a lot to love about February

February granted us another snow day on the 2nd, but Punxsutawney Phil promised us spring right around the corner.

Last Friday, I baked for a friend's Lia Sophia party. It was Valentine's Day themed, and while the jewelery was quite nice, I had to refrain.






The next morning, Justin, my mom and dad, and I met for a few more house showings. We started in Hanson, made our way to Whitman, back to Bridgewater and ended in Middleboro. The listing for the second house was one that Mom happened to notice late Friday night. Justin and I loved it.

• great location
• nice town
• good-size front lawn
• fenced-in backyard
  
• attached garage
• redone mudroom
• laminate floors in the kitchen
• updated appliances
• 3 bedrooms
• living room, office area and...
• fireplaced den with cathedral ceilings, skylights and a bay window

The realtor said we had to be aggressive if we were truly interested in the property. And aggressive we were. Saturday night we drew up an offer and eagerly waited Saturday night, Sunday, Sunday night, Monday morning...until at 1:00 on Monday we received a call that our offer had been accepted! We signed a few papers with the realtor that night, Justin scheduled an inspection and has spent many patients minutes and hours on the phone with the bank's mortgage officer, potential home insurance providers, and potential movers.

Thursday I left school a bit early to accompany Justin and the realtor at the home inspection--and it passed!

Throughout all this excitement, I have called family and friends to share the news. Lately, I've been thinking about calling Nana, knowing how absolutely thrilled she would be to hear our news. I hope she hears from above.

Given that this week was our first five-day week at school since before Christmas break, it was one heck of a week!!

Third grade went very well this week. I'm working on a bulletin board in the classroom entitled Reading and Writing Around the World. I have printed out small images of the covers of our Reading Street stories and laminated them. I will map the stories' settings on our US and world maps. I put a spin on a compare/contrast essay about the Oreo cookie and the Ritz Crackers using an idea I got from a writing lesson I observed a few weeks ago. Yesterday we celebrated the 100th day of school with a few fun activities and 100 calorie snacks! :) The kids also decorated bags for their Valentines for Monday's party. It's comforting to see that although some think/act like cool adolescents, they are still kids.

I was approached this week to take an online course through the DOE to become a math coach. I'm curious to find out what comes of it--the responsibility? new title? pay raise? A girl can dream right?

Given all of the exciting house news this week, I did have to call RO and explain to her that given our current financials and the house closing timeline, I would no longer be able to join her and the other girls in Vegas for the bachelorette party in March. She was so understanding, as always, and I have promised to make it up to her in May when she is back east again.

Got a call from Dad Thursday morning that Mom had passed out Wednesday night at dinner and had been unresponsive. She stayed home from work Thursday and went to the doctor and got a good report, but boy, those types of things really put life into perspective. She does so much for everyone else, and carries a burden for so many that I think there are times she forgets to take care of herself.

We're headed to my parents this morning for taxes/brunch. Amid a pile of correcting, I do intend on doing some Valentine's Day baking--perhaps two batches--one for the kids, and one for the staff? I also have an arts &crafts project in the works for Becca--whose birthday is today. I'll be sure to post pictures if it comes out half as nice as what I have envisioned.

How has it been nearly 2 months since I've last written!?

A lot has happened in the months of December and January since the last post.

After a second stroke shortly after Christmas, Nana's health began to fail. While she was breathing on her own, she had become unresponsive. Fortunately, we had been able to see her the day after Christmas, show her some of my gifts and chat with her a bit. The second stroke came a few days later. Justin, Sarah and I went the day after New Years Day and joined my mom at Baystate. Nana did not like like herself, yet she was clearly at peace. We talked to her, held her hand, and reminded her how much we loved her.

She passed away on January 5th. I never imagined life without Nana. Life without calls to her in the afternoon, visits to Springfield for the day or weekend, sending my classroom's newsletter each week. I saw her on August 8, 2010 so happy for Justin and I.

While she will not be physically present on that day, her presence will surely be felt. I feel so fortunate and blessed to have shared the wedding dress shopping experience with her. She loved Justin so much.

The service at her Church later that week began on a somber note but quickly became a celebration of her life, achievements and the friendships she acquired and maintained over her 87 full, long years.

The love, support and warm words from friends and colleagues over the past few weeks has been so meaningful and powerful.

Life will not be the same without Nana but she is now with Papa, dancing the night away. =)

Commencement 2007

The following weekend was a do-it-yourself wedding favor workshop I went to at Paper Source with a few of my bridesmaids. That was where the second-guessing of the color scheme first began. I originally thought green and pink would be it. However, It was at Paper Source where I began to see and consider some other options. I think I am beginning to settle on navy and pink--a Vineyard Vine kind of feel. The green and pink became too common and I'm not a common type of gal. the navy will be nice to accent the light blues of Cohasset Harbor and a pink will be a nice accent against the navy. I will be able to tie in the green in the flowers ad bouquets. These images in particular have really been inspiration for this color scheme.






We had our food at Atlantica a few weeks ago and the food was outstanding. We met with a possible wedding officiant last night and he seemed like a perfect fit. Next weekend is our cake tasting--mmm!

December happenings

I need to get better at updating. So much happens in between posts and I don't want to forget a thing!

Shortly after my last post, Nana suffered a stroke. Luckily, she is improving everyday and I pray for her. My mom has been visiting every weekend because, while she is getting better, she is not ready for independent living and must remain at the rehab center.

Sarah surprised me for my birthday and Justin, Sarah and I met my parents in Randolph for a most delicious birthday dinner at Not Your Average Joes. One of my students baked a batch of cupcakes for me and the very sweet aide assigned to my class had the students sign a card for me as well.

The following weekend after a much-productive morning of shopping, Justin's cousins joined us for an afternoon/evening/morning of video game playing only breaking for meals and sleep. =)

We all met in Agawam Saturday for a family Chrismukkah celebration at Nana's rehab center and I am so glad we were able to. There is no match to time together with family. Nana's stroke and news of unfortunate events and losses remind us that all we have is today. It's too bad it takes things like this to remind us of that precious fact. I felt spoiled with the multitude of gifts I received--cute tees, sexy tops, cupcake paraphanelia, cookie cutters, a muffin pan, tank tops, sweatpants, socks, dish towels, ornaments, reflecting dog stickers, wooden plaques and a dvd. Oy.

Saturday night, after a delicious dinner at Chef Changs, I met Becca for Christopher's hockey game at Fenway--very cool! We topped off the evening with a few beers at Game On! and Our House--the sponsor of his team.

Sunday was scheduled to be my birthday brunch at Fireside Grille but with the nearly 2 feet of snow we received, I was forced to postpone it until January. . .

Tonight a very good friend of mine from BC, also my sophomore year roommate, is coming by to visit and meet Ellie since she is home with her fiance for the holidays. I am very much looking forward to seeing her.

Break is two days away and I am looking forward to sleeping in, spending time with family, [visiting a corneal specialist to determine the status of my eye ulcer once again] tackling some long-term third grade projects, and baking--of course.