Solar Eclipse 2024

April 8 we saw a total solar eclipse, and here in Albion we were directly in the path of totality!

Unfortunately being early April the clouds had other plans, so we also had 100% cloud coverage. However that did not stop us from going outside for the event and at least witnessing the darkness that fell.

Cuddles got upset that we all came outside and left him alone, so he joined us outside!

Once there was 100% coverage the sky fell dark and it felt very ominous.

Since we had no view, we also watched the live video coverage for NY state.

The darkness lasted about 3 minutes then it was business as usual! We would have had to drive hours to gamble for a view, so we decided just to stay at home for this one. The next one in the contiguous US isn't until 2044, so who knows where we'll be then! 

Oklahoma Road Trip 2024

Another 2600 mile road trip in the books! Maybe our last one for awhile...

Due to family deaths and health concerns we decided to take the family trip to Oklahoma while the kids were out of school this past week. Nick had business to take care of with his mom's estate, and I had several things to help my father with. As always we got a rental car--Kia Soul--and left early Friday morning bound for Terre Haute, Indiana.

We have always stayed there for our halfway point going and coming, and each time gets more uncomfortable with the state of the hotels and accommodations. So for our return trip I booked a hotel just 15min west in Marshall, Illinois and it was much better! New halfway point.

We arrived to our hotel in Moore, OK around 3pm Saturday. After checking in, unpacking, and cleaning up we all headed over to my dad's house to say hi and for me to start prepping for everything I would be doing--mostly cooking!! The next day was Easter so I went ahead and got all the groceries I would need that night. He is looking good and doing much better after recent surgery and cancer treatment.

That evening my mom and stepdad brought pizza to our hotel for dinner and to visit! Always nice to see my mumsy. My stepdad Gary had big plans up his sleeve for the boys while they were there.

Sunday was Easter! Nick's original plan got a bit derailed so he spent the day with me. After hotel breakfast, we all headed over to my dad's where I started the plethora of meals I would be cooking for his freezer. Nick was my sous chef and very helpful! 

In between cooking I was able to give my dad a haircut, and around 1:30pm we wrapped up what we were doing to head back into town for Easter dinner at my brother Eric's house with his wife and stepkids. They made a ton of delicious food, and the kids got to do an egg hunt in the front yard.

After Easter fun, it was back to work at my dad's house where I completed lots of freezer meals for him. I wrapped it up that evening and we headed back to the hotel.

We had time in the evening for the boys to enjoy a dip in the hotel pool!

The next day we dropped the boys off at my mom's house for a fun day with grandpa Gary. Nick dropped me off at my dad's, and he headed out to Foster to take care of some business with his sister for their mom's estate. I continued cooking my little heart out at my dad's ALL DAY.

The boys had a bunch of fun with grandpa including shooting guns, driving, arcade games, pizza, and candy! They got done before Nick was back in town, so they convinced grandpa to let them swim again at our hotel. He had them all dried and changed by the time we got back for dinner!

For dinner our last night there we FINALLY got to eat our absolute favorite Chinese food from TnT--a little hole in the wall place in OKC that is the best. I brought it back to the hotel, and shortly after my brother Shane visited us there with his gf Regina, son Cameron, and Cameron's gf.

So we got to say bye to everyone that last night before I headed back to my dad's house to do his taxes for him. We had severe storms forecasted that evening with tennis ball size hail, but thankfully it was a bust and we just got a bit of rain. I finished up his taxes and finally got back to the hotel around 11:30pm. After some much needed rest we hit the road in the morning around 9am and made it to our new halfway point in Illinois around 7pm. We grabbed some Wendy's for dinner and tucked in early, and hit the road for HOME by 6am!!

After a long day of driving and coming home to snow we got home around 4pm safe and sound with Cuddles holding the fort down for us. It was so nice to be home and sleep in our own beds!! Another visit down.

Ending March

Here's a funny one!

This month Brad finally made it up to the college and got his student ID! He's been working on the steps for induction into an honor society for the college and just finished. I'm so proud of him!

This was his last year participating in Science Olympiad. He was a coach to the younger students as well as a participant.

I did my nails cute for a couple of craft shows on St Patrick's day weekend.

And I've been busy processing herbs that I dried, as well as starting new concoctions to brew for making products.

If you remember from my big trip to the middle east last fall, my camera took a dive and is no longer with us. I had to find a replacement so I decided on this Kodak. I can't wait to test it out on my next big trip!

My spring craft shows have gone well with my new table display. I have a few more to come before summer is here.

I even dusted off my crochet hook to make this for a friend!

As spring is attempting to push through the snow, I grabbed some medicinal herbs. This one is purple dead nettle.

While I had my hook out, I finally started working on a project for myself with wool yarn I got in Iceland a couple years ago. I'm returning in July and wanted to bring this project with me!

After being teased by warmer temps for several days, we had a snow storm come through with a few inches for us.

That's about all for now, but check back soon to see pics from our latest trip to Oklahoma!

Is Spring Here Yet?

Here we are on the second day of March already! This leap year is flying by despite getting an extra day.

Our February was pretty quiet. I worked on improving my table for craft shows as well as making lots of new products to have on hand before the busy season. I also picked up several extra shifts at work--working more now so I don't have to in the summer!

Jacob is doing great in school--he enjoyed his first year in Science Olympiad as well as Geo Bowl competitions. He is slowly building up his reading points and gets a coupon for a free pizza for every 10 he gets! He just got his third coupon and is excited to use it soon.

This winter has been SUPER mild, and unfortunately reminiscent of Oklahoma winters! We've had barely any snow and several warm days. Last week we grabbed some coffee and enjoyed it on the porch while we watched for the school bus to arrive. Next Monday is suppose to be almost 70 again! Buffalo has set the record for it's warmest winter ever recorded.

Our Cuddle boy is still going strong, and he turned 19 years old on Feb 13! He lazes around where ever there's a comfy pile of blankets, and occasionally graces us with his presence just long enough to get pets before he begins the cycle of eat/drink/sleep once more. He gets spoiled daily with love by the boys.

I've got a couple craft shows this month, then Easter weekend we have road trip plans to return to Oklahoma for a family visit and to take care of some business with Nick's mom's estate. I'm hoping to start getting outside more and build up my hiking trip in preparation for some fun trips this summer and fall! Thanks for reading, check back later on....