Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Ta Dah - part 2




This is the final stage!

Ta Dah!






Finally - a completed after and before picture of the house, complete with landscaping!

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

A Special Relationship

Ally spent the day with me this past Saturday. The whole day, just me and Ally. This was not an uncommon occurrence prior to Ava's birth, but it is a rare happening since Ava has arrived.

Ally called me at 8:30am to remind me that Papa promised her a special day with Guga. (She had no idea that we got home at 2:30am the night before and Guga was still suffering the effects of a "Vodka Luge"). I told her I was anxiously awaiting her arrival and proceeded to get out of bed and into a long, hot shower. Papa rolled over and pulled the covers over his head.

We had the nicest day together. We went to Michael's and bought a special project that she wanted and we worked on it all day together. We went out to lunch and just talked and talked. Papa said we sounded like 2 birds chirping. We were together for 7 hours and never once turned on the television. When I finally took her home, she held on for the biggest hug.

There is something special about being the first grandchild. There is something speical in being a grandmother for the first time. Ally and I have a bond that cannot be explained. I love Ava and I will love all future (God willing) grandchildren - but nothing will compare to what Ally and I share. This relationship is truly one of life's greatest treasures.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Another Bride

Friday night we packed six of us in Mr. W's Pathfinder and off we trekked to somewhere in New Jersey for another cousin's wedding. (writer's note - I **** hate Staten Island)

The weather was perfect as the bride and groom exchanged wedding vows outdoors. The bride looked exquisite and the groom was beaming. All the guests then proceeded on to a 6 hour eating frenzy. There was a lot of love in that room. The drinks were flowing, the food kept coming and the music was hopping. It was a GREAT party and we had a ball - right down the the last bit of "cotton candy" and hot zeppoles!

On a sad note, out of the original 13 first cousins, there were only 3 of us there... Glad I was one of them.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

A Mother's Dilemma

I've been holding my breath for 2 weeks. My youngest son has aspirations of joining the ranks of the NYPD. He promised to finish his education prior to pursuing his quest and he graduated in May. He actively proceeded with the process to be included in the July class at the academy.

For those of my readers who do not follow New York news, I give you the following. As we speak, they are laying a NYPD officer (23 yrs. old) to rest. He was shot in the face during a routine traffic stop.

Now, please undertand. Just like all other mothers out there, I want my child to be happy. I REALLY want my child to be happy. But, I want to see him live a good long life, too.

As luck would have it (or is it God's intervention?), he did not get all paperwork cleared in time for the July class. He is on hold for January 2008. Is it wrong of me to jump up and down and shout "YIPPEE" and hope he finds another 'calling' in the next 6 months?

Thursday, July 05, 2007

My Girls

My girls, Ally and Ava - they are getting so big so fast!!



Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Happy 4th!!


Here is Ally with her best friend, Olivia (who happens to live across the street from me) celebrating Independence Day at Camp.