Thursday, July 9, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
In... the... EYE.
The real title of this post is Happy Birthday Patty. Today was Patty's birthday, and I took some time off of work, made a French Dip for dinner, angel food cake for dessert, and we went to the beach on the base. So I get into the water and do the standard sweep for wildlife that doesn't belong with a baby. I found a jellyfish, no big deal, I got a stick to poke it out of the water with... What you have to understand is that this beach area is a mini-lagoon maybe 60 feet across, bounded by along one half and consisting of two rock jetties which leaves it open like a big C. So the water is pretty still, and it make more sense to try and drag a jellyfish out of the water.
So... I start trying to herd the jellyfish out of the water by poking it with a stick. Mission accomplished - I get this 10-inch wide jellyfish onto the beach, and I try and move the stick so it gets higher up on the sand, at which point it flips over and the little tentacles flip too. And then something wet hits me right in the eye. And burns. A LOT. Ever been hit in the eye with a jellyfish stinger? Not something I highly recommend.
The day turned out ok, Joseph enjoyed the water, Patty had a good time, aside from the jellyfish to the eye, everything was great. Dinner turned out well thanks to some help from Joseph and Grandma Judy, and Patty and I might actually get to watch a movie tonight. Happy birthday Patty!
So... I start trying to herd the jellyfish out of the water by poking it with a stick. Mission accomplished - I get this 10-inch wide jellyfish onto the beach, and I try and move the stick so it gets higher up on the sand, at which point it flips over and the little tentacles flip too. And then something wet hits me right in the eye. And burns. A LOT. Ever been hit in the eye with a jellyfish stinger? Not something I highly recommend.
The day turned out ok, Joseph enjoyed the water, Patty had a good time, aside from the jellyfish to the eye, everything was great. Dinner turned out well thanks to some help from Joseph and Grandma Judy, and Patty and I might actually get to watch a movie tonight. Happy birthday Patty!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Drumroll..........................................
and it's a BOY! Yes folks, a boy. I am slowly becoming outnumbered in the DiBonaventuro household and Frank knows it. I have Hazelnut and Peanut by my side now. Peanut really doesn't count. She is more of a tie vote and she'll always vote for the boys. heh.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day!
Happy father's Day Frank. You are a terrific man and father. Thank you for being what a Father should be. We love you:)
Short due to the fact that I'm busy :)
Short due to the fact that I'm busy :)
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Rough week!
So, we got home from Philly and we all were physically and emotionally exhausted. Apparently, the dogs missed us tons as well. They seemed to be relieved Joseph was home. They whined and slept in his room by his crib while we were gone. So, when they all decided to fall asleep on our bed...well, I couldn't get too angry.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Rest, in peace, Nana D.
For those of you who read this blog and don't yet know, my grandmother, Mary DiBonaventuro, died unexpectedly,at home, of heart failure, Tuesday. She was the rock of the family and it was a stunning loss.
My grandmother had a spirit of iron, but not in the way that imposes on other folks. She would listen, even if she vehemently disagreed, let you say your peace and then make up her own mind. I don't know of a time that she didn't stick to her guns. I don't know of a time that she made anyone else feel dumb or uninformed. I don't know of a single time where she failed to make her wishes known.
I will try to skip the obligatory list of memories, since every one of us I'm sure has a separate and distinct memory that stands starkly in our minds as the essence of this strong and loving woman. Despite my best intentions, however, I'm compelled to give one example for the friends who read this blog, but have never been at the family Christmas dinner.
The DiBonaventuro family Christmas is a typically raucous affair averaging about 30 people. There are usually three big events - Appetizers/Sports on TV, Dinner, and Gifts. As a large Italian family, generous gift-giving is an art and a duty, and Nana stood up, in front of everyone, and said "you know, I thought about buying a gift of some sort for all of you, and I did - I took all the money I would have spent on gifts to buy a cow." She went on to explain that in the name of the family, she had sponsored the purchase of a cow in a third world country somewhere and that this cow would probably mean more economic prosperity for those people and bring them more joy than anyother gift she could think of. That was her. Nothing dramatic, nothing huge, but she made a decision with quiet strength, put her decency and spirit into action, and never thought twice about it. That was Nana: simple, humble, strong, loving, decent, and kind. That's kind of person I wish I was more often.
It was once explained to me that a promotion is not a reward, but the imposition of a greater level of responsibility. As you advance in life, you hopefully become better, as you build a reputation, your reputation begins to precede you. Everyone who meets you knows your reputation, and measures you against it until they're satisfied with its validity.
It was also explained to me that the death of someone we love usually becomes a time of reflection, almost of its own accord. No one needs to prompt us, but we spend quiet times alone thinking about who they were, who we are, whether they were someone we want to be, and whether or not we can or will live up to the example they set.
Some of us - myself included - have an ability to compartmentalize, to box up our feelings and put them away, to keep ourselves so busy with the nit-noid details of dealing with the situation at hand that we don't feel anything. We don't want to feel anything. Giving way to the rush of emotion scares us, because we're control people. Some of us relive the moment again and again, and the crushing weight of second-guessing becomes an anchor, pulling our soul down.
Don't be those people (I know, I know. We are those people). But really, don't be those people. God has a plan for all of us. It may not be the plan we were planning for her or for ourselves, but accept it. Don't second-guess yourself. Patty has never been to a big family Christmas with Nana. Now she never will. That was not the plan. At least it wasn't my plan. But that's ok, I have to accept that this was the way it was supposed to be. And for those of you control freaks out there like me... I know what you're thinking - you're thinking about anything else, or at best you allow yourself to feel in little snippets. Take a minute, when you can, and open up the grief box and look through it. All at once. Otherwise your grief will wait until you're not looking, and it will jump on you. Deal with it - now. Accept that this is God's plan. No, it wasn't our plan. It wasn't what we wanted. But it was the way it was supposed to be. If ever I thought someone would earn a place in the heaven that I am told about -she was it.
So, as we deal with our grief, as we reflect on her life, we should reflect on the example that she set. Are we the people that we have always wanted to be? Are we the best people we can be? Are we living the benefit of her life in our words and actions?
The body passes but the soul does not. When you take a stand for what's right, when you show strength without showing off, when you feel the sun on your face... look up, wink, smile, and know that the soul remains, and you were privileged to know her. Now go out, be inspired, and be strengthened.
We love you Nana.
My grandmother had a spirit of iron, but not in the way that imposes on other folks. She would listen, even if she vehemently disagreed, let you say your peace and then make up her own mind. I don't know of a time that she didn't stick to her guns. I don't know of a time that she made anyone else feel dumb or uninformed. I don't know of a single time where she failed to make her wishes known.
I will try to skip the obligatory list of memories, since every one of us I'm sure has a separate and distinct memory that stands starkly in our minds as the essence of this strong and loving woman. Despite my best intentions, however, I'm compelled to give one example for the friends who read this blog, but have never been at the family Christmas dinner.
The DiBonaventuro family Christmas is a typically raucous affair averaging about 30 people. There are usually three big events - Appetizers/Sports on TV, Dinner, and Gifts. As a large Italian family, generous gift-giving is an art and a duty, and Nana stood up, in front of everyone, and said "you know, I thought about buying a gift of some sort for all of you, and I did - I took all the money I would have spent on gifts to buy a cow." She went on to explain that in the name of the family, she had sponsored the purchase of a cow in a third world country somewhere and that this cow would probably mean more economic prosperity for those people and bring them more joy than anyother gift she could think of. That was her. Nothing dramatic, nothing huge, but she made a decision with quiet strength, put her decency and spirit into action, and never thought twice about it. That was Nana: simple, humble, strong, loving, decent, and kind. That's kind of person I wish I was more often.
It was once explained to me that a promotion is not a reward, but the imposition of a greater level of responsibility. As you advance in life, you hopefully become better, as you build a reputation, your reputation begins to precede you. Everyone who meets you knows your reputation, and measures you against it until they're satisfied with its validity.
It was also explained to me that the death of someone we love usually becomes a time of reflection, almost of its own accord. No one needs to prompt us, but we spend quiet times alone thinking about who they were, who we are, whether they were someone we want to be, and whether or not we can or will live up to the example they set.
Some of us - myself included - have an ability to compartmentalize, to box up our feelings and put them away, to keep ourselves so busy with the nit-noid details of dealing with the situation at hand that we don't feel anything. We don't want to feel anything. Giving way to the rush of emotion scares us, because we're control people. Some of us relive the moment again and again, and the crushing weight of second-guessing becomes an anchor, pulling our soul down.
Don't be those people (I know, I know. We are those people). But really, don't be those people. God has a plan for all of us. It may not be the plan we were planning for her or for ourselves, but accept it. Don't second-guess yourself. Patty has never been to a big family Christmas with Nana. Now she never will. That was not the plan. At least it wasn't my plan. But that's ok, I have to accept that this was the way it was supposed to be. And for those of you control freaks out there like me... I know what you're thinking - you're thinking about anything else, or at best you allow yourself to feel in little snippets. Take a minute, when you can, and open up the grief box and look through it. All at once. Otherwise your grief will wait until you're not looking, and it will jump on you. Deal with it - now. Accept that this is God's plan. No, it wasn't our plan. It wasn't what we wanted. But it was the way it was supposed to be. If ever I thought someone would earn a place in the heaven that I am told about -she was it.
So, as we deal with our grief, as we reflect on her life, we should reflect on the example that she set. Are we the people that we have always wanted to be? Are we the best people we can be? Are we living the benefit of her life in our words and actions?
The body passes but the soul does not. When you take a stand for what's right, when you show strength without showing off, when you feel the sun on your face... look up, wink, smile, and know that the soul remains, and you were privileged to know her. Now go out, be inspired, and be strengthened.
We love you Nana.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
HUH???????????????????/
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???????? Just kill the small business owners now. I consider 100 employees still a small business. C'mon people.
PS. I was totally unaware that Walt Disney World was the happiest place on Earth. Someone should keep me up to date on this Bull Crap.
Rep. Alan Grayson was standing in the middle of Disney World when it hit him: What Americans really need is a week of paid vacation. So on Thursday, the Florida Democrat will introduce the Paid Vacation Act — legislation that would be the first to make paid vacation time a requirement under federal law. The bill would require companies with more than 100 employees to offer a week of paid vacation for both full-time and part-time employees after they’ve put in a year on the job. Three years after the effective date of the law, those same companies would be required to provide two weeks of paid vacation, and companies with 50 or more employees would have to provide one week. The idea: More vacation will stimulate the economy through fewer sick days, better productivity and happier employees. “There’s a reason why Disney World is the happiest place on Earth: The people who go there are on vacation,” said Grayson, a freshman who counts Orlando as part of his home district. “Honestly, as much as I appreciate this job and as much as I enjoy it, the best days of my life are and always have been the days I’m on vacation.” According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, 28 million Americans — or about a quarter of the work force — don’t get any paid vacation. The center says that a lack of vacation causes stress and workplace burnout and that those evil twins cost the economy more than $300 billion each year. One more if-you’re-reading-this-then-you’re-probably-not-on-vacation fact: The United States is dead last among 21 industrial countries when it comes to mandatory R&R. France currently requires employers to provide 30 days of paid leave.
PS. I was totally unaware that Walt Disney World was the happiest place on Earth. Someone should keep me up to date on this Bull Crap.
Rep. Alan Grayson was standing in the middle of Disney World when it hit him: What Americans really need is a week of paid vacation. So on Thursday, the Florida Democrat will introduce the Paid Vacation Act — legislation that would be the first to make paid vacation time a requirement under federal law. The bill would require companies with more than 100 employees to offer a week of paid vacation for both full-time and part-time employees after they’ve put in a year on the job. Three years after the effective date of the law, those same companies would be required to provide two weeks of paid vacation, and companies with 50 or more employees would have to provide one week. The idea: More vacation will stimulate the economy through fewer sick days, better productivity and happier employees. “There’s a reason why Disney World is the happiest place on Earth: The people who go there are on vacation,” said Grayson, a freshman who counts Orlando as part of his home district. “Honestly, as much as I appreciate this job and as much as I enjoy it, the best days of my life are and always have been the days I’m on vacation.” According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, 28 million Americans — or about a quarter of the work force — don’t get any paid vacation. The center says that a lack of vacation causes stress and workplace burnout and that those evil twins cost the economy more than $300 billion each year. One more if-you’re-reading-this-then-you’re-probably-not-on-vacation fact: The United States is dead last among 21 industrial countries when it comes to mandatory R&R. France currently requires employers to provide 30 days of paid leave.
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