Being a Grandparent

We know for sure that just because our kids are all grown up and on their own that our worries don't end. We only know that in addition to our own three kids that they have three spouses and our 8 grandchildren. We love them all and hate to hear that anyone is ill, especially the little ones. It's frustrating to know that they are hours away and we can't just drop things and run to them when they need things. But, as parents, we all go through similar circumstances and have to depend on our spouses, friends and sometimes just our own strength to pull us through. Now I know just how my Mother felt.
This has been a particularly bad winter for sickness and, I hope for everyone's sake, that spring is just around the corner. We all need to open the windows and let the fresh air and sunshine clear away all those germs (and maybe a frozen shoulder and carpel tunnel and a good night's sleep :) I think that we all just want to get outdoors and play.

End of February

The end of February brings 60 degrees and a lot of melting. It feels like mud season is almost on our heels, but alas, two more snow storms are due tomorrow and Monday bringing possibly a foot more of the white stuff. I think that we'll be snowshoeing again soon. More winter pictures to follow....

Weekend Getaway

After a couple of busy weekends with a dog show and then an agility trial, we were able to take the weekend off and go to the lake. Saturday was gorgeous and we took out our cross country skis and skied down the entire lake and back. Of course we needed to bring the frisbee and skied a little and played a little. Boy, were those dogs ever tired when we got back!!! We also cut down a couple of dead birch trees that had been hanging over the lake for a couple of years. It's much better to cut the trees in the winter when you can "walk on water"... so to speak. We got another bedroom closet wire shelf installed and worked a little more on the workshop in the basement. We really, really enjoy our time up there in the winter... it's quiet and cozy.

Midnight in Moscow

Every New Year's Eve for the past few years, the Al Corey Big Band (of which Lee has been a member since 1972)plays a gig for the senior college of the University of Maine at Augusta. The gig starts at 1PM and ends at 4 (midnight in Moscow) with balloons, streamers and noise makers. A perfect gig for the senior set... and we're quickly getting there. After that Lee drove up to the Mt Washington hotel for another gig 'til the true midnight. No pictures of that, however, because I stayed at the lake, curled up by the fire, and watched the ball drop on TV :)

Family Fun

The day after Christmas, we had all the Maine contingent come to the lake to celebrate family and winter. The grandkids all had a great time sledding into the hay bales at the end of the lawn. Next year we'll be able to go down the hill and onto the frozen lake. The boys all fixed a little problem with Kevin's van. We all enjoyed a lasagna dinner and then pizza the next night before everyone left. Lucas and Kyra are peeking out the door to wait for Grandpa to come back with the pizza. Trevor was really proud that he lost his first tooth while everyone could be there to witness the event. I'm sure he probably has a few more that he is wiggling as we speak.

Holiday Projects

These pictures are probably past their prime, but I wanted to share them with everyone. We spent lots of time during our holiday break building storage units and shelving into our master bedroom closet, installing some new window shades and also recycling our old kitchen cabinets into workbenches in the basement. We even made a grooming table out of one of them.... Enjoy.

I'M BACK....

Well, it's taken me most of the day to figure out how to delete my Christmas music list and add more songs to another non holiday playlist. Sooooo.... Maybe I'll actually get some pictures and things up tomorrow :)
I did get to Skype with Jeff this afternoon. Wooo Hoooo!!! I haven't talked to him since New Year's Day. Thanks Jeff.... You made my day!!!