by Susan | Oct 3, 2012 | Family, On My Mind
Today’s soccer game didn’t go great for Hannah’s team. She looks so dejected as she leaves the field here. I love the transformation in her face when she sees me snapping pictures. Looking at her smiling face fills my heart with...
by Susan | Aug 5, 2012 | Family, On My Mind
Somehow, in the blink of an eye, Hannah turned thirteen. I didn’t give her permission to do this – I’m not ready for my baby girl to be a teenager. Paul and I were excited to gift her this new chair for her room – something befitting of her...
by Susan | Jul 9, 2012 | Family, On My Mind
Have you hugged your rooster today? Hannah has!
by Susan | Feb 8, 2012 | Family, On My Mind
She works her way up the court – a scowl on her face – a fierce competitor to be reckoned with. She looks like she’s one tough cookie. The truth is she’s such a nice kid that she worries about being aggressive on the court!...
by Susan | Dec 26, 2011 | Family, On My Mind
Santa didn’t come to our house this year. I knew the cat was out of the bag when Hannah asked me with a knowing smile, “Why do you have Santa’s wrapping paper stashed in the storage room?” You see, Santa wraps presents in this special Santa...
by Susan | Dec 24, 2011 | Family, On My Mind
My great, great aunt, Elizabeth Stroble, created beautiful linoleum block print posters. She sent these to family and friends as her Christmas card. Recently, ten of these prints came to me via my mother from another relative. At Christmastime, when I choose one to...
by Susan | Oct 5, 2011 | Family, On My Mind
This week finds me on a rare trip away from home. Alone. It’s my fourth night away and I am wicked homesick. I miss waking up in the morning to the smell of the coffee that Paul made. I miss visiting with Hannah while we wait for the school bus. I miss checking...
by Susan | Aug 5, 2011 | Family
Twelve years ago today, darling Hannah entered into our lives. She took her own sweet time arriving on the scene two weeks late. Not much has changed on that front. My due date of July 23 came and went. When the doctor said that they were going to induce labor, I was...
by Susan | Jul 26, 2011 | Family
Fourteen years ago, I married my best friend. This has not been an inconsequential partnership so far. Four ducks: $25 One gold fish: $28 Thirteen chickens: $77 Two cats: $1,153 Three dogs: $4,760 One half-grown child: $103,850 One home in the woods of Maine: $290,000...
by Susan | Jul 22, 2011 | Family
Dad’s birthday was on the 17th. I made this card for him featuring his chicken namesake, but couldn’t share it until I knew he had received it in the mail (I was a little late on the draw – as usual). Happy Birthday, Dad!
by Susan | Jul 20, 2011 | Family
My girl has flown the coop. Left the nest. Gone to summer camp. At eleven years old, this is only her second time away from home alone. The first was a one-night sleep over in town. This week she is on the Sunbeam, a 75’ long ship owned by the Maine Coast Sea Mission....
by Susan | Mar 13, 2011 | Family
I lost my grandmother this week. Ruth (nee Strobel) Bender Nerviani died peacefully in her sleep at age 96 with my mother by her side. Her passing leaves a void in my heart. All of my life I called my grandmother “Mother.” Growing up I heard my mom call her “Mother”...
by Susan | Dec 25, 2010 | Family
Chrismtas morning. Note how dark it still is outside! Snape the kitty taking Christmas morning in stride.
by Susan | Dec 24, 2010 | Family
This Christmas artwork was created by my great, great aunt, Elizabeth Stroble. Elizabeth taught art at a high school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Each year she created an amazing linoleum block print poster and sent a copy to her nieces and nephews as her Christmas...
by Susan | Oct 26, 2010 | Family
In my house we’re big on nicknames and endearments for those we love. For example, Snape the cat is Snapey-poo, Boo Boo Bear, or Itty Bitty Boo (just to name a few – the list goes on). Cinder the cat is Miss Kitty or Cinderkins. Ginger the dog is Ginger-baby,...
by Susan | Sep 9, 2010 | Family
Hannah started the sixth grade on Tuesday. Although Paul and I were dancing and singing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” one member of our family is not celebrating. Snape the cat, AKA “Boo” or “Boo-boo Bear” has...
by Susan | Aug 7, 2010 | Family
My Grandma Jordan was born in 1900 and lived in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania for all the years I knew her. My grandparents had a splendid old house on Penn Street in Punxy. I have wonderful memories of summers there in my early years catching fireflies, Saturday night...
by Susan | Aug 1, 2010 | Family
This morning I was lounging on the front porch with my cup of coffee and a book, just taking pleasure in life. Hannah came out to join me and curled up in a chair with a blanket and turned on her Nintendo DS. After a few moments I asked her to turn the volume off – it...
by Susan | Jul 26, 2010 | Family
Thirteen years ago today I married my best friend. Lucky me! Other than marrying Paul, the thing that stands out the most as I think back on our wedding is the group of people who celebrated the day with us. It’s the last time that we had our family and closest...
by Susan | Jul 9, 2010 | Family
This month I’ll have been married to Paul for THIRTEEN years. Wow. A lot has happened in our lives since we met and married – our Hannah, the loss of loved ones, new pets, a move to Maine, life threatening illnesses, loss of jobs, new jobs, starting our...
