The Bucket List

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0825232/?ref_=ttqt_qt_tt

I loved this movie! 

First, I love Morgan Freeman's voice. Morgan Freeman's, Sam Elliott's, and James Earl Jones' voices are the best. I think I could listen to them for hours even if they were just reading the dictionary. 

Second, does anyone play a psychopathic personality any better than Jack Nicholson? Okay, so maybe he's not exactly a psychopath in this movie, but he definitely plays some character traits that are ... shallow? self-centered? crazy? Yes. All of the above. (Makes me wonder what he's like in real life.)

Then there is the whole 'bucket list' concept. I loved that some of the items on the list were intangible, like "laugh until I cry" and "witness something majestic". 

The movie was beautiful. The storyline:

"Corporate billionaire Edward Cole and working class mechanic Carter Chambers have nothing in common except for their terminal illnesses. While sharing a hospital room together, they decide to leave it and do all the things they have ever wanted to do before they die according to their bucket list. In the process, both of them heal each other, become unlikely friends, and ultimately find joy in life." 

-Written by r2k443, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0825232/?ref_=ttqt_qt_tt

And yes, I cried at the end.  

Certification Testing

I am really not looking forward to my upcoming certification test. The first time I took it (and 'not passed') was an incredible experience.

I was instructed to arrive at the testing site, an elementary school, 45 minutes prior to the start of the exam. At that time, all students were herded into the auditorium, where we were read very specific instructions about what is and is not permitted at the testing site and in the exam rooms. For example, water is not permitted unless it is in a clear, plastic bottle with the label removed. No mechanical pencils. No purses or bags. Nothing with a power button, including cell phones, iPods, iPads, smart phones, mp3 players, etc., unless you are taking a Math test, and then only certain graphing calculators from a State-approved list are permitted. 

After the rules were read, we were escorted to classrooms to take our certification exams. The rules were again read. It was announced that the bathrooms would be closed for the first 45 minutes to hour of the exam. The monitors then began coming around the class to clear everyone's graphing calculators. 

One of the students in my room did not have an approved calculator. She had a scientific calculator, and said that was all she had. She was told it was not permitted, which she should have known prior to coming to take the exam because the list of approved calculators is sent with the admission ticket. She burst into hysterics and began asking if anyone had an extra calculator. (They are $100+ calculators; not likely anyone would be carrying an extra. Besides, we were not permitted to bring any purses or bags into the room. Where would we keep an extra calculator?) At this time, she is instructed to calm down or security would escort her out. My nerves were beginning to fray.

Then someone's cell phone went off. I couldn't believe it. After the 45 minute lecture that included "NOTHING WITH A POWER BUTTON"? We were held up until security arrived to escort him out. I noticed I had begun to tremble and was having trouble writing my name.

The next announcement? "The bathrooms are now closed."  I don't care if you haven't had anything to drink in a month, as soon as you are told you cannot use the bathroom, that's exactly what you need to do! All I could think of was Arnold Schwarzenegger in Kindergarten Cop saying, "There is no bathroom!" 

By the time the test began, I couldn't remember my name. I'm not kidding. So when I opened the text booklet and had to find the volume of a rectangular prism, I drew a complete blank. I couldn't have added a column of figures at that point. 

This time, before the test, I am going to take some precautionary steps. I am going to make sure I get up early enough to have eggs for breakfast, because I will need protein to get me through the four hour exam. I will not have any coffee (which is a diuretic) and will have just one glass of milk. I will meditate before I leave, arrive early, and meditate again in my car. I will make sure I have new batteries in my (State-approved) graphing calculator. I will have two sharpened pencils with new erasers. And I will be calm.

Xanax, anyone? :D

Wine Glass Charms

Blizzard 2014

Welcome 2014!

From www.wallpapergang.com

Darren Michael Beasley

I lost another classmate on December 24th. It seems I'm attending more funerals than weddings these days.

Mike graduated in 1983, two years behind me, but in the class I was supposed to be in had I not been pushed ahead. I remember he was always smiling. Always.

I understand he died peacefully in his sleep. Rest in peace, Mike. You will be missed.

Telestrations

Remember the telephone game? At the start of a line, one person whispers something into the next person's ear, and by the end of the line, you end up with something completely different?  Well, this game is a lot like that. You start with something to draw. You pass your pad to the person on your left, who guesses what you drew. Then they pass the pad to the person on their left, who then draws what they guessed, and so on. 

We played this game at my friend Nancy's house tonight after Christmas dinner, and I kid you not, I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. This game was worth every penny they paid for it, and I want to get it to play with my family at our next get-together. Great fun! 

Delivery Man

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie! I took the boys (Ian, Jordan and Taylor) to see it, and made sure to sit at least three rows away. :D

After the movie, just to make sure they were good and wound up, I took them to Starbucks for some "heaven in a cup". 

 

John Markarian (1929 - 2013)

John Markarian, an attorney I used to work for, passed away on December 14th. He was the first attorney I worked for who did estate work. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The math aspect of that job was wonderful. I got to help with tax returns, valuating bonds, mortgage per diems and payoffs, great fun! 

From what I understand, he had cancer, and his family had been taking care of him around the clock toward the end. My heart goes out to them in their time of sorrow. 

From the Buffalo News:  

MARKARIAN - John December 14, 2013, husband of the late Maureen (nee Willett) and the former husband of Martha Markarian; loving father of Edward J. (Linda) and William C. Markarian; stepfather of Sean (Kristin) Willett; loving grandfather of William J., Kristin E., Isabella M., Olivia R. Markarian; stepgrandfather of Luke Brown, Ben, Cameron and Riley Willett; dear brother of Michael (Elizabeth), Charles (Delores) Markarian and Elizabeth (George) Binner; survived by many nieces and nephews.

Cookie Exchange

Ian made chocolate covered pretzels and I made salted nut truffles for the cookie exchange at work. It was fun!

Baby Blanket

Black Friday

His plans fell through to go shopping at midnight on Black Friday, so I took him. He had a blast. Truth be told, even though shopping is not my thing, I enjoyed watching him having such a good time. 

Don't tell him. :D 

Later that day...

No, Mom, I'm not tired! 

Math Joke!

Compliments of George Takei:

My Street

Such a beautiful morning...

Math Humor

WeAreTeachers photo

The Chef

My Aunt Marlene had a stroke a few months ago, and has regained only limited use of her left hand and arm. She needed all the help she could get for this year's Thanksgiving dinner, which we held on November 23rd.  We baked the rolls, and Ian made Asparagus Linguine. It was excellent!

He used the recipe found here:  http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/asparagus-linguine.

Restoring My Faith in Humanity

Sometimes things happen that restore my faith in humanity. There was an accident this morning in front of my employer's office. Complete and total strangers left their cars and places of employment to help. I've never felt so helpless in my entire life. The man who started CPR was the vet from across the street. All I could do was keep the gawkers back and let the man work. I have no doubt the vet saved that man's life.

If for no other reason than to make me happy, please be kind to each other today. Hold the door for someone, compliment someone, be the best person you can be. You never know when something will happen and you will leave this world behind.

I'm going to go cry now.

And They're Off!

Goofing off at the Orthodontist

He had to have pictures taken of his new smile - without the braces - but those plastic things were just too much fun to resist!

Happy Birthday, Serena!

We had a surprise birthday party for Serena's 30th birthday party. She is hands-down one of the sweetest people I know. 

Happy birthday, Serena! I hope your day is as special as you are to the people that know you.

About Me

Silly me! I liked my friend's status and ended up with a project! She gave me the number 10, so here are 10 things about me that you may or may not know:

1. My big brother, Michael Tabor, is my absolute favorite adult person on the planet. Bar none. 

2. I am afraid of heights. I am short for a reason!

3. I love, love, love Math. And Baseball. And Math in Baseball. 

4. My favorite author, at least for the moment, is Lee Child. I love murder and mayhem - in fiction.

5. My latest hobby is making beaded jewelry, but I continue to crochet. 

6. I have infinite patience with children, except, sometimes, my own. {heavy sigh} And that makes me feel terribly guilty. 

7. I have little tolerance for people who won't make an effort to help themselves. I'm a single mom, working full-time, and going to school full-time. Don't tell me it can't be done. 

8. I always look for the bright side in everything. And the good in everyone.

9. I am trusting, and everyone gets a second chance. No thirds, however. Mama didn't raise a complete fool. 

10. I have finally accepted that, although I am intelligent, I will never be perfect. If a 'B' is the best I can do, that is all I will ask of myself. 

Eating again

MOCKINGBIRD -Toby Keith and his daughter Krystal (live)

Love this!

The Boys

Ian and Jordan

Darryl Battaglia (ca. 1966 - 2013)

I went to school with Darryl. He was a couple grades below me, but he played hockey, and hockey was (and still is) my second favorite pastime. I remember him fondly; he never made fun of me or tried to bully me like a couple of the other hockey players, and he was always kind. 


His situation was unfortunate.  The summer after he graduated from high school, he went diving into a pond he was unfamiliar with. It was far too shallow, and he became partially paralyzed. What everyone remembers about Darryl, though, was his bigger-than-life personality. Everyone knew the man; no one noticed the wheelchair. 

He was loved by many, and will be missed tremendously. 

From the Buffalo News:

BATTAGLIA - Darryl W. November 3, 2013, husband of Tracy Battaglia; stepfather of Joshua Teufel; son of Dorrie Falise; brother of Andrew, Scott and Michelle; uncle of Kristopher, Candace, Amanda and Nicola DiBartolomeo. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/buffalonews/obituary.aspx?pid=167878024#sthash.U9KGP6rV.dpuf

Happy Birthday, Ian

13 years ago today, after 19 hours of painfully convincing him his lease in the womb was up, I gave birth to the tiniest human being I had ever seen in my life. Initially weighing in at 4#11oz, he dropped to 3#9oz before he started gaining weight. Born with tracheomalacia, and then RSV at 4 months, he had a pretty rocky start. I look at him today and think about determination and miracles and how very, very lucky we are. Happy birthday, Precious Boy Child of Mine. Although I don't often say it, and you know I'm not the demonstrative type, I love you more than words can possibly express. Keep beating the odds.

Off to the Drive-In

I took Ian and his friend Josh to the drive-in in Lockport, New York. I hadn't been to a drive-in in years. Let me tell you, it would have been much more comfortable if it wasn't Pouring Rain.

Gravity was good, but Captain Phillips was GREAT. I will be very surprised if Tom Hanks doesn't win an award for it.

This one ALWAYS makes me laugh!

Signs of Fall

 

The tree in my backyard

A gift for Susie

In blue, for colon cancer awareness

A selfie

Look at those tired, tired eyes!

A gift for Carol

We need to make better choices.

So the Boy Child, while slicing his apple for breakfast after I have left for work, decided he needed to use my chef's knife. And when the chef's knife didn't slice the apple smoothly, decided he needed to use Both Hands. Fortunately, he is still in possession of all his fingers. My nerves, on the other hand, are shot. The pediatrician glued him back together, and all is now well. 

Valium, anyone?

Red and White

One of the girls at work asked me to make the jewelry for her wedding. She needed a bracelet and earrings for a 6 year old flower girl, a 10 year old flower girl, and her matron of honor. Her colors were red and white.  Here is what I came up with: 

For the 6-year-old

 

For the 10-year-old

For the matron of honor

Yolanda James (1958 - 2013)

My cousin, Yolanda, passed away on September 4th. She had struggled with kidney disease for years. I didn't really know her as well as I should have, but in spite of our religious differences, she never tried to make me feel like an outcast. She was truly a good person, and she will be greatly missed.

Sisters, from left to right: Karen, Yolanda, Laureen and Dorinda

From the Buffalo News:

JAMES - Yolanda G. Age 55 of 1060 Ellicott St., Buffalo NY, died Wednesday, September 4, 2013, at home In her husband's arms. She was born May 31, 1958, in Buffalo NY, daughter of Effie Bosley and the late James Gladden. She is survived by her loving husband, Terence James; mother Effie Bosley; three brothers, Uland R. (Janice) Gladden, James D. (Donnis) Gladden and Mark R. (Toneisha) Bosley. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/buffalonews/obituary.aspx?pid=166867963#sthash.b1U5Yi4U.dpuf

A Little League Reminder

An excellent reminder to post next season!

Compliments of George Takei

Me and my Boy

Dressed up for David's memorial service

Funny how grief comes over me in waves, ebbing and flowing all day. I am exhausted to the depth of my soul. Right now, my heart aches for our losses, and especially for Ian's loss. 12 is too young to have to face the finality of death. Harry, Imani, Mr. Green, David and Yolanda were loved and will be missed. I just need a little time to grow scar tissue over the open wound of sudden loss.

A Facebook Post

I'd give credit, but I have no idea where it came from.

Comfort Food

David Kerr (1953 - 2013)

Of all the funerals I've attended over the past few months, this one hit me the hardest. Death is so final, and so painful for those of us left behind. David Kerr, husband to my friend Nancy, father to Rob and Amy, brother to Bill, friend to many, passed away last night. 

I was proud to call David my friend, for more years than probably either of us wanted to count. He was always there when I needed him, leaning back in his recliner, listening and offering advice, especially if I couldn't reach my brother. We didn’t always agree, but truth be told, he was always right. He introduced me to new foods, like HP sauce and fresh ham. I’ll always remember him standing in Nancy’s kitchen, both hands on his belly, saying, “Oh! What do you mean, you’ve never had…” whatever food we were talking about at the time, or calling me over to taste the good bits that just happened to fall off the meat while he was carving it. 

He teased me about non-normality until I no longer felt uncomfortable being considered “unusual”. He often reminded me to never be ashamed of my IQ, all the while expanding my vocabulary in ways that would make my English teacher blush. He made me laugh. 

David was my friend, and I will miss him terribly. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday September 7, 1 PM at Dengler & Roberts Dignity Services located at 3000 Delaware Avenue Kenmore NY 14217. My heart goes out to Nancy Kerr, Amy Kerr, Rob Kerr, and everyone whose lives he enriched. May our memories bring us comfort.

From the Buffalo News:

KERR - David September 3, 2013. Beloved husband of Nancy E. (nee Piper); loving father of Amy Elizabeth and Robert John Kerr; dear brother of William Kerr and the late Robert B. Kerr; son of the late David S. and Elizabeth M. Kerr; survived by nieces and nephews.