hey gama-that's my gama

over 150

2012-02-09T13:03:00.001-05:00

common dolphins have stranded on Cape Cod since January 12. I have been fortunate to take part in the rescue and release of 32/37 of the rescued ones. I've been with some when they have died. I have been monitoring some when they have luckily turned around and gone out to deep water.I have followed one in a kayak trying to herd it out to deeper water. The number that have died continues to rise day by day...almost up to 115 now. Scientists do not have the reason yet. Hoping and praying these beautiful animals stay in deep water where they belong and don't get trapped in the hook of the Cape.Thankful for the caring IFAW staff and fellow volunteers and people who call in to report any live animals while there is still a chance to get out there to rescue them.

Happy February!

2012-02-01T08:25:00.001-05:00

Today's day is a palindrome. 2/1/12 I love palindromes.....my kindergarten students always did,too...especially a little girl named ANNA! So I think I will paddle in my KAYAK w/ MADAM ANNA to see our friend HANNAH!

in a few minutes.....

2012-01-31T06:36:00.001-05:00

I wound up in short sleeves

after being bundled up! Grand Prix race series done:) YAY!

that was quick!

2012-01-26T10:28:00.001-05:00

one day of winter around here

and then it was gone!

Snow....and snow it did.

2012-01-22T19:04:00.001-05:00

about a foot! Ty and Jennie loved it!!!

The big pod seems to have gone out to deeper water,but.....

2012-01-22T19:01:00.002-05:00

A total of 90 stranded during 1 week:(( But we were able to release 5 common dolphins on Thursday night.

Here with dolphin 1 as he has his health assessment and bloodwork done. Hope this week is a better week for our sweet dolphin friends!

Mass Stranding

2012-01-16T19:46:00.002-05:00

Just glad we were able to successfully release 11 on Satuday. Stay out in the deep water dolphins!!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T11:11:00.000-05:00

sisters:))

flower orincess Jennie at rehearsal

the happy couple

baby Nolan looking dapper!

Kelly and her Dad!

sisters:)

Sandy and Bill

love how Maureen wore her Grandma's beautiful gown!

Congratulations Maureen and Patrick!

mother/son dance:)

One can never have enough party accessories

but bring your own kazoo...always.

Happy 2012!

2011-12-30T13:26:00.004-05:00

She is that nice in person!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-27T07:52:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-22T19:22:00.003-05:00

Maggie and the Snowman:)

cousins

2011-12-19T18:51:00.003-05:00

spending time with their big cousin....whose arms reach from one end of the couch to another:)

Amy will faint.....

2011-12-16T15:12:00.002-05:00

since the only time I made cut-out cookies, the bunnies came out about 4 in. thick and there were only 2.

Jennie laughed because.....

2011-12-13T06:19:00.002-05:00

in the original photo she is all grumpy, but we cut a smiling head from another. She thinks it is a riot to be able to lift the smiley face and see the grumpy one!

Happy Birthday!!!

2011-12-11T08:04:00.001-05:00

....I especially love the way you answer "AWESOME" when I ask you how you are!!! YOU ARE RIGHT!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!!!!

2011-12-05T07:13:00.006-05:00

Christmas came early that year! Katy was so excited to be a big sister....announcing on the day you came home "I A BIG GAHL AND I DON'T NEED A NAP. I NOT TIRED!!" (great)

We love you Amy!

We hope all your wishes come true!

We like cake in this family! That one was a carrot cake you shared with Mem:)

and parties....with your partner-in-crime cousin Kelly!

Have a fun birthday...girl!!! xoxoxo

almost did it......

2011-11-30T05:52:00.003-05:00

busy Thanksgiving week and weekend..here to Maine, a foot of snow, van got stuck twice up there, had a great dinner Amy made, ran the 5K with her group, made it to Boston to pick up Katy and Jennie, had a fun girls' time going to NY for a bridal shower....then literally BAM it ended when a huge buck came right out in front of us as we started our return trip. Jennie was in the van and said "I don't like that! The deer should have a sign to cross!" We weren't hurt and the van is staying in CT for repairs as I try to wrangle hard-to-find parts from CA and Canada. Better than parts for us. Thankful for the van for taking one for the team. Grateful Jennie is fine and that Katy and Pep who were in the front did not have antlers come through the windshield. I was just happy to find the license plate the next day. Thankful to my sister and her husband for helping us, lending their car, and letting us overstay at their house. Grateful to my sister-in-law who was driving behind us... she didn't get hurt and amazed that she could fit the entire contents of the van into her car plus us and return us to my sister's house. That buck was flat out in the road...we thought it was a goner...but then he sat up and after a few minutes got up and walked away without limping. Just glad to be home.

zoom zoom

2011-11-20T18:24:00.005-05:00

quick trip for the kids...saw the large barge:) as we went over the bridge

made it to the other side to watch it go through the canal

Ty DOES wear his sunglasses at night!

a little Lion King

all cozy on a chilly night:)

not that little now!

2011-11-15T05:57:00.001-05:00

This time last year when Coach 1st came on the scene!!!

sweet big brother

2011-11-13T05:34:00.005-05:00

James came home with a $10.00 gift card he won in a raffle. He said he wanted to go check out the dollar store. I said sure or he could get one bigger thing at Target. But the dollar store won out because he said "5 plus 5 equals 10 and then I could choose 5 things and Maggie can choose 5 things." They are such buddies.....and I love seeing that:)))

table topper!

2011-11-07T10:02:00.000-05:00

hey Maggie!! see you soon! tell Mom! xo

a closer look.....

2011-11-07T09:53:00.001-05:00

being the true princess fan, Jennie is studying the decorations on the pumpkin princess dress.... then said "I think she is Rapunzel!"

no show

2011-11-06T05:56:00.004-05:00

I haven't been here because of many reasons and although we were lucky with the freak October snowstorm that we only had the high winds and rain and lost power for 20 hours my heart goes out to my old hometown and surrounding areas in CT which are still without power or have just had it restored and so many trees came down due to the weight of the leaves which freakishly have hung on so late this year and they had live wires all over the place and to hear terms like "war zone" and to see the photos and postings of friends has been very sad and while I know someone who has been out there on the poles helping to restore power to homes he has had to endure being yelled at and sworn at by people because the workers are doing the best they can but they are caught inside of a scandal/"situation" happening with the power company over nonpayment of services to out-of state utility companies so crews went to other parts of the state to make matters worse and I hope everyone has their power back soon because people should not be dying when firetrucks cannot make it to the scene of a fire:(((( and other people have died because of carbon dioxide poisoning while my sister-in-law from CT was here for 4 days we kept checking on the updates to see what was going on at home who would ever imagine such an awful situation would take place or that kids would have their Halloween canceled just like the Grinch stealing Christmas and school has been out of session going on 6 days and if someone told you all that would happen in late October you would tell them to get their head examined so anything I have going on is the "small stuff" annoyances right now have a nice day:)

Amy,we're signed up for what?

2011-10-25T21:07:00.002-04:00

...a 3K trail run and target shootin...oh okay, I thought that's what you said....sore today after having done a 5K on Saturday,too........but reallllly liked the target shooting:)

Phew.....we did it....

2011-10-20T18:47:00.005-04:00

Too bad we don't have a video to go with the experience of having family photos done, but maybe that's a good thing:)

The girls:)

The boys saying "down with the girls!"(this was to make a very tired Tyler crack a smile)

kind of a smile from Ty...but he was just wiped by now!

"outstanding" in our field (had to say that).......................it was alot of fun...and everyone got a least 1 new item to wear!

pet peeve ....

2011-10-20T18:39:00.000-04:00

of mine.

cousins

2011-10-19T07:55:00.000-04:00

their photo shoot:)

The girl loves hats:)

2011-10-13T09:49:00.002-04:00

and Apple Crushers ...applesauce done the neat way!

Thanks James!

2011-10-11T09:47:00.002-04:00

love the birthday poster and just really happy to hear that I am the figure on the right throwing a baseball to you! (I was sure he'd say I was the figure on the left with a bad case of gas!)

Birthday Breakfast

2011-10-10T20:11:00.002-04:00

with Maggie before heading home. Happy Birthday Maggie! We love you!!

See you soon Maggie!

2011-10-05T09:11:00.000-04:00

for some birthday fun:)) xo

almost 2!

2011-10-05T09:07:00.002-04:00

Maggie Moo! brand new

fun being 1

soon you'll be 2! xoxo

If we could read his mind......

2011-10-03T18:20:00.000-04:00

Other people like cider and pumpkin cookies in the fall...

2011-09-27T12:03:00.000-04:00

with you guys it's cheeseballs:)

Think I'll paint myself for everything:)

2011-09-25T15:41:00.002-04:00

what a good way to hide the sweat:)

Best Buddies:)

2011-09-25T14:42:00.003-04:00

You just never know....

2011-09-19T16:24:00.001-04:00

who you'll meet at a 5K.

Video Of Elderly Couple Baffled By Webcam Goes Viral

2011-09-14T15:46:00.000-04:00

Video Of Elderly Couple Baffled By Webcam Goes Viral

hmmmm ...nice...thanks!

2011-09-11T19:31:00.001-04:00

what a lovely candid shot.....well, at least I was holding the door for the next person:)

saved for a rainy day....

2011-09-08T13:19:00.001-04:00

Maggie's pb&j happy dance:)

US: IFAW Rescues and Releases a Record 11 Stranded Dolphins -- Earth Changes -- Sott.net

2011-09-03T10:47:00.000-04:00

US: IFAW Rescues and Releases a Record 11 Stranded Dolphins -- Earth Changes -- Sott.net

quick change....

2011-09-01T13:14:00.005-04:00

The kids and I were on our way home from the pond, talking about getting an ice cream. All that changed when I got a call to check on some dolphins swimming too close to shore. I was right down the street from the beach. The kids were great while I stayed there, making friends with some other kids and playing at the edge of the water.

Had to ask people to stay back and out of water while the Zodiac tried to "move" the pod to deeper water. That didn't work...neither did these underwater pingers they use which emit a sound which should send the dolphins back out. Looked like a stranding for sure, so luckily I got the kids home to Pep as he got home from work.

13 common dolphins stranded, 2 died, but 11 were able to be transported for release. This involves moving them onto slings, then onto carts across the sand to the animal ambulance where blood is taken and vitals monitored.

Happily, the remaining 11 were good to go and they were transported in 2 trailers. We suited up with waders, life jackets, and glow sticks around our necks. We released all 11.... 5 and then 6 at a time. So great to see them off and spouting in the distance. Their glow tags on their dorsal fins were reflecting and we could see them head out under a star-filled sky. I am glad I keep those big waders in my trunk. They came in handy going out into chest-deep water.
A good ending to the day:))

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-29T15:20:00.003-04:00

was a tropical storm for us.

This is when you wear your cartoon hat...because it always stays on in a storm!

before bed sillies......

2011-08-25T13:47:00.001-04:00

If only....

2011-08-24T10:24:00.003-04:00

you could take an ice fishing basket or an eel cage as a backpack...hey wait, you could! I kinda like the basket idea! Just dump it all in!

Maggie thought, "wow, this is all for me?!" She is mostly into the blueberries now...must be a Maine thing!

yes, we eat colorful foods....

2011-08-17T15:03:00.002-04:00

like snowcones..... met up w/ a "braggy" grandma today...telling me about her grandson, 20 mos....who is potty-training, has never had sugar,blah blah blah...... so i told her my kids belong to CSA's and my grandson drinks kale smoothies.... kinda hope she would've driven by when we were having the snowcones..i could say , oh, this grandson isn't the kale one!

Keno & Nick: Family adopts service dog

2011-08-14T20:22:00.000-04:00

Keno & Nick: Family adopts service dog

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATY!!!

2011-08-14T11:33:00.001-04:00

lots of birthday party memories...xoxo

I'd take the free cone.....

2011-08-12T07:23:00.002-04:00

that the kids got for the 3 mile race....

but instead I got a gift card for a free pair of running shoes?! whoa! I'll take it!

good thing for the van!

2011-08-07T13:34:00.002-04:00

Jennie was pretty grumpy on our way there,but after a little rest.....

she perked up and did a little happy dance for grandma:)

This is how...

2011-08-04T06:30:00.002-04:00

I'll always remember Gracie...showing the most excitement over her food:))) Good old Gracie!

You were a good girl:)

2011-08-03T07:23:00.002-04:00

We'll miss you Gracie...I think I heard you bark once. You were a quiet presence who loved to eat. You and Rocky were such buddies...and we all know Rocky didn't like too many other dogs...or young kids. I will always remember the 1st time Rocky was with you, you let him steal your giant cushion and you just quietly curled up on his teeny one:) Hope you two are romping around in doggie heaven stealing food:)

August 1st sunset

2011-08-02T10:34:00.000-04:00

It's what they do....

2011-07-31T08:16:00.003-04:00

Pep and James...since he was tiny.....wave-jumping:)

Jared, Amy, James, and Maggie

The miller.....

2011-07-30T08:44:00.001-04:00

takes a break.

Seals and a little prize!

2011-07-28T06:58:00.003-04:00

Over 300 gray seals on the beach walk today AND I found a piece of sea glass!

Just a quiet rainy morning 5K....

2011-07-25T06:06:00.005-04:00

but I got to meet Meredith Vieira. She was running with her kids. She is so nice, chatting with everyone, saying hi along the route. I got to talk with her before the race...and then at the end asked for a picture. She put her arm around me and kissed me on the cheek:)) I already knew I loved her!

Get outta my way kid!

2011-07-16T15:27:00.002-04:00

This little guy could really hold his own.....how the heck old is he 6 or 7??:)

I was just glad to pass this guy near the end... and then these 2. Too bad they don't give a rock for 4th place age group. I would gladly have accepted it!

Only Jennie....

2011-07-13T14:24:00.002-04:00

could pull off sneaking out of the windmill with an antique box. She needed somewhere to put her apple collection, after all!

My advice is.....

2011-07-10T13:36:00.003-04:00

but she did.....
This is what I heard from the next shower stall at the campground after I locked the door...
"Excuse me!"
Me: yes?
"May I use your towel? I forgot mine!"

me: p.a.u.s.e....in disbelief. No, I am going to need it. Sorry.

end of story.....now should I have felt bad for saying that... should I have said...oh I've already used it once...you wouldn't want it...... no.....

As she left, I could see she was about 12 or 13...so at least it wasn't an adult asking me that...but still...talk about a weird request!

4th of July

2011-07-06T09:28:00.005-04:00

JAmes Taylor and the Boston Pops at Tanglewood

Pep and James...water fight:)

Pep and Maggie peeling corn.

Here comes Amy:)

Hi Grandma:)

first pickings

2011-06-30T09:36:00.001-04:00

from our garden:)

Worth the Walk!

2011-06-28T20:11:00.003-04:00

checking on the gray seals for the National Seashore means a long walk down the beach.....

but when you walk far enough, this is what you get to see.

around 75-1oo were here...fun to watch through binoculars.

Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins....

2011-06-28T06:36:00.001-04:00

and lots of them!

Family Reunion time

2011-06-28T06:28:00.007-04:00

missed you Amy!

Happy 7th on Sunday!

2011-06-24T06:34:00.001-04:00

Katy and Rob

Summer is......

2011-06-21T19:14:00.003-04:00

here:)

IT's your day.....

2011-06-19T17:05:00.001-04:00

do a good job installing that new front storm door, will ya?

YouTube - Fitness Ball Buried in Sand Makes Cool Trampoline

2011-06-14T19:38:00.000-04:00

YouTube - Fitness Ball Buried in Sand Makes Cool Trampoline

Answers.com - Why did a 9 volt battery get hot in your pocket

2011-06-13T19:21:00.000-04:00

Answers.com - Why did a 9 volt battery get hot in your pocket and why the gas man suddenly danced in a flash mob of 1 at the coffee shop!!!

For my sweet niece.....

2011-06-13T13:15:00.000-04:00

http://www.miffmuff.com/funny-baby-instruction-signs/ who is due very soon!! some timely tips:))) xo

bad hair day!

2011-06-12T11:44:00.002-04:00

slept in the van at the campground....it's raining...my hair has a mind of its own anyhow....but I just can't run with a hat......luckily I was able to toss it without getting in the way of runners.

:))))

2011-06-10T07:30:00.002-04:00

oops

2011-06-09T09:50:00.001-04:00

what a difference an "S" makes!!! (posted by a teacher friend...assignment to write about the sticker!)

Arnold and James

2011-06-08T15:47:00.000-04:00

the best there is!

another use....

2011-06-05T15:05:00.000-04:00

for coffee filters.....look Grandma, no drips:)

1st one up....

2011-06-04T13:53:00.003-04:00

so I thought,but there was Ty on the porch. He loves to pull the feathers from the bed pillows. He had to try out his great idea of seeing how high he could send a feather up in the air:) smart boy!! :) another use for the air golf game!

Smores and more!

2011-05-31T10:20:00.003-04:00

Camping in VT with the kids.....tons of rain, thunder,lightning, roads washed out...Amy and Jared 1st repsonders to an accident on the way there.... Amy doing a great job in the marathon even though she didn't feel well....but we still had alot of fun!!! believe it or not...just watching the kids play with bubbles, splash in puddles, swing on the swings, eat pizza, and just bopping around was fun!!! :)))

He doesn't drop the weights.....

2011-05-26T17:35:00.004-04:00

but he does drop the names.... have to love Joe is our exercise class.....80 yrs. old.....has met so many stars because of his work as a lighting technician. He just saw Lady Gaga the other night. When he met Madonna he said she was this "little thing" in rehearsal and she said "you won't recognize me later" when the show came on:) He also worked on many game shows form the 60's so will often quiz me to see if I can name the tv personalities on them:)

love the Ninja Bunnies....

2011-05-24T15:32:00.000-04:00

in Gnomeo and Juliet...cutest movie ever!

Remembering Alice:))

2011-05-22T10:44:00.002-04:00

a year after she's gone...and these flowers will always remind me of her. I named them oompah loompahs and she would just laugh and say they are "allium" flowers...she knew her stuff...and not just about plants:))) xo

you don't often see......

2011-05-19T15:49:00.001-04:00

one of these around here....in such nice shape from CA....no winters:)

Well, one out of 2 fell for it!

2011-05-17T06:49:00.002-04:00

Jennie loves fruit anyhow....so she reallly liked making her own fruit-kabob! Tyler, on the other hand, looked at me like "nice try Grandma!"

No green thumb....

2011-05-17T06:47:00.001-04:00

just ladyslipper flowers blooming on their own...because we don't mess with them. There are 17 right now...as protected as the piping plover!

It took Tyler....

2011-05-16T16:13:00.004-04:00

... telling me there was a big spider with reallly long legs walking up the t.v. for me to spring-clean the basement and let those daddy-long-legs outdside! I did a good job of sweeping and so did the Red Sox this weekend!!

Jennie.....

2011-05-12T10:12:00.000-04:00

always a hair-raising experience in store!

A TASTE OF HONEY "BOOGIE OOGIE OOGIE"

2011-05-11T09:15:00.000-04:00

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-09T19:40:00.002-04:00

missing the Maine crew, but fun in Boston ...out for breakfast for Pep's birthday,too.

then off to church..... Jennie and her Jennie style!

bubbles, birthday, and squirt guns!

2011-05-09T19:35:00.003-04:00

barely awake,Ty gets ready for more bubble-making:)

Jennie mixes a birthday cake for Pep.

Ty and Pep are serious about this one!

nice day in May

2011-05-09T19:28:00.007-04:00

so we headed up to PTown

and stopped at the visitor's center

played some games

sat on a whale

ate ice cream on the nice clean "before the crowd hits for the season" sidewalk

ended the day with pizza outside at home

and lots and lots of bubbles:)

The "girls" :)

2011-05-07T06:21:00.003-04:00

Now you don't see 'em.... Now you do!!!

Amy loves having a "supportive" sister and mom!!!

Katy and Amy...

2011-05-07T06:20:00.000-04:00

I love you,too!!! Happy Mother's Day!!

In high school,

2011-05-05T06:40:00.002-04:00

I used a drop of the girls' blood next to me since I didn't want to pirck my own finger....never real keen on science. Guess things can change...yesterday it wasn't a dolphin release....far from it...but a 4 hr. assist at a seal necropsy....if you told me I'd be doing this a few months ago, I'd have said you're nuts.

A Beautiful Day....

2011-05-03T19:31:00.004-04:00

and a beautiful baby shower....

for a beautiful MOMMY2B!!!

Maggie's working on her dinner conversation skills with Maureen:)

Kelly and Mom xoxo

Where has the time gone!

2011-05-03T19:26:00.004-04:00

Kelly,you will be a wonderful Mommy! But wait, it wasn't that long ago that you were the little ones! We are so excited for you and Shawn!

Jennie was more than happy to help you rip that paper off the big package!

These 2 are 10 months apart! Amy and Kelly...cousins and buddies forever!

loved seeing Kelly ,Katy, and Amy all together! Jennie and Maggie had a blast,too!

We all needed that!

2011-04-29T09:44:00.002-04:00

Cheers to Will and Kate! Diana is smiling from above:)

I am inspired to draw on some eyebrows after seeing Kate's and my best cubic ziconia earrings are kept for special days such as these! The crown? what crown? Off to babysit the grandkids...I have scones with icing! Thanks Honey Dew! Happy Royal Wedding Day everyone!

Kate Middleton loves TK Maxx | My Fashion Life#comments

2011-04-28T13:13:00.000-04:00

Kate Middleton loves TK Maxx My Fashion Life#comments

hmmmm, good role models?

2011-04-26T06:11:00.002-04:00

they're from TY co. were marked down to $2.00 at TJ Maxx.... but I would really make sure they stay locked in the house at night if you know what I mean!

It's good to know...

2011-04-25T06:34:00.001-04:00

Amy watched all those times I made a pie and now can do it all by herself:)

Pep and his Maine buddies

2011-04-25T06:32:00.003-04:00