tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45207287686155085912024-03-19T13:15:54.999-07:00Mrs. Lo's BlogMrs. Lo: Wife, Mom, Team Mom, Crew Mom, Football Mom, Basketball Mom and Feis Mom. And, oh yeah, almost forgot -- I've been a lawyer for 23 years The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-3380001804008127682017-02-11T21:41:00.001-08:002017-02-11T21:41:18.533-08:00Read More!THE #1 BEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOURSELF. We hear a lot about self-care. It's important. Gone are the days when Mom would bring chicken soup to your room and Dad would fix your bicycle tire. We are (through no fault of our own) the Adults now and we must take care of ourselves. I know, it can be quite alarming sometimes to realize we are the Adults and no one is going to take care of you -- but you.<br />
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Taking care of yourself sounds easy. But do you schedule regular doctor and dentist appointments for yourself? Do you stretch in the morning, take vitamins, and floss your teeth? Pretty basic stuff, but when pressed for time, we tend to put everyone and everything before our own self-care. <br />
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Try building in some time for things YOU want to do. It's not selfish, it's soothing. Your parents would approve. <br />
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Going to the gym or exercising in your own way should be a top priority. We talked about this last week. Also, making time for friends is high on the importance list. <br />
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The number one thing you can do for yourself, in my opinion, is Read. If you already love to read, then it's just a matter of finding a comfy chair and investing the time. If you're not a reader, get thee to the Library and find books you like. Or maybe try books on tape, I love to listen to audiobooks while driving. The best ones, in my opinion, for the ones read by the author. I read so much I would go broke if I purchased every book that I read. That's why I love the library. You can even download e-books onto your Kindle reader at the library. <br />
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I just love to read and it has been that way all my life. I could spend entire days and nights reading books, if I had the time and the domestic staff of Downtown Abbey. Instead, I carve out the time after work and on weekends. I especially love adventure and mystery books that take me to new and exotic lands. Or back to other periods in history. A love of reading can protect your brain from Alzheimer’s disease, slash stress levels, encourage positive thinking, and fortify friendships, according to Reader's Digest. <br />
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And really, with all the "noise" out there in the world, isn't it wonderful to put it all on hold and retreat into the world of whatever book you're reading?<br />
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So to all my bookish friends out there, I say "Bookworms Unite!" Here's to library bags filled with books, comfy chairs, hot tea and books so good the pages practically turn themselves. I'm almost done with "Before the Fall," by Noah Hawley. Got a great book recommendation? I'd love to hear it! 💛📚 Mrs. Lo www.LobiondoPage.Blogspot.comThe Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-24669222899706450342017-02-03T20:58:00.000-08:002017-02-03T20:58:00.027-08:00"But You're So Skinny ..." <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BUT YOU’RE SO SKINNY! Here is a newsflash, being “skinny” does not mean that you are healthy. I found this out the hard way. All my life I have had higher than normal cholesterol. Which my doctors all ignored because on the outside, I’m the picture of good health. I have good readings when it comes to everything else (blood pressure, resting heart rate, blood sugar, triglycerides). But I am getting up there in years (I am 51). I have a new female doctor who told me my cholesterol was too high, and that I needed to either get it down through diet and fitness or go on medicine. I really did not want to go on medicine.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> February is American Heart Month. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. Heart disease can lead to heart attack and stroke. And the leading causes of heart disease are </span><a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/smo" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #330066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Smoking</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (including secondhand smoke), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and blood vessel inflammation (according to the pamphlet my doctor gave me). Carrie Fisher and Mary Tyler Moore recently died of a heart attack; as did Alan Thicke. The threat is real; and more prevalent than cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> My cholesterol reading overall three months ago was 245. My LDL or “bad cholesterol” was 171, which is what worried my doctor. I really made it by life’s work to get that cholesterol down. Ideally, she wanted my cholesterol under 200, my HDL or good cholesterol is supposed to be above 60. And she wanted my Bad cholesterol under 115. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I switched up my diet. Cholesterol comes from animals, so anything that comes from an animal, I either eliminated or really cut back on. That meant no dairy at all (good bye half and half, I love you!!); only chicken and fish, lots of whole grains like brown rice, and lots and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. No more pizza or lasagna! For snacks, I ate only bananas, dried fruit and Kind bars. I eat 24 bananas a week. And tons of water. I started taking supplements and foods that were anti inflammatory (like Tumeric).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I already belonged to Gold’s Gym Newburgh but I joined the “Alloy” program there, which is additional classes with circuit training. I committed to go to at least 2 classes a day at Gold’s, usually a CX (core training) or Alloy class, followed by a yoga class. I started doing yoga and meditating every day, either at the gym or at home. I convinced myself during meditation that I could lower my cholesterol. Then, after coming home from work, I got on my indoor rowing maching and rowed at least 2 miles every day.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My family was not only supportive, they were like having Jillian Michaels living in the house (“Put down that cookie, Mom, do you want HEART DISEASE??!!). The ladies in my boat were incredibly supportive, we have an ongoing group text that never stops, and they pushed my to work on my cholesterol. They went to the gym and to yoga with me. We did a virtual rowing challenge on our indoor rowing machines. I told all the instructors at Gold’s what I was trying to do and they gave me diet and fitness advice and lots of support as well.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soooo … after three months I had my cholesterol tested again (my doctor orders a blood test). Yes, there was that deeply twisted part of me that was secretly hoping my cholesterol didn’t change, so I could stop working so hard and watch Netflix in my pajamas. But that would mean taking medicine and I really didn’t want to do that. The nurse called me with the results. My cholesterol had gone down from 245 to 231. My good cholesterol went up from 47 to 51. And my bad cholesterol went down from 178 to 150. “Whatever you’re doing, keep it up,” is what Dr. Park had told the nurse to tell me. I was elated! I’m not where I need to be yet but I know that if I keep at it, I will get there. And I am one pig-headed human being, so I will not stop until my numbers are where they need to be. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope everyone will get their cholesterol tested when you go for your annual physical. And if your doctor recommends medicine then by all means take it. In my case, I was borderline and my doctor gave me the opportunity to try to bring my cholesterol down myself. And now this is my life. I will never stop my fitness and healthy diet routine because I have lost too many people in my family to heart disease and stroke. If it’s at all possible, I would like to be there for my kids’ graduations, and weddings, and all that good stuff. And knowing I can get there tastes a lot better than pizza.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So get out there and get moving! For more information on heart disease and prevention, visit: </span><a href="http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Caregiver/Resources/WhatisCardiovascularDisease/What-is-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_301852_Article.jsp" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Caregiver/Resources/WhatisCardiovascularDisease/What-is-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_301852_Article.jsp</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For more information about Gold’s Gym and the Alloy program visit: </span><a href="http://www.goldsgym.com/newburghny/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.goldsgym.com/newburghny/</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And for more information on how to join the rowing programs of the Newburgh Rowing Club, visit </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.newburghrowclub.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">www.NewburghRowClub.org</a></span></div>
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Photo from Hudson Valley Winter Erg Sprints, 01/29/17</div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6accd5c0-0778-bcea-3f6f-90de566e1a9d"><br /></span>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-79054624294871909772017-01-06T20:25:00.002-08:002017-01-06T20:27:04.677-08:00Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas, Hawaii: A Mrs. Lo Travel Blog<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFCq8W68TWcYuQZh6kEPz8Mqc9dyVgsnVMiSMG5B2a6PKKhVpwNpbJci5gC8htmKaTJ-OrxBBn24rzLsZRvqy-vfhvhCE9zJGC6Md1HZY954SFXGHxu1gjD7I850Xk99hd8mb0RyghXAb/s1600/Aulani+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFCq8W68TWcYuQZh6kEPz8Mqc9dyVgsnVMiSMG5B2a6PKKhVpwNpbJci5gC8htmKaTJ-OrxBBn24rzLsZRvqy-vfhvhCE9zJGC6Md1HZY954SFXGHxu1gjD7I850Xk99hd8mb0RyghXAb/s320/Aulani+10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aulani Resort, view of the beach from one of the pools</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-right: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have just returned from a one-week stay at Aulani, the Disney Vacation Club resort in Honolulu, Hawaii. As Disney Vacation Club members, Aulani is one of our home resorts (our other home resort is the Grand Floridian Villas). This is our second trip to Aulani; the last trip was in July 2015. This trip was from December 26 to New Year’s Day, then we had to get the kids back to school!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFXu7WkXHNaa1NX54J7bJrSFqcNDV4JbXw-4l92-vcZNCNhETzHDcPhxjxYZq0ny8gyvKUneHDoXXrNtzdtfLf41OB_iGKrf7KqgSHS0RDmMP4Gev-47wvvO1DqVb-lirxaq7HDk49REM/s1600/Aulani+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFXu7WkXHNaa1NX54J7bJrSFqcNDV4JbXw-4l92-vcZNCNhETzHDcPhxjxYZq0ny8gyvKUneHDoXXrNtzdtfLf41OB_iGKrf7KqgSHS0RDmMP4Gev-47wvvO1DqVb-lirxaq7HDk49REM/s320/Aulani+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobby during holidays</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. FLYING FROM THE EAST COAST. We live in New York state and it is a very long flight from our home to Honolulu. We like to break it up by staying on the West Coast for one night and then flying out to Hawaii the next day. We flew to San Francisco, saw a few sights, had dinner and stayed at the Westin San Francisco Airport (there are two Westins in San Francisco). I highly recommend the Westin San Francisco Airport it is very convenient and positively sumptuous after a long flight.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. RENTAL CARS - I would highly recommend getting a rental car for a few reasons. Unlike the Disney magical express in Orlando, there is no shuttle from Honolulu airport to Aulani. It's nice to have a car all week so that you can go do excursions on your own. Disney offers excursions from Aulani but they are pricey and you are stuck doing them on the timeframe offered. You can also use your rental vehicle to go get groceries from Safeway, more on that later. We like Alamo, they also have a rental office at Aulani. DVC members get free parking, I think it’s otherwise $25.00 per day.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVjEPmxz2KLHsbbJJRIr8GLrLfOINxduEKyfu5TJRuOUCXs7nuEu7jzw1t1NVRcoqzoUb_sx_uXdMgF8GTa1SBL2KTyLmSN4iGL4wjJL9buBMIXIowx-qE7Zro5leGEV-cAEV-Ry2G53Q/s1600/Aulani+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVjEPmxz2KLHsbbJJRIr8GLrLfOINxduEKyfu5TJRuOUCXs7nuEu7jzw1t1NVRcoqzoUb_sx_uXdMgF8GTa1SBL2KTyLmSN4iGL4wjJL9buBMIXIowx-qE7Zro5leGEV-cAEV-Ry2G53Q/s320/Aulani+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aulani Robes, 2 per room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOSckOMoQYNImAz3FFsYWepibgCQVHA6uFy0-E4Ndg1XXcv29szrQQ6AZfTaj8NwtfRXoa3HddC03IYJ2U-eNj7Tvg82d5hSaqVN8n9ySd-_KMvVyhKLQ0ZlEhB19LdLFs6IbJUzROZ5g/s1600/aulani+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOSckOMoQYNImAz3FFsYWepibgCQVHA6uFy0-E4Ndg1XXcv29szrQQ6AZfTaj8NwtfRXoa3HddC03IYJ2U-eNj7Tvg82d5hSaqVN8n9ySd-_KMvVyhKLQ0ZlEhB19LdLFs6IbJUzROZ5g/s320/aulani+room.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aulani Studio Villa with Island view</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://ad7446d4-5cbe-4d4f-9495-5519e0cc3bed/imagejpeg" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. THE ACCOMODATIONS. The villas at Aulani are simply beautiful. We were on the waiting list for a one bedroom but they got snapped up right away. We were in a studio with an island view. It was fine for our active family of two parents and two boys. Since we are out of the Villa pretty much all day it really didn't matter to us but a studio might be a little small for a family of four if you plan to spend time in the room (although this is Hawaii, who’s staying in?). We were in the Ewa tower and had a great view of the palm trees and the gardens. We had a nice veranda where we went out and had our breakfast every morning. There is a full size bed for the parents and a pull out sofa for the kids. The bathroom was very luxurious. I loved the rain shower and the custom robes. There is a small kitchen but it was fine for our needs. We like to have breakfast in our room as well as snacks. The kitchen comes stocked with the usual dishes plates utensils, as well as a sink refrigerator microwave and toaster . As with all DVC villas, you get the full kitchen when you get a one bedroom or bigger villa. For those of you who are not DVC members, here’s the main benefit: your stay at Aulani and any other DVC resort using your points is FREE! So we only paid for airfare and food.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW7kD11a26ywpHRKX_Je1vaEhIY563GBGXDtRcRiw2ZF3n2G6Be-sEqnIgn_ygcqRsVuVlcbMZwuirfyffdqGLjdBBoj_w08bTI8-9itaV-35uH0HWlUwOB8eBV2-bMQ9sThAQUKGxxV1/s1600/spa+aulani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW7kD11a26ywpHRKX_Je1vaEhIY563GBGXDtRcRiw2ZF3n2G6Be-sEqnIgn_ygcqRsVuVlcbMZwuirfyffdqGLjdBBoj_w08bTI8-9itaV-35uH0HWlUwOB8eBV2-bMQ9sThAQUKGxxV1/s320/spa+aulani.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aulani Laniwai Spa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkz6hlEltl7c_8jRIlKDuUUSYUnXS22BaNEf03e440RGY5VHFiFR5hTnHEuk_AWplbzrBRzgO4yo2w5BfBD93gFRNaOWwe-K1rccwCKccITqeDZiL2Q6k0yPE5f0skTD-H4vKaopUSmpN/s1600/Aulani+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkz6hlEltl7c_8jRIlKDuUUSYUnXS22BaNEf03e440RGY5VHFiFR5hTnHEuk_AWplbzrBRzgO4yo2w5BfBD93gFRNaOWwe-K1rccwCKccITqeDZiL2Q6k0yPE5f0skTD-H4vKaopUSmpN/s320/Aulani+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Lo taking Ocean Fitness class</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLfaecOqbR9UMHS9YtoU16fK-MckG5xLl2YPLY0jvmRXnHQ6Dk3WzZ5xgJUTPQG-LtK_mzhRqhe3TSZGUqZJrnEIKGDhu8X_wMF0dT4n_PVb464w9PrRshX7sMKBI02nQfrC5PMTI1faD/s1600/aulani+paddleboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLfaecOqbR9UMHS9YtoU16fK-MckG5xLl2YPLY0jvmRXnHQ6Dk3WzZ5xgJUTPQG-LtK_mzhRqhe3TSZGUqZJrnEIKGDhu8X_wMF0dT4n_PVb464w9PrRshX7sMKBI02nQfrC5PMTI1faD/s320/aulani+paddleboard.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddleboards at Aulani</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. LANIWAI SPA AND FITNESS. Definitely get a massage at the Spa, the place is absolutely magical! I had no idea how big the spa is, it takes up a lot of real estate that you can’t see from the rest of the resort. Get there early for your tour. You can hang out in their spa area outdoors it’s magnificent. Outdoor chaise lounges under palm trees, whirlpools; a hot pool to plunge into next to a cold pool plunge; special massage showers, and an exfoliation station where they make an exfoliant for you -- I chose plumeria. Indoors there are locker rooms, relaxation rooms, a fountain, and beautiful showers with everything you need to get ready for the day from Hawaiian sea salts to sunscreen. Also a steam room with peppermint and eucalyptus towels. I had Sean as my massage therapist, he was fantastic, he used the hot stones and my muscles have never felt better! Also, get the Fitness Class schedule for the week. I took a class every morning. I loved the Beach Body boot camp, Sunrise Yoga, Paddleboard Yoga and a Class called Ocean Fitness which is basically Pilates on a paddleboard (they’re anchored). The classes all take place on the beach or the water. Some of them are an extra charge like the Yoga but most are free. I took at least one class every day.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23KskSxlxeo75FBRd9eCZbcThgPtLXK_jD9CmONN9Q3rIh-y3sSeftYzBBLIYgC6yl6vR6TcUNWWlxJ3g4wysbe__fMmG5LKcIIsEdA-1A-Q_gsqCZB_Oh-yByL3XtrNxeFDUY_dO7_kU/s1600/Aulani+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23KskSxlxeo75FBRd9eCZbcThgPtLXK_jD9CmONN9Q3rIh-y3sSeftYzBBLIYgC6yl6vR6TcUNWWlxJ3g4wysbe__fMmG5LKcIIsEdA-1A-Q_gsqCZB_Oh-yByL3XtrNxeFDUY_dO7_kU/s320/Aulani+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aulani Beach at sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhhT4LT_kPPO1EKOtgFbrcq6h9cMHp_Q94VpmftMx28XeneIWjopcoNV_W_H8cQnGQy9k4sE5YlxfvQj5Iv4p4qz6IVXzudKgNDX2YimzWaDRcsnhyGqvJNp1nr05mXGrWC9RVURJLAh0/s1600/aulani+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhhT4LT_kPPO1EKOtgFbrcq6h9cMHp_Q94VpmftMx28XeneIWjopcoNV_W_H8cQnGQy9k4sE5YlxfvQj5Iv4p4qz6IVXzudKgNDX2YimzWaDRcsnhyGqvJNp1nr05mXGrWC9RVURJLAh0/s320/aulani+12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the pools at Aulani</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlrEDP3D8QnGpRHXrCSnoDAVXDnC6KXDafKWourngTS7Y8pitfEo2DcvuhhExjgjc_e_L03_Vf-2FJ5YqpkQgJ7PkIXMZNpC8HwX6tfziacghNF4ISDgA2d5PEm9GtsDs7MYelU0h8OTh/s1600/aulani+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlrEDP3D8QnGpRHXrCSnoDAVXDnC6KXDafKWourngTS7Y8pitfEo2DcvuhhExjgjc_e_L03_Vf-2FJ5YqpkQgJ7PkIXMZNpC8HwX6tfziacghNF4ISDgA2d5PEm9GtsDs7MYelU0h8OTh/s320/aulani+11.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the bridge</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. THE AMENITIES. All beaches in Hawaii are public so anyone can go on any beach, no hotel “owns” any beach. However, only Aulani guests can use the beach chairs and equipment. The beach at Aulani is on the small side but the protected little bay is just right for families. I wish they would drop the paddleboarding. It’s too small for paddleboarding (like swimming in your bathtub). Perfect for swimming and cooling off; and I like to hop on over to the beaches at the hotels next door and use their beach areas to swim in as they are a lot less crowded. There are pools galore at Aulani, including 2 adults only pools as well as hot tubs. It’s nice to go over there when the beach gets too crowded. Ideal times at the beach are before 11 am and after 4 pm. In the meantime, head to the pools or go off the resort to see the sights. There is a small snorkeling area at Aulani, perfect for kids. We all loved the Lazy River which is quite long, and also the slide, which is quite fun. There is a community room and for younger kids, Aunty’s Beach house.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkT5EgloePzfQB0K_PUegyIHCX-GeE8zCgvIhUO9uuLSvKX4aHWHkr0tGfArFSt5_2d1tgXG1sQpaKcW8AraXNt3PpfX0Hf2G1aCh0u30ALQ7rltaTaEHEzmV9qDUcqM68XE7k0HDZSG2o/s1600/moana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkT5EgloePzfQB0K_PUegyIHCX-GeE8zCgvIhUO9uuLSvKX4aHWHkr0tGfArFSt5_2d1tgXG1sQpaKcW8AraXNt3PpfX0Hf2G1aCh0u30ALQ7rltaTaEHEzmV9qDUcqM68XE7k0HDZSG2o/s320/moana.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo opp with Moana</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6. THE CHARACTERS. You can dial a certain extension from your room every morning to get the locations of the characters and you can use Photopass or take your own photos. On any given day you can catch Mickey and Minnie, Donald and Moana. Other characters we met were Duffy, Goofy and Pluto.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibMVyEPy0KKSiq6jewkQqWsuPnaL10tleyM1x8-R7ugGgtsTQPRZJfqksLad73lt550au1lf-xpWYRn2evfibJn_QIOOvcRa_Kn-kj2LSoRRUejSNCBSNo-Ci72UC0dG_0AAHpuf9alyj/s1600/aulani+coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibMVyEPy0KKSiq6jewkQqWsuPnaL10tleyM1x8-R7ugGgtsTQPRZJfqksLad73lt550au1lf-xpWYRn2evfibJn_QIOOvcRa_Kn-kj2LSoRRUejSNCBSNo-Ci72UC0dG_0AAHpuf9alyj/s320/aulani+coffee.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HCS3NUYkJKG5_ARcmShxz_SynT76ibaCBGZIxRgdKHdg9TjAJMXzbTDopz2TZUUApPDn9u1qiHqGkzWXQape42aH54BG6wj3UCJFTVUW0MAY9oEMCkBCQLNUPtR3nnCH_RYqVeQWDx34/s1600/Aulani+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HCS3NUYkJKG5_ARcmShxz_SynT76ibaCBGZIxRgdKHdg9TjAJMXzbTDopz2TZUUApPDn9u1qiHqGkzWXQape42aH54BG6wj3UCJFTVUW0MAY9oEMCkBCQLNUPtR3nnCH_RYqVeQWDx34/s320/Aulani+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mahi Mahi salad at Off the Hook</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7. THE FOOD. Always get your Refillable mug. They’re up to $18.99 but we must have filled each mug 50 times at the free refill station so worth the money and they make a great souvenir. Definitely go to Safeways or another grocery store and get some groceries to get you through the week. I always get a case of water (otherwise $3.00 per bottle) and things like fruit ($3 each) and bagels ($4 each at Ula Ula). Buying Breakfast food like cereal and milk, snack food and PB and J will save you a small fortune. For breakfast at the resort check out Ula Ula Cafe or Walilana Coffee Bar. I would hit the Coffee Bar after Yoga or Pilates every morning and just chill out by the pool in the morning. It was just me and the barrista; everyone else was still in their room, I loved it. We love Off the Hook for lunch, I got the Field Green salad with Mahi Mahi almost every day. The rest of the family liked the food at Ula Ula Cafe for lunch or you can get poolside service. For dinner we loved the buffet at Makahiki, $45.00 pp for adults, $21.00 pp for kids 9 and under. Mostly, we went off the resort for dinner. Check out the food trucks on the North Shore, especially Giovanni’s famous shrimp truck (Food Channel famous). They have everything from Fish taco trucks to Korean BBQ trucks. Great cheap food all over the North shore and also Chinatown in Honolulu. Also, Bravo’s and Anna Miller by Pearl Harbor. In Waikiki Beach area, checkout favorites the Hula Grill and Duke’s. Great food and great views of the beach.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_pRS01go03SBoO3fUOvQsMAKKtN7okJxvT6dz3lPw7TYWTZUk0li2GDUTFylveWnUC7nBczB7_v1Wxv0Sqwzm40f-sSapAyoOt0Jck57VsAVP6n39c8AQQpGFIXP8lWdX4-1z-ClKE2W/s1600/aulani+luau+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_pRS01go03SBoO3fUOvQsMAKKtN7okJxvT6dz3lPw7TYWTZUk0li2GDUTFylveWnUC7nBczB7_v1Wxv0Sqwzm40f-sSapAyoOt0Jck57VsAVP6n39c8AQQpGFIXP8lWdX4-1z-ClKE2W/s320/aulani+luau+1.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Activities at Kai wa a Luau</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuU8sxBMsM80vytPi00zUl0U3zLv1UHQ6iCAS18DC4Fhtrt4Ts5DrYaYF7V4GFRub_8izGT4prxpRm4G7PuvkUQLnUTipzDrC30Okqz_UYOEHgNdW6Zf7CK18LCA2Jk_bjge0zvmqkZ7PT/s1600/aulani+luau+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuU8sxBMsM80vytPi00zUl0U3zLv1UHQ6iCAS18DC4Fhtrt4Ts5DrYaYF7V4GFRub_8izGT4prxpRm4G7PuvkUQLnUTipzDrC30Okqz_UYOEHgNdW6Zf7CK18LCA2Jk_bjge0zvmqkZ7PT/s320/aulani+luau+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kai Wa a Dancers, Luau</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8. THE LUAU. Ka Wa’A. Well, the DVC Boards are all over the place. Some people love the new luau, some really don’t like it. We loved it. The pros: it’s right at the resort, first of all. There is a lot of history, storytelling, and culture. The food is delicious. Cons: it’s not your traditional luau. There is wonderful dancing but there is a mix of dancing, singing and storytelling. Your typical luau over at Paradise Cove has more dancing, more theatrics and more of the fire throwing that people expect. Paradise Cove also has a beautiful view of the ocean and is less expensive. However, the place is a bit of a dump and the food is mediocre. We really liked Ka Wa’A and would do it again. $129.00 pp for General Admission, VIP was sold out but I think that was $169.00 per person. We got there an hour early and were at the table right behind VIP so we had great seats. The Starlit Hui Luau (free show with Mickey and some hula dancers) is now gone, sorry to say!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6IWxyjZq9D4WB39xQZp2poAfHLsGBAkimmcHBilH26I4Lhq7FIpR9Ul3TVCIRR5ONUV84T-MsrAnHL0u7PGhhLFbRcXvBzL-5F0oZwkc8y7BdfjzHOhf56eOpr1GI0-wMjw-P-LwZqCB/s1600/Aulani+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6IWxyjZq9D4WB39xQZp2poAfHLsGBAkimmcHBilH26I4Lhq7FIpR9Ul3TVCIRR5ONUV84T-MsrAnHL0u7PGhhLFbRcXvBzL-5F0oZwkc8y7BdfjzHOhf56eOpr1GI0-wMjw-P-LwZqCB/s320/Aulani+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo pass photographer taking photos of boys</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9. PHOTOPASS - get it and get the CD. They have photographers all over including at the beach at sunset, with the characters, in the lobby and at the entrance to Ewa.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFyNoJuxJ9S8uLbDUvLPF955kAHbzOI1_RcE5DmaGR3g8tqZMLRwcUFBygUgXyB71QgYrPUFckE55q6fxWtQIDzr9UHmYB5Pd8WB10fJ1Ft1n2jhNUkSZ8_UpJsGHe3pMV_wpSsP-yBud/s1600/Aulani+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFyNoJuxJ9S8uLbDUvLPF955kAHbzOI1_RcE5DmaGR3g8tqZMLRwcUFBygUgXyB71QgYrPUFckE55q6fxWtQIDzr9UHmYB5Pd8WB10fJ1Ft1n2jhNUkSZ8_UpJsGHe3pMV_wpSsP-yBud/s320/Aulani+6.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddleboarding North Shore</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11. EXCURSIONS. Disney will take you on excursions but we like to book our own. Between the last trip and this one, we have been to: Pearl harbor (give yourself 1-2 days), Waimea Bay (a must see), Paddle boarding on the North shore, Surfing lessons on the North shore (in a protected bay); the Kona macadamia nut farm, the museums in Honolulu including the Royal Palace, shopping all over including the Swap Meet at Aloha Stadium Wednesdays and Sundays; Waikiki Beach, and Chinatown.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWoCtjEM3hXF_YvoIQDxlk-tXcZw-ZD_-kMskyIYK1XPETeB6AtO7sUWAOViEYbKp_LtNPNNA0-wuU9UOERaOPaGgy8mEzzkBT4e_saH1CFLY9r8JiXhg1zN-lrw1jtD5sad53o9EEVXF/s1600/aulani+mickey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWoCtjEM3hXF_YvoIQDxlk-tXcZw-ZD_-kMskyIYK1XPETeB6AtO7sUWAOViEYbKp_LtNPNNA0-wuU9UOERaOPaGgy8mEzzkBT4e_saH1CFLY9r8JiXhg1zN-lrw1jtD5sad53o9EEVXF/s320/aulani+mickey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Micky at Character Breakfast Makahiki</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExTx9OVKSW_hcQSkKxIc9syEkBuTyTN8CSnL8CEMXHAVrgxOt_xX0ShdXIvxhPtX3l371-nVlIwr7jfMaWl6GG5Ef9xTUbHSYPffvBORnd6WIolJQwmKZ8f1GWJMlqF8vhEPobe_-MJIq/s1600/Aulani+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExTx9OVKSW_hcQSkKxIc9syEkBuTyTN8CSnL8CEMXHAVrgxOt_xX0ShdXIvxhPtX3l371-nVlIwr7jfMaWl6GG5Ef9xTUbHSYPffvBORnd6WIolJQwmKZ8f1GWJMlqF8vhEPobe_-MJIq/s320/Aulani+8.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Pluto Character breakfast Makahiki </td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4520728768615508591" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4520728768615508591" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4520728768615508591" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4520728768615508591" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4520728768615508591" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12. CHARACTER BREAKFASTS - what can I say, don’t miss them! We went to two.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, that’s it for now, time to button down the itinerary for our next trip: the Grand Floridian Villas in February followed by Vero Beach Resort. We love being Disney Vacation Club members, Happy 25 years!!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mrs. Lo</span></div>
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The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-31796080768065096902016-12-23T20:34:00.000-08:002016-12-23T20:34:01.637-08:00The Christmas Blues<span id="docs-internal-guid-837de470-2f02-aa88-3772-fa3e6645934b"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHRISTMAS BLUES - I am here to tell you that if you have the “Christmas Blues” you are not alone. It’s hard to be sad at Christmas time, when everyone else is proclaiming that it’s the most wonderful time of the year. For me, this is my first Christmas without my beloved Dad. And my Dad’s birthday was December 26th. I associated Christmas with my Dad, probably because we always had a party for him the day after Christmas. When my husband and I bought our house (a house my Dad absolutely loved; to him it was a Palace), I started the tradition of having a big party for my Dad every December 26th.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzVOtnRi_oH3uswO6YPzwPIdRJuHGlnnyE5i-Fx0NHrIPHLmDV81tuuCIyOhZBDdPMSdebwVn0mHPEJ9vo2mFe4McU2J71srLzbbP31N3CkufHvF86Zy9yzHyPYO7Cq3TRfH6YM2FjOYK/s1600/Lolo+Christmas+1967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzVOtnRi_oH3uswO6YPzwPIdRJuHGlnnyE5i-Fx0NHrIPHLmDV81tuuCIyOhZBDdPMSdebwVn0mHPEJ9vo2mFe4McU2J71srLzbbP31N3CkufHvF86Zy9yzHyPYO7Cq3TRfH6YM2FjOYK/s320/Lolo+Christmas+1967.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have been reading my Blog, you know what a big part of my life my Dad was. He was everything to me. Last year was his 80th birthday. I wanted to have a big party for him at a restaurant or a hall and hire a live band. Several of his friends had big birthday bashes and I wanted my Dad’s to be just as special. But he was adamant. He didn’t want a big party, he wanted to have his 80th birthday at my house, his favorite place in the world, surrounded by family, especially his grandchildren. And that is exactly what we had. The whole family was there, and I made all of my Dad’s favorite dishes, from lasagna to meatballs to lemon bread. We gave him a new Lazy Boy recliner that he absolutely loved.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Four months later, in late April, my dad went to the doctor’s for a fairly routine appointment. He had emphysema and was having trouble breathing so they took him up to the hospital. He was fine, joking around, making friends with the doctors and nurses as he always did. They wanted to keep him overnight for observation and release him the next day. I really wanted to stay overnight at the hospital but my Dad wouldn’t hear of it. “Go home to your children, they need you, I will be fine,” my Dad told me. He kissed me on the head, we said our I love you’s and I went home. At 9 am the next morning, I got a phone call. “Your dad had a stroke,” the floating voice on the other end of the phone said. “But he’s OK, right?” I said. “You better come up here right away,” is all they would tell me. My Dad died on May 3rd, one day after my wedding anniversary. I truly believe he held on just long enough so he wouldn’t leave me on my anniversary.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dad was buried with full military honors and I wrote more than a few blogs about the whole process and his amazing life. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have grieved mightily, gotten very sick, gotten better, burned through my grief with twice daily workouts, and more or less have come full circle. With a clear and sharp hole in my heart -- but otherwise I have been fully functional and happy. I visit my Dad frequently at the cemetery. It’s a beautiful resting spot and I find it very comforting. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Dad loved Christmas. We were that family that had their Christmas lights nailed into the house year round. Because It was never too early to turn on the Christmas lights. He wasn’t generous, he was overly generous, especially at Christmas time. I LOVED Christmas and never missed a Christmas with my parents. Then we would pick up the fun the next day with my Dad’s Birthday party.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have many friends who lost someone this year. It’s hard. I know my father wants me to be happy and enjoy my family and my home. I feel his presence all through my house and mostly in my heart. Having strong faith helps a lot. But there’s no way around it. I miss my Dad most at Christmas time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So if you are hurting, I’m here to tell you it’s OK. You’re not alone. You are normal. Whatever the reason, maybe you lost a pregnancy, a parent, a friend. Maybe you lost your job or your house. It’s OK to mourn, to grieve, to be sad. In fact, it’s necessary. If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you cannot walk around your grief, you have to face it and walk through it. Grief is the final act of love. In fact, it is the other side of love. The more you love someone, the more you will grieve. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I miss you, Daddy. But I wouldn’t trade one minute or change one thing. Merry Christmas in Heaven. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Photo from Christmas 1967, my Dad, Mariano Muyot, is on leave from the Navy, holding my newborn brother and I am holding on to my Dad. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For more of the Mrs. Lo Blog, visit </span><a href="http://www.lobiondopage.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.LoBiondoPage.Blogspot.com</span></a></div>
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The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-74686570937385713502016-12-17T20:45:00.001-08:002016-12-17T20:45:50.610-08:00Christmas at NYU<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">THE LITTLE THINGS. Today's snowy day reminds me of my first snowfall in NYC. Michael and I are so excited to see Broadway's newest musical comedy, "In Transit," at Circle in the Square. There's nothing like New York City when it snows. </p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqZ50cfJUTr9LDG_EfWIghuEX_maA79siWpFmeBHn5ToGL9rfRuFzUMYB3a-SUgaUSVhwc101kJRUaukTKsvykAD5Oe_JuCWu4leppUtDee90RqmuTQ9h9pyLqgwnBJZ4ZXiBcvr-_TSN/s640/blogger-image--2030345332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqZ50cfJUTr9LDG_EfWIghuEX_maA79siWpFmeBHn5ToGL9rfRuFzUMYB3a-SUgaUSVhwc101kJRUaukTKsvykAD5Oe_JuCWu4leppUtDee90RqmuTQ9h9pyLqgwnBJZ4ZXiBcvr-_TSN/s640/blogger-image--2030345332.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">I will never forget my first snowfall in NYC. I was an 18 year old freshman at NYU. I had a group of friends, including Ronnie, a crazy brilliant Conservative Jew from Atlanta Georgia. Ronnie had never seen snow and he was soooo excited. He really wanted it to snow before we all went on break. We were in our dorm on Fifth Avenue and 10th Street. My roommate Noriko woke me up to tell me it was snowing. It was 3am. At first I was like, who cares, I'm tired!! Then I remembered Ronnie. I got on my coat and boots and ran outside. </p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">There were no cars on Fifth Avenue. But there were a bunch of my friends and they were playing touch football in the snow. Ronnie was delirious with joy he kept diving -- unnecessarily-- for the ball so he could roll around in the snow. The streetlights were glowing orange, Ronnie was dressed for Antarctica, and somebody put on Bruce Springsteen. I remember looking around. We were 18, young, athletic, and all majoring in different subjects, from all over the country. I wish I could take that moment and save it forever in a snow globe it really was magical. But 33 years later I'm taking my son in to see a show and I will get to see him experience his first snowfall in NYC. </p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">"Enjoy the little things in life because one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things." ~~ </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">Kurt Vonnegut </p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">Have a great day everyone 💛 Mrs. Lo (Photo of Washington Square, NYU, in the snow)</p>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-11650081055321340142016-11-04T19:28:00.001-07:002016-11-04T19:29:26.423-07:00The children's home of Kingston<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">KEEP DOING THE GOOD STUFF - I don't know about anyone else but I'm looking forward to November 9th. I'd say it's been a pretty stressful presidential campaign for just about everyone I know; anyone with common sense, and I count myself as one of them, does not even discuss presidential politics. So please, let us elect someone, anyone, to the office of US president and let the animosity be over. </p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2qhKrSSqSI2lkUU1hPjjp8dA5wLq754P44qxOEJ0VOzgfNKU3pWutwPdpItgO-eg430aIcemM_o3Pxs4XRfWcYAjfrNAHHzEqhvgUJL4_DgA_A6xSPuEheC-vo3VIoLxxxHLoqETAcfn/s640/blogger-image-938798453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2qhKrSSqSI2lkUU1hPjjp8dA5wLq754P44qxOEJ0VOzgfNKU3pWutwPdpItgO-eg430aIcemM_o3Pxs4XRfWcYAjfrNAHHzEqhvgUJL4_DgA_A6xSPuEheC-vo3VIoLxxxHLoqETAcfn/s640/blogger-image-938798453.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">Locally, the news out of Newburgh is just too sad to discuss. Too many violent deaths, too many shootings and too many young people gone too soon. I don't have the strength to write about it at the moment; however, I'm going to stick to my plan which is to keep lifting people up.</p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">We can all do our part. First of all, even if the person that you were not rooting for is elected, please do accept that person as your president and let's all be friends again. Really, all this sniping at each other on Facebook and Twitter -- it's not good for your blood pressure. If you want to elevate your blood pressure, do something more enjoyable, like chowing down on French fries from McDonald's. </p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">Back to the point of this blog though, I wanted to tell you about some of the good stuff that I'm doing. You probably know by now that I am the founder and director of America Rows and swims Newburgh. This is a not for profit organization and I obtain grants and donations to support our programs. Primarily, we provide free swim clinics to underprivileged youth in Newburgh as well as scholarships to allow underprivileged youth to enjoy the sport of Rowing, at the Newburgh Rowing club. And next week, we will be announcing a major expansion of the program. </p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">ARSN will be joining forces with the Children's Home of Kingston to provide them with a rowing club for the boys who are residing there. The Children's Home of Kingston has been around for 140 years, providing services to boys and young men between the ages of 8 and 21 whose personal, social, developmental, or family situations preclude them from living at home or in a less restrictive setting, and who may benefit from milieu therapy, active psychotherapeutic interventions, and specialized care.</p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">Thanks to Coach Kennedy and Coach Sheila Wise, we will be starting the boys off with an indoor rowing program this month. At the beginning of next year, we will bring our nationally recognized swim program to the boys and finally, this spring, we will be moving them into crew shells on the Roundout so they can enjoy the great sport of Rowing. We are very excited about expanding the program to a group of children and youth who can truly benefit.</p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">My grandmother always said, you can't change the world but all you need to do is give one person a hand up. And that is what I am trying to do every day; and I hope that everyone reading this will do the same. You don't have to go out and start your own not-for-profit foundation but you could start by looking more kindly upon your fellow American, even if they are rooting for a candidate you don't like. Bring someone a cup of coffee. Drop some food at the food pantry -- every little bit helps. Have a great day everyone! 💛 Mrs. Lo </p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">(Here I am with Jay Mooers the director of operations at the children's home of Kingston on Friday).</p>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-9523741234139700322016-09-11T12:05:00.001-07:002016-09-11T12:05:20.185-07:00The Ladies in the Boat<div>DARE TO DREAM - Two years ago, my Rowing BFF and I competed in our first rowing Regatta. I was 49 and scared out of my mind. Flash forward 8 seasons, countless meters, and many regattas later. Today, Mrs. Mills and I are returning to the same regatta, with a bit more confidence and, oh yeah, we brought backup. We are at the fun and friendly Rockrimmon Regatta in Springfield, Massachusetts once again. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMaSpecWTANOk1KZqyXjKdz_F1rjrD2rV4wvWfifS7TzolUM-HjuzWs2Na77vUkjBkn0potoxkDKbvFJ7iynp4fZq1qP5kUsHzEtoTSmPoYW4wJwOk4ymY6pNmUwwvgYRUYb9HbapwcaS/s640/blogger-image-225803972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMaSpecWTANOk1KZqyXjKdz_F1rjrD2rV4wvWfifS7TzolUM-HjuzWs2Na77vUkjBkn0potoxkDKbvFJ7iynp4fZq1qP5kUsHzEtoTSmPoYW4wJwOk4ymY6pNmUwwvgYRUYb9HbapwcaS/s640/blogger-image-225803972.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Two years ago, it was just the two of us. We rowed in a double and we were the only adults rowing for the Newburgh Rowing club. We were recreational rowers but we were total novices when it came to racing. What made us race? We were tired of sitting on the sidelines and slinging hash while we watched our kids race. We were ready to take the oars and start racing ourselves.</div><div><br></div><div>We overcame our fears, kept at it, and discovered we really do have a passion for Rowing. And today we are returning as the outside pair in a women's masters four man. That means there are two other adults rowing with us, and our coach will be our coxswain. We have really come to understand the concept of bonding with and trusting the members of your boat. It's not just something that happens in high school. We all had to learn a different kind of rowing (sweeping) to participate in this particular event. We have discovered that when the four of us are together, it is indeed a party. </div><div><br></div><div>We support each other and push each other. The other night, we practiced for our race on the indoor rowing machines. Marian, ever the optimist, did not even complain when I told everyone that we really should erg. We did erg, a "broken 5K" and it was hotter than Hades. I said to the ladies in my boat, "OK, I'm jumping in the Hudson River afterwards who's with me??!!" I was not the least bit surprised when everyone agreed to jump in. I couldn't see without my glasses, so Maggie, the youngest in our boat, had to escort me down the dock like I was her grandma. I was so hot I forgot about the holding hands part and just ran off the dock and jumped in the river. Maggie pulled me back out so we could try this one more time!</div><div><br></div><div>The four of us held hands on the edge of the dock while our coach took a video. We looked at the river for a few minutes, with a little bit of hesitation. I know we were all contemplating the same thing. Sewage, pollution, bacteria. But at the end of the day, friendship won out. Together, we held hands, took a deep breath and jumped into the river together. It was totally refreshing, both literally and figuratively. </div><div><br></div><div>And really, what more can you ask for than friends who will jump in the River with you?? And Row all year with you, drive with you all over the Northeast, lend you a precious 7/16 wrench, and text you all day to make sure you get down to practice. Yes, Rowing has made us physically fit and has challenged us in ways that we never thought we could overcome. But most of all, we have created something. We have created a boat. </div><div><br></div><div>We are the ladies in the boat, and today we are going to Springfield to row our race. It's a 5K, which is no joke in the sport of Rowing, so wish us luck!! Keep challenging yourself and no matter what it is, never give up on your dreams! 💛 Mrs. Lo</div>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-9473994472986626402016-08-24T23:19:00.001-07:002016-08-24T23:19:28.466-07:00All Roads Lead to the Beach<div>ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE #BEACH. And so we find ourselves on our last summer jaunt of 2016. This time we are in #Hyannis, Massachusetts, the "Downtown of Cape Cod" with four boys: our two sons and my two nephews. This was a completely impromptu trip. I booked the rooms 3 days before we left. While some traveling requires intense, focused, long term planning and preparation, such as international travel with the family or a group; other travel can and should be completely spontaneous.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86siMKIBEw9bxD212wZXu2yBBHexAJamKGbocPxpGnWFdpeSAegMZGyTYny4n7BgYeWyOq5RRkaQyMfl2JEVNfFQAjZBHwA2RanyuNQT2gI-oZseyqxg1vE2TJq55IZjMuKNqn6u-fcad/s640/blogger-image-52901627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86siMKIBEw9bxD212wZXu2yBBHexAJamKGbocPxpGnWFdpeSAegMZGyTYny4n7BgYeWyOq5RRkaQyMfl2JEVNfFQAjZBHwA2RanyuNQT2gI-oZseyqxg1vE2TJq55IZjMuKNqn6u-fcad/s640/blogger-image-52901627.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>If you haven't done so already, consider taking a completely spontaneous trip before Summer is over. Ours consists of a long weekend, but it could be an overnighter or even a day trip. Perhaps a trip to the beach, a national park or a water park. Whatever you do, remember the words of one of my favorite philosophers: </div><div><br></div><div>"Life's too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, forgive the ones who don't and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it'd be easy, they just promised it would be worth it." ~~ Dr.Seuss</div><div><br></div><div>Have a great day everyone and, as always, Remember to Count Your Blessings 💛 Mrs. Lo www.LoBiondoPage.Blogspot.com</div>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-12713775355241511342016-07-29T20:44:00.001-07:002016-07-29T20:44:22.039-07:00Mrs. Lo's Top Family Vacation Tips<div>MRS. LO’s TOP SUMMER VACATION TIPS - Poof! And just like that, our 16th trip to Kennebunkport, Maine is in the books. Vacation weeks do seem do fly by a lot more quickly than other weeks. Since we do travel quite a bit, I have put together my top Vacation Tips for traveling with your Family this Summer:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wUFb3A-tmC65DY6Ycy-yMn8HdQrI5TDJR5gF2ddiJ9C4XrBSP11uCAO2iYs3ZrYvEq_8KzMD0VXJWcAkLs9jeDuwHKq1J_T5nKJsVhYJOEhumNHr8o378yrbxIqvGvWCAZPCHrTJkJMQ/s640/blogger-image--1276685528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wUFb3A-tmC65DY6Ycy-yMn8HdQrI5TDJR5gF2ddiJ9C4XrBSP11uCAO2iYs3ZrYvEq_8KzMD0VXJWcAkLs9jeDuwHKq1J_T5nKJsVhYJOEhumNHr8o378yrbxIqvGvWCAZPCHrTJkJMQ/s640/blogger-image--1276685528.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>8. DO WHAT YOU LIKE - that may sound obvious but it is important to find something the whole family enjoys. I have friends who love camping but I just can’t rough it in the woods. Similarly, we love Disney World but I have friends who would rather chew cud than visit Disney. To each his own! Take your time exploring and researching on the internet and in person. When you find something you like, remember, if it ain't t broke, don’t fix it. That’s why we are in our 16th year returning to Kennebunkport, we absolutely love it!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDYXJLGPzSBInYbBWYsgynfEcJp0Srlta6ozxNS-RB_XMx9qNU4BxK_2u_9fuZ5KsYIfhg64Pwwqefqez_qfVLcgvDpbQYArKPdLBgSr-vNQREhV4_5x_67F9wyiPhgFpDOxmyqHLwuaQ/s640/blogger-image--1922359925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDYXJLGPzSBInYbBWYsgynfEcJp0Srlta6ozxNS-RB_XMx9qNU4BxK_2u_9fuZ5KsYIfhg64Pwwqefqez_qfVLcgvDpbQYArKPdLBgSr-vNQREhV4_5x_67F9wyiPhgFpDOxmyqHLwuaQ/s640/blogger-image--1922359925.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>7. PACK LIGHT - the more experienced the traveler, the lighter their luggage. Most people tend to overpack, some wildly. When I lived in Spain, my friends and I traveled all over Europe with just a small backpack. When my husband and I spent 3 weeks in the Greece, island hopping, all we had were carry ons. To this day, we all travel by air with one carryon each. We never have to wait for our baggage, or pay for it, and getting around is a breeze. Whatever you plan on packing, you can probably cut it down by 75%.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeWfoBpnEHjpMSwsIzwRswtKoxIUgQBxnKLjgTE4qKrhgOp05GDCYSLN0yZBZ4T75AW135eOFzVA_K2IlrxITg96CDkabYu2kV44FFiK0OrooC4sH3Iin5gkOBIev2O6IphKjT89P_UKK/s640/blogger-image--2038303032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeWfoBpnEHjpMSwsIzwRswtKoxIUgQBxnKLjgTE4qKrhgOp05GDCYSLN0yZBZ4T75AW135eOFzVA_K2IlrxITg96CDkabYu2kV44FFiK0OrooC4sH3Iin5gkOBIev2O6IphKjT89P_UKK/s640/blogger-image--2038303032.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div>6. BUILD UP TO IT - when the kids were younger, we only took vacations in places we could drive to. Eventually, the trips got longer and we built up to taking our youngins on the plane. First to Disney and then on longer international trips. I have never been a big fan of babies on planes. The altitude really does hurt their ears, which, of course leads to crying. But there’s always that exceptional baby that loves to fly!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineVHT63BjsmpW33SO4-oBzwC4K7IqSKYiCMg5A4-ceDU4FKPhMho9nb7-sCWg_TQomn7WsmZ-O9fQVrUKU4c1G1zlPeP_D0P4pZvFDYWOl3QINiIYEQ9QpzQ2iQNnhvuckqzT8EbuRF4m/s640/blogger-image--1830734460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineVHT63BjsmpW33SO4-oBzwC4K7IqSKYiCMg5A4-ceDU4FKPhMho9nb7-sCWg_TQomn7WsmZ-O9fQVrUKU4c1G1zlPeP_D0P4pZvFDYWOl3QINiIYEQ9QpzQ2iQNnhvuckqzT8EbuRF4m/s640/blogger-image--1830734460.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>5. LET THE KIDS HELP PLAN THE TRIP - nothing makes kids more invested in a trip than being in on the planning. Disney does a great job of letting you plan everything, from lodging to meals to rides, in advance. I sit down with my kids and make a Bucket List of things we want to do on every trip. This trip’s Bucket List included going to all 6 beaches, kayaking, paddleboarding, golf, biking, fishing, hiking, and going to some of our favorite spots, like Ben and Jerry’s in town. We didn’t do everything on our list but we did almost all of everything; and the kids enjoyed being able to put a big green checkmark next to items on our Bucket List as we completed them.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfJ-Pizpf6xZleV4J29TZ5LMh7-jesGshdk0JOShyphenhyphenSYY4Xn-hhb3mH353oVQTD7IKbF33fsqDB7H8Nsz78Kkq2ZZNmUv_GnTpZmF7ZdHq7m8YF_zc3nMrC4BUSLT-H24Ygqe39XBduE_-/s640/blogger-image--1567128691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfJ-Pizpf6xZleV4J29TZ5LMh7-jesGshdk0JOShyphenhyphenSYY4Xn-hhb3mH353oVQTD7IKbF33fsqDB7H8Nsz78Kkq2ZZNmUv_GnTpZmF7ZdHq7m8YF_zc3nMrC4BUSLT-H24Ygqe39XBduE_-/s640/blogger-image--1567128691.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>4. LIGHTEN UP ON THE SCREEN TIME THING - we usually try (unsuccessfully) to limit our kids screen time. We don’t own an X Box, play station or any video games (so they play video games on their tablets). But when on vacation, we let them do what they want. Yes, both my kids were walking all over Kennebunkport trying to capture different Pokemon Go characters. So were lots of other kids.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0roWYyQDI1LsSzo6AIsSDRPMg13fqUxJ54gpW4GMQUOwQuTqjFUVSEjKNZ1I-7mkPTqIzo1AiPpj3LzVTja6ti9PJNAwqc9SiCqSE-HcCCvcTw5lJhxCXaX-UsI-6qJ3_O3TzMqk9SKAq/s640/blogger-image-1159152923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0roWYyQDI1LsSzo6AIsSDRPMg13fqUxJ54gpW4GMQUOwQuTqjFUVSEjKNZ1I-7mkPTqIzo1AiPpj3LzVTja6ti9PJNAwqc9SiCqSE-HcCCvcTw5lJhxCXaX-UsI-6qJ3_O3TzMqk9SKAq/s640/blogger-image-1159152923.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>3. BANG ON BUDGET - don’t blow the budget to go on vacation. Set up a vacation club savings account so you can pay for your vacation ahead of time. While on vacation, set a budget and stick to it. We rent a house in Kennebunkport, which has to be paid for well in advance of coming up here. Once we get here, we buy groceries and grill or cook at the house. The only time we went out to dinner this week was when we had burgers at the Dine In Movie Theatre. Nothing ruins a vacation like coming home to credit card bills. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucLeNs6kh9cCfjX29ftvcPaJBI4BD7qMJQhJyJZ8OQaTQCO5sj2zV5Yrjk_oZULsDWZWIbq670IbIVyjtZovyWCHlhRqp4-3Nf99Jh9UDC7l70JT9GQEED2xcceA5Pt9FMZYnMEfp17DZ/s640/blogger-image--369294668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucLeNs6kh9cCfjX29ftvcPaJBI4BD7qMJQhJyJZ8OQaTQCO5sj2zV5Yrjk_oZULsDWZWIbq670IbIVyjtZovyWCHlhRqp4-3Nf99Jh9UDC7l70JT9GQEED2xcceA5Pt9FMZYnMEfp17DZ/s640/blogger-image--369294668.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>2. CREATE A NO WHINING ZONE - whatever gripe anyone has, just Let It Go! Really, you’re on vacation, that’s not the place for whining and complaining. Somebody stole your parking spot? Oh well, guess they're just faster! The person you asked to take your family photo also took a picture of his thumb? Hey, I have fun editing photos! It’s amazing what an adjustment of attitude can do.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwskMyR7MPbrz8LM7n6RcnwyL5FKlW08vvpDonCS8jMHFjl7Q8O5efqc5uAivWwr4P8d6FNvlPXBuR6qVgdPG9pRZCgHJExmnkvLeG9e97qh61G3r_SJdFb2gHe6DuQB3aHghlEj0i4yD/s640/blogger-image-2015959610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwskMyR7MPbrz8LM7n6RcnwyL5FKlW08vvpDonCS8jMHFjl7Q8O5efqc5uAivWwr4P8d6FNvlPXBuR6qVgdPG9pRZCgHJExmnkvLeG9e97qh61G3r_SJdFb2gHe6DuQB3aHghlEj0i4yD/s640/blogger-image-2015959610.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div> 1. TAKE A SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK - unless you’re writing a Travel Blog -- which I do for fun because I love to write and I love to travel -- you can post your fabulous vacation photos to Instagram, Twitter and Facebook when you get back. While it’s great to interact with your friends on social media, it’s even better to give that a break until you get back. Focus only on your family during your family vacation. Your spouse and kids will notice and will be thankful, believe me. Because Family Vacation time is a precious commodity and you only have a finite amount vacations over the course of your kids’ childhood.</div><div>I hope everyone gets to go on a great Family Vacation this Summer! Next up for us: Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic; and then a jaunt to Cape Cod in August. </div><div>Have a great day everyone and, as always, remember to count your blessings! <3 Mrs. Lo (Photo of the sweet little 3-Bedroom house we stayed in this week, just across the street from the Beach) www.LoBiondoPage.Blogspot.com </div><div><br></div>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-70170384781772072192016-07-29T20:43:00.001-07:002016-07-29T20:43:54.613-07:00Punta Cana: a Mrs. Lo Travel Blog<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-B77pujxNwgqUtu89DQy4SeW9ewpreJU-QVJekvAZGLhol_n0IBSRc_K00SBGqXkBfBgEIoZ-3sHmkVEJzjEXwZD8wWZjVNvP8UfAzGn2VZqrNOOFWaHgxWVCpsD5qNY3eo6AswTaJ03/s640/blogger-image--1580120756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-B77pujxNwgqUtu89DQy4SeW9ewpreJU-QVJekvAZGLhol_n0IBSRc_K00SBGqXkBfBgEIoZ-3sHmkVEJzjEXwZD8wWZjVNvP8UfAzGn2VZqrNOOFWaHgxWVCpsD5qNY3eo6AswTaJ03/s640/blogger-image--1580120756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MDpRE_clFBOT1aIKqxcTLw5IPO63xW5rdwBErIjt9I9wce_88_rg4YQuij1CKxif3lfxbplJ8AAFBVZOcq4aat6ypXN62uKTuzy07MiJSD-VmUIjE1PMmnv10uZO7y7DXoBvEqA6Xv73/s640/blogger-image--143513772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MDpRE_clFBOT1aIKqxcTLw5IPO63xW5rdwBErIjt9I9wce_88_rg4YQuij1CKxif3lfxbplJ8AAFBVZOcq4aat6ypXN62uKTuzy07MiJSD-VmUIjE1PMmnv10uZO7y7DXoBvEqA6Xv73/s640/blogger-image--143513772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVg8d67wr7fj89cYEYUXu4MlG_CajuvIHnuX9TMULyiqvdMrTtfLx5Ya7QS1ZFgnrMqHaUjWR0a63CL1Wuq96MpS9Syf9w7uUWBpzCwnlug2PUVLc2NIyNsAHg1NUexwvSqJbHumYPhi29/s640/blogger-image--719634106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">have traveled to dozens of countries and the Dominican Republic is one of my absolute favorites. Our most recent trip was to Punta Cana, currently one of the hottest spots in the Caribbean. Forty years ago, this part of the DR was all jungle. The development began in 1970 and got going when Club Med put in a hotel. In 1984, a real commercial airport was built in Punta Cana and development began in earnest. There are now 162 resorts in Punta Cana, with an average of 5,000 travelers per day coming through the airport. </span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FdPnx3MzeR1BMd1MTl6uge1HMFayA0Oa0cqSxNhDX5zxTHOhoodnCW7O397bZ-v3IfMYbgI00Y6EUFCFqoN6m8v_NBFy-TnrNdZCSG6W8SlH6KvkE_a335FBCI97ZS2xfiBZ45kWLp1b/s640/blogger-image-1198823705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FdPnx3MzeR1BMd1MTl6uge1HMFayA0Oa0cqSxNhDX5zxTHOhoodnCW7O397bZ-v3IfMYbgI00Y6EUFCFqoN6m8v_NBFy-TnrNdZCSG6W8SlH6KvkE_a335FBCI97ZS2xfiBZ45kWLp1b/s640/blogger-image-1198823705.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div> We stayed at the beautiful Ocean Blue and Sands Resort, an all inclusive resort located right on the beach (this is a key thing to look for in a resort -- some resorts, like the Hard Rock, are a pretty good distance from the beach), with 8 restaurants, 10 bars, 2 pools, a theatre, casino, and lots of water activities. We were able to use our Disney Vacation Club membership to stay here, meaning we did not pay for the lodging, just the food and the airfare. (We have a lot of Disney Vacation Club points, which is how we are able to take 5 - 6 family vacations a year).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7is5MU7r3UY3xgbEdtcIB0LYWQ4s01mA5I8tXkjoygnXILkLZ15FO3loJiIho9ibiK8tmaRXIs4im6U5jin5PovzPl8mILWoS2n7Bd2Z-4LdywkgaDPYwI-AqAtRPqMVgWiq590rHTACq/s640/blogger-image-1928952066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7is5MU7r3UY3xgbEdtcIB0LYWQ4s01mA5I8tXkjoygnXILkLZ15FO3loJiIho9ibiK8tmaRXIs4im6U5jin5PovzPl8mILWoS2n7Bd2Z-4LdywkgaDPYwI-AqAtRPqMVgWiq590rHTACq/s640/blogger-image-1928952066.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div> I would highly recommend a family, couples or even solo trip to Punta Cana. If you book a trip, here are a few things to know before you go:</div><div><br></div><div> 1. PACK LIGHT - I know I say this all the time, but you really don’t need anything more than a carry-on. It makes traveling so much easier. For a trip to the DR generally, you will need swimwear and coverups, some shorts and shirts, and some resort wear for dinner. Check the dress code before you go. For instance, the restaurant on the beach, which we favored, required a shirt and pants/ or dress (full coverage) for breakfast. However, you were free to stroll into the lunch buffet at the same place in your swimsuit. Go figure.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GGz6xE86nvPeXeFGfY2LXxo3uZTMI5MSeV8_sSNoOC6M5Aw_GuN1kM5YTZJXwYp4Cm13vChM0Fes7qHNbvdq6EKDg9fAFKVyJORqXmI2XKmBSTcdkKAq8JmBJUz5OUw3TlIXegDFkS1-/s640/blogger-image--104047156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GGz6xE86nvPeXeFGfY2LXxo3uZTMI5MSeV8_sSNoOC6M5Aw_GuN1kM5YTZJXwYp4Cm13vChM0Fes7qHNbvdq6EKDg9fAFKVyJORqXmI2XKmBSTcdkKAq8JmBJUz5OUw3TlIXegDFkS1-/s640/blogger-image--104047156.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>2. BRING A PEN AND TEN’S - this blog assumes everyone has their US Passport and knows the rules of international travel. Here are a few extra tips. Bring a pen in your personal bag. You need to fill out the customs forms (“no, I’m not bringing livestock into the country”) on the plane and they don’t provide you with a pen. Having these forms all filled out on the plane saves a lot of time. There is also a $10 per person fee to enter the country and they don’t take credit cards.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7EIQMtlNfdXYO-aZcIJsCvqKg-jDu-HkF357vUekwXouF0VlDQ3rBk8jAEY4v-_Gf9SXXjQbnRTocOiZ_1mJ7y0flqNW7KNFxl5JBbSWylt1qLvg3D8km5TnH6NJ97hNFNPPVhlWbLbF/s640/blogger-image--1275426288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7EIQMtlNfdXYO-aZcIJsCvqKg-jDu-HkF357vUekwXouF0VlDQ3rBk8jAEY4v-_Gf9SXXjQbnRTocOiZ_1mJ7y0flqNW7KNFxl5JBbSWylt1qLvg3D8km5TnH6NJ97hNFNPPVhlWbLbF/s640/blogger-image--1275426288.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>3. ABOUT PESOS - the Dollar is very strong right now, and if you exchange dollars for pesos you will get a lot more bang for your buck. I exchange at the ATM in the airport. You will pay a $5 fee but you will get the best rate. There is a huge transaction fee everywhere else. Of course, since the dollar is so strong, everyone wants you to pay in dollars. But since you can get 45 pesos for One Dollar, I like to do the exchange. If you are staying at an all inclusive, you will only need money for taxis, tips, souvenirs, and excursions. A good tip would be 250 pesos ($5.55 ). </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-Bu7OdwYDoBM0PM7Ww2BNjjATVjYn-CpdlAH5csaE5NHbb9OOuJRIzAENoFE8_fctUBDyhh3OQbRZayC1dEG9zIB1kKhUYD0uTf4xj9njdhh7bTAzGJvyI-n6BGrkUx6w3s7G4KS66ls/s640/blogger-image--1419145683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-Bu7OdwYDoBM0PM7Ww2BNjjATVjYn-CpdlAH5csaE5NHbb9OOuJRIzAENoFE8_fctUBDyhh3OQbRZayC1dEG9zIB1kKhUYD0uTf4xj9njdhh7bTAzGJvyI-n6BGrkUx6w3s7G4KS66ls/s640/blogger-image--1419145683.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>4. THE LANGUAGE - I always speak Spanish when I am in the DR or any other Spanish speaking country, because I love the language and I am like to speak with the people and get all the nuances. However, you need not speak any Spanish at all, everyone at the resorts speaks enough English to do their job, and the concierges are very fluent in English -- and often several other languages. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHELK9Z3Qmpvmv_4_99io29qCKsolP6236yYzme_8RGyS_41tdH4z6icEMLgVe8dRUMWq8h-imGJzFPdbvFrii8hRZbX1-sFse-hIvOv-qsslmW4QfQl9I-2g4Xap6SANQw6m5PFoENlJ/s640/blogger-image-471257894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHELK9Z3Qmpvmv_4_99io29qCKsolP6236yYzme_8RGyS_41tdH4z6icEMLgVe8dRUMWq8h-imGJzFPdbvFrii8hRZbX1-sFse-hIvOv-qsslmW4QfQl9I-2g4Xap6SANQw6m5PFoENlJ/s640/blogger-image-471257894.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>5. OUTSIDE THE RESORTS - unless this is your native land, don’t be wandering outside the resorts without a guide. There is a lot of poverty and poverty makes people do things to survive. You are perfectly safe at your resort and on an expedition but you want to stay in your lane.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Kvqf_oRVpC8UIBQi7vKzYMMI0rQ-petkCBH9mKgwor20xk4_C0v32Jp9SlNvj2BJTZ48oz1xGLVyYX_RHNsNOSEekVwghp4IywPeeVQS7dt40RCK6Ry36TSPnLBWBT1TTla5MRxRZGui/s640/blogger-image--371666771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Kvqf_oRVpC8UIBQi7vKzYMMI0rQ-petkCBH9mKgwor20xk4_C0v32Jp9SlNvj2BJTZ48oz1xGLVyYX_RHNsNOSEekVwghp4IywPeeVQS7dt40RCK6Ry36TSPnLBWBT1TTla5MRxRZGui/s640/blogger-image--371666771.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>6. ALL INCLUSIVES - depending on your resort, your all inclusive will generally include unlimited food and beverages (which alcohol is included is resort specific), unlimited room service, towel service, use of the beach cabanas, transportation by golf cart or trolley around the resort, the nightly shows, and certain water sports. Kayaking and snorkeling were included at our resort. The catamaran was an extra fee as was the banana boat, surfing and parasailing but it was all on property and very reasonably priced.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONcqrm3vUs2kUyZrRrjPo3bluJBP_NkIboFNttyprojY5LVCGkgLmW32LJF6v9FbclqWOxu-VSf8nPDg62dJxDJu1pFZcML7YmyWL4e-ERoIFuiFtUJPQVjGRVKgjvuypH4nq0PKRgwCe/s640/blogger-image--901229625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONcqrm3vUs2kUyZrRrjPo3bluJBP_NkIboFNttyprojY5LVCGkgLmW32LJF6v9FbclqWOxu-VSf8nPDg62dJxDJu1pFZcML7YmyWL4e-ERoIFuiFtUJPQVjGRVKgjvuypH4nq0PKRgwCe/s640/blogger-image--901229625.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>7. EXCURSIONS - the off property excursions are an extra charge. Sometimes we like to go all over the country with excursions, this particular trip we wanted to relax. We did however, visit Hoyo Azul and the kids went on a Snuba dive (cross between scuba and snorkeling). You can also visit Sanoa Island, go in dunebuggies, go ziplining and visit dolphins and aquariums.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-K_SQ2WVVTNX6FMkUkPvyPyPNHaBb41_W3YSWGrvw-s2CZ3aAyV3LWqowVTiPWihjp_-XmFx3RLllAI3Pt05zxxb_ILCTa1cxhNvb8j9WLwA5G-wqYRqwzZWQF-cgvMsSab2dxKak7Gm/s640/blogger-image--223608281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-K_SQ2WVVTNX6FMkUkPvyPyPNHaBb41_W3YSWGrvw-s2CZ3aAyV3LWqowVTiPWihjp_-XmFx3RLllAI3Pt05zxxb_ILCTa1cxhNvb8j9WLwA5G-wqYRqwzZWQF-cgvMsSab2dxKak7Gm/s640/blogger-image--223608281.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>8. FOOD AND DRINK - the food at our resort was outstanding. We tried almost all of the restaurants. Our hands down favorite was the Villa Marina as it was located right on the beach. There is a sitdown breakfast, breakfast buffet, lunch buffet and sitdown Dominican dinner. We also enjoyed the Hibachi Japanese restaurant, Italian restaurant, the Steakhouse and the Mexican restaurant. Mike’s Coffee Bar was a coffee lover’s dream and is said to have the best coffee in Punta Cana, along with desserts. All of this is part of your all inclusive fee. The theater shows were akin to shows on a cruise ship, some are better than others. The Dominican show was fabulous, with some of the best costumes and bachata dancing I have ever seen.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVwZhC_HpC-J2Rj6m0QL7UTAOdc6lhFzq3VuLjcImPqdcjV6OTG336v6wz9r8aQnXeq6Wp2eFFcM4L0ELYXN5htiD79OYER4A0yrzq6yr172hLQwoJzvdjpRpbDYFT7OfqqZ_3UJFaUiW/s640/blogger-image--702158253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVwZhC_HpC-J2Rj6m0QL7UTAOdc6lhFzq3VuLjcImPqdcjV6OTG336v6wz9r8aQnXeq6Wp2eFFcM4L0ELYXN5htiD79OYER4A0yrzq6yr172hLQwoJzvdjpRpbDYFT7OfqqZ_3UJFaUiW/s640/blogger-image--702158253.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVwZhC_HpC-J2Rj6m0QL7UTAOdc6lhFzq3VuLjcImPqdcjV6OTG336v6wz9r8aQnXeq6Wp2eFFcM4L0ELYXN5htiD79OYER4A0yrzq6yr172hLQwoJzvdjpRpbDYFT7OfqqZ_3UJFaUiW/s640/blogger-image--702158253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNhQkibS3kz_ap084fSQDkiPFkTY6WD8dX8hTnLMHShwcqzE9ZoyiUgErh_0Ry2rTBN1hl01nyJkB8Djey-CZbQreSFZyia_iul2bLMtlVjhbyUjjnJwqGOyr5ifeTQFbjyKIHoJ9T2jX/s640/blogger-image--1848988376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNhQkibS3kz_ap084fSQDkiPFkTY6WD8dX8hTnLMHShwcqzE9ZoyiUgErh_0Ry2rTBN1hl01nyJkB8Djey-CZbQreSFZyia_iul2bLMtlVjhbyUjjnJwqGOyr5ifeTQFbjyKIHoJ9T2jX/s640/blogger-image--1848988376.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftTjo6D4Cw18xAjcsEcx959geyPsDo6A3YM-RqS-onkLfi6ZKq9WPLCAFadl_Uj7xaU35SaVYXRWO6p2TWmW3olsLzBZq5-jdox0-PWhWr9nSyBHi8Kh-mK7r6fy3aRRFHJYEepOKsmQB/s640/blogger-image-2124009328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftTjo6D4Cw18xAjcsEcx959geyPsDo6A3YM-RqS-onkLfi6ZKq9WPLCAFadl_Uj7xaU35SaVYXRWO6p2TWmW3olsLzBZq5-jdox0-PWhWr9nSyBHi8Kh-mK7r6fy3aRRFHJYEepOKsmQB/s640/blogger-image-2124009328.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><br></div><div>9. HAVE FUN!! Punta Cana is not like Santo Domingo or even Puerta Plata, where there are lots of historic sights from the 16th century, and beautiful cathedrals and architecture to see. Punta Cana is not a town. This was pure jungle 40 years ago, and it was called Punta Borracha (Drunken Point). The developers changed the name and eventually it became a Beach and Resort mecca. Trust me, you’re not missing anything if you were to sit on the beach, read and occasionally swim or snorkel. The entire economy is built on you, the valued guest, having a good time, relaxing, and coming back. So Relax and Enjoy one of the most beautiful spots on earth!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbgSXzTW6wNEdP1o4EXnkFg0cp-2D4oA45-zdsC_ILqCb8MViYOveM_davUO5sxvaas1LsPvcWDrpzYCfrPK0CbZozjRLL9KuCVf_EM_Z5yPXZKWCoAR48Mrmw8pGGp_lKU3Gebn5UF4t/s640/blogger-image-338296001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbgSXzTW6wNEdP1o4EXnkFg0cp-2D4oA45-zdsC_ILqCb8MViYOveM_davUO5sxvaas1LsPvcWDrpzYCfrPK0CbZozjRLL9KuCVf_EM_Z5yPXZKWCoAR48Mrmw8pGGp_lKU3Gebn5UF4t/s640/blogger-image-338296001.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Have a great day, everyone and, as always, remember to count your blessings! Mrs. Lo (photo from the beach in Punta Cana). If you click on the blog, there are more photos from our trip! www.LoBiondoPage.Blogspot.com</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-86666641497083709992016-07-08T18:54:00.001-07:002016-07-08T18:54:04.846-07:00Summer Days in Maine 2016<div>Our Summer Days in Maine - We just arrived at our beach house for the week, here in Kennebunkport, Maine. This is our 16th summer in a row coming up to “the ‘bunks.” I truly can’t believe it has been 16 years! It seems like just yesterday we were packing precious little Baby Christian into his carseat to come up here for the first time. But in fact, that was August of 2001. Neither of our kids can remember a time when we didn’t go to Maine during the Summer. I often blog about the importance of creating and maintaining traditions for your kids and grandkids. It’s </div><div>more than just a fun thing to do, it’s actually a building block for raising happy and successful adults. (A great read if you have time is "The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness,” by Dr. Edward Hallowell). </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpprz-Da9KWUzn2Ejkiz_lafaaz-9h9fjYWIgAB9sEdz9qNcebH701jTMTSoYPheiCcjzutxkJ8BJvFoQgWt8ryWMld6sc8seAEtM-tab9FUNv_GiuAb7prmQJdfU1cwGS-EhijHcl2X1/s640/blogger-image--2113296146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpprz-Da9KWUzn2Ejkiz_lafaaz-9h9fjYWIgAB9sEdz9qNcebH701jTMTSoYPheiCcjzutxkJ8BJvFoQgWt8ryWMld6sc8seAEtM-tab9FUNv_GiuAb7prmQJdfU1cwGS-EhijHcl2X1/s640/blogger-image--2113296146.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>There have been a lot of changes over the years --but some things about our trip to Maine have remain steadfast traditions.</div><div><br></div><div>The first summer we came up to Kennebunkport, we only stayed for a long weekend. We couldn’t afford a suite, we were lucky to pull off a single hotel room. We took the door off the closet and created a “nursery” for Christian (we put it back on before we left, we’re not the Rolling Stones). Somehow, that will forever be known to our kids as the year we “put Christian in the closet on vacation.” We were still building our careers and I was only working part-time as a young lawyer, so it was a financial stretch for us to stay in such a “fancy” place, even for a few nights.</div><div><br></div><div>We made it work and we ended up falling in love with the six beautiful, pristine beaches of Kennebunkport, with our favorite being “Mother’s Beach.” We simply adore this sleepy, quaint New England village where cars actually STOP when you're in the crosswalk; and life moves at about the pace of fictional Mayberry. We vowed to come back every year. We came home, learned to cut coupons, collected loose change and started a vacation club account. Our ultimate goal was to be able to travel the country and the world with our family.</div><div><br></div><div>By the time Michael was born, in 2004, we were able to rent a house a few blocks from the beach. Michael was just 5 months old when he first came to Maine. Four-year-old Christian towed him around in a little red flexible flyer wagon, which we continued to use as “beach transportation” for many years. Yes, that was the year that I forgot to pack Michael’s clothes and had to run out to the mall for baby clothes (hey, everybody makes mistakes, don’t judge!)</div><div><br></div><div>Over the past 15 years, we founded our own law firm, a full-service Mediation Center, and some other businesses. We have sold some of our businesses but have kept the main ones, the law firm which bears our name, the Mediation Center and the travel agency. We had some failures, which we learned from, and forged on. Over time, we have both worked very hard and achieved enough success to allow us to pursue our passions: traveling, rowing, sailing, and private Catholic schools for our kids. We otherwise live very modest lives. We live in the same home we bought when we married 18 years ago. We spend almost nothing on things that are important to other lawyers, like cars, clothes and jewelry. I have always said, I'd rather have a passport full of stamps than a house full of stuff. </div><div><br></div><div>We now go on several vacations a year, with our time in Kennebunkport still being our special time together. The first thing we do when we arrive is park the car, pile out and head straight to the ocean just to feel the waves at our feet and our toes in the sand. We have been to many beaches, from Hawaii to the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, but there's nothing quite like our favorite New England beach and the aromatic salty air.</div><div><br></div><div>Every summer, my first task is a big grocery run, which is necessary with all rental houses. I started out being able to walk to the little grocery store in town with the red wagon and haul back enough food for the week. At some point, I had to start driving to the local supermarket. Now, I take Michael and head for the giant Hannaford two towns over and we each fill two shopping carts. </div><div><br></div><div>Dinner is easy. Anthony grills just about every evening and the rest of us make the sides. Every morning, I get up early to watch the sun rise. I like to sit on the beach with my cup of blueberry coffee and greet the glorious day all by myself. Eventually, I head back and make blueberry pancakes for my hungry boys. We like to pack up sandwiches to take to the beach. We basically walk out the door and plant ourselves in the sand and surf for the day.</div><div><br></div><div> Our days are pretty simple -- we spend them at the beach. I do like to get in a few of our other favorite activities -- the rides and the Boardwalk in Old Orchard Beach; kayaking on the Kennebunk River; hiking the Rachel Carson Wildlife Preserve; and of course, the intown narrated Trolley Ride (I often know more about Kennebunkport than the trolley driver -- and I do not hesitate to correct him or her -- much to my children’s chagrin). The kids spend pretty much the whole day boogie boarding, body surfing, fishing and building sand castles. The first time Christian was able to boogie board on his own was a major victory, complete with hundreds of photos and videos. Anthony and I used to go in the waves to “lifeguard” him. Now both of our kids can entertain themselves in the water or out. One summer, my heart was in my throat as I watched little Michael go INTO a wave and not come out right away; I didn’t see my older son either. But that was because Christian had gone in to retrieve him. Michael was able to swim back on his own with Christian kind of pushing him from behind. Five minutes later they were both back boogie boarding like nothing had happened. It's good to know your kids have each other's backs.</div><div><br></div><div>For 15 years, we only went out to eat at one restaurant -- Bartley’s Dockside Restaurant, which not only had the best lobster and blueberry in town, they accepted us with open arms when we first came in with babies. Of course, they were best known for being a favorite eatery of the Bush Family; the Bushes have a compound here in Kennebunkport. We were pretty disappointed to come up this year and find out that Bartley’s had been sold to a restaurateur from Booth Bay Harbor and had been replaced with an upscale Italian place. We haven’t been interested in going out to dinner since then, although we have had lobster roll for lunch in quite a few locales. (Hint: the best food in town is often found at a food truck and Kennebunkport is no exception. Check out “Ocean Rolls,” the oldest working food truck in the US -- dating back to 1961 -- currently, it can be found at the corner of Ross Road and Route 1 in Kennebunk. Great prices and delicious lobster rolls!) We also enjoy local community theatre in town. This year, we will be going to the free outdoor Shakespeare Festival. </div><div><br></div><div>We have a few other vacations planned over the year: the Dominican Republic, Cape Cod, San Francisco, Hawaii, Disney's Grand Floridian, and Vero Beach, Florida. Not to mention Christian’s college visits.</div><div><br></div><div>It took a lot of perseverance, hard work, and belief in ourselves to get to the point where we can travel freely with our family. And it has all been worth it. There's nothing we'd rather do than be together as a family.</div><div><br></div><div> Have lots of fun this summer creating your own Summer traditions, whether it’s time at the beach, camping, backyard campfires, or outings at the park. Whatever it is, do it as a family. Because one minute you're putting your kid in his car seat-- and in the blink of an eye, your kid is taking turns driving the car to Maine.</div><div><br></div><div>Have a great day everyone and, as always, remember to Count Your Blessings! <3 Mrs. Lo </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div> For more of the Mrs. Lo Blog, visit www.lobiondopage.blogspot.com</div><div><br></div>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-7210925147153126392016-07-01T21:15:00.001-07:002016-07-01T21:15:04.293-07:00Happy Fourth of July from Mrs.Lo<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I just love everything about the Fourth of July, it’s such a HAPPY holiday! The whole point is to love and celebrate America. And we do that best by loving God, country, and gathering our families around. It’s a time to enjoy barbecuing, appreciate our unprecedented freedom, fly Old Glory and swath ourselves and our homes in red, white and blue. And I love all my family’s great traditions and memories from past years. If I had to identify one single favorite memory, I guess it would be the Jello. More specifically, the red, white and blue Jello Flag cake I made with my grandmother for years, and that I now make with my kids.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvK4YX0icllcRlz0VQs5A6aU0mvGF6sl2JxXQZkWe03BXg3e1SpzebDCXJtBjM8tiPqAOTIqqkvbflQ_1_TFFMVef3VVxuQiMFYImSzvIK-VJ0vcFPRoFUwxcCBj4oR7xWx7pB19aoXcW/s640/blogger-image-1721398646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvK4YX0icllcRlz0VQs5A6aU0mvGF6sl2JxXQZkWe03BXg3e1SpzebDCXJtBjM8tiPqAOTIqqkvbflQ_1_TFFMVef3VVxuQiMFYImSzvIK-VJ0vcFPRoFUwxcCBj4oR7xWx7pB19aoXcW/s640/blogger-image-1721398646.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div> My grandmother had a big beautiful Victorian home in the village of Cold Spring. Talk about all American. This was before everyone from NYC discovered Cold Spring and the only ones who hiked Breakneck mountain were billygoats. The village of Cold Spring had (still has) a little gazebo where there would be a band in straw hats playing patriotic songs. Families would bring down picnics and camp out all day on the Hudson River, fishing, barbecuing and enjoying the live music. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZAQTohzvU7OuB1vAqtaGlSw6pHs70Oyfk7Brz8Yu6gHPnM0WZ2TqqRvdB0E4CtZT_0Eb6zpipKd6VnqFRO-dLrQAIef1WdOksY0yVVEfHjGV9QY-8dL1ZdkP2FNCbdfCff9JuDOSc33i/s640/blogger-image--797514155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZAQTohzvU7OuB1vAqtaGlSw6pHs70Oyfk7Brz8Yu6gHPnM0WZ2TqqRvdB0E4CtZT_0Eb6zpipKd6VnqFRO-dLrQAIef1WdOksY0yVVEfHjGV9QY-8dL1ZdkP2FNCbdfCff9JuDOSc33i/s640/blogger-image--797514155.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div> The absolute best Fourth of July ever was 1976, I was eleven years old and it was our nation’s Bicentennial. That was the year the historic Tall Ships, replicas of the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria, sailed up the Hudson River from NYC. It was so incredibly thrilling to see the tall ships after hearing about them from months, and then they actually docked in town. I didn’t think that life could get any better. And then I remembered,</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rYD__aZj79AM8oty8WvEujxJ_F_4EqqVFXCwflC2qmM5Sub7UahDL8rxUgyJE79FGP2dOP6Bo3wD0OGBtH09cJeHjR0S5DPSv47LuoXztU8Gi9hGM1Aw4GKJQxyyQ287ySi7eGtryjQ7/s640/blogger-image--26059018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rYD__aZj79AM8oty8WvEujxJ_F_4EqqVFXCwflC2qmM5Sub7UahDL8rxUgyJE79FGP2dOP6Bo3wD0OGBtH09cJeHjR0S5DPSv47LuoXztU8Gi9hGM1Aw4GKJQxyyQ287ySi7eGtryjQ7/s640/blogger-image--26059018.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div> We still had the Jello Flag Cake to eat It was the first year that Nellen (my grandmother) had let me take the lead on making the Flag cake. She had the recipe memorized and she sat on the kitchen stool and told me what do to. It is made of red and blue jello, Sara Lee pound cake slices, cool whip, strawberries and blueberries. We had made it the night before and carefully packed it in cardboard, waxed paper and a portable ice chest (now known as a “cooler”). And it was absolutely perfect. As the sky turned to dusk, my brother and I got our jars out to chase fireflies (we always let them go after a few minutes). Then my parents got out the folding lawn chairs from Montgomery Ward and we settled in to listen to the band play Philip Sousa and patriotic tunes. We were pretty sleepy but we woke up quickly when the fireworks went off. Ooooo. Ahhhh. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv6vRFjPOxlLin1YRDbgnRa1GNBT40GjlsIFvAOfmTzIwzOJS9DyEvrnhSEXytYY3KxfoaMP0ZdAu3bdQT4QSj4V1JY1Z7RrCh4EhJYGwdG1GugM6uhoOIqu9uVxg-nhCKEn47_ljECu_/s640/blogger-image--1750644656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv6vRFjPOxlLin1YRDbgnRa1GNBT40GjlsIFvAOfmTzIwzOJS9DyEvrnhSEXytYY3KxfoaMP0ZdAu3bdQT4QSj4V1JY1Z7RrCh4EhJYGwdG1GugM6uhoOIqu9uVxg-nhCKEn47_ljECu_/s640/blogger-image--1750644656.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div> Looking back, it has always been these simple pleasures that have been the absolute best and the most memorable. We now have our own tradition with our kids. While Newburgh doesn’t have a small town gazebo or a party on the green, there are plenty of area fireworks to watch. However, we find that we prefer to just be home with family and friends to barbecue. One thing we do like to do is get out on a boat -- this year, it is a sailboat -- and watch the fireworks on the Hudson River from the boat. It’s the best seat in the house. And right after that, we get out our new fangled “ice chest” and dig into my kids’ favorite -- the Jello Flag cake. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1sCcHCXiBX9YZVP9tpQUyJvssrlJDgpRUx1bPLC3wa1-2EINrjy93_358Y9jGwijScHoeR-wMFHK4qyf3WtvK1CUi6aayCsPIGjwg2PeUWOCDiPMwPc0lRa8Ke5snHOf2CSaOpHKcPe6/s640/blogger-image-1947464932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1sCcHCXiBX9YZVP9tpQUyJvssrlJDgpRUx1bPLC3wa1-2EINrjy93_358Y9jGwijScHoeR-wMFHK4qyf3WtvK1CUi6aayCsPIGjwg2PeUWOCDiPMwPc0lRa8Ke5snHOf2CSaOpHKcPe6/s640/blogger-image-1947464932.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div> Some 240 years ago, regular folks just like us laid down their lives and fought and suffered so that the “colonies” could have independence from an unjust King. As a matter of fact, George Washington spent a good deal of the latter part of the war right here in Newburgh, and you can (and should) visit Washington’s headquarters often. I know I do.</div><div> There’s no wrong way to celebrate the Fourth of July. Love God, your country and your family. And if you want to make yourself something nice, I highly recommended a jello flag cake -- Mrs. Lo </div><div>www.LoBiondoPage.Blogspotcom </div><div><br></div>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-92174778072528449072016-06-24T19:23:00.001-07:002016-06-24T19:23:51.353-07:00Happy Summer! From Orion the Dog Blogger<div>HAPPY SUMMER DUDES AND DUDETTES! It’s me, Orion, the only four-legged LoBiondo. As you know, my mom only let’s me blog at the beginning of every season (BTW, I am looking for paw-ssible legal representation to negotiate a better deal for me. Funny, no one wants to negotiate for you when both your parents are lawyers. But I digress). SUMMER is my very favorite season!!! Along with Fall, Winter and Spring. And Mud, that’s my favorite too but Mom says it’s not a season. I don’t know why not, it’s so much fun. Anywhos, SUMMER means Family Time!!! My brothers will have time to throw me the frisbee and my tennis ball. There will be swimming in the creek in my backyard, and there will be lots of barbecues on the back deck -- and I know exactly which relatives will sneak me treats under the table (Ha! Even my Mom doesn’t know and she never will!)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNFYIQ70j3MPpC0Jngw2bn8E8Y8jJZW52ZPFemGl1jXPmdi0Kl4ptctYAAfRSz_oe0cpeokx_SgHLh0crEEDRr0Jl0JWMg257mP56MtRuaFDwnXMGnzwKfqIFlKi-SvMpkp5AQbCRidM8/s640/blogger-image--1047767351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNFYIQ70j3MPpC0Jngw2bn8E8Y8jJZW52ZPFemGl1jXPmdi0Kl4ptctYAAfRSz_oe0cpeokx_SgHLh0crEEDRr0Jl0JWMg257mP56MtRuaFDwnXMGnzwKfqIFlKi-SvMpkp5AQbCRidM8/s640/blogger-image--1047767351.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div> This summer my younger brother will be going to Rowing Camp at the Newburgh Rowing Club, as usual. He is 12 now but he was their very first camper at age 7!!! My parents were so worried about him they drove down to the River on their lunch hour and stood at Gully’s to watch him kayaking by. They tried to pretend they weren’t there but Big Coach always spotted them and called them out on his megaphone, hahaha!! Good times!! And I’ve been around so long that I will be a camp counselor at the rowing club summer camp, along with my older brother. Yes!! Can’t wait to get my hat and whistle. Wait, what’s that? Oh come on, Mom, not againnnnn!!! Okay. Correction. Apparently, once again I will not be a camp counselor at the rowing club. However, Mom said I can have a hat and whistle!!! Which will come in handy because I am the Captain of the Neigh-Boar-Hood Watch group. Which consists of yours truly and my beloved, Abby the Beagle up the street. We are so busy paw-trolling in the summer it’s CRAZY TOWN! Just the other day I had to chase down and forcibly remove a brazen surly dangerous woodchuck. And the deer -- who do they think they are -- eating Mom’s petunias?? Yes, I am that good, I can chase down and nip a deer in the ankles. But the real paw-trol work comes from chasing those evil rats with furry tails. Those no good squirrels! don’t even get me started. Go right ahead buddy, run up that tree after STEALING from the bird feeder. I can wait here all day! Until I get hungry, then you know, Mom puts chicken drippings on my dog chow so … Pry-Or-It-Eez!</div><div> I can’t wait for all our vacations this Summer. We are going to Maine, the Dominican Republic, and the Adirondacks!!! I’m already packed and I don’t even need a Passport! Wait, what? Mommmm! Aaargh, once again Mom says I’m not going on the first two trips. Well, that’s unfortunate because I love the beach and I may have to do a little tinkle on the Oriental rug right now to express my dissatisfaction. No, no, my inner Jiminy Cricket say that would be wrong. To tinkle or not to tinkle? See, this is why I need representation!!!</div><div> That’s Ok because I will get to stay with my grandparents and their dog, Magoo, this Summer during vacations! I call him Goo for short. And he calls me Orion (he’s not that good with coming up with nicknames). Me and the Goo have so much fun. I can relax over there because really, Grandma doesn’t care about the fat woodies and evil squirrels eating her shrubs and stuff. She actually likes woodchucks. So you know I don’t have to paw-trol as much. The Goo has that covered anyway. I gotta give it to the big lug he has the bark of a Lion!! But sometimes, I’m just like DUDE, Turn up for What Already, it’s just the paperboy! See, I am a lot more chill at Goo’s house. I take a lot of naps, eat a lot of treats and when we’re not napping in the yard, Goo and I like to watch the Animal Channel. Those monkeys are something else!!!</div><div> My mom always gets excited about the Summer because she doesn’t have to make my brothers’ ginormous lunches the night before. Then she realizes she still has to make them bag lunches for rowing camp and the thrill is kind of gone on that one. Mom likes to row as much as she can in the summer and boy does she!! She even goes down to the rowing camp during the day and rows with the kids! And Dad loves to sail his sailboat in the Summer. Guess what?? I am an Ace # 1 First Mate! I love going on the sailboat and letting the breeze run through my ears while we cut across the Hudson River. Life is good! The only thing that would make it better … if I could bring my friends Abigail and Goo on board the Sailboat. See what I’m saying, this is why I need representation!!!</div><div> Well, gotta wrap it up here. You have no idea how exhausting it is type when you don’t have opposable thumbs. That’s why those monkeys are so lucky. They should really start their own blog oh HEY GOTTA GO -- SQUIRRELLLLLLLLL …….</div><div> Signed - Orion LoBiondo, Special Guest Blogger</div><div>www.LoBiondoPage.Blogspot.com</div><div><br></div>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-54357656571886712912016-06-17T06:47:00.001-07:002016-06-17T17:57:06.549-07:00No Regrets: A Fathers Day Poem<div><div><div>NO REGRETS, A Poem for my Dad</div><div>Oh so many people</div><div>Their words tinge with regret</div><div>when they talk about their father</div><div>I want to hug and tell them</div><div>I wish they could have met</div><div>a Dad sent down from Heaven</div><div>that's what you were to me </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxEbQatNK7mVHZ0eXrE6eqRUl5xgXWRl9dl6kCkerfRz5yMl0BpiI0T6irYzaRYKKI0l1n6ksjQ7gHWOVRylUk3b_Q70Vs3Z2h_ZGgkt6ieTLeOk-QoXu3ScRMWHKVXrLwd6hopSOLEhQ/s640/blogger-image-590425277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxEbQatNK7mVHZ0eXrE6eqRUl5xgXWRl9dl6kCkerfRz5yMl0BpiI0T6irYzaRYKKI0l1n6ksjQ7gHWOVRylUk3b_Q70Vs3Z2h_ZGgkt6ieTLeOk-QoXu3ScRMWHKVXrLwd6hopSOLEhQ/s640/blogger-image-590425277.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Though God has called you back</div><div>I have not one regret</div><div>you always knew how </div><div>to make me smile</div><div>You would tell me stories </div><div>That made me laugh so hard I cried </div><div>They say you were a hero</div><div>To me You were</div><div>My first love </div><div>My hero Dad</div><div>The one I thought of first</div><div>When I was sad</div><div>Or needed help</div><div>With tires flat</div><div>When life just wore me down</div><div>My Dad will fix this</div><div>I would say</div><div>And that's what I will miss </div><div>You always had the time for me </div><div>Your heart was always open </div><div>Not just for me, you loved mankind</div><div>Even those who least deserved it</div><div><br></div><div>I always knew </div><div>How proud you were </div><div>of Little Juliana</div><div>And though</div><div>It seemed so silly then</div><div>You joined me on my first date</div><div>With blue ribbons in your hands</div><div>My daughter won these</div><div>You would say</div><div>And my husband didn’t run</div><div>He knew that we would be</div><div>A great big happy family</div><div>And that indeed we were</div><div>Our circle of Love </div><div>went so far</div><div>We flew so high </div><div>We touched a star</div><div>I see your Star every night</div><div>Can you see me Dad?</div><div>I hear you in each word I write</div><div>I see you in the wild flowers </div><div>The bees, the breeze, the leaves</div><div>I see your imprint everywhere</div><div>in me, my sons, </div><div>the way my heart is shaped</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>So many people speak of</div><div>Regrets about their Dad</div><div>The fights</div><div>Or worse the I love you's never spoken</div><div>But not for us, Dad</div><div>You always said I love you</div><div>I always said it back</div><div>Sunday, that was our day</div><div>I’d make your favorite dish</div><div>We never missed a holiday</div><div>Your birthday, no need to wish </div><div>I made December 26 </div><div>The party of the year</div><div>No combining that with </div><div>Christmas Day for my father dear</div><div><br></div><div>The last words that we spoke</div><div>Before</div><div>Your voice was stolen by the Stroke</div><div>I said to you:</div><div>I love you Dad</div><div>You said I love you too</div><div><br></div><div>I gave you the best sendoff</div><div>That a child could</div><div>Goodbye My Sailor Dad</div><div>And in the strains of Taps</div><div>I first let you go</div><div>And began </div><div>To fill the ocean</div><div>With my tears of rage and love</div><div>Why can't he live? Damn it I raged!</div><div>Then in my Dream</div><div>you said </div><div>My child, you must forgive</div><div>My Legacy in you will live</div><div>Be happy, child, </div><div>That’s what I want for you</div><div><br></div><div>And now</div><div>I regal your grave </div><div>I kneel, my head I bow</div><div>I feel your arms around me</div><div>I see you clearly now</div><div>Cry not, you say </div><div>For Daddy’s always with you</div><div>I gave you wings to fly</div><div>Go soar! </div><div>Be with your loving husband</div><div>And your boys, I love them so</div><div>Take care of mom</div><div>Your brother too </div><div>regrets are not for you</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>What more could I have asked for, Dad</div><div>Maybe just one more day</div><div>Another game of chess</div><div>Another chance to play</div><div>But we will have that one day </div><div>when I see you up in Heaven</div><div>So set the board, Dad</div><div>Wait for me</div><div>And when it is my time</div><div>Take my hand and lead me to </div><div>The Chessboard in the Sky </div><div>Then endlessly we will play</div><div>and laugh and spread our wings</div><div>and o’er the Heavens we will fly </div><div>My little hand in yours</div><div><br></div><div>By Juliana LoBiondo</div><div><br></div><div>In memory of my Beloved Dad, Mariano Muyot (December 26, 1935 - May 3, 2016)</div><div><br></div><div>Photo from Hawaii 1975, Diamondhead in the background</div><div><br></div></div></div>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-27043147523736551442016-06-11T06:08:00.001-07:002016-06-11T06:08:48.968-07:00My Girls: Rowing and Swimming to the Top<div>MY GIRLS: OUR STORY - Last night I had the honor and the privilege of watching "my girls” graduate from Nora Cronin Presentation Academy. I call them my girls, because they row at the Newburgh Rowing club and we have been together for years, with Karla joining us at the age of 10. You can only imagine my pride and joy when each of the girls received multiple academic awards and Karla graduated as valedictorian. Also in their boat is our wonderful Bowseat, Diana, who was there for support; and Caridad our Coxswain who is in sixth grade and was also there for support.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3ZpMNA3cdpv-jP3eJ8-9a3wf2dqZbfgK9UzuH_xBJTyOkAl2nC0EyK-5i8DYNLmEXzsfAxrEdM3UW0rPSrpp8AnoyWe_l5pD0k8u8SAN4kskv97JTIuNhLkxpNIp4oazvjj17-cXemZN/s640/blogger-image--1406354175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3ZpMNA3cdpv-jP3eJ8-9a3wf2dqZbfgK9UzuH_xBJTyOkAl2nC0EyK-5i8DYNLmEXzsfAxrEdM3UW0rPSrpp8AnoyWe_l5pD0k8u8SAN4kskv97JTIuNhLkxpNIp4oazvjj17-cXemZN/s640/blogger-image--1406354175.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Karla has been with us the longest. I will never forget when she came to the pool for swim lessons. Her little brother Richie was just a baby and he was so adorable I could not stop picking him up and hugging and kissing him. He quickly got tired of that and started running away from me every time he saw me, laughing every time and daring me to chase him. Last night, Richie came to the graduation in his little boy suit, so handsome, and shook my hand and congratulated me. Everyone is becoming so grown up!</div><div><br></div><div>“Little Karla” was always coming into the office, where I would be going over one thing or another with the rowing club coaches. She was polite but relentless. Here she was, this little cherub who had just learned to swim, and was just learning to use the indoor rowing machines; and pretty much every week she would stop at the office and ask me the same thing: Mrs.Lo, can I move up to competitive rowing yet? Not this week, Karla I would say, but soon.</div><div><br></div><div>Coach Kennedy had known Karla since she was in kindergarten and had always wanted her to come down to the rowing club. “She is born to row, that one,” said Coach Kennedy. He's uncanny like that. </div><div><br></div><div>Citlaly was the next want to join us. I have never seen an athlete with such heart. She is so kind and yet so incredibly physically strong. I try not to ask too much of her unless it is really needed. Because if I ask her to, she will literally row so hard for me but she will pass out. And that's not what we want. But that's the kind of heart she has. </div><div><br></div><div>Isabella and Diana joined us towards the end of sixth grade. All of the girls are incredibly gifted and incredibly brilliant. Isabella is an all-around athlete. She can run incredibly fast and has won running 5K's, and she is an incredible swimmer, as well as a natural musician. Diana is tremendous at bow seat. That means that she's responsible for being the captain of the boat so to speak and yet she has to row at the same time. She is also loyal and diligent. If I ask her to follow up on something, it's as good as done. I can definitely see her practicing law someday.</div><div><br></div><div>Fast forward to spring season 2016. The girls are not little pollywogs anymore, they have become serious scholar athletes. They are leaders. They are kind in their heart, their words, and their deeds. As are their families. When my dad passed away at the beginning of May, the girls’ families took turns delivering giant casseroles and tins of delicious food to my house. Every night for nine nights, I would come home and there would be food on my porch. They were there for the wake, the funeral and the burial. Somewhere along the way, along with the parents and grandparents we became way more than athletes, we became a family. And they are all very close friends with my younger son, Michael. </div><div><br></div><div>In the boat, Karla is stroke, meaning she leads the boat sitting in Front of the other rowers and setting the pace. Citlaly sits behind her at three seat, And Isabella sits behind her at two-seat, forming the "engine" of the boat. Diana steers the boat sitting at bow seat. They are incredibly versatile in that they can change from sculling (holding two oars in their hands) to sweeping (each row or holds one or in their hands). They have been rowing against high school girls and on many occasions have beat them. They became the first all middle school boat in history to medal at the Orange Ulster County championship this spring and went into the league championship undefeated, and proceeded to win the first place in the Hudson Valley Rowing League Girls 4+ Division C championship. What a way to end their career as 8th grade middle school rowers! </div><div><br></div><div>But Rowing for us is about much more than the medals. It is about friendship, bravery, leadership, and setting an example for the younger generation. Each of the girls has overcome tremendous adversity in order to get to where they are academically and as rowers. In September, the girls will go off to high school. Two are going to Lourdes and one to Kennedy Catholic with full scholarships. Another is entering into One of the best programs at NFA. </div><div><br></div><div>Our younger generation of sixth grade Nora Cronin Rowers will start taking the helm this summer and training to race. </div><div><br></div><div>Our girls who just graduated will start transitioning to a freshman boat, as they all plan to stick together for as long as possible Rowing. And they will spend part of their summer training the younger girls to row competitively. The entire program is free to the girls as they receive scholarships from the foundation that I cofounded with Coach Kennedy and which I direct, America Rows and swims Newburgh, an official affiliate of USRowing's America Rows program. I spend a good deal of my time writing grants and obtaining corporate donations. This allows us to provide a free learn to swim program and swim club at the Union Avenue community fitness center in new Windsor; and grants to provide free learn to row and competitive rowing programs for kids living below the federal poverty level and kids of differing abilities including down syndrome and autism. </div><div><br></div><div>Back to the graduation ceremony. When I heard the graduation song and saw the girls in their caps and gowns last night I knew it would be a weepy (In a happy way) kind of ceremony. An hour and a half later, when Karla was announced as the valedictorian I began to choke up again. And when she took the podium and said "I am a competitive Rower" and then went on to compare her four-year term at Nora Cronin to a 2000 meter rowing sprint, I was pretty much bawling. All I could remember was that little pint size girl with the watchful eyes and perpetual grin who kept coming into the office asking if she could move up to competitive Rowing. Even then, everyone in the office knew it. We have something really special with these girls.</div><div><br></div><div>Congratulations girls, I love you a lot and can't wait to see all the wonderful things you are going to accomplish in high school and beyond. And I'm looking forward to spending the summer training up our new crop of Nora Cronin Rowers. And continuing with our free swim club as well. </div><div><br></div><div>God has been good to me and I try to share my talents and resources with less fortunate members of the community. If you are a successful person and you have resources, I urge you to share them with others, that is one of the great rewards of being successful. I do my part to make my little corner of the world a little bit better every day.</div><div><br></div><div>Have a great day everyone and, as always, remember to count your blessings, I hope they are many! www.LoBiondoPage.Blogspot.com</div>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-76411660667582680122016-05-27T20:08:00.000-07:002016-05-28T02:38:48.856-07:00A Grateful Heart on Memorial Day<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MEMORIES OF LOLO ON MEMORIAL DAY - my very earliest memory is standing before a behemoth of a Naval ship, watching my mother cry. I was about 3 years old. I asked her why she was crying. “I’m crying because I am so happy, because I know everything is going to be fine.” Even then I understood my mother was in pain and her actions did not match her words. We were, once again, saying good-bye to my father, as he went back on his ship, and this was in the middle of the Vietnam War. Luckily for us, my father did come home. And although he missed the first 3 years of my childhood, he more than showered me with love for the rest of his days.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZvWjr2LdsryBICWip-uXBdY5h04UgpSgotN3oEDsfPhAK-r4gomvO7ox9iUaiGGYrKi_SZVdEi5VCQQK8seBkEnth2jPlAUDLKMpyBBY5uYB0r46WvvAdNyMx1qrHjtgvyv-_FuPTq0r/s1600/Lolo+Navy+ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZvWjr2LdsryBICWip-uXBdY5h04UgpSgotN3oEDsfPhAK-r4gomvO7ox9iUaiGGYrKi_SZVdEi5VCQQK8seBkEnth2jPlAUDLKMpyBBY5uYB0r46WvvAdNyMx1qrHjtgvyv-_FuPTq0r/s320/Lolo+Navy+ship.jpg" width="240"></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not everyone was lucky enough to have their Dad come home from Vietnam. Of those who did come back, many were “shell shocked,” or suffered what is now known as PTSD. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back then, people were not so welcoming of Vietnam Veterans. Some of my elementary school classmates chose not to tell people that their fathers were Vietnam Veterans because there was a stigma attached to it. Not for my father. He was IMMENSELY proud of his service -- at a time when others were not -- and taught his kids that we should be proud of it as well. My dad had lived through World War II in the Philippines as a child, and he had lived through the Vietnam War as a combatant, that it how he received his US Citizenship. And though he had endured so much, he loved everyone unconditionally. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He loved to tell stories from from his 7 years in the Navy. As a result, I can say three things in Tagalog, my father’s native tongue: “Hello, how are you?”, “Thank you,” and “OH MY GOD THAT MISSILE’S COMING BACK!” This is the story of “Bumabalik”.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dad was stationed on board a guided missile cruiser which was stationed off the coast of North Vietnam. They were conducting combat operations, firing land missiles from the ship in support of an amphibious attack on the shore. It was something they did a lot. Except this time, they fired a missile and, for some unknown reason, the missile turned around and headed back toward the ship. This is the part where the sailors who were originally from the Philippines shouted, “Ang missile ay Bumabalik! Bumabalik!” -- or the missile is coming back! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My Commander did not panic, he did not hesitate,” said Dad. “He immediately gave the command to shoot down the missile in the air. If he had hesitated, or second guessed himself for one second, we would have all been dead. We ran to our stations and shot it down. It exploded in mid-air. Bumabalik!”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On Memorial Day, we remember, pray for and give thanks to all those who gave their lives in the service of the United States. No matter what your political stripes, your opinion, your religion or any of your many freedoms that you probably take for granted, none of us would have them if it weren’t for those service members, from the Revolutionary War to the present, who made the ultimate sacrifice. But there are some other people to thank, and that would be their family members -- the wives, sons, daughters and parents of those who did not return. Because the family members served too, and they have made a sacrifice the rest of us cannot even dream of. This is their day, the other 364 days, you can thank all veterans for their service.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mrs. Lo </span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-04e7ddeb-f551-c45e-e325-b0362e460978"></span><br>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In memory of my Dad, Mariano Muyot (“Lolo”), December 26, 1935 - May 3, 2016 (Photo of Lolo on board the USS Galveston)</span></div>
The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-12211172549676129002016-05-13T18:29:00.001-07:002016-05-13T18:33:24.246-07:00The Good Old Days? Growing Up in the 70's<div>My kids are perpetually amazed when I tell them what it was like growing up in my working-class neighborhood in the 70’s and 80’s. Lately, with my Beloved Father, who I adored, having died last week, we have been spending a lot of time in the old neighborhood, so to speak. My older son wanted to see the lake that we used to walk to. When I drove him there he was in shock.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVbIzMOb0HuQE941kAjpUloANLggAsYubZFIWNfg01HgoHOhRn2mgnEp0npLWPbbwlBc4Gr2oAZrsYlhcgKuF7HaJBYyyr23F38K5eULZfBJ17XC5JraHqBut4-iNrpJkxptVgOv266yI/s640/blogger-image-587479030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVbIzMOb0HuQE941kAjpUloANLggAsYubZFIWNfg01HgoHOhRn2mgnEp0npLWPbbwlBc4Gr2oAZrsYlhcgKuF7HaJBYyyr23F38K5eULZfBJ17XC5JraHqBut4-iNrpJkxptVgOv266yI/s640/blogger-image-587479030.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>At first I couldn’t figure out why, after all it was a small man made lake and my son’s rowing team practices on the magnificent and sprawling natural preserve known as Monksville Reservoir in Ringwood, NJ. The reason for his shock: “I can’t believe Grandma would let you and your friends walk that far.” It was about a mile away. We didn’t have Fitbits or iPhone apps to measure, so I actually have no idea. I told him we used to keep on walking another mile or so, until we got to the bakery, where we would get brownies and black and white cookies; again he found this incomprehensible. That his grandma, who never wants them to walk anywhere alone and is always telling them to wear a hat, would let her kids out of her sight for so long -- it just defied credulity.</div><div><br></div><div> My kids know that, back in the day, our parents used to just open up the door, tell us to go play and the only rule was, be back before it gets dark. All so we could spend our time riding our bikes, playing hopscotch, playing jacks; and walking to arts and craft class (mosaic ashtray anyone?), the bakery, and the library, by ourselves.</div><div><br></div><div> “You guys have to be the last generation that lived like that,” my sons told me recently.</div><div><br></div><div> And I believe that is true. I think the demise came with Pacman, Atari and video games, which gave kids a reason to stay indoors. But in a way, it was good that we put an end to that lifestyle where the parents were the opposite of “hover-parents”.</div><div><br></div><div> I explained to my son that it really was Survival of the Fittest. Sure, our parents didn’t micromanage us, which brought a lot of freedom. But that also meant that bullying was part of growing up. And everybody got bullied, including the physically and mentally challenged kids. Mercilessly. </div><div><br></div><div> “That’s horrible,” exclaimed my kids. It was. But that is the downside of not having your parents hovering over you at all times. On the one hand, we pretty much were out there playing and having fun -- but on the other hand, we had to endure teasing, hazing, and witnessed a lot of fistfights. By some miracle, no one ever had a weapon and no one ever got hurt; no one even had their eye poked out. No parent ever made an appointment at school because their kid got picked on or got the worse end of a fist. Basically, if you got your butt kicked, you picked yourself up and went back to class, end of story.</div><div><br></div><div> I wanted my kids to know that yes, in a lot of ways our 70’s childhoods were better. We were always outdoors -- and there was no structure, no teams (until Little League started) and no money involved. But I also wanted them to know that it wasn’t necessarily an idyllic childhood -- because it was a tough world out there, Survival of the Fittest is the only way I can describe it. And political correctness did not exist. </div><div><br></div><div> We format ourselves to the world we are born into. If you had told me as a little girl that one day, my son would be getting up at 5:15 am to take a train to Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, NJ, where he would then take an Uber to crew practice, row for 3 hours and then take a train home -- I would have looked at you like you were an alien. I guess the first question would be -- what’s an Uber? Followed by -- what is crew and where is New Jersey? Our kids are a lot better educated in 2016, that’s for sure.</div><div><br></div><div> Have a great day, everyone and as always, Remember to Count Your Blessings! </div><div><br></div><div>www.LoBiondoPage.Blogspot.com </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br></div>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-69131893722995795462016-05-08T20:37:00.001-07:002016-05-08T20:37:44.666-07:00Love Triumphs Over All: A Eulogy for my Dad<div>LOVE TRIUMPHS OVER ALL: A EULOGY FOR MY DAD. My father, Mariano Muyot, was known to everyone in the last 17 years, simply as “Lolo.” That is Tagalog, or Filipino, for Grandfather. Lolo, in his lifetime, provided many lessons for all of us but the greatest lesson he imparted to us was this: Love Triumphs Over All.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiCNQyKUEOOStQP0hlzjZFl3JTCQQIjkr2tskd8yfO3UaGhObruGkyazF5JX6aKIcWc7tel0_31yI7ednpFr0yF5ztqCFReOM_qBAJngGrLQN9lYoo8E7CJJ9SfkbflACDTSmSw5VBolR/s640/blogger-image-1055594059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiCNQyKUEOOStQP0hlzjZFl3JTCQQIjkr2tskd8yfO3UaGhObruGkyazF5JX6aKIcWc7tel0_31yI7ednpFr0yF5ztqCFReOM_qBAJngGrLQN9lYoo8E7CJJ9SfkbflACDTSmSw5VBolR/s640/blogger-image-1055594059.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div> Lolo was a mere 8 years old when World War II came to the Philippines. As the baby of the family, he had been loved and cherished by his father, Vedasto, his mother, Juliana, and his 5 older brothers. His life changed drastically when he lost his father to a concentration camp and watched as invading Japanese soldiers burned down his beautiful home. His older brothers went off to war to help the American soldiers. As a little boy, Mariano would hide and watch the Japanese soldiers as they buried land mines. Then he would run and find the American soldiers and show them, from memory, where the land mines were buried. They say he and others like him saved countless lives. When General MacArthur finally liberated the Philippines, Mariano’s father lived long enough to come home and see his family one last time. And Mariano knew what he must do: become an American military man like the G.I.’s who liberated his father.</div><div><br></div><div> Mariano did not seek revenge, he sought a way to show his gratitude. Throughout his life, he told us over and over again, he harbored no hatred toward the Japanese people, because they too were victims in their own homeland. He did not even harbor hatred towards the Japanese soldiers. His strong and abiding Faith in God and his love of his fellow man was too great for that. When Juliana was assigned a Japanese roommate her freshman year at NYU, a sweet girl named Noriko, Noriko was worried about meeting Mariano. There was no need, on parents day, he hugged her and welcomed her as if she were a family member. For he knew that Love Triumphs Over All. </div><div><br></div><div> Joining the U.S. Navy at Subic Bay in the Philippines in 1962 was an act of Love and Gratitude for Mariano. He loved his days at sea on the USS Columbus and the USS Galveston, and later in life, he loved to tell these stories to virtually everyone he met. He volunteered again and again for ship duty and was never ever on land, even when his children were born. Once he met his future wife, he volunteered for submarine duty because the pay grade was much higher. However, his hearing had been permanently damaged from firing the cannons during the Vietnam War. He was dejected when the Navy told him he did not qualify for submarine duty because of his hearing loss but happy for his fellow shipmates who did make it. Tragically, the USS Thresher Naval attack submarine containing his fellow shipmates, imploded beneath the sea in May 1963, killing all 129 souls aboard. God spared Mariano’s life again because he had other plans for him.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIj1P535lcg8YBwAZP-kWdi-iesGZ6Y_6K6_AsM8XK4d9bL4htX7YWo2-tp_Vuto1oQOAPgFYQyKFcMGanbzL7_5xV3PycSMNu-BWDzbquhs_r378FM6XwwQYJ6g0lhazMzVn9dPOK0bp6/s640/blogger-image-266336514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIj1P535lcg8YBwAZP-kWdi-iesGZ6Y_6K6_AsM8XK4d9bL4htX7YWo2-tp_Vuto1oQOAPgFYQyKFcMGanbzL7_5xV3PycSMNu-BWDzbquhs_r378FM6XwwQYJ6g0lhazMzVn9dPOK0bp6/s640/blogger-image-266336514.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div> Part of that plan was for Mariano to meet and marry the love of his life, a beautiful Irish American gal named Marie McCaffrey, soon to become Marie Muyot. Marie and Mariano married while Mariano was still in the Navy and both their children, Juliana and Michael, were born while Mariano was serving ship duty at sea very far away. He missed the first part of their childhoods but he made up for it by showering them with love, life lessons, and lots of family vacations, upon his return home. Marie and Mariano just celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary on April 4, 2016, surrounded by their children and grandchildren.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZutxsXedODAhonv3RIsZuTqOFxD1tYcE-HUs-B7Ya1CngJYLShzz6cer9AHwKBrZYFl0pDLZx_iaN9qXXIM0DsacDMdJIOdBkGSN3SBdu3l9S70EmZ9pp-y-yVzw-AfPfiBooS43lTEEs/s640/blogger-image--817999470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZutxsXedODAhonv3RIsZuTqOFxD1tYcE-HUs-B7Ya1CngJYLShzz6cer9AHwKBrZYFl0pDLZx_iaN9qXXIM0DsacDMdJIOdBkGSN3SBdu3l9S70EmZ9pp-y-yVzw-AfPfiBooS43lTEEs/s640/blogger-image--817999470.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div> The fulfillment on Mariano’s mission on earth was without question, to become a Grandfather -- and a loving Patriarch to a family which included Juliana and her husband Anthony (whom he loved like a son), and their children, his beloved grandchildren Christian and Michael; and also included Mariano’s only son, of whom he was so proud -- the handsome, successful and athletic Michael Muyot; along with Sandra Markovic Muyot, and his two other beloved grandsons, Vuk and Nikola. As a grandfather, Mariano was complete, he became the man he was destined to be. Strong, loving dependable and capable of spoiling his grandchildren at a level we came to be accustomed to. And his children and grandchildren loved him beyond measure. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnp7sLtb5nTLjPiuqwA7dQmeSTIWF65dZlbCF9A0nOrutYDmeNfZGRmFbZkA9S3aIwbz7O1dNPuy8yctvvetcKkUmq03VcdaxsfwyzQ-GIlBqER_fCWR1LXfhYabf6wSCz4JAqZcW3QkQE/s640/blogger-image--474257671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnp7sLtb5nTLjPiuqwA7dQmeSTIWF65dZlbCF9A0nOrutYDmeNfZGRmFbZkA9S3aIwbz7O1dNPuy8yctvvetcKkUmq03VcdaxsfwyzQ-GIlBqER_fCWR1LXfhYabf6wSCz4JAqZcW3QkQE/s640/blogger-image--474257671.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I will never forget the first time Anthony and I left Lolo alone to babysit Baby Christian so they could go out to dinner. He called us on our cell phone in a panic because he couldn’t find the “big pins”. </div><div><br></div><div> “What big pins are you looking for dad?” I asked.</div><div><br></div><div> “The big safety pins, I will not use these little safety pins on my grandson they could hurt him!” I explained to him about modern diapers -- and how we don’t need safety pins anymore to close the diapers, and he was very relieved.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASamMHTWwksQMEgsWtpj_aj4xOQ7Yw36ZTcCaV6MZb23RY_tfkhloKJaFc9bOk5ASq8oTB46YZkH3outMQSiwVI3W_0G5sFVOGP_2b5JNUhvIt4czBZGWvmaC44XkZOmzdKx7y8XgGBDd/s640/blogger-image-1518570560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASamMHTWwksQMEgsWtpj_aj4xOQ7Yw36ZTcCaV6MZb23RY_tfkhloKJaFc9bOk5ASq8oTB46YZkH3outMQSiwVI3W_0G5sFVOGP_2b5JNUhvIt4czBZGWvmaC44XkZOmzdKx7y8XgGBDd/s640/blogger-image-1518570560.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div> But the clan kept growing, Mariano and Marie continued to have strong ties to Alenka and Svetco, the other grandparents of Vuk and Nikola. We lost Svetco less than a year ago. Mariano also loved very much his extended LoBiondo Family: Ross and Jan, parents of Anthony; and Vinnie and Alessandra, brother and sister in law of Anthony, as well as their children, Vincent, Steven, Angelina and Matt. In fact, all 8 grandchildren played together and talked to each other all week as if they were all blood cousins. Mariano was happy when his son found love again with his second wife, Vanessa. Because that is what Mariano wanted: a big, gregarious happy family. Love Triumphs Over All.</div><div><br></div><div> Mariano had many achievements in life: receiving college degrees in both the Philippines and the U.S., a 6 year distinguished career in the US Navy, for which he received numerous medals, a fulfilling and successful 25 year career at IBM East Fishkill from which he retired with great pride and lifelong friends. But his greatest achievement was by far his family and his grandchildren.</div><div><br></div><div> This past December 2015, just 4 months ago, Mariano turned 80. Juliana wanted to have a big celebration for him with a band and a DJ. But those were not his wishes. He wanted to have a party at her house, a place he loved very much, with his wife, children, grandchildren, and the extended LoBiondo Clan. We had that party, and we were able to have several more Sunday dinners and parties where the whole family gathered. Just 2 weeks ago, we gathered at the River Grill, a place Mariano loved very much, for Anthony’s 50th birthday party. Mariano held court, enjoying his big family, as well as a good steak, and he spent the day laughing, smiling, and of course telling stories. He took Juliana aside at one point and said to her, “You did good, Julie, you did really good.” She thinks he meant the party but she also believes he was alluding to the family that we had all built together and the incredible closeness we all shared.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div> And so if you take away one thing from Mariano’s life and Legacy, let it be this: never pass up an opportunity to gather your family around you for a good steak, a big laugh, and some great stories. </div><div><br></div><div>And in the end, Fear not for Love will Triumph Over All.</div><div><br></div><div>###</div><div><br></div><div>My father died peacefully, surrounded by family, on May 3, 2016 at Vassar Brothers Hospital, where they did a wonderful job caring for him. We are holding a mass of Christian burial for him today; he will receive a full military veterans sendoff. This is the eulogy that I wrote for him and which will be delivered by my brother-in-law, Vincent LoBiondo, today at the church. All in all, I can't help thinking about how much my dad would have enjoyed this day! "Julie, you really outdid yourself this time," I can just imagine him saying. The grief is still raw but this I can tell you: the Love goes on and on and on.</div><div><br></div><div>Go in peace, dear friends, and remember always to love fiercely, be slow to injure and quick to forgive. If you're lucky enough to have families, give them all a big hug and always tell them how much you love them. I don't regret one moment. Spend time with all generations of your family. My father spent a lifetime telling me and showing me how much he loved me. And I spent my life til now doing the same. The last words we said to each other were: I Love You. Make sure you never lose a chance to tell someone you love them! Sending you all lots of love, and my dad in Heaven is blowing you a kiss 💕 Mrs. Lo</div>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-72063160334043648232016-04-29T19:16:00.001-07:002016-04-29T19:16:16.363-07:00My Hero Dad - the Unbelievable True Story of Lolo<div>My Hero Dad's True Life Story - This is the story of the first man I loved, my first and forever hero, and the most dependable, loyal, honest, charming, and loving man I have ever or will ever know, my dad, Mariano Muyot, known to everyone simply as "Lolo" (Tagalog for “Grandpa”). Lolo was born in Manila, the Philippines on December 26, 1935. His father was an optometrist, who had a large, beautiful estate and office in the beautiful tropical city of Manila. Lolo's mother was a stunningly beautiful woman, devoted to her husband and 6 sons; the first 5 were much older, they were all teenagers when Mariano was born. The Muyots had walled off estate with many servants, gardens, and a large art collection. They were the founders of a music conservatory. Little Mariano was doted on and cherished by both parents and his older brothers. But all of that was about to change.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxsCFjkpkEFNy-Fa2MdaWqjJ0NdjAF4MeKFmoctbPKlm1GgzmxZoi46mD6u8H68Hn2S8cxcuvw_pkUPUkaHS0McPLIBIHMvysyCY8TzqTW2SK5PiPnWNrQjKZ9KOYQIxX2fh0yPDO2PXz/s640/blogger-image-1251191043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxsCFjkpkEFNy-Fa2MdaWqjJ0NdjAF4MeKFmoctbPKlm1GgzmxZoi46mD6u8H68Hn2S8cxcuvw_pkUPUkaHS0McPLIBIHMvysyCY8TzqTW2SK5PiPnWNrQjKZ9KOYQIxX2fh0yPDO2PXz/s640/blogger-image-1251191043.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>War was coming to their little paradise in the tropics.</div><div><br></div><div>When World War II descended like a scourge upon the Philippines, the Filipino army was probably one of the most under-prepared armies in the world at the time. Nonetheless, all 5 Mariano's older brothers volunteered and, because they were all college educated, went in as officers. When Mariano was 7 years old, Japanese soldiers came to his beautiful house to interrogate his father. They knew his older brothers were helping the U.S. Army learn to be "guerillas." The Japnese soldiers wanted to know where the US guerilla soldiers were. </div><div><br></div><div>Dr. Vedasto Muyot refused to give up their locations. Mariano watched in terror as the Japanese soldiers beat his father savagely. He cried as the soldiers smashed his father's precious eye-glass cases. When Mariano's mother ran to her husband, they slapped her and she fell to the ground weeping for the life she knew was slipping away. Mariano could only watched in horror as the soldiers burned the entire palatial Muyot estate to the ground. They dragged his father away to a concentration camp with other P.O.W.'s, including Filipino and US soldiers. There he was tortured and beaten mercilessly alongside American soldiers and Filipino soldiers.</div><div><br></div><div>Mariano witnessed many atrocities and went from being an affluent doctor's son to being homeless. He never owned one toy growing up. He looked in the sky and saw "dogfights" between US and Japanese warplanes daily. If you know history, you know that General Douglas MacArthur is personally responsible for saving the Philippines and the US soldiers left behind on that island nation. Truman was ready to abandon the nation and the American troops, but MacArthur had lived in served in the Philippines for many years and he love the nation and it's beautiful people. He stood on the shores of Leyte and said, "I shall return," to the Filipino people he loved so much -- and he meant it. </div><div><br></div><div>Defying his own Commander-in-Chief and sabotaging his own career, MacArthur did come back, he did liberate the Philippines and the remaining American troops. Vedasto Muyot crawled home from the concentration camp, emaciated. He gazed once more the faces of his wife and children and soon after, died in his wife's loving arms. Her name: Juliana Tiga Muyot. </div><div><br></div><div>The "G.I.'s", the American soldiers who liberated the Philippines, were so good to the Filipino children they gave their own C-rations to the kids, including Mariano. Mariano vowed then and there to do something to re-pay the Americans. </div><div><br></div><div>In 1963, Mariano joined the U.S. Navy at Subic Bay Naval Base, initially as a foreign citizen. He served for 7 years. After serving in the Gulf of Tonkin, the only battle of Vietnam to be considered part of a "war" (Congress briefly declared war, then revoked it, hence Vietnam was actually a "conflict" although 56,000 soldiers and sailors died), he became a US Citizen under the provision whereby a foreign citizen who serves in the U.S. military during wartime is eligible for US citizenship. In between, he met an Irish American gal from Beacon, NY named Mary McCaffrey. They dated for a few weeks and got married in San Diego, CA during shore leave on April 4, 1964. They just celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary.</div><div><br></div><div>I was born July 23, 1965 while my dad, Mariano, was on a ship in Vietnam. My brother was born December 20, 1967. After leaving the Navy, my dad worked a full career at IBM, from which he retired years ago. </div><div><br></div><div>He had colon cancer in 2001 but beat it. He was in Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital on 9/11 when the planes hit. The nurses and doctors couldn't wait to meet me and tell me how all the patients were so scared but my father, who had just had surgery days ago, walked around the hospital wheeling his IV with him, comforting the patients, especially the younger ones, saying he had faced death several times before, and not to be afraid, the worst thing to do if you're going to die is to be in a state of panic, to put themselves in a state of peace and everything would be all right. They say he brought peace to an otherwise panicked hospital. I could go on and on about my dad. </div><div><br></div><div>All I'm going to say is I was one lucky little girl, you can only imagine what it was like to be Daddy's little girl, with Mariano Muyot as my dad. Not that we had a lot of money, we didn't, but I always knew I was loved, loved, loved. </div><div><br></div><div>This is a reprint of a blog I first posted in 2013. As I sit here today, Lolo is 81 and still feisty. He suffered a stroke this past week and is working hard to get back to where he was. He is receiving wonderful care at Vassar Brothers Hospital. If you don't see me every day at the office in the boathouse, you know that's because I am at Vassar hanging out with my Hero Dad. </div><div><br></div><div>Have a great day everyone and always remember to count your blessings! 💗 Mrs. Lo (Daddy and Me 1967) www.LoBiondoPage.Blogspot.com </div>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-10357065635199523932016-04-22T20:40:00.001-07:002016-04-22T20:40:12.411-07:00My Grandma the Guru<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fdrg7" data-offset-key="8knp4-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="8knp4-0-0">MY GRANDMA WAS A GURU - You know all those self-help books out there -- with advice on everything from lowering your cholesterol to raising your self-esteem -- it turns out that they are just regurgitating everything my grandmother always told me. And there’s a good chance your grandparents told you the same things. Which makes our grandparents kind of like gurus. Let’s think about it:</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="cv33q-0-0">NUTRITION - Nellen (my grandmother) was always urging us to take cod liver oil, “It gives you brainpower.” It turns out, Fish Oil is full of Omega-3’s, and is a cornerstone of healthy diets. The sale of Fish oil capsules is through the roof, and guess what? It’s good for your brain!</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="37cfj-0-0">FITNESS - “Use it or lose it,” my grandma used to say. And in fact, fitness experts recommend daily exercise of at least 30 minutes a day, instead of the weekend warrior style of bursts of fitness. Because unless you move it every day, you will in fact, lose it. This is why so many weekend warrior suffer chronic injuries.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="f3okq-0-0">ON MONEY - “Take care of the pennies, and the dollars will look after themselves.” It’s really the best money advice ever. Save your pennies and they will turn into dollars, at that point you can turn them over to your bank or your financial advisor to invest -- but it’s up to you to save those pennies!</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="1ag04-0-0">DINNERTIME TOGETHER - people now think it’s almost “revolutionary” to make a home cooked meal every night and sit down at the table together to eat it. (Hey, I didn’t say the meal was delicious or my table was even cleaned off!) It’s something my grandmother always insisted on and now I see why. It brings our busy family together every day, even if they wolf down their food and go do their homework or retreat to their man cave. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="lbmb-0-0">BEAUTY ADVICE - “Your best beauty asset is your smile,” my grandmother always said. Now they have things like Smile Therapy (No, I’m not kidding!) But Nellen always knew, smiling not only makes you look good, it makes you feel good.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5p9ak-0-0">"SPREAD THE WEALTH" was one of Nellen's favorite sayings - every success guru says the same thing. Having success is not enough. Sharing the wealth and giving generously is an integral part of being Successful.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="72dd4-0-0">"FAMILY IS EVERYTHING" - actually, what my grandma used to say is “someday when I’m gone, it will be you and your brother and you have to look after each other and stick together because family is everything.” At the time, the thought of a World without Nellen was both inconceivable and depressing. But as always, she was right. Family is everything. Not the money, not fame, not retweets. And family can take many forms. Your immediate family, your extended family, your neighborhood and community. It’s important to find a way to stay connected to your family every day. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5t0k6-0-0">When I was a little girl, I thought if anything ever happened to my grandma, I would want the world to stop so I could get off. But that’s not the way it works. Although she died in 1994, Nellen lives on in me and my brother, and everything she taught us, which we have passed down to our kids. So while it would be nice to have a convertible and clothes from the 3rd floor of Neiman Marcus; I will drive my Mom-mobile with the 3rd row; and recycle my clothes over and over, and instead invest our money in our kids’ education, our love of travel -- and fish oil. Because at the end of the day, I can look at my family, smile, and say thank you Grandma, I now know what it really important.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="998tv-0-0">Have a great day, everyone and as always, Remember to Count Your Blessings! (My grandmother's MOST favorite saying) <3 Mrs. Lo www.LoBiondoPage.Blogspot.com</span></div>
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The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-91705216535167729752016-04-15T19:41:00.001-07:002016-04-15T19:41:08.817-07:00You're Still Beautiful, Mommy<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A few nights ago, Michael (my 12 year old) and I were watching a movie on Netflix and a song from the 90’s came on that I hadn’t heard in years. And, as only music has the power to do, it really carried me back to a time when I was living in NYC, a law student, living a very different life. “I remember that song,” I told my son. “That came out when I was 22.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What was it like to be 22?” my son asked me. I had to think, after all that was 28 years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well,” I said, as I struggled with my memory, “overall, it was great to be young and beautiful but it wasn’t so great to have no money all the time.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’re still young and beautiful, Mommy!” decried my son. My first reaction was to say what I would say if I were among friends, “Come on, I am none of those things, nor does it matter to me because I now have everything I ever wanted back in those days.” But I stopped myself. I had to think about how my son saw me. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wonder if anyone else remembers that children’s book from years ago. A little boy gets lost in a department store and when the store personnel ask him what his mother looks like, he tells them “my mother is the most beautiful woman in the world.” The store clerks bring over all manner of physically beautiful women only to be told time after time by the little boy that none of these women are his mother. Finally, a plain and sturdy woman comes over and the boy throws his arms around her neck and exclaims, “that’s my mother! See, I told you she was the most beautiful woman in the world!”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And so, if our kids see us moms as Beautiful, and their Dad as heroic and strong; and their grandparents as the wisest people in the world -- really, who are we to burst their little cocoon of Happiness?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So instead of telling my son he needed glasses, or he should have seen me 30 years ago, or 20 pounds ago, or before wrinkles and crows feet; I simply smiled at my loving, trusting boy -- which gave me even more wrinkles and crows feet -- and simply said, “Thank you, my boy.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Life can be so full of simple pleasures, if we just open our hearts to them!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have a great day, everyone and, as always Remember to Count Your Blessings! <3 Mrs. Lo </span><a href="http://www.lobiondopage.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.LoBiondoPage.Blogspot.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Photo from 2004, Mrs. Lo and Baby Michael) </span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-3cc6c926-1ce7-3d52-a44b-517f491f47e1"><br /></span>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-29404356229368194722016-04-08T20:23:00.002-07:002016-04-08T20:23:43.123-07:00200 Miles to Dance with My Son<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This past winter, I drove over 200 miles a week to take Salsa class and Bachata class with my 15-year-old son. “You’re crazy!” said one friend lovingly. “You’re paying so much money for gas!,” said an acquaintance. “It’s too much for both of you,” worried my family members. But they didn’t know what I know:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oMyeRgKx5lfdLBW6aNJWvbfpg8_kT7LBqPqA1hoYKa_HWcmgx0azqQOicgHCyQqKodwTT_o9LzlBUX0-3FgxSB7yTO-s0q6f9D-qt_PHQZZPdx2bovP2iQXMd11-ulgB1GiVeHwwftAl/s1600/JL+and+Christian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oMyeRgKx5lfdLBW6aNJWvbfpg8_kT7LBqPqA1hoYKa_HWcmgx0azqQOicgHCyQqKodwTT_o9LzlBUX0-3FgxSB7yTO-s0q6f9D-qt_PHQZZPdx2bovP2iQXMd11-ulgB1GiVeHwwftAl/s320/JL+and+Christian.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That every moment spent in the car with your teenage son is precious, because soon they won’t need Mom to drive;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That every moment spent dancing with your son is worth 7 years in Mom Life;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That it truly seems like just yesterday I was singing and dancing with my son in Music and Me Class, and my whole week revolved around those two morning classes;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That Christian used to be an Irish step dancer in 3rd grade, ever so briefly, and I always knew he had a gift for dancing;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That dancing nourishes the soul, and dancing with you son is simply priceless;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That my father and my mother’s ancestors came to this great nation so that every generation could do successively better; and every generation has; and that while my husband and I raised our sons to be equipped to go away to college and succeed; I had no idea I would start crying every time a brochure from a college comes in the mail; </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That there are only 121 Saturdays before Christian leaves for college and I would have driven 500 miles to dance with him; </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So yes, all winter, every Monday and Tuesday night, I drove 40 miles from Newburgh to Ramsey, NJ where my son had indoor rowing practice; then 41 miles to Elements of Style Dance Studio in Middletown NY for Salsa Class; then 23 miles to get back home. He is a very good dancer and I was bursting with pride each class.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But then again, that’s how we moms are. We are so proud of every little accomplishment. Remember when your kid finally learned to tie their shoes?! Admit it, you secretly thought your child was a genius -- all moms think that, it’s OK.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s a wonderful thing going to dance class with your teenage son. Everyone else saw a handsome young man, a prep school student-athlete. Who was a great dancer. But not me. I was half seeing us dance, and I was half remembering all those many moments in Music and Me when we sat in a circle and sang and danced and played. And now look at my Boy. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are on hiatus for now due to my son’s hellacious varsity spring crew schedule. But we hope to return after spring crew is over. And I will again be happy to drive 200 miles to dance with my son.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have a great day everyone and, as always, Remember to Count Your Blessings! <3 Mrs. Lo </span></div>
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The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-85520285484634277202016-04-01T19:44:00.001-07:002016-04-01T19:44:54.030-07:00Orion LoBiondo, the Blogger Dog: Welcome to Spring 2016!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ORION, THE BLOGGER DOG - Hellooooo Humans! It’s me, Orion LoBiondo, the only 4-legged member of the LoBiondo Family. As you know, my mom (you guys know her as “Mrs. Lo”) only lets me blog at the beginning of every season. Well, guess what, Mom? That’s right, it’s SPRING, so it’s my turn to blog this week! Spring is my very favorite season, along with Summer, Winter and Fall. More than anything else, I really enjoy my spring sports: tennis and swimming.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WWDPApccC1yjpGM4uktimvaOQJtGWxfQyb8gn1k4OTpYJYFEjrD-bnvJQilMeP-wYTRMHRfXSq36vExNqPMSz8HaQZqZzg07qeArHwh5OdmS09XoGRN0fq-whw-td9QkeagYiY2TfMLZ/s1600/Orion+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WWDPApccC1yjpGM4uktimvaOQJtGWxfQyb8gn1k4OTpYJYFEjrD-bnvJQilMeP-wYTRMHRfXSq36vExNqPMSz8HaQZqZzg07qeArHwh5OdmS09XoGRN0fq-whw-td9QkeagYiY2TfMLZ/s320/Orion+outside.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t wanna brag but I happen to be one RAD tennis player! What? No, Mom, please this is my blog, you get to do your own blog every week, let me do it my way. Sooooo, my Mom says I am not really a tennis player because I don’t use a RACK-it, whatever that is. Who would want to use that stupid thing when the pure joy of tennis is running as fast as I can, leaping in the air and catching the tennis ball in my mouth when my brothers throw it to me! Tennis balls oh boy oh boy oh boy!! I am so excited thinking about it I am starting to drool! Literally!! I WILL clean it up, Mom, chillax. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anyway, my brothers have started throwing the tennis ball to me already and I must say I have not lost my touch. No matter how far they throw it or how high I pretty much always catch that tennis ball. Who invented this game anyway, it’s the best?! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There’s only one thing that makes me happier than playing tennis and that is swimming! I love it when we go to our favorite (NAME DELETED) and I jump in the (ALSO DELETED) and swim out as far as I …. Um, Mom, why are you deleting stuff from my Blog?! What do you mean I’m not really supposed to be swimming in there, all the dogs do it! Well, that’s a stupid rule. And you and Poppa are lawyers, you should change that rule.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I would like a new rule: dogs who are really good swimmers should be able to go swimming in any watering hole that we want!! Get to work on that, Mom and Poppa. (Humans, I don’t know what kind of law they are doing all day long but if they are not making the world a more fun place for dogs, they are probably just wasting their time.) But I digress …</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The absolute BESTest of the Bestiest is when we combine swimming AND tennis! We go to the (DELETED BY MY LAWYER MOM), my family gets their fishing poles out, and then they throw the tennis ball into the water and I swim out and fetch it. Did I just use the words tennis ball, swim, and fetch in the same sentence?! Drooling all over Mom’s rug again, sorry, Mom! You can use my allowance to buy more paper towels.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I am starting to be a teenager, I’m not a little pup anymore. In addition to being a varsity sports athlete and a great scholar (OK, I guard the backpacks on the way to school but you know, close enough), I am starting to notice the other, the um, how do I say …. OK I’ll just say it, I have a girlfriend! (Sorry, Mom I’m just drooling a lot today). She is sooooo beautiful and adorable with those long beagle ears and that sassy bark of hers! Her name is Abigail and she lives up the street from me. We face-bark each other all the time. Nooooo we don’t use iPhones!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I go to the edge of my yard and bark up a storm and she goes to the edge of her yard and howls back at me. It’s awesome. We could do that all day long and all night long. Until those vermin arrive, you know who I mean, those evil squirrels! The bain of my existence! You should see when Abigail’s family brings her to my house and we team up and chase the squirrels away together! We are such a dynamic duo, we are like Batman and Robin! What’s that? Oh, ha ha, Mom says we are more like Grammy and Grampy. Cuz we like to roll on our backs and smell the sweet grass the clover and gaze up at the sky! Hey, it’s important to enjoy the time we have together, isn’t that what you always say, Mom? Awwww, I love you too, Momma, and while you’re scratching my head can you get me behind the ears??!!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isn’t life just grand, everyone?! Spring is here, time to enjoy my family and my sports, and team up with Abigail to chase squirrels, Life is Good!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Signing off for now, have a great Spring, I will blog again when Summer starts! Your friend -- Orion the Dog (Oh, and Momma says to have a great day and to Remember to Count Your Blessings!!!)</span></div>
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The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-89010472059288511952016-03-25T21:22:00.001-07:002016-03-25T21:22:51.387-07:00The Best Place to Hide Stuff<span id="docs-internal-guid-de896974-b125-7207-15f0-b62bfb83b69a"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the sad but true story of how moms have to hide certain things from their families. No, I’m not talking about the Neiman Marcus bill for a pair of Manolo Blahniks. Maybe 15 years ago. This is much more serious. I am talking about the home office supplies. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QvuwClgAX6BNNTeLeO2MV2f-sH_oDn_j7eaWwKrc0dG7uYwODvL_imPiHGLr49e4nzmMha1xYGh1g1oCd6GMKEjBc8oCugyMsB9RVHM7Z5rWacRQj-gnbmaafyqOSjxwVwW-uew0qjJz/s1600/office+supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QvuwClgAX6BNNTeLeO2MV2f-sH_oDn_j7eaWwKrc0dG7uYwODvL_imPiHGLr49e4nzmMha1xYGh1g1oCd6GMKEjBc8oCugyMsB9RVHM7Z5rWacRQj-gnbmaafyqOSjxwVwW-uew0qjJz/s320/office+supplies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s not just moms, this is for any household member who suffers from “I buy lots of pens but my family takes them all, leaving me with nothing to write with” syndrome. You know that moment -- when you go to write out a check for the kids’ sports fees, sign a school permission slip or engage in the basic act of writing a Thank You letter -- and you discover that, despite having literally bought dozens of pens from Target recently, there is NOT ONE PEN in the house! You go to cut a permission slip in half -- but there is not a pair of scissors anywhere (Yes, I did just buy a 3-pack of scissors, but even as I handed it over to the cashier I had a sinking feeling I would never see them again after I left the store). Scotchtape -- what do they even need it for? Is there a secret bunker in the house somewhere with all my home office supplies?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Really. I know I’m not alone here. It’s not quite serious enough to form a support group but it’s annyoing enough for me to feel the need to blog about it. Will this shame my family into leaving me ONE pen, ONE pair of scissors or ONE roll of scotch tape? I doubt it. I am looking at my “pencil cup” right now. Just recently I stocked up on beautiful pink pens, pink highlighters, and pink scissors. Thinking this would deter the three men/ men-in-training in my home from walking off with them. Au contraire. Do you know what is in there now? Two STUBBY pencils, one of which has no eraser. A dried out highlighter. A pencil sliced in half LENGTHWISE (who does this to a poor defenseless pencil? How does one even accomplish this?). And some weird thing that I cannot identify -- maybe a dry board eraser?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It goes something like this. The kids need a pen, so they grab one from what seems to be the UNLIMITED bucket-o-pens, use it for homework once, and toss it somewhere. Or take it to school and trade it for tater tots. Actually, I have no idea. Maybe I have pen gremlins. Apparently, the pen gremlins have gremlin friends who like scissors and scotch tape. I note that the gremlins never venture into the laundry room but that’s another story for another day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the time of this blog, one of my kids would like me to write out a check for some crew team stuff. Luckily for him, I do have ONE pen. It’s in my Mickey Mouse fanny pack -- you know, the one that is SOOOO embarrassing, Mom. Fortunately, it’s so embarrassing that no one will unzip it and take anything out. Thus, that is the one place I can find chapstick, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, tissues, spare change, a ponytail holder, a spare phone charger, a PEN, and two 7/16 wrenches. You know, all the essentials in life. At least for this Rower and Crew Mom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They’re scalliwags, these men/ men in training of mine. But I love them dearly and I wouldn’t have it any other way. (Wait til they go to find a pair of matching socks -- wink wink)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have a great day, everyone and, as always, Remember to Count Your Blessings! <3 Mrs. Lo </span></div>
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</span>The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520728768615508591.post-53794493033162521512016-03-18T19:36:00.001-07:002016-03-18T19:36:21.163-07:00My Obsession with Food -- and Price Chopper<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MY OBSESSION WITH FOOD - More specifically, with groceries. The first step is admitting you have a problem. All those who know me, know that I am obsessed with grocery shopping. I must have, not just enough food in the house, but MORE than enough. I have dedicated an inordinate amount of space in my house to just that goal. I have two refrigerators and a deep freezer. I have converted normal spaces into food storage. Coat closet? With a call to my carpenter, it’s now a PANTRY! Downstairs office? What a waste of space, with some hard work from my kids and shelving, it’s now a WALK IN PANTRY! I have more bring-your-own grocery bags than any human should have. When normal people buy souvenirs on vacation -- I buy the grocery bags so it can think about my vacations while grocery shopping. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolizEa4dqoPH0a2-scxAOvFPIu5AV7iE46x__jQ3zD3l0uEE1jnVqkeuAzNm36PieCw8Kz9zzOvUXT3UVKA-MTVJTRXDqIz2xEf_4FzXKRMQV9kjRi70spDuVcwsGLpGpd5jJaTL-YPxV/s1600/12422357_776430892491665_1087318037_o+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolizEa4dqoPH0a2-scxAOvFPIu5AV7iE46x__jQ3zD3l0uEE1jnVqkeuAzNm36PieCw8Kz9zzOvUXT3UVKA-MTVJTRXDqIz2xEf_4FzXKRMQV9kjRi70spDuVcwsGLpGpd5jJaTL-YPxV/s320/12422357_776430892491665_1087318037_o+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So how often do I go to the grocery store? Umm, well, ok, truth be told -- pretty much every day. Monday after work is my BIG SHOP DAY!! All the other days I go to pick up all the other little things I might need for a dinner, or someone’s lunch, or my luxurious fruit smoothy in the morning.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I don’t just go to any grocery store, my particular obsession is with Price Chopper, specifically, the Price Chopper in Newburgh. Go ahead, ask me anything! Where are the capers? Get the Goya capers in the Hispanic aisle. Pomegranate Juice? They just moved it to the center aisle in produce. Kind bars? They’re next to the Ensure in the pharmacy aisle, not with the other granola bars. If they had a Price Chopper trivia game I would be champion.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I walk up to seafood, my buddy there automatically says, “Hello my friend, you didn’t call in your salmon today, let me steam it. Two pounds, farm raised, no seasonings, right?” Of course, he’s right. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One time after a particularly long vacation, one of the cashiers walked up to me and said, “Oh thank God, we haven’t seen you in two weeks, we were worried about you!” My younger son just looked at me and shook his head. “Come here much, Mom?” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You know, when I was a little girl, I always knew I would be successful. I always thought how nice it would be to have some extra disposable income. I thought I would use that extra income for baubles -- perhaps diamonds or rubies, something from Tiffany’s. Maybe shoes or makeup or handbags Something fancy. It turns out -- not so much. I donated my mink coat to PETA and stored my Louboutins. Jewelry -- never got into it. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I feel RICHEST when the refrigerators are full of fresh fruit, vegetables and cheese. When I cook several trays of lasagna and they are in the downstairs freezer, I feel lightheaded with SUCCESS. The moment I put the crockpot on in the morning before work, or stuff a roaster chicken on my lunch hour, I am giddy with achievement. Making Christian’s lunches (four sandwiches, lots of fruit, granola bars, protein bars and Goldfish) every night makes me feel connected to a son who is 38 miles south of me all day at Don Bosco Prep, followed by crew practice. I know he dips into those bags all day over the course of 12 hours. When my younger son writes an essay about his favorite things and it turns out that one of them is Mom’s meatballs, I am complete. And when my husband thanks me for getting 3 fresh meals into the family while working all day, I am a happy wife.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What can I say? My grandmother always told me -- Food is Love. I love making food, my family loves food, and Price Chopper is the temple of good fresh food. Therefore, I visit it it daily. (No, they didn’t pay me to write this blog LOL).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have a great day everyone and, as always, Remember to Count your Blessings! <3 Mrs. Lo </span><a href="http://www.lobiondopage.blogpsot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.LoBiondoPage.Blogpsot.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Photo of one of my Sunday dinners)</span></div>
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The Adventures of Mrs. Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06292025694383884769noreply@blogger.com0