Saturday, December 31, 2016

Lesson 457: 2016--Year in Review


It's New Year's Eve 
and Eloise is sitting up in the Lamp Post writing station,
sipping my favorite beverage,
reflecting on the last dozen months.


2016 is just another step in the journey--
OUR journey.


Borrowing the cleverness of the 2016 Harborian,
grab a drink,
sit down,
and take a scroll through the most notable moments
from the Lamp Post.
Few words in this post--
I'll let the photos do the talking,



2016--the Year of the Squirrel


My dad found a nest of seven babies this spring!








For the Birds


Witnessed both Momma and Papa Birds caring for the young.





The pink on the right is the butt hole.
Sam laughed his butt off watching them poop,
then the mother swoop in and eat the doo doo off of the side of the nest.


The menacing turkey vulture.


The majestic guarder of the northern border.





'

Bullsh!t
I mean, bullfrogs.


For the Bees
To Eloise's great dismay--
the Lamp Post needed an exterminator--twice!


Erie Zoo


Best advice

There are over 7 billion people on earth and you’re going to let one person ruin your day? Don’t.:

I'm so doing it.

You’re one in a million. That means there are 320 of you in the United States. Find yourself. Start an army. Overthrow the government of a small midwestern town. Run shit.:


Image result for namaslay by candace quotes


Mind your own biscuits:

Best advice on American politics

Exactly! I don't give a crap about anyone's opinion ! Especially when they aren't a part of my life! -Tosha:

AnotherBondiBlonde:

Undeniable American Politics

2016 U.S.Presidential candidates as Muppets:

More good advice

"Never look back. If Cinderella went to pick up her shoe, she would not *have become a princess." Inspirational/Motivational quote:

Think pink.

“Know that you’re good enough. Anyone would be lucky to have you.” | 30 Dating And Relationship Tips All Twentysomethings Need To Hear:

be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people:

Be a leader.

“Leaders think and talk about the solutions. Followers think and talk about the problems.” ~ Brian Tracy #leadership #quote:

Best in Our Small World of Sports

Hubby finished 6th place in the Erie Times News Open,
slipping to the spot after a bad game.



In hopes of making his daddy feel better,
Sam made us all paper trophies representing our
sports accomplishments after the disappointing ending to the tournament.

All I got was a fifth place participation plaque.
That sucks, Sam.

Ellen became a Lady Huskie.


6 Rakettes to clean up the field and haul the equipment!


She spent a groundbreaking year on the HC Boys Golf team,
golfing with 7 other girls golfing as independents.
They are hoping for official girls team recognition for 2017.




The Color Run came to Erie.




Natalie tore it up on the bowling alleys.


And was the best #1 supporter of HC softball and baseball.


Sam played baseball.







And football.




He placed second in the region for the NFL Punt, Pass, & Kick Competition.

My sister Kenyan ran her 755th race.

Image may contain: 6 people, people smiling, people standing and outdoor

My nephew Erik is a champion swimmer.


My nephew Jack ran in every crappy condition imaginable
and emerged a champion.


These crooked, arthritic feet took me on another loop of the peninsula.




My New Year's Resolution is to finally beat this race walker in 2017.
I got my eyes on you, babe.


I also completed the Barber Beast on the Bay
and kept up with the teens I ran it with.


I deserve more than a freaking participation plaque, SAM!

Best of Books

nothing like a good book on a cold day:


Dangers of a connected world.


WW2


Written by my high school classmate!


Read this book and hoe out your houses.
We all have too much $h!t!
Clean out your house,
and you'll lose some of those unwanted pounds from your frame.
I guarantee it.


I forced my sister into reading this book,
and helped her reorganize her home.
She bought me a camera as a thank you gift!


I'm keeping her, I guess.

DOES IT BRING YOU JOY? IF NOT, GET RID OF IT!  The Life-Changing Art of Tidying up by Marie Kondo:

Changing Seasons
Winter 2016 was milder than the winters previous.

Image may contain: snow, tree, plant, sky, outdoor and nature






Spring finally came






Summer had a slow start


Kids first day of summer vacation,
June 7th, 2016


41 degrees!


Eventually, it was a beauty!


Fall Splendor




Winter Wonders



Faith
Jesus is a good guy.
Get to know Him in 2017.


Eloise likes the Pope, too.

Pope Francis holds a dove before his Wednesday general audience at Saint Peter's Square:


Academics

Doll Day when you are the only boy in the class.


Future leaders--- I encourage to return to Erie one day
and give back to the community that help raise you.


The election was so heated I had to use Snoopy to teach about the election process,
rather than the candidates themselves.
Refereeing politically charged comments with 9 year olds
became too difficult a task.

Billedresultat for snoopy for president:

And God forbid you mention the word CLOWN to an elementary schooler
at Halloween.
Creepy Clown sightings dominated kid-talk.


Best of Family

The Settlers next door





Sister Susan moved to North Dakota!

Image may contain: 4 people, people smiling

Cora has returned!

Image may contain: 8 people, people smiling, people sitting and indoor

Gramma LaFuria turned 98!

Image may contain: 1 person, eyeglasses and closeup



Births
Emma Grace


Ellen is a fairy Godmother.


Passings

I cried tears of teal on year ago tonight,
and they still roll down my cheeks
at the most unexpected times.


I shed a few purple tears for the passing of Prince.
Weird dude for sure,
but FANTASTIC dance music.


2016 Projects
Maple Syrup





On the final step of the 12 hour,
outdoor, slow-boil,
the pan handle broke and we spilled 75% of what we collected in the grass.

Rain Collection Barrel


The friendly neighbors over at 6 Mile Cellars had one.


Since in America,
your neighbor's grass is always greener,
we put Ellen on the project.


We will Grow in Grace.
Thanks, Ellen.


I LOVE yoga
and have resolved in 2017 to make it a true practice.


Note:  Four days after convincing my hubby he NEEDED
to loosen up his body 
and that YOGA was not for the fruity,
he bowled consecutive,
back to back 300 games.
Coincidence?
I think not.

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, night and outdoor


Passions

Autism Awareness and Education


Photography

Ali Edwards | Blog: Give Sunday | 21 free print:

This Amish guy broke TWO of my cameras.
Apparently you are not supposed to take pictures of the Amish.
They believe the camera steals one's soul.
Instead he stole my camera brain.
Killed two cameras at this very location, 
two summers apart--
once in 2014 and again in 2016.


The Double Headed Ugly Sweater


Finding Sasquatch



Lamp Post Milestones

4th grade, 10th grade, Super Senior


Ellen gets her Learner's Permit.


She's a great driver,
but has yet to master parking lots.



Nephew Jack earned his Eagle Scout.

Image may contain: 1 person, sitting

Six Mile Creek Park has some great new benches.


Finally got rid of the couch I've hated.


and the table that never fit the space.


22 years of marriage.


16th birthday bedroom balloonings


A case of poison something or other that lasted for 21 days.


The jeep turns 20 years old.


Sam turned 9 on Easter Sunday.



Louie,
my math teacher hubby,
turned a youthful

2 x 2 + 50 - 7


Natalie is 18!


The Promposal


Her happy response upon Ryan's affirmative reply.



2016 travel







Left these beach balls all around the boardwalk on our last day.


Cool places to visit nearby

Panama Rocks, 2016


Panama Rocks, 1950


Cook's Forest River Float





Pymatuning




A giant rubber duck invades the bay


Kinzua Bridge






Bowling and Beer--
you can't beat it.


Nature's finest





Best photo story of the year-
Torin's First Fish












Went a summer without a concert from Handsome.
Nothing was able to work into our summer schedule.

See you in Cleveland in August 2017, Tim McGraw!

Putting this on my refrigerator for 2017.
When it hits the 'fridge,
it becomes the best, constant reminder.

New Year's resolution of Pope Francis:

From Me & My People
to 
You & Yours:

Happy New Year!
See you in 2017 for a January 1st blog post.

ELOISE