New Beginnings

August 1...half-way through summer...school in the near-yet-distant future...it is time. Once again, time to reboot so many areas of my life. Healthy choices, home life, social life, and many happy beginnings.

We have a new puppy in our life. Welcome Jasper!

Going back to school - thank you work as I take advantage of the Tuition Assistance Program reimbursement benefit.

Logan gets to relax soon after a summer filled with two AM swim practices (6a-7:45a and 8:30a-10a) followed by training as a counselor/swim instructor from 1p-4p daily. He gets 2-3 weeks free and then can begin training with girls' High School swim team.

Family room is complete and has become our sanctuary. From mounted flat screen, new furniture, and fresh paint...it has become our refreshing sanctuary away from heat and sweat.  Great seats for viewing the Olympics!

And the last new beginning (for Bill) is a new Mrs. S.  Yes, he is finally getting married. Unfortunately, ego and pride have kept a wedge between Logan and Bill. Had hoped this happy change would soften Bill. It seems that time may be the only saving force. Wishing him & Cora...well...from a safe distance that is.

Happy Summer to all!

Hibernation Has Ended for 2012

With the buds on the trees, the flowers showing their colors, and the grass jutting up here and there, it is time to awaken from my winter slumber. Where does the time go? Time again for a catch-up-recap...

February
Karen Update
As always, loved my birthday, but felt a tremendous loss as Dad was not here on Earth to celebrate with me. Kelly, Tina, and Michele came through and spent a lovely evening with me and champagne. I never realized but our birthdays were so connected. We used to always have a cake for mine and the second half on his two days later. Many times, we had to get a brand new cake because the ice cream cake wouldn't last two days. C'mon though - it was always one of the "lil' love" small cakes. What you may not know is that my mother had a choice for birthdays as I was a planned c-section baby. She purposely chose a different day (Feb 9) from Dad's (Feb 11) so that I would always have a day 'just for me.' And for that, I am always grateful. Now knowing that, you'd think that I could differentiate my day from Dad's this year. I realize it wasn't the birth day, it was the fact that my childhood memories are just memories now. No Daddy to say "happy birthday, honey" as I brought his paper up. I'm sure it will get easier, but I must say "Belated Happy Birthday, Dad, I miss you."

Logan Update
Logan's big February happening actually happened on my birthday weekend. On February 10, Logan made it to the High School swim team's big championship. He had qualified at his very first meet to swim in the 100 breast event (4 laps at the 25 yard pool.) He swam his best time ever at this event and went on from the qualifying meet to the Championships on February 11 - Dad's birthday. It was very exciting. Logan, Jimmy, and Kenny were the only 9th graders to make it. What a great feat!

MARCH
Karen Update
They say March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb. They were wrong. It was a lamb since November. We were worried back in October when we had snow before Halloween. And that, my friends, was it for us. Maybe, can't recall though, maybe a dusting of snow once since then. It was really a quiet month filled with long hours of work - still loving it - and enjoying the close of swim season.

Logan Update
Swim, swim, swim. Logan ended the high school season in February but was in full swing with his club team and the local CYO swim team. He went on to swim in the Junior Olympics but also the next level up, the more challenging Zones Championships. Again, he qualified and made it into the actual Championship on his breast stroke. He went in as 8th and came out in same position. His pals Jimmy, Kris, and Vinny also made it to the Zones qualifying meet. Poor Jimmy was sick as a dog. Vinny did his best time and came in, I believe, 5th in his 500 (20 laps!) event.

April
Karen Update
It finally happened...I converted back to a full time employee with my firm.  It came as a surprise as for years, every six months my contract would be extended.  I outlasted Ruben, Amie, and Todd as the big bosses who each in their own turn recognized my role and agreed that I should be an FTE.  Only when Kate left our department to become a planner at another firm, that it happened.  the offer came and before I knew it, I slid from consultant to employee.  That was my highlight.  April 30, 2012. 

Logan Update
If finally happened...Logan broke the 50 Breaststroke record at CYO for the 13/14 age group.  it was very exciting as I sat with Mrs. Salerno at the Aquatic Center and watched his do it.  I knew he was in the lead and was on to his gold medal, but it was only when he looked up at the timer - Coach Glenn - that Logan threw his fist in the air.  Now, his name remains in the books until the next 13/14 year old boy bypasses it.  Next record to break - Coach Ilchuk at the HS.  Logan's coming after you Coach!

May
Life has been so wonderful.  It actually breaks my heart to not have Dad here to experience each joyful moment, victorious celebration, and successful achievement.  I have to believe that it is because of HIM that it has all come together so quickly after his leaving.    Logan continues to swim and do well at school and has a new girlfriend.  As he grows up and spreads his wings, I see only great things in his future.

iPhones Have Arrived

For over eight months, Logan and I have waited to make the move to the iPhone generation. We waited for cell plans to expire, the newer version to work out the kinks, and finally for Apple to come to our carrier. For two hours, we sat loading our contacts, syncing our iTunes, and uploading apps. I wonder how long the excitement will last. Right now, it's pretty neat.

My family is not from the iPhone generation. They are from the in-case-of-emergency and the more popular look-how-cheap-my-preplan-phone-is. I say to them , "Phooey! You don't know what you're missing." And lucky them - they don't.

They will not have an unnatural hump on the back of their neck as they age. They will not have carpal tunnel nor eyesight damage at an early age. And they will not know what it means to look at your phone every time a phone in a 15 foot radius beeps. Lucky them!

There is a 'lucky us' for the iPhone generation. We will know about traffic jams before they happen (as we could be the cause.) We will know that at any given moment, we can receive communication from anybody. ("Yes, Logan, I will pick up some oak tag/milk/dinner - fill in the blank - on the way home.") We will know what it means to pay communication fees, taxes, and services. Lucky us!

And yet...I love this little 4.5" x 3.2"device that fits in my pocket. It is my books, my notes, my address book, my entertainment, my email, my computer, my bank, my maps, my recipe holder, my schedule, my photo album, my VCR, my video cam, my television,my camera, my stereo, my dictionary, my encyclopedia, my thesaurus, my newspaper, my clock, my flashlight, my level (yes - as in tools), and - let's not forget - my phone.

Now...the important thing is...that I don't forget my iPhone.

iHappy iBirthday, iRudy!

Who's a Swim Fan?

I am!!!

Logan is either a fish, Aquaman, or maybe even Poseidon. The high school Varsity Swim team started their season the first week of November. Funny thing, there was no water in the school's pool for FOUR weeks. This means the boys had to meet six times a week to do the dreaded Dry Land activities. As Coach said, having been a competitive swimmer himself, "...it is because of running that we swim." Swimmers hate running, squats, push ups, etc. Now what you have to understand is that their Dry Land was more like Boot Camp. Good news, two days before their first meet in December, they finally got in the water. And he has been in it every since.

Practice six days a week for 2.5 hours plus they added 1.25 hours every school day for December. And when Christmas break came and school was closed, they swam 3.5 hours each morning. After practice, the entire team of 30+ boys would all go off to a different swimmer's home for a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, muffins followed by a DVD. It was a great bonding time for all.

Now where does the Swim Fan come in, well, that's me. I get to enjoy the meets and the meets and the meets. Did I forget to say that Logan is on three teams right now?

Today we had a state meet for the Varsity team at the Aquatic Center which houses an Olympic-sized pool. There were around 20 schools competing which makes it more of beat-your-own-time sort of meet. Tomorrow morning, we are off to a local college pool for the club team. Tomorrow late afternoon, we are off to the Church team's meet at the Aquatic Center again.

Before you go thinking I'm one of those Texas Cheerleader moms, I'm not. The Varsity team takes precedent during the short season of 12 weeks. The club team takes a back seat other than the random weekend meet. The Church team is a gentler team with two lighter practices and lots of fun as there are other Varsity swimmers on team as well.

Varsity = Serious Swim
Club = Time Off
Church = Co-ed

We have three more weeks before the County Finals. And I will miss it.

Oh, did I remember to point out that Logan has one of the best times in his breast stroke? Proud Mama here.

Hello 2012!

The year started out with a bang. Yesterday, I celebrated with 20 dear friends this new era upon us by throwing a Rebirthing Party. This was my version of starting over, starting fresh, and embracing who we are. It was a Ladies Only night and consisted of neighbors, childhood friends, school friends, friends made through Logan's activities, co-workers, and friends of friends. The ages of my guests ranged from 33 to 83. It was estrogen at its finest.

After receiving the responses to my Evite, I shared a one week blog with a daily post with this group of amazing women. Each day, I shared insight to the different blocks that stand in our way and hold us back from being who we are or who we forgot we are. This included personal inventory, priorities, forgiveness, and acceptance. A fun task we all had to do was to find a theme song that fit our current stage of life. (I chose Iz' Somewhere Over the Rainbow which includes two verses from Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World.) The piece de resistance was when I asked each woman to look deep inside to find, remember, or invite a part of them that needed to come to life and rename that "woman." Let me introduce my feminine energy...her name is Lily.

The party was filled with activities: a firepit burning ceremony surrounded by a circle of colored lights in the backyard, energy clearing/tandem Reiki, gemstone lottery, candle lighting, and LCR - the best dice game with a buy in of $3. Add cocktails, drinks, and laughter...a wonderful way to begin 2012.

Looking forward to a fabulous 2012. Lots of good things coming our way...I can feel it in my bones. Happy New Year!

Good-bye 2011!

It's here. The "big" 2012 has finally arrived, and I am thrilled. The last three months of 2011 were filled with so much anxiety, stress, sadness, excitement, accomplishments, and joy. And that is why I had no time to write. Truthfully, I wasn't in the mood to write as my attention was turned to working on the house, getting Dad's things in order, preparing for the holiday season, and juggling bills.

Now the anxiety, stress, and sadness all stemmed from Dad's passing. I cry daily, but also find joy in each day. I decided that my mourning would be a time of celebrating Dad while appreciating each day. I often find myself grabbing the necklace with his religious medals, which hangs around my neck, and kissing them four times. (We always kissed four times. And if I mis-kissed him, four more times until I got it right.) Today at Logan's swim meet, I found myself with camcorder in one hand and the other holding medals to my lips as I whisper, "C'mon, Dad!" I know that means, "Do your thing. Make it happen. Help Logan." He is all around me.

The excitement, accomplishments, and joy are all a result of the wonderful things that happen to me on a daily basis. I truly feel as if I have Midas touch. Again, I feel that Dad is working overtime. Too many good things to even begin to list. One of the best things is my new car. I love her.

The holidays were enjoyable and surprisingly only two days that took me by surprise - Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. I really thought I'd get by unscathed. Good news though, my friends support in all areas made it more joyful then usual. From Thanksgiving at Tina and Chris', Secret Santa gifts mysteriously found under our tree (over 24 gifts!!!), Christmas Eve with Michele/Pat and Kelly/Charlie plus midnight mass with Miss Mavis, and New Year's Eve party hopping with friends. A fun-filled holiday season for Logan and me. A good ending for a difficult year.

Pumpkin Spice Season

As I sit back on the morning train, sipping a 7/11 Pumpkin Spice Latte, I find myself reminiscing. It had only been a couple years now that Pumpkin Spice hit the market which I think is due to Starbucks. Luckily, other popular coffee spots, Dunkin Donuts & 7/11, also joined in.

Now I'm not reminiscing about coffee, but where the flavor brings me.

It makes me think back to Pumpkin Patches with Logan. Trick or treating on my childhood street. Driving down Bethpage Parkway just to enjoy the changing leaves. I love autumn.

In the last three weeks, to the day, I lost my dad, celebrated the anniversary of his mother and father's deaths, 11/1 was Nanny and today, 11/3 is Papa's. I don't think any of these have ruined my love of this season. Instead, I try to understand how seasons change, lives change, and everything completes its own cycles.

Perhaps its the beautiful palette of this season, that allows me to still love God's beauty. I don't understand any of it, but my faith in the universe stays intact. So, I will continue to sip my latte, look out the window, and remember with a smile all the things I love about fall.