Digital ramblings of a scraptastic blogger

2008-10-03T09:01:00.009-04:00

[A picture Scott texted to me from Family Day 10.2.08]

What a difficult day. On one hand, I am so excited because Nicole will be coming home tonight, but on the other hand, my heart is so sad for Shayna and Jen. I know the challenges they face over the next few weeks and as they move on in life without such an important person. *sigh* There is no way for me to take away their pain and it eats me up.

The plan for tonight is that several of us will head to the airport to greet Nicole. The kids and I went to Sherri's last night to make signs. They came out so cute! I hope she is excited by our public display of love.

I am reminded of how precious life is

2008-10-02T22:59:00.003-04:00

Once again, I am reminded how precious life is. I received a crushing call from my friend Jen tonight. Her ex-husband (and the father of her daughter) passed away this morning at the age of 37. :( My heart is breaking for her daughter Shayna. I know first hand of the pain of losing a father at the age of 15. I know the sadness she faces and I know that I am helpless to take away any of that pain. :( Please keep the Purdy family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Family Day

2008-10-02T09:19:00.005-04:00

Scott is down in SC to celebrate Nicole's Graduation from the United States Marine Corp Boot Camp! Today is family day! I have begged for him & Joy to text me some pictures... I hope they don't forget about the rest of us back home that weren't able to make the trip!

Right now I am killing a few more minutes before I can go to a local walk-in clinic to have my ear checked. It has been painful for the past few days and I was pretty sure there was a wax build up so I started a few home remedies. Currently my ear is filled with this "Remedy Soup" including hydrogen peroxide, water, ear wax removal solution, alcohol and vinegar! It is even more painful now and I can barely hear on that side. It hurts to even use my jaw on that side or open my mouth too much. UGH!

My adoption story, Part 1

2008-09-25T18:24:00.010-04:00

Every year when Fall rolls around and the leaves begin to change to hues of red and gold, I find myself thinking of my birthday and how I found my way into this world- both through the people that gave me my genes and those who shaped the person I am today. I have been meaning to share my adoption story for years but just never find the time to sit down and type it up. Today seemed like as good a day as any to start the story.

This summer I found myself asking Scott many times to "tell me the story of how we met". Of course I *know* the story because I was there, yet I never tire of hearing the details told from his perspective as we lie cuddled in bed. I realized one night where this fascination came from... as a child I would often ask my Mother to tell me the story of how I was adopted. She told it the same way every time and I found it of great comfort. It saddens me now that I can't call her and ask her to tell me just one more time. It seems logical that her perspective of my adoption is the best place to start my story. Though the words below are typed from her perspective, they are in fact my recollection of the story.

"We had wanted a baby for years. We had tried unsuccessfully to have a baby many times. We went to Catholic Charities and put our names on a list of people that would like to adopt. There were many interviews and a home visit that were required to complete before we could be accepted as adoptive parents. I think they secretly knew we wanted a girl because when they came for the home study, they found a closet filled with little pink dresses. On a Friday in November just before Thanksgiving, we received a call that a beautiful baby girl was ready for us to adopt! We were thrilled! We went to the Catholic Charities office and picked you up and you were perfect in every way. The office gave us a letter with the information about your schedule and your preferences. From there, we went to church to show you to Father Williams and then took you to Memere and Pepere's house. Everyone loved you so much. "

My Mother always took the time to remind me that I was wanted more than any other baby... my parents jumped through many hoops to be able to adopt me. I always felt wanted and loved and most of all, special. :)

Hopefully I will get parts 2 & 3 of the adoption story typed and posted shortly so check back if you are interested. :)

Starting the semester off right!

2008-09-23T09:24:00.010-04:00

It's been a challenge to find the motivation to sink my heart in school again this semester, but somehow I have managed to do just that. I got A+s on my first two English papers and an A on my first Critical Thinking paper. I turned in my first project for GRPH270 and finished my first project for GRPH205 (an Illustration course I am extremely nervous about since I can't draw)!

Nicole will begin the crucible in just 2 days! It's only 9 days until her graduation! WOOHOO! I am so stinkin' proud of her and can't wait to see her during her leave!

Saturday night was Movie Night down at the soccer field. It was fun while the sun was still shining but once the sun went down, it was FREEZING! The boys had a good time, though, so that is what matters most!

Megan is entering the Miss Teen NH USA pageant this Fall. She needs to raise $899 and so far she has $170. If any of you know of a local business that might be interested in sponsoring her, please let me know! I believe your name would be listed in the program for additional exposure. Thanks in advance for any assistance you can offer!

My Student Planner

2008-09-16T21:12:00.006-04:00

As I sat on the couch doing homework tonight, I chatted with the boys about school. They were each showing me their planners and commenting about different days they have off throughout the year. Dane offered to read me the days off so I could write them in my day planner but I told him it would be pointless because my planner only goes through December. I commented that I would really like to have a student planner to chart assignments as I am having a more difficult time keeping up with everything this semester. Dane said that maybe there were extras at his school and he thought they were only $12. I replied "What? #12? I wouldnt pay $12 for that planner." and he responded "You wouldn't? This is the middle school edition!!". When I laughed, he was like "No, seriously, look right here, it says MIDDLE SCHOOL EDITION!" He couldn't understand why that made me laugh and that in and of itself is EXACTLY why it made me laugh all the more!

Seems like all I have talked about lately is partying! I assure you that is NOT all I have been doing, but I do enjoy the down time of hanging with my friends! This weekend I attended Sherri's Margarita Party! It was a blast!

Oh and if you are undecided between McCain and Obama, may I make a suggestion?

Just 2 weeks from Friday and Nicole will be a graduate of Boot Camp and officially a Marine! WOOHOO! We received letters today with all sorts of exciting updates including the fact she earned sharpshooter rather than just marksman at the rifle range. I am so porud of her and can't wait to see her!

Party Time

2008-09-09T22:22:00.004-04:00

Sunday Megan and I went to Tina's baby shower at the Roma. Everything was beautiful and the food was delicious! Tina looked fabulous! It's hard to believe that she is going to be the Mommy of twins soon!

After the shower, I raced home to the end-of-summer BBQ that Jen, Scott & I were hosting! We probably had about 30 people in total and had a great time... too much food, many drinks and excellent company!

Monday was registration at school (which went smoothly) and today was the first day of classes! I was feeling a little anxious about starting a new semester but I am now getting myself focused and ready to move forward! I can't believe I have only one semester after this and then it will be time to face the big bad world! Yikes!

Hope all is well in your worlds! Stay in touch....

Flash flooding!

2008-09-06T20:21:00.007-04:00

I have never seen flash flooding like I saw in Manchester tonight. I was driving Megan to a party and as we got into Manchester we were slowed by extremely heavy rain. The water running down hill next to us was scary but when we got past our old house and saw the flooding ahead, I didn't know what to do. The car ahead of me decided to go so I followed, which was probably not the brightest move. The water was literally up to our windows as we tried to speed through. I started screaming and was overcome with panic. At the next intersection, we floated around the corner. I continued driving as the kids stared in awe out the windows. We saw people walking with the water past their knees and one even past his waist, cars stalled out all over and roads closed. I ended up chickening out and turning around to head home. You would think after living in FL for 5 years that I would be used to hurricanes, but the power of water never ceases to amaze me!

In only slightly less scary news, Victoria has started driver ed! Ironically she has the same instructor as I had when I was a student at Pinkerton. I guess her teacher keeps calling her Rachael because he thinks she looks like me. LOL I drove with her for an hour earlier this week. She didn't do too badly, but she did have a tenancy to hug the side of the road which completely freaked me out. It's hard to believe I am going to have to let her go more than 35 MPH at some point! LOL

The party is definitely still on for tomorrow! Hope to see some of you here after 4pm!

Thursday check in

2008-09-04T19:52:00.005-04:00

We watched the new 90210 on Tuesday night and what a let down! The original show really connected with the youth of the day and covered real issues (albeit trite on occasion). The new version was all about materialistic things and lavish lifestyles. What a letdown! :(

The boys started baseball again tonight! The first game is Saturday morning! It seems like we just ended the All-Star season last week.

I am finding myself really dreading going back to school next week. I did a job search this week just to see what was out there and it was VERY little. :( I hope the economy is on the upswing by the time I graduate in May, or I will have some real issues.

Back to school!

2008-09-03T14:04:00.006-04:00

The end of another summer has rolled around and the kids headed back to school yesterday on Scott's 45th birthday. They all seemed to have a great first day! Dane is on a field trip at Adventurelore today!

I did end up seeing Jen P and Tammy along with Jen and Scott on Friday night for what turned out to be a wild party at my house!

We have decided to host an end-of-the-summer party this Sunday afternoon at our house so if you will be around, shoot me an email and stop by! :) If it's nice weather, plan to bring a swimsuit and towel, too.... we'd love get to squeeze a little more use out of the pool!

What a great week!

2008-08-28T19:15:00.004-04:00

I am so LOVING having this week off from school! I really needed to clear my head and reconnect with my friends. I saw Sherri Thursday, Jen on Saturday, Joy on Sunday, Lesley on Monday and today the kids and I went up to Ogunquit to visit Pam while she is on vacation! I just need to connect with Jen P and Melissa and I think I will have covered the rounds!

We only stayed a few hours in Ogunquit but we had a great time and I am excited to report I tried something new! Pam's son, Josh, gave me lessons in how to skim-board! What a hoot! I couldn't get on that thing to save my life, but I did get quite a work out trying which is painfully obvious that I need by the looks of this photo! LOL :)

I heard today that the Yee in Manchester caught fire! :( I am so disappointed as I was hoping to make a quick trip there tonight or tomorrow night while the kids are gone with their grandparents! :( Ah well.... there must be another interesting watering hole somewhere, right?

Meet Lesley's beautiful daughter!

2008-08-26T19:50:00.003-04:00

I went down to Lesley's last night and had the privilege of meeting her new amazing daughter! I loved her! She is totally outgoing and confident, not to mention adorable! :)

I had a great time hanging out with Lesley and her sister Lee last night and then today Lesley and I headed to Boston Medical so she could have her chemo treatment! She is definitely an amazingly strong woman and is really making headway in her battle with cancer! I can't wait until this part of her life is behind so she can start to enjoy each new day as a Mom!

Done! Done! Done!

2008-08-21T17:43:00.004-04:00

I am SO psyched to be done with summer classes! I am THRILLED to report I earned A'S IN ALL 4 CLASSES! I am excited to have 2 whole weeks off! Sherri and her cute kiddos are over to celebrate with me and kick off my vacation! :)

Long story short...

2008-08-19T20:34:00.004-04:00

Scott ended up in the hospital and was admitted yesterday. It was quite a scary experience but I am happy to report he is home now and doing just fine. He has to follow up with his doctor in a couple weeks. Thanks to everyone who sent prayers and thoughts! It means a lot to have such great friends (seems like I am always saying that...)

I am excited to be in my final week of school! I took my Digital Imaging final today and got a 99%! I just have to turn in 2 projects (that are complete) and I am DONE for the semester! Yeah!

We got pierced!

2008-08-16T21:22:00.003-04:00

Dane turned 11 on Wednesday! Megan mentioned wanting her second ear piercing and somehow I thought it would be a good idea to get the kids pierced! The boys each got their left ear done and Megan got her belly button pierced. I also got the cutest ring for my piercing (hard to believe it was still there since its been out for 11+ years).

Scott also went to the doctor on Wednesday and ended with some funky results that require more testing. I am completely freaking out. I dont need to be reminded of our mortality. :( I truly can't imagine my life without him and thinking about it has me balling my eyes out all day. If you could spare a few prayers will all thats going on in this crazy world, I would appreciate it!

One of Nicole's recent letters mentioned she got letters/cards from some of my "scrapping friends"... thank you to anyone who took the time to let her know she is thought of! It means the world to her... and to me, too!

Just 2 weeks left this semester!

2008-08-10T20:59:00.008-04:00

I have been quite a bad blogger lately. I was realizing that it's probably because I type all the news fit to print in letters to Nicole and the idea of typing them a second time for my blog seems redundant.

I am thrilled to report I am a brand new auntie to Shon James born 08.06.08 at 10:05pm weighing 8 lbs 15 ounces. I hear that Mom & baby are doing fine! Isn't he a little cutie?

The boys have been gone with Scott's parents this weekend so the house is very quiet! Megan went to Liquid Planet with the Girl Scouts yesterday. Today Megan, Scott and I went shopping for Christina's baby shower.

I have just 2 weeks left to this semester so I will be busy wrapping up final projects and presentations. I am SO looking forward to having two weeks off to chill with the kids and try to regroup before we all start back this Fall.

May she rest in peace...

2008-08-05T22:02:00.006-04:00

I was driving to school this morning thinking about how much I hate my car! Not a minute later, I felt a lurch and the car started making a terrible squealing sound. I pulled into the Rite Aid parking lot and called Doug (our very favorite mechanic). He got himself out of bed and came down to rescue me. He checked the car over for nearly an hour and then announced "Rachael, do you know that your car no longer has reverse?" I was like "Ummmmm, can you put it back?" LOL The short answer is NO, he can't, not for any reasonable amount of money because it's a transmission issue. :( We had it towed back to my house and now we need to figure out what to do to get something else. Thankfully we have an extra car or two hanging around right now so it's not a crisis but it certainly isn't what I planned right now. *sigh* So, service will be held soon and in the meantime, donations in her memory may be made to the "Rachael Giallongo Transportation Fund", LOL (<----- Thanks, Lesley, for a great line!)

In happier news, within the next 24 hours I should be an auntie again to my third nephew! Ruth is going to be induced tonight at midnight! I am so excited for them to become parents! :)

Yeah me!

2008-08-04T12:37:00.007-04:00

I spent some time this morning scouting new scholarships and filling out applications online. Oddly enough, when I check the mail this afternoon, I had a letter from the Printing and Publishing Council of New England awarding me $1350 for the 08-09 school year! I am SO psyched!

Yesterday we went to Cassandra's for a family party! Thankfully we decided to go to the beach early on because as we sat down for lunch, a nasty storm rolled in! The thunder and lightening were incredible!

Scott's up helping his parents with the kids today and I am getting motivated to do some homework! Should be a good Monday! :)

Friday night.....

2008-08-01T20:21:00.006-04:00

It's Friday night and I am sitting out back on the deck with a glass of Sangria and my laptop! The sun has gone done and it's beautiful out tonight! Ahhhhhhhh! THIS is the life... well, except for a mosquito or two that I have to swat away every couple minutes! Such is life in NH! :)

Dane had his physical today and got 3 shots! I am happy to report he remains quite healthy!

We have another quiet day tomorrow and I am quite psyched about that! It seems like forever since we had a Saturday with nothing to do!

Not too much to report...

2008-07-30T21:04:00.002-04:00

The days since baseball ended have been a little drab... school, laundry, letter writing to Nicole... that about sums up most of my days! I am thrilled that there are only about 3 weeks left of summer classes. I can't wait for a break!

Megan has been volunteering at a Daisy Camp this week and having a blast! She met a great girl named Chantel that is a sophomore in college and has become quite a mentor to Megan. It's also nice for Megan to get away from us and do something on her own!

Look at this crew!

2008-07-24T22:57:00.005-04:00

When I searched for pictures for Nicole's photo book, I came across many old favorites. This was one of them. It was taken in front of the Met Museum when it was located in Londonderry. This was one of the kid's favorite places to go! I loved the colors in this photo but more than that I loved that I captured all 5 of them together. Those were always my favorite times. Coordinating schedules with a blended family can be a real challenge so when we all were together it was always special. I can't get over how little they all were. I knew time would go by quickly and it has! Dane is about as old now as Nicole was in this photo!

Speaking of Nicole, we got another letter from her today! She sounds homesick but strong! She said that getting mail really keeps her motivated! If any of you would like to send her a card or letter, please do so at the following address:

RCT Giallongo NicoleC/3577
PLT 4030, 4th BN N Company
BOX 14030
Parris Island, SC 29905-4030

Please do NOT send anything other than cards or letters (no candy, magazines, packages, etc). Please try to use white envelopes only as colored envelopes or decorations like stickers can cause them to be the brunt of jokes from their Drill Instructors. Crazy, I know, but it's the Marines so what can ya do?

Pampered Chef, anyone?

2008-07-23T22:03:00.006-04:00

Scott & I are hosting a Pampered Chef show here on Monday night! If you'd like to come, please let me know! The July guest special is a free pinch bowl set with any $60 order! If you can't make it, but would like to order, you can do so through my consultant's website right here... just enter my name as the hostess! If you would like to book your own show, let me know and I will connect you with Michelle! There are some great August hostess specials! :)

Dane's team won last night so they finished their season in the tournament in 5th place... not too shabby for a small town!

I ran into this quote online today and it made me think of Nicole...
"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength." -Anonymous
The kids got letters from her yesterday and she still sounds amazingly strong. I find myself thinking of her so often throughout the day, wondering how she is and what she is doing. I know she must be so lonely and homesick and yet she finds more strength than she ever knew she had!

I took the kids to the library tonight. I am taking them back tomorrow to do some volunteering for the book sale. Both Megan and Dane could use the volunteer hours if they hope to make National Junior Honor Society in middle school. At the recommendation of the librarian, I checked out a couple books in a series I have not read. I hope to start them this weekend and will report back what I think!

Tomorrow is Thursday and the last day of classes for the week! Yeah! :)

What a bad night!

2008-07-21T21:21:00.005-04:00

So the day itself wasn't too bad, but tonight stunk! :(

Dane's team won on Saturday so they had a semi-final game tonight. The Atkinson team was absolutely obnoxious! If there is anything I hate, its unsportsman-like conduct! (Well..... let's be honest, I hate A LOT of things, but that is definitely among them! lol) The Auburn team lost tonight so they will play their final game tomorrow to determine whether they are 5th or 6th place. Midway through the game I got a text about my girls which put both of them in hot water, too! Grrrrr...

On the brighter side, this project earned me an A today:

The "job" was to create a new typographic font/alpha. I photographed each of the pool balls, then extracted them, cloned out the numbers and added the alpha! I am really happy with how it came out! My teacher said it's definitely a portfolio piece and he even kept a copy to show as an example to future students!

I also photographed my first wedding yesterday! I had a blast! The brides (yes, 2 brides and no grooms) were both fabulous and I got lots of great shots! This is among my favorites because it's so UNtraditional:

I am also thrilled to report we got our first letter from Nicole today and she is doing great! Her training started on Tuesday the 15th. She is counting the days until she is done and will come home (although only for a short time)!

In case I dont blog tomorrow, I also want to give a shout out to Lesley! Happy birthday and I hope the chemo goes well! That's definitely not the best way to spend your birthday but just remember that IS killing the evil cancer!

We survived another SWEET 16!

2008-07-17T17:02:00.003-04:00

I never actually counted all the kids because they were in constant motion, but I think we had about 25 in total (not all pictured). Victoria had a great time and her friends seemed to, also!

Of course, with the last 3 leaving at 11:30pm, I am really draggin' ass today and this oppressive humidity is NOT helping. Poor Dane has a practice tonight in this awful weather. :( Have I mentioned lately that I hate summer?

Toffifay

2008-07-15T17:36:00.003-04:00

I was the only only student in Digital Imaging with Jen Dexter this morning so I got a lot of instruction as we used the class time to create this cute little Toffifay graphic and then attach it and skew it to fit this truck!

I picked Toffifay because it was my favorite childhood candy. We were poor when I was young and my Mom would buy a package of this candy as a treat. It included 4 pieces... one for her, one for me and one for each of my 2 brothers. Knowing we had just the one piece each, we really savored it. I have bought this candy many times for my kids on the way to school. It feels like its a simple way for my past to connect to my future. That's what memories are made of, right?

Gotta head out the door because Dane has another All-Star game tonight! My fingers are crossed they win again! :) Have a great night!