Carpool Candy holiday gift guide for women

Posted on December 6, 2012 | 4 comments

I love buying gifts. I could do it for a living if I was spending someone else’s money. But not everyone enjoys it, and the holidays are a busy and often stressful time so here’s a cheat sheet.

I’ve been perusing catalogs and websites for weeks in search of trinkets that hopefully will bring a smile to your recipient’s face, or at least not have them rushing to the mall to return.

A gift should be personal. Let the receiver know you get him or her. It should also be something they might not get for themselves. Maybe they can’t afford it, or don’t have the time to find what they need. Some of my favorite gifts (cashmere gloves, favorite lip gloss, facial gift certificate) are simple ones that are thoughtful, functional, and save me an errand.

Here’s my list for the LADIES. I’ve added a link to each item,  but try searching the web for discounts before you purchase. (Retailmennot.com is a terrific site for coupons to hundreds of businesses.)

lafco-foyer-candle candy holiday gift guideLafco candle – As one of Oprah’s favorite things, this is the best candle I’ve ever spent an obscene amount of money on. Lafco has a different scent for each part of the house but my fav is Foyer. The candle is attractive, smells amazing, and lasts for a long time. If you can’t swallow the $55 price tag, search the Lafco site for smaller, $20 versions.

Cheese knives and fancy cheese – I love cheese but hate to shell out $15 at Whole Foods for  a hunk of the good stuff. Why not pick 1 or 2 yummy fancy cheeses and pair them with these adorable cheese knives (“sharp,” “creamy”&”stinky”) for someone who loves to eat and/or entertain? (Knives $44.95)

Year of Seeds candy holiday gift guide

Garden in a box –  For the creative lady who likes to get dirty, try this year of seeds kit. It includes 12 colorful planters that fit on a windowsill or deck, soil, and 12 packets of seeds to grow a mini garden of beautiful flowers. Low maintenance but high reward! ($79.95)

Personalized makeup bag – This velvet bag is lined in heavy cotton and perfect for carrying makeup or jewelry in your purse or suitcase.  It comes in many fun colors and two sizes, and monogramming is free. ($12/$15)

Sundance wool socks candy holiday gift guide

Handknit socks – These cozy artsy socks, made with New Zealand wool, would be perfect given with a bag of marshmallows and a good book. Tell her in the card you’ve created an ideal Sunday afternoon.   ($48 for 2 pairs)

Cashmere hand warmers – And speaking of cozy, these mini hand warmers are wrapped in cable cashmere to keep your hands warm in your pockets when walking the dog or watching a soccer game. ($10 for set of 2)

usb hubdog candy holiday gift guide

USB Hubdog – For dog lovers or those who are tech savvy and have a soft spot for cute, check out this recharger which allows you to boost several gadgets at once and you won’t bark at the price. ($12)

Mini ice cream sandwich press   and specialty spices –  For the gal who likes to cook, these make professional looking desserts with regular ice cream and cookies and they come in three shapes: circle, heart and star.  ($15)  A gift card or set of spices from myspicesage.com  is a unique gift for those who like to experiment in the kitchen but already have all the equipment.

letterpillowLetter pillow –  I love this initial pillow for a couch or a bed. It’s great for a woman of any age, size, or taste. ($29)

jcrew pajamas candy holiday gift guide

Pajamas – I love cruising Etsy.com for original designs. These flannel pj’s  come in a ton of different patterns and look like they would fit any shape. ($46) Or you could kick it old school with these classic (but pricey) cotton jammies from  Brooks Brothers ($98.50)  or JCrew (above $85).

Hope you find some goodies for the special people in your life, or maybe something to reward yourself after all that giving! Stay tuned for gifts for men and kids coming soon….

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Three must-see parenthood video spoofs

Posted on December 2, 2012 | Comments Off on Three must-see parenthood video spoofs

I’m sure your inboxes and Facebook pages are as clogged as mine with viral messages, cartoons, photos, and videos that often don’t live up to the hype. I have a visceral reaction to delete as soon as I read the words “You gotta see this!” atop any message.

Most of the time,  I don’t gotta. Quite often, it’s a colossal waste of my time.

So I realize I’m going out on a limb when I suggest the following three viral videos for you to watch. But really, I wouldn’t risk my rep for relevance if I didn’t find these three at the top of musical parenting parodies.

They are each hilarious, and at times even sweet. But all capture the absurdity, frustration, and sacrifice of raising children. They’re funny because they ring so true.

parent teacher conference video from rated p the musical

My wildly talented friend Sandy wrote a musical last year called “Rated P for Parenthood” that made it to off-Broadway. It was filled with great songs about parenting but one of the highlights was a rap called “Parent Teacher Conference” which I’ve watched a dozen times and still giggle.

This week, I received a link to a video called The Parent Rap, and each time I watch it, I catch another line or visual that cracks me up.

And then there’s the classic gem known as  “The Mom Song” which details a day in the life of a mom who only wants the best for her children, and won’t stand for mediocrity.

These videos make me envious and wishing I had the creativity and tenacity to write and produce something that clever and amusing.

If you get a moment in your busy day, click on the links above and let me know what you think. Let the musical mom mockery begin!

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Posted in Joys of Parenting, Kids manners, Pop Culture Trends

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Top 7 Disneyland insider tips

Posted on November 29, 2012 | 2 comments

Every year our family heads to California for Thanksgiving. We have many traditions and one is going to Disneyland the Tuesday before turkey day. We’ve been to the original House of Mouse at least 10 times so I’ve gathered some tips.

It may be the happiest place on earth, but days in the park are l o n g and kids can experience a range of emotions when expectations for fun and joy are higher than the flag on Cinderella’s castle. Here are 7 suggestions for a magical Disneyland trip.

—Get there early. Seems obvious, but every year we plan to rise at dawn, and it never happens. This year, we actually got to the park before 10a and it made a huge difference. We headed straight for Splash Mountain where there was no line (45 minutes later, the wait was nearly an hour.) Then we banged out the nearby Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean, which saved us oodles of time.  The rest of the day we waited at least 20-30 minutes for each ride but it was ok because we had a few under our belts already. The park opens at 8a so if you’re not slugs like us, take advantage of the empty early morning hours.

Getting psyched to soak on Splash Mountain

—Wear layers and comfortable shoes. We go in November when it’s about 65 degrees,  but can get up to 80 or dip down to 50 anytime so clothing is key. My kids (ages 12, 9, and 7) dress in shorts, a t-shirt, and sneakers and I wear yoga pants with a tank top and long-sleeved t-shirt. We carry a backpack with sweatshirts for everyone. Unless it’s summertime, as soon as the sun goes down, it gets surprisingly cool in the park and on the rides. If you like Splash Mountain or other water rides, you’ll need the extra layers to change or get warm.  Also remember you will be walking and standing all day. Don’t be the martyr who prides herself on always being stylish in heels or boots. I wear sneakers or my most comfortable rubber-soled flats and my feet still feel like they were run over by Goofy’s car at the end of the day.

Mickey ice cream sandwich: $4.50

— Bring snacks. Load up your backpack with healthy snacks before you go and you’ll save money and patience. While there are snacks sold all over the park, they’re never really what you want to eat and each snack– from a fruit cup to a cookie– is outrageously expensive because it has Mickey’s face on it. Snacks stave off hunger until you can get to meals and make the long line for Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters ride (my favorite!) go much faster. Bring pretzels, yogurt, applesauce, fruit, cookies, cheese sticks from home and you’ll be golden. I would also recommend bringing water bottles– or hanging on to a bottle you buy in the park– for refills throughout the day.

—Use Fast Pass and ride vouchers. By now you probably know about the Fast Pass but it’s knowing when to use it that’s key. By 12pm, the Fast Pass window for Star Tours (a cool 3D Star Wars ride) was already at 7pm. We don’t usually stay that late so we had to wait on the regular line for 40 minutes to get on the ride. If we had Fast Passed by 9 or 10am, we could have gone on the ride with no wait in the middle of the day.  Also, Fast Passes can be used more than once so after you Fast Pass one ride, you can Fast Pass another. But if you use it too late, that is not usually an option. (For more Fast Pass rules and ride lists click here.) Another secret I discovered this year is ride vouchers. If a ride is not working– this year one of our favs, Indiana Jones Adventure, was being serviced– you can go to Disney Town Hall and request a ride voucher. Next time you visit the park, if the ride is working, you basically get a Fast Pass for up to 6 people to ride it. Bonus!

—Eat lunch on the Tomorrowland Terrace. You have to eat lunch and though none of the park’s food is stellar, this is our preferred option. The menu has some healthy choices for adults, and the kids meals include sliced apples or carrots and milk or water. Make sure to check your park map for the scheduled showtimes and plan your meal to coincide with the Jedi Training Academy show. It’s fun to watch the live action, featuring several kids selected from the audience to don the famous brown robes and train with a Star Wars Jedi Master. After training, they battle Darth Vader and Darth Maul with light sabers. 7-year-old Eli really wanted to be in the show so I asked one of the handlers how to get him selected.  She recommended making signs and standing by him, cheering loudly. We did and he got picked!

Master Eli battles Vader

—Cheating the ride photos. Disneyland tickets are up to $81 for kids ages 3-9 and $87 for ages 10 and up so even one day at the park is an expensive endeavor. So I’m always looking for ways to save money without losing out on any part of the experience. Our cousin used a clever trick this year. On certain roller coasters, the park takes a photo of each car as it flies down the deepest drop. The pictures are then shown on a screen as you exit the ride. If you want to purchase the photos, they cost a minimum of $15. The problem is, it’s never a perfect photo– it inevitably has some random guy grinning as he blocks your kid in the back– so not worth the money. If you hustle to the screens quickly and find your photo, take a picture on your cell phone of the picture. It’s not the highest quality, but you can still capture the moment for free!

—Buy glow-in-the dark souvenirs.  If you’re so over the monogrammed mouse ears, see the light instead! My kids have every version of souvenir, but the best are those that light up. It gets dark quickly at the end of the day and right around parade time, there are several carts and stores that sell all different toys — from princess wands to space radar guns to spinning character lights– that can help you walk safely and entertain the kids. And light up toys will still be fun at home. Want to avoid souvenirs altogether? Throw a bunch of dollar store glow sticks in your suitcase before you go.

Would love to hear your tips in the comments. Wishing all your dreams come true in the land of Disney!

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Should my 12-year-old be on Facebook?

Posted on November 28, 2012 | 10 comments

My 12-year-old son, Jacob, has been nagging me about getting a Facebook page and/or Google Plus account. He also says instead of holiday presents, he wants AT&T gift cards so he can purchase a smart phone.

facebook logo

I don’t know where I fall in the scale of leniency, but on occasion I let him stay up late, watch some inappropriate movies, and eat crap. He walks to and from school every day and often to town, the park, and his friends’ houses without an escort. He’s always been responsible and reliable so I’ve continued to loosen the reins.

But kids engaging in cyberspace freaks me out.

I see no good reason for him to have access to the internet on his phone, when there’s no adult to monitor his activity. The only places he says he visits are ESPN.com, his fantasy team stat pages, and YouTube. He can do all that at home with an adult present.

Part of my argument is that he’s already playing XBox, watching sports and other TV, and texting. I don’t need his face glued to another screen.  The other issue is I don’t want him engaging in social media at this age.  He’s a kid who loves playing football in the park with his brothers or hanging out with a bunch of friends in town– you know, human engagement.

I’m afraid if he starts connecting with other kids online, he’ll get sucked into that culture, which too often chooses typing over speaking, and posting pictures over being in the moment.

google plus logo

I’m not naive. I know he’ll be on social media soon enough.  It’s a fact of life in high school. But right now, in 7th grade, I see no grounds for it. I don’t believe he will be missing out or ostracized socially for not having a Facebook page or an iPhone. He’s an extremely likable and social kid. He can still text friends on his simple phone. In fact, I argue it may make him more mysterious and desirable to the girls he wants to attract.

A local policewoman who specializes in cyber crime came to speak to a community group of seventh graders recently and I listened in. She opened the talk with a story about a 14-year-old kid who friended another teen on the social network Tagged.com. The two became gaming friends and sent messages to each other through the site. After several months, the teen invited his new friend to his house. When he opened the door, his “friend” wasn’t a kid, it was an adult male who pushed his way into the apartment and beat and sexually assaulted him.

Horrifying. But real.

The officer told several anecdotes with the point that once you start engaging — whether on a phone, via email, or on a social networking site– you are trackable and there is a record of your activity. The more details you reveal online, the easier it is for people (with good and bad intentions)  to find you. And, every time you engage, you’re at higher risk of creating a permanent online profile that you might regret later.

Kids are under the impression that if you delete something, it’s gone forever but this cop said that’s just not true. Her job is to uncover information that may have been deleted, but still exists.

Should my 12 year old be on Facebook

The officer also discussed cyber bullying, especially on sites like Facebook and Google Plus. Last year at least 1 million kids were cyber bullied on Facebook alone. She recommended not friending anyone you don’t know, which sounds obvious to adults but not to kids who want to have a high friend count. She also warned that many of the harassment complaints she sees originate from fake Facebook pages.

Her advice for parents:

— Regularly Google your child’s name to see what comes up.

–Always use all privacy settings on social media pages.

–Report cyber bullying right away and print out evidence before it gets deleted.

–Never give away your power. Often if you (or your child) respond, you’re no longer a victim. If you don’t engage or argue, the bully loses. 

Unfortunately, cyber laws have not caught up to technology so often harassment and misuse go unpunished.

I know we can’t protect our kids from everything, but I plan to keep mine off-line for as long as possible. Even if it’s just for another year or two. In the meantime, we’ll be discussing the dangers of online engagement and he’ll have to prove to me he understands the gravity before he gets the privilege.

I’m not very popular with Jacob right now, but that’s ok. When he finally wears me down and gets on Facebook, he’ll have to be my friend whether he likes me or not.

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I watched “Liz and Dick” so you don’t have to

Posted on November 27, 2012 | 3 comments

It’s my blogging duty to be on top of all pop culture events, and this week’s debut of Lifetime’s “Liz and Dick,” starring Lindsay Lohan, was one I couldn’t ignore.

These are the sacrifices I make for you people.

I took one for the team this time…and poor Wilson did too. While Wilson would rather go mall shopping or have his eyes gouged out than watch a Lifetime movie of any kind, he sat patiently through it, and even refrained from making nasty comments, which wasn’t easy. (Perhaps he did this because he felt guilty that I just spent an entire week sitting through 37 football games.)

He’s a good man.

So back to fun with Dick and Liz.  The production value was better than your average TV movie, but still so cheesy I was craving a cracker. I was conscious of the canned, breezy instrumental music in the transition scenes and could tell  that several locations were fake or on a green screen. The makeup looked cheap and obvious. The script was lame and soapy.

While I could have turned it off at any point, I didn’t. I’m not sure if it’s because I was interested in Liz and Dick, or just watching Lindsay. This role– hailed as her comeback– was anything but, and sank her stock as an actress even further.

But she is compelling on camera.

Despite her silly big lips, she’s very attractive and commands attention. The irony of playing a famous actress with drug, alcohol, and love problems, hounded by paparazzi is not lost on the viewer.  But she didn’t capture the essence of Elizabeth Taylor– who was breathtakingly beautiful, regal, and mature. Lohan struggled to play her, and at times seemed like a teenager dressing up in mom’s clothes, trying to act grown up.

Lohan pouts through much of the movie and the gratuitous glass throwing and bottle swigging quickly became laughable. The final scenes when Liz sports her short 80’s haircut and giant tinted glasses make her look ridiculous, or– as the Hollywood Reporter suggests in this scathing review— worthy of an SNL skit.

I didn’t believe there was chemistry between Lohan and forgettable costar Grant Bowler, and isn’t that the whole point of the movie? He’s not handsome or charming, the way I pictured Richard Burton, and his Hair-Club-for-Men wigs were distracting.

What kept me watching? I was curious about Liz and Dick’s love affair and ate up  all the glamor. Seeing Liz wearing giant diamonds and fabulous outfits, accessorized with hats, furs, and a cigarette holder was fun eye candy. And maybe deep down I was rooting for Lindsay to pull it off.

Most of the reviews make mine look like a rave, and the big story is that the movie only grabbed 3.5 million viewers–much less than other Lifetime movies with lesser known stars and attention.

Poor Lindsay.

This is one time you can be glad that you don’t know Dick. Or Liz for that matter.  I wish I had that two hours of my Lifetime back. Hope you did something much more productive with yours.

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Posted in Celebrity Happenings, Fallen celebs, Fav TV, Movie reviews/news

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I got Zen with Tony Bennett

Posted on November 25, 2012 | 1 comment

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. One of the things for which I’m grateful is the opportunity to write about pop culture for sites that people actually read. Last week I reviewed crooner Tony Bennett’s new book, “Life is a Gift, The Zen of Bennett,” (Harper Collins) for the Associated Press.

It’s a quick read that offers some sage advice from a guy who’s been in show business for 60 years, so he knows a thing or two about how to stay relevant.  I was surprised to learn that Bennett fought the Germans in World War II  and risked his life to march with Martin Luther King Jr. for civil rights in the 60’s. He’s sung for every president since Eisenhower (guess which one is his fav?) and has worked with all the greats– including his best friend and mentor, Frank Sinatra.

The book is chock full of photos of Bennett with tons of celebs — from Babs to Lady Gaga. Bennett casually mentions Christmases with Ella Fitzgerald, discussing poetry with Allen Ginsberg, Bob Hope giving him his stage name, and taking Judy Garland to parties. He soaked up career advice from Cary Grant, Bing Crosby, and Duke Ellington…and comments on singing with Paul McCartney, John Mayer, and Elton John. He also adds his take on Amy Winehouse with whom he recorded right before she died.

Many of Bennett’s drawings are also included in the book. He’s an accomplished artist and even has one of his works hanging in the Smithsonian. Who knew?

At the end of each chapter, Bennett sums up his experiences and offers Zen advice. While none of it’s mind blowing, it’s a good reminder and often inspiring, especially for any kind of artist trying to maintain his/her integrity while achieving success.

Here are a few of Bennett’s Zen teachings that stuck out for me:

–“When you choose your friends, realize you are also choosing your teachers.”

–” If you don’t care what you’re doing, why should the audience?”

–“Fame comes and goes but longevity is the thing to aim for.”

–“Obstacles are necessary for success. Be persistent and you will reach your goals.”

–“Being angry is a waste of time. Instead, count your blessings every day.”

–“In the end, all we really can rely on is ourselves.”

–“Everything you do should be done with love.”

I’d love you to give the review a read here and let me know what you think in the comments.

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Posted in Book Reviews, Celebrity Happenings, Top 7 Lists

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Pajamarama: an easy birthday party for 6-8 year olds

Posted on November 14, 2012 | Comments Off on Pajamarama: an easy birthday party for 6-8 year olds

My youngest son, Eli, turned 7 recently and though I would have loved to skip a birthday party, he wanted to celebrate, and he shouldn’t get the shaft because he’s the third kid and Mommy’s so over cupcakes and goody bags.

We decided on a pajama party and tried to keep it small since we were hosting at home.  We invited about 8 boys (plus my 3)  to come in pajamas on a Friday evening. They ate pizza upon arrival ($40) and then descended on my basement.

We cleared away the toys and had plenty of cushions, pillows and chairs for the kids to sit. I bought a movie at Target ($5) I thought all would enjoy: “Scooby Doo and Batman.” How could anyone argue over that?

Before the little squirts arrived all adorable in their jammies, I had made popcorn to fill paper popcorn holders ($2.) As the movie started, I handed out juice boxes and let them each pick one bite-size candy ($4 a bag) for their screening pleasure.

They were happy and surprisingly engaged for at least an hour. When I noticed them getting antsy towards the end, I gave them each a glowstick ($1 each) which they loved playing with in the dark.

When the movie was over they made ice cream sundaes, at Eli’s request. I bought 3 flavors, whipped cream, chocolate syrup and several toppings ($30.)  I also made cupcakes because I don’t believe in celebrating birthdays without cake.

Then– just as they were sugared up and getting crazy–  it was time for their parents to pick them up. I invited all parents to stay through the party for wine and cheese and several did, which made it a much more festive Friday night for Mommy.

As we sent the munchkins out the door, they received a goody bag containing a flashlight and Spiderman toothbrush set ($3 for both)– essential tools for an almost-slumber party. I hate all the crap that comes in traditional goody bags so I always opt for a somewhat useful thing whenever possible. The kids were thrilled.

I got everything for the party (except the pizza) at the dollar store so the whole party cost less than $150. I actually felt like I was cheating because the party activity was so low maintenance, but several parents commented on the creativity of the concept.  It’s all in the execution. With a few personal touches, a movie in the basement felt like a special night for the kids.

Eli with his birthday cupcake

Most importantly, Eli had a terrific time. He loved being in his pajamas, he was giddy that I allowed him to eat so much junk in one night, and he enjoyed playing host in his house. Several parents lingered after the pick up time (always a sign of a good party!) drinking wine and nibbling on cupcakes.

Throwing kids birthday parties is usually a duty we endure, but rarely enjoy. What could have been a stressful parental obligation, actually turned into a fun night for the whole family.

Have you thrown any kids birthday parties that were easy, fun, and didn’t break the bank? Please share in the comments!

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Sandy post script (and photos!)

Posted on November 13, 2012 | 1 comment

KIds enjoyed candles & flashlights for a few days

This is my last Sandy post, I swear. For the past several days, many people have suggested I write another post about the aftermath.

It was a unique experience for me because I’ve worked in news all my adult life and have covered dozens of major storms. I was familiar with weather devastation– especially when covering Katrina, when I had to handle food, shelter, transportation, and gas for our crews while doing live shots every half hour for weeks.  While everyone else gets back to normal, storm victims are left in often rough condition and cut off from the world.

This time, I was cut off. We had no power for a week, no TV or internet for 10 days, and with roads and trains blocked and gas lines long, we didn’t venture out of our little town. My lame Blackberry allowed me to view email but connection to the web was sketchy at best and wasted too much precious juice. I was moved by snippets of stories on Twitter– a woman in Staten island who lost her kids when her car flooded, basements on the Jersey Shore filled with sand, and Rockaway rescue workers who helped neighbors even when their own homes were destroyed.

Downed tree only a few houses away from ours

Check out how tall this tree was in our ‘hood

But I saw no photos, viewed no “20/20” news wraps. I heard Bruce led a star-studded concert to help Sandy victims. Normally that would have been appointment TV for me, but I never saw a clip.

Common post-Sandy sight: plugging into generators

I’m not asking for sympathy. Please save that for the thousands of people still without power despite freezing and snowy weather conditions in the last week. Or offer it to those who have lost their homes and personal possessions and have to choose between the daunting task of rebuilding or finding a new place to live while they piece their lives back together.

Our NJ town lost some very old, huge trees

There are many post-Sandy inconveniences that still aren’t resolved. Commuting has become the focus of many North Jerseyites who were spoiled by direct train service to Manhattan. For the last 2 weeks, many (including Wilson) worked from home or (like me) left at 530am to avoid traffic driving  into the city. Bus routes were unreliable and often required long waits.  I don’t know anyone whose commute was less than 2 hours each way. I got stuck in traffic for two accidents at the Lincoln Tunnel Monday that made me almost 4 hours late for work! There are email chains, Twitter feeds, and endless conversations with both friends and strangers touting transportation trauma and tricks.

Cleaned out fridge/freezer.

I was at a party this weekend where many men were sporting beards because they didn’t bother shaving for two weeks in the dark cold. Women complained about the “Sandy 7” which everyone seemed to gain after days of indulgence. Who can stay on a diet when ice cream is melting in your freezer? Many couldn’t resist munching snacks all day when there was little else to do. The wine every night didn’t help either.

Wilson’s post Sandy beard

But as I said in my last posts, we also had some fun nights with family and friends. Many spontaneous candle lit evenings would never have happened in the real world but post-storm conditions gave everyone the luxury of unstructured time.

Lots of time playing board games in jammies

HAD to eat all the ice cream when power went out!

In many ways, the last two weeks has felt like a dream or a movie. It was all so unbelievable and unfamiliar, and you had to just get through it. It’s hard to comprehend that in the midst of all this, we elected a new president. We didn’t have cable on election night and I had to get up at 5a the next day so I barely watched the returns.

My experience as a storm victim has taught me and my family several things. There’s been a lot of talk at our dinner table about gratitude. I still marvel every time I turn my closet light on or use the microwave like I’m some kind of transplanted time traveler.  I’m grateful every morning when I brush my teeth and every surface in my bathroom isn’t icy.

Surviving Sandy made us all older and wiser (and colder and wider!) and gave us an appreciation for our families and our community. It’s an experience that will stay with us and hopefully taught my kids that although it was an uncertain and uncomfortable situation, we were the lucky ones.

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Posted in In the News, Joys of Parenting

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Sandy update

Posted on November 5, 2012 | 1 comment

Our house is still without power. Still feeling lucky that we have no tree or water damage and we are all safe….but starting to get bitter! We are coooooooooold! And tired. And while we are so grateful for the many friends who have opened their homes to us freely, it’s hard to be a guest all the time and after a week, we just want our own space!

Today is my first day back at work and it actually feels good to do something normal and have unconditional heat. I literally looked at the lights in the bathroom with wonder and the glare hurt my eyes after a week of so much darkness!

My lovely friend Greg offered a spot in his car service this morning so we piled in at 6am and got to the city by 730am, which was not bad at all. My way home will be another  story as the buses and trains are not direct and will be jam packed with stranded Sandys.

 

Only one of my boys’ schools opened today. One school has no power, the other has too many live wires nearby. We are hoping for school tomorrow or Wednesday.  Kids also need routine back. They have been loving all the free time with friends, staying up late,  and I don’t think they’ve eaten a fruit or vegetable in days.  But the more school we miss, the less breaks they get later and it’s time to get back to structure.

I saw someone posted on Facebook two funny lines that rang true for me this week:

“Tonight we’re going to party like it’s 1899!”

and

 

“Will insurance cover the damage to my liver as a result of Hurricane Sandy?”

Indeed we have been drinking every night by candlelight. It’s been fun and social and bonding in many ways, but after a while even that third glass or Pinot can’t warm you up or make you feel safe!

I can’t believe the election is tomorrow and I’ve missed so much storm and election coverage. I HATE being unplugged.  I miss TV and the internet!!

Those are my initial thoughts. Sorry for roughness of this post but I’ve got to leave the office to begin my long trek home. I’m wearing a minimum of four layers of clothing and lugging around iPad, phone and rechargers so I’m prepared for whatever the night brings. We likely have to sleep at a friend’s tonight because the house is officially so cold it’s unsafe for the kids. Send positive energy towards NJ that we all get power and peace soon!

Will post again when I get back online.

Hope you are all safe and warm or will be soon!

 

 

 

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Posted in Modern Life

Sandy’s top 7 silver linings

Posted on November 1, 2012 | Comments Off on Sandy’s top 7 silver linings

Oh Sandy.

I’m writing this post from a friend’s house because we haven’t had power since Monday evening. It’s barely been three days but feels like three weeks. Our town was hit hard enough to knock down scores of giant trees and cause some major damage, but there was little rain here so we are extremely fortunate to have no water or tree damage at our house.

I’ve only been able to see snippets of the news but from even the little I’ve seen, there are so many whose homes and businesses have been destroyed, I would feel like a heel to complain at all.

There are quite a few obvious drawbacks to not having power. The most challenging for me is our house getting increasingly colder as the week drags on. I wear a minimum of 4 layers and try to keep moving. Wilson is feeling antsy about missing so much work. The kids have been troopers but they get stir crazy in the evenings and have been stomping on each other’s last nerve about every 20 minutes when stuck inside.

But despite those petty grievances, I’ve been trying to stay positive because it could be SO much worse. So this post is about all the positive results of living through one of the worst storms in U.S. history.

Time with family and friends— It’s so rare these days that we get to spend this much time together. School and activities have been canceled and we weren’t able to get to work for days so there’s no rushing. We’ve had to conserve phone juice so that’s put a limit on talking and texting. That just leaves time to read, relax, clean, and play board games. We’ve spent every night with friends, eating what’s left in the fridge by candlelight and drinking wine by the fire. We’ve been able to reach out and see friends we normally wouldn’t because everyone’s plans are on hold and there’s time to check in.

Sleep — I can’t tell you the last time I’ve gotten more than 8 hours of sleep for several days in a row. Even on vacation I manage to stay up late. But with no power, TV and the computer can’t tempt me. There’s no incentive for the kids to be up late when it’s so dark and everyone’s going to bed, so we’re huddling under the covers early and staying in bed later in the morning. I can already see lines on my face disappearing! Now if I could only continue this sleep pattern in real life.

Cleaning out the refrigerator — It’s an odious job and you never know what you’re going to find. This week we’ve been forced to do some scary smell tests and stifle our aversion to waste by tossing more than I’d like. But we’ll have an immaculate fridge and a task I have pushed down on my to-do list for months is now complete.

Renewed sense of community— The morning after the power went out my friend Ilysse called to say she had power so we could come to her house and recharge, get warm, use wifi. We have spent time there twice and they could not have been more generous or welcoming. I also spent most of today with my friend, Meredith, whose son is one of Aden’s pals. We normally would never have had the time to spend an afternoon together chatting, but what a treat. In addition to the heat and technology hookup, she introduced me to a friend who is a fellow writer/blogger who I never would have met otherwise. Our town has power and the streets and restaurants have been packed with people– friends and strangers– asking about our status and willing to help if they can.

Back to basics playtime — The kids don’t have TV, the computer, or video games to distract them. They’ve been playing football outside every day, walking to town for lunch or a trip to the bookstore, and playing games at night. Because there’s no school I coerced them into mandatory reading hour every morning before they go outside. Interesting that they have not complained or cried boredom once. The only downside is too much time together so they have been fighting more than usual but overall, kicking it old school has been a success.

Survival skills — You never know how you’re going to react in bad circumstances. I’m proud that despite all the inconveniences, our family, friends and town persevered and made it work. Necessity is the mother of invention and we had to improvise a lot this week but we looked at it as an adventure instead of a burden and we are better for it.

Gratitude — I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thrown a light switch this week out of habit, forgetting we had no power…. or how often I realized we couldn’t complete a simple task without the internet. And as I stomp my feet around the house trying to get feeling back into my toes, I yearn for a warm house again. But then I think of the people who have no house or possessions at all. When the power goes back on, we will have a new appreciation for the things we take for granted every day.

I mourn with the nation for those who lost their lives and/or livelihoods due to superstorm Sandy. Once I plug back in I’m sure I’ll be obsessed with watching the coverage to try to catch up with all the tragic stories. But in our little corner of the world, the week was actually a bit of respite that made us realize what’s really important.

How did Sandy affect you? Tell me in the comments.

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Comments Off on Sandy’s top 7 silver linings

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