Life is so fragile...

Seriously, I am reminded of this daily, but especially these past few weeks.

On Saturday, I found out the the girl that took my job at RIC when I left died in a car accident! She was driving home to go to a church event, and somehow swerved into the breakdown lane, hitting a parked truck and died! So sad, and so sudden.
I can't imagine what the staff at RIC is going through right now.
It was also the 1 year anniversary of her father's passing from Cancer this weekend. Really, that family, I can't imagine.

It certainly puts things into perspective and I realize I am so blessed in so many ways and I do not ever want to take that for granted.

Thank you Lord for all of my blessings.

30 isn't working on me so far

Really, since I turned 30, I had to put my cat to sleep and I lost someone I love so much. My Aunt Marsha (not biological aunt, but I've called her my aunt and she's treated me like a niece since I can remember!) passed away yesterday morning from complications from Lung Cancer. I had no idea I'd be as affected as I am.

My mom told me while I was at work, so I had to close my office door, get a good cry out, and then head off to a judicial with a state police officer and a resident! Not the easiest task!

But I'll digress to something more uplifting.
our trip to PA!
SO MUCH FUN!!!

We stayed with friends of ours from my last job, I was their RD and they worked for me as Resident Assistants. We bonded back then and have been close ever since.
They live RIGHT ON the Delaware River. SO BEAUTIFUL!!

I was nervous about the ride. Maddie can't even make the 15 minute ride to Target without getting whiny and crying. So, a 6 hour trip was going to be real fun.
However, she was awesome!!
Ryan bought me DVD players for the car for my birthday (it was what I wanted!!) and so she watched about 15 episodes of the backyardigans and Baby Einstein the whole way down!
We left at 12:30 on Friday, got to their house at 6pm on the dot! The ride was not bad at all, we barely hit ANY traffic!
When we got there, Kate had dinner practically on the table! Chicken Marsala! That girl can cook!!
Then I somehow drank a bottle of wine and was much too intoxicated! But it was so fun.
The next day we went into town (yes, into town - they live in the country, so much so that they get no cell phone service until you get 15 minutes away from their house!) We walked main street, which was so pretty, and ate lunch at a little cafe'.
In the afternoon we took a walk down to their backyard, aka. the Delaware River! So pretty!

And that night she made pasta with bacon and peas, an avocado salad which was phenomenal and beer soup! Soooo good!

Unfortunately, I had to work at 2pm on Sunday, so by 8:30am we were on the road again, heading home. Maddie was great in the car again on the way home too!

I'll add some pictures, and we'll see what you think!

Pennsylvania Bound

That's right, we're leaving tomorrow at noon for PA to visit friends of ours. I am so excited, yet nervous about Maddie being in the car for 6 hours. She hates the car! Luckily Ryan bought me DVD players for the car, so we'll try to keep her entertained with the Backyardigans and Baby Einstein!!
I haven't seen these friends in over a year (or almost) and I used to get to see them every day; I was their RD and they were my RAs... I love them so much and am so happy we finally get to go see them.


I just painted my nails and now have to pee, I HATE that! Inevitably I smudge, every time!!!
Yes, I painted them at work... it is the only time I can paint them and not have to quickly move or grab something (when Maddie is around...)

Oh, it's staff meeting time... gotta run!

RIP Moses

I knew in my heart that it would end this way. I thought I was ready for it...
I wasn't.
Moses was suffering from Kidney Failure. He only weighed 4.9 lbs and his temperature was way below what it should be (normally a cats temp is 104, but his was 96.1). He was suffering and we had to decide to end his fight for him.

I hate that we had to make that decision.

I had a very hard time with it all. Couldn't stop crying or pull myself together all weekend.

I hate that he was suffering, I hate that he's not cuddling with me anymore.

He was such a great cat... My poor Jezabelle misses him too and constantly looks for him. She searches, crying at the closets for me to open them and then she goes looking for him inside! Its so sad, but so cute.

Anyways, I'm glad Maddie isn't old enough to know really what is going on. I didn't want to have to explain that to her. She knew I was upset though, and it bothered her. When I was crying hugging Ryan, she came over and was kissing my leg and hugging me... then she padded my face and was very concerned.

Work friends have been great, very supportive.

I love where I work. I love the support I get here.

Moses

is my cat that I've had for 6 years. I have to take him to the vet tomorrow because I'm pretty sure he's dying.
He's dropped his weight in the past month to the point where you can feel each and every vertebrae in his back and he's not eating well (he usually scarfs both cats bowls) and he's drinking for 10 minutes straight at a time.
He peed on my slippers the other day and he hasn't peed around the house in I don't know how long!!!!!
He also can't jump like he once could. He tried to get up on the bed last night to sleep on top of me like he does every night and didn't make the jump. He fell back and whacked his back on the door and I felt so badly...
The poor thing, his body sinks in where his belly is, right infront of his hind legs and he just is so weak now.
It's going to be a pretty pricey appointment too, he's not up to date on any of his shots so I'm sure he'll need a full work up...

I wish I didn't love him so much because I wouldn't be in this funk. But seriously, he's such a great cat and he's so cute... it will break my heart if they have to put him to sleep.

30

Welp, I turned thirty on Sunday. At first I didn't want to get out of bed, but my hubby was in the process of making me breakfast in bed when I finally did! He's fabulous.
I then went to get a pedicure and hair cut. My hair cut that was meant to be a trim turned into a hair chop!
I can't even put it in a pony tail! I'm officially old!!
Hahah!
It took a little while but I think I like it! And the hubby told me today that he likes it more and more every day! Which is certainly nice to hear.



Work is great this week, the students are on spring break, so things are slow. Which means I'm getting a lot of stuff organized and not stressed!

Going out to dinner tonight with friends from work for my birthday, which is always exciting.

No tears

So this morning Maddie did not cry when I left for work. This sometimes happens, but I really thought she would cry today. Usually my MIL is our Nanny for Maddie while I'm at work. However the MIL is on vacation this week, so my parents are driving the hour and a half to come each day and watch Maddie. She's not as comfortable with them as she is with the MIL so I was ready for a tough break this morning. However, she was in a great mood and showing the rents all around the house!!

I'm so blessed that my parents are retired and can do this for us. It helps us so much. I would have had to take the whole week off if they didn't do this. They even postponed their trip for this. They have a motorhome and are going all over the country next week (was originally going to start this week) for a month or so. But when I called them a month ago and told them that we could really use their help, my dad was quick to say, "well, we'll just leave a week later!"
What a great birthday gift.

Speaking of... I'm turning 30 on Sunday. I've been avoiding even talking about it so far. It just doesn't seem possible. I think it would help if my husband wasn't 2 years younger than me... but that just makes me feel old!! 30 used to seem so old!
I know in my heart that it's how you look and feel that counts not the number... but thirty! ugggh!! 30!!
I also don't look my best lately. Hormones made me lose a lot of my hair, which is still really thin and brittle. My complexion isn't great and I still have about 5.5 lbs to lose to get back to pre-pregnancy weight... so all of that added up with being thirty... and it's a tough bridge to cross.

But on the bright side, I have many friends that are thirty and single, no stable career in place and no children. I am blessed to say I have the greatest husband that ever lived, a pretty adorable baby and my career path is exactly where I want it to be. So, I guess all things considered, I am doing ok for 30!

On that note, back to work!

Snow Day

You would think being "essential personnel" would be a great thing. It makes me sound important! However, it completely stinks when the school has a snow day and only essential personnel have to come to work!
I used to love seeing that my school had a snow day...

Oh well.

This weekend was so great. I was able to see family, spend the day Saturday with my parents and my sister and brother in law and their family... and Sunday we just vegged all day long! Got some cleaning done, but other than that, did nothing!
And I loved every minute of it!

This week, my inlaws are in Florida, so my parents are going to be watching Maddie. Which is so nice, they're driving the hour and a half each way to help us out. Remind me the next time I call them selfish, that they're doing this for us!

I really don't have a lot to update today, but I didn't want to completely ignore the blog.

Not that anyone reads it, but it still is nice to journal some feelings and occurrences!

I could use a latte... but I'm not venturing out in this crazy weather for one. I guess it will have to wait until tomorrow.