The Pages of Cape Vincent!

Happy Valentine's Day, Happy Marriage!

2012-02-15T07:50:00.000-05:00

Well, this was our first Valentine's Day in our home in Cape Vincent. It was a special dinner and chick flicks for the night. We have been married for 29 years, a second marriage for both. But we have never been more in love. We complete each other's sentences and we know what each is thinking before we even speak a word. We are each other's best friend.

Our marriage has been through lots of struggles. But we managed to stay together and now we could not think of what life would be like without each other. It's so nice when God gives you a soul mate. Thank you God! And Happy valentine's Day to all our friends and family.

Winter Blues

2012-02-11T08:18:00.000-05:00

Well, here it is February and I have the winter blues. Not that the weather has been so cold but because it has been a mild winter and we have paid $2000 in heating cost so far this winter. We are hoping this last 150 gallons of fuel will take us into the spring. The first tank lasted 3 months, but the second tank only lasted a month. We did not have extreme temps. In fact, out temps stayed around 30 degrees. So we are trying to understand why the last tank only lasted a month. Out theory is our furnace had some kind of problem, or when we got the fuel maybe we didn't get out full 150 gallons as the driver did not give us a slip this time. Did he only give us 1/2 and keep the other half for himself????? Whatever the reason w are going to make sure next year we make some changes.

Next year we are going to put plastic over our windows, block off the bedrooms, best of all go to Florida in January for a month. Starting with next week's pay check we are starting the vacation fund.

I have checked on motel rooms and we can stay for $1000. 00 for a month in January, but not February or March because of Daytona 500 and bike week. I also have a friend who is a realtor so maybe she can get us a deal for a month.

So with the furnace not running in January that should save on the fuel. We don't want to move back to Florida because our spot here in the Cape is wonderful for spring and summer. Just not so much in winter.

So wish me luck with my new game plan. Florida dreaming.

Learning to live in the cold!

2012-01-28T07:31:00.000-05:00

As you can see this is not the nice warm sunny Florida pictures I use to take. This is the North Country cold winter. I must admit there are times I am missing that nice warm Florida sun, but there is something to the cold and snow also.

When you are out in this you feel invigorated. (wrong Spelling but spell check isn't working). It was zero degrees and you just felt refreshed. Now if the wind had of been blowing that would have felt much different. LOL.

The bottom line is, we are adjusting and enjoying it here. I guess there is something to the four seasons. Must be why God gave them to us. So yes we are learning to live in the cold and loving it.

Ships Galore

2011-10-14T11:04:00.000-04:00

This morning was a perfect example of why we moved back to Cape Vincent. It was a beautiful Indian Summer morning with a soft breeze blowing while we did our morning walk on the Tibbets Point Road to the Lighthouse and back. We saw many ships on the St. Lawrence River on this beautiful fall morning.

My husband picked night walkers up as we walked so he could fish for our supper tonight and if he is lucky we will have fresh fish for supper.

The beauty of this region has stuck in my heart no matter where we traveled. This small village captured my heart years ago and I love it today as much as ever. The people are the best. The view is spectacular.

I thank God for days like today and for giving me all he has given through-out the years. The travel, my friends and family and my health since the cancer. God had blessed me and I thank him daily. God is good.

All settled in our new home in Cape Vincent!

2011-10-06T11:27:00.000-04:00

Well after our snap decision to leave Florida and move back closer to family. We have settled into our new home in Cape Vincent. And it seems like we never left. I went to church Sunday, sang in the Choir, and joined the library joined our friends that have coffee in Aubrey's every morning. We walk the Tibbetts Point Road like we use to and watch the ships coming up and down the River and we just feel we are home. I miss my friends in Flagler Beach and the walks on the beach in the mornings but for some reason the Cape just feels like home. So now we have to prepare ourselves for the coming winter.

I guess our landlord in Florida ended up doing us a favor. I think God knows what is best for people and he makes it happen. So wish us luck as we have gone full circle.

We gave up the sunshine

2011-09-23T06:23:00.000-04:00

We have once again moved. We are giving up the sunshine to be back closer to family. It was a snap decision, but there were some reasons. We have made so many great friends in Flagler Beach! We will miss them all greatly. Hopefully our finances will allow us to return for visits.

But the good thing also is we have great friends we left in the Cape and while we vacationed there it was like we never left. So it will be great to get re-acquainted again, and to return to my church family in the cape.

God has blessed us to allow us the heath to do the things we are doing. Wish us luck with this new adventure.

Facebook

2011-08-24T16:59:00.000-04:00

Facebook:

'via Blog this'

Great Vacation

2011-08-21T07:03:00.000-04:00

What a wonderful vacation we have had. Our trip from Florida visiting relatives all the way through. Ronnae and family, Sterling and family, Aunt Doris, Cousin Mike, Doreen, and Greg and family, Skip and Kathy, Amy and family and Carlee and Kyle.

And our friends at JPMC and up here in the Cape. God has blessed us with such great friends. You can go through life and only have one or two good friends but Leigh and I have been blessed with lifetime friends our whole life. And these are just a few.

Once we got to the cape the weather was great and Skip and Kathy came up with their boat and then the fun and fishing began. We had great weather the whole time. Taking our walks daily on Tibbets Point road. Visiting our old haunts and friends, seeing the ships going up and down the river. I think of all our vacations this one was the best. Thanks be to God for giving us this time with family and friends.

Digging of the Leatherback Sea Turtle Nest

2011-07-11T12:35:00.000-04:00

Facts about Leatherback Sea Turtles. They are the largest of all living sea turtles and they are the only sea turtle that lacks a hard bony shell. The leatherbacks are an endangered species. To see one is a truly rare event.

This is a story of one little sea turtle and how he got to live. I was invited by a member of the Sea Turtle patrol here in Flagler Beach to witness the digging of a leatherback sea turtle nest.

I had no idea what digging of a sea turtle nest meant or why. So I went to see what it was all about. Well, 3 days ago this leatherback turtle nest hatched about 45 sea turtles. A leatherback sea turtle can lay about 100 eggs. After 3 days the turtle patrol dig the nest to see if there are more little turtles and eggs left in the nest.

So I watched with dozens of other folks including the family that had adopted this nest. Adopting means you pay money and you get to be the first persons to see the sea turtles emerge. no one was invited when they knew it was time for the first turtles to come out. The turtle patrol goes everyday up and down the beach and observes when a sea turtle lays it's eggs and they wait the 35 to 38 days observing daily how the nest is doing. When it is time for the hatching I guess the adoptive people are notified and when the turtle patrol see signs the turtles are coming out. I think this is how it works but not totally sure on this part of it.

Well only certain certified people can dig a sea turtle nest. When this nest was dug they found several eggs and 3 dead sea turtles and our little hero the one living sea turtle. He was rubbed to try to bring him to life as he would have died along with the others if he wasn't saved by this digging. He started to stir and was put in a sandy box until the digging was finished.

The watchers were told to form 2 long lines to watch out baby turtle make his way to the ocean. We could not get close and he made his progress so I took the best pictures i could as he headed for the ocean. The emotions and excited as he headed for the water was extremely high. watching as each wave pushed him back and he had to struggle again forward to the time he was able to catch a wave to take him.

This was the most exciting thing I have ever seen watching this little guy start his new life. I send prayers up to God that this small little creatures gets to grow-up and become a big leatherback sea turtle and survives all the dangers that lie ahead for him. God gives us so many wonders in this world and I thank him I got to observe this one.

New House

2011-07-01T19:58:00.000-04:00

After much stress we are finally in our new home. It is a wonderful house and I think we will be happy in it.

It is so much fun decorating a new house. Where to hang what pictures and what goes here or there. I love doing that part just not the moving and packing and unpacking part.

We took our first swim in the pool, and we have our morning coffee in the Florida room off the pool.
Leigh has his music room, and actually a whole half of the nice big car garage, He is so happy with that. I have 2 walk-in closet, and I love it.

I can't wait for the spring to start fixing up the yard. Life is good.

Watching the Casey Anthony Trial

2011-06-21T13:20:00.000-04:00

We have been watching the Casey Anthony trial since the beginning. It has been long and boring so far. But what I have gotten out of the trial so far is if I was Casey, I would want different lawyers. If she is innocent they sure are not doing much to show reasonable doubt to the jury. The State of Florida seems to have strong circumstantial evidence. I think it is sad that she may have killed her own child so she could party. How sad.

It sure looks like that is what has happened, unless her story is true and if so why would the parents let their child go to jail for murder. I wonder will the whole truth of this child's death ever come to light. What say you?????? Comments welcome.

The little things!

2011-06-19T15:25:00.000-04:00

Did you ever think that everything you say or do can have an impact of people and you never even realized it.
For example, say you take a child to church with you when they couldn't go otherwise. Maybe later in life that simple act can have a profound effect on that person.

Another example say you are going rollerskating with your kids and you take others who could not go other wise that sometimes make a difference in their life.

Another example you give encouraging words to someone who has low confidence in themselves. Those little words of encouragement can make the world of difference in their live.

It can also go the other way also. You can say hurtful things and those hurtful words and stay with that person forever.

So remember every little word we speak or kindness or hurtfulness we do has an impact on others. So try to make a good impact on people and try hard not to hurt.

We just don't know what little things will do in your life and in others.

Turning a hobby into a business!

2011-05-24T07:45:00.000-04:00

From the first time I put a camera in my hand I enjoyed clicking pictures. Every Christmas or birthday, every vacation there I was click, click, clicking away. Well now that I am older and retired. I have used the camera so much more. When the bears came to our house in Pennsylvania to traveling in the RV, I always had a camera in hand.

Since moving to Flagler Beach and walking the beach and the marsh at sunrise. I have a whole new bunch of things to take pictures of. Beautiful sunrises always different. Birds in the marsh and sometimes rare sighting like the Roseate Spoonbills.

Well recently after getting compliments from everyone on Facebook about my daily uploads of pictures and friends who love my photos. I decided to make a small business of it.

First I went to Michael's and got matte note card stock and decorated them and made cute note cards. Then I sent away to Vista printing and did note cards and Postcards.

Well, Now I have Postcards and note cards in several local business and next I am going to do some matted prints. I know I won't make much money at this but the pride of knowing someone likes my photos enough to buy them really will make me feel good.

So now I have joined the local artist here in Flagler Beach and become part of this creative community, to me this is such an honor. Wish me luck in this new adventure.

Comments welcomed.

Happy to be a Mom

2011-05-06T16:53:00.002-04:00

There is nothing more important in the world than being a mom. It is a hard job and there is no rule book to tell you what is truly the right way to be a mom. You go through life and sometimes you made huge mistakes. I am here to tell you I have made huge mistakes in life as a mom. But I have learned one important lesson. The most important thing you can do for your child is love them.

I love my children more them life itself. And I know sometimes they don't realise it. I have made hard choices in my life and I did what I thought was best for my children. Some may not agree with me about my choices but all my choices were made out of love.

So Mom's out there this very in perfect mom's advice Just love your children and make your own choices that you feel are best for them. I am so lucky with all my bad choices my children all of them have turned out well.

So to all the mom's in my life and all the children in my life I love you! Happy Mother's day.

Dolphin Adventure!

2011-05-02T16:44:00.000-04:00

Well, it is the last day of my daughter's vacation and we are going to Marineland. Theresa my daughter waited all week to go and swim with the dolphins. Well, the swimming part did not happen because I was told to book Dolphin Discovery. So I booked it. well, that program turned out to be 30 minutes of learning about the dolphins and 20 minutes interaction, but not swimming.

I found out later the swimming was $200.00 and this one was $160.00. We were alittle upset that it wasn't what we thought because we waited all week for this, but putting that aside Theresa really enjoyed herself playing with the dolphins and I had an interpreter there so she understood all she needed to know.

But she feed the dolphins, rubbed and petted them, gave them commands and they had fun splashiing her. All and all it was a fun day.

Now she is back home in Bangor Maine, and I am going back to my routine of old folks doing their thing. I will always remember this visit. When she was a child we were never close because she was always away in deaf school and she never felt comfortable around hearing people even her family. But now after all these years we are growing closer and am so grateful for this.

Road trip to St Augustine!

2011-04-28T20:57:00.000-04:00

My daughter's visit continued. We started out in Flagler beach and headed to Fort Matanzas. Since it's founding in 1565, the military outpost town of St Augustine had been the heart of Spain's coastal defenses in Florida. After the big Fort Castillo de Marcos was competed in 1695, the town had only one weakness, the Matanzas Inlet. Beginning with Francis Drake's raid on St Augustine in 1586 England had repeatedly harassed the Spanish colony. so to prevent the British controlling the inlet Fort Matanzas was built in 1742, and it was maned by only 7 solders but their canons drove off 12 ships from England and no ship got passed the fort. but as part of the treaty of Paris ending the french and Indian war, Florida was transferred to Britain in 1763. after that the fort was not maintained. when the United States took possession in 1821, the Fort was never occupied again.

It was a very small fort and so surprising what a big part of history it had in Florida.

Our trip continued to the St Augustine Lighthouse. Notice the look on my daughter's face she is yelling hurry and take picture, my sunburn legs are burning. So our time at lighthouse was short and sweet. So we continued on to the Fort Castillo de San Marcos in St Augustine. Our time there was even shorter than the lighthouse so we decided to head home.

On our was home we were passing the Alligator Farm Zoological Park and my daughter said she really wanted to see the alligators so we stopped. And that is when the fun began. Not only was there alligators but a great bird sanctuary and crocodiles.

I was most impressed with the birds. so many and so beautiful. so before we watch the feeding of the alligators we spent quite a bit of time watching the birds. In the mean time my daughter had to keep putting water on her legs for the sunburn.

From the birds we went to watch the feeding of the gators and what a show that was. They were very active and it was a good show. So after a long day and lots we saw we headed for home and another day in my daughter vacation here in Florida. i am so hoping she is enjoying her time here. She deserves a good time. And I am enjoying having her. I really miss my family and spending time with her has been great.

Visit from my daughter Theresa from Maine!

2011-04-27T19:18:00.000-04:00

My deaf daughter from Bangor Maine, made a trip down here to Flagler Beach to visit her dear old mom. It was the first vacation she has had in years.

So we started it off with a trip to the beach where she got burnt to a crisp. So today we are taking a day off so she can heal. She has spent the most of the day with her soaking in vinegar baths. We did do alittle shopping for gifts for her to take home. Then alittle lunch. Tomorrow we head out sightseeing!

My favorite Hobby!

2011-04-21T06:11:00.000-04:00

Taking pictures is something I have always loves. Whether it was of the family at get to togethers or traveling around the United States, or cruising in the tropics, or just walking the beach daily at sunrise.

But for the first time, I am getting more serious about it. I joined a group of artist on a site called Redbubble.com and I have submitted my work to be sold and I even entered in a couple of contest.

I would have never done this before but i am hooked and I keep striving to be better and I think I am improving every day.

I was never talented at much of anything, but I feel I have a eye for a good shot and now I am always looking for a shot that will be good enough to submit to Rebubble.

So wish me luck as I strive to be a better photographer.

Roseate Spoonbill rare sighting in our marsh Flagler B!each

2011-04-03T10:03:00.001-04:00

The roseate spoonbill can be found on the coasts of Texas, Louisiana and southern Florida. It is also found in the tropics and in Central and South America

Well, I had a wonderful surprise this morning for my morning walk. In the Marsh instead of the usually birds there was a flock of Roseate Spoonbill. These birds are normally found in South Florida! Not this far north.

One of the most wonderful things I love living here in Florida are the wildlife especially the exotic birds. A walk on a warm Florida morning and you never know what you might see. Thanks be to God!

Habitat

The roseate spoonbill lives in mangrove swamps, tidal ponds, saltwater lagoons and other areas with brackish water. Diet

The roseate spoonbill spends a lot of its time in shallow water feeding. It sweeps its open bill from side to side in the water to sift up food like small fish, shrimp, mollusks, snails and insects. It has touch receptors in its bill that help it feel its prey. Like the flamingo, the roseate spoonbill's pink color comes from the food it eats. Some of the crustaceans it eats feed on algae that give the spoonbill's feathers their rosy pink color.

Life Cycle

The roseate spoonbill nests in colonies. Males and females pair off for the breeding season and build a nest together. They build large nests of sticks lined with grass and leaves. The nests are built in trees. The female spoonbill lays two to four eggs. Both the female and the male incubate the eggs. The chicks hatch in about three weeks and fledge in around 35 to 42 days. Both the male and female feed the chicks until they are about eight weeks old. Young roseate spoonbills have white feathers with a slight pink tinge on the wings. They don't reach maturity until they are three years old.

Behavior

Roseate spoonbills are very social. They live in large colonies with other spoonbills, ibises, storks, herons, egrets and cormorants. Roseate spoonbills fly in flocks in long diagonal lines with their legs and neck stretched out.

The roseate spoonbill population was once threatened by hunting. In the mid-to-late 1800s its feathers were used in ladies' hats and fans. The population was also threatened by loss of habitat due to drainage and pollution in its habitat. By the early 20th century, the population had shrunk to only a few dozen nesting pairs in the United States. Special protected areas were set aside for them and in the 1940s they were made a protected species. Over time the population recovered and today the roseate spoonbill is no longer a protected species.

Images are by Lee Page but info was from google facts.

Turtle Fest and Sea Turtle Release Flagler Beach Florida!

2011-04-02T15:34:00.000-04:00

Well, I attended the 4th Annual Turtle Fest and turtle release today in Flagler Beach. Flagler always has sometime cool that goes on all year long, and this was one of the coolest. The Fest had tons of entertainment, bands, belly dancers, Tortoise races, Games, face painting, and the most important thing. The release of a Sea Turtle that was rescued during the hard winter we had here in Florida.

This was the first turtle release I have ever seen and it felt wonderful to see the turtle being released given a second chance. I love how Flagler does all they can for the turtles and for all wild life. I do love living in this small beach town.

I have loved the beach all my life, but how you live in this small beach town is wonderful. You know almost everyone and you get to enjoy the ocean without the huge crowds. I do love Flagler Beach and the people here.

Depression!

2011-04-01T06:36:00.000-04:00

WHY I'M DEPRESSED

Over five thousand years ago, Moses said to the children of Israel , "Pick up your shovels, mount your asses and camels, and I will lead you to the Promised Land."

Nearly 75 years ago, (when Welfare was introduced) Roosevelt said, "Lay down your shovels, sit on your asses, and light up a Camel; this is the Promised Land."

Today, Obama has stolen your shovel, taxed your asses, raised the price of Camels and mortgaged the Promised Land! I was so depressed last night thinking about Health Care Plans, the economy, the wars, lost jobs, savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc . . . I called a Suicide Hotline.

I had to press 1 for English. I was connected to a call center in Pakistan. I told them I was suicidal.

They got excited and asked if I could drive a truck......

The above is a joke, but it is so true. I have worked my whole life. I am now 65 retirement age, but I have to back to work because, I can't make ends meet. We were doing ok, but I was without health care so when I got my medicare, I signed up for insurance part B and D so I could get medicine and tests I badly needed. Between medicare and the extra insurance I am paying over $200.00 So now my already tight budget is over budget. I now need to go out and find a job so we can make ends meet. I guess there is no retirement unless you were able to save money during your working years.

I was not able to save because I was to busy raising my kids and providing a good life for them. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth as some were.

Now because of the government. The cost of food, clothing, shelter and basics are going sky high. We are paying so much more in taxes then we can afford. And it keeps going up. They are showing on TV because of the national debt, we will probably be owned by China and working for them soon we owe them so much money.

So there is the reason I am depressed. I am not ready to call that suicide line yet, but that could be coming down the road if I have to keep trying to make ends meet and the cost of living just keeps going up and up because the government doesn't know how to budget. While I am trying so hard to just make one.

Beach walk!

2011-03-11T08:55:00.000-05:00

God has bless me to live in such a wonderful place. I walk the beach whenever I want. I get up and see the best sunrises over the ocean. The temperatures are warm. My health is good for my age. So what more could I ask for???????? Thank you God!

Remembering for Valentine's Day!

2011-02-11T17:17:00.000-05:00

Over the years I remember our love and our years together! Our love has withstood so much and we love each other more today than one could ever imagine.
This is the marriage people said wouldn't last 6 weeks. And there were plenty who tried to make that prediction come true. But here we stand today 28 years later more in love than ever. Happy Valentine's Day my sweet husband. Theron Leigh Page you are the man! I love you!

If life is a blank piece of paper What would be draw on it.

2011-01-30T13:02:00.000-05:00

If life is a blank piece of paper which it is, what would you draw on it. That is a good question. I maybe would draw a sunrise because every morning my husband and I get up and walk to the beach to see the sunrise. Then we continue on and walk through the marsh where we see lots of wild life birds, deer, ducks, raccoons, squirrels. We meet people walking their dogs and just out getting exercise. We say good morning then go home. This sets our day and it puts me in a good mood to see God's creations every morning.

Or after breakfast I may draw a computer because I spend so much time on it. Visiting with friends I don't get to see. Making comments and trying to give encouragement if one of them are down. I also download my pictures from from walk so I can share these things with friends who may be up North and stuck in the house because of all the cold and snow. Just to give them something to smile at.

Later I may draw my bed because since retirement I always like a little nap. Then maybe clean the house or take out what to cook for supper.

But if I could draw I think I would draw something nice that my family and friends would like to see. Hopefully when they think of me they see something nice, something to make them smile. So I wonder. If I am really a blank piece of paper when I arise in the morning, and you look at me in the evening what do you see?

The me I want to be!

2011-01-28T19:03:00.000-05:00

There is a me I want to be living fully alive inside. I want to be a person who loves with her whole heart. One who shows compassion and can forgive old hurts. One who can flourish with confidence inside that I am becoming the person who God wants to to be.

I know as I grow old. I do have more confidence. I know when I was younger I had no confidence and I could not forgive those that hurt me. My self esteem was none existent. I guess when you are young we are so immature.

As I am older I think of the things that has given me the feelings of being the person I was meant to be. I wasn't the best at being a mom. I made terrible choices when I was young. But I have confidence that I was able to support my children and keep food, clothing, and shelter for us. I wasn't able to be home and be the 50's mom I would have love to be. But at the time I did not have the learning or ability to be the perfect little mom. But I was able to do excellent with the abilities I had. And even though we were poor, I made sure we did fun things. like camping, going rollerskating, doing ceramics. We would go out to eat and spend quality time when I wasn't working.

One of the greatest things I think I did well was, being with my grandchildren when they were smaller. Being the best coolest grandma I could be. They gave me so much joy I think I have never loved or enjoyed life more than being a grandma. We baked and cooked together, watched movies, played together. I was like a little kid along with them. We all slept together in the same bed laughing and telling jokes. Now they are big the closeness is not there so much. But they gave me so much joy at just being the small innocent children that gave such pure love. Being loved by a child is so awesome and they make you a better person just by being.

I also do well with old folks. Listening, helping and just spending time with them. When my husband's dad was in nursing home I would go on days when my husband worked and fed my father-in-law and took him outside for air, and also with other people, taking them to doctor appointments or to the grocery store, maybe out to lunch or a movie, just spending time with them. When you get older the younger people in our lives just don't have time for you anymore. So I have enjoyed spending time with lonely older people. I learned allot from these people and they helped me to be a better person.

So there has been times when I was the best that I could be. Living fully with love and joy in my life.

The other best thing is my working. I was a lowly waitress but I was the best at that I could be. I loved being around people and I tried to make each of my customers feel like they were special.

I know God has a plan for us. And he wants us to be the best we can so so. Just open your heart and listen. And you will be the person you want to be.

Comments welcome. So tell me. How are you being the best you can be.

Life is good!

2011-01-13T08:24:00.000-05:00

St Thomas VI

Life is good in retirement. I want to say how blessed my husband and I feel in retirement. We never imaged in a million years that we would have the life we have now.

Fluffy the bear

We don't have allot of money for sure. We live in a small retirement and our Social Security. But we have done so many things in our retirement life that we never imaged. from living up in Cape Vincents and making lifetime friends there. Moving to new Milford and having a close relationship with my husband's children and of course the biggie meeting and playing with the black bears and having all the wildlife we had on our property.

Our 2007 Windsport

Theresa, Ashley and Eric

Joy, Brian, Corey, Carlee & Kyle

Selling our home in New Milford and living full time in our RV and traveling all over the United States especially out west. To spending a summer in Maine with my daughter and family.. Going to West Virginia and spending time with my other daughter.

Theron Oliver Page

Moving to Florida and spending time with my husband's dad before he passed. That was very special time we are so thankful for. My husband has so much peace knowing he could be there just to support his dad in his last days.

Sterling & wife Laura

Meeting my son Sterling after all these years. Seeing the man he has grown-up to be. Having him in my life is the most precious thing in the world.

Last but not least living in Florida and being able to travel on cruises and exploring Florida. Yes life so far has been really good to us. But I guess what I want to say is you don't have to have tons of money to get out there and do things you never imaged you would do. If you dream it there is a way to do it. I guess I learned that lesson after having cancer for the second time and going through all the radiation and Chemo and having my husband having to care for me. If you think you are doing to die it makes you think differently. So while you have your health enjoy life, love and family. Remember the clock of time is wound but once. Live life to it's fullest. Live, love with gusto for tomorrow you may die. Thanks be to God for all he has given me. Comments are welcome. Give me your life's advice.

Trying to eat healthy!

2011-01-12T08:17:00.000-05:00

How do you eat healthy when healthy food is so expensive? This is my question today. So many people in the United States are over weight or have diabetes. I think the cause of this is the cost of healthy food. You can go to a fast food place and eat off the dollar menu. My husband and i often go to Wendy's our favorite or McDonald's to have lunch off the dollar menu. In the grocery store you can buy cheap TV dinners for as low as 88 cents. Snack foods are so much more cheaper than healthy food. I think the government should maybe do something so you can buy healthy food for cheaper and make unhealthy food more expensive.

Families with kids and seniors on low income tend to buy what is cheapest that they can afford. Plus the advertisements on TV is always showing sweets, fast food, and all the fat foods. We really need to do something so we can turn around the obesity and diabetes in this country. Comments Please.

Grandchild in trouble!

2011-01-11T17:12:00.000-05:00

Today, my big question is: How do you help a grandchild who is going down the wrong road . One of my grandchildren is really in trouble.. This grandchild thinks drug are cool. I have tried and tried to help. But they won't listen. I am at my wits end. I know people have to make their own mistakes, but this mistake can be fatal. I pray on it. But I feel so lost at how to help. All comments are welcome.

To work or not to work!

2011-01-09T17:42:00.000-05:00

My husband and I are retired but I was thinking. Should I get me a part-time job maybe a couple of days a week to get a little extra spending money. Being on Social Security you are on a strict budget so there is only a limited amount left over for fun things like going out to eat, or taking some weekend vacations.
But, if I do that will I be tied to a job and not be off to go and enjoy those little fun thing. What to do? What to do? Comments are welcome.

if something happens to your mate?

2011-01-07T11:03:00.000-05:00

My question to contemplate. What do you do when your mate dies and your income decreases and you have no insurance for back-up? Do you turn to your children and ask for help and move closer to them. Do you stay where you are and ask for government help? How do you deal with the loss of your soul mate and your income also.

This is one question that rates high on my list. At the moment both my husband and I are reasonably healthy. But he is 5 years my senior and he has no life insurance policy to keep me going except a small one for his burial.

I live far away from my kids in a place I love. but I would be so lonely if anything happened to my husband. I wish I had a handle on what to do. I guess I will just have to wait till the time comes and decide if I am the survivor. All comments are welcome.

Just thinking!

2011-01-05T10:22:00.000-05:00

I am going to take a page from my granddaughter Amber. I am going to write about things I think about since we won't be doing any traveling until August.

This is one of the subjects that has been on my mind. Is the world coming to an end in 2012 or soon?

Over the last few years the weather has been changing more hurricanes, tornadoes, violent weather of all sorts. Add to that the things humans have done to the environment. Plus just lately some really weird things have happened with birds and fish and no real explanation for it.

I am not the most religious person in the world but I am a Christian and I have read the bible so I wonder. Are these things signs that yes we are near the end? It is just things I think about. Plus if they are, do we have time to change any of it? Or is it our destiny? I would love to hear your comments on this. So Please make them.
Lee

2010 year in review!

2011-01-01T17:50:00.005-05:00

Leigh enjoying rum punch

Pirate at Blackbeard's castle

Leigh enjoying the ocean

The hot tub that hung over the side of the boat.

Manatees at Blue springs State park

Norma jeane and Me

Dan & Norms jeane taking their vows

Norma Jeane first sunrise in Florida

Norma jeane inspecting her her home

me at halloween party

my belly dance friends at halloween party

Norma jeane and Lori her daughter

Dan and Norma Jeane's first visit to Florida

Me and Norma jeane

Me and pirate Key West

Leigh and I Margariteville

Joy, Carlee and Kyle

Joy and me

Kyle

Norma Joy and I

Ronnae Leigh and i at her graduation

waiting in line at universal

Leigh and I enjoying bike week

Me bike week on Main Street

Leigh and Willie at Barberville music fest

Blue Springs

Our Christmas decorations1

This was our 2010 in review. A very good year. I thank you God for this wonderful year. I hope for everyone a wonderful 2011. Good Health and happiness.

It was a busy year for us. Especially me. I visited my daughter Joy in West Virginia. I met my sister's husband to be on that trip. I later attend my sister's wedding in Geneva on the lake in Ohio. My sister after retiring moved here to Florida and she and her husband have beautiful home 10 miles from me.

We visited good friends in Orange City and we visited the manatees at Blue Springs there. I belly danced with friends and attended their party and also went to several red hat affairs.

We attended our granddaughter Ronnae's graduation and she came for a visit for 2 weeks and we visited the harry potter thing at universal studio. We really enjoyed her visit.
Leigh and I had 2 vacations. Key West and a 7 day cruise to St Thomas and St Marteen. Our health this year has basically been good. We rode the Harley during bike week and most Sundays with friends. Life for us this year has been good. Thanks be to God!

The Ghost of Christmas past!

2010-12-24T12:17:00.000-05:00

As I sit here in Florida on December 24, I am reflecting on past Christmases and the people I have spent them with.
Today Leigh and I are sitting here alone and remembering when the kids were young and ourselves when we
were young.

We had some special Christmas then with our family together. I always loved baking the cookies with the kids and grand kids. The decorating of the tree and outside. The wrapping of the presents. The excited look on the kids faces on Christmas morning. Going to Church Christmas Eve to celebrate Jesus birthday. The true meaning of Christmas in the first place. The whole family sitting down to a feast we shared together Christmas day.

In my past when I was young. My uncle Joe would gather us in the car and we would drive all over checking out the Christmas lights. And later in life my cousin and i doing the same, and my children and I riding around and seeing the lights. You see it became a Christmas tradition in our family.

Another Christmas tradition was getting an ornament every year and when I moved away that was the start on my Christmas tree decorations. I did the same with my kids and grand kids.

Another tradition I learned as a wife in the Watkins family was the baking of Christmas cookies. I learned to do that with my mother-in-law. And I did that with my kids and grand kids, and my children do that with theirs, and the traditions go on.

One of my favorite times at Christmas was visiting my cousin Johnny's house because he had trains we played with as a child in his dad garage. He managed every year to put up a train display under the tree and in the end around the whole living room no one could match.

Other Christmases was spent at the Watkins house of June and Al my in-laws. Then when I married Leigh the big family Christmases at our house and going to his sister's house. Then later as things changed in our family going to each of my daughter's houses for Christmases. And the one special Christmas spent with my son Sterling. All of these things above are my memories of Christmas past and they keep Christmas alive in my heart that and celebrating the birth of Jesus and attending Christmas eve services every year.

St Marteen

2010-12-14T19:06:00.001-05:00

St Marteen was an island ruled by the French and the Dutch. St Marteen is recovering from a hurricane and I saw lots of places never rebuilt, but I I was impressed with housing the Dutch built for the Low income. It made me think of Haiti. And how the government collect all those billions of dollars and did nothing to help the people rebuild.

Anyhow our tour was to the butterfly farm So we toured the French and dutch sides and went to the butterfly farm and them some shopping in Marigot. The butterfly farm was small but I did she some interesting butterflies. Getting pictures of them was hard because they only landed quickly and if you got near the flew away.

St Thomas Virgin Islands

2010-12-14T16:15:00.000-05:00

St Thomas the US Virgin Islands is a beautiful pearl. We took the Blackbeard castle tour and we went to a garden at the top of the island where we has my first banana daiquiris and a rum punch while we toured the garden, We went to a look out over Megan's Bay. Then onto to Blackbeard Castle and the Rum factory and a tour of 4 houses on the premises. They told us how Blackbeard and his pirates protected St Thomas. The grounds were beautiful. The bronze statues of the pirates. The rum factory and the rum tastings was Leigh's favorite part. The whole tour and the island was just great and I saw my first Guiana. St Thomas was the very best part of our cruise.

Freedom of the Seas Cruise

2010-12-14T15:19:00.000-05:00

The Freedom of the Seas is the most beautiful ship we have ever been on. It had over 4000 passengers and 2000 crew. The staff was so excellent from our stateroom staff the wait staff and everyone in between.
I never felt so pampered in my whole life.

I loved the solarium and the 2 hot tubs that hang over the side of the ship. I loved that they had a fully equipped pool side for the kids and for the adults separate. The shopping ares was like a stroll in the mall. They had several bars with different themes. A dance club. A theater and the dining rooms were gorgeous. The food in the dining room was excellent. My only complaint was the buffet area was not as good. In fact the Carnival cruise we went on had much better food in the buffet are. But everything else was superior.

The first stop was suppose to be Coco Cay in the Bahamas. But when we got there the winds were so high we could not go ashore. We were really disappointed with that because we had bought snorkeling gear for our stay on the island as I heard the snorkeling was good. But we went on to St Thomas. The extra time on the ship was fun.

What I am Thankful for!

2010-11-24T12:39:00.000-05:00

I am thankful for my family, my friends. my husband and my health. I am thankful God has allowed me to travel in my retirement years and just to have the full life that I have. I am Thankful to God who is always there for me in trying times. I am thankful to always have food to eat and a wonderful place to live where I can walk daily and enjoy nature and God's beautiful sunrises over the ocean and his sunsets.Thanks be to God!

Manatees at Blue Spring State Park

2010-11-07T19:41:00.000-05:00

What a day! We took a harley ride to Blue Spring State park to see if the manatees have arrived since the last two days have been cold. And yes they were there along with canoers and divers and swimmers. What fun they were to watch and how beautiful is Blue Springs State park. I must see in winter when the manatees are here.

What a wonderful weekend! Thanks be to God!

Busy weekend around Florida

2010-11-07T19:11:00.000-05:00

Saturday we took a ride to Barberville Florida to see the Music and Folk Festival. We had a great time listening to all the music and groups. We also enjoyed all the demo for life back in the 1800's. But what we most enjoyed was the homemade ice cream and hot apple pie. What a lovely day it turned out to be.

Being retired and traveling!

2010-11-02T18:16:00.000-04:00

From New Milford Pennsylvania, to Memphis, Branson, Montana, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Maine, Alaska and all the states in between to Florida we got to travel. Life has been good. We truly have enjoyed our retirement. If you are approaching retirement. remember you only go around once. Live life with a passion. As my father use to say eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you may die. I have had cancer twice and that gives you a different outlook on life. I had hoped to travel while I still had my health. I spent most of my life raising my children and working 2 jobs to keep us afloat.

So one day while sitting in Pennsylvaina doing nothing and waiting for our kids to take time out of their life for us. We came to a decision Let our children do their thing like working as we did at their age, and our grand kids who are almost grown and are into their friends. We would start to do a few things we would like to do while we were healthy enough to do so.

Well I am so amazed at all we did do. All the traveling, all the wonderful people we have met on the way. We now are doing cruises and taking short trip here and there as we don't have the RV anymore. We can visit our children when their schedules and ours work. Short visits but good visits. Life is good on retirement.
Thanks be to God!

Being retired!

2010-11-02T13:47:00.000-04:00

Being retired has been a wonderful thing. We have traveled, visited great places met wonderful people, spend time with our children and gone and done things I would never have imagined. Life is good in retirement. we don't have alot of money living on our income but we have managed to do so much.

I thank God everyday he has granted us this life.

Red Hat's Halloween Party

2010-10-24T13:38:00.000-04:00

The Red Hat Society had a really fun Halloween Party at the Black Cloud saloon in Bunnel.

They had the Bunnel, Palm Coast, St Augustine and Flagler Beach ladies. The band was a family band that plays oldies but goodies.. It was the most fun day and those old ladies sure know how to party. Gotta remember we are old but we sure aren't dead.

The page's having fun at Octoberfest bike Week 2010

2010-10-17T13:31:00.000-04:00

We were only out for 2 days of the event but we had great times riding all over, eating at the bars, shopping in the biker shops and getting our patches added to our vest. We look forward to March when the Big Bike Week comes to Daytona.
To all our biker friends we are waiting for you so the good times can begin again! Happy trails and a safe trip home to all of you!

Octoberfest Bike Week 2010 The bars and the girls!

2010-10-17T13:14:00.000-04:00

As you can see there are 1000's of people who come to this event for all of the above. The riding, the bars, the girls and just plain fun. Can't wait for the regular bike week in March.

Octoberfest Bike Week 2010 riding with the boys!

2010-10-17T12:43:00.000-04:00

The best part of Bike week is getting on your bike and riding all over Flagler along the ocean, Ormond Beach and of course Riding down Main street and Beach Street.

Octoberfest Bike Week 2010 Daytona Beach Florida

2010-10-17T12:26:00.000-04:00

These are a few of the interesting bikes we saw. Just walking around enjoying the sights and sounds of Bike Week. There is more to come I am just doing it differently this time.

Ballyween Party!

2010-10-12T09:52:00.000-04:00

My belly Dance class had a Ballyween party and it was fun. I hope to someday be able to dance like some of these ladies. It is good exercise and hopefully I will flatten my belly. LOL! If you want to have fun join a belly dance class and the husbands love it.

Flagler Beach. What a town!

2010-10-08T16:54:00.000-04:00

This is our home! We moved here last September 2009 after having visited here several times while Leigh's dad was in the nursing home. Although I truly miss traveling in our RV. I love this town.

Flagler Beach is a small beach town in Florida. Not a tourist town. It is a great little home town. We ride our bikes all over we walk daily. We watch the sunrises at the ocean. Life is simple here but wonderful. The people are nice, it has great little places to eat. Just love our little beach town.

How I love sunrises on the ocean!

2010-09-23T16:12:00.000-04:00

Since moving to Florida the one thing we have enjoyed so much is the sunrises over the ocean. And they are never the same. God has given us so much beauty if only we take the time to see it.

Sister new house in Florida!

2010-09-01T15:34:00.000-04:00

This is the lovely house my sister and her husband Dan are moving into today. I wish them the best and hope they enjoy their life here in Florida and I hope we can grow closer together. God works miracles sometime. I thought we would never be close again.

Sister's move to Florida!

2010-09-01T15:22:00.000-04:00

This is my sister enjoying her first Florida sunrise as a Floridain after retiring from her job of 20 years in Pittsburgh.

Pictures from our 3 day stay in Keys!

2010-08-20T14:05:00.000-04:00

Hemingway House key West Florida

2010-08-20T13:53:00.000-04:00

We had a 3 day trip to the Keys and while there we went to the Hemingway House. Where the author Ernest Heminway lived during his most productive years.

The house is very nice, the grounds are beautiful and the stories the guide told was wonderful.

One story was about one of his wives Pauline. She is the only one who lived in the house. How she took down the ceiling fans and replace with these fancy chandlers. Since there was no air conditioning it made the house extremely hot in the summer months as Key West is the southern most part of the United States. The temps then are in the 100's.

Another story about Pauline was she went out shopping and spent about 40,000 to decorate the house with and Hemingway was so upset he threw a penny at her and said, "here why don't you just take my last red cent." So she took it and put it in cement at the foot of his studio.

After that Hemingway's favorite bar was being torn down and he told the owner of the bar since i have pissed away so much money here here I want one the the urinals. So it took it home and put in the garden. Pauline was so upset she spent a ton of money on the water bowl for the cats to drink out of. She put it behind the urinal. The cats drink out of the flowing water that comes out of the bowl into the urinal but won't drink out of the urinal. They must know where it came from.

They told how the old and and the sea was written after his long time friend from Cuba. He finally moved out of the house and left it for Pauline and moved to Cuba with his friend. He had many girlfriends after that.

Sunrises on our walks

2010-08-04T17:59:00.002-04:00

Since returning from my trip to my sister's wedding. Leigh and I have started an exercise routine and diet.

We have some health issues and hopefully we will stick to this routine this time and meet our
weight goals.

But look at the beautiful sunrises we see each morning. Life is good.

Geneva on the Lake

2010-08-02T18:27:00.007-04:00

These are just a few pictures of the views i saw as I walked around Geneva on the Lake. Most are on the wonderful walking trail. I loved walking on this trail. Except for sharing my time and watching my sister get married this was the best part of my time there.

My sister's wedding!

2010-08-02T13:50:00.008-04:00

Norma Jeane and Dan were married July 26th 2010. It was a beautiful wedding at the Firehouse Winery at Geneva on the lake Ohio.

They had their family and friends there to help them start their lives together. And then we all got to enjoy a wonderful week vacation on the beautiful Lake Erie.

My sister smiles so much and in all the years I have never seen her so happy. I wish both her and Dan a lifetime of happiness and hope they are as happy though out their whole life. Congratulations Mr & Mrs Dan Vogel.

Ronnae's visit to Florida!

2010-06-27T14:08:00.009-04:00

Ronnae has left for home today. She was here for 2 weeks and we had a great time together. This was the first time we have had to spend with Rodney's daughter and it was such a great pleasure getting to know the young lady she has grown up to be.

Her father would have been so proud to see the person she has become. And she is so much like her dad in countless ways.

What fun we had. Hope we will be closer from now on.

Ronnae's graduation in Mt Olive NC

2010-06-16T06:33:00.002-04:00

Ronnae is our granddaughter, she lives in North Carolina with her other grandparents. her father Rodney was killed while servicing with the Marines.

She graduated Valedictorian and has excelled in school since kindergarten. She is a sweet loving young lady who will go far in this world. We are so proud even though we had nothing to do with raising her. Congratulation Ronnae we love you!

Wonderful Visit in WV with Joy & family!

2010-05-31T08:52:00.008-04:00

What a wonderful active 10 days I had with my daughter Joy and family. I haven't visited her since 2007 and my Shock at how much the kids had grown.

What an active family they are. The kids are doing soccer, band, cheering, choir, Sunday school and church activities. Every waking day my daughter is running. Taking the kids to all their activities and baking cupcakes and other stuff a mom has to do. I can't tell you how proud of her I am.

While I visited she even got in a trip for us to Hemlock Forest and a trip antiquing in Berkley Springs.

It was just a wonderful visit. My grandchildren are little adults now not my little babies anymore.

What fun I had and how I look forward to another visit in the future. The last day I with visited with my sister before catching my plane home.

The hemlock forest hike with Joy!

2010-05-26T07:11:00.009-04:00

My daughter Joy took me to one of the prettiest places in West Virginia. The hemlock forest in the mountains of West Virginia! We hiked through the woods and I found I am not quite as agile as I use to be. But I waded in the creek and we had a picnic on a rock. I just enjoyed the incredible views. It was so sweet of Joy to show me one of West Virginia's most hidden treasures.

Joy has always made my visits special by finding some place she knows I would enjoy. This place was just so beautiful. God does live in West Virginia!

Karaoke at Rossi's at the beach

2010-05-07T07:11:00.003-04:00

Every week we go to Rossi's on the Beach to do karaoke. They have a variety of singers ages 4 to 80. The sing rock, country oldies and classics. it is a fun thing to do in Flagler Beach.

We have our supper there which is mostly pizza because Rossi's has the best pizza in Flagler. Join us at the beach any Tuesday or Thursday.

Sister's Visit

2010-05-02T07:16:00.005-04:00

After about a 20 year separation my sister and I got back together. We were like kids again laughing and enjoying each other's company. She is getting remarried in July to Dan.
A nice man she has been seeing for awhile. She is considering moving here to Florida so we will be seeing much more of each other in the future. I will be seeing her in July as I will be attending her wedding. grandma Katherine. i know this makes you happy.

Relay for Life Flagler Beach Florida

2010-04-28T09:22:00.009-04:00

The Relay for Life at Flagler beach was a fun event. I have done the Relay for Life since having cancer twice and survived. I think it is an important thing for any survivor or their spouse/caretaker to participate in. I started in Binghamton, New York and now I am carrying on the tradition here in Flagler Beach. This year I will do 2. This event we had in Flagler Beach and also the up coming one for Flagler County. My group at this one was a fun group of belly dancers. Our team name was Seven Heaven. I will be basically with the same group under Donna

De Meglio group Synergy Fit. Same belly dancers although I don't belly dance yet.

We hope to raise money for a cure for cancer. And we had so much fun doing it as you can see from the pictures. If you would like to donate go to Relay for Life, Look up Flagler county May 14 event. Enter my name as participant and donate PLEASE.

Red hat lunch at Chicken shack in Bunnel!

2010-04-28T07:36:00.004-04:00

This was the third Red hat lunch I have attended and they are all so nice and each one different.

I do need to get some casual red hat clothing though.

2010-04-28T07:18:00.002-04:00

Washington Oakes State Park had an Earth day celebration and we went. The flowers were wonderful especially the roses.

The displays and live enactments of times past were wonderful We really enjoyed our day.

catching up

2010-04-28T06:59:00.003-04:00

The winter with the freezing temps for such a long period of time did a number on our yard so with spring here we got new plants and replanted the whole yard plus added lots of annuals.

The weather is nice again and florida is back to normal.

Morning walk

2010-03-20T07:36:00.003-04:00

This is why I love my walks in Flagler Beach.