New York Botanical Gardens with Dad

I spent the day today walking around the NYBG with my father. It was a perfect day to enjoy being outside and the gardens were, no surprise, beautiful.

Mothers Day for me

Let's just get this out right now... I was a spoiled little snarky person on Mothers' Day. All my plans were not going to happen, there was no breakfast in bed, no people jumping up to wish me a happy day... nothing much happening at all. Not all of this was other people's faults, it just was what it was.

All I was looking forward to by the end of the day was my Chicken Madeira from the Cheesecake Factory- one of my favorite meals. I called in our order because there was no way I was eating in that crazy place, ordering extra mushrooms and sauce. Jay and Kyle rushed out to pick it up. They come home with Jay saying he even checked to make sure all our meals were there... well 4 dinners were there but guess what? CF sent 2 of Jay's order and guess who's was not there? You got it... my chicken with all its extra mushrooms was no where to be seen. So I threw my temper tantrum, poor Jay, he felt so bad but I wasn't mad at him, and then I took off to my cropping room. As soon as I sat down I realized what a brat I was being and this was just dinner. I got up apologized and ate my strawberry cheesecake for dinner (not bad after all.)

Then Jay and Kyle went with me to the Celery Farm (Shelby's sprained ankle kept her from joining us.) All was right with the world. I got to be outside and enjoying life with my two guys, came home and had my daughter there too. It really doesn't get better than that- CF Chicken Madeira be darned.

Another apple off the tree

At least I know some of my genes played out in the creation of my kids... Here was how Kyle chose to pose in one of my shots from Mothers' Day. My kids might be cloned images of jay but somewhere they have a part of me.

Happy Mothers' Day

It is so hard to believe that it has been 29 years since I celebrated a Mothers' Day with a mom. The more that time goes by the more I appreciate the gifts my mother gave me. She raised me to be independent, she instilled in me a passion for learning about other people and their cultural background, She nurtured my love for reading, for good food (except for the unfortunate incident of the melba toast with ham, asparagus and swiss cheese- hours were spent at the table waiting for me to eat that one,) She exposed me to all kinds of music and poetry ( I can still recite The Owl and The Pussy Cat after the poetry phase,) but most important of all she taught me by example to love the Lord. I am so grateful for her gift of sharing her faith with me.

Here it is almost 29 years form the anniversary of her death and I am moved to tears remembering her. Mom, I miss you and I love you. Can't wait for Paradise when I get to see you again.

Back to the Celery Farm

Tuesday morning I woke up at 5:30 and it was so beautiful out that I finished my Bible readings and prayer journal and was headed out of the house by 6:30. Where to you might ask? Back to the Celery Farm. For some reason unknown to me I hardly visited there last year and I needed to get back. 

It was like seeing an old friend, actually I did run into a few of my birding buddies. The Osprey was nowhere in sight but the Blue Heron posed on top of the wood duck's house for quite a while. A Red Winged Black bird stopped on a branch close to me to welcome me back too. There was mention of a Cedar Waxwing (so high up in a tree it could have been any bird to me- thank goodness that the people who know better were around.) And a rare visit from 2 sand pipers, or at least rare for me, I had only seen them there once a couple of years ago. 

All in all it was an amazing visit and I am happy the rain is over... Maybe I can get out early again tomorrow.

Reflections on the Birthday Calculator

OK, Now I am not someone who really pays a lot of attention to these kinds of profiles but there are a few things in this one that has me smiling. First of all I read about the number 3 Life Path, and I kind of like it and think it really fits me. I am sure Jay would recognize me in there too, especially the part about the issue with money (I wonder if I can just use this profile as a defense when the next credit card bill comes in?) Anyway, after reading the profile I come to the conclusion, its good to be a three. 

Next it says that my Native American Zodiac sign is the owl. I have always had a thing for owls. When I was a kid my art work usually included an owl somewhere. One of the only gifts I have left from my mom is a small pewter owl figurine. I am not getting all mystical here just think it is a cool co-incidence, I am not claiming to have a Native America heritage (one look at me clears that) but just thought it was cool.

And then there is the list of songs that were popular. One of the songs on there is, The Lion Sleeps Tonight by the Tokens. I was never the kid that was really into music, still am not to this day- right now I am sitting here in a quiet house, windows open listening to the birds.) But, at one time we learned the request number for a local radio station. There was one summer that we would call in and see if they would play our songs. My memory is that I must have called a million times (but probably was more like 5 times all together) requesting A Lion Sleeps Tonight. I loved that song. Now seeing that it was one of the top songs the year I was born it gives credence to the theory I read when I was pregnant with Kyle. The book said to play a song often while you were pregnant and while the baby was small and that it would become a calming agent for them. This way, when your toddler was out of control you  could play it and it should help settle them down. I was never focused enough to really do that but it seems that A Lion Sleeps Tonight did that for me. I still to this day love that song,

Birthday Calculator

A Patient sent me a link today to a Birthday Calculator (www.paulsadowski.org/BirthDay.asp) which will show you how many days you have been alive and all kinds of info connected to the date you were born...So here's the low down on me (keep it in mind when purchasing my birthday gifts)  Birthday Calculator

29 November 1961 Your date of conception was on or about 8 March 1961 which was a Wednesday. You were born on a Wednesday under the astrological sign Sagittarius. Your Life path number is 3. Your fortune cookie reads:  You will inherit some money or a small piece of land.  Life Path Compatibility: You are most compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 3, 6 & 9. You should get along well with those with the Life Path numbers 1, 2, 5 & 11. You are least compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 4, 7, 8 & 22. The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2437632.5. The golden number for 1961 is 5. The epact number for 1961 is 13. The year 1961 was not a leap year. Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 2/15/1961 and ending 2/4/1962. You were born in the Chinese year of the Ox. Your Native American Zodiac sign is Owl; your plant is Mistletoe. You were born in the Egyptian month of Menchir, the second month of the season of Poret (Emergence - Fertile soil). Your date of birth on the Hebrew calendar is 21 Kislev 5722. Or if you were born after sundown then the date is 22 Kislev 5722. The Mayan Calendar long count date of your birthday is 12.17.8.3.8 which is 12 baktun 17 katun 8 tun 3 uinal 8 kin The Hijra (Islamic Calendar) date of your birth is Wednsday, 20 Jumadiyu'th-Thani 1381 (1381-6-20). The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 2 April 1961. The date of Orthodox Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 9 April 1961. The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) on your birth year was Wednesday 15 February 1961. The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday 21 May 1961. The date of Whisuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday 28 May 1961. The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Monday, 11 September 1961. The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Saturday, 1 April 1961. The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday 14 February 1961.    As of 5/6/2008 7:06:41 AM EDT You are 46 years old. You are 558 months old. You are 2,423 weeks old. You are 16,960 days old. You are 407,047 hours old. You are 24,422,826 minutes old. You are 1,465,369,601 seconds old. Celebrities who share your birthday: Jon Knight (1968) Kim Delaney (1961) Cathy Moriarty (1960) Jeff Fahey (1956) Howie Mandel (1955) Garry Shandling (1949) Chuck Mangione (1940) Peter Bergman (1939) John Mayall (1933) Diane Ladd (1932) Vin Scully (1927) Madeline L'Engle (1918) Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (1908) C.S. Lewis (1898) Busby Berkeley (1895) Louisa May Alcott (1832) Top songs of 1961 Tossin' and Turnin' by Bobby Lewis Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean Runaway by Del Shannon Wonderland By Night by Bert Kaempfert Pony Time by Chubby Checker The Lion Sleeps Tonight by Tokens Blue Moon by Marcels Take Good Care of My Baby by Bobby Vee Calcutta by Lawrence Welk Runaround Sue by Dion Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 6.63796477495108 years old. (You're still chasing cats!) Your lucky day is Thursday. Your lucky number is 3. Your ruling planet(s) is Jupiter & Neptune. Your lucky dates are 3rd, 12th, 21st, 30th. Your opposition sign is Gemini. Your opposition number(s) is 5. Today is not one of your lucky days! There are 207 days till your next birthday on which your cake will have 47 candles. Those 47 candles produce 47 BTUs, or 11,844 calories of heat (that's only 11.8440 food Calories!) . You can boil 5.37 US ounces of water with that many candles.   In 1961 there were approximately 4.2 million births in the US. In 1961 the US population was approximately 179,323,175 people, 50.6 persons per square mile. In 1961 in the US there were approximately 1,523,000 marriages (8.5%) and 393,000 divorces (2.2%) In 1961 in the US there were approximately 1,712,000 deaths (9.5 per 1000) In the US a new person is born approximately every 8 seconds. In the US one person dies approximately every 12 seconds. In 1961 the population of Australia was approximately 10,642,654. In 1961 there were approximately 239,986 births in Australia. In 1961 in Australia there were approximately 76,686 marriages and 6,712 divorces. In 1961 in Australia there were approximately 88,961 deaths. Your birthstone is Citrine  The Mystical properties of Citrine Citrine is said to help one connect with Spirit. Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources) Yellow Topaz, Pearl, Diamond Your birth tree is Ash Tree, the Ambition Uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with its fate, can be egoistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over heart, but takes partnership very serious. There are 233 days till Christmas 2008! There are 246 days till Orthodox Christmas! The moon's phase on the day you were born was waning gibbous.

Reagan Update

For those of you who have read this blog since last summer you will know that my newest nephew was born very premature and his chances did not look good. BUt then again, God has plans and apparently He does not listen to the doctors and little Reagan has continued to grow and thrive. Yesterday was his first real coming out to our family, the event being his brother, Ryan's, first communion. Two such amazing things in one day. 

First, St Joseph's Church in Kinnelon is the most wonderful Catholic church I Have ever been to. The church was packed, lots of young people along with families for the kids receiving their first communion. I think this priest is the most down to earth priest ever. You will see what I mean when you see the pictures of his sermon.

Ryan was gorgeous, as usual. He looked great in a suit. Actually this family is one really good looking family- you expect to see them on the pages of a magazine. 

All of this said, Reagan took center stage, everyone so happy to see him finally, and off the oxygen tanks nonetheless. He is a calm, happy and just a joy. Marylou was talking and saying how he was her dream baby. I was struck that after all the drama and fear of these past months she can really say that- I think most people would be still caught up in all that had happened.

But then again that is the kind of mom Marylou is. Marylou and her husband Michael are great parents. I am impressed with all they have done with and for their kids and all without even a blink of an eye. Now I would like to think that I would be that kind of parent but I have a feeling I am a lot more selfish than either of them. I just feel better for having spent this time with them.

The Priest sat on the ground with the first communion class kids and talked to them about having a prayerful life.

4 of the Family of Five (Reagan was out in the car.)

Ryan, in his suit

Little (or not so little) Reagan

I just love this little boy

Another day, another college

With another day off of school Shelby and I set off to view another school she was interested in, the College of New Rochelle. Going to this part of NY is like going to outer Yugumbia to me (I Know there is no such place as outer Yugumbia but it has been my favorite made up country name forever.) I am just thankful for GPS. Poor Jay, I gave him a Garmin for Christmas, promptly put it in my car and he hasn't seen it since. Anyway, Shelby and I arrived at the school and headed in to the Admin building for our tour. CNR's address is on Castle drive and it was clear why when we arrived, there is a castle on the property. I guess all the students feel like princesses (We discovered it truly is an all girl school, just a few token men.) The school was beautiful, art work was all over the place but Shelby did not seem to like it as much as Concordia. I think it feels a lot like high school to her and who wants another 4 years of high school? We will continue on our search for the place that feels like where Shelby should be.

Heading in for a meeting

An overview of the central lawn

and yes, this is a Catholic School

Where it all started...

I have talked about where my love for Africa and desire to serve there began and I cannot believe I found this picture in the art room cleanup.

I was 5 years old the summer these three young men from Africa cam and stayed with my family for a couple of days (I don't really remember how long they were there but long enough that they changed my life.) I remember them talking about what life was like for them, each from a different part of Africa (I don't even remember which countries they came from.) One of them talked about the monkeys bothering them on their way to school and I was hooked. I HAD to go to Africa.

As I got a little older I believed that I was going to be a missionary in Africa and deal with the monkeys every day myself. That thought was deeply embedded in me and I have to say I was a little confused when I met Jay and was clear I HAD to marry him... What about Africa? I didn't talk about it much but it was there.

This is one of the things I love about God. In my little mind, being a missionary in Africa was a life commitment... you lived there forever. So marrying Jay meant no Africa for me. BUt God is not limited by small thought process... And now, all these years later I am just 6 weeks away from a second short term mission to Africa. I cannot believe all that God has had in store for me. And it all started when I met these three young men from Africa all those years ago. AMEN!

Not far from the apple tree...

You know that old saying... Well here is the tree my daughter's apple fell from. As I was beginning to clear out a lot of stuff from my art room I found an envelope with a lot of old photographs. From the looks of this one you can see that somewhere along the way I was a natural at scrapbooking, even if my cropping was poorly done.

Now I am sure my tongue is sticking out in response to the beer my dad is putting in front of my face but there it is nonetheless. Now you can see why my mom must be enjoying watching my life with Shelby.

And yes, that is a "The Lodge" T-shirt... my favorite store in the world in the 70's, how I miss their shirts and carpenter pants.

A mother's curse come true... sort of

You know you hear it, I think every mom at one times at least wants to say it, my mom certainly did say it and it did come true..."May you have a daughter just like you!" I hope my mom is able to see my Shelby and enjoy the creative photograph faces and laugh about payback. The thing of it is though, I don't mind the faces. I kind of like to make them along with my daughter. Sorry mom- the curse fizzled and lost its power. I am sure there were a few more that stand a chance of coming true and having the desired result.

Shelby's Junior Prom

I know, I know, how many posts can I create about how my kids are growing up? If they bore you just scroll on by because here is just one more. Friday night Shelby went to her Junior Prom. I cannot wrap my brain around that fact. You would think I would be prepared by now.. we have been doing the college tour thing and all that but somehow this hit me. It hit me hard right in between Thursday's nail tip appointment and Friday's hair and makeup appointment, add to that seeing her all dolled up in a hot red gown and I was just about ready for CPR. But she looked so beautiful and happy. I love this kid. I love that she had an amazing time dancing the night away. I loved hearing her and her friend chatting away about the prom on the ride home and all that went on. Now all I have to do is gear myself up for the Senior Prom next year

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Passover Seder

Last weekend we all went to Jay's sister, Maxine's very first Passover Seder. For the past couple of years she has been exploring her Jewish heritage and earlier this year she had a celebration at her temple in the city to fully embrace her Judaism. So it was natural for her to invite her family to come and participate in this celebration that has gone on since God led Moses to lead the Jews out of slavery in Egypt. 

I absolutely love Seders. I love the tradition of it, the idea that, all over the world, members of this faith are sitting down and remembering what God did for their ancestors all those years ago. I love hearing the prayers in Hebrew and the reciting of the plagues that befell Egypt.

Now I am sure that in Jesus' time they did not have plagues in a box but I kind of liked the throwing of the plagues around the table... who was hit with a boil? Who was hit with a frog? What would the ancient members of the tribe of Israel think of the modern day take on some of the tradition- I think they would have loved it. However it is done, this is a time of remembering and tradition. Oh yeah, and of Matzoh balls

Max had the table set beautifully for the arrival of her guests

I know this is not the best of pictures but I love it. Here everyone is reciting the plagues, remembering the suffering of the Egyptians. We are called to dip a finger into the wine and place it on our plates, once for each plague.

The Passover Plate has items to remind the celebrants of different elements of their time in Egypt. Each has an important part in the Seder.

While I am not Jewish, my Lord was and I feel connected to Him as we celebrate Passover and I was thankful for the opportunity to celebrate it with Jay's family.

Next year in Israel!!

It is officially Spring!

I know for the rest of the area people know its Spring by the flowers blooming, the trees are budding and the noses are sneezing. But for me it is only officially Spring when Pongo and Perdita show up in our pond. For those who did not read least year's blog entries, P&P are a pair of ducks that seem to use our pond as a resting spot in the mornings for around 2 weeks for the past few Springs. Well, they showed up at the end of last week but stayed for only a short visit, we only spotted them for 2 days and they seem to be off again, maybe they have a pressing engagement at their real home base. No matter what the reason for their short stay they were here and it is SPRING!!!!

Hawk Nelson

Last Sunday I took Shelby  and her friend to a mega-church in PA to see a Hawk Nelson concert. For those who don't remember, Hawk Nelson is the group we saw at the Revolve Tour last Fall and Shelby decided she will be marrying the guitar player, Daniel. This concert was part of their Green T-shirt tour and of course we got the shirts and were able to get in early for better seats. The concert was great, we all loved it and I had fun taking pictures. I was bummed I didn't get chosen to get up on stage and help with the kazoo song but I guess I can understand why they would have chosen the three girls with a big "Pick Us for the Kazoo Song" sign- Next time I am going to be prepared (maybe a sign with  some LED lights.) The only drag about the whole thing is that it was 2 hours from home and when the concert was over I was the driver>
The girls who horned in on my kazoo moment
my future son in law

Tartan Day Parade

I love people who are willing to go and try new things whenever. Last week my friend, Alyse, invited me to go to the Tartan Day Parade in NY. She had read a blurb about it in an airline magazine and thought I just might be crazy enough to enjoy something like this. She was right. I had no idea that I would love it. I have not been the biggest fan of bag pipes. I have no Scottish connection (unless you count being an avid reader of Hamish Macbeth mysteries.) And still, I thought this was an amazing event. I loved that no one seemed to know that the parade was going to happen. People were curious about the barricades and the police standing guard but when we got there, just before the parade was due to start there was plenty of front line viewing spaces. And then you heard the bag pipes. Now up until this time I think for the most part I have only heard them played indoors (at funerals.) I do not think that is the best way to hear them. Out in the streets of NY, the bag pipes sounded great! I loved the music. I loved the plaids. I loved the kilts. I loved the guys in kilts (JK Jay... it just sounded good.) Alyse and I had so much fun photographing the parade from the starting band to the last tartan clad stragglers. And once again I experienced the excitement of an event in NYC, where everyone seems to be just from one big happy neighborhood. Now I want to start checking out all the "what's happening this weekend" sites to find more of these unique celebrations to experience.

About the Passage of Time

I mentioned in my last post that Jay and I can hardly believe our kids are getting so grown up since it feels like we have not changed (read aged) at all. That said tomorrow will be a bit of a milestone day for Jay... he hits 50!! I cannot believe how great 50 looks on him. I personally thin he is better looking than when I met him. 

SO, what do you do when you hit 50? If you are Jay you finally get a car you have been dreaming of forever.... a 1967 Corvette coupe (I think that is the name of it- you can tell, I am not that much of a car person) Now he didn't set out to get this car as a birthday gift, it just sort of ended up showing up on the weekend of his 50th birthday. It leaves me at a loss on what to get him cause how do you compete with a classic? I guess he will just have to settle for a dinner of chicken cutlets, mashed potatoes and corn from a can (This may not sound like much to you but this is Jay's favorite meal and I usually refuse to serve corn and potatoes at the same meal and I NEVER serve corn from a can.) Oh, I did make his favorite coconut icebox cake that is doing whatever it is supposed to be doing in the fridge as we "speak."

So do you want to see his new "Baby"?

Happy Birthday Jay- YSAF, YSAH, YRTMO

Where has the time gone?

Well its happened.... Shelby has reached an age where we really need to start considering college. Jay and I can see that she has grown up but cannot figure out how that has happened as we are just kids ourselves but none-the-less(I'll be posting tomorrow on what the reality of this is), Shelby needs to figure out where she wants to apply. Last week I took her on the first of our college tours. We visited Concordia, in Westchester County, NY. This is a small school, read very small school, but seems to take good care of their students. Shelby likes that it is a Lutheran School although they are not of a mind to ordain women pastors. That's OK this is just for her undergraduate degree anyway.

So we can mark our first college visit as complete, only 375 more to go....NOT!!

APRIL FOOLS!!!

And I fell for it LOL