My Annual Thanksgiving Post

As we approach the holiday, we are suppose to reflect on what we're thankful for and pray that we have the same things next year that we can brag about. I wanted to post in this space a Thanksgiving "blessing" if you will, that I wrote from my heart probably 10 years ago expressing my thanks for everything in my life that I'm so very thankful for. But I cannot locate the paper copy. So I'll try to recall some of it from memory. I read this "blessing" as everyone was standing around the dining room table, hands joined, and mouths watering for the feast presented before us. I can remember my brothers, who are two of the most sensitive, grown men I know, sniffling and trying not to let anyone hear them. I recall saying that I was thankful and grateful for my extended family as we never turn anyone away when it comes to family fun and traditions. I had a fairly new sister in law at the time who has grown to become the true big sister I never had. And while my parents had been long divorced with Dad on the "left" coast, we never really lost touch of what family really means. It means accepting our loved ones despite their shortcomings, their faults and their bad habits - because we have them too. It means opening your heart and your home to those less fortunate - because we've had to do without at some point in our lives. It means accepting people for who they are - because you can't, or shouldn't, try to change anyone.


Family to me is a feeling that no one else can take away. And for that - my family and my friends, I am forever grateful.

Have a wonderful, safe and happy holiday.

Happy Christmas

I hope this finds everyone ready for Christmas and that no one has lost their minds getting there. I've posted before about how hectic the holidays are and how we try to cram so much shopping, eating and fellowship into just a few weeks. If only we celebrated our birthdays that long!

I really wanted to let everyone know that we (spousal unit, crazy cat, senile dog and 6 happy fish) extend our best wishes to each and everyone of you. We hope your holiday season is full of happiness, peace, sanity and family (can you use sanity and family in the same sentence?). We are sure that you, just like the rest of us, has had a very rough year with the economy and can only pray that with a new administration in D.C., something is bound to change.

With that in mind, let us not forget what all the retailers would like us to - that Christmas isn't really about the economy, black Friday or Cyber Monday. How much we spend or save, how many good deals we get or how much we spend on one another. It's really about letting those that mean the most to you know how much you love them. I love my entire family - from my wonderful husband of over 20 years, to my wonderful Mom (aka my best friend), to the sister I never had to my nearest and dearest friend from childhood (and you know who you are).

I love my brothers, my Dad and their significant others. I love my countless friends at home and those at work. Those friends who have moved away and those who are still here. It really sounds so cliche, but we are nothing without our friends. Those friends who are always there - who will show up when you ask, regardless of the time of day, or how trivial the matter may seem to them.

It truly is a wonderful life - but we are here for such a short span of time. Make the most of your wonderful life - tell the ones you love just how much you do love them. Make the most of your wonderful life - take time to plant a flower, talk to a child or be with someone who might be alone. Make the most of your wonderful life - forgive someone who hurt you in the past or maybe, just forgive yourself for something.

Make the most of your wonderful life.

Be happy - have no regrets - smile.

Merry Christmas to All. May you have lots of love in your heart and friends on your doorstep. We wish you a wonderful, happy and healthy new year.

My Thanks...

Here is a re-print of my Thanksgiving post last year. I don't think any of the sentiment or meaning has changed - so I"m leaving it as is. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.



As we approach the holiday, we are suppose to reflect on what we're thankful for and pray that we have the same things next year that we can brag about. I wanted to post in this space a Thanksgiving "blessing" if you will, that I wrote from my heart probably 10 years ago expressing my thanks for everything in my life that I'm so very thankful for. But I cannot locate the paper copy. So I'll try to recall some of it from memory. I read this "blessing" as everyone was standing around the dining room table, hands joined, and mouths watering for the feast presented before us. I can remember my brothers, who are two of the most sensitive, grown men I know, sniffling and trying not to let anyone hear them. I recall saying that I was thankful and grateful for my extended family as we never turn anyone away when it comes to family fun and traditions. I had a fairly new sister in law at the time who has grown to become the true big sister I never had. And while my parents had been long divorced with Dad on the "left" coast, we never really lost touch of what family really means. It means accepting our loved ones despite their shortcomings, their faults and their bad habits - because we have them too. It means opening your heart and your home to those less fortunate - because we've had to do without at some point in our lives. It means accepting people for who they are - because you can't, or shouldn't, try to change anyone. Family to me is a feeling that no one else can take away. And for that - my family and my friends, I am forever grateful.

Have a wonderful, safe and happy holiday.

Hump Day

We made it to Wednesday. It's been a busy week carting myself back and forth to the hospital for Mom, but, if all goes well this morning, I'll be bringing her home today. She's had about every pulmonary test you can have, ultrasounds, etc., so I don't think they can do anything else. Now we wait for results and the plan of attack.

Thanks to all of my friends for your kind words and support.

Family and Politics

That's a loaded headline, isn't it?



This past weekend we went to the burbs of Philadelphia for hubby's uncle's 85th birthday celebration. On the way there, we decided to stop by another friend's house just a few miles from where we were staying. Said friend happens to live about 2 blocks from the Paoli Train Station that we drive right by. Little did we know that Barack Obama was having a "whistle stop" rally at the station when we arrived at the site. So we got to our friend's house and walked back over to the train station to listen to the candidate. Very exciting! I would have never guessed I would get that close to the man. We only caught about 10 minutes of his speech before he roared away on the train. But, how cool was that? Here's a picture I was able to snap before secret service men made me "keep moving."


The birthday celebration was wonderful. There were 12 folks at the dinner which was held at everyone's favorite restaurant in Paoli - San Nicola. We had a semi-private room in the back of the restaurant and were there for hours and hours. The chef himself came out to wish our guest a Happy Birthday. And of course, the red wine was flowing freely and the food was magnificent! The birthday "boy" was very touched by everyone being there (we surprised him - he didn't know we were coming) and really enjoyed his special night.

The road trip to Philly is never any fun. It took FOREVER to get up there Saturday - we've never seen traffic like that. Coming home wasn't as bad, but you're always ragged out on the drive home. You know the feeling - like you're never gonna get there. But we did so I'll stop whining now.


This weekend (if Mother Nature will cooperate) will be spent in the yard and the pond. I have some ideas for the front flower beds and I have a lot of work to do. And the pond still needs that final tweak on the waterfall. And we now have to fish out all of the pollen balls in the bottom of the pond too! It makes for very dark water and is not so pretty right now. As soon as everything is up and running properly and fish are thriving, I'll post some new pics.


Gonna check some email and get some dinner. Buon Appetito!

Paneling and Painting

Silly me - I agreed quite some time ago to paint the paneling in my Mother's den. It's a small room and the dark panels really made it like a little cave. Well, we put it off since before the holidays so I decided that now as good a time as any. Last weekend, I spent two days scrubbing it down (the den is right next to the kitchen - think greasy stuff) and sanding and taping off the wood trim. Whew...that was enough in itself. Then this weekend, I got the paint cans out and got to work. Started Saturday morning at 9am and finished that night at 7pm. Ended up doing the whole job myself. I put on two coats of primer and two coats of latex and rolled the ceiling. My back felt like someone had hit me with a 2 x 4, my hand was cramped from holding either a brush or roller all day, and my feet - we won't even go down that road!

Then it was back over there today to take all the tape off - move the furniture back in place - put face plates back on outlets, hang the vertical blinds, etc. I thought it would never end. But we have success - a nice, bright room that will cheer her up when she's sitting and watching her San Diego Padres or Chargers play (too bad the Chargers lost today). I guess I should have taken before and after pictures, but my mind was just on getting the job done.

She's happy with it and I like to help her out because she can't quite do all of the things she used to do - and she's the most independent person I know. But she has some issues with being on a ladder the holding her balance, so it's best she doesn't attempt these kinds of things herself. Don't need her in the ER with broken body parts.

After that, came home, turned on the fireplace and the Patriots/Chargers game, had a glass of wine, got my favorite blanky and took a little nap. But my back and feet still hurt.