I am becoming my parents

Just a few minutes ago, as I went downstairs to get more toilet paper for the bathroom, I realized, in looking at the 3 huge packs of toilet paper and large pack of paper towels, I am becoming my parents. This is a funny thing and not a bad thing because we used to laugh at how well stocked my parents were with paper products, in particular, paper towels. Upon entering the garage at Lucky Charm Drive, you would see many, many rolls of paper towels and packages of toilet paper all neatly lined up under my Dad's workbench area. Upon entering the house, you would find more paper towels and toilet paper in the basement, kitchen cabinets, and linen closet. We always joked about how they would never run out and they didn't. Anytime it was on sale, they stocked up. Even if I were with them and tell them they certainly didn't need anymore, they would buy some, always saying what a good deal it was.

As we were cleaning out the house in preparation for its sale, each of us kids went home with paper products. My parents had a wonderful sense of humor and loved the good-natured ribbing we gave them. How I wish they were still around so that we could laugh about the stock of paper goods they always had. As for me, I don't know what possessed me to buy another large package of toilet paper rolls when I had 2 here already, but as my Mom would say, "Don't worry, we'll use it - It was a good buy!" Miss you two so very much.

The Power of Friendships

Yesterday was a wonderful day filled with family and friends. I had lunch with my friend Cathy who I haven't seen since before the holidays. This is my scrapbook buddy and I plan to go to CK again this year with her. We chatted and caught up over lunch at Applebees.

Last night was dinner with the Buckman girls. Christi is visiting from Florida and Nikki and Dani both made plans to have dinner with us. These girls have been a part of our family for almost 17 years. They were our babysitters for years. It is wonderful to see the lovely young women they have become - all married and settled into life. Unfortunately, Casey had to make a presentation to the school board and had to leave early and Larry had to teach a class. However, Greg and I stayed all evening and had a lot of laughs with them. On the way home, Greg said to me that it is nice that they are part of our family and that they are like big sisters to him. What a warm feeling that gave me. I think that they will always be a part of each other's lives and full of fond memories. This is what friendship is all about.

Good Things Lately

It has been a very good long President's Day weekend. It started out last Wednesday when I picked Casey up from school for our New England college visit trip. She gets in the car and informs me that she was named National Merit Finalist and had the presentation and picture taking done that day. We had a feeling that she was a finalist but this made it official.

We drove all the way to Sarasota Springs, New York before we stopped for the night. After a nice relaxing dinner and walk around a mall we got a good night's sleep before heading to Middlebury College for an afternoon tour. Along the way we saw ice fisherman on the lake. That was an amazing site. We did the Middlebury tour and it was just okay, so on to Dartmouth the next day. We didn't have cell phone service at the hotel we were at so we headed into New Hampshire to have dinner and make calls. On the way there, Casey answered my phone and it was my brother Jim calling to inform me that Michelle had the baby that day - a little boy named Andrew James Gallant. We were so happy. I told Jim I would call him back when I stopped the car, but when I did he wasn't available. Anyways, we had dinner and called Larry and Greg but they weren't home. Back to the hotel to get some rest before heading to Dartmouth in the morning. The next morning, I asked Casey to call home and let them know that we were okay and about 15 minutes from Dartmouth. She is talking to Larry and then starts screaming. She had just found out that she was accepted at Dartmouth and the Dean of Admissions wrote her a letter to let her know that her application was exceptional and he could without a doubt tell her that she was being accepted into Dartmouth. Needless to say, the tour of Dartmouth was great and Casey truly felt that she could spend 4 years of school there. Getting accepted to Dartmouth, put Middlebury and Smith out of the picture.

From Hanover, we drove to Concord, MA for our tour of Harvard Saturday morning. Not too impressed with it and even if she is accepted, she will probably not go to Harvard. Casey, unfortunately, was not feeling well so we didn't go into the city on Saturday and headed home on Sunday, not visiting Brown. If she gets accepted to Brown, we will visit it then. She does have an interview with them.

So overall it was a great trip and nice to be back home with Larry and Greg and the critters. We enjoyed a very quite President's Day and now everyone is back to work and school (except me as I am still collecting unemployment).

Happy Valentine's Day

Love is in the air! Well maybe floating around my ankles or something. The kids and Larry loved the Valentine's cards I made for them. They were quite surprised that the animals let me do that to them. Larry brought me flowers yesterday for Valentine's Day - so sweet. Tonight for dinner, we are having roast chicken and gravy, green beans, asparagus and roasted potatoes. For dessert I made strawberry trifle which I have to say looks quite beautiful. I'm getting hungry just thinking about dinner.

Talked to Cathy Z. today and caught up on news. I guess we haven't had a good talk since Christmas. We have lunch plans for next Wednesday. Also did lots of errands today. I have to admit that I am enjoying this time off. Thank goodness for unemployment. Did check the want ads - nothing interesting to apply for. T

Tomorrow Casey and I leave for our college visits trip - Middlebury, Dartmouth, Harvard and Brown in 5 days. Hope the weather is kind to us as we travel throughout New England. I plan to do a lot of journaling in my planner and take lots of photos.


We are women hear us roar - Casey and I cleared the entire drive of snow. It took us about 3 hours to do the driveway and all the garage door areas. We were both sore the next day and I think I did more damage to my already painful knee. I even had to resort to taking the naproxen to reduce the inflammation. Doctor's appointment is on the 24th. Casey looked good using the snowblower. Hope she gets used to it as she plans to be in New England for the next 4 years!!!!

Snowy Saturday

The weather forecast for today is snow and lots of it. Between now and tomorrow, at last count, it was supposed to be 8-12 inches of snow. That's a lot of snow and guess what - I am the only one home. Larry and Greg had hockey tickets to see the Penguins play the Washington Capitals in D.C. They made plans to stay overnight tonite and come home tomorrow morning. They almost cancelled because of the weather but decided to leave really early today and get to D.C. before the snow started. They got to the hotel by noon, checked in and had the rest of the day before the game to have fun. Greg just called and said they went to the Spy Museum and the Smithsonian American History Museum. He sounds like he is having lots of fun. I'm glad they went even though I was a nervous wreck about them traveling in the snow. Tomorrow, they will probably wait until the roads are cleared before they start home.

Casey, meanwhile, is at Casey's house and they are waiting to see if Bridget (from NY) has to go home tonight or not. This will determine whether or not Casey is home tonight. I want her to have fun but I sure could use the help tomorrow in clearing the snow. I have pre-warned her that I can't get her until the driveway and roads are cleared. So, I may be on my own with the animals riding this winter storm out. Maybe I will put a fire in the fireplace, have a bowl of hot soup and enjoy the quite. I do miss the comfort of my family around me though.


I started making Valentine's cards today using these cute pics I took of the animals. I think they will be a hit with everybody (plus candy).



I am so excited because I get to take 2 classes with Donna Downey. She is coming to the scrapbook store in Quakertown and I signed up for the 2 Friday classes she is teaching. She inspires me in scrapbooking in so many ways. I am taking her online Big Picture class and am enjoying it quite a bit. My creative mojo has been missing lately because I have been dealing with losing my job. However, I think things will start to turn around soon. I found out that I get unemployment for 26 weeks for almost 3/4 of my salary. This will help me out as I continue to seek a new job. I am glad that I don't feel the pressure to go back to work immediately and can find a job that works with my schedule and my interests.

I have to start thinking about my summer plans - first our trip to Ireland and then coming home from that and going to CK Valley Forge. I hope Cathy Z. wants to stay overnight and take more classes. If she doesn't, I definitely will even if I have to go by myself. I am also going to try to work in a trip to Columbus to see Jim and Joe. Good thing I have the time to pursue all of these trips.

On Being Liberated

Liberated - that's what Casey has called my losing my job and in many ways that is really what it was. On Feb. 3 I lost my job due to "budgetary constraints". HA! I know that it wasn't the real reason but one that my boss could justify. It was just a shame that the 2 people who I thought were my friends turned out to be the ones who stabbed me in the back. They have to live with themselves not me. Those relationships are definitely done and over with.

I am truly enjoying my freedom. Larry has been wonderful throughout the whole thing. He has encouraged me to take time off and just enjoy my family and life and especially this last summer before Casey goes off to college. He said not to think about getting a job until next fall after the kids go back to school. The kids were great on Friday when they found out - they both gave me big hugs and told me that everything would be okay and it would be good to be away from the craziness of that place. Less than an hour after getting canned, I filed for unemployment. That will help somewhat until I can find a job that gave me the flexibility that I was used to.

So far in three short days, I have done some major cleaning, finished a quilt, studied 5 chapters for my A+ test and done some considerable thinking about my life. This is my chance to start again fresh and do something new. Sometimes it takes a shakeup or someone else forcing you to look anew at your life and what you are accomplishing. Work was a very poisonous atmosphere and I have to say that I am definitely a much happier person these days and I think everyone around me has noticed it as well. Believe me, Kitty is getting tired from all the walking that we are doing. However, it's good for my soul. I talked for over a hour with my brother and wish he would take some steps to changing his life. He needs it more than I do and its getting very important that he takes some positive steps in his life.

"You learn that for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve... and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy. You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different from working toward making it happen. More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance." These words mean a lot to me lately as I realize that anything I accomplish is through hard work and the belief that I can do it with God's help. My attitude towards life in general is changing and I realize that each day is a gift and a chance to do something good. I am also learning that it is not about what material items I have or accolades I have received, but embracing each day and making those around me glad to have me here.

Things will be changing in the next few months as I settle into my being home routine. It's been 7 years since I stayed home with the kids. I know it will be good for all of us and who knows what the future will bring in terms of employment for me, but I can be sure it is something that makes me happy.