Happy Post-mas!

Haven't flet very 'bloggy' lately - Post Christmas is always an interesting time. The planning is done, the leftovers are gone, the random bits of wrapping paper have been cleaned up, and there are things everywhere. The kids want to 'see' their stuff, so it's strewn around the house. I can stand it for another day or so, and then it's go-time. I'm intent on starting the new year with a neat, clean and tidy house. Oh crapit, tomorrow is New Year's Eve, better get to it!

A few words about gifts ... Legos rock! Guitar Hero is addicting! Dale & Thomas popcorn is the PMS remedy! Wicki Stix are the same thing as Bendaroos! You can never have too many pairs of gloves! Books, books, books are always a great gift! And I got totally spoiled, my sister-in-law (aka Annelore) gave me this gorgeous dress!

Two other shout-outs to those of you interested in sending edibles to family and friends - check out these sites: Rum Cake Island - totally delicious, as in 'I have a fork close by and I'm not sharing!' Gimme Jimmy's Cookie Bar - yum, yum, yum! Comes in a cool box and boy are these good.

We've logged more park time in the past few days than in the entire month we've been here. It's been heavenly! Yesterday, we went to Long Branch, a beach community 20 minutes south of where we live. Besides a bunch of restaurants and cute stores, there's a charming boardwalk, miles of beach and play structures on the sand. Cold, yes, but good ocean air! The boys had a blast looking for shells and exporing the tide pools left over from a high tide. We spotted a few tankers and tug boats, and decided that, "yes, Europe is that way!" We treated ourselves to juicy burgers and fries (boogers and flies as 'the littles' say) and cracked up at the menu - 'California Style Burger', what, with lettuce and tomato! Come on yous guys!

Hoping to make it to NYC later this week to go to the American Museum of Natural History, visit family and have some more fun! It's really nice having all three kids out of school at the same time. After our speedy relo and immediate immersion; our 'hit-the-ground-running' tempo was kind of exhausting; we're happy to have some down time to regroup and relax.

Happy New Year Everyone - here's to 2009!

xoxo P

School's Out, Cool! And Happy Yule!

The boys are officially on Christmas break as of 23 minutes ago-Yipee! We're looking forward to some good hangout time together. Feels like we've been running ever since we got here, so we're all looking forward to a little respit.

This is a picture of Andrew's School, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. Hopefully you can click to enlarge it because it's an old brick-front building with a gorgeous bell tower. The elementary and middle schools are just beyond the football field, and our house is in a diagonal line to the left. The water you see in the background is the Navesink River. Being geographically challenged, I thought you'd appreciate a directional description with an aerial backup!

The Littles have been busy littles elves, as the house is now filled with Holiday objets'd arte. I finally broke down and let them tape things everywhere. It actually looks really cute and festive and they are so proud. My favorite is the 'many hands' wreath - just too precious. Here's a snap of the boys attacking their Gingerbread Peeps from their Auntie Chris; notice heads and extremities still intact, not for long. The boys are really excited about Christmas, thank goodness, whether they 'believe' or not. Despite Alexander's admance that 'I know who it really is'; William is, without question, 100% certain that "Ya huh Alexander there is too!' a Santa Claus - warms my heart!

I'm looking forward to meals with my family, watching some football (yes, I said it!), playing Wii with the kids, cold jogs and brisk walks, books and board games and laughter; lots and lots of laughter!

Here's wishing you abundant joy, love and happiness this Holiday Season and may the New Year bring us all a little peace.

missing you,

xoxo P

Moisturizer, Exfoliant, and Green Cover Up - Gross!

Just a big girlie share tonight. I've lived most of my life in a temperate climate. I spent a glorious year in Hawaii, where even after gaining a whole bunch of weight, my skin looked awesome (it's the tan - ya know, tan fat looks better than white fat). And, I've survived some really bad sun burns ala Bain de Soleil, that nasty red stuff in a tube and Johnson's Baby Oil - WHAT THE HECK WERE WE THINKING! So, now I find myself in this really weird climate, it's flippin' cold outside and whatever moisture there is, is promptly phase-changed by my breath, and indoors, everywhere, is bone-suckingly dry forced-air heat that you know is causing wrinkles by the minute. It's dermal sabotage - my skin doesn't know what to do. My knee jerk reaction has been to slather on every thick and gooey potion I have - not the best choice - I'm way too old to have zits, but alas, I've further confused my pores. So, I visited a local beauty store to learn what the locals do and how can I camo these dots - enter the Green Stick (yet another 'clicky thing', what up with the clicking?). Does anyone remember when Bare Escentuals was a hole-in-the wall in Los Gatos? No, not the nice place near the bakery, but the closet sized quazi-retail shop where all you could buy was bronzer, green cover up and Chinese Musk Oil. Anyhow, this youngish, flawless-skinned woman(b*&%$) proceeded to cleanse, douse, dab (the green stick), conceal and foundate (is that a word?) my face. I didn't expect it, but she's from Jersey and kind of pushy, so when she said "sit down", I did. Have to say, I liked the look and it didn't feel yucky. Apparently, the keys are 1) wash your darn face at night, religiously, 2) exfoliate, gently, 3) use a brush for everything you apply to your face (saves product), 4) the green stick for red dot recon and 5) slap (well, it's a 'tap-tap') a dab of moisturizer on after your all done. Voila! I'll check in to let you know how the new regime is holding up to the rigors of Rumson.

xoxo P

Laundry and other things

Completely random blog - but do you have any idea how much more laundry one does in cold climates? It's dumbfounding! Is it that the clothes are bigger or do my "people' (read: everyone) just forego putting things away for putting them in the hamper? I wear the same stuff more than once, why can't they? UGH! So, here's the deal ... my Bounce box says "180" sheets, that means when I'm out of Bounce I've done 180 loads of laundry (and that doesn't include towels because who wants towels that don't really dry you off) - Holy Crapit! It better be summer by then, because that means shorts and t-shirts and I can stuff a whole bunch of those in one load. I don't know, just ranting, but come on people!

xoxo P

Cooking, Christmas, and Concerts - Oh My!

I've been cooking a lot - makes the house smell great - and makes me feel grounded. Truth be told, I'm a little rusty and guess who's coming to Christmas dinner? None other than my sister-in-law (the fashion designer http://nymag.com/listings/stores/annelore/) and her husband, the uber-Chef (I already plugged Park Avenue Winter!). In the past, they've come to California for the holidays and I've been treated to a 3-day intensive with Chef Koketsu, oh well. So, I'm gleaning my favorite cookbooks, surfing online, trying to create a luscious, but incredibly easy meal - HA, does not exist. Still pondering.

Christmas - this is so cool, it's only the 18th and I think I'm done shopping. Being on the East Coast, I had to think ahead (a little) so that stuff would arrive on time. I've shipped, I don't know, 7 boxes or so, hopefully everything will arrive intact. Now all that's left is wrapping the kids stuff, which you all know I love ('Wrapping Nazi'), cook, eat and enjoy! The little nagging piece, that makes me cry if I spend to much time on it, is missing my family. I've only spent 1 Christmas away from them - and I'm 4* (we're not talking about that anymore), that's a lot of Christmases! In my quiet time, I let the saddness in, but I don't want the kids to feel it, I want this to be really special for them. They deserve an awesome Christmas! So, we'll Skype with the family, hope that no one cries online, share a virtual hug and send good wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Yesterday (Wednesday) was concert day. Alexander, along with what seemed like 100 other 2nd graders (not really, but it's no Gardner Bullis) sang at the school Holiday Concert! They were incredible! So animated, intune (no really), smiling and happy - it was an absolute joy. Thomas couldn't make it (bummer) so last night, Alexander sat up in bed and sang all three songs to him, complete with hand gestures and everything. I wasn't there (see below), but I imagine it was one of those moments that, as a parent, you will never forget. Our Alexander is the happiest we have seen him in a long time - not sure why, but no one's second guessing - it's simply heartwarming.

Holiday Concert #2 was Andrew's. That he picked up his trumpet again the last few months @ Pinewood was fantastic - it feeds him. He's now playing in the Symphonic Band at RFH (Rumson-Fair Haven) and has made friends with some of his fellow musicians. Last week, he was super excited about an impromptu quartet jam session, and talked about playing at the concert. I didn't take it too seriously, because how much time did they have to put anything together....eat my words, last night was amazing. One of the guys re-wrote Silent Night (dubbed 'Not So Silent Night') and they played it after the formal concert was over. People from the reception area came back in to listen - it was freakin' amazing. My son can play! He stood there (looking very handsome in slacks and a tie), all 6'4" of him and slammed out a crazy rendition of Silent Night, flawlessly! I'm getting goosebumps again just thinking about it - it was one of those moments where you're kind of outside of yourself watching people admire your kid. No really, he was that good! So, I missed Alexander singing to his Papa, but I am so, so glad I got to see Andrew SHINE! I'm so proud of them all.

xoxo P

Holy Guacamole Skipito - where's the mexican food?

We've been craving mexican food, you know, Fiesta del Mar meets La Costena, La Salsa in a pinch kind of mexican food - black beans, guac, salsa fresca, refrito beanitos, carnitas, and taquitos! This part of New Jersey can't make a burrito to save their tortillas. We heard a rumor there's a good place in Highlands, need to go soon, poor Andrew is having withdrawals! Did check out an upscale Mexican-ish place called Copper Canyon (http://www.thecoppercanyon.com/) - great margos, delicious food, more great margos!

Did some sightseeing today with the boys. Drove over the bridge to Sea Bright to check out the beaches. There's a strip of Beach Clubs, all buttoned up for the winter, but we wandered around a bit. It's so cool - cabanas, board walks, play structures for the kids, pampas grass on the dunes and lots and lots of beach. It's pretty nice, I have to say, even on a cold winter day. The local moms have schooled me on how to 'get in' - we'll see if I can pull it off. Will let you know next summer!

My youngest is a budding Chef, he wants to be just like his Uncle Craig (http://parkavenyc.com/winter/about.php). On his menu today, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. Honestly, he really did help a lot, but here's the funniest part ... we found the recipe on the internet, printed it out and he was so excited to see the Food Network logo - HE'S 5! Oh, did I mention that the 'littles' love to watch 30-Minute Meals. Seriously, they love Rachel Ray. It's such a crack up. We haven't seen it for a while and they're actually asking for it. Do I dare get them the DVDs for Christmas?

My new favorite swear word ... My dear, dear friend in Half Moon Bay with two awesome kids (yous guys know who yous are) shared this with me. Her daughter was really frustrated about something and let loose a "crap-it" - with gusto and conviction, just like any good swear word should be uttered. I love it - CRAPIT - it's gritty enough to feel good, but gentle enough not to offend. Try it!

Anyhow, it's Sunday and I'm off to watch Rob Lowe, I mean Brothers & Sisters (yikes, is this a pattern?).

xoxo P

Blackberries and other edibles

Yup! A red berry, Curve if ya care to know. Call me a geek, but I feel like I've just entered the real world. Do I need a Blackberry-not really, did I really want it-yes, please. It's cool and hip (uh, I need all the help I can get these days). Reminds me of when I bought a jogging stroller - freedom. And then the bike seat - freedom. Anyhow, I had bounced my old phone so many times, it changed colors when I opened it, at least when the screen worked. So, I upgraded.

On the 'other edibles' note - Beef Stew! The all day, god my house smells good, this is going to be delicious, mom you're the best cook in the whole wide world - Beef Stew. Literally, all day on low in my jumbo crock pot - heavenly. I'm no Martha, but if I could monetization that smell, I'd be a gazillionaire!

Due to our first 'black-out' last night (rocket scientist meets power pole), we ate Beef Stew by candle light. There is something hysterically oxymoronic about that - it just brings a smile to my face. I was actually kind of sad when the lights came back on, because the boys were huddled together under a bunch of blankets paying 'Jelly Car' on Andrew's iPhone. Spontaneous moments to remember.

xoxo P

What's normal here .....

OK, so here's what normal is like - 7:00am 19 degrees, grey/blue sky, but cold as a witch's you-know-what. I'm smiling 'cause we all agreed we would not complain about the cold. The kids look so funny all bundled up - only their faces peeking out - and guess what, they're smiling, so it's all good.

Still working on boxes - guess I should just tackle them all, but the truth is - we're short on space. So tackling the boxes actually means 'content triage' - I'm totally procrastinating because it's not my stuff and I'll be darned if I accidentally throw away something precious - that and it's so cold I'm dreading a treck to the garage basement.

Patting myself on the back for getting the Tree Popsicle indoors. It's not a small tree and I think frozen sap weighs more - but gosh darn it - I'm no wuss. It looks gorgeous and I can't wait to get the lights and ornaments on (which usually takes me a few days because for some reason no one wants to help. Could it be that I'm a total tree nazi - ya think?).

The 'littles' had an assessment at a local Tae Kwon Do studio - Picture this, Master Ianacelli (Anthony, for real!) - bald dude, wicked fit, Black Belt, mid 60's, might have had a short stint on the Sopranos - I LOVE THIS PLACE! He's gonna teach my kids - bada bing, bada boom!

Off to watch Heroes - mine and Andrew's bonding time!

xoxo P

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

This is the scene we woke up to this morning, it is absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful. There is something so pure about it. It's a study in shades of white - there's a subtle green that comes through the leaves, and a gentle pink peaking through the red fire hydrant, and a faint taupe beneath the bare branches. And then there's white, bright white.

It started snowing last night, and I stood at the front door thinking, 'holy crud', and then, 'the boys are gonna love waking up to this tomorrow morning'. The streets are clear, which means either the snow plow came by (wishful thinking) or it's just warm enough (HA!) to keep it from sticking to the road. But the landscape is dusted in powdered sugar and it's just wonderful!

Our Christmas tree, that I promptly placed in a bucket of H2O yesterday and left outside to let the branches settle, just like I do every year - looks beautiful with snow on it's branches. Problem is the bucket of water is now a popsicle with the trunk as the stick and I have to get the snow off to bring it inside - what a Goober!

Happy Day to all, time for a second cuppa!

xoxo P

Oh, and a note about fE

Check out who blogged fE

http://hautetodaygonetomorrow.blogspot.com/

http://blog.simplehuman.com/2008/12/group-gifts-made-simple.html

http://simplystated.realsimple.com/home/2008/11/easily-organize.html#comments

GooglePlex thanks to Tanya for the awesome write up on her blog. I'm also psyched that Erin from Unclutterer http://unclutterer.com/ took the time to write a positive comment! Take that Socialwise, eDivvy, FrumUs and the rest of you copycats!

November was our third highest traffic month since inception - and as of December 6th, we're slated to do our most traffic ever. Love it!

Ice Skating, Trees and all things Christmas

We 'skated' through our first country club experience - dinner, tree lighting and ice skating at the Navesink Country Club (http://www.navesinkcc.com/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp). Even the getting ready part was a piece of cake; the boys were excited to wear their flannel-lined cords and sweaters! I was the most difficult one - what do you mean NO JEANS - that's all I wear (you guys know that). Thank goodness I found those wool pants earlier in the week, remember 'fit right off the rack'. Oh happiness. Anyhow, after our pleasantly uneventful dinner, we went ice skating. In case you don't know this, I love to ice skate. It's the closest thing I'll probably ever get to graceful and it reminds me of summer nights at Lake Tahoe and skating at Squaw Valley. (When it was still totally cool and not uppity and the Olympic Rink was on the ground floor complete with the original rings). I couldn't get enough of it - it just made me smile. So, imagine my elation when I got to skate with both of my little guys last night (Thomas and Andrew were too cool for school). They used ice 'walkers' with tennis balls on the leg bottoms, enabling independent shuffling, instead of me holding them and all of us spending time 'on the ice'. They were so fearless - it was awesome. And can I just say that the view, albeit dark, across the river with lights along the waterfront, was breathtaking - and I get to live here!

Got our tree today - bailed on the $29.99's - went to Sickles ('cause they deliver) - it's lovely and will make the house smell so green and Christmassy. I saw the funniest thing there too - a Daddy Burger Swag - WTF is with that name? Just looked like branches and cones - do I pay more for the name?

Guess what's on my playlist?

Christmas music of course - and everything you can imagine - corny old stuff including "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" and "All I Want for Christmas is..", multiple renditions of Jingle Bells (probably the only place you'll find country music on my iPod), Celtic bells and chants, Il Divo (gosh they're great), lots of acoustic stuff, super traditional songs (to which I know all the lyrics, of course, because my brain is wired like that!), Bing, Johnny (Mathis, duh?), Natalie Cole, Gloria Estefan, James Taylor, Michael Bolton - you name it, I probably have it.

I just love Christmas music! I am the person in the store you'll hear singing out loud - and I don't care. It makes me smile and conjures up super happy memories. What's wrong with that?

So, sing away people - we only get to hear it once a year!

xoxo P

My Itty Bitty Pity Party

Feeling a little blue (no, not as in "it's so freakin' cold" blue), just missing you all, so I did a little retail therapy. Not the Jimmy Choo kind, but the Darlybird kind (affordable and adorable). Here's what I got to make me smile http://www.darlybird.com/fair07.html and here's what I got to make me laugh http://www.darlybird.com/blueq09.html. Me and Vinnie man, we're buds, 'Know your Flow' - too funny. The quips on the case are so hysterical, you just might need to buy one for the laughs.

Anyhow, I finally put my clothes away - no really - I was so bogged down getting everyone else organized (oh, me last, yup, sound familiar). So I now have a complete understanding of why people put their seasonal clothes away. There's not a chance in he-double toothpicks I'll be wearing any of my cute, tissue cotton tops for the next, hmmm, 6 months. Unless of course I find myself on a tropical beach with white sand and a hot Cabana Boy! But seriously, it's weird I've never 'put clothes away' because in Cali you can wear it all year round. Yet another thing to get used to.

Ok, here's another one - you can't park on the street overnight from Dec-Feb because, well, the snow plows gotta get through. Snow Plow, What Snow Plow? I must be in denial. The locals say it's gonna be a ball buster - GREAT, JUST GREAT! I'm completely petrified to drive in snow. After my the 360's on Highway 80 enroute to Tahoe when I was 19 (and the ditch I placed my ex's Porsche into after hitting black ice in Idaho or was it Oregon) I'm a total wuss about winter driving. Heck, I'm even the one in the slow lane when it's raining really hard. Good thing I have Costco (stock up), a big crock pot (chili), and the schools are close by (no driving). Good, another disaster handled!

So Pity Party over - some of you have asked me how I have time to write this blog - it's purely selfish on my part - I don't want you guys to forget me. It's my way of talking to you - I know, not at all the same, especially because the in person part feeds my heart and soul, but this is something, a connection, and I really appreciate your reading it.

love and hugs, P

Yipee - look what I found

With you as my witness, here's my pre-New Year's resolution - a return to optimum health. Step One: I'm so psyched that I found this place - Synergy Hot Yoga - http://www.synergyhotyoga.com/index.html. It's minutes from home (in Fair Haven), so no excuses, a great way to get warm, healthy and maybe meet some cool people. I'll let you know how the first class goes. Step Two: heading to our local YMCA this morning. I love the no-frills attitude of the Y, just go, get your workout in, and leave. They have an indoor pool and year-round swim lessons, so the kids will be happy too.

xoxo P

Let the sunshine

There is nothing like blue sky to make you smile! A close second: Finding pants that fit off the rack and rounding third: Kids who are willing do their homework with a smile. A good day!

Thanks to T for the shout out about the missing silver van! How's that blog going? http://hautetodaygonetomorrow.blogspot.com/ Check it out peeps!

And, huge thanks to you Los Altos ladies who continue to support from: Everyone (http://www.fromeveryone.com/). It's alive and well and finding legs in the East.

Off to watch 'Heroes'...

Home Alone - ahhhhhh

Yes. There are times when I absolutely love silence. Don't get me wrong I love my family and the constant chatter, banter, fighting, screaming, crying ..... but I do love a bit of quiet, now and then. It recharges me. And not the middle of the night quiet, but the daylight, everyone's at work or school, the house is mine, go ahead have another cuppa, kind of quiet. It's my time to think, miss you guys, wonder if it's too early to call, and notice the little things.

I'm going to tackle a few more boxes, get one more room 'done' and then head off to explore.

Yesterday (in the midst of an all day rainstorm) we needed milk (see, some things never change). I revisted my list of 'where to go's', cause I still don't know where stuff is, and found the cutest place. Sickles Farm in Little Silver (http://www.sicklesmarket.com/), came highly recommended, and man, was that spot on. It's an old farm, grocery store, bakery, garden center, gift store, etc. in the middle of a neighborhood, Red Barns and everything.

OK, so last night, I finally got the remote! Brothers & Sisters, Rob Lowe, life size (the 'BFS' Big F-ing Screen) - now that's good TV! Does he just get better looking or what?

love and hugs, P