My list

Well - I've given my notice at my 'second' job so that I can have more time for life, me, RB and my friends and family. But in doing so - I'm all the sudden more busy than before! LOL - it's a good thing - I'm spending time with more people and meeting new people and learning a lot.

So...the subject of this post - My List.

There are things that I want to try and accomplish in the next couple of months.

1.) Book more Tastefully Simple parties and see where that takes me. Also - tied to that is - put together a basket for the Walk from Obesity fundraiser on September 17 in Syracuse.

2.) Get my house cleaned up, spruced up, patched up, painted, and get the floors waxed. I can do all of this, just need to put my mind to it. :)

3.) Make and SEND Christmas cards this year. The make part isn't too hard - the SEND part is harder for me - I seem to have a mental lapse.

4.) Make and SEND Christmas gifts. This is hard - I usually take the approach that everyone needs something different, unique to them. Well - that's all fine and good, but it tends to make me stop dead in my tracks and not do anything. So - I'm going to think of a more generic gift for people - straight from my heart and my hands.

5.) Decorate for Christmas this year. The last few years my house has been very sparsely decorated - and this year I think that outside lights (just a few- not going crazy) and a nice sized tree in the house will be in order.

6.) Rearrange my Dining and Living rooms - which means flipping them - but that goes back to #2 - painting, waxing, patching, cleaning. :)

7.) Be there more for my friends and try to be a better friend to them.

That's it for now - maybe I'll be able to stick to it better!

Stillwater Reservoir

RB and I went camping this past weekend. It was the first time we've gone alone - and didn't have someone already at Stillwater with the camp site all picked out and set up. It was fun! First - we had too much stuff to make one trip in the boat. You have to have a boat to get to the sites at Stillwater - well there is one site that is available by car - but what fun is that?
So RB and I loaded up the boat - put the rest of the stuff on the beach by the dock and I waved goodbye to him as he went to the only site left in the whole place! I figured it would take about 1.5 hours - it was actually closer to two, but I got to meet and speak with a lot of different people. And Charlie, the beautiful golden retriever, slept at my feet and was a sweetheart toward the end of my wait.
When RB did show up, I could tell by the look on his face that he wasn't impressed with the site that we had. He had a lot of hauling - uphill to get things up to the camping area. And the beach was a whole 4 feet wide. Well - we filled the boat with the rest of the stuff and took another ride to site 18. Long story short - yes it was a haul up a hill and if you had to run from a bear it would be scary going down the root stairs. But it was beautiful. Breathtaking. Peaceful. Wonderful. Our site was set up so well - we had a huge tarp that acted as a rain break just in case - it was 10'x20' and covered the tent and a nice little space for RB and I to sit and watch the fire. Lots of firewood, beautiful view, and a privy - aka box in the woods to do your business.
Swimming was very enjoyable from our site as was fishing! I caught three keeper size small mouth bass and one baby - we (RB) let all of them go. I just enjoy the thrill of catching them - it's enjoyable....
The trip home was one boat trip - we were able to consolidate - so that made it easier. Plus RB built a trailer for the boat - so that in itself made everything much easier unloading into the truck.
Another great summer weekend....
:)

Summer, Summer, Summer

It has been one of the best, busiest, most lovely summers since childhood. It started out shaky (of course) with all of the rain and yucky weather that we have had, and I was working too much and got sick (shingles and upper respiratory infection). But now that I've dropped a lot of the hours - and spent a lot of time outside - I'm feeling tons better!

I did do the 40 mile Tour De Cure - a few minutes faster than last year - and three days into shingles and I didn't even know it! I knew something was wrong - but had no idea what it was - and in typical Michelle fashion I basically ignored it that day.

July fourth weekend we went camping up at Stillwater Reservoir. It was awesome! The weather was great - RB has a boat now - so we didn't have to borrow the his friends Ganoe (a very fun and interesting little boat, but RB's boat is a bit bigger and less apt to tip).  We set up our tent on the beach of a little island - we were with 3 other couples, they were up in the wooded area more but we had a beautiful view of the lake in it's glory.

This was the view from our tent - about 5 am - the sun was just coming up.

The first night we were there - trying out the boat - the fishing poles and relaxing - beautiful sunset - I took a LOT of pictures. 

For the last few weeks RB has been building a boat trailer - he amazes me with his talent. It turned out fantastic and "Speed Racer" ,as the boat has been dubbed, fits on it like it was born to be there!  Then he got his hands on a 9.5HP 1969 Evinrude motor and we've been out testing it - he's been doing a lot of work on it too. So the culmination of all of this is that we are going camping again this weekend. YEAH!!!!

I'm so thankful that God has put RB and all of my wonderful friends in my life. KS and I will get some time together next week - and see BH up at the Delta Lake Inn. 

Blue skies...nothing but blue skies do I see!!!

It is such a pleasure to wake up in the morning to the sound of birds chirping, the sun streaming through the blinds and the crisp morning air wafting through the open window. It's a soul rejuvenation thing! A smile, laughter giggle producing spring day!

My mom is here from Texas, she had a long flight yesterday but it all went well. Thank you God for answering prayers so readily! The weather is behaving for her too - so it's a wonderful thing.

The Tour de Cure is coming up in 4 weeks - I'm trying to get in shape!!! Actually its just my butt I'm worried about! :)

I think that's about it for now...enjoy the weather, the sun, the rebirth of mother nature and most of all, enjoy your loved ones.

Green

I just noticed last night as I was driving to second job that the trees are taking on a green hue with the buds. And the grass is growing all of the sudden too but can't mow because it's been raining almost everyday. But I'm so glad that the warm weather is here finally.

I'm painting my living room with help from RB and then spring cleaning like crazy. My mom is coming to visit in two weeks.

The Tour de Cure is coming up in less than 6 weeks. Yikes! I need to get out and get riding!

Happy spring!

Special Day

Tomorrow - almost Today - and may be at the rate I'm going - the 26th of March is a very special day in my recent history.

I met RB a year ago on the 26th for the first time at the Tramontane Cafe in Utica. I was so excited, nervous, scared, ready to flee at any time and hide! But he was waiting for me in the parking lot - I knew who he was immediately, his picture didn't do him justice. He jumped out of his truck - sure of himself, comfortable with himself, no pretenses, no silliness - just RB. I was very glad in those first few minutes that I had decided to follow through with the meeting as he didn't give me the feeling that I didn't meet his expectations and that was a welcome thing. We sat at a small table after ordering our drinks - I think that I got a cookie or cake too - not sure - I was too happy to talk to this man, he listened, answered, talked, joked, and looked me in the eyes and he was just himself - it was a great first 'date'.

So tomorrow we celebrate that first date and the great year that followed and hopefully this will be the first of many.....

I love you RB!

Spring is here!!!!!

I say that and of course they are predicting snow today - I just hope that they are wrong! Wrong I say! dead Wrong! NO MORE SNOW (please God?!?!?!)

Okay got that out of my system.

A List of things I would like to accomplish this spring:
1.) paint the living and dining rooms
2.) Clean up out back and roto-till a nice area for a garden
3.) cut down and trim back some trees in said back yard
4.) repaint the steps on front porch and create a better cover for them. The water dripping beat up the paint.
5.) wash all my outdoor furniture and set up an oasis on my front porch for Saturday and Sunday morning coffee
6.) dig out the stones in my pergola floor, dig up the dirt and level it out lower than the frame. Put down weed fabric, then put gravel and crushed granite in it for a floor. :)
7.) find inexpensive fabric to hang from back and sides of pergola for a romantic and less buggy experience.
8.) learn how to change front wheel bearings, sway bar links and maybe a muffler on my car.
9.) get my iPad2 and learn all of it's neat abilities.
10.) ride my bike outside and raise lots of money for the American Diabetes Association!
11.) clean up my basement
12.) clean up my attic
13.) have a huge garage sale and pay for the things that I want to do this summer with the proceeds!
14.) Enjoy all of the above and then some!!!!

I know that there is more to add to that list - but I think I'll stop now and formulate the next one - anyone got any ideas for me???

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Good Morning - yesterday was the St. Patrick's Day Parade and festivities here in Utica and many other small towns in upstate - actually probably in many cities and towns in the US. I didn't do a lot yesterday around the house. Did get to have yummy Chicken Quesadillas at Kelly's house. Then I had to work last night at my other job. Lovely.

Today I've been cleaning my house like a whirling dervish! My basement has a river running through it - so the fan, dehumidifier and sump pump are running like there's no end. I'm going to have a heck of a garage sale when spring/summer finally get here. Tired of all of the clutter and stuff I keep moving from place to place.

Now - onto the Corned Beef and Cabbage - my wonderful RB is here and brought all the fixings and his pressure cooker - we are going to have a veritable feast in about an hour! YUMMY!!!!

I have been negligent with blogging - I'll hopefully get back into it. It's been a very long and dreary winter with a wonderful visit from a friend that hails from Australia!

For KS

 I started writing this post last year - in fact almost a year ago. My friend's lovely mom passed away and poor K was hurting so bad... Edna Mom was such a wonderful lovely lady... She loved K so very much and her sons and grandkids and her pups... She loved to fish, go on adventures with K, crochet, spend time with her pups, watch K play Mario - and cheer her on or boo her when she did bad. Edna Mom was funny, went to the murder mysteries that K and I were in - laughed at our silliness. She was a sweetheart and my mom when my mother moved away, and even before that when my mom was sick and I needed a shoulder.

Below is what I wrote last year to K -

KS don't cry....well - go ahead but remember the good stuff. Your mom was a wonderful, funny, sweet, loving lady. I know she loved you so much and thought that you and I were trouble with a capitol T and loved our funny adventures and stories. I know you thought she listened to me more than you about stuff like the blood sugar tester - but I think she was just scared and needed more than one person to tell her the same thing.  Her adventure this fall with you was awesome - she had the time of her life - and loved every minute.

K - I love ya! and I'm thinking and praying for you and your brothers....

Welcome 2011!

It was a great way to welcome the New Year. RB and I went to his camp up north - no running water, solar electricity, and wood stove heat. All that means is that it's very quiet and peaceful. We went up on Thursday night - it was seriously cold at the camp when we got there but RB had it heated up in no time. That wood stove got it so warm up there that I slept without covers! Then he used the wood stove to bake two potatoes - in this neat pan that has a 'shelf' in it and a nice rounded top - those potatoes were fantastic. He had also made the best BBQ chicken I've ever had - nice and spicy and moist - he heated that up on the wood stove too. (There is a propane stove there but why waste a good wood fire?)

I taught him how to play War with a deck of cards - neither one of us could think a card game and we were waiting for it to warm up. I won - he won't play anymore! LOL

We ate our marvelous meal and then went for a walk in the dark - he has a new flashlight from his sister that lights up the world! It was so awesome. Then we crashed - it had been a long day.

We got up on Friday morning and it was gorgeous out! The sun was shining, the sky was blue and we watched many deer cross behind and in front of the camp. Big deer too! RB made coffee and we sat and drank while we contemplated what we would do. I made breakfast - scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausage and toast - with help of course - RB watched the potatoes and toast as we cooked them on the wood stove. It was pretty darned good if I say so myself!

We took a hike through the woods to another road that leads to the 'top' of the creek - I always say that but it's just where the creek is a series of small waterfalls coming down over rocks before it calms down in RB's neighborhood. We didn't make it to the trail that leads down the the falls - I wussed out on him, but it was a good walk - and our blue skies started to darken up and the sun was hiding. We got back to camp and I laid down - I think I'm still trying to catch up on my lost sleep before Christmas. RB worked on installing a propane furnace to test it - it works! He rearranged furniture and everything and I just crashed.

Later we went for a drive, then went to his friends camp to visit with them. When we got back we had a wonderful dinner of Filet Mignon and potatoes - it was a perfect amount - oh and shrimp and cocktail sauce to start it out! YUM! We decided to go for another walk - without benefit of flashlight this time and it was really neat - we ended up at the creek - sat on the bench and watched as the clouds moved northeast and the stars came out in all of their splendor. It was incredible we also saw a shooting star!
What a wonderful evening!

So that is how we celebrated the coming of the new year! I can't wait to do it again next year.