Month: June 2019

I like to build things. I like using power tools. I like precision measurement and swinging a hammer. And who doesn’t like helping those less fortunate get a leg up? This suggestion was perfect for me! For months and months I perused the Habitat for Humanity website. I registered to receive emails. I was alerted every time there was a walk-on volunteer opportunity near me. I just couldn’t seem to pull the trigger. Yes, there are things even I don’t want to do alone.

Fast forward to a fun Memorial Day party at Suzanne and Rob’s this year, dinner conversation with their friend Dave turned to retirement and building stuff. You know, as it does. Dave has volunteered for HFH and with a bit of wine-induced courage I told him I was all in the next time he volunteered. A few days later I learned Dave would be working on a house in Patchogue and I couldn’t sign up fast enough.

On the day of the “build” I arrived at 8:45, met the site foreman, and was outfitted with a bright pink hardhat, gloves and eye protection. Did you know that three people a day lose their eyesight on a construction site? Neither did I. I put those glasses on.

With Zoe and Dave

My first job was to help dry vac a small basement flood with the site supervisor – lovely 23 year old Zoe who kicked serious ass. I installed roof baffles, basement insulation, moved flooring materials, organized pieces of siding, wielded a screw gun to construct and install window covers and generally tidied up. None of it was glamorous, all of it was rewarding.

And for those as interested in the homeowner’s responsibility as I was, here’s the deal: the single mother of four who will receive the house is financially vetted, takes on a $100k interest free mortgage and is required to put in “sweat equity” by working on the house herself.

Suggested by MaryEllen Brandt
Completed 6/4/19

This may not seem like a major accomplishment. In fact it wasn’t even on my list until the night June and I went to meet Rick and Trish and their friends at Nisen for happy hour. Now I don’t eat fish. ANY fish. No, not even shrimp or lobster. If it comes from the sea, it does not enter my mouth. Ok, tuna. Which I am convinced is caught in cans with giant magnets.

I digress. I’ve never been to Nisen Sushi, basically because…well, why? However, I was pleasantly surprised at how awesome their happy hour is, and what a cool vibe this hidden gem in a strip mall sandwiched between Cabo Fresh and TJ Maxx truly is. So, the drinks were flowing, some appetizers were ordered and I thoroughly enjoyed the Kobe Sliders and Meatballs. Then came the sushi. Then came the dare. I told Trish that if she added it to my list, I would have no choice but to eat it. She did and I immediately regretted it.

So there I was, chopsticks in hand, directions received (dip in soy sauce, shove the whole piece of sushi in my mouth, eat a piece of ginger) facing a Volcano Roll – Chopped Tuna, Caviar (!!!), Spicy Cream Aioli, and Sliced Avocado. I took a deep breath, mustered up an amount of courage that shouldn’t be necessary to eat sushi, and popped it in my mouth. Verdict – it was DELICIOUS. Oh my God, do I like sushi? Who am I?

Suggested by Trish Carpenter
Completed 4/19/19

One beautiful summer day last year enjoying time around the pool, my longtime friend LeeAnn chimed in to add to my growing 60 x 60 list: “How ‘bout a polar bear plunge? I’ll do it with you!” (This from a woman who carries a sweater in August in the event the temperature dips below 90.) Still, I believed her.

In January 2019 I began to research upcoming plunges. I decided on the Town of Oyster Bay Polar Plunge because it benefits the Special Olympics, an organization dear to my heart. I have a beautiful nephew with Downs Syndrome who is a Special Olympic athlete. I also volunteered years ago at our high school for a day of competition and I was blown away by the excitement, focus and pride of the athletes.

So having found my plunge, I informed LeeAnn of the date and told her to register online to join me on team WBLI. Surprisingly she balked, but I was in. I did my due diligence and hit up all my friends and family for money. Thanks to the wonderful people in my life, I raised over $1700 – the second highest amount for my team behind captain and WBLI DJ Andrew Sykora (Syke on Air). So that was awesome. I did such a good thing. I felt so proud. But there was one thing left…

On the morning of March 16th with June and Craig in tow and wearing a bathing suit under layers of clothes, we headed down the neverending Ocean Parkway en route to Tobay Beach. Suddenly I was regretting this with every ounce of my being. With the temperature in the mid 40’s and the windchill way below that, I signed in, learned they weren’t aware of anyone actually dying during the plunge (weren’t AWARE!) and went to meet my team captain. Syke was wonderful. He applauded my fundraising, took some photos and convinced me I wasn’t going to die AND I got a great big surprise when I saw my friends Jill and Jeanne come to support me!

Then came the actual plunge. Stripping out of my toasty clothes I donned a bright pink tutu and sparkly mask (of course) and trotted my sorry butt into the frigid Great South Bay. As luck would have it, the tide was WAY low and the plunge was more of a splash, but I wasn’t complaining. I did the “old lady” splash, got myself sufficiently wet and exited quickly. Done!

Suggested by LeeAnn Tocci
Completed 3/16/19