A Few of My Favorite Things

High expectations are good. Unrealistic expectations are from the devil.

2011-01-18T21:29:00.000-05:00

The above quote is by emily @ http://jonesdesigncompany.com/featured/time/ and just fits with my "word" of the year.

2011 01 02 Trip to Ohio and Shane's birthday party

2011-01-02T20:46:00.001-05:00

I picked up Chance at 10 am and off we went to Ohio. My grandsons tend to think that "Ohio" is where my parents and the cousins live (Their houses- not a state!). We went to Grandma Lynda's and Papa Mark's house where Chance was excited to see a couple of Christmas presents with his name on them!

02/365 01/02/2011 Grandma Lynda just gave Chance his birthday card

He was even more excited when Uncle Les, Aunt Tammy, Joshua, Caitlin and Heather arrived!

We had lunch (elk steak and mushrooms in gravy, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, and green bean casserole and punch (seven up with cranberry juice). Then we packed up and went to Uncle Keith and Aunt Kelly's. Chance got to see Cameron and Keith. I repaid an old debt (thanks, K and K!). We got lucky and Papa Don and Jan were there too so we gave them their digital picture frame and visited as the Steelers walked all over the Browns! Chance and I couldn't stay long though because 5:30 p.m. was the time for Shane's birthday party!

03/365 1/3/2011 This will be tomorrow's photo as Shane's real birthday is the third!

We arrived back in Ligonier just in time for cake and ice cream! Chance helped blow out the candles (i.e- blew them all out!) and then Shane opened all of his gifts. He got some games for his dsxli and a case for it. He also had his coin collection significantly increased and was very happy about that!

All in all a very good (if long and tiring) day!

One Little Word 2011

2011-01-01T00:13:00.004-05:00

One little word can make a big impact on your life. Join the Journey!
In the words of Ali Edwards, "A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow."
Many bloggers for the past few years have chosen one word to work on through out the new year. Thinking I may try it this year!
My word is "EXPECTATIONS." Maybe not such a little word but something I need to look at. I find myself often guilty of setting my expectations too high- expecting more from others than is received and then feeling let down. On the other hand, I frequently set my expectations too low for myself- maybe I need to start expecting more! Let's see where 2011 takes me!

01/365 1/1/2011 Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve

2010-12-31T23:55:00.000-05:00

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

I am going to take her words to heart and start over again! This blog has sure been neglected! Let's see what the New Year Brings! Happy 2011!

July Project 365

2010-08-08T21:34:00.001-04:00

2010 07 05

2010 07 06

2010 07 07

2010 07 08

2010 07 09

2010 07 10 Ryan Carter Mohney

2010 07 13

2010 07 14

2010 07 15

2010 07 17 Chance Mohney-He's been trying to steal my thermos forever so I finally got him one of his own!

2010 07 18 Heather Gray Mohney at Grandma Lynda's

2010 07 19 Rainbow over the Ridge (looking from Latrobe down 30 toward Ligonier)

2010 07 21 Kingbird

2010 07 22

2010 07 28 Shane in the pool at the campground.

2010 07 29 Chance, Ken, and Shaun Mohney

2010 07 30 Mark and Lynda Davis (actually taken the next day- evidence of her arm which was broken on the 30th.)

2010 07 31 Will Mohney with granddaughter, Gracii.

The Wilds

2010-08-08T19:42:00.000-04:00

Starting July out the right way!

2010-07-04T15:42:00.000-04:00

July started out so well that I couldn' choose just one photo. I got a new camera- a Nikon Coolpix 10.3 mp and 26x zoom! I drove to Benezette and tested the new camera! Here's some of my first shots.

July 1st- Cow at the old school

July 1st. Bull in a field of flowers.

July 1st- bluebird at Keystone state park.

July 2nd - Flowers along a back road.

July 3rd- Ryan has his first popsicle and loved every bite of it!

July 4th - Chance loved the fireworks once he got over being afraid of the noises.

July 4th- Ryan just loved the fire works- even the noise didn't bother him.

June flew! Here's the pics to prove it.

2010-07-04T15:32:00.000-04:00

June 2 The other 2 robins fledged and left, leaving behind an unhatched egg and a dying flower.

June 3rd The view off 259 on my way home.

June 4th At the bird feeder- downy woodpecker

June 5th- another view of my drive home.

June 6th- Chance

June 8th- a new visitor at the bird feeders! He likes what the birds don't eat!

June 9th Male and juvenile downy woodpecker.

June 10th- house finch at my feeder.

June 11th- Peyton with his DS and Chance saying don't talk to me!

June 12th Shane making bubbles.

June 13th Mountain Laurel.

June 18th The outside of LHF's main office.

June 19th Ryan is tiptoeing around furniture.

June 20th- Father's Day and Shaun's birthday- here he is with all 4 boys.

June 22nd Rufous Sided Towhee at my feeder.

June 23 - walking down the middle of the road.

June 24- another visitor at the bird feeders.

June 25th- The moon over my house!

June 26th - A doe across the driveway.

June 27th- Female Goldfinch at the feeder.

June 30th A killdeer in the cornfield.

June 21st - Rajah

June 17th a sparrow at the feeder.

June 16th 2 Canada Geese families.

June 15th I don't know the name of these.

June 14th Again the view on my way home.

Wow, Where did May and June Go?

2010-07-04T12:13:00.001-04:00

My photo a day has slid out of control! I've missed a few days! Here's to catching up.

May 26 Erie Zoo

May 1

May 2

May 3 - Jacob's Creek- a house wren trying to figure out how to get the stick into her nest.

May 4 Jacob's Creek Warbler and nest.

May 6 Rhododendrum

May 7th- Peyton has some type of rash.

May 9th swallows at Donegal Lake

May 10th Turkey Vulture along the road.

May 12th Swan at Somerset Reservoir

May 13th Catbird

MAy 14th Ryan at my house

May 15th Donegal Lake Yellow Warbler

May 15th Black Billed Cuckoo at Donegal Lake

May 16th Peyton's birthday Party at Latrobe- Peyton, Shaun, and Shane.

May 18th Spotted Sandpipers at Donegal Lake.

May 19th

May 20th- perfect camoflauge!

May 21st

May 22 Ryan

May 28th Great-grandma Lynda and Ryan at Les and Tammy's house.

May 28th Peyton and Chance at Uncle Les' house.

May 8th- let me back in!

Erie Zoo 26 May

2010-05-28T16:05:00.000-04:00

Yep-behind again!

2010-05-02T22:20:00.000-04:00

108/365 2010 04 18 Sparrow

109/365 2010 04 19 Red Trillium

110/365 2010 04 20 Eastern Towhee at Blair Brothers RR birding area in Jones Mills

111/365 2010 04 21 McConnells Mills State Park

112/365 2010 04 22 Killdeer at Moraine State Park

113/365 2010 04 23 Chane, Ryan and Rajah

114/365 2010 04 24 White-throated Sparrow

115/365 2010 04 25 Goldfinch-first one this year!

116/365 2010 04 26 Downy Woodpecker

117/365 2010 04 27 Blue Jay

118/365 2010 04 28 She looks like she had a rough winter!

119/365 2010 04 29 Sparrow

120/365 2010 04 30 Mourning Doves and Female Brown Headed Cowbirds

Spring is here!

2010-04-17T21:38:00.001-04:00

91/365 2010 04 01 Killdeer at Donegal Lake

21/365 2010 04 02 Easter Baskets - all ready for the boys

93/365 2010 04 03 It's all about the Eggs! Shane and Peyton at the Easter Egg Hunt. American Legion, Ligonier

94365 2010 04 04 Ryan's First Easter!

95/365 2010 04 05

96/365 2010 04 06 Easter duck and bunnies!

97/365 2010 04 07 Helicopters go over the house all the time! Most of them are military- I always wonder where they are going.

98/365 2010 04 08 Groundhog along the road.

99/365 2010 04 09 A bluebird at Keystone State Park. There were a male and female. Thought they were setting up house in a nearby bluebird box but several days later, I went back and the box was gone.

100/365 2010 04 10 Ryan and Chance.

101/365 2010 04 11 A cowbird at my bird feeder.

102/365 2010 04 12 Tulips on the diamond in Ligonier.

103/365 2010 04 13 Trilliums along Route 30.

104/365 2010 04 14

105/365 2010 04 15 House Finch at my feeder. The maple is beginning to get leaves.

106/365 2010 04 16 Peyton finally got his Easter Basket from me-How did you know I wanted John Cena, Grandma? The fifty times you said, Grandma, I want you to buy me some wrestling figures were a good clue, Peyton!

107/365 2010 04 17 Ryan is pulling himself up to walk around furniture! He's only been sitting up by himself for 2 or 3 weeks and now he's practically walking!

Round-Up for March

2010-04-04T12:08:00.000-04:00

Just a few more photos to round up another month!

P365 2010 03 29 Wood ducks on the pond on Robb Road.

P365 2010 03 30 Some type of hybrid duck at Brady's Restaurant on Route 31.

P365 2010 03 31 Turkeys in a field on Robb Road near Wilpen.

Urban Hawk!

2010-03-28T22:10:00.000-04:00

83/365 2010 03 24

84/365 2010 03 25

85/365 2010 03 26

86/365 2010 03 27

87/365 2010 03 28

Acme Dam and Donegal Lake

2010-03-23T23:22:00.001-04:00

I stopped at Acme Dam today and saw 9 waterfowl which I have tentatively identified as Red-Breasted Mergansers. They were clear across the lake and it was snowing/sleeting and windy so I didn't get a good photo but I am posting a couple here.

(WARNING- Awful pictures-the wind was blowing, it was snow/sleet/raining, I was freezing and the camera was at the very end of it's 12x zoom capabilities!)

After freezing there, I drove around Donegal lake and saw 3 Great Blue Herons. A picture of one of them is below. Also saw that the Osprey nest has some fresh greenery decorating it! Either it's growing grass or that was an Osprey I saw flying high above the lake. There was a small white waterfowl of some sort on the lake near 2 of the Herons- it appeared to be about the size of a Mallard but I couldn't see it well enough to pick out any markings or identifiable features.

And of course, this Canada Goose and several companions.

No pictures but a great number of American Robins and several Killdeer were also seen.

Keystone Park Visit- Double Crested Cormorant

2010-03-22T21:14:00.003-04:00

2010 03 21 Double-crested Cormorant !

Pretty- frightening! Hope it stays clear up in the top of the tree!

Something is living here- I could see nesting material but nothing went near while I was in the area.

A tree full of starlings!

March photos!

2010-03-21T22:51:00.001-04:00

60/365 2010 03 01

61/365 2010 03 02 Downy Woodpecker (female)

62/365 2010 03 03 Mourning Dove (female on left, male on right)

63/365 2010 03 04

64/365 3010 03 05

65/365 2010 03 06

66/365 2010 03 07

67/365 2010 03 08

68/365 2010 03 09

69/365 2010 03 10

70/2010 03 11 Mute Swan

71/365 2010 03 12

72/365 2010 03 13

73/365 2010 03 14

74/365 2010 03 15

75/365 2010 03 16

76/365 2010 03 17

77/365 2010 03 18

78/365 2010 03 19

79/365 2010 03 20

Late late late! February is all posted!

2010-03-04T22:18:00.001-05:00

Wow, it's getting to be monthly blog posts! I've got to catch up!

50/365 2010 02 19 Shaun's trophy for baseball.

51/365 2010 02 20 My titmouse visiting again. Tufted Titmouse

52/365 2010 02 21 Gracii is 2! Her birthday party was rescheduled for today. Thankfully, no snow fall!

53/365 2010 02 22 Vintage pig lamp I bought off ebay several years ago.

54/365 2010 02 23 I think that I scared the red cow half to death! Look at that face!

55/365 2010 02 24 She stood along the road and let me take several pictures!

56/365 2010 02 25 Chance and Ryan

57/365 2010 02 26 Chance is a guitar hero!

58/365 2010 02 27 Snow covered pine needles

59/365 2010 02 28 Peyton and Shane playing a wrestling game.

Snow and more Snow

2010-02-19T21:48:00.000-05:00

46/265 2010 02 15 Robb Road - still snow covered!

47/365 2010 02 16 Sunrise on Robb Road/Route 259 intersection.

48/365 2010 02 17 Snow covered pines near Donegal Lake.

49/365 2010 02 18 Ice and Snow covered pines on County Line Road.

p365

2010-02-14T21:26:00.003-05:00

40/365 2010 02 09 A wasp's nest that is hanging down over the road.

41/365 2010 02 10 I'm still trying to identify this little guy- looks like a woodpecker but is too small and too brown! Thanks to Dave at the PABIRDS@LIST.AUDUBON.ORG, this bird has been identified as a Carolina Wren!

42/365 2010 02 11 This is what Main Street in Ligonier looked like this morning. Route 30 wasn't much better!

43/365 2010 02 12 View of the Ridge between Latrobe and Ligonier

44/365 2010 02 13 Ryan Carter Mohney He spent the night with me and seems to be having some pain from his teeth.

45/365 2010 02 14 Ryan smiling away!

Blizzard of 2010

2010-02-08T18:11:00.002-05:00

36/365 2010 02 05 Rajah and Peyton are 'betending' to sleep!

37/365 2010 02 06 Spiderman don't need no stinking coat, Grandma! (Note the mask on his face- now I know THAT was keeping him warm!) He was waiting for his dad to come and get him. We were all disappointed that the snow kept us from going to Ohio for Gracii's 3 birthday party but they got hammered with snow too and the party was cancelled. So maybe all those lollipops won't go to waste after all!

38/365 2010 02 07 Yep, we got a little bit of snow! It was even with Rajah's back and she is not a little dog!

Some other photos of the snow!

Note the trail in the snow- that's from the neighbor's cats who are living in the dog box!

2010 02 08 If I hadn't seen the eagle, this would have been the photo of the day.

Eagle watch

2010-02-08T18:00:00.000-05:00

(photo of the day 39/365 2010 02 08)

I saw a bald eagle along route 30 at Kingston Dam (Between Latrobe and Ligonier.) It flew over my car and landed in a tree along the Loyalhanna. I circled around and took 2 photos before it flew away. As I headed back toward Ligonier, the eagle was circling around above the Road Toad restaurant and I took another photo there. It then flew down behind Idlewild and landed in the woods near Darlington.

Cross another wish off my bucket list!

February

2010-02-07T15:51:00.000-05:00

32/365 2010 02 01 Candy making supplies! My niece, Britney, asked me to make some lollipops for a princess themed birthday party for her daughter, Gracii. Here's the supplies.

33/365 2010 02 02 Lollipops are started!

34/365 2010 02 03 Shane with his great Grandparents, Shirlee and Fred Abbott at Grandparents Day at his school. I was invited along with his Grandma Sue. We attended Mass and then ate breakfast. The kids sang some songs and then Shane showed us his classroom.

35/365 2010 02 04 Lollipops are done but a big storm is coming so I packed up the lollipops and was going to try to overnight mail them to Britney. But, it would cost almost $30 and the post office would not guarantee delivery before the party on Saturday!

36/354 2010 03 05 Peyton and Rajah "sleeping."

37/365 2010 02 06 Rajah's not a small dog and the snow is up to her back! She was not happy about going out to the bathroom!

Closing out January

2010-01-31T20:38:00.001-05:00

Well, I've made it through one month of this new year- taking my pictures a day. I'm noticing that I am not doing so well at posting on my blogs but my photos are scrapped! I had Ryan last night so I didn't get any new scrapping done. I did finish up the week five page and am getting the photos posted! Yeahhhh!

29/365 2010 01 29 The moon over Wilpen was gorgeous!

30/365 2010 01 30

31/365 2010 01 31 Ryan spent the night with me- he's learned to roll over and is trying so hard to hold his bottle - he just can't do it yet and it makes him so mad!

2010 January Week 5

Weekly pages for January

2010-01-28T20:17:00.001-05:00

Where did January go?

2010-01-28T16:00:00.001-05:00

Shane's Birthday, Kier's Birthday, My Birthday, snow, snow and more snow. Licensing and work, this month has just flown by. I haven't posted since the ninth! But I do have my photos for each day!

10/365 2010 01 10 Ryan

11/365 2010 01 11 Snow coated trees

12/365 2010 01 12 Blue skies thru icicles

13/365 Tufted titmouse preparing to attack my window

14/365 2010 01 14 Birthday present from my mom

15/365 2010 01 15 It's my birthday and I'll have tea and cookies if I want to!

16/365 2010 01 16 Some of my latest reading material (and 2 new journals)

Loved my Barnes and Nobles gift certificate!

17/365 2010 01 17 The kids threw me a birthday party- yummy cake and lots of love!

18/365 2010 01 18 Tulips that Peyton brought me for my birthday!

19/365 2010 01 19 Turtledove in the foreground with a junco hiding in the back.

20/365 2010 01 20 Crystal pig that I received for my birthday!

21/365 2010 01 21 Ducks over Donegal Lake.

22/365 2010 01 22 My weathervane pig- using it to hold my jewelry.

23/365 2010 01 23 Allergic to lotion- lumps, bumps, swelling, itching, redness- yuck!

24/365 2010 01 24 Nuthatch at the bird feeder!

25/365 2010 01 25 Sunshine on Donegal lake

26/365 2010 01 26 Acme Dam lake- needed a quick break so I drove by and stopped for awhile.

27/365 2010 01 27 Black and White - Sun over the hills on Robb Road

28/365 2010 01 28 Linn Run - I can't pick between these two photos so I'm posting both!

Scrapbook pages

2010-01-09T17:02:00.001-05:00

2010 01 Week One

Project 365 2010

2010-01-06T22:02:00.005-05:00

2010 01 01 Day 1/36 Christmas tree lights (And yes, I did this on purpose- and I like it!)
Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall. ~Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

2010 01 02 Day 2/365 When the feeders are empty, the noisy titmouse starts flying into my window and yelling at me to come and fill them!

God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest. ~J.G. Holland

2010 01 03 Day 3/365 Shane turns 8 years old! We celebrated his and his mom's (hers is on the 7th)
All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much. - George Harrison

2010 01 04 Day 4/365 Rajah loves running in the snow! And it hasn't stopped in days!.

"Dogs' lives are too short-their only fault really!" Agnes Sligh Turnbull

2010 01 05 Day 5/365 Out my back door- lots of snow!
"Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together."-Vista M. Kelly

2010 01 06 Day 6/365 The back yard again and more snow- but that is all it has done in days!

"Experience the deafening quiet of snow!"

Edited 2010 01 09:

2010 01 07 Day 7/365 Acme Dam and lake- gorgeous!

“To appreciate the beauty of a snow flake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold.”

December Round-up

2010-01-03T11:18:00.000-05:00

What books and/or magazines did I read?
Ancestry; Somerset Studios' Art Journaling; Bonkers; numerous books

What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?
ELF, The Sound of Music,

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends? Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Shaun, Kier and the kids and her family; The Sunday after Christmas with Shaun, Kier, the kids and my family at my sister Kristi's.

What gifts did I give and/or receive? Books of our camping trip, peppermint bark, chocolate espresso coffee, peanut brittle, books and toys for the kids. I got a gift certificate to Barnes and Nobles' from some of my staff, some dish towels, an angel statue, some coffee, and some Bath and Body Work goodies.

What special or unusual purchases did I make? None besides the Christmas presents.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have? None.

What were my accomplishments this month? I managed to keep my job and that's saying something right now.
What were my disappointments? That the people I have spent 18 years working for do not recognize or value those who have been dedicated employees.

Anything else noteworthy to include? Finished Project 365!

Boring? Yep, but that's the way it is!

2010 Project(s)

2010-01-02T18:20:00.001-05:00

I'm still not sure that I want to do a Project 365 again this year but I have started another journey. I joined Tangie Baxter on an Art Journal Caravan (http://artjournalcaravan.blogspot.com/). I'm anxious to try something new and different.
I'm also doing Log Your Memory. I've printed it out and will do much of this on paper. I've always wanted to keep a journal and lord knows, I have purchased plenty of them but I never seem to write in them.
I think my "One Word Project" for the year should be "Journal " or "Write" or maybe "Emote."
I'm looking forward to both of these projects because most of my scrapbook pages have journaling that consists of who, what, when and where but very little of the why and how, etc. I'm hoping that I can loosen up and let some of the emotions out! I feel things deeply but am often shy of letting those feelings out. (Right now, my backspace/erase finger is itching badly to go to work on this blog entry!)

End of A Decade and A Project

2010-01-01T12:30:00.004-05:00

I had good intentions! The plan was to finish the year with a last photo and entry to the blog! However, work got in the way. I ended up not getting away from Westmoreland Hospital until 11:20 p.m. This resulted in my walking in the door, letting the dog out, pouring a glass of red wine and running up the stairs- just to see the ball drop before I even sat down. Yeah, happy new year!

I will probably come back and insert the last weekly and monthly photos here once they are completed!

So here's the wrap up. Last photo for the Project 365 Photo a day!

Looks like I made it! Thru the year of Project 365

2009-12-30T22:12:00.002-05:00

2009 12 24 Ryan on Christmas Eve in his Christmas Pajamas.

2009 12 25 Well, they are not hung by the fire- does the thermostat count? Shane's, Peyton's, Chance's, and Ryan's stockings.

2009 12 26 Chance is 'reading' a wrestling magazine.

2009 12 27 Piles of kids in Aunt Kristi's living room, opening presents. Not really a great picture but I like the sense of movement. Especially because this group seldom stays still. On the floor- Heather, Shane, Joshua, Caitlin, Peyton, Gracii and Courtney in the chair.

2009 12 28 Rajah heading out in the snow.

2009 12 29 Donegal lake after the snowfall.

2009 12 30 Santa and his reindeer stand in front of The Toy Box in Ligonier.

Christmas Morning

2009-12-26T18:56:00.002-05:00

Presents under the tree.

Four stockings hung with care!

Shane and Ryan coming downstairs to see what Santa brought!

Shane is really happy over this present!

Peyton's stocking, hanging up and waiting for him.

Chance with Transformers!

Shaun getting a big hug from Shane

Kier and Ryan

Christmas Eve pictures

2009-12-26T18:46:00.001-05:00

I went to Shaun and Kier's house for Christmas eve. Here's a few pictures:

Chance sneaking up on his pappy!

Kier and Ryan

Ryan and Pappy.

Ryan

Shane and Chance with their Grandma Sue

We had ham, buffalo chicken dip, hot popper dip, shrimp, cookies, candy, chips, pop, and potato salad. Chance ate two large helpings of the potato salad that his pappy made.

Catching up! (Yet again, I'm way behind)

2009-12-24T11:04:00.001-05:00

2009 12 14 Bumblebee ornament from the new Transformer movie. He is Peyton and Chance's favorite.
2009 12 13 The owl and nest has to be on the tree. Last year Peyton was afraid of it. Every tree that I can remember had a bird and nest on it. We used to cut down our own fresh trees and we would try to find one with a nest in it.

2009 12 15 My Christmas Tree. I just can't get a picture I really like of it.

2009 12 16 The cakes for our annual Christmas party for the consumers at work.

2009 12 17 All the ingredients for making candy- chocolates, chocolate covered pretzels, hard tack, peanut brittle and reindeer cookie chow.

2009 12 18 Lights on the bushes in the McDonald's drive thru.

2009 12 19 Santa visits at the American Legion. This is Ryan's first Santa photo.

December 20, 2009 Celebrating Chance's third birthday a little early.

December 21, 2009 The gazebo on the Diamond in Ligonier- all lit up for Christmas.

009 12 22 Christmas Presents for my staff.

2009 12 23 Chance's birthday and he's caught sitting in Ryan's walker!

December - photos

2009-12-12T22:22:00.004-05:00

2009 12 06 Tim Tam's reportedly Australia's favorite cookie- now one of my favorite's!

2009 12 07 More Bokeh- wish I could figure out how I got this shape instead of circles this time.

2009 12 08 My memolio came today- isn't it cute! I won't order any more- it ended up being 23$ American for 1 (I ordered two because I had a freebie that I won!)(See post November 29, 2009! about winning the drawing at Shutter Sisters http://shuttersisters.com/!)

2009 12 09 Another view of my Memolio!

2009 12 10 I received this in 1981 from an old boyfriend, Carl. It's still one of the decorations I put out every year.

2009 12 11 Santa stands guard outside Idlewild park every Christmas. He's a big Santa!

2009 12 12 I worked today and thought I'd show off my office! (Should have cleaned up a little!)

21, 22, 23-365 photos

2009-12-12T22:16:00.000-05:00

2009-12-12T22:15:00.001-05:00

This was saved in my drafts so I hit publish- don't want it to be lost!

This is my layout with the 'misc' photos that didn't really fit anywhere else this month!

Sweet Baby Girl

2009-12-12T22:13:00.000-05:00

I can't remember if I posted this or not so here it is! - a layout I did with Doxie Design's kit, Parisian Rose. I love the color combination along with the vintage look so I had fun with this. The baby is my sister Kristi and I believe it was taken on her first day home from the hospital! Parisian Rose can be found here:

http://dapperdoxie.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=63

November Round-up (A little late!)

2009-12-08T09:35:00.002-05:00

Here are my scrapbook pages from November:

Holiday in Hand and Project 365

2009-12-06T12:50:00.003-05:00

Day 339 2009 12 05 Chance under the tree at his house. This is my favorite of the few pictures he let me take. (He wants lots of pictures but not with the santa hat and lights, and the new sweater.)

Day 338 2009 12 04 Holidays in Hand- Photograph suggestion was for the idea of joy. One thing that brings me joy is this new tea. I think it's just the routine of making tea that comforts me but this is an excellent blend and I really enjoy it.

Day 337 2009 12 03 Bokeh (definition is the blur, or the aesthetic quality of the blur, in out-of-focus areas of an image, or "the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light." ) For me, a Holiday in Hands photo suggestion for warmth. A photo of the warmth of the lights of the Christmas Tree.

Day 336 2009 12 02 Mater and McQueen ornament that I bought last year for Peyton.

Day 335 2009 12 01 This decoration is in one of the storefront windows on the Diamond. I think he is amazing.

Day 334 2009 11 30 I stopped at Pier One on my way home today. I liked their window decorations (and lots of stuff inside).

Day 333 2009 11 29 I picked up this nutcracker candlestick at Salvation Army. I just think he is lovely.

I won a free Memolio!

2009-11-29T20:52:00.000-05:00

I left a comment on the Shutter Sisters' blog (http://shuttersisters.com/) and was the winner of a free Memolio!

"What is it? you ask? Well, here's a description from their website: (https://www.memolio.com/) memolioTM is a fantastic new kind of album you can create using a brand new web-to-print application. Compact and durable, water resistant and impossible to tear, these albums are designed to be handled.

What can I do with it? Make an album of your special moments, for yourself, friends, family or business. You can use them to capture and share personal events, for promotion of your work, or showcase your creativity to the world.

I've already created one and sent my order flying thru the internet! I just can't wait to see it! Thanks, Shutter Sisters. And you should all be reading their blog!

Holidays in Hand! Continued.

2009-11-28T16:09:00.002-05:00

11/22/2009 Peyton and I went to Burger King for breakfast today. He had a blast in the playground. It was fun having it to himself.

11/23/2009 My Thanksgiving pillow- there's a rug that goes with it. Add a cornucopia and a turkey and there's my Thanksgiving decorations. (Most of them!)

11/24/2009 Steak 'n Shake Dinner- Fries and burger (oooh, and a dark chocolate milk shake!)

Okay so Day 4- a clipboard is holding my prompt cards and it is sitting on a small stand so I can see it often and be reminded! (Photo to follow)

11/25/2009 Photo of the Day

Day 5: Decide on your Album's Format
I'm going to do 8x8 all digital pages!

Day 6: Patterned Papers and the Downloads- The downloads are saved in a file-I'm going to gather up other items I might want to use.

11/26/2009 What better way to use the Thanksgiving napkins than to turn 3 boys into superheroes?

11/27/2009 When you can't think of a photo for the day, Woody is always around!

11/28/2009 The Christmas Tree is up-this Santa is still my favorite!

Holiday In Hand Day 2 and 3 assignments

2009-11-22T19:53:00.004-05:00

DAY 2
The Prompt Pages. "These little beauties are designed to hang or stand somewhere in your home where you'll see them every day, to provide you with ideas for capturing the stories of THIS holiday, and also to connect to your stories of holidays past. It's time to think of a way to display your beautiful prompt cards through the month of December. "

Well, I got mine printed and for now, they are clipped to an old picture frame but I think that will change.

DAY 3
"As promised, here is a list of some activities you can incorporate into your December as you celebrate with your family!"
Some of the ideas I like are:
~~Put up the Christmas tree, or add an ornament to it. (I'll probably put the tree up Thanksgiving weekend.)~~
Get my Christmas Cards ready to go.
Take and edit my Christmas photos. (Ryan is done!)
Visit a local light display.
Play your favorite christmas song (don't be afraid to sing it at the top of my lungs!)
Have a fondue night! chocolate and cheese dipped goodies.
Visit some of the spectacular holiday decorations in your town - these might be a town square, the mall, main street, or a private home
Adopt a child or family.
Volunteer!
Get in touch--call, write a letter, email, send a card--with a friend or relative whom you haven't heard from in a long time.
Have a christmas countdown box of books. Twenty five wrapped books-pick one for each day of December -unwrap and read.

Holiday In Hand

2009-11-22T19:43:00.000-05:00

A little while ago, I received an invitation from http://www.jessicasprague.com/ to take part in a free class-Holiday in Hand. Jessica stated: "My goal in this class is to help you refocus on what matters most to you in your own holiday celebrations as you go through them this year, and also to help you create an album for recording your stories of holidays past."
Since I've heard such good things about her classes (and this one is free) I decided to give it a try. As usual, I'm running behind, but here's to getting started!

Day 1: Refocus on Holiday Values

Assignment 1 is to "Write your Values & Goals" So here are mine!
a. Get organized: Every year, I end up with too many presents for someone and not enough for others, I find Christmas items up until Easter, etc.
This year, I'd like to avoid that!
b. Remember that it isn't going to be a storybook Christmas or one destined to grace the pages of a magazine. But it will be ours and full of love and memories.
c. Relax- I don't have to do it all.
d. Put things away in an organized fashion so that next year starts out calmer.
e. Document this holiday and some of the ones from the past- whether it be in scrapbook pages, photographs, stories or a combination of all three.

Assignment 2: Commit. Find a way to include at least 20 minutes of recording/writing/photographing/savoring/printing/gluing/scrapbooking/remembering/slowing down EVERY DAY in December.
Okay, I can do this!

Assignment 3: Organize. This assignment is a bonus and how fortuitous that it happens to be one of my goals!

2009-11-21T12:22:00.000-05:00

2009 11 15 I hate photos of me- but here's one for the record.

2009 11 16 Sourdough Bread, good (expensive) cheddar cheese, asparagus, and pears in a brown sugar cream sauce.

2009 11 17 I went past Acme lake and saw the ducks- first time I'd seen them there. This big white one seems like she's in charge!

2009 11 18 Sunset on the ridge above Wilpen

2009 11 19 Tilapia cooked in orange juice and french fries.

2009 11 20 Ryan fast asleep. The Pound Puppy was his dad's.

2009 11 21 I just couldn't pick a favorite between these two! Look at that grin in the first one and the second- well, read the shirt!

AD!

2009-11-15T16:14:00.000-05:00

This blog is running a contest for a sports bottle! But oh, not just any bottle. This one has a mouth wide enough to put in ice, has a screen so the ice doesn't hit your teeth (or to keep tealeaves in!) and is double walled so it doesn't sweat or burn your fingers! I'm talking about it here to get an extra chance to win one!
Giveaway! thinksport 750ml BPA Free Sports Bottle

2009-11-15T10:57:00.001-05:00

2009 11 09 Morrow Road

This road is near the intersection of Route 30 and the Parkway in Pittsburgh. Morrow was my great-grandmother's maiden name. She was Sierra Nevada Morrow, daughter of George Van Eman and Margaret Ann McConahy Morrow.

2009 11 10 Library window celebrating the local football team and naming the football player of the week.

2009 11 11 I picked Peyton up at his friend, Lucas' house today. We went to Burger King for lunch. Then he and I went to see this movie. Then we went to Barnes and Nobles and bought some books before I took him home.

2009 11 12 I stopped to drop off some diapers for Ryan and got this photo of him with Chance.

2009 11 13 Tufted titmouse eating from the suet feeder.

2009 11 14 Peyton is concentrating on his Geomag's.

November Project 365

2009-11-08T21:52:00.002-05:00

I'm way behind- last week, I was so sick that just getting home and back to bed was tough! I did manage to get photos! Here's the first few days of November!

(Day 305) 1 November 2009 I think I may have been delirious the day I ~~took~~ tried to take this picture of the moon- to be fair I was taking it out the window while I was driving!

(Day 306) 2 November 2009 I was sicker than a dog! (and to make matters worse, the dog was sick too!

(Day 307) 3 November 2009 Diana Gabaldon's new book, Echoes in the Bone.

“You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.” -Paul Sweeney

and that's how I feel at the end of Diana Gabaldon's books- I find myself reading slower and slower-trying to make the book last, afraid it will end, knowing it will be months or years before the next one is available.

(Day 308) 4 November 2009 My new favorite place to be: Facebook.

(Day 309) 5 November 2009 Rajah -ain't she sweet!

(Day 310) 2009 11 06 Some of the birds that hang out in my living room.

(Day 311) 2009 11 07 My chickadee ornament.

(Day 312) 2009 11 08 I didn't take this photo - stole it from her Facebook page. But I had to post it for today's pic- my baby sister turned 40 years old today!

More Scrapbook pages

2009-11-08T21:29:00.001-05:00

October 2009 Scrapbook pages

2009-11-01T19:35:00.002-05:00

Monthly Roundup

2009-11-01T17:30:00.005-05:00

I saw this idea by Katie the scrapbook lady at http://scrapbooklady.typepad.com/katie_the_scrapbook_lady/roundups/index.html. At the end of each month, she answers questions - rounding up what happened during that last month! Check out her blog for more details!

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
I read lots but the standouts are:
Somerset Magazine's blogging and journaling magazines; Diana Gabaldon's An Echo in the Bone; and the old faithfuls Family Circle, Woman's Day and Reader's Digest.

What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month? I'm still stuck on the CSI's (all of them) and heartbroken that Guiding Light is gone! I'm not yet loving Drew Carey on the Price is Right! I've quit watching the decorating shows and started watching the medical mysteries and the unsolved police and coroner cases.

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends? My niece Britney and her daughter, Gracii, visited. Dad had a birthday but I missed talking to him. I left a message since he must have been out celebrating.

2009 10 31 Project 365 photo

I helped the boys get dressed for Halloween and kept the littlest pumpkin while the 'big' boys went out trick or treating.

We had a Halloween party at work which was lots of fun.
I went to Baltimore for lunch with online friends from the yahoo Ireland mailing list!

What special or unusual purchases did I make? I went to Volant Mills and bought some items for tea- a bag holder, some natural sugar cubes, some unusual tea leaf mixes and a honey dispenser.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have? I overused my wrist and ended up in a brace for a few days. I had a stomach virus at the same time. If my headneck, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, etc are any indication, I currently have the Swine '09 virus.

What were my accomplishments this month? I made it thru another month and still have a job.

Anything else noteworthy to include? I'm all caught up on my project 365 photos and weekly pictures. I ordered Britney and Kristi a copy of the Camping pictures' book. (Don't think they read my blog so no hints given as to their Christmas Presents!)
I've bought all the Christmas presents for my staff at work.

2009-10-30T20:25:00.001-04:00

10/30/2009 Ryan- 12 pounds at 10 weeks!

10/29/2009 I had to go to New Castle today for work. After my meeting, I ran over to Volant (on my way to the cemetery in New Wilmington.) I've driven thru this little town so many times but never stopped. I had a bite of lunch (fried pierogies-yummy) and coffee at a restaurant, found a lovely perfume (Inis) from Ireland, and had a spot of tea at the tea store. All in all a great way to spend several hours in between meetings.

10/28/2009 I drive past this all the time. It's another of the Roadside Giants developed by students at the Vocational School. This one sits on Route 30 near the Chamber of Commerce in Greensburg.

10/27/2009 I stopped for a coffee at Starbucks today and this grass was by my car. It always reminds me of the dunes at the beach. I want to plant some at my house next year.

10/26/2009 The merchants of Ligonier sponsor a "Halloween Character" which a classroom or Scout Group, etc. then puts together and displays on one of the Lampposts that circle the Diamond. This one is my favorite this year.

10/25/2009 This statue, covered in crosses and beads, stands at the temporary Flight 93 Memorial which is only about 25 miles from my home.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

2009-10-24T23:39:00.000-04:00

Today is my dad's birthday. I called to wish him a happy day but got his machine!
I was going to drive up to Benezette to see my mom but it has been raining since last evening. So I stayed at home, got rid of several boxes of paper and clutter, and didn't do much else.

10/24/2009 Wow, this hairy woodpecker is back outside my window and I surprised myself with this photo. Look at his wings moving!

10/23/2009 I stopped to see if they had the ginger pumpkin tea from Republic of Tea. (My cousin Nancy mentioned it and it sounded good.) No luck!

2009 10 22 Can you believe this bright eyed baby is getting so big? Ryan Carter at 5 weeks old.

2009 10 21 My friend Shirlee from work- doesn't she make a great witch!

October 20th

2009-10-20T23:06:00.002-04:00

2009 10 17 My grandniece, Gracii came to visit (and so did her mom, Britney)

2009 10 18 Crow at the very top of a pine tree.

2009 10 19 First hard frost of the year- back to scraping car windows and grass crunching underfoot.

2009 10 20 Leaves on the beach at Kooser state park

Some other pictures of autumn:

More Autumn Pics - to Oct. 16

2009-10-20T21:57:00.001-04:00

2009 10 11 Chickadee come to visit- he's yelling at my window because the feeder is empty!

2009 10 12 Looks like a great old barn but it was just built!

2009 10 13 A hillside near home.

2009 10 14 For some reason, I just love this decoration! It's my new favorite thing.

2009 10 15 Autumn's glorious colors

2009 10 16 Stomach virus - I hate being sick! and my hand hurts too. Try opening those child proof containers without being able to use your right wrist!

Reflections on Derry Reservoir

2009-10-09T21:28:00.006-04:00

2009 10 09 Autumn, a second spring, where every leaf is a flower.

2009-10-08T20:48:00.003-04:00

2009 10 04 Peyton is loving his new tennis shoes!

2009 10 06 Ryan is trying on his new halloween costume- isn't he the sweetest pumpkin ever!

2009 10 05 Just a view from along the road!

2009 10 08 The trees are really changing!

Driving down Route 711 yesterday, I was suddenly transported back decades or maybe centuries- approaching the highway on horseback, dressed in their finest hunting clothes were 10 or more persons, accompanied by baying hunting dogs, lead by the hunt master, and chasing a poor little fox. They were riding on part of Rolling Rock's Nature Preserve-in a field surrounded by changing leaves and looking for all the world as if they had just cantered out of an oil painting.
I turned back and was going to try for a photo but into the corn they went-so here's the photo I got instead.

10/7/09

Renaissance Festival

2009-10-04T20:32:00.008-04:00

In the stocks!

Pickle on a stick- just made Peyton's day. His favorite snack is a dill pickle. I have a feeling that I am going to have to go buy some sticks!

Peyton with all his king's gold displayed on his shirt!

The unicorn waved goodbye as we left the shire!

The paths- Peyton remembered that last year we walked on paths thru the woods and couldn't wait to take the paths again.

Sir William!

The Queen graciously waved and smiled for her picture.

Sir Peyton

King Peyton!

No engines, no big thrills but he got off the barrel (operated by man power) as excited as if he'd ridden the biggest roller coaster!

Peyton said this was "Burger King!"

The court jester kept teasing him about stealing the 'king's gold." (That's what they called the stickers he got at the games.)

Peyton liked the young lady here- she gave him some extra king's gold.

Last year Peyton wouldn't go near this guy! This year, he was still afraid but 'just a little."

2009 10 03 Peyton was sorely disappointed that there was not a turkey drumstick in the entire kingdom! He settled for zucchini, an ice cream sandwich, and lemonade. (and we hit Burger King on the way home!)

The Hunk (Hulk)

2009-10-04T20:05:00.009-04:00

2009 10 02 Do you think Peyton likes his Halloween costume? He hasn't taken it off since he first saw it! (As soon as I asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween, Peyton said, 'the hunk' - he just can't say hulk!)

2009 10 01 Ryan after his first doctor's appointment. He weighs over 9 pounds.

2009 09 30 Deer at the Rolling Rock Nature Preserve

2009 09 29 Baby stuff!

2009 09 28 An Autumn/Halloween display I set up to display.

2009 09 27 Four Generations Shaun, Donna, Ryan, Lynda

a week of new baby shots!

2009-09-26T23:39:00.006-04:00

2009 09 21

2009 09 23

2009 09 24 Chance holding Ryan's feet and trying to repeat the nursery rhyme "This little piggy."

2009 09 25 Wrapped up in a hooded blanket I crocheted for either Peyton or Chance.

2009 09 26

2009 09 22

2009 09 20

These are some of the numerous photos I took of Ryan this week!

Sept 16th to 19th

2009-09-19T17:22:00.005-04:00

2009 09 19 Peyton and Chance at my house after spending the night.

2009 09 18 Peyton getting ready to go to sleep.

2009 09 17 Chance meeting his new brother.

2009 09 16 I took this photo of Ryan at the hospital and then came home. Look at the pictures of his dad and of his brother, Peyton. They all look like they are of the same child!

Peyton

Shaun

Sept 10th to the 14th.

2009-09-19T17:08:00.006-04:00

2009 09 14 Chance in the new toybox ($20 for it and the contents on WMLD Cafe) while Rajah looks on.

2009 09 10 The view coming out of Linn Run onto Route 30.

2009 09 11 Turkeys in the horse pasture at a nearby farm.

2009 09 12 Flax ready for scutching. I went to the Flax Scutching in Stahlstown today. It was interesting to watch them turn the flax into linen. They also did a reinactment of an Indian attack on the local settlers-kinda campy but loved by the kids and adults alike.

2009 09 13 Chance fell asleep on the couch!

Ryan Carter

2009-09-15T21:49:00.002-04:00

He's here! The latest Mohney was born today 4:17 pm 7 pounds 9 ounces 21 inches long! Isn't he beautiful!

Days 250, 251, 252

2009-09-09T20:49:00.005-04:00

2009 09 07 250/365 Can you tell that Chance doesn't want his pappy to leave?

2009 09 09 252/365 Yummy! Vanilla ice cream and raspberry ice!

2009 09 08 251/365 Chance is loving mommy's new rocking chair. His baby brother is in no hurry to get here to use it. He's blocking the cervix and unless he moves, mommy has to have an c-section next Tuesday.

Camping Scrap Pages

2009-09-07T12:21:00.006-04:00

Remember September

2009-09-07T09:18:00.007-04:00

2009 09 02 Barn up the road from home.

2009 09 01 Actually taken on his first day of school, August 31 but I forgot about it! Shane's first day of school has to be in the book!

The Henry House- Mingo Creek State Park 2009 09 06

2009 09 05 Moon in the corn

2009 09 04 Calf

2009 09 03 Milkweed pods

September-Photos from Day 1 to 6

Wrapping up August

2009-09-07T09:11:00.008-04:00

August Week 5

August Week 4

August Week 3

August Week 2

August week 1

August Monthly Summary Page

243/365 2009 08 30 Look how sweet and innocent! (Grandma knows better, Chance!) He did have fun on the horse.

244/365 31 August 2009 On my way to work, after reading the words I posted from Odd Thomas- this was my world. There are about 25 of these

young reddish cattle on a farm I drive by most days. In the fog, they were eyecatching!

Rajah

2009-09-05T11:36:00.002-04:00

Adding a photo of her just so I can enter a contest at http://www.danielleyoungdesigns.com/blog/?p=298&cpage=1#comment-6132

Odd Hours

2009-08-31T06:47:00.004-04:00

I don't know how you all feel about Dean Koontz' Odd Thomas series-I'm not even sure how I feel about them. I'm reading 'Odd Hours' right now and sometimes don't think I really care for the series.
Where else though, can you find fog described as
"Paw after paw silent on wet blacktop, the fog crept along the alleyway behind Hutch's house, rubbing its furry flanks against the garages on both sides, slipping through fence pickets, climbing walls, licking into every niche and corner where mouse or lizard might have taken shelter."
Love it- and don't know why!
Just a few thoughts this morning as I get ready to head for work! Off to Ruffsdale, then keeping Chance while Kier goes to the doctor's office.

Birthdays

2009-08-30T00:01:00.006-04:00

2009 08 29 Look at him all ready to start school. Not 5 minutes later- a cloud burst and we ran for the pavilion and then for the car!

2009 08 28 Peyton fell asleep on the way to my house-It's all I can do to carry him anymore and I couldn't get him to wake up enough to walk to the house!
2009 08 27 I drove by and he stopped to watch. When I slowed down, this old guy came walking up to the fence row to pose for me.

2009 08 26 Aren't these gorgeous! I believe it's a cardinal flower.

2009 08 25- This goat was standing in a field along the road and seemed to ask you to stop by!

2009 08 24 I went to Ohiopyle for work and managed to get a few good photos using the manual settings. (Only 3 of the settings are working!)

2009 08-23 Derry Ridge- not a great photo- this is part of the reason I needed a new camera.

2009 08 22 Silo on a farm near home.

This week, one of my nephews had a birthday- Happy 22nd Birthday, Trent! and so did one of my nieces- Happy Birthday, Courtney! He's in college at Youngstown State. She spent today moving in at Walsh. Thanks to Facebook- I can feel connected to them even though I'm miles away in a different space!

Yesterday wasn't such a good day at work but it got better. On my way home, I stopped at Sears to look at refrigerators and bought a camera! I found the same one that I killed camping in the rain- it was the demo one, and was on sale for a third of it's original price!

Then I got to go get Peyton and have him spend the night with me. My baby is going to kindergarten on Monday- I bought him some clothes for school and we had a photo shoot at the playground until we got rained out. His Spiderman mask -the red side- got wet and started running. For awhile, I thought maybe he was going to start school with a red face!

He went to his dad's and I went to the grocery store. Shaun called and said that Peyton got stung. Poor baby - that big old bumblebee bit him on the forehead, the shoulder and the ear! Thank goodness he doesn't take after me. He swelled a little but I took some Benadryl over and he is okay!

Now here's the photos to catch up for the past week or so!

8/13-8/21

2009-08-21T20:08:00.007-04:00

232/365 2009 08 20 I finally got my new printer up and running.

233/365 2009 08 21 My new Inkubook came today! Rajah seems to like it! It's part 2 of my 365 photo project.

225/365 2009 08 13 Just an empty barn on a bright sunny day.

226/365 2009 08 14 Since I didn't think about using this for my August 8th picture, I want to add it today. This is the "key" I made to celebrate my one year anniversary of being smoke free!

(And here's what I wrote at the About.com Smoking Cessation site-

One year, 11 hours, 0 minutes and 29 seconds. 10963 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,830.95. Life saved: 5 weeks, 3 days, 1 hour, 35 minutes.
Who would have thought, when I made my first post here a year ago, that I would get this far?
Certainly not me- I had smoked up to 2 packs a day for 35 years so everything I did- I did with a cigarette! I couldn't visualize my life without one.
I didn't even tell my family that I was quitting because I didn't want to see and hear the negative remarks when I failed. See, I had only ever tried to quit once before and I failed at that. I'm not good at failure. :)
But this time, I went to the doctor and he gave me Wellbutrin, I bought gum and candy and popsicles and nicotine lozenges. And when I had actually quit, late at night on 8/8/08, I came here to the forum. And so many people helped- I won't try to thank everyone specifically because I know I'll forget someone. But thanks to all of you!
I would never-ever have made it through without my quit twin, Ken (kdogg) who 2 weeks into my quit said "show the world that Donna kicks butts!!!" Well, I took that as my motto! He and Mary (MK22) have been my support ever since. I may not have said often enough but when I got a craving, I knew that if I caved, I'd have to get online and admit to them that I failed. When I got lonesome and depressed, Ken was there with his wolf pack to cheer me up and keep me going! When I was excited, he was, too! Thanks so much, my twin, I'll love ya forever!
If he couldn't get to a computer, Mary did. Her success kept both of us going! (And I looked forward to my Steeler prezzies!) Luv you, Mary and thanks.
So here I am 1 year later and I made it! I can sit through a movie at the theater with my oldest grandson; I can chase my youngest grandson around and toss him in the air; I can walk around the parks (and still am able to breath!) And most importantly, I know that I am doing my best to stay healthy and alive for my two grandsons (and the third one who will be here any day now.)
And my key represents some of my favorite things- my two grandsons, Peyton and Chance, Pigs, birds, daisies and butterflies! )
227/365 2009 08 15 Recipe: $10 sprinkler, one yard, 3 boys- endless fun!

228/365 2009 08 16 Kier and Shaun in their backyard. She ended up in the hospital in labor!

229/365 2009 08 17 My favorite pillow spray.

230/365 2009 08 18 Shane and Chance.

231/365 2009 08 19 Heron at Donegal Lake.

It's been how long???

2009-08-12T21:50:00.011-04:00

2009 08 07 one of my coffee prints (hanging in the kitchen)

2009 08 06 look how full my ivy plant is getting.

2009 08 05 Wildflowers.

2009 08 04 Chance reading a book about "Cars"- he just likes the noises!

2009 08 03 Corn in the field near home.

Yikes, I haven't posted in forever- and I'm missing almost a week's photos- have to get them off the other disk. But here's most of the missing pics! (8/3 to 8/7 were added above)
2009 08 12 The creek at Linn Run State Park.

2009 08 10 All the businesses along Rt. 30 have signs like this- celebrating Steeler training camp at St. Vincent's.

2009 08 11 Produce stand on route 51- I stopped and got 2 huge cantaloupes for $5.00. I've had all the melon I could eat.

2009 08 09 The one tomato I managed to grow- it's a yellow heirloom variety. The rest withered and died of the blight.
2009 08 08 Swallows sitting on the electric line near Donegal lake.

2009 07 31 Camping in the rain- Gracii, Peyton, Shane, and Chance.

2009 07 30 Peyton, Shane and Chance sneaking up on a big deer (elk)

2009 07 29 Frog on my back porch.

2009 07 28 Kingfisher sitting on the dam at Donegal.

2009 07 27 the moon over my house.

2009 07 26- playing around with the camera- dark in the car (that's how fast I was going!)

2008 08 02 riding home with Les and Tammy - Caitlyn, Peyton, Joshua - you can't see Heather but she's crashed too!

2008 08 01 Cameron jumping off the wall at the beach. (Not into the water- into the sand!)

June scrapbook pages

2009-07-26T17:05:00.006-04:00

2009-07-25T21:41:00.003-04:00

206-365 2009 07 25 Shane - no time for anything but his DS game! BOy, he can concentrate on this!

205-365 2009 07 24 Blackberries along the road. 204-365 2009 07 23 Shane and Chance taking a break from wrestling while we waited for Shaun and Kier to get home from the hospital. She had to have an ultrasound to find out how the baby is doing.

2009-07-25T21:30:00.002-04:00

203-365 2009 07 22 Jacobs Creek Environmental Education area, off Route 31 near Mount Pleasant. My Hennon and Morrow ancestors lived in the "Valley of Jacobs' Creek" before 1800.

202-365 2009 07 21 Flower on the bank of the Latrobe reservoir

201-365 2009 07 20 Sky over home!

200-365 2009 07 19 A cardinal at the bird feeder.

199-365 2009 07 18 Peyton at my house on Saturday. Waiting impatiently for his daddy to come and get him.

2009-07-25T21:10:00.003-04:00

197-365 July 17, 2009 Peyton at CarMike Studios- waiting for Transformers 2 to start! He was on the edge of his seat after it started and never stopped his commentary on the show. He talked the whole way thru the movie!

196-365 July 16, 2009 Okay, I'm cheating on this one- it was taken on the 17th but I like it so much I want to use it too! That's the face of Peyton when he's getting ready to get in trouble- trying to pull a joke or a trick on me!

195-365 15 July 2009 Donegal Lake on a misty morning!194-365 14 July 2009 I thought this flower was pretty (and I wasn't too inspired by anything else today)

193-365 13 July 2009- just a shot of Rajah in her favorite chair!