August 12, 2013-Some Family Photos

Not much to write about. But am posting a few photos from Alysha's visit to NY.
No one has posted any family reunion photos. just Stephanie took some head shots, so will post those here also. I was expecting my cousin, Gordy, to show up that day but he never did and then I heard he didn't even go to the reunion. I only expected him because Bev said he wanted to stop.
Jeanne finally got her hot water back just last week, after the flooding on July 28th! Her landlady sure took her time getting that fixed. The gas was off all that time also and Jeanne couldn't even cook.
Nina got all her appliances working again after her flooding. Now she has to get a loan to do the foundation and cellar of her home. Hopefully she will be able to get a low interest loan.
Everything is okay. Still the same with me.
Still waiting to see the fawns again. I did spot one in the woods the other day, so at least I know there is at least one alive out there. The fox pups are coming out now also. So cute.
Here's some photos. Take care everyone.

 This was at Glimmerglass on the 28th. Alysha wanted a picnic. It was raining so not many went.

This was on the 29th when they came to visit me.

These are photos from Alysha's trip. One with cousin, Tonya. One with my brother, Mike and my nephew, Gavin and finally one with Benny on an old tricycle that Steve probably found at the Salvation Army. I bet he rides it around the house when no one is there..Ha!

 At the Miller Reunion on August 3rd.

A good one of Steve, Alysha and little Benny.

July 25, 2013-I'm getting So Far Behind. Yikes!

Sorry for not keeping up with my posts. I don't know where to even start now. it's been so long.
First of all, I made it through till June 10th this year when the baby of our huge family turned 50! And it was 50 years since our mom passed away in child birth. Doesn't seem that long ago. I haven't seen my baby brother, Mike, in a long time. His daughters took him out for his birthday. He's living in Saratoga Springs now and I guess he plans on staying there. He used to live in that area a few years back. He loves being near the mountains and water. He goes hiking a lot with his girlfriend, Christine.
I'm sure some of you heard about all the flooding we had here on June 28th. It devastated all the valley towns in the Mohawk valley. Nina had a couple feet in her cellar and now she has to fix her whole foundation, inside and out. But she was lucky that she was able to save her furnace, hot water tank and washer and dryer. It took a couple weeks to dry them out and get a repairman in. She was so happy to have hot water again. Jeanne is still without hot water or gas. She had five feet of water in her cellar in Herkimer!  She has to wait for her landlady to get everything fixed.  Jim had his rental house in Ilion flooded also. But he didn't have any permanant damage.
I got a little water in the corner of my bedroom. I didn't realize it till a few days later though. It was the horrendous mold and mildew smell that made me look closer. It dried out and I was spraying bleach all over to try and kill some of that stuff. I don't know how long it will take the landlord to fix that, since he never fixes anything around here anyway. It's the outside that needs fixing and he's let that go for seven years.

This photo shows Devendorf Street in Mohawk.

I haven't been smelling any smoke for a few weeks now, so maybe my notes on the door got through to them.
It's been wicked hot and humid and just now feeling cooler.
When the flood hit, we lost power for three days. We are still on a boil water advisory and the fire department hands out bottled water to the people in the village. They bring it up to our building. I buy my own water but do take a case of theirs when they bring it. They bring a case for each tenant.

This is one of the volunteer firemen who delivered our water on June 12th.

I'm going to add one of my Youtube videos of the flood in Mohawk. I made slide shows for Herkimer, Ilion, Mohawk and Little Falls, showing the flood. If you watch this link from the Youtube site, then you will be able to see my other ones.

Mohawk lost their whole power grid and we are on temporary power for now. I guess it's going to cost them about $6 million dollars to fix it!!

I could only find a few videos for Mohawk, to add to the show. But you can see how powerful the water flow was.

The woman who lived next door died after her son came down from Vermont, to take her to his home because we had no power. She had wicked pains while making the trip back and ended up in the hospital. She had emergency surgery. Seems she had colon cancer and a tumor burst. She had been in a coma and died a few days later. So now her family has been cleaning that apartment out. Some woman that lives upstairs wants to move down into that one. She's a real busy body. She better not bug me or I'll have to tell her. Some people you just can't tolerate. 

Now as far as my health is concerned. I am having more stinging pain from the tumor that is in my groin. Having real wicked back aches for the past month. doubling up on my Ibuprofen now. but I'm still here and getting up every day.!

I have seen two fox pups in the past week. When I first saw them, the mom was with them in the alley outside my bedroom window. Hard to get good pics of them. And now I am seeing only one pup. He's a brave one and comes down all by himself. He ran back to the woods yesterday when his dad showed up. But circled back around. his dad finally gave up and let him stay a while. That was the first time I got good photos of him. Click on this to see it larger.

I have only seen one fawn so far, and that was a couple weeks ago. That was the two year old mom. The older mom has not let hers come out yet. I wish I'd see them more. They are so cute when they are small.

My year old, Tilly, is still coming every day. She's so thin though. And the other Does chase her away all the time. But she was out there when the one fawn was and she acted like she was watching it while it's mom ate on the back hill. That younger mom doesn't seem to chase Tilly like the older one does.

Isn't he or she a cutie! I wish it would come back out.

I also saw some baby skunks one evening and have never seen them since.

My Aunt Sarah Miller died this month. Guess that Chemo didn't help her at all. Wish she'd never been given any. They knew it wouldn't help. Why make her weaker and sicker? She couldn't eat anything because the tumors were all over her body and some were in her esophagus area. Poor thing.

I made this quick. It's my photo of the valley, as you are coming down Vickerman Hill in Mohawk. May she rest in peace now. She did not have an easy life.

Sarah Ann Miller, 82, wife of the late John Henry Miller and lifelong resident of Mohawk, passed away peacefully, July 12, 2013 at her home, with her loving and caring family by her side. 

She was born on July 24, 1930, in the Town of Russia, the daughter of the late Jesse and Viola Scheicher. Sarah was raised in Mohawk where she lived most of her life working on the family farm and raising her twelve children. She was a very special, caring and loving mother and will be missed by many. Later in her years, Sarah enjoyed her trips to the casino. 

Sarah is survived by her children; Nancy and Arthur Brower of Mohawk, Joyce Miller of Orlando, FL., Dorothy Miller and Wally Walhart of East Herkimer, Lorraine Quayle and Dave Guyer of Newport, Robert and Vicki Miller of Kittery, ME, Gerald and Cindy Miller of Hartwick, Jane Miller and Carl Bovay of Mohawk, Joan and Phil Bongiorno of Deansboro, John Miller of Pam Bay, FL, Lisa Bowman and John Wood of Stuart, FL, Cheri Shepard and Karl Bittner of Syracuse and Jamie Miller and Ray Weaver of Fort Pierce, FL; her step children, Richard Miller, Janet Miller, Sandra Fikes, Stanley Miller, Kathy Manno and Georgia Wiltsie; her sisters, Shirley Sweeny of Ilion and Bev and Ken Firman of New Hartford; many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her three brothers, her two sisters and her step son, Ronald Miller. 

In Keeping Sarah’s wishes, cremation will take place and there will be no public visitation or services. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. The family has asked to kindly consider donations, in Sarah’s memory, to Hospice and Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413. 

This is her obit.

Stephen's daughter, Alysha, and her baby, Benny, are on their road trip and will be at Steve's any day now. She stopped in PA to visit her late hubby's family and now is in Buffalo, visiting with some of her mom's side of the family.

Check out little Benny! Isn't he the cutest little guy?!

She is having a picnic at Glimmerglass this Sunday, so everyone can see her and the baby at one time. That way she won't have to try and visit everyone. Of course she will have to come see me because I can't get to those kind of things any more.

The Miller reunion is on the 3rd of August but I won't be going to that either.

My brother, Rick and his girlfriend, Ann, were going to have a picnic at their home on the 10th, but I think he is either canceling or changing the date. Mostly because my other brother, Jim and his wife, Patty, won't be around. They will be in CO. So not sure what is going on there yet.

I guess that is all I can remember for now. I'll try to get back sooner next time. Take care everyone.

June 2, 2013-Just Don't Feel Like Writing Any More

It seems I never get back here any more. I get sick of typing I guess. I'll try to catch you up on a few things.
Aunt Betty Paslak died on May 16th. No calling hours but the kids had a celebration of Betty's life at the Polish Club on Tuesday, May 21st. Only Jim and Jane went from my family. Jim's wife didn't go because she was getting prepared to bury her mom, and her family was all flying in.
Diana asked me to make a slide show for that day. It was short notice and I worked on it for three days. It was very stressful. I had almost 400 pictures.  Then I had them all in one of my slide show programs and when I went to save it, it was blank. I could have cried. I had to start all over again. Not to mention my bird screeching all those days and the cigarette smoke killing me from other people in this building. Was a very bad few days for me. I even refused company. I was too miserable. But in the end I got it done. In fact I had just finished it that morning.  Diana picked them up on her way to the club that day. I gave her two copies. One for her and one for Donna. I will make two more later. The boys won't be back home till next year, when they bury their mom. They had just been home when she was in the hospital. Or when she was at home. She died at home. Hospice was there every day. I still don't know what she died from or what was wrong with her, except for old age, diabetes and dementia.

I've been busy working with other people's photos this past month also. Keeping up on the guys who got shot in that shooting here in March. John Seymour is doing quite well now. He's out and about. He sang on Memorial Day, in Mohawk.
Dan Haslauer just had another surgery last week and is back at the Masonic for rehab. He still has a long road ahead.

An old neighbor of ours in the 50's died this week. Joyce Backman. Many good times across the street at their house when I was ten years old. Joyce had lost three of her kids and it's been tough for her. She was 86.

I hear Aunt Sarah is doing okay with her Chemo treatments. Jane said she was in a wheelchair at The Polish Club for Aunt Betty's life celebration. There are three sisters left in that family. Shirley, Sarah and Bev.

The smoke situation was so bad in my apartment that I got mad and wrote another note to put on the door. I guess it worked. I haven't smelled any cigarette smoke since Memorial day. I couldn't even sit at my computer without choking. I was waking up with a sore throat and coughing at night. When I had to get that slide show done, it was the worst and that's why I was so miserable. There are seven smokers in this building now.  All they have to do is turn on the exhaust fans in the hallway and it would go out the roof. But some of those old ladies don't like the noise because then they can't hear what's going on out in the hallway. They are all so nosey!!
My tumor is getting larger all the time. But still not in any pain from it. So I'm lucky. I'm still here, despite what the doctors said.
I don't think I'll be going to any family picnics or reunions this year. It's just too hard for me. If anyone wants to see me, they will just have to come and see me.
Nina has decided not to sell her home. I'm happy. It's nice to have her close. She gets my groceries or whatever else I need.
Jeanne was here yesterday, June 1st. I still have not heard a word from Debby but Jane said she tore her other rotator cuff on her shoulder and might have to go for surgery. She did not report it that day so got written up for it. I think she better get things done before the Arms fires her.
We are having on and off again storms today. It's been real hot the last few days. So glad it will be cooler this coming week.
I'm adding a few photos and then I'm saying too-da-loo, till next time. Take care everyone.

The Remembrance Walk. This is my sister, Pam and her daughter, Stephanie and Grandson, Nathan, coming over the bridge into Herkimer that day.

A guy wrote a poem for these victims of the shootings, so I made the graphic and put each section of poem under the person that it was about. Including "Ape", the dog. You can see the back of those shirts. They used one of my graphics for them. This is the second time my graphic has been used on shirts for benefits or this walk.

Thought you'd all like to see this old picture from 1954, at Betty and Bill's wedding reception. Some of my sibs and cousins are in that back table, along with my Grandparents.

This is my old neighbor, Joyce Backman, who I mentioned that had just died. I was only 10-12 but I was over to their house across the street lots of times. I always liked her. She's been through a lot. R.I.P. Joyce. By the way. Those canned peaches in your cellar were sure good! Ha!

April 21, 2013-No News Is Good News

Everything is going about the same for me. I'm glad it's finally starting to get warmer around here. The buds are getting larger on the trees, and soon baby leaves will be all over them. It will be nice to see everything green again. And to see new life. I'm hoping to see baby squirrels soon. I particularly hope to see at least one baby black one. And some red ones.
Jeanne stopped over last weekend. She hadn't been here in a couple months I think. Jane and Savey have gone to Myrtle beach, to their home down there, for a couple weeks. Savey needs a vacation after his busy tax season.
Jim and Patty are back from Key West, where they went for a week, for their 40th Anniversary. Their son, Matt, met them there, along with his girlfriend, or fiance, I should say. I've seen a few pictures. Beautiful. They loved it and didn't want to come home..
Steve's daughter, Alysha, moved out of the home she was in and moved to the mountain home of her dad's friends, Dr. Mike and his wife. They hardly ever use it so they let Alysha move there. I expect when Steve is ready to move out of Ilion, he will be living in that home also. Alysha plans on getting her own place as soon as she can though. Something went on with she and her sister, Faith. Guess they couldn't;t get along, living that close to one another. I wouldn't like that either!
My cousin, Diana, said that Aunt Betty was going home from the hospital, but with hospice care. I did see pictures of her in the hospital when her kids were visiting. She was right in bed and looked very weak. Guess she won't be around much longer.
I'm not sure how Aunt Sarah is. haven't heard from anyone but Bobby's wife, Vicki, and she says that Bobby told her that his mom as very thin and he's worried. I did here she has people coming in to help her now. (Aunt Bev. You haven't wrote in a while to keep me up on what's going on.)
Nina has showed her home a few times. It could take forever to sell a home though. Not sure what she's going to do. She says she will stay till it's sold. She's been good about getting my groceries on weekends. It's nice to have her close by. I will miss that when she moves to Albany. She loves her job though!
I haven't heard a word from Debby all winter. So can't say what she's up to. just working every day at the Arms and going home.
Pam calls now and then. It's always something to do with her kids. Steph totaled her car. (Pam's car). John, Pam's husband didn't like that too well. It's on his insurance. no one got hurt and that's all that matters. Pam's son, Zach, is in Shock Camp. He got sentenced and signed up for that so he won't have to spend three years in the pokey.
Little brother, Mike, is still looking for another job. He plans on moving back to Vermont when he finds one. He's still living in Hope, NY at the moment. His girlfriend has already moved to Vermont. She works there.
My oldest daughter, Ginny, called a few times. She finally admitted to me that she was in TN. But the two older boys had gone back to MN with their father for the winter. So just she and Othiniel stayed in TN. Now they are all back at the place that Dave was building in TN. No running water or electric. If that's how she likes to live, then let her. her daughters dragged her out of there once. They sure won't do it again. Crazy!
So that is all i can think of for now. maybe I'll be back in another month..ha ha ! Take care everyone.

April 11, 2013-This And That

We had our first thunderstorm yesterday afternoon. I loved it! but I was worried about all the baby squirrels in their nests right now. I'm just writing a few lines. I never feel like posting anything these days.
As far as my health goes, I'm about the same. Minor pains now and then in the tumor area. But I'm still doing the same. getting around with my walker etc.
Nina is still getting my groceries. I give her a list through e-mail and she picks up the stuff on Sat. or Sun. She usually does it on Sundays and gets here about 8 pm with it. The girls and Jason help carry it in.
Nina has had a few people looking at her home. She's trying to sell it now, instead of renting. She will rent a place down near Albany if she can't find one to buy down there. She likes her job. Just not the long drive.
I haven't heard from Jeanne in a couple months now. Nor Debby. Jane did call last week, to catch up on things. Some of them went out to dinner to celebrate Jim and Patty's 40th anniversary, that was the 7th. Jim and patty went to Florida for a week and their son, Matt and his fiance, were meeting them there. They'll be back on the 13th.
Carol bought herself a brand new car. She's thrilled. She has a few health issues and I'm hoping she will get them taken care of and live a happy life.
I haven't heard anything about Mike. Last I heard, he still didn't have a job and his girlfriend moved back to Vermont and is working there. Mike plans on moving there also.
Haven't heard anything about Steve lately either but his daughter, Alysha, is moving out of the place she has been in, next to her sister. She's moving to Dr. Mike's place in the mountains but only temporarily, till she finds her own place. I don't know what happened but I'm presuming it's her sister.
One of the guys that got shot is still in the hospital and still has more surgery to go through in a couple weeks. He's fighting hard and we are all praying that he heals and will be able to leave there soon. The other guy is home now and healing. That's all I'll say about that. It's been rough for all the families involved.

I'm not seeing the deer as much now. And my black squirrel is still around. I haven't spotted him today though. hope he's okay after that storm.
And life goes on, one day at a  time. Be back someday. Take care everyone.

This was Easter evening. Just Jessi and Nina came over with a couple Easter plants for me. Jessi is getting so big! It wasn't a good hair day for me..LOL