Are you kidding me...?

All day long people were in the store telling me how they were seeing other people in the bank all day withdrawing money from their account "in case" we get the hurricane.

Already some supermarkets have been emptied of water.

Really?

Because a hurricane only lasts a few hours anyway....not days. And I get that devastation left behind can be horrible, I'm certainly not downplaying the damage Mother Nature can cause.

Don't get me wrong, if we lived further south then it would be a different story. But up here in the North, storms fall apart long before they get to us.

We're New Englanders -- we're hearty stock.
What is up with all the hysteria?!?!

Oh what a night....

So, I guess my post from yesterday was oddly timed.

Today, the western part of the state was ravaged with tornados.

Probably some of the worst tornados we've ever seen -- one of the stations estimated that one of the two that touched down, was on the ground for 30 minutes. Craziness....

We've got thunderstorms my way - though they aren't nearly as severe as storms we've had previously; at least not yet. But here are a few shots of the sky from my front yard before they started.

The calm before the storm, so to speak....

Weekend in New England....

We are so fortunate, living in New England.
Truly.

This morning as I was getting ready for work, I was thinking about how the change of seasons - puts us in a great mood. We're always happy for the first snow, and the crisp tingle in the air. Christmas just wouldn't be the same without it. While I'm sure Christmas in Honolulu is amazing - there's something about the snap of the cold air, frost on the windows and a roaring fireplace that makes a person feel warm and fuzzy for the holiday season.

Then of course, there's the snap of Spring. The sun stays out longer, it's brighter and happier - and even though it's often raining and damp - it's not snowing....and that makes us long for the flowers to bloom. There's always the clamor to see the first crocus or daffodil pop up - sometimes through the leftover bits of snow that haven't quite melted....

Once summer hits - it's usually full speed ahead -- though we've been known to have some duds of a summertime. But typically, weekends like the one we just experienced can't help but make even those who have troubles in their heart - feel lighter in spirit. You can't help but smile and feel good when the sun is baking and the air is warm.

When the first sting of cool air comes and the leaves turn vibrant colors of orange, red and gold - we are blessed with the most gorgeous of all seasons, which is Autumn. I think we are so very fortunate to have warm days, cool nights and full foliage color all around us.

We're spoiled because no one season stays around too long for us to become bored or jaded by it. We always have a change of season to revitalize, renenergize and soothe our souls. We have smells in the air to remind us of sporting seasons, holidays, the first day of school - or the last day of summer.

I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Though I may sometimes long for different locations, I would never - could never - live anyplace else.

Boston, you're my home.

Such a sad day....

I certainly don't feel comfortable writing a fluffy post about the insignificant events going on in my life with all that's going on in Japan.

Earthquake -- devastating enough on it's own.
Tsunami -- the after effect that is dreaded.
Nuclear Reactor Radiation Leak -- potentially everyone's worst nightmare.

I can't even imagine, nor do I want to.

Mmmkay. I'm a little bored with all the snow. Just sayin'...

And, I'm a little bit frustrated that I have yet to start yoga because it seems every week we have a blizzard or two - which means the kids don't go to school, or I get 8 trucks in one day.

And the poor little kiddies are thinking that they'll either go into late June - or even worse, make up time on a Saturday. (Hmmm. School on Saturdays? Mommy might get some shopping time in....might not be such a bad idea after all! Oh, I'm only kidding...I wouldn't really want to see the kiddies go on the weekend.)

In other late breaking news, we just finished having a family dinner watching the WWE Royal Rumble - and wow, what a disappointment the end result was. Any of you wrestling fans out there will appreciate what I'm saying; and for me, I was quiet disappointed that Edge did not make an appearance. But it was a good show otherwise, and the kiddies certainly enjoyed seeing some of their favorites - and a few favorite formerly retired surprises - show up and join in on the fun .

The house we looked at two weeks ago, we really love and hope that we are going to be able to secure a buyer for our home so we can purchase it. It's one of those "timing will be everything" kind of deals, so fingers crossed. In the meantime, Saturday was our 7 year anniversary living in our home now. Funny little tidbit: this is the longest G and I have ever lived in a house. We typically end up moving/selling in 3 years.

But this house we're hoping for now....that would be the last house. At least until we got old enough to want to downsize. Though truthfully - I don't know if I'll ever want to do that. I will always want a large, family home that I can have my children and someday grandchildren - congregate in whenever they want.

Okay, so maybe I'm a bit bored with all this snow.

Yup. We got another foot of snow.

Last storm, my town was touted as having received the "jackpot" with the most snow at like 24.9" or something. Then we got another 12" yesterday; so, my daughter and I went out and I was trying to get her to go sledding down our yard - and I stepped into what used to be my front lawn -- and it was up to my mid thigh!

Today, the kids called me in work to tell me that my daughter got stuck in a snowbank today!! Literally sunk in - and couldn't get out - I swear to God. I guess with the warm air and sunshine today the snow got heavy and she sunk in up to her chest. My son had to climb in and pull her out... my sitter didn't have ski pants, so my son ran in and got his and pulled her out. No easy feat, trust me - Princess Petunia is rapidly approaching his height and weight! It's funny how girls spring up so much younger than boys do typically....

I'm convinced that Spring is right around the corner. We're almost there - if we can just get to March 1st, it will be all good.

Think positive things - and they happen.
Isn't that the "Secret" to life?

Alright, well maybe we can't wish Spring upon us....but it certainly doesn't hurt anyone to try.

It's Snow, not Armageddon....

We've got a prediction for a storm to bring 12-18" and my God, you'd think it was the flipping Apocolypse.

Fortunately, my trucks that were scheduled for Wednesday were proactive enough to reschedule deliveries for either tomorrow or Thursday....so "if" - and I say "if" because the weathermen are rarely accurate....I will be staying home Wednesday. (Listen, I have a right to be sarcastic; not only are they never accurate - this weekend they were insistent that we were getting at minimum 6". How's about 1/16th of an inch?? Seriously.) A snow day, if you will. And I will be cooking up a storm myself if that's the case.

Kiddies will have pancakes for breakfast.... and then we will be snacking all day long, while I bake pumpkin breads and make chili. Along with a few other goodies....

I love snow days; I don't often get to capitalize on them - so for once, I hope the weather men have their radars on straight.

May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day.

I don't think this weekend could've been any more beautiful.
This whole summer is one that I am just not ready to see go. Usually we have such wishy washy summers that I can't wait for fall, because I'm typically so disappointed with the lousy summer weather. But not this year.....

Saturday was a gorgeous day, and we spent it at the Topsfield Fairgrounds Arts & Crafts festival where I found some great new artisan food lines for the store - and some deliciously good home made soaps for moi! Peppermint is my favorite at the moment... love, love, love it!

Sunday, we went to Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport for the day. It was a perfectly beautiful day at the beach - and lots of kids around. The football game that was had was so much fun - and for me, it was great to see my son get to play with a really large group of kids. Usually there's three or 4 - but there were about 11 kids, ranging in age from 7 to 14 and they all got along so well. Princess Petunia alas, as always - the only girl - but fortunately had a few little cousins who were as obsessed with playing in the sand as she was, so all was good.

And today, though I worked all day - was still just a beautiful day. I left work early and had dinner outside with family and it was the perfect way to end the long weekend.

And for once, this girl is truly not ready for the Harvest season....

Goodbye Earl....

I knew he was going to be a dud. For us anyway...
Listen, we live in New England; we don't get hurricanes -- we get snow storms. Seriously....you can never believe the hype.

Last night, I went out with three of my girlfriends for dinner and had so much fun! I very rarely go out because life is just too hectic right now, and so it was really great to get out and just laugh -- alot. We went right from work too, so the best part was - home before 9pm, and not completely exhausted today... yippee!

I had really anticipated a quiet and sleepy rainy day today with the kiddies; instead, we've got a gloriously beautifuly day and so I think we're going to go to one of the largest fairs in MA for this weekend. How can we not? Besides, I've not been to yoga since before vacation -and I'll be starting back this week, so why not over indulge just a little more with yummy fair food? Sure it's horrible for me, but what the heck.

However you spend your day today, enjoy! May the sun be shining, and your heart happy - and enjoy.

I'd be safe and warm, if I was in LA....

Eh, who needs LA when you have New England?

It was an absolutely picture perfect summer day today.
We've been spoiled this year, we've literally had a gorgeous season - but today, it was perfection. So much so, that after work, we took the kids on a jaunt to the beach.

It felt so great to walk along the coast, with the wind blowing and the sun shining....it was low tide and so there were tons of hermit crabs, and clams and periwinkles everywhere. It's so very fun to check out the tide pools and see the whole little worlds floating around in them.

There are few things better than a gorgeous day, the summer sun, the salt air -- and a kickin' Bloody Mary with dinner.

Definitely a great way to begin the week!

Won’t you step into the freezer, tease her with a tweezer....

Okay, so given the fact that it was so oppressive today - one wouldn't expect to hear me say I'm freezing; but I am!

Central air all day long in work, in and out of the walk in cooler to restock and organize - just to come home to central air in freeze. Sure, it could be worse - I could have no air conditioning, and I wouldn't be happy then either.

It's just that once I get a chill, until I shower - I can't shake the chill. That's what happens when you have low blood pressure, and low body weight. There are worse issues to have, true...but still, I am loving this weather! I can hang out in this all day long, preferably with a pool nearby.

We wait all winter long for weather like this....and then when we get it - we complain.
Us New Englanders are just never satisfied, are we?

Let it snow, let it snow....let it snow!

Or so the rumor goes.....
We'll be graced with a little snowstorm tomorrow. Pardon my skepticism but I think I'll believe it when I see it. Around these parts, it's truly just guesswork - and so when they say the Cape will get rain and we'll get snow -- I often hesitate at where they determine that whether line truly is. They know where they "think" it might be - but weather changes on a dime travelling across the country, so....we'll just see what happens when it gets here!

If so, the kids will be mighty happy because tomorrow is a half day at school -- and then there will be lots of playing and hot cocoa to go around.

And long commutes as well....!