As you can see from the sticker above I Voted Today! This is the first time I have voted early and also the first time I ever had to fill in the ovals on the ballot. In all the states and precincts I have ever voted in, it was always done by machine behind a curtain for privacy. Here I was filling out my ballot with only a small partition between myself and the other voters next to me and voters walking behind me. I don't know if this is because it is essentially an absentee ballot. Anyway, I finished and went to turn in my ballot, which I then fed it into a machine when the lady behind me says "that was a good vote"! What! You weren't suppose to see! Then she offered to show me hers! Back in the day, you kept your political affiliations to yourself. With such a emotional election this year everyone is wearing there heart on there sleeve. Everyone but me!

You would think that there is a major thunderstorm in the area! There have been loud booms and the house has been rattling and shaking now for the last few days. The reason, we are within distance of Ft. Bragg, although not that close. They must be having maneuvers because for the last week you can literally feel the house rattle and the earth shake. The first time it happened after our move here, it scared the hell out of us. It was late and we actually thought someone was on the roof of the house and jumping on it!

Ft. Bragg is the Home of the Airborne and Special Operations Forces!

And today there is a benefit golf tournament for the families of soldiers and I was hoping to see the Golden Eagles drop in. They were suppose to parachute in and around on the course but it is drizzling and overcast so I don't know if they will still be doing it. Would be nice to seem them come down in the yard.

Babies, babies everywhere!

It was good to see all my niece's, nephew's and all their kids. Spent the week in Michigan visiting family while Jeff was in China. The first pic is Jan and her grandchildren the 2nd is Grandma H's great grandchildren (missing Jackie O). The 3rd is Alex and his new truck with a plow so he can make some money this winter plowing peoples driveways. It was good to see everyone!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA!!

Happy Birthday Ryan

It's that time of year! Apples, lots of apples and ever since I can remember (except for the Ghost buster cake) I had made Ryan a Swedish Apple Pie for his birthday. It's not just any old Apple pie either, it is a pie that makes it's own crust and wonderful warm out of the oven. Now that Ryan is married and living in sunny Calilfornia I no longer have to make it for him but I have had a craving for it. This is the time of year I love, cool crisp fall days and visits to the local cider mill. I would love to post the recipe but I don't have it here in Ohio. So Ryan if you could please post the recipe I would appreciate having it! The picture of Ryan under Grandpa Harrington's apple tree is one of my favorites. I think this was taken the first time Dad brought you over to my house to meet my parents and it was just before your first birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!

Love You,

Mom

Where am I?

We are back at our little home in Cleveland after spending a lot of time on the road. We were in Michigan for my Family reunion, Chicago to visit with Margy and the kids while they were there visiting Erin then to Florida for a business/pleasure trip in which we got to visit Nicole and Jeff's Mom, Dad, brother Greg and Jeff.

It was good to be home but I have to admit that I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and have to think of where I am. And when I sit down to watch TV, I can't remember what the major networks channels are, again I have to stop and think of where I am. Last week I had to give someone our Carolina phone number and I couldn't remember it! I can give you the phone number for the last 7 house but I couldn't remember our current number. We went to the mall recently and had to stop and think of what mall, and in what city we were in. Am I loosing it?

We are off again this weekend, Jeff to China and I am off to Michigan to visit family and friends. I'll update again soon...........

Oh, Hi Bob

Kids, Remember Bobby Gardner? Well he lives in Ohio and we met him about 1/2 way for dinner on Saturday night. We met his girlfriend Meg (very nice) and had a good time talking about old times. Bob and Dad reminisced about their days at Stanley Tools and old friends.
Bob's oldest daughter Abby will be a senior in HS and Gwen will enter the 8th grade. He is considering locating to Huntersville after Abby graduates next year. Asked about you all!

P.S. And I missed his giggle!