I took these photos this morning after going for a quick, damp walk on Penny Lake.Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Look on the bright side!
I took these photos this morning after going for a quick, damp walk on Penny Lake.
The little yellow "stars" on this plant were so cheerful in today's gloomy weather!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Update from Ashton...
Howdy!
Phew, such a busy few weeks! Graduation and the start of two new jobs!! From my mother's posts I'm sure you know all about graduation. I rocked my Class History speech (YAY me!). So proud of myself actually. It was an overall good day but my night was more of a disaster and I do not wish to go into details. The ones who surround me with love though were so very supportive of me! I love you guys...
I took a week off after graduation to regroup. I went "up north" with my boyfriend and his family and had an AMAZING weekend. When I got back, I began a new job at the local hospital working on the MED/SURG floor. The new challenge to me is that I'm used to doing 6 or 8 hour shifts but this new job is from 7a-7p, a whopping 12 hours! It's not that bad at all. I actually really love it. I'm still working part time also at the nursing home. Within the past two weeks, I applied for, was offered, and began ANOTHER new job working in the ER at the same hospital. It was a bit unnerving to me, considering I've never really dealt with major health crisises. And, let me tell you, I ABSOULTELY love it! It's faced paced which I absoultely love. I will be working a few 5-10p shifts in the evenings! All of these jobs will be great for my resume. It seems like I'm always working, a sure sign I'm stepping into "the real world."
College is becoming more and more exciting and appealing to me as it's just around the corner. I found out last week that I will be having a single dorm room which I was really hoping I would be granted for personal reasons (aka anxiety.) In July, Mom and I will trek down to Gorham for Orientation Day. I'll pick out my classes and get my student ID and really finalize everything. I'm moving in on August 29th (9 days shy of my 18th birthday!) and classes will begin the 31 of August. I can't wait!
As some of you may know, I was chosen to cheer at the annual Shriner's Lobsterbowl Classic, which graduating Senior football players and cheerleaders are nominated for by their coaches. Well, turns out I need my wisdom teeth out that week and it was a decision I've been thinking about a lot lately and I have decided to withdraw from the week-long event (cheering practices daily until the big game day). I wish the other two girls from our area going the best of luck!
And, on the side of all of this, I've been reading My Sister's Keeper. A must, must, must read. I can't go into details, I tend to be a plot-spoiler. :)
That's it for now. I have to get ready to go to work. Again. It's a never-ending schedule, I swear! Hope all is well with everyone! I must end with a picture from Myrtle Beach that my mother had a caniption over. Maybe you can see why??
Well, she saw this picture and flipped her lid. First off, she was flipping because I was on the back of a MOTORCYCLE. And second, because I didn't have a helmet on. I explained to her that we got a deal on Ocean Boulevard for a 3 hour rental and the helmets were outrageously expensive so we said nada. Oh Lord, I almost had my mother in tears. Until I told her it was a stationary bike used as a prop outside of the Hard Rock Cafe. :)
Phew, such a busy few weeks! Graduation and the start of two new jobs!! From my mother's posts I'm sure you know all about graduation. I rocked my Class History speech (YAY me!). So proud of myself actually. It was an overall good day but my night was more of a disaster and I do not wish to go into details. The ones who surround me with love though were so very supportive of me! I love you guys...
I took a week off after graduation to regroup. I went "up north" with my boyfriend and his family and had an AMAZING weekend. When I got back, I began a new job at the local hospital working on the MED/SURG floor. The new challenge to me is that I'm used to doing 6 or 8 hour shifts but this new job is from 7a-7p, a whopping 12 hours! It's not that bad at all. I actually really love it. I'm still working part time also at the nursing home. Within the past two weeks, I applied for, was offered, and began ANOTHER new job working in the ER at the same hospital. It was a bit unnerving to me, considering I've never really dealt with major health crisises. And, let me tell you, I ABSOULTELY love it! It's faced paced which I absoultely love. I will be working a few 5-10p shifts in the evenings! All of these jobs will be great for my resume. It seems like I'm always working, a sure sign I'm stepping into "the real world."
College is becoming more and more exciting and appealing to me as it's just around the corner. I found out last week that I will be having a single dorm room which I was really hoping I would be granted for personal reasons (aka anxiety.) In July, Mom and I will trek down to Gorham for Orientation Day. I'll pick out my classes and get my student ID and really finalize everything. I'm moving in on August 29th (9 days shy of my 18th birthday!) and classes will begin the 31 of August. I can't wait!
As some of you may know, I was chosen to cheer at the annual Shriner's Lobsterbowl Classic, which graduating Senior football players and cheerleaders are nominated for by their coaches. Well, turns out I need my wisdom teeth out that week and it was a decision I've been thinking about a lot lately and I have decided to withdraw from the week-long event (cheering practices daily until the big game day). I wish the other two girls from our area going the best of luck!
And, on the side of all of this, I've been reading My Sister's Keeper. A must, must, must read. I can't go into details, I tend to be a plot-spoiler. :)
That's it for now. I have to get ready to go to work. Again. It's a never-ending schedule, I swear! Hope all is well with everyone! I must end with a picture from Myrtle Beach that my mother had a caniption over. Maybe you can see why??
Well, she saw this picture and flipped her lid. First off, she was flipping because I was on the back of a MOTORCYCLE. And second, because I didn't have a helmet on. I explained to her that we got a deal on Ocean Boulevard for a 3 hour rental and the helmets were outrageously expensive so we said nada. Oh Lord, I almost had my mother in tears. Until I told her it was a stationary bike used as a prop outside of the Hard Rock Cafe. :)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Photos that make me smile
Your niece in a blond wig and cowboy hat, a niece who has the happiest laugh I have ever heard...
A gift for Mom and Mark from your oldest child on his sister's graduation day, a gift that hit the nail right on the head!!
Happy that your teenaged daughter is still a "kid"...even though she wouldn't want you to think that...
Waiting on the hard steps, feeling quite chilly while hoping to capture a photo of a guest at the hummingbird feeder...
and then the wonderful opportunity to see the hummingbird feed-priceless!
Finding a photo of your daughter behind the wheel of a bus, after cheering at a football game... I always wondered what the kids did while riding the bus to and from games...
Taking your niece to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens to see the wonderful fairy village..
The look on a little girl's face of pure happiness that her cousin who just graduated was kind enough to decorate with a birthday sign and present her with a special birthday sashand birthday crown even though it was her graduation party, but didn't want a little girl's birthday to go unnoticed in all the busyness of the day...
The cutest reindeer you'd ever see....
Faithful companion.
No better buddy-literally!
"Is it ever going to stop snowing??"
Buddy is the best back warmer ever. He sits for long stretches of time behind me while I blog.
The "boys" having quality time together.
Watching out for the dreaded UPS truck and/or the FedEx truck!Monday, June 22, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Grand March or Part 2 of Graduation Day
Graduation Day with our girl.
We've come a long ways from the header photo, haven't we?
Its been two weeks since Ashton's graduation. I have been busy going through all the great photos that Aunt Jean, Margaret and Allison had taken of the big day and big night. I can't thank them enough for all the photos they took (and organized)so that we will have memories of the big day. The photo above shows a delighted Ashton with a gift from Auntie and Uncle Robbie, her very own personalized stethoscope! And of course, its in her favorite color.
Her Aunt Christina and Uncle Cory gave her this delightful book. Her Junior High and High School cheering coach gave her the LLBean tote in her school colors, filled with the neatest survival kit for college freshmen. 
Ashton received so many wonderful gifts, jewelry, a gift card to the college bookstore which she thought was great and many other great gifts. She has been very busy in the two weeks since graduation day. She has worked two 12 hour day shifts at the hospital, has worked on the weekends at the nursing home and is currently being trained to be an ER Tech for the summer months on an evening shift. Hopefully we will see her once in a while before she leaves for college. Now on to the Grand March....Our high school is the only school left in the nation that still has a Grand March! It is at 8 p.m. on graduation night. The young ladies wear long, white gowns and mandatory white shoes and the young men wear white tuxedo jackets and black pants. I participated in it 34 years ago and nothing has changed. The girls carry a bouquet of white and red carnations and at the end of the marching, separate the bouquet into two, one for her mother and the other for her escort's mother. Here are just a few (!) photos.
The parents walk into the gym ahead of their children.
Ashton and her escort on one of the many turns around the gym.
They walk together as couples, then singles and then back together as couples. It is very intricate and involves two weeks of daily practice-mandatory! The couples weave in and out, and march four across then march in a circular pattern and then back to couples. 
Check out this blog for a video of the marching. http://3geminigirls.blogspot.com
In the next photo the couples are being presented to the audience, their names are announced and the bouquet separated to be taken to their mothers. Ashton is the seventh girl from the left.
In the next photo Ashton and her fellow graduates are waiting while the other couples present their bouquets. Mark and I think we had the best parent seats in the house!
Ashton and her escort dancing the traditional first dance. 
Ashton chose Mark to dance with her for the traditional "Father-Daughter Dance". He was honored to be chosen.
Dancing with her big brother Benjamin.
With Grammy.
Ben, Ashton and Allison.
With her "second family", Uncle Robbie, Robyn, Tiz and Auntie.
With Eric.
And with Eric's mom, Pat.
And one of my favorites, my girl having a great time. Mark and I are so very proud of you Ashton for carrying yourself with grace through the evening and for Benjamin for being there for you as well, for Auntie for "saving" the day and Mark for being so gracious as well. You all know what this means and it meant so much to me to see Ashton surrounded by all of her loving family. And I couldn't resist the next two photos, the first taken 17 years ago on the day Ashton was born. I remember saying that day "I will have to start saving for her Grand March dress". I have so looked forward to this day but sometimes I dreaded its arrival, as it meant that soon after Ashton would be leaving the nest. The day was filled with mixed emotions but happy ones.
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