For days I have tried to sit down and write something profound to commemorate the 10th anniversary of September 11th. For days, those words were not coming. So, while my son napped, I sat in my parents recliner and watched the continuous news coverage. I listened to the names ofnthosenwho passed, I sawntheir names on the memorials. I watched the images and videos of that day flash across the screen. Tears filled my eyes and I remembered it like it was yesterday. I again sat down to try and write, but the words still eluded me. I didn't understand why until I realized that it was a year ago today that I sat and wrote my very first blog post. It was the first time I bared my soul for all the world to see. It was a piece in remembrance of September 11, 2001. It was one of the best pieces I have written. I realized I couldn't write another piece that would express my feelings and emotions better than that one and I'd like to share that one with you.
"Do you remember where you were, what you were doing the day the world stood still? I do, as if it were yesterday. I was meeting a co-worker at a customer meeting in Princeton, NJ. we sat down with e customer and began discussing their account activity, pricing, inventory and changes we could make so that their records management program would run at it's highest efficiency. We were just starting to look over the statistical data, when the receptionist burst into the conference room, tears streaming down her face. She screamed that the Towers had been hit by 2 planes. My stomach dropped, the faces around the room turned stark white. One of the lawyers turned on the news. We all watched in horror as people, who were probably gathering together in meetings just as we were, were now running or jumping for their lives. They were covered in ash, their tears making a clean line down their faces. Strangers embraced. You could see the fear and terror in their eyes. Many were on cell phones making every attempt to contact loved ones watching at home, and let them know they were okay, or just to sway I love you and be grateful that they still could. Rescue crews rushed to help the wounded and the trapped with no regard for their health or safety. America stood still. Never had Americans been concerned for a terrorist attack on our own land, so close to home. And now that it had, a silence fell as we tried to comprehend that the world we had known was ripped away without any warning. The very freedoms we enjoy as Americans had been destroyed. Our world and landscape had changed forever."
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Old Place, New Family
As we began moving to our new apartment a few months ago, I wrote a piece called The Echoes We Leave Behind. I wrote about how I believed that every family leaves echoes when they move on to a new home. I walked room to room recalling the fond memories we had made there. It is a piece I am very proud of and it has helped to document the journey that our family has taken.
Since we moved, we have watched our place remain empty. The first of every month comes and goes and it remains empty. Until about two weeks ago, they began renovations. We knew that our echoes were being replaced. It would no longer resemble the place that we called home for so long. We also knew that someone was moving in. In someway, we still had an attachment to that place and living across the street from it, well, we never really separated. It was our first home, our son's first home, many firsts in our life took place there and that is not something that is easy to let go of. We were offended that someone else was moving into OUR home.
Then last night as we sat on our new balcony, having coffee after dinner, we saw the bathroom light go on, then the kitchen, then the bedroom. We saw people feverishly cleaning and begin moving things into OUR home. I'll admit, part of me was sad. I will always think of it as our home and our home was being invaded by intruders.
To be nice (and curious) my husband went over to introduce himself and welcome them to the neighborhood. He explained that we used to live there and was wondering if they had done a full renovation for them. The mother of the couple nicely invited my husband up to see what they had done. Bad idea!!! No sooner had my husband walked down OUR stairs, was he calling me. They ripped up the kitchen floor that he so perfectly put down, the cabinets were new and there was now a dishwasher. Yes, the floor was a big deal!!! My husband spent an entire Saturday laying that floor, meticulously making sure that each tile was perfectly lined up. It was only peel and stick tiles, but it made my kitchen homey and made me happy. After all the years that it was there, not one tile ever cracked, lifted or shifted. And now it was gone. OUR floor was gone. WE were gone. The personal touches that we added to make it OUR home were gone and with it left the echoes that we left behind.
In some way knowing that someone else wasn't walking on MY floor in MY kitchen helped me to mentally and emotionally make the separation from old place to new place. It has ignited a fire to start buckling down and making OUR home OURS once again.
Since we moved, we have watched our place remain empty. The first of every month comes and goes and it remains empty. Until about two weeks ago, they began renovations. We knew that our echoes were being replaced. It would no longer resemble the place that we called home for so long. We also knew that someone was moving in. In someway, we still had an attachment to that place and living across the street from it, well, we never really separated. It was our first home, our son's first home, many firsts in our life took place there and that is not something that is easy to let go of. We were offended that someone else was moving into OUR home.
Then last night as we sat on our new balcony, having coffee after dinner, we saw the bathroom light go on, then the kitchen, then the bedroom. We saw people feverishly cleaning and begin moving things into OUR home. I'll admit, part of me was sad. I will always think of it as our home and our home was being invaded by intruders.
To be nice (and curious) my husband went over to introduce himself and welcome them to the neighborhood. He explained that we used to live there and was wondering if they had done a full renovation for them. The mother of the couple nicely invited my husband up to see what they had done. Bad idea!!! No sooner had my husband walked down OUR stairs, was he calling me. They ripped up the kitchen floor that he so perfectly put down, the cabinets were new and there was now a dishwasher. Yes, the floor was a big deal!!! My husband spent an entire Saturday laying that floor, meticulously making sure that each tile was perfectly lined up. It was only peel and stick tiles, but it made my kitchen homey and made me happy. After all the years that it was there, not one tile ever cracked, lifted or shifted. And now it was gone. OUR floor was gone. WE were gone. The personal touches that we added to make it OUR home were gone and with it left the echoes that we left behind.
In some way knowing that someone else wasn't walking on MY floor in MY kitchen helped me to mentally and emotionally make the separation from old place to new place. It has ignited a fire to start buckling down and making OUR home OURS once again.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Irene's Aftermath
Shortly after I shut my laptop down for the night, we lost power for about 10 seconds. Thank goodness. But others have not been so fortunate. I expected to wake up this morning and see mass destruction. But there were only a few small branches that scattered our complex. The courtyards have reatined a lot of water. But all in all, we were extremely lucky.
My parents spent the night battling the water that was coming in their laundry room. The sump pump and shop vac have done their jobs and have helped to protect their belongings. They still have no power and the fight isn't over. There was so much rain and the ground is so water logged, it could be hours before the water stops seeping in. Mom and Dad are very tired. It's things like that that make me thankful that I live in and apartment on the second floor.
Through all of this, the one thing that has totally stressed me out is what is happeneing to my Dad's boat. I'm aure my parents are a lot more stressed about it than I am, but that boat is my Dad's pride and joy. He would be totally devastated if something happened to it. On Friday, Dad and my brother went down to the marina to secure the boat as much as possible. So, we are hoping for the best.
The Jersey shore got hit the worst. The sea has made it all the way to the boardwalk and in some areas, like Long Beach Island, the bay and sea have met and the island is flooded. I am hoping that all of those that have been in Irene's path from the Bahamas to New york have sustained little damage. However, their has been a total death toll of 8 people; some due to their own stupidity (going in the water to surf) or from that natural events of the storm (one boy in VA was killed when a tree flew into the apartment.
Looking back, we were well over prepared for what our complex endured. However, I am happy that we took every precaution that we could and did not have to put emergency plans into place.
Once I can get some pictures, I will post them.
My parents spent the night battling the water that was coming in their laundry room. The sump pump and shop vac have done their jobs and have helped to protect their belongings. They still have no power and the fight isn't over. There was so much rain and the ground is so water logged, it could be hours before the water stops seeping in. Mom and Dad are very tired. It's things like that that make me thankful that I live in and apartment on the second floor.
Through all of this, the one thing that has totally stressed me out is what is happeneing to my Dad's boat. I'm aure my parents are a lot more stressed about it than I am, but that boat is my Dad's pride and joy. He would be totally devastated if something happened to it. On Friday, Dad and my brother went down to the marina to secure the boat as much as possible. So, we are hoping for the best.
The Jersey shore got hit the worst. The sea has made it all the way to the boardwalk and in some areas, like Long Beach Island, the bay and sea have met and the island is flooded. I am hoping that all of those that have been in Irene's path from the Bahamas to New york have sustained little damage. However, their has been a total death toll of 8 people; some due to their own stupidity (going in the water to surf) or from that natural events of the storm (one boy in VA was killed when a tree flew into the apartment.
Looking back, we were well over prepared for what our complex endured. However, I am happy that we took every precaution that we could and did not have to put emergency plans into place.
Once I can get some pictures, I will post them.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
And So It Begins
After spending the day watching the news and peering out the windows, have started seeing the beginning effects of Hurricane Irene. The rain is coming down heavier and the wind has picked up considerably. The gusts are also starting to come more frequently and becoming stronger. Irene is due to be here in full force in about and hour.
I'll admit, throughout today I was getting a little skeptical about the force of Irene. What we were watching on TV just wasn't matching what we were seeing out the window. I have made several attempts to take pictures of the bending trees and rain and since it's dark, it isn't working well. But I will definitely be getting pictures once the sun comes up and we can begin to assess the damage in the neighborhood. And posting, of course.
We are going to make every attempt to stay up as long as we can. I told my husband that I could sleep through this, but I'm thinking it is going to be a very long night. There is almost a morbid curiosity to see what Irene is all about and the true force of this thing. I have never experienced this type of extreme weather. I have seen reports of hurricanes from the islands and Florida, but never saw it with my own two eyes.
I am pretty certain that I will be losing power. Our lights have begun to flicker. There are many outages already scattered through New Jersey and Irene isn't even here yet, so I am going to put my laptop on charge so it will be fully charged when the power inevitably goes out and will make sure to keep notes and keep writing with the aid of my flashlight and will post as sson as possible.
Everyone keep safe...
I'll admit, throughout today I was getting a little skeptical about the force of Irene. What we were watching on TV just wasn't matching what we were seeing out the window. I have made several attempts to take pictures of the bending trees and rain and since it's dark, it isn't working well. But I will definitely be getting pictures once the sun comes up and we can begin to assess the damage in the neighborhood. And posting, of course.
We are going to make every attempt to stay up as long as we can. I told my husband that I could sleep through this, but I'm thinking it is going to be a very long night. There is almost a morbid curiosity to see what Irene is all about and the true force of this thing. I have never experienced this type of extreme weather. I have seen reports of hurricanes from the islands and Florida, but never saw it with my own two eyes.
I am pretty certain that I will be losing power. Our lights have begun to flicker. There are many outages already scattered through New Jersey and Irene isn't even here yet, so I am going to put my laptop on charge so it will be fully charged when the power inevitably goes out and will make sure to keep notes and keep writing with the aid of my flashlight and will post as sson as possible.
Everyone keep safe...
Preparing for Hurricane Irene
New Jersey is a place where you usually don't have to worry about things like tornados, earthquakes and hurricanes. However, this week we have experienced an earthquake (small tremors from a larger quake in Virginia) and this weekend we are hunkering down for Hurricane Irene. This will be the largest hurricane to hit New Jersey directly since 1944.
I remember a few hurricanes in my life, but they never hit directly on top of New Jersey. We always experienced the outer bands. Irene, though is headed right for us and is expected to reach us by midnight tonight. As of yesterday, the state has called for mandatory evacutations of all the beaches and low lying areas and travel to the shore has been blocked.
It's scary really. We have been watching the news almost non-stop making sure we have the most up-to-date information available. The images from North Carolina (were the storm is currently) are down right frightening. The force of the winds (up to 80 mph) and the churning of the sea make you realize just how fierce this thing is and how much damage it can really cause.
So, even though we may have over prepared, I feel better that we have taken every precaution to ensure our family and belongings are safe. We have food. We have water. We have batteries. We have entertainment for our son. And we have entertainment for us. The laptops, iPad, LeapPad, and iPhones are set for charging incase we lose power. We have removed furniture from our balcony and taped our windows. And in the event that we have no power for a few says, we are prepared to head to my parents house a few towns over since they have a generator ready to go.
The lenses I ordered for my iPhone are due to be delivered today in the mail and I'm excited to get some great photos to share. My intention is to blog throughout the storm and document the chain of events that we are going to encounter, not only for others to see, but so one day I can show our son what his first hurricane was like. If I am unable to post, I will keep a running blog and upload as soon as possible. So, stay tuned for those and some pictures of what we are seeing.
Currently, the sky is cloudy and we have seen a few raindrops. The air, though, is very heavy and thick and oddly calm for what is coming. As I look out the window, there are people coming home with groceries and provisions.
For those of you that are or will be affected by Irene, please listen to the warnings and get prepared. Stay inside and do everything in your power to ensure the safety of your family, pets and home.
I remember a few hurricanes in my life, but they never hit directly on top of New Jersey. We always experienced the outer bands. Irene, though is headed right for us and is expected to reach us by midnight tonight. As of yesterday, the state has called for mandatory evacutations of all the beaches and low lying areas and travel to the shore has been blocked.
It's scary really. We have been watching the news almost non-stop making sure we have the most up-to-date information available. The images from North Carolina (were the storm is currently) are down right frightening. The force of the winds (up to 80 mph) and the churning of the sea make you realize just how fierce this thing is and how much damage it can really cause.
So, even though we may have over prepared, I feel better that we have taken every precaution to ensure our family and belongings are safe. We have food. We have water. We have batteries. We have entertainment for our son. And we have entertainment for us. The laptops, iPad, LeapPad, and iPhones are set for charging incase we lose power. We have removed furniture from our balcony and taped our windows. And in the event that we have no power for a few says, we are prepared to head to my parents house a few towns over since they have a generator ready to go.
The lenses I ordered for my iPhone are due to be delivered today in the mail and I'm excited to get some great photos to share. My intention is to blog throughout the storm and document the chain of events that we are going to encounter, not only for others to see, but so one day I can show our son what his first hurricane was like. If I am unable to post, I will keep a running blog and upload as soon as possible. So, stay tuned for those and some pictures of what we are seeing.
Currently, the sky is cloudy and we have seen a few raindrops. The air, though, is very heavy and thick and oddly calm for what is coming. As I look out the window, there are people coming home with groceries and provisions.
For those of you that are or will be affected by Irene, please listen to the warnings and get prepared. Stay inside and do everything in your power to ensure the safety of your family, pets and home.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Ready for Fall
By this time of year, I start getting anxious for the fall season. I’m basically done with summer and ready to move on. I know, you summer lovers are probably cursing me left and right, but the summer in Jersey this year has been unusually hot and humid. We also moved to a new apartment and get the afternoon sun, so at times, it feels like our place is on the surface of the sun. The air conditioners are loud and to try and maintain a cooler temperature we keep the blinds closed. I feel like I am locked up in a cave!!!
Don’t get me wrong, there are many things that I will miss about the summer season. I’ll miss hanging at my Dad’s boat for a lazy Saturday afternoon. I’ll miss the taste of Jersey corn (locally grown and oh so fresh). I’ll miss tan lines, BBQs and the smell of the ocean. I’ll miss the feeling of sand under my feet and flip flops.
Fall is one of my favorite seasons. I love to decorate the house in fall colors and with fall décor. I love making soups and stews and chili. I love the sound of football echoing through the house and hearing my husband scream at the TV. I love the crispness of the air and having my windows open. One of my favorite Fall activities is pumpkin picking and walking through the corn maze. I’m hoping this year Brandon
I have recently taken up photography as a hobby and Fall offers many opportunities for amazing pictures. Our cousins just moved back to Vermont
And without so many things to do on the weekends, I may even get a chance to finish that book….
Monday, July 11, 2011
All Settled
Okay, well, we have been settled for a few weeks now. Truth be told, all boxes were packed and life was back to normal in a record 5 days. I'm not one to live out of boxes. I need to know where my things are and that they are neat and organized.
A lot of person things have kept me from keeping up with my blog. First, the move was slightly overwhelming. I had never packed all my stuff and moved before. I didn't go away to college and when my husband and I moved in together (then my boyfriend), I packed my little sport car everyday on my lunch hour and unpacked it that night. It was a slow and steady process. This, on the other hand, started out really organized and ended up as a grab and go. We moved 7 years of our lives in 8 hours. We have more space so it seems bare and echoy...echoy is that even a word? Anyway, you get it.
With my unemployment benefits coming quickly to an end, I have been putting a huge focus on finding a job and getting my resume out there. I had hopes of launching a freelance career and not have to go back to an office, but I realize now that it is going to take more time than what I have. But I am not giving up!! And that's the reason that after all this time, I logged on and started writing.
I have been freelancing for one customer and once I get into the swing of it and learn to manage time a little better, those articles will go much more smoothly and take a lot less time. I have also been working on an ongoing project for a website. Busy, busy, busy, but unfortunately not enough to keep me home.
While I was still working, I began writing a book based mostly on the events surrounding the passing of my grandmother. Sounds depressing, I know. But it is a story filled with the grief and sorrow surrounding death and he joy of recalling memories. I have been a bad writer and have completely neglected it the entire time I have been home. I probably could have finished it by now. But, I will be actively finishing it up and getting it out there. Even if it isn't a big hit, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I have a published book. I have a great idea for my next one. Yup, film material.....
Since I was a little girl, I loved to take pictures of people and things. I never really lost that love and until recently haven't given it much thought except that it was something I did...just for me...for fun. I have since discovered the joy of photo editing and have a few iPhone apps that I use. I have registered on a photo networking site and am in the process of creating a website to sell some of my work, or try to anyway. I have been totally inspired by people in my life that do this already and even if no one buys my work, I can guarantee the art in my home will be very original. Stay tuned for the launch.
So, where does that leave me? It leaves me with a million and one ideas and not enough hours in the day. But after my little hiatus, I have come back with a renewed fire to turn the things that I love into what I do for a living. It's now or never......
A lot of person things have kept me from keeping up with my blog. First, the move was slightly overwhelming. I had never packed all my stuff and moved before. I didn't go away to college and when my husband and I moved in together (then my boyfriend), I packed my little sport car everyday on my lunch hour and unpacked it that night. It was a slow and steady process. This, on the other hand, started out really organized and ended up as a grab and go. We moved 7 years of our lives in 8 hours. We have more space so it seems bare and echoy...echoy is that even a word? Anyway, you get it.
With my unemployment benefits coming quickly to an end, I have been putting a huge focus on finding a job and getting my resume out there. I had hopes of launching a freelance career and not have to go back to an office, but I realize now that it is going to take more time than what I have. But I am not giving up!! And that's the reason that after all this time, I logged on and started writing.
I have been freelancing for one customer and once I get into the swing of it and learn to manage time a little better, those articles will go much more smoothly and take a lot less time. I have also been working on an ongoing project for a website. Busy, busy, busy, but unfortunately not enough to keep me home.
While I was still working, I began writing a book based mostly on the events surrounding the passing of my grandmother. Sounds depressing, I know. But it is a story filled with the grief and sorrow surrounding death and he joy of recalling memories. I have been a bad writer and have completely neglected it the entire time I have been home. I probably could have finished it by now. But, I will be actively finishing it up and getting it out there. Even if it isn't a big hit, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I have a published book. I have a great idea for my next one. Yup, film material.....
Since I was a little girl, I loved to take pictures of people and things. I never really lost that love and until recently haven't given it much thought except that it was something I did...just for me...for fun. I have since discovered the joy of photo editing and have a few iPhone apps that I use. I have registered on a photo networking site and am in the process of creating a website to sell some of my work, or try to anyway. I have been totally inspired by people in my life that do this already and even if no one buys my work, I can guarantee the art in my home will be very original. Stay tuned for the launch.
So, where does that leave me? It leaves me with a million and one ideas and not enough hours in the day. But after my little hiatus, I have come back with a renewed fire to turn the things that I love into what I do for a living. It's now or never......
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