Random Recap

It seems like there is so much going on lately!  So here is a random recap on all things "Casey":

WORK is finally busy, busy, busy which I love!  The days have been flying by which is a nice change from the days when I would be bored, look at the clock and it was 9:32AM!  If you don't know what I do for a living, I sell oranges to Walmart.  Literally!  So please, this is a shameless plug for my job: GO BUY ORANGES (or Clementines or Minneolas) at Walmart.  Don't worry, I won't blame you if you hate shopping at Walmart - so do I!  In fact, the only time I do shop at Wally World is when I am doing "store checks" for work.  A "store check" is a fancy term for "I'm bored and going to drive 30 minutes to the nearest Walmart so I can wander aimlessly and maybe while I'm there I will wander into the produce department and scope out the competition"  But if you can, please go buy lots and lots of Clementines this summer at your local Walmart and report back to me on the brand (name on the bag), flavor and price.  I don't really care but you can tell me anyway!  haha

RUNNING has been going really well!  I have been running 4-5 times a week which has been really refreshing.  I'm actually desperate to get running every other day.  I am so excited to be able to run outside more when Coop is away!   Unfortunately though on Sunday after my run at Kelly's I came back and had a very sore inner-thigh muscle.  It wasn't bad but it was uncomfortable.  On Monday it was still sore so instead of running I did the "Climb the Hills" thing on the treadmill.  Then yesterday I ran a very nice, fast (for me), fluid 2.25 miles!  When I was done I actually had time to do a proper cool down walk and then I left the gym to get Coop from Summer Camp.  In the 9 minute drive from the gym to summer camp something bad happened because when I opened the door to get out of the car I could barely move my left leg.  Then, trying to stand on said leg, was nearly impossible!  I was in tears by the time we got home!   So, needless to say, I am going to let that heal a bit before running again.  But I can't wait to RUN!  It is such a refreshing change from my usual lazy attitude!  

VACATION is only two days away!  Somehow this year my sister quickly and quietly convinced me to pay an astronomical amount to go in on a "shore house" with her.  Someone needs to please explain to me why the beach is the "shore" in Jersey.  It's a beach house anywhere else in the world and it's a beach vacation and it's called "going to the beach".  But here in the lovely Garden State it's all about "going down the shore"!  Anyway, we have a "shore" house from Saturday to Saturday and I am a 50/50 mix of excited and anxious.  I'm excited to get a week long vacation on the beach!  I'm anxious because my brother-in-law's entire extended, gi-normous family is also going to be "down the shore" for that week.  They are big, they are loud, they love to drink and more than anything - there are SO many of them.  I can't even tell you how many people will be there.  In Kevin's immediate family alone there is 11 adults and 5-6 kids.  I'll try to do a head count at one point during the week so I can report back on just how ridiculously over populated this family is!  In addition to the obvious anxiety that many people would cause, I am also getting very nervous about letting Coop leave me for a month.  Immediately upon our return he is going to head north and leave me in his dust!  So I'm going to try to suck up every single second of his time while we're on vacation.  I think my niece will be competing with me for his time but I'm bigger and I will take her down!  He's MY baby!  

COOPER is such an amazing little bundle of perfectness!  I am shocked each and every day to realize that it IS possible to love him more!  I look back over the last 6 1/2 years with him in my life and I just cannot believe it!  It sounds so cliche (and gay!) but he makes me ME!  I love it!  I see so much of myself in  him!  From his insanely annoying sense of worry and hypochondria to his overly generous and loving inherent nature.  He is so kind and gentle with the kids at school or at camp whom he views as scared or less privileged or sad.  I've seen him take a kid under his wing and try to distract him while their mom slips out the door quietly to avoid a crying scene.  He is very aware of other people's emotions - almost to a fault!  He is also extremely dramatic!  If he gets the tiniest scrape on his finger he will go on and on about how his finger hurts and he needs to be "extra careful" because he doesn't want to hurt his injury!  It cracks me up!  Coop is also a born performer!  He has been a sucker for an audience since he was an infant!  If he has even one witness he will start a "routine".  I often find myself saying "stop performing" or "don't talk to strangers" because he has no shame!  I hope that isn't a subliminal sign that he is desperate for my attention and that, as a single parent, he is acting out in hopes of being the focus of my attention!  I'm sure a psychologist would have a similar perspective but in reality, I think he just likes to be the center of attention!  Probably because he is - and always will be - the center of my whole world!  What am I going to do without him for a MONTH?  Have I asked that yet?  

There is a short recap on what's been going on with me.  I will try to get back to more interesting posts soon!  Until then...........

A month of without......

My Cooper!

My grandparents have graciously offered to take Cooper to Coudersport with them for a month!   For the entire month of August.  A whole month.  As in 31 days - maybe more if I were to look at the calendar which I am not going to do because I'm already freaking out about A MONTH!

Last summer Cooper came up to Coudy with them for a week and even that was difficult.  Don't get me wrong, I am excited and so, so grateful that they offered to take him!  I know he will have a great time and I think it is good for him to experience the Coudy way of life!  I'm more worried about what I will do for a month by myself.  Cooper and I have been together for 6 1/2 years now.  Even when he's away for a night I don't sleep well or like the feeling of an empty house.  We have our little schedule and routines and when he's gone, half of me is missing.

I am a mix of anxiety and excitement right now!  I'm worried about what to pack for Cooper and I'm worried about what to do with 30+ days to myself!  I'm also a little worried that it will be a lot for my grandparents to have him for so long.  They have him "farmed out" to a few relatives for different events though so I'm sure they will get some breaks when they need to.

So, I'm asking for input on what to do with my time?  Here's what I've come up with so far:

- I can run outside in the morning or after work
- I can go to the gym after work instead of at lunch
- I want to visit a few friends who are in the city
- A night out in the city!  I haven't done that yet since moving back here!
- I could go to the beach for a day and just lay in the sun by myself!
- Sleep in on weekends
- Eat sushi without someone complaining that they don't like it!
- I WILL save almost $700 by not paying for summer camp (it's all going to credit card debt!)

What else?   Help me fill my time please!  I'm taking any and all suggestions.  And I am sure I will be counting down the days until my little baby gets back to me!

Blueberry fields forever

One of the best parts, I'm finding, about living in South Jersey is the ample fresh produce!  From Jersey tomatoes to Jersey blueberries, I am literally surrounded by fields as far as the eye can see.  On one side I can see the city skyline and on the other three it's a bounty of yummy fruits and veggies!

Today we ventured to Mood's Farm Market in Mullica Hill - just down the road.

They were having their annual Blueberry Festival so we thought we'd check it out.  What a great find!  This cute little roadside stand boasts fresh produce, homemade donuts and jarred goodies like blueberry jam and peach honey!  We scoped out the festival part complete with a blueberry bake-off:

We didn't stick around for the contest or better yet - the taste-testing portion of the day.  We had to move on to pick our own blueberries.........

Cooper ate about as many as he picked but he had a blast doing it!  He kept saying it was the "best day ever" which is nice to hear!   It took us about 20 minutes to fill up our containers and about 2 seconds to wish we had brought bigger ones or even 10 more!  All these berries for only $4.50!   When a pint is $1.99 at the store it was well worth our time and so much fun to get our very own berries!

I've already put some to good use by making this recipe from Skinny Taste!  I can't wait to try it!

As a member of the produce industry and an avid supporter of local produce, I encourage you to explore your own neighborhood and surrounding area for what's fresh and in season!  And if you're in South Jersey - be sure to check out Mood's Farm Market and their Blueberry Festival!

Generations of love

The 4th of July has always been a time for family, food, fireworks and fun for me.  Growing up, we would pack up the cars with picnic supplies, sleeping bags, bathing suits and S'mores and head to Jack's - our family farm for the long weekend.  Jack was the name of the man who had owned the house prior to my grandparents purchasing the property after his death.  It was our getaway "camp" that fostered more memories than any other home or place from my childhood.  Our whole family would head to Jack's and camp in the old, run down house.  As the years progressed, we added ponds (3 to be exact), a barn, horses, cows, a carriage house and eventually a complete remodel of the house was done.  Whether we were 6 or 16, all the kids enjoyed the traditional sparklers and S'mores around the fire!  And if we were lucky, Poppy would make us breakfast on the fire the next day! 

Over the years, as we grew older and thought we were "too cool" to hang out with our family for the 4th of July we would scatter from Jack's to meet with friends, head to the fireworks or go to parties.  A few years we missed the family gathering all together to attend our own important plans.  As the third generations started to scatter up and down the east coast we started a new tradition of watching the fireworks on "Grandma Betty's" front lawn in Austin.  I've seen fireworks in New York City, State College set to music played on the radio, Florida with the boat parade in the river and of course, the Galeton fireworks.  None of these compare with the show you will see at the Austin fireworks!

The times have changed and the family has grown but the traditions remain.  This year we gathered with (almost) all 19 of us at my sister's house in Quakertown, PA to celebrate the 4th of July!  There were S'mores and sparklers still and even a breakfast on the fire!   But what was even more amazing was the realization that my son, my child can experience the same heart warming effects of a weekend spent with family!

I watched as my grandparents spent time with each grandchild and great-grandchild.  I watched as my parents snuggled Cooper and his cousins during the fireworks.  I watched my mom, sister and Aunt spend time in the kitchen together.  It was memorable!  It just goes to show that it doesn't matter WHERE we are as long as we're together!  That is very cliche, but it's true!  Family is the most important thing in life!

Some things continue throughout the years.......like Kelly learning how to "burl"

and a family volleyball game

And some traditions are new like Family Olympics with a winning team

and Cake Pops

I hope you all enjoyed your 4th of July with family, friends and loved ones.