #12! Thank you God!

Twelve years ago today was one of the most joyous days of mine and Mike's married life, but it was also one of the scariest. I gave birth by c-section to our first daughter, Haley. She was full term and gave a good cry when they pulled her from me. But just moments later things became really hectic around her. They discovered something wasn't quite right, but couldn't tell us more than that until "after they ran some tests". Mike held her briefly so I could see her and they whisked her off to the NICU.

And so it began, our scary journey to a child born with a birth defect, and our education on medical terms we never thought we'd have to learn. Here I am holding her for the very first time, just moments before her intubation for her first surgery, she isn't even 24 hours old.

The medical term for her defect was Tracheoesophageal fistula, and we would learn later that she actually had 2. Type A and an H-type. Her esophagus never attached to her stomach and in her throat the esophagus attached to the trachea. She had 2 surgeries by the time she was 3 weeks old and we were finally able to bring her home at 4 weeks.

She required 2 further surgeries when she was 2 and several tests, and doctors appointment to monitor her growth and etc. for the first 5 years of life. We were truly blessed however!! Most babies born with this abnormality typically have heart, kidney or limb anomalies, she had none. She has 3 permanent scars from the surgery as well as a paralyzed vocal chord, none of which have lasting effects.

My Haley is a beautiful 12 year old girl who came into this world having to fight and be strong. I thank God every day for blessing us with her, but especially on this her birthday!! Love you Haley, your strength still inspires me today!

Small Successes

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that.

My small successes this week:

1. I got Mike back off to work after 3 weeks of recovery from his elbow surgery. Joint surgery can lead to a serious infection very easily. I bandaged him and took great care of his incision so this is one of my small triumphs. (I suppose Mike can relish in this success too! LOL)
2. We have been able to make time all week to play scrabble as a family. And the kids are asking to play and enjoying it very much! Even though Faith is too young to play she isn't too far away and enjoys watching.
3. My nephew called me on Sunday, and unexpectedly dropped in with a friend for dinner. I never once felt overwhelmed by this last minute visit. Because I'm an A type personality, and expect everything to be in perfect order before a guest comes through my doors I feel really good about this. I feel like I may just be turning a corner on my OCD issues!!

A Little Crushed!

A few weeks ago when I was really sick and could barely get out of bed, it was necessary for us to buy a few loaves of bread. A week or so after my illness, even when I was up and around again, we still bought a few more loaves as well as hamburger buns.

Last Friday, I got back on to my bread baking schedule. Even made hamburger buns again for burger dinner this past Monday. I have to say they tasted sooo much better!!

Now today, I should be baking bread again, but I've since learned Mike prefers the bought bread!! When I asked him if he wanted to buy a loaf of bread when he went to town today, instead of the response I was hoping to get, "I would prefer it if you baked a loaf, sweetie!" I got, "Sure will!!"

I'm confident he'll say something like, "I just don't like making more work for you." But I know this is his kind way of saying, "I much prefer store bought bread." Remember we've been married 23+ years and I can read the man like a book!

**Sigh!!** Not sure what to do with this new information... feeling a little crushed!

I Have Succeeded

For as long as I can remember my parents always had people over their house to visit. Friday nights, especially during lent, my parents would cook fish'n chips, and Sunday afternoon would be steaks on the grill.

There would be entertainment too! My father even had his own little group for a while. He would sing, there were a couple of guitarist, and my mom and aunt were the back up singers. And everyone was allowed to bring their talents and join in the fun and do their own performance. It was kind of like an open mic night in the back yard or basement. Sometimes I think my husband fell more in love with all that before he even fell for me!!

My parents didn't have a huge home, and they weren't overly wealthy, but they ALWAYS shared everything they had and did it with gusto!!

Maybe that is why I've always felt the need to be a good hostess? We don't have gatherings the way my parents did, but when we do have people over the house I try to give it my all. Even when it is just my kids friends, I try to make sure everyone feels comfortable and welcomed!

Yesterday my nephew called out of the blue. Him and friend were in the area and he asked, "If we stop in would you be able to hook us up with some home cooked food?" This phone call and visit has made my entire week!!

I feel like my entire existence has been justified and I've succeeded in making my loved ones feel welcome!! Not only did my nephew know he could call me unexpectadly, and bring a friend to my home, but he also knew I would have "home cooked" food!!

What in God's name is that sound?

Where I grew up was in no way urban. At night you could hear bull frogs down on the pond, and crickets chirping, nothing too exotic.

Now living where we do I've heard some crazy noises at night. Thankfully my outdoors-men husband has been able to educate me on the noises. The past few nights we have been able to sleep with all the windows open allowing for all those sounds to trickle in along with the fresh air.

The newest one being an Easter Screech-Owl. Check out the link and give a listen. And by the way... it isn't as eerie a sound on this web site as it is at 4:00 am in the dark while you are attempting to fall back to sleep. SPOOKY would be the best way to describe it.