Day by Day

We went out tonight with James, Michelle, Kyndell,Kacey and Pepere.  I am not sure how Michelle does it, but she is always happy and content...a lot like Bob, I guess.  When you are around her, you just want to be her.  She has a great outlook on things and she handles everything well.  She seems like a great mom and hostess, friendly and easy to talk to.  I wish we lived closer so our kids could know her better and their cousins  better....although I think Keera and Kasey would reek havoc. lol

Bob took the kids to Walmart and Brendan and Keera bought me a birthday present.....4 different kinds of chocolate.  Peppermint patties, russell stovers, chocolate chips and ferrari (?).  Brendan said, "I didn't know if that was too much chocolate.  I said...."there is never enough chocolate for me."

So, I turned 42 today.  It was a great day.  I had my kids and Bob with me all day.  We went to Broadway on the beach in MB and then dinner with his sister's family and Pepere.  I started the day by running and it was such a refreshing day.  But I have to admit that as I ran, I shed a few literal tears.  I think the hustle an bustle and stress of the season, the trip and just things in general finally came out.   It was quick and then I move on, but it was good too.  I like 42 (so far) and I love where I am at in life right now, even though things are perfectly perfect.

We all know given the trial that is taking place that the town I work in is not the safest town in the state, but little did I know it would end up hitting me close to home. A student was so insubordinate in my office that I called the police-breach of peace.  At first I felt a little bad that things had slipped out of hand because I never call the police in; however, I am glad I did.  As it turns out he was then arrested a weekend later for everything that was found in his car...lots of weapons, unregistered, etc. He's still walking around at school.  It's called the good old boys....don't push the limit until someone gets hurt.  I don't fear for myself, but for kids, I am slightly concerned.  It's funny how the whole thing was handled.  Sometimes I don't understand society.  I don't understand why we celebrate deaths but hardly ever get together to celebrate everyone just being alive.  I don't understand why we are reactive instead of p...

Bob and I went to see the movie Red tonight.  Did you ever study the people in a movie theatre, especially on 5.00 Tuesday movie night?  Four late teens came in and sat in the row in front of us.  They were so loud and obnoxious that we moved up about 4 rows. A woman had her coat in the chair I was going to sit in, so she wasn't happy that she had to move it....did you pay for a seat for your coat?  I don't think so. It turns out that she was with 3 other ladies....forgive me  but they were a bit crotchity.  They were mad when someone moved in behind them and touched their seat.  Then they turned around to complain that one of the people behind them was hitting their seat. As I turned to Bob to laugh about the whole thing, between me and Bob was a huge sneaker...the person behind me had put his foot between our chairs. It really is rather humorous to visit the movie theatre.

Bob took Keera and Connor to the library. KEera came home with Junie B. Jones books and Connor came home with a book entitled, Legal Rights of Teens.   That's all he needs-actual research and proof that what he is saying is right!

Halloween-the holiday that never dies, so to speak. Brendan was going to just hang out on our old street with his friends, but he ended up dressing up too....as a wolfman.  I will post a picture.  connor was dressed as a dirty (blue face paint) Sott's man???? in a wheelchair because he is still on crutches.  He also went to our old neighborhood. Katie went as a guy with Nicki over at her house. Keera was a toothfairy and she went with Mom and Dad.  When we passed connor's group of about 30 kids, one of the boys yelled out..."Keera...give me high five."  She is like a neighborhood puppy dog....all of the big kids know her from Bren/connor and Katie's parties/sleepovers.  It is pretty funny! So....all in all...it was a fun night.  It is hard to believe that another Halloween has come and gone.

Bob entered Keera in the pass, punt, kick tournament. There is a new age group this year-6/7 year olds.  Keera is only 5, but her birthday falls in the qualifying age limit.  She won the town, region and state (because she was the only girl to compete at her age level-but no one has to know that part....) Yesterday we headed up to Gillette Stadium.  All of the age groups girls and boys were there to participate.  Keera was the youngest in history for Patriot PPK.  I realized on the way up that the paperwork said the parents were not allowed to go on the field with the contestants.  Bob told me that he already spoke to the man in charge about Keera being 5 and being out there without an adult.  When we walked up to register, the woman said, "Oh you must be the five year old, Keera."  I knew she was in good hands.  We were allowed on the warning track.  Katie, Bob and I intently watched on the sideline as our little Keera was passing, ki...

Some are kind Some are hard workers Some are sensitive Some are insightful Some are hurting Some are angry Some are different Some are generous Some are easy going Some are uptight Some are artistic Some are athletic Some are intelligent Some are forgetful Some are dependable Some are flighty On and on it goes....what are you and how can you change the things about you that you are not comfortable with?

I signed up to be the "mystery reader" for Keera's 1st grade class yesterday.  When I got there, Bob pulled in with Connor.  I was a little bummed because I felt as though this was my moment with Keera; since Bob has not had a job in over a year, he has been able to be there with Keera for field trips, 1/2 day kindergarten, etc., etc.  He had picked Connor (who is still on crutches) up after school and they came to see Keera's surprised face when she saw me. It was really fun to read to all these little faces and Keera was beaming the whole time. One humorous part was when we walked in the classroom Keera gave me a hug and then Connor and then her Dad.  Connor said he heard one of the kids say to another, "Ooohhhh, she has a crush."  And the other one said back, "That is her brother."  I LOVE KIDS-they make the world what it should be because sometimes I think the rest of us, adults, forget to stop and enjoy it the way it is.

Ok-I admit it, at first I thought it was a drag to go to the open house with Brendan at SCSU.  Although I was really glad that he signed up because he has such a strong interest in going.  When I went to college, people applied to very few colleges, didn't go to open houses, barely visited campuses-the world has changed.  Now it is all about applying to 6-7 colleges, visiting all campuses ahead of time, etc. etc.....how did we survive??? Anyway......Brendan only wants to apply to about 3 colleges and since I am a SCSU graduate, we toured the campus together.  Twice we ran into his best friends in a "tour group" with their parents.  They said, "Brendan, come on ...join us."  and his reply was, "That's okay...my mom's giving me a tour."  I thought that was cute-save that moment. Two days after the open house the truth came out......."Mom, there are a lot of pretty girls at SCSU."  Oh boy.  I said, "Brendan, there are a lot of p...

So.....Bob said I wrote a post that wasn't about family a few days ago, which was a first.  I didn't realize that I write every post about family-mostly because years from now I want to remember every moment I can and share with my kids when they are older.  However......I should expand my horizons (as safely as possible).  So......here's something different - I am so glad that the Rangers, who have never been to the world series and the Giants who have only won the series once are going to duel it out for the ownership of the title.  I like it when the underdogs get a chance to play.....I think I should have been around when baseball wasn't so much about money-it would have been more fun! (How's that for a start....should catch Bob's eye.)

Brendan and I went to an open house at ScSU today.  As we were headed there I said to him, "This is like when I took you to kindergarten."  His response - "Only I'm a bit taller now."  His comments as we walked around campus were so freshmen like...."How do you know which building to go to"?, etc.  Luckily, I am a graduate there, so although the campus has some new additions, I was able to commfortably show him the important areas.  Onto a new era.....

I am reading this book called "The Power".  It is all about the power of positive thinking.  It kind of goes beyond positive thinking to the belief that you must love things (money, health, etc.) in order to "attract" it into your life.  I do not think I can go as far as it goes in my mind,  but it has helped me try to (not always successful) turn negative thoughts in my mind into positive ones, as soon as they enter.  I think if I practiced it enough, I could (and I am sure some people have) do that without having to think about it.  It is like exercise for the mind.  I don't have total faith that you can just will things to happen because you see them happening to you, but at the same time, I am starting to kind of buy into that.  I am practicing it with something and I may not see the results for years, but it is amazing that just working on it is making my thoughts more positive about it.  Neat stuff!

One of my dear teacher friends at work is a Spanish teacher (from columbia).  She takes her high level students to Spain every year.  This year she asked me to go and advertised beyond what she needed to in order to get enough students for me to go too.  She fell short by 4 kids so she then asked the company if I could attend (I am paid for), being assistant principal and all.  They agreed and Katie is going to at 15% off the price.  Margarita, my friend, has a daughter the same age as Katie and she is going also.  I am so excited.  Katie rarely demands attention or anything else for that matter.  I have never known such a content child in my life.  It makes me very happy to be able to give this to her.  She is very excited and I can't wait to spend time with her only.   We leave in April....11 days in Spain!!!!  Me and the Katester.

connor tore his menicus. It was a whirl wind of dr. appt, mri, dr. appt all in one day and then surgery the next day.  Bob and I sat with him as they prepped him for over an hour and when it was time to roll him down the hall, I could feel the lump in my throat, as they say. The nurse said, "Ok, here's where we say goodbye."  I gave him a quick kiss and an I love you that wouldn't embarass a 14 year old boy.  Bob said goodbye and a nurse walked us out as they rolled him down the hallway. All I could think was he is so young and how could I let this happen to him?  It was one of the harder things I have had to do.  I have sat through many stitches in both of the boys, but this I had to let go for....no holding hands, no telling them it will be alright all the way through the procedure.  He came out fine, except for the throwing up and nausea due to anethesia.  I took him home and took care of him as best I could.  I told him to keep his ce...

connor asked if he could have friends over for a fire in Bob's new fire pit.  Ten kids came over and we ordered pizza for them.  I have to say this fire pit is awesome.  How does Bob know how to build these things?  Our kids "lead the life of Reilly", as they say.  They always have friends around and a great place for them to come. Anyway.....Bob and I are sitting in the kitchen playing cards, Keera is on the computer and Brendan, who had just come home from work, was sitting with us.   All of a sudden we hear a deep low voice saying, "Paging Bobby Reed".  I opened the back door and all ten kids look at me and say, "Someone is calling for Mr. Reed."  I call Bob to the door and sure enough there are two of his softball friends at our fence, on the bar side, calling for Bob.  They were next door having a drink and wanted to invite Bob. Sometimes  I feel as though I live in a circus.  Our life is so much like a sitcom....or ev...

Keera and I were driving in the car about a month ago and she said, "Mom"?  Right there, I was a little leary of what would come next.  "Yes"? "There is a four year old who stands in the bus line next to me who is soooooo cute that I want to marry him." "Really?", I said. A few days ago, I decided to inquire as to how this crush was going.  I said, "Keera, how is that cute boy who stands in the bus line next to you?" She said, "I don't want to talk about it." I said, "Ok-Do you still think he is cute"? She replies, "Yes, but I don't want to talk about it." So....she went from a five year old thinking a boy was cute and sharing with mom to (a month later) a "15" year old who doesn't want to talk about her crush.  They grow up all too quickly!

Hey a post to me....lol...... I'm not sure where I'm at and I'm not sure where I'm going....I think I'm on the brink of something important. I'm worried about the future....I'm worried about my children....I'm worried about my husband...... I need to just relax and let God do the work he is doing....sometimes patience is the only thing to keep us put together.

19 years-wow-that's a long time to be with someone....lol......many others have done it much longer!  It does seem just like yesterday that we were saying "I do".  If I had known back then what we would be today, I would have felt secure that the road would lead us to whereever together.  We didn't know then where we were going or what we were doing, but we have made it....bumbling, stumbling and at times crumbling....to where we are and who we are today.  I look at our four kids, ranging from almost 6 feet down to 4 feet, ranging in looks and personality....and I wonder how it all came to be. Bob is my soulmate through the good times and the bad....through the ups and the downs....we have made a life together that isn't always perfect, but is satisfying.  Sometimes we are good to each other and sometimes we could be a little better to each other, but I know I can say confidently that Bob has made me a better person than I would have been without him.  Li...

connor decided to have his birthday party early this year....now versus December.  It was a hit.....we had at least 60 kids.  Brendan was here with his friends, Pat, Donny, Eric, Julie and Jeff.  Katie had her friends Emily and Nicki here.  We had kids playing football, playing basketball, dancing above the garage with a strobe light.  We had food and we had a fire in Bob's new firepit.  I think the best part was when I noticed Bob stoking the fire and talking to kids.  I sat and started talking to kids and those kids left and more came and we talked to them.  One kid introduced himself and said, "This is a nice house...thank you so much for having me."  I don't think anything happened that shouldn't have.  I kept doing checks in the dance area and all stayed within the yard.  If all went as I think it did, it was a great time.  I said to Bob that I don't mind being the party house at all, as long as the party is clean and ...

Keera was all excited to play flag football...until after the first game when she realized everyone wanted to take her flags.  We knew we had a problem when the second Saturday she was refusing to go.  We all (Bren, Katie, connor and me) tried different approaches to get her to play.  Teenagers get pretty creative when they are trying to motivate a five year old.  Finally Bob just said..."You're playing."  That's when Keera said, "Let's make a deal.  I'll play football if 1. you get me 6 crafts and 2. you let me go swimming."  The biggest problem is that the pool is already closed for the fall.  So, we all responded, half laughing, "Keera the pool is closed."  The pool has been closed for two weeks and she knows she can't go in it.  Her response....."Fine, then no football." Guess what?  At that point, Dad had enough....she went to football.

connor showed me his first essay of the year for English.  He started by asking me questions about how much people had been educated in our family.  I shared some facts that I thought were outstanding and off he went to write. I was amazed at what he produced for so many reasons.  Apparently,  he has actually been listening to us and our reasoning all these years.  He wrote all about my side of the family.....a great grandmother who was a teacher when most women her age didn't even go to college, a grandfather who wrote for 35 years, including many books.  He then went on to write about his mom and her education and job.  Then he wrote that he had an uncle who is a judge, an aunt who is pharmacist and that his dad graduated college as a computer programmer.  He said that his Dad may not have as glitzy of a job as others he wrote aobut, but he is about the smartest person he knows....he's right about that too. Then he went on to say that educat...

A few things about Brendan.... We and he split the cost of a 16  year old Ford Ranger truck.  It is actually cheaper for us to have him with his own vehicle on insurance.  Obviously that is without collision because if a truck is 16 years old, it isn't worth much as it is.  Anyway, this truck was stick shift and Bren learned to drive on an automatic.  I was so excited because I have been dying to get my hands on a stick shift again.  Ever since converting to the mini-van 13 years ago, I have been in automatic mode.  Bob does not drive stick shift, so the training was all up to me. I have to say that I am impressed at how quickly he learned -two days of about 45 minutes each and the next day he was driving on his own.  It was very impressive; however, those two 45 minute periods did not go very quickly.  Driving a stick shift is one thing...teaching it, a whole other story.  The first night we probably tried a little too long b...

Monday night I went out to eat with some dear friends from work.  One of them asked if Keera was sleeping in her own bed yet and the answer was no.  They are both quite a bit older than me and offered suggestions like incentives, etc....tried it all.  We had some good laughs over it. Well.......the next day Keera lost her first tooth (yeah).  She was so excited for the tooth fairy that she agreed she had to sleep in her own bed all night in order to get a visit.  Not only did she sleep in it that night (and get a dollar from the toothfairy), she has now gone 4 for 4 nights in her own bed all night.  Finally, after 5 and a half years Bob and I are alone in the bed at night....and you know what?  I don't sleep as well.  Isn't that awful??? I think I will adjust.

Before-to the left top(nothing in June) After - to the left bottom(a patio, fire pit and step up to pool in August) One positive side to Bob being unemployed for a year is that he has worked on different things in the house that never would have been touched if he was working.  His latest addition is a huge patio with a firepit and steps up to the cement of the pool we have.  He did it at minimal cost, but it looks like a professional job.  I knew he could build, but I didn't know he was a mason as well.  He just keeps adding to it...next he is going to put on a flower box area for me.

I think I have been purposely avoiding writing, but I don't know why.  There have been so many things to blog about, but I just haven't sat down to do it. All four kids back to school....bitter sweet year to me.  Keera started first grade (all day); Katie is in her last year of middle school (can't wait until she is able to live the freedom of high school next year); Connor is a freshmen (and such a cute one at that). He really likes it; My baby Brendan is a Senior in high school.  When he is not working he is socializing, so we rarely seem to see him.  It is just the beginning of the time of letting go....I do not like that feeling. Maybe I don't want to write because it is giving away things that I just want to hold inside while they last.

It has been one hot and humid summer....finally....today.....for the first time in weeks, we have a thunder, lightning, full rain storm, which has occurred throughout most of the day.  As the thunder rumbles outside, I said to Keera, "I love a good storm Keera."  She said, "Yeah, but people can get hurt in a storm like this."  I told her that is true, but if we stay inside we can be safe and that God made nature to be what it is...there is no fighting it, you might as well enjoy it.  Now, as I thought this, I realized that maybe I have my answers to sparkliness (a few entries earlier).  I am in the middle of multiple storms in life right now and there is no fighting them.....I guess a rainbow is bound to pop out eventually.

Brendan works for the local movie theatre.  He had 37 hours last week (a little bit more than I think is good).  He came home upset one night about some things that had happened that day.  One of them was the following: An autistic child came up to the concession stand with like 1.20 in hand to buy something, but that was not enough to buy anything and the owner wouldn't take it.  Brendan kept saying...."He was autistic....who cares if he didn't quite have enough money?  All they want to do is make money."  This was truly a teachable moment.  First of all I was proud of him for having that attitude about it....basically people who are disadvantaged in life should be allowed to get a break once in awhile.  Second of all it was a great way to tell him that when he considers the career he wants to go into in the next few years, he should remember that some people are simply about making money and that is okay for them, but he may not want to...

We were driving the other day and Keera said she doesn't like the letter Q.  I asked why and her answer was that it is just an O trying to be fancy with it's squiggly line coming out of it.  Interesting....

I was walking the other day and I realized that I just don't have the "sparkliness" (my own created word) that I used to have.  I think the last year and a half have really done a job on my resiliance factor.  Dad gave me an article on resiliance one day and he said he truly thinks I have it.  Well, I think it is wearing on me.  Given my physical situations since a few months after turning 40, my emotional state from the whole work situation and outcome/fall out for the last year and working around living on one income (ups and downs to that), I feel like I have nothing left to give.  I don't know the solution.  Things have always poured down on Bob and I since we began marriage almost 20 years ago-good and bad.  We have always bounced back from the bad and then had the joy of the good, but lately it just doesn't seem to get good.  I try really hard to see the good in the bad; for example, although we have lived on one and a little under a ...

Here I sit, after waking up at 3 a.m., so I might as well blog.....you ask me why I am up at 3 a.m. - one word - teenagers. At 3 a.m. I woke up to Bob looking out our bedroom window.  Of course I inquired as to why he was looking out our bedroom window at 3 a.m. and his answer was because Brendan and his three friends, who were sleeping over (above the garage-in the fort) were sitting on the bench in the little grassy, veteran park area, across the street. We called Brendan on the cell phone (which we provide for him, without fee-may rethink that one now that he is working 30+ hours in the summer) and of course he did not answer.  Why, I ask myself, do I (and I have heard other parents complain about this) provide my child with the technology to be able to reach him and check on him at a moments notice when he does not answer the technology I provide for that....hhmmm.....aggravation two after aggravation one of being up at 3 a.m. because my almost 17 year old son is ...

I had to run an errand at Staples this morning and I didn't feel like bringing Keera, so I told her she could stay home.  She begged me to go....the whole "I promise I will do whatever you ask.", etc.  I still said no.  She asked Bob for a pen and paper and then drew a heart an X through it.  She gave it to me.  I don't know why, but it cracked me up. There was no tantrum, just her communicating with me through pen and paper that she was upset.  Okay-I took her....she was so darn cute about it!

For the first time ever, Brendan and Connor played against each other in baseball today.  Brendan is on the all star Senior team and Connor is on the all star Junior team and they played a scrimmage today....no good could come of this.  What makes me laugh is that they are both good ball players, but in every other respect they have just about nothing in common.  Right down to the way they dress for baseball.  Brendan wears his baseball pants the traditional way (up to his knees with long blue socks) and Connor wears his baseball pants hooked to the bottom of his cleats like a lot of the major league ball  players today. Brendan is playing left field and Connor comes up to bat.  Connor hits a fly ball to left field, but it is one of those short ones that tend to drop in.  The third baseman can't get to it....the short stop could not get to it and Brendan had a slow start to getting to it.  It looks like it will drop in and Connor will be safe wh...

Here it is....Bob's creation.....it took him two weeks to do this.  Anyone who knows Bob knows that he didn't just slap it down....he did everything perrrrfectly.

I took the last five work days off and it has been HOT!  At least 2 or 3 times a day Keera (our bronze goddess-never seen a child tan like her-at least not in my family) is in the pool.  She and Katie spend quite a bit of time playing and swimming with each other.  It has been fun to watch them.  I love the pool.  Whether I am working on strengthening my knee, being pulled into playing with Keera/Katie or just floating around watching Bob work on our patio he built, it is the most content and serene feeling....it is like you have everything you ever wanted right there in front of you....oh and the dog who acts like he hates going into the pool, but when you drag him in, he swims all the way to the steps.  What an incredible investment this was!!! More on the patio to come....he finished today and I won't blog until I have a picture...boy is Bob incredible.  His  talents are unending.  So...back to work tomorrow for a few days, but more da...

A new grocery store opened up in town and I decided to visit it today,  not knowing it would be extremely busy on a hot and humid day.  People were grumpy and not very polite;  it happens in a grocery store on days like these.  When I got into line (which were all really crowded), I heard and argument begin to erupt in the next line over.  I looked up and it was an old man yelling at a guy about 30.  It began to escalate and with my background as an assistant principal, I knew it was only going to get worse.  I told my cashier that she should get a manager because there was a fight going on in the line next to us.  She kind of looked around and somewhat called another female over.  I told that woman (who was obviously a manager) that there was a fight which might end up drawing police attention because it continued to escalate. She kind of looked over at it and didn't seem to react much and then all of a sudden the old man was screaming, "YOu...

I can't sleep due to a whopping headache, so I sit at the computer at 3 a.m.  I remember that this is the anniversay of mom's death.....29 years later...wow.....at times it seems like 5 years ago.  (It is also my dear Uncle Vince's birthday).  So hey mom-not that you can't see from above, but let me tell you about your grandchildren....(anyone else-feel free to skip to next blogging....which will hopefully happen before I turn 42....way too much time in between blogs.) Brendan - he looks so McAvoyish....what a handsome and good person he is.  He doesn't like to dissappoint me (can you imagine-a 16 year old who is mature enough to show he cares about his mom?)  The other day he whisked in and out of the house again and as he was on his way out I said,  "Gee Bren....you have this great social life, but I miss you around here."  After I said it, I felt guilty because I felt like I was putting out the old guilt trip, and then I figured it fell on deaf ...

Keera wanted to play t-ball this year.  Before I get to this particular incident you have to realize how important baseball is in this house.  Bob collects baseball cards(like over 100,000), when we are on vacation and near a baseball stadium, we attempt to see a game, the boys have played baseball for 12 years and 9 years.  Katie started in baseball and then moved to softball after about 4 years.  Baseball is what you might call a keystone element to the existence of the Reed family. Keera has had an interesting season.....she bats left handed, even though she is a righty (it took Bob four kids before he finally got one to bat lefty-it's considered an advantage to bat lefty)....the first game of the season, she couldn't finish because she was so upset that someone had stepped on her with a cleat (by accident )-there is no crying in baseball Keera....and she has many a time been seen getting the boys all worked up in the dug out, in a fit of fun, as they cha...

I can laugh about it now.....last Thursday, I finally felt like I was getting back into work and doing well in PT...things were looking good....never start to think that...... 6:40 my ride was on the way, Keera asked for some breakfast and I am the "I can do it all mom"-wrong.  Halfway down the stairs...7 steps left to go and down went humpty dumpty.  My crutch was caught under my arm...I had no way to balance...face first....hit the hard wood floor, then skidded to a halt into the stool Connor was sitting in....down he fell on top of me for a brief second....and there I lay crying and scared. Thank goodness it was just a bruised palm of my hand, bruised elbow and bruised hip fat......the brace held my leg straight....that's what I get for having an attitude about getting Keera breakfast, as I prepare for my ride to work.

At Chris' wedding the priest kept mentioning the circle of love now, a year from now, 50 years from now that Chris and Angela would be extending.  I think at one point, I kind of turned the idea off because he referred to it numerous times, but I still love the concept.  I found myself thinking about Bob and I and how we have 4 beautiful children, but for some reason, I couldn't get how that circle of love has had a chance to be wide yet, then I went more global with it, as I tried to fall asleep at 2 a.m. and realized that I had to back it up a generation to my mom and dad. It has almost been 30 years without mom, but look at the base she and dad created.....2 girls.....dad brought Bill into the picture through softball, who brought Bob into the picture, through softball and now we have extended to 7 children, who will bring their own into the circle at some point.  All from a seed of love of Dad and Mom. Not only has the family extended, but let's look at what the f...

I remember so clearly that cute little freckle face just staring at me as I was babysitting him while Aunt J. went to visit Gonnie in the hospital....can't remember what was going on with Gonnie or how old, exactly, Chris was - 3??? but I do remember it was apparent that he was NOT going to talk to me as punishment for being there in place of mom. I also remember clearly many a time hearing Uncle Vincent call Chris his little lovebug....so affectionate for a father to refer to his son that way. I also clearly remember seeing Chris taking the top of a bush off in the front of their house with a play sword and then telling his mother, "It was a ghost outside and he saw him do it."  Fast forward a few years (okay, a lot of year) and I clearly can see before us a quiet, sensitive, serious, but comical Chris who has grown into this incredibly respectable man about to start a complete life with the person he loves.  It is easy to engage or be engaged in conversation wit...

So...it is 3 days after surgery and I cannot wait (!) to take my first shower; however, I refused to take one downstairs.  I want my own shower.  Unfortunately, my own shower is up 17 stairs to my own bedroom.  The only way I saw myself getting up there was by butt (yes...I had learned from the old man and his ankle surgery that in order to do stairs, sometimes, you must resort to the "bottom" line and do it on your butt.  He's always such a source of wisdom!)  Bob begged me not to try it, but do you think this stubborn Irish girl (as they call me at work) would listen? No is the answer.  I am about halfway up and things are looking good when the phone rings.  Bob looks at the i.d. and says, "New York"...in a smug way...like he knew I had just been caught.  Fear came into my heart as I figured it was either Aunt J. or Aunt K. (not that I fear them) because I knew I might get a scolding for what I was doing (out of concern of course).  Bob s...

Wow-Connor went out for the track team at Moran.  He throws the discus and the round ball (can't remember what it's called). Holy Cow he is good.  When I saw him walk across the field, I didn't even recognize him; he is one handsome kid!  As a matter of fact, both of my boys are good looking in totally different ways. Katie says all of her friends say both of her brothers are hot.  I must also say I have beautiful girls too. Anyway.....I cannot believe how successful he has been at just taking this up....it goes to show that all of these organized leagues from age 4 up are a lot of politics, etc.  He went out for something new (track-no need to train kids to death on how to do this), learned  the technique and is  doing very well with it.  He placed 2nd last meet and I think first this one (waiting to hear results when he gets home).   I love how he can enjoy individual success and still be a member of a team.  Cool experience for...

This was Brendan's proclomation when he came in from work last night.  "I hate the dragon movie because there were a bunch of kids at the theatre today and they leave their popcorn all over the place....one huge bowl of popcorn was on the ground on top of another mound of popcorn."  Then he added, "Oh and Shrek is coming out next month." He cracks me up.

So, I finally graduated to a stand up shower on my own (no weight on the right leg) and everyone had a good week off and things were going smoothly.......well.......were...... Yesterday afternoon Bob came down with a kidney stone.  He had one two years ago, so he knows what it is.  Do you think it could have happened once I had the ability to drive again????  I don't know.......life is a fast and furious roller coaster. 

 We all attended a tribute to Dad at the Irish Club in New Haven yesterday morning.  They were honoring Dad for the 20 years of writing the newsletter and the many books Dad has written in honor of the Irish.  Throughout the whole breakfast and honoring, I couldn't help but think of how proud I was to be Dad's daughter but also what a humble man my father is.  He has given so much in his life (and not an easy life at that) without asking too much in return.  He suffers physically more than most yet doesn't complain.  He lives alone when most people his age share their lives with others.  One of the best parts of all was his ability to see and say that all the work he has done for the Irish has brought more joy to his life than work.  The other best part was his acknowledging Tracey and I, but more than that, his grandchildren who are, as he said, his true legacy to this life, beyond anything he has done in writing.  He introduced each ...

Grandpa  went to Connor's game the other night and almost froze in shorts.  All I had in the car was a sweatshirt.   The woman next to Dad quietly disappeared and then returned with a warm blanket for Grandpa to use.  We both thanked her. At the end of the game, Grandpa returned the blanket (and might I say, she was a pretty woman) and said, "Thank you...you saved me.  May I put your chair in your car for you"?  She replied, "No, my grandson will do that."  At that point, I had two thoughts...well she could be a grandmother,  but she is a young, pretty grandmother and two....was my father just flirting with this woman? After I went home and talked it over we figured out who she was.  Grandpa happened to notice that the woman had been talking to someone at another game the whole time....interesting that you were listening Gramps.  When I told Bob, he said that a girl on Katie's team has a brother on Connor's team. The mother ...

This is the closest I can come to thinking my prayers were answered.  Yesterday morning I began the day saying, please get me through one day at a time God.... Here is how he responded: 1.  A caring husband who is calm and patient helping me to put everything in perspective. 2.  A warm shower to make me feel better 3.  A family trip to Dairy Queen to enjoy the blizzard sale and the fun conversation that took place in teh car while we ate and rode (too little family time anymore). 4.  A chance to have Brendan feel in control as he drove me (in the middle seat of the van-chaufered) to Connor's baseball game because Bob had to coach Katie's game. 5.  The ability to sit on a cool Spring night and watch Connor, Mr. intensity, play baseball. 6.  The chance to chat with Grandpa at the game. 7.  Katie and her girlfriends laughing as they slept over last night. 8.  Oh and a good pasta dinner thanks to Sue Zwick (good friend from work). I t...

Grandpa invited Nicki, Katie and Keera  for Spring planting....must be that time of year.  He buys the flowers and the girls dig the holes and decide where they go.....two 13 year olds and a 5 year old going on 13 in charge....sounds  like a dream come true.

Private emails to Grandpa have revealed that Connor is trying to get Grandpa to bring him to the Library of Congress or the Baseball Hall of Fame Library.  Connor loves books and research, but I think he is a little ahead of his 14 year old self.  Apparently he thinks (in that undeveloped front lobe of his brain) that he can just march into the library of Congress with his Grandpa and do what he wants  to do.  I have heard you have to now apply months in advance in order to gain access there because of security.  Personally, I think they should put Connor on the country's security system faults...we would probably be safer than we  have been in years....just the amount of argueing and counter arguing alone would be enough to drive any foreign country insane.

Katie has like 50 sprays from Bath and Body works and yet her newest thing is that as she heads to her softball game,  she is spraying violet lysol disinfectant on her-what is it with teenagers??? At least she will be germ  free......

I have written of my relationship with Bob before,  but once again, it is near and dear to my heart right now.  He has been running around driving kids everywhere, doing chores and trying keep his own space too.  Love is something that you can't even explain.  Sometimes I think it is in the worse times that it shows its true self.  Those vows that we take mean nothing until they are tested.  So many times this week I have thought of "in sickness and  in health".  Who would even know what that means unless they are put to the test...do you help, do you stay, do you walk away?  Thank goodness I am not dying, but it is the same  responsibility.  How much can you do, how much can someone ask of you, how much can you emotionally take....that's what love is-not  defined, just lived.   I think the hardest thing is all of the stuff that happens in between the vows and the living part-the things you say and do and sho...

On Monday, Maria, a good friend from our old street, called to say she was making dinner for us. Yesterday, Sue Zwick, a good friend from work, called to say she was bringing dinner over last night.    When I announced the second dinner coming over, Brendan said, "YES!  Geez mom, you should have surgery more often with these free dinners."  Perspective...it's all in perspective.....

I turned it over to God today - 7:00 this morning I found myself saying,  "Just get me through this day God....all will be better soon.  One day at a time."

So in writing that last post....I started to do a year in review.....life is something else isn't it.... Starting March 27, 2009, 1. moved into new house (not easy process) 2. carpal tunnel surgery for me-it was waking me up at night-why not get it done-I WAS healthy. 3.  Bob tears his meniscus playing softball-has surgery 4. One day later, I go into the hospital for some mysterious illness that holds on for like 6 weeks and then doesn't appear again-never been in the hospital before. 5. We pick up a kitten. 6. I am convinced to apply for a job that only ends up in disappointment and discouragement. 7.  We have a great family vacation and attend a great wedding. 8.  Bob is layed off. 9.  Bob's Dad comes to visit. 10.  Connor cuts above his eye open 11.  We lose our kitten 12.  I tear my acl/meniscus - surgery Wow.....life has many ups and downs.

Bob is again playing on two softball teams, but I have put the warning out to everyone in the family.....NO ONE is allowed to get hurt-no blood, scrapes, tears, pulls, anything for at least another year.....so hopefully he will play conservatively. The convenient part is that his Wallingford team sponsor is the bar and grille next door.  Last night after his softball game, he conveniently walked next door to hang out with the team for a little while....(yes..I had full coverage at home-everyone present and accounted for and I was laying on the couch). Funny how for men life just goes on....he ran around like a chicken with his head cut off yesterday-4 dental appointments, two games, errands and yet he was able to just hang out...I would have been in bed by 8.

I think I left this one out lately too.  At Easter  time we went to the mall and Bob brought Keera up to the Easter Bunny to visit.  I saw her hesitate, so when she came back to me, I asked,  "Were you afraid of the Easter Bunny"? She answered, "I was,  but I faced my fears." Sign that girl up for college!

I was just reading an old post to see where I left off and I realized after I wrote that post "Please don't take it away", something did happen that was difficult.  Our little one year old kitten, Chloe, or Jeffrey (the boys called her), became very ill, very suddenly.  From Thursday night, acting slightly different, to Saturday morning,  not even wanting to get up.  I called the vet and got her right in.  They did some  tests  and were able  to tell us that she had almost total kidney failure.  They thought maybe she had gotten into some  anti-freeze somewhere. Bob checked  all around the garage to make sure we didn't have anything open, but the cat does wander around the surrounding houses-the people at the bar and grille next door love her.  The vet said we would basically have to do dialysis like 3 times a week. Although we loved her so much, she is barely one and we don't have the time, money or energy to do that....

Brendan came home from school today and I asked the usual question:  How was school?  They went to a house today to do work, which translates into the HVAC class (18 kids) goes to a house and a small number (4 or so)go into the house and 14 stay on the bus.  The funny part was that he said the electrical class went on a separate bus because they were working on the house also.  But he was frustrated because the electrical students keep messing up so the HVAC class has to fix their work.  I said, "You mean the electrical class messes up the electricity and the HVAC shop has to fix it"?  (Keep in mind this is an actual person's house who has agreed to have the tech school kids work on the house for a small price and experience).  He said, "No.  The electrical kids were supposed to drill 1 hole in the side of the house and they kept messing up so they ended up with 6 holes in the side of the house. So we had to come in and put new siding up." ...

Brendan was working for Shaw's, a supermarket as his first job.  He spent a whole lot more than he saved, but it was a good experience  for him, until the store closed on March 31st.  Much to my surprise, Brendan went right out and applied to three or so places.  It took about two weeks, but his friends at the movie theatre helped to push his application through and before we knew it, he was headed out the door in black pants, a button up white shirt and a required fancy vest, for his new job. He came home that first night of his new job and announced that "he almost got fired."  Immediately I was thinking that he was goofing around with his friends who worked there, but that wasn't the case.  He put his sweeping box and broom down in the theatre because he had to go pick up popocorn boxes. His friend told  him to move it, but he didn't hear him.  A woman tripped over it, fell and hurt her knee.  She was really angry and a manager was calle...

I admit it....I stole all of the pillows....one for my knee and two under my head.  When I went out in the open room this morning, Bob was on the couch. I climbed on and he woke up.  He slept on the couch because he had no pillows.  We snuggled and talked for a moment....until......out came Keera.....she climbed up as close to the two of us as possible, then came the dog....then the dogs ball  rolling in between us......an intimate moment-well an intimate  little family moment.

I found out today that I tore my ACL and MCL.  I have to have surgery in a few weeks, but that is okay.  I am so content tonight.  Bob has been around for months to help with rides and appointments and it's been nice to come home to having him here everyday.  Brendan made the varsity baseball team and is being pushed really hard by the coach to get into condition. He scares me when we go out driving, but his sense of independence out of being able to go where he wants is so cool to see.  Connor did not make the Moran team, but he has picked himself up and is trying out for the track team. He is busy trying to write a book and has collected many signed  baseball cards  by sending out requests to major league players.  Katie has made the Moran softball team. She is busy with her social life....semi-formal birthday party,  bowling, sleepovers every weekend. All three are honors students in their respective schools.  Keera is like a sponge...

Obviously Spring has Sprung....the last two weekends Brendan has had friends sleep over above the garage - the barn.  This weekend Brendan is having friends over from school, above the garage...."Dad, these are big guys who will  help set up the pool table."  A 600+ lb pool table). Katie has plans to have friends  sleep over on Saturday and Bob has planned a pizza party for Connor's basketball team on Saturday, above the garage....I think I should start charging a fee for this place!  It's like having a glorified tree house to hang out in.

I don't know if it will come to fruition, but I find it amazing how much drive, motivation and excitement Bob has about the possibility of buying this baseball card store in the middle of town and moving it to the front of our house (commercially zoned-you gotta wonder why we fell in love with a commercially zoned house...almost like it was meant to be).  It's really neat to see someone taken over by something that is really important to them.  We'll see......

Grady, our boston terrier, is two and a half now.  We got him when he was 8 months and I held him every day of that first week....he is such a big baby.  He is definitely a lap dog, if someone is around.   He seems to have developed, from the beginning, a special bond with me (his mom, I guess).  In our old house, he would growl at Bob every night he came to bed because Grady was sleeping next to me and he knew Bob would move him.  That seems to have stopped after moving into our new house, but the affection he feels for me has continued.  The latest example of this is that upon inspecting under my bed (where Grady brings everything he wants to chew on), I found two (not just one) but two of my bras.  Bob says that he thinks Grady is truly in love with me.   Lovely........

Sometimes I think the hardest part about being a parent is when you feel the pain of growing up through your children. When they feel disappointment, you feel it....sometimes it seems like 10 times worse than they do.  You hope that you can protect them from all the evil and hurt in the world, but you know you can't.  You try to prepare them with your words and your actions, but you know you can't make it feel any less.  Sometimes you even feel their pain and you have to take their venting/lashing out about the pain, directed at you, which makes it even more difficult.  No one ever said parenting would be easy, but no book or person could ever prepare anyone for the depth at which you can feel for these little people you bring into the world!

Bob said the bus came early yesterday, so Keera grabbed her shoes and walked  out to the bus in barefeet.  When she got on the bus the bus driver called out to Bob, "She doesn't have any socks."  Bob's answer was, "She doesn't wear them."  Miss Keera has a mind of her own....I can just picture her with her sneaks in her hand, backpack on her back walking out in barefeet to the bus, as if  she owned the world and no....she doesn't wear socks because she doesn't want to.

A warm sun The birds singing The feeling of exhaustion at the end of the day after being in fresh for the first time in months Love that time of year!

Connor came into the house screaming two weeks  ago.  He and Brendan were playing a game that involved Connor using a metal bat to swing at a basketball.  It was fine when Brendan was bouncing the basketball before it got to Connor's bat; however, when Brendan took the challenge of throwing it harder, without a bounce, the momentum of the ball made the metal bat come back at Connor's head - sliced open above the eyebrow.  Trip to the ER - 4 stitches inside, 10 outside.  The Dr. was funny too - he told Connor they don't come as good looking as him,  or Connor anymore.  Then Brendan came down with poison ivy on the face - every year at least one person in our house gets it.  I was just surprised that it was only March and his face was slightly swollen and red with it  - nothing a little bit of medicine can't handle. Things come in threes, so I'm  the third - maybe a torn maniscus.  I was playing in the volleyball game of faculty v...

I was out gardening in the front on Saturday and our neighbor, who actually has a huge house and garage behind our house, stopped to get his mail and said, "I see you have the pump working."  We have a pump in our basement.  I said, "Bob had to clear it out but he was able to get it work."  His name is Perry and he grew up in the original cape that is our house.  His parents owned the two or so acres in the area and they used to see a total of 8 cars go by in a day. We commonly see 8 cars in less than 5 minutes.  He told me about what the house used to look like and that when his Dad sold it, he bought the acre in the back and built a house.  It was kind of neat to know that we are only the third owner of half of our house and the second owner of the newer section.  I guess I like this story because although we live next to a bar and grille and the people in the neighborhood are kind of like city dwellers (which is okay with me after living ...

Keera had a conversation with Tracey last week about why she loves Mommy and Daddy.  She loves Daddy because he brings her for free pancake at IHOP (and other lunch excursions before kindergarten).  She loves Mommy because she was born to love Mommy.  I love that story. 

A little over a year ago, we had to take Brendan to get 14 stitches right above his eye, after a basketball teammate ran into him on the court. As if it were yesterday, well it was yesterday, we relived that incident, only it was Connor this time and a baseball bat.  Brendan was throwing the basketball to Connor and he was hitting it after the bounce with a baseball bat. Unfortunately the ball wasn't fast enough, so they decided to throw it without a bounce.  When Connor hit it the force was so hard that the bat came back at his head.....4 stitches inside, 10 outside, right above his eyebrow. Katie and Keera are as active as Brendan and Connor and yet not one of them have had stitches yet....what's up with dat???? I think the worse part is when they realize they have to have stitches and then the needle of novacaine going into the cut.  After that, it's all down hill and the adrenaline rush falls away.  I thought I would get away with sending Bob this time...