Christmas Pics

Happy New Year everybody

We spent Christmas Eve in the MotherLand of Brooklyn, at my brother John's house. Christmas morn was at home.

The tree my brother ordered never arrived so he decorated the vacuum cleaner.

He and Hope have fun together

My niece Caitlin met Athena for the first time.

Hope enjoys dessert

She was a bit surprised that her minion speaks

A pop up book of super heroes. Hope continues to love books.

We watched 'A Christmas Story' so many times that Hope finally said ' is there a football game on?'

Athena is 3 months old and pretty much oblivious to the fuss. Hope enjoyed opening Athena's gifts for her.

Hope got a new 'cartoon/football watching' chair.

Have a safe and happy new year. I wish you all good things.

Wishing You ...

All good things

Joy and Peace and at least one good Hug every day.

yes, that is bubble wrap next to Athena. Her big sister likes to be safe. True love.

Is the Chanukah Turkey Coming?

When I was a wee one I used to talk about Chanukah Claus which scandalized all the nice Jewish ladies in the neighborhood but Nana thought it was funny and that's all that mattered to me.

Nana would have loved cooking all sorts of Russian delights along with a turkey.

I am thankful for Hope and Athena.

Hope loves 'Sophia The First' and enjoys dressing like her. The Christmas Elf made her appearance that morning.

When Hope was an infant my favorite thing was her crooked smile. With Athena it is her endless look of surprise. Sometimes her mouth forms a perfect O and sometimes her eyes get really big. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you get both.

We call this photo 'Jeffrey in a Tutu' - she looks so much like her Dad.

Happy Chanukah my friends. Happy Thanksgiving too. 

You all hold a special place in my heart.

I posted my favorite colors of Fall over at The Photo Blog The rain and wind have pretty much cleared the trees now.

Up In Arms

Hope - One Month Old

Athena - Two Months Old

Sisters In Arms

The Karate Girl

Hope started karate classes yesterday and she loves it.

Apologies for photo quality but they're camera phone through glass while everyone is moving.

Athena

Here she is one day old. I have since discovered that if you sing or speak quietly to her, up close, she makes this face.

Here she is this morning. As Hope put it - "She loves to suck. Just suck and suck. But I can't say she sucks because that means something else and is not nice. Confusing !! "

I posted some Brooklyn photos over at The Photo Blog

The Girls

Hope and her baby sister.

Baby sister's name is Athena Patricia

Patricia is my sister's name. She died suddenly and dramatically and far too young.
This is a lovely way to remember her.

Life Happens While You're Preparing A Rant

I was on and off putting together a post about what's up and where I'm at and blah - blah - blah 

I get on my own nerves

Then at 9:05 this evening Hope's baby sister decided to join us a wee bit early

She's 6 pounds/7 ounces and 19 inches long

Here she is just an hour after birth, her name will be announced later

and here's Hope at her cousin's baptism yesterday

My son became a Godfather and a Father in the same weekend

I love youse guys and will try to be a better friend here on these internet tubes

It's All About Me

Not something I say much, not my style.

My infrequent posts and visits to all of you has been bothering me. I value our connections and always feel "schmucky" when I don't check in on youse guys.

I just don't feel well.

I am constantly uncomfortable, sometimes in pain. It makes me grumpy and worse, it makes it really hard to focus for very long. I lose my train of thought and ...

What was I saying?

Oh yeah - I feel like shit on a shingle. One of my Mom's favorite sayings.

I keep getting mystery infections. By the time they figure out what the hell is going on I've spent days with a fever, falling asleep every 2 hours.

Like a newborn.

The problems at home have gotten so toxic that I have started to look for a place of my own. Lots of luck on that front. Hurricane Sandy has contributed to a huge shortage of affordable housing in all of the counties I'd like to live in.

I hesitate to discuss my relationship with my daughter-in-law out of respect and love for Hope. I'm just going to say that it is impossible for us to exist in the same zip code let alone the same building - doesn't matter how big this freakin' house is. 

I can't contribute to this household on my disability income the way I did when I was working. That appears to be a punishable offense.

Anyhoo - I feel like I've already said too much and that I'm whining. Neither is attractive.

I think I'll try to post more on  The Photo Blog  and I will do my best to visit.

Be kind to one another - you have no idea how important that is.

Surprise !!

My son Jeffrey will be 40 next week, to be sure of surprising him my daughter-in-law threw a surprise party for him this past Saturday at my brother's house in Brooklyn. Jeffrey thought he was going there to celebrate my niece's engagement.

A few of the party goers practice hiding in the corner. My baby bro shows us how hot the sun is when "be there in 10 minutes" turns into more than a half hour

Finally, from the other side of the house, birthday boy and his best girl arrive. 

Lots of hugging

Lots of laughter from his friends

Once she got over the shock of a crowd of people yelling surprise at her and Daddy, Hope had a great time with her friends

Corn-on-the-cob was a big hit

Until cake came along. Dad got the first slice and then there was some discussion about who got the corner flowers. Hope wasn't happy for a moment but then everyone shared. 

A toast to the birthday boy

Me and my sweeties

Happy Birthday to a good son, a good Dad, and a good guy

Jonathan Winters

We've lost a giant of comedy. A master of improvisation.

On the Jack Parr show Jonathan was given a stick and within seconds he had created 10 characters.

He became known to my son's generation through his work on 'Mork and Mindy' and his voice work on 'The Smurfs'

There wasn't an emotion he couldn't convey.

I was in the kitchen washing dishes and listening to my son's laughter fill the house. He was about 7 and was having a rough time - his father hadn't called him in weeks and he had just been told he needed to wear glasses.

The sound of his laughter was so good to hear.
"You watching Mork and Mindy?"
"Yea Ma"
"Mork always makes you laugh"
"It's the chubby guy Ma, he's so funny. I want to hug him"

Thank You Jonathan

Peaceful Journey