Designing in Life

Adventure on the Indian River

On Thursday, Nick and I drove over to Indian Lake, NY to the Adirondak Rafting Company for a day of adventure.

On arriving, we were greeted by the welcoming committee.

Our plan was to get there about an hour before departure (which we were), so that we could have breakfast at this little bakery across the street.

After breakfast, we went back to find the rafts being loaded for our trip.  We boarded the yellow bus and took off to the river with our guide, Carrie.(we highly recommend her!)  After some careful instruction, we were off and rafting.

Notice, there is no one NOT smiling or having fun.  It was 5 hours of a great time.  Although I don't have a picture, I did get in line to jump off a rock (25 ft high, maybe?), which Nick didn't think I would do.  Hey, you only live once.

Kettle Mountain

Virgin Falls

Arial view of Blue Ledge. 

These 3 photos were taken by MelodyThomas Photography.  They photographed our trip and these photos were on the cd that we decided to buy.  It is impossible to take pictures while you're trying to paddle and listen for the instructions from your guide, so we were happy that there were photos taken.

So now I can cross  white-water rafting off my list.  What's next?  Well, I have always wanted to para-sail off the New Jersey shore.  I think it will have to wait until next year.

Nick and I have this coming Tuesday off, and the weather is looking good.  Stay tuned, I'm sure there will be some small adventure to share with you.

Business as Usual

Yup, that's right.  After a 4 day mini vacation, mostly driving, I'm back to work. 

It takes about 6 1/2 or 7 hours to drive to South Jersey where my sisters live – however – I left on Friday and knew I would get into heavy traffic on the NJ Turnpike.  Hey, everybody wants to get out of the city on the weekends, and heading to the Jersey Shore is not that far, well, as the crow flies, that is.  So, it took me about 8 hours and 10 minutes.

On Saturday, we sent to a Civil Union ceremony.  I got to see some relatives that I have not seen for some time.  It was a happy occasion and we all had a great time.

My sister, Michele, me, sister JoAnne, my cousin Paul (my sister Michele and I swear he used to cheat at Monopoly, c'mon Paul, you're old enough to fess up!) and his mother my Aunt Doris.  Sharp as a tack she is!  She had only met Nick once and that was one of the first people she asked about.

I am truly sorry I did not take a picture of the desserts.  My cousin Lyle and his partner, Roland had all of their friends make the desserts.  A friend made the cake – then there were biscotti, cream puffs, cannoli, tortoni and a gazillion Italian cookies just to mention a few!

On Sunday I was planning to head to North Jersey near South Amboy to a party for Nick's great-niece.  Before I left, however, I got a call from Beth saying their car had died in Beach Haven, which is on Long Beach Island.  So, things changed.  I left my sister's house and drove to Beach Haven.  It usually takes 1 hour 45 minutes, but it had rained, so all those people who were so anxious to get to the Jersey Shore on Friday, were now anxious to get home.  Soooooooo, it took me 3 hours and 15 minutes to get there.  But it was worth it because I got to see Beth, Jim, Chloe, Phoebe and Jim's Nona and mom.  I walked in the door and dinner was on the table. Jersey tomatoes?  From the garden out back?  WOW, there is nothing better in the summer than a Jersey tomato and if you don't believe me, you'll just have to go there and see for yourself!!!

After the meal we went to the beach, which is only a short block and a half away.  Chloe went to feel the water so she could let us know if it was warm or not – and it was wonderful, probably in the low 70's, so Beth, Jim, Chloe and I (Phoebe was at home asleep) went out to ride over the waves.  Chloe even ducked under some of them with her dad.  Wow, now that's a sign of growing up.

Chloe and Beth having a serious discussion.

Chloe having a warm snuggle with her dad.

Sorry, no pictures of Phoebe.  The visit was so short I forgot to get the camera out in the house.  I did get a chance to read stories to both of them, which I oh-so-love to do.

After another mini-meal (it's all about the food when you visit Italians – and delicious food, at that!) Jim and I headed for Jersey City.  On Monday I drove home, but not before a stop at my favorite place, Trader Joe's.  (Thanks Connie!)  The drive home only took a little over 5 hours.  Honestly, a piece of cake.

And that's what I did this past weekend.  What did you do?

Whirlwind Weekend

Last Thursday we traveled to Jersey City to celebrate our granddaughter, Phoebe's, Christening.  We had a wonderful time playing with our grandchildren and were able to help with the festivities.

We took many pictures, and thanks to daughter, Beth, there are more than I thought I would end up with.  She sent me to her Picassa pictures and I was able to view, download and order hard copies of them.  One in particular caught my attention.  I've put together a little photo comparison so that you can see what caught my eye.

        

Do you think these two babies look like they're related?  I thought they did.  The top picture is Phoebe and the bottom is me when I was around the same age.  I think because the picture is in black and white and Phoebe's hair was wet from the Christening, there are similarities.  I just never noticed them before.

More pictures to come from our weekend of a Christening and a 16th birthday party!

A Wonderful Gift

As you know if you're in the working world, Mondays can be somewhat of a drag on your psyche.  So it was with great pleasure that when I got home there was a gift from my brother-in-law, John, waiting for me.  He burned all the photos he took at last weekend's First Communion and sent it to me.  I've picked out 4 (I certainly don't want to overwhelm you) that I think are very sweet and funny.

This is Lauren.  It was her first Communion.

Lauren and Phoebe

Lauren, Chloe and Phoebe

Sisters, Chloe and Phoebe. 

I'm so lucky to have such sweet little faces in my life!

Home Again (sigh)

After spending a week renewing old friendships and laughing harder than I've ever laughed, I'm having a hard time with the realization that my 3 best pals don't live next door.  Luckily for email, blogs and Facebook, it is a bit easier to keep in touch than in the old days.

The house we stayed in, which belongs to Mary, was spacious and accommodating.  This is the view from the patio.  Over the dune is the beach and ocean.

Yes, it's true that I witnessed several sunrises from the top deck - even though I went to bed later than I usually do – let's face it, I was afraid of missing something.

Sunset from the beach looking towards the shore was as wonderful as the sunrise.

Still friends after all these years.  June, Mary, Sally and Connie.  And we haven't changed one bit!!!! 

Catching up here at home, but more about the trip another day.

Lost Luggage and Such

  As I've said, I'm heading out for a much needed break next week.  It seems so appropriate that I found this little gem on Casa Sugar's blog.  She sends you to a site called "Is This Your Luggage?"  It's run by someone who buys up all that lost luggage at auctions (when the airport has exhausted all efforts...what efforts you say?) I want you to know that this is what I learned - my underwear must be new (or I must not take any) if I'm running the risk of the airline losing it and this person photographing it.  Yikes!!!

Who are these Women?

Well, by looking at those faces we certainly know what they're doing.  They were four best friends in 1974, and worked at a restaurant together for several years called Fire & Ice, in Middlebury, VT.  As time passed some moved away, some stayed, but they always thought the day would come when they would get together again.  That day is almost here.
On Saturday, April 18, Mary, Sally, June and Connie will reunite on Amelia Island in Florida.  We have been waiting anxiously for almost a year when we planned the gathering.  My guess is that our jaws will be pretty sore after a week of catching up on all the years we spent apart.  I know we'll have a great time.
So I'm off to pull out some warm-weather clothes and get the packing started.   I'm sure I'll have some good stories to tell!

Home Again, Home Again

We are home from our whirlwind tour.  It was just what I needed.  First was our 2 day stop in Jersey City to visit Beth, Jim, Chloe and Phoebe...and Sadie too.  Beth had a babysitter lined up Friday night, so we went into New York City to meet Jim at a wine bar in Tribeca.  Then we had dinner at Edward's.   Lots of laughs, fun, good wine and delicious food (I had the fresh tuna sandwich - yum)

Saturday morning Jim took Chloe off to play indoor soccer - Soccer Superstar - and here she is with Nick in her gear:

When they got home, we all went outside to do a little work.  Jim and Nick took the door off the utility room and turned it around so that it opened to the outside.  Beth and I worked in her garden doing a spring cleaning.

Phoebe watched from the sidelines:

That night Beth and Jim went to a party, so Nick and I babysat.  Lots of stories were read.

The next day we left for South Jersey to visit my sisters.  We had dinner at Michele and Jon's.  With us we brought a bottle of homemade hard cider.  Here's Jon drinking it out of a Tom and Jerry glass.  Hmmm, just doesn't seem right, does it?

On Monday my other sister, JoAnne, went with us to Lancaster, PA to visit Nick's brother and family. They actually live in Leola, which is outside of Lancaster.  The area is beautiful and home to many, many Amish homes.  It is such a calming sight to see no electric wires running to houses, clothes blowing on lines in the winds, horse-drawn buggies going up and down the roads and beautiful work horses plowing the fields.  There are acres and acres of neatly groomed land just waiting for crops to be planted.  This is a place I think I could easily live.

We had a wonderful visit and it was great that all the kids were home.  Jerry (Nick's brother) has had some medical problems, but he looks good and is on the mend.

On Tuesday we went back to Jersey City to see Beth and Jim - oh, let's face it we went back to see Chloe and Phoebe.  I was able to get a shot of Chloe's "sprinkle shoes." (You may know them as "sparkle shoes").

Home on Wednesday, but not without stopping at Trader Joe's.  And just so you know – I did not check my email, watch the news, read a paper or work on designs.  Then again, I didn't read the book I took or work on the crotcheting that was with me.  I decided to just enjoy life.

Boogie-Woogie Mid-Winter Blues

Yup, I gottem.  It's almost March, and that means Mud Season.  What?  You've never heard of Mud Season?  I should be so lucky.  It's the time of year when mud darkens your doorstep and you never want to allow an animal to come in from the outdoors without a wad of paper towels in your hand.  It's when the air is starting to have that oh-so-spring scent and warmth to it, but you still have to wear a coat, and gloves, and a scarf, and a hat, and boots because it can change in an instant to a vicious, wild-wintery-windy mix of yuckiness.  Yup, I certainly do have the blues.  So, instead of trying to take any pictures of what it looks like outside, I'm inviting you to take a glimpse of where I'd rather be.

Let's face it, life is a beach.