A Monday memory....

Giggles.....

There is no sound more glorious than that of children giggling.  One can't help but be caught up in the pure joy that emanates from their souls.

The Englishman recently showed me a montage of video clips of our girls when they were quite young.  What struck me the most, was that in every single instance, they were all grinning and giggling.

What a gift!

To be able to go back and peek once again at those moments.  

Those precious, precious moments, when they were completely themselves and filled with laughter.

And then yesterday, to sit Miss M in front of my computer and watch her face light up as she watched her "Mommy" and "Aunts".  To see her get caught up in their joy and to giggle aloud with them.

One particular clip captured our girls in their Grandma's kitchen, one Halloween night, bobbing for apples.  M sat enraptured,  then started cheering them on, shouting "You almost got it" and "Try again", with fits of giggles as she watched.

Then we went outside and created our own memories, just us two.

Hope this makes your day just a little bit better.

It most certainly made mine!

(fingers crossed it works - this is my first time posting a video!)

Friday Foto

The setting sun, on November 8th.

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Goodness!  He is probably right - so I'm am taking steps to stop myself from telling my brain such silly things as "I can't remember" or "I couldn't possibly do that!"  From here on I will, as the song says,  "accentuate the positive".

Wednesday's wisdom....

Don't look too far down the road....

During difficult times, such as the storm we've just come through, serve as a reminder to me to try to remain only in today.  If I just look at what is happening in this day, and not try to look at the whole picture or stretch to see what may lie ahead, I can cope better.

In the past, when confronted with a looming financial crisis or an extended family member's health problems, I concentrated my thoughts on dealing with what was in front of me and not worrying about the possibilities that might be out there.

Having gratitude for even the smallest of blessings is a tool I utilize on a daily basis.  I've been waking up each morning for the past week with continuing gratitude for the basics of electricity, heat, gasoline in my car, and food in my refrigerator.  

Thankfully, my family and I have everything we need today.  What will happen with the Nor'easter, scheduled to descend upon us this afternoon, I have no idea.  But for today, all is well.

I sincerely hope and pray it is the same with you and yours.

Tip for a Tuesday....

Do it for yourself.

Do it for your country.

Do it for the millions who gave their lives, literally, so we can be free.

Do it for the thousands of women who also gave their lives or were imprisoned fighting for the right for women to vote.

JUST DO IT !

     "Deeds, not words"

 Emmiline Pankhurst  - Women's Social and Political Union - Leader of the British 

Suffragette Movement

And as my mother says, "If you don't vote, then I don't want to hear you complain about this country"

A Monday memory....

Long Beach Island

The Englishman and I met and fell in love on LBI.  That was way back in 1978.  It was the first time I had ever been on the Island.  I was spending time with my sister, who was renting with friends for a month.

Long Beach Island has a feel all its own.  There are no "boardwalks" to spoil the view.  I just loved it - from the sandy beach to the shops in Beach Haven.  My idea of heaven on Earth.

The Englishman and I liked it so much that we rented for a week the following two summers and eventually were blessed to be able to buy a house on the southern tip in Holgate.

We spent fifteen fabulous summers there.  I would take the girls and my mother down for the Easter break and sometimes, the week following the end of the school term.  We would all go down as a family for two weeks in August.  The rest of the time, we often rented the house out.

It was difficult for our family when we sold the house.  We all have such fond memories - the girls jumping the waves, putting on "shows", calling out for "sunset alerts", playing in the sand under the deck, or gazing at the ocean while sitting at the kitchen table. 

Following this devastating storm called Sandy, we have all happened upon photos of our former house.  It's heartbreaking to see the landscape so dramatically changed.

This is a former neighbor's house, identical to ours, before.

And this is the aftermath.  (Photo by Ryan Morill)

The dunes have been completely washed away.  Gone also are the entrances to the homes as well as the street and driveways leading up to them.

New Jerseyans are resilient people, however.  I'm confident they will clean up, rebuild homes and beaches, and create new memories for all of us who love being near the ocean. 

And while it is heartbreaking for people to lose or suffer significant damage to a vacation home, it is for the permanent residents and business owners that we most grieve.  May help reach them quickly, with much needed emotional as well as financial support.

We're back....

There are so many blessings for which I feel incredibly grateful, following the storm called "Sandy".

First, I am most grateful that all the members of my family are safe and sound.  And all the dogs too.

Power was restored after 48 hours. Thank you PSE&G workers!!

The fire, which was sparked as power returned by a downed power line in front of daughter #2's house, was put out and did not spread to her house.  Scary moments to say the least. 

Grateful that Barnegat Bay stopped one half inch short of coming into our future retirement home.  The mud it brought into the garage has been dealt with by the Englishman.  He also saw to the cutting down of the huge tree which was uprooted from our back yard and took rest upon our neighbor's rooftop. Grateful it didn't crash through her roof.

Grateful that extended family and friends are well and most have had power restored and little damage to their properties.

Continuing to pray for all those affected and all those trying to assist them.