Life is Fragile...Handle With Care...

We view our lives as fragile, we billions of human beings, each like a knot in a fishing net: autonomous of the other knots, yet indissolubly interconnected with all the others. All moves as one, yet the integrity of the net depends on each individual knot. Woven together we form the net of Humanity.

Lately I've been contemplating how the destructive qualities of disease and death seem to come so easily to us. An automobile accident, a bout with cancer, or a thousand other everyday occurrences remind us of the delicate balance of life. Viewed as bodies moving on this earth we are constantly on the razor's edge: a single slip and we are severed from what we know in this world. I mean, we all could be gone from this world on any given day for any giver reason...and at that point, The knot snaps.

Then I started to wonder. Life is really fragile and short. Everyday we spend our time…it’s just like a journey or a learning experience. But when it’s all done for the day….when you sit down or lie down on your bed (provided you don’t fall asleep straight away) and when you think NOTHING at all - you’ll really feel an emptiness in you. It’s as if whatever happened in the day was written inside a storybook, with you flipping over the pages.

And one day, the book which you’ve been flipping through would surely come to an end.

The time I’ve spent arguing about things that matter to me...cursing the traffic...getting sad over small things...worrying over money or wanting to break away from this place... but in the end, all these things don’t really matter.

So what if you have ton's of money? So what if you are the most popular employee? So what if you’re the star performer? So what if you own a Ferrari?

In the end, all these don’t matter. Your money will end up with another person. Your most popular employee position will be replaced by another person. There will always be another star performer. Your Ferrari will either become junk or end up with another owner.

But one thing does matter - your family and your friends. Because to them, you are not someone who can be replaced just like that. That’s why in the end, family and friends are more important than everything else.

Cherish the people close to you. Tell them you’re glad to have met them in this world. I know it sounds strange because few of my friends replied “Are you OK?” after I told them. But well, we’ll never know what might happen in the future. And there’s definitely no harm in saying that earlier.

So from now on……..take things easy. Because remember, in the end, what matters most is your contribution to the society……..and your position in the heart of your friends and family.

-Scott Osterhage

How can a sunny day seem so dark and gloomy?

Yesterday, we all lost Kyle...who was serving over in Iraq but this time, never made it home. Kyle, I can't believe that you are gone. My heart is so sad not only for losing you, but for your wife Faith and your family. You were always able to make me laugh in high school even on the worst of days. You were so kind, so happy, and loved by so many. In your short 24 years here on earth you touched so many lives. Kyle...You were a husband, a father, a brother, a son, a brother in law, a friend, a solider, a HERO. I want to take this time, so say THANK YOU Kyle...You went over sea's...served for this beautiful country ... served so you could keep us all safe from harm. We're all going to miss you very much. And you will always remain in our hearts. R.I.P. Kyle.

SWANSEA —

A 24-year-old Army sergeant from this town was killed in Iraq on Saturday. Kyle Harrington was on his second tour of duty in the war-torn country.

He leaves a wife, Faith (Ryan) Harrington, and their two children, Joshua, 5, and Kaylee, 2.

His mother, Kathy Harrington of Fall River, reported that two Army personnel went to her home Saturday about 4:30 p.m. to tell her of her son’s death.

She said they advised her that he was accidently killed when a forklift operated by a fellow soldier backed over him.

“He supposedly was at a secret base” when the incident occurred, she said. “They are investigating what happened to him.”

Mrs. Harrington said her son was a marksman as well as a Humvee mechanic.

The soldier’s mother-in-law, Debra Ryan of Fall River, said not many details about his death were available from the Army.

The 2002 Case High School graduate was on an 18-month tour of duty that was set to end in August. He served his first tour, a 12-month stint, about four years ago.

“He finished school. They got married and then he enlisted,” Ryan said of her daughter and Harrington.

As a mechanic, she said, “He would go out on recovery missions to recover Humvees.”

Harrington was stationed out of Fort Lewis in Seattle, Wash.

A Fort Lewis chaplain called the soldier’s wife Saturday. Ryan answered the phone.

“He told me to put my daughter on the phone,” she said. “It’s a phone call a family would dread receiving, when the person on the other end says they’re a chaplain. You know it’s not going to be good news.”

Ryan said a memorial service will be planned, but that it will take a week for the sergeant’s body to be returned to the United States.

Harrington is also survived by his father, Dennis Harrington of Rhode Island; his sister, Elizabeth Harrington; his father-in-law, William Ryan; a sister-in-law, Rachael Ryan, all of Fall River, and a brother-in-law, Joshua Ryan of Indiana.

T.G.I.F.

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T.G.I.F. is right...thank god it's Friday!! This week has been a busy one! Being a teacher this time of the year gets stressful, It's progress report time again. I have been working on my students progress reports all week. My goal is to get them done and passed out by the end of next week. ::crosses fingers:: We'll see I guess.

Well, that's about it...I'll talk again later, have a good night my loyal readers! :)

"Today Was The Best Day Ever!!" -Holley Thibault

Today I was able to see life from a four year old's perspective...and watching her and hearing her talk about it, made me want to be four years old again. Today Holley Thibault (My best friends daughter) got a new puppy and when I was talking to her about her new puppy and watching her play with the new puppy for the first time she whispered to me..."Today was the BEST day ever!" "I am so happy" so told me after. She told me, she went to school and played with her best friends, she went sledding, and she got a new puppy and "Today was the BEST day ever!" hearing Holley refer to today as the best day ever made me think to myself...that there isn't an over abundance of "best days ever" and that I wanted to remember each and every "best day's ever" from now on. And it made me think back to my life as a kid and I started to remember some fun memories that I would never forget all those..."Best day's ever!"

So, Holley Thibault...this blog is for you & your "best day ever!" I hope you always always remember today because I wish I could remember all my "best day's ever!"

Hope In America...

Today, I am so proud to be an American! Today, we say goodbye to Bush...who did nothing but lead us into a war and caused the worst financial plummet in many many years. Today...we say hello to a new president...President Obama is now our president! He is the hope in America that we all needed. Hopefully Obama can clean up the mess Bush caused. We'll see I guess. All I know is that having a new president is refreshing...it's almost like the light at the end of the tunnel for all of us.

Yet Another Snow Storm...

Well..Here I am sitting here in my living room yet again, gazing out the window to yet another snow storm...so far we look to have about 4 or 5 inches here. And it's supposed to snow again tomorrow, and then again Monday. I can't wait till the spring! I'm so tired of the snow...having to dig my car out, my locks being frozen on my car, not being able to go anywhere because we can't get out of our street and I am so tired of being cold! Seriously, it takes like 10 extra minutes to put on thick socks, boots, coats, scarfs, hats, gloves just to leave the house. Can you tell that I'm not really a winter kind of girl...I much prefer the warm weather! Well...that's about it, I'll talk again later.

-7 Degrees....and dropping...

It is so cold!! As of right now at 6:20am it is -7 degrees, a lot of school have canceled school due to the really cold weather, and not wanting kids standing at the bus stops because cold like this is very dangerous, out there to long and you'll get frost bite.

I can't believe how cold it has been, it's crazy!! This is def. when the California girls comes out of me...I hate the cold, and cold like this just makes me cringe!

Tonight though...Bob and I are going out with our best friends to Dave & Busters! Which always makes for a fun night! We all love Dave & Busters!

It's also Friday, which is always good too...plus I have a three day weekend due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day!!

Sunday Bob and I are going to go see "Mall Cop" and go out to dinner :)

Well...I've gotta run, and get ready for work and go face the cold. I hope my car starts...and I also hope that my locks haven't frozen again, and I also hope that my car doors aren't frozen shut again haha...the joy of living in New England lol

Have a good day everyone! And if your from this area, stay warm!!

Home Sick With The Flu...

Have I ever told anyone how much having the flu sucks! Well if not, it sucks! I hadn't felt right for days...I was suddenly achy, and tired...and I just couldn't shake it. Yesterday at work it got worse and worse and worse...I started feeling hot, and even more achy, and felt like I was going to yack.

Once I got home it was like my body just gave up on the fight and my temp spiked to 104, I was shaking, I was sick to my stomach, I was throwing up, My head was pounding, My whole body hurt...it even hurt to stand up and/or breath. It was awful!!

I had to call out of work today...well last night. My boss had already told any staff and parents if you get any part of the stomach virus to not come in because it's spreading like a wild fire at work, and one less person being at work spreading it will be better. And so, here I am...laying on the couch, watching bad day time t.v. with my lap top.

Bob has been pumping me with flu meds, liquids, soup, and jello. to bring me back to health. Although, I think the meds gave me the heart burn I got this afternoon...every time I laid down it started up worse, I ate some Rolaids and that helped a lot, my heart burn went away quick.

Although, I feel as if I've lucked out for once...I think I got the 24 hour version of this flu bug...because I am feeling a lot better this afternoon. Some people have been getting the 24 hour version of this and some people have been getting the 6 or 7 day version of this. I mean if you count my aches and weakness and tiredness into account with this flu then it's been about 5 days, I got the full effects of the flu last night and this morning.

and so like I said, I used 1 of my sick days today..and I have 2 more still I'm hoping I can save those 2 sick/personal days for may, for my girls NYC trip with Mel. I mean it's January and I've used my 1st sick day. I mean that's pretty good considering i went 4 1/2 months without getting really sick...well, until now.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words...

Photography...

Photography is something that I have always loved to do. For me, taking a picture is like an artist painting on a canvas or a musician laying down tracks on a new album...photography is my art form.

Everywhere I go, My camera is always never to far. I always have it tucked in my purse, just in case I come across a moment I want to capture. I have always wanted to open up a photography shop, to sell my photos in frames, on post cards, etc.

My best friend and I have talked about going into business together and make it a reality...we both love photography! And we both want to do something we totally love. And get away from the drama of work and every day life.

Because this year so far I have learned one very important lesson from my best friend...and that is to LIVE and BE HAPPY and PUT YOURSELF FIRST. Because she's right...you never know how long you have.

And so, I'm joining her mission this year...to be happy, to live a happier life, and to consider each new day a blessing. :)

Do you have a true best friend? I sure do.

Everyone who has walked into my life has impacted me in some way, whether it is negative or positive, but Mel Thibault has been one of the strongest impact yet. I would like to take this chance to present her with the Award of Recognition. I would not be the person I am today if she had never come into my life.

Do you have a true best friend? I sure do.


Mel is truly my best friend. She is always there for me. She knows everything about me; even my secrets. I can’t keep anything from her! She is the person who will help me when I am down, turn my frown upside-down, and make me feel better about myself. I can’t imagine any better of a friend. I love her more than anything and I would die for her.

A best friend is the first person who comes in when, out of the door, the whole world has gone. A best friend is one who loves the truth and you, and will tell the truth in spite of you. There are lots of people who you make friendships with, but it is very hard to find a true and honest friend. But I am very lucky that I have a best friend with whom I can share my feelings and divide grief with. Her name is Mel. She is very friendly, and I am very happy to have her as my best friend. She is very well respectful, hardworking, and an honest person.

I am so lucky to have her and I couldn’t live without her...
Thank you for taking the time to actually listen to what I have to say.

We have been friends for quite a while now, and I just want to say thank you for being there when times got tough. I know you more than I know anybody and I'm so glad that we started hanging out together all those years ago.

They Ran Through The Rain Believing...

She had been shopping with her Mom in Wal-Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful brown-haired, freckle-faced image of innocence.

It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the tops of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the Earth that it had no time to flow down the spout. Drains in the nearby parking lot were filled to capacity and some were blocked so that huge puddles laced around parked cars.

We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Wal-Mart. We waited, some patiently, others irritated...because nature messed up their hurried day.

I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I get lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child come pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

Her voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in. "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said.

"What?" Mom asked!

"Let's run through the rain!" she repeated.

"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated, "Mom, let's run through the rain."

"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.

"No, we won't, Mom, that's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"

"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, If we can get through this, We can get through anything!"

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Her Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say.

Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If we get wet, well maybe we just needed washing."

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

I want to believe that somewhere down the road in life, that Mom will find herself reflecting back on moments they spent together, captured like pictures in the scrapbook of her cherished memories. Maybe when she watches proudly as her daughter graduates, or as her daddy walks her down the aisle on her wedding day.

She will laugh again. Her heart will beat a little faster. Her smile will tell the world they love each other. But only they... will share that precious moment, when they ran through the rain believing that they would get through anything together.

And Yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories.

So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities...to make memories every day because life is short, and you never ever know when your time is up.

My Life...Starting Over!

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Sometimes all you need is a good excuse to start over. I see the beginning of a new year as an excellent opportunity to reboot. At least in an organizational sense. Every January I overhaul and gut my apartment. I archive files, get rid of accumulated junk and clean everything.

Aside from the practical aspect of this, there’s an emotional one. Sorting out things and making room for what’s to come is one of the ways I can begin again. A clean, organized apartment is my way of starting out a new year with a positive outlook and a clear head. All the detritus of the old year is gone and I am ready to handle the next twelve months.

Do I do spring cleaning? Yes. In fact I regularly overhaul different areas of my life throughout the year. But there’s something about the house, a place I spend much of my time—blogging, writing, processing photos, paying bills, reading—that seems to encapsulate life. It just feels right.

This now done, my mind is free to explore all the possibilities the next 365 days may have in store for me. I’ve cleared the way for my mind to wander.

What starts the new year right for you?

I’ve decided not to make any resolutions for 2009. I had some goals set for this year, but I’ve chosen not to look back at them. I know I did accomplish at least one: Start making ME happy, put ME first for once. I far surpassed that one. What I will promise myself is that in 2009 I will do what I need to do to be happy, and I will pursue those things that make me happy as if my life depended on it. Because it does. Life is about going for what you want, not just wishing for it.

Genuine beginnings begin within us, even when they are brought to our attention by external opportunities.

—William Bridges

Summer Time Blues...

I am missing the summer so much. I am tired of the cold and snow. The weather man says we're getting yet another bad winter snow storm on Wed. It has snowed almost every week causing havoc on all drivers trying to get home safely. My work closed early last Wed. because of the snow. and we also closed early another day because of the snow. And it looks like there may be another early closing if this snow storm hits hard like they are expecting. I am so bored of the winter. It stinks being cooped up inside with nothing to really do. There's only so much you can possibly do inside after a while. I'm bored of the winter and it's only January. ::sigh:: I am currently counting down till summer now. School ends for summer in about 5 months now...it's crazy how quickly the school year went by.



I just miss the summer...Lazy days on the beach, Tuesdays on the sail boat, Fun times on Prudence Island, Fire Works at the bowling alley on the 4th of July, Hot Days walking around Newport sipping cold smoothies from the stand, Hot summer days at the beach with Bob and friends, Really hot days cooling off at the air conditioned movie theater, Mini Golf at fantasy land, Roller Blading through the park, Picnics at colt state park, Bike riding on the bike trail in Bristol, Flying kits in the park, Fun days in Boston, Summer days in the Cape, Camping with friends, Sangria at Applebees, B-B-Q's with friends, Road Trips through New England, Fun days at Mel's pool, Hazy Nights at Chris's house, Bon Fires with friends, Days in Martha's Vineyard, Summer Concerts, Water fights...I just miss it all and I can't wait for it all to start again! :)

I'm so over winter!

A New Year...A New Start....

It's been quite a year.
I mean personally, professionally, financially and health wise.
2008 has been a great one, we may have came across a few road blocks along the way but we survived.

And, so.
2009 fast approached.
And I was very much ready.
I was looking forward to making even more great memories, having even more laughs, have even more adventures....

I was finally ready for 2009, for a new start and whatever it throws at me.
(but if it could be mainly nice, that would be rather lovely)
(thank you very much)


So long 2008.
And here's to 2009 ... I hope to write about even more grand adventures I took part in, I hope to write about more concerts I went to see ... I hope to write about another summer I wont want to forget. I hope 2009 can bring me even more joy, happiness, and laughter!

Personally, some things have changed. I cut out "toxic friends" from my life because I realized that I really didn't need people like that in my life. And so I reconnected with old friends...and they have made my life nothing but happy. I made the usual resolutions in 2008. lose weight, get out of debt and just to have a happier life. Who knows, maybe a year from now, I will have gotten somewhere with those resolutions and will have something good to reflect on. For now, I'm feeling encouraged and optimistic when I haven't felt that way in a really long time.

My new years resolution this year is to save money and to get out of debt...that is it. Because like I said before, why make a resolution that your not going to keep! At least this resolution is one I will actually work on.

My closest friends and I rang in the new year together, which was very nice! It was a small and quiet gathering. And it was nice. In the past for new years eve we've had over a ton of people and that always caused drama or some sort of issue. But the beauty of our two best friends is that they don't come with drama. Because they are just as over that and we are. And it's nice having around that make me do nothing but smile and laugh, and I always love their company. :)

Well, I'm going to wrap this up! Have a great new years day today! happy 2009! :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR, TO YOU!