5Th Anniversary Trip

For this trip we picked Mills Run PA where we would take a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright house Falling water.We were also going to stay in a Bed and Breakfast for the first time ever.And so my story begins.

   On a fine Sunday morning bright with blue skies, sunshine and the trees painted the colors of October we set out on our trip.Bill and I were both excited about this trip,we knew it was going to good we just didn't know how good.

     From our home to Confluence PA where the B&B was located was a lazy 5 hour drive and we could not have asked for a better day for the ride. After leaving the city area traffic was light to none,once we were in the mountains the sky line and mountain range were so beautiful .The trees in all their fall glory made the mountains look like a rich and warm tapestry of color, the fluffy pink white clouds stretching across the mountain tops in a clear blue blue sky brought to mind the phrase purple mountain majesty making a perfect picture of fall and giving us a wonderful day filled with plenty of laughter and songs along the way.
   To get to the B&B we traveled up and down the mountain and over single lane dirt roads that have 2 way traffic, along the river all the way back to the rail road tracks  turning on to the private road that was yes a single lane 2 way road. We arrive at Paddlers Lane our B&B in the late afternoon,one word Charmed!
      Our first thoughts as we look about and take it all in is "What fun we are going to love this.We love the river running along the back of the house and we think the train track running in the front of the house are so cool.Thoughts change. The house is warm and welcoming and we are invited to come in and make ourselves at home.Our room faces the train tracks and is nice the double is old fashioned and high up off the ground,we look at each other and  shrug our shoulders and say how much time will we be in the room any way.Alot!
  

There is so much beautiful nature to see and experience in and around the area that you really aren't at the B&B much during the day and early evening so you really don't notice the many many many trains going by on that oh so cool track until you are dog tired and you climb up into your bed and you are just at the point of deep sleep and a train comes whistling by loud and long startling you so that you fall out of that extra high bed then you notice.After 2 nights of that my neck was so sore from hanging on waiting for the trains to come that I was unable to turn my head to the left.                                                                                             

 This did not stop us from enjoying our trip we enjoyed the tour of Falling Water very much,and the sights we saw just driving around exploring were wonderful, water falls,natural water slides, Eagles flying over head and some of the best weather ever all of it wonderful enough to make the trains and bed worth it.

Don't get me wrong There was alot I enjoyed about the B&B our host was interesting and very friendly,the people we shared the house with were nice and enjoyed chatting making our breakfast together each morning a delightful way to start the day. Our host made simple hot meals that were tasty and filling as well as enjoyable.The house itself sat on a large piece of land that encouraged walking along the bank of the river and being on a private road gave us the freedom to move about freely with out worrying about traffic. 

Even so on Tuesday morning instead of extending our stay 1 more night we packed our bags loaded the car up enjoyed one last breakfast with our house mates,thanked our host for a wonderful time and such warm hospitality and then we ......RAN not walked to the nearest 5 star hotel. 

You know swimming pools,Jacuzzis in the room,Flat screen TV,AC,KING size beds and most importantly no trains. There is alot to be said for the quaint character of a B&B ,but there is just no denying I felt like a queen laying in that king size bed cocktail in hand watching a movie on HBO as my husband soaked happily in the Jacuzzi.                                                                                                                                             

As we travel back home the next day we are relaxed and happy completely positive we had just enjoyed one of our best October                                                                                                                         

Vactions!

Rocks

Last April 2011 I told a story of my then 2an 1/2  yr old grandaughter taking a 2 mile walk in 2 hrs. If you read it you know that to keep her going the last few steps and the beginning few steps we tempted her with rocks. I have no idea why but rocks from the plainest to the fanciest intrigue my grand girl.So any way we kept her walking and going on this long trek by finding and  placing in her coat pockets rocks to throw in the water from the bridges we found along our walk. By the end of the walk we had a very tired girl with a lot of rocks in her pockets(stones really size wise).I ended my story about the walk wondering what her parents would think of the heavyweight of her coat and the rock in her pockets.
  Well I think they didn't wonder a thing, or for that fact notice that the coat was heavier then normal.I know this to be a fact because this Oct 2011 it snowed just before Halloween and when Madeline came to visit one day just after the snow wearing her winter coat from last year,I noticed as I went to hang it up that it was heavy and sure enough the stones were right there in her coat pockets where we left them.
  I pulled them out of her pocket with a smile on my face that turned to a laugh of pure pleasure when Madeline saw them and loudly proclaimed "My rocks we got them on that walk in the Forrest mermember"

MOM

  Today as I reached down in the drawer of endless tooth brush supplies I thought of you. I unwrapped my new tooth brush with the med to soft bristle that is more then comfortable on my gums and teeth,and the perfect handle that had a smooth round spot for my thumb and a slip resistant surface for the rest of my hand. As I brushed I smiled and remembered.So many Christmases have included a new tooth brush and paste as a gift from the Santa bag.I thought of you I smiled and I remembered all the wonderful Christmas eves you hosted,a gift for every single person and delicious food.Oh the fun and laughter we enjoyed all together gathered around the table or the tree.Now my teeth are sparkling clean and I am walking a way from the bathroom sink with the freshest mouth and a warm glow of contentment based on the loving memories of so many yesterdays.
  As I reached for my tooth brush today I thought of him  a tear rolled down my cheek. As I brushed I remembered all the Christmases he played Santa handing out each gift with a smile and a laugh.I remember the pleasure that showed on your face as each one of us opened our gifts.I remember sitting by the front door waiting for him to get there so Christmas eve could begin.Now as I place my tooth brush back in the holder I smile wipe the tear from my cheek and remember when we all came together to celebrate our  brothers life. Our favorite memory of him was Christmas and the missing tooth brush.I smile and remember you.
  As I reached for my tooth  brush today I thought of you and I smiled.With one simple gift you give us healthy mouths,stories to tell and wonderful memories.As I brushed I smiled and thought of you and your wonderful gift of love.As I place my tooth brush in its holder I smile and make a wish that next Christmas and many more Christmases after that I find a tooth brush wrapped in red under my tree.

Feeling sorry for my self

As I sit here typing tears run down my cheeks and I have no idea why my life is so screwed up in my mind.I am destined to clean toilets for the rest of my life and I am so pissed off and bummed about this. I applied for a chance at building  a career and ended up with a job cleaning others peoples shit off of toilet seats, a job that I am going to have to do for the rest of my working life and no one  not my friends not my child and NOT MY HUSBAND understand how I can be so heart broken.
 If you have read my blogs you know the story I was well on my way in Wawa to having a nice career,and then Wawa changed things so that I lost my career and became an employee again with no future.Life in my job got less then pretty.
 I applied for a very good job in Wawa that is just perfect for me and I know I would do better then just about anyone. I didn't even get an interview.What did I do that was so wrong?Why am I destined to clean other peoples poop off of public toilets

2 miles 2 hrs 2 1/2 yrs old...

This past week end we had the pleasure of Madeline's company. The weather was a sweet 60ish degrees with blue skies and bright sunshine. The whole weekend Sat. and Sun were the kind of days that make you think spring is here( even though you know it is not,and at any moment mother nature could dump 10 inches of snow on you)and you can't help yourself you absolutely must be out side.Well on Sunday we packed layers of clothing,bottles of water and an extra pull up into the car and loaded ourselves in as well,and off we went in search of the perfect park for that day.

 The park required only a few things to be perfect clean safe swings and slides and most important KIDS. We find a state park with a cute playground settled nicely in the woods,swings,3 slides rocks fake and real to climb,walls to climb and a swaying bridge to cross and most important KIDS.
 The ages are just perfect one Nick is 4,  Madeline is 2 1/2 and the youngest girl Shea is18 months. All the kids are playing great together sliding, swinging, climbing walls and at one point the 4 yr old Nick tells Madeline the story of the big bad wolf.It was so unexpected and sooooooooooooo cute.Then in one quick moment 18 month old Shea misstepped and went head first down the steps. She was amazingly all in one piece but daddy wisely thought it would be best to take Shea home to Mom for some hugs and kisses and an ice pack..That was the end of a very good play date.We say our goodbye and hope that all is well with Shea.

 Madeline is not ready to leave the park so we go on an adventure(never once thinking we are about to take a two hr hike traveling 2 miles with a two yr old and no stroller)down the path looking for a bridge.We come across a set of twisting steps,"this not a bridge" is said with the eyebrows drawn together and her face says she is wondering what granmama is up to.She bounces down the steps any way and finds ROCKS at the bottom of the steps. Rock are much more precious then gold on this trip.

 After taking time to pick up the perfect stones Madeline looks up the path and sees a Bridge.With a shout of glee and a smile brighter then the sun she takes off running in her baby steps(it is almost  a tip toe step as opposed to a run) to reach the bridge. Once she got there she is standing on the bridge with a what now look on here face until a rock PLOOPED into the water.Then there was no question what to do on the bridge.Many little stones went thru the rails of that bridge.Bringing untold pleasure to one little girl.

We tossed every stone in our hands into the water from that bridge and Madeline said her favorite word MORE.So we walked on picking up more stones and looking for another bridge to throw them from.

 At one point we pass a mile marker that tells us we have traveled 3/4's of a mile.I look at husband and wonder if we should  turn around and go back before we have to carry a little girl and she gets  heavy.Dezdezk(polish granpa) says it will be ok lets keep going.So we do very very slowly.Madeline has to stop every few feet to pick up more stones.
We come across 3 more little bridges and each bridge gets it fair share of stones and laughter.People walking by can't help but slow down and smile at this little beauty  having such a good time tossing stones.

 By the 1 1/2 mile marker Madeline is slowing down but totally not willing to be carried, there are way to many rocks to pick  up.
 As we were slowly  meandering down the path we come across the mother of all walking bridges.It spans about a 1/4 of a mile across A body of water  that contains water birds of all kind like a Blue Heron,and most importantly DUCKs.This inspires Madeline to sing 3verses of Old McDonald all of them  about ducks and a quack quack here and a quack quack there.She stops every couple of feet to toss her stones in the water,luckily we had a very large stash of rocks for this bridge.

 That being the last bridge on the trail and we had just a little bit more to go on the trail to get to the end  we needed to find another distraction for Madeline.She was still stopping every 2 steps to pick up stones,we were never going to  finish this walk at this pace.So I picked up a handful of stones and so did Dezdezk every time she would start to bend down one of us would turn and say look Madeline I got a rock for you and she would squeal with glee and run her run to catch up and get the rock out of our hands. Her little hands were so full of rocks that she couldn't hold another one.She refused to drop any so she could get the new one, I showed her how to put the rocks in her pocket. This was a whole new game and she was all about playing it.She would slow down and put the rock in the pocket and then hurry up and catch back up to us to get more rocks for her pocket. At on point as Bill and I are standing waiting for Madeline to catch up and she is coming along very very slowly as she checks her pockets to make sure the rocks are still there.Bill says let Dezdezk carry you the answer was a firm NO.

 We continue on for a few more feet and we can see she is really done so Bill just walks over and picks her up,Madeline very cutely says "Don't take rocks out of my pocket" Dezdezk tells her he won't she can keep her rocks.Madeline puts her head on the Dezdezk's shoulder and before we finish the last 100 feet to the car with her hands on her pocket and a smile on her face Madeline closed her eyes and was a sleep.

 I wonder what her mom and Dad thought when they went to hang up her coat and it was as heavy as if she was in it....

   So the 2 1/2 yr old Madeline walked 2 miles on her own 2 feet in 2 hrs.A very big feat for such a little girl.

   What a perfect day!

Crafting

I am a crafter. Not an artist a crafter. you know the people that artist stick their noses up at. Who decides whats art and what crafting?I mean I feel very creative and insightful when I am trying to figure out how to make that odd shaped but totally cool piece of material into an apron or pot holder.Because I can use the end product is that why it is considered crafting. I used a sewing machine not a brush or balloon so it is not art? I am not trying to be funny or sarcastic I really am confused why is paint on a canvas or some medal bent into an undifined mold considered art and yet an exquisitely designed apron or pot holder or even pillow is considered crafting?
 So lately I have been trying glass painting. Wow do I suck at this. I can handle a needle and thread but to squeeze paint evenly from a tube yea no that doesn't seem to be happening. What is the secret to squeezing evenly out of a tube? Even cake frosting and things like that I just can't seem to master. Why? It is crafting and that is on thing the seperates art from crafts is that any one can craft, right?

Not Sure...

 Not sure what I want to write about only sure that I want to write some thing...

I am back to work and while I don't get enough hrs to get my Medical back I get enough hrs to do my job. My new boss is friendly.(we got a new GM shortly after writing my Wawa blog)and fair it seems.This is all good. Don't get me wrong life is better not perfect when it comes to my job.
 Christmas was a challenge that turned out beautifully this year.There was little money to spend this year but what we had we spent wisely and in the end every one was happy.Instead of focusing on the price tag we tried focusing on the true and real desire a person would have for that gift, like Phillies tickets for the phillies fan, soaps and bath salts and oils made at home for the people that like No chemicals in their skin care. Having bracelets made for the nieces from their grandmas amber beads,and so on.While Christmas isn't about money,I always enjoy it more when the gifts I give bring pleasure and joy.This was one of those years.My gran daughter is just at the age to love getting presents and finding all the decorations and lights to be amazing and fun.I was able to I hope bring smiles to a whole other family I never met by sending a few gifts to share with them on Christmas day.So I feel my Christmas was a truly blessed and happy holiday.
 I got a very happy present from mother nature Christmas weekend 8 count them 8 big inches of snow. I love the snow. For me snow is all about playing. Angels,snow forts,snow ball fights,snowmen and best of all sledding.I did none of that this snow happening,I had no one to play with. Gone are the days when I would wake my son at 4:00am to walk in the beginning flakes of a good snowstorm,to later enjoy a school free day sliding down the hill that if you got your speed up good enough you would actually slide across the street into the next open field.While I miss and feel lonely for those playful happy days with my son, I still love a good snow.I pray for the day I will have my gran daughter here and we get a good snow,A snow that allows me to wake her early in the Am while it is still dark to walk in the first falling flakes to enjoy the brightness of the snow in the dark morning sky and  later sliding at lightening speed down some hill screaming with glee and falling over in laughterSo.even while I am  between playmates I still enjoy a good snow happening. I am lonely for the fun I had with my son and antsy for the fun to come with my gran daughter but still I am in awe of the way some powdery flakes and a cold wind can change my world into a mystic, magical land.It is amazing how you can stand in the middle of the storm with the wind whipping around and howling and the snow dropping so hard and so fast that you can't see a step in front of you and there is nothing,nothing but silence and peace.I love a good snow storm.