This makes 3 for today, and I am 2 for 3 on the bad news...

How to deal?...

My mom told my dad tonight that she was dating someone. I knew he would take it hard and he did. While I was off babysitting from 6:30-11, he was here alone, crying. I can't fathom the type of pain he is going through, especially given the circumstances, which I fear are too personal to share on this blog. I never thought it would have ever come to that. And now, the harsh and scary reality is coming to the surface. I fear for our well-being and for our future, together and seperately. Him and I sat down when I came home, and I fought back tears the whole time, as usual. They couldn't be contained tonight. With the recent tragedy in town, the book I was reading (thanks for a great read, Kate...), and this, I couldn't take it. My biggest problem right now is I don't know where to turn. Everywhere I go there are people offering everything to me, but no one who feels what I feel... This has rekindled all the hurt and resentment that I haven't processed correctly to begin with. Now, with added questions of morality and what "should and shouldn't be", I fear I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of how I feel on this subject...

The biggest thing I learned tonight was said in the past by a 5-year old, and I quote "Well, you should get along, b/c that's what families do."

As for my "family"... All I have left is hope. A now distant friend once told me, "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever deserves to die..."

I'll take it.

Since I already wrote today, this will be short.

Daryl Ledoux (a cop in town) recieved word that his ex-wife Kelly, her mother, and his two sons were in a car accident in Tuscon, Arizona, where they were vacationing. Kelly, her mother, and Daryl's 16-year-old son Nick were killed. His youngest son Nate is in the hospital in critical condition, and they don't even know if he will make it. My heart goes out today to them all.

Tough news.

May they all find the strength and comfort they need now more than ever...

RIP

Tons of fun...

Some days just aren't meant to be the way we plan them! Having said that, Tuesday was one of those days! The plan was to hit the beach all day and then go to Boston to see Guster at night. Here's what actually happened!

Kate, Tony, Girosky and I headed to Misquamicut Beach for the day. Finally a day without rain and such... but instead tons of sun and wonderful temperatures! Getting lost... OK, so that part wasn't the best, but it was manageable. Thanks to my master navigators, and Atlas! Also, good thing we ran into a little taste of Southbridge at the beach... hooray for that! So much fun. When we decided to head out, we got lost again (Wait- 95 north doesn't get me to where I need to be? Damn...) But once again, I had such a great team in my car that they were able to get us on the right road headed the right way... Thanks guys!

We got home LATE! Katie and Munch had been ready for at least half an hour, and we didn't hit the road till 7. Sorry about the tight squeeze in my car... It was very uhh... close quarters, to say the least! We got to Riverside, got on the T, and headed toward Boston. Tony called Lexi while on the T, and she mentioned that she was on her way home from the show (Arrrrgh!!!!!) but we decided to head into Boston anyway. We went to Quincy Market for food and ice cream and then Tony got in touch with one of his friends from home who was in Boston. We met up with them at Bertucci's. This is where perhaps the most entertaining thing happened. Munch, Katie and I were sitting on chairs that we had taken away from the bar, and this old guy comes up to the bar and orders. I got up, and gave him my chair so he wouldn't have to stand there and drink. He turns around, gives me a full up-and-down, and says "Oh! Service with a smile!" I smiled and that was about it. Then, about 10 minutes later, as he was leaving, he came over to us, shook my hand, etc... and proceeded to give us his name- John J something-or-other (good thing he spelled out his last name...), age, marital status (just happens to be single... well isn't this just my lucky day), where he lives, etc. He told us some story about 8th graders in leotards (oh dear...) and then said, and this was possibly the most sketchy comment EVER, "Give me a ringin', we'll do some swingin'..." If he hadn't left then, I think I was going to implode from trying not to laugh, and then being sketched out to the max. Katie made it very clear that they were never going to let me live that down...

Why do I always attract the sketchy ones?

We headed home, and Tony and Girosky decided to sleep here. The 4 of us made up sleeping bags and whatnot in my room and went to bed around 2. Girosky, I know you were "that kid" a sleepovers!

Matt left at 4:00 in the morning! (He had to work... which he later found out he didn't!) Kate, Tony, and I went to Billis' for lunch around noon. Awesome food, as usual. We then came back here and hung out by the pool until 3, when they left. All in all... Thanks to you guys for an awesome 2 days. I hope we can continue to stay in touch, especially you, Tony and Matt, since you won't be around as much. I enjoy your company... and Kate? We'll always be close! *kisskisskisskisskiss*

I am about to head out to the track I think, I mean, it is about 90 degrees out and way humid, but hey, running is fun?!

Starting now...

What? No rain? Hell yeah!

I kicked off this sunny day with the biggest craving for McD's fries. No thanks to Joe Losavio for helping me out in that department... Just kiddin'! I then ventured to Munchie's to talk about tomorrow's plans.

Tonight was our first night babysitting for Jordyn, Joey, and Max. It was wicked hot in that house, and twice as sticky... Needless to say, Munch, the kids and I were melting. But, the kids were terrific, only a few tears here and there (most of which were near bedtime... I wish someone would tell me to go to sleep!) and other than that, a great night. I love kids! There's just something about them that fascinates me to no end! And they are so much fun!

Tomorrow will prove to be crazy times! Hitting the sun and sand at Misquamicut Beach in Westerley, RI with Kate, Girosky, and Tony for the majority of the day. And then, coming home, grabbing dinner, and heading to Boston with Munch, Katie, and Kate to see Guster, which should be great. I am looking forward to the day on a whole. It will be a good time! I love the beach, and I love Guster! Nothing better in the world!

Alright, it's time to rest this weary head! I'll need it!

I wish I may, I wish I might, I pray my soul to keep tonight...

I wouldn't feel normal if I didn't open up with: "It's raining again..." Or should I say still?

Let me catch you up on what has been going on:

Thursday: Munch and I met Becca and her three kids: Jordyn, 6, Joseph, 3, and Max, 2. Absolutely adorable kids! We start babysitting for them tomorrow night, woohoo! We then went to Wal Mart for some stuff. When I came home, my mom was here, but that didn't last long b/c my mom and dad fought and she left. I went mini-golfing with Munch and Lisa at night. I'm so glad there wasn't a group of like 10 loud, obnoxious people in front of us... oh wait, there was. Urgh. Munch and I went to visit Joe on his break from work at 11:15. It was good to see him!

Friday: I woke up at 9:30 to go to the daycare center to sign my time sheet. Hooray for 6 hours... Oh well. Hopefully, more work soon. Schwab and I finalized our plans: We are definitely going to Shippensburg! Can't wait... July 11, if you want to join us, drop one of us an e-mail or give us a call! I called Kate to give her first dibs on my car... but she will be busy. (*sigh*) Denied again! Just kidding, Kate... But, Kate and I made plans: Michigan at the end of July! It sounds like it will be a great trip, and you know I love my time with Kate, LOL. Around 5:00 I headed to the Relay for Life. The rain gave us a little break for this, good thing, b/c it would have been MISERABLE to be there all night in the rain. Aside from the "D" (hey, there wasn't too much of it, but it was there...) it was a good night. Good to meet and hang out with Jay Maura (New England Tech), Chelsea, Jess, Tiffany (Bryant), Laura and Lindsay (Framingham State)!

Saturday: After walking all night, I was EXHAUSTED by the time morning rolled around. I came home from 5-10 and slept in my bed, in pajamas, and I didn't even need sweatshirts! I then went back to the Relay, where we took down the campsite, and then Munch, Katie, Joe, and I went to Coops for lunch (around 3... hey, it's still lunch!). I came home after that, took a shower, and headed out to Yogi Bear Campground in Sturbridge, MA where my Uncle Jim's band, Route 66, was playing. Good show! They rocked the house... the little kids LOVED it. I can't even begin to explain how good it felt to see my family. Naturally, everyone was there. I watch my 9-year old cousin Samantha run around with her 3 best friends, who call themselves "The Fantastic Four". It was really cute, but I felt old as hell. To watch ALL of my little cousins running around and dancing and... whew. I was really happy to see Brooks. She clung to me for most of the night, but that was great. I missed her while I was at school. I can't wait to take her to go see the Zepp's llamas! I might even throw ice cream in there... How great of a big cousin am I? ;) And congrats to Dave and Libby on their marriage. The utmost happiness to them both!

Today was just ugly. My dad and I fought all afternoon. I then went to Wright's Chicken Farm with Munchie and her parents and grandma. Thanks to grandma, we only got a 30 minute wait! (Diabetics get half the wait at Wright's!) TERRIFIC FOOD! To anyone who likes all-you-can-eat chicken, fries, salad, pasta, and the best rolls on earth, I recommend this place. Call me of you need company. I got some tough news this afternoon, not really for the public eye though. I will say this, to the few of you who know what I am talking about: I am happy about it for the time being. What's past is past... but the future is forever. And it's coming on quickly... Let's just hope for the best! Congrats...?!

I think the highlight of my night was when Kate called and asked if I wanted to hit the beach on Tuesday. I said yes, and told her about the free Guster Munch, Katie and I are going to see Tuesday night in Boston, and she was in! I am so excited, more QT with Kate, Munch, and Katie. And the beach? You'd better believe it. Hey Tony, if you wanna hang out with a bunch of girls, give us a call...

In closing, the Farmer's Almanac is predicting 18 nice days this summer... and so far this year, it has been right on track. Way to go, New England...