Christmas

Christmas was a bit different this year, in the sense that this Christmas was everyones' holiday to work & Ange wasn't going to be home. This has happened one previous year where we were unable to celebrate 12-25, but I have actually grown to like it better this way for some reason.

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Christmas day, we headed over to Grandpa & Grandma's, where we had a delicious Christmas dinner and spent some time with family before leaving for work.

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Now, this next week will be filled with some more family fun. Uncle Earl and his family will be staying with us.... and then heading north where we will all meet for New Years. Looking forward to being with more family, seeings it's been 5 years since I have attended the "Bickford" New Year's Bash- due to work scheduling.

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Looking forward to a Good New Year Ahead !!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

The Act Of Celebrating...

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A couple months back, when trying to decide what to do for my co-workers this year, I decided to do something different and make an assortment of cookies with candies. Today, on my day off... after some hustling around town, I came home and spent several hours with the oven and this being the end result. There were actually more cookies I had planned on making, but needless to say became a bit tired along the way. Enough was enough!! :)

And then placed them in a cute little tin for each employee...
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CDCF was hosting the Christmas party tonight with plenty of delicious food, even if the pizza wasn't exactly how it was ordered :) Unfortunately, everyone wasn't in attendance this year, but we did have some guests from out of town stop by. Very nice to see you guys! Don't stay away :)

Thanks for such a nice time all. See you in 2010!!

There's Peace When I Leave It In Your Hands

Life can throw many curveballs and is never guaranteed easy. Humanly, we try to do what we feel is best, but sometimes that just isn't enough! Recently, I have found this to be true.

I find myself quite frequently asking why, or how come, when, how long do I have to wait, where? So many unanswered questions, that humanly seem difficult to handle at times. It's during these times, I find myself going to God with a heavy heart, a heart that cries out. I know God hears and understands, for there have been several times he's PROVED himself true, just this week. The key is trusting him for his perfect timing & leaving it in his hands.

When we do this, there is Peace! Nothing is Impossible with God!

The Christmas Season is upon us once again...

Christmas is a time to give!

God gave his son to be born in a manger so that He may be the Light of the World.This season, bright lights, colorful lights are seen all around us - Pretty, but temporary! Let's take hope in the true meaning of Christmas, and shine our lights for others to see!

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This year, our CDCF group has decided to reach out to the City Mission in Schenectady. This next week, we will make contacts with several people that are hungry, struggling financially, and looking for answers! We have offered to help with their Christmas store where bundles of gifts were donated to help people in need. As a group, we also have a collection of gifts over the course of several weeks that will be donated in helping others. My heart goes out to so many people, people in need, people less fortunate than our own!

We, as a group will bring our lights to GIVE to others.

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May we all do our best this Christmas season to Love, Give, and share the Joy of Christmas!

Election Day...

November 3, 2009

Dad was up for re-election for his 3rd term as councilmen for our Princetown Town board this year. He's put in some very long hours campaigning door to door over the past several months, after his long work days, juggling family events, church, board meetings etc. So, when the scores came in that night for all that ran for election, dad won the most votes of the town people of all who ran for board positions, allowing him to serve another 4 years for our town board.

I recieved a text message from work stating the news and was overjoyed! When I think about Dad and his accomplishments for another term, I am ever so proud!!

CONGRADULATIONS DAD!

Happy Birthday Mom :)

Just a bit behind times, but I thought I would go ahead and post some pictures anyways. With the siblings scattered to Syracuse and Cincinatti, our times we can actually all be together again are such happy times:) This occassion was for mom's 50th! Mom made it plain and clear months ago she DID NOT want a party, and continued to make it clear as time go closer just in case I had decided to go ahead with it. Mind you, I thought about it a couple times, but in the end wanted to abide by her wishes. Instead, I decided what was most important was to have the whole family together to celebrate. I decided to fly Ange home as a suprise, and boy did it turn out to be a suprise. Not only for mom but I was also able to pull it off with dad too! My plan right down to the very detail unfolded in such a way, I was estatic! :) So, that weekend prior to Mom's birthday, mom wanted to head to Glens Falls to attend the River Rats first away game for the evening. During this time, we also decided to have her birthday dinner in Glens Falls, seeing after Sunday, Ashley would have to return back to school, and we wouldnt all be together on her actual birthday. Mom was under the impression we were just going to grab some fast food prior to the game, but pulled into Outback, one of her favorite restaurants (and mine too) ;) We had such an enjoyable time that night and was sad to see it come to an end..

After Ashley left, Ange and I continued to gather gifts together, bake a cake and work long hours on a scrapbook that we had been working on for over a month. It was difficult at times communicating our ideas, shopping for pieces to themes that werent in certain stores of a given area, gathering the perfect pictures, making prints and pulling everything together for her special day. I love scapbooking, and also loved the idea of creating something mom would be able to cherish forever and in the end, was just so excited to watch her open the big red gift bag:)

It is amazing how you can be so stressed, feel under pressure and overwelmed.. at the fact that everything may not just come together in due time, but then in the end... just feel so amazed and relieved that it did. This is exactly what happened.

So, Ange was here visiting for over a week and we all had such happy times together. Miss having my siblings around, but know that when the family comes together again, we'll have some more happy times.

"Clap Clap"

:)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Flu Shots

This season, the Medical field has become a public interest/concern to so many recently with the potential changes in store, and one issue/concern having come to the floor and mandated for NYS: "Flu Shots" All around, people have so many concerns about the "mandatory" part of getting a flu shot if working in/around patients. It's not the benifit of us employees that we are to recieve this, but to protect the people around us, PATIENTS.

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Over the course of my short lifetime, I would get sick occassionly, but nothing like knowing I was likely guaranteed to get it 3-4 times a season/ year and have a bad case of it. This has never been me, so I never felt the need to get an annual flu shot and was perfectly content. This all has changed this season, as we all know and listen to conversations around us. It's mandatory if we want to keep our jobs in the healthcare. Kind of jokingly, but also kinda serious.. I was weighing the idea of actually getting the shot or getting out of healthcare totally. You think I'm crazy dont you, but I have to admit, it was a passing thought. I've heard such horror stories over the years of some reactions to recieving the flu shot, and the fact of actually having flu symptoms worse than you even knew before. OF course, this wasn't for everybody. People anticipate getting their flu shot faithfully every year, and stress out knowing there would be a shortage, being in jeopary of not recieving theirs. Yea, I was never worried there.

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So this year, word was made known that we all had to recieve not only a flu shot, but a H1N1 vaccine by November 30th and was far from thrilled at the idea. Going into work yesterday, people were lining up to recieve theirs, and I had decided it wasnt for me that day.. and would push it off, until I absolutely had to. Staff from day shift had recieved theirs, and evening shift coming in, were going to get theirs too. I honestly became worried at the idea and was feeling oh so pressured to get in that dreadful line by my coworkers. I felt as if I could pass out, honestly. It's crazy, I know. I have no problems giving others injections when needed, and most times dont have issues going to the doctor myself for up-to-date vaccinations when needed, but this FLU SHOT had about done me in. I gave in, just hoping for the best. All in all, things seemed fine at first... until I started coughing that evening. A dry cough ended up to be a barky cough that went right down on my chest within a short period of time, and my throat felt as if it were tightening up. I was wheezing and having to sit upright moreso than normal to feel like I was gettng adequate o2. Within a half of an hour time, I completely lost my once strong voice, and was straining for even a squeek to be heard. The staff around me became very concerned and thought I should have it checked out. As much as I was starting to feel miserable, I fought the idea knowing that Id have to go to the ER for such a silly thing (in my eyes). Now, I hope I dont step on anyones toes here, but Ive never been one to go to the doctors for a sniffle or slight cold, and waste their time. I was talking with my mother the other day and said something about... being embarrassed to do such things. Going to the doctors needs to be for serious things, not petty little things. You hear of doctors asking what the ailment is, and poeple would say, well I have a hangnail that really has been bothering me and hurts. What can be done? It's just silly, in my eyes... but that is ONLY my opinion.

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So in such a short amount if time.. my condition had worsened. The supervisor of where I work had talked with me earlier in the shift, prior to getting the shot, knowing I had no symptoms and felt fine, and then was made aware of my situation after the fact and was actually pretty worried and also pushed the issue of me being seen in that dreaded ER. In my head I thought.. NO No no..! It's all so stupid, but in the end I didnt win. The RN I was working with, insisted on taking me over.. and ended up staying right there in the room with me the WHOLE time. She was my voice, for I had none.. and suprisingly knew just as much about me as I did when it came to information that was needed for registration. She acted as if she knew me for my whole life... and was such a comfort knowing she cared! We left the ER at 2:30am and headed our seperate ways.

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This morning, I woke up hardly able to move. It was not only my left arm where the shot was administered, but my whole body. I felt like I had been run over by a truck, my voice was still weak, but coming back. Sore throat, chest tightness etc. All flu symptoms that I hadnt felt previous to this injection. Honeslty, it was a miserable day to say the least. I'd try to get up and do some small things, but found myself back in bed.

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My day off that I look forward to so much, was spent in bed. I missed my CDCF meeting tonight that I also look forward to going to every other week etc.

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And, if I ever had the choice again to get the flu shot.. it would be an absolute NO. It may all have been coincidence of getting sick, without the symptoms seen yet, but even still I think I will always say it was a reaction, regardless of what anyone says. I've talked with others that had very similar symptoms that didnt follow "the book" of reactions after their shot too.
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If I thought I was worried about the regular flu shot, I can't even find words to describe how I feel about this new H1N1 vaccine that no one knows a lot about. This time, I'll have to go kicking and screaming.. hahah. Not really, for that would be silly!!

2009 Relay for Life

September 19th, 2009 was spent in Lake Placid around the Oval to support those that are fighting, have fought, and those that have lost their battles to such a dreadful illness called cancer. It was a bitter morning and evening, but a beautiful afternoon to enjoy. Family gathered in throughout the day in support of some of our own family battling cancer/ or have fought and are cancer free.

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It's been 3 or 4 years now that I have been supporting this cause to fight cancer. We dont understand so many situations, and see so many suffering, but without this fight, without raising money... the possibility of finding a cure will never happen.

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These are just a "dent" of the pictures I have taken during this Relay for Life...but I thought I would share them with you. Just a side note... some of the pictures that look cut off, are actually. I have the full pictures, but when using smilebox, it uses horizontal photos, and I personally like vertical ones:) So needless to say... it looks a bit tacky a times:)

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Enjoy... and dont ever think it's a waste of time/ money to support such a cause!

We never know what the future holds.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Cincinnati :)

Some smilebox presentations have been put together of some of the days spent in Cincinnati with my sister and her roommate, Meg:) Mind you, I've taken 317 pictures, and surely haven't been able to make a dent in those pictures through smilebox, but thought I would share a few of our adventures:)

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make a Smilebox scrapbook Our days were filled from morning until midnight pretty much, and as busy as everything seemed to be, I was just as relaxed. It truly was a wonderful vacation and already miss being there.

Wallet Excitement

The statement, " You go through _____ like it's water" fits me with wallets.

For whatever the reason, my wallets seem to bulge at the seams ( not necessarily due to loads of money either), but I find I have many cards- credit cards, licenses, other photo IDs, library cards, store discount cards, and SS card. Then there is scrap paper I've jotted home addresses of people I've obtained, and hadnt gotten around to putting in my blackberry or pocket PC, fortune cookie sayings etc etc. I think you get the drift. It's just one of those daily routines of struggling to snap my wallet, but dont get me wrong.. Im far from being a clutter box. I like things organized, as mom points out evey once in a while that all my cards need to be in order, and all my $ bills have to be facing the same direction and neat! It's a big pet peeve of mine otherwise. So, anyways... I find wallets getting cycled frequently.

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Not to bore anyone with pictures of a few wallets I've posted, it just shows in the last little bit, I'm on my 3rd one!

Bulging for sure...:)
Then, last school year, my youngest sister made a trip to NYC and among the many sidewalk shops, she brought home 3 coach wrist wallets, which I grew to love. Easy access to get to money and cards, all in one wallet sleeve, but again once the bulging started, I found I was having difficulty zippering it shut. One day recently, I had been traveling and had to go through a toll booth, having stopped for something to eat etc, I attempted to open the wallet and found myself struggling to get it open. Yanking and pulling led to the zipper wrist strap snapping and the wallet still sealed shut. Instantly, I became overwelmed wondering how I was going to get home without having money to go through the toll booths, and then I decided to just rip open the zipper, which wasnt on it's track to begin with.. leaving me without another wallet.
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Im always saddened when a gift from someone breaks, especially someone that is near and dear to me. I thought about how she would feel when she found out, after spending her own money to do something special for us, as she had been SOO excited to bring them home to begin with. Unfortunately, some good things have to be put to rest.
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THEN, this evening, a dear friend of mine and I had a shopping outing. Mind you, I truly felt like I needed this time away, time to leisurely walk the mall, in and out of stores, taking in all the merchandise the stores had to promote. It seems like it's been forever since I have really taken the time to do that. We run to a store, here and there for much needed items, but to truly enjoy time shopping, has been few and far between for me recently. (A side note: Those of you who know me, know how long it takes to make a decision, especially when I'm intending to buy something. My poor sisters hate card shopping, etc with me because I could be there for hours looking at cards:) Anyways, we head into our first store of the night, and within 5 minutes found ourselves in the wallet/ purse section as I knew I was in desperate need of another one. Within moments, my eye caught a wallet I absolutely loved... (AND another side note, when I've neglected shopping time for Aimee for a long time, and then find something I absolutely love, most times, I dont care what the price is...I'm liable to buy it. Im not one to go out and spend hundred's of dollars on myself, dont get me wrong.. but something like a wallet can't be too awful much. So, I see a sale sign that says " Buy one and get one 50% off" but couldnt even find a price of the wallet itself. We walked over to a price scanner in the store and it rang up $30.00. It didnt take too much to convince me to buy it. I felt I needed to treat myself after such a stressful week, so didnt care! At time to cash out... the cashier took the wallet out of the box it came in, looking for a price tag and scanned the barcode found inside. To my suprise, it rang up $8.99. As some poeple may not agree with me, I quickly commented about the price I recieved from the store scanner- wanting to be honest about my sale. The cashier discussed this with another cashier, and I also explained my findings to her. She looked at him and said.. give it to her for that price. I was soo elated with joy, I could hardly contain myself.. As much as I absolutely loved my decision, regardless of the price, I was even more impressed paying less than 10.00. :)
My Buxton wallet made me feel like a little kid again:)

Here, there is room for 10 Cards, and 7 other options

for ID cards etc behind hard plastic.

And, in the end I was told that I was very impressive tonight to make a decision in such a short amount of time. Throughout the rest of my evening, I couldnt stop talking about it:)

Cinci

Cincinatti here I come..in just a few short weeks!

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I've missed Ange since she's left.. and looking forward to seeing her soon.

=)

Far behind..

Reminiscing with some recent pictures.... I've been meaning to post some of the many that I took the last weekend before Ange left, but just getting around to it now. I dont know if it's just that I was having a hard time looking at these, and feeling emotional all over again of the moments we cherished or what.. even though a few short weeks have passed since this time, I still miss her so much... Looking forward to my trip to Cinci soon!

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They never fail to be creative and fun when out to dinner! Just dont get on their bad sides, for Im not sure what they would do.
Sunday afternoon, after church we grabbed seveal snapshots of us sisters....which I will forever cherish.

Now, this pose was close to being the exact same pose 2 years ago, probably before she had left for GBS. She wanted another one just like it. In some variations of some others of this pose, she thought she was being cute by giving me antlers and sticking her tongue out..

I've always heard talk about this place... but never had been there and when I heard I was actually going to get an opportunity to go, I was estatic on the inside. It was such a beautiful day out and a wonderful time was had.

This was our lunch cruise boat..

Their landscape was absolutely beautiful...