Getting our 2013 tree

Snow almost kept us from getting our tree this past Sunday. It was really coming down on Saturday. Fortunately, by the time Sunday afternoon rolled around the streets and parking lots were plenty clear. Michael and Katherine met us at Home Depot and together we chose a very nice tree.

(PS, the lady in the red coat was just another customer)

It was unusual for us to go in the daytime. We usually shop in the evening, but Katherine had to work the day we had planned to go (Thursday) and this was the only time she could meet us. The tree is now in the garage and smells really nice! 

Thanksgiving and 33 years

We had a nice Thanksgiving with my brother-in-law and his family. John-Joseph, who is 8, dressed up like a pilgrim for us.

It was a costume he wore for a school play.

Mike, Michael, Eileen (Noreen's mom) and Uncle Jimmy wait for dinner. I think John Joseph is behind Michael.

Nick was there, too. Alas, Katherine and James had to work because some retailers have NO respect for family and traditions!

The food was great, as usual. Noreen makes these killer nut cookies every holiday. I always look forward to them!

The next day was Mike and my 33rd wedding anniversary. Mike gave me a beautiful gold chain!

On Saturday, Mike and I went to a shower (yes, men were invited) for our good friend Virginia's grandson. The baby is due in December. I gave a monkey-themed package with a car mirror, sleeper, a monkey candle (in baby blue) and swaddling blankets. I hope to have something homemade done for the baby's birth!

Then on Sunday, we drove down to Atlantic City, New Jersey. We stayed at Bally's, courtesy of Mike's brother John and his wife, Noreen. They go often and get some nice perks, including free rooms and food.  We stayed just one night but would like to go back again some time. It was very enjoyable! The weather could not have been more perfect for a walk on the Boardwalk, and it was fun looking in the stores. We took our nephew, John Joseph, to Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum, which was pretty cool!

The sun was pretty bright, which is why we're squinting!

We had a little fun at the slot machines. Figuring the room and food were both free, we could afford to lose a bit. Actually, I broke just about even and Mike came out ahead a hundred dollars! Now that I know which machines are better, I might have better luck next time around.

Lunch with Katherine

My daughter and I went out to lunch at TGI Friday's yesterday to celebrate her birthday--which comes up on Saturday, November 9th. We always have such a good time together! We both had reubens and Diet Cokes.

After that, we went to a beauty supply store and I bought her some hair extensions. We crossed over the highway (by car, of course) and went shopping, first at Ulta (a makeup store) and then at Michael's Crafts Store. I treated Katherine to whatever she wanted, which included a special frame to hold a patch a friend gave her. It has the name of Billy Joel's bike shop on it, and Billy signed the back! She has always been a huge fan of him.

We talked about many things, as much as friends as mother-and-daughter. I'm glad I've got this kid!

Here is a picture taken on a recent trip she made to Connecticut:

Oh, and here's a picture of a clematis flower that bloomed in October in front of my house. Katherine says it is about 4 months past it's due date!

Rocky

Here is Rocky, my ancient ferret, sneaking what's left in the bottom of a cup of hot chocolate.

I'm not exactly sure how old Rocky is, but I think he's well past 7--a very old man who has the right to enjoy the occasional indulgence!

Pennsylvania

Mike and I drove (well, actually, he did the driving) to Johnstown, PA to visit our friends Maryann and Sam and their kids. We went from Columbus Day through Thursday. It was a very nice visit and Maryann and Sam made some good meals.

The kids were in school, except for the littlest one, Garrison. So we four adults went off on several 'adventures.' On the first day, we stopped by a very old church called "Shade Church." It is an old structure that is supposed to be haunted. It is never locked. No one knows if it is in use now, but someone is keeping it up because the place is clean. It still has the original candle-holder chandelier and wood-burning (or coal burning?) stove. The odd thing is that there is no place where the stove vents to the outside, and yet there is still wood in the box behind it as if it is being used.

I, for one, didn't feel any ghostly presences, but Maryann said something tugged her shirt. There is a graveyard next to it that dates back over 100 years. I found one grave, shaped like a little lamb, with no name on it. So I cleared away the overgrown grass at the base and found it was the resting place of a 2-week-old baby named Edna Marie. If she'd lived, she's be 95 years old. I don't know why, but it really intrigued me.

Mike and Maryann explore the Shade Church. Sometimes, I'm told, the old organ plays by itself.

We hit a mall the next day. Not a grand adventure but I had a great time shopping in a kitchen store! And on the last day, we went antiquing before heading home. I found a sweet Horseman doll from the 1950s. I think she is "Ruthie," but I'm not sure. All I know is, I really like her!

Shadow gets comfy

Here is Shadow snoozing on my couch, which is covered with Fall and Halloween-themed pillows!

My Brother Michael

Michael passed away in 1971. Hard to believe it was that many years ago.  Last week, we visited the grave of my father and Mike's parents. On Wednesday, we took a short drive to visit my brother's grave. I had told my mother we'd do this sometime soon, and it happened to be on the day of his birthday!

He would have been 64 this year, I think. Happy Birthday, Michael!

After the visit, we went to Cheeburger, Cheeburger for lunch and had really good burgers. I also had a peach shake. Then we went to the beach. We walked on the boardwalk and then along the water. Of course, I collected some rocks and shells. And Mike found me a piece of beach glass! It's a very pretty light blue color.

A seagull enjoys the view.

Paying respects

Mike and I took a nice drive out on the Island today. First stop was the cemetery, where my dad, dad-in-law and mom-in-law are all buried. I took a picture of my dad's grave. It's hard to believe he would have been 92 this year. I often wonder how much he would have enjoyed his adult grandchildren. He adored them as babies, and always called my daughter "Kate." I can only imagine the interesting conversations he would have had at the dinner table with Michael!

Afterwards, we went to JR's for lunch. We both had burgers and fries and got out of there for less than $22. There's a craft store next door where I bought a notebook covered in a plastic canvas folder with an Iris design. I'll give it to Katherine for her birthday or Christmas. I always like to buy at least something when I go into a shop. I know a lot of items are made by local people.

After a quick stop at a farmstand, we visited my bil's store, where I had a vanilla cone with chocolate sprinkles. John was busy filling these big plastic vats with wine. The wine is used in a product he invented called "Frosae," which is a sort of wine sorbet unlike anything else out there.

A pleasant drive home, with another stop at a local grocer store (yes, it's a grocery store, not a supermarket) for dinner ingredients. Skirt steak was on sale so I bought some, along with Italian bread and mushrooms. Sauteed the mushrooms, barbecued the steak, and sliced up farmstand tomatoes. An amazing dinner to top off a great day out with my husband!

Squirrels

Just enjoyin' an ear of corn!

My backyard babies are like pets to me, and therefore, part of my family.

Dinner Out

Had a nice dinner out with Michael, Katherine and Erick. They were all tired out from a work day, but it was a nice dinner. I had stuffed shrimp. Katherine, Erick and I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond afterwards. I bought a wicker dresser for $21--marked down from 70 something just because the frame was a little bent. I told Mike he can use it in his office.

He was in Connecticut today and Mohegan Sun. Went with my bil, sil and their son. It was 8 hours total driving/riding time (including a ferry and bus). I don't think I could stand all that driving. I told Mike if I was going to be on the road that long, I'd visit my sister again. He said it was interesting but he didn't win anything--just broke even. Not my idea of a fun day, so I'm glad I had the excuse of going out with the kids.

News Bulletin

We interrupt our program "90th Birthday Reunion" with the following report:

Last Friday, August 9th, 2013, Mike Pastore officially left his job of 30 years with CNA Insurance. It was not a decision made lightly, but considering certain uncomfortable changes in policy, it was the right one. I'm glad he did it. He's been working this past week to change insurance and set himself up with an LLC to do part-time consulting work. At first it was a little weird and scary but I think things are falling into place (especially financially) and we will do just fine.

Now, whenever I feel like it, I will return to regularly scheduled programming. Which means it is not really 'regularly scheduled.'

Family Bingo

Using an idea from Pinterest, I made up a Family Bingo game for the reunion. You can read about it on my other blog, 1000pointsofcreativity.blogspot.com. Not that anybody reads this blog.

Here are some pics:

I got tired of calling the names (reaching BINGO is harder than you'd think!) so my niece Jackie took over. That's her in the red sweater.

Life without computers

The kids actually did survive the four-day weekend without their computers, although I'm sure smart phones were in heavy use. Nicky actually brought him game system to play with in the hotel room. But at the reunion, they all socialized and enjoyed their time with their cousins. James took long, long walks up into the mountains, and sometimes Nicky entertained himself with an art pad. (He's actually pretty good at it, too!) Best of all, Michael and Katherine wowed everyone with their karaoke! (They sang "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart" and everyone loved it! (I think I already wrote about this but I was soooo proud!)

Grandma and Katherine

My sister Susan took this picture of Katherine and her grandma. I think it's sweet.

My dad passed away when Katherine was about 2, in 1987. Susan told me a story about the last time he saw 'Kate.' They lived 45 minutes from us and I'd take a drive out there weekly. Dad was suffering from terminal lung cancer and was on heavy duty meds for pain. But, knowing Katherine was visiting he did not take the meds so he'd be able to enjoy her. I never knew this. Susan says as soon as we left he got out the morphine, which pretty much knocked him out. It was the last time he saw Katherine. I'm not sure where Michael was that day, probably with his other grandparents. Dad loved the boys, but he just adored 'Kate.' She is named for his mother, btw.

More Upstate Stuff

My sister's husband actually built the house they live in, as well as all buildings on their property. He is a contractor. It seems to be an ongoing project as more is done each time we visit--and it's probably been 12 years since we were last up there.

Anyway, they have a pool table downstairs the kids played with. I practice shooting but it took quite a few tries to get all the balls in the pockets.

Katherine found a piece of the game room's decor to play with:

That's a coyote, btw. Well, it used to be.

Family Reunion

We all gathered up at my sister's place for a four-day-weekend to celebrate my mother's 90th birthday. It was  a wonderful weekend filled with games and food and 'catching up.' It was fun to see the new great-grandbabies, three adorable little boys!
I have some pics of my own but here is a group shot of all of us from my brother's camera:

My husband is in the middle behind my mom, in a red shirt. I'm next to him in a black jacket.

It was a beautiful weekend, weather-wise; not too hot, just a little rain. They live in the Allegheny Mountains and have acres and acres of woods around them. Mike got to see a little bear. I wasn't so lucky, even though I did walk on some trails! Most walking I've done in a long time. I wish it was like this around us, LOL! It is so peaceful up there.

Things

They were shooting off fireworks at a park about a half mile from me. This is what I caught with my camera:

Fourth of July was lots of fun. Michael came over. We had ribs and burgers, plus homemade lemonade and cole slaw.

Other news: I finally got to pet my feral backyard cat, Sweetie Boy! I gave him some salmon (it's dried stuff that I mixed with water), and he was so content eating it he didn't jump when I touched him. I just gently scratched him along his back. I've been able to do this twice. I hope that I can tame him, then have him fixed, so he can be an indoor cat. He is so thin, even with me feeding him every day, that I'm not sure he could survive winter. He's pretty young. Nutmeg is 13 and Melody is 9, so they are like old ladies compared to this fine young boy!

Stash

Rocky the Ferret likes to steal pens. Here is a stash of them that I found in the laundry room:

FOURTEEN!
No wonder I can never find a pen when I need one!

Mike's 59th

We started celebrating on Sunday when Mike's brother John took us all out to Olive Garden. Mike had lasagna, even though I told him I'd make it for him on his actual birthday! On that day, all the kids (except Jamie, who had to work) joined as at a local diner. Mike got his favorite--a good hamburger! I love that my husband is a man of simple tastes.

The kids gave him a gift card to Home Depot and I gave him a boxed set of CDs to listen to "Game of Thrones" in his car. I think he had a nice birthday!

Mike at Olive Garden.

Little Visitors

I was very privileged to see a Mama Raccoon and her two darling babies the other night! I was only able to snap a quick picture of them, since I had to put Shadow in Nicky's room. He tends to get crazy when he sees raccoons and I didn't want to scare the babies. I even woke up Mike but alas, by the time he got to the sliding doors, they were gone. I hope they come back again!

Mike's Gifts

Here are the gifts we gave Mike for Father's Day:

Father's Day

Mike had a nice Father's Day today. He started with a seafood feast at his brother's house, then enjoyed some Cannoli Cake here at home. The kids gave him an awesome present, a DeWalt radio. It has all kinds of bells and whistles. It's meant to be a job-site radio, which means it should last virtually forever. I think he'll really enjoy it.

I gave him a can of pistachio nuts that I refashioned after an idea I've seen around the net. Not as fancy as the kids' gift, but we are at a point in life where we don't do extravagant gifts. He got a big kick out of it and I know he'll enjoy both the pistachios (with a place to throw the shells) and the radio! He deserves it--no set of kids could have a better father!

It is the story of my life that I have misplaced my camera, so I will post pictures of the gifts another time.

Nick is 23!

My youngest, Nick, is 23 years old as of June 12th. Hard to believe! I was teasing him that he should have been born earlier in the month. He arrived 12 days after his due date!
Nick didn't want to go out to dinner, so he celebrated with a lobster I got for him. His brother, Jamie, steamed it for him over at the supermarket. (Jamie works behind the seafood counter.)

It's hard to get a picture of an adult kid without sneaking one (and I've already published the one with him looking so cute asleep with Shadow), so here is what he looked like 10 years ago:

Just imagine him with a shaved head and a beard and mustache!

More Cat stuff

Melody (top) has made friends with a little boy kitty I call "Sweetie Boy." Sweetie Boy is very shy. I'm pretty sure he's feral, and somewhere around a year old, maybe a little younger.

My cat is a lunatic

Somehow, she got herself into this wastebasket. Melody, you are crazy!

Mother's Day and a Communion

I made out like a bandit this Mother's Day. Between Mike and the kids I got about $500 in cash and gift cards, as well as chocolates and a gorgeous hydrangea plant! I'll be planting the hydrangea this week and hope it will bloom for a long time.

We hit our favorite restaurant, Catfish Annie's, on Thursday, since Mother's Day dining out is insane. I had twin lobsters, one of which became my lunch of Friday.

On Saturday, my nephew made his First Holy Communion. He looked so cute in his suit with the bow on his arm and a white carnation boutenierre! (I know that is misspelled!) We gave him gift cards to Toys R Us, money for his college fund and a few of the little plastic animals he likes. It was a really nice day.

Then comes Sunday, when I received all the loot mentioned above. We had a nice steak barbecue with corn muffins, salad and potato/egg salad. When Mike asked me how my Mother's Day went, I said, "it couldn't have been better!"

The flowers are a much more intense pink than the photo shows!

Katherine

Katherine tells me that working in a grocery store is more interesting than people might think. She's a manager for a store that is part of a large chain. Once she even got to meet Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie when they were filming locally. Today's incident wasn't so nice.

She found a customer, a man in about his 70s, lying on the floor. While a worker called 911, Katherine talked to the man. He came around and she asked if he had any medical history, like diabetes. Yes, he said. She asked if he wanted some orange juice and he said yes. He was helped into a chair. Then he started to complain that he couldn't breathe and was turning purple.

It took too long for the ambulance to arrive and the man pretty  much died in Katherine's arms. She was really bummed about it when she called me. I said at least the guy died with people and not alone. I'm sorry for the family but also sorry my daughter had to go through that.

Frankly, I'm pretty sure they don't pay her enough.

Chipmunk

After a week or more without rain, we had a thunderstorm today. It really came pouring down. But in  between storms, the birds and critters came out for their seeds and nuts. It was hard to catch a picture of  the chipmunk, as he moves quickly, so I put my camera on 'sport' mode. Here's a shot of him. I love how they stuff their cheeks!

More Pet Stuff

Melody's blood tests came back that she might need insulin. Her sugar was very high. I will be bringing her in as soon as I can save up enough for the tests. The insulin itself is cheap enough, although I dread the thought of giving her needles! 

Shadow acts as if he never had four teeth pulled! He's back to his old self, 100%, without the disgusting breath.

Home news: last week we had a new dining room floor put in and this week we got a new kitchen floor in the same wood pattern. I love it! It really brightens up the rooms! 

The flooring is called "Hamilton Oak," from Allure. That's Melody in the picture. We used to have a vinyl floor in various browns, and a rug in the dining room (NOT a good idea). I like this so much better! 

Now I am busy 'decluttering.' The store where my daughter is a manager is having a charity 'garage sale' and I'll have lots to donate! 

Poor Shadow

My dog Shadow Dante's breath has been horrendous, despite efforts to clean his teeth by me. I finally had him checked by the vet, and today I took him in to have them professionally cleaned. Turns out 4 of them were rotten and he had to have them pulled. He is home and seems fine, although sleepy from meds. I felt so bad for him, and the house seemed so empty without him. I'm glad to have him back with me, and hopefully the surgery will help with his mouth problems. He is not a dog who likes to chew hard things, which may be why so much tartar built up on his teeth. When I get my puppy, I will be sure to start brushing her teeth from day one. I've had other dogs but they never had a problem like this.

The vet says he should be totally fine in a few days. I have 3 different kinds of meds for him.

I also took Melody for her checkup tonight, when I went to pick up Shadow. She got 3 shots, including rabies. She's made a new friend, a cute little tabby that shows up in our back yard. I think it is feral as it will not come near me, and when I give it food it eats like it is half-starved. It's a boy and it doesn't look like it's been neutered. No prob for my girls since they are both fixed. Nutmeg does not like him, but Melody will actually lay down next to him.


Nutty goes for her checkup next week, then I am caught up! It's a lot of money for all the work but I'm glad it was finally done.

Lasagna Dinner

All the kids were here for lasagna dinner tonight. I made a big tray, plus a little tray for Erick to take home. It is part of his Christmas present. I had given him a 'voucher' good for several lasagna dinners through the year.

Everyone is signing a card to my Aunt Mary, who broke her hip a while back. I'll get it off tomorrow. It's just hard to get everyone together and I wanted all the names on the card.

We also decided on the hotel for my mother's 90th birthday party in July. Four rooms for all of us over the weekend. It should be a lot of fun to see the whole family, especially the new babies!

Another squirrel pic

Yeah, I'm squirrely for squirrels. Especially when they do cute things like munching on crusts of cinnamon toast!

Update

Okay, Nick wasn't chosen this time around. Probably because it was a cop-killer trial and they want people with more 'life's experience' for something so serious.

On Thursday, Katherine, Michael and I met at our favorite sushi restaurant. I had 'Spring Jamie' rolls (ha, since I have a son named Jamie) and sushi made with sweet potatoes. Both were out of this world. As usual, I had a great time with my kids. Katherine and I went shopping at Bed, Bath and Beyond after that.

Mike and I hit Home Depot the other night. Mike brought home white rocks and cedar mulch to put around the trees. He also picked up 4 really heavy bags of potting soil for me. I have opened one and used it to fill a big container in which I've planted lettuce. I also filled some peat pots which are sitting in my kitchen window with seeds for tomatoes and cauliflower. I'm hoping that by starting indoors I'll have better luck this year than I usually do. I'm trying for heirloom tomatoes!

I also planted sunflowers in some coffee cans! It would be cool if I could get some big ones!

Today Mike and I are meeting his brother and family and Uncle Jimmy to celebrate Uncle Jimmy's birthday at Outback. I don't really feel like going out but I figured it's better than sitting at the computer all day. And I'm in the mood for one of the 'wedge' salads.

Nick at Jury Duty

Nick was on telephone standby for jury duty at the courthouse in Brooklyn--federal, that is. Of course, he got called to come in. Mike and I put together a map and directions for him, since getting there involves the railroad and subway, in both of which he has very little experience. I dropped him off at the station to get a train that would take him in the general vicinity of the courthouse about an hour before he needed to be there. The second train would have cut it too close.
Nick told me later that finding his way was 'frustrating.' But at least he knows what he's doing now, since he might have to go back next week. He has to call Tuesday night to find out. I'm hoping 'no,' but at least now I won't worry about him getting there okay. It would surprise me if they did pick him for jury duty, since he's so young. But it would be a life's experience, I guess!

Easter

The kids came over for Easter dinner of ham, fettucine alfredo (with homemade noodles!) and salad. They really seemed to enjoy it. Katherine gave me some beautiful flowers. I wasn't going to do Easter baskets this year, for the first time. I even left the baskets up in the attic. But Mike said I should do something so I just put together little bags for James and Nick and filled some Easter boxes for Michael and Katherine. And for Erick, too, of course. Erick, unfortunately, was sick and missed the dinner.
Just a nice, quiet holiday--nothing fancy, just the way I like it.

The flowers are several varieties that I will try to replant out in the garden in a month or so. If I'm lucky, they'll come up again!

St. Patrick's Day, etc.

St. Patrick's Day fell on a Sunday this year, so I told Mike I wanted to make something. I put together a platter of fruit set out like a rainbow and made turkey sliders. The sliders featured avocados, which were also an ingredient in guacamole deviled eggs I made. I was going to make grilled cheese and corned beef sandwiches, but since it was just me, Mike and Michael (the other 3 were at work) I didn't. I gave half the corned beef to Michael to take home for a Reuben sandwich.
Mike said he didn't think he'd like turkey burgers, but he really liked these. Maybe because one of the ingredients was Parmesan cheese?

I printed out some mustaches for Katherine. She had fun with them at work!

Nothing much else is new around here. Jamie bought himself a new computer desk and did a nice job rearranging his room. I met Nick's manager the other day, who told me he wished he had 3 more like Nick! Proud Mama Moment!!!

Last Snow?

We got about 5 inches the other day. I hope it is the last we see of snow until next year. The daffodils are trying to come out!

Of course I fed my birds and squirrels!

So pretty against the white snow.

Pesky, but pretty. I have heard them imitate our friendly neighborhood hawk (yes, I have a hawk that lurks nearby). Jays do that to scare away other birds so they can have all the seeds and peanuts to themselves. Piggies!

I counted 27 mourning doves! 

Nicky at work

I met one of Nick's managers at work today. He told me he 'wished he had 3 more' like Nicky! It really made me feel proud of my son that he works so hard. It's nice to know, since he's majorly a nut at home and (sorry, but it's true) a slob. If he'd clean his room, I'd probably have a heart attack.

Valentine's Day

Mike gave me two boxes of chocolate--one with all darks and one mixed in a heart-shaped box. I took him out to the diner for dinner--his choice. Frankly, after 40+ Valentines Days together, we don't  need to do fancy-shmancy.

My cat Melody finds my Valentine's pillows very comfy. BTW, the hugging teddies were a gift from Mike long before we were married, so they are nearly 40 years old themselves!

Snowstorm, Pt. 2

Scroll down for part 1 and more pics.

The doorknob says it all

Mike dug a place for birdseed and peanuts

Chilly bird

Her mate came to ask, "are you warm enough?"

Digging for seeds in the birdfeeder--there were some leftover from before the storm!

Holy Snow!

We were hit with one of our worst snowstorms in years last night. Not exactly sure what the 'official' height is, but it's deep!

Out my front door

Up the block

My backyard