Spring Break 2009

It was to be a week of rest, relaxation, fun, and a little deep cleaning in the house. It ended up full of sorrow, grief, a little fun, and one room got a deep cleaning. My best friend Candee, we have been friends for 26 years, her husband passed away unexpectedly from a massive heart attack on Saturday, the first day of break. Bob was only 47. Bob was the kind of guy who always had a smile on his face and a hug and kiss for every lady and a handshake for every guy. He told great but overly long stories. He always treated me like family and he was the one who introduced me to the love of lobster! We shared our love for coffee and he would never allow me to say no to anything, cause he would just do it anyway for me. I would tease him about his cigar smoking and how it smelled. He didn't care because he loved it! Well he did care that it bothered me...that is the kind of guy he was, more concerned with others than what he wanted. He was a very caring and fun loving dad and he lived for his kids. He leaves behind a 36 year old wife, 19 year old and a 2 1/2 year old daughters and a 17 year old step-daughter. It has been hard because I have been a part of Candee's family since we were kids and so I was there every step of the way. I was there when they wheeled his body out of the house, I was there to help with the planning at the funeral home and the cemetery, I ran Candee around to take care of busy she just couldn't do on her own, I was there early and all day for the wake and funeral and I drove Candee in Bob's beloved 1965 classic Mustang which followed the casket. Bob was my friend and has been for years! I cant even really remember for how long maybe 12 years or more, so it was painful to loose him, but it was also painful to see Candee and his kids go through the grief. I am so drained. I am physically, emotionally, spiritually drained!! I don't know how I am going to go to work next week.

On a good note I did get one day of light hearted fun. I snatched my nieces and daughter from school (they were not on spring break) and we all went to Navy Pier. We had a good time even though the weather was not so good. We laughed a lot and I needed that.

Life is so short and it is not fair. Gone is a good man and great dad, when there are those out there who are mean, evil, and dads who don't care (like Savannah's). I am just having a hard time with all of this. I need to stop now it is just to much. Please pray for me and for Candee and her family. We need strength and comfort at this time.

Wrigley Update

I cannot believe my other baby is getting so big! :( Yesterday was her half birthday. She continues to fill MY life (not Jen's) life with joy! She is potty trained, except when Jen scares the hell out of her she might pee a little...she is afraid of Jen! But who could ever scare a face like this??



Here is a pic that shows her cute little under bite of a smile. It cracks me up. It only adds to her character.

Being a puppy, she LOVES to chew!

CHEESE...There is that cute little smile!

More love on her chew bone.

"Mom! Really! Enough with the pictures already!!!"

Since I can never call anyone by their birth given name...I nickname everyone...Wrigley is not immune to this. In the few months she has been a part of our family she has accumulated several nicknames: BEAVER FEET, YETTI, WRIG-A-SAUROUS, WIGGLEY WRIGLEY, WRIGS, WRIGGY, and Jen's favorite...JACKASS! Poor dog!

Blah, Blah, Blah

Well it has been forever...again. But I don't seem too concerned since I don't think anyone reads this anyway, it is more of just a personal diary. I started dieting and counting everything I eat. So far I have lost ONLY six pounds (since Jan 20th) but I haven't gained any so that is moving in the right direction. I have been exercising regularly as well. At school we walk three days a week (which I make at least 2) and I have been doing step and other aerobic videos at home. Savannah sometimes chimes in and works out...its cute. I also bought some hand weights and have been doing some weight and ab work. I just feel consumed by this...it is all I think about and it is sort of depressing! I am so fat and have so far to go...it seems like I will never get there. BUT I am going to try to keep it up and see how far I can get. I keep trying to think of our season passes to the water park. I don't mind prancing around my own yard in a bathing suit BUT in front of tons of people day after day....ohhhhhh!

I am sick of school already and I haven't even made it to spring break yet! we have so many days to make up already it seems as though we will never stop. I have pictures and video I would like to put on the blog but Jen has it on her camera and I need her to upload it so maybe I can get her to put some stuff on here for all! I hope my little pound counter keeps going down.

YAHOO...Another "snow/cold as hell" day!

This face says it all!

A look at the frozen tundra outside. YUK! My patio does not seem so bad but I remember warmer and happier days spent out there :( To go out now...it actually hurt my chest to breathe and I could feel the inside of my nose freeze. As my friend Sarah said on her blog, remind me again why I live in Indiana? The table reminds me of those Hostess Snowballs! Sidebar, right now I am hungry so everything looks like food to me!

SIDEBAR OF HUNGER: It is 9:15 and I am eating Chili with hot sauce! What is wrong with me? Yes I already ate breakfast

This was a face of happier, less freezing days when the Buddha played outside.

Too much fun!

The snow is her friend

Buddha? Where did you go?

TADAH! Here I am...good thing, I thought the snow sucked her up!


Don't let this cute picture fool you...I am freezing!!

I am a tad bit sad for all the days at home. It was our finals week. Needless to say...no finals so we are way behind. Our teacher workday should be a blast! I have never had so many days in one year off! 2 for a flood, 1 for snow, and 2 for dangerous temperatures...I am scared to see what the spring is going to bring! I am not sure I can handle anymore acts of God...you know me I will begin to become paranoid! LOL

STAY WARM...HAVE FUN...ROCK ON!

Our New Addition

Well I can not believe it has been soooooo long since I have last blogged! The holidays, work, some cleaning (not much apparently), and our new little addition to the family has kept me very busy. I would like to formerly introduce you to WRIGLEY!

Wrigley is a 3 month old Yorkipoo. It has been a challenge in the potty training area and needless to say, she likes to chew...on everything. She has broken Jen's beloved Cubs clock. She chews up Jen's carpet in the garage, sleeps on Jen's clothes, drags Jen's hats through the house. Notice the pattern...JEN JEN JEN. Not sure why she loves to torture Jen, but she does! She is doing much better though, Wrigley that is and I love having a dog again. She is just a lot of work! It is like having a baby all over again! The holidays...well the were the holidays. Updates on pics later.

Alex and Wrigley at Thanksgiving.

The night she came home.

Christmas with the my babies.