View from the Hill

Now is the Time 2010

2010-04-12T06:28:00.000-07:00

Now is the Time is the name of our mission trip to Guatemala.
Namee because now IS the time. There are always reasons not
to go on a mission trip but from experience, there are many more
reasons TO go.

We are leaving July 16 and will return the 25th. The anticipation
is killin' me :) Nine of us have opted to go a couple of days early for
a number of reasons. As I type I am awaiting a phone call from
our mission leader on the child sponsorship program that I hope to
coordinate in the village of Santa Maria de Jesus. We are 99.9%
sure that it is going to happen. A few extra days allows me to
gather the information on the children along with photos.
I feel I am being led to head this program.

We have nearly all our travel money raised, only need about $250
more for our total of $4800. Additional money will need to be
raised as we provide supplies for Vacation Bible School also for
nearly 150 children which can add up. Glue, scissors, snacks,
you name it, we have to take it with us.

Last year my middle daughter Brennan and I had the opportunity
to go. This year my husband Rick, my youngest Mattie, and my
mother in law are also going with us. What a memory this will
be for us!

I will keep you posted!

Not Enough Time

2010-01-29T06:15:00.000-08:00

It is only the end of January and already it seems like the
year of 2010 is getting booked solid.

June=OBX, July=Guatemala, August=Biking the Erie Canal,
October=Colorado.

Through in there Easter, Mothers Day, Fathers' Day, July 4th,
Thanksgiving and Christmas and then it starts all over again.

Wii are Family

2010-01-22T06:17:00.000-08:00

For years I would not purchase any sort of gaming
system for our girls as I didn't want to create crazed
video induced comas in young children which would
lead a 12 step program. We did finally get an Xbox
a few years ago which we virtually didn't play.

I was a bit skeptical when Santa brought us a
Wii Fit for Christmas. Perhaps he was trying
to tell us something.

It has been a real hit with our family. Someone
is on it everyday. If a video game has to be
played at least this one has us moving.

Here's the problem. My family is very competitive
in a good natured sort of way. There is no throwing
of objects, kicking of walls etc. but there is a good
deal of ribbing.

It isn't limited to the ski jumping, or the slalom, or
even the juggling, we competed in everything!
Penguins catching fish, bubble girl floating down the
river, tilt city, and the yoga plank, nothing is sacred.

I currently hold the title of Basic Step Queen, and
the ever challenging Lotus Focus (requires sitting
still for periods of time) and am in the hunt for
topping the charts in skiing.

My dear husband is the instigator of all this since
he leads most of the sports.

I think we might be weird.

The Pope and the Queen will be stopping over later today.

2010-01-21T05:52:00.001-08:00

Why you ask? Because I am in sweatpants that's why.

My 99% of the time routine is to get up shower, get
dressed, eat breakfast and start my day.

Getting dressed in my mind means something other
than pajamas, for me usually jeans and a shirt of
some persuasion. I am not, repeat, I am not a
fashion icon that little girls everywhere just have to
emulate. I am not a diva either, never have been,
never will be. However...I am an owner of a business
and try for the most part to represent myself semi
decently.

Today I am in sweatpants and kind of an older
shirt. I fully expect the Pope and the Queen
to show up later.

Each and every time I don't dress like I normally
would, someone comes to the house or studio
unexpectedly fully embarrassing me.

A few years ago I put on grubby clothes to clean
or something (trust me I didn't look my best )
and 4 different people showed up
without warning.

This past Christmas I again threw caution to the
wind and put on some sweats as I was planning
to ski or something. One of my clients show up
not at the studio but at my house. There I was
in all my stained sweatpants, messy hair glory.

I don't have anywhere I have to be today, don't
have to pick Mattie up from swim team, Brennie
doesn't start diving again until next week.
It is also difficult to do yoga moveson the Wii Fit
in jeans.

So, I did it, donned sweatpants.

I expect dignitaries to arrive later. Tea anyone?

What's for supper tonight?

2010-01-20T11:05:00.000-08:00

Ham with brown sugar glaze, haluski,
and probably corn.

At least this is a meal that the majority
of my family will eat.

We went for groceries yesterday and I
had a disturbing thought. Have you ever
thought about how potentially gross the
open food/salad bars are that are in the
grocery stores? Ick! Ack! Yuck!

Virtually anything could be in there.
Image little kids, unattended, having their
way with the food there.

No me , no way, no how am I eating off
those things.

Call me crazy!

Pants on the Ground

2010-01-19T07:06:00.001-08:00

I cannot get that song out of my head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsv2LrdXf1Y

Kinda catchy in an off beat sort of annoying way.

Goodbye 2009

2010-01-19T06:31:00.001-08:00

And good riddance! I didn't have such a hot
2009 so I was more than ready to kick it out
the door.

2010 looks brighter already. We, Rick, Brennan,
Mattie and myself are returning to Guatemala
this summer. Actually Brennie and I are returning,
this is Rick and Mattie's first trip.

We are waiting for word from our mission coordinator
at to definitive dates but it will be in July. It is our
desire to return to Santa Maria de Jesus the village
where we worked last year.

It is amazing the impact spending a week there can have
on a person. Brennie and I talk about it often and this
serves to get Mattie all the more excited about going
this summer.

As if I don't have enough irons in the fire I found one
more potential one to add to the mix. After much
thought and prayer, I am looking to become the child
sponsorship coordinator for the village. The town
leaders are eager for opportunities for their children
to have a better life and this may be an answer.
It is not a definite at this point as contacts and discussions
with another organization have to happen first.

We are also going to the Outer Banks in June with my
family and a dear friend. My parents are also going to
make the trip. We are always excited to get to spend
time together and the kids love it there.

Will hopefully continue to post as I can.

Here is a short clip of Guatemala. Enjoy!

Summer is officially here!

2009-06-24T10:11:00.000-07:00

Summer is officially here, date wise and weather wise.

More importantly summer is here because my yard is
pleasantly filled with children.

The parade between the yards include an 11 yr. old boy,
7 & 6 year old boys, 1 1/2 year old little girl, and a 4 year
old little girl, plus my own girls. Plenty of activity!

Freeze pops, mountain pies, smores, salamanders, bike
rides, trampolining, and comparing of warts have all
been on the agenda this week.

Life is good.

Where I'm From

2009-04-01T16:01:00.000-07:00

I heard this country song and oh how it reminds
me of my hometown.

I live in a small rural town in Pennsylvania complete
with 3 whole stoplights and I wouldn't want to live anywhere
else.

Population of 2500, my in laws live 4 doors down, my
parents 2 miles away and one of my best friends a
few houses up the street.

The neighborhood kids run and play in our yard or
at the basketball court between our houses. Folks
here will lend a hand, shovel a driveway, and watch
out for each other.

There is a soccer league, baseball of all persuasions,
midget football, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, 4 -H,
a skating rink and a swimming pool for the kids.

It is far from perfect, after all it is a small town and
most people know each other but I'll take it any day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6ytq9LzN-I

Speaking of commercials

2009-03-31T14:38:00.000-07:00

Hot on the heels of my Folgers Coffee rant is my
next commercial that is nails on a chalkboard
to me. The "I owed the IRS 5 billion dollars
but only had to pay 1 billion dollars"

If they owed 5 billion dollars than that means they
had to have made 15 billion dollars right? Why are
they proud that the rest of us taxpayers are
probably footing the bill for their 4 billion that
they did not pay?

I must be missing something.

Folgers Coffee commercial

2009-03-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

I was reminiscing this morning as I was making
coffee. I use Folgers which brings me to my
thought for the day.

Do you remember the commercial for Folgers
from several years ago that took place in
some swanky place.

The narration went something like this:

"We've secretly replaced the ordinarily fine coffee
normally served in this fancy restaurant
with Folgers"

Camera than pans to several diners nodding their
approval of what good coffee they were drinking.
They never would have guessed it was Folgers.

Here's the rub: If Folgers was so good wouldn't
they be serving it to start with?

I'm just sayin'....

Why a Bouvier is good for your soul.

2009-03-30T10:22:00.000-07:00

For those not familiar, a Bouvier des Flandres is a breed
of dog.

Quinn, my Bouvier, can be oh so annoying. He has a
wet beard (which leads to wet everything at bouv
height), a disheveled look, frighteningly smart, tick
magnet (tick, not chick), collects ferns, sticks and
other debris in his coat and beard, he raids
garbage cans, and eats plastic. This is the short
list.

But for all of his "habits" his best one is that he makes
me smile.

He is not a small dog, pushing the nearer side of 90#
and 27 and a pinch at the shoulder, a pocket pet he
is not. Imagine all this dog laying on his back,
completely sprawled out in his crate, too relaxed
to acknowledge me with little more than an eye roll
that I could see through the hair. The sight of him
makes me smile.

Since I mentioned it, lets discuss the hair. All of it.
I want Quinn to look like a Bouvier, no pet cut for
my boy. Why is it that hours of brushing a week
(literally) and he still looks like a rumpled old man
that hasn't changed clothes in a week. Beard a mess,
eyebrows askew, what is up with that? The wild
hairs atop his head and the few that always seem to
curl over his nose make me smile. I have to admit
with all that hair, there is never any on the floor,
or clothing. Yes, his hair makes me grin.

He likes his butt scratched. Leave the head alone
folks and get right to the business end. If I am sitting
at the table he makes sure his rear is near me. As
I scratch, he won't move a bit. This makes me smile.

It makes me smile that he allows me in "his circle".
I would even venture to say that he likes me. You
must understand that Bouvs don't hand out friend-
ship like business cards. More like you feel privileged
if you are given the secret password from him that
says you might be okay by him.

He's not a barker, thank heavens. However if he
does bark, you better take a look because something
is up. I trust his judgement and he has shown me
he has good instincts.

He is not perfect, nor am I but together we can
muddle through life he'll have my back and I
will have his.

Yes, Quinn makes me smile.

Three Ring Circus

2009-03-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

I was never much of a circus fan. Maybe because
I never saw a well done one.Occasionally the random
traveling circus would stop in our hometown when
I was a child. Trust me the urge to run away and join
them did not enter my mind.

While I never wanted to run away and join them,
it seems that the circus of life is more that ready to
set up three rings right in my house.

Ring 1: Obligations that are ever present and sometimes
difficult to meet are strutting their stuff like the elephants
going round and round hanging on to each others tails,
circling and circling and never getting anywhere.

Ring2: Here we find the never ending sets of problems
to be worked out like how to fit 15 clowns into a
Volkswagen. We try and try only to find out that 15
clowns DON'T fit into a VW after all.

Ring 3: This is the ring with all the oohs and aaah's.
Acrobats being hurled through air, tigers jumping
through hoops of fire, swords being swallowed, knives
being thrown, who knows maybe goldfish are being
eaten.

See why I don't like the circus? Too much drama,
I don't want to solve big problems right now, and
I am not interested in death defying acts, heck I
don't even want to see the elephants.

If it's okay I want my popcorn and drink and take
it to a quiet place with no confusion. I might read,
listen to my ipod, crunch my corn, sip my drink,
but no drama or excitement please.

Is that so wrong?

Rainy Day Thoughts

2009-03-29T08:42:00.000-07:00

It is pouring buckets out right now, serious buckets.
I actually used an umbrella this morning as I went
to Sunday School.

I like rain in the context of filling the water tables,
flooding earthworms to the surface for the robins
and the like,but rain in general makes me want
to curl up in bed and take a snooze or read a good
book.

Yearning for nostalgia

2009-03-26T07:16:00.000-07:00

Lava lamps, fondue, felt lined winter boots, buying gas
according to your license plate number, The Bee Gees,
playing outside until dark, neighborhood games of "Kick the Can"
annual viewing of The Wizard of Oz near Thanksgiving.
All these things remind me of my childhood.

Society today moves way to fast, has too many things,
and seems to appreciate little. I have been yearning
for the simpler things in life as of late. My start has
been with cutting to only 20 channels on TV. The
result was a trip to the library yesterday afternoon.
Not a bad start.

As a child I remember spending the day at the swimming
pool. Being fair complected, my nose would be covered
with Desitin to ward off sunburn. We would leave each
day at 3:30 to go home in order for my mom to make
supper. We ate as a family every night.

Winters back in the day meant snow piled 3 feet high.
Cold weather wear in the 70's was not quite as high
tech as it is now. After soaking our boots the first time,
bread bags were in order on the feet. Gloves that never
dried out were replaced by socks on the hands. Sound
familiar anyone?

I remember building cabins in the woods, riding my
bike endlessly, going fishing or catching salamanders in
the pond in our back yard, getting chores done in the
morning so we would be free in the afternoon, and ghost
stories around the campfire.

I hope that children today, my own included, will be
able to look back fondly at their childhood as I can.

Feel free to add your memories and ideas for
simplification of your life, a clearing house of sorts.
Let's get back to basics in this crazy world.

Simplify.

Ewwww, what's that smell?

2009-03-22T17:44:00.000-07:00

Since getting the Trailblazer I haven't been driving the Cavalier
very much as of late. However, on the few occasions that I
have driven it, I have noticed a rather aromatic smell,
and not in a good way. Kinda mildewy.

So my project for Saturday was to get to the bottom of
the smell. Gathered all the tools, mini shop vac, extension
cord, Bissell Little Green machine etc. I set about removing
the floor mats to find that there is moisture for some
reason under them. Ewwww, the root of the problem.

After I shop vac all the stuck smashed Skittles of the carpet I
set about with the little green machine. Now you must understand
that I like seeing the dirt getting sucked up the hose, gives me a
sense of satisfaction. Anyway I squeeze the trigger to express the
water solution and nothing. Not a drip, not a drop, not even a sputter
of water would come out of the hose. I try again, remove the end of
the hose, mulitple squeezes of the trigger and still nothing.

I ask DH to come have a look because I am famously inept with
anything remotely mechanical. He doesn't have any more success
than me. How about a spray bottle he suggests. Good thinking. I find
an empty spray bottle, fill it with my cleaning solution all pumped up
for some heavy duty dirt removal.

Spray, spray, suck it up, repeat. Spray, spray, suck it up repeat.
Then tragedy struck. A squeeze of the trigger and then nothing. nother
squeeze, still nothing.

Is this someone's idea of a sick joke? All I want to do is clean
my car, reduce the ick factor, and the for some reason I am
not allowed! The car cleaning Gods are frowning upon me.

Perhaps a vat of Febreeze and a box fan for a day or so........

Sock update: Houston, there has been sock removal. Strangely
DH picked them up and I gasped at him "What are you doing??? You are
picking up the socks, you know the "blog socks"! Now what am I
going to write about? Something relevant? I think not.

It's that time of year

2009-03-19T12:32:00.001-07:00

Spring is nearly upon us and with warmer weather, birds about, and
mud drying. We busy ourselves with raking, cleaning up wayward
branches, and planning our warm weather landscaping.

This leads me to a major pet peeve of mine, outdoor decor.

I need a theme folks. I dislike the seven dwarfs beside a statue
of the Virgin Mary. A don't like to see a whirly gig beside a settee
of two frogs under an umbrella. Giant faux flowers stuck in the
ground in colors that I am sure are fairly rare in nature. My
philosophy is less IS more.

Give me some nice flowers, bird feeders, bird bath and I am happy.

I realize to each their own.

Don't even get me started on fan powered blow up lawn ornaments.
(you know who you are)

Tuesday Part II

2009-03-17T10:08:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patricks Day!

I had the joy of visiting Ireland August 2001 and it was
wonderful! Flew into Shannon Airport and the view was
all stone fences and green fields. Breathtaking.

My third cousin has traveled Ireland extensively and also
has been key in researching our family tree. My family
is from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. A highlight
of the trip was driving to North and visiting the cemetery
where my ancestors are buried.

My family names include Calhoun, Ralston, Murphy,
McFarland, and Cunningham. Yeah, we are a wee bit
Irish!

Tuesday

2009-03-17T09:55:00.001-07:00

Here I sit in the lobby of the Holiday Inn for three hours while
middle DD takes her PSSA tests. A beautiful lobby to boot.

Surprisingly I sign my daughter in and am given a reminder
card to pick her up. Seriously, do they think I will forget her?
Is there a whole black market of children who are left at
PSSA testing sites that I am not aware of? After a week or
so should I then figure out she hasn't been around the
house for several days? Will Easter come and go and still there
will be children left at the testing site?

I do understand why the reminder card, but come on folks,
if you think I will forget her, should she even be in my
irresponsible care to begin with? Why wasn't there a taxi
service sent to begin with to ensure that she will arrive to
take the exams.

Okay, got that off my chest.

It's a Monday

2009-03-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

A beautiful weekend weather wise, only kink is that I have a cold.
Can you spell N-Y-Q-U-I-L?

Middle DD has to take PSSA tests today in another town. She is
home schooled just in case you are wondering why she isn't
taking them at school.

Youngest DD home sick from school. Not quite sure of the
arrangements for her at this point.

Now for my utterly useless thoughts.

I dislike cartoons. Used to love them as a kid. Saturday
mornings with my brothers flicking back and forth between
our two channel lineup. They liked Bugs Bunny while
I lived for Jana of the Jungle. (remember her, kinda female Tarzan).

Now I find the voices of cartoon characters positively
mind numbing. The plot lines or lack there of make
me crazy. I have never watched a single episode of
Sponge Bob and plan to keep it that way.

I think it is over exposure that has put me over the edge.
Multiple channels, all day, all the time, it never stops.

Do I sound bitter?

Day 5: Socks remain with an additional one on the porch. I have

not made a postive ID on the porch sock at this time. It may

in fact belong to a neighborhood child as several where here

yesterday.

Sock saga Day 3

2009-03-14T06:09:00.000-07:00

Still there.

Although there has been discussion as to the ownership of said socks.
Could they belong to the neighbors?

Recent dialogue

"Mom are any of my friends going to read that stupid blog about the
sock"

"Yeah, probably"

"That is so stupid"

And yet the socks remain.

A long and sleepless night and a blue morning

2009-03-14T05:25:00.000-07:00

40 winks or even 30 were in short supply last night.
This seems to be a growing pattern with me and DH.

Those of you that know me personally can guess the
source of said sleeplessness.

In spite of feeling less than my normal chatty self, I will attempt
to give my legions of fans (all six)insight into the totally irrelevant,
useless observations in my life.

I bought this coffee pot several months ago complete
with the bean grinder and all. The coffee maker of course
has a timer on the from with the most blinding blue
LED face ever recorded. This this light is blue and this
light is bright.

The top lid that opens for the bean depository happens
to be broken. The coffee pot neurons then have to fire off the
blinking blue message OP1, OP1, OP1 with one second
frequency that translates to lid #1 is open. Okay I get it,
I get it.

It is actually difficult to look at in a dark kitchen with no
other lights on. I am willing to bet, the local airport has
received more than one GUBO (Grounded Unidentified
Blinking Objet) report.

I know what you are thinking. Why not just unplug the
coffee pot when not in use? Oh, I could, I 'expect. But prefer
to let it's blue beacon be a reminder to not sweat the small stuff.

My dog needs a bath

2009-03-13T07:34:00.000-07:00

For those not familiar with my dog Quinn, he is big
black, hairy and easily mistaken with Sasquatch.

Since he is not a fan of the groomers, I have taken
it upon my self to see that he retains some level
of non stinking.

Although he gets brushed very regularly, 3-4 times
a week, he still gets matted easily as he spends a
great deal of time in the woods.

This morning as he greeted me in his crate, he gave
a big shake and the dust and dirt were clearly visible
in the sunshine streaming through the window. Pig Pen
has nothing on my boy!

Thank heavens for the Doggie Wash next door to
the car wash. $15.00 in quarters and I am good to go
after arming myself with chamois, combs, shampoo,
conditioner, spray on conditioner, etc.

After the hour long process I give him maybe an hour
before he is having a good old roll in the dirt outside.

Wish me luck!

I think I am a shopping snob

2009-03-13T07:17:00.000-07:00

Maybe snob is not the right word but I am sure there is a
word to describe my thought process (or not).

I took my middle daughter to diving last night. Thought I
would kill two birds with one stone so I dropped her off
and went for a few groceries at a Walmart Super Center.

As I did my shopping, I put various things in the cart,
peppers, lettuce, milk, etc. I had also had a few non food
items which made me think.

Bear with me here folks. The prospect of having some
non food items in with my food bothers me. Do I really
want a can of spray paint in juxtaposition near my bread?
Socks near my baked goods? Mulch by my produce?
Beta fish near my eggs? EEEwwwwww!

Maybe some sort of tandem buggy should be in the works.
I could look like those humongous tractor trailers going
down the highway.

Realizing that this is not a wide spread fetish, the possibility
of change is slim or nonexistent.

Next time you go to a super center I bet that you will
sublimiley remember this post and may even rearrange
your cart without your even knowing why.

Day2 - Socks still in the driveway, although in a drier state
due to the nice weather.

Can't resist one more post

2009-03-12T10:36:00.000-07:00

I seem to be on a roll.

As I was walking to the house from the studio I noticed
two perfectly good white socks in the driveway. Squished
and squashed, complete with tread marks.

Hmmmm.......and they ask where the socks are. Maybe I
should start telling them to look in more logical places like
flower pots, mailbox, microwave, water cooler.

Thus begins Day 1 of "How long will the socks remain in
the driveway"

Told you this blog would be awesome.

We finally did it!

2009-03-12T10:28:00.000-07:00

TV cable will be reduced to the basic channels come Tuesday.
A savings of nearly $40.00 per month.

I have been pondering this for weeks and finally
did the deed yesterday.

It is my belief that there is truly life beyond nonstop reruns
of "Full House", "Family Matters" and the like. I will be
a better person for not even having to look at "Flava of Love"
and "Charm School" as I surf.

My biggest sacrifice will be no more Fox New s Channel to which I am
admittedly addicted.

In all honestly it should not be much of a hardship
as we didn't actually watch all that much tube.

What could be in the future? Reading more books?
Craft projects? Board Games? I will keep you posted!

My Very First Blog

2009-03-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I started a blog. Shocking!

While it isn't difficult to believe I have much to say, it

is difficult to envision me actually taking the time to

put my thoughts down. Usually they are just scrambling

around in my head, sometimes like a hamster in a wheel.

My blog will not solve the current economic crisis (

although I do have my opinions), find a cancer curing

drug, or solve world peace (does anybody believe in the

golden rule anymore?).

Rather this blog will let you live vicariously through me

in a generic small town in rural Western PA. I will tackle

such mind boggling subjects like "What ARE we going to

make for supper", and "Is your homework finished?".

So join me if you like for the ups and downs, twists and

turns of an average wife, mother and business owner.