Dear ones....having trouble uploading and typing once again......my technical difficulties do not quit. So, it has been such a wonderfully restful break from the 'rush' of things. To be able to slow down.....to renew and begin again....I am thankful.
I enjoyed a wonderful winter solstice at my mother's friend, Charlotte. Hillary always enjoys that trip also. My kids have gotten to have good down time with their friends.....ballgames, trips, events, family, air soft trips, basketball, shopping, projects, baking, animals, and visits.
It was one of the warmest Christmases on record. A butterfly on Christmas Eve.....storms, and tornadoes. Really something. ....
and now...a quote.....for the new year.....one I've always lived by not only by students I teach/work with, but for LIFE....this goes for all relationships in life....just substitute 'classroom' for 'my life' and 'teacher' for 'human' and 'child' for 'person':
How do you respond? It's been an ongoing lesson for me.....practicing of patience.
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| For fun, my mom and Hillary and I sometimes stop by (been 3 years) and go through some of those mobile homes.....it's fun! Look at this one.....it has a movie room. |
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| I want something like this. |
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| Hillary liked the barn door (sliding) |
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| Love this. |
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| We took a day with the Browns while on break to go to the Science Center. The boys, however, had other last minute plans to go ice skating; Z joined them on the venture. |
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| We had a day cleaning up Luther Lane this past week....do this every year...missed last year.... |
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| Ain't she pretty?! |
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| Those girls sure love dressing Giles up.....and I think he likes the attention ;) |
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| Getting closer.........soon to be buddies.... |
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| Merry Christmas |
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| This is the ring Gary and I were going to exchange on top of Camel's Hump in VT. However, when I made him climb Ascutney...he said that counted....NO fair! It was hand crafted by a lady in Burlington....which makes it all the more special. |
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| Coop |
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| Hillary and I ....... our cottage house..... |
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| We buried Midnight the day before Christmas Eve. I'll never forget the day Cooper picked him out at the shelter. He passed from cancer. Once my dog, but adopted my mother.....she loved him dearly........so dearly. We also lost Bobby Luther also over this holiday, which has been very difficult. |
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| Hillary learned to french braid the night of the solstice. |
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| Our Vandy game.....girls won! |
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| Coop & Kyle |
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| Opryland Hotel....and the lights. |
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| Yes, I do this trick. |
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I actually sit down and watched "It's a Wonderful Life" for my first time.....It was so wonderful - I waited 40 years to finally do this....Why have I waited.....really makes one understand the true importance of life and relationships. Pictured here was playing on Christmas Eve as always (White Christmas)....it also represents a part of me, Gary, his family (& traditions) and Vermont, of course. LOL
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| Oh, and here's that butterfly (yellow) on Christmas Eve. |
