Eagles and up-date on my mom.

This eagle was hoping for a easy lunch. The golden eyed ducks would dive for fish and the eagles and sea gulls would just wait for their chance to take the fish away.

 

Immature eagle. There were a few different ages of eagles there.

I have been waiting to get a good shot of one in flight.

Not sure if he was going after the duck or the fish that the duck had caught.

There were a lot of sea gulls also flying around.

The golden eyed ducks. They were the busy workers there. The eagles and gulls were just waiting for a free meal. This is the first time I have ever been there. It was fun to watch the antics of the Eagles. Winneconnie is only about an hour away. The skies were so blue today that I just had to get out there with my camera. So Jeff and I jumped in the car and took a day trip. It was VERY cold though. There was 9 eagles in flight, on the ice and a couple in the trees. My battery was low and my back-up was dead. I am usually very aware of my batteries as I hate to get somewhere and not be able to take pictures. But the battery had enough juice to take enough pictures for me to get some I liked. Whew! It was a beautiful day!
Up-date on my mom.
She is scheduled to have surgery on tues. She is having a port put in, plus a feeding tube. They will check the stomach over more to see if there is any cancer that they are unaware of. But the Drs feels that she is a good canidate, even at 84 as her lungs, heart, liver and kidneys are in good shape. If she didn't do anything she would have about 6 months and starve to death. Being treated with chemo and radiation will, hopefully, at her age and good health (except for the cancer) about 18 months. Of course no one can promise that. But she says that she has too much to live for. So she is ready to fight. We didn't press her on it as it is her choice and whatever she would have decided we were ready to support her. This past month has been so hard. Every time we thought it was a go another test was ordered. But now a plan is in place. Not saying that it will be easier of course (actually it may be even harder), but at least there is a plan now. I don't think that I have ever been in tears so much. I held it together when around her. But other places not so much. Even at work. Luckily most of my job isn't around people!!! But my co-workers have seen me in tears. I never know when that will happen. But they said that this is normal. Some have gone through it themselves. I was starting to wonder if it was or if I was just being a wuss. What I cry about the most is knowing that my mom has to go through this. Seeing her in so much pain, mentally and physically. I can't even imagine what she is going through. Any way. If you want to pray for her I would apprieciate it. Her name is Beata. Don't worry everyone slaughters her name!! Thank you. Hugs, Teresa

Snow, moon and prayer request

The moon was HUGE tonight! Here it is trying to hide behind the branches.

This one was two nights ago. I love the different shades of grey and black with the white moon.

This was last night at midnight. We had a 4 inch snow fall and everything was so bright. The trees were gorgeous in the moon light.

After shoveling today. We have had 53 inches of snow so far this winter. We expect to get another 4-6 inches tomorrow. I don't know where we will go with more!

Even the hive was sporting a new coating of snow today. But at least we had very blue skies!!!

The kids love all the new snow. We shovel paths for them. But Summer the english cocker (in back) likes to blaze her own also. They love to chase eachother and take turns chasing and being chased.

This is what I woke up to this morning. Gorgeous colors.



Somehow Blogger always seems to put one picture out of order. This is another one of the yard after shoveling today.

Sorry I haven't been blogging much or at all, the last month. My mom found out that she has cancer. She has one more test this wed and then will find out what her options are. I have been a wreak. Good around her, but when I am at home or sometimes at work I break down. I can't even imagine what she is going through! We are trying to keep her spirits up. But it seems like every time we think we know something she is sent for another test. I know that all these tests are important though. Wed. she has another test, then sees the radiologist oncologist. Friday she sees the oncologist. So hopefully we will know more then. My prayer request is that you keep our family and ESPECIALLY HER in your prayers.  Thank you so much. Hugs, Teresa

Some of my favorite things.

Here is our sweet boy Tanner (corgi).  He has the most expressive face. We can always tell what his moods are. He is now 7 1/2 yrs old. Still very active and loves playing with his sister. Well, to a point anyway. When he has had enough he lets her know. Pin down and a small growl. But then again a lot of the time he starts it.

Little sister. Her name is Summer. She is just 7 months old. (English Cocker Spanial).  I don't know how our gardens will fare this year! I think she will be a little devil until we train her to leave them alone. She has dicovered squirrels and I thought she was going to climb the tree the other day to get one. When she chased them across  the yard she is right on their butts. But then again they like to egg the dogs on. Sassy things! Now how can that innocent looking puppy be such a handful?? lol. Luckily we love her!!

Flying leap into the snow! Or is she trying to take off? She is so addicted to playing in the snow it is hard to get her to come in at times. But with the tempatures we had for awhile and are about to have this week, she can only be out so long. It is fun watching her tear around the yard. Paths? What paths? She comes in loaded with snowballs. Her coat just seems to attract them.

Chasing Tanner. He loves it! Look at his face. All of a sudden it will be Tanner chadsing Summer. This game can turn around on a dime.

We will move onto something else. I wouldn't want you to overdose on puppy pictures. These tiny cones show up so nicely against the snow. These are cones on the weeping hemlock. They are just so cute!!

From tiny cones to big cones. These look so pretty against the green and the white of the snow. These are the cones of Acrocona Norway Spruce. They put on a show in the spring. As they are growing they are a florencent pink. And I do mean floresent! They glow in the sun. They only are only colorful about a month or so in spring. But it is so nice to see such a vivid color after the grey and white of winter!

Today a lot of my cousin's got together. I haven't seen most of them in years. Some where at my dad's funeral 7 1/2 years ago and my cousin's funeral a few months ago. But we really didn't talk then. Funerals aren't the best places to catch up. Too many things happening. So it was very nice seeing them today. When did we all get so old? But only abut 5 of them are around my age. The rest are about 15 years or so my senior. My parents married in their late 20's and so started their family later then most of their siblings on my dad's side. But it was nice and we were at the restraunt for over 2 hours. A lot of laughter going on.
Then I took a side trip to the lake. Lake Michigan. I just took this one picture as dusk was starting to fall and didn't have time before dark to walk out for better shots. The snow was about knee deep and the shore line is farther away then it looks in this picture. But it is such a pretty place. There are places all up and down this highway where you can see the Lake. I love being by the water. It is so peaceful to me.
 I hope everyone has a great week.
 Hugs, Teresa

Ice and Snow

As you can tell we had an ice storm! But by Saturday I had to get outside. (other then going to work). So I took a drive out to our local sanctuary. The paths were quite icy yet.

Then today we are getting snow. Luckily the ice is gone! We are suppose to get between 4-8 inches. By the time I leave work tonight we are suppose to have winds blowing at 40 miles per hour. Driving home may be fun! But at least I don't live far. A few of the girls live 30 minutes away and with the ice other night it took them each well over an hour. I have a feeling that they will have a fun trip again tonight!

 

This is our Acrocona with about an inch of snow so far. This one get fluorescent pink cones in spring!

Very snowy puppy! 7 months now. She loves the snow. Look how her hair collects more snow then our corgi's does.  Sorry Tanner I sort of cut you off.

This snowy grey squirrel was very hungry today.

The snow is making these branches hang low, even for a weeping hemlock

Now I know what the wizard does at night. He takes a walk! I still haven't figured out how he got footprints behind him, but no footprints going away!  I took this one at midnight after I got home from work. That blob tot he right is the puppy playing. Right after I took the picture she destroyed the footprints. This was just so weird to see!

One of the robin who didn't fly south. They live on the crabapples and berries still on trees.

This is another visiter we have seen alot of this year. Female redbellied woodpecker.

I don't know why they call this one a redbellied  as there is no red on it's belly. But it is not a redheaded one.

These little sparrows are braving the cold. With the cold and snow we have seen a lot of them. They have to eat a lot to survive. Fresh warm water is also a must.

Even in the snow the birds need to bath.

They really fling the water. Then they sit in the trees all wet.

Another visiter that we have seen a few of this winter. House finch. Much needed color on these grey, snowy days.
Last week we went from -0 with windchills down near -50 to a few days later to having temps in the 30's. There was a 60 degree change in a few days time. This winter has been very cold, very snowy and icy. We are hoping not to lose too many plants with all these tempurature changes. Which can be very hard on the plants.
Have a great week. Hugs, Teresa

Very, very fridged here....but!

This little guy need a bath!

He just dunked himself over and over.

Then he shook off the water. Flew into the rosebush and sat there in the sun. How can birds not freeze in below zero temps when they just soaked themselves?

This house finch brings some color into the winter lanscape. At this time of year color is so welcomed!

This mourning dove doesn't seem to like the cold as much. Puffing out his feathers must be more insulating. I have seen some of the other birds doing this so much the last few weeks.

There was a pretty sunset the other night. It is hard to get at out house with the power lines and trees. I love how this one seems to widen out the higher it gets in the sky.

Another view. To the south this time.
Winter sure has settled in around here. We have been so cold here. Below 0 or near 0 on most days. Windchills have driven the temps much lower. Next week is suppose to get even colder! Saturday is suppose to be in the higher 20's. One day of warmer temps before the big drop!! All I know is that I really NEED to get outside on Saturday! I think that will help my mood as I know that I am getting grumpy. Also going through camera withdrawl. I Need to be able to take pictures. That is just a part of me. Creative side?
I did take family photos at Christmas. Sibling and their families. We were only missing 4 people this time. For the first time in a lot of years my brother's family was all there. That was what started the family picture session. Who knows when that will happen again! My mom was so happy to get a copy of each photo. She hasn't had any updated photos of most of us in a long time. Especially family pictures. I also sent each family copies of theirs. I am certainly not a pro, but they turned out good. My neice even copped a pose with her halo. She is doing good. She will be in the halo for at least another 2-2 1/2 months. Then a neck brace. She is staying with my brother and nephew for now. Living with two guys again has had it's ups and downs. lol. Can you say toilet seat!! She has to wear bathing suit bottoms to take a bath in case one of them has to help her get out of the tub. That and a garbage bag over the body part of her halo to keep it dry. That must be quite a sight! :)  But she is keeping busy with light housework and has done a little baking. Must be fun when you have to bend over to look down or turn your whole body to look to the side. But the nurses told her to keep busy as depression can be a major player otherwise. At Christmas we felt so blessed to still have her with us. The officer told us that if she wasn't wearing a seat belt she probably wouldn't have made it. My brother saw the car and wished he wouldn't have. Christmas had a whole different feeling this year.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and will have a healthy and happy New Year. Hugs, Teresa

Merry Christmas Everyone

I took this picture last January. In Kewaunee Wi.
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Here is a link to one of my favorite Christmas songs...

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OExXItDyWEY&vq=medium

Summer and winter

Please Summer can I have just one of the toys??? Tanner just waits until she is not looking and then takes one. Of course she takes it back and adds it to the pile around her. Sassy puppy!

 

She had to get tired sometime!

 

We recieved about 5.1 inches of snow today. We recieved about 4 inches yeaterday. I think we will have a white Christmas. lol. Then it is suppose to snow again on Christmas.

There were a lot of different ducks at Voyager Park in DePere. This one is very pretty.

It just seems funny to see pelicans in the icy water. But as long as the water stays open they will be o.k. There are about 8 or so there right now. In the spring there are a couple hundred. It has only been in the last few years that they have been back here in this part of Wisconsin. Now most of the lakes, rivers, laggons, etc have them.

This is a different sea gull then we usually see. Isn't amazing how birds can stand on the ice like that without their feet freezing! Nature is wonderful!

This is a bald eagle flying over a mill in DePere. I am so glad that I went there last week as I stopped by twice this week and didn't see any.

3 different kinds of ducks.

I noticed this pelican this past summer. He has a bad wing, but he seems to be doing o.k.
I can not believe that Christmas is in 3 days! We are getting together with my family on Christmas day. Jeff will see his dad and step-mother on Christmas Eve. I have to work. Now if they would just understand that I work in a hospital and can't get everything off that I want to have off. Oh Well!
I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year. Hugs, Teresa