Cosmo's Food for Thought

   Well it has been almost 4 months since my last post & yes life moves fast for sure.  We are settled into our new home & have already done some painting & cosmetics to put our own touches on it.  We are now as close as we can get to our family without moving in with them!  It is so comforting to have our Grandchildren so near & of course our Daughter & Son-in-Law.    I have been out of the Cafe for 7 months & while I feel some loss I know it was time for me to move on.  My back/leg issues continue & have even worsened.  Cooking for the 'boys' @ ATO has enabled me to ease up a little & certainly it is stress free.  The benefits of this job are that we get a week off for Thanksgiving, 4 weeks off for Winter break, 1 week off for Spring break & the Summer off!  That is as close to retirement as I will & want to get.  It is a great rewarding experience dealing with these young men because the interaction with them is priceless.     Last m

Today we officially move into our new Home.  We have been moving the boxes & little stuff all week so the move today should be an easy one.  Hey my motto is "65 & Still Alive"  There is no quitting on living until God calls me Home.  We are now even closer to our Grandchildren, so that's a good thing for sure.   I am into my 4th week cooking for the guys @ ATO & all is going well.  This is definitely less stressful than running a small business & I get to hand off all the expenses to someone else for a change!  The back still acts up @ times but so far very tolerable.    Today I need to especially give God all the Praise ~ Honor & Glory.  Thank you Jesus for taking our sin to the Cross & for Grace.... & Thanks to all who still follow this blog.....

   Well we are 1/2 way thru July & the journey continues.  It has been a nice Summer except for the couple of torrential rain storms & of course the near miss of a tornado!   Ella Mae has been busy trying to get ATO (the Fraternity) cleaned up & ready to roll for the fall semester.  We have painted the kitchen & a new ceramic tile floor is in!  Our oldest Grandchildren CJ & Daniele have also helped with cleaning & painting.  We both start back on the 'Hill' on August 18.  EM as the House Manager & I will now be the House Cook.  This will give EM a little more down time while still keeping the 'House' running smoothly.  This also frees her up from the physical needs of cooking & all the 'stuff' that comes along with it.  I consider this such a blessing that we can continue to work along side each other & still contribute our small part for the 'Guys'.  This will also be easier on my back & legs as the kitchen is s

   Well here goes a new phase in the journey since saying goodbye to the Cafe.   I delivered a 2014 Chrysler convertible to Palm Garden Florida and drove back a 2011 of the same make & model.  I left on a Tuesday morning & returned the following Sunday morning!  It was fun & different from what I had been used to these past 3 years.  I got to stop & spend some time with my Brother Pat & Sister-in-Law as they live near Orlando.   Kevin, who is the Manager @ Fayetteville Chrysler~Jeep 'hooked me up'.   He is a super friend & I am so thankful for this job.   It is on a when needed basis but at least it is allowing me to earn some money.  These past weeks I have been to Hudson, Elmira, Geneva, Rochester, Croton on the Hudson, Liberty & Sayre Pa!  EM comes along whenever possible, so how cool is that.      In mid August I am going to take Ella Mae's place @ ATO & cook for the 'boys'!  She will stay on as the house mana

  Philippians 3:12-14 Pressing Toward the Goal “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  __________________________________________________________________________________   Well a new journey begins on Thursday May 1!  The Cafe has a new owner, Matt Balamont!  Matt is a certified chef who I believe will take this place to the next level.  It's no secret to anyone who follows this blog or is a regular visitor of the Cafe that my spinal stenosis has left me not standing so upright @ times.  While I am seeking help it is something that will most likely alw

Wow what a Winter!  Let's hope that we will turn the corner soon.  March can sometimes provide us with 3 seasons and you all know what 2 we'd prefer.  The Cafe is still standing, although I sometimes am having trouble doing that myself... This almost hitting 65 is starting to set in.  Hey the bright side is I can get Medicare!  It would be nice to get checked up again as it has been awhile for sure.  I Still am thankful though for all that I have, including the ability to still get up & run this Cafe, aches & pains or not.  Well Happy Spring & St Patrick's Day to all.  Let's all pray for a warm Spring & a renewal of a warm Heart.  I know that I need God's grace everyday & am reminded that each day is also a new beginning!  Thanks to those of you who have supported the Cafe in both your actions & prayers. Also I must send out a special prayer for Michael, as he begins his next step in his journey.  Ella Mae & I love him as we know h

   A big thank you to the 27 Th Brigade @ Hancock Field for the huge order of 120 lunch boxes & 60 dinner plates this past weekend!  That was so cool that they thought enough of us here @ the Cafe to allow us the opportunity to prepare their food.       Happy Valentines Day to all, as Friday is the day.  Since it is all about the Love, I would like to send some out to all our friends &  customers.  As always thank you for your support & prayers, Ella Mae & I will always be grateful.

    Wow January is almost history & adios.  The cold, combined with Christmas bills, property taxes, this soft economy & dieting has made for a dive in business here @ the Cafe.  I can only hope February will get 'folks' back to a semi normal routine & make Cosmo's a must stop again.       Torrie,  is our new smiling face & she is a joy to work with.  The customers have really taken to her genuine friendliness & eagerness to please.  I am very grateful to have her join the team!        Ella Mae lost her brother Lynn this month.   He was why we took the quick trip to N. Carolina during our break here @ the Cafe in December.  We are so thankful that we had a chance to visit with him for a few days.  EM & Lynn had many meaningful hours together that she can now always recall when the sadness & grief creeps in every so often.  Lynn was EM's middle brother as she was the 'baby' in the family.  Lynn was only 67!   I also lost m

   Well as we move into this new year we can all be thankful that it is a 'new beginning'!  A fresh start & with just a quick passing glance at the past year before we move forward.  It's okay to stop & review as long as we learn & continue to grow.  My prayer is that I become even more appreciative of all that God has provided.  He is the God of 'Grace' & 'Mercy'.  No preaching,  just stating my love for Jesus who gave us all a door to go through for a place in eternity.  After all this earthly life is so fleeting.  So we all need to beware where we store our treasures.     The Cafe is now 2.5 years old!   The joy & love of working the Cafe has not faded & while at times I do falter, it is only for a slight recharge & attitude adjustment.  I am confident that this is the year we begin the turn around to stability & profitability.   I feel like I have 'paid my dues' & stayed the course so here we go!....