I Wish I Had Been There!

My cousin Matt’s kids visiting their RI cousins.

A Morning Horse Ride to Start the Day

Horse thanks to Cousin Aunt Rye

Shameful Confession

Have you every forgotten what day of the week it is or even that we were in a new month?  I think that’s pretty easy to do – almost a daily occurrence for me.  It happened quite frequently when we owned the cleaners because we worked 7 days a week for practically 4.5 years.  No big deal, right?  Well, I remember the last time I went to the doctor while living in Maryland.  I walked outside and thought, “man, it’s really hot”.  Then I remembered it was summer in Maryland.  I honestly forgot what time of year it was.  I’m not too proud but maybe a little embarrassed to admit that I can become so absorbed in what I am doing that all those types of things fade into the abyss of my subconscious or unconscious mind.  I have to tell you, a few days before the beginning of January in Maine -  you might be able to forget the season for 1.5 seconds.  The generous 1.5 degree of warmth above zero is quick to remind – even if you are inside.    Cold snaps are good for snapping Rachael back into reality.

Happy 85th Birthday Grandpa!

Today is my grandfather’s 85th birthday. 

 

 

Picture courtesy of Aunt Teresa.

Someone has almost 8 teeth

Mr Someone has 7 teeth that have cut through and on his way to getting 8.  He is getting four all at once.  Poor thing. 

Vinny’s Laugh

I had to gather myself today before I could really write anything about Vinny.  It was a much tougher day than expected. 

Well, for the past few days I’ve been remembering what Vinny looks like when he laughs.  I think I miss that the most.  He loved to laugh.  When he was laughing extremely hard, it seemed like he was always drinking something like soda and you go the feeling it was about to come out.  When he was standing, one arm would grab the edge of something like a counter.  He would sort of hold himself up bent towards the whatever surface he was holding himself up with.  It seemed like he would kind of stiffen his arms and legs when he laughed really hard.  His whole body would stiffen like he was having trouble breathing.  It was so easy to make him laugh.  Molly was really good at it.  She always tells the story of when she was bringing him to our stepfather Larry’s birthday party.  She made him laugh so hard he threw up all over the nicely wrapped gift she had for Larry in Vinny’s lap. 

Vinny and I loved to recall awkward situations and laugh our butts off.  There were so many.  We seemed to be magnets for any type of weirdness or weird people.  I think, no, I know we get that from our mother.  I could recall so many, but most would only make us laugh.  We did love telling family stories to anyone who would listen and laugh so hard at ourselves that we didn’t care if anyone else thought it was funny.

Vinny could call from anywhere in the world and in only minutes you could make him laugh.  I can’t wait to hear it again.  Love you Vinny.

2nd Birthday in Heaven

Today is Vinny’s second birthday in heaven.  He would have been 34 today. I miss him.

Christmas Day

First Christmas for the sweetness

 

   

Aunt Tia                                                            Papa

   

Aunt Jana

 

Our First Walk

Maggie and I had our first walk together at our new house.  It’s not as easy to walk here because the road winds and there are no sidewalks.  We walked up Beech Hill Preserve and it was stunning as always.  The red brush against the snow, with the snow falling all around us made me feel like I was Edna St Vincent Millay standing on Clarry Hill a long time ago (ha-ha Stacey).  I love that feeling and I only get it in Maine and England.  When we reached the top of the hill I was expecting no visibility, but there was a break in the storm down the center of the bay.  It was the coolest thing.  The storm clouds reached the water on either side – just how you would imagine dark storm clouds.  The water underneath them was different shades of deep blue grey, like someone’s eyes.  I wish I had my camera.  Down the center you could see out to the islands like there was no storm.  All around the back side there was snow softly falling.  Very beautiful.  Things like this always make me think of a God analogy.  If you look down the center, things are crystal clear – just like if you keep your eyes on God.  There could be a storm swirling all around you, but if you keep your eyes on God, things are much clearer.  Look away, and things become confusing.  You’re not exactly sure where the water and sky meet.  The snow on there other side is beautiful, but, again, it confuses the lines. 

Christmas was precious.  We stayed home the whole day.  I got up and began cooking.  My mom, grandparents and Molly’s family came over for brunch and presents.  My father, sisters and Hana came over for presents and food.  It was so much fun.  Then Rye came over to see my house and Henry. 

Henry was definitely into the packaging and the gifts this year.  He got so many great presents from his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  Thank you everyone!  He is exhausted today.  His mother is extremely proud of him and just keeps staring at him thanking God for the best gift of all this Christmas! 

Lots of love,

Rachael 

Christmas Eve Photos

Henry’s first Christmas Eve -

Henry and Nevaeh

 

Steph, Vic & Zac                                 Vick & Shanie

The ones responsible for it all -

Annie, Christy, Pete, Steph             Nate

A Toast                                      Sweetness

Pete                                        Sam, Molly, & Henry

Teagan                                    Spencer

Nevaeh                                                             Spencer

                                                                Grammie, Zac, Tim, Sam

Fuzzy Cuzzies