We are fine here...

Yup.
No flooding. High winds that knocked down trees and devastated homes on almost every block in our town and that of surrounding towns.
We won't have power for a week to ten days.
No school until next week.
But?
We are fine here.
We have a generator. No damage to our home.
We consider ourselves lucky and blessed.
Our prayers are with all our friends and neighbors who have suffered damage and loss here and down at the shore.

I don't think we can actually get a grip on how everything will be different going forward...

Public transportation in NYC? We shall see.
Summers down the shore?
Doesn't look good for awhile.
Here are some images of our favorite place, Long Beach Island.
The bay met the ocean for two days and we will see how they come out of this-

The Chicken or the Egg, every one's favorite late night diner.

The tennis courts in Beach Haven. I can't tell you if behind the courts is the ocean side or if it is the bay side- very disorienting.

The famous "shack," a landmark known to us all. It sat in a marsh on the right as you cross the causeway onto the island. It is now gone.

 Our favorite restaurant on the island.

 Devastating damage to boats on the island.

At low tide. Sand is everywhere. So much damage.

Etta James - Stormy Weather

Katy Perry, Jodi DiPiazza Sing at Night of Too Many Stars- gotta share it!

The Hunt- Far Hills, NJ

According to NJ.com
"More than 40,000 spectators, including many from Hunterdon County, are expected to gather for the 92nd annual Far Hills Race Meeting on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Moorland Farms, 50 Route 202 in Far Hills. The historic event – one of the country’s most prestigious steeplechase horse races –will feature top thoroughbred jump racing, individualized tailgating parties and culinary feasts set against the stunning backdrop of New Jersey’s fall foliage.

Enlarge Lillian Shupe/Hunterdon County DemocratFar Hill Races 2011gallery (49 photos)

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The Far Hills Race Meeting traces its origins to the Essex Hunt, a fox hunting event founded in 1870, and since the 1950s has raised more than $18 million to benefit Somerset Medical Center in Somerville.
Tickets range from $60 for advance general admission to $750 for the Chairman’s Tent, including food and beverage services. Options for race-goers include reserved parking spaces for tailgating, a family tailgate area, and a Vendor Village featuring fashion and accessories from exclusive boutiques. Reserved parking spaces for tailgating are also available. Proceeds from the event will benefit the programs and services of Somerset Medical Center."

Here was my girl and her friends:

Do you think they watched the races?

Let's discuss... stupidity.

If I could download the SNL parody of this ad, I would.
But Heck. This is just as funny. And stupid.

File this under...

Divine messages!

Should I be concerned?

I found this image on one of my Pinterest followers boards.
The title of the board?
Christmas list...

I think it is time...

I know, I know. I have said it before.

I want another dog, as in- we haven't had one in about 5 years!

Before that, we had two dogs and a cat for about 13 years.

I'm ready.

So, there isn't just one...

So, there isn't just one saboteur in our family! This is my niece and unbeknownst to her grandparents posing in the picture she made this photo a family classic.
Every time I see it I have to laugh :)

Inspired underachiever!

People are so creative.

It could be that they they possess great style...

or have tons of time!

 I think a lot of people want to create a warm, autumn scene,

a tasteful and elegant seasonal environment,

or just love to decorate!

And?

As much as I am inspired by all the blogs, Pinterest, my sisters, friends, and neighbors beautiful fall tableaus?

This is my big effort...

Four. Small. Pumpkins.

Stay tuned, it can only get better!

Facebook, college, and privacy.

Well, I did the unthinkable.
I asked my college freshman to block all her adult family members, including me, from seeing any of her Facebook pictures.
Why?
Because I feel as though she is entitled to her privacy even if she doesn't think it matters.
As much as it KILLS me not to see what is going on, how happy she is, who her friends are, and what she is up to- I think it is necessary.

You see, although she believes she has nothing to hide...
I know better.
Not only should she worry about how coaches interpret or view what she believes are innocent pics and fun times or what future employers think of her college years, unfortunately she has to worry about being judged and gossiped about by certain family members.
And she doesn't deserve that.

And although I am not judging her when I see her pics on face book?
I thought about it.
When I went to college I was able to learn and grow. Make mistakes. Get crazy.
I had no one worried.
I had no one concerned.
I didn't have phone calls asking me questions about my whereabouts on school nights... ( I only called her once!)

Instead I learned the hard way, the BEST way- from my mistakes.
I want her to have her college life without intervention from me AND I certainly don't want her judged, especially when she has done nothing wrong.

For the record?
When I did tell her that she had been gossiped about by family members because of some of her pics on Facebook and asked her to block folks- she was honestly surprised and hurt that anyone would see anything negative in any of her pics.

And I agree. But I reminded her that she can't control other people. And by keeping her life private on Facebook she CAN control what people see.

How do you feel about privacy on Facebook?

Seen it and heard it... (in real life!)

Bridesmaids (2011) Tennis Pep Talk

PSY - GANGNAM STYLE (강남스타일) M/V

So, this is what all the fuss it about!
Now you know.

Galvanized at Brimfield- September, 2012

Want this for parties! Perfect iced and filled with beer, soda, water, and bottles of wine

This will be for a patio herb garden that will be rabbit proof and pretty.

The Hungarian baby bath will be used for parties too-filled with ice and drinks. 

Who doesn't need a hand now and then?

This delightful baby scale was bought for a local store owner. She will use it to display baby items.

Brimfield- September, 2012. Check.

That's one check on my bucket list. 
Finally went to Brimfield!
What is Brimfield?
According to www.TheBrimfieldshow.com:

"The Brimfield Antiques Show began in the 1950's and has become the largest and best-known outdoor antiques show in the country. Running along Rt. 20 for a distance of perhaps a half-mile and perhaps 500' or more, back on each side of the highway, the Brimfield Show is a huge,  vast undertaking, filled with thousands of dealers dealers over the course of the week, selling everything from the finest antiques to 'yard junk', requiring a day or two to see everything there is to see. Food courts and rest facilities abound, and the Shows are filled with hidden treasures and the 'right kind of people', creating a safe and fun environment for everyone, children included. Shows are patrolled by uniformed and undercover police, and rarely is there any trouble of any kind.Brimfield is a quaint, picturesque rural New England town, home to 3,000 residents.  Founded in 1731, (the year before George Washington was born), the town's 35 square miles are surrounded by apple orchards, horse farms, and wooded hills in an area known as the Pioneer Valley, and Foothills of the Berkshires. During show-times, the town's population balloons to over 250,000 visitors and over 5,000 dealers for the 6 days the Show operates.   The Show has a carnival-like atmosphere, appropriate for all ages, where good vibes prevail, (and few, if any problems ever present themselves). Dealers come from all over the world as do visitors. From millionaire world-famous rock stars and movie stars to the local resident from down the street, the Show is a Mecca for serious and casual collectors of all kinds of antiques.  A few of the Fields require an entrance fee on the initial opening, usually $5.00-10.00, which tends to be waived later in the day.  Most fields do not have any entrance fee, and generally, you can move freely from field to field. There is almost always plenty of parking available, at $6.00 - 8.00 in the middle of town, a bargain in itself.  Also, in the middle of the show, the New England Motel hosts the largest and most popular food court  with a wide variety of food booths to satisfy every taste. Additionally, food carts and booths appear throughout various locations and the wide variety of available foods has become a draw in it's own right.

The Brimfield shows operate three times a year during May, July and September and are open for a six day period begining on a Tuesday and ending on a Sunday.  Some operators open all days while others choose to open for just a few days during this period."

Now?
Going to Brimfield is on my "must do every September list!"
And whom else could I go with but my partner in crime-

Yes, my sister!
We have been talking about going to Brimfield for years and when we finally did it?
We couldn't stop!
The first day we walked for eleven hours....
No lie.
We would slow down and then run into more treasures. We did stop mid day for a beer though as evidenced above.

Tomorrow, I will break it down and reveal my haul!

Here is one item to whet your whistle!
An awesome, sage green kitchen scale. Love the crisp red numbers.  $23

Jump on the Sock bun band wagon!

 Have you seen this style lately?

 Did you even know it had a name?

 If you have daughters 10 years old to  twenty something you know that it is called....

A sock bun!
If you would like to see how it is done ( with a sock!) see the you tube video below:

Postcard from college!

I am concerned.

End of Summer transition-

Stripes work way into Fall...

Scout pocket Rocket - its loaded on my site!

Finally!

I love my job Haiku

Today.
I was able to sit outside and enjoy the day without guilt.
I was able to catch up with friends and good customers.
I was able to pass on good pricing to all those that are loyal to me through out the year.
I was able to water and weed my garden in between customers.
I was able to boil eggs and potatoes for potato salad in between customers.
I was able to take phone orders and package mail orders in between customers.
I was able to listen to music and sing along.
I was able to stay home without jumping in my car every few hours.
Why?
Because I had a sale at my home.
I love my job.
www.preppyplayer.com