Slacking...

I noticed I haven't posted anything since July 2008. There are reasons that's keeping me from doing any updates. Randy and I started gutting down the 2nd floor of our home since it's an old house. First floor was almost completed when we both moved in just before Xmas of 2007. Things were slowed down for a while so extra money could be saved til my father decided to get going again. Throughout fall and winter, the guys put in so many hours foam insulating, sheet rocking, plastering, painting, electrical work.....to trimming at this point. Last will be the carpets. Randy and I are getting excited about it!

It was quite tiring for us because all we seem to do is work, eat and sleep then back to the same cycle. Even on the weekends, I would get called in or be asked to run down to Lowes or Home Depot to get something for my dad or things we need for the 2nd floor like ceiling fans, lights and so forth. We're definitely ready for the spring-like weather to do a massive clean up outside since there's sheetrock and plaster all over the place. Then we hope to do more together this summer with camping, fishing, kayaking, biking and so forth... anything we can get our hands on to this summer.

Hopefully I'll get around to do more updates

Our Summer Vacation

Randy and I took a week's vacation to Opinicon Lake in Canada from July 11th to the 20th. We really had a great time and had beautiful weather. It couldn't be any better! The area we were staying at kind of reminded me of the Adirondacks. We were hidden way back in the woods which was like three miles from the main road. It was a long bumpy ride that kept getting narrower by the minute and finally arrived to our waterfront cottage in front of a big lake- Opinicon Lake. Most of the time we spent there was all about fishing. We did take a couple of day trips to Westport, Smith Falls (Hershey factory), Jones Falls, Rideau Canals and Kingston. We're fortunate to bring a week's worth of food to feed 5 of us since the prices were a bit outrageous there. As we all know, our economy and currency isn't worth much at this moment. So as an American, we had to pay $1-3 more on things we purchased, depending on what tier the prices fell in.

What annoys me the most was about the milk, if people are emphasizing that drinking milk is very good for our bones, then why is it so expensive?! It was close to $10 for a gallon of milk. If that's the case, how can people keep up with that?

What I find it interesting during our stay is that we have discovered a lot of animals/reptiles/birds. It was absolutely beautiful! There's a lot of pictures we took but I've only posted a few.

Lacking this...

Wow.. it's been like a month and half since I last wrote something! I really enjoy reading other peoples' blogs but just doesn't seem like I have much to blog about.

Thanks everyone for wishing me a Happy Birthday :) I had a great time camping with 7 others to Rollins Pond which is north of NY near Lake Placid (Olympics 1980). The weather was perfecttt!! I couldn't ask for it to be any better.

Check out the pictures: www.picasaweb.google.com/mprzelski.rlubeck

Official Owners to "Sunrise!"

Randy and I are now proud owners of the Old Town Otter Tandem kayak!! We look forward using it next month and during month of July for our vacation. Should be fun and relaxing to the sceneries of the Adirondacks and in Canada around Rideau Lakes.

It was found on Craigslist.org and could not pass up this deal! The woman who sold it to us had it in the barn for two years and hardly been used before that. She's relocating to the state of Idaho due to a big job offer. We're going to meet at her house again tonight to look around her house to see if there's anything else we would be interested in as we're looking for a push mower, weed eater, bikes and so forth. Should be a fun expedition!

:) Enjoy your day :)

Memorial Day Weekend

Had a great time this past weekend! It was like a mini reunion where friends met up again in Rochester. Jessica flew in from Oklahoma and other people drove up to celebrate the boys' accomplishments. Hua graduated on Friday night which I missed because I worked til 4pm and had to finish loading up the car before picking up Randy to start the roadtrip. Gradually, we all agreed to meet at Cheesecake Factory in Pittsford after his commencement. There was a total of 20 people and enjoyed the talk with people I haven't seen in a while. The food was excellent.

Throughout the night, we faced some obstacles on Saturday morning. Coming to find out, a raccoon or a couple of raccoons has invaded into our tote box that was accidentally left outside over night. All hotdog rolls and hamburg buns were gone and enjoyed some tosito chips with that as well. The boys decided to drop us off at Perkins to use the shower and dress up before Hai's graduation at 12:30. While we did that, they went out to buy the rolls again and other things that we needed for the BBQ party that was following after the commencement.

Everyone met up for the BBQ at Letchworth State park. The sunshine was shining.. but a bit chilly. Played a few rounds of ladderball, frisbee, shared some talks and took some photos. Enjoyed having everyone together once again. Night came, most left so we all sat by the warm fire.

Sunday, we drove to Rochester to take another clean shower, had lunch with everyone else from the Distillery. Then Randy and I decided to head back to the campgrounds. We agreed to take a hike...on the way, we seen so many cars and people lingering around. We finally found out what it was...balloon fest. We looked for a parking spot, walked to the field and sat on a blanket for a while. Watched about 20 balloons launch from the grounds, over the gorge of Letchworth. Beautiful! Then hiked on a trail to Middle and Upperfalls. Such a nice view. Another night by the fire.

Sad to go on monday.. packed up and headed home to do the lawn (mow), etc. Unpacked, laundry and cleaned up. Then by 4pm, headed over to Randy's friends for a BBQ and volleyball. Had a great time!

Now starting another crazy but short week at work. Busy with freelancing on the side plus other things.

Rainbow Bridge 5.7.08

I'm very deeply saddened to pass on the news to you all that Summer has been put to "sleep" today after facing a hard decision on whether to do it today or let her live a bit longer. As I'm the mother/best friend, I have seen that her condition has gotten worse over the last couple of weeks.

Summer, a loving golden retriever, will be sorely missed by the Przelski's clan. She was such an outgoing retriever who often looks forward playing softball each evening, our long walks through the sand pit and playing hide-n-seek. There will be no other golden that will replace her as each dog had their own personality.

Summer was diagnosed with everything a dog could have faced! As a puppy, she had all sorts of ear infections...growing up to fight demodeptic mange which lasted two years and most recently, ear cancer.

Most importantly, she was a strong FIGHTER for sure!! God bless Summer for living up to twelve years with so much attention and love from me. Now, you may play, enjoy life at the Rainbow Bridge and your reunion with your mother, Honeydew. Give her a kiss from me.

When it shines, I will think of you looking down at us.

God bless you, Summer.

Much love,

Margaret

Photo: Doggie self-serve wash, the last photo I've taken of Summer ('08)

Weekend full of SURPRISES!

Randy and I just returned from the weekend's trip to Cortlandt Manor where Jeremy resides. It was nice to see the house for the first time since Jeremy has been anticipating to show me around. There was always conflicts of when we were able to get down there. Finally, this weekend we did. There was more than enough reasons to go down there anyways. :)

I would say... friday was a birthday celebration that was for Carolyn but somehow, I celebrated an "early" birthday by receiving one of their gifts already! Yes, 2 months in advance because they know me too well. I would of probably went out and bought myself one since I have a new car. What is it? A new GPS! Believe it or not, I never got one yet. Now I do! :)

Then Carolyn opened up her gifts. She loved them all. It's a nice new addition to their home.

Saturday, we participated in Walk4Hearing 5k walk at FDR park. That was a nice exercise for sure! Randy truly enjoyed listening to the birds singing in the rain. Many birds, he has never heard of before. I just loved listening to him saying this or that. Of course, the weather could have been better. A little chilly and wet. After that, we all had lunch at Pizza Hut with Erin. Enjoyed our talks and laughter there. Ended the night by making spicy chicken pasta and played skip-bo for a while.

Sunday, the big day for Jeremy! He has finally announced Carolyn as his fiancee! The pictures tell it all. :) How he do it? He purchased a nice digital frame and uploaded like twenty five pictures on it. The last slide came up and said "Will you marry me?" Carolyn, at first, was puzzled and came to mind, oh my godddd!!!! She was sooo surprised because we got her good!!! Jeremy got out the ring and asked, Will you marry me? from his heart. She said, Yes!!! and I love you. It was soooo sentimental. Carolyn sure was sooooo surprised and speechless! To calm them down, Randy and I gave them our engagement gifts. It was $$$ for them to get their engagement pictures done, frame to put the pictures in, wedding planner book to keep things under control and an ice cream scoop to add to their kitchen. :)

It was just a GREAT weekend!! Randy and I had a great time and smiled all weekend. :)

Enjoy the pictures! :) If you want to see more, you can view them on www.picasaweb.google.com/margaret.przelski