Under Quarantine!

I never thought the winter of 1997 would repeat itself--but it is! Went to visit my sister and family up near Syracuse this past weekend--My whole family was together--had a nice second Christmas gathering.

Kids went sledding and DS1 drove a snowmobile for the first time! He is hooked. Stayed an extra day to take advantage of my sister's gift--Lift tickets to a local ski area.

Mom was supposed to go back to Virginia on Monday morning with my other sister and her family. At 5:30 am we received a phone call that would change the next three days! My 2 nieces and BIL were all horribly sick. Mom was stuck in NY for at least another day.

My sister, my 3 young nephews and my kids went off skiing anyway on Monday. My kids had a great time--My nephews had mixed experiences--One remembered everything he learned from last season, his twin took 40 minutes to come down the beginner hill--that was after falling from the chair lift when he and my oldest were loading and then forgetting to get off at the top. I came along to help and let the anxious teen go off and explore the mountain. I took over to help this twin from a small tree he slid into and wrapped himself around. He kept refusing to to try and after one run he was done! My sister was struggling with the 3 yr old who had never been on skis before. She chastised me for not being more help.

She thought I had experience with young skiers! Well yes and no. My 2 have been on skis since they were 3--but in ski school with one instructor for every 2 kids for kids ages 3-4. We would ski with them, but we let the instructors do all the work. We only went solo with them when they mastered lifts and the lower trails at Jay. Now they like the woods and we stay on the groomed trails. Our whole family still goes to ski school when we get away for a week at Jay Peak.

My kids had fun for the day and realized they were spoiled by learning to ski at Jay Peak. We love the powder and the conditons. It has been rare in the winters since 1989 for there to be poor conditions at our favorite mountain,

Anyway back on the small ski hill in NY, my sister was beginning to not feel well--she left with the boys and we stayed until the lifts closed and knew when we got back to the house we were grabbing our things and leaving to go home. We were not sticking around to get sick.

By the time we got back to my sister's -- my mom was sick and so was one the twins as well. Whatever this is was moving like lightening. I prayed the whole 6 hrs home that we would be OK. At 11 we arrived home and at 3 we had our first casualty with another to follow at 5:30 am.

So long New Year's Eve party-- The phone calls and the text messages went out to declare our home a Quarantine zone. There's always next yr.

It'll be quiet here and now we are freezing in a house where I opened all the windows to kill the germs. We're also hoping that DH doesn't get what we all had. His 36 hrs has expired and now we'll just wait and see.

Gotta go make some soup--HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Oopps!

Don't know what I hit but I published the post before I finished!

Back to the survey--

FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE: "An American Christmas Carol" with Henry Winkler. Yearly tradition and hard to find but worth every minute.

WHAT DO YOU LEAVE OUT FOR SANTA? Cookies and milk and a classic note.

WHAT DO I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS? Haven't been asked yet, but I have posted my Amazon.com wish list with a favorite childhood book called the "Little Witch" on it. It is currently out of print and I couldn't remember the title until a friend of mine was telling me what she was reading to her daughter around Halloween--It sparked many good memories and a remember reading it over and over--Time to find it again.

Actually, what I really want is to know that our 2 nephews are safe in the army as Rangers or Green Berets and 2 dear young men who I watched grow up at church and were my favorite teens in VBS are safe in the marines. One recently married and both were home and it was a great day to see them together and how they have grown into fine young men.

I also just need to know that my life will be filled with peace and blessings. I have that now in my family and thank God each and every day for these blessings.

To those in my Facebook world--this is an up close shot of Andrew singing with the Concert Choir. Check out http://www.youtube.com/janthony37 for recent performance video.

Blessing to all and have a great afternoon---

Are You Ready?

Not by a long shot--but here is a little time to myself--

I'll bite on the Christmas Survey--so here it goes--

DO YOU USE WRAPPING PAPER OR GIFT BAGS?

Wrapping paper with ribbon and bows on every package. (Recycle bows, not paper, my sister, bless her heart saves hers, wraps it in a big box and gives it to my mother every Christmas!) For me--not worth the time-- and lets get to the present--boys change that patience thing.

REAL TREE or ARTIFICIAL? STAR OR ANGEL? Real and cut on the farm--they always look too small on the farm--Need to fill an 11 foot space or I am not happy. Definitely a star on top--afew years ago we hunted for a new bright star--its the first thing on the tree when we bring it into the house.

EGGNOG-- Yes or no? YECH!!!! NOWAY!!!

HARDEST TO BUY FOR-- 2 sisters who swear we are only gifting to the kids.

DO YOU HAVE A NATIVITY? Yes--Several, A white ceramic one made by my sister in law--up on the China closet away from the cats, the ancient one from DH's family under the tree and the mini one I had in my 1st apartment.

Finally home!

It's been a crazy morning--8 AM swim with DS2, but before that there were brownies to bake and a tree to finish! Squirtle the cat had other ideas--She loves the 8 ft ladder--hard to garland the tree from the top (it's 11 ft and the heaviest tree we have ever had) and juggle a cat who likes to play trapeze artist and add glittering garland -- well I got 1/3 done.

DS1 recently recovered from strep was even up and out with us to get ice of all things (couldn't the choir use snow!) for the Concert Choir Winter Wonderland fundraiser.

After swim--off to pageant rehearsal--DS2 is the narrator and we lost the script in my pit of a van. Haven't cleaned it out in several weeks--the layers are piling up.

Drop at rehearsal and off to pick up chicken to take home and cook and bring to the Choir fundraiser by 11! DS1 told me last night we needed to cook chicken--It was snowy and icy and I was not going anywhere last night! The Boy Scout Court of Honor was even postponed.

Pick up DS2 drop at home, pack up chicken and return to the HS. Contribution welcomed and I got to check out our basketball team--Not bad--I am a sucker for watching a good basketball game. Got the rest of the family into too--thanks to the Davidson College NCAA tournament run. My Dad and Davidson's coach were good friends. Couldn't help but think Davidson had an angel on the sideline last season--Brings me comfort and now they are on a roll again!

Finally home and need to bake cookies for our Winter Solstice celebration tomorrow--We are suckers to carry on a tradition we learned from "Little Bear." It was DS1's favorite childhood cartoon--Believe it or not I have all the episodes on tape! Tomorrow we light up our lone tree in front of the house and hang cookies for the night creatures on the longest night of the year. I know sappy, but we look forward to it every year.

Call Us Crazy---But It Was the Best Parade!

Proof--we are curbside--protecting our Territory!

It's 5:30 am and we are curbside--Believe it or not we made the 3:52 train! We all slept!

Parade traditions have been reincarnated. DS2 was happy, he missed my presence last year. My dad passed away the day before Thanksgiving last year and needless to say--Thanksgiving wasn't normal. DH and boys found their way to the parade spot by themselves. Amazing feat! This year we came out of the subway and DH headed north instead of south! It was dark--such an excuse.

Here's a New One! We couldn't beleive the Police Cafeteria rolling up to serve breakfast! They had tables and everything--Didn't offer us any though! Kids were not happy!

Here's another new one--Who in the right mind would want to march well into their 70's! I can't imagine where St. Petersburg, Florida found more than 300 former Marching Band Members to create this monstrocity.

Kids had a blast, yelling out to all the celebrities and seeing if they would be acknowledged! Nothing like a challenge and they succeeded---

We were out of there at 11 and home by 1--Slept all the way home--Theme of the Day--CAT NAPS!

Time to cook! We finally ate at 5:00. All in all after all the fixin's, it was one of the best Thanksgivings we have had.

Today--DS1 Birthday

Help--Give earplugs! What were we thinking giving him ROCKBAND!!!!! Waiting for the neighbors to call--But he is happy and isn't that all that matters.

Can't wait to go to sleep tonight--Although DS1 has swim practice at 8 am tomorrow--I think it will be a PJ run and go back to bed.

DS1 is hovering--GOOD NIGHT!

Drifting----

I should be baking or prepping tomorrow's dinner--

But I'm procrastinating--

DS2 had only 2 hrs of school today, I finished food shopping, which I hate!

Now, I've got everything together to take to the ravenous DS1 after swim team practice--a hero, his Islanders Hat--Off to the game with DH--

Meanwhile we are prepping for a 3 am something train to the city for the parade. Call us crazy but it's our crazy--We'll be in our parade spot before 6 and just let anyone try and muscle their way in. DH is very good at keeping our prize piece of curbside to our family and friends. We don't let the latecomers with kids get curbside--We get ours up at 3 for a good view so can they!

We'll see how much sleep DS1 and DH get tonight or early tomorrow morning.

We'll prepare dinner when we get home!

Off to bake some pumpkin struesel muffins--See if they make to dinner or will be an early morning snack!

What's Normal?

I'm ready for some normalcy--But someone will have to show me what that is.

16 1/2 hours working the polls--never had a break--never saw anything like it--now we have to live with it!

Meanwhile--16 miles out in the ocean--3 fisherman were catching fish after fish--What is the world is a ling? We have to eat it tonight, because it can't be frozen! There will be sea bass also on the menu.

Those 3 smelly fisherman were all wiped out--Oldest son crying at election results, let him know we will survive, just as we have in the past. It is a new world.

One smelly fisherman went to choir practice fresh off the boat. I'm sure no one sat near him! I'll hear about that today.

Going to work--last day at the athletics office--Sad-----

I liked that office

New adventures start tomorrow as I'm back on the call list--never know what will come my way.

So here is normal--

Up at 5:15--First question of the day--Do I have any clean pants? from DH (How should I know, my mom did the laundry for the last 4 days! Thank goodness or we would be wearing dirty clothes)

6:00--What's for breakfast? from DS1--how should I know--Don't know what you all raided yesterday for the fishing expedition and I don't want to give up the Frosted Entemann's Donut stash from my election day survival bag. (I gave them up--DS1 will crash at school in a few hours, but he'll survive enough to take his English quarterly)

6:30--check on dehydrated DS2--little groggy, needs a white shirt--uniforms are great except when you can't find the clean laundry. We find it and I pump him up with OJ, a bananna and of course 2 donuts Andrew left in the box--Can't deny one child, can you? Looking a little draggy--But he too--will survive--

Me I should be dressing--But I've already been in contact with the printer for camp, proofed camp brochure pages I could open--sent out help for those pages lost in the internet world and left a message with the Bishop's assistant for conference room confirmation for a board meeting in January!

I need to go back to bed--in 15 minutes I'll be out to the HS, to my office for the last day, delivering permission slips and health forms which DS1 forgot, deposits for scouts--and the list grows--

I'm going to sleep well tonight! (I want to be that lazy bear!)

Pride & Joy

We are proud of No. 1 son--Confirmed today and received an award for the best academic performance in his class. Mom was here to witness the ceremony and the award. It is also All Saints Sunday, so my dad was remembered today. Several hymns made us teary eyed. My sisters were here as well as Peter's sister and cousin with their families.

All in all it was a great day, I even slept last night and relaxed before all the ceremony of the day. It all got done and now its time to clean it up. But first sleep is winning out. Mom is watching "Desperate Housewives" and I'm unwinding.

As far as the date, Peter didn't bother changing the date when he changed the battery. Time to do some photoshoping and editing!

Halloween Memories

Mom really played along! Spent hours handing out treats to the masses at our door! She laughed and had fun--exhausted, we went to bed at 9:30!

Oh, she was almost taken away by a ghoul.

Our house passed muster on the fright and Halloween spirit department. People actually took pictures of our house.

Boys took home oodles of candy, YUM! YUM!

Have to raid the supply when they aren't looking.

(Opps, DS1 saw that.)

Time to get ready for the Confimation gathering, lists to complete and food to make and a house to clean. Time to put the timer to work!

15 Minute Break!

FLying through the rough spots of the house--
Mom is coming!
Otto the cat is in my way---he just wants attention and to play--Sometimes he acts more like a dog.

Timer is about to beep--Gotta go.

And yes we will post the You Tube performance links of Andrew's performances in the Choir.

Off to the cleaning marathon--Don't let the FlyLady know!

Check out this performance--Oldest is now part of this fabulos choir! Can't wait to hear them perform.

Restless--mom's coming

It's less than 2 days away--mom lands and stays for 4 days! My house needs some help and I have to prepare for 25+ family members to descend on Sunday for DS1's confirmation.

Instead of cleaning and planning I am cleaning out my inbox! Trying to figure out how to put the Central Islip Choir Youtube video link on to this blog site and can't quite get it.

Went to a choir parent meeting tonight and our choir director is for a school choir what Ron Clark, teacher is to inner city tough street kids needing an education. Perfeect example of demanding high standards and getting them. My oldest is fortunate to be a part of this group his first year of HS--They already sound amazing.

Time for sleep. The WWW is coming and we're dressing her up for Halloween! 500 kids and counting will stop by the porch--always fun.

Can't Get a Word In------

What a frustrating----
Can't Finish a ---------
Wanted to hear me finish----
Had to listen to the constant refrain of ------
We can't be flexible, they'll never learn!

What a meeting--I was supposed to train someone on an internet program for scouting and spent an hour arguing! My whole family was a witness to the fact that I never completed a sentence. What is going on here?

I have decided to let a volunteer go, who can't keep in mind that children, who are only 6 to 9 years old can't be disregarded when the adults in their lives didn't get their act together.

I don't think I have ever had a more unproductive discussion ever! Just venting before heading off to the Boy Scout Troop to take care of Pancake Breakfast Details.

It's Surf Fishing Weekend and all will be quiet as the boys of my house try to catch the big one in the waters off Fire Island and Captree. Maybe I can finish a sentence with the house to myself.

Gotta take care of business--

Ok! This is still New! One button at a time.

Needed a good laugh--This picture reminds me that I laugh a lot especially with my camp friends. We had just finished ripping out the old john toilets in preparation for Operation Flush. We had been laughing for hours over the possibilities for the old toilets and this picture just happened.

I really should be sleeping. But it has been a not so normal day. But I did save a $1000. Boy Scouts and the adults who lead the Troop are great. Among them is a retired appliance guy who saved my refrigerator and taught me things you never learn is the manual. We defrosted a frost-free freezer today to save the refrigerator. My milk is cold again without using 10 icepacks throughout! My kitchen is still in disarray.

I decided to skip the housework, the paperwork and all the other chores of the day today. The house is a little on the diaster side of life. However, the shredder and I did alot of work as I sorted through a stuffed file cabinet, and did the S-Z section. Found an inch thick folder of items pertaining to toddlers and pre-schoolers I thought would come in handy someday. Mine are pre-teen and teen now--Not going to help--I am sure there is lots more to be uncovered.

Finally talked to one sister today--the middle one. Haven't spoken since school started. Not sure why, other than its been hectic now that I'm back to work.

DS 1 is not an unknown to his teachers anymore. They discovered I work in the building now. He can't make a wrong move, not that he would. But it was fun having them realize where they have seen me before.

Must run--Gotta sleep--Tomorrow is a fresh start day!

Ok--It's a rainy day--or its suppose to be. DS1 parade appearance was canceled but DS2 is about to find out if his Pinewood Derby car is really as fast as some of Suffolk County's best!

I've been working full time! Yuch--and its not a mindless sub job either--Being the assistant to a school district Athletic Director is serious business--My alter ego--the one dealing with the life altering and ever changing treatments for cancer said there was a lot of pressure and she wasn't kidding.

My shiny sink has been full the last few nights as I collapsed where I sat after dinner. DS1 hates me working in the same school as he. Great for me--I get to check his attendance all day with a computer click and tell Marching Band directors to give him grief when he refused to bring his trumpet on Day 1. I also applauded the fact that I refused to rescue to him by running home to get his trumpet. Score 1 for me!

I would love to curl up with a good book today--but now the sun is out--Tropical Storm Hannah is supposedly heading this way. Time to run--Maybe later I'll find another minute.

Waituing for the wind which uprooted the day's plans.

Stuck in CI

It was the first street festival in our town today. I was there with my Cub Scout Pack for the opening flag ceremony and to show our pride in our town. My boys, who are boy scouts now were nowhere to be found because I dropped them off for a day at our own little island paradise to kayak, swim, and enjoy a day free of electronics! I was hoping to join them and put my feet up and relax with a good book. Never happened.

I was stuck in town because of all the closed roads and I couldn't move the van. My cub scouts had a table to sell water and chips and recruit some new scouts. Thankfully our unpredictable weather cooperated today. Spent the day meeting town officials and others who could be beneficial to our pack.

Tomorrow is our annual cub scout picnic. Can't wait for it to be over and have a glass of wine and call it a done weekend.

Head off to work on Monday. A sub positon for the Director of Athletics for our school district.
The boys were OK with me going back to work for their last weeks of summer vacation. They just want to hang I suppose.

Right now I am enjoying watching the Olympics and it is playing havoc with my sleep schedule.

That's about it.

Back to the Lazy Summer Day Routine

Haven't sat down much except to watch Olmpic coverage and fall asleep since returning from Virginia. And now Otto, the big red cat of our household is laying in my lap and won't move!

Virginia--Mom was OK. Had to get digs in about all the work my 2 BIL's did. Frustrated DH. But after cleaning out the garage and getting rid of a bale of hay and changing windshield wipers and checking tire pressure--he was redeemed. Spent the rest of the time shooting and splunking in Grand Caverns. DH and 2 DS went fishing every morning and evening. Really proud of themsleves for finding a great fishing spot. I am still not sure how they did since it was down the nature trail, down a hill through the woods, across a hay field and through the woods and down another steep hill. It was a beautiful spot and great for catching small mouth bass. Didn't eat any, although a few were big enough! The fun is the luring and the reeling the fish in. Took a little side trip into Lexington and visited Lee's Chapel on the campus of W & L and the Marshall museum on the VMI campus. Finally learned why the USA puts itself into the economic affairs of countries worldwide. THE MARSHALL PLAN!

Came home from VA in thunderstorms and a rash of construction all going east on the LI highways (ALL OF THEM), even the traffic reporters were stumped as to who planned this one!
A 7 hour journey took nearly 11, 4 to cover 100 miles! Welcome to NY. But I love it on our LI because of the beaches and bay and its beauty.

Saturday, was spent shuttling boys to a Troop Eagle Project, birthday parties and baseball games and a chance for all of us to catch up with a family that moved from the neighborhood. Eagle Project was great--no glitches--DS1 even left a disappointing baseball game to return and help his friend and fellow scout. He's done with baseball as his coaches have become very bad sportsmen. They were insulting the other team very loudly and not making wise choices. DS1 was very upset and really doesn't want to play again for them. I made him speak to his coaches and stand by his decision. He does have a good head on his shoulders.

Had a great time with our family friends Sat. night. The kids got along wel 7 all together. The boys got hooked on ROCKBAND and swam alot. Us adults laughed and enjoyed great food and drink. Made some new friends this summer and 1 is right around the block. Us ladies are going
to see Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants this week.

Went to the Bronx Zoo on Sunday with friends. We love to linger in exhibits. We have a family membership so we can always go back--Our friends race through and eat their way through the zoo. Going back on Thursday to hang with the Lemurs in Madagacar. Thought the new exhibit would be more extensive--maybe it will be on Thursday when we get to linger.

Spent yesterday with my youngest DS, (struggling with being 40) and her twin boys now 6 and the youngest 3 also boy! Went to the beach--they never saw the ocean before and it was a beautiful morning and they had a blast. DH was great at getting each one into the waves. My youngest was great at catching the breakaway way runner and kept them from getting knocked over. My DS loves the waves and has been nicknamed Driftwood by his Godfather. Just loves the water. Had a barbeque back at the house and took out all the Rescue Hero toys, Hot wheels set-ups and metal Thomas trains for entertainment. They were staying with my other sister and her girls--No Boy toys there and bug fears in the backyard. Being the mother of boys -- you loosen up A LOT!

Today--I have to go to work! Meeting with the District's Athletic Director' secreatary who is going out for surgery next week and I'm covering for 2 months beginning next Thursday. My summer is about to end. Back at home, we're assembling all those Hot Wheels sets and getting rid of the ones with missing or broken pieces-- I've been wanting to do this for a long time. Declutting mission for the day. It will feel so good.

GOTTA RUN.

Packing Day!

Did the errands, now to get on top of the kids to pack for a trip to Grandma's. Haven't been to Virginia since my dad died. Not too sure what to expect. With my mom I expect nothing and appreciate what I get. That way I am no disappointed. As for the boys, a visit to Virginia means shooting at the gun club my dad was a member of and a trip Grand Caverns. Mom says she has stuff for us to do (I think that's chores!)

DS2 cleaned his desk and dresser today. Went through all his books and created a huge stack to give away. I retrieved half of them--classics and memories. Just can't part with the classis Dr. Suess book "Are You My Mother" and "Ten Apples Up On Top." Nor can I part with "Good Night Gorilla" as it was a bedtime favorite (I've got the picture proof too!) He is proud of his work and I can see the top of his desk and dresser. Now if I can only get DS1 to accomplish the same feet!

It's a Start!

Don't know if I did this right, but in my world I gave up perfectionism several years ago.

Spent yesterday at the Canoe Regatta, a tradition that goes back to my childhood at camp. Didn't race, but DH and 2 DS's were out paddling and taking pictures. Spent the day catching up with a dear friend, camp buddies, sister-in-law celebrating a birthday with her DH and one DS home on leave from Ranger training!

Today, spent the afternoon on the beach with DS1 and 2! One loves the surf and the other just digs and digs. As for me I stay on the edge, stay cool and read a good book. Today its R is for Richocet by Sue Grafton. I have S and T waiting for me when I finish this one.

Time to go Shine my sink and get to bed--Baseball game for DS1 and who knows what else.