Your Aura is Blue

Your Personality: Your natural warmth and intuition nurtures those around you. You are accepting and always follow your heart. You in Love: Relationships are your top priority, and this includes love. You are most happy when you are serious with someone. Your Career: You need to help others in your job to feel satistifed. You would be a great nurse, psychologist, or counselor.

What Color Is Your Aura?

Wow, that GC education paid off...

I GOT A CALL FROM AN OLD FRIEND...

That's the first line to a song that I once knew....

Anyway...

Last night we got a weird message on our answering machine. A woman's voice said, "Number one, it's number two. I got your message. Tag you're it. My cell phone didn't ring this time when you called. It's sitting in front of me. Hopefully you'll get this and I'll talk to you soon."

Weird huh? Neither of us know a number one and don't recall being nicknamed number two.

Anyway, that got me to thinking about friends and how bad I am at keeping in touch. Most people have blogs these days so I just read the blog. I figure, or hope, they read mine and that way, we are keeping in touch.

Let's face it though, it's just not the same. Today, I was hoping to get an e-mail from someone. Anyone. And then I got a phone call from an old friend. He's actually a former teacher turned friend who lives in Florida and is working on his PhD. We caught up as best we could. It had been almost a year since we last talked.

Then, I got on the computer again. This time I was the one writing the e-mail. If you read this blog and you haven't received an e-mail yet, expect to sometime soon. And tonight I got e-mail. It was refreshing. It was from a dear friend who I miss so much. We get along so well and now we live so far apart. I keep hoping for a new friend like her, but none just yet. The thing is, I don't think I will have a friend that is just the same. She is special in her own way and I like that about her. And we talk about things I probably wouldn't talk about with other girls.

The friend who called asked about friends here. We have some. They are nice. We get along well, but we don't go out all the time like our friends from Illinois. It seemed that with Kyle and Sarah we did something almost every week. If nothing else I would get excited about something and leave an extreemly long message on the answering machine. And well, that's kind of what made me want to write this post.

Friends, no matter what nickname you have for them, are precious and deserve more than to read your blog to find out about life. So, write a friend a note or give them a call. I'm sure they'd love to hear from you!

P.S. There's no snow here yet and I'm sad about this!

HAPPY TURKEY! I made the bib this week. I love to crochet and I thought this project was really neat. He'll only wear it a little, but it's still cute. Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving... we sure feel like we have a lot to be thankful for, not just today, but everyday. Gobble, gobble!

A year ago

A year ago this Thursday makes one year since our lives were changed by the loss of a job. I say changed because it put so many things into perspective for me. It changed the way I think about a lot of things.

The first thing I've learned is that we live and we learn. We may think we know it all, but we're learning all the while. We make good decisions and we make bad decisions and we live with those choices.

I've learned that you can make plans about how life will go and then they don't go that way at all. By the time Ryan would have been born we would have saved up enough money to easily pay the hospital bill and make it through a few months of not having a job to enjoy the new baby. Instead by January we had no money in our savings account and were wondering how we would pay the bills for the next month. I was rather tired of hearing people say that God would provide and that we'd be okay. I didn't feel any of those things at that time.

Of course I was able to get a job and still have a job and each month we make it, sometimes we make it with some money left over and other things we just get by. But I have learned that God will provide. He sees us through to the next season (1 Kings 17:10-16). Speaking of God providing, just this week Adam received a paycheck from WM. One we weren't expecting. One that will help see us through.

I've also learned that there are people in this world who truly have the mind of Christ. They take to heart those words that say we are to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty... (Matthew 25:35) even when they are in one of these positions themselves. And there are those who pray without ceasing or becoming weary of heart (thank you from the bottom of our hearts!).

I've learned that no amount of chocolate will heal wounds caused by harsh words said in the heat of the moment. Those chocolates have been given and I've eaten just about all of them. Instead, healing comes with forgiveness... and it's not always easy, especially when people often speak without thinking. But we've all done that before. We're all in need of forgivness and we all need to give that same forgivness.

I've learned that it doesn't matter how much you prepare financially, mentally or physically, NOTHING can prepare you for the love you will feel when your baby enters the world. It's an incredible love. When you hold your baby in your arms and look at him or her and feel that love, you know that no amount of money can buy that love. You don't have to think about that love... it's just there. My mother-in-law once told me that on my wedding day I might have thought I loved Adam as much as I possibly could, but that our love would grow and grow and grow. Her words are true and I feel they also apply to how I feel about Ryan. I love him more each day.

A year ago my faith was weak. But through everything I've learned I know that God is with us. My faith has grown by leaps and bounds, but I suspect that just like the love I have for Adam and Ryan will continue to grow and though I feel I cannot possibly love them more than I already do, so will my faith continue to grow, more than I can possibly know.

While last year I may have not felt I had anything to be thankful for this year I do. And I haven't just felt that thankfulness this week, I've been feeling it for a long time. It's just nice to put it into words.

THE MORNING AFTER

And Maine is still the same old place this morning. Same old govenor and no TABOR. We vote and nothing changes... no wonder people don't bother to vote (though I do plan to keep voting). So we continue with the highest taxes in the nation and a govenor who created a health care plan that is super expensive, but is for those who cannot afford regular health insurance (I laughed when I got the pamphlet on it. The plan costs $360 a month, that is more than my COBRA payment). High taxes drives people and businesses out of the state and then our economy is as bad as Louisana. Oh, and pissed with all the dumb people who voted for the Independent and Green party candidates... they know it's a wasted vote!!!

Adam says we'll eventually move to New Hampshire. I say let's hit Colorado. They have TABOR and a growing economy. Sigh.

THIS ELECTION DAY

At this particular moment in my life I am thrilled to not be working as a reporter. Election day is one of the busiest days for a reporter. At least it was that way for me. You wake up early to vote (if you haven't done an absentee ballot), visit the local polling places in your community for photos and quotes and work on other stories while waiting for the polls to close. Then the polls close and you wait for the votes to be counted. At about midnight you stumble back to the office to write up the rest of your story so you can meet deadline the next day. You get home and attempt to sleep and then get up early to go put a paper together so it's ready for the press.

This is the day reporters live for. They thrive on breaking news and election coverage, especially if they have the "scoop" on someone who is running for office. They live for deadlines and love being under pressure. At least 2/3 of the reporters I know feel this way.

This year, there were no columns about voting issues. There was no in depth interview with a town manager in hopes of understanding a ballot issue. There were no two sides of a story that had to be written. No calls were returned because no calls were made and it's wonderful!

While I miss writing for a newspaper and mingling with the people in the communities in which I once worked, I am trilled to be at home today. Instead of being the one gathering the information, I will simply absorb it as it's broadcast on the local news channel this evening or maybe tomorrow morning. I'm at home and not feeling stressed. I'm at home with Ryan and I'm not attempting to be reporter and not throw up at the same time (last year morning sickness was well underway on election day). I get to play with Ryan and Ben all day long. I get to be mommy. I love being mommy. My stressful days include a teething baby boy who can be consoled by playing choo-choo train and by being given raspberries on his tummy. My deadlines are flexible, making sure he's fed on time, that he naps and plays and has lots of cuddles.

While I enjoy my current job on this election day, I do sit here wondering who will be elected this year. A big part of me is pleading that Baldacci is ousted and that TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights, an initive to limit spending) is passed. Adam went to work this morning fearful that Baldacci will win and even though TABOR will pass, Baldacci will rewrite the entire thing this year with the legislature. We'll see about that. I still have hopes that Woodcock will win and that our super high taxes will be lowered and horrible economy will get a boost.

But I won't be waiting around at the end of the evening at a polling station in Kennebunk. Instead I will be putting little Ryan to sleep and snuggling up with Adam. Sounds so much better than getting home at 2 a.m.

Our little cutie all dressed up for a walk. His first tooth has just broken the surface today! The second is on it's way. Now to worry about being bitten in the shoulder which he uses as a teething "toy".

This was the day before Halloween. Ryan got dressed up in his bear snow suit to go on a walk with us. It's the closest he got to a Halloween costume.

Okay so there are two Halloween photos here... the other two will have to wait until later since this wonderful site is having issues this evening.

So... a McGee update:

I'm loving the weather and I am really sad that the fall leaves are, well, falling. Someone mentioned snow this weekend when I was at the doctor's office (having an allergy test and getting new asthma meds -- haven't needed an emergency inhaler in three years and on Monday I had an awful asthma attack) -- I'm not sure I am ready for the snow. If it shows up at Thanksgiving, that's good, but before seems too early.

Adam is still busy working three jobs (though I still don't count cleaning the office as a real job). We had a nice restful week with my parents and brother last week. Ben's parents (the boy I babysit for) are under contract for a house in Waterboro. They are working out what will happen if they do get it in terms of keeping me for daycare. The good thing is that the husband has to drive to Wells for work, so Sanford is on the way, which means I may keep Ben, but maybe for just three days a week instead of five (his mom has Monday's and Tuesday's off). And on Jan. 29 or Feb. 1 I will get Allison. She'll be four months then and I'm anxious for the extra money, thanks to our friend Kristen. I get to meet Allison soon, which is really exciting.

That's all the excitement for now.

This outfit was given to us for my first baby shower last Christmas. I thought Ryan was really cute in it. It says My little pumpkin on the bib and romper. We did no trick-or-treating. I don't think Ryan would have even understood. Instead we went to Mass for All Saint's day (the vigil) and Ryan screamed and screeched during the singing and prayers!

A very happy Ryan playing with Mr. Jack-o-lantern. He was wearing a shirt that had a ghost on it.

The family came for a visit. We had a nice time together. Spent a few days in North Conway and a few days in Maine. It was very nice to see them. I think this is going to be my parent's Christmas card this year... they, of course, want to show off Ryan!

Ryan was more interested in playing than having his photo taken. Oh well... he's still cute!

Ryan after eating some peas. He's not so sure what to think of them yet, but he loves rice cereal and applesauce.

The McGee's: Vanessa, Nick, Pauline, Roger, Memere, Me, Adam and Ryan! Memere is loosing her memory, so we had a small visit, which really cheered her up.

Okay, I swear we aren't bad parents. BUT, Ryan woke up on Saturday at 5 a.m., drank and bottle and wanted to play. We had to get ready to go to Brunswick, so we put him in the exersaucer to play. One minute he was squeeling in delight and the next he was fast asleep. After the photo we removed him, kissed him and put him in his carseat!

Our Friends Steve and Sarah had their second baby on Monday. Here's little Madison. She is perfectly healthy and weighed 6 lbs 10 oz and was 20 1/4 inches long.

Wildlife

Yesterday was a good day.

At first I didn't think that Saturday was going to be all that exciting. For one, I had to wake up with Adam at 5:30 and drive to Brunswick with him for work, wait around while looking in shops for 1 p.m. and then have the rest of our day together. I wasn't too happy about the early morning part, so I was dreading Saturday.

It started out bad. Ryan woke up at 5 after being stuck in the slots of the crib for the last time! We got a bumper later on Saturday to prevent this. Anyway, so it was 5, Ryan was happy and awake, I was sleepy and wishing we didn't have to go with Adam.

We got ready, got in the car and went to BK for breakfast. There was no food in the house and we needed something fast. The day began to get better... yummy food and a little coffee to wake a sleepy mumma.

On Route 4 Adam suddenly slammed on the breaks. I looked up wondering why the guy in front of us wasn't going and then followed Adam's finger to the moose. A MOOSE, A MOOSE! I have finally seen a moose in Maine.... first time ever since living here for almost three years!!!! I was beginning to think that the only moose I would ever see would be the one that's stuffed and in LL Bean. The moose was majestic. He was HUGE... as along as the car he was standing next to in the used car lot and way taller. His antlers were beautiful. I was so excited about this that I couldn't remember were we put the camera, so by the time I got it out, said moose had crossed the street and wandered into the woods. I was slightly disappointed at this, but glad to see the moose.

The day got even better. I was able to find Ryan two cute outfits (which he really needs now that it's cooler) on super sale at Carter's outlet. I just happened to be there for the 75 percent off. I wasn't going to purchase, just look and then I stumbled on huge savings. We also got an LL Bean winter hat for his HUGE head (it's 18 inches already!) for later this winter. He has hats that fit now, but we wanted to use my coupons for free stuff before it expired. So, a free hat and mittens for Ryan.

Then, I stopped by Adam's work to use the potty and they saw me and let him leave early, which allowed us to make seeing his grandmother, who hasn't been well, for a nice visit and cute family photos.

Then, while picking up the bumper at Babies R Us (no where else sells them separately) they were offering free photos at Kiddie Kandis and we took advantage of the freeness and got really awesome photos of Ryan. Of course they tried to sell us stuff too, but we just took the free stuff and may go back later for other photos.

We had dinner at Nick and Vanessa's house (Adam's brother and sister-in-law) and had a good time.

On the way home on the road by the landfill I saw a shape of some animal on the hill. I asked Adam to stop and back up so we could see it. Well, it just wasn't one, it was an entire family of deer just grazing on the hill. No photos of his wonderful moment either since it was too dark, but it was just awesome watching them. Two big ones even kissed! It was wicked cool.

So, that's our wildlife adventure on a wonderful Saturday that I had been dreading and I have no photos to prove it. But, in case you were wondering, moose do exist. I had my doubts before, but know they exist now.

Things I love about fall

I decided since fall is my favorite time of year that I would complie a short list of the things I love about this season.

I experienced my first fall in Greenville and I haven't stopped loving it yet.

1. Crunching in the leaves.
2. Fall foliage – I love how the colors are so breathtaking in purples, oranges, reds and yellows.
3. Cinnamon scented candles… and pumpkin ones too
4. White hot chocolate
5. Cooler temperatures. It's more fun walking outdoors without sweating
6. Warm comfy pj’s and slippers
7. Flannel sheets
8. Apple pie
9. Thanksgiving - a great excuse to see family and eat lots of yummy food.
10. Weenie roasts and hay rides.

Frustration and Faith

I hate it when people give you the run-around. It's been happening with this one organization for what seems like too long now. First it was that I should keep breastfeeding so I wouldn't have to get their vouchers for formula. I feel I did fairly well on the breastfeeding front, considering I pumped my milk for three months. I was sick of pumping, sick of being up around the clock to do so and felt I had done okay for the first go at it (even my doctor gave me a pat on the back, reminding me that both of our medical problems right after delivery and the ones still going on didn't set us up for a great start... we aim higher next time).

Anyway, then come to find out Ryan has issues with formula, but it's too late to turn back the clock now that the milk is dried up. So, the organization says get a prescription from good old Doc and they will make sure I get the one he can tolerate. Well, today, I show up with the script and they said I need a note of diagnosis! So very frustrating.

*Big deep breath*

On another note, I've been reading about faith. It's so easy to have faith in the good times, but when your back is up against the wall faith is hidden in the deep dark corners of life and we try to draw on other things, like logic, reason and past experience. Hebrews 11 can't say enough about the people who had deep faith in God. How would Moses know when he raised his hands that the waters would part? He just had faith and it happened. The list in that chapter is a good one. I've enjoyed reading it over and over again on my study of faith, so I share it with you so that maybe you will find a nugget of gold for yourself.