Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Sleep, a chance to dream?
Perhaps in most cases, but not mine, I awake at 2 am all warm and clammy. Did the air conditioner die? No, but having that poor little 5000 BTU attempt to cool the whole house is not too effective.
I park myself near the air conditioner in an attempt to cool down before returning to sleep. I am not optimistic about what my mood will be later today.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Looking for Silver Linings?
Dealing with change is not my strength apparently. My husband’s ungodly hours have changed yet again from a 4 day to a 6 day work week. No more 12 hours shifts on the weekends, now they are 9 hour shifts midnight to 9 am and 4 am to 7 am Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
I am really attempting to find the good in these hours.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Parades, Picnics and Parties
It was a good day for all these things.As we waited for the parade to begin we were buzzed by military aircraft flying low overhead.
Some of Challenger Baseball Team
The picnic was wonderful and the baked beans were well received. It was your traditional picnic fare, along with portabella burgers. S went into the cold pool, everyone shuddered when he jumped in and he stayed in for about 15 minutes. It was hot and humid, so I ventured into the the pool up to my knees. It was pleasantly refreshing.After the Birthday Boy opened his gifts there was the usual cake and ice cream.
Stuffed and overheated we headed home to get ready for the rest of the week.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Cranky
With this heat I am in a nasty mood. While being cranky I attempted to brighten my mood.
I was fastinated by this Iris.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
The beginning of Summer
The temperatures seem to indicate it is so. In fact it will be hot and muggy all weekend, perfect for picnics and parades. Our events are planned for Monday when it is supposed to hit 90 º. My baked beans were requested for the picnic/birthday party and will be made on Sunday.
Personally I prefer it to be dry and temperatures in the 70’s. I do hope their pool will be open, although I do not care for the way I look in a bathing suit, staying cool is a stronger priority.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Muggy
It is back, the weather I hate. Dampness in the air makes me so lethargic. Thankfully the air conditioner was put in. Now I feel contained. Enclosed inside, not hearing the birds, traffic, and thankfully not hearing the barking dogs.
The A/C in my car is still not repaired. So I take my husband’s car. It is supposed to be an incentive to get mine fixed. I do not understand why guys are so protective of their cars. However if this ploy works, all the better.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Clearing
Often you will see designers clearing a room out for a clean slate to work from. We are doing sort of the same thing only with our garden. Four errant shrubs were removed to make some room for the new. Our garden is being downsized.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Spice it up
Celebrating yet again, but this time it is our 26th anniversary. Though we get on each others nerves at times, for better or worse we have stuck with it. There have been bad times, but also many good. It is often difficult to remember the good, but there are many, both as a couple and as a family.
Being open-minded I told my husband that the first 50 years were mine, then he could do what ever he wants. Generous of me, is it not?
Seriously, at dinner we did have the opportunity to reconnect. So often it is easy to get tied up in our own little routines. I thought it was fitting that we went to a Mexican restaurant, so we could spice things up so to speak.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
downsizing
With attempts to keep prices the same, downsizing has yet again hit the market place. This frustrates me as I attempt to make dinner. Thinking I had purchased a pound of cheese, only to realize that I only had 12 ounces.
Granted it really did not affect my recipe too much, but I am beginning to wonder whether I should downsize my recipes and/or pans.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Looking for solutions
Needless to say I did not get my act together today. I must get out of this funk. My visions do not match my reality. I am about ready to throw in the towel. Perhaps I need a vacation to regroup and regain perspective.
It is strange when you have goals and have problems meeting them. Sometimes it is not easy to push through the roadblocks.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Here and Gone
It was less than 22 hours and my precious first born was gone. I guess it is the post event letdown that has gotten me into the funk today. Perhaps it is know that my husband could have changed his hours and did not. Who knows!
Hopefully tomorrow is another day and I will get my act together and deal with the same old .....
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Time for Joy
This day is set aside for celebrations.
My precious first born is home for 26 hours. My neice graduated from Northeastern University. Friends are celebrating birthday.
My lemon drop martini.
Friday, May 19, 2006
made my day
Though I do not know the details... today I heard that English may end up being the National Language. Apparently it passed in the Senate and now will go to the House.I applaud this effort and hope it passes.
My grandmother came to this country and learned English, so did my father.I had to teach my brother English.
Knowing English has provided us with a spirit of belonging and other opportunities like education. Hopefully this will stop the separation and help unify our country.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Barking Dogs
It is a beautiful sunny day. The blue skies are a welcome change from the gray clouds of late. Warm spring temperatures bring open windows to enjoy
There is nothing more annoying than a dog barking for attention, especially when it goes on all day long. At first you attempt to ignore it, and then tempted to close the windows to close the barking out. But no, the windows will not be closed. Frustration sets in and a headache begins to develop.
Instead of calling the dog warden, I contact my neighbor directly once she gets home. She was apologetic.
Hopefully tomorrow will be quieter.
There is nothing more annoying than a dog barking for attention, especially when it goes on all day long. At first you attempt to ignore it, and then tempted to close the windows to close the barking out. But no, the windows will not be closed. Frustration sets in and a headache begins to develop.
Instead of calling the dog warden, I contact my neighbor directly once she gets home. She was apologetic.
Hopefully tomorrow will be quieter.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Alas the Sun
The sun has made a brief appearance in the Northeast. It was out long enough to get the lawn mowed and the rest of the garden planted. All that is needed to finish my garden for this year are the squash plants.
Hopefully we will not get too much more rain so my plants will not drown.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Retirement Reality
PBS aired tonight the Frontline program “Can You Afford to Retire?” It was an interesting program about what the Baby Boomers are or will be facing. This program discusses one of my greatest fears. The golden years will not be golden, but tarnished.
We are now shifting from lifetime pensions to life timework. - Theresa Ghilarducci, University of Notre Dame
Middle class boomers will simply not have enough money to meet their basic needs. It is a shame that this is the road that America is on. Poor planning on the part of the Boomers, perhaps in some cases, but let’s face it the rules have changed. There has been little education on planning for retirement. Already I have seen more retirees working. Will this be me in a few years? It is likely.
Look to the future and you will see many poor little old ladies.
Monday, May 15, 2006
the end is near
Trying to catch up... get ready for the end of year festivities... birthday parties, grad parties, picnics and holiday parties ... and still take care of the "normal" stuff.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Mother's Day
Being awakened by a smiling face is a wonderful way to start a day. Then to hear music from the movie Tarzan, Phil Collins You Belong to Me. The song tugs at my heartstrings as it reminds me about being a mother and loving a child who is different. My youngest made me a cheese omelet with sides of fresh honeydew and pineapple.
For lunch it was a simple salad, crab legs and a glass of wine. My fingers got sore cracking the legs open, but it was well worth it. My precious first born called me and we had a lovely conversation. He starts his internship in New Jersey tomorrow.I miss him dearly, but am glad that things are going well for him.
It was a lovely day and knowing that my children are doing well is the best gift of all.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Regional Games
Special Olympics are special.
Determination
Victory 
Freestyle 25M Bronze
Backstroke 25M Silver 
Last year he swam the crawl during the backstroke and was disqualified. This year after he got in the water and said "Hi Mom" I gave him physical cues and said "Backstroke" to remind him to do the backstroke.
He replied, "Backstroke".
I said, "Yes, backstroke."
"Tacobell"
"Yes if you do backstroke, I'll take you to Tacobell."
An offical turned around and said that she would swim backstroke too for Tacobell, then she sounded the start.
It was his best day of swimming and he got a Crunch Wrap Supreme.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Rain, Rain….
Today we received the amount of rain that normally falls in the entire month of May. I brought my transplants in so they would not drown.
Rivers and streams are swollen, currents running fast. Down at the Connecticut River, crew teams were out. I can only imagine the strength that it took to go upstream. When I saw them they were heading downstream at such a rapid pace that I did not have time to park and get out my camera.
It has been rainy and dreary all week, though I do believe I caught a brief glimpse of the sun yesterday. On the upside we have not had to water the grass seed and it appears that our backyard lake is now gone. The true test will be at the end of next winter, the lack of what I call mud season.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Mothers
On January 21, 1895, Anna Chrzan was born in the small village of Medrzechów, near Tarnów in Poland. (Chrzan means horseradish in Polish.) Before World War I, she arrived in New York Harbor and ended up in Danielson, CT. It was there she met Anthony Kierukstys. They moved to Windsor and bought a farm that had been a governmental farm experimental station. Two boys and a girl were raised in a household that spoke Polish.
Babci was a strong woman running a 48 acre farm. She learned English and spoke half na pół (half english, half Polish) around us. It is from her and my mother that I draw my strength. They both faced and overcame many challenges.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Gardening Roots
Such pleasure is derived from sticking a plant in the ground. Perhaps it is because I know that it will grow and be productive. It is cyclical. Every year you get another chance to experiment and be successful.
Coming from a farming background, I guess gardening is in my blood. Each time I go by Babci's (grandmother) house, it brings back memories of chickens, cows, playing in the barn the wood stove. She grew broadleaf tobacco until the flood of 1955 took away her tobacco shed. She had a small garden close to the house.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Warning!
Being told that my garden should not be planted until May 20th, I throw caution to the wind and plant before Mother’s Day. Since I have a small garden, the tender plants can be protected if there is a chance of frost. Right now I am hardening off my little transplants. Yes, transplants. I do not have the patience for growing seeds in little pots.
I do not mind moving my plants in and out for a few days, besides the lettuce is already in the ground.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Perception!
Reaching the end of a project, instead of being joyous and proud of a job well done, I feel drained and spent. For some reason, a major project of compiling papers, balancing numbers, and crafting a letter does not bring me a sense of satisfaction. Shipping it off overnight just brings a sense of relief that it is done. Of course I would not send out something that was done half-assed. I did an excellent job. So why does completion not bring a sense of joy and satisfaction? Perhaps it is because of my distain for dealing with paperwork. Perhaps it is because writing is an arduous process for me.
While working on this project I kept thinking about all the other projects I could be working on like my garden. Now this brings me joy. Seeing the plants in the ground, watching them grow. Papers just get shipped off, shredded or thrown away at some point.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Garden plans
Though it is a bit early, I have aquired some plants for planting. I have not had much success with seeds so transplants are the way to go for me. It is still a bit early to plant these tender plants, but I have learned some tricks to be able to do so.
At least I have a bit of my Babci's blood in me. She had a 48 acre farm. I truly admired her ablility to run the farm. They did it with a wonderful Beligan horse named Shirley.
Babci had promised me when I turned 10 that I could ride Shirley, but she sold Shirley when I was nine. I was so disappointed, at that age I did not understand why Shirely was gone and the promise broken.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Holidays
Apparently when given a choice between a variety of hearts, flowers, rainbows, etc; my son chose the skull for Halloween. He is into holidays and parties.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Frustration
Things are expected to function properly, when they do not often times it will through us off balance. My e-mail is not working right. I cannot check or read what is in the inbox. My apologies to those who I have not responded to. At first I was able to reboot the computer and Outlook worked fine for a bit. Now it has deteriorated completely.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Documentation
Such a pain in the posterior, just as is the hoops you have to go though. Many folks loved HMOs because you did not have to file claims. It was easy. Now with taxes and such you have to keep, file maintain papers to support your claim.
No longer is a person’s word good enough. It’s like that line from Jerry Maguire: “Show me the money!” Everyone wants physical proof, along with a summary. Egads! I feel like I’m back in college.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Summer 1970
Most children are looking forward to summer vacation. The break from school means freedom, but my younger sister and I had a mission.
Our brother, who did not speak English, would soon be entering kindergarten. We were not allowed to speak English to him. My stepfather was fluent in four languages and could get by in three other languages. Being a child I did not understand why he did not want my brother to learn English.
Since I was the rebellious one, I decided to go against my stepfather’s rules. I did not want my brother to go to school not knowing what the teacher and his classmates were saying. While we had to be sneaky, we did accomplish our mission. Our brother did not have problems understanding what was going on at school.
Today my brother is not bilingual, he only speaks English.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Rose Garden comments
On April 28, 2006, President Bush said, "I think people who want to be citizens of this country ought to learn English."
A miracle has occurred! I agree with the President. Many immigrants have come to this country speaking various languages. What gives us a common bond is speaking the same language. If we went to France we would need to learn French in order to survive. When you come to the Untied States, you should learn English as my family has done.
Monday, May 01, 2006
informed decisions
It is good to hear both sides before making a decision or taking a position on something. While both sides may have valid points, separating fact from fiction can be difficult and you may have to just go with your gut feeling.
