Just Keep Swimming

I woke up with no alarm this morning, early, and decided today Minny and I needed to stop at church before we went about our day. And the other thought that crossed my mind, "Just Keep Swimming" 

Yep, just like Dory. 

But after having such a perfectly smooth morning getting ready and quickly, did we get to the church to light the vigil candle for my dad, did we realize the rectory wasn't open to purchase the vigil candle. Ohferstupid.  Ugh.  So I looked at Minny and said, Papa knows we're thinking of him all day today, we'll have to come back after school/work.

I've cried numerous times today. What is it that makes it so simple to cry at the thought of him. 

Dad-isms:

1. What's an illegal?  Yep, it's a sick bird.

2. Do you know what a Paradox is?  Nope, it's two doctors, come on kid.

3. I'mma knock your head so far up your ass I'll make a pygmy out of you.

4. You know what this is?  It's a knuckle sammich.  (as he would swing his other hand around and hit you in the back of the head - got me EVERY time)

5. Do you know what a Parallel is?  It's two lell's of course.  (I can't tell you the number of friends that my dad did this to.  One night we even went thru the dictionary and went thru all the Para words - good times!)

6. Hey kid, go practice your French and "mow d'lawn" 

7. WORK!  in the highest pitched voice my dad could get. I loved it. I could be having a horrible day and this would make me laugh. Along with him singing "I owe I owe, it's off to work I go"

8. That guy was a Dickweed. (Why did I NEVER listen?) 

9. Singing. Whistling. My dad did both so fantastically. Bing Crosby eat your heart out. But it's funny, every time I hear Bing I think of my daddy.

10. The way he smoked and told a story. My dad quit smoking a couple years before he passed.  But the way he would would take a drag, start telling a story and exhale just...cracked me up. 

I really dislike this time of year. September thru the Holidays have been really tough the past few years. I can't believe he's not here. I bought my first car with out his help. Purchased a home. Fixed it up. Reconnected with the most amazing man who ... I wish could have met my dad.

I have the most fantastic memories of the man that raised me, loved me and would have done anything for me. He was so smart, funny and my father. He instilled so many great qualities in us kids, and I admire him for so many things. I know my mom misses him incredibly.

Sorry for the debbiedowner post, I just needed to purge today.

Rest in Peace Dad.

In memory I had this done - my dad had the tats done in Japan while in the AirForce, and one on each arm, so I had them combined.

p.s. my friend Didi says that you can't smoke and cry at the same time...maybe I'll try that today. 

30 Days of MeMe, day 17

Day 17 - an art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)


 

Painted by my sister in law, Myrtelle. The original is hanging in my mothers home.  Myrtelle is from Haiti, and her and my brother live in Montreal. She is amazing. I love the forms of communication in this piece. The colors are fantastic, and I love to learn about her heritage as well. I have another of her pieces hanging in my home, however don't have a pic I can share right now. I love her work.

30 Days of MeMe, Day 7

Day 07 - a photo that makes you happy

My daddy and my Minny. My father was amazing and supported EVERYTHING that Minny did and always was her biggest cheerleader right next to me. I decided to sign Minny up in 2007 for the Robbinsdale Junior Ambassador program so she could make new friends and be part of something that made a difference not only in her life, but others. I don't think either of us realized what an AMAZING opportunity it would be for her to grow. In one years time there were over 60 parades, countless volunteer activities and friends she will keep for a lifetime. My dad passed away a few months after she was crowned, rather unexpectedly. HE was so proud of her this day for her accomplishment and all of the time nonetheless. 
While I am crying my eyes out writing this, this picture makes me happy. It is a fabulous memory. Because Papa could be a part of this day and a few events after this.
Damn I miss him, and his stupid jokes, and his stone face in front of the real teddybear and his wise advice and his love and dedication to me and his granddaughter.

What Would You Be?

If I were a month, I would be April.


If I were a day of the week, I would be Friday.


If I were a time of day, I would be Evening.

If I were the weather, I would be Sunny and in the 80's.


If I were a direction, I would be South.


If I were a scent, I would Captivate.


If I were a tree, I would be a Cherry Blossom.

If I were a flower, I would be a Stargazer Lily.


If I were an animal, I would be a Minx.

If I were a fine bone china, I would be used daily.


If I were a car, I would be Classy & Reliable.


If I were a painting, I would be in the center of your favorite room.


If I were a drink, I would be a Caribou Cold Press with a half shot of White Chocolate.


If I were a fruit, I would be a Pineapple.


If I were a dessert, I would be Wedding Cake.

If I were a perfume, I would be Versace Crystal Noir.
If I were a gemstone, I would be a Diamond.


If I were a castle, I would have a Tower.


If I were a musical instrument, I would be a Piano.

If I were a sound, I would be a thunder clap!  Surprising!


If I were a song, I would be Taking Chances by Celine Dion.


If I were a colour, I would be Pink.


If I were an emotion, I would be Love.


If I were a taste, I would be a Pretzel M&M.

If I were a museum, I would be the Smithsonian.


If I were a country, I would have a meditteranian flair.


If I could be anyone, I would be a DJ on an old school funk, r&b station.





What would you be?

30 Days of MeMe Day 4

My Favorite Book:

"I cannot go to school today"


Said little Peggy Ann McKay.

"I have the measles and the mumps,

A gash, a rash and purple bumps.



My mouth is wet, my throat is dry.

I'm going blind in my right eye.

My tonsils are as big as rocks,

I've counted sixteen chicken pox.



And there's one more - that's seventeen,

And don't you think my face looks green?

My leg is cut, my eyes are blue,

It might be the instamatic flu.



I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,

I'm sure that my left leg is broke.

My hip hurts when I move my chin,

My belly button's caving in.



My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,

My 'pendix pains each time it rains.

My toes are cold, my toes are numb,



I have a sliver in my thumb.



My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,

I hardly whisper when I speak.

My tongue is filling up my mouth,



I think my hair is falling out.



My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,

My temperature is one-o-eight.

My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,



There's a hole inside my ear.



I have a hangnail, and my heart is ...

What? What's that? What's that you say?

You say today is .............. Saturday?



G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

30 Days Day 3

My Favorite TV Program

Wow, I have to admit I don't watch nearly the TV I used to, I always forget when my shows are on and am usually doing something else. Does anyone watch tv in the summer?!  I have been watching movies. And quite honestly the TV goes on to the music channel, no videos, just music! 

Hands down, one that I could watch over and over and over, Will & Grace. My BFF and I joked about if Chief takes a job in Japan, we'll have to Skype and watch it together.  Which also means we'll have to buy all the seasons of it so we can watch it together since right now we live two miles apart and can watch the same channel.

30 Days Day 2

My Favorite Movie:  Pretty Woman

I hate having to pick just one...Chief and I just exchanged our Top 10 movie lists. We'll be working on watching each others during this deployment.  You have to remember, we don't live together as we're in completely different time zones without the deployment.

His goes something like this:
- Godfather

- Shawshank Redemption
- Inception
- The Fifth Element
- Lord of the Rings (all 3)
- Gladiator
- When Harry Met Sally
- Casablanca
- Love Actually
- Saving Private Ryan

Mine goes like this:
Pretty Woman

Little Mermaid
The Hangover
Braveheart
White Christmas
Gremlins
(are you waiting for something with substance?)
Waiting
Transporter (all 3)
When Harry Met Sally
Death Race
7 pounds
Step Up (all 3) OR Stomp the Yard (DID YOU SEE #2 was coming???)
PS I Love You

Hmmm, mine's longer than 10 now that I am looking at it. Tee hee!  I think it's great that Chief is such a romantic. I would have never guessed Casablanca to be NEAR his list. I can't believe I've never seen it!

30 Days of MeMe DAY 1

Here goes nothing! I found this, and am totally looking forward to participating! 

Day 01 - your favorite song

Wow! For Chief and I, I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. After attending the luau in April, we were headed back on the tour bus, and the guide starts playing his eukalale (how the heck do you spell that word?!) The most obnoxious lady on the bus decides she needs to sing along, in her soprano / falsetto voice. Oh heavens. It made for a great romantic moment until she started.
For my Minny, Hollaback Girl by Gwen. When she was little she used to sing "the sheep say bananas" AHAHAHAHAH