Fall Activities

On Saturday, after the first soccer game of the season, we decided that we'd spend the day doing something relaxing yet that we all loved. So we headed up to Warwick, NY. We go every year around this time. We decided to pass by the apple orchard and the dairy farm we love so much. We didn't do any apple picking but we did eat some apples. Shhh! But I do think you are allowed to eat as many as you want while you're there but I suppose they expect to buy a bag while your at it. So we cheated a bit! We ate some apples and then the kids climbed a tree and we fed the petting zoo animals some grass. Afterwards, we headed to the dairy farm where we took pictures of the beautiful cows. They are so gorgeous. One day when I finally have my farm in Montana I will have some of these beautiful creatures and I will be so happy. My husband thinks I'm nuts (mostly) but I believe I have him slowly turning my way. Anyway, so we finally ended up at The Iron Forge Inn. It is a 1700's house turned into a restaurant with an awesome Tap Room that serves really great food and it always has a fire burning this time of year. The smell of that wood and the coziness of the room is so relaxing. We had a wonderful, quiet and relaxing day. We'll be going back soon enough and I can't wait.

Life Moves Fast

The kids have been back at school about a week and a half now. We are finally starting to settle in with the daily schedules and the evening activities and practices. So far so good. Before we know it the holidays will once again be upon us. It's been a tough year for many and I can only hope that the holidays will remind us of what we're really supposed to be thankful for. We tend to forget what's really important and I'm determined to continue to be mindful regardless of our situation whether financial or whatever. I believe most things happen for a reason and I have decided that nothing is more important than having a loving and close family and realizing that there's more to life than big houses, luxury cars and the Jones'. It's been one hell of a wake up call for many and I believe the universe is sending us a message. Snap out of it! Wake up and stop spoiling your kids and buying your happiness. Life is meant to be enjoyed and most of us tend to walk through life numb. Before we know it our children have grown up and we've missed it. I say we get back to what really makes us happy--Family and Friends and let's not forget Simplicity!

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Well, today is officially the last day of my vacation. After this weekend I return to work on Monday morning as usual. I'm kinda sad about it but not because I don't like my job (I really like my job and co-workers) but because I'm gonna miss being home with my husband and kids. I really love being with them. I enjoy our hours spent together watching movies, reading books and taking walks. We do everything together. I'm one of those moms you see who takes her children everywhere with her. We go grocery shopping and clothes shopping and we even go to the laundromat together to wash those monsterous quilts that don't fit in my washing machine. Life goes by very fast and I don't want to miss a minute. Don't get me wrong, I get frustrated and upset with my kids just like everyone else but I remind myself that they are only little once. I need to enjoy them now before they start off on their own lives. I'm sure it won't be long before then.

Today we went to the American Museum of Natural History in NYC. We got a pass from our local library that allows you to visit the museum for free. It was a lot of fun but the kids did get tired pretty quickly due to all the walking as did my husband. We were all pretty pooped out by days end. We took the bus into the city and getting there seemed to take forever. The weather was very nice so walking back to Port Authority wasn't so bad. We walked from 79th street all the way back to 41st. It was a lot of walking. New York City blocks are very long. We did stop into The Shops at Columbus Circle to look around. I always love shopping even if it's just window shopping. We had a great day and my vacation has worked out pretty nicely so far. We probably won't do much tomorrow and just get some rest but Sunday may be a beach day. Maybe I can start on those things I've been pushing off tomorrow. We'll see. I'm enjoying this time off quite a bit.

Washington Square Park continued (pics)

The Pots and Pans Man--this guy will yell at you if you try to videotape him.

The Kids

Husband and the boy

I love New York. Have I mentioned that before?

The Lives We Leave Behind

I am an anxious person by nature. I try to keep a certain level of peace in my life at all times even though I know that isn't always possible . But for the most part I've been able to achieve that balance by abiding by a specific set of rules that I try not to deviate from. Several years ago I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I thought I would certainly lose my mind and in turn die from the lunacy that would take over my brain. The episode took a lot from me at the time and prevented me from finishing things that I had hoped would help me with my future plans. I am happy to say that I didn't lose my mind and, as you can see, I'm still alive. The factors that led to that awful time are no longer a part of my everyday life. Thankfully! But recently, certain things have brought back memories of that time and I know that if I don't do everything in my power to let that go I can be sure that those feelings will return. I can't go through that again. I won't go through that again! There are things that will happen in our lives that will test our strength, as well as, our sanity. I believe I've grown stronger due to some amazing support from my husband, some family and close friends. But what happens to those who aren't as lucky. I say that because there is plenty of evidence to support the fact that so many people have not had the good fortune of support to take them through tough times. I am currently reading a book called The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases From a State Hospital Attic . About a year ago, a friend and I had the good fortune of attending an exhibit at the New York Public Library that had displayed the main ten individuals portrayed in the book. It was both eye opening and heartbreaking. The book details the lives of people who didn't have a backup system or people to turn to and, in fact, some of those people shouldn't have even been there. I thank my lucky stars that I have people. It's seems so simple yet it means so much. My eyes are open just a little wider now.