My Own Backyard

Mom and Karsten

2008-11-16T16:21:00.000-05:00

Riley

2008-11-09T21:19:00.002-05:00

Photos of Family and Friends

2008-07-31T16:48:00.009-04:00

Monday Off Edition

2008-06-16T11:11:00.003-04:00

So I have the day off today. Justin has the day off today. What kind of mischief can we get into? Well to begin with, we slept until like 10:00 a.m. That's like 4 extra hours in our world. As I was laying there enjoying the nothing-to-do ambiance that had invaded my room, I realized that if we had children this would not be possible. It's good to be an Aunt.
There's nothing on television because Time Warner Cable is replacing all the cable lines in our neighborhood. We haven't had cable television or phone service in days. At first I was annoyed because I was missing my shows. But, after more than a week I could care less if it is ever turned back on. I think we are going to give up cable t.v. Shocking, I know! But, it would save us over $100 a month to rid ourselves of the t.v. and we have come up with so many more fun things to do instead. Between work, gym, doggie play time and designing healthy meals for us- I haven't much use for the t.v. anymore. Not to mention our t.v. is located in the living room and these days we live upstairs because that is where the air conditioning is. This is not to say we haven't been frequenting the local BlockBuster for an evening chill-out flick. It's still way cheaper than cable.
So, I am miffed at everyone who saw the movie "Juno" and didn't tell me it was AWESOME!!!! The music to that movie was incredibly cool and the dialogue had me cracking up! I can't believe it has taken me this long to see it. I also can't believe we rented the new "Rambo". If you're a chick, that one name can make the blood in your veins run cold. I have been forced by every man in my life to watch Sly Stallone "shoot 'em up" and this husband of mine is no different. Boooo. On the other hand, I really liked "Semi-Pro" with Will Ferrell and "Strange Wilderness". Both movies were hysterical (if you like crude humor).
On another happy note, I can report weight loss of over 40 pounds at this point in time. On my last visit to the Dr., she informed me that I am down 40 pounds since February. Rockin'! My latest blood work revealed that I am in astoundingly good health and that my blood sugar was P-E-R-F-E-C-T. I don't have to return to the doc for any more tests until September. At that time, I may be able to reduce/discontinue my diabetes medication. Cross your fingers for me!

Speaking of September, we are calling all family members attention regarding our annual trip to Myrtle Beach. We are trying to get enough people together to rent a GIGANTIC beach house in September. It's beach front with 8 bedrooms, a game room, three big screen t.v.s, a private hot tub and pool. So if you're family, distant family, sorta family, or just like family let's hitch up the wagons and go to S. Carolina for some beach fun!

I am going to see Jack Johnson at Blossum with my friend Jessica. We are totally stoked since we are both big Jack fans. I am trying to remember the last time I used the word "stoked". I might be dating myself by using that word. Oh well, "ya better hope" I see you there!

A Few Flowers From The Garden

2008-06-06T23:17:00.002-04:00

I loath summer weather entirely! But, it does make for some BEAUTIFUL flowers. The definition of too pretty to pick if you ask me. Marie- the yellow rose is for you dear! And the Lily-well it needs no explanation. And unfortunately my daisies are not ready to bloom, but they will soon be growing like wild in my gardens and did I mention that I have grown two HUGE pots of california poppies from seed?? Or my lilac bush I nestled in the heart of my garden which is taking to its new home nicely. I am not sure why I decided to garden this year as I have never had the desire and most often kill any plant within days of purchase. A rainy spring has been my saving grace and given me a garden of lavish flowers and greenery. I am so proud of my new found talent, I may just grow some vegetables!

10 Things I Did On Tuesday

2008-05-27T22:26:00.002-04:00

1. Made a lovely dinner of chicken stir fry! At a whopping 1g of fat and 260 calories for a crazy large portion, I am in love with my new cookbook! Thanks Mormor.
2. 10 loads of laundry and killer calf muscles after dozens of trips up and down three sets of steps. Must make a mental note to start laundry before we actually run out of clothes next time:)
3. 1 hour of grueling exercise at the Nat.
4. 1 hour of continuous fetch with three frisky Labradors.
5. A giant garbage bag containing 6 months of unwanted materials left in my car. It is a relief to see the floor again. I forgot what it looked like.
6. TWO loads of fresh dishes that up until this afternoon were loitering in my sink. Yes, until today our house looked like the aftermath of some natural disaster.
7. I FINALLY mailed my mom's Mother's Day card. It is just ridiculous that I haven't gotten it out in the mail until now, but I literally can't remember the last time I bought a stamp. Don't worry Mom already got her present (a very large bottle of Euphoria) on mama's day!
8. I went online and bought myself a little present today too! I big, purple bottle of Vera Wang Princess. Yeah for me!!! A girl has to smell good and I LOVE perfume. (hint, hint Justin)
9. I went in and deleted my email inbox. For pete's sake, who are all these people and how do they know I want to earn 5K a month working from home! HAHA! There must have been a thousand offers for free giftcards to Target, Pizza Hut and Starbucks. Good grief. I started out scanning subject lines for valuable content, but grew frustrated after 5 pages of scams. If you have sent me any emails within the month that were important, chances are they were deleted today. Sorry.
10. Lastly, it is clean sheet day. Do you have a celebration in your house on clean sheet day? We do! There is no smell on earth that compares to fresh, cool sheets in my personal opinion. This might sound demented to you, but if you woke up every morning with one fat cat and three slobbing retrievers you might understand!

Monday, Memorial Day, and The 2 Month Mark

2008-05-26T18:49:00.005-04:00

1. Happy Memorial Day to all! I do love a paid holiday from work.
2. I'm happy to report a 22lb loss from my dieting/workout regime. I went and bought new workout clothes and a new pair of jeans today. I was practically beaming when I realized a needed pants TWO sizes smaller. YEAH!!!!
3. Justin's new job at the First Merit tower is working out great! We are however looking forward to a day when he isn't working all three shifts during the week.
4. I am having to relearn every recipe I ever made, which is turning out to be harder than expected. You would be surprised to see how many unnecessary calories can be avoided by making small changes to everyday cooking. I will post some updated recipes in the future for lighter, healthier fare. Marie, I have been messing with that recipe you made for Christmas breakfast and I think you will like the changes I have made.
5. Lastly, I would like to say Happy Two-Month Birthday to my nephew Charlie. I've been slacking lately, so I don't have any up-to-date photos of him. He is absolutely adorable and looking more like his daddy everyday. I have it on good authority that he is a good sleeper and adores his big sister Lily. I rarely hold babies, so I got a big surprise when I scooped him up after his dinner and patted his back! He's so darn cute I didn't even remember it happened until Justin pointed in out later at Target:) Here's a few photos of day one with Charlie Boy. Hopefully, I'll get some new pics when my new Digital Rebel XSI shows up next week!

Big Yawn For A Big Day!

I absolutely adore this photo of Charlie and Marie. Have you ever seen two people look more content?

Just Some Old Photos

2008-05-11T02:57:00.005-04:00

Found these on my mom's computer and thought it might be cool to reflect on pictures of when I was younger. Home Photography has come a LOOOOOONNNNGGGG way!

When I was little, I had some signature styles, which means I was pretty cool even back them;) Suspenders, hot pink/orange tights, high top reeboks and jean skirts. Kinda punkie brewster, I think.

I think that one picture was taken before church on Christmas Eve and the other is before homecoming my freshman year. I would give anything to be that size again. *sigh*

Reminder To Myself

2008-05-07T13:50:00.003-04:00

May I never become so self-absorbed that I miss the beauty of nature.
May I never compromise quality for quantity.
May I never forget to be thankful for all I have been given.
May I never pass judgement on others.
May I never forget to help those in need.
May I never allow money to compromise my values.
May I never let anything but gravity hold me down.
May I never take family for granted.
May I always take time to enjoy my life and stop to smell the flowers.

Daisy May

2008-05-05T05:45:00.003-04:00

And the latest addition to the family is my grandparents new puglet, Daisy May.
See Daisy Play. See Daisy winding down.

See Daisy pass out.

This dog has more energy than 4 two year-olds combined. She plays hard and sleeps harder.

1 Month Old

2008-04-26T07:51:00.002-04:00

One month Charlie Boy. It's been one whole month since Aunt Heather and Uncle Justin got a brand new nephew. One month since several Grandparents had their first experience with a grandson. One month since you infiltrated your cousins "all-girl" club. One month since Lily became a big sister. One month since your daddy stood grinning from ear-to-ear as they bathed you in the nursery. One month since your mama sat cradling you in her arms, oblivious to everything but sweet, little you. Happy one month birthday Charlie Boy!

Love, Aunt Heather

*Photo of Charlie at about 3 hours old, sleeping in his mama's lap and not a bit fussy!

My Mom sent me this and I had a heart attack!!! Not really, but I definately felt my stomach drop!

2008-04-22T08:22:00.004-04:00

Family on holiday in Australia for a week and a half when husband, wife and their 15 year old son decided to go scuba diving. The husband is in the navy and has had some scuba experience. His son wanted a picture of his mum and dad in all their gear so he got the under water camera ready to go. When it came to taking the picture the dad realized that the son looked like he was panicking as he took it and gave the 'OK' hand sign to see if he was all right. The son took the picture and swam to the surface and back to the boat as quick as he could so the mum and dad followed to see if he was OK. When they got back to him he was scrambling onto the boat and absolutely panicking. When the parents asked why he said 'there was a shark behind you.' The dad thought he was joking but the skipper of the boat said it was true but they wouldn't believe him. As soon as they got back to the hotel they loaded the picture onto the laptop and this is what they saw.

(Try and tell me you wouldn't have emptied your Entire digestive system right at the point you saw it)Would you have stayed to take the picture??

Maybe what saved them was that the shark wasn't hungry, they were in the water not on the surface, and there was no fear coming from them - only because they were not aware. Probably better that the kid didn't point for them to look behind them

What A Difference 20 Years Makes.

2008-04-21T20:03:00.002-04:00

My Mom recently posted this photo of me on her blog. Lots has changed in 20 years, but my grin and chubby cheeks remain unchanged. Also note that in this picture, I am sitting with my right leg tucked up under me. I still sit this way- which makes skirts and dresses nearly impossible.

Friday Night is Family Night

2008-04-19T03:39:00.005-04:00

My handsome husband. I know you've heard it before, but we just love our family dinners on Friday night. And spending the evening in the company of our most favorite niece makes it all the better. This child has a mind like a steel trap. Tonight at dinner she looked at me, flashed me a peace sign, and said "peace man". I almost fell off my chair. She doesn't forget a thing!!!

Some quality time for Uncle Justin and Lily.

And this is just a flower growing in my flower bed that grabbed my attention. I have a newfound appreciation for spring in Ohio. I can hardly remember taking notice of how the leaves practically appear overnight and just when did the grass turn green and need to be cut??? Everything is new and beautiful and I am looking forward to a summer of fun and sun.

My Mama is Bloggin' Y'all!!!

2008-04-18T20:51:00.002-04:00

Please visit my mom's blog. It has cute pictures of my when I was a tot!

www.mcox31400.blogspot.com

Some New Pics

2008-04-17T19:37:00.006-04:00

The perfect end(s) to a beautiful day.

Some nature photography for your viewing pleasure.

Ain't that just like a proud mama.

2008-04-10T15:50:00.003-04:00

Well, I have no human babies of my own to photograph. But, I do love taking pictures of my Luc-Goose swimming the English Channel...er the Bow-Wow Beach. All the same, isn't she a cutie??

Spring Has Arrived...

2008-04-09T19:55:00.006-04:00

Oh Spring, I am patiently awaiting your arrival.

Lucy had her first trip to Bow-Wow Beach in Stow. She is never happier than when she is combing the beach for tennis balls or swimming out to retrieve one. I love all three of my dogs, but anyone who knows me well will tell you that this dog has stolen my heart completely.

You want more you say?? Well, maybe this will make you homesick for spring in Ohio. Everything is so fresh, new and in bloom.

Back in Action

2008-04-02T11:56:00.003-04:00

Now that I'm nearly back from death's doorstep, here are a few more pics of the adorable Charlie and his big sis Lily.

The Stinkin' Flu

2008-04-01T09:53:00.002-04:00

During the past week, I have been to the hospital 5 times. So, it shouldn't be any big surprise that I contracted the flu. But, alas, I woke yesterday morning to full-blown flu symptoms. Last night was the worst night of my life in quite a while. I have been running a fever constantly since around 3 yesterday and it hasn't given up the fight yet. My head hurts so badly from coughing, that I fantasized about it falling off. And sleep is not an option. Whenever I lay down, I just continue to cough for hours. The forte of my night was when I was taking my third shower of the night (to break my fever) and I tripped getting out of the shower. Can you say large mark on forehead and splitting headache???? At any rate, I am stuck in this house feeling cold and hot at the same time, unable to breath properly and coughing 'til my guts hurt.

* sorry Bj and Marie, I haven't forgotten your fajitas. I will get to them when I am feeling better.

Charles Oscar Taylor

2008-03-26T23:12:00.006-04:00

Born March 26, 2008.
Happy Birthday, Dear Charlie!

Lily Art

2008-03-25T20:20:00.003-04:00

Today is Lily's last day as an only child.
Tomorrow she will become the "oldest" and somehow just a little more grown up.
Tomorrow Lily, you will join the ranks of big sisters everywhere and understand the little things that only the oldest child can know.
I welcome you Lillian Marie Taylor to the big sisters club.

Two CDs, Two Books, and keep the change

2008-03-18T14:23:00.006-04:00

What's rockin' my iTunes these days?? Well, it actually isn't rock at all. It's country. Big surprise. I can't seem to get enough country music in my diet these days. I consider myself to have a diverse taste in music, and am prone to making mix CDs for the car that drive Justin mad with their melting pot of genres. But these days, all my music money goes to country music albums, like "Backwoods Barbie", by Ms. Dolly Parton. The remake of "Drives Me Crazy" tickles me. I just like it, so deal with it. "I'm just sitting out here watchin' airplanes, take off...". Not only is Gary Allan crazy hot, but this greatest hits compilation makes my heart sing-literally!!! "Songs about Rain" is the highlight of this album for me.

I really like this version of Neil Young's " Don't Let It Bring You Down", by Annie Lennox. www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsvDHopJ7o0

I know that Dean Koontz is a mainstream author, but I have always loved his simple story telling. Because I am able to devour an entire novel within a few hours, I am heavily restricted on the amount of money I can spend on books. (not my rule) I don't borrow books from the library for the same reason I don't rent movies from a video store, I am horrible about returning the items until I get around to it. I once owed Giant Eagle $93.00 for a movie that Justin and Bj rented called "Rat Race" and when we lived in Stow, I had to pay the library nearly twenty dollars for our tardy return policy. These days half.com is my source for literary nourishment and netflixs for movies. Anyways, this is the latest by Mr. Koontz and by Friday, it will be mine.

If you aren't a Food Network regular, like myself, you probably don't know who these two guys are. Perhaps you have heard of Paula Deen. These are her two sons, Bobby and Jamie. They work with their famous mama at "The Lady and Two Sons" in Savannah, Georgia. Their cooking style is reminiscent of Paula's- sweet and savory with no calories spared. That being said, I can't wait to get my hands on their new cookbook, soon to hit shelves.

What's Been Going On!

2008-03-12T18:27:00.003-04:00

I guess it's true what they say, "You can't keep a good dog down!". A foot and a half of snowman-snow couldn't keep my retrievers on the sidelines. They raced around like maniacs despite the fact that the snow was SO deep. That being said, we are considering their futures as sled dogs. Seriously though, when they see snow their eyes look like Christmas morning. They just love it! This is so yummy!! If you have a crock pot, this is the meal for you. Red Skin Potatoes, Green Beans, a Ham Steak cubed, or boneless porkchops cubed, salt, pepper, garlic, H2O, and a mondo pile of sliced onions and this is one healthy and delicious dinner that's worth a second helping. This is a shot of the completed dish minus the crusty bread and glass of milk I serve with it!

Lastly is my new fridge. I totally dig black appliances, so the new fridge HAD to be black to go with my theme. Next on our kitchen makeover is the painting...sigh. Having a big kitchen with ajoining breakfast nook is cool most of the time, but it's a real bummer when you have to tape and paint around like a thousand corners. So, I'm going to paint the walls a rockin' shade of my favorite color: lavendar and trim it up with cabbage green and build in new yellow shelves in the breakfast nook. After that it's on to a matching, black, glass top stove and possibly new breakfast nook furniture sometime down the road. All things in due time. (Whatever that means!) Anyways, if you look really close, you might see a picture of yourself on my fridge. I spend lots of time in the kitchen, so I like to have you all there with me!

We're For Dogs...

2008-02-26T17:59:00.012-05:00

I am in love with the Pedigree Campaign, "Dogs Rule". Right now they are accepting photographs of your dogs and donations for dogs without homes. It's called the "Million Dog Mosaic". So in honor of this campaign, I will donate $10 for every person who leaves me a comment telling me why dogs rule!!We're for dogs who "nose" through the trash when we're not looking.

We're for 80 lb. chocolate labs who think they're lap dogs.

We're for dogs who help with the yard work!

We're for dogs who play until they pass out!!!

We're for yellow dogs that love to swim!!!

We're for cuddly moments when this is the only friend you need in the world.

We're for dog birthday parties, dog biscuits, rides in the car, sloppy kisses, and gnawed on shoes. We're for dogs and all the love they bring to our lives.

Middle of the Night People and The Backyard Party Animals

2008-02-26T12:38:00.006-05:00

At 3 a.m. last night, you were probably snuggled up warm and cozy in your bed.
At 3 a.m. last night quiet snow was quickly filling our yards, roofs and streets.
At 3 a.m. last night your furnace was kicking on to ward off the chill of a winter storm.
At 3 a.m. last night I woke up with 6 dog eyes glowing at me in the dark.
At 3 a.m. last night I let three long-legged labradors out for a potty "party" break.
At 3 a.m. last night my dogs were racing around the backyard like it was 70 and sunny.
At 3 a.m. last night I decided since I was already up, to grab my camera.
At 3 a.m. last night I found out my neighbors don't appreciate flash photography at 3 a.m.
At 3 a.m. last night I ate ice cream in front of the open freezer door and no one cared.
At 3 a.m. last night I called the only other person awake at this hour, Justin!
At 3 a.m. last night as we were talking, I realized that Justin and I are middle of the night people.
At 3 a.m. last night these are some pictures I took, until our neighbor hung out their second story window and informed me that my photography session and the dog party were interrupting their sleep cycle.

Some Current Photos

2008-02-24T13:23:00.002-05:00

Most Moms would put the kabosh on Hide and Seek in the house, but Marie was a good sport as three grown adults (Bj, Justin and me) were running around her house hiding while Lily counted. Who wouldn't want to be found by a smiling, little Lily???

A Boy and His Dog.

Two Please!

2008-02-17T16:11:00.001-05:00

Actually, Lily is saying "Peace Man". But doesn't it look like she is ordering two of something?

Last Day On The Job

2008-02-15T18:48:00.006-05:00

I had an unusually bad day at work today, but not quite as bad as these folks. Hope these tickle your fancy! They sure made me laugh!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T19:44:00.001-05:00

Monday Musings

2008-02-04T16:25:00.000-05:00

1. Yellow is my color for the spring. This sprang off the page and into my yellow, loving heart!

2. Have you seen how cute the Pershey baby is?? Go Now! http://www.kewp.blogspot.com/

3. We are filing 1040 "not easy" this year. It's not easy.

4. I am going to three concerts already this year!!!! I have the George Strait concert March 1st, Lynyrd Skynyrd April 11th, and now Tom Petty June 22nd.

5. Vacation is officially on again this year for Myrtle Beach. I so can't wait through all of spring and summer for it to get here!

6. Toffee Brownie Recipe- *Photo provided by foodnetwork.com 1 (17.6-ounce) package brownie mix with walnuts

Vegetable oil cooking spray

3 (6-ounce) candy bars with almonds and toffee chips (recommended: Symphony brand)

Prepare the brownie mix according to package directions.

Line a 13 by 9-inch cake pan with aluminum foil and spray with vegetable oil cooking spray. Spoon in half of the brownie batter and smooth with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Place the candy bars side by side on top of the batter. Cover with the remaining batter. Bake according to package directions. Let cool completely, then lift from the pan using the edges of the foil. This makes it easy to cut the brownies into squares.

SO DARN YUMMY AND EASY!!!!

7. Three pairs of shoes that can't wait for their spring debut!!!

8. I can't wait to meet my new nephew. He's practically here!!!

9. I'm starting my winter home improvement project. I am redorating our kitchen. It shall begin with the removal of my over-the-hill fridge. It will be replaced with a lovely fridge over freezer combo in black. Yeah. I have chosen three lovely colors to paint the walls and trim. Much of the trim with be in a warm, cabbage like green, with earthy lavendar walls and sunny accents of yellow. I know it sounds loud, but I have seen my colors blending together in one of those computer generated makeovers.

10. Warm and muddy is not better than cold and snowy. It's just not.

Oh Yeah, Now I Remember What Green Looks Like!!

2008-02-02T21:10:00.000-05:00

Here's to 6 more weeks without any of this! Thanks Phil!

The Miracles of Photoshop....

2008-02-01T17:40:00.000-05:00

View from my own backyard

2008-01-30T18:30:00.000-05:00

Rotten Mood!

2008-01-27T12:11:00.000-05:00

Rotten Mood Reason #1

I awoke this morning to my constant cold. It retreats long enough for me to forget about it and then returns with a vengeful sneak attack when I'm not expecting. Darn sneaky cold. Justin says I'm trying to cultivate a super virus and that each time it returns it is gaining strength. I can't help but imagine a swirling vortex of germs (imagine what a germ might look like here) back building for some great crescendo of sniffling, sneezing, aching, coughing, stuffy-headed, fever tornado! It's not a pretty sight. If I had the strength I would whip up a batch of crock-pot chicken noodle soup. So yummy and soothing when I am sicky.

Rotten Mood Reason #2

Last night was the first time it has snowed in a while. I mean in a significant, measurable way. It has been so cold that we are still looking at the same snow that fell like three weeks ago. I'm so over the sub-zero temperatures. That being said, most people who know me, know that I don't wear coats. Not in years! Coats are bulky and limit my range of movement in a car. They make me feel claustrophobic. However, a coat probably would have provided some type of padding, when I fell down a flight of steps last night. Fell is putting it mildly. As soon as I stepped onto the porch, both feet slid forward and my body clumsily jutted backward until I was flat on my back, looking star-ward. I then proceeded to bounce down the stairs like a human bobsled. My purse flew to the right, and my keys were tossed into the air like confetti as I bounced to the bottom. It took us nearly 15 minutes to find my keys which landed in the bushes 5 feet away. Needless to say, my backside is covered in scrapes and bruises! As is my pride!

Rotten Mood Reason #3

Our fridge is dying. The freezer no longer freezes fudgicles and every few hours it leaks a cup full of water on the floor. Normally, I would be delighted to add a new appliance to my kitchen, but not right after Christmas! Not right after we just bought a new television. Not when property taxes are due next month! I was hoping it would last long enough to be replaced by a shiney, new, black, side-by-side Whirlpool I have been dreaming about from Sears. No such luck!

Heard Enough?!?!?! Tired of my whining?!?! Here's one more for the road.

Rotten Mood Reason #4

I just opened our gas bill. The envelope was curiously bulky. Not a good sign. Verdict: We should invest in natural gas. We would be rich beyond our wildest dreams. Although- seeing this bill is incentive enough to walk across the room and turn the thermostat down a few degrees!

A funny face....

2008-01-22T12:33:00.000-05:00

Photography of any sort is relatively new to me. I never had a lot of interest in photographing anything until the last couple of years. I credit my initiative to Marie, as I was always a fan of the pictures she takes. She's such a talented photographer. Photographing my family has become a great hobby of mine and you can find evidence of it in nearly every roomof my house. This picture of Lily is a hoot!! Who can resist that "smile" face????

Sometimes I see pictures on Marie's blog and I wish I had them for our family album. We lead such busy lives that we don't get to always be part of the fun. Anyone who wants to borrow photos from my blog is welcome to do so, although I will point out that they don't print very well beyond wallet size. If you want to be on the photo distribution list, leave me your email address in the comments and I will gladly send them to you in jpeg format.

Saturday Night At Mor Mor's House

2008-01-19T22:16:00.000-05:00

We had a wonderful dinner at Mor Mor's house tonight. I love photographing Lily, as she is the most photogenic child on the planet. Just look at these pictures and you'll see why this little girl melts our hearts.

Guilty!

2008-01-17T20:28:00.000-05:00

Honey Dog...what did you do now???

Self-Portrait

2008-01-16T18:43:00.000-05:00

I wanted to try out my new tripod. Much as I hate to have my photo taken, I was too excited about my new "toy" to wait for a more photogenic subject to become available.

26 Years Old

2008-01-15T16:06:00.000-05:00

This year you had to work on your birthday again! I took the day off work so I could run you to the BMV for new license plates and out for a birthday lunch celebration. Despite the fact that you were so tired from work that you could have face-planted in the snow without hesitation for 8 hours, you were a good sport and ran the errands with me. You enjoyed the Chinese buffet luncheon, although I was sorely disappointed you didn't let me coax our server into singing you a rousing, broken-English version of "Happy Birthday". Oh well, there's always next year;)

I think you were surprised this morning when I dove out of bed at 7:30, ran past you without a word, and straight in to the bathroom to brush my teeth. You stood outside the door as I was furiously brushing asking me if "I remembered what day it is?" "Of I remember silly", I teased. "It's the day your license plates expire." I swung open the door only to see that dejected look on your face- which I promptly wiped away with a big [non-morning breath] birthday kiss.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart! You are the most special person in my life. I can't imagine a single day without you in it. I know this is a cliche and chic-like thing to say, but I could never love you as much as I did the when we first met...

I love you so much more!

Love~ Pickle

Just a cute face!

2008-01-14T03:04:00.000-05:00

Happy 21st Birthday!

2008-01-06T12:43:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Dustin! I love you so very much! I am so blessed to have you in my life. I had such a good time taking you out for your 21st birthday. I wish so many great things for you and I hope this year is filled with loads of fun!

Love~ Heather

Cheers! and Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T17:07:00.001-05:00

May each year be better than the last!

Songs of the Season

2007-12-22T20:50:00.000-05:00

I love Christmas music. I have nearly 100 different songs from iTunes to prove it. But which ones are my favorites???? Hmmm....If you go by play count on iTunes, the results of the poll suggest I love Frank Sinatra singing "The Christmas Waltz". If you ask Justin, he would tell you my favorite Christmas songs are sung by the great Burl Ives. Who doesn't love "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" or "Silver and Gold"? Although, " A Holly Jolly Christmas" is quite nice. But the truth is that my all-time favorite, can'tgetthroughtheseasonwithouthearingitsong is "Winter Wonderland". Yup. Without a doubt. Tonight, I was feeling a little blue and the most magical thing happened!!!!!!!!!! A large group of carolers passed through my neighborhood!!! They paraded up and then down our block singing merrily of j-i-n-g-l-e bells, and frosted window panes despite the fact that it is warm enough to stand outside and grill. I stood on the front porch watching as many of my neighbors came out to enjoy the sounds of the season. Now I think presents and twinkling lights are wonderful, but tonight I got that old Christmas feeling. The one that makes your stomach uneasy with excitement and your mind wiz with anticipation. What a delightful Christmas present from these singing strangers.

SIGNS OF THE SEASON!!!

2007-12-19T23:01:00.000-05:00

THE COOKIES AND CANDY!!!!

THE SNOW!!!!!!

THE DECORATIONS!!!!

HAVING MYSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS!!!!

Listen to me rant...

2007-12-17T03:21:00.000-05:00

I am excited. Christmas butterflies and all. I worked very hard on some of my presents this year and I can't wait to give them. I am still waiting on several things to arrive on my doorstep from eBay. Surprisingly, almost every gift I am giving this year has some tie to eBay or the internet. I forget when I changed over from a regular store shopper to a confirmed online bargain hunter. At any rate, it surely beats dragging my poor body through any more stores. I used to love seeing all the holiday shoppers bustling around with holiday decorations in every window. Anymore it is just a contest to see who grab the most "stuff". And people fight over stuff. Right out in the aisle with everyone watching. Kids fighting in a playground have a better grasp on reality than these people. I saw two women screaming at each other over the last remaining child's table and chair set. Apparently having Dora the Explorer emblazed on the table top was a necessity for both of these women, and let me just say- neither of them were backing down.

You can't even walk through the mall without being bombarded with a dozen foreign, sales people offering to exfoliate your hands in the middle of mall or accessorize your cell phone. I despise that. If I need accessories, I'll call on you- not vice versa! So, I'm standing in returns at Sears and some lady cruises up with her flat shopping cart loaded down with what I can only guess was a snow blower and blasts it into one of my tendons. I will say, had I not cried out in pain/surprise, I don't think she would have even noticed. I then stated the obvious, "you hit me!" to which she replied, "oh, it's so crowded in here." Is that a backhanded apologie? or none at all? You be the judge! So, I like the internet cause it's easy on the tendons.

I love to wrap Christmas presents. I could do it for hours. I like making those neat creases and folds with Scotch tape. Actually, I will share a little secret here. I love the smell of scotch tape. Always have. It reminds me of our school library, where I spent the majority of my last two years in school. Smelled just like scotch tape.

So, I don't have any pictures to post. I have been too snug in the house since my steps have disappeared beneath a shelf of snow. I can't find my winter boots and my latest sneakers actually don't have a back in them. They're slip-ons. I don't wear coats or hats but boots I cannot forego. I hope the mailwoman is wearing snow shoes, because that is the only way she's getting to my mailbox!

Strangely Calm for December 13th.

2007-12-13T11:04:00.000-05:00

Twelve short days before Christmas and I am strangely calm.
Worried about presents? Nope.
Worried about schedules and appointments? Nope.
I seem to be getting everything wrapped up early this year. No more stress like years before. I took my staff out to Hibachi for their Christmas dinner and we all exchanged presents. We had our Christmas dinner with Bj, Marie and Lily last weekend. I made all my cookies and candy early this year and they have already been distributed and likely eaten by now. Justin and I decided to each buy for our own families this year, so I only have a few more things to buy and wrap. I stood in the middle of Target, with hundreds of busy shoppers flooding around me and I couldn't think of a single thing I needed to do. So I went out for pie. Merry Christmas to me!! Meanwhile, if you are on Justin's list, I am sorry. You were not necessarily naughty this year, but your presents might suggest otherwise. He is finding out that there are certain people who are mighty difficult to buy for. I might take mercy on the poor sap and suggest a few places where he can buy them gift certificates.
As for Christmas day, it will be unlike any I've known since becoming part of this family. Justin has to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Night. So having him in a functioning state is nearly impossible. He insists on spending Christmas morning with his Mom, so we are meeting there after which we are going our seperate ways. He is going to bed and I am going to my parents. Maybe that's why I'm not very excited about Christmas this year. Most of Justin's Ohio family is moving out of state after Christmas, so I don't think he is very enthusiastic about Christmas either. I think he will finally understand long distance family life. My family doesn't live in another state, but there is 75 miles of highway that separates us. That's a buck fifty on the old odometer altogether and 2.5 hours traveling time. Next year, I think we are going to boycott Christmas traveling like my in-laws. No hustle or bustle or early morning attempts to cram thirty presents in your truck/backseat. No worries about being late or early. Just chillin' on the couch, watching old Christmas movies and snuggling. Sounds like a nice Christmas to me........

A Left-Handed Debate

2007-11-27T18:03:00.000-05:00

A few weeks back, I was at dinner with Justin, Karen and Lily. We were eating and I remarked that Lily was left-handed. This seemed apparent to me as I have been watching her for the past several months feed herself and reach for things with her left hand. It was at this point in time that I was informed Lily is not actually left-handed. (?) She then proceeded to pick up a crayon (the nice lady at Parasson's gave her) and colored a picture with her right hand...and then when that hand became tired she switched. Who can say?!? Only time will tell. Lefty or Righty, we love her just the same, and it is certainly interesting watching her grow up into who she will become.

Happy Birthday to ME!!

2007-11-24T11:23:00.000-05:00

And Elizabeth Dillow.

26 and downward spiraling towards 30. Bahhhh!

Happy Thanksgiving! and some note worthy snow and other ramblings...

2007-11-22T22:15:00.001-05:00

November 22, 2007

Thanksgiving Evening

A nice dusting of snow settled over our little corner of the world today. It was perfect weather for a warm, family gathering. My house is glowing with Christmas lights already, I can hardly believe the season is already upon us. I'm going to celebrate this Christmas differently than ever before. I'm going to turn out all the house lights and sit down cross-legged on the floor and watch the tree lights twinkle. I used to do that. All the time. I'm going to use my Grandma's rolling pin and make lots of cookies and candy. My Grandma believed that cookies could make anything better. Anytime I would throw a fit or get hurt she would offer me a cookie. Come to think of it, Grandma fed me an awful lot of cookies. I blame Grandma for my thighs and bum! (haaa!) But, I digress. Baking has taught me a lot about patience. She believed in decorating for Christmas out of enjoyment. I definately like that. I had so much fun putting up my tree. But patient with Christmas lights, I am not. I ended up tossing last years remnants for crisp new sets that twirled around the tree with ease. It may sound wasteful, but I think I'll continue to throw out my Christmas lights each year as a present to myself in the coming year. The point of my rambling, is that I expect this Christmas season to be filled with the kind of peace you feel when nothing is wrong. Do you know what I mean? No worries, no hangups, no itchy demands- none of it! Just satisfaction with your little place in the world. This holiday season forget about mountains of gifts, do something good for others, and find a little peace on earth.

Something Funny

2007-11-21T11:35:00.000-05:00

My niece Lily loves to repeat everything ANYONE says, so we are all very careful not to say anything that might sound...inappropriate coming out of a two-year old mouth! That being said, I never imagined that we would repeat something she said. Lily loves to jog/shuffle around in a circle chanting "I'm so fast, I'm so fast" over and over. I suppose if you hear this everyday it's not as funny, but for us it was a riot! Today when Justin got home from work he fell asleep on the couch. I came downstairs around 10:00 to send him to bed. He got up off the couch and as he was going up the stairs he turned, looked at me and said "I'm so fast, I'm so fast" and finished jogging up the steps. I nearly fell off the couch laughing! What can I say? Simple things amuse simple people.

Wait 'Til You See How Much Fun We Had On Saturday!!

2007-11-18T12:32:00.000-05:00

I met Karen and Lily on Saturday for a day of dancing and fun. We had loads of fun and I now have a newfound respect for my sister-in-law. By the time Lily's naptime arrived we were both ready for a nap!! Lily is overflowing with energy and I can't imagine how Marie makes it through the day without passing out on her feet! I did not make it past Lily's naptime and fell asleep on the bed next to Lily's. The next thing I know I'm waking up disoriented and look over at Lily who squeals, "Aunt Heather are sleeping? Please read kitties!!". (Lily has a book at Mor Mor's house about kitties.) All-in-all it was a fun day and I can't wait to do it again!

Thankful

2007-11-10T21:06:00.000-05:00

There are a million reasons why I am a lucky girl. Here are some of those reasons...

Some Recent Family Photos

2007-11-09T17:53:00.000-05:00

Sugar the Pug has been a family member since I was a kid. She's about 15 years old and stone deaf.

Grandma and Sugar. She sure does love that dog!

I love mums. I think they are an under appreciated flower.

Some Not-So-Profound Observations

2007-11-04T18:41:00.000-05:00

1.) Gas is back over $3.00 a gallon. I am so tired of head-hunting the general area for the lowest price on gas. Seriously.

2.) While we are on the subject of things sold by the gallon, let's mention milk. Milk is another fine example of a highly exploited neccessity! In a day and age when milk is the life support of about a zillion newborns, babies, and toddlers, our fine government has doubled the price of a gallon. Who says we're not in a recession?!

3.) I was in Marc's tonight. Everything is Christmas in that store. Everything is Christmas everywhere. I love Christmas MORE than the next guy, but there is something very rewarding about waiting to celebrate it until after Thanksgiving. I resisted all urges to buy Christmas decorations at a bargain. Hmmpf.

4.) Northeast Ohio is having a baby boom! Pregnant women are EVERYWHERE!!!!

5.) I am sorry for the language, but what the hell is happening to Fairlawn?? For reasons that make virtually no sense to me at all, road crews have been dispatched to both Market St and 77 North. This has made my life miserable on several occasions and I am boycotting Fairlawn all together until someone with good sense fixes the situation. I have tried to act out this decision in my mind several times. "Let's tear up 77 North for the holiday season. We don't have nearly enough accidents on this road, so let's have on-ramp traffic merge straight into traffic traveling at 65 mph. And can someone rip up W Market street and toss it in the back of a truck? Great! " I pray that people with power will get good sense, and that people with good sense will get power in Northeast Ohio one day.

6.) Chic-fil-a is nearly open for business. Oh joy of joys! If you've never had it, you will be oh so pleased!

7.) I dislike the new Target. I can't find anything now that the store has been reset and the whole place smells like burnt popcorn.

8.) I miss Kaufmann's. Macy's stinks.

9.) I love going home. And when I say "home", I mean where I grew up. There is no hustle and bustle there. The air is clean and smells fresh and sweet. I could stand and stare for hours at things like this...
10.) At this rate, we are going to be raking leaves in December. About half of the trees still haven't turned. But the ones that have are GORGEOUS!!!!

Imagine This.....

2007-11-01T19:18:00.000-04:00

I'm driving down the road at 4 a.m. on a cold, fall morning in October. I'm half asleep at the wheel with Justin quietly snoring next to me. My car is quickly traveling up 77N through the a.m. fog when suddenly the silence is broken by the sound of my rear window exploding into the backseat. And what could cause this explosion you ask?? Why yes, some stupid hillbilly did fire off a semi-automatic weapon into the dark night, which consequently impacted my rear window and nearly killed us both!! The ever- helpful State Highway Patrolmen who answered our emergency call reassured us that, "this kind of thing happens all the time". SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?!?! I should feel glad that neither of us were killed by this wayward bullet, but I can't stop thinking about the injustice of having to spend $300 to replace something I didn't break!!! And let's not forget the fact that if I were carrying a passenger in my backseat, they probably would not be with us any longer. I encourage everyone to write their governor and get some sane laws passed in this state that punish/eliminate the selling and use of these over zealous weapons that kill more people every year than deer! If you want to kill a deer, do what everyone else does in this state and hit one with your car!!!

What Did I Do With My Weekend??

2007-10-21T11:53:00.000-04:00

I was busy photographing the Koroshazi Wedding! This expectant mama and papa were so much fun to photograph. By the end of the day, I felt like one of the family! Congrats to both of you and I hope you love these pictures as much as I loved taking them!!!!!

I caught this as the bride was saying her vows. Those eyes.....

Any Day Now...

2007-10-18T10:27:00.000-04:00

It's going to become fall. Or is it? I feel deceived by mother nature. By this time of year, it should be chilly, day and night. Cold drizzling rain should plaster hundreds of multi-colored leaves to my windows- inspiring me to spend the day cozied up on the couch with a book. This time of year also offers hundreds of products from candles to gourmet blended drinks, all tainted with the alluring pumpkin scent and flavor. Candied and caramel apples call to you from their shelves at the supermarket...mmmm. Autumn isn't all food and chilly-day sweaters! No sireee! It is a time to slow down, to reflect, recollect yourself for another busy year. I put my heart and soul into so many things in my life that I manage to leave a little piece of it everywhere. For the next three months, I can invest myself in my family and friends. I can go shopping for nothing in particular with my mother-in-law or make Christmas cookies with my niece. I can spend a whole afternoon gabbing to my grandma, hanging out with my mom, or taking the dogs for a walk. My job loses much of its expectations at this time of year and I take full advantage of it.
So in short- I guess I want you to grab a sweater, bake a pie and do something you really enjoy and not feel guilty. Because Fall is your time.

Super Easy Cheesecake Recipes

2007-10-15T18:52:00.000-04:00

As of lately, I have had mad cravings for cheesecake! If you love cheesecake and want to try a few new twists on this very famous old recipe, you'll love these!

Caramel Apple Pecan Cheesecake

1 (21-ounce) can apple pie filling
1 (9-inch) graham cracker crust
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/4 cup caramel topping
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Reserve 3/4 cup of the apple filling; set aside. Spoon the remaining filling into the crust. Beat together the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add the eggs and mix well. Pour this over the pie filling.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the center of the cake is set. Cool to room temperature.
Mix the reserved pie filling and caramel topping in a small saucepan and heat for about 1 minute, or until spreadable. (you can heat it in the microwave as well!) Spoon the apple-caramel mixture over the top of the cheesecake and spread evenly. Sprinkle the top with chopped pecans and drizzle caramel back and forth across pie! Refrigerate the cake until ready to serve.

Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake

1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
¼ tsp Vanilla
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup pumpkin butter
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust

Combine pecans and 1/4 cup brown sugar; cut in butter or margarine with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Set aside.
Beat cream cheese at high speed of an electric mixer until smooth. Add 1/3 cup brown sugar; beat well. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in pumpkin butter. Pour mixture into crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Sprinkle pecan mixture over pie. Bake for 5 additional minutes, or until butter or margarine and sugar melt. Cool on a wire rack. Cover, and chill for at least 4 hours.

*****Both of these recipes are sooo easy! You can substitute 1/3 less fat cream cheese for regular cream cheese, but not fat free!

Do I Have Something In My Teeth?

2007-10-13T10:43:00.000-04:00

You Have 75 Shopping Days Until This...

2007-10-08T08:48:00.001-04:00

But for the time being, just enjoy this....

Hey Hey....

2007-10-04T21:20:00.001-04:00

"I wanna be a rockstar!"

This song is stuck in my head for eternity. But, it's not surprising as I LOVE Nickelback!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmeUuoxyt_E

Peek-A-Boo, Lily Sees You!!!

2007-10-02T16:45:00.001-04:00

Hmmm...forgot to edit the red-eye. Whoops.

Vacation to the Beach.......

2007-10-01T11:06:00.001-04:00

Achoooo....well, things have become slightly dusty while we were vacationing! Grab a drink and settle in for some highlights from our vacation. Initially, it seemed crazy to travel 700 miles away with a party of six. But, in hindsight we wouldn't have changed a thing!

If you want cheesy and silly, you've come to the right spot!

Every day was just like this!!!! Blue, Breezy and Beautiful!

Justin gave me these lilies for an anniversary gift!

For the record, no one consented to be photographed on this vacation! However, I did get a few shots (about 500) while visiting! It looks like Karen is staring wistfully out into the blue beyond, but the truth is she was trying to see if Ed and Justin were being eaten by sharks! They wandered out past the sand bar where they could barely be seen!

Well, Hello Coal Miner's Daughter!

This may look serene, but in fact Justin has a horrible ear infection as a result!

Floating on your back several hundred yards off shore is not for the faint of heart and these people will agree! Most of us were perfectly content to stand on shore and yell "shark"!

The G-P's, as Justin calls them.

Karen enjoying a cool moment ocean-side! Isn't this a cool shot?

My favorite photo from the trip. Talk about a moment that takes your breath away!

Grandma walking the beach.

I did have to visit alligator adventure while I was there. It is probably my favorite attraction in Myrtle Beach.

Got Raw Chicken????

Flashback: Anniversary Edition

2007-09-20T16:11:00.001-04:00

Because we will be out of town this weekend, I decided to blog my one year wedding anniversary slightly early. Despite the fact that I was a total loon up until the moment I said "I Do", I earmark this day as the best day of my life. I hardly remember feeling so many emotions in one day. I remember crying over missing balloons, and yelling at the top of my lungs at the catering company (they mixed my order up with another wedding party). I nearly fainted at the rehearsal and sent my mother-in-law on a wild goose-chase for a large black umbrella a few hours before the wedding. I laughed until I cried when we caught a certain ring-bearer peeping through the window as the bridesmaids were dressing! And I felt like the most beautiful woman in the world as my mother helped me put on my wedding dress and veil. There are many things I don't remember about that day, but the one thing I will never forget is how loved I felt at that very moment. I am truely blessed.

Last year at this time, we were decorating this.

And making these...

Just when it seemed like everything was falling to pieces, these people came. And that definately made everything O.K.

Our first dance. Lovely photo. Very simple. Just like us.

This man is wonderful.

He has held me just like this my entire life.

I am lucky to call this man my grandfather. So very lucky.

Mmmm....very sweet!

And let's not forget about these people. You both are so much to both of us: family, friends, role-models, supporters, and the parents of our beautiful niece. We couldn't have done it without you... and we couldn't love you more!

A rainy day couldn't ruin my pictures! Mother Nature wasn't expecting the giant-mega- huge umbrella or my talented photographer!

Ahhh... the wedding cake! Very classy photo.

And that folks, is where class went out the window. I can still hear Mr. Willis saying, "No, don't do the smash!" Too bad I didn't listen! Because then, THIS HAPPENED!!!!

Not my prettiest picture ever. And for the record, I will always discourage the groom from shoveling a handful of cake up the bride's nose! I do not recall whether this cake was particularly tasty as I have no taste buds in my nose! [All has been forgiven but we no longer feed each other!]

And that's our wedding day! The craziest, funniest, and loveliest day of our lives!

The Photogenic BumbleBee....

2007-09-13T08:20:00.000-04:00

The End of Summer....

2007-09-11T22:28:00.000-04:00

If you're from the country, this is always a sure sign that summer has run it's course. I've always loved Fall, so this is a welcomed change. After a summer that felt like we were living on the surface of the sun, I was all too pleased for the relatively cool weather we experienced today. However, Ohioians are always treated to another week of absurdly hot days in late September or early October -commonly referred to as an Indian Summer. I've always wondered why Indians were praised (or blamed) for this last taste of summer in Ohio. If you know the answer to this, let me know.

Enough ramblings. Enjoy those last few days of green, unlittered grass, soak up some warm rays, and barbeque your last burgers because Fall is just around the corner.

How Sweet...

2007-09-09T22:42:00.000-04:00

I think this might easily be one of my favorite photos from this summer. I just imagine that he will show her how to ride a tricycle then a bike with training wheels until one day when she gets the hang of it. Then one day he will sit in the passenger seat and teach her to drive a car and his life will never be the same. It has been incredible to see how big she has grown in such a short time. She has become a little lady with big opinions. I wish somehow we could slow her down. I sure do love taking pictures of her, she is so very special to both me and her uncle. We love you so very, very much Lily.

13 Days and Counting!!!

2007-09-09T01:28:00.000-04:00

I can't wait to be on vacation here....

I bought all the books I am going to read on my vacation. They are the first things packed in my suitcase. Aside from a bathing suit, SPF 50 (no suntan here!), beach towel and iPod, there isn't much more I need. Most people would fly to S.C., but we enjoyed the drive so much last time we decided to drive again. Last time we came it was for our honeymoon, but this time it's a family vacation. We will be traveling with Karen, Ed and my grandparents. We will be taking the 23rd to ourselves to celebrate our first year as a married couple, but after that it's all family fun!

View From Mom's Backyard

2007-09-06T20:31:00.000-04:00

Maannnnyyy Things to Speak of....

2007-09-03T22:46:00.000-04:00

Lately, I have been running into the word "tradition" alot. I got to thinking what tradition really signifies to me and how it is part of my day-to-day life. Traditions are about repeating and celebrating moments that make you feel content. They are a connection between your past and present. So, here are some traditions in my life, that have been with me for as long as I can remember. My Grandparents house in Gnadenhutten, Ohio. It has been in our family for a few generations, and I still smile when I see it, as I turn the corner on their street. It always feels like home to me. My tire swing in the backyard. I haven't used it in years, but other kids have come since me, so Grandpa keeps it up. In my mind, it will always be "my tire swing". And it feels like he keeps it up just for me, in case one day I want to take a swing again.

Both of my grandmas hung their clothes out to dry on the line in the summer. I used to love to run back and forth through the sheets hanging on the lines. And nothing smells or feels better than crawling onto clean sheets that hung out to dry all day.

This picture makes me so proud. I love my grandpa and I had to have this picture of him with his new Harley. For as long as I can remember, my family has loved motorcycles and dirt bikes, and any other various ATV you can think of. It is one of the most prominent similarities between my family and Justin's.

Our family sits on the front porch. We have the best time sitting on the patio furniture in a long row talking back and forth about anything and everything. My grandma tells us all the latest stories about the family and then we talk about the neighborhood and everyone who has visited lately. We laugh and carry on a lot and there is usually food and coffee involved. Lots of wildlife visits their house and this is a new little friend of theirs. I wonder if grandma has named it yet?? teehee...

These next few photos are pictures of what the world is like where I come from. The traditions I developed here, are a big part of who I am today. As a kid, I used to ride down the road by these places for fun. I forgot just how beautiful it is and how much I missed this small family tradition.

God Speed and Sweet Dreams

2007-09-01T00:11:00.000-04:00

Your Feature Presentation Will Begin Momentarily

2007-08-30T11:41:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow marks the arrival of a movie I can't wait to see.....oh Rob Zombie how I love your films! It's true that you have a sick, demented, twisted mind, that dreams up the things nightmares are made of. "House of 1000 Corpses" wasn't bad and then came the sequel, "The Devil's Rejects" and my heart was stolen! The movie was grotesque and the soundtrack was right up my alley (NO "Superbeast", thankyouverymuch!). I saw "Rejects" in the theatre and more than a dozen times on DVD, and each time I root for the bad guys! How sick is that!!!

As it stands, I have a massive collection of horror flicks! But, I also have a massive collection of Christmas movies. Hmm...I might really be sick! (heeeeheee) Ya know, there are a couple of movies that I've never really been able to decide where they belong. For instance, "Gremlins". Is that Christmas or Halloween? "The Nightmare Before Christmas", where should it go? The world may never know. Alright, enough with my rambling! And now for the feature presentation of this blog posting, www.imdb.com/title/tt0373883/.

Lily's Birthday

2007-08-27T11:43:00.001-04:00

Lillian Marie Taylor is now officially a two year old. Nearly her entire family was present as she tore through gifts, played with her cousins and ate birthday cake. Though it rained cats and dogs outside there was plenty of fun to be had at the Willis' house on Saturday! We had a chance to visit with the Dillows, whom we haven't seen in ages. Their beautiful family has grown from three to five since our last visit! Though we've watched their daughter Maddie grow into a beautiful young lady through her mama's blog, it was quite a shock to see how big she has gotten! Dillow daughter number two, Gracie, is no longer a baby, but a tornado of giggles and Gracie hugs. We didn't have a chance to visit with the latest Dillow addition (Bridget), due to naptime...:( Our only regret of the day was that we couldn't share our fun with the Persheys (Lily's Aunt, Uncle and soon-to-be new cousin). It's been more than a year since we have seen Katherine! We send our love and prayers to the new parents-to-be! Eating birthday cake at age two is much more graceful than at age one! She didn't wear a single bite this time:)

Lily and Ba-Ba serenading each other....how sweet!

I promised a copy of this photo to all parents and grandparents with children involved and so here it is! Sorry, I ran out of time to photoshop it, but it still cracks me up!

Ring around the rosie....what a beautiful moment! These two young ladies have plenty in common besides being cousins. Maddie is a wonderful big sister and will one day have to give her younger cousin pointers on what it's like to be the oldest and wisest sister!

* Anyone who would like photos emailed to them may post their email address and I will happily oblige!

Did you happen to see, the most beautiful girl in the world?

2007-08-24T19:49:00.000-04:00

"Hey Moe Moe!" The cutest thing I ever heard!!!

"Aunt Heather, Put the camera down and dance with me!!!!!"

Conversation between me and Lily

Me: "Lily, do you want to take a bath?"

Lily: "No!"

Me: "Do you want to go to bed?"

Lily: "No!"

Me: "Lily, do you want to party?"

Lily: "I party."

So there you have it...she parties.

This child isn't even a teenager and her ear is practically glued to a phone!! Teehee

Have you ever seen anything this sweet??????

On the Lake

2007-08-22T18:00:00.001-04:00

Some things are worth stopping for....

I had this flashback of the scene from the Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy gets hungry and pulls an apple off the tree. Then the tree starts throwing apples at her and the Scare Crow...hey...I giggled!

Flowers After Rain

2007-08-21T17:47:00.000-04:00

Hey...remember that day?

2007-08-19T22:53:00.000-04:00

After spending just a few moments with Lily, you realize what a happy, little girl she really is. You can't help but smile at her curious nature and assertive "no's" when she does not like your suggestion of food or activities. Her ability to dance and sing to any music, any where, without rehearsal is just further proof that she is her mother's daughter.

Finnegan.... PHONE HOME!!!

Lily looks like she is going to terminate someone in this picture. Since I was unsure what kind of super Lily powers she possessed, I banished the paparazzi for the remainder of my visit.

Well...sort of. Actually, I shot this right as we were leaving. Lily was really winding down and so was her mama. They had just begun their new tradition of watching Jim Henson's " The Muppet Show" on Sunday nights. I like this picture, because it shows a real, unposed, moment happening. It's the kind of picture you pull out years later and say, "Hey, remember that day?"

As much as I love seeing these....

2007-08-19T07:39:00.000-04:00

I am ready for fall!!!!

I'm not tired, I'm just resting my eyes....zzzzzzzz

2007-08-17T00:19:00.000-04:00

I guess she was afraid she might miss something. I was the same way, when I was a little girl. If I knew what I was really missing at that age, I might not have been so curious! Sweet Dreams Lily!

My Mama

2007-08-09T18:40:00.000-04:00

My typically un-shy mama does not like me to post pictures of her on my blog. But, I did it anyways. I love this picture because it is the way I see her in my mind. I love you Mom. You're the best~

Lily for Prez

2007-08-08T21:53:00.000-04:00

For reasons I can't pinpoint, it would appear that Lily is conducting a head of state meeting and she has come to some type of difficult decision. The child is not yet two and she is already telling congress..."no new taxes", or "Dick Chaney is guilty of deadly assault with a weapon", or "Mor Mor, I hate shake and bake". Hey, I'd vote for her!

Here's my sign...

2007-08-08T20:44:00.000-04:00

for today that is. I think people should be warned when a person is in this bad of a mood. Back Away! Run for your life! DO NOT ENTER her personal space. That is what comes to mind anyways.

Our Friends From Germany

2007-08-06T11:16:00.000-04:00

I had the delight of spending time with Karsten and his family yesterday. Even though his mom and daughter speak very little english and I know about 2 german words (I'm pretty sure gesundheit doesn't count!), we had a wonderful time. Laughter is the same in every language! Karsten speaks fluent english and is a fine translater, despite the fact that I am sure he is growing tired of narrating a hundred conversations a day! I was very excited to find out that if I am ever lost in Germany (without anyone to translate) if I say Yahtzee, people will know what I am talking about!!!! Yeah! I also learned how to say thank you, as Kasten's mom knitted me a beautiful scarf and socks. Danke, Oma!

I love generation photos and here is a fine example of three generations.

Here is Oma, knitting my socks! Danke Oma!

The Call

2007-08-05T15:47:00.000-04:00

Tell me...did she call you???

Have you had your fruit today???

2007-08-04T19:48:00.000-04:00

Music Store and Wishful Thinking...

2007-08-04T19:05:00.000-04:00

Check out the grasshopper...

2007-08-04T02:27:00.000-04:00

I saw this at my mother-n-law's house and I quickly snapped this shot before he flew away! Pretty cool, eh?

Lillian Marie Taylor

2007-08-04T01:56:00.000-04:00

Justin and I spent the evening with our niece Lily and her "Mor Mor" (grandma in swedish). She was not as big of a fan of shake-n-bake chicken as her Uncle Justin, but he did manage to trick her into eating a few pieces by hiding them in kraft cheese singles. The kid just loves cheese! and applesauce...or as she says it apppplllllleeesaawwwssss. She says it very softly and draws out the syllables.

Watching for Mor Mor. Lily doesn't take her eyes off the doorway when Mor Mor leaves the room. Good thing she always comes back....to change the diaper. Uncle Justin was concerned because it's been quite some time since he changed a diaper and he doesn't know how to get the diaper off. It would appear you have inherited at least one thing from Uncle Justin. It has been told that extra tape is needed for your evening diapers as you like to take them off during the night. Just for fun! and just like Uncle Justin when he was a little lad!

Happy faces are my favorite! I love Lily's smile. I'm pretty sure I've never seen a smile that sweet!!

Photoshop Fun!

And now Miss Lily will demonstrate the proper way to brush one's teeth. You carefully apply the blue flavored (?) toothpaste to the bristles, you place the brush against you teeth at which time you may feel free to swallow all the toothpaste. Then you may run away giggling with your toothbrush in hand to add it to your pile of toys on the kitchen chair. Next time Mor Mor will make you brush your teeth at the sink, I think!

I don't think we met the ADA standards for brushing, but you were so darn cute doing it, it hardly mattered. What matters the most, is that you turned from a baby to a sweet little girl right before our very eyes. We watch with amazement as you grow and change into the person you will become. Uncle Justin and Aunt Heather love spending time with you! You make us laugh and smile when you give us sweet kisses on the cheek and when you ask us to read you stories. We can hardly wait for the next time we get to spend time with you, so we can see what new words you have learned or just to hear you giggle!

This one's for Grandma!

2007-08-03T12:01:00.000-04:00

Suprised Much???

He may look sweet, but that's where it ends...teehee

Time Well Wasted

2007-08-02T16:44:00.000-04:00

My brother Scott came over for a visit today. At first, I was grumpy because I haven't slept in like 2 days. But after a while we were just hanging out and laughing. I kept thinking about all the things I needed to get done today. After he left, I started going through these shots and I am definately glad I stopped to hang out with my little brother. I guess Brad said it best..."I count it all as time well wasted!"

This is one of my favorite pictures of my brother. Just like me, his eyes get all squinty when he is laughing really hard!!!!

So Serious!! I think he was getting annoyed with the camera at this point.

Happy Birthday Marie!!

2007-08-01T23:32:00.000-04:00

Happy Anniversary (belated) and Happy Birthday Marie!* We love you and wish you the happiest birthday!

Love~ Heather and Justin

*Birthday presents to follow....

Oops...Almost Forgot

2007-07-24T17:00:00.000-04:00

Ooops...Almost forgot my pictures of the day. My new thing. Check 'em out and tell me what you think.

I shouldn't even post these......

2007-07-24T15:30:00.000-04:00

It is terribly cruel of me to post these photos. They were taken during a moment of...er...weakness?! However, I think these guys drank every drop of booze in Tuscarawas County and then paraded around for me and my camera. I mean these shots are priceless and they aren't even the funniest ones!

Dustin and I (sober) a few days later.

But, then we go back to the party. After this shot they sang a rousing rendition of 500 bottles of beer on the wall. It was really special.

In The End

2007-07-23T23:25:00.000-04:00

Although I am not a proclaimed Potter fan, as my dear sister-in-law is, I will say one thing. Aside from the spoil sports and angry exorcist from Mexico, I am intrigued to read this series because of its profound affect on the WHOLE world. What other event in history has caused the whole world to jump to their feet in celebration? The end of WWI or WWII? Scary but inspirational at the same time! I believe this may in fact be a step in the right direction.

The world was excited to read a book. Children were excited to read. That my friends, is J.K. Rowling's greatest accomplishment as an author!

Big Love for Big Love

2007-07-23T22:41:00.000-04:00

Have you been watching Big Love since the start? We're in season 2 already and I can't seem to get enough. I now have atleast one reason to look forward to Mondays. At first this show sounded repulsive. The premise of the show is one guy (Bill Paxton) who happens to have three wives, 7 children with 1 on the way, 3 successful hardware stores, and a rocky past as a former member of a polygamist compound. In fact, his second wife Nikki, is from the compound where he was raised. Although he and his three wives are "engaged" (their word, not mine) in polygamy theirselves, it is far from the living conditions and practices of the compound. I'm so excited to see what happens next, when Bill's sworn enemy Roman (Nikki's father) finds out that Bill sold him out to the Green's. The prelude to the next episode suggests that someone is going to be killed and that all hell is going to break loose!! Is Alfie trying to take Bill's oldest daughter as one of his wives? Probably not after Bill beat him half to death in his hotel room.

If you aren't watching Big Love you need to start now!!!!!!! If you don't have HBO, then subscribe. I can't miss one episode and neither will you once you get into it!

Today's Pics

2007-07-20T22:16:00.000-04:00

My Beautiful Mama

My Contest Entry Shot! I don't know which one to enter. I think the second one. Tell me what you think....

My friend Nikki...isn't she pretty?

Photo Op for Allie

2007-07-18T10:32:00.001-04:00

Curiosity gets the better of this pug. I submitted this picture to Kodak!

She may look sweet...but after this shot, she bit me!

I like this picture because you can see how small she really is! She fits in one hand.

Smug Pug!

Lily and a Sunday Afternoon

2007-07-15T20:15:00.000-04:00

My Favorite Picture of the Day...Lily and her shadow!

Mama and Lily playing! Too Cute!!!!

Our Lily has become quite the little lady! So independent for a toddler!

A somber look for sure, but she sure does look alot like some Taylor Boys I know!

Lily loves her daddy! She comes running every time she hears his voice!

"Mama, Please Pick Me Up!"

And because this little girl is growing up so fast, her mama happily obliges.

Allie The Pug

2007-07-14T08:36:00.000-04:00

An Early Birthday Present for Mom, has been keeping her VERY busy! But isn't she cute!!!