July
This is one of my favorite pictures of my granddaughter.
Happy Birthday Nicky Blue
My youngest grandson Nick will be celebrating his 13th Birthday! A teenager! We call him Nicky Blue because he loved his blue blanket so much. His other nickname is Nicky two fingers. He acquired that name because when he was a tot, his two fingers were always in his mouth. One spring, after a family gathering, we all got sick. We couldn't figure it out until someone reminded us that Nicky two finger had those fingers in the dip. Funny now but not so much back then. Anyway, Happy Birthday Nicky!
June 2016
Happy Birthday shout out to my youngest daughter Laura! We seem to be celebrating something every month, but that is ok by me. Just give me a reason to party! When my youngest is 30 something. When you hit 30 and you are a woman, you get mysterious about your age. You fudge. In other words, I am forever 29, or at least I was all through my 30's. Now, I can't get away with it but she still can.
The Pool Party
Riley's 10th birthday party was celebrated Memorial Day weekend. The pool was opened and everyone had a good time, especially the kids!
Riley Girl
Our youngest family member has reached the double digits age this year. Ten years old, a milestone. Our oldest family member would have been 100 years old this month. A 90 year span. It is funny how much they had in common but neither realized it. I am uniquely attached to both, as a daughter and as a grandmother. Generations apart and living in two separate worlds yet connected by genes and DNA. I marveled as I recognized many similarities. I was an observer and I like what I saw, but it made me a little sad too, knowing that someday I too would be the oldest and wonder who will be the youngest and will he or she know me?
May 2016
May is a transitional month. We go from Winter into Summer and this year has been a real Hodge podge of weather. Mothers day was celebrated with a lovely brunch at my daughter, Maria's house. I miss my own mother so much and Mothers Day always is bitter sweet for me. Mom was the best.
When I was a child, I always made Mom a gift in school or even on my own for all the holidays. I remember one year, I made her an Easter hat out of a paper plate, ribbon, pipe cleaners and construction paper. I made a garden of flowers on that paper plate. I was so proud of that hat. In the meantime, Mom went out and bought herself an Easter Bonnet, that she had been eyeing for a long time. When I gave her my paper plate hat with long tulips coming out of it from every direction, she was thrilled. She tied it under her chin with the pink ribbon that I had dangling from each side. I can still remember her climbing the steps of Church for Easter Services with those tulips bouncing up and down. She wore them very proudly which made me the happiest little girl.
When I was a child, I always made Mom a gift in school or even on my own for all the holidays. I remember one year, I made her an Easter hat out of a paper plate, ribbon, pipe cleaners and construction paper. I made a garden of flowers on that paper plate. I was so proud of that hat. In the meantime, Mom went out and bought herself an Easter Bonnet, that she had been eyeing for a long time. When I gave her my paper plate hat with long tulips coming out of it from every direction, she was thrilled. She tied it under her chin with the pink ribbon that I had dangling from each side. I can still remember her climbing the steps of Church for Easter Services with those tulips bouncing up and down. She wore them very proudly which made me the happiest little girl.
April 2016
April showers bring May Flowers but April snow? Can you believe the East Coast was hit by snow this weekend? This is crazy weather. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the snow and cool weather and am in no hurry for the humid hot summers of NJ but let us have Spring. Let's not jump from Winter to Summer.
Somebody likes Spring.......Enjoy this video of our little Marco who is growing by leaps and bounds!
Somebody likes Spring.......Enjoy this video of our little Marco who is growing by leaps and bounds!
March 2016
March came in like a lion and out like a lamb. The weather on the East Coast has been absolutely crazy. So what's new in the family this month? Another Birthday to celebrate. The oldest Grandchild, Christopher turned 15 on March 5. It is hard to believe . He has grown into a fine young man. Also, this month is Easter. The kids are getting bigger but they still enjoy our annual Easter Egg Hunt!
February 2016
February is here with the blink of an eye. The new year got off to a very sad start. We lost our dog, Chloe. She was 15 years old and very tired. It was the saddest day of my life
Happy Birthday Crissy
Marco our new Puppy |
Where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday that my oldest daughter was born. I was only 18 years old when I had her, a kid myself. I didn't know how to be a mother and was scared. My husband and I fell in love with this little peanut that we created out of our love. We did our best and by golly, she turned out ok!
Crissy is a beautiful young woman with a career as a registered nurse in the Psych field. She is married and has 2 beautiful sons. She is a great nurse, excellent mother and phenomenal daughter. She is my friend and my confidant. So, Happy Birthday Beautiful girl. You have made us proud |
Please don't judge me but our lives felt so empty without our Chloe. We were saddened beyond belief and had so much love to give. We adopted an orphaned puppy from BCAA, Burlington County Animal Alliance, a wonderful organization who rescues dogs and cats in dire need. One of those dogs is Mark, renamed Marco and here is his story.
Marco's mom was a stray, picked up in North Carolina. She was pregnant and had been on the streets for a long time. She had her puppies at the county shelter and was so frightened that the killed them and started to eat them. The carnage was discovered by a shelter worker who was able to save Marco, the sole survivor. When BCAA heard his story and plight that he was all alone, they went to NC to rescue him. He was brought to NJ and cared for by a volunteer foster mom, Terri Ostberg. The rest is the beginning.....we fell head over heels in love with this little rascal. He is as smart as he is cute and has managed to bring joy into our lives once again.
January 2016
Good Bye Sweetheart. You gave us 15 Joyful years. You were our heart and will be forever remembered for your many heroic deeds like battling a German Sheppard to save Nicky's life. For those of you who don't know the story, I will tell you how brave our girl was.
I was taking a walk with my baby grandsons in a stroller, with Chloe by my side. A huge German Shepherd charged out of his yard and lunged for the stroller. I froze in horror but Chloe jumped in front of the stroller and battled the Shepherd to save the day. She had quite a few battle wounds and had to go the the Pet ER but pulled through. She will always be remembered for her gentleness and love for children and bravery.
I was taking a walk with my baby grandsons in a stroller, with Chloe by my side. A huge German Shepherd charged out of his yard and lunged for the stroller. I froze in horror but Chloe jumped in front of the stroller and battled the Shepherd to save the day. She had quite a few battle wounds and had to go the the Pet ER but pulled through. She will always be remembered for her gentleness and love for children and bravery.
December 2015
Can you believe it is December already? Actually, as I write this, it is practically halfway into the month. Yes, like everyone, I have been busy with the hustle and bustle of the Holidays. My intention was to put some of my favorite things on my blog and to also post a gift idea page. Hopefully, I will get to it.
The decorating is done but I still have shopping to finish up and baking to do.
The decorating is done but I still have shopping to finish up and baking to do.
November 2015
So here we go! The wild ride into the holidays. So much is happening and so fast! The grandchildren have been in school now for a few months and have settled into their routine. Olivia and Riley are playing soccer this again this year and Olivia continues her Gymnastics. Her goal......the Olympics! Christopher is enjoying scouts and weekend camping trips with the troop. This year, he joined ROTC and had a weekend excursion at Ft. Dix. He wears his ROTC uniform very well, and very proudly. Nick loves sports and has participated in basketball, soccer and wrestling, which I am sure he will once again be doing. |
October 2015
Update Halloween 2015: Not what it used to be......Trunk or Treat? What is that anyway? My bowl of 150 Fun size candy bars is almost untouched. I think I may have passed out candy to 20 kids if that. Sigh.....
The grandkids are getting bigger and moving on to better things. Still dressing up but now going around with their friends. Here are a few pictures from this year.
The grandkids are getting bigger and moving on to better things. Still dressing up but now going around with their friends. Here are a few pictures from this year.
Finally the heat wave of the East Coast has lifted and now we are in Football weather. Time to get the crock pot out and start brewing some stew, chili and slow cooked comfort food that makes the house smell so delicious! Mom-Mom love the fall and will be soon getting into that Halloween Spirit along with the kids! Stay tuned for the goulish pictures. In the meantime, I will post some pictures from years gone by.
September 2015
Time really flies! I can't believe that Summer is over. So sad. Alas, there is much to look forward to in the coming months but first things first. My husband was born on Labor Day (many years ago) September 4, it was on that particular day. I always thought it was ironic that his mother went into Labor on Labor Day!!
So, we celebrated his birthday and mine which was at the end of August. We like to have celebratory brunches which brings us all together for short periods, so we make the most of it. Here are a couple of pictures of us being crazy and wearing some wacky hats from the Kangaroo Company. Yes! They were review items.
So, we celebrated his birthday and mine which was at the end of August. We like to have celebratory brunches which brings us all together for short periods, so we make the most of it. Here are a couple of pictures of us being crazy and wearing some wacky hats from the Kangaroo Company. Yes! They were review items.
Back to School time! The excitement, the new clothes and supplies. Everybody is so happy to go back and start a fresh new year. I have one in elementary school, two in Middle School and the oldest starts High School this year! New adventures and a new chapter in his life.
August 2015
Can you believe we are already in our last stretch of Summer? My grandson, Nick was feeling sad one day and told his Mom that he didn't want summer to get away. As if we are chasing it ,I guess. Ah, to be young again and chase those summer dreams. The life of today's children is very different then when I was a child. We would go out in the morning and stop only for lunch which was usually together with friends at one of our houses. We would sit out on the patio (no decks back then), they were called patio's and porches. Eat our lunch and be on our way. Our merry little band of friends, we threw neighborhood carnivals, went swimming in the Broderick's pool when their mom said it was ok. She usually made us apple pancakes for lunch! We walked or rode our bikes everywhere. It was a treat to ride up to Carlimagnios grocery store and buy penny candy. Dot, wax bottles with sweet syrup, scented gum, lick a maid (pixie stix).yum. Then we would go in the woods and build forts or tree houses. We ranged in age so the bigger kids would do the building with materials scavenged from construction sights around town. Oh, I could tell you stories of our adventures that would make your toes curl. Those were the days my friend.......We thought they'd never end....
July 2015
School is out for Summer. My grandchildren are busy already. The two grandaughters just got back from Myrtle Beach, SC. I am sure they had a blast but happy to come home to their swimming pool. The boys, on the other hand, have been enjoying their pool membership at the local pool.
Here are some flashback pictures of my granddaughter Riley on the 4th of July. Here she is at her first Parade in Marlton, NJ, marching down Main Street. Riley is in a wagon while the bigger kids are on bike. To the right is one of my favorite pictures of Riley with a horse that she loves to ride. She is a typical American Girl!
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June 2015
Congratulations to our Graduate!
Happy Birthday Nicky!
June came in a little cool this year. We are having some crazy weather here in the Northeast. One day it is 90 and the next it can be 60 degrees! First things first. Baby Laura's birthday. She is not a baby anymore and she lets me know that in no uncertain terms. As my youngest daughter though, she will always be my baby. Laura is a good sport, she is my model for a lot of my crazy promotions! We love her dearly as does her fiance Erik. Here are a few pictures of Laura.
Happy Birthday Laura! |
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May 2015
Riley's 9th Birthday
Mothers Day, we get to honor our moms.
Yay, Spring is here!
Well, the old adage, April showers bring May flowers is certainly true. My beautiful Magnolia tree is in full bloom, just a couple of weeks past Easter. It is usually flowering at Easter making for great pictures. |
May 5th is my Dad's birthday. He would have been 99 years old, had he lived. He passed away 2 years ago June 10th. I would always tell him that he would live to be well over 100. He was truly a remarkable man and I miss him and his wisdom. Happy Birthday Dad! I love you.
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The CS&S Picnic
We had a get together for our department. It was a beautiful day with great friends, coworkers, family and friends.
We also had 2 special guests , an Owl and a Hawk. We have a volunteer at Woodford Wildlife Preserve, Medord, who walks among us and was kind enough to bring the birds to our picnic. Here is a sampling of the fun.
We also had 2 special guests , an Owl and a Hawk. We have a volunteer at Woodford Wildlife Preserve, Medord, who walks among us and was kind enough to bring the birds to our picnic. Here is a sampling of the fun.
April 2015
Grand moms love holidays. I hear that all the time. I really do enjoy them because it gives everyone a chance to stop , smell the roses, visit with each other, love, laugh and enjoy our time together. Life gets so busy that we don'always say the things that we should. As a grand-mom, I love spoiling my grandchildren. For Easter we had an annual Easter Egg Hunt. The kids so look forward to this and I enjoy hiding the plastic eggs in the garden and yard, a golden egg for each one with a special prize inside. They squeal with delight when they find their egg! Everyone goes home with a basket full of goodies! Here are a few pictures of our fun day!
March 2015
March came in like a lion. Still snow on the ground and frigid temperatures. Let's hope that it goes out like a lamb, warm and sunny. Hopefully, the grass and flowers will survive the harsh winter. We are all looking forward to Spring and Easter a time of renewal.
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I can't believe that our first grandchild has just turned 14! He was a bright active and amazing baby, toddler and little boy but now he is growing up so fast! I see a transformation into a man right before my eyes. I remember the day he came home from the hospital. He had big expressive eyes and I knew he would be a special. Of course he was our first and garnered all of our attention, much like his mother who was our first daughter.
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St. Patty's Day Fun!
February 2015
About Pisces: Pisces is the sign of mysticism, mystery and the spiritual unknown. Pisces live in two worlds, the real world and the spiritual or mystical world where they interpret what they see into what they want. They do this to avoid all the realities of pain and suffering in the world. They have extremes of emotions and feel both good and bad intensively. Pisces have formidable intuitive ability. Most Pisces are somehow involved with occult or spiritualism. Pisces are very good at understanding people for they have the ability to delve into the psyche and see behind a person's motivations. Pisces are prone to drug addiction and indulging lifestyles because of their eternal search for themselves and their fear of confrontation and having to change a situation, also they justify drug use by allowing it to get closer with their 'spiritual selves'. Once they aware this is why they are doing it, it will be easier to kick the habit. Pisces are not the pushovers that they may seem, in fact they have strength of character and will stand up for what they believe in and and they can do hard work for something they believe in. Pisces is the most sensitive of all zodiac signs.
Congratulations to my beautiful granddaughter Olivia! Performing her gymnastics at invitational in Atlantic City!
February the month of Amare
What is love? When you are a child, your mom, dad and siblings are love. Then you grow up and fall in love with someone. It is different then the love you felt as a child. Your heart beats so loud sometimes you will swear that people can hear it. Your palms get sweaty and you can feel excitement deep inside. You marry that person and then again love evolves. Children come and another evolution takes place. Your heart grows and fills with love and joy and just when you thought you were complete, along come the grandchildren. I learned that life is full of surprises and the human heart will always have room for more love!
Welcome 2015 - A Brand New Year
Feeling nostalgic because of that darn song! My brother lives in Maryland with his family and I miss seeing him often. Life gets busy and we do not see each other often. Now that both our parents are gone, we only have each other to remember the old times. I do remember my childhood very fondly. I also think about my own children and how they loved to play in the snow just like my grandchildren do now.
Here are my three daughters in the early 1980's. My oldest is 42 and my youngest is now 35. I miss these three little girls but I have 3 BFF's because they are all three amazing women!
Winter has arrived. Temps are falling.
Here on the east coast the temperatures plummeted. We got a taste of winter this past week. I think we are in for a long cold snowy winter. Get the pots on the stove and lets make some comfort food and homemade soups.
December 2014
Do you want to build a Snowman???
Now that Thanksgiving is over, the hustle and bustle of Christmas is underway. Black Friday, argh! Not my favorite day but guilty of shopping for deals. I much prefer Cyber Monday and shopping from the comfort of my home.
So, what is happening? That little mischievous elf on the shelf has returned. My grandsons named him Snickers and the granddaughters named theirs Jingle. For anyone not familiar with the little bugger, he is supposed to be Santa's spy to make sure the kids are behaving, yet he misbehaves during the night, leaving the evidence in the morning for all to find. He unrolls toilet paper, hangs on the chandelier, eats the food, plays with Barbie and rides in her car. You name it, he has done it! Now what kind of an example is that?
So, what is happening? That little mischievous elf on the shelf has returned. My grandsons named him Snickers and the granddaughters named theirs Jingle. For anyone not familiar with the little bugger, he is supposed to be Santa's spy to make sure the kids are behaving, yet he misbehaves during the night, leaving the evidence in the morning for all to find. He unrolls toilet paper, hangs on the chandelier, eats the food, plays with Barbie and rides in her car. You name it, he has done it! Now what kind of an example is that?
Do you remember making snow angels when you were a kid? This is the greatest thing to do in the snow for a little girl or boy for that matter. So, get your wings ready because snow is on the way!
So here is the Boy's 2014 Gingerbread creation! They get better every year!
Family Christmas Celebration 2014
Fall is my favorite time of the year
I love pumpkins and hayrides, mums, apple picking, apple cider and the changing leaves. Halloween and Thanksgiving. It means the kickoff to the Holiday season.
November 2014
Ah! November! The air is crisp and cool and most of the leaves have fallen off the trees by Thanksgiving. You can smell the fireplaces and wood stoves and the sour but pleasant musky odor of leaf piles as you stroll down the avenue. The stores are so getting ready for Christmas and it is kind of sad that Thanksgiving does not get more attention. I am finding it difficult to find napkins with fall motif for my Thanksgiving table and it is two weeks before the holiday. So many turkeys gave their life for this holiday. It is a time for family and good friends to renew relationships to come together and count all of our blessings. It is also a time to honor those who have left us and remember them with family. I lost my mother in November but I also have a daughter that was born in November, so it is bitter sweet for me.
October 2014
This is my grandson Nick when he was about 4 years old and this year at 11 dressed as a monkey that he is. I love going pumpkin picking with my grandchildren. We all pick out our best and biggest pumpkin.
We drink apple cider and eat donuts down at Indian Acres Farm . It is the best! I have not done that for a few years but they still do it with their parents. Halloween is around the corner and we then can carve our pumpkins and go trick or treating. I may be a granny but I sure do enjoy my holidays! My grandson Christopher wore a Gilly Suit as his costume. He went trick or treating with some of his friends. Here is a picture of the lot of them. Nick, Chris and their friends. |