Have fun storming the castle!

Last weekend was my second of four weekends spent with JB in the Great White North. (Thank you JetBlue!) I decided we should do a little sight-seeing along the way and I found Boldt Castle. A love story that tragically ended, it is a beautiful island and really neat place to visit. See if you are me, you think that Mr. Boldt was devastated when his wife passed, but if you are JB, you assume she nagged him incessantly about building her a castle, you know, if he really loved her and when she died he was relieved to know that he no longer had to build a castle he didn't want laden in girly hearts. So, it depends on who you talk to. Whichever story you chose to go with the beauty of the buildings and island is hard to deny.

While you are there, stop by some of the little shops in Alexandria Bay, NY. It is a cute little town with plenty of parking, once you find it. So without further delay, I present Boldt Castle.

This is the Yacht House. We didn't pay the extra money to head over and check it out, so I can't tell you much about it. But you get a picture anyway.

This one is the Play House. There were no plans made and it was build ad hoc if you will.

That's JB and the Play House.

This is from the 4th floor balcony. It had an amazing view.

The next three pictures are of the outside of the castle. I'm not sure who those two people are but now they are semi-famous as "those people" in my picture.

These two pictures are of the Power House. It was build before the castle was even thought to be built. It is really cool and might be my favorite building on the island.

The pictures really don't do it justice. The weather was beautiful and my time was spent laughing, which of course makes the whole thing that much more enjoyable. If you are ever in the area, I say check it out. Next on the list is Singer Castle. :)

Thankful

Ten things I am thankful for today:

1. A little brother who should really start wearing a cape because he really is a hero both in combat boots and out.

2. A man who loves me with all my oddities, forgetfulness and crazy emotions.

3. A job where I am secure and make enough money to pay my bills and stuff a little away for my future.

4. Friends that make me laugh until I have to scurry cross-legged to the bathroom.

5. Good health.

6. JetBlue and their fly-all-you-want pass. :)

7. Dove chocolate from Jo

8. Rootbeer and pretzels

9. Leftovers for lunch

10. Pens that write nice



And with that, I'm off to eat some lunch and get my butt to the airport. Weekend #3 of all JB all the time. Makes me happy.

So I'm now a landlady and you know what? I really, really dislike it. I honestly don't know how people do it. I like to talk the big talk and let people presume I am a big old tough girl, but really I am squishier than a marshmallow in July. It really doesn't help that my renter cries. A lot. In front of me. This is where you can break out the awkward turtle. It has been a rough first two months with issues with the security deposit and managing rent on time. Granted all was within the grace period, but still aggrivating.

Instead of whining about the bad stuff, we will focus on the positive. What is the positive you ask? I am a handy little bugger. It's true. I may be prone to skinned knuckles and unexplained bruises from forgotten furniture corners but dangit if I haven't proven myself with my limited selection in my sad little tool box. For example... the garbage disposal (that was running properly when I moved out) decided for one reason or another to stop functioning. I grabbed my flashlight, a few buckets, a rag or two and my tools. Somehow, some way I got that thing running again. I took the whole blasted thing apart and managed to get it all back together with zero injuries and zero leaks. AND it worked. I know. I was just as surprised as you. Granted after about a day they called and let me know it was broken again so I gave up and just bought a new one. Even though I eventually had to spend the money on a new one, I still have the satisfaction that I fixed it once. Right? Sure, we will go with that.

Also, you know that wall I have been whining about off and on? Well after Monday, the drama shall be (mostly) behind me. Tonight shall be the night of venting frustrations when I head over and *finally* take down the studs. I have a big hammer and some pent up aggression waiting to come out. Afterwards I will have plenty of 2x4's. I'm thinking they will be stacked in the corner and saved for some future project. You know, right next to the trim for the master suite. All that will be left is to fix the landscaping outside to grade away from the house instead of right towards it. I'm really hoping that will be a single weekend project and I will have plenty of volunteers to help.

In news completely unrelated to anything I am searching for the perfect pair of boots. Of course this includes a balance of style, comfort and most importantly, cost. I bought one pair, but I'm not sure I love them and since they do not have a heel I can't figure out if they are comfortable or not. So there they sit on my kitchen table sad and alone wanting nothing more than to be worn.



Okay, so I started this on Thursday and never posted it. I had a fantastic weekend with JB and I'm excited to see him again on Friday. Thank you JetBlue. :) In the mean time, it's laundry, replacing a garbage disposal and training at the FD. You know, life. Now if you will excuse me, I have a pot of coffee to drink.

Today, I remember quietly. Ever thankful for those that gave and continue to give their lives for others. Ever sad for the families of blood and profession, broken and shattered. Always proud to part of a nation that can and will pull together in a time of tragedy, anger, hurt and sorrow.

I have so much I would like to say. Something profound to convey my feelings about this day, but I can't seem to get them just right. However, my simple words cannot possibly capture the emotion like the images of the day and the days after.

I will board a plane today and fly into a city whose scars still throb with the sting of that day. I will remember. Will you?

Why hello there...

Hi, I'm here. Well not really here in the sense that I am around the "blog world." Been sitting back and ignoring it for a bit to be honest.

Things are good. Wait, scratch that. Things are great. JB is headed my direction for the weekend and I will see him for exactly 5 if not 6 weekends in a row, Will is headed home for good and the bosslady is talking a pay grade boost. So all in all I can't complain. Can you imagine that? Me... not complaining? Or if you are JB - whining? I know. Crazy.

I've noticed some of you out there *cough*Michael*cough* have been somewhat quiet as well so I say you should at least let us know you are still upright and kicking. Okay? Great. Thanks.

In other news... the fire department has hit is fall frenzy. It happens every year around this time when everyone decides to roll cars, break bones, forget how to breathe and well, up and code. Unfortunately I am a giant slug have not been very successful in getting my tired butt out of bed in the middle of the night. I mean, I do, but not nearly as often as when I was young* and sparky. This is not a direct result of covering other people's shifts however more so that the bad stuff happens on my nights I can sleep. And yes, I probably did just jinx myself. Not so good considering I can't find anyone to cover my crew night Saturday which is absolutely no good since I will have company. I might have to stoop to bribery. We shall see.

Well folks, I'm more dull and uninteresting that watching golf on tv on a Sunday afternoon so I will stop yammering (and wasting time until my "Friday" begins) and leave you all with a request to stay safe and enjoy the long weekend.


**I can refer to my "young" days since they were 7 years ago and I'm fast approaching 30. Which of course 30 is the new 20 so in reality I should be the same age as when I started this crazy circus called EMS... right? Oh wait, I think I've confused myself...