This may work out really well for the US of A.
Let Russia, or whomever, destroy the Syrian chemical weapons, and then, when they are safely out of the way...then send a message in the form of a strike. The US military does not do pin prick strikes, so get rid of the WMD threat, and then show them what happens when you the cross the line.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
A Sweet New Year
This is a good time of year to get out of your comfort zone, and try things that are not the same as your usual patterns. With that in mind we decided last Tuesday, that the next day, Wednesday erev Rosh Hashana, we would go apple picking.
This entailed pushing myself to be almost completely finished with yom tov preparations by Wednesday morning, as we wanted to be out of the house by ten a.m. Although our departure was delayed by more time than made me pleased, we ventured out on that stunning September morning to the hills of Warwick NY.
A mere thirty minutes from the house we found vibrant sun ripened Prime Red apples within easy reach of all the kids. Much munching, some shoulder carrying to get the really stunning ones too high for any one person to reach, and two screams of "bees" later, our bag was full. We put it in the car, drove down to the exit, where you stop, show your bags (set price per bag), and pay.
That's when we discovered it.
My purse, which is always left in the car, which is always in the garage, had been taken out the night before when someone other than I had used the car. I recalled in that moment of sheer panic that I had moved it into the dining room that morning, which is why it wasn't noticed when we left.
I turned with great hope to the adult child sitting next to me, but her face told me right away that she too had not brought her purse. I asked the women at the gate to give me a moment as we scoured the car. I did find a rather large check made out from me to my daughter who had left to Israel the week before. She had given me a few checks that needed to be deposited in her account from her job that summer (and some money I owed her). Since it was made out to her, they told me, sadly, they couldn't help.
We had seen some "members of the tribe" in the orchard, and figuring they would understand the frustration of going apple picking on erev Yom Tov only to be turned away empty handed, we decided to head back up, find them, and ask them to spot us the money which we would send to them after yom tov.
We drove back up, and the kids suggested, that before we asked strangers for money we do a better job searching the car. Messiness sometimes pays off, and the kids were convinced we would find the money in the car.
They were right.
Sort of.
We found $6 in bills and coins, BUT, we took one more look through the pile of checks, and found one made out to cash! Between the check and the cash we had enough to buy the whole bag, though the kids were reassuring me that if the check was not accepted, we could just use the cash to get a quarter of a bag. and that fewer apples would be more than OK.
We came back to the gate, I gave them the check and my phone number, and off we went, ladened with sun drenched apples, good attitudes, and the joy of knowing that people can break the cycle of what they "normally" do, even with a few curveballs.
I hope the end of that year portends well for the next, and the opportunities to break habits and cycles with joy and success.
This entailed pushing myself to be almost completely finished with yom tov preparations by Wednesday morning, as we wanted to be out of the house by ten a.m. Although our departure was delayed by more time than made me pleased, we ventured out on that stunning September morning to the hills of Warwick NY.
A mere thirty minutes from the house we found vibrant sun ripened Prime Red apples within easy reach of all the kids. Much munching, some shoulder carrying to get the really stunning ones too high for any one person to reach, and two screams of "bees" later, our bag was full. We put it in the car, drove down to the exit, where you stop, show your bags (set price per bag), and pay.
That's when we discovered it.
My purse, which is always left in the car, which is always in the garage, had been taken out the night before when someone other than I had used the car. I recalled in that moment of sheer panic that I had moved it into the dining room that morning, which is why it wasn't noticed when we left.
I turned with great hope to the adult child sitting next to me, but her face told me right away that she too had not brought her purse. I asked the women at the gate to give me a moment as we scoured the car. I did find a rather large check made out from me to my daughter who had left to Israel the week before. She had given me a few checks that needed to be deposited in her account from her job that summer (and some money I owed her). Since it was made out to her, they told me, sadly, they couldn't help.
We had seen some "members of the tribe" in the orchard, and figuring they would understand the frustration of going apple picking on erev Yom Tov only to be turned away empty handed, we decided to head back up, find them, and ask them to spot us the money which we would send to them after yom tov.
We drove back up, and the kids suggested, that before we asked strangers for money we do a better job searching the car. Messiness sometimes pays off, and the kids were convinced we would find the money in the car.
They were right.
Sort of.
We found $6 in bills and coins, BUT, we took one more look through the pile of checks, and found one made out to cash! Between the check and the cash we had enough to buy the whole bag, though the kids were reassuring me that if the check was not accepted, we could just use the cash to get a quarter of a bag. and that fewer apples would be more than OK.
We came back to the gate, I gave them the check and my phone number, and off we went, ladened with sun drenched apples, good attitudes, and the joy of knowing that people can break the cycle of what they "normally" do, even with a few curveballs.
I hope the end of that year portends well for the next, and the opportunities to break habits and cycles with joy and success.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
What Would You Call It?
There are already two enrtries on this blog labeled "Milestones," which is what I thought I would call this one. As I sat down to pen this, it was the word that kept leaping to the fore front of my mind as I thought about today.
Today, we took the little boy on a train. For those keeping score at home, you may recall that we took many trips this year to "see trains," not a far drive from the house. At one point I got smart, and instead of driving ten minutes in the hopes that trains woud pass, I kept the schedule in the car, and we were able to time it and see them coming and going. A few times we got out of the car and stood on the platform and watched the train either blow by (quite literally, it felt as though we would fall over from the force of it), or slowly toot its way into the station.
Going on the train was left as the dangling carrot to motivate the toilet training, which he needed to start playgroup. Orientation for which was today.
Eldest Daughter started College today, also with orientation, though I doubt she got a stack of paper and a pencil for Mitzvah notes, and probably also did not recieve a paper apple with her name on it. She did however get her schedule, a ride in with a group of her peers, and the very tangible begginning of at least the next chapter of her school life.
Second Daughter left to Israel. We are so excited for these opportunities: academic, religious, independent, and maturity wise. As I hugged her goodbye I ping-ponged in my head: "go/don't go," as I held her tight. She needs to fly, it hurts that she's not here, she is such a presence in the house, the arbiter of right and wrong, justice, and cleaning up so her sisters can benefit from her reward (read: watch Chopped). Not sure how she will manage not putting the little guy in PJ's, the little guy who tonight moved out of the crib and into the bed just vacated by his roommate. I hope the ones she will have over the next ten months will be as easy to live with as he is!
Oh, and it's my sister's birthday.
Today, we took the little boy on a train. For those keeping score at home, you may recall that we took many trips this year to "see trains," not a far drive from the house. At one point I got smart, and instead of driving ten minutes in the hopes that trains woud pass, I kept the schedule in the car, and we were able to time it and see them coming and going. A few times we got out of the car and stood on the platform and watched the train either blow by (quite literally, it felt as though we would fall over from the force of it), or slowly toot its way into the station.
Going on the train was left as the dangling carrot to motivate the toilet training, which he needed to start playgroup. Orientation for which was today.
Eldest Daughter started College today, also with orientation, though I doubt she got a stack of paper and a pencil for Mitzvah notes, and probably also did not recieve a paper apple with her name on it. She did however get her schedule, a ride in with a group of her peers, and the very tangible begginning of at least the next chapter of her school life.
Second Daughter left to Israel. We are so excited for these opportunities: academic, religious, independent, and maturity wise. As I hugged her goodbye I ping-ponged in my head: "go/don't go," as I held her tight. She needs to fly, it hurts that she's not here, she is such a presence in the house, the arbiter of right and wrong, justice, and cleaning up so her sisters can benefit from her reward (read: watch Chopped). Not sure how she will manage not putting the little guy in PJ's, the little guy who tonight moved out of the crib and into the bed just vacated by his roommate. I hope the ones she will have over the next ten months will be as easy to live with as he is!
Oh, and it's my sister's birthday.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
How's It Going?
What a weird Summer.
Sister who comes in, came in for a very short time. We packed a lot into those days, and had good "cousin time," which is really what we wanted. Aside from swimming we did some "stuff" with the kids, and some with the grown ups, dealt with teenaged boredom, and had the general going to bed too late. We went to a mine, a small amusement park at night, swimming, (lots of swimming), played a volleyball/newcomb hybrid on a beach volleyball court (where the BB's got shmeared by the visitors!), and a really fun park. Most of these days were topped off with Dinner at the Grandparents, a few slumber parties, lots of roasted marshmallows, and a fireworks show we don't talk about.
They left, and we continued some fun days. Along with aunt we went kayaking, on a windy choppy day, some ceramics, and then a two day family vacation. Norman Rockwell museum, a nice pontoon boat ride, and a Mountain Adventure park (alpine slide, mountain coaster). Tjhere wasn't really anything for the boy to do, so we went to a farm, and then went back again at 5 to watch the cows being milked.
Now we are getting ready for school, packing one kid up to leave for a year, and just hanging on to the last days of summer.
But what a beautiful world!
Sister who comes in, came in for a very short time. We packed a lot into those days, and had good "cousin time," which is really what we wanted. Aside from swimming we did some "stuff" with the kids, and some with the grown ups, dealt with teenaged boredom, and had the general going to bed too late. We went to a mine, a small amusement park at night, swimming, (lots of swimming), played a volleyball/newcomb hybrid on a beach volleyball court (where the BB's got shmeared by the visitors!), and a really fun park. Most of these days were topped off with Dinner at the Grandparents, a few slumber parties, lots of roasted marshmallows, and a fireworks show we don't talk about.
They left, and we continued some fun days. Along with aunt we went kayaking, on a windy choppy day, some ceramics, and then a two day family vacation. Norman Rockwell museum, a nice pontoon boat ride, and a Mountain Adventure park (alpine slide, mountain coaster). Tjhere wasn't really anything for the boy to do, so we went to a farm, and then went back again at 5 to watch the cows being milked.
Now we are getting ready for school, packing one kid up to leave for a year, and just hanging on to the last days of summer.
But what a beautiful world!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
"Twas Great...
....The only thing missing were some of the men.
Really: good food, easy parking (read: free and close by), fun and relaxed evening.
Can't wait til next time!
Really: good food, easy parking (read: free and close by), fun and relaxed evening.
Can't wait til next time!
Monday, July 29, 2013
That Time Of Year
I am afraid. Very afraid.
I am not sure what will happen in the next few hours, but Sister is in from Michigan, which means the annual Siblings Dinner Out. In the past it has taken us hours to decide on a time and a place, and many fiascoes have ensued once said time and place was finally established (not the least of which was no one hungry since we did nothing until 9!).
Somehow, we managed to come up with both a time and place, as well as a consensus in about 5 minutes. I don't know how, I don't why.
Stay tuned.....
I am not sure what will happen in the next few hours, but Sister is in from Michigan, which means the annual Siblings Dinner Out. In the past it has taken us hours to decide on a time and a place, and many fiascoes have ensued once said time and place was finally established (not the least of which was no one hungry since we did nothing until 9!).
Somehow, we managed to come up with both a time and place, as well as a consensus in about 5 minutes. I don't know how, I don't why.
Stay tuned.....
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
After the Fast
So another Tisha B'av has come and gone. I will do what I can to work on my ahavas yisrael. I know I have a long way to go, but I will try.
After a day when I watched video after video of the holocaust, I am left with a thought that is certainly not original. Those who hate us really don't care what color our shirts are, how long are peyos are, what kind of yarmulke we wear, what kind of hat, if we wear a hat, if we wear a long wig or no wig.
So to those who feel the need to put religious meaning into the outer trappings of clothing, for those who are a step below and just need to "identify themselves within the camp," stop. Wear what you want, serve G-d the way you feel is best for you, but don't hate others for their way. I am talking to myself as much as to anyone else.
It's not easy, but if those who will round us up can see past our differences, maybe we should try that too.
After a day when I watched video after video of the holocaust, I am left with a thought that is certainly not original. Those who hate us really don't care what color our shirts are, how long are peyos are, what kind of yarmulke we wear, what kind of hat, if we wear a hat, if we wear a long wig or no wig.
So to those who feel the need to put religious meaning into the outer trappings of clothing, for those who are a step below and just need to "identify themselves within the camp," stop. Wear what you want, serve G-d the way you feel is best for you, but don't hate others for their way. I am talking to myself as much as to anyone else.
It's not easy, but if those who will round us up can see past our differences, maybe we should try that too.
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