Memorial Day 2010

Well, chalk-up another marathon New Jersey weekend! I flew into Newark on Friday afternoon - WITHOUT DELAYS – and sat in traffic for about an hour and a half. It only takes a few minutes to remember the downfalls of living in population. Cars, cars, cars. If had to drive in that everyday I’d have a heart condition.

My first holiday excursion was meeting Susanne and her two kids, Valerie & Katherine, for manis and pedis. Because I was late, I only had time for my feet, and that was great until the lady cut my toe. Now it hurts like it’s nobody’s biz. I had a nice visit with Katherine, who took a moment to text our friend, Carol, and let her know that this particular salon does armpit waxing, whish is her new hobby. Yeah, we have varying things that excite us :-)

Side note, the lady must have nicked my big toe and now it’s infected! CRIPES!

After our spa treatments we headed to Sue’s house for dinner. We had Steamers (SO good!), London Broil, and carrots & potatoes on the grill. One of my all-time FAV-O-RITE things is simply sitting around the table and chatting with my girlfriends. Not too many things fill my heart more than that. On this particular occasion, I had to break away… Valerie was sick so I sat on the couch with her and rubbed her head until she fell asleep in my lap.

Cut to Saturday. Up and at ‘em! I had a great night’s sleep and headed to shop a little. I have a bunch of gift cards that I can’t use at the beach because we have no stores other than K-MART and Wal-Mart. I didn’t buy too much, so that wasn’t fun. After that I drove to my brother’s house to visit with the kids, Jordan and Devynn. MAN! They are getting SO big!

Jordan is all about the competition and winning. “I’ll race you to the fence.”  “Whoever climbs to the top first wins.” “If you finish first you are the best.”

Let me just say, that’s a lotta’ work.

 

 

 

Devynn, on the other hand, is just a sunshiny kid. She’s all smiles and hugs and giggles! I mean, really, look at those puffy cheeks and devilish smile! How can you not adore her?

 

 

After a big day of play in the heat, I headed off to dinner with the big girls, Susanne, Carol & Laurie. We went to a new Italian restaurant in Aberdeen, Cafe 34. I can sum it all up in one word: F-A-T. We ate so much my shirt was tight! We need a pact to stick to appetizers next time. Between the olives, bruschetta, bread, steamed clams & mussels, AND calamari, that should have been plenty. SHOULD have been.

Sunday we spent the bulk of the morning at my cousin’s baby’s naming ceremony, where Collin received his Hebrew name: Richard. He was named after Scott’s brother who passed away at a young age.

The ceremony was lovely and personal and wonderful, and the Rabbi was really funny, which always helps when you’re in a mixed-faith crowd. 

Carol and went to the harbor to visit with my parents and say a fine farewell to the boat, since Dad finally has an off on it. I feel like I am losing a sibling. It won’t be the same without having our own boat to hang out on, but sometimes change is good, right? While we were there, snacking like crazy on clams w/ green sauce, grilled kielbasa, pork BBQ and whatnot, we bumped into a friend from high school and then took a last minute skiff out to see another friend (that we  haven’t seen in forever) on his sailboat. Love the spontaneous fun!

Monday morning came bright and early and I headed back to the airport, but only after stopping for a pork roll, egg & cheese bagel. DELISH!

Well, I better get going! Happy day, ya’ll!