What Would You Say?

Hi, Ammy!
I am creating a story,(110 pages) about these two kids, one prophecy, two separated worlds and an ongoing plot that i have been working on for a while. One kid is named Never, and he lives in the underground world of the Faeries, who, up till the Great Faerie War lived with the humans Above. Of course, then the humans enslaved them, no matter the age, to cure the human sick. The faeries didn't do much magic unless it was to heal people up till then. But the humans didn't care. after a rash kidnapping of faerie children, the faeries fought back. Hence, the Faerie War.
The human is Amora. She is part faerie, and lives on a mountain. She is only connected to Never via the prophecy.
My original story was about a kid named Mike who had his parents taken away by the humans.
Do you want me to send the story to you? Please say yes!!!!
KATIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROBIN HOOD ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now what do you think I said? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nine Years Old

 

We had another birthday party on Sunday. Stephen was born on George Washington's birthday - something he's very proud of. We had a nice gathering including the twins and their parents. Leo and Kristen and Tyler couldn't make it because of snow. Here we had light rain with the temperatue in the 30's. Stephen's other grandparents were also there along with his Uncle Frank. We had a very nice dinner of pigs in the blanket, broccoli salad and jello salad and of course cake. And of course there were presents. Stephen's big gift this year was a MP3 player which can also be used to view pics and videos.

Drinking Sap and Designing a Closet

This morning Bill and I left for Basking Ridge. While Bill and Teddy worked on a closet, Patti, the twins and I went to nearby Lord Stirling Park and took part in a maple syrup demo. We actually got to drink sap from the sugar maple tree. It tasted pretty much like water with a little sweetness. I couldn't taste any maple flavor. The demo was very interesting and infomative and geared for both adults and kids. At the end we got to sample finished syrup. And when we got back we checked out how the guys were doing. They did great. Tomorrow we all get to party for Stephen's birthday!

Catching up on Movies

A week ago Bill and I saw The Reader. It was very riveting. The time went so quickly because we were both totally so engrossed in the story in which a present day German man thinks back to his youth when he had met an older woman and fallen in love with her. While in law school he observes war crime trials he is shaken to see this woman from his past among the defendants being tried. The movie left me wondering about these characters and human nature.

This week we saw Coraline in 3D. A critic wrote that it was visually dazzling but strangely joyless. That's exactly how I felt. We saw previews for coming attractions and there are more 3D movies coming soon. Although not as good as the 3D you experience at Disneyworld, the 3D is incredible. I was glad we saw it! Actually, this is a movie we paid for because not all theaters show it in 3D and I doubt our small theater where we get free Tuesday nite movies through cablevision will show it in 3D.

You're Welcome

Bridget and Timmy sent us the nicest thank you note!

Happy Birthday Timmy and Bridget

Timmy and Bridget celebrated their 4th party at their home with lots of family and friends. There was plenty of food, lots of presents and even a football game. Can you spot Bridget in the pink? One of her gifts was a pair of sparkly pink shoes. Timmy tried tackling his Grandpa Cullen. Maybe next year. Their new cousin Baby Tyler was present for his first birthday party. It was a great day.

New Jersey Flower Show

Friday I volunteered as a Master Gardener at the annual flower show in Edison. Our booth was near the front this time so we had our usual garden questions plus we were kept busy answering questions about where things were and also about the ballot and raffle box which was at our booth. Plus we helped Rutgers do a survery on people's perception of what plants are considered invasive. Spring is in the air!

Jackie, We love you!

A reading from the Book of Proverbs

Who shall find a valiant wife - a woman of strength? A pearl of great price is she.
Her husband's heart has confidence in her and benefits from her wise counsel.
She initiates good not evil, every day of her life.
She opens her heart to the needy, she is generous to the poor.
Yet she does not neglect her families' needs nor priorities of her own.
She is known for her dignity and strength. She laughs at the days to come.
She often speaks with wisdom and she teaches in a kindly way.
Those who are close to her praise her. Her family extols her.
Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all.
Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting, the woman who is wise is the one to praise.

These verses read this morning by Jackie's daughter Maria are so fitting. Jackie was a precious pearl and we will miss her so much. We met Jackie in 1968 and have been close friends since. We are family. We have shared baptisms, birthdays, picnics, First Communions and weddings. There are so many memories. This is a difficult time, but Lord, we are all so thankful for the gift of Jackie in our lives.

The Marucas, Wheelers and we have celebrated New Years together since 1976. These pictures are from the 80's. We have a little tradition of gifting each other with radishes, bananas and salt. It's a long story! Our old acquaintance will never be forgotten.

Happy 100th Birthday !!!!!

 

Today is the 100th birthday of my Dad, Leo Joseph Tanghe. I see him as a giant of a man with many accomplishments in life. He was the father of six children, had a doctorate degree in chemistry, worked for Kodak most of his life, studied mushrooms and birds. He loved photography. Most important he was always busy doing for others. He died at the age of 89 and I think today there's a big celebration in heaven.

 

This picture was taken on Dad's 29th birthday in 1938. First is my mother, Ruth, to the left, 2nd is my grandfather, Andrew Tanghe who was born in Belgium, 3rd my Dad, Leo, 4th my uncle Walt Kubber (married to my Dad,s sister, Edna), 5th my Aunt Mayme (married to my Dad's brother Harry), Aunt Edna, Uncle Harry and my brother Andy.

 

Me and my dad Thanksgiving 1945.

 

 

 

Dad and Mom are cooking raspberry jam in the summer of 96. Thanksgiving Day 97 Dad is showing his granddaughter Jodie how to use a slide rule while his great granddaughter Katie Rose watches intently wanting to learn too! And a photo of 4 generations including myself and Christine.

Snow at Our House

We don't get too much snow at our house. Yesterday we had our largest snow of the season - 5 to 6 inches. So I got out early this morning to get a few pictures of fresh snow. I'm thinking about getting out my cross country skis!

Tuesday Nite Movies

Last night we saw Doubt starring Meryl Streep. It was excellent. The topic is difficult - a popular priest possibly a pedophile, but Bill and I both thought this movie was exceptional. The acting was superb and the story riveting.

Ice Skating

Yesterday Bill and I went to Teddy and Patti's so Bill could help Teddy put shelving in a closet. Teddy suggested I bring my ice skates because there is a place nearby where perhaps Patti and I could take the kids for skating.

Well, the last time I skated was a couple of years ago with my dear Roseabelle and we didn't do so well. In fact my dear friend gave me her skates after that outing because she wouldn't be needing them anymore.

So at the rink I put on my skates, stepped onto the ice and that's about as much as I did. Standing and moving a few feet was pretty much it. My skates just weren't working! Patti tried them on for me and she did much better than me but she wasn't exactly zipping around. She asked if I'd ever had them sharpened. I said "no" and she said "Well, I think that would help since these skates are probably 50 years old." I laughed , "No, not 50 years." "When did you get them?" Me: "Umm, in highschool." Time does fly!

But speaking of flying, Timmy astonished me. He's still three years old, has only skated a few times and he skates like a pro! He was zipping around on the ice with his hockey stick and hitting the puck. Bridget also did very well!

But now what do I do? Do I get 50 year old skates sharpened? Maybe I should borrow Timmy's skates?