It's Back!

What's back? My camera! It's back from the camera hospital in New Jersey and working like new.  I feel like I got an old friend back again.  So here's some quick pics before retiring to bed.  I don't know about you but tomorrow is Christmas Eve and hopefully you're all ready for the big day.  I have to work tomorrow so I've been busy getting it all done...whew! I still took a minute to capture a few moments in time:

A light coating of snow on a festive barn.

My neighbors have the "real" barn I secretly...well, maybe not so secret now...covet.

Our Grandson Anthony is playing JV ball. We went to the game and was happy to cheer them on to victory!

A little action shot!

Go get 'em AJ!  Now for a final note... some Christmas cheer on the Pines:

Don't stand still around here or you'll get decorated

Have a seat by the driveway...I doubt any buses will be passing by though!

This old trailer could use a wreath...hmmmm

This sign says it all...hope he finds everyone this season...Merry Christmas!

Celebrate!

It seems like I've been AWOL from blogging.  Like everyone, we're busy getting ready to celebrate Christmas. One of our traditions is going to Chicago and gather with family. All my siblings made it this year traveling from places near and as far away as Panama. We'll head back home tomorrow with wonderful memories and hope in our hearts to all come back next year.  As always I take pictures. My camera is still in the hospital so my phone filled in nicely.

Thankfully no illness kept anyone away...Mom looking lovely!

My neice Katie had her dining room ready. We had almost 50 attend!

Food galore 

Sweets too!

Nothing sweeter than twins!

Serious discussion?

Brother Jim hanging out with Jack

Brother Rick and my lovely sister in-law Jan.

I was there too! We'll, blogging from my phone isn't easy so I'll finish this tomorrow. I'll end with my buddy Arnie.

Happy Holidays!

Hello December

I feel like I've been in a blog fog.  Not much to write about and to top it off I broke my camera, bought a new one, hated the new one and took it back, sent the broken camera to a camera hospital someplace in New Jersey, and I feel lost without it!  Anyway, God invented phone cameras for a reason and I'm resorting to using mine.  Here's a photo op of what's what at the Pines.
Our little Hallmark town had it's first ever tree lighting ceremony in our downtown area. 

 Pretty!

 Winner, winner, almost chicken dinner in our front yard.  She belongs to our neighbors and somehow found her way to the Pines.  Arnie had her spotted but I made sure he let her get on home.

 This really weird thing happened on Sunday.  I think it's called "sun".  Blue skies, sunshine, and temps in the mid 60's.  I'm sure Prozac sales went down for Ohioans on this day.

 I was so stunned I had to take a picture of my shadow. 

 Arnie was wondering where the water from the sky went.

 Good morning sun!

Super green backyard.  I noticed some white stuff tonight however.  We'll see how long the green lasts.

 Saturday we found a new little store to frequent. It's been around for a few years but changed owners and I like it!  It's a bulk food store with a deli and you can eat at the cute retro tables. Plus they feature local artists and sell the paintings.

 Jack helped me find some good chocolate for candy making.

 When you walk in the door this cozy corner is just calling you to sit for a spell!

That's about it for now.  Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.  December is rushing on and I'm feeling a bit behind in my shopping.  I know I'll get it done and hopefully this blog fog will lift and I'll have something a bit more exciting to write about.  Ok, who am I fooling..this is as good as it gets! Hello December!

Happy Birthday Jackie!

When it's my birthday..or my siblings birthdays..my Mom always calls and says: "Today is just like the day you were born."  She then goes on and describes the weather on the day we were born and any other details that we can chuckle over together!  Well, I'm here to say that today was NOT like the day our oldest son, Jack, was born.  ( I still call him Jackie..sorry sweetie!) Today was beautiful. 50 degrees and sunny.  Such a change from the past weeks weather.  We've had snow already:

Thankfully it's melted.

We had an  ice storm when my sister and Mom were driving in last week.  I'm glad everyone made it here and then home again safely.  So we welcomed the warmer and sometimes sunshine of this past weekend.  On the day Jackie was born it was a cold, snowy mess in Chicago on November 25, 1975.  Just a little note: Jackie was suppose to be born at the end of January, 1976.  He weighed in at 2lbs! He was truly a miracle baby 43 years ago to be born at that weight.  Today I went to his home for a lovely dinner and celebration and drove in the nice sunshine.  My hubby stayed home with a terrible cold.  He's been sick all weekend which is a very rare thing in his life!  My kids were stunned that he was actually ill.  Phil even commented that it must be the one in a millennial time frame for Dad to be sick!  Anyway, those who came for the birthday bash included the usual suspects:

Jackie's kiddos...Cameron was here too but missed being in this pic.

Dogs galore...except Arnie stayed home with Jack.  Here's Kip and Driana's new puppy. ( I can't remember his name!)  Those two played all day!

The birthday boy with his favorite Granddog, Happy.  After dinner we wanted to see Jackie's bday gift to himself...a guitar!  He plays drums but decided to learn how to play guitar.  His brother Phil came over with his guitar for a little jam session.

Phil trying out the new guitar.

This is Jackie's usual musical instrument along with a keyboard that his wife plays.

Little instruction from brother to brother.  The basement holds extra sleeping space for kids when they come home from college or visiting...but these bunkbeds reminded me of when these two guys were little! Ha!

My Granddaughter, Driana can play too.  The other fella in this pic is my daughter-in-law's nephew.  It was a fun music time.  I was glad I didn't get called out today and miss this!  Happy Birthday Jackie!  You are a wonderful son!  Love you!

Celebrating Early

The past week has been a flurry of us completing projects in our home and getting ready for a family visit from my sister and my Mom. Also my sister's daughter, Amy and her hubby and 3 kiddos came too. Add that into all my kids, grandkiddos and their boyfriends and a few of our friends, you have a houseful of love and noise, food and again fun. I need to send a huge thank you to Jack for all his hard work in getting the projects completed.  Whew, it was crazy at times! Thanks babe..you're the best!   We celebrated Thanksgiving early because of my call schedule this year.  I have Thanksgiving and the weekend.  Well, take Thanksgiving day off as one of my coworkers asked if I would trade that day for New Years day.  Anyway, our plans were already weeks in the making so we did the turkey day event on Saturday.  Mom and Midge came on Thursday with Amy and her clan on Friday.  I had been cooking for days already and with my sister's help we finished the food frenzy!  We set up the livingroom with enough tables and chairs for about 25.

Somehow it all worked out!

Plenty of food for an army!  Everyone gathered around the tables and it was great to hear all the talking, laughing and a bit of silence as food was consumed...loved it!  However, it was a bit tiring.

At 92 Mom pitched in and did as much as we would allow.  I caught this quick pic.  I have a new camera and I'm not pleased with it so far.  I have many blurry shots probably due to operator failure. But I'm sharing what few did come out..a few here are still not great.

92yr olds weren't the only tired ones..right Summer?

Here's a blurry one of my two Granddaughters, Lex and Addy Rae with Conner, Parker, and Ella. My niece Amy's three.

Ella latched on to Rae and they became bestie cousin friends!

Lex grabbed Parker's heart!

Here' s Mom making some food with Lex.  Photo bombed by an ice tray.

The other Grandkiddos..Summer, (Happy the Granddog), Anthony, Driana and Cameron.  I had the younger ones do a project.  They were to name what they were thankful for and color the turkey picture.

Yep, my family is truly what I'm thankful for too.  It was busy, hectic, noisy at times, but so worth the effort. I'm so glad Mom could make the trip.  We know it won't always be the case.  I treasure these moments.  I would be remiss if I didn't mention what day today is for our family.  My father passed away 42 years ago today.   He was the life of the party when we all gathered.  When he passed we truly had a hard time getting into the party mood.  Over the years we have enjoyed many celebrations but in my mind he's very close by and I'm sure enjoying seeing us all gathered together.   I miss him every day.

I also have to thank my sister Midge for all the work and help she was but also for the many laughs and talks we shared.  There was a time when we would stay up to all hours of the early morning talking and laughing with Mom included.  We are all passed the late hours but thankfully have many good moments during waking times!  In all the excitement and preparations I never got a pic of us.  I will make sure I do at the family Christmas gathering in a few weeks.  So I'll just share one of my favorite me and Midge moments:

Love you little sister...you're the best!  I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving this week and finds many things to be Thankful for in life.