Forks Off The Moment

Where The Hell Have I Been?

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 14:51:00 +0000

I've been looking for an apartment while painters and contractors have been crawling all over this house to prep it for selling.

I found a place and will be officially living there as of April 11.
Until then I exist in this uncomfortable world of boxes and bubble wrap; anxious cats and noisy workers and endless phone calls turning stuff off, turning it on and wondering why I had it to begin with,

The development I am moving into is pretty. It's an H shaped, 2 story apartment complex surrounded by trees on 2 sides, a small development of one family homes in front and a country club behind.

The groups of units look like this

I have a 2nd floor apt. with a balcony. When I told Hope we could play Romeo and Juliet she said "It's Gnomeo Nana, Gnomeo"

My son set up the new TV and got stuff ready for Verizon to come run lines.

This is the kitchen

This is at the bedroom window, looking out toward the hall that leads to the bathroom at the left and to the front door straight ahead.

I hope to have many happy things to share with you once I'm settled.

Sharing

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 14:49:00 +0000

The big scratching thingie is one of Siren's most favorite nap spots.

Isadora came around

After what seemed like hours of staring Isadora made a move

After what seemed like hours of Isadora sniffing the scratchy thingie and Siren not looking at her ...

... Isadora tempted fate

Neither one of them was pleased with the situation but no one wanted to be the first to move on.

Eventually they both left.

You might notice a stream of drool coming from Siren's mouth. He does get drooly a lot because of his meds but usually he wipes it away. Since Isadora required his full attention he just ignored his drool.

I posted some pics of Hope over at The Photo Blog

Athena

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 16:06:00 +0000

Hope was out with Mom and Dad so I got some alone time with Athena

If she isn't smiling or shouting out Athena tends to look surprised

Surprised that she gets to touch Hope's bear. Only for a moment as fur in the mouth isn't good.

Surprised by some sudden movement and music on TV

Surprised that she can slide down

And just plain surprised

Have a happy weekend everybody

Super Snow Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:22:00 +0000

How lovely that the snow waited til after the game

It's been snowing since dawn.

A Beautiful Day

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 13:05:00 +0000

Sunny and warm - yes, temps in the 30s are now considered warm here

Get some sun if you can, it's good for you

Winter, Oy

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 14:11:00 +0000

Hope's snow friend is happy

stay warm and safe friends

Christmas Pics

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 15:55:00 +0000

Happy New Year everybody

We spent Christmas Eve in the MotherLand of Brooklyn, at my brother John's house. Christmas morn was at home.

The tree my brother ordered never arrived so he decorated the vacuum cleaner.

He and Hope have fun together

My niece Caitlin met Athena for the first time.

Hope enjoys dessert

She was a bit surprised that her minion speaks

A pop up book of super heroes. Hope continues to love books.

We watched 'A Christmas Story' so many times that Hope finally said ' is there a football game on?'

Athena is 3 months old and pretty much oblivious to the fuss. Hope enjoyed opening Athena's gifts for her.

Hope got a new 'cartoon/football watching' chair.

Have a safe and happy new year. I wish you all good things.

Wishing You ...

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 13:29:00 +0000

All good things

Joy and Peace and at least one good Hug every day.

yes, that is bubble wrap next to Athena. Her big sister likes to be safe. True love.

That Can't Be Comfortable

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 13:25:00 +0000

I've done just about all my shopping online.

Isadora must sit on every box that arrives.

I posted some photos of the furless family members over at The Photo Blog

Madiba

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 15:45:00 +0000

Madiba – This is the name of the clan of which Mr Mandela is a member. A clan name is much more important than a surname as it refers to the ancestor from which a person is descended. Madiba was the name of a Thembu chief who ruled in the Transkei in the 18th century. It is considered very polite to use someone’s clan name.

You can learn so much more about Mr. Mandela at his foundation's site - HERE

Oprah Winfrey tells my favorite story about Nelson Mandela. During his last visit to the United States Oprah scheduled a full show devoted to interviewing Madiba and showing news footage of his struggles and achievements.

When he arrived at Harpo Studios Mr. Mandela was greeted by a very crowded green room; people were spilling out into the halls and all over the back stage area. As the producer walked him to the set entrance Mr. Mandela asked who else was scheduled to appear on that day's show. The producer was genuinely confused by the question. Madiba laughed at the expression on her face and said "I assume there will be more guests, these crowds cannot all be for me!"

Imagine that level of humility from a former President and someone who changed his country and the world.

I think that is the essence of Nelson Mandela's persona and it is that humanity that made him so great yet so relatable.

Whites and Blacks together in public was illegal during apartheid. This photo was taken outside of Madiba's home after the news of his death was announced.

Mr. Mandela often said that he survived his 27 years in prison by knowing that the work he had started was continuing outside.

He was powerful and loving.

And oh so full of joy.

There will never again be anyone like him.

I have read many comments about the passing of Nelson Mandela. None have moved me or spoken for me as much as this part of Muhammad Ali's tribute to Madiba.

"... What I will remember most about Mr.Mandela is that he was a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge. He taught us forgiveness on a grand scale. His was a spirit born free, destined to soar above the rainbows. Today his spirit is soaring through the heavens. He is now forever free."

Peaceful Journey Madiba

Thank You

Is the Chanukah Turkey Coming?

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 14:20:00 +0000

When I was a wee one I used to talk about Chanukah Claus which scandalized all the nice Jewish ladies in the neighborhood but Nana thought it was funny and that's all that mattered to me.

Nana would have loved cooking all sorts of Russian delights along with a turkey.

I am thankful for Hope and Athena.

Hope loves 'Sophia The First' and enjoys dressing like her. The Christmas Elf made her appearance that morning.

When Hope was an infant my favorite thing was her crooked smile. With Athena it is her endless look of surprise. Sometimes her mouth forms a perfect O and sometimes her eyes get really big. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you get both.

We call this photo 'Jeffrey in a Tutu' - she looks so much like her Dad.

Happy Chanukah my friends. Happy Thanksgiving too.

You all hold a special place in my heart.

I posted my favorite colors of Fall over at The Photo Blog The rain and wind have pretty much cleared the trees now.

Up In Arms

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 14:17:00 +0000

Hope - One Month Old

Athena - Two Months Old

Sisters In Arms

Service

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:31:00 +0000

Months ago I came across a puppy cam that led me to - Warrior Canine Connection - an organization that pairs service dogs with combat veterans.

The dogs are trained from birth to two years old. They live with a volunteer foster family and are taught to help in more ways than I can count.

Check them out at their site and on Facebook.

I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.

- Doris Day

Halloween On The Photo Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 13:44:00 +0000

Pics of Hope and Athena are up on The Photo Blog

My Fair Lady

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 13:13:00 +0000

All she wants is a box somewhere ...

There are beds and kitty-abodes and mats and tree houses all over the house.

Yet ...

I finally got her to look up once she was assured that her box was safe

Over At The Photo Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 16:30:00 +0000

I posted some shots from a recent visit to the marina

The Photo Blog

The Karate Girl

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 11:53:00 +0000

Hope started karate classes yesterday and she loves it.

Apologies for photo quality but they're camera phone through glass while everyone is moving.

Athena

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 16:47:00 +0000

Here she is one day old. I have since discovered that if you sing or speak quietly to her, up close, she makes this face.

Here she is this morning. As Hope put it - "She loves to suck. Just suck and suck. But I can't say she sucks because that means something else and is not nice. Confusing !! "

I posted some Brooklyn photos over at The Photo Blog

The Girls

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 11:24:00 +0000

Hope and her baby sister.

Baby sister's name is Athena Patricia

Patricia is my sister's name. She died suddenly and dramatically and far too young.
This is a lovely way to remember her.

Life Happens While You're Preparing A Rant

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 03:03:00 +0000

I was on and off putting together a post about what's up and where I'm at and blah - blah - blah

I get on my own nerves

Then at 9:05 this evening Hope's baby sister decided to join us a wee bit early

She's 6 pounds/7 ounces and 19 inches long

Here she is just an hour after birth, her name will be announced later

and here's Hope at her cousin's baptism yesterday

My son became a Godfather and a Father in the same weekend

I love youse guys and will try to be a better friend here on these internet tubes

Go Climb A Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 16:55:00 +0000

If you'd like to feel as though you have
please check out the photos

over at The Photo Blog

So I Decided To Go Out ...

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 15:41:00 +0000

I had been in the house for days when I decided I really had to get out last Thursday. The news had said showers in the morning with gradual clearing after 1 PM.

I looked out the window a little after 1 and the sky did indeed seem to be brightening so out I went.

Once outside I noticed that the sky not visible from the kitchen window was dark and foreboding but in my capacity as freakin' self proclaimed meteorologist I decided the storms were headed north.

I was already out and the cupboards were bare so off I went.

Not even 10 minutes later ...

The first drops hit the car so hard I jumped. Even with the wipers on high it was impossible to see. Many of us pulled into the first parking lot we could find and just sat.

For 40 minutes.

The streets flooded so quickly.

The excitement never ends.

These Photos Are For The Birds

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 13:20:00 +0000

There's a post up at the Photo Blog

New Post On Photo Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 11:46:00 +0000

I put up a new post over at the photo blog - HERE

I think I'm going to combine the 2 blogs, I just haven't figured out how.

I need to deal with new limitations and not fight them. It's pretty silly to have 2 blogs when you don't/can't spend much time online.

Oy

Love youse guys

Look Up

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne) — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 16:01:00 +0000

Sky shots from the past few weeks. I think the first two look a bit like the ocean.

I saw a poster of a cloud saying - "Look, some of those people down there are shaped like idiots"

click on photo to enlarge