I'm only writing this because I'm sick of looking at the Thanksgiving post. (just like many of you)! I am having a hard time getting photos to upload or sometimes I can't even find them on my computer. I think now I can concentrate on it and hopefully in the next couple of days I will give you the whole story of our Christmas season! Talk soon!

Two Tables for Thanksgiving

Thanks in the Dining Room & in the Heart
by Sharon Randall

"We're having Thanksgiving dinner at home again this year. I guess I can't complain. Three turkeys in 28 years of marriage doesn't exactly make me a martyr. The first time I hosted the annual family feeding frenzy was so long ago I can barely recall it now. Except when I hear a smoke alarm; then I recall it clear as a bell.

My family remembers it too it seems, because since then we've had Thanksgiving dinner anywhere but here. However last year things changed. Funny, isn't it? We like to think that family is a constant, a kind of rock that never changes. But even rocks can change, given enough time, enough pressure. Families change too, over time, and under pressure. They recreate themselves every day. A birth, a death, a marriage, a divorce, a move to another city. The changes may be good or bad; makes no difference, really. What matters is what we do with them.

It's good to remember who we were and where we came from. But it's better to know who we are and where we're going. We need to talk less about how things used to be, and more about how they are. We did that last year, my husband and I took a look at our family and decided the traditions that had served us so well for so long no longer seemed to fit. It had been a rugged year, dealing a series of blows that struck us individually and as a family. My mother died. My father-in-law had to be placed in a rest home. And my husband had yet another surgery for cancer, only to be told a few months later that the disease had spread to his liver.

So when it came time to plan Thanksgiving we took a family vote and I lost - 4 to 1 - meaning I had to stay home and cook. It wasn't bad, really. We invited some friends - who are like family - except they help. We all said, "Best Thanksgiving ever." Nobody said, "Best turkey ever," but I take compliments where I can get them. So we're going to do it again this year. We invited the same friends and they accepted. I took that as a compliment, too. And my sister is coming from South Carolina. Her children are all grown and if she stayed home they'd expect her to cook, she said. I'll wait until she gets off the plane to tell her about my plan.

On Thanksgiving day, while she wrestles the turkey, I will set two tables - one in my dining room, the other in my heart. And I will seat, in fact or in spirit, all the people I've known and loved. No, I won't be feeding them all. But I will be thankful for them. It will be the best Thanksgiving ever. Because now is the only time that counts. Who can say what another year will bring? I wish you your best Thanksgiving ever. It's the only one that counts."


I copied this from a daughter-in-law of a dear friend who passed away this year. Certainly a tear jerker but so true! Happy Thanksgiving to all.

It's time!

LET THE MADNESS BEGIN! It's time to get ready for Christmas! Much easier this year thanks to my daughter-in-law Amy. Only have to decorate the real Christmas Tree. Fluff up the rest! I think I will even have presents wrapped before Christmas eve!

Hunting Season, Nick's Buck

Congratulations Nick! Opening weekend of hunting season and you got a nice one. All the boys, Scott, Nick, Andrew and Shawn went with Dick this weekend. Nasty weather and no additional deer were harmed! Did Scott keep camp warm and the beer cold? Don't worry the girls had a wonderful time on their own also! :)

HAYNS Auxilary Conference

Last weekend I was able to attend the New York State HAYNS Auxiliary Conference in Lake George, NY. Eight members of the CHMC Auxiliary made the trip to the beautiful Great Escape Lodge. Seeing that it is just a few miles from Nick and family, I left on Saturday took the girls and mom Emily to the Lodge to enjoy their indoor Water Park. Lily and Makayla spent their nap time with me before we went to dinner with Uncle Awesome (aka Andrew) and Robyn. Makayla spent the night with me and we made our usual breakfast date at Denny's! The rest of the girls came in on Sunday. Seated in front are Diane and Aggie. In back Deb, Me, Patty, Ramona and Marian. We had a wonderful time. Great accommodations, wonderful food and believe it or not good and informative seminars. We went to Sutton's on Monday and then went to the Hospital Gift Shop where we found many treasures. Just a hint always visit your hospitals' gift shop you never know what your going to find! We drove home on Tuesday in the rain. Stopped for a quick lunch and were back to our usual schedules on Wednesday.

Even the Loons enjoy when the river is quieter!

It seems that when everyone leaves the loon families come out to play! We like them, don't the like us?

Last Weekend on the River!

The time has come. Friends have moved south or home to the 'burg or 'motown. It's getting colder at night. Leaves are all nearly off the trees. Hunting season is in full swing. Time to leave my favorite place on earth. Can't really explain why. I'm closer here to my family. Have many wonderful memories of growing up, watching my children grow up and now we watch our grandchildren grow. We won't move back here til next spring. And then it will be the place of a new, happy memory. Our daughters' wedding. What a summer it will be! I better enjoy the winter!

Frustrated!

I saw on a friends blog a slideshow. I really like it. But......... I can't figure it out! So this picture above is one of our St. Lawrence River. The ones showing on the side are from Picassa Slideshow. Will continue to work on getting my sunsets to scroll!

Pepsi-Cola Ogdensburg Bottlers, Inc. 65th Anniversary

Saturday, September 20, 2008
We took all of our 49 employees and their guests along with numerous business partners to Alexandria Bay for a boat cruise amongst the 1000 Islands. As I watched our cruise ship come into dock I was amazed how beautiful the day had turn out! We had been through the end of Hurricane Ike with power outages and then a frost so very early in the season. It was indeed gorgeous. I had time to myself before the "crew" arrived to reflect on what we have accomplished with the business in the four years since my dad died. We had done a boat cruise for our 50th Anniversary and this one was by special request from several employees.
After the boat had docked the Captain went up to hang our "Banner". At that moment I knew dad was looking down and letting me know he was pleased. Pleased with what we have done with the business. The improvements we have made. The memorials we have done in his name and last but not least how our family has grown. Scott and Amy involved so greatly in the business. Nick and Emily and their 3 beautiful girls. Shannon and Shawn now engaged to be married. I know he was with us for Andrews' graduation and watches his youngest grandson who he so wanted to become closer to in Florida but was not meant to be. I think that the greatest compliment anyone ever gives to Dick or I is when they tell us how well we are carrying on his legacy. I shed a little tear when I saw the banner go up.
Dick was the tour guide on the buses that came from the plant. Waited for you Mike but you missed the bus! What a crew. They all came off the bus laughing! We are all truly family. Of course John King was on board! But I did miss his Gilligan's Island rendition he promised!
Our meal was great. It was so nice that we were able to on the outside most of the trip. Thank you to everyone. See you again in 10years!

She Said Yes!

Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Wright proudly announce the engagement of their daughter Shannon E. Wright to Shawn A. Smaciak, son of Mr. Michael C. Smaciak, Ms. Elaine F. Smaciak & Mr. Eugene Miller. Shawn and Shannon are both 2002 graduates of Ogdensburg Free Academy. Shannon obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Canisius College in 2006. She is currently working on her Master's Degree in Human Behavior & Conflict Management at Columbia College. Shawn will recieve a Bachelor's of Science in Physical Education from the University of South Carolina in May 2009. The couple resides in Columbia, S.C.. An August 15, 2009 wedding is planned.

I was thinking this morning that I haven't mentioned our middle granddaughter Lily. Her middle name is Anita after my mom and her parents didn't know that my mom's sister was named Lil. She certainly has my aunt's spitfire. She does everything with an attitude! She is beautiful and we know she will give her parents a run for their money!

Bear Hunt Widow!

Well it's another hunting season upon us! Dick left on Sunday with 11 others to Northern Ontario, Canada to do his third bear hunt. He says two of the new guys have gotten bear but he has only seen one very large one! Now this is how is says he say it! It was after dusk (when they come out of the woods) and he was beside the road (where they WAIT for the driver to pick them up, oh by the way they are ALONE the whole time they are at their "bear stand") when he heard a click, click, click and he looked around and saw ( within 10ft) a very large bear staring at him! I said did you shot him. "No, we have to have our guns in their cases when we come out of the woods!" What did you do? I put my flashlight on him and he ran away! Thank god these stories don't bother me any more or I would never sleep when he was gone! The picture is from last years hunt!

Late Summer Picnic

Makayla rode back with Aunt Shannon to spend another weekend with us! What a nice surprise! We had a great dinner done by Aunt Amy and after we were done Aunt Shannon and Makayla made S'mores! They were delicius! It was a beautiful night and we all relished the warmth of the setting sun!

Community Service Award

Last night Dick and I were honored by his High School Alma Mater with their Annual Community Service Award. It was a great event! All of the kids including grandkids were home for the dinner. Only Shawn could not be there. The dinner was wonderful, the people included many friends, the door prizes were fun. The only draw back was the lack of AC on one of the hottest days this summer! We shared laughs and stories of years gone by. Rick DeFranco was inducted into the School's Distinguished Alumni Group. Thank you Heuvelton Alumni and to our family for being there!

As many of you know I tried a little kayak lesson with my good friend Diane. I really did enjoy it! Hopefully some time this week I can give it another shot! Unfortunately the day was overcast but it was warm!

Happy 1st Birthday Jenna Teresa Wright! Our grand daughters' birthday is today! What a cutie! When excited she shakes all over! Jenna is the third daughter of our son Nicholas and his wife Emily! She has two sisters Makayla and Lily. We celebrated her birthday when they were home earlier this month!

Happy Anniversary Scott and Amy! Hard to believe it's been six years! We love you! Sorry this is an old picture!
We sadly said goodbye to our son-in-law to be yesterday. He says he has to get back for school but we know it's all about hunting! It was so great to have you home! You are a champ at croquet & Wii!

We are excitedly awaiting the arrival of our youngest Andrew and his girlfriend Robyn who just moved to Glens Falls from Chicago are coming home tomorrow!

This being my first post, I will dedicate to my good friend Bob who has inspired me! Don't worry Bob I will be asking for a lot of suggestions! As most of you know our daughter Shannon and her boyfriend Shawn got engaged in July! Their wedding is planned for August 15th, 2009! Today Shannon, her friend Jessica and our daughter in law Amy went to Syracuse looking for Bridesmaids dresses. I looked for a dress but nothing is really attracting me. I have plenty of time and I know I will find the right dress!