Kindle

So, a few months ago, I caved and bought a Kindle.  I didn't think I would like it, but in fact, I love it.  I love how it fits into my purse, and I can read it anywhere. . . . sitting in the blue zone while waiting for carpool, sitting in a waiting room or on my very own sofa.  I love downloading books onto it, and having all the books in one place, and NOT all over my coffee table and bedroom.  I thought I would miss turning pages.  I don't.  I love how I can download books from the library.  I don't love how their is a long line for the books.    Sometimes, I can't read the book in three or six weeks, and then I never know how it ends!

There is one thing that I don't like.  When I buy an actual book, the one with pages. . . . I used to share with my mom and friends.  I cut my budget down by doing that.  If we all shared books, we didn't have to shell out bucks for books all the time.  But, even though I heard that you can share with the Kindle, I haven't found a book that will let me do that.

What have I read?

Well, of course Fifty Shades of Gray . . . and the others.

Right now I am reading YES CHEF by Marcus Samuelsson, which  I love. 

Unorthodox, which was a good read.

Chopping Spree - a mystery book by Diane Mott Davidson.

Seasons: A Real Story of an Amish Girl.

I love my Kindle.  Just wish I could share my digital library.  Any suggestions besides PRIME? 

Overnight Camp

I dropped off Mark 8 days ago, and I miss him. . . . ALOT!  I wonder what he will look like when we pick him up on July 22. . .  .

We FINALLY got some mail from him today.

Letter #1 - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY."  (At least he remembered!)
Letter #2 - Please send me band aids and Great Pop's address (still one sentence, but at least he wants his great grandfather's address.  Wonder what he is going to write.
Letter #3 to Naomi - My first Saturday.  We had muffins and cinamon rolls for breakfast.  The kitchen chefs make great food!  How are things going for you from Mark.

Now, why does Naomi get more detail than me???? 

Why does he need Bandaids??????

Better than three letters, a friend was touring the camp, and saw him . . . . and emailed me about it.  She said that he looks very happy and smiled continuously while at the water front.  Of course, I smiled once I read the email.  Because I never went to overnight camp, I have NO idea about anything.  But all I know is that the happy letters keep coming, and if he is wearing a smile, then I am beaming.

I still miss him . . . . but I know he is having a great time.

First Time - Overnight Camp

Sooo, I admit it.  I am a first time mom when sending my child to overnight camp.  I never went to overnight camp, so I don’t have first-hand knowledge of what it is like to be a first time camper.  However, yesterday was a great first experience.  I had NOT slept the night before at ALL.  I was worried.  All of the what happens if. . . . stories were playing over and over in my head.  I was up early, because I could not sleep.

Mr. M and I loaded up the minivan – in total we had two large duffle bags, one large banana bag (comforter, pillow and egg crate), shower caddy and three small plastic shoe boxes and a backpack.  And we were OFF.  Mr. M read the directions to me and we found CYJ with no problems!  (I have already written lots of letters, including one that complements him with his ability to be a great navigator).  We parked and got into line.  We got his bunk assignment, and then waited in the lice line (and passed).  We then went and drove the car to the bunk.  His counselors helped unload the car (really helpful); and then helped him while I moved the car back to the lot, and walked back. 

After a few minutes of unpacking, making the bed, I had to say goodbye.  I thought I was doing just fine.  I gave Mr. M a hug, and started walking out. . . . turned back to see him and his bunkmate with HUGE smiles on their faces.

I walked quickly to the car, hoping not to burst into tears.  Wayne, from Temple Emanuel, was kind enough to give me a few kind words. . . .  but really, I just wanted to hop into the minivan.  My baby was GROWN UP.  He was doing this WITHOUT me.  And from all appearances, he was going to be FINE!  I collected my thoughts, and started to drive. . . .

And then listened to a voicemail from a friend. . . . who left me such a wonderful voicemail, that I started to cry again!

Can’t wait for the first letter!

The Goldenrod - York, ME

Yesterday, was a sunny day . . . . until we got on 95N to head to Maine.  The temperature never really warmed up, and there were LOTS of clouds.  More clouds than what we had expected.  While eager to go to York's Wild Animal Kingdom, I was more excited to go to the Goldenrod.

Back when I was young, once a year, my parents would drive us to York, ME.  Usually on a Wednesday, which was my dad's day off.  We would leave early and get to the animal park as it opened.  We walked around. . . . did some rides.  Had a good time.  We would bring our own picnic lunch.  First in an old soft sided cooler, and later in a Playmate Cooler.  The story told was that if we ate our picnic lunch then we could have ice cream at the The Goldenrod.  A restaurant that has survived.  It opened in 1896!  Of course, the bathroom, located on the second floor, must have been the first bathroom EVER in York, Maine.  I remember climbing the stairs as a child, and sitting in a cold, cold room, with cold, cold water.  Yesterday's visit did NOT include a visit to the bathroom.

Yesterday's visit included Naomi getting a smoothie (strawberry banana), Adam getting a strawberry smoothie, Mark getting a malted frappe with mocha ice cream, and me getting a penuche sundae (yum).  No visit is complete without candy.  Our house is a taffy free home, but we did pick up two pounds for my parents.  We did score some molasses sponge candy and other tasty treats.

Over Night Camp Prep

So, my oldest is going to overnight camp for three weeks this summer.  I never went to overnight camp.  I don't feel like I missed anything; however I know lots of people who LOVED LOVED LOVED their overnight camp experience, and I hope M loves his.

So, now that I am the mom, I am in charge of gathering the items needed.  I just assumed I would throw in some shorts, t-shirts, bathing suits and flip flops in a "bag" and be done.  Needless to say, I was clueless. 

Luckily this camp has a short required list. .  . three camp shirts and two pairs of camp shorts.  Reasonably priced.  Not bad.  Then the list of stuff, and the quantities. . . . . shorts, shirts, flip flops.  And then the flash light (oh - he needs one), and a shower caddy (oh yeah that too).  And shampoo, and toothbrushes, and tooth paste, and PJ's. . . . and a stadium seat without metal arms (huh?).  And three small plastic containers to store "small items." 

And stationary, and pre-addressed, pre-stamped envelopes.

And some baseball caps

and some swim goggles

and a laundry bag;

and a pillow, sheets and camp comforter.

None of these things are impossible.  But, now I am busy gathering them (and a bag or two), and then I will start labeling, in both sharpie marker and regular label.  With the hope that lost items will find their way back to Mr. M BEFORE we leave camp on pick up day.

Wish me luck folks.

The End is Near!

So for months you have heard about our plans to add onto the house and renovate the kitchen, the first floor bathroom and Naomi's room.  You have read about our plans, and our meals and our adventures.  Well, I am happy to report that we are nearly complete with our project.  I can almost taste it in my mouth.

We now have a working sink in the new kitchen.  The cabinets are up. . . knobs are being placed.  The ovens are in, but not yet functional.  The lights are not in yet.  But they are on site.

So, we went from . . . .

An ugly crowded 1980 kitchen.  That the cabinets no longer closed, and the drawer next to the oven never fully opened, due to the stove's pull bar.  And ugly brown tile as backsplash.  And an ugly blue counter.  (I would say I am sorry to the person who is reading this blog who designed said kitchen, but I am pretty sure they aren't reading this blog.)

To:

I will post other photos when the whole thing is complete.  But this is best view yet.

Help Support Project Manna!!!!!!

The 23^rd Annual Project Manna Concert will be held on May 16,^, 2012 at Temple Emanuel of Newton, Massachusetts.  This concert is a collaborative effort of Temple Emanuel and the Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church of Cambridge.  All proceeds go to Project Manna, the Church’s hot meals program and food pantry, serving approximately 150 meals a week, providing nutritional assistance to over 200 families.

The concert was founded in 1989 to unite two communities of faith in a celebration of Gospel and Jewish music. This year’s event promises to deliver exciting performances from many local choirs including the Boston Community Choir (a.k.a. the Boston Pops Gospel Choir), led by Brother Dennis Slaughter, the Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church Choir, the Temple Emanuel Adult Choir, the New England Conservatory Gospel Choir, the ShenaniGanns of Gann Academy, the Nashir Choir of Needham’s Temple Aliyah and the Love Tones, an a cappella Gospel ensemble from the Myrtle Baptist Church.

The concert will be held at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, Massachusetts on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 7:30 PM.  Tickets for the concert will be $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.  For more information, please visit  http://www.templeemanuel.com/projectmannaconcert. 

This is a wonderful concert, but even more so, Project Manna helps people in need, whether they are single adults or families.  Even if you can't attend the concert, please send a donation.  Every dollar matters, especially when so many people need help.  Providing a warm meal is very important.  If you can give $5, please give $5, and if you can give $100, please give $100.  Every dollar collected is vital to this program.

Email me with any questions.