I wanted to write about my Uncle Ritchie - who was born not breathing. And this was back in the 50's, before many of the miracles of modern medicine that we have today. According to my Grandmother (and I have to have some kind of poetic license here, because I can't double check with her, I'm just going on my memory and I'm over 40 and that can't be 100%)... he was so cute, the doctors worked on him longer than they would have or should have, and got him to breathe. There were some issues about a missing kidney, but that's neither here nor there..
Every time he did something great, wonderful, whatever - my grandmother would say "not bad for a kid born dead, huh?"... and it stuck. He'd say it when he got older and did something that he wanted credit for.
When he was diagnosed with cancer, he had such a positive outlook (because, after all, he was born dead) he was told that his life expectancy was 10 years at the most. His response "Great! I can watch my kids grow up"....
I'll never forget one time, at a play dedicated to my mother after she died, he got up and lost his balance and fell backwards into a door, the door opened, he fell out and we were all hysterical laughing because he kept talking about his "Mary Katherine Gallager" impression. Only Ritchie.
He lived long enough to see some of his (4) kids get married, and died not long after "walking" his daughter down the aisle at her wedding, he was in a wheelchair and she walked, her hand on the side of the chair. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.
I miss Ritchie. He had the best sense of humor. Not bad for a kid born dead.
My friend Crissy over at Tiptoeing Through the Tulips has a son who turns six today. Who, without the miracles of modern medicine, wouldn't have made it to one. Or two. And who is the most amazing, smart, wonderful and adorable six year olds I have the pleasure of knowing but never having met. I'm friends with his aunt, and have known about him since he was in utero. So I do know him. :) Go check out his story, say Happy Birthday Graham and realize that it's not bad for a kid that shouldn't be here. :) What a gift.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Manic Monday
Some Monday fun! Click here to play along!
Do you enjoy brain teasers or do you find them frustrating?
If I have the time to do them, I love them; if I'm short on time - they're damn frustrating. Seriously - who CARES how fast the train was going, did it get me to my destination without hitting the OTHER train? That's what matters in my world. LOL And really, isn't my accounting class enough of a brain tease right now?
Do you have any unusual collections?
Strange ex boyfriends? LOL I have a collection of Frosted Flakes boxes personalized with pictures on them. Foreign coins? Lots of books. Lots of pictures. We try and get those flat pennies everywhere. You know - pay $.51 and get the penny back with an engraved picture of where ever you are on it?
What do people notice about you within the first hour of meeting you (other than appearance)?
My wicked wit and sarcastic nature? Because, since appearance can't count we have to leave out my extra large American breasteses. They're registered as weapons in 12 countries. And seeing as how I live in the midwest, people seem to notice the issue I have with the letter "R". And how I sometimes happen to not use it?
Do you enjoy brain teasers or do you find them frustrating?
If I have the time to do them, I love them; if I'm short on time - they're damn frustrating. Seriously - who CARES how fast the train was going, did it get me to my destination without hitting the OTHER train? That's what matters in my world. LOL And really, isn't my accounting class enough of a brain tease right now?
Do you have any unusual collections?
Strange ex boyfriends? LOL I have a collection of Frosted Flakes boxes personalized with pictures on them. Foreign coins? Lots of books. Lots of pictures. We try and get those flat pennies everywhere. You know - pay $.51 and get the penny back with an engraved picture of where ever you are on it?
What do people notice about you within the first hour of meeting you (other than appearance)?
My wicked wit and sarcastic nature? Because, since appearance can't count we have to leave out my extra large American breasteses. They're registered as weapons in 12 countries. And seeing as how I live in the midwest, people seem to notice the issue I have with the letter "R". And how I sometimes happen to not use it?
Spring Break!
We fly into San Diego Saturday evening, and leave the morning of Easter Sunday.
We'll be in San Diego until Wednesday, when I think we're going to head up to Anaheim to go to Disney ($150 EACH for a 2 day park hopper pass - holy marone!!). I found a hotel on Newport Beach that has a pretty good rate (gotta love working for the government - you get a cheaper rate!) and then back to SD on Friday. the boy wants to do Lego Land - not 100% sure about the zoo - I'm going to leave that up to him, as well as Sea World. Hopefully the weather will cooperate!
Anyone have any recommendations? Advice? Warnings? LOL
We'll be in San Diego until Wednesday, when I think we're going to head up to Anaheim to go to Disney ($150 EACH for a 2 day park hopper pass - holy marone!!). I found a hotel on Newport Beach that has a pretty good rate (gotta love working for the government - you get a cheaper rate!) and then back to SD on Friday. the boy wants to do Lego Land - not 100% sure about the zoo - I'm going to leave that up to him, as well as Sea World. Hopefully the weather will cooperate!
Anyone have any recommendations? Advice? Warnings? LOL
Friday, March 27, 2009
Ayecarumba...
Said in my best Bart Simpson voice.
What a week.
I have had something every night this week, and probably had something tonight but just forgot. LOL Actually, I'm procrastinating with my homework (yes, again!). Only 4 weeks left YAY!! And soon baseball will start, which will just eat into more time, but as I love baseball, it's all good. :)
Here's the boy in all his glory
Isn't he cute? :)
I hit a deer last night. And after being in Michigan for 5 years, where deer are EVERYWHERE - I guess I was due. The funny thing? Not a scratch on the car. I was on the phone with my friend Kim when I came up over the top of the hill and saw it, yelled "SHIT!" and hit it. It flew onto the side of the road, rolled over a few times, stood up and looked at me. At this point, I was pissed, so I rolled down the window and yelled "YOU STUPID DEER" at it. I guess she had nothing to say back, because she ran away. LOL I know how lucky I am.
A boy in my son's class was killed riding his bike on the road last weekend. How horrible for him, his family and everyone that knew him. 12 years old. Yikes.
Anyway. One week from tomorrow? San Diego. Warmth. Sun. Beach. Sand. Cocktails. 'Nuff said.
Happy Friday!
What a week.
I have had something every night this week, and probably had something tonight but just forgot. LOL Actually, I'm procrastinating with my homework (yes, again!). Only 4 weeks left YAY!! And soon baseball will start, which will just eat into more time, but as I love baseball, it's all good. :)
Here's the boy in all his glory
Isn't he cute? :)
I hit a deer last night. And after being in Michigan for 5 years, where deer are EVERYWHERE - I guess I was due. The funny thing? Not a scratch on the car. I was on the phone with my friend Kim when I came up over the top of the hill and saw it, yelled "SHIT!" and hit it. It flew onto the side of the road, rolled over a few times, stood up and looked at me. At this point, I was pissed, so I rolled down the window and yelled "YOU STUPID DEER" at it. I guess she had nothing to say back, because she ran away. LOL I know how lucky I am.
A boy in my son's class was killed riding his bike on the road last weekend. How horrible for him, his family and everyone that knew him. 12 years old. Yikes.
Anyway. One week from tomorrow? San Diego. Warmth. Sun. Beach. Sand. Cocktails. 'Nuff said.
Happy Friday!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sunday Sunday.....
The new kitchen counter is in, and just fantabulistic (see pictures below!). I'm loving it - best decision I made about the house. They put in a breakfast bar that was 54" high, so I had them drop it 5" so we could actually USE it without buying ridiculously expensive bar stools. Now I have cheap ones, and a usable surface. :)
It's been a CRAZY week! I'm starting to feel better finally - not as winded, I might even go for a walk today - it appears that spring has finally sprung! I think I have 2 days left on the antibiotics.
Homework to do, hockey to watch, and life to live.
My pictures on Wednesday were of me and my aunt (or would that be my aunt and I?). She died suddenly 2 years ago Wednesday, and I'm just now getting to the point where I can talk abut the day she died without crying. I miss her every day, and just can't believe that it's been two years. Yikes.
Had IEP meeting with school on Tuesday. We're all on the same page, it seems, and while he's not getting an IEP, we are putting a 504 into place and hopefully that will help.
Off to do my homework and get some stuff done! Happy Sunday!!
old counter from the side - see how high that darn thing was??
yeah - MUCH better :)
It's been a CRAZY week! I'm starting to feel better finally - not as winded, I might even go for a walk today - it appears that spring has finally sprung! I think I have 2 days left on the antibiotics.
Homework to do, hockey to watch, and life to live.
My pictures on Wednesday were of me and my aunt (or would that be my aunt and I?). She died suddenly 2 years ago Wednesday, and I'm just now getting to the point where I can talk abut the day she died without crying. I miss her every day, and just can't believe that it's been two years. Yikes.
Had IEP meeting with school on Tuesday. We're all on the same page, it seems, and while he's not getting an IEP, we are putting a 504 into place and hopefully that will help.
Off to do my homework and get some stuff done! Happy Sunday!!
old counter from the side - see how high that darn thing was??
yeah - MUCH better :)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
ahhhhhhhhh the holiest of all holidays.....
for an Irish person, that is :)
For which I am. And why I'm wearing green, and made the boy change into a green shirt this morning. :) Here's a picture from the parade a few years back -
I had the pleasure of visiting Ireland for 12 days a few years ago, and highly recommend it. I need to pull out some pictures and scan them one of these days. Definitely one of my favorite places. While I'm not a fan of Guinness, the Carlsberg substituted quite nicely, thank you...
So enjoy this day, for on St. Patrick's Day - EVERYBODY's Irish!
Here's one of my faves... enjoy
For which I am. And why I'm wearing green, and made the boy change into a green shirt this morning. :) Here's a picture from the parade a few years back -
I had the pleasure of visiting Ireland for 12 days a few years ago, and highly recommend it. I need to pull out some pictures and scan them one of these days. Definitely one of my favorite places. While I'm not a fan of Guinness, the Carlsberg substituted quite nicely, thank you...
So enjoy this day, for on St. Patrick's Day - EVERYBODY's Irish!
Here's one of my faves... enjoy
Monday, March 16, 2009
And the award goes to....
Smarty Pants aka Smart Mouth Broad has gifted me with a lovely award. It's about making lemonade out of lemons.
Anyone that knows me, knows that I've never taken the easy route for anything. God knows I've tried! LOL But somehow things always get in the way.
I'm a single parent with an asshat as afather sperm donor of my kid, who has ADHD and depression issues (not uncommon with ADHD kids). I upped and moved away from my family and friends in the Boston area 5 years ago to give him a better life with more "mom" time, and while it's worked out so far - there have been some speed bumps along the way.
Met a guy, moved in with guy, he told me to quit my job so I could take care of him full time - but it all went bad - blah, blah, blah... someday I'll post the whole story - but basically got thrown out of the home we were in with next to nothing, lots of untruths and justifications gone bad on his part. WhatEVER... I got a full time job, and live only a couple of miles from where we lived together because we are in a great school system and I'll be damned if I'm pulling my child out of his school because the fuckwith happens to be, well, a fuckwit. I also did nothing wrong, so I see no reason to run away with my tail between my legs.
Within weeks of getting my job, I applied for a mortgage, and signed a contract to have a house built. We moved into the house in October. What a feeling! A week before I was supposed to close? My original mortgage company backed out. And what week was that? Yeah. The WORST week in the history of the world to try and get a mortgage - especially for someone with credit issues. But see? I have this ginormous horseshoe sticking out of my ass that somehow always makes things work out. Or it could be the "angels" looking over me.
In any case, we moved, life is calm, I'm back in school after taking a mental health semester off and the fuckwit hides in another state. 'Nuff said.
Oh well. So yeah - lemonade it is! Or maybe some Limoncello? Or a coffee with some Baileys? That works for lemonade, doesn't it? LOL Actually - one of my favorite drinks? Corona mixed with Paul Newman's lemonade. Works well with any light beer and lemonade - but it has to be the quality stuff, none of the cheap lemonade. mmmmmmm tasty....
I thank you SMB for your award, and I will wear it proud!!
Like any award, this one comes with rules and they are as follows:
1. Post the logo on your blog.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.
3. Link to the nominees within your blog post.
4. Notify the recipients of the award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link back to the person from whom you received your award.
Oh, for the LOVE.... I don't know who to nominate!! I'm sick, can that be my excuse? I really am - I went to the doctor finally on Saturday - turns out I have pneumonia. Whoops. I think next time I won't wait so long.
And from my friends Pseudo who lives in paradise and Erin who lives near my "old" home (sniff... sniff..)
Psuedo is an amazing woman, one I'd love to meet IRL some day, she's a survivor of many things - breast cancer only being one of them. Erin is a single mom bud who I met on the internet 12 years ago next month. Amazing that we've known each other that long! We immediately hit it off, our kids get along great (or did the last time we saw each other LOL) and we have the same great taste in music. I'm proud to call her a friend, and wish she lived closer so we could hang out with Kim - because we are like the 3 Musketeers LOL
I do have one sister, and we've had a very tumultuous relationship, at best. I was odd man out growing up, I remember one time she bit me and told my mother the dog did it - and when my mother went to whack me (yeah, she was one of those) I stuck my arm into her face and said "SEE THIS??? IT'S NOT FROM THE DOG" and then she believed me. We've been best friends, worst enemies (not speaking for over 2 years) and are getting back to a good place. When I needed help, she was there for me. When she's needed help - I've done the same for her. I have many friends that are sisters to me, so in that respect, I have been blessed. If you're reading this - consider yourself tagged :)
Anyone that knows me, knows that I've never taken the easy route for anything. God knows I've tried! LOL But somehow things always get in the way.
I'm a single parent with an asshat as a
Met a guy, moved in with guy, he told me to quit my job so I could take care of him full time - but it all went bad - blah, blah, blah... someday I'll post the whole story - but basically got thrown out of the home we were in with next to nothing, lots of untruths and justifications gone bad on his part. WhatEVER... I got a full time job, and live only a couple of miles from where we lived together because we are in a great school system and I'll be damned if I'm pulling my child out of his school because the fuckwith happens to be, well, a fuckwit. I also did nothing wrong, so I see no reason to run away with my tail between my legs.
Within weeks of getting my job, I applied for a mortgage, and signed a contract to have a house built. We moved into the house in October. What a feeling! A week before I was supposed to close? My original mortgage company backed out. And what week was that? Yeah. The WORST week in the history of the world to try and get a mortgage - especially for someone with credit issues. But see? I have this ginormous horseshoe sticking out of my ass that somehow always makes things work out. Or it could be the "angels" looking over me.
In any case, we moved, life is calm, I'm back in school after taking a mental health semester off and the fuckwit hides in another state. 'Nuff said.
Oh well. So yeah - lemonade it is! Or maybe some Limoncello? Or a coffee with some Baileys? That works for lemonade, doesn't it? LOL Actually - one of my favorite drinks? Corona mixed with Paul Newman's lemonade. Works well with any light beer and lemonade - but it has to be the quality stuff, none of the cheap lemonade. mmmmmmm tasty....
I thank you SMB for your award, and I will wear it proud!!
Like any award, this one comes with rules and they are as follows:
1. Post the logo on your blog.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.
3. Link to the nominees within your blog post.
4. Notify the recipients of the award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link back to the person from whom you received your award.
Oh, for the LOVE.... I don't know who to nominate!! I'm sick, can that be my excuse? I really am - I went to the doctor finally on Saturday - turns out I have pneumonia. Whoops. I think next time I won't wait so long.
And from my friends Pseudo who lives in paradise and Erin who lives near my "old" home (sniff... sniff..)
Psuedo is an amazing woman, one I'd love to meet IRL some day, she's a survivor of many things - breast cancer only being one of them. Erin is a single mom bud who I met on the internet 12 years ago next month. Amazing that we've known each other that long! We immediately hit it off, our kids get along great (or did the last time we saw each other LOL) and we have the same great taste in music. I'm proud to call her a friend, and wish she lived closer so we could hang out with Kim - because we are like the 3 Musketeers LOL
I do have one sister, and we've had a very tumultuous relationship, at best. I was odd man out growing up, I remember one time she bit me and told my mother the dog did it - and when my mother went to whack me (yeah, she was one of those) I stuck my arm into her face and said "SEE THIS??? IT'S NOT FROM THE DOG" and then she believed me. We've been best friends, worst enemies (not speaking for over 2 years) and are getting back to a good place. When I needed help, she was there for me. When she's needed help - I've done the same for her. I have many friends that are sisters to me, so in that respect, I have been blessed. If you're reading this - consider yourself tagged :)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Yippee!
I've been given some awards, and will post them and all that they entail later. One is about sisters, the other - making lemonade from lemons. :) This is going to be fun. Stay tuned... Homework takes precedence, but this weekend it shall be posted!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)