I'm thinking of a new old? car

I have been driving my VW (New) Beetle since 1999. I love that darn car. It now has 94,000 miles on it. I had always hoped that one of my kids would want it, but neither could drive a 5-speed and moved on to their own "new" choices. I told P that perhaps instead of a "new" new car, I should get an "old" new car....like this....

or this.....

or this......

I mean really, I have 4 Pugs....can't you just see it!!!!!

Be careful driving!

Seems our community has been suffering a lot of auto fatalities recently. In the past 30 days there have been 11 deaths, all under the age of 20!! Just Tuesday night 5 beautiful young ladies were killed in a fiery crash. They had just graduated from high school and now their lives gone. Their accident is even more tragic because the car following them contained 4 of their friends who witnessed the horrifying crash.

I had just been speaking with a co-worker about all the craziness on our roads. Are people not thinking when they drive? Do they forget that they are not invincible? People cut people off, pull out in front of people, talk on cell phones, run red lights, don't obey traffic signs...take chances. Should people be retested? Should driver safety course be mandatory?

Statistics show that for every passenger in a car with a teen their attention to their driving diminishes. When my kids were first driving on their own, I did not allow them to have a passenger for the first 3 months. After that for every month they drove they could add one passenger, but could NEVER have more than 3 passengers in the car. I also did not allow them to drive with anyone who had been driving for under 6 months. They thought I was strict, I wanted to be stricker. I'd tell them I don't want to have to live with you being responsible for the death of a friend, nor do I want your death to be in a friend's car. Both my kids have taken Defensive Driving and the Driver Safety Course. Did it help, I pray so.

So, I will continue to worry about the number of vehicles on the road. I will worry about my husband on his motorcycle and my children when they're out. I'll get a little crazy when we travel. I guess that's my job! Drive carefully, stay safe!

Emma is ONE!!!!!

Happy First Birthday Emma!!!

May your day be filled with love, laughter, presents, and lots of CAKE!!!

Around New York State - Boldt Castle

On Mondays each week I have decided to show everyone a little piece of our state. Today we will start with Boldt Castle. I took my first trip there as a teen in the 70's. It was a strangly beautiful place, spooky, sad, yet beautiful. It seemed a shame to me that the place was being left to never be finished. Later when my dad got his summer place in that area, we had another visit. It had been taken over by then and repairs and finishing was underway. Where once I had walked through shambles, things were restored to the point where the original work had stopped. We then started visiting every few years to see what was finished and another new area of the "castle" we could walk around in. My son took these photos last year when visiting.


The Clock Tower. This building was a burned out shell 35 years ago.


A view of the castle. The stone wall has been restored.


The "playhouse". This is where the family actually stayed during the summer while the castle was being built. There was a bowling alley in the lowest level!

This fountain was actually found submerged in the waters around the island. It was working on our last visit!

Stained glass that has been repaired. The family crest.

The beautiful dome in the entrance area. One of my favorite spots.

Detailing around the dome.

You can read more about George Boldt here.

Life...death and the stuff in between

This summer has been a series of life events dotting the world around our family. We have already been to a wedding, 2 birthday parties and 2 funerals and it is only June!

I started out the weekend going to my cousin's little daughter's 1st birthday. P had left for the lake earlier, but I had errands and stuff that were begging to get done and wanted to stop at the party and drop off her gift. I got there at 12:30pm and left at 3:55pm....opps!

We went fishing when I got there and then made dinner and relaxed. Sunday morning we decided to leave early for home as we had calling hours to go to for our friend who died unexpectantly. P was anxious about going as he and S had golfed almost every weekend during the summer. S was at our summer place "up north", but also lived around 10 minutes from us at home. When we got to the calling hours it was as if a party was going on! Noise, laughter, talking...no crying. The entire back wall of the room was a "shrine" to S. All his favorite stuff, snacks, golf clubs, photos, cards, games, fishing poles, rings, work belt (he was a union carpenter)...unbelievable...but the wildest part....a photo of him on top of his fishing tackle box...which held his remains! Yep, his wife put him in a tackle box. It was perfect! So a hard visit, became bittersweet and we laughed and remembered his LIFE...not his death.

Meme

Pugsley, Buster and Cricket invited everyone to do a meme about ourselves.

Here is mine:

1. Your age? 8 years and 1 months

2. Your age when came to live with your people? 7 years 6 months

3. What color is the collar you’re wearing right now? No collar on right now

4. Who is your favorite person other than the people you live with? Grampa

5. How much do you weigh? 23 pounds

6. Most expensive thing you’ve ever chewed up? I don't chew stuff

7. Do you like other Dogs? I'm not too crazy about strange, big dogs

8. Who is your best non-human friend? Chloe my sister

9. Squeaky Toys or Tennis Balls? Squeaky toys

10. Do you like to be brushed? Yes

11. Peanut Butter or Cheese? Cheese

12. Do your people cut your toenails? Well, they certainly do try

13. Any formal education? Yep, but I haven't been able to tell mom where it was from

14. Couch potato or Energizer Bunny? Couch potato, although I do have a lot of energy

15. Five nicknames your people call you Marty Farty, Mart-A, Fatty boy, Mom's Boy, Mr. Grumbles

16. What is your best trick? I don't do tricks

17. Do you like kitties? I like my kitty brother, Buster

18. What did you have for breakfast? Eukaneba Weight Control

19. Can you hunt (aka have you ever killed anything living)? No

20. When and why was the last time you went to the V.E.T.? In May for my checkup and heartworm test

21. Where do you sleep at night? In my porta-crib or in the human's bed if it isn't too hot

22. Do you like to swim? Haven't had a chance yet

23. Can you make puppies? No way

24. Your favorite place to visit? The lake

25. Do you give kisses? I do now

26. Can you potty on command? Yes

27. To Cuz or not to Cuz? Not.

xoxoxo Marty

Here's mine:

1. Your age? About 4 years and 7 months

2. Your age when came to live with your people? 8 weeks

3. What color is the collar you’re wearing right now? No collar

4. Who is your favorite person other than the people you live with? Aunt Sharon

5. How much do you weigh? 21 pounds

6. Most expensive thing you’ve ever chewed up? Haven't ever chewed anything

8. Who is your best non-human friend? Zoey

9. Squeaky Toys or Tennis Balls? Not into either

10. Do you like to be brushed? Oh yes

11. Peanut Butter or Cheese? Cheese

12. Do your people cut your toenails? Yes

13. Any formal education? No

14. Couch potato or Energizer Bunny? Couch potatoe

15. Five nicknames your people call you. Babygirl, Fatty girl, Kahuna, Chloster, Good baby

16. What is your best trick? I dance

17. Do you like kitties? Sure

18. What did you have for breakfast? Eukanuba Maintenance

19. Can you hunt (aka have you ever killed anything living)? No

20. When and why was the last time you went to the V.E.T.? November for my check-up

21. Where do you sleep at night? In the human's bed

22. Do you like to swim? Sure

23. Can you make puppies? No way

24. Your favorite place to visit? Mama at work

25. Do you give kisses? Yes

26. Can you potty on command? No

27. To Cuz or not to Cuz? Not

xoxoChloe

1. Your age? About 3 years and 3 months

2. Your age when came to live with your people? 8 weeks

3. What color is the collar you’re wearing right now? No collar

4. Who is your favorite person other than the people you live with? Human brother Ryan

5. How much do you weigh? 19 pounds

6. Most expensive thing you’ve ever chewed up? No chewing for me

7. Do you like other Dogs? Hmmmm, If I have to

8. Who is your best non-human friend? Rosie

9. Squeaky Toys or Tennis Balls? Squeaky toys

10. Do you like to be brushed? Yep

11. Peanut Butter or Cheese? Cheese

12. Do your people cut your toenails? Yes

13. Any formal education? No

14. Couch potato or Energizer Bunny? Energizer bunny

15. Five nicknames your people call you. Bid, Biddy, Bidster, Is that as big as your going to get,

Little Fatty Girl

16. What is your best trick? I spin and dance

17. Do you like kitties? I like Buster...here kitty, kitty

18. What did you have for breakfast? Eukanuba Maintenance

19. Can you hunt (aka have you ever killed anything living)? No

20. When and why was the last time you went to the V.E.T.? In March for my checkup

21. Where do you sleep at night? With momma

22. Do you like to swim? If I have to

23. Can you make puppies? No way

24. Your favorite place to visit? Mama's work or the lake

25. Do you give kisses? Oh, Yes

26. Can you potty on command? No

27. To Cuz or not to Cuz? Not.

xoxo Zoey

1. Your age? 1 years and 6 months

2. Your age when came to live with your people? 8 weeks

3. What color is the collar you’re wearing right now? No collar on

4. Who is your favorite person other than the people you live with? Arlene

5. How much do you weigh? 19 pounds

6. Most expensive thing you’ve ever chewed up? Wow, that's hard...mama's bed, kitchen table

legs, endless shoes, magazine rack, and a zillion toys

7. Do you like other Dogs? Yep

8. Who is your best non-human friend? Zoey

9. Squeaky Toys or Tennis Balls? Squeaky toys

10. Do you like to be brushed? Yes

11. Peanut Butter or Cheese? Cheese

12. Do your people cut your toenails? Yes

13. Any formal education? No

14. Couch potato or Energizer Bunny? Energizer bunny

15. Five nicknames your people call you. Bad Girl Rosie, Nana, ROSE, No No, Nonnie Girl

16. What is your best trick? Tricks...I am the trick

17. Do you like kitties? Sure

18. What did you have for breakfast? Eukanuba Maintenance

19. Can you hunt (aka have you ever killed anything living)? No

20. When and why was the last time you went to the V.E.T.? In April for my checkup

21. Where do you sleep at night? With momma

22. Do you like to swim? Not really

23. Can you make puppies? No way

24. Your favorite place to visit? The lake

25. Do you give kisses? Yes

26. Can you potty on command? No

27. To Cuz or not to Cuz? Not

xoxox Rosie

Join us, just cut and past!!!!

The Weekend - Father's Day

Well, here it is Tuesday already. The weekend started out Saturday morning with P going fishing at 6am! Just as I predicted. I got out my scrapbooking and craft supplies to make my Father's Day canvas for my dad.




I think it turned out pretty nice.

Upon his return from fishing, I made P breakfast and then he went GOLFING....I think Father's Day has become a "weekend" instead of a day around our house! I took a walk around camp with the neighbor and then went back and made the curtains for the shed and then scrapbooked. When P came back from golfing we went fishing/boating, ate dinner and then he went FISHING AGAIN!!!! This time he took Chloe. I hear "they" caught a ton of fish....hmmmmm. Rosie and I took a walk to the beach. Saturday night we watched some tv and I scrapbooked some more and got pages ready for this week's scrap night. Sunday morning was the Father's Day breakfast at the pavillion. Dads ate free...lol, I spent $3! We got back and I packed up my scrap/craft stuff and my dad and A arrived, C arrived a bit later. We all went off on the boat. Took a drive to the next bay and then back to fish. We had a lot of fun. Back to camp for dinner. We left around 8:30pm. I think P had a good Father's Day Weekend.

Yesterday P filled in on my BIL's golf league and I took a long walk with my friend. We walked into the village, past the coffee shop and instead ate Chinese...it was crazy, then back to the coffee shop and the walk home. Well, at least we walked 4 1/2 miles, even if we did eat Chinese!

My SIL is driving in for lunch today and then tonight...scrapbooking night. I'm working on my Cape May scrapbook. It is all our vacations to there over the last 30 years!!! I am up to 2004. It would be nice to get 2005 and 2006 done before August when we go again!

Friday Frenzy

Friday's are usually pretty crazy for me. I work until 4pm, then drive home, pack up and off we go to the lake. I find myself getting VERY anxious every Friday right around 2:00pm...mentally ticking off the items I need to do, things to take, etc. As summer progresses more of our "stuff" is at the lake and the packing becomes less, except for the "craft lady". This weekend I am taking 1) Cape May scrapbook I am working on...this includes all the supplies I think I might need to work on it 2) Father's Day canvas project - something I need to finish by tomarrow afternoon! 3) sewing machine - yep I'm dragging along the sewing machine to make curtains for our shed. Don't LAUGH!!!! Yes, our shed will have curtains, in a nice "fishing" themed fabric I have from a quilt I made. I know what your all thinking...how does she think she's going to get all this done! Well, once we get there, around 7pm, P will unload the truck and RUN to the boat to fish until dark. That gives me a couple of hours...plenty of time for project #3 the curtains and to start project #2 Father's Day canvas, which I may actually be able to finish also. Then tomarrow morning P will get up at the crack of dawn and go fishing again...so, I can scrapbook, walk, visit, sleep, read, whatever my heart desires! I will try to actually take photos of my "projects" to share.

Off to frenzy!

PS I did clean the cupboards under the sink in kitchen last night, the glass cupboard, and the dish cupboard, and finished my laundry!!! It must be that vitamin D....lol

A, B, C, D.....

This morning, after the early Rosie wake-up call, I thought I'd do an early post. After adding a couple of new blog friends to my sidebar, I thought...hmmmm, maybe I should alphabetize my blog friends. I have been jealous seeing them neatly displayed on other blogs and just hadn't taken the time. So, today no post...just a wonderful, alphabetized list of friends. Funny how silly little things can make you feel better. Maybe tonight I'll clean that cupboard under the sink...

Lazy Pugs

Heh, didn't you guys just get up??????

The Big Weekend

C survived her big "live" race modeling. She text'd us "I'm getting suited up"....then a bit later we received this photo...


Friday a storm came across a lot of the east coast. Up at the lake the storm looked wild. I was a little nervous being we're basically sitting up on a hill with water on 2 sides of us, although I do love storms.




and once the storm passed, another beautiful sunset

On Saturday our son came to the next place for the first time. We took the boat out to show him the sites.....hmmm, who exactly is driving this boat?

This log was covered in "turtles". Very cool. We fished by there and they would slide off the log and sit in the water with their little heads above the water's surface.

Also, lots of Canadian Geese and babies. The adults watch over these little ones very well, with "guards" in front and behind each little group.

Oh, P caught a fish...

But R caught a bigger one...sorry dad!

R went back to our house Saturday night and we stayed over. The campground had Bingo..we did not win. Afterwards a campfire with the neighbors.

Sunday morning we raced home for C's birthday. Yep, my baby girl is 21 years old. Wow! It REALLY doesn't seem possible. We had a nice family party in the early afternoon.

C and her Aunt C (P's sister)

No birthday is complete without CAKE! Sandy my best friend made this...I could have eatten the whole thing!

After the family left C and I went to her 1st "legal" outing. Yes, she asked her mom to go with her to a bar. We met all the girls from the salon and some of her friends from cheer. We had a lot of laughs. One of her friends got her this sash and a tiara that says...I'm 21. It was funny to have guys approach her and then she'd say "this is my mom"!

Off she goes

Our daughter has a modeling assignment this weekend. She left this morning and will be back later tomarrow. I would have mentioned where she is modeling..but I am now a wreck after that young woman was abducted and killed in Kansas. I think I may have made her nervous with all my talk of stalkers and "bad guys". Anyhow she will be with a big group and she is very excited.




Off she goes....

Zoey and Marty wondering where she went without taking them too...

Angel & Clematis

For several years I tried to grow a Clematis. I would buy the package of the started vine a foot or so tall. I did this twice. Finally, two years ago I bought a bigger potted one, about two feet tall. It has taken nicely. It is hard to not trim it back in the Spring, but all that dead looking vine comes back to life. Crazy thing about his one was I thought I bought white....hmmmm, not looking very white here, is it?

A close up...heh, Sandy recognize that little angel?

Puppia Harness

Whenever I'm out with the GANG, I get asked about our Puppia Harnesses. From my comments I also see that Riley's family is thinking about getting him a bigger size and was wondering what I thought.

First, let me say I like the way they look. Although they do seem to collect a lot of Pug hair! I do find that the black strap on the ones I have seems somewhat stiff and has taken to rolling a bit. We have to keep Rosie's on very tight and she can stop dead in her tracks and pull the whole harness right over her head! Zoey and Chloe seem to do fine in theirs. Chloe is wearing a large and has no trouble. Zoey and Rosie wear mediums and they seem to fit fine.

I have also found that when Rosie rough houses with Zoey, she can actually undo the clip on Zoey's!

The Weekend - Pugs - Pink

The weekend started out with my great-uncles funeral on Saturday. He was 90 and had served in WWII. Everything was fine until the folding of the flag and "Taps" being played. BLAH At the end everyone was handed flowers to place on the grave or take home. I took mine to my mom's grave. My dad's girlfriend A joined me. She is so sweet, kind and understanding! My mom's sister was at the service. I have not spoken to her due to family issues after the passing of my mom and grama shortly after. I decided that this would be the day I forgave and moved on. When she came in I said hello and gave her a hug...I thought she would faint! Quite honestly I thought my husband would faint too! The rest of the time went well. I am glad I did this and do not have to regret never taking care of letting go of the past. It was time.

After the luncheon we packed up the Pugs and headed for the lake. Here is Zoey..."pretty in pink". This pink chairs have started a new color phase for me. I am really a "red" person, but needed a little change for the lake...so pink (close to red, right?)


Here are the girls haveing alittle conversation. They may be discussing Rosie being naughty or Marty the worry wart...or maybe lunch plans.


P and I went out on the boat. We left the bay and went out onto Lake Ontario. These are some very cool cliffs. The soil is sandy and the erosion is crazy! My camera doesn't do justice to the way they just hang there.




P gets a closer look with the binoculars. He is NOT looking at the guy with no clothes on sunning himself! Here I was snapping pics and P says "heh, that guy doesn't have any clothes on". Gross.



P put the window in our shed today too. It opens and has a screen...just what every "shed" needs. I think P may plan on staying out here! Someone left the primer home....hmmmm.


A little closer view. We have a window box to go under it that my grandfather made a long, long time ago and I had saved.


The flowers are looking good despite the lack of rain and no one being here during the week. These flamingos got their fresh coat of VERY PINK....ahhh, the pink continues. Poor P.


These two need new paint too. Maybe next weekend.

On the way home Marty decided he had enough of those girls and went all the way to the back of our SUV. He is in the corner behind Rosie. I had a better pic, but the computer lost it.

Rosie only stayed there briefly and then sat by the gate crying for the next half hour. Chloe wishes she would just go to sleep! Good thing it's a short drive home!

Another photo gig

Do you think she heard me talking to the photo studio about her "shoot" today? You may remember the girls did a photo shoot last year for a pet supply company. Well, we got another call and for this one they have to try on clothes....haha, like that's a problem for this family. Except, we don't know what size outfits there will be to try on. We're hoping something fits one of them! Unfortunately, Marty will not be a candidate as black Pugs are hard to photograph. So, I'm taking (some would say wasting) a half days vacation today to pick up the girls and C and be to the test at 1pm.