JoAnne's Family Traditions

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Location: Western, New York, United States

I spend most of my free time gardening, reading garden magazines, photographing the garden or baking (mostly sweets, which list chocolate as the main ingredient). I play the guitar and sing in a contemporary choir of which I have been a member for 26 years.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Christmas with a capitol "C"

These guys say it all. If you haven't seen this yet, check it out.

Monday, November 26, 2007

WATER UPDATE

While we were in Virginia for Thanksgiving, we got a call to let us know that it was pouring here, that there was snow on Thanksgiving Day, and that our water shortage should be much improved. We arrived home to find we do have much more water than when we left. We are still collecting rain water for toilet flushing, however I think that will be ending this week. I don't want to keep the barrel in place over the winter since that will cause the gutters to freeze, collect rain and snow, get backed up, which will add extra weight to the gutters ripping them off the house, probably crashing into some windows and who knows what else. Roof damage and then new gutters. What ever happened to "no good deed goes unpunished?" Is that the way that phrase goes? :) Okay, so this is extreme. A little sarcasm never hurt anyone. . . . . ummm. . . . .did it? :-)))

Let me tell you, when you do without, you appreciate all that you have even more. We are so please to come home to real running tap water. We are still being very careful in our usage and thankful for all that we have...water included. We are blest and will keep those in the south with even more serious water shortages in our prayers.

Think about what it means to be without water. You can't do your laundry, wash your dishes, water plants, shower, flush your toilets. Every chore requires thought since, if it is too messy or dirty a job you may procrastinate, knowing you will not have water to shower when you are done. That will mean packing up all your shower needs, shampoo, clothing, soap, towels, hair dryer, all you need and then drive to a friends to shower. There will be much less baking (a killer for me) since again, you have no water to clean up the mess. Every time you do something in the kitchen it requires water. So think about this, be thankful for WATER and pray for those without.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Crow mothers kitten

Check this out. It is amazing to see these two together.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving was never meant to be accomplished in a single day.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1

Be Thankful.....Always!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Thought for the Day

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Operation POLAR EXPRESS - Dragnet Style

It all started late one night when I received a phone call from a desperate child who had her heart set on seeing this movie called "Polar Express". It was being shown only in one theater and at only one time. She waited too long however to approach an intelligent adult that would give her the assistance she needed. This delay is what prompted the phone call I just received. She asked me to get her in to see the movie. She just had to see it and claimed she would cut off her legs to do so. This was a serious situation. Have no fear I said, I promise you, we will get you in to see the movie. "It has to be in 3D!" she demands. Talk about spoiled brats! :) I called my associate, Yellow Goose (for this Mission) and explained the case I had just taken on. We discussed how we would handle the situation and thus our covert operation began.

We located the movie theater and made a phone call. I asked when the movie was showing and if I could purchase two tickets. They tell me the movie will be shown on Saturday morning at 9:00 but they are sold out. The movie was sold out only hours after it was advertised. How can this be, I ask? The manager says it was unexpected. They didn't realize this movie was in such demand. I ask if they will show it again. He tells me it is too late. Their theaters are now booked with other movies. Now I understand the child's dilemma and her desperation - no one really wants to lose their legs for a movie and I can't imagine this being an acceptable payment by a reputable theater. Yellow Goose and I concoct a scheme to get into the movie theater. I tell her I will pick her up at 8:00 sharp on Saturday morning. I gather all the necessary PI gear and head out at 7:45.

When I get to her street I call her cell asking why she isn't out there waiting for me? She runs out to the curb to flag me down. I see her from the other end of the street. She sees me coming and runs back to the house. I pull in the driveway and wait. The horn goes off, I don't know why. . . I didn't do it! :o The neighbors little girl looks out her window and wants to know what is going on. Yellow Goose comes out of the house next door and asks why I am parked in the neighbors driveway.

Good Grief! doesn't she understand "covert operation" :)? We tell the little girl to close her window and go back to bed. Operation Polar Express is under way.

It takes about 30 minutes to get to the theater during which we are in deep conversation over plan A and plan B. Plan A - we go in and attempt to purchase tickets to see the movie. If that doesn't work, we revert to Plan B - flash our PI badges and claim that some little girls legs are going to get cut off if they don't let us in. Let's hope we don't have to resort to that!

Here we are finally, at the theater. As we approach there are several innocent children with their parents going in to see the movie. We get inside and see that all the ticket booths are closed. There is no way to purchase a ticket. We are hesitant but walk up to the usher and say we have no tickets but would like to see the movie. He says he has two extra tickets. He reaches into his pocket and pulls them out. I offer to pay for them but he says there is no charge. We go in and pick out 2 prime seats, make ourselves comfortable and within a few minutes the movie begins. We are amazed at the animation technology, colors, music, characters but mostly the storyline. . . .Believing! We have seen the movie. Our mission "Operation Polar Express" was a success and we are pleased. It wasn't in 3D but we did see it and for free. Oh and our client??? She gets to keep her legs! :)











FAITH!
believing in something that is not tangible.


We all have different gifts but the same God.
We must learn to accept others and appreciate the gifts they possess.
As we get older we often become cynical and lose faith in God and each other.
The gifts of others are often used to open our eyes.
Be Still and listen!

The real story....Danielle wanted to see Polar Express, she called about it the day after she heard that it was going to be shown at the Regal Cinema. They said they were sold out. She sent me an email saying she wanted to see it but they were sold out and I should find a way to get in there. I said okay, we will just show up and say we would like to see it if there are any seats open. We expected to be turned away but the usher gave us two tickets and we went in and saw it on the house. :)
GOD IS GOOD!

Saturday, November 10, 2007

OPERATION POLAR EXPRESS


Stay tuned for info on this top secret mission!!!



Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Letchworth State Park

Dave and I went to Letchworth also known as the "Grand Canyon of the East" on Saturday since it was such a nice day. A little chilly but sunny. I have been there a few times but don't remember seeing the gorge. Perhaps I went at the wrong time. Autumn is definitely the best time. Those of you who have never been there, make it a point to stop. It is beautiful. The park is long and narrow. There is basically one road that takes you from one end to the other. You can enter from Rte 36-Mount Morris or 19A-Castile. We stopped at many scenic overlooks to get pictures. Here are a few. What a shame to live so close by and never take advantage of all this park has to offer. There are campsites and cabins, fishing, there are Inn's and Lodges if you care to stay more than a day. There are special events like: Civil War Encampment (Living History and Battle Re-enactment; Balloon Rally; Letchworth Arts and Crafts Show; Native American Heritage Days; Annual Glen Iris 5K Run; Free Learn to Catch a Fish Family Picnic, etc. You can paddle the gorge riding the rapids with "Adventure Calls Outfitters". There are historical towns and villages surrounding the park with lots of restaurants, theaters, galleries, antique shopes. There is a $6.00 entrance fee to the park and for that 6.00 you receive a couple of brochures with loads of information. Next time you're looking for a place to picnic , hike, eat out or if you're looking for something different to do, think about checking out Letchworth State park. You'll love it. Please remember to click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Trick or Treating

Hope everyone had a great Halloween Day!

I dressed up as a Jester for work using the costume I made for Melissa years ago when she was in high school :). A little short for me since I have a few inches on her, but it worked. We had a luncheon at work . . . very good food! I had a plan to dress up in another costume and go trick or treating (doing mostly tricking :-)) but by the time I got done with outside work it was late and I still had dinner to make and then clean up. And as you know, or perhaps have heard....from ME, clean up takes a little more time with no tap water. Needless to say, I was just too tired. I decided any left over energy should be spent cleaning around the house. Lot's of things out of place. So I did a little of that.

I see it rained this morning so one of my many chores today will be to empty the rain barrel. Good thing too cuz it was empty and we were working on our last couple of buckets. Could we be flushing to much???? GOOD GRIEF!!!

ARE YOU ALL DOING YOUR RAIN DANCES . . . . . I DARE SAY YOU ARE NOT!!!

Lets get a move on people, the novelty of the pioneer days is wearing off...quickly I might add. OKAY, off to haul rain water and get to my chores of the day.

Thought for the Day

Every Good and Perfect Gift is From Above.

James 1:17