Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Beach Trip with Jodi and Cindy
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Navy in our family
Sunday, October 2, 2022
Saturday, May 28, 2022
#memorialday2022
"Live a life worth their sacrifice." (@Crankeedoodle) #MemorialDay2022 #MemorialDayWeekend
I would like to think that Memorial Day isn't all about barbecues and mattress sales and extra Kohl's bucks.
Sometimes I can't imagine the sacrifice that Tyler gave for all of us. But then I think of this quote, "Live a life worth their sacrifice." How can I show Tyler everyday that his life was worth my life?
My sister's family has a hard time every May between Tyler's birthday, Mother's day, and then Memorial day. It's all reminders of the life that was lost and the memories we could be making now with him.
I never want to exalt his sacrifice. There is no "benefit" to being Gold Star family. Often it is said, it is a title we do not wish to have.
We donated money to the EOD foundation to lay a brick in the new Memorial gardens. It is to honor the memory of Tyler, just a brick, but it means a lot. Hopefully by 2029, when it will be the 20th anniversary, maybe the whole family can be at the EOD Memorial to see it.
So as you go about your nice long weekend, I hope it's fun, relaxing, and yes ...even memorable.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
JOY radiates within me
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Memories from a song....
I think my Memere and Pepere got me a little ceramic music box when I was little. It resembled a "Precious Moments" type of baby that was sleeping with its bum up in the air. I have a picture of me in this pose and I guess they thought it looked like me.
The song the music box played was BJ Thomas: "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head". I saw something on Facebook today about that song. I think it said 1972 which would make me 6 years old. That is about right. I would take this music box and stuff it under my pillow so I could listen to it and fall asleep. I still love rain. The sound, smell and the way it washes away the dirt.
It might of also been to drown out voices of sisters Maureen and Janet, who also shared the bedroom with me. Wow another memory of one big bedroom with three twin beds in it. Looking back now...I have no idea how my parents did it. So very thankful for all their sacrifices and hard work it took to raise seven children. I was watching "Walburgers" TV show about Mark and Donnie Walburg who are famous actors/singers. They were from Dorchester, MA and family of nine. The last episode I watched had Donnie talking about sharing a bed with his brother. Not because he wanted too...they had to.
I laughed knowing how big families operate and how valuable "space" is. I know that's the reason I love to do laundry is because of the alone time and "space" I had to be away from all the sisters and brothers. Then I think of my friends who did not grow up in large families or were only child in family and missed these moments. It's not any better or worse than how I was raised, but I know I am who I am today because of the family I have and the way I was raised. Just wish they could of experienced this type of family dynamic. Maybe through me...they do!
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Saturday, March 21, 2015
March is not JOYFUL
St. Patrick's Day is another March day that I am very moody. On the one hand its festive and fun and get to honor my Irish heritage of being a 5th generation Irish-American. But on the other hand I have such WONDERFUL memories of the two biggest Irish influences in my life that I have lost. My Dad and my oldest brother John. John was so well known in our city for his Irish heritage, that a local Irish pub painted his picture on the outside wall. Yes we O'Malley's are known for hanging around Irish pubs a time or two. I guess growing up at O'Malley's Tavern helped! That is where I remember Dad and his Irish steins and the smell of beer and cigarettes. It's those memories that come back to my mind around March 17th and I get sad at losing the two most influential men in my life.
I feel so empty without them sometimes. I would give anything for one more hug, kiss or laugh.
My best friend said: "God just wanted the best St's to be with him so he took them in March"
“Things never go the way you expect them to. That's both the joy and frustration in life. I'm finding as I get older that I don't mind, though. It's the surprises that tickle me the most, the things you don't see coming.”
― Michael Stuhlbarg
Monday, January 12, 2015
Joy Filled Life
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
#myoneword
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Late or tardy
Get Your Joy Back
I have a word that is going to be my “Reflective Word of the Year- 2015” It is JOY.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Family makes me wicked happy
Monday, November 3, 2014
Angels All Around
My Mom's birth month and the month my parents got married in 1955 along with family holiday memories.
I feel Angels all around me. The simplest things sometimes seem like a whisper from above. I know they are watching over me and I feel their love all around. Its not easy losing grandparents, parents, brother or nephew but knowing that I have a "team" of heavenly spirits helping guide me along and still sending their love.
Shes always there saying a little prayer for me...
Baby Holding and missing my family
I had tears holding him but I also had big huge smiles.
I know I would of made a great Mom but hope I made a half way decent Aunt. Now I just need to find a way home so I can hold my great-nephew Tobias in my arms, who is "Cool Like His "Great" Auntie!!
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Just call me Fishy Chrissy
It was on my bucket list. I wanted to learn how to SUP, Stand Up Paddleboard. Yesterday was Paddle-Fest at Lake Blalock in Chesnee, SC. I belong to a MEETUP group and saw it advertised last weekend so I signed up for a "Gilligan's Island" 3 hour kayak tour in the morning and beginner paddleboard class. Ever since my best friend, Bridget who lives in Destin, FL and has her own SUP, told me I would love it since I love the water so much... I have wanted to try this. I am so glad I did! I took right to it! Not to boast but it was piece of cake and yes I did fall off and got wet. I was testing my feet/stance and it wobbled too much so I went over. It's ok... I wanted to learn how to get back on it out in the open water. Now I want to take a trip down to Charleston (Charleston SUP Harbor tours ) or take a trip to Destin. Great weekend and for my next bucket list item....horseback riding.
(Ps just noticed that I must of gotten on quick seeing the canoe timing in background)
praying: Dear Lord, help me up! |
whooaaa |
Nailed it! |
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Hair
The middle picture I love...why is it that my hair looks so good pre-haircut? I didn't wear the same shirt or earrings from 2012 on purpose. Nor did I replicate my smoky eye makeup. It is just that this goes good with my Fleur de Lis shirt. I have been told that a smoky eye looks good with my blue eyes.
The picture to the fah right is from Coco's cell phone at Express'd after Ashley cut it. Notice my right side is shorter and the overall length was trimmed. Nothing too drastic but one of these days I want to go as short as when I had a "Flowbee" vacuum back in 1980's.
Friday, July 11, 2014
How wind therapy calms me
I need to get on the motorcycle and ride. I was able to take the bike out for about an hour.
The way the wind feels against my body is amazing. It is not just the wind but the smells, the heightened sights because you are wide open to everything. I enjoy the simple things in life. All it takes is the smell of sweet fresh cut hay to make me smile. Just don't smile long on a motorcycle or else you might catch a bug between your teeth. I honestly smile constantly when riding on bike. It calms me and makes me at peace. :)
Free time
I admit that I also had a solo dance party when I heard one of my new favorite songs come on MKTO "Classic" (posted below or above this post)
I did get to spend some time with friends I haven't seen in a while. Saturday was at Jodi's to see her son Jeremy turn 20. Kyndall made him a delicious looking New York cheesecake that she was so proud the top never cracked. I played Left, right, center and whoever lost had to do a shot of Fireball (one of my favorites). I heard about a recipe to mix Woodchuck Amber beer with Fireball and then add some vanilla ice cream in blender. I will have to try this sometime since I love Angry Orchard and Fireball together to make Angry Balls.
On Wednesday, last week it was a beautiful day outside and I had wished that I was riding the bike that day. I had stopped at Waffle House and had my favorite with extra pickles. A end of a nice week that I got a lot done in the house like caulk the tub.
It was great to have him home. I was worried about him driving home during hurricane Arthur which was coming up the coast the same time he was due to come home. He loves to go out during storms or bad weather. The beautiful sunshine days, he is in the house. A bad storm- it is adventure time to go explore places.
Now back to watching hunting and fishing shows or COPS because I don't have the remote. He would also ask where I was going if I just up and left to go on my own adventure to some far away place...like QT in Duncan for a hot pretzel with some Gahlic buttah...MMmmmmm It's 9pm Friday night. If he goes to bed early...I might just hop in my Kia Sorento Cheese and go to Duncan or Dunkin! (he did just go to bed...9:20pm and I'm going out for dessert.)