Theories

I love this photo

2012-01-12T22:12:00.000-05:00

Eric the hockey guru

This is our awesome nephew, Eric. He LOVES everything hockey. Here he is at a Leafs' practice where he caught a puck. He sent this picture to his Uncle Don, who loves the photo too.

Thanks Eric!

Go Leafs!

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T12:04:00.001-05:00

Hope your New Year's Eve was more exciting than Toby's.

Big Boy Yawn (or Yodel)

Can't remember

2011-11-28T22:15:00.001-05:00

Its been so long since I updated this page, I can't remember what books I've read or what I've done recently. I often elaborate on my "theories" in my head but never seem to get them to "paper."

I started a new contract job recently. One that is 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 45 minutes away - what was I thinking?! It takes ALL my time. How did I used to work full time? I actually haven't worked full time since before Carolyn was born, although many a time I've worked much more than 40 hours a week, especially if you factor in volunteer work. The job is interesting and the people are friendly, which partly makes up for its inflexibility. Partly.

We spent Canadian Thanksgiving hosting the Gill side of our family. It was my sis-in-law, Kathy's, 50th birthday and she chose to celebrate it with all of us at a beautiful restaurant in NJ Liberty Park, which is directly across from lower Manhattan, near Lady Liberty and Ellis Island. It was a really fun weekend. Thanks to all for coming down and Kathy for the amazing evening under the stars.

Don, Eric (9), Barb, Me, Carolyn (19), Bryan (21), Kathy (50!),
Brandon (17), Michael (7) & Doug

We spent U.S. Thanksgiving in Florida. Bryan and Carolyn flew down while Don and I drove. The weather was beautiful and company perfect! We had a good week together. It was nice for B&C to escape the media circus at PSU. What a monster ... but another blog topic maybe.

And now I'm somewhat caught up. No theories this time.

Tolstoy and the Purple Chair

2011-09-20T11:32:00.003-04:00

Just finished reading a book perfect for all book lovers: Tolstoy and the Purple Chair. Author Nina Sankovitch, an ardent reader all her life, decides to read a book a day for a year in order to take time for herself and to somehow find peace within herself after the loss of her sister.

One of the many passages I liked:
Pg 44 - Inspired by the poem "Stepping Backwards" by Adrienne Rich, Sankovitch writes, "Looking backward allows me to see the entirety of my present life, of what it took to get me to where I am, and of what I want to have in the life still ahead of me. The big picture, the great perspective. I understand what is important by looking back to see what I remember."

Haiku quoted:
"Since my house burned down
I now own a better view
of the rising moon."
by Mizuta Masahide

There is so much that I thought of writing about as I read through this book. I was inspired by so much that Sankovitch read and observed, and related it to my own memories and "theories" - especially her chapter about what she wishes for her children. (My kids tease me about my "theories.") She has a beautiful way of weaving through her book-a-day year. At the beginning of each day she blogged about the book she read the previous day. It's all at Read All Day. I recommend this book to all book lovers.

Goodnight Irene

2011-08-28T13:39:00.000-04:00

A lot of rain, some flooding, lots of leaves and limbs down - that was it for us. We lost power for just under two hours this morning. It's now very windy; just remnants of the storm going through now.

The white bin on our deck collected over 12 inches of rainwater.

I had lots of bowls out on the deck collecting rainwater in case our power was out for an extended period of time. We're on well water so no power also means no water.

Heavy winds passing through now.

We could still lose power yet if trees come down over wires. The ground is soaked. But, fortunately Irene has been a non-event for us - just an excuse for a hurricane party last night, a few blog posts, and a relaxing weekend overall! We hope other communities and families along the shore have their lives back to normal as soon as possible.

Awaiting the brunt of the storm

2011-08-27T23:44:00.000-04:00

Lots and lots of rain - no strong wind yet. Just back from a "Waiting for Irene" hurricane party, where Hurricane drinks were served. Hoping for power tomorrow morning for coffee maker!

Come on Irene

2011-08-27T12:49:00.000-04:00

It just started raining steadily about 1/2 an hour ago. No wind yet.

Calm but rainy - front yard

We are mostly concerned about losing power for an extended period of time. I'll post new photos as weather changes, especially if it gets exciting! Hopefully no disasters. Behave Irene. Stay safe.

Harvest time

2011-08-22T18:32:00.000-04:00

I just harvested a big, plump, juicy tomato from my deck:

As you can see, its huge! The tomato plant went into the pot on my deck in early June and took all summer to produce this one tomato. One. Un seul. Solo una.

Let me give you a little perspective:

A farmer I'm not. I know the tomato plant "requires a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day" and my deck doesn't provide that during a dry summer. During a wet summer, like we've had, this is what we got. We're going to eat it all tonight. At this rate we will not be self sustaining - ever.

Bermuda cruise - asea

2011-08-15T14:44:00.000-04:00

Don and I took our first-ever cruise this summer. We went with another couple who recommended the perfect first-time cruise: NYC to Bermuda on Norwegian because its "free style." It was such an easy vacation. Bryan dropped us off at the terminal in NYC and off we went with music blasting, people swimming and dancing, and cameras clicking.

Cruising down the Hudson R. out of NYC harbor

Sunsets were beautiful!

6am on our third morning we finally saw land again! Bermuda was beckoning.
Celebrity cruise ship followed us from NY.

Norwegian Gem docked at Dockyards, Bermuda

The cruise ships dominated the island shorelines of Bermuda. There were many activities that we took part in on board, including, shows (comedian, juggler, Second City), parties (70's dance, white out), pub crawl, relaxing (on balcony, at pool), games (trivia, Quest, craps lesson) and eating! More on beautiful Bermuda next posting.

Visiting Haley @ Camp

2011-07-25T23:34:00.000-04:00

We had a wonderful visit in Maine over the July 16-17 weekend. Haley has been working with the equestrian program at a summer camp about an hour away from Portland, Maine, which is far but relatively close considering she is usually over 3000 miles away! She gave us a tour of her amazing camp - WOW, lucky campers - and then we headed into to Portland for dinner in the Old Port section of town. Haley is looking great and is loving her summer. We so enjoyed talking with her.

Haley & Bryan in Portland, ME

Haley at Beal's Ice Cream with sprinkles!

We also enjoyed a stroll through Portsmith, NH, before, and Marblehead, MA, after our visit with Haley. She's back to school in SoCal soon.

Happy 19th

2011-07-17T22:06:00.000-04:00

We recently celebrated Carolyn's 19th birthday - not an especially big deal unless you live in Ontario. The next time we go home together, Carolyn will be able to join in with a legal toast to our wonderful daughter.

Of course all her birthday's are a big deal to us! We love you, Carolyn.

Front walkway completed

2011-07-05T21:54:00.001-04:00

Except for a few minor things, our front walkway is done. Don and I spent a little time this past weekend replacing our deer fence around our front garden and are pleased that it is all looking better than before. The dirt areas have been reseeded for grass and, in some areas, more pachysandra will be planted.

New front porch and walkway

Toby is testing the walkway for its perchability.

It's coming along - day 2

2011-06-21T20:02:00.001-04:00

Dusty progress today:

Walkway is looking good! Blue stone set in place.

Stone edge in place. Otherwise a mess!

My poor dusty pachysandra!

Summer project: Front walk

2011-06-20T18:46:00.000-04:00

Our front walkway was crumbling away so we had to get it fixed. The work started today and of course I've decided to capture the day-by-day progress for no reason other than I'm usually blog-material starved, which is probably not a surprise to reader(s).

Here's how it originally looked (2006):

And here's how it looks after one day of men working:

They've extended the width and messed up our lawn.

They found stone to match the house. Don inspecting.

They removed the railway ties and added stone to steps.

Tomorrow "the craftsman" arrives to lay the blue stone.

My mom's birthday

2011-06-12T16:41:00.002-04:00

Me, Mom & Dad

Our main reason for going to Ontario a few weekends ago was to celebrate my Mom's birthday! She had one of those "special" birthdays. It was great to be able to be together to celebrate! However, we were not our usual diligent Fraser selves, recording every moment with a group shot. This is the best photo we have, taken by Bryan's cell, but it does show the beautiful birthday girl in front of her cake! The sparkler had just finished its sparkle as this picture was taken. But mom is still sparkling, as always! We love you so much, Mom! Cheers to many more birthdays! xoxo

Memorial Day weekend

2011-05-31T17:49:00.000-04:00

We spent this Memorial Day weekend in Ontario visiting family and friends. The main purpose of our visit was to celebrate my Mom's 80th birthday, which is officially tomorrow. (Wow!)

First we arrived in Ingersoll to visit Kathy who is just back from two weeks in Greece and Turkey. We spent the next two nights in downtown Toronto, staying near the Eaton Centre. It was a great location for shopping, walking and eating, and allowed the kids some freedom to enjoy Toronto on their own. We spent our last day visiting Barb & Doug and their boys - even caught a bit of both of the boys' ball hockey games. So fun to see them in action!

Carolyn and I on a Henry Moore at the AGO

Bryan outside Police Headquarters

We spent a lot of time in the car together and had time to discuss our third car situation. Our 2003 Passat has been running great until recently and was in need of a costly repair. Not wanting our kids to get stuck on a highway somewhere, we decided to trade it in. As soon as we got home Don and Carolyn went in search of hungry year-end car dealership negotiators. They found a deal they liked and came home a few hours later with a new Jetta.

Our one-hour old Jetta

Now everyone is happy. And safe. And it gets good gas mileage!

I'm guessing this is the Easter photo

2011-05-19T16:48:00.001-04:00

I LOVE this photo! Had to post. One of the sets of ears belongs to my friend, Col, who is sitting with the pink and purple side of her family. Precious!

Bro & Otis in SF

2011-04-28T17:02:00.001-04:00

Otis sent me this photo from her San Francisco trip in March. She was out for a teachers' conference. (She's now a Vice Principal in a Burlington school). My brother, John, picked her up and took her on a tour of the city and over to Tiburon for dinner. This photo was taken in Tiburon with SF in the distant background.

They too were roommates at Western. When I moved out of our townhouse after graduating, John moved in. Then, when Carolyn moved out after she graduated, she moved in to an apartment with me in Mississauga.

It's great that they were able to get together and talk about old times!

Bryan turned 21 recently

2011-04-24T15:17:00.000-04:00

Every birthday, anniversary, reunion, Christmas is an opportunity to step back from daily routine and to reflect on your memories of past birthdays, anniversaries, etc. The ultimate birthday to recall is the very birth day - the 0 years old birthday of your own children. Every birthday is a gift to celebrate. We are so proud of our 21 year old, not only because he has accomplished much, learned from his ups and downs, and isn't afraid of new challenges, but because he is a person people like to be around. And that's all I'll say. I'll keep the sappy stuff to myself!

The weekend before Bryan's birthday we were at PSU for his fraternity's parent's day. It was a fun time, seeing Bryan and his friends again, playing games and enjoying a gourmet meal prepared by one of the boys! We surprised Bryan with a birthday cake. Here he is about to make a wish!

March travel - Spain & France

2011-04-03T21:33:00.003-04:00

I joined Don in the UK a few weeks ago for a little March traveling. He was there for a conference. I spent a day in London on my own, then we flew to Barcelona for a few days. What a great city! Lots to see and do. Lots of northerners there for the weekend - we met people from London, Liverpool and Finland. Took in the Gaudi architectural sites, the beach, Las Ramblas area (where our hotel was) and even some impromptu events.

Two beach views in Barcelona

Then we took a train up to Collioure, France, on the Mediterrean, that is one of the most beautiful towns I've seen - up there with Honfleur, France. We walked all over that town, including hiking up to a castle overlooking the area. There is a military training facility there so while we were soaking up the scenery, young men were doing drills along the little beach and in the water.

Two views of Collioure - old town & new town

Next we took the train to Carcassonne - a town dominated by a huge medieval castle. We stayed just outside the castle walls but ate in the delicious restaurants each night.

While in Carcassonne we rented a car. We drove south one day to hike up to the Chateau Peyrepertuse, a Cathar castle that is perched way too high on the edge of cliffs for a acrophobic like me! Then we drove through and along the deepest gorge I've ever seen, stopping part way for a typical French picnic (cheese, bread, wine, chocolate!). The next day we drove north to Albi - in the "red brick" region of France. Also stunningly beautiful.

Artwise we toured the Picasso Museum in Barcelona and the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum in Albi. Plus, the town of Collioure was filled with framed posters of famous artists randomly placed on the streets throughout the town ... including lots of Matisse:

A Matisse hanging in the street in Collioure

We flew home from Toulouse. It was a interesting trip to a beautiful part of Europe. (Isn't it all beautiful over there?!)

Blog on!

2011-03-01T09:41:00.001-05:00

My friend, Denise, who I met while working at Vz, got me into the 'blogosphere' several years ago when it was just becoming mainstream. One of the early and appealing examples at that time was dooce, written by Heather Armstrong. Another was PostSecret. I stuck with dooce for awhile, drawn into her stories by her clever, hilarious and sometimes shocking style. I haven't read her blog lately - although I have gone back for a quick read at times.

Denise just sent me a link to a NYTimes story about blogging, and in particular, about dooce, that chronicles Heather's continued success. Cool. Read this article and maybe you'll be blogging too - if you're not already! Cha-ching!

Sleeping Gills

2011-02-15T18:21:00.000-05:00

Just because I have sleeping photos ...

Bryan & Carolyn in car on way to Toronto

Toby & I watching a movie

Don reading

What have we learned in 2,064 years?

2011-01-29T11:29:00.001-05:00

Here it is:

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled,
   public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be
   tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should
   be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to
   work, instead of living on public assistance."
                                          -   Cicero   - 55 BC

So, evidently nothing.

Christmas 2010

2011-01-28T09:56:00.001-05:00

Obviously I'm a bit late in posting Christmas photos but better late than never. We had our tree up and decorated before Bryan and Carolyn arrived home from school. This year our tree was decorated by Don for the first time ever and he did a great job. He had fun reminiscing through the various ornaments that we've picked up during vacations throughout the years. Usually its Carolyn and I who get excited as we unwrap our favorite ornaments but she was away and I was not feeling great the night we were decorating. The other thing is that this year we decided to get a small tree. Well, thanks to our friend Randy, we had a tree waiting in our driveway one day that was huge - our biggest yet! Don had to go out to buy a new stand for it before we could bring it in! It was beautiful! Here's Don on top of a 5' ladder.

On the 23rd the four of us went to see Spider-man Turn off the Dark on Broadway. This was the first performance after the terrible accident that occurred two days prior when a stunt man fell something like 30' and was badly injured. The show was originally supposed to open around Thanksgiving when I bought our tickets, but delay after delay meant that we were now seeing a preview show. (The opening has now been pushed to March, I think!) The effects are exciting and very cool. The story is just over complicated and slow. And the music was just okay - not an amazing experience that we were expecting. Glad we saw it, but it definitely needs work! We stayed overnight in the city and spent part of Christmas Eve walking around the Village but it was COLD!

Christmas dinner is always a highlight for us. Here we are after dinner - satiated and content!

On Boxing day we drove north for four days in Ontario visiting H&B, my parents, and Don's sisters and their families.The best part was that we completely missed the first big snowstorm here in the northeast. We arrived in Mississauga to NO snow. Ingersoll had a lot more but roads were good throughout our travels.

First to Mississauga. We visited H&B who are doing well. After a delicious dinner we took a small pictures. Guess what we gave H&B this year? Yes, we are a Penn State family!

Bryan, Dad, Mom, Carolyn - all showing their PSU pride

I have more pictures from Mississauga and none from Ingersoll where my bro-in-law, Doug, was the official photographer and was supposed to send to me ... so I will rattle his cage and post those photos shortly. Just one more to put up ...

Carolyn & Brian

And now I can say, while its still January (barely), Happy New Year!

NYC Friday night

2010-12-19T18:35:00.000-05:00

Kathleen and Mark Henning came for a Christmas-in-New York visit, with their beautiful daughter, Laura. Don and I went in to meet them for dinner on Friday night. Kathleen and I worked together at BCSI at the multi-tenant site at The North American Life Center; during the fun days of work (before cutbacks!) For those who know Kathleen, she and Mark are now retired, enjoying travel, their kids, and an active life.

Kathleen, Laura, Mark, Don and I

We enjoyed catching up with them and getting into the NYC Christmas vibe. Soooo busy, colorful, and alive! After dinner we walked back to our car through Rockefeller Center and grabbed a shot of the tree - always impressive!

It is always great to see old friends and get into the city!

The gift-giving rule

2010-12-13T15:23:00.002-05:00

I've never liked it when someone asks me what I want for Christmas because I feel it will ruin the surprise. I like that a gift means someone went out thinking of you and wanting to make you happy - THAT's the gift. I feel the same as the shopper of the gift. Its a visit with the person in your mind as you think about them - their likes, hobbies, activities - and then come up with ideas.

Recently, I read a paragraph that described the "gift-giving rule" so perfectly when one character suggested to another that "If you buy me a record for Christmas, I'll buy you a book."

"It (the proposition) broke the rules of exchange, innate and unspoken, that governed gift-giving in our family. A gift is not a gift if the giver knows, before giving it, that it is exactly what the person who will receive it has wanted all along. That is another transaction. That is a purchase, not a present. A gift is a gift if you search for it, ponder over it, pick it up, put it down, pick it up again, and walk around with it while, weighing it against the other gifts that are wrangling for your regard.

A gift is a gift if you choose it finally, wrap it with one last gust of uncertianty, and give it away. That is a gift,. An item, inanimate, that reeks with intention and puts us at risk. And that is why gifts are dangerous and difficult and cause such distress."

- Pg. 176, The Tender Land by Kathleen Finneran

I can think of lots of other reasons too that gift giving causes distress, such as finding parking at the mall, but I love the sentiment of this "rule."

Cathy & Col connecting in Corning

2010-11-19T11:27:00.003-05:00

Thirty years! It was thirty summers ago that I first met my friend, Colleen. We were working on the same shift at Ontario Place and the deal was instantly and forever sealed when we discovered that we had both lived in The Hat at the same time. (That’s Medicine Hat, Alberta for the few of you who wouldn’t just know that!)

We have kept in touch when we could throughout these 30 years, and last weekend met halfway between our homes in beautiful Corning, NY. We started talking at about 11am on Saturday when we hugged hello, and stopped talking at about 10am Sunday when we hugged good-bye. While talking we had lunch, browsed the cute shops, walked across the river to the Steuben Glass store, where we bought matching bracelets, drank coffee, sipped wine, enjoyed a delicious dinner, etc. etc.

What did we talk about? Our jobs/careers, our husbands (good stuff, except for snoring), our homes, our kids/niece (little Rosebud), friends in common (some we’ve never met but have heard so much about we feel we know, like Col’s friend, Wendy in the Soo), our parents, our futures (new freedoms and adventures, new angsts), our handbags (same brand), being frugal vs. cheap, books we both enjoyed (Olive Kitteridge) and recommendations, cosmetic cases (mine is older than 30 years – okay, I’m sentimentally attached to it because of where and when I bought it – in San Fran from a woman who went by the name “Ocean”), U.S. politics, The Hat, and probably everything in between.

It was a great weekend, Col!

Coincidentally, my sis-in-law, Vicki, flew to Atlanta the same weekend to catch up with her childhood friend of the same name. It must have been girlfriend-reunion weekend.

Enough of the toe nails!

2010-11-10T22:24:00.001-05:00

I'm back-blogged again. Fall is now upon us. Leaves are down. And I still have summer toe nails showing. We've had a beautiful fall here in NJ. PR work has been busy, plus I added a new job - just 12 hours/week, out of the house 3 mornings, which gets me out of sweats/jeans. And collecting advertising for our annual community directory, which supports a scholarship program and several charities. Kids are fine at PSU, husband is fine, cat is fine ... we're fine. Hope you are too. (Meeting up with "old" - young like me - friend in Corning, NY this weekend - yah!)

Happy 25th Wedding Anniversary to us!

2010-10-05T14:46:00.001-04:00

Here we are 25 years later. I remember our wedding day was an overcast day like it is here in NJ today but at all the right moments the skies cleared enough for us to come and go with a ray of sunshine. I remember waking up that day and having a frank conversation with myself in front of the mirror, just as the minister told me too. He said to remind myself that nothing matters except getting married to the person I love - that little things will go wrong during the day, there will be some surprises - but just let it go. Great advice from Rev Trimble.

I also remember how pretty my mom looked, how my dad walked me up the aisle, how happy Don looked. The wedding party was a fun mix of friends and family - Otis, Kathy & Barb, Henry, Dave & John. I remember my face hurting from smiling so much. Then I remember seeing Don's mom and dad miss the cut-off for the 427 north and watching them head up 27 north to Eglinton thinking, oh-oh. (No GPS or cell phone.) They did get to the hotel somehow and looked proud as punch of their son all night. The Bristol Place was perfect. Speeches were great, esp my bro who embarrassed us all (egads, but he was a highlight!), all kept together by my Uncle Murray who emceed for us. My friends teased me about the band, Terrell Tribe, and another brought out her aerobic tapes when the band took a break. They weren't bad and of course my parents' friends loved them. And then we were off to our honeymoon in Jamaica - along with a trillion other young couples who were also married on Oct. 5th!

Flash forward 25 years - and it was a flash! Two kids later, both in college, living in New Jersey. Don is in Houston today on business so I am on my own. We celebrated on the weekend by going to a restaurant in NYC - the same restaurant that Don and I went to when we flew to NYC for our 10th anniversary. Bryan and Carolyn came home from school to join us. What a perfect way to celebrate our 25 years together!

Don & I outside the Gotham City Bar & Grill

Don, Carolyn, me, Bryan

Thanks to everyone who has sent cards and best wishes! All the messages were nice, and I especially liked what Don's sister, Kathy, said, "We are so proud of you for reaching such a milestone! You have found common pleasures, but also find time to pursue your own personal loves. May the future be filled with good health, wonderful memories and just great moments together." So nice. I am happy!

Last official day of summer

2010-09-23T22:27:00.001-04:00

Yesterday our informal Wednesday-after-work group met at the beach to mark the last official day of summer. It was warm and wonderful. Here's the gang:

Dave (Deiter), Sherry, Sue, Bill, Barbara

Barbara, Kevin, Bob (the ring leader), Pete, Lynda, Don

Don & Dave

A great day to toast the end of summer. Cheers!

Back to the Jersey Shore

2010-09-21T15:59:00.001-04:00

There's no other way to spend the last official weekend of the summer than at the shore. When Barb & Pete invited us down to their place in Bay Head for the day we jumped at the opportunity. It was our first time down to that area of the Jersey Shore - wow, so beautiful! They took us out for a delicious lunch overlooking the inlet of the Masaquan River and then for a driving tour of Sea Girt and Spring Lake to see where the other half live.

Pete, Don & Barb in Bay Head, NJ - the very top of Barnegat Bay

We spent the afternoon on the beach watching Hurricane Igor pound huge waves into the shore. Fortunately Igor was far out to sea leaving us with a sunny, warm day. Even the surfers didn't attempt the waves although Don and Pete went in for dunk.

With warm temps headed our way later this week, we haven't seen the end of summer weather yet.

The High Line

2010-09-13T21:56:00.001-04:00

This past Saturday, 9-11-2010, Don and I went into NYC to walk The High Line. It is a re-purposed and renovated raised railway line that has not been in use for several years. It is now a raised walkway that runs for a few blocks along 10th Ave. to the meat packing district. It is beautiful!

The walkway has been designed with grasses, trees, flowers, and an eclectic array of art that appeals to all senses, including an exhibit of bell sounds from various parts of New York. A different bells rings every 60 seconds. It is a very short journey but if you stop to enjoy the views and exhibits, it can be quite an adventure. There are plans to extend the walkway north along the rest of the raised railway line.

Me amongst the grasses high above the roadway.

View from the High Line - statements to the world

This is Washington Square near NYU. We then walked north to Union Square, then
Madison Square Park, then back down through the Flat Iron district.

It helped that the weather was perfect! We did not go near Ground Zero where the official memorial ceremonies were being held and many protests. Still so sad.

The End. Montauk

2010-09-02T17:20:00.000-04:00

After both kids got settled in for another year at PSU, Don and I took a week off to vacation on Long Island, NY. Although very close to us, traffic can make it seem very far. Because we started out in rainy weather, the traffic was relatively light (pros and cons!). We spent the first few overcast days visiting the Hamptons - Southampton, East Hampton, Bridgehampton - and every place in the area, including Sag Harbor and Shelter Island. We stayed in Montauk, at "The End" as their slogan goes, so our daily jaunts were not far and the poor weather kept us exploring for a few days. We also switched hotels - from one that thought it was 'trendy' but wasn't, to one that wasn't trendy but was perfect and right on the beach.

On the day we switched to the beach hotel, Don had to give the ocean a visit. Here he is braving the elements while I took a photo from our balcony.

Don in the ocean at Montauk on stormy day

The weather suddenly improved and we spent the next 2 days entirely on the beach - something we don't usually do but we were so happy to see the sun! We read, walked, swam and slept.

Don on Montauk beach in front of our hotel on a sunny day

For those who know the area, the first question we always get is, "Did you stay at Gurney's?" No we didn't but we had dinner there one night. It was absolutely gorgeous dining high above the beach watching the sunset reflecting in the water and then the moon rising.

Dinner at Gurney's, Long Island, NY

At the end of the week we drove up to the North Fork of Long Island, taking two ferries en route. We landed in the cute town of Greenport and spent our last night at a B&B in Southold. The North Fork is famous for its wineries. We did two tastings while there - Shinn and Lieb - both good. (We also sampled Wolff on the South Fork earlier in the week.) Then we drove back via the south shore taking in the island state parks and Long Beach, NY. All beautiful.

Nestle group returns to NJ

2010-08-12T17:26:00.000-04:00

During the first week in August the Nestle group from Toronto descended up Mahwah and Kinnelon once again. We had so much fun when they visited three years ago, we just had to do a repeat.

The festivities included dinner in Mahwah on Friday, followed by Outlets shopping, beach time and dinner in Kinnelon on Saturday, followed by a group going into NYC while another walked Liberty State Park enjoying NYC from across the Hudson (which I blogged about before), then dinner at the Liberty House Restaurant on Sunday. An excellent time was had by all. Catch phrase of the weekend: "junk in my trunk".

And here's the gang:

Dave, Liz, Craig, Linda, Mac, Nancy, Don, Cathy, Cathy & Chris
on Smoke Rise beach

Craig, Don, Nancy, Cathy, Linda, Chris, Cathy, Liz, Dave & Mac

There's talk of taking this reunion out to Vegas next time. What happens in Vegas ...

Happy Birthday Dad!

2010-08-05T21:27:00.000-04:00

Today is my Dad's 86th birthday. I hope he has had a great day. We were talking on the phone today about how the years don't seem to match how you feel. Doctors have told my Dad that he's at least 10 years younger than his actual age - and if you knew him you'd agree!

Dad, you are everything a daughter could want in a father - there's nothing I wish I could have had or that I wish you'd done or said that you haven't already done or already said. I am very lucky to be your daughter. I mean that. And I know Don also feels honored and lucky to be your son-in-law. We mean that for both you and Mom - you are great, generous, loving parents and a great example of how to be a married couple.

Here are a few shots of my Dad:

Kayaking with Don last summer

With his honey, my Mom, on Smoke Rise beach

1944 in front of his plane in the Canadian Air Force (age 20)

We love you, Dad! Thank you for everything! Have a very Happy Birthday ... and many more!

Another funny card

2010-08-04T16:35:00.000-04:00

One more card. I also got a chuckle out of this one from Marian.

Sorry kids!

Another birthday

2010-07-27T15:27:00.002-04:00

Another birthday has whizzed by for me. I love hearing from friends that I see rarely and from those I see everyday! I want to share one of the cards that I especially enjoyed, this one from my Maryland friend and fellow wine taster, Anne.

I also thought I'd share my cakes! I got two: one from my Mom & Dad, and one from my sis-in-law, Kathy. Both were delicious and creative. My Mom's was creative in the baking and Kathy's was a smidge creative with the age (very close to actual - ahem). Its good to know people who will lie for you.

Mom & Dad with me

Kathy's cake creation - Thirty-nine and holding

Catching up with friends

2010-07-26T15:38:00.000-04:00

A few fun things that have gone on between trips east, west and north:

Carolyn (big - as apposed to Carolyn (teen)), aka Otis, my roommate from university, and her husband, Jim, and daughter, Tamarra, came down for a quick visit. It is always fun to see them again to rehash the old days and catch up on the new. Their son, Nathan, couldn't come with them this time. He's heading into his senior year at Tarelton University in Texas, playing baseball as a star pitcher!

And a weekend prior to this visit, we checked out a local brewery with Marian and Dave for a few tastings and a tour. It was very interesting and we'll have to now check out their award-winning Ramstein oktoberfest lager beer in a few months! Check out: High Point Brewing Company.

And before that, back in June, we visited the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club wooden boat and classic car show. It is the only time of the year the club is open to the public so we joined our friends, Cindy and Kenny, the current LHYC Commodore, for a beautiful day by the lake. Don is itchin' to get back into boating ... some day ...

Summer of 2010 - so far so good!

Croeso i wales!

2010-07-22T16:10:00.001-04:00

Welcome to a little Welsh language lesson. We heard lots of Welsh spoken in North Wales amongst the locals dining at nearby tables or in stores. They spoke to us only in English, always friendly and kind. Apparently the Welsh language is well preserved in the north where it is the only language taught in school up to a certain grade, and less so in the south where they are more influenced by England. Signage is all bilingual. What is most interesting is the juxtaposition of consonants (like double 'F's at the beginning of a word, for example) and the unique sounds made with these combinations. A few examples (love the 3rd sign!):

Here is the alphabet, days of the week, and numbers:

And last but not least, our B&B, named Bryn, which we learned is Hill, shortened from Ty Bryn or Bryn Ty (forget which is way is correct), meaning Hill House as it was once known. It was a beautiful home overlooking the valley and right outside the Conwy walls built with the castle between 1283 and 1289!

A jolly holiday

2010-07-21T17:39:00.000-04:00

We recently took advantage of our new empty-nester status and the fact that Don was in the UK on business late in June. I flew over to meet him on July 1st. It was nice to arrive from a red-eye flight and be able to go directly to our hotel where Don was already checked in. (No pretending to sightsee through bleary eyes until our room was ready.)

While Don worked I did a little touring on my own, including the Tate Modern where I hadn't been before. We met one of Bryan's friends who is studying and working abroad for the summer one evening and it was fun getting his perspective on the Brits - all good.

Blenheim Palace - Woodstock in The Cotswolds

After a day or two in London we drove northwest to the Cotswolds. Incredibly quaint and beautiful with lots of great towns all located near each other. We stayed in Chippping Camden. Great restaurants and lots of sheep. We also spent a day in Stratford-Upon-Avon where we did an entertaining walking tour with a talented guide.

Sheep & Cotswolds countryside

Don on Sheep Street, Chipping Camden - "Baaaaa"

From there we drove up to North Wales where we stayed in Conwy, a gorgeous walled town on the edge of the Irish Sea. Our B&B was right outside the walls. From there we could walk up the Conwy mountain for a better view of the sea and could drive through the beautiful valleys to see ... more sheep, and a slate mine. North Wales sheep cover a more rugged territory than Cotswold sheep if you're wondering.

Conwy Harbor & Castle

Then back to the London area where we spent our last night in beautiful Richmond, a trendy town on the Thames close to Heathrow. We caught a few World Cup games in pubs along the way but by this time England was beat out unfortunately. All in all it was a brilliant holiday!

Recommended reading: The Welsh Girl

Happy 18th Birthday

2010-07-11T09:43:00.001-04:00

Carolyn turned 18 last week while Don and I were out of town. It was during her first full week of classes at PSU so she celebrated with her new friends. I moved Carolyn into her dorm two weeks ago with Bryan's help. He drove in from Pittsburgh to help me. (Don was in the UK that day.)

We thought of her all day on her birthday and managed to catch her for a quick phone call. Now-a-days 18 doesn't provide the same benefits as it did in our day but it is still a milestone in a young person's life.

It's also a milestone in every parent's life: "Can you believe we have an 18-year old?!" An 18 and 20-year old in our family now! We can remember their "birth" days like they were yesterday, and we're still in awe.

Goodbye to a "bad piano player"

2010-06-28T20:43:00.001-04:00

This obit is the most colorful one I've ever read. Whoever wrote it, perhaps Philip himself, left very little to the imagination. This guy enjoyed sex and lots of it "well into his eighties". If only more obits were as forthcoming, I think the obits could become a must-read section, perhaps reprinted annually in books for bedtime reading.

I mean no disrespect to this man. I think this is quite enlightening and obviously meant to be read as it was in the Toronto papers.

My dad sent this to me. I'll assume the word "insouciant" caught his eye (highlighted by my dad) and he thought to send it to me, since I blogged on this wonderful word last month.

One other note ... did Philip here have enough names? Could it be that this "intellectual dragonfly" took his partners' names with his "insouciant attitude" and flitting around in bad fashions?

If you have the time, take a moment to read this. You will not be disappointed. If you click on it, it should enlarge so that its easier to read. Really, have you ever read an obit like this?!

Happy Birthday Bro

2010-06-26T16:12:00.003-04:00

My brother is celebrating his birthday today.

He's come a long way since this photo (left) in 1969 when he was 7 years old. We had just moved into our house in Mississauga from Alberta. I don't think he was ever really into dolls unless you count Ken, GI Joe and Major Matt Mason. I have no earlier photos of him because I didn't have a camera before then - maybe they weren't invented yet. But about 1969 is when my photo albums begin.

I do wonder what happened to his hair. Its fairly smooth here but later went into a major fro.

And clearly he became quite the stud as you can see here. Observe his 6-pack abs. I believe this photo was taken at Daytona Beach in 1978. Remember when you could drive your car on the beach? (I'm not sure if they allow that anymore.)

That is not me in the background since I'm taking the photo. No idea who they are, but Dad probably had his girl-watching glasses on, as we used to call them.

And now he is an older guy, married to a great woman and they have raised 2 talented kids. It all worked out incredibly well. Who knew?!

This photo was taken at the Hog's Breath Inn in Carmel, CA in August of 2009.

Happy Birthday bro!

(The spacing on this is a mess ... blogspot needs improvement in this area, but then this is free.)

Hot tub time machine

2010-06-25T09:12:00.003-04:00

I love this photo!

I just found it behind another photo in a picture frame. It was taken during a visit to John & Vicki's in California in 1999 maybe??? Carolyn is about 7 and Bryan 9.

It makes me nostalgic because this summer will be so different from that summer with both kids now doing their own things.

But Don is still around and living at home! He hasn't left. New freedoms and new adventures ahead. Onward!

Graduation - Class of 2010

2010-06-21T11:17:00.000-04:00

Our little girl has now graduated from high school. We're very proud of her and excited for the opportunities that lie ahead for her.

On Sunday I will take her to PSU to start her college life. I miss her already, and she's just upstairs. She has a week to organize her room and get packed. A lifetime of memories and stuff inhabits her room (lots of stuff!). And soon she'll be living in half a room, half the size.

She resigned from her part time job at Staples at the end of May so she has had a few weekends free to enjoy her friends and activities without worrying about a schedule. Her managers gave her a nice card with a gift card enclosed (and not a Staples gift card!).

Carolyn met her PSU roommate via facebook about a week ago and they have been communicating daily. Her name is Kathy. (Nice name!) Kathy seems to be very excited and upbeat and I'm sure they'll get along just fine, as roommates usually do.

We wish her all the best! (Love you sweetheart!)

Own your life

2010-06-18T07:54:00.000-04:00

Another interesting article from The Week magazine. This one drives me nuts! It's up there with suing McD's because their coffee is hot - hello!

Perhaps drivers should sue if the route suggested includes construction delays or a speed trap. Does searching for a route mean that you are freed from having to use your own common sense?! Does Google (and others) need to list all caveats, such as "not responsible for banana peels placed in your path."

Own your life and your actions - stupid or otherwise. Stuff happens.

P.S. I love google maps. I must go there 5x a day. I look up everything.

Kids and their cars

2010-06-11T07:31:00.002-04:00

Was looking for a photo for Father's Day and came across this one taken in June 1993:

Carolyn is 11 mths. old here and Bryan is 3 yrs. Carolyn still likes purple, but not on her car.

Twin Oaks Ice Rink website

2010-06-08T09:16:00.000-04:00

Check out my latest website creation with my partner Kelly Barkhurst.

Click to see full site: Twin Oaks Ice Rink

Yikes!

2010-06-03T09:12:00.000-04:00

You would never catch me doing this! Our daring painter, Joe Hammel:

Barbie goes fishing

2010-06-02T09:30:00.001-04:00

I love this story, found in a recent issue of The Week magazine:

Perfect day in Catskill NY

2010-05-25T08:40:00.001-04:00

On Saturday I drove up to Catskill, NY to meet my friend, Moira, who lives just as far in the other direction in upstate NY. We had tentatively planned to meet for years, now that we're both stateside, and finally the stars were aligned! Moira and I worked together at BCSI more than 20 years ago and each ran one of Canada's only two multi-tenant telecommunications systems at that time, which brought us together regularly on the job.

Once in Catskill, a first time visit for both of us, we ended up parking at the same time in back-to-back parking spots after our 1-1/2 hour drives! We strolled the main street of Catskill, visited a few shops, and talked and laughed. We had lunch on a deck overlooking the Hudson River.

It was so good to hear how great Moira is doing - busy as usual, and interested in all things as usual - and to reminisce about the job that got us started in telecommunications. We're now planning our next rendezvous, hopefully in the fall.

Cheers! Salut! Santé! To your health!

2010-05-21T16:59:00.000-04:00

A nice way to start the weekend ... cheers!

In my latest book, "Lunch in Paris - A Love Story with Recipes" by Elizabeth Bard and recommended to me by my sis-in-law, Vicki, there is a line that I related to (pg 39):

We toasted. "Dans les yeux," Gwendal said, meeting my eyes. "It's bad luck to toast if you're not looking directly at someone."

Don and I had never heard this until we met our Montreal friends, Claude and Louise, on a blind date in Baltimore. We had met over the phone, realized we were both Canadians, and arranged to meet for dinner. I remember Claude clinking glasses with me and waiting ... finally I looked up at him, rather than at our glasses, to see what the problem was and as soon as our eyes met he continued to the next person. You can't fully "cheers" without making eye contact.

Don and I have looked our fellow clinkers in the eye ever since. It is such a nice way to pause and really acknowledge your friends if only for an instant. Try it, you'll like it.

(A daughter of our friends, who is 10 years old, always does cheers with us with an exaggerated leer ever since Don "taught" her - its pretty funny.)

Insouciant

2010-05-19T15:56:00.002-04:00

I turned to Frank, who was pressing more distinctly against by sweatshirt. "I think I'll head to bed, " I said with what I hoped was insouciant uncaring.
- pg. 350, The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova

This word is weird enough to stick with me forever, plus I like the sound of it. I first heard it, or became aware of it, when Anne Shaw presented it as 'The Word of the Week' at a Thornhill Toastmasters meeting at least 14 years ago. Now every time I come across 'insouciant' in a book I think of Anne. And I come upon the word more often than I would have thought! But I have never come across it in a conversation with anyone.

Insouciant - –adjective

free from concern, worry, or anxiety; carefree; nonchalant.
It comes from the French verb soucier to worry, so this is no worry.

I like it. So when next we converse, try using it in a sentence to me. I will be so impressed!

Learning to ride a bicycle

2010-05-15T18:55:00.001-04:00

Anyone who has taught a child to ride a bike knows that it is a difficult process particularly because you feel helpless. There's only so much you can do and the rest is up to the child - including picking themselves up and getting back on the bike after several falls.

A friend of mine who is an avid cyclist has written a book called Peter Learns to Ride a Bicycle. Its a great book with tips that help the child to ride, and help the parent to help the child. Some of the basic tips were new to me, and yet they make a big difference in getting the feel for a bike. The illustrations are great. If you are readying yourself to teach your child to ride a bike or you know someone who is in this position, consider downloading his book. The details are on the author's blog: http://www.dailybicycle.com/.

I highly recommend it!

Mother's Day laugh

2010-05-10T20:17:00.003-04:00

My Mother's Day card from Carolyn cracked me up! We had a perfect day around here because everyone was home for dinner for once. I'm realizing that will be a rare treat going forward.

Bryan came home from PSU on Saturday but leaves next Monday for a summer internship in Pittsburgh. Carolyn leaves a week after her high school graduation for summer at PSU. Both are excited about their new ventures. At least Toby will be here doing the same old window scratching to let us know he wants out ... no in ... no out ... no in...

Parents night at Phi Kappa Tau

2010-04-22T10:28:00.001-04:00

A few weekends ago we went to Bryan's frat for an evening with the brothers. It started with a buffet dinner prepared by their cook, Gary, and was followed by activities.

First: a mother/son Newlywed-like game. The moms were asked questions about their sons while their son's were in another room, then they were brought in, asked the same questions, and answers were compared. Then the moms went elsewhere while the sons were asked questions about their moms. It was really hilarious and fun.

Second: a father/son pool tournament - pool being a big part of frat living (up there with studying, I'm sure). Bryan and Don won the tournament for about 2 seconds ... then the white ball dropped in behind the black. Drat!

So the Gills fared not too badly with a 2nd place in both activities.

The boys did a great job putting on this event. We enjoyed seeing the boys we already knew from visits to our home, and meeting others. We also got to meet many of the parents, one who was kind enough to be the official photographer and followed up with us afterwards.

Bryan is finished school in just a few weeks - May 7th. Its hard to believe that his sophomore year is already coming to an end.

Cat under foot

2010-04-20T20:54:00.001-04:00

Whenever we return from a trip Toby stays glued to me for the first day or two. Yesterday I did a million things around the house, running upstairs, downstairs, into the laundry room, into the kitchen ... and he followed.

Today I did some garden clean-up and he sat within a few feet of me wherever I happened to be working. Here he is tucked under the Japanese maple. I guess the sun was too hot for him today. It's nice to be missed!

Soon he'll go back to ignoring me.

Back from Canada visit

2010-04-19T18:08:00.001-04:00

We just got back from five days in Ontario. First we enjoyed a beautiful day in Niagara-on-the-Lake. While there we walked the cute main street, strolled along the lakeside, and enjoyed a relaxing room at the Harbour House Inn. We also sipped some delicious local wines at the daily wine tasting.

The next day we drove up to Toronto and checked into our hotel at Yonge and Bloor - a great spot for shopping with Carolyn. It was another gorgeous day. Then we rode the red rocket (subway) up to North York to see Jersey Boys which we enjoyed thoroughly!

The following day we were down to Ingersoll, Don's home town about 1-1/2 hours west of Toronto, in time for his mother's internment. The minister once again made it an uplifting, pleasant occasion.

Saturday found us in London, another 1/2 hour west, for Uncle Ray's 90th birthday party hosted by Don's cousin, Carol and her husband. Ray is Don's mom's oldest brother. He's sharp as a tack and remembers everything! Ivan, the next oldest at 88 was also there in fine form. And, ironically, the party was held on what would have been Don's mom's 85th birthday. It was great for all of us to be together with Don's Mom's side of the family. We always think our families are small but here were all these people related to us! And they're fun!!! What a find! We hope to stay better in touch in the years to come.

Ivan (88) and Ray (90)

Our extended family!
(The only one missing is our Bryan who is at school,
and Don Coleman who is taking the photo.)

In Brooklyn

2010-04-09T11:53:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I went to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens with a couple of friends. It was another gorgeous, sunny, summer-like day here in the northeast - perfect for strolling through the gardens and having lunch outdoors. The tulips, cherry blossoms and magnolias were beautiful.

Not a day you could easily fuhgeddaboudit!

I know something good about you

2010-04-06T10:29:00.001-04:00

Wouldn't this old world be better,
If the folks we meet would say,
I know something good about you.
And then just treat us that way?

Wouldn't it be fine and dandy
If each hand clasp warm and true,
Carried with it this assurance,
I know something good about you?

Wouldn't thing here be more pleasant,
If the good that's in us all,
Were the only thing about us,
That folks bothered to recall?

Wouldn't it be nice to practice,
This fine way of thinking too,
You know something good about me,
I know something good about you?
- unknown

SarcMark ?

2010-03-24T17:17:00.001-04:00

This past weekend a friend told me there is a new symbol designed to indicate sarcasm, so I looked it up. I found an article in the Telegraph, a UK-based online article, called "Sarcasm punctuation mark aims to put an end to email confusion". As an occasional user of sarcasm myself, I found it interesting.

The Brits practically invented sarcasm and understand it like no one else! Their movies and TV shows are riddled with it - and are wonderfully hilarious most of the time. AbFab anyone?

These American's from Michigan who invented the SarcMark are making their trademarked punctuation mark available for download by you and I for a mere $1.99. Really. As Matthew Moore points out in his blog "Sarcasm punctuation mark? Who needs it ;-)", there are other ways that we have been indicating sarcasm quite successfully up till now.

What was more fun to read were the reader comments to the the blog and the invention, such as:

Sarcasm and irony work best when the reader is left guessing.

A sarcasm punctuation mark would remove the sting from sarcasm and be self defeating.

We all knew the Yanks didn't understand sarcasm and the SarcMark just proves it – ironically (oh s** I dont have a mark for that)

Well, I for one am *dying* to download the new SarcMark for $1.99 ... NOT ... lol ... ;-)
What do you think?

Friends reunion weekend

2010-03-09T20:52:00.001-05:00

Friends from London, Ontario came to visit us last weekend. Friends we hadn't seen or talked to for 16 years! We don't know why we didn't contact each other during all those years, especially when just prior to that we had met several times with London and Toronto visits and always had a great time.

Then I guess kids came along for both of us, we moved - twice - and we just lost touch. Back in January of this year Arnie saw the obituary for Don's mom in the paper and decided to attend her funeral. We were so touched that he came and so happy to be back in touch.

We had fun making up for lost time this weekend! In many ways it felt like it was just yesterday that we were all childless and camping at Turkey Point on Lake Erie, Don and Arnie had hair, and Mary Lou and I wore bikinis. How times change. :)

Canadian, Please

2010-03-03T10:24:00.000-05:00

Cute video! I found this in my alumni eNewsletter:

*Andrew Gunadie**, BA'08 (MIT)*
Producer, Editor, Composer
Andrew Gunadie is a graduate from Western's collaborative MIT program with Fanshawe College.
He is a new media and web 2.0 enthusiast who contributed to Western's best student experience through CAISA Fashion Show and as a student ambassador with the Faculty of Information and Media Studies. In addition to his role as an independent producer on YouTube, Andrew has experience with a number of different production agencies and Rogers Cable Television. Andrew is known for his co-producer role of "Canadian, Please" garnering over one million hits on YouTube.

Check it out: "Canadian, Please"

3 days of snowfall?

2010-02-25T11:34:00.000-05:00

This is day one of supposedly three straight days of snowfall. We've already had 2 snowfalls this week - wet, heavy snow - causing two delayed openings at the school and snow to be piled high. School has been cancelled today.

And of course this week my snow removal machine is in the UK! We have an endless driveway (at least it seems that way when shoveling) and the shoveling I did this morning is already completely filled in. Don did suggest I call a snowplow service if we get the full 18" to 24" predicted. Most of our neighbors have snowplow contracts for the winter season. This year I hear some have already paid over $1000 for snow removal! Yikes, that's airfare to Europe! We actually enjoy getting out to shovel ... but it does get a little old by the end of February!

On the plus side it is really beautiful! When you don't have to be anywhere and everyone is safe, its enjoyable. Nothing to do but relax, read, blog, surf the internet and get ready for the women's Olympic hockey final tonight. Go Canada!

A day in State College PA

2010-02-23T18:24:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday I rode up to State College with my neighbor who also has a child at PSU. She dropped me off at Bryan's and we had several hours to eat, walk and talk. One of the things we did was to take pictures in front of the famous Nittany Lion shrine on campus. During weekends when there is a football game or homecoming, there is a line-up to take a photo with this statue. Being a normal day of classes no one was around as we posed.

Here's the PSU Nittany Lion mascot on the football field. "Roar!"

It was a fun day! And next year we may have two kids at PSU since Carolyn got an offer and is 99% leaning towards accepting.

Latest "epic" storm

2010-02-10T21:26:00.001-05:00

Yes, they go overboard describing the weather these days, but thought you might be wondering how we're doing here in northern NJ. We didn't get a single flake from the last "epic" snowstorm that really hit the mid-Atlantic this past weekend. It missed us by about 30 miles to the south. But we did see flakes, many flakes today.

This picture is not very clear since I took it just now (at night) but if you scroll down a bit and compare it with an earlier shot of same area, you'll see the difference in snowfall. That's the same bench in the middle of this photo. Looks like we got about 12" to 18" as predicted. We had a snow day today but expect to be back into our usual routine tomorrow unless we get a lot more snow tonight. It was nice to have an unexpected lazy day.

Hope you've all fared well in this nor'easter. I know my Baltimore area friend (Anne) is buried, although they've all been out on foot (with dog, Bonnie) enjoying the neighborhood camaraderie! Always a bright side (as long as you have power)!

Vodkamom

2010-02-09T10:02:00.000-05:00

This is a blog I've been enjoying lately. Honest and very funny! Check it out next time you are surfin': Vodkamom

By the way, I have noticed that the best bloggers seem to be the ones who pour their hearts and personal details into their posts. I can't write those kinds of things about my family and friends - partly because I would never want to inadvertently hurt their feelings or embarrass them. Here's a blog that always amazes me with its honesty: Dooce. The woman will write anything! She is one of the original bloggers. Her daughters are going to kill her in about 5 years!!! Until then she is fun to read!

Snow on Groundhog Day night

2010-02-03T17:56:00.000-05:00

It hasn't been a snowy winter so far - just freezing cold - but we got a bit last night that made everything look beautiful this morning.

After hearing we're in for 6 more weeks of winter, mother nature just had to confirm the forecast.

But tulips are available in the stores so we can brighten up our kitchens!

NYSE Tour

2010-02-01T16:59:00.003-05:00

On New Year's Eve we won a door prize at a party that included a tour of the New York Stock Exchange and lunch at Bobby Van's Steakhouse in the Wall St. area. We decided to enjoy our prize one Friday in January.

The visitor's gallery is now closed and the public can no longer enter the NYSE unescorted. We had taken our kids to the visitor's gallery in 1997, and I had been a long time ago with my parents. Now that the NYSE is virtually paperless it is a less exciting scene to behold. The trades occur electronically and the number of staff on the floor is down by over 75% from what it was pre-electronic trading. Still it was very exciting for us.

We had to wait outside the building for our escorts. Across the street facing the NYSE were pairs of SWAT guys very seriously scanning the streets. No vehicles are permitted in this area. The good guys at Dru-Stock got us signed in and gave us a great tour. We're wearing two different visitor badges (above). They told us about the history of the rooms, introduced us to the different areas for different types of trading and services, demonstrated their hand-held trading/communication devices, and walked us by the on-site media offices, like CNN's, where we saw reporters preparing to go on air.

Lunch was delicious and a wonderful finish to a fascinating day. A great door prize!

Our niece

2010-01-30T17:56:00.003-05:00

We only have one niece but she's all we need wrapped up in one beautiful, talented, clever, young lady. (She obviously takes after her Mom ... sorry John, couldn't resist!) We're very proud of her accomplishments. Like Carolyn, Haley is in the process of applying to colleges and waiting for the "big" envelopes. She has already been accepted at one of her fav schools so the future is looking bright!

All the very best to you Haley!

Our nephews

2010-01-24T17:09:00.005-05:00

We have 5 handsome nephews that we don't get to see often enough. They are pictured here oldest to youngest:

Don's sister, Kathy's two boys, Adam (18) and Brandon (15).
Adam is heading off to university this fall.

My brother, John's, son, Cole (14). An expert in martial arts and solid as a rock!

Don's sister, Barb's, two sons, Eric (7) and Michael (5). They keep us well entertained as you can see! (Always wash your kids' hands after they play with crayons in restaurants ... you never know how they were used before you!)

Nola

2010-01-24T16:30:00.004-05:00

Don's mom passed away on Thursday, January 7th. She was 84. She had a long battle with Alzheimers which robbed her of many years at the end. Here is a photo of Nola; this one taken in 1993 with Carolyn who was 8 months old during this visit to see us in Richmond Hill. She always enjoyed her grandchildren.

There was a beautiful service for Nola in Ingersoll on Monday, Jan. 11 where we celebrated her life and enjoyed the music that was so enjoyed by her. Adam, our nephew, put together a beautiful slide show presentation reminding us all of her better days and the many good times we all shared with her.

Personal space

2010-01-06T14:19:00.003-05:00

I'm one that needs her personal space. I'm not one that likes people standing too close, especially strangers. Its hard to manage your personal space on an airplane, but most people, big and small, work hard to stay within their alloted minuscule space, i.e. the narrow space between armrests.

Except the person beside me when I rode back from Florida. She was amazingly unaware of any personal space courtesies. It was irritating me until Carolyn, my daughter, leaned over and said, "Forget about it mom. Pretend you're on that show where if you can tolerate the person without losing your temper for an hour you'll win $100." This completely changed my perspective and became a challenge - a game to pass the time away while I was bashed in the arm countless times.

And in hindsight I find the whole situation funny. Here are some of the things my seatmate did:

Set her carry-on bag down on my foot and let my leg support it during take-off
Massive sighs and massive shifting in her chair rocking the row
Asked if she could put her lunch garbage on my tray (I said 'yes' thinking she was getting up to go the bathroom - she then made herself comfortable and didn't move, except to reach across me to drink from her cup on my tray!)
Slammed me across the chest with her arm
Hit my arm to talk to me even when I was reading or talking to Carolyn

Okay, it was very weird but I did realize later that she had some issues. She was met by someone as soon as she got off the plane and helped out of the terminal to where some anxious person was probably relieved for her safe arrival.

Where's my $100?!

Christmas 2009 in Florida

2009-12-28T18:37:00.004-05:00

We had a wonderful week in Florida with H&B. Perfect weather, great company, and plenty of delicious food. Spent a lot of time on the beach walking and reading. Saw 'Avatar' one night ... as Bryan says, "It was good but they ripped off 'Fern Gully'" - a popular kid's movie years ago. True!

As usual we went to The Sailfish Marina for our first breakfast. Here's 'casual Santa' with Bryan, Dad, Carolyn & Don:

And we were back to the Sailfish for a stroll on the piers on Christmas Eve, looking at boats worth more than our house. The palm trees were all lit up - very pretty.

Out to dinner on our last night in this last photo. Don showed up minus some facial hair that he'd had for years and years. Here's Don, Mom, Bryan, Carolyn, Dad and me.

Hope you all had a great holiday with family and friends too.

PSU canning weekend

2009-12-06T16:43:00.007-05:00

This weekend 10 wonderful kids stayed with us for their PSU fundraising weekend. Most are from NJ and PA, one is from MD, and one is from Cleveland, Ohio. There were 8 guys from the same Frat as Bryan and 2 girls who are in nursing.

As canning weekends go, apparently it wasn't the most successful in terms of collecting donations. They seemed to be competing with the Salvation Army and the weather. About mid-afternoon on Saturday it started to lightly snow, then just dumped down on us for the next several hours. It was still relatively mild so the snow fell in huge fluffy flakes. Pretty to watch; not so pretty to drive in.

Chilling and napping in the family room after fundraising: Rush, Bryan, Brian, Nick, Andrew, Mike & Kyle.

Breakfast group: Brian, Mike, Julie, Nick, Rush, Nicole.

They're all back to school for the last week of classes, followed by a week of exams. Then, home to their families for the holidays.

Bless you!

2009-11-28T23:03:00.004-05:00

Sneeze and the whole world says, "Bless you!" Die coughing and no one says a thing. Why is that?

It amazes me how quickly people (even complete strangers) are programmed to say "Bless you!" after a sneeze. Since I am a multiple sneezer this has always been a bit embarrassing. I sneeze once and 20 people say "Bless you" ... but I'm just getting started. Those who really know me don't say "Bless you", they count, "One, two, three, four, ... ten, eleven ..." You've got to really hang in there if you want to bless me.

From wikipedia:
Bless you, or God bless you, is a common English expression addressed to a person after they sneeze. The origin of the custom and its original purpose are unknown.

An alternative expression to Bless you that is sometimes said after a sneeze is the German word Gesundheit.

A legend holds that it was believed that the heart stops beating and the phrase "bless you" is meant to ensure the return of life or to encourage your heart to continue beating.

Workin'

2009-11-16T19:37:00.002-05:00

Most days you can find me sitting at my laptop working, emailing, surfing and facebooking. And sometimes Cathy joins me.

PSU weekend in the snow and rain

2009-10-23T09:29:00.004-04:00

Last weekend we drove to Penn State to see Bryan and catch our yearly football game. Always an amazing experience at Penn State. This year, due to the snow (arriving a month earlier than usual!), there was no parking permitted on the grass around the stadium. The weather didn't lend itself to tail gating anyway, so we went out to lunch and hung out at Bryan's frat until the game. It was also Homecoming weekend so the frat was ship shape awaiting the return of their alumni that evening.

The game was good - I mean there were two teams running around and jumping on each other so it looked normal to me. PSU won 20-0 against Minn. (I think.) What's with the gopher mascot??? Gee, he looks menacing. No wonder the Nittany Lions won. Roar.

As usual, a few pics:

Those people running around on the field. I was disappointed we didn't get to see the half-time show. It is usually spectacular. Watch this! But Joe Pa wouldn't let them onto his soggy field.

Those people in the stands: Marian, Don, & Dave. (Friends from town also with us - they have a freshman at PSU.)

Snow-filled stands ... my legs, boots, and scarf tassels (purchased at a market in San Gimignano for 8 euro - good buy. Not at all relevant to this post but maybe of interest to the non-football readers.)

Thanksgiving weekend - Canadian style

2009-10-20T14:19:00.006-04:00

Last weekend, Oct 2, 3, 4, and 5th, we hosted the Gill Canadian Thanksgiving! Both of Don's sisters and their families motored on down the NY turnpike into NJ for a weekend of turkey eating, scavenger hunting, birthday celebrating, anniversary celebrating, sightseeing, shopping, cocktailing on the beach, coloring and picture taking.

In the month of October there is lots to celebrate with 4 birthdays and 2 anniversaries in the Gill family, as follows:

Oct. 1 - Michael's 5th Birthday
Oct. 3 - Barb & Doug's 11th Wedding Anniversary
Oct. 5 - Cathy & Don's 24th Wedding Anniversary
Oct. 10 - Brandon's 15th Birthday
Oct. 11 - Kathy's Birthday
Oct. 26 - Don's Birthday

In the dining room, from L to R going around the table: Michael (5), Brandon (15), Carolyn (17), Kathy, Don, Bryan (19), Me, Adam (18), Eric (7) and Barb. Missing is Doug a.k.a. Uncle Buck! And 2 birthday cakes.

Cheers to my sisters-in-law, Barb and Kathy!

These are the scavenger hunt teams: Michael & Adam, Eric & Bryan, Carolyn & Brandon. Who won? Well, they were all winners, right Brandon?

Empty Sky

2009-10-04T18:47:00.003-04:00

Today Don and I took a drive in to Liberty State Park in Jersey City. It is directly across from lower Manhattan so there are amazing views of the city, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

It was a beautiful, warm sunny day today. We walked along the Hudson River and enjoyed watching the busy harbor and the other walkers, joggers, cyclists and bladers along the waterfront.

A gaping hole in the cityscape is, still, the World Trade Center. They have an interesting memorial planned for Liberty State Park, which is to basically frame the location where the WTC was, and to list the NJ people who died that day. In the meantime there is a hedge representing the 2 walls for now. Here's the current view and the plaque with photos of the 'before 9-11' and 'proposed memorial'.

After our long walk we shared a few appetizers at the Marina restaurant, gawked at the many yachts, and enjoyed this perfect fall day. (Tomorrow is our 24th wedding aniversary.)

Back to School Night - Last time!

2009-09-23T15:59:00.003-04:00

Last week Don and I attended our last 'Back to School' night. We dragged ourselves over to the school not especially anxious to traipse through all the classes again. Of course, once we got there we had a great time seeing all the parents we haven't seen since June, and catching up with parents that we are only connected to via the school.

When the evening was over I was actually sad that this was our last ever 'Back to School'. How many parents will we lose touch with next year? It will be much harder to stay connected with our extended community without the necessary school events.

Since then I have mentioned this to several Moms I know who have their last child off to college this Fall. Did they miss 'Back to School' this year for the first time in umpteen years? One friend said, " I do miss the KHS stuff too, but, you know as you move into other realms of your life, it is not all that bad."

So true.

And the summer continues ...

2009-09-18T08:05:00.004-04:00

We had a wonderful weekend last weekend in LBI (Long Beach Island) while we stayed with friends, Deirdre and Mark. It was great to catch up on each other's lives. They left Kinnelon about a year ago so we don't see them as often. For 3 years we stood beside or near each other watching hockey games. But, alas, the boys are away in college now.

We arrived on Saturday which was an overcast day. I loved the look of the ocean when the sky and ocean are almost all the same color. It was beautiful. Here's Deirdre and I, followed by Don & Mark who went for a swim. Sunday was sunny but of course I didn't take any beach pictures that day and that was the day Don tried surfing!

By the way, a week or two ago, there would have been many blankets and umbrellas in between me and the ocean. LBI is a popular NJ spot in throughout the summer with many, many shore homes. Its a great spot with views of the ocean or the bay from almost every home. But with school being back, the beaches were wonderfully quiet. Of course the ice cream man was still ringing his bells! For whom his bells tolled, I do not know.

NYC Saturday

2009-09-02T19:55:00.003-04:00

Don & I went into the city (NYC) last weekend despite the threat of rain. We found a great French restaurant for lunch in the West Village - Pastis. From there we walked along Bleeker and bumped into neighbors who used to live across the street from us in Baltimore. They now live in Chicago and were in town moving their son into NYU as a freshman! It was amazing to see them! This is Don and I with Kim and Charlie:

From there, Don and I drove across town to the East R. and walked across the Brooklyn bridge - the first time we've ever done that. It was great! Very crowded on the Manhattan side but as we crossed the mid-point the crowds thinned out and it was a nice walk to Brooklyn. Once in Brooklyn we found a little pub with street seating where we stopped for a drink. We met a great couple of "kids" (in their 20's) who were cousins. One was visiting from Houston, a recent grad of Kansas U., and the other was working in advertising in the city and was just newly engaged. We spoke to them for a long time before walking back across the bridge at dusk.

It was a unexpectedly wonderful day!

Moving Bryan back to school

2009-08-21T11:43:00.004-04:00

Bryan is living off campus in his frat this year. It was realively painless: one trip out to Bed Bath & Beyond and Target before we left home, one trip out to Mattress World and Target in State College yesterday, and lugging his stuff up 2 flights of stairs on a hot, humid day! The best part is that we purchased his bed at 2:30 in the afternoon and they delivered and set it up by 5:30! Amazing.

His frat has about 20 guys living in it so its reasonably small and less chaotic (I hope). The guys all seem really nice, polite and friendly. Not having much association with Greek life (not big on Canadian campuses in my day), I wasn't sure what to expect. It was actually quite nice ... notice I didn't say "clean", but it wasn't too bad. Here's the front and side views:

Good luck to Bryan and all returning college/university kids!

Visiting John & Vicki, Cole & Haley

2009-08-12T18:06:00.004-04:00

We are just back from a fantastic week in San Francisco! We spent a night in the Fisherman's Wharf area and then the rest of the time was spent with my brother and his family. They were all awesome hosts.

The quick details:
1st day: wine & hot tub, dinner & firepit
2nd day: Napa wine tastings (Gloria Ferrer, Orin Swift, J & Rodney Strong), Dinner (tapis and wine flights @ Willi's ... need name, town), back to hot tub
3rd day: Watched Haley exercising her horse. Lunch & shopping @ Rockridge in Berkeley, [Guys @ baseball game], Dinner (Gordon Biersch, San Fran)
4th day: Lunch (Va di Vi @ Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek), Massage as luxurious spa following by shopping in a relaxed daze, Hot tub, Dinner a la Vicki (yum!)
5th day: Monterey - lunch, strolling, dinner, followed by night cap in Carmel (Hog's Breath). [Guys golfed in Pacific Grove]

Some of the wine purchases:

The cousins, Haley & Carolyn:

The whole gang (minus Bryan who couldn't come due to work):

It was truly a perfect visit!

Birthday weekend

2009-07-21T18:19:00.005-04:00

This past weekend we celebrated another birthday at our home - mine. I had a great time!

First, the 4 of us went into the city for dinner and a show. We were intrigued by the pedestrian area where Broadway has been closed off to traffic at Times Square. Hundreds of lawn chairs have been provided for tourists to sit and watch the lights! We saw "Hair" which was enjoyed by us all.

Second, I received lots of funny and touching cards, phone calls and emails. And flowers from my family! Thank you all!

Third, my parents came down for the weekend and took us out for a delicious dinner at the Chart House in Weehawkin (on the Hudson R). You can't tell in these photos, but our table had a magnificent view of Manhattan so as we enjoyed our dinner we saw the skyscrapers go from daylight, to gray with gold reflections from the setting sun, to black with all their lights. Very pretty. Here's Don, Carolyn and my Mom, followed by Me, Bryan and my Dad.

Fourth, we joined the July birthday babies party on the beach with our other young friends and had a great time! Check out the photos taken here.

And lastly, the celebrations continue this week with friends. Getting older is fun when we do it together.

Tims comes to the big apple

2009-07-13T21:17:00.002-04:00

Tim Hortons has arrived in New York City!

We look forward to checking it out to see if its the Tims we know and love from home or a modified version. One thing that is different between Tims in Ontario and Tims in upstate New York is the size of the cups. In Ontario a 'small' looks like a thimble by U.S. standards. Either way we will definitely patronize the store whenever we get a chance.

Now we just need Tims to come to New Jersey. And Swiss Chalet.

Timbit anyone?

Birthday girl & brother

2009-07-13T20:39:00.001-04:00

Carolyn turned 17 last week!

Paris & Canada Day

2009-07-02T19:55:00.005-04:00

Don and I had a wonderful spur of the moment 5 days in Paris about a week ago. Don was overseas for work and had to spend a weekend away. We found enough British Airways points for me to fly over so I did. The trip was perfect.

I missed my opportunity to do a Happy Canada Day post yesterday. I was going to try to find an old photo from a past celebration but that would have required flipping through old photo albums and I didn't have the time. So instead you are getting photos of Paris on the day after Canada Day.

I've been feeling back-blogged lately. If I let it go too long without posting it gets harder to get back into it.

Happy Canada Day to our friends and family at home!

The beauty of book club is ...

2009-06-17T13:24:00.002-04:00

... reading a good book that you would never have chosen to pick up and read if not for book club.

Just finished reading our May book (about 2-1/2 weeks too late) but the discussion in May was so interesting. Glad I didn't miss it. For anyone looking for something a little different, try In the Land of Invisible Women by Qanta A. Ahmed.

Carolyn's Jr Prom

2009-05-30T19:40:00.004-04:00

May 29th was Prom night in Kinnelon. We attended a beautiful pre-prom party where we took pictures, admired all the gorgeous young couples, and mingled with other parents until long after the kids left for the prom.

Here's Carolyn:

With her date, Justin, very handsome:

They all had a good time and are now down at the Jersey shore en masse enjoying a warm weekend.

A touching read for hockey parents & players

2009-05-28T17:07:00.002-04:00

This I Believe - Hockey is the Cure for what Ails America
By Joe Scatchell - 3/2/07

Failing test scores, ill-behaved day care children, gangs, drug use, the list goes on of the ills facing our country. We look for quick answers that many times end up creating new issues and the circle of problems grows wider in an ever-spiraling pattern. So how do we stop the momentum and hope to reverse its damage?

Play Hockey.

I know that most of you are calling up images of stick swinging, lights out punches and bench clearing brawls. You've been fed a lie. That those things occur is a fact. That they occur so rarely to have painted an entirely incorrect picture of the sport is also a fact. Thousands of games are played each week all around the world now and you can probably name 3 or 4 incidents of outlandish behavior, total.

Here's the truth. If you want society to be civil, its citizens polite, humble and respectful of one another get everyone involved in hockey. Hockey is above all else a family commitment that instills the values that our society holds dearest; that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, hard work has its reward, but most important, respect for others.

For the uninitiated, hockey starts at 6, both in age of player and time of morning practices! Moms and Dads, Grandmas and Grandpas, Aunts and Uncles load up the player and equipment and it's off to the rink. Many times the rides to and from the rink are lengthy giving parents and guardians and the children quality time to do the unusual; talk to one another. The conversations are not always deep or life altering but that they happen at all is becoming rarer. How did you sleep? Did you like that cereal? No, I never heard of "Take it Back Sunday", is it a song or a group?" It's all good because you are establishing lines of communication that may be used for much more important matters some day.

At the rink, you get to watch your child learn. The early progress is breathtaking. Remember how you marveled when they learned to walk? Use a fork? How many chances to you get to see something as wonderful? Try skating sometime to see how difficult it is for yourself. It's likely that in a short time, your child will be better at something than you are. Talk about a no lie dose of self-respect!

Teams often play in tournaments that take place over several days and far enough from home to require over night stays. Whole families attend these events providing yet another opportunity to do something that is vanishing from our American landscape; the family road trip. Again, conversation, whole discussions even, stops for meals and potty breaks, arguments over who is touching who and all the other things that those fortunate enough to have taken these trips in our youth, still remember fondly many years later.

Siblings look forward to hanging with all the other siblings, the hotel pool, knee hockey in the halls, and yes, the excitement of the games themselves. Coaches are more than hockey fanatics; they are coaches of life. Players are correctly taught that hockey is a team sport. Everyone on the team contributes. Most teams keep playing time evenly distributed among the players in all but the most competitive situations to instill this fact. Parents are encouraged to bring school and home issues to
the coach so that both the parents and the Coach are consistent. For example, it’s not at all unusual for Johnny not to play if he isn't doing well in school or disobeying at home.

Hockey can be dangerous. Sharp blades, hard sticks and the speed of play demand that players maintain control and respect for themselves and their competitors. Players are taught to "play the body" and not go and "hurt 'em". Indeed, the intention of checking is to separate the puck from the player; take the puck not the player out.

The game's traditions reinforce the basic tenets of a civil society. Before each game, kids as young as 8 years old and already placed in leadership roles as Captains, introduce themselves to the opposing Coaches and Officials and shake their hands. The rules of the game support the development of leadership by allowing only the Captains, not the Coaches, to talk to the officials about game calls. When a player scores, all his teammates join in the celebration. The players who assisted on the goal get the same point the scorer received. Showboating does not occur in hockey. At the end of every game, all players and Coaches line up and shake hands. The same occurs at every level and even at the end of the NHL season.

Lest you think my arguments are specious, I offer these observations. Look at the other professional major American sports and compare them to professional hockey. Most of the players in the NHL and supporting professional leagues have lived away from their families and with host families at some point. Most of us would not think of taking a strange teenager into our home. If you speak to just about any host family, they will tell you that the kid came in with all of the attributes I speak of. They were polite, respectful, humble and thankful for the hospitality shown. Lifelong relationships were made. You don't see professional hockey players being named in bar room shootings or taking steroids or other illegal drugs. Listen to the player interviews. Universally, they deflect any praise to their teammates and coaches. If they have a bad game or they're in a slump, they talk about needing to work harder and blame only themselves. When they receive awards, they start by thanking their parents and talk about those long car rides to rinks early in the morning. They are humble, thankful.
These same things happen at every hockey banquet I've had the honor of attending. I was
privileged to spend as much time as I did with my daughter and 2 sons and have been paid back many times over for those cold mornings when I see them working at something hard, being polite, humble and respectful.

Thank you hockey.

Our cat is a nut

2009-05-17T12:48:00.002-04:00

Toby ran up a tree and didn't come down today.

He seemed to ponder his options...

Then, Bryan to the rescue...

Silly cat. He keeps us entertained.

Animals seen today

2009-04-26T12:43:00.004-04:00

1. A turtle sunning him/herself on a rock while we kayaked by:

2. Our silly cat lounging in the birdbath:

The northeast is finally enjoying some spring, actually SUMMER, weather this weekend.

Employee of the Month

2009-04-20T08:18:00.005-04:00

Congratulations to Carolyn! She sent this to me via her cell from work yesterday.

She works almost 20 hours a week at Staples. It keeps her in spending money and, soon, gas money, as her next birthday approaches and she can take her driving test.

We enjoy the stories about her day. Reminds me of my days at the Busy Bee Car Wash (anyone remember that place beside La Castille on Dundas?!), and my days in the ticket booth at Ontario Place. Customers can be the best and the most frustrating part of any job!

Stress

2009-04-19T17:43:00.002-04:00

A lecturer when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked,"How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it.

If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.
If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.
If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.

In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later,as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. "

"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again.When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."

"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can."

So, my friend, Put down anything that may be a burden to you right now.
Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while.

Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:
* Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
* Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
* Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply be kind to others.
* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
* Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
* Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
* The second mouse gets the cheese.
* When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
* You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
* Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. * We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Thanks for this Mrs. G.!

PSU fun

2009-04-17T14:06:00.003-04:00

Bryan just sent this photo of his intramural hockey team. They won the league championship this spring. He just sent it. That's Bryan in the left front row. Congrats boys.

Only 3 more weeks to go and his freshman year is done - already!

Transitions graduation

2009-04-13T17:09:00.002-04:00

Last Tuesday was the last of our 12-week Transitions Lifestyle program. We celebrated by eating! Eating low GI (glycemic index) dishes, that is. We each had to bring a dish along with our recipe. I made zucchini boats - not bad.

We also did our final weigh-in and measurement gathering. For me I was thrilled to see that I lost about 11 pounds but more importantly I lost about 7% in body fat. I have gone down a pant size or 2 and feel soooo much better. I hope I can maintain this weight as its exactly where I had hoped to end up. The program was about eating and living well - a lot of info we already knew - but somehow it all made sense this time and having to stick with it for 12 weeks helped to create new, and hopefully lasting, lifestyle habits.

And another benefit was meeting a group of really fun people. Most of the people in our group were already health-conscious, active people who just wanted to be better. I think everyone is pleased with their results. I recommend the program to anyone who is looking for the knowledge to improve their overall health!

Nothing like getting the deck furniture out

2009-04-03T14:12:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was one of those perfect early spring days here in the northeast. EVERYONE was outside. It took me 1 hour to do a half hour walk as I encountered so many neighbors out walking their pets, happy to stop and chat.

Often before dinner, Don and I have a drink first to pause and talk about our days. As soon as the better weather arrives we do this outside. Yesterday was our first day of 2009 having cocktails outside. You can see the trees are still bare but the forsythia and daffodils are almost ready to pop.

Yesterday was also my parents' 54th wedding anniversary! To H&B! To Spring! Cheers (from our deck)!

Greed - good or bad?

2009-03-30T16:18:00.006-04:00

I love this for many reasons. It is a short discussion on capitalists. And it doesn't make any comment on social safety nets. There is a place for safety nets, but there has to be a place for capitalism for the benefit of us all.

This video is an interview clip with Milton Friedman (July 31, 1912 - November 16, 2006): American economics,statistician and recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.

This leads to my other belief "There's no such thing as an altruist," which sounds offensive on the surface, but we're all out to gain something even if its just to feel good about ourselves, and that's okay.

(Thanks Paul for sending the clip.)