It's an Inside Job by Wendy

Update on Lily's Travels in Ghana

2010-11-17T16:23:00.000-08:00

As a lot of you know, Lily is taking a gap year before she goes to college. Unlike her older brother who is doing the traditional track and is now a bona fide math major. We all know he got it from me!! Anyway, Lily is in Africa with her friend Alex and they are volunteering for 3 months at a day care center in the remote hills outside of Accra, Ghana. We armed her with a Blackberry before she left, as well as a very bitchin' camera which "screams rich white girl". All the pictures she has sent are from her PDA and when I get them I open quickly with excitement to see little glimpses into a world I know nothing about. So, here are some pics she has forwarded:

My soon to be high school grad!!

2010-05-30T06:19:00.000-07:00

Time for a new photo! Vintage Fairfield Beach Scene.

2010-05-11T17:23:00.000-07:00

It's beginning to look a lot like spring!

2010-03-08T19:49:00.001-08:00

A long winter coming to an end......

2010-03-06T06:48:00.000-08:00

He was a cutie! The perfect snowman and made with love by me and my friend Jackie.   Two 50+ women out in the front yard building "our friend" as the neighborhood kids looked on in curiosity.   They wondered what are "they" doing?   As they worked on their small and simple snow structures, the moms down the street were busy rolling up big balls of snow. They probably wondered if they were really moms since they don't get out and play ball in the street with those bigger children that live with them.   After a few back breaking struggles to lift up the head it landed securely on top.   Then came the packing of snow for a solid body and the search for twigs to use as arms.   At last, I pulled out the famous Snow Man Kit which sits in the hall closet on the top shelf every winter waiting to be used. All inclusive hat, eyes, wooden carrot for a nose, buttons, scarf and the smile with pipe.   He was The Man.

The next day the street was donned with all sizes and shapes of snow structures but I really think ours had the most character! How sad it was when I drove down the street on my way home from work that afternoon and saw him toppled over, face first in the yard.    I know it was those two hooligans from around the corner who just could deal with the temptation to push him over.   Okay, so I don't have any proof but in my heart I know it wasn't a natural death!   It was too suspicious and the sun hadn't been warm enough to do the job.

A Buddhist's opportunity to appreciate impermanence and detachment.

Mrs. Kravitz's opportunity to scheme about what really happened.

Dias de la Muertas

2009-11-01T18:49:00.000-08:00

To all those family members who have been promoted to the next life.

Visit to the Cloisters in NYC

2009-08-22T21:23:00.000-07:00

Went to the Cloisters last week - finally. Always wondered about it and I'm so glad I took the time to visit. Janet and I are doing a weekly excursion to various places of either creative, spiritual or mental inspiration. I will be blogging every week regarding these "field trips" and hopefully it will get me back in the blogging zone. I miss my creative outlet of writing for the sake of sharing to anyone who either stumbles onto my page or friends that I miss and haven't found the time to keep in touch with. A lot is happening in our household these days and I have many life changes on the horizon. I imagine that blogging will help give me an outlet to express the fears, anger and frustration that accompanies change. My love to all. Wendy

Been A While but now I'm inspired again.

2009-06-21T20:36:00.000-07:00

So, we went on a walk in the woods and came across this swampy area and it was obvious that the beavers had a plan. I loved the symmetry of this tree trunk and wonder if when i go back the next time if it will still be standing. I'll let you know.

Don't Worry - You are Safe Now!!

2009-03-29T17:20:00.000-07:00

What ever that means! How many times do we questions ourselves regarding either things we might have done, things we didn't do, things we're not sure about and things we are thinking about doing? Life is a journey and we are ALL just along for the ride. Wouldn't be nice if could all get along with eachother? But there is always going to be times when we let someone down or they let us down or we fall short of expections. Need to be careful of those damned expectations! Truly an opportunity for resentments, disappointments and insomnia.

Santa Claus on Holiday in Sono!

2008-12-01T06:32:00.001-08:00

To anyone out there!

Since I haven't been blogging too much lately, the Season is upon us as you know....I thought that it was appropriate to share with you my recent Santa siting in SoNo! Now here's a character for you all who don't know or recognize him. A known local in the Norwalk, CT area but to me, well I prefer to think of him as Santa incognito! Well, he didn't fool me that's for sure, although he did try to tell me his name is Zarzan. Yea, like I totally believe him. Although when he gave me his business card, which described his business as "acting, drums, artwork, poetry, keyboards" I knew then that for sure I had the right guy. Come on, I know the code words for elf assignments when I see them! Who's who trying to fool anyway?

2008-11-05T17:57:00.000-08:00

This too shall pass - Here today, Gone tomorrow!

2008-11-05T17:46:00.000-08:00

The Big Red Tree

2008-10-18T05:21:00.000-07:00

There in the woods

Stood a big red tree

With its branches out

And its leaves in the free

No one there had a doubt

That this big red tree

Would ever shout.

Years ago in Catholic elementary school I wrote this simple poem. My grade was C- and I was crushed. I thought it was so great and insightful.

Now as a mature woman in my Goddess stage of life, I realize that all my "shouting" for acceptance from others was futile. All I needed was a Higher Power and I would find my voice and then be heard.

To all the wonderful friends that I have in my life today - I celebrate your inner big red tree!!

2008-09-09T17:52:00.000-07:00

New York Skyline on a Clear Day! We drove into Flushing, NY from CT to goto the U.S. Open! It was a gorgeous day and not a cloud in the sky. But my "city" heart is still in L.A.

Morphing into "What"?

2008-08-27T20:25:00.000-07:00

Exhausted. Sad. Excited. Scared. Curious. Tired. Frustrated. Lonely. Overwhelmed. Uptight. Free. Angry. Lost. Tearful. Sore.

All packed and somewhere to go!

2008-08-24T06:52:00.000-07:00

The dumpster runneth over - boxes line our halls and living areas - and the tears keep coming. I'm going to miss this home where so many memories, good and not so good have been created. Therefore, the first plan for today (since they don't load the truck till tomorrow) is....when the going gets tough, the tough go pamper! Me and Lil are going for the pedi-mani cure! Hugs out to my "peeps" who read this. xoxxo

What a tangled web we weave!

2008-08-21T15:39:00.000-07:00

Busy lives, hectic lifestyles, shopping for stuff. As we are in the process of decluttering our lives and moving into a smaller more manageable house and property, I am acutely aware of the excess of unnecessary items I have acquired. In addition, how hard it is to let go of things. I struggle with just throwing away something to putting it aside because someone could use it. May I always remember how truly blessed I am with good people in my life.

Back From CA

2008-07-23T05:29:00.000-07:00

Santa Clara University was beautiful. What a gorgeous campus, nice facilities and I met some nice "parents". It was great to see my old friend Dori and her two kids Sophia & Grant. Sophia was in the jacuzzi with her friend and I heard her say "Did you see the boy yet?" Then she paused, took a deep breath and told her "He's sooo cute!" Oh my God I wanted to die. From then on she was completely enamored with Max. Here's a photo of Max and Sophia at the beach in Santa Cruz. Love you to all!

The Lily's are in Bloom

2008-07-05T21:50:00.000-07:00

More and more blooms this year - so much rain has made things alive!!
I'm taking a lot of photos of my flowers this year since I know it will be the last year in this house. A bitter sweet exercise in appreciation and gratitude.

Time again for corn from the farm stand!

2008-07-04T20:01:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!!!

Not really. Not really unhappy either. I did get out on my mountain bike for the first time in a long long time and that was nice. It was actually a very weird day. Went to a great women's meeting this a.m. but I ended up finding out things that I wish I didn't know about another person. The weight of another's truth is heavy in my heart. My good friend has a rough journey facing her in a failed marriage and my heart want's to help but it's not my journey. She's been a rock to me in many many ways when she didn't even try to be anything but true to herself. I'm also angry that some - that many - people just can't be trusted.

It's been quiet in my home without my kids around. They are growing up and seem to be gone 85% of the time. I better start getting use to it and figure out what I should be doing with my time since it seems I'm no longer a full time mom. I miss my kids. Uh oh.

I need technical assistance!

2008-06-25T18:30:00.001-07:00

I've read the two most lovely responses on my blog from Jackie and Robin! And I can't figure out how to respond back so I'm just going to do it this way.

Your comments brought tears to my eyes and a smile on my face all at the same time. What wonderful things to read and know that you guys truly mean it from the heart. My Max is a very lucky young man!! One day you'll see how challenging, difficult, amazing and wonderful it is to be a mom. It was something I always wanted to be - I think you guys know that when I was 18 I got pregnant and just knew in my gut that I needed to have the baby. So at 19 I gave birth to a little girl born 7/7/78 at 8:07 and she was 7 lbs. 8 oz. When I met Jon 10 years later I knew I was going to have his children. And one day surprise surprise here comes Max. I wasn't very excited at first since that meant I was going to be pregnant on my wedding day (I already had my dress). Then 4 months after returning from our honeymoon - we moved from CA to CT and Max was born on Halloween! He was special from the very first moment and I protected him from everything I could control. Now he's almost 18 and ready to leave CT for college in CA and I think I'm having some issues of letting go and I don't even realize it. What a strange cycle of life. You ladies are amazing women and I am so glad that you are a part of his life, but also that you are a part of mine! I love you.

A NEW DAY!!

2008-06-25T18:11:00.001-07:00

Peonies are my favorite!

Well, it's amazing the difference a day can make! It must be something lunar since it seems like every loose end has started to come together. Finally we found a house that is pretty close to perfect for us. It will be a down size that accomplishes almost all of the criteria we need to fulfill. Same school for Lily, nice interior, vintage but updated, great paint colors and the list goes on. Also a lead on a great sounding job so I'll keep "my blog" updated. PEACE

2008-06-22T08:09:00.000-07:00

I feel I have no "purpose". Sure I'm a wife - to a grown man who has his own bag of tricks and issues. A mother - to two teens who could give a shit about me and need to forage their own path in the world. A very part-time employee in an industry that is economically challenged. A sponsor who is close to a drink. And a daughter to two deceased parents. I'm not in a great place today.

Yankee's Win!!!

2008-06-21T16:26:00.000-07:00

Good friends - free tickets - great parking - great seats - total rainbow - full moon - AND THE YANKEES WIN!!! What more could you ask for?

Graduation Day!!!

2008-06-09T06:41:00.000-07:00

It was hotter than Hades and those poor Prep boys had to wear tuxedos in an un-airconditioned gymnasium!! But did they look handsome! Especially my baby boy, Max.

Stay where your feet are!

2008-06-05T06:11:00.000-07:00

Today and just for today.... I'm going to try to "practice mindfulness".

The reason being is that yesterday for the third or fourth time in about a month, I locked my keys in the car. And although I had put my keys on a lanyard to hang around my neck (so I would remember them before exiting the vehicle) instead, I left them sitting on the passenger seat. Fortunately, several days ago a rear passenger had opened the side wing window. After getting a hanger from the drycleaner I was able to slide my forearm through the 2.5" opening and fish them off the front seat. This took about 20 minutes and fortunately I was laughing but in the end I realized that my "system" needed revamping.

So I share with you my new system:

2008-05-31T21:05:00.000-07:00

Don't mess with wild turkeys!!! Especially these strutting males!

Clematis Blossom

2008-05-31T20:57:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago I planted clematis and its finally blooming! Spring in Ct is very special - I figure it's God way of throwing up a bone since we had to put up with winter.

First Posting

2008-05-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

Well I guess I have arrived! This is my intro into the world of blogging. I know nothing about it, have never gone to a blog site nor have I ever been invited to one. So for all of you oldtimers who know about this blogging thing - be patient with me till I have it figured out.

I would like to thank the dear sweet Jackie for introducing me to this concept. She is out at the Prep Senior Prom with Max right now and can't wait to show her what I've done. Here is a picture of them before they left for the Prom. She looked beautiful and he was handsome. They were very happy!