Let the Games Begin!

The finer things ..

We're teaching Ellie right ... she was in the jewelry store last night and she only wanted to look at the BIG diamonds! She moved from case to case searching for the one she liked best. Our friend, Gin found just the perfect ring for her to try on .. as you can see by her face, she loved it!

Bring on the Rain!

Here's a photo from NYC yesterday, and apparently it worked like a bit of a rain dance here .. as we got high winds and rain overnight!

Blast from the Past!

This time I'm borrowing the picture from my mom's blog ... and for good reason. This photo is nearly 40 years old! And priceless for so many reasons ...

My Dad is in it.
My Gram is in it.
All of my mom's sisters are in it.
We all look 39 years younger!
.. and happy, other than my brother being counseled by my Dad.
I am wearing those 'darling' hair ties.
The 70's fashions have come back, so we're nearly in style here.
AND
I figured out who took the picture!
Must be Uncle Gary!!!

WOW!

John Gray: What happened to civility?

Published: Friday, July 13, 2012
By JOHN GRAY
For The Saratogian

It’s funny how the brain works. As much as we watch television, with all the fighting and drama, when a real life confrontation happens right in front of us, we can’t believe it’s real.

Such was the case for me and my children the other day on Cape Cod.

Every summer we leave all our worries behind and spend a few days freezing our feet in the ocean and chasing the perfect sunset. That sunset can usually be found in a place called Rock Harbor in Orleans. When the sky is just right and the sun sinks slowly into the bay, well, I can’t possibly describe it to you. No artist could paint it and no camera could capture its beauty, although many try and that’s where
this story begins.

We had just parked the car and were walking down into the bay when I noticed an older gentleman, maybe 60, with his tripod set up and his very expensive camera poised to take the perfect shot. I don’t know if this guy was taking a photo for his living room wall or if he was a professional snapping a shot you’d see on a calendar next year at Barnes and Noble.


What I do know is it’s a public beach and there were lots of people walking on the shore, ignoring him.

Just as we passed by him, another older man carrying an equally impressive camera and gear was coming up from the beach. Photographer number one proceeded to ask the man what he does for a living. When photographer number two seemed puzzled by the question photographer number one said, “Do you always walk in front of other people and ruin their shot?”

The chastised man pointed out it was a public beach and you can’t ask everyone to get out of your way so you can take a picture. Photographer number one lost it.

With my children standing dumbstruck not 20 feet away, they started screaming at each other, dropping “F” bombs along the way. I honestly thought it was going to lead to a fist fight, but I think both of them realized they were so out of shape if either threw a punch they’d probably throw out their back.

Thankfully, the embarrassing encounter ended with the man who was being verbally attacked walking away, cursing with every step.

Here’s my question. What happened to civility? Why did the first guy think everyone should have to clear the public beach so he could take a photo?
Why did the second guy think it was OK to launch into a profanity laced tirade in front of children?

My parents taught me three things when I was a boy — life isn’t always fair, not everything is personal and it takes more courage to walk away from a fight than throw a punch. These two “gentleman” abandoned that lesson.

It’s not just what happened on the beach. Look at the way people drive. Sometimes you don’t mean to cut someone off, but try explaining that to them after it happens. You make the slightest mistake changing lanes and they take it as an act of war.

First comes the horn, then the hand gestures in your rearview mirror and then they hit the gas and ride up into your trunk.

Again, you want to say, “Relax pal, I just made an innocent mistake.”

Why is everything so personal and why are people so ready to pounce?

See if these sound like anyone you know:

— “The teacher hates my kid, that’s why he got a C”. No, the truth is your child needs to study more.

— “My boy is the best one on the team but the coach doesn’t play him because it’s all political and he plays favorites. Maybe the coach is just trying to give all the children some playing time. Not everything is a secret plot to keep your 11-year- old from his future career in the NBA.

I used to get so mad when I’d see someone speeding down the road zipping in and out of lanes. Are they a jerk? Perhaps. Then I remind myself that maybe they just got a call and someone they love is at the emergency room. Could that be the reason they are driving like a bat out of hell?
The first thing any good baseball coach will teach you is you don’t have to swing at every pitch. It’s OK to let some stuff slide, even if you know you’re right.

Photographer number one was in the wrong, but imagine how that scene would have played out if photographer number two smiled and said, “Geez I’m sorry. Let me scoot out of your way. It is a great sunset. Good luck getting the shot.” He would have let the air right out of that hot air balloon.

And, of course, my 8- year-old wouldn’t have learned some choice new words on an evening when all he wanted was to catch a few hermit crabs.

Oh Happy Day

Tonight I met a friend after work at the local Mexican restaurant to celebrate her promotion. She and I have worked together since I arrived a little over a year ago. She's taught me so much .... invited Bill and I to join her friends for a wine pairing dinner at Biaggi's ... brought dinner to our house when I was recovering from surgery .. and been there time and time again for me during this past year.

So when I text Bill from the restaurant to tell him where we were she said to me, "Let me take a picture with your margarita to send to him." When I sent it to Bill he said, "You look so happy!" And I am so happy.

For all I have, for all I've left behind and all I have ahead of me ...

More Summer Fun Photos

1st Day at State Farm Camp

"Sweet Home Chicago"

Captured in pictures is weekend girls' adventure I took ... from walking the city, people watching to the concert at Soldier Field. Here they are ..

More Water Fun

Happy 4th of July 2012

July Visitors & Summer Fun

Aunt Lisa, Uncle Brian and Josh visited for a long weekend before the 4th of July holiday. The big adventure was a visit to State Farm Park and Pool. During 90+ degree weather they enjoyed several hours in the pool, slide, diving board and lazy river. As you can see, a good time was had by all!

More Chicago Pix

First time at Wrigley!

We enjoyed our first trip to Wrigley yesterday to see the Cubs beat the Astros. A good time was had by all!