The Life and Times of Leedle

Catching Up

2009-09-04T23:09:00.000-04:00

Well, I figured I'd better catch up on a few things that's been going on lately. "Recordville" has been buzzing the last week or so with the start of school again. It's been a real treat to see the kids getting ready for school! They're all so dang cute, I'm glad they're all around to be able to watch. Kacie and my cousin Michelle's boy Nathan, started kindergarten. It doesn't seem possible that they could be old enough to be starting school! Sadie started Junior High....yes JUNIOR HIGH!!! Ugh....I can't believe these kids are growing up so fast! Anyway, I've posted some pictures of the first days of school. Kaedon has started pre-school and on his first day I watched Tannon so Darcy & Gus could go up on his first day....here's some pictures of him while I was taking care of him! He's such a cutie....must take after his Auntie! haha!!! :)

Tannon "The Tank"

Isn't he the cutest kid you've ever seen?? :)

Playing with his toys

"The Recordville Boys"

Kaedon's First Day of Preschool

Kacie's First Day of Kindergarden

and Courtney's 2nd day of school.

Riding the bus...all grown up!

Garrett & Branson getting ready for a ride

to school.

Branson

Garrett

Pig Roast & Pool Party

2009-08-15T17:04:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday my friend Sheila and her husband had their annual pig roast & pool party. It was a lot of fun and for once I relaxed and had a great time. I had coverage at the dance hall and didn't have to RUSH to get there and it was so much fun to just chill out. Pete and I got there in the early afternoon and spent all day there. Sheila took me 4-wheeling down into the trails at their house. They own 50 acres and her son, Peter (nice name huh?) rides dirt bikes and 4-wheelers and has built awesome trails down there. We got SOOOO muddy! It was great. As you can see I dressed for the occasion! I figured if I wear my bathing suit with a cover-up (tie die of course....the theme for the party was a beach theme) then however dirty I got wouldn't be a problem...I'd just jump in the pool....which I did!! hehe! Anyway, I've posted a few pictures of the event.....too much fun! :)

Enjoying some watermelon after 4-wheelin'

Sheila, Dad & I (Dad stopped in to visit!)

Sheila's Dad Stuart & Me (gettin' some lovin')

Sheila & I cutting the cake (which she asked me to make)

Pete & I smiling for the camera!

2009-07-28T22:18:00.000-04:00

Hey Everyone!

Well again....I have no excuses....it seems time goes by so fast between posts! Things have been going well. The job I have with the charitable foundation is really coming along well. A large part of the funding for the foundation is being finalized now and there is lots of good things that will become of it!

The Spur is going well. My boyfriend Peter and his band played last weekend. It was a great turnout and it was nice to see so many people come out and support him. He hasn't played for close to four years, so he's coming out of retirement so to speak! hehe! Someone video taped a few songs, and I'll try and put them up on here. :) We'll see how THAT goes!!

I'm waiting on a phone call to see if my niece Desarae has had her baby yet. She's in labor now and I know it's close...but we're just waiting for the call. She knows it's a boy and has named him Owenn James. I can't believe she's old enough now to be having children...it's kinda scary! I'm getting WAY too old! hehe!

I'll post some pictures so you all can get caught up on my life! Things are great and life is good! Hope everyone is doing well! :)

Ok...I'm finally BACK!!

2009-05-29T14:56:00.000-04:00

Yes everyone, I'm still alive! It seems when I'm at this computer my blog never gets updated. I wish I had a magic wand (or secretary) that could keep this thing updated! Someday ..... ok maybe not! hehe!

Well lots of things have been going on the last couple of months since I've updated this thing. The MAINEiacs have decided to stay another season (at least) but they didn't hire me back. Which is ok by me. I've now got a job working for a lady named Rose. She has a foundation that was started up in New York where she came from. She has now got the funding she needs to move it to Maine and really get it up and running. The foundation is a non-profit foundation that helps people/businesses in need and eventually will do some small business lending. She has asked me to go to work for her and help her run the business. It's a pretty casual setting (I can wear jeans most of the time...yaaayy!!!) and the paycheck will be a good thing after being unemployed for 4 months! Unemployment paychecks aren't that great that's for sure! But I am thankful they've been paying the bills at home.

If any of you read Darcy's blog, you've read that Mom, her and I all went to the Temple last week to do Nana Wiley's work for her. It was a super day and yes...I'll admit I'm the blubber head. But...Darcy did her share of crying too! So I didn't feel so bad...I learned she DOES have a heart after all! hahaha....juuust kidding Darcy! :-)

Last but certainly not least, I've got a pretty cool guy in my life. His name is Peter and of course....he's a musician. Yeah, I know...crazy huh? He's really great and we spend a lot of time together listening and singing country music. I actually officially met him when I bought the hall. I knew of him before that, but never really met him. Anyway, I hired his band to play at the dance hall. The band broke up about 8 months after that and he and I would see each other once in a while at music functions, etc. Well a few months ago he stopped in to the dance hall and said he and his wife were going through a divorce because she was cheating on him with his cousin (who actually lived two houses down from them at the time) for the last 6 years or so. I couldn't believe it! Anyway, so he was coming down to the hall just to get away and see some familiar faces from when he played etc. Anyway after a month or so we started talking more and more and eventually we ended up dating. It's a crazy thing the way it happened but it has worked great! I've been able to share my experiences after my divorce with him and he has with me and I think it's been beneficial to both of us. We have a TON of things in common....right down to our favorite ice cream.....Grapenut! Crazy huh? Who likes grapenut ice cream as their favorite??!!?? And...he likes BLT sandwiches...but no "T" just BL with mayo...just like me....nuts! He sings at the Spur with our band sometimes and it's fun to sing together. We are always picking out songs to learn and do and we just have lots of fun together. Anyway, that's the update on that! hehe!

Other then that....things are rolling along well. I hope I can keep updated on this thing! Ugh! I'll try and get some pictures up of Peter and I so the people that live far away can see him. :-)

New Job????

2009-03-17T09:53:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone!

You would think now that I am unemployed I could keep this updated a little more! I guess I'll definitely have to work harder on that!

Yes, it's true....I "may" have a new job! Shortly after I was let go from the MAINEiacs, they announced that they are trying to move the team back to Canada. A few days following the official announcement of their intensions, I received an email from David MacDonald. He is a gentlemen from the New Brunswick area who wants to bring a Junior A team down here to the U.S. After we talked for a bit and he told me of his plans, etc. I agreed to jump on board as the Executive Administrator. Basically the job will be running the operations of the team. Everything from overseeing daily operations of the front office, to working with the coach on all trades, contracts, etc. It sounds like a great opportunity and I am very excited to get going.

Ok, here's the bad part.....NOW the MAINEiacs aren't sure if they're going to be able to leave. The deal they were trying to get to move just outside of Montreal fell through. They are now trying to work out negotiations with the University of New Brunswick to move up there and work in conjunction with the University. I'm not sure that will work as they have a hockey team already in place there and it's doing very well. It's a different league all together, however if you ask me, there's too many cooks in the kitchen if they were to move another team in. I could be wrong because I could see how it might fit but in order for it to work, all parties would have to be on board with it. I hope for everyone's sake it works out the way it should.

Other then that....things are moving along. I've been busy at the Spur doing bookwork and getting caught up on a few things. I have a few projects at home I'm getting ready to tackle. I'm totally ready for mud season to be over and the snow to be gone....and for warm weather to FINALLY get here!!!!

Welcome to the unemployment list!

2009-02-05T12:34:00.000-05:00

That's right, I'm unemployed! At least from the MAINEiacs that is. They're moving back to Canada at the end of the season, however I guess they felt the need to get rid of me early to save money. Anyway, it stinks with no income coming in right now. On the upside, it is giving me a lot more time to devote to the dance hall and get things done around the house.

Mom went in for minor surgery yesterday and is home now. She's doing well, but has to take it easy for a week or so. Dad, Darcy and I are taking shifts making sure wood gets brought in and she doesn't do anything but get up to use the bathroom. It's pretty hard keeping her down, but hopefully the drugs will keep her dizzy enough so she doesn't feel like getting up!! haha! :) Any of you that know her know it's a job and a half to get her to sit for more then 5 minutes to a time. I love her though...she's the best mom ever.

Maybe with a little more time on my hands I can keep up with the blog thing! haha....don't hold your breath! :)

2009-01-06T13:18:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

It doesn't seem possible it's 2009 already! I remember when I was young, people would say that time goes by so fast the older you get. It is SO true!

Christmas was wonderful! At the Spur, we did a full-blown Christmas for two less fortunate families in the area this year. It was wonderful to help two families who REALLY needed it. All of the children made out their wish lists to Santa and I posted them by the ticket booth. Everyone pitched in and went shopping. We had a great response! The larger gifts waited until Christmas week when I was able to get out and finish up the shopping. The 50/50 proceeds went for the larger gifts and gift cards to both of the mothers. We gave them to each mom for groceries and other necessities. We were able to raise about $1,400 in cash. I estimated all together with presents and gift cards, we raised over 3,000 in cash and presents. It was so much fun and it really felt good to hug both of the mothers and know they appreciated it so much. I swear Santa has the best job in the world!
The best thing would be for us to have a REAL North Pole here and be able to watch the children on Christmas morning when they saw all of the presents! Now THAT would be great!!

At home this Christmas it was great for all of us brothers and sisters to be together for the first time in five years. The last Christmas we had together Darcy was pregnant with Branson. They moved out west when he was 8 months old. Shortly after that, Buster moved out there. So to have everyone home for the holiday was just perfect. We were missing my oldest niece, Heidi and my oldest nephew, Michael and their families. We missed them and wished they could have been there. They are both married and Heidi has two boys and a step-daughter. Michael is married with two girls. It was so nice to see mom and dad so happy with everyone there. You could see the contentment on their faces.

We hated to see Buster and Mandy go back to Utah and TRIED to convince them to stay here...but it didn't work. Dad said maybe if we all pray a little harder it might happen. He leaned over to Branson and said, "Heavenly Father does answer our prayers doesn't he!?" and Branson nodded his head yes. Then dad asked him what prayer did Heavenly Father answer for him (meaning dad) and Branson said, "That our family would move back to Maine." It was pretty cute! Anyway, here are a few pictures of the family at Christmas time.

The Family
top: Dicky, Donny, Buster, Erland

bottom: Me, Dad, Mom, Darcy

Grandkids (missing Heidi & Michael)
top: Kacie, Courtney, Branson, Garrett
bottom: Desarae, Tannon, Kristy, Kaedon, Nicholas, Sadie.

Boys & Nana

2008-12-15T15:44:00.000-05:00

Last night we were at mom and dad's having dinner and I got this picture of Darcy's boys and mom. It was taken on my cell phone, so the quality isn't perfect. However, I thought that the picture was just perfect! The boys were in the perfect pose! Anyway, another fun night at the 'rents for dinner! We launched balloons in the air before dinner with Christmas wishes on them. Courntey wanted an American Girl Doll, Kacie wanted a yellow star, Branson wanted a 4-wheeler (remote control I think) and I'm not sure what Kaedon wanted. His name was on it and he drew a picture, but I don't know what it was...I'll have to ask him! ;-)

Branson, Mom, Tannon & Kaedon

Bably It's Cold Outside!!

2008-12-08T15:25:00.000-05:00

How much do you love that song?? Well today is COOOLLLDDD!!! There is just a little bit of snow on the ground, but it's so cold! And it's cold here in the rink today too! I went out in my car and started it up at lunch time just to warm up! Crazy!

Anyway, I was going through pictures and found some great pictures of this summer with the kids picking strawberries. It was so fun and the kids did a great job. Darcy is still pregnant with Tannon in these pictures. I believe we went on July 4th, so it WAS nice and hot then! ahh.....just 7 more months and it'll be like that again!

Just starting out

Kelly, Kacie & Courtney

Branson & Kacie

Branson hard at work!

Darcy & Kaedon

Courtney & Branson working together!

I think Kaedon liked eating them better then picking them! :)

Done for the day ~ Great Job Kids!! :)

Setting Up for Christmas

2008-12-05T11:35:00.000-05:00

I can't believe Christmas is just around the corner!! Thanksgiving was great and it was nice to see all of the kids enjoying each other. Sunday afternoon all of the kids were over to mom and dad's house and mom decides to dig out the Christmas decorations!! It was fun and the kids had a great time. Sadie and Nicolas made a gingerbread house for the dining room table and Branson, Garrett, Courtney and Kacie helped put together the reindeer.

Back when I was married, my father-in-law made these awesome reindeer out of wood. They are in pieces like a puzzle and they all fit together perfectly. Anyway, I had my father-in-law make a full set of reindeer, along with Rudolph, for my parents one Christmas. It came complete with a sleigh and Santa too. Harlan (my ex father-in-law) has sense past away so we know there will never be any reindeer to replace these….so we try to be EXTRA careful! The sleigh is down at the dance hall being repaired at the moment. Anyway, here are a few random pictures of the kids that afternoon. I think Branson thinks HE’S Santa!! Haha!

I didn't get a picture of Nicholas and Sadie making the gingerbread house....It came out great! I believe I was digging out the train to set up! Nicholas joined in and helped me set that all up too….thanks for helping me Nick!!! :)

After the reindeer are set up

(its a little blury with my camera phone)

Branson and Courntey playing

I believe Courntey is trying to set up one

of the reindeer (notice the rest of the

reindeer are behind the rocking horse) :)

Kacie is showing Kaedon how to use

my laptop. These kids are 3 & 5....NUTS!!

Well done Kacie...he's on his own now!

Dad Slaughter's the Pig! eek!

2008-11-18T10:14:00.000-05:00

Hehe...I have to share this one! Whenever there is an event in "Recordville" it is sure to be something worth writing about.

Erland has been raising pigs and finally one was ready for the slaughter house. He loaded the pig up and took it off to be....well....KILLED! I know this sounds incredibly disgusting, however growing up as this being part of your life really doesn't bother me. My sister on the other hand HATES it!

Anyway, after church a couple of Sunday's ago, the pig was ready to be butchered. Since dad is/was a butcher, Erland asked him to help out. This brought back a lot of memories of when I was a kid. Ok, so picture this.....we've got a half of a pig slapped right on the dining room table and dad cuttin' away. Kelly & I were wrapping the meat as little Courtney was lugging it out to us. Mom was fixing supper for everyone and working around us happily. Erland was .... well .... pretty much supervising I guess. Making sure dad was doing it right maybe?? hahah! It was hilarious!!!

A lot of the grandkids were there. Dicky's 3 kids were over from next door. Of course Erland and Kelly's 2 kids were there. Darcy's 2 boys came up from their house and Darcy came up with Tannon later on. She was appalled by the WHOLE thing! It was funny how nothing changed from when she was a kid. She said at the end, "Remind me NOT to come up when there's butchering going on!". Branson, Darcy's oldest boy, kept wanting to touch or look at the scrap meat in the box. I think Darcy's blood pressure was 220 over 110! She kept yelling at Branson not to touch anything! It was funny.

I thought you'd like to see some pictures I snapped on my cell phone of the event. Courtney is smiling after delivering us some meat. Kaedon and Branson are watching grampa cut up the
meat. Kacie is taking it all in with her cute little smile.

It was a fun afternoon! Well...for some of us that is...sorry Darcy! :)

2008-10-29T11:53:00.000-04:00

Ok It's been a while!

Seriously now...I know that it's been FOREVER since I've written on here. The summer flew by so fast and now I'm getting ready for winter. It doesn't seem possible November 1st is Saturday!!!!

Life has been very busy for me this year. Some days a little too busy even for me! The dance hall is going well and we're always trying to come up with new ideas to make it grow more. The Maine Country Music Hall of Fame is now in the lower level of the Spur. There are wonderful displays of Maine's own country music legends. Dad was just inducted as the newest Hall of Fame member this summer.

The banquet hall was very busy this summer with weddings. Hopefully it'll be even busier next year. We've got several bookings for next year already...hopefully this is a good sign!

The hockey world is still the same. Some days it doesn't seem like I can ever get the work done that needs to be done, but somehow I manage to pull things together at the last minute! Our old coach, Clem was in town a couple of weeks ago. It was so great to talk with him and catch up. He is a wonderful man and I have the utmost respect for him. He's coaching in Rimouski, Canada now. He was our coach for three years and took our team all the way to the Memorial Cup. It was great experience and he taught us all a lot.

The family is doing really well. It's so great to have my sister back home. The boys love running all over the place, and it's so fun to see everyone all together. This Christmas Buster and his wife Mandy will be coming home for Christmas. I believe this is the first Christmas in five years that we'll all be together. I'm looking forward to that!!

Courtney is doing great with her diabetes. That kid amazes me, seriously! She was bummed the other night because she was going to have a substitute nurse at school. She said that this nurse calls her mom whenever they take her blood sugar....even if it's good. I guess they took it one time and it was like 140 or something and the nurse said, "I better call your mom and tell her." Courtney said, "It's 140....it's fine....that's a good number." She knows so much about it and tells us when she's feeling low, etc. She's getting ready to get the pump which will help her I'm sure. No more needles, which will be a blessing. I'm just so impressed with her and her patience with this terrible disease. Hopefully they'll find a cure for this someday!!!

Well, hopefully I won't wait another 6 months to post something! haha!

Little "Court" in the Hospital

2008-03-25T13:01:00.000-04:00

Wow...what a ride it has been the last couple of weeks! My little niece Courtney, who's 6, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. It's been an emotional ride for the whole family, but that little bugger is doing so well with it! She's such a good little girl. She's a kind and sincere kid who you'd never know she was so sick!

I was on a trip to Texas at a steel guitar show with my Uncle Merle (he was playing at it) and she was scheduled to go in for an evaluation the day I left. Her school teacher suspected she may have it because of some symptoms she saw during the day. I called to get a report and mom told me she was admitted into intensive care with a blood sugar level of over 500! It was all I could do not to hop on the next flight home that very night. But I knew there was nothing I could do....so I stayed. It was the longest weekend of my life I think! While I had a wonderful time at the show visiting with friends I hadn't seen in a very long time, my thoughts were always on that kid at home and I couldn't wait to get back!

Since I've been home, I've been doing lots of reading and research. Our diets have changed (for the better!) and we're doing what Courtney's doing. Everyone should eat like a diabetic! Watching sugar intake and counting carbs...definitely a better way to live!

While coloring after supper on Sunday, she quietly said to me, "DeeDee, why do I have to have diabetes?" I didn't know what to say to her...my heart just broke. I said, "Well honey, a lot of other people had diabetes too....it's just something that some people have to go through I guess." And then she said, "What was your trial when you were a kid?" Ok....here's a kid 6 years old and she's saying this??? She's more mature then me some days! I knew she had probably asked mom because that's SUCH a mom response...."This is just your trial"....ahh the wisdom! hehe! So anyway, I proceeded to tell her some things that weren't easy to live with when I was young. But I do have to admit...I haven't gone through anything like she's had to go through! She's a special little girl! On a happy note....I hit the grocery stores yesterday on my lunch hour in search for "Courtney Food!" And low and behold I found low carb pasta. I made some last night and it's delicious!!! And I also discovered that light cream has less carbs in it then milk....GREAT for cooking! I've learned a lot as far as cooking for her goes. I made a chocolate cream pie for her last night and brought it down to her along with dinner for tonight. I had to sample the pie and dinner and it was tasty! Sugar free pudding (made with light cream not milk), real whipped cream with sugar substitute and vanilla! no crust...and for dinner I made some ziti pasta alfredo with grilled chicken and spinach. YUMMY!!

So it's a work in progress but we're learning every day!

Here is a picture of Courtney in the hospital with one of the

Harlem Globe Trotters that was visiting.

2008-02-15T15:40:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone!

Okay so my sister conveniently reminded me it's been a while since I've posted anything on here. I told her my life is like the movie Ground Hog Day! However, I guess there is SOME news I can share.

First off my sister is prego! Yup...another bambino cookin' in the oven! I'm way excited to be an aunt AGAIN! It never gets old! Someday when I have my own all of these nieces and nephews are gonna be old enough to babysit! Now, THAT'S going to be good....real good!

Well, at almost 37 years old, I've decided to enroll back in college. EEESH....I know! But I guess you're never too old to get that degree right? I'm doing it online through Penn Foster College. I'm getting my degree in Early Childhood Education. So far it's been very interesting and I've been getting good grades! So I'm way happy about THAT!

My profession in the ice hockey world is going well, but you never know when that might end. So this is a good way for me to let's say..."be prepared" for any changes that may come up in my life. I've always wanted to run a pre-school and be an aid for kids to become more prepared and ready for school. It's a great thing to watch a child’s mind work. I love it! Their eyes become so big and you can almost see the wheels turning in their little heads. Kids are just great!

The snow here in Maine has been well.....let's just say I've seen more snow this year then I can remember in years past! This is what is being called "An Old Fashioned Wintah!" Yeah...I'm ready to go someplace warm where the sun shines for more then an hour a day and it ISN'T snowing!!!

Other then that...things are going well! Hope everything is well with everyone else and everyone is healthy, happy and safe! :~)

Hey Y'All!

2008-01-11T09:53:00.000-05:00

Well I'm not from the south but I've been known to others as having that certain "southern charm" about me. Life in Maine is great ..... AND a great place to live! Not that I've "lived" in any other place!! Idaho for a semester of college I don't THINK qualifies me as a permanent resident...but ya never know!

For those of you who know me, my life seems to be like an overloaded bowl of spaghetti. No matter how hard you try to keep all the noodles in the bowl...some inevitably spill out....so to be the never ending tasks I try to accomplish every day! But as Martha Stewart says, "It's a Good Thing." It keeps me busy and that's good!

The Silver Spur is lots of fun and Country Music IS my life pretty much! Well my "desired" life I should say. Seeing everyone come each week and dance and have a good time is such a great pleasure for me...seeing people happy is a rare thing today I think. Plus I get to play with the family band...so what could be better? Singing and playing bass is my calling I think....among other things like church. But I can't imagine my life without music! It's a challenge to run a business full time and work another job full time...but the passion in life IS country music...so for me there is no choice! In the words of Alan Jackson, "I'm chasin' that neon rainbow, livin' that honky tonk dream!"

Other things I HAVE to accomplish seem to get in the way of dreams....like earning a living and paying the oil bill. Oh yeah...and what is up with that anyway....OIL! UGH!!!! Is the U.S. in a shortage??? NO! Let us make our OWN and sell it to our OWN people!! HELLOOOO!!! Are we in any worse of a state then we were in World War II?? No I think not!!! So why I ask you within the last 4 years does it cost me more then double to heat my house and drive to work but I have the same pay wages? It's one of those never ending battles to keep some third world greedy leader happy in his marble palace and not blowing up something or someone else...which by the way isn't working very well. Anyway, enough venting about that! I'd never be a good President...I think I'd order a "let's blow up all of the stupid people" ordinance. So all in all....my hats off to anyone who thinks they can run this country!

Hockey with The MAINEiacs is still going strong. For those of you who are knowledgeable in the "Hockey World" we've put in a bid to host the 2009 Memorial Cup. We actually have a bid in to host it in Portland. We worked out a deal with the Portland Pirates and their ice arena to pull this together as a partnership type deal. Both teams are separate and are in separate leagues....however, Lewiston is just not big enough to house a city FULL of hockey fans and teams! When we won the President Cup in our league last year and headed to Vancouver for the 2007 Memorial Cup, it was an experience to never forget. Even though we didn't win the Memorial Cup, it was definitely worth going. I met so many influential people in the hockey world (hangin' with Gordy Howe to name a few) and got a true sense of how everything runs. If we win this bid, it is no small task. We will all have our work cut out for us, but it's an honor not many get to have. So all I can say is cross your fingers and....GO MAINEIACS!!

My church calling as 1st counselor in Young Women is lots of fun. I love any calling I serve in, but I also love the challenges too. Trying to see what make the youth "tick" is a never ending battle. But a good battle. I love making things for them and watching them learn a gospel principal that they didn't know before. Similar to primary, the Young Women are special spirits that we have an obligation to teach all WE know so they'll be even BETTER leaders. Well I'm sure this is a LOT to read...but hope everyone is happy, healthy and well! Until next time ..... "May the force be with you!" Love ya!! -DeeDee :)