Wedding and Honeymoon

Now that the wedding hoopla is over, we can take a collective deep breath and hope that life returns to semi-normal. Here is a photo of us at the Queechee Balloon Festival. The balloons were just amazing! There were only about 15 going up so I cannot fathom how spectacular the event is in New Mexico! Guess we'll have to save our pennies to make a trip west some time!

After a short honeymoon trip to Vermont, Chaz and I are starting to meld two households. We're looking at some kind of shelf along the kitchen wall and if he gets his way, we'll also have a bookcase right here where my desk is now located (I moved out here because I was feeling way too isolated in the bedroom doing homework and now am right in the middle of things).

Wedding Album

This is our Wedding Album

My Wedding Cake

Just freshly decorated, here is our wedding cake. It is the night before our wedding and I am sitting here just staring at it. Yes, I know there's no topper but we've both agreed that it looks just beautiful without one.

The cake is comprised as follows: the bottom layer is pound cake with strawberry filling; the next 10" layer is spice cake with a cream cheese filling; the 8" layer is a lemon cake with a lemon curd filling and the final top 6" layer is chocolate with mixed berry filling. I started baking on Tuesday and just now finished (well about an hour ago). The roses are all gum paste and completely edible! The only thing that isn't edible is the sprigs of baby's breath. Otherwise, it is a completely edible cake. Not too shabby for my first (yes, my FIRST) really big cake!!!!

Everyone...in one place...for a change!

Here's the entire clan! My parents, my brother and I ... and our respective children and spouses (current and ex) Of course the Man of the Hour is in the middle, sporting an official Graduation t-shirt in bright purple!

HE DID IT!!!

My second baby graduated yesterday! Here we are just moments after the ceremony. Doesn't he look proud of himself?!

I tell you, it was hard to not burst into tears (heck, it's hard now just to write about it without getting teary!) He has worked so hard to get to this point - he's reached his goal and now is standing on the thresh-hold of a totally new life.

I hosted a very nice party for him and it was great to see so many family and friends turn out for it. The burgers ran out, just slightly after the hot dogs!

Photos of the Broken One

Poor Rachel's hand before the cast just after the splint was applied. The fingers were simply taped together since the dislocation of her index finger was on a growth plate and there was concern that it wouldn't heal properly if a cast was put on to take care of the break. So...the doctor waited a week, the finger was healing beautifully and he felt the cast could go on and stay on until June 9th, when (HOPEFULLY) it comes off.

Then, there is the black eye. It's gone now but boy was it purple!!

How exciting can one life get?

It is official! Brian is graduating with his class on June 6th! I'm so proud of him I can't stand it! Now, we are just waiting for the day to arrive - I'm hoping he brings his cap and gown over so I can take some preview photos. Watch for more pictures of my baby as he takes his first steps into adulthood.

Meanwhile, Sam takes his state exam to be an EMT. He has studied hard and I am confident that he will pass with flying colors.

Rachel had the misfortune of breaking her hand a few weeks ago, as well as sporting a beautiful black eye. She was playing in gym class with a good friend and they bumped heads (hence, the black eye) As she hit the ground, she dislocated her left index finger and broke the bone in her hand under the ring finger on her left hand. A splint for a week and then, a gorgeous neon green cast, until June 9th (hopefully off before the big wedding).

Wedding? Oh yes, there's that too...Plans are moving along for my upcoming wedding to my Chaz. He's much calmer than I am about the whole thing - he assures me all will be well for our special day. He's like valium in human form lately - just talking quietly to him calms me down and helps me realize all will be ok.

I have finished the favors, my dress is ready to go, the napkins and other linens have been either ordered or purchased. The flowers are all set, the reception menu finalized. Now all we have left is to shower and show up!! I am dying to post photos of my dress but will refrain until after the 12th lest Chaz read my blog and get a sneak peek at this beautiful dress. I can't wait until he sees me in it - ME, who lives in jeans and sweaters - sporting a beautiful floor length gown. OK I'm going to hush now....

Pictures

My kids - Sam, Rachel and Brian (with considerably shorter hair!!)April, 2010

Chaz and I at the beach in Gloucester MA

Brian as Nicely Nicely in Murdock High School's production of Guys and Dolls! The show was wonderful! If you missed it, YOU missed out!

Chaz with Mia at Matthew's baptism - She calls him 'Her Charlie' (I think she likes him...)

Lots of news

It was brought to my attention recently by my mother that I had not written here in quite a while. There is no mention of the gazillion changes in our world that have taken place since July 2009. To start at the beginning:

Rachel has started 7th grade! It seems like just a blink ago she was born and here she is, all 5'5" of her bad self heading off to the great unknown of middle school. She has done remarkably well in school, maintaining highest honors throughout the fall, winter, spring and now, at the end of the year, she is celebrating achieving highest honors yet again. She's one smart cookie!

We played basketball throughout the winter and spent a good portion of the winter trying to stay warm.

Sam is finishing with his second year at the Mount - he's transferring to UMASS Boston in the fall of 2010 to finish his degree work in Criminal Justice. He seems to have found his niche in criminal justice. He has also been studying to be an EMT - busy young man!

Brian has been busy as well, entering his senior and final year of high school. Like Rachel, it seems like it has been a blink since I carried him out of the school kicking and screaming because he wanted to stay and couldn't because he was too little! Now, here he is, poised on the brink of adulthood and about to graduate. I'm sure there is a great deal of nervousness on his part - the unknown is always scary no matter what you're doing. He cut his beautiful chestnut brown hair short recently and he looks like the well mannered young man I've raised. I loved his brown hair but I understand that it takes a lot to keep it clean, and well groomed.

I have been crazy busy at work. It seems like the days never end, blurring one into another. My job is a daily treat - like the prize in the bottom of the cracker jack box - I never know what I will unwrap when I go into my building. The crowds are increasing which means we are having some affect on the seniors of Winchendon and piquing their interest with our programs and facility.

So in a short time, Brian will graduate from high school, Sam will move on to finish his degree work, and I will also finish my course work at St. Joseph's. I'm not sure if I will continue on to the Master's level - haven't fully figured that out just yet. I know I have enjoyed my courses and the challenges they have presented; I am simply tired and need to take a breath for a minute.

One of the bigger changes in my life is that I have decided to marry my Chaz. He asked me in October if I would be his wife and I said yes. We were at our favorite ice cream place and looking visibly nervous, placed a small box in front of me and asked his question. We had set a date of October 10 but have moved it up to June 12 of this year. It is hard for my parents to travel here in June for Brian's big day and then come back just a few short months later for a wedding, so Chaz and I decided to have a small wedding while they are here. Mom and Dad will be here by June 4th I hope; the house will be full of people the night before and even though it will be an insane week for sure, I am positive everything will get done that needs to be done. My dress is beautiful - after the wedding I will post photos. I wouldn't want my Chaz to get a sneak peek before it's time!

So, in a nutshell, that's what has been going on here. OH! We had SNOW yesterday! Yes, snow - on April 28th! I couldn't believe it but I saw it with my own two eyes. Big old snowflakes coming down from the sky. Didn't last, but it made for some very interesting lunch conversation.

Do You Cricut at Work?

Every now and then, something comes across my desk in this form : Hey can you make a big check for a luncheon in about two hours?? That's when you whip out the Cricut Expressions and say "No problem!" and start cutting out letters. My co-worker and I spent about two hours making this check for a volunteer luncheon. By the time we were done, I had dragged her over to the dark side of cricuting...I think we have a convert folks! The teeny tiny words are the amount all written out....

Mud boggin - Subaru style

Today, my Chaz said to me...let's go for a drive. It's a beautiful day, there's not a cloud in the sky. I've got my cross stitching in my lap ready to stitch some drive time away...HA! That was NOT to be!

We drove through our local state park, took a few lefts, a few rights, and found this bitchin' puddle and before you ask - YES WE DROVE THROUGH at about 25 mph! (well, he drove - I took the picture):

Did we have fun?! Oh ya! We did! So much fun that we did it again:

The only down side is the car is a champagne gold so the dirt doesn't show all that much...but she's filthy!!

DISTRICT THREE CHAMPIONS!

After a long, tough season, the girl's softball team came through and won the District 3 Championship tonight! The entire team has busted their butts to get here: extra practices, batting, fielding, whatever they needed to be the best in the District. Final score (if you can see the scoreboard in the background) 8-1 over Chuck Stone Little League of Athol. That's the way..uh uh ... we like it....uh uh!!!

Just to update : We are now in the sectionals portion of our adventure. We won on Monday 7/13 over Westfield but lost tonight 7/15 to Westfield so we're going there on Thursday night 7/16. Rachel walked to first and then managed to round the bases on a series of overthrows and errors on the other team's part. She loped across home plate like she's done it 1,000 times! Looked good doing it if you ask me....but I'm biased!

If we lose we're done and our adventure stops here. If we WIN however, the adventure continues! Who KNOWS where we'll go!!!!

More graduation stuff

Here it is! The official document that says I'm done. It's all mine and I earned every inch of it. It's been a while since graduation - just over a month and only one week left until I start the next round of courses.

Everyone has been asking me what I'm going to do next - that's simple. I'm going to still work at my job, keeping tabs on my elders and driving them crazy, er, to the grocery store and doctor's appointments! Not much has changed and I'm happy in my current job. The degree will hopefully open some doors at a later date, but for now, I'm satisfied to be where I am.

Chaz is happy - he's working at a residential home for adults with disabilities as the assistant house manager. The hours are cockeyed (3-11) but we still seem to make time to see each other, even if it's only for an hour or two here and there. We just passed the one-year mark in early May and everything is going very well. We get along great and even when we disagree, we seem to be able to work everything out without either of us feeling shafted. People notice how well we get along and how well we work together for a common good - a good home for the kids, success in our professions and happiness in each other. In three words, it's all good!

A Preview of Things to Come

Well, here it is, the night before graduation, and I'm trying out my cap and gown. I'm excited beyond belief! When I started this journey so many years ago, this day was soooo far out there, at times I thought it would never come. Not only have I succeeded in graduating but I've done it with Honors. Wow...pretty heavy thought - that I've completed one phase of my life and am already looking towards the next.

The kids are terribly excited - no one can stop grinning! Rachel tried on my cap and Sam gave me a big hug and, as he says, "a well deserved "ATTA GIRL"." Without their support this day would not have been possible. They've accepted peanut butter and jelly sandwich dinners without complaining, having a mom locked in her room memorizing formulas for Algebra and yelling at a political science columnist because he's a pinhead. My friends have stood behind me all the way too - I have a fortune on my laptop that reads "Right now, there's an energy pushing you to stay on your path." I got it one night when I was pretty disgusted with school and my seeming inability to memorize the pathway of blood in the body! I got through it and here I stand, just waiting...

My next round of coursework starts June 30th - at the end of that tunnel, I'll receive my Bachelor's Degree in Human Services. I haven't picked a concentration yet but I'm 90% sure it will be gerontology or elder studies. It's less than a year's worth of work but will be very well worth it when I'm done. More photos tomorrow night of the ceremony...

It's Almost Here!

The day that I have worked towards is almost here! I'm talking about graduation day! Final grades for the current semester were posted on Friday and I finished my time at MWCC with a 3.43 for this semester and a 3.31 overall - just enough to graduate with honors on Wednesday night. I am very happy with my accomplishments; it's been a long road getting here but the journey has been worth it.

Starting June 30th I begin my BS work at St. Joseph's College of Maine. No, I'm not moving to Maine - it's on line which allows me to keep both jobs and my life here in Massachusetts. I have 11 classes to take, and will be taking three over the summer - Victimology, US History I and ....I"m drawing a blank on the third class....hmm wonder if it's interesting! Ah yes, it's an Ethics class (my first ethics class was too specialized for acceptance). The other beauty of working on line is that I can work at my own pace, and quite possibly finish before my deadline, enabling me to keep on truckin'!

I'll be picking up my cap and gown Tuesday night - will post photos when I can get to it.

Happy Mail

I received a letter in the mail Saturday that made me absolutely squeal in delight - no, I didn't get my tax refund - BETTER than that (but not by much!!!) I got the "it's time to order your cap and gown" letter from the college. I guess it's really true! I'm GRADUATING this year!! I have earned enough credits for my AS in Human Services. I can't stop grinning! The big event is May 20th at 6pm and I am so happy! I have worked hard to gt here and I was beginning to think this day would never come.

Starting in September, I'll continue working towards my BS in Human services and should finish that program next May. The degree will be from St Joseph's College of Maine. I also got the course listing and picked my classes. I'm planing to take three this summer, four in the fall and four in the spring (my usual schedule), so that I can graduate next May. I haven't got a clue what I'm going to do with this degree at the moment; I'm just happy I'm working when so many aren't. Stay tuned!

Happy Holidays!

The last month has been utterly crazy, what with school schedules, storms, power outages and what have you. We've all managed to stay relatively sane during the holiday season.

Christmas was quiet; just the kids, Chaz, his parents and myself for christmas morning. Our little tree was pretty bare the night before, but when we woke up however, it was a totally different story. Each person had a big gift bag from Nana and Grampa, with beautiful hand crocheted blankets in pinks, greens, blacks, peaches and blues. Each blanket was crocheted to suit its owner.

My gift to Chaz this year was a large blanket that I've been working on since June. Funny how I was able to work on it right in front of him and he didn't even consider it might be for him!

Little Bit got a present from Chaz's dogs Zoey and Snoopy. Guess he liked it! It was a green teddy and within an hour, it was in shreds under the desk! Doesn't he look guilty?!

Brian's blanket was black and white - very striking! Sam's was in camo yarn which, according to Mom, was a b-e-a-r to work with because the colors ran right into each other.

Rachel received a christmas camel. Yes, everyone must have their very own christmas camel! It's a webkinz to add to her ever expanding collection.

So after christmas, it was back to work for everyone. Kids are on vacation for another week. It's been over 30 days since they've seen the inside of a classroom so grading should be interesting!

A case of HOW THE HECK DID YOU DO THAT?!

I have, in my life, done some pretty stupid things...but this one takes the prize!

You might wonder what this is...this is what happens when you try to grab a bundle of balloons with an open pair of scissors in one hand! There are five beautiful stitches there and now, after finding out I cut the nerves in the thumb running down to the palm, a nice cast from the bottom of my fingers to mid forearm. The surgery was the easy part; a nice cocktail of fentynyl and some other really good drug and I was gonzo! Woke up with this beautiful cast that everyone has signed and doodled on. I went last Friday to have the stitches removed and the cast removed only to have a spica splint put on because the thumb must stay straight until the 19th. So now it looks like I'm permanently "thumbing". The scar from the stitches is nice - healing quite well actually. I just can't move the thumb without pain yet. The nerves are still healing and as we all know (or anyone who has taken anatomy more than once) they take a bucketload of time to heal! I'm on the mend though. Chaz and the kids are taking wonderful care of me which is always very nice. One good thing? NO DOING DISHES FOR ME...MUWAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAH!

My Goofy Kids

I just realized I had all three of my chicks in the henhouse at the same time so I grabbed the camera and shot a photo of them, all in one place for a change! Think of this as a rose between two thorns!!!

Like leaves, my thoughts are scattered

Just like the leaves blowing around, my thoughts lately are scattered willy nilly! I have school on the front burner as usual, the kids' schedules are pretty quiet right now, soccer is winding down, but basketball is coming up quickly! I don't know if my girl wants to play this year; there was talk of not playing because there wasn't going to be a coach but we'll see. Things with Mr. Chaz are going so well it's kinda scary! The expression "too good to be true" doesn't seem to apply here though. He's as good as he says and he's the sweetheart he seems. I'm not a "take care of me" kinda gal but it's nice to have someone genuinely take care of you without question. We're talking random back rubs, a glass of water because I'm coughing a little, rubbing my tired feet after standing at work all day, a hug just because he's standing there, sitting through a marathon of Bridezilla just because it's a HOOT of a show... and not complaining! It's all the little things that make up a sweetheart.

Chaz and I went out to a swing dance a couple of weeks ago. We had a good time - here's a photo of us at the end of the night...

Here's another interesting picture taken early this spring. Question: which one is the girl and which one is the boy? Answer later!

Someone needs a haircut!!

For those that don't know, I am one of the backs, the other is my son, age 16. I think we're trying to see whose hair can get the longest!