Feedin' in Philly & quality girl time

It feels like winter has been in session way too long. Even now I'm tapping away on the keyboard in the kitchen instead of in my office; second snow day in a row & at this point we might just be setting off fireworks at graduation pressing into July. Wahoo!!! (that's just a tinge of sarcasm in that statement...)

But as there were signs of potential winter blues setting in I was fortunate enough to participate in an outreach project with an area church handing out lunches, hot coffee & clothing to a number of homeless individuals we came in contact with in the Love Park area of Philly. How quickly the problems we get tangled in seem to not appear quite as massive when passing a warm meal onto someone who doesn't know where they will be sleeping that evening or when their next meal will be. It's experiences like these that have a rapid way of placing things into perspective.

It was pretty neat taking a step back and watching the kids involved really hit the ground running. Kids taking time out of their weekend to hop a train into Philly and enter the front lines and make a difference in a way few would bother to do. It was an absolutely empowering day to which we will be repeating in June with my Seneca kids. Two bus loads of kids with heaps of sandwiches, juice packs & cookies. Goodness abounds...

From Philly gears shifted to serious girl time catching up with two of my closest friends over some serious Italian food. Anytime Janet, Sue & I get together there is quite a good deal of food, epic discussion, laughter and the occasional tears in lieu of laughing too much. I think our girl time keeps life rolling in a much richer and lighter way. Even with a heap of snow out there and feeling a sense of Jersey being the eternal land of winter abyss... girl time makes flip flops and sun not so untouchable.



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On the road for a little fam farm time

The past week or so has been anything but consistent due to abnormal amount of snow fall on the east coast. I am all for snow days, but with the ever looming threat of school going until July I'm actually a non.pro day of snow day convert. How's that for an unconventional label? The non-snow dance does exist in some areas of the country, although not publicized to the greater public:)

With a 2.5 day week there was no other way to welcome a three day weekend than with a trek to the farm. It was wonderful seeing my parents not all that long ago, but being able to slide in an unscheduled visit was a definite perk. As the boys grow with leaps and bounds it's always a joy to have those extra few days thrown in here and there.

Keith and I hopped in the car and endured a rather traffic laden endeavor, but an enjoyable one nonetheless. We were able to roll in early evening before Gabe and Tristan headed to bed. It's crazy to think Gabe will be one next month and Tristan is pressing five. We were welcomed with hugs and the standard Tristan fist pound (with an added explosive sound for effect) that has the ability to lighten my heart in under a second flat.

Even though the weather wasn't ideal, it was still wonderful to have the opportunity for catch up, watching movies and breaking bread with some of my favorite people in the world. Jess, Keith & I did a little four wheeling with the pick up around the perimeter of the farm. It's always fun to off road and take in some seriously crisp country air with unbelievably epic panoramic views. Our tour was met soon after by a few renegade pigs who managed to push their way through the metal fence securing them from the adjacent field. Herding pigs is a tad harder than it seems, but entertaining and a good work out for the heart. It took a little creativity involving a bucket of corn, some rope, a knife and the quad, but we overcame the obstacles and lead the pigs back home. Yay, Jersey farmers!

It was a great weekend that went by quickly, but certainly worth the trek down. As we head into a four day week pictures of my little dudes have been updated in the office and on the fridge. No matter how challenging the day, a quick glimpse of them makes everything always seem ok. Love my dudes : )



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Snow Fest 2010

The past week the days seem to have run together. There's nothing like being in the chill zone to the point where you second guess what day of the week it is. We've had an ongoing winter vibe forcing many in the north east to stop in their tracks. I'm not too keen on winter, but there is something magical about the snow and even more so when it covers things from top to bottom.

There's just something great about being in pajamas all day, watching videos and having nothing really on the agenda besides debating what's the best time of day to sled. I do also believe there should be a law where at some point in the year everyone, regardless of age, is mandated to sled down a hill a few times. I think I might just propose that one to someone somewhere.

A number of us from school hit the hills with sleds in hand and after a few goes we ended up having a rather impressive snow ball fight between us and a bunch of kids hiding in trees. Another annual mandate: snowball fight. Lots of smiles, deep breathing and an insanely stress free week.



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Day of diversity...on the road

In a quick race to beat traffic and the threat of yet another snow storm a group of thirty teens and five teachers hopped on a yellow bus bound for Bayonne. The hour and a half drive with heaps of teens allowed little time for reflection, but plenty of time for laughing, consuming mass quantity of carbs and jamming to some fairly epic tunes. This was the fourth annual Diversity Day project held between Bayonne & Seneca High Schools. This was something that was created between my cousin, Varda, and myself after a family get together a number of years ago. It has been quite a process and one that seems to improve as the years go on. From then to now it has been an amazing experience witnessing relationships forming among these kids along with dialogue that couldn't get any richer or any more relevant. Wow.

There is great power in knowledge and yet there is tremendous potential for damage in lieu of ignorance. Having opportunity to dialogue on culture, government, religion, racial issues and things that we so often as adults do not offer a platform for discussion to anyone due to fear of discomfort or wandering outside the realm of political correctness. Somewhere along the line we have become masters at the 'bob and weave' of topics that pertain to every facet of life, but we avoid due to the possibility of pushing someone's button or making others uncomfortable. Chatting is important. Agreeing to disagree... good life lesson. Learning beyond the bubble is important and often critical. Stretch the mind, extend your hands and open your arms and the world and the experiences will be all the richer.

Roads, paths and yield signs

In only a relatively short few months 2010 has brought with it new paths and memories that could fill many, many pages. I've found great solace in the fact that life is continually changing and hardly predictable. It's funny how if you were to ask me six years ago or even six months ago what my thoughts were about my life, the people in it and the in between I would more than likely been a little off of where it is today.

One of the things I appreciate in life are the people that God has placed around me. I feel profoundly blessed to have so many 'good peeps' in my life. There are so many pages that fill the chapters of life and there are so many memories attributed to the relationships we hold with others.

So as 2010 presses onward with spring, hopefully, not all too far away; my hope is to take the next eleven months in stride and continue reveling in the richness of those around me. I think sometimes life can seem to be somewhat of a whirl wind and with that my anxiety increases and hair expands. So, being that I'd like to lay off the hair gel this year I shall take a more 'chill' approach to the road ahead smiling, taking deep breaths and thanking God for each step taken along the way.


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