I was going to call this the "Sunday Night recap", but then I realized it's freakin Monday! Geesh, where does the time go??
Since I last updated, Dane had a band concert, Dylan had a game (which they won), Dane had a game (which was the first they lost) and Megan had Girl Scouts (where she turned in her order for the 83 boxes of cookies she sold)!
Saturday my cousin Jen came up to hang out and Gary stopped by. I love hanging out with Jen and if *anything* good can come from my father's death, I hope it will be a reminder of the importance of family.
Scott and the kids are taking the day off tomorrow to ski. Scott will be working 7 days a week for quite a while so he definitely deserves some winter fun!
I am also in search of a full size wireless/Bluetooth keyboard compatible with a MAC that has the numeric pad on the right hand side. Any suggestions?
I was super nervous to go back to classes yesterday! Having missed the first 2 classes last week, I feared I would be lost academically in addition to the stress of meeting new people and sticking out like a sore thumb because of my age. I am relieved to say that everything went fine! I am really excited about the classes I am taking and can't wait to get started on the projects, etc!
After school, I raced to pick up Megan from practice and then over to get Victoria at her Dad's. From there, I drove to the Chester school parking lot and pulled over. The girls were totally confused until I walked over to Victoria's door and told her we were switching places! She was beside herself she was so nervous! We drove around the loop twice at the pace of a snail. LOL So, there you have it- my oldest child is now a driver of sorts!
I ran into this on Pam's Blog... I know this is definitely something my father would have loved and supported... A Place To Bark
How It Works: The four charity badges with the most unique donations through America's Giving Challenge will get $50,000 for their cause. America's Giving Challenge runs only until January 31st. Donate: If you are able donate , please donate via the badge a $10 tax deductible donation. We need the most people possible to each donate $10 to A Place to Bark. In order to win the grant we need to have the most amount of donors, not necessarily the amount of money donated. All donations made to A Place to Bark's Six Degrees Badge, will be matched by the "Zoline Foundation" up to $25,000.00!!! All donations up to June 1st will be counted for the matching donation from the Zoline Foundation.
It has been such a surreal week... arrangments, the calling hours, the funeral... I felt numb through most of it, but my heart was definitely aching in more ways than one. Repeatedly I heard that people had never seen my father happier than when the kids and I came into his life. I am so grateful for the nearly ten years we had. I learned so much from him. I don't really know how to move forward. I expect him to walk through the door carrying his yellow basket of laundry at any moment. I expect to see a forwarded joke in my email. I expect to see him out in the yard. I can't believe he is gone and I simply don't want to let go. I don't want to move on. I don't want to figure out what "real life" is like without him. I miss him so much!
In the car tonight (where we always have our "best talks") the boys and I were discussing heaven and how death is only hard on those left behind. Dane was asking numerous questions about heaven... "Is there food?" "Do people have to work?" "Can you make things magically appear?"... when he clarified this, he said he was wondering if he could just think of a soccer ball and wish it into his hands. Dylan very matter-of-factly replied "Don't push your luck, Dane !" Out of the mouths of babes, right?
I want to publicly thank all of my friends who were here Saturday night when we found my father. I know for certain that I couldn't have handled it without their kind and caring support... Jen, Scott, Melissa, Eric, Sherri, Pam and Lesley... I love you all so very much! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Thank you, also, to everyone who took the time to leave me a comment on my blog or in the guest book at the Lowell Sun. I have very much enjoyed hearing the stories of the kind of person my Dad was, especially at work.
I also want to give props to Michelle Wurster Photography. I called her on Tuesday night and she was able to get me an enlargment (with cropping and Photoshopping) by noon the next day! I appreciate her wonderful customer service at such a difficult time!
I sure hope this wasn't my 5 minutes of fame, but from the way the kids flipped out about it, you sure would have thought it was! LOL Yesterday while I was at work, we got a call that WMUR was coming in to tape a segment about the Patriots! With an hour's notice, we scrambled to tidy the store and get our Patriots gear in tip top shape! They stayed for maybe 20 minutes and cut virtually everything they taped! This shot of me handing a bag to a customer did, however, make the final cut! LOL Speaking of the Patriots, we will definitely have the game on tonight during our postponed New Year's Eve party! We are well stocked for tonight including supplies for our "drink of choice"- California Rootbeer! It's safe to expect some wild layouts soon! Hope you are having a great weekend! :)
I have made my choice and I will be at the polls to cast my vote on Tuesday! Although I am behind Mitt, I am prepared to place my support behind whichever Republican's name ends up on the ticket. I am even considering getting more involved and doing some volunteering. Doesn't that sound like fun?
In non- political news, it is just ELEVEN days until Victoria can start learning to drive!! Aaack! Where did the time go? I always said it was going to have to be her Dad's job because I didn't think I could handle it, but I am prepared to give it the old college try! Wish us both luck... and stay off the streets in a couple weeks!
Speaking of college... I received my "report card" today! I earned A's in both of my classes giving me (obviously) a 4.0 GPA and a spot on the President's List! I have set the bar high for myself and am really eager to get back to school!
I finally came out with a new product- imagine that! LOL Link to purchase for $1: http://www.polkadotpotato.com/shop/product.php?productid=1577 And here is my take using the template... It was a fun challenge to choose just one photo to represent each month! It was a difficult year as a whole, but I tried to focus on the positive.
January: Losing Jasper to the tainted pet food incident February: Our anniversary trip to Ogunquit with the kids March: St Patty's Day and the party at Jen's April: Easter and my favorite "Earth egg" May: Mother's Day at Canobie with my kiddos June: Victoria's graduation from 8th grade July: Megan's trip to NY with her softball team August: The visit from my brother and his wife September: Adopting Macaroni & Cheese (and eventually losing Cheese) :( October: Our trip to the Sandwich Fair November: Thanksgiving with the family December: Christmas celebrations (and a new ornament from Dylan)
In other random news, Megan had her first game back from the holiday break last night and her team remains undefeated. I spoke to Modell's and I will be staying on part time afterall, which really does make me happy.
The sun shining and the year is filled with hope and promise Good things are on the horizon, I just know it! :)
I woke up early this morning to find that the kids had a school delay! Perfect way to ease back into school! I sat down and made a list of things to do over the next few days which included the January 2008 Sketch Challenge at PolkaDotPotato.com. You can find the new challenge right here. I hope you will play along!
Be sure to check the Sweet Shoppe Designs blog later as Heather Roselli will be posting for Workin It Wednesday for the very first time! :) A little birdie told me there will be something in it for you! :)
SongbirdAvenue.com has also put up the newest kit, featuring Shabby Miss Jen! 100% of this month's profits will benefit the Lupus Foundation of America! Here is my layout using this beautiful kit:
