Plenty to Choose From: FIREWORKS 2016 in the Great State of New Jersey !

I have been on my estrogen suppressing medication now for a little over a month and will stay on it for 5 years-   (Anastrozole (marketed under the trade name Arimidex by AstraZeneca) is a non-steroidal^[3] aromatase-inhibiting drug approved for treatment of breast cancer after surgery, as well as for metastasis in both pre and post-menopausal women. The severity of breast cancer can be increased by estrogen, as sex hormones cause hyperplasia, and differentiation at estrogen receptor sites.^[4] Anastrozole works by inhibiting the synthesis of estrogen)  

So far, I have not noticed any side effects but do have a small rash on my arm which I am not sure if that is related on not. I also recently took a bone scan of my entire spine to rule out bone cancer and will get the results of that next week when my radiation oncologist returns form vacation. There is a good possibility that it won't be conclusive and will need more tests like an MRI of my spine. 

Overall I am doing quite well and have started my fireworks "see all that I can see" annual mission. Harold and I went to Princeton's Alumni fireworks around Memorial Day weekend and Janet and I went to the Mann for Tchaikovsky with Fireworks- This year we will be fortunate enough to stay close to home because there are 2 nights of fireworks on the Delaware River. LUCKY US!!  Friday & Saturday.  See detailed list below!

Monday July 4th is the Art Museum.  I will be sticking closer to home for many displays like Marlton who usually has great fireworks along with Medford at Freedom Park at 6:00 pm on Friday, July 1st!

Dates: 

• July 1, 2016 at Dusk
• July 2, 2016 at Dusk

Where: Penn's Landing Great Plaza
Columbus Boulevard between Market and Walnut Streets 
City/State/Zip: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
Event Details:

Two nights of music and fireworks; on Friday it’s the Philadelphia Orchestra and Saturday, the United States Army Band play patriotic music followed by huge fireworks displays!   The Philadelphia Orchestra Neighborhood Concert & Fireworks                  Date: Friday, July 1, 2016     Time: 8 p.m. Location: Great Plaza @ Penn’s Landing, 101 S. Columbus Blvd. | Where to Watch Map Now in its 9th year, the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra will perform a FREE Neighborhood Concert on the RiverStage at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. Following the orchestral show, enjoy a land-side fireworks display on the Delaware River Waterfront.  US Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Concert & Fireworks Date: Saturday, July 2, 2016 Time: 8 p.m. The US Army Band “Pershing’s Own” has delighted audiences with their rousing and rollicking renditions of old standards, new hits and patriotic tunes. The group returns to the Delaware River waterfront this year for another highly anticipated performance. Also highly anticipated: the huge fireworks display that will follow.

4th Of July Fireworks At Washington Crossing Historic Park: 

For the first time in more than 20 years, there will be Fourth of July fireworks at Washington Crossing Historic Park. For the first time in more than 20 years, there will be Fourth of July fireworks at Washington Crossing Historic Park.

The festivities get underway July 4 at noon. The daytime celebration will be capped off at dusk with fireworks – the first pyrotechnic display in the park in more than 20 years, park officials said.

During the day, attendees can watch living historians demonstrate their crafts, tour historic buildings, and see a military encampment.

The Declaration of Independence will be read at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. At dusk, the fireworks will be visible in the large field diagonal to the park’s Visitor Center.

Admission to the daytime event is $8 for adults (age 12 and over), $4 for children (ages 5-11) and free for those under age five. All proceeds support educational and historical programming in the park. The fireworks are free.   The rain date for the fireworks is July 8. The daytime events on July 4 will be held rain or shine.  Refreshments will be available for purchase.  Washington Crossing Historic Park is located at Routes 32 and 532. To stay up-to-date on what is happening in the park, visit WashingtonCrossingPark.org.

Valenzano Winery
Shamong, , NJ
Sunday, July 3, 2016 | 10.00-15.00
5:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Join us on Sunday July 3rd for our 5th Annual Independence Day Fireworks Festival. This year will be our biggest fireworks display ever & we will be making the event much more comfortable by limiting ticket sales. A limited number of tickets will be sold online only. Call: (609) 268-6731

Cherokee High School
Marlton, , NJ
Monday, July 4, 2016 | 
7:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Come to Cherokee High School starting at 7:00pm on Monday, July 4th, to enjoy food and drink from local vendors, then enjoy the fireworks display beginning at 9:30pm.  Info

Water Works Field
Florence , , 
Monday, July 11, 2016 | Free
9:00 pm - 10:30 pm

On Saturday, July 11, fireworks will be displayed at 9:10 p.m. at the Water Works Field.

Etra Lake Park
East Windsor, , NJ
Saturday, July 2, 2016 | Free
6:00 pm

All area residents are invited to attend the 2016 East Windsor Township Independence Day Celebration! Live Music and Fireworks! Rain date Sunday, July 3. Info: 609-443-4000, ext. 400

Trenton Thunder

Arm & Hammer Park
Trenton, , NJ
Sunday, July 3, 2016 | 
7:00 pm

Celebrate the 4th of July a day early with the Thunder! Take in the awe-inspiring majesty of our post-game fireworks spectacular after the game set to a Patriotic musical theme! Tickets: 609-394-3300 ext 101

Solberg Airport
Whitehouse Station, , NJ
Friday, July 29, 2016 | 20.00-35.00
1:00 pm - 10:00 pm

The largest hot air balloon and music festival in North America. It has 2 hot air balloon ascensions per day of nearly 100 special shapes and sports, concerts, non-stop family entertainment, hundreds of crafters and vendors, great food, fireworks, a balloon glow, and more. (800) HOT-AIR-9

The QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America and is the premiere family entertainment attraction in New Jersey.  It holds the dual distinction of being a recipient of The New Jersey Governor's Award for Best Special Event, as well as being designated, for the 6th time, as a Top 100 Festival in North America by the American Bus Association.

Held annually at Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ, the festival truly has something for everyone!  From twice daily mass ascensions of over 100 special shape and sport hot air balloons, to headlining concerts, non-stop family entertainment, hundreds of crafters and vendors, great food, fireworks, a balloon glow, a 5k run and more, the festival is jam-packed with stuff to do.Held annually at Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ, the festival truly has something for everyone!  From twice daily mass ascensions of over 100 special shape and sport hot air balloons, to headlining concerts, non-stop family entertainment, hundreds of crafters and vendors, great food, fireworks, a balloon glow, a 5k run and more, the festival is jam-packed with stuff to do.

I Am Wonderful No Matter What.

Well, my mother knew how to get me off her back and it does seem as if she  knew the secret on motivation for me as well. To tell me that I have to do something works against every inch of my being- tell me to do whatever I want leaves me free to choose the right thing.

I can remember arguing with my mother for some type of privilege that I wanted - like going out with my friends to the movies on a Sunday evening- a school night, and she would tell me NO--- over and over again. No matter how much she said no, I would persist with a rebuttal again and again UNTIL she said her last words on the subject- "do whatever you want, I don't care anymore".  After that I would do exactly what she wanted me to do in the first place.   Well my mother must have been visiting with my therapist Gina. Last time I saw her I told her it was just too hard to change my eating and lifestyle habits- She asked me if I really had to- I said I knew it would be good for me but it feels so hard and I am feeling like a failure and I feel like I am letting everyone down if I don't change. She then said the magic words- "You don't have to, this is still your life, do whatever you want".  We talked some more and it became clear that I deserved to be happy and not feel like a failure. Feeling like a failure over not being able to change was weighing heavy on my soul and sending me into a depression. The last time I felt like a failure, I got very sick with a clinical depression.  I was hating the idea of not feeling capable of giving myself a better quality of life and a better chance of not having a reoccurrence of the cancer.  Well, once I heard that I did not have to do the right thing for myself or to make others happy with me, I felt free- What a release to not have to do something that was feeling impossible anyway.

I left feeling happy and accepting of my limitations and willing to give myself a break. She also pointed out to me that that I was correct in my perception, making changes when I was so deeply involved with treatment was indeed too hard......  The previous 7 weeks I was at radiation every weekday at 8:15 am for my treatment and then would work a full day and 2 or more times a week I would work in the evening. Whatever I could do during that time was certainly good enough.

So here it is- almost a month after my last radiation treatment and I have been successful at resisting my number one temptation- Ice cream- whether from a dairy bar or a drive through or the grocery store, I have not had ice cream for awhile. In fact, I have not gone through a drive through other than Dunkin Donuts for coffee and a breakfast sandwich...... it might not be much of an accomplishment for some but for me it is huge.  I am making better choices when I eat out also and staying away from eating red meat (except tonight- I am having calf's liver with Janet and Charlie). Also, I have been cooking. Last week I made a crockpot dish that was a vegetable lasagna without meat or noodles. Eggplant was used for the layers- there was spinach and zucchini in it too. It had some ricotta cheese in it but it was a step in the right direction. I cut up some fresh watermelon and have been taking some with me for work too. Today I made two servings of asparagus and salmon to take to work for lunch and tomorrow morning I am putting together a vegetable and chicken curry in the crockpot. I think slow cooker cooking  will be my saving grace.

I am also feeling motivated enough to go to a hot yoga class tomorrow evening. Boy oh boy. I like knowing I can do whatever I want and that I don't have to do anything in order to be loved and accepted and good. No need to feel sad anymore. I am wonderful no matter what.