WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

Visited my Sara at West Virginia U. this weekend with Curt. It was a perfect weekend to drive into the mountains. Sara showed us the campus as you can see below she is standing in her math classroom. Curt was happy to help put together the Ikea bookcase and side table we picked up for her on the way there. This and other items needed to decorate her room. Last night when she layed down in her bed and looked around she was so happy that we had come and helped her to decorate her room, she sent me a text message at 2 in the morning thanking me. She is so excited to be back at school. It's going to be a lot of work but she's ready for the challenge and I am here to cheer her on! Way to go Sara! I love you soooooo much honey! You make me proud!

Farm grounds are coming along too... the box hedges have been trimmed, they were almost as high as the house... luckly I had a real nice man that we hired to cut them down. What a difference it makes! There's still alot to be done. Landscaping have to wait for next spring, I wish I could do this Fall but there's still so much to be completed inside the house. I will be happy if we can paint the concrete on the back patio now that Curt's friend Sandro Piazza has filled in all the cracks from years of abuse and driving over it. It will also stop the rain water to go down into the foundation and into the cellar. I wish my Dad was here to help me with all the pruning of the dead limbs off the trees like the crab apple trees. NEWS!!! The state highway will be widening Route 6 in front of the house (main road) so this will mean shoulders on the road but more important, the tall hedges by the road will be finally gone. For those that have been to the farm over the years you know how difficult it is to exit onto the road from the driveway. There's poor or no view of the incoming traffic, except lately because Curt did trim just enough to be able to see the incoming cars. What a guy!!!!

Farm House

Curt has been busy installing the beautiful ceramic tile on the kitchen backsplash... but there's always something, now the back door to the back porch blew off in the wind.... somehow, we'll get there.

We had a real nice lunch at the Middleton's Tavern near the city dock. What a great afternoon, it was great seeing Phillip and Courtney.

Annapolis, Maryland

Phillip and Courtney come for a visit

Met Phillip and Courtney in Annapolis Saturday on their way back to Rhode Island.... we had such a fun time! Courtney hadn't been to Maryland's capital before so we took a city trolley tour...

This poem is for you Curt...

Somehow, out of all the twists and turns our lives could have

taken, and out of all the .. chances we might have missed, it almost seems like

we were given a meant-to-be moment - to meet,

to get to know each other, and to set the stage for a

special togetherness. When I am with you, I know that I am in the presence of

someone who makes my life more complete then I ever dreamed it could be.

I turn to you for trust, and you give it openly.

I look to you for inspiration, for answers,

and for encouragement,

and - not only do you never let me down -

you lift my spirits up and take my thoughts to places where my troubles seem so much further away and

my joys feel like they're going to stay in my life forever. I hope you'll stay forever, too.

I feel like you're my soul mate.

And I want you to know

That my world is reassured by you,

my tomorrows need to have you near,

so many of my smiles depend on you,

and my heart is so thankful that you're here.

Cathy Posey celebrated her 50th Birthday with family and friends, Curt and I were happy to be a part of such special day! Cathy and I still keep in touch and now that I am back in Ironsides I hope to see more of her. Her daughters grew up with my children. We go back almost 20 years, headed the PTA in the local elementary school together. Went to the same church and went through both our divorces together. So many memories! It was wonderful to see her after all this time...

This photo was taken last year at Sara's graduation party. My 3 wonderful children!

Such a happy family! This picture was taken upon Michael's arrival from Afganistan this past May. He was away from Elizabeth and Sophia for 9 months. We are so proud of him!!! Love you guys!