Category: birthday

Taking A Day

Tomorrow I turn, God willing, 57.

Not too cheesy, considering I was due to check out at 33 from my first cancer.I am fortunate to have Jim, who has stood by me through some hard times.

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I am going to spend quality time and prayerful time remembering all in my life, regardless if they are are still with me or gone.It is sad that despite going through everything I have, regarding my cancer history, it still tends to be just another day as you get older.

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Please keep prayers going for Zush, who is having paw issues and may have to get a vet visit in tomorrow.The best present I get is every day I wake up and put two feet on the floor and I have both my girls with me.I have been blessed with them in my life.

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Happy Birthday Mom!

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I’d like to think that the temperature is divine in heaven, so this picture I picked for a blog for Mom would be pretty good, even though it’s December.December 18th would be Mom’s 94th birthday here on earth, but I am sure there is a good time going on in heaven, complete with her family, my Dad, my niece and her friends.

I miss my Mom every day.At this point of my life, I think back mostly to the last 5 years of her life when she had the subdural hematoma and lapsed into dementia.That Mom was so different from the Mom who took care of me as I grew up. I have good memories of childhood, but the last years of Mom were an experience I’ll never forget. I got to see a different side of her, to experience a different side of her, and in a way, it was like coming full circle.

I miss you every day,Mommy and will love you forever.

Going Up

So when you think things are really low, little surprises pop up to change your day.

My nephew Greg is here for a much anticipated visit. It actually is nice to have my family here for once. We played Monopoly and went walking with the girls.

When we had come in, there were some parcels delivered.One was an early gift from my friend Duch. It was something to help me keep things in perspective-a red baseball hat with a dog on it and it says “Tail Therapy.”

Then I got two great cards from my bud Juls- one for my birthday which was so lovely and a barking card for Christmas! It was nice to feel loved.


Appreciation is highly underrated.

A Little Gift

When we left the city and came down here, I brought some of the plants down. I would have liked to keep all of them but, alas, there was no room. If I could have had my way, I would have had big windows so I could have all my plants in the house all winter.

In the summer, I would put most of the plants outside, but the ones that I thought would have an issue going in and outdoors, well,they stayed indoors.After all the love I give my plants, when I lose one, it really hurts.I have the last poinsettia that my Mom was given and have been nursing that, along with her aloe vera.It goes without saying I am super careful watering and caring for them.

Being a December baby, I usually end up buying myself a plant as a gift, although last year, our neighbors bought me a beautiful poinsettia.As I really love my birth month flowers, I went out and bought myself a Christmas cactus.

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Well, I got a present today. My plant started to blossom again and it gave me my first genuine smile in a while.

As my buddy Belinda would say,

“Happy birthday month to ME!”
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Dad’s Birthday

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My Dad would have been 96 today, or I was thinking that he is gone 21 years from me.Technically, in one of the lighter moments I had today,I thought he wouldn’t get carded in heaven today as he would get a draft of Pabst Blue Ribbon.Then my mind went back to my matter at hand, Zush.I bartered with everyone in heaven so my girl would hang in there.

We finally worked on a chicken broth and pedialyte mixture with a little bit of ground beef done in a non-stick pan chaser.
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It warmed my heart to see her actually have an appetite.Now, for the rest of the night, it’ll be a long one. I have to make sure everything is ok.It is really funny, how I wasn’t able to start work on time because of illness.They say God does everything for a reason.Obviously, I am meant to be here with my girls.

Zush and I want to thank everyone for their prayers and good wishes.Those who knew us in our prior life know Zush is the best, and I appreciate your never-ending love and fondness for Zusher.Those who only know of her through either me or the blog, well, thanks. It helps lighten my heart.

Lucky Seven


Oh, what a life!

My little buddy, Kasia, is the big 7 today. As human parents say,”Where has the time gone.”

Kasia,Zosia and I went down to our neighbors in this heat, so the birthday girl could have her celebratory bone.


Let me tell you she wasn’t giving it up! Poor Zush was trolling around but Kasia had her mind set on one thing- her bone!

I want to thank both of my fellow dog moms, ironically both named Kathy/Kathi for taking my hand through the phone eight years ago and assuring me Zush would be ok, and a new baby sister would keep her young. That has all been true, and Kasia and Zush appear to love each other, albeit most of the time.The  rest of time, they have Mom as peacemaker.


I am truly blessed with my fur girls-as all dog mom’s say about theirs…

“THEY’RE THE BEST!”

Happy birthday my Kasia- Mom loves you!

Pasta and Beans Pasta e Fagioli

My “sister’, Georgine, had her birthday lunch yesterday.Every year I have asked her what she wanted and she would tell me the story. When her Mom was in the nursing home, they would go our once in a while to Olive Garden, where they would order Pasta e Fagioi, a glass of wine and a salad.

So to honor my sister’s request, I cook up a pot of pasta and beans and they are actually very good.

Here’s the recipe:

2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
2 slices pancetta, chopped
2 sprigs rosemary left in tact
1 4′-6′ sprig thyme with several sprigs left on it
1 fresh or 2 dried bay leaves
1 medium onion finely chopped
1 small carrot chopped
1 rib celery finely chopped
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
coarse salt and pepper
2 (15 oz) cannellini beans
1 can tomato sauce or can crushed tomatoes
2 cups water
1 quart chicken stock
grated Parmigano/reggiano cheese for the table.
Crust Italian bread for mopping

put oil in the pan and heat it. Add diced pancetta to brown it,and add herbs and stems and chopped veggies-throughly season them, Add beans,tomato sauce,water and stock to pot..Bring soup to rapid boil. At that time I add ditalini pasta.Reduce heat and put to simmer, stirring 6-8 minutes,

Feed four generously,,,,we had a little left over for lunch.

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Honest, the leftover container doesn’t do it justice….it is good on a chilly day!

Milestone

Down here in “Amity”, as I like to call it, I went to a 90th birthday party today for a good friend of mine.

Vivian has been so kind to me for the past six years I have known her. She collects the money at the pancake breakfast. Always,Vivian has a kind word for everyone. 

 
She’s the one with the grey hair and pearls. She try to help fellow knitter and crocheters as best as she can.She is always amazing to talk to in a coversation. One day when I grow up, I want to be just like her!

   
    
 
Here are some shots that before hand, would have had Martha Stewart smiling.

Happy birthday Vivian! I love you!

SNL Christmas Special

Well, normally I could catch White Christmas on actual television the night before my birthday, but this year it seems not to be.It’s kind of weird, as there are a lot of years I missed SNL so I never heard some of this stuff.

I am thankful for having another year under my belt.I am so grateful that Zosia has made it through a medical up and down year, and is still hanging in, and that Kasia is more of a love bug than I ever could imagine.I am happy that I almost have a full year of city retirement under my belt.I am thankful for my family, and I miss them: things would be good if I got to see them more.

Most of all, thanks, Gentle Reader, for hanging in for another year of my posts: you are appreciated more than you can imagine.

Greg

In the line of family birthdays, my nephew/Godson Gregory is December 19th.

We managed to spend time together on the train when he went to Temple University and I worked in town. We had many good talks together and I miss those times.

He is now a graduate student at Saint Joseph’s University and is also busy working. I am very proud of him and wish him all the best life has to offer.

Happy birthday Greg!

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Mom

  
I was lucky to have my Mom around for 51 of my 55 years. December 18th is her birthday and I am certain someone in heaven made her a 1-2-3-4 cake.

The picture above is Mom with one of her grandchildren. Matthias was not quite 2 when this picture was taken at my godparents 60th wedding anniversary. Mom loved all her kids and grandchildren:she loved the whole family.

There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss her. I know she is happy with my family in heaven: it takes some of the sting out of the heartache.

Happy birthday in heaven, Mom. Miss you like crazy!

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Birthday Girl

We are on our way up to the city this morning to see Jim’s Mom and Kathy, his sister.

It’s my mother-in-law’s 97th birthday today . I am a firm believer in being there for someone’s birthday, especially when you get in the higher numbers. No one is guaranteed a next birthday, you know? She has seen a lot and to be able to celebrate with her will be a joy.

I made two loaf cakes for her, and we’re  bringing her fur granddaughters up too!

Happy birthday Babci Kasia! We love you! 

 

Happy Birthday Guys 

Today, my brother Bob turns 65. I can’t believe my sweet Baboo is 65.I can never be half the person he is, and he is the best.

Tomorrow my Daddy would be 95. He passed when he was 77. I miss him every day.

I told Bob today I love him. I talk to my Dad every day. I hold them both tight in my heart. 

Happy birthday- you both are always in my heart.And I miss you too, Mom.

  

Hard time of the year.

As much as I love October, there are some strong memories tied into the month that are now under the realm of being bittersweet.

My oldest brother turned 68 this past Sunday.My brother in the city turns 65 this Saturday, and my Dad would have been 95 on the next day.

The thought brings a lump in my throat, as things can never be as they once were. My Mom would be in the kitchen,making her 1-2-3-4 cake, We all gathered around the dining room table and sang in Polish and English Happy Birthday. We would have pumpkins in the house and mums all through the house.

Good times.

All I can do now is pray for Daddy in heaven on his birthday and send cards to my brothers,

And finally I wrap up in my heart the memories of those good times, and how blessed I was to be there for them.

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Happy Birthday

I had the opportunity to call an old co-worker of mine and wish a happy birthday.

It’s funny, but we hadn’t spoken in six months, and although we are now coasts apart, it’s like we just spoke to each other yesterday. It was good to touch base and catch up, as we both have moved on a bit and it was good to hear the pace we are keeping ourselves at post-retirement.Our health has caused us both issues, but thanks to an excellent union health plan, we are managing to get through things ok.We left things where we did in January-we’ll keep in touch.

If you have someone who had a birthday, or is an old friend, or both, call them. It might be the boost in each of your days.

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Company for Two

Jim’s oldest sister and her husband are down to stay with us overnight before they leave for home tomorrow afternoon.

We have been on the go since they have been here. We went out for a nice dinner to celebrate Earl’s 80th and Jim’s 61st birthdays.We came back for birthday cake and a wild card game and are now watching cable and having a great time.

It’s odd having company here. We are so used to quiet that it is kind of nice to have a break in the action.I guess this is a precursor of what the summer will bring.I’ll be up tomorrow morning to set the table for breakfast.

It’s nice to see how the other half lives.

And so to bed..

The difference between a 55th birthday and 25th?

No bells, no whistles, a nice quiet night.The mere fact of being able to get to bed in about 30 minutes is sounding like heaven. I am not complaining, mind you.I am just happy that I have reached a point in my life where quiet is not only good,it’s appreciated.

Tomorrow starts the rest of the festivities leading up to retirement on the 2nd of January.That’s when the real fun begins.

They say it’s your birthday

I turn 55 tomorrow.

What a run I have had.

At my first cancer diagnosis back in 1993, I had an aunt ask me what undertaker I am going to use. Ooops…I am still here.How ’bout that?

I have been blessed with being able to put one or two feet on the ground when I get up in the morning, discounting the knee replacement days,and through peaks and valleys, I am here.

Thanks to all my family, friends and readers.You all are my presents.

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Party’s almost over

My co-workers in my unit threw me a combination retirement/birthday luncheon today.

As with a lot of offices, when you are there as long as I have been, you have seen a lot of office politics go by. I had specifically asked for no party, because they leave open the chance for people from other parts of the floor to participate. People who would sooner bad mouth me one day would come and ” wish me well”?

No thanks.

My friends made a lovely little luncheon for me in the office and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.They are wonderful people to work with, and I will miss them, as they definitely had become a second family.We have gone through a lot through the inception of our unit, but we do a boatload of work.

They will forever be in my heart.

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Posting a little early

We are down at Undisclosed and on our way our to a neighborhood Christmas party.Actually, my “sister” and friend Georgine sneaks a homemade cake in the party as an early birthday for me, as my family is spread far apart and doesn’t do it anymore.

The girls are walked, and emptied and now rested. We are looking forward to a nice party and being able to walk to the party is an added plus. I managed to get over 13,000 steps in today, but more than that, we have no worries about drinking and driving.

If you are going out for any holiday party,please have a designated driver if you are going, and have fun, but most importantly, be safe.

Let’s keep the upcoming holiday season a happy one!

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Christmas Lights

One of the perks of walking the dogs at night right now is, despite that it’s cold out right now, folks have Christmas lights up.

At my age, I remember the lights my father would put up on our row home porch every year.The tradition was, he put them up in time for my Mom’s December 18th birthday: it was the traditional flip of the first switch.We loved it. It was tradition, it celebrated Mom’s birthday, my birthday and the most important birthday,Christmas.As I got older and my nephew Greg was born on December 19th, I took my toddler nephew Matt out through the neighborhood to ooh and ah at all the lights.

Now I walk the girls at night and there are blown up reindeer and snow globes and God knows what else adorning lawns in neighborhoods.The lights are no longer simple,in fact some of them are LED giving a whole different glow to Christmas.I always look and admire the handiwork that I see in front of me, no matter the amount of kitsch in it, because I remember the lights of the row home 50 years ago and the warm memories with it.

Nothing like it in the world.

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Happy Visit

We went over to see my mother-in-law tonight.

She is going to be 96 this Saturday and we’ll be at Undisclosed, while she’ll be down the casino.The family intends to celebrate her birthday on Thanksgiving, but we brought her a small cake and along with Jim’s sister Kathy, we sang a happy birthday to her.Zosia and Kasia were on their best behavior, and we had a good visit.

It made for a long day though, so it’s off to bed for us all.

Here’s hoping you are warm and have a good weekend. Stay safe.

Memories

One of the things I’ll miss about living at our current spot is a tree.

In front of the house, there is a Japanese maple.Nice and cooling in the summer, and vibrant in color now, we have had many memories of that tree.

In honor of my nephew Matthias’ birthday today, the one I will share with you is this. My late niece was in town with my brother and their family, and Matthias, Sandy, and I had a good day at Mom’s, playing whiffle ball in the back driveway. Afterward, Matthias, who loved the tree, would climb up in it, and we have a picture of Matthias and Sandy and myself at the tree, with young Matt actually in the tree.

Below this post is a picture of the current beautiful color out front in the tree.It’s bittersweet that I won’t see it next year, but the memories, happily, will go with me.

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The Beat goes on….

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Another Thursday night.

Well, not another. It’s November. My oldest nephew turns 27 on Tuesday.I remember when Matt and I were best of buddies, and I could carry him on my shoulders, and we played “zoomie cars”.**sigh**

I can’t believe it.

I also can’t believe I have reached a kind of short timer status on the job. It’s surreal as I sit here and think about that.

Fortunately, Zush has a vet appointment with our new vet on Saturday morning as we march forward with maintaining good health for all of us as we approach our new life. It’s kind of weird to even type that, but in a good way.

Off to Undisclosed in the mid-day, hanging out with ourselves,and our new neighbors, and getting ourselves immersed in a different way of life.I am praying it’ll be a smooth transition for all of us.

The Summer of George

The summer of George was a product of the Seinfeld series. His fiancée dies and he is going to have the time of his life that summer, doing whatever he intends to do. I believe a hunk of cheese eating while in boxers was also involved.

This is not the summer of George that I am referring to.

I am writing about Prince George of Cambridge, who is celebrating his first birthday today.

Having grown up around Diana, Princess of Wales, wedding to Prince Charles,the flicker of interest in the royals across the pond flames up.Hell, the people are OUR age and look what they are wearing and doing.Look at the styles they are rocking.We followed all the adventures, missteps,and eventual tragedies that hit the house of Windsor.

But there was always Prince William and Prince Harry.They matured nicely, and with Harry acting the role formerly held by his uncle, Prince Andrew,and managing to keep it in the family. William settled down and started the next generation.

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George of Cambridge was born one year ago today and England is all abuzz with hopes and speculations of the future for the one being labelled “The most eligible infant”.

Happy Birthday Prince George.

180 more days…

…and I,hopefully, will see 55.

Where did the time go?

When will it get here?

I get torn,especially when this past month, I had Matt Miziorko get married and Greg Miziorko graduate college and get accepted to graduate school.

Then, in the next breath, I think about getting in the office tomorrow and the job of public transportation and its’ navigation, irate taxpayers, and summer weather.The three in tandem are not my favorite trio.

One of my best buddies, Kate, threw me a birthday,rather,a half birthday party around thirty-three years ago.Egad, as I remember it like it was yesterday.She made me feel good, because having a birthday on the shortest day of the year always sucked. You were cheated in sunlight.Not that her birthday was too much better than mine because hers is in February. Boy, they were good times.

Here’s to many more!

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Weekend off

Thanks to the fine quality of service Comcast delivers, I couldn’t blog yesterday due to
“Circumstances beyond our control”…

Argh!

Jim’s surprise party went off without a hitch on Saturday and I think it was safe to say a good time was had by all.The food was fabulous, and I had gotten the party trays from Jim’s employer, T&F deli. The trays were really impressive.

Sunday morning I did a breast cancer walk and got a sunburnt nose to boot. You would think I would ALWAYS remember sunscreen after the last go round at the dermatologist!In the afternoon, we went with Jim’s sister Kathy and my mother-in-law to Harrah’s casino in Chester.It was cool to hang together-we don’t get a chance to do that enough.

Now, this week, I have my godson Greg’s college graduation on Wednesday night and my nephew Matthias’ wedding. I am looking forward to both events, as both of them have grown into such men and I am so proud of both of them.

But I’m not going to lie.

I want to go “home”…I am so looking forward to getting back down to Undisclosed Deux.

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Todays’ secret combo

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Since the birthday weekend, I have been back juicing fulltime.

Todays’ combo is kale,carrot, celery,cantaloupe, watermelon,chia seeds,banana and grapes.The fruit was basically left over from the fruit
I couldn’t finish from yesterday’s lunch.

I have to admit it is rough sitting at the front reception desk sipping this while seeing a parade of folks go past me with their goodies.
I have to remember that I was one of those folks and I can’t be one of those folks ever again. The sharpness of my sciatica pain in my
right hip tells me there is no turning back. I want the makers of Aleve to lose me on their best customer list.

And with a pause in the action…

Took advantage of our company and kept busy throwing a small birthday party for Jim and our brother-in-law on Sunday with our family at Undisclosed Deux.

Today, however, is the actual day.
My husband turns 60 today.
It’s surreal.

You are dating in your twenties and thirty seems old, and so on. You get married in your forties and, wait a second, you’re married long enough that your spouse is starting another decade.Well, it’s a good thing, as a birthday always is,and happily for me, we have been together for so long that I appreciate the fact that he has gotten there before me.Without his wisdom, I would have fallen by the wayside many times.Together we are a pretty well oiled machine and Jim is definitely the brains and brawn behind this machine of this marriage.We’ve had tons of ups and downs as I am sure, all married couples have, but we are in it for the long haul.

Happiest of birthdays, Jim.
Sto Lat!Kocham cię.

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Social Butterflies

We are having a busy weekend down here at Undisclosed and loving every minute of it.

We enjoyed our Saturday, complete with a cut-throat, yet friendly card game where I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard.

Tomorrow we are celebrating two birthdays, one anniversary, and having friends over to join in the celebration.

It is good to be HOME.

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So spring begins when?

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I have got to laugh.

**I know, I’ll laugh at any excuse I can get**

People have been announcing to me that tomorrow is the first day of spring. I know we are all tired of winter,but hey, on MY calendar, Thursday is the first day of spring.

Actually, Spring begins today when one of my best buddies has her birthday.

Denise was kind enough to be my maid of honor for our wedding, and although I won’t say how long I have known her for, she started working with me when she was a little over 21.

We have been through a lot together and she is the best honorary baby sister I could ever hope for.

Happy birthday Denise.

**smooch**

A recap..

The birthday weekend was good!

Outside of Jim having to talk to our builder, we were laid back, had a lot of fun,hS few beers….life is good.

I tried to blog from Undisclosed, but Word Press has upped their sign on for security…

HUH?

You mean I have to write the number down? ….

After a day and a half of trying to backtrack,…

I’m ba-a-a-a-ack!

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Birthday Weekend

Sunday I, God willing, turn 54.

I am at the age where I enjoy a birthday weekend. I mean who wants to have a birthday in the office? I love my office but hey, I’d sooner sleep in, have breakfast out…you know what I mean? I am going to an open house on Saturday night with Jim.

I’ll try to check in over the weekend, to let you how I am doing this weekend: here’s hoping you have a good weekend too!

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This is my eight hundredth post.

I can’t believe I have been doing this long.

Today(12/19)is my nephew Gregory’s birthday-he is 24 years old today.
I lost two of my buddies to heaven.
Zush was younger and Kasia was a wee one when I started.
Mom was sick and still around and Bob and I were care-givers.
Jim and I lived in a different house.
I wasn’t this close to finishing out my first career.
Undisclosed location wasn’t even around.

It has been a while, and I need to thank you, my reader.I appreciate the fact you find this blog and open and read it.I am thankful for those of you who like the blog, leave comments, and even express your opinion on the blog.

Here’s to 800 more.

BTW, Happy birthday Gregory. We love you lots!

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Happy Birthday….

…to my Mom is heaven.

In December she would be 91 on the 18th. It was a wonderful time in my life, as it was Mom’s birthday and then mine.Then my sister-in-law gave birth to my nephew Greg on the 19th;that made it even more special. When the dementia set in, Mom kind of remembered her birthday, I think, but tended to sleep through it.

Now she is gone.

I have my Mother-in-law who turned 95 last month, and she is a wonderful woman. She is sweet, but she’s not my Mom.There is not a day that goes by where I don’t miss her.I take comfort in the fact I believe she is in heaven, with my Dad, and her parents, sister and brothers.

It’s been a rough month for me with the passing of my friends. It actually is a pleasure to have a reminiscence of happier days and good memories.I know she is with me**chuckling** and pointing her finger at me and shaking it at something I have done or said.

Sto Lat in heaven, Mom. Party big time! 😀

N.B. Sto lat means may you live 100 years in Polish.

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The other Mrs. C.

My mother-in-law turned 95 yesterday.

Ninety-five.

I am jealous, although I am so happy for her, but it just makes me miss my Mom all that more.
She wouldn’t have liked to go out like my mother-in-law does, but just to see that smile and
and hear that voice would be so nice.

Sto lat, Mom C., and many more.God bless you and keep you safe.

Mom..I miss you every day.

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It’s Veterans’ Day

…and although I have no immediate member in the family who serves, there are plenty
of guys I know, who are basically sons of friends of mine.I also had my grandfather,
my Dad and uncles who have served. To those of you still serving, thank you for the
security and safety you give us and I keep you all in my prayers. To those in the
heavenly corps. I salute you.

…and it’s also my nephew Matt’s birthday. It seems as though it was only yesterday
I went with him and his dad and Zush for road trips out to Millersville for Zush to
get some serious squirrel chasing in.Now he’s got a good woman by his side, a decent
job, and hopes for a great future.Happy birthday Matthias. I have never been so proud
of you.

Sto Lat!
Bog Zaplac!

Dad’s day

Today my Dad would have been 93 years old, so I know there is
a helluva party in heaven.

My poor Dad desperately wanted to be 77 years old. He passed at
76 and 10 months. He wanted to see 77 because his Dad died at 76.
It was not to be.

There is not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him. I love
him dearly and know he is happy with Mom in heaven.

Miss you, Daddy dearest, and will love you forever.

Special Day

My Brother Bob is sixty-three today and I am blessed to have him as a brother.
Without him, there would have been no taking care of Mom at home. The past four
years have worn us down, but with God’s help, we are both here. I love him
to the ends of the earth and wished him this morning in Polish,”Sto Lat”,
meaning may you live a hundred years.

My sister from another mother..lol..Cynthia is turning the speed limit today,
and after the year she has had, she deserves to put the petal to the metal and
go.She endured chemo, radiation and surgery and I was blessed before this to
have her in my life, but now I am doubly blessed to still have her.

Happy birthday kids! I love you both.

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They say it’s your birthday

Today is Jim’s birthday.

His accomplishment for the year? He survived another year with yours truly, for one, and that’s a big one. I am not the easiest person to live with at times, especially of late.

The girls and I don’t know how we would live without him. Our family definitely would have a big piece missing.

Happy birthday to our Jim/Shingleman/Daddy…. We love you to pieces!

Sto lat!

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Apprehension

I am dreading today and am glad to be working .

Yes, it is Christmas Eve, but being of Polish descent, it’s when we ” did” the holiday .

So this is life after Mom’s death.

No Christmas pin can make it right. No Mom= loss. My heart is in my gut thinking of past Christmases.Dad was gone and now so is she.

It’s going to be a long day.
Hold a good thought, ok?
I need it.

Thanks.
Merry Christmas!

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Happy Birthday to my Mac.

Jim gave me my Power Macbook for my birthday last year.

It has brought me nothing but joy.

Having worked with computers for a long time, you haven’t lived until you never have to deal with a blue screen, a Norton anti-virus, windows error messages, and so on and so on…if you are a windows user, you KNOW what I am talking about.

I’m converted- I’m a believer!

Apple rocks!

Happy birthday in Heaven

It’s been a year, Mom.
A year since I got to sing Happy Birthday to you.
A year since I gave you some chocolates, fuzzy socks you always liked, and sang Sto Lat.

Well, you didn’t make one hundred . You hit eighty- nine. I was blessed to have you for fifty-two of them. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss you. I miss those blue eyes, that soft touch, that smile.

Happy birthday in Heaven, Mom. I know Dad made the pound cake for you , not our favorite 1-2-3-4 cake. I’m glad Dad is with you to get you your first heavenly birthday card.

Our December birthdays won’t be the same without you.

Love,
Marisha

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Getting a bit close..

…to my Mom’s birthday.

She would be 90 this Tuesday and it is rough.

We were mother and daughter and occasionally we were partners in crime back in the early days, but this month was the one bond we both had in common-DECEMBER. You see her birthday was the 18th, my nephew Gregory turns 23 on the 19th and I round it up on the 22nd.

I remember how I was watching Mom during one of last year’s hurricane threats and it had turned out that there was actually a tornado watch in the area. What was I going to do? Stay in a closet and watch Mom and her hospital bed get sucked out the window? I made up my mind, and despite whatever the level of the threat was, I sat on the kitchen chair that we kept by her bed and held her hand and talked to her in Polish. I remember thinking to myself that if I were to be hit by lightning or something else happening, it was appropriate, as I was holding the hand of the woman who brought me into this world. How fitting would it be if we left this world together. In short, I was as calm as could be because I was with Mom and knew whatever would happen, we were together.

I know how people always will tell you the first year is the hardest, and I can vouch for a fact that it is. If I can get through the birthday week, however, I’d like to think it’ll be ok. I know she’s with Dad and they are having the 1234 cake that she used to make, and it’ll be a good, heavenly birthday for her.

I just wish it didn’t hurt so much.

**sigh**

 

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Mixed up day

Today has had a hell of a start.

My father would have been 92 today. Not a day goes by where I don’t miss him.

Came into work with my nephew Greg, and we proceeded to spend a week on a Septa train this morning. Needless to say, I clocked in 1/2 hour late, and Greg had to get off the stop at Temple, because his time was limited.

I had an amusing chat with my seat mate on the train, as we exchanged barbs that only two women who have commuted for over 30 years can let go with.

It can only get better!**fingers crossed**

COFFEE TALK

It’s almost October.

It’ll be a funny October for me, with Mom not being around.

My brothers birthdays are in October. My Dad’s birthday was in October. I always, as Mom got older, picked out the cards at her request, and it was bittersweet toward the end, to have her scribble Mom on the card, When it came to Daddy’s birthday, we always remembered him and both would be quiet with our respective memories, and once in a while, I would tell her a story I remembered about Dad, and she would smile.

So here I sit, typing away.Coffee cup at a safe distance away from my Mac, and I find myself remembering the past.

It’s good when your memories are, on the most part, pleasant.

 

Working weekend

It was rough being” at home” instead of being down at Undisclosed.

One of my BFF’s,Kath, threw a surprise party for her husband, so we were up here. Trying to get ahead of the situation, we threw a lot of stuff out, a lot into recyclables, and donated a lot of clothes. After all, this house has got to sell before we can go full time to Undisclosed. I am glad we are doing things a little at a time, because leaving things until time to show/sell, well, it’d be a fiasco.

The hard part is having football on in the background : you want to sit and watch the game- not listening while you clean….There’s got to be a better way!

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A break from Undisclosed ….

This weekend, our scene will be a little different…we’ll be out in south central Pennsylvania visiting one of BFF, Juls and her husband Tim. We’ll be celebrating Juls’ birthday,albeit a week later.

The house is in peace and quiet heaven, and the gals are happy because they play with Ginger and Lily on March mountain; in fact, dog play will be a highlight of the trip.

Change is good: spending time with friends? Even better!

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Friday five

I have thought that I should dedicate one blog a week to work on a list of things to help keep my perspective .
Right now I am a little out of sorts, so bear with me.

1. I am thankful I am employed and get a check. I am burnt out from being there 28 years, but there has always been a check. More importantly,I am grateful for the friends I have made along the way.

2. I am forever thankful and in love with “Shingleman”. God smiled on me the day I met him.

3. I love my girls, Zush & Kash…..enough said.

4. I thank God ,after 3 cancers in my 30’s, for every day I put 2 feet on the floor. Some people can’t .

5. I am waiting for the day when I am no longer tired……

Stay tuned next Friday…..

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kruschiki

This was my birthday treat: my aunt made Kruschiki for Christmas, and brought some up for my Mom. Kruschiki are a sweet bow tie cookie, Polish in origin, and when they are made with a heavier dough, make for a hell of a dunking cookie. My buddy, Rita, bought me a new mug with peppermint hot chocolate mix in it, so I made that up to dunk the kruschiki in.

Yes, it is my birthday, but sometimes you need the kruschiki-it is the Christmas week breakfast of champions, and just nibbling on them this morning, well, it brought me back to my childhood. Of course, life was easier then, but you know what? For a fleeting moment this morning?

” Life is good.”

Laying low..

…before a night at Mom’s. There comes a point where you just work the candle at both ends, but today I literally crashed and burned, so that 45 minute nap was a God send.The last few times at Mom’s, she was restless and I had minimal sleep.This was, now I have taken a little edge off my tiredness, so I am ready to get up there and sit with Mom on this important night…

Why, you ask?

Tomorrow is my birthday and I am so mindful of being with the woman who brought me into the world.Since her illness, I realize the time we have together is limited, as she was 37 when she had me and tomorrow I will be 52.I always remember that she told me how happy her mom was when she had me, because she had said that a daughter will take care of her for the rest of her life. It’s funny, because as I type this, I can hear my Mom tell me that.

It’s a good memory.

Kind of tired…

When so see the sight blur on the Christmas shot below, that is basically how I am feeling this morning. How excited was I to score three nights off in a row, thanks to my brother Bob, and was going to celebrate my birthday down the shore.

I have learned one thing.

I can’t party like I used to, and I am not even talking in an alcoholic sense of the word. I am beat. Unlike other times when we could chill and hang out, we were on the go ALL weekend. Philly, undisclosed location, Atlantic City, Pleasantville, Cape May, undisclosed location, Philly….whew**wiping my brow**.I am oh-so-glad that I have titanium and can move around with those new knees, but mentally, well, I am going to have to honor this old butt and keep it subdued.

It’s easier on the Monday morning. 😉

 

 

 

Back in the day..

Back in the day, Jim wasn’t used to getting a wife birthday presents and Christmas presents in the same week.

Then I turned 50. Hah! Got a smart phone, shore house and HP laptop all within one month. Nice.

In anticipation of a life after my current job, Jim got me a birthday/Christmas gift last night. I have crossed the abyss. I now own a Mac book Pro. I am an apple girl.

 

Thanks Honey.

 

In other avenues, today is my Mom’s 89th birthday and I will be the first to admit that I seriously wondered if she’s see it. Thank you God, for the gift of my Mom.

It is also the 9 month birthday of my new knees….

 

Phew…

Busy weekend!

Farewell from the undisclosed location, for now…..

xxoo