Phil-in' Phantastic

With the weekend less than 24 hours away this week leaves me exhausted from some amazing experiences. I dig baseball, but never considered being able to score tickets to any of the play off games. After a few goes on the phone, I managed to land a pair of seats that were mind boggling. Game four with Phils verse the Dodgers found myself and my friend, Janet, on row two diagonal from the first base line. We stuck out as not being a season ticket holder, but who cares?

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G is pretty much what comes to mind when reflecting on the night. From a sea of rally towels twirling incessantly to fire crackers streaking the night sky and being close enough to the players striding by to almost see the sweat dripping from their baseball caps. It was hands down the best game of my life that closed with Rollins connecting to bring in two runs and a signed, sealed, delivered victory. What an epic evening.

Tuesday I was asked to attend an aviation presentation at McGuire Air Force Base the following day (aka post Phils game). Although I was fiercely sleep deprived, it was yet again an experience of a life time. We hit 26,000 feet with clear skies and a crystal sea below us. I had the opportunity to sit with the pilots in the cock pit and chat a little about their responsibilities along with the re-fueling process involved with fighter jets mid-air, which was the purpose of our particular flight.

WIth a fighter jet on each side of the plane's wings and another re-fueling below, it was an unbelievable sight. I climbed down into the belly of the 707 and caught some unbelievable shots of each jet taking their turn to refuel mid-air. I was hoping to find a parachute aboard and maybe catch a quick jump, but that was a no go. Thinking positively, I've got to think that it'll happen the next random activity involving a plane, 26,000 feet of pure free fall and of course, a parachute.




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Bob and Wea-v-IN

I've always loved autumn. Some where in the past week it feels like the fast forward button was hit and we've entered winter. Earlier in the week I took a trek to the shore wading the Atlantic with warmer temps than the air. It felt good to get wet and take a very remedial day of surfing (that's about all the arm can handle at this point:). We went from temperate beach weather with flip flops in hand to full fledge ugg season. My mind is still yearning for summer, but the north eastern has brought with it some fairly frigid temps. If I close my eyes I could possibly envision myself on Yanuka Island, Fiji...but that's a whole lot of brain power being utilized : )

(Above: Olga's Diner, a South Jersey Landmark that will all too soon be torn down and replaced by asphalt and a handful of overhead lights. This place holds so many memories from countless late nights sipping coffee with a toasted corn muffin and
good conversation. Olgas: thou shalt be missed)

WIth it getting dark earlier and having less time outside during the week I'm planning on taking as much outdoor time as possible. Spending time in fresh air and out of halogen lamp territory has always allowed me to detach from any pressing concerns and I find a sense of balance that nature so aptly provides. It's like a virtual Halmark card that's essentially free.

So the weekend is going to be my time of zen and re-grouping before heading into another rather multi-layered week where there are moments I feel like Billy Blanks (tae bo master:) is chanting 'bob and weave...bob and weave." It might take a little creativity and patience, but I shall indeed bob and weave whatever is thrown at me as Monday approaches.


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For everything there is a season

I've been in the mental health field for awhile and one thing I've learned is that each day is unpredictable and often intensely emotional. I love what I do and I believe confidently that God put me in the here and now for a purpose. But there are days when my heart aches a little more intensely than others & today was one of those days. A friend that both of my sisters went to high school with lost her six year old daughter a few days ago. Tonight I attended her viewing along with many other family and friends. When life ends so abruptly, especially for someone so young, it often creates a acute and baffling state. My thoughts and prayers will be lifted for the family and those hurting at this time.

Life can sometime knock the wind out of you and as months transgress into years I gain a greater sense of what is and isn't important. This past weekend one of my best friends and I hopped in the car and headed to a wine festival in North Jersey. I had about a million other things on the 'to do' list, but I shrugged the shoulders and went onward. As this school year presses forward my hope is to cling to the things that do truly matter and taking time out of the craziness to relax and savor the beauty of the present. Sometimes it is through trial and tribulation that the little voice in our head chides to our hearts that what we become so uptight and anxious for is fairly frivolous in the scheme of things.


Sunday was unproductive in the eyes of the daily planner, but a wonderful day of good conversation, laughing and hitting the pause button on life. As dusk fell the sun cast a amber glow on the gentle rolling hills of the vineyard richening the green and purples of the grapes hanging heavy from their vines. As I walked along the dusty gravel drive leading towards the exit, and re-entry towards reality, I couldn't help but pause and soak in the moment. With all that was left to do back home at that moment it just didn't matter. Life is profoundly brief and we must not allow the moments that hold so much substance to slip through our finger tips.

Time with the familia

In only a short month it's amazing to see how much Tristan and Gabe have changed. Tristan takes being a big brother seriously and is constantly giving him kisses and hugs that make my heart melt. There's something special about their relationship and it's so wonderful to watch. I had to bite my tongue when he leaned over giving him a kiss and ever so naturally said,"Gabe is such a good child. Isn't he E?" How do you even respond to that one?

Rocking on the porch sipping tea and just watching my two little dudes is the greatest form of wind down that I could find. Even though the moment is brief it goes such a long way.

My hope is for Jess to spend Halloween weekend in Jersey where Tristan can trick or treat to his heart's desire and Jess will have an opportunity to catch up with old friends and, of course, get a little Jersey shopping in. I love summer, but as fall starts to show its signs there's just something about this time of year. I love the cool air, abounding flat bets brimming with brilliant orange pumpkins & gourds, corn stalks, picturesque trees with changing leaves and the ever so amazing apple cider donut. Jersey in the fall always brings a slew of memories where all I have to do is close my eyes and a smile comes to my face. With all it's craziness,South Jersey was a great place to grow up as a kid and it left an impact on my senses : )




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