Well Happy New Year!

I know, I know, we're half way through January already and I'm just getting to the Happy New Year post. It was a crazy busy holiday this year, probably the busiest I've had in years, and it was great! Had stay-over company for nearly two weeks, did a lot of nearby traveling and visited with many of my friends and family in town. New Year's Eve was a lot of fun at a friend's house ~ all the younger children put on a special New Year's "Spectacular" Performance just after midnight, it was the cutest, funniest thing, reminded me so much of my kids. Perfect way to ring in the new year.

As promised on my Christmas post, here are the pics of the kids' Christmas gifts.

Now you know why it was hard to put up a photo ahead of time. It's pretty hard to disguise an acoustic guitar for my musical daughter and the family starter shotgun for my sports enthusiast son. You should have seen the size of the box I had to use to ship them both in together. Good thing my neighbor bought a really big deck box in the fall and had it shipped to his house...yep, recycling is a good thing, saves money. And yep, I had their gifts picked out and ready to go by the summer. I'm getting pretty good at planning ahead. You should have seen the look on the postal worker's face when I walked in to the post office to mail it. He laughed at why I would mail such a thing just a few miles away across town. We both got a good chuckle when I explained to him why. Seems everybody knows somebody who has gone through an ugly angry divorce, alas I'm never alone. I sure hope my kids enjoy their gifts. Would love to hear my daughter play something someday, and would love to take my son out for his first hunt. I'm sure they both know I'm just a phone call away.

And now it's mid-winter break time for my kids. Hope they have power at their house, with all this wind. Mine went out for a few hours this morning, but it's back on now. Both my kids are kicking butt in school this year. I'm so happy to see this, especially for my daughter. She really struggled the last few years, in some classes just barely passing at the end, but this year she actually has a 99 in trig going into mid-terms. I knew she could do it, just needed to buckle down and focus. Grades this year are super important to having choices with what you want to do in life after high school. Always best to have more choices than to limit yourself. My son, of course has always done well and continues to. I know he'll have lots of choices. I wonder what he's interested in after high school. He may not have even thought about it yet, he's just a freshman and really into sports, so I'm sure life after high school probably isn't even on his mind. Wishing them both the best of luck on mid-terms and regents. They've got a full week of exams ahead....study, rest and eat good! I'll know in a few weeks how they did.

In the mean time, think snow and enjoy the winter break! Too bad our Giants aren't in it this year, but I'm rooting for Baltimore. Who do you like? Love and miss ya both very much!

It's almost Christmastime!

I can tell because the house smells sooo good right now. Depending on where you walk, you can smell the fresh-cut Christmas pine tree, or the pot of homemade pasta sauce on the stove, filled with venison meatballs, or the freshly baked cookies ready to be wrapped up as gifts for the people I'll see over the next few days of Christmas, or the cinnamon or baked apple or cookie-scented candles burning in every room of the house. I love this time of year! The snowfall yesterday was a huge bonus, hope it lasts long enough to have a white Christmas.

Talked to my dad the other day, he sounds good, sent me a great picture of him and my stepmother taken at a Christmas party they went to with friends. Makes me so happy to see him smiling. His knee surgeries are on their way to healing and he'll be golfing before ya know it. Talked to my mom and sis, aunts, uncles and cousins from Naples recently too. Everyone is in good spirits, preparing for Christmas and sending much love and hugs to my kids ~ passing it along ~ muahs ~ everybody loves and misses you both, can't wait to see you again.

Did something a little different for my kids Christmas presents this year, hope they like them. Instead of a bunch of small things, they each got one thing bigger and more exciting. It was really hard to wrap them and even harder to try to disguise them so they can't guess (and even harder to package them to mail them). So I wrote on the outside of the shipping box to open on it on Christmas, because once they see the inside of the box they're going to guess pretty quick. Wish I could see their smiling happy faces :) They won't be able to help but smile. I'll post a pic of the presents here after Christmas to see if any of you can guess what they are.

In the mean time, keep dreaming those happy dreams and keep love in your heart, it's the only way. Know that as much as you love and miss me, I love and miss you that much more. We'll be together again when the time is right, hang in there ~ love always wins!

Happy Turkey Day!!

Wishing my kids a very happy Thanksgiving! Preparations are already underway here, as I'm sure they are at their home with their mom too. Made the homemade corn bread and wheat bread for the apple raisin stuffing last night, it's laying all over the house drying and making crumbs, lol. Got the pumpkin all cooked and pureed and ready to make a pie, although I did skip the homemade crust, I'm not nearly as good at that as my dad is, he can whip up a crust like it's nothing...I apparently didn't get that gene.

This year, I decided to smoke the turkey, with a molasses glaze that my Uncle mentioned to me the other day while I was in Naples hunting with all the cousins, so it's in a bag full of molasses & thyme and being massaged every few hours, lucky turkey, ha ha. I also got a beautiful 8-point buck on that hunting trip, so I'll be grilling up a few venison tenderloins as well. On opening day of gun season, I made the traditional trek to Naples to hunt for the weekend with all my uncles and cousins, we had a great time. My favorite Aunt made us her famously huge lunch and most of us took home a deer and tons of prizes from the raffle in town on Friday night. It was a spectacular weekend weather-wise too...there have been times when it was snowing or raining or just plain miserable, but this year was picture perfect....crisp, frosty, sunny mornings and mildly cool afternoons. I talked to my dad on the phone a few times while we were all down there. I could tell he was missing being there now that they sold the cabin and moved to Florida full time.

As much fun as I had, Naples just isn't the same any more now that my dad has moved. I remember how much my kids loved his cabin. We would take them there all the time. We would pull up and the kids would be out of the car before we could park...off running into the woods and down to the creek to find whatever creatures they could capture and bring to us, usually a frog. They loved exploring the woods, riding four-wheelers, and having campfires. It's just not like that anymore without the cabin. I walked up there a few times to check it out and walk the property. Sadly it sits empty, the family that bought it got transferred and hasn't sold it yet, so it sits unused. It's so sad, it's such a wonderful place that really needs a bunch of kids to enjoy it. Lots of great memories there though. Actually, I got my deer right there on dad's old property, in a spot I've always sat on opening day for close to 30 years now. The deer still live there, lol. Maybe someday I'll be able to bring my son up there again and he can enjoy hunting with all of us on opening day. He would love it, so awesome to be surrounded by family and enjoy the outdoors.

Ah, but we're on to new memories and I'm sure my kids are too...enjoying their holiday with their mother's half of their family, which was always fun, lots of new cousins on that side too, so I'm sure there will be lots of new great memories to be had. Sure wish my kids could enjoy the wholeness of spending time with all their family at the holidays, but perhaps someday. I'll be thinking of them and their quirky turkey habits, I'm sure those haven't changed much. I'll say a prayer for them and wait for them to come around, with love in my heart and my arms wide open for a great big turkey hug. Have a blessed holiday everyone and thanks for all the notes, outreach and good wishes...keep 'em coming!

Happy birthday to me

Had a wonderful birthday today, filled with lots of wishes from friends and family, people calling, texting, facebooking and stopping by my office to say hello. But there are two very special wishes that I really wish I had, and those are birthday wishes from my kids. Miss their great birthday hugs and smiling faces. Hope they thought of me today. Love and miss them very much.

October 2012 - Fall Catch-up

It's been a while since I've posted, and while I'm just relaxing (rare) on a Sunday afternoon, watching the Giants stomp all over the 49ers and the Bills pull off a miracle....thought I'd catch the blog up to date.

So proud of my son and his first year on the high school football team. Sure he's having the time of his life and becoming a better player every game. He's very smart with the game, and quick too. He's probably too busy with football (his practice schedule is just nuts) to notice that hunting season has started. Been out a few times in the tree stand behind my house with the bow but haven't had a shot yet. My son would love being out there, it's so peaceful to see the sun rise on a crisp fall morning. The teenage boy next door (same age as my son) has been out too and seen a few deer but not had a shot yet either. Hopefully between us we'll get a couple deer this year. We have a neighbors "game dinner" each winter with a little bit of everyone's catch for the season - fish, venison, turkey. My garden was super productive this year too, so I've got lots of vegetables in the freezer we can cook up, would make a fine hunter's stew.

Nice to see both my kids enjoying high school together - football games, pep rallys, and homecoming fun. My daughter is once again in the school play and singing and dancing her little heart out. Love to see her having so much fun and using her talents. Very proud of both my kids. And nice to see them both doing well in school so far this year. Hope they are taking advantage of all the opportunities to meet and talk to colleges that come to the school. They both have such bright futures ahead of them.

Things have settled down since all the family activities this summer. Nonnie is getting ready to head back to Florida, had lunch with her and Aunt Grace the other day. Little balls of energy those two. They send their love, hugs and many many kisses...I'm sure you can imagine. Grampa just had his knee replaced and is doing just fine. He's going to be a bionic man soon - two hips, a knee...what's next? He can still out-golf me. Uncle Gene is feeling pretty good too after his pace maker was put in. I'll see him this week for some planning and maybe a little golf. So long as the visit includes some of my Aunt Candy's cooking...hint hint. The Nova Scotia cousins are busy with soccer, volleyball, part time jobs and looking at colleges. Grampa visited them again late this summer and had a great time spoiling his granddaughters. Sure he made them all kinds of yummy goodies just like he did when he visited me earlier this summer. My dad is a really good cook, definitely where I got it from.

Guess that's all that's been going on, just felt like I hadn't written in a while. Been making shorter comments and stuff on the Facebook and Twitter pages, so be sure to check there too. Sometimes those are easier that sitting down to write. As it is, this took all afternoon between games, movies and stuff around the house. In fact, the first sentence here is now history in the books, but I think I'll just leave it. Have a great night, finish your homework, love and miss you both very much!

Happy 15th Birthday Son!

Wishing my son a very happy 15th birthday, hope he enjoyed his day despite having to get up bright and early for freshman orientation. It seems there is something with the school going on almost every year on his birthday. At least this way he got to see all his friends, which always makes a birthday that much more fun.

I can't believe he's a freshman in high school already, he's growing up so fast! I remember holding him as a baby, and when he first started walking and talking, and his first day of school, like it was just yesterday. His school photos came the other day and he is looking so mature and handsome....and more and more like me at his age. It's so cool how both my kids look just like me - my son looks like me at his age and my daughter looks like me now. Guess that's genetics for ya :)

I'm so proud of what a bright and talented young man he is becoming. He gets great grades, always on the honor or high honor roll, just like me. That will be a big help in getting college scholarships in a few years. I wonder what he's interested in studying, or if he's even given it any thought. At his age I don't think I had any idea. It took a few more years. But the grades are very important if you want to have choices, not only in school, but in life too....so keep it up son, you're doing great! He looks strong, like he works out. I'm sure football keeps him in shape and hopefully he is doing some other physical activity in the off season, maybe wrestling or something. I'm sure he's well into football practice for the upcoming season and playing freshman ball at the school. Would love to catch a game, all I need is an invitation...hint hint.

Eventhough I haven't talked to my son in over 4 years now, I of course still love him so very much (and always will), think about him each and every day (can't help it, his pictures are all over my office and house) and remember what it was like to be his age without a relationship with my dad. I understand what he is going through, although I'm sure he doesn't think I do. No kid thinks their parents understand or know anything :) I wish he wanted me around and in his life. Maybe he does but he just can't say it or show it. All he has to do is speak up, tell a trusted adult, call me and talk, invite me to a game, take me up on my offer to take him to lunch or golfing, or hunting....no pressure, no questions if he doesn't want to go there, he can even bring a friend if he wants. It's up to him, I hope he knows that. There is nothing preventing him from making the next move, except the fog of course.

On a lighter note, I saw my aunts, uncles and cousins in Naples yesterday. We all got together and had a boys day of golf at the course down there where my uncle and cousin work. It was so much fun and I remember being there with my son many years ago. In fact, my aunt dug up a note my son sent her after spending the night at her house back in 2005 and brought it to the party. It made me laugh, his little boy handwriting. He and my daughter always had such a good time there with all the cousins, playing in the creek and riding four wheelers, and being doted on by my aunt & uncle. I thought I'd share the note here so you all can enjoy it too. The Naples crew sends their love and birthday wishes.

I would also like to thank all my family and friends who helped make my son's birthday special for me too today. So many wonderful people called with their love, support and encouragement. It's a reminder of just how fortunate I really am to be surrounded by such loving, special people who truly care about me and my kids. It's too bad my kids are missing out on these kinds of positive, affirming relationships in their life. I know from experience that their world is not like that. My neighbors also stopped over with their sons, both my son's age and we did a little shooting in the backyard this afternoon. Hunting season is coming up and we're all gearing up and helping the boys practice with their bows. I can't wait to get out and spend some time in the woods near my house. Maybe someday my son will want to come along. I know they would all get along great. The older one is a lot like my son, very into his sports (lacrosse) and a good student.

Hope he received and enjoyed his gifts this year. It gets harder and harder not knowing what he's into and what specifically he likes. There are a couple good movies out, the Dark Knight movie and the Bourne Legacy look good, so I thought he'd enjoy passes to go with a friend (since he won't let me take him...ha ha). I also got him team necklaces for the Mets and the Giants. Have you seen those colored rope necklaces all the baseball players are wearing this year? Those. They look pretty cool. I hope he'll wear them. Sent him a couple nice shirts for school and a football movie that we watched together years ago. If you've never seen Facing the Giants you have to see it, it's a great movie. We both love football movies and that's one you can watch with your kids and feel good about it.

Enjoy the rest of your birthday son ~ I love and miss you very much and will always always be here for you. I will never, ever, give up on us. My door will always be open, stop by or call any time. Love you Bucko...and no, you're not too old for that! :)

Where did July go?

Wow, summer is flying by. July was a whirlwind of visits and family time. My dad and step mom started the month with an 8-day visit from Florida in early July. They stayed with me at my house, in the extra bedrooms I have saved for my kids someday. We stayed up late over chatty dinners, had good times over lazy morning breakfasts, and had a big family BBQ on the weekend. My dad even made me some very yummy zucchini muffins. He's a really good cook, must be where I get it from. My niece from Nova Scotia came in a few weeks before the rest of my sister's family so she got to come to the BBQ and visit with her grandparents. Afterwards we all played cards and my niece and step mom kicked my butt.

My niece has grown so much over the last year. She's become more outspoken and outgoing and a little less shy and reserved. She has a few little jobs to help save up money for college, plays soccer and still loves her horses. She's also become quite the photographer, capturing some really great people and scenery shots from her family travels over the last year. And she now has her driver's license and my dad even let her drive up the street to the store. He says she's a good driver. On top of all that, she's super smart, loves science class, and is looking more and more like my pretty sister every day. I'm so proud of her and glad we got to spend some extra time with her.

A week later my sister arrived from Nova Scotia with my other niece who had a soccer tournament that kept her busy sooner. Check her out, that's her flying through the air, the girl belongs in the Olympics. She's all of 5 foot something, not an ounce of fat on her, she packs a mean punch (believe me I know) and can kick a soccer ball or jump for a volley ball like it's nobody's business. My other niece took this photograph and you should see some of her other shots. Some serious talent between those two.

We took our annual trip to see Gramma in Ohio. Gramma is 92 and thinks she's 72. Still getting around just fine despite a nasty fall this spring where she broke her leg. She's got pins and rods and is practically bionic now, or at least she thinks she is. Still sharp as a tack, remembers the last thing we talked about a year ago and asked after my kids like she saw them just yesterday. I filled her in on their grades and activities, she sends her love. We hung out there for two days, watched a lot of Olympics, including the very bizarre opening ceremony, cycling, volleyball, track and swimming. Gotta admire the level of training and hard work those athletes put in.

Didn't get to see the cousins from Kentucky this time, but did see the cousins from nearby in Ohio and spend some time catching up with everyone. The kids are all getting taller and smarter and send hugs to my kids. Gramma still has her doggie friends, one of them, the bigger one, helped save her life when she fell this spring. The other is another stray that keeps hanging around and Gramma keeps feeding. Here's another great shot my niece took of the pups. Sure wish I could take them home with me, but I think Gramma needs them more than I do. There are a few more funny pictures from the Ohio trip posted on my facebook page.

After we got back to Rochester, my sister, brother-in-law and nieces came over for a BBQ. We picked all the veggies for dinner out of my garden, including sweet corn which was ready already, super early considering I planted in early May this year because of the mild winter. We had organic steak from the 1/4 cow I bought from a farmer in Naples. It was delightful. Afterwards we sat around the bon fire pit in my yard and told stories. Like the times at the cabin when we used to sit around the fire and throw stones in the woods so the kids would get scared and think there were things in the woods. Those stories evolved into tales of Peter Pan and bed pillow notes, it was a lot of fun!

Next thing I know, it's August and I'm a canning, freezing, garden preserving fool. The garden is in full bloom and I'm bringing veggie creations and gifts with me everywhere I go, including cottage parties on Conesus Lake with friends of mine including my god-daughter who just turned 17 yesterday. Holy cow, these kids are getting old, ha ha. I call her, and her sister, my nieces because our families are very close. My god-daughter is in the National Junior Honor Society and just came back from a week at a private and exclusive med-school camp in Boston and has returned a very different girl. Quite a bit more mature and looking forward to the next phases of her life in college and beyond. She has such a bright future ahead of her and I'm really excited for her. Her sister is no slouch either, a talented clarinet player who has been playing at Hochstein. Hard to fathom that I'm surrounded by such talented and gifted nieces with a world of possibilities ahead of them.

And now it's mid August, football season is approaching and I'm thinking about my son who will turn 15 later this month. He's such a smart boy, on the high honor roll and taking good care of himself, mind and body. You should see him, looks like he works out, he's got strong broad shoulders and biceps and calves that I envy. Ah, such is youth. I have to work so hard for mine, he probably does it effortlessly.

Here's a photo of the last birthday party that he and I shared together. It was a really special day that I will always remember. I hope he has a great birthday this year with his mom and her family and probably a few friends as well. I would love to take him out for lunch or a movie or golfing or anything really, for his birthday. We could have a nice little BBQ and bon fire and invite his family and friends he hasn't seen in almost 5 years now. It would be a lot of fun. All you have to do is call son, and I'll be there to make it happen. In the mean time, enjoy the rest of your summer and get yourself ready for the best football season ever. Would love to see him play, he's really good....fast, knows the game in his sleep, and most importantly he's a Giants fan just like me! Season opener coming up...Giants and Cowboys, let's watch it together son!