It's funny how we feel so much but can't say a word...We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard!

Today was the first annual Keith Brabant Scholarship Memorial Fund benefit. The organization and attendance was phenomenal. There were 12 bands/groups who donated their time, as well as sales of t-shirts, CDs, bake sales, raffles and door prizes. Good food, drinks and of course a dunking tank were also a big part of the celebration of life.

This is a quote from Keith which was posted over the t-shirt sales booth. Unfortunately he was struck down, needlessly, at a time in his life when he and his music were really coming upon a successful career.

This was the emblem on front of the t-shirts....very clever!

We finally got to meet Lindsey, Kelly and Brian Boyer's little bundle of joy. It didn't take Emma long to get her hands on the little cutie.

Lots and lots of baked goods....

Emma was "hell bent" on winning this guitar in the silent auction....unfortunately she didn't but Pop told her he would take the one her mother had when she was young and have new strings and a good tuning. This seemed to appease her....somewhat!

And here was where the Paxton money went....Emma didn't care WHO she dunked, just that she could get them!! The famous "dunking tank".....

This weekend was also prom night for my niece and nephew. Here the two of them posed (without their dates) for a family photo. I can't help but make the comment....Karpel's sure make beautiful children!!!!!!

Hephaestus taught me to dance...Icarus taught me the air...Persephone cares for my plants and Medusa does my hair....

Yep....that's the way I feel this week...KLUTZ! I am finally back on line after dropping my new Toshiba and totally trashing it! Took it in for an estimate and the guy just kind of looked at me with sad eyes and said "honestly, you would be better off to buy a new one". SO, off to Best Buy for a new computer. On a better note, Jim now has lots of nice new up to date parts to build some computers.

I swear sometimes, I am ADHD, they just never diagnosed it "back in the day". I whirl, and twirl and go 100 mph most of the time. I even told Salt I am going to start wearing a "blue tooth" in my ear, just so when I talk to myself in stores (I am actually talking to Salt but he is always 3 isles behind, trying to keep up) people won't think I am totally crazy.

Not a lot to report of much interest, as I have been cleaning files, getting Salt's business books back on track for the summer (with help from Betty) and trying to get the house in order to actually list it.

Tomorrow we will be attending the Keith Brabant Scholarship Memorial fund raiser...it is sounding like a good time with 12 bands, concessions, raffles, etc. We are all hoping for a great turnout and a successful start to a worthwhile cause.

What's mainly wrong with society today is...too many dirt roads have been paved...

I have been doing my workouts inside the last few weeks, as the weather has not been very cooperative for much outdoor activity. This week is going to be in the mid-high 80's all week, so I decided to start my long walks again. It is SO serene to walk along these quiet dirt roads with wildflowers in abundance as well as an amazing assortment of wildlife.

Sometimes when I come upon sights like this, I feel like I have stepped back in time.....

Salt went back to work just a few days after he returned to the island. He is undated with work, which is a good thing since we are hoping to leave a little earlier this year and get some more traveling in before returning to FL....he will need lots of spending money....ha ha!!

Here he is about to return one 4 wheeler and pick up three others.....

Kelly Rusho posted this updated picture on her Face book status today....I had to steal it and put it on the blog. As she says, ...."she is one happy mama with a very happy baby". Beautiful Kelly!!

And here is "Little Joe", my brother Joe's oldest son as he receives his diploma with honors from Oneonta University. We are all so proud of you Joe!!

If you come down to the river...people on the river are willing to give!

Yesterday, believing the weatherman when he said it was going to rain, I decided to make a batch of Holupsi (stuffed cabbage rolls). Jim and Ellen stopped in so we invited them to dinner...kind of what you do here on the river...spur of the moment. After a wonderful dinner on the deck overlooking the river and another beautiful sunset, Jim went to work on my screwed up wireless network. It worked fine hardwired but it wouldn't recognize my computer settings for the wireless. Of course the wizard, figured it ou, fixed it and it's working great now. Thanks Jim....love you guys!

Bring on the fabulous shoes and tie...It's for the photographs, the reason why!!

Prom time for Paul and Janna....when did all my babies grow up?
Janna and Skylar.... TC prom....

Paul headed to the OFA prom....

All kinds of company today....Karen and Neveah, Shirley Taylor and Jim and Ellen....Summer has arrived!! Jim and Ellen coming over for Holupsi (stuffed cabbage rolls) tonight. It's beautiful out, we will definitely be eating on the river deck!!

Like a gecko behind a painting....with hidden wisdom to impart. In a world that needs more dancing...She's a Hula Girl at heart....

80 degrees today...finally felt like taking a boat ride. Betty and I headed to Watertown and did some grocery shopping as well as outfitting Emma for her first "dance". It was a Hawaiian theme so we had our work cut out for us in Watertown!!!

Emma was happy with our choice and looked as cute as could be so we call that a successful day!

They were having a bunch of contests, one of which was decorating a surfboard. This is Emma's design.

And of course it wouldn't be Emma unless she did a little posing.....

I was exhausted by time she was ready and out the door. She is one BUSY girl!!!

When you run so fast to get somewhere...You miss half the fun of getting there...

We had a wonderful day with our kids yesterday.....Mike drove in from VA Beach to spend a little time with Jeremy and Loretta Bloom (two of our kids we have adopted without paperwork...LOL) as well as his sister and brother-in-law and niece. Sometimes siblings can be such a gift, especially when they arrange to have 2 cases of "real" Canadian beer waiting for you....

Pop cooking their favorite meal (spiedies) to perfection.....

Jeremy and Loretta.....

Enjoying one of the first of many meals on the deck.....

That silly Frank thought he was going to sneak off in a corner and escape "Kitty's Kamera".....you know all about the futility of that right, Doug Rowe....ha ha.

I SO hate saying my goodbyes to the kids. They are all going to meet here again in August, so I will at least have that to look forward to. We have made plans to stop and see Jeremy and Loretta in GA on our way back to FL. Jeremy has promised to show us the best parts of Nashville, TN. Yeah!!!

Pop and Mike after launching my boat..............

My house is filled with the scent of lilacs....my favorite spring flower............

I love this picture of Garrett and Greyson Field. Garrett is deploying to Afghanistan once again. I hate that he has to leave his beautiful son, but happy that Jada and the baby will be able to spend most of the summer here on the island.....

And I watch the sun go down in colors I've never seen....

A cup of Starbucks and a sunset like this....does it get any better? Yep, then the Loons started calling......

Sun be shinin...Barbequing...It's about to be a family reunion..

I described today as a "Norman Rockwell" kind of day....My brother giving garden tours, the kids playing softball and my sister-in-law's wonderful cooking. The weather was beautiful (finally) and we all gathered at George and Cheryl's farm for a small family get together.

George has a fabulous organic garden. This is the beginning of his planting...in a couple of months it will be an abundance of fresh, delicious vegetables.

This year he is adding a new concept....square foot garden grid.

The kids spent a large part of the day playing softball..... This is my niece Hannah who plays softball for her school team.

George's daughter (my niece) Britt....

Cheryl's daughter (another niece) Emily. Emily, who has lost several close friends with cancer this year is very involved in cancer awareness, and raising moneys for more research. She is working diligently and has raised a significant amount of money for this worthy cause. We are all proud of you Em!!

Emma was a bit apprehensive to pick up the bat because she was afraid she wouldn't be very good and the kids wouldn't want to play with her....We think she has a lot of potential, as she didn't even know how to hold the bat and was belting the ball nearly every time. Of course Grandpa is going out this week to get her equipment....

Uh...hmmm.... this may be why Grandpa was never drafted by any of the major leagues!!

And here is poor Niko....also known as 4K. He was struck by a car a couple of months ago and has undergone all kinds of surgery and reconstruction. He is making progress and will soon be hopping in the truck with his master!!

My brother George, with grandson Jordan....

and his wife Cheryl....a blessing to our family!!

Here we are headed back across the river.....

and waiting by the gate as we turned into our driveway back on the island.....

Today was Emma's first solo run on the lawnmower. She is growing up SO fast!!

I'm sittin on the dock of the bay...Watchin the tide roll away

Salt started putting the floating dock in this morning....of course he didn't have all the hardware he needed #*%(@!.....sure missing the hardware store across the street.

At least the weather is taking a turn for the better....finally. We are headed to the mainland tomorrow to celebrate my niece Hannah's birthday and my brother George and his wife Cheryl's anniversary. Always have a good time with them. I haven't seen George in 8 months so lots of catching up to do!!

View from our deck....beautiful blue St. Lawrence!

Let's sing a song for Grandpa with voices strong and true...He is the one we count on when no one else will do!

Grandparents' Breakfast 2010.....still maintaining our perfect attendance! Pop is smiling, even though he says..."Yep, drove 1100 miles for a Pop Tart and an orange". He loves it and I am willing to bet he will be back for one more year. He says he is leaving it up to Grandma Erma next year??? The thought of Em going into Middle School is scary!!

Grandma still smiling, in spite of the wet windblown hair-do!!

We sat across from Don and Debbie Badour and their oldest granddaughter.....

Last night we donned our WINTER coats and took a 4-wheeler ride up to Betty's, picked up Emma and took her over to see Uncle Harry's and Aunt Urch's piglets....Yep...we are hard up for entertainment!