Erin and Greg got married on August 23, 2015. But let me go back a few hours before the wedding. It started as a normal day with me getting up and having breakfast. And since it was a Sunday, I went and got my usual Boston Globe and fresh rye bread from the local bakery. I then settled down to reading my paper and watching "Sunday Morning". All that changed when I received a call from Erin at 10 am. She was at the hairdresser with the rest of the bridal party getting their hair done before the wedding, which was at 3:30 that afternoon. She told me that my other daughter Heather had fainted in the chair and was going to the hospital by ambulance. So off I went to the local hospital to meet Heather at the ER. I was there before the ambulance arrived but it drove in shortly with Heather. By the time I was able to go into the ER to see her, she was doing fine. This has happened before to her and it's always a stressful situation. The ran all sorts of tests and they all came back normal. The ER doctor wanted to admit her but she checked herself out of the ER and came to my house to finish getting ready. It was now 1PM. She got ready and headed to the wedding location which was about 30 minutes away. I finished getting ready and Susan and I headed there too.
We arrived at the wedding site and everything was perfect. Heather was doing fine and Erin just looked beautiful. I escorted her outside to where the ceremony was to take place. The ceremony was very nice and Erin and Greg were married. The reception was perfect too. The food was very good and the "Red Barn" was decorated nice too. I had my father's dance with the bride and Greg had a dance with his mother. After that the fun began. They had a DJ for the music and his choice of songs was great for dancing. He said that he never saw so much dancing at a wedding! Everyone had a great time! Even my mom, who is 92 years old, got up to dance several times. I just wish my dad could have been there with her. Everyone said what a good time they had. All in all, it was a perfect day!
Friday, September 4, 2015
Saturday, June 20, 2015
More words and phrases
Here' more words or phrases I've come to dislike.
The new normal - Everything now is "the new normal". A rough winter - it's the new normal. A dry summer - it's the new normal. Floods - it's the new normal. Now everything can be "the new normal".
Over 27,000,000 will be affected by this weather event. So what does that mean to me? Is it going to affect me? Weathermen love to hype things and this is their latest hype.
Shelter in place - This is being used now when ever something dangerous (or not so dangerous) is going on in a certain area. Why can't they just say "stay inside". I think most people know what that means.
The new normal - Everything now is "the new normal". A rough winter - it's the new normal. A dry summer - it's the new normal. Floods - it's the new normal. Now everything can be "the new normal".
Over 27,000,000 will be affected by this weather event. So what does that mean to me? Is it going to affect me? Weathermen love to hype things and this is their latest hype.
Shelter in place - This is being used now when ever something dangerous (or not so dangerous) is going on in a certain area. Why can't they just say "stay inside". I think most people know what that means.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Pets
Pets are a big part of many person's lives. They become part of the family and are always there when you need them. They give unconditional love and expect nothing in return besides food and water and maybe a walk every day. Because their lives are so much shorter than ours, it's inevitable that we will outlive our pets. This year, it has happened to both Susan and I. My dog Shelby was 16 years old. She was a golden retriever and has got me through some of my hardest times. She was always there to greet me every day when I came home from work with a wagging tail and a playful jump. I had her since she was a puppy and she was always there for me. Yes, she could be a pain at times. She would sit by the table while we were eating with those sad eyes just begging for a scrap of food. And it seemed like she wanted to go out at the most inconvenient times like in the middle of a movie I would be watching right at a crucial part of it. And she had a habit of wanting to play or go out or go for a walk every night around 7pm. As Shelby aged, things started going wrong with her. He hips got so bad this year that she would fall down and couldn't get back up. It was getting harder for her to even squat to go to the bathroom without falling. Her eyesight was failing too and I don't believe she could hear any more. So this February, I made the decision to put her down. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made but I knew it was for the best. I just couldn't watch her suffer any more. So on February 26, 2015 I brought her to the vet and put her down. It was so hard to go back home to and empty house and have to put all of her things away. The next day, my dad died. It was one of the saddest weeks in my life. But I have to think that Shelby and my Dad are together keeping each other company.
And if that wasn't sad enough, Susan had to put her cat Sofie down this past weekend. Sofie was 19 years old and had some of the same problems Shelby had, especially the hip condition. And the past couple of weeks she was hardly eating and losing weight. Susan had the same decision to make and she decided it was time for Sofie to be put down. She felt the same way as I did. She didn't want to see Sofie suffer any more.
Sofie and Shelby were never the best of friends but they tolerated each other. So no our house is pet-less. We're not sure when we'll get another cat or dog. It will take some time I'm sure.
Rest in peace Shelby and Sofie. You were loved and are most surely missed.
And if that wasn't sad enough, Susan had to put her cat Sofie down this past weekend. Sofie was 19 years old and had some of the same problems Shelby had, especially the hip condition. And the past couple of weeks she was hardly eating and losing weight. Susan had the same decision to make and she decided it was time for Sofie to be put down. She felt the same way as I did. She didn't want to see Sofie suffer any more.
Sofie and Shelby were never the best of friends but they tolerated each other. So no our house is pet-less. We're not sure when we'll get another cat or dog. It will take some time I'm sure.
Rest in peace Shelby and Sofie. You were loved and are most surely missed.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Dad
This is a continuation of the Christmas post. My dad was operated on for a broken hip 2 days after his fall. The operation was a success and he was transferred to a rehab facility. He did well in rehab but after three weeks he could still not walk on his own. Because of policies, he was transferred to another facility where he continued with rehab. Unfortunately he got pneumonia while he was there and was transferred to a local hospital where he was placed in ICU. He had pneumonia in both lungs and the hospital gave him antibiotics to try to clear his lungs. Because of his age and weakened immune system, he could not overcome the pneumonia. After over a week of trying, he was transferred to a life care facility where he was given comfort care. My dad passed away on February 27, 2015 with my sister and daughter by his side. He was 92. He leaves a great family including his wife, 6 children, and 13 grandchildren.
From the outside, he may have seemed like an ordinary man who lived an ordinary life but he was so much more. He worked 6 days a week including weekends and a second job to provide for his family. We were in no way rich in money but we were rich in love. Dad was always there for us. I have memories of playing catch and playing baseball at the local field. This was after he put in a full day's work at the factory. I never remember him saying he was too tired even though I'm sure he was tired on some days. And he was the same to all of his children. He always had time for all of us.
As everyone grew up and got married, the grandchildren starting arriving. Dad couldn't have been a more proud grandfather to all of them, Again, he had time for them and I can remember many a cookout at Dad's house with all of the children and grandchildren there running around and playing. And of course "pops" would join in the fun. There were many croquet, baseball and badminton games in the backyard. And Dad loved to go to the beach in Maine to be with his family. He also had time for others too. He delivered the morning paper to neighbors who could not get out. He did this well into his 80's. He took time to visit with them when he could.
As Dad aged, he couldn't do as much but he was still there for us. There were many discussions about his Yankees and the Red Sox. He was well read and had opinions on many subjects. And every Saturday night there was a pitch card game. It was always the men against the women and Dad never was one to win or lose gracefully. If someone in front of him bid 2 or 3, he would often bid one higher even if he didn't have a good hand. He loved to tell the story of how he made 4 on a bare jack. We'll continue to play pitch on Saturday night but it won't be the same without him. Maybe I'll bid 4 on a bare jack in his honor. I probably won't make the bid though.
So, how do I end this? There are so many more memories and so much I could write about Dad. Last night there was a wake for this "ordinary man". The line extended outside of the funeral home throughout the wake. Everyone that came in to offer condolences said what a great man he was and how we were so lucky to have him as a father and grandfather. We all "rattled the cubes" as he called it with a shot of blackberry brandy. There wasn't a dry eye there as we toasted this husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was so loved by all! Rest in peace Dad. I hope you are enjoying a toast with your brothers and friends in heaven.
From the outside, he may have seemed like an ordinary man who lived an ordinary life but he was so much more. He worked 6 days a week including weekends and a second job to provide for his family. We were in no way rich in money but we were rich in love. Dad was always there for us. I have memories of playing catch and playing baseball at the local field. This was after he put in a full day's work at the factory. I never remember him saying he was too tired even though I'm sure he was tired on some days. And he was the same to all of his children. He always had time for all of us.
As everyone grew up and got married, the grandchildren starting arriving. Dad couldn't have been a more proud grandfather to all of them, Again, he had time for them and I can remember many a cookout at Dad's house with all of the children and grandchildren there running around and playing. And of course "pops" would join in the fun. There were many croquet, baseball and badminton games in the backyard. And Dad loved to go to the beach in Maine to be with his family. He also had time for others too. He delivered the morning paper to neighbors who could not get out. He did this well into his 80's. He took time to visit with them when he could.
As Dad aged, he couldn't do as much but he was still there for us. There were many discussions about his Yankees and the Red Sox. He was well read and had opinions on many subjects. And every Saturday night there was a pitch card game. It was always the men against the women and Dad never was one to win or lose gracefully. If someone in front of him bid 2 or 3, he would often bid one higher even if he didn't have a good hand. He loved to tell the story of how he made 4 on a bare jack. We'll continue to play pitch on Saturday night but it won't be the same without him. Maybe I'll bid 4 on a bare jack in his honor. I probably won't make the bid though.
So, how do I end this? There are so many more memories and so much I could write about Dad. Last night there was a wake for this "ordinary man". The line extended outside of the funeral home throughout the wake. Everyone that came in to offer condolences said what a great man he was and how we were so lucky to have him as a father and grandfather. We all "rattled the cubes" as he called it with a shot of blackberry brandy. There wasn't a dry eye there as we toasted this husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was so loved by all! Rest in peace Dad. I hope you are enjoying a toast with your brothers and friends in heaven.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Christmas 2014
Christmas day 2014 started out like others in the past. Susan and I got up at a reasonable time, had breakfast and opened each others gifts. Then after noon we went to my sister's house where the rest of the family had gathered. My Mom and dad rode with us. Everyone had a great time. There was plenty of food and the adult beverages were flowing freely. My mom and day enjoyed themselves with all of their children and grandchildren there. We stayed until about 4:30 pm when my mom said they were ready to go home. My om is 91 and my dad is 92 so they tired easily. I drove them home and go out of the car to unlock the door to the house. My dad started getting out of the car also. He has had trouble walking and with his balance but he has got out of my car previously with no problems. I was almost to the door when a big gust of wind came up almost knocking me over. Well, it did knock my dad over and I turned to see him lying on the sidewalk. He was in quite a bit of pain so we thought it was best to call the ambulance to bring him to the hospital to get checked out. After spending 3 hours there and my dad getting x-rays, it was determined he had a broken hip. It's amazing how his life and my family's life was changed from that moment. He was transferred to a larger hospital where he would need an operation on his hip.
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