59 to 60

Last night I helped to celebrate Sheila Rick turning 64 at Lynne Ewen's house. We got into a discussion about turning 60 and Sheila said, "Did you notice that it is a big jump going from 59 to 60?"
It is a big jump. How did I get to be 60? They said turning 50 was hard, but looking back, I think not so much.
Don't get me wrong. I am grateful for all that I have and all that I have experienced. I know that many lives don't even reach 60 but.....I have lived most of my life! That is sobering. It makes the next 30 years really important.
I don't want to act my age (that is getting harder as the body acts up - can't criss cross applesauce anymore (sit like an indian), after sitting for long periods of time my legs need a couple of minutes before standing, I have sleep apnea and wear a c-pap mask attached to a hose attached to a pressure machine at night, I grind my teeth so I wear a night guard. I still have adult diapers to look forward to!)
I really get up every day ready to treasure the things in my life. I try to see the absolute pure beauty in nature (yes, deer fascinate me) , I LOVE taking care of my grandchildren. Yes, I wish my house were cleaner and neater......but I wished that when I was 30 also. I keep thinking there will be time later for that perfect house.
I am entering an uncertain future and I can only live it the best I can, one day at a time.
49 to 50 was just a jump. 59 to 60 was a leap. I hope that I am around for the 69 to 70 adventure!

Gone Again? Part Two

Tuesday we went to Margate New Jersey to visit "Lucy" the world's largest elephant. It rained almost all day. Matt, Sam and Emilie toured inside of Lucy and then we all went next door for lunch.

We finished the day with a trip to Sunset Beach. We were so happy that the rain stopped and that we got there just in time for the flag lowering ceremony.

A "god" moment!

The gentleman in the middle runs the ceremony of the serviceman's coffin flag everyday in rememberence of those whose gave their all for their country! Each flag is different each day.

We celebrated getting to Sunset Beach with a visit to The Cape May Lighthouse and ice cream from the center of Cape May.
Wednesday we said goodbye to the Tomaros and collapsed into chairs, I read a book while DB watched tv. A good thing too as Thursday turned out to be THE BEACH DAY!

We rented a sand wheel chair so that Doug was able to get his feet into the ocean (which was like his tongue into a drop of beer).

I know it doesn't look like a beach day but.....it was humid, you could smell the ocean, I got to watch the fog roll in off the ocean, cross the beach, cover our hotel and then burn off, which was cool, seagulls were there, I found some kind of black tooth (shark?) in the water and one piece of turquoise beach glass.......all in all it was a great day at the beach and a wonderful end to my 60th Birthday.

Gone Again?

Not gone. Just escaping for a bit! Using up the last bit of my 60th birthday surprise. Here is the sequence of events.
Saturday, August 27, 2011 - 10am, Stampin Up Brunch for 10 close friends and family                                      
4pm  Middlesex Emergency Management gives Greene Ave. Mandatory Evacuation.
 5pm Emilie escorts me to Surprise Party at Houilihan's for my 60th BD
Sunday, August 28, 2011 - Hurricane Irene - We get 18" of water in the basement. Need new dryer,new Hot water heater, new furnace.
Sunday, September 18, 2011 - DB and I leave for Wildwood Crest, NJ to spend 5 days at the beach.
Emilie, Samantha and Matt are already there for the Firemen's Convention and are staying an extra two days to be with us.

A random lady walking on the beach asked us if we would like a picture of us all together! Thanks!

Windy, blowing sand, massive clouds, low tide.........awesome!

Monday was Cape May County Zoo, Wildwood Boardwalk, Grocery shopping and 1st attempt to go to Sunset Beach (got there too late).

Look at those Crowds! (db could not find a beer anywhere on this boardwalk)

Samantha's new passion - SKEEBALL! Her highest score was 50! A Champion in the making.

9-11-11

The ten year anniversary of 9-11!
Each year I go to bed saying to myself that I will not spend September 11th in front of the tv.
I wake up on September 11th and I am compelled to turn on the television. It is sobering in it's sadness and it's enormity. I saw it from Washington Rock, I knew two people who did not return, I was a young mother of three children. I was profoundly affected, and find that I still am 10 years later.
I took pictures of the television screen this year (digital photography makes it easy). I am sharing a few of those pictures.

Tom and I would pick up our girls from Girl Scouts at Hazelwood school. Tom also did a presentation on gun  safety at the Bound Brook Presbyterian Preschool where I was the Director/Teacher.

Barbara Gorman, reading names at Ground Zero on the 10th anniversary of 9-11. She remembered Tom and mentioned her children and that they would soon be grandparents.

Doug worked with Ex Santillan at Asland Chemical in Kearny. Maria called her father at Ashland to tell him that a plane had hit her tower. He never heard from her again.

Victor Santillan on the right, reads victims names and then speaks of his lost sister, Maria, and the impact her death had on their family.
It is with a prayer and a promise that I go to bed tonight. I pray for peace and I promise not to take life for granted.

Caroline's personal update

Hello Caroline. You requested that I update my blog, so sweetheart this one's for you!
I have been busy sleeping. Yes, getting my rest. Relaxing. Recovering. Not doing much!
This is making you angry and that is ok with me! I still love you. The last ten days have been a little overwhelming and yes I do think that I have been cowering under the covers just a little bit! And I am ok with that. I am working slowly at a pace that I can cope with. I am waiting for the flood insurance adjuster to see our mess. I am gathering up the resolve to just throw (perfectly good) things out. And I love you because you care! And I love you because I know that I can always count on you. And I love you because you always tell it like it is, no sugar coating for you! Shall I list your other attributes: excellent cook, great party planner, hard worker, super saver,shoe collector,and great personality .
I love you because you were my last baby and you still are!

Ok, to get back to normal I am going to post an ad for 221 Greene Avenue, Middlesex,NJ,08846.
50x100 lot with waterfront view, romantic setting, near ducks and geese. Will provide sand to complete your own private beach. Water levels depend on the season, the tides and what hurricane is traveling up the east coast. This property will go fast , so get your offers in quickly. The first offer will automatically be accepted!

View from front steps.

That glimmer is Greene Avenue.

Accessible by boat only.

60 is the new 30!

A good friend posted that on Facebook to me today! It is my birthday and I am just starting to feel better. I think I'm gonna live. Samantha called to wish me a happy birthday and to see if I wanted to go out to lunch. Where? To Friendly's of course for our favorite......grilled cheese and french fries!

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Where have you been Pat Rex?

A long story. Daddy,emergencyroom,earthquake ,temperature,advil,hurricane,emptying,cleaning,Stampin Up Brunch,tylenol,mandatory evacuation, surprise 60th birthday party at Houlihans,saving all the photo albums,Irene's fury,flooding, more tylenol,more emptying ,still had lights, tv,Diego and Caroline, sick, sleeping, sore throat, temperature, to Doctor, Azithromycin, sleep, sleep, eat, sleep, Thursday, fold laundry, sleep, Friday, 60 years old. In a nutshell.

Hurricane Irene Pictures from 221 Greene Avenue, Middlesex:

Goodnight Irene!