I am starting to make piles of clothes to pack for our trip. Mr. Wonderful and I are leaving next Saturday for a week long venture to Punta Cana with my cousins. My cousins and I have been trying for years to travel together and I am so happy to say that it is finally happening. Two milestones reached - our trip together and Guga will have turned 50 twelve hours before our deprature.
Whereas I thought I was going to be totally bummed out at being 50, I have decided to look at the brighter side of things. I remember when my parents turned 50 - they were so old!! NOT ME! I have acomplished so much in my life and I am welcoming whatever the future holds for me into open arms.
Top Ten List - in no particular order:
Married to a wonderful man for over 29 years.
Raised 5 GREAT kids - and proud of everyone of them.
Have the pleasure of loving two of the most adorable, loving, intelligent, talented granddaughters.
Have a fabulous job - I can honestly say I still "whistle" on my way to work everyday.
Live in a great house just 1/2 mile away from above mentioned granddaughters.
Earned my Bachelor's Degree exactly 20 years after attaining my Associate's Degree - all the while teaching my kids quite a lesson about determination and hard work.
I wake up every morning next to my BEST friend in the whole wide world - yes, it is Mr. Wonderful - he deserves 2 spots on this list
Whereas I have mourned the loss of many close realtives, I can remember them all with a smile and wonderful stories to share with my kids and grandchildren.
I am proud of myself for giving my children the roots they need and the wings to live life independently. They are never fearful to venture away from home, knowing that home is always only a phone call away.
I will ALWAYS continue to look at the brighter side of life - and try to continue to teach my children to do the same. My Dad always said, "Life is Good" and that has truly become my mantra.
...need to get back to my packing...
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
...time to clean up...
Another Christmas is over - this one was close to the best one ever. No stress, good food, good company - what more could you ask for?
A brief recap - Mr. Wonderful was totally shocked with his new TV and he suprised me with a new camcorder (palm size that records to a mini DVD). I WILL be capturing lots of memories for posterity! My son presented his girlfriend with a Chia-Pet - oh and a necklace from Tiffany's tucked neatly inside - that kid has quite a sense of humor. Ally was TOO thrilled with all of Santa's suprises - both at her house and mine. Ava loved ripping the wrapping paper off all her gifts. All offspring were too pleased with their checks/cash (right color, right size) - the 'out-of-town' kids visited all day via cell phone. As usual, our annual grab bag provided lots of laughs and an opportunity for everyone to use their bartering skills.
All that's left is ringing in the New Year and taking down the tree and accessories. Guga and Papa are preparing for a grown-up vacation in the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana)! We leave a week from Saturday... more on that later
A brief recap - Mr. Wonderful was totally shocked with his new TV and he suprised me with a new camcorder (palm size that records to a mini DVD). I WILL be capturing lots of memories for posterity! My son presented his girlfriend with a Chia-Pet - oh and a necklace from Tiffany's tucked neatly inside - that kid has quite a sense of humor. Ally was TOO thrilled with all of Santa's suprises - both at her house and mine. Ava loved ripping the wrapping paper off all her gifts. All offspring were too pleased with their checks/cash (right color, right size) - the 'out-of-town' kids visited all day via cell phone. As usual, our annual grab bag provided lots of laughs and an opportunity for everyone to use their bartering skills.
All that's left is ringing in the New Year and taking down the tree and accessories. Guga and Papa are preparing for a grown-up vacation in the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana)! We leave a week from Saturday... more on that later
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Best Laid Plans...
Being a "seasoned" hostess, I know that all things mechanical will break down on a major holiday. HOWEVER, I was not prepared for this. My kitchen drain is totally stopped up - Mr. Wonderful took apart the whole thing - the garbage disposal, all connection elbow joints, etc. - CAN NOT find the clog. The plumber will be here between 12 and 5.
Could be worse. Could have happened tomorrow....
Could be worse. Could have happened tomorrow....
Saturday, December 23, 2006
WINNER!
It's twelve hours until Chistmas Eve and everything is done except the cookie baking. I think I can safely say that a few trays will be out of the oven, ready to eat WAY before Santa's sleigh starts on its trek. All that's left is trying to figure out how to get Mr. Wonderful's present into the house without his knowledge. It is nicely hidden in my neighbor's house (42" plasma TV). Oh yeah, I am winning "Wife of the Year" Award!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
..and we're off...
No time to recover from a whirlwind weekend trip - Chirstmas is less than a week away. Cards are mailed, tree is up, stockings are hung, gifts for the granddaughters are purchased - AND THAT'S IT!! No cookies are baked, no menus prepared, no shopping for the stockings, no shopping for Mr. Wonderful and resident child, no shopping for the annual grab bag... gotta go, got lot's to do..,. (Don't kid yourself, I thrive on this pressure!)
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Here I come!
Our plane takes off at 4:30 today - We're on our way to meet our granddaughters in Disney - Do you THINK I am smiling????
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Good to see them come...
We will be taking Allison and her friends back to JFK in about an hour. She arrived, with 3 friends, on Friday and it has been one non-stop party! (2 of these friends have NEVER been to New York)
Friday night my house was full of their NY friends waiting to surprise them. Needless to say, they all slept over - no one was driving that night! Most of them were in the hot tub until 4:00am!
Saturday evening, we had a white stretch limo pick up all of us and take us to Manhattan - ALL OVER MANHATTAN - we did Rockelfeller Center, St. Patricks Cathedral, the stores on 5th Avenue, NBC Building, Time's Square, the Empire State Building, and Ground Zero (and a bathroom stop at the Ritz Carlton). We stopped at a Diner on the way home as there are NO Diners in Florida. Again, the crew was up until 4:30am in the hot tub, with a fire going in the fire pit (that Mr. Wonderful bought just before they came). I got up at 4:00am to see what they were doing and they handed me a freshly made 'smore - you gotta love this group!
Sunday was ice skating in Uniondale (Long Island's answer to Rockefeller Center) and then a trip to the Bronx Zoo for their Holiday Light Spectacular - followed by dinner at a local Italian restaurant. (yep, you guessed it, more hot tub, another fire, more 'smores, etc.)
Yesteray they did (I went to work) Central Park, Tavern on the Green, the Empire State Builing (again), a subway ride, and a ride back home on the Long Island Railroad. (Mr. Wonderful drove them in) Sushi for dinner last night - (followed by their usual ritual).
I will miss the excitement, the laughter, the comraderie. I will NOT miss the lack of sleep, the apologizing to my neighbors, the hole in my wallet.
Yes, it is good to see them come, but it is also fine to see them leave!
Friday night my house was full of their NY friends waiting to surprise them. Needless to say, they all slept over - no one was driving that night! Most of them were in the hot tub until 4:00am!
Saturday evening, we had a white stretch limo pick up all of us and take us to Manhattan - ALL OVER MANHATTAN - we did Rockelfeller Center, St. Patricks Cathedral, the stores on 5th Avenue, NBC Building, Time's Square, the Empire State Building, and Ground Zero (and a bathroom stop at the Ritz Carlton). We stopped at a Diner on the way home as there are NO Diners in Florida. Again, the crew was up until 4:30am in the hot tub, with a fire going in the fire pit (that Mr. Wonderful bought just before they came). I got up at 4:00am to see what they were doing and they handed me a freshly made 'smore - you gotta love this group!
Sunday was ice skating in Uniondale (Long Island's answer to Rockefeller Center) and then a trip to the Bronx Zoo for their Holiday Light Spectacular - followed by dinner at a local Italian restaurant. (yep, you guessed it, more hot tub, another fire, more 'smores, etc.)
Yesteray they did (I went to work) Central Park, Tavern on the Green, the Empire State Builing (again), a subway ride, and a ride back home on the Long Island Railroad. (Mr. Wonderful drove them in) Sushi for dinner last night - (followed by their usual ritual).
I will miss the excitement, the laughter, the comraderie. I will NOT miss the lack of sleep, the apologizing to my neighbors, the hole in my wallet.
Yes, it is good to see them come, but it is also fine to see them leave!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
My Christmas Blessings
I must have done something right in my life to be blessed with these two granddaughters. I am one lucky "Guga".
Christmas Quiz
I found this list on the net somewhere and decided to use it for some inspiration for a blog entry. (Who's kidding who - I stole thie idea from a fellow blogger!)
1. Hot Chocolate or apple cider?
Hot chocolate, homemade - not the powdered kind - with mini marshmallows.
2. Turkey or Ham?
After the antipasto, pasta, salad and vegetables - who cares what the meat is?
3. Do you get a fake or real-you-cut-it-yourself Christmas tree?
There is a whole process that goes along with the picking out the real tree. No matter what the tree looks like when we get it home, Mr. Wonderful turns it into something that belongs in Rockefeller Center!
4. Decorations on the outside of your house?
AVSOLUTELY. Although, I take no credit for this one - this is strictly Mr. Wonderful and the kids - or shall I say "kid" as there is only one left at home!
5. Snowball fights or sleddin'?
Did the sledding when the kids were young - but there is nothing like a good old fashioned snowball fight.
6. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping?
Only if the definition of "dowtown" is my office in front of the computer! I do everything I possibly can online.
7. Favorite Christmas song?
"I'll be home for Christmas" - makes me cry EVERYTIME!
8. How do you feel about Christmas movies?
Not a fan.
9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?
Anything before Thanksgiving is simply blasphemous.
10. Stockings before or after presents?
AFTER - these are the trinkets that are savored over breakfast.
11. Carolers, do you or do you not watch and listen to them?
Although I caroled as a kid, in my adult years, I have never seen any carolers in our neighborhoods.
12. Go to someone else's house or they come to you?
We used to do Christmas Eve at my house and Christmas Day at Grandma's - but since I became a Grandma - I do BOTH!
13. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when?
No. But since the kids were little we acted it out with my nativity scene. Ally was able to do it all by herslef last year.
14. What do you do after presents and dinner?
I started a tradition about 3 years ago. We all sit in one room where there is a pile of unlabeled, wrapped gifts. We all pick a number and go in order - picking a wrapped gift. No. 1, No. 2, etc. When No. 2 opens their gift, they have a choice to keep it or swap with number one, etc. - when the last gift gets openend, the person who was No. 1 gets their choice of all the gifts. There is a lot of laughing and hiding of "good" gifts, bartering - (I always include a doll for Ally to trade for.) It's a nice way to bring everyone together for some comraderie and smiles. - THEN WE HAVE DESSERT!
15. What is your favorite holiday smell?
The REAL Christmas Tree.
16. Ice skating or walking around the mall?
Ice skating - Spectator, of course! Ally is dying to try it this year.
17. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day?
Christmas Day.
18. Favorite Christmas memory?
It's always the same - Mr. Wonderful and I watching the kids' faces when they see all the presents under the tree.
19. Favorite Part about winter?
Being too cold to go outside - just having to stay home and build a fire.
20. Ever been kissed under mistletoe?
yes, yes, yes
1. Hot Chocolate or apple cider?
Hot chocolate, homemade - not the powdered kind - with mini marshmallows.
2. Turkey or Ham?
After the antipasto, pasta, salad and vegetables - who cares what the meat is?
3. Do you get a fake or real-you-cut-it-yourself Christmas tree?
There is a whole process that goes along with the picking out the real tree. No matter what the tree looks like when we get it home, Mr. Wonderful turns it into something that belongs in Rockefeller Center!
4. Decorations on the outside of your house?
AVSOLUTELY. Although, I take no credit for this one - this is strictly Mr. Wonderful and the kids - or shall I say "kid" as there is only one left at home!
5. Snowball fights or sleddin'?
Did the sledding when the kids were young - but there is nothing like a good old fashioned snowball fight.
6. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping?
Only if the definition of "dowtown" is my office in front of the computer! I do everything I possibly can online.
7. Favorite Christmas song?
"I'll be home for Christmas" - makes me cry EVERYTIME!
8. How do you feel about Christmas movies?
Not a fan.
9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?
Anything before Thanksgiving is simply blasphemous.
10. Stockings before or after presents?
AFTER - these are the trinkets that are savored over breakfast.
11. Carolers, do you or do you not watch and listen to them?
Although I caroled as a kid, in my adult years, I have never seen any carolers in our neighborhoods.
12. Go to someone else's house or they come to you?
We used to do Christmas Eve at my house and Christmas Day at Grandma's - but since I became a Grandma - I do BOTH!
13. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when?
No. But since the kids were little we acted it out with my nativity scene. Ally was able to do it all by herslef last year.
14. What do you do after presents and dinner?
I started a tradition about 3 years ago. We all sit in one room where there is a pile of unlabeled, wrapped gifts. We all pick a number and go in order - picking a wrapped gift. No. 1, No. 2, etc. When No. 2 opens their gift, they have a choice to keep it or swap with number one, etc. - when the last gift gets openend, the person who was No. 1 gets their choice of all the gifts. There is a lot of laughing and hiding of "good" gifts, bartering - (I always include a doll for Ally to trade for.) It's a nice way to bring everyone together for some comraderie and smiles. - THEN WE HAVE DESSERT!
15. What is your favorite holiday smell?
The REAL Christmas Tree.
16. Ice skating or walking around the mall?
Ice skating - Spectator, of course! Ally is dying to try it this year.
17. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day?
Christmas Day.
18. Favorite Christmas memory?
It's always the same - Mr. Wonderful and I watching the kids' faces when they see all the presents under the tree.
19. Favorite Part about winter?
Being too cold to go outside - just having to stay home and build a fire.
20. Ever been kissed under mistletoe?
yes, yes, yes
Monday, December 04, 2006
Thought for the day...
"Always keep several get well cards on the mantle..... so if unexpected guests arrive, they will think you've been sick and unable to clean ."
"29 years and counting"
Mr. Wonderful and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary yesterday. I had Ally and Ava all day as Trish and Chip were in the city celebrating her birthday. I also invited GG (Great Grandma - my mom), her friend, and Wendy (my cohort). Other than missing the rest of my kids, it was a perfect day. I had to take Ally to a birthday party in the morning and I came home to a freshly vacuumed house and an empty dishwasher (thanks, Mr. Wonderful). The ease of the day just proved to me once more that I have truly married my soul mate. We have a definite rhythm, we are absolutely in sync.
There was only one glitch during the day - he disappeared downstairs for about a half hour and I couldn't understand why. As soon as the last guest left, he came to me and said - "Did you wonder where I was earlier?" and he handed me the tracking info from 1-800-Flowers. He ordered 2 dozen yellow roses (what my wedding bouquet consisted of) that were to be delivered to me with a note that read, "29 years and counting..." - After finally getting an operator on the phone, who he blasted for not delivering the flowers - she carefully reviewed his order which said: TO DELIVER DEC. 3, 2007!! He was SO disappointed, but I told him that having this story to tell was the perfect gift for me! - I asked him to cancel the flowers - he reminded me that he had plenty of time to do so - it's not like they were delivering them any time soon!
There are many blessings in my life - but for today I am most thankful for my Mr. Wonderful.
There was only one glitch during the day - he disappeared downstairs for about a half hour and I couldn't understand why. As soon as the last guest left, he came to me and said - "Did you wonder where I was earlier?" and he handed me the tracking info from 1-800-Flowers. He ordered 2 dozen yellow roses (what my wedding bouquet consisted of) that were to be delivered to me with a note that read, "29 years and counting..." - After finally getting an operator on the phone, who he blasted for not delivering the flowers - she carefully reviewed his order which said: TO DELIVER DEC. 3, 2007!! He was SO disappointed, but I told him that having this story to tell was the perfect gift for me! - I asked him to cancel the flowers - he reminded me that he had plenty of time to do so - it's not like they were delivering them any time soon!
There are many blessings in my life - but for today I am most thankful for my Mr. Wonderful.
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