Ditto the birthday greetings. Did you get my picture?

Happy Birthday Uncle Jim! We can't wait to see everyone this weekend!
The Petulas

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  We are just winding down from ours - we celebrate on Boxing Day usually.  Ben and Paul have been constructing a replica of our house in gingerbread - the roof assembly is complete!  Sylvia made some great landscaping.  More building tonight, after a family dance off to the Michael Jackson Experience game Sylvia got.

Sylvia says she will see you all on New Years Eve Day.  Happy Holidays from Paul.  David is busy finishing up the dishes and Ben cannot be torn away from the gingerbread house for comment......

See you this weekend!

Merry Christmas to all! Had a great Christmas Eve dinner with Sahara, Luke, Tat, and Gram. Had a delicious breakfast with Gram, Molly, and Jim then went to church. Had a peaceful day with the hubby, and then homemade pizza at Gram's for dinner. The sunset was one straight from a Hallmark card - who could ask for anything more! Hope to see you all soon.

Thanks everyone! Had to work most of the day but I was able to make it home to spend some of my birthday with Jen and Opie... Loved the shower of "Happy Birthdays" on here, facebook and over the phone! Christmas weekend!!! My FAVORITE time of the year!!!! But then again, I am a Christmas baby, I may be a lil biased! haha... Love you all! and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Love Joe, Jen, and Opie!!

Have a great day, Joe

Breakfast at my place Christmas morning for anybody who shows up by 9 a.m. (RSVPs accepted)

Happy belated birthday to Vicki. I thought of you several times yesterday, but failed to get the message out. Hope it was a grand day. Happy birthday to Joe (today on the blog calendar, tomorrow on Facebook). Either way, enjoy!

Hello everyone,
Just wanted to say Merry Christmas before we leave for our big trip. We will be returning on Christmas Eve just in time for our Christmas play at church. Wanted to let everyone know, we didn't order enough Christmas cards this year so if you didn't get one it was because I ran out as I was addressing them. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing everyone at the Gavett Gathering at the end of the month.
Deanna Nathan Connor Izzy and Dylan

My 5 K best time this weekend: 52.8  Of course, Sahara and Nancy got in before me, but it was a fun evening event.  Thank you, Nancy, for the birthday treat. (And to you Sahara for the mulled wine, probably the reason Nancy won ALL the games).

Happy belated birthday to David too. Still can't believe how fast he grew!

Hello everyone,


I am finally back on the blog and am going to try to stay better in touch than before. We have been busy getting ready for Christmas around here. Dylan was the cutest angel ever in the Christmas play on Sunday. That night we all went to a roller skating party and Izzy beat out 40 other guests to win the limbo contest on skates. I had a little trouble just standing up at first but got better as the night went on and ended the party with no falls. I look forward to seeing everyone at the Gavett Christmas celebration. Uncle Chris we have been thinking about you here.

Happy Birthday Deanna!

Love Jen and Joe

Hello Everyone!

No much to update on here other than we have our Christmas lights up and so does the tenant. This house looks so beautiful with the decorations! Jen and I took Opie back to the Heart of the Catskills in Delhi to be neutered and we found out that, Snowball, the large white dog from on top of the hill near Grandma and where Molly lives was at the animal shelter. He was picked up on the side of the road by someone and taken there... when the shelter called his owner about him, he told them that he no longer wanted the dog and to do what they wish with him. Well come to find out, while we were there, an older couple was spending time with him and filling out the adoption papers for him. The lady at the shelter says she knows the people and that he is going to a great home and is finally going to get the proper attention and shelter that he deserves. Work for me has been really rough... working twice as long and hard, yet I only bring home 1/3 of what I used to. We are hoping things change soon. We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and we will see everyone at our Gavett Christmas!

Great Thanksgiving weekend. Thanks to those who traveled from out of town (or state)- it's always good to see you, especially as the kids grow so fast. Speaking of growing fast, Bill and Jessica's Baby Henry seems to be developing nicely.
Happy Birthday to Alex tomorrow.
Cris, best wishes to you tomorrow.

GAVETT FAMILY CHRISTMAS GATHERING
Saturday, December 31
Pot Luck at 1:00  - (That means you get to decide what to bring!)
PASS THE WORD

Thanksgiving - most especially for family!!

Hi to all,

Just want to thank everybody for their support, especially since I don't get back to my phone calls. Cris has a lot of appointments next week to find out what might have spread where. With a lot of help from Jess we found surgeons for a second and third opinion. Cris says he is feeling great and he is still golfing a couple of times a week.

Happy birthday to Ben and Sylvie. and all our November birthdays.

My phone # is 203-209-6748. I am available before 12: and after 9: pm.

Cris' # is 203-258-1602.

Ben

I called to wish you a "Happy 50th." but alas you were celebrating your grand event at the "Colgate Inn." Sounds like an appropriate thing to do. After all, as the adage goes, the best is saved till last. Number seven and the final to witness a half century, now the second half and the fun starts!

The Cheesecake Factory is running a contest. I entered hoping to win a cheesecake or at least a slice of one. This is a Facebook fueled contest and I need some votes. While you are at it enter the contest yourself. Go to cheesecake.com for instructions on how to enter and how to vote for an individual or more than one.

Thanks

Skip

Happy 5-0, Ben! Sure seems like it took a long time for you to start to catch up the the rest of us "almost" seniors .

Two more birthdays this week (I think - my accuracy in these matters is suspect).  Happy Day to Jessica and welcome to another decade and the half-century mark to Ben!!

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. We're hoping for the best. I'll be helping Pa make some phone calls tomorrow so we can find the best darn adrenal gland cancer specialists and surgeons out there! I keep telling him he ain't going no where, and definetely not leaving us to fend off mom for ourselves :) The next step is getting a cat scan of his lungs, and then proceed with the surgery. Lots and lots of prayers welcomed. Love to all :)

A shout out to Cris and Sally. Couldn't get through on the phone, but want you to know that I am thinking of you and praying for an easy medical solution. Love you both.

Puppy Rescued From Top Of Penn.-Ga. Train - Video - WYFF Greenville

Andy's girlfriend Gabrielle's TV news story.
.

Happy Birthday to Connor and Isabel. Happy Veterans Day to James and me. Happy wet, drippy, and dreary to the rest of you (at lease some of us have something to celebrate today). For anybody interested, Sahara, Vicki, and I are registered for a 5K run/walk called "It's a Wonderful Run" in Seneca Falls on Dec 10. It takes off at dusk and winds around looking at Christmas lights and displays. Google it if you want to register.

Talked with Sonja last night.  She was told this would be a painless operation, said they lied about that, but she is doing OK.  Even took a couple of walks with her dogs yesterday. 

Happy Birthday Bill

Sonja had her neck/back surgery yesterday and was doing OK last night.  She should be going home from the hospital today.  Skip is out of the hospital again - hope he takes it a bit easier this time and gives himself a chance to recuperate.

Aunt Betty's address (she turns 90? on the 10th of Nov):

Betty Roscoe
2425 Rte 357
Unadilla,NY 13849

Sally and Cris are in Boston today helping Jess move into her new apartment - best wishes, Jess.

Sonja will be having another back surgery the first week in November.  I am sure she would appreciate a card.  Her address:

Sonja Gavett
550 Argos Circle
Watsonville, CA 95076
  Remember Mom's (Grandma's) birthday on Nov. 3.

I have made some changes to the blog in an attempt to restore the "New Post" in the task bar for Skip - and whomever else had it disappear from their blog page.  I am not sure it worked, so some feedback about how you are posting will help.  Skip did win our Scrabble game yesterday - one 97 point play made the difference, (though he did win by over 100 points).  Rematch to follow-

Skip is home from the hospital and doing OK. He can still use thoughts sent to 4520 Kear Rd, Canandaigua NY 14424

Happy Birthday to Jane tomorrow! I have a feeling you'll be celebrating in the hospital.

Wanted to update everyone that Skip is in the hospital and recovering from an operation to remove more of his leg due to recurring infections. He should be home in a few days - address is 5420 Kear Road, Canandaigua, NY 14424 - if you want to send a card.

Hi to all,
Had a great time with Vicki hiking the falls in Catskill and West Springfield. Lost 6 pounds, let's do that every other week. Beautiful leaves and trails.
Happy fall days to all.

Ted and I drove (28 hrs on the road) to see Andy's new digs in SC over the weekend. Greenville seems like a nice area and they were enjoying the 70 degree temps after the hottest summer on record. Took down lots of furniture so both Andy and Gabrielle's places are now fully furnished - and then some. Beautiful leaf views through the Virginia mountains and more through Northern PA - they turned a lot from the time we went down on Friday to being definitely peak today (Monday). Now its off to Mass to leaf view with Sally though the forecast calls for 3 days of rain so I am glad I got to enjoy them today. Mom's this weekend for the shower.

HEY! Somebody needs to start posting out there!
Happy Birthday to Nathan, Andy, and Dylan (belated to all)
News flash - it's raining.
Planning for Mom's birthday - Ben has her on the 3rd, which is a Thu. I will be at a funeral the following weekend if somebody wants to visit. Other than that I have no thoughts because it is so far away in my busy mind.
Get you cards ready, also for Aunt Betty. She turns 90 on Nov 13. I'll publish her address later if I am reminded.
Still raining.
The younger generation must have something going on in their lives...please keep in touch.

Temps in the 80's today. Indian summer? and will Mom take a dip in the pond?

Here's a shout out to Chad and Joanne. Heard you moved into your new home - congrats. Have you had a year as full of MAJOR events as 2011? Hope you can relax and get into a family routine now. Please post here or pass on your address to Gram (the old-fashioned blog.

Mom's cooking spaghetti on Friday for Molly's birthday for any who can make it.

Speaking of Mom, the competition is on. I've been trying to sneak in some swimming and have been signing in, just in case I get the last swim. Well, I went last night at six, but she was in the garden and heard me so she went at 6:30. So I went this morning at 6 (in the dark and the 15 geese that I couldn't see gave me quite a fright). Anyway, she went this evening again. Now I think she may have to win because the temp is really suppose to drop tomorrow night. I tried to give her a run for her money, but she is much stronger willed than I.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TRACIE - and a poem for you

Yesterday is history
Tomorrow is a mystery
Celebrate today - it belongs to you!

Hope everyone is staying high and dry. Greene school closed early and Tracie is pumping and vacuuming out her basement, hoping the electricity stays on so she can stay ahead of the water. Looks like they will have to start building "flood days" into their school calendar.

My mistake. I said Aunt Marion's birthday was on the 5th, it is actually the 9th, so if you didn't get a card out you still have time. She's been enjoying the attention.

Just a thought - Aunt Marion turns 92 on Monday, and would probably enjoy some cards (even a little late). Her address:PO Box 725, Bloomville, NY 13739

Our thoughts are with Chad and his family after a lightning fire burned down their home. Thankfully, everyone got out safely. They are set to close on a new home in a few weeks.

Wanda and Jackie are finally being released from their enforced stay in Cairns, Australia early Monday (Sunday afternoon here) and following the hurricane to arrive in Binghamton on Mon. eve. Keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well with their 4 flights - 26+ hour journey.

Are ya'll still down under? I'm losing track of time being inside at David's most every day.
Happy Birthday Nanc, Hope Koala cake was on the menu.
Congrats to the preggies, the new babies and newly married.
Happy Birthday Sonja, I will call soon.
We are making pasta sauce at an alarming rate, had to get Cris to dunk and peel and freeze "cause I can't keep up. Our red, yellow and orange peppers are beautiful.
Stink bugs got all the cubits--that's gardening.
Molly, Bri and Buster are sad they missed you at the fair and they are wondering how slippery sal
is doing?
Sylvia, I hear you make a great blueberry pie! Gram and Molly had so much fun with you, you are a terrific girl!
Joe, I'll burn you another DVD if those are the pics you want.
Alex has a new 5 year plan and is moving back to State Farm to be mentored through it by his ex-boss, Frank.
Toby just lost out on a job with Stamford High School, he always gets down to the last two, something better must be coming.
Jess is loving her new job. She gets new clients weekly and has a great return rate. She sees some at their homes and some in her office.
Cris has been in fishing mode and I see there are a few Porgie and snapper blue heads peaking out of ice in the fridge.
My job is OK because I can make my own hours every week but I really hate being inside so I don't have high hopes for this one.
Well, I guess I'll write in another few months. I miss you all. sal

Vicki's post was brief because the internet service here is very unreliable. We are enjoying our travels very much. New Zealand and Australia are very much like the US except they are a younger country and very much friendlier. We are being spoiled and are enjoying the winter weather here (in the 60's, great for walking around) We've seen koalas, wallabies, kangaroos, and little blue penguins in their natural environments. We are currently in Melbourne, which is a pretty, clean, inviting city.
That's it for now.

Greetings from Australia. Pass the word that the world travelers are having a great time!

Congrats to Deanna on a 3rd place finish (women) at last weekend's race - and on the first place age group finish a few weeks ago! Running after twins must be a good training technique.

Happy Birthday Boys (referring to James and Cris) Hope you had a fine celebration!
- And Happy Anniversary to Deanna & Nathan - hope you found a babysitter so you could celebrate too.

hello everyone! I have a small question to ask... does anyone have any digital pictures from Jen and my wedding? I try to stay connected to old friends and family far away through online media like facebook and I would like to post some pics up for them to see. Thank you for your help!

Made a trip with Deanna and kids (briefly amidst thunderstorms)to the Ontario Co. Fair and had the opportunity to visit with Katie and Melissa Mason in the 4-H building. Katie is starting college at Mercyhurst in PA this fall and working for the Coop. Ext. for the summer. Melissa showed us the dress she made for her 16th birthday party.

Congratulations to Sally on her new job - selling photography for David's Bridal. Something tells me this will work out better than the pet grooming gig.

Congrats Chad! Welcome to the world Charles William Gavett IV!

Happy Birthday Sahara - Hitting the quarter century mark puts you firmly in adult territory. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday #25 to Sahara tomorrow! Her Dad'll be frying fish and I made a cake. Kind of low-keyed, but that's what happens as you age.

Sonja arrives from California this week - Wed in NYC and Wed night or Thurs at Mom's - and the Thompson reunion is on the agenda for Saturday. Hope to see everyone then!! Bring something to auction OR money to buy what someone else brings, either works.

Freebies - Ted picked up a lawn seeder and people powered mower (works!) at a recent auction. Anyone interested?

A Special Congratulations to Skip and Jane on their 35th Anniversary. That is indeed an accomplishment - Add to that 3 children grown, educated, and employed. Then there are the (almost) 5 grandchildren who can enjoy the flowers and fruits of your labors (as do I). Enjoy!!

Congrats on the job Jess! I can't wait to hear all about it! When do you start?

Congrats also to Bill and Jessica on their new arrival coming in January (right?)

Congrats to Kate and family on their new addition... looking forward to meeting baby Emma at the reunion :)

Congrats to Jim and Joe and Jen and Molly as they close on their new house tomorrow! (please let me know if you want help packing/moving, I will be in walton for the weekend)

Congrats to Andy on his new job and for letting me drive the U-Hall to SC with him!!! Looking forward to a road trip with my bro :)

And congrats to me winning at minigolf last night! (Mom... I've refined my skills and I'm ready for a rematch!)

Lots of exciting events happening in our lives (hopefully outweighing, or at least adding some relief, to the difficult times).

Hi everyone,

After enjoying a couple months of being unemployed, I have accepted a job, wooooooh :) It is with a mental health clinic doing mostly outreach therapy with an array of clients with varying needs - basically, I'll be gaining invaluable experience from working with clients as young as three to, well, gram :P I take the licensing exam this month which will provide me with LCSW credentials and ability to bill for a whoooole 50 cents more an hour! I look forward to sharing about my career adventures with you all, it is sure to be an interesting and challenging endeavor.

Its great to see everyone using the blog, I'm trying not to get tooo jealous of all the harvesting out there, someone said they have pumpkins! We've got about 6 zuchini on our three plants which are taking over my entire garden bed - a whopping 6ft by 2ft bed we built, time for an upgrade. We have 3 beets growing but I'm not sure when to pull them...any tips? We've also got a two inch pepper and some snap peas (which are hanging out into our sidewalk and I'm surprised at the respectfulness of the passerbys to allow us to enjoy our handful we get each week). We have two tomato plants, one with three little green guys on it, the other is a yellow pear shaped tomato - lots of flowers, but no tomatoes yet.. KC and I hit up the farmers market down the road to supplement, wish I had acres to plant on!

Hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July and I can't wait to see you all in a couple weeks at the reunion. Any ideas of what to bring to the auction? I may attempt to make a zuchini something..bread perhaps.. Oh, and who all is going kayaking on sunday? I've already informed my mother she is absolutely under no circumstances allowed in a kayak, she can take all the pictures she wants, but no kayaking!

HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY TO SAHARA! (Big 25?!)

Just an update about my mom... my parents were supposed to find out tomorrow about the status with the tests she took so far, but the doctor called today with an early update. I wish I could be the bearer of good news, but she is 100% positive for cancer. The doctor said she has breast cancer which may be a good sign in hope of a good recovery, but a x-ray showed an excessive amount of fluid surrounding her lungs. The fluid is believed to be part of an infection which is unknown right now what the cause is. She has an appointment tomorrow to gain more knowledge on her condition and the possible avenues available for her treatment. She also has an appointment this coming Wednesday for an in office procedure to drain the fluids around her lungs, which will allow for her to breath a little easier and to also not be in so much pain when she is trying to rest.

I do appreciate all the kind words of encouragement and wisdom from those who have responded here on the blog. I also do want to send my appreciation to all of you who are saying those prayers for both my mom and dad. I am blessed and thankful for being a part of a family who cares enough to take a little time away from their life to offer up prayers to our Lord and words of encouragement/wisdom to me and Jen.

Joe and Jen, we put you and your folks in our prayers. We are praying for your mother's pain to not be untreatable, and for comfort, rest, and healing for your father. This can be a stressful time for you, so we also pray that you will seek peace and joy from your surroundings and each other.

Just wondering if anyone is doing anything for 4th of July weekend... and if you'd mind an addition... :)

Hello everyone;

I am writing this post today to both inform everyone and also to ask for some help and guidance.

My father, Lou Spencer, is not doing well and shows no sign of getting any better. He has the worst case of diabetes that anyone can have which is also teamed up with a severe case of crones disease. With the two combined he has lived the last 20-30 years fighting to try and keep his health in check. Between medicine and a strict diet, he has managed to keep both diseases in check. As of the past couple years his health has taken a spill off the deep end. Within the past year alone he fights his blood sugars counts going from dangerous low counts to off the charts high counts. The doctors only answer to this was a change in his diet; to the point where he literally eats nothing at all. Right now he has limited to no use of his hand, fights to get even an hour or two of sleep per night, and to aid my mother who is also fighting now for her health.

My mother, Jean Spencer, went to an appointment today because she has been having chest problems that was obvious it was not natural. More tests are in line to be done, but she is believed by doctors to have cancer in her chest area. The doctors do not know as for where it is coming from or even how strong it is, but tests are being planned to figure them out. I will be updated with information as it comes to me.

A lot of burden falls on to me right now being the one who lives the closest to my parents. Jen has agreed and offered to help as much as she can with everything. As I sit here writing this I am already feeling overwhelmed because I have this on me plus trying to give 150% to my job and support Jen and help Jim with things that may come their way. I am not asking for money help. I am not asking for sympathy. I am reaching out to everyone and asking for prayer and guidance through all of this.

I thank you all for your time and prayers if you choose to offer any.

Love;
Joe

I still can't comment on other's posts either Sahara :(

Congrats Joe and Jen on the new addition to your family!

Sahara and Nanc, have fun in Rhode Island!

Counting down the days til Australia, but also hoping the time passes slowly because I know that when we come home it will be about time for school again!

For those of you who haven't heard, Andy got a job in South Carolina working for a company who makes car parts (seats, front ends, doors, etc). He starts July 25th, and will be in the same city as his girlfriend (finally, no more bi-weekly flights to see each other!).

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion!

Very cute doggie, Jen and Joe!

Aunt Vicki, have you figured anything out with being able to comment on people's blogs... or am I the only one having issues?

Now I am up to over 30 squash, a few pie pumpkins, and a few gourds... Though my mother and I are heading to Rhode Island for the week on Saturday, so I hope my plants survive my husband's green thumb!

That's all, just enjoying summer break! :)

Hello everyone!

If you are asking who the dog is in the pic to the right, it is the newest addition to the Spencer family. I have had the past few days off due to equipment trouble, so Jen and I took a trip down to Heart of the Catskills to take a look around. We fell in love with Crimson, soon to be Opie, and two other puppies while we were there. After spending time alone with the dog in the pic and the two others, we decided to ask Opie if he would like to join our family. With his tail wagging and laying on his back so we could pet his tummy, he said yes!! We filled out the application, we now wait for him to be neutered and on Monday, July 11, 2011 Jen can go down and bring Opie home to our new apartment. Jen and I are very excited and cannot wait for Opie to bless our lives and home for the next 10-15 years!

Sally,Here's hoping for a fast recovery!

My garden story - too much of a good thing (lettuce). When I tried our new local farmer's market they said I needed insurance. Ted is insured against everything so I sent in proof and was told they were "booked" for the season. Last year - at another market - I was told I would have to sign up for the full season. I guess farm markets are for those whose full time business is farm markets with no room for competition from those with garden surplus.

Great weekend with the Grandkids at a firefly/lightning bug celebration

Wanted to let you all know that Sally is back in the hospital again for a bit of unplanned surgery. Seems she had a twisted gut or something. The did an arthroscopic untwist and she expects to be home in a day (or two if the accommodations are to her liking).

On another note, I am reporting the onset of some very small tomatoes and jalapeno peppers, and my lettuce and asparagus have been delicious.

The rain and cool air have kept me out of the pool today, but th epond has been more than pleasant.

And school is OUT!!!

Congratulations, Bill and Jessica! Woo hoo! :) I have news that pales in comparison... I have seventeen squash (squashes? squashi?) on my plants. And contrary to my mother's belief, they are not the blossoms, they are actually squash. I guess I will be sharing with my mom, who has................zero :( hehehe...

I hear (from a pretty reliable source) that Jim will be answering to Grandpa by this time next year. So happy for you, Bill and Jessica!

Happy Father's Day to all Dads

I can't respond to posts either... :(

Jim's new house (Keep your fingers crossed - closing in a few weeks) I think it is an architectural gem from the outside. Country cottage style would you say?

Since I can no longer comment on a post, I'll have to just write a new one. I am envious of the Chenango County gardens. Bens sound good and Sahara's is really taking off. I got nipped by frost the beginning of June, and look pretty pitiful. I did pick some lettuce today.
Really looking forward to school ending. I'm supposed to be working on averages right now, but just gor back from a PTA meeting and have a headache.
Saw a bear at the neighbor's the other night. That was after having a stray goat living in the barn for a few days. Then I saw a new fawn today and have twin baby woodchucks in the front yard. I love this country life.
Later

From Ben:

Hi everyone.  The corn is up and the garden seems to be doing great.  The lilacs, rhododendron and bulbs had a good year, but it's all come and gone.  Just a few iris and peonies and bleeding heart holding on.

Paul has settled in for the summer, working two jobs again.  We'll be wrapping up the school year with David and Sylvia this week.  David is getting some kind of award in a few days - we'll have to see what it is.  We're hoping he's ready for the leap to high school.  We had a grueling CSE meeting for Sylvia, but she is a willing and conscientious student.

Can't wait to see the new babies.  I thought about doing a Gavett Blog poll on whether Andrew Weiner should resign (I say he should get censured out), but I decided to stick to less controversial subjects.

Love Ben

Looks like we are in need of some more events for June. Send me your special dates.

I am watching birds from my desk and believe one is a tufted titmouse - any ideas on the other. Bird ID is something I really need to learn from Mom.

Good News - Jim's offer on a house in Walton was accepted! After an inspection to make sure there are no major problems he should be able to have a quick closing. The house fits his needs, along with a dishwasher and great laundry room, private sunporch for Jenny, a big 2-car garage with overhead storage for Joe, and space for Molly to have a bedroom and living room to herself.

Just wanted to get your opinions - can we trust Mom to live on the hill without supervision? She went swimming today! Said she got hot doing all her mowing and trimming. Do you think she may be losing her mind? (smile).
PS, Edith Liddle turns 90 this week, I never would have guessed. She looks better now than in a long time.

I just received the info on the Thompson Family Reunion
Saturday, July 16 at the Hamden Town Hall Pavilion
10 am - Coffee and Donuts
12:30 - Lunch
THERE WILL BE AN AUCTION (Bank Account is getting very low)
Bring a dish to pass too.

Auction Ideas: Baked goods (esp. pies), garden plants, handcrafted items

Sahara and I completed a 5k together this weekend! It was the first 5K Sahara chose to run, and run she did (the entire 3.1 miles)! The initial plan of running the first mile then walking a bit was thrown completely out the window by mile two when we were still going strong! The 1st pic is about mile 2.9 -- looking pretty good huh? The 2nd pic is after the race -- so proud of her! Can't wait for the next one!

More happies -
Happy Birthday to Mike.
Happy anniversary to Jen and Joe.
Hope you all had a great (albeit rainy) day.

I heard it was a must see experience - and in Geneseo - so I trudged 4 miles through mud and mire - in the rain - to see a forest of Bluebells along the Genesee River. It was worth it and instead of being with 150 people who went on the hike in beautiful weather last Wednesday, our group had fewer than 20. Click on the picture to get the full effect.

Time for a update on my new c-leg. I'm apologize for not giving updates but I've been a bit concerned with the weakness in my left leg. With this weakness comes pain, after just a few minutes walking with the prosthesis it sets in. This feels like the same pain I "enjoyed" with my full left leg before my amputation. Over the last four months I have gained strength by working with the leg. Though at my day's end, it's always the same, a pain filled and sore stump.. I don't have the discipline to stop working when the discomfort starts, when my pain and weakness make walking impossible I finally give in. Some people would say that qualifies me for induction into an insane asylum and they're probably right. By slowly increasing my day-to-day hours I have hope and this is what keeps me going. Today is the first day since I started wearing my prosthesis that I experienced a definite large gain. I rented a rototiller and used it for five hours on my main garden and larger flower garden. It took me nine hours to accomplish this feat but I was able to work an additional two hours after the gardens. Now for the good part. After all this I was still able to walk. I will admit it was with some pain but not to the point where I was dragging my leg. When I took my prosthesis off the pain was a lot less than what I normally experience. Today is a major victory for me and a personal milestone. I owe this to your prayers, love, and understanding. Love you all.
Skip

Vicki
Mom and Dad's anniversary is the 1st., not the 5th.

Mothers, Enjoy your day!

Happy Birthday, Kate!

and Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there!

Emma was born at 12:50 pm today. She weighed in at 9ibs 3ozs and 20 inches long. Kate and the baby are both doing fine but Mike seems a bit frazzled.

Happy Anniversary to Sally and Cris. 32 years is a reason to celebrate!

Happy 1st Birthday to little Allie! Any news on Katie's baby yet?!

Happy Birthday, Jen! A quarter of a century! Hope you celebrate in style.

Happy Birthday Jenny! Have a great day tomorrow

How much rain is to much! It seems as though we/I get soaked daily. As least today we've got some coloring (lightning) mixed in. A little variety like that sheds some light on the matter. A joke, maybe a lame one, but a joke never the less. I had to let you know, in case it went by you unnoticed. Last year at this time I had all my gardens in, flower and vegetable. My two main veggie gardens are way under water; the one an extension of my pond. Six inches of rain in the past week. Over two and a half inches today and nor where for it to go. We're in the middle of our forth major downpour and the lightning is hot and the thunder is not trailing far behind. Time for me to sign off and unplug everything, again.

Hey hey Happy Spring time to all! I'm proud to announce I'll be finishing my program in less than two weeks and graduating with an MSW on the 20th of May. I'm a snowball of feeling about what this means, but trying to focus on the next two weeks. Lots of tough goodbyes with clients I've been working with at my placement and two presentations left to wrap up the semester. I'll be starting the joyous job interviewing process over the next couple weeks - I've been offered a position where I am currently working, but I've decided the hour commute is too much to add to the work day; and I can't grapple with the fact that they would need me to start essentially now. One of my upcoming research papers is actually about the epidemic of perscription drug abuse and addiction over the last ten years...which has already shown a steady demand for addiction treatment clinicians, so no worries as far as the job goes - just a matter of when and where :)
Other random news - Kc and I build a vegetable garden bed over easter weekend and started our little seedlings out there - and made a lil strawberry patch on the side, although some lil birdie told me the strawberry plants should last from last year to this year, but there lookin' a little shabby, so we'll see.

Hope everyone had a nice Easter. Look forward to seeing you all soon! ...and by soon I mean save the date of May 21st for a CT celebration of my graduation...announcements are on their way...

Bye for now,

Jess

I am adding my Easter wishes to Nancy's. Happy Easter and (finally) Spring to all. It doesn't seem possible that we will be into the month of May in one week!

Happy Easter to one and all. The rains have turned everything green (finally). Enjoy Spring, as I understand summer arrives on Wednesday!

Had a great trip to Wisconsin, but a lot of driving. It was good to see the family. We are now in Maryland with Sahara. We went on a strenuous hike (first 1.1 miles was up a steep, rocky, wet mountain)in the Catoctin Mountain Park - found it by accident, and plan to enjoy it again in the morning. The we will visit with more family and head home on Sunday. Nice and green down here and the weather is tolerable:)

And we thought Skip was the real klutz in the family. Sally is trying to give him some competition. She managed to fall headfirst off a 6 foot ledge onto a concrete driveway Sunday - with a metal barrette complicating things. Nothing broken but her pride, painful cuts and bruises plus some blood loss. She is still in the hospital and getting a couple of pints of blood today to speed the healing process. Should be coming home tomorrow. I took advantage of her head trauma to beat her in a game of scrabble today.

Is anybody reading this blog? Isn't Chad's birthday really on the 8th? The 7th was the 15th anniversary of Dad's passing, may he rest in peace. Time is flying!

Happy Birthday tomorrow, Chad. Looks like it'll be a great year with a wife, a a family, and a job - who could ask for anything more!

An inch of new snow on the ground again this morning and it's snowing hard now. I guess you need to have faith that spring is on the way. Remember the adage; "In like a lion and out like a lamb." You're right, that's meant for March, not April.

I recommend you check out raptorresource.org - and view the eagles on their nest with the bird cam. We've been waiting all day for the eggs to hatch.

Bit of a set back for the valiant crocus today. April Fools (almost)

We need more family news on this blog. What's happening with everyone? This is what I know:
- Sonja is trying to learn how to use email (lindly@toast.net)
- Chad is a happily married man and back at his Corning job.
- Deanna has a new job - closer to home - and is a soccer coach (5-yr. olds)
- The school's swim coach is helping Tracie improve her swimming technique (triathlon?)
- Ted harvested his perch eggs yesterday - the fish think it's Spring anyway.
- Nancy and James are headed to Wisconsin for Spring Break - some people go South.
- Yesterday the Wii calculated my physical age at 48 - and mental focus at 72.
- Mom is finishing two quilts this week.

I gave in and got the skis out so I could enjoy the sunshine. Funny how a little sun can improve my outlook. Lunch on the sunporch with the flowers!

Enough with the snow! Last week I put away the winter table centerpiece on my sun porch and created one for Spring. Washed windows,framed and hung Florida bird pictures, made new "summery" window valences. After I took the bag of rock salt, snowshoes and XC skis out to the storage room in the barn, I started lettuce and flower seeds in trays on the sun porch. You would think that would be enough to get the weather at least out of the 20's. Maybe next week - or the week after?

What a moon tonight! Doesn't really seem bigger than normal, but it is incredibly bright. Glad the sky cleared in time to enjoy it.

Have a wonderful day Becky,

Happy 31st Birthday Becky!!! Make it GREAT!

Happy Birthday Meredith, I would wish sun and warmth, but maybe a hug from Toby will work almost as well,
Vicki

Happy Birthday to Meredith today and to Becky on Thursday. All these birthdays make time fly by!

I talked to Sonja earlier this evening, and Santa Cruz Harbor gor hit hard with the tsunami waters, but all is good for her. She was glad to know we were thinking of her.

Hi all,

We had our first rain today, much needed here. It's been 70 to 80 every day and I'm not sure that we are going to be able to force ourselves to leave. There is such a great variety of echo-environments to kayak in. My trekking GPS has gotten me back to the launch every time.

I have an all-day trip planned down the intercoastal quite a bit inland for tomorrow. Cris gets a little nervous about finding me but it's not like Lewis and Clark days out there. I can pull up on shore and find a house within a couple miles almost everywhere. Hopefully I'll be in grassy marsh where I might run into different wild life.

Sunday we went to the 50th annual Cracker rodeo. (Had to look up Florida Crackers, very colorful people.) Local cowboys and girls, some really young trying to ride sheep. Even I know you can't ride a sheep!

We are going to take a few days on the return trip. We'll try to see Norm and Shelly in Melbourne and stay a day or 2 in Georgia. I loved that area and will find a place to kayak.

Cris has been golfing or fishing most every day. Florida has a huge variety of fish and it's been fun catching so many.

Much more to yab about but there are things pulling my strings.

See ya later.

luv sal

Looks like Floods are coming for Walton and Greene. I hope it doesn't get too bad - take care and stock up. A "flood day" for schools on Friday?

Darn weather! Wellness day will be cancelled :( Greene is also expected to flood later this week as the temps are in the 40s... Just spent $60 organizing an elementary foreign language reception for thursday to end our 8 week class... REALLY hoping its still on!

In the meantime... baking muffins and cookies for my CSE meetings tomorrow... doing all I can to get on the best side of some very vocal parents!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you. You should find a waterproof camera case (to 20 meters, with lanyard and it floats) waiting at your house. Just fits "our" camera even with the lens extended.

Sally
Happy Birthday to you and hope you receive all your wishes that go along with your celebration. I don't have your cell number, have a feeling you're deliberately keeping it from me, so I won't be calling. Hope the weather holds up for your extended vacation and you and Chris are enjoying yourselves.
Skip

(view of our back yard)

Hi all,
'Bout time I take some time to post. We left Myrtle the day after Mom and Vic, very fortuitous as 95 was closed due to wild fires near our destination of Vero Beach. We stayed a day in Savannah and took the on/off tour bus. What an incredibly photographic historic area, much to Cris' chagrin. In the evening as we made our way through St. Augustine's, Florida, we stopped for a bit at the fort there where Alex caught a monster fish almost 25 years ago. Probably my favorite fort to tour due to the moat and original draw bridges over it. Unfortunately no water or sharks present. I95 opened that day so we left for our last three hours of the drive. There were heavy smoke warnings as we passed the fire area. It was dark and I could see tiny spots of fire where it was burning the roots underground and popping above ground. Surprisingly, there were no police or fire trucks monitoring the area, I had hoped there must be a good reason. Apparently not as the news in the morning was full of how the fire had jumped 95 during the night and was now out of control in the area and the highway closed again!
We made it through anyway and are taking it easy for a couple of days. It's windy here on the shore but in the high 70's.
Today we will scout for kayaking and fishing spots on the intercoastal.
The flowers are in bloom this year, Vic, lots of hibiscus around the pool.
Happy birthday to all, including me. Will Cris remember? If I have anything to say about it, he certainly will. And of course I do!
I am so happy that the leg is working out so well skip.
Hope all is well with everyone, I am praying the floods won't hit up there again, as we are hearing of lots of rain.
love to all,
Sal and cris

Happy Birthday Paul

Your birthday means spring is right around the corner, send the groundhog theory and its shadow back down into his hole. Have a special day.

Skip & Jane

Chad was married this morning in a "Civil" ceremony.

I'll get back on track in a moment but have you ever wondered how and why the word civil is even used for any purpose. Its definition is: relating to civilians, polite. Lets look at this. Why did we have a Civil War if it was soldiers fighting it? Before you jump up and raise your hand shouting out the answer that it was civilians from one country fighting the war, remember this; every civilian enlisted and trained, becoming a soldier. Certainly a soldier is not civil and polite. Now lets dig a bit and discuss a Civil marriage ceremony. True, it is two civilians getting married but the word "polite" describing a marriage, really!

Jane and I and JoAnne's parents were the only ones present at the wedding. The two plan on exchanging vows again and having a reception at the pond in August. As of now we have no idea on the number of people invited. I suggested combining this with a second annual Gavett reunion, didn't get the civil response I was hoping for.

Our last day of fun in the sun - 72 and a short rain shower only while we were in the quilt show. Georgetown was a fun walkaround and it sounds like the next few days going North will be between storms so I am resigned to having no excuses to prolong our days here. It has been a great month but I think one of us is ready to return home. Happy snow day Tracie and Sahara.

Using our LAST available snow day today! Rumor has it if we need another snow day, we will lose our March 18th conference day (the one I've spent countless hours organizing a wellness day for and have many people coming from far away places to run classes and present on really cool things)... But today, the snow is really pretty :)

Thursday and Friday most of our two feet of snow melted, but left ice, lots of ice. Last night I was slipping everywhere as I tried to navigate up to the stove and fill it. After making it back into the house I expressed a desire for some new snow for a covering. This makes my treks much less dangerous for both my body and soul(I tend to use an expletive occasionally when I fall). What a mistake I made. Lately I've been getting most of everything I've expressed a desire for and I should have known to be specific. I didn't mention a limit to the amount of snow needed to pad the ice, two or three inches would suffice. Possible snow flurries were the forecast and that part of their prognostication was correct. We have the flurries, approx. six inches worth so far and no signs of the blizzard letting up, the wind gusts are fifty miles per hour or more. This storm is on me, I apologize.

My new leg is super and is getting better by the day. My attitude and disposition improve with every pain free step I take. My short story of what living was like without a left leg is in trouble. With the drastic improvement in my life the daily rewrites reflect this and my story is nearing mundaneless if it's not already there.

Suntan weather here too - as long as you stay off the beach and out of the wind. Mom and I would like to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day and a lot of love sent your way. Sally and Cris should be arriving any time and its another Bingo night. Mom can't wait for your story Skip - maybe you could send us the "non rough" version.

Woke up to a temperature of thirty seven degrees and it was the low for the night. I would wager it's within a degree of what you southern vacationers experienced. The forecast calls for highs in the upper fifties by Thursday, partially swimming weather. I should finish my short story today. Give me a few days of rewrites and I'll send it down. Originally I called it, "My Freedom," after a day of writing it turned into, "My Incarceration." It will need to be approved for mom's eyes, parts of it are tough. Get out and enjoy the sandy beaches.

Skip

The Southern expedition is putting together puzzles, reading novels, funnoodling the indoors lazy river (I created a new sport), and playing lots of scrabble. Water aerobics every other day. We played Bingo (didn't win), saw a great play at the Senior Center, toured Ripley's Believe it or Not and bought souvenirs for everyone at the flea market. Next week - finally - there are promises of sunshine and 50 degrees, though "normal" is in the 60's for this time of the year. I can't wait to spend some time walking along the beach and visiting a park or two Mom says we have to venture further south next year.

Haven't heard from the southern expedition, but assume they are well. We werr relatively warm on the hill this morning - only 8 below. Many places were much colder. Bud is well, but has been chasing cars.

Happy Birthday Skip, Luke and Toby. - Or at least to those who are still celebrating birthdays!

OK, so now we are having thunder and lightning - go figure!

Thanks for sharing the pics and the rain. Looks like Mom's up to her usual tricks picking up younger men. Went out to snowshoe this morning, but it started raining. I got undressed, and it started snowing, but the next glance put it back to rain, and it is still raining at 6:30. It will be ice galore in the morning.

Hi all,
We are counting the days until we leave for S. Carolina and join Mom and Vic. We'll start one week from Sun, stay over one night and get there on Monday. We have the kayak, fishing poles and golf clubs packed! Happy, happy birthday skip!
Love,
Sal

myrtle beach

Click here to view these pictures larger

Finally Mom is giving me a few minutes to blog. It was 70 yesterday and not supposed to get above 50 in the foreseeable future so we had to be outside all day. Had a great time exploring a walk on the beach. The condo does not yet have internet - they are supposed to fix it today. Went to a potluck supper with other snowbirds last night. Maybe will check out the senior center activities the next few rainy days. Thank you, Nancy, for posting our phone number. I will post some pictures after I get a camera card reader - seem to have forgotten mine.

I don't know why Vicki isn't posting, probably doesn't want any of us to feel bad. Their temps are 60's, they even saw sun. Condo phone # (843)839-0003. You know Gram likes to hjear from family.

Snow day #4... time to get creative... spent the day making 3 different types of biscotti! My favorite would have to be the orange cranberry chocolate chip ;) Maybe a little sewing this afternoon... hope everyone is enjoying the snow! (and hope mom and gram made it down safe to SC... anyone hear from them yet?)

Happy Belated Birthday to Tatiana! Happy early Birthday to Ezra, Skip, Luke, and Toby!

Exactly half way through the school year! :) Had a wonderful time with Trace last night...! Not much news other than that... Just keeping busy! Hope everyone else is doing well!

Good News - Jim is home from the hospital and (according to Nancy) looking good. Molly's tonsillectomy went well and she can sing better than ever. Little Dylan is doing fine after his hernia surgery too.
It is still snowing and the weatherman promises more cold and deeper snow for next week, but Mom and I are heading south to Myrtle Beach where the temps may actually top 40 degrees (if we are lucky). Andy is heading home to frigid Plattsburgh this weekend after a month working in Alabama where he experienced a few days topping 50 degrees along with a 100 year record snowfall. Rumor has it he went honky-tonking in Nashville - and bought a cowboy hat to look the part.

What's your family news??

Just to let you all know - Jimmy is in the hospital with blood clots and other possible complications. Looks like he might be more than just a day or two. His room phone is 865-2271. He is in good spirits, just grumbling about being on a diabetic diet:)

News flash: it's cold outside. It was cold yesterday, today, and probably will be tomorrow. We're thankful for the new house, as the old one is froze solid - laundry will have to wait until "the big thaw." There was even ice in the toilet bowl this morning! I've heard that it should start to get better right around the time Mom and Vicki leave for the South.

It's all very puzzling

Click here to view these pictures larger

Another Monday - even colder. Somebody please post some news!

BRRRR - XC Skiing on Conesus Lake - First time in about 10 years it has been this thoroughly frozen over. It this what the good old days were like? I think we could travel about anywhere in the state with horse and sleigh this year, and fill the ice houses to the rafters.

The Baptist church burned to the ground this morning - nobody was hurt, and it is only a building. The church body is strong, but faces a lot of decision-making in the near future. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Hi all. 2011 treating everyone okay? Hope everyones first week back into the real world was minimally painful, mine was nice, only my internship until the 18th. As amazing as graduate school is I'm already looking forward to the three day weekend coming up. Just wanted to share a few exciting announcements: (to reduce the suspense - no engagement or babies for me :p) But I do have an exciting addition to my life - a new subaru impreza sport wagon. Its beeeautiful and was a great deal from craigslist. Another week til I get it on the road. I also picked up a snowboard while I was peruzing craigslist, its very pretty as well and will fit perfectly on the roof rack that came with the car..And lastly, I made aunt Nancy's mini pizza's for a get together last night, but instead used cupcake tins, and they were a huuuuge hit. 2 ppl asked for the recipe, maybe next time I'll make those cheesy baguettes..mmm.

Happy 2011 to all and to alllll a good sunday night.

I tried updating the calendar for the upcoming year with birthdays. I welcome anyone's help to check and see if I am missing someone. I do realize that this Spring will bring at least two additions to the calendar - maybe we should have a guess the baby date contest?

Vicki, I would update the calendar, but have no clue how. Please add Tatiana with a birthday on Jan 31, and Luke is on Feb 7. Thanks.

New Idea for next years gift exchange: bring something homemade! We have a such a creative, talented family, who wouldn't like a gift made straight from the heart?! I know many of you are having babies and may be thinking "when would I have time for this?!" but let me reassure you, you have 361 days left to ponder, plan, and create ;) It could be anything -- sewn, painted, refinished, video edited, baked, glued, crafted, etc, etc... What do you think?!

Finally got a moment to blog. I do apologize to Jennifer - and have officially added you to the calendar in retrospect. Happy Birthday!! I am thinking of handing over the Calendar to a volunteer with more experience (hint to Nancy) December is officially the busiest birthday month of our year. Maybe all Dec. birthdays should be moved to April and May? Two weeks of Holiday celebrations (Whew), but lots of great moments to reflect on. Thanks everyone!!

Hi all,
We just finished washing away the remnants of the last of our family Christmas. Now Vic and I are going to settle in for our game of super scrabble. Sometimes I can stretch it to a 5 hour game.
Had a terrific time with everyone, qwerf and wii included. May everyone's 2011 be healthier and more peaceful than 2010. Lots of love to one and all,
sal

Happy New Year to everyone. I had a beautiful time at our party and it looked and sounded like you all were enjoying yourselves. I realize I called several people by the wrong name and wasn't able to come up with names for some of you, I apologize. Getting old is a chore, Jane assures me you all understand, I hope so. Ben, I know that Toby was sitting in your place for several minutes. Some day you gotta tell me how you did this trick. Maybe I don't want to know. My new c-leg arrives January 10th. Hopefully my crutches will get a well deserved break. Again thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers for my leg; old, missing, and new. I measured the shortened version when I arrived home and it had grown longer, over three inches from this morning. I love you all.

Skip