Gifts...

I'm finding myself resenting "expected" gift giving holidays... I'm also getting uncomfortable receiving an "expected" gift.  Does anyone else think it's just escalated to being "out of control"... I'm NOT even emphasizing Christmas... It's all the "other" ones... one after the next after the next... it leaves me to purchase impulsively, spend too much because I think I'll look cheap or know it will be returned...and being a "mall avoider" that feeling of HAVING to purchase something leaves me overwhelmed... especially when it's forced... I do find total pleasure in giving a special gift - that's not what I'm focusing on though.  What happened to a "small token"... or just a card (which I'm resenting buying since they are so boring and way too expensive)... Giving gifts has NOTHING to do with being thoughtful... and giving an expensive gift has no baring on how you should feel about someone... the worst is the "passive aggressive" gift receiver ... they set themselves up for disappointment and constantly tell you how others disappointed them on the gift they received - How can you react to that statement?  One becomes disappointed because they have unrealistic expectations.  I LOVE to surprise someone with something I know they will like... but I hate to HAVE to buy someone a gift... a genuine act of kindness goes so much further to me!

Summer Stock Theatre!

30 years ago I had one of the best summers I can remember ... I was out of college (theatre major) quit my job in the city and moved to NH to stage manage in a summer theatre stock company - "Town and Country Playhouse" - we did 8 full scale plays/musicals in 10 weeks... rehearsed during the day, performed in the evening - met some wild and crazy and very talented people... including this guy!!!

Gary (recently) with one of his adorable twins!

 No regrets doing this for the summer... came back to NYC, was hired to stage manage an Off Broadway Show, rehearsed for weeks and the morning of opening day it closed... never to perform! Life in the theatre - have to be made of something very special to endure it... some regrets I did not follow my training... but wonderful memories and skills came from stage managing... a few of the shows I've worked on; my love for the theatre has not altered a bit, hope to do some regional theatre again in the near future...

"Rider's to the Sea" was my Senior Year in College Independent Study Project -

directed this play, one of my most fulfilling experiences...

"Pippin" hands down - my favorite musical, ever! 

Prom Time!

They were both just little girls...

Maggie at a friends prom last week... tonight is hers!  

http://susanssunnyside.blogspot.com/

The hunt continues...

A new morning ritual... after coffee and "logging on" - I religiously go to "Craig's List"... I'm lovin' it!  I was on a "hunt" for a Welsh Cupboard... it had to be maple, good quality furniture, had to be a certain height (not too tall) - good for storage and reasonably priced.  For months I looked every day... when I finally found the one that would work.. I notified the owner, asked for specific size - went to see it, drove my sister's monster Suburban... AND came home with the perfect hutch (Welsh Cupboard) for all of $75.00!!!  My new search... matching armoire and chest of drawers for my son's room... and I know I'll find it, maybe not until September, but that's OK...the search is on and oh, so fun!!!

Out of "The Rugby House"

Rugby House - 2011

 Winding down, studying for finals... after his graduation in 2 weeks, this guy is moving back home... this time - NOT leaving in September... that means he's leaving his official undergraduate life...living in "the rugby house" with these 5 great guys... and back to civility with his parents!!! I think we'll need to make some serious roommate rules...  I decided it was time to paint his room - since he's moving back... time to take down the juvenile (all sports) boarder that has been in his room since he's 7 years old! (It never bothered my son... I wonder if he'll notice his room has been painted)

Movin' back home...

In all honesty, he's great company, fun loving, and very genuine, he's just the worlds biggest SLOB!
http://susanssunnyside.blogspot.com/

My Grandma Cravin.

Memories of my Grandma Cravin. Grandma, the youngest of 7 children, came from a wealthy Irish family, but married the man of her dreams and lived very modestly - my Mom learned how to make a dollar stretch...a wonderful foundation for a wonderful life.
She would make the "good kind" of chocolate pudding for us. (Not instant)
She let us play with other kids in the building outside, it's where I learned how to play Chinese jump rope, hop scotch and other city kid street games... Grandma always was watching me though, never left me alone.
Grandma took us on a city bus to Radio City to see a movie
Grandma bought me the big box of candy like "chocolate babies" (she did not call them that)
Grandma called her "lady friends" by their last names... Mrs. so and so (that ALWAYS amazed me)
Grandma shopped every day for fresh vegetables for dinner and the NY Daily News.
Grandma loved her beer - Rhinegold tall cans... (how funny is that)
Grandma thought wearing brown made you look "poor".
Grandma always watched Merv Griffin
Grandma would tell us on a hot August night to "put a sweater on so you don't catch a cold"!
I know later on in life my mom got her to wear pants, but my memories are Grandma ALWAYS wearing "hose" with a dress or skirt.
Grandma was SO IRISH, but most proud to be an American!
Grandma always smelled like Ponds cold cream...
Grandma lived a very simple life... she was a city lady...the "burbs" were a place you went to visit...home was Inwood, NYC.

I would do anything to have a conversation with her now.

Proud Godmother!

My Godchild and cousin Caroline at my wedding

My godchild and nephew John at his Eagle Scout Ceremony with my son, Gene.

A friend posted on facebook that it was "Godchild" day... she named her godchildren - I have 3 Godchildren... Caroline, my cousin who was my flower girl when she was 5.  John, my nephew who is now 20 and 1 other girl who I have NO remembrance what her name is... And, I am her recorded godmother!  Cute and true story:  I'm on the baptismal ministry at our church, I was hosting this little girls Christening - Father asked who the God Parents were and they did not have a selected God Mother... I sense they were encouraged to baptize their daughter because of her very lovely grandfather - her father is a pilot and flies regularly, her mother, not from our country was terrific, but perhaps not familiar with the protocol.  Father Charlie asked if I would be her Godmother... I was honored to step in...BUT I do feel a sense of duty and need to follow up on whom she is so I can keep in touch with her.... as when people ask her who are your God Parents, she can at lease know my name!!!  This is my newest mission, to locate her and keep in touch!  ... to be continued!

Just say NO to Green Peppers!!!

Green Peppers... the ONLY food I'll hunt for and put on the side of the plate... I truly "hate" the word HATE...but I do HATE them... raw, cooked and hidden in any medley of foods.... Just his week I was out to dinner with 2 dear friends and was SO happy to hear Kathy - hates them too! I'd say there are 2 foods I truly will NEVER eat... green peppers and goat cheese... I'm forever amazed at people who "love" goat cheese...the smell of it nauseates me... I don't want it on my plate - it's truly a food I can say I "HATE" - ok, I feel better now, I got it off my chest, and hopefully NEVER on my plate!

For what it's worth... my repertoire is if there are ONLY a few items you really do not like, it's OK... our son HATES meatloaf, corned beef and cabbage, and nuts in food - I can handle that. We all have our true "strong dislikes"... just keep it to a few, or keep it to yourself! 
OK...tell us - what foods do you REALLY HATE??? 

Sleepless with The Zagats and Joan Hamburg!

A rare sleepless night... it's 3:00 AM, I hear Tim and Nina Zagat being interviewed by Joan Hamburg... I adore them all - or I should say, I have great respect and some envy for them all! I grew up listening to WOR Radio, I knew the sequence of the Saturday morning shows... Bernie Meltzer "What's your problem", Ralph Snodsmith "Garden Hotline", Joan Hamburg - who could answer EVERY question on NYC, where to buy it, where to host any party, etc. And as my mother followed her mother with WOR and the famous Gamblings, I find myself tuning in (at times)... I'm NOT a fan of the over the top conservative and narrow minded John Gambling (3rd generation)... but I do like some of the regulars, also to include Joy Brown!

And the Zagats...who've made a multi million dollar empire beginning in 1979 rating restaurants, first in NYC, now all over the world! The Internet has expanded their empire with everyone capable of filling out a survey (myself included)...but everyone at some time or another, or perhaps on a regular basis has reviewed that famous vertical brown/red book on restaurant reviews... can you even imagine having the opportunity and being paid millions to eat out??? Good for them, good for all of them - it was a great interview, I have NO idea what channel it was on, but I was happy to be awake at 3:00 AM and catch a great show!

When you "live" with a smoker...

The exuberant cost is just "part" of it!!!

It's such a SORE and exhausted subject, you just can't imagine the conversations, arguments, etc. I love him, and he's quit at least 20 times in 25 years... I'm not convinced any time is "for good"... but I'll always give him the benefit of the doubt. Yes, we've done the patch, fake cigs, cold turkey... every method!!  Thankfully, he's agreed to NOT smoke in the house, but this past frigid winter he decided he "had" to smoke in the basement, his "man cave" - he's recently bought some "state-of-the-art" expensive filter... works "just ok"... I burn candles in the house, living with a smoker or not, something I love to do (burn candles) Oh, it's just so complicated... addiction is something you can't compare to anything... Honestly, our house does NOT smell like a smoker lives here... but it's far beyond that! 
Anyway... there is no winner in this situation...me the contact "nudge"... he...figuring out a way to "smoke" and not tick me off... And our son... ZERO tolerance for smoking... Get the picture???

Girl Scout Cookies!

Girl Scout Cookies (at $4.00/box) = thin mints!

Are they NOT the classic? I bought my 10th box today, how can I say "no" to my very dear friend's daughter? Both my husband and son love the peanut butter type... not me... Have you ever put the thin mint's in the freezer?? There was a time in my life that I sold them too, how I wish I knew or could find out how much they cost in 1965! Anyone know?  I'm sorry - but you are totally "heartless" if you say NO to a Girl Scout selling these classics!!! 

On Paddy's Day...and always ~

Thinking of my Dad, who passed away at 42. 

He was the proudest Irishman I knew! 

Have FUN ~ Mardi Gras!

Never been a fan of crazy "spring breaks"... Our son is graduating this May... this is his "last" traditional opportunity for "spring break"... so I caved (after much influence from my husband)... and he's leaving Sunday... for New Orleans - Mardi Gras - with 9 other rugby players!  Should I be worried?  I suggested some "hystorical" side trips...he looked at me like I was crazy... In all honesty, he's 22 and matured... and I'm really happy for him...he's worked very hard through college and deserves this...

Have fun!

Crazy for Chobani...

The Chobani Craze...

Had to try it... after all, it's what EVERYONE is eating now... It's delicious, it's expensive and it's hardly ever on sale!!! Suddenly the ONLY yogurt to eat is Greek Yogurt...(high protein, low fat, etc.) I've now noticed other companies have caught on... Dannon - comparing the nutrition is interesting, close to a wash...but I heard it's A LOT less expensive!!

Chobani Nutrition Facts: 

Dannon Greek Yogurt

Taste it and YOU BE THE JUDGE! 



Atlantic City - Sorry....

Trying to stay positive...but it's almost impossible when going to Atlantic City... the armpit of NJ! I'm there twice a year for conventions...no place is more depressing, disgusting, dirty, and dismal ...at every level. I'm amazed people will actually pay to go there. I don't "get" gambling. I've been told they have "no smoking" in the casino's (which you HAVE to walk through to go any and every place)...but there are smoking sections and let's face it, the smoke and that smell travels.

It does not get much worse than this!

So, I'll put on my "big girl pants" and make the best of it...happy to re-unite with some fun work colleagues ~ but that's about it, can't wait for Friday - I'm home and the start of a long holiday weekend!!!

I have memories of my grandmother telling me how beautiful the Atlantic City boardwalk was... nice to see this old photo...what happened??

Got my tulips...

Got my tulips (so pretty), but no heart shaped boxes of chocolate's were left (at 5 PM)... after almost 25 years my life is very predictable, but forever grateful! 

I "always" have a candle burning....someone one time told me "you're never alone when a candle is burning"... I love that! 

Tulips for Me!

Valentine's Day. Not considered a favorite holiday... a quiet dinner, good bottle of wine, I'd love a snow storm... is perfect for me... I've told Phil for years - DO NOT WASTE MONEY ON ROSES... a small bouquet of tulips is perfect!

But, honestly...there is something really fun  about getting chocolate's too... I'm a "sucker" for those red heart boxes, (yes, Russell Stover) they remind me of being a kid and our Dad giving us all a little red box of candy...Mom got a big one! Russell Stover was never sold in the grocery store, you had to go to the small town pharmacy to purchase! Memories of holidays are as important to me as the day itself... and yes, I'll wear red (I own more red than anything)!

PS - A sign of getting old and practical, while in The Dollar Tree together (a first and last time)... I said to Phil, "so you don't waste $6.00 on a plushy card, let's pick one out here, they are 2 for $ 1.00"
We both did, and now can't find them!

MUBARAK and an MSN...

In this Sept. 1, 2010, file photo, President Obama meets with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak,

 in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

I met a potential student yesterday on campus, brilliant with the highest academic achievements. She is from Egypt; her husband (also Egyptian)  is studying at Steven's Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ. She was accepted into University of Pennsylvania and Villanova for their MSN programs. (Both competitive Nursing Schools, U. Penn is tops in ratings). She is a practicing RN and wants to go to graduate school. The reason she is applying to Seton Hall? "Her country" will only "ALLOW" her to go to a University in the same state as her husband!!! Nothing to do with her being married, if she was single, it was the same situation... They would not allow her to study in Pennsylvania! She is horrified at this, BUT they want the option to return to Egypt!

What's the message... "WE" take for granted our democracy, choices, options and rights... Seton Hall will be thrilled to have her and she did her homework and if staying in NJ, this is her first choice... but that's NOT the issue! There is a reason the relentless Egyptians protested for President Mubarak to step down, NO one should be in power for over 30 years!

Celebrating first family engagement!

Katie and Rich ~ Katie's graduation at Middlebury, '09

 My niece is engaged!  I'm eating it all up like it's my own engagement again...and spending a lot of time with my sister Ellen, (Katie's Mom)... makes it even "more real"!  I remember when she first met her now fiance, Rich... (Katie was all of 16, I think) ~ she told me he was a male version of herself???  Seeing them date since Sophomore year in high school, through college, backpacking in Europe, and now both in DC planning the next stage of their life (career, school, etc.) - they took their budding romance to the next level, and so happy that's where it is for now, not planning a wedding - just happy to be engaged and enjoying the thrill of their commitment and current (pick list) status!!! 

Welcome to the family Rich,  we truly are enjoying your engagement, too!

I LOVE this fun picture of Katie and Rich!!!