The Way I See Things

The Bar Mitzvah is over . . . so now what?

    Two years of planning and countless hours of preparation culminated in my son Brett's bar mitzvah last week.  We survived a last minute stomach bug that ravaged Mark, Brett and myself just days before the big event but somehow we made it to the big day with our health in tact and our spirits high.  The party was fabulous and I can honestly say it was one of the best days of my life.

    That was last week.  Time to turn the page, right?  As I sit here writing this I am overwhelmed by a "To Do" list that has many chores and activities that were neglected for the last few months.  Of course they all need IMMEDIATE attention!  I guess I didn't realize that my extreme attention to details had been derailed during the mitzvah mania. 

    Normally I'd barrell full-steam ahead and try tackle the neglected "things to do" from January, February, and March first.  Things like ordering camp clothes, getting new outfits for the Spring, getting needed sports equipment for spring sports, ordering my beach stickers, getting all the camp paper work in order, etc are high on my list.  I say "normally" because this is what I would usually do but I'm sadly what I'm not able to do.  I've been saddled with a nasty cold and cough ever since the bar mitzvah ended and despite the two visits to the doctor and the many prescription drugs I'm on, nothing seems to work.  I've just been dragging -- coughing constantly and miserable.

    On top of all this, the family leaves Saturday for a fabulous cruise vacation. We've planned this trip for more than a year.  I am a worrier by nature.  So it stands to reason that I would worry about rain on the trip.  I've worried about Brett's allergies on board.  I've worried that Mark will get seasick.  The only thing I never worried about was our health since, knock wood, we are a pretty healthy family.  Until now that is.  And the poster child for being sick -- ME!

Now, pile on all the rest. The kids have nothing to wear on the trip (they've outgrown all their clothes and are just telling me NOW) so Mark and I spent the weekend at the mall.  (no, I didn't get to rest!)  I still have to go shopping for all the shampoos, sunscreens, etc that we need and I have to pack for myself and the boys.  Thankfully Mark can pack his own suitcase!  Still, this week I need to take the parrot to the bird kennel, take the boys to their basketball and baseball practices, get the house organized (it looks like a tornado has ripped through it since the party), did I mention PACK, and . . . oh yeah . . . "get some rest" so I can be healthy for vacation!

    I absolutely HATE being sick.  I admit it.  I am the WORST patient.  I can't sit still.  I can't lie in bed and do nothing but cough when I have so MANY things begging for my attention.  Luckily I do believe that things have a way of working out so I'm going to take a deep breath, gargle with some salty water, use some throat spray and just do my thing.

    Hope you are having a more eventful week!

Mitzvah Mania

I don't think I ever fully realized how time-consuming planning a bar mitzvah would be, but with only weeks left before my son's big day, I can honestly say that I need it to be "done."

Every day for the past few months has been spent planning his big party as well as helping him plan the ceremony itself.  From clothes shopping to chanting his hebrew, not one day has passed without a call or errand involving him.

While the process has been overwhelming at times, I have no regrets.  His service will be beautiful and meaningful and I know how proud I'll be.  The party itself should be incredible -- fun for all of us and our many friends and family who will be joining us.

Still, I had really planned on blogging so much more this year.  Perhaps once life returns to normal I will be able to "keep" this new year's resolution!  Until then . . .

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

What have YOU done?

I just saw this on my friend Chiara's blog so I thought I would do this on my blog too.  It reminded me of the Life List that I created a few years back. 

I am going to change the color to red for everything I have done. If you want, try this on your own blog....here we go.....


1. Start my own blog
2. Go on a road trip

3.  Learn how to decorate a cake like a professional
4. Visit Hawaii
5. Build a house with habitat for humanity

6. Give more than I can afford to charity
7. Visit Disneyland
8. Attend a mystery dinner party
9. Learn to play piano

10. Learn hebrew
11. Attend the opera
12. Visit Paris and go to the top of the Eiffel Tower
13. Win a contest
14. Teach myself an art from scratch
15. Gallop a horse along a beach
16. Ride in a limo
17. Walk to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grow my own vegetables
19. Attend the Cannes Film Festival
20. Take the Orient Express tour of the National Parks

21. Swim with dolphins

22. Ride in a hot air balloon
23.Feed a shark
24. Build a snow man
25. Fly first class
26. Be an audience member of a TV show
27. Run a Marathon
28. Visit Italy to see Pisa, Venice, Rome and Pompeii
29. Ride an unusual animal like a camel or elephant
30. Watch a sunrise or sunset from an exotic locale
31. Participate in an archeological dig
32. Go on a cruise
33. Take a boat ride under Niagara Falls

34. Own a piece of original art bought in a gallery
35. Buy a timeshare on a beach

36. Own a grandfather clock
37. Eat lobster IN MAINE
38. Learn to ballroom dance
39. Watch the Kentucky Derby in person
40. Visit Ground Zero

41. Celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans
42. See Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Attend a NASCAR event 

44. Go on an African Safari
45. Walk on a beach by moonlight
46. Go dog sledding in Alaska

47. Ride a cable car in San Francisco

48. Shop at The Mall of America -- the country's BIGGEST mall!
49. See Mount Rushmore in person 
50. Learn how to machine sew
51. Learn how to scuba dive

52. Enjoy a romantic kiss in the rain
53. Play video games with my kids

54. Visit every major casino on the Las Vegas Strip
55. Visit the San Diego Zoo
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Start a business
58. Take a 6 month trip around the world with Mark
59. Stay in a castle in Germany

60. Visit every state in the USA

61. Sell  Girl Scout Cookies
62. Go whale watching
63.  Become a bone marrow donor

64. Donate blood

65. Go sky diving
66. Walk in the pink sand of Bermuda
67. Go on a girls' getaway

68. Fly in a helicopter
69. Explore the Galapogos Islands

70. Visit the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eat Caviar
72. Piece a quilt
73. See a Broadway show
74. Tour the Everglades
75. See Stonehenge in person
76.Visit the pyramids in Giza

77. See the Parthanon on Greece
78. Shop at Harrods in London
79. See the Grand Canyon in person
80. Publish a book
81. Snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef

82. Buy a brand new car
83. Walk in Jerusalem
84. Take a photography course

85. Eat Thai food IN Thailand

86. Visit the White House
87. Send a message in a bottle

88. Stay in touch with my childhood friends

89. Save someone’s life
90. Sit on a jury
91. Meet someone famous
92. Join a book club
93. Have a psychic reading
94. Have children
95. See the Alamo in person
96. Go white water rafting
97. Spend a week at a spa

98. Own an iphone
99. Attend the rodeo in Wyoming
100. Read an entire book in one day

Well, it seems like a lot but honestly this list could easily be longer.  So, what have YOU done?  If you make a list please send me / post a link so I can read yours!

I just saw this on my friend Chiara's blog so I thought I would do this on my blog too.  It reminded me of the Life List that I created a few years back. 

I am going to change the color to red for everything I have done. If you want, try this on your own blog....here we go.....


1. Start my own blog
2. Go on a road trip

3.  Learn how to decorate a cake like a professional
4. Visit Hawaii
5. Build a house with habitat for humanity

6. Give more than I can afford to charity
7. Visit Disneyland
8. Attend a mystery dinner party
9. Learn to play piano

10. Learn hebrew
11. Attend the opera
12. Visit Paris and go to the top of the Eiffel Tower
13. Win a contest
14. Teach myself an art from scratch
15. Gallop a horse along a beach
16. Ride in a limo
17. Walk to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grow my own vegetables
19. Attend the Cannes Film Festival
20. Take the Orient Express tour of the National Parks

21. Swim with dolphins

22. Ride in a hot air balloon
23.Feed a shark
24. Build a snow man
25. Fly first class
26. Be an audience member of a TV show
27. Run a Marathon
28. Visit Italy to see Pisa, Venice, Rome and Pompeii
29. Ride an unusual animal like a camel or elephant
30. Watch a sunrise or sunset from an exotic locale
31. Participate in an archeological dig
32. Go on a cruise
33. Take a boat ride under Niagara Falls

34. Own a piece of original art bought in a gallery
35. Buy a timeshare on a beach

36. Own a grandfather clock
37. Eat lobster IN MAINE
38. Learn to ballroom dance
39. Watch the Kentucky Derby in person
40. Visit Ground Zero

41. Celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans
42. See Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Attend a NASCAR event 

44. Go on an African Safari
45. Walk on a beach by moonlight
46. Go dog sledding in Alaska

47. Ride a cable car in San Francisco

48. Shop at The Mall of America -- the country's BIGGEST mall!
49. See Mount Rushmore in person 
50. Learn how to machine sew
51. Learn how to scuba dive

52. Enjoy a romantic kiss in the rain
53. Play video games with my kids

54. Visit every major casino on the Las Vegas Strip
55. Visit the San Diego Zoo
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Start a business
58. Take a 6 month trip around the world with Mark
59. Stay in a castle in Germany

60. Visit every state in the USA

61. Sell  Girl Scout Cookies
62. Go whale watching
63.  Become a bone marrow donor

64. Donate blood

65. Go sky diving
66. Walk in the pink sand of Bermuda
67. Go on a girls' getaway

68. Fly in a helicopter
69. Explore the Galapogos Islands

70. Visit the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eat Caviar
72. Piece a quilt
73. See a Broadway show
74. Tour the Everglades
75. See Stonehenge in person
76.Visit the pyramids in Giza

77. See the Parthanon on Greece
78. Shop at Harrods in London
79. See the Grand Canyon in person
80. Publish a book
81. Snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef

82. Buy a brand new car
83. Walk in Jerusalem
84. Take a photography course

85. Eat Thai food IN Thailand

86. Visit the White House
87. Send a message in a bottle

88. Stay in touch with my childhood friends

89. Save someone’s life
90. Sit on a jury
91. Meet someone famous
92. Join a book club
93. Have a psychic reading
94. Have children
95. See the Alamo in person
96. Go white water rafting
97. Spend a week at a spa

98. Own an iphone
99. Attend the rodeo in Wyoming
100. Read an entire book in one day

Well, it seems like a lot but honestly this list could easily be longer.  So, what have YOU done?  If you make a list please send me / post a link so I can read yours!

The New Year is Practically Here -- Are YOU Ready?

When did it become late December and why didn't anyone remind me about it!  This seems to be the story of my life lately.  Time has been whizzing by and unless I have a good friend remind me to slow down and "smell the roses" I seem to be missing a lot.

Every January I begin my new year with resolutions.  While many fall by the wayside before February, a few have actually become part of the fabric of my life.  The most notable one was made for 2006 when I resolved to start cooking for my family. Until that time my kids thought all food was either cooked in a microwave or made by outside sources!  Once I started cooking on a regular basis (at least 4 times a week) there was no turning back.  They actually "preferred" my cooking over Tysons, TV dinners, and the like -- who would've thought it! 

Knowing that some resolutions can be kept I am announcing my 2009 Resolutions with the hope that at least one will be completed for 2010!

As I look back on the last few months of my blog I realize that I have not been writing nearly as much as I had hoped.  So I am going to try to write and post photos at least twice a week -- if not more.

I need to continue to work on getting back into shape and focus on eating healthier.  I was good for many years but 2008 was a bad year for me so  . . 2009 shall be a year of getting healthier.

I miss writing so this year I hope to finish writing my first novel.  I'm already 10,000 words in and have a pretty decent outline for the story -- just need to get the other 70,000 words in print!

I have so many wonderful photos that still aren't in my scrapbook pages and I hope 2009 will be the year to get more done.  I am resolving to create at least two layouts a week at home.  (This will not include layouts I complete at crops and events)

I resolve to continue playing with my camera and get back a scraptography -- something I really enjoy.

I resolve NOT to completely stress out while throwing Brett's bar mitzvah this March nor planning Dylan's for 2010.

Anyway, these are just a few of my new year's resolutions.  Write me and tell me about yours.  I'd love to know!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Pilgrim Pride

    Every year my family travels for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Sometimes friends or family are with us and sometimes the four of us "fly solo." We started back in 2004 and enjoyed it so much that we decided to make it a family tradition.  Back then we were adventurous.  Our first Thanksgiving away was spent in Las Vegas and we had a blast.  My kids liked the trip almost as much asthe grown-ups (it was Mark, me, and my in-laws).  The following year the four of us traveled to the Beaches Resort in Turks & Caicos.  We hadn't planned on celebrating the holiday with any other family members but, as fate would have it, we ran into my second and third cousins while we were there.  In 2006 we headed west again -- this time to sunny California.  We traveled into the desert and took a tram to the top of the mountains. My in-laws joined us for a trip to Palm Springs and it was a wonderful adventure.   Last year the four of us headed to Sarasota Florida where we stayed with my best friend Jen and her family for the week.  She cooked up a feast and we spent a lot of time relaxing by the pool and at the beach.  

    This year we decided to stay a little closer to home.  We headed north to Plymouth, Massachusetts -- birthplace of America.   I can't say the kids were thrilled with my plans at first.  Afterall if you spent the last 4 thanksgivings in warm climates, you might be thinking that a chilly New England vacation is a bit lame.  Thankfully (pun intended) they did get into the spirit of things once we arrived.

    We stayed at the John Carver Inn, a lovely boutique hotel, walking distance from the waterfront.  It had a fabulous indoor pool shaped like a replica of the Mayflower.  It had a 50ft waterslide (which the boys loved!) and a hot tub in the replica Rock (which Mark and I enjoyed too!)  On Wednesday we visited Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower and enjoyed the actors on board who were really into their roles.  Then we walked around the town, sipping warm apple cider and sampling home made fudge around town.  

We even stopped to take somefun photos -- I wonder if the "first Kornfelds" looked like this!

    On Thanksgiving Day we headed for Plimoth Plantation.  We all enjoyed the Wampanoag Village where actual native americans tell the story of their past and present.  Dylan really liked sitting on the deer skins inside the long houses.  Brett had his camera with him and was documenting everything. After the Wampanoag Village we headed to the 1627 Settlement which is a replica of the original town's settlement.  There, people are role-player the original Pligrims that settled here.  It was an interesting event.

    The highlight of the day was the Victorian Thanksgiving Feast.  We enjoyed a wonderful sit down dinner served family style.  We ate with two other families and were surrounded by actors dressed in attire fit for 1863 -- the year President Lincoln declared the 4th Thursday to be a national day of Thanksgiving.  We were toasted and serenaded and really felt like we were part of a special day.

    I hope all of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving celebration too!

A little bit of honesty

True Story

 I was feeling guilty for not writing on my blog for the past couple of weeks.  I  had come up with countless excuses and my best ones all involved my kids.  As much as I love them they can be quite irritating at times.   Just kidding J  Honestly, when I’m feeling lazy and need an excuse they come in quite handy.  Too lazy to cook?  I blame it on the kids keeping me too busy driving them around.  Too lazy to go the gym?  There was probably some event at school I need to attend instead.  Too lazy to blog?  Kids get so much homework these days that there’s hardly any free time left for us parents to just relax!  Seriously though I had been meaning to write an update since I returned from San Diego and I’ve been a little, dare I say it, lazy.

 So, to all my friends who’ve been checking my blog for updates (and you know who you are!) my sincerest apologies. 

NOW FOR THE UPDATE:

My San Diego trip was awesome!  I got to spend time catching up with my dear friend Steffi.  I think if there is a true test for old friends, we passed.  We had not seen or spoken to each other in at least 12 years.  Yet, from the moment we saw each other in San Diego we seemed to pick up right where we left off.  Chatting, gossiping, laughing . . . it was so natural and so wonderful.  If I'd done nothing else in San Diego that week it would have been enough.

Mark did have to do some work at the retreat but we still found time to enjoy the pool and beach together.  We even found time to enjoy the San Diego Zoo on a private tour before we left.

The firm threw several fabulous parties and we had a great time at each one.  They had a great beach party (and even provided the flip flops,) a casino themed dinner cruise (I now love pai gow poker!) and a cocktail party with red carpet treatment.

 

 

In between all the activity I even read all FOUR books from theTwilight series (and if you like romance and fantasy, you’d like these books!) while I was there!

Back at home I geared up for Halloween.  This year Brett decided to dress up as the Joker.  He  loved the costume but hated the plastic mask that came with it.  He “decided” that he wanted face paint and hair spray instead and recruited me to do the art work.  I don’t remember volunteering at 6am when he woke me up to do hair and make-up before school.  Sometimes being “creative” is detrimental to sleep!

Dylan insisted on wearing a big rubber/vinyl mask of some creepy creature.  I'm not sure if it had a name of not.  Just creepy creature with evil robe perhaps. Anyway, it looked heavy and uncomfortable and I advised (rather strongly) against it but he KNEW what he wanted and there wasn’t anything I was going to say that would change his mind.

The kids have a tradition of trick-or-treating with our good friends, The Gotliebs.   They also have two boys.  They feasted on pizza before they went out begging for candy (afterall, trick-or-treating is hard work!)  Needless to say  . . . this was going to be an “I told you so” night for me, although I didn’t realize how quickly it would happen.  By the third doorbell rung, Dylan said he couldn’t breathe in his mask and so I was left “holding it” for the remaining hour and a half we walked the streets.  Additionally the flashlights died (I guess we should’ve checked the batteries like I suggested before it got dark) so I was left holding one mask and two flashlights.  Of course nothing in this world is free and I did get paid in “twix bars” for my trouble that night!

All in all the kids hauled in 10.8 pounds of candy that night (yes, I weighed it!).  I think this has got to be a record.  The kids were allowed to pig out over the weekend and then we sent Mark to work with the remaining stash.  I know the kids were bummed that it didn’t stick around the house longer but I know myself too well – I would have eaten half of it while they were at school and didn’t trust myself to be alone with it.

So that is my October update.  If I get my mojo flowing, I’ll update you on the first half of November soon!

P.S.  Ironically this blog would have been updated hours ago but the internet crashed before I clicked “post” and I lost my most witty remarks!  (And this is the TRUTH!)  Hopefully this re-write will still entertain!

I'm Leaving . . . on a jet plane . . .

Busy week.  That's what usually happens when you go away on a vacation.  Things pile up.  Laundry.  Dishes.  Heck, even dust!  Small price to pay I guess for going on that photography retreat.   Still, it hasn't left much time for blogging. 

Now that I feel "caught up" I'm leaving AGAIN.  I'm not complaining, believe me! Just that I'll be spending the next 12 hours in "preventive cleaning" mode.  You know what I mean?  It's when you do that extra load of laundry and sweep that one extra time and pick up a few more groceries, so that when you return from your trip you aren't completely overwhelmed by your life!

 I'm heading to sunny San Diego (at least I hear it's sunny there.  It certainly has to be warmer than it has been in chilly Connecticut!)  Funny thing about New England in the Fall.  Friends from all over tell me how jealous they are this time of year because I can enjoy the beautiful fall foliage.  It is pretty but I think a bit over-rated.  I enjoy the changing colors as much as the next person . . . BUT only when the weather is in the mid 60s at least.  I woke up to a 34 degree morning today.  I don't care how pretty the leaves are outside my home.  I kissed my kids goodbye as they headed out to the bus stop, took a 2-second glance at nature, and then shut the damn door and turned up my thermostat!

Hope you all have a great week.  I'll be sure to post my San Diego pictures when I return next week!

I LOVE BEING A SCRAPTOGRAPHER!

What exactly is a scraptographer?  It is a scrapbooker who is also passionate about the art of photography.  I (and about 400 others from across the country) attended a wonderful event this weekend called CPR:  Creative Photography Retreat.  The event was put together by Creating Keepsakes magazine and Canon was the lead sponsor.  It was incredible.  I knew I loved taking photos but now I'm totally hooked!  let's just say that the holiday wish list grew a lot this weekend! 

My friend Jenn R. met me there and together we met Marish, Jackie and Kelly and formed a team for the photo scavanger hunt.  It was great making friends with people who love my hobbies as passionately as I do!

I attended 9 photography classes and learned about lighting, settings, portraits, and even macro photography.  I also attended 3 classes on Adobe Photoshop Elements and digital scrapbooking which was eye-opening!  The give-aways were great.  Scrapbooking supplies, digi supplies, and even reading material to keep me busy until the end of the year.

This was an incredible event and I hope they have another retreat again soon!  Below are some of the photos I took at the retreat.

First are some shots taken in my macro class:

 

 

 

Next are a few digitally manipulated photos done in Elements.  They started out as regular color photos that were in the sample folder of my laptop.

 

 

 

So, what have YOU been up to lately?

Don't you just LOVE that question.  Many years ago, BC (Before Children), I seemed to have had great responses to that question.  I remember going out on the weekends, getting together with different people, exploring new things, etc.  THEN I had children.  WHOOSH!   I learned quickly that my weekends were actually THEIR weekends and the REAL question of "what have you been up to lately?" was "what are YOUR KIDS up to lately?" since it seems their social calendar has clearly taken over any remnants of mine!

Don't get me wrong -- I'm not complaining (much!).  I love spending time with my boys and get a thrill out of being a soccer mom, baseball mom, basketball mom, and so on.  I'm incredibly proud of my guys.  Still once in a while it would be nice NOT to have a birthday party to attend at 3 in the afternoon on a Saturday.  Even nicer to have a free weekend (although I think there is a 2 week opening between soccer and basketball. Nope scratch that.  A bar mitzvah invite just arrived for one of those two weekends!)

In answer to my question:  I've been spending A LOT of time in my car lately.  Lots of practices and 3-4 games a weekend, plus Sunday School.  That's pretty much what I've been up to.  How about you?

Take my advice and carve out some time for yourself whenever possible.  Utilize friends and family members when you can to steal away for a long weekend.  I'm planning just that next weekend when I attend a 3-day photography retreat.  Granted I'll be home on Sunday for baseball but I do miss one practice and two soccer games.  Truth be told, I'll probably REALLY MISS the games too!  Sometimes I wish there were more hours in a day so that I could do it all.  Give my boys all the time they deserve and still feel that there is plenty of "grown up time too." You know what I mean?

Below is just a glimpse of how I spend my weekends.  I guess it's not TOO bad after all!