To My Dad

Today is my dad's birthday. Usually, my sister and I bake him cookies and give him a card. But this year, I decided to think back on some very fond memories that we've made.
I remember how much I loved it when he had fruitie pebbles or frosted flakes because we didn't get cereal like that at mom's house. I remember getting the special treat of a tiny bowl of ice cream and watching movies in the living room before we went to bed.
I remember riding our bikes around his development. I remember the honeysuckle bushes. I remember playing with his G.I. Joe (even though I cringe at the thought of him letting me do that NOW that I know what that "doll" is worth!!)
I remember cutting up the pictures of the women he dated who my sister and "failed" as applicants to be our step-mother. I remember how much we liked Diane (and how much we love her still!)
I remember sheba/blacky... the stray black cat that we took in for a while. I remember snow-bug... RIP. I remember summer days in the pool listening to classic rock and floating on a Reese's cup raft. I remember how much Amanda's shark raft scared me! Best thing in the world- night-time Whirl-pools. Worst thing in the world- getting stung by a bee for the first time right in the middle of the bottom of your foot!
I remember going up-state and going for "adventures" in the woods around Babcie and Dzatchu's house. I remember boating and our special cove. All of our trips to amusement parks.. to Disney. That train ride.
Thanks to dad, my sister and I are able to sing all the words to Yellow Snow by Zappa and I would do anything for love by Meatloaf. I remember thinking that my dad really looked like Eric Clapton.
I remember watching him work in his shop and wondering, "if the ceiling wasn't there... would the car lift go all the way up to the sky?" I remember sitting out the attic window, singing like Rapunzel (and my parents having a near heart attack!)
I have alot of great memories with my dad. But the one thing that always stuck with me. The one thing that I loved the most.. is when my dad would come into our bedroom, kiss us both, say our prayers, and tuck us in. I remember him, just before closing the door, he'd hesitate in the doorway one last moment... just to say He loves us one more time.

I love you more than all the telephone poles in the world Daddy!

Happy Birthday from your youngest!

So there's this boy....

Hello everyone. If you haven't noticed or had the pleasure of meeting him already, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce someone new in my life. His name is Kevin. We met three months ago on eHarmony. At first, eHarmony was an "iffy" thing for me. I've heard so many stories about how people find their husbands/wives through this because they do a terrific job of matching on so many levels. (Listen to me, I sound like an advertisement now!) But anyway, I wasn't sure about it... that is until I was matched with Kevin.
He was the first to initiate communication and after that, we just clicked. After one week, we went on our first date to a nice Italian restaurant (which he picked out. Great choice, Kevin!) Two weeks (and two dates later) we made it official. It has only been three months now, but I believe we both feel that we have found something special in each other.
He is smart, sweet, and compassionate. He has a great sense of humor and always has me laughing. But most importantly, he is strong in his Christian faith. We've both made it a point to keep Christ in the center and the focus of our relationship. We pray together, do devotionals together, and we sing praise together. I know that God has blessed us so far and I'm looking forward to all the He has in store for us whatever that may be.
I don't know if any of you have gone to it, but or next trip is going to be to the NJ Renaissance Fair. I've never been to it so I'm guessing it will be an experience. Knights, jousting, and turkey legs as big as your head... here we come!