MURPHY'S PLACE

CHRISTMAS 2011

2012-01-12T19:45:00.000-05:00

My house may not be the cleanest, my cooking is definitely not the fanciest. I like to wear jeans and a comfortable shirt (instead of dressing up for Christmas) especially while I assist in the the cooking, wrapping and getting everything ready. A quiet afternoon in front of the tree, watching "It's a Wonderful Life" (that is muted so I can also listen to one of many Christmas CD's) is how I like to wrap Christmas gifts. The paper is from dollar general and I try to make a nice ribbon or 'I love you' message on the tag. A gift I like to give.....my favorite Christmas music, burned to a CD for my friends to listen to. I know if people listened because they will mention they liked it.

I have more energy to straighten my mom's house, than my own. After I cook here, I dread the dishes. At my parents' house, I have all the energy in the world. I don't get it. It just happens.

Kate and James made some beautiful Christmas cookies.

Check out the Manger scene!

Kate's flowers

I went out for a 2nd trip on CHristmas Eve (I went out at 7am and bought the kids Christmas PJs) to get a star for the tree and more wrapping paper. I had wrapped some in PA and finished up Christmas Eve. Hiding a present in a present and using a gift bag that was large enough for a bicycle to wrap up Jack's leather jacket, that was fun!

Kate wanted her presents spread out, not in one spot. How many did she think she was getting????

I am truly blessed to have such great kids, family,

Jack helped set the table.

Kate helped to cook.

Some special people joined us.

James' dad

and Jill's mom.

Fantastic Day, as always..

Merry Christmas and Happy 2012!!!

Summer's End

2011-08-20T11:21:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe summer is almost over. The kids started their fall camps: Kate doing Volleyball again and Jack playing golf. It's nice to see them doing something they enjoy and can ease going back to school, a little bit.

It's also hard to believe that it's been a month since I blogged! Texas was fun and we were only in town 4 days and on the road again to NY. This time we took one of Jack's friends for a few days.

Here are some pictures.


At the TODAY show

At the top of the Empire State Building

Consulting with Obama on the economy?

St. Patrick's Cathedral


Hotdog for Breakfast??? Well it is summertime in NYC!


Go for it Kate!!! Statue of Liberty Great Hall at Ellis Island...immigrants checked in here...both of my grandparents came here. Very moving. I know this looks like the end of the day, but it was actually the beginning. We got up at 4:30 to get to the Today Show by 8am! Long but fun day. It's a good thing my kids don't read this blog, because they would not like the posting of these pictures. It was a memorable few days in NYC.

Tie Dying & Tacos in Texas

2011-07-21T16:50:00.000-04:00

So, I am getting the idea of what it is like to be a stay at home mom....not bad....

After morning 'school' (My sister's kids have summer reading to do for their school)

we made some tie-dye T-shirts. The kids used their creativity and put a spin on it...making designs with the paint and the boys especially turned their shirts into superhero tributes!

We also had a 'taco bar' for lunch. we've been swimming, saw the Alamo, and took a boat ride on the Riverwalk.

I wish I were here another week.

Captain America...NOT a pentagram

Making a bracelet

Creative Minds at work

Kate made these earlier this week

Texas

2011-07-19T10:19:00.000-04:00

Who would guess that Texas could be fun in the summer? But I suppose when you are with your family anything is fun, even in 101 degree heat. There is a breeze, the swimming is fun and Schlitterbahn:Super Water park was great.

Yesterday was the best though:

Jack and I tutored his cousins on using Context clues and Text Documentation: UGH. But because it was Jack and I 'teaching' it, they cooperated and Jack is a tough teacher!

Jack: 'lots' isn't a word

Thomas: yes it is

Jack: no it isn't and that isn't even a complete sentence.

Guess what? Thomas fixed everything! Instead of a two word answer, Jack got 4 sentences out of him. Intro, 2 supporting details, and a conclusion.

Then we made some homemade pizza for lunch.

Thomas with his pizza!

and had some SSR time after lunch.

This is not a pose, they were really reading :)

Kate 'tutored' Rachel upstairs at a small school desk and that went well too.

On tap for today. More of the same but we are also going to visit the Alamo and take a boat ride on the RiverWalk.

I wish we lived closer and I could be a real aunt to these great kids....I feel so sad.

Eagle Project: Planting Day

2011-07-10T23:31:00.000-04:00

Does the generosity of others ever overwhlem you? Generousity of time....

Jack's planting for his Eagle Project was yesterday.

My brother and his wife came for a few days to assist with the project.

Two of his teachers from 6th grade came!!

Families from our church

Families from other churches.

All such good friends.

Michele is as excited for Jack as I am...like he was her own son.

How blessed can you be???

These are a few photos Michele took of Jack before the planting began.

Here are some pictures of the prayer garden.

I will like to sit on the bench someday (not added yet)

and pray and reflect on this wonderful, heartwarming, life afirming day.

June 2011....BUSY!!

2011-06-26T20:51:00.000-04:00

Where to begin. It has been a very busy June. Jack's Eagle Scout Project is underway! Kate went to her leadership camp this past week and enjoyed the experience.http://www.lead-america.org/

I visited with my cousins while she was there and had a good time catching up with them.

There was an emergency back on LI and my siblings pitched in to help out. This week I am headed out there to visit and help out.

Here are some of my highlights from my trip to DC. I visited the

National Gallery of Art National Gallery of Art: The Dale Collection

Lunch: Mozzarella caprese at the Italian Garden Cafe

Capitol Building http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/

Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov/index.html

and the Newseum NEWSEUM

and hit a Dive from Diner's Drive Ins and Dives http://lacaraquena.com/

It was fun to visit all these places with my cousins and one day by myself. However, I found that taking pictures without Jack and Kate in them....just feels weird. What's a view of the Capitol in the background without those two in the foreground? Everything I did, I thought of them and how much they would like something. Whether it was the interactive parts of the newseum or the Civil War display in the Library of Congress. The 'spy' chamber in Capitol Building, where you can hear someone talking on the other side of the room because of the acoustics with the dome, was incredible but not as cool if Jack and Kate got to experience it. The dive didn't seem as exciting without sharing a fried plantain appetizer with Kate and Jack. Don't get me wrong, I did have fun but I found myseld pulling a page out of Libby's book and wore my sunglasses so you couldn't see the tears. Granted the 9/11 display made everyone cry as did the Pulitzer Prize photos in the Newseum.

The art in the the National Gallery is Incredible!! You have to visit it if you have not. The Dale collection is captivating that I saw it on Wed with my cousin and visited it again by myself on Friday after my mozzarella salad. :)

The permanent exhibits were moving too. So much of the art depicts stories from the bible. So as I looked at dozens of Madonna and child paintings, sculptures, etc...I saw all the mysteries of the rosary and thought of my mom and my beautiful cousin Jeannie. They both say the rosary and inspire me to do so too. I texted her from the gallery and tagged her in the sculptures of the Annunciation (as you can't take pictures of the paintings)

The only thing that cost anything, as all the museums are free, was the Newseum. I would go again and pay for the kids to see it. It was that good! Interactive, fun, informative, moving, ...everything you want in a museum visit.

Enjoy the pictures.

Angel Gabriel

Eagle Project

2011-06-13T14:57:00.001-04:00

To say Jack has grown this year is obvious to anyone that sees him. He is 6ft 1/2 inch as he proudly told me this morning after his physical for Golf and Track.

It's the growth in his spirit and leadership that really overwhelms me at times. This Eagle project is so much work and he is so motivated to do it. Making phone calls to total strangers, speaking to adults he doesn't know and some that he does. WOW. He is an amazing young man. It gives me such joy to see him working on this.

Physically it has only been a week but officially the project started in April when he first talked to our Church Council. Technically it began in grade 1 when he first joined scouts. There have been some rough patches over the years and I am sure he may have questioned belonging (never to me) but I can tell he is proud of himself as he does these things, earning merit badges (20 right now) and camping and dealing with adults that didn't always believe in him.

Yes... my son. I am so full of joy for you and what you are accomplishing.

Here are some beginning pics of the project:

A Prayer Garden around the Miner's Monument at St. Gregory's church

Miner's monument, getting ready to dig for the platform for the bench

Next step, till the ground and plant some perennials.

More pictures!

2011-05-28T23:28:00.000-04:00

We didn't get to Long Island for Easter. However, we enjoyed a nice Easter Brunch, just the three of us at Seven Springs.

More Spring Photos

2011-05-28T22:16:00.004-04:00

Here are some pictures from Kate's Spring Concert.

The best singer and "Introducer" of music.

♪♪♫"Just Singing" ♬♬

Kate is in the back row, 4th from the left.

♫ Beyond the Sea ♬

♡

♬ You've got a Friend in ME!! ♫

♫♫ HALLELUIA ♬♬

Spring Semester 2011

2011-05-22T13:05:00.000-04:00

I have not updated my blog in a while. Work continues to overwhelm me, as does keeping up with the kid's activities.

Kate played basketball this season. Here are some pictures:

That's Kate #24 with the huge wingspan.

She has chosen not to play next year. I have mixed feelings about this. I love watching her play any sport but grades are most important and she wants to try track.

She also participated in the play and my mom, sister and brother-in-law came out for it.

They did Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Here are some pictures from that weekend.

Annie and Kate


Libby Grandma and Kate

Jack and two of his friends who were in the play.

Jake, Jack, David

More photos to come

Steve Hillenburg

2011-04-25T23:05:00.000-04:00

Stephen Hillenburg: Successful Animator, Director, and Producer by Jack Murphy grade 8 Berlin Brothersvalley Middle School

One of the most successful animation producers and directors is Stephen Hillenburg. Hillenburg, who created the hit television show, “Sponge-Bob Square Pants”, also owns his production company, “United Plankton Pictures”.

Before he created Sponge Bob, Hillenburg was a marine biologist from 1984-87. He then decided to fulfill his dreams by pursuing a career in animation. He got a job for the television show, “Mother Goose and Grim” and directed “Rocko’s Modern Life”. While working on the show, Hillenburg became friends with many of the cast and writers who would later be on Sponge Bob.

After “Rocko” ended in 1996, he wrote a comic called, “The Intertidal Zone”, which was about a bunch of undersea creatures. Hillenburg pitched the idea to Nickelodeon. He showed up wearing a Hawaiian shirt and brought an aquarium that had the characters in it. Some of the Nickelodeon executives left the room to stop themselves from bursting out laughing. They loved the idea but changed the main characters name from “Sponge Boy” to “Sponge Bob”. Finally the show premiered on May 1, 1999 and the first episode was called “Help Wanted”.

On November 19, 2004, the Sponge Bob Squarepants movie was released. It was supposed to be the series finale and Stephen would resign. Instead, the show was renewed for a fourth season and Hillenburg became the show’s executive producer. “Sponge Bob Squarepants” has been on television for a decade and new episodes premiered in March.

If you appreciate comedy and good animation, you should watch “Sponge Bob Squarepants” created by Stephen Hillenburg, former marine biologist.

Traveling with Captain Penguin

2011-04-19T21:46:00.000-04:00

Jack Murphy

Vocabulary Chapter 7

Block II

Traveling with Captain Penguin

Captain Penguin looked down at his watch. It read 2:15. Hmm. Time to pick up my mom and dad at the zoo he thought. If you want to know what he was up to this time I’ll tell you. Since it was almost Thanksgiving vacation he was going to one of his holiday visits to his homeland Antarctica to see his relatives. Since his parents live in the New York City Zoo he had to pick them up to go to Antarctica.

“Jerkins grab the keys and let’s go!” he shouted.

His butler Jerkins replied “Can’t you drive? I thought you could?”

“Just drive the car and I’ll give you a Thanksgiving bonus.” Called back Captain Penguin.

Jerkins face lit up with glee. “OK!” He answered.

Then they got to the zoo to pick up the Captain’s mom and dad. All was quiet until Captain Penguin’s mom broke the silence. “Did you memorize the history of Thanksgiving to recite at Antarctica?”

Captain Penguin looked at Jerkins and handed him five bucks and Jerkins began the story.

“The Pilgrims left England to seek religious freedoms. They were lead by William Bradford. He was their leader and came with them on their ship the Mayflower. On their way a storm blew them off course and they landed in New England which was named by John Smith. New England is part of the United States the states. Today it is made up of the states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The Pilgrims then found a safe harbor named Cape Cod. Cape Cod is a peninsula in southwestern Massachusetts enclosing Cape Cod Bay. To get off the ship all the male Pilgrims had to sign the Mayflower Compact. The Mayflower Compact is an agreement in which Pilgrims decided to set up a government and make their own laws. But the problem was they couldn’t find good land to settle on so they sailed on. Finally they picked out a spot of good land that suited them on Massachusetts Bay for their colony. Massachusetts Bay is a bay off of Massachusetts. The Pilgrims named it Plymouth. Plymouth is located in southwestern Massachusetts were the Pilgrims settled in 1620.”

“The Pilgrims began to build longhouses. But over the winter many became sick and died. When spring came only half the pilgrims survived. One day an Indian walked into Plymouth and welcomed them and asked for a drink. His name was Samoset. He was taught English by some English fishermen. Next time he came he brought his chief, Chief Massasoit. He was the chief of the Wampanoag Indians. The Pilgrims made a peace agreement that lasted for fifty years with the Indians.”

“Another Indian Samoset brought was named Squanto. Squanto was an Indian from another tribe who was captured, made a slave and sent to Spain and escaped. When he got back his whole tribe had died of a disease from European traders. Squanto showed the Pilgrims how to catch fish, hunt wild animals ect. The Pilgrims then got all the food they harvested and shared it with the Indians and had the first Thanksgiving.Well and you know the rest.” Finished Jerkins.

“I asked my son to tell it, not you.” Said Captain Penguin’s mom.

“He has Laryngitis.” Replied Jerkins.

Captain Penguin’s mom eyed Jerkins and Captain Penguin suspiciously. “But that son of mine was blabbing his mouth off about his pay for his job. And by the way Swimly you have to find a safer job than as a super hero. This job is going to be the death of you.”

Captain Penguin turned bright red. Jerkins smiled and chuckled to himself “Swimly! Swimly! Your name is Swimly!”

“Oh look were here at the airport.” Said Captain Penguin trying as hard as he could to change subject.

It was true they were at the airport. After a couple minutes they were on their plane. The movie that was on the plan was Pocahontas. Captain Penguin who was bored out of his mind of the movie asked Jerkins,” Jerkins is this movie true?”

“Not all of it but most of the movie is true.”

“For krill’s sake just tell me the story Jerkins!” Panicked Captain Penguin.

“OK, OK I’ll tell you but it’s pretty long” and he did. The story went something like this.

“John Smith wanted to start a colony in America. Smith was the leader who started the first permanent settlement in America. He had help from some London merchants. They gave him supplies for the journey and if his colony did well the merchants made money which is called stock. Stock simply means share and ownership in a company. In December 1606, three ships were sent out with a hundred and forty four men. Five months later the ships reached Chesapeake Bay.”

“Chesapeake Bay is a long arm of the Atlantic Ocean on the coast of Maryland and Virginia. The settlement they built was called Jamestown. Jamestown is located in southeastern Virginia and is the first permanent settlement in America. When they made it there the colonists were as dumb as posts. All they did was dig for gold and they didn’t plant any crops so must of them died of starvation. So Smith went out to trade for food from Indian tribes. On one of his trips he was captured by the Powhatan Indians. The Powhatan chief named Powhatan decided to kill Smith. Chief Powhatan lived near the English settlement at Jamestown. Then they put his head on a rock and were about to pound his brains out with a club. Then out of nowhere an Indian girl came and tried to save Smith and she did. Her name was Pocahontas. Pocahontas was the daughter of Powhatan and saved John Smith and helped Jamestown to survive and later marries John Rolfe. John Rolfe was a Jamestown leader who developed a type of tobacco that sold for a high price in England.

“Then Smith took control of Jamestown and ran it like an army camp. In the fall of 1609, Smith was hurt in a gun powder explosion. To recover he was sent back to England. The people of Jamestown were glad to see him go. When Smith left the colony everyone began to starve to death. In order to survive the colonist were forced to eat dogs, cats, rats and mice. They even boiled their shoes and ate the leather. By the Spring only 60 of the 500 colonists were still alive.”

“By 1610, the King of England sent a governor to rule over Jamestown. John Smith thought this was unfair. In 1618 the colonists were given rights like those of people living in England. People in Jamestown elected their own representatives in 1619. A representative is someone chosen by a group to speak and act for them. The representatives became known as the Virginia House of Burgesses, the law making body established in Jamestown in 1619. Women were then sent to Jamestown to marry and have families. As Jamestown grew bigger, many settlers were too poor to pay their way across the ocean to they became indentured servants, a person who agreed to work for a period of time in American in exchange for ocean passage.

Jerkins took out a map and showed Captain Penguin where Jamestown was. “This is a historical map from the 1600’s. A historical map is map that shows something about the past or where past events took place.”

Captain Penguin pointed to a dot on the map that said Massachusetts Bay Colony and asked. “What group settled here?”

“I’ll tell you a story about that.” Said Jerkins.

“The Massachusetts Bay Colony was settled by a group of Puritans. They were seeking religious freedom like the Pilgrims. They were led by John Winthrop. They called their first settlement Boston. Today it is the capital and largest city in Massachusetts.”

Captain Penguin pointed to another dot that said New Netherland and asked what it was.

Jerkins continued, “New Netherland was settled by the Dutch from 1609 to 1664. It included parts of present day New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Dutch fur traders began a trading post and called it Fort Orange. It is in present day Albany. Later the Dutch built another trading post called New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island.”

“In 1646 Peter Stuyvesant became the governor of New Netherlands. During a battle with the Indians he lost his leg and used a wooden leg. He had silver bands decorated on the wooden leg and got the nickname, Old Silver Leg.”

“After awhile, Stuyvesant heard of some Swedish settlers building a colony called New Sweden, in present day New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. In 1643, Johan Printz became the leader of this colony. People said no one was as tall or weighed as much as him. The Indians called him Big Belly.”

When Stuyvesant heard that New Sweden was getting more fur trade with the Indians than his colonists, he attacked and defeated the Swedes. New Sweden became part of New Netherlands.” Finished Jerkins.

Pretty soon the airplane landed at an airport in Antarctica. Captain Penguin and his parents got off to meet their relatives. Then Jerkins went back to New York to spend the holiday with his parents.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Captain Penguin Flies Again

2011-03-22T23:11:00.000-04:00

I have not written in a while....too much school work. I do have a story that Jack wrote back in 5th grade ....good stuff....it was for his History class

Jack Murphy

Social Studies

Block II

September 15, 2006

Captain Penguin Flies Again!

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Went the alarm.

“Trouble.” thought Captain Penguin. He then ran over to where the alarm was. Turned on the screen on to see where the crime was. “Somewhere in Nevada.” said Captain Penguin.

“Actually it’s the Great Basin sir.” said a voice.

“Jerkins! It’s you!” startled Captain Penguin (Jerkins was Captain Penguin’s Butler.)

“What’s a basin?” asked Captain Penguin.

“A basin” started Jerkins “Is a low region surrounded by higher lands.”

“Thanks” echoed Captain Penguin’s voice as he ran out the door he then hopped into his helicopter and took off. Jerkins face appeared on part of the helicopter.

“I hope you know your geography!” taunted Jerkins.

“I do to!” squawked Captain Penguin.

“Ok then what is it?” smirked Jerkins

“It’s. A … it’s … Um” stuttered Captain Penguin “It’s the study of the way people live and use the earth.” said Jerkins in a singsong voice.

“Yeah whatever.” said Captain Penguin “What am I supposed to use geography for anyway?” asked Captain Penguin.

“This villain is an odd one,” said Jerkins “He is part chameleon.”

“What do you mean by that?” asked Captain Penguin.

“I mean that he can blend in with his surroundings.” said Jerkins.

Captain Penguin then started the helicopter and took off. After a while Captain Penguin noticed something strange. There were big bumps along the surface of the earth. Glob monsters thought Captain Penguin. He then put the helicopter in attack position and then aimed at the nearest glob.

“Bombs away!” shouted Captain Penguin and was about to press the trigger when.

“No Captain Penguin don’t do it!” shouted Jerkins

“Why their evil globs!?” asked Captain Penguin “No. No they’re landforms!” laughed Jerkins

“So?” asked Captain Penguin.

“You don’t know what landforms are do you?” asked Jerkins.

“Maybe.” said Captain Penguin.

“Ok” began Jerkins “Landforms are shapes on the earth surface.”

“Oooooh” said Captain Penguin. After a while Captain Penguin got bored. “Are we there yet?” asked Captain Penguin

“Why you’re the pilot?” said Jerkins

“Yeah but I’m bored.” said Captain Penguin.

“Yeah but you’re the pilot you should know how long the trip is.”

“Yeah but I’m bored.” said Captain Penguin.

This went on for an hour until they finally stopped. Then Captain Penguin realized something. A person was moving along the flat surface. Then suddenly the person disappeared then reappeared in a different place. “Jerkins” shouted Captain Penguin. “I see the villain and he is running on a flat thingy!”

“That is a plain.” said Jerkins

“I know I know!” shouted Captain Penguin. “You probably don’t know so I’ll tell you. A plain is a large area of flat land.”

“Exactly what I was going to say.” said Captain Penguin.

After crossing the central plains, and following the villain along the way, our hero soon came upon another strange thing. A small river flowing then joined to a bigger river and many other rivers connecting to the big river.

Our hero watched this, transfixed in childlike wonder at the bright blue rivers. “Those are tributaries sir.” said Jerkins. “Tribe u tarties huh.” thought Captain Penguin. “I’ll get my rifle I know how to deal with Indians.” said the Captain. Then reached out to part off the helicopter and grabbed a shotgun. Then this childish penguin switched the helicopter to auto pilot. Then leaned out the helicopter and scanned the surface for Indians.

PLEASE DON’T BLAME HIM HE IS ONLY A PENGUIN!

“Captain Penguin what do you think you are doing!!!!” shouted Jerkins.

Before Captain Penguin could answer something interrupted him.

“Helping me win of course!” snarled a voice. Just then something appeared inside the helicopter. “The villain!” shouted Captain Penguin.

“Lucky guess.” said the villain. If you want to know the truth this villain was an ugly one. Half of his face was part chameleon and the other half was part human. He had a chameleon’s tail too. “That’s all folks.” said the villain. Then he busted the controls. After that he jumped out the helicopter and pulled his parachute string. Then the helicopter fell out the air and into the river.

But Captain Penguin was prepared for this. He pressed a button and inflated a raft around the helicopter landing safely in the river. “Now that we are safe Jerkin’s tell me what a tributary is.”

Jerkins replied, “A tributary is a stream or river that flows into a larger river.”

They flowed down the Ohio River into the Mississippi River into Arkansas River. On the way Captain Penguin fixed the controls and they took off again over the Ozark Plateau and then the Great Plains towards the Rocky Mountains. He changed the helicopter to a higher altitude and said, “What are these huge rocks? They look like gum drops. Is that sugar on the top?”

“No Captain Penguin, it’s a mountain range, which is a series of many mountains”

“It still looks like gumdrops to me.” whispered Captain Penguin.

After crossing the Rocky Mountains, Captain Penguin spotted the villain. “There he is on that flat surface!” The villain then saw them and disappeared.

“Actually Captain Penguin, It’s a plateau, a flat surface that is higher than the surrounding land. It’s the Colorado Plateau.”

But Captain Penguin didn’t hear the Colorado Plateau part and landed the helicopter on the plateau. Then he rushed out of the helicopter with a flag with a penguin on it and drove the flag into the center of the plateau. He shouted, “I call this plateau The Plateau Penguin.” He then took out a sticky note wrote on it and placed it on the flag. It said, “One small step for a penguin, One giant leap for Penguin-kind”

Jerkins said, “You can’t call it Plateau Penguin.”

“That’s unfair Jerkins, I named it before you did.” exclaimed Captain Penguin.

“No!” said Jerkins, “Someone named it before you did. It’s the Colorado Plateau!”

“Why must you ruin my fun Jerkins.” sighed Captain Penguin. “Oh well, I have a villain to catch!” He then saw the villain running toward the Grand Canyon and followed in the helicopter.

The villain began climbing into the canyon as fast as he could. Since he was part chameleon, this was quite easy. He hopped into a small boat when he got to the bottom of the canyon.

“Gee what a big ditch.” said Captain Penguin. “It must have taken a group of kids their whole summer vacation to dig that!”

“No!” said Jerkins impatiently. “It’s the Grand Canyon. A canyon is a deep valley with steep sides.”

“Tell me about it.” sighed Captain Penguin. He then pressed a button that released a huge butterfly net, hanging from one side of the helicopter. “I’m gonna catch me a lizard!” shouted Captain Penguin. “YEE-HAA!!!” He then flew the helicopter into the canyon.

Meanwhile, the villain turned on the motor to his boat and sped off.

Captain Penguin glared at him. “He thinks he is so smart with that little motor. Let’s see what he thinks about this!” He pressed another button in the helicopter and turbine engine accelerated the helicopter toward the villain. He maneuvered the helicopter to capture the villain. “Uh oh!” exclaimed Captain Penguin “I wouldn’t want that to happen.” as he stared at the speed boat motor. He pulled out his shot gun and fired at the motor. BANG!!!! He demolished the motor in a single shot! “They don’t call me dead eye penguin for nothing!!!” He scooped up the villain with his net and carried him off.

They headed off to jail and on the way Captain Penguin asked the villain a question. “How come you left Nevada?”

The villain answered, “You took too long. I grew impatient waiting for you. So I came to get you to destroy you!”

“Ha!” said Captain Penguin. “I’m lucky we caught you sooner, because I would have found something on the landscape that I didn’t know and Jerkins would have to explain it to me and make me look like an idiot.”

Jerkins replied, “Never an idiot sir, just misinformed. I hope you are ready for the test you are going to get when we get back.”

“Thanks.” said Captain Penguin sarcastically. “I always could rely on you.”

THE END

Court of Honor

2011-02-21T20:39:00.001-05:00

Here are some of the short speeches that the boys wrote for the recent Court of Honor for Scouts. I asked several boys to write a short paragragh about a scout activity they participated in and how it relates to the scout laws. (Jack wrote this set!)

Even though it has been over 100 years, the scout oaths and laws and expectations remain the same. Part of being a scout is doing new things and learning how to be a leader. Whether you are assistant patrol leader, scribe or troop leader every person is important to the troop.

Summer Camp

What was the best week of your summer? For most boy scouts it was spent at boy scout camp. It is a week with no technology, which is normal for the scout masters but difficult for the modern day scout. Classes take place outside which is a lot of fun. There is canoeing, rowing, fishing and bird watching, Some take place in the woods, like wilderness survival. This is probably one of the most challenging of all the merit badges to earn. You make your own shelter and sleep on the ground in the woods. Somehow, it always rains this evening, making it even more challenging.

Morning activities that are not merit badges but still fun are the polar bear swim or running the mile and basketball.

A scout learns to be clean during the week. If you don’t clean up after yourself, mice can come and steal the food you leave out. You and your bunk mate also need to keep your tent clean.

Half way through the week the parents come to see how much the boys have accomplished. Scouts learn to work together, competing in the evening race on parent night.

So what are you going to do this summer?

Service Project
The scouts participate in many different service projects in the community.
Each fall the scouts help the local food pantry by putting out flyers and collecting canned food. They help with the home tour by being courteous greeters at the different homes in town. They clean up bike trail in the spring and last year they helped clean up Camp Seph Mack. We also put out flags at the local cemetery.

Starting a Fire
The most important thing that a scout in troop 135 will learn is how to start a fire. There are many ways to start a fire. Using matches, a fire starter and even gasoline. But Troop 135 knows how to start a fire by using flint and steel. Starting a fire with flint and steel is important because you may have gotten your matches wet while canoeing. Also you may have used all your matches to start fire crackers on the Fall Hike.

In Conclusion, Scouting is about accepting challenges and setting high expectations for yourself. It’s about learning to work as a group as you work towards bettering yourself. It means being true to yourself and living the scout oath and laws everyday of your life, not just on a scouting trip.

These were written by some of the 6th and the 7th grade boys,

Fall Hike

Cooking with Kate: Valentine's Edition

2011-02-17T19:31:00.001-05:00

Kate wanted to make chocolate covered strawberries and other goodies for Valentine's Day. It took me a while, but here are the pcitures from our fun eveing. I didn't do anything but clean off the table to give her room to work....GO KATE!!

The ingredients

The yummy magic!!!

Graham crackers with marshmallow fluff, soon to be covered with chocolate. Kinda like a smore!

More!

and more!

Tray 2! with some chocolate covered Oreos!!!

Finished off with a drizzle of white chocolate!

Thanks Kate for making it a great evening!

KLONDIKE DERBY

2011-02-14T21:41:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, Jack's scout troop hosted the Klondike Derby at the Grove. I was worried about finding parking but the leaders are good and plowed out there and fires were going and even though there was no running water, we were able to make some ham and bean soup, hot chocolate and coffee. I bout about 4 gallons of water and after washing the pots at home, filled them with water and brought them back...we were able to have the basics.

The boys were broken in patrols and went to various stations demonstrating their skills in fire building, first aide, wilderness rescue, team work on an obstacle course, ice rescue and a tomohawk throw. There was also a sled race around the little league field. They finished the day just as the drizzle started and made it back to the scout hall in the pouring rain. The Big Stags Patrol from our Troop came in 1st and jack's Badger Patrol came in 4th. The Big Stags came in 2nd in the race getting beat out by a team from Confluence, I think. It was a great day. Here are some pictures from it.

bunny tracks

2011-02-01T11:05:00.000-05:00

There is a rabbit scooting around my house this cold, cold winter. Not in it, but leaving its little tracks outside. At first I panicked....'what if those are rat tracks' I thought.

But when I got up in the middle of the night to get a drink, I looked out my kitchen window. 5:30am it was. Whose cute little face and dark button eyes was looking up at me. A brown rabbit. Stopping, looking, hopping across the driveway. I went to the front door and he hopped across the front steps, down the sidewalk and a left turn into the back yard.

Poor little guy. Is he warm? Does he have enough to eat? I worry about the little critter. I want to leave some food out but I don't want a rat coming aroung and stealing it!!!

My plan to capture a photo of him....leave my camera by the kitchen sink, so when I see him again, I can just pick up the camera and share his adorable face with you!!

Fun days...Snow Days

2011-01-29T23:32:00.000-05:00

We have had lots of snow this Winter. Quite a few snow days. One week we had two days off in the middle of the week and by Saturday we couldn't wait to get out of the house. So we made it to the Fire and Ice Festival in Somerset. When they were little, I loved going to the children's programs. The local bank gave out free books, we would sit and read and drink hot chocolate, ready to face the cold again and get some homemade soup and kettle corn.

Here are some pictures from the day. The theme was Flight 93 from the crash on 9/11.

Last weekend we stayed home most of the time. Friday was a fun night at the school and I taught some kids to play chinese jump rope. Jack had friends over Saturday and it was bitter cold. The kids and I cleaned. I made ziti for the boys and a veggie tray and they ate some Christmas popcorn that I still had here. Two moms came early to get them and we sat and talked over hot tea in my semi-clean kitchen. I like that I am friends with their friends parents. It makes me feel....safe. The boys and polite and fun.

Jack stayed over Flip's house last night, so Kate and I got our 'girl nite' and watched 'Eat Pray Love' I read most of the book, but had some trouble with the premise. It is touted as "she quits her job to travel the world to find herself" quit her job, really??? She got a dam advance for the book she was going to write on the experience of finding herself. She was already a successful author so the publisher advanced her. Give me a break. I still cried some. There was a scene where a guy is saying goodbye to his college age son and it made me think of the future when my kids leave for college. Yuck.

Kate has wanted to go snow tubing but it is so expensive for 2 hours...Her Sunday school teacher works at the state park nearby and they have sledding there. So....I made hot chocolate, hot dogs in the crock pot, kids brought snacks and I drove the Laurel Hill State Park with food, 2 sleds, one tube and 4 kids in the car. It was a fun afternoon and the boys built a fire in the fire ring there. Here are some pictures from the afternoon.

Tonight we are watching our other Netflix, season 2 of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Absolutely hilarious!! Love the story lines.

Thankful Things

2011-01-02T21:23:00.000-05:00

Now that the holidays are over, I need to review all those things I am thankful for. Little moments over the past week that I got to enjoy as well as some bigger things that I have reflected on over the past year:

Little Things

watching Kate open her 'Pillow Pet'

Watching my brothers open the t-shirts Jack picked out for them

spending time with Krissy and the kids in the city

Seeing Matt at his swanky Park Avenue Office

texting Kathy every chance we got

watching Jack text his cousins

taking the car to the train to the subway and hiking through slush to get to the Met for the very first time

Watching Annie help Jack with his Spanish HW (yes 50 pt assignment over break)

(at first I was annoyed by this, but God helps me find the good in it and that was seeing how amazing Annie is at Spanish!)

Watching 'Monk' with Mom and Dad

getting a teapot and picture travel mug from the kids

seeing Jack read the plaques under Monet's paintings at the Met as intensely as he reads his comic books

watching Kate draw and imagine and dream

Bigger Things

thankful for my healthy children

spending time with our new-found cousins "The Warms"

looking at the empathy and perseverence my children display with our little friend with Autism

seeing that same compassion in my brothers

Trying to look at a child with a problem not as 'what if my kid were in that room' but instead 'what if my child suffered like that' and growing in empathy and patience

Thankful for the friends and family that helped bring me to where I am today and hoping I add as much to their lives as they have added to mine.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-19T22:15:00.000-05:00

Only a few days until Christmas and I just have the wrapping left. I love watching some favorite movies, like It's a Wonderful Life or The Bishop's Wife and when the lights are dim and the tree is on and I just wrap presents. I am watching Miracle on 34th street now. I have to admit, the black and white films are my favorite. I wrapped a few the other night but still have a way to go. I got some Christmas cards out, Christmas packages to family and my family calendar made. It came out pretty nice. I also blew up some pics and had them developed for family members.

Kate and I made some Christmas chex mix with white chocolate. We are still going to make some peppermint bark. That will be fun.

Most of my shopping was online and it is weird the strangest way that you can meet nice people. I ordered some things from ebay for Kate and one of the items was chewed (obviously by their dog) Well when I commented on it, I got 2 other figures mailed to me free of charge. What a nice woman.

I also ordered myself a beautiful mug on etsy. The girl who made it was so friendly in her email, that I want to buy more pieces from her.

Such a wonderful way to share the Christmas spirit. The spirit of giving, love, compassion, patience.

Happy Birthday Baby Jesus.

Cooking with Kate: Part ?? I lost count

2010-11-15T20:38:00.000-05:00

Kate and I got a free Food Network Magazine. There is a special section for fun afterschool snacks. Pretzels dipped in peanut butter then dipped in granola, pitted olive with string cheese through the hole and various recipes for hummus. Another one was crescent rolls with cream cheese and jam. Kate and I made some with PBJ, cream cheese and jam and PB and Nutella. Then we sprinkled them with sugar or cinnamon.

They came out fairly decent. Most of all, we had fun on a Monday night.


PBJ


Cream Cheese and Jam


Stars, Rolled, and Crescent shapes


Sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar

Kate also helped me make dinner. A few years ago they dubbed this the Cartoon Dinner:

Brown meat, Mashed potatoes with gravy, green veggie

Too funny. Gotta love it.

Not exactly a Food Network Meal but it works!

Enjoy your week before Thanksgiving.

Sunny with a chance for Cooking!

2010-11-14T21:42:00.000-05:00

Me and my friends at the Sunny Anderson benefit at Hidden Valley

I have not blogged in a while. Much has been going on at work and home....too much to get into. We did have a good weekend though. Yesterday we shopped and made 3 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. We went to a friend's house and wrapped them. They don't give gifts with the family at Christmas, they have a party and make Christmas boxes instead. It was really wonderful and though Jack was the oldest kid there, both kids had a good time and it was nice doing something for others. We have so much to be thankful for.

Today Kate and I went to Hidden Valley, the local ski resort, and saw Sunny Anderson. Her dad is a radiologist at the local hospital and she came to do a food demo for the Hospital's foundation. She told some different stories than NYC when we saw her, but was still just as entertaining. She remembered us from last month, ( I read and follow her blog and comment on it as well) She is so friendly, kind and funny! Her story is inspirational. She got all her cool jobs from hard work, not who she knows.

Ina was always my favorite but Sunny has taken over as #1 for me. Here are some pictures from out afternoon.

Sunny with her Parents

Amazing Weekend

2010-10-11T22:27:00.000-04:00

The kids and I had the best time with my family this weekend. I don't know where to start....the beginning is always best:

Jack, Matt and Chris set off for Comic Con at 8:30am, so as not to miss a minute of this convention. They saw Stan Lee, John Franco and got some really cool comics, toys and coupons for free stuff. They also got to see some really weird people. Adults dressed as Pokemon characters, super heros and people wearing lycra that shouldn't be. The smile on Jack's face says it all. Amazing, fun day for him.

Kate and I set out on the subway about an hour later, sharing coffee and a snack at Starbucks with Jill. We walked around the area of Chelsea where most of the activities were. We were due to see Sunny Anderson at 1:30, so we found that building, then got some free stuff at the Welcome Center and walked along the river, then down some cobblestone streets in the West Village and then back to Chelsea. We made a you tube video for Iron Chef and got a free t-shirt, got our picture taken and got some free soda, stood on a short line for free ice cream and met http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Anne_Wong Lee Anne Wong. She had been a contestant on Top Chef and comments on the Cooking Channel show Unique Eats http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/unique-eats/index.html

she was super friendly and Kate and I were on such a high, I bought some look alike Prada sunglasses and Kate got some earrings. Then we went to wait on line to see Sunny Anderson.

I wasn't sure if we got there early, if we would get a front row seat but WE DID. And it was absolutely incredible!! She is so wonderful. She was funny, genuine and REAL. I guess that is why her show is called "Cooking for Real" because she is. The most awesome part of the day....When I was nodding my head to "yes, I love mashed potatoes and turnips" well, see for yourself....(never mind-video won't upload)

So cool! She came over to hug us! and then talked about her Daddy and Mom. So cool. So real. Kate and I had this after-glow high after seeing her. Kate got her autograph and a picture with her. Thanks so much Sunny. WE LOVE YOU. Kate loved how she signs her name with a smiling sun next to it.

When we got outside, the lines for the fun, free stuff were soooo long. We were happy we went to them earlier. Krissy had called us and we met up with her and filled her in on our exciting adventures and found a busy, but quiet spot to eat a lovely lunch outside. MMMMMMMmmmmmm.

Tomato and fresh Mozzerella, Frisee Salad and Gnocci. with a basket of pastries. Delicious!

Then we met up with Annie and James and strolled over to Chelsea Market, I didn't even realize it was near where we had started out our day

The shops inside were very cool but we didn't eat much, since we had just had that big lunch. But there were many cool things to see. They sell NoFo Chips at Chelsea Market. Too funny.

Then we hung out in the Park and visited and shared our stories of the day. It was fun.

The day for us ended with seeing Paulo Costanzo who plays Evan R. Lawson on Royal Pains. We were star struck and got our picture taken with him too!

http://www.tv.com/paulo-costanzo/person/67674/summary.html

We met up with the boys at the Javits Center and saw some weird characters. What an incredible day for everyone!!

Some good movies, books and other shocking things

2010-10-03T20:06:00.000-04:00

We saw the Owls of Ga'Hoole movie today. Here are two different links for reviews http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1219342/ http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2010/09/24/2010-09-24_legend_of_the_guardians_the_owls_of_gahoole_review_soaring_3d_animation_eclipses.htmlJack read the whole series in grades 4 and 5 and Kate read the first of the series. It was in 3-D and pretty decent. I was surprised at all the little kids there as it was rated PG and they were too young to have read the books. It was violent but full of action and it was nice being able to share the afternoon with the kids and their friend.

We also went to see The Social Network this past weekend. I felt for Mr. Zuckerburg and his need to fit in. He was so smart, it was hard for him to relate to girls and other peers. Knowing that he is the youngest billionaire makes me happy for him! The constant partying of the non-computer programmers was disturbing but it was a well told story. I have not read the book, but I did read an extensive article that was in Rolling Stone two years ago The Battle For Facebook | Rolling Stone Culture and it followed the article quite closely. My favorite part was when he told off the lawyers and put down the snobby rowing twins!

I have also been trying to read The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo. http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dragon-Tattoo-Stieg-Larsson/dp/0307269752 and for some reason, I am so exhausted when I sit down, I start falling asleep or the dryer bings and it is time to empty it, or on the way to the dryer.. I see the sink full of dishes and have to wash them, or the phone rings and it is time to get a child somewhere. Usually after the dryer is empty there is a load in the washer to go in the dryer and some clothes on the floor to go into the washer...the never ending vicious cycle.

Autumn is not so bad but now you see why I miss summer....

Other shocking things, the TV is off, Kate is reading her novel for school and Jack is working on that horrible program known as cognitive tutor. It is a torture device for students and could put math teachers out of work. Well, it could put them out of work if the program actually taught them any thing.

Cooking with Kate

2010-09-19T22:00:00.001-04:00

So it's fall and time for some new recipes. Last year I tried a different soup every Sunday afternoon. Today Kate wanted to make Meatloaf after she saw Ina make it. The recipe is in the link above.

I didn't have parchment paper, so it looks really greasy, not like Ina's. I took a picture but I can't post it because it looks gross. It does smell quite good though, so hopefully it will also taste OK. (update: all the meatloaf is gone, finally I can make an American staple)

Kate had a volleyball tournament yesterday and it is fun to see her play. Erase that, it is nerve racking watching her play ( I can't ask for anything for over a month because I find myself sick to my stomach, praying every time she gets on the court) but I love seeing her face when she gets a good hit and how happy she is with her teammates.

Jack is helping her now with her Algebra. It is good for his confidence and he is patient. She is a tough pupil. Erase that, "stop that" "what" "she is making noises" "No I'm not" But it's all good. I think the Gontis' are stealing him from me. He spent most of his waking hours with them yesterday and went over for another 3 today. :)

Here is a picture of them from the first day of school.

Noodle Making

2010-08-24T22:48:00.003-04:00

Noodle Makers!

I love our little country church in Berlin. It is a supportive community and friendly. A recent death in the family and the support of people there makes me realize how lucky we are.

Today was noodle making day. In two weeks we will have our church picnic. There is ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, beans, and homemade noodles. So after mass today we made noodles for the dinner. It is so much fun and exemplifies, many hands make little work. Did Ben Franklin say that?

(I googled it and it was John Heywood, an English writer known for his plays, poems and proverbs 1497-1580)

One groups mixes the dough, another kneads it, then it gets dried and then rolled out several times with the pasta machine before the noodles are made with the machine. Here are some pictures from the happy working group. It was nice to have a mix of people, young kids, grandparents, parents. Just wonderful.

Come to our Picnic on Sunday September 5 in the afternoon for some really good home cooked food. One of these great kids may be waiting on you!

Day at the Beach

2010-08-06T00:46:00.000-04:00

I don't think there is anything more relaxing than a day at the beach. Warm sun, cooling breeze, the squack of seagulls, the laughter of children. It all adds up to a perfect day.

This beach is the Connecticut side of the Long Island Sound. We took a passenger only ferry over to this tiny island and enjoyed the sand and surf and grilled our lunch.

Here are some pictures from the day.

Cake baking, Flowers and Graduation

2010-08-01T23:06:00.000-04:00

The kids returned this weekend!! Wiser, stronger and prouder. in body, mind and spirit. Made closer bonds and friendships and saw through others' selfishness. Most of all, they believe they can accomplish anything. I think this comment sums it up, "Jack I am so proud of you." "Thanks mom, I am proud if myself." with an emphasis on the 'I'.

I baked a cake for their return:

(it is one of those cakes that is supposed to be shaped like a cupcake..I think I needed 2 different icings.)

My new brother-in-law brought me flowers. He is always telling me what a great mom I am!

Jack marching to get his diploma

Kate marching for her diploma

It was a very impressive ceremony. Berlin was very well represented.

Here is the whole class

Some close ups of my kids

and again

Me and the kids

12 hours

2010-07-30T23:11:00.000-04:00

The kids graduate in 12 hours. I feel more excited than I do before Christmas vacation! It feels so surreal, this time that they have been gone. I kept myself busy: exercising, cleaning, going to work, visiting with friends, reading...but I can't WAIT to see them, hug them and have them here. I know I will cry when I see them.....

Today I kept myself busy with my venti black coffee with 2 shots of espresso mmmmmmm.

I have nor cooked all week. Do you know when you don't cook, your kitchen stays really clean? Interesting

Then I went food shopping and made their new favorite: Eggplant rolletini. It is really good. Here are some pictures:

The breading station

Frying: I guess you could bake it too, but what is the fun in that. Olive Oil is good for you anyway.

Then I put the cheese mixture in the middle and wrap the eggplant around it and put them in the pan, seam side down.

I made about a dozen of them, plus the smaller pieces I use for a eggplant lasagne.

I had one of these myself while cooking.

I can now go on the Food Network Show: The Best Thing I Ever Ate.

2010-07-27T11:20:00.000-04:00

By the might of His glory you will be endowed with strength needed to stand fast, even to endure joyfully whatever may come.

I'm not sure what bible verse this is. I am not one of those people that walks around with a sign that says, John 16 or whatever that one is that people hold up all the time.

However, a friend of my sister's was recently ordained a Deacon. He was the person who married her in that beautiful ceremony. He friend requested me on FB and I feel honored as he is a great guy, full of incite, wisdom and compassion at his young age. His faith means something to him and he posted this yesterday.

I feel it is something I needed to hear, read, and contemplate, particularly with the children away. It applies to me as well as to them and the physical and emotional things required of them this week.

Today is the last really tough day. Tomorrow they will get to go on a Field Trip to the Armory in Friedens, ground zero of Flight 93, use a radar gun, watch the drug dogs work, go in a helicopter, etc.

Thursday they will get to do the ropes course, rock wall, zip line and repel wall at Outdoor Odyssey. It will be a great day for them. I enjoyed myself when I got to do that and I feel it will be really good for them.

Friday is more physical training and getting ready for graduation.

Saturday at 11am can't come soon enough, but we all will have the strength to get there.

Camp Cadet, here they come

2010-07-25T19:31:00.000-04:00

Well, 4 hours and counting. I miss them but I haven't cried. I have so many fears. I wish I didn't do this. I did just clean my kitchen, started some wash and tried to scrub between the wall and the stove.....DISGUSTING! I need to get on my hands and knees to get it half way decent..

I find reading and cleaning keep my mind off missing them. Right now it just feels like they are over a friends how or on a long field trip. I bet it won't feel like that by Tuesday...

Next cleaning ventures, my living room.

I did spend my first hour and half at Starbuck sipping a venti Pike's Peak, black and reading the NY Times,( OK I also snuck a peak at USA Today.)

It was nice because reading kept my mind off missing them.

I plan on finishing my Nelson Demille novel this week and reading Eat, Play, Love. I'm being trendy, sue me!

Here are pictures of the kids and some of the other Berlin crew that went to Camp Cadet.

This is probably the last these guys will be smiling until Saturday at 11am.

Cooking at the Murphy's

2010-07-24T12:51:00.000-04:00

Wow, Kate made cupcakes yesterday. I wish I had taken a picture because they are all gone now. So here are some of the culinary delights we are making here.

Refrigerator Pickles, Kate's summer specialty.

Zucchini Bake, from a recipe my mom makes with Bisquick.

Pound Cake

with Strawberries

Don't forget the Nathan's Hot Dogs. Jack is a master at grilling.

Yeah, fun times at the Murphy's

I am really going to miss them.

God, Give Me Grace

2010-07-24T00:05:00.001-04:00

Camp Cadet is ....tomorrow...'Oh dear God, Give me Grace.' Give THEM Grace and strength, physical and emotional to get through this week. I am going to miss them, it is beyond words what I am feeling. What was I thinking when I encouraged them to sign up?????? What was I thinking?!?!??

7 pairs of black shorts

7 plain white crew neck t shirts

7 pairs of underwear

7 pairs of socks

2 pairs of running shoes

2 towels/wash clothes

Shower shoes

soap shampoo toothbrush/paste

laundry bag

That's it. No books, no money for a whole week. I know they can go without cell phone or video games, but NO BOOKS???? It keeps your mind off...reality. NO BOOKS?

I have been sick to my stomach for a week and it gets worse every day.

God, Give Me Grace.

I did all I could to get them ready. They ran A LOT since May. We missed 2 weeks when we were in NY but otherwise, they ran. I really am proud of them. I can see them getting stronger each time we get out on the track. Jack hates it but he is doing it. Kate has now listed running as one of her favorite activities.....

God, Give Them Grace. Protect them and keep them safe and make this coming week go really fast.

Running, running, running

2010-07-20T13:50:00.000-04:00

It seems like my whole life is running. Running to work, running to practice, games, food shopping. Running to get dinner made, eat together at the table! homework done. Running out of time. Running to get to bed on time, so you can get up to do it all over again.

Who has time to clean, when you are running, running, running. The weekend comes, you take a breath only to run again to get to a tournament, game, rent a movie, 'mom can I have ______ ' (friend over, see movie, go to mall, new shoes, try to cook) and then run to church on Sunday after you run to get your lesson plan done.

Even over holidays I run. Run to LI for precious moments with my family. Run to get to our favorite store, restaurant, church, beach. Hopefully try something new, whether its sightseeing, reading a book, getting to a historical sight.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE all these things but today was a day for no running. We gradually straightened the house while watching Top Chef, Kate made some cupcakes, Jack cleaned his room and invited some friends over. Later Kate is going to volleyball and I have some shopping to do but I AM NOT RUNNING. Today, we are just being, being a family that loves and cares for each other, respects each other and enjoys each other.

Can I capture today and get another one soon?

Flower Gardens

2010-07-16T19:38:00.001-04:00

My mom has taken up gardening the last few years. With her children out of the house, she now has time for it. She cracks me up and inspires me with her planting, transplanting, weeding and mulching. I love that she does this and gets such joy out of it. Here are some pictures I took of her different plants and flowers.

Day Lilies

Several Hydrangea Bushes

This one is a really dark blue, beautiful.

There are also Daisies and Lavendar

Iris

So very pretty and beautifully arranged. My mom is going to really enjoy her well-deserved retirement.

Family Time

2010-07-13T19:34:00.001-04:00

This last 4th of July weekend was crazy, fun but crazy. My whole family was together to celebrate by sister's marriage to a wonderful man. And it was great to be all together.

Some of the best times were in my parent's backyard, watching all the cousins play

Picnicing

Kickball

Enjoying the shade

catching fire flies

Making Smores Around the Campfire

dancing (Practice for the wedding)

First Corn on the Cob after getting braces off

Talking and Laughing

Then there was
Food Tasting in Montauk

Kate on the boat ride back

Oh...and there was a wedding

More pictures to follow from the church and reception

2010-07-08T15:08:00.000-04:00

Just had a wonderfully crazy week with my family.
Highlights:
food testing in Montauk
getting a Manicure & pedicure with my daughter and sisters
watching kickball in the back yard with all the cousins
picking up food and decorating for the rehearsal with Krissy and Jill
watching Kate get her hair updo
crashing with Veronica and Chelsea
watching the girl cousins get ready
picking up "the cake" with John and Steven
music at the ceremony
dancing at the wedding
talking with Jeannie at the wedding
sackville baggins
talking with Jack in the ER

Feel free to add your own moments in comments

Sweet Memories

2010-06-24T08:27:00.000-04:00

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in
truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight"~Kahlil Gibran

It is always hard to lose someone. The grief and pain seem unbearable and the worst part is, when you experience that loss, it reminds me of how much you miss the people who have gone before.

My mother's cousin, Veronica( though everyone called her Ronnie) passed away this week after a very long battle with cancer. This is how I remember her.

As an adult whenever we came to town for visits, my dad and I, sometimes just me, would take my kids to Sunday evening mass at St. Peter and Pauls. I love this mass because you are ALWAYS gaurenteed an excellent homily. My kids and my brother Matt refer to Fr. Frank Pizzarelli as Fr. Jesus. He has longer hair and wears sandles. His homilies are typically about disadvantaged youth, as that is where he works during the week and he delivers a great message.

Anyway, we would sit in the same spot when we would go, which would happen to be behind cousin Ronnie. Afterwards we would talk with her about her kids, her work with children with autism, her siblings. "How is your mom?" "Wow, your kids are getting big" that kind of thing and she was always smiling. There were a few visits when we didn't see her and my Mom said she had gotten cancer. But then months later she was back! Still smiling and joyful, even when she wore her cap when she lost her hair after chemo, when she got better and she laughed about her curly baby hair that grew back. It seemed like she had it beat! My kids would return to my mom and dad's house after church ready for the drill, "Who did you see?" "Did you know anyone at church?" (Sometime I wonder if she is curious or checking to see if we really went! but that is another story) "We saw your cousin Ronnie!" was the response!

This past year (through Facebook), I was able to have my life enriched by Ronnie's little sister, Jeannie AKA 'Cousin Jeannie', who is actually my age. You know how these big Italian families are. She is the youngest daughter of the youngest daughter on my Mom's Dad's side. Like Ronnie, a pure delight, so real so easy to talk to and our daughters clicked. Jeannie posted pictures this Fall, "My sister danced at her daughter's wedding!" Such joy! So many happy, bright faces!

I grieve for Jeannie, as I know how traumtic it is to lose a sibling, for her children and husband and friends, as a bright, happy person who added pure joy and realness to this world is gone. Gibran is right: she was our delight.

I also grieve for my friend Mike, who lost his brother-in-law and my dear friend Kathy, who lost her husband this year. Such beauty and delight that is gone from our lives.

I try to remember this statement, particularly when experiencing something like this. At a funeral I went to over 20 years ago, the Dad got up afterward and said,

"My son Matt was a Life boy, he loved life. So don't be sad for him, be happy. Because he has what we all want, eternal life."

HERSHEY, THE GREAT AMERICAN AMUSEMENT PARK

2010-06-22T22:05:00.000-04:00

We enjoyed our first day of summer. My conference is actually very good. The speaker I have is engaging and I am learning a lot.

The kids are also enjoying themselves....pool all afternoon yesterday and then they were ready to go to hershey park at 5pm. So as tired as I was I drove from the Hotel (not far from Hershey) and by 6pm the kids were on their first ride! No lines, so they really enjoyed themselves. The longest line was for their last ride, the water ride. Dinner at 8pm in the park, then strolling along, going in the shops and stuff. Then we ened with Chocolate world, where they infuse the air with the smell of chocolate. YUMMY!!! We bought some chocolate and were back at the hotel by 10pm and then closed the pool!!! Love those die-hard Murphy ids!!

Well I slept through the night, the first time in .....well over a year. and was out of bed at 7:15. when I checked on the kids at the 10am break...they were still sleeping....

I LOVE SUMMER!

We just left the pool and are going to skype with the cousins soon.

Hope you are enjoying your first days of summer too.

Vacation

2010-06-20T11:06:00.000-04:00

"Hooray, Hooray!

We're on our way!

Our summer vacation starts today!"

Stan and Jan Berenstein

First stop: Hershey PA

I have a conference in Hershey. We leave tomorrow around 9am. I already forgot to pick up my medication ( I wanted to leave earlier but I have to wait for the pharmacy to open) I am bringing the kids with me, so in the evening we are taking advantage of the the $27.50 admission after 5pm. There is also an indoor/outdoor pool at the hotel. :)

This afternoon we pack, yuck. Packing for 2 weeks. We are headed to the Mall for some last minute things, golf bag for Jack. I was going to have him use my old one but it is faded and dirty. I also had one of his birthday gifts shipped there. It's a hat that I designed myself. There is a Marlin on it and it says Murph across the top. He had a good time with his friends, cookout, water gun fights, flashlight tag, a board game (Life) and then "Clear and Present Danger" (It came out the year before he was born!) They stayed up late and I got up at 6:30am to make a zucchini bake. It was gone by 9am!

Enjoy this beautiful Sunday. I will try to update from the road.

Oh and they both got into Camp Cadet!

Summer 2010

2010-06-14T23:51:00.000-04:00

I may still be working but the kids are enjoying their first official day of vacation. They ate candy for breakfast, chicken salad for lunch and I made pizza for dinner. They skyped with their cousins and then played Wii with them over the internet.

Then in preparation for Camp Cadet we hiked out to the school (OK sue me...I DROVE) but we did 2 miles. They walked a lap and ran a lap. I mostly walked but the last lap....I RAN THE WHOLE 400!!! I will most likely be downing the Advil tomorrow but I was shocked I had that stamina in me.

They will be fine at Camp Cadet...after we were finished they ran up the hill to the car. They could have ran the whole 2 miles.

Tomorrow, pushups and situps. Also-Kate has a baby sitting job and Jack has the same kids on Thursday. I thought I would break it up so they don't get sick of each other.

Summer academics:

We will continue our Latin lessons, plus we are reading "The Little Prince". It is loaded with themes and symbolism and great quotes and insights. I read it in 8th grade and Heaven Forbid if they were made to read a challenging novel in school or worse yet, given a summer reading list, so I do my own.

Tomorrow after work we are also going to the library to get some Tom Clancy for Jack plus a book on CD for our travels. Kate has some Beverly Cleary to read for the summer.

Jack turns 15 on Friday, so he is having some friends over after I am done with work. I know, 15!

All this in one week as next week I have a conference in hershey and then onto NY for my sister's wedding!!!

Made some good CD's of music mixes for the trip. and listening to it now.....almost midnight. Up in 6 hours. Sigh.

2010-06-02T22:03:00.001-04:00

I have been trying to eat healthier and be neater. Such a trial for me but this is how my sad little kitchen table looks when I brighten it up. I got these pretty dishcloths for Christmas and I refuse to use them. Kate made the planter for me in Home Ec and a mystery herb is growing in it. The candle is a mandarin orange and smells very nice.

This school year has had its challenges. I think back to first semester and I remember Jack's heartache with football. Ugh. Don't even like thinking about it as It makes me cry. He has had his ups and downs this year. The best thing about this year is watching him grow ...morally and ethically and seeing little things he does in school to include the forgotten people and how how he has adult conversations with his teachers. His sense of humor is so sarcastic and hilarious. When he and his buddy David get together all they do is laugh. We took quite a few trips to the orthodontist and it was so enjoyable to spend time with him. Talking about everything. I saw his humor and his common sense and morality and enjoyed every minute of it.

He lost his toad and his turtle this year and I grieved for him. I hate seeing my kids suffer and this was really hard. One fun thing we did this school year was a monthly game, movie and dinner night. His buddies would come over and play video games, watch a movie and I would cook my Italian specialities and it was WONDERFUL. So nice to be around young men (and they are men now) who still enjoy being kids and having wholesome fun. The last get together we had a cookout and they played capture the flag and flashlight tag. They ran through the house and yard and tracked in pine needles and wet leaves and it was AWESOME!

Kate had an incredible school year. She tried a sport and was quite good at volleyball. She cooked different foods with me on weekends and even some week nights. Her grades were Fantastic and she had the highest GPA in her grade the last nine weeks. I don't know if she can ever pull that off again, but she did it once and I could not be prouder of her!!

Her friends are dears and she usually just likes having one or two over at a time, not 1/2 dozen like Jack. But I enjoy them too and she is a good, kind, Christian girl. She tries to be kind to kids that aren't included all the time too and I love her for that.

Both of them earned top good citizenship awards in their grades this year...I guess I am doing something right..

Here they are dressed up for their Camp Cadet interviews if all goes well, I will be alone the last week of July. As proud as I am of them doing this, I will miss them terribly.

Healthy Cooking and Eating

2010-05-16T16:09:00.000-04:00

Kate grating the zucchini for our quiche like casserole. My mom makes this all the time.

3 cups grated or sliced zucchini

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup cheddar

1/2 cup oil

1 cup bisquick

4 eggs

seasonings:salt pepper, garlic, parsley

bake in pie pan 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

This salad is delicious! We had it at a picnic a few weeks ago. I used boston bib and green leaf lettuce, strawberries, cucumber, feta, walnuts and "Brianna's" vinagrette. It is really tasty. Just the right amount of sweet, savory and crunch. My kids ate 2-3 bowls each! I managed to have one.

My dear friend CK knows my daily struggle to avoid the baked sweets that show up in the office everyday. So tomorrow I have these healthy muffins to share. As a hot cereal, it was a hard swallow but with apples, grated carrot, etc. they are more edible.

Marvelous Movies - Somerset - Daily American

2010-05-13T04:11:00.000-04:00

Marvelous Movies - Somerset - Daily American

Posted using ShareThis

Kate wrote this story with a friend. She wrote the Avatar, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and concluding paragraphs. So, most of it. So proud of them both.

Stephen Hillenburg: Successful Animator, Director, and Producer - Somerset - Daily American

2010-05-13T04:08:00.001-04:00

Stephen Hillenburg: Successful Animator, Director, and Producer - Somerset - Daily American

Posted using ShareThis

Jack wrote this story and it was typed up in 5 minutes, please ignore typos, the Daily American did!

You Know You Are Italian When.....

2010-04-24T13:25:00.002-04:00

I tried to make Spring rolls last night and that wrap you use for them...weird and gummy and gross. I had bought cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, green onion, etc. All these healthy things. Any way, I tried them raw, deep fried even baked. They were not a hit last night and I was so looking forward to making them.

So much for my attempts at creating a "food network type" recipe. Now I have all those ingredients, so I decided to make a PASTA SALAD.

All good recipes start with pasta...can't help it and you know it's true!!

The kids love this and will just go to the refrigerator and help themselves...

You know you are Italian when...... you AND your young teenagers snack on fresh mozzarella cheese and tomatoes drizzled (ok, drenched) with balsamic vinaigrette .

Camp Cadet

2010-04-22T19:37:00.000-04:00

Jack was asked to go to Camp Cadet this year and after much pleading, coercing, cajoling, convincing and even bribing (yes bribing) he decided to go. Much thanks to my Berlin family consisting of Keith, Mark & Roni Sue with my college buddy Cooch, chiming in....HE'S GOING!!!

I am so thrilled. It is such a wonderful opportunity for him and he will learn and grow so much. The coolest thing.. the age range is 13-15 so guess what other child with the last name Murphy is going?

KATE!!!

I am so thrilled for her. She asked about it last night and she even cried a little (they give drills and yell a lot at you) because she was afraid of that. Both kids will be getting up at 6am, running 2 miles, doing push-ups, etc. They will also get to see ground zero of Flight 93, a SWAT team, helicopters, a drug dog sniffing, conduct a forensic investigation, gain CPR certification, and do the repel wall, zip line and ropes courses at Outdoor Odyssey.

So, if you are free the week of July 25th - 31st...so am I. I don't know what I will do!? I know I have to clean, maybe clean out that extra room and create that library I always wanted. Exercise. Clean my office at work. exercise, clean out clothes that don't fit, exercise, afternoon matinees, exercise.

Make a great dinner for when they come home, exercise.

Watch a lot of 24 reruns too!! exercise

Dinner with friends?!? So many things to do. exercise

I will miss them horribly, terribly, miserably...but I am so proud of what they will be doing.

call me!

Some Easter Pictures

2010-04-17T09:37:00.000-04:00

The kids and me with my Dad. he is actually taller, just being silly!

Kate, my Dad, my brother Matt and Jack

Matt and his fiance, Jill. They are stunning and wonderful and so great with my kids.

Aunt Margaret, My mom, Me, Jill, Jill's mom Barbara, Jill's sister-Heather and my Kate!

Forsythia in the backyard in Riverhead, NY.

Great Friends

2010-04-17T09:06:00.000-04:00

What is it about your friends from college that makes them so special? One of my dear friends was passing through on her way from visiting Catholic University with her daughter, and we met up with her at McDonald's in Somerset.

WHAT A GREAT 2 HOURS! Just talk and laugh and encouragement and getting connected again. So much fun and the best part..

I have been trying to get Jack to go to Camp Cadet and I get "the look". When we were talking last night, all Cooch ( official name: Laura Cuchinello-she like a calmer version of Jerseyshore) had to say was "what a great opportunity, you should go!" On the way home, Jack said,"you know, maybe I will go to Camp Cadet, Stew, David and Steven are going, it should be OK"

YES! The power of a Great Friend!!!

Holy Week

2010-03-29T16:15:00.000-04:00

My little second graders made their first confession yesterday, after I went. yuck. It's bad enough knowing your sins, then confessing them to the priest. It is supposed to make you feel better but I just feel worse afterwards.

When I was growing up, we were not allowed to watch TV during Holy Week unless it was a religious movie. Did you ever see the movie, "The Robe"? Well my siblings and I did. We were so desperate to watch TV, we found that in the TV Guide, got my mother's approval and sat through a terrible movie. Even as pre-teens, we knew it was a bad movie. But hey, it was TV, so we watched it.

We tried that one year. The kids and I watched the Greatest Story Ever Told and Jesus of Nazareth. The latter is wonderful. The scene where Peter realizes he has to leave his family to follow Jesus, very powerful. Kate cried. When he denies knowing Jesus, we all cried.

Another year, we tried saying the rosary every night curing Lent. That lasted about 2 weeks and by Holy Week we just said it 2x a week. Our intentions were good. I've been trying not to curse this week and I have already blown that. I'll keep trying.

What I am really looking forward to is the secular things we have planned this week. We are leaving around 2pm on Wednesday and going to my brother Matt's apartment in Queens. I want to go to "The Top of the Rock", "ESPN Zone" , "Mid-Town Comics" and a Borders or BN store. We have 2 days before we go out to the Island to see my parents, so there is lots of time to do fun stuff. Kate gets measured for her bride's maid gown on Saturday. Hey, maybe we will go to St. Patrick's Cathedral to say a prayer on Good Friday.

I will keep you posted on where we go and what we see. I'll say a decade of the rosary for you, will you say a prayer for me? I feel like I need them badly today.

Good People

2010-03-18T21:55:00.000-04:00

I have been fortunate to work with some wonderful people over my years at Berlin Brothersvalley. I need to relate a story about a young man I work with and the people who have helped bring him into his own over the years.

This little guy was removed from a home where his diabetic mother (now deceased) in a wheelchair was slapped around by the dad and he and his brother were abused and neglected. CYS did the right thing and the children were removed from the home. I worked in the HS at the time but people in town said rats scurried from the trailer when it was hauled away.

I met this little guy "Jay" in the middle of grade 3. He returned to our district in foster care. He was hyper and stood by his desk to write and his foster family was overwhelmed with his level of need. He was tested for an IEP and knowing the trauma he had experienced, was identified Emotional Support. He became quieter, attentive and eager to please in grade 4. He stayed in regular education and marveled everyone with his math abilities.

I watched this little guy move into his aunt and uncle's home, who I forget are such. They look like they could be his grandparents. They adopted him and love him and want the best for him. They get mad at him when he gets C's! I watched and encouraged him and tried to get him out of his shell. Teachers have encouraged him and believed in him and his grades were decent throughout the middle school years and (only a PA teacher can appreciate this) he left 8th grade proficient in reading and advanced in Math.

The team saw his natural talent in computers and math grow in HS. This kid has taken many hard classes our school offers. Chem II, Algebra III/Trig, Web Design, 3D Modeling & Animation, CAD classes, etc. I am happy to say he rose to the challenge for each class. Math, computer and design classes - A's, Science's B's & C's. He is a great kid. Still tiny, still quiet and never quite fitting in but a smile that will brighten anyone's day.

Now in grade 12, he earned an A on his senior project, designing speaker boxes for his car, using the CAD program. He is taking Bio II and wasn't planning on going on his Bio II trip to Wallop's Island in the Spring. Well "his school mother" was not going to see that happen and when I was talking to some collegues in Elem and Middle school, everyone offered to help pay for his trip. I sold more candy for him than I have ever sold in a fundraiser for my own kids and many teachers in the district donated. Some who I never thought would. Good, kind people who are happy to see a child succeed. A little guy who could have been a tragic story of the neglect and abuse many of us in the service field see every day. Well he is NOT one of the casualities. He is a success.

In the fall he is going to Penn Highlands to study computer aided drafting. Berlin community, his family and school family have much to be proud of.

Snow Day Cooking -Torta

2010-02-26T18:30:00.002-05:00

This is the Torta that my grandmother taught me to make! It is good hot out of the oven or the next day right out of the fridge.When I was pregnant with Jack, I craved this. I remember calling her for the recipe and she laughed as she did not really have a recipe. "Well you add some spinach to cooked rice and add a little bit o' onion, some milk and cheese" This is what I came up with and my kids love it. She made it with all freshly grated parmesan cheese but I use different kinds. When the kids were little they liked just eating the rice mixed with spinach and cheese and they never ate the crust. As they got older, they began to enjoy the crust so I added it to the recipe.

Here it is!!!

2 cups uncooked rice (cooked according to package directions) (sometimes I cook it with chicken broth and some garlic)
10 oz box of frozen spinach, cooked, squeeze out all the extra water and chop even finer (use a food processor if you have one.
1 small onion, chopped fine and cooked until softened with 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil.
Mix all these ingredients together

Add about 1/2 cup milk
1-2 eggs ( see how dry it looks and add the second egg if you think it needs it)
4 cups shredded cheese - it can be a mixture of mozzerella, provolone, cheddar and/or parmesan

add these to the rice mixture, add more milk if it looks dry

Crust:
2/3 cup flour,
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon olive oil

Mix these ingredients together until blended
cover with bowl and let rest- you can actually make this first and let it rest while you are cooking the other ingredients

Knead the dough after it has rested about 15 minutes, after you knead it, roll it out with a rolling pin so it will cover the bottom and up the sides of your 13 by 9 baking dish.

butter or oil a 13 by 9 inch baking dish (I like using olive oil)

Lay the thin crust into the baking dish
Add the rice and cheese mixture, spreading it out evenly. Fold over any extra crust.(you can oil the top of the crust that you folded over to help it brown nicely.

You can sprinkle fresh grated parmesan over the top, layer some tomato slices over it even mushrooms if you would like (This was not part of the "original" recipe but Kate likes the tomato on it and so do I, Jack doesn't like it.

Bake in 400 degree oven for 30 minutes until the top gets browned.

Let rest about 10 minutes, cut, eat and ENJOY an authentic Northern Italian meal.

Snow Day Cooking-PIZZA

2010-02-26T18:06:00.000-05:00

It starts with this 97 cent pizza crust mix...just add water. Then add some ragu pizza quick sauce- meat on one side for Jack and veggies on the other - for Kate....LOTS of cheese.

Then bake.

It is the best pizza I have ever made. The kids don't even want me to order any longer.

The one to the right is made on whole wheat tortilla, with cheese, yellow pepper, mushrooms and tomato.

THE OLYMPICS

2010-02-16T19:59:00.001-05:00

I love the Olympics! Every 2 years when it is on, my kids and I watch the opening ceremony together and watch the athletes, cheering on the Americans and the under dogs and our nationalities: Italy, Ireland and England...so basically everybody. Looking for the challenging competitors and sucking up every personal story from the Chinese figure skaters to Jack's new favorite: Lindsey Vonn. We even watched the curling today and enjoyed the Simpsons episode on Sunday night where Marge and Homer won the gold for the USA in curling. We also took the trivia test on USA network, we scored a measily 4/10 but they have a new quiz everyday.

It also becomes a mini-history/geography lesson. We talk about the different countries and where they are located, google-earthing (did I just make that a verb?) the cities and different venues. We talked about the tragedy in Munich, which I knew little about so it made me read up on it. We talked about WWII and how the Olympics were cancelled during that time. Did not get to the boycotts of the 80's yet. We talk about Communism and China, which in my day was USSR and East Germany. Now, poor Russia has only one bronze medal.

They asked me what were the first Olympics that I remember. I had to look at a listing of all the years and places and realized I was Kate's age: 1976 the Innsbruck Olympics and Dorothy Hamill. I had that haircut for a number of years to follow! The best were the 80 Olympics in Lake Placid with the Miracle on Ice. That was mezmerizing and wonderful and a wonderful story of the Underdog coming out on top. I will need to rent that movie. My droning on and on about it, did not do it justice. I remember running home from school because the game against yugoslavia (I think) was for the gold and it was on at 10am so we couldn't watch it. My mom did and told us all about it. There was no Tivo or taping it, no IMing or texting to find out about it in school. WOW 30 years ago. I am old.

The one movie we did rent about 2 years ago, for the 2008 Bejing Olympics was actually called "The First Olympics" It was a great story about some Harvard boys trying to get to Greece in 1896 for the Olympics. It is a great movie and if you haven't seen it, it will be a good one to rent.

Looking forward to the next 10 days and more people, achieving their dreams, over coming the odds, persevering and on these cold snow days, inspiring me to get off the couch!!!!

Snow Days :)

2010-02-11T19:42:00.000-05:00

Okay-we have added two days onto the school year and have no Easter Break but I am trying to be optimistic. Stuck in the house with Jack and Kate has been....wonderful. I really enjoy their company and cheris every minute of this weird break. I can't really go into work, the roads are nasty. I only picked up TP today. I have been cooking ... lots, shoveling, doing laundry and dishes. When I am in the kitchen, I can hear them playing together and it is nice. We watched some movies, played Wii and also some board games. I also made them a fun breakfast today. No school again tomorrow. Gotta get my creative juices going for another fun day.

Maybe, if the roads aren't too bad, a road trip to Johnstown to see Percy Jackson? I am just glad I am getting paid tomorrow!

Kate is calling me for a game of Life.

College Memories and Dancing!

2010-02-04T18:37:00.001-05:00

My dear friend Cathy just blogged about college memories and "being free to do what you want when you grow up" So I thought I would blog about some college stuff too.

My college roommate Kelly, lost her father to cancer last week. I met Dick Devine the last weekend in August 1981. He was a fun loving guy and I remember how he paid the band to stay longer at Kelly's wedding. At the funeral there were photos of his life and I feel honored to say there was a picture of the two of us dancing at that wedding! Kelly has a wonderful family. Her parents were so "cool" and so open and inviting. I spent weekends at her home throughout college. We were both special Education majors and had many classes together. She is a true, good friend and when we get together each summer, our kids love spending time together.

I didn't mean for this to be a sad blog. I am nostolgic for those innocent days of college when we would dance in the hallways when our friend Lisa would play all our favorites at the Marywood College radio station. Whenever I hear those 80's tunes I think of that crazy dancing and making popcorn and enjoying being girls who were studying to be teachers, musicians, dieticians, nurses or the next business mogul.

Say a prayer for Kelly and her family. Dance this weekend! Whether it's out in public or in your home to a stupid old radio tune! But dance and love life. Dick Devine will be very happy!

Jan 2010

2010-01-23T19:42:00.001-05:00

What a crazy month this has been. So much snow and ice! I hate the 60 calendar day thing at work. Since November 19 we have only had about 25 days of school but 60 days went by on the calendar. But enough about work.

Jack is reading Angels and Demons and it is wonderful watching him devour a book again. He has had it for less than week and is 1/2 done. Can't day the same for Kate and Eclipse but I can't blame her. We are enjoying Percy Jackson on CD. We listened to the 1st book before Christmas and 1/2 way through Sea of Monsters. We are really looking forward to seeing this movie. I hope it doesn't disappoint.
http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/imdb/vi613221401/

Sylvester is adjusting well and gives Jack something to write about in his English journal. His grades have worried me. For any other kid, I would think they are great but they are not his best work and even his A's did not require much effort. I try to be rational and hope he gets it out of his system before it counts for grade 9 and his transcript. But I have to be a parent, so I have to lecture him somewhat. "Jack, this is not your best work and you have to figure out how to pull them up before the end of the 9 weeks." Then I let it go. This book helped with that http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=language+of+letting+go+melody+beattie&ved=0CCYQrQQwAg&cid=9268553629972483730&sa=title#p

Kate on the other hand, had the highest 4 sights in Math and Reading in her grade!!! The girl is on fire! I am proud of her efforts. She is a sweet girl with a good heart. Not one grade is below 94%! Most are 97% or above.

Both kids have had friends over. We have made our home more presentable to company and it has been nice. They have had their friends over and are enjoying their company. I enjoy cooking for them and it forces me to clean. The nice thing is that the kids actually still talk to me. It is nice that they are that friendly. It's a good thing I can cook! Those boys can eat.

They are good kids, with good morals, character and parents. I can't ask for more than that. For that I am grateful in 2010.

On a fun note, we saw Avatar today and enjoyed it. They noted the similarities between Dances with Wolves, and other oppressed people. The 3D was neat and it was fun to get out of the house, even out of Berlin for a day!

Enjoy the last week of January and hopefully Spring is around the corner.

Sylvester

2010-01-10T16:50:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the family Sylvester! Jack has wanted a bird for a very long time. When he was three, I got one (a cockatoo) for my birthday..Long sad story and a different life time ago.

Jack has read bird postings on the internet and books on how to take care of a bird. It was at the top of his Christmas list and we finally were able to pick up the little parakeet today.

For those of you who are interested, Sylvester comes from the movie "It's a mad, mad, mad world." The mom would scream "Syl VESSSS ter. " and he cries, "I'm comin' momma!"

Absolutely hilarious movie, so it will be a fun memory every time we call him by name.

And the newspaper covering the bottom of the cage is the sports section and he already pooped on a Steeler! Part of the family already.

Jack and Kate

2010-01-04T22:02:00.005-05:00

Nice arm Jack

Making a snowman with their friend

The video was funny. She laid on the ground for about 5 minutes, hoping he would get in trouble. What I didn't get was Kate beaming Jack with snowballs too. I took it through the window and I think he was trying to get her to stand up but she wouldn't.

HAPPY 2010!

2010-01-04T21:53:00.004-05:00

Eat healthier this year.

Fruit Salads

Green Salads

Sorry, It's been a month since I posted. Lots of fun times, scary times and life goes on. Snow days, 2hr delays and work...

We had a great Christmas and then a scare with my dad. He is stabilized now and back at home, being tortured by everyone with bland food and "take your medicine" Life is good.

My resolutions for this year, be more patient, eat healthier, be more understanding and kinder. Maybe even start exercising and definitely take my vitamins and trying to go green.

Hope the 2010 brings you much happiness and blessings.

Advent

2009-12-06T21:17:00.003-05:00

Thanksgiving break was wonderful and now the count down begins for Christmas. We had a wonderful time with family and got to see little Gabriel too! One cool thing we found, Cracker Barrel restaurants have audio books that you can rent and return to any Crackerbarrel. We were already listening to Percy Jackson: Lightening Thief so we didn't get one but it's good to know and then you have a reason to go back to a nearby Cracker Barrel.

Jack got Kate the coolest gift today. I can't tell what it is in case she reads this blog. she is contemplating gifts for her friends and as we talked in the soon to be closing B. Dalton she talked about her homeroom. She wanted to get a gift for her friends but she didn't want to leave any one out.

This is how her circle of friends goes: Best friends forever (Autumn and Maddie) Best friends, friends, then people she is friendly with. She is a riot and I love how she is careful who she lets in, but is sensitive enough to not want to leave anyone out. Jack is kind of the same way but no BFF. He would kill me if I ever asked if he had one.

I have not written about this group of children who have touched my life: My CCD class, Sunday School. I have had them since Kindergarten and they are in grade 2 now. I feel a lot of pressure this year, because it is a 2 sacrament year, First Reconciliation and First Communion. There are 4 little girls and they are smart, kind, articulate, sweet, simply amazing, & such good little souls. They so want to be good and I felt bad the other day went I was going over the 10 commandments with them, especially, #3 (I think), keep holy the Sabbath. Two of them don't always come to church and you can see in their little eyes how sad they are. They want to come and their parents don't bring them. I explain that if they don't go due to someone else, it is not their fault but they want so much to be good and love Jesus. It is really sweet. They are so far ahead in the book, I took a few weeks to teach them to pray the rosary. They were so excited, even after they realized how long it is to say a whole rosary.

Say a prayer for my little class and also for Gabriel. There may be some changes coming his way and I ask God to protect him.

10 Days until Thanksgiving

2009-11-15T19:17:00.002-05:00

I hate to wish away days, however I am looking forward to seeing my family. August was many blogs and facebook updates ago! The 1st quarter of school is over and Jack survived football and Kate found a new sport to love...velleyball. Jack discovered Claymation and Kate discovered Twilight (and is a normal fan, not ridiculous...I love that about her!) They both made high honors and I have to say, they worked hard for it.

I didn't blog last week. I was too tired from cleaning, yes the ONE thing I hate most (well not THE one, but it's up there on the list) We cleaned 3 rooms and a hallway for 5 hours straight. Jack and I got light headed from not eating, but his room was presentable as was the kitchen, living room and hallways...oh and the bathrooms too. yeah, 2 of them! If you have ever been to my house you know the accomplishment this is. If you have not been to my house, it's not because I don't love you, I am just embarassed about how I live and there is no end to the clutter. If you have seen my office, YOU KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT! Jack had friends over for Pizza, video games and a viewing of the 1978 movie Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. (kinda like Airplane!)

Kate had two friends come over after school this past Friday and they hung out until the school's fun night. I ran the lame game room, my own son called it that. WELL, it was very crowded and a big hit, Jack! Kids came in complaining that there wasn't much to do and they were bored. "Nice, I spend my Friday night with you and you tell me to my face I am boring." was my reply. "Oh no, I didn't mean that Mrs. Murphy!" 6th graders have no couth (is that the right word?) All they want to do is play video games, Guitar Hero, Madden Football, etc. and they didn't have any TV's set up in the hallway but one. While 9pm is my bedtime, particularly on Fridays when I quite literally collapse on the couch, I was glad I went. Stationed in the library, Jack brought the Wii and gaurded it with his very life and I had Simpsons Uno, Othello, Apples to Apples, Scrabble, the Ungame, Connect 4, Scattergories and Sorry. Every game was played and there was never a time that the place was empty. One little 5th grader had never played Uno, so sad. Another didn't even know what scrabble was. Parents dropped some kids off at 5pm. I got there at 6 (it started at 6:30) and there were over 30 kids waiting to get into the school. What is with parents. Play with your kids!!! spend time with them!!!

Eric was the biggest draw when he came into the library to play Uno, he had about 6 or 7 crazied middle schoolers screaming for his attention during the game. What a great guy. Bob nailed a few in dodge ball and then played College Game day on his PS2 with the kids, even Jack left his precious Wii to join that fan club. Besides not having enough video games, the kids complained they had nothing to drink. Use the Fountain!

No really it was a good night. I played the Ungame with Susan and Vanessa. You just turn over cards and respond to the statement or question. "What year of your life would you live over." What is your greatest fear now? as a child? things like that. It was fun. (I actually have used it with my emotional support students who never talk or can't focus in a converstation.) Kate played with her friends too.

I didn't feel too good today but I made a soup anyway, a Clam Chowder remake. I got the recipe from Foodnetwork website but I changed a few things to make it my own. "Mrs. Countryman, ha, this is so much better!" smirked my 14 year old.

They are baby sitting tomorrow. I am so proud of them. They have made such good choices in their friendships. I really enjoyed having their friends over. The kids are so polite, kind, appreciative and real. No phoniness about them. It was refreshing and not like hall duty at all.

Enjoy your week.

Pasta e fagiole + Extra Hour sleep + Court of Honor = Good weekend

2009-11-01T18:10:00.004-05:00

I love this weekend of the year, except for the fact it gets dark so early. I LOVE the extra hour of sleep.

Today was a Court of Honor for a Scout in Jack's troop. It was a nice ceremony and it does motivate Jack to work on his merit badges. He is floating ideas around for his Eagle Project. He has 4 years to do it and only 5 badges to get there. I am really proud of him! Thanks Chris and Matt for always being there for him, keeping him interested in it.

It was a fix it weekend...everything seems to break at once. I needed a new screw driver to get my new vacuum cleaner together, and never did get to the vacuuming part. I also have to replace the screen door latch, it practically disintegrated the other day.

We watched the Godfather last night, some inappropriate moments but I had never watched the whole thing before. Jack had watched "Godthumb" on youtube, its pretty funny and he has wanted to watch the real thing for a while. You have to go to youtube and search for godthumb, its pretty funny. The same guy also did "Thumb Wars" and "Frankenthumb" and "Thumbtanic".

Going to have some Pasta e Fagiole in a bit with good ole Pillsbury biscuits. Hey, I can't do everything homemade.

Have a good week. :)

Don't Try This At Home!!!

2009-10-25T18:01:00.003-04:00

UGH!! Last week I thought I was so clever, changing the handle on the toilet...Well the seat is much more difficult, especially in a bathroom made for midgits!

The stupid screw and bolt kept twisting around together and would not loosen. I pulled an old butter knife out of the drawer and was able to finally loosened them (with my face practically in the toilet!!) and yanked that old seat off.

Now for the new seat...the nut and bolt still turn as one and the toilet is so close to the tub, it was hard to hold the bolt in place and turn the screw and/or hold the screw and turn the bolt. I finally got the new seat on after much obscenities. (My children stayed away....far away)

I'd take a picture, but I doubt you want to see my sad little bathroom, with the white toilet and blue cushioned seat. My other "fix-it" attempt was to reattach molding on the floor to the tub with...get this...Mighty Putty" PLEASE if you use this have a well ventilated area! It smells terrible and didn't work so well. Of course, I tried to do that BEFORE I got the toilet seat off, so it added to my frustration, smelling those fumes while using a butter knife to loosen those big plastic screws. I still have a head ache.

Take care.

Have a good week! :)

Sick Days

2009-10-22T18:35:00.003-04:00

Kate and I have been sick most of this week and now Jack has it too. So much for lysol on every door handle and washing all the bedding and drinking out of papercups.

Being off these few days with Kate...has actually been nice. Am I allowed to say that about being sick and coughing, sneezing, hacking, wheezing and missing work?? (Hell, I've been working from home. Writing IEP's and calling parents for meetings.) I haven't felt like cooking but we drink peppermint tea with honey, and eat toast and sip chicken broth with little Pastina in it.

Cool Things About Kate

1)She likes to watch the Today Show :)
2) She hates The View
3)She takes her school work, VERY seriously
(I think I know EVERY county in PA now)
4)She is reading New Moon and she doesn't like Bella either
5)She begged to get Facebook
6)She has been on FB about a total of 1/2 hr in the 4 days she has been off sick
7) She still looks 12 in her fleece pajamas
8) She loves Jerry Stiller on King of Queens
9) She can now swallow antibiotics!
10) She watched Melissa Gilbert as Anne Frank on the Family channel

I couldn't watch Anne Frank...but tried..I know how it ends :(
I read the book at her age....I might get her to read it after she is done w/ New Moon!

Stay Healthy
Use your Lysol

One More: She thinks it is a Pepper rally not Pep rally, too cute

OCTOBER 2009: WEEK 3

2009-10-19T19:22:00.002-04:00

I made soup #4 this week. Chicken stew with dumplings. Really, it's just chicken noodle soup without the noodles and dumplings instead. I also made Italian Wedding Soup. The kids used to really like this when they were younger, now, not so much. They loved the little meatballs in it and so did I.

The broth I made came out well, if I do say so. I roasted a chicken breast with the veggies and some water. I poured off that broth it made and then added a quart of Swanson's chicken stock. I had never made dumplings before and the kids liked that. Just followed the directions on the bisquick box. It was fun to watch them sink into the soup and rise back up. (See how interesting my life is....this is fun for me :P) Trying to think of a new soup for this weekend. Maybe chicken with wild rice, since my broth has been coming out pretty good.

I fixed the handle on the toilet by myself today. Major accomplishment for me, doing these type of plumbing things. I am trying to loosen the bolts on the seat to replace that.

Time for a cup of peppermint tea. I was out sick today and will go in tomorrow. I think my office mates will freak because I am coughing so much. I'll just walk around with purex wipes and "clean up" after myself.

October 11, nineteen sixty......wait 2009

2009-10-11T20:37:00.002-04:00

Today is my birthday and I wasn't going to blog about it, as I was trying to forget how old I am getting. Jack is "making me a comic" and I am sure it will be funny. His cards always are.

Kate is the more serious gift giver. Sweet poems that will make you cry. After church, we ate breakfast together and talked about what they learned that day in CCD. Kate's class discussed Jesus being a Shepherd and we are the sheep. Kate's other analogy was this thought, "Jesus is like our compass, leading us in the right direction." Yeah, she's 12 and she is mine.

I got 4 coupons - 1 freebie, 1 good for 20 hugs, 1 for 5 loads of laundry and 1 for a helper to clean any room of my choice....no expiration date on any of them. The card says: "Don't forget to reach for the stars when you are having a Happy Birthday." The inside says: " May all your birthday wishes come true - Let the compass show you the way."

I hope your day was as good as mine.

October: Week 2

2009-10-10T20:53:00.003-04:00

Still rainy and cold. No "Indian Summer" yet. It that a politically correct term? We made a Jack-o-lantern tonight and toasted the pumpkin seeds. Last weekend we made homemade Chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles. Tomorrow I want to make an Autumn soup recipe I found at www.tasteofhome.com Linda C told me about it. I'll post pics and let you know how it turns out. I have some homemade frozen sauce, so we can always have spaghetti as a backup, plus I bought 2 pizzas from the cheerleaders. Enjoy your Saturday nite. We have some Netflix to watch. :)

OCTOBER

2009-10-03T20:59:00.004-04:00

The leaves are just beginning to turn in PA. We drove down to Rockwood Mill Shops and Opera House and met an old and dear friend. Janet Johns was the librarian in the High School when I joined BBSD 19 years ago....

She was so fun to talk to, knew so much about books and research. The age of the internet entered and it was even more fun. She loved it! and when I found a website she never heard of....I was so proud of myself.

Unfortunately, the strike ended her tenure there. New administration drove many people away. She is trying to talk me into joining her district :)

It must have been a weekend for catching up with people from the past. I saw a former student at the Dairy Bar and he thanked me for all I did for him...giving him a hard time until he performed to the level he was capable of! What a great young man. He earned top Co-op student his senior year.

When I got home from visiting Janet and her husband, there was a message on my machine from another former student. He was in town and wanted to say hi!

I am a lucky girl.

Fun Sunday

2009-09-27T21:02:00.005-04:00

Gibbs, Jack Bauer and Cherry Blossom

Please note the beautiful rock, shells and beach glass that the fish use for their home!

And Jack Murphy's other addition....the Little Buddha!

My blue beach glass!!!!!!!

Kate's Sunday Night Dinner: Brushetta and Homemade Clam Chowder.

I am reminded it is not quite as good as Mrs. Countryman's potato soup but edible.

"Nothing is more important than spending quality time with your children." who said it? ME!

Didn't do much Friday or Saturday as Jack and I weren't feeling well. When I finally came around it was evening and we played Harry Potter Clue. Very fun, though they both tried to cheat. I have the winner but wanted to play longer so I help out 3-4 more rounds!

After church and CCD today, they quickly got their Homework done as I promised a trip to Johnstown. Had to get out of the house!! Jack has to do three writing entries a week. Most are very funny, today he made a Jack's lib (like Mad libs) lots of fun. Kate had History and tried to pretend she can't read or look up words in the dictionary...I ignore her.

So we hit Michaels for a green poster board...he needs a green screen for this program his art teacher gave him. He made two clamation movies so far and they are quite silly. Then to Petco for some fish. My sister (thanks Annie!) gave him a small aquarium this summer that he cleaned up and it is loaded with all the pretty shells I collected for myself this summer....well my motto...it's all for them...so I let it go. Then I made a wrong turn but passed Starbucks...so we got drinks and visited Game Stop to early Christmas shop....I actually like the Beatles Band for Wii but the bundle is 250.00!!! NO WALMART this trip!!

I got a pat on the head from Jack and thanks all around and then we hit Johnstown's Giant Eagle. Kate wanted to make Brushetta and Jack loves NE clam chowder so we picked up those supplies and food for the week. If you are ever at Johnstown's Giant Eagle, you need to pick up their lemon almond chicken salad. It is the best thing I have ever eaten. Jack loves it!!! Whenever I try to recreate it, I am reminded it doesn't take as good as GE's.

Kate helped me made the chowder, chopping away. It came out pretty good, except not as good as Eat and Park's my son tells me or Mrs. Countryman's potato soup. Kate yells, "you don't tell someone their food is not as good as someone else's while they are eating it."

Jack, "Oh, like you don't tell one girlfriend she isn't as pretty as your previous girlfriend?" Like he has had so many!!! Smart A#@^%$#. But I love him.

Laundry is done, there is a sink load of dishes and I am trying to type this and watch the Colts....love those Manning brothers!!!

We named the fish, Gibbs, Jack Bauer and Sokira (Japenese for cherry blossoms...so Kate says)

Have a great week!

SPORTSMANSHIP

2009-09-19T18:34:00.004-04:00

"Sports creates a bond between contemporaries that lasts a lifetime. It also gives your life structure, discipline and a genuine, sincere, pure fulfillment that few other areas of endeavor provide."
-Bob Cousy

It's not whether you win or lose but how you play the game? who said that?

Today, Kate's volleyball team was in a tournament in a nearby county. Seven schools participated. The girls came in 3rd place overall, which is an accomplishment as they played an obnoxious team and a team of 9th graders (Junior High is 7-9 but our girls were 7th and the other team was definitely 9th!)

The coolest thing about the day was not just the general comraderie of the girls. They never were mean to each other if they missed a shot or lost a serve. They just encouraged each other. This didn't surprise me because I had already witnessed this at several games.

No, the coolest thing I saw was our girls cheering for girls for Meyersdale, a neighboring school district. They sat behind their bench and cheered them on. Then the Meyersdale girls reciprocated. Both teams did this throughout the tournament. It was so genuine and so wonderful to see. Typically, its a rivalry nearing Mets v Yankees, but today friendship and supporting your neighbor came first. I didn't see any other schools do this for a neighboring school.

A beautiful sunny fall day, accented with true sportsmanship, friendship and genuine fondness....and by pre-teen girls.

It was a lovely day, indeed.

Making Candy by Kate

2009-09-06T20:43:00.005-04:00

This is the chocolate melting on the stove. We didn't have a double boiler so it was in a pie pan on top of a pot of water.

It was a little tricky pouring the chocolate into the molds but we managed.

After 30 minutes in the fridge I popped them out of the mold.

This is me brushing the shells with luster dust to make them shiny.

Finally the finished product!!!

PRAYING WORKS

2009-09-03T20:43:00.004-04:00

Ahh, the weekend.

Thanks for all your prayers.

Jack had a horrible practice on Wed and came home crying. Coaches yelled, kids picked on him, glared at him and they had to run because he couldn't remember the plays.....

First reaction: call all those people and yell at them ...stupid gut reaction

Second thought: let him quit..won't fix it it will just make it worse

Third: your son admits he can't quit it will be worse

think, pray, search your brain for some idea of how to get out of this dilemma.

Finally, it came to me, call one of his friends and have him show Jack the plays and how to run them.

It saved the day, until morning came.... Jack was miserable all day and I was useless to fix it...

I CAN'T FIX IT!!

He came home tonight with a smile on his face...he remembered the plays, a kid ran away from him when he blocked and three kids told him "good job"

Sigh...relief...peace

long weekend...homemade noodles at the church picnic Sunday..Kate has some recipes she wants to make

SO what is I get dirty looks as I visit stores in town, because I got a spine this school year...Jack is happy and Kate is happy....that's all that matters.

I can take anything as long as they are happy.

Sorry to worry anyone...

Thanks for all your prayers.

Praying works.

New School Year

2009-08-31T21:19:00.002-04:00

Well, here we go...the beginning of Jack's 9th and Kate's 8th year at Berlin.

I wish I could be happy, I just feel so melancholy. It could be many reasons, they are getting older, that's one.

I enjoyed the summer, immensely....almost more than any other to date...that's another.

This football is tough, Jack just hates it....I work my whole life around helping them be happy and to see him hate something so much and be so unhappy, pains me.

Sometimes I look at him and see my brother Steven. I thought of Steven a lot this summer. Partly because I befriended his friends on FB and partly because Jack turned 14 this summer, the same age that Steven was when he died. Also, Jack looks very much like Steven.

Steven's best friend, Mike Meier, named his son, now 14 Stephen...Here is what he said about on FB

: Steven was so outgoing and would go out of his way to help anyone there was no way he could not have a positive impact on the people around him. This is true for your whole family and it all started at home with your Mom and Dad. Everytime I was at your house it I felt like one of the family and thats not only because I too come from a big family. it was because of your Mom and Dad. Them and Beau's parents were my other parents. I could talk with them about anything. You know one of these days I might have to just stop out there at the ole house on shadetree lane and have a cup of coffee with them. :)
I think the last time I saw them both was at Eddie's graduation party and thats too long ago....

and this posting too...

Maria, I have to say this has been nice to talk to you I always knew you guys were going on with life because I always asked Matt how everyone one was doing. It's also nice to talk with others about that night, I never have really spoken to anyone about what happened that night and as Mary has said if you are ever on long island and want to talk just let me know I am sure we could get a bunch of the old group together for a night of drinks and memories.
I visit Steve's grave at least twice a year and have my quiet time with him.
His life and his passing have had a big roll in my life, I do know I changed that night..

and this

It should have NEVER EVER HAPPENED the reason was just so stupid. I still play softball out there at stosky (park) and struggle at times over what happened and being right there I remember how he and I were laughing and having a great time that night, planning what were were going to do that weekend.
He touched my life and I am better for having had him as such a great friend.

Thanks Mike for remembering my brother.

Gabriel

2009-08-20T21:03:00.000-04:00

This summer has been filled with many great adventures for us. We went to some pretty cool places and spent time with my family. One of the best things we did was spend some time with my mother’s friend, Caroline. She has a backyard pool and her granddaughter, Amelia is Kate’s age. The three kids had lots of fun swimming and playing together. Amelia was in for a short visit.

Carolina and her husband are also raising their grandson, who has autism. Gabriel is five years old and a great little guy. His speech has come a long way since last summer and he loves bubbles, swinging, swimming and riding his tricycle (like any 5 year old) around the driveway following the arrows that Jack and Kate make on the driveway (not like a typical 5 year old). I know I brag about my kids a lot but I have to say they are wonderful with this little guy. They get him to eat his dinner, (he currently eats meatloaf and watermelon and pizza) and he hates to eat. (Caroline makes the meatloaf with ground turkey, grated carrots and broccoli and oatmeal-he WON’T eat vegetables) They get him to talk and interact with them and they were so persistent with him.

He would get off the bus from summer school and hide when he saw them. Sometimes it took ½ hour before he would play with them. After a few days they figured out he loved goldfish crackers and by the last week, he came off the bus, hide behind his grandfather and 2 seconds after a goldfish was playing on the swings or getting them to make more arrows on the driveway. He can count to 100 and wanted to swing and have the kids count with them. At one point, Jack said, “We’ve done this 5 times!” He can also read already (he is entering Kindergarten) and they would write different words on the driveway, “Stop, turn around, go back” When swimming in the pool, he would recite the rule, “Don’t go down there.” And point to the deep end and then try to run down to the diving board. It took all three of us to redirect him to stay in the low end of the pool.

Besides getting to know Gabriel, my mom got to see my kids interact with him. They displayed patience, understanding, compassion and problem solving skills beyond their years. They would ask me questions on the way home from a visit, “Why does he eat so fast?” or make a comment, “Those shows on Boom-a-rang are great for kids with Autism, they repeat things for them so they can learn.”

They are learning to look at the person first and the “disability” second. After the last day the kids and I went there, Caroline told me that Gabriel looked out the window at his swings and said, “Jack, Kate, Ring around a Rosy.” (they played that together too) And that night in his evening prayers he added their names to his “God Bless” list. Caroline said she was so grateful for their friendship and patience with Gabriel. Yet I wonder who gets more from the relationship, Gabriel or Jack and Kate? That is a pretty special prayer list to be on.

Jack's Cannonball!

Shea.....I mean Citi Field

2009-08-17T19:33:00.008-04:00

Last fall my brother's blog was a long obituary and tribute to Shea Stadium. I felt much of what he stated in those blogs. We didn't go on huge vacations when I was a kid. Heck, we were 5 minutes from the beach, took swimming lessons (2 weeks of the summer that it was guaranteed to rain.) There was a weekly bus to the library. My brothers played little league and we went to those games all summer. Sometimes we went to DC or Virginia or PA to see my aunt and Uncle and that was nice. I got to Gettysburg, the Smithsonians, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, Mount Vernon, etc.

But my best memories of the summers growing up were swimming in the Sound and.....following the Mets. We would watch those dumb bas***** lose game after game and sometimes pullout a win. We watched them on the old independent station, channel 9 WOR-TV. When they weren't on TV we listened to them on the radio, sometimes taking my dad's old transistor down to the beach to listen when we dared to leave the house if a game were on.

The summer always culminated with my dad taking his 2 weeks vacation. He joked that they were "honey-dew" vacations, "Honey do this, honey do that." But he always made time to take us to Shea for a game. The first game we went to the Mets played the Reds (the Big Red Machine of the 70's) The best had been on a losing streak of course but they beat the Reds that day 12-2. I still remember it. My brother Steven wanted to collect hats from the different ball teams and my dad had bought him a Reds hat. He got harassed leaving the stadium wearing that hat!

Sometimes we brought a neighbor kid, David, or one of the younger kids brought a friend. My grandfather would go with us and my aunt too. Mr. Shea (yes there is a Mr. Shea) went to Catholic schools in NYC and loved the nuns and would have a nun's day and give them tickets for their families. So we got to go to a few games from my Aunt Margaret. (a sister of St. Joseph in Brooklyn, still teaching 8th grade!)

Every time I have been to Pittsburgh stadium, it was to watch the Mets, win or lose. I'm a fan. Jack spent his first birthday at a Met game at Pirates stadium and got on Diamond vision. My sister and her husband were in for a visit.

The kids first game at Shea, we had seats in section QQ in the upper deck. Andrea swore there were seats past us, but no...Shea Stadium stopped at QQ. We had the last seats in that stadium and the kids were 5 and 3 the summer of 2000! It was crazy. Fireworks nite, sell out game (56,000+) they were playing the braves and we hated the braves that year. What a great game! Mike Piazza got a grandslam homer in the 8th and the Mets came from behind to win 12-8 or something. My brother Matt has it taped from "Mets Classics" (My family is crazy for them!)

We always try to get to a game each summer, sort of a family reunion place."Let's meet at a game!" It is fun and nostalgic and win or lose we always have a good time. Usually I am with a sibling and they can help with the kids, or do the driving or at least be a co-pilot. This was my summer of true Independence because I was meeting Annie and her new beau at the game and I had to drive myself. The train takes too long. The game was at 7 and I left at 2:15! No traffic and we got there by 4:15. The parking lot was sparse and these kids that were parked next to us were grilling Nathan's hot dogs and offered us some. I was not prepared with anything to eat beyond goldfish crackers. That was the best hot dog! The kid had a charcoal grill. They had everything, hot dogs, hamburgers, camp chair and table and don't let people tell you New Yorkers are rude. They were high school kids and they were so nice and friendly and polite. It was refreshing.

I thought we would see a win. It was the top of the 9th and they were winning 7-4. I took kate for nachos...("Now? the game is almost over?!") well I get back to my seat and the game is tied and then extra innings and to make a too long blog short, they lost! 12-7. The Mets suck.

But we had a nice time at Citi Field. Because we got there early we saw some batting practice, looked at the misplaced tribute to Jackie Robinson (we played for the Brooklyn Dodgers NOT the Mets) used the batting cage, threw balls at the dunk tank, bought some T-shirts (Daniel Murphy and David Wright!) This one candy shop had a Mr. Met made out of jelly beans. And we got to spend the nite with Annie and James.

Sorry for blabbing, enjoy the pictures.

Cowbell Man

Jelly Bean Mr. Met

David Wright (sigh)

She is becoming a very good chef

2009-08-14T15:35:00.007-04:00

(This blog was written by Kate)

The sun shined most of the summer but there were a lot of rainy days. On the dreary rainy days I took advantage of the time and cooked a variety of dishes. I made apple pie with flower and heart designs on it. I think it definitely added to the appearance of the pie. All it needed was cinnamon and sugar and it was good to go.

I usually went to bed around 1 o’clock this summer so I would wake up at 11:00 sometimes later or earlier. But one day when I woke up at 9:00, I thought that it would be interesting to make veggie sandwiches for lunch. I also helped my mom make a pasta salad. My grandma’s cousin was coming for lunch.

Flavorful grilled zucchini and eggplant, sprinkled with feta cheese on toasted Ciabatta bread.

Back Home and Random Thoughts

2009-08-12T20:49:00.002-04:00

I really have not right to be down..but alas...I am. It was so nice spending that time with my family. Though it isn't reality. Staying there like that is fun but not real. I mean, if we lived there we wouldn't even see them that much. Do we appreciate it more because we only see them in chunks like that?

I want to know...why is it easier to do dishes at my mothers house than my own?...it is also easier to clean the bathroom, living room and to cook. It is crazy.

Though I enjoyed the kids when they were so little and helpless, I have to say this Summer goes down as one of the best. The older they get, the more fun we have doing stuff and going places.

Jack is almost as tall as me and Kate will NOT be able to fit into any of her capris or jeans...I fear.

Wow...7th and 8th grade...scares me.

Madame Toussand's

2009-08-07T20:31:00.006-04:00

We went to Madame Toussand's when we were in the city a few weeks ago. I forgot the camera so this were taken with a disposable. (they got me for $15.00 for the dam thing!) but I HAD to take pictures. It was a neat experience and because we dressed in yellow, we got a discount.....celebrating Sponge Bob's B-day. They had a wax figure of him too. The kids and I thought they looked more real up close and fake in the photos. Enjoy!

Even though the Mets suck, ya gotta love this guy.

Forget Paula and Randy....what about Jack and Kate!

or add them to your dose of the "Today Show"

Singing with Johnny cash

Dracula's next victim

This was inspiring. these were the firefighters who raised the flag at the end of the day on 9/11

Posing with the presidents

Hanging out with JP2

Kate and Rachel Ray

Harrison Ford

Carrie Underwood

I hate these two but Kate wanted the pic.

"Make it so!" Baba Wawa.

Van Gogh the Fifth Ninja Turtle (written by Jack)

2009-08-03T10:45:00.005-04:00

This is my pet turtle “Van Gogh the Fifth Ninja Turtle”. Do you get it? Sometimes people don’t. Van Gogh is a red-earred slider turtle. They originated in Texas but after being kept as pets they spread all over America. Van Gogh is just a baby so he is very small. In a few years he will reach full size. The average size turtle can be eight to ten inches. Sometimes they even grow longer than that! My mom was just thrilled when I told her that. Van Gogh loves to eat and by eat I mean anything! And by anything I mean anything except vegetables! I try to feed him vegetables but he doesn’t eat them. What he does eat is shrimp (sun dried shrimp from a can), any type of seafood, chicken, hamburger meat (I cut off a tiny pieces), and one time a piece of steak. Well I don’t want to bore you. Please enjoy your feature presentation.

Van Gogh Bustin' out a Ninja Move!

Van Gogh eating from my hand.

Van Gogh doing something awesome!

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

2009-07-31T08:40:00.000-04:00

Since getting cable we have gotten hooked on Food network, tlc, usa, cartoon network etc.
I always thought it would be cool to visit one of the places Guy Fieri goes to on his show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. When Jack saw the steamed clams and clams casino on this episode with the Black Duck, I googled it and saw it was in Westport,CT.

Last Sunday I finally kept my promise to Annie and the kids and I went on one of our adventures. We drove the hour to the ferry and were in the first group on and the first ones off! (when does that ever happen?) We went to the youth mass at her church. We are so very conservative in PA. This mass had people clapping, waving their arms, cheering and applauding for the music when church is over. We are just not used to that. I was so proud of my sister. She was up there on the alter leading the congregation, talking, playing guitar and singing, leading the young people. Talk about multi-tasking. She is incredible and inspiring.

Afterwards we had dinner with her and her boyfriend and really enjoyed ourselves. Later we skyped with Kathy and the kids and enjoyed getting to know James. He lives close to Westport and had been to the Black Duck before. He joined us for lunch the next day and we ate till we almost burst. Jack had not eaten breakfast because he was so excited to fill up on seafood. We had a huge bowl of steamed clams and clams casino as an appetizer. Lots of melted butter and lemon wedges. I was so full I just got soup and salad for lunch. Of course it was new england clam chowder! Jack liked mine so much he got his own, plus crabs cakes and sweet potato fries. Kate had the same. They both have hollow legs!

It really was a dive, the floor was slanted and it had maybe a dozen tables. It is actually a barge that sits on top of a sunken barge. It looked like it was about to collapse into the water. What a cool experience though. After lunch James gave us a tour of Westport. What a beautiful town. It smells like money. The homes were fabulous, lots of old stone, and the view of the Sound, breathtaking! James is an architect and showed us a couple of projects he had worked on. One was and old red barn he helped design into a home. Really neat.

Julie/Julia

2009-07-29T09:38:00.000-04:00

I have been reading a variety of books this summer. I got my mom hooked on the Mitford series by Jan Karon and now she is ahead of me in the series. Then she plowed through the quilting series by Jennifer Chiaverini. They are set in PA and a nice read. Meanwhile, I got hooked on finding out more about this movie with Julia Child. I have her book "The Way to Cook" which was 25plus years after Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I remember in early 90's a week of no school because of snow and making french bread as she described and it came out great! (BK-Before Kids!)

When we were in DC they had her kitchen on display and it was really neat to see. Kate asked, "Who is Julia Child?" and I groaned. "The first foodnetwork star??? before there was a foodnetwork" How could I let her watch all that food network and TLC crap and never introduce her to Julia!! I felt as if I had failed as a parent. So of course my teaching mode started. (I think my kids secretly hate this) I had to educate myself first before departing my "wisdom" but I signed up for Netflix that have the PBS series of the French Chef and bought her book, "My life in France" and the book based on the movie. I just finished Julia's book, which is good and am half way through Julie's. If you can get past the sailor language, you will like it. I even found her blog which she started in 2002 and ended it around the time Julie Child died in 2004. I've only read parts of it but it is kind of a cool story, definitely ambitious. I mean really ALL the recipes in that book. when I read her book I want to try some of them though. I get stuck in a rut with my cooking and try to mix it up a bit. oeuf in aspic is way off my mark though. If you don't know what that is.....READ the books. They are a lot of fun, inspiring and will make you hungry for good food.

This is the link to Julie Powell's blog or just google.... julie/julia project
http://blogs.salon.com/0001399/2002/08/25.html

Buttahcremezzzzzz!!!!

2009-07-27T10:16:00.007-04:00

"NO WAY, NO HOW!"

While in NYC visiting my sibs, the kids and I visited the Cake Boss. Yeah, I probably should have taken them to the Met but that will always be there, right? Buddy will let this TV show get to his head, the bakery will go out of business and be old news next year. Not educational but very fun, fattening and adventurous! Carlo's City Hall Bake Shop is in Hoboken, NJ. Just a 10 minutes train ride from the World Trade Center site. We took the subway from Chris' place in Brooklyn to WTC and then a few blocks walk to the PATH train to NJ. Hoboken is a nice town with views of the city and the shop is located on 95 Washington St (google earth it!)

We were wondering if we would see anyone from the show and all the sisters were working, a niece and MOMMA! She is a riot. Asking people if they liked the show, where they were from, getting her picture taken with customers and tying up pastry boxes. We tried the cannoli, cream puffs, lobster tails (a triangular shaped pastry filled with sweet buttah creme that when baked it curls looking like a lobster tail) and another $17.50 worth of fattening pastries, cupcakes and tarts. The shop has 3 tiny tables and plenty of airconditioning (they can't let the buttahcreme go bad) so we sat down and ate some, hangin around to see if Buddy showed up. (He didn't) Then we went for a nice walk to the river and walked along Frank Sinatra Drive and sat in the park there, looking at NYC and ate some more! Thank goodness I carry wetones with me, still!

It was a fun day.

View from Frank Sinatra Drive, Hoboken, NJ

View of NYC skyline from NJ

OK, we are stalkers and took this picture of the back of the shop. Someone drives an Escalade!!

Jack wants this cake for his Sweet 16! Superhero Cake

Outside the shop!

Kate ordering a pastry.

Da "moron" who dropped da cake down da stairz.

Momma and Mary

Niece and anothah sistah

Kate, Momma and Jack.

VACATION

2009-07-23T11:45:00.004-04:00

We have been having a great time visiting family. Here are some photos from the beach with Chris and Krissy. More photos to come.