It's so hot.

It's so HOT I saw squirrels fanning their nuts.  See...... this is what the heat does to people. Seriously, people are so impatient and the sweat trickles down their back. Their faces bright red, and their temper, enough to set the world on fire.

But not me, I have decided during these record breaking temperatures to play it so cool. Cool as a Cucumber, what are my ideas for staying cool?

1.  REMAIN CALM...even when the dogs are barking, its time to make dinner, and my phone is ringing. CHILL

2.  GET NAKED , what really makes a difference is when you have a house full of kids. seriously, I don't know why there is so much shame when Eve used a fig leaf. I go to my room, lock the door and that is a signal its my time. GO AWAY, I am "chilling out"

3.  STAY HYDRATED. My favorite...and there is nothing like it...ICE COLD WATER , with a mint tea leaf and lemon. Here is the problem, our ice maker is broke. So is the oven door, our shower drain, and our dining room window...but relax...keep cool DRINK.

4.  THE MAGICAL SCENT.  Bath and Body Works Coconut lime Verbena body splash....kind of reminds me of Grannys Jean nate , remember that stuff? OMG.

5. FRUIT...and lots of it, watermelon, blueberries, cantaloupe...I could live on fruit salad, its so refreshing and fills the spot.


See....you are so cool with these ideas right now , you don't know where to begin. take it from me. I have some secrets I am willing to share, even during the heat wave, I didn't even mention the obvious cold shower because you just get naked first.  Enjoy.

xo
j

"dating"

It felt like a few years ago...It felt like a date, and I felt like a school girl, when kids are flying in every direction and both of our jobs so very busy. We take every little chance we get to have a date.

This morning we slept til 8am, (after that neighborhood block party) had a nice breakfast together and some coffee in bed, then some cleaning up from last night, watering the garden, pack a lunch and off to Kayak at blue Marsh, I thought for sure it would be packed. Nope, so we watched kids jump off the bridge (thankful they weren't ours) and then watched a kid climb a tree and jump from the top of it, my heart was RACING for these kids.  We relaxed, talked, laughed, slept and yes even paddled. It was beautiful.  FOUR quiet, peaceful hours.

Next stop, we were looking for a COLD beer after that, stopped at the Reading Airport, but they weren't open, (the bar that is) so a cold bottle of water worked instead!!

To top off the night, just got home from IMAX theaters and laughed out loud more than once at THE HANGOVER 2, I highly recommend it.

That was such a great day, my date is over, and I actually get to stay the night with my date where as in high school your dates would always have to end and you go your separate ways.....some days I wonder if I will ever grow up.  Nah, my kids ask me all the time. I like me, just the way I am .
And I love my best friend and husband. I nailed the perfect mate. (no pun intended)

And now.....let the fun begin......Graduate # 1 Its going to be a busy 2 weeks.  I really needed today.

And last, bless our soldiers and heroes .  May the rest in peace and never be forgotten.  Thank you for Everything.

Block Party 2011

It was our first annual block party...and it was fun, let me say the "older neighbors" proved me WRONG...the ones that I thought would be ready for the night to end at 7:30, ended up staying until 10:30. Its always nice to feel as though you can count on your neighbors for anything.  I have truly found a superb neighborhood of great folks.  Did I mention I am the youngest. (unless we count Laura)

At times there are neighbors we just wave hello and goodbye to, or see what kind of car they drive, or what the secret to their perfect lawn is, Not in this neighborhood, its perfect just the way it is. We bonded a bit more yesterday afternoon, played games, talked about our kids, were entertained by Mr.Fisher.....there is always one in the bunch.

Its nice to feel safe, cared for, and loved by thy neighbor. Its not Wisteria Lane by any stretch, but we have a real nice group of neighbors who are also friends. To laugh with, smile at, count on when you need them for a cup of sugar, an egg, (barbara and Donnie) a swimming pool (billie and Randy) Kayak ( Lori and bob) help with paper work for your college bound student (laura and Linda)  answers to ANY question imaginable(bill) a Wheelbarrow (Joan and Ralph) a good joke (Mr. Fisher)  and then there are neighbors I am saving up favors for....Lynn and Mike, your time will come!

So, I go in a little late to blog last night, today we remember our soldiers and pray for peace on this memorial day, whatever it is you do today, make time to pause, reflect and pray for our heroes.

Lovey and I are going to the Lake today to Kayak, should be a very calming, relaxing time, unless we "rock the boat" .

xo
j

Enjoying your weekend?

I must say today was a beautiful day , the breeze was a constant reminder to me of the tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes the rest of the world has been dealing with, some friends having destroyed property less that 40 minutes away in Schuylkill County.  We hear the stories, see the photos, and watch the news, and we constantly say, "what's next?"

It's out of our hands, and at any given moment life can change. I have slowly started to learn how precious life is, tell your neighbors what they mean, reach out to a stranger in need, try and mend with your enemy. And tell your kids you love them even when you are ready to snap your lid. Trust me, it happens often.. I'm going to text mine right now.

Lovey and I picked out some onions, peppers, a watermelon, tomatoes and cucumbers and made ourselves a nice little garden. He even put a fence around it to make sure our bunny friends don't start taking advantage of us.

From there, a great little run on my river road....I can see for miles on that stretch. Its perfect.

Made my share of goodies tonight, black bottom cupcakes, (you know the ones with chocolate chips and cream cheese. ) some buffalo chicken win dip, and pasta salad. We are having our neighborhood block party tomorrow...love my neighbors, there will be about 20 of us if everyone comes. We all bring a little something :)

so far, so good....still waiting for that text back from my teenagers.

xo
j

NOT your typical Friday.

I was so "jacked" up for the weekend! Wheeeeee....a couple days off and let's get this party started.  Went to work, ate some oatmeal and blueberries, picked Katie up for an Eye Doctor appointment, filled up the tank, grabbed a quick grilled chicken sandwich at Chick-fil-a  and back home again to get ready for THE KICKOFF TO SUMMER PARTY at Beverly Hills.

So let's rewind....The kickoff to summer party. I wasn't working there....my husband couldn't be with me because he was working at his uncle's cabin all day...and it was home to the kids from there.  I really don't like going places without him..things are so much different now. So, I thought...hmmmm, I really should workout today. I knew Rosalie would be going to Sunshine Wellness for a private session with David. We are both on the same team in the Ultimate Spring Challenge, so I called Rose and asked if I could "join in" first of all, she was hesitant because I laugh and carry on when I work out, but I still get the job done, and if I'm not laughing and carrying on, I'm complaining and almost crying. So....she finally agreed to let me join in!
One hour of pure leg workout , some cardio and a touch of abs. very nice. Workout in. No complaining and no tears.

I came home, went Food shopping and home to make myself a TURKEY BURGER. Took Michael to a night swim, holly is at dance, Alex is here chatting about life's lessons (and SAT scores tomorrow) Katie is working and Eric is with his friends.   what has gotten in to me? Seriously? A Friday night, a chance to go out, and I chose what matters most. So, from now on, This WILL be a TYPICAL Friday, at home....with my husband. What matters most to me.

Some days I need it to be about me.

Tomorrow I have a live remote broadcast so maybe I will see you there! SLEEPYS MATRESS SALE, now that's a party, we can jump on beds and have a pillow fight. Broadcasting Road.

A Very Happy Life

Today I said Good-bye to my Great Aunt Esther. It was a little over a week or so ago, I went to Pottsville to the nursing home where were she stayed .I visited with her twin sister Aunt  Ruth, at 97 years old, they amaze me.

Little did I know I would be going back so soon to say Good-bye to Aunt Esther. I saw cousins I have not seen in ages, I saw My Kindergarden teacher Mrs Alban, I ran into one of my very first Sunday School teachers Mrs Shuman. Funny how time passes us by.

I sat with my husband, my mom and my dad. It was more of a celebration of life. When you live a very long healthy life surrounded by friends and family what more can you ask for. There is no amount of money in the bank that can give you those riches.  As the service went on, I just could not help but think about all of the family members Aunt Ruth had to say good bye to in her time. She is the very last of 11 brothers and sisters. My grandfather was one of her brothers.

I tried to sit back and just observe how one lets go.. when it was time to close the casket and bid farewell, its when Aunt Ruth could not grab hold of her twin sister who she would no longer see everyday, who she would no longer have breakfast lunch and dinner with. 97 years is a long time.
Aunt Ruth still moves like she is in her 60's she remembers things that I don't, she loves life. Saying goodbye is never an easy thing to do, but much more happiness lies ahead. Fear no evil.

I leaned over to my dad, knowing our time line in our family people live to 100, 101, 105....I said "dad, you have another 30 years to live life to the fullest" and trust me, he does. And then without hesitation, he leaned over and said, " I don't want this sappy music at my funeral, I want ELVIS and his gospel music. And then it was time for for the twenty third Psalm, he knew it by heart, every word, didn't miss a beat. That man that I will look up to forever. My mom and I sang the songs side by side, and the service was beautiful.

Aunt Esther, you will certainly be missed. Aunt Ruth, continue to carry on as the Wind beneath her wings.

"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

xo
j

Shared Custody

Good Morning!

I know this sounds a little crazy, however my x-husband.(I hate using X as much as I HATE saying Step, for step children) anyway, my first husband and I , (that just does not sound right either) The father of my children and I share custody of our lovely border collie Bo who I adopted from the Hillside SPCA in Pottsville. He has such a great personality, he is more human than most individuals that I have come across. He loves being with both of us, he enjoys being where the kids are. So, we share custody of Bo.

Mind you , this is the second time this has happened  and I am grateful it wasn't 30 below or pouring down rain, but at about 3am my husband and I heard something at the door, it woke me up, it wasn't a bark, or a knock, but it was SOMETHING at the door. My heart was pounding because I feared after all these years in radio someone would get really pissed off at me for not playing their 1 year anniversary request and come and hunt me down. Lovey, (my superhero with superpowers) shot up out of bed, gathered his thoughts with no fears, and headed towards the door, turned on the light, and said , "it's Bo" opened the door and there Bo ran under the bed and off to sleep. Glenn and I live literally one mile away from one another.

Now, I just need to know, when your dog takes off do you:

A.  GO to sleep
B.   Drive around until you find him/her
C.   hope they are meeting new friends in the neighborhood.

Bo is like my child. We go for walks, I talk he listens, we watch movies together, I share my chicken with him, he greets me when I come home, we snuggle.

I might have to re-think this shared custody thing.....If only Bo could speak.

xo
j