Ahhhh, the cooler weather has returned, with a sad goodbye to my sandals, and ponytail holders, I squeal with happiness at the sight of my fuzzy Eeyore pj's, and thick sweaters and sweatshirts.

And why is it, that knitting always seems to go faster when I'm not steaming to death in the summer humidity? And that's a good thing! I have _lots_ of projects to finish off! I'm looking forward to showing off pics of said projects as the weeks go by, including one that I was actually commissioned to do!

But first, the next real project is my hair. After all but ignoring it all summer, it's time to pamper the poor mane! Women are nuts. Can anyone else imagine a man caring at all about any of this?

So girls, now that the kids are in school, go give yourself a moment to primp and pamper, and dig out the warm and cozies!

And as usual...

Thanks for Noticing me!

My Girls

I love my girls. I actually have 3, well, our little family does anyway. So far the kitten, has mysteriously managed to avoid the lens. Both older girls are shelter cats, The baby was the result of a successful mating ritual, between my sisters cat, and her friends cat.

The first one is my favorite picture, The orange one is Mona, so named because she doesn't so much "meow" as moan. For a while, I could even get her to say it! She's the submissive one of the clan, which is why this picture tickles me so... imagine using the queen as a pillow!

And my "Yin-Yang" pic.... in their defense, it was mighty chilly this day!

And Dasha Darlin... (not a typo) This is the queen of the clan. Head S@#t! She rules the roost and knows it, and all must bow to "Her Highnie" But right now, it's nap time, and we must hide our face from the world....

Next time, I'm gonna have to have pics of "Princess in training" Mystique, (Myste for short).
My girls... Awwww! once again,


Thanks for Noticing me!

The Finger Lakes Ducks

We have the _greediest_ ducks in this lake!

My kids recently took an environmental boat tour, a 4 day activity, and it was so amusing to see the little buggers realize that the boat was coming back and the kids would give them half their lunches!





By the time the boat showed up we had a count of 27 with more coming!

Aren't these 2 cute!

All those dots in the distance are ducks!
Greedy little suckers! I wish I hadn't been too busy laughing to take pics of them all fighting for the bread crumbs!


Everyone deserves the chance to see such a sight, and _often_!

There's my giggle of the day...
Thanks for Noticing me!

Big Softie

Okay, so I'm a great big mush. But some things just go straight to my heart... I know, they're kinda corny, but true.

Been feeling very nostalgic lately, my Son #1 is starting 10th grade this year, TENTH! I remember 10th grade, and he's just Not Allowed! Creeps me out to even think about it! And it's worse now, because we just had our 20th High School reunion this summer, so I'm kinda stuck on that...

I have great sympathy for those of my classmates with kids who have gone to their Prom, or worse, Graduated! But I guess we manage, with shaky hands and pounding heart! Had I known what my parents were going through at the time, I might have been nicer to them, but as a teenager, probably not!

Well, that's my neurosis for today! Have fun everyday, and as usual,
Thanks for Noticing me!

Rats!

Oh what a wasted trip! We went to the orchard today to pick peaches, but alas, the peaches were long gone! Sadly the apples aren't quite ripe yet, so nothing for today.

The orchard we frequent is a beautiful place. Above, you can see the pond at the entrance with all the beautiful lotus flowers in bloom, and the resident doggie...

The very top picture is the view from their "store". I use that term lightly, they sell cider and apple doughnuts, and flowers, but it's also got a table tennis setup, and they do some of their work there too.

The layout of the orchard is so easy to follow too, each type of apple has it's own spot, and peaches are at the end, and there are wild berries to pick too. It's a great place to spend an afternoon. The kids run wild, shaking trees to get the fruit to fall, and they eat twice as much as they collect to bring home!

So, if you're ever in the area, give Little Tree Orchards a looksee. The people are friendly, and the fruit is delicious! And your kids will sleep well that night!

And as usual,
Thanks for noticing me!

Oy! School shopping.... What can I say? But if you have to go and do it, try to have a little fun with it! I fell in lust with these shoes at first sight.

And being from the Northeast, I still have a few weeks left until they finally go back to school, I am SO jealous of you moms and dads out there that get to send them back so early!

I don't know about you, but I always take the first day of school off. I send them off to the bus, then, as soon as it pulls away, I pour a fresh cup of coffee, put my feet up, and listen to the sound of no tv., no video games, no yelling, fighting, whining or talking back! Ahhhh!
Then I take a bubble bath, without anyone to ask me things through the door!
Oh, now I can't wait!

Again...
Thanks for noticing me!

Summer BBQ's

What an evening! Good friends, family, food, and fun! I have finally figured out why we have teenaged boys... To finish off all the food so we don't need to store it!

The kids had a blast getting wet, they busted the slip'n'slide, so we had to improvise... pretty good I think!


And what BBQ is complete with out toasting marshmallows?

And the conversation was what made it all worth while, you can't go wrong on days when you get laughter until your sides ache, and you're crying, and have at least one spit take! (I'm still giggling just thinking about it!) The only thing we didn't have was a food- fight! Hmmm, maybe next time...

Wishing you at least one summer BBQ as good as this before the season is over! And again...
Thanks for noticing me!