All Soul’s Day 2008

Tuesday, 4 November, 2008 by Beachbums1

Sunday was All Soul’s Day which is celebrated on 2 November and follows All Saints Day (1 November). During my 5th grade religious education class, my co-teacher and I attempted to explain the importance of All Soul’s Day. 10 year olds have such a different perspective and our American culture deals so differently with death than other countries. A few of the children were shocked that in most other cultures, it is customary to go to the cemetary on All Soul’s Day in order to honor those who have died.  

All Soul’s Day is a Roman Catholic day of remembrance for friends and loved ones who have passed away. The day follows All Saint’s Day in order to shift the focus from those in heaven to those in purgatory. It is celebrated with masses and festivities in honor of the dead. The Feast of All Saints remembers those Saints who are in the glories of Heaven while the Feast of All Souls reminds us of our obligations: to live holy lives and to pray for those souls of those destined for Heaven. Our project in class was a paper tent which can stand up with a prayer on one side and the other side had: Departed Family, Departed Friends and Forgotten Dead. The children could write in the names of those they would pray for during the month of November. 

In Mexico, the Day of the Dead, is a three day feast. There are a lot of customs associated withThe Day of the Dead celebration. In the home, an altar is made with an offering of food upon it. It’s believed that the dead partake of the food in spirit and those still living eat it later. The offerings include flowers such as marigolds, which are the traditional flower of the dead and an adorned candle is placed for each dead soul. The offering also includes incense, mementos, photos, and other remembrances of the dead. Being a three day feast, it’s quite elaborate.

I remember when we lived in Germany, All Soul’s Day was a day where the Germans would dress in their finest clothes, visit the graves of those who died and spend the day together with family. The cemeteries in Germany are so beautiful and meticulously maintained.

Here at our church, it’s a lot more subdued. We wrote the names of family and friends for the priest to read during the Mass. Because there were so many names he read the first name and then said “and others.” So, when he said “Bill and others” I knew he read my list which started with my Dad.

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A Little Misunderstood

Sunday, 2 November, 2008 by Beachbums1

Sometimes, I say something that is misunderstood ~ who hasn’t?

Yesterday was another example of how my perspective is a little different from others. I volunteered to help at a Charity Craft Show and a woman came up to the cashier table & referred to the Assistant Manager as “sweet” ~ I jumped to her defense and said “She’s not sweet.” Yes, her defense because I don’t think calling someone “nice” or “sweet” is necessarily a compliment. It says to me you don’t know the person very well or you have no other adjective to describe them. Think about when someone tried to set you up on a date, the kiss of death was always “He’s very nice.”

Sweet & Nice in the business world will get you no where. Kindness in the workplace is appreciated but if you get tagged with sweet, you might as well get a new job.

Were I to describe the woman called “sweet”, I would say energetic, great mom, thoughtful, helpful, etc. But when I said “She’s not sweet” and saw the look on the faces of the other women, I played it off as kidding around. It would have taken too long to explain what I really meant ~

I do know several sweet people ~ both men and women. I like them and enjoy their company but they’re not the ones who become my close friends. I prefer a little edge to a personality ~ someone with depth and isn’t afraid to show it.

How do you like to be described?

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Jasmine or A Genie?

Saturday, 1 November, 2008 by Beachbums1


Hope everyone enjoyed Halloween.

I especially liked it being on a Friday night. FG was able to have a friend sleep over after roaming the streets. Since FM made it home in time, he took FG and friends around the neighborhood for a sugar overload.

I stayed back and froze on the porch. I would have preferred to let the kids ring the doorbell ~ they need to work a little for the candy ~ but if the door bell kept ringing every few minutes, the dogs would get a little nervous. So out on the porch I sat. Wish I had some glühwine to keep me warm.

Last year, we had a lot of left over candy so, this year, I bought the same amount of mini-sized candy but gave out 2-3 at a time. Oops, not enough!! FG and her friend came home about the time I was getting to the end of the candy so I asked them for any of the candy they didn’t like and wouldn’t eat anyway.

Can I call it being green and recycling? 😉

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Flashback Friday : Halloween 2000

Friday, 31 October, 2008 by Beachbums1

Because I bought a way too big Dalmatian Dog Costume when FG was two years old, she was a Dalmatian for three years in a row. It was the perfect outfit since it was warm enough to wear by itself and she looked adorable in it. We still kid her every year that we’re going to get the outfit out of storage so she can wear it again. 😉

It’s still my favorite Halloween outfit she’s ever worn. Do you have an all-time favorite costume either you or your kids have worn?

Posted in Favorite Girl | 5 Comments »

Without So Much As A Look Back…

Thursday, 30 October, 2008 by Beachbums1

… and that’s what I love about dogs! They are so loyal. Hoss’s owner came home late last night and, as soon as Hoss saw him, I all but disappeared. All the time, love and attention made no difference to him once he saw his owner. Hoss was soooo excited, jumped in the back of his truck and didn’t even look back.  Oh, well ~ he was fun to have around although he was a handful. It certainly was a good distraction while Favorite Man (FM) was out of town.

Dave, my friend who took care of Maya and Sport, had a similar experience last summer. I remember him telling me that as soon as FM showed up to take them, our dogs jumped in the car with no thoughts of Dave.

Having Hoss here for three weeks reminded me how much I miss having a big dog ~ they have a much more “gentle” personality than small dogs.  Many small dogs have the Napoleon Complex, but a big dog has no need to show his strength unless he needs to. Even though I love Sport and Maya, when it’s time to get another dog, I’m going BIG.

I’m thinking maybe an Irish Wolfhound 😉

Posted in Animals | 3 Comments »

First Snow Day

Wednesday, 29 October, 2008 by Beachbums1

Hard to believe FG’s school is having the first snow day of the school year. Last year, the first snowfall with accumulation wasn’t until 24 November. It snowed about 8 inches last night with more snow still falling today.

With FM out of town, my plan was not to bother with the driveway and just stay in watching movies but a neighbor was a good Samaritan and went to all the houses with “husbands out of town” and plowed the driveways. He’s due for some really good karma…

Speaking of wonderful neighbors, it’s nice to know my neighbor, Angie, so well that my calling her up and asking if she had two cups of Vodka didn’t shock or offend her. It’s not everyone you can call up and ask such a question. 😉

The reason for the Vodka request was we were making Black Cat Cosmos (the slushy ones in the bucket) for the costume coffee and I was a little shy of the amount needed. My co-host and I made stew in individual pumpkins and I did a remake of the delicious sweet potato cannelloni. For dessert, it was pumpkin cheesecake. I can honestly say no one left hungry!

Most of the outfits were medical, the women either wanted to be nurses, doctors, veterinarians, but we did have a “Miss America” outfit and she won the “prettiest” costume award. The scariest went to the wanna-be neurosurgeon. It would be frightful if the woman were any where near a scalpel.

Because I worked so hard getting ready for the party and didn’t have time to dress, I threw on a chef’s hat and “pretended” that’s what I wanted to be when I grew up. Isn’t that terrible. I feel bad being deceptive. I would make a lousy politician ~ too honest.

The snow should be gone in time for Halloween so it’s time to carve the pumpkins ~ certainly not something I expected to be doing on a snow day.

Posted in Favorite Girl | 6 Comments »

Some Scary Fun

Saturday, 25 October, 2008 by Beachbums1

Last night was the start of “Halloween Week” with plenty of upcoming events over the next 6 nights. Favorite Man (FM) usually takes Favorite Girl (FG) to Halloween events. Mostly because he has as much fun as the kids do. We go together whenever we can but, last year, they went to the Andersen Air Force Base “Haunted House” ~ I skipped it. Not to be a snob, but how scary can it be with gorgeous warm weather and palm trees all around 😉 

Since FM is gone for the month of October, I took FG on the Haunted Hay Ride on post last night. As with most events I’ve been to at this post, it was very well-organized. Much like a ride at Disney. Long lines, but everything moved along smoothly. We were even transported to the location in a van decorated for the event, complete with skeletons on the front bumper.

The ride itself took us through the wooded area of Remington Park. Just being in the chilly, dark woods at night is scary but, with frightening creatures jumping out at every turn, the kids (OK, me too) were screaming and trying to hide. There was even a ghoul on a zip-line flying between the trees. My favorite was the “Jason” look-a-like who just followed the ride, but he looked and walked just like Jason Michael Myers from the movie “Halloween.”

The Hay Ride dropped us off at the “Haunted Pavilion” which seemed more like a fun house to me, but terrified the kids. The clowns were creepy as they always are to me. Once we traversed the Pavilion, it led us to a graveyard with ghouls at every turn. The only way back was walking through a wooded area and across a bridge. I thought one of the statues was a fake until it leaped out at us. Too much fun.

I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard in a long time. Don’t get me wrong, it was plenty scary but it was so much fun watching the kids get such a “scare” out of it all. Or, maybe, it was a nervous laughter.

We’re going to miss spending Halloween with FM’s family this year since we had so much fun at their costume party last year. We’re just hoping FM makes it back home in time to Trick or Treat with FG. She doesn’t have many years left of going door to door.

 When do kids age out of trick or treating?

Posted in Favorite Girl, Favorite Man | 4 Comments »

State Cheer Competition Update

Monday, 20 October, 2008 by Beachbums1

Saturday was the state cheer competition and, although FG’s cheer team did a great routine, they did not advance to the Regional Competition. It was bittersweet for me ~ I wasn’t looking forward to more cheer practice (it’s everynight for two hours) nor the trip to Trenton for the regionals but I would have been happy to go had they advanced. She’s already talking about being on the team next year…

The trip to Albany was an easy 3.5 hour drive which is good to know should we want to go to a concert or show.  The trees through the countryside was glorious and actually made me want to stop and just enjoy the scenery. Fall is definitely the most beautiful time of the year here.

Speaking of fall, it’s been wonderful but I heard the weatherman say the “S” word today. Hopefully, the snow flurries will be in the higher elevations only. It certainly feels cold enough today for snow so I’m cozed up next to the fireplace and a mug of hot chocolate. I’m reading “Atlas Shrugged” so that’ll keep me occupied for awhile.

Next week, I’m hosting a costume party dinner for our unit “coffee” and the theme is “Come as what you wanted to be when you grew up” ~ what would you wear?

Posted in Favorite Girl | 6 Comments »

Gorgeous Fall

Monday, 13 October, 2008 by Beachbums1

We’ve had a full week of beautiful Indian Summer weather. The trees look stunning with their gorgeous yellow, orange and red leaves. The sky has been clear blue and the temps unseasonably high. At the football game yesterday, I got a suntan and even broke a sweat in the 77 degree heat. And today, I mowed the lawn with short sleeves at 6:00 pm. Certainly a big change from last year’s cold and rainy October. According to the weather folks, we’ve got until Thursday and then it’s back to mid-50s.

I plan on enjoying the heck out of it while it lasts…

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First Place!

Saturday, 11 October, 2008 by Beachbums1

 

It was a long day which started at 5:30 this morning but everything was worth it when the announcer yelled “First Place to ~ the Ft. Drum Mountaineers.” There was a stillness, a bit of shock, before the entire gym erupted in a huge roar. Don’t get me wrong, the girls were great and deserved first place BUT the Ft. Drum cheerleaders have not taken 1st place (nor 2nd or 3rd place) ever, so it was a shock to all to hear that Ft. Drum would advance to the state competition. The other teams were especially excited for these underdogs ~ I saw a lot of the other coaches run over to congratulate our coaches.

I have to admit, this cheerleading has taken a lot of time and effort on FG’s part and mine as well. She has to be at practice 4 nights a week for 2 hours each night. Thankfully, we have 3 other cheerleaders who live on our street so the parents carpool ~ I only have to drive once a week.

Unfortunately, FM’s parents were on a Fall Foilage bus tour and were only 40 minutes away last night but, because of a cheerleading get together, we couldn’t make it out to see them. FM is out of town so he missed his parents AND FG’s competition. Really bad timing.

Posted in Favorite Girl | 4 Comments »

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