Happy New Year!

For my regular readers, our Christmas pictures are posted in the Flickr site which is posted above. You just double-click on one of the pictures and you'll see them all. If you view as a Slideshow, it's easier. I hope you enjoy them.

Just a quick Hey to everyone, and a Very Very Happy New Year to all!

I hope you got everything your heart desired from Santa, or anyone else who may have indulged you.

Ours' was wonderful. Full of family and friends, music and cheer, a Steve Forbert concert last night to cap things off... Who can complain?

Happy New Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

AND TO ALL, A GOOD NIGHT.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS; EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.

DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE WHO'S DOWN AND OUT.

SAY ONE NICE THING TO A STRANGER.

TAKE A MOMENT, A QUIET SLICE OF TIME, REFLECT ON THINGS, BE A BETTER PERSON, A BETTER PARENT, A BETTER FRIEND, A BETTER SPOUSE.... DO IT!

YOU'LL FEEL GOOD, TRUST ME.

LOVE TO ALL MY FRIENDS; YOU'LL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH YOU ALL MEAN TO ME. I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR TOUCHING MY LIFE THE WAY YOU DO.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Mmmmmm, Cat Stevens....

I'm into Cat Stevens right now... Why in the world I wasn't into Cat Stevens in the '70's when he was it, I have no idea... I have to be into him now when he's no longer performing. However, he does, I mean, Yusef, just released a CD and I bought it of course. It's good, but not the Steven's of the '70's.

On Tea for the Tillerman, listen to Hard Headed Woman. Oh my gosh, his voice in this song blows my mind. Also, Teaser and the Firecat, listen to: Rubylove. Reminds me of my Kolo Club Days. Honestly, I could get up and dance a kolo as soon as it plays. And, How Can I Tell You. A new diamond commercial has the nerve to use that song, and screw it up... Don't mess with perfection. It was perfect the way it was.

I want Cat back.... You know, the Cat like we remember him, like in the picture above...

Save your comments to me about Cat, and his beliefs, his new life, his religion, etc.... I don't care about any of that. I only care about a resurgence, his performing, his music, and lyrics.... Listen to his lyrics. He's a poet, a magician with his words and guitar, a genious song-writer. All that talent, all those blessings he has, he needs to share with us.... That's all ... He needs to share his magic with us again..........

I Hear Santa's Coming Soon...

We got the tree up, and everything's pretty much ready for Santa to come. My house smells of pine, but OMG, whatever you do, if you come to my house this Christmas season: DO NOT TOUCH THAT TREE!!!! No one can touch it but me, until it goes to its resting place on Dec. 26th. It's possibly the dryest tree we've ever had, although, good smelling.....

Oh geez, I hope Santa can fit down our chimney; he gained a few this year I heard! ha!

I ate, drank, slept, talked, walked and was BASKETBALL this weekend! Our Raiders won both our games, and I went to two CYO games today (I don't go to enough games you know!) Well, my bro's a coach now, and I have to support.... And my niece is cheering, again, gotta support....

All is well, and I hope you are too...

Have a great, wonderful, terrific, happy week......

DON'T WORK TOO HARD, SIMPLY DO NOT DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!

We're Decorated....

no tree yet; maybe this weekend...

I didn't over-do it this year... Just a little, here and a little there...

I wanna get a small tree for my mantle... for my Caroler's.... You know, like they are singing around a Christmas Tree??? Know what I mean????? I remember caroling with Kolo Club, way back when... Oh that was fun... We knew the houses we would get warm cookies and milk, and always saved a nice Croatian lullaby for them....

Wonder if people go caroling any more????

They should.......

Dooce and Worry....

If you don't normally read Dooce's Blog from the link on this blog, please try and read it today (Tues., Nov. 28th). It's a very interesting piece about worry, and how sometimes it can be so darn paralyzing, and how one simple, small concern can grow to be monumental. I come from a long, long line of worriers.... Magda used to say all the time: "Don't worry..." I say, "Why not?" We are worriers; that's what we do....it defines us. Pat didn't get the worry gene, but poor Jordan did. Sorry Jordan, we can't help it...

Dooce's Blog today is also about losing her dog. A big NO NO for us worriers. I was worried just reading it! Happened to me a couple times WITH TWO RACING GREYHOUNDS! I just wish someone would have committed me that day, and it would all be over with. They are fine; they managed to come back - probably because they want their treats and to sleep in my bed. My friend Carol lost her dog for several days. I can assure you, it's not a feeling I would wish on my worst enemy.

Anyway, moving on... We kick off Basketball Season on Friday night with a Tip Off Tournament at Annville Cleona. The Patriot News ranked us 7th in our league in today's paper. I say our Raiders should show them just how wrong they are! I'm very excited for Pat and for our boys!

GO RAIDERS!

The top picture is Mack and Dawn, just longing for the dog in the field behind our house...

The second one is at the doggy car wash.... Best thing EVER invented !!!!

Enjoy your week; enjoy the lovely weather; enjoy your dogs when they are safe and warm in your house and not on the loose, running around town ....

MOSTLY, TRY NOT TO WORRY...

A Very Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful, terrific Thanksgiving, and I hope you did too! The table turned out lovely, and I had so much fun doing it up! The family came and we ate, had fun, played poker (I came in second for my very first time at Texas Hold 'Um, thank you very much)... We went to see Borat (very funny, and very inappropriate).

Anyway, I hope to relax a bit the rest of the weekend, and maybe get the Christmas stuff out. I dread that every year, but I end up getting into it (you know what I mean, right?)

Pat's busy with B-ball and working hard... We should be able to compete this year, and do pretty well, we are hoping. Of course, I'll update you on that (and possibly bore you to death along the way).

This site that I blog on has totally changed; it's been converted to Beta. There's a whole brand new way of publishing now. Firstly, I don't know what Beta is; Secondly, I don't like change, so why do they keep doing this?? There was NOTHING wrong with the old way. I don't get it...

I hope you all had a great one; I hope your Turkey was tasteful; I hope your company was lasting... And I hope to hear all about it.

Have a great weekend!

I'm Excited For Thanksgiving!

If you know me well, you know that I would never be excited to cook. However, I can't get Thanksgiving off my mind! Yes, I have to cook for us, but I'm not stressed at all. Amealinminutes is providing all my sides for me, I just have to go over and prepare them on Wednesday, and Thursday, I'll cook them all up! Joe's smoking our turkey, as usual, so I'll have minimal duties. We'll pick up the pies at Strites, and we'll be set!

My nephews are coming, which WE LOVE, and Nephews Beware.... Because, this time, your Aunt Terry will be at the poker table with you! Yes, that's right... I've been practicing for some time now, and I'll be ready, and trust me, they'll surely be surprised!!!! I have one move that I've been saving up (I keep telling Joe I'm going to try it on him, but I haven't yet; I'm holding out for Thanksgiving!) Anyway, I'll have little stress with preparing the meal, and I'll really be into relaxing, and playing cards, AND TAKING THEM ALL DOWN! It will be me, vs. five boys. Pray for me, ok?

Back to my Thanksgiving excitement: Every year, I take pride in my table, and what it looks like. This year, I'm using my Mom's Pfalzgraff dishes, taking them out of the attic and putting them to good use. I have my linens planned and some new glasses, and I think it's going to be a superb looking table. I'll be sure to photograph it, like I always do. The picture above, is a photo of my table in the past.

So, I dedicate this year's Thanksgiving to my Mom.... my best friend in the whole wide world. I hope she'll be proud.

Mom, no one can make the stuffing like you, but I try...I miss you very much.

How many other colleges that we tour, do you think we'll get a cake? Whichever college provides us with the best tastin' cake, gets our tuition monies...

Bring them on.... I can hardly wait!

This one was terrific... Carrot; extremely moist, and very good cream cheese icing...

Awww, Fridays are the Best!

The picture is Pat's junior picture. Cute, huh? Next year, he'll be a senior!!!!!!!!!!!! SHUT-UP!!!! (I put that in there for Nicole 'cause we don't say shut up in this house!) Ha!

Just a quick note, to say YIPPEE IT'S FRIDAY! Well, tomorrow is Friday! I have a three day weekend, so I'm CELEBRATING!

I just finished a 210 page slide presentation for our Raider Football Team... How do I get involved in these things? Well, I learned how to do a Power Point Presentation, and I learned a lot about our football team! ha!

Pat and I visit Elizabethtown College tomorrow for a tour. What if he likes it???? OMG! It's $34 K a year... I need another job!!!!!!!!!!! State colleges are next! ha!

Have a great, wonderful, terrific weekend! I'll blog later on, and let you know how things progress, here in the Mugsy Household.....

The Shopping Moratorium.

While at my sister's beach house this summer, I saw a human interest piece on the Today Show that really caught my attention. The piece involved a bunch of friends, who simply stopped all shopping for a year! It went on to tell how they managed to get by (and trust me, you can get by) ... I honestly don't recall the details, but it fascinated me. What this moratorium intends is to bring awareness to the non-sensical type of spending. At the end of the moratorium and once you begin to shop again, when you do purchase things, you're more apt to ask yourself: Do I really need this?

My niece Jordan and I did it for the month of August - NO SHOPPING. Starting last week, about four friends and myself started another month of NO SHOPPING.

I'm doing great! I'm not the shopper I once was, so honestly, it really doesn't bother me much. Example: In the past few years, I find myself picking up things I would really like to try on; things that look so nice on the rack, and I carry them around for a while... then suddenly, some urge overwhelms me and I just put them all back. Nothing really happens, I just look at them and feel it's not worth it. That's why in the my closet at this very minute, there are pants and sweaters, blouses and shoes, dating to the early 1990's... I know for a fact, the other day, I wore pants that I had bought when Pat was a baby (he's 16 now!).

I did, however, start a Good Will bag this past week! If I clean out my vintage clothes from the 90's, I will have to buy new...right? So, perhaps during this moratoruim, I'll clean out all my drawers and closets, and by the time it's over, I'll shop!

It's rather liberating, this NO SHOPPING thing... I've been reading, and cooking - made spag. today, and baking, and crocheting.... I've turned into frigin' Martha Stewart! I believe I'm becoming: domesticated....

So folks, if you hear that the Dow suddenly and unexpectedly takes a nose-dive, you first read the reason here: A Shopping Moratorium, right here in Central PA!

Where's Rick Wagner?

I've been on a crusade for the past few weeks: "Where in the world is Rick Wagner?" As you know, he's our local TV newsanchor, and he hasn't been on the news for about three weeks now. At first, I didn't think much about it; just thought he was on vacation or something. Then, I read something on PennLive, someone else wondering where he was, and they went on to say they had checked the WHTM web site, and he's no longer listed! I WAS OUTRAGED! As the days went on, more and more folks were talking: his contract wasn't renewed; he moved on; yadi yadi yadi.... I DON'T LIKE CHANGE! I want my Rick back! So, I went on a letter-writing campaign and asked all my friends to do the same. Via this blog, I'm imploring you to do the same. Go to: www. whtm.com and on the left, click the link: Contact us. Write your letter too, telling the powers that be at News 27, that we don't care what Rick looks like! Yea, he's gotten a little older, lost a little hair... But hey, haven't we all???? We trust Rick, he's been in our house for twenty years now, he's eaten supper with us, he did homework with us, he's our comfort food: He's grilled cheese and tomato soup! I can't imagine the news without him!

Yes, in this day and age of perfect teeth, beautiful hair, young hard bodies, I know what the networks like: They like those phoney balonies, those model-like anorexia-suffering personalities! Not me, I want my grilled cheese and tomato soup back...

TWO Pies This Weekend!

We'll be HUGE by the end of this winter since my new-found love of the little Pillsbury Dough Boy.......

IF HE DOESN'T WIN...

I'LL NEVER WATCH TV AGAIN!

Awwwww B E T H A N Y ................

It was great!!!! Great fun, great friends, great food... What can I say???? But the very BEST part was the WEATHER!!!!!!! It was in the low 70's to mid 70's each day! Bright, sunny, blue skies; just picture perfect!!!!!!! What Lucky Girls we were!!!!!

We were told that a few weeks ago, Bethany had a Nor'easter' which did havoc to the beaches. I never saw so many shells and pebbles on that beach! We found lots of shells that are not normally found this far North. We found Starfish and Sand Dollars; just really nice finds! We honestly didn't want to leave the beach as it was just so beautiful! From the beach, we walked downtown, had lunch, and shopped a bit. That was fun! We ate at Five Guys... yum yum...and tried to walk it off! ha!!!!!!!

Back to the grind today which was hard! I started my Winter Palattes tonight, again, HARD!!!!!!!!!! As I sit here blogging, my stomach and legs are IN PAIN!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and by the way girls, "WHAT HAPPENED IN BETHANY, STAYS IN BETHANY!"

Have a great, wonderful week, and don't work too hard.

GO METS!

Bethany Bound!

A girls weekend in Bethany = shopping, eating out, drinking wine and other spirited types of drinks, shopping, eating out, and drinking more wine.

I hope to post pictures upon my return...

No dogs in my bed, men or otherwise... no dog hair to vacuum, no Dream Meals to fix up, no claimants to give benefits to, no getting up 50 times in the middle of the night for dogs, no laundry to fold, no domestication of any type.... PERIOD!

Awww, now that I got that out, I'm ready to pack!

Have a great, lovely weekend..... enjoy, relax, eat good dream dinners, and sleep well....

:)

Oh Look at Johnny, He's Soooo Wonderful, Don't You Think So??

We went to a Shootout at Alvernia College yesterday and I noted something particularly fascinating: Everyone thinks their kid is a star! Doesn't matter how much they suck or that they can't shoot; doesn't matter that they hog the ball and don't know how to pass.... Nope, they're all stars! I thought perhaps this was an elementary/middle school thing, but nope, it's a high school thing too! I sat in a gym for about eight hours and noted the most interesting things (ok, there was nothing else to do!) There were 200 kids there, so let's say, there were approximately 200 adults there. Guess what??? Maybe about 40 chairs!!! There were two games going on at all times on the court, so the bleachers were up. The spectators sat on the top level of the gym, looking down on the courts. Each kid played three games. All day long, there were parents coming and going, trying to catch their phenom playing. After about 45 mins., I managed to find an empty chair (very very rare). This woman next to me was getting up, leaving for lunch, and said to me, "Will you save my chair for me 'til I get back?" Sure Lady, I'll be happy to.... Less than two seconds later, a nice lady came and sat next to me. Certainly that woman who left knew the situation and realized I couldn't save her chair for her! OMG!

Then, the parents with their little tripods and videos all set up, taking up the precious space where we all squeezed into, filming their wonderful little phenoms! It was all too much, that's all. I couldn't wait to get home! Trust me, I'm no sports critic, but to the unskilled eye, there was maybe, just maybe, two or three kids that stuck out. Joe agreed, so I must have seen something. It's the boy hustling, trying to get in every play; the one who's running full speed, down court, even though he has no chance at the ball - he never once gave up. It's the girl who won't give up on D, she's so annoying, she hardly lets any play develop. It's the boy who won't give up under the basket until he gets the rebound no matter how much he's clobbered. It's the player who came up to us and apologized 'cause he had his things on a chair (around where I was standing), moved his things, and told me to sit down. They are the four athletes who I'd give scholarships to, if I could....

So, that was my ever so humble observations of the Shootout. I doubt very strongly I'll ever set foot at another...

What da ya think????

Is he a little OCD?????

The Soup Nazi!

For those of you who follow my posts, you know I love soup! Well, it's that time of the year....football games, lazy Saturday afternoons = Soup! Today, The Soup Nazi made: Long Island Baymen Seafood Chowder. He used cod, which he smoked. I quickly ran to the mall for pillows (ours' were like mushed up old cotton balls), and when I opened the car door in the garage, I could smell ooooooooooooh-it's-so-good-soup!

I love these days in the Fall, lazy Saturdays, eating soup, and watching college football. Penn State's killing and I'm happy to say, JoPa's stomach bug seems to have subsided. Can you believe how every news station in America had to report on poor JoPa's stomach bug? Give me a break!!! The guy's 79 years old, and had a little bug! Get over yourself! Hey, when I'm 79, I can only hope and pray I'm able to coach a big 10 college team! Ok?????????? So, Get over yourself ESPN.....

We have a lazy Fall evening to look forward to: I have Capote from Netflix, and am very excited to see that. I also made a cherry pie today! You can make one too by buying the little Pillsbury pie dough, and a can of cherry pie filling! Ha!

Have a great, lazy, fall weekend...

The Cards We're Dealt...

Some days, I feel so grateful about things in my life, and today happens to be one of those mother days. Today, two great, dear, old friends of mine and myself went to see Emil. For those of you who know about Emil, I need not explain. To those of you who don't, you only need to know that he's down and out, and needs a little help from his friends. While driving back to my house, Lisa and I just talked about things, about the way this crazy life seems to evolve, and shape, and in Emil's case, shatter. Lisa cried as we drove home, and the emotions that we shared at that moment overflowed the car. Just makes you so grateful for the whole, complete life you are lucky enough to have.

We can't fix Emil and his problems, no way, no how, but perhaps, we can make him smile, forget about his cares for the day, or for that moment, eat a turkey sub and drink a soda with some old friends, and laugh about the good old days. Times when maybe poor Em was a little more complete and whole; more so than he is now, that's for sure. His family is gone now, and he has no one. I come back home to my house, and there's about eight people there filling my house with love and memories, and laughter, having a good time, sharing their own subs...

Just a meloncholy kinda day for me, sitting here, reflecting about the luck of the draw, why some folks have to endure the loneliness and heartache of mental illness, the isolation from the "normal" world, why things are the way they are - who are we to ask, right? Some of us were just dealt a luckier hand than others I suppose.

Today, I reconnected with a dear old friend, Lisa, and together, we laughed and cried, and for that, I'm grateful.

Now, onto more serious matters: Whatever will happen on Desperate Housewives tonight?

Is It Basketball Season Yet?

We're pretty much into Football here, going to the Roller games and the McD games.... But, I must admit, I can't wait for Basketball! Pat's pretty heavy duty into weightlifting, and open gyms; he's very focused and doing very well. He loves his classes, and all is well, thank God. He's a Junior now! Remember when you were a Junior in High School? He doesn't realize it now that these are the best years of his life! Funny how we only know this once they're long gone, huh? Funny....

I worked on my iPod all night long. When I go for my walks, seems like the same old songs play over and over. You know, I sing while I walk.... Yep, that's right. If you happen to drive through Twelve Oaks, and see me walking my two huge black dogs, you'll see me singing with my iPod. Hey, it's better than b*******, right???? So, the folks of Twelve Oaks will be happy to know that I have a new playlist, and I'll be rocking to some new songs!

My friend Stacey and I tried a new meal place. It's called A Meal In Minutes - http://www.amealinminutes.com Go to it and try it. If you happen to sign up, make sure you tell them that I told you about it, then my family gets a free meal! Anyway, Stacey and I really liked it. The owner told us, next time, we can bring our own bottles. Do you think I should drink while I prepare my meals for my family? Instead of toothpicks, Lord only knows what they may find in their meals. I better go sober... Roxanne, the owner, was so nice to us. She served us pie while we were there! She was too nice. We cracked up the entire time! Hey, no more pizza, subs, and mac and cheese for my family! I'm back into the swing of it! Domestication: Here I come! Plus, my afghan is getting really big. I had to buy another scain of yarn yesterday! When it's done, I'll post.

It's Monday, they're tough, huh? Hey, it could be worse! Thank God that we can work, that we can contribute to our families and society; Thank God how lucky we are for everything we have. Lucky, huh? Have a great week.

9/11 - Flight 93

Can you imagine being on Flight 93? I can't. Can you imagine making a decision, that you're going to give up your life, leave your family and friends behind, in order that others may survive? In order for the safety and security of the Country? I can't. In watching all the TV Specials on the Anniversary of 9/11, no other story moves me more than these brave men and women. It's incomprehensible to me. While of course, I mourn the death of all those involved in the New York 9/11 tragedy, those poor souls never had a choice. The leaders on Flight 93, they had a choice: they chose to die with honor, saving others' lives. The mere thought just blows my mind. Sure, they knew they were going to die either way. Again, they chose to die while saving others.

Like the death of President Kennedy, so many people recall where they were that day. I recall the 9/11 events, and sitting in my safe little cubicle at work, hearing Paul telling us that his wife, Kathy, had just called to tell him that there was an attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. Yes, I heard the words, but I didn'tquite understand them. Shortly after this, we heard all the subsequent horrors that followed. We all left work, and I'll never forget this: Walking out the door of my office building, and looking at the still traffic in the streets, it was surreal. Will the attacks continue? The plane had just gone down in Shanksville; in the big scheme of things, Harrisburg isn't that far away.... I remember, inch by inch, crawling down Route 230, to Prince of Peace, to pick up Pat at school; it took everything just to focus on what I had to do at that time.

Life went on, just as it always does. Five years later, we are reminded of this attack, and as I sit here in my safe home, I reflect on courage, and honor, and choices, and bravery beyond comprehension.

Stop and say a prayer today, for all of them. Try this too: hug your kid for no reason at all; be kind to someone you ordinarily wouldn't; make a difference. Make some good choices. Go ahead, I dare you....

That's Pat, Not Suri....

Did you happen to see Suri Cruise today? Is she one of the most beautiful babies you've ever seen, or what (excluded Pat of course)??? I don't much care for her father, but that baby.... Her hair, and those eyes! Precious....

I started a new book: Case Histories. Kinda strange so far, sorta like a Pulp Fiction type of book. I'm giving it a chance, I guess....I'm already invested. Not a page-turner by far, but I'll try and read 20 pages or so a day, just to get through it. Maybe the good part is coming ... ????

Anyway, kinda quiet around here; not too much going on.

Pat really likes his classes, and I'm thrilled about that. School is going well so far, fingers crossed. I think now that Sra. Hess is out of the picture, we can resume to some sort of normal life around here... Now Chemistry - aaaaaaaw, that may be this year's Sra. Hess, huh??? Whatdaya think about that????

I wish I had taken Chemistry in high school...bunson burners and mixing stuff up....ohhhh, I would like that.... Also, Amber told me that an early assignment in her Physics class was about observing. She had to write down 50 things she observed while watching a candle burn. What do I like more than observing???? Geez, why didn't I take academic classes????? Stenography??? It's not even a course anymore.... eeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrr............. Ok, I'm done venting about my education....

I have nothing else.... sorry....

How about Katie Couric? (I told you I have nothing....)

Guess what??? Tomorrow's Thursday, and that's something!!!!!!! And of course - Saturday's the BIG GAME and ND's going downtown..... I'll post pictures from our Penn State Victory party; stay tuned!

Zivili!

What??? The Weekend's Already Over????

Not fair! I had a four day weekend, and it was GREAT!!!!! Pat got his wisdom teeth out on Friday, and that went really, really well. He did GREAT!!!! He was a true CHAMP! Very, very little swelling and little pain (so he said...). All in all, it went as well as it could have, Yippee!!!!!

I've added Flickr to this blog, and I hope that I'm able to easily upload pictures to it. IT ONLY TOOK ME TWO HOURS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE CODE ON THIS BLOG! Omg!!!!!!!!!!!! That wasn't easy! Hey, what can I say: I'm NO computer programmer!

Anyway, my crocheting is coming along just fine and I got a lot done since Saturday! It's fun, but Mack bites my fingers while I'm knitting! Cracks me up! We went to see the Cougars today since the Roller game was cancelled (how lame!).... Anyway, we had a name for what the Cougars did to CD today; it was called: Cougar Fever. They spanked 'em..... A good game.

Have a great week and I hope to blog later on! Don't work too hard, paaaaallllleeeeeessssseeeee don't! ha!

Just Wait....

Until you see my afghan..........

You'll be so impressed!

I don't think I should post any pictures until it's further along; I'll keep you all in suspense...

I can't believe this is my 77th post!!!! Can you believe that???? Maybe I talk too much; but oh, I have so much to say, you have no idea!

Ha!!!!!!!!!

Have a great, great Labor Day!

What??? No movies to watch tonight?????

When Joe works late like he has all week, I watch movies! But, I don't have any for tonight ... eeeeerrrrrrrr ... Darnit!!!!!!! Plus, I finished my book - The Memory Keeper's Daughter (very good; I highly recommend it!) and I don't have a book to start! So, I'm blogging... Pat had a little homework which he said he finished. He really likes his classes this semester, and it seems like everything at MASD is going well so far (three days!).

I must tell you about an urge I have....Yes, I have a new urge....something I've been thinkin' about for a week or so... I wanna crochet. I'm not even sure if that's how you spell crochet??? Is that right???? You know, it's the art of making ummmm, like, you know..... afghans, scarfs, and things like that... you know, little knitted items! Yes, you got it! I wanna sorta knit! I use to do this all the time. In fact, I have an afghan that I made long ago. So, I must ask my friend Nettie, or my sister Vic, to at least get me started on this project. I wanna do a little throw for the Sunroom, for when it's chilly out there. I think it will be a nice little Fall project for me: knitting.... Oh, Magda would be soooooo proud.... and my Aunts!!! Oh my, Aunt Mary and Aunt Ann were unbelievably talented with the knitting needles! I have lots of afghans that they made; they are so beautiful. I can only hope that they will inspire me in my new urge - yes, that's right: crocheting....

The Pierces Plus a Mulligan

Ohhhh, I love them so much........

Ann should give me a few; she has too many........

How lucky are we, to have such nice boys? Very, very lucky..........

Doesn't Everyone Celebrate Their Kids Going Back To School With Pomagranite Martinis and a Soak in the Hot Tub?

Niagra Falls!

Oh, we had a GREAT trip! The accommodations were second to none, the view, the food, the music, the scenery, the wineries...did I happen to say WINERIES???? Oh my, the wineries! We stopped at two in Niagra on the Lake, and about three or four in New York, on the way back! Just really fun. Sitting there, at the counters, and testing wines....does it get any better than that? And our tour in Niagra ... it was FABULOUS, and very worth taking. We left at 9 am and returned back at 3 pm, so, it really took most of the day. But, we did just about everything Niagra there was to do. We got the entire experience! The Maid of the Mist was just great! So much fun! I'd have to say that was the best part, along with the wineries of course, and just looking out over the falls! We walked behind them, in through these tunnels and looked out portals which were behind the falls; that was awesome! If you haven't spent time there, you really need to go. You will just need a couple days to do it. Oh, and did I mention that the Canadians like their landscaping? OMG.... beauty, absolutely everywhere you looked! The pics that I posted with the lovely old buildings, and flowers are in the town of Niagra on the Lake, a quaint little lakeside town, down from Niagra Falls. Just an absolutely-breathtakingly beautiful town! You must go there if you are at the Falls!

You heard nothing bad over the weekend of anything that may or may not have happened in Niagra, did you? Oh, don't worry - Joe's safe if you need to know; he's fine. Nothing bad happened to him at all....

I missed Pat very much but he had a great time at the beach! Oh, and my Greyhounds...I can't even say their names, or think about them, it makes me miss them so much. The kennel isn't open on Sundays, so we can't pick them up until tomorrow morning.... I hate my house without my puppies.... It's just not a home... I miss them so much; I can't wait to see them!

I hope you had a great weekend too! Have a great week too! Don't work too hard all!