Please lie down on the couch and tell me what's bothering you!

While lying in bed this morning, it made me happy to think about the new family members I have come in contact with through Face Book.  Cousins from Illinois, Arkansas, Virginia, Indiana and Georgia. It made me smile more to know that their families are dysfunctional too :-) I am excited to reconnect with such talented, intelligent and funny relation.  Then I became sad.... who can I share this good news with?  Dad........ is gone but would be so happy to know that extended family are now communicating. Mom.......would not even remember w

Publish Post

ho they were and my sister......doesn't even want to communicate with family she knows. OK, enough with the mini depression.....My family glass is still undoubtedly half full.  Not only do I have wonderful, new extended family but I have the best in-law family ever.  The traditions my kids have learned have all come directly from the Hatfields. Most of the best times in the last 43 years, have been with them. So instead of whining about who's unavailable to share my news with, I'll just reiterate that I have the best Hatfield family, the best new Hewitt "finds" and the best friends around.... Thanks for listening.. therapy session is over!

In Lieu of Flowers...............

If you could have a favorite obituary.... this is mine!.... Enough said.....btw,  Rome, Ga.

Bailee Day

Not much time this morning so will just jot down some updates...

*   Bailee is spending the morning w/ Damma while Jess has a root canal.. :-(   :-( on the r.c. and :-)  :-) on B  *    Paint is going on in H.U.T.  (Hatfield's Underground Theater)   :-)

*   Today is my friend Leigh's birthday... today she begins her 4th decade.....The big 3-9  :-)

*   I learned today that a dear,old ( in time not birthdays) friend has the big C.   I hate it more than I can say :-( When will we realize that we need to spend more of "our" money on researching a cure and less on war... both with other countries and welfare!!!

*  Grandpa H. is ok after a scare this week-end.  They think he may have gotten a sliver of a lamb chop bone way down in his chest.He thought he was having a heart attack..... He's OK !!!! :-)

*   4 days till October... one of my very favorite months of the year....10-10   and the month we're off to visit Jeff and Heather!

OK, off to play with B.  Today she's putting three letters together to make words.... Did our kids do that at three and a half?

Business vs. Sports

If you're not a sports fan, click the X and say good bye.  You probably would have no interest, vested or otherwise, about today's rant of choice.
Braylon Edwards, a member of the New York Jets, my team of choice for this year, decided to go out last Monday night and have a bit of libation...I have no problem with that.  Is 5 a.m. a little late to be going home, probably. Is drinking and driving a very poor choice, absolutely.  Should one of the other teammates he was with have driven, probably not! Should this be any business of Rex Ryan, Woody Johnson or even the NFL?...I vote , "No!"  Now, calm down and listen to my rationale....or my opinion is maybe a better word.  Here's my school of thought.  NFL football is a business!  That happened when collective bargaining and unions entered the picture,  That happened when players were offered millions of dollars to play 16 games (and I use the word game, lightly). That happened when the leagues began to generate a profit.  Coaches were hired to recruit men that would generate profit by winning the games.  They weren't hire to babysit, or turn boys into men, to make them polite, use the correct utensils and speak clearly when interviewed. They were hired to WIN FOOTBALL GAMES.  They made rules....OK, but in Braylon Edwards case, nothing was set in stone.  It was up to Rex Reed how he should be punished for his poor judgement.  As Rex said, "One play is enough for me. I was hired to win games and he helps."
When I was on our local Board of Education,  our superintendent was arrested for exactly the same lack of judgement. In the end, basically it was not our job to punish the man. There were no rules in his contract that said you will not drink, use drugs or carry a weapon while employed by this school district and obviously no consequences listed if the aforementioned happened.  If we wanted to take on that task, the wording would have been there.  Even a contract can't include every instance that could arise.
If Mr. Edwards were a college student playing football, my argument would be 360.  He was not!  In fact, I'm a firm believer that you can't fix stupid. It's even difficult to manage stupid, especially in a world where you can make over a million dollars per game.......Now that's stupid!

The Jets played and won a great game last night. Would they have won without number 17 in the line up?  Who knows, but they certainly wouldn't have had anything to talk about! I don't think it's anybody's BUSINESS!

Could it be the Tea?

Until the nineteenth century, solid blocks of tea were used as money in Siberia.    Hmmm

Who would have thought the significance of tea would be so prolific?  Tea used as currency, tea used for barter, tea used as a political symbol, tea used as dye, tea used for confusion, tea used as a remedy and back full circle to being used as the latest symbol of concern , unrest and the "we're just not gonna take it anymore" philosophy. I actually understand that to some degree. I do not understand it being used as an excuse for a total clean sweep.  There's no broom, or cup of tea, capable of that. Unfortunately, every cause has it's wackos and their unrest but also it's thinkers and their merit.  I'm siding with the thinkers (of course I am....would I even admit otherwise?) The wackos detract from what we thinkers would like to portray. We'd like to think we're intelligent, reasonable, forthright, tax paying citizens.  We understand that there needs to be a government, someone to lead, make sensible laws and enforce them..hence the three strong branches of our government.  What we have seen from these branches in the last ten years appears to be a terminal case of Dutch Elm disease.  Our roots have become tangled, our bark is wearing thin and our leaves are changing color (no pun intended, well maybe a little one).  I'm not sure there's an immediate cure. Out with the old and in with the new probably isn't the answer. We have new and that's not working so well.  Maybe a potion of some old school with some new teachers might help and maybe add just of pinch of tea..... to spice it up a bit.!!!

Shine on Shine on Harvest Moon

The mellow Moon,
the changing leaves,
The earlier setting Sun,
Proclaim at last, my merry boys,
The harvest time begun.

Tonight's the Harvest Moon . The icing on my Fall cake.  There's no better sight than the full harvest moon shining on the cornfields across the road.  I wish I could "make" my camera take a good night photo. The temperatures are unusually warm for the end of September. It's predicted to be in the high 70's today and maybe reaching 90 tomorrow...Hello...it's Fall... the temps are supposed to... fall....... But true to upstate NY weather, Saturday will bring us only 60's....a 30 degree drop. Soon the frost will be on the pumpkins and it will be a joy to step outside and take a big deep breath.....of fresh air!

Good bye/ Hello

Good bye Summer. It was great seeing you and enjoying all the wonderful things you brought, the warm nights, the hot days, the welcome rain, the family reunions, the days on the lake, the camping trips and even the days being perched on the lawn mower. Strangely enough, your leaving excites me as much as your coming.....maybe a bit more. I enjoy the warmth you always bring but as my old body changes, hotter isn't better.I did, however; enjoy your visit. Come again!

Hello Fall.....I've been waiting for you!  I love absolutely everything about you. I love your temperatures, I love your colors, I love your smells, I love your sounds.I love all the things you allow me to do. You let me stay outside longer and enjoy. You let me actually turn on the oven and begin to cook a few more yummy dishes like chili, goulash, soups, stews and that wonderful apple crisp.  You let me reach into my closet for the comfy sweatshirt which is so much easier than finding the right thing to wear when it's 90...Getting warmer is simpler than getting cooler.. you can only take off so much and again, at my age, it ain't pretty.  I love the idea that we have so many birthdays in the fall.  Celebrating another year of existence is a wonderful milestone..whether you're turning 4 or turning 60.  We like birthdays!!!  My family is excited for fall too as it means hunting season.  I fret through the entire fiasco but they love it and after all, it does bring Jeffrey home!

Lee is actually up north hunting today on a filmed hunt.  Lee on TV... oh my!

So, I will enjoy my last few hours with my friend, Summer but I just can't hide the excitement that at 11.09 tonight the autumnal equinox will come through the door.  I'm not usually a late night visitor fan but I'll make an exception this time.  With the full moon on the rise tomorrow night, I think it will be able to find it's way to EIEIO with no problems. I'm not quite as excited about our next visitor due to arrive in 3 months so I will bask in the aura of autumn and live for the day!!!  

TV Land

I'm once again at peace in TV Land.  The new shows have begun and my favorite old stand-bys are back for a great new season.  Maybe there are 6 seasons after all, the usual 4 along with hunting and TV premiere week. Another reason why Fall is my favorite.  Last night's DWTS (Dancing w/ the Stars) was great.  I loved Kurt and Michael, laughed with Kyle and Florence, was in awe of Jennifer and Rick, laughed AT Margaret and Bristol and thoroughly enjoy the judges and Tom.. It's definitely one of my all time favorite shows. No stress, just smiles.Castle's premiere didn't disappoint either.  Thank God for TIVO which now houses, House, Lone Star and Hawaii 5-0.  It's pretty bad when I have to write down my TV schedule so I can plan what gets tivo'd and what to watch.  I never even flipped to the football game till 11:00...WOW. Lee is off for a mini hunting trip for a couple days...I'll never know he's gone!  TV will be my evening companion.  Glee will sing itself inside my TIVO while the gang on NCIS will entertain me.... Abby, I've missed you. I have an extra hour from 2 -3 p.m as my old soap's bubbles finally burst and went off the air last week.  I'll use that time to catch up on all the newbies to see what will really stay in my evening repertoire and what will vanish. I think the Defenders will stay, Lone Star, the new William Shatner sit-com and Hawaii 5-0.  After all, I am a creature of habit and I need room for all my returns, Grey's, Private Practice, Bros. & Sisters, Parenthood and Castle.
 It's a darn good thing I was born after the invention of the television.  I just wouldn't have been the same without Captain Kangaroo, Eddie Flum-Dum and Mr. Trolley, Henry Aldrich and of course Ed Sullivan, Mitch Miller and the Wonderful World of Disney!

I love the FaceBook Tree

I think those young fellows invented Face Book for the slightly "younger" crowd than I but..hey, the joke's on them. I love it!  It has its downsides as does any place where you can voice your opinion but the upsides far outweigh them.  Communication is amazing!  Last night alone, I reconnected with four cousins that I haven't seen or even spoken to in years.  For over a year now, I converse regularly with two more cousins that I barely even knew.  One of them I had met once and the other...never!  I now feel I know them personally and enjoy them immensely.  Ironically, Last year's cousins and yesterday's cousins each had the same great grandparents who lived in the house where I was raised.  Their grandfathers were brothers!  I have many fond memories of the Owen family (Uncle Jeff and Aunt Betty's daughter Mary, married George Owen who had 3 beautiful toe-heads, Jennifer, Jack and Jay).  Mary and the 3 J's are my 4 new "friends"!!  The 3 J's are all married now with beautiful families of their own ( I laugh at this as Bailee pronounces own as "owen).  I digress, as always.
I think I will add it to my bucket list to get as many of us together as possible.  We'll find a mid point where traveling will be the easiest for us all and "just do it".  It's seems a bit odd that the connections I have with these cousins from a different branch of our ancient tree already feel deeper than the birdbrains on the  branch I've been perched with for 58 years.  I've decided that growing up in the same nest doesn't necessarily mean that you're birds of a feather.  After all, aren't birds cold blooded? (my bad).....

So, thank you Face Book for being the catalyst that brings all these pigeons back to roost. I think our predecessors would be happy that we have a vehicle that allows us to share with our friends and families all over the country, our thoughts, our photos and our memories....Just a little bit of "Welcome to my World!"

Pet peeve

I understand traffic laws.  I try very hard to obey them.  I wear my seat belt, I do not text, I try not to answer the phone when it rings. I only make calls when I'm stopped. I do tend to have a heavier foot than I should but my cruise control keeps me in check.  On my way home from breakfast this morning, I met a car being "driven" (not so much) by a young woman (not so much) who was actively "doing" her hair......................with both hands!!!!! I was heading due north, she was heading due northeast.....on a north/south road... I beeped and her car jerked to the west...although her hands remained near her hair. I'm assuming she has very strong thighs that must control a good share of her life??!!  WTH.........Thankfully, I was alone and we avoided an incident. I so wanted to give her the number one salute but I kept both hands on the wheel and loudly voiced my opinion instead. She didn't hear me but I felt better.  I can't imagine how these young chickies don't get tickets or get in accidents...maybe they do and they just bat their eyes or flash their cleavage at the officer in charge. I guess I could try that if I ever get stopped but I'd have to take off my glasses to "bat"and lift my skirt to flash....they'd probably let me go because they felt sorry for me.....
Here are some things that should definitely be illegal while driving as well:
Playing with your iPod. Currently, in the state of Washington, you can hold and adjust your iPod and it's not illegal. Isn't finding your favorite song on your iPod similar to reading a text while driving?
Using condiments. I have no problem with eating while driving if it's something simple and you keep your eyes on the road. However, using condiments while eating is dangerous. I think fast food joints should not give condiments in their drive-thru windows to drivers. You want to use condiments? Come get them inside.
Applying makeup. Many of us have seen it. Personally, and for obvious reasons, I've never done it. But seriously ladies, wake up a little earlier in the morning or arrive at your destination with your natural look.
Using your laptop. Step away from the laptop while driving.
Dancing. I have no problem with the slight body movements, but if you're raising the roof, something isn't right. Check out the clip, it's hilarious if you have a sense of humor like mine.
Reading. The only thing you should be reading while driving is the street signs. If you can't read texts, you shouldn't be able to read the newspaper, magazines, or even a road map while driving.
Changing your clothes. It happens more often than you think. It's kind of hard to maintain control of your vehicle while pulling a shirt over your head or taking your pants off.
Going through your glove box. Is there anything that important in your glove box that you need while driving? Sunglasses is the only thing I can think of; put them on before driving. Reaching all the way across your car to fumble through your glove box is dangerous.
Shaving. Not only your face, but your pubic hair. (someone actually did this and cause quite a stir.....as well as an accident)

Thankfully singing will never be illegal........Bailee and I do it every trip in the car. She loves my singing, "don't you Bailee?"    "Well maybe just a little bit Damma!"

Bailee and the Giant Pumpkin

Papa searched near and far for just the right pumpkins for Bailee and to decorate for Halloween.  They were delivered last night... Holy cow!!  Good thing we have all those tractors to help us with these huge projects.  We'll get them moved over by the house this week-end and head across the road for some giant cornstalks to make EIEIO all ready for fall. When we got out of the car today Bailee remarked, "Damma, it's a great day isn't it?  The leaves are falling and the sun is out!"  I explained to her that any day we were together was a great day!!!!!!     The I told her we were gonna be making one mighty big pumpkin pie!!   I think she's out looking for giant pan right now!!!!

True or False?

 See how smart you really are....Guess which are true and which are false.  Thought this was pretty interesting so I borrowed it from a friend's email. (it also meant that I could have a brain vaca. for today)

 

 

1 . Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.
2. Alfred Hitchcock didn't have a belly button..(can't be)
3. A pack-a-day smoker will lose approximately two teeth every ten years.
4. People do not get sick from cold weather; it's from being indoors a lot more.
5. When you sneeze, all bodily functions stop, even your heart!
6. Only seven per cent of the population are lefties.
7. Forty people are sent to the hospital for dog bites every minute.
8. Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear until they are 2-6 years old.
9. The average person over 50 will have spent FIVE years waiting in lines.
10. The toothbrush was invented in 1498.
11. The average housefly lives for one month.
12. 40,000 Americans are injured by toilets each year.
13. A coat hanger is 44 inches long when straightened.
14. The average computer user blinks seven times a minute.
15. Your feet are bigger in the afternoon than any other time of day.
16. If coloring weren't added to Coca-Cola, it would be green. (drink Pepsi)
17. The REAL reason ostriches stick their head in the sand is to search for water.
18. The only two animals that can see behind themselves without turning their heads are the rabbit and the parrot. (and a Mom)
19. John Travolta turned down the starring roles in 'An Officer and a Gentleman' and 'Tootsie.'
20. The "Duke", aka John Wayne, turned down the role of Sheriff Matt Dillon and recommended James Arness for the role.  Mr. Arness made more every year from syndication than John Wayne ever made from all his movies combined.
21. Michael Jackson owns the rights to the South Carolina State Anthem.
22. In most television commercials advertising milk, a mixture of white paint and a little thinner is used in place of the milk.
23. Prince Charles and Prince William NEVER travel on the same airplane, just in case there is a crash.
24. The first Harley Davidson motorcycle built in 1903 used a tomato can for a carburetor.( should have been a Heinz-Davidson)
25. Most hospitals make money by selling the umbilical cords cut from women who give birth. They are used in vein transplant surgery.
26. Humphrey Bogart was related to Princess Diana. They were seventh cousins.
27. Most of us have eaten a spider in our sleep. 

  

I'm sure you guessed it, they're all true....eeeeeww to # 27 :-) 

Small towns.....

Small towns.... you either love them or hate them.... Usually it's the "grass is greener" theory.  If you live in the city, you think you might enjoy a small town more and vice- versa.  I've never really lived in a big city.... Skaneateles and Auburn are my personal "Big Apples."  I did, however; live on a Main Street in a small town for all of my childhood and much of my life as a grown up.  I prefer where I am now to any place I've ever lived.... that being the house, the location and a small town.  But, with all the ups, there are eventually some downs. I have been excited sharing our new media room progress with friends, family and FB.  Hmm, so bright and early one morning I see an email in my inbox with the subject "basement."  It was from a FB friend who also happens to carry some of our insurance.  It went like this, "Good morning.  Should we be increasing coverage on your house to account for the finished basement?  If so, how much have you invested?"  I was and am a trifle po'd.  My reply thanked her for her inquiry and explained that nothing was finished and when and if I needed more coverage, I would call them!  Hello, how much have you invested???????? None of your flippin business.  Just how may changes of life is one old broad allowed?  I can't blame my attitude on PMS, I can't blame it on menopause, I can't even blame it on dementia  I don't think.. (but I can't remember)... I guess I'm just plain a bitch and there's no excuse.. I know I should most likely be happy that their office and it's employees are attentive to their customer's needs but jeeeez.... They already called me practically before my Mom was out the door for Walden Place saying "we see your Mom's house is empty. Should we be writing a new policy for a vacant dwelling?" And when we had rented our Locke house, we got an immediate call saying "we saw someone was moving into your house in Locke, should we change to a landlord policy?"  Small town yay or nay?  90% of the time a big fat YAY.  The other 10 %.. an even bigger NAY.  I love everyone's interest and now with FB we all probably know way more about each others daily lives than we need or want to but when I want to spend some money and buy more insurance, or change fuel companies or get my groceries somewhere else, I'll call you...don't contact me.. Thank you very much......!!  This has been a public service announcement..yikes
 

Monday morning QB.. that's me

Oh boy, now I know why they call it Fantasy Football......I have been so excited since the draft last week. Obviously, I was living in a fantasy land!!  I thought I had strategically drafted pretty well.  I have a well rounded offense, the Jets for my defense..(near #1 last season), Ladanian Tomlinson, a veteran kicker and a great bench. I only screwed up once where I have two players with the same bye week.... That can be rectified with a trade down the road.  My first week I was paired with a newbie to our league so I thought I'd have the upper hand...I should have just slapped myself with it!!!!!!!!!  Even his bench was kickin' my a--.   Tonight is my only hope and somehow I have to find over 51 points to even get close.  I have the QB for the Ravens and L.T. and the Jet's defense.  I'm not sure that's even enough to pull it out. Ironically enough, we each have competing defenses for tonight's game

I also had  head to head picks for two other leagues, my HGTV pro builders league and another local parlee': I was 5/13 and 6/14 ..... you'd think I had no idea what the hell I was doing. I obviously had no idea what the hell I was doing!!!  

My old stand-by team the Bills..... what can I say about them except they lived up to all our expectations from last season.  Nobody is listening to all of us say "Trent Edwards sucks!"  When you have the speed of CJ Spiller, it makes no difference if he doesn't get the ball in his hands. He can run like hell all day... nowhere!! Of course, I picked Buffalo, from my heart and not my head....I will so try next week NOT to repeat stupid mistakes.  If only I always listened to my head!

Getting Excited

I must admit, I am my happiest when I have a project.  Our media room is my latest and it's progressing rapidly. ( after a 7 mos. hiatus)

I just ordered the carpet today and it is now available in brown so I'm tickled pink.... I've changed my seating to brown leather and the colors will all look great... Gray, brown and gold..... I know, you'll have to see it to appreciate it....and you probably will see much of it if you want to or not...(or just don't read my ramblings for awhile) All the sheet rock will be up tonight and the nasty part of that will begin... the mud and sanding. Guess the hanging of the wet sheets will be next on my agenda. I hope I can remember the clanners I lent them to... just kidding. My carpet could actually arrive early next week so I can then choose my final colors....Have to see the rug first, just to make sure. Some never agree with my color choices or what goes w/ what... it's such a good thing they neither have to live here or pay for them:-)  Some of my little "accessories" are arriving too. The velvet rope is here and will keep everyone out of the presentation till movie time.... The men have rolled their eyes, the gals think it's cool.  I have even ordered some movie and theater themed ornaments for this year's theater Christmas tree (don't say it). It will be adorned with what else but popcorn garlands. You'll like it no matter how crazy you think I am now!  You'll even enjoy the on screen trivia and intro before our feature presentations.....The opening night may even feature a red carpet and some well dressed guests..... you just never know.

An Apple a Day

The "girls" had a great apple pickin' morning at Grisamores Tuesday.  Bailee loves the animals and she was happy to be Baaaaack (the sheep pix).  If we had thought, we'd have packed our lunch and taken it there to enjoy. As it was, we all voted on Subway for Bailee's favorite, "turtey sub on honey oat". Jess is on Apple Crisp detail this afternoon. Can't wait. Can there possibly be a better time than Fall?

Happy Campers

It was a nice week-end.  We headed out with a little skepticism when we realized we had no electricity or water on our site and it was only 30 ft. long (we're 34ft) but we were pleasantly surprised to settle into a nice spot.  Had we located on our reserved spot, we'd have killed a couple tenters and their week-end home....NOT, so we rolled up around the bend and settled in front of Purdy's.  Thankfully, we have on- board generators so we could catch the news, use the crock pot and make coffee ( yeah I know, it's camping to me !).  Everybody took a turn at meal-fixing and we had some good vittles. Loved Laurie's Rueben Casserole!  Norm even made a breakfast concoction in a cast iron pot on the fire... It was a little nippy but the fire made it cozy.  Some of the crew golfed, some hiked, some read....guess which group I was in?  The campfire was great.... lots of songs and stories.  It's funny how things that were traumatic 30 and 40 years ago, we're able to chuckle at now.  Luckily we can all laugh at ourselves which is a pretty good thing.  I did take a ride down to the "Green Lake" with the not- so- excited about hiking crew. It was beautiful.... Looks much like the water in the Caribbean. Thinking our next jaunt in Jerome will be to Jeff's in October but we may get to New Hampshire and even squeeze in one more "camping" week-end before the snow flies.  This is such a busy time with birthdays, hunting and holidays... busy but the best time of the year.... We're actually "Happy Campers" all year round!

On the road again..

A week-end of camping.  Should be interesting... our site has no water or electric....and it's a 30ft site for a 34 ft. m-home...As Bailee would say, "Push 'em back, push 'em back, way back".  We should be OK as long as there's no ban on nighttime generator use. If so, we're outa there.... Sleeping in a 34 ft tin can with no air isn't pretty....especially when you're used to a K bed. I know, I could be roughin' it......No a/c would be!  Thankfully we're not going far.  Weather looks a bit different for tomorrow and the week-end. 92 is the predicted high for today, 66 for tomorrow.... There is my bright spot!  I'm not a fan of the HHH days.  Everybody's contributing one meal so each crew only is responsible for one breakfast, lunch or supper.... We have supper for Sunday: steaks, corn, mac and cheese, salad and It. bread. Hopefully, the rain will hold off for daytime and they'll get some golfing in. I see a couple James Patterson's in my week-end...

Nice visit with Grandma yesterday.  Another "off" memory day but she knew who we were and that's always promising.  She was dressed to the nines and looked as fit as an 88 yr. old can.  She loved seeing Bailee as they all do.... Still a bit intimidating for her as they all crowd around and want to touch her (Bailee not Grandma:-).... They all love a diversion too.  Mom is content and well.. can't ask for more than that.

Theater work progressing again today as my "stud" took a day off to cheer the Yankees on to a win in their new stadium.  Guess it was a scorcher there as well.

OK, you're up to date.  A few days off, then will report on what should be a good week-end.  Enjoy your time with your friends and family and reward yourselves for all those years of hard labor!!!

Feature Presentation

We're finally underway.  The studs are in, as is the studly carpenter.  The wiring is nearly complete, the TV will arrive next week, the seating is on hold awaiting my cue for delivery, the velvet drapes are here, the lighting is all in house (and I LOVE it all). The popcorn popper was a gift last Christmas and as been "tested" .. Movie posters are framed and lighting is in progress. Carpet has been chosen and awaiting some measurements, double media doors are due in next week, Pergo waiting to get laid (lucky Pergo) in the lobby.  Sink needs to be installed in the restroom but potty and urinal are "good to go".
The "artist's (sorry Mrs. Mather and Mrs. Tracy) rendering above is a poor excuse for an example but gives some insight into the somewhat "finished" room.  If it doesn't look 100x better in reality, I quit but the house turned out quite well so I have high hopes in my design abilities as a novice Candice Olsen.....very novice!
I'm hoping  next month we can have a grand opening, show a cool movie with some surprises before the "Feature Presentation."  Seating is limited - 6 in comfortable, theater reclining seats, cup holders and tray tables too, 4 at Bistro tables in the back and a few pillows in the front for those who are used to hitting the carpet for viewing. I wouldn't be surprised if the red carpet is out for Opening Night!

As I look back, maybe $20 for a movie and popcorn wasn't so bad after all.....;-)

Happy New Year

The morrow was a bright September morn;
The earth was beautiful as if new-born;
There was that nameless splendor everywhere
That wild exhilaration in the air.

–Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82)

I LOVE SEPTEMBER!  It has always been (at least since 1978 and my journey as a Mom) my New Year's Day.  Kids were back to school, temps were back to normal (except today) and everything wonderful about fall was beginning. I know autumn doesn't really begin till the 21st but today I can change the wreath on the door, put up some sunflowers, some fall leaves and even a pumpkin decoration or two.  I'm not a huge fan of hunting but it brings Jeff home for a week or two and that's good enough for me. We celebrate many fall birthdays and anniversaries and even our ambition seems to soar as we prod through our days at 50 or 60 degrees and not 90.  It's a time for great harvests, full moons and bonfires. Today begins the seventh (septem) month in the old Roman calendar. When Julius Caesar decided to start the year with January instead of March, September kept its name but not its position. We love it right where it is!  On September 1, 1849
A photograph of the full Moon was taken by Samuel Humphrey at Canandaigua, New York. It is the earliest surviving photo of Earth’s satellite. That's pretty cool as we live so close to Canandaigua. Here's the story (as appeared in the Farmer's Almanac)

One-hundred-fifty years ago, on the night of September 1, 1849, the nearly full Moon appeared over the town of Canandaigua, New York. At 10:30 P.M., Samuel D. Humphrey slid a highly polished, silver-plated copper sheet measuring 2–3/4x1–3/4 inches into his camera, which was pointed at the Moon.

Humphrey then exposed the light-sensitive plate to the shining Moon nine times, varying the length of exposure from 0.5 seconds to 2 minutes. After developing the plate with mercury vapor, he sent his daguerreotype to Harvard College.

Louis Daguerre, the Frenchman who explained the secret of the world's first photographic technique in 1839, had daguerreotyped a faint image of the Moon, but the plate was soon lost in a fire. John W. Draper of New York City is credited with making the first clear daguerreotype of the Moon in March 1840, but this also was destroyed in a fire.

By 1851, the Harvard College Observatory was producing detailed, world-renowned daguerreotypes of the Moon, doubtless inspired by Humphrey, whose 1849 daguerreotype is now considered by many to be the earliest extant photograph of the Moon.