Happy Mother's Day

  Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms!  If you didn't have anyone pamper you today, I hope you took some time for yourself.
   Let's face it, being a mom is a tough job.  We try and do everything right, but sometimes we just suck at it.  I take comfort in the fact that I agonized over each decision, and thought I made sound and responsible choices.  Yet many times, my kid thought I was trying to make his life more difficult.  I can only hope that time will show that I acted as a  loving and dedicated parent.  I'm not sure if I was the mom he needed, or the mom I wish I had.  I wanted to give my child roots and wings, and he has grown up to be responsible, and an extremely productive member of society.  He even remembered to call me today.
    I always thought of myself as a "smother", but there are "helicopter moms who hover", and hands off moms who just let things happen.   Whatever kind of a mom you are, put your right hand on your left shoulder, and your left hand on your right shoulder, and give yourself a hug!  Just remember that some days will be better than others.
     Today was sunny and warm, and so I decided to get a couple of errands done.  I tried to just live in the moment.  I noticed the blue sky and the puffy clouds.  The warm sun felt fantastic, and so I decided to make a gratitude list while I drove.  I try and think of five things for which  I am grateful.  It never has to be fancy or elaborate, just whatever crosses my mind.
     I am always grateful that my family is healthy, and that we all get along.
     I love warm and sunny days because they always lighten my mood.
     Both the Bruins and Red Sox won last night, and that is really something to be thankful for.
     I know that there are lots of things I can worry about, but today I refuse to go there.
     I focus on things that give me joy, peace and serenity.
     I reflect on my favorite Mother's Day memories, and enjoy them all again.  I remember the times I got it right, and know that I was an OK mom.  I didn't need to be perfect,  I just needed to be willing to be the mom he needed at the time. We should take comfort in the fact that while we never had the best of everything, we made the best of everything.   Have a wonderful day, and many wonderful days ahead......and the beat goes on ......the beat goes on........
     
   
 
    

Ask, and Believe, then Wait to Receive

   I like to watch the House Hunter shows on the Home and Garden channel.    Every episode follows the same format.  Buyers are shown several houses, but only three options are included.  The buyers must decide if they want to place a formal offer, and if so, we get to see the price negotiations, and the conclusion.    Recently, I watched a program about a first time home buyer, who's motto was "ask, and believe, then wait to receive".  Her approach was the same with every house.  She had asked for a home that would be perfect for her,  and she believed that it would become available.  Of course, she had a small budget to work with, and a wish list that would be difficult to find.  She fell in love with a house that was outside her budget, but she put in an offer for the maximum that she could borrow.  Sadly, the offer was rejected, and the agent stated that the deal was done.  The buyer repeated her mantra, and said that she would wait to receive her blessing.  If this house wasn't the one for her, she knew that another one would come along.  Apparently she wound up getting the house of her dreams, because the original offer fell through.  A true happy ending!

    I decided to try and use this in my own life.  I've begun to ask for good things, and believe that I will receive them.  While I'm stuck in traffic, or in the long line at the grocery store, I use the time to let my mind wander of good things to come.  We all have heard that we are meant to enjoy many more blessings than we actually do.  Some say that we need to ask for things like love, good health, the right job, and financial security.  I'm willing to take that chance.  My friends say that I've been able to accomplish things when I've  put my mind to it, and maybe this is the same idea.  I need to focus on what is important to me, and take steps to get what I want.  I am going to ask,  and believe, then wait to receive.  I'll update again as my wishes come true.....and the beat goes on......the beat goes on........

   

   

Marathon Monday

  Tomorrow is the 118th Boston Marathon.  This year will be different for many reasons.  Tomorrow, there will be more runners and spectators than ever.  There will also be more security, and news coverage.   Last year the race was interrupted for many,  when two homemade bombs were left to explode near the finish line.  Three innocent victims died at the scene, and a police officer was killed a few days later.  I've also learned that another officer who was involved,  passed away recently.
  The bombers could never have predicted that their acts of hatred would have galvanized the city of Boston, the country and the world.  Boston Strong is the perfect way to describe how we emerged after this horrible tragedy.  Bostonians are just too stubborn to let the bad guys win.  Boston was determined to not be defined by a senseless act of violence, but of a city that wanted to show that love will always trump hatred.  Our love of freedom, friendship, and our flag helped us to triumph over terrorism.
   This week, I watched many of the TV shows and tributes to honor the victims, and celebrate the remarkable journey of the survivors.  We all marvel at the resolve of the injured to live their lives to the fullest.  I was so touched to see and hear from the survivors.  We all watched news footage as strangers ran toward the danger, and helped get the injured life saving medical care.  Big Papi of the Red Sox  spoke for all of us which included the famous "bleep".
  This week, we heard from the medical staff of the Boston hospitals, and the Watertown cops who recounted the events.  It took just 108 hours for Boston to apprehend the bad guys.  When it was all over, residents lined the streets to cheer on the police officers as they left that small town.  Citizens who would have never believed that they would need SWAT teams and armored vehicles in their neighborhood.  Americans who were so grateful that our government is big enough to fight for us, that they sang "God Bless America" as the tanks left.  
  Everyone who made it to the hospital that day, is alive and still fighting to recover from their injuries.  The One Fund has been set up to help as long as is needed.  This year, many runners are raising money to help with ongoing medical expenses.  It will be a long road to recovery, but we will all get through it together.   I'm always proud to be an American......and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on.......
   

Finding the Best Solution

  Our new puppy Zoey is already a celebrity in the neighborhood.  We've had neighbors drop by with gourmet peanut butter dog bones, and someone else gave us two coats that their dog had outgrown.  We will begin our sixth week tomorrow, and she is settling in beautifully.  I believe that puppies train us on how to care for them, and then we have a wonderful life together.  In six weeks, we have learned that Zoey will need to go out as soon as her feet hit the floor, and so I'm happy to say that accidents are few and far between.  It seems that for a small dog, she really loves to be outside.  She will go for walks several times each day, as long as we stop and talk to everyone.  She loves to be petted, and looks for the neighborhood kids who generously give her extra hugs.
    We are working on getting Zoey to come when she is called.  It's fair to say that progress is slow.  It is pretty easy to get her to find me when we are in the house.  I just have to make one of the toys squeak, and she will come running.  What happens outside is an entirely different story.  She bounces over to me, then darts off to chase a leaf, or anything else that has her attention.  This is a problem if she won't come to me, and I need to leave for work.  I need to resolve this issue quickly.
    The solution is the thirty foot training leash.  It gives her plenty of room to run around, but I can get her into the house quickly.  Of course, I just pull on the leash while calling her name.  I also praise her for coming towards me.  A friend also suggested finding a "high value" reward of some kind.  I've decided to use something that she will never get as part of her daily routine, which rules out all the toys, as well as dog bones,  ice cubes, and frozen string beans.
    Zoey went crazy when I microwaved some pre-cooked bacon strips for BLT sandwiches. I believe that bacon may be something impossible to resist.  I'm thinking the real thing is probably healthier than the processed dog treats. I like the fact that I can crumble it up into tiny bite sized pieces.
     I begin by letting her smell the bacon, then I walk into another room, calling Zoey as I go.  Of course, she is hooked, and does not leave my side.  Nevertheless, I reward her with a tasty morsel.  After a minute, I go back to the kitchen, and call again.  She bounced to my side, and gobbled up her treat.  I try and let enough time go by that she becomes preoccupied with a toy, then call again and reward.  After fifteen minutes, we have done this about ten times.  Half the bacon strip is gone, and I decide to stop and try again the next time we are outside.  Even though she is on the leash,  it works beautifully.  I know that we can use bacon for training, as long as I use it sparingly.  We will spend a few minutes each day, both inside and out working on this.  Sometimes,  I will not have the treats, but I can use praise and affection as my reward.  It is all about consistency.  I want her to know what I expect, and what she can expect in return.  This is the foundation of a beautiful friendship....and the beat goes on....the beat goes on.........
     

Winter Break

   Yikes!  I cannot believe that I have not posted for a month.  During that time, I've taken two vacations, got a new puppy, had lots of snow days, and finished my taxes.  One trip was a family reunion with Ron's siblings, and we were lucky that Matt could meet us there.  We all spent a few days in Vegas, enjoying the warm weather.  We had enough luck in the casinos to play for a while on house money.  My favorite thing was the day trip to the Hoover Damn.  It was incredible!  This massive project was completed in the 1930's,  under budget and two years before the deadline.  Workers made twice the national average wage, which was about $0.50 per hour, and it was built with math and muscle.
    We picked up our new puppy, Zoey, on the way home from the airport.  We took the Red Eye flight from Vegas, and the breeder was sort of on the way home.  She is a sixteen week Cavalier Spaniel, and she is doing great!  She has slept through the night from day one, and that is a big help.  It is a lot to ask a puppy to train in the middle of the coldest winter in years.  We have had her for four weeks, and we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.  The weather is getting warmer, and we can go for short walks.  Once the snow is melted and the mud is gone, I know she will love her back yard.
     My second mini vacation took me to Florida to visit my folks for the annual St. Patrick's long weekend.  We had another block party with seventy neighbors complete with catered meal, and a DJ.  The weather cooperated, and we soaked up the sunshine and vitamin D.  We also attended a fiftieth anniversary party, and had a wonderful time.  It was in a "Happy Days" themed diner with karaoke, and we sang and danced. Usually we bring back some warm weather and sunshine, but Mother Nature had different ideas this year.
    I cannot wait for this winter to be finished, as it has been raining for the past two days.  Every day that the sun shines, and the temperature gets close to forty degrees, I feel encouraged that better days are coming.  New England certainly paid its dues this winter, and I hope that means a beautiful spring and a fantastic summer......and the beat goes on.......the beat goes on.........
     

When in Doubt--Chicken Out

    This has been a good week to stay home and watch the Olympics.  New England is in the midst of our second huge storm this week.  Thursday was an all day snow event, and we were clobbered with another foot of heavy wet snow.  It's been snowing lightly since noon today, just enough to make it treacherous.             Cape Cod area is getting the jackpot, which means they will get the most snow.  There is another snow and rain mix scheduled to hit on Tuesday, then in typical New England form, we may see fifty degrees on Friday.  It will be nice to see a lot of the snow piles melt.  It will begin to feel like the end of winter.
   The snowstorms gave us a good excuse to stay home and watch the Olympics on TV.  I watched most of the US vs Russian hockey game early this morning.  The game was very exciting, and the US won in a shoot-out.  This was not a medal game, and it is quite possible that these two teams may meet again with the gold medal on the line.  Some very familiar NHL superstars are playing for their home countries, and teammates may face off during the games.  Several Boston Bruins are playing for Canada, Sweden, Russia, and other countries.  It must be a thrill to represent their home countries, although I will always root for the United States.
     My favorite events are the ice dancers, and I also saw the luge and skeleton races, as well as the snowboard and some of the skiing events.  The US has not done very well in the speed skating events, and I'm not sure if we have any more chances to compete in that venue.  Win or lose, I'm proud to be an American.  I love hearing the background stories on the athletes.  It is such a huge commitment to prepare to be an Olympian, and they all deserve a fantastic experience.
     Tonight, the Russians have won 15 medals, and the US is in second place with 14 total medals.  There is still another week of competition, and I wish all the Athletes good luck....and the beat goes on....the beat goes on.......
     
     

Super Bowl XLVIII

   Congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks, 2014's Super Bowl Champions!  It was billed as an epic match-up between Denver's  number one offense,  competing against Seattle's number one defense.   On paper, it looked like it would be a very close game.  In the end, the Seahawks won by 35 points.  The final score was 43 to 8.  It was the young gun against the seasoned veteran, and tonight the kid played great.
    Russell Wilson has just played two seasons, but he shows a lot of poise and class.  I like him, and he played a flawless game.  I hope he is the face of the new young quarterbacks in the NFL.
     Pete Carroll coached in New England, and so we are pretty familiar with his coaching style.  The defense was excellent, and scored on an interception.  They call themselves the "Legion of Boom", and they lived up to their name tonight.  Special teams also scored on a kick return.  It is nearly impossible to beat a team when all three phases of the game are solid.
   Denver did not look good on their very first play, when a bad snap caused a safety, and gave Seattle two points without even touching the ball.  The Broncos offense never looked sharp in this game, which is the job of an outstanding defense.
   Peyton Manning had set records this season for the most touchdowns in a season, and the most points in any season.  Both of those records had been held by Tom Brady and the Patriots.  A part of me wanted to see Manning finish the season with the Championship, because it is not sure how much longer he will play.  He deserves all the respect and praise that he receives.  He has been a great player and fantastic ambassador for the sport of football.
   Besides the game, the extravaganza includes the commercials, and half-time show.  This year, many ads
featured huge stars like Ellen, Arnold and Bruce Willis.  My favorite ad was from Budweiser with the puppy and the horse.  It was excellent, and I know we will see it many times in the next few weeks....and the beat goes on....the beat goes on.....
 
   

Vermont Visit

   My sisters and I just spent a couple of days in Vermont.  We had a wonderful time despite the frigid weather.  The warmest day hit 20 degrees, and the rest went downhill from there.  The locals say that there is not much difference once the temperature falls below zero, except that hats and scarfs are a must.
   My niece plays basketball at a college near Stowe, and she had home games on Friday night and Saturday.  We enjoyed lovely meals and shopped in the village near campus.  We crammed a lot into two days, and yet it was laid back and relaxed.  Once we found the restaurant that stays open late, and the back roads that save time, it was a piece of cake.
   The campus was small, and we were given a tour of all the important areas.  The dining hall, campus store, and library were within walking distance of the dorms and gymnasium.  The dorm room was adequate, but needed a rug to warm things up.  We found three matching rugs, and now the room has a doormat, a runner near the desk, and an area rug to make walking barefoot more comfortable.  It made us happy to supply something useful and needed.
    Due to snowy driving conditions, the sisters spent more than nine hours driving together.  It's amazing that we always have something to talk about, and we can spend hours catching up.  A snow shower that was not expected to amount to much, dumped about six inches of snow on the roads in about three hours. That caused us to head home while we still had some daylight.  The hills of Vermont are beautiful, and we had the road to ourselves as we spent almost an hour getting to the highway.  We stopped for dinner and filled up the car. Thankfully, the snow had subsided for the last hour of our journey.
     We plan to go back up for softball season, and see the Green Mountains during the spring.  In the meantime, I'll send goofy cards and text messages.  With today's technology, we can view live pod casts of the games, and keep in touch real time....and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on........
    

Some Days are Better Than Others

   Most days are complicated, and today was one of those days.  I will call it a combination of good, bad, and ugly.  Yesterday was supposed to be a rainy day with temperatures close to 40 degrees, but due to a cold front, it snowed the entire day.  It was snowing this morning, and everything we planned to do yesterday, now had to be finished by 3pm today, because wanted to watch the Patriot's and Bronco's Playoff game.
    There were quite a few good things that happened today.  We had an appointment to see a litter of puppies as we are planning to get a new dog.  It took and hour to get there, and the snow had created a winter wonderland.  It was the type of snow that clung to branches, and houses and road signs.  Luckily, the roads were not icy, and we felt safe driving the country roads.  The pups were adorable, and we will take one of the females home by the end of February!  All of this was really good stuff, and we got all the errands done with plenty of time to spare.
    The game was exciting, but our team lost, which can justify a bad day in our house.  New England did not play well, and they needed to play their best game of the year in order to beat Denver.  A couple of lucky bounces may have helped, but our football season came to a screeching  halt today.  I believe that New England  fans are pretty fortunate to have such great teams in all sports. That makes us believe that we always have a good chance to win every game.  I hope that does not make me a sports snob.  I hope it just makes me a true sports fanatic.
     The ugly part of today was watching some of the brutal hits, and unsportsmanlike behavior that accompany both playoff games today.  This season, the Patriots had many season ending injuries to our starters and top players.  Other teams saw injuries end their hopes of getting into the playoffs, but the Patriots did their best to overcome all obstacles, and win with the guys on the field.  New England had more rookies starting games than any other team, and that will be good for next year.
    Congratulations to Denver and Seattle, who will battle in the Super Bowl Game in two weeks.  I wish both teams luck, and we will be watching.  I tend to watch all the commercials, and get snacks during the game when the Patriots aren't playing, but I'll still enjoy it ....and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on.....
   

   

My New Year's Wish List

   Each new year brings hope and anticipation for good things to come.  I've written down a few goals that I will work on during 2014.  New Year's resolutions are tough, because they are almost impossible to achieve. I've decided to call it a wish list, because it will encourage me to take some risks.
  I would like to take a trip,  grow my business, and get one of my Matt and Muggzy books published. This year I will accentuate the positive, and expect great things.
  I recently turned sixty, and I cut out the horoscope for those born on my birthday.  I laminated it, and will use it as a bookmark.  It will be exciting to see what, if anything actually comes true.  Apparently, I'm a cosmic favorite these days, and I must be sure and want things for myself and others.  I should be greedy for love, goodness, and health.  I was also promised that one of my minor,  but very fond wishes will come true. I do ask for my blessings every day, and so I cannot wait to see what will happen.
  I will be increasingly active in the next three months, and I can expect good things physically, socially, an intellectually.  I should take some 'before' pictures, because February will bring an 'after' to my domestic scene.  All of these seem excellent, and I look forward to the improvements in store for me.  I can expect a promotion in May, and I even have a list of my lucky numbers.
  I received many birthday wishes on face book, and I updated that I was partying like I was only 59!  My niece treated me to a fabulous pedicure, and my godson gave me a gift bag with some wonderful things.  We went to dinner and a movie, and I now have new earrings, clothes, jar candles and gift cards. My birthday lunch was cancelled due to a snowstorm, but my cousins have been kind and generous.  I'm told that more gifts are on the way, including tickets to see the Jersey Boys when they come to our area.
   This year, my thank you notes, and emails will include wishes for lots of love, happiness and good health for all of us.  I love the sentiment and I do believe in the power of positive thinking.  I'll document my progress on my wish list, and chronicle any time one of my wishes come true....and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on.......
   
   
 

Christmas Magic

    My Holiday panic is beginning to subside, as I have most of my necessary tasks completed.  The house is "lightly" decorated, which means only my favorite things,  and I'm happy with the tree.  We are not hosting this year, and I only put out the things that  make me happiest, but not take two days to put away next year.

    My shopping is done, and the Christmas cards and packages have been mailed.  I went grocery shopping today, and have everything I need to bring appetizers and desserts for our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations.  I'm off from work Tuesday, and will finish wrapping the last gifts. I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving was just three weeks ago!

    Years ago, I learned of an easy way to create some Christmas Magic  for young children.  It was a way to sprinkle glitter up the walk to our house, in order to help Santa find us. We did it Christmas Eve, just as it was getting dark.  It was even more dramatic if there was snow on the ground.

   I was told to mix equal parts oatmeal and glitter in a plastic bag that seals.  Next, make a diagonal cut on one end of the baggie, which would allow a steady stream of glitter to spill outside.  A small cut will insure a small line and helps make a longer path.  The oatmeal would help keep it on the ground.  Ask the kids to help. Shine a flashlight and see how the glitter sparkles!  It's Magic!  The only thing left to do is write a quick note to Santa, and leave cookies and a juice box instead of a glass of milk, in case he's thirsty later.

    I hope everyone finds some magic this Christmas week, and that you all have a Happy and Healthy New Year!!....and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on.......

The Red Hats Celebrate the Season

   " Tis the Season to be Jolly" is part of a popular holiday song.  This weekend was joyful, and very busy because there was a party each day.  The Improper Bostonians, which is our  Red Hat Chapter name,  got together for our Holiday Luncheon.  The restaurant was beautifully decorated, and the meal was fabulous.  We always enjoy the company, and we always acknowledge members celebrating birthdays each month.  Because I'm turning sixty this month, I got to wear the purple cape and crown.  It is usually worn by the red hatter who is turning  60 or 70 or 80.  We had cake and ice cream, and all four of the December birthday girls got in the pictures.
    The cousins also had their annual Christmas cookie party.  We each brought two dozen cookies, and we went home with a wonderful assortment of home made cookies.  My husband loves this event, because he gets to enjoy the cookies for the next week.  I ate one of every kind at the swap, so I'm going to try and eat healthy until the next celebration.  We all discussed how tired we are, because the personal life is extremely busy, and work is hectic with end of year deadlines.
    It's always fun to see relatives and friends during the Holiday season, especially because Christmas week is usually spent with immediate family, and is chock full of things to do. Panic is beginning to set in, because I still need to decorate inside and trim the tree.  All packages must be mailed this week, which means that the last few gifts need to be purchased, and wrapped.  I started my Christmas cards tonight, but I usually take extra time to write a note to the aunts.  I will put off doing that group for now.
    Next weekend, we will attend a birthday luncheon, and finish the shopping.  It will be a big relief to have the packages mailed, and the house decorated.  With ten days to go, I will work on my master list.  It will have three columns, things to buy, things to make, and things to do.  My shopping lists will show each store, and the items I plan to get there.  Hopefully this will cut down on the holiday madness.  I also try and list each store, as I will encounter it in my travels.  Since traffic near our mall will be crazy, I do not want to have to double back.  I always pick up a couple of gifts in case someone gives us a gift, and I did not plan to exchange with them.  I simply get things that I will use myself, in the event that we do not receive any surprise gifts.
   My approach is to take one day at a time, and try to accomplish a few things from my list.  In a few short weeks, I can take  a day to do little and nothing, two of my favorite things to do on weekends.....and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on.......
    

Gobble Gobble

   I thoroughly enjoyed Thanksgiving this year because it was just my speed.  We had a wonderful dinner with Ron's siblings and their families.  Our nephew's children were there, and kids always bring laughter and joy to any celebration.  Feasting with our families is a tradition that I hope everyone can relish.
    I deliberately stayed away from the shops and sales on Friday, and decided to make turkey soup, and a turkey pot pie.  By the time we've eaten all the left overs, we will have been stuffed with turkey.  Since it may be a year until we have it again, I don't mind eating turkey dishes for a few days.
    Small business Saturday is popular in our area.  Downtown shops and restaurants are open late Saturday night, and many offer extra discounts.  I like the idea of keeping the money in my community, and supporting our neighbors.  Even though we have cut down on the amount of gifts we exchange, we still have a lot to buy and mail.  We give to all the kids until they graduate college, and so it is time to start my list.  Packages and Christmas cards must be mailed by December 15th, which means I must get a lot done by next weekend.  The clock is ticking.  There are things to buy, things to make and things to do.  Next weekend I have a Christmas luncheon, and a cookie exchange.  I also need to put up the tree and decorations.  This is the time of year when I do something every night after work in order to get things done.  It is a lot of fun, but it is also exhausting, because work will be very busy, and my personal life will be too.  My strategy will be to do as much as I can each day.  The month of December will fly by, and I  need to maximize the happiness, and minimize the stress.  I'll let you know how it all works out.....and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on......
   
   
     
      

Happy Thanksgiving

    The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in Plymouth Massachusetts in 1621.  The Pilgrims had landed in America during the winter of 1620, which made life very difficult.  The Pilgrims were starving, and Massasoit and the Wampanoag Indian tribe, brought them food and helped the Colonists survive. The next year, they had the feast to celebrate a successful harvest.  Having meat on the table meant hunting it. The meal would have consisted of duck, venison, seafood and vegetables.  The feast lasted about one week, and some meals were shared with the Wampanoags,  and some were eaten separately.
     I hope everyone gets to celebrate and enjoy a meal with family and friends.  I wish that we all feel peace and happiness in our hearts, and that joy extends through the remainder of this year. If you do not want to be alone,  invite people over for dessert.  If you are feeling lonely, pick up the phone and wish your friends a Happy Thanksgiving.  Send an email to your friends and family, and ask people to reply with something that makes them thankful.  It will surely lift your spirits.
     Work on a gratitude list this week.  Try and think of five different things each day, so that by Thursday, we actually feel blessed.  Reflect on the happiest occasions of the past year, and vow to be aware of the good times to come our way. When I am stuck in traffic, I say this quick prayer which always puts me in a better mood.   " I know you want me to be happy, and I know you want me to have enough.  I am ready for those blessings.  I promise to share my blessings with others."  
    Have a good week everyone....and the beat goes on....the beat goes on.......

   
   
     

The Red Hats Visit the Irish Village

     I'm a member of the Improper Bostonian chapter of the Red Hat Society, which is an organization for women.  Most of us are over fifty, although younger members must wear Pink Hats.  Our group tries to get together once a month, and we always have a wonderful time.
    We spent Veteran's Day  weekend at the Irish Village in Yarmouth, on Cape Cod.  It has an indoor pool, and workout center, as well as a day spa, and excellent restaurant.
   I was related to seven of the eleven women who attended.  We usually go away each fall and celebrate all our birthdays.  This time, we celebrated me, as I will turn 60 in December.  There was a birthday cocktail made with Bailey's Irish Cream, and I received some very thoughtful and useful gifts.  At my age, I love to get things that I can enjoy and then use up, as I am trying to avoid  dust collectors.  Most of the items were part on our inside jokes, but that made them even more fun!
   There was Irish Music both nights, and I could barely hear myself think, as everyone sang along with the band.  We enjoyed some of the best seafood on the Cape, including award winning chowders and lobster rolls.  The hotel had scones, Irish breads, and a few Irish dishes on the menu.
    We were blessed with beautiful weather and we spent each day shopping and visiting the area.  We went to the Kennedy Museum in Hyannis, which chronicled the last summer of President Kennedy's life.  It is hard to believe that he was assassinated 50 yrs ago this week.  We all remember exactly where we were,  when we got the news that our president had been shot.  We drove by the compound, but it is not possible to get very close.
    We took some pictures of windmills,  some of the outside memorials, and of course the water and the sunsets.  We had fun in the shops, toured the baseball museum for the Cape Cod League, and even found a craft fair.  We all bought something to remind us of our special weekend....and I cannot wait to go to the next event...and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on......

     
     

Boston Red Sox Rolling Rally

   Congratulations to the Boston Red Sox, 2013 World Champions!  It has been an unbelievable story because the Sox went from  worst to first.  Last season, Boston owned the worst record in baseball, and this year they rank first !  The last time they won in Boston, it was 1918 and Babe Ruth was on the field. My sister and brother in law were at the game, and it was awesome!  It was even great for those of us watching from home.
   I was hesitant to be a real fanatic this year, because last year was so awful.  It did not take long though for me to embrace the team.  They were a bunch of hard working guys, and they seemed to have a knack for winning. There were lots of walk off wins, and late inning magic.  This team played hard every game, and never quit.   I'm convinced that attitude helped them win their series.  I know that the Boston Marathon bombing gave them all an immediate bond, and they played to give us something to cheer about.  Many of the players visited the victims in the hospitals, and continue to help them today.  They kept it quiet, and we will never know how much the Red Sox players and their families do for our community.
   The Duck Boat parade was held on Saturday morning.  We watched from home, and it was great to see the players and the fans celebrating together.  The parade started out from Fenway Park, and rolled  to the marathon finish line.  The shirts with "617" and "Boston Strong" that had been in the dug outs all season with the team,  were given to one of the businesses most affected by the bombs.  God Bless America was sung, and there was a moment of silence.  The duck boats then proceeded to the water for a swim, before heading back to Fenway.  The entire trip took about three hours, and it was a total love fest.  Fans lined the parade route, and cheered for  their favorite players as they rolled by.  Some of the loudest cheers went up for the bull pen cop who raised his hands when Papi hit the grand slam.  The players were tweeting about how touched they were to see all the people.  It surprised me to see them taking pictures of the crowds.  They waved relentlessly, and acknowledged  their screaming fans.  
   We were told that Boston has had eight different parades since 2001.  The Red Sox and Patriots each have had three, and the Celtics and Bruins have also won Championships.  New England sports fans have been blessed with hard working and successful teams.  All we ask is that players prepare and compete for the entire game.  It's been said that 85% of life is just showing up.  That sounds like great advice,  so that's what I strive to do....and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on.......

My Bucket List

    Well, I did it.  I actually walked my first 5 K.   Another item can be scratched off my bucket list.  

I walked with three other women from my office, and I completed 3.1 miles!  I felt great except for some minor aches and pains, but a little advil and ice took care of that pretty quickly.

    My generous friends and family donated more than $250.00 to our soup kitchen and local food pantries.  I am still getting checks in the mail from my cousins.  The Nashua walk was hoping to hit the million dollar mark this year (their 29th), so they love the fact that donations are still coming in!!

    I know I'll do another 5 K, and next time I hope to do more actual running.  

    Now it's time to move on to the next item on my list.  The Red Sox winning the World Series would be great!  My sister and her husband have tickets to Wednesday's game, and it would be fantastic if the Sox clinched tomorrow night....and the beat goes on....the beat goes on.....

Red Sox are Headed to the 2013 World Series

    The World Series begins Wednesday, October 23 rd.  The Red Sox will represent the American League, and the Cardinals will represent the National League.  Congratulations to both teams, and to all their loyal fans.  It should be an excellent series.  I'm glad Boston has the home field advantage, which means that the seventh game, if needed to decide the Championship,  will be played at Fenway Park.
    Both teams have been there before, and have even faced each other in 2004.  That was the year that the Red Sox beat all the odds, and came back to win the Divisional Championship Series,  after losing the first three games in the series to the Yankees.  No other team in history had ever done that before, and it is unlikely to ever happen again.  Boston had not won a World Series in eighty-six years, even though they had been in the Post Season several times.
   Boston fans have felt the agony of defeat many times, and so we must thank the Detroit Tigers for their effort in such an intense series.  The Tigers have three of the top pitchers in all of baseball, and they have the guy most likely to win the batting title.  These games were scary.  As a matter of fact,  I called my folks in Florida during each game, just to check on them.  I knew if my heart was pounding, theirs would be as well. It is a lot of fun to watch a game together even though we live thousands of miles apart.  We would hang up during commercials and breaks, and I'd say "I'll call you if anything good happens".  The games were close, and everyone watching TV must have loved it.  Of course, it was shear torture for all  Sox and Tiger fans. Each game was determined by one or two mistakes, which the other team quickly capitalized on.
    Boston's closing pitcher won the MVP of the Series, and was awarded a trophy.  He was the third pitcher given the job, when two other closers suffered season ending injuries .  When asked how he felt going in to pitch the ninth inning, he said "to be honest, I wanted to throw up".  He's the guy that Big Papi throws over his shoulder after every save, the guy that high fives everyone.  He seems to have a real joy for the game, and it seems to have spilled onto the entire team.  They are working hard, and having fun.  That's a recipe for success no matter what profession we happen to be in.  Good Luck Everyone....and remember to breath.
I know there will be a lot of late nights for baseball fans throughout the country......and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on.......
      

New England's Comeback Kids

   Sunday was a very busy day for sports fans in New England.  The Patriots football game was on TV at 4:30 pm, and the Red Sox playoff game started at 8:15 pm.  Everyone watching was treated to two of the best comeback wins in a long time.  The moral of both stories is to never give up.
    The Patriots were losing with less than three minutes left in the game, and Tom Brady's pass was intercepted.  Since the Red Sox were due to start in a few minutes, I decided to clean up the kitchen.  After all, now there were only two minutes left in the game.  I scurried back to the den when I heard my husband cheering that the Pat's had gotten the ball back.  This season, all the receivers are new, and catching balls are no longer automatic.  Fans cannot wait until the team runs the plays the way they are drawn up.  Yesterday, we got a glimpse of just how easy it could be.  With 5 seconds left, Tompkins caught a pass, and the Patriots wound up beating the saints, who had not lost this season.  It was fantastic!   At the press conference, Brady talked about all the practice that the team does to prepare for different game time situations.  A former player mentioned that each Thursday is devoted to exactly that. Hopefully, this is the confidence booster that the teams needs. Patriots always talk about playing for all 60 minutes, and yesterday, it took  exactly 59 minutes and 55 seconds of hard work to win that game.  Keep up the good work!
       The Red Sox game began very slowly, with Detroit pitching dominating.  Detroit was racking up all kinds of records, because the Red Sox were shut out Saturday night, and no one got a hit until the sixth inning last night.  In the eighth inning though, fans got to see some Red Sox Magic!  Red Sox were trailing the Tigers 5 to 1, when  Big Papi hit a grand slam to tie the game!  Some of my relatives were at the game, sitting  four rows behind the bullpens.  The home run landed right in front of them, and the fans were going nuts.  Someone paused their TV and took of picture of them in the stands.  And yes, at least one of them was wearing a fake beard! It must have been incredible!  I tried to call my nephew after the game, but he did not answer.  Apparently, they were taking pictures with his phone, and said that fans stuck around cheering long after the game had ended.  They called when they got in the car though, and said it was the best game they had ever attended.
    After Saturday's loss, I bought Hood's Red Sox Caramel Comeback ice cream.  Yes, New England actually has ice cream with names like Green Monster Mint and others ( I bought them both).  I usually talk with my dad in Florida Sunday nights, and of course they were watching too.  I said I was going to have some ice cream, and I'd call him back if anything good happened.  OMG,  it worked!  Of course, I'll have to have enough on hand to get me through the series.  No matter how it ends, fans know that this Red Sox team never gives up, and will play hard until the game is over.  I cannot wait until Tuesday night to see what happens next......and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on.........

A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed

  One of our neighbors had a kitchen fire recently.  We are all grateful that no one was hurt.  Most of the damage was caused by smoke, which is prevalent in every room.  The fire department worked quickly through each room, causing damage to electronics and other possessions.  The insurance company and fire investigators will complete their reports, and then the cleanup and restoration will begin.
  We have lived in this neighborhood for more than thirty years, and we know that we are fortunate to have such great friends.  We all help each other, and do our best to get along.  We all want to do something to help, but the waiting is tough.  It seems to be taking too long to get answers, and I wonder if it has been caused by the government shutdown.
  The family is staying with friends next door.  A few of the children from the street made cards, and every family chipped in to help with immediate expenses.  It was very emotional when a group of us dropped off our gifts today.  They were touched by our generosity, but the fact is, that we have all been helped by this family through the years.  It felt good to repay their kindness, although it is terrible that any family go through this.
  This is the America that I want to live in.  In my America,  we don't hesitate to help each other.  I am disgusted that the government has shut down,  because the wrong people are being hurt.  Those that need services and answers should be able to get them.  Americans want the vote taken, because we all  believe that there are enough votes to reopen the government.  Then,  I think the parties can fight about anything they want.  I hope those in Congress whose words say that they do not want a shut down, find the courage to have their actions match those words.  After all, the entire country is watching.  You will never convince the American voters that the party who loves big government, would actually shut it down.
   I personally know three people who work as clerks in Federal jobs.  None of them are trust fund babies, and so they literally depend on their salaries for rent, car payments,  and groceries.  One of them is considered essential personnel, and must report for work without pay.  The others have been  furloughed,  which means that they stay home without pay.  Some obnoxious members of Congress equate that to a vacation.  Most of us would never go away unless we thought we could actually pay for a trip, and my friends must be prepared to report to work in a matter of hours.
 If  our elected representatives refuse to act on behalf of ALL Americans, then I hope the voters make them pay a political price in the next election.  If  lawmakers are forced to realize that their actions have consequences, then they might be more likely to actually govern.  I really hope it comes back to bite all  who use Americans as pawns in their game of chicken.  Those of us in the sensible center must talk to our friends and make sure we vote the bad lawmakers out of office as soon as possible.....and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on..........