Wow....it's been a while.....

Where have three months gone? I can't believe that's the last time I was on my own blogsite.
Well, let's see....summer was full of days at the beach, shopping (the girls are addicts) and ice cream!! It was a simple summer and it FLEW!!!! Seriously, I don't ever remember a summer going by that fast.
So, now the girls are back in school. Joelle in 7th grade (it still hasn't sunk in) and Marina is in 5th. I can't say that it's smooth sailing quite yet. I have issues with the merging of Frisbee and Shapleigh and I made my concerns known when I met with the assistant principal yesterday. However, the girls seem to go with the flow and that is all that matters. Joelle has switched from clarinet to saxaphone in band and Marina has taken up the drums. Well, the "kit" they give her is a practice drum and a xylophone. It's pretty cool......
Me? Well, let's just say I'm happy! There's nothing better than being in a good spot with yourself and that's where I'm at. Lovin' life!!

PROUD MOM!!!

All A's and B's!!! Whoo-hoo!!

This being accomplished while participating in track every day after school , softball 2-3 evenings per week, rehearsing lines for the school play (she had the lead), student council after school, singing lessons, participation in the stenciling project at Kittery Trading Post and keeping up with her very active social life.

Joelle, I am so proud of you. I have such pride calling you my daughter.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY NANA

We miss you so much. It doesn't get easier, though, I thought it would.

"Look at the stars. Look how they shine for you, and all the things that you do".

Happy Mothers Day Nana~

Counting softballs in my sleep......

So, I took on the responsibility of coaching Joelle and Marina's Little League team this year. Let me tell you right now: there is A LOT more to this than meets the eye. I literally am eating, breathing and sleeping softball.............and I'm loving every second of it. I got an email last night from a parent saying that her daughter played softball two seasons ago and got the biggest turnoff from it due to the coach. The girl didn't play last year due to this but decided to give it another go this season. This particular girl now counts down the days until practice and games. That makes this all so rewarding. I have another girl who didn't play this year due to bad experiences last year. She said if I coach next year, she'll play again. I gave her my word that I'll be back as long as the league will have me. She gave me her word that she'll play. Game on.

Oh, and now I'm off to my first co-ed softball practice tonight. I'm playing for TJ's in Portsmouth. I've got the softball bug now. The girls think I'm too old to play. Ouch! Hopefully, I'll show them........... :)

Casting away......

Yesterday, we found out Joelle fractured the growth plate on her left thumb and injured the ligaments. She did this while sledding. This is the second fracture of a growth plate in less than a year for her. This means a soft cast for 3 weeks.

I think I'm going to add some extra calcium to her diet for the future.

So far, so good.....

So, Vinnie (Vincent) picked the girls and me up last night and took us to dinner. I couldn't have been more pleased at the behavior of J & M at the restaurant. Not one little tiny spat....nadda. Please's and thank you's were abundant. They made me proud.
The conversation flowed amazingly well between the three of them. I didn't need to say much.
When Vinnie left, I turned to the girls and said "Well?" Both answered with great enthusisam, "we like him!"
That's all I needed.

READY?

I've been flirting with the idea of Joelle staying home by herself. She has only done this on 3 occasions and it literally was for 10 minutes at a time. Two times she had a friend with her. Why at 11 1/2 do I fear her being by herself? I think it's pretty easy. The world is scary. Let's face it. Behind my house, in the "village", lives several sex offenders. Who knows where they lurk? More importantly...what's the rush? It's not difficult to get in the car and take Joelle where I need to go. I've been doing it for 11 years so why would I stop? I wouldn't even allow her to ride her bike to school in the fifth grade (well, I would but I'd be holding up traffic because I would be following her in my car and wouldn't go an inch past her). Again, I've heard too many horror stories and I didn't need some weirdo calculating the times she left for school and the daily route she took.
I bring this up because it is February vacation week. This makes it hard to do what I need to do to earn an income. I need to run over to one of the outlet stores for about 1/2 hour and am thinking I'm going to leave her here. On my way out the door will be these instructions: "Keep the doors locked. Don't open the door for ANYONE. Keep your cell phone right beside you. Call me IMMEDIATELY if you need me, etc....
Overprotective? You bet.

FULL CIRCLE

It's amazing how life works. After swearing off the idea of dating, a boyfriend from 15 years ago has resurfaced. Thankfully, he was one of the good ones! We'll see.......

CONGRATULATIONS JOELLE!!

Joelle tried out for the school play and landed one of the lead roles! Great job honey!!!!!

ANOTHER SNOW DAY?????????

Just watched the morning weather. Yup, a snowstorm is headed this way on Tuesday. It appears that it will go all night Tuesday into Wednesday.

.....just saying.......

MORE SNOW DAYS.......

BEFORE.................

AFTER............

I must say that I enjoyed the kids day off from school yesterday. The kids had friends over and I tackled a project that's been bothering me for months.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA.......

Today my grandmother would have turned 80 years old. I can't even begin to express the ache I constantly have in my heart. I miss her more than I could have ever imagined. I would give absolutely anything for one more day with Nana. Just one more. I would do exactly what the picture shows. I would hold her hand and never let go. Happy Birthday to the greatest grandmother I could have ever been blessed with.

The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire........

Yeah, right. However, should there ever be the smallest of fires in my home, let it be known that I am well prepared. First, I would take the extinguisher out of the still sealed box, then I would read the directions as I have no idea how to use one of these things. By that time I'm guessing I would have to call the fire department.

Guess I know what's on my reading list tonight!

8:15 pm on a clear night...........

......there is a star that shines brilliantly right above my house. It's positioned somewhat underneath the little dipper. With the impending storm's clouds covering all the other stars in the sky last night, that star was just bright enough for me to see.

I saw you Nana and I know you're watching over us.

SLEEP DAY - PART 2

What sleep? Wii? Nah! Building a snowman was much better!

The start of the head.

Hmmm.....the head looks a bit rectangularish?

Joelle striking a cute pose.

Great job guys!

SLEEP DAY!

No school today. Marina calls this a sleep day. I have to say that I agree with her. Joelle agrees also but would have been just as happy in school.
I see a linen closet project in sight.....now THAT makes me happy! (No joke).
The girls are focused on their own projects......American Idol Karaoke 2 and Animal Crossing.
.....ahhhh, lazy days!

MY TRUE STORY

One day there were two sisters driving with their Mom on the way home from visting Nana. The mother says, amidst conversation, that they are having shepherds pie for dinner. The oldest sister says "no Mommy, I don't like that". The youngest sister, trying not to frustrate her mother, just sighs. The mother reminds both of her daughters that they LIKE shepherds pie. The oldest daughter adamently debates this statement while the youngest sits quietly in the back seat hoping for a miraculous change of heart from her mother. The oldest daughter tries to convince her mother that Thai food is something we order once a week. The mother tells her while that is true, we only order food on 1) Thursday nights if it is Daddy's weekend with them, or 2) Friday nights if they stay home. The oldest daughter, knowing that she is not going to win this battle, proceeds to say how she'll just have cereal for dinner. The mother agrees that the cereal is a fine choice for dinner.

The mother cooks a lovely shepherds pie and dishes it out to her two daughters. She offers A-1 sauce to the oldest daughter telling her that this may make her meal more enjoyable. As all three sit quietly eating, the oldest daughter says "this is good, Mom". The mother smiles knowing all along she would like it. The youngest daughter gets up for seconds. She, too, says it is good.

The end.

SANDS THROUGH AN HOURGLASS

So, my Nana has been moved out of the hospital to the Hyder Hospice in Dover. We went to visit her last night and the place is just beautiful. It only has 14 rooms and truly feels like the next thing to home. The goal, obviously, is to make Nana as comfortable as possible during whatever time she has left with us.

I really have to give a lot of props to my girls. Nana has been in the hospital/hospice for over a month. During that time, Joelle and Marina have NEVER hesitated about going to see her (we have gone EVERY single day I have had them, except maybe once). As a matter of fact, they ask WHEN the next time they can go. There have even been tears when we leave. They are beyond well-behaved when we have visited. Joelle always makes sure Nana has a cold cup of water and combs her hair to make her look nice. Marina is constantly telling stories about her day and just intent on keeping Nana smiling.

Last night, Marina bought 2 bears at Michaels. She gave one, named Marina to Nana and put it on her nightstand. The other bear, named Nana, will sleep with Marina. She told Nana that this would mean they would be together every night. With that said, Marina broke down crying. It was very touching and evident of the love that my grandmother has shown and given to her granddaughters. You see, the joy my grandmother got in life was to see her grandchildren. She never had a lot of money. It was the quality time spent with the kids. They were always so happy to go Nana's house and read books, draw pictures and just "be". My grandmother is a true role model for all grandmothers. I aspire to one day be the type of grandmother she is.

QUOTES WORTH THINKING ABOUT.....

I was reading a magazine the other night and came across a page titled "Simple Inspirations." Here are a few I found to be VERY true:

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

Love this one......

"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun." :)

FUN, FUN, FUN!!

After getting a primo parking spot and arriving early, we enter Marina's Heaven. Along with every little girl in New England (store was filled to capacity and waiting line outside when we left), Marina's doll had her ears pierced and hair done. Marina picked out several outfits and a magnificent bed for her doll. Memories of LA........Instead of eating with her doll at the American Girl Cafe, she insisted we go to California Pizza Kitchen (no complaining from me).

......with her doll in her new dress in front of a gorgeous Christmas tree that was way too big to photograph.

Her name in lights!

"The" bed.........Thank you Mike!

Like Mother, Like Daughter (?)

Today, Joelle and I spent a terrific day together along with her Auntie Laurie. What was so terrific? Shopping, duh! Joelle has been asking me to take her for a full day of shopping for some time now so Marina stayed with Shaun and off we went. First, we went to Freeport to go to Coach and so Joelle could see what is meant by the town being "quaint". She loved how a lot of the stores looked like homes and wants to go in the spring when walking is actually enjoyable (you mean 8 degree temps aren't enjoyable)?

Next, we went to Macaroni Grille and then off to the mall. Ok, Joelle certainly got her shopping enthusiasm from me but where the heck did she get the indecisiveness? Seriously. I think we spent 15 minutes in Journeys just staring at sneakers well beyond what I would allow her to spend. Granted, she had enough gift cards to buy the darn things but it was the principle. I mean, what kid needs $80 sneakers? Not mine. Anyway, Joelle just kept staring at the sneaker wall (very small, mind you) while Laurie and I (im)patiently waited. I really think Joelle thought the sneakers were miraculously going to lower in price if she stared at them long enough.

We had a nice time. I don't often get to spend one on one time with my girls. Today reminded me just how grown up Joelle is becoming.....such a lovely young lady that one is.

Tomorrow, off to Natick with Marina to spend the day at the American Girl Doll Place while Joelle spends the day with her dad.

:)