My son is an Eagle Scout!

What a week for Gage! First, I'd like to congratulate my son for getting his Eagle. He's worked so hard for it and had almost quit a couple of times due to circumstances beyond his control, but he persevered and it payed off! We are so proud of you. He also scored a car from his loving Abuela. I don't know who was happier about the car, him or my mom!

Gage earned 25 merit badges and completed a service project for the Springfield Rescue Mission with lots of help and support from friends and family. I won't tell you how I spent part of Monday and all day Tuesday (the day of his board of review) sewing patches that he should have received ages ago but hadn't. I also won't tell you how sore my finger and hands were by the end of the day. By the way, never use an embroidery needle to sew badges on a sash:) I'm not sure, but I think a bigger needle may have made the job a little easier...

Boy meets girl

Gail 1968

Bobby 1964

It was 46 years ago today that my hubby was born here in Springfield. I tell you that this guy was born smiling! He's always been a pretty happy-go-lucky kind of guy. Fastforward to 1991 and boy meets girl. The picture above is me. Yeah, it's me. I look like I'm waiting for something. I guess it was Bobby :]
Happy Birthday honey! Thanks for being such an amazing husband and father.. and most importantly, my bestfriend! I love you.

Enjoying the weather

Here are some pictures Mercedes took of the girls enjoying the amazing weather we've had!

High School Reunions

I was talking to my friend the other day and she said her husband received an invitation to his 20th high school reunion. My mind raced quickly, 'When was the last time I went to my reunion?' I realized that the only reunion I have attended was my 5 year. That's right. My class of 1986 was SO amazing it thought that a 5 year was a must. I was pregnant with Gage and feeling quite large and very sick. I wanted to make such a good impression. I was not a pretty girl in high school. I was pretty scary. Frizzy short hair, very skinny, thick glasses, and painfully shy. Don't get me wrong, I had people I socialized with. I had a couple of good friends and then there were the people that I felt kept me around as a mascot. I couldn't believe how much had changed in 5 years with so many of my classmates. Married, divorced and married again. People having moved out of the area and living in Boston or New York. But then again, there were many who were still in school, not much new in their lives. And those who hadn't really left high school at all. The food was great though!
I was tempted to post one of my pictures from school so you'd know I wasn't exaggerating, but my vanity won out. Not that I think I'm hot stuff now, but I do have better hair... and glasses.
I can't look at those pictures without feeling instantly transported back in time to a place I was not very comfortable in. Not in the school I attended and definately not the person I was back then. There is a part of me that is thankful that I have not been kept abreast of the reunion schedule. But then again, there is that very curious part of me that would love to know what is going on with some of those classmates of mine. I know you're thinking, 'That's what FaceBook is for!' But I don't want to go there. I like who I am now and I think I'm okay with looking ahead and not behind. At least, that is how I'm feeling tonight:) I have been known to be a little wishy-washy in the decision making department.
My friend was telling me her husband was feeling the very same way. He had made some decisions in his past that he was not too proud of and wanted people to see him now; to be able to see the changes he's made and how happy he is now. But with that also comes the chance that you'll run into people that may not see that and bring you down. I totally know how he feels.
So, do these feelings mean that I really haven't come to terms with my past? Why do I get so anxious at the prospect of seeing these people again? Could it be the stupid mistakes I've made or the lapses in judgement I've had? Why does it matter now??
I guess in the end it doesn't matter. I have an amazing husband, four great kids, a loving family and some pretty tight friends who love me no matter what. It really can't get any better than that!

30 Day Shred or 30 days of dread???

Last year sometime I noticed a few extra pounds that had somehow attached themselves to certain parts of my body. I noticed that going up and downstairs had somehow become a little harder. My pants and skirts were a little tight so I figured I needed to cut back on my Butterfinger addiction. At first it wasn't a big deal. Now, I've never really been one to workout. I had a brief time where I had lost my mind and decided to get in shape after I had had Mercedes. Putting on 45 pounds during that pregnancy was very sobering. Once the weight was off, I was done.
I've never had any real issue with my weight. I was blessed with a metabolism that allowed me to order two full dinners at restaurants, no doggie bag needed, and eat it all in one sitting. Yes, that did include an appetizer and most times a dessert. What can I say? I took full advantage of it. My friends used to ask me if I had a thyroid problem or if I had a tapeworm and if so, where could they get one. None of the above. I just had a Ferrari for a metabolism and I must say, I enjoyed it very much.
On New Year's Day, along with 8 million other Americans, I decided to set some goals. Along with 5 million others, I decided that losing 10 pounds would be a good idea. Those skirts and pants that were tight before were no longer fitting me at all. What??? I could pull them up to my thighs, but that was it. Yikes! I felt some panic. How does this happen? How do you wake up one morning and find that all your clothes shrank?
I decided I was going to take it slow. I don't like to sweat and I'm not an athletic person so I figured that I would take it easy. Work out slow. Well, after 3 weeks of 'taking it easy', I hadn't lost an ounce.
A friend of mine thought it would be fun to try Jillian Michaels', '30 Day shred'. Three levels, go at your own pace, and a friend to workout with sounded like it wouldn't be too bad.
Remember how I said I don't like to sweat? Well, this video is all about sweating. It is no joke, hard core, old school, Rocky-style, working out. At first, I thought that I would just plug along. Then I read the video cover that said "Lose up to 20 pounds!" Hello!!!! I would just have to work out two weeks and I'd be all set. I know, I'm funny huh? After the first workout, I weighed myself because I figured that the weight was just going to melt off. I expected results fast. Come on, I just spent 2o minutes killing myself. It should be that easy. Well, guess what? It wasn't. I worked out for two consecutive weeks and nothing. Not an ounce! Now I start to get scared. Am I just going to keep gaining? What is going on? I kept at it, but oh my was it hard! There were times I wanted to cry. Really! I was thankful to have someone accountable to or I would have just watched the videos and eaten my Butterfingers.
I'm not a very patient person. I expect things fast. Especially when I'm busting my hump.
I decided that I was going to continue to work out every day, no matter what. Even if it meant death, at least my husband would find something in my closet to bury me in and have it fit!
I'm happy to say, I lost 6 pounds on the 30 day shred and I earned every bit of good feeling I have for it. You really have to work that much harder when you don't have as much weight to lose, as say, 50 pounds. When your really overweight, it comes off faster in the beginning.
I have now graduated to Jillian Michaels' No more trouble zones. I still have about 3 pounds to go and then I'd like to do some sculpting. Of my muscles, of course.
I want to have a body to die for. And at the rate I'm going, I just might kill myself:) Jillian Michaels does not mess around. I think she gets a kick out of torturing people. I've never seen her show on t.v., but having used her videos, I can imagine how hard she must work those contestants. I feel bad for them. Then again, she does deliver. Wish me luck on getting in shape. In the meantime, I have a date with my video!

Ouch!

I injured my wrist over a year ago tiling my bathroom, which by the way, looks great! I went on a 72 hour, have-to-finish-it-or-else spree. Apparently the repetitive movement caused my Triangular Fibrocartilageneous Cartilage Complex, (what a mouthful!), or TFC, to tear. It happened in September of '08 but I didn't see a doctor until December of '08. I was given a cortisone injection and told to come back if it still hurt. After about a week, it felt much better and I was able to move it with minimal discomfort.
Fast forward to December of '09 and the pain came back with a vengeance while I was trying to unlock my front door with the key. I went in again to see the doctor last Friday and she explained that I was going to need surgery. One part would be easy, arthroscopy and the other would require a shortening of the ulna which would not be easy or painless. She decided to give me another cortisone shot to buy me some time. She also figured if it worked for so long the first time, maybe I'd get lucky a second time.
The first shot was uncomfortable but the second one was extremely painful. I wasn't able to use my hand (right, of course), for a couple of days. I was told to wait a week and if it didn't improve, I was to make an appointment for surgery.
I almost lost my right hand due to gangrene when I was about 11 years old. A surgeon who flew in from Florida, just to see me!, held out hope that it could be saved and low and behold I still have my hand! So needless to say, I'm very attached to my hand:)
Considering all the pain and suffering going on in this world every minute, I'm very fortunate that this is nothing in the grand scheme of things. I'm blessed with good health and good medical insurance! Please take this posting as nothing more than just an update in the life that is mine!
I have been doing some research on these procedures and I will be getting a second opinion. My week is up and the pain is still there.
In the meantime, (while I procrastinate making that phone call), I thought it would be fun to post a link to some literature on the procedure and maybe get some feedback.
Here it is : www.pncl.co.uk/~belcher/information/Ulnar%20osteotomy.pdf

Driver's License... Take 1 and 2

Gage has been waiting to get his license for two years. He got his permit when he was 16 and when we found out it was going to be close to $700 for Driver's Ed., we decided he could wait.
At the bottom of the page is a picture of Gage with his Pops and Madrina. He was nervous but very excited. Next pix up is the car he was going to take his road test in courtesy of his Madrina since minivans are an unacceptable vehicle for road tests. He waited in a long line, in cold weather, filling out his paperwork and anxious to get started.
The vehicle needs to be inspected and approved by the person giving the test and unfortunately the car was rejected because it did not have a hand emergency brake. Apparently in the state of Massachusetts it is mandatory for the car to have an accessible emergency hand brake which this car did not have. We had heard about it but we just weren't sure. Needless to say, Gage was just a little disappointed. He was just a couple of weeks shy of his permit expiring and was not happy to have to reschedule and find a car that would accommodate the commonwealth's unwavering commitment to keep its citizens safe.
My mom stepped up and volunteered her little PT Cruiser that just happens to have a law abiding brake. We also found out that the driving schools in the area will also be happy to rent a car to you along with a three day crash course and of course, a fee to use the car which came out to about $300. I think that the Commonwealth's unwavering support of the local driving school's business is amazing. I mean, to think that they would make sure that those driving schools not lose business is enough to make anyone cry. And people think that businesses are having a hard time staying afloat. Come on. With the government watching over them like this, who can go under?!?
Well, we rescheduled for the only date available before the expiration date (which was this Sunday), and he was able to get in for Friday.

Here he is. He looks so official.

He will be driving tonight to a dance at church with his sister and a couple of friends. I do trust him to be careful. Now he just needs to focus on paying for his part of the insurance on the van... and for gas..... and maintenance .... Oh Gage, congratulations and welcome to adulthood. Isn't it grand????

Ummm... where's the snow?

I have to laugh. I have no idea how predicting the weather works nor do I care to know. I just feel bad for the meteorologists when things like today happen. All we've been hearing for 24 hours is about this big storm that is heading our way and considering the fact that we've had a mild winter, this is going to be a big deal. Schools were cancelled, daycares were closed and some people were lucky enough to get to stay home from work.
At 5:00 am the news said the storm would be here around 7:00 am. Then at 8:00 am they said it's going to start any minute now. At noon they said not be caught off guard because the snow would be here any time now. It is now 4:45 pm and I'm thinking maybe God knew how much I was dreading the snow that He put our street in a protective bubble and is keeping us safe from the frantic snowstorm that is going on around us.
Hmmm.... Maybe it's one of those slow moving storms and it will hit hard tonight while we sleep. Got to love the media and all there hype. Even with the weather.

He's 18

Here is a picture of my two oldest children. I have to comment on what good sports they are. They were nice enough to pose with Santa for me.

Gage turns 18 on Tuesday and I've been thinking alot about the last 18 years and how quickly they've gone by. He is an amazing young man. He is polite, generous, courteous and extremely compassionate. I do realize how blessed I am to have such amazing kids.

Well, as I write Gage is at Springifeld Central High taking his SAT. He has been preparing for his test for the last few months and I've been praying all morning that he will do well.



He has decided to apply to STCC (a local community college) and do his first year there and then go on a 2 year mission for the church. I am so proud of how sincere he is. He has struggled with some of his studies. Not because they were too hard, but because he decided he wasn't interested in them. Now, I am a BIT of a control freak so it has been challenging not to be all over him and his studies. I figure he needs to learn responsibility, so I give him his space when it comes to school work and assignments. I'm hoping in the near future he'll appreciate the lessons I've tried to teach him.

Mercedes is technically in her senior year as well. She has kept up with Gage and has gotten two years ahead in her studies. She is more motivated at keeping up with her work. Or at least she was until the end of last year. She has slacked a little. She is also only 15. I'm in no hurry to send her off anywhere quite yet. I'm looking into summer online courses for her. Then we'll take it from there.

No one tells you how hard being a parent is. I don't think anyone can really tell you how hard it is. When they are little, they keep you running and moving. For the most part they listen and you know where they are. Then they become teenagers and all of a sudden it's a different kind of hard. They have opinions and they let you know them. You can't physically pick them up and put them in time out or make them go with you. You have to develop this unimaginable level of patience and reasoning. The bribes get bigger too. I never believed in bribing. I was old school and thought kids should do what's expected and that's that. That is when I had 2 children who were quiet and obedient. Now I have four and realize that kids come with their very one personalities and respond in their own personal ways!
I wouldn't trade any of it! I have grown in ways I never thought possible. My children help keep me focused and always striving to do better. They inspire me and I hope they feel the same... maybe some day!

Guys Movie Night

Bobby hosted a movie night at our house... actually it was in our basement. A good friend of ours gave us his big screen TV. He upgraded to a flat screen and we inherited his old one. It is an old school TV. It's big, I mean big. The only place I would have an electronic device that large would be the basement!
My hubby was very excited with the creation of the 'Man Cave' and I have to say the family has been enjoying it as well.
We thought it would be fun to do this every other month, but I don't know if anyone will come back. You see, the basement is not finished so it really is a cave and just as cold! I heard there were a few people that evening feeling the chill. These pictures were taken when everyone had arrived. Everyone is smiling. Now, picture everyone huddled under blankets after the movie starts and you'll get a clear picture of the rest of the evening. I asked someone who was there if Bobby had turned on the space heater and they said, "What??! You guys had a space heater??!!" I thought that was kind of funny. The guys were nice enough to say they had fun! Hope they come back...

Look at this face!!!!!

Look at this face!!!! Is he precious or what???:)
This is my youngest nephew Zachary Yeager. I have been waiting for my sister to send out birth announcements. After all, he is FOUR months old. I don't think it's happening, so as the oldest, I took the liberty of posting the picture.

This is 'Big Z' on Christmas Eve. Minus the drool on the chin and on the shirt, he is a Gap baby for sure!

My brother-in-law Eli doesn't like any nicknames for his kids so please don't share the 'Big Z' thing! ;)

Happy New Year!

I've always believed that the way you bring in the New Year sets the tone for the following year. This year Bobby and I were invited to chaperon a New Year's Eve party for the youth at our church. I was excited to help at first, but I have to admit that with the running around I did during the holiday rush, I started to wonder if I would have the energy.
I am so happy I helped out because I had a wonderful time! It was nice to have a wholesome, safe activity for the youth to participate in. There was music, dancing and a room set up for games and socializing. I won't talk about all the food there was either... (there was tons:)
It was a great way to bring in the New Year. I was sad that Mercedes was sick so she couldn't be there. She slept through the New Year hoopla so I'm hoping this year will be mellow for her (wink!)
For me, it was a chance to show my rusty, outdated moves and to release some serious pent up energy. I am anticipating a rocking 2010!!!!!
Hanging with the peeps... these girls know how to have fun

3...2...1... Happy New Year!!!

Celebrating an early Christmas Eve with our favorite Westside Family...

Christmas Eve at home

Helping Gage with his Eagle Scout project for the Springfield Rescue Mission was a great way to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Check out WGGB.com/Fox 61 and look for Gage. He was on the news Christmas Day for his project. He was able to collect items for over 50 gift bags for the mission and many donations for the shelter. Everyone was so gracious and thankful. We are also thankful. So many people donated selflessly and were willing to help out with anything that was needed! In the end it wasn't about the Eagle Scout project, it was about helping people and letting them know we care.

I know sometimes people think that during the holidays people want to help others to make themselves feel better, but I have to say that the holidays are the most important times to reach out and let people know that they are being thought of amidst all the holiday chaos. Many people are alone or lonely and any sign of caring speaks volumes.

This picture is a sample of the many, many people who made the project possible.

This picture was taken at the Springfield Symphony Hall. I took the chitlins to see the Nutcracker. We went with Nicholas and Noel Metzger and had a great time.

I am looking forward to an amazing year. I love the tradition of setting resolutions. I set one that lasted two days. That's right, two whole days :) But that's okay. I have a slew of resolutions to work on. One by one, one day at a time. I'll keep you posted and let you know how it works out! I'm going for a one week record and work my way up! Happy New Year! this one is going to be BIG!!!

Christmas Eve

It is 10:00 am and I thought I'd be up around 7:00 am to finish last minute things. I am still in my pajamas and trying very hard not to freak. We are supposed to be at my in-laws at 11:30 am and I'm not ready! Aalyia has a 102 temp this morning and looks beat up. Roci wanted me to help her finish her christmas gift for someone and I thought she had finished it already.
We are supposed to take a van full of items to the church for Gage's Eagle Scout project in order to assemble gift bags for the Rescue Mission tomorrow. Oh, did I mention a TV crew will be meeting us to interview Gage at 3:00pm?
I wanted the week before Christmas to be relaxing. I got my Christmas cards out the day before Thanksgiving. I started shopping back in October. I got my baking done last week and delivered. I even pared down my list so I wouldn't have 60 people to deliver to! ( Sixteen was the limit!)
We are entertaining about 26 people at 5:00 this evening at my home. I haven't even finished cleaning:) Did I mention I could use a shower??
So, here it is on the eve of the memory of the Savior's birth and I'm worried about what?
I asked Roci this morning what her favorite thing about Christmas was and she said she couldn't tell me it was presents and spending time with her family because I'd get mad. We had a talk about the atonement and about Jesus being born and she said she knew it was important and she was thankful for His sacrifice. I thought at that moment, 'Am I focusing on what is important???'
So, I am taking a deep breath and counting my blessings. I am so thankful for my Savior. I am thankful that I have a testimony of Him and that I know Him. I am thankful that 12 years ago, my son's simple question of 'Is there a Heaven?', and 'Will you always be my mom?', prompted my husband and I to ask questions and look for 'something', to look for truth. I am thankful to have learned and still be learning of the purpose of life. I am thankful for my family and friends and all the material things God has blessed me with that I am so not worthy to have. But, I do know that Jesus has made it possible. In return, I will work on being a good person and share my knowledge of the truth of Him.
Now, I am ready to go through the rest of the day and weekend focusing on my Savior and, I'm sure, having moments where I will regress and freak out about running out of drinks and why my kids don't seem to listen when their friends are over. But then, I will remember to turn my thoughts back to where they belong this season (and every day!), and thank my Father in Heaven for my amazing life. God bless you all and have a Merry Christams!

A visit with Leah

I have a friend from college named Joanne who is amazing! I am so grateful that we have formed a bond that has endured throughout the years! She is a great-aunt to a young girl named Alyiah (nickname, Leah) who is from Florida. Ever since my girls have been introduced to her, they have become the best of buddies.

Anytime Leah is visiting from Florida she asks to see my girls. Her parents drove out from Florida to be here for the birth of Sophia Riley, who happens to be Leah's new cousin. Well, as babies will do, Sophia took her time coming so Leah was left with some free time on her hands.

Joanne thought it would be fun to take the girls out to Yankee candle and treat them to some fun and food.

Roci and Aalyia have always wanted to make a hand wax mold so, of course, Joanne said sure!

This is my Aalyia's little hand. Isn't it small??

Here is Roci having hers taken off.

After the candle dipping, we went to Santa's workshop and closed the store there. We arrived around 5:00 pm so it gave us about an hour to tour the place and it was just enough time for the girls to enjoy playing around!

We went to Chandler's Tavern for dinner. The girls were very excited that Santa was having dinner at the Tavern and wanted to have their picture taken with him. Well, Santa was having dinner with 'select' customers that evening whom I'm sure paid a lot of money to have him all to themselves, but the girls would not be dissuaded. They stood behind his chair (while he was still visiting with the customers!), and patiently waited for him to finish so they could get their picture! Leah's mom, Elise, was the one who went with them and took the photo. She is brave because I know I didn't have it in me to be that courageous! Santa was very sweet and visited with the girls for a few minutes.

We had such a great time visiting with Joanne and her family. They were all so sweet. I felt bad for Emily, Joanne's niece, because she was the one expecting Sophia and she looked like she was ready :) Thanks Joanne for being such a gracious hostess! You've made some fun memories...

Salem Cross Inn

Yup! That thar is Prime rib!!!!
Bobby's company Christmas dinner was hosted at Salem Cross Inn in W. Brookfield, MA. It is a 600 acre inn that has theme dinners and is known for their Apple Pie (and incredible whipped cream!) The company flipped the bill for half so we thought this would be the only way to afford taking the whole family.

When you arrive at the inn, they send you to a waiting area in the basement where you have appetizers and take a sleigh ride. You are also served a spiced cider (which was way yummy), and you are able to help prepare the meal you will eat. The girls were able to help peel apples and watch this amazing lady assemble the giant pies. I didn't get a picture of the rolling pin, but it was BIG. If any wife hit her husband on the head with it, he'd be dead on the spot.

It was snowing out so the sleigh ride was on! It was a wet snow, so I opted to stay in by the warm fire while Bobby and the girls got soaked. But, Mercedes was willing to run out and get this picture for me!

Here is the nice lady putting one of the pies together. Did you see the pan to the right with the five hundred pounds of apples in it???

After the prime rib is done, they bring out this huge black kettle to make fish chowder. The audience was able to participate by stirring the pot and throwing in the ingredients. They had like 5 or 6 different fish!

Roci wanted to stir but found out very quickly how hot is was in that fire pit! I wish I had taken more pictures, but I was busy eating.

The inn hosts a murder mystery dinner and we are hoping to get a group together to go maybe next summer or fall!

Aalyia is growing up...

Here is a picture of my baby girl. Can you see her red eyes?? Those were caused by her mama.

She's had a lose tooth forever. When she first showed it to me I told her NOT to wiggle it. Why?? Because she's my baby, my youngest. It's bitter-sweet for me. Though I have NO desire to have another baby, I do want to enjoy my lasts; last first loose tooth, last learn to read, ride a bike, etc.

Well, Aalyia is a good listener and she did not wiggle her tooth. Her adult tooth was tired of waiting and decided to come up behind it. I know, I'm selfish. Anyway, I told her she needed to start wiggling it like crazy so her new tooth could come in straight.



SO, she started wiggling the little bugger and it wasn't really budging. Her sisters were giving her advice on how to get it out. 'Use a toothbrush and knock it out.' (that would be Mercedes),

'Let Mom pull it out.' I thought that one was a good idea. I've had lots of practice. Now, Aalyia is my most sensitive one. I don't mean she cries easily, she just really feels things deeply. She was uncontrollably sobbing at Merecedes' quincenera because she was so happy for her. She cries at sad parts in movies. She cried when Zachary was born. So, with her I try to remind myself to tread lightly because I'm not very patient. I decided to let her take her time. She was afraid of it hurting. Contrary to popular belief, I don't like to inflict pain. (Ask Bobby about his sunburn.)

After a few weeks, she started to complain about it hurting. I told her that since it is coming apart at the root that it would be sharp and would cut into her gum so it was going to feel sore.

On Sunday evening, I finally coaxed her into letting me start to wiggle it for her. She made me promise I wouldn't pull on it, just wiggle. I told her we could get some Coldstone ice cream if it came out. Well, we sat for about 2 hours chatting, wiggling, chatting, wiggling etc. We loosened it alot, but it wasn't coming out. Finally, I knew she'd had enough so I told her that we could continue on Monday and she should get some rest and, of course, I would still take her to get ice cream when it fell out. Well, Roci convinced her to give her a shot and she actually got it moving well. Aalyia came running to me and told me that she thought it was ready because Roci had helped her. Of course, I ask to see and I wiggled it and it was so loose that I just decided to pull it . Out it came and so did the tears! She told me it hurt. It was bleeding and Roci starts to yell, " Oh my gosh Mom! Look at all the blood!!' Aalyia had a panic look on her face and I tried to distract her by showing her the tooth. "Look honey! Look how tiny it is! Yea! Now it won't bother you anymore!' She tried to smile and wipe her tears as she cried.

Oh, how that broke my heart. I don't know if I'm a bad parent but when some of my kids cry it's like, 'Suck it up', and when others cry you want to just shrivel up inside.

Here is her before picture. She's so happy!

Now the tooth is out and she has it in a little zip lock baggie to show everyone. Now that the trauma is over, she is so thrilled! And she is patiently waiting to go to Coldstone Creamery after lunch today!

Something to be thankful for...

I received a frantic phone call around 9:00 am Saturday morning from my brother. The conversation went something like this:

Adrean: "Someone needs to get down here right now, someone hit our car." (Yelling)
Me: " Adrean??"

Adrean: " I said someone needs to get the **** here because someone hit us. Melisa and Eli aren't answering their phones. Why don't they answer." (more intense)

Me : " Are you downstairs??" ( I was very confused.)

Adrean: " NO! We are on Parker Street and some maniac flew over the median and we got hit... it's pretty bad."

Me: " Uhhh..... I will be right there. Where exactly are you?"(trying not to panic)

Adrean: "We're hard to miss. We are in the middle of Parker St. near Boston Rd. and Walgreens. (a little more calmly)

Me: " I'm on my way ( I can hear a man's voice and he sounds like he's arguing)

It took me seconds to dress and run out the door. My sister called me just a couple of minutes later telling me she was on her way there. I told her I'd meet her there and hung up. She called me back just a minute later to tell me the road was blocked and that the accident was pretty bad. She said that there were several police cars and many officers. There were also three ambulances and they were putting mom in one and she wasn't responding to the paramedics. She told me to park at the Circut City and I could just walk into the street.

All sorts of things rushed through my mind. I thought about how many times I make my kids give me a hug and kiss when they leave because, 'I could get hit by a bus, you know. It happens', or ' It's not far-fetched for me to have a heart attack and drop dead, I am over 40 you know'. I also try to keep that in mind when I'm upset with my husband for being a husband and he wants a hug and I won't give him one because I'm upset and, of course, I'm right and want to be acknowledged.

I also thought about the last time I spoke with my mom and how I was preoccupied cleaning something and not giving her my full attention. I couldn't even remember the last time I spoke with my brother. I thought about how much I miss my father and nephew and the last time I heard my mother-in-law laugh. She had a great laugh. I thought about spending this holiday as an adult orphan.

Then, I got very angry. Angry because why does it take a tragedy to wake us out of our routines and remind us how short life is? Why is it that we have these tragedies and sometimes they are only enough to wake us for a short time, only to have us fall back into our patterns.

I used to think I wouldn't be able to live if something happened to one of my children, and my sister has taught me that as much as you want to give up, life goes on and there are so many people who love you and still need you here.

My sister-in-law and husband showed me how important siblings are when you lose a parent and how comforting it is to have that connection together and be there for each other. My family showed me that no matter what issues you may have with each other that when you lose your father, we are here for each other.

So how can these painful lessons be pushed to the back of our minds only to have them crash on us in a moment of ugly reality???

I can't tell you how grateful I am that I did not lose my mom and my brother in this accident. Had my mom been just a little further ahead in the road, just inches, she could have been killed. The SUV smashed into the front driver's side and was sitting on the hood of the car. That's a little too close for comfort.

I still don't understand why some people survive some things and others don't. I don't believe God causes these things to happen. I do know, though, that He is here for us as long as we seek Him and ask for His presence in our lives. He comforts, loves, and is merciful. and for that I am thankful....

Our favorite Westside Fam

I would like to introduce my niece Jillian (above) and nephew Ben (below). Jillian enjoys playing soccer for West Springfield. Her team took 2 trophies at the end of the season; one for 1st place champs and the other for 1st place in the league. I knew those LONG legs would be good for something other than dancing! Way to go!
Ben's team, the Wolverines, did not win their last game against Agawam, although I hear they didn't go down without a fight!!! I must say he looks very striking in his uniform! Good job Ben and good luck next year!
I want them to know how proud I am of them and how blessed they are to have parents that are so dedicated. You don't know how lucky you guys are... then again, maybe you do;)

Ghosts of Halloween past....

I came across this picture the other day and decided it to use it as a screen saver on my desktop. I smiled and put it on not really thinking much about it at first.
I have now seen this picture more times than I can count in the last few weeks and just today I was overwhelmed with feelings of home.
I grew up in Long Branch, New Jersey and have missed it since we moved here back in '82. Long Branch is where I call home. I grew up minutes from a beautiful beach and an amazing boardwalk where people from all over would flock to on the weekends for sun, fishing and entertainment.
Long Branch was home to gorgeous mansions on Ocean Avenue in the late 1800's. In the 70's, it was home to a boardwalk with runway games, roller coasters, carousel, bumper cars, storefronts, restaurants,a fishing pier, an outdoor roller rink that over looked the ocean and a saltwater pool with water slides! Cotton candy, saltwater taffy, rock candy, and all the junk food you could want! Stores that sold all the latest clothing styles ie; anything disco or disco like. It was also home to the Haunted Mansion. It was a huge, black house with windows covered in black paint. There were actors who walked the many themed rooms in the mansion just waiting to scare the pants off anyone who dared walk through its doors. It was scary and so much fun! I never missed a chance to go in when relatives and friends wanted to go, even if it meant that a lot of the time I left crying and had trouble sleeping for days after my visits. But I could not miss. You can imagine that around Halloween time the line to get into the mansion could be over 2 hours! But people waited. Every so often, the interior of the house received makeovers. So you never new what you were walking into or who was hiding where.
This day , in the photo, happened to be a Halloween where my uncles were visting from Massachusetts and we went to the boardwalk and waited to get in. My mom decided afterward that it would be fun to have a party at home so , along with my cousins and my little brother, we decorated our livingroom and came up with costumes to celebrate the occasion.
I was a clown along with my cousin Mary. My brother Gill, was a hunchback. My uncle Willson was the Incredible Hulk ( I won't tell you how much green paint was used on him!) My mom took one of here favorite jumpsuits (remember it's the 70's), tied the arms with lace and put some pipecleaners on her head and was transformed into a butterfly. My father had a thing for Elvis so that explains the gold dinner jacket and the frilly shirt that really needs to be buttoned up just a bit. I don't remember any other costumes that night or how many people were there, but I do remember my parents having such a great time! I can still hear them laughing! My mom showed us the bump and my father showed us his version of the 'freak', spanish-style of course. Actually, all of his dances had a spanish flare to them. Now that I think about it, I think it was always the same dance with a different name to it.

It is amazing to me how many memories you can recall from one photo. The picture above the fireplace is long gone, but the frame hangs in my room with a mirror in it. My father gave it to me before he moved to Puerto Rico. I recall many nights in front of that fireplace roasting marshmallows, popping popcorn and keeping warm. I remember hauling wood to burn and that awesome smell that has yet to be duplicated in a candle! I remember the fish that died in the tank over the fireplace because it was a little too warm for them! I remember the pair of cheetahs my mom made from molds and then hand painted. I remember many weekends dancing to the latest 45's my mom would pick up at the record store in town with all our cousins.
I would give almost anything to be able to travel back in time and just watch that night on the sidelines. Thanks for listening and letting me share a little personal history.