Kim's Thoughts
Just a few thoughts I feel worthy of jotting down!
My Smile
I took a step towards making a big change in my appearance, today. No, I didn’t have any “work” done and don’t plan to. And, given the title of this post, I should add that I didn’t go all “Joker” with a permanent smile – not Caesar Romero’s version or Jack Nicholson’s version and definitely not Heath Ledger’s version! No, I have never given any thought to any physical changes, like plastic surgery…….well, except for the many times I’ve thought it might be nice if I had the option to remove my arms and put them aside at certain times – like when I’m trying to get comfortable in bed and they are just plain “in the way” or when I wake up all twisted and they are dead asleep on me! I’ve often thought if I could just take them off, like a doll’s arms, that I’d be able to sleep so much more comfortably! But, that thought always tends to lead me to wondering how I’d get the second arm off once I removed the first one and didn’t have an arm to remove the second one and if I did have a trick for how to get the second one off, how would I get them back on with no arms to pick them up and reconnect them………WOW, did that get me off track or what?
Nope – my change won’t be that obvious, but it will be quite noticeable to those who know my smile well. I have always had an over-bite – front teeth come out over the top of the bottom teeth more than they should. Mom took me to an orthodontist when I was a child, but he said I didn’t need braces. I used to be very self-conscious about it. It is rare to see a posed photo of me with my teeth showing – I perfected a smile that kept them hidden or partially hidden. And, I would usually put my hand in front of my mouth when I laughed. I didn’t HATE it or the way it made me look when I’d laugh or smile – in fact, I would say that if Bobby Sherman and Susan Dey could have over-bites and look as gorgeous as they did, then I can, too! But, to be honest, I was still self-conscious about it. I’ve thought over the years about getting braces and even talked to a couple of dentists about it. But, decided that it really wasn’t something I was soooooo self-conscious about that I needed to wear metal in my mouth as an adult! So, I just worked at not being so self-conscious and I was successful! The only problem they ever really caused was when I bit into something – my teeth didn’t come together right and my bite was difficult with some things – but, again, not a really big problem, so no need to do anything drastic about it. But, recently, my top teeth have started to shift a little, causing some gaps that concerned me and making my two front teeth look like they were flaring out more than before. So, I figured I should look into fixing that before it got worse! My dentist hooked me up with the good people at Genesee Dental and we talked about Invisalign teeth aligners! By the end of the consultation, I decided to go with them and badda-bing, badda-boom, I’m on my way to straighter teeth!
Invisaligns are molded plastic trays that fit over your teeth and slowly pull them into alignment. Each set stays on for two weeks, at which time you change to the next set to move the teeth to the next phase of the process. Dentist visits are scheduled every six weeks to assess the progress and get the next three sets of trays. They don’t look like they would do anything but cover your teeth, but they do – it is like magic! They are virtually invisible until you look closely, so, if I wasn’t on here telling the world, most people wouldn’t even know I am wearing them. But, I wanted to write about the experience, so here I go!
The consultation went well – they explained how they work and what they look like and the dentist examined me and said I was a good candidate for them! They talked about cost – which is significant – and that my insurance wouldn’t cover them! OUCH! I understand that it is a cosmetic thing, but it isn’t like years ago when I would have done it purely for cosmetic reasons – now, my teeth are shifting and will likely cause problems and dental bills down the road – pay me now or pay me later, you know? But, I went in assuming my insurance probably wouldn’t cover most of the cost, anyway, so I didn’t let that rock me. Other than the insurance news, I liked what I heard, so I said, “let’s do it”! And we got started right then and there! They took tons of photos – most with a plastic frame in my mouth to hold my lips out of the way so they could get every inch and angle of my teeth and gums – and some just of my face with and without a smile. (when the dentist came in and asked how the photos went, I responded with, “well, they sure aren’t anything I’d post on Facebook”! HA!) And, then they took impressions and sent me on my way.
A couple of weeks later, I went back to find out the results of the photos and impressions that were sent off for review. They had a computer animation of my actual teeth showing how they will change over time and what they will look like when we’re done! WOW – was that cool to watch!!! They told me what my specific process would be like – it should take my teeth about 8-10 months to align – and asked if I was happy with the projected results. I was, so I signed off on the proposal and they said my first set will be ready in a couple of weeks.
Yesterday, Dec 10th, I went in and got my first set. They tried them on to be sure they fit correctly and then took them out to put little grabber thingys on my teeth – 5 on top and 5 on the bottom. These will secure the trays and help with the process. That wasn’t pleasant, but wasn’t too bad. When they put the Invisalign trays in, they really hurt – I was told that is due to the trays moving the teeth and that each new set could cause some pain for a couple of days and some patients use ibuprofen to help that. They were very uncomfortable for about 1/2 hour and then the pain stopped, so no need for the ibuprofen. They told me to leave them on for at least a couple of hours before taking them out for the first time. I panicked at that – you mean I can’t practice taking them out and putting them in while I was there and had help if needed??? I couldn’t see what she was doing, but she did a good job of explaining what to do, so I was more comfortable with that by the time I left. They were in, I was given some instructions, and I was on my way!
My instructions were to remove them whenever I eat anything, but I can drink with them in – although, if I drink tea or other potentially staining drinks to take them out after and rinse them off. Also, to brush my teeth normally and rinse the trays whenever they come out and before they go back in. I am to wear them at least 20-22 hours out of every 24 hours to get the best and quickest results and to keep them in their protective case when they are out to keep them from getting damaged.
The rest of the evening was interesting……..HA! I was told my mouth would have to adjust to them – the pain wasn’t a problem, it went away pretty quickly, but the saliva was a hoot! I kept sucking them to remove the excess saliva and found myself drooling like a baby a few times! But, that, too, went away after a couple of hours. I was told that the inside of my lips may need to get toughened up some and I may experience some abrasions until they do, but so far, that isn’t a problem, either. The other possible adjustment is in my speech – they said I may have a little bit of a lisp until my tongue gets used to them being there (I was told this at the first consultation and mentioned that I sing in the choir on Sundays and was assured I could take them out for that, if it was a problem) – but, again, that doesn’t seem to be a problem – I had a slight issue with the letter S for a little while, but that went away quickly. Then came time to eat dinner. I had a little trouble figuring out how to remove them – getting them started was a little bit of a challenge, but they finally snapped right out. I rinsed them off and put them in their case. The grabber thingys on the outside of my teeth created some problems – they are rough on the inside of my lips and the food felt like it was clinging to them, so I kept running my tongue on them and that was rough, too. Also, I had to chew more deliberately because I kept biting the inside of my lips and cheeks. But, I got the hang of it. I brushed my teeth, rinsed the trays, and put them back in — they were tight and uncomfortable again for a few minutes, but then all was fine. I removed them again to brush my teeth before bed – they came out and went back in much easier this time. Each time I take them out, my teeth ache a little and then, again, when I put them back in, but it doesn’t last long and isn’t what I would call painful – just uncomfortable. They didn’t bother me at all during the night, but I did have a dream that they came loose and I swallowed them! Leave it to me and my dreams! 🙂
So………I’m off and running with them! They will take some getting used to, but I think I’m already adjusting nicely with them. I change trays on Dec 24th and again on Jan 7th and go back for my six-week check up and next set of trays on Jan 21st. Before I know it, I’ll be done and have a very different smile than I’ve had all my life. This is exciting for me – I can’t wait to see how it all progresses! Maybe at the end, I’ll post some before and after photos! For now, I’m just happy to be started and looking forward to the results.
Restaurant Review – Ho-Jacks
I went to Ho-Jacks restaurant in Carlton yesterday. Ho-Jacks is a new restaurant that recently opened up in the building where the old Carlton Grill used to be on 98 on the way to the lake. I heard several people say that the food is amazing, so I have been itching to go try it out. I wasn’t disappointed!
The Carlton Grill was always a favorite spot – fun place to hang out with friends, good food, and a great snowmobile destination. I was never much of a snowmobiler – never really liked being out in the snow – but, when I did go on a night trail run, it was fun to meet up with other snowmobilers at the Carlton Grill for a little something to warm the innards! I remember the Carlton Grill fondly, which is why I was so disappointed to find out it was closed and had been idle for some time when I moved back home. I understand there were a couple of owners who gave it a shot, but didn’t make it. Until now……..
The restaurant is now open and called Ho-Jacks! It is a family run business and seems to be doing very well (knock on wood – definitely don’t want to send any jinx vibes, here)! They make everything in-house and to order – in fact, one of the specials was a linguine dish that my waitress said was made with linguine pasta made fresh on the premises! Impressive! I found it to be comfortable and quaint – a nice homey country bar and grill ambience with a variety of food that ranges from good old comfort food to fine dining worthy delights. I found the prices to be quite reasonable, as well.
So, I decided to finally pop in for dinner yesterday. I arrived about 4:00, hoping to avoid the Friday night crowd. There was just one other table of diners when I was seated, but it wasn’t long before a steady stream of people started to enter and be seated. Before I knew it, the dining room was packed and there were people waiting at the bar for a table! I was so pleased to see the waitresses so busy with a nice dinner crowd – love to see a good new restaurant do well. Before the room began to fill up, I overheard the other couple say that they were there just the night before and were back because of how much they enjoyed the food. When the two tables beside me filled in with people who appeared to know each other, the man at one table asked the man at the other if he’d ever been here before. When he said, no, the first man said they come all the time and the food is always incredible! Good to know! As I watched other meals coming out to the tables, I didn’t see anything that I wouldn’t be delighted to have delivered to my table! A burger being served to a nearby table caught my eye – I definitely need to order a burger on a return visit!
Ok, so let’s back up. I was seated and my waitress came up and very passionately described the list of daily soups, appetizers, and specials…..and she did so in such detail that I felt like I could actually “see” everything she was describing…….and without reading it from a piece of paper! It all sounded sooooo good and at least one dish stood out, but I wanted to review the menu and see what else I had to choose from. The first thing I noticed on the menu was Fried Pickles – I smiled – I like Fried Pickles and haven’t seen them on a menu since I left the south! As I continued to scan the menu, I noticed it was full of comfort foods and burgers and dishes that sounded wonderful. But, I couldn’t stop thinking about one of the specials, so my mind was distracted. The specials of the night included, among other things, ribs and the standard Friday night Fish Fry with THREE preparation options – beer battered, corn flake encrusted, or broiled with a house rub. But, the special that got my mouth watering was the Beef Tenderloin – it was described as two four ounce filets sandwiched between grilled portabella mushrooms placed on top of garlic mashed potatoes and topped with shredded fried onion rings and a demi glaze! Now, I don’t really care for mushrooms and I was told that everything is made to order and can be requested anyway I want, but I let it come the way it was intended – I just removed the mushrooms. I know, what a waste, but I didn’t want to spoil the presentation because the description sounded so perfect! (and, no, I didn’t order the Fried Pickles – maybe next time – they are better with a sandwich, anyway!) It came with a salad of spring greens and some veggies on top – very nice salad! They also brought me a basket of bread and butter – several warm slices of a fabulously dense homemade bread with a crispy crust and herbs all through it. The butter was pretty special, too – one little cup with whipped regular butter and one with whipped butterscotch butter – YUMMO – a very pleasant discovery!!! And then came my dinner………I was so overwhelmed by the presentation and so anxious to taste it that I didn’t even think of taking a picture! I really wish I had, though – it was a beautiful work of art – a sculpture made of potatoes and beef! I sat there looking at it for all of about a minute and then dove in! I have to say that “delicious” is NOT a word I would use, here! Sorry, but I have to be truthful……..the word I would use is “OMG AMAZING”! No way would “delicious” do it justice! The demi glaze was rich and perfectly seasoned. The beef was tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor – and perfectly cooked! I am a real snob when it comes to my steak – I want it medium rare and any little bit over cooked can ruin a whole meal for me – with a few exceptions. This was perfect!
It was a LOT of food, though. Two four-ounce filets and a huge mound of mashed potatoes was more than I could handle. And I really wanted to see what they offered for dessert. So, the way I decided if I wanted to finish the meal or take part of it home and save room for dessert was to ask what they had for desserts. The waitress read a list of assorted pies and cheese cakes, all of which sounded delightful, but she had me at Lemon Meringue! I asked if the pies were made in-house and was told that the desserts were made by employees, family members of employees, and other local sources – all definitely homemade! So, I ordered the Lemon Meringue pie and a box for the rest of the dinner. Now, that right there is another testament of how good the meal was: I don’t usually take leftovers home – just don’t – I eat and enjoy what I can and leave what I can’t finish. I generally don’t want to eat it again after it has been sitting and reheated – absolutely doesn’t mean it wasn’t delicious and thoroughly enjoyable, I just don’t care for leftovers. It is rare that I take home leftovers – only when it is so good it is worth it! In the box, I put one of the filets, a little of the remaining mashed potatoes, two slices of that wonderful bread, and what was left of the butterscotch butter!
The pie came………it took my breath away! Again, I am so sorry I didn’t take a photo – it was a thing of beauty! I’m not a good judge of measurements, but I’ll venture to guess it was somewhere in the vicinity of three inches high! The lemon filling was smooth, creamy, and just the right mix of tart and sweet! The meringue was light, airy, fluffy, and ever so lightly toasted on the top – a good way to judge the perfectness of meringue is to put it in your mouth and press it between your tongue and the roof of your mouth, if it feels like little bubbles bursting, it is perfect! And this was just that and not too sweet!
So, Ho-Jacks is definitely on my list of favorite local restaurants! A little out-of-the-way, but so worth it! I give this restaurant a full FIVE stars and a big two thumbs up! I can’t wait to go again and I’m already thinking about what I might order……..hhhmmm, maybe one of those luscious looking burgers with an order of fried pickles!
Christmas 1912
Yes, you read the title correctly……Christmas 1912! On Tuesday, I went to a monthly event called “Tea with Dee” at the Hoag Library in Albion. The first Tuesday of each month at noon, Delia Robinson, the Gaines Town Historian, gives a talk and serves tea. Her talks are usually focused on a historical female figure from our area and are so interesting……if you haven’t attended one of her sessions, you really should! She is an amazing speaker and finds the most interesting and entertaining facts on the subjects of her talks. Anyway, as usual, I digress…… This month, she didn’t talk about a person, she talked about how Christmas was 100 years ago – in 1912. As usual, it was very interesting and entertaining, but this particular talk also brought back so many memories for me! No……I wasn’t actually here in 1912, so don’t go there! There were several things she mentioned, though, that were still around when I was growing up in Albion and I found myself thinking of them the rest of the day.
She researched the local newspapers from December 1912 and read us tidbits of information and advertisements from that time. She mentioned Dugan’s Shoe Store. I remember going to Dugan’s for my shoes. It was an experience, not like going to a shoe store today where you pretty much help yourself and have to know what size you wear. When I was little, it was a big deal to go in, look at the displays, and then sit down and be waited on – like you see in the movies! The salesman would measure my feet with those big metal foot measurer thingys and bring out a selection of boxes in the perfect size for me to try on. He would help me put them on, tie them up, and have me walk around in them to see how they felt! I remember getting my first tap shoes there and my shiny black patent leather “Mary Jane’s” and my beloved saddle shoes! I would bet the farm that the saddle shoes in this photo came from Dugan’s!
She also mentioned sale ads for Landauer’s Department Store! I remember Landauer’s, too! I graduated with John Landauer, who sadly is no longer with us, and thinking of the store always makes me think of John. My Great Aunt Margaret worked at Landauer’s for several years, so when we shopped there, chances were that Aunt Margaret would be our sales lady. Landauer’s was a little pricey for us to shop there on a regular basis, so it was a real treat to go there for something special. Mom would always take us for one or two special outfits for back to school. It was the best place to go, if you needed a wedding, shower, or baby gift. Mom would get her “unmentionables” there. And, it was the only place in town where you could get official Girl Scout and Boy Scout uniforms and accessories! Yes, it was a special adventure to shop at Landauer’s – when you bought something, they wouldn’t roll it up and put it in a bag, they would fold it beautifully and put it in a box with tissue paper!
Dee talked about Christmas ornaments from 1912 – there were no advertisements for store-bought ornaments because people made their own, but there were articles in the ladies magazines of the time with tips and ideas for making new and different decorations. I instantly remembered the construction paper chains we made as children that Mom would hang proudly on our tree! People now would think that is tacky, but we thought it was wonderful!!! 🙂 One particular tip she read to us out of a magazine sounded like a great idea to me! They suggested you put a small white tree (they told how to make a real tree white and sparkly, but you could use an artificial white tree, now) as the center piece for a holiday table and to decorate it with small wrapped gifts for each of the dinner guests and to attach a ribbon from the gift to the place card at each guest’s place setting around the table. What a great idea!!!!!
She talked about the recipes of the time, as well…….some that might still go over well today…..some that didn’t sound like they’d be very popular if served in 2012! 🙂
So, I got a lot out of this month’s talk and am still thinking about the wonderful memories it sparked and the ideas it put in my head for the holiday season! And, as usual, I am looking forward to next month’s topic! Come join us – you’ll surely enjoy it!
It’s a Girl
Babies…….they bring so much joy into a family! Our family was blessed with a new baby this week and I can not tell you how full of love my heart is for this little angel! She is perfect! Yes, I’m biased and yes, that sometimes clouds people’s judgement and opinions, but anyone looking at her would surely agree that she is the pure definition of beauty and perfection! This makes me a great-aunt for the second time. She joins her older brother who will be three in January.
While all babies are special and my great-nephew is my absolute favorite little man, this little sweetheart brings an extra special bit of joy for me. You see, I was not blessed with children of my own – although I raised a stepson that I loved very much. So, I won’t have the pleasure of grandchildren. Also, my brother and I lived in different states when his children were born, so they were both several months old when I first saw and held them. The same for my great-nephew – I lived 800+ miles away from my nephew and his wife when he was born and he, too, was several months old when I got to meet him. Now that I have moved back home, I am closer to him and can see him much more often. And the best part —- I got to see and hold his little sister within a day of her birth! My cup runneth over!
So, now there are two and shopping for the holidays and birthdays will not only be full of trucks and blue and other little boy things. It will, now, also be full of dresses and dolls and hair bows and pink and other little girl things! Yes, I know……..these stereo-types are not necessarily true, anymore, and that’s OK! But, at least for now, I will have so much fun shopping for a little boy and a little girl and enjoying the distinction! What fun – I love to shop for the little ones!
Now, my great-nephew…he is a real trip — remember, I said he’ll be three in January! He never ceases to amaze me at how old he acts and how smart he is! When I got to the hospital to meet his little sister, he rushed to the door to show me his new camera – a real digital camera, but made for a child with large buttons and a tough case. He said, “I got my own camera! You take pictures with it, you know!” and then handed it to me and said, “You can take a picture of your own self!” haha When I asked him what he thought of his little sister, he said, “My baby is CUTE! I kiss and hug her a lot!” When he was told he would be getting a baby sister and they asked him what he thought they should name her, he instantly said “Penguin”! And, he has stuck with that ever since and is still adamant that her name shall be Penguin! So, our little Penguin will have a wonderful big brother, for sure!
So, excuse me for gushing, but I have the most amazing great-nephew and great-niece in the whole wide world!!! I am thrilled for the opportunity to watch them grow up and love them to pieces!
Expanding My Horizons
When you discover a way to combine something you enjoy doing with other interests in your life, it is only natural to take advantage of the opportunity. It is no secret that I enjoy writing stories about my thoughts, adventures, and any other topics that pique my interest. I have also come to enjoy being active in my church and participating in the many activities, fundraisers, and get togethers that the church has to offer. I found myself writing about certain adventures I’ve had with the church here on this blog, but gave a lot of thought to branching off and dedicating a blog to church related activities, news, and information. So, I have expanded my horizons and created the Albion First United Methodist Church Blog!
Look to the right hand column under “Blog Roll” to find the link!
No – I’m not abandoning this blog – Thoughts By Kim will continue to be devoted to my personal thoughts and adventures. The new blog will be an extension of my writings, but will also be more than that. I hope to grow the Albion FUMC Blog into a full-blown news and communication source for church related activities. We already have a web site and send info to the newspapers, so I am hoping that this blog will compliment those sources by being an additional communication option and a place to provide more details and photos than the other options allow for. I also plan to write about the history and occassionally highlight some of the people in an effort to gain more community interest in the church.
So, now you have not one, but TWO ways to follow me and my grand adventures, experiences, and thoughts! Lucky you! 🙂 I hope you enjoy both my blogs and visit often!
Adventures In Shopping
I always get excited when I find a great new place to shop or just wander around to gaze at pretty things. Today, I found the perfect place to get all worked up about!!!! From the minute I pulled in the parking lot and walked up to the inviting entrance, I was hooked! Where is this fabulous place, you ask? The Shops On West Ridge – located at 3200 West Ridge Road in Rochester, NY.
A couple of weeks ago, a friend on Facebook said she was going and the comments that resulted piqued my interest. So, I searched for their Facebook page and also checked out their website and was even more intrigued! The best way I can describe the Shops On West Ridge is that it is a vendor based / co-op type shop. I read that they had over 200 shops under one roof, but it didn’t really register with me how large that would be – I envisioned a good-sized room sectioned off with various mini-shops showcasing a sampling of what they have to offer (like many of the shops similar to this that I’ve visited in the past). Boy, was I surprised when I got there! This place is enormous – two floors with row after row after row and room after room of fully stocked vendor booth areas. I spent about two and a half hours there just wandering up and down the aisles and I’m sure I missed sections and I know I didn’t look closely at every booth – I just perused in total awe scanning as much as I could take in without allowing myself to spend too much time in any one area while kicking myself for not getting an earlier start so that I could devote more time there. I would recommend (and will myself, next time) that you plan on a full day or at least several hours to really experience the entire store.
So, what is there to shop for at The Shops On West Ridge……the better question is what ISN’T there to shop for at The Shops On West Ridge! It would be easier to come up with something you can’t find there than trying to list everything you can find there! But, I’ll try: handmade craft items, very unique gift and home decor items, vintage “stuff”, furniture, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, toys, holiday decor items, whimsical items, art……you name it, you’ll find it there – there’s even a quaint little cafe where you can have a nice lunch! You’re sure to find something for everyone on your gift list – even those hard to shop for people with unusual interests – you know the ones, we all have at least one of them on our lists – at just about any price point you may need! I found most items to be very reasonably priced.
My adventure, today, was totally enjoyable. Like I said – as soon as I walked up to the entrance, it was inviting and festive – I suddenly felt like Christmas shopping! Once I walked in, my eyes widened and I was overwhelmed by the sight of all the aisles and the sign that indicated there were another 100 or so vendors downstairs. I immediately noticed the holiday music that put a spring in my step as I proceeded to the right in hopes that I could find a good place to start. I decided to walk along the front edge of the store as far as I could go and weave my way around the aisles back to the left side and then go downstairs and do basically the same thing. Not far into my journey, I noticed that the vendors were all wearing Dickens style costumes to add to the festive feel of the store and they didn’t just hang out in their areas – they were wandering around greeting customers and helping wherever they could. For instance, twice someone offered to take what I had gathered to purchase up to the customer holding area so that I could shop more comfortably and brought me back an empty basket – that really impressed me. I saw a ton of things I’d love to have in my home, but I (mostly) resisted (I did get a couple of things for myself and my home) and tried to focus on my Christmas list. I saw so many things, but only purchased a couple of gifts – I want to think some more on some of the other possible gifts I saw and go back and look again – when I have more time! I spotted what I think might be a perfect small curio cabinet that would fit under my stained glass mirror in the hallway – it is short, narrow, and not too long with glass doors and shelves and an interior light – I need to measure that spot and check it out again next time I go (I wish I had measured the cabinet and taken a photo while I was there). I was also very surprised to see a full set of china that matches a covered casserole dish and platter that I have that belonged to my Grandmother! I was glancing around one area and spotted the exact same casserole dish way in the back on a table. I went back to check it out and saw other pieces, including a gravy boat and a couple of serving bowls, as well as a whole service set of dishes. I got so excited – I hoped there was individual prices on the gravy boat and serving bowls, but there wasn’t – it was for sale as a whole set of 121 (I think that was the piece count) pieces for only $79! I stood there for quite some time debating on purchasing the set, but reluctantly passed on it – I really don’t need more dishes! But, I’m still thinking about that set and really kick myself for not taking a photo of it! Another item I found and regret I didn’t snatch up was a great framed print of Elvis that would go perfectly in my den on the wall opposite the framed print of The Beatles of about the same size that I already have – may have to rethink passing that one up – unless I find they have one of James Dean, instead! I also had lunch at the cafe. I ordered the special – grilled BBQ meatloaf sandwich – and it was absolutely delicious! They even gave me the recipe when I told them how much I enjoyed it!
So — here are some photos I took along the way:
The entrance door – very festive and inviting – sets the perfect mood for shopping and gives a taste of what to expect inside!
Some of the friendly vendors in their Dickens-esque attire! I’ll list some of their websites at the end of this post – so, read on to get more info!
Two more vendors downstairs in front of a display of beautiful holiday dishes
The next few photos are just random shots of aisles showing how vast the space is and how much merchandise they have:
I found myself wishing I had someplace good to hang this wine bottle chandelier! 🙂
And, this was my lunch – Grilled BBQ Meatloaf Sandwich with Chips!
It actually was supposed to come with melted cheddar cheese on top, but those who know me know I’m allergic to cheese, so had to order it without that part…….
but, I think it was perfectly delicious as it was!!!
This is a scanned copy of the advertisement card they pass out that provides info about the hours and upcoming events – click on the photos to enlarge them, if you can’t read the printing
They have live holiday music on the weekends and there will be three live Christmas Concerts on Dec 19th by Irish Tenor Cahal Dunne!
So, if you’ve never been or don’t know about The Shops On West Ridge, I really encourage you to go – especially now for the holiday shopping season! It is a great shopping experience – a true adventure! You will find so many wonderful things! I can’t wait to go back and work through my Christmas list, again – this time with more determination and less hemming and hawing over things! 🙂
As promised, here are just a few websites that were passed on to me while I was chatting with some of the vendors that graciously allowed me to take their photos for this post:
The Shops On West Ridge – you can also find them on Facebook
My Favorite Toy Box – find James Eddy on Facebook, as well!
Rebecca’s Attic — find Laura and Debbie on Facebook and check out the tons of photos they have there!
Northwoods Alpacas – find this vendor on Facebook, too
Rose Petals and Butterflys – check out Sherry Wasala on Facebook and at booth # 68
(sorry if I missed a card – this is what I had in my bag)
One Year…
This week marks one full year since I moved back home to Albion! What a year it has been! I’ve written quite a bit in the past year commemorating my adventures and experiences. But, it is difficult to put into words what it has meant to me to be here and all that I’ve accomplished. So, here is the past year in a nutshell:
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First and foremost, I thank God every day that the opportunity came up to retire and move home when I did. Mom has been quite ill and had a rough year and it has been a blessing to be here to help her through it and be near her – just the peace of mind that I was not 800+ miles away when she needed me and the relief of not worrying from a distance has been a blessing.
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I’ve written about my experiences, so I won’t go into them all again in summary – if you don’t visit here often, scroll down and catch up! 🙂 But, a few highlights (aside from the joy of being close to my family again) are being near the lake that I love so much, rejoining the church I grew up in and becoming an active member, exploring and re-learning about my home town and surrounding areas, reconnecting with old friends, and meeting new friends.
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I have completed several major and minor projects on my home and have a couple more I want to accomplish before this year is over. It is a lovely home and I am enjoying it so much – I just love putting my personal touches and a little bit of me into it – all with love and joy!
I’ve had some ups and downs, but mostly ups. I am very blessed and life has been good to me and for me. I can’t ask for much more than good health for me and my family and ample opportunities to relax and enjoy them, my friends, and my life. So, for the coming year, I hope for a lot more adventures and the ability to share them with those I love.
Life is good – be sure to take time to smell the roses and enjoy the people and places you hold dear!
Autumn in WNY
There are some awesome places to view the beauty that Autumn brings to our lives…….most mountainous areas offer amazing scenery! I personally have enjoyed the changing leaves along the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC’s Blue Ridge Mountains, in the Adirondack Mountains of NY, and in the hills of West Virginia, among other places. I hope someday to spend some time enjoying the foliage in the upper New England states – Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. But, I’m here to tell you that right here in Western New York is right up there among the most beautiful color shows – and I don’t have to travel to see it! In fact, the fall colors are as close as my own neighborhood – the street and area around where I live is fairly abundant with trees, so I can sit at my desk and look out across the street or sit on my back patio and enjoy Mother Nature’s majesty as much as I want! Albion and the surrounding area is rather rural, so any drive outside the Village will result in viewing farmer’s fields framed with woods ablaze with reds, oranges, yellows, greens, and browns – all intertwined like paints on an artist’s palette. And, of course, just a little over an hour away is the incredible Letchworth State Park, which I recently visited, but was too early to see the leaves in full color! Yes, the scenery that accompanies the fall colors in the mountains adds to the beauty, but the beautiful rural settings of WNY are not to be dismissed when counting the locations perfect for leaf watching every autumn.
I took these shots from my back patio:
And these shots were taken at our historic Mt. Albion Cemetery, which is a gorgeous place any time of the year, but it comes alive with spectacular color in Autumn:
Aahh – God and Mother Nature make a great team! What amazing beauty for us to behold – and it is all right here to see every day of the season!
All Aboard……..
A couple of weeks ago, I took advantage of an opportunity to focus on enjoying the beauty of October in WNY. It was a gorgeous 70 degree October Sunday – perfect for a scenic train ride. The next town over from us is Medina and Medina has an impressive Railroad Museum full of railroad and other local memorabilia. The museum also has a working train of vintage 1947 Budd passenger coaches and offers excursions with various themes – they do a Thomas The Train ride, a Polar Express ride, Winery Tours, and other seasonal scenic tours – including a Foliage Tour, which is the one I took on Sunday, October 7th. The ride goes from Medina to Lockport along the historic Erie Barge Canal Corridor (note to self: I should write a post about the canal one day – what an amazing piece of history for our state that runs right through our town…….OK, that’s enough digressing) and takes two hours round trip.
I went after church and got there early, so I had time to tour the museum – that was a real treat! We boarded the train at 2:00, greeted by an uniformed conductor yelling “All aboard” – just like in the movies! I chose my seat next to a window that I could open – it was such a warm, sunny day, I thought having an open window would be nice – and it was! Not long after the train left the station, the conductors came through the coaches saying, “Tickets?” and they took each ticket and punched it. The trip to Lockport was a slow ride to allow easy viewing of the scenery and ample photo opportunities. The return trip was faster – just zoomed us on home! So, here are a sampling of the photos I took:
Let’s start with photos of the inside of the Railroad Museum. When you first enter the museum, you come on to a display of old telegraph, teletype, and typewriter equipment – very cool. The majority of the museum houses the largest HO scale train display in NY at approximately 200 feet long and 14 feet wide. The track winds around through various historical and geographical points of interest throughout Orleans County – fascinating – it shows a thriving area of familiar vintage and current sites and even a working carnival.
After the tour, I proceeded outside to wait for our boarding time.
I took this picture of a fabricated grill on the side deck of the station house because (1) it looked cool and (2) my grandfather’s name was Marlin!!!
This is the coach I rode on and that first window to the right is where my seat was!
And off we go……
Some shots of the scenery:
One of the best parts of the trip was going over the “upside down bridge” in Lockport. This is a VERY high bridge just big enough for the train tracks that goes over the canal near the locks. The first photo is actually taken from the Medina Railroad Museum web page (no way I could get a shot of the bridge from the train). The other photos following it (and the one just above this) are what I could see from the train.
So, that’s my train adventure. Probably should have waited another week to go and the leaves would have been out in fuller color, but then the weather wouldn’t have been so perfect! I really enjoyed it, though — I could feel the train movement for several hours after and I had a slight headache from the “chugga-chugga” for two hours, but it was a very pleasant ride and a relaxing afternoon!
The Final Chapter
I closed a book this week…..the final chapter was complete and the story has ended. As with all books you truly love reading, the ending came with mixed emotions – on one hand the story will always remain with you in memories, but on the other hand coming to that last page is usually so sad……and then comes the excitement about moving on to the next really good book. When I finish reading the last page of a great book, I usually sit there for a while holding the book and thinking through the story ensuring I won’t soon forget it. I felt that way on Monday. The book analogy is just that, though – an analogy – I didn’t literally finish reading a book. I did, however, close the book on a chapter in my life – cut the final physical ties – said goodbye to something I treasured.
Monday was the closing of the sale of my home in Sanford, NC. Last November, I retired, put my house on the market, and moved my life back to my hometown in Albion, NY. It was a good decision and a good move for me. But, I found that selling my home was not going to be as easy as I envisioned – physically or emotionally. It was an adorable, charming home with excellent curb appeal in a great neighborhood and perfect location at an affordable price – it was sure to sell before I could get settled in Albion, right? Wrong! One week shy of eleven months later, the sale officially closed. I assumed and hoped I wouldn’t have to manage mortgages and expenses on two houses for much more than 4-6 months, but also knew that this economy might dictate a longer duration. So, now it is done and from a financial perspective, I am over joyed! From an emotional perspective, it was sad to close that book.
Putting a solid period at the end of this chapter of my life was more than just selling a possession I no longer had a need for. I was selling a home that I put a lot of my love and personality into. I had every intention of it being the last home I ever lived in, so I put a lot of time and thought into making it my own. I purchased it in 2003 and every year I’d take my bonus and tax return and plan out the projects I wanted to accomplish that year. When all the stars were aligned perfectly to form my decision to retire and move back home, the house was almost exactly the way I wanted it — just a couple minor projects were left on my “to do” list. But, that’s OK — that’s the way life goes — just when you think you’ve made it to where you thought you wanted to be when you grew up, another goal, twist in the road, or exciting destination pops up and you take it from there!
It also means that I have no more physical ties to Sanford. I still have friends there, so I’ll have good reasons to visit occasionally, but the sale of my home was the last of the tangible ties I had to a community I enjoyed being a part of.
So, that is that! On Monday, I waited patiently all day to hear that the closing was finished and when I got the word, I felt relieved – a big financial weight was lifted off my shoulders, I felt excited – definitely cause for celebration, and then I cried – my lovely home was no longer mine!
And then I wandered through my home here in Albion and smiled at the work I’ve done, so far, to make THIS home my own. And I got the warm fuzzies when I thought about how so very happy I am here – in this new home so close to my family, childhood friends, and new friends. And the tears went away. And I felt good, comfortable, and content. And I put the book I just finished away on my memory shelf – it is done!
Goodbye, Sanford house……..I hope your new owner loves you as much as I did!!!!
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