Today is the day . . . . will I or won't I?

So, today is my scheduled annual eye exam.  Today is the day I wonder. . . . is this the year that I need glasses????  Is this the year???  For the past few years, the doctor tells me I am fine this year, but not to be surprised that I will need glasses next year. . . . . .

Let me back up. . . . back in third grade I flunked the eye exam at school.  Yup, FLUNKED it.  Turns out that I had a lazy eye, which meant one eye was FINE and the other eye was not working at all.  Not only did I need glasses, but I had to patch during the day for 30 minutes.  How I hated that patch.  I still have nightmares about the patch.

I needed glasses throughout college, more so for reading and concentrating, and then one day I didn't need glasses - at all!!!  The eye doctor at the time told me that I would need them again at some point, but to enjoy myself!  So I did!  I have been glasses free since grad school!!!!!

I have noticed that my very clear ability to see exit signs FAR away has decreased.  I did mention that to the doctor last year, who said that it was normal, and my eyes were 20-20 for distance.  Just to get used to the fact that very far away signs would not be what they once were. . . . .

I have noticed that when I read for a long time (at night) I should make the Kindle font larger and I have purchased the CVS reading glasses.

And now I wait to find out if this is the year.

Cooking Class

Last night I had the opportunity to attending a cooking class sponsored by Temple Emanuel Sisterhood.  The class was taught by Renita Mendoca, who has appeared on the Food Network's Chopped series.  Lucky for me I had seen her episode!  She also worked in the French Laundry, in California, which is the food world, is an important place.  She also is the owner of Seasoned and Spiced.  Through her company she offers catering, and she also provides preservative free prepared foods at local stores.  Many of her dishes are vegetarian or vegan, and she has some gluten free dishes.  The class was in a member's kitchen (it was a beautiful, large kitchen that is really user friendly and class friendly).  There were 22 students, ranging from young to old.  Renita started the class by having all of sniff the lovely spices of the Indian culture, such as coriander, cumin, nigella seeds, etc.  It was a great way to get familiar with the spices. 

She demonstrated how to make five dishes, which were Millet with Lotus Root and Gingered Beets; Barley with Corn, Beans and Goji Berries; Baked Haddock with Cermoula Sauce; Masala Tinda and Walnut Cookies with Brandy.  She was able to tell us where to get the Indian spices she used on Route 9 in Framingham, and also said that Tinda is sometimes available at Russo's.

After the demonstration, she had brought enough food for all 22 of us to have dinner, which was fabulous.

My favorite was the baked haddock.  Haddock and flounder are two of my favorite fishes to eat, but I don't cook fish regularly.  I am very picky about where I purchase my fish, and in Newton, I go to Whole Foods to be the best fish.  The fish was moist and full of flavor.  I am hoping to cook this dish at the house. 

Renita also is a chef for the Newton Community Education programs, and I would sign up for another class with her as the teacher.

Balls in the Air

So, I never finished my blogging about our great vacation in Washington DC.  I never posted photos, and I haven't finished my photo book from DC.  I really want to do the photo book, but as soon as we got back from vacation, we unpacked, did laundry, and the repacked to go to our synagogue's retreat for two days.  Where we unplugged and had a great time.  The kids really enjoy going, and connecting with other kids from the synagogue.  As the kids get older, the time I get to spend talking with other adults at the retreat, increase, since the kids can play and have fun without me being within 10 feet of them!

Part of the retreat, the parents of the 12 year old kids broke off from the main group, and talked about the pre-Bar Mitzvah year.  Not just about how busy we are, but we talked about the dress of the day, and being respectful of the ceremony.  We also talked about how the Bar Mitzvah is a BIG family event. We watched a movie "Keeping Up With The Steins."  While not a wonderful movie, it provided a dialog between kids and adults, especially once we got home.  We also spoke about continuing the Jewish education.

And then, as we returned and got back into the school mode, we we had Mother's Day, followed by Naomi's FROZEN party this past weekend. 

And now we are entering the zone of transition.  We are starting the end of year concerts, portfolio shares, and of course signing up for after schools and other things.  And of course the yearly doctor's appointments for both kids and now we have entered the "braces" years for Mark.

I have done some great cooking in between these obligations, which I will write about another time!

April Vacation

Life has just gotten away from me!  The  highlight for the kids from April was our trip to Washington DC!  Yes, we met my in laws in Washington DC for our vacation.

We flew on April 18 from Boston to DC, and it was a late flight.  It was a good flight, got our luggage and took a taxi to our hotel - Avenue Suites, near Georgetown.  The staff was super nice. 

On April 19 we had a nice breakfast and then headed to the "Mall" and purchased BIG BUS tickets.  We purchased a two day hop on/hop off ticket.  While I can't say that the bus tour was fabulous, we did get a good appreciation of the geography and some history.  We drove to Arlington National Cemetery but did not get out and walk around.  We drove to the Pentagon, but it was a drive by.  We drove by the State Department, the different monuments, Smithsonians, etc.  The kids loved sitting on the top of the Big Bus.

On April 20, Easter Sunday, we got up nice and early, and headed to the Lincoln Monument, and then walked to the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, World War Two Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial and we ended at the FDR Memorial.  All things that the kids enjoyed.  We took the bus to the American History Museum, and spent the afternoon there, exploring our past, and running into another Newton family!

More to come later!