Home Sweet Home!

Sun kissed apples

Under the grape arbor

Mingling fruit!

Just peachy!

What a long week of working on the house! I watch and Dave works. I nap and Dave works. I watch three fuzzy TV stations and Dave works. I did try out my Chuck Norris "Total Gym" given to me by Dave's sister when she was up here helping out. I managed to figure out how to workout using the machine at my ability. I kicked some major butt and feel a good burn, so we dragged it home. I want to build muscle for my road trip this October.

We found a surprise plum tree and separated bulbs for next Spring (notice the "we"?). lol We are one full day away to being done on the inside of our house but the outside needs some major loving. We enjoyed discovering the fruit out back and all the possibilities for next summer. Still no offers or traffic on old house so today my "soon to be retired husband" is job hunting...it sucks!

The best part of the trip was getting to meet an amazing blogger named Vicci. She lives 20min away and drove over to the house. We chatted like we've known each other for years and she has an enormous heart. Very real, down to earth and a happy camper! I struck gold with my new neighbor, even Dave took an instant liking to this lovely spirit. She brought us homemade jelly, so I gave her my backyard to do as she pleases this summer. :) I can't wait to taste my yard by Vicci. BTW her birthday is Saturday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY VICCI! http://moonstarsandpaper.blogspot.com/

When we arrived home yesterday afternoon a huge tree branch had fallen across my car, filling the driveway...geesh! Luckily our neighbor helped chop it up and took it away. Thanks Rick! Dave's working vacation didn't need that headache. I have over 200 posts to read and I will do what I can but TK is on his way to hang with gramy! Have a wonderful weekend! XXOO

Gone to New House! See ya Thursday!

I'm planning my roadtrip through New England and this is our condo near the Mt. Washington Valley and Saco river in Bartlett New Hampshire.

I can do my water work outs. Woohoo!

Kayak...maybe?

This is the place in winter and I thought it looked pretty. :)

I've contacted bloggers from Maine to Vermont to make we don't miss a thing.

Portland, Maine - New Ham Hampshire- Vermont

Please add your own must see attractions!

The batmobile awaits!

Sunday Scribbling - "Hair"

I was always a high maintenance woman when I was working. I had the nice suits that had to be dry cleaned and the leather pumps to match. In those days I even bought nice under clothes that had to be washed by hand. I was hard on nylons, however, (yes, they wore those in the old days) so I always had an extra "control top" egg in my car. Do they still sell nylons in silver eggs?

So you're now starting to get the picture, but it didn't stop there, oh no. I had my hair permed, cut and highlighted at regular intervals along with acrylic "french tip" nails and toes. The finishing touch was constant grooming. I shaved and bathed every day and never left the house without my full make-up routine. I still can't believe how I raised two girls, worked full time and kept that up everyday.

Fast forward to an early, unwanted retirement being a useless house mom. I went from high maintenance to fried hair, broken nails and sweats. Being a single mom with a disability did not allow for a clean house or creative dinners, but I tried to keep my spirits high by dressing, bathing and adding a dab of lip gloss on occasion. I didn't want to embarrass my kids at soccer or parents night. It took four years to get comfy in my own skin and find a balance for retirement in my 30's. Not to mention the only man in my bed that would notice hairy legs had four of his own.

Fast forward to 4 years ago, when I began to date Dave. I had to find ways to feel sexy and yet still be me. Shaving body hair was the most challenging. It can be very dangerous when holding a razor with a shaky hand so I used the dreaded Epilady. It pulls your leg hairs out by the roots so you only need to use it once a month. You only cry in the spring when your leg hair is long enough to use a hedge trimmer. I did add a bit more make-up because at 46 bed head with the natural look can be scary. I still dressed casually but used flattering colors which is difficult to find with elastic waists.

My most daring move and biggest change was the hair. Two weeks before my wedding I cut it off with my husband to be by my side. Why? Washing and blow drying was zapping my energy after a taxing shower. I cried at first, because as a woman my hair was very important to me. Not only did the cut not look like the sexy Alyssa Milano from Charmed but I was GREY! Dave took me home and added some color. He decided he liked it but everyone knows men like long hair better (hey, he loves me). I cannot believe how freeing it was to cut it off and in doing so I realized that sexy comes from within. That's not a cliche' because I've lived it. I can be sexy with a boy cut, winter hairy legs and casual clothes. It's all in the TUDE!

Poetry Thursday- "Battle of Summer"

Battle of Summer

Wearing humidity like a heavy wool blanket
she yearns for summer to turn into fall.
She prays the weakness is only the season
which used to bring her such joy.
Now it's only a lock on the door
holding her down.

She floats through the reeds
with her head held high.
A picture of grace and beauty
flows in her silent wake.
Fears gently tucked away
leaving a strained smile
wrapping those she loves
in reassuring glances.
Grateful for the love
lifting her higher.

When the cool of fall bursts forth
her spirits and energy will rise.
The battle will begin again
as I stand by her side
holding her shield.

This was inspired by my friend Pam who lives in Vermont. She is struggling with her ALS due to a very hot and humid summer. It exacerbates ALS and dampens your spirits.

This fall (1st week in Oct)I will stand at her door and be able to hold her for the very first time. We are the dynamic duo, Batman and Robin, to everyone who reads our blogs. My girlfriend Sherrill of 28yrs is using her vacation time and timeshare to escort me across the country to meet Pam. A girlfriend road trip through Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. WooHoo! The leaves will be turning and I will be with Pam. Thank you Sherrill and Dave for the best birthday ever! Please keep good thoughts for Pam during this torturous summer!

Pam is an incredible artist and is now using her computer to continue her passion. This is one of her pieces.

http://capeandtights.blogspot.com/

Sunday Scribblings - "Time is Slipin' Away"

One thing Dave and I have learned in our very short journey together is to not wait for what we want. We have responsibly raised our children and now it is our time. We want to go after our dreams and not keep waiting for "the right time" or "when we get the extra money." The right time is now and there is not usually extra money waiting in the mailbox. We don't do credit but instead we constantly move forward in baby steps toward our goals.

Dave will retire at 50 and we will figure out a nice living on less income. We will eventually live in our mountain home (the minute this one sells) surrounded by Dave's flowers. For my birthday I will fly across the country to Vermont to visit my blog buddy and fellow ALS warrior, Pam. Time goes by in the blink of an eye as we watch another season pass. We will figure out a way to fulfill our dreams now and not wait until time has slipped away. We are cautious by nature yet hold each other up to fight our way through the fear. Yes, we are motivated by my illness to hurry things along, but we don't want to waste another minute on "someday."

A Very Good Day!

Deviled egg delight

yummy way to start the day

yellow fuzzy chick

A kiss by the pool

hamburgers sizzling on grill

root beer floats must wait

Watermelon cools

sticky sweetness dribbles down

a July scorcher

I really enjoyed this 4th of July because now we have the added entertainment of TK. I know I'm bias but he has personality to spare and is always performing. It was 104 degrees out back so we set up his pool under the gazebo. Dave grilled while TK's mom and dad chased each other with the hose. I was hand fed chips by TK and recieved a kiss after every thank you. I'm soaking up these kisses because they won't always come this freely. TK also learned that with bare feet on a brick patio he had to run over the sunny parts and he could walk in the shady spots (too funny to watch!). He is very tough and not whiny. If he heard Justin Timberlake on the stereo (Summer Love) he would stop everything and go into his hip hop moves (his parents are not fond of Timberlake, but TK is). He really has some moves and is a huge fan of "So You Think You Can Dance."

While the evening was winding down a realtor showed up to show the house. Everyone jumped into action. Dave grabbed Nikki, Jess and I straightened up rooms when they were looking outside and TK's dad had gathered TK stuff. It was amazing teamwork! Even TK stopped to chat with them, stalling, so we could make the house nice. Who looks at houses on holidays? We get no action on our open house and we begin to put our guard down and boom. No offer either...grrr!

I really enjoyed the day! I hope yours was special too. :)

Happy 4th of July

Celebrate and count your blessings!