Happy Holidays!

 

                                      Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A SOLDIER'S CHRISTMAS  'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.   I had come down the chimney with presents to give, and to see just who in this little house lived.   As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.   No Stockings by mantle, just boots filled with sand, On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.   With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, A sobering thought came through my mind.   For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,  The home of a soldier, I could now see clearly.   The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.   The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, Not how I picture a United States Soldier.   Was this the hero of whom I'd just read? Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?   I realized the families that I saw this night, owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.   Soon round the world, the children would play, and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.   They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.   I couldn't help wondering how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.   The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to one knee and started to cry.   The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, "Santa don't cry, for this life is my choice".   I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more, My life is my God, my country, my corps."   The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.   I kept watch for hours, so silent and still, as we both shivered from the cold night's chill.   I didn't want to leave, on that cold, dark night, this guardian of honor, so willing to fight.   Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, whispered, "Carry on Santa...., It's Christmas Day...., All is secure.         One look at my watch, and I knew he was right, Merry Christmas my friend.... and to all a Good Night.                         ~ Author Unknown *~ Remember Me?     * This poem is said to have been written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan. The following is his request. We think it is reasonable..... "PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed." "We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm us." George Orwell This Page is Dedicated With Thanks To All Of The Men, Women and Veterans of  Our Country's Armed Forces, as well as their Mothers, Fathers, Spouses, Children, and other family members who are all sacrificing for us.

 

Interview With Baby Joe

This past weekend I caught up with Baby Joe, the hottest young male celebrity in Jersey and here's what he had to say:

The Occupant: "Baby Joe ... thanks for stopping by!  When did you get into town?"

  Baby Joe: "The past 6 weeks have been such a whirlwind ... I think it was around July the 3rd..."

The Occupant:  "Any idea what caused the media frenzy since your arrival?"

  Baby Joe:  "I'm not sure ... but I think my parents had something to do with it!"

The Occupant:  "What's it been like for you?"

  Baby Joe:  "My life is like a circus!  As you can see by this picture ... no moment is too private for the paparazzi to photograph!"

 Baby Joe:  "Reporters seem to be lying in wait wherever I go!"

The Occupant:  "I guess like any celebrity, your schedule must be  quite hectic!"

  Baby Joe:  "Every time I turn around there's a make-up girl or hair stylist grabbing me for a touch up!"

The Occupant:  "Do you feel safe?"

  Baby Joe:  "Oh yeah!  I have a pretty intimidating body guard!"

The Occupant:  "Do you get to spend any quality time with your family?"

  Baby Joe: "My dad and I sneak away for a nap whenever we get the chance..."

  Baby Joe:  "And nobody serves up a home cooked meal like my Mom!"

The Occupant:  "People Magazine reported that you were seen at the Jersey shore last week... any truth to that?"

  Baby Joe:  "Of course!  You can't live in Jersey without taking a trip down the shore!"

The Occupant:  "Were you bothered by many fans on the beach?"

  Baby Joe:  "No, I always wore a hat and my parents kept me covered up with a blanket most of the time, so no one recognized me."

The Occupant:  "Do your parents still treat you like a baby?"

  Baby Joe:  "No matter how many movies I star in, or how many photo shoots I do, they still sniff my diaper whenever they smell something funny!"

The Occupant:  "Are there any embarrassing photos out there that you hope the media doesn't plaster all over the Internet?"

  Baby Joe: (laughs) "I think everyone has a few pictures that were only meant to be shared with family and friends ... like this one for example!  I must have had one too many bottles that night!"

The Occupant:  "So what are your plans for the future?"

  Baby Joe:  "I'll be teething soon, so I may have to take a break for a few months ... after that... there's a rumor that HBO wants to do a documentary filming my First Steps..."

The Occupant:  "Any advice for your adoring fans?"

  Baby Joe:  "Just say NO to pacifiers and always stay in your car seat!"

The Occupant:  "Well, there you have it!  Words to live by from one of Jersey's hottest stars!"

 

 

 

Cowboy & Indian Summer

The best way to enjoy a rather cool summer day ... play Cowboys with your adorable 5 year old grandson!  Isn't he just the cutest little thing?

 

Absolutely adorable!

 

Pack a suitcase... and GO!

                          New Orleans!             

 

                  

There IS at least ONE good thing about being over age 50, gainfully employed, divorced and having grown children... you can TRAVEL!  It's even better if you or one of your friends has On-Line Travel savvy! 

Last week, five of my girlfriends and I set out for New Orleans.  Pronounced Nor-Linz, if you want to sound like a local.  We saved quite a bit of money going there in the month of August, although we did have to take 3 showers a day and stop in many, many local bars to keep cool.

We stayed right in the French Quarter, which was not flooded out by Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent breaking of the levee's.

Over 200 years old, it's filled with colorful history.  The Dauphine Orleans was originally built as a bordello, and to our delight we discovered that it was ranked as one of the top 10 most haunted hotels in the USA.  Or... so they say.  About 50% of the employees could recall "haunting experiences" and some of them actually saw at least one ghost.  Aside from a few curious incidents, like missing keys, flickering lights, TV and radios being turned on without us doing it, and my sister swearing to God that she felt someone get into bed with her one night (she thought it was ME), we didn't actually see any spirits ourselves.  It was great fun to let our imaginations run wild though.  We brought along a Ouija Board in the hopes of getting the answerers to some of our burning questions, but sadly, the oracle didn't move an inch, after we all promised not to 'cheat' and move it ourselves.  

                                                                                                          

Personally, I felt a trip to see the Bayou was a must, although 3 of the others girls opted not to come along.  It was a 45 minute bus ride away from our hotel, but I learned a lot in that short time.  I found it very hard to believe how much devastation was still left after Katrina.  Huge neighborhoods stand abandoned.  Miles of boarded up houses stand as a sad reminder.  Scores of people without insurance, and many covered by companies that still haven't paid up, have no money to repair their homes.  The Guide told me that 150,000 people left New Orleans before and after Katrina hit, but only 25,000 returned.  At least 1200 people were killed.  Some endured sitting on roof tops for 5 days, waiting to be rescued.  Most of the people we talked to had no reservations in telling us their Katrina stories.  I could still see the fear and almost hopelessness in their faces as they spoke about losing all of their possessions and having to start their lives over.   But I could also see that they were filled with determination.  Katrina may have interrupted their lives, but in no way did it destroy them.

 

I found the short walk to the swamp boat a little difficult for a city girl likemyself.  Hundreds of dragon flies hover in the air and land on anything that doesn't move.  Once we were in the boat however, they seemed to all but vanish.  Our Guide told us that the swamp gets bigger every year.  Land is eroded by flooding and certain types of vegetation grow rampant in the Louisiana climate, overtaking the waters.  We only saw a few alligators that day, but it was quite a sight watching them swim over to our boat.  Our Guide tossed marshmallows into the water to attract them.  Although they are primarily meat eaters, the alligators seemed to have an attraction to the sweets he threw them.  Clyde informed us that he would never throw meat into the water, as it would make the gators aggressive and there was a possibly that they might actually try to climb into the boat looking for more.  That was a scary thought!  Some parts of the swamp were covered by a thin coating of duck weed which gave you the impression that the surface was hard.  From a distance it appeared that you could actually walk on it.

 

 

                  

 

 

                     

 

                       

On Saturday we signed up to go on a walking Ghost Tour of the French Quarter.  Our Guide filled us in on all the details of gruesome murders that have taken place in many houses and establishments in the district.  He had quite a talent for story telling so the tour was entertaining as well as informative.  Nicolas Cage recently purchased  of the most infamous houses, where hundreds of slaves were tortured and killed by their captors.

 

                    On Sunday we all took a 2 hour Paddle Boat ride down the Mississippi River.  It was quite relaxing and definitely enjoyable. 

Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to take the Katrina Tour or visit one of the Plantations.  In retrospect I would advise anyone planning a trip to New Orleans to keep in mind:

1)  Purchase all of your Tours On-Line before you go.  It's much cheaper than buying them when you get there.  Don't plan more than one tour per day.

2)  It's HOT.  Pack enough underwear and personal items to afford three showers a day.  Wear only minimal make-up and don't bother putting on body moisturizer.  Carry a personal hand held fan.  Especially if you have frequent hot flashes.  Drink plenty of water.  A ratio of one alcoholic beverage to one glass of water seemed to work for me.

3)  See the Swamp and the Cemetery in the morning.  The heat is too much in the afternoon and the alligators are sleeping.

4)  Don't walk anywhere alone.  Especially at night.  We felt quite safe wandering around in a group but the crime rate in the French Quarter is pretty high.

5)  The French Quarter entails a large amount of walking.  Wear sneakers or walking shoes.  I saw one girl traipsing around in high heels.  I doubt that she will ever recover.

6)  I didn't feel there was a need to put on insect repellant, even on the Swamp Tour.  Our Guide told us that the dragon flies EAT the mosquitos, so we didn't have to worry about bites. 

7)  Talk to everyone.  The locals are more than happy to tell you about New Orleans and their own personal Katrina stories.

8)  Although there is plenty of competition in all of the stores for souvenirs, buy what you want when you see it, cause you probably won't get a chance to go back and get the item later.  Besides, you won't remember where you saw it, anyway.

9)  Don't waste your money going to Emeril's.   It's extremely expensive, and really just a 'chain restaurant'. 

10)  Tip well.  The locals work long, hard hours to make your trip more enjoyable.  It was somewhat difficult having FUN in the heat.  I can only imagine what it would be like having to WORK in it.

 

 

   

 

We had a great time and I would definitely go back to New Orleans again.  The streets of the French Quarter were like a huge block party every night.  Even in August.  I wouldn't want to go there during Marti Gras though, even if I were 20 years younger.

Hopefully, traveling will become my new hobby.  There's a big world out there, and damn it... I want to see it!

 

            

                         

Life's Simple Pleasures

I think that life's simple pleasures are what really get us through the tough spots in life (although therapists and pharmaceutical companies like to take all the credit!)  Best of all ... they're free!

 

Here are a few of mine:

 

The smell of coffee brewing first thing in the morning.

Watching the sprinkler system water my lawn.

Daffodils blooming in the spring.

Infants smiling in their sleep.

The first sip of really cold iced tea on a hot summer day.

Autumn leaves.  Especially the red ones.

Snowflakes falling in the middle of the night.

Christmas lights twinkling inside the windows of my house on Christmas Eve.

The Free Massage my hospital gives out on Nurses Appreciation Day once a year.

And mostly ... Taking a walk with my 5 year old grandson and listening to him describe his observations.

 

Bliss!

House Broken

I've been having a tumultuous affair with my house ever since I bought it two years ago.  Looking back on it now I have to admit it was love at first sight.  From the minute I stepped in the front door I dreamed of living there and could hardly wait to move in.  I fantasized about the times we would share together.  Family barbeques in the back yard.  Singing Christmas Carols around the tree.  Sitting out on the front step watching the sprinkler system water the lawn.  As my passion for the house grew stronger, I fantasized about taking a bubble bath in the soaking tub.  It seemed I was filled with wild abandon.

 

Friends and family warned me that it was too expensive.  That the lawn was too much for me to keep up.  They said it was too big for a single woman.  I closed my ears and paid no attention to their advice. They just didn't understand.  The more they tried to keep us apart, the more I rebelled.  I snuck away to see it whenever I got the chance.  I finally decided I was going to live there no matter what.

 

I got a mortgage and moved in.  The first summer was bliss.  The house more than fulfilled my expectations.  I'd come home from work and find flowers blooming.  The ice maker on the refrigerator door made more ice then I could possibly use.  And I could have it CRUSHED if I wanted!   I felt safe knowing the security system was watching over me while I slept.  Yes, I thought I'd be happy there forever.

 

Then... little by little the house started to turn on me.  Weeds grew in the flower beds.  The lush green lawn turned brown and looked lifeless.  The refrigerator broke and needed a very expensive part.  And sadly, I discovered that my family was right.  the house WAS too expensive for me.   Every dime I had went into the house.

 

No matter how much I tried... it was never good enough.  I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but one night, my house key actually broke off in the door, and I was left shivering alone in the cold.

 

I gave up hope a couple of times and even threatened to sell it.  Everything would be alright for awhile and then something else would happen.  The garage door jammed one day and when I tried to close it, the frame buckled.  I grew suspicious at every creak.

 

I lived in constant fear that something awful  was about to happen.  Money was tight and I was existing on Acme Frozen Entrees.  I couldn't afford Lean Cuisine anymore.  It got pretty bad but I was determined not to become a victim of foreclosure.  I even tried financial counseling.

 

One night I came home early from work and found the powder room toilet leaking.  I stood there frozen in shock.  The tank was completely empty and the floor around the base.... well, let's just say it was warped and ruined.   I shouted obscenities and even threatened to burn the house down.  Thank God my kids weren't there to witness the ugliness that night. 

 

I can't take it anymore.  I've decided to end it while I still have my sanity.  I've put the house up for sale.  We'll sign the papers and probably never see each other again. 

 

Like so many others, I am left heart broken.  I don't think I'll ever love another house like this one.  I've glanced at one or two when I drove by and saw a FOR SALE sign on the lawn, but then the bitter memories of owning this one came flooding back.

 

No... I'll never be the same.  I'll just live out the rest of my days in a condo.  Where I don't have to cut the grass or shovel the snow.  I'm sure it will be smaller and have much less storage space, and I may not ever have my own bathroom or walk in closet again, but I don't care.  I'm hurt and bitter.

 

Maybe someday I'll be able to forget this house.  In time I might even be able to look at photographs of it and not cry.

 

Who knows?  With therapy and medication, anything is possible.

Introducing my New Grandson!

              

Although he seemed to have taken the scenic route, my new little Grandson is finally here.  He checked in on July 3 at 10: 45 PM .  

My daughter-in-law was such a Trooper!  It took almost 24 hours of labor and finally a C-Section to bring all nine pounds, one ounce of him in!  And just for the record, he was 22 inches long!

His name is Joseph Thomas ... named after both Grandfathers. 

And now, without further ado...  here's my new Grand-baby!

  I'm proud to say that my son was extremely supportive during Bonnie's labor which lasted almost 24 hours.  And he held her hand all through the subsequent C-Section.

 Bonnie's mother and I were able to come back and visit whenever we wanted.

  We did our best to keep her spirits up.

  Mostly, we waited and waited...

 ... and waited!

  Finally at 10:45 PM he was delivered.  All 9 pounds, 1 ounce of him!

  It was hard to believe that my youngest child now had a new baby of his own.  Joe was absolutely beaming with pride!  I will always cherish that memory.  I've never seen him more happy or excited! 

  I couldn't help but wonder who this little boy was, and who he would become.  I knew that although he was new to me, soon I wouldn't remember ever being without him in my life.

  My son now has his very own family.  He'll continue many traditions he learned from me and his father, and many that Bonnie learned from her family.  And they'll no doubt start new ones of their own.

 Their lives will never be the same.  This tiny baby will change everything.  But he will bring them happiness and joy beyond their wildest expectations.  And they will never regret it.

 He'll always have his Aunt Lee Lee to watch over him and make him laugh.

 And he'll always have a Grammy that loves him with all her heart!

Welcome to the world, Joseph Thomas!