2008 NL EAST CHAMPIONS!!!!!

GO PHILLIES!!!!

Fall & Phans

So, yesterday was officially the first day of Autumn! As I've blogged about so many times, it is my favorite time of year. It's actually feeling like fall here in Jersey too! Temps are in the low 70's during the day, breezy, blue skies, some leaves are changing, and it's cool in the evening - low 50's. Ahhhh! I love the feeling of walking outside in the crisp air and just inhaling all that is awesome around me! The scent of leaves, cut grass, mums, pumpkins & cornstalks! What an invigorating time of year. I'm looking forward to late October, early November when the leaves are in hues of amber, crimson, and bright yellow as the sun glistens through them.

I started early this year, and the house is mostly decorated with my autumnal decor. Sparkling leaves adorn a large copper dish on a table in our living room, along with an inviting wreath hanging from our front door. Of course it wouldn't be fall with a touch of Halloween making it's presence! We have some Nightmare Before Christmas figurines on our fireplace mantle along with light up jack-o-lanterns strategically placed throughout the house. I plan on making my annual trip to a local farmer's market this weekend sometime to pick up some pumpkins, cornstalks, hay bales and fresh mums for our front yard as well.

With the arrival of fall, however, also means playoff season for baseball. Craig and I were fortunate enough to get tickets (at the last minute) to last evening's Phillies game vs. the Atlanta Braves. We had amazing seats, behind home plate, and we were as close to the players as we were in Clearwater earlier this year for Spring Training! Not only that, it was an awesome game. There's something spectacular about sharing enthusiasm for your winning team in a sea of red with white rally towels swinging in the air! Yeah, we're 2 games ahead in first place over the Mets and there's only 5 games left in the regular season! We beat Atlanta last night 6-2 and for the first day of fall, it was an amazing day. I'm so proud to be a Phillies Phan!

We Will Always Remember

Today is September 11, 2008. 7 years ago our country experienced horrific events that will forever be embedded in our hearts and minds. I never had one of those "remember when" moments prior to 9-11. I was too young for Kennedy's assassination and 5 years old when Challenger exploded. September 11th is and will always be one of those memories that I will always remember what I did that day, where I was when I heard the news, and exactly how I felt. I pray for all of the families who lost loved ones and praise the heroes of that day. Today's remembrance brings a song to mind from the musical "Carousel". To the many people who lost their lives 7 years ago and to their families, know that "You'll Never Walk Alone."

When you walk through a storm
hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm is a golden sky

And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown.

Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone,
You'll never, ever walk alone.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart

And you'll never walk alone,
You'll never, ever walk alone.