Fall Golf!

Windham Vs. Fall Mountain Regional (RECORD WIN FOR THE JAGS!)

Final Score?  51-14.  It was a record win...record score AND the boys made the two hour drive (each way) SO WORTH IT!  We had a blast

Weekly Gratitude

For the time I got to spend with my Auntie Angie.  She passed away on September 11th.  My Dad's mom/my Nani Binda died when I was in 4th grade.  Her death hit me very hard.  From the moment she passed on, however, her sister, "Auntie Angie", stepped in to fill that void.  She was a wonderful person.  She was dealt a very tough deck- went through so much pain in her lifetime and still always made time for others.  Her husband died when they were in their 40's and she was left to raise two children all alone.  He was her true love-she never married again.  Her daughter, after losing weight and becoming "healthy" dropped dead in step aerobics class on the same day that her father had passed and at the same age- 42.  Horrific.  My Aunt carried on.  She raised her grandchildren after that and was always a support to all of us.  The moment that stands out above all for me though was when I walked into my wedding shower (for my first wedding)....I had hugged my mom and soon to be mother-in-law and then made my way to the back of the room where my bridesmaids were.  My Nani (my mom's mom) came up to hug me and congratulate me and then without missing a beat, Auntie called "Holly!" and she got up to hug me and to fill in for my Nani (my dad's mom)...I still well up every time I think about it...she truly looked at us like her grandkids and I will never forget it.  Her funeral is tomorrow and her granddaughter Deanna asked me to do a reading.  I was so touched and I guess I didn't realize I was that important to her.  I will tell you, however, I feel so important and loved at this very moment.  I am so so thankful to have had her as my aunt.

Although the rest of thanks this week will pale in comparison to Auntie, I must continue to give thanks for my everyday gifts.

I am thankful that I was able to complete a 5K and not any regular 5k- a torturous run, through a cross country trail of several hills, ditches, etc....it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do physically (outside of giving birth) and I am proud...so thankful for my running partners who also never left my side.

I am thankful for a successful football parents tailgating party.  Although the Boosters might put an end to our football fun, we had a blast and I am thankful we got to do it at least once.

I am thankful for my daughter's happiness while apple picking...I love watching her when she squeals with delight.

I am so thankful for feeling appreciated at work.  I am so thankful that I am able to work two days from home so I can raise my daughter and yet I am trusted to do my thing and run a business and the success is showing in the numbers.  I don't think I can ever explain how lucky I feel and how grateful I truly am.  I am busting at the seems with pride, happiness and gratitude.

Apple Picking and the Start of Fall in New Hampshire

I had all the best intentions on Sunday.  Best intentions you ask?  Well YES!  I was going to bring the family to the beach...it was supposed to be 75 and sunny and I need to get there as much as possible.

Well Sunday arrives and the weathermen started saying it would only be 65 at best at the shore and that put a wrinkle in my plans- UGH

Besides the fact, my muscles were sore...I was sunburned from Zack's football game and still exhausted.  We decided to keep it simple and welcome Fall (I did so with my tail between my legs)

It ended up being a really special "mini-fam day" though

We enjoyed mass at 9:30 and then headed to do some early apple picking (lots of the apples are not ready yet but we decided to pick some and let Diana have some fun) and then we did our groceries and some organization around the house.  It was a quality fam day and oh so fun....I topped our day off by making a wonderful Fall dinner- Caramel Apple Porkchops and Roasted Veggies- just delish.  Rob trumped me by making a peach cobbler with the peaches we also got at the orchard- great day-really can't complain...but Mr. Ocean, I miss you already...

and this is Miss Thing back at home modeling her little "miliary jacket ensemble" with us- hee hee

and my fall dinner...

1st ever WHS Jaguar Football Parent Tailgating Party!

and what a BLAST we had...WOOHOO! (pause the music player on right before hitting play on this video)

"If You Build It, They Will Run" 5k at Windham High School

It was my third 5K ever but it was the HARDEST thing I have ever had to do physically.  This race was very different from others as the course took us through the woods on the high school's cross country trail...it was pure TORTURE.  I am soooo sore today!

I am SO HAPPY however that I did it...so proud and for a great cause.  Since our track vote has failed several times in town, the students took it upon themselves to start raising funds and try to get a track built!  I had to partake in this event because I believe in it so much!

I had the best  partners- Bill and Barry. We got to know each other during the Biggest Loser competition and have been very supportive.  Both could run much faster than me, however, they stayed with me and encouraged me to keep going- great friends!

We had a blast and yes I am glad it is over!  ha ha  :)

Diana and Daddy made Mama a sign...here Diana is "getting it ready"

At the field, with my partners Barry and Bill or as I named us "Team Spice Girls"- it was a  joke during Biggest Loser...Barry would trash talk with Bill and pretty much harass him for liking the Spice Girls tunes the best during our workouts

Monkey was all serious about  holding up her sign- so cute and so much so, they took her picture for the paper!

Here we are getting our instructions and starting off!

Rob started capturing more pics as we came around the final bend...you can't see it, my I was pretty much dying here

Crossing the Finish Line- Thank GOD!

and after....look at those RED faces!!