Weekend in D.C.

John and I flew up to DC on Wednesday. We were going to see Megan and attend her "graduation". She actually got her Master's degree in December, but the convocation is held at the end of the spring term. While in D.C. we also visited with my brother-in-law Rob and my nephew Shane. (more on that later)
We arrived at the place where Megan lives (for one more week anyway)and waited until she got home from work. While we waited we enjoyed the fresh spring air...a little cooler than Fl this time of year. It was wonderful!
VA has been getting a LOT of rain lately...but we caught the tail end of the latest front. Everything was so GREEN! it even smelled green!
A little path next to the townhouse Megan lives in

Megan in her "cool" car..just home from work. I hadn't been up to see her place since she moved in last year(?)...also finally got to see the car.


We ate a little bit and then everybody humored me and posed for pictures.
John, Megan,Marcus and I
After we arrived on the George Mason University campus...it was time for more photos. You can see what a nice evening it was.




Lining up outside. There were 500 students receiving Doctorate or Master's degrees at the convocation ceremony.
Reception with CAKE
( not bad................even if it wasn't from Publix....haha)


Happy Dad and graduate!
I convinced Megan to get up and pose with the statue of George Mason. She was a little reluctant...until another girl did...then she figured it was OK. haha

Megan's visit

Labor Day was a total washout...it rained HARD almost all day. We did manage to get a walk in....but other than that...there was not much we could do but sleep I like sleeping...just not all day and read....I did have a good book. But I'll take a sunny day anytime!Tuesday was a long day to make up for the day off and catch up after being closed. We had lots of staff on hand...so it wasn't too crazy...but I was glad when my 6 hrs were up! Went home, ate and took it easy until about 11pm ,when we headed out to Orlando to pick up Megan and Marcus.
It wouldn't be a trip home without a trip to "our" Longdoggers on Post Road. We ran into LJ...and it was fun. Then we were off to the Golf course. Marcus and John were excited...Megan and I were a little skeptical...Megan more than I...because she hasn't swung a club in YEARS...me...just because I never know...hahaha

Figuring out what clubs to carry haul around. We played on the short course at Duran. It was the shortest course I've ever played on in my limited career as a golfer but it was perfect...9 short holes...just what Megan and I could handle!
What Form!

Marcus has a lot of power in his shots... so he had to adjust to the short course. There were storm clouds to the west of us...but they never made it all the way in to where we were...and a few clouds and a good breeze kept the temperature bearable.
Then...this morning,,,I went to work while John took Megan and Marcus offshore to try and catch a "birthday" fish for Marcus. (he turns 25 today) They went about 25 miles out and got two mahimahi...as well as a shark for Marcus and a barracuda for Megan
They stopped for lunch at Captain Hiram's and then raced the storms home. John cleaned the fish...everyone took a brief nap and then we took the fresh catch to Indialantic Longdoggers where we ordered fish tacos...minus the fish. The cooks fried up our fish and Voila!...fresh fish tacos. Of course we had to listen to Al give us a hard time...but even he sampled the fish. John M. joined us...then my brother Mark arrived on the scene...so we had fun.

Happy Birthday Marcus!

Stay Positive

In one of my favorite books..."March" by Geraldine Brooks, the story is told in the perspective of Mr. March (the father in Louisa Alcott's "Little Women"). If you know the story of Little Women, Mr. March is away at war and his family anxiously awaits his return. In "March", he writes homes everyday as promised, but he manages to write about what is going on...yet not really tell his wife and daughters what's happening because he fears it would be too much for them to bear. The reason I thought of this book is because in a way I feel like this must be how my sister Martha feels right about now.
Martha was recently diagnosed with cancer. She had a cyst removed and they found cancer cells in her fallopian tubes. It is an aggressive and very rare cancer...so the Dr. is doing some testing to see if it's genetic in origin...but in the meantime chemo has already started (this past week.) Martha..............who runs, swims, golfs, skies, does yoga,not to mention work as a hospital administrator. And we have already lost a sister, Jenifer, to rectal cancer, three years ago...so the diagnosis is even more troubling. It appears that they caught it early and there's no doubt Martha is a force to be reckoned with...but it is cancer. So for now the treatment has started and Martha sends us updates and tries her best to put a positive spin on things...but it must be hard for her to stay "UP" and to keep us all "Up"....and yesterday she sent a note and a picture and I saw it and that's when I just fell apart. John walked in a few minutes later and I think I scared him half to death...and then when I managed to say why I was crying...he calmed me down and understood. But I HATE that Martha feels the weight of not just her illness, the chemo side effects and uncertainty...but also the weight of all of us...hanging on for positive news...hoping for the best, wanting everything to be okay.
So yesterday I cried a bit...but now I am going to do my best to be strong, be positive and pray for the strength and courage we will all need to get through this latest challenge...and I am looking forward to next spring...when we are going to be on that cruise Martha and I talked about!

home again, home again

One of Megan's friends got married this past Saturday...so Megan flew in for the weekend so she could attend. School is out, and even though Megan just started a new job (summer position)...she has had the ticket since December...so the trip was still on. First order of business say hi to Kiena and then...lay in the sun to get a little color.
Even when she was in Florida, Megan was not one to lie in the sun...but she lathered on the sunscreen and gave it a go.....
There were a few requests...a trip to the Blueberry Muffin for breakfast, a chocolate chip bagel from Corey's Bagels, some fresh fish (no problem!),a roast (sorry never got that...ran out of days)and a trip to Disney World......"but of course I can go with you to Disney World!!"She had a few relaxing days, spent time with some friends...(all of whom are either recently graduated and back in town before starting new jobs,in between semesters, getting ready for internships, grad school or________.) She went to the beach...to Longdoggers,to Disney with me, the wedding, Sebastian Inlet...and then I dropped her off in Orlando this morning for her flight home :(... However we will see her again in 3 weeks when we head up to the Boardwalk art Show in Virginia Beach. More photos tomorrow...right now...I'm off to dreamland....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

28 Years

This is the gift(The mobile) Mrs. Van Dusen made for John and I for our wedding. She made it herself...with our names, the dates, etc. Notice John has his heart in his hand...and I have the birdcage...with the door open....



It's been 28 years today...and like everyone...we've had our share of ups and downs......but always plenty of love along the way and lots of laughs to keep us going. John has always worked hard and taken good care of me and Brenna and Megan....helping us be who we are. John likes to plan and make things happen...and he might drive us all crazy sometimes...but I appreciate all the things he does for me...helping me to be a better person. He even allows me to get a little crazy and have my goofy parties...that he really doesn't get...haha...but goes along with it anyway! I am lucky to have him in my life.

Anniversary time

Next Saturday is our 28th Anniversary...and so I thought....why not share some photos of the wedding day. This blog has been a test of my very limited skills on the computer... I have been learning as I go...some things work better than others. Well...for the first time ever...believe it or not...I scanned a picture and downloaded it to the computer. As you can see...I didn't quite master the task...but I did get the pictures on the blog. You will have to click on them to see them full size...since I couldn't figure out how to get the full size in the first place.... maybe next time!
Here is an assortment of photos..... the wedding party...John, Charlie McGee my sister Martha and I. My simple cotton dress....the slip I bought cost more than the dress itself! I had seen this dress in a favorite catalog (J.Jill...I had many dresses from that catalog back in the day) and knew this would be what I wore for my wedding...I never even looked in a Bridal Shop...except for the slip.(I did have some fancy shoes too...pretty ivory with embroidered flowers in soft pinks and greens) Martha's dress also came from the catalog. My parents with John and I,our delicious cake from where else...Publix Danish Bakery...I LOVE their cakes! A snapshot of my Mom with some good friends...John Griffin, Maureen Hogg and Father Jack Maloney.
The second group of shots includes us with John's brother and sisters and their families, My father and I coming into to the church (with Mr. Griffin looking on!),
three of my favorite people...my father, my Godfather, Ray Brennan and my Uncle Dave (Monsignor David P. Welch) who married us. and John and I.
When we decided to get married...I knew it would have to be early in the year...winter or Spring...because as far as I am concerned,it is just TOO DARN HOT to get married any time after mid April in Florida. We couldn't get married during Lent...so spring became February...actually a great month when it comes to weather. I had looked it up in the almanac...(at the Library of course) and saw that February had the lowest amount of rainfall...and since I wanted to have the reception at my parents house...my mother was a little nervous .....she NEVER complained to me...but I know she was worried about what to do if it rained.....I just told her "It won't!" and luckily...it didn't! It was a beautiful clear day with 68 degrees for the high...perfect weather for getting all dressed up! Really.....Perfect. We had a wonderful time with all of our family and friends.....we were lucky to have my Uncle Dave marry us. And now 28 years later...we're still celebrating....I feel very lucky!
We will be celebrating next Saturday...more on that next time.heeheehee

Weekend fun with the family

This past weekend my sister Elizabeth and her children, Ryan and Meredith were in town. They came for a little break from the cold and to visit with the family.Ryan graduates from High School in May and the rest of the school year is going to be busy for them...so this was a chance to take a quick trip to Florida.The main reason for coming was to be able to attend the "Art Show" my brother was participating in. "THREE MAN ARMY". David, Gary Propper (former professional surfer) and another artist, Bruce Reynolds had the showing. Bruce has some fun "robot" like sculptures and I like his artwork too... it's well done.I don't know that I'd hang it over my sofa...but I like it. He's won many awards at various art shows. He's also a nice guy and has a nice wife and great son, Brock.
My brother David with our friend Maurice...he came in town for the show
Meredith (and her Aunt Anne) next to one of David's pieces
before the show started...Elizabeth, Paul, John, Meredith, Ryan, John and I ate across the street at Meg O'Malley's. When we were done it was time to have the siblings pose for pictures and then head over to the art show.
(Aunt) Bridget and Meredith sitting in the back and watching the crowd. It was interesting!! We had lots of laughs!
Meredith and Uncle David....who kept us all entertained all weekend with his stories complete with crazy faces and sound effects
"Mo" and Ryan
Meredith and Uncle Paul checking things out
Ryan, Meredith and Bridget listening to our friend Todd Parker talking about his travels in 2009. He has been all over the world...and always has great stories to tell.
Elizabeth and Anne laughing about a guy who turned up at the show,,,the same guy Elizabeth met at the Blueberry Muffin LAST time she was in town, hahahaha
the gang...taken by Bridget...Liz, Paul, Meredith, Anne, Ryan, David.
I think every picture we took that night/weekend has me with that big smile on my face. We had a lot of laughs....there were a lot of characters at the show. David always has funny stories to tell and we just had a good time. We had dinner at our house one night, we all went out to dinner Sunday night....including Mark before he left to watch the end of the Jets/Chargers game and we celebrated Meredith's birthday early...a good excuse for a cake from Publix bakery!
David's getting ready for another show this weekend. It's a big one in a 18000 sq ft space....some great ,crazy...some creepy stuff.....we got a preview last night...while they were getting set up. I may have to go just to see if I can match the artists to the artwork...there was all kinds of crazy stuff as well as just "regular" material. It looks like it will be a fun time...bands, fashion shows, art and plenty of room for people. This is the second year of the "Robot Love" show....last year it was a big success....so they found a bigger space and hope to make it even better this year. Too bad Liz and the kids had to go home....we would've had even more fun!