Merry Christmas, 2018! December 25, 2018

This was a wonderful Christmas!

Gallagher-Palooza--December 21-24, 2018

This year,  I named the days leading up to Christmas day as Gallagher-Palooza...the festival celebrating all things Gallagher. 

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend--November 21-November 25, 2018!

This Thanksgiving weekend was especially nice because all 5 of my children were home, which is becoming somewhat of a rarity.

Happy 12th Birthday, Lily!! November 9, 2018!!

So, today is Lily's 12th birthday.  So crazy.  The last one before she becomes a teenager.  Ugh.

Happy National Redhead Day to my Redheads!! November 5, 2018!!

Lily just came down to tell me that today is Natonal Redhead Day--so Happy Redhead Day to my three redheads!!

Jack:

Matthew and Lily:

Happy Halloween!! October 31, 2018!

Again, my Halloweens are changing...this year, we were down to Matthew, and Lily.

Happy 19th Birthday, Timmy!! October 4, 2018

Timmy turns 19 today.  The last year he is a teen.  It is a big year, even if he doesn't know it.

Happy 23rd Birthday, Jack!! October 3, 2018

Happy Birthday to our oldest, Jack.  This is a weird one, because it is the first birthday he is having without us being with him, not including the ones he had in college, because in college he was with all his friends.

Timmy Goes to College--our trip to Notre Dame!! August 16-August 19, 2018

So, this is now done.  Timmy is in college.  He is out there on his own, doing great things...and I am still not being brave about this one.

 We took off on Thursday, after a long delay to wait for Anna (more on that later....) I was trying to get on the road by 9, but it was closer to 11:30 before we left.  Unfortunately, the problem with that is that no matter how hard we try, it takes the Gallaghers 12 hours to drive to Notre Dame from our home, so it was going to be a long, late night.

Odyssey of the Mind finals.  baseball games.  Fox rock summer league games.  Halloween--running to every house, shouting out what he had gotten.  Dinosaurs.  Bad baby. going for walks.  Watching shows with me.

On the way out, I was pretty good, until Rod Stewart's "Forever Young" started playing.  And then I was a mess.  I knew I would be, because we used that song for a pre-school graduation, and it was sad back then....imagine when  you are driving your child  to college?  

I copied these lyrics...:

Forever Young

Rod Stewart

May the good Lord be with you down every road you roam.
And may sunshine and happiness surround you when you're far from home.
And my you grow to be proud, dignified and true.
And do unto others as you'd have done to you.
Be courageous and be brave.
And in my heart you'll always stay

Forever young. (Forever young)
Forever young. (Forever young)

May good fortune be with you, may your guiding light be strong,
Build a stairway to heaven with a prince or a vagabond.
And may you never love in vain.
And in my heart you will remain

Forever young. (Forever young)
Forever young. (Forever young)
Forever young. Forever young

And when you fin'lly fly away, I'll be hoping that I served you well.
For all the wisdom of a lifetime, no one can ever tell.
But whatever road you choose, I'm right behind you win or lose,

Forever young. (Forever young)
Forever young. (Forever young)
Forever young. Forever young
For forever young

Timmy leaves for college, and I don't care that I am supposed to be happy for him. August 15, 2018

So, this summer has been so crazy, that Timmy leaving for college kind of crept up on me.  I mean, I was very much aware of it, but I had not done anything about it.  Which is why I just today took him to Target to get the things he needs for college, and why it is almost midnight and we are all pretty much still getting things together to get ready for our four day trip to drop him off at Notre Dame.

I really could not be happier for him, but I am so sad for me, and for our family, because we really need Timmy here.  I really need him here. Lily needs him here.  Matthew needs him here.  We just all need him here.  But, we are told that after high school, kids go to college, and so off to Notre Dame he goes.  But I have done this before with my oldest son, Jack, and looking back on it now, dropping him off at Notre Dame really was so much more than just dropping him off at college.  It was the end of my time with him as his mother, guiding him through life, getting him to where he needed to go....including, I guess, to Notre Dame.   And my heart is breaking because while I know Timmy is 18, almost going to be 19, in my heart, he is still this little boy.

He is about three in this picture...


This photo was taken almost exactly 12 years ago, which makes him 6, almost 7, and Matthew is 4 1/2.  And they are still very good to each other.

Happy Birthday to Anna!! August 8, 2018!

Anna turned 21 today!!   Unfortunately, Jack's move to Washington D.C. took over a little bit, so we decided that just us three girls would celebrate Anna's birthday.

I took a half-day at work, and Anna and Lily took the train and met me downtown on Market Street.

A day of Endings, and New Beginnings--Jack moves to DC, Anna turns 21!! August 8, 2018

This day was, for all intents and purposes, the end of Jack being at "home" here.  Because today, he moves to Washington, D.C.   Which means, he is no longer just a student, or a kid...he is now a grownup. But, of course, that leads to new beginnings.  Because today, Jack begins his life as a grown-up, as well.  He pays his rent, he pays for his clothing, and he even pays for his own health insurance, etc.   A young grown up, but a grown up.  Like a "what do you want to do when you grow up"  grown up.   Which is an ending, but also a great beginning.

And, it is also the end of Anna being...I guess a "girl."  Because today she turns 21.  She would be so sad if she saw this, because she doesn't like being told she is growing up.   And today was a definite milestone...now you can do anything, just about, as a grown up.  Another ending, another beginning. And I am so happy for both of them!  

Jack's last night home...so we go out! August 7, 2018

As I was walking over to start writing this blog, I saw this photo...and it caught me in my throat.  I remember this, as they say, like it was yesterday.  That is the thing about parenting, I guess.  Every photo I see brings you right back to that point in his or her life.   And this point was when it was just me,  Jack, and Chris.

And tomorrow he moves to Washington, D.C. To start his new life, not temporarily, or for a school year, but maybe, for forever. 

Leslie Gallagher Weekend--August 3-5th, 2018

My birthday is on February 4th, and I always think I get a raw deal.  Where we live, February is super cold, and there always seems to be a snow storm around my birthday.  On top of that, this year was Super Bowl Sunday, and the Eagles won, so I really got no attention.  Which was fine when my kids were younger, but now that they are older, I think that it is important to celebrate family events.

Which is why this weekend, which is my half-birthday, is Leslie Gallagher Weekend.

And this is how we celebrated:

Pizza Box

Iron Hill Brewery

NYC--Kinky Boots

And someday, my children will realize that the point behind Leslie Gallagher weekend was really Gallagher Family weekend.  I just haven't told them that yet.

First day of the last month of Summer--August 1, 2018 (8/1/18)

Today is kind of the beginning of the end of summer, which is very sad for me, because I really hate cold weather.  I am okay with the Fall, but in recent years, even a beautiful fall day has a glimmer of sadness,  because I realize that around the corner from those gorgeous fall days are days of sleet and snow.

I took off the day of work to go to various appointments.  First, Jack had an appointment for his right shoulder.  It looks like he needs surgery.  Ugh.  Then, I had physical therapy.  I really like my therapist, Bob.    Finally, Lily, Anna and I went to get eyebrows waxed, and other body parts which can't be mentioned on a public blog.

Because I get paid hourly, when I am off a day, I spend the whole day trying to get things done, instead of just enjoying (like relaxing...) the day off.  This is another reason why working is hard.  It makes the days "off" just days that you are preparing for the days of work.  I am not complaining...just saying.

Anyway, today is the first day of the last month of Summer.... and this year, it is also a palindrome (8/1/18).   Matthew will love that.

30 more days, and I couldn't be more sad....July 21, 2018

Timmy gets dropped off at college in 30 days, on August 21st, 2018, and I really could not more sad.

Lily goes off to camp--July 8, 2018!

So, Lily went off to camp today, which was her idea, and she is going with some of her friends.

A Perfect Day---July 7, 2018!

There are lots of times in life where you realize that things are great, and everything is really great...and today was one of those days

Happy 4th of July! July 4, 2018

Today was another traditional 4th of July around here...traditional, because we have done the same thing for 24 years,
First

Timmy Graduates from High School--June 13, 2018!

Timmy graduated tonight from Abington Senior High School.

Timmy's Last Day of School--June 6, 2018! Congratulations!

Today was Timmy's last day of Senior year.  This ends 13 years of school.  Here is a photo of him from his first day of Kindergarten:

Two years ago...Chris' stroke two years later--May 28, 2018

I think that when you live with something or someone, you tend not to notice things.  Like you don't notice when your child shoots up 4 inches over a summer.

Why I am so sad the Middle is ending tonight....May 22, 2018!

I am really, really sad that the Middle is ending tonight.  First, while I don't watch a lot of television comedies (I actually kind of do, to be honest...)  I always watch this show, because it has always so closely mirrored my own life.  First, the kids are like mine:  Axel, the oldest kind of self-absorbed son (Jack),  Sue, the really kind, kind of mis-guided daughter who doesn't get along with Axel, despite her best attempts (Anna),  and then Brick, the sophomore in high school who is a little quirky (Matthew.)

Also, because while at the beginning of the show, I didn't really care about the ages of the kids, as they have gotten older, I have become more aware of how the aging of the kids mirrors the aging of my own children, which is making me sad.  Because as Axel graduates from college, Jack gets ready for his senior year.  Sue and Anna are less than 6 months away from each other in age (Sue is born in February, 1997--I'm not a weirdo, she just turned 21 on the show).  Anna will be 21 this August.   And Brick and Matthew are the same ages. So as I see those Heck kids moving up and out, I started to see my own children moving up and out.

And, in fact, Jack is moving out....to Washington DC this August.  I really couldn't be happier.  I wanted to end up in DC, but life intervened (another story).   But seeing the way the Heck kids are getting older, and moving on, makes it more obvious to me that my children are doing the same.  Which makes me sad.....

Jack's Graduation Weekend!! Notre Dame Commencement--May 18-May 20th, 2018!

What an amazing weekend!

We're hitting the road for Notre Dame Commencement weekend! May 17, 2018!

So,  this is it for Jack.  Four years of Siegfried friends,  North Dining Hall meals,  tailgating at football games, and, of course, magna cum laude grades in Mechanical Engineering, and Jack's time as a resident of Notre Dame will be coming to a close this Sunday.  I am thrilled for him.  His four years at Notre Dame have really been for him all that I could have ever wanted for a child.  An amazing school, with a great academic program, lots of fun, and, for him, a job at the end of the road, which he starts in August.  What more could a parent want?

And so today, we all hit the road....all of us, even though some of us are missing big rowing races here, and I will be spending the majority of the weekend in a wheelchair because after 4 weeks from a double knee replacement, I really can't walk more than a few hundred feet.   I am amazed at the number of people who have told me that I should stay home... because a college graduation really trumps all of the above, and there is no way I am going to miss seeing Jack graduate from Notre Dame on Sunday!!

The Double Knee Replacement Diaries....Four weeks after....May 17, 2018!

So, I had both of my knees replaced on April 17th, 30 days ago.  I have really never been in such a terrible situation.   The pain was brutal, brutal, brutal.....for three weeks, on lots of Percocet.  And even 30 days later, I cannot walk very far, and I have to sit down after more than a few minutes of standing.

And the isolation.  Because I can't walk, and I can't drive, I can't  really leave my house.  Which has made me a shut-in (Lily points out, probably correctly, that a person who lives with four other people is not really a shut-in.)   And being a shut-in is really difficult.  All day not talking to anybody. So, not for me, but really nice and attentive to any shut-ins you do know.  You may be the only person that person talks to all day. And some day, like me, you might become a shut-in.

Being Happy, on Mother's Day, 2018! May 13, 2018

This was a great Mother's Day.  Last year, if I recall, not so much. But this year was great.  

I woke up late, after a bad night sleep (I am recuperating from a double knee replacement, more on that later.)   I made it a goal to go to church today, which I have not been able to do. With the exception to two trips to the stop sign next door, and two trips to Whole Foods that left me completely wiped out, I have not really left the house in the last almost 4 weeks. 

So, Timmy, Lily and I went to church, while Matthew and Chris ran over to get Matthew a job as a caddy this summer.   Not surprisingly, Matthew put off going over  to talk to the caddy master until the last minute, so we left without him. 

But church was really good.  It was about happiness.  I don't know why.  But it was about happiness, and finding joy.  I have been feeling very isolated and shut-in (with the four other people I live with!), and post-surgery, every thing has been difficult.  I can't drive, I can't really walk, so it is just difficult to be me.  Which can make a person un-happy.  But today the priest said that "happiness is caused by external stimuli."  Which I think some people may take issue with (because happiness is supposed to come from inside), but I think it can be kind of true.  If I am in a happy place, I feel happy.  When I am sleeping on my couch, I am un-happy.  And the priest also said that sometimes you are happy, then you are un-happy.  But guess what, you will be happy again.  Which is what happens.   And I really needed to hear that.

Also, I was complaining about my situation a little (who wants to hear me complain??),  to my friend, Meg, and she said that I only need my family to make me happy, and two friends.   And I have two friends, so I am happy. And I needed to hear that, too.

And then at church we sang "Be not Afraid", and "The Prayer of St. Francis."  Are you kidding me?  I already said I was feeling a little sad.  These, along with "Here I am, Lord", are my favorite songs.    Timmy was embarrassed that I was getting teary about the songs.  It made me realize how lucky I am.

When we came out, it was rainy and cold.  It was supposed to be 90 degrees today according to Adam Joseph a few days ago...then it started going downhill. Officially, I think the high today was 57 degrees.   Chris had made plans to go to a new place for brunch, but it is actually a little hard for me to get in and  out of the car, so I just decided to just go home and eat breakfast sandwiches around our kitchen table...which is what we did.   

Then I read to Lily (which is something I should be doing more of), while she played with slime (which is something she should be doing less of), so that was nice.  

For dinner, we were supposed to go to a friend's house for a little graduation party, but I was not feeling great, so the four of them went, and I stayed home here.  And then Jack called.  And then we spoke for the next two and a half hours.  

And we should have known this would be happening soon...Matthew gets his driving permit! May 12, 2018

Matthew turned 16 on Monday, and he would have gone and gotten his permit that day, but the DMV is closed, so he had to wait until his first day off from Crew...and that day was today.  So here is Matthew holding his Driver's Permit....which means he is allowed to start learning how to drive on the road.  Oh lord....another passage I am not really all that happy about, but I will be happy for him.

Happy 16th Birthday to Matthew--May 7, 2018!

I am not the first person to say this, but birthdays really have a way of creeping up on you.  And today, Matthew turns 16.   I know the last several years have been a change for all of us, but it is hard to believe that the little guy who walked around with forks down his back to be like a warrior, is now 16 years old, tall, handsome, and in high school!   While Lily is truly my baby, for a long time, Matthew was my baby.   And he is utterly devoted, and good to me...still.   I might not always be one of his favorites, but I will take what I can get.

Happy 16th Birthday, Matthew!

Timmy's College Decision is....was...is now....May 4, 2018

I think this one was the worst college acceptance of all three of my children.   Timmy had to choose between three amazing colleges:  Penn Wharton, Duke, or Notre Dame.   And although he had almost 5 weeks to decide which college to attend, including several long trips to each campus, overnight stays with friends at all three colleges...it still came down to 11:40 pm on May 1st.   And even then, after he pushed "Send" and his college choice was made....it still made him unhappy.

So, I called the college he really wanted to go to, where he felt most welcome, where he felt like he was most like the other kids who go there, and where he thinks they have an amazing Computer Science program.   And like the meddlesome mom I am, I asked him if he could still go to this school.  And the Admissions staff said "yes."

So, it has come to pass, after much debate, that Timmy will be attending the University of Notre Dame this fall.  And we could all not be happier!

But nothing is ever final around here until the fat lady sings...so hold on for any changes.  

College Decisions...Less than 36 hours left, and Timmy still hasn't decided! April 29, 2018

I really didn't think we could possibly go through this again.  Both Jack and Anna were still deciding  at the last minute where to go to college, and here were are, again, with less than 36 hours left (because we HAVE to decide by midnight on 4/30...in case we lose power, etc.), and Timmy claims to have no idea where he wants to go to college.

It doesn't matter that he has three amazing choices.  He really does.  It doesn't matter that he "can't go wrong with any of those choices..."  Because he can't.  What matters is that he doesn't seem to have any idea where he wants to go.

At noon, or two hours ago, we throughly discussed choice X (I can't even list them as 1, 2, and 3, or A, B, or C, because those markers seem to indicate a certain preference.   We like Choice X.  But I think we thought perhaps it made sense to do choice Z.   Then suddenly, I brought up Choice Y...which has always kind of been the compromise school, but now suddenly, it seems like the school he should be going to... Stay tuned.   I really don't know what to tell you.  I mean,  really no choice.

25 years later...April 24, 2018!

25 years ago,,,,

(Surgery) Game Day--April 17, 2018

This is what I woke up to today...So cute.  Lily wasn't sure I should put this up...I think she is starting to care about this stuff.

Goodbye, Knees. You have been really good to me. But now it is time to say goodbye. April 16, 2018

My knees have been good to me.

Five Years ago today....I Love Mommy.. April 15, 2018!

I spent the last two weeks cleaning up/out as much as possible...for my upcoming surgery (more on that later.)   But, as I did, I found this, from Lily:

This actually doesn't show that this says "I Love Mommy."   And it is dated 4/15/13.  It looks like it is an N, but it is just a little hard to see that it is an M.  I am only saying this because she was a little concerned it looked like she didn't know how to spell when she was 6, which she did!   But I am much more touched at how adorable this is!

I must say, I have approximately 4 million of these.   From all of my kids.  I have been getting rid of a few...and  I mean a few....because I am trying to become a minimalist, which is not easy when you tend to keep everything ever associated with anyone in your family, or anything of ANY sentimental value.   But I am getting a little better at throwing things out.

A special night with friends--mini Bucknell reunion!

Last October,  our old friends, Katie and Dave O'Connor emailed me and asked if we wanted to go to their house for a mini Bucknell reunion, and to see their new barn.  I didn't know what that meant, until I got there, and I saw that it is actually a barn.  It was such a fun night, and so great to see some people I hadn't seen in 15-20 years?   I am just now posting this, because I wanted to share how amazing this barn is.  They had it built themselves, and it is amazing.  

To see this amazing barn with really amazing photos, click here.

Dear Mayor Kenney....

Dear Mayor Kenney--

So, I took my son Matthew down for a Manny Flick on the Schuylkill River today.  Okay, not the smartest thing I ever did, because downtown traffic is bad, especially when they close off Kelly Drive, which is where I wanted to be.

But it wasn't even the traffic that bothered me.  It is the trash.  My lord, Mayor Kenney--you really need to do something about the trash in Philadelphia.  And specifically, you need to do something about providing the citizens of Philadelphia with trash cans.  I drove down Broad Street, and the lack of trash cans on street corners is stunning.  I want to pick up my trash, and I want to see the area cleaned up, but unless and until there are enough trash cans so that people on the street can put their trash safely in containers on the corner while they are waiting for buses, then the streets will be dirty.

Moreover, you need to send out crews to simply drive around and pick up trash that is littering corner lots, empty lots, etc, etc.  This is your job.  Do it right.  Because nothing makes an individual feel bad about themselves than when he or she lives in a dirty environment.  So help out the citizens of Philadelphia, and give them trash cans.  


Very truly yours,

Leslie Gallagher

Mom Milestones...they just keep coming (From August 22, 2015)

And this is another post I never posted...I need to stop doing this.  Some of these would have been good to have for my kids to read.   This one was written on 8/22/15 but never posted.  Here goes:


When my children were younger, I didn't have time to think (my messy house is a testament to that).   Really, I think back to having five kids 11 and under, and I feel like I am now going through PTSD.   That was a crazy time.  People always said "wow, you sure are busy!" when they learned we had 5 children, and I would smile.  I wasn't busy, I was insane.  It was insane to have 5 kids, but having 5 children made me insanely busy.  Just making it through the day without a broken bone, with all their bodies being nourished physically, spiritually, and emotionally, was all I could really do.   Housekeeping had to wait.

Kelly Corrigan, who wrote The Middle Place,  mentioned in her book that any woman who has over 3-4 children is really special.  That was the first time I ever really thought what I did was anything other than...well, what I did.  And let me point out, that some of my favorite women friends have 7, 8, and yes, 12 children.  So my 5 children weren't something that I ever thought made me all that special.   But now I think having this many children makes it worse when they grow up...the house will seem so much more quiet, and the absence of them will make it seem more lonely.  As it is now, our house is dirty, loud, noisy, and fun.

In the last few months, I have had, or will have, the following milestones:

My oldest went overseas for the first time....
My daughter, Anna, is starting looking at colleges..,,
My son,  Timmy, went to his first weekend away with friends....
Matthew became a teenager, and is starting at a  new school, without Timmy to help him out...
and
Lily grew out of her booster seat (I thought she had to be 80 pounds, but everyone said I am wrong--she is only 68 pounds, and she didn't really complain about it, so I kept her in it), which she can now get herself in, and does not need any special seating...something that has not happened in my car for 20 years, and which is propelling her closer to growing up....

I know this is just normal stuff, but I don't like it.   And, annoyingly, my children don't seem to mind these changes...they welcome them.   And each one makes me a little more sad.  Really.  I am not going to be brave. This makes me sad.

"What are you doing today, Mommy?" (A Post from 2015??)

This is a post I never posted from at least three years ago.  For some reason, I never posted it.  I think it is from 2015....because Timmy is in Junior High, and has AP Euro.   It is amazing how different my life is, which is why I think I should post it now.

Today, one of my children asked me "what are you doing today, Mommy?" I was surprised, because I had to think about what I was going to do...I didn't really have specific plans, because what I thought I was going to do that day had just been re-scheduled with the person I was going to do it with.

But it got me thinking--what do I do?   I am somewhat sensitive about this, I think.  When I had children at home, it wasn't a big deal.  I could say I was watching my kids, because I was watching my kids.  But now, all of mine are in school.    Which makes me wonder:  what do I do?  I also just heard one of my children say that his friend complained because  his stay at home mom "does nothing" and "is on Facebook" all day.   I find that hard to believe--the being on Facebook part.  It just doesn't interest me.   And besides, I think stay at home moms get the short end of the stick.  No glory, no paycheck, and yet, when someone has to be home for a sick child, or a child who is off, or during the summer months, no one is particularly thankful to the stay at home mom for filling in....it is just kind of expected.

But that is what I do, a lot of the time.  I wait.  I don't mean I sit here (because I never sit down....I actually stand while I type/work on my computer), but my whole day revolves around the comings and goings of my children...being here when they get off the bus, or being at the bus in the case of the younger ones, or taking people to school, etc.   My youngest child leaves for school at 8:45, and my first child gets home around 2:50, so I have about 6 "free" hours a day, which is then my job to fill. For years, I was incredibly active at my children's elementary school.  But, to be honest, I have been not doing that as much as I probably could.   Because, honestly, I need to use my time either at home cleaning, or out making money.  So, this is kind of what I did for the last three days...you will get the gist of my days.

Monday:

Emails.  Gym/Pool/Shower.      Matthew was home from school, so we hung out.  Then I went to Whole Foods to pick up a meal to drop off for a friend from church who just started going through chemotherapy.    I had to be home to get Lily off the bus at 3:45.    She had a friend over, so I had to be home.


Tuesday:

Art class.  Then gym/shower.  Home at 1.   Spent two hours cleaning up this pile in my laundry room that has been bothering me.  Then to Whole Foods (there is a lot of this going on in my life....).    Take Lily to ballet.  Then drive up to get Timmy from the Junior High, and drive his friend home from AP Euro practice.  Then put on dinner.  Then go get Lily.

Wednesday:

Before 9 am, I sent out 8 emails.   Mostly covering stuff for my children.   Arts class, rides to parties, etc.   Go to Gym/Shower.  Home.  Make some phone calls.   Go to Target to get bleach.  Home by 3.  Make dinner (spaghetti and meatballs).  Pick up Lily from bus.  Pick up Matthew from forensics practice at 4:30.    Pick up Joey at 6, drive him and Matthew to Lacrosse practice.  Stop by Whole Foods to make a return, and get a salad for Anna for dinner.  Stop on the way home, and get ice cream for Lily.

Happy Easter, 2018! April 1, 2018 (no fooling!)

This was a lovely Easter weekend, and a lovely Easter day.  Anna came home on Thursday, and hung out with her siblings all weekend while I had to work.  Chris and Lily drove up on Wednesday night to get her (right after we found out that Timmy got into Penn/Wharton, Duke and Notre Dame!), and they all came back on Thursday night.  I had to work on Friday and Saturday, but I think they all had fun!
 
The Easter bunny did make it to our house today--and brought these four baskets for the four who were home--Jack stayed out at Notre Dame.  I remember his freshman year we all drove out there to see him for Easter.  It is not on our agenda for this year, unfortunately.

After church, it was such a nice day, we all went outside.  I started to rake, because in two weeks, after my knee surgery, I won't be able to do so.  And while I was raking, I saw something that may have been hiding under the brush for several years....a baseball.   There were  years and years when every opportunity the boys were outside playing baseball, or having a catch, but not so much anymore.  It made me a little sad to see this hiding there...just a nice reminder of those days.  

Snow Day...on the first full day of Spring! March 21, 2018!

Today was a full-blown snow day.   It started yesterday afternoon, ended at midnight, just kind of sleeted for the next 12 hours, and then started snowing at noon, and it is still snowing, at 8 pm.  It is supposed to stop at 3 a.m.  

So, today we shoveled, hung out, and then, Lily and I went outside for a walk.  It was a lovely day when I get to be home, hanging out with my children!

   This struck me as very pretty...it is the tree right outside the front door, but the light was shining on it.

   My lord, this looks significantly less pretty...at least the thing on the right!   My excuse is that I have to get my knees fixed, and I am in pain.  It has been my excuse for awhile.  Lily is adorable.

And this is beautiful.  Looking down our street.  Notice that our street is still not plowed, and yet, our sidewalk looks great...my children will tell their children that I was the type of homeowner that really liked to get ahead of the snow.  I will go out several times a day to get snow removed.  There is none of this "we will shovel when the snow has stopped."  

Happy First Day of Spring, I guess....March 20, 2018!

So, while I know this is the first day of Spring, it is one of the worst days of winter we have had in the last three months.  The wind is howling, it is sleeting, the roads are awful....and the storm is just starting.

Happy St. Patrick's Day--Remembrances of ones in the past--March 17, 2018

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I guess the most memorable St. Patrick's Day was really the one in 2007, and it actually started on March 16th of that year.

Last Basketball game....March 5, 2018

I watched Timmy's last basketball game.  I have been watching Timmy bounce a basketball for over 16 years, so this was a sad game, really.

   This was some of the kids from Timmy's team, and some of the kids from the other team, all of whom he has known since he was at least 7th grade.

  And another view...

6 Months and Counting...Timmy leaves for college! February 20, 2018!

So, the countdown begins.

Happy Birthday to me! February 4, 2018!

I have learned what it is like to be born on Christmas day--everyone is celebrating, but none of the celebrating is for you.   Having a birthday on the same day the Eagles are playing in the Super Bowl is exactly the same.  Everyone is really happy, but none of it is directed at it being your birthday.

Which is okay for me.  I was never much for celebrating my birthday.  It was definitely not a big thing when I was growing up.  I think we would get a cake, and that was it.  No cards, and definitely no gifts. Giving your child a gift for his or her birthday was a foreign concept for my father.  

And I really don't give like real "gifts" to my children for their birthdays, either (Christmas is an entirely different story.)   Instead, I would hold large parties where they invited their whole class, or as they got older, I would send them off to expensive colleges.   I didn't get either of those, either. 

I came down this morning, and my children had created a Happy Birthday Mom shrine over my computer area.  There were all these lovely sayings  that they had printed out nicely from the computer, like "You've been with us every step of the way", and , "It's thanks to you that we are who we are.", and "And because of you, oh the places we'll go."    Very nice.   And there were all these photos of my children as babies, and then one of all of them with me in various stages of their lives.    It was really nice.  

Later tonight we are going to a friend's house for a small Super Bowl gathering, and that will be my birthday, which all in all is a really great birthday, even if the Eagles aren't the final champions (which I want most of all because I really like Nick Foles.)

Lorraine--January 16, 1963.

Today would have been my sister's 55th birthday.  Which is incredible, since she passed away at 21.

Happy New Year's Day! January 1, 2018

Happy New Year's Day!