I was a couple of years into my discovery of new music and my escape from the pop I was listening to...Mariah Carey, Color Me Badd, Whitney Houston, En Vogue, Madonna, and 80s hair bands. I had been introduced to "alternative" music by a former boyfriend and dove in with all of the passion I had. "So THIS is what good music sounds like!" I thought. Alanis, Pearl Jam, Live, Nirvana, Dada, Poe, Tracy Bonham, Loud Lucy, Stone Temple Pilots, Matthew Sweet, Silverchair, Soundgarden, Black Lab, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Dave Matthews, Collective Soul...I could go on and on and on... And there were the local favs, like Wanderlust, The Caulfields, Isle of Q, The Outcry, The Authority...
And with my new found passion came the weekends filled with live music & bands that covered the music I now adored. One night while watching one of my favorites, Release, I heard a really cool version of Peter Gabriel's In Your Eyes. I thought my friends were so clever and creative! Then I came to learn that this was Jeffrey Gaines' version of the song. Jeffrey who? Oh really? He's got a great cd out? Ok...I'll check it out. Well...it was one of 'those' albums that...well...moves you beyond any adequate words to describe the way it makes you feel. Jeff's voice infiltrated my heart, soul & mind. I listened over and over and over and over. Memorized the songs and tried to sing them with the same depth and vocal ability with which Jeff did. You see, when I heard his voice, I felt it in my chest...really felt it...and this inspired me. His songs brought me immeasurable joy. It had a profound effect on me.
So last night when Yolanda and I went to The Tin Angel to watch Jeff celebrate the 20th anniversary of this album's release and perform it in its entirety, I felt myself catapulted into that same place of inspiration, love, and pure, pure joy. His voice, melodies and words still resonate in my chest...and heart. And although the realization that it was 20 years later and I was that much older came uninvited (yeah, I'm that old), I felt myself grinning ear to ear, moved to tears, and full of as much pure joy as I had been when I first heard it. These are life's precious moments for me. Thank you Jeff...
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Jack
I am positive that I do not have words adequate enough to describe Jack...thus my hesitation to write about him. I also get choked up and/or cry everytime I think about him, and for those who know me well, you know how much I hate crying. But it's time...
Where do I start? Maybe at the end....after 15 1/2 years of constant companionship, I had to put my baby boy to sleep on Saturday, March 3rd. Did I know the day was coming? Of course...Jack had been sick for well over a year. I took him to my vet (Wissahickon Creek Veterinary Hospital...the best EVER!) in mid-December 2010 and I was told he was in renal failure (kidney failure). We weren't sure he'd make it...so that fact that he held on this long is a miracle.
It's hard to call to mind many specific memories of Jack pre-illness (it's always the most recent ones that take up the most space). Gen & I had recently moved to my current home in Manayunk, and she was anxious for our dog, Trigger (spectacularly awesome and beautiful black lab) to have a playmate. I begrudgingly agreed to take her to the SPCA on Ridge Pike (Trigger came along for the ride), with no intention whatsoever of bringing home another dog. Upon entering the facility and seeing all of the caged dogs & cats, my heart (and resolve) collapsed. I was talking to an older female dog with bad eyes (and getting choked up, of course) when I decided to walk to the other side of the room. It was then that I saw Jack...a teenie little puppy who had been brought in with his siblings. There was no turning back...he was mine. We brought him home that day, and Trigger just about shit himself with excitement when we brought little Jack out to the car!
Jack and Trigger hit it off right away, and were 'brothers' from the start. There was the typical 'bad' behavior but mostly they were loving, sweet, good, and funny as hell. They endured our partying and obnoxious behavior, and Jack even allowed me to put a Halloween costume on him (I'm sure he paid me back in pee or a destroyed particle of clothing shortly thereafter!).
Jack's loyalty was truly exposed when, following the premature death of my beloved Trigger, Jack would wait downstairs in front of a chair for Trigger before going out to pee...he just couldn't believe that Trigger was gone and didn't want to go out without him.
It was just Jack & I for a couple of years, and then I took in Sammie...an older Chesapeake Bay lab. A big goof of a dog, but sweet as hell. Jack didn't complain that my attention had been cut in half. I had also 'inherited' CJ, a cat who one evening ran into my home and never left (COOLEST cat ever...he was killed on December 23rd of last year). As always, he stuck by me and made the best of his situation. The following few years became increasingly 'challenging' for me, and thus for Jack, CJ & Sammie. I get sick to my stomach when I think of how poorly I treated them and how neglectful I was. I thought that Jack was being 'bad' and 'spiteful' but it was me that was to blame...I was pretty sick for a while. And still...he loved me. His tailed wagged everytime I walked into the room. He just wanted my love, affection, and approval. In July of 2005 Sammie passed away, and in August of 2005 I started to get better. I couldn't believe how much Jack had endured. I didn't deserve him. He was too good for me. I tried my best to make it up to him...to make his life a happy one. I took in another stray kitten in November of 2005, Little One, who became sick and I had to put to sleep in January 2009. Jack still didn't complain of my divided attention (and Little One needed ALOT of attention in his last months). He definitely had separation anxiety, and his 'sitters' endured many of the clean up sessions that followed. Despite that, he was still the sweetest, coolest, and best pup ever. I would often walk him around the neighborhood and up & down Main Street, where shop & restaurant owners would greet him before greeting me! He was the mayor of Manayunk! He got along with everyone...humans and dogs alike and was never aggressive (except if he saw a squirrel...then he'd hydroplane to get to it)...the only time he ever barked was when someone knocked at my door (good guard dog). He slept in my bed almost until the end (and would often stay in bed even when I got up!).
The last year + of his life was full of vet visits, a special diet, prescriptions, sub Q fluids (he hated needles as much as his mommy, but took it like a champ), limited mobility, eyesite & walks, and an increasing level of pain, I'm sure. He even 'got out' (more like someone let him out) on February 2nd and was missing for 24 hours! Thanks to the best friends and neighbors ever, I found him the next day in a shelter (he really liked to keep me on my toes!) Still...he never complained...never acted out...remained the bravest, bestest and sweetest little angel ever.
So when I saw how tired he looked on Saturday, March 3rd, I knew it was time to let him go. I didn't want to, but I had been selfish long enough. I had no idea how difficult living without him would be. People tell me that I was a good mom and he was lucky to have me...but I was the lucky one.
Jack, Jackers, Jack Michael...your mommy misses you so very, very much...I love you always my little baby.
Where do I start? Maybe at the end....after 15 1/2 years of constant companionship, I had to put my baby boy to sleep on Saturday, March 3rd. Did I know the day was coming? Of course...Jack had been sick for well over a year. I took him to my vet (Wissahickon Creek Veterinary Hospital...the best EVER!) in mid-December 2010 and I was told he was in renal failure (kidney failure). We weren't sure he'd make it...so that fact that he held on this long is a miracle.
It's hard to call to mind many specific memories of Jack pre-illness (it's always the most recent ones that take up the most space). Gen & I had recently moved to my current home in Manayunk, and she was anxious for our dog, Trigger (spectacularly awesome and beautiful black lab) to have a playmate. I begrudgingly agreed to take her to the SPCA on Ridge Pike (Trigger came along for the ride), with no intention whatsoever of bringing home another dog. Upon entering the facility and seeing all of the caged dogs & cats, my heart (and resolve) collapsed. I was talking to an older female dog with bad eyes (and getting choked up, of course) when I decided to walk to the other side of the room. It was then that I saw Jack...a teenie little puppy who had been brought in with his siblings. There was no turning back...he was mine. We brought him home that day, and Trigger just about shit himself with excitement when we brought little Jack out to the car!
Jack and Trigger hit it off right away, and were 'brothers' from the start. There was the typical 'bad' behavior but mostly they were loving, sweet, good, and funny as hell. They endured our partying and obnoxious behavior, and Jack even allowed me to put a Halloween costume on him (I'm sure he paid me back in pee or a destroyed particle of clothing shortly thereafter!).
Jack's loyalty was truly exposed when, following the premature death of my beloved Trigger, Jack would wait downstairs in front of a chair for Trigger before going out to pee...he just couldn't believe that Trigger was gone and didn't want to go out without him.
It was just Jack & I for a couple of years, and then I took in Sammie...an older Chesapeake Bay lab. A big goof of a dog, but sweet as hell. Jack didn't complain that my attention had been cut in half. I had also 'inherited' CJ, a cat who one evening ran into my home and never left (COOLEST cat ever...he was killed on December 23rd of last year). As always, he stuck by me and made the best of his situation. The following few years became increasingly 'challenging' for me, and thus for Jack, CJ & Sammie. I get sick to my stomach when I think of how poorly I treated them and how neglectful I was. I thought that Jack was being 'bad' and 'spiteful' but it was me that was to blame...I was pretty sick for a while. And still...he loved me. His tailed wagged everytime I walked into the room. He just wanted my love, affection, and approval. In July of 2005 Sammie passed away, and in August of 2005 I started to get better. I couldn't believe how much Jack had endured. I didn't deserve him. He was too good for me. I tried my best to make it up to him...to make his life a happy one. I took in another stray kitten in November of 2005, Little One, who became sick and I had to put to sleep in January 2009. Jack still didn't complain of my divided attention (and Little One needed ALOT of attention in his last months). He definitely had separation anxiety, and his 'sitters' endured many of the clean up sessions that followed. Despite that, he was still the sweetest, coolest, and best pup ever. I would often walk him around the neighborhood and up & down Main Street, where shop & restaurant owners would greet him before greeting me! He was the mayor of Manayunk! He got along with everyone...humans and dogs alike and was never aggressive (except if he saw a squirrel...then he'd hydroplane to get to it)...the only time he ever barked was when someone knocked at my door (good guard dog). He slept in my bed almost until the end (and would often stay in bed even when I got up!).
The last year + of his life was full of vet visits, a special diet, prescriptions, sub Q fluids (he hated needles as much as his mommy, but took it like a champ), limited mobility, eyesite & walks, and an increasing level of pain, I'm sure. He even 'got out' (more like someone let him out) on February 2nd and was missing for 24 hours! Thanks to the best friends and neighbors ever, I found him the next day in a shelter (he really liked to keep me on my toes!) Still...he never complained...never acted out...remained the bravest, bestest and sweetest little angel ever.
So when I saw how tired he looked on Saturday, March 3rd, I knew it was time to let him go. I didn't want to, but I had been selfish long enough. I had no idea how difficult living without him would be. People tell me that I was a good mom and he was lucky to have me...but I was the lucky one.
Jack, Jackers, Jack Michael...your mommy misses you so very, very much...I love you always my little baby.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
CJ
It's been a long, long time. I think I'm writing this out more for me than anything else. I can't get CJ off my mind. And I just put some leftover 9-Lives & dry food out for Jack to see if he'll eat it. CJ should be eating it. He should still be here. And I can't bring myself to quite accept the fact that he's not. Saying I miss him doesn't seem to adequately capture how I feel. I know, I know...he was a cat. But if you had the pleasure of meeting or spending anytime with him, you'd know that he was the absolute coolest, sweetest, most affectionate, social, and funny-as-hell cat ever.
CJ came into my life early in 2004. I came home from Main Street and he was sitting on my front steps. I bent down, pet him, and told him he was cute...unlocked my door, and in he ran! Little bugger. I put out some tuna and newspaper in a box, and then hung some flyers. No one claimed him (a charmer like that? so hard to believe!). He made himself at home and really took to Jack. He'd even push himself up on his hind legs, place his front paws around Jack's head, and hug him (he'd also clean his ears at times!). And Jack seemed to have no problem with it at all.
CJ was the easiest cat...never sick or destructive. The worse things he would do involved decapitated mice, deceased birds, and his extreme desire to escape every time I opened a door! He eventually became an indoor-outdoor cat (complete with collar & bell), and you could see his joy at being outside. He made friends with everyone he met, even venturing into the church rectory & school (to help, of course) on the corner of my street. When I came home and took Jack for a walk, CJ would find us and walk with us. People couldn't believe their eyes ("is that your cat??" "how did you train him to do that??"). He even hung out at St. Davids with me on a couple of occasions...so frickin' funny.
When Mere & Steph would come over to check on my boys, CJ would turn up his antics even more (CJ didn't allow Mere to write a legible note...not once!).
Most of the time he was so unassuming...coming to me when he wanted to lay on my lap or play with a string, etc. He loved pizza boxes and bags, and worming his way under the blankets and onto my chest or legs to sleep with me. I loved when he would jump up onto the bed and get so close to my head I could listen to his purring. Or just place one paw somewhere on my face...forehead, eye, whatever, as if to say "hey Mom...what's up." He made it acutely obvious that he loved me...alot.
And then there were the times I would pick him up and cradle him-much to his dislike most of the time...he would 'yell' at me and stick one of his paws in my face, as if to say "put me down Mommy...I'm a big boy!" He also like to 'announce' when he went #2 in the litter box ("get rid of it Mommy...it stinks!").
I would grab his face and tell him I loved him...and that when Jack was gone I was going to give him all of the attention he deserved. I'm so pissed I don't have that chance. It's just not fair. It's so final, and there's nothing I can do about it. That makes it very difficult for me. I know there are a ton of things I could think of, like 'be grateful for the time you had with him' and 'you gave him a good home' but truthfully those things don't make me feel alot better right now. I AM grateful for the time I had with him...but I want more. I want my CJ back. WTF.
To the man who so kindly and gently picked my CJ up out of the street, thank you, you are a kind soul. To Mere & Steph who wrapped him in a soft blanky and placed him in a nice basket, and then broke the news to me...I really can't tell you how much it helps that it was you...2 of CJ's most favorite people in the world...that helped me face this tragedy. And to Kieran and Grant, who came down on Christmas Eve and helped me bury my CJ, you personify what family is and should be all about.
Will I get another cat? Maybe. But not now. Another cat just can't compare to CJ...he was one of a kind. He is missed...so damn much.
CJ came into my life early in 2004. I came home from Main Street and he was sitting on my front steps. I bent down, pet him, and told him he was cute...unlocked my door, and in he ran! Little bugger. I put out some tuna and newspaper in a box, and then hung some flyers. No one claimed him (a charmer like that? so hard to believe!). He made himself at home and really took to Jack. He'd even push himself up on his hind legs, place his front paws around Jack's head, and hug him (he'd also clean his ears at times!). And Jack seemed to have no problem with it at all.
CJ was the easiest cat...never sick or destructive. The worse things he would do involved decapitated mice, deceased birds, and his extreme desire to escape every time I opened a door! He eventually became an indoor-outdoor cat (complete with collar & bell), and you could see his joy at being outside. He made friends with everyone he met, even venturing into the church rectory & school (to help, of course) on the corner of my street. When I came home and took Jack for a walk, CJ would find us and walk with us. People couldn't believe their eyes ("is that your cat??" "how did you train him to do that??"). He even hung out at St. Davids with me on a couple of occasions...so frickin' funny.
When Mere & Steph would come over to check on my boys, CJ would turn up his antics even more (CJ didn't allow Mere to write a legible note...not once!).
Most of the time he was so unassuming...coming to me when he wanted to lay on my lap or play with a string, etc. He loved pizza boxes and bags, and worming his way under the blankets and onto my chest or legs to sleep with me. I loved when he would jump up onto the bed and get so close to my head I could listen to his purring. Or just place one paw somewhere on my face...forehead, eye, whatever, as if to say "hey Mom...what's up." He made it acutely obvious that he loved me...alot.
And then there were the times I would pick him up and cradle him-much to his dislike most of the time...he would 'yell' at me and stick one of his paws in my face, as if to say "put me down Mommy...I'm a big boy!" He also like to 'announce' when he went #2 in the litter box ("get rid of it Mommy...it stinks!").
I would grab his face and tell him I loved him...and that when Jack was gone I was going to give him all of the attention he deserved. I'm so pissed I don't have that chance. It's just not fair. It's so final, and there's nothing I can do about it. That makes it very difficult for me. I know there are a ton of things I could think of, like 'be grateful for the time you had with him' and 'you gave him a good home' but truthfully those things don't make me feel alot better right now. I AM grateful for the time I had with him...but I want more. I want my CJ back. WTF.
To the man who so kindly and gently picked my CJ up out of the street, thank you, you are a kind soul. To Mere & Steph who wrapped him in a soft blanky and placed him in a nice basket, and then broke the news to me...I really can't tell you how much it helps that it was you...2 of CJ's most favorite people in the world...that helped me face this tragedy. And to Kieran and Grant, who came down on Christmas Eve and helped me bury my CJ, you personify what family is and should be all about.
Will I get another cat? Maybe. But not now. Another cat just can't compare to CJ...he was one of a kind. He is missed...so damn much.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Uh...What's with all of the Feathers??
So I walk in the house tonight with my arms full of stuff, and was greeted with what looked like a vandalized living room. When I surveyed the room, however, I saw that it was LOADED with feathers and several items knocked over and on the floor. "Damn it, CJ!" I thought. You see, my cat has been having a bit of a field day with some of the neighborhood birds. I have found a few deceased (and stinky) ones in my yard; another 'catbird' terrified and injured in my kitchen in front of my fridge, and my poor house/petsitter, Kara was greeted (on her 1st day here, mind you) by a decapitated bird in my yard (evidently she has a history with birds on Smick Street as well!).
So I grabbed the vacuum, got up ALL of the feathers and then put things back in place. Found CJ in the yard (just a-loungin' - he looked so proud of himself, the little sucker) and grabbed him, gave him a lecture, and put him in the house.
Talked to Dom for a bit, put some soup on, and went up to change. As I was pulling my shirt over my head I heard an awful commotion downstairs! I came running down thinking I'd find either Jack having a seizure (God forbid) or CJ having his way with another bird. What I found was a Mourning Dove, also terrified, perched on my record collection. ('At least this one's still alive!' I thought, very relieved). Ok, so what do I do now???
Ok, I need a box, or a blanket, definitely some gloves. But first, put CJ in the basement so this bird has a chance. Gloves, found one...put a sock on my other hand (yeah, I know). I didn't want to waste anymore time, so I thought I'd do what the guy at the Skuylkill Valley Nature Center rehab did and just pick the bird up. Well...as you can imagine, the dove didn't take to that very well, and started fluttering & flying around like crazy! Scared the living shit out of me and I screamed at the top of my lungs while backing the hell up! Poor thing went straight up into the ceiling (like that game at carnivals where you hit the thingy with the sledghammer and the thingy goes up). There's still a feather stuck to the ceiling...
So then I tried to cover it with a tablecloth, and managed to do so, until it busted out! I didn't think I could shriek like that...you know, so loud and high pitched that you keep hearing it over and over in your head and feel dumber & dumber?? The dove wound up knocking some more stuff down, loosing alot more feathers, and found refuge behind my couch.
After a few more attempts, door openings, shoo-ings, and re-positioning by Mr. dove-man all over my 1st floor (and me talking to him telling him I wasn't going to hurt him), I think we finally came to an understanding (or we were both too tuckered to keep fighting). I gently placed my gloved/socked hands around his wings (and tried not to shit my pants) - and Mr. dove-y-face let me! What a strange but cool feeling to have a bird in your hands (that what she said)...
I placed him outside on one of my ottomans, and then thought twice about leaving him there (he was a bit banged up and had a mark on his head from colliding with my ceiling). But before I could grab him again he was off into the sunset...
More vacuuming, overcooked soup, a confused Jack, but a happy birdy ending!
So I grabbed the vacuum, got up ALL of the feathers and then put things back in place. Found CJ in the yard (just a-loungin' - he looked so proud of himself, the little sucker) and grabbed him, gave him a lecture, and put him in the house.
Talked to Dom for a bit, put some soup on, and went up to change. As I was pulling my shirt over my head I heard an awful commotion downstairs! I came running down thinking I'd find either Jack having a seizure (God forbid) or CJ having his way with another bird. What I found was a Mourning Dove, also terrified, perched on my record collection. ('At least this one's still alive!' I thought, very relieved). Ok, so what do I do now???
Ok, I need a box, or a blanket, definitely some gloves. But first, put CJ in the basement so this bird has a chance. Gloves, found one...put a sock on my other hand (yeah, I know). I didn't want to waste anymore time, so I thought I'd do what the guy at the Skuylkill Valley Nature Center rehab did and just pick the bird up. Well...as you can imagine, the dove didn't take to that very well, and started fluttering & flying around like crazy! Scared the living shit out of me and I screamed at the top of my lungs while backing the hell up! Poor thing went straight up into the ceiling (like that game at carnivals where you hit the thingy with the sledghammer and the thingy goes up). There's still a feather stuck to the ceiling...
So then I tried to cover it with a tablecloth, and managed to do so, until it busted out! I didn't think I could shriek like that...you know, so loud and high pitched that you keep hearing it over and over in your head and feel dumber & dumber?? The dove wound up knocking some more stuff down, loosing alot more feathers, and found refuge behind my couch.
After a few more attempts, door openings, shoo-ings, and re-positioning by Mr. dove-man all over my 1st floor (and me talking to him telling him I wasn't going to hurt him), I think we finally came to an understanding (or we were both too tuckered to keep fighting). I gently placed my gloved/socked hands around his wings (and tried not to shit my pants) - and Mr. dove-y-face let me! What a strange but cool feeling to have a bird in your hands (that what she said)...
I placed him outside on one of my ottomans, and then thought twice about leaving him there (he was a bit banged up and had a mark on his head from colliding with my ceiling). But before I could grab him again he was off into the sunset...
More vacuuming, overcooked soup, a confused Jack, but a happy birdy ending!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Helloooooooooo....
It's been such a long time (I was reminded by a good friend tonight). I guess I'll work my way backwards. I had a bit of a breakdown on the way home from work tonight...just a mini...didn't last long. Work has been insane this week. I came back on Friday after an amazing week and a half in Jim Thorpe/Lehighton and not only did I get 4 new payroll/billing areas, but the billing process has changed. It's not horrible, and I work with some really awesome people/women, but I've got so much going on outside work, and when I'm working longer hours, sitting in a cubicle, I feel completely drained (and in pain much of the time) when I'm done, and all of my 'plans' for the evening get postponed due to fatigue. It's pretty frustrating, especially when there are so many things I want to/need to do. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my life (just celebrated 6 years of my 'new' one), but I was having a rare moment of feeling completely overwhelmed during my drive home. I was on the verge of tears a few times, and then (thank you WXPN) I heard Amos Lee's "Windows Are Rolled Down" and immediately started feeling better. Then...I stopped at my parents to pick up some stuff and right away 'Mommy' & 'Daddy' made me feel so much better. I know there are people who take their parents/siblings for granted, and I hope to never get that way. I was reminded again of how incredibly blessed I am to have the parents I do. My friend Nadina has been ill and in the hospital (my parents have unofficially adopted her). My mom spent the entire day cooking meals for Nadina and THEN they contributed to the 'fund'. My parents' generosity never ceases to amaze me. So I left there feeling tons better.
My trip to Jim Thorpe/Lehighton was fabulous. Jack and I drove up on a Tuesday night (he did very well in the car with the exception of being scared when we went under an overpass). Got there around 9pm and hung out with the family/helped do wash, etc. until bedtime. Then helped some more Wednesday and got them off to the airport in the afternoon. Chulu, the 17/18 week-old puppy was a challenge, but so damn adorable. She not only pooped and peed all over the place, but also terrorized the 2 cats by jumping up on the kitchen table and eating their food! She took to Jack right away and wanted to play alot! He did very well, and 'told her off' when he needed to. She would nip at his face/neck for a while, and he would snap at her when it got to be too much, and then she would start kissing his face (as if to say 'I'm sorry...I love you'). My god it was so frickin' precious!
So for the 1st couple of days I did wash and cleaned up poop & pee. I didn't know a tiny pup could have that much poop in her! Mom & Dad came up Thursday to Friday, and I was starting to get into the groove and get Chulu a bit 'trained.' We had a fantastic time and Dad even talked to Michele, who owns Nutritional Needs in Jim Thorpe, for 2 hours! We both really connected with her and learned alot about what we should and shouldn't put into our bodies. I'm hoping it sticks and we both keep our committment to healthier living. Michele is an absolutely amazing woman...I'm so glad we met. Daisy & Michael came up for the day Sunday (man, we had a blast and even took the pups to the river!) and Tree & the kids (Caeli, Christiane & Roy) came up Tuesday through Thursday (my last day there). We had so much frickin' fun! The kids & Tree were so much fun to be with and they really help alot. The weekend was jam packed with guests (11 women for a bachelorette party, 14 NY police officers...I loved them, a father and daughter in the apartment, and another friend/guest in Jimmy's room!). I never thought I'd be done doing wash! It was alot of work, but meeting all of those people made it worth it. Meeting people is one of my favorite things to do, and there are so many wonderful souls up there. The Mann family are truly amazing people (the owners of the Canalside Guest House http://www.canalside.org/) - you should definitely pay them a visit sometime! A few of my favorite places and people in Jim Thorpe are: Bear Appetite - great restaurant owned by Brian (from NY)...good food (fabulous desserts) and very reasonable; Flights of Fancy (mom's favorite!) - Phil is a great guy and ALWAYS treats us like royalty (and gives us nice discounts as well); Natural Impressions (Terri is character and fun to talk to!); Galerie B & Reinhard Gallery (Jean & Lisa are absolute dolls...love them!); Naturally Yours (fantastic shop with natural, organic, products owned by Jean, who introduced us to Michele...); who owns Nutritional Needs; Moya - one of our favorite restaurants...every single item on the menu is heaven!; Albrights restaurant - another favorite and currently up for sale - I really hope the new owners leave it as is.
Ok, I realize I probably sound like a member of the chamber of commerce! I guess I just love it up there so much and feel so at home when I'm there. It's such a high point for me over the last few months.
Back to reality (and my zipcode)...other than my crazy work schedule, I've got some good things to look forward to: Mom & Gen's birthdays and getting to spend time with the family (and next week Gen & 'the girls'); my trip to Orlando with Mom & Dad for Bobby & Maria's wedding (and a week of sunshine and fun!); seeing Nadina & Colin tomorrow; getting together with my new guitar player to practice some songs; a trip to San Diego to see Kieran, Grant, Aunt Bonnie & Uncle Jim; a trip to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello with a few good friends; and hopefully catching up with some friends I haven't seen in a while (Krysta, Shawn & Sofia, Mere & Steph, etc). The 'good' list is way too long so hopefully my little breakdowns will be few and far between!
Jeez...that was a long one, eh? :-)
My trip to Jim Thorpe/Lehighton was fabulous. Jack and I drove up on a Tuesday night (he did very well in the car with the exception of being scared when we went under an overpass). Got there around 9pm and hung out with the family/helped do wash, etc. until bedtime. Then helped some more Wednesday and got them off to the airport in the afternoon. Chulu, the 17/18 week-old puppy was a challenge, but so damn adorable. She not only pooped and peed all over the place, but also terrorized the 2 cats by jumping up on the kitchen table and eating their food! She took to Jack right away and wanted to play alot! He did very well, and 'told her off' when he needed to. She would nip at his face/neck for a while, and he would snap at her when it got to be too much, and then she would start kissing his face (as if to say 'I'm sorry...I love you'). My god it was so frickin' precious!
So for the 1st couple of days I did wash and cleaned up poop & pee. I didn't know a tiny pup could have that much poop in her! Mom & Dad came up Thursday to Friday, and I was starting to get into the groove and get Chulu a bit 'trained.' We had a fantastic time and Dad even talked to Michele, who owns Nutritional Needs in Jim Thorpe, for 2 hours! We both really connected with her and learned alot about what we should and shouldn't put into our bodies. I'm hoping it sticks and we both keep our committment to healthier living. Michele is an absolutely amazing woman...I'm so glad we met. Daisy & Michael came up for the day Sunday (man, we had a blast and even took the pups to the river!) and Tree & the kids (Caeli, Christiane & Roy) came up Tuesday through Thursday (my last day there). We had so much frickin' fun! The kids & Tree were so much fun to be with and they really help alot. The weekend was jam packed with guests (11 women for a bachelorette party, 14 NY police officers...I loved them, a father and daughter in the apartment, and another friend/guest in Jimmy's room!). I never thought I'd be done doing wash! It was alot of work, but meeting all of those people made it worth it. Meeting people is one of my favorite things to do, and there are so many wonderful souls up there. The Mann family are truly amazing people (the owners of the Canalside Guest House http://www.canalside.org/) - you should definitely pay them a visit sometime! A few of my favorite places and people in Jim Thorpe are: Bear Appetite - great restaurant owned by Brian (from NY)...good food (fabulous desserts) and very reasonable; Flights of Fancy (mom's favorite!) - Phil is a great guy and ALWAYS treats us like royalty (and gives us nice discounts as well); Natural Impressions (Terri is character and fun to talk to!); Galerie B & Reinhard Gallery (Jean & Lisa are absolute dolls...love them!); Naturally Yours (fantastic shop with natural, organic, products owned by Jean, who introduced us to Michele...); who owns Nutritional Needs; Moya - one of our favorite restaurants...every single item on the menu is heaven!; Albrights restaurant - another favorite and currently up for sale - I really hope the new owners leave it as is.
Ok, I realize I probably sound like a member of the chamber of commerce! I guess I just love it up there so much and feel so at home when I'm there. It's such a high point for me over the last few months.
Back to reality (and my zipcode)...other than my crazy work schedule, I've got some good things to look forward to: Mom & Gen's birthdays and getting to spend time with the family (and next week Gen & 'the girls'); my trip to Orlando with Mom & Dad for Bobby & Maria's wedding (and a week of sunshine and fun!); seeing Nadina & Colin tomorrow; getting together with my new guitar player to practice some songs; a trip to San Diego to see Kieran, Grant, Aunt Bonnie & Uncle Jim; a trip to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello with a few good friends; and hopefully catching up with some friends I haven't seen in a while (Krysta, Shawn & Sofia, Mere & Steph, etc). The 'good' list is way too long so hopefully my little breakdowns will be few and far between!
Jeez...that was a long one, eh? :-)
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Temporary Innkeeper...
So I'm watching this place up here in Jim Thorpe for the family that owns it...fantastic people! My family has been staying here for years (usually our Mother's Day weekend getaway), and we've become pretty friendly with the family. They are wonderful people who have adopted 2 boys and have recently become proud parents to a 17-week old puppy. She's adorable, but she's giving Jack a run for his money (she likes to nip him on his face/neck...but he tells her off when he gets tired of it). Got here around 9pm last night and helped them get ready to leave today. Took them to the airport in Allentown (I drove a 15-passenger van...and didn't kill myself or anyone else!) and got back here around 5pm. Lots to do when I got back, and walked the pups along the canal (got caught in the pouring rain!), and now we're having some 'quiet' time watching BBC. I'm pooped! I love it up here though...I feel so at home when I come here. It's so beautiful, and rural, and peaceful. It's gonna be a full house this weekend (including about a dozen firemen/policemen, thank you very much!). Should be fun and interesting! Hopefully I'll have some good stories...
Friday, July 22, 2011
The Audition...
Well, no callback, but I had a great time! I'm going to add this to the list of new and great experiences I've had over the past several years. I left at around 9:30 last night and got to the hotel a little after11pm, ordered some food (they really don't know how to make a cheesesteak up there!), watched some telly & went to bed. Had a nightmare that I slept through my audition...thank god for phone alarms!
The people that run the auditions for The Voice did an amazing job. My audition time was 2pm. I got there around noon. They organized us in groups of 10 and were really encouraging and supportive. My group was great...we really got along and laughed alot! We all went in together, and I really thought a few of them were going to get a callback (especially the 19 yr old girl from Harlem...she has a stunningly beautiful voice!). We all sang and we all applauded each other, but were told that none of us were getting a callback. Disappointing? A little. But it really was a smooth and fun audition. And I met some really cool people. And it all only took 3 hours (a HUGE difference from the America's Got Talent audition)! Drove home with no a/c in the car, missed my exit, but made it safely (even if I did lose 30 lbs in water weight!). Took a cold, cold shower and ate some ice cream!
I'm so grateful for this experience, and for all of the support and encouragement I got from my family and friends, and all of the nice things everyone wrote on FB and texted to me. I'm a lucky, lucky girl (and don't worry, I'll keep singing...). :-)
The people that run the auditions for The Voice did an amazing job. My audition time was 2pm. I got there around noon. They organized us in groups of 10 and were really encouraging and supportive. My group was great...we really got along and laughed alot! We all went in together, and I really thought a few of them were going to get a callback (especially the 19 yr old girl from Harlem...she has a stunningly beautiful voice!). We all sang and we all applauded each other, but were told that none of us were getting a callback. Disappointing? A little. But it really was a smooth and fun audition. And I met some really cool people. And it all only took 3 hours (a HUGE difference from the America's Got Talent audition)! Drove home with no a/c in the car, missed my exit, but made it safely (even if I did lose 30 lbs in water weight!). Took a cold, cold shower and ate some ice cream!
I'm so grateful for this experience, and for all of the support and encouragement I got from my family and friends, and all of the nice things everyone wrote on FB and texted to me. I'm a lucky, lucky girl (and don't worry, I'll keep singing...). :-)
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