...and so it starts.

earlier i received the below photos from a friend of mine who spotted these unattended youths hanging out at the bernardsville train station panhandling and otherwise behaving in a manner not befitting the offspring of good, solid g-stone families. 

later this same old chum saw the small gang of cut-ups riding the train where he observed them picking pockets, noses, and lice from the hair of stray husbands seen trying to duck out of the photo

this is just the beginning, my friends. troubled times lay ahead. i suggest heavy chains.

 

You Can't Make This Stuff Up

Monrovia, Liberia (AP)

Warlord Sorry For Slaughter

A brutal warlord known as General Butt Naked apologized this week for leading his forces to kill over 20,000 people during Liberia's civil war. 

The warlord, whose real name is Milton Blayee, got his nickname from his habit of racing into battle dressed only in combat boots, leading a similarly unclad gang of drug-addicted fighters. The Butt Naked Battalion was notorious for raiding villages, where they slaughtered the children and ate their hearts.

Speaking to Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission--set up to air the atrocities of the 1989-2003 war but not empowered to charge anyone with crimes--Blayee said he was sorry for his atrocities. "Every time i tell people my story, i feel relieved."

Blayee now lives in Ghana where he is a Christian minister.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper - Feb. 5

Hey Mom, what’s for dinner? How about some pancakes and sausage for a fun change. Come to the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper - Tuesday, Feb. 5th.

Where: Peapack Reformed Church, Fellowship Hall
Time: 5:00-7:00 pm
Cost: Donations accepted

Mardi Gras-style Jazz Music – Games, Beads – Pancakes, Sausage and Gravy! All are welcome.

Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival: Jan. 23-27

If you've never been to Lambertville, NJ or New Hope, PA you may want to consider it for a fun day trip. Just under 1 hour from Peapack-Gladstone, the twin river towns offer quality art galleries, restaurants, and even a bike path along the canal. There are also several flea markets and plenty of antique shops in the area. This coming weekend we're headed to the Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival. The schedule includes a parade, live ice carving from a 300 lb. block of ice, historic walking tours, music and more. Looks like a good time. It's our first time at this event and let's hope for an increase in the mercury by then! We'll let you know how it goes. Here is the event site for more info: http://www.winterfestival.net/

ode to georgie

there once was a prez who got to go to yale

his blood was blue, his world-view stale.

when the saudis brought down the world trade towers

prez sent the king of that country a bouquet of flowers.

and then, when osama slipped into pakistan

prez made saddam insane the big bad evil man.

stayed up late one night boozin and smokin crack

told vice in the mornin', "hey, dick, let's invade iraq!"

from his ranch in texas he had phone sex with condi

wearin nuthin but cowboy boots and wavin his wandi.

little georgie was big now, had the lord on his side

and so what if tens of thousands had suffered and died?

the oil is yours, god told prez in a dream

you're on the all-powerful self-righteous team.

prez rubbed his hands together and swelled out his chest

and thanked the almighty for giving him this test.

so okay, of late prez has taken it on the chin

we no longer see that smirk he thinks is a grin.

but just cause prez has been kicked in the can

don't think for a second the fool won't invade iran!

Good-night Snowflakes

Trying to sleep on a snowy night
So clean from my bath and blankets just right

My mommy says ‘night-night,’ my eyes so tired,
But out of my window there’s something much brighter

The new-fallen snow leaves a magical glow
I’m curious and comforted by the beauty below

My hands – so chubby – press into the light
My breath on the window is warm on this night

How long will mommy let me stand here to behold
The beauty of winter, the snowflakes so cold

As snowflakes taper, I know I must return
To a bed warm and cozy, and sleep I do yearn

Her kiss is the warmth of my breath on the window
She wraps me in blankets so quick, I know
That night-time is waiting for me… so I go

I dream of the snowflakes, their magic and beauty
And wish that forever my night-time could hold me.

Family & Friends First Aid and CPR Class

Peapack Reformed Church Offers “Family & Friends First Aid and CPR” Classes: February 8 and 22

Start the New Year by learning how to save the lives of those you love. Whether you want to sharpen existing CPR and first aid skills, or learn the basics to protect your family, friends and neighbors, this two-session class prepares you for the unexpected.

Instructed by Andi Huber, a certified EMT with the Long Valley Rescue Squad, school director, and PRC Sunday School teacher, the ‘Family & Friends First Aid for Children Program and CPR’ class is a non-test curriculum developed by the American Heart Association. The Family & Friends First Aid for Children Program is designed for family members, including older siblings, grandparents, new parents, and friends, who care for children and infants and want to know first aid basics. The Family & Friends CPR Program is designed for family members and friends who want to learn basic CPR and do not need a course card.

Class dates are Friday, Feb. 8 and Friday, Feb. 22. Both sessions start at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall of the Peapack Reformed Church. Registration is for both dates.

A per person cost of $20 includes two evenings of instruction plus books and materials, and can be paid by check on the first evening of the class. To register, please send an email to amydietrich04@hotmail.com or call 908-741-4345. The course is limited to 8 students. For more information on the American Heart Association, go to www.americanheart.org.

Updated - New Dates Added for PGL Rhyme Time

In response to our requests - and let's face it, the desperate need to get the kids out of the house - "Miss Jenna" has generously added a few more dates to the PGL Rhyme Time calendar. New dates are highlighted in red below:

Rhyme Time - Mondays at 10:30 am. The program is geared toward younger children (babies, toddlers) and includes puppets, songs and short books.

• Monday, January 28th
• Monday, February 4th, 11th and 25th (new to schedule)
• Monday, March 10th (new to schedule)
• Monday, April 21st and 28th
• Monday, May 5th and 12th

Storytime - Fridays at both 10:15 am and 1:45 pm. The program is geared toward pre-schoolers and includes book readings, songs and videos.

• Friday, January 18th and 25th
• Friday, February 1st, 8th and 29th
• Friday, March 7th, 14th and 28th
• Friday, April 4th and 25th
• Friday, May 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th
• Friday, June 20th and 27th

Other upcoming programs of interest:
February 27th at 7 pm
Family storyteller Kathryn Weidener will use props and things to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday. Family program--all are welcome.

Saturday, April 26th at 2pm
Earth Matters: slideshow presentation with shadow play about our oceans and clean water. In celebration of Earth Day. Families welcome

You can access more information by going to www.somerset.lib.nj.us and click on "Programs" along the top and choose P-G. Or contact Jenna Galley, Youth Services Librarian, Peapack-Gladstone Library at (908) 234-0598 and jgalley@sclsnj.org.

Gladstone Girl Arrives Home

We are so happy that Chloe has arrived home and the sleepless nights have begun.



And for those that asked if she looks like big sis, you decide.



(note product placement - gotta pay for college and two weddings somehow)

Kudos to the good lookin' and good cookin' local chefs. Abby's dinner tonight was a fantastic start. Not that it's a competition or anything. Though, libations for papa may score you extra points.

Seriously, thanks for all the support.

Help a Good Cause Without Ever Leaving Home...Just Cleaning It!!!

If you need to make room for all of your new holiday items, now is the perfect time to clean up and move out all that old stuff! The Lupus Foundation of America will come and pick it up for you! They will be in the area on Friday, January 11. All you have to do is:

1 - Bag or box up your donations and clearly label them "LFA."
2 - Call (888) 44-LUPUS to schedule the collection.
3 - Put the items on your front porch by 7:30 AM the day of the collection.

If the 11th is not convenient you can call and schedule another day. You do not need to be home. The driver will leave a tax receipt.

Lupus is a disabling and life-threatening illness that affects more then 1.5 million Americans. Woman are at the highest risk for developing Lupus. There is no cure and the LFA needs your help! The donated goods are sold to private companies by annual bid and the money raised goes to education and research efforts. You can learn more at ww.lupus.org.

They are looking for:

• Clothing - all types and sizes
• Shoes
• Bedding
• Draperies & curtains
• Housewares & glassware
• Jewelry & Cosmetics
• Toys
• Knick Knacks
• Small Appliances
• Tools - all kinds

Thespians in the Making

It looked like all kids had fun at Sleeping Beauty today. It was very interactive with the kids making cakes, pretending to be a meadow, singing with the Giant, and waking up resting royal family.

Gladstone Woman Can Predict Start of Labor!

Our dear Isabel Corbin just proved that she has honed a sixth sense. As she predicted weeks ago, she did indeed go into labor on Friday January 4, 2008! She may have had a bit of help from Mother Nancy, but as it turns out, she knew what she was talking about. Now we just need someone to be able to  develop the gender prediction sense! Congratulations Corbins. We can't wait to meet baby Chloe.

You Can Feed a Hungry Person - S.H.I.P. Mobile Soup Kitchen

In case you are looking for a volunteer experience, there is the S.H.I.P. Mobile Soup Kitchen. Every month, on the fourth Monday, PRC members deliver home-cooked casseroles and canned goods to the S.H.I.P. headquarters in Somerville. The casseroles are then heated and served to hungry men, women, and especially children from the Mobile Soup Kitchen van in various areas of Somerset County. Peapack Reformed Church has been supporting this program for many years. It’s easy to become involved. All you need to do is stop by our church’s kitchen, pick up an aluminum pan and cover, and—best of all!—take home a copy of some of the very easy recipes. Then fill the pan, label it, and pop it in the church freezer anytime! Perishables should be brought to church on the 4th Sunday or the following Monday no later than 10 am.Prepared casseroles and canned goods are especially needed during the summer when regular cooks may be away. Please remember: “Hunger never takes a summer vacation.”

I'm volunteering at the kitchen for the first time on Jan. 9th. It is a 4:30-7:30 commitment, which is hard to do with the kids, but if I can "excuse" myself (thanks, Wayne) from one dinner with them, it makes a big difference to others who otherwise have much less to eat. I'll let you know how that goes, but the casseroles are VERY easy. Get more info at the Mom's Morning.

Congratulations, Steve! URWA Volunteer of the Year

If anyone needs help outside this spring, we know who to call - if he's not already busy helping URWA (Upper Raritan Watershed Assoc.). Steve was named their "volunteer of the year" for 2007. Way to go Steve, and love the picture!

Aught Eight Predictions

Barack Obama will win the Democratic nomination but will be assassinated before the November elections.

The Dow will fall below 12,000 when consumers realize they have no more cash and no more credit.

BRK/B will hit 6000 a share. (Buy now.)

Gold will go over a thousand an ounce.

Gas will hit four bucks a gallon.

Apple will release an ultralight, ultra thin laptop.

Researchers will announce Apple ipods are making Americans antisocial and deaf.

The Dallas Cowboys will defeat the New England Patriots 27-24 in the Super Bowl.

The Knicks will stink up the Garden.

The Bosox (much to my chagrin) will win the Series.

It'll be cold, warm, sunny, and rainy.

We'll feel good, bad, cheery, grumpy, and occasionally indifferent.

We'll look at our kids and see ourselves. 

12/31/07

We said adios to aught seven over at the Dietrich house on Monday. It was a fine party to end a fine year wherein we all got to know one another a little better, the kids grew a little bigger, and we all further realized our great good fortune at residing here in the bucolic boro of Peapack-Gladstone while the world roils and unravels around us.

Happy New Year to all!

man that's a lot of good lookin kids

proud pappy

proud mama

that famous dietrich hairline

let them eat more cake!