the word of the day

The word of the day is WOW! Several customers today have said 'WOW!" under their breath as they've been looking at the joolz on display. It's almost like the word just escapes from them - they're feeling it and don't even realize they're saying it.

And it feels like a pat on the back, so we silently thank them. It's good to know that what we've chosen knocks their socks off, so we must be doing something right. Hope you'll feel wowed, too!

charlie is here!

Charles Brian Becker arrived at 12:01am this morning in Colorado, 2 1/2 weeks early. We're all thrilled that he is safely here and that he, his mommy and his daddy are all doing well. Nana and Poppy look forward to meeting Charlie very soon!

backstage at the STYX concert

Our LA daughter and grandson are here for a 2-week visit and we're loving every minute of it.

Out of the blue, she discovered that STYX was going to be performing at CMAC last night. She's acquainted with the band's Tommy Shaw in LA...and long story short...she and her little sidekick were kindly offered seats and backstage passes to visit with Tommy while they were all here in Canandaigua at the same time. Not too many 5-year olds get to see classic rock bands in action, but armed with ear plugs, off they went to the concert. What fun!

L.O.V.E.

This floor quilt says it all.

L.O.V.E.

Loved being in Denver for Katie's baby shower this weekend.

Love that Katie's Aunt Jossie made this charming quilt for Paddington.

Love that I got to spend time with both my daughters together.

Love that Paddington is almost fully cooked and should arrive in just 5 weeks!!

(Sorta) love that my 5 1/2 year old grandson loves to tease me about frogs, lizards and snakes. Love that I will see him and his mommy again in just 2 weeks.

Love that I got home safe and sound.

inside looking out

This was the view from the inside looking out today.

Numerous worker bees. Miles of yellow caution tape. Large cement truck. Orange cones blocking off every single parking spot on our block. What a mess!

For several weeks, downtown has been a full-fledged disaster area. FEMA should have been called. First all the Main Street trees were removed. Then the old gas line was dug up and replaced. Next, new laterals were installed to the individual business meters. Then the sidewalk was repaired. But not permanently. Parts of it will be dug up again next year, to replace the trees and hopefully make it look more attractive.

And the customers? Hiding, for the most part. Who wants to deal with no parking and the mess of torn up sidewalks?

But once the concrete dries (and that shouldn't take too long, since it was in the 90's today), it will be easy navigating again. Not too pretty, but walkable.

Come visit. We've missed you!

caught on the trail cam

My husband has been hoping to spot a bear on our property. He looks. And he looks. And he keeps looking.

In the hopes that the bear would be lurking around at times when least expected, my always-hopeful husband ordered a trail camera online. Now located on a tree down the hill from our house, the camera's aimed at a path that's used by the many white-tailed deer in the area. They're constantly crossing our property from north to south and then back again. The trail cam has taken hundreds of images of the deer coming and going.

This Eastern coyote, however, was an unexpected catch. He's heading north along the property line, staying near the high grass. We hear the coyotes in the night, howling at the joy of their kills, but it's rare to see one in the daytime.

Next time - bear!

three generations

Three generations of friendship - how wonderful. My good friend Lee moved in across the street when we were 7. Off we went to second grade together and we're still the best of friends, just a few short years later, celebrating all of life's big moments together.

This past weekend Lee generously hosted a baby shower for my youngest daughter (on the right), who is expecting her first child (a BOY!) at the end of July. Lee's daughter, who is expecting her second child (a GIRL!) at the beginning of July, was in attendance. Lee and I are thrilled to see three generations of friendship resulting from those early days at Twelve Corners Elementary School. And now we're both on full alert, waiting for the exciting phone calls that will tell us the babies are here.