This Perfectly Imperfect Life

You canot see it from this pic, but on the horizon are Brooklyn and Coney Island. Behind them is the Empire State Building and Manhattan. Closer still is a Weapons Station with military ships docked and to the left is Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Fort Hancock. Last night on our walk we saw the 1st Lightning Bug of the year and tonight, here at the marina, I can hear the 1st crickets of the year! One of the NY Harbor channel marker fog horns is sounding off - storms are coming later this evening and tomorrow. This area we live in has become my home! Kinda snuck up on me!

Down at the marina tonight. Hubby is fishing Blues. I am sitting on a bench, watching him and a ladybug that just landed on my leg! Warm yet so comfy because of a glorious breeze. There are HUNDREDS of ladybugs in the tall grasses in the dunes in front of me! I have never seen anything like this before!

Too windy to get a pic where you can see a whole bunch.

We are out in south west NJ, here at a place called Assunpink which is for fishing, hunting, shooting practice and the like. I have never been here before and it is incredible! What a peaceful, relaxing Sunday afternoon! I have my camera, some books and some knitting, but I am content to just sit here, watching Hubby, the dragon flies and the water!

Hubby wanted to go fishing this evening. Wanted me to tag along. Wasnt going to because I felt crappy all day. Was going to sit and read in the back yard even though its kinda buggy out tonight with no breeze. But figured I could read out here just the same. VERY BUGGY out here! Absolutely no breeze whatsoever! Getting bit by nats or sand fleas like crazy! But the view is gorgeous!

Hubby and I participated in 4 cemetary Memorial ceremonies and 5 monument Memorial ceremonies with our American Legion post this morning and early afternoon, something neither of us has done before! (I was originally supposed to participate, just takd pics, but they needed someone to make sure Taps was played on the cd player during each ceremony and I was glad to help!) I say our American Legion post because I joined the Ladies Auxillary today! I figured since I now officially run our Posts website that I might as well! It remains to be seen if either one is really a good idea! Hope my getting involved works out!

Together 4 years yesterday! Married (officially!) today!

This evening, Hubby was officially sworn in as the Sargent At Arms of his American Legion Post by the County Officers, along with the other Officers. The Ladies Auxillary Officers were sworn in as well. A nice, though slightly disorganized, ceremony. Dinner followed. Hubby and I got all dressed up! No pics of me, sorry! Maybe in another 20 less pounds!

This was the view we had from our cozy table at breakfast this morning! How wonderful! (See previous post) We stopped at the library on the way home. I already made hubby a batch of chocolate Cook and Serve Jello Pudding (a surprise!) now I am baking a banana bread and getting ready to have a cup of tea on the couch with Hubby! (Both tired from shoveling and snowblowing!)

This is 1 of my fav breakfast / lunch spots in town! Vintage aprons, kitchen wares and pictures decorate the restuarant and every table / chair set is a vintage dinette set! All the food is fresh and made to order every day! (Very organic!) Delicious!

I miss this park so much. I wish I had spent more time there and taken pics in the fall like I always planned. I lived so close for 12 years! I was surprised at how busy the trails were. A little saddened too. This state is getting so over crowded! There are 2 wooded county parks within about a mile of where we live now. They are so different from one another and from Cheesequake. All are beautiful.

Same park, same lake as in Part 2, just another view!

This is the big lake at Cheesequake State Park only a mile or so from where we used to live. (I miss the park so much - one of the few things I miss from living in that area!) What started off as a bike ride on Super Bowl Sunday afternoon was quickly kabashed by me because the sandy soil trails were still very wet from all the rain we had Friday and I was not happy struggling to bike my way through the muck when everyone else was walking! (I HATE bike riding since I gained all this weight! I have never really been in shape, but it was a hell of a lot easier peddlin my arse around when I was skinny! I have told Hubby I would rather walk!) That bike almost ended up in the marsh cause I was so frustrated!

Hubby and I took a ride up to the Hackelbarney State Park and Black River area this Sat just for the heck of it! He wanted to take me to the cider house but I was sure it was closed - sure enough, it was! But the ride was so nice! We stopped at the Tewksbury Inn which used to be a great little tavern in an incredibly old house - now, of course it has been given a total frou frou make over! (My 1st and last time there!) Ah well! That is NJ for you!