Today is Valentine's Day. No big deal, unless you are a card company, a florist, or a candy store. Throw in a few stuffed animals and you have a money maker.
It isn't that I am opposed to a day to set aside for Love, but isn't that what anniversaries are for? A just the 2 of us moment? I think that there should be 5 minutes every day that a person, no matter what the time, no matter how many kids, pets , jobs or such, are running around in a busy life, just 5 minutes where people can and should connect with their significant other. If one partner is away, or not home for a reason, there are phones. make the effort, and the demonstrative effort won't have to be made on Valentine's Day.
I asked my husband not to spend money for flowers or chocolates....I just want to spend time with him, not in a resturaunt. I want to eat dinner at our dinner table, and do the ordinary things.
I am grateful for the ordinary things. I am grateful for the mundane. I am grateful that he is at the dinner table and can eat with our children. I am thankful that he is going to see our oldest son march to "Pomp amd Circumstance" in June! I am grateful and ever so thankful that he will be able to laugh at our daughter's silly jokes, and watch the joy in the eyes of our other son when he competes in baseball.
My joy this Valentine's Day is in knowing that we have survived together, gone thru the ringer so to speak, and come out whole, intact. I know that we can weather any storm. We have already.
So to repeat, mundane, family dinner, running the kids to their activities, comming home and watching Tv...those things I cherish. Looking across the table, or the couch, seeing my husband there, knowing that things could have been so different, knowing that he continues to just be, is perfect. I never need another expensive gift, nor will I ever ask for anything but having my husband and children in my life.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Library
I know that there are a ton of new electronic gagets out there to own that are reading aids. They kind of replace books, don't they?
It is a scary thing when books are being replaced by the internet. What will happen to our libraries if we can instantly have "books" in front of us?
Personally, if you haven't been able to figure it out, I am more than a little opposed to these gagets.
I love my local library, wandering for hours in the stacks, feeling the book in my hands, being able to turn the pages. The library has a certain look, no matter if it is a school library, a university library, or a public library. The peace and the serenity, I believe, is what has always drawn me to the library. My children have had library cards since practically they were born. My boys always belonged to the summer reading club, first with my mother, then with the ummer camp, and later with me. They are too cool to go to the library right now. Patrick, I am sure will have to rediscover the place when he enters school in the fall. I hope so anyway.
The Library has a certain smell. (No not of unwashed bodies and the like) The smell of ink, pages and dust. The combination of these things makes a library smell. I love the smell of the books in the stacks. I enjoy the artwork on the book jackets, and love discovering an author for the first time, by design or by chance. To me, the library is a gift. It is the gift htat has no returns....final sale, no exchanges, no chance of giving it back. It is a gift that I can give, and receive at the same time.
It is a fun experience that I can share with my daughter, who has a love of books and reading too. She understands that the library can take you places without a passport. YOu can time travel, you can learn history, you can learn that there are others out there in the world who share your vision. She gets it!
My daughter loves the library as much as I do. She begs to go, albiet at odd times, or extremely busy times.
Saturday, we went to the library. I had two books that I wanted to get, of course they weren't in our library, so they needed to be reserved. I think that is the mark of a good library. The books are being checked out, people are reading them, people are taking them home. They will call when they come in. Which will give me the excuse to go to the library! The children and parents section is being renovated so, the temporary HQ for that department is in the hall of a local small church. We went to the main part of the library first, then we hopped in the car and went to the CAPS section at the church. Cassidy had a tough time wrapping her head around the fact that the room was small, and that they didn't have all of the books on shelves. I think it bothered her to know that this was a reality in some places. But then she just accepted that it is what it is, and this too shall pass. When the Children's and Parents section is finished, it will be a whole new world for her again. She will have to learn the new design and will have to take it all in and enjoy it!
What a beautiful way to spend a morning with my daughter, and guess what? The only thing it costs is time. People spend so much money on books, on book clubs and such. THere is a treasure right in your own town...use it....enjoy it....savor it! DOn't let the electronic age take it all away, it is a part of you, and your community!
It is a scary thing when books are being replaced by the internet. What will happen to our libraries if we can instantly have "books" in front of us?
Personally, if you haven't been able to figure it out, I am more than a little opposed to these gagets.
I love my local library, wandering for hours in the stacks, feeling the book in my hands, being able to turn the pages. The library has a certain look, no matter if it is a school library, a university library, or a public library. The peace and the serenity, I believe, is what has always drawn me to the library. My children have had library cards since practically they were born. My boys always belonged to the summer reading club, first with my mother, then with the ummer camp, and later with me. They are too cool to go to the library right now. Patrick, I am sure will have to rediscover the place when he enters school in the fall. I hope so anyway.
The Library has a certain smell. (No not of unwashed bodies and the like) The smell of ink, pages and dust. The combination of these things makes a library smell. I love the smell of the books in the stacks. I enjoy the artwork on the book jackets, and love discovering an author for the first time, by design or by chance. To me, the library is a gift. It is the gift htat has no returns....final sale, no exchanges, no chance of giving it back. It is a gift that I can give, and receive at the same time.
It is a fun experience that I can share with my daughter, who has a love of books and reading too. She understands that the library can take you places without a passport. YOu can time travel, you can learn history, you can learn that there are others out there in the world who share your vision. She gets it!
My daughter loves the library as much as I do. She begs to go, albiet at odd times, or extremely busy times.
Saturday, we went to the library. I had two books that I wanted to get, of course they weren't in our library, so they needed to be reserved. I think that is the mark of a good library. The books are being checked out, people are reading them, people are taking them home. They will call when they come in. Which will give me the excuse to go to the library! The children and parents section is being renovated so, the temporary HQ for that department is in the hall of a local small church. We went to the main part of the library first, then we hopped in the car and went to the CAPS section at the church. Cassidy had a tough time wrapping her head around the fact that the room was small, and that they didn't have all of the books on shelves. I think it bothered her to know that this was a reality in some places. But then she just accepted that it is what it is, and this too shall pass. When the Children's and Parents section is finished, it will be a whole new world for her again. She will have to learn the new design and will have to take it all in and enjoy it!
What a beautiful way to spend a morning with my daughter, and guess what? The only thing it costs is time. People spend so much money on books, on book clubs and such. THere is a treasure right in your own town...use it....enjoy it....savor it! DOn't let the electronic age take it all away, it is a part of you, and your community!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Life as I know it
A freind wrote on Facebook today. He said that we need to not forget that our parents were people before they met us. That they had lives before we came along. I have been feeling that too lately. That, as a parent, I have put my children and their needs and their hopes and dreams first. Seriously though, a little selfish part of me sometimes eeks out and a tiny voice says:" What about me?" There are times that I feel bad about that little voice, that it doesn't belong in the world that I have carved out with my husband and my family. Most times it doesn't eek out, most times, I don't do anything for just me, aside from an occasional book from the library, or a lazy day. When I do those little things, I feel good, they don't cost a lot, they take a little time for me, and I get a little reward for me. I am not one of those people who need to run out and spend a ton of money on clothing that I won't wear all of the time. I don't need an expensive pocketbook, or tons of electronic devices. I just need to pay the bills and enjoy the little things.
And yet, that little voice says its piece every so often. I sometimes remember that once in my life, I was only concerned with myself. That seems like more than a hundred years ago. I am fine with it all, knowing that I gave up being selfish and traded it for being selfless. Not a bad trade off. I find things that I do rewarding and enjoy the small rewards. SO, do I regret that I don't have more stuff? NOPE. Do I want more stuff? NOPE. My hopes rest with my children. I want them to realize their dreams, no matter what they are. No matter how big, or how small. They are my proudest accomplishment, they are most important in my world right now. WHen they go out on their won, they will be less in the forefront of my world, and perhaps I can be a little more selfish. That is what will and should happen.
But still, the children and the life that I have with my husband will be my proudest accomplishments.
And yet, that little voice says its piece every so often. I sometimes remember that once in my life, I was only concerned with myself. That seems like more than a hundred years ago. I am fine with it all, knowing that I gave up being selfish and traded it for being selfless. Not a bad trade off. I find things that I do rewarding and enjoy the small rewards. SO, do I regret that I don't have more stuff? NOPE. Do I want more stuff? NOPE. My hopes rest with my children. I want them to realize their dreams, no matter what they are. No matter how big, or how small. They are my proudest accomplishment, they are most important in my world right now. WHen they go out on their won, they will be less in the forefront of my world, and perhaps I can be a little more selfish. That is what will and should happen.
But still, the children and the life that I have with my husband will be my proudest accomplishments.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Life and Looking back
Why is it that when we look back at our lives we think that things were easier. At the time, I can almost bet my bottom dollar that it wasn't easy for us. We think that life was so simple when we were in high school. Maybe we think back to a time when we were working at our first job, was that easier? Hindsight, the powers that be, say, is 20/20. I beleive that is true.
When I look back at high school, it was easier. No responsibility, except homework. My biggest responsibility was that I had to cook dinner for my parents and myself once a week. The cooking and the prepping was the responsibility. The planning, the shopping, the defrosting, the recipie, that was all on my mother's shoulders. While she was at work, I had to come home at around 2pm, and finish my homework. I had to vaccuum, do any dishes that were in the sink, and once a week get dinner in the oven. POOF! Then my time was my own.
I went to a friend's, I went to the library, I journaled. That is all. I watched TV. My friends would have us all over on a Friday or a Saturday. We would "play records" or cassette tapes. We would eat chips and pretzyls, we would hang out and talk, dance and sing, act foolish drink soda and laugh some more.
The stress came in to being accepted by those who were doing the inviting. When we were going thru it, it seemed so important to have friends, boyfriends or girlfriends, to have places to go, to know people when you walked in the door of these places(bowling alley, roller rink, movies etc)
Yes, it was simple, yes, there was no responsibility but really, can you remember that pressure to be accepted, to be liked? Can you remember how it felt that you were left out of the prom? or worse, the lunch table? I would love to live it all over again, knowing that it isn't all that important to know you have a date to the prom, or that you were accepted by the right crowd.
My friends and I weren't the most popular people in the world, but we were popular to each other. We enjoyed everyone in our group, and I can say that they are still the most important people, outside of my family, in my life.
I know that at a drop of the hat, one or all of them will be here to keep me sane. I have lived it, and I know it. Even if they can't be here in person, just that phone call or text is all that is needed to know that they are still "there!"
Yes, the pressures of being an adult is more stressful, but my point is that in any situation we face, that moment is the most stressful moment that we will ever know. When it is gone, it is gone, over and done. The next situation becomes the "it" moment, and so on and so on.
SO to say that life was simple and that there was no stress, is a falicy. Remember that at that moment, at the very second that the situation needed to be faced, it was rough, it was tough, it was stressful, but somehow, some way, the "other side" was reached. And onward and upward we moved.
When I look back at high school, it was easier. No responsibility, except homework. My biggest responsibility was that I had to cook dinner for my parents and myself once a week. The cooking and the prepping was the responsibility. The planning, the shopping, the defrosting, the recipie, that was all on my mother's shoulders. While she was at work, I had to come home at around 2pm, and finish my homework. I had to vaccuum, do any dishes that were in the sink, and once a week get dinner in the oven. POOF! Then my time was my own.
I went to a friend's, I went to the library, I journaled. That is all. I watched TV. My friends would have us all over on a Friday or a Saturday. We would "play records" or cassette tapes. We would eat chips and pretzyls, we would hang out and talk, dance and sing, act foolish drink soda and laugh some more.
The stress came in to being accepted by those who were doing the inviting. When we were going thru it, it seemed so important to have friends, boyfriends or girlfriends, to have places to go, to know people when you walked in the door of these places(bowling alley, roller rink, movies etc)
Yes, it was simple, yes, there was no responsibility but really, can you remember that pressure to be accepted, to be liked? Can you remember how it felt that you were left out of the prom? or worse, the lunch table? I would love to live it all over again, knowing that it isn't all that important to know you have a date to the prom, or that you were accepted by the right crowd.
My friends and I weren't the most popular people in the world, but we were popular to each other. We enjoyed everyone in our group, and I can say that they are still the most important people, outside of my family, in my life.
I know that at a drop of the hat, one or all of them will be here to keep me sane. I have lived it, and I know it. Even if they can't be here in person, just that phone call or text is all that is needed to know that they are still "there!"
Yes, the pressures of being an adult is more stressful, but my point is that in any situation we face, that moment is the most stressful moment that we will ever know. When it is gone, it is gone, over and done. The next situation becomes the "it" moment, and so on and so on.
SO to say that life was simple and that there was no stress, is a falicy. Remember that at that moment, at the very second that the situation needed to be faced, it was rough, it was tough, it was stressful, but somehow, some way, the "other side" was reached. And onward and upward we moved.
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Anohter Day, Another Storm?
Today is another gloomy day weather wise, here on Long Island. A little bit of a busy day, the oldest one has work for a few hours, then he and his girlfriend are going to a graduation party for someone that graduated mid year from their high school. My middle one has a wrestling tournament, which he is wrestling in, it is the leagues....so it will be crowded and busy. I have to work the consession stand at 3:30 thru 7:30. My daughter, she has nothing, so far, planned. My husband and I will go to the tourney for a little while, to at least see our son wrestle...or we would hope to see him wrestle....my husband gets bored at these things....so maybe I will take my own car.
We were supposed to get more snow and ice over night, but we didn't. It is gloomy though, and now on the south shore we are supposed to get rain. I hope that it is a good soaking rain...one that causes puddles, and water to run down the street, looking like a stream. Thne some of the snowpiles will get smaller. So, on Tuesday and maybe Thursday, more winter weather. It really never seems to end. I am just hoping to have more of this weather miss us again! I need a break. I guess you could say it is the winter doldrums...the blues, cabin fever. I don't know quite how to describe it. It is affecting my husband too. He is quiet, and gets annoyed very easily. That is usually a sign that something is bothering him. He says it is the weather.
Here's hoping that in your neck of the woods, things are better! I hear that in Cliff's neck of the woods, there isn't nearly as much snow.....I know we have more than some parts of Alaska.
We were supposed to get more snow and ice over night, but we didn't. It is gloomy though, and now on the south shore we are supposed to get rain. I hope that it is a good soaking rain...one that causes puddles, and water to run down the street, looking like a stream. Thne some of the snowpiles will get smaller. So, on Tuesday and maybe Thursday, more winter weather. It really never seems to end. I am just hoping to have more of this weather miss us again! I need a break. I guess you could say it is the winter doldrums...the blues, cabin fever. I don't know quite how to describe it. It is affecting my husband too. He is quiet, and gets annoyed very easily. That is usually a sign that something is bothering him. He says it is the weather.
Here's hoping that in your neck of the woods, things are better! I hear that in Cliff's neck of the woods, there isn't nearly as much snow.....I know we have more than some parts of Alaska.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
SNOW
This has been the winter of the SNOW. It started 2 days after Christmas, and continued, with more snow storms every week since. We have had 6 snow storms! December 27th was a BLIZZARD....ok, but what were the storms following? They didn't have the sustained winds to be called BLIZZARDS. If I look out of my window right now, the snow is almost up to the top of the 4 foot stockade on the side yard! It is at least half-way up the back fence, and our driveway looks almost like a canyon. Many parking lots have piles so high that they don't have anywhere to put any more. We had a "dusting" last night...about an inch maybe two. I have had enough! Now they are prediciting more for TUESDAY, int WEDNESDAY. We here on Long Island have more snow than parts of Alaska! Yesterday it was colder here than in Montanna! Where is this Global warming that we have been hearing of? I just want to know.
Sorry, folks, I am complaining. I am moaning and I am groaning! This is starting to affect my mood. More than I ever realized that it could!
Well, that is my rant for now.....sorry to do it folks, sorry to have you hear my baloney.....just wanted you all to know what is going on around here! Enjoy your weekend!
Sorry, folks, I am complaining. I am moaning and I am groaning! This is starting to affect my mood. More than I ever realized that it could!
Well, that is my rant for now.....sorry to do it folks, sorry to have you hear my baloney.....just wanted you all to know what is going on around here! Enjoy your weekend!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Some Pictures
Taken on Senior Night: Patchogue Medford HS 9/10
Taken at Wildwood State Park October 2010
Taken at the Curb Market in Hendersonville NC 11/10
Monday, January 24, 2011
Life Moves, Life changes
Hello out there in Blog land!
Not sure if many of you still follow my blog, as I haven't been writing in a long long time. Things here are moving along, as life always does. My oldest will graduate from HS in June, and it is a sad and happy time for both of us. Mommie keeps looking at him and wondering where the years have escaped to, and why they went so fast. I am so overwhelmingly proud of him, that he will be accomplishing this major milestone, but so overwhelmingly sad that he won't be my little boy anylonger. He is starting to feel it too. He knows that the security of being in high school will be behind him, but the promise of all that life has to offer will be in front of him.
But that is something he must figure out for himself. He has to grow and be. He will learn responsiblity and how to function as a "real" person. He will balance school and work, home and school, and be an independent studier on his own. (He is attending the local Community College in the fall) He will get a taste of college life, and still have the security of home. He will forge new relationships and relate to people who don't share the same community.
SO, yes, it is bittersweet, he will say good bye to some friends, and make new ones, he will leave behind things that he loved, but he will also discover new things to love, and I hope with an open mind!
More to come on this subject, I am just feeling just a little blue about my "baby" growing up!
Not sure if many of you still follow my blog, as I haven't been writing in a long long time. Things here are moving along, as life always does. My oldest will graduate from HS in June, and it is a sad and happy time for both of us. Mommie keeps looking at him and wondering where the years have escaped to, and why they went so fast. I am so overwhelmingly proud of him, that he will be accomplishing this major milestone, but so overwhelmingly sad that he won't be my little boy anylonger. He is starting to feel it too. He knows that the security of being in high school will be behind him, but the promise of all that life has to offer will be in front of him.
But that is something he must figure out for himself. He has to grow and be. He will learn responsiblity and how to function as a "real" person. He will balance school and work, home and school, and be an independent studier on his own. (He is attending the local Community College in the fall) He will get a taste of college life, and still have the security of home. He will forge new relationships and relate to people who don't share the same community.
SO, yes, it is bittersweet, he will say good bye to some friends, and make new ones, he will leave behind things that he loved, but he will also discover new things to love, and I hope with an open mind!
More to come on this subject, I am just feeling just a little blue about my "baby" growing up!
Friday, January 29, 2010
More Musings on my Hometown...
It is true. I am a Patchogian. Something about this town, this place has kept me here. It is home. I have pride in the history of this place. I was born right here and lived most of my life here. I used to think it was a Long Island thing, but now, with the wisdom that comes with years of experience, I know it is a Patchogue thing.
I enjoy the fact that I talk to my kids about growing up here. I love the fact that I grew up in a neighborhood. I think it is wonderful that I am still friends, with the girl that I have known since I was born. We grew up across the street from one another and still live no more than a mile away from each other. It is a great thing that we are on the "Emergency Contact" lists for our children's schools.
I miss Sweezy's, for housewares, baby gifts, for the creak of the floors in the building on the Four Corners. Heck, I miss the Four Corners. (That is another story though) I used to love Sunday "window shopping" with my friends...... way back when, stores weren't open on Sundays.
I miss the old Finast Supermarket on the corner of Phyllis Drive and East Main Street, the Plaza Theater, with its Art deco lobby, chrome, brass, and marble floors, etched glass and all. I hate to see it in the ruined state it stands in now.
I couldn't tell you how many movies we saw there as kids and teens.
I try to show my kids the landmarks. The old library, it's move from Lake Street to Main Street, occupying the old Grant's Store, Reese's Pub, THe Brickhouse Brewery, telling them the origins of the buildings. I walk the L Dock, oh, excuse me, "The Mascot Dock," in winter and spring. I love Shorefront Park. St Joseph's College, the old Seton Hall, I try to have the kids picture it as it was. I talk about the Lace Mill, in its heyday and in its state of ruin, before Sweezy's built the new building. I still call Rt 112, Medford Avenue. I call Main Street, "The VIllage." I explain that if we wanted to go ice skating, we went to "the cove" at Lakewood Street. If we went to the CIty, (Manhattan) we took the train from Patchogue Station, changed at Jamaica, (not Babylon, as it is now) and then on to fun and adventure. The Junior High(oops, Middle School) that they attended (Saxton) was the High School. My sisters graduated from there, my brother in law played football there.........that their Grandmother (my husband's Mom) graduated from there too. I show them the places where the Sunrise Highway used to have traffic lights, not service roads. I tell them the stories that a "day trip" to Patchogue, from points East, was a big deal. It meant that you were going for supplies and school clothes that couldn't be made at home. Patchogue was THE place to get anything that you needed, wanted or could imagine.
I want them to know what was in the town where they grew up. I want to instill pride in them for where they lived their childhood. No matter where they wind up, no matter what road takes them near or far from this place, I want them to know it was a great place, a good place, an historic place, that it was home.
I want them to feel that they come from a place that is not blackened by blight and empty stores. The reputation of our town has suffered in recent years and that saddens me, it frightens me that as a community we have a cloud hanging over our heads, that my children may be looked at in dispairaging ways because of where they come from. They come from a place with good history too They should be grounded in this place and know that it was a good place to call "HOME."
I enjoy the fact that I talk to my kids about growing up here. I love the fact that I grew up in a neighborhood. I think it is wonderful that I am still friends, with the girl that I have known since I was born. We grew up across the street from one another and still live no more than a mile away from each other. It is a great thing that we are on the "Emergency Contact" lists for our children's schools.
I miss Sweezy's, for housewares, baby gifts, for the creak of the floors in the building on the Four Corners. Heck, I miss the Four Corners. (That is another story though) I used to love Sunday "window shopping" with my friends...... way back when, stores weren't open on Sundays.
I miss the old Finast Supermarket on the corner of Phyllis Drive and East Main Street, the Plaza Theater, with its Art deco lobby, chrome, brass, and marble floors, etched glass and all. I hate to see it in the ruined state it stands in now.
I couldn't tell you how many movies we saw there as kids and teens.
I try to show my kids the landmarks. The old library, it's move from Lake Street to Main Street, occupying the old Grant's Store, Reese's Pub, THe Brickhouse Brewery, telling them the origins of the buildings. I walk the L Dock, oh, excuse me, "The Mascot Dock," in winter and spring. I love Shorefront Park. St Joseph's College, the old Seton Hall, I try to have the kids picture it as it was. I talk about the Lace Mill, in its heyday and in its state of ruin, before Sweezy's built the new building. I still call Rt 112, Medford Avenue. I call Main Street, "The VIllage." I explain that if we wanted to go ice skating, we went to "the cove" at Lakewood Street. If we went to the CIty, (Manhattan) we took the train from Patchogue Station, changed at Jamaica, (not Babylon, as it is now) and then on to fun and adventure. The Junior High(oops, Middle School) that they attended (Saxton) was the High School. My sisters graduated from there, my brother in law played football there.........that their Grandmother (my husband's Mom) graduated from there too. I show them the places where the Sunrise Highway used to have traffic lights, not service roads. I tell them the stories that a "day trip" to Patchogue, from points East, was a big deal. It meant that you were going for supplies and school clothes that couldn't be made at home. Patchogue was THE place to get anything that you needed, wanted or could imagine.
I want them to know what was in the town where they grew up. I want to instill pride in them for where they lived their childhood. No matter where they wind up, no matter what road takes them near or far from this place, I want them to know it was a great place, a good place, an historic place, that it was home.
I want them to feel that they come from a place that is not blackened by blight and empty stores. The reputation of our town has suffered in recent years and that saddens me, it frightens me that as a community we have a cloud hanging over our heads, that my children may be looked at in dispairaging ways because of where they come from. They come from a place with good history too They should be grounded in this place and know that it was a good place to call "HOME."
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Weather and Stuff
The deep freeze is upon us here on Long Island. It is early this year. It is bad this year. I am hoping that this will be it this year. I don't know what happened, I am usually the one that is able to be extra warm in a tee shirt and shorts. I was always able to be comfy cozy in a tee shirt and jeans in sub zero weather. I would wear my coat in the great outdoors. I would wear a sweatshirt underneath the coat when necessary. As soon as I would colose the door on the front of the house, I would peel the layers off and be comfortable. This winter, I am so uncomfortable that I am walking around in a sweatshirt witht he hear up to 70 in the house, and still shivering. I feel as if I am an old lady saying, "It is soo cold, somebody get a blanket!" Maybe the weather change was just too drastic, maybe we went from comfortable to frozen in a split second, and my body didn't get that time to adjust to the droping temps. I don't know. Strange, but true! I still need to "Undecorate" the outside of the house.....I just don't want to face the prospect of being outdoors for too long! I keep looking out of the front window and seeing the Christmas tree on the porch. (Not the one that Santa leaves presents under, but the one that I deco for fun!) I know it is only steps from the front door, that I can do it for a while and run indoors to get warm, then crack the whip and do it all over again. I spent the last two days pulling down decos inside, and replacing them with my regular stuff. The house looks strangely empty. I think it is time to buy some picture hooks and hang some pictures, quickly!
The folks that I sympathize with are those living in Florida. They are never used to freezing temps. Some of them are warming up cars before going to work in the morning! Florida, where folks go to "winter!"
Sorry if I don't write anything for a few days, my fingers may freeze to the keys, or my feet may freeze to the ceramic tile in the kitchen and I will be stuck there!
The folks that I sympathize with are those living in Florida. They are never used to freezing temps. Some of them are warming up cars before going to work in the morning! Florida, where folks go to "winter!"
Sorry if I don't write anything for a few days, my fingers may freeze to the keys, or my feet may freeze to the ceramic tile in the kitchen and I will be stuck there!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Happy New Year
Wishing all a Happy New Year! May this aproaching new year be all that you hope, all that you dream, and all that you want it to be! Hopefully you won't or don't have any regrets about the passing year, it isn't worth it, let it go at the last stroke of midnight. Lie each new day to the fullest! Enjoy! For those of you going out on the town tonite, please be careful. Be Safe! Love to you all!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The BIG Snow 12/20/09
Well, we had more than our fair share of snow last night. We got over two, yes, two, feet! I SAID TWO FEET! The kids were excited, especially the 8 year old! Scott went ot his job to start the clearing process. I thought my friends across this great land would love to see it all ! SO enjoy the pictures, imagine that we are hitting the freezing mark and below, think warm!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Baking
It is that time of year again! I am baking! The kids are excited, I am enjoying it, and have been at it for three days! I made two batches of cookies on Friday, three on Saturday, and two today, SUnday. THrow into the mx that Patrick had to work this morning, Daniel had an away wrestling tourney, and had to be at the school at 6, yes I said 6 am on Saturday, after not getting back there until 11pm on Friday night! Cassidy and I decorated our Gingerbread house on Saturday, and I ran to the grocery store on Saturday to get more suplies for the cookies! I have 4 more batches of cookies to bake, I am making a couple of new ones this year, and am saving them for last, just in case they tank! I will be making my mother's apple walnut cake for Christmas day, which is time consuming, to say the least, but a joy to bake as it evokes memories of Christmases past! The photos that appear above were taken 12/12/09. They are with Cassidy and the Gingerbread house, and of her baking her special applesauce cookies.
Monday, December 07, 2009
These were taken on our trip to the Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm. (Thanksgiving Weekend) It is located in Mattituck Long Island, NY. (about a 40 minute ride from our house) We had a great time, and Cassidy wants to go again next year! The only thing we missed was Santa, which I am a little sad about, but it couldn't be helped. We had a Christening to go to in the afternoon, so we went to get a tree in the morning! Danny wasn't with us, he spent the night before at a friend's house. We wound up buying a pre cut tree, it was the type of tree that we likes, the ones in the field were a little too FUZZY for us, they looked more like bushes than Christmas trees. SO we have our tree, and are awaiting the time to bring it inside, we don't want it to dry out too quickly! It is in water in the back yard! That is a fun project for me, rigging the lights, and decorating the tree. Everyone always volunteers to help, but then as the process befings they all run away! ( Scott enlists the boys' help to actually put the tree up, in the stand.)
I will post pics when we are finished decoing the house!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
This one is for you CLiff!
These were a few of the Tractors that were in the Christmas Parade in my hometown of Patchogue, LI, New York. I thought that Cliff would appreciate them! Especially the one at the top of the page!Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The bottom photo is our Xmas card this year! We took the photos over the weekend. The boys are less than thrilled to have (yes HAVE) to do this, but we did it last year, and are doing it again this year! We don't go to studios to have a family portrait done, so I set up the camera on the front lawn and set the timer. I run like the wind(Oh, yeah, a slow lazy breeze) and pop into the picture! They make fun of me running across the lawn, and we all hope that the neighbors don't see!
Happy Thanksgiving to all! I hope that you spend it with those you love! Friends or family, doesn't matter, enjoy!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Emotions, Taking Me Over....................
Today I read a column in my local paper. Something popped out at me from the column, just stood there frozen, and really made me think. The column was written by a man that wrote a column for this paper for a number of years. He moved recently, and the paper lost that column. Our community lost an observer, a tale teller, a man who collected wisdoms. I used to read his column every week. Now he and I are "friends" on Facebook. Recently, he lost his Dad, and is now going thru some medical problems with his mother. He wrote about losing his Father, and not being able to grieve because of his cirumstances with his mother. It touched me. It froze me in time. It threw me backwards, to when my Dad passed away. I was pregnant with my last child; I was eight months pregnant to be exact. I didn't have time to grieve, I held it back. I had to prepare for the comming baby....I had little boys to care for, I had to go to work. There are times, eight years later, that I am triggered to tears by an event, a scent, a memory, a taste, a song......I still grieve for both my parents. I still ache that they are gone.
Recently, as recently as the past five days, I have been ill with a bug. SO ill that I don't ever remember being this way ever. The first few days, I found myself crying, hysterically, wanting my mother to take care of me, to make me chicken soup, to put a cool cloth on my forehead, to just sit with me. But, all the while, knowing, she wasn't able to, she isn't here. Which made me cry even harder.
I guess that is greif, it sneaks up on you, when you least expect it, when you need it not to, when you can't really handle it, when your kids are watching. I think that bothers me the most, that my kids see me in hysterics, that I am scared and vulnerable. I am supposed to help them, to protect them, to soothe them when they aren't well, and I can't even do that for myself. I guess my illness has made me feel open, raw, and too emotional for my own good! Too much time to think, too much time........
But that is that, I am getting well again, I am controling my emotions, in public, anyway. Just a tidbit form me to you, and a way to let you guys out there know that there are triggers waiting for you, to let you feel and heal.
Recently, as recently as the past five days, I have been ill with a bug. SO ill that I don't ever remember being this way ever. The first few days, I found myself crying, hysterically, wanting my mother to take care of me, to make me chicken soup, to put a cool cloth on my forehead, to just sit with me. But, all the while, knowing, she wasn't able to, she isn't here. Which made me cry even harder.
I guess that is greif, it sneaks up on you, when you least expect it, when you need it not to, when you can't really handle it, when your kids are watching. I think that bothers me the most, that my kids see me in hysterics, that I am scared and vulnerable. I am supposed to help them, to protect them, to soothe them when they aren't well, and I can't even do that for myself. I guess my illness has made me feel open, raw, and too emotional for my own good! Too much time to think, too much time........
But that is that, I am getting well again, I am controling my emotions, in public, anyway. Just a tidbit form me to you, and a way to let you guys out there know that there are triggers waiting for you, to let you feel and heal.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Cooking
Cooking.......the word itself, is simple, however it brings fear and hopelessness to some folks. How is it that the task that brings the most love to our homes is the most hated and difficult task for some people? I never found it hard. I was told what to do and I did it. I didn't take courses, I didn't have to go to an adult ed offering to learn how to boil a pot of pasta. I knew what chopped meat looked like, and the difference between a breast and a thigh in the poultry section. My first turkey, yes, I wil admit, I needed a little guidance, it was big, and a little overwhelming. Somehow, someway, I conquered it....no ovens on fire, no blowups(foodwise) no tears, no complaints. I have had some experimental dishes go awry, and those we don't even try again. I have had great success with a few dishes, and even then, I have made mistakes.
I don't understand the mentality of some moms that feel that cooking wastes time with their children. I spend time cooking in the kitchen while my children are sitting at the table doing their homework. We talk about things that they need to talk about, that I have questions about and anything in between. When dinner is prepared, we set the table, everyone has a job, one sets up the plates, one has the napkins, and one puts out the condiments, or "extras" that we need. We all sit together and continue talking about our day. Then clean up is again a collective effort. Time wasted? I think not.
Through cooking, we have created responsibiltiy, conversation, a sense of loving home. Many of my best memories are surrounded by dinners and cooking them. It is important to have those memories. I try not to chase the kids from the kitchen, sometimes it is inevitable, especially when the hungry teenagers are hanging around willing the dishes to be done.
I think that it is important to sit at the Table or gathered somewhere as a family to have a meal, at least one meal together. Did you hear me? TOGETHER! Not this one grabs a plate, that one grabs a plate, and they rush off with it full of food to their "corners." My children genuinely love one another. They don't fight often, and when they do they resolve it. No real rivalry surfaces. They accept one another and give each other space. THey share some interests, and differ on others.
We stress the importance of getting to know one another, to accepting that we are different, but always to be there for each other. THe boys, while they appear different, are very close. My oldest says that people can't believe how colse they are.........that when he first said it, made me feel very proud. I never wanted them to feel that they were pitted against each other, that they were vying for my or my husband's attention. I didn't want anyone to feel that there was a favorite among them. They are all my favorite, and for different reasons. They are a piece of me, and have pieces of me, pieces of my husband and pieces of each of our families.
SO, Cooking? I say cook. Even if you feel that you are not good at it.....make burgers on the grill. Make spaghetti and a jar of sauce, make a salad with everything! Simple finger foods for the SUnday football game,Boxed mac and cheese, a salad and hot dogs......kid food, and everyone can help Your kids will remember the time, not always the food. It isn't what is on the table, it is who surrounds the table that counts. If you are that concerned about your skills, go ahead, take those adult ed courses, but COOK. It will change your family life, it will enrich it. Trust me.
I don't understand the mentality of some moms that feel that cooking wastes time with their children. I spend time cooking in the kitchen while my children are sitting at the table doing their homework. We talk about things that they need to talk about, that I have questions about and anything in between. When dinner is prepared, we set the table, everyone has a job, one sets up the plates, one has the napkins, and one puts out the condiments, or "extras" that we need. We all sit together and continue talking about our day. Then clean up is again a collective effort. Time wasted? I think not.
Through cooking, we have created responsibiltiy, conversation, a sense of loving home. Many of my best memories are surrounded by dinners and cooking them. It is important to have those memories. I try not to chase the kids from the kitchen, sometimes it is inevitable, especially when the hungry teenagers are hanging around willing the dishes to be done.
I think that it is important to sit at the Table or gathered somewhere as a family to have a meal, at least one meal together. Did you hear me? TOGETHER! Not this one grabs a plate, that one grabs a plate, and they rush off with it full of food to their "corners." My children genuinely love one another. They don't fight often, and when they do they resolve it. No real rivalry surfaces. They accept one another and give each other space. THey share some interests, and differ on others.
We stress the importance of getting to know one another, to accepting that we are different, but always to be there for each other. THe boys, while they appear different, are very close. My oldest says that people can't believe how colse they are.........that when he first said it, made me feel very proud. I never wanted them to feel that they were pitted against each other, that they were vying for my or my husband's attention. I didn't want anyone to feel that there was a favorite among them. They are all my favorite, and for different reasons. They are a piece of me, and have pieces of me, pieces of my husband and pieces of each of our families.
SO, Cooking? I say cook. Even if you feel that you are not good at it.....make burgers on the grill. Make spaghetti and a jar of sauce, make a salad with everything! Simple finger foods for the SUnday football game,Boxed mac and cheese, a salad and hot dogs......kid food, and everyone can help Your kids will remember the time, not always the food. It isn't what is on the table, it is who surrounds the table that counts. If you are that concerned about your skills, go ahead, take those adult ed courses, but COOK. It will change your family life, it will enrich it. Trust me.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Today's Memory
Sitting here. Thinking. Inhaling the intoxicating aroma of a roast beef in the oven. Loving the warmth that I am feeling as a result. What is it about our sense of smell that allows us to be comforted. I love the smell of roast beef, a chicken roasting, pork loin. It reminds me of "Sunday Dinner." Remember "Sunday Dinner?" Family, extended family a friend here or there, gathered around the table in the middle of the afternoon, an abundance of conversation, an abundance of old stories, new news, just stuff. Food platters and bowls being passed, refilled and passed again. It didn't matter if it was dinner for 3 or dinner for 30, it was comforting to be in the kitchen, surrounded by the heat of the oven and the warmth of the love that went into the preparation of the dinner. My Dad would mash the potatoes and carve the roast, my Mom did all of the preparation. She used to make a sauce for the cauliflower that she called "Hollandaise" sauce. It wasn't the Hollandaise that we know from the TOP CHEF tv show, but it was a white sauce finished with paprika on top. Cauliflower steamed whole, (or done in pressure cooker as my mother did) put into a serving bowl whole, sauce poured over the top and sprinkled with paprika. I watched her make that sauce a million times, but can't duplicate it, I have tried a couple of times but it doesn't taste the same.....weird what we remember, huh?
I know people who can't make a simple gravy, they open a jar or a can. UGH! Gravy is one of the most simple sauces to make. I can make a gravy on the fly when I need to, and ot thicken it, no problem! Personally, I will eat meat dry if the gravy isn't home made! And Mashed potatoes, don't open the box, that is scary! I like mine with butter and milk, no fuss no muss, just blend them in with the mixer. (Dad used to do it by hand with an old fashioned potato masher, he hated it when someone used a mixer!) I do the mixer, hubby doesn't like too many lumps in his potatoes.
Dessert was either brought by a guest, or my mom would make something. There were times when an Entemann's Cake was bought at the supermarket the day before, cause the supermarkets were closed on Sundays.......But mostly, the desserts were from a bakery (courtesy of the guest) or from my mother's oven. Dessert would push your stomach over the edge, it would top off the meal, but push you past the point of full. Then the massive cleanup would begin, one person washing the dishes, pots, pans, serving platters, serving utensils, dessert plates and utensils, and another drying all of it. All the while, my mother protesting and telling us to leave it, she would do it, although she wanted me to help, so usually I would wash.
My Dad would be asleep on the couch or in his favorite chair, neices and nephews running around, tv blaring, and my mother playing hovercraft while we washed and dried. Leftovers bagged, put in containers, offered to company, before the microwave, by the way. Desserts packed up, room found in the fridge, and then when it was all done, my mother offering to make another pot of coffee, or cup of tea, so that we could "finish off that dessert, we don't need it here!"
Well, that is a thought or a memory from me to you for today. HOpe it took you back to where I was a little while ago! Happy SUnday Dinner everyone!
I know people who can't make a simple gravy, they open a jar or a can. UGH! Gravy is one of the most simple sauces to make. I can make a gravy on the fly when I need to, and ot thicken it, no problem! Personally, I will eat meat dry if the gravy isn't home made! And Mashed potatoes, don't open the box, that is scary! I like mine with butter and milk, no fuss no muss, just blend them in with the mixer. (Dad used to do it by hand with an old fashioned potato masher, he hated it when someone used a mixer!) I do the mixer, hubby doesn't like too many lumps in his potatoes.
Dessert was either brought by a guest, or my mom would make something. There were times when an Entemann's Cake was bought at the supermarket the day before, cause the supermarkets were closed on Sundays.......But mostly, the desserts were from a bakery (courtesy of the guest) or from my mother's oven. Dessert would push your stomach over the edge, it would top off the meal, but push you past the point of full. Then the massive cleanup would begin, one person washing the dishes, pots, pans, serving platters, serving utensils, dessert plates and utensils, and another drying all of it. All the while, my mother protesting and telling us to leave it, she would do it, although she wanted me to help, so usually I would wash.
My Dad would be asleep on the couch or in his favorite chair, neices and nephews running around, tv blaring, and my mother playing hovercraft while we washed and dried. Leftovers bagged, put in containers, offered to company, before the microwave, by the way. Desserts packed up, room found in the fridge, and then when it was all done, my mother offering to make another pot of coffee, or cup of tea, so that we could "finish off that dessert, we don't need it here!"
Well, that is a thought or a memory from me to you for today. HOpe it took you back to where I was a little while ago! Happy SUnday Dinner everyone!
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