Dawn's Day Break

Dawn and the no good, very bad day!

2010-08-03T05:00:00.000-04:00

Where do I start? Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment (that the source of my bad day). I didn't eat breakfast because my appointment was in the morning and I was going to grab a bite afterwards.

On my way I was driving down a local road and all of a sudden I noticed the road was COVERED in broken glass. This picture I grabbed from the internet for effect. I didn't have a chance to stop and take pictures. It just came up on me. The glass was scattered across the entire width of the road so there was no way to avoid it.

Just about the time I got to my appointment I started hearing a funny sound. You guessed it. I had a flat tire! I parked my car at the hospital (where my appointment was). I called AAA and found that my membership had expired so I had to renew it over the phone and then set up a time for someone to come change my tire. (I've never changed one and don't know how!). I had to wait until my doctor's appointment was over to call AAA back to set up a time. In the mean time I called the local police department to tell them about the glass and they said that they were sending the highway department to clean it up.

Because I didn't have any thing to eat yet I went inside the main lobby of the hospital to grab a bagel from the little cafe that was no longer where it used to be. I walked across the hospital only to be told that it wouldn't open for another 25 minutes. I couldn't wait because AAA was coming. So, I walked back to the lobby to find out that the cafe serves food all day.

When the tow truck came and put the spare on my car (you know those donut tires) I saw a big piece of glass wedged into another tire. I ended up calling where my niece's husband works and set up an appointment with him. I needed 4 new tires!!!! It took about an hour after I got there for him to get to my car. Since I hadn't eaten yet and it was already 1:00 I waked to the little restaurant in the plaza to see that it was closed. I ended up walking further down the road to find a place to eat. "The diet be damned today!", I thought. I got myself some fish and chips but didn't eat all the fries. My tummy didn't feel well afterwards. UGH!

Then I walked a little further down the road to my mother's house to pick up Tim. He and I walked back to the tire store and waited about another hour for my car to be done...to the tune of $343! I think the town owes me that money! I've called the police department to see if there was an accident there and there wasn't one reported (Something happened because there was glass and a windshield wiper on the road!) The highway department says they aren't responsible because they have 24 hours to clean up a road after it has been reported!!

Hours later I traveled back to buy some crayons that I needed (I saved $59) and walked out with two boxes of chalk I didn't pay for. I went right back in to pay for them. I certainly don't need bad Karma!

If you made it this far reading...bless you! I hope today is better!

take care,
Dawn

Technology

2010-07-29T05:00:00.005-04:00

Hi there friends. Yesterday I went to a workshop at school. The workshop was Digital Audio for Classroom Presentation and Projects. Through Google APPS I opened a program called Aviary and created this little audio clip. It gave me the option to add this MP3 player so all you have to do is click on it and hear me.

I love technology. I am excited by the possibilities this will give me in my classroom and with my school blog and web page. A couple of weeks ago I went to a digital workshop, Working with Digital Images and Cameras and last week I gave one on the Smart Board.

What do you think? Do I sound like you thought I would?

take care,
Dawn

Summer Reading

2010-07-23T05:00:00.000-04:00

Tim finished fifth grade this year and next school year he will move over to the middle school. This year our school district (where I teach and Tim attends) came out with a summer reading list for Kindergarten through 12th grade. Tim's list is required summer reading. Each of the fifth grade students were given a copy of Island of the Blue Dolphin from the PTA as a kind of "graduation" to the middle school.

Of course Tim was not thrilled to have to read this summer. Is he truly my son?????? He is a good reader too. He just never wants to start a book. When he is done reading, he has enjoyed the book. I told him that I would read with him. So, every couple of days we sit and take turns reading a chapter to each other. We should be done with this book next week.

He has two required books. We will read the next one in August.

I haven't been reading much of my own. I did read
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner:
An Eclipse Novella

I think I will read The Host next. I have had it since last summer and haven't started it.

take care,
Dawn

Gangster!!

2010-07-22T05:00:00.001-04:00

Doesn't this picture make a mother proud?

Tim was so excited to get this picture taken yesterday. I took Tim, Britt and the kids to the county fair yesterday and this was one of Tim's favorite parts of the day. We went to one of those old time photo booths and this is what he wanted.

This is so far from the little boy that would pin his blankie around his neck and become a super hero. I guess it is hard deny that my little boy is growing up.

I'm sharing more pictures of the fair tomorrow. I'm just too tired from our long day to upload them all.

take care,
Dawn

Oh how yummy!

2010-07-21T05:00:00.003-04:00

Well, Tim made our dinner on Sunday and I have to say it was quite good! He made the Beef Roulade and the Chocolate Delight dessert in the crock pot. I have several crock pots and we had two of them working on Sunday.

Here is the Beef Roulade after it came out of the crock pot. I showed Tim how to make gravy with the juices.

He chose baked potatoes and green beans to go along with the dinner. It really was very good. Rich even said he'd like to have it again.

The dessert. Here are the ingredients Tim used.

He mixed it all together in the crock pot.

And here is the final product with some vanilla ice cream on top.

I don't think I would hesitate in giving Tim the cook book to pick something else to make for us.

Oh, and don't forget to vote for Brittainy's blog. See the post below for more information.

take care,
Dawn

Vote for Brittainy

2010-07-20T19:58:00.000-04:00

My daughter Brittainy's blog is in a contest here at Life Without Pink. Her blog is the Litany of Brittainy and if you enjoy her post, please vote for her. I think she is quite funny and a talented writer. Go check it out!

Oh, and for those of you who are interested, my post tomorrow is about the dinner Tim made us.

take care,
Dawn

Let them eat...STEAK

2010-07-18T05:00:00.000-04:00

My son Tim is a typical 11 (almost 12 :) ) year old boy. He loves Star Wars, Legos, playing with guns (much to my dismay!) and crude humor LOL! But, he also loves watching the Travel Channel and the "food" shows. His favorites are Man vs. Food and Good Eats.

I think it was while watching on of these he was intrigued with a recipe for flank steak. He asked to look through some of my cookbooks so I showed him where they were. He found a recipe for Beef Roulade made in the crock pot. He also found another crock pot recipe for a hot chocolate cake like dessert.

Today is the big day. He is making this for dinner for us. I went to the store yesterday and picked up all of the ingredients and he will be making the meal (baked potatoes included) and dessert.

I am excited that he has an interest in learning to cook. All Rich can cook are burgers on the grill and shake and bake pork chops or chicken. I would love to see Tim know how to cook for himself when he is old enough to be out of the house and on his own. Who knows, maybe someday I'll get a thank you from his wife, who won't be the only one in the family to do the cooking!

I'll let you know tomorrow how the dinner turned out.

take care,
Dawn

My busy week

2010-07-13T05:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I started a week's worth of school work. The kindergarten teachers are meeting for four days to begin math curriculum mapping and revising our standards based report cards. I know, I know...I live a wild and crazy life LOL!

I am getting paid for this time (and some time I am putting in next week) so I was thinking of using the money to buy a laptop for Tim. I am selfish and don't like to always share mine LOL! My desktop is on it's last leg I am afraid. It over heats and shuts down a lot. I'm sure he'll be needed to write reports and do research and it should get him through the three years that he will be there. I use mine all the time so it will be hard to share.

On another note I got brave the other day and looked in the cabinet to see just how much of my corning ware was broken. The big ones survived and I think I have three to replace. Not bad. I can live with that. When I get a minute I am going to go online to see what I can find.

take care,
Dawn

2010-07-09T05:00:00.000-04:00

I have a set of these casserole dishes that belonged to my grandmother. I use them all the time and each time I do I think of her. I remember going to her house and having holiday meals and she would use them. I am reminded of how my grandmother used to have carrots, my favorites, in one of these dishes. They would be oh so hot and swimming in butter. I also think of here when I make butternut squash and mix it with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter and bake it for Thanksgiving dinner. I use the bigger one to cook stuffing and more often, Shepperd's pie. These casserole dishes are very sentimental to me.

Last night Rich was putting something away and broke almost everyone of them. I am so very sad!!! I know that they are only things but they are the things that remind me of my "Nana". I suppose now I am going to have to be on the hunt to find replacements. I feel as blue as the cornflower design!

take care,
Dawn

Not for the SQUEAMISH!!!

2010-07-08T05:00:00.002-04:00

My niece was working at Dunkin Donuts Monday and spilled hot coffee grounds and hot water on her hand. It looks awful. I'm posting the picture at the end of this post. If you are squeamish don't look!

She went to the ER and they told her she has 2nd and 3rd degree burns. She said she was in so much pain! They dressed it and sent her home with some meds. She went back yesterday to have it looked at. She said she is feeling better but it looks terrible. Her normally slender hand is all swollen and red and blistery. I have burned my self many times in the past. Most are from ironing and cooking accidents. Just two Christmases ago I burned my hand with hot oil and was in pain for hours and hours. I couldn't take the ice off of it without it feeling like it was on fire. I remember once when I was a teenager reaching to turn off a light that didn't have a shade on it and got a huge blister on my wrist that hurt so much I had to sleep with my hand in a bucket of water.

I sure hope she is feeling better soon. I'm sure many of us have our own "war stories" about burns. None of mine compare to what her hand looks like.

take care,
Dawn

A Morning at the Beach

2010-07-07T05:00:00.001-04:00

Last week Britt took Tim with her to the beach down the street from our house. She packed up her kids, picked up Tim and spent about four hours there. She told me that you need to get there early or the parking lot fills up and you can't get a place to park. They were just about the first people at the beach that day. Lucky for me I gave her my camera to take so I would have copies of pictures of the day.

Here's a close up of Jack. He is getting so big and talks so well that I forget he is only 2 1/2.

Isn't he cute?

Mackenzie is getting quite grown up as well. She will be five in September!

Here's a picture of Tim. You can't tell from the picture but he is getting so tall! I'm 5'5" and he is about three inches shorter than me.

And here is me! I joined weight watchers at the end of February and have lost about 40 pounds. I'm still working on the rest. :)

There is a little update of pictures of the family.

take care,
Dawn

School's out

2010-07-05T14:10:00.001-04:00

It was just over a week ago that we had our final day of school. We started late this past school year (right after Labor Day) and didn't finish school until the 25th of June. It is a tradition at our school that on the last day of school all of the teachers wait out with the buses and blow bubbles.

It seems like the last day of school takes forever for the buses to pull out. I remember one year a teacher forgot to pass out her report cards so we waited until she visited all the buses to pass out the cards.

Us ~~old lady~~ mature teachers usually do the revised "queen wave". That is to say we hold our saggy underarm skin and give our wave. The buses pull out slowly all beeping their horns until they reach the street. We have in the past sung various goodbye songs, like Na Na Na Na Good bye and See You in September.

Every year seems to be harder and harder for Tim. He leaves the Elementary School this year and heads next door to the Middle School. He will be a 6th grader in the fall. This year he absolutely loved his teacher. The poor boy couldn't stop crying! A few days before school ended he told me that his teacher was the best in the school. He hoped that I understood how she surpassed me!

I always take Tim out to lunch on the last day since it is a half day of school for the kids. We made our annual trip to A&W for burgers and root beer. Speaking of root beer, Tim asked me today if you could get drunk on root beer. When I told him no he asked why it was called beer then. Any insight on that would be appreciated! :)

The Monday after school ended I was back at school writing a grant with some fellow teachers. Then last Friday I was back again for a workshop. I have this week off from "school related" activities, but I'll be back all of next week.

Let's see what summer vacation brings me this year.

take care,
Dawn

The Jolly Captain

2010-03-28T19:29:00.000-04:00

Along a major road on Cape Cod, overlooking the Bass River bridge stands this Jolly Captain. He has been there ever since I can remember. The Jolly Captain used to be a motel and as many have done in the past it became condos.
After traveling, when I see the Captain ,I know that it is not much longer before I am home. My daughter's aunt came for a visit this past summer and took this picture of the Captain. Now, in the summer time, what usually takes three minutes or so to drive by any other season, could be up to a 20 minute standstill with all the traffic.

This past month we had a bit of a storm and sadly the Captain did not fare well. While Tim was in Truro, Rich and I took a little drive to see what damage the storm did.

The poor fellow lost his head in the storm! He also took a bit of a beating.

He is such a icon along Rt. 28 that I really hope he is repaired. I would hate to see him go the way of so many memories of my childhood.

Just a mile or so down the road from the Captain used to be a motel that had a statue of a man in a black suit. This man would tip his hat as you drove by. I can't tell the excitement my sister and I used to have seeing it. That man has long disappeared and all that remains are the run down motel sitting on a barren cement slab.

Britt, in her own humor, decided to photoshop the picture and added Jack to the Captain's body. He doesn't look too happy about the situation does he?

take care,
Dawn

Weekend chores

2010-03-25T05:30:00.000-04:00

I know it is only Thursday but I am contimplating my weekend chores. I've done most of my laundry already and have picked up the house. My big chore this weekend is to tackle the HUGE pile of papers and such that need putting away. I think they would fill about four brown grocery bags. I get so overwhelmed when I think about doing this. I just have to resign myself to take it in small steps and it will be done before I know it. At least that is what I am telling myself.

Speaking of chores I can't imagine any house getting more dustier than mine. It is everywhere!!! I wonder how much of it has to do with my heating system. I have a family of dust bunnies growing under my bed. The bed is too heavy to move and I can't fit my vacuum under there!

It is supposed to be a cold weekend, a good time to work up a sweat cleaning don't you think?

take care,

Dawn

American Idol season 9

2010-03-24T05:30:00.002-04:00

I am typing this about 15 minutes before the show begins on Tuesday night. I am tired and grumpy....my computer was acting up and causing me stress! I am going to take a break, get in bed and watch Cape Cod's own Siobhan Magnus sing. This season she and Crystal Bowersox are my two favorites.

It's really exciting to have a local singer on American Idol. I love her voice and just know that she will do well weather she wins American Idol or not.

Are you watching this season?

take care,
Dawn

Never in all my years....

2010-03-23T05:30:00.001-04:00

I went grocery shopping this past weekend and picked up bananas. Tim loves bananas! On Sunday morning Tim brought me a banana that he took off the bunch to show me how BIG it was.

To prove how big it looked Tim held it up next to a regular sized banana. I am surprised that I didn't even notice the big one when I was shopping. I was paying more attention to how ripe they looked. Of course when he showed me I had to get my camera and take pictures.

When Tim peeled the banana I saw something that I have never seen in my life. Inside were two bananas connected side by side.

You can click on the picture for a close up look at the DOUBLE banana.

I am curious. Have you ever seen something like that before?

take care,
Dawn

Tim in Truro

2010-03-21T16:55:00.002-04:00

Last week Tim spent the school week in Truro. For those of you not familiar with Cape Cod, Truro on near the tip of the Cape. It is a fifth grade tradition to spend the week in Truro, at the National Seashore.

The National Environmental Education Development(NEED) Collaborative is a publicly-funded environmental science school, administered by the Dennis-Yarmouth, Harwich, and Falmouth school systems in partnership with the Cape Cod National Seashore. Created over thirty years ago to educate Cape Cod youth about their own unique environment, the Collaborative is a week-long residential school serving every fifth-grade class from the administering school districts throughout the school year. Located in the former Pamet Coast Guard Station on Ballston Beach in Truro, the director and a staff of naturalists teach a curriculum that emphasizes natural history, coastal ecology, and experiential education.

Tim left from school on Monday and returned on Friday. He told me that he had a wonderful time there and was quite sad to leave. I remember when Brittainy went in fifth grade. She wasn't as enthusiastic as Tim was. She doesn't like to admit it, but she missed her mom very much.

I gave Tim two disposable cameras to bring and here are a few of his pictures.

It was very quiet around here with him gone and nice to have him back home again.

take care,
Dawn

Who Knew?

2010-02-02T05:00:00.000-05:00

COFFEE FILTERS

Coffee filters. Who knew! And you can buy 1,000 at the Dollar Tree for almost nothing, even the large ones.

1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.

2. Clean windows, mirrors, and chrome. Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.

3. Protect china by separating your good dishes with a coffee filter between each dish.

4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.

7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.

10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.

11. Prevent a popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.

12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters.

13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them. It soaks out all the grease.

14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."

15. As a sewing backing. Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.

16. Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.

17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.

18. Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.

19.. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and clean up small counter spills.

20. Can use to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting a piece of fruit or veggies. Saves on having extra bowls to wash.

21. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.

22. Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.

23. Use them to sprout seeds. Simply dampen the coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a plastic baggie until they sprout.

24. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers. Place the flowers between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in phone book.

25. Use as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, etc.

26. Use to cover drain holes in bottom of flower pots, before placing soil in. Water still drains, but soil stays in.

OH YEAH, THEY ARE GREAT TO USE

IN YOUR COFFEE MAKERS TOO!

It's Complicated

2010-01-30T05:00:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry to have been a bit MIA this week. I've had a busy week at school and I have been exhausted this week. As a matter of fact I am writing this at 6:30 Friday night. When I'm done I'm heading to bed.

Two weeks ago Britt and I went out to lunch and the movies and had so much fun that we are trying it again today. She is meeting me for lunch at our favorite restaurant. Both of us are craving that french onion soup again.

After lunch we are heading to the movie theater to see It's Complicated. I am looking forward to a good laugh. Everyone I know that has seen this movie has loved it and said how funny it is. I like Meryl Streep and I think Steve

I have two more weeks of school before our February vacation. I have a week off. I am looking forward to a restful week.

I don't know what the weather is like where you live but it has been so COLD here. Yesterday it was 20º out for a high. The wind chill made it feel like 5º...yes I said 5º. It will warm up this weekend but not by much. I hope where ever you are you are staying warm.

take care,
Dawn

What is it with kids and ketchup?

2010-01-26T05:00:00.000-05:00

My son Tim is such a picky eater. I have been trying to expand his repertoire of meals. He puts ketchup on EVERYTHING! This past Thanksgiving he ate turkey with ketchup. Sunday night I made a roast beef dinner and he ate it with ketchup. The worst so far has to be this past weekend. We got Chinese food last weekend and Tim ate beef teriyaki with ketchup!!!

I am happy that he is trying new foods but EWWWWW!!!!!!!!

take care,
Dawn

Happy Birthday Dad

2010-01-25T05:00:00.001-05:00

This is a repost from Father's Day a couple of years ago. Today would have been my father's 76th birthday. He passed away in October of 1998 and I miss him so much. Tim and I made a birthday cake for him yesterday to have today in celebration of his birthday. Oh, how I wish he got to meet Tim.

So dear friends, here is my dad!

Here is my dad with me when I was a baby!

This is the way I remember my father most.

I made a small little scrapbook of my dad with a poem in it that says:

When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure

When I come to the end of the road,

and the sun has set me free

I want no rites in a gloom filled room

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little-but not too long

and not with your head bowed low,

Remember the love that we once shared

Miss me - but let me go

For this journey that we all must take

and each must go alone

It's all a part of the Master's plan

A step on the road home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart

Go to the hills we know

And bury your sorrow among the trees

Miss me- but let me go.

take care,

Dawn

Social Graces

2010-01-23T05:00:00.000-05:00

I consider myself to be a very friendly person. I also like to think that I am well mannered. With this is mind, I have to say that I just don't understand why people can be unfriendly. I work in a public school and I can't tell you how many times I have passed someone in the hall and said hello to them with absolutely NO RESPONSE! How hard is is to be respectful and simply say hello.

I will say that there are many in my school who will say hello, share a smile and just make you feel good just to see happy people!

Speaking of school. I was home on Thursday sick. I spent most of the day in bed watching TV. I had a bit of a fever and an awful headache. I woke up on Friday feeling just fine and I am looking forward to my weekend.

I was supposed to bring the sweater I made for my great niece to her on Thursday but I am sure my niece wouldn't have liked it if I came by sick! I dropped it off after school on Friday. Luckily it is still a bit too big for her. I was worried that it would be too small.

Enjoy your weekend.

take care,
Dawn

Da Da...Da da da da da...da da da da...da da da da

2010-01-21T05:00:00.000-05:00

In case you couldn't figure out from the title that is Mackenzie's new favorite song. It's the theme from Star Wars. On Saturday Mackenzie got a new Star Wars toy, Darth Maul. She was so excited to get it that she wanted to come over and play Star Wars with Tim. I picked her up on Sunday morning. She had her Star Wars lunch box full of her Star Wars guy ready to go. She and Tim played for hours!!!! Tim brought out his Star Wars Legos and they had a grand time.

Mackenzie is wearing the sweater I made for her last year. (If you click on the picture you can see a bigger version and see the sweater better).

I don't know how many of you are familiar with Massachusetts talk but "wicked" is a very popular word. When we were driving to my house she was telling me that when her brother Jack left with her Dad to go to a relatives house and when her mom left to do what she needed to do that their dog, Joey, would be "wicked" sad. I don't know how Joey felt, but we were "wicked" glad to have Mackenzie for the day.

take care,
Dawn

It is finally done!

2010-01-20T05:00:00.001-05:00

This past summer I started a sweater set for my great niece, Christina. She was born in August and honestly, I didn't think it would take so long to finish. It was the kind of knitting that required me to think about what I was doing so I had to wait to find the times I could devote to doing so. On Monday morning I finished the collar on the sweater and then I made the hat on Monday. The hat was quick to knit. My fingers were sore by the end of the night.

I called my niece and told her it was done. I will be bringing to her on Thursday after school. I hope she likes it. I also hope that the baby hasn't outgrown it. It is a size 6 months and she should get some good "sweater" time out of it. Now, if my niece were to have another baby girl sometime it would be a great hand me down.

When my niece, Tonja (Christina's mom) was four years old I made a sweater for her. I found it years ago and Tim wore it. I've given it to Britt and Mackenzie has worn it. I am guessing Jack will have a go at it too. Who knows, Christina might even have the chance!

Now to go tackle that hat I'm trying to make myself.

take care,
Dawn

Our senses

2010-01-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

I was watching something on TV yesterday and the character was talking about memories. A minute or two later it was said that the sense of sound and smell is stronger than the sound of sight in evoking memories. This struck me because just this weekend I came across a blog and the blogger posted a Joan Baez song. I clicked on her link to listen to the song and before I knew it I was so overwhelmed by memories that I started crying. Not because I was sad. I was just flooded with so many memories.

I ended up googling (sp?) the album I had as a teenager and apparently it is unavailable. I used to listen to the Joan Baez Ballard Book all the time. I spent a while on Rhapsody finding all of the songs and listening to it. I found this clip on YouTube of one of my favorite from the album

I have also noticed in the past that smells can do the same thing for me. Sometimes I smell things that remind me of my grandmother and great grandmother and it brings back a flood of memories.

I also have memories of the smell of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that has been in a metal lunch box. It reminds me of being in elementary school. I can almost picture the lunch table I was sitting at when I have that smell come to me.

I have rambled...sorry.

What do you think about how our senses trigger memories.

take care,
Dawn

Let Sleeping Boys and Dogs Lie

2010-01-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

A few days after Christmas Jack and Mackenzie came over to spend the day. Jack wore himself out playing and crawled up onto the couch and fell asleep. Dexter saw him up there and joined him in a little nap.

Dexter just loves Mackenzie and Jack. He gets so excited when they come over. He is so good too. Jack loves to kiss and hug Dexter and Dexter lets him!

I decided to adopt Dexter a couple of months after Britt had good luck adopting a dog. Dexter is about half the size of Britt's dog, Joey. Dexter, however, acts like he is the biggest dog around. I guess he has good self esteem LOL!

take care,
Dawn

Lovely Lunch and The Lovely Bones

2010-01-17T05:00:00.001-05:00

Britt and I had our day together yesterday. We met in the late morning to head out for lunch but got there about a half an hour before they opened. So we stopped at my mother's house. She lives right down the road from the restaurant. We were the first ones seated and picked the seat overlooking the water. The deck was still decorated with the Christmas garland.

Clancy's, the restaurant we went to, has the BEST French Onion soup. We both had a cup with our lunch.

Britt ordered the turkey club (with the understanding that she could have a bite of my burger LOL!).
I ordered the burger. Doesn't it look WONDERFUL!
After lunch we headed to the theater to see The Lovely Bones. I read the book this past summer and thoroughly enjoyed the book. The movie was true to the story line of the book for the most part. I thought the special effects were well done. There were parts of the movie that had me crying. I think if I were watching it at home I might have cried a little more.

The movie didn't have the same character development as the book (naturally) and some characters in the movie has a much smaller role than the did in the book. The villain was played very creepily (if that's a word) by Stanley Tucci.

I liked the movie. I am glad I saw it. :)

Britt and I had a wonderful time together. We have to plan on doing it again.

As an aside, if my sister Sam is reading this...♪ ♫ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! ♪ ♫

take care,
Dawn

The Lovely Bones

2010-01-15T05:00:00.002-05:00

The Lovely Bones (PG13)
Based on the critically acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, and directed by Oscar winner Peter Jackson from a screenplay by Jackson & Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens, "The Lovely Bones" centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family and her killer from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal. Oscar nominee Mark Wahlberg and Oscar winners Rachel Weisz and Susan Sarandon star along with Stanley Tucci, Michael Imperioli and Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan

I am so excited for Saturday. Britt and I are going out to lunch at my favorite restaurant and then we are headed to the theater to see the movie, The Lovely Bones. I read the book this past summer and called Britt to see if she had read it. She had :) Since finishing the book and finding out that it was coming out as a movie we have been anxiously waiting for this day.

I don't go to the movies often. I've probably seen three in the last 11 years! This will be a treat! I was talking to Britt on the phone the other day and she was telling me that she was excited for Saturday as well and how nice it will be that we will both not have kids with us, and then she corrected herself saying at least she wouldn't. I wasn't planning on bringing Tim so I didn't know why she said that until a day later when I realized I am in fact bringing my "kid"...her!

I'll let you know what I think of the movie.

take care,
Dawn

Giving it a try!

2010-01-14T05:00:00.000-05:00

I have mentioned this week that I have recess duty at school. I have an old hat that I made and I don't like it. I made it years ago and it was with really cheap yarn. The pattern is very simple and boring to boot. I have decided to make myself a new one. The one thing I like about the old hat is that it is a loose fit. I don't like a hat clinging to my round face!

Last weekend I finally gave up finding a pattern that I liked so I have decided to make one! I got about half way through the hat and decided it was just too small. I ripped it all out and started again with a few more added stitches.

I have it half way done again and I am trying to figure out how I want to work the decreases to look (in keeping with the pattern). I hope to finish it this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed that I have the top of this hat figured out. I'll post pictures when it is done.

take care,
Dawn

American Idol 2010

2010-01-13T05:00:00.002-05:00

I am writing this post on Tuesday about three hours before the start of the 2010 Season of American Idol. Tim is beside himself with the anticipation of the start of the show. I am very excited about seeing Ellen Degeneres as one of the judges. I think she is one of the funniest people. I find her so entertaining. I am sure there are people who don't like the change but I can't wait!!!

Are you an American Idol fan? Did you watch the show last night? What did you think?

take care,
Dawn

Random thoughts for the day

2010-01-12T05:00:00.001-05:00

I received this in an email this week and found it fun to read. I hope you enjoy it as well.

I have to admit, there's a lot of truth to this................

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this--ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring, but when I immediately call back, it goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day, "Dad what would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the hell do I respond to that?

19. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

20. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with BUDWEISER than Kay.

take care,
Dawn

Car repairs

2010-01-11T05:00:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday I did end up getting my oil change. I was up, out of the house, and at the Saturn dealership by 8:00. I had the oil changed and ask the repair man to take a look under the car and see if he could figure out why my car was making a clunking sound when I made a left hand turn.

I've been asking Rich to take a look at it for a while now, but gosh, he just hasn't found the time to do it. I suppose if my car were connected somehow to his truck he could figure it out easily!

It ended up being that the emergency brake cable had come loose. It cost me $9.50 for 1/10 of an hours work to reattach it. There is just something about that that bothers me. The math tells me it was 6 minutes or under to plug the cable in. Do you remember when people used to do things like this as a common courtesy? I know it is a business and all, but where do you draw the line?

While I'm on my car rant here is another. Two years ago I got to close to a cement pole at the gas station and scratched/broke the side door of my car. My insurance paid all but the deductible to fix it. Then I found out that I am getting a surcharge for the next three years for being a "bad driver". Now the thing that gets me is that I have been paying car insurance for about 25 years or so and I've never been at fault for any kind of an accident. I have never even gotten a ticket for that matter. Isn't the purpose of paying for insurance to use it if you need to. Why do you get charged to use something you buy? It baffles me. I guess scratching the door of my car makes me a menace on the road!

UGH!!!

take care,
Dawn

Recess

2010-01-09T05:00:00.000-05:00

My least favorite part of my job is recess duty. It's not that I don't like being out there with the children. It is more that I have so much to do and recess duty isn't how I want to be spending my time.

We have had a bit of snow lately and the kids are coming to school with all of their snow gear. It takes so long to help get on snow pants, mittens, boots and then getting all of the coats zipped. I always thing of the scene in the movie "The Christmas Story" where the little boy is getting all bundled up and can't move LOL!

Yesterday was a day that I didn't have duty. I traded duty with the assistant in my room while she went to pick up lunch. It was snowing out and the kids were so excited. I brought the camera out with me and took some pictures. Of course I am only sharing pictures with no faces of the kids to show you what a great time they had. I was enjoying it myself!

take care,
Dawn

Not enough coffee

2010-01-08T05:00:00.001-05:00

There just wasn't enough coffee this week to keep me going. This first week back after Christmas has me dragging. All I want to do is sleep.

After school yesterday I took Tim to the orthodontist and all I wanted to do while I was waiting for him was to close my eyes and take a nap! By the time I got home it was after five so I sent Rich out to get take out for dinner.

I was looking forward to sleeping in this weekend but I foolishly made an appointment for an oil change at 8:00 Saturday morning. What was I thinking.

Let's hope next week is a little easier!

take care,
Dawn

Dexter

2010-01-07T05:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I think Dexter thinks he is a cat!!! During the Christmas season I had to move this chair to make room for the Christmas tree. It ended up by the window. Dexter has been spending a lot of time up here on the top of this chair. When he hears Rich come home he runs to the window and looks out to see if it is Rich's truck. I assume he does the same for me but I'm in the car so I can't be sure LOL! I almost don't want to move the chair back since Dexter likes it there so much. I might, however, but some kind of covering on the back!

Tim wanted a picture of Dexter with the hat that he (Tim) wore when he was a baby. Here are the two boys posing by the Christmas tree. Dexter was very good to tolerate the photo shoot :).

take care,
Dawn

Will we or won't we?

2010-01-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

I've been getting together with a group of friends to knit for the past three years. It's always a fun time and yes, on occasion we actually knit LOL! The past month or so has been hard getting together. With the holidays something is always going on. I am hoping that we will be able to get together tonight without something getting in the way. Keep your fingers crossed that it will happen.

I love show and tell the most! When one of the girls brings something to show and tell I am usually inspired to try the project myself. That is where a great number of my projects come from.

This is one of those projects.

I made the top two for Tim's teachers. The bottom blue was a gift at our staff Yankee Swap Christmas party and the other brown is for a dear friend of mine. I haven't seen her yet so she hasn't received them. I also made a black less frilly pair for Tim and I'm working on two other pairs right now.

Keep us in your thoughts today and keep your fingers crossed that we will actually get together.

take care,
Dawn

The Grandkids!

2010-01-05T05:00:00.001-05:00

Brittainy posted these pictures to her facebook page yesterday. I just fell in love with them. As a matter of fact I need her to send me the full size file so I can print and frame them. I have a frame in my computer room that says "Grandchildren" and for two years I've had it hanging with the pictures that come in the frame. Yes, I am hanging my head in shame!

I think Mackenzie has the most beautiful eyes. While she looks very "girly" she is not your typical girl. As a matter of fact, she asked Santa to bring her star wars and batman toys for Christmas. That is what she got. She likes to come over and play Star Wars with Tim. :)

Jack is going to be two next month and he is all BOY!!! He cracks me up. Here is a picture of him making his "funny face".

He talks up a storm and is a dare devil. The boy has no fear. He will climb and jump off anything! He is a joy to have around.

take care,
Dawn

The Clean Up

2010-01-04T05:00:00.002-05:00

Why oh why do I always wait until the last day of vacation to do this. I am heading back to school today and I spent yesterday "de-Christmasing" the house. Actually I only got the living room done. I still have to pack up the kitchen. It took me hours to take things down and put the old back up. Rich complained about the five minutes it took him to carry the 8 totes and the tree up to the attic. (Not that I would want to do that job!). Our living room looks so bare. I think you can hear an echo in there if you try LOL!

Speaking of putting the old back up, here is a trick I learned years ago after so many years of struggling. When I hang my lace panel curtains back up I put a piece of scotch tape over the end of the wire rod and the lace doesn't get caught on the sharp edges. It just slides right into place. Please tell me I am not the last one to know about this :)

I also made a turkey dinner last night. I expect the have the leftovers all week. I'll make a turkey pie and then some turkey soup. My husband and son won't eat the soup but my friend that works with me will. I always send soup home to her husband as well. He appreciates my cooking!!!

take care,
Dawn

My New Year's Resolution

2010-01-02T15:30:00.003-05:00

Hello friends. I have decided to make my blog my New Year's Resolution. Be forewarned my life is very boring so don't expect miracles LOL!

Today is a snowy day on Cape Cod. Rich had some tickets offered to him to go see the Celtics play tonight and because the weather is not good he doesn't want to drive to Boston. Not only is he disappointed but Tim is as well.

I feel badly for the two of them. They were both so excited and looking forward to going. Maybe another opportunity will come their way.

I, on the other hand, was planning on spending the night enjoying the end of my vacation. I have some thank you cards to write and some knitting I want to do. I'll try to get some pictures up to show you what I've been knitting the past few weeks.

take care,
Dawn

'Tis the Season

2009-11-18T05:00:00.001-05:00

I confess. I've already started playing Christmas carols. I really enjoy Christmas music. I have a Christmas CD in my car, in my classroom, another here in my computer room and one in my kitchen CD player. I even confess that this past summer I put a Christmas CD in while I was cleaning the house :)

This past weekend Tim and I watched National Lampoon's Christmas vacation. I might even put another one in this weekend to watch!

I've got another LONG day at school today. After school we have a staff meeting and then I need to stay for a while to get ready for conferences next week. I have also been invited to a surprise birthday party for a former co-worker after school. I expect that I will be getting home rather late this evening.

I was chatting with some of my co-workers recently. We have all been teaching for a very long time and each of us feels like this year we have been on a treadmill. It is non stop and there is always things to do. I am looking forward to our Thanksgiving break!!!

take care,
Dawn

Eno Board

2009-11-17T05:00:00.001-05:00

This summer I found out that I was getting an Eno board for my classroom. It is very similar to a SmartBoard. The difference is that you use a stylus, can use magnets on the board and can use white board markers on it.

I have been very busy making lessons on it. It does use SmartBoard software. The kids love using it. I have made a few things inserting music that has made things so much easier. I just tap the board and the music plays. I don't need to insert a CD into the CD player and I don't have to change the CD's all the time. I brought some work home last night and I had trouble getting the music saved as the right file. After about two hours I finally figured it out! OY!

So my dear blogging friends, I didn't get a chance to visit! Hopefully I will be able to in the next couple of days. Please be patient with me :)

take care,
Dawn

Long Week

2009-11-14T05:00:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday night I got together with some friends to knit. It seems like it has been quite a while since we were able to do that. I had a great time and stayed out a little to late! On Thursday after school I traveled with some co-workers to my old alma mater to attend a math workshop, followed by a working dinner. I got home late on Thursday night as well. It made for a long day on Friday. After school yesterday I had to take Tim to the doctors for a booster shot. He was a brave guy! I ended up coming home and taking a long nap.

I stopped to buy some yarn after school on Friday to make some wrist warmers for Tim's two teachers for Christmas. Hopefully I'll get them finished. I got myself all comfy in my bed to watch TV and knit. :) Here's the link for any of you knitters out there. Susie's Reading Mitts

take care,
Dawn

Dog Days of November

2009-11-12T05:00:00.001-05:00

Rich was doing some work for a neighbor down the street last weekend and Tim walked down to help. The next thing I knew, Rich came in and asked if I wanted to get the camera. Tim was driving our neighbors tractor down the street. We live on a dead end road where there is NO traffic so that wasn't even a concern.

It seems that boys of all ages just loves these "toys". I guess anything with an engine makes a boy happy. Tim told me just yesterday that his "happy place" is on the dirt bike with dad. Oh, don't get me started on that. I am so nervous when he goes on that. I won't let Rich take him on the road. We have conservation land in our back yard with trails that they can ride. He doesn't need to be on the road. At least he isn't asking to ride the bike himself.

Dexter was in the house wondering what all the fuss was about.

take care,
Dawn

2009-11-11T05:00:00.001-05:00

Aren't these pretty!!! I got these from Britt and I have adorned my front yard with 8 of them. I've always wanted to put these plants out in the fall but never wanted to spend the money. I did buy some mums and pumpkins and put them all together in my front yard. I never got pictures of the full effect.

Tim carved the pumpkin this year by himself. He had full power of the knife! Yes, I was a bit nervous but there wasn't even a scratch! Just the other day Tim asked if he could take the jack-o-lanterns out to the woods to smash them. I think he enjoyed that more!

This past weekend we took down all of the Halloween decorations and started on the Thanksgiving. As long as my plants stay alive they will be out in the front yard, with the cornstalks and mums :)

take care,
Dawn

Fall is the time for soup!

2009-11-10T05:00:00.001-05:00

I do enjoy a good soup. I don't think I've had canned soup for years and years. I only like homemade soups. With the weather cooling down I've found myself making soups. My dear husband and son are not fans of soup so I make a crock pot full and share it with my mother or my friend (and her family that appreciates my soup) that I work with. Last weekend I made a pot roast and saved the left overs for a yummy beef vegetable soup. On Sunday we had a roasted chicken so last night I put the leftovers in the crock pot and made a chicken noodle soup. My other favorite soup to make is linguica and sauerkraut soup. I would like to make some kale soup or broccoli soup too. Do you have a favorite?

take care,
Dawn

Halloween and the grandkids :)

2009-11-09T05:00:00.000-05:00

This past Halloween my granddaughter expressed her love of Star Wars by being Darth Vader. She is a girl that doesn't like dolls, or princesses etc. She loves all the things Tim loved when he was little LOL!!! Recently she has become a big fan of the Star Wars movies. :) That's my girl!!

Jack on the other hand just takes what he can get. He was a happy little bee for Halloween. I went to see them on Halloween morning with a pumpkin of goodies...like a good grandmother should LOL!
Here are some pumpkins that they decorated.
I was the lucky recipient of one of Mackenzie's little pumpkins.
Jack seemed to enjoy the painting. Britt got all of these pictures of him. I'm glad I didn't have to clean up that mess!

I'm guessing the creativity gene has found its way to Mackenzie and Jack! Don't you think?

take care,
Dawn

Tim

2009-11-08T08:26:00.002-05:00

Ok I know if you are reading this you happened by thinking I wonder if she will EVER UPDATE her blog. I've gotten all the hints...subtle and not so subtle LOL!

Tim just got his school picture back last week and this is Tim at 11 years old. It's his first "official" photo with his braces. He is getting so tall. He's about three inches shorter than I am. Before I know it he will be taller than I am!!

He LOVES, LOVES, LOVES fifth grade and his teacher. A few weeks ago he told me that just for one year he's like to have a teacher that he doesn't like very much, that way on the last day of school his heart won't be broken! He's always sad on the last day. He doesn't like saying good bye to his teacher.

Next year he heads off to the middle school. Luckily it is next door to the elementary school and he won't be too far away from me :) He is hoping to "help" in my class next year after school since middle school gets out an hour earlier than the elementary school. He is growing up too fast!

take care,
Dawn

It has begun!

2009-09-15T05:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was the first day of kindergarten. We had a very good first day. I came home so tired! Let's hope that each day from here on out gets easier. The hardest part is going over all of the routines. All the kids want to do is play. The biggest time consuming activity is showing them how to use the cafeteria. They have never been there before. We also had to go over recess rules. The kids got an early "extra" recess. Today we practice a fire drill as class before the first "official" school one happens.

The kids all made a picture of the first day of kindergarten to take home. I remember when Tim made his. He made a hand print and dictated what he liked about kindergarten.

Speaking of Tim, he LOVES fifth grade. He has raved about it (and his teacher) every day. Driving home from school on Friday and said that he gets the best teachers every year. One year he'd like one that he doesn't like too much so he won't have "heartache" (his words) and cry on the last day.

I expect that I would be very exhausted by the end of the week.

Oh, Dexter is doing well. He is so excited when we get home he almost can't contain his excitement. He has moved shoes though. He doesn't chew them, he just moves them into the living room. :)

take care,
Dawn

Poor Dexter

2009-09-09T05:00:00.000-04:00

Some of you know that in June we adopted a dog. My plan was to wait until school was out so we could all get used to each other. I am happy to report that Dexter is a love of a dog and we are all smitten with him. He sleeps with either Tim or Rich and I every night. After his morning trip outside he runs back in and jumps back in bed to snuggle. How can you not love that.

Today both Tim and I head back to school and Dexter will be home without us. Fortunately, Rich comes home at lunch time to walk him and for the most part I will be home a few hours after that.

What is he going to do without us there to love him?? I suspect he will spend some time curled up in our bed waiting for us to come home. He is a very good dog and well behaved when he is home alone. I just hope he doesn't miss us too much. I know we'll miss him!

take care,
Dawn

Do you hear those bells?

2009-09-08T05:00:00.000-04:00

It is the school bells ringing for the start of a new year. That's right. I head back to school today. It is hard to believe that my summer vacation is over. Where did the time go?

To celebrate the Labor day weekend and my last hurrah, we invited Britt, Jay and the kids over for a cookout on Saturday.

Jack was his usual happy go lucky self. Here he is eating a cupcake. I cropped the picture so you wouldn't have to see the hot dog, corn and chocolate frosting all mixed together. You can see by the look on his face that it didn't bother him a bit LOL!

Mackenzie doesn't like getting her picture taken so she hid her eyes so I couldn't see her LOL!

I spent my day yesterday trying to get ready to head back to school today. It seems like there was so much to do. I am happy to report that all the laundry has been washed, dried, folded put away and ironed. I even started to clear the basement a bit. That is a job I wanted to do this summer but I kept putting it off.

Well, be thinking of me sitting at meetings today.

take care,
Dawn

Are you a list maker?

2009-09-05T05:00:00.000-04:00

I am a list maker. I like lists! I think it may be because I have so much to do that I forget everything. I make lists to grocery shop...for those things that I don't get every week. I email myself lists of things to do when I get home from school. I email myself things to do at school from home.

I keep a list of what I have gotten people for Christmas for the last several years. (I don't want to repeat myself!) I make lists of things I want to remember to blog about. You might have guessed that's been a short list this past summer!

I also keep many things in files (just like lists!) on my computer so I can find it easily!

I keep a list of phone numbers taped to my refrigerator door. My computer armoire doors have lists on them.

I know there are many more things that I have lists for. What's on your list?

take care,
Dawn

They say it's your birthday!!!

2009-09-04T05:00:00.001-04:00

Today my son Tim turns 11. I can't believe he's already 11 years old. He was born on a Friday afternoon and he turns 11 today, a Friday.

Yesterday I took him and three friends to the movies to see SHORTS. It is the first time I've been to the movies with Tim. Britt took him to his first movie and Rich has taken him to the rest.

Tonight we are going to Outback Steak House for dinner. I know I have mentioned this before but he picks that place because on the other side of the parking lot is Toys R Us. He's no fool!

He's getting a couple of gift cards to Toys R Us and some Star Wars gifts. He enjoys Star Wars immensely!! I think he's seen all 6 movies many times each! I have never seen one from start to end.

He will be the "King" of the house today!

Happy Birthday Tim!!!

Tropical Storm Danny

2009-08-30T18:41:00.004-04:00

Tropical Storm Danny came to visit this weekend. While the weather wasn't what all the tourists wanted it sure was good for me. I did so much cleaning and organizing this weekend.

I read that on Saturday we got up to five inches of rain. The weather was cool and not fit to be out in...especially if you didn't want to get stuck in that awful summer traffic we get here on the Cape on a rainy day!

Not only did I get things done. I had Tim clean his room (FINALLY!) to my specifications. It took him all day to get it done.

I filed papers and put away a HUGE collection of stuff that I had been putting off. I also threw away three trash bags of things I decided I didn't need to save after all!

I also was able to fit in three movies. I watched Mama Mia, Lakeview Terrace and some really bad horror movie that I can't even remember the name of.

Tomorrow I hope to get into school (provided the custodians aren't waxing the floors) to work on my room some more. Only one more week left until school starts.

take care,
Dawn

Happy Birthday to Rich

2009-08-27T05:00:00.000-04:00

Today is my husband's birthday!! Happy Birthday Rich!!!!

We will be going out to dinner tonight. Several years ago Chili's closed here on the Cape. Poor Tim was heartbroken since it was one of his favorite places to eat! Tonight we are going to drive off Cape (something I don't do often...I'm too much of a homebody!!) and go to Chili's for dinner. I am so looking forward to steak fajitas. It's been so long since I have had them.

I also meeting some friends for lunch today at my favorite on Cape restaurant. They have the best french onion soup that I am going to get for lunch.

I don't have any breakfast plans...do you want to join me for coffee and maybe a fruit salad?

take care,
Dawn

I've been out of pracitce!!

2009-08-25T18:00:00.002-04:00

This week I made it to school and actually WORKED hard these last two days. I'm exhausted and my body aches from lifting and moving things around!

I need a few more hours of work and I should be all set! I am going to try to get some of the work done on Wednesday and then head in for one more day next week.

I am the kind of person who does not do well waiting until the last minute. I get very anxious when things are ready on time. Our entire school has been cleaned, with the exception of the kindergarten. I don't know why they wait until the VERY LAST minute to get our rooms done. We aren't going to be able to get in for many days and kindergarten has the most STUFF to put away and organize. I am glad I've gone in to get some things done.

I need a good movie to watch in bed and relax for the rest of the night.

take care,
Dawn

Back to school shopping

2009-08-20T05:00:00.000-04:00

Today was the day for us. We officially started the back to school shopping for Tim. He starts school on the 8th and he just got a few basics to get started. Some new clothes and shoes! I can't believe he is not quite 11 years old (just two more weeks) and his shoe size is a 7's men's! Holy cow that's a big foot!

I still haven't gotten the school supplies. I was hoping Staples would have the items I need on sale but so far that hasn't happened. I guess I am just going to have to go and spend the full amount.

Tim's had the same LL Bean backpack and lunch box since kindergarten and he'll be starting 5th grade. That is a statement about their quality! I guess next year when he starts middle school I should get him a new bigger on. I think it helps that I drive him to and from school everyday and he really doesn't have to drag his backpack around. We don't live in the same town that I work in (or he goes to school) so the bus isn't an option! He's only ridden the bus home once when he went to a friend's house.

take care,
Dawn

A few knitting projects

2009-08-18T21:04:00.003-04:00

I sat here at my computer for more than half an hour trying to figure out what to blog about...and what a struggle it was.

I finally decided to share a couple of projects I have knitted (the few I've taken pictures of anyway).

Last April I was in a knitting swap with some friends. We decided to have a dishcloth swap. My friend Kathleen made a beautiful green one, that was so nice I couldn't use it for dishes LOL! I am using it as a doily and have a lamp on it. I liked the pattern so much that I made this purple one. I'm thinking of saving it to give to my mother. Her favorite color is purple!
I made this sweater set for my niece who had a baby two weeks ago. It's a nice lightweight sweater for warmer weather. It's been so hot the last two weeks that she hasn't needed it. Soon I hope she will wear this pretty pink sweater. (I think I posted this a couple of weeks back...sorry for the repeat!)

This is the same pattern. I'm not sure who I will give this one too. I made a hat to match but don't have a picture of it yet.

I have a few more projects done, just not photographed and a few that just need the finishing touches.

take care,
Dawn

August 15, 1980

2009-08-15T21:49:00.003-04:00

Twenty nine years ago today my baby girl was born. That's right, Britt is 29 today. It is hard for me to believe it's been that long. It's even harder to believe that she has two children of her own! I remember it just like it was yesterday. It was a Friday morning and less than an hour after getting to the hospital she was born.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRITTAINY!!!!!!!!!

Tim and I stopped by today to wish her a happy birthday and bring her a couple of gifts for her big day. We stayed and had cake with her, Jay and the kids. Mackenzie kept wishing her a happy birthday. Her birthday is the start of all the family birthdays. In the next four weeks, my son, my husband, my niece, my son in law, and my granddaughter all have birthdays! It is a busy time of the year around here!

take care,

Dawn

It's a girl

2009-08-13T05:00:00.001-04:00

Last Thursday my niece and her husband had a baby girl, Christina. I went up to the hospital with my sister (the new grandmother) and sat in the waiting room for what seemed like forever. The minute I went down to grab a bite to eat the baby was born.

I don't have permission to post a picture of Christina as Tonja and Stan haven't decided if they want her photos in cyber space. You will just have to take my word for it that she is as lovely as can be.

Years ago when Tonja was in kindergarten her teacher was a friend of mine and one year for Christmas my friend framed a painting that Tonja made. On Saturday I gave it to Tonja to hang in Christina's room.

Hey, two days in a row....I'm on a roll!

take care,
Dawn

Ok Beverly and Jeanne here's a new post!!!

2009-08-11T21:32:00.003-04:00

I know I am so bad. I've become an addict! I am addicted to FARM TOWN on Facebook. :)

Because of this addiction I have been neglecting my blog. So for my faithful friends, I will replace those turkeys with Dexter.

We learned early on that Dexter LOVES our bed. I went into my room one day and there he was, all snuggled with the pillows. He's been sleeping with Rich and I for the last couple of weeks. Tim sleeps on a little pull out bed and we all stay nice and cool!

I call Dexter, "Dexter Doodleitis" Tim has added the middle name James to it. He is such a spoiled...and well loved dog. Rich, who wasn't overly thrilled with getting a dog to begin with acts like he gave birth to him. He is so smitten with Dexter.

Until next time,
take care,
Dawn

Unexpected visitors

2009-08-01T06:56:00.002-04:00

Last week Tim and Rich were having breakfast (not my favorite meal!) and they noticed these two turkeys in our yard. I of course grabbed the camera and ran outside to get the picture. :)

I wonder if these are the same two turkeys I saw walking down the road on day in June. We live on a quiet cul de sac and there is conservation land in our back yard. I've seen deer, coyote and now turkeys.

I remember bringing Britt home about a year or so ago and she had 13 turkeys in her front yard! That was the first time in my 40 plus years on Cape Cod that I had seen wild turkeys roaming around.

Come November where will they be though?

take care,
Dawn

Cooking

2009-07-20T20:28:00.003-04:00

Do you like to cook! I don't mind it at all. What I really don't like is cleaning up afterwards. That has stopped me from making things I'd like to make many times. I am very fortunate in that Rich does the dishes most every night after dinner. We've made a deal. One person cooks and the other does the dishes. I'm a better cook than he is!

Tim really wants to be able to cook more. The trouble is he doesn't like so many things! He's now mastered scrambled eggs, hot dogs and hamburger (he likes that in a flour tortillia). I've had him help me make spaghetti sauce (I never use the jar kind) and he did well. I think I'd have to write the directions down for him. He did meatballs well too.

What is your favorite thing to cook?

take care,
Dawn

The boy in the mirror

2009-07-19T05:00:00.000-04:00

A few month back when Mackenzie fractured her elbow I got to have Jack while Britt and Jay went to Children's Hospital in Boston. It was a nice day so we went outside. On my deck I have a gazing ball. I bought it for my mother a long time ago and she has no place for it now in her condo. Jack was fascinated by the boy in the mirror. A couple of times he tried to talk to him and even share the ball he was playing with. It was fun to watch.

Sorry about the corner blur. I got some of the chair next to me in the shot!

In the couple of months since these were taken Jack has grown and changed so much.
I'll be posting more about Tim, Jack and Mackenzie this week.

take care,
Dawn

Brace yourself!

2009-07-18T05:00:00.000-04:00

I finally took the plunge and took Tim to an orthodontist because I was concerned about his overbite (notice the teeth resting on his lip!). In May he had some x-rays, measurements, molds etc. and it was determined that he would need braces. He has some teeth not growing in straight and those have braces and he also needs to wear head gear to help align his jaw. On Thursday he went in and had his braces put on. He'll need to wear them about two years.

He chose some lovely colors, red green blue and silver. You can't tell in the picture (even the colored picture doesn't show the colors well.) Of course Dad had to take him to Toys R Us to buy a Star Wars clone.
Let's hope all of this works.

take care,
Dawn

Look what I won!

2009-07-17T05:00:00.000-04:00

My blogging friend Kim at Kim's Treasures had a giveaway recently and look what I won!!! She sewed yo-yo's and added it to this bag! Isn't it pretty? Along with the bag I got some Burt's Bees lemon butter cuticle creme that smells divine and some Burt's Bees lip balm! Along the the hand stamped card is a lovely little note book. What great treats Kim. Thank you!!!! I might just use that bag for my knitting!

Kim is having another give away. Go check out her blog!

take care,
Dawn

Beverly says my cupcakes are getting stale!

2009-07-15T16:42:00.002-04:00

Terri Fox will lead a “spirited” tour of the resting place of Cape Cod's only Medal of Honor recipient as well as sea captains and other early residents of Dennis at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 16. A $3 donation is suggested for the cemetery upkeep. The rain date for this Dennis Historical Society event is Sunday, July 19, at 2 p.m.

This is what the paper said, prompting an email from my sister saying she couldn't get to the cemetery in time to spruce things up. So, this morning Tim and I went to a local garden shop and bought some geraniums. After a little bit of weeding I planted the flowers and tidied things up. While I was weeding an "older" woman came over and said, "hello, Dawn!". I recognized her face, but not her name. She introduced herself and we chatted about our family histories.

I also came across the person giving the tour tomorrow and she said that my dad was going to be mentioned. He wasn't a sea captain but he was a well loved member of the town! Most people knew my father by his nickname, Tex. Tim was sure to tell the ladies we met today that his middle name is Allen, after the grandfather he never met. My mom told me years ago that my father got the nickname Tex when he was a little boy and used to deliver newspapers by horse.

I would love to go on this tour tomorrow, but Tim has an appointment that I need to get him to. Maybe I could sneak a couple of minutes in!

take care,
Dawn

Blue Monday ~*~Finger licking good!

2009-07-06T05:00:00.001-04:00

Sally at Smiling Sally hosts a Blue Monday event. Since I haven't done this for a while, and I had the perfect pictures from the 4th, I decided to join in today.

I invited my daughter, Brittainy and her family to come over for a cook out on the fourth. Britt offered to bring some cupcakes. The picture above are the small cupcakes. The bigger ones with the nice BLUE frosting got eaten before I could get a picture.

My grandson Jack thoroughly enjoyed his blue Spiderman cupcake.

Then he wanted more! The thought of those fingers touching me makes me feel all sticky!

Here he is before his mom took him in for a bath...a much needed bath!

You'll notice that his sister Mackenzie was a bit neater!

For more blue posts be sure to visit Smiling Sally!

take care,
Dawn

How did you spend your 4th?

2009-07-05T05:00:00.001-04:00

We usually have a very low key fourth! This year I invited Britt, Jay and the kids over for a cookout and as usual I cooked way too much for everyone! We had burgers, hot dogs, sweet italian sausage, and thick steaks, potato salad and corn on the cob. The weather was beautiful. It was a nice change after all the rain and cool weather we've had.

Later in the evening, after Britt and family went home, we opened our IBC diet root beer and watched the Boston Pops on TV. I know, a rowdy family we are LOL! I love watching the pops. My favorite part is the patriotic sing along! It reminds of me of school. Every day after the Pledge of Allegiance we sing a patriotic song. I also teach my class the sign language for them. I love hearing the families tell me that their child tries to teach them. I often wonder if any of them through the years watch the Pops and think about learning those songs in kindergarten.

While the show was on Tim drew a quick little flag that he designed. He said it had one star in the middle and 49 stars around it. That way wherever you lived you could think that the big star was for your state since everyone loves thier own state!

I hope you all enjoyed the time with your family and friends. I know we did!

take care,
Dawn

Pretty in PInk

2009-07-04T03:00:00.001-04:00

Beverly at How Sweet the Sounds hosts a pink Saturday. I think she about fell over in her chair when I called her to tell her I'd be doing it this week. I haven't done a pink Saturday post in about a year. I'd run out of PINK! Please be sure to visit Beverly and see who else has something pink to share this week.

There's a new girl coming to join our family!

Last Sunday my daughter hosted a baby shower for her cousin (my niece). I helped her set up and prepared some of the food for the party. Tonja, my niece is due to have a baby girl this month. She and her husband had just about nothing to prepare for their baby. She was off to a good start after her shower.

I knit a little pink sweater and hat for the baby.

Here's a close up!

Tonja and Stan have chosen the name Christina for the baby. Tonja's sister gave her a card and we aren't sure what she was thinking when she wrote Tonja and Christmas on the card. That was a good laugh at the party!

I'm sure feeling old now that my daughter and niece have children!!! I remember both of them as babies. As a matter of fact on of my friends was Tonja's kindergarten teacher and for Christmas on year she framed a painting my nice had made. I should ask her if she would like it to hang in her daughter's room!

take care,
Dawn

Happy Anniversary #14

2009-07-01T05:00:00.000-04:00

Today dear hubby and I celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it has been that long and other times I could swear it's been longer LOL. Actually I met him almost 29 years ago and it was a couple of years a relationship that was on and off. In 1991 (?) I ran into him at a gas station right after Hurricane Bob and I saw him there and figured it wouldn't hurt to say hello. The rest as they say is history!

Tonight we will go out to our favorite restaurant and have dinner. We have been bringing Tim with us ever since he was old enough to go out to eat. It is our family tradition.

This morning I'll be at school working for a few hours. The kindergarten teachers are working on creating a standards based report card to be ready in the fall!

take care,
Dawn

We now return to your regular blogging schedule!

2009-06-29T16:32:00.002-04:00

Several years ago one of my friends and coworkers gave me this plaque to commemorate the beginning of summer vacation. Each year when school is out I hang it on my computer room door! It stays there until school starts! I just hung it up today in celebration of the ten weeks I have off!

I finished school on the 19th and then I think I slept for four days LOL! I have three half days of school work this week (Wed- Fri).

Just yesterday I helped Britt give a baby shower for my niece. I'll post more about that later.

It has rained almost every day this month and I have yet to need to put the A/C on. There have been a couple of times I thought about putting the heat on though!

I hope to catch up on your blogs this summer. It was really hard this school year to do that!

take care,
Dawn

Dog Gone Cute!!

2009-06-10T05:00:00.001-04:00

Britt emailed me this picture of Jack last week with the disclaimer that she had just washed the bowls and put clean water down. She said that he was really enjoying himself. This boy always makes me laugh. He is such a curious and energetic little guy. Jack must be thinking that there is something to this bowl on the floor thing since Joey, the dog, gets so excited whenever Britt puts it down for him. ☺

I just think he is dog gone cute!!!

By the way, the count is now 7 days left of school.

take care,
Dawn

Tim and Dexter

2009-06-09T05:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday Rich brought Dexter to Britt's house while I was at school. Yesterday morning Britt posted this on my Facebook page.

it's 8:45 am and the dogs have been banished to the porch already. first dexter peed on my floor and jack slipped in it, then writhed around in the puddle in apparent agony, getting the pee in his hair and pj's and requiring an immediate sink shower. then the dogs were playing on the couch and i was all "damn dogs get off my couch!" and dexter jumped off and peed in a pile of blankets. now the dogs are on the porch where they are making a nest in the porch blankets. tell tim i want his head ready when you get here. *evil, slightly psychotic grin*

Britt promised Tim a noogie for every time Dexter peed in her house LOL!

Today we take him to the vet for a check up and to get (I hope) a lot of my questions answered.

After the vet appointment I need to get back to school for a concert Tim is having. By the time that's over it will be about 7:00 and we'll need to grab dinner. I don't know if I will get a chance to visit or not. BUSY BUSY BUSY is my day today.

take care,
Dawn

Into the Woods

2009-06-08T05:00:00.001-04:00

This photo was taken from my deck with my zoom lens. Last year my son in law, Jay was over and noticed this pink in the woods. Our back yard is town conservation area so there are no homes etc. out there. Yesterday while I was outside I noticed the pink again.

I took Dexter for a walk and saw this rhododendron that was huge out in the woods. I brought Dexter back in and grabbed my camera. It is about five feet wide and four to five feet tall. I'm not sure how it got out there. Someone must have thrown it out into the woods and it just started growing out there. Britt asked about digging it up to put in her yard. I think that it is so big you'd need to get a backhoe out there and I don't think that is possible. I like seeing it through the green. It's very pretty.

take care,
Dawn

Meet Dexter

2009-06-06T19:03:00.005-04:00

We have been busy around our house. There has been a lot going on with school! Yes, I have 10 days left and TONS of work to get done in those days.

The biggest news is that a couple of weeks ago we began the process of adopting a dog. Late Friday afternoon his foster mother drove him from Rhode Island to our house. His name is Dexter and he is a terrier mix. He's two years old and about 13 pounds and just about the sweetest dog ever.

Meet Dexter:

He was a bit nervous when he got here. He's been here about 24 hours now (as I write this) and he seems to be quite comfortable. He is so good natured. Friday night when we took him out his collar slipped off him and I thought "Oh no, he's going to make a mad dash", but he just ran to the door to go in.

On Saturday Britt brought the kids by and he was very gentle with them. Then Britt brought her dog, Joey out of the car to meet Dexter. They played for hours. Britt has offered to dog sit for the next two weeks of school so Dexter and Joey can play.

These pictures are from the adopt a pet web site. Dexter was rescued by PAWS of New England from a kill shelter in Tennessee.

I'll be taking more pictures to share later.

take care,
Dawn

I'll probably be driving you all crazy with this

2009-05-15T05:00:00.001-04:00

But the countdown is 24 days(after today that is)! Everyday we sing a countdown song to the tune of 99 bottles of beer on the wall...though the kids don't know the orginal version. Today we will be singing 24 days left of school in the year. Next week we hit the teens! Oh, I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm so darn tired I need that summer break. I have signed up for a one week graduate course, and perhaps some professional development on top of that.

In Massachusetts we have to renew our license every five years, with a fee of course! This weekend I have to work on all of the paper work. It is funny that when I first got my degree it was a life time license but now I have to pay to get it renewed!

Here's wishing you all a great start to the weekend.

take care,
Dawn

Just a quick little post today.

2009-05-14T05:00:00.000-04:00

This is just a quick little post to share a picture I took the other day. A friend gave me a Gerber daisy for my birthday. It was in the kitchen window the other day and the way the sun was shining on the plant looked so pretty that I just had to get a picture of it. It was such a beautiful sunny day and as the sun was setting and shining on my plant it made me smile. I hope the picture makes you smile!

take care,
Dawn

YUM!!!!!!!

2009-05-13T05:00:00.000-04:00

First let me say that I found this picture online posted at the Boston Phoenix. It is not the tips I made, but looks just like them! (Ok, I didn't take time to take the picture before we ate them).

Last week on a local radio station, WCOD the two morning DJ's raved about a steak tip marinade that they had made. They posted on their site. I decided to try it on Mother's Day. I love steak and can never find the perfect recipe. This is as perfect as I have ever had!!! I bought all of the ingredients and let it marinate more than 24 hours before we cooked it. I cooked 7 steak strips/tips and Rich ate 5 of them. (I had one and saved the other to add to my salad for lunch the next day.) Last night at dinner Rich proclaimed that the recipe is now our new "house blend".

I am posting it here to share with you.

Dan and Stephanie's Summertime Steak tip Marinade

1 Bottle Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce

1 cup Fat Free Italian Dressing

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tbsp A-1

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 Zip lock bag-Freezer size

Marinate tip in sauce for 6hrs flip bag and Marinate 6 more...even if you don't have time to marinate that long they are just as good on the fly!

Enjoy!

take care,
Dawn

I did it!

2009-05-12T05:00:00.000-04:00

I got my grade for the course I took this past winter/spring. I got an A+. All my efforts paid off and I am proud of how hard I worked. That is the reason I took the blogging break.

There are three more course in the certificate program but I do not believe I will be continuing. It was quite a stretch doing the assignments for kindergarten students, especially since they really can't read or write yet! That was my biggest criticism of the course. I had to write lesson plans having kindergarten students learn with spreadsheets, concept maps (like a graphic organizer on the computer) and hypermedia (web pages, PowerPoint presentations etc.,). This was not easy but it is done and I am doing a HAPPY DANCE!!!

take care,
Dawn

How was your Mother's Day?

2009-05-11T05:00:00.001-04:00

Mother's Day was lovely here! I woke up early yesterday morning, but fell back to sleep. About 8:30 I woke up to smell breakfast cooking. Within seconds Rich and Tim were bringing me breakfast in bed! I had scrambled eggs (piping hot!), bacon, sausage (cut to make an M for mom), orange juice, coffee and an English muffin. Tim told me that he wanted to make me eggs. It is his favorite breakfast. I really don't like eggs. I told Tim if that's what he wanted to make me I needed to have them PIPING hot!!! He filled the order perfectly! Tim presented me with a bill when it was done:

bacon 1 hug

sausage 1 kiss

eggs pipen hot (his spelling) with pepper 2 hugs 1 kiss

english muffin with butter and strawberry jam 4 kisses 2 hugs

TOTAL: 5 hugs 6 kisses

Tim and Rich gave me a hanging inpatients plant. I am happy to have the colors in my yard. I feel summer just around the corner.

I went to visit Britt and her family. Jay was planting some shrubs, plants and bushes for Britt. He told me that he had some hydrangeas for me. YAY! I ended up bring Mackenzie home with me for a few hours.

I also stopped to visit my mother and bring her a gift.

I had a big long list of things I wanted Rich to do for me. He did them all with a smile! What a good guy!

The weather yesterday was just beautiful! It was great to finally see the sun!

I hope you all had a wonderful day and enjoyed time with your family!

take care,
Dawn

A sign of spring

2009-05-09T05:00:00.000-04:00

I came home from school yesterday and pulled my car up to the mailbox to check my mail. Tim was in the backseat and notice a robin in the maple tree in our front yard. I just happened to have my camera with me and snapped this picture. I really have spring fever. If only the weather would cooperate. We had one really BEAUTIFUL day and then back to cool rainy weather.

Now, for my embarrassing story. In kindergarten we have poems and songs on charts. In May we all hang up charts we made of Raffi's song Robin in the rain. I searched for some coloring page to trace and hang on my chart. One of my friends and fellow teachers came in one day and had to let me know that robins are not blue. I guess I was confused because of the color of a robin egg. I've since fixed my poster and have learned the difference. ☺

take care,
Dawn

Poor Kenzie

2009-05-08T05:00:00.000-04:00

Poor Mackenzie! I was talking to Britt on the phone about two and a half weeks ago and in the middle of our conversation she had to hang up because Mackenzie was crying. Britt called back later to tell me that Mackenzie fell and hurt her elbow. Later that day she ended up taking her to the hospital and the doctors told her that they believe Mackenzie fractured her elbow. They weren't quite sure so they set up an appointment at Children's Hospital in Boston and she came home hours later with a purple cast on her arm. She has to keep in on for three weeks. She goes back next week to have it off. She has been doing just fine with the cast. It doesn't even seem to bother her.

What a little trooper she is. I, of course, had to stop by and bring her presents! That's what Grandma's are for!!

I was at Brittainy's the other day and Mackenzie was sitting at the table rolling playdough out with her casted arm and she did just fine!

None of my children (knock on wood) or myself have ever broken anything. Well, I take that back. I've broken my teeth many times.

take care,
Dawn

2009-05-07T05:00:00.000-04:00

I am happy to say that just yesterday I sent in my last assignment for the class I was taking. I am DONE! I am sorry for being so negligent in my blogging but I needed to do my best for the class! I’m also a bit of an overachiever so I did some extra work LOL!

Now that the class is done I can get back to some of the normal things that I have neglected (like cleaning my computer room), and of course blogging. I don’t know where to begin. I think I am going to have to make a list so I don’t forget everything I want to share.
>

I’m going to start with the newest member of our extended family. Last month my daughter, Brittainy, adopted a dog from Adopt a pet. His name is Joey and he’s about a year old. Actually, Britt said that they think he was born the beginning of March last year, just a couple of days after Jack was born. He is really good with the kids and they love him. I think the biggest drawback is that Britt’s husband’s name is Jay, Jack is my grandson and Joey is the dog. Britt’s always calling them all the wrong name LOL! I’ve been looking on Adopt a pet as well and I have to keep myself away from looking because we can’t get one until school ends. I did see one the other day that I would like to have. I called Britt to tell her about the dog. His name was Jacob. I think Britt would be awful mad if I added another J name to the mix.

I will try to do my best to start visiting you all again. It’s been nice having you all check in with me. I have just been a bit overwhelmed. My next course is only a week long in August. I should be able to handle a weeks worth of work.

Take care,
Dawn

On a happier note....

2009-04-12T20:09:00.004-04:00

My friend Beverly keeps calling me and telling me it's time for a happier picture! Well here it is. This is Tim six years after the last post in all of his healthy glory. I was telling Beverly that I have to buy him men's medium shirts now! He's just growing too much! This was taken today. That's Mackenzie next to him. Britt and family came over for Easter.

I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately. I have been so busy. Besides school, home, motherhood...grandmotherhood etc., I'm also taking a graduate course and I just can't seem to find the time for everything!

I do have vacation next week so that ought to give me a chance to catch up. I also only have 44 days left of school. Can you see my big old smile!

Don't forget me! I'll be back soon.

take care,
Dawn

Six years ago, this was my boy!

2009-03-26T05:00:00.001-04:00

I am reposting this. It has been six years this month that this happened.

I remember so well. We were having a turkey dinner that Sunday night and I was running late so I gave Timmy his bath early. He complained about his neck hurting. During dinner he complained of his neck hurting. He went to bed complaining (and crying) about his neck hurting. He woke up at 10:00 complaining and crying that his neck was hurting. I called the Dr. who sent us to the ER. That night they sent us home with a prescription for a stiff neck. The next day he was still crying about his neck hurting. He had a fever and couldn't stop crying. We went back to the ER and 7 hours later (and many tests later) he was in an ambulance heading to Boston to Children's hospital. Rich and I joined him in Boston. We spent 8 long days in ICU with him. There were some very scary moments. I remember the most frightening day of my life was when Rich and I were taken into a small room with the doctors who told us that there was the possibility that Timmy could die. He was very sick. They had so many teams of doctors trying to figure out what was wrong with him. I stayed by his side in the ICU each day and night. I remember the day there were about 10 doctors over him trying everything they knew how to do to help. His blood pressure had dropped so low! The poor boy was on massive antibiotics and morphine. They finally decided that he had a retropharyngeal abscess with Mediastinitis.

After about six days he stared improving and they decided he didn't need to be as sedated as he was. I remember when they "woke" him up he turned to me with tears in his eyes and mouthed the word "momma" to me. I still get so emotional thinking of that. When he was taken out of the ICU the poor boy started going through morphine withdrawal. He was released from the hospital and sent home with IV antibiotics.

About a week after we got home he started getting very sick again so we went back to Children's Hospital and after several days they discovered that he had allergies to the antibiotics that he was on.

It was the most heart wrenching time of my life!! I know that all my friends and family (even people I didn't know) who were praying for Timmy played such an important part of his recovery.

It's been three years and he is such a healthy boy now and quite the funny boy at that. Today we were driving to school and I told him that he was handsome. A minute later he said, "so I got all the looks" and Brittainy got everything else!".

I can't imagine my life without him. He fills my heart with such joy!!

take care,
Dawn

My week in review

2009-03-22T05:00:00.000-04:00

Hello there! It's been another one of those weeks for me. Last Saturday I went to Britt's house to surprise her when she returned from her vacation by cleaning her house. She left the day after Jack's party and I went to tidy up for her so she wouldn't have to do it when she got home. I also made her a pot of spaghetti sauce and meatballs. ☺ Later that day Britt called to tell me that her flight home was Saturday morning not Sunday. They missed their flight and wouldn't be flying home until Tuesday. Brittainy is the epitome of Murphy's Law!

Tuesday I had to take Tim to the dentist, pick up my mother and get home to have a corn beef and cabbage dinner with Britt, Jay, the kids also joining us. They came right from the airport to my house.

Rich FINALLY went to the doctor's on Tuesday and he told me that he has bronchial pneumonia. I called the doctor back on Thursday to tell them that Tim wasn't getting better and I brought him back in on Friday and he has bronchitis.

Oh, and I had report cards to write this week that went home on Friday. I don't know where I found the time to get everything done.

I did treat myself yesterday. Twilight was released on DVD and I bought it and watched it.

To top off my week, a piece of my front tooth fell off yesterday. I just happened to rub my tounge across it and it broke. I wasn't even eating anything!

I still have an assignment for the class I am taking due tonight by midnight (online) that I am not done with yet. Then I get to start all over again next week with a new assignment.

If you have read this far thanks! I've missed my blogging friends this week. I think we all need to make a coffee (or tea) date and get together and just talk! :)

take care,
Dawn

Friday's Favorite Family Foto

2009-03-13T05:00:00.000-04:00

Deborah of Pictures Pots and Pens is hosting Friday's Favorite Family Fotos. Please stop by her blog to see who else is posting and be sure to visit them as well.

The pictures I am sharing today are of Tim and Mackenzie. They were taken about 3 years ago. Brittainy worked on weekends back then and I would watch Mackenzie on Saturdays. This weekend I pulled out one of Tim's old pop up play tents and he and Mackenzie played in it for quite some time.

They are close enough in age to be brother and sister but Tim is Mackenzie's uncle...and he's only 7 years older than her. :)

Please be sure to visit Deborah's blog for more Friday's Favorite Family Fotos.

take care,
Dawn

A different Grandma!

2009-03-12T05:00:00.000-04:00

My daughter Brittainy, her husband and two kids are visiting family in Florida. Oh, I miss them. They will have been gone two weeks this weekend, but thankfully will be home on Sunday.

Britt called me the other day to tell me that she was having a great time and shared some stories. She told me that on the plane ride to Florida Mackenzie was a bit confused about going to see Grandma and Papa (her grandparents she's never met) because she also calls me and Rich Grandma and Papa. Britt told me that both children received some gifts when they got there and one day Mackenzie had a toy Britt hadn't seen before. She asked Mackenzie where she got it and Mackenzie told her a different Grandma gave it to her. Britt found out that a neighbor of her in-laws gave it to Mackenzie. Then she proceeded to tell me (prefaced by, "don't be offended") but Mackenzie thinks all old ladies that give her presents are called Grandma!!!!

AH, out of the mouths of babes!

take care,
Dawn

Wallace and Grommet

2009-03-11T05:00:00.000-04:00

While Tim was home sick this week he had all of his modeling clay out and made this one day after he's watched Wallace and Grommet on TV. For those of you who aren't familiar they are a clay animation story.

A couple of people have suggested getting sculpy for Tim, but he likes to use the clay over and over again. I told him that we would start taking pictures of what he makes so he can remember it.

Last year for his birthday he got a handful of dinosaur skeletons from the bowling alley we went to. He likes to use the clay and "re-create" the dinosaurs. The boy sits for HOURS using clay.

I'm proud of my boy and just wanted to share.

take care,
Dawn

The sickness is in full force!

2009-03-10T05:00:00.000-04:00

What is it about a man that is sick??? Rich has been moaning and groaning for days now because he's not feeling well. I finally broke down last night and told him that whatever he is doing to make himself feel better isn't working. He needs to call the doctor! He acts like he is the only man that has ever been sick and nothing I have gone through can compare!

Tim is also sick but his moaning and groaning is minimal. He's been home for two days now and I stayed home from school to stay with Tim so Rich could go to the doctors.

I want to strip the beds and air my house out!!! I can't wait for both of them to feel better.

Tell me that I am not the only one that has to suffer when their DH is sick! ☺

take care,
Dawn

I'm back

2009-03-09T05:00:00.001-04:00

Sorry to have been MIA the past week. It has been a week of ups and downs.

A week ago Saturday (Feb 28th) my grandson celebrated his first birthday. Britt had a party for him and he was such a good boy. He has such a happy spirit about him.

Here is a picture of Jack with the hedgehog I gave him.

During the party my sister Sam called to say that my step brother had passed away. He was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of January and lost his battle last week. On Saturday his service was held. Butch was only 8 months older than me and it is the saddest thing to have a life lost at such a young age. When I was about 8 years old my father remarried and he married a woman that had six children...five girls and a boy. Then they had another child, my sister Sam. Before Sam was born my sister Cindy and I lived with my father for a couple of months. Poor Butch was surrounded by 8 sisters!!!

I hope to be able to stay caught up this week with my blogging!

take care,
Dawn

Happy Birthday to my grandson Jack!!

2009-02-28T05:00:00.000-05:00

Today is Jack's birthday (sort of!) He was born on February 29th last year and is celebrating his first birthday today. The picture above was taken the day that he was born. The picture below I took from Brittainy's facebook page. It was taken recently. He is so CUTE!!! I just love that little boy.

He is a true LEAP DAY baby. Lots of people get confused and say Leap year baby, but don't realize that every baby born in a leap year is a leap year baby. Only those born on the 29th of February are a leap day baby! Because he was born on Leap Day I have decided to get him something frog related for his birthday every year. This year I bought him a stuffed frog.

I also made this little hedgehog for him. I knitted and felted it last week and stuffed it on Thursday. Isn't he the cutest little thing!

Thanks for stopping by today.

take care,
Dawn

Friday's Favorite Family Fotos

2009-02-27T05:00:00.001-05:00

Deborah of Pictures Pots and Pens is hosting Friday's Favorite Family Fotos. Please stop by her blog to see who else is posting and be sure to visit them as well.

It's the end of a long week for me and I just didn't have the time I thought I would to search for a perfect photo so I am sharing this picture of Tim from five years ago. I think I am feeling nostalgic missing my little boy! He's growing up so fast. He's such a ham in this picture. He certainly gets his outgoing personality from his mother!!!

For more posts, please be sure to visit Deborah's blog.

take care,
Dawn

The reigning QUEEN!

2009-02-26T05:00:00.001-05:00

I play a game called pathwords on facebook. You need to spell words with connecting tiles. I am addicted to playing this game. The longest word I have found is sugarcoat. A couple of my friends at school play this game and some of my blogging friends have played as well. This is what the board look like. After you spell a word the tiles disappear and new tiles are added to the top.

My friend Ingrid has the most points of the friends I play with. She's at 1300. Just recently I scored enough points (1200) to surpass a friend at work. She sent this crown to me via a couple of students to crown me the queen! LOL! I wear my crown proudly.

The only place I have found this game is on Facebook. If you belong, give it a try. :)

EDITED to add: In the day and a half since I wrote this I am now in FOURTH place and had to pass the crown on LOL!

I'm sorry I didn't get to visit any of you yesterday. I was gone from 6:15 in the morning until 9:15 last night and I was too tired when I got home. :(

take care,
Dawn

More Neck Warmers

2009-02-25T05:00:00.000-05:00

Well with winter coming to an end (I hope!) I finally got around to adding the buttons to the neck warmer that I made for myself. I love this color...(though the picture doesn't do it justice). I made it to match the mittens I made for myself. Just a few days ago I reached into my coat pocket and took out my mitten to find that a pen had leaked in my pocket and the thumb has ink on it. I know, it's my own fault for leaving the pen in my pocket. Luckily, I have some yarn left over and I'll just rip the thumb out and knit it over again.

At Christmas time I made a blue neck warmer for my friend Ingrid. She liked it so much that she said she wished she had a black one too. Well flattery will get you everywhere so I made a black neck warmer for her.

OK, I love flattery, so when my friend Wendy said how much she would like one I made one for her as well. Wendy still needs to pick the buttons she wants and hers will be done.

take care,

Dawn

2nd Time Around Tuesday...Nana's Necklace

2009-02-24T00:05:00.000-05:00

My friend Diane at A Picture is Worth A 1,000 Words is hosting a 2nd Time Around Tuesday.

Today I am sharing a necklace that my grandmother gave me before she died. It is a heart shaped locket and when I was photographing it I noticed how very dirty it is. I need to go out and get some jewelry cleaner.

She told me who gave this to her, but for the life of me I can't remember. Old age is setting in I guess.

When you open it up there are two pictures inside. The one of the left is a picture of my father as a boy. The picture on the right is my grandfather (my father's step father). I've always thought it was kind of neat that my grandfather's name was Samuel Donald (he went by Don) and my name is Dawn and I have a younger sister named Sam!

I love this necklace because it was given to me by my grandmother and the two pictures inside were the most important people in her life!

Please be sure to visit Diane and see more 2nd Time Around Treasures.

take care,
Dawn

Blue Monday ~ Mr. Bear

2009-02-23T05:00:00.001-05:00

Sally at Smiling Sally hosts a Blue Monday event. I'm feeling a bit BLUE today since my vacation week is over and I am heading back to school.

Speaking of school, my blue today is Mr. Bear. I have been sharing Mr. Bear with my kindergarten classes for about 18 years now. Every year I buy a new bear and in the last several years I have also bought Mr. Spare Bear. Without fail someone forgets to bring him back to school, so we now have a spare!

Mr. Bear is a very special member of our class! Every night Mr. Bear goes home with a different child. During our morning meeting we have a chance to read Mr. Bear's journal. We learn a lot about each child and his/her family from reading the journal. Mr. Bear is always on an adventure. He travels all around the Cape, goes to many after school activities and meets lots of other stuffed animals at the homes he visits. Mr. Bear also has many opportunities to come home with me for a bath!!!

take care,
Dawn

Some may think he is sucking up for that dog!

2009-02-22T05:00:00.004-05:00

Thursday night Tim was in our room watching TV. I was working at the computer. He came to ask me to take a look at our room. He decided that he would organize shelves and closets for us.

Later that night he wrote this note to Rich and I and shared it with tears in his eyes. He is my very sensitive child!

In case you can't read it, here's what it says:

Dear,

Mother (mom) and father (Dad)

Thank you for bringing me into this world. I will return the favor by cleaning, making beds, setting the table, organizing and loving you. My ten years of life have been lovely.

Thank you so much.

Your son,

Timothy Allen

Rich read the note and said it must be true what they say about married people. After a while they start to look alike ☺

How can I turn that boy down!!! He's melting my heart!

take care,
Dawn

Pink Saturday....Baby Love

2009-02-21T05:00:00.000-05:00

It is PINK SATURDAY. My friend Beverly of How Sweet The Sound is hosting a PINK SATURDAY . She is probably falling over in her chair because it's been about six months since I've done a pink Saturday. Check out her blog and visit all the PINK posts today.

In just about two weeks my daughter's friend Helen is having a baby. This is Helen's second child. She has an 8½ year old son. Brittainy and Helen have been friends since kindergarten when we lived across the street from them. Helen has hosted both of Britt's baby showers and two weeks ago Britt had a shower for Helen. I made this little sweater and hat for the baby. It is a soft pink with speckles of color. The picture is a bit washed out...sorry about that. There are lots of pregnant teachers at my school. One of the teacher's had her baby a bit early. I bought enough yarn to make the same sweater and hat for her baby.

For more pink posts be sure to visit Beverly.

take care,
Dawn

Friday's Favorite Family Foto-Chocolate Heaven

2009-02-20T05:00:00.001-05:00

Deborah of Pictures Pots and Pens is hosting Friday's Favorite Family Fotos. Please stop by her blog to see who else is posting and be sure to visit them as well.

This picture was taken about 5 years ago. It was the day before my birthday and Timmy wanted to make a birthday cake for me. I got out all of the ingredients and Tim did the hard work. You can see by this picture that not all of the cake mix made it into the pan to cook. I have to say it was a very good cake. One of my favorites as well, chocolate cake with vanilla frosting! He was so proud of himself and I was tickled that he wanted to make me a cake.

For more favorite photos please visit Deborah's blog.

take care,
Dawn