Smithville (Village) Park Winter Walk: Set 1

I'm here in Smithville for the weekend.  My sister-in-law Megan's Birthday is Monday, so we went out to celebrate today.  Yummy lunch as a family at B-W's in Massillon. 

My parents and I also had some important business to deal with, my car.  I had an accident on Wednesday.  I'm fine. The other driver is fine.  Minimal damage to her car, just paint transfer and scratches.  My car isn't too bad, but the insurance company has decided to total it.  TOTAL it.  That's a big deal.  The damage is kinda bad, and the car is old; so, it is just not worth their while to repair it at this point.  So, now we are on the look for a new car.  I will get a small payout for my car, but my parent's are going to have to 'help' me buy a new car. 

Dad has been looking and basically, I don't care what he gets.  I know I should but honestly just as long as I can drive it and it runs well,, I could care less.  He knows I don't want something big, no crazy colors, etc.  We'll buy a GM car and that will be that.  He's the one who will end up dealing with major problems.  I just need to know where the battery, oil, antifreeze, break and power steering fluid, etc. go and how to check them.  Easy maintenance stuff that I can and usually do.  So, we'll see.  We hope to have something this week.  Well, we kinda have to.  I have to call the insurance company Monday and get the work started to actually total the car and get rid of it.  Then I'm gonna need something to drive when that is done.  This is nerve wracking.  Thank goodness the car is still able to be driven and doing well, for now...we don't know how long that will last.  So, the sooner the better.  (I have appointments, as usual in Columbus, several evenings this week.  I NEED a reliable car.)

Anyway, sorry to ramble, I'm home and it was warm enough this morning (24 degrees!) so I went on a walk to and through Smithville Park.  Lovely with the 6 inches of snow and the half frozen creek.  I took a lot of pictures and I'll post half tonight and half tomorrow.  (Wow, look at me, 2 series of photos going at once!-Botanical Garden and now this Winter Hike. I'm a Blogger.) 

I hope you like them.  I loved the hike, and if I hadn't had to come home to get ready to go out to lunch, I would have gone much longer; but family comes first.  Even before my desperate need for solace and silence (and to take pictures of and in nature.)  (eep) 

Enjoy the pictures and I hope you're all safe and loving this beautiful winter weather.  I am!!!!

Oh and I forgot an item for my list of things I want/need for hiking.  I've wanted these for a while and can not believe I forgot - SNOWSHOES!

Sledding, Strouds Run Winter Hike #4, Family Time

Yesterday did not turn out to be the day I had planned.  After church I was expecting to head home, change and head out on a hike.  Nope, didn't happen.  Instead as I got near home, my car started to seriously act up.  It was over heating and acting really weird.  Less than a mile from the house I stopped at a stop sign and, well it died.  Ugh.  So, I called my Dad, 'What you do you think?'  We knew the battery was on the last leg, and that there is a problem with the anti-freeze (it leaks a lot).  I tried to fill the coolant, but with the battery dead and the car not running, it wouldn't fill.  So, I called Progressive for a tow truck.

Meanwhile Dad and I decided just to have the car taken to my house and then he would come down to put in a new battery, we'd refill the coolant and see if we could get her to run.  We'd just spend a good deal of money on other stuff for the car, so we really didn't want to have to do more unless we could do it ourselves.  So, after an hour, the tow truck showed up, brought me and my car home.  And I chilled out at the house for the afternoon.

Around 6:30pm I hear my Dad's truck pull in.  I was in the kitchen washing dishes and answered the knock on the door with a quick and loud, 'Come in!'  In spilled my NIECE and dad!  What?!!  I was stunned.  I knew my parents were going to have her for the night but assumed Mom was staying home with her and Dad was just coming down on his own.  Nope.  Mom, Dad, Kayla and Duke (the dog) all came to spend the night!  I was thrilled.  and totally unprepared.


But it was great.  Dad got to work on the car and in an hour and a half had it set.  New battery, refilled fluids and a test drive.  She was running fine.  For now.  I have to keep a close eye on it.  At 201,000 miles there is a lot of room for error and I need to be extremely careful.

We settled into a dinner of ordered in pizza, crazy kid games, beading, and making 'telescopes' with constellations.  It was a great night.  We talked, acted silly and didn't go to bed until 10:45 pm!  So late for all of us!

This morning we got up and tried to decide what to do.  It wasn't too cold and Miss Pooh had brought her snow stuff so we blew up her inflatable sledding tube and hit the big hill behind my house.  Boy did she have fun.  Then we went for our hike at Strouds Run.  Kayla really is a trooper and she kept up pretty well.  It was just Kay and I in the woods for our 1/2 mile hike and we saw some lovely stuff in the woods.  We got some awesome pictures too!

By the time we were done we were exhausted and famished.  So, off to Bob Evans for Lunch and back to Aunt April's to pack up.  Now they are gone.  My house is quite again, but a little sad and lonely.  Its always rough right after they leave.  I'll get back to normal, soon.

Anyway,  hope you like my pictures and can see what a fun day we had, together!  Enjoy!

It's Friday...almost!

I am so happy it's almost Friday.  Seriously, I was beginning to think the end of this week of h**l would never arrive.  Work has been INSANE and I am so ready for a day off!  I'm only working a partial tomorrow and then a few hours Saturday.  No work on Sunday and this girl is thrilled!!!!  (Saturday's work won't be too bad, just some of my staff and I doing some inventory and  clean up.  We don't have to ON and dealing with anyone except each other.  Yeah!!!)

Anyway, as I prepare for a short, but what will probably prove to be another challenging day, I have a few photos to share.  I have not been keeping up with my blog.  My writing challenge is blown and frankly I'm just tired lately.  I really need to get out more and hope to have some time to hike and enjoy the outdoors a little this weekend.  I may put my sewing projects aside and forget about them until the weather gets even cooler.  We'll see if that really happens. 

So, here's a few photos from this evening.  Nothing fancy, just pretty pictures.  At least I like most of them.  Enjoy!!!

A beautiful shot that caught my eye while I was working on the car.  (Nothing serious just routine stuff I have to do to keep my baby running.  My car is 12 years old and has driven a lot of miles!)  I stopped went inside and had to get my camera.  The sky was just gorgeous.  I'm really glad fall is on its way. (BTW, I totally think the front of this set of clouds looks like a dragon's head.)

A burst of color.  Some of the leaves are turning and southeastern Ohio is definitely a beautiful sight to see in the fall.

Another tree shot.  Please don't be surprised.

More whispy clouds.  Can you tell I don't spend much time out of doors these days?

So these flowers are lovely, even if a little 'dangerous.' I tried to take my photos quickly and run back into the house.  But, I loved this cute little beetle.  I couldn't resist getting a shot of him. (or her)

I like this.  The color is so bright and I like the focus.  I think it really pops.

The only picture I don't like.  My back steps are crumbling.  I think the landlord is going to have to deal with this soon.  I don't use these steps barely at all and frankly they are really becoming a hazard.  I want to be able to go out my 'back'/kitchen door and not be afraid I'll fall.  I have enough problems!

Too long gone....

So, I'm a failure.  I've been off my blog for several days. This is what happens when my routine is interrupted, even slightly.  Because blogger was done one night, I am off by many.  My bad.

Now, I will recap slightly, in case anyone cares, what I have been up to.  Friday was my last day with Nicholas.  It had been such a fun week together and I think it was a good time.  Hopefully he enjoyed spending time with Aunt April and we'll do it again next year.  On Friday, I had to work but managed to get out in only slightly over a half day.  Awesome.  We came home, played a bit in the yard, painted mugs, did a puzzle and then my older brother, sister in law Angela and Paul arrived to pick up Nicholas.  It was great to see them and wonderful to see how excited Nick was to see his family.  (Mainly Paul.)  But, I was more than a bit sad to see our time come to an end.  After dinner out, they were on their way home and I was a single, free woman again.  Good, but a bit sad all the same. 

Saturday started with a major blood draw (thanks Dr. Coats), then home to pack and prep for the Holiday weekend.  I started out for the trip home around 2 and after a brief layover in Columbus for Birthday shopping, I arrived at my parents house around 6.  I haven't been 'home' since Easter so it was nice to be at the house. 

Sunday was, blessedly, a day to sleep in, relax away the morning and then time for Nick's 6th birthday party!!  This year we had a simple party, only a few family and friends, but it was great to spend time together and see the kids play.  (And I love being able to hog some Paul time.  It's hard as the older two can do more and I was living in Smithville for a while when they were Paul's age, I really try to monopolize his time and affection any time I'm with him.  Sorry to everyone else, but I'm greedy for my baby.  Who isn't really a baby anymore.)  After Nick's party we set off to Orrville to watch the fireworks with Phillip, Megan and Kayla.  The show was great as usual and we enjoyed some additional time together.  (I can't wait for Kayla to join me in a couple weeks for her week with Aunt April!!!!)

Today was more laziness sleeping in, then home to Albany.  A little car trouble tried to waylay me, but Dad and I got the problem fixed and I was home by late afternoon.  I've been pretty lazy most of the rest of the day, only stopping my sloth to do a little bit of laundry, unpacking and planning for an upcoming party I'll be attending.  All-in-all its been a busy, fun, full of love and family time weekend.  I have a crazy busy and hectic week ahead, followed by a busy weekend, and an interesting week next week.  The month of July should prove to be, as usual, one of the most insane months of my year.  But, in typical fashion, it should pass pretty quickly and August will be here before you know it!!!  I love August.  The ending of another year of camp, the start of a new school year with the kids and MY BIRTHDAY.  I'll be 30 again this year.  Exciting!!

Well, here's some pictures from the past few days.  Enjoy and please forgive my rambling.  That's what happens when I don't post regularly.  Have a great week!!!

Thursday evening Nick and I went Putt Putt golfing.  We had a great time!!

Friday, after work/camp, we came home and spent the last few hours of our time together.  One of the things we did was painting mugs.  Nick is a true artist and did a wonderful job.  Aunt April, not so much...

Andy, Angela and Paul arrived Friday afternoon to collect Nick.  We went out to dinner before they left and this is Paul, the angel.  Hahahahahahahahaha!  Love that baby but he is no angel.  Looks are very deceptive.  He's our rotten boy and we love him!!

After being inspired by a friend's blog, I painted my nail.  Bogota Blackberry from O.P.I.  Awesome shade and I am appreciative for the inspiration from my great friend Jenn! (This photo is mainly for Jenn, sorry.)

Kayla Sue about to get into the bounce house at Nick's B-day party.  I had a better picture of her, but somehow my stupid computer ate it.  Seriously, I can't find 4 of my pictures and I know I downloaded them with the rest of my photos.  Am seriously irked with my computer right now.

Stick 'em up!  This is a much more accurate photo of Paul.  But he's so stinkin' cute!!!

Nicholas opening one of the presents from me.  "The Pigeon find a hot dog."  This is a book he loved reading at my house, so I got him a copy of his own.  He loved it!!!

Another one of our boys with a gun!  Nick loved his present from Aunt Megan, Uncle Phillip and Kayla.  He put it to good use almost immediately.

Orrville fireworks.  Always the best in Wayne County!

Kayla the crazy person.  Keep in mind this photo was taken at 11 pm (or after) and she is wearing her father's sweatshirt.  She is our special girl! 

A bloom on my hydrangea bush.  So pretty!

Car trouble, but at least it was easily fixed.  Thanks Dad!!!