Well, I wrote up a story, but it is wayyyy too boring to post. I thought I would just show a few pictures and let ya'll enjoy a slide show instead of regale you with tales of a screaming twin, a treacherous drive through NJ during a bad storm that included flooding, downed powerlines, and a lost Sassy. Then there was my Aunt Rose (who is divorced from my Uncle Bob) who came over to see me and proceeded to dig on my uncle every chance she got ala the typical Italian Jersey lady that she is. It was great seeing my family and my uncle finally had an adult conversation with me (a first). I got to see my favorite cousins and that was the best part of the trip!

Labels: NJ, vacation

My cousin Jen can be a slave driver and this weekend proved no exception. Frankly, if I am not busy in some sort of activity I tend to fall asleep, so Jen's ways are quite compatible with mine. I worked side by side with Jen to get the house and yard prepped for Cutie-Patootie Ryan's party. I made food and I helped with decorations. I even managed to keep my shoes on for most of my visit. Those Yanks like to keep their shoes on and well, the southern custom I have really taken to is the shoes off one.

Enter the guests.

After the hugs and conversations with various cousins and an aunt by marriage, I realized that I was the sole single woman at the party. I was surrounded by yuppie families either on the cusp of the 2.5 kid dream or there already. Grandparents, parents, and kids abound--and then there was me. I realized that once again I was the odd girl out. No hubby and no kiddies!

My past experiences in same situations told me to avoid all the men unless I was related to them. Women get weirded out when there is a single woman at a non-single person event. They tend to view the single gal as being there to scout for a man of her own. I don't get that rationale. I guess there are women who are desperate enough to look for married man, but to me they are just trouble. (Besides, I have my own on again-off again fling with Lovah not that the guests knew about him). Anyway, because of the weird vibes my married "sistahs" tend to send out, I was left with just a few non-relative choices to spend my time with: the older crowd and the kiddies. I drifted between both groups. I yukked it up with the older ones about something or another and I blew bubbles with the kiddies. A few of the mothers drifted over to speak for a minute or two, but basically I was on my own. I survived the party by taking a few breaks and slipping up to my bedroom to call Lovah or email him or just cruise the internet for a little sanity.

It was a lovely party, a good time was had by all, the food was exquisite, and I even got to hold and coo over a cute baby. I like being able to indulge my desire to be near babies because I do think they are adorable and fascinating, but the thought of changing diapers and doing the early a.m. feedings....not so much a desire I have.

Suburbia and Sassy are just not compatible! Give me the city, give me my lovely apartment, give me other singles to mingle with. Once upon a time, I wanted the suburbia dream with 2.5 kids, but that ship sailed so long ago. My current dreams include a stable loving man, a lot of travel, a Masters, and very successful business(es). I woke up to some anxiety attacks while in Jersey...my gypsy soul was feeling a bit trapped there.

My camera is in the car or I would post some pics....maybe tonight I will get that done!

Labels: NJ, Suburbia

Once upon a time a little girl was born and her mother delighted in dressing her like a doll in frilly dresses and petticoats. The mother also warned dire consequences should anyone shorten the name of her beloved daughter. "Her name is Sassy-Leigh and that is what she will be called by one and all or else".... *sigh* and still this name persists after 30+ years.

No amount of cajoling, pleading, or begging will get any of the relatives up here in NJ to call me Sass or Sassy. Oh no, it is Sassy-Leigh always. I wish I wouldn't notice, but frankly no one down south ever calls me Sassy-Leigh and even mom shortened to Sassy eventually except when she was mad at me. I feel like a little kid when I am called Sassy-Leigh. Although, it is kinda cute in an annoying sort of way to hear everyone refer to me as Sassy-Leigh. Only my little cousin Ryan appears to be trainable as he calls me Cousin Sassy. Maybe he will get the others to follow his lead!

Many amusing anecdotes and photos to follow tomorrow or the next day. I am so damn tired....the drive up and then full steam ahead helping my cousin Jen with party prep. Tomorrow should be a little more relaxing--with the exception of the 1 hour each way crap shoot drive on the Jersey Turnpike. The out of state license tag is like waving a red flag at a bull! God save the Sassy-Leigh!

Labels: NJ, Sassy-Leigh

Okay, the title is a little corny and makes no sense unless you watched SNL when Joe Pesci was on it. I am a Jersey girl. I was born there, but not raised there. Really you cannot take the Jersey out of a girl--ever. I have that sass attitude that attached itself to me at birth if my mother is to be believed.

I developed the ability to change accents as a protection growing up. A "Damn Yankee" girl living in the south was a ripe target for being beaten up on the playground and bus. So out came the "ya'lls" and long drawn out syllables to blend in. It drove my mother nuts at the dinner table and my older brother and I had to speak "proper" at home. When I would go up north to visit the relatives on holidays and for the summer, I became the target of mockery for my "southern drawl" so I quickly learned to adapt my accent to the south Jersey snappy accent. Talk about split personalities!

I have fond memories of my summers with my grandma and grandpa in Elizabeth, NJ. My grandma would throw me a birthday party in conjunction with July 4th since I was never there on my birthday. I guess I got a little spoiled and I thought the fireworks were all for me ;). My nemesis was my friend Lisa's brother: Little Ricky. Ricky is my age and he has blonde, blue-eyed good looks. He tortured me constantly--pulled my hair, chased me on his bike, and once he even kissed me. I hated him, yet I liked the attention (ah, the eternal man-woman dynamic). Looking back, I do believe Ricky had a crush on me and was doing his best to let me know.

Then there was a boy named Kyle. I adored Kyle and Kyle adored me, but alas, summer loves never last very long. There are probably a few more boys in the mix there, but I am drawing a blank on them.

When I go to my grandma's house (now my cousin Scott's house) and wander the neighborhood, I see ghosts of summers past everywhere I turn. I go see Little Ricky's mother and sister and catch up on the neighborhood gossip. Hell, I might even get to torture Little Ricky some myself when I see him next. Apparently, he has become quite the Lothario! His mother had a wicked gleam in her eye when I spoke with her last. I imagine Little Ricky will be getting a call to come over ASAP when I turn up this weekend. Should be interesting. It was always fun to knock him down a peg or two.

And the food! My god! I do miss the pizza and bagels!!!!! There is the best pizza shop a couple of blocks from my cousin's house, Elizabeth Pizza, and I plan to get a few slices while I am in the neighborhood. I just love the bagels that are the size of salad plates...hmmmm...and a cup of thick sludgy coffee. My stomach is growling just thinking of it. I also love the diners there. Yummy yummy! The south has never really caught on to the diner craze and I think that is a shame...24/7 for greasy food, bad coffee and a place to hang out...what more could you ask for?

I will be spending some time at the shore: Brick, NJ. I lived briefly in Lakewood/Brick area of NJ. I have some fond memories of another boy (and my first love, Richie) in that neighborhood. I won't be seeing him this go round. I will be visiting the cousins on the other side of the family while I am there. Thank goodness I will be close to the shore to absorb some of the beachiness I am pining for.

I am so excited about getting to see cousins on both the paternal and maternal side of the family. It has been roughly two years since I was up there and I had the ex in tow so it was not all that wonderful for me then. This time I am footloose and fancy free and looking for a bit of r&r. My cousin Jen is having a birthday party for her little boy who is turning three. Jen is younger than me, but we look so much alike we could be twins. We even sound alike--despite the faint southern drawl in my voice. You can't tell our voices apart after about 10 minutes of us being together. It is really cool.

Hope ya'll and you'ins have a wonderful weekend! I will be back on Tuesday with some adventures from Joisey.

Labels: accents, crushes, food, Jersey Girl, Little Ricky, NJ