new york visit

We headed up to New York this weekend to spend some quality time in the Big Apple. Haven't been up there in quite a while and wanted to see the 9/11 memorial, now that i was mentally prepared. We stayed in Jersey City..Marriott right next door to the Path train, which was very convenient.
The memorial was incredibly moving..more than I think I was prepared for. It is winter-the trees that were planted lie dormant, except i noticed the survivor tree had small buds on it. It's the first thing you see as you enter the grounds.
I think there are reasons why it touches you so much..the fact that the imprint is not a large hole with a beautiful waterfall pouring into the ground, which, if you think about is a grave sight more many. And the names have been engraved with a water jet, so it is very tactile. They also keep the names warmed underneath with heaters. It was tearful, yet gives you closure in a way.
Other parts of the sight, such as the new world trade center, the museum, and the transporation center, are still being worked on. Bur workers are there 7 days a week. Flying their American flags on their construction equipment.
Then we began our hiking. Hoofed up to Vhinatown to experience the Chinese new year. Had a great lunch in Chinatown. We headed north to Jewish section and bought bagels and rugelach. Off to the village for hot chocolate and window shopping. 5 miles later, we parked ourselves on the Path train back to jersey. A rewarding day.
We had dinner with Cousin Steve and Gina. Thats the good news. The bad news is the meal was not so good. View was spectacular and so was the company.
Sunday we headed over to Hoboken to take a pic of Carlos Bakery from the Next Great Baker. Picture was enought for me.
maybe a show next time we are there...

return to normal insanity

I feel like life is returning to a semblance of 'normal'. Granted, we have our kid living here this semester, but we are all adjusting. I know its hard on him..especially coming from a life of independence to having to answer to someone. If anything, it should be a huge incentive to get out of dodge.
Yesterday, our monthly visitor to the library returned. he usually comes in to ask for the application form to be a write in candidate for office. He always has a large cup of coffee and carries many papers and reeks of cigarette smoke. And apparently everytime I give him the application, he loses it and needs to fill it out again. I think he was attempting a run as a house of rep candidate.
However, yesterday, he came in in his usual fashion, clutching papers. he wanted the main telephone number to internal affairs. Uh, internal affairs who who? You know, the ones that arrest criminals and keep an eye on the badges. Uh, local? No, federal. Well, I don't see a main number-it falls under homeland security..do u want the number to report suspicious activity? yep, that will work. Next question..I have a newspaper on banning cell phone use in Maryland..do u have a piece of paper with the rules for drivers? Well, I have a booklet with traffiv laws for new drivers. yes, thats good. I am running for governor and there's an issue......and then I just lost whatever train of thought he might have had. His voice trailed off and he was gone. Govenor? God help us. I suppose it could be worse. There's a woman who visits an Annapolis library who thinks her father, King of France, is being held captive in the basement of George Bush. Actually, that might be true. And the sit down man has discovered Kindles for borrowing at the library. he now wanders around outside the library to see how far the wireless connection goes. He said he would like to sit(of course) on the curb and use the Interent. Better than being in the library.
Glad things are back to normal.

looking up

In my earlier posts, we had some dips in the roller coaster of life that took the wind out of our sails. Seems things are calming down. Andrew will not be returning to Warren Wilson this semester thanks to an academic crash. Yes, he knows he screwed up. Went right out the next morning and signed up for classes at Anne Arundel CC. he has never really done things in a normal order. This is do or die..grades need to be stellar. In addition to this, the infamous FDA contacted him on Thursday and asked him to return to work as an intern. Not sure how that will shake down, since he is a full time student and must work around his schedule.

And then we have the Ravens. Who are headed to the AFC championship next weekend. I am not holding too much hope that they can get past that game after how they played this weekend. But perhaps my gut feeling will come true and we will see a brothers superbowl.

Happy martin Luther King Day.

2012 starts with a bang

I always thought this might be a good place to be therapeutic and maybe it is. Problen is when you are going through alot of crap life hands you, you really don't want to do anything. Except watch football playoffs. That doesn't require any effort or thought process. I am so concerned about Julie, who is dealing with newly diagnosed ALS. Her energy level has fallen and i have seen a change in her physical ability. I simply can't wrap my head around what she is going through. On the up side, her emotional health is better. Which you need to deal with this.
Andrew is teetering on his academic career. He such a smart kid..it angers me, saddens me, and worries me all at the same time.
Alan is dealing with issues with family..seems more than usual.
Maddie is my bright spot.
Thank god for Xanax.

Happy 2012!

I couldn't be more happier that we are starting a new year. The end of 2011 has been challenging on alot of levels. We received the bad news of our dear friend Julie and her diagnosis of ALS. Alan's mother died which has been difficult on a multitude of levels. Work,,,roof was finally replaced but we had alot of damage in the building. Ceiling tiles down, alot of water, wet insulation needed replacing, which meant fiber glass fibers floating through the air. This resulted in a staff member filing a complaint with OSHA. Andrew has struggled in school, which has been stressful for everyone. And he got into his first car accident-very minor..a parked car in front of our house. Caused damage to a 2012 SUV to a neighbor who is not so friendly. Sigh...

Okay, so let this be the best year..or even a better year. Cheers.