2009 Class Night Stafford CT High School

June 18th 2009 ~ Stafford High School (Conn) Class Night

What a fun time!! I've never heard of this event before (maybe too old to remember - yikes) .. but had a great time! The graduating class, their families ~ seemed like mostly parents, faculty, and some important board members/townspeople attended this function ~ and it was all about the senior's.

Although it was all around fun seeing pictures of these 'kids' from kindergarten all the way up through their senior year .. I was totally astounded by the talents of the senior's who did a variety of different skits/shows throughout the night.

My 'little sister' Lovey .. yeah yeah yeah .. supposed to call her Laurie but she'll never know .. had me in tears! She is on a quick approach to being in her late 40's and this is the first time I've ever had the chance to really see her playing the piano .. she is just incredible! I know this was all about the kids .. but without my sister none of these events would happen .. and I'm so glad I was invited to see the whole show!
The next highlight of the evening was when my nephew Timmy went up on stage, with another senior, Emily .. and the emcee said they were singing Scarborough Fair .. dedicated to Aunt Sara! Yikes .. on came the tears again! What voices .. perfect delivery .. and as I sat there I thought how lucky I am to have such a talented family to be with! I wish I could have shared that night with so many significant others .. and know for sure my parents would have really enjoyed the night. Wish I was better at taking pics!
Once the show was over all the excitement was focused on the following day .. the actual graduation was to take place on the 19th! The Class Night is a great concept ~ not sure if it's a local event or if other school's have something similar but if you ever get a chance to go .. do it!!

Timmy Dillon Eagle Scout Veteran's Honor Tribute

Timmy Dillon, Stafford High School (CT) Class of 2009 Graduate ~ my nephew ~ and an incredible one at that!

I missed his Eagle Scout ceremony but can't tell you the pride I have in this 'child' on his tribute to all the veterans!

Way to go Timmy!

I have no idea how long it took to create this but each little star looks like it is handmade and individually placed .. of course as an Air Force Veteran I'm partial to this seal above all others:

Congrats on your accomplishment with the Scouts ~ keep up the good work!

Tornado Approach 06-08-09 O'Fallon IL

What a day we had yesterday! Winds swirling around .. car rocking and rolling and I got pictures of the clouds on approach! I like typhoons better! Of course I had to take the flag .. and the wind was pretty strong at this point.

Most of the damage in our town was to trees, limbs, vehicles, and lots of small debris ~ I have a big limb down, the kids have a bigger part of a tree down, neighbors on one side have siding ripped off and hanging, the other side had a lot of shingles ripped off. Hopefully tonight when I get home I can do a better walk around and check for damage - but I think the tree is all I have to worry about.

Yay! Power is back on ~ food isn't destroyed ~ and we're supposed to have another night of storms! Best of all ~ the internet and tv work!

We're Havin' A Baby!

Wow! I was warned .. after all the weddings in May are done it's time for me to get used to being a Grandma again - and yippee!! Somethin' in the water out here and Heather's been drinking it!

So far so good .. only about 6 weeks along .. with projected arrival in January 2010. Mommy doing well of course ~ you can actually see that 'glow' that follows her .. and the extra spark in her grin ;o)

Doug's ready! When does the furniture get moved and how do we make a spot for a new munchkin ~ and I can't wait to see the cousin's faces when they realize they will HAVE a cousin! Don't think they know yet!

Marshall & Tucker .. LOL .. what'll they do! They won't understand having another critter in the house that doesn't look like a MinPin .. play like a MinPin .. and eat like a MinPin! Boy or Girl .. it won't matter .. just give us a healthy, happy baby and we're all set!

More to follow ~ seems like forever away but it'll go fast .. so much easier to be a Grandma ;o)

Mom, Surprises, and Challenges!

Happy Birthday remembrances today to a very, very, special Mom. It's unreal to me that she is gone ~ normally we'd be chatting back and forth on the computer which she learned at the young age of at least 80 .. and having a ball! Every night we did jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles online .. as well as resolve all the world's problems .. ;o)

Since I can't share my stories with her today, I'll put a few here that I know she would totally enjoy! First of all, my Chris is coming home from his deployment and that's better than all the tea in China for sure! The spider bite saga .. where is my nurse Mom with all the advice on how to handle that durn bite! Got it covered Mom!

And gossip! Guess what I got! A gorgeous vase of 8 roses arrived yesterday! Boy did that create some raised eyebrows and questions! LOL! Back when the dinosaurs were alive (pretty sure anyway) a high school classmate of mine, Chuck Tower, was one of the 'gang' .. along with Laurie, Donna, Marcia, Kim, + all .. (yes, another Chuck) .. confused yet? After graduation, both of us entered the Air Force at different times and not knowing the other one did til we met again in 1976 on Guam!

Conditions were horrible! Super Typhoon Pamela had destroyed the island, no water, no power, and there I was in the passenger terminal doing US Immigrations checks on inbound passengers and viola - somebody knew me?? LOL! Many years passed and we lost contact, until recently Facebook allowed so many of us oldies to reconnect and my shock was complete when I realized both of us had completed over 20 years serving our country .. but sadly with very different outcomes - so I'm gonna try to fix some of them if I can!

I was fortunate, had tough jobs at times but very good supervisor's and experiences .. and I was recognized/rewarded through the years. Imagine my total disbelief hearing a peer of mine, not only a classmate but a distinguished veteran didn't have the same courtesies afforded to him! Mom .. I know you would have been outraged! Not to worry, got it covered! It is my pleasure and honor to be able to have a United States Flag flown on behalf of his honorable service to our country, and especially in my Air Force, at the request of a Connecticut Senator!

Where is all this story leading to? See the picture above! Roses are red, baby's breath is white, and there is a blue ribbon on the vase (camera challenged me didn't capture it) to symbolize our nation and say Thank You from a vet to a vet .. now I did take some liberties with the flowers (sorry Chuck, but hope it's ok) and know how much Mom would have loved (and giggled) at this story going back through all the years and the questions. Who are his parents, where do they live, across from Donna, is he related to .. LOL! Sharing the flowers with Mom .. she'd be 88 today! Thanks Chuck!

Hit Level 103 in Mafia Wars .. a game Mom didn't learn for sure! The Challenge I got levied with today .. is to blog more .. ok, Laurie .. here you go! Mountains and hills to climb .. always a challenge ahead .. who catches ya when you trip up ..

Rest Easy Mom .. I'll be visiting soon and I'm sure have lots more stories to tell you .. like the one that seems to have slipped out about me and spinach!!

Love to all ~

Oh Baby!

I have a new neighbor -the 4-legged variety - named Baby! She's some kind of shepherd (sp?) mix, 5 months old, very mellow, and it's nearly impossible for me to pass her up going in and out of the house! She just rolls over and if she could talk "Rub My Tummy" would be sure to escape from her!

She was adopted by the family next door to me from an animal shelter in O'Fallon .. her previous owner was an older woman whose dog had pups and she just couldn't keep them all. I really hope she behaves ~ she got in trouble the other day for digging holes .. so we had to have a slight conversation about that .. and I'm pretty sure there will be more adventures with her.

My boys are very curious who that new critter is out there playing .. guess as long as she doesn't get their DQ treats they'll survive!

Memorial Day 2009

In loving memory of my parents, Elizabeth Cole and Douglas William Sangster ~ and their unwavering support of our country in World War II.

As the daughter of WWII veterans, mother of an active duty Air Force NCO currently deployed, and retired veteran myself I can sincerely pay tribute to those that have served in the past, and dedicated their lives to our freedom with the integrity and love of country instilled in so many of us.

I'm sure I"m babbling .. this is a very sentimental topic for me .. and I hope everyone enjoy's their weekend but also remembers as they watch parades to pay tribute to those we have lost, our own loved ones as well as the loved ones of others. This day always reminds me of home, Essex Connecticut, a beautiful little town where I went to (and marched in) many a Memorial Day Parade. The town turns out .. so many folks are remembered and I can picture the cemetery as the locals pay tribute and all the veteran's have American Flags honoring them by their headstones. The view is so pretty looking out over the cove ~

So many to remember .. so much to be thankful for .. and lately so many memories resurfacing. Special remembrances go out to all ancestors of course but over and above ~ Mom and Dad, Mrs. & Mrs. Castanza & Mr. Cook & Cheri on behalf of Laurie Laterra, Chuck Lelko on behalf of Chris and Doug, Mr. Tower on behalf of his son Chuck, Mrs. Jacome on behalf of Donna Seymour, Jason on behalf of Melissa ~ and ever so many others.

With love and many wonderful memories ~