Merry Christmas!! December 25, 2016

Merry Christmas!!

My Aunt Lucille--December 13, 2016

I really loved my Aunt Lucille.  She was one bright light in an otherwise not so happy at times family while I was growing up.  And today, she would have been 94.   I really miss her.  Here is my last Aunt Lucille blog post, from two years ago.   The photo in that blog post was taken 20 years ago.  I really miss her.  I quote her a lot to my children.  I really miss her.

6 months later...we are settling in after Chris' stroke--November 29, 2016

It was 6 months ago today that everything changed.  I can remember the moment when everything changed, and I remember thinking..."this isn't good.  This is going to be bad."   And I was right, and I was wrong, because it hasn't been all that good, but it really hasn't been all that bad.

It was supposed to be a day at the beach.  We were supposed to be going down to the beach for a weekend of fun over Memorial Day.  Instead, when Anna and I arrived at the beach that Sunday afternoon, I realized something was wrong with Chris.

Anna leaves to go back to Boston College--November 27, 2016

Anna has been home for almost six full days, which has been wonderful, but a little whirlwind, and very busy and fun for her.  Which, as I suspected, would make it even more difficult for her to go back to school today.  She loves being at college, but I think she also really loves being home, and she has so much fun when she comes home, that she doesn't really want to leave here...especially when she knows these last few weeks are going to be so hard, with 5 finals and tons of work between now and December 20th.

This is the same look I got when she was two and told her it was time for bed.

This is the kind of craziness I deal with...she is crying, but still has time for a quick piece of pie! 

Can you see how Lily is trying to keep from laughing? 

And at some point, Lily just gave up, and made it clear to Anna that she was being ridiculous! 

Luckily, our goodbyes were rushed, because Chris didn't leave on time (doesn't she look rushed eating the pumpkin pie??)  Apparently, you don't want to get anywhere near 30th Street Station on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, because there was such a back log of cars trying to get off the expressway at 30th Street Station, and so she missed her ride, and had to get on an emergency back up ride.   As I write this, she still has another two hours before she gets onto Boston College campus, and she left here this afternoon at 1.   It is a long trip back for her.

Happy Thanksgiving, 2016! November 24, 2016

This year was probably the 9th or 10th time we have done the Gobble Wobble, which is a 5K put on by the Abington YMCA.  I used to take just the older ones, but now, we all go.


After doing some leaves this afternoon, we all left for Thanksgiving dinner.  This year, our friends, the Hitchings, invited us to Thanksgiving dinner.  It was just so lovely.  Sue is really talented, and a great entertainer, and everything was so beautiful.

Anna comes home for Thanksgiving...and we are all so much happier when she is here! November 22, 2016

Anna comes home for Thanksgiving...and we are all so much happier when she is here!  It made us all so happy that she was here.  I got her from 30th Street Station on Tuesday morning, and everyone rushed in the door when he or she got home from school to rush in and see her.  We are all so much happier when she is here.  That is just it.  It is better here for all of us.

Happy Birthday to my Baby...Lily turns 10! November 9, 2016!

Lily this morning...still only 9 she reminded me.  She was born at 12:50 pm.

I really cannot believe it has been 10 years since Lily was born.  I was almost 45 when she was born...which seemed so old back then, but now, 45 seems so young.   Because now, I will be 55 in February, which is officially AARP territory.

But this is about Lily, not me.   Today, she turns 10.  And I can't believe it.   I remember Matthew being so sad I was in the hospital with her.  I remember the four oldest coming to meet her...and them setting my bed on fire because they were playing with it, making it go up and down.  And I remember bringing her home, and having 5 children ages 11 and under.  I am so blessed to have her.  She is truly the best thing that ever happened to our family.  I mean, we were very happy before she came, but having her come into our family has made it so much better, for our family, and she has made everyone so much happier.   It is hard to describe.

We aren't going to really celebrate today, though, because she has play practice until 5:30, then Matthew gets picked up at 7, and I have my final knitting class from 7-8:30, and it is a Wednesday, etc, etc.   We did have her birthday party on Saturday (7 girls, to go see Trolls...I was really happy when they all left at 11 pm.)   I think we are going to try to make it down to Sprinkles before it closes, to celebrate just a little bit...the real celebration will be in 10 days, when we can celebrate, on a Saturday.

So, happy birthday, my love.   I love you just because you breathe!

Happy Halloween!! October 31, 2016

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays.  I think I went out with my younger sisters, and my friend, Ellen, until I was a senior in high school.  And I can remember being so happy when we bought our house, that I could give out candy--so I was really thrilled that I had a reason to go out for Halloween when Jack was born...and he was only 4 weeks old.

Ten years ago, I spent Halloween day up in New York City with my sister, going to see The View.   I was very pregnant with Lily--she was born 9 days later.   It was the second time I was called out of the audience at a show hosted by Rosie O'Donnell to chat with Rosie O'Donnell, who has always been one of my favorites.  

This year, we are down to one real trick-or-treater.  Lily decided in early September that she wanted to be a diner girl from the 50's.  I don't know where/why she came up with this idea, but once she decides, that is it.  So, I got one of those costumes (no way I was going to try to come up with it myself.)  

Happy 17th Birthday, Timmy!! October 4, 2016

I am starting to hate these birthdays for my children.   I never really minded my own birthday...I always said "it is better than the alternative."   But today, Timmy turned 17, and that makes me sad, because I still remember him as that screaming baby.  

And while I am happy he is here to celebrate with us, it is hard because both Jack and Anna are not here.  He and Lily were off today, so we went to Fil A Bagel for lunch, and then I drove him up to see a movie with a friend.  And then tonight, we celebrated with the meal he wanted...pasta, followed by a special cake--his favorite ice cream cake!   Not all that great of a celebration on this gloomy day, but so happy we could all be together for it!

Happy 21st Birthday, Jack!! October 3, 2016

Happy Birthday, Jack!    21 years old--it is unbelievable that 21 years have gone by since I became a mother...the day Jack was born.  We couldn't go to my sister-in-law's 21st birthday party the day before Jack was born, because I was in labor with Jack...and that doesn't seem like it was 21 years ago.   It is so odd having a child turn a milestone birthday, and you are not there to celebrate with him or her. I  know we won't be there for 22 either, but we can hope that we are there for 23 and on!!

The HIghs and the Lows of Parents' Weekend at Boston College--September 30-October 2, 2016

On Friday, we all left our respective jobs/schools early to get on the  road early to drive up to Boston College for Anna's Parents' weekend.  Well, that didn't happen.  It started raining around here on Wednesday night, and the weather forecast for Boston was highs in the mid-50's with a combination of rain, showers, and drizzle.   What?  How many different ways can you just say lousy weather?!

So, I had to pack.  And I packed way too much, but that is partly because I just didn't know what to pack for 55 degree rainy weather...and,  in the end, I ended up being so covered up all day, no one could even see what I was wearing!

But we pulled out, ready and happy to be on our way...and then got caught in the worst rainy weather.  It just rained the entire way up to Boston.  It was just miserable (you will hear a lot of that word!)   And because the rain was bad, the traffic was slow, and we didn't want to get killed by one of those trucks spraying everything up in our windshield.  We didn't pull into the hotel until after midnight, so we called Anna and told her that we would see her in the morning. If it had been a beautiful starlit night we could have gone over, but it was pouring, and it was miserable.

The next day we got up, and got to campus around noon. It was really great to see Anna. She was so happy to see us. She literally ran up to us and hugged us all.  So unlike some of her siblings...who don't really want us to acknowledge that we are his parents.

We decided to go to the Dining Hall, which was really nice.  I really just wanted to get time to really talk to Anna, to see how she was doing, and to fill her in on what she has missed at home.  We had (not smartly!!) bought tickets to the game, so we felt somewhat obliged to go to it. We got there at the 3rd inning, and sat in the most miserable misty rain.  I had an umbrella, but it really wasn't a help...it was just that misty stuff that just comes at you from all sides.

After the game, we walked over to get ice cream at Cold Mountain...an ice cream store like the one Anna works at here at home.  And then we got the car, and drove over a mile or so to Brookline, to a place called Pino's, for dinner.  This is us at dinner:

During dinner, I decided I wanted to go see John F. Kennedy's boyhood house, which we did.  It was on a beautiful little street, and Brookline is a beautiful town.  And I think it is really cool the way we saw the house that a president lived in.  I am surprised it was basically unguarded.  I thought there would be a guard there or something.

We drove Anna back to  her dorm, then went across the way to play some ping pong at this community-type center place.  The whole day, I was pretty quiet, and in the background. I was just so happy to see her having so much fun with her siblings.  She was really happy.

Anyway, we came home, and I pretty much went right to bed,   The others went down to the pool to swim.  I was asleep when they came back,  and they were quiet, so I never really woke up again.

When we woke up at 8:30, we were all tired. It was hard...all 5 of us in the same room. If Lily sneezed, we all heard it.   And then, the fire alarm went off.  We had to evacuate immediately.  I realized that we were on the 2nd floor, and that we had a little terrace, and that we could jump down to this hill which was only about 10 feet below us, if it really truly was a fire, but I was pretty sure there was no real fire.  I also decided that we were taking everything with us, since we didn't see any smoke.  We packed up everything in about 6 minutes, and left.  I have never seen such efficiency.   I even took the water bottles from the refrigerator.

I decided to just get on the road. It was 9, and this had been a long, wet weekend, and I wanted to go home.  Just then, they let us back into the hotel, so we ate a delicious Sunday brunch. I called Anna and let her know that I thought that we were just going to get on our way, and I am pretty sure that she was still sleeping, so I think it was fine.  Plus, her Fall break is next weekend...she will be home in 5 days!!

So, it was wet, and miserable, but it was incredibly good to see Anna.  Lily just came down to tell me how sad she is that Anna is away at school, and I kind of agree with her. It is really hard to have her so far away!!

First Day of School--September 7, 2016

First day of school photos:

Last Day of Summer Vacation--September 6, 2016

Always a little sad, this year, Chris took everyone out to Dairy Queen to get a free Oreo frappe!

The Saddest Day of the Year...August 31, 2016

I really hate cold weather, and as I have said before, I spend a good part of my day trying to figure out ways to get out of cold weather, and stay in hot weather.  I would be happy to be in hot weather 365 days a year.  I would not miss the cold, or the snow, or the ice.  Because I hate the cold.  I love heat.

Which is why this always strikes me as the saddest day of the year, because even though we will probably still have some 90 degree weather, and even though summer still is around for another 3 weeks, the simple fact is that once the calendar turns to September 1st, which is will do tomorrow, there will be a noticeable chill in the air.  And that makes me sad...

Three Months Out...Chris is slowly improving--August 30, 2016

So, technically, Chris had his stroke on May 28th, but I didn't notice there was something wrong until 5/29, and he wasn't diagnosed until 5/30, so, I think it is fair to say it is exactly 3 months today that we learned Chris had had a stroke.  A lot has changed since that night, really that middle of the night early morning, in the hospital when the doctor said "it does look like your husband has had a stroke."

Our Trip to Boston College--August 23-24, 2016

Well, I will start off, and maybe finish, by saying that I should have known my daughter.  Anna will make anything that should be really simple, and easy, into a production.  Such as when she passed out at her high school graduation, and we spent the day in the ER instead of her graduation, and instead of going to parties.

So, I don't know what I was thinking when I said we would drive up to Boston on Tuesday, spend the night, and drop her off on Wednesday at Boston College, and then leave that same day.   Part of that was because I started a new job on Monday (more on that later), and Chris had a pretty important doctor's appointment on Thursday, so we wanted to maximize our time with Anna, but also be efficient.  

At Notre Dame, freshman drop off is a 4 day affair.  There is no official summer freshman orientation at Notre Dame for students and parents, so they do it all at freshman drop off, and the parents get their orientation at the same time.  When I dropped off Jack two years ago, I could not have been happier about the way those few days went.  I was reassured that this was a great thing, and as one of the administration people said "don't worry, Mom and Dad, we have your child's back." That is exactly what I wanted to hear.  I wanted to know that someone else was doing for Jack what heretofore I had been doing for Jack.  Having his back (although he would probably not see it that way.)

Boston College is different.  I went with Anna to a torturous 3 day Freshman Orientation session in July (it may have been longer...I was so miserable, that I lost track of time.)   So, drop off for Freshman year is a 30 minute event.  You are told to come in the morning or the afternoon, and you are given a quick 15 minutes to park and unload (after waiting in a line of cars for two hours on Commonwealth Avenue, we all really needed to use the bathroom, and that wasted some precious time that we were told we could use to stay before we would have to move....I was not thrilled, and I don't like being bossed around by 19 year olds wearing BC "Welcome" shirts.)

Anna leaves for Boston College today...August 23, 2016!

Not so sure about this......

Two Days before Anna leaves....August 21, 2016

In less than 48 hours, we will be on our way to Boston, to drop Anna off at college.  All of the shopping (most of which took place within the last 4 days....and the actual dorm room shopping literally took 35 minutes at Target on Thursday...), and all the years in preparing Anna for her life, will come to a close, largely, on Tuesday.

I wrote about dropping off Jack, in a post two years ago, almost to the day, which I called 7 Piles of Laundry.    Dropping off Jack was so different for me.   I was really excited for him. This time it seems so much more difficult.   Jack is different, and Anna seems to be going so far away, although she is actually much closer than Jack is, and it is so much easier to go up to Boston to see her, or to visit her.  

When I dropped off Jack, I kind of knew that it was the end of that special family unit.  In fact, when my children asked me who would upset me the most, I always said Jack, because that would be the beginning of the end.   Of course, we still see Jack, but last summer he spend several weeks in Rome, and this summer, he spent all but two weeks in Green Bay, and he already knows he will be in Pittsburgh next summer working for another company (My lord, those engineers really make great money and have no problem getting jobs!)

So, now the time before Anna leaves is being counted in hours.  Today, she was on her bed counting her money (which I figured out that she should deposit into a new bank tomorrow which also exists in Boston so she can use an ATM machine in Boston to take out money without having any problem) and I yelled up "Anna, you have to go to the mall to get those sneakers...you are leaving here in less than 48 hours!"

So, now the countdown begins.  Like a condemned prisoner, waiting for the hour of execution, I watch the clock count down, knowing each tick of the clock takes me closer to the moment when I say goodbye to Anna.   Okay, that may sound a little dramatic, but I have a clock here next to me that is ticking away....and I do kind of feel that way.

Philadelphia Night---August 18, 2016

Since our children were little, we have taken them all downtown for a night,  usually at the end of the summer, which we call Philadelphia Night.  I went downtown a lot when I was a teenager, but it was mostly to shop at Wanamakers or the Gallery, so I wanted my kids to get to know Philadelphia better (also, hoping that they want to stay here after they all graduate from college!!)  Philadelphia Night was my attempt for them to get to know the city.

I decided to go along Kelly Drive to get downtown, which was a huge mistake, because there was something going on in front of the Art Museum.  The traffic was terrible.  And then we found out why, which was really kind of cool.  It was the night of Diner En Blanc.  Diner en Blanche is when 5000 people show up at with two hours' notice to an undisclosed Philadelphia location, wearing ALL white, and eat on white plates, with white linens....all white.  It is very cool, and very, well, Philadelphia.  It was really neat just to watch, as we sat there in traffic.  One day, I want to do it.

When we finally made it to Center City, I got the most amazing parking spot right across from Shake Shack, near 20th and Sansom.  That is always a good start to Philadelphia night--a good parking spot!

We decided to go to Little Pete's, near 17th and Locust.  I used to live at 16th and Locust, so I went to Little Pete's a lot.

Then we walked over to the Schuylkill River trail.  Or, rather, I tripped over.....I fell on the sidewalk, and I fell hard.  I was wearing sneakers, but those darn sidewalks are so messed up.  Anyway, we walked along the River trail, but I was kind of bloody, so we kind of cut the evening short.  Still, a great Philadelphia Night, as part of the Anna Fest celebration.  

Angel Lucker Yarger--June 16, 1958-August 12, 2000

My sister, Angel, or Lucille as she had been baptized, passed away 16 years ago today.  Officially, I think she went into diabetic ketoacidosis, and passed away.   She was 42 years old.  But unofficially, she had been struggling with health issues for several years, starting with a diagnosis of breast cancer in her early 30's, and then other health issues related to her treatment for the cancer, combined with her being a juvenile diabetic since she was 6.   In 1964, I don't know how good diabetes treatments were.  She suffered throughout her life with diabetes-type issues.

I was telling my children about Angel today, and I was struck that her daughter, my niece, Caitlin, was about 6 weeks away from being 10 when Angel died.  And that my brother, Charlie, was about 6 weeks away from being 10 when his mother, also my mother, died.  And that my daughter, Lily, is about 6 weeks (okay, maybe a few extra weeks...) away from being 10 right now.  What is most striking about that is that in our family,  Lily is treated as a treasured child (I am trying really hard not to describe her as a baby...but that is how we treat her.)   And so, I am struck by how tragic it is when a child that age loses his, or her mother.  

My niece, Caitlin, has done great.  She seems to have a great head on her shoulder, is kind, thoughtful, and I am so happy at how she has become such a lovely young woman.  She will do very well in life.

My brother Charlie has also been a "give you the shirt off his back" kind of guy, almost to a fault.

And Lily...well we all think that Lily is going to rule the world some day.   And I hope that I am around to see her rule the world.

Happy 19th Birthday, Anna!! August 8, 2016!

Nineteen years old.  What I remember:



                                                             Around 18 months:

On the day of her third birthday party:  

This was the birthday we talked about in the abstract for the last 18 years....it went like this "I want her to turn 19, and then leave for college two weeks later."  And then I would explain that I didn't want Anna to graduate as an 17 year old from high school, and that the extra year would be good for her , and give her the advantage of maturity (I learned from listening to stories from what it was like for Chris to be the youngest in his class.)  Well, now she has turned 19, and she is leaving for college in 2 weeks.   So, it has happened, it is done.  And she is great, but it makes me remember all those years when her 19th birthday was the penultimate goal.....the last achievement before she was ready to go to college.  And, now that day is here.  

We are heading down the beach for a few days...all part of Anna Fest!!  

I just realized Anna's Birthday is tomorrow!! August 7, 2016

I have spent all day on a post-Hamilton high, and I have been telling everyone that we went because Anna's birthday is on Tuesday.   And then Anna pointed out that her birthday, actually, is on Monday....This is what happens when you have a summer birthday!!

Anna and I go to see Hamilton in New York City--August 6, 2016!!

Every year, I take Anna to see a show in New York City for her birthday...this year was Hamilton!!  PHotos to follow!!  

20 Days of Anna Fest begins....August 4, 2016!!

So, the 20 days of Anna Fest begins today...20 days left before we drop Anna off at college.  

She started the day at the dentist...we are trying to fit all these chores in before she leaves:

And we ended the day at Sprinkles, getting ice cream, which is something we do far too often!!
On the way down:

And while we were sitting outside eating our ice cream--Anna has it all over her face, and seems impervious to our criticisms of her to use a napkin!!

So, Anna Fest begins today...the countdown, really, to goodbye!!  

One Month Left....July 24, 2016

Okay, I know I just said that I am okay with my children going away to  college, but Anna is an exception to all those rules, and it doesn't mean I can't be really sad while I am being okay with it.

Our trip to Boston College--July 17-July 19, 2016

Anna and I left on Sunday, at 6:30 am to drive to Boston for Anna's college Orientation.   We arrived at noon, signed in, and then walked around the campus a little.   Here are some photos:

Nothing makes me tear up more than seeing my child standing next to a brick wall with her college name emblazoned on it.....

Until we noticed the dead bird at the emblazoned sign....was kind of hoping that someone would clean that up...

Back to being happy...here she is... The Class of 2020!

And, of course, I had to go see the Doug Flutie statue...

The program started on Sunday at 4 pm, at which time Anna and all the other kids left their parents, and re-joined us on Tuesday, at 4 pm.   We didn't see them again.  So, I was alone in Boston for 48 hours just waiting for her to be done with her Orientation.

I want to be clear---there were programs for the parents for parts of the day on Monday and Tuesday, which is why I assumed I would be attending those programs, and I would be fine being by myself in the hotel while she stayed in the dorm.  Initially, we were all supposed to go, and it was going to be a really great family vacation.  And then Chris had a stroke, and needs to get better, so that plan was changed, and I was on my own in Boston.

I really thought I would attend those parent sessions, because I usually don't mind that kind of thing.  In fact, I love those kind of things.   That is, until I saw the names of some of the sessions, including one that was called "Okay, I Raised you...and Now you are going to Leave Me??"   As much as I love every moment with my children,   I really am okay, kind of, with them going away...it is what kids are supposed to do.  I don't put any limits to where they can go to college, or how far they can go.   Really, for my kids, they can apply anywhere in the US.  I guess that is my only limit.    I accept (for the most part) that my children have to go away to college.  It is good for them.

So, I am not really into attending a program with that title....it just screams needy parent.

Instead, I stayed by myself in the Marriott, and made lots of friends.   For Anna, it was great.  For me, not so great.

40 Days...July 15, 2016

Anna leaves for college in 40 days.  It wasn't until I was teaching CCD that I realized the biblical significance of 40 days.   Lots of events in the Bible happen in 40 days.  The main one I remembered as a  child, was Noah was on his arc for 40 days.   But then I realized that Lent lasts 40 days, etc, etc.

So, Anna leaves for school in 40 days.   That is going to be a sad day.

Chick Fil A Day--July 2016

I haven't really bothered to post about this year's Chick Fil A day, because it wasn't all that much fun this year.   Chick Fil A changed the policy this year, so that now, no matter what you were wearing, you only got a free entree.    Before,  if you were dressed from "head to hoof" as a cow, you would get a free meal.

So, this year, it just was a lot less fun.  People were just putting on a set of cow ears (which my favorite  but   store was handing out), and getting a free entree.  Which is great for them, but for those of us who were dressing up in full cow costumes, it just seemed like a lot less fun.   In the past (see post here) we would get dressed up in a full costume, and it was really fun, and we shared our costumes with other costumers (just noticed the similarity between costume and costumers....),  but this year, it just wasn't as much fun.  It just was anti-climatic.  Oh well...we did get our free sandwiches, but I wouldn't knock myself to do this again.  

Happy 4th of July--Independence Day, 2016--July 4, 2016!

I think this is our 20th year of celebrating the 4th of July by going to the McKinley 4th of July Parade.   This year, we only had one person still biking the course, but it was really nice to be able to talk to people, and to not have to worry about if someone was getting run over by a car, or was about to get lost.  

After that, we started to prepare for our 4th of July barbecue.  To be honest, this is something I have wanted to do for years, but Chris is never all that interested, and I am usually willing to just go along.  But last year, I heard about all these people who really didn't have any plans for the 4th, so this year, I decided to have a little barbecue, with just a few families.

Our Trip to the Constitution Center--July 2, 2016

So, we were wondering what to do today, when I noticed that part of Wawa Welcome America's festivities included a free day at the Philadelphia Constitution Center, and so I organized the family, and we decided to go.   Here are some photos:

Ten Year's Ago Today, July 1, 2006--Timmy gets stitches--July 1, 2016

I was sitting with Timmy this morning, and I noticed the scar he has on his forearm.   I suddenly realized that it was 10 years ago today,  on July 1, 2006, that Timmy got that scar.   So, here is that story, so Timmy's children know why their father has a big scar.  

That morning, I had  only four children.  Jack was 10, Anna was 8, Timmy was 6, and Matthew was 4.   I was expecting Lily. It was about 8:45, and I was rushing to get people out the door.    Jack was going to golf camp, Anna, Timmy, and Matthew were going to a vacation bible camp at St. Mark's.  I think they were having fun.   Then,  I heard a pop--glass was broken.  I was in the kitchen, and I walked to the front, and Timmy had just popped out the glass in this piece of furniture we call the "ugly maroon thing."   His arm and hand went through the glass, and his arm was cut deep.

Instinctively, I threw a clean towel over it, not to apply pressure to it, like I should have, but because I didn't want him to see it.  If Timmy saw it, he would flip out.  I remember that this was the time, at least in our family, where we had big old cell phones, and mine was not charged--I really didn't use it all that much. I got it charged for about 3 minutes, as I rushed everyone out the door, and I had someone grab Timmy's shoes.   

Within 6 minutes, I had dropped all those children off at their camps, as we were on the way to the pediatrician/hospital (this became an issue later....I did not delay his arrival at the pediatrician by dropping off those three, and most importantly, I was 6 months enormously pregnant with Lily, and I really needed to get  rid of them before I could deal with Timmy.)

On the way up to the hospital, I decided I would stop by our pediatrician, which is located across the street, basically, from the hospital.  I wasn't sure if he needed the ER, or maybe just to be seen by the pediatrician.  But, I knew Timmy, so I kept him occupied, talking to him about other things.  He just kept on asking me "Am I going to die?", which I acted like I thought was absurd, but I also was wondering if he was losing blood...the cut looked really deep to me.  I kept on telling him to keep the towel on the cut, again,  not because I was applying pressure, but because I didn't want him to see the cut.

When we got to the pediatrician, I carried him into the office, and just basically told them I needed to be seen immediately.  I think it was a Friday morning, because it was pretty quiet.  As soon as we got into a room,  Dr. Higgins came in, looked at it, and said, yes, Timmy needed to go to the hospital, and that he would notify the hospital that he was on his way.   In doing so, Dr. Higgins took off the towel, Timmy looked at it, and as soon as Dr. Higgins left, Timmy went over, in a heap, passed out cold.

I tried to revive him, but I did start to panic "is there any chance he has such blood loss, that he is bleeding out?"  I think ER was popular at that point, and people were always bleeding out.

He was revived fairly quickly, and then I called Chris, told him to come meet us, because I simply couldn't carry Timmy anymore.  

Once we got to the ER, they took Timmy right back, and what I remember is that they told him he could scream loudly when they gave him the novacaine so that the stitches wouldn't hurt, and that while he told me he didn't need to scream loudly, that he was told he could scream loudly, so he did.    

Ten years later, that big scar is just a little scar....but it is still one of my favorite stories.  Mostly, because as I stand here remembering this story now, I am struck by how this is when Timmy was just one of the crowd, and I don't remember spending all that much time with him alone, like we did in the ER that day.    

One month Later--Chris' New situation...June 28, 2016

Chris and Anna, taken on the Ocean City beach,  June 26, 2016--look at how wonderful and sweet she is...oh, and how good Chris looks, also!


So, this has been a tough month around here, but things are getting better, slowly.   One month ago, on May 28th, my husband, Chris, had a stroke.  I really can't believe I am typing those words, even after a month.  Stroke.

In short, Chris had a stroke on Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend.  He had taken everyone but Anna down the shore, and after a very full day of activity, etc, he kind of blanked out on the couch while he was talking to Jack.   Jack apparently kind of knocked him to see why he had suddenly just stopped talking, and Chris began speaking gibberish, and just stared straight ahead.  My boys chalked it up to him being tired.   He apparently was unable to focus for about two minutes, then just got up, and went to bed.  On Sunday, he woke up,  and was very active--they all went bike riding, to the beach, walked to get lunch on the boardwalk, etc.     The boys claim there was no sign that there was anything wrong with him all day. 

As soon as I got down to the beach with Anna on Sunday afternoon, however, it became apparent to me that there was something wrong with him.  Chris took off that week because we had an incredibly busy week (Anna's graduation on Saturday, Metropolitan ballet on Sunday with practices this week, and Jack needed to be brought up to NYC on Sunday to start his job) and so we were talking about all that needed to be done.   We were talking about the schedule, and I realized that Chris couldn't remember that the thing for Lily is called ballet.  I noticed he couldn't remember where he was supposed to go to get Jack's suits (Jos. Banks.)  I knew there was a problem.   When I asked him questions to see what was going on,  he couldn't remember where he went to college, and he really couldn't remember our children's birthdays,

We all immediately got off the beach, got into the car, and drove right back up to Jenkintown.   I took him right up to Abington Hospital.   Late that night, the doctor came in and told me that he had had a stroke.  I knew it. 

After a month, I really do think he is going to be okay.  He has no physical impairments, which after a month, I realize is really a huge blessing for a stroke patient.    If you saw him, you would never know.    However, for now,  he does have some issues for which he is being treated.  

So, that is about it here.   Really, it could be so much worse, and I am thankful that this is all it is.     I am very grateful that it seems like that we caught this stroke before he had a far worse event (i.e. a  larger stroke that could have physical consequences.) The doctor said that this type of stroke is very rare in someone of Chris' age. 

Over the last four weeks, my almost daily job has to be get Chris help, and I finally feel like Chris is slowly getting the medical care/therapy he needs.   Every day for the last 3 1/2 weeks was spent on the phone trying to get appointments, getting referrals, talking to people about getting him care.   I know it sounds like it couldn't possibly have been that time-consuming, but it was.   It was the last thing on my mind at night, and the first thing I thought about in the morning. 

Nonetheless, life does go on, and it  (life) is itself very time consuming and busy around here, even without a stroke.    Anna graduated from high school (kind of), I took Jack up to NYC to begin his job, Lily had her ballet recital, then end of year stuff, Timmy had his award ceremonies, and other end of year things, a big competition for TADA (like a junior Olympics), and Matthew had his share of end of year field days/class trips kind of things at his school. Going to these things for them, and covering the stuff for Chris and making sure he was taken care of properly, was just unbelievably difficult for the last couple of weeks.  They are all  finished school as of last Tuesday---it is actually much quieter.


I really don't mean to complain about this--I really do think we are unbelievably lucky it isn't worse, and that Chris has no physical impairments.  But it has been hard to get him here.       I am very hopeful he will improve---Anna and I were actually laughing today about how awful everything is right now, so it must be getting better--at least now we can laugh about it! 

77 Days of Summer--First day of Summer, Last Day of School! June 21, 2016

Today was the first full day of summer, and the last day of school for two of my children---Timmy and Lily.   Anna got out in early June, and so did Matthew.  But, I think everything revolves on when the last person gets out, which is today.  


So, I no longer have anyone in a primary grade--for the first time in 15 years!!   And Timmy is going to be a Junior--so hard to believe how quickly these years fly by!!

First day of 10th grade:

Last day of 10th grade:

First day of 3rd grade:

Last day of third grade:

At the end of year picnic:

 Lily was very good at the water balloons:

Happy Father's Day--June 19, 2016

Happy Father's Day!!    We actually left Chris down the shore to get some things done, while the rest of us finish up school, have doctor's appointments, and Anna had to work tonight.   So, we only saw him the first half of the day---we wish he were here, but Happy Father's Day!!

I think June 21st is National Wear Your Lilly Pulitzer Day,,,

I have literally never taken a selfie before (because it is not something anyone wants to see), but here is what  I am wearing today--the 7" Jayne shorts and Liddy tank, which is perfect for someone like me (read:  older and a little heavy.)

I think National Wear Your Lilly Day is June 21st, but this may be the best I can do this year, so if I miss it on Tuesday,  here it is!

This has been a bad week...May 29th--June 4th, 2016

So bad, in fact, that is all I can say.  A bad week.

Anna Graduates from HIgh School, I think, kind of....Mount St. Joseph Academy, June 4, 2016

So, I just spent a lot of time writing a blog post about this, only to find out that one of my children had signed me out of my blog, and then when I signed back in, I lost the whole post....so for now, you only get some photos, and a promise that Anna will, in fact, graduate from high school officially.....

This is how the day began (look...we even have a graduation flag...I am so on top of this!!)

 And, this is how the day ended:

Stotesbury Regatta--Anna's last Stotes! May 20, 2016

Today was Anna's last Stotes--here are some photos--I know they aren't great, but it is hard to take good photos of a fast-moving boat about 200 yards from you!  Anna is the first rower on the left (there is a coxswain down below....)

My New Hero--Ronan Farrow--May 12, 2016

A young man of integrity.  My new hero.  Sticking up for what is right.  I loved him before because I love a handsome, smart guy (who really looks like a young Frank Sinatra), but now I love him more.

And I will now add Diane Keaton and Miley Cyrus (not that it really mattered for her), to my list of people who I will never spend any money to see in any forum.   I saw her today on the Today show in an old interview talking to Matt Lauer about an event at which she accepted an award on behalf of Woody Allen, and in response to Matt's question whether she had a problem supporting a man who has been accused of doing the stuff that Woody Allen has been accused of (other than the obvious despicable act of sleeping with and then marrying his daughter), she responded that she supports Woody Allen because "without him, I wouldn't be here today, talking to you, Matt."    So, in other words, values don't matter to her if it gets her stardom.   Despicable.

Happy Mother's Day--May 8, 2016

This morning, after we all got back from church, they had for me what we call the "traditional mother's day celebration" which means we open up the hand-made cards and gifts.   Every year, the only thing I really want to do for Mother's Day is, obviously, be with my children, but also, this is the day that I put in all my flowers, make up my flower pots.   It is also the first nice day we have had around here in almost two weeks.

Unfortunately, a few days ago, I woke up, and my eyes were so blood shot from this allergy season, that I could barely see.  I never had allergies until about two years ago, so this is all new to me.  I just take loratidine when I get symptoms, but the last few weeks have been terrible.  And now my eyes are so bloodshot, I can barely go out in public.   So, the last thing I wanted to do was work outside in the garden.

Happy 14th Birthday Matthew--May 7, 2016--his Birth Story

Anyone who lives around the Philadelphia area, or in the Northeast, knows it has rained every day for the last 12 days. Like pouring rain.   On Saturday, at around 2, I called out for everyone to come look out the window--you could actually see a little ray of sunshine, but then a rain cloud came out again, and the little ray of sunshine was gone.  Back to gloom.

So, for Matthew's birthday, which we are really celebrating with some kids next Saturday, we decided to go up to see Captain America, Civil War.   I have to say, I don't usually love these super hero movies, but this one was amazing.    A great way to spend a birthday with my youngest son.

I think I may have told his birth story before, but it is worth a repeat--definitely the most dramatic of my five children's births!   Here goes:

I was due with Matthew on May 15, 2002.  It was the first time I was pregnant over the winter, and I found out I was definitely pregnant the night before September 11, 2001.  That was such a crazy time.  Being pregnant over the winter means you can't get out much, because I didn't want to take a chance on ice and snow, and I had three young children, so long story short, I gained 65 pounds.  So, it was hard for me to move.

May, 1, 2016--Anna Decides on a College...She is going to......

Finally, and after much discussion, and analysis, Anna has decided to go to:

The moment when she thought Chris didn't hit the button accepting Boston College (because after all this time, she still wasn't sure.....??), and the moment when she realized he really did, and the decision had been made: 

Yay!!!  We are so excited for her, and she is so excited--it is a fabulous school, in an amazing city!! 

Anna's Senior Prom--April 29, 2016!!

Today was Anna's Senior Prom.   I have to be honest, I am not the greatest mother about these things.

 So, she came home, and ran out within 20 minutes to meet up with her friends and dates at a house, then go to pictures, which got changed because the weather was so lousy.   I got these pictures, quickly, because she was in such a rush:

But, then she came back, because she needed to fix something, so then I got this--see how she is gritting her teeth for me to hurry!!

Because of the rain, the photo session at a local arboretum got cancelled....so we went directly to the country club for the photos: 

Look at how cute Zoey and Anna look---I had to do a close up! 

 Many of the Mount Crew girls--apparently solid colored dresses are what girls are wearing....it took this photo to realize it: