Happy Birthday, Amanda

Today is my daughter’s birthday. It was a special day for her, but at first it was a very special day for her father and me. Our first baby.

1Me & Amanda

Amanda was the first child born to us. She was healthy and happy and amazingly beautiful! We both immediately fell in love with our girl.

Amanda made me a mother, and as I took care of her, I realized that each day she taught me so much. It continues to this day.

She was a bright and alert baby who seemed to grow up very quickly. Always sweet and loving, yet determined to set the world on fire.

img801 (2)

Whatever she sets her mind to, she accomplishes, but perhaps her greatest accomplishment is being a wonderful mother to her two kids, their three dogs, and a cat!

311696094_10229624793425838_1793860466664539530_nSavannah & Amanda.
295085709_10228958938019869_9022500550669028540_n (1)Quinn and Amanda.

I am so proud of the woman she has become. She is a self-made woman who continues tackling challenges many would run from.

So, on this special birthday, I wish her good health, much happiness, and the fulfillment of all her dreams.

274585151_10228104515499840_3694990152230981417_n

I love you so much, Amanda!

I Think I Need…

In the last few months, I have been living at my Physical therapist’s office. My body, in general, has stopped doing what it should. Shoulders that don’t work, a back that seems to go out more than I do, and a mind that finds naps insanely wonderful!

So as my Therapist was working on my right shoulder, I began to think. You know what I need now that I am getting old(er)? A stunt double to handle all my miscellaneous body movements!

Imagine waking up each morning and giving your body double it’s chores for the day, while you sit in the sun at the beach…ah, Heaven.

131059219_2793054987613754_7347382249664705514_n

The Friday Five ~ December 12th

letitsnowCan you believe it? Here we are, in December, the last month of 2025! I am sure many of you will agree: 2025 has gone awfully fast!  This past week was going to be a busy one, so I decided to call the “Puppy Nanny” to care for Heidi and go to Salem and stay for a few days, as my events were all in that area.

  1. I was invited to my cousin’s 70th birthday bash last weekend. Dave is the kindest man in the entire world. He is married to my cousin, Janet, who grew up with me and is very much like a sister.20251207_175423We all love Dave dearly. Left to right, my cousin, Larry, brother-in-law, Ron, the birthday boy, Dave, Melodie, me, Janet, and Traci. The party was so much fun, and I got to see so many people I hadn’t seen in a very long time, as well as my sister, Melodie, and my brother-in-law, Ron.
  2. The next day I was free, so Janet picked me up at the hotel I stay at when I am in Salem, New Hampshire, and we hit the Mall. It dawned on me that aside from the small Outlet Mall near me, it was the first time I had been in a real Mall in ten years.2025-12-12-06-58-49-919

    It felt good to walk around, and I even purchased a  few things for myself. Like, two pairs of jeans that are now two sizes smaller than what I was wearing 4 years ago, two pairs of winter gloves, a bed jacket, and a beautiful scarf.

    Messenger_creation_81BE8922-268B-45F0-BF7B-4456636CA3C0

    We stopped for lunch at a Greek restaurant decorated for Christmas and enjoyed an excellent meal!

  3. Janet dropped me at the hotel, where I napped and also had a quick meal before falling asleep. I stay at the IHG in Salem and have each time I had appointments with my Eye Surgeon.
  4. Tuesday dawned, and I got up and had a quick breakfast. My appointment was set for 11:30 that morning. I was nervous, but also felt that my eye had been doing well. After having the inside of both eyes photographed, pressures taken (16 and 15), and getting dilated, I was ready to see Dr. S. He came in, carefully examined each eye. We lamented about all we had been through together before he told me I was good to go. Come back in one year, unless something unforeseen happens, and then call. I left the office on cloud nine!
  5. Now I need to go to my local Optician and get new glasses. I will make an appointment after the holidays.

However, as Christmas nears, it is safe to say I got the best gift of all—my vision.

2025-12-02-12-31-33-709

Oh Yes, Life Goes On…

You probably are wondering where I have been the last few weeks. A lot has been going on, and by the end of the day, I usually snuggle up with Heidi and fall asleep.

I had contracted with a company to clean and restain my cedar shingles.  We weren’t sure if they would get to it this Autumn, or if we would need to wait until Spring.  However, they called me almost right away and were able to start. Here is a before picture.

20250620_151921The process of cleaning (pressure washing) the shingles and restaining was awe-inspiring. I wish I had a good front-of-the-house picture, but here is the front now. Restained and new shutters!

2025-12-02-08-53-49-953Although the shutters look black in the picture (I blame the snowstorm), they are, in fact, a deep blue.

So the madness and mayhem of construction were all around me, and I sat down to write a letter on my laptop, and everything was crazy. Those who know me well know that computers and I do not always get along. However, a long time ago, I met a man named Brad, whom we always called for repairs. My brain wanted to understand computers, and Brad taught me gently what I needed to know.

I always remember him telling me, “Give it a go and if you can’t get it done, call me.”

I decided to back up everything this time. Then I sat down and completely wiped the hard drive. I took my time, thought it through, and planned. Once it was done, I began to reprogram the laptop.

The first thing I did was uninstall OneDrive. I swear that program has caused me more trouble than it ever has actually helped.

Then, slowly, slowly, I added the files I wanted, leaving the rest on my external hard drive.

Naturally, there was a day spent going through accounts to add in auto-fill answers and also setting up other programs I use frequently. I went very slowly, and finally, I can say, it is all done.

Then Thanksgiving was upon us, and I had a long drive to my daughters and back.

Life quieted down briefly, and now I am back up and have two full weeks of appointments coming up. One day I am free, and I think I may go to the Outlet Mall.

Snow fell for the first time yesterday. We got between 8 and 10 inches of snow. Previously, I had gotten a small electric snow blower. I was a bit hesitant to use it in the dark. Today I got it out, and here is what I found.

a5d09bf2-e075-4b36-b34d-47d2fc46708a

It works great every 3-4 inches. Now I know I will stay on top of things. After all, little Heidi has short legs and needs help getting through the snow.

I also had a dental appointment to clean my teeth and have a tooth that has been bothering me checked. Much to my dismay, a root-canaled molar crown had gotten chipped. Next week, they will remove the old crown and get me ready for a new one. It could have been worse.

Just as I was catching my breath from all of the above, I realized my big goal of cleaning closet #2 had been forgotten. So, as I got out my hat and gloves for the snow, I also started pulling things out of the closet to deal with.  All in good time.

2025-12-02-12-31-33-709

Happy 54th Anniversary ~ Melodie & Ron!

Fiftyfour years ago today, I stood by my sister’s side as she said her wedding vows. Melodie was marrying her soul-mate, Ron. I watched them look into each other’s eyes, and I knew their marriage would last. Here is what Mel has to say about her life with Ron and a short montage after.

260548726_658949778804761_8115942131202214456_n

“Ron and I celebrate 54 years of marriage today! We are so blessed to have each other and still be so in love! We did not have beautiful wedding photos so during the past year we dressed up and took many pictures of us at several special places! It was great fun! Once we had taken all the photos my dear sister made a wonderful slide show set to our pick of music! Thank you Maribeth for doing this for us!! We hope you all enjoy it!”

Happy 54th Anniversary!

Happy Birthday To Me!

Well, here I am. Today is my 67th Birthday. I recall various family members reaching this grand old age, and here I am not feeling all that old!

I’m happily a Mom, an oma, and I am owned by a little dog named Heidi.

So how does it feel to be 67? Funny actually. I have things mostly figured out. I know what I like and what I don’t, and naptime is so welcome.

I stop and watch with wonder as all the animals and birds that fill my yard come into view. How lucky I am to see them eating apples, catching a field mouse, or munching leaves.

Life sure has been interesting over the last 66 years! I could write volumes recounting each moment, but suffice it to say, it has never been boring.

Here is a short video I made a few years back.  I watched it and thought about how much I still enjoy it.

Here’s to number 67. Let’s see what we can do to get to number 68!

2025-11-14-12-10-02-165

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Katie!

Many years ago, a little girl lived who brought joy and laughter to all she knew. She was a kind child with a wicked sense of humor and an infectious laugh. She loved Barbie dolls, yogurt, and dancing with the Solid Gold dancers on TV.

Today would have been her 47th birthday. I wonder what she would have been like and where her life would have taken her.

So, Happy Heavenly Birthday, Katie.

kate1a

We love you and will always miss you!

Katie with her much-loved sister, Amanda.

5. E four (2)

The Friday Five ~ Oct. 31

Happy Halloween!

1000_F_211914291_Qs09VKAaEx15YWyQu8MYNEGTTffPyDeEWell, here we are. The last day of October. Where has the year gone? I know that part of the year was quite stressful as I was worried about the vision in my left eye, but as we race to the end of 2015 things are looking bright. Here are this week’s Friday Five.

  1. I have never been a person who putters around. Not my thing. And yet, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday that is exactly what I did. Consequently my shelves are tidy and neat!
  2. I overfilled my pajama drawer and it got stuck. I was unsure how to fix it, as I could not get it open. So I Googled it. First I searched and found out that I needed to get the drawer above out and then pinch the two slide mechanisms and gently slide the drawer out. Anyway these drawers weigh a ton, but in the end I was able to do it as well as put everything back. I’m pretty proud of that.
  3. I went in today for my first hair shaping in nearly two years.
    67e98f18-811d-43b2-8d66-460a9635da12 (1)
    The good news is that my natural curls are back and my hair will be eaasier to do.
  4. I stopped over at George’s Diner for lunch on Thursday. It’s the first time I have been there since Jon and Jose were here.
  5. Lastly, My plans this weekend are to keep puttering. I want this place to not only look neat, but actually be neat, even the closets!

Have a great weekend as we welcome in the month of November.

2022-06-09_02-26-22

Happy 4th Birthday Heidi!

It’s hard to believe that Heidi is now four years old. It seems like just the other day, I flew down to Nashville to pick her up. I’d seen pictures and somehow knew we were meant to be together.

I think of everything we have been through, and I know I could not have gotten through it all without my best little buddy.

The little puppy with the red collar is my girl.

51996183473_33b3e0a835_o

It’s amazing how a little being like Heidi has fit into my life so easily. It’s like I have always known her.

A big thank you to her Breeder, Gail, from Boreas Dachshunds. She surprised me when I went to pick up Heidi. You see all registered dogs have a Professional name. She is Heidi, but in the AKC she is Boreas Happy Ending.

And that she is! My Happy Ending!

For the first nine months of her life, I slept with my boots on so I could race outside with her during potty training. This sweet little doll has slept with me every night, curled up on top of my stomach.

She brings me such joy!

20250316_142934Happy Birthday, Heidi!

The Friday Five Oct. 17th

1000_F_211914291_Qs09VKAaEx15YWyQu8MYNEGTTffPyDeE

  1. I felt pretty sad to hear of Diane Keaton’s death. It seems that 2025 has been full of losses in the entertainment world. I remember talking with my grandmother about loss. But for her, it wasn’t just celebrities; it was people in her own family and peer group. She said that if you live long enough, it happens. Grandma has been gone 40 years, but I still recall our conversations, and I miss her very much.
  2. My house shingles are done. I have cedar shakes for my siding, thus proving you can take the girl off of Cape Cod, but you can’t take the Cape Cod out of the girl. It was a big job. Anyone who has had to refinish cedar shakes knows that you need to strip the mold and mildew off the shingles and then use a good product to seal, tint, and finish the seal.
  3. I also needed some repair work done to the outside frames of the windows. Anyway, it’s all done now, and I ordered the shutters. Once again, my house is a light, Cape Cod blue/gray.
  4. Just when I thought that my health was on an upswing, I got the stomach flu! It hit me like a ton of bricks. So I am taking things slowly, and I hope the flu will be gone quickly.
  5. I’ve been playing around with AI. For me, I have used it to look back at what might have been. For anyone who has lost a child, there comes a day when there are no new pictures. For me, it has been forty years. But with AI, I made a little snippet so that it lets me see Katie once again.

2022-06-09_02-26-22