There were so many grateful moments of my life this year but I have to say that this past week was the best and a great ending to 2023!
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop & look around once in a while...you could miss it."
Sunday, December 31, 2023
The Last Week of December 2023!
There were so many grateful moments of my life this year but I have to say that this past week was the best and a great ending to 2023!
Friday, December 29, 2023
"What Will NY152 Say Today, I Wonder"
One thing for sure is that I'm really going to miss fall. Winter has arrived and I'm enjoying the temperatures because it hasn't been too cold...yet. It's been a great December so far and can't believe we have two days left in the month. I hear that we are going to be blanketed with a ton of snow this year. Last year we got zilch so maybe we will get hit hard this winter. I hope not but I honestly have kind of grown out of the snow phase. As my kids have gotten older along with me I just can't deal with too much cold. And because I'm going through menopause right now I get extremely hot so maybe winter this year won't be too bad for me. LOL! It's been a great December so far and can't believe we have two days left in the month. I do appreciate all the seasons especially when that first snow hits and grateful to live in an area where we get all four but it's nice to go outside with just a sweater on with no coat, and sit on the steps of Kathleen Kelly's brownstone and watch the city as people walk by!
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Christmas Morning.
I’ve never been so at ease than today knowing that these kids are all here at home with us happy and safe! That we can all be less stressed and sleep soundly for at least 10 days without any worry. And that is the best gift ever! Hearing the laughter and joy from them. Having my girls especially my youngest run towards me as I opened the door only to receive the biggest hug mixed in with immediate tears. And I cried too. I love, love this times of year and appreciate all their hard work that they do while they are away at college. And that makes me one heck of a proud mom. I wish they can all go to school close to me and not on the other side of the country, but I'm grateful that they have opportunities to experience life out of their comfort zone. I am extremely grateful that they all arrived safe and that they are all for the rest of the holiday season. Truly one of the best Christmases ever.
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Christmas Eve Sunday.
Friday, December 22, 2023
An Afternoon In The West Village.
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Meeting John Stamos!
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
53.
Another year, another birthday and this tall drink of water turns 53! He continues to shine and smile no matter what. I love how jovial he always is no matter what situation we are in. He deserves all the goodness and love especially this time of year because he is literally Santa Claus. He delivers packages all day long for the entire month of December except for Sundays but luckily we have him home early on Saturdays and we always make up for the days we aren't spending time as a family another time. He loves making people happy when he delivers packages to his clients and those tips he gets this time of year are worth his hard work all year long! So proud of my blue collar worker and that he doesn't like to get his hands dirty. Even at the age of 53! Happy birthday babe!
Saturday, December 16, 2023
And The Adventure Began 29 Years Ago....
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Meeting Fran!!!
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Oh The Things We See In New York City!
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
A Little NYC Guide For The Holidays!
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Miles Has Returned & Probably For The Last Time!
He did wake up this morning looking for him and when I told him he was on the garland on the staircase his eyes lit up. It'll be bittersweet once he goes home for good. Like forever, and when he does I will miss that twinkle in Noah's eye when he sees Miles in a different spot. Noah will be 15 next Christmas and yeah, I think this will be Miles final year with us so we better make it count this month!
Thursday, November 30, 2023
A Day In Litchfield, CT!
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Thankful For Historical Sites!
Who would have known that in the outskirts of my own backyard there are pockets of old historic homes and estates with a lot of history! It's amazing what we take for granted when we don't venture out in our own area and so thankful for social media where various influencers from my neck of the woods will post about a place they've been and since there was no school the monday after his birthday weekend we decided to take Noah to Historic Walnford.
And it was indeed Historic.
So much history and the house and mill was incredible. It was so calm and peaceful touring these sites. I love the architecture inside the house and the location it's at. Who knew this little gem is only 15 minutes away from my house! So thankful for history and for all the historical sites that are literally a few miles away from our little town!
Saturday, November 25, 2023
Macy's 97th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade!
As I wrote in my previous post traditions are the best and I'm so glad that for the past 12 years we have managed to watch the parade in person! It's hard to believe Noah is the only boy left in the nest and that we still manage to go. These moments are extremely special to us and he's such a good sport to wake up early enough to go after all these years! I look back at the first time we went and it's bittersweet how fast all my kids have grown! Especially now that my girls are all young adults, but still...nostagia hurts sometimes because they are so missed especially around the holidays.
I am so thankful to have Noah to hang with and do fun stuff with. I hope that he will make this a tradition with his future posterity and that he will continue to wake up early-at least for the next four years so that we can make more memories before he leaves the nest!
Now for a few photos as I didn't take too many because I'm getting old and I actually want to enjoy the parade with what's left of my little fam Jon instead of having my phone glued to my hand! LOL!
Thursday, November 23, 2023
Thankful for Traditions and Happy Thanksgiving!
Traditions are very special and one tradition that we have had since moving to the east coast has been going to the Macy's thanksgiving parade in NYC. It's hard to believe that I have one kid left in the nest and today was extra special. This kid has been a trooper for the past 12 years waking up every thanksgiving morning at 5-6am just so we can get to the Macy's parade a bit early! I am thankful for all of our blessings and for the day we had. Especially more grateful for my girls who are away for college and live in a state where they have family to spend the holidays with. My heart is full! Happy thanksgiving and stay tuned for more pics!
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Thankful For My Girls!
These girls are my everything! I honestly don't know what would do or be without them in my life. They are the first to have made me a mother. Sierra, Lexie, and Chelsea. All five years apart and counting my blessings everyday that they were born with that age gap. In hindsight it was good for my mental health. That five year age gap has been a blessing and continues to be a blessing. I love them all unconditionally and there is nothing in the world that I would do for them. So thankful for all their differences and for who they are. I sure do learn a lot from them and pray that I will always be open minded and supportive in all the decisions they make with their lives. Motherhood is truly the best and I'm so glad that I decided to have four instead of just one kid!
Friday, November 17, 2023
Thankful For My Only Boy.
November has to be my luckiest month because that is when my son, our only boy Noah was born. He's 14 and till this day he is as sweet as they come. He has inherited at least one attribute from each of his sisters. Me and his dad. He is every percentage of all five of us which makes him unique in his own way. I love that he's kind and giving. He loves to help the homeless. If he sees someone that looks like they are in need whether on the side of the road as we are getting off the turnpike or in the streets of New York he wants to help.
One time we saw a man walking down fifth avenue in the city looking inside every single trash can for food and here comes Noah asking me if we can get him something to eat. Those homeless people that mind their business and don't panhandle are usually the ones that really need it. And you can tell. I always go by my gut and will give if I feel that nudge. Noah is a lot like me when it comes to caring for the needy. He's crazy and sassy sometimes like Chelsea, super sensitive yet very agreeable like Lexie. Artistic and creative like Sierra, and sometimes too nice like his dad. He does have latin in him which will rarely come out. Like ever! I hope that he won't have that Spanish heat like I do. He's a jersey boy through and through with the way he speaks and I love it! Sometimes I have to tell him to enunciate his words and not talk too fast! But that's the way of life here in Jersey. At least he talks fast and doesn't like being rushed. Living in Jersey can be super rushed and I have been teaching him that life doesn't have to be like that. Just because you're from here doesn't mean you have to be like it! So thankful for this kid who still likes to play with action figures, reads comic books, talks about social media, dystopias, friendships, and constantly sends me tiktoks that relate to love and moms, and also geeky ones that I sometimes don't get!
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Thankful For My Sis.
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Autumn In New York & An Expression of Gratitude For This Season!
Thursday, November 9, 2023
14.
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Historic Village Diner in Red Hook!
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Pumpkin Picking in Vermont!
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Happy Halloween!
13 years old and this kid still wanted to go trick or treating! I love that he still wants to go out and get all dressed up and get some candy for free instead of just staying home doing nothing. He certainly misses Chelsea and how they would trade candy at the end of halloween night. He was a ghost and I love that he chose a simple costume. Cheap and easy to make and he was a cute one. He came home with a bag filled with candy and he was satisfied with what he got. He gets his braces off next Monday and he is counting the days until he can eat his gummy bears, skittles and popcorn balls! It was such a fun day and capturing moments in the city all dressed up is always fun. There are times when we wish we lived there and then we look at where we are and say, "the burbs aren't too bad" but nonetheless we always make our halloween adventures a fun time whether here or in the city. Maybe next year we will experience the trick or streets in New York! And just look at all the decor on these brownstone stoops! Absolutely amazing!
Monday, October 30, 2023
Procession Of The Ghouls!
Friday, October 20, 2023
Matthew Gray Gubler - The Little Kid with the Big Green Hand!
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Irving's Legend In Tarrytown!
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Jersey Shore in January 2023.
Monday, October 9, 2023
The Perfect Little Pumpkin Display!
Friday, October 6, 2023
The Martha-Mary Chapel & Redstone Schoolhouse.
Thursday, October 5, 2023
SIX & Back To The Future On Broadway!
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
52.
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
The WaySide Inn Old Barn.
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Happy Autumn!
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Pumpkin Season!
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
DeVotchKa In Philly!
Monday, September 18, 2023
Year 8!
Friday, September 15, 2023
9/11 Tribute Lights & The Empty Sky Memorial.
Monday, September 11, 2023
Flight 93 Memorial.
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Chicago!
Now for some photos.....
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
A Day In Mystic!
Thursday, August 17, 2023
A Day In Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Saturday, August 12, 2023
Cross Estate Gardens.
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Pioneer Trek In Pennsylvania.
Reenacting Pioneer Trek in this day and age is an even bigger challenge because of what is left behind such as smartphones & any worldly possessions (which explains these grainy photos taken from an old school camera) but I’m grateful that these kids went including two of my own. Noah said that it was painful but he had great time. He's 13.5 years old and was excited to go and then realized once he arrived at their location how difficult it will be. However, he loved the "family" he was in and was happy to do it and doesn't think he'll do it again!
Saturday, August 5, 2023
McAllen Texas Temple!
Friday, August 4, 2023
Reunited - Catching Up On Lost Time.