Day by Day

Happy Birthday to me....Happy 45th birthday mom...happy birthday to me..... Woke up this morning to the brightest sunshine coming through our bedroom windows-brighter than it has been in at least a week.  My first thought...thank you God for giving me another year and one filled with so many good things! I like the feel of 45, so far.......

Am I Nuts?  I go to take the GRE's on Friday because it is required to apply to SCSU ED.d program.  I did not study at all and I am not crazy about even getting back into the process of taking a test and answering to professionals, but in the end, I will learn and that is the challenge I am looking for. So-here I go.

Connor has been accepted to University of New Haven and granted half of the tuition paid for (very expensive college); he is waiting for UCONN, Central CT State U.; Northeastern and Cornell.  I feel so bad for kids today because they take on such huge debt for college education.  I think the best route is to go to community college for two years, transfer over to state school and then do grad school at a really good named school, but I know that path is not viewed as good enough to some colleges, so I guess I understand the route of wanting to go to a private school from the start.  It does appear that it will be equal in state school amount and what private college will give for money, so it will be totally his decision.  I do not want to see either Katie or Connor walk out with a lot of debt. I lived my life; time for them to decide on theirs. On the bright side, I am very proud that he was accepted at UNH.  It is considered to be a good school.  We sha...

Katie had the annual friend grab bag over here a few nights ago.  We had about 14 girls 16-17 years old and about 8 slept over.  About a year ago when she had girls sleep over two girls were goofing around and one pushed the other into the wall and of course there was a hole in the wall (for almost a year).  They had videotaped it too, so it resurfaces now and then-yeah, real funny.  Just glad no one got hurt. Anyway, they can be loud, which is scary and then they get quiet, which is also scary.  You only hope all goes well and the next morning everything gets back to normal...which it did. The funny thing is that I think both Bob and I like to have the activity, the noise, the socializing in the house.  All the time would be too much, but with all three older kids out and about more than they are in, having them around it pretty cool. I vocalize that I am starting to feel a little lonely with all three out or in their rooms all of the time.  But...

Midnight mass does not exist at our church anymore, but 9:00 Christmas Eve mass does.  I sent out a text to everyone in the family saying I want that to be my Christmas present-us all going as a family.  I think all are going, not sure on Connor.  I try to balance not ever making them go but on Mother's day and now I made/am making the request.  I do not think that is too much to ask. I do not think you can force religion on anyone; I know in my life there have been times when I have been ready for it and times when I have not.  I embrace it whole heartily now and wish that during the busiest years of my life (I would say from Connor being born through Keera being five, so 13 or so years), I did not partake for a few reasons.  I am so glad that I have returned.  I just feel as though I can see the good in the world more and I can partake in being the good in the world more by finding that sense of peace that comes from singing (no matter whether I know...

The gig is up.  For the first time in 20 years, we are no longer Santa.  A few months ago Keera declared there was no Easter bunny.  There was really no question in her mind, and for a little bit, she kept Santa alive too, but then I thought that was over too...not so much. She has an elf on the shelf and it moved beginning of December, but then mom fell asleep a few nights without moving it or writing a note to Keera.  Then Keera stopped mentioning how Elfie was not moving, so I did not move it on purpose.  Two weeks ago she said kids at school were telling her Elfie wasn't real, so I am thinking she is 9 (youngest in her grade), in fourth grade and she is going to start being teased if she continues to express herself.  Now, most kids will still believe, but Keera is very expressive-if she is thinking it, you will know it-so I am sure she talks a lot at school about stuff.  If she didn't, it would be one thing, but putting yourself out there contri...

I think I am starting to get caught up on my sleep and everything around the house.  It is amazing how you just go along, barely keeping up, because things are so busy.  Before you know it, you are run down and nothing is feeling "stabilized". In the last few days off (long holiday vacation this year, which is great!), Keera and I managed to wrap all presents.  I was able to clean a lot of stuff out and get it out of the house. It builds up so quickly here.  I am working toward getting back into an exercise routine, but for now, I am just content to be sleeping and not rushing around everywhere.  I think Keera is too.  School got out on Friday and on Saturday she wanted to stay in her pajamas all day (and did until 6:30 at night when we went to Connor's basketball game).  Keera is NOT one to lay low, so this was definitely a cleansing experience for her. Thank goodness for "catching up".

I cannot believe Connor turned 18.  I still remember the day that he was born.  It was a Sunday and Bob had to work in Middletown.  Lucky for me that is where the hospital was that I had to go to.  I was three days over due.  I felt the labor start around noon and called Tracey to see if she could Brendan for me.  I drove myself to Middletown and was joined by Bob within the hour.  I settled in and let labor take its course.  He was not born until around 10 p.m.  There was a tv in the birthing room, so Bob was able to watch Sunday night football while I pushed away.  I do not know how I delivered 3 children without meds (kind of wimped out with Keera - had an epideral). Connor was especially interesting since he was a 9 pound baby.  When he was born he hardly made a noise.  He was shaking so they checked his sugar level.  My sugar level was slightly elevated when I was pregnant with him.  He was fine.  I do not r...

Katie has decided not to play on the high school basketball team-along with at least six other girls-too bad....not good vibes with how the team is handled. BUT....she didn't let that get to her.....nor did a few other girls.  Here is the recreation department team-they are all friends and Bob and another Dad are coaches. This is after a practice one night....obviously it is more about fun than basketball - as it should be. All friends (and cousin Nicki).

Connor is thoroughly enjoying his senior year....here he is painted up in his colors for a football game and he is also a powder puff cheerleader.  Their school was voted as having one of the best cheering sections in the state (for their school size).

Here is Brendan at work.  He bought a Santa suit with his own money and dressed up at the resident Christmas party.  He is with his friends, who also work there and then dancing with residents.  He may have a lot of tattoos and he may not have a college education, but I am so proud of who he is!!!!  He is making people happy at the end of their lives-if that isn't being a light of life, then I don't know what is.

My good teacher friend convinced me to do namowrimo this year.  I am writing a novel of 40,000 by the end of November.  It is a really cool program.  As long as you meet the amount of words, you reach your goal and win.  So, I go into her class once a week to write with her students.  Her class has 18 boys and 2 girls, freshmen.  They are so fun to sit and write with.  Anyway...my novel does not make sense at all, but I figure this year I will just get used to making myself do 1400 words a day and then for next year, I can plan ahead and try to actually structure out what I would want it to be. And I applied to do a doctorate program.  Am I crazy or what?  But how can I pass it up when our next contract at work includes paying for 75% of graduate courses?  Although I am not sure I 100% want to do a doctorate in leadership, I do not really have much of a choice given that my masters was in education.  I guess if I really had a choi...

Katie and I had her Junior meeting with her guidance counselor.  We spend all of our time putting out fires (so to speak) and arguing with our teenagers and we know they are doing great things, but until we actually sit in a meeting and hear all the great things they are doing, we don't see how wonderful our kids are. She is 5th in her class, as of last spring and is taking 4 AP courses this year as a Junior.  She is involved in community service and working, as well as clubs and sports.  But the best part of all was that she is about 10 steps ahead of most kids in her grade when it comes to colleges, SAT's, college fairs, etc.  She is so motivated and in such a humble, quiet way that you would never know what is going on inside of her mind.  She wants to research medicine to discover a medicine to help with uncured diseases. She is an incredible young woman.  I adore her!

So back on Oct. 5th, Bob and I celebrated 22 years of marriage-wow-where does time go? We golfed and then we took Keera to a fair and Katie bought us a cake that said Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. We still owe each other a night out.  Too busy to get that in. Hard to believe the years come and go.  I look back now a little bummed that I didn't enjoy every minute of all of it, but I guess that isn't human nature to do that. On we go to the next year.......

Talk about irony......I was talking to someone in the house about how they needed to do something and all I could think of was a round tuit.  I explained to them how I remember my grandmother having a "round tuit" on her refrigerator and I bet if I looked on line I could find it.  It was a circle that said round tuit and there was some sort of story inside of it....so that was a memory from the past. Well.......low and behold, I went to church that weekend and the bulletin had a little section in it about the Gospel.  The Gospel was talking about how we should do and say things that we want to before we can't.  And there was the round tuit with the article....it was a circle with those words round tuit in it.  It now sits on my refrigerator. Can you imagine that?  I told my father about it and he remembers Gonnie and Uncle Tommy talking about round tuit, etc... I guess I am getting some message to get around to it in some way.

I received an email that at the last minute they need me to teach for St. Joseph's University again, starting next week.  It is the same course, which is great because all of the prep work is done.  I am a little nervous, but it is only 7 teachers and half of them have emailed me saying they are excited for this course, so it should be good! Let's hope!!!

What a great book.  I absolutely loved this book.  I couldn't put it down.  Bob actually picked it out for me and it was a best seller, so I knew it was good.  I think he picked it out because the author's mother died and she decided to go on a journey (hiking for 1,000 or so miles) on the PCT - trail in the west. Well, I could not put it down because it was so simple...there were so many messages in it.  It has made me want to hike the AT (Appalachian Trail) for the last 100 miles (New Hampshire and Maine).  I know two teachers who did it a few summers ago and they loved it for all the reasons that the author of Wild, Sheryl Strayed, talked about.  It gives you time to think because that is all you have; it gives you a purpose; it gives you a connection with nature; it is a challenge and it is about overcoming whatever you want to overcome. I am seriously considering what it would be like to do it next summer.  We'll see.

We were walking into the costume store and Keera was messing with her pants.  I said, "what is wrong?" She said, "I lost my button on my pants....oops, my zipper is down too....I guess I lost my dignity too." and then she laughed. Too much. She was chewing gum a few weeks ago and part of a filling came out.  She had to go have it replaced.  When she was finished I asked her if it hurt and she said no.  I asked if she told the dentist how she lost her filling and she said, "No, but I did tell the lady that it wasn't my fault if my mom lets me chew gum."

I work in a very safe school.  The nature of my job is to deal with unpleasant situations and students at times, but I have never been really scared.  Today, I crossed that boundary.  Interestingly enough the two students who shook me up today are both transfers, so part of the problem is that we don't know much about them.  It was definitely a statement to me of how personalizing education is so important. If our kids don't feel connected to someone in the building, they will not feel safe. First I dealt with a situation of searching a student due to a report of possible illegal substances on him.  He was so irate that he could be searched; he was a big guy, and he did not hide his anger at me.  It wasn't until the resource officer just happened to come to our office, that this student actually tamed way down.  Apparently he has been on parole, etc. etc.  That didn't scare me as much as the next incident, but it did set the stage.  We also...

I was proud at both ends the other day, so to speak. Sunday Tracey and I went to a dinner that honored a few people who have been involved in the ethnic center for years.  Dad was one of the honorees.  I was tempted to not go because I didn't know how much it might mean to him and time is so short with other things necessary, but Tracey motivated me to go.  I am glad I did for many reasons.  The one I found most interesting was that out of all the people we talked to and listened to that day, I was most proud of my Dad-because he is my Dad, because of all he has done, but more than that because of - sounds silly- but the way he has aged.  People are very interesting, but my Dad is the one who didn't talk too much, but talked enough; didn't force himself on others socially, but socialized; was humble enough about the award to accept it, but not dote on it.  I was truly proud of him for everything that day. Then came Monday and it was time for open house ...

I had a really frustrating morning with Keera one morning this week.  She was really grumpy and it was hard to get her moving...of course trying to get an 8 year old out the door by 6:45 isn't fun for her either. Anyway....Brendan usually gets up at 7 to go to work.  We had left by the time he was up, but he had obviously heard the commotion. When I arrived in work, I had a text from him.  Of course my thoughts went to...his car wouldn't start....he couldn't find something he needed for work....all of the things that moms get calls for.  Instead, here is what he wrote in a text to me: "mom you are the most patient woman I know and the strongest and I know I my not show it a lot or be around a lot but I love you and I hope you have a really good day cause you deserve it." This is the 20 year old man who isn't around much and hardly says much when he is. But still waters run deep and he knew what to say that day, and said it.

Keera was talking about school.  A girl made a boy cry because she said, "He was holding a girl toy."  So Keera said, "Stop with your mean comments." to the girl and then she cried. A friend of Keera's was sad because someone said that another girls' art work was good, but they didn't say anything to this girl.  So, Keera said, "Don't be sad Darla.  We all have our special talents and yours is that you are nice and have a lot of friends." Lessons from an eight year old.......

Keera had to come to a BOE meeting tonight with me because all teens decided to abandon ship with friends and Bob had a game with Brendan. So...she did very well and on the way out one of the other admins said, "Is this your daughter?"  I said, "yes, my youngest."  She said, "She will keep you young." Keera then said, "Well apparently I am not doing a very good job." The way she said it was really cute and the other woman laughed so hard...."A good sense of humor she has too", she said.

We were driving and Keera said to me, "Remember how you said that Alyssa and Mashal (her best friends) will probably get sick of each other because they are in the same class this year?  Well it isn't happening." I said, "Well it might over the year, but you guys can all be good friends still." She said, "Maybe God is trying to teach me a lesson." I said, "What do you mean?" She said, "Maybe he put Mashal and Alyssa together and me in a different class because he wants me to know that I can handle being on my own and make other friends." I said, "Maybe he is Keera...always best to make the best of your situation."

Keera enjoying taking "selfies", as they call them today, with the iphone.

Keera's cup mountain Keera decided to shave a watermelon Keera's skinless watermelon Keera with a new bubble blowing machine Bob brought home from Chicago baseball card show.

Brendan as a baby-cutie! Brendan turned 20 this year-friends had a small get together and we went-Keera watching as he blows out the cake! Throw back - Brendan-boyscouts, years ago.

Connor headed out the door-first day of school-no time for pictures. Connor driving to school - first day as a senior Keera and Elfie - first day of school..I think it was a security blanket for first day of school Keera-first day of school as a fourth grader. Katie - took off in her car before Bob could get her picture....teens....

There were three or four hot, sultry days this week.  Everything was sticking to everything.  It felt like we were breathing water, not air.  Finally by Thursday, the relief started to come....booming hits of thunder and piercing streaks of lightning.  Of course all three driving children were out when it hit. 1. Connor....ran into our steps a few months ago (cement) and lost his bumper.  THe guy next door saw it and helped put it back on.  During the storm, he hit a curb backing out of someone's driveway and off fell his bumper.  The van looks so silly without it and he claims it looks cool and is not getting it fixed....anyway...one car down. 2.  Brendan.....had a softball game with Bob.  Brendan went because the text said game still on.  Bob was on his way out when the storm really hit, so he stayed home.  The home phone rings (pouring buckets of rain, thunder, lightning, windy) and it is Brendan...."Mom, (sure-now I hear fro...

It has finally happened...number four...after 19 years of having an Easter Bunny....Keera talked a lot in front of me about it...."There isn't really an Easter bunny....why this and why would that be, if there was."  etc.... Finally she came out and asked if Brendan, C and K believed in the Easter Bunny.  I told her to ask them....how else do you handle that? She marched into Brendan's room and he said, "No".  I guess that wast he bottom line.....She came out and asked me and you get to that age when skirting the issue becomes a fine line between teaching them to trust you and trying to hold onto childhood a bit longer.  I decided to go with the trust thing this time, so I told her that Dad and I were the Easter Bunny.  She said, "Dad?" I said, "of course...who do you think hid the baskets...not me."  And she said, "So that is why  found my basket where I did last year." So you know if the Easter Bunny isn't real, there ...

In the first few years of high school Katie surely has proven her self academically.  She works hard and now has a job and works hard at that; however, until recently, I was surprised at her lack of self-advocacy, compared to Connor at least.  Connor would go to his guidance counselor and seek out help to things he wanted, whereas Katie would ask me how to get something fixed.  I would suggest it and she wouldn't want to do it because it involved her advocating for her self. Well.....I was wrong about that perception, or she changed a little. The other day we went to pick up her car.  It was only half done (but driveable), so as we were leaving (and I hate dealing with the mechanics....talk about sexist and rude.....the guy at the desk was on the phone with a personal phone call (didn't mean to eaves drop, but how could it be helped) while three other guys stood behind him and Katie and I waited five minutes before any of them asked if we needed to pick up a car-...

This seems to be my theme lately...child withdrawal.....Connor now has what is almost a girlfriend-is that possible???  I keep asking Katie and she says they are "talking", which isn't just friends and not quite girlfriends.  Anyway...just talking is defined by spending a lot of time in his room face timing, versus hanging out on the couch all of the time with laptop on lap and tv on, or arguing with Keera-which sounds like a dream for mom, but not so much.  It also includes spending time at her house :(.  I miss him sitting on the couch making comments and hanging out.  She is really cute (the girl he is "talking to"). So that one is a new one for me..... Next - Katie has a car that somewhat works now (although it needs more work...who buys a car for 1400 and ends up putting 1400 into it.....us....live and learn...no one said having kids and kids who can be independent was easy.  It might be better if we all went back to one income and had no extra car...

As I type away and hear the clitter clatter of the keys, I hear in the back ground a chirping.  I stop and listen because it is so neat.......It is that late August, early September sound of whatever bug it is...the crickets? not sure, but it happens every year and it is actually calming to listen to.  Don't you love how we can expect certain things throughout the year, every year?  And most of those have to do with nature....cool stuff.

I went to mass last week to be a Eucharistic Minister.  The lectors did not show up (and there was only one other EM with me), so I offered to read.  I told Father I had been a lector years ago.  So in the back of the church, I practiced real quick before I went up.  I guess when God calls....we answer.....and it was really fun to do it again.  So....if women can do all that in one mass, why is it they can't be deacons or priests?  I guess that is yet to come.

I always close the pool on Labor day weekend, but this summer was just too nice to do that.  I wanted to make it last one more weekend!  So, we closed it this weekend.  I hate that instead of looking out into blue water and an open space, I am looking out onto a dark green cover, but it is anticipation for next Spring to come, I guess.  All summer's must come to an end.

Golf....really like it....I hadn't golfed since the Spring of 2012.  In July, I decided it was time to pick it up again.  I went once a week with Dad and once with Bob (refer to post on that one).  Then I had to take two weeks off (school start up).  I was able to go this week again with Dad.  I am trying to get him out, so it kills two birds with one stone.  While it is one of the most frustrating things because I never know what I did when I have a good shot or what I did when I have a bad shot and yet I like the fact that on any given hit I can possibly have a good hit.  Anyway....will continue to improve, I expect because I am not giving it up. Back to Zumba and Yoga....my other two favorites.  Now that things are settling down, I am trying to get back into a routine of doing my zumba and yoga a few times a week. School start up - all went well.  Katie headed off in her car; Connor in his and Bob took Keera to the before Y program. ...

In one day....Katie took her driving test and passed in the morning, while Connor went for senior pictures in the evening...wow-time flies.  When did they get to be a senior and junior in high school??? Brendan got a ticket in NYC for skating.  He wasn't even skating at the time. Katie is known as blueberry girl at the farm she works at because she eats them as she picks them...which is fine with the owners. Brendan had his wisdom teeth out and spent about five days at home hanging out with us...good times. What else do I want to remember about now......a hot, humid day ends with a jump in the cold, refreshing pool....the end of summer-warm days and cool pool water....great combination. Bob's boss gives him a handful of money (a lot) and tells him to buy school clothes for his kids.  There are good people in the world. Connor mentions that when he was out playing tennis with his tennis machine (a ball shooting machine that he bought for himself), a 70 year old...

UUUGGGGHHHHHH, UUUGGGGHHH, UUUGGGHHHH...just how I feel right now......

This is the title of a book I just picked up.  I Love it!  It is all about how academics may have very little to do with why kids are successful.  It is actually home experiences, personality, etc that guide how successful children can be.  The author provides lots of study results to prove his points.  I know data and studies can be manipulated to prove any point, but at the same time, I believe there is truth to what he is saying anyway and he has the studies to prove it.  It isn't just about pick yourself up by the boot straps and make a life for yourself, no matter what your past has been.  It is about how past experiences can really damage a person and that it is important to recognize this and care to it, in order to help kids succeed in school and life.  We are so consumed with test scores.  I just had one of my bosses say to me that he saw on the news where we are losing ground in the world...for example, years ago we would have been ...

So...I have been through a number of interviews this year for about five different districts, in an attempt to find a principal position.  Not sure what my drive is, but I seem to have an internal drive I can't shut off.  It is motivated by boredom of what I know do, my seven-eight year itch to move/have kids/be a coach/paint rooms/change jobs/etc..., frustration with the system I am in and how it works, a desire to try to change the world in some way, and maybe a slight desire to be in control (I think most admin's have that-although for an admin, I am pretty much not a controller at all, compared to others).  At any rate, I have run the gammit of applying to systems that are falling apart (one lost a superintendent, principal and assistant principal all within a few months because the BOE is so bad, I guess).  So that was a blessing in disguise.  Another one was just a complimentary interview because my superintendent made a phone call-waste of everyone's ti...

Can you believe....this is nuts...that in June, Connor complained that he thought his wisdom teeth were coming in and they hurt...sure enough they had to be removed in July.  Last week Brendan complained his tooth in the way back hurt and he thought it was his wisdom teeth...sure enough his have to be removed this week. Here is the kicker.....2,000 later, neither dental nor medical insurance (which, we have great insurance) will pay for it.  I am going to investigate it a little more.  I just accepted that from the doctor's office the first time but another one within a month...I am going to call insurance myself and make sure we aren't missing something here.  Can you believe two in one month of each other?  No one ever said having kids would be cheap.  I will have to see if I have pictures of Connor and then get a picture of Brendan and post.  It will be interesting to compare facial puffiness.

Keera really should have a filter in place, but it doesn't exist.  Here is her latest.  Connor and Katie had physicals at the same time (different doctors, obviously, but same office).  I don't go in anymore, but the doctor's like to have me in afterward to consult with.  I went in with Connor and his doctor and I brought Keera in so she wasn't in the waiting room alone.  She sits on the chair with me and the doctor says to me...."So, everything looks good but do you have any concerns or questions...how as the last year gone?"  I said, "Good and no".  And then Miss shares all the information said, "Well, he has annoyed me a lot."  The doctor (and I) didn't expect that and he started laughing.  Then the doctor said, "Well if it is only once a year, then it isn't bad."  Keera then proclaims (and I mean proclaims) that it is "consistently happening."  The doctor laughed even harder and I have to admit, it was good f...

Brendan's car is an old one with a lot of miles, but  Honda, so it will last forever, if he takes care of it.  It has been through one or two fender benders (not his fault and his fault), but overall he is a great driver.  Bob and I replaced a few panels for him.  I figured he would be saving for his next car.  But, he is a guy who enjoys the simple things (a lot like Bob).  He doesn't want fancy cars or fancy anything.  So, he decided to fix up his car.  My advice was save the money for a new one, but I realized as I was saying it that he was doing things his way and I needed to stay out of it.  So, I drove where he needed to do what he needed.  He had his car painted all shiny black.  It looks great.  Then he put the hub caps back on and on that looks great.  He made it look like it is a new car.  He told me that at the beginning of the summer he set a goal to fix it up and he did.  He has been stopped by p...

I have heard so many funny stories from Katie's experience on the farm.  She is so smart that I didn't think a job like this would amuse her, but it does.  She tells us everything that happens when she is there....how she had to do the lettuce and that involves going into the freezer when your arms are wet and makes you so cold....how the man wanted corn right at 5:57, when they close at 6 and she had to go back in and get the corn....how the bees they keep make honey naturally right there in the store....how the foreigners do not speak English and that is frustrating when you are trying to explain where to go for picking blueberries, etc......how one man was so incredibly rude to her that I would have put him in his place, had I been there :).  She talks about the owners with such care and appreciation.  It is family owned and run and they live right next to the little store.  She tells us all the details of what they are like and how they react to things....

Today is Bob's 50th birthday.  I know he thinks he is getting old, but he doesn't look old and he doesn't act old.  He has spent the last week organizing and reorganizing his baseball cards that he bought/traded for at the national baseball card show.  They are all on the counter until he gets them in their right spot.  I could picture him as a teenager doing the same thing (kind of like Connor who just started an ebay business).  Anyway...not old guy does that.  He is young in his hobby and young in his softball.  Maybe he doesn't run quite as fast but he is still fast.  Maybe he doesn't dive quite as much, but he still dives.  He is young in the way he keeps building away at the garage and any other house project. He only thinks he is getting old.  But, I find the older I get the more freeing it is.  Maybe that is a female thing.  You don't worry as much about the way you look or what you say.  You are living more for ...

Bob asked if I wanted to go golfing last Friday.  I was really excited that we would have a few hours to be with each other, minus kids and I would get some advice from a golf expert.  We headed over to Middlefield and were able to get right on the course.  I haven't golfed in a year, so I wasn't even sure which clubs to use, but was thrown right into the midst of things with Bob, the expert.  As we started on the first hole, a man came up to us and asked if he could join us and Bob explained that I was a newby, but he was welcome to join.  He had no problem with me being a new golfer and joined in with us.  By the second hole he asked if we were baseball fans.....well that got Bob's attention pronto.  Seeing as Bob has about 150-200 thousand baseball cards and much more memorabilia, this was  a silly question to ask.  This man then asked us who was the best baseball player to serve on Boston and Yankees?  He didn't get an instant repl...

Kyndell is so sweet that I am having a hard time writing this, but I want to remember that the time I spent with her a few weeks ago was really neat to me.  I have not had a chance to spend much time with her, but we were fortunate enough to have her and Kasey spend a day or so with us doing things with Keera. She is extremely creative.  She likes to create books and memories for people (a memory board for Travis, a memory book for Pepere).  Her older sisters dote on her, which is nice to see.  She is responsible and friendly,  in a quiet way.   I wish in so many ways that we lived closer to Bob's family, but we have especially slacked off about getting to Myrtle Beach in the last five or so years, which are the years that we would have had time to spend with Kasey and Kyndell, getting to know them. I can't believe that Kyndell will be a freshmen.  I still remember the first time we saw her.  Michelle brought her over to Ed's condo when we wer...

So when you are raising kids, you wonder constantly if you are doing the right things and you know you are not a perfect parent, especially if you are Irish Catholic and live on the guilt factor.  You see your children do things that you wouldn't have or didn't or did do, and wish they wouldn't or would.  You try to step back and realize you lived your life and now they must live theirs, even if it isn't according to you. Then all of a sudden you start to see blooms and blossoms.  You kind of sense them along the way, but once in awhile you get a good glimpse because all is well and there are no chaotic catastrophies on the forefront........ It is Sunday morning and I am headed to mass to give out the eucharist.  After mass, I am assigned to homebound and I choose the place where Brendan works.  I do not think I can see him because his ward is kind of secure due to the dementia of patients, but I do give out the eucharist to two elderly people.  It is sa...

I was floating in my pool yesterday and I realized that this has got to be the most relaxing July I have had in a long time.  Keera is kind of (somewhat) keeping herself busy so far.  She hasn't pushed too much for friend get togethers (one is on vacation, so that helps) and we have done some fun things together-mini-golf, movies, library.  I guess she is content to have a break too. So why is my July so relaxing?  Well, I am working a total of 3 days in July, so that is nice (not worrying about who is going to take care of who or who I have to drop off/pick up around a work schedule).  It is hotter than hades, so not much to do but chill.  Bob has two days off a week, so nice to have him around (another adult over age 20).  All of my kids are home with me now...working diligently...but not out around the country side on crazy van tours.....my dogs are really happy that we are all around...I can do all the zumba, yoga, swimming, etc. I want...I guess...

Katie is now employed also....working for a local farm....here she is headed to work...yeah Katie-nothing like your first job!

Keera holding a lemonade stand at home and Brendan and Keera selling parking spots on the fourth of July at the house we rented....I guess that is called sub leasing, but he made 30.00....well Keera received 5 because the last person said they only paid for the spot because Keera was so cute.  When asking Brendan's uncle (lawyer) if this was legal, his only response was, "He could have had another two spots there if he moved them closer."....

This is the myrtle beach vacation with three full tables at CiCi's.....great pizza buffet....

Who would have thought a beach house would have an elevator...the girls enjoying a ride...

He's turned into an FBI agent....

Laser tag...of course the boys ganged up to be on one team and all the girls on the other....

Kasey and Keera playing in the sand.....hair picture

Who would have thought Brendan would buy a hat like Gramps...Don't mess with those dudes....

Vacation at a beach house with 20 people-look at all of the shoes.....

Rain-no skate-second tow in a thunderstorm at night....waiting now to hear the diagnosis of the old van.....

Chicago -the bean Chicago - when the Black Hawks won the big hockey game against the Bruins-chaos in the streets, celebrating Chicago at Night (before the victory) Leaving Chicago Sears Tower

Southerward bound they go by tomorrow.  Wow-what a haul!!!

So....Sunday night they were treated to dinner by Uncle Jim and Aunt Robin, then breakfast by Aunt Robin and off they went to Chicago.....however; Ohio was not done with them yet.  Brendan was driving and the van started to "not accelerate".....thank goodness he sensed something was wrong and was able to pull over to the side of the road; hence, the picture below.  There was a clamp that came loose on the gas line.  They were towed via AAA to a garage in Akron, Ohio.  The tow truck driver told them they shouldn't really leave the garage because it was not a good part of Akron.  They listened (thank goodness).  At first the garage didn't think they would get to look at the van for another day and next thing you know they fixed it for free and off went the "corefourtour", as they call themselves.  They slid on through Indianapolis and then struck an incredible storm as they arrived in Chicago.  Brendan was driving again.  They saw an 18 wheeler...