Rest of May

Jim was introduced to how I do Birthdays. He had three the first one was given by his oldest daughter Melissa. It was the Friday before his birthday this was because Jimmy couldn't come to the surprise party on his birthday. So that was the first one and of course he got presents there. He had also received cards in the mail and I wouldn't let him open them until his actual birthday. So then on his birthday I told him I wanted to take him out for his birthday so we went to his favorite Japaniese restruarant. After we were seated his kids and most of the grandkids came walking in. He was so surprised. That was great. He got presents there also and he loved it. Then on the following Sat. we had a party out at the house. We had about 25 people here it was so much fun. We cooked hamburgars and hotdogs. Had salads and chips. All who came had a great time. And he got even more presents what a spoiled man. I think Jim enjoyed all of the attention.

The Saturday before Mother's Day we met Jim's brother George (84 years old) and his wife Jeanne at the nursing home where Jim's mother is. Who by the way is 101 and still as bright as ever. George is a snowbird and had just come back from Florida. It was great to meet him because I have talked to him on the phone several times. When we were leaving Jim's mom didn't want us to go so we told her we would be back on Mother's Day to bring her some Dandylions.(acutually they are weeds but the northerns eat them like spinach) She likes them cooked with vinegar, garlic and butter. She was excited for that.

Here is a picture of Jim and his Mom on Mother's Day. We had such a great visit with her. She wasn't really sure who I was since this was the first time that I had met her. She was very alert and happy to have us there. We spent most of Mother's Day with her. I thought this was a great way to spend the day because you never know how long she is going to be with us. She asked me who I was and then turned to Jim and said why didn't you tell me that you were going to get married. Jim said that he just didn't get around to it. I thought that was so funny.

Here is me opening my Mother's Day gift from Julie. I had a great Mother's Day it was nice to be with Jim and his mom.

I really missed all of you and the grandkids.

Going to Maine to look at a boat

Jim said that we were going to find a boat for us so this is our story of searching for a boat.

We decided to go to the islands off of Maine. This is on a ferry boat that is also the mail boat for the islands. There are several islands up there some are private, some are state parks, and some you can live on. We both love the islands and think that maybe someday we will purchase a home on one of them. But for right now we will just enjoy going up for a day trip.

We caught the ferry in Portland, and it was a two hour ride. It stopped at several different islands, the one that we were going to is called Cliff Island. It has a lot of cliffs verses sandy beaches. The water is more gray than in NC but it is still beautiful. The sun was shining and we both got a sunburn. The wind was blowing just a little to keep it cool.
You might ask is this the boat??? No, this is not the boat that we are looking for. However, it is a very nice boat! There are of course a lot of lobster boats in Maine. Up here they pronounce lobster as lobsta. They don't believe in moving there mouths to talk. I have decided that it is a very efficient way to talk but hard to understand sometimes. As you look over the water you will see a lot of floats telling you where you left your lobster traps so that you can come and find them again, later in the day.



Is this the boat? Well, no this isn't the boat either. However, this was a really nice island that had a lot of great homes on it, but not the right boat. It was great to see what the homes look like on the islands of Maine. There were some very small ones and on one island that is a private island had a house on it the looked like it should have been in Atlanta instead of on an island off the coast of Maine.






We finally made it to Cliff Island it was a great island with lots to see and a good selections of boats. But none of these were them. This is a place where the lobsta boats dock and people of the island come to buy the lobstas right off the boats. It is also where they can repair their cages, boats, or anything else. Jim has purchased many a lobsta here. We started to walk around the island looking at all of the nice homes, planning, wishing and deciding that maybe someday.




Finally after walking for a while we came around a corner and there it was! Jim was so excited that he ran right up to it and got in. Isn't it just lovely. I think we could use it to get back to the main land. :)

About this time the camera died and I could not take anymore pictures of the island. We did however have a great day. Laying on a grassy knoll just above the cliffs and ending up napping, writing in our journal and just enjoying each other. I can hardly wait to go back when it is a little warmer. It is so wonderful to have all of these adventures in a new area. To be able to experience some of the places that Jim has gone for so long and has great memories of.

Abby herding the chicken

Abby meet the chicken's yesterday she wasn't really sure what to think of them and they didn't know what to think of her. She got to close to one and it turn on her and fluffed it's feathers and pecked toward her. After that she kept her distance. But still would follow them around the yard. Once in a while she would come into the house but soon was right back out to find them and see if they are okay. Everyone loved the sunny warm day of spring. But this morning we had a trace of snow on the ground again. Just when I think spring is coming it snows again. Jim keeps saying in two weeks it will be warm and green. I will wait another two weeks to feel the warmth of spring and see the green.

Fun in the Northeast

We heat our home with a wood stove and since it still gets in the twenty's at night we have the wood stove going all of the time. When the winter started the wood shed was full as you can tell it is getting less each day. We might even run out but then Jim will disappear out into our woods and chop more wood.From throwing snowballs in the house to carrying in the wood I love New England. Yes, those are my slippers and yes, it is later in the day and I am still in my Jammies. . . Being retired is great!!!!!

Bubbles Bubbles everywhere

After moving all the stuff around the house Jim was so tired and hurt that he decided to take a bath. He added bubbles to the jetted tub and as you can tell it was a little much. So now we found Jim.









To many bubbles? No just enough to lose yourself.














Where did Jim go now??? I am sure he will pop up soon. It is sure fun being married to a wonderful man like Jim even if he gets lost sometime.

Where's Jim

Now that we are married and I am here in our home with all of this stuff. Maybe that is why Jim had a Heart issue. The boxes where piled this high in each room of the house. What a mess!!

Even the kitchen was a mess. We had two and three of everything that I brought. We took two full boxes down to the cellar to see if Laura wanted them. While living in this mess Jim went to the hospital with A-Flutter. He was there for five days and had to have a procedure to correct the condition. Now he is all better and the house is put together. Thanks to Julie's family coming to visit. I work for 12 hours straight to get it taken care of. The eves are full of Christmas and all the closets are full of clothes. Every nook and cranny is full of something. Every room is put together except for my den and that still has boxes in it. But someday it will be done also. For now I just shut the door and don't go in there except when I have to.
Now that the work is all done. It looks great. We still have some pictures to hang. On one side of the fireplace are pictures of his children and on the other side will be pictures of my children. It will look really nice. We are enjoying spring here, even though we had snow yesterday and are expecting some tomorrow. But it is warming up and I love the beauty all around me.

Mr. and Mrs. James Gordon Dusty

Yes, We did get married. On February 8, 2008 at 5:45 PM at the church in Shallotte, NC. It was a beautiful ceremony and the Bishop did a great job. I am sorry that we couldn't have everyone be a part of it but hopefully you will enjoy seeing the pictures.This is one of our engagement pictures that we had taken up in Washington when we were there for Christmas. I really love how we look in this picture.

Getting ready...





Michelle, started my hair and Melissa finished it when she arrived.

We were to be married at 5:30 and this was at 5:25 so we the girls were running a little late but I guess that was okay to make Jim wait for me just a little longer.














Jim is proving that at the Church he really did have the ring and was ready to go at one time. Waiting for me. So if the ring was lost we knew that it had to be close by.



Finally all ready to go and Jim is waiting up front for me.





















The actual ceremony. . .
Brian and I ready to walk down the isle. . .Great wisdom given to us by Bishop Gore. . .
The first kiss as Mr. & Mrs. Dusty. . .


The Cake table All we had was cake, punch , mints, nuts... The cake isn't exactly what I wanted it looks like a porcupine. But it was so good.
















Cutting of the Cake. . . He was very nice and so was I we didn't smash it at all. . .

It was a great day. . . We are planning a open house here in MA the third week of March. I know that most of you can't come. But I will have more pictures from that. We will be posting them also.