A new photo-Thanks Jake!

Jake sent us a photo of his baby yesterday!

The Next Year....and we're off!

Well I just can't stop! I like the blog and I guess I'm going on. Feel free to stop reading! One year was probably good for you, and let me know if you have a name suggestion (no Susan, it can't be anything with backward in it! I'm still growing!)
So onward, today was a super dreary,rainy and blustery day, but we stayed warm with Jerry's cooking efforts. He took one of the TWO bushels of tomatoes he got from Hank and got busy! We blanched, we peeled,we blended,we cooked,added spices,onions, peppers, sausage,meatballs or chicken and the sauce factory was in high gear. End result..dinner tonight and for many nights to come, a full freezer in fact. So come over for dinner!
Typical Wednesday of busy fun, we delivered pumpkins to Molly's class, they are thrilled and plan a pumpkin carving day on Friday--Thanks Uncle Hank!
Danny and I went to Fairway Trails and played Pumpkin Fairy to our old neighbors which was fun! We also made a stop at the jewelry store, and made some adjustments to my beautiful birthday bracelet. We switched the cross to silver, and Danny's bead to a more boyish style, and I picked out a suitcase charm to represent all of our travels,(and hopefully more to come!) I love my new present! And I am having my Dad necklace repaired, the two missing diamond chips will be replaced and all other stones checked for tightness. I miss Dad so much this time of year, he was always here to make me feel like a birthday princess. I love you Dad.

Happy Birthday to me! from Jerry and the kids

Birthday Fun

holding my boy!

He is gaining on me!

Happy Birthday shorty!

A fun day, with cards, treats and great phone calls and emails from lots of friends. I an a very lucky gal!

ONE YEAR??!!

Well, I did it! One year ago tomorrow I decided to record my 49th year for posterity. My goal was to write a post each day and to challenge myself to move forward in all/every way. 49 and forward meant that the year would march along without my help and soon I would be 50. But with some effort could I move myself forward? Now I know in some blogs people do things like cook through Julia Childs French Cooking, or pledge not to shop, or even swear to be happy every day. Thank goodness I didn't pledge to do any of that(though I know Jer would be down with the shopping one!) I simply thought that be aware and trying to take opportunities would be enough of a challenge...and the writing every day. Now I know you purists may argue that my catch-up days shouldn't count, but I think as long as I made an entry for that day, than it is okay. And I tried for daily, my intentions were honorable.  I won't be reviewing all my activities(lucky you!) but as far as I'm concerned, I DID IT! I feel like I grew spiritually, and that has helped me grow in all other ways. And who could have imagined when I set out this year that I would be flying to LA with Molly, and going with Danny to Rome! So many awesome,blessed things, and I thank GOD for all he has given me which enabled me to go,do,see, and be!
Should I keep blogging? Do I change the name? Does anyone care:)  ?
email me at hincka6@gmail.com and let me know what you think, since I have no followers who comment on my blog! Thanks for reading with me this year!

It's my book club and I'm gonna name it!

Okay, so for some reason today I decided to name my bookclub! I started it 2 years ago in March, after we finished the library. We have 7 members and we take turns picking the books. We meet in my library the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm. After lively discussion we adjourn to the kitchen for desserty like items and more coffee,tea or whatever you like. And lots of great talk about our families and lives. We also have a drawing for a small door prize provided by the gal who chose the book, who also brings the treat. Got It? I have read alot of interesting books and really look froward to the monthly meetings. So I decided that we should have a name(why not before this? I don't know!) so are you ready for it....
Ladies Laughing in the Library (LLL)

What do you think? I think it captures us, hopefully my club members will agree! I will post a picture of us at our Nov. meeting!
ps. this month we are reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer chosen by Renee ;)

A Birthday note to the best sister in the world

Me and Sooz
1965

Happy Birthday to the Best Sister in the whole wide world from her pesky little sister! I know you have had to share the last 50 years of your life with me.. and I want to make sure you know just how much you mean to me. You are an incredibly smart, patient,thoughtful person;someone who many people count on every day. You keep your family running smoothly,your girl scout troop producing honor winners, your hospital pharmacy one of the best in the state. Your soda bread is legendary every March and your gift of  meals often bring a bit of brightness to a family who is having trouble.

The world is a better place because of you, that is true, but MY life is what it is because of your love and care for me all of my life. To go through childhood with the sure knowledge of the love of a big sister is to have a huge golden umbrella over me, so that no matter what the weather in my life, I am warm and protected. Though Mom dressed us alike until we were 10 and 11 years old, we have different personalities. This has lead to an appreciation for others who are not the same as us I think. You were the studious one, which came in handy and set a good example for me. Thanks for staying up really late that night when I was in 5th grade and drawing all the maps for my Lewis and Clark report! Even though people didn't believe we were sisters in high school (hmm, was it the difference in our looks or the fact that YOU were so smart and well behaved?!) I always knew we were because you always watched out for me. You let me hide up in your room in the attic when things got tough downstairs, I felt like we were a team then. And I loved being your roommate in Bloomfield! Our time together is so special to me, it is the cream in the Oreo of my life. Caring for Dad together, caring for each others kids in good times and bad, shopping, drinking our coffee's at DunkinDonuts, sharing books and beach houses and hopes and dreams..Thank you for being there for me, I hope you know how much it means to me, because I don't think I can express it. I guess I'll just say Thank you GOD for Susan, without whom I would be very lonely and sad, but with her,  I am a sister!

new idea

I found out about a neat volunteer opportunity..It is a site called
Books For Soldiers.com
Members of the deployed Armed Forces log on and request books, DVDs, music and small snack/personal care items. You can make a little care package and send it out to them. I would hate to be without a book wherever I was, so this is one need I can totally relate to. Danny and I are excited to get started and encourage you to check it out.  You register on the site to get access to the list of items folks want..as Jake heads off tomorrow I thought it would be nice to start sharing with troops overseas.
The Tigers are getting rocked and I'm going to bed..I know Molly will be very bummed out.