Random Pictures

Here is a couple of random pictures of Mason from the last few weeks. We have really enjoyed all the cold weather. Especially Mason, his new favorite is sledding and catching snowflakes on his tongue.

Here is a picture of him on the first semi warm day in a while. We spent it at the park and Mason loved every second. To be outside doing the things he loved, it was great. Everything excited him all over again.

But of course there still are REALLY cold days, so when that happens we spend time inside. Board games and make believe are the big things for Mason right now. Here is Mason playing Chutes and Ladders.

We also tried Ice Skating last week, This was not very easy, at least for my back. I ended up holding Mason up the whole time trying to get him around the rink. He really liked it but I think I need to wait until he is a little taller so I can actually hold him up with a little success.

And of course there is the snow. And Mason LOVES the snow. Here he is sledding at the park by our house.

So far we have survived our first winter here and I hope we can continue doing as well as we have been. But only time will tell.

My Grandpa

Earlier this week my Grandpa pasted away. He had had two strokes and it's a possibility he died of a blood clot that moved to his lungs from being in bed for so long. See my grandpa has always been one of the most active people I know. He played Tennis every chance he got, he loved the out doors and to travel in his RV or go boating in his speed boat named the "Booby Bouncer". And yes he also had a great sense of humor. I think some of my favorite times with him was a trip we made to Yosemite. We hiked and roasted marshmallows, went river rafting, which was an adventure in itself.

Another favorite was spending time with him in Berkley. He had gone to college there and told me some great stories about him and his fraternity. Below is a picture on him in 1952 when he was attending Berkley. I found this picture when I did a random search of his name, but I love it because he seems so happy. He had whole life ahead of him.

My only regret is that before I moved out to Connecticut, before his first stroke, I didn't make the time to go see him. But I didn't know what was to come and sometimes you feel that everyone you know will live forever, that there will always be time later to say how much you care. I think he knows I loved him, even though I did try to steal all those quarters from him when I was 12, but I think he'll find a way to get back at me when we meet again in heaven.

Goodbye Grandpa, I love you.

Christmas

It's Christmas time again. Time for wrapping paper, long lines and a reflection of the year past. I look at the 2009 with great happiness and deep sadness. Happiness from having a wonderful son, a new leash on life and a great job. And SNOW!!! Sadness from not being with the ones I love because of the choices I have made. But I can only pray that my higher power with look out for me and help me with the patience I need to get through tough times. But I have faith, and I believe that love and faith is all you really need.

Mason writing our Christmas cards.

In 2009 I also learned to nit. Here is a cream scarf I made for myself.

And a turquoise scarf I made my nephew for Christmas. Turquoise being his favorite color.

Mason next to our very small tree, but when you have a very small apartment a very small tree can seem very large.

I hope everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mason's Name

Mason is starting to write his own name. I still can't believe how fast he is growing. But I am also so excited to see him learning how to accomplishing things on his own. Like getting dressed, brushing his teeth, making his own PB&J and of course writing his own name.

I look forward to the future and the great things that are ahead of us both.

Mason Happenings

I feel like I haven't shared to much about Mason so I thought I would dedicate this post to the boy I love the best: Mason. All of these change at random but these are his favorites at the moment.

Food: Perogi's with tomato sauce and corn on the cob

Book: Shel Silverstien's "Falling Up"

Questions: "Mommy where is he/she going?" or "What's that?" or my favorite and this one is always directed towards strangers "Do you have any food for me?" (My son is such a moocher)

Toy: a little yellow duck that he won at the fair last weekend and his bike.

Park: the school across the street. (We go there almost everyday.)

Thing to do after school: Play Dora the Explorer on my computer while I make dinner. (His teacher just told me he speaks and understands Spanish with her in class, so I am think Dora may have an impact.)

Song: I've been working on the Railroad and You are my Sunshine also on the radio he loves "Tonight" by the Black Eyed Peas

Friends: a boy name Jesse and girl named Keali that are always at the park across the street.

Secret: "I love you" and "I'm gonna stay in bed all by myself"

Game: Tag

Drink: Water in a glass cup with one ice cube

Ticklish Spot: Inside thigh and neck

Shoes: His Green Crocks

Movie: Finding Nemo

At Bedtime: to tell stories to each other. (Because of this I now have a tape recorder next to the bed and I have been taping our talks together)

Bizarre thing: Socks when he sleeps (he will not go to sleep unless he has socks on)

Well that concludes my post about Mason's favorites. I will try to think of more and post them next time. Have a Great Labor Day!

Two Years

Today marks the two year anniversary of the passing of my sweet kitty Tiger. She was the world to me and her passing was one of the hardest things I had to go through. I have already talked about this on the blog so I won't do so again but I wanted to share something that always makes me think of her:

About a year ago I was having a pretty hard day and I was in the middle of cleaning the house, more specifically I was cleaning the bathroom where you litter box used to be (I know real sweet) anyway I just started missing her and all the comfort that she brought to me when I was feeling sad, when all of a sudden this James Taylor song come on my ipod and I had to just sit and listen and cry. Now whenever it plays I think of her or whenever I am having a hard day I can play it and it is like she is right there with me.

So here are the lyrics to the James Taylor song in honor of the best feline friend a person could have:

You've Got A Friend lyrics

When your down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.
You just call out my name,
And you know where ever I am
I'll come running, oh yeah baby
To see you again.

Winter, spring , summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
You've got a freind.

If the sky above you
should turn dark and full of clouds
and that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
And soon I will be knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.

Winter, Spring, summer or fall
All you got to do is call
And I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?
People can be so cold.
They'll hurt you and desert you.
Well they'll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but don't you let them.
You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Oh babe, don't you know that,

Winter Spring summer or fall,
Hey now, all you've got to do is call.
Lord, I'll be there, yes I will.
You've got a friend.
You've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
You've got a friend.

I miss you Tig.

Update

I know I haven't posted anything in a long time but Mason broke my camera so I have been waiting until I had some more pictures to post but it doesn't look like it is happening anytime soon so I just wanted to take a short minute and do a recap of what has happen to us the past few months.

The move into my sisters house went very well and the boys got along really well, although Mason was the mastermind in getting both of them in trouble a lot of the time. I was also very blessed in landing a job within the first three weeks after the move. Not only is it a salaried position, it came with 4 weeks paid vacation which will really come in handy when Mason has his surgeries in a few years.

And the big news is that I found my own apartment in Greenwich. It is a one bedroom but I think it is a perfect size for just Mason and I. Also we are right across the street from a park so we go over there almost every day after dinner and on the weekends.

Last weekend I went to IKEA and finally got a futon for me and a bed for Mason. It is so nice to finally be off the air mattresses but it is a little sad that I am thirty and just got my first futon but you have to start somewhere, and it may come in handy down the road when I have people come and visit me.

Also my little niece Maeve was born on July 16. She is happy and healthy and the sweetest baby anyone could ask for.

So that is all the big news. Thing have been settling down here nicely, and I feel so grateful the the wonderful opportunity and people that have come into my life the last few months.