Happy New Year!

I wish all of you that read my blog a happy, healthy, and very prosperous New Year in 2009!!

Much Love!

Wendy

New Year's Resolutions

The definition of a “resolution” can be quite in depth. For most people’s purposes, they are simple or major changes, or goals, we have to do at the end of every year in which something good should be the result. To many of us, that might include lose weight, stop smoking, eat better, exercise more, etc. There are those too, who decide that perhaps they need to better themselves in other ways. For example, there are some who feel they need to call mom more, spend more time helping make money for charity, learn to play chess, learn to speak french etc. Consequently, resolutions vary.

The common thread for all resolutions is that they are typically broken, and usually within a very short amount of time. Oh sure, we decided that diet was a must, and that we finally felt ready to tackle that extra 25 pounds, but by the end of January (if we make it that far), the diet was cast aside. Poof, the resolution to shed those pounds all gone. So are resolutions just rituals?

For most of us, the answer is yes. For others, it truly is a way of taking a good hard look at ourselves and deciding changes have to be made. Whether it is to make a change for the good of our health, or the good of others, resolutions are made. Making them is the easy part. But perhaps it is all about the wording?

I used to make resolutions, but after many failures, I decided one year to only make goals. Yes, it’s the same damn thing, but the word “goal" is less threatening to me. In the end it worked. I also decided that my goals had to be more realistic. Making the goal to parachute out of a plane was not realistic. I am afraid of heights. In previous years, I had goals of learning more about cheeses, making my own pasta, making sushi, and all goals were met head on and completed! I once even had the goal of learning more about the various martinis and how to make them. NOW that was a resolution worth keeping!

This year my goals are simple again, and realistic.

*Finish my Masters in Nursing Education degree!
*Do some traveling (perhaps a cruise?)
*Learn and speak more Spanish (it is inevitable)

I’m no expert on making and keeping resolutions or goals, but I do know that once you have decided you are ready to make that New Year's resolution and stick to it, you need to develop a plan of action and make that plan a priority. One of the most important secrets to keeping those New Year's resolutions is to take the process of change one day at a time. And it's OK to make big changes through taking small steps. If you can do just a little bit to get going, soon you'll feel the positive effects of the change. And that little bit of change can lead to long-term healthy habits that last far beyond New Year's Day.

Happy and Healthy New Year!

"New Year's is the only holiday that celebrates the passage of time. Perhaps that's why,
as the final seconds of the year tick away, we become introspective. Inevitably, that
introspection turns to thoughts of self-improvement and the annual ritual of making
resolutions, which offer the first of many important tools for remaking ourselves!"

- Gary Ryan Blair

Cheap Food, A Good Movie, and Family!

It will come to no surprise to you who know me, and know I feel about my kids being home, why I would share this blog entry. Daniel, took a spill, fell down a flight of stairs, and sustained soft tissue damage to his right foot! That was not good, but he is okay! Of course, he did this while out of state, and spent three hours in a local hospital ED in Rhode Island. Thankfully, Jim was with him. (Long story short, Daniel now is out of the dorms and Kelly’s (his number one and half) place and in his own place). He now has his own room in a house with five others, near campus. But, I digress.

Because Daniel has been trapped on the couch, foot up and iced, the four of us spent the day together yesterday watching a movie (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) and a variety of TV shows, and eating take-out Chinese, all of us in our jammies. NOW this is my kind of family day. My kids home, Jim home, cheap food I did not have to make, and good movies. It was fun. It was long overdue.

While I have shared before that I love my alone time with Jim, and my nice clean and organized empty nest, I do love time with my kids. It made my holidays a whole lot happier!

Now I have to go and do Daniel’s wash.

Catching up on Facebook!

A while back, I joined Facebook, primarily to see why my son and daughter thought it was so great. I had heard about these web sites where people converged to share themselves and other assorted things (like MySpace, etc). Initially I did not think too much of it, but at the time, I had a no friends, except my son (my daughter kept herself hidden), so I did not think it was that exciting, much less interesting. Then little by little, I stumbled across friends who were using it, and slowly my friend list expanded, I joined professional groups, and began sharing information, and now I am hooked!

I have hooked up with so many wonderful friends from my past and I love getting back in touch with them. I also love being able to share ideas and other things within my professional groups, as well. Facebook, not just for kids.

See ya there!

T'was the Days After Christmas....

In like lightening, the holidays come, and then over just as fast! So the meals are over, the dishes washed and put away, the Yankee Balsam candles are just about empty, and the tree is starting to loose its smell. The cookies are all gone (gift baggies for those heading out the door), the gifts are unwrapped and all put away, and new doggy toys are scattered about, the living room floor looks like hell. This was my holiday, now over and done. It was, as always a good one, filled with lots of family time, good food, and tons of laughs, the makings of new memories.

Caitlin and I will head to the mall so she can use her gift cards before heading back to Grenada, as Grenada has no idea that Victoria Secret exists! Dan and Jim have gone off to Rhode island to find Dan a new place to live, so the girls have the day to themselves! =) Next up; ringing in the new year!

Life is good.

No Thanks, I'm Full. Really.

Holy crap! I have eaten more rich foods in the past week, and I have one more night to go! Between the holiday parties, cookies, and rich foods that I normally do not eat, I feel bloated and toxic. Very toxic. More toxic than anything toxic you can think of.

Tonight we celebrate Chanukah with my sister and her family and while I LOVE her potato latkes, my stomach is already on full alert. I really do not have a weight issue, but after tonight, I am going on a full get rid of the toxins diet. (I have no real plan in mid except lots of water and healthier foods). The cookies will be all gone, and the cupboards empty of anything that says "Merry Christmas"!

The joys of holiday living! Pass the Alka Seltzer!

The Merging of Holidays, Cultures, and Food

Every year we celebrate Christmas and Chanukah. My sister converted to Judism years ago, so we have shared Chanukah with her and her family every year, and she continues to share Christmas with us. I love the idea of sharing the different customs between our families. We haved learned so much from my sister and her in-laws over the years about the Jewish culture, and I am blessed that they share their holidays with us.

This year was no exception and because the celebrations of the holidays overlapped, we have been spending a lot of time together. I'm happy. Good family, good frineds, my christmas ccokies, and my sister's potato latkes. This is what celebrations and good times with family are all about.

Traditions

Tradition means "handing over, passing on", and can be done through the sharing of customs or rites, orally or through practice. I have shared many traditions I had growing up through the holidays and how they have provided me with such wonderful memories.

Traditions start easily. Once you have children and you do something more than once, you're going to be doing it forever because the children come to expect it (a real tree with homemade ornaments). Many times traditions are started intentionally by parents who want to create family roots or stability. This was the case for Jim and I having started our family living overseas, so far from family. Traditions are usually something that is a little more special — something that's anticipated and that you're greatly disappointed if it doesn't happen (like not having that expected green bean casserole).

Traditions bring us together. They keep us whole. They provide us stability in this crazy world we are subject to at this time. I have spoken of grandparents and my dad that no longer exist. I have shared the various places we have lived and worked. Life hands us changes, many unexpected, but the traditions survive; they are made of love and longing for what we value, and so we hold them close and take them wherever we go. They are wonderfully portable, which has made them easy for us to take from place to place.

Traditions can be shared, borrowed, or transferred from one person to another. Sometimes you have to start one and wait for it to really grow. But, if well cared for and fostered, it can provide us with years of pleasure. At their best, traditions make us better; at the very least, they remind us how far we've come and how lucky we are.

Christmas Eve at MomMom and PopPop's House

When I was a little kid, actually from the time I was little until I was in college, we would all gather at my grandparent's house every Christmas Eve after church (The 7 pm candle light service) to celebrate not only Christmas Eve, but 3 family member's birthdays. My grandmother, my aunt, and my cousin were all born on Christmas, so not only did we eat traditional Christmas cookies to treat our sweet tooth, but each member had a special cake!

I loved going to church on Christmas Eve and being allowed (when I was little) to hold a real lit candle! (They finally let me hold one when I got to high school without constantly watching me). Our family was a large one so many of us ended up celebrating the service together, which certainly I can appreciate now more.

After church we would head to my grandparents, excited to open gifts, and share in sweet treats. The evening was long and tiresome, and we usually drove my parents nuts as we needed to get home to put out cookies for Santa. The drive home was always special as my parents would ensure to have us listen to the local radio station broadcasting the flight of Santa so we knew where he was and would not worry that we might not be there in time. (Thanks daddy and mommy).

I have so many fond memories of all the Christmas Eve's and I cherish them all. We know longer have a huge crowd, but I have certainly ensured my children have their own holiday memories with the family that means the most to me. I miss my MomMom and PopPop throughout the year at various times, but especially Christmas Eve.

Mommy's New Toy

Tis the season to treat myself to a new toy, before Santa arrives (Sorry Santa but Kohls had great sales and I had a 30% coupon). I have been desperately seeking out the steam mop made by Shark, but without much success. One of my dear friends Faith shared with me how much she loved her steam mop, and how effective it really cleaned her floors. So the hunt was on.

Until today I had been using those disposable floor pads and not only did they not clean that great (something I thought they did until today), but the smell annoyed me, and I worried about wet chemicals and litle paws meeting. And the cost was something I always thought of, as they were not cheap and with cleaning my floor as much as I do, the pennies added up!

I finally gave up on the Shark, and bought myself a Bissell Steam Mop. After one steam cleaning event, I could hardly believe the difference in my floors. What I thought were clean floors; well they were not, enuff said! UGH! I could not believe it. I am sold and happy with my new toy. I love my very clean floors! Thank you Faith!

Disaster Strikes!

Jim recently bought Caitlin a scanner so she is able to make copies of things she needs for school, thus saving her copying money. Upon trying to connect scanner to her laptop he got a prompt that he couldn't and would have to ensure all updates were in her computer. Now I am not sure of all the technical stuff, and I really do not care, however what did happen is that after she took the time to ensure ALL her data was backed up on an external hard drive and it was time to move things from the this back to the lap top, it erased everything! NO, I mean everything...all her hard work, saved work, very much need information for her next term , and her very much loved pictures of her dogs. (I'm not which was more important)

Jim is besides himself. Although none of this is his fault, he is taking it so hard and wishes he could turn the clock for his little girl. I feel horrible too. In fact, she is taking it better than I would have handled the situation.

I am so very hopeful that someone in the class ahead of her will share and share generously with her when she gets back to school.

As for the pictures, thankfully we all have pictures of her beloved pets...

I am so sorry Caitlin.

Hooked on a 17 year-old Vampire!

About 6 months ago, I began to hear about a series of books by Stephenie Meyer whose main character is a 17 year-old vampire who begins a romance with 17 year-old Bella Swan, who is not a vampire. I found myself wondering who was this Edward Cullen that many young girls were enthralled with all of a sudden? What was it about him, or the series of books that had everyone's attention?

So like most interested and nosey readers, I picked up the first book of the series called Twilight, and was imediately sucked into the book. Seriously. I was hooked and within two days inhaled and immensely enjoyed this book. I just began book two New Moon, and I have just about inahled it all today! I love the writing, the characters, and the way the story unfolds. I have never been a fan of vampire books, all though I did read Anne Rice's Lestat and did enjoy that book.

I'd write more about this new pre-occupation with vampire teens, but I have to get back to book two!

A Day in New York City!

The Rockettes as dolls!

The march of the wooden soldiers, my favorite!

Me, Jim, Josh, Jilly, and Caitlin

The tree!

There's so much to do and see in New York City, especially during the holidays. One of the things we like to do each year is to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall...I never tire watching all those legs dance as they do! I have always loved the Rockettes from the time I was a kid, and love them more each year. I have secretly always wanted to be a Rockette, despite my awkwardness, inflexibility, and poor leg design.

This year Caitlin and I decided to share this excursion with Jilly and Joshy, as they have never seen the show. I loved watching their faces as they watched the show! Before and after the show, we walked around the city, and were treated to a very snowy atmosphere, gorgeous windows, and a little bit of shopping. We had an awesome time, and only wished we had oodles more time, and even more dollars!

I love spending time with the kids.

Cold Weather, Hot Soup!

Pureed White Bean and Winter Squash Soup

This savory pale orange potage makes a comforting winter meal. White beans (and beans in general) are one of the best sources of fiber you can find and they’re a great source of protein as well.

1 pound white beans (such as navy beans, small white beans, or cannellini), washed, picked over and soaked for 6 hours o overnight in 2 quarts water
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 1/2 quarts water
A bouquet garni made with a bay leaf, a couple of sprigs each thyme and parsley, and 2 sage leaves
Salt to taste
2 leeks, white part only, well washed and chopped
1 pound winter squash, peeled, seeds and membranes removed, and diced
Freshly ground pepper to taste

For garnish:
Slivered fresh sage leaves
Garlic croutons (toast slices country bread or baguette, rub with a cut clove of garlic, and cut the toasted bread into cubes; optional)
A light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (optional)

1. Drain the beans. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot over medium heat and add the onion. Cook gently until tender, about 5 minutes, and add 2 of the garlic cloves and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir together for about 30 seconds, then add the drained beans and the water. Bring to a boil and skim off foam. Add the bouquet garni, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour.

2. Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in a wide, heavy skillet over medium heat and add the leeks and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook gently, stirring, until tender, about 3 minutes, and add the remaining garlic and the squash. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant and the squash is coated with oil and just beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir into the beans. Add salt to taste and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes to an hour, until the beans and vegetables are thoroughly tender and falling apart. Taste and adjust salt. Remove the bouquet garni.

3. Using an immersion blender or a food mill fitted with the fine or medium blade, puree the soup. Heat through, taste and adjust salt, and add pepper to taste. Serve, garnishing each bowl with slivered sage leaves, (optional) garlic croutons and an optional drizzle of olive oil.

Yield: Serves 6

Advance preparation: You can make this up to a day or two ahead and reheat. It will thicken. Thin out with water or stock if desired.
Approximate Nutritional Information per Serving: calories: 120

The Arrival of Santa!

This past weekend, Santa made his rounds on the fire truck, riding through the neighborhood, wishing us all a happy holiday, and providing us each with a candy cane (If you walked to the end of the driveway to say hello back, and of course I did!). I love the idea that towns still do this. What is it about the association of Santa and a fire truck?

When I was little, growing up in Allenhurst, Santa would come on the fire truck and give each of us a large holiday decorated brown paper bag filled with candy, fruit, and one large gift (nothing cheesy). I loved those days! We never had any clue who the Santa was being played by, nor did we care. Those days are long gone, and now a simple candy cane is tossed out to the kids, but how cool is it that the tradition of Santa on a fire truck still exists?

While living in Europe, Jim and I took the kids up to northern Germany to a British Air Force (on the Holland border) base for a holiday party. St. Nick parachuted onto the base via a helicopter, with many “Black Peter’s” parachuting in with him. Black Peters are mischievous helpers with black faces. The kids had a ball, and were thrilled to be a part of this European (Dutch) tradition. I am not sure if the kids remember this day, although Caitlin might.

This is the thing I love about holidays; the creation of so many wonderful memories with family and friends.

I (think) I am Done with Christmas Shopping!

I believe I can officially say I am done with my shopping for the kids (Cait, Dan, and Kelly) and the other kids (Lexy, Luke, Madison, and Migo), and Jim. I got my mom's gift, my sister's gifts, and a gift for the baby next door.

My cookies have been baked and packages made and given out, or ready to go. The cards have been out for a week or more. The house has been decorated. I have the Christmas Eve menu set, task given out, and food preparation started. I know what I am responsible for for Christmas Day dinner. The stockings are by the chimney hung, with care.

Now I can relax and really enjoy the holidays!

Happy Birthday Joshua Ryan!

This time of year birthdays get pushed and shoved into corners with all the holiday hustle and bustle. (What is a bustle anyway?) However, having a December birthday, I know how important to recognize those who do too. So it is time for me to publically wish my nephew Joshua Ryan the bestest of birthdays! Love you buddy!

Happy Holidays from the Dogs!

This is last year's Christmas photo, and since the dogs have not changed much, it will be this year's photo as well. Getting all four dogs to sit at one time, in one place, without having someone lose the scarf, or pull it off the other, was nothing short of miraculous so why tempt fate again?

So with that said, my dogs wish all of you a happy and joyous holiday.

From left to right: Lexy, Madison, Migo, and Luke!

Poorer Christmas Times

Okay, I know you are sitting there looking at the photo and thinking, "It appears to be a pine branch, perhaps belonging to a Christmas tree? There are gifts, so it must be, so what the heck is that on the branch?"

That my friends is a candle. Seriously, the red is the candle, and the yellow, it's flame. It was 1980 and we were poor folk living in our home in Fayetteville, PA. I was crafty, so i thought, I'll make the ornaments!

Off I went to the local material store, where I bought Christmas patterned material. I brought it home and with my scissors in hand, I got started on a huge collection of stuffed material ornaments. Quite honestly, although not the highest quality ornaments, they were the prettiest, and the tree was full and done tastefully (well as tastefully as one can do with material ornaments).

Over the years, these ornaments have been lost, eaten (dogs), and lost through moves. I have a few left, and each year they go on the tree to remind us where we were at one time, how far we have come, and quite honestly how blessed we are these days.

Times were simpler. Sometimes I yearn for those simple Christmases again. The extra glitter and tinsel really does not add to making a holiday more meaningful. I love that little candle reminder.

First Inch of Snow

We had our first inch of snow, and while it was nothing to really get excited about, the dogs sure loved it!

The light dusting was enough to cover everything and make it wintery and pretty; a good thing around the holidays!

Caitlin will read this while sitting in hot and humid Grenada and will make a face. Sorry Caitlin!

I am hoping that she will see some snow as soon as she gets home. I know she will when she heads to the slopes with her dad in January.

We decided last year that this year we would go green. That is we would buy LCD lights for the tree and help the environment a little bit more. Better bulbs, etc. Well, after seeing my tree all lit up the only thing that will be green next year will be the needles on the tree. I am not happy with those tiny runway lights. Good grief, my whole foyer looks like Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

I bought the lights last year at 75% off the original price and got a great bargain, as those little economical lights on the tree were not so economical. I could not wait to get them on the tree and am a little sad that they are not what I expected. I might investigate them further to see if they are now found in colors, but the white lights are definitely going to be on my tree after this year.

If I had any energy left they would come off now, but I am whipped and will not have that kind of energy until the tree has to come down. It is a big job. So, for now I will simply put on my sunglasses when I want to sit and enjoy the tree.

Empty Shoes

When the kids were little, and we lived in Germany, every December 5th, they would put their shoes out by the front door, and would patiently await a visit from St. Nicholas. He would bring them each a small gift with some fruit and candy. How could he not visit them? And when we moved back to the states, where St. Nicholas day is not celebrated, we managed to keep up the tradition. How could we not? This is the first year since the kids were small that we have not celebrated, as the kids are both no longer here to do so. It makes me sad.

Some history: St. Nicholas was born in 271 AD and died around December 6, 342 or 343 AD near the Asia Minor (Turkey) town of Myra, where he later became Bishop. He performed many good deeds and was a friend to the poor and helpless, and upon his death, myths soon sprang up about him all around the Mediterranean Sea. He was reputed to be able to calm the raging seas, rescue desperate sailors, help the poor and downtrodden, and save children. He was soon named as the patron saint of sailors, and when Myra was overthrown, his bones were transported by sailors to Bari, a port in Italy. It is here that a tomb was built over the grave becoming the center of honor for St. Nicholas. From here, the legend spread on around to the Atlantic Coast of Europe and the North Sea to become a European holiday tradition regardless of religion.

I miss the kids being little, especially this time of year. Happy St. Nicholas day Caitlin and Daniel. I love you both.

Decorating the Graves for the Holidays

Today Gidget and I did the annual decorating the graves for the holidays. It is a task that I always enjoy doing, and while my sisters think I am a royal pain in the BUTT about it (Everything has to be just right), I do not let them squash my desire to ensure everything is “just right”. They happen to think I overdo, however I disagree.

The thing is I happen to like knowing that the graves are seasonal, so this time of year a pretty wreath is placed at each grave (My dad’s, my aunt and uncles, my grandparents, and my great-grandmother). I also add seasonal flowers to both my dad’s, and my aunt and uncle’s gravesite. My mom does not like grave blankets and instructed me that her parents did not like them either, so all four graves get just a simple green wreath with a simple bow and few adornments.

I can remember as a kid watching my dad make grave blankets and wreaths (he worked part time at the local florist to help make ends meet a little better). He did so with great care and each one was special. He love working there and each arrangement was worked on with precision and tastefully done. I would like to think I am honoring that part of my dad by ensuring that his grave is done just right. I really do not care how much my sisters dislike my OCD graveside behavior.

Not everyone understands my obsession to ensure the graves are decorated for the holidays. It doesn't matter. I get it. I know my dad gets it. And that's all that matters, to me.

"Live the life you love, Love the life you live"

I’m promoting another blog, “live the life you love, love the life you live”. Daniel’s girlfriend (the number one and half) is now writing a blog to capture her thoughts and adventures as she goes through culinary school and life. You can find it here: http://beachbum1436.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

A Simple Christmas

I am decorating less this year, and will enjoy it more. I have little desire to take everything I own related to Christmas decorating out of the basement to stick it around the house. So I have brought up some of the storage tubs, will take out ONLY what I want, and then that is it. Christmas will be simply and tastefully done. Not that I overdue, but I just have so little time to do decorating and will have even less to undecorated, hence my decision.

I like taking out the little things that I have brought back from Germany or the cute things the kids have made over the years. The rest can stay put in the basement. I will have a smaller tree too. Seriously, I am not over doing this year and rethinking about what Christmas is really all about.

Take that you stupid Santa-in-the-mall-on-November 1st.

He's Baaaaacccckkkk!

Well, I know I have shared with you all that I dreaded, although could not wait for, the return of one very busy puppy. Migo is home. The busiest of any dog I have ever owned came home with Caitlin this past Wednesday, and already we have one very large hole in the backyard, and he was already spotted yanking on a bush branch.

The truth is I love this little guy and missed him terribly when he was gone. He is so full of love and sweetness, but he does find trouble easily. He came back to the pack and was immediately accepted back as if he never left. Madison is overjoyed that he is back as she now has her rumbling buddy back with her. Luke has been playing tug of war with him, and Lexy could care less about him, although she has washed his face several times.

Life in the dog world here is back to normal. My life is back to having a child with the terrible twos. Life goes on, and I am thankful.

PS: Do not let the picture fool you.

Busy, Busy, Busy...

OY and Vey!

I have been so busy these past few weeks, I feel like I have been on a roller coaster and merry-go-round at the same time! Between getting ready for the holidays, the kids arrivals home, the never-ending school work (and last paper!!!), and work related projects, my time has not been my own to do whatever I wanted to do. My “to-do” list is finally caught up...almost.

The kids arrived safely home from Rhode Island and Grenada, and my time with them went excessively fast. I love when they are home, and with me. I love each second. Thanksgiving was here at my home, celebrated with my mom, and three of my siblings and their families. The food was yummy, and in just the right amounts. My brined turkey was a hit again! (Thankfully)

Black Friday was a day filled with shopping with Caitlin, Daniel, Jillian, and my sister Gidget. We really did not do much shopping (not many sales), but we had fun being together. (we are very cheap entertainment for each other).

This past weekend, my sister Gidget, niece Jillian, Caitlin, Daniel, and I baked cookies. I was not going to even bake this year (Lack of time), but when they offered to help, I took them up on their offer, and we did a ton of baking. The cookies in the picture are peanut butter mice Jillian and Caitlin baked! They are too cute. In between cookie baking, I took my sisters Sue and mom to see the Three Irish Tenors do their annual Christmas show in the states. We saw them last year and my mom loved them. Therefore, I had to take her back again! We had fun.

I have hauled all the holiday decorations out of the basement and now have a huge job ahead of me, and with both kids gone, and Jim working, I might find myself decorating less this year. Less is best anyway. The holidays are, after all, more than tinsel and greens.

I am thankful for my busy and very full life.

The Sounds of the Holidays

One of the vivid holiday memories I have form my childhood is the many shopping trips my sister and I took with my grandmother (my dad’s mom) when we were younger. She would come to our house and walk us to the bus stop, where we would wait patiently (well not really) for the city bus to pick us up. The bus would head towards Asbury Park, where we would walk and shop with MomMom for most of the day.

When we were younger (oh so long ago) Asbury Park was a thriving and wonderful place to shop (thankfully that, too, is making a comeback!). As little girls, we would have been given a small amount of money to buy for everyone, and the best place to do that was at HL Greens or JJ Newberry’s, two great five and dime places. And, JJ Newberry’s had an awesome food counter where we would end our lunch with an ice cream sundae! It could not have been any better!

As we strolled throughout Asbury, we would be awestruck by all holiday decorations, the lights, the sounds (the bell ringers), and smells of Christmas (yes theses were the days of roasted chestnuts). One of the things I remember fondly was my MomMom’s lectures on giving to those who were unfortunate. She would have us each place one precious coin in the red kettle of the Salvation Army. Parting with the coins was hard as little kids, but we did it, and eventually grew old enough to understand the value of parting with them.

So today, I cannot pass a red kettle without thinking about MomMom or giving when I can to those who need it more. Thank you MomMom for instilling those precious values in each of us.

Remembering Guiness

My friend Faith had to euthanize her dog this week, and I know exactly how she feels. Making that decision is never easy, and unless you are a pet owner, you cannot begin to even understand how it feels. It's heart breaking.

Guiness had been sick for a while, and even though Faith knew in her heart his days might be numbered, she persevered and continued to care for him as best she could. When the time came to make that decision, although hard, she knew it had to be done.

For those of you who have had to wrestle with making the decision to euthanize a pet, you might have wondered whether you did the right thing. I know after two of these heart wretching decisions, I had to think about it, and wonder myself. In the end, when you can finally catch your breathe, you do realize it was for the best. After talking to faith this week, I felt the pang of hurt all over again. I can see both their faces, Tyler and Brady, and still miss them. Pets are like kids (and I am not saying the loss is comparable), but it has to be very close.

Like me, Faith will meet up with her little guy one day, and I know that he is waiting for her on rainbow bridge...

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

"Mother's Little Helper"

During the 1960’s, Valium was known as “Mother’s Little Helper”, getting many women through their hectic days...snowing them until they could not recognize one day from the next. Valium was the drug that revolutionized the treatment of anxiety and became a cultural icon. It was the drug in the book Valley of the Dolls, which made it such a great read. The "dolls" within the title is a slang term for downers, or the mood altering drugs. Apparently, the drug is making a comeback; taken with alcohol to help drug addicts get through their hectic days (which I have no idea what that might be considered 'hectic' when one is a drug addict... Where to score the next drug? Which provider is cheaper? How to avoid being caught?)

As a mother, I too need a little helper, but my pills come in the form of something called a Kong. A Kong is pictured so the reader does not get confused, or think I might be confusing a Kong with a bong. I have times when I am trying to get schoolwork done, and I found myself trying to entertain 3 Goldens who think it is time to play. Therefore, I fill each Kong with peanut butter, and viola! I have three happy and very busy dogs working tirelessly to get to the peanut butter, thus helping mother get things done. MY little helper!

Unfortunately, I still feel the effects of sedation as I read through some of the posts on the bulletin board where I go to school...

Cancer Sucks

Cancer sucks. It really does. It has affected so many of my family and friends. In fact, I am hard pressed to find anyone whose life has not been affected by it.

My dad died of it when he was only 66. A young 66 at that. He was initially diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and fought a three-year long battle to defeat it. Unfortunately it won. At the time of his death, he also was diagnosed with TWO other forms of cancer. It seems one kind was not enough.

Several years ago I was sitting in my doctor’s office when she found a mass on my thyroid. After many tests and a surgery to remove the right lobe of my thyroid, the cell was identified and although a rare cell, it was not malignant. The time between the initial finding and the final pathology report was rough. During this time, I thought of my dad on daily basis. If it was to be a malignant cancer, would I be as strong as my dad? Thankfully I was not to be tested. This time.

Then several months later, a lump was found on my husband’s thyroid. He was not it seemed, as lucky. His cancer was malignant, has since had his entire thyroid removed, and will be treated with radioactive iodine in the near future. Thyroid cancer is one the easiest cancers to treat so his prognosis, if you will, is good. Despite the good news, the whole ordeal did take its emotional toll on all of his. Cancer robs us physically and emotionally. It sucks.

Both my husband and I are proactive with our health. Thankfully. So we don’t sit waiting for nasty cells to invade us. We wait, watching for them. I only wish everyone would be as vigilant with their bodies.

Happy Birthday Kelly!

Happy Birthday to Kelly! She turns 21 today and I am sending her all the best in having a wonderful day!

Love ya Kelly!! (Daniel's 1.5) =)

Rhode Island!

I recently went to Rhode Island with my sister Sue to visit Daniel and Kelly. We had a great time visiting with the kids, and getting out and doing some exploring. Kelly was sweet enough to make sure we had fun, and she took us down to Newport. It is a quaint and historic little town on the water. The shopping was great and the grilled cheese sandwich even better.

We took in other food places and all had a ball. Kelly and Daniel seem very happy together, and that makes me happy. We also celebrated her birthday, which is this Friday. Daniel is a character, so spending time with him usually brings on a bunch of laughs, and this time was no exception. Sue was able to go to a BIG Christmas Shop, which might have been the highlight of her trip. I bought the kids a butcher-block table/storage thingie, and watching Daniel put it together was like watching Bob Vila in action! =)

I cannot wait to go again!

Thank You Dr. Clarence Manziano!

I read the obits every day. I know I am not alone in doing this daily ritual. Many people read them for the obvious reasons. I started reading them because my mom moved from one area of NJ to another and no longer got the local paper, so I made sure that if anyone died she might know, I could let her know. Now it is simply a part of my reading the morning paper routine.

The thing is I learn new things occasionally by reading them. For example, in today’s paper a well-known veterinarian, Dr. Clarence Manziano, passed away, who lived in the town where I grew up. I have no recollection of this man, but what is interesting is the fact that he did a great deal for Vet medicine. Returning to the United States, he testified before the New Jersey Legislature and was responsible for passage of the "Manziano Act”, which made it possible for veterinarians of Italian and Jewish descent to sit for the veterinary exam in New Jersey.
Before passage, only veterinarians educated in New Jersey could sit for the exam, and since no Italian or Jewish applicants were accepted during the 1940s, minorities were effectively precluded from practicing veterinary medicine in the state.

Among his many accomplishments, he worked as senior veterinarian for the Mexican American Foot and Mouth Commission to eliminate the deadly cattle disease, and was the U.S. delegate for the United Nations Commission on Foot and Mouth Disease.

Dr. Manziano worked as a field veterinarian for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Delaware and Maryland until 1952, when he took the post of veterinary epidemiologist for the New Jersey State Department of Health. It was during this period that he uncovered the transmission of the disease Psittacosis from an aviary of 5,000 birds to dairy cows and humans.

There is always something to learn somewhere.

Kristallnacht

“What I saw was hordes of people standing in front of a beautiful synagogue, and throwing stones through these magnificent, uh, colored windows. And, uh, as we arrived, of course we ran past the, the, the place itself, the noise, the shouting, the screaming. I suppose there was an, an aura of, of eeriness about it, because we still didn't know what was happening, but I suppose just the mere fact that so many people were there and were screaming and shouting and, and throwing stones into the, uh, stained glass windows was enough to make us run. We arrived in school and were immediately told that our parents would pick us up, we should remain calm but there would be no school that day. And indeed a few, uh, minutes later, or half an hour later, whatever the case may be, my mother did arrive and took me to my grandmother's home where my father already was. And here then unfolded slowly but surely the, uh, grim story of what happened during the night, that the synagogues all through Germany had been set on fire, destroyed. The, uh, Sifrei Torah [Torah scrolls] were burned in most cases. It is known that in Hamburg people sacrificed themselves to run into the synagogue to save some of the Sifrei Torah, hide them, and I believe were successful in doing so. Um, that the, uh, Jewish stores in the center of Hamburg, in the downtown area of Hamburg, had been demolished, windows had been, uh, broken, uh, the merchandise had been thrown into the streets, covered with water and with ink and--I mean it was a, a total chaos, a total destruction”.

This is a personal story from Johanna Gerechter Neumann, born in Hamburg, Germany in 1930.

Let us not forget her story, and the story of others who lived those two horrifying days....

Read more here: http://www.ushmm.org/remembrance/dor/years/detail.php?content=2008

A New Day..A New Country

I woke up today, like all of you, to a new president, Barack Obama. Despite my political views, I cannot help but pause to think that we have elected a president who’s middle name unnerves many of us, who is the son of an interracial couple, and who was raised by a couple who did not live within the America’s power and wealth. He is more like the average American, despite what you might think. (Let’s just put aside all the bad things that have been said about him, for a minute)

I cannot help but put myself in the shoes of all Black Americans today. The barrier has been broken. Imagine what might be going on in the mind of a young black boy who now knows he too could be a president someday. Imagine those who never thought Blacks could move forward, and let us face it, that mindset still, sadly, exists in this country.

I cannot help but think of Dr.Martin Luther King. His famous speech now echoes throughout this country.

I am not a Barack fan, although I am a Democrat. At this point, I just want a man who will redirect this country. I want a president that does not try to solve every problem but will do those things beyond the power of individual citizens to get things done. I want a president that will help to regulate the economy fairly. I want a president that will help keep the air clean and our food supplies safe. I want a president that helps to ensure that the sick will have access to health care. I want a president that will help to look past the walls of America to help ensure that children around the globe are educated and kept as healthy as possible.

The choice has been made. Now we have to stand behind this man and together as a nation reach goals that will benefit us all. This country cannot be redirected by one person; collectively, as a nation, we all have to reach for the goals together.

Vote, vote, vote...

Get out and vote...its your civic duty, it's your right and responsibilty as an American citizen!!

Our Very "me, me, me" Society

I have the belief that we live in a very “me” oriented society, in which many just think about themselves and not too many others, if any others. That said, as a labor and delivery nurse, I have noted that there are a great many women these days who are not happy being pregnant (even those who have planned the pregnancy), and that “glow of pregnancy” is viewed more as a scowl. As many of my readers know, I normally do not share work related topics, but I have to tonight.

I had a patient come into labor and delivery tonight who was 34 weeks pregnant contracting and when I assessed that she was indeed contracting, I told her my plan was to start an IV to hydrate her, and hope that it might stop the contractions. Her immediate reply, “I do not want another 8 pound baby, so if it is labor, then I do not want it to stop”. I immediately explained that at 34 weeks she was still considered premature and that the baby might have respiratory difficulties. I have plenty of friends who had premature babies and they did fine”.

When I run across people like this who have little regard for the baby they are carrying, I want to grab them and shake sense into them. BUT of course, that might not go over big with the patients or the hospital bigwigs. Why are people so selfish? What makes them have little regard for another little human being? Why can’t women accept the fact that pregnancy is not something to be rushed through? I seriously do not get it.

I can understand being frustrated. I can understand the desire to end the pregnancy when you feel huge and swollen and miserable, but when you are 34 weeks, and your little one is depending on your for a few more weeks, and you have that opportunity, and you throw in the towel...I simply do not understand that selfishness. Pregnancy does not come with a fast service option.

Thank you for reading.

Happy Birthday Daniel Boone

Yes, it is Daniel's birthday, and I thought I would take a minute and share this fact with you. I fondly remember watching that show with my siblings. I also remember my brothers running around with sticks, shooting us with raccoon hats on their heads. Silly little boys, but cute.

I also remember my brothers carrying around stinky a rabbit's foot in their pockets for good luck. What is it about boys and yucky things. Oh sure little girls can be yucky too, but not like little boys (my mother might disagree). My Daniel was always messy, and I fondly remember his infatuation with large bugs! He loved to carry them in the house and show me, usually dropping them along the way. He has never really outgrown his messy streak, although he has gotten better (right Kelly???) Please tell me he has.

Caitlin on the other hand was my neat child, but she tended to get messier as she aged. And there's always the stories about her trips home from playing with the heifers. OY, what a smell! But she loved being with them, so her smell was a happy smell.

So as long as they are happy, who cares about messy, and sticky, and gross.

Happy Birthday Daniel Boone!

November Obligations

According to Martha Stewart, who I rarely reference because she and I are no longer friends (long story), November is the month to do the following:

Vote. I’ll add it is your duty as an American, so do it!

Set the clocks back. Love that extra hour of sleep!

Turn down the heat. (I would have to turn on first, but ask anyone I know, and my house is NEVER over heated).

Make sure the house is draft free. It is, thank you, although if I didn’t have to let Madison in and out so many times...

Inspect you trees for those branches that with heavy snow might come crashing down. Well Martha, here’s the thing. I have been after Jim for about three years now to do that, and WE still have branches looming overhead, ready to wreck havoc...so I will defer him to you. Oh wait, he hates you. That will not work.

Clean gutters! DONE!!

Preserve pots. You mean I should not leave the dead plants in the pots sitting out all winter until spring?? That takes away the challenge of trying to remove dead old plants from pots come spring.

Check baking supplies for freshness. You are talking to the baker here...

Okay Martha, check and double check. Now I can move into November with a sense of accomplishment already!

Holiday Shopping

Yesterday while at the mall, while waiting for my eyeglasses to be made, and with an hour to kill, I found myself starting to Christmas Shop. It wasn't hard to do since the center of the mall is now decorated and ready for Santa. (Which is also weird, because the kids would be trick or treating there that same night). Talk about rushing things along...how does that work?

Child: Mom is Santa coming soon?

Mom: Not tonight.

Child: But where is he?

Mom: Sleeping.

Child: But why is his chair there?

Mom: He will be here soon.

Child: When"

Mom: Soon (thinking he is probably due in next week)

Child: Can we come back and see him tomorrow?

Mom: Let's just get some candy and go home.

Poor kids. They can hardly digest their Snicker Bars and popcorn balls before it is time to open their gifts from Santa. Oh, and while they are digesting the candy, we have to shove Turkey in there too.

I don't remember the holidays feeling so rushed as a kid. Which is good, because I might have gotten bored with Santa hanging around so long. Now a days, kids can hardly take a breath before the next holiday is upon them. Life is short. Why can't we just space things out a bit and not rush things. We are racing a society of kids who WANT and WANT it faster and faster.

Jack-O-Lanterns

It seems carving pumpkins is just not the same when you do not have little ones, or even the bigger version of children to help you. However, I still tackle the chore each year, so that I have Jack-O-Lanterns on my front porch for the trick-or-treaters who visit for Halloween, and a handful of roasted seeds to nibble on as well.

So this am, after two cups of coffee, I pulled out my sharpest knives (Thanks Daniel) and got to work. The first pumpkin was moldy inside, which was disappointing since I love to pull out the seeds and roast them. But I dug in, and scooped, and carved the typical face. Each pumpkin was given triangle eyes, a triangle nose, and a toothy grin. Cute, but nothing elaborate. Pumpkins two and three were carved out, and the faces, again, simple, but done using a similar face although io reversed the triangles. The seeds were scooped and put aside for roasting.

After the cleanup, I mixed the seeds with steak sauce (Yes, Lea and Perrins Traditional Steak sauce), threw on some salt, and in the oven they went for a slow baking. I am sitting here with the smell of the roasting seeds wafting through the air and my mouth is watering. I know, they are only seeds, but still...

The chore is done. My porch now ready for Halloween. The candy bowls are out and full. Now I can begin to think about Christmas...Oh wait, I have already started doing that!

Christmas in New York City

One of the things I love about the holidays is heading into New York City. The lights, the people, the crowds, the shopping...the Rockettes!

From the time I was little, I have always loved watching the Rockettes. There might even be a tiny piece of me that secretly wished she could be one, or at best, kick my legs as high as they can kick. So when time and money permits, I have gone into the city and gone to Radio City Music hall to see the Christmas show, which features the girls. Even Caitlin has also taken me for my birthday and there has been no better gift.

The tree at Rockefeller Center is also a stop we have to make. It is always so pretty and you cannot help but marvel at its size. Watching the skaters is also fun, and one year we took the kids, as I believe everyone should glide across that ice at least one in their lifetime. Personally, I have not; my ankles will not allow me to strap on those torture devices.

There is always so much to see in the city, especially during the holidays. The store windows are wonderful. Even the smell of roasted chestnuts pulls me in each year. (The taste even better!) Sidewalk vendors abound, and the shopping is more fun when you have to push your way through the crowds. I love it!

This year I will head into the city and this time Cait and I are taking my niece and nephew into see the Rockettes as they have never seen them in person. I cannot wait to see their faces! I love the holidays!

Holiday Memory of a Roasted Goose in Germany

It is this time of year; I tend to feel more nostalgic about living in Germany. Jim and I had such a great experience living there and I miss it terribly at times, especially with the holidays approaching.

We were members of the German-American Club, which brought together our two cultures once a month for an evening of dinner and conversation. We would all eat out together, a different restaurant each month, and then each couple would host dessert back at their house. We met new friends, and learned everything we could about the German way of life.

One of the things we did one December was to attend a gathering at one of the local castles to have our holiday dinner. The main course was a roasted goose with all the trimmings. I can still smell and taste that dinner. The whole evening was so memorable; new friends, good food, in gorgeous holiday decorated surroundings. Why are some memories so vivid? I am thankful they are for me.

Over the course of the next couple of months, I intend on sharing some of my memorable holiday experiences with you all; and for some, it will be your memory as well. I love the holidays, and all the memories that are made with each, and every one.

Thoughts of Pumpkins, Goblins, and Ghosts

We were talking at work the other day about our childhood adventures while Trick or Treating. Those of us who are older, remember fondly heading out, without parents in tow, to have the most incredible experience possible. The first stop was the police department in town (when were real little) to get our bags, with one apple in it. then it we were off and running (literally).

There was a method to just how we would tackle getting the most candy. We strategically mapped out our route (ahead of time) making sure that each house, on each street in our small town was visited. The town I grew up in was a mere 6 blocks by 6 blocks, but when you have to ensure each house is gotten to, by a certain time, it was a bit daunting. But we always managed to pull it off. And successfully!

There were those towns people who insisted on serving us apple cider and donuts, so that cut into our time a bit, but how could we say no? And we also had those people in town who had us choose between candy or a handful of loose change. Those decisions alone cost us minutes. And because everyone knew our parents (daddy was cop in town), they insisted we chat a bit with them. Precious minutes ticking by...

Then back home it was time to sort out the candy. Of course, we lived in times when you didn't have to worry about idiots poisoning the popcorn balls or putting razor blades in the apples, so we were somewhat safe, but I do remember my parents taking a quick account of what might be in each bag. Sorting the candy merely meant pulling it out and taking inventory of what we got. My parents had their favorites so there was some wheeling and dealing with each of us to share with them, and we did. And if I got something I didn't like (which at this point in time is hard to imagine, but there was), I was left to trade with a sibling for something I had to have! trading worked, usually.

I cannot remember ever having a bad Halloween as a kid in a small town. Even our mischief nights were allowed, and encouraged, and done without malicious intent to hurt or harm anyone or their property. The good old days...

Happy Birthday to my Baby!

Daniel turns 24 today and I hope he is having a wonderful day (I am sure Kelly will make it special!). I miss having the kids here for their birthdays, but rest assured I never forget.

Love ya Dan!

Sweet Sixteen...and other Happy Birthdays!

My niece Jillian turns 16 today and she is very sweet. Being sweet is not her only wonderful quality, but then what would her Aunt say bad about her? Nothing.

There's something about turning sweet sixteen...it's like the start of something special. I remember my own sweet sixteen birthday fondly as my dad bought me this pretty corsage made up of tiny pink roses and sugar cubes. I loved it. It was simple, pretty, and something i will never forget. I hope that Jillian remembers this special birthday as fondly as I remember mine. She also gets her driver's permit...now that's big!

My niece Christine and my nephew Michael also celebrate October birthdays and my wish for them is to have a special day as well.

Daniel has an October birthday, but he will get his own blog.

Look Mom...NO Holes! (For now)

In a few short weeks, THE BEAST will return to New Jersey. We have missed his sweet face. Okay, I have missed his sweet face (Jim is rolling his eyes). The one thing we have not missed, and I am being honest here, is the HOLES he digs at a speed that is comparable to the speed of an SST roaring through the air, and his knack for re-designing the bushes in the backyard. Also done at a rapid, yet enjoyable pace.

Jim and I have enjoyed the last couple of months as we sat on the deck over looking our pristine lawn in the backyard. We marveled at the growth the bushes have taken; their branches soaring upwards towards the sun. We wonder now HOW long it will take before THE BEAST is back to his old tricks. OR will he?

Perhaps the HOT and humid weather he has been subject to in Grenada has charred that part of his brain. Perhaps he will not be interested in digging. He didn't in Grenada, although it was too hot to stand, let alone dig. Maybe he will have outgrown this puppy behavior? He has aged in the last couple of months. Maybe digging will seem childish to him. Maybe bush redesign won't seem like fun anymore. Who knows?

I just know that between now and then I am enjoying every square inch of our backyard. Who knows what evil lurks in the mind...and do not let the picture fool you...he's only thinking...