Category Archives: Family

JJ’s Throwback Thursday #2 – Holiday Edition

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I would like to dedicate this Throwback to my brother and his family for the good time this week.

Me and my bro long ago (1976 and 1982-I think)

Me and my bro long ago (1976 and 1982-I think)

My Canadian Christmas 2013 was spent mostly with my mom, dad, brother, sister in-law, niece and nephew (Brett had to work this week so he stayed in NYC, and we will be meeting up with the kids in Phoenix soon). Although I did get to see Jill and her family and had lunch with Joc and her kids; a little more friend time was scheduled but had to cancel due to feeling under the weather.

Anyway… I could throw way back and dig up some crazy old memories from our childhood (stuffing dirty socks in my mouth or getting concussions, for example), but I can call yesterday’s firecracker debacle a “Throwback” memory.

December 25th rundown:

Mom, Dad and I drive from Wetaskiwin to Leduc yesterday morning for gift openings and a day of eating and relaxing.

Gift opening: Great! Lots of smiles and happy faces.

Relaxing: Awesome! From table to kitchen to couch and around again and again. A little nap for Trent and dad, a little run for me.

Eating: Delicious! Corn chowder for lunch. Steak, crab legs, smoked salmon, potato skins and more for dinner. Mmmm!

Games: Scrabble and Beat the Parents. A little thinking involved but successful.

Fireworks: First round – great! Second round – not so much. Run for cover – literally! After Trent set them up, they fell over and started shooting at us towards the house. Ty yells: “They fell over! Get in the house!” while herding us all like sheep toward the door. Trent dove into the snow and tried to take cover. Meanwhile, dad is standing at the end of the deck enjoying the show, no big deal. Keely’s camera records the Griswald type of event that is taking place. After a delayed reaction, we were all back inside. No injuries reported. Usually this type of thing happens at the Borneman family Christmas events… 🙂

After all calmed down and tried a third and final round of fireworks, all was good. And then ended the night ended with a regular Coors and the Griswald’s.

The few days of relaxing with the fam was needed and great. So thank you guys for your hospitality and the new throwbacks! ❤

Wordless Wednesday #2 – Holiday Edition

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Home for the Holidays

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Yesterday I flew from my new home (which will be +17C this weekend, sniff) back home-home (-28C) for part of the holiday break. For the next few days I will be spending my time with my family mostly, and a handful of friends.

My first few visits back to Edmonton after moving to New York were always really really busy. I wanted to see all the friends I left behind: catch up, go out for dinner, drinks or whatever.

However, my last two or three visits have been different. I am spending less time running around to see the most people I can see, and more time with less people making our time together more valuable. And I think the time here is better spent. I’m not saying I don’t want to see anyone else, because that would be great, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out – and that’s okay. We all find our ways of keeping in touch.

So, happy holidays and enjoy your time together. And now I need some coffee because it is way too early to be blogging!

Holiday Season is Here

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First, I am very thankful that I was able to sleep in until 8:30 this morning, despite Brett and I both forgetting to turn of our alarms. At this time of year, sleep is so essential.

So we got up, bundled ourselves and headed to our usual diner around the corner for breakfast. In conversation during breakfast I mentioned to Brett that we should walk over to Dunkin on Lex to pick up the correct K-cups and possibly from there we would be able to see the Macy’s parade balloons. Neither Brett or I are parade people but this was the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and it’s the kick-off to holiday season!  So Brett made a face and said he would go, but only as far as Lex.

Well, we left the diner, picked up the coffee, stepped back out onto the street and looked across the avenues … and we couldn’t see anything. It was pretty chilly and I contemplated going home, but instead I told him to go home and I’d just walk over to catch the end of the parade. I had to!

I hung a right and headed toward Rockefeller. I’d say my timing was pretty smack on – I got to see some of the enormous balloons as I approached 6th Avenue, just on the other side of Rockefeller. Many people, young and old – toques, puffy scarves, mitts and parkas on, to experience this iconic NYC event. It was energizing absorbing everyone’s holiday spirit! Although the end of the parade is not as cool as the beginning – all the new balloons are at the front – it’s still pretty cool to watch numbers and numbers of people controlling these huge inflatable characters and shapes. They look so small in comparison.

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I’d say my hour this morning walking through Rockefeller, watching families all bundled – some making special trips into the city just for the parade and to experience the festivities, and observing that 15 minutes of parade pushed me into the Festivus season! For these moments and opportunities I am forever grateful.

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Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Chanukah, and Happy Holidays everyone! Take one of the most stressful times of year and turn it into a relaxing season of sharing, giving and cheer!

It’s Canadian Thanksgiving, Not Columbus Day

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Let’s take a moment to evaluate this weekend – the second weekend of October – and it’s meaning to North Americans. And sorry if I get a little controversial.

For 31 years, this weekend in October always meant gathering with family for Canadian Thanksgiving and for the last 10, my niece’s birthday. Naturally first celebrated by natives (being the first people and all), it remains a day to give thanks for the harvests and all of bounty the earth provides in my home and native land.

For the last 7 years, this weekend means commemorating Christopher Columbus for his exploration and his supposed discovery of America!

So if I live here I should be proud to celebrate this day? Ummm, no! Canadian Thanksgiving it is!

Regardless of the fact that I now live America, I choose to hold true to my roots and be grateful for our tradition of Thanksgiving. I may not be able to find a place that serves a Canadian Thanksgiving dinner, but I can have turkey dinner any time. What I will do is always look back on Thanksgivings past and remember those times with fondness. Being thankful for having my parents to take care of me, my brother to beat me up, and my group of loyal friends to hang with throughout my life (old and new) is all I could really ask for. And throw in a little pumpkin flavored food at this time of year and I’m good.

justhappyquotes.com

justhappyquotes.com

On the flip side, here in New York City, tomorrow will be the annual Columbus Day parade – messing up travels across 5th Avenue and all through mid-town. Columbus may have sailed to find “The New World” first, but he also destroyed the very existence of thousands of people along the way. And he’s a hero?! He didn’t discover America, there were already people living here. They just weren’t Europeans.

floppingaces.net

floppingaces.net

But you know the story, and you know me!… So instead of being a Negative Nelly by starting to bash the idea of celebrating Columbus, I will revert back to my positive thoughts and fond memories of my Canadian Thanksgivings. Family, turkey, food, food, food, pumpkin pie, food, sometimes snow, food, maybe watch hockey, pumpkin pie. Yum.

So I cordially invite Americans to celebrate with Canadians this weekend! Celebrate both Thanksgivings instead of paying “homage” to Columbus! Giving thanks to a peaceful people, who were willing to share the land and resources with newcomers.

Enjoy and be thankful for those who bring meaning to your life and for the harvests the earth (and farmers) provide.

Happy Thanksgiving Canadians and Americans!

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stock-clip.com

Remember the Moment?

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I’m sure we all remember the exact moment when we heard the Twin Towers had been hit by commercial jets. This moment obviously changed millions of lives forever, near and far.

Although it’s been 12 years, those wounds are still fresh for those directly affected by the day that changed the world. While there are many different versions of what happened that day and who is to blame, innocent people’s lives were forever changed. So on this somber day, embrace the moments that make you happy.

Those moments for me today were:

  • feeling the 92 degree Fahrenheit heat and humidity of a September day (although it was kind of hard to bear)
  • my delicious iced coffee
  • the little old black dude dressed in the peach-colored suit
  • a man taking a work break in his foldable lawn chair, listening to his boom box
  • listening to the intelligent ramblings of an 8 year old
  • the guy chair dancing on the subway
  • knowing I made my family excited because they got the treat package I sent 😉
  • and this…

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Tell me this didn’t make you smile!

Trips of Summers Past

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Today the kids arrive for our yearly summer adventure. Well, they are not kids anymore, they’re teens. We’ve been going on some sort of summer adventure since they were little, whether we lived near them or not.

Here’s a look back at the trips of summers past:

2012 – Kids came to NY then we went to Florida from here. Rented a car and a house in Celebration. Went to WDW, Universal Studios, Downtown Disney, Gator Land, boys went fishing, girls went to Animal Kingdom and Cirque du Soleil La Nouba.

Medieval Time at Kissimmee - August 2012

Medieval Time at Kissimmee – August 2012

2011 – Kids came with Brett’s nephew, Shae and sister, Rhonda. NYC time! Brooke returned home with Auntie and Shae. Bray stayed a few days longer- we took him to Boston for a couple of days, then he and hubs flew to Calgary for fly fishing on the Bow.

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At Rockefeller – July 2011

2010 – Mountain time at sister in law’s in Canmore. Good times with Granny, Auntie, Shae and the four of us. Not to mention, 97 year old Grandma! Activities included time in Banff and Canmore, Sulphur Mountain climb, white water rafting, zip-lining, wall climbing, boys went fishing on the Bow, drive to Lake Louise.

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Rafting on the Kananaskis – 2010. Note: Granny and Grandma are not in the picture!

2009 – Kids came to NYC. Lots of sight seeing and a trip out to Montauk.

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Brooklyn Bridge – July 2009

2008 – Brett and I went back to get the kids and took them to Vancouver. Rented a condo in Yaletown. Went to Granville Island, Stanley Park, Vancouver Aquarium, took a trolley tour, boys went fishing. Bray came back to NY with us. We also took the train down to DC and toured Gettysburg.

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Serious business at the White House – 2008

2007 – Our first full summer after moving away. Alberta/Saskatchewan road trip.  Fishing trip at Lake Mirond in an old fishing cabin with Rhonda, Shae, and Grandpa. No Brooke on this trip.

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Gettin the fish fry ready! July 2007

2006 and summer prior not as fresh in my head.

This year: London! (Insert British accent) We’re going to see the Royal baby, Prince George. Will let you know if we see him!

Summer Streets Etiquette

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For the past 6 Augusts, Mayor Bloomberg has dedicated 7 miles of Park Avenue – from 72nd Street all the way down to Brooklyn Bridge for Summer Streets, on three consecutive Saturdays.

Fab idea! I love it! Runners, walkers, bikers, and bladers can enjoy the car-free zone from 7am-1pm on those Saturdays.

This year, with the new CitiBike system (kudos to the DOT/citibank for that), getting a bike was far easier so hubs and I decided to bike down from our ‘hood to Brooklyn Bridge. Last Saturday was really pleasant because it was a little rainy so the street was pretty open.

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Biking downtown

Yesterday was a different story. Because of the perfect weather provided by Mother Nature, the streets were far busier. And of course they should have been, people are out enjoying this glorious event!

Along the route there are signs to alert you to rest stops, activity stops and this year a voice activated pop-up art installation in the tunnel just south of Grand Central.

There are also many signs to show that pedestrians should walk or run on the right and bikers should bike on the left. Makes sense right? Well, not to everyone…. so here is some etiquette for Summer Streets. Again, common sense – not so common…

To enjoy Summer Streets, or any public event like festivals, parades, etc, please follow this simple etiquette (although I know this really doesn’t apply to you – it’s more of a vent with a positive tone haha!):

  • follow the rules of the road! You are not the only person there.
  • pay attention to your surroundings, you are not the only person there
  • watch out for others, you are not the only person there
  • if you are biking and need to pass, look behind you before darting out, you are not the only person there
  • clean up after yourself, there are garbage cans everywhere
  • use your bell, you are not the only person there
  • teach your kids the rules of the road before you head out to the streets, your family is not the only one there
  • give people their personal space whether running or biking, you are not the only person there
  • have fun 🙂

I know I live in a place where there are tons and tons of people, but just think a little. That’s all I ask 🙂

Minus the few people who did annoy me, we still had a good ride! If you haven’t been out to enjoy it yet, you should!

Saw and heard this fancy music wagon both times!

Saw and heard this fancy music wagon both times!

Family Time

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How many of us live away from our families? I know there are millions who do, and there are various reasons for doing so.

I moved away from my family in western Canada seven years ago for two reasons. First, I needed a change in my life because I was feeling stagnant, and this lead to the second reason – a career location change.

In this age of technology, it is easy to keep in touch via email, text, FaceTime, or Skype no matter how far away you are from loved ones. But really, never underestimate the value of a few days of real time together. I just wrapped up a few days of NYC time with my brother, sister in law and 9 year old niece (nephew had to stay home to work). I think to say that we had a lot of fun is an understatement. We spent our days walking and walking and talking and talking and eating and watching people and experiencing many neighborhoods in the city. In three and a half days we covered a lot of ground and I was happy to be part of some irreplaceable memories.

Some of the highlights from the week:

– strolling through Central  Park and the watching very active animals in Central Park Zoo

– eating!!! Dinner at Guy Fieri’s new restaurant, Waffles & Dinges, S’Mac Mac & Cheese, cupcakes from Sprinkles and Baked by Melissa (family also sampled from Cake Boss), PJ Clarke’s, Hill Country Chicken, Brooklyn Ice Cream Shop

– walking the High Line and noticing the interesting architecture

– some shopping at Dylan’s Candy Shop, FAO Schwartz, Toys R Us, Century 21, Yellow Rat Bastard

– taking the short ferry ride to Dumbo and strolling through the neighborhood I started my NYC life in when I first moved here

– walking in the rain

– seeing the Broadway version of Annie

Although this plentiful list of our few days together is incomplete, the best part was catching up! Thanks T, B, and K for coming to my neck of the woods! Imagine if all families got along as well as we do…

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