New Sharp Things!

Look at them...all cute and sharp...sterile, clean, untouched and pretty! 

The little one needs to be engraved before it goes anywhere but the dragonfly is already in rotation. 

Of course I had to buy a Coach purse to balance out the fact that I just bought two knives. 

Makes me wonder what I’ll end up buying to balance the home protection purchase... 

Stairway to Heaven…Phase Two…

Training for Maine! In the rain!

Can't complain! (when I slip and fall on wet rocks)

Did not buy it but definitely climbed - the Stairway to Heaven!

And ended up on Pinwheel Vista which needs to be renamed Tornado Vista - I was flying my hat as a kite!!

 

Met two fun dogs on the trail but more importantly, found Spongebob's home!!

Violet, You're Turning Violet!!

I think I have a purple problem..... 

I could have changed the phone case's color after the dog ate it but obviously didn't...

Wanderer...

A touch of editing but the color of this plant really is green and purple!

(It makes me happy that the plant is thriving - The little shoots were given to me by a friend's mom during his House Warming/Deployment party) 

Stairway to Heaven…Phase One…

I had one of my “surprise myself with a random day off” days and decided that a hike was in order. Wawayanda Mountain and part of the Appalachian Trail was the destination.

I have to go back and actually climb the Stairway to Heaven and the rest of the mountain - the dog really can’t go more than 4.5 miles without getting tuckered out. (darn little legs!) 

She took a roll in some poo (yes, poo - ick) and brought home two ticks but otherwise a fun time was had by all! 

Kid-Full Weekend...

This past weekend was very, very full of kids – loads of fun but also very tiring. 

Day 1 – It prompted me to call my faraway friend and thank her for exposing me to the herd of kids that her children travel with – they equipped me with the experience to be able to handle helping at a Fun Fair. 

It was my first time being in charge of a Bounce House though…..and making snowcones en masse. 

I’m still pretty proud of myself of figuring out a way to entertain the kids that were waiting. We had a New Year’s Eve style countdown every five minutes – nothing says LOUD like a group of kids making a buzzer sound knowing that once those other kids get out, it is their turn to bounce!! 

I was very touched that my friend’s son wanted me to drive him to dinner. Even more touched that she let him get in the car with me. It can be explained away that it was easier than arguing with him or whatever, but we almost got into an accident when we picked up her wedding gown 15 years ago and she has been my passenger only once or twice since then. Seriously, I was going to cry that she trusted me with her child. Turns out that he is a very good backseat driver and no yellow light can be ignored!! His younger brother and I had a fun time randomly communicating with straws all during dinner. They are both such good kids and I do treasure the time that I get to spend with them. 

Day 2 – When a lifelong friend asks you to come to her house on a Friday night to help, you go – no questions asked. You cut up fruit for the next two hours and then say “What next?” 

Yes, I happily ate that fruit salad on Sunday – despite the rain, despite that things did not flow as expected and despite the fact that our lives are so different now. Between set up and clean up, it was a long day but she had a great baby shower and that is what we all wanted. 

Another reminder that life moves forward and you can’t let the bad stuff drag you too far down! 

I’m still dragging today from the weekend – probably worse than the party weekends…..but it was worth it!! 

Hey Universe…

Hey Universe…it’s been a while….

Since we have the great job covered (a bit more cash would be nice but hey, I do love the job and they spoil us so no real complaints), I’m just throwing this out there:

Some reinforcement in my financial discipline.  (This is the year that it will be paid off)

The two story house (not a split level ranch) with the sunny kitchen, french doors, garage, great yard to play croquet and volleyball in and everything else on "the" list.

The four legged creatures that add to everyday life.  (as a constant - not to add to what is already there now)

The chubby cheeked little ones that grow up to be wonderful people.

Vacations that are relaxing and indulging.

The right person to share it all with. 




I know that you are working on it, but I figured it would not hurt to put some positive affirmation it out there...

Cross Estate Gardens...

I've been here a few times before (hike, Mansion in May) but the M-O-M came here alot to find solace after crazy days with grandma. 

We went back for a full happy occasion. 

They have cut back the wisteria, but we got some good family pictures. 

Yoo-hoo Rapunzel!!

And since she is a mom many times over, the Zazoo was gussied up for the occasion too. 

Probably the best line of the day was a man asking us “What kind of mutt is that?” and his wife immediately smacking him and saying “That’s a corgi! You have just insulted one of the Queen’s dogs!!”

Little Legs...

The legs may be little but she kept up this morning! Even insisted that I take her picture by Hemlock Falls...

Such a different life from the previous one for her - she gets to go to interesting places and does not have too many boring days sitting at home...

Ramapo Mountains & Castle Point...

Another trek into an area that I lived in for seven years and never really explored. 

Sad furnace is sad. 

Crossing Rt. 287 via the Cannonball(!!!) Trail

(this was very odd – a bit dizzying but also really cool)

Token blaze pic with a little extra... 

Theme??

Holey moley, holey moley, holey moley!!

It’s an undeniable theme!

Disney.

Johnny Depp.

Combined for a remake of Into the Woods.
 

How weird is it that this is showing up in my life SO much right now???

The lyrics to that show just fit every situation so perfectly….


Hello, little girl, What's your rush? 
You're missing all the flowers. 
The sun won't set for hours, 
Take your time….

Days Later...

So the thing...

There were a few "Into The Woods" moments of "What am I doing here? I'm in the wrong story!"

Craziness fueled by a live band and beverages.

Debates about brunettes and 19 year olds.

 

A hostage situation that ended with chocolate chip pancakes.

Yummy meat, red wine and a chat about tires.

“What was that?"

"Was that me? Was that him?”
 

  

Yup...

Yup, it was....

Bill Posters...

Signing In...

I enjoy the sign-in process alot...no idea why...

Officially in the woods!

Notch of Pecoy!

Second mountain of the weekend!

 It was a great climb even though the tiredness from the night before took over. 
I have to go back to hit the peaks. 

Dibble's Quarry – provided a spot to take a break and a survey the other mountains that need to be climbed.

Met some awesome dogs when we got up to Pecoy Notch - off leash, happy as can be and SO well trained. The owners had a great time showing off what they could do. I was touched that the "shy" one came up to me say hi and for an ear rub. (The other had bounced into my lap to give kisses shortly after we met.) 

Spruce on Top!

Snow up at the top of Hunter Mountain - this one is going to be a late spring/summer climb. 

 

First mountain of this past weekend.
Go thataway for the view!!