Last Fair of the Season

Friday was a beautiful fall day here in Maine. Perfect to attend the biggest and final fair of the season.

My husband and I left Friday morning around 8am and got to the fair around 10:00. We grabbed something to eat right away.. decisions, decisions.. anything fried you can think of, Thai food, Italian sausage, pizza, ice cream, bar-b-que, hamburg, turkey legs and the list goes on and on... we decided on french fries with cheese on top! Yummy!!! then a Pumpkin cheesecake Ice cream!

We went into the horse pulling ring,, yes, horses pull over 5000 pounds of weight and are given a five minute time limit to see how far they can pull.... it's great to see these great big work horses doing what they are bred to do..work.

Headed over to the race way later.. yes I bet and won! Harness racing is the type of racing in Maine!! It's fun and exciting.

We walked around for a long time looking at crafts, animals and exhibitions of Grange Halls in the state! It's a wonderful place to be and to just enjoy the farming and more low key way of life that is offered in Maine farming communities.

"One, singular sensation, every little step we take"

After a very long day.. home around 10:00am.... we headed home with a deep fried Twinkies in hand.... delicious!!

A couple of tired Mainers

Happiness

Do you ever wonder if there is such a thing as being too happy??? I know I do! I have been in a cycle of utter happiness lately. I wonder why that is? Nothing much has changed. In fact my daughter moved out, my oldest daughter broke up a 7 year relationship and I had a melt down a week ago, but still I AM HAPPY!!
A few years back, my life was very different. I was alone, and in a very unhappy relationship, but now.. things are so different I actually can't wait to see what each new day brings for me to enjoy.
I believe the difference is that I am trying to live a better life. Trying to do things the right way. Obey God and knowing that He is close to me and taking care of me and keeping Jesus a priority in my life and marriage.
I believe my treating others the way I'd want to be treated is key. I was making wrong choices and following the crowd and not my heart.. makes a big difference.
I am heading off to the fair tomorrow with my husband for the day.. I'll bring my camera to show off the a real Maine fair and let you know how the day goes.
Thank you all for being here and for being a part of my life in this world of "blog"... I am happy to have such wonderful, creative, inspiring women in my life!!

Older and Wiser

Does this ring a bell?..when you were young you went along with other people and their wacky ideas.. you were to afraid to challenge them and go your own way. Afraid of what others thought if you decided to listen to your own drummer.
Well, I had an experience this past weekend that really made me happy I am an adult and a wiser one at that!
My girlfriends and I went to Sunday River ( a ski resort in Bethel, Maine) on Friday.... (we do a Zumba performance for a health fair every year)....Our plans were to do the performance and then go to one of the girls camps about an hour away.
So when we were finished, we gathered in our cars (I had my own,, lucky me) and took off to follow the leader. Before I knew it we were on an unfamiliar dirt road stopping by a camp I had never seen. Apparently the plan had changed without my knowledge. Now, I have anxiety/panic issues and if you know that.. you can see what is coming.
I had a full blown attack, sat in my car and with everyone knowing what was going on, the plans to move along didn't happen... I was short of breath, crying and upset. Not one of my friends said, "Lets leave and go about our plans as before".... I was devastated! In the past I would have continued to stay and be upset, but after calling my wonderful sister( Kathleen)... I decided, I have a car and I can leave!! That's what I did. Put that puppy in reverse and came back home!!
Was I too sensitive??? Too blind by panic to be reasonable..I don't think so.
But it's funny to me that in the past, I wouldn't have left. I would have been miserable and let others dictate to me how and what to do.. I'm glad I'm an adult and that I have come a long way to be a wiser and yes, older woman!!

Maine has been Frosted!

Yeah.. it's true. This morning there is frost on the pumpkins, literally! I looked out my window and saw the frost covering my pumpkins. So, after trying to wake up a bit, I started a fire in the wood stove to warm things up a bit. I'm sure the temp will rise by noon, but there is something cozy and snug about getting the wood stove going.

My husband is away right now with the National Guard, so I'm home alone getting some things done and getting my home ready for Halloween. I love Halloween!! The vintage decorations, pumpkins and knowing that the heart of autumn is near.
I enjoy looking for decorations for Halloween, but I have to say I'm a little particular. I love the vintage, paper mache looking figures.... and the rest has to be not chintzy. When my kids were little, I loved all the fun, out there items, but now, since it's my home... I can do what I want and what I love. I've searched ebay, Christmas Tree Shops, and TJ Maxx for some fun items that remind me of 1950-60's Halloween items. Not too much luck, but enough to get myself going.

When I was at TJ Maxx, I saw a picture that was great, but thought,"I can make that",, so I came home, got a frame, a little vintage trick or treat bag, some pipe cleaners and some old letters for background and came up with the exact same thing...much less expensive too!

I also made a witches hat, (a blog last year made this and it was awesome) it's a fun piece to just prop up in my living room. So here are some pictures and some fun things to do for Halloween.