Update on Andria's 'Evoke Emotion' Photo

I wanted to post an update for everyone who was interested on the grade Andria received for her 'Emotion' photograph.

But first let me tell you, the teacher used her Photo as an example in front of the class, so I knew right then and there it was a good sign. She said he critiqued everyone else's but hers. Sure enough she received a 99 (A+). Why he couldn't give her that 1 extra point I'm not sure, but she'll take an A+! Currently her photo is mounted and posted on a large folding screen board in the school lobby. I can't wait to see it next week when we attend Open House!

The 2nd project she had to do was 'Color' and the pressure was on. I wish I could find the first picture she had which was actually a combination of 3 pictures, side by side, but I'm thinking maybe she never even saved it. It was very good even if she didn't think so. The second photo (below) she shot is pretty cool also.

Originally Andria was planning on turning this photo in as her finished product, but after speaking with the teacher she decided to go with the photo below . . .

Are you ready for this?

Are you sure?

It's a little funky . . . just like her . . .

NO it's not blood, but being the Rocket Scientist that Andria is *oh jeeze* she put Red Food Coloring in her eyes! We weren't home when she did it or I would have freaked out. She said even she was a little freaked out! The teacher told her not to be surprised if she has a little visit from the Guidance Counselor.

Andria hasn't received a grade on this one yet ...

Early Fall Pictures

One of the things I always notice in the fall are yellow or gold painted houses. Therefore I've included just a few pictures of some colonial homes in those colors. One day, mark my words, I will have a yellow house with white trim, black front door, and black shutters. I'd paint this house yellow but I'm just not sure it would look good with the siding we have. At least I have black shutters and a black front door. And I love them!

This home is an absolutely gorgeous restored colonial in Lee, NH. It has to be my favorite of the following three.

The next two homes are located in South Berwick, Maine. I had to photograph them while I was driving because there wasn't any place to pull over, hence the car door

As my husband and I were driving through the center of Lee, NH we saw this great front porch display! Every year the people who live here do something similar and it always looks wonderful.

Here's a great little roadside stand selling Mums: $4.50 each or 3/$12.00. I thought that was a pretty good deal. They had some pink Mums that I loved but we really didn't need them so we kept going.

Just down the road a piece was this lovely lady and all her friends!

And there's the lucky fella in the background that gets to hang out with all the ladies

Next we took a turn onto Wiswall Road, which by the way has a great Antique shop! I wish I'd taken a picture of it but maybe another time. Within a mile or two we came across this bridge. Neither of us remembered seeing it before but it's obviously been here a while. Look at the wood surface and colored iron work! There's only room enough for 1 car at a time so you better slow down.

Looking downstream, in the distance there were two guys fly fishing. You might be able to see them, I'm not sure. It was a gorgeous day and the reflection was beautiful on the water. Yes, that is a small water fall in front of the first fly fisherman.

Looking upstream

The Great Pumpkins!

Sunday morning my husband and I went out to my parents house to drop off a Mum for my Dad's 72nd Birthday. We stayed for a while, chatted, then decided to go for a Sunday drive. Now Brent is not a 'Sunday Drive' kind of guy. He's more of a 'hurry up and let's get there' kind of guy, so I was thrilled he was able to just relax for a bit and enjoy the scenery.

One of the very first things we saw were these enormous Pumpkins in the back of 2 trucks, parked in a restaurant parking lot. Both were coming from the Rochester, NH fair and headed for a plant Nursery about 40-45 minutes away.

The first Pumpkin (though my husband thinks they are technically Squash), weighing in at 1,022 lbs. took First Place at the fair, winning a $500 cash prize.

Not very pretty is it.

The second Pumpkin weighed in at 1,015 lbs., and took 2nd place at the Fair, winning $250.

Now this is a pretty pumpkin! Just look at that little flower stem!

Check out the padding and pallets used to protect the tender underside of the smaller Pumpkin. The larger one isn't even strapped down! Imagine that rolling down the road at you! lol! Somehow I doubt it would roll very far.

I took quite a few pictures Sunday which I hope to be able to share with you over the next several days. There's nothing like Fall in New England and hopefully I can bring some of it to you!

Monday Mentality

Feeling the Season!

Lily and I would like to wish everyone a Happy Fall!

TGIF!

The past few weeks have been a bit stressful to say the least. Between the girls going back to school, me going back to work, my mom being in the hospital, my aunt arriving from Florida, Field Hockey, my older daughters new job, trying to keep up with the house (which I gave up on), and errands ... I finally hit the wall Wednesday night. I felt exhausted, overwhelmed, somewhat depressed.

Yesterday (Thursday) was a tough start but once I made it to work things seemed a bit better. After work I had to wrestle with the broken garage door, of which it won so I left it open, feed the animals, eat, and change in 15 minutes, rush my daughter to her new job, then rush to a hair appointment. My first haircut in 2 months! It was like therapy. I love having my haircut, it feels so good, AND I look better! I arrived home to find my husband fixing the garage door and this:

A large bouquet of Lily's on the coffee table in the living room. He knew I was in distress and wanted to do what he could to help. It worked. He's so good to me.

Today I feel better just knowing it's Friday!

Morning Glory

It may have taken a while but we finally have some Glory in the Mornings. And what Glory it is!

At first I thought just my plants were late, but then I realized as I'm driving around, looking at other gardens, that their Morning Glory's just recently started blooming as well. I had no idea they bloomed so late in the season.

The seed container says Morning Glory, Giant, Mixed Colors. So far I have determined there are 5 different colors/varieties though they are all Pink or Purple. The flowers really are quite beautiful. As to whether or not I'll plant them again next year (though I hear they resead themselves quite easily), we'll see. And if I do I'll probably put them out by the pool instead of up close to the house. I'd like a vine type plant that flowers during the Summer months for the Hummingbirds! And my Hummingbirds are long gone.

9 - 11

In June 2007 I took my very first trip to NYC. It was only for a day (as was my 2nd trip) but seeing the site of the World Trade Center remained tops on my list of 'Things to See', and I'm so glad I did.

The site itself, and the gash left in the city is impressive and memorable. I only wish I had been able to see the Twin Towers before 9-11-01. It must have truly been a dizzying sight!

Below is the viewing platform to look out over the work being done. When we went back this past April it really didn't look much different. Sure, more work had been completed but overall it still had an empty feeling. The grate you are made to look through doesn't help. Why they couldn't have come up with something a little more 'viewer' friendly I don't know. My guess is that they were worried visitors would be throwing memento's, flowers, etc. into the work area below. Many articles had been stuffed into the grating and left behind for those who lost their lives.

The memorial below is made of solid copper and placed along a wall just behind the viewing platform. All the names of the victims are etched along the bottom. It was difficult to take any good pictures because of scaffolding set up in front of the memorial.

A Fire Station sits adjacent to the WTC site. I believe the memorial plaques above are attached to the brick wall of the station, though I can't say I remember for sure. I thought I had a picture of the Fire Station itself but I couldn't find it. The old brick station looks oddly misplaced as everything surrounding it is quite modern. The guys working there seemed very used to being photographed by tourists like myself.

If you look closely at the side of the truck, names of the Fire Fighters lost on

9-11 are painted on the door.

My husband loved the Financial District of NYC! I think he was very envious of how many of the men were dressed, wishing he could wear Armani, or whatever it is they wear on a daily basis. Yes, he has far more fashion sense than me though he seldom has the chance to show it off anymore. To this day Brent's background picture on his phone is this very photo. If you've never been to NYC and have the chance to go, make sure to see both of these places. Just the enormity of the flag below is incredible!

May you take a moment today to reflect of the events of September 11, 2001.

Front Porch Pictures

Yesterday afternoon we went over to mom's to visit with my Aunt Sandi one more time before she flies back to her home in Florida this morning. Since Mom was feeling pretty good (though not really smiling), and it was our Anniversary, I thought we would take a few pictures.

Because of Aunt Sandi's health and age, somehow I doubt she will ever make it back to NH. And what an awful final visit, with my mom being sick and in the hospital the majority of the time. I think they have at least enjoyed the last couple days together.

As for Brent and I, it was a low key day. We didn't celebrate in any special way but that's alright. At least we had the day together. Brent remarked at 6:05 PM how 17 years ago at that very moment he was standing at the alter wondering if I would ever show up.

I did : )

17 Years Later . . .

September 7, 1991

Our Wedding. It was a gorgeous day. The weather was perfect, and we had a great time!

This is one of the best photo's I have of Brent and I. The photographer lost all the pictures he took of the two of us together in the church. We still have all the group shots but this particular picture was the only one he had of just the two of us and it was at the end of the night. I still like it : )

Last night Brent and I were commenting on it being our 17th Anniversary today. I asked him, "Can you believe it's been 17 years?" With his quick wit he answered, "It seems like 27" lol! "Sometimes it does" I said.

Aren't we adorable? Back when love was young (and I didn't use tanning lotion) and we had no idea of the highs and lows that lay ahead of us. But I wouldn't trade it for anything.

~

I loved this mermaid style dress, puffy shoulders and all. Anything else would have overwhelmed my petite frame. The dress sits in a closet now; clean, boxed and sealed. Neither of my girls could ever wear it because they are both larger than me. Not that they would want too anyway.

Both pictures of me were taken at my parents beautiful home. I thought the back of the dress was so elegant.

Of course the day was rather stressful, and I was late . . . but in my defense I had to wait downstairs in the church so I couldn't hear the music when it started. Brent thought I might not show up!

But I did. And here we are, 17 years later.

When the girls were little it was the toughest emotionally. Both of us were always tired, but we never gave up. Brent and I are not the types to argue. We prefer to talk things out, so I think that has made a huge difference in our relationship.

Not to mention we both have a pretty good sense of humor.

Here's to the next 17 years and whatever they may hold!

Home at Last!

As some of you may know, my mom has been very sick recently. On Sunday night my dad and I ended up bringing her to the ER. She was terribly dehydrated and seemed to be going down hill with her undiagnosed illness instead of getting better, so the doctor on staff recommended she be admitted. Last night, after 4 days, she was finally able to GO HOME! Her discharge was against doctors recommendations, but she couldn't stand it there any longer, and I was sick of listening to her complain. lol! Her primary care physician will be monitoring her on a regular basis, including today.

When I called yesterday morning to tell her I was on my way to visit, and find out how her daily tests had gone, she said she was patting a puppy dog. I asked, "Where are you???" she replied, "At the hospital" Someone had brought in an English Cocker Spaniel therapy dog and she was loving every minute of it since she's a dog loving person.

Unfortunately I arrived to late to meet the first dog but there were 2 women walking by her room with a Golden Retriever so I asked them if they would mind coming in to visit since he (Jake/Jakers) looked so much like the Kimo, the dog my mom and dad used to have before he passed away a couple years ago. As you can see my mother was very happy to see him. The women and the dog stayed for quite a while just chatting it up! After they left both of us agreed Jakers definitely needed a bath! She said the Cocker Spaniel that had come in earlier was very soft and clean, no smell. Still Jake was such a love, though very exhausted after his long morning of therapy with patients.

Below is a picture of the beautiful fireplace in the lobby of Wentworth Douglas Hospital. I sat there using my laptop on Monday afternoon for a while, trying to warm up because the hospital was so cold! Did you know hospitals have wireless now???

This isn't the greatest picture but it's the gorgeous atrium window when you first walk into the lobby. It's literally like walking into a Grand Hotel! I've been in 4 hospitals since this Spring and this is by far the nicest! It's also the hospital where my dad, I, my brothers, and my older daughter were born, but that was a looong time ago. At least long before it looked like this!

Check out the incredible 3 story Granite waterfall just behind the front desk and lounge. On the backside of the waterfall is the fireplace area.


I am hopeful my mom won't have to be re-admitted to the hospital but I wouldn't be surprised. She has a swollen Liver with elevated enzymes (Hepatitis) and a high white blood cell count (in her liver). Should she start to show signs of liver failure she will need to get to the hospital immediately! More than anything she was happy to be home. I too needed to get back to my normal schedule.

The staff at the hospital were outstanding! Even mom couldn't complain.