People are like stained glass windows.

They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,

but when the darkness sets in,

their true beauty is revealed only if there

is a light from within.

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Chilly, rainy day at the Bronx Zoo

Waiting on line for the Polar Express in 4D

Peacocks on the wall

Tiger on the prowl

 The weather wasn't the best

but we made the most of it and had lots of fun. 

Nana, Shawn, Kyla, Alfie, and I spent a few hours

checking out the limited amount of animals

that were out in the open.
(I forgot my camera so I took these with my phone.)

Just one of those days....

Wanted to call you today to say I love you, but another woman has your old number (I do call it periodically and then hang up on the person).  The post office has no forwarding address. I guess heaven is just too far away.  I love you and I miss you. You are in my heart always. Loved ones are gone but never ever forgotten.

We miss you Laura & Sierra. 

Have fun together!

Connect with your deceased loved ones

During the holiday season, it's often very difficult for those of us who have lost our loved ones. Try to take time out of your day to be alone and either write a letter to your deceased loved one, make a journal entry, or just speak to him or her out loud. If your energy is directed to them, they will hear you.


I talk to Laura all the time. It really helps me! Remember, they still love you so much and are okay. They want you to be okay too.


Merry Christmas

Grave Blanket

How do you explain beautiful roses in December?

Look what I discovered in December 
at the shore house--
My rose bush still had many flowers on it!

There were buds and full blossoms on the plant.
I feel like the bush waited for me to enjoy it
one last time before it went to sleep for the winter!
Thanks Laura!

The holidays are very hard on those

who have lost loved ones.

We often remember going shopping for them

and spending the holidays with them.

This is the perfect time to ask them to give us a

"without a doubt sign" so we know

without a doubt they are with us.

I knew "without a doubt" my daughter

was with me when I saw the roses.

Sunday in the City

Barbara & Claudia

both privileged to enter a new decade

Fred & Claudia

Barbara & John

9/11 Memorial

Tree that survived

St Patrick's Cathedral

Manager displaying the newest member--a dog!

Rockefeller Center 2011

 Swarovski Star 2011

The 2011 Swarovski Star's 12 rays are outfitted with 720 LED bulbs on 3,000 feet of wire to create a dazzling, twinkling effect through customized light sequencing programmed by a complex computer system. Comprised of 25,000 crystals, with 1,000,000 facets, the Star measures 9 ½ feet in diameter and is 1 ½ feet deep. The Star weighs 550 pounds, including 300 pounds of crystal panels, and is composed of six outer rays and six smaller inner rays.

Saks 5th Avenue

My Girls

SIERRA & LAURA

Our Princess Pup--Sierra

Today, November 25, 2011,

 we had to say goodbye to

another family member,

Sierra, our beloved dog.

She was a wonderful friend

and companion for 14 years.

She gave us years of love

and devotion.

Today we had to honor her

and make the humane choice

 for her no matter how much

it tore our hearts.

She is now with Laura.

We will miss her dearly.

Sierra snuggling with Laura's Winnie the Pooh blanket

Celebrity Cruise

We arrived home today.  The week went so fast; it seems like it was over in a flash.  We had loads of fun together with Judy & Lou.  More to come later...but in the meantime take a peek below.

Remembering Pat

Today is Pat's 5th anniversary of her Angel Day. 

To Jim, Pat, Erin, Michael, Megan, & Kerrin

You are not alone today

Nor will you be tomorrow

For warmest thoughts of those who care

Are with you in your sorrow

And may it comfort you to know

Your loved ones are thought of too

By everyone who shares the loss

Of one so dear to you

Pat, you are missed by many people who 

were fortunate to know you.

You will continue to shine brightly in many hearts.

Partial view of headstone

Yesterday we went to the cemetery

to see the monument.  It is truly amazing!

It is a wonderful tribute to our daughter, Laura.

Even the granddogs came with us! I know

Laura loved that they visited her resting place.

(We all know she isn't there;

she is roaming freely in the Heaven.)

I am so happy that we perserved and

found a monument office that would do

exactly as we wanted.

The artwork is a replica of my draft.

As you can see the artist, Michael, 

 is extremely talented.

Thank you Michael.

We whole-heartedly recommend

Koch Monuments  in Hackensack, NJ.

Mike listened to us and exhibited not only 

patience but caring too.  He knew how much

the personalization of the monument meant to us. 

All the symbols have special meanings

 for Laura and us.

Mike, we appreciate your expertise

 and kindness you shared with us.

It is BEAUTIFUL!  THANK YOU

We love and miss you Laura.

One day we will be together again.

Louie & Jackson

Shawn & Kyla's birthdays

  

Headstone

The headstone was delivered to the cemetery today!
We are going to pay a visit to Laura's resting place tomorrow.
I know just her human body rests there.  She is
busy keeping the Universe on its toes.

CONSUMER REPORTS

is turning '75 years bold'

and they want you

there with them to celebrate!

Join CR for a free, two-day celebration Oct. 28-29 at Grand Central Terminal in New York City. You’ll get a special look inside their state-of-the art testing labs, meet the experts and even see how they test products right there on the spot.

Check out the details here – and get ready to party!
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2011/10/consumer-reports-celebrates-its-75th-anniversary/index.html#Annual_meeting_&_exhibit

The featured event Friday will focus on the safety of our nation’s food supply. From salmonella in chicken to Bisphenol A in canned food, Consumer Reports’ lab tests and critical reporting has helped inform consumers about dangers in our food.

The panel of experts will expand on current national food safety issues, and what needs to happen to make sure your family is protected.

If you’re in a more festive mood, consider purchasing a ticket to attend the Friday night reception and dinner, where you will meet the President and Board of Directors. Or sit in on the Saturday annual meeting to learn more about CR's yearly achievements.

Check out the schedule of events.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2011/10/consumer-reports-celebrates-its-75th-anniversary/index.html#Annual_meeting_&_exhibit

If you can’t make it, but know someone in the area who might be interested, please forward the information to them.

And thank you for your continued support as CR continues working for a fair, safe, and just marketplace for the consumer!

Headstone completed!

We stopped by to look at the headstone today and was surprised to see it is finished.  It looks so beautiful.  I am sure Laura approves. Tomorrow I hope to hear when it will be moved to the cemetery. I will keep you posted.

http://www.kochmonument.com/

You could have powered a locomotive with the steam that came out of me today. I haven't been this angry in a long time!


I just have to remind myself that everything in this life is temporary.

Headstone update

At last, it is almost completed!

Fred and I are so happy that we took our time
designing it and followed our instincts on selecting a monument company to work with.

It is truly a work of art and a wonderful
tribute to all three of us. 

It is beautiful, unique, and very personal.


More to come next week...
http://www.kochmonument.com/

Summer in October

What a spectacular day at the beach! 

You would never know it is October 9. 

The water was fabulous at 67 degrees. 

Lot's of people and dogs in the water.

  I couldn't resist catching waves

so fully clothed I made the plunge.

  I wish I had my boogie board.  

The waves were superb.   

There was a natural wading pool for the kids

and then a wide sand bar

before the wave area.

It was a perfect day.