Detour a little West!

After leaving Richmond we headed to Columbia, SC to visit with Shannon and Shawn and to do a little shopping for Baby S! Yes Baby S is expected in August and we are just so excited for them! We felt that everyone was visiting Columbia that weekend as every where we went it was packed! So much traffic! Had a great dinner and then home for mama to rest. The next morning we went to breakfast and went looking for nursery furniture! A good friend Matt had told them where they had gotten theirs and off we went to find the store! It was one of those "AAAAHHHHH" moments when we walked in the door! Baby Heaven! They found a crib and dresser/changing station that will be just perfect! We then went to a new store, Buy Buy Baby, which is owned by Bed, Bath and Beyond. They have absolutely everything you could ever need! Poppie bought a stroller for them (he had wanted to buy one in Richmond) and we got some nice tiny sleepsacks, receiving blankets and other neutral items for Baby S! The next morning Shawn went and got Krispy Kreme for me! Love them! Then Shan and I went out to get her some maternity clothes. Such fun! On Sunday we had a nice cookout! Yes I said cookout and their friends came over and enjoyed a lot of laughs and good food. Monday the kids went to work and onward for us with our journey!

Traveling down 95!

After leaving 3 ft of snow in O'Burg on Feb 8th, we journeyed to Richmond, Va to visit with Andrew. Dick had not been down to see him since he had moved there so it was a great opportunity to do so! The extra bonus was having Robyn there visiting also. We had not seen her in over a year and had missed her. Andrew has become quite worldly and enjoys many different kinds of food from around the world! Many, well all, we have never tried! Our first meal was at a Cuban restaurant that was cozy and eclectic! Food was great! Walking also seems to be a big part of living in Richmond and I am pleased to say that my foot is so much better and I was able to keep up with all of them! The next day Andrew took us to see where he has his studio now. So many old factories being turned into new spaces! Then off to do a little shopping. Walked along a street with shop after shop after shop! Just amazing! Lunch was at a French cafe with amazing architecture! Food was awesome with Andrew ordering a cheese selection with I loved! Then to a wine store where we bought 4 bottles of wine for his birthday present! Wine has become a passion for him also! After a little rest we went to his apartment where he tried to get me to enjoy a red which I just can't seem to do! Sorry Andrew! At one point Robyn said "Want some Vodka?" Huh? And she had had only one glass and we had a good laugh! That evening we went to another French restaurant in the historical district and had another wonderful dinner! Now I have to say I didn't think I would like French food but it was definitely one of the best meals I have had in a long time! This was Andrew's 25th birthday. Cannot believe it! I am not getting old just my kids are! Next stop, Columbia, SC!

Watertown Daily Times | Scott's Ride Carries Quest To Raise Stroke Awareness

Watertown Daily Times | Scott's Ride Carries Quest To Raise Stroke Awareness

Ziggy in Florida

As Everyone knows who follows Shannon's blog
Mr. Ziggy does not like to travel.
We have to close all the doors in order to keep him
from hiding when he sees his crate opened up.

That's him trying to get in our bedroom! No Zig

Not able to get in the bedrooms or bath he zooms to the living room.

Ah they will never find me here!

Sorry Zig time to go home! See you in July!

Dying Easter Eggs!

The girls loved dying eggs with Aunt Shan and Mommy! I think Jenna got more dye on her hands than on the eggs! Plus she dropped the most eggs on the floor! Thank goodness they were hard boiled! Makayla did her perfect ones and Lily did them all! Put them in the frig and the next morning they were missing! The easter bunny had taken them to the other unit and the tooth fairy had stopped to find Makayla's tooth she lost that day!

March 24th, Disney with the Hyzy's!

It all began as innocent conversation over Thanksgiving Vacation. Andrew's girlfriend Robyn mentioned that her family was going to WDW in March. I asked when and then we found out it would be during the time when Dick would be back in OBurg for Expo and I thought it would be great to meet them there. Her sister Biz is a senior this year and her marching band was traveling to perform at DisneyWorld. I left Daytona at 8 (should have been earlier) and made my way to Orlando. It was quite different driving into the parking area as we have not done that since we have bought into the Vacation Club. Then I had to get my ticket. No more going to the window, they now have kiosks to use your CC to get your ticket. Then boarded the Monorail by myself and got to the Magic Kingdom. Walking through those gates by myself without Dick, kids or grandchildren was quite surreal! Found Julie, Curt and Robyn right where we were supposed to meet and then started our day. The favorites Tiki Birds, Jungle Cruise, Country Bear Jamboree, Carousel of Progress and the Haunted Mansion were all wonderful.
Then we watched the band perform, they were great and proceeded to eat lunch at the Crystal Palace with the Characters from Winnie the Pooh!
We also took in the Monster,Inc! Laugh stage in which I saw the true Curt Hyzy! Before we went in he took off his Hawaiian shirt so "he wouldn't be singled out!" Oh no he still did! Dancing with all his might on screen and Julie and Robyn dying of embarrassment!
All in all we had a wonderful day! Thank you so much Hyzy family for inviting me!

Yeah Curt, No One Will Pick You Out of A Crowd!

Rally Held To Protest Soda Tax | WWNY TV 7 - News, Weather and Sports for Watertown, NY | Local News

Rally Held To Protest Soda Tax | WWNY TV 7 - News, Weather and Sports for Watertown, NY | Local News

The Journal | Rally Against Soda Tax Planned Pepsi-Cola Ogdensburg Bottlers To Rally At City Hall Thursday

The Journal | Rally Against Soda Tax Planned Pepsi-Cola Ogdensburg Bottlers To Rally At City Hall Thursday

It's About Time!

Where the heck has the time gone? It seems like it was just yesterday when I was worrying about my plants and if they were getting enough water or too much. Now I'm in the middle of the decorating season and celebrating it all! I have been so re missed at keeping up with this blog that it hit me yesterday when someone told me they keep checking my blog and only see flowers! OOOPs! So I will pledge to start again today and so you my road to Christmas Beauty! Enjoy!

A Summer of Growing Challenges

You might know that the one year that I wanted my gardens to be perfect for the wedding, it would be a year in the North Country of cool tempetures, too much rain and not much sunshine! It was a lot of work to get things looking the way I wanted but it did turn out pretty good! These pics were from the first week of August and at this time I had hired a talented lady to do the day to day watering, weeding and dead heading. What a godsend she was! Thanks Kathie!

Ziggy

You would think that when your parents left you,
you would be a little homesick! Not this cat!
He has made this place his own!
His only regret is that the Dog of the House, Dasher
really doesn't care that he's even here!
Ziggy sleeps in our room.
Ziggy trys to get Dash to play.
The only time Dasher pays attention to him
is when Dick is playing or petting Zig and then
Dash is right there on the other side of Dick looking for attention too!
Don't worry Zig, Mom and Dad will be here in a couple of days!

"I've never seen a woodchuck climb a tree!" Richard L Wright

Dick came running into the house today yelling "Get your camera!"
We drove up the road (I can't run) to our neighbors property!
Sure enough there was a woodchuck in the crotch of the tree!
"I've got to have pictures or no one will believe me!" So here they are.

Happy Father's Day!

To my Husband Dick who has always been an amazing father and now grandfather!
And to my son Nick for being such a great Dad!

My Dad, Richard E Winter
Happy Fathers Day to the Men of my Life!
You have all made my life complete!
Thank you!

Shower on the River!

The Northern group of maids!
Jen Shaver, Jill O'Brien, Michell Durr, Matron of Honor
Amy Wright, "THE BRIDE", Shawna Sias, Jessica Fields and Emily Wright
Flower girls Makayla, Jenna and Lily Wright!
We missed having Makenzie, Junior Bridesmaid with us!

June 13th the bridesmaids from here had a Shower for Shannon. It turned out
to be a great day on the river although the sun wasn't out. We had a large turnout of wonderful friends and a tremendous amount of delicious food!
Shannon received many beautiful gifts!
The bridesmaids and matron of honor Amy deserve all the credit! Thanks again Girls!

Southern Ladies Shower the Bride!

On Sunday June 6th we had a shower at the Springdale House and Gardens a
wonderful place for a party!
Shannon's bridesmaids and friends were in charge of the decorating
and games! Kelsey Geary drove in from Charlotte and her college friend Julie Becraft
from Atlanta also drove up! My friend (and Shannon's dance teacher!) Vicki Lewis
drove down from North Carolina. Bridesmaid Laruen Dumsky drove from Florida.
Bridesmaids Tara Connor, Katrina Smaciak, Amie Smaciak and flower girl Kayliegh Smaciak
and ring bearer Tyler Smaciak were all part of the festivities! Shawn's mom Elaine
also attended!
We had such a great time and she recieved many nice gifts!

Bachlorette Party in South Carolina!

It was so great to travel to Columbia to be with Shannon for
her parties! I arrived on Thursday and she had arranged for me
to have a room at the Hilton Downtown. What a nice treat!
Of course we did some shopping. Almost a natural for mom and daughter!
Ate out at great restaurants and generaly enjoyed ourselves!
Saturday evening my friend Vicki Lewis drove down from North Carolina to join me!
It was so great to see her. I had not seen her in 9 years! We had a lot of catching up
to do. She spent the night with me and met Shannon's friends.
It was also a chance for me to meet her friends who I only had known by name.
All very nice young ladies! Thank you for including me and making me feel welcome!

And now it's Shannon's turn to be Congratulated!

Shannon has finished her Master's!
with a GPA of 3.86!
We are very proud of her!
Now she is with her girlfriends and
sisters-in-law in Daytona Beach to relax!
The soon to be Mr.& Mrs. Smaciak have a right to smile!
Love you so much!

Congratulations Shawn and Amy!

We are so proud to announce that Shaw n graduated from University of South Carolina on May 9th. We were there to share in their celebration with his family and friends. Best of all he already has a job. Phyiscal Education teacher at an elementary school. Bad news he starts on Tuesday after the wedding!

Amy graduated this past weekend fron SUNY Canton with a Nursing Degree. But she's not done yet! Big future for her. She received the McCallister Award for being the Outstanding Senior Nursing Student! Our extended family is as talented as our own. Love you guys!