Louise Sanchez / Herbs Crafts Gifts

Dion's Restaurant - Pizza & Subs

2014-04-23T04:52:00.001-06:00

Dion's started in New Mexico and has now expanded to Colorado Springs, CO

The order is placed and picked up at the counter

There is wait staff circulating through the dining room for refills, take home boxes etc. Their customer service is unequaled.

Cole Slaw and dressing for the subs.

They were delicious

And best of all they have New Mexico Green Chile to put on the pizza or subs. Not a common thing outside of New Mexico.

There are many Men's Ties & Chile items available in my eBay store (Herbscraftsgifts.com)

Carrot Souffle Recipe

2014-04-22T05:44:00.000-06:00

Found this recipe when we got an over abundance of carrots from the Farmer's Market on our CSA plan. (We are able to chose 1/2 bushel of veggies every week for 20 weeks from Miller Farms in Plattsville, CO but at our local Farmer's Market).

Sweet enough to be a dessert but we had it with a Ham dinner for Easter. Not a souffle in the truest sense of the word. It is alittle heavier and not as fluffy, probably because the egg whites are not beaten separately and folded in. So it does not rise in the dish either.

1lb carrots (~7 carrots)
1/2 c melted butter
2 eggs
1/2 sugar
2Tbs all purpose flour
1tsp baking powder
1tsp vanilla extract

Peel and Boil carrots until tender & drain.
Combine carrots & butter in food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
Add remaining ingredients & blend well.
Pour mixture into lightly greased 1quart casserole or soufflé dish.
Bake @ 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until firm.

As a dessert I sprinkle on powdered sugar.

There are many kitchen items available in my eBay store (Herbscraftsgifts.com) under the categories Collectibles or Home & Garden

Our Easter Sunday April 20, 2014

2014-04-21T17:54:00.003-06:00

The Easter bunny came to our house. Basket is for our Grandson and the 2 bags are for are adopted granddaughters

The kids doing an Easter Egg hunt in the back yard.

Virginia baked ham.

Green beans with sauteed shallots, Carrot souffle, scalloped potatoes, fresh fruit salad, homemade buns. Adults got a Cadbury egg and everyone had an Easter Egg with their name on their dinner plate.

Basket of dyed eggs.

Yeast Easter Bunny breads, Rice Krispie Lamb.

It was so nice sharing the day with our son, grandson and friends that are really more like family.

Memories of Godspell on Broadway in 1970's

2014-04-19T09:20:00.002-06:00

My most favorite musical of all time. Actually when we saw it 2 different times it was off Broadway. And I think the play is far superior to the movie. Even high school productions, we have seen, were very good because it put you into the playlot with the actors.

The lyrics are straight from Matthew's gospels. The concept is a bunch of folks hanging out together and one of their friends is Jesus in modern day. They ask questions, they play like kids do and Jesus always has a lesson for them.

Just before intermission is the Last Supper and during intermission the audience was invited onstage to have wine too. It put us into the play rather than just watching it.

The finale is mind blowing. I won't give it away in case someone goes to see it but sure is memorable.

If nothing else - listen to the music or watch the movie with an open mind.

Santuario de Chimayo on Good Friday

2014-04-18T09:50:00.004-06:00

I was privileged to live in New Mexico for 35 years of my life. The Hispanic culture is very strong and runs deep. One tradition that is very moving is Good Friday at the chapel in Chimayo which is between Santa Fe and Espanola to the east in the high desert with lots of scrub juniper and Pinon trees.

Besides being the local church it is renowned worldwide for the healing dirt. There is a hole off to the side of the altar where visitors remove alittle of the dirt and supposedly no one fills the hole back up. (There are any stories debunking that theory tho'). Nevertheless it is called healing dirt.

After exiting the 'dirt' room you enter another room where the walls are lined with crutches and braces and canes, all left by people who have been healed by the dirt.

On Good Friday Pilgrims from all over walk many miles to the Santuario. Many are doing it in thanksgiving, for a healing, for a sacrifice, as penance. I suspect that for as many pilgrims there are, there as many different reasons.

Some folks carry crosses, others go on their knees. The devotion is unrivaled

Thousands of pilgrims make their pilgrimage every year. Beautiful setting. Beautiful tradition and devotion to be admired.

One time when we were there we had a chance to visit with the priest. He told us he a plane ticket in his pocket to return to his home. The joke was he had been there over 30 years (not sure of the years - but it was a very long time) and hadn't left yet!!

Visiting the Santuario de Chimayo is an absolute must for anyone visiting or passing by Albuquerque or Santa Fe.

Holy Thursday in the 1950's

2014-04-17T12:16:00.002-06:00

Growing up Catholic in the 1950's Holy Thursday was really the first day of the Passion of Christ. It is the day of the Last Supper and Jesus demonstrating being humble and washing the feet of his disciples.

Churches were decorated with huge floral displays. I specifically remember a Chalice with a communion Host, probably 8-10 feet tall.

It was our custom to visit 3 different churches, say prayers and to earn special indulgences. The churches always smelled so good with all the flowers and a hint of incense, each one alittle different.

After Vatican II, in the mid 60's, using Latin was gone, wearing head coverings for girls & women were past tense and the custom of the displays and visiting neighboring churchs disappeared.

As a choir member for many years it too was the start of 4 days of services / masses until Easter Sunday.

Sometimes I miss those days when things seemed so much simpler and clear cut.

There are many collectibles available in my eBay store (Herbscraftsgifts.com) including this German Prayer Book under the categories Collectibles or Home & Garden

Impossible to be Invisible on the Internet

2014-04-16T09:51:00.000-06:00

Berberichs & Sons Shoe Hook

We were helping a friend do a yard sales last week. She was able to make a large sale using an app on her smart phone. (Hooked them in!) I mentioned I had forgotten to bring my PayPal Here Credit Card Reader. She said she had an extra Square. I loaded the app and gave the necessary info to have it deposit into my bank account.

At one point, for security reasons, they asked me 3 questions that blew my mind. 1)- Where did you live between 1959 & 1962? 4 options/ 1 was correct. 2) - Which county have you lived in? Again 4 opinions/ 1 was correct and 3)- Who do you know? 3 options plus none of the above.

I don't do any banking or pay bills online, but that info is still available. No wonder people have their identities hacked. Scary!!

There are many collectibles available in my eBay store (Herbscraftsgifts.com) under the categories Collectible or Home & Garden

My Point & Shoot Digital Camera - Canon SX170 IS

2014-04-16T09:44:00.001-06:00

The only way to prove how much I love this camera is to show some photos I have taken. I have it set to Auto and no flash. So it truly is just a point & shoot.

The macro is awesome too. Many times I see things on a closeup that I did not notice with my naked eye. This especially good when I am listing something on eBay, like this Dollhouse bathrooms, to find flaws that I may not have noticed before.

Typically, I only have to take one photo for each 'pose'. Yesterday I took 284 photos in less than an hour and half.

And without changing anything I can do landscapes, like this photo from my front window of Pikes Peak!!

I bought my camera at Best Buy and like the size becuase it is not one of those tiny ones that can get lost in my purse. This one fits in the palm of my hand and is easy to find and has a rechargeable battery. I bought a 2nd battery immediately, so I always have one fully charged.

Several friends bought this camera on my recommendation and are glad they did. So if you are looking to buy a camera consider the Canon SX170 IS.

The Doll furniture is available in my eBay store (Herbscraftsgifts.com) under the the title Doll House Bathrooms 6 pieces Sink Tub Toilet Ceramic

Is Facebook Toxic or does it serve a purpose?

2014-04-13T18:29:00.000-06:00

As many, I think I am addicted to Facebook. It is fun keeping up with family, friends, school mates and people we have met over the years. I enjoy seeing photos, doing quizzes and finding out what flower I am or which country I should live in. There videos of things I would never have found on my own. Plus so much more.

Occasionally posts get misinterpreted and get out of hand and a fray ensues. My way of dealing with those rare occasions is to retreat, stay away from the boards. Depending on the situation it is very easy to stop notifications from groups, from members or to just unfriend them.

Facebook is supposed to be social and when it becomes less than fun, it is time to take a break and to leave for awhile. That works really good and I am really enjoying my time away - purifying my brain, reconsidering what is important and having time to do things I haven't done in awhile because of all the time wasted on Facebook. Try taking a break, you will go back refreshed.

This essential oil can be seen in my eBay store using the keywords Young Living Essential Oil. (Herbscraftsgifts.com)

Wildwood Casino & Gold King Mountain Hotel

2014-04-13T11:00:00.000-06:00

Cripple Creek is on old mining town and is 1 of 3 little towns allowed to have gambling - slot machines & tables - in Colorado. All the casinos are small, quiant and about an hours drive from Colorado Springs. It is about 11,000 feet above sea level and the views are like we are at the top of the world with a long snow covered mountain range off in the distance.

We made a last minute decision to go up to stay over night. I called a few different hotels and confirmed at the Gold King Mountain Hotel. We have stayed here before with points earned, so it was free. But this time we had to pay $72.00 and had a lovely room on the 2nd floor. It was as nice as any hotel we have stayed at all over the country. Even had a mint on the pillows! The rate included a free buffet breakfast = value $15.00 for the 2 of us. The hotel is off site from the casino and there is a shuttle to go anywhere in the town.

The 1st call I made for reservations was to the hotel at the Midnight Rose /JP McGill's / Brass Ass. I was told the rate was $92.00 plus a $50.00 security deposit. I asked what for and he said incidentals. Needless to say I was taken aback. Can't remember ever staying any place that required a deposit like that. Me - "What incidentals"? He couldn't give me a valid answer. So I told him that eventuality they have had theft and damage to the rooms and now require that deposit. Since that is the case it was not anyplace I wanted to stay.

We had a lovely time, I won $121 on a Phantom of the Opera penny slot machine at the Century Casino. A short trip like that, for less than 24 hours, is a great mini vacation without having to go so far from home.

We have many Casino related items available in my eBay store (Herbscraftsgifts.com) under the title Casino

Warning for All Meetup Organizers

2014-04-12T19:34:00.000-06:00

This is a heads up to any Meetup Organizer to learn from my experience. Our group was approached by a speaker who wanted to visit the group from out of town and would paid their own way but it took alot to get the details / dates nailed down.

4 different folks warned me that this person has taken advantage of meetup organizers, from all over the country, but I was put into a position where I was unable to refuse the request. I looked to see if there had been any promotion, and if there was, it was minimal and I did not see any mention on their Facebook group.

They requested that I not only publicize the speaking date but also a workshop that was scheduled for the next day.

We were able to get several who paid alot for the workshop along with another 5 who signed up for a larger conference for several hundred dollars per person.

The impression was given that the speaker felt that they were doing us a favor by offering to speak to the group but in fact their reputation preceded them, which kept my members away.

Now, I feel taken advantage because there was no gratitude shown or acknowledgement for the work done to secure a good turn out for the meeting or for the workshop.

THE LESSON - Always research any requests from speakers and go with your gut feeling or if you are warned about drama surrounding a potential speaker refuse the request.

And if by chance you do accept the speaking engagement be sure you have an arrangement before hand to collect a commission on all money raised from your event(s).

The cutey Police Officer Rubber Duck is available in my eBay store (Herbscraftsgifts.com) under the title - Rubber Duck Police Officer State Trooper Badge Smokey Hat New

Getting to Know You

2014-04-10T11:07:00.000-06:00

Recently we attended an eBay event in Denver. Most of the folks there were eBay sellers from the Denver / Colorado Springs area. Anytime we have attended one of these events we have come away energized and ready to tackle the world.

So too this time. Talking with eBay staff, listening to their presentations and vising with other online sellers is so refreshing. Working for ourselves at home can be a lonely task. But knowing others that are facing the challenges makes ours seem minimal.

I think it is important for anyone who works in any profession, especially from home, to interact with people in the same business and of like mind, even if it requires a mini vacation to attend such a gathering.

The plate pictured above is currently available in my eBay store (HerbsCraftsGifts.com) with the title - Getting To Know You King & I Plate Collector NIB Vintage Brenner Kerr COA

Home Depot Kids Day

2014-04-10T10:50:00.000-06:00

We just learned that Home Depot had a kids Day the 1st Saturday of each month.

It is so cute - they get a bright orange apron and a pin and a project to do for free. In March they made a bird house and now in April a bird feeder. Each project has been sponsored by a new Movie so each item has stickers. The pin is from the movie too.

Our grandson loves going and is so proud he gets to nail, hammer, sand, screw, tie, glue, put on decals etc.

The hours are from 9 -12 but each project seems to only take an hour or so. I am told that kids come in at anytime.

So if there is a Home Depot near you take the kids. They will also meet and make new friends.

Isn't that Pooh Bear the cutest? He is a handyman but because he is holding a little teddy bear I am calling him Grandpa's Helper. :) He can be seen in my eBay Store (HerbsCraftsGifts.com) under the title - Handyman Grandpa's Helper Winnie Pooh Bear Hammer Dog Yellow Cap Disney Store 8" Doll Bean Bag Stuffed Animal

Beware Empty vs Not Full - word play

2014-04-09T14:59:00.001-06:00

I have been caught up in semantics the last week and these containers are a great example of what I am experiencing. Are they empty or not full? Same thing really but different wording means different things to many people. Empty could mean there is nothing in them while Not Full could mean there was something in them and there isn't any more. And then could that be interpreted as new vs used.

My experience with eBay has been a long one and one question I always ask myself who is my buyer and what words do they use to search for a certain item.

When I can answer that question I pretty much have my title. As an eBay seller it is my job to be sure my titles and descriptions are void of any words that can be misconstrued.

Facebook is full of misinterpretations and twisted meanings of words & sentences. And once that happens the snowball starts rolling down hill, gathering all the negativity and drama it can conger up.

So beware how you say things, what you post anywhere on the internet. There are those just waiting to pounce.

These containers are currently listed in my eBay store with the title - 2 Spice Containers 1 oz Seeds Powder See Through Lid Stainless Crafts Beads

What eBay sellers should expect from 11/20 to 12/15

2013-11-27T07:08:00.000-07:00

What sellers should expect from 11/20 to 12/15

If it is a Christmas / holiday item it should be listed.
Auctions should be listed with Buy it Now. Buyers may not want to wait for an auction to end and are willing to pay a little more for their treasure.
Have all your shipping supplies on hand. Nothing worse than a last minute order and you have to search for mailing supplies like a box or priority envelope.
Expect buyers to be anxious for delivery. Ship quickly and offer 2 ways to ship with one of them being an expedited service (priority or priority express).
Some sellers shut down around 12/15 until the beginning of the New Year. It is important to remember that many people are off work, out of school, on vacation, may be stuck inside because of weather, etc. and have time on their hands to browse and hopefully buy. Many may scale back on their business activity but are readily available to answer questions and to ship sold items.
Sales slow drastically after the 15^th so that is a perfect time for sellers to get ready for the 1^st quarter onslaught of sales.
January has always been a very good month for sales. Folks may not have gotten what they wanted or they have money or gift cards to spend. It is the time they buy for themselves and fulfill their collections, jewelry, media or clothing.
And finally enjoy the ride. This is the season sellers work towards all year. Learn from it and plan accordingly for the next holiday selling season.
And please visit our eBay store. Thanks

Brussel Sprouts

2013-11-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

I have always liked eating Brussel Sprouts but never thought about how they grow. While we were living in New York we would go to the farm stands on the eastern end of Long Island. One day there was the Brussel Sprouts on the stalk. Wow - Who knew!!

Last week we saw this at our local Safeway. What a pleasant surprise.

So I just break them off and use a few at a time.

And please visit our eBay store.

How I cook our perfect Thanksgiving Turkey

2013-11-19T11:34:00.000-07:00

I am a self taught cook and have perfected our turkey. My Irish grandmother always used Salt Pork on the bird .

I truss it with butcher twine and slip the slices of salt pork under the string so the whole breast, wings & legs are covered. I start roast it according to the directions on the package, but typically I do it at 425 degrees for 1 hours and then lower to 350 until it reaches 165 degrees. It might take longer because I put the stuffing inside the bird. After the 1st hour the salt pork starts to melt creating juice in the bottom of the pan. I baste the turkey and then continue to bast every 45 minutes.

When the salt pork looks like it is pretty well cooked, I remove it and set aside.


It will look like a naked jay bird - hee hee. Baste again and now the skin will start browning. Continue cooking and basting alittle more ofter. If the skin looks like it is getting too dark, I make a loose tent with aluminum foil.

Take it out of the oven and set aside to rest.

I then make the gravy from the pan drippings. Here is the blog I wrote to make wonderful, smooth, tasty gravy without all the fuss the TV chefs put into it. ;))

And please do not forget to visit our eBay store.

Homemade Applesauce - Jonathan Apples

2013-10-16T15:57:00.001-06:00

Fall is the time for Apples and there is nothing better than home made apple sauce. I don't use a recipe because it is so easy.

These were Jonathan Apples. Add alittle water so they do not stick until the juice starts to come out. Add a squirt of lemon juice so the apples do not turn brown (Sometimes I use Fruit Fresh instead.) If desired add cinnamon sticks while they are cooking.

Cook until they are very mushy. Remove cinnamon sticks.


The tool on the right is invaluable. You want the core out, but peel left on. Process the cooked apples in a food mill. The red skins will give the apple sauce a pink color. Add sugar and more cinnamon, if necessary or wanted.

Please see lots of great recipes on my Pinterest boards.

Grill Roasted (Charred) Potatoes

2013-10-12T10:34:00.000-06:00

When I was growing up on Long Island, NY our house was surrounded by old maple trees. In the fall we would rake the leaves, make big piles and burn them in the gutter. (Back in the 40's & 50's there were no laws / rules to prevent us from burning the leaves).

I don't know how it started, but my grandfather would throw a few potatoes into the fire. They would cook while the leaves were burning.

When they came out of the ashes they were all black and charred but the inside was so light and fluffy. They added butter and salt and the taste was indescribably good - Soft, buttery, smokey. Yummy.

We wanted to recreate that for my kids so we do them on the grill until they are very black and soft inside. It is impossible not to get some black ash in the bowl, when we scoop them out, but a little carbon never hurt anyone and any dirt is burned off.

When we do them depending on the size of the potatoes, we do 2 -3x more than we would for a normal meal. Alot of the flesh gets cooked to the skin so there is less volume when they are done. Try this method of cooking potatoes when the grill is on. You will be surprised how good they are.

Please visit & follow me on Pinterest

Pinterest and the eBay Seller

2013-10-08T09:49:00.001-06:00

As an education Specialist, I am always trying to help my students in becoming successful eBay sellers. A few weeks ago eBay announced some changes to their user agreement.

One thing that will impact sellers is that eBay wrote not all listings will appear at any given time. It is unclear exactly what that means, but to me it means I must help myself by doing self promotion of all my treasures that are for sale on the eBay site. Just like the blog I wrote on bumping - Pinterest is a big part of my daily tasks. I really believe none of us can rely solely on eBay to bring visitors to our eBay stores.

Assuming one belongs to Pinterest and knows their way around here are a few hints that I think have helped me and others to make more sales

** Keep in mind, first and foremost, Pinterest is a social site and you do not want to blast your followers with ads of your product;
** Having said that tho', 1 listing for every 5 other kind of pins is OK;
** I like to spread out my postings through the day, not all eyes are looking at the same time;
** There is one board called "eBay - Today's New Listings". Every day I post brand new listings that went live yesterday;
** Many times I have been surfing the main board and have seen an image of something I have waiting to be listed. I pin it to a special board called "eBay for Research". Then I can go back later and get more details when I am ready to list that item;
** I belong to several groups on Facebook and there are postings all the time of things folks found that sold for more than one would expect. I pin those items to a private (secret) board called "BOLO" = Be on the Lookout! (I share that list with the members of my Meetup Group at every meeting);
** When pinning, anything, make sure you add some keywords in the description. Anyone can search for those keywords right on Pinterest. The Search Engines are looking at them too;
** The boards - I have ones just for listings by subject but other folks have them by color, style, season, holiday or whatever. And my product boards are mixed in amongst the recipes, travel, holidays, etc. boards;
** Arrange the boards for eye appeal. I have mine sorted in alphabetical order (for the most part) so I can find them. My group boards are separate at the bottom and boards I want alot of attention on, are 1st.

** This is just a start to make Pinterest a resource for promoting listings. I do have a group on Facebook to talk about Pinterest and to help stay updated.

Please visit my boards and if we are not friends please follow me and I will follow back. Thanks.


HerbsCraftsGifts.com

Email for student info Herbscraftsgifts@gmail.com

Pumpkin Should have been 100 Pound-er!

2013-10-04T16:54:00.001-06:00

The middle pumpkin should have been a record breaker. LOL

Last year we planted seeds for huge 100#pumpkins and not one sprouted. This year we did not plant any and one volunteer came up all by itself in late July.

After all the rain in Aug. and Sept. there was only one that developed and is over 20 pounds.

If it had started earlier we think it would have had a better chance of being a big one.

The stem is what is so interesting about this guy. It would have been big enough to support a huge one. Notice Gene's finger next to it.

A little mousey or squirrel started nibbling on it so we harvested alittle early.

Besides saving the seeds for next year, do we carve it, use it for a decoration or cook it!!??

Roasted Tomato Pizza (Pasta) Sauce

2013-09-30T11:41:00.000-06:00

Roasted Tomato Pizza (Pasta) Sauce

Another recipe I found on Pinterest. After it cooled my son tasted it and said, don't want this to sound not nice but it tastes --- and I said commercial! He said yes, it was that good, well rounded and rich. Recipe is at the bottom of photos so it can be copied & pasted in it's entirety.

4 pounds Plum tomatoes halved

Mixed with the herbs and other ingredients

After they have been roasted.

Next was to process them in a food mill.


The finish product, which we then canned in a water bath. This made 3 pints.

Roasted Tomato Pizza (Pasta) Sauce

Some of the ingredients seem odd but when all added together you can not tell they are there.

4 pounds Roma tomatoes, or other ripe tomato (if using other tomatoes de-seed and try to get rid of as much excess liquid.)
½ cup diced onions
3-4 anchovy filets from a can (optional)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon fresh oregano minced
1 tablespoon fresh basil minced
1 tablespoon fresh mint minced
¼ teaspoon hot pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dry marjoram
1 teaspoon salt

To add after roasting -

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
2 tablespoons agave nectar (honey may be substituted)
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon melted butter
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cut each Roma tomato in half the long way. If using other tomato types, remove core and discard. Then cut them in half from top to bottom.
In a large bowl place tomato halves, diced onion, anchovy filets, garlic, oregano, basil, mint, pepper flakes, marjoram, salt and oil. Toss to combine then pour out onto a sheet pan. Arrange tomato halves cut side up and roast uncovered for one hour. Remove from oven, flip tomatoes and roast for 30 more minutes.
(Note: different tomato varieties have different water content. The above step should be monitored. You are looking for a good deal of the water content to evaporate but not burn the tomatoes)
Using a food mill, process the cooked tomatoes and all liquid through the mill, discarding seeds and skin left in the mill.
To the pureed tomatoes, add the remaining ingredients - tomato paste, agave nectar, onion powder, butter and Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and adjust seasoning. Use on your favorite pizza or can for later use.

Turkey Wing Whisk Broom

2013-09-20T13:12:00.000-06:00

We found this in my Mom's house and had no idea what it was until we went to list in on eBay. Well I take that back, I knew it was a whisk broom but that is all. Turns out it is a Turkey Wing Whisk broom.

This one has a tag that says Lucern, so I assume it was made in Switzerland.

They are made by taking all the straw and bunching it together to make the handle. Then letting it flare at the other end This one is tied with red nylon string with a plastic cap on the end.

In my research I found out that Ben Franklin used this style broom to help promote his vision that the Turkey be the National Symbol.

Never know what we will learn in our research for eBay. LOL

Pine Tree Stump as a Planter

2013-09-16T16:47:00.003-06:00

View from our front window looking out at where our 60 year old, 70' Colorado Blue Spruce once stood.

Back in June I wrote how we hollowed out a pine tree stump and made planter. Now 3 months later the flowers are growing and blooming.

White Cosmos, pink Zinnias

Morning Glories, Marigolds

Thistle

Trumpet Vine climbing, bright green is Sweet Potato

Drainage hose under morning glory vine

Mums, Geraniums, decorative grass and Sweet Potato vine

We remember 9-11-01 12 years later

2013-09-11T10:04:00.001-06:00

On this 12th anniversary of this most horrible event, Sept. 11, 2001, I wonder how many are functioning and saying it is put behind us, but the fears from the moments and days immediately following that tragedy are not far below the surface for so many of us?

We were living in Franklin Square and I guess about 20 miles or so from ground zero (line of sight) and watching a morning show, when it turned to a news alert. When we went out of the house there was the smoke to the west. Within an hour or two we heard sirens of emergency vehicles on the main road 1 block from our house. The sirens were constant for hours so we went to go see what was happening. There were emergency vehicles coming in from eastern Long Island (more than 60 miles away) to be staged at Belmont race track. Fire trucks, fire chief cars, ambulances and rescue equipment, etc. We knew what happened, but were so afraid of what they were not telling us. Was there more?

Belmont Horse Race Track is just over the border from Queens, NY (about 3 miles from our house). Since all fire and rescue vehicles from Queens and Brooklyn were in the city at ground zero, the other equipment was being staged in the parking lot to be dispatched to local emergencies if or when they were needed.

As days went by we heard stories of survivors. One such story was while I was having my nails done by a lady who told me her husband worked on the top floor. He pushed himself into the elevator before the building collapsed. When he got to the bottom, the doors of the building were being closed not to let anyone onto the subway - and yet again he forced his way out and had to pull the doors of the subway car open to get onto the last train out of that station.

Everyone on his floor was lost and he was suffering with "why was I spared"? So not only did the families of those who were killed suffer so are the survivors and their families.

7 members of our church - St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church were lost. The actual church only holds 400 so for the funerals, audio speakers were set up in the school auditorium and many speakers outside on the street. The inside of the buildings and outside on the street was packed with over a thousand folks in all sorts of uniforms - fire - police- military and regular folks, like us, just there to pay our respects.

2 firetrucks with their high ladders extended formed a point from which a huge American flag flew. When the casket was carried from the church it was placed on the back of the fire truck for it's trip to the cemetery. We were told that traffic stopped all along the way as the truck passed.

After everyone came out of the church, the NYC Police helicopters flew over with the missing man formation. There were 2 trumpeters echoing each other, playing taps.

We were at all 7 funerals and Mayor Guilanni and the police chief was at each and every one. Even now writing this it brings back tears to my eyes!!!

Another thing I need to share too - Some folks went into an dollar store in our small town and the owners/staff/family were all cheering - celebrating while they were watching the replay. I don't mean to judge all dollar store owners, but just sayin' that one group was happy!!

And so on the anniversary of the day that impacted our lives we need to remember a few things - one the fear of the unknown and what would or could happen next - if anything. Our kids think we are over exaggerating being cautious / aware, but on the other hand - why not? What does it hurt to be prepared?

And lets also remember those few days/ weeks afterward and how we were all united as one people suffering for all the lives lost, the damage to families and our nation. No matter what event we went to - everyone stood and sang God Bless America with pride and conviction. And of all that has been said and will be said that is a very profound memory to come away with.

Lastly but really foremost our prayers go to the families directed impacted by this tragic event, not only in NY but all over this country.