Time - written in November, 2012

Today was unusually warm for the end of November, so I took advantage of the sunshine and got to work outside. Baby Thomas (now nearly 13 months old) was waddling along the driveway while our dog Lola jumped beside him and then would run around the yard and scatter leaves. It's nice living in a culdesac because I don't worry about traffic zooming by our house and the neighbors are very considerate when coming and going.

I was sweeping the porch when I noticed one of my neighbors leaving her home and heading towards her car. Her husband recently died and I had been meaning for quite some time to offer my condolences. I would see her husband every day come home from work. He was a quiet man and he kept to himself. He never looked up when I drove by and waved. I never heard a hello from him in the 4 years we have lived here. At Christmas time when I'd knock and bring a plate of goodies, it was  his wife who answered and she would always ask me to remind her of my name. That was the extent of my conversations with both of them for the most part.

I'm much closer to all my other neighbors and converse with them regularly. Over the years we've become quite fond of them and have enjoyed living by each of them. I always felt bad that I didn't have more contact with the older couple but had been told by other neighbors that it was normal for them to keep to themselves.

I smiled and waved at her, she smiled back. I felt the urge to go across the street and visit with her but thought it best to let her go about her business.  Then Lola suddenly noticed her and bolted towards her. I ran after her but by the time I reached the two of them, Lola had already jumped several times  and nearly knocked her over. I apologized for Lola but suddenly found myself face to face with her and I couldn't just walk away without speaking about her loss. She was gracious, soft spoken and very kind. As we ended our conversation, I hugged her and as I was about to return home she reminded me to enjoy my little one because time is so precious. I was grateful we spoke.

Another Year

As the year comes to a close, I look back and can easily recollect so much to be grateful for...especially family and friends.

First, our own little family. Baby Thomas has already brought so much joy and love into our lives. He is now two months old and growing so quickly. Yesterday at his check-up he weighed in at 11 lbs and 11 oz! About 4 lbs gained since birth! As for his weight, height and head size...all in the 50th percentile for his age. We feel so blessed that he is healthy.

Our families, extended family members and friends...what a year it has been! Many memories that we will cherish. Especially with the arrival of Thomas, we are indeed grateful for the selfless acts of service and kindness shown to us.

Another year is on the horizon and we know it will be full of challenges, especially with TJ being deployed...and yet there is great hope and joy in the many experiences to come, memories to make and sweet reunions to come...it will surely be another blessed year for us...and baby Thomas!

Our Family Has Grown By 2 Feet!

On Halloween night, our precious baby boy was born and that was just the beginning of so much change! I will give details in my other blog but it's safe to say that our lives will never be the same again...but we knew this was the case (for so we had been told) but nothing better than our own actual experience to slap us on the back (and in the face) and shove us down the path of parenthood.
Not one regret when I look at that sweet angel face...even when he is screaming all through the night...so much love that I never knew I could feel and so I sit here sleep deprived and yet so grateful for my little one. We are so blessed to have Thomas Joseph Scheide IV join our family.

In Loving Memory

Albert "Al" Schutzman
September 1, 1915 - February 3, 2011













The day before Grandpa passed away, my daily calendar had a quote that said, "A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart." The following morning bore news of his passing.
We've just now returned from Brattleboro, Vermont where funeral services were held for Grandpa Schutzman on Friday the 11th of February. It was a very simple and yet quaint service where memories followed by laughter and tears were shared.
Funerals are not something that you look forward to but it was nice to be together with family and to be reminded how precious life and our relationships with one another are.
Although his departure has been a sad time, knowing that he has been reunited with Grandma is of great comfort.

Favorite Commercial from the Super Bowl

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=156f2dfc-2c36-482f-89a0-29dd93f89893" target="_new" title="">Bridgestone: Karma</a>

I love the beaver! Yes, I said "beaver" not "bieber". The Bridgestone karma commercial gets my vote this year. Too bad the clip adds another commercial at the end...not my liking.

My Husband

This Summer has been so wonderful to T.J. and me. I'm especially proud of him for passing his test to become a Tech Sergeant in the Air Force. He has worked so hard (and continues to do so) to continue in his career and be successful. I truly feel blessed to have him in my life. He has brought so much joy to me and I'm thankful for his family who have shaped him and shared him. ;) He has such a great influence on me for the good and makes me smile when I think of him. He is a loyal friend and he draws people towards him with his love and open arms. Children flock to him (especially our nieces and nephews) and that's a good sign of someone whose character is true. I love him.

Hello Crab Salad!

I recently went to see the nutritionist and got some great advice on doing, "what I used to do" before I got married...eating lots of SALADS! Maybe the reason why we as women change our good habits is for very good reasoning, but in the end it really just cuts us short and bites us in the butt. My reasoning was that I wanted to make my husband happy and make him yummy dinners every night and so rather than waste money and effort on making two meals, one for him...and one for me...I just decided to eat what he likes. Bad idea. He is such a meat and potato boy and carbs seem to be his friend. However, this doesn't seem to work for me. I suppose rather than biting me in the butt, the carbs like to sit and gather with their friends there. So here's to more salads in my future! Too bad I have to say good-bye to a few of my favorite treats, but I'm sure I'll be happy in the end...uh hum...and my "end" will be happier too!

Decorating drama

So...I think that any posting starting with "so" sounds like a confession is going to follow. So...here it is...I decided to redecorate/finish the guest bedroom, office and paint the master bedroom. I actually started this several months ago but feel that I've made more progress as of late because of a)the huge eastern coast snow storm which held everyone up for a week indoors, and b)we recently had a party at our home which made me focus on the details needing my attention (ya know...touch up paint here and there, changing out a light fixture, etc.)
However, things have gone to a whole new level when you're dreaming about your "to do list" and you find yourself up late (or up really early) decorating the rooms in your head. Either I'm a rising talent on her way up in the world or I've got a serious case of OCD. Hmmm...might just be the latter. Who stays up til' one in the morning surfing the web for just the right curtains. My poor husband. Literally. I'm spending the money and leaving him alone at night. Ahhhh!

Where did it go?

Time. I'm talking about time. Where in the world did it go...this past year of being married (well, nearly 15 months). I thought for sure I would keep everything up-to-date, like this blog. Didn't happen. So I feel like I cheated myself out of fun memories...looking back at past blogs and laughing or smiling when I reminisce. So now I guess I have to play catch-up. But that usually doesn't work for me. Perhaps I should just start anew. So here goes: I'm sitting in Nashville visiting my dear friend, Kassidy. It's been a fabulous couple of days as we've laughed together and even cried a little and then laughed even harder over Sonic strawberry malts (an old past time). I honestly feel so blessed to have such a good friend who really knows me (from when we were just kids). I was just missing my friend and my dear husband (such a sweetheart) recognized that I needed my "girl time" and surprised me with a ticket to Nashville and some flowers. He's just so thoughtful like that. And although I miss him so much...this little trip has rejuvenated my spirit and I can't wait to go home to him. Who knows where the time went...I'm just so thankful for the time I have.

All over the map!

It's been too long since my last blog. Here I sit in Utah, at my sister's house on a warm Sunday evening and I couldn't help but pull the laptop out and of course catch up on some much needed blogging.

T.J. and I have literally been all over the map! At the end of May we went to San Diego for my friend's wedding and then headed over to Hawaii and were able to visit my sister. On Father's day weekend we went down to South Carolina and then hopped over to Atlanta and saw my parents and my brother with his family. Then, I was the lucky girl (ha, ha) who got to go to girls camp with our Stake in Maryland. Although I am not a camper (never have been and sadly for T.J., never will be) I still had a lot of fun with the girls and stayed in the beautiful area of Cunningham Falls close to the Pennsylvania border. T.J. was a trooper and helped all of us to clean up and take down tents on the 4th of July.

Now we are in Utah and were able to see my niece, Londyn baptized and confirmed on Saturday and my nephew, Turner blessed this morning. Tomorrow morning we fly back to Maryland and then jump in the car to head down to Holden Beach to spend the week with T.J.'s family. I honestly feel like we've been running around (and flying around) from place to place but we've been so happy to be with each other and of course see so many friends and family!

I promise to put some pictures up when all is said and done...most likely when we get home in a week or so.

Thanks Again

I want to thank TJ's parents, sister and other family members for planning a "Wedding Party, Part II" for all of those who couldn't make it to our wedding in December. TJ's Dad did a great job finishing the basement in order to have it ready for the party. The pictures were so thoughtful and all of the food and cakes were absolutely yummy. Having so many family members support us and share the time with us made for a very special night. Thank you Joan and Tom for being such great hosts to a successful family party (and for helping us get our keys when we were locked out of our home so we could make it)! We love you!