Tuesday, July 31, 2007

10 things I learned about myself today:

1. There is real value in being authentic.

2. Someday I will make a really good couple's therapist.

3. If I carried the gene for breast or ovarian cancer, I don't know if I would have my ovaries removed.

4. My hands look great with a french manicure.

5. I have a very good, full life.

6. I'm a nice person who likes to do things for other people.

7. I sometimes want to fix people, but then realize they would never have the joy of learning for themselves.

8. I like the feeling when I know the other person feels understood.

9. I can feel my friends' pain.

10. I love Barry Manilow greatest hits!!!!

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Been there, done that

I was at a simcha today and had an experience I wanted to share:

Not because I want to complain or tattle, but more because I want to brag and be thankful!

I was shmoozing with a group of our friends, sitting next to one of the wives, when her husband walked over and said, "I've been looking for you." (Talking to his wife.)

"Oh yeah, right," she answered, "You've looked real hard. I've been sitting here the whole time."

He defended himself, "I just walked around the entire house looking for you, should I tell you everywhere I've been?"

They continued for a few minutes more.

I felt uncomfortable. I wanted to tell them to let it go. What's the big deal?

And then I realized, Ari and I USED TO have the same stupid argument! And I don't need to have it anymore.

I wonder what it is in this couple's chidhood wounds that makes them need to have this argument - especially in front of other people?!

Ari and I have worked so hard on our relationship. B"H, it feels so much better!

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Over 39,000 hit question

When I grow up I want to be an actor or a dancer or a singer on stage. Or all three, as long as I'm up on stage.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP??

All is quiet...

The house is mine (only) for the next two weeks!!!


It's been three hours and so far...

SO GOOD!!!

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Vacation 2007

On the evening of July 16th, Ari and I became newlyweds again ... well, kinda.

I’ll explain: I took DB to the airport to fly to the States for the first time by himself. He is very capable and I was not too worried as I dropped him off curbside and hugged him goodbye. My worry only began to increase when he called me not 5 minutes later from a number I didn’t recognize to tell me he had left his cell phone in the car and could I please come back to the airport to give it to him?

I got off the highway, turned around to go the other way and headed back to the airport. I handed his phone to him as he wait by the curb, smiled and lectured him only a little (I had to!) by reminding him to pay attention to what he was doing and drove off reluctantly. Deep breath!

Ari had been in Jerusalem at a class and so met me back at home ... with our dear friend Shimmy T, who spent the night with us.

5 minutes later our doorbell rang and 3 of MB’s friends were standing there ... coming to say hello.

The next morning, Ari and I packed up and headed for the hills! Literally! We spent Wednesday, Thursday and Friday relaxing and pampering ourselves at the Carmel Forest Spa at the top of a mountain in the Carmel Forest near Haifa.

I felt a little guilty enjoying myself so much, but only because it was the nine days before Tisha B’av and we’re not really supposed to engage in such “fun” activities. But I made sure to suffer somewhat – between my head and foot massage, facial, and full body Indian oil massage – I suffered! The most suffering I did was in the Solarium or Quiet Room. There were about 20 padded lounge chairs set up in a sound-proof room all facing a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall glass window, looking out over the forest, onto the Mediterranean Sea. After each treatment I went into the Solarium to just be quiet. Heaven and Peace! oh, but I suffered!

On Friday we checked out of the Carmel and drove east towards the Kinneret Sea. We spent Shabbat at the Ramot Resort Hotel, where we have spent Pesach. Only this time we didn’t stay in one of their A-frame family huts! Instead, we stayed in one of their brand new log cabins, exquisitely decorated and equipped with an in-room full size Jacuzzi, sauna and plasma TV. The room also came with a half hour massage for both Ari and I before Shabbat, (as if we hadn’t already been massaged to death) and breakfast served to our room in the morning.

By the time Sunday came we were both ready to come home. There's only so much suffering a person can take :)

So that was our honeymoon. Of course, we still have not yet been in the house alone. B”H. I guess that is the way our home and our lives are supposed to be.

Ari leaves this Saturday night…
And then you know what that means?!?!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

I'm a GREAT Aunt!

That's right!
My #1 nephew, Berish, and his wife (actually Chaya did the hard work!) had a baby boy last week.
Today was the brit and my new GRAND nephew's name is Dovid Aryeh, B"H!

I remember when Berish was born. I was a senior in high school and he was the most exciting thing that happened to me that year!!

Now he's a father!

And I'm a Great Aunt!

How does a Great Aunt spoil a Grand Nephew? This is a new role for me!

Mazal Tov to BB#1 and SIL#1 who are now grandparents! My parents who are now GREAT Grandparents and my Grandparents who are now GREAT GREAT Grandparents!

Amazing! G-d bless everyone!

Woo-hoo, Just call me Great Auntie Sarah!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

I wanna be a beach bum!

I went to the beach in Bat Yam today - by myself!

I had an appointment with a carpenter in Rishon Letzion (about 15 minutes from the beach) and decided before I left the house to bring my beach stuff with me just in case.

After the meeting - which went really well, I thought - I looked at the map and realized I was really close to the Bat Yam beach.

So I took myself there. Lucky me! It was ladies day at the seperate beach!

I read, made a sand castle, swam in the luscious warm water, took a walk and meditated.

I felt a little guilty. Maybe there was something else I was supposed to be doing.

But I kept myself there - for 2 and 1/2 hours!

I wanna learn how to sit at the beach and not feel guilty. I want to not care that there might be something else I should be doing. I just want to learn how to enjoy myself.

Today was a start.

I love the beach!

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Birthday Update

I love being 41!

Whomever "Anonymous" is who left a comment about what I did for my birthday was either there with me or knows me really well!

Food and coloring it was!

A couple of my frineds met me at the local paint-your-own-pottery place where everyone painted a birthday bowl for me - which came out really really great (I wish I knew how to take a picture of it and post it!)

And then we walked next door to a cafe where we sat outside and had lunch.

Relaxing and fun! I am blessed with very special friends whom I enjoy spending time with. Lucky me!

On Thursday, Ari and I drove up north to do a little hiking, swimming and eating at my favorite oriental restaurant: Pagoda in Tiberias. It was another relaxing day, which I enjoyed tremendously by having my husband's undivided attention! :)

So I didn't go to the beach and have not yet gone to my favorite Thai place. But I will.

I have 6 more weeks of summer alone and then a couple more with the girls after that. I will be relaxed out by then and ready to work!

Thank you to everyone who sent me birthday wishes. Turning 41 is really great!

Shavuah tov - wishing everyone a super week!

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Israel, Baseball and Me

The Israel Baseball League has arrived and begun it's summer season here.

As most of you know, I grew up with three brothers, only boy cousins, lots of uncles and two grandfathers (thank Gd). Sports was/were a very big part of our time together. Playing and watching.

My memories mostly involve listening to baseball on the radio with Grandpa Marvin, watching football on TV and playing it in my backyard. Dad liked watching basketball.

Baseball was never my favorite. Kinda boring. I always loved football the most.

After Ari and I got married, we would go to a game now and then. We saw college hockey, the Boston Celtics and the Red Sox. I was one of those fans that wouldn't sit down. Once I was at the game, I got into it and there was no keeping me quiet.

Last week was the Opening Game for the Israel Baseball League. I don't know how involved we would have been if our very dear friend/big brother Dovid Green wouldn't have been drafted to the Petach Tikvah Pioneers. But because Dovid is here and we want to support him, we/I have gone to a couple of games already. I organized a group of over 130 fans from our yishuv to attend the Opening Game. And I embarassed my daughters terribly by yelling too much!

The Pioneers aren't doing so great as a team, but no matter. It's been a blast going to these games and cheering on the boys who came from all over the world to play pro-baseball in Israel. I get to yell and clap and laugh, relax, and hang out at the ballpark.

What could be bad?

I certainly have the time this summer. I'm so incredibly proud of Dovid I can't even explain! (Unfortunately he hurt his back so he hasn't really played - yet.)

So this summer, I'm learning more of the rules of baseball, baking cookies for the players, and yelling, "Hey batter batter batter batter...swing!"

The over 38,000 hit question

So I see I haven't posted a question in over 3,000 hits. Oh well.

I had my birthday party with my friends on Monday (yesterday).

The question is: Guess what I ended up doing for my birthday party?

I will post the answer after Ari and I spend the day together for my real English birthday on Thursday - July 5th. That way I can let you know how I celebrated all week!

Today is my Happy Weird Birthday because it is a fast day, but it is my actual hebrew birthday. Can't celebrate on a fast day!

Leave me a comment and guess, what did I do with my friends? I'll give you a hint: What are two of my most favorite things to do?!