Got back last night from a long trip to Kentucky.  I had never been and it was really a nice drive.  Lots of new scenery to see & I got quite a bit of my cross-stitch done on the way.  6 hours up & 6 hours back.  We took Becky's daughter to spend a week with a good friend of hers (she is taking a greyhound back home next week).

We ate breakfast @ the all you can eat breakfast buffet @ Shoney's.  The funny thing about the below picture is that we were actually in Belle WV,  but if you look at the sign on the front it says Shoneys of Quincy.  Maybe it was Quincy County?  I didn't even notice this when I took the picture!  Quincy MA is a place I grew up close to as a kid. 

We went over lots of these:

Going over places like this:

The hightlight had to be my Ice Coffee's!  It was about 96 degree's the whole way and Becky does not use her AC because it cuts the gas mileage by about 2/3's what it normally gets.  (Can't say I blame her)  So it was very very HOT.  I spent most of the way back looking for Dunkin Donuts signs, or Starbucks.  I can't drink any other coffee because at any other place coffee tastes like water to me, I've been spoiled living in Mass. with a Dunkins on every corner.  We found two Starbucks in the 700 mile trip and I was thrilled!  There was only one Dunkins and it came a little after I had already stopped at Starbucks.  Starbucks was fine with me and it fit the need - which is all that counts! 

I'm glad I made the trip.  Becky & I got some good talking time in, without the kiddo's (except for the one sleeping the whole way home in the backseat) and the views were spectacular!  I've gone up and down the east coast so many times.  It was nice to see something different for a change!

We went to the drive-in last night - something I haven't done for many years!  Samantha was swimming in Kevin's pool yesterday evening, when we decided to go.  I called her girlfriend Amber, on the sly, to see if she wanted to come with us - of course she did!  Imagine Sam's surprise when she got out of the pool & we told her to get her PJ's on and get ready.....   she looked at me like I was a freak - I was telling her to get ready for bed at 7pm?  Can you even imagine?  When I told her we were going to the drive-in she immediately complied, with a big smile on her face!  

Do you remember the fun of packing the car to the hilt with blankets and snacks to head off for a drive-in movie?

The girls made a "bed" of blankets in front of the car, on the grass and Kev & I tilted the seats back and relaxed!  You, Me & Dupree was a movie I have been wanting to see.  The previews looked really funny.  It stars Hate Hudson, who I love, Owen Micheals & Matt Dillon.  I expected it to be funnier than it was and I was a little disappointed with the movie.  But all-in-all it was a fun, inexpensive night!  I'd do it again in a heartbeat! 

I used to love Tripod!  Until about 2 months ago......  until they decided to change almost everything about their system.  I had no problems with it and the few people I know that use Tripod didn't either.  Why fix something that isn't broken? 

The changes begin I would say in May or June.  For a month I was unable to see comments that had been posted at my blog.  Whenever the blog felt it was time for them to appear, they would and I would have three or four comments that I had never seen - sometimes from days earlier.  My Mother, who uses a Mac, can't even post a comment at her own blog, or any other Tripod site for that matter.  Mac's don't seem to be compatable with their new pop-up commenting system!  One of my aunts, has a regular PC and she can't post comments either.  The Tripod commenting system uses a "pop up" window and I think it has something to do with that.  The only logical thing I can think of explaining this, is perhaps if you have pop-ups blocked then you can't see the pop-up window????  I don't know - but it's frustrating as all hell.  

I also am unable to submit a link.  I used to be able to post a link and name it and the post would show a hyperlink, named as I wanted it named.  Now it just shows up like a regular link - showing the website address lit up - as if you were sending a link via email.  

To top it all off, I've lost two posts this week.  The first was on Wednesday and was about Sami's poison ivy.  I hit submit and the post disappeared.  I thought it was lost and was a little frustrated, but it wasn't a long post, so I included it in my 13 Thursday the next day.  But.....  today I was peeking over this past weeks posts and I found it.  It was between Sunday's & Monday's posts.  Don't ask me how it got there, because I couldn't tell you!  (I am going to edit the date so that post shows up today - as I don't think anyone saw it!)  The other lost post was long and more than frustrating!

So - I'm changing sites over the next few weeks and need your advice:

What Blog Site would you suggest and why?

Samantha spent a few weekends at her Dad's and she came home with this:

She apparently is very allergic to poison Ivy.  Personally I can sit in a patch of it and not catch it, but I guess Sami didn't get this ability from my genes.

She was climbing trees and now she knows that Poison Ivy also enjoys climbing trees!

Yesterday we went out and bought Benedryl and Calamine Lotion and she has been sleeping on and off for a day now. 

And on another note, You simply must.......

see this:  http://duirwaighgallery.com/inspiration_aknock.htm 

I got this from Kenju @ http://justaskjudy.blogspot.com/

Thank you!

1.    Do you like speghetti, milk & butter or Tomatoe soup & noodles?  I could eat pasta at everymeal and be happy!

2.    Have you ever even heard of tomatoe soup & noodles?  It's been in my family for awhile - don't know if it's just us or if others eat it too!

3.    What is your favorite type of pasta dish?   

4.    Do you hate someone to drive behind you at night?  This is one of my worst pet-peeves.  

5.    If so, do you pull over to let them pass?   I always do.

6.  What difference does a day make?  Good question

7. Do you sleep through the night or wake up periodically?  I wake at least every hour.

8.  Ever had a brush with the law?  Pleading the 5th

9.  If you have, would you admit it?  No 

10.  Do you comment back to your commenters?  I recently started doing this but haven't been consistent.

11.  Do visit the commenters blog after they post a comment?  I recently started doing this but haven't been consistent.

12.   What is your favorite Blog?  I couldn't pick just one!

13.  Have you ever had poison ivy?  My daughter has it really bad!  So bad that I almost took her to the emergency room.  She went to her Dad's and apparently they were climbing tree's.  Sami didn't know that poison ivy likes to climb tree's too.  She does now! 

On the Blue Ridge Parkway, not far from where I live, there is a neat little spot that I like to visit if I'm driving by and have a few extra minutes of time.  We did today.  Locals call it "Beaver Dam" and if I remember correctly there used to be a beavers den downstream.  Samantha hadn't been to see it (except when she was very young) and neither had her friend Amber, who is spending a few nights with us.  I was hoping to show it to them, but it doesn't look like it's there anymore.  Regardless, it's still a nice spot to visit.  The water looks like glass, until it cascades.  I love the sound of it and watching it drop off the edge.  I wonder if the water knows it's ready to fall........... 

                    Until Tomorrow!

I drive 25 miles to work and 25 miles home.  I get out at 11:30 and truly enjoy my ride home.  It's the hightlight of my night usually! 

The road is deserted and I absorb the briskness in the air as the elevation rises, I feel the contrast between the small city and the countryside, the cooling off from the hot steamy day revives me!  

On the way home tonight..........

I admire the deer I pass, three separate sightings, perched on the side of the roadway, as I slow to be sure there aren't  brothers and sisters trailing behind.

 On the way home tonight..........

I watch the flash lightening fill the sky, wishing a tremendous thunderstorm would descend.

On the way home tonight..........

I wonder about the application that I submitted for the house.  I haven't yet gotten any final word on it, but I was called on about my "length of time at current employment."   I put four months on the application, not because I was meaning to deceive anyone, but because that is truly how long it feels like I've been there.  It was one of those moments where I just didn't think, because stuff like that really isn't that important to me, but I guess I forgot that it might be important to some.  I've been in VA for four months, but only on the job for two.  Live n' learn.  Everything in life happens for a reason.   

On the way home tonight..........

I wonder where the moon is hiding.

On the way home tonight..........

I smell homegrown marijuanna, again, as I do every evening.  I wonder if this is truly what I am smelling and if not, what exactally is it that is mimicking this scent!

On the way home tonight..........

I think about my aunt Colleen and how she introduced me to this place I live.  I think about how she and my mother inspired me to blog.  I think about how I need one of those loose-leaf notebooks, that Colleen has carried around forever, to record my thoughts.  I think about how I can now relate to that notebook.  I get home and do a google search to find the perfect picture of scratch notes.  Instead, I find............................................................

Pictures of my two aunts, as children, on someone elses blog! 

NOW HOW COOL IS THAT!

1.    My daughter - Samantha - who truly has her own personality, and is growing into a wonderful little woman - (at times I'd like to jump to her 20's though.  I can tell the teen years aren't going to be easy!) 

2.    A terrific thunderstorm

3.    A mountain breeze following a thunderstorm, which I can feel right now and it feels just great!

4.    My cross-stictch - my creations

5.    My three sisters - Molly, Beth & Kim and all the babies they have created so far and will in the future.  

6.    My parents - Mom, Oz & Dad

7.    The rest of my gigantic family - Nana & Papa, Jimmy, Kathy, Colleen, Danny, Sherry, Joey, Johnny, Bobby & Tricia - and all of their offspring! 

8.    Life-long friends - you know who you are!

9.    Any Seafood - I best not think of this right now as I am hungry and could really go for a bowl of shrimp or a lobster dinner!  Actually I love food of all kinds.... 

10.  Creating my Blog - more creation

11.  Places I'm attached to - Massachusetts & Floyd - oceans & mountains

12.  Ruby - our German Shepherd - even if she can be quite the pain at times.  Like right now.... she is carrying things off in her mouth and hiding them in one of the bedrooms. 

13.  Getting comments - so please leave me one if you visit!

It's a HOT day, actually it's been a HOT week!  Everyone I've spoken too has mentioned melting.  I think we all feel this way this week.  There seems to be a heatwave throughout the US.

I have Tuesday and Wednesdays off from work and have been enjoying the freedom!  I went to look at a house yesterday and fell in love with it.  Today I brought my application back to the owners and it seems like we are going to get the house - we will know definately tomorrow.  It's about 5 miles up the road from where we live now, Becky's house.  It's also 5 miles closer to work.  It's on a nice country dirt road, animals are allowed, there's a pasture and barn behind the house, which we have access to and an excellent garden space for next years garden!  It's a 2-story farm house, but not too big, just perfect.  The first floor has kitchen, dining area (w/ woodstove), living room, bathroom and den.  The den area will be my computer room.  There are two bedrooms upstairs.  I won't tell you much more about it until I know if we got it or not.  More to come on the house, I'm sure.

Today Sam and I spent a little time outside.  I tried to mow the lawn but this darn thing 

 wouldn't cooperate.  I thought that it maybe was out of gas, so I went all the way to the store (& spent my last of my cash until Friday) to get some gas - only to come back and still have it not run.  It starts perfectly, but stalls out after a few huffs and puffs.  I got about 10' of lawn mowed with every start.  It's very frustrating and I was only able to get about 1/5 of the lawn done before giving up.  Something needs adjusting, apparently.

 Sam was hammocking

while I was trying to mow.  But I quickly stole the hammock for her, just long enough to take some silly pictures!  And we also did some berry munching!  The berry's grow wild in the yard! 

My aunt Colleen requested pic's of our garden, so without further ado, here you go.  

It's definately more Becky's garden than mine.  I can't really take credit for it.  I planted the first few rows, the ones that are in front of Sami.  And, of course, as usual, those two rows are barely sprouting anything.  The garden behind Sam is flourishing, which Becky planted all herself.  I hope to do better with my own at the new house (hope hope).  Regardless, growing, and quite well, we will have tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, watermelon, & beans & peas.  There are also a few carrot sproutings, but I think Becky planted something over the top of the carrots so they are a little hard to detect.  The veggies will be ready to eat probablly right around the time we move out.  But.... that's ok.  We will be visiting often, as we will be right down the road (hope hope). 

My mother requested a picture of Sam's rug, so we took the rug outside, in good light to take a picture for her.     

Mom taught Sami to hook rugs while Sam was visiting them this summer.  Don't confuse this with Latch-hook, it's not even close, it's an old fashioned hook rug - made with burlap & wool.  My Mom has them throughout her house and they are absolutely georgous!  Sami has been working on hers every night while we watch TV.  It's quite a cute picture, with both of us on the couch with our hoops.  Me with my cross-stitch and her with her rug.  Anyway, the rug is really coming along and I'm quite proud of her.  I've tried to teach her to cross-stitch but it doesn't seem to be her thing.  Apparently hooking rugs is!

It's starting to storm!  Hopefully it will cool things off around here!   

Ok - So now I'm floored.  A Luna moth made his presence known in the dining-room last night.  This time I knew immediately that it was a moth, although it did look more like a bird! 

These moths are rare to see.  Here is ours:

He was Amazing.... with a capital A!  Fun to try to catch him on camera.  I was surprized I was able to get such a good, still shot.  Sami even had him perched on her finger for awhile! 

Somethings going on between myself & these moths and I'm determined to find out the meaning.    

Luna moths are one of the most unusual and beautiful of the North American moths known as Saturnidae. They are well known for their green-yellow colors and long tails,and although they are often seen in pictures, they are a real surprise when found in nature. Although they are common throughout the eastern U.S., their night flying habits and short life span as an adult moth, only about 1 week, combine to make them a rare find. The luna moth, with a wingspan of 4.5-5.0 inches, is one of the largest moths in North America and is very common in many of the eastern states from Maine all the way to Florida. They usually are seen less as you go westward to Texas and the Great Plains. It is also found in southern regions of many Canadian provinces such as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskachewan.

My animal totem is obviously a moth.  I couldn't find the actual meaning of a moth, so I'm considering it a butterfly of sorts.  Like someone had commented on my moth entry, they do go through the same metamorphasis.  But - I think this is a "message" animal totem vs. a "life-long" animal totem.  There are also "journey" animal totems & "shadow" animal totems.

Leave me a comment & tell me what you think your Animal Totem is!      

About Animal Totems:

Animals come to us because they have a lesson we need to learn a power they are willing to share with a friend.  They seek to give us a gift of understanding, universal love, energy & knowledge.  In general, animals remind us that we are part of the earth; that each creature has a place; that each creature has a skill of it's own; that we have instincts given to us from Mother, wisdom born to us that we must awaken.  The Animal  Totem that comes to you offers you power and wisdom if you will learn to communicate with it, with respect, trust, and understanding. Developing a relationship with a live animal totem takes time, practice, patience and could be very dangerous. Having an animal totem does not mean that you are to pet the animal or even be with it physically. Having an animal totem means that you have lessons to learn and a powerful spiritual friend.

A Message Animal Totem usually is bringing you a self growth, spiritual message, or a cautionary warning. It is often a wake up call or slap in the face. It will usually be a very unusual experience making it very powerful at that time and very impartial. A Message Totem is a brief period of time, a day, a week, and occasionally as much as a couple of months but can be immediate for just a few hours.   Sometimes a Message totem is not bringing you a message but causing a delay in your life. This delay, such as when you are trying to leave to go somewhere, is often in assistance for you; to be sure you are not in a place at a certain time so that you avoid an accident or can catch a phone call or meet someone you are supposed to run into.

If you want to find your Animal answer the below questions.  These are the questions for a Message Animal Totem.....

What animal surprised  or startled you today?

What animal that you don't usually see, have you seen a couple of times today?

What animal entranced you today?

If you answered the same animal to two question then this animal is your Message Totem with a very important message. Heed it's word quickly for the message is for now and today. If you only answered one question then this is a message you should still consider.

I answered Moth to all three of these questions.

Most people have a Life-Long Animal Totem.   If your interested in finding out yours, answer these questions:

When you were a child, what animal did you collect or obsess over that you are still attracted to today?

Of all animals if you could have any animal as a pet or companion what would it be?

When going to the zoo, which animal do you spend the most time with or are drawn to?

If you could be any animal what animal would it be?

What animal is in your dreams that you have had since childhood?

What animal are you afraid of that you have no idea why you are afraid of it?

Of all animals what animals are you most attracted to?

When you are out in nature, do you often seem to run into the same animal?

What animal have you bumped into over and over throughout your life?

What animal have you watched for hours?

Does art work or jewelry with a certain animal always attract you?

You Life Long Animal Totem will be the animal that you answered at least three times out of the eleven questions. The more times the same animal is listed in your answers the more important and stronger it is in your life. The one that appeared most is your current Animal Spirit totem. 

If you want to learn more about animal totem's - types or how to determine yours, you can go to the below link.  This was where I found the above info and also the most interesting:  http://www.spiritualnetwork.net/totems/discover_your_animal_totems.htm

What FUN!

EVEN THE DOG IS HAVING A BLAST!

I was visiting Morah Mommy @ http://imaof3.blogspot.com/ (the "new" Tripod no longer allows me to post a Link like it used to.  The button is there but it is not lit up to use right now..... how frustrating is that?).  Morah Mommy recently got a few new additions to her household, five new goldfish.  I was reminded of a very funny little story that I had forgotten all about until now.

We had gotten a couple of these: 

They are called Betta's aka Fighting Fish. 

It was December.  Samantha and I had our car packed to the hilt, ready to make the final move to Massachusetts.  We were about to embark on our 12 hour drive.  The fighting fish were in the back seat.  They did rather well, didn't make a peep the whole way.  I grew tired half way through the drive, as I usually do and we stopped at Grandma's Bed & Breatfast in Frackville PA, as we usually do, to spend the night. 

The fish were so quiet the whole way, so quiet that we actually forgot about the fish! 

The next morning we came out and the water was no longer water - it was ice!  The fish quite frozen.  Frozen solid actually, frozen into the ice.   Poor fishies - I hope they went quickly.

Once we got to our desitination, we had to have a funeral for the fish!

We have another "Clearly a Chrissie" moment folks!  This truly going to have to become a category on my blog.

I have just been informed by Kevin that my butterfly is actually a moth!  So much for my insightful transforming butterfly!

LMAO

Today I was visited by this beautiful butterfly.  It was one of those wonderful, special, back-to-nature moments that occasionally will spring up in one's life. 

I took this finding as symbolic and it was truly an amazing moment. 

The butterfly  was perched below my next step, just sitting on the concrete, in my work parking lot. 

As usual, I'm wondering the meaning behind this visit and according to the animal totems a butterfly symbolizes a moment of transformation.

I guess that would be pretty fitting for me.  Most of my life has been about transformation & change!   

Butterfly - The butterfly represents transformation and the ability to accept change.

1. Working a day shift job, I'm really not liking this 3-11 shift much at all. I stay awake too late after work and end up sleeping through my mornings.

2. Going to Bottom Creek or Thunderstruck and swimming in the mountain water! It sure is a hot & muggy day today!

3. Enjoying a vacation in Massachusetts, like my friend Becky

4. Reading the comments on my blog entry about Dylan's wedding, but unfortunately I can't because although I know there are comments there, the "View Comments" link will not show up.... Tripod has been having problems with comments for about a month now. After a week of going back and forth with them about this, here was my response to my issue: Thank you for notifying us of the troubles you're having. Our engineering team is currently evaluating the root cause of the issue that you're experiencing, and will hopefully have it resolved as soon as possible. We ask you to remain patient during this time, and hope to have it resolved very shortly. That is the most "canned" response I've ever gotten.

5. Cross-stitching & Watching my favorite televisions shows.

6. Sending resumes for a new job, which I plan to do, if i ever get the time to sit down and look.

7. Looking for a house for rent, which I also plan to do, if I ever get the time to sit down and look.

8. Mowing the lawn on the rider, one of my favorite things, and the lawn is needing it too.

9. Having a Hula Hoop contest!

10. Reading other 13 Thursdays, including my Mom's, her first one!

The wedding was excellent! The day was georgeous - about 75 degree's with no humidity. There was a crisp, freshness in the air - a wonderful start for the bride and groom. Lilac was her color and the church was decorated simply but beautifully. A video showed scenes from Dylan & Alexis' childhood, bringing tears to many sets of eyes. Six Bridesmaids & Six Groomsman walked the aisle first, followed by a flowergirl sprinkling purple petals, making way for a beautiful bride. Dylan waited at the alter for his bride to appear...

She joined her husband at the alter and they lovingly exchanged vows. The bride got all chocked up as she softly spoke her words of love to her husband, then they were pronounced Man & Wife.

Then off to the reception! It was held at a banquet room at the Holiday Inn. The food, buffet style, was delicious. Ham & Roastbeef with all the fixings and the spirits were flowing.

There were toasts made by Dylan's brother & Alexis' sister and clinking of crystal for an occasional kiss to be shared by the bride & groom.

Colleen, Dylan's mother and my aunt, was just glowing with pride. As she danced with her son you could see it in her eyes....

The music divine, we all boggied down!

It was such fun and as usual we all made up one... there's nothing quite like our "Redman" clan and our family get togethers.














Not everyone could be there, it's not often we can get everyone together, but of course everyone was with us in spirit.

I had really missed her a lot. She had a fabulous time and I'm always very happy for her to build wonderful memories. But... I'm always glad to get her back too!