Thankful Thursdays

I am thankful for:- sunshine- flip-flops- outlet malls- night time walks- spa days- bbqs- upcoming trips to FL- SPRING!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday!

*WARNING* There's a whole lotta green in this post...

I feel like I tell myself that I want to have some free weekends. It sounds like a good plan, but it never happens. These past few weeks have been busy.

On the sad side of things, my grandma passed away on Friday, March 12...she died peacefully in her sleep. Which is the best way to go (in my opinion). I thought I had prepared myself for it, but it ended up being harder than I expected. But at least she's in a better place now. My mom is actually going up to PA this weekend to get the memorial service planned out @ the funeral home where her ashes will be buried.

I don't know if it was the fact that my grandma passed away that weekend, or just that I was feeling the love, but my birthday this year (March 14) was a good one. It was definitely very low-key, no crazy parties or getting ridiculously drunk with birthday shots. But I got to spend time with all the people who matter most to me (my college friends, my high-school friends and my family). So turning 24 wasn't all that bad, other than being one step closer to 30...

St. Patrick's Day was awesome. College friends (after much debate) decided to go to Whitlow's...which probably was a good decision. Some of us go there @ 4:45, and started the party. And some of us that did that did NOT have a good after St. Patrick's Day @ work :) here's some pictures from the good times...

My parents threw their annual St. Patrick's Day party the weekend after St. Patty's Day. Good times were had by all, and I definitely feel differently about some of my parent's friends. They shared a little too much information, and that's all I'll say about that ;) My camera was stolen during the party (or should I say "borrowed") hence why there was a photo-shoot in which I'm not involved. :)

This past weekend, my Aunt Dee Dee, cousin Wendy-Beth and Pop came down. It was good to have some time with them. And now Pop has been staying with my parent's for the week. He's on his best behavior, and we're all going deaf...but anything for Pop :)

This weekend will be another busy one, but good times are ahead...

Happy Thursday!

Saying Goodbye...

...is hard to do.

My grandmother (on my mom's side) is in the last stages of her life. She's unresponsive, won't eat, etc. I can't say that this is unexpected as it's been a long time coming. But the question is, does that make it any easier?

She's been sick for a long time now. Mentally that is. She's bi-polar, has depression, and other various things. These never got diagnosed until she was in her 60's. Because of that, she never had the proper care or medication she needed before that.

I can't speak for anyone else in my family, but I had a very...interesting relationship with her. I was her only grandchild. She spoiled me. Even if it wasn't with gifts, it was with her time. I have very fond memories of going to spend weeks with her and my grandfather (Mac) during the summer. She would take me to see movies, drive me to DC to have picnics on the lawn in front of the Monuments. Through all this, we definitely had some bumpy spots. It would get confusing for me when she would feed me ice cream and then proceed to tell me that I was "fat, and useless" or that I would "never amount to anything."

Obviously, once she got diagnosed, it was easy to see what these bouts of meanness were. She has a personality disorder, she's bi-polar, manic/depression. But when you're 8 years old...that doesn't mean much. I think as I've gotten older its gotten easier for me to forgive her. I don't make excuses for her, but she wasn't receiving the help that she needed. So, while I do remember the bad times, I try to hold the good times because those were her and not her disease.

I'm not sure which is harder, knowing someone is dying and having a chance to say good-bye or having them die suddenly. I've had it happen both ways. My grandfather suddenly passed away on July 4, 2005...with no warning. I never got a chance to say good-bye or tell him how much I loved him or appreciated his love and support. But I've watched my grandma go down hill since the day she lost him. I've watched as, little by little, she's lost her life. She's not really there anymore, she's been gone for awhile. It's just her outer shell that still remains.

So I just hope she knows that despite everything, I love her. And I forgive her. And I hope that in the next place, she's truly happy.

Pop's Birthday Party

As in the previous post, Friday was Pop's birthday. On Saturday (very early in the morning) we made our way up to Carlisle, PA for his surprise birthday party.

Pop has an affection for the old western movies, John Wayne style. We decided to go with this for his birthday party theme. Read: a plastic curtain that had wooden swinging doors painted on it, complete with fake bullet holes.

All of his family was there (1 daughter, 6 grandkids and their families) and his friends. Unfortunately, my grandma/his other daughter was unable to make it as she's not mental well enough.

I think he was very surprised...when he walked into the room he had the "why is everyone I know in the room?" face

After he went around the room greeting everyone, he decided to check out what the spread for lunch was, I think he approved.

Next we did cake.

And then it was present time. He took that time to read all his cards and open his presents. Pausing in between each one to tell me a story that was related to the present :)

After presents, it was time to take pictures...

Uncle Joe and Aunt Sue with Pop

Me and Pop :)

Pop and the O'Brien's

Uncle John and Jenny with Pop

Pop, with his grandkids

Richie and Christy with Pop

"The Wendy's" and Pop, Wendy Ann (Aunt Dee-Dee), Wendy Beth and Wendy Ann (Mom)

The Whole Family :)

I think all in all, the party was definitely a success. I can't wait for next years 100 year celebration :)

Happy Birthday Pop!

George Howard Ditzel, or Pop as I affectionately call him, was born on February 19, 1911. Yes, you read that right, 1911. That makes him 99 years young today!

He's my favorite person in the whole wide world, and an inspiration to those who know him. He's the patriarch of the family, whatever Pop wants, Pop gets. Who could say no to him? He's an example of love, strength, patience and good humor. I love him and hope he's around for another 99 years!

Happy Birthday Pop!

I survived Snowmaggedon

I'm not sure how much we got, but I will tell you when I ventured out into the snow, it came up to my thigh. And I'm 5'7"...Jen and I managed to keep ourselves occupied by watching our TV shows that had been TIVOed on Thursday, True Blood Season 1, and other various TV shows. Oh, and how could I forget Twilight too!

We also ventured out into the snow and took a walk down to the Iwo Jima memorial. Some pictures to enjoy:

View from our Apartment, at 12 on Friday afternoon, just as the snow was starting.

View from our Apartment, at 12 on Saturday, 24 hours of snow.

Snow man, just to put this in perspective, I'm 5'7"

Iwo Jima Memorial

Looking up our street to our apartment.

Word on the street is that we're supposed to get 3 to 9 more inches tomorrow night and into Wednesday morning...I don't know if I can survive the cabin fever.

The Apocalypse is Coming

SNOW! And lots of it. I've heard multiple stories, anywhere from 18 to 40 inches! It's supposed to be worse than the blizzard of '96. I say, I'll believe it when I see it.

I ventured down to the grocery store, bravely. It wasn't as bad as I thought it might be...there was probably only 3 people in the line in front of me, but they did have all the lanes open. There was barely any food though, good thing I didn't come for the "regulars" (however, I did get some bread). I got a look from the mom standing in line in front of me when I put my items on the belt. Whipped Cream, shredded cheese, some wheat thins, a lean pocket...you know, everything you need to survive the apocalypse.

So, Jen and I have hunkered down in the apartment. Good thing I have a large movie collection and TIVO, I just hope we don't lose power...

On another note, Balls and Dolls played another game last night. Unfortunately, we lost. But it was the most fun I've had (if you can claim that after 3 games). We had lots of subs (which, trust me, MAKES the game), and the other team was on our skill level. It was definitely better than our spanking last game (we lost 9-0). So I anticipate big things for next game...look out David Beckham.