I'm Speechless...

Joseph A. FERRANTE

FERRANTE Joseph A., 70, beloved husband of Barbara (Schmidt) died Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at home. After a long illness, Joseph laid down his cross for a crown. Born in Brooklyn, NY the son of Carmine James and Antoinette Marie (Regalmuto) he lived in Bergenfield before moving to West Milford 4 years ago. Mr. Ferrante, a retired manager for I.B.M. Tarrytown, NY, was an Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Hewitt. Also surviving are two sons, James John and Ronald Henry and wife Theodora Ferrante, a daughter Stefanie Ann and husband Matthew Valenzano, a sister Catherine and husband John Buonocore, two grandchildren Alexis Marie and Christian Joseph Valenzano, a sister-in-law Ann Marie Schmidt and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral Liturgy 10:30 AM Monday at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Hewitt. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Saddle Brook. Visiting at the Richards Funeral Home, 1440 Union Valley Road, West Milford Saturday 7-9 PM and Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 PM.richardsfuneralhome.com

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Wow! I'm watching it on TV for the first time in YEARS! I had forgotten how young Sean Penn was, the clothes, the hair, the music...Billy Squire, Cheap Trick, the scalped Earth, Wind and Fire concert tickets! Although I was not yet in high school when this movie was released, it was still in the mainstream when I got there. Were we like this? Were we that crazy? Did stuff like this really go on? I don't remember anyone having pizza delivered in Mr. White's history class...hehehe.

Booger Horseshack

After a long day at the beach we arrived home to find one of our butterflies had hatched! It was enormous! I don't understand how such a big butterfly came out of such a small chrysalis! This morning we set him free.

Oh, Drew named it...Booger Horseshack. No, he hasn't been watching reruns of Welcome Back, Kotter...but here's to our winged friend...and Brooklyn!

What a Busy Weekend!

We've had such a busy weekend. We first started Friday night off with a block party which lasted until late in the evening. I just remember seeing the little kids running down the cull-d-sac with flashlights, chasing something.

Saturday we had friends visit for lunch on their way to their rented beach house in Emerald Isle. The kids had fun seeing each other and the grownups had a chance to chat and catch up. I later went to work and had some fun there too! After a sleepless night we headed to the beach to spend the day with said friends. I was a little apprehensive because the weather forecast predicted dangerous rip currents and very large waves, but I thought that the kids could at least skim board, right?

It was awesome! We were just about a 1/2 mile down the beach from where we stayed at the beginning of the summer. The waves were just fine, not too rough and the kids had a blast. There was a beautiful breeze which made sitting on the beach with Charlotte and Drew, while they dug in the sand, bearable. We played on the beach until 6:00! We then stayed for dinner and heavy hearted-ly headed home. The little kids were asleep by the time we reached the bridge of the ICW

It was so nice to end the summer where it all began...on EI with great company and a cold beer!

New Bern Made the Big Time!...I love My Second Job!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Woo-Hoo!

The school year has officially started for us! We are back to some resemblance of a routine, sort of. I think I found a carpool, the kids are happy...it's only the first week and there's not been any homework, yet. Today, they are engaged in community service projects throughout the city of New Bern. One is working in a nursing home and the other is planting trees and shrubs.

Next week the party will be over and it will be time to "buckle down" (I always hated that expression).

What I Miss the Most...

...and this has nothing to do with Paul...I miss Patricia, my cleaning lady from Virginia!