Amazing sunset tonight

A beautiful, mild day today with the perfect sunset through the trees:

Merry Christmas

Scenes from our annual Manhattan visit on Christmas Eve:

Most famous Christmas tree! I see I caught the zamboni too!

Saks on 5th Ave.

We had a good visit but overall not as crowded as past years. A waiter mentioned that tourism was way down this Christmas and they were suffering. Hopefully this recession will not last long.

Merry Christmas to all!

Tree & Snow

Quick updates ...

Tree ... when I suggested to Don that we just get a small Christmas tree this year, he came back with the tallest tree we've ever had. It's at least 11 feet. We love it! Now all we need is Santa's visit to fill in the bottom.
Snow ... definitely a white Christmas is in store for us. This snowstorm couldn't have arrived at a more perfect time. We may get some rain before the 25th but for now its hard to believe this could all be gone in just a few days.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas ...

Why I so rarely post photos of Carolyn ...

This is my beautiful daughter at her piano recital on Sunday. (At least we think its her.)

Our choice

I like this. Makes it all seem so simple:

"As a body in a world, here is our choice: we can be more loving or less loving. That's it. We can relax as the entire moment's show of love's swirl, feeling open as all - a vicious rainstorm, tweeting birds, our lover's lips, a sense of worthlessness - or we can close to some aspect of experience, pulling away as if we were separate." - David Deida

I took it from Kelly's blog. Thanks Kelly!

Happy Thanksgiving 2008

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with another family here yesterday. We all decided we have lots to be thankful for - family, friends, health, jobs, opportunity! For us, we are also thankful that Toby, our cat, showed up at our door on Thanksgiving morning after being awol for 3 days. We were worried we had lost him, but there he was, healthy and normal, as if he'd never left. If only he could talk.

After a busy Thanksgiving evening we found him camped out in the powder room sink. Comfortable?

Carolyn started work at 5:30 am today in preparation for Staples' early opening at 6 am. There was already a line-up started outside the store when I dropped her off. I went back to bed, leaving the black Friday shopping deals for others.

2008 KHS Fashion Show

I haven't blogged for awhile because I've been working on the Program for our annual high school fundraiser - a Fashion Show. The students and teachers model clothing from local stores while parents and students watch. We had a gym-full of baskets filled with donations from stores, restaurants and families, that we all buy tickets for a chance of winning one or more of these baskets. There is also a 50-50 which last night was just under $1400! And a raffle, and a separate table of special baskets, etc. LOTS of opportunity for parents to spend money.

Our theme this year was "Under the Sea". I run a contest with the students for cover art - always hard to choose just one. We also get lots of advertising and feature the businesses that donated baskets. Here's this year's Program.


Here's the overall look of the gym with tables last night. My talented friend, Jennie, put together the table centerpieces and designed and painted the arch! The models came through that arch to walk along the runway which is not visible in this photo.

It was another successful night - both as a fun night out and as a fundraiser!
(Link to last year's, where I notice I said a lot of the same things! Pics are nice.)

OMG, It's snowing!

It just started snowing. You can't see the flakes very well in this photo but they are big. If it accumulates I'll update with another photo. Feels like "the day after tomorrow."

What I bring back from Canada ...

... or what to bring us when you visit!!! (Please!)

T.O. - Oh what a fun week!

I'm just back from a fun week in Toronto spent hanging out with my parents and visiting friends. It was great to be back in "my" city! I left Don and Carolyn at home to fend for themselves.

The first night I arrived I met Colleen (Col, 23). Col is a friend from Ontario Place where we met during the summer between 1st and 2nd year university. Col spends her time between Toronto and B.C. and points all over the world! Here we are at Le Select Bistro:

The next day H&B took me to The Distillery Historic District in Toronto. Its an artsy area newly developed in an old distillery - lots of galleries and restaurants. It was a chilly day but we warmed ourselves in the Mill St. Brew Pub over lunch:

Next day was lunch with Haifa at Vibo with Heather arriving in time for dessert (gl of wine). We worked together at AT&T Canada. First I had a tour of Haif's recently renovated home - magnificant! Here is the happy homeowner:

After lunch we went back to Haifa's as we just weren't finished talking! Here's Heather and I:

From this point on, I seem to have completely forgotten that I brought my camera!!! Argh! I missed photos of my Ontario Place friends, Pammer, Sue & Leslie at dinner that night. And I missed photos of Gail & Chris Ward the next day over a delicious lunch at their beautiful new home, and of my Toastmasters friends Barb & Anne after that.

It is unusual for me to forget to take a photo. We've promised not to let another 10 years go by before we do this again, so more photo opps in the near future! What a fun week!

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Awesome weather in the northeast this weekend. A perfect weekend for Thanksgiving. I'm thinking of my Canadian family and friends today.

Don & I went on a short hike today at Pyramid Mountain in Boonton, NJ. Here's the view from one of the lookouts. We're looking east towards Manhattan here, and although the photo doesn't show it, we could see the Empire State building and the skyline of NYC in the distance.

This photo was taken looking down at a little creek from a footbridge. You can see the rocks, reflection of trees and our shadows. Oh so artistic, Cath.

We are ... Penn State!

Last weekend Don and I went to our first ever U.S. college football game: Penn State vs Temple. The pre- and post game tailgating was over the top! RVs and cars with Penn State chairs, banners, tablecloths, cups, awnings, tents, and Nittany Lion statues everywhere. Merchandising is big! And EVERYONE is wearing Penn State t-shirts, jackets, hoodies, hats, socks, jewelry, cheek tattoos - a sea of white and navy.



After our tailgate gawking and watching the parade, consisting of their huge marching band, flag bearers, baton twirlers and dancers, we watched the game. The highlight of the game, for me, was the halftime show! It was incredible!

They have a woman who is the national baton twirling champ. Unbelievably talented!

This is a shot of the field at halftime from our seats. From the section with the "S" (for State) to the entrance in the center of the end zone is where the Penn State students sit. They have a huge section where they stand and cheer the entire game. The "S" is compiled of seniors who are given white & navy t-shirts every game so they can form this "S".

Our college football games @ UWO and WLU were NOTHING like this (but they were fun too)!

The best part of the day was seeing Bryan again. He lives, he survives, he's doing fine! Needless to say, we had a great visit to PSU!

Vacation - Cape May & Hannah

We've already been back for a week but still, I wanted to post a few pics from our little vacation to Cape May NJ, Annapolis MD, and Washington DC.

First Cape May -
Its beautiful! Cape May is located at the tip of NJ at the entrance to Delaware Bay. We arrived on a beautiful sunny day, just a day before the remnants of Hurricane Hannah were to hit the shore. The anticipation of the storm was exciting. Everyone was out on the boardwalk, watching the surf build and the sky darken. At about 3pm on Saturday the rain came, pelting down so hard it hurt. (Of course we got caught in it!) We ran back to our hotel soaked to the bone.

Here's our hotel from the beach on Friday afternoon - a very hot, sunny day:


On Saturday morning the surfers were out in the pre-storm waves:

Here is the view from our room when the rain was so intense we couldn't see beyond the road:

A break in the storm came in the early evening. As soon as the rain stopped, people were out walking and enjoying the break. Lighter rain returned off and on that evening. Hannah was in a hurry to get up the coast - didn't last long.

Back to beautiful, blue skies on Sunday morning. Don and I walked the boardwalk to the end, then out to the Cape May lighthouse.

That was our first visit to Cape May. I didn't post my photos of the Victorian homes for which Cape May is known. Next post, I'll add to this trip.

Bryan is doing fine

IMing with Bryan tonight from his dorm room. I grabbed a few screen shots, mostly to surprise him if he ever goes to this blog. He started classes about 2 weeks ago so his settling in. It was fun to chat tonight.

Mentally preparing for Friday

On Friday we take Bryan to Penn State to move him into his dorm. I'm so excited for him - starting a whole new chapter of his life, expanding his world, meeting new people, experiencing more independence and adjusting to the ups and downs of life without the full safety net of parents nearby.

I'm not at all worried about how he will adjust. I'm worried how I'll be! I guess its like the first time you put them on the school bus. I am sentimentally sad for the chapter that's ending.

I wouldn't have it any other way than him heading off to college. We're proud of him. We enjoy having him around, laughing, getting the groceries out of my trunk, troubleshooting our computers ... all the day-to-day stuff.

My friends tell me that before you know it they're home again and you're both testing each other's limits!!! Until that day, I know he'll be fine. But will we?!?

On the lake today

Today was a perfect day for a kayak on the lake ...

Don, the lake and blue skies

Approaching St Hubert's chapel

Checking out the beaver dam, one of two on the lake.
We didn't see the beaver today but he has swum along beside us in the past.

Heading south on Lake Kinnelon.

Tattoos

My theory on tattoos:
If you think you need (need???) a tattoo, get a henna. Live with it, experience it, let it fade. If you still really need a tattoo, get another henna. If after that one fades, you still want a tattoo, get another henna. And so on.

Really, why ever get a permanent marking on your skin? Just like clothes, tattoos seem to go in and out of style. It was once (very recently) cool to get your lower backside tattooed and now there's a not-so-kind name for those tattoos. Who knew? They were cool at the time.

I am all for doing what you "need" to do especially when it doesn't hurt others, but do you really know in your teens and 20's what you're going to want to wear for the rest of your life???

Carolyn got a henna (sorry for my lack of focus):

It is cute but I'm glad it will fade. She got it on the boardwalk in Ocean City, MD, while visiting with her MD friend.

Bryan was asked to design a tattoo for a friend. They're all 18 now so can get it done without parental consent. Bryan enjoys doodling and his designs were used for a school event this spring. A friend asked him to work up of couple of designs that he might then consider for a tattoo design. The friend liked one design as is and had it inked onto his upper arm a few weeks ago. He showed me and actually, I am surprised to say, I liked it! Maybe because it was Bryan's design but not Bryan's arm!?

To each his own. I just don't get it (and I guess I don't have to).

The Frasers do NYC

A few weeks ago my brother and his family visited. We don't get to see each other much but even with the time gap we seem to pick up where we last left off, which usually means we were giving each other a hard time.

As usual, I'll tell the story of their visit with photos. This first collage shows a few fooling around faces. That's Haley and Carolyn, looking more and more alike these days, then Toby sporting Cole's shades, Cole in Cole's shades, and Don and I in Little Italy - hot and bothered, literally!


Here are the more serious faces: Haley, Carolyn and Cole waiting for their grub, Vicki and John glad to be seated for a respite from walking in humidity, and Don and I with "normal" faces.

This last collage could be titled "Cole in the City." As you can see, he's not too much of a ham!!! Cole made lots of friends in NYC. His new friends and us will look forward to his return! And we didn't find the Ca$h Cab - next time!

Next time it is our turn to visit the Frasers in their neck of the woods (redwoods, that is). Did I hear someone offering me a little Rodney Strong Sauvignon Blanc? Taxi ...

Uncle Buck

By his own admission, here is our family's Uncle Buck! This is Doug with his eyelids flipped inside out. He's the guy who bought my kids a whoppee cushion when they were younger.

Never a dull (or mature!) moment with Uncle Doug around!!!

(You're welcome for the compliment, Doug!)

P.S. I couldn't log into my blog for weeks. Whats up with that blogspot people????

Fav Sayings

I came across this list called An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth. It is definitely food for thought whether you agree with it all or not. I’m sure it wasn’t the author’s intent that you agree with all 43 points. It is sufficient enough to just stir up your pensive juices!

Here are a few of my favs, probably already familiar to you -

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
Eerily this is true. Lessons are all around us but we don’t “see” them until we’re ready. And when we’re ready to listen, see, learn, change, grow – the teacher is there. Voila.

Definition of insanity: Doing things the same way and expecting different results.
I have to remind myself of this one because it is so easy to do the same things the same way day after day without even considering alternative routes, ideas, methods, etc. Every time we’ve moved or traveled to different countries (even state-to-state can be like country-to-country!), I am always amazed that what I first think is silly becomes such a great idea. I do the ole paradigm shift and think, wow that’s brilliant! One of my fav books is One Minute for Myself* where, among many ideas, the author talks about taking a new route home from work – turn one block sooner or one block later, look around, and almost always a new idea will come into your head about something.

You reap what you sow.
So true. Put nothing into it – get nothing out. Whether planning a party, a day off or your life, its true. Its the theme of "Cats in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin. Spend little time with your children and they'll have little time for you. (The teenage years don't count!) The people who complain the most are the same people who never volunteer, never do anything extra, never put themselves out. No wonder life becomes such a bummer. On the other hand, when you sow many seeds of worthwhile activity, the friendships and tangible and intangible rewards are many.

What are your fav sayings to live by? Leave me a comment.

* I see that this book is out of print! Lots is written about it if you wish to google it and used copies available. Its by Spencer Johnson.

Sweet Sixteen Today!

Happy Sweet 16th Carolyn!
Delicious cake compliments of Helen!

Good-bye Jim

Don's father, Jim, passed away on June 27. He was almost 88 years old. We're sad to lose a good and kind father/father-in-law/grandpa but happy for Jim that it was a peaceful ending after a long, full life.

Jim, Bryan & Don - 3 generations of Gill men (Nov 1993)

Jim and Carolyn (March 1993)

We'll miss you, Jim.

High School Graduation

Bryan graduated from high school on June 13, 2008. Whoohoo! My parents drove down to attend the ceremony with us which was so great. It was held outside on a beautiful evening. The speeches were wonderful and the kids all so young and full of promise!

Bryan & Carolyn

Bryan with Mom, Dad & me

FYI, cords are for French Honors Society and Academic Decathelon. Dog tag is for State Hockey championship. All the kids were wearing cords of different colors that represented their affiliations and special achievements.

Look ma - no braces!

Carolyn had a crazy Wednesday last week. Getting out of school at noon after finishing finals, she headed down to the beach with her friends. They were running around and she ended up stepping on someone's school bag and a pencil went through her foot! She hobbled over to the guard house where multiple people tried to pull it out, but the tip was so deeply lodged it required a trip to the ER to get it out. So off we went.

The catch was that at 5:45pm she was due at the orthodontist's office to get her braces off. Come hell or high water, or a pencil in her foot, she was not going to miss that appointment! Fortunately the ER was not busy, the lead and wood pieces all came out (!), and we were well on our way with time to spare.

And the braces came off!

Carolyn smiling while her foot is healing nicely.

Memorial Day Weekend

Finally a weekend of perfectly awesome weather! Don's sister, Barb, her husband, Doug, and their 2 boys came down from Ontario for a visit. It was great to see them. The last time they were here Eric was about 4 months old. He tells me he remembers his first visit well!

It was also Barb's birthday.


Eric (6) & Barb on the deck.

Doug & Michael (3-1/2)

It was so fun spending time with our nephews and catching up with Barb and Doug. We were all able to fully enjoy Memorial Day beach festivities and do some kayaking. Thanks for coming!

High School Prom May 2008

Bryan and Colleen

Lovin' spring

A week ago we were enjoying dinner on our deck (with sun setting, above) and the leaves were still buds. A week later the woods are filling in with leaves and my neighbors' homes are being camouflaged. Once spring springs, it doesn't waste any time.

Garden prep around here consists mostly of leaf removal. I've been leaf removal-ing for a month now. Can't wait to start planting again. For me that means planting in pots in protected areas since anywhere else means "Deer buffet, come and get it!"

Don got the kayaks down to the racks at the lake and he and Bryan have been out. We're just lovin' the myriad of colors and warmer temps - lovin' spring.

Gypsy

Last week we did a mother/daughter trip into NYC to see Gypsy with Patti Lupone and Laura Benanti. Benanti is from our little town of Kinnelon so everyone was looking forward to seeing her but alas she was ill last week. Her understudy was excellent, but we wanted Benanti!

Patti Lupone was AWESOME. I had seen Gypsy 18 years ago with Tyne Daly in the lead - also good, but Lupone ends the play on such an unforgettable note! You will see from the photos that my daughter didn't come. So I was doing the mother/son thing. I was happy to have Bryan join me.

It was a beautiful spring day in the city so we got in early and walked around before dinner (at Sarafina's) and the play. There were two more mom/daughters with us but they arrived after these photos were taken.

Nicole, Julia, Ellen, Cathy, Bryan, Tracey & Tess in Times Square

Julia, Tracey, Nicole, Tess, Yellow M&M, Bryan, Cathy, Ellen