They Tell Me It's Spring - I Think They Lie

So...the national news is saying we Northeasters got slammed with a Nor'Easter. At 7:30 this morning there was about one inch of snow on the walkway. When I left the house at 9:45 a.m. the walk was clear but there was a little snow on the windshield of the car. By noon it was sprinkling. This is my kind of Nor'Easter!!!

It is still cold, but a survey of the garden yesterday showed small green shoots poking out of the mulch and there are new shoots on the rose bush. It looks like both of the Rose of Sharons are getting buds on the stems and the daisy bushes are showing new growth. I am holding my breath for the large face hibiscus. I have never had them before and am not sure how they come back. I did cut them back just as the nursery pro told me to so I guess it's a case of "wait and see." I am so ready to get busy planting the flower boxes and the pots. It isn't really spring until I get my hands in the dirt.

There is a new Homegoods store in Chelsea, only a couple of towns away. This is a GREAT store for fancy pots and plant stands. The prices are so good. The pots look very high-end but the price is a bargain! I bought this great fish pot and can't wait to fill it with plants. I want to top seed the lawn when there is no more chance of a freeze. I have had it with winter. Snow, slush, wind and all that comes with it! Punxsutawney Phil saw no shadow when he stuck his little nose out of his burrow and I, for one, am holding him to his word! Bring on the sun!

I am headed out to Washington state for Easter. Jerry's birthday is the 23rd, as is our wedding anniversary. He thought it might be a good idea for me to be away from here for that day. I think he's right. It will be a tough day no matter what, but if I am not sitting here surrounded by Tom's things and all the memory triggers, it will be a lot better. So we are going to go up to Vancouver, BC for the weekend. It has been years since I was there last. The kids and I were here when they were 6 and 7! Jerry, Josh and I may even go zip-lining at Grouse Mountain! That's the plan anyway. We will have to see where my courage level is on that day.

It has been warm enough for the puppies to have a few good beach runs. Brewski was playing a little too close to the shore one day when the waves were a bit rough and he got smacked in the rear by a wave. That little dog jumped four feet in the air! He has not gone near the water's edge since. And I had planned to teach him to swim this summer!

Well it's a week or so later and although the sun has been out, the temperature has not gotten above 45 degrees. I try to get a few things done in the yard, but the ocean wind makes my hands freeze after a few minutes. I checked out the home stores, Lowes and Home Depot and they still do not have a good selection of annuals. Guess I will wait until after I get back from vacation to really do the yard. Besides, the girls will have their have heir hands full caring for the dogs,I don't need a bunch of young plantings to add to their responsibilities.

I took a little road trip with a good friend last week. We went to a "bead show" in Seekonk, RI. I had given away all my beading materials as my hands did not want to cooperate with the small beads any more. But I have discovered Polymor clay and can make beads that are easier to handle. I had never been to a bed show before and was awestruck at a room full of color, texture and ideas. I found some beads to add to the necklace Tom had bought for me and a few things I could use with the clay pieces I am making. But he most fun came from watching my friend shop. She does beautiful work with semi-precious stones and pearls. Her work is much more hi-end than mine ever was. Five hours later we were off to eat and then head home. Here is a link to her on-line store: www.artfire.com/users/4evadorn . I hope you take a moment to just look at the beauty of her work.

Well, better get this posted and get my day started. God bless you all and may all your days be full of tulips and daffadils!

Life at Seagull Cottage Changes Forever

I was so happy last December writing down the happenings here in our little corner of the world. Life was good. We had a speed bump coming up, but, we had made it over them before. Speed bumps are nothing compared to the sinkhole I fell into December 15th.

"Bye, honey! See you in six hours," I say, "OK, bring me a pizza," he says, "Sure I will, honey", I reply. Those were our last words the morning of December 14th as I dropped Tom off for his valve replacement. Jessica, our oldest grand daughter, had arrived the night before and was home catching up on some sleep. She was going to help me when Tom came home. I went home, curled up on the sofa with the puppies and dozed off. The phone rang five hours later, but it was not the news I was waiting for. There were complications and the team was working to fix the problem. The surgery lasted 15 hours and there was no way he could catch up with the stress that had been put on his body. I said goodbye to my precious BearPaws the next day.

Now 60 days later I am trying to make some sense out of my life and trying to do all the things Tom would have wanted me to do. The best part of all this is the support from family and friends.

Jessica made the decision to stay here in New England, get a job and try out having an adult life away from her parents. Let me tell you, she's doing great. I don't know if living with this Ol'lady is different than with her folks, but she has made some good choices and seems to be fitting in nicely. She got a job at Target right here in Revere. Training for an assistant manager position was not what she had planned to do, however, the opportunity arose and so far so good. Target gives great training and she is learning each step before she progresses to the next. This will be a real job, complete with benefits! She has about 8 weeks left in her program before the raise and benefits kick in. Working so close to home (all of a five minute commute)is great for her. She uses the Edge to get to and from work so I figure she will go through about 3/4's of a tank of gas a month! I told her to get a bike in the spring.

We have had a record cold winter this year, with a heck of a lot of snow. But we made it through with just a few bruises. Friends and family from all over have brought me great comfort in the past few months. I am not real sure as to what my future holds for me. I don't know which of the many options I will pursue,. What I do know is that I have a circle of wonderful people around me who will help in the decision.

So long for now and all our love and thanks to all of you being a part of my life!

What a Difference a Month Makes

November was like being slammed up alongside the head with a 2x4. For those of you who don't know, Tom spent 21 days in Mass General Hospital. At first we thought he had pneumonia, but soon discovered it was congestive heart failure. His aortic valve has failed along with one of he grafts from the old surgery. Bottom line is he was not getting enough Oxygen into his blood and all the liquid was building up in his lungs and body. The surgery was cancelled twice as the pneumonia refused to go away. He came home under house arrest, the day before Thanksgiving, to finish out the medication and wait for his surgeon to return from a trip to Israel. The new surgery date is December 14th at 7:00 a.m.

He has done very well here at home. His lungs are clear and he has dropped 40 pounds. All things considered, he's in better condition than the last time (14 years ago). He's been busy working and catching up on all the holiday movies ever to grace the TV screen. Do you have any idea how many versions of the "Christmas Carol" have been made!!!!

I managed to get the yard decorations up, most of the house, Christmas letter and cards sent and most of the shopping done and sent. The dogs and I all got groomed and we're ready for the holidays. The "Pack" made you all a Christmas card:

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Tom should be home around the 20th. My grand daughter, Jessica, is coming out to help me. She has her Certified Nursing Assistant training and will be able to help the visiting nurses with Tom. I am so very lucky to have her! Christmas at Seagull Cottage will be quiet this year. But I get a healty husband for Christmas! How can that be topped?

Tom will be on his laptop as soon as he gets home and anxious for his email (stundza@aol.com) so help keep it full.

Happy Holidays to All, and a Bright and Bold New Year.

If I Had Trees My Yard Would Be Full of Leaves

I had to turn on the heat. Each year I swear I will not turn on the heat until November 1st and the weather gods slap me in the face, yell “Fool!” and drop the temperature enough to force me to renege on my vow. Even with the blankets so artfully tossed over the sofa and the chair, the ability to see your breath was enough to make for rethinking my plan. The dogs were all cuddled together in little tight balls and Tom was not taking his coat off when he got home from the office. I turned on the heat a week early. Oh and then the weather gods had their last laugh and jumped back up to the 70’s for several days! Donch’a just love New England? (NOT!)

October was a fun month. We started out by attending the Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New England (CSRNE) gala fund raiser in Middleborough, MA. The puppies were up for a slot on the calendar and so all three were off to the groomer. They wouldn’t take Atticus! Said he was matted and that they would have to shave him down! Matted, my eye! Shave him down…NEVER! So he came home with me and I combed him out and took him to a Doggy wash here in town. They were nice enough to help me with his long fur and clipped his nails too. I trimmed his top-knot and when I went to get the other two, the groomers, there, were shocked at how good he looked. By then, Atticus’ regular groomer was there and she apologized for the others and their actions. Bottom line: My “Pack” looked spiffy!

The trip was fun. We took the new car and turned on the GPS and set out for the hotel. One small glitch. When we arrived at our destination (according to Zelda, the GPS) there was no hotel. It seems there is a North road and a South road and the address didn’t specify which. Once at the hotel, we checked in and took the dogs to the room. They saw the king sized bed and each stacked out a spot and drifted off. Later they came down for a visit and to show off. Everyone recognized “The Pack” from the contest and had to come pet and play. The pack came in 8th in the contest and are July on the 2011 calendar! So thank you to all who voted for them.

We took Mom and Auntie to see the musical “Chicago” done by a local theatre group. The venue was a really small theater in Reading, MA. I wasn’t sure how they were going to pull off this play in such a small space. One of my friends from the Bank of America days was in it so we gave it a shot. What a wonderful time we had. William and Wanda joined us and everyone enjoyed the performance. The director was brilliant and managed to pull off a full stage production in a very tight, diagonal space. Afterwards we all went to dinner.

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A few weeks later the gang got together at the China Blossom restaurant to celebrate a very special birthday. Tillie turned 89 and was telling everyone she saw. I don’t blame her! She is still spry and beautiful. After working our way through trays of delicious ribs, mouth-watering Peking Raviolis, sumptuous sweet and sour pork and so on and so forth, we adjourned to Mom’s house for cake and tea. There the gifts were given and a few tears shed. But all in all it was a great day.

October also saw the return of the contractor. Why he chooses to work on our place in the cold weather is beyond me. But, the work on the deck has resumed, or I should say the stairs to the deck. We had to replace the entire structure from the support poles to the stringers. The poles were not set in concrete and the stringers were full of rot. They are almost done. Then the real deck work will begin.

I got the yard ready for winter. Shrubs cut back that needed cutting, bulbs planted for the spring, grass cut and winterized. I should be almost set in that area. I may have to mow one final time if the weather stays above 50 degrees. If I do I can fertilize one more time. All the mulch is in and the rain barrel is almost empty.

Halloween was a special day, here at Seagull Cottage. It marked the one year anniversary of Atticus joining our family. The pack celebrated with each getting a dish of Icy Paws, doggy ice cream. They had been out for a fun romp on the beach earlier.

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Well that was our October. November is here and the heat is on for good now. It is hard to believe that Turkey day is just around the corner. And you know what that means: I have to go to the basement and figure out what in the world Im going to use this year to decorate with! I have enough for three houses!

Stay warm and cozy. Have a warm toddy now and then to keep the blood pumping. Stay healthy, and God Bless you all!

Oh My God, It's September Already!

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Where has the summer gone? For us, it was a time of hard work and satisfaction in many areas. Tom's new job, our new yard, Josh moving back to Seattle to start the next phase of his life, and the addition of another dog. September is proving to be time of winding down, yet tossing in some fun stuff, too. For example, on September 8th, Tom and I were at Fenway with seats on the Green Monster, where FOUR homeruns were hit into the seats! And the Stundza Clan is going on a boat ride around Boston Harbor next weekend with a yacht club member's cabin cruiser.

The sad news is that my 13-year-old Sebring convertible finally bit the dust. After five years of faithful service, "Baby" started to show the ails of 97,000+ miles and a rough life by the ocean (she never had a garage). It was either spend a small fortune to get her back in shape or let her go. After much thought, it was decided to allow her to quietly go off to rest. The dilemma was whether to spend a small amount and get another clunker or to up the ante and look for something very dependable. We needed something we could use for our day-trips or even short weekend hops that would not rack up miles on the leased Edge. But, since this would be my primary car, it had to be a rag top. After searching for many weeks, I found a car I really loved and it met all the criteria: Tom was comfortable behind the wheel, there is room for the dogs, the gas mileage is better than "Baby" and it looks HOT! "Sugaa" is now a part of the family. She's a 2006 Toyota Camry Solara with only 35,000 miles on it. She's in really great shape and has a crazy story. THIS IS THE TRUTH!!!! She was owned by a 72 year old Plumber from Revere. He decided that he needed something different so he traded her in for a 2011 Mustang Shelby convertible!!!! His nephew is the sales manager at York Ford and the Solara had just come in the day I saw her. Uncle has to wait another month for his new car, but we have "Sugaa" now and we love her!!!!!

Last week Tom had a visit from one of his old high-school, college & Post-Tribune buddies whom he hadn't seen in a gazillion years. It was wild getting these two together again. The stories! Glenn Arnold Surrette was with us just for one night but he seemed to be an old friend of mine as well. He and his wife live in Charleston, S.C., have a dog and two cats so he fit right in with our zoo. He pulled up to the house in the most beautiful Corvette C5 that I have seen in ages, named the Blue Shark, and it turns out he has an Austin-Healy Sprite MK I too! The Healy is my favorite car of all time and I had a '56 back in my youth. If the guy has that taste in cars, he's #1 in my book!

The yard is as done as it will get except fot the planting of some bulbs for the spring. Some summer plants have been replaced with Mums and Asters for the fall and we added some Ornamental Millet for fall. The work on the upper deck is paused as our contractor had some major problems on a couple of other sites he is working on. The other sites involve unlivable situations vs my outside deck, so I told him to see to the other houses first. I just want the work done before winter sets in. Tom is not pleased, to say the least.

The pups are in a contest for the Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New England. They are having their big fund raiser and you can help by voting for your favorite picture! Go to http://www.csrne.org/ and scroll down until you see the link for "enter your pet pictures", then scroll down until you start to see the pictures. There are so many beautiful dogs. I entered a photo of each dog and then one of "The Pack". The Pack seems to really be getting votes. Each vote costs $2 and the money goes to helping with the care and wellbeing of dogs waiting for their forever homes. We are all going to the Auction and Dinner in early October.

With fall creeping up on us, I was hungry for a chicken chili. None of the recipies I found sounded good and I didn't want to make a trip to the store for a bunch of ingredients I might never use again so I tried just using what I had in the cupboard. SCORE!!! Below is Keleigh's Chicken Chili for Two:

2 chicken breast halves, skinned

1/2 cup chopped white onion

1/2 green pepper, chopped fine

1 T minced garlic

2 T Adobo sauce out of a can of poblano chilies

1 quart of chicken broth

2 small cans of great northern white beans.

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and brown in large frying pan. Toss in the rest of the ingreidents, cover and simmer for about 45 minutes. Remove the cover and simmer to the thickness you like. Serve with oyster cracker, a good country bread or garlic crutons. A dolop of sour cream adds a coolness to the pepper heat. Give it a try, I think you will like it.

So much for the start of our Fall. I hope our weather holds up for many weeks to come. I really need the time to plant the Spring bulbs! I hope you all are having good days and good health. As always Life at Seagull Cottage is Blessed.

Water Bill = Equals National Debt

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The yard is almost done! We have worked the entire month of July on it and I must say it is looking good! I tried to do a video of the yard but I skills are still not good enough. I hope you all enjoy the Smilebox .

July was a very busy month. Tom got his job at IHS Global Insight as a Senior Analyst. He has an Office with a door and three windows! He is so happy. He just started the 3rd of August but was hired as soon as his commitment to Reed was over. He's so very busy and loving every minute of it.


Josh moved back home to Washington State yesterday. The house is very quiet without him. Yodi and Brewski were very attached to him and they are suffering from Josh withdrawal. Josh was able to transfer with the Hyatt Hotel and got a promotion to the Security Staff at the Grand Hyatt in Seattle. He's very excited as that is the hotel where all the sports pros stay when there are games in town. Lots of high profile guests. He still plans on enlisting in the Coast Guard or Navy as an officer. Now that he is home he will have the time to look into whats going to work best for him. It was great having him here but now he is on to the next phase of his life. He will have a few weeks with his dad before Jerry goes out of town on business .

My time was filled with the Make a Wish regatta at our club. I was part of the committee for the raffle, silent auction and grab bags. We started the project in March for a July31st/August 1st Regatta. Between the youth sailors and the adults we had over 120 sailors. I just heard from our chairman today and she thinks we cleared $30,000!!!! We never thought we would make as much as last year and now it looks as if we might have done a few bucks better! This is a shot of the boat taking the course markers out to the race area. I liked the reflection in the water.
Well that's it for now. Enjoy the rest of the summer!

60 Days Was a Big Mistake

I owe you all an apology as last months chapter seems to have been posted in cyber space somewhere but NOT here where it belongs. Rather than trying to remember all I wrote last month, I will do a quick recap and then do June.

The biggest event in May was the graduation for Josh.

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June was a busy month. Tom was busy with some free-lance for several people while waiting for the 18th when he would be legally free to start interviewing. I was working around the house and dealing with antiquated plumbing. In five days the main line clogged and flooded the back of the basement with sewage twice! I was up to my toes in you know what! So I shoveled and sprayed and shoveled some more. Finally the plumber came and replaced the traps and the drain guys jet flushed the line. But what a few days that was. I got rid of a lot of "stuff". I bet the trash pickers got a big surprise when they opened the big black bags looking for treasure!

Some friends from down the street, John & Carol, have two Cavalier King Charles spaniels named Gabe and Nina. They had the cutest tags for the dogs and I HAD to order some for my pack. All three now have a MA Barking License!


The website is yappyhappy.com and the licenses are issued from whatever state you live in. these are the best tags I have ever seen!

The money-pit stories go on. My washer and dryer are 15 years old and have been overhauled several times. When you spend as much time as I do with a machine, you learn its little quirks and fits. Last week I told Tom and Josh they had to go easy with the load size as the washer was acting like a diva and I wasn't sure if this mood would pass. So Tom says: Honey, bite the bullet and go get a new set. I says: I'm in the car and down the street. So off to Home Depot I go and order a new set. When I get home, Josh says he's going to do his laundry. I head off to a meeting. Tom and Josh show up at the club and are still there when I go home. I go to bed. Midnight: Tom wakes me up to come fix the washer. Needless to say I say I'll deal with it in the morning. Morning: Washer is DEAD! How did it know a new one was coming in five days?

The meetings at the club are for our annual Regatta to benefit the Make a Wish Foundation. I am on the Silent Auction/Raffle committee again this year. We started early and really have a great start. The raffle has the Sports package: 2 tickets to each of the Boston/New England sporting events (Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins & Patriots), an IPod Touch, a Kayak and numerous other items. The silent auction tables are building with Sports tickets, artwork, hotel stays, restaurant certificates, cruises on some of the boats from the club. More things are still coming in. The event will be July 31st and August 1st. We will be having the silent auction open to the public this year. I hope we can have as good a result as we did last year.

Tom had a great interview in Washington DC with a company who has an office here in Lexington. Now comes the wait for the big guys to decide on if this new position will be a benefit to the company. Tom has worked with this company for many years as part of his job with the magazine. Everyone seems to want this to happen. We will just have to wait and see.

The yard will be done next week. I finally decided what to do and found a contractor who seems to know what he is doing. There will be a brick walkway. curbstone flowerbeds around the house and along the north side of the yard, a 10 x 10 patio in the back and a brick platform for the barbecue. I will not get all the plantings in this season but will be able to get the bulbs in for the spring. I will do mums for the fall. I did add flower boxes to the front porch.


Now the flowers have filled in a lot more. The heat wave has done its damage to many of the plants, especially the huge hanging basket. I am trying very hard to save it. Water in the morning, misting midday and water at night. The verbena has come back somewhat but the petunias seem to be lost. The tomato plant has a single tomato on it and I have a single flower on my strawberry plants. It's a good thing I wasn't planning to live off the land this fall!

Well that's about all the news for now, at least for the timebeing. I hope all of you are doing well and are haveing a great summer!