Better in Firefox

Just so everyone knows, my blog is best viewed in Firefox, not Internet Explorer. Firefox can be downloaded as part of the Google Pack, and is actually more functional and provides better security than IE.

First Day (Hour) of Rifle Season

I'm totally blogging out of order here, because I intend to write all about what I'm thankful for this year, but some things are important to post immediately. So, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Jeff got this 8-point buck just a little after 7 am on Monday morning. He was hunting with his brother, Mark, in an undisclosed area (of course) in Pennsylvania. This is Jeffy's first big one, and he is just thrilled. (And, I'm thrilled for him, however, when we get the bill from the taxidermist, I may not be so thrilled.)

Did You Know?

According to the Harvard Business Review, coffee is the world's second-most widely consumed commodity, after oil.

Sleeping with Jeffy

Okay, at first glance, you might think my title is a little risqué, but seriously, do you think I’d talk about sex on my very public blog?

To get to my point…I used to be a morning person! I would wake up one or two minutes before my alarm went off, and never have to hear that annoying beep, beep, beep. Now, I’ve seemingly morphed into someone who likes to sleep in late (JEFF). The problem with this is that I still can’t stay up much later than 10pm! I think that Jeff has an easier time with mornings that I do. I’m not blaming this entirely on him, either. Do you know how hard it is to get out of bed when you have two warm, furry, live teddy bears cuddled up next to you?

On that note, Chancer Boy and Hallie are not morning dogs. Chance lets out a little, “do we have to get up?” groan every morning when the alarm goes off. And, I have to beg Hallie to get out of bed to go outside. Oh, the days of our lives…

Dad's Big Gobbler

If you want the whole story, you'll have to talk to Walter, but this is the biggest gobbler he's ever gotten. I think he may have had a little help from Brady! Isn't my Daddy handsome?

2006 – Year of Many Babies

I failed to mention all the babies that were born over the past several months, so I’ll name them now, in order of their births…

Harlan Antonio Martin to my very good friends, Rachael and Brian
Hayes William Campbell to my best friend from college, Jill and her husband Tom (whom I also love, because he loves Jill)
Lindsey Ann Lundy to Julie, my first and oldest friend, and her husband Casey
Cianna Marie Stager to Jeff’s sister, Jill, and her husband Thaddeus…Cianna is my 6th niece/nephew!
Brayden Gunnar Fox to Adam and Kristy, friends of the family

Last Book, Next Book

Okay, our last read was called My Antonia, by Willa Cather. I enjoyed it, but quite honestly, I don't have all that much to say. I'm glad I read it, but wouldn't necessarily call it a 'meat and potatoes' book, nor would I want to read it again. However, this was an excellent choice for a book club...one of the things I've noticed over the course of the last year is that many of the books we read were not something I would have picked up. I'm also sure that had some of the books not been "required," I would not have continued past the first chapter. That being said, I'm glad that read almost every book on our Year One List. I have to say almost, because Moby Dick was a complete waste of my time. I'm very sure that there are many people out there (somewhere...) that disagree, but this is my blog and I'll post what I want.

Our next book discussion will be centered around The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. So far, I'm loving it, but more on that when I'm finished with it.

Thought of the Day

I like this one...


It is important to recognize the power of our emotions--and to take
responsibility for them by creating a light and positive atmosphere around
ourselves. This attitude of joy that we create helps alleviate states of
hopelessness, loneliness, and despair. Our relationships with others thus
naturally improve, and little by little the whole of society becomes more
positive and balanced. - Tarthang Tulku

The Spa, Shopping and Good Friends

Thank goodness for girls! Hannah, Jen and I just spent a great weekend in Erie. We shopped until we were out of money, ate until we were stuffed, and finished off the weekend at the Coventina Day Spa, where we indulged in massages and pedicures. We also enjoyed some good drinks, read in bed, and laughed until our cheeks hurt. I think that every woman should attempt to nurture her relationships with female companions. So often, I hear women bashing other women. What a shame! We really should all band together so that we have the energy and sense of humor to put up with the men in our lives!