The Last Day

Today is the last day of summer vacation. We went to the beach. Lake Wallenpaupack has several beach areas. The beach was technically closed since there was no life guard. But yesterday when the lifeguard was "on duty," it couldn't possibly have been any safer, what with him at least 100 feet away from the water, hanging out with his buddy, instead of guarding my children's lives while they frolicked in the water.

We came here yesterday as well. For lunch and dinner.



Here's the expanse of the beach where the lifeguard was definitely not.






And the kids frolicking.

A new school, a green school

While looking at the school district's website (which, by the way, could be a bit more user friendly) for a breakfast and lunch menu (which claims to have healthy choices, though I wouldn't want to use their nutritionist,) I found this video of the new elementary school the district is building. I really like that it's green.

Finally here they are . . .

. . . beach photos!




Ellie
















Josh












Gary, Josh, Ellie, and me















Malachi












Aunt Jessie and her posse









Aunt Linda with Caleb














The Next Generation









Matt keeping Madzie and Ellie safe










Our little plot of sand








Simon and Josh having a toss









Aunt Linda, Bridget, Sophie, and Caleb

Garbage is another matter

There are exactly two garbage haulers we can sign up with. Both have restrictions on the weight of our garbage. 30lbs. The can can't weigh more than 30 pounds. If you ask me, that is just plan stupid. Not the weight restriction, but that it's only 30 lbs. Who's garbage can weighs under thirty pounds? Josh weighs more than that.

As you can tell, I am a bit put out about it. And if you miss a garbage pick up? What do you do? Two weeks of garbage definitely weighs more than 30lbs. We could just pay per bag, but then everything has to be in a bag. And I find that wasteful. I'd use more bags than necessary.

I think I am most upset, in that I don't really have any options. Both garbage haulers have the 30lb. limit. I personally think it should be 50lbs.

But no one thought to consult me on the matter.

Exciting recycling news

Today we ventured to the other nearby grocery store. [There are only two close by. Well technically three, but two are the same name.] It's the one with big recycling bins. And guess what! I am quite happy to report that I can put all but foam (foam is so environmentally UNFRIENDLY) items in these bins. I thought I wouldn't be able to recycle paperboard and #3-7 plastics. But I can! Glass, cardboard, paper, all plastics. And it is all co-mingled, I don't even need to sort.

I also joined the local, though local is relative up here, freecycle groups.

I am ready.

Deer . . . every day . . . very exciting?

The deer population here is quite bountiful. We have seen at least one everyday, usually 5 or more. We can usually always see them in a neighbor's yard. We think they put food out for them.

And you see in these photos one particular Bambi, that decided to take a break along the back wall of the screened in porch. I was minding my own business, when I walked in the porch and was startled. We both stared at each other, than I ran to get Ellie. He was still just laying there.


We disturbed him only enough for him to get up stretch, groom, and shift to the other side of the house, where he laid back down for a spell.

Ellie and Josh are beyond excited to see "Bambis." To me they are a dime a dozen, but to them they are like gold.




Author's husband's note: At the time of the last post, we had seen Rachael Ray more than twice.

Food Makers

Ellie has discovered the Food Network channel. She asks to watch it and gets upset when she can't. Her favorite is Rachael Ray. Here are two favorite recipes Rachael has cooked: Florentine Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken and Chicken Riggies and 'Scarole with Soul. Ellie wanted to start cooking when Rachael came on tonight, and she requested we look up the second recipe online. Rachael is a down to earth cook, and she actually goes searching for stuff in her own kitchen.

Ellie has her own cute name for the channel, but I can't remember it. I'll change the title of the post tomorrow after she is awake to tell me it.

Author's note: We have only seen Rachael cook twice.

Our second week here

This is our second week here. I am hardly missing Lansdale. I am enjoying the quite solitude of being in the woods. Except for when there is discontent between the siblings (Ellie and Josh have been at each other more with this move. After this weekend, we are staying up here for awhile) and at night.

Night time here is unsettling for me. While we are still up, I am usually fine. But when I am laying in bed, and not asleep yet or I wake in the middle of the night, I hear EVERY noise and creak and crack and who-knows-what outside. My heart starts beating a bit faster, as my mind starts it's illogical and/or irrational thinking. I plan to install motion sensor lights out back to go along with the one out front. I also looked up alarm systems.

Although we have two AC units in the windows, I don't like the idea of using AC up here. I can't hear the sounds of the woods with an AC humming and all the windows closed, and I want to hear those sounds. And with all the trees, it stays cooler in the cabin anyways. At least so far it has.

The sounds of the woods are quite pleasant to my ears in the day, but definitely not so much at night.

The first photo is the side yard and the second one is the back yard.

My blessing!

Ellie is six today. It's hard to believe it's been six years since my girl entered this world and colored my life in brilliant new colors.

She's creative, inquisitive, and could argue with a tree stump. I love her dearly. And I wouldn't have her any other way.