What does one wear to meet Julie Andrews?

For those of you who don't know, (ie you aren't on Facebook or don't pay attention to status) Morgan and I have VIP tickets to meet Julie Andrews after a concert on July 11.

"Julie Andrews hosts a magical evening of musical gifts, old and new. Performed by five guest vocalists with Ms. Andrews narrating, the first half of the program takes audience members on a musical journey illuminating the glorious gifts that Rodgers and Hammerstein gave to the world.
The second half of the evening features a new work, Simeon’s Gift, adapted from Ms. Andrews’ best-selling children’s book, co-authored with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton. Bridging the worlds of music, literature and theatre, with a score by Ian Fraser and lyrics by John Bucchino, Simeon’s Gift will be performed by the five vocalists with a full symphony orchestra. Julie Andrews serves as storyteller, weaving the enchanting tale of a 15th century minstrel on a quest to discover his own true gift. A once-in-a-lifetime musical event! "

So it would seem that I need a dress appropriate for this occasion. I've posted some dresses for your consideration. Please remember, I don't have much time!!! If you have come across a dress that you think I should consider....Please submit it!

Giving Sugar the Boot!

Picture of Benjamin and I working in the white "Memorial" Garden this spring. This was before the bleeding heart took over and the peony had to be moved to saved it.

So some of you may know I've gone on a sugar kick...or rather a lack there of. Before I went to AZ I had requested a book from the library; "Sugar Blues" by William Duffy. While in AZ my addiction to sugar became very real. Our snacks for our road trip were not refined sugary snacks and while up in Fredonia I didn't really have access to refined sugars. I started to feel a little like a drugy in detox. When we went shopping for our return drive back to Pheonix, I picked out all sugary things. I knew I had a problem with sugar...but it is out of control.

Since Sam's birth I have had to give up dairy and chocolate. I have probably been overcompensating with other "foods." When I returned home the book I mentioned was waiting for me. Most of you also know that I am not a "reader"...but I have nearly finished this book in a matter of days and requested similar books from the library. Yesterday and today I have been clearing all products that contain sugar or refined white flour, putting them in boxes and moved them to my basement. We are going sugar free.

I expect this will probably be where I vent while we go sugar free. They say it can take as much as a month for cravings and redrawel to subside. I would like to ask my friends and family to help us with your support. That could mean joining us and becoming sugar free yourself, sharing sugar free recipes and such, or simply not bringing any sugary products around. We will not be using artifical sweetners...only honey or maple syrup if something sweet is needed. I feel that the artifical sweeteners (esp Splenda) are probably worse then the real thing.

So stay tuned while I "Detox." I may be grumpy, sad or any number of things while my body heals from sugar. Feel free to email me or leave comments (you don't have to sign up for Google to leave comments, just select anonomous)! I love hearing what others are thinking.

Backyard looking towards the street just about a month ago... See? The snow melts...eventually.

Feb 2008...one of the storms that brought about 100 inches of snow that season.

November 2005

House for Sale

We have a beautiful house for sale! Come on down and take a look!

Anyway, perhaps someday we will get is sold but it's not looking too good with GM shutting down it's second shift. 500-600 workers are having to find employment elsewhere.

In other news, Morgan and Josh went in together on a rototiller. Why you may ask? Because it is $80 a day to rent one and tilling is needed about twice a year. Sooo they are out tilling our plot at the community garden so that I can get our veggie garden planted before June 1. We procured a plot there in case by some miracle we sell...we won't lose our veggies with the house. That would be a crisis!

Hunk of grass and weeds

I really thought I had posted on here since mid-March. Some blog monster must have eaten it.

Today we closed on a corner lot...so we are the proud owners of hunk of grass and weeds. 1114 Honeysuckle. Now we just need to get our house sold so we can start the building process. I'm going to drive over there and see if any spring flowers happen to be pre-planted there...a girl can dream.

Nearly 50?

The snow might actually go away since we are expecting several days in the upper 40's. The heaps of snow will be around till May or so...

In other news, we are considering selling the house and building new on the other side of town. SCARY! I am also mourning the potential loss of my beloved plants in my gardens. To mention them all by name.... 300+ tulips, two dozen asiatic lilies, star magnolia, 3 liliacs, a dozen or so day lilies, columbine and foxglove that were started from seeds when we lived in PA. I'm coming around to being OK with leaving the house behind for a new one...but the garden pains me.

Well..Sam is having a rough morning so I'd better see if I can help him be more comfortable. Tata!

Winter Thaw!

Drumroll please! Today it hit a whopping 40 degrees! Yes, I was as shocked as you are. The 5 foot icicles fell off of the house (before we could get pictures of them) and we (well, Morgan and Ben to be exact) chipped the inches of ice off of the driveway. The biggest deal was it hit 70 in the house downstairs. We actually took our sweatshirts off! However as soon as the sun went down...the temperature started to fall accordingly.And what does tomorrow hold you may ask?? Temperatures falling to the teens and EIGHT inches of snow!Until next time...