There are times I'm sure that we all have wondered what am I here to do? Why does this happen to me? And I'm sure there are many more questions we all have about our life and life in general.
I think I have and that I am still having a wonderful life and I have a wonderful family. My mother was so outgoing, funny and a very sparkly person, if you were lucky enough to know her you know exactly what I mean, sorry to say she died from cancer in 2004.... way to young and soon as far as I'm concerned. But I am lucky/blessed to still have so many other wonderful family members that I am grateful for.
I have also had wonderful love in my life, my husband was the life of the party and truly everyones friend, we enjoyed every minute of our 11 years together but he also passed away in 2010 from cancer. This was an extremely hard loss in my life but 3 years later I have been lucky/blessed to have meet another amazing man .
I have been lucky/blessed that cancer has not effected me physically but it has been something I have not only lost family to but also friends. As you watch, wait and help out those you love fight this you sometimes forget about all the others, all the other people fighting the same fight.
I accompanied a friend to a radiation treatment recently and as we sat and chatted waiting to be called in for their appointment I kept looking around at the other faces.
A sea of men and women... many gray haired... many no haired.
Next to us sat a mom with her daughter who was maybe 10 years old. The mom with no left breast and that peach fuzz hair sat there waiting for her named to be called, just laughing and talking with her daughter. A man and his wife sat across...he had great hair, he was tan... looking very fit..and when they called a name it was his... looking to be the picture of health it was his treatment they were there for.
There were several older/maybe retired couples.. a few women dressed for work with lovely scarves tied around their heads.
We were called back for the appointment ... a smaller waiting room with area where you change into a gown before going in for the treatment. Many sat with little brown paper bags... which I came to find out was holding a hospital gown. The patients were asked to keep their gowns and reuse them if they were having a treatment over several days rather than using a new one each day they came in, I guess the hospitals version of being green.
Waiting to be called sat a young man , maybe late 20's full of tattoos on his arms. Just one more among an assortment of faces,ages, male/female, some familiar from the outside waiting room some not .
We all know there are no boundaries with cancer but sometimes we forget. We forget about all the others that are fighting the same fight as our loved ones.
Im not quite sure what my point is on all of this...all I know is that it touched me, effected me and I wanted to share.
Our lives sometimes are so busy, our focus is all about work, money, things. This is just a reminder to love and treasure your family and friends. Don't be afraid to make changes in your life, take a chance, let those you love know it . We all want things and to live a happy comfortable life but I have learned that things are just that, just things, they are replaceable but the lives of those lost to the fight cannot be replaced.
I know my experiences have had alot to do with my search for a simpler life, less rushed, less things, less complications.
I have found my simpler life and couldn't be happier.........
Take a moment to reflect on your life, I hope you find yourself where you want to be.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
Vacation Camping
Camping
Who would have ever guessed that would be a vacation for me?
About 2 hours north of home we wound up at MooseHead Lake,once we got to the camp ground we started to unload the cars and set up camp. We were close to having everything set up and unpacked when another couple showed up at our site and we found out we had set up camp in the wrong site (OPPSSS). OK , so we had to move, it wasn't too bad, we only had to go to the next site over. The next morning we made a crazy decision... move camp again. The 3rd spot was perfect, a bit larger, right on the water and once again only one site over. Once we broke the news to the kids we moved again... for the last time this trip ... haha
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| Camp |
WILDLIFE
The week offered so many sitings all the way from a sweet little spotted fawn and a deer as we were driving back from town. We had a duck and her 5 babies swimming in front of our camp. One night I laughed so hard when out of the dark with the glow of the setting sun up from the lake 2 ducks walked into our camp looking for dinner. And the excitement of it all.... MOOSE, we saw 6 over the week, 2 in bogs and 2 sets of mother and baby.
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| Her baby ran in the woods |
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| Moose in the bog on the way back from town |
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| a different kind of Moose |
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| The ducks that kept visiting our camp |
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| Deer close to camp |
SCENERY
There was so much to see, landscape, sunsets, signs .... so much beauty and some funny
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| Amazing |
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| Love this sign |
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| sunset on the MooseHead Lake |
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| wild Strawberry patch |
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| The Golden Road |
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| Sunset at camp |
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| Need I say more? |
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| Yes, thats a phone booth with a pay phone still in it |
AROUND CAMP
As much as we kept busy we also had many peaceful times, we spent time kayaking, fishing, and of course time around the campfire.
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| lakefront at camp |
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| Camp |
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| Brown Trout |
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| Hot Dogs over the campfire |
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| Peaceful |
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| EEEWWWWWWWW!!!!! |
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| Wild Strawberries |
It was a wonderful time , the warmth of the day the crisp cool evening air .... the sound of the Loons at night.
I'm already looking forward to the next trip.
Monday, June 3, 2013
My 'First's' this weekend
Life should be full of "Firsts" if you're willing , and it doesn't have to be anything crazy.
The past few days have been above average hot in Maine this time of year ( so I'm told ), It has been in the mid 90s for the past 3 days.
After some work around the house in the afternooon we started to talk about what should we do for dinner. Our first thought was Ice Cream and I was all in on that idea. But after looking through the local free paper that comes to the house every week we decide to go to a Church Supper or as they say here in Maine "Suppha".
Church Dinners are early , this one is open from 5 to 6:30 and we got there about 5:30. We walked in, paid our $14.00 for the both of us and we were informed that we had good timing , we missed the rush that was there right when the doors opened at 5 . We went right up to the table where the food was laid out and we were handed our plates.
Dinner was stuffed chicken, potatoes, squash, and a few different salads. The chicken was amazing... I had some of the spinach salad which had fresh strawberries in it along with dried cranberries and pecans.... YUM
We had our choice of ice tea, lemonade , water or coffee to drink. There were many desserts to choose from , blueberry, apple... a few cream pies.We chatted with the ladies sitting across from us and we throughly enjoyed a wonderful meal.
As we were walking out the gentleman who was collecting the cash at the door asked how we enjoyed dinner. We let him know that everything was great ... he handed us a flyer which noted all the suppers planned for the rest of the summer and said he hoped to see us back again.
It was a lovely evening and after a little car ride we wound up at an ice cream stand in town...with our cones in hand we went down by the lake and sat enjoying the view and the cones.
Sunday brought the heat again and today's adventure, 'First' was an afternoon out on the lake in a kayak. We got everything loaded into the car and went down to one of the lakes by the house... about 10 minuets away.
After being reassured that I wont tip I got in and pushed off into the lake. It was so peaceful... to be on the lake and just glide along in the water.
I can't wait to go again.
It was another wonderful weekend in Maine ,and just so you know the weekdays are pretty darn good here too.
The past few days have been above average hot in Maine this time of year ( so I'm told ), It has been in the mid 90s for the past 3 days.
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We spent Saturday morning driving around and checking out a few yard sales. I found a cute little pyrex creamer and only spent 50 cents. We didn't find much more but the air was on in the car so it was nice just to ride around.
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Church Dinners are early , this one is open from 5 to 6:30 and we got there about 5:30. We walked in, paid our $14.00 for the both of us and we were informed that we had good timing , we missed the rush that was there right when the doors opened at 5 . We went right up to the table where the food was laid out and we were handed our plates.
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Dinner was stuffed chicken, potatoes, squash, and a few different salads. The chicken was amazing... I had some of the spinach salad which had fresh strawberries in it along with dried cranberries and pecans.... YUM
We had our choice of ice tea, lemonade , water or coffee to drink. There were many desserts to choose from , blueberry, apple... a few cream pies.We chatted with the ladies sitting across from us and we throughly enjoyed a wonderful meal.
As we were walking out the gentleman who was collecting the cash at the door asked how we enjoyed dinner. We let him know that everything was great ... he handed us a flyer which noted all the suppers planned for the rest of the summer and said he hoped to see us back again.
I'm looking forward to the next one in two weeks "A taste of Italy"and in August a true "Bean Suppha"
It was a lovely evening and after a little car ride we wound up at an ice cream stand in town...with our cones in hand we went down by the lake and sat enjoying the view and the cones.
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Sunday brought the heat again and today's adventure, 'First' was an afternoon out on the lake in a kayak. We got everything loaded into the car and went down to one of the lakes by the house... about 10 minuets away.
After being reassured that I wont tip I got in and pushed off into the lake. It was so peaceful... to be on the lake and just glide along in the water.
I can't wait to go again.
It was another wonderful weekend in Maine ,and just so you know the weekdays are pretty darn good here too.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
A visit to Maine
A Year ago I was visiting with my friend in Maine and going on an on about how I would love to live here and have a new start since the passing of my husband.
Fast Forward :
Last week my sister in-law was my first guest in Maine. We had a wonderful visit and it was so fun to be the one showing someone around the place that I love and that I now call home.
We did so many of the things I did over all the years of visiting Maine.
We went to Light Houses
We ate ice cream, lots of chocolate and lobster * not all at once LOL
There was a trip to the Old Port, North Conway, Freeport and even the Main State Prison Store
Fast Forward :
Last week my sister in-law was my first guest in Maine. We had a wonderful visit and it was so fun to be the one showing someone around the place that I love and that I now call home.
We did so many of the things I did over all the years of visiting Maine.
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| Me and Janet at Camden State Park |
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| Two Lights |
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| Portland Head Light |
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| Lobster Roll at the Lobster Shack |
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| 1700 lb chocolate moose at Len Libby |
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| Maple soft serve |
We ate ice cream, lots of chocolate and lobster * not all at once LOL
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| Making off with the goods from the Maine State Prison Store |
There was a trip to the Old Port, North Conway, Freeport and even the Main State Prison Store
And an off the beaten path treat, at trip to Morse's Kraut House in Waldoboro for some great German food
It was a terrific visit filled with lots of laughs and soo much food..... my gosh, I think I'm still full .
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| Kraut Balls at Mores's Kraut House |
As I drove away from the airport I thought back to all the times I was the one being picked up and dropped off,and how things have changed.
A year ago I was a visitor and now, I'm a resident.
I guess it just goes to show you never know where life my lead you if you're willing to take the chance.
Friday, May 17, 2013
My Neighbor , My Friend
If you find yourself on a nice relaxing vacation in Maine this summer please make your way of to the town of Cornish, a lovely town located in the foothills of the White Mountains. http://www.cornish-maine.org
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| Evie's 16 Maple St. , Cornish Maine |
My neighbor:
Evie's Eclectic Collections is a great old house tuned into a wonderful antique shop with rooms full of beautiful items.
I had stopped in and looked through the shop several time over my few years visiting Maine. And how funny it is that I found myself living next door to the shop when I moved here last summer.
Evie Webster shared this home with her husband Benjamin back in 1922 and continued to live there as a widow until her passing in 2007.
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| Evie |
*A few have been heard over heard to comment that the spirt of Evie is felt when passing through rooms in the house.
My Friend:
I meet Cindy (the shop owner) and I would stop over during the day to chat from time to time.
I started baking and would bring over treats to share...we became fast friends.
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| chocolate zucchini bread |
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| corm meal lemon zucchini cookies |
The shop is a wonderful walk back in time, each room is arranged as the room it would be and filled with wonderful treasures , antiques, along with a mix of vintage and modern items.
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| Evie's original cookstove |
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| vintage bathroom |
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| original "P" stained glass front door |
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| so many treasures to look at |
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| loving all the blue and white |
And if you're a collector of Pyrex there is a wonderful selection of items to help complete you set.
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| RAFFLE DRAWING |
Stop in, take a stroll around , fill out a slip for the Anniversary drawing *no purchase necessary
Say "Hello" to Cindy the shop owner and ya never know... I might be there too looking to add to my Pyrex collection.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Lobster dinner ????
Saturday lead to a beautiful afternoon at the beach.
After breakfast and a few stops at a couple yard sales we took a ride over to the coast.
We wound up at Popham Beach , Fort Popham , * Constructed to protect the mouth of the Kennebec River and the approaches to Augusta and the Bath Iron Works http://www.fortwiki.com/Fort_Popha
As we walked down towards the beach we passed a family. The little girl who was maybe 4 or 5 came up to me and handed me a flower (dandelion) she had picked .... It was a moment <3
There was a cool breeze coming off the water but the sun was warm on my face.
Can smell the ocean ? Can you hear the waves ?
I was checking the traps too
Oh well....No lobster dinner for us, but we did have some pretty good chinese food and then of course ice cream for dessert.
It was another great weekend in Maine
After breakfast and a few stops at a couple yard sales we took a ride over to the coast.
We wound up at Popham Beach , Fort Popham , * Constructed to protect the mouth of the Kennebec River and the approaches to Augusta and the Bath Iron Works http://www.fortwiki.com/Fort_Popha
Walking around the inside of the Fort, it always seems to amaze me to see the work done... to think each brick laid by hand, the curve to the ceiling... the ached door ways
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As we walked down towards the beach we passed a family. The little girl who was maybe 4 or 5 came up to me and handed me a flower (dandelion) she had picked .... It was a moment <3
There was a cool breeze coming off the water but the sun was warm on my face.
Can smell the ocean ? Can you hear the waves ?
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Walking back to the car we could see two guys coming in from checking or maybe setting their lobster traps.
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I was checking the traps too
Oh well....No lobster dinner for us, but we did have some pretty good chinese food and then of course ice cream for dessert.
It was another great weekend in Maine
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