Bubbe Eve

Grab a kleenex or just keep scrolling, this gets very personal as you can guess by the title.....

Mother's Day 2008

Me, Bubbe Eve, My mom




So to say the last few weeks have been a rollercoaster would be quite the understatement. In all honesty, not so much even a rollercoaster, really just a down fall ..... On Thursday, December 4th, I lost one of the most absolutely special people in my life. My Bubbe Eve. Yes, it still hurts to even talk about it. I couldn't even fathom discussing or writing about it, or hardly even talking about it for quite some time. Before the funeral, I thought the pain and sadness would never ever ever lessen, and simply could not make myself stop crying, and would have outbursts at the most random times. Why would this happen to such an amazing lady. Then I got to thinking, WOW what a full and wonderful life she led. If only I could one day lead such a full, wonderful, loving, meaningful, and honored life. The call that she had passed away DID come as quite a shock, which of course didn't make it much better. I knew she wasn't doing well, but i don't think any of us thought we would get the call that soon! Without sharing too much personal and special information that was shared between myself and other family members including my parents, brother, aunts, cousins, etc we got to talking about Bubbe Eve and reminiscing about different things she said, she did, she liked, etc. Many laughs came up. Like belly aching laughs, what a WONDERFUL lady she was. How lucky I am to have lived 25 years with such an AMAZING Bubbie. Quite honestly, there are no words that adequately encompass her. She was a Mother, a Wife, a Grandmother, a Sister, and did them all better than anyone else ever has. How can one person have so much love and compassion and care for everyone she met. My Rabbi from Mobile who knew Bubbe Eve personally came up to Birminghamd to do the funeral. I can not imagine it possibly being as peaceful, special, touching and fulfilling of a funeral service had he not been there to do it. The things he said about Bubbe Eve were all so very true -- the main theme, LOVE. Seriously, I hope I am one day able to become even half the Mother, grandmother, and wife that Bubbe Eve was to all of us and Papa Iz. What a giver. She was always giving. Whether it was 5 dollar bills to each of her grandkids every time she saw them, or backscratches, or all her yummy cooking, she was always a giver and never a taker. She would take hugs and love back, but that's about it. Seriously, no words can truly describe how amazing of a woman she was though. While words can not necssarily encompass it, actions can at least begin to. The outpour of love and caring that came from those that attended her funeral service was amazing. It was obvious just how many peoples' lives had been touched by our Bubbe Eve. What amazing friends my parents have that came from afar for the funeral. Many family friends from Mobile made the drive up on the freezing cold day to be with us at the funeral service, and one of my mom's best friends from growing up even hopped on a plane with her husband and came in for the service. WOW, what an out pour of love. All of my dad's family in Birmingham was also there for us in so many amazing ways! I was touched to have so many people who I know had been touched by Bubbe Eve's love and were kind enough to be there for our family on the very tough day. I already miss her dearly, it's still so hard to believe that she is not with us anymore. Without her here with us, the best we can do, is live our lives the way she would or she would want us to. Chin up, smile on your face, spreading love to all the special people in your life. So onward I go, with a smile on my face, my heart growing and bursting with love and ready to spread the caring and loveliness that Bubbe Eve would have spread. I am going to do my best to live my life to make her very proud. Without getting into religious beliefs, etc, I believe we can all take beliefs and come up with your own belief system of what you want to believe and actually do believe, etc. I believe Bubbe Eve is now an angel looking over us all, and I will strive to live my life fully and living in love and spreading love to those around me and those that mean the most to me, just as Bubbe Eve did. I hope to make her proud, and hopefully spread all that she instilled in all of us.
(The picture at the beginning is the most recent picture I have with Bubbe Eve from this past Mother's day when my mom and I went up to visit her.)

As she herself said every single time we left her from visiting......... Bubbe Eve, it's not goodbye, it's just so long.... loving you and missing you so very very much!

A Long Over-due Thanksgiving Post!

Thanksgiving is always one of my favorite holidays. It's the start to a beautiful season, and a holiday ALL can celebrate and get together for family and friend time, and religion not be involved. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with the relgious holidays, but Thanksgiving is for ALL and all can gather on equal grounds and spend time together reminiscing, telling new stories, catching up, and just having fun with no other theme involved besides that which we are thankful for. First and foremost I am so very thanksful for all of my wonderful friends and family. Without them, I have no clue where I would be, who I would be, or as happy as I am. I am thankful for good health, my job (especially in this economy), the comfortable lifestyle I have, and did I mention, ALL my wonderful family and friends?! :) Thanksgiving is at my parents house, so it is always fun to have all our closest in town family and friends come over for the day. It is very relaxed and fun to see everyone and catch up with those I haven't seen in a while. People would probably walk into our house not knowing us and think we are all family. In fact, they all feel like family to me, even those that are not blood relatives. It's fun to think how the Thanksgiving tables will soon and are quickly changing. It used to be the "adults" and "kids" table. This year, there wasn't a "kid" under the age of 20 until Baby Jay showed up. Next year, Baby Rose will be here too!! Can't wait for all the babies to be there and as they become older and able to sit at their own tables, we will have a "kids" table again. I was able to take the entire week off of work and spend some time at home with the fam, which of course was great!! I of course couldn't leave you without a picture of Mr Jay, it makes me just want to squeeze him with hugs and kisses right now .... what a CUTIE!! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and was able to spend it with people they love ....

I can't believe it has already been a full year.....

I know I know I know, so it's been well over a month since my last post, but life has been hectic to say the least. I figured it was time for another post, as this week marks a monumental time ..... ONE YEAR IN ATLANTA!!! My oh my, where has time last year gone?? It seem like just yesterday, dad and I were piling in the truck and driving across the country!! In short, it has been a wonderful rollercoaster of a year, but I am in such a happy place in my life in so many ways. Yes, there have been and are some not wonderful things taking place, but there are also some very amazing things taking place. All in all, I personally am a happy person in a happy place in my life. When reflecting on all that has come of the past year, I thought "What I have learned" would be most appropriate, so bare with me, and here we go......

Drum-roll pleeeeease........

"12 things I have learned since moving to Atlanta" (one for each month I have been here)

1. Distance really in fact does make the heart grow fonder!
2. Pool time does not really go until Christmas day in all parts of the country...
3. "Atlanta traffic" really is just as bad as they always say
4. Living 4 floors up with no elevator really isn't as bad as it first looked .... ok, maybe somedays
5. Noone will ever come close to replacing all my wonderful friends from college that helped to change my life in such a big way
6. Seeing my family 6x more than I used to a year, really is as wonderful as I imagined!!
7. Making a brand new group of wonderful friends is still possible at the age of 25
8. The people you work with really can make or break your career experience
9. There will be moments in life when you realize who your true friends really are.
10. Becoming involved in a Jewish community really does give me a more fulfilled feeling in life
11. Being aware of yourself medically and taking care of yourself is so very important-- you never know what may come of a (what you think is going to be) simple routine check-up
12. I have some of the most amazing and loving people in my life, and have no clue what I would do without them even for a single day, whether they are down the street or thousands of miles away...


Here's to year TWO ...... I can't wait to see what the next year as an Atlantan has in store for me!! :)

G'mar Chatima Tova!

The past several years I have found the need to atone my sins in a "vocal" way. By vocal I used to send out a "bulk" email saying, happy new year, please forgive me if I have hurt you (but in more words of course, wishing a happy new year, etc) but nothing personalized about anything specific that had taken place. Now that I have been through many life changes -- things I may or may not be atoning for this go around are much different. Here is the big question - if those that we are seeking forgiveness from are not Jewish, do they take you seriously, or just think Im a weirdo for saying such a thing. Secondly, the things that I am now seeking out to atone for are not "email worthy". I will say they are related to those that may not even slightly understant my religious beliefs. They may think they do, but in fact, have no clue where I may be coming from, as they have not been to a service or been to a sunday school class, or talked to a rabbi to fully understand or even partially understand where I am coming from. Maybe I am still hurt myself from the events that took place, but that's what this is about, right, a clean slate??! So I will now seek atonement. As the year goes on, I have shifted my own mindset and started to atone for little things here and there as the year went on, far before RH or YK services were even a thought in my mind. That being said, I will make a blanket announcement / apology. I will not email anyone or a group of people and seek foregiveness. I will trust that those who want to forgive me or who have been hurt by anything I have said or done in the past year will come to terms with it and open up to me as I am offering the same to all that have done so to me. We are adults now, its time to act like adults now. While I will say I am VERY sorry to anyone I may have hurt or offended in the past year, and do wish you can foregive me. I am deeply and truthfully sorry to anyone that has been hurt in the past year or still remains hurt or upset for any reason what so ever. I will talk to G-D about those things, however. I can say, that I feel responsible and accountable for my own actions and feelings over the past year.

"Yom Kippur is both a somber and celebratory time. These may sound contradictory, but they combine gracefully on Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur marks the end of the Ten Days of Repentance, set aside each year for us to affect repentance from our sins of the past year. Our repentance culminates in a day of prayer and fasting. Fasting -- afflicting our bodies -- serves to atone for all those sins toward G-d which have not already been atoned for by other means... Atonement brings about a spiritual cleansing, a cleaning of the slate, and it is this religious experience which makes it a celebratory day, for we are confident in G-d's forgiveness. Our G-d is a merciful and forgiving G-d and sincere repentance is always rewarded with forgiveness."

The heart and meaning of this holiday is for honest self-examination, communication directly with G-d, and commitment to becoming a better person. All of these things I will be participating in, and involving myself in. This holiday is the holiest day of Judaism and allows one the opportunity to rectify past wrongs and face the future with a slate that is wiped completely clean through repentance, fasting, and the prayer during this holiday. For those of you who are in services each year, and for those of you who are just now learning about the holiday, at the end of Yom Kippur, as the sun sets, we hear the shofar blown in services. As these sounds are heard from the shofar and fill the congregation, a feeling comes upon us, a feeling of having been cleansed both by the physical deprivations of fasting on this day, and the certainty that Hashem has granted the longed for atonement.As we approach this sabbath of all sabbaths, I wish you all a G'mar Chatima Tova - May you be sealed in the Book of Life. I again ask for acceptance and forgiveness for anything that may have been said or done to offend you, and will have my own personal reflections as the actual holiday arrives and takes place. Then I will find myself surrounded by wonderful friends to Break the Fast and kick off my clean wiped slate, and wish the same for you all! Wishing you all an easy and meaningful fast, G'mar Chatima Tova!! XOXO

A Meaningful Holiday With the Fam....

Back to reality after a fabulous few days at home for Rosh Hashana ..... sometimes, ok fine, ALL THE TIME holidays just seem that much more special and meaningful when spent with loved ones and family!! It was great to spend some relaxing time at home with my parents before the holiday, then the actual holiday was spent with my Aunt Toby, Uncle Bert, and Uncle Phillip. It was such a great feeling to sit in services and realize all three siblings were in the same room for such a special holiday. Not many times does that happen. I can see my grandfather with a big huge smile on his face now, being so happy and proud to see them all together. After services on Tuesday, we gathered with more family and friends at the Susmans house for a fabulous lunch. It's always fun to get together with our in town family, having grown up in the same city, and within a few miles for all of our childhood, it's always fun to get together for happy occasions. The newest "Susman" cousin, baby Jay Handmacher was there too .... the spotlight was most definitely on him, how could it not be, what an adorable bundle of love. It's so fun getting to see him "grow up". Even though Im not in Mobile too often, I was able to see him in the hospital the day after he was born, a week after he was born, and now at 8.5 weeks. He has already grown up so much, and is SUCH a cutie!! At the end of this post, I will post a few pictures of me and the bundle of love himself! I can't wait to see him again in about another 8 weeks at Thanksgiving, I am sure he will be even bigger and just as cute then!! I held him for quite some time, and just couldn't get enough of him. Dana, feel free to bring Jay to Atlanta, any time you like, he always has a place to stay and play with cousin Amy!! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, wherever it was spent, and were able to find peace and fulfillment in the holiday. I surely was "moved" actually on 2nd day RH at services, during the rabbi's sermon. Moved in a greater way than I could have ever imagined .... while it was emotional, it was all a good thing ..... I will have to elaborate and talk about such things at a later date .... time to cook some dinner and watch my Sunday night TV shows!! Shana Tova! XOXO

To a Happy and Sweet New Year!!

As I (started) write this blog, I was sitting in the Atlanta airport, waiting on my plane to head to Bama for a few days. The reason I am going home at this time is for the Jewish holiday / New Year – Rosh Hashanah. As I drove to the airport, I was trying to think back to the last time I was home for the holidays. Well --- it honestly has been so long ago, that I can’t remember when it was, the best I can figure is my senior year in high school! Although, it’s hard to believe, that was 7 years ago! I have been with my family a time or two in Birmingham over the last 7 years, but to the best of my own knowledge, I cannot recall being home in my own synagogue, with my own family, and my own rabbi, surrounded by all the people that I grew up with in over 7 years. That being, said, I am excited to spend the holiday in a familiar place, the place I spent the first 18 years of my life, and the place that formed my Jewish childhood and life and gave me the stepping stones to be who I am today as a young adult. It brings back so many different memories. High holidays with my wonderful and ever so missed grandparents that are no longer with us, Sunday school friends, and the friends and family I grew up with in the (small) Jewish community of Mobile, just to mention a few. I think that when I say this, I speak on behalf of most all Jewish Americans that no matter what is going on in life and no matter how “active” in the Jewish community, either volunteer wise, activity wise, spiritually, or “religiously” you are, Rosh Hashanah comes to the forefront every year and is something that everyone can “relate” to. For me, it has always been an anchor to my year, a time to stop and give thanks, a time to stop and reflect on all the good, bad, happy, and sad things that have happened the past year. Most Americans go through such notions on December 31st, but I find myself already in the “beginning of my year” come December 31st.
The New Year brings thoughts of happiness, sadness, joy, stress, uneasiness, change, and all other things wrapped into one. WOW what a year it has been …. Great things have happened, sad things have happened; uneasiness and stress have taken place. How can we take what happened this year and make it into a “bigger and better” year ahead?? No idea, but I can tell you that I have been reading “The Secret”, and would without a doubt recommend that anyone that has not already read it, definitely do so. It helps to keep your head clear, your chin up, and thinking about the things you want in your life, not dwelling on the negatives you don’t want in your life.
This year has brought me to a new sense of personal spirituality. Without getting into too much detail (perhaps I will get into that in another entry), I have recently found myself to be a more “spiritual” person. In taking all that I have learned and been taught and surrounded by growing up in a Conservative Jewish home, and combining it with what I feel “comfortable” doing in my own life at my own pace and on my own schedule, I have become one that believes in prayer. Prayer can be defined in many ways, but to me it has become something that helps connect me to my religion, and encompasses my beliefs at the time. It has come to something I turn to both when good things happen and when bad things happen. Unfortunately, it took bad and scary things to bring me to this, however, I have even more recently learned to “pray” for things I am thankful for and happy on the results of, too. Do I think it has helped me? ABSOLUTELY. Do I believe this solely is what caused things to unroll the way they did – not solely, but most definitely believe it may have had an effect, which is why I continue to do so.
I have experienced both deaths and births of close friends and family, as well health scares of my own, and unfortunate health news of those close to me. It has been a roller coaster of a year. I will continue to pray for those going through a difficult time, and for the loved ones of those effected by loss, as well as the continued healthy of those born and given good doctor’s results! I will continue to be thankful as I received additional good results from my doctor this week, for the fact that I thought to take myself to the doctor, which then led to finding the things that were not looking good, have them taken care of in a timely manner, and be able to sit here today, even if I still have stitches in me, and be SO THANKFUL all has come out alright!
This year has been a year of “change” to say the least. Great things are happening and have happened…. I made a BIG move across the country to Atlanta, leaving my closest friends and network behind in Phoenix, and venturing off to meet new people and experience new things. It has been quite the adventure to say the least. I left without a job, only to arrive in Atlanta and find out that in fact my company I was working for in Phoenix was able to hire me in Atlanta, now I am coming upon my 2nd anniversary working with Adecco – my how time flies!! My career despite economic situations is steady and ever increasing with responsibility and exciting things. My friends in Atlanta are forming into a tight knit group and making it feel more and more like “home”. I have people in Phoenix I miss more than I could have ever imagined, but I find joy in knowing that they will be coming to visit in the next couple months, and that I will be going out there to ring in 2009 with some of my closest friends!! Through a roller coaster of life events and situations, have learned who my “truest” friends are. I have become ever increasingly closer with some and found myself a bit more distant from others. I have learned that in fact distance does seem to make the heart grow fonder, and look forward to seeing where all these things take me in the coming year. I have had the joy of spending much more time with my family than I have in the past 7 years, and look forward to a continuation of that in the coming year.
As the holiday is upon us, I wish for all a happy and healthy new year, a year of ever increasing happiness, and a year of much fewer saddening burdens. May we all be surrounded by as much love and happiness as we can handle. As the holiday approaches, it is time to “seal” one book, and start a new one, so to all reading this, and all family and friends all over, I wish you all a VERY VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR…. Shana Tova U’Metuka. (To a sweet and happy new year!!)

The Big Apple...

The Redisch family invaded the big apple last weekend. To sum it up, a bat mitvah in a gorgeous temple in "the city," Amy and Nathan getting lost on Wall Street, noone wanting to sit up front while dad drives like a local through Manhattan, meeting new cousins I had never met, spending time with an amazing cousin that could use your prayers, almost getting run over by the papparazzi, seeing katie holmes up close and personal (ie, walking right past us as we got out of the cab), frozen hot chocolate, spending some time with Bubbe Eve, and dad spilling red wine on sally jessy. Not to mention the chunk of plastic at Carnegie Deli, right Nay??

The Fam Bam....

To say the least it was a wonderful and very quick visit in the Big Apple! I have decided I most definitely need to go back when I can do the things 25 year olds do, and spend a few days visiting friends in New York! As many of you know already, from an email I forwarded on several weeks ago, I have a cousin from New York that is very sick. It was amazing to see her pep up and look so amazing and pulled together, and happy for such a wonderful and happy occasion. Her daughter's Bat Mitzvah made for a fabulous weekend. It was so good to see how proud she was of her daughter and yet so hard to know what a very difficult time they are all going through as she fights a horrible battle of cancer.

Cousin Toby and her husband Rod....

No matter what your beliefs are or what it is that you do to "pray", I am making a prayer request. Please keep cousin Toby in your thoughts an prayers. What a beautiful, amazing mom, wife, and cousin she is!! Below are pictures from the wonderful weekend in New York ... I hope everyone is having a great week!! And yes, dad really did spill red wine on Sally Jessy Raphael!! Ok, before he gets mad at me for tattling ... first of all she was ok, once she shook it off a little, and secondly, he didn't just spill it, she walked up right behind him and did not see that he was standing up and backing out of the area he was standing in, spilling the glass in her hand all over herself. Still a moment for the books! And you all wonder where I get my "smoothness" from!! :) Love you, Daddy!!!!!! XOXO

Mommy and Cousin Toby...

Quite the hiccup of a day......

WARNING... this gets a little "sappy" but Im hoping maybe ill feel better after writing this and getting this off my chest and mind a little.....
So today for the first time since moving to atlanta, i had very strong and uneasy feelings about my move. now don't misread what im saying or believe that i am saying something that im not, because i still do LOVE living in atlanta, but today I think due to many different reasons, it hit me how much i really do truly miss living in scottsdale / being with my friends in arizona. now let's be honest, its not the city i miss, by no means, hands down, atlanta wins my vote 20 times over. however, i miss the lifestyle I had there to some degree, and without a doubt miss all my friends out there. Now dont get me wrong, i have made many amazing friends here, and today I think I realized the difference ....

College without a doubt made me the person I have become today, it taught me many lifes lessons, not necessarily in the classrooms. but in learning to live on my own, in learning to go through life situations, in having things happen that were out of my control, in things happening whether good or bad that were in my control, etc etc etc. As I am sure you know, I could go on for days about the many things I learned and the ways I learned them while in college and through my first 2 years out of college in adjusting to the real world, etc. That being said, the people that were in my life and surrounding me at that time also had a huge impact on my life, and a greater impact than I think they know, and that possibly I even realized at the time. Being so far from home for those years, they became my family in arizona, and in some cases, their actual families became my families and took me in as their own at times. too. There are days when sometimes you just need those sort of people around. and today I realized how dearly I miss that and those people that mean so much to me!

Ever since moving to Atlanta I have made many new and wonderful friends. but as expected, in such a short amount of time, I have not made quite the same bond as I had with many in Arizona. My friends here are wonderful and amazing, loving, friendly, funny, and all the same fun stuff, but possibly I am at fault in the fact that they have not become "family". I am so lucky that now my actual family is so close that maybe i dont feel that I need that relationship here?? Another thought is the fact that when I moved here I was living with one of my very best friends and did have that connection, but that was an arizona transplant out here in atlanta. More over, it was a friend from before Arizona, that also carried through Arizona, since she went to college there as well, a sorority sister (which is an undefinable bond in itself) and then to Atlanta as well! Maybe that was my connection to my Arizona life that I was feeling and didnt feel the impact until it set in that here I am without college life connections, or big life change connections in general, now that she has moved to another state.

Today, for some wild and unknown reason, I felt "lost" and maybe even a bit "lonely". It took me most of the day to put my finger on why I was possibly feeling this way and a bit down and out. It was more than just "missing" my friends, and I think it was maybe missing the lifestyle we had together and the talks we often had and the times we spent together, as well as the many different "groups" of friends I had. Its not that some of my friends didnt get along, but that they had come into my life at different stages and through different connections and maybe had just not connected themselves. That being said, it added a different dimension to my life than I have here. Here everyone knows and is friends with each other, which also most definitely has its perks. I miss being able to just go over to the boys' for a good laugh after a long day, or being able to go watch a sappy movie with sorority sisters on a boring Sunday. I know these are all things that I can also do here, but either just haven't or something just feels different about it. Maybe I haven't opened up and let others in as quickly or as much here as I had there?? Maybe I fear they don't undestand where I have come from and only see one or two sides of me and not all 455363?! haha! Who really knows. The moral of the story is, I miss it. I don't miss it to the point that there is no turning around, but I miss it enough to let it bring me down for a bit and come to the realization. On the flip side of this I am so lucky to still have all my friends, just unfortunately for the most part only get to talk to them via telephone or email. Telephone being very difficult at times with the 3 hour time change. But hopefully they all still know how much I love them and care about them. even when we don't talk nearly as often. They still mean the world to me and I would get on a plane to be there for them in a minute if they needed me to. I know there are several of the, that would do the same for me all the way out here. Ok, enough sappy -- I did still have a fun weekend here. however, prior to this gloom coming upon me today! (although it had been brewing the last several days) Maybe I just need a fix of those friends?! who knows!! I can tell you one thing, being a "hugger" I surely have not topped or come near to even comparing to the hugs I got in Arizona, you would think they taught Hugs 101 at the U of A! And here I am needing one now! But when ranking the top 3 huggers, all are many states away right now!

I can tell you, that I do feel better now after letting it off my chest how I truly am feeling right now. On a much more positive note, I hope everyone had a most fabulous weekend!! I know many of you are beyond ready for hurricane season to be over!!! In addition, I PROMISE the next blog entry will be much more uplifting and happy!!!! :) I really am still a happy person, just going through a hiccup of a day!!! Have a fabulous week.. Im hopefully (as long as Ike doesn't ruin the plans) off to New York with the fam this weekend, absolutely looking forward to that!!! XOXO

Summer Family Vacation....

Ok, so this is way over due ...... to say the least, I got back to Atlanta and hit the ground running and don't think I have stopped to take a breath since!!!! The first week of August flew by and was filled with many many happy memories (don't we all love weeks like that?!) It started in Mobile where one of my best friends from high school got married!! Tanner was a beautiful bride, and everything about the afternoon and evening was great!! I got to catch up with old friends and be there to celebrate with Ashley and Lee!! Below is a picture of Hayleigh, Ms Barlar, and myself at the reception!! Sadly enough, I never got a picture with the bride and groom themselves on my camera!!

Straight from the reception, my family headed straight down to the beach (Orange Beach) where we spent a week with my dad's sister and her family. This has become a yearly routine in our family, and seems to become better and better every year. Besides going to the grocery store (which of course takes place many times with 8-10 people under one roof) we don't leave the condo for almost an entire week!! It's fabulous, wake up whenever you want, homemade breakfast in the late morning, beach time, late lunch, sunset with a beer on the beach, then dinner around 9:30 (yummy homecooked dinners) once everyone is back upstairs from the sunset and showerd and relaxed!!! Really can't beat that, now can you?! The week at the beach always flies by, and we turn around and go "WE JUST GOT HERE!!" but I guess as they say, time flies when you're having fun!! Summers in the SouthEast can be very hit and miss, as most of you know --- usually afternoon showers are common, etc. Luckily for us, we did not get a SINGLE "bad day" weatherwise at the beach, it was fabulous!! We even got ourselves together before a sunset one evening and took family photos... below are a few pictures from the Redisch/Siegel family photo shoot --- oh my!!! And yes, we did wear matching outfits --- adorable, i know! LOL

While at the beach for the week, we had another happy occasion to celebrate --- the birth of the newest cousin --- Baby Jay Handmacher!!!! On Friday we all piled in two cars, "Adults" in one car, and "kids" in another, and drove over to Mobile for the bris and baby naming of Cousin Jay!! What a cutie!!! I had already (per post below) gotten to meet Baby Jay and spend some time with him, but was again excited to see him and believe it or not see how much he had already changed in the short week. It was good to see all the Mobile cousins and get together for such a happy occasion!!! Below are a few pictures of cousins at the bris at Cousin Dana and Nathan's house!!

Brother Nathan, me, Jill, baby Lyon who is on the way, and Abby Lee....

Cousinsssss....

The Redisch Kids .... My dad, his brother Phillip, and sister Toby

SOOOOO .... as you can see, all in all, it was quite the fabulous week!!! I look forward to next year's summer vacation, and the many many many happy family occasions that will taking place before then!!! To all the cousins reading this --- I love y'all and miss y'all!!! XOXO

Welcome to the Family, Baby Jay!!!

On August 1st 2008, my cousin Dana had her second child, Mr Jay Handmacher!!! What an adorable bundle of love!!! He is such a cutie!!! Dana was sweet enough to let us (me and my mom) come bombard her in the hospital the day after Jay was born to meet the little bundle of love himself!! As you can tell from the pictures, he is quite the little cutie and I already love him so much!! There are a few more photos posted below.

He is so lucky (as he will quickly realize that for himself) to be born into such a wonderful and loving family!! Dana and Nathan have already proven to be amazing parents with Jay's older brother William, and I can not wait to watch Jay grow up now as well!! I am sure he will already be so much bigger by the next time I get to see him!! His Aunt Jill is pregnant with the next family member, and before Jay knows it he will have a cousin quite close in age to play with .... whether that cousin is a boy or girl, we still have to wait a few more weeks to find out, but I have my bets on a girl!! But whether Baby Lyon is a girl or boy, I still can't wait until they arrive in January! :) Welcome to the family, Baby Jay, we already all love you bunches, and can't wait to see you grow up!!!

What I've Learned ..... and time for Vaca!!!

It has been quite a while since I posted my last post, so I thought I would at least do a short one to keep the readers reading!! :) It's hard to believe it, but time sure does fly when you're having fun .... I have been out of Phoenix, and an Atlanta resident for a little over 8 months now. It's amazing to think how much my life has changed and how much has taken place since the big move. Tomorrow afternoon I am leaving for my first "vacation" since moving to Atlanta, and am heading south for a week on the beach with the family. Every summer we always go down to Gulf Shores for a week with my family and my dad's sister and her family!! It is always a fun time. Of all my cousins, due to age, and being a girl and a boy just like our family, the Siegels have always been very close cousins!! It is always fun to spending the week with the fam! As I was driving home from work this afternoon I realized how many things have taken place and how many things I have come to learn and realize in my short time in Atlanta so far, so thought I would recap ....
Through a huge scare, I have learned how truly precious life is.....that it's ok to live a little more and sleep a little less.... Ive learned it's ok to be scared and not want to talk about things with others, that those that really care will understand and be waiting for you when you are ready to talk...... I have learned that distance really does make the heart grow fonder ... that true friends are never "far", they are always an easy phone call away ... that making new friends is possible, if not maybe more fun at the age of 25..... i've learned that maybe those that you've thought for years as your "best friends" aren't necessarily that best of friends ..... that there are people out there that will be come your friends and make you wonder how you ever lived your life without them being a part of your life before.... that those who mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind.... that family will always be your one steady, and how lucky I am to have such an amazing net of family that I also consider my dearest friends.... that it's ok to tell someone how you truly feel, they dont have to make you feel the same way back, but at least you have let them know how much they mean to you....I think that's enough for now .... this list could go on and on, so more for another day, but after an incredible rollercoaster of a last few months, it's time for some vacation!!! A week on the beach should help a great deal, as well as time with family!!!
I am starting off vacation in Mobile, one of my very best friends from high school is getting married .... I am so happy for Tanner... although I am not sure if this means we have to lose the nickname, since she will no longer be a Tanner?! Then to the beach for a week, then it sounds like we get to head back to Mobile to meet the newest baby cousin that as I hear should be here at any hour now ...... so in advance, welcome to the world Baby Boy Handmacher, I can't wait to meet you!! Time to get to the packing so I can get some sleep tonight ..... Have a wonderful week!! XOXO

Family time in Atlanta..

More family time, I love it!!! I have seen my family more in the past few months than I think I had seen them in all fo the past 6 years!!! This past weekend it was family time in Atlanta, which of course is even better because I don't even have to go anywhere!! It was the Atlanta Mart, for those of you in retail, or that have family in retail you probably already know what it is, if not, look it up, because I don't want to have to explain it! LOL
That said, my parents and brother decided to come to Atlanta for a weekend of family time.... and Mart time (all weekend!) In addition to my parents being up here, Cousins Eric, Natalie, Meredith, and Jamie were also in town, so in addition to spending time with Eric and Nat at the Mart, we all spent Saturday night together for dinner, then dessert and drinks back at the hotel!! It was a fun night filled with lots of laughter as usual!! Sometimes you just can't beat family time, and weekends that are fun like this one you surely can't beat!! Below are a few pictures of the cousins from dinner..!! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Cousins weekend in Mobile...!!

This past weekend my cousin David drove down from Athens, and we jumped in the car after work on Friday and headed to Mobile for a fun weekend with cousins and family!! What's the occasion you may ask, a new cousin!!! Kinneret Melamut was born about 6 months ago and made her first trip to Mobile, where her father grew up down the street from me and where her Grandma E, and many cousins still live! Not only did I get to meet little miss Kinneret for the first time, but I also got to meet little miss Ayla Rose (her first cousin) for the first time!! It had been far too long since I had seen any Melamuts. I was still living in Phoenix during Ayla's first trip to Mobile, so missed her entire first year, although can say I hardly missed it, as I saw her grow and change through pictures galore! Her parents are by far the best parents I have yet to find with updating photos on a regular basis, and although I had not physically gotten to give either of these precious girls a hug or a kiss yet, thanks to Brian and Jana, I have been able to watch them both go from babies to toddlers through photos (seriously, thank you Brian and Jana!) Although unfortunately mom was not in town last weekend to share in all the festivities, it was so wonderful to get to see all the rest of the family and cousins on the Mutchnick side. (my dad's mom's side of the family) The Siegels (my dad's sister and family) stayed with us at my house, and on Saturday before the "welcome to mobile party" for Kinneret, the melamuts, susmans, and asmans came over for lunch and to hang out for a bit. Then to the big event we went at Aunt Eileen's house. Like every other family function, we were there for about 8 hours, which consisted of non stop laughter and fun times! Growing up, I had no first cousins in Mobile, but many second cousins that I was so lucky to grow up with!! I love all of my cousins, and it is so great to see how close we all are, even as second cousins and first cousins alike! I can not imagine what life would have been like having to grow up without all of my Mutchnick cousins in the same city! There are two more baby cousins on the way, cousin Dana and Nathan are due in the next month or so, and adorable William will be a big brother!!! Jill (Dana's sister) and Clark are expecting their first baby in January!!! It is all so exciting!! When did my generation become old enough to now be having all the babies!! Eventually when I am having kids, I will have wonderful role model cousins to look up to as example parents!! Sadly, I took very few pictures, but hopefully can get a few photos out of cousin Brian, and will post a few once I get them!! Happy Birthday, little Miss Ayla, I hope you had a wonderful first birthday, and can't wait to watch you and all of your little cousins grow as the years go on!! To all cousins reading this --- I love you all and can't wait until the next fun gathering!! XOXO

I now present to you, Mr and Mrs Jeffrey Dracup!!!

I know I'm a week late, but I had alot of resting and recuperating to do after last weekend's Dracup wedding in SantaFe. Could they have asked for a more perfect wedding weekend?! I think not! The weather was beautiful, all of their closest family and friends were present, and it all went off perfectly!! G and I flew into Albuquerque on Thursday after work, then drove to SantaFe. On the way to Santa Fe, I called Jeff to make sure he stayed up to see us before he went to bed, because I knew we would be arriving pretty late. He did, and I am so happy he did. Just the three of us hung out, grabbed a little food (because all the bars had already closed at 10pm) and reminisced about the "good ole days". It had been too long since we all saw each other, being in 3 different states, but we picked up right where we left off like great friends do! Friday night there was a welcome party at Georgia O'keefe's cafe. Time to catch up with old friends, meet new people, and have a few (ok maybe many) glasses of wine. It was fun to meet a few people that Jeff has been talking about for so many years but that lived in Chicago or in the MidWest and I had never actually gotten to meet. It was also great to see Jeff's family that I had not seen in several years, especially his sister Lisa who is also a dear friend of mine, starting with her visits to Tucson and of course living in Phoenix together!! After the welcome party, we all headed back to the hotel that most were staying at and where the reception would be the next day and went out on the deck outside and had an after party with cigars and a few more drinks! (Thanks to Jeff, I will not even touch a cigar again, and he now admits to feeling bad about that traumatizing event lol!) Everyone including mom and dad Dracup stayed up laughing, reminiscing, and celebrating with the groom until the wee hours of the morning. The next day everyone got some rest, got some lunch, maybe a nap, then it was time to head to the big event!! The ceremony itself was GORGEOUS. The chapel was very small and quaint and fit all of their guests PERFECTLY. As the front doors opened to welcome the bride, Jeff's eyes lit up like lightbulbs and he had a grin on his face that no force could have erased, and entered the beautifulllllll bride. Following the ceremony, we all participated in a local tradition, with a mariachi band waiting outside the chapel. The bride and groom then led a procession following the mariachi band, and all guests and wedding party behind the bride and groom, all the way into the reception. It was so much fun and all the people in Santa Fe stopped to stare and take photos of the adorable Mr and Mrs Dracup!! As expected, the reception was a blast! Yummy dinner, good toasts, a fun little love song game, some drinks, and LOTS of dancing! The room for the reception was GORGEOUS - it had glass doors all around the sides which led to the outside deck area and were open the whole time, therefore it was both inside and outside with AMAZING weather.

I don't think it hit me until the very end when we were all about to say good bye before the bride and groom departed for the evening that Jeff had actually just gotten married. He looked at me with that sarcastic grin and points to his wedding band as if he were saying " woah, I think I just got married!!" Of course a few tears flowed at this time, as it all hit me at once, and then I was going to have to say so long to my dear friend that lives so far away. Alison and Jeff were so extatic and happy the entire weekend, especially on Saturday night, and could not have seemed more in love and excited to start their new life together. I love them both and I am so excited to share in many more happy occasions with the two of them. Alison was a BEAUTIFUL bride (as I knew she would be!) and the whole wedding weekend was just as gorgeous! As I was travelling back to Atlanta from the wonderful weekend, I thought to myself "wow, when did we become adults". It's hard to believe we're at this point in our lives where we are all changing in such wonderful ways and all going from being "big kids" to adults. It's a wonderful fun ride. It was so great to see my very closes friends, G, Evan, Lisa, Jeff, Alison and I sometimes get sad thinking how far away they all are, but know that we all have each other only a phone call away, and will be able to visit for many happy occasions! Below are a few photos from the weekend, if anyone wants all of them I would be happy to send you the Snapfish album!! Until more news arises in the life of Amy Beth..... XOXO

Off to New Mexico for a Very Special Occasion!!!

So I am not gonna lie, this post finds me in a little bit of an emotional state, but a positive and happy emotional state...... tomorrow afternoon I am leaving for the wedding of one of my very best friends. It's hard to believe we have reached the stage in life that everyone is getting married, not to mention my closest and most special friends. It seems like it is all happening at once and things in life are moving so much faster than they ever used to. They say that happens, but I guess I never really realized it as much or believed it until recently reflecting on everything. There are people in each of our lives that leave an everlasting impression on you, people who help us to become the best personal self we can be, people that can make us smile when there isn't any light at the end of the tunnel in sight, and people that can tell you just the way it is and help you to see something clearly. My best friend Jeff has been one of those people to me for many years and I sincerely cherish our friendship and will always carry memories of the past with me and look forward to many more memories made as we each grow and evolve over the coming years and create many more memories. It's hard to believe that being trapped in a bedroom at a frat party (hiding from the cops, sorry mom,but the good news is, they didnt find us) with 8 other random people during one of my very first nights out in college could then eventually through other mutual friends, etc lead to such a strong friendship, but oh my, that was just the very beginning! I mean what other two best friends could make nicknames "focker" and "fockface" such endearing titles! We have each been there for each other through some of the hardest times and some of the best times, and I can't wait to be there to celebrate with him and his new wife to be over the next few days!!! This will be my first time to ever travel to New Mexico, and I can't think of a better reason to go out there, but than to celebrate with one of my very best friends and his soon to be wife!! Alison, his fiance, is an absolute doll, I know her personally as she used to be one of my old neighbors in Phoenix, and I am sure they will have countless years of happiness together! I wish them all the love and happiness in the world and cannot wait to grow old with them both as friends and celebrate many more happy occasions in the future!! Time to get to packing, and get some rest before the big weekend!! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week -- have a great weekend!! Im sure pictures will come next week... XOXO

Birmingham for the weekend...

This past weekend I ventured to Bham to spend some quality family time. Saturday morning I woke up and Carly and I drove to Birmingham, and a few hours later my parents drove in from Mobile. What was in Birmingham you may ask?? Cousins!! My Aunt and Uncle live in Birmingham and had a party for all the fun things happening in their family recently on Sunday night. My first cousin David graduated undergrad at UGA a few weeks ago, my Uncle Bert was celebrating a "big" birthday, and cousin Abby Lee returned from studying abroad!!! Now I hope you didnt think we were gonna just let Abby "return home" in a relaxed and non chalant way. Saturday night we all went to dinner and then went home gathered all of our signs, had a few more people join us, and ALL headed to the airport. If you have ever been to the Birmingham airport, you know I am not joking when I say we were double the amount of other people even at the airport, especially at 11 at night. But to pick up Miss Abby Lee we went. We had people that didn't even know Abby welcoming her by the time we made a ruckus and were in front of where they walk out from behind security, and even had a stranger holding a sign that said "we missed you abby!" Way too much fun. These times are not unusal however, it is always an adventure when spending time with the fam!! To David, Congrats!!! To Uncle Bert, Happy Birthday!! and last but absolutely not least, to my dearest Abby Lee, WELCOME HOME!!!! I am so glad you are back!!! XOXO

THE GANG AT THE AIRPORT.....

MOMMY AND DADDY WALKING TO GREET ABBY LEE....

ME AND COUSIN JAMIE AT THE SUNDAY NIGHT PARTY....

The Rollercoaster of Life..

The past 10 days have been a rollercoaster to say the least ..... it has been consumed with a wide range of emotions, from so very sad , to so very happy, to scared, to excited!! Welcome to the rollercoaster of life. Amongst it all, the past 10 days have also caused me to reevaluate many aspects of my own life and those in my life and effecting my life, some for the better, some for the worse. Through the news of the loss of a wonderful person / friend I have come to realize that in fact we may often take far too many things and people for granted, and have gained a whole new appreciation for the little things in life. On a much happier note, I have learned that my cousin Jill is expecting a baby, which is so exciting!! (yay, Jilly!! Baby Lyon will be so lucky to have such wonderful parents!!) So many of my cousins have recently had/ will be having babies, and it is so exciting! Work is going well, although was quite stressful for several days over the past week and a half! I have several things exciting taking place the next several weekends, and look forward to the fun times! Although I love living in Atlanta, during both happy and sad times, I often realize how far away many of my closest friends are and that often makes me sad. Keeping in touch and letting people know how much they mean to you is so very important is the moral of the story! This weekend I am off to Birmingham to see the fam and celebrate happy milestones! And then in about 10 days, I get to see 3 of my very closest friends -- I can hardly even wait, I am so excited!! It has been far too long since we were together in the same city, and to get together for a wedding makes it even more exciting- Santa Fe, here we come, it's time for Mr Dracup to get married!! :) I hope everyone's weeks are off to a great start ... before we know it, Friday will be here again!! Live life to the fullest, and enjoy every moment of it ..... hold on tight, it's quite the rollercoaster!! XOXO

Wedding Season has begun...!!

Last weekend (Memorial Day) I was able to get to Mobile for a short visit! Not only did I get to spend time with the fam, but was able to celebrate the engagement of an old friend!! Tanner is getting married!! It seems like just yesterday we were sitting in class together in SIXTH grade!! Tanner (Ashley) and I went to school together from 6th grade to high school graduation - where have the years gone?! It is not very often that I get to see my High School friends, and unfortunately most of us do not stay in as close of contact as we once did. However, it is amazing how we always pick up from right where we left off when we do get to see each other!! Needless to say, I had a wonderful weekend at home, and the engagement party for Ashley and Lee was the icing on the cake!! Lee is a sweetheart and such a great guy, I am so happy for Ashley and Lee!!

When did we all become old enough to get married? It seems like one after another my close friends are getting married this summer.... a few already took place to kick off the season, Jeff and Alison are next in Santa Fe, then to Mobile for Tanner and Lee's wedding in August!!! Only 2 weeks left until Jeff and Alison's big day in Santa Fe - I can hardly even wait!! I am so happy to see people that mean so much to me getting engaged and married to people that make them so happy and are also so wonderful! I have posted a photos below from the party this weekend, below ... enjoy!!

Loving Life in Atlanta!!!

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Atlanta?!?! So I just couldn't resist ...... after a most fantastic and fun weekend it's hard not to realize how much I absolutely love living in Atlanta!!! Wonderful friends that always ensure a fun time!!! This weekend was a perfect example!! I have come to realize what amazing friends I have already made as well as become even closer with old friends in my short time of living here already!! This weekend started with a fun night at at East Andrew's, followed by my first appearance at Fado's which I was determined to call "fat toe's" the entire time ... then a fun day by the pool ALL day on Saturday, followed by a super fun night out in Midtown to celebrate a friend's birthday. I ran into many old friends, some of which I had not even seen yet since moving here, and had a fun and eventful night out in Midtown with the gang!!! After a late and eventful evening, and then Liz and Keri sleeping over on the couch, we all woke up and went to breakfast/brunch. We were like a scene off of Sex and the City, recapping our night, and laughing non stop. After brunch we had another day at the pool followed by dinner for K-Pop's birthday!! Can't beat a weekend like that!! And everyone said there is no fun after college .... I believe here in Atlanta we have proven otherwise!! Friends just stopping by on a whim and spending entire weekends together just hanging out, there is never a dull moment, it couldn't be more fun!! It looks like a fun summer is in store!! I couldn't help but post a few pics from this past weekend that others captured!!! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend!! XOXO

K-Pop, Rach, Me, and Keri out in Midtown....

Me, Osnat, Keri, Liz, and Rachael before going out....

Keri, Me, and Karen Pop. out in Midtown!

Out in Midtown...

Happy Mother's Day 2008!!!

Happy mother's day to all mothers, whether your kids are all grown up and mothers themselves, or this is your first mother's day with a child of your own!! This mother's day I was so lucky to be able to spend the weekend with both my own mommy and my mom's mommy, Bubbe Eve! What a wonderful way to spend the weekend. I've come to realize as us "kids" get older, we not only love our parents and grandparents, but also gain a new appreciation and respect for them as the years pass by. Bubbe Eve is one of the most loving and caring people I have ever met, and am so luck to have a grandmother that loves and cares so deeply about all 9 of her grandchildren, her 3 daughters, and her son in laws as if they were her own sons! She deeply cares about all of her family and friends! She goes by Bubbe Eve to all that know her, and one can't help but love her from the moment they meet her! Now that we're all grown up, it is sometimes more difficult to see Bubbe Eve as often due to work and distance to New Jersey, but as I was flying back to Atlanta this afternoon, I couldn't help but think back to all the amazing memories as a child I had visiting Bubbe Eve so very often in Birmingham. Whether it be the summers we spent going to JCC camp, dinners with her famous chicken soup and brisket, or planting flowers that never bloomed in the basement and back patio, they are all such very fond memories! I carry these fond memories with me at all times! While having extra time to "think" while on the plane today, I also began to think about two other very special women that unfortunately are no longer in my life. Growing up with Granny and Papa Leo down the street in Mobile, I can't help but remember the numerous mother's days and all other Sunday night dinners spent with Granny and Papa Leo. Growing up, I was so lucky to have such loving and amaizng grandparents in Mobile with me to provide unconditional love and stand as such wonderful role models! The second grandmother that I miss so very dearly is Grandma Annalee. While unfortunately I was never able to meet my dad's mother, Grandma Annalee, I have always felt this special bond with her that I just can't explain. It has always been like there was some connection made between us the day I was born and she is with me every day. Although I never met her, I have always loved her dearly, and heard wonderful stories about her as I was growing up! If there was one person that is no longer with us that I could spend even just 5 minutes with , it would surely be her! When people ask me who I was named after, I say with all the pride in the world, My grandma Annalee! Happy mother's day to all my amazing grandmothers who have stood as such a wonderful example along the years!

And to save the best mother's day wish for last.... happy mother's day to my very own mommy!! Without her love and support, who knows where I would be today!! My mom has been there by my side through the good days and the bad days, and has put up with me and loved me through them all! I am SO SO SO SO SO lucky to have such an amazing best friend and mom! For all daughters and mothers of daughters out there, I am sure you can relate to the fact that there is an unexplained bond between a mother and her daughter. How lucky I am to have such an amazing mom to share that bond with! I look forward to MANY MANY MANY MANY MANY more memories made and mother's days spent with my mommy! Below you will find a few pictures from my wonderful girls' weekend in New Jersey with Bubbe Eve! I am so sorry fo the long entry ... I promise the next one will be funnier and shorter!!! :) Happy mother's day to all that are reading this, and especially to my own mommy and grandmother!!! XOXO

Happy Birthday To You!!!!

Happy happy happy birthday to two very special people!! My dear friends Serena and Jeff are both celebrating a big birthday today!! It's not very often that you know two people with the same birthday, not to mention two of your close friends!! It seems like they have each been in my life for as long as I can remember, although I have only known each of them for a short 7 years -- goodness gracious, how time flies!! Each of these two people have played very special roles in my life over the past several years, and I can not imagine what my life would have been like without them. They have both been there with me through some great times, and some hard times, too. We have each shared many many moments of laughter and tears! They have each been there for me in many more ways than they will ever know, and I wish them both the best year yet, and that all of their birthday wishes come true!! I miss them both very much, and although Jeff is now a resident of New Mexico, and Serena is even further in Phoenix, I still cherish our friendships and look forward to seeing each of them over the next few months!! Happy Birthday Fune and Nelly .... have a wonderful day, you both deserve it!! XOXO

Jeff and I ....

Serena and I ...

Jeff and I both with Serena on her wedding day ...

Great friends, Great Family, Great Memories!!

I have to start somewhere....

So yes, I actually did it, I started a blog! When asking a dear friend if they would still be my friend if I started a blog, she said "it's so 1998, but if you prefer the internet over a fuzzy pink diary with a lock, then go for it!" For starters, 1998 was a great year .... secondly, over the past few years, many things have changed, and I hate not keeping in as close of contact with some of my closest friends and family due to distance or our busy lives, so I thought this would help to keep me in contact with those that are both in the same city, and across the country!! For she who will go unnamed about the pink fuzzy diary, I still love her to death, and am sure I will be receiving a call as soon as she reads this first post! :)
No, I will not be posting every day, but only when I have things to share, whether it be pictures or breaking news in the life of amy and/ or her friends and family!! With all the weddings, travels, and exciting things going on, this will be a fun way to share in all the things that come along with the adventures of Amy (as we all know, can be quite entertaining, and often funny)! I hope this first entry finds you all happy and healthy! XOXO