Expecting....

In 2008, we were expecting 13 ducklings.  Our duck couple had returned, and there were 13 eggs.  Sadly, something (racoon or snake) got to the eggs.  There were no ducklings for us that year, and the pair never returned to nest in our front garden again.

Monday afternoon, while mowing the back lawn, my husband startled a duck.  She had a nest hidden behind our three Gooseberry bushes (Duck - Gooseberry...Lol)!  Amazingly, she has 13 eggs!  I'm hoping that at least some of the eggs survive to become ducklings!  I'll get photos of them if I can.  Here are two photos my husband took on Monday:

Thirteen Eggs, left briefly uncovered when "Mama" duck was startled by the lawn mower.

"Mama" happily back on her nest!

Well, back to my ancestry search... then on to one of my guilty pleasures... American Idol! 
I hope to be back blogging on a regular basis before too long!  Until then...

Blessings!
Nita Jo

Wishing You a Happy and Blessed Easter!

This song has such memories from my childhood.  

I was touched by Carrie Underwood's version.

Be sure to pause my Playlist before playing this video!  

It's amazing!

I'm still here!

Hello friends!  I have neglected my blog terribly the past couple of months, and I'm even farther behind in reading my favorite blogs.  I haven't forgotten any of you, I've just been so busy.  Besides the ancestry search that has been consuming a lot of my time, there's been little of everything going on... husband & son had the flu, been sorting and scanning family photos, going through old family cassette and video tapes just to see what's on them, catching up on my reading, and more.

Most recently, my oldest son is moving back in with us for a time.  He wants to save some money in anticipation of some things he'd like to do in his life.  It will also be a help for us, because he'll be paying us room and board.  Another plus... I love having him around!  He is loving, funny, and just a joy in our lives.  Plus, he's really tall!  He can reach the things I can no longer reach, although my husband & younger son also help with that. But, he'll be around when they aren't because of his work schedule. 

I'm supposed to stay off of step-stools and ladders because of my osteoporosis... They measured me at my doctor appointment this week, and I've lost another 1/2 inch since last November.  I was 5' 8-1/2" when I got married 30 years ago... now I'm 5' 6-1/2"... a full 2 inches shorter!  Not great.  The good news is that I'd lost 21 pounds!  Yippee!  Still a long way to go, but it's a good start.

I've been reconnecting with some friends.  That's been fun.  I'm one of those people who is so happy at home in my little world, that I don't get out much.  My friend (she's also my cousin-in-law), Carol, was down doing the college visits with her daughter.  She saved an entire morning to spend with me!  We went out to breakfast, then came back to my home to chat.  There is nothing like time with a dear friend to put life back into perspective.  Her visit brought such a feeling of joy to my heart.

My husband and I made it to church last weekend, and got invited to go out to lunch.  My first impulse was to just go home, but I pushed myself to go and we had the best time!  Old friends bring that comfortable feeling of just being able to be ourselves.  We shared about our boys... they have three, we have two... we talked about the wonderful church service... about what's new in our lives... and we laughed.  It was wonderful!

Well, that's my update.  I'll try to get back here more often.  Next time, I'll come to visit some of your blogs!

Blessings to each of you!
Nita Jo