Goodbye to one, Hello to another....

First, I would like to say, Happy New Year to all! May the year 2009 hold promise and hope for all out there. May 2008 be a fond, happy memory for you all. Hopefully you all have little regret and much promise from this year. It has been a long one for me. Every day I have worked hard to make it great for those around me, I have tried to experience joy in the little things. I have found importance in small moments, and in the simplenes of everyday life. Things like my daughter's smile, my son's confidence, and my younger son's discovery of who he will be. THat is the journey I am taking. It took me a long time to find myself, well not to find myself, but to feel comfortable in my own skin, again, for the most part. There are times that I feel like an awkward young girl, kind of strange to me and those around me, but I guess that is normal. It is normal to me anyhow. There are other times when I feel safe and protected. There are other times when I feel burdened, emotionally, and it makes me nervous. SO, these are the things that I feel and have felt over the past few years. These are the things that I discovered about myself. I learned that the sun shines no matter what we go through, that the night comes even when we don't want it to. I learned that life goes on, even when it stops for others. I learned that time is fleeting, that it slips through our life and that we wake up one day and we aren't 10, or 15, or even 25 anymore. We have only time to forge relationships, to strengthen them and to love those in them. Time takes away what we love the most, and who we love the most. Each passing year is to be cherished. Our children grow, that is natural, although we don't want them to they just do. My baby is no longer a baby. My son is almost a man. All three make me proud when they accomplish litle things. All three make me proud when they accomplish great things. It isn't either that is more important, but that they do grow and accomplish. That is the importance. I miss the cute smiles and the poses for the camera, from both boys, but am glad that they can read, walk, talk, and express ideas. My daughter, she still poses for the camera, but she too has made strides toward growth. She is a great reader, enjoys just picking up the book, and acomplishing the story. She loves to write, and talk about it. All these things I am greatful for. Time for all of us to slow down the pace, and realize that financial markets will ebb and flow, will crash and burn, will reach high and low points. Bigger isn't always better, simplify our lives, enjoy our lives. If someone is working 60-70 hours a week, how can he or she enjoy the fruits of their labor? Sure, you own that huge house, but do you get to sit on the sofa with your kids and play scrabble, do you get to learn what their hopes and dreams are? Or is this the Nanny's job? My wish for 2009 is to have folks learn about their children, enjoy their children, enjoy the company of their spouse, to stop and watch the seagulls fly by us at the bay, or the crows in the cornfield (Clif that one is for you) or whatever turns you on. Less stress for the New Year, more love, companionship and friendship. Elvis Costello said something that always sticks in my head:"What's so funy 'bout peace, love and understanding?"
Happy New Year to all!

Early THanksgiving Wishes

Let me start this post by sending out a warm hug to everyone, a warm and heartfelt wish for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Did you know that this is the most traveled holiday? Most people travel to "home" wherever that may be for them on this holiday. Interesting, huh?

We travel about 3 miles in the same town, from East West, to my In Laws home for the afternoon. We have done this since the second Thanksgiving as a married couple. Our first, I made the dinner, for 11 people, in a kitchen the size of a shoebox, with a table that stretched into the living room, but we all sat together, and were thankful for each other's company.

The holiday tradition began because I thought it was important to spend one holiday with one side of the family and one with the other side. After I began my journey into motherhood, I was stubborn, Christmas was done at my home, veryone could join us, I would cook, but not move my children from their Christmas tree and all of their gifts.

So, it was decided, Thanksgiving at Scott's parents, Christmas at our home, Easter at my Parents. That was a fair tradeoff, right? My mother always loved to cook the "big Meals" so, Easter, also a time to celebrate always was an insanely over done holiday at my home, growing up. So, it still was, until my Dad got sick and was in the hospital. My sister TC took over that year, and it wasn't as over done and food fest as at my mother's but it was a traditional meal.
This past year, I did Easter dinner, added the traditions that my Mom had added, a few Polish things and a ham. We had enough leftovers for me to make soup, and for Scott to have ham sandwiches for a good part of the week. I guess I over did it, but it was fun. My Mom enjoyed her dinner and we made her a plate to take home too.

Christmas is another story, I really overdo it, and I know it, but, always have, so it will be this year.

I am looking foward to Thanksgiving, and the gathering with Scott's side of the family, but it will also be a sad thing for me, knowing that my Mother is in the Nursing Home.

Don't get me wrong, I do understand that I have made the right decision, I am just feeling sad about her being there. I have gotten to know a good part of the staff, they are caring, wonderful people. I haven't met one yet who looks at the folks there as anything but dignified people who are there for reasons. There is nothing clinical about the way any of them are treated, not just my mom. I cunt my blessings on that one, I chose the right place. My mother is clean, well taken care of, talked to, her hand is held, she is fed by gentle people, and me, and her comfort is important to the folks there. That alone makes it easier to sleep at night. My children are allowed to visit at any time during visiting hours, and that brightens her time. She isn't always sure what time of day it is, she is blind, so that makes it confusing altogether, but her growing confusion helps that too.

SO for now, I will sign off, and probably not blog for the rest of the week. Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving to all of you who read this! Love those around you, enjoy their company, they could be gone in a fleeting second. Appreciate those who love you, hug them and kiss them often and with all the love you feel for them, it matters to them, it matters to you!

The Cradle of Avaition

Thought that we would do something for the kids' vacation. This was our something. I made an effort to drive into Nassau County to the Cradle of Avaition Museum. It was cool! We, the kids and I went, with Daniel's friend Mikey. It was interesting to see the planes and the real beginnings of avaition, much of which can be traced back here to Long Island. Fairchild /Republic Avaition, a company that used to manufacture planes for the government, and Grumman, now, Northrup Grumman, that used to do all of the fighter jets for the navy. The Blue Angels used to if not still, fly in F-14 fighter aircraft. My brother as well as many of the men and women during WWII worked at the two plants here in Bethpage and Calverton.


A side note, I tried to upload pictures, but I couldn't so I will post the words here and then try to get the images down for the next blog. I am getting annoyed here!

Oh, And if you notice, I was able to get links attached to the side bar on my Blog. Just let me know in the comment section if you don't want to be there. If I forgot you, I am sorry, let me know that too! And I will try to get your blog or webpage up there.