25 years ago...

Holy cow!!!!

My baby boy turns 25 today!!! Happy Birthday Bubba!!!! My youngest chick, my boy, the stealer of my heart since he resembles his Daddy so much...

Tommy was born on his paternal great-grandfathers birthday thereby granting him the distinction of carrying his name; Thomas Patrick a strong Irish name and it fits him well...

Tommy has made us so proud throughout the years and we are certain that his character and perseverance will carry him through his life.

Fast forward to current time... He proudly serves the State of Washington as a public servant and we wish him a long and prosperous life!!!

Marathon madness...

My daughter Erin began running while she was attending grad school as a way to relieve herself from the rigors of studying and to define herself as a strong woman. Besides living away from the comfort of home for the first time she found herself questioning her own strength as a strong woman.

Running gave her the time to focus on herself and a way to escape from the rigors of study. She has not stopped running... in 5 years!! She continues to run and build strength and character. I remember so clearly when the two of us began participating in local 5k runs; for fun... Soon she was running the 10k runs; placing very high in her age group. Next up was her first full marathon! I ran the 5k portion and then met up with The Fireguy (her Poppa Bear) on our bikes and we tracked her down on the course. We paced her to the finish line; giving her positive support and telling jokes and stories to pass the time. I can recall vividly looking over at her... she was running with her eyes closed! I found that so odd, but she had gone to another place... a place that enabled her to complete her first marathon!

Erin has completed two marathons since then and we have been right there to provide support and experience the jubilation with her at the finish line.

Tomorrow Erin begins her attempt at joining the elite group of "MARATHON MANIACS":


To qualify for this 'club' you must complete one of several HIGHLY difficult criteria; Erin has chosen to complete in back to back marathons. She will compete in the Lake Tahoe Marathon tomorrow:

then compete in the Sacramento Cowtown marathon next weekend!!!! :

Although I have no doubt in my mind of her strength to complete these marathons AND qualify for elite membership in MARATHON MANIACS, I am saddened that we are unable to be there to revel in the glorious celebrations!! As life does sometimes, we have conflicts that keep us from being with her at the finish line.

Erin, you know that Poppa Bear & I will be with you in spirit and sending SO much strength and positive vibes!!! Also kidlet, know that we WILL be there when you cross the finish line at the Boston Marathon in 2010!!! You Go Girl!!! You Can Do This!!!!!!!

P.S. Good luck to Erin's Prince Charming as he completes his second 1/2 marathon!!!

Otter 'love'

Been absent from the blog-o-shpere since 1) I had a little PC hard drive issue and 2) my Great White Hunter (GWH) returned from a two week trip to Idaho & Montana. I try not to spend alot of time on my laptop when he is around; so as you can imagine I was a bit pre-occupied!

So now that the GWH has returned I can tell you how much I miss having that guy around! It is a typical trip for me if something breaks, stops working or disappears when he is gone! This has been the case for several years. This year did not disappoint; however I did catch a small break as the garage door broke a week before he left! The tree limb falling in the backyard very close to the spa started things off well... The biggee was this: I was in charge of mowing the yard for two weeks; "the mower must be pulled" he tells me on one of the many 'love notes' we leave for each other when he leaves. I thought that I would pull on my big girl panties and go BUY a new one; I wasn't going to be PULLING a self-propelled mower!! The two nice men at the Home Depot unboxed it and put it nicely in my trunk - It was up to me to get it out at home!!! Remember my big girl panties???? yeah, well I was able to maneuver it out by myself; not heavy just awkward. TaDa!!! So proud of myself... Even mowed the lawns that night! Next morning... yep, stiff neck!! Lovely... Had two days of neck spasms as my Doc (daughter) was not available to see me. I spent the remaining days until GWH's return sitting around with ice/heat and the tens unit connected to my neck. Lesson learned ~

I really don't mind the time alone, although I miss that guy like crazy! It allows me time to think, read and BLOG!!! Hehehe...

In honor of the GWH's return I offer you this: saw this over at Kris' place and had to share; it was just so heart warming!

Me the big lovestruck sap... Hope you enjoy it and be warned...
you WILL have an AWWWWW moment at the end :-)

MckLinky Blog Hop #11 - SHOW OFF YOUR ART!

This week's Blog Hop theme is "SHOW OFF YOUR ART".

I am not an artist, but my dear Mom was!! She had an a.mazing talent for painting ~ along with many other talents. I only wish I would have inhereted that from her! My daughter and son were fortunate to get her creative gene. I on the other hand am still honing my stick figure skills!

Unfortunately, we lost her to cancer but thank God she left several paintings for us to enjoy forever!!

This first painting she did for me for as a birthday gift.

We shared a love of whales and this is the painting that one of my ankle tattoos matches!

This painting I also am blessed to have hanging in my home -

It shows a depth of the ocean that is simple so tranquil!!

This painting was actually sold (her first) to anindividual on the east coast ~

Sure wish I could get my hands on it!

Painting given to my husband (The great White Hunter)

Inpired by the movie "Free Willy"

Painted on an old saw

I hope you enjoyed viewing my Mom's art as much as I do!

Favorite Things - September

I bet you thought I forgot, yes??? HA!!!

My first fav this month is a TENS unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation). This is a highly effective form of pain relief using electrical pulses. The TENS unit pads are placed on or near the pain area. Soothing pulses are sent via the tens unit pads through the skin and along the nerve fibres. The pulses suppress pain signals to the brain. TENS also encourages the body to produce natural pain killing chemicals called Endorphins and Encephalins! I know, a lot of "big words", but let me tell you - it works!!! I tweaked my neck last week and following my FREE treatment by my DPT daughter (thankssomuch E!!) we slapped this on and i have been so much better!!! Look it up!! Next I have to say this little item is a lifesaver!! We have a lab (that is terribly spoiled and sleeps inside) and two cats living in the house, along with hardwood flooring and this little vac is small, lightweight and makes for a quick & simple clean up!

I previously boasted about a (GASP) boxed wine as a fav, so to redeem myself I am sharing this gem with you! Seems that lately several wineries are testing out blends - and this one will not dissapoint. This wine is bottled locally in Oakville, near the famed Napa Valley. French style and the grenache adds a slight fruity flavor.

Mary, Mary quite contrary...

As you my followers know, I have had a pretty difficult time this garden season...

not much in the production department!

Lo and behold I have a rogue squash plant trying to make the season clear over

on the other side of the yard!

P.S. We have not grown squash in several years!!!

I am babying this little guy as I feel it my place to nurture it's attempt to thrive!

September 11, 2009

On Friday, September 11th, 2009, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States.

Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this eighth anniversary of one of our country's worst tragedies. We do this to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity..

Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds.

Fly an American flag of any size on September 11th. Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round, but if you don't, then at least make it a priority on this day.

Thank you for your participation. God Bless You and God Bless America !

Blogger Giveway

My blogger buddy over at "Life's a Beach" (love that name!!) is celebrating her 100th post by sponsoring her first giveaway!!

Her blog is a fun read; she is an educator by trade, however due to the national budget state she is a SAHB (Stay at Home Blogger)... Gosh, I think I just made that up! Maybe... Stop on over to her blog and give her some support and blogger love ~

MckLinky Blog Hop #10 - Remembering 9/11

This week's Blog Hop theme is "REMEMBERING 9/11". Though many would like us to forget, there is still an enemy who wants nothing less than our total destruction. Let's honor those who lost their lives on that day, and since then because of 9/11.

I recall how the day began like many others; The Fireguy and I waking at 4:10 AM and heading to the gym. Once Home and following showers we were in the kitchen having coffee and breakfast. We always tune in to our favorite local news channel, however today as we watched there came a "BREAKING NEWS" alert... These always give me the chills, but I was certainly not expecting the information that followed! We continued our morning ritual and unfortunately were one of millions that saw the plane slam into the second tower LIVE.

I took our portable TV to work and watched as much as I could. Once home that evening all we wanted to do was be surrounded my our family! Although nothing pleasant to watch, I recall finding it difficult to tear ourselves away from the news reports that evening. Watching that second tower collapse... I remember The Fireguy saying that those firefighters are gone, they are GONE! I could not fathom what his words meant but as the days following the event unfolded I realized he knew exactly what he was talking about.

We were all trying to understand WHY this happened and WHAT we were going to do now!

Indeed a day I will remember~

Apple Hill time ~

Each year on Labor Day weekend Apple Hill opens here in Northern California!!

Apple Hill boasts more than 50 ranches including Christmas tree growers, wineries, a micro-brewery, Spa and vineyards. Bring the family to find a day filled with old-fashioned fun. Plan a picnic on the lush land that surrounds these exciting ranches.

Each year we visit a couple of times to gather apples and have chosen our Christmas trees here too! Of course we always enjoy the yummy treats from the bake shop!!!

This is what we chose on our first trip:

Then the process begins:

Which winds up in the dryer; The Fireguy makes trail mix with them :-)

And I make Apple Hill cake with the remaining apples:

If it's September, I'm back at the Tattoo Shop!!!

Every Fall, my Fireguy becomes 'The Great White Hunter" and heads out for two weeks! I in turn take this time to add to my collection of body art . My recent visit was to add color and depth to my latest piece! I really can't say enough about my tattoo artist, I just LOVE her!!
I arrived at the shop with only an idea of adding color and just let her go.
She is truly an amazing artist and I trust her completely!
So tell me... What do you think of the addition???

Christmas in September...

I ran into Santa over at New England Girl who delivered this little early gift :-)

Tis truly like waiting for Christmas morning ~ this season is going to be so great!!