Apple Picking On The Last Day Of September.

As soon as Noah came home from school we decided to go apple picking at Battleview Orchards. It was a perfect overcast day to go. I had a feeling the orchards were going to be picked over and I was right. Luckily we found a few good apples but the one thing Noah really wanted was a golden apple. Those are his favorite and so we lucked out on finding a couple. We left with a few apples and because I forgot this place is cash only had 13 bucks on me. Luckily these eight mediocre apples were only 4 bucks!! Such a great deal and we had such a fun time without heavy crowds. I'm totally getting used to just having one kid now and it's probably best since Chelsea will be gone next fall. But tradition is tradition and I love apple picking. Even if it's just with one kid. Might as well get used to one on one outings with my only boy. And it actually was super fun! Now for a little apple picking photo op...

"Bug Light" House in South Portland, Maine!

Can't believe we've been to Maine sooooo many times and never made our way to this cute lighthouse. It's called "Bug Light" and it was built in 1875 and it is seriously one for the most elegant lighthouses in Maine. It was built with plates of cast iron and was dubbed "Bug Light" due to its small size and it's the cutest thing this side of the Atlantic Ocean! Every time we come to Maine we always go to Cape Neddick to see the Nubble lighthouse and although that will always be my favorite my second favorite is now this cute little bug light! The history behind all these lighthouses are amazing and love that we have them all over the ocean for a wonderful purpose to always guide us on the way home!

51.

I’ve aged 200 years in the past year and I have all the GREY hair to prove it but that’s my life. My Life that’s filled with beautiful moments and trials that make us strong. One thing I’m extremely grateful for is my family. No matter how the day ends up we always end it with love in our hearts. I also want to publicly thank those who sent me birthday wishes. It’s the little things you know! And spending it in Boston with 4/6 of my family was the best! Cheers to surviving the first year in my fifties! 

Autumn Babies....

 

No matter how much I wanted summer to stay I have to say that I am extremely happy that fall is here! I say this every single year!! The fact that Noah and I are autumn babies makes the season even more colorful! I turn 51 in exactly two days and looking forward to celebrating with my family and also doing all the fall things that are meant to be done during this beautiful but short season. So let the leaf peeping, pumpkin picking, apple picking, apple cider drinking, birthday season begin! Happy first day of Fall! 

 

Nostalgic Moments & An End To Summer...

The past couple of weeks have somewhat felt like fall and can't believe today is the last day of summer! It looks like today will be the last temp in the 80's but with New Jersey/New York weather you just never know! There are days when we will have 70 degree weather in December when it should be cold in the 40's! Nowadays we just go with the flow and whatever temperature is that day we'll just go with it! Rain or shine, snow or sun- we'll take it even in the winter months that will soon follow! 

Tennis Season- Senior Year!

Tennis season has begun for Chelsea and I couldn't be more excited! Even though the US OPEN is over I still get to watch my girl play. So far she has won a couple of matches and her serve is strong! She has improved so much in the past four years of playing in high school. It's bittersweet knowing that this is her final year playing in high school and am so excited to see her play. I hope she wins lots, but most of all I just want her to have fun with the game. 

In Memory Of A.J....

Last Friday a student from Noah's school was killed in a biking accident and today he was laid to rest. It truly This memorial represents his memory and a reminder to me that biking accidents can occur at any time, any day to anyone. Particularly children. Our town has a lot of kids and this accident was literally less than a mile from my house. The location where he was hit is what I call deadman's curve because of how quick people try to beat the traffic to turn on this street. I personally no longer turn on this street because of that purpose. Then again the Peddie bridge is still closed off anyway so I can't even drive through it. That was a shortcut for me on my way home and it no longer is an option...for now. 

Ever since Noah brought flowers to lay them down on his little memorial the week has been pretty somber.   I've been focused more on my time with my kids talking to them and I mean really talking to them and less on social media. It's so nice when you truly look at what's around you that's "real" and to appreciate what's in front of you. I know life goes on and we will eventually adventure on at times but we will never forget this sweet boy or what happened here last Friday evening. RIP A.J. and know that our prayers are with your family and we know that you are looking down from above. 

We Remember....

It was a rainy day on a Sunday afternoon when we drove to jersey city to pay our respects and reflect on those who lost their lives on September 11th, 21 years ago. Going to the Empty Sky memorial is always a somber space where we see people setting up flowers and ribbons on the name space of their loved ones. There was even one woman who caught my eye and after taking her picture expressed my sorrow to her in regards to her loved one. She seemed strong but could see that there were tears about to stream down her face as she was placing the ribbon on his name. 

Even 21 years later we remember. And still shed tears. I didn't even know these humans who lost their lives and yet my kids and I still mourn and grieve for them. Knowing that we live so close to ground zero and having come all the time to pay our respects since we moved to the east is a humbling feeling. We didn't make it to the world trade center memorial this year, but we are Jersey folk and this is our second year going to Empty Sky on September 11th. And it truly was a bittersweet feeling. Here's a little video from last year to reflect....

US OPEN - 2022

Summer isn't quite over yet and September began with going to the US OPEN. I love, love this time of year because it's the beginning of fall to come, my birthday month, and of course - going to the US OPEN. 

Jon took the day off to take me to see a couple of matches and all I have to say is that it was a perfect day! The weather was 75 degrees and I was with my favorite person celebrating an "early birthday" gift. Also, watching Tiafoe play against Alcaraz was amazing. Such an emotional ending to the day and so happy for Tiafoe who has come a long ways a tennis player to be at this point in his life today. Such a talented player with a lot of heart! I know he will win someday and hope to be there again when he does! Love, loved this day and to end this post I will share a few photos. 

12th & 7th!

Today is the first day of school for my last two birdies. Senior year for Chelsea and 7th grade for Noah. I look back at this post and wonder...where has the time gone! I feel as if I blogged about their first years of school yesterday! Wishing the best of luck to them and to all the kids out there who have already returned to school. I pray many blessings of safety upon our children as they enter the halls of their school-wherever they roam. Hoping that they are not faced with any tragedy. Adversity is common among kids growing up and trying to find their way as they get older, especially when it comes to their future. I am thinking of the kids of Uvalde as well and hope that those who survived that horrific tragedy  continue to be resilient and strong as they return back to school. Everyone is built differently and I hope that my kids will remember to always BE KIND, keep their guard up and to live each day as if it was their last! 

Audrey.

“Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after the same rainbow's end
Waitin' 'round the bend
My huckleberry friend
Moon river and me.”

On the final weekend of August Chelsea and I drifted along the west village where we saw Audrey the musical. It was such a sweet story of one of our favorite icons. So glad we saw this as it was only off broadway for a month! A great way to close out the season before school starts!

The End Of Summer Break!

 

Ahhhh! I can't believe that the end of summer break is here and that this was our last beach trip of the season. I have loved every minute spent with these kids and although I'm grateful for education and that they will be back at school this week I will definitely miss hanging out with them! The older they get the more I want to appreciate their presence and all the things that their heart desires which isn't too much. They are the most agreeable kids and I especially love the way they don't plan and want to do the simple things in life. Going to the shore are moments of fun, sand in our tushes upon leaving, and splashing in the waves while soaking in the ocean. Ahhh yes - I'm sure going to miss these moments...and so will they!