Dad's Ticker

Last Wednesday Papa went in for some testing on his heart. Needless to say he now has a brand new stent... and *hopefully* a new lease on life! After they found 2 blockages (one at 95% and the other at 50%) they are going to monitor him closely, but he is feeling good. Up until last Wednesday I thought Papa was invincible, I think he still might be, but he'll need to take it a little easier! While he was recovering I quickly mentioned my phone was broken, hoping that in his heart surgery haze he wouldn't remember that it was not too long ago that I dropped it repeatedly last time. So off to AT&T we went, stent in tow to make sure I had a phone that would answer, turn on, tell me when I had a voicemail, etc. I told the nice AT&T man that I was not sure what happened? Who me? I didn't do anything. Although this little AT&T spy saw right past my facade and opened the back latch on the phone... a PINK DOT! (A pink dot means that there has been water damage.) As I quickly tried to explain that I have NO idea how that could occur, that I leave my phone on a pedestal made of marble when it is not in use- I looked down... Maddy was eating one of the display phones. I still held to my guns and explained that I never hand my daughter my cell phone while at dinner in order to keep her quiet. No, not me, not once. Neither AT&T or my father bought that story.

We did walk out with a new phone, gratis to Nana Pam and Papa.

So in honor of my fallen LG, here are some photos that will not be lost forever.

Dada's Day

I made a cake. Not a Father's Day cake, but a birthday cake! This was taken about a month ago, but check it out!

Our Father's Day weekend began with a delicious lunch on Saturday at The Black Cow along the Newburyport coast. Delicious food and sights!

This was the view from our table... very cozy.

Sunday morning we woke up gave dad all his presents and off for the day we went! (I am leaving on the part where the refrigerator broke and nothing but hot air was getting to ALL of our food. That is for another day, another post.)

We first stopped at Papa's to wish him good thoughts, then we went to Smolak Farms in North Andover.

I can not even begin to show my appreciation for Ray. I am in awe of him.

Happy Father's Day also to Papa and Grandpa John! :)

Momma's Pinching Pennies

I have come a looong way since I met Ray, he has showed me the light. Long gone are the days where I would frivolously pick up an outfit, maybe even one I didn't really love. This I am grateful for. I appreciate every penny we have and when I see fit I save. Although I might have gone too far this time, check out this email I received from Ray:

I opened up the butt ends and got a wiff of nastiness because they combine different types of turkey, grodie!!!

No idea what that means? Madelyn, Papa, and I were on our weekly excursion to Market store of doom Basket when we approached the deli. Ugh.

I. do. not. like. the deli.

Ray knows my hatred of the store meat factory and usually does not ask for anything "deli meat created." Sometimes though I like to surprise him, bring him home beautifully sliced ham so he can artfully craft his 12:00 meal. As Papa, Maddy, and I have the deli in our sights I spy a prepacked section... Hmmm.... no need to wait in line? No need to scream honey ham across a large section of wonderful New Englanders? I was intrigued. Papa picked up the "prepackaged turkey" and located the price... one US dollar. ONE US DOLLAR? Sold! I quickly put it in my cart, paid, and scurried home to show Ray my discovery.

Later that day...

Ray: Honey? Where you able to get me anything for lunch this week?
ME: Yes, butt-ends they are in the fridge.
Ray: Okay (Such an easy going loving man.)

This now brings us to the present and my email chat with Ray.

I opened up the butt ends and got a wiff of nastiness because they combine different types of turkey, grodie!!!

Can you believe it? Poor thing got butt-ends, nothing but butt-ends.
He's getting tuna from now on.

Readings from Papa.

It is May, but who cares if we are still reading Christmas stories... right?
Papa gave Madelyn 'A Night Before Christmas' personally read by him. When Maddy opens the pages she hears her Papa read her a story.

She

is

very

intent

on

listening.

She
laughs.

She
cries.
(Well not really cries, but for dramatic effect... go with me.)

She
checks
her
booboos.

And
then
takes
a
nap.

During "papa story-time" I also got in a few snapshots...

One photo that I absolutely love came out like.... hmmm.... poop. BUT, you can totally see the little mischievous glimmer in her eye. So excuse the fuzz, this was the best I could get.

Tiaras for Toddlers?

Last night

Maddy and I watched

Toddlers and Tiaras.
There was a scene where the mommy tries to teach her 2-3 year old how to "draw on her face, like a crayon" and make kissy faces.

I looked over at Maddy.

(Who was eating)

I made a kissy face and said this is what the pageants want.

Can you make a kissy face?

This

is

the

response

I received.

Hmmmm, I don't see any kissy faces in these shots. We'll have to keep working on it!

Although.... She is already a beauty queen, so maybe we'll work on Harvard instead!

I Could Not Ask for More.

Maddy and I have a pretty long commute each day. Usually we put on an Itunes podcast and cruise on home, but last night while shuffling through the Ipod a song came on... Instantly I felt as if the song had just spoken exactly how I feel about my sweet little mooga. Here are some of the lyrics, I really could not ask for me.

Smiling just to see the smile upon your face.
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive,
These are the moments I'll remember all my life.
I've found all I've waited for,
And I could not ask for more.
Looking in your eyes,
Seeing all I need,
Everything you are is everything in me.
These are the moments I know heaven must exist.
These are the moments I know all I need is this.
I've found all I've waited for, yeah
And I could not ask for more.
I could not ask for more than this time together,
I could not ask for more than this time with you,
And every prayer has been answered,
Every dream I've had's come true.
These are the moments I'll remember all my life,
I've found all I've waited for,
And I could not ask for more.