Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Home Again
Well it is back to reality. Home from a very busy, exciting, informing vacation to Paris, Lourdes, Venice, Tuscany, Genoa, San Remo, and Milan I must prepare the house for the coming winter. Closing up the pool and storing yard furniture will be the most laborious. The weather here is sunny but cool. the nights go to about 56. I love this time of the year although I must admit there isn't any season I do not enjoy. So you see, I am appreciating living in a state that gets all 4 seasons. Now that my husband and I are both retired, we can escape if we wish a change, even if it is only for a short time.

I really am so grateful that we have are health. I feel quite blessed. It was nice to seee our neighbors and their children. I have one neighbor that just had a baby making it now three children. So I try to help out when ever I can while not intruding. But they are young and she is so appreciative that I am comfortable stepping in. It helps keep me young and realize that nature knows best. Raising children is definately for the young. It takes so much energy and planning. When yhou are going through the process yourself you don't realize the amount of work and skill it takes, you just do it. Naturally, family, friends, pediatricians, and common sense all play an important part.
Now we definately have to get ourselves into our own work mode to prepare for the coming winter. I have a short window to work in because I will be spending Columbus 4 day weekend back at Lake George to visit very close friends and help out with the towns fair. Then we are off to my sisters for Halloween and to see her children perfrom in The Wizzard of Oz. We will be home for Thanksgiving and then we have to prepare for December holidays since they are spent at our home.

LIVING LIFE and LOVING ITWritten by MAR


Monday, September 22, 2008

A Dream Come True

Eiffel Tower, Paris
Well I finally did it. I went to Europe. Paris, Lourdes, Genoa, Lake Garda, Lake Como, Padua, Tuscany, San Remo, Monteticini, and Milan. It was a 13 day trip that really encompassed the flavors of old meets new. Much of what I had studied throughout school years had come to life. I walk the streets of the past where Romans, Goals, Celtics and Saxsons had once ventured. I saw what artist, poets, writers, scientist, soldiers, statesmen and labors created from mountains, valleys, and lakes. Hills and valleys overflowing with vineyards and stucco homes, towns filled with narrow cobblestone streets, cloths hanging from balconies, and scooters, lots of scooters. You could smell fresh bread baking in the early morning hours. The river Seine in Paris was lively and people were strolling, dancing, and crusing the river happy to wave as we passed them by. I found life and I am looking forward to living more of it. Tuscany
Notre Dame
Village of Como, Tuscany, Italy
Next is off to the Almalfi coast. -Sorrento, Capri, Rome etc. Then I think Austria and Germany. If you have any suggestion, please let me know.
( I have traveled in the USA. Mexico and Canada. Want to do more of that as well. You really didn't think I would not, did you!!!)
Marlene
Monday, July 21, 2008
It is amazing that no matter what differences family members have, none of it seems important with the arrival of a new member. Especially when that new member was a baby girl. They don't have to to anything but lay there comfortably in their craddle and every so often make little sounds or move ever so lightly and a smile is instantly plastered for the entire evening on everyones face. Mood changes and converstion are directed to all that concerns that new little ones life and all her comforts. Written by Mar
Saturday, June 7, 2008
MELISSA'S BABY SHOWER 2008

This is my niece Melissa. As you can see the baby shower is for her. We do not know what sex the baby will be so all gifts were general items. The restuarant was in north Jersey in a park like setting with a lake and outside dining. Decor was more on the rustic style and appropriately so.
This is the opening and recording of the gifts. Left is Melissa's cousin, my daughter the recorder, and standing is Melissa's sister and maid of honor.
Now the mother and future grandmother is on the left with her two daughters. We all are awaiting the arrival of the baby. Well, this will make me a great aunt for the second time.
Monday, May 12, 2008

MOTHERS DAY
MOTHER'S DAY
A THE DAY THAT IS SET ASIDE TO SHOW RECOGNITION AND GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLY OUR APPRECIATION FOR THAT PERSON WHO HAS MADE EVERY ATTEMPT TO CARE , PROTECT, AND GUIDE US INTO ADULTHOOD.
And for all of us who fit this discription, we deserve public recognition. It's business, it's pleasure, it's pain, but most of all, it's personnal. When you combine these ingredients, especially when the personnel outways the business, the stress levels rise. There are so many emotions that affect our choices that sometimes if we don't take a step back, listen, and trust our instincts, even with all our good intentions, we make mistakes. You guessed it, Motherhood is not an exact science. But what it definately is, is FOREVER. From their first breath to their first step. From their first word to their first recited poem. From our anxiety attack on their first day of school to helping them prepare for their road trip to college. It never ends. All we can do is hope that our children become warm, personable, healthy adults and one day will be us.
( Hopefully a little better)
And as for us, our efforts are somewhat rewarded when it gets to be there turn!!!!!Written by MAR


Friday, May 9, 2008
11:17:39 AM EDT Feeling Happy Hearing Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
134th Kentucky Derby
134th KENTUCKY DERBY

The Original part of Churchill Downs.
The home of the first Kentucky Derby
I was fortunate to be able to witness the 134th Kentucky Derby this year. The weather was perfect but we deserved that since the OAKS, the day before, did nothing but rain.
This is just a part of the fairgrounds and as you can see they are the turf and the grass. Unfortunately both races cost the life of a horse. Both had to be euthenized. I know it was Four Bells from the Derby race and this 3 yr. old filly came in 2nd. So she went out a winner.


Hi!
That's me 3rd from left with my winning hat. WHO THOUGHT!!!! First time I ever worked with a glue gun. Burn the tips of my finger tips more than once. But I must say that it felt quite good for the effort to be so appreciated.
Here is a side view of the hat. Hope you like it. One young southern girl asked me as she complimented the hat as to what generation the hat was. Even though my grandparents were there in the 30's, this was a first hat for me. I guess it is a practice to preserve their hats and hand them down.
There is something to say about tradition.
What do you think of my first Kentucky Derby Hat. 2008?????
This is just a tiny section of the track. I MEAN TINY. There were 157,000 people there that day.
I must tell you that when anyone mention the term SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY they men exactly what it implies. People who may have pass in front of your passage way or slightly brushed by your shoulder in passing apologiezed. No matter their age. And I must have been called mam 100 times. How pleasant....
Have a great day!!

Thursday, March 27, 2008
9:40:52 PM EDT Feeling Anxious
Holidays

As I was alone in my kitchen brewing the mornings first cup of java, I heard the scuffle of six feet for the first time in days coming downstairs all at the same time. Ya Think they woke eachother up, JUST MAYBE!!!!
They made a beline toward the kitchen and spotted the colorful baskets full of colorful goodies that they claimed weeks ago was the birth right to receive every Easter.
I must admit there was hugs, smiles, and giggles as they equally divided up the goodies. Since the Easter Bunny had bought in bulk this year, HMMM! But it was a lesson taught and well learned because I must admit that there was not one problem in the dispersement of their find.
This was indeed a happy moment.
Naturally what would the holiday be without an EGG Hunt. I learned the hard way that only if you are going to have the hunt outdoors, do you use real eggs, otherwise if the weather is fair, you use plastic eggs filled with goodies. As you can see they were able to enjoy the outdoors and had a great time scurrying around.
After that work out it was definately time to eat and enjoy after dinner sweets. ( In moderation, of course)
Simple things make life soooo worth it.
Thank You Peter Rabbit, also MOMMY AND DADDY XXXOOOWritten by m4mar

E. G. O. ( Every Girl has Options)

I see mountains surrounding a beautiful valley of flowers.
I see an opening letting in the light.
I see a passage way to take
I see opportunity
I see struggle
I see change that only I
can make.
By:
MAR
E.G.O.
Girls become women. Women are ladies who are determined, confident, relaxed, driven, caring, educated, groomed, well spoken, comfortable, self efficient, multi-talented, creative, energetic, humorous, informed, focused, loving, sensitive, empathetic, promising, the core of personal success, and the glue that binds the family’ s relationship.
There could very well be much more but I don’t wish to cause an onsite overload. So girls let us not reflect on our great grandmothers era unless you draw strength, fearlessness, and a determination to be more than second class citizens. Keep ourselves aligned with what the present has to offer. “NO LIMITATIONS”, other than those which you allow to restrict yourself.

It’s the beginning of Time

It’s the end of Time

It’s ABOUT
TIME !!!!
So start seeing yourself as a survivor, a doer, an achiever, worth all that there is to be worth. Make good things happen because you decided to take on the challenge. Like yourself, believe in yourself and search out for all the support you may need. Be happy doing and accomplishing a little at a time. It eventually all falls into place.
Have a great day.