Category Archives looking back

Memories With Big Red

Thirteen years ago, I was very pregnant with my oldest son. TechyDad and I decided that it was time for a family vehicle. We traded in my Chrysler Neon that had been with me through college. My little red adventure mobile had traveled all over with me, including to meet TechyDad. We had to trade the car in because we needed something that was larger for baby cargo and our growing family.

Memories with Big Red

About a month before NHL was born, Big Red came home with us. Yes, my red Town & Country minivan would be there for so many milestones in our life. We brought NHL home from the hospital in her. We went to visit family near and far with her. Big Red also allowed us to travel with extended family thanks to more seating. Big Red helped us to move from an apartment into our home. She also helped us to experience our first road trip and family vacation to friends near Sesame Place.

Big Red also saved our lives in the summer of 2006. We were t-boned by another car making an illegal turn. Big Red was pushed across at least six lanes. While up on two wheels, Big Red did not tip over and we stopped 180 degrees on the far side of the giant roadway. NHL and Nana were with us that day. Big Red was fixed and looked good as new after some time away.

The following year, JSL came into our world and completed our family. Big Red would often transport a sleeping baby to and from school to pick up big brother. We continued to travel with the van and our two young boys. As the kids got bigger, and gas got more expensive, we used the more fuel efficient car. Big Red stayed home a little more, but we still loved her. She let us haul extra kids to after school activities and more.

Three years ago, we did a major repair on Big Red. We knew that would be the last time. After this, it would not make sense to put money into her. Aside from brakes, wipers, and several tires she kept up on her end of the bargain taking the kids to and from school.

Last week, Big Red went in for her inspection. The news was not good for my big red adventure mobile. A major repair would mean the end of the road for us.

It may seen silly, but over time you get attached to your vehicles and the special moments in them. Call me sentimental, but after thirteen years together Big Red’s a constant that has always been there for our family. I recall picking her out and being so happy for another red car. I also remember dashing to the hospital in Big Red when my water broke for each of the kids. TechyDad and I laughed hysterically as I tried not to make a mess in the car . Drives to first days of school for the boys, going to work in my own classroom, and more were all with Big Red.

 Goodbye Big Red

Handing over the keys is going to be hard, but I know it’s the right thing. Now I need to come up with a name for my soon to be new car. We will certainly have many memories to add together.

It's Me

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Distance

Distance, that’s what separates many families from one another. Family is Forever

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is nothing new to me, but right now it seems very different. For my entire life, part of my extended family has lived in California while we are here in New York. Over the years, we have missed many things being across the United States from my aunt, uncle, and cousins. We would see each other most summers when they would come and visit my Nana and Papa. I also recall our trek to California for Cousin M’s Bat Mitzvah.

As we got older, got married, and started our own families, we have connected more online than in person. I have missed several weddings and births because of distance. We have not met my cousin’s children yet, but the boys know who they are. We all gather around the computer to see photos of J, I, E, and A as they grow up. It’s bitter sweet watching everyone grow up from a distance.

Distance also gets in the way during times when you want to be there to hug, support, and help family in a time when they need it. That time is happening right now and it sucks. There are no words. I simply wish I was with my family in California because I feel helpless sitting here in New York.

Since I am unable to be there, I am trying to recall memories from over the years. Moments captured in my head and in photos. Times where we celebrated, laughed, and enjoyed our time together. My hope is that these things helping me now will help my California family in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.

I will simply say that cancer sucks and so does distance.

It's Me

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Looking for Love Online

This is a no kvetching zone. So let’s get all of our oy veying out of our systems. Dating is not easy – that is a fact that I remember from long ago. This is especially true with the fast paced world that we live in. As someone that found her nice Jewish guy online over sixteen years ago, I want the same for my family and friends. From here on out, we have a mission. We shall call it Operation Heading to the Chuppah! I am working with JDate to help them to get the word out about the new JDate experience, but first I have a little story to share with you.

Operation Heading to the Chuppah

In May, my brother and sister-in-law will be celebrating their tenth anniversary. They now have two young children who add beautiful memories to their family.

How did Uncle I and Aunt M meet?

For some time, we never heard the whole story. Back during that time, people often avoided the topic of online dating websites. They were around and one in particular helped this part of my mispucha to meet. Why yes, Uncle I and Aunt M went to JDate to search for someone within the Jewish community that they were living in. They are not the only family members that have used JDate and gotten married. Several of my cousins have also successfully found their husband or wife using this popular online website. My family members are just some of the success stories thanks to JDate. JDate is responsible for more Jewish marriages than every other online dating networks combined. That’s a whole lot of simchas over the years!

TechyDad and TheAngelForever under the Chuppah

Are you or a loved one looking for someone special, but shy about taking the first step? Let me introduce you to the new JDate with a new look and easier navigation. There is a new “daily matches” featuring a simple curated view of their best matches. Tablet experience is improved and the JDate mobile apps are available for iOS and Android.

What I like about JDate is that you can narrow searches based on your personal preference. Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Chabad singles will be able to set up their account to match up to the right synagogues, neighborhoods, or travel and events on JDate within their area. Thanks to JDate, there is a network of Jewish non-profit organizations working together to help people like your single brother, cousin, or nephew to find love. Of course, nothing says Happy 2016 like giving the gift of JDate to that special single someone in your life.

JDate worked with Saturday Night Live’s Jon Rudnitsky to create a hilarious video about a dating app called “Eh” to celebrate the new look.

So, who do you know that could use a gentle nudge and help setting up a JDate profile? Talk to them about the great new features and if you have JDate success stories, I would love to hear about them below. With a little Jewish guilt tossed in, may you be heading to the chuppah one day soon!

Oh and don’t forget to join us for a chat at 9 ET on Monday, December 21 to celebrate the new JDate website. Be sure to head over to Married My Sugar Daddy to RSVP for a chance to win an HTC One M9 Smartphone. Tweet you all there!

It's Me

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post where I am being compensated for sharing information about the new JDate website. Of course, all stories of successful JDate marriages in my family are true and I hope many more will follow.

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Helping with Domestic Violence

It’s been twenty years since I was in high school. While I definitely do not remember everything that I learned in my classes, there were experiences that have stuck with me to this day. Living at home with both of my parents and seeing my extended family in their homes, all the time left me naïve. I was clueless about domestic violence. I knew there were people living in the Capital Region that were homeless. What I didn’t get prior to this time was that many were women and children that had left homes where they were being abused.

I still remember sitting in Key Club after school when a woman from Equinox Domestic Violence Services came to chat with us. She wanted our group to help them in whatever way we felt comfortable. We could donate money from a fundraiser, go and help to cook for their big Thanksgiving dinner, or get donations for the kids that were in their shelters and transitional housing. We did several different things for Equinox over the years that I was in Key Club as a member and president. Teens at our urban high school were helping others in our community that needed love, security, and people that they could trust. It felt good to do whatever we could.

Flash forward to the present day. NHL is getting ready to have his Bar Mitzvah in less than a year. He will need to do a project to help others in our community. Thanks to all of the news stories about Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, I would love to get him to work with Equinox. He is a sweet and naïve twelve year old that adores helping others. I know that if I can present information to him about the cause that it may be something he would like to do, not simply because he has to.

As always, if you know someone or need help from an abusive relationship please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or #HOPE on your Verizon Wireless phone.

Going Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

If you would like to help those in need, Verizon has made it easy. Please consider donating phones that you are not using to HopeLine from Verizon where they will get the refurbished devices with 3,000 minutes and texting to survivors of domestic violence that are with participating domestic violence agencies. Verizon has a goal of collecting one million phones by the end of 2015. FYI, Hopeline accepts wireless phones, chargers, and accessories from any carrier.

In addition to this, Verizon Wireless will be selling purple HopeLine accessories. $1 from each will be donated from the sale and up to $100,000 will be donated to the National Violence Hotline.

HopeLine Accessories

Have you ever donated a phone to HopeLine or volunteered to help a Domestic Violence charity? Please share your experiences in the comments below.

It's Me

Disclosure: As a member of the Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers, I receive devices to test out and share ways that I use it in my life. In addition to this, I share programs like HopeLine because I believe in how they help people in need. I am a long time Verizon customer, and all opinions are my own.

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Goodbye My Friend

Saying goodbye to a couch

Who knew that it would be so hard to say goodbye? Yes, I am talking about our old couch in the photo above. Thursday evening we set it outside on the curb and much to my surprise I stood there with tears rolling down my cheeks. While it may seem just just an old couch, it apparently means a lot more to me than I expected.

Goodbye Couch

You see that couch with the squishy cushions and spring that had sprung was more to me than a piece of furniture. It was filled with memories of years gone by.

  • This couch was something that TechyDad and I picked out right before we got married. It was our first purchase together. Little known fact, I used money my Nana and Papa left me to buy this and other items that we got when we started our life together.
  • I was sitting on this couch reading the sixth Harry Potter book when I was nine months pregnant with NHL. I stood up because I was uncomfortable and felt a pop and whoosh! Yes, my water broke and the big kiddo was on his way into the world almost twelve years ago.
  • Countless hours were spent on this couch nursing both of my babies. My rear went numb at times, but those snuggles made the couch my happy place.
  • Over the years, I watched the boys grow up on this couch before my eyes. They would nap, snuggle, bond, and yes even wrestle each other in this very location.
  • Almost every year, we would scramble to take photos of the kids for our New Years cards on this couch. We would often dress up the area with a blanket, stuffed buddies, or something else.

Goodbye old friend

In the end, I know it was time to say goodbye to my old friend, but I will miss her. Of course, I am also excited about our new couch coming this weekend and making new memories. Now, who wants to help me alphabetize the list of rules for the kids?

It's Me

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