Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2012





Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2012

One of the items on my list was to do something with my son in NYC. There are always memories to be made on the streets of NY. Some of my craziest stories are from days of cutting class and hanging out in Battery Park. I truly believe that NYC holds some of the most amazing sights, sounds, smells and simple freaks of all the world... you have to experience it for yourself. But- this blog is about the parade...I pulled in my husband and our kids and planned a trip for the Thanksgiving Day parade; a dear friend inspired by my Feed Your Soul Fantastic adventure decided she would experience a first and journey along with us (details to follow in another blog).

 

Tom the HUGE Turkey

Off we went for two nights in Newark and a day in Manhatten! We stayed adjacent to Penn Station thinking we'd take the PATH in and save some cash and trouble... what? Nearly $75 to get us in... needless to say tolls and parking were easier and cheaper than that. Nix the train experience! I will have to plan an underground experience another time. (It'll give me an excuse to take the kids again soon!) Off we were at barely six am, I could feel the anxiety of the city proudly emerging as I cussed like a sailor at the traffic despite my sweet, dear, Southern, Christian friend in the backseat. Ah, I'm home. We were parked and journeying towards Columbus Circle before the crowds were thick and the steam still rose with each breath.



The Pilgrims

We found a great spot on Central Park South and settled in with coffee and crying children. The college girls in front of us chatted and chatted as Ashley and I rolled our eyes and Caleb winked his. The sun rose, the streets warmed, and the crowd began buzzing only the way a NY crowd can. The clowns came running and got everyone on their feet... the parade is coming... the parade is coming! Excited cheers and whoooooo's and screams and hollers, but not a yeee- haw to be heard. 





Ronald has a head wound!

The Famous Macy's Stars danced along and Hello Kitty and Kermit and Sonic and Buzz. There was the huge Tom Turkey that seemed a little smaller, the big headed pilgrims and the President's too. I  was bouncing and cheering, even more excited than the kids. I'd finally got to see the very things I have gotten up early to watch each third Thursday in Novemeber ever since I can remember. Right after the thing I miss so much, a simple turkey dance. A tear fell from my eye for the memory of the turkey dance, only few will understand. 



Cheerleaders!

 

I was quickly distracted by the excitement of "There they are!!!!" from my son. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, he'd been watching manholes all morning just waiting for one to appear. A simple scene to bring this growing young man right back to my snuggly little boy, reminding me of my short little brother nearly a generation before. TMNT who knew?







 

Here comes Spidey!

In between the floats and excitement were all the stars... famous people right there just about within our reach. People that were much easier to recognize when there name appears below them on the screen or when they have a sign falling straight and not floating in the wind at the parade. There was Colbie Calliat no wait, that's not her... who is that? There's The Wanted and Carly Rae Jepsen and who the heck are Meg & Liz? KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR? There's Whoopi and Gabbie with the rest of the Fab Five and Rachel Crow with Dora! Who's that man with the guitar at Mt. Rushmore and Cody Simpson made the girls go wild and Mannheim Steamroller and a really cool band on a Gibson guitar. 











Jennette McCurdy- Sam from iCarly

Oh wait there is Colbie Calliat, who was that other blonde... that was Miss America! Jennette Mc Curray from iCarly and Trace Adkins and hey, somebody said that was Jimmy Fallon & The Roots on the guitar! There were power rangers and elf on the shelf and yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus. OH MY GOODNESS! It is Mario and the lady and Gordon from Sesame Street and now I am crying!!! I loved those guys growing up and watched them act silly when my brother was growing up and watched them get old as my son grew up and

I AM CRYING AS I WATCH THEM AT THE MACYS THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE AT NEARLY 40 YEARS OLD!

Sesame Street on Central Park South!





The Fab 5 2012 Olympians





Kareem Abdul- Jabbar





FLO RIDA!



It was fantastic to blend our excitement with that of the crowd. We bounced and got excited. We bounced to keep warm. We worked to explain who they people were... or who we thought they could be. Then it was FLO RIDA! Holy Cow, FLO RIDA is in front of us... dancing with some white chick with pink hair... I WANNA BE HER!!! Then we worked to explain to Lynda how to say FLO RIDA and who he was. It was all so much fun, all so amazing, all so worth every second, every dime and every stumble to get there. If you haven't done it... do it. Make a plan, follow the crowd, and tell me about it. 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 P.S. Formatting and pictures suck. I hope you enjoy them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above all, be the heroine.

Life presents you with challenges every day. Some challenges are simple. Some challenges feel as though they may kill you. Luckily, most of life’s challenges fall somewhere in between and while we may struggle, we get to the other side relatively unscathed. No matter what the challenge, each of us will meet it with a different perspective. For many, we may meet the same challenge six days before or two years later with a completely different perspective and method of attack (or retreat).  I believe not one person truly has the ability to see a challenge from another’s perspective. While it may be our responsibility to listen, guide or encourage each other through… judgment does not have a place. Judgment is one of life’s greatest challenges.

I have been known as the outgoing, chatty, eccentric, loud type through most of my circles. Despite my readiness to jump in front of the crowd and break into song and dance or stand in front of a room of people and facilitate an all day event, I too struggle with the wonderment or judgment. I may not be very concerned with if they like my hair or outfit, or if my hips look big while I am in front of the crowd- believe that I changed my outfit seven times before I left the house. Chances are the outfit is over the top as a distracter. If I sing off key or am unaware of the answer to a question, I am ok with that- I pride myself in not being perfect and expect some margin of error; and I encourage others to as well. It gives you an amazing degree of confidence to admit you make mistakes and it is really ok.

While we generally place judgment on the things we see and do, the wonderment of judgment affects us more on the inside. I will however feel an emotional hurt or perhaps, notice a psychological void, and bury it with retail therapy, gift giving or an overindulgent meal. We all have our challenges. I have often taken this approach rether than finding a safe spot. I have not always had a person you can go to that says, “I love you no matter what” or a set of arms that when you are snuggled in them you know you are safe and protected from anything. When the world judges, when the stones are cast be it by eyes, words, or deeds, we all need a place that is safe. These amazing people and places may come and go in life. As we are human, our ability to support each other changes as well. Treasure those people and places that feel right and allow those who do not feel safe anymore to go. Find and nurture a spiritual relationship, for that is the only true safe spot that is divine.

When it all comes down to it, God has already written your story. You however, have the power to change it. Only you have the power to become the heroine or the victim. Choose your perspective well, my friends. Know that you can make your story a success; at any moment, at every moment, you have every bit of power that you need to make your story a success. Life is filled with challenges. Be the heroine of your story today.

Uniforms: What You May Not See

When I was a little girl, I thought the hardest job must be one that required a man to wear a uniform. My grandfather seemed to work sunrise to sunset, or vice versa. H e went to work in his bluish-grey uniform with NYS Thruway embroidered above the pocket. He drove a wrecker and did something with bridge patrol. I remember being a little girl and getting to drive down this secret road off the Tappan Zee Bridge and down near the river. We’d wind up in what I thought was a secret complex of big trucks and cars with lights on top, and hard working men in uniforms.

When I was a little older, the head of one of the most influential families of my teen years wore a greenish-grey uniform and he too seemed to be one of the hardest working men. Billie went to work when we were all fast asleep. As we got a little older, he still worked the same hours, but left as we were sneaking in. He worked through the night and came home in the wee hours of the morning.

 

I have grown to adore those hard working men in uniforms; the one I love wears a dark blue uniform with a bright yellow and red patch. He works hours and hours and might be one of the hardest working men around. Sometimes, I forget to tell him how much I appreciate his hard work. He rises before the sun and comes home in the dark.  I know he does this all in love and support of his family.

My uniform has been very different than those hard working men. My uniform was one of starched white cotton that later in my career turned to fashionable colors and prints that felt like cozy pajamas. That uniform has taken me through some of the hardest, yet most rewarding days of my life. While that uniform may be easily identified and holds a great deal of my professional pride, another uniform has been the most important in my life.

For nearly a decade and a half I have worn a uniform sun to sun that truly expresses the hardest job I could have ever imagined. My daily wear was once one of smudgy handprints and snotty noses. I’ve carried a large stick and held a soft pillow. I’ve wiped tears and showcased smiles. I’ve shuttled friends and cuddled to make amends. The most difficult job I have ever known is that of a parent, and perhaps even more difficult that of a step-parent.

 

I love my kids, be it by birth or by marriage. They have truly been the most amazing thing in each day of my life. There have been days when they look me in the eye and wish me to disappear. There are days that they have felt my love and support and thanked me from their heart. The most difficult job I ever imagined can only be carried out with love. No matter what, no matter when, no matter how, I will work my entire life, from sun to sun, to water my children with love. It is not always easy to see the growth, sometimes it is below the surface. Someday, one day, many days, the growth is obvious and the hardest job in the world is also the most amazing, rewarding, fantastic day.

A List Creates a Lifestyle

I checked in on my list the other day. I realized I have been toying with this list nearly long enough to birth a baby; conception to delivery. I started tossing it around in December and getting serious in January. Like many facets in my life, I go all out, enjoy the short strong bursts, and find a few amazing experiences. Mirroring some aspects of my life I either lack energy or commitment or excitement to carry through with a long range plan. Some may call it attention deficit disorder, I however think of it as lacking in entertainment value.



A few short strong bursts of amazing were included in The Polar Plunge, riding a mechanical bull, Mud Warrior, meeting my biological brother at 39, Cinco de Mayo salsa, clipping coupons worth over $60, and more than a few fantastic moments with friends. I have said yes many more times than I would previous to this list (including sex with my husband, but not enough yes to hit 40 in a row yet). I have enjoyed many moments and thought they were certainly list worthy, but may not have taken the time to blog them. I have made many memories and changed a few perspectives… all because I wrote a list. I have realized, a bucket list isn’t really a list at all. A bucket list is really a state of mind, a way of life.

I have embraced this list, this new way of life, whole heartedly. I have jumped in and on and around some fantastic fun and seized a few opportunities I would have allowed to pass on by. I have lived, learned, and danced more than I have in a long while. It’s time for me to look within, to encounter those challenges that have seemed to large to bear. It’s time to take a long look at those things that lack short bursts of fun and need a long range plan and commitment. The list has become a lifestyle, it’s time to take it to the next level. Stay tuned…



A rainbow above our backyard.