Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is a special holiday. It is the anniversary of my favorite mother's birth. I think back to the many (not too many) birthdays that she's had and remember the gifts I've given, the birthday I forgot (still feeling bad), and the prayer for many more to come.

Looking back at what Mom has accomplished and the role model she is...I'm amazed. Sometimes I think songs are the best way to express yourself. I even have a theme song for my mom and what she means to me. In fact, each time I hear it I tear up...because it says it all. So sit back and see if you can hear this tune in your head. (Thank you Celine!)

For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful Mom
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through through it all

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you

You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you

I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

Thank you for being you and I'm so grateful to be able to tell you!

All my love...always!

Even Noah Would Say "Enough!"

Brrrr! Ickkkk! Ughhh! You never hear me complain about the weather, but it's time I begin. It has been cold and wet and just plain icky this past month. A couple weeks back after Logan's last meet, we were hit with blizzard winds of 70+ mph and rain, rain, rain!

Many friends had trees down and damage done to property...luckily no injuries or house damage that I know about. Today, weeks later, as I was working at my laptop, I could not believe how much the pine tree in the back was bending. I never would have thought twice about that, but after the last big storm, I now respect Mother Nature that much more.

So some may say "March comes in like a lamb, and out like a lion!" I say "March is a crap shoot and only one more day to go!"

This past month had a lot going on. We had a nice visit with Kris for nearly a full week. This fun-filled week included the typical spa treatments, visits with life-long friends, and a couple of swim meets. Not too much adventure, but enjoyable by all.

Logan finished his CYO swim and is ready for the summer sessions to begin. He won 1st place 7 out of 8 meets in 50 Breast. He did well in butterfly and freestyle winning a total of 23 out of 24 ribbons in all colors. The big wins were the Championship when he came in 3rd in both Breast & Free. Considering he finished third out of 14...he was proud as was I.

On to my personal March highlights, I have been working, working, and working. Thrilled to be busy, I am currently juggling 73 contracts which is the most I've ever had in my career at one time. This is very challenging but quite exciting. Hoping it screams out JOB SECURITY. In this day and time, no such thing...so I just keep my head down & keep working.

Easter's coming up and we're waiting for the Easter Bunny. Other then that, all is fine. I may do a couple posts capturing some more interesting days. In the meantime, Happy Spring to all!

I Love You Enough...To Lose Sleep!

Some may wonder how I always get lucky and find a good seat at Logan's meets. No luck. I just get there very early. Today, I would love to have slept in a bit...but went super early to get a prime spot. My unobstructed view and center of the pool makes the lack of sleep well worth it. Lovya, Logan!

So once again, Logan swam very well. This year, our team moved up a division because they did so awesome last year. The teams we're playing are very good and quite challenging. Logan has his closest race yet with his breaststroke. He won with barely a tenth (may two tenths) of a second to spare. It was so exciting to hear the cheering and feel the energy. Logan then placed in 3rd (against same kid) in Freestyle and Butterfly. To win against a good athlete, makes it even more exciting!

Reflex-ahhhh-ology

Another successful K3 night! Kerry, Kelly, and I went out to celebrate mine and Kelly's recent birthdays. Last year, we enjoyed facials at Nordstram's. This year sticking with the theme of pampering, we went to Happy Feet Spa for a session of reflexology. (Awesome gift, Kerry. Thanx!) What an experience.

Now Kerry had done this at a different spa previously and knew what to expect. Kelly & I had no idea. I had googled it and saw it really was about the feet. Not!!!

When we first got to this place in a small shopping mall, we went in and were greeted. We had a moment to talk to a trio of folks who had just finished a session. They had good things to say but were not too fond of the "shared space." We were fine with that because we were happy to be together for this.

Surprise, surprise when they led Kelly away. Next, grabbed me by the hand & I motioned for Kerry to follow. We walked into a very dim lighted long room passed rows of beds and people being worked on. Felt a bit like white slavery or maybe a bordello in Hong Kong (as seen on television.) I sat down on this ottoman and saw Kelly was only two spots to my left. Kerry to my right on the other side of a wall, but a curtain kept us in eye shot of each other.

Kelly and I saw the person between us laying out on a bed all covered with towels, blankets, and blind folded (towel over eyes.) We looked at each other, shrugged, and wondered - they know that we're here for our feet, right? They didn't walk us to the wrong treatment area, did they? This didn't seem to be like the foot spa we pictured - a simple spa chair. No...this was a series of "What are they doing? Oh, doing my back. Now what is she going to do? Oh, my arms."

A simple recap of the process:
- soak feet in HOT water (so hot)
- back rub
- neck rub
- arms rub
- neck rub
- step out & sit on bed's edge
- lay back & get covered by blankets
- wrap one leg / work on other foot
- wrap other leg/ work on other foot
- arm rub
- leg rub
- arm rub

After this, we finish & are off to the waiting area for hot tea. It was awesome! Very well worth the $28+tip fee (again - thanks Kerry!)

We decided against our Cafe Symposio and discovered 21 Main. Our new "go-to" place when out in Kerry's neck of the woods. We enjoyed this Victorian style mansion, the food unbelievable, the dessert was a constant stream of Oh-My-God exclamations, and even more amused with the sugar cubes and hot milk for coffee/tea. Loved it!

A wonderfully, exciting treat of night. Love my K-Sisters!

My Son...Not a Little Boy Anymore

Not only have I noticed that Logan's growing taller and his limbs seem to be growing before my eyes, but his voice too is changing. This was a eye-opening, or maybe ear-shattering moment for me. Just a little while ago, his cell phone voice mail said "Hi. This is Logan's phone. He can't get to the phone right now. Leave a message. Thank you. Bye!" Picture a nice clear young voice. Well, wasn't I surprised when I heard a deep "This is Logan. Leave a message. Bye."

Well tonight, after watching him swim a few races at the home meet, I was amused to see Chris, a swim mate, sitting very close to a young woman on the pool deck. I snickered to my friend in front of me and pointed it out. It was when she said, "that's your son" and then repeated it, that I understood. THAT'S MY BABY!?! What is he doing? He knows I can see him. He knows his dad can see him. We see him. He's sitting very close to a girl and he's hardly wearing anything. That bathing suit is not enough. And her! Why is she on the deck. That's not one of the swimmers. After all, she's wearing jeans. Her hair is dry.

Take a deep breathe. It's happened. The world can see it...I am no longer the only woman in his life. How did this happen? Should I have played the Xbox with him? Did I not warn him about "them" ... the opposite sex.

Take a breath there, mom. It's okay. Inhalllllllllllllle. Exhallllllllllllllle. Inhalllllllllllllle. Exhallllllllllllllle.

Click your red shoes together. There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home.

Wake up. You're dreaming. It's 1998 all over again. Shhh! Listen. The baby's crying.

No. It's happened. My son is growing up. I am old.

The End

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P.S. Okay, it's now a couple of weeks later and guess what?!? It really was nothing. This is not a new love interest. This was just a young guy comfortable around a young lady. Wow - I really can blow things out of proportion. But nevertheless, he's getting so big!

{{{{flashback}}}} Our Florida Tropic Days

Going back a few days...we were in sunny Florida visiting the Family Floridians, Kris, Mom, & Rudi. This is an annual trip (albeit 2009 when funds were down) that Logan and I enjoy. It's so nice to go to our second home and the service is unbelievable. The meals, the turndown service, the valet...okay...a mom/grandma that spoils us as we escape our every day life back home.

This is a time of sleepovers (Logan at Kris' 2x this visit), a time of swimming (even on the first night where it was 50 degrees out - Logan, not me), and a time of new friends (shout out to Maria & Max!)

One of the annual adventures is mom's Spaghetti Dinner night at the club house with her 100+ closest friends. Mom and a crew of about 30 -- 1/3 the guests -- pitch in to make this a feast. We enjoyed the piano fingers and voice of young Max, a hopeful Julliard contender, neighbor Krista & Adele, and the decor of Vizcaya's Wednesday art crew. This year their were Italian themed wall banners. Loved them all, but partial to my mama's paintings. Unfortunately, we did not get to meet our new friend Maria or mom Marina at that time.

The next day we were rewarded with a pool time splash with 'Tennis Star' Maria. This mighty gal is conquering the tennis courts of the junior circuit. I cannot wait to see her up in Flushing, NY, for the U.S. Open in about maybe five years. That evening Maria came to join us at home for some fun and laughs. Considering how close in age the two young'uns are (1 year, 1 day between them - Logan the senior tween), a new friendship was made.

Most impressive was the next day after nearly an hour walking the 32 courts of the Bollettieri IMG Academy, we came upon Maria hitting the ball with her personal training. Wow! That says it all!

As our days past, the weather got better and the sun shined brighter. As always, my vacations are filled with high emotion as I get so little time with my mom (Kris will be here soon for her annual trip) - we laugh, cry (me!), and throw in a good or stupid argument -- mea culpa -- but good times.

Looking forward to our summer vacation. Okay, Logan's vacation...my getaway. We may go to Hogwarts for a few days. And if you don't know what Hogwarts is - run to the nearest library for your ticket aboard the Hogwart's Express.

"Baby, it's cold outside!"

Winter in New York...it's here. We began with our first big snow before the December holidays. That was neat having a white Christmas. As February passes...not as neat. That first snowstorm for 2010, actually a Snow Hurricane (a Sn-urricane?) nearly hindered our trip to Florida. Did effect Kelly's which was salvaged by flying out nearly a week later resulting in good weather on her vacation. Left Tina's vacation (also Florida bound) a bit chilly. Now the latest blizzard...just sloppy.

Thursday was just rain, snow, and plenty of slush. Went to bed with barely an inch on ground. Tons of puddles after the wet day.

We were surprised to wake up with nearly a foot of snow outside and happily school closed (third time this year.) Any more snow days and it comes off of the Spring Break. I, luckily, am able to work home on this sort of day. Very grateful! Logan not so grateful as he must hunker down on west side of house while I take over the office on the east side...a.k.a the family den.

So what do you do on a snowy weekend - why sledding, of course! I gathered the troops & went along with Michele (our boys + Christopher) behind Kelly's truck & big brother Bill's SUV. We went over to Bethpage Park and were surprised at how organized they are there. First, no disc sleds - which is what we all had. Second, no inflatable sleds - had one of those too. Good news is that we had a variety of others & made do. Now the part I like is that we walk on shovelled walkways to the top of the hill where a park worker supervises. Another worker is at the bottom of the hill also policing the riders. The crew of Logan, Charlie, Vinny, Christopher, Jake, Hannah, Kimberly, Gabrielle & even 2-year old Hannah & Emma joined in the fun. Kelly & Michele dared one ride down while Billy & I played photographer & videographer.

Good news - great for parents. Bad news - not so exciting for kids. Parents win!

Logan got in a little snowball scuffle with four boys that were not so nice. Knowing Logan & his mean toss...he wasn't any better. I told all boys to drop the snowballs & get on with it.

I won!

Now back at the house, happily cuddled on sofa with blankets on me & Logan playing with Shadow in the back. Logan loves to play with the snow...even on his own. Knowing he had some fun time with friends - this works for me.

Did I mention...another storm headed to us this week?!?

UGH!!!!