A Sign or Two

Thursday, 2 August 2012

In the past I've heard people talk about signs they've seen after a loved one has passed away. Little things that have happened that let them know they are still there. I wondered if I would notice any signs should they happen. And, honestly, I couldn't even think of anything that could possibly happen for me to see to make me think it was my dad's doing.

If the Red Sox had gone on some undefeated streak since my dad passed away then I might have attributed that to him :) But, alas, that hasn't happened. Although they did win 2 out of the 3 from the Yankees recently, in NY, so maybe he's trying!

Yesterday was my birthday. I felt a certain emptiness throughout the day knowing that I wouldn't get any FB message nor phone call from my dad. That was hard. I was really missing a phone call from him.

I was out last night and the last song to come on the radio, which ended just as I pulled in to the garage, was "Dance With My Father" by Luther Vandross.

It wasn't previously a song that had any meaning for me, but I knew the song and thought it to be beautiful.  

What's funny is I had been thinking about this song a few times lately and had meant to see if I could find it on YouTube so I could listen to it...just hadn't gotten around to it yet. I'd like to think the timing of it coming on the radio last night was just maybe my dad's way of letting me know he was thinking about me.

Then there was something else that happened today. The kids and I went to the library. Kayla pulled 3 books off the shelf to check out and one of them was called "Sweet, Sweet Memory" by Jacqueline Woodson.

Here is the description from the inside flap, "Now that Grandpa’s gone, Sarah tries to remember what he used to say about the garden.  Like us, he would tell her, a part of it never dies.  Everything and everyone goes on and on.  But Sarah feels very sad, even though Grandma and all the relatives are with her, sharing stories and hugs.  How can life go on without Grandpa?"

Coincidence? Or something else?

Needless to say we checked that book out. 

  

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Birthday Extravaganza!

It's Thursday, which means it's my Friday and it's also a very hungover day. My birthday celebration yesterday was a huge success... so huge that I am feeling those dirty martinis today. Woah buddy.

Tuesday night we went out to dinner with my parents to celebrate my birthday. A great excuse to get all fancy and we did just that!

My outfit of choice for the occasion.

My handsome date. :)

Boyfriend, being the adorable guy he is, couldn't wait until my actual birthday to give me my gift, he said it was "driving him crazy", so I opened it Tuesday night. Blue box, check! Beautiful heart ring picked out all on his own, check! I'm a happy, happy lady.

Here we are before dinner with my girls last night.

Such a good sport that man of mine is.

We had such a fab time at my birthday dinner.

My fantastic ladies. <3

This girl is the greatest friend a girl could ask for!

and this is classic us.

I had SUCH a great birthday and I'm so thankful for everyone who made it so fantastic. We're off to Key West tomorrow, so a lovely lady of mine will be guest posting a great little mani here for your view pleasure. See you next week!

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Polish Swap/Birthday Love from Jenn!

Wednesday, 1 August 2012

Happy August everyone!! What a nice surprise it was to wake up to, not only, so much birthday love from so many loved ones but also a handful of new followers here at my little blog. It's a fab day already!

On Friday I received my Polish Swap package from my fantastic swap partner, and fellow Leo, Jenn over at Perfectly Imperfect Jenn. If you don't know Jenn, which you all should, go to her blog now and add her to your daily reads. She is a phenomenal lady! She also happened to spoil me rotten in my Polish Swap package. Want to see?

First, here's my card. If you've already seen her swap reveal post, no this is not a joke. We really did choose the exact same card for one another. Totally not planned... SO funny to me.

All of my goodies came in this fabulous leopard bag, which is RIGHT up my alley. Leopard and pink are two of my favorite things! Also, this turquoise, zebra print hand towel is sooo fantastic. Loving the animal print!

Here are a couple of the little goodies she snuck in my package that I just love. Can't WAIT to put my babies in this frame!!

Jenn also included this little sampler of Philosophy products. Such a score. One, because I love me some samples. Oh, yes I do. Two, because Philosophy products are totally awesome.

And then I pulled this cup out of my package of goodies and fell out of my chair.

Seriously though. OBSESSED.

Yes, yes, it is a POLISH SWAP, so obviously she had some polish babies in my package too! Love these Bebe polishes.

A pink glitter and a bubble gum pink creme. Does this girl know me OR WHAT?! Also, a gold nail art polish. LOVE!!!!!

and last, but certainly not least my most favorite thing in this whole package. THE PRETTIEST ring everrrrrrr. I've worn this gorgeous baby non-stop since Friday. It's seriously stunning.

Thank you sooooo much, Jenn! 

I can't wait to see what everyone else got in their swap packages.

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She Turned Nine

Tuesday, 31 July 2012

After a loved one dies you have to get through a year of all of those 'firsts' that they'll miss. The first birthday, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas etc.

Our 'first' milestone event literally happened right after he passed away (July 12). Kayla's 9th birthday was July 15 (and the funeral was the 17th). And my birthday is tomorrow and I'm already missing his phone call.

I had planned a joint-birthday party with Kayla and a friend (her birthday was July 13) for Sat, July 14th. I left for FL the previous Mon. The birthday party could've gone on - Joe was here - but I felt stressed enough as it was preparing to go back to FL for a final goodbye and didn't have all those final details worked out for the birthday party yet. So instead of worrying about that on top of everything else we decided to postpone the party until we got back and things settled down.

Joe and my mom drove to FL with Kayla and Lucas on her birthday. Kayla knew it was her birthday. She kept saying she was NINE now. It was so hard having her birthday fall in the middle of all that was going on in FL; however since she was going to be in FL I still wanted to acknowledge her birthday. I wanted to at least have some cake and sing to her, but I didn't want to make too much of a big deal or celebration... because really, who felt like celebrating at a time like that? The first big event where family was all together in FL and my dad was absent? It was hard to do because his presence was definitely missed.

My extended family were all so sweet and nice though. They went above and beyond just having cake and signing to her ... she had presents to open too. Even though we were all hurting so much inside, it was nice to have those few hours of smiles watching Kayla excited about opening some gifts.

In the end I know my dad would have told us to celebrate her birthday. He would have said it was her day and she should have cake and presents. I'm so thankful for my family in FL allowing us the chance to focus on something happy and positive that night.

Happy 9th birthday Kayla ... I promise we will reschedule your cancelled party soon!
 

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Weekend Escapades... better late than never!

Now that I have the photos I was waiting for from boyfriend's dad I can recap our weekend!

We did a lot of relaxing and a good amount of boozing, too. His parents live on a lake, so water sports are a must. I can't complain.... unless he tries to drown me. Which he did once. It's cool, I love lake water shooting up my nose. Totally awesome feeling. uhem.

Here we are on a "booze cruise", also known as drinking on the pontoon boat around the lake.

His family dog, Riley, rocks the doggles like nobody's business. Seriously though, does it get much cuter?

He may live in a bigger city now but I think he'll always be a country boy at heart. I dig it.

I think this was before the incident when he attempted to drown me before I turned 25. Either way, I love this fun shot his dad got of us.

Loving on Riley.

They had a (HOLY MOLY DELICIOUS) cake, as well as way too many gifts, for me. Seriously though, they spoiled me rotten. Such great peeps. 

This is his grandma's card to me. 

I cried. In front of the whole fam. So sweet.

And that's about it... unless you want multiple photos of coronas, margs, and very full glasses of wine. See you tomorrow on my actual birthday with a massive box of goods from Jenn... which is supposed to be the polish swap post, but she spoiled me like crazy!

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