Once again we're preparing for PINK month at all the stores. Last years event was a huge success. Our dear friend Melissa is our inspiration for helping to raise funds for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. She's a breast cancer survivor and a champion. Here's some shots from last years event:

Our PINK leader!

Drumroll please...........

Thank you Melissa! And the actual walk day with our friends Guy and Sandie joining in the fun!

So today was a great time with my little charges. We (or should I say Mimi) decided to give the Children's Museum in Utica a visit. It's been a very long time since I had been there and surprise of surprises it was opening at 9:15am. It's about time they realized that opening only in the afternoon-as was the case when my kids were little-gave no opportunity to visit as my guys - and gal-were sleeping at 2pm! So off we went with Molly complaining the entire time about how she didn't want to go there. I'm sure you can imagine how eagerly she wanted to leave once she experienced 3 floors of fun! And this is where having an IPhone comes in so very handy. Yes Molly we need to leave now-would you carry Mimi's phone for her? Yes that little piece of magic gets a youngster to do just about anything! And speaking of the magic of technology last year we were thrilled to be a part of something very special in our community. The Oneida County Historical Society announced they were inducting my dad, George Richmond Cogar, into the Society's Hall of Fame. It was a full house and we were thrilled to have all of our children in attendance. It's so hard to know what artifacts to keep in our home and as much as they mean to me there are times when holding them and looking through them makes my heart swell. And that can lead to a deep sense of loss. Losing a parent so young and so tragically at that can cause one to regress into a darkness at times. So what I decided after hearing of the invitation was to bring some of the mementos out of the attic and basement and display them at the dinner. Afterwards they were returned to me and put back in their place in my home. However this time I felt like I had shared many of those memories with people who genuinely were interested. And now I have decided that I actually carry my dad with me for his early inventions in the computer industry led us to where we are now. And carrying my IPhone is like carrying my dad with me. Each and every time I use it I think of him and how his genius had made this a better world for so many. Oh and of course how much fun his great-grandkids have playing with that tiny magic "box"

Photos from the last 12 months

Here are some photos from last year since I've been so remiss in posting! Getting ready to go to Amy's surprise 40th birthday and some of our actual visit!

Camp and on the boat

Random photos

Yes! Molly is a techie already!

Yummy blocks. What are they? Nothing more than banana bread that was made in a brownie pan. But when Molly saw them she named them yummy blocks. Ironic because she probably won't even try them. She currently says she doesn't like something before she even tries it. Quite typical for a 3 year old!

Whoa it's been such a long, long time since I've posted anything! I've made a decision to move my thoughts and images back on this blog and away from Facebook. As fun as Facebook can be it is also oftentimes filled with uncomfortable thoughts from others. So why subject ourselves to something that doesn't fill us with joy? Yesterday began my journey of being a caregiver to my beloved granddaughters Molly and Emily. I will have them on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings on the days their mom, Maggie, teaches music in the Utica City School System. In a couple of weeks Molly will begin pre-school at St. John's in New Hartford. She'll be there on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings as well so that will give me and Emily some one on one time. All in all I think this schedule we have worked out is benefiting all. And how lucky am I to once again have days filled with hugs and kisses by my sweet little granddaughters.