CK Blog

Please take time to read the following article of one of my friend’s & her husbands struggle to help 5 ferral kitten…the link to see the pictures is at the end! Thank you for taking this time.

Becky

This Feral Kitten Saga began in our back yard in Greene, Maine, a couple months ago, when we began seeing a kitten or two – little guys, wandering around looking quite forlorn and helpless. Within the next couple weeks, we spotted FIVE kittens right around dusk, scrounging for fallen bird seed from our many bird feeders.

Being in Maine, we are heading intocold weather, and we couldn’t just stand by and watch these precious little kittens either starve or freeze to death. We were able to rent a”safe trap” from our local hardware store.

One by one, overabout 2 1/2 weeks, we were able to safely trap all 5 kittens. Hubbybuilt a “kitty condo” for them right here in our den. We have had somuch fun “socializing” them – we now close the door to the den and let them out to run around 2 or 3 times daily.

We already have aMaine coon cat (about 4 y.o.) who alternately loves them or hates them,depending on his mood (we got him from our local Humane Society about 2 years ago). We also have a black lab (about 9 y.o.) who doesn’t quite know what to think of the kittens – but she is more tolerant of them.

Our financial struggle now – hence this fund-raising effort – is that we need to get all these kittens to the vet (and actually need to update our current 2pets on their shots, etc., as well). My dear hubby has been unemployed for 8 months, since his company was downsized – I have only sporadic freelance income – AND we are both returning college students (online)in an effort to pursue new career options. Winter is fast approaching here in Maine, and heating season has already begun.

We would greatly appreciate any donations from animal lovers out there – as we fully understand the difficulties brought on by this present economic climate – and thank you ahead of time for your kind hearts towards these little kittens!

http://feralkittensaga.chipin.com/vet-fees-for-5-adorable-feral-kittens

Has it really been since August 3rd that I have posted? Usually summer is slower in my business but that hasn’t been the case this summer. I am not as busy as Fall, but for summer-it has been continual.

I feel so behind in my blog, my wholesale newsletter, and my life in general. I appreciate the new customers I have acquired, the new friendships, and the connection I have at Facebook. Some friends I haven’t spoken/chatted with in years and also some family that I don’t get to see too often, and then there are new business contacts.

Daycare for Roger is still full, and with me being his Assistant (that has meant getting training in). So school will be starting in less than 2 weeks, and back to a better schedule I am hoping.

I am trying to figure out new things for my businesses, and some things to attract more orders-as we always want more business, don’t we? I know I do.

Now just to fit in school shopping, and any last minute “summer things”. I was happy to be able to have my daughter have a 13th friend birthday sleep-over; and that went well. 13 is a fun age most times..and this was one of those times.

So although this post is a lot about nothing, I felt I needed to post something since so much time had went by since the last time I posted.

I am hoping to get better organized and post more often. Til next time..Keep your goals in sight and reach for the stars.

Before I share what I want to share today I need to give a little background. Back in August of 2002 while I was doing my hair getting ready for work something pulled in my back. Laugh you might but I figured that whatever this was, wasn’t good. I was working in my father’s insurance office, I had been for close to 8 years at that time for him. So I had built up the knowledge to work it alone if needed. During this time my Dad had become Governor of Rotary-so he had to be away alot. Anyways…I had went to work anyways-although I could hardly move my upper half without pain..by the end of the day I was holding my head up on the counter and felt sick. My husband ended up coming to get me. I sat on the floor that night with my head laying on the chair. By that morning I ended up having Roger take me to the ER. I had a headache, pain shooting down my arms, and a buzzing in my head that wouldn’t go away. They gave me pain medicine, I couldn’t use the bathroom…etc. They ended up sending me to another hospital where I was admitted for 3 days. There they did testing, more drugs and finally released me and said I needed to do pain management and physical therapy. Physical therapy wouldn’t touch me because all I did was throw up. I had no sensation in my hips, a buzzing in the back of my head that would not go away and I walked bent over holding onto my shirt. So to make a long story short after 1 chiropractor, a few other doctors and the chiropractor I now go to-I was diagnosed with DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease) of my neck and back. After finally finding the BEST chiropractor I was more myself in 6 months than the previous 6 months of all the other doctors. I have good days and bad days-but I have to say that Dr. Bob (Berry) gave me my life back. Within a year I went camping with my family and slept on an air mattress in a tent; something I could not have done without his help. At the time I had 2 curves in my neck going the wrong way-which explained all of my pain. I was told by one doctor I had to “just live this way”-and at 33 I just couldn’t accept that. Luckily no one would do surgery on me…that in itself is a blessing looking back. After 7 years I know when I have over done-or what I can and can’t do. But I walk upright and haven’t had the buzzing in my head or the numbness in my thighs. I am able to pour candles-although some days are tougher than others. But I Thank you Dr. Bob for giving me my life back. So I want to share a great article that I got from his office. His website is http://www.advancedfamilychiropracticofny.com
_______________________________________________
10 Great Reasons to Have Surgery:
10. My insurance covers it.
9. Everyone is doing it.
8. The Doctor said God just threw in any extra part.
7. It hurt so I figured, “Hey, just cut it out”.
6. My mother-in-law said her aunt had good results and the guy at work who makes the coffee said it worked for him, and he makes good coffee.”
5. Going to the Chiropractor takes too long.
4. I’ll never have to worry about trouble with that part again.
3. Scars make me look like Rambo.
2. My doctor said I have to…..
1. And besides, my Doctor just bought new golf clubs and he really needs the money.

Everyone wants to be well. You can cut out the ailing part of take enough medication to not feel the symptoms of illness and if you are lucky feel less bad quickly, for a while.
We live in an instant gratification society. Fast food, instant coffee, and instant relief. However, if you want to be well it takes commitment and time. You will also have to pay the price.
1. You will have to spend some time. When you have pain or illness, it did not take place over night. Pain, sicknes, and disease is a process of time. Getting well and truly healing is a process of time.
2. You will have to spend some money. If you buy a diamond ring for 5 dollars then you just bought a ring worth five dollars. Its a fact.
3. You may have to endure some pain and suffering. While getting well God’s way, naturally over time, the symptoms may not subside for a while. However, by waiting it out and toughing it out, the healing that takes place will be proper and more permanent.
Do not shortchange God by thinking you can not get well. Do not be surprised when He gets you well. By following your Chiropractor’s advice at home, avoiding dangerous drugs, and getting the amount of adjustments necessary to correct your spine and nerve system you give your body its optimum chance to get well and stay well. BE PATIENT, BE PATIENT.

Possibilities must be weighed.
Then Priorities Must be Swayed.
Then the Plans must be Layed.
And commitments must be made.
The Price must be Paid.
The timing might be delayed.
But the course must be stayed.
And the Trumpets will be played!-Robert Schuler

As we enjoy our Memorial Day weekend we can’t help but think of those that have given their lives for us. It is a time for people to reflect on memories of either being in the service or those family and friends that are in the service. I think a lot of the families that have lost loved ones and pray that this weekend allows them to think of the happy memories that they made with those people. I also think of those currently serving in our Military. Those that cannot be with their families right now BUT are enjoying a weekend with their Military Families. The military families, when that is all you have mean so very much. I also think of the men and woman who are currently serving our country in Iraq. I am proud of what they have sacrificed in order to do their jobs.
Then there are the other things that go on during Memorial Day weekend. People planting their gardens of vegetables and flowers, graduation parties, Memorial Day parties etc. For those that are able to have a 3 day weekend-enjoy it!
This weekend I have planted my small vegetable garden, made pies (Strawberry Rhubarb & Coconut Cream Pie) for my son’s birthday gathering at my parents….and then today will go and spend time with my parents, sister and her family, and my brother and his family. We are lucky to all live close enough to get together if not every few weeks, at least once a month.
So enjoy the time you have this weekend, whether it be with yourself doing something you haven’t normally been able to do, or with family that means something to you-or in celebration of what this weekend means to you.
I am including a few pictures of some Poppys that were here at our house that I have been enjoying. Enjoy your weekend…

Do you garden? Whether it be vegetables or flowers I am curious of what those of you do when Spring hits…do you start with seeds inside? or plants?
Now that I have a new home-I would like to revamp some areas of the yard. I figure it may take me a few years…but I am curious of what others have done. The house came with a big pussy willow tree, lilac tree, some forsythias, poppies, tulips, some daffodils but we have almost 2 acres…so I have space, just not high “funds” for plants. So I am going to see if I work at an area at a time what I can come up with. Post your ideas! Share what you have worked at. I look forward to reading it…
Until next time! Spring is almost here I think!

Well I can’t actually believe tomorrow is 18 years since I had my oldest! Although there are times when it has seemed like forever ago~ I can easily go back and remember all the feelings I felt and what I was thinking. He was due March 10th and arrived March 17 weighing 8′ 1 oz and 20 1/2 inches long. He had blonde hair and little blue eyes…and I was just amazed, scared, but amazed. My parents were able to make it to his birth as we were 3 hours away but my water broke at 4:30a.m. ( I actually thought I had wet the bed.) I didn’t have him until 7:55pm that night and it was a Sunday. He was my only “natural” birth~and being a “new” Mom…I never thought I would make it this far…lol… He is a great kid, my challenge, but great all the same. His views and mine are opposite, and I struggled with this for such a long time until a few years ago he looked right at me and said-”Mom, we aren’t the same, you care what people think, I don’t”…gosh that summed it up all in 1 heated sentence….and since then I take it for what it is worth. He is his own person, but at the same time he tells me everything…sometimes the things I don’t want to know. But in that same instance I know I have done a good job this far. He is now a Senior…and we are hoping that all goes well and he will finally be done with school…He is an athlete, he has played soccer, football, baseball and even wrestled. He is a natural when it comes to sports that he tries. Years ago when he turned 12 he had a size 12 foot, and then at 13 a 13, at 14 a 14…luckily that finally stopped as he is now 6’1 and 178 pounds..with a size 14 shoe…We laughed the year he decided to be in chorus so he could go to a waterpark, as his feet hung off the risers. Then come to find out he thought he would miss a day of school, only to find out the trip was on a Saturday, and during Turkey season no less. I am proud of him, love him to pieces, don’t always understand him but he is mine, my oldest….my “trial run” so to speak. Looking back there are things I would have done different, but isn’t that the way? We don’t get a second chance…just the ability to always “try” to do better by them…There is a part of me that is sad, sad that my little baby boy is now “just about a grown-up”, but also happy that a lot of that “tough” growing up is behind us. He is my St. Patrick’s Day baby…with a name that suits it “Aaron Michael”….and although he is a man now…he will always be my first…and always be my baby boy.Aaron is the one holding the sign.

Yesterday we had mid 50′s…with a cool wind..which was nice. This morning I wake up to about 1 inch of accumulation…I thought we were in March..not October…it is about 25 degrees here in Watkins Glen and I have had it with the winter winds and blowing snow…I am hoping this is the last of it. I have included a picture…
I am busily working and trying to keep warm…but I am sure before I know it-we will be in the 70′s…at least I am hoping.
Here is to So Happy Its Thursday…

Until next time….

It all started last Wednesday morning. I got to work at 7:30am after dropping the kids at their respective schools…The coffee was going, the wood stove starting to get warm…I had the radio on, the computer going….getting ready to print my labels for an order…Everything was humming and I was actually getting things done. I had organized the day before, filed paperwork, cleaned up my areas…Life seemed Good….then it happened. Just as I was dragging the label down to the tray in my program…Zippppp-pa…Everything went off, then on, then off, then like a big tease onoff…that quick…It was a windy day, they had just got done on the radio saying we shouldn’t have to worry about losing power-but we did.
I looked around in the dark…at the glowing wood stove and thought “well at least I can be thankful for the heat”. What do you do in the dark at your work? No radio, no computers, no lights…but I was resourceful and put my double boiler on the wood stove and continued to melt wax….so that wasn’t a loss of my “time”.
2 hours later the power was back on. In the meantime I had cut up fabric for my melt packages and candles, and talked to myself due to the loss of the radio and company…lol.
So I started to go around “re-starting” all of the electrical items.
Then I came back to my computer only to find it was still not on. Hmmm…hit the power again-nothing, again, nothing, unplugged, plugged….NOTHING…Ahhhh I wanted to scream. My whole “business life” lives on that thing. When is the last time I backed up my labels?….Ummm, next vision~ALL that was GONE…was it? How could I be so stupid not to be more conscious?
Well I could go on and on…but long story short I had a Memorial Service for the next few days-I think I am still “mourning” the loss of Bessy-she had been with me for the past 2 years (in business form that is)..Gone is my label program that is not “compatible” with Windows Vista…GONE I say. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t been nice to Bessy in the past few weeks. Constantly freezing up on me…the Windows Task Manager had become our common friend. But she was ya know with me from the start of my business-just going on 2 years. So now, although I do really like the new computer (I am at a loss). I now have to recreate all of my labels-missing fonts, where in the heck are all my graphics? Oh yeah-that disc…and that disc…oh and that one.
I got all the programs back on, except my FTP…and except for my monitor going to sleep a lot-like it should be tired-it just got out of the box…I am the one that is tired…tired of “Allow this, and Allow that”…lol…
Lessons learned? I bought 50 cd discs…I will promise to back my work up. I will accept the challenge of a NEW label program and learn to love it…I will enter each one of my customers back into my NEW invoice program…and think of them…
Things will get back to normal for me and the new “guy”…or “girl”…as we get acquainted and learn how to overcome the loss of Bessy!

I have to admit I have dreaded today~all weekend. The kids going back to school, the schedule, the busy-ness. But then it occurred to me, if time didn’t move then where would we be? Stuck. I don’t know about you but I know that half the dreading was in my head. Once I get myself up, ready and out the door I realize the dreading wasn’t worth it. I play that “game” in my head. Positive thoughts, Positive thoughts, then a negative thought comes in and destroys it. Well I have decided that I am going to embrace each day~feel appreciative of what I do have and try to concentrate less on what I don’t have.
Take for instance our washer & dryer. It came with the house, no one knows how long it will last us. I thought for sure New Years Eve day I had over loaded the washer and it was gone forever. But it wasn’t thankfully. Then a few days later we ran out of propane. But they came and filled it so I was back in business this weekend. How Thankful I am for clean clothes. It sounds small when there are larger things, but heck, clean clothes are a major deal. Especially with 3 kids. So I am Thankful for each load I put in dirty, and each one that comes out dry and clean….its the little things we take for granted in life that we need to be Thankful for. So yes today I am Thankful for my clean clothes, my healthy kids, my warm home and a loving husband. I am Thankful that I have been given another day~and I look forward to 2009 for all it has to offer. BIG and small.
What are you Thankful for today? How have you been blessed? Even the smallest thing as clean laundry is something to rejoice about. Have a great day and just try and be Thankful!

Well they were forcasting 9-14 inches-but I think we got lucky with just over 6? At least at our house…They closed schools for the impending storm that started at like 10ish this a.m. I had decided to go down to the store but first I had to stop at Walmart and the bank. Well I went into Walmart to NO snow and came out to a parking lot covered. My groceries got all wet-I really don’t like that when it happens. I went to my store area-didn’t stay long as it was really coming down. Well wouldn’t you know it when I left I slid down the driveway as it is its own little hill and hit the wall of railroad ties. I had lived there for 11 years just about with NO incident…I didn’t cry, I actually laughed-and the damage isn’t as bad as I envisioned-so I stopped at the movie place-and then off to home. The drive that usually takes like 7 minutes turned into 25. I hate skidding and I seemed to do that all the way up the “hill” that goes to our home. So after putting away all the groceries I started to stir up my sugar cookies. I did 2 batches this time as the last single batch was gone within 2 days. It is my Grandma Ryan’s recipe that I have made for the last 19 years…it is something about the cookie itself and the frosting that makes a great combination, and it is one recipe the family looks forward to every year. I also make press cookies-another favorite. So now after hours of baking, my feet are hurting…I am done for today. Tomorrow after Abbey’s last volleyball game I will cut out the sugar cookies, and start all over again. Who doesn’t love a good snow day? I know I do. I hope you are all enjoying your time with your family and friends and are ready for the holidays that are upon us.
Yesterday I spent all day shopping, which isn’t my favorite thing to do. But I am almost done with my shopping and content with the sales I found, and the deals that were out there.
Have a great weekend, if I don’t post before, but you never know, I may just be back soon.