Emotions bubbling over--again

I hoped this phase was over, but am learning that it may never be over.

A very emotional week --for me and my Aunt and a handful of others.

My Aunt, who has been doing tremendous after my Uncle's death, has had her moments. She really wanted to go gambling over the weekend.....so off we went!

Just what the doctor ordered. Though I won nothing, a good remedy to begin curing what has been ailing me!

We had a fabulous time! Just us girls....ironically, my sister, who said we'd be home early could not be shooed away from one of the machines....hence, we did not get home early!

I saw an old friend at the casino in Presque Isle....from Cleveland! Imagine that! It was good seeing Teresa, even if for a fleeting moment!

Every time we've been there, see peeps from Cleveland. Just maybe a good argument as to WHY Cleveland should get a casino or two!

Sunday--another emotional day as one of my former co-workers left his current job for greener pastures. I was honored to be included in the good bye party and taken back 20 years seeing so many old friends. A different era, that's for sure. I love (d) the folks I used to work with --they are really great people. To spend an entire afternoon with all of them a blessing.

Good Luck Bill Ringen! You are an awesome human being and I am soooo much better of a person for just knowing you and your delightful family, McGuyver!

As I left one party heading to another one, God tried telling me that everything will be ok.....the skies opened for a fantastic summer storm and just as I entered downtown Cleveland the biggest rainbow went from one end of downtown to the other side looping over the Terminal Tower! One reason NEVER to leave home without my camera.

I had an exquisite evening with a dear friend....talking down and dirty about some pretty amazing topics which we had never discussed before. Day by day Kat and I are becoming closer it seems.....I "yike" it!

As I left The Little Bar, the flood gates God opened from the heavens closed but mine opened as I recounted the wonderful weekend I had with so many terrific family members and friends.....I miss 2 very good friends who I have not seen in eons (causing my blue funk) yet have been able to spend some special time with others.

I have a feeling this roller coaster ride will be going up and down for many years to come! I'm belting myself in everyone!

Rougher than usual to get back in the swing

Not sure if it's because I had a magical 11+ days....

If it's because one of my best friends is now 2000+ miles away.....and I'm a bit worried about his surgery recovery...

Or because I have not spent much needed quality time with another very dear friend....

But I am in a blue funk!

It's been hard. I won't lie.

There have been many 'highlights,' an abundance of memorable moments, but it's been a slow-poke week where I've not accomplished much except trying to make it through the day!

When I arrived back at work, I must admit, one of my supervisors presented me with my latest awards: my 8th Emmy award and my 14th Press Club award. Made my day. AND, one of my favorite interns, Kelsey, popped in to visit before she heads to L.A. to make a go of it and knock the socks off of everyone on the West Coast!

My computer was not working, so I was able to catch up with my faves like Jim Donovan, Yak and the gang!

Exciting sports all week long --my Cleveland Indians, the LeBron will he go or will he stay saga, Wimbledon, and of course World Cup Soccer! Wednesday I got up extra early to watch their game which they won in OVERTIME! Whew hoo! Nerve wracking but exhilarating.

For some crazy reason, I also promised 2 co-workers I'd make them cupcakes? So on one of THE hottest days to date in the mid 90's, I crank the oven to bake up about 60-75 cupcakes while I watched the World Cup.

Now that day was very, very productive!

And, another great happening--finally have a new choir director/organist. I was humbled and honored to be on the Search committee for this very important decision. Matthew Fodor has already started and should be a great addition to Our Lady of Peace!

Perfect end to a magical week

We've always been lucky when it came to vacations.....Mom showed us the world!

I can't believe the places we've traveled, the wonderful experiences shared, and memories made with my entire family!

When we get together, we make new memories but recount very, very funny old stories too bringing smiles from cheek to cheek.

This vacation mirrored vacations past.

Even with Craig's unexpected emergency surgery, A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

Rounded out the week doing whatever we wanted! A little sun bathing, walk in the metroparks, Legacy Village Concert on the Green, seeing very dear friends, REPEAT!

This whole week, my friend Craig (one of my best buds) and I threw our 'vacation rule book' out the window and had all new experiences. We hardly stayed to script to what we do everytime he comes home to visit his Mom.

As a final sendoff, I took him to an old haunt with a different name.....Kalies on Mayfield has delish breakfast so instead of stopping near the airport, treated him to a home cooked meal before he hopped on the plane, which would be serving NO food!

And for the 1st time since he left "the Cleve," no tears, no sadness when he walked through security and I made the long walk back to my car. Now, I DO cry because Hopkins Airport is so awful. The only restaurant they have where 2 people can share a meal before one departs is Dunkin' Donuts, on the outside of the security gates. AWFUL!

I had such a blow out week across the board with all of my family and friends, no regrets, no arguing with Craig, it was a great sendoff....knowing I'd see him again soon...knowing my life was rich, full of love, excitement, hopefully many more days and years of new memory-making ahead...I did not need anyone to make my happiness--just my own peace of mind and faith in God!

Now on the way to the airport, a sad occurrence as Our Lady of Mt Carmel had an overflow crowd as they closed their doors for the last time.

Dropped Craig off....more sun bathing......Indians.......a nice Father's Day dinner at my sister's with surprise special guests --THE DOGS!

What a perfect ending to a magical week!

Surgery, really???

What a week!

My best friend comes into town....not feeling great but not anticipating what would happen to him on his week of vacation!

However, I tell him --he's so blessed and lucky.....he's not buying it!

He was able to get in to see his old doctor (come on, sometimes it takes MONTHS to get an appointment with a doctor)......and was scheduled for surgery the next day to repair his hernia.

After hitting the Tribe game a few nights ago, he really needed to have this done. Every day that went by exacerbated the problem.

True, not something I would choose on my vacation....but let's face it --the doctor who did the job and knows his history repaired the tear.....he will have more people around him up here than at home.....and more than likely will recoup a few vacation days if they count his surgery time as sick time.

I see this as the glass as FULL. He does not.

I see him back to normal good as new within a month. He does not.

Apparently, we have differing views on life. Really, we are friends! LOL!

Yes, surgery went well and the doctor said he can resume all normalcy within 48 hours......with some pain, bruising and such....

Suck it up, buddy! I still see this as a blessing rather than a curse.

Even through it all, I, after tending to my pal, still lucked out going to the Tribe last night with my buddy Marc and then again tonight.....the show must go on people!

Life is good! God is good!

Can it get any better than this?

I wasn't so sure I could top the 1st Saturday and Sunday of my vacation. Come on!

My best friend (many call him my BFF and many call him my boyfriend --but he's just my friend) Craig flew into town......Cleveland Indians with good friends Carrie and Brian, and then the Map Room with another great friend, Marc!

That's just day #1.

Day #2--a suite at the Indians' game with my entire family and very good friends...and then spending the night with 'my' Cleveland Indians at the zoo....NBA Playoffs and catching up with Craig....

WOW, thought these 2 days were insurmountable.

I keep proving myself wrong as each day of this vacation progresses.....

It has been complete heaven, bliss, and everything in between!

I would not do it justice by sharing...and making it sound like a log of everything that transpires.

Suffice it to say it involves a plethora of terrific friends, family, catching up, doing 'whatever' the spirit moves me to do, 'my' Cleveland Indians, no work, no appointments, no set schedule for the 1st time ever, lots of music, plenty of cocktails, absolute sunny skies, and not a care in the world!

A highlight to this point is that I got carded--can you believe it?! I told the girl she made my week. Then she went on to ask, "Are you Italian? You must be Italian!! Do you use Oil of Olay?" When she looked at my driver's license, her eyes just about flew out of her head! And my perfect week continued!

Never good bye!

It's not good bye.

It's just so long for now.

I've referenced this before--the fact that our current Organist/Choir Director is leaving OLP.

I can't believe it but am very excited for his new adventure. I also know that this is one person with whom I will keep in touch, as best I can.

His last weekend, I wanted to sing every Mass...the congregation clapped after each Mass and his final Mass very emotional. We had a reception after his final Mass....and then a week later, the Choir, Bell Choir and church staff members gathered at the Larchmere Tavern to give David the proper send off!

I can not even conjure up into words what David has done for me as a friend, a person, a mentor, a vocal coach, one of the best choir directors I've had, and definitely to pep up my self esteem!

He'd always tell me how 'fabulous I looked.' What I needed to do is put that on tape and play it back every time I am having a down day! Funny thing, those times he gushed I was feeling my worst and probably did absolutely nothing to myself! What a friend!

When we would have just our quiet time alone, David would tell me how he thought about Mom every single day.

See, Mom worked in the Rectory office for many years as Father Gary's right arm while David was working there as well. David and Mom had many talks and became very close friends.

How blessed am I that their friendship transferred my way!

I've been singing my whole life but never joined the choir because of my work schedule. The choir practiced when I was at work.

I went to David on a few occasions when I needed to practice music for upcoming Hiram reunions ....but most importantly when I needed to practice the music I was singing at my niece's wedding.

It was then when David said 'you have to sing in the choir...' and the rest is history!

He was so accommodating to practice with me at my convenience so that I could stay up to speed and enabled me to not only be in the choir but act as cantor.

I can never repay David for all he's done for me over the years...his friendship is absolutely priceless.

I thank God every day for David and only hope that our friendship will continue growing and stay strong!

Good Luck, David!

I got some 'wild friends'

My whirlwind year continues as I re-trace some of my steps, yet they are minus my best friend, Mom.

One year ago, Mom and I attended an Indians' game and after the game had tickets for the 'Indians at the Zoo' event. We were both kind of tired but loved our Indians as well as the zoo.

So we headed over to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo after the Tribe game for a night of not sure what to expect! I told Mom I could push her around in her wheelchair and she'd be fine. She was worried that I would get very tired pushing her around but did not realize it was my honor and pleasure!

We had a blast! Oh my gosh. Last year's event consisted of a nice dinner in the food pavilion of ballpark fare....then the entire team was set up a various stations around the zoo.

Last year we got some pretty good folks including Choo, Huff, Garko, etc., and I tried taking pictures of these guys as well.

Mom and I told each other --'we don't know if the Indians will do this next year so let's take advantage of it.' Little did we know at the time that Mom would NOT be here this year. A perfect example NOT to pass anything up that is very important to me. I have tried ever since that day and moreso after Mom passed away to live each day as if it were my last.

So when this year's event came along --I could not pass it up knowing full well it would be quite bittersweet.

My family was fortunate to enjoy the Strasburg game from a suite.....that was awesome. The entire family gathered together enjoying each other, a beautiful day, and our Cleveland Indians. We must have done something right!

After the game, flew to the zoo flying solo. Did not matter --I had SOOOOOO much fun! Oh my. Not only did I get so many great autographs and pictures but it was just a lovely night. I am a HUGE fan of the zoo and go every year.

What would have made it perfect --having Mom there or having the man of my dreams there (hmmm, which one would that be these days? There really are soooo many!) Then I look back and say, I had almost 30 of the men of my dreams at various stations around the grounds! Not complaining!

I can not even start with the highlights. Frank Hermann is such a sweetheart and so kind and pleasant with the most beautiful eyes. Carlos Santana signing autographs as he speaks on his cell phone in Spanish. Justin Masterson was asking the little kids for their autographs and Mitch Talbott was telling the little tykes how their autographs were so much more valuable than his!

When I got to the table to Mike Redmond, veteran catcher, and Shelley Duncan, OF-1B, I got flustered! I never even got a picture of them (and they are both so cute!)....but Mom must have been channelling inside of me because I did muster up enough gumption to tell Shelley that when I was 16, his father Dave sent me a sweet 16 birthday card! There were people coming in behind me so I did not even give him the overview of how that whole thing transpired but will write him a letter with the background! I'm telling you, they both flustered me! None of the other guys did that??? However, his reaction was great. He said, 'That's very cool!" And I totally agreed!

Russell the muscle Branyan had his cute little boy with him ...and all the Moms were asking if he was signing autographs....

And the cutest little boy replayed the night when Luis Val Buena hit a home run to win the game for the Tribe. Luis was extremely impressed with this little boy who could not have been more than 6 years old!

I was thrilled to talk to and get a picture of little Jason Donald --mark my words, he WILL be a great shortstop--2nd basemen for the Cleveland Indians!

I could not get the smile off of my face --but that is a daily occurrence in my life these days.

Immediately following the event, I could not wait to call my friend Matt and give him the play by play, especially about Branyan. Matt's always kidding me about #33's strikeout ratio!

It will be hard to top the 1st 2 days of my vacation...but I'm sensing I'll give it a good fight.....especially since my best friend is in town, Indians are in town, NBA playoffs continue and the weather is supposed to be just splendid!

Pinch me!

I got carded!

AH, what a perfect way to start my vacation!

Actually, it began with a refreshing cocktail after work Friday night safely in the confines of my home......ok, maybe there was more than just one!

Then I greeted my best friend in the entire world at the airport Saturday afternoon. THAT was the perfect way to start my vacation!

Hooked up with 2 very good friends, Carrie and Brian, for the Indians-Washington game and we all got carded! What a hoot! The woman's reaction after looking at my date of birth was P-R-I-C-E-L-E-S-S! Then she started asking me all these questions on how I stay so young looking. She said, 'You must be Italian!' 'Do you use Oil of Olay?' I am not making this stuff up, I actually have 2 witnesses and it totally made my entire week!

Great time at the game....from when the guy behind Brian dumped his nachos all over him all the way up to the Terrace Club! Afterward, I was all wound up and could not go home....my best friend, a bit jet lagged, kinda blew me off but was a blessing in disguise because I had the most wonderful time with another very good friend at the Map Room all night!

I can not believe how many 'old' friends I re-connected with and how many terrific new friends I met! Good luck Tully! I guess I am not that old--kept up with my younger friends!

Looking forward to another wonderful day Sunday as my entire family will be enjoying the Indians' game against Strasburg in a suite and then lovely night at the zoo with those very same Cleveland Indians!

Not sure how I will be able to keep topping each day --but I am sure gonna try my best!

Where did the week go?

I sure hope next week (my week of vacation) goes in S-L-O-W M-O-T-I-O-N!! This week traveled very swiftly, especially since I was off on Monday and kind of lost a day!

It seems like every day all of a sudden I had something shakin'? Tuesday I got together with a very good friend --actually made my week! Car maintenance Wednesday.....wedding shower Thursday......and Friday wrapping up the work week prepping for what hopefully will be a perfect week on vacation!

Lots of sports excitement as well....so many Cleveland Indians come back from behind wins.....the whole Tom Izzo watch.....Thursday morning I was pleasantly awakened by a dear dear friend of mine with a text message. All it said: "SANTANA!!" Because we are so on the same page, I knew exactly what he meant and the texting bonanza began about our up and coming new catcher Carlos Santana!

Getting extremely excited to be on vacation next week. This will be the first real vacation I've had in eons. Ecstatic to see my best friend who is coming in from out of town....have not seen him since before Mom passed away...

I have not made any real plans for this vacation like I usually do...the only thing really is going to all the Cleveland Indians' games....otherwise, flying by the seat of my pants. Lots of cocktails WILL be factored in to the festivities!

Sunday my entire family will be in a suite watching the phenom kid Strasburg pitch against 'my' Indians. Awesome how that worked out! Could not have planned it better!

Then Sunday night have a special event with the Indians at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

Very lucky, very blessed.

Thank you Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!

From famine to feast

For initially not having a heck of a lot going on this week.....except work, WOW!

I was off today for a number of reasons, one of them being my 'boyfriend' Victor Martinez is in town!!

Figured I'd get my hair cut as well. Always enjoyable--I just love chatting with my hairdresser. And the hand and arm massages are to die for!

But besides that, at last check, I had nothing, nada, zilch. I have a very good friend coming into town next week so I was going to gradually prep for that, but come on, really what prep is needed?

Glanced down at my planner booklet, and every day is now filled in.....Tuesday very fortunate to spend some quality time with a very, very good and old friend of mine.....would not pass that up for anything.

One of our cars needs some work done, and now that the roofers are gone, I can actually get the vehicle out of my driveway.....

There is a wedding shower at work, which thinking ahead, I already have the gift and even have it nicely wrapped! No more last minute shenanigans!

Many people tell me, 'just say no, turn down events and happenings and you can get stuff done you need to do....'

But in the blink of an eye, without any extra events, my calendar filled up very quickly with 'must do's.'

Love being busy, but beware, it can just come up on you like a train out of control on the tracks people......

Embrace and enjoy every single day and live in the moment before it engulfs you and you've missed life!

Spontaneity offers wonderful opportunities

I'd like to say I've always been a 'spontaneous' person, and actually I think I have been through the many trips we've taken and events we've attended. I will also be the 1st to admit I enjoy being organized, all my ducks in a row and lists up the .....

But moreso than ever now, and not quite sure why, how, or when the Holy Spirit overtook this 'planner' to bring me the gift of spontaneity?

Today is the 'picture perfect' example of how a 'spontaneous day' plays out from start to finish!

I had an early morning meeting....which was one of the only events planned today....the meeting went well and in the midst of the meeting, I received a voice mail from my current choir director asking me if I wanted to sing a funeral?

Just as I was getting ready to call him back, poof, he walked in the front door!

I accepted the singing offer wearing my Capri's, tank top and flip flops....that's when both my choir director and pastor said --'you'll be upstairs, you don't have to change!'

Off to sing a funeral...the irony of the funeral is that this woman was a friend of Mom's yet she moved out of town many years ago. For the last few years Mom and I lost contact with her and her Christmas cards came back....it's funny how so many people and events are all connected in some way, shape, or form and we wind up ultimately re-connecting with those from our past.

After the funeral, off to the racetrack--a family tradition. We always place a nice little friendly wager on the 3 big races in May and June: Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and the Belmont. A tradition I hope to keep alive!

As I was checking with my Aunt on her picks, dueling text messages started coming in from a very old friend and another great friend!

I could not convince my very old friend to meet me for lunch at the racetrack but lucked out because my other best friend said they would! Not in a million years did I think I'd be visiting with this person today, but it worked out swimmingly well!


After the racetrack, had a little while so I popped into a store near the race track to surprise a very good friend of mine with some items he'd been looking for....and sure enough, as I was in the store, he messaged me....quite overjoyed that I actually thought of him and took the time to surprise him!

Off to church --which is the only other 'planned event' today....this is the last weekend to sing with my Current Choir Director and it will be quite sad and emotional.

We wound up pulling out 'Loving and Forgiving' --I almost lost it. That was the song David helped me practice for my niece's wedding and the turning point where he said --you have to join the choir! How ironic that it would be one of the final songs we sing together! Cue the tears.....


After church, totally impromptu gathering at my Aunt's house for pasta dinner....she made sauce a few weeks ago and wanted to use it up so she called the girls together.....the boys were all working or out of town. My oldest niece's hubby is in Prague for 9 days.....


What an absolute fun time had by all! Loved it! OMG. A wonderful couple of hours.....


And to cap the night, a very good friend of mine had to work late but text messaged me on their way home......which was a delightful surprise and the perfect ending to a perfect, spontaneous day!

Ahh, friends (through technology)!

I've been very blessed to have some of the best friends in the world.

I know it's the 21st century and time is of the essence. There is hardly any time allotted for re-connecting and spending quality time in the zany world we live...let alone actually having a face-to-face conversation!

Yet, as of late, it's been my family and friends who have helped me get through--believe it or not--on the technology I so balked a few years ago.

One of my best friends, Craig, and I live 2500 miles apart but can still connect during a crazy, busy day with a text now and then, especially if he wants to rub a Rays win in my face or if I want to tell him I'm basking in the sun at an Indians' game at Noon during the week!

Jim and Melanie, two of my best college friends & roommates, mock my cell phone voice mail message....first of all, I don't even remember what I recorded oh so many years ago....however, apparently I put it in the 3rd person! Yet, recently another good friend thought it was cool! Go figure....every time they call though, they make me almost pee my pants with the messages they leave and it's a good thing.

Scott, another dear college buddy of mine living in Portugal, has Facebook chatted me a few times over the last few weeks just before he goes to bed as I am still in the midst of my whirlwind day....just to say 'love you and sweet dreams!' Totally brings a smile to my face and helps me get through the rest of my day.

My nephew has texted me at least 3x over the last few weeks, "I love you" which has catapulted me 12 steps forward reviving me and giving me new life to continue my day or move mountains!

And a very, very dear old friend who has resurfaced in my life will text or message me during the day or night, 'how is your day going' just when I need it most!

The other day I was speaking with my Aunt on a land line phone while fielding back and forth consecutive text messages from 2 of my best friends....quite the juggling act but actually the multi-tasking accomplished a number of issues in less time!

Don't get me wrong, I still believe in quality personal, in-person time as the best medicine--cozying up with a good friend or group of friends for a nice dinner, movie, or even playing a game and forgetting about the 'real world' for a while.....but in these light speed times we live, a heartfelt text, message, email, or voice mail apparently does the trick for me every time!

Keep 'em coming folks! I love you all!

It WAS perfect!

I can not believe I am saying this but I would have loved to see Armando Galarraga pitch a perfect game against my Cleveland Indians!

I DID!

I said it and I saw it!

It did not count as a perfect game because first base umpire Jim Joyce called Jason Donald safe at first on the 27th batter of the game though he was clearly out!

We can go back and forth until we have no breath left on instant replay in baseball....and whether or not Bud Selig should overturn the call.....

Watching the drama unfold was amazing. I was at work with the best sportscaster around, Jim Donovan. For the fleeting moment, though we were working, that was the story and we were sucked in to what was happening on the field.

We were freely watching the game, Jim doing play by play, and emoting with each pitch. I'm surprised my co-workers did not call security on us!

I frantically texting my best friend in FLA telling him to catch a feed or tune in to what was happening to the Cleveland Indians. He works for the FOX affiliate so he too was working and very busy but hopefully he was able to catch a bit of the antics...

An emotional drain at the end of the game for everyone in the newsroom, even those who are not baseball fans. WOW!

I felt awful for Galarraga, who deserved to be in the record books with the best of the best. But what impressed me even more is Armando's composure, his compassion toward umpire Joyce and his soft spoken-ness at what happened. An amazing young man.

He admitted after he absorbs it all and realizes what happened, he may feel a bit differently, but still, very proud to see a ballplayer conduct themselves in that manner.

I do believe everything happens for a reason, but that does not mean I have to agree with it or understand it!

Ceremonial changing of the calendar

I know that I've been off my game for a while.....

It really became apparent to me over the last few months at the turn of the month.

I have an obsession with changing the calendars around the house at the stroke of midnight.

OK, let the laughing cease.

Well, March to April and then April to May--it was days before I ever flipped the calendars.

Around May 5 I snapped out of it and could not believe my faux pas.

But, I realized why it happened, the state of mind I was in, the fatigue and so many other things going on and cut myself some flack.

I'm sensing I am gradually on the road back ....as it is June 1, 2010 just after the stroke of midnight....and sure enough sugar, my calendars have been changed, flipped and the master calendar hanging on our door with all of our appointments, events, and Indians' games for the month has been updated and we are ready to rock and roll the month of June!

This WILL be the best summer we've had in years! I'm counting on it......