Sometimes Mother's Day is a Bittersweet day

Once upon a time....when the private school didn't think a young man would be able to succeed in spite of his brilliance and lacking perfect eye sight and great fine motor skills....He made the honor roll!

How ironic that at a meeting where the High School principal called us in and was supposed to say David would have to leave the school because David hadn't proved himself.  Too bad for the Headmaster that meeting he had wanted didn't go as planned. David proved the Headmaster wrong and that he could and did succeed.

David constantly amazed all who knew him.

So....now that he was successful at schoolwork in a tough and competitive private school, the next step.....he was about 16...he needed a date for the prom! 

"Dating for Dummies" by Dr. Joy Browne

This mother challenged him, gave him the book "Dating for Dummies" to give him some ideas on how to find a date for the prom. Yes he laughed when he opened that birthday present!

Not only did Dave get 1 date he wound up with 2 dates and they asked another classmate who didn't have a date to join them....So the 4 went to the Prom and enjoyed a very special evening!

Pre prom pictures by our koi pond out back

❤️ Moral of the Story 1 ⇒ Never say you can't because you can. You can exceed all other's expectations of you. Any child who could and did talk in complete sentences at 6 months of age has great potential and is very special.

Waiting in Woods Hole, MA
for the Islander Ferry to Martha's Vineyard

❤️ Moral of the Story 2 ⇒ I am one tough Mother that would walk through a burning fire (yes it seemed that way at times) make sure he succeeded. Don't tell me silly things like he would never read! A mother know's her child best. A mother's love is more durable than anything.

Our first of many trips to Alaska
showing the huge cabbages grown
there with all the many hours of sunlight

❤️ Moral of the Story 3 ⇒ The power of Love and real parenting will shape the future of the world.

Love while you can....we are never promised tomorrow. ❤️

Today is Mother's Day and would have been his birthday also.  While bittersweet, I wouldn't want to lose 1 minute of the times we had with our beloved David. 

Summer horse camp

Fishing off the coast in NJ

Rainy days and Tuesdays....

When I'm trying to catch up on writing actually love the gray skies and sounds of the cars passing by in the rain. Peaceful day today. Tuesdays are usually the days I catch up on food blogs.  

The post tomorrow will be Paprikás Csirke better known around here as Chicken Paprikash. A lovely stew of chicken, onions and of course paprika.  It's the kind of dish that when it's simmering on the stove takes me back to childhood.  Very much a simple to make dinner that's a real family favorite.

  Paprikás Csirke on a bed of egg noodles

The rain also will often take me back and have me reflecting on life too. The one thing we never have enough of is time. Every day take the time to appreciate the little things. Yes, even when the kids are driving you bats, arguing and running around the house. You'll miss that when they're all grown and on their own! (You will have to take my word on that!) Or, you might want to read this blog Never Forget the Love and the Laughter I wrote earlier this month.

One of my favorite things when they were still at home and creating havoc, arguing like crazy I would say, "Hey let's use that energy and make some pizza." My kids love pizza! Instead of arguing still they would get out the recipe and start making the dough from scratch by hand. It never failed to distract them from whatever silliness they had been fighting over.  Instead, they started cooperating with each other and looking forward to that pizza!  Actually, we did too because they made a darn good pizza!   

homemade pizza always good and fun to make!

Don't they look like they never argued in this picture? 

One of my Favorite trips with the cherubs!

Enjoy every day and never fail to let the people you cherish in your life know they are important to you, and they are loved.  If something ever happened to you or them, wouldn't you want them to know the final words between you are "I love you"?

Winning and Losing

Here we sit the day after the Presidential and general elections in the United States.  Did you vote? Did your candidate win?

One of the best parts of this election is that it sparked interest back into the electoral process and voting booth; one of the worst parts is the divisiveness we are experiencing at the moment through the much too long election process.

Do you recall these historic dates? Do you recall the stories of the long fights to adjust the Constitution for inclusiveness?

• July 1, 1971 - 18-year-olds attain the right to vote
• August 18, 1920 -  woman gain the right to vote
• August 6, 1965  - African Americans gain the right to vote

If you didn't vote, why not?  Complaining without voicing your opinion is wrong.  It is a citizen's right and duty to exercise the right to vote. Why complain if you didn't take advantage of voting your conscience and back up your opinions on the public questions, bills, and candidates with a vote?

Freedom is never free and we must always be vigilant to maintain our rights and freedoms under the Constitution.  The founding fathers did an incredible job of putting checks and balances into our country's Constitutional structure.  It takes 3 branches of government to propel this country forward. We vote for members of the Senate, Congress, and the President which are 2 of the branches that represent us.   Our 3rd branch is the Supreme Court. Justices are not just appointed but also need scrupulous vetting in Congress for approval. If you don't like who's in power, then your vote needs to be counted by voting for the candidates that best align with the changes you want to see for our country's future.

The Electoral College is a compromise between Congress and the popular vote in order to buffer the difference in varying sizes of states' populations and ensure fair power to all states.  Many mistake the United States to be a strict democracy but it is in fact, a Constitutional republic instead.  It is not strictly the popular vote.  The power lies in our representatives we elect and not directly in the hands of every single individual.  This is why the popular vote is at times overridden by the Electoral College.  Notice too that in the Pledge of Allegiance for the United States states that we are a Republic.

We must to heal as a country now.  America is a strong and vital country.  We have always put aside differences after the vote has been counted and worked to unify once again under a peaceful change of leadership.  That's exactly what we need to do now.  Let's come together for the sake of every one of us from all religions, all ethnic backgrounds and do what is right for to keep the Republic strong.

Remember this one point:  We are all the same race, the human race.

Another New Week, Another New Beginning

Another Monday, another new beginning and another chance to achieve success!   Are you rested and ready for the week ahead, or do you have a weekend hangover from not enough rest? Sometimes just getting out of bed on a Monday is difficult especially if you haven't had sufficient sleep enough over the weekend.

set your alarm

How do you make the most of every morning?  Is getting out of bed usually the hardest part of your day? I used to be that way but now that I'm doing what I love it's so much easier for me. 

Most people aren’t naturally what you could call a “morning person” (including me). Just because sleep doesn’t come naturally to you, there are some strategies which can help you improve the morning wake up and get off to a better start every day. If your bio-rhythms are like mine, you'll need to shift from being a night owl to more of a morning person.

Getting better quality rest will definitely improve your health. By your sleeping more and starting the day without the stress of running late you will improve your productivity and quality of your work. A bonus, have you ever noticed how much better your skin looks when you manage to do get enough good quality sleep? Think of sleep as a very affordable luxury item for yourself.

have a calm, quiet sleeping environment

Here are a few simple tips, to help you train your body and amp up your "A.M. productivity". 

Create a sleep routine – Don’t underestimate the importance of your circadian rhythm. This regulates how your body sleep and wake cycle runs. Bodies crave routine and ideally, you should wake up from a light phase of sleep, not the deeper stage. It’s that deeper stage that leads to a foggy head and low mental functioning. If you're well rested you shouldn't need to rely on caffeine to get you moving.

Set a bedtime -  Stick to the set time or at least within 30 minutes of that time.

Set a wake-up time - Get up around the same time each morning, your body will be reset to the routine slowly. The hope is that eventually, you will be able to wake yourself up without an alarm.        

Relax - Don't work, text, or stay online too close to your set bedtime. The blue light emitted from your phone or tablet disrupts your melatonin according to neuroscientists.  Let your mind and body start winding down naturally.  Make this a part of your night time ritual.  Bathe or shower before bed to further relax you even more.  Love yourself enough to get enough rest!

Be Active physically – Working out first thing in the morning may not sound appealing but the effects sure payoff. Even if it’s as simple as taking a half-hour stroll, kick-starting your morning with cardio will boost your energy levels throughout the day. The added bonus of daily activity will help you wind down at night, leading to a deeper night’s sleep.                                                                                                 

Fuel your body – While a donut and a cup of coffee may be an easy way to get your blood sugar rising, it can also lead to a sugar crash a few hours later. Instead have some higher quality fuel – oatmeal, fresh fruit, yogurt or even a veggie omelet. Always on the go? Make hard-boiled eggs that you can grab on the run for a protein-packed breakfast.                                   

Light Sensitivity – Light has a huge effect on the body’s triggers for sleep and waking up. Switch on a bright light or open your blinds right when you wake up. Conversely, avoid bright lights – yes, including electronics that will emit blue light and disrupt melatonin – for that last hour before you plan to hit the bed. This will help your body begin to wind down from the busy day and slip into that deep sleep you need for rejuvenation.

Control Temperature in the bedroom - adjust the temperature in your bedroom to the cooler side to allow yourself to snuggle in those covers.  Too hot or too cold can hinder quality sleep.

Try these tips and get some sound sleep every night! Take care of you because if you don't who will?   You're worth it!

Four Ways to Lose Weight Without Gym

“Eat less, exercise more.” While these wise words incorporate the most universally successful diet plan, there are several things you can do without hitting the gym to help your body fuel more efficiently. Here are four tips that will help you reach your weight goal:

CATCH MORE ZZZ’S – Giving your body a full night’s rest is one of the best ways to shed weight. A recent study showed that when participants slept for only four hours consumed an extra 300 calories compared with when they slept a full eight hours! Sleep deprivation also curbs self-control. Plan ahead and wind down your night in time to provide adequate sleep. Its benefits go far beyond losing weight.

HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE – The human body is mostly water, which is incentive enough to be sure you’re getting the minimum eight glasses a day, but did you know water can help your diet? Drinking water helps to keep you feeling full, meaning less snacking. Downing ice water has the added benefit of boosting your metabolism, burning calories in the process of warming the water. A pre-workout hydration session will help your body release muscle-building hormones – and more muscle means a higher basal metabolic rate. If too much water bores you, look for healthy ways to change it up. A number of companies make flavored waters that are packed with helpful vitamins. Green tea has the added benefit of antioxidants and a metabolism boost that can add up to an extra 400 calories or more per week!

WATCH PORTIONS – Being a conscious eater is a good habit to develop, regardless of dieting. It takes the body 20 minutes after eating to recognize it’s full. By knowing what a serving size should be and sticking to it, you’ll be able to avoid that overfull feeling and give your body the right amount of fuel. Remember, you can always come back for more food if you’re still hungry later. When eating out, where meals are regularly double or triple the size of what your body actually needs, it may be wise to ask for half your order to be boxed up to go – it’s a great way to curb mindless eating AND stretch your delicious dish for two meals.

GET FIT WITH FRIENDS – Take positive peer pressure to the next level by checking in with friends or relatives who are also fitness minded. That healthy support system can help you make wiser lifestyle choices, from choosing more active entertainment options to skipping calorie-laden lunches or happy hours. If IRL (“in real life”) relationships won’t cut it, there are a number of free fitness forums online that provide nutrition information along with peer encouragement, from cyclist Lance Armstrong’s LiveStrong to MyFitnessPal, which recently reported a combined weight loss of 20 million pounds among its membership – simply by counting calories, exercising, and comparing notes.

To Blog or not to Blog....That is the Question?

Today it's more likely "To Blog or Not to Blog". There are millions of blogs today online for a good reason! We all have something to say!  Everyone has their own views on the world, facts we know, things we want to learn, things we question. With the explosion of the internet blogging has become a forum for us to connect with others everywhere. Blogging is and needs to remain the free and open exchange of ideas, goals, and information.   A meeting of minds places to learn, be creative and share.  If we don’t like the blog we're reading....move on to the next!

The reason why your favorite blogs are your favorites can be explained many ways:

• Topics that interest you and want to hear more about
• New content regularly posted which you look forward to reading containing the current information
• They share their opinion and you get to comment and interact with the other readers
• You like the format which remains consistent and authentic throughout the years

So just who is "JPKC"?  Very glad you asked!  I've run multiple corporations--at the same time, worked on and with many events and organizations mostly dealing with children's issues. You may have even heard of one of the many organizations I sat on the board of: NYC's own Big Apple Circus and worked on the permanent creation of the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit.   As a Mom of two children one of whom was not expected to survive, I understand all too well how difficult parenthood and child raising issues are.  Parenting is the hardest job you'll ever do kids don't come with an instruction manual!

Long Stem Red Noses

I have many passions including travel, history, healthy living, fitness, writing, creating recipes, entertaining, gardening, music and so much more.  I'm on a quest to explore this big beautiful interesting world.  Hope you'll tag along with me too because I love company!  

My goal is to be your favorite place to drop in so we can exchange ideas and impressions of the world we live in.  Let’s talk about everything from fashion, passions in life, travel, art, music and everything that makes this world wonderful…. and yes sometimes about the things we would love to see changed for the better too.  I really hope you won't just read but talk to me and let me know what your ideas are.

Come back again soon and share your ideas with me too.  Love to hear from you soon!

Ciao for now!

Janice
The Lady J-Style

#smilesfilm by Yoko Ono...Join In!

+Yoko Ono has a very ambitious project in the works.   You can join in too!  I originally heard about this when I got a note from the project on +Instagram.

What could be better than the entire world in #smilesfilm!

We need more #smiles in this world and why not? They are free and unlimited supply....so start sharing smiles with our fellow humans.  They will make a difference in the world.

So get ready....set....#smile!!!   Pass it on!   Free smiles right here!!

Ciao for now!!

JPKC

Time..... Really Our Most Precious Gift

We are in the heart of the holiday season and nearing the end of 2013.  It's a perfect time to reflect on our lives, our loves and our futures as we are considering our Resolutions for 2014.

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore". No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute." Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye or say "I love you." 

So while we have our relationships and life, it's best we love, care, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick.. This is true for marriage.....old cars...children with bad report cards, dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.  Life and death is important...the rest is just details.

Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a nieces and nephews after divorce. There may be relatives not at the top of your list, but love them also and if not love, than at least like them for who they are.  They may be having problems or low self esteem so cut them some slack!  

There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what and no matter when.  Teaching a child something new, helping people especially the elderly, volunteering some time and not just at the holiday times.   Practice random acts of kindness.   Both you and the persons you help will feel amazing. Have you considered that just maybe they have no one left in their life right now?  Be a good human! 

There really is just one race....the human race!  Society needs to get back to the Golden Rule we used to teach our children....Do Unto Others as We Would Have them Do Unto Us.  Can you imagine how just that one rule in your life could change this world for the better??

Smile....just because you can!   I have learned that giving smiles away, (they are free and  in unlimited supply) may just may make someone's day who is having problems.  Positive attitude matters in life.   If you don't believe that, just try it for a month, or even a few weeks and see if your life doesn't change change for the better.  If you want more people in your life, be pleasant!  No one really wants to hang around with a person always saying "woe is me"!  Snap out of it!  Here is just one more good reason to smile...have you ever noticed how as people age if they are always unhappy that frown becomes their wrinkly frown face?  To age gracefully remember to smile.

Life is important.  Work on your connections with the people in your life.  In our crazy too fast paced world we need to remember the most important thing you can spend on someone is your time. That time spent is especially is important with children.   In a blink of an eye they are grown and on their own.   There are no do overs in life!  Jackie Kennedy had the correct perspective on this matter, "If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do matters very much."  

Sometimes you think you have a "keeper" and you find out you do not.  Now it's your turn to share this with all those people who are "keepers" in your life if you feel that way. Suppose one morning you never wake up, do all your friends know you love them?  What will be their last memory of you? Today is the perfect time to let them know.  Tomorrow may be too late.

I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said. Don't be afraid to let people know how you really feel about them.  

Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you will be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do. Make peace with your enemies......and just in case I'm gone tomorrow share this.  We need to make this world a better place and as Michael Jackson sang make the change first with the man in the mirror....yourself.

Remember always that tomorrow is Promised to no one.   Appreciate your life and everyone in it because it could be a lot worse.   Be grateful and appreciate not the trinkets and gadgets in your life but the people in your and today is the perfect day to do just that and change your life and this world for the better.

2014 the beginning of a better future for all of us!!  I wish you all Peace, love, prosperity and gratitude!!

Ciao for now!!

JPKC

 

Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror

Off The Main Roads....Tales of a Wandering Soul

I love getting out of the house to explore on the back roads.  I usually remember to take a camera in addition to a smartphone along. When you are exploring you never know what you will find! Just north of New York City in Westchester County is a favorite ride.  Get off the main roads of Interstate 287/87 and get on route 9A north and wind through the very scenic Hudson Valley.  It’s especially scenic this time of year with the trees in their autumnal splendor.  Maybe stop at a farm stand or pick some apples too or go antiquing.   All up to you!

Nestled in the heart of the Hudson River Valley near Tarrytown is a quaint town known as Sleepy Hollow. Until 1996 Sleepy Hollow was known as North Tarrytown. The whole Hudson Valley Region sits on the banks of the Hudson River and is ripe with Revolutionary War battles and history. The area was originally a Dutch settlement.  This is the same town where Washington Irving’s tale “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is set.  There are a number of interesting places to visit in Sleepy Hollow and surrounding areas such as Kykuit the Rockefeller family estate set on the Hudson River with it’s vast views of the river.

Sunnyside is the estate of Washington Irving and there are a number of other estates along the Hudson River.  Philipsburg Manor, which was a successful farming, milling, and trading, center owned by the Philipses in the center of Sleepy Hollow. If you have not had the opportunity to explore this are I would recommend you do make time for a visit.

I will not tell you the entire tale here, just a snippet in case you have not heard or read it.   Ichabod Crane was a teacher who one very dark night was heading to a party at the Van Tassel’s residence hoping to woo Katrina Van Tassel. Suddenly out of the shadows came the Headless Horseman, local legend claimed him to be a fallen Hessian soldier buried in the nearby church cemetery in search of his head.  Ichabod was chased over a bridge trying to get away from the Headless Horseman.   The Horseman hurled his burning jack o’lantern head at Ichabod and chased Ichabod to the Old Dutch Church.  

The bridge is no longer in the center of town however the Old Dutch Church built in 1685 is.  This is the oldest church in all of New York State.  The cemetery surrounding the church is quite large and holds a great number of famous final resting places for business legends including Brooke Astor, The Helmsley’s, Andrew Carnegie, Rockefellers, and even Walter Chrysler founder of Chrysler Auto Company.   Tours are given of the church and cemetery including some at night, or, you can purchase a map and wander around yourself.

There are a number of seasonal events hosted in Sleepy Hollow, which reference that legendary tale. This year and every October Sleepy Hollow hosts a fabulous event The Great Pumpkin Blaze with more than 5000 blazing jack o’lanterns and is being held for 25 nights this year.  This is always a sell out event and tickets are necessary. It is mostly handicap accessible also.

Another seasonal event held yearly is at Phillipsburg Manor is Horseman’s Hollow.  Ghosts and ghouls abound and will try and scare you out of your wits…. all in fun of course, and not for the faint of heart or small children.  Or perhaps Irving’s Legend would be an event you would like.   A reading of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by a master story teller and held in the infamous Old Dutch Church where Ichabod fled. If you can not get there this time of year, how about a summer event like Pirates of the Hudson in early July, or Scrooge telling his story in the Old Dutch Church just after Thanksgiving and throughout December?  Family fun for sure!

This is a great area to visit for families, take photos, learn some history, step where many of the most famous people have the 19th and 20th century walked.   You do not always have to go far from home to have a great time.   There are many other towns along the Hudson River Valley on both sides of the river like Piermont….but that is a story for another day.  Get out and explore!

Ciao for now!

Hudson Valley Events

Hudson River Views*

Kykuit*

Old Dutch Church***

Great Pumpkin Blaze**

Great Pumpkin Blaze**

Chrysler Mausoleum Sleep Hollow Cemetery

Helmsley Mausoleum

                                             

Phillipsburg Manor

*Kykuit   **Hudsonvalley.org/events   ***Sleepy Hollow Cemetery