tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61211759536588276342024-03-13T07:07:22.433-04:00As Cape Cod TurnsAs Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.comBlogger895125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-27998643053464035282018-12-26T22:49:00.000-05:002018-12-26T23:00:37.450-05:00Our Turn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bobby and I took my brother, Tommy, into Dana Farber today for his radiation and chemo. It has been a day I have been looking forward to in a weird way. He has had 4 other chemo days and has been going to radiation 5 days a week since after Thanksgiving. I have been working on those days so other family members have taken him. Today was our day! </div>
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<i>We passed Fenway Park on our way in to the city.</i></div>
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Radiation was pretty quick so we waited in the cafeteria for over an hour. Tommy cannot taste anything and has sores in his mouth and throat, both things making it very difficult to eat or want to eat. His go to is tapioca pudding and apple juice.<br />
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We took a walk through the healing garden. It was very peaceful and made me feel better. Tommy's left cheek is swollen and red from the radiation which is making it hard to talk and smile.<br />
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We got to meet his adorable Dr (when did Drs get so young?). He has a house on the Cape, so of course we bribed him with lobster and clams. Dr was pleased with the progress and sent us on to chemo.<br />
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There is something to be said for seeing your brother hooked up to different drugs, one being called "poison" and acting like it is natural and normal. I did what I could, but mostly we just hung out, amused him with a few stories and one of us had a nap.</div>
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People often call people fighting cancer brave. Tommy is brave, but the things that impressed me the most was his kindness. He was polite to everyone. He engaged in conversations about Christmas with his nurses. He offered a woman his chair. He asked his Doctor to come out to the waiting room to meet us. He thanked everyone. He is awesome. I am more than impressed and proud of his integrity.<br />
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When you are in a hospital all day, you forget about time and the outside world. I happened to take a trip to the bathroom at sunset. It was beautiful and gave me hope.<br />
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When we went to the valet to get the car, the 3 of us were waiting in a circle (triangle). I looked down and in the middle of us on the floor was a shiny penny. I know that that was a sign from our friend MJ who died when he was 16 and we were in our late teens/twenties. We will take all the signs and prayers we can get to cure Tommy of this sucky disease.As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-72810359721424491032018-12-02T11:29:00.000-05:002018-12-02T11:29:13.029-05:00No More TeensWhen I began this blog, B was 9, K was 10. You and I have watched them grow through this online journal of sort. For many, many years, my moniker was mom to two teens. Well guess what? Those tweens that became teens are now officially both in their twenties. That's right! B is 20 today. I'll wait for another time to discuss how weird it is to have a 20 and 21 year old. Today, we celebrate B!<br />
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Dear Cookie,<br />
You have really come into your own this year! You have always been determined to get things done, but this year I have noticed you taking your own future in your hands. You are not afraid to ask for help which is such a sign of maturity.<br />
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Of course I had to read all the birthday posts that I have written for you over the past 10 years. They are all similar. I mention your smile, your laugh, your singing and your inside and out beauty. However, looking at pictures of you, I realized how cute you are in hats!! Quite the fashionista :) Maybe Santa will bring you a new one!<br />
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Love you honey! Hope this year is the best one yet!!<br />
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<br />As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-56279537088181619292018-11-19T21:37:00.001-05:002018-11-19T21:37:14.871-05:00Judy Blume Did Not Prepare Me For ThisMy favorite tshirt is one I got a Sparklecorn party in 2010. It was one of the many parties at Blogher and I believe that year we were in NYC. The front of it says,<br />
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<i>JUDY BLUME DID NOT PREPARE ME FOR THIS</i><br />
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It relates in so many ways. I wore it painting a bedroom, I wore it to physical therapy, I've worn it to the beach, on walks, to bed. I chuckle whenever I wear it because Judy Blume was my favorite author growing up and she taught me a lot, just not everything.<br />
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My brother has cancer.<br />
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Again.<br />
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I feel like living in this tshirt. WTF? My little brother who I am suppose to take care of and protect has a disease that I can do nothing about. He had cancer 15 years ago. He had radiation to shrink the tumor in his sinus, then had it operated on, healed and rode his bike every year to raise money for cancer research. After the 5 year mark and especially the 10 year mark, when it did not come back, we all breathed a sigh of relief.<br />
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And sort of forgot about his cancer.<br />
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Then this summer, he had a sore on the roof of his mouth. It seems like a blur from the beginning of September to now, but it included an ENT, MRI, 2nd opinions and a 6 1/2 hour surgery to remove the tumor sitting at the base of his sinus cavity reaching into his mouth and 49 lymph nodes. He is currently trying to gain some weight back before he starts radiation and chemo.<br />
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There are a few blatant ironies rearing their ugly heads. One is that the treatment (radiation) that helped him in his first battle with cancer has caused his second battle with cancer. And there is no way for him to avoid radiation again. Two, he has raised 10's of thousands of dollars for Dana Farber Cancer Institute over the past 11 years riding in the Pan Mass Challenge. Last year alone, he raised $30,000. Now he is being treated by the very doctors he and his riding are supporting.<br />
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He is starting radiation and chemo after Thanksgiving for 6 + weeks. I thank God for the support of family, friends and strangers. However, I am scared, we are all scared. The what if's are huge and I do not have Judy's phone number to ask her to write us a book on this topic. I guess, my tshirt and faith will have to pull us through.<br />
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He's done it before, he can do it again. Here is to Tommy kicking cancer's ass.<br />
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<br />As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-17578272919521813102018-05-06T08:07:00.000-04:002018-05-06T08:07:43.790-04:00K is 2121 years ago, I gave birth for the first time to a beautiful red head with a swirl of hair at the top of her head. The nurses insisted that she would have curly hair. Boy were they right! The didn't mention that my little red head would be strong willed. When K was around 2, I remember telling the pediatrician that she was strong willed and would not give up trying to do pretty much anything until she succeeded. The pediatrician assured me that as hard as that trait was as a toddler, it was going to be an asset when she got older. I could not agree more!<br />
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K, as you embark on your year of being "legal", do not ever forget that determined little girl you once were. You can move mountains with your strength (Ok, maybe not a mountain, but you get where I am going). You are thriving and surviving on the other side of the country. You work, go to school, and still manage to have time on the beach and to hang with your friends. I feel that our relationship is stronger despite the miles between us. I am so grateful for that and for you!<br />
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<br />As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-26707524449617551342017-12-02T22:23:00.000-05:002017-12-02T22:23:43.911-05:00It's B's BirthdayDear Birthday Girl B,<br />
19.<br />
Wow.<br />
It is hard to imagine that you are 19 when I still think of you around this age.<br />
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I am glad that H and I could surprise you at college last night! Speaking of college, I know that the beginning was really hard for you. I know how hard it was for you to "adult" on your own. It's hard managing living on your own (laundry, meals, keeping your own room) AND friends, schoolwork and managing that free time. But you have done it! And that is what you need to be proud of. Many things that are hard to accomplish are more appreciated in the long run. Less than 2 weeks and you are finished with semester number 1! That is unbelievable!! You have rocked it, well maybe not every day, but many days. It was fun to hang out with you and your friends today. I am blessed and overjoyed to be your mom. And believe it or not, all this college business was just as hard for me as it was for you!<br />
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I love you !!!!As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-38447464959016646092017-09-19T18:55:00.000-04:002017-09-19T18:55:20.106-04:00No Way JoseI've always loved a good storm. There is a certain electricity in the air, lots of excitement around town and usually news reporters since we live out on the "elbow" of Cape Cod. Recent storms like Harvey and Irma were not "good storms". The flooding, death and destruction was tragic. A good Cape Cod storm is a strong Nor'Easter which is what "they" are predicting Hurricane Jose to be. No one is boarding up shops or houses, there is not a run on water, but people have moved or REmoved boats. I went out this afternoon to take some pre-storm photos. The problem with a strong storm around this time of the year is that a lot of leaves fall off the trees and the salt water flying through the air causes a lot of fall flowers to die. Here's a little taste of pre-Jose.....<br />
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<i>Hazel's, always ready for a party</i></div>
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<i>Riptide</i></div>
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<i>Skiffs piled up</i></div>
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As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-45678969073695100862017-08-20T19:59:00.003-04:002017-08-20T19:59:58.472-04:00K On Her Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>First Day of Kindergarten complete with butterfly</i></div>
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This girl has always done things her way. They may not always be the easiest way or the conventional way, but she perseveres and gets what she wants. Tomorrow she starts college in California, 2 years after she graduated high school. She took her time, followed her heart and will be a full time working college student. I wish I was there to buy you your first day of school outfit and your new backpack, K, like I was all those other years. I think you will make new friends, learn lots of new things and grow in unimaginable ways. I am so very proud of you.<br />
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<br />As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-23856783717068994442017-05-14T16:04:00.000-04:002017-05-14T16:04:47.840-04:00Thoughts on Mother's DayMother's Day has given my some time to think about moms. I love being a mom. Seriously, I could not even think of a better job to do. Not even having to taste test M&M's or chocolate chip ice-cream all day would be a better job. I simply just love being a mom. So, I have been wondering how a person such as myself who did not like babysitting and was not really "comfortable" around little kids when I was younger turned into a person who loves being a mom. I would say it has to do with the people that came before me.<br />
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Now, before I start, do not get me wrong. Everybody has flaws and no one's life is perfect. I am taking the best of each "mom" here and how they influenced me for the best.<br />
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My mom's mom, also known as Nanny or Bernice was part of my life until my mid twenties. I do not often remember her smiling, but I do remember little things that make me think she cared about us a lot. She and my grandfather had a house on Lake Winnepesauke in NH. She always made sure that there was a little present on our beds when we arrived. For me it was usually a bag of M&Ms and a Trixie Beldon or Nancy Drew book. Sometimes it was comic books. For lunch she would make us Peanut Butter and Fluff sandwiches, with chips and Mountain Dew. She always baked congo bars or chocolate cake before we came, too. One time when I was sick at her house, she made a pulley system from my bed to the door with a cup on it. She would put m&ms in it and I would pull it over to the bed.<br />
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My dad's mom, also known as Grandma or Eleanor, was also around until my mid twenties. Where my Nanny lacked in emotion, my Grandma made up for it. She was always smiling. She would take us bowling and then we would take her on a mystery ride on the way home. How she knew how to find our house without GPS is a miracle because we would take her all over town. She loved Maine as much as me. We could sit on the beach for hours playing games, body surfing or tanning. One time when I was in college and she and I were at our house in Maine before the rest of my family came for the summer, we had a bad thunder and lightening storm in the middle of the night. I was petrified and sat on a stool in the middle of the family room ready to run when the nearest tree came down. She somehow knew I was sitting there and came out to reassure me and help me see the beauty in the storm.<br />
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My mom is the mom everyone wanted growing up. She was at all of our games, recitals etc. She was the mom to go to for chocolate chip cookies. She volunteered in the school, She was happy to have our friends to our house. She was and is always good for a hug and an 'I told you so'. She did not give us everything we wanted growing up, but helped us with solutions for how to get it. We spent every summer in Ogunquit, Maine with her while my dad came up on weekends. We all spent every winter weekend at Waterville Valley ski racing. She did not like to ski, but liked being there to warm our toes and give us a good lunch before sending us back out for afternoon training. She still is our biggest cheerleader and is now her grandchildrens' biggest cheerleader. She also has a great sense of a humor and a laugh that K can imitate to a tee. She has certainly taught me how to find the humor in every situation, good or bad.<br />
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I often feel badly that I cannot give my girls everything that they want, that I cannot do more for them. I feel badly that we cannot go on great vacations or that I cannot buy them all that they want or deserve. However, looking back on my memories of my role models, I see that that is not necessarily what's most important. Don't get me wrong, money helps, but in this case it is certainly not everything. I did not write about the expensive things that each bought me, I did not write about jetting off across the world with them, I did not write about them buying me a brand new Mercedes when I turned 16, mostly because those things did not happen. The things that immediately came to my memory was the compassion, the love, the hugs and the caring. The just being available and making me believe that I was important and cherished was what counted. I only hope that one day, my girls can see that this empathy, love, caring is the one gift I can give them that does not cost a thing, but is the most sincere. So, I will end with a big thank-you to my role models and an even bigger thank-you to B and K for giving me the opportunity to have the best job in the whole world.As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-83961949445054654772017-05-06T11:26:00.000-04:002017-05-06T11:26:54.396-04:00Not a Teenager Any MoreK,<br />
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20. Holy crap. How did that happen?<br />
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When I look at you, I still see this:<br />
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But in reality, you are a beautiful young lady making it on your own. Oh, I know that you have ideas and plans and things that you think you should be doing right now. However, take a look through my eyes. You have taken up residency 3000 miles away from home. You get yourself to work every day, you pay your bills, you grocery shop for yourself, you go to the beach whenever you can and you pay your rent. Extremely impressive. I know you don't see it that way because you get tangled up in "shoulds". Should haves, could haves and would haves can trip you up. Believe me, it has taken me many years to figure that one out.<br />
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So, as you embark on your 20s, have some goals in mind, but don't forget to sit back and smell the ocean,<br />
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remember how many people love you for you,<br />
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and that no matter what coast your are on, your mom is still your number 1 fan.<br />
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Happy Birthday sweet bun-nay.<br />
I love you<br />
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As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-48329738777215756142017-04-25T19:01:00.001-04:002017-04-25T19:01:14.918-04:00Happy Birthday MOM!!It's my mom's birthday today!!! I am extremely lucky to be friends with my parents. They are the greatest! My mom's favorite color is yellow. I guess it started way back when.....<br />
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She loves wearing yellow too,<br />
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Here is a composition of all things yellow from our trip to Paris 10 years ago.<br />
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And for her birthday, she picked out this yellow raincoat which has come in handy on this rainy day. Here are my adorable parents going out for a fancy dinner tonight, just the 2 of them.<br />
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Hope this year brings you all things wonderful, Mom!!As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-52279979290778804872017-04-23T16:53:00.000-04:002017-04-23T16:53:07.055-04:00Whales: Where Art ThouThere are an abundance of right whales off the coast of Cape Cod right now. I heard that of the 500 or so in the world, about 1/2 of them are around Provincetown. For whatever reason, there is more than the usual amounts of krill and other little things that the whales like to eat. Being school vacation week, I had the opportunity to go to Ptown 3 times this week. I had my sister's huge telephoto lens. I was ready to get the details of the whales as they leapt out of the water. I already saw my whale picture on the cover of National Geographic. I was prepared!<br />
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This is what I got:<br />
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Now I am sure that will not suffice for the National Geographic cover or really your viewing pleasure. The water was Caribbean blue today, so I took some second place pictures while I was waiting for my whale to surface.<br />
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The seagull cooperated.<br />
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Herring Cove parking lot is about half the size after the past 2 winters.</div>
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Also Herring Cove.<br />
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I love taking pics of laundry lines. Why? I do not know, but always have.<br />
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Look at the color of that water! If only it was warmer out....<br />
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Anyone want to go on a whale watch with me? I'll bring the camera and the Dramamine.As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-79608084063981057432016-12-02T21:33:00.002-05:002016-12-02T21:33:50.634-05:00B's 18th<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">18 years ago today, I was laying in a hospital bed with my second daughter. When I realized that I was pregnant with her, I wondered how I would love another human being as much as my first born. Little did I realize that it was easy. Your heart grows and you love the second one just as much as the first one. I am sure if I was blessed with more children, it would be the same: my heart would just keep growing. </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have read what I have written about you, B, for the past 8 years and nothing much has changed. You still get my sense of humor and have actually adopted it for yourself. You are still a leader (hmm, captain of 2 swim teams). You still sing any chance you get (yes, I listen when you don't think I am. <u>Please</u> <u>don't</u> <u>stop</u>). You are still compassionate and kind and I love hanging with you and your friends. </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So B, all I have to offer is advice for your future. You have college to look forward to and whether or not your shoulders give up on you, you will still make wonderful memories. People gravitate toward you because you are fun to be around. You are polite, smart and caring. You sing like an angel and I hope you will always treasure that gift. And it is a gift; one that I was not blessed with, but appreciate so very much. So, whether you decide to teach Kindergarteners, walk on the moon or be a neuroscientist, I hope you will sing your way through every day. </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Know that I love you very much. You'll be surprised to know I have tears right now (haha). Know that I love every adventure and car ride we go on. And please know that I would give you the world if I could. The great thing is, whatever I cannot give you, I know that you will go out and get yourself. </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Happy Birthday Cookie</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love, Mama</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-9129255635557188852016-05-24T19:56:00.000-04:002016-05-24T19:56:25.670-04:00Kent's PointSome people go on walks to exercise. You see them in their workout clothes, some pumping their arms, some listening to music, some looking angry. The purpose is one of getting fit/staying fit.<br />
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Bobby and I go on a lot of walks. I would most definitely say they are not of the serious work out type. Ours are more of regrouping, finding new things, taking pictures, finding rocks, seaglass or shells. The fresh air and exercise are bonuses.<br />
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Today we went on a walk at Kent's Point in Orleans. I didn't bring my camera or my phone for that matter, so no pictures from me. What I noticed on today's walk was the smells and sounds. Of course they are 2 things that I cannot "show" you. The wildflowers smelled delicious, they were white. The marshy ocean area smelled heavenly and the lilac bushes were lovely to look at and smell. Throughout the whole walk, we could hear the waves hitting the outer beach. While things were relatively calm where we were, it is amazing to think of a stormy sea a few miles away. Then there were the birds. Or course, I am not a bird woman and have no idea which bird makes which sound except for the woodpecker that we could hear. The others just sounded like little songs matching the crunching of the leaves and pine under our feet.<br />
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The walk has a lot to offer in the fact that it is mostly wooded, but you can also walk on the beach and enjoy an inlet with many boats. Lots of people walk there with their dogs. So many people, that when we got there a woman with a lab asked us what type of dog we had with us. We were just there to take some breathes and catch up on our day.<br />
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<i>A shot from a fall walk at Kent's Point.</i></div>
<br />As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-18824842481553270422016-05-08T21:31:00.000-04:002016-05-08T21:31:03.217-04:00Wicked TulipsMy friend, Jen, introduced me to a place in Rhode Island that was offering tulip picking.<br />
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"Tulip picking?" I asked.<br />
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"Yes, as in acres of tulips and you can pick your own."<br />
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AWESOME!!<br />
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The "place" is called <a href="http://www.wickedtulips.com/" target="_blank">Wicked Tulips</a> and it is is Johnston, Rhode Island. I had been following their progress on FB and through their newsletters and when it came time to buy tickets, I jumped at the chance! I figured what a fun adventure and timing it with Mother's Day weekend, was an added bonus.<br />
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The five of us piled into my sister's car and headed to RI. I invited my mom, sister, my sister's mother-in-law and my 5 year old niece. The fog on the Cape and the heavy gray clouds in RI did not deter us. When we arrived at the farm, we were met by no less than 5 happy, helpful and friendly men directing us to park. We were ready with boots and a bucket and raincoats. The raincoats came in very handy when the skies opened up 10 minutes after we arrived. The farm offered us some umbrellas and off we went!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The view from the parking lot. I was giddy!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Let's DO this!</span></i></div>
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Thankfully, it only rained for about 10 minutes. I was itching to get my camera out from under my jacket! There was a section of tulips to pick and a show garden where you could look at the different types.
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Here is a sample.</span></i></div>
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My niece had a ball! If she wasn't picking flowers, she was running up and down the aisles or stomping in mud!<br />
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Wet or not, we were a happy crew! I hope these people continue this endeavor because we plan on making it an annual event. Honestly, I am not sure if I liked the picking better or taking the pictures!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">It's obvious, we love a camera (and tulips!)</span></i></div>
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<i>This is not a sponsored post. I was so grateful to find this farm and be able to enjoy it! You can buy tickets during the week right at the farm, but for the weekends you have to order them ahead of time. The tickets are $5 and the tulips are a dollar a stem. </i>As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-4937447954696324392016-05-06T14:16:00.000-04:002016-05-06T14:16:12.183-04:00Happy 19th K<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nineteen years ago, I was wearing a similar outfit to today which totally cracked me up when I realized it this morning. Leggings and a long shirt: my uniform of pregnancy and evidently my outfit today. Some old habits die hard. </div>
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Dear Kelsie,<br />
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What a year it has been for you!!! (and me, but I will try and make this most about you). While many of your classmates graduated and jumped to college, you took a different route. Honestly, you have rarely taken a traditional route and I applaud you, even though I have held my breath through many of your adventures.<br />
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You have worked on a commercial fishing boat at 4 in the morning, driven across the country, lived with a different family, found a job, commuted to said job and made a bunch of new friends. You have had to deal with plane reservations, a car accident, budgeting money, feeding yourself and doing your own laundry. You know how to make a plan and execute it. I am truly proud of all you have accomplished. I know that there were bumps in the road this winter and they were totally understandable. It's not easy adulting (even at 49).<br />
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Even though we now live 3000 miles away from each other, I am still your mom and your biggest supporter. I love you millions and cannot wait to see you next month!<br />
Happy Birthday Sweetie,<br />
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Love Mom<br />
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<br />As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-60396283062193026592015-12-02T17:26:00.000-05:002015-12-02T17:26:11.849-05:0017 reasonsTo B,<br />
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17 Reasons Why I Love you (on your 17th bday)<br />
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1. You're hysterical.<br />
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2. You're sarcastic.<br />
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3. You have a beautiful voice. I love listening to you sing and have loved it since you would stand in your crib singing every morning.<br />
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4. I love your laugh.<br />
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5. I love that you like going on photo shoots with me.<br />
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6. You are a dedicated athlete and student.<br />
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7. You are compassionate and empathetic.<br />
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8. You are <i>wicked smaht</i>!<br />
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9. You are a good friend.<br />
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10. You always try your hardest, unless it's reading english novels for class.<br />
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11. I love that we share a love for ICE-CREAM! (and laughing)<br />
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12. You are an excellent snuggler.<br />
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13. Your beautiful blue eyes.<br />
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14. If you are learning something new or trying something for the first time, you stick with it until you master it.<br />
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15. I love our talks.<br />
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16. I love that we can share shoes and jewelry.<br />
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17. You are an optimist.<br />
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You have a busy, exciting year coming up B! I am so looking forward to it! I love you gabillions :)<br />
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<br />As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-77481736321359314862015-08-06T19:53:00.001-04:002015-08-06T19:53:33.519-04:00"Leavin' On A Jet Plane"My daughter is one of the many from the class of 2015 that is not going to college right away. At first I was nervous because I thought this would give her an excuse never to go to college. I want her to go to college and experience all the things college has to offer (and no, not just the book smarts). She said she was not ready and compromising on a plan that would make both of us happy, she left for San Diego yesterday. No, she did not want to take an easier route and rent an apartment with friends from town, she wanted to go 3200 miles away to the opposite coast. This was a better solution than going to Costa Rica for 6 weeks which was one of her early ideas. The reason San Diego worked in my mind was because she was going to live with my sister's best friend (who is also my friend) and her family. They were moving out there from New Hampshire to start something new and graciously said that K could join them.<br />
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Everything was fine and dandy until my sister, K and I got to the airport. I mean her flight was on time, we checked her in like champs and then we had to say goodbye and watch her walk through security. That's when the following started going through my head:<br />
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*Does she know how much I love her?<br />
*Does she know how much her sister is going to miss her?<br />
*Have I taught her enough?<br />
*Will she remember to put her napkin on her lap when she eats out at a restaurant?<br />
*Have I taught her enough about doing laundry?<br />
*Or to put the colors all together?<br />
*Or that a dryer sheet will make your clothes smell good and not have static cling?<br />
*Or that a dryer sheet makes a good duster too?<br />
*Does she understand that she is moving from a quiet hamlet to a large city?<br />
*That she cannot walk around without having her purse zipped or know where her wallet is?<br />
*That she should always use the buddy system and never venture into unknown territory alone?<br />
*That she has a beautiful smile and is a wonderful, caring, smart, young woman?<br />
*Does she really know how to clean a shower? Or a toilet?<br />
*Does she believe me when I say, "have faith"?<br />
*Does she know how to make a boy realize that No means No?<br />
*Does she know not to fall for the first boy who calls her pretty?<br />
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This whole letting go of your "kid" is not easy. I know it is not suppose to be easy, but I was not expecting to feel like my heart was being pulled out of my body watching her turn and wave after going through security. Needless to say, I am so grateful to the Hines family for helping K break free of her safety net of Cape Cod. She will learn how to navigate the city, find a job and at some point make some friends and rent an apartment together. Or she will spend some time out there and find that it is not for her. Either way, I am ok with it because I am proud that she took the step to do something out of her comfort zone. Somehow that baby that we brought home from the hospital without instructions is on her way to becoming a full blown adult.<br />
And I could not be more proud of her!As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-39200496967942825462015-05-04T22:40:00.000-04:002015-05-04T22:49:49.763-04:00Happy Birthday K<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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18 years ago, I was as big as a house with my first baby. She made a point of being fashionably late and came more than a week after her "due date".<br />
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I had fun in going out to stores,<br />
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"Oh, when are you due?" strangers would ask while staring at my stomach.<br />
"6 days ago." I would answer and smile and walk past them; their mouths hanging open.<br />
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I went for plenty of beach walks (scratch that) waddles. I ate all the ice-cream I wanted. I had a handy shelf for my bowl when I sat down. She's lucky she didn't come out with a flat head where the bowl usually sat. I got a great base tan from sitting on my deck during that warm spring.<br />
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She finally arrived just after midnight on May 6th which was a smart move on her part. If she was born on Cinco de Mayo, her name would have been Juanita. At least that is what I was telling the doctor and nurses. I was in so much pain, but could still crack a joke.<br />
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Now in 2 days she will be 18. The age where most teenagers "think" they are an adult. They can think it, the law can tell them it, but are they really? How can she be when every time I look at her....<br />
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I still see her when I first changed her diaper,<br />
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I see her sliding down the backyard slide with her cousin at 1 years old,<br />
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I see her on the beach as a toddler holding her doll, Chubby, by the hair,<br />
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I see her coming home from her first day of Kindergarten and adopting the stuffed animal lamb that my mom had sent me so I would not miss K so much while she was at school all day,<br />
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I see her with no front teeth,<br />
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I see her struggling to learn how to read when all her peers could,<br />
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I see her dancing and looking at herself whenever there was a reflection or a video camera around,<br />
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I hear her singing (lots),<br />
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I see her picking berries and making "paint" on the bathroom floor in middle school,<br />
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I see her getting all dressed up for her 8th grade dance,<br />
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and I see the joy and determination when she jumped her horse Clint in competitions.<br />
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It's hard to picture her as an adult when I still see her under the age of 12. It's not that I am ignoring her now as a teen, it is more that I like to nurture her and be her mom. Teenagers like to do things by themselves. They choose to be with their friends more than their mom. I get that. It's hard when that looming age of 18 comes up; they think that they are instantly an adult and that they do not need you.<br />
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What they should realize is that they shouldn't rush so quickly to be an adult. Adults have to pay bills, do laundry, make sure the house is clean, make sure everyone gets to where they need to be and be super responsible. It does not suck to be an adult, heck, we can have ice-cream for breakfast if we want to. However, it does give you gray hairs and heart burn (yes, I am sure of that).<br />
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Somehow we have to come to an agreement of sorts where she can grow up and be on her own, but not forget her roots. Not forget her safety net. Not forget that there is someone on Cape Cod ready to catch her if she falls or beat the crap out of some boy that hurts her. It's hard letting go, but I have to trust that I have raised her to the best of my ability and taught her that love and gratitude go a long way in life.<br />
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Happy Birthday K<br />
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As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-11261009121931230852015-04-25T13:50:00.001-04:002015-04-25T13:50:27.909-04:00My Gal Sal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Birthday to my favorite gal,</div>
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My favorite gal is my mom, Sal. </div>
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She's my best friend and partner in most things,</div>
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She loves to laugh, but not often sings.</div>
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She's the life of a party,</div>
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She is quite hardy.</div>
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She loves her family most of all,</div>
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If we could, we'd throw her a ball.</div>
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The princess kind, not the sports type,</div>
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She's not into socks with a stripe.</div>
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She always has solutions for us,</div>
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"You're stressed, you're tired, don't make a fuss."</div>
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"Use some old aloe, take some Advil,"</div>
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"Who cares if it came from a landfill?"</div>
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She's been through more ups than downs,</div>
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Therefore, smiles more than frowns.</div>
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She loves the beach and the salt air,</div>
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She's always up for going to a craft fair.</div>
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She's my rock and is always there for me,</div>
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No matter the day, she fills me with glee.</div>
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I am truly lucky she lives down the street,</div>
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Sal's my gal and that, my friends, is sweet!</div>
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As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-35981840504870312742015-04-09T20:00:00.003-04:002015-04-09T20:00:52.364-04:00Stonewall Kitchen For the Win<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Birthday celebrations are abundant at the end of March, beginning of April in our world. Bobby had a milestone Birthday last week so I reserved a day at Stonewall Kitchen's Cooking School for us. Bobby loves to cook, so needless to say, he was very happy. Plus, Stonewall Kitchen is in Maine. We puffy heart Maine. </div>
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We started the day with a quick drive around York. Still some snow on the ground!!</div>
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Our cooking theme was <i>April in Paris</i>. I had been to Stonewall's Cooking School with a <a href="http://ascapecodturns.blogspot.com/2012/10/blog-better-bostons-stonewall-kitchen.html">blog event</a> a few years ago. A "classroom" watches a chef cook, while the "classroom" gets to eat the delicacies the chef is making. Win win! No one cuts their fingers off and everyone eats!!<br />
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So we had the pleasure of enjoying Carrot Ginger Bisque, Brie Stuffed Chicken Breast with a Caper Sauce, Smashed New Potatoes, Champagne Glazed Carrots and Chocolate Mousse.<br />
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We both highly recommend taking a class there. Friendly people, a class organization and the shop afterward!!<br />
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<i>I was not asked to write this. I wrote this because we had such a great day and it's an easy activity to do from anywhere in Eastern Mass. </i></div>
As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-22765984349365752742015-04-06T20:10:00.000-04:002015-04-06T20:10:28.557-04:00Easter RecapEaster weekend was fun and busy. My sister's best friend of 30 years came down with her husband and 2 of their teenagers. Although it was chilly, we hit the beach and spent as much time outside as we could. Decorating Easter eggs, 2 egg hunts, 4 year old antics and laughs, plenty of laughs.<br />
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What's the next holiday? Shall we plan on Memorial Day?As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-61382947433528131142015-03-29T20:17:00.000-04:002015-03-29T20:17:51.549-04:00Pushing Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The calendar says that it is spring, but the air and surroundings say, "maybe not". Either way, we took a drive today to Provincetown (Ptown to locals). The sun was shining. It was probably in the 40's, but the snow and ice were melting. It felt really good to be outside without a hat and mittens. We walked out on a jetty that probably went for a mile. I would guess that we went more than half way. I had never been on this jetty before. It was really low tide so there were people digging for quahogs on the mudflats on either side of the jetty. </div>
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The seagulls had their tables on the flat rocks. The seagulls take a quahog or clam and drop it on the flat rocks so the shells break. Pretty ingenious and we wondered if it was a trial and error thing or if it was inbred to drop them on the flat rocks.<br />
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Doesn't that bottom right picture look like a butterfly?<br />
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The pier is another fun place to walk. At the end you can see the building with the Portuguese Fisherwomen pictures on it. All the little huts that take reservations for fishing or whaling trips or sell trinkets were still closed.<br />
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We were not really sure why this house was anchored out in the harbor. I don't think it is suppose to be there, but I am not sure where it drifted from if that were the case. </div>
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All in all, a stellar day with hopes that summer Sundays in Ptown are not too far off!</div>
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As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-4771931024833061322015-03-15T13:26:00.000-04:002015-03-15T13:26:21.378-04:00It's A Wrap!A part of my high school senior's life was a wrap last night. She was in her last high school musical. If she didn't feel badly about it, I sure did. It's been quite a run and to watch her grow in her acting and singing has been a gift.<br />
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She has had the honor to be in <i>How To Succeed In Business, Rent and South Pacific</i>.<br />
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This year, she was Rizzo in <i>Grease</i>. To say she fit the part would be an understatement. I don't say that because I think she is like Rizzo, I say that because she did an amazing job portraying Rizzo.<br />
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The whole crew did a fantastic job! The best thing was that it was the first production in a brand new auditorium. The stage was huge, the props were great and the audience could HEAR!! At the end of the show last night, the seniors got hugs and roses from the Director and Musical Director. Truly a bittersweet moment.<br />
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I hope K looks back on this time as a special one. I know that I will.As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-5056436651108742762015-03-14T13:39:00.000-04:002015-03-14T13:39:25.274-04:00Bergs, Not Just for Alaska AnymorePerhaps you have seen some pictures of Cape Cod on the news in the past week. We have been on the news because of large ice chunks on the beaches of Eastham and Wellfleet. It's something that has not happened in about 80 years and it is very (VERY!!) cool!<br />
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Bobby and I went and checked out First Encounter Beach in Eastham today in the rain. We wanted to see it for ourselves!<br />
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<i><b>It was awesome!!</b></i><br />
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The first group of pictures gives you an overview. We had to walk across a lot of snowy ice to get to the actual sandy beach.<br />
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Of course there were iceberg selfies.<br />
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Because I wore rain boots, I could walk farther out through the puddles. I climbed one of the 'bergs and took this panoramic. There were icebergs as far as I could see. Many of them were shoulder height and some were about 6 feet tall.<br />
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This is me on top of my iceberg.<br />
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Professional wakeboarder, Brian Grubb, visited Wellfleet this week and shot some pretty neat video.<br />
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Maybe winter wakeboarding will be the next tourist attraction on Cape Cod?As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6121175953658827634.post-75409449343897774692015-03-06T20:16:00.000-05:002015-03-06T20:16:06.832-05:00ABC Jeep Tour<br />
I had been to Aruba before and remembered the beauty and complete difference of the North/East side from the West side of the island. Melissa was going to be content floating, but I could not let the trip go by without a little jeep ride. Our hosts, Alicia and Joal from ABC Tours Aruba led us on a 2+hour adventure. When we first meet up with them, we were handed red bandannas. I thought they were like headbands as in, "this is our posse, don't mess with us". Obviously I had been hanging out with teenagers for too long. I guess they were for keeping the sand/dust out of our mouths, but we wore them on our heads anyway.<br />
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First stop, California Lighthouse. Don't we look bad ass?<br />
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We stopped by my favorite and cutest church. It is a Catholic church and there are services held here every weekend. Because the church is so small, there are benches outside for the parishioners. Joal thought it would be HYSTERICAL to put his friend's pet snake in our jeep while we were inside the church. Oh, it was hysterical because that's what Melissa and I were!!!<br />
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The North/East side of the island reminds me a lot of the Maine coast. It is very rocky and rough. It is also breathtakingly beautiful. The little rock sculptures people had made actually have a very cool back story. They are called fisherman stones and before a fisherman goes out on a trip some of his family members come make a little stone column and say a prayer. Some were very elaborate!<br />
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Joal, our driver, was like a little kid with a dirt bike although he was an adult with a jeep. We took so many off road paths! We shrieked and screamed and laughed through the whole trip.<br />
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We wound down from our excursion on the patio of the Ritz with some cocktails. They were so pretty, I had to take a picture. And yes, we were wearing our cool headbands. You never know where I might show up wearing mine!!</div>
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As Cape Cod Turnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16047430228350114744noreply@blogger.com0