Halloween

My new office is into Halloween so I decided to take part. The Cascade Settlement Agency Team (all 3 three of us) dressed up as witches. You can't see our legs, but we all had different colored striped tights. I made us witches hats - which actually turned out pretty cool. It was me and the glue gun! (I need to start changing my Martha Stewart office persona). My Mom also whipped up a cape tht was pretty cool.

I hear there is also an Ugly Sweater contest around Christmas - guess I'll have to start looking.

Max loves animals

Max is taking his new "Country Dog" status a little too far. We have had two encounters with wild animals in the last week - not something that I'm thrilled about. Last Thursday, as I was in the middle of decorating 60 cupcakes with spiders for my office, Max went outside and encountered a SKUNK. That's right, the smelliest of all animals. We knew right away when he came back into the house. He went right into the bath tub and had a series of treatments. First a regular bath, which I knew wasn't going to do much, then a mixture of peroxide, baking soda and dish soap (which was fairly helpful) and then a follow up of white vinegar. This hour and a half spa session resulted in a less smelly and bearable Max. I will give him credit for being really good in the bath tub. He's still a little smelly if you get too close to his face, but he is very much improved.

Last night he decided to take another jaunt around the house in the dark by himself. I called him and he wouldn't come so I set out to see what he was up to. I found him barking at an opossum in the back yard. I thought it was dead and didn't want him rolling in it (another endearing thing he has done in the past). I went back out with my Dad about an hour later to remove the dead animal and it was gone - thus the saying "Playing Opossum." Which means that I was two feet from a live opossum - double yuck!

Thus the adventurs of Max, the country dog, continue.

Shout out to Amy Hayes!

It snowed yesterday in Upstate New York. Bet you can't beat that in South Carolina!

I should have some fun Halloween pictures to post tomorrow. I went with one of out closing coordinators, Jessica, today and we had our nails painted black. My department is a coven of witches - we have super fancy hats and two of us have capes. It should be fun. I guess a lot of people in the office dress up - they even have a walk-off. I might have to be missing during that.

Who Signed Me Up for This!

For all of those who think that Match.com is a good idea - this is the email I received today:


From: whiteeagle45 (whiteeagle45@talkmatch.com)
To: CloverKP (CloverKP@talkmatch.com)
Date received: October 28, 2008
Subject: Intro.
Hi. just saw your profile, I would like to talk with you more. your profile and mibe are quit similar. wich is great. I'm not sore when you'll recieve this e-mail. please let me know if your interested in talking more.. my profile is at whiteeagle45 if not please let me know.. I don't get offended when someone is honest and truethful.After all, you ang I both are trying to find that someone special to fill a void in sre lives. that someone to spend time with and share life with...
From: whiteeagle45 (whiteeagle45@talkmatch.com)

In addition to this eloquently worded email his is 43 and the age range for women that he is seeking 18 to 35!!! Someone has a little too much confidence.

Thought some of you would get a kick out of this. If anyone would like to go out with him let me know and I'll see what I can do. Is there anyone out there that is normal?

Thank You

A big Thank You to everyone who donated for the American Cancer Socity Breast Cancer walk. Our office raised over $7,600 and an additional $2,500 was donated by the owners of my company. I surpassed my goal and raised $690. Thank you also to those who sent along names for my memory flower. I had so many names that a paper flower became impractical - so I transferred the names onto pink fabric petals and made a very large flower pin. Many people commented on it throughout the day.

It was a little chilly, but a beautiful day! We had 39 employees walk and almost 80 people with family and friends. I love that my new office is dedicated to being involved with the community and supportive of several causes. Many employees in the company have been touched by cancer in one way or another and really did a great job in raising funds. We also volunteered at the Memory Tent where people were able to write names or encouraging words on blocks of the quilt. This was a very emotional and inspiring experience.

Thanks again for being so supportive!

Etsy Finds

If you haven't checked out Etsy.com lately? Roxanne and I have been fascinated with birds this year. I was looking at these owls today. Isn't it cute? I think I might need to order one. Here's the link. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15715926 The Seller is called The Quirky Corn Crib.

I love this site - there's so much to look at. Check out the site if you haven't already. It is mostly handmade items.

I saw Ami last weekend and she commented on my new hedgehog tote - so I thought I would share. Isn't is cute! As most of you know I have a thing for hedgehogs, which originated with Max's dog toys. I have a few others in my collection and I'm always on the lookout. At the State Fair I found a hedgehog ornament and last week at a fall festival I found a hedgehog necklace (which I pointed out to my Dad and I should be receiving it for Christmas - yes, I'm spoiled). The tote is from www.modcloth.com. Check out their site - they have a ton of cute totes (Roxanne - there is one with birds that I think you might like. I've started my Christmas shopping and found a few things on their site.

This weekend was pretty busy, but I don't feel like I really did anything. I Dad was away for the weekend, so Max went to hang out with my Gram yesterday a.m. while my Mom and I had our hair cut. Then we went to the Mall for a little bit and picked up a couple of things. We had dinner with at my Grams and hung out with her for the night. Today Max had a bath (maybe tomorrow I will post about the disaster with his tail), I cleaned my closet and switched out my summer clothes, took a 4.5 mile walk with my Dad and dogs and did some more things around the house - not very exciting, but busy.

Happy Fall - the leaves are starting to change here!

Black Cloud

I know I'm not the only one who feels this way lately, but I'm pretty sure I have a purpetual black cloud over my head. This week I continued me streak of bad luck with a fender bender - welll, a little more than my fender is bended. Actually, my front bumper is stuck on with duck tape. I will try and post a picture tomorrow. I'm sure this will be a fun couple of weeks of dealing with the insurance company and garage. Oh well, something to do - right?

High School Revisited

I might be living one of my worst nightmares - going back to High School. It's actually not that bad ... yet. I signed up at the community gym, which is located at my High School. The facility is actually pretty nice - gym, pool, running track, racquetball. But I'm scared to death of running into people that I know. I started taking an aerobics class on Monday and Wednesday and there are a few people in there that I recognize from High School. I thought it would be as bad as gym class was back then! It wasn't quite that bad and I'm not sure anyone recognized me (thank goodness), but I'm working at keeping a low profile.

I'm trying to think up a good picture of Max for my holiday cards - any suggestions? We were playing with some of my old socks last week and I enjoy putting them on his feet/paws (he does a crazy walk with them on and then works at taking them off). Don't worry, it's not animal cruelty - he comes back for more once he has them off. I'm thinking about some kind of stripped holiday socks? I don't know if he'll keep them on long enough to take a picture, but it might be worth a try.

I'm getting pretty good at giving my parent's dog a bath. This past weekend she escaped and ended up in a huge mud puddle. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of her - she was a mess! She needed a bath anyway, so at least she had fun getting really dirty.

I have been slacking off in posting ...

Thank you to everyone who has already sent back their pledge for the American Cancer Society walk I am participating in with my office - everyone has been very generous.

Max had an eye appointment last week to check a very large white spot that had moved into his bad eye. Even though he does not see out of that eye I was concerned that he would still need treatment, and I was even more concerned that they would want to remove the eye. When we went to Tufts for his cataract surgery they wanted to remove the bad eye since it may be prone to problems in the future. I'm happy to report that they did not recommend any treatment for the eye - just eye drops once a day. We do have to go back every six months, but I'm happy that is all we have to do (right now anyway).

We are coming into the homestretch at Cascade Settlement Agency. I am hoping to have software next week and finalize our bank accounts. I never imagined that it would take this long - although there were many things out of my control. I will be happy when everything is finally in place and I can start closing some loans (hopefully)!

I was able to touch base this week with the Moriarty's. This is a family that I nannied for while I was in college and have kept in touch with over the years. I will be helping Jenny Moriarty with the sale of her father's house. It was so nice to speak with her and get caught up on the kids. However, it always makes me feel really old - their youngest is a Senior in High School and she was only 10 months old when I first arrived at their house. They are a fantastic family and it's great to hear how the "kids" are doing.

Some really big news... A Hobby Lobby has opened in Rochester! So I'm crazy about craft stores ... what can I do. Hobby Lobby is a cross between Michael's/Joann's/Home Goods. It's pretty neat. One of the women in my office is cutting their weekly coupon out of her paper and I signed up for their newsletter - so that's two 40% off coupons a week! I did a little Holiday shopping there already. We drawing names for Christmas this year and I have my cousin's daughter, Nora (she's 9). As one of her gifts I'm going to do an advent tree. I found a hot pink stick tree (I don't know what else to call it) - it has about 15 branches of different sizes that stick out. I'm going to make some ornaments and containers to hang on the tree. She will have one to open each day for the 25 days before Christmas. I'm going to do a bunch of little things for her - candy, things from Clair's, etc. I think it should be a fun project. I'll have to post some pictures as I go along. If you have any ideas let me know.

Miss you all - hugs to everyone!

Making Strides for Breast Cancer

On October 5th I will be walking with my office for the American Cancer Society Making Strides for Breast Cancer. I am sending out my request for pledges this week. One thing about my new office that I really appreciate is their dedication to charity. They are involved with several organizations and put together events during the year. The owners are all very involved with charities of their choice as well. They have already made a $2,500 donation to the Making Strides walk and have challenged the employees to raise funds as well. I have never participated in one of these walks and I am looking forward to being part of the group effort. So any amount that you would be willing to donate would go a long way toward my goal of $500.

I am also walking this Sunday with my Mom in the Central New York SPCA walk. This is the shelter where Max and Neika came from. We will be taking the dogs with us and doing the short walk. My Dad wants me to sign a pledge that I won't bring another dog home with me (since they are going to have adoptable dogs there).

This past weekend I was able to see Leana Lucas (of Scrapbook Club fame)! She was visiting her sister in Rochester and it was great to catch up.

Banner

Thank you to Roxanne for designing a banner for me! She did a great job and it's too cute! I guess I will definitely have to keep this up now. Roxanne - you're the best and so creative!

The Great NY State Fair

The past couple of weeks the New York State Fair has been open in Syracuse. It brings back so many childhood memories - so who can resist. My parents and I headed there the weekend before last to see the sights and most importantly eat the food. The highlight for me is the Birds of Prey exhibit where you get to have your picture taken with one of the birds. I've done this in the past with Owls - so this year I tried the Falcon. My parents can never figure out how to use my camera - so I have video rather than a photo. I will upload the photo they took for my "donation."

To keep with the animal theme, we also spent time in the horse barn looking at the minature horses (something I've wanted for a long time). One of the owners told us they are more like dogs than horses - even better! I also took my Dad on a tour of the rabbit barn - since I've been trying to convince him to build me a bunny hutch since I moved home. No luck with persuading him, but I narrowed down my choice of bunnies. We did not spend any time with the chickens - yuck!

I was also able to see Ami Dudzinski Mehr over the long weekend. She was home visiting her parents and we met for dinner. It was so nice to see a familar face and to catch up. It's kind-of lonely out here, but eventually I will meet some people to hang out with. I miss all of you!!

I hope everyone had a good weekend and hurray for those of you with kids in school (My Mom used to call it Mother's Day when I went back to school).

View

Just a view from our pond of my parent's house. Check out all the corn! It's crazy how fast it has grown in the past 2 months. Max's new favorite hobby is jumping in the ditches at invisible objects - I'm pretty sure he thinks there is something there. He kept stomping around the same place the other day - I told him whatever he thought was there was certainly long gone. He's too cute though.

Gotcha Day Party

Sunday was Max's 3rd Gotcha Day! I feel like he's been around forever, not just 3 years. He had a great day. We had a picnic with my Grandma, Aunt and the Devendorf's (family friends with 5 year old twins - the perfect guests for this event).

I made some Pupcakes for Max and Neika and and cupcakes for the humans. We had a big picnic and spent the afternoon and early evening out in the yard and on the deck. We took the kids up to the pond where they searched for frogs (with no luck) and for a wagon ride behind the lawn mower (with Neika in the wagon and Max running behind since he doesn't like riding in it). I love the picture of Reid sitting next to Max up by the pond - every boy should have a dog!

We are also thinking about our friend Tillman this week - his Birthday is coming up - Happy Birthday Tillman!!

The day before Max had a bandage on his leg. He decided to get away from my Dad while looking at the horse in the field up the road. Max loves the horse and we are always up there looking at her. She's very friendly and does a little dance for you when you come up to visit. Max chased her all the way down the field and then much to my Dad's surprise the horse chased Max all the way back. I guess Max was running full out on the way back. We are pretty sure that the horse thought this was great fun and was playing, but I'm not sure that Max thought the chase back was fun. Anyway, he cut himself while all this was going on and was bleeding on the floor - so he had to have a bandage. He was really good with it and kept it on all night.

Max is loving the country! I love this picture of him running behind the wagon. What a life ...

Welcome, little guy

Bridget and Mike have a new addition to their family - John Joseph - or Jack. Here he is - and he's a cutie. Congratulations Bridget & Mike!!

Tomorrow I should have some Gotcha Day pictures of Max.

I've been going through a lot of old pictures and scanning them into the computer. I'm hoping to make CD's and put them in my parent's safe. My worst fear is a fire and loosing all of the family pictures. My grandparents had a fire long before I was born and we don't have many old pictures from my mom's side of the family. I am the keeper of all the old photos for my Dad's side and want to get them all stored away.

I've also found some pictures from when I was younger. I particularly like this one of Becky Hill and myself (I'm on the right) at the local State Park. We entered our dog, Jenny, in the costume contest as what else - a hot dog. I don't remember her being as old as she looks in the picture, but I remember parading her around for the judges. I think I might have even won a ribbon. I will have to share this picture with Becky and see if she remembers.

In other news, Bridget has had a baby boy - John Joseph or Jack for short. Once I figure out how to get the pictures off my phone I will post one - he's very cute! Congrats Bridget and Mike!! I'm looking forward to meeting the little guy.

Operation Tuna Salad

As most of you know I've had my profile up on Match.com since the winter. Inspired by Ami and Gene, I thought it might be a way to meet that special someone. I never really found anyone in MA that I wanted to even make conversation with. When I started the new job I figured I would change the zip code and see if there were any takers here in UNY. I did get a wink and email from "Brian." Quite honestly, I emailed his profile around asking what people thought and if they thought he was gay from the details in his profile.

Anyway, I had lunch with him one day last week and it went ok. My biggest complaints were that he seemed a little into himself and he didn't really ask me any questions. He wanted to go out again, so I decided that maybe he was just nervous and I'd give it another shot. We met for dinner on Friday night - it was about the same as lunch. He's interesting, but not interested in finding out about my life. No questions about my family, how I ended up in Rochester or what I do for work - just a little strange to me. On the other hand I seem to know alot about him. I'm just not really attracted to him either.

I was talking to Julie before I went in to meet him. I told her I was going to have to make up something crazy to say if it seemed like he wanted to go out again. However, I came up with a better solution: Operation Tuna Salad. If I had tuna on my salad at dinner then he wouldn't be able to get that close to me, right? I highly recommend this plan to any of you single gals out there. It completely worked! But now I do need help since he wants to go out again. I'm going to have to put an end to this - he's just not for me. Any crazy suggestions? He just texted me again.

"Life is made up of moments and choices. We can choose to do the small things we must do with great care, or we can choose to stay focused on the "big things" and miss everything in the process. It's the small, step-by-step, creatively and beautifully engaged act that changes us and ultimately changes the world." Todd Henry

A quote posted on the Ali Edward's blog today. All the scrapbookers should check out her blog - I find her very inspirational.

A little laugh

Some of you might appreciate this. Here is the clown picture that I promised in one of my first posts. This is not my proudest moment. However, my Dad and I used to do some functions and charity events. My clown name: Jellybean. I'm sure this will give you guys a good laugh! What would we do without the 70's?

Tonight I'm headed to a Rochester Red Wings game - yes, local AAA baseball. Gone are the days of the fantastic Red Sox seats. We are bringing about 30 clients and a few staff members. It's just not the same going to these work events without the gang from Res/Title (I miss you guys). Please don't really seem interested in talking much. I'm just so used to being able to take a break and chat with someone. Both Frank and Anthony called me last night to check in - it's always good to hear a familiar voice. I'm hoping that once I have people working with me that I'll be able to make some friends. Don't worry - no one can replace my MA friends.

Wells Visit

Just a shout out today to all the Wells College gals. This picture was from April when we were in New York for Ami's Bridal Shower. We had a chance on Saturday to take a trip back to campus, have lunch at the Aurora Inn (thank you Ami), visit MacKenzie-Childs pottery and to tour some of the Cayuga Lake wineries. We dragged Roxanne along with us (no kicking and screaming though). Ami's wedding has been a blessing. I was able to become friends with Roxanne; who is my crafting solemate. And I have been able to reconnect with Dena. I'm hoping to get everyone to take a girls vacation later this year or in the spring. Hopefully I will also see Ami when she visits her parents and Roxanne can hitch a ride. There is a great scrapbook store right near Ami's parents that I need to take them to.

If you have never heard of Mackenzie-Childs check out their website. www.mackenzie-childs.com. It's a store that is near to the hearts of the Wells women.

Happy Wednesday to all. Don't forget ... Project Runway tonight! Does anyone have a favorite?

Max and the Bike

I think I've told some of you, but my Dad bikes with their dog, Neika. He is also training Max to run along side the bike as well. It's going ok. Max doesn't always pay attention to the bike so he needs lots of reminding. He is starting to pick up the pace though - he's been clocked at 9 miles an hour (for a very short period of time); Occasionally my Dad takes both the dogs at the same time; crazy - huh?

Our other weekend activities included a yard sale of a woman who used to run a scrapbook store (I bought 3 albums for $15.50 - 2 of them are 12 x 12) and a bunch of other goodies. The finds even included some pink and brown items for Ami's Bridal Shower album (Rox & Ami - I picked up some for you too). We also made a trip to Syracuse to purchase new running shoes. There is a store out here called Fleet Feet where my Dad gets all of his running sneakers. They actually take the time to measure you and make you walk and run so they can see how your feet work. Then they bring out sneakers that they think will work best for you. I couldn't believe the difference. I chose a pair of Brooks - and I really love them. I ran with them last night and they seemed to make a difference in my stride. Maybe they will help in my next race.

I was happy to sleep in a little yesterday. The new job has me up at 5:45 a.m. every day. I'm not really a morning person, so this is a challenge for me. Actually, the real challenge is going to bed earlier. I hope everyone had a great weekend. More tomorrow...I have a lunch date!

Cousins

In June my cousin, Tim, and his family were in Boston for a few days. I was back in Acton packing up my things and was able to spend a couple of days with them. They live so far away, and it nice to see them whenever they are in the Northeast. On the first day we visited the Aquarium - I hadn't been there is such a long time. It's so fun to go there with kids. The second day I met them bright and early and we spent the whole day seeing the sights. We took the trolley (I felt like such a tourist), but mostly walked. We went to the USS Consitution, which the kids loved. The first picture is of Mary and Todd. They really are the best kids around. Mary will be 14 in September (I can't believe it) and since I'm her Godmother I always try to spoil her. Todd will be 13 in December. He's become such a little man. He is such a delight to talk to.

We also visited the Bunker Hill Monument; which I had never been to even though I worked in Charlestown for two years. A warning: don't climb to the top of the monument if you are planning on moving for the next two days! I had the sorest legs I've ever had. I thought it was just me being out of shape, but then my cousin mentioned to me that everyones legs hurt the next day. I love this picture of Mary sitting in one of the windows at the top of the monument. I'm going to frame this for my office.

At the end of the day we found some water to play in. The kids immediately took of their shoes and did a little running around. We finished with dinner at Legal Seafood - one of my all time favorites and a treat to share it with the Lincolns. I'm hoping to get down to visit the girls in Alabama this year - it's just too much fun to spoil them.

I have to share these pictures from my wonderful friend Donna (and one of Max's favorite people). Donna rescued a dog from Much Love Animal Rescue (http://www.muchlove.org/) a couple of years ago. Pulgoso has been come a friend of Max's and he is enjoying a wonderful life in Massachusetts. Although, he's not really sure about that in the winter, as he was a California dog. Donna has been invited to their annual fundraiser for the past two years. This isn't just any fundraiser - it's actually held at the Playboy Mansion! Last year she was able to meet Cesar Millan last year. She has shared a couple of pictures from this years event.

If you are ever in the donating mood - this is a great organization. They are a no-kill shelter and they take on even the most difficult dogs to adopt. Pulgoso was at the shelter for several years before he found his forever home with Donna and her husband. Donna often says that she hopes she comes back as one of our dogs.

Finds ...

As promised, here are some pictures of my most recent yardsale and antique show finds.

I'm totally in love with this chair. Yes, it's lime green (the color didn't come out that good in the picture). When I finally have a place of my own again I'm going to design a whole room with this chair in mind. It's perfect for a dressing table. I also purchased the vintage flower pillow that was displayed with the chair as they go perfectly together.

I also purchased these two throws at the same antique show. One is hot pink and the other bright green - both would go nicely in a room with the chair or on the back of a couch. I just couldn't pass them up.

Some other finds from the Route 90 Fifty Mile Yard Sale were this vintage book (I just loved the cover) that I might use for an altered book, the owl trivet (I'm really into birds right now), the interesting foreign playing cards (probably to be used in a scrapbook project), the square transferware dishes (there are seven, which will probably be used for dipping oil at a future dinner party), and the yo-yo pillow cover. All of the items pictures were purchased for 50 cents or less other than the bowl. Pretty good.

Living the UNY (Upstate New York) Life

Hello friends!! I miss everyone and I have been inspired by Ami, Roxanne and Dena to create a blog. I miss sharing stories with everyone and feel a little lonely out here in Upstate New York (which will hereinafter be referred to as UNY). So this Blog will give me an outlet to share with those of you who tune in.


As some of you know, one of my favorite past-times is antiquing. I love old things and the the hunt. While I usually seek out antique stores or shows, I have come to enjoy the thrill of finding something at a yard sale. This past weekend was the Route 90 Fifty Mile Yard Sale. For the Wells girls they will recognize Route 90 as the road on which Wells College is located. I've even seen this listed in magazines. So, my Dad humored me and drove the Route - making frequent stops. I couldn't believe the traffic and also the amount of junk. I was able to find some great things for really cheap (next year I'm bringing a bag of quarters) - including children's books, transferware dishes, lace, a small pitcher, an owl trivet and a bunch of other goodies. I will take some pictures this weekend and post them. I also have a great chair that I purchased a couple of weeks ago at an antiques show that I will share with everyone.


Saturday night the family, including Max, enjoyed the weekly bank concert in Fair Haven, NY. My Dad made fun of me because I brought a quilt for Max to lay on. Max humored me by laying on it for a while.


There are a ton of festivals in UNY this time of year. On Sunday we went to Harborfest in Oswego, NY. Max was also there for this event. He even had his picture taken (while he was staring at my sorbet) for the Oswego Daily News, but we didn't make the paper. He did have his picture taken with an old family friend, Sweatheart the Clown (who is also a Wells Alum). I have known Bob and Cathy Gibbons (aka Sweatheart) since I was in elementary school. For those of you who are interested in KJP trivia - My Dad and I did a little clowning when I was much younger. I might be able to come up with a prize for anyone who can remember my clown name. I will post a picture of my Dad and I at some point in our getups.



I will also do some posts to catch up on recent events and my move. Feel free to leave comments (I'm sure you will anyway) and if you have a Blog send me your link so I can post it.