Halloween with a Hurricane

"Hey girls - we are going to sleep in the basement tonight".  To which A responded, "Why? Are there tornadoes up here, too?" 

Yep, I really thought our basement sleeping days were behind us or at least reserved for the rare instance or a northern tornado.  Little did I expect our first major weather system in the north to be one from a hurricane and nor'easter colliding.  However, when the weather channel predicted the winds to be in the 60 - 80 mph range, we were taking no chances with all of the large, old trees around us.   Especially since we have had friends with trees falling through their homes from past storms and that leaves quite a impression on the kids and myself.

Thankfully, we managed well and can't complain when a 4 hour power outage and tons of rain and wind were the worst of what we saw at our home.  Well, and the kids being home from school for two days!  I am feeling blessed especially when there are trees and limbs down all around us and still many without power here along the Philadelphia area.   Not to mention the complete devastation of towns along the coast up here.    Mother Nature can sure rear her ugly head.

Halloween had quite a dramatic buildup and was really the last thing on the minds of many.  A few of the townships around us have even postponed trick or treating until this weekend and when power can be restored to many of the home.   However, our township kept it going!  We enjoyed dinner with our fantastic neighbors, then the kiddos all hit the ground running to collect some loot!  I was quite surprised by how much chocolate was given out - well, surprised and saddened.  My favorite part of Halloween is going through the girls' bags once they fall asleep and taking my fair share of Twizzlers, Skittles, and Sour Patch Kids.   But there were none!  None!  Just lots of Milky Ways, Twix and Kit Kats and I am not really a milk chocolate girl.   I guess God was looking out for me in other ways than through just the hurricane :)

We hope you and your families are well!  Enjoy a few pics until next time...

Even Lucy got in to the spirit!

Loaded on carbs from Anthony's and ready to go!

Oh So Busy....

It has been a while since I posted and mainly because we were without our laptop for a week.  My love of photos really ate up our memory and space, so had to get a little upgrade to keep on going.  Now that the MacBook is back in the house, we are up and running again.  I do love my iPad, but it really does not replace a good ol' computer!

Life up north has really taken shape and we are settled into a good routine now.   Using the GPS less and less each day and even managing to find shortcuts to avoid the dreaded Lancaster Ave - which is really a lot like Johnson Ferry but much longer and with more traffic and lights.  Avery is rounding out the last few weeks of cheerleading, while Madeline will continue on with gymnastics for a while.  The volunteering with events at the girls' schools has kicked in and we are finding ourselves plenty busy.   It is starting to feel like home and that is both wonderful and scary!

The highlights of the last couple of weeks have been visiting with family and friends we haven't seen in four months.   My parents came for a long weekend and we enjoyed the many sights, sounds, and tastes of Pennsylvania.   It has been really nice and mild for the most part up here, but they did manage to come into town the weekend we had some super cold and windy temps.   My parents thoughts were mainly "It is so beautiful up here.  We could live here IF it wasn't so cold".   Sadly, they didn't even experience a smidge of what it could (and most likely) will be like in a couple of months!  None the less, we had a great time and it filled my heart to be with my parents for a few days.

Then, this past weekend I celebrated my birthday present from Stan by flying to Florida to seem some of my favorite people from back home.   It was a laid-back, sun-filled, girls' weekend and I couldn't have been happier to have the time with my dear friends.   And of course, it was even better with none of us hearing the word "Mommy" for three whole days!!!   As if my heart wasn't full enough from my parents' visit, this time with my gals really put my happiness on overflow!

We have a busy few weeks ahead before we head back home to Georgia for Thanksgiving.  More visitors coming before it gets too cold for those southern souls :)  Looking forward to sharing this beautiful state with our company - the fall foliage up here is spectacular!  Hope you all are enjoying the changing leaves youselves.

Until next time - hugs and kisses!

Beautiful Valley Forge in Autumn

Reality Check

Well, we built our first fire last night.  I am pretty sure I could hear people laughing as us "southerners" bought wood and lit a match to warm our trotters.   However, it was cold yesterday and again today!  I think the Indian Summer is behind us here in PA and it is officially time to don our jackets, mittens, and boots for the year.

I am realizing that we aren't in Kansas anymore!  Some noticeable differences were when Costco had an entire section devoted to "snow survival gear", including snow blowers, shovels, seat warmers, flannel and fleece sheets sets, and snow suits for the entire family.   It actually put me into a frenzy and I quickly started to panic and crazy thoughts invaded my head - "Oh my goodness!  Do I really need all of this"  "What happens if it snows and we don't have any of this?"  "Buy! Buy! Buy!"  Well, my rational side took over and I left it all on the shelves, but did have a frank conversation with Hubby regarding what all we need to have and be prepared for up here.   I was told it snowed as early as Halloween last year!!  Oh my!

And the corduroy!   It may be in all the stores down home too, but I am pretty sure I was on fire just thinking about it, never really owned much.   But now I am thinking it is necessary and I see why Banana Republic, JCrew, Loft, etc. are carrying loads of it up here!  Not to mention wool sweaters, pants, etc.   I will be prepared for what mother nature brings my way.   Going to buy Uggs knowing my feet won't sweat in them like they did in Georgia :)

Oh, I am a big wuss - I know this.   It isn't even really cold - yet, anyway.   I just can't help but look at the 5 day forecast for my new home and compare it to my old - like a 20 degree difference.   One positive to the cold weather - haven't had to worry about a pedicure lately :)  To much info???

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Surprise! Surprise!

Last week was so much fun and filled with some great surprises.  My dear Hubby never ceases to amaze me when it comes to celebrating my birthday, which has been termed "birthday extravaganza" for many years now.   Simply because it always seems that my birthday lingers on for about a week instead of a day.   And that is exactly how last week went for me and I couldn't have been happier with it!

It all started with what I thought was the best birthday surprise - a plane ticket to spend a weekend in Florida with some of my favorite friends in Georgia.   I was estatic, as I miss C, C, and L so very, very much!  Mentally,  I am already on the beach with drink in hand and sand between my toes.   I couldn't have asked for more...

Until Thursday rolled around and I got another huge surprise!  I really wasn't expecting anything else - ticket and some new perfume from the girls was plenty enough.   So on Thursday, two days past my birthday, I really was taken off guard and by surprise when my sister and cousin W flew in from Atlanta to spend the weekend with me!  I mean seriously - when I thought it just couldn't get any better!

So we spent the weekend touring Philly and the surrounding areas - the leaves are starting to change and give the slight hint of color and it is just beautiful this time of year.   We ate some great food, drank some delicious wine and did a lot of chatting! Just perfect!  I think I wore them out by the time their visit ended.

To end the weekend and after all went back home, we hit the ball field to see the Phillies host the Braves.   We had been warned by many a Phillies fan to be on guard if we were to wear our Braves' gear to the game.   And we did - I mean I have to root for my home team!!  And by pleasant surprise, the Phillies' fans around us could not have been nicer and so full of advice for this southern girl.   Besides the Braves' shirt, it was a dead give away that I was a foreigner to this land when I ordered my cheesesteak with provolone cheese.   Big No No - only Cheese Whiz for the locals and the only way to go!  And then to visit and eat one from Steve's - apparently the best in the city!

Let's Go Bravos!

There really is no better gift than to be with family and friends.   While not everyone in my family could be here on my special day, I still heard their voices on the phone and am anxiously awaiting for their visits really soon.  And of course, the girls' trip in a few weeks ...  I am one happy girl!  Looking forward to a fun, busy October.

Golden Girls

"Thank you for being a friend...travel down the road and back again"....  I can't help but think of that song when I think about my childhood friends.   When you have been friends with someone for 30+ years, you can hardly think back to a memory that doesn't involve them in some way.   Those friendships are hard to come by and I treasure them!  

So this past weekend we headed south of the line to visit my old pal "I" and her sweet family who now live in Maryland.  I have known "I" for so long - I mean so long!  We met when we were around 4 & 5 (I am a wee bit older) and it was so neat to see our girls playing and hard to believe we were around the same ages when we first met!  Her hubby "D" and I met in middle school, so there are plenty of memories there for us too!  Needless to say, the three of us can pick up right where we left off!  There is nothing like reminiscing of the good times and life before wrinkles, bills, and babies!

It was a beautiful weekend and we enjoyed a gorgeous boat ride around the Chesapeake Bay and had a fabulous meal at Cantler's in Annapolis.   "D" and Hubby filled themselves with lobster and I can't even tell you what other seafood came with their feast, but it took them an hour to eat!  "I" and I stayed with the infamous Maryland blue crabs and enjoyed some of the best crab cakes to date!  We ended the day back at their home watching some good ol' Georgia football!  It was one of the best fall days I have had.   And "D" appeased Hubby and let him fast forward through the Tech game some, too.   Both teams winning was just icing on the cake to our terrific day!

Since we were enjoying our time together so much, we stretched our visit on into Sunday night, completely overstaying our welcome!   So hard to break away and say goodbye when having such a great time together.  After a few months of being away from old friends, it was so relaxing and heartwarming to spend time with them.   And making new memories with our girls together is pretty neat - we are looking forward to them visiting us here in Philly next month!    But for now, I will smile fondly when I think about the fun we had this past weekend and the warm sun that was on us as we boated around Annapolis.  We are most certainly inviting ourselves back to their place.

Love our friends!

Why is getting all 4 together for a picture so difficult?

Only works if you tell them to make funny faces!

Fall in the Air

I love the fall!  Everything about it, minus the fact that I turn a year older during the season! However the pumpkins, apples, fall veggies, leaves, cool air, football - I could just keep on going - take the pain away of another wrinkle and gray hair.    So it is especially nice that our new surroundings love to celebrate fall too!

There are signs everywhere for fall festivals.  You simply cannot drive down the road without seeing one for each township or park, not to mention the surplus of farms up here that have things going on all season long.  So why not start the season with a visit to pick apples and pumpkins, plus a little festival action - which is exactly what we did this past weekend!

lots of plants

Our "goods"

We started by visiting Linvilla Farms in the nearby town of Media, PA.   We set out to just pick apples.  But upon arrival, we were amazed at the veggies that were there ripe for the picking.  Hours and many pounds of produce later, we left with more apples, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers than you could say grace over!  And of course, no trip is complete without picking up a pumpkin.  Growing up around my parents who love to grow their own food, my girls are very comfortable picking veggies and eating right from the garden.  Therefore, I shouldn't have been surprised when M took a bite from what she called a "mini red bell pepper" only to find out it was a scotch bonnet and learned a lesson the hard way.   Do not eat something unless you show mommy first!    Needless to say, she ate around 3 apples immediately to try and put out the fire that was in her mouth!

Sunday was just glorious up here and we opted to head outdoors for around 2 hours of hiking in Valley Forge, lunch, then onto a festival at our favorite park - Okehocking Preserve.  All we had to do was mention face painting, ice cream, and a hay ride and our girls were on board!  It is such a beautiful place and so full of wildlife - ending up being quite an educational experience for the girls as they learned a lot about the wildlife in the area from the park volunteers.   Throw in a little live music and you have a cute little afternoon!

The beautiful old home on the property of the Preserve

Digging the face painting

 If this is an indicator of what the next two months will be like, then I am thrilled!  Granted one hayride a season is plenty enough for me, but the rest I could handle every weekend!   Finally, I am throwing in a video of A cheering for the Conestoga Generals at their first game.   She just loves it and they are too cute!  I don't have any pics of M from soccer because her first game quickly became her last game as she pitched a fit on the field and announced to all that she wouldn't be returning.   At least she knows what she wants, right??  She has decided that gymnastics is all for now!

Hope y'all are enjoying the cooler temps and the fun of the fall season!

                              Here is A in action - 2nd from right in front

Labor Day Vacay!

 This past week was pretty action packed for us and a glimpse into what the school year week might look like this year.   As the two girls get older and into more activities, our time during the week just sails right on by us.   It has only been one week into the school year and I am already exhausted.   By the time Friday rolled around, I was excited for our little vacation to the shore.

A started her first day of 1st grade last Monday and we couldn't have been prouder of how she handled her self.   I was a wreck, but she managed to get on the bus and take this whole new school scene like a pro!  The school day here is much later - she doesn't even get on the bus until 8:40 and then off at 4:00.   I was completely anxious for the bus and couldn't wait to hear all about her first day.   Her commentary on the day was pretty brief, but I did manage to get a quick "It was good" and "I really like my teacher" from her - which was reassurance enough that she will be just fine.   Why I would ever doubt that, I don't know - she is so outgoing and really has never met a stranger.  Of whom does that remind you??  You know the whole apple/tree thing :)

M adjusted well without her sissy - she is a whole different kid without A around.   She will shop and run errands with me, help me clean and fold clothes - but not enough to consider keeping her home a few days a week from preschool.  No sir - she is going five days a week starting Monday!   But she did help me get our stuff packed for the beach.

Finally Friday arrived and off we went to Cape May, New Jersey - which is a quick 2 hours away from our home.   It is a quaint beach town at the southernmost point of New Jersey and kind of reminded me of a cross between Charleston and Seaside - lots of families on the very clean beach surrounded by beautiful old Victorian-style homes.   The girls had a blast and it was a nice little break for Hubby, who has been working hard at Sidecar.  Cape May gets the thumbs up from us - can't wait to go back! 

Since Labor Day pretty much marks the end of summer, we find ourselves gearing up with busy weekends from the girls' activities.  We have been told that fall is great up here, so we are excited to visit some places a little closer to home on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Until then... GO  DAWGS!!

Happy girls at the beach

Great waves mean lots of board time!