Home again, Home again jigity jig December 22, 2008

I am back in MD. again for the holiday. I managed to make it to church today. In 2005 they had convinced me to do a dance for the Christmas service. They did that same dance today in Church, which is funny because I had just showed the house the video of when I danced. I told Dana and Crystal that and came to find out that they had put it on youtube.
Dana or Crystal had also put this video up which as strange as it is, it makes me really miss them. I had a lot of good times over the years in Maryland. I know I will have a lot of good times in Virgina too though, I already have. I am glad to be home for the holiday though, It is nice to catch up with people and it’s nice to get lots of hugs from people who love me.
I had lunch with Donna and Britt today. Donna made me a pin cushion for Christmas out of old shrunken sweaters. It is really cute, and now I have a new project…learn how to sew. I’ve gotten very crafty since moving. I am hoping I can get craftier and craftier so I don’t buy as much from commercial stores. Time is really the main issue when it comes to craftiness obstacles. I can’t wait to see my crafting buddy Alicia in MD. and her husband Dan of course.

Yesterday I celebrated Christmas with my brother in law, sister and nephew since I won’t see my brother-in-law and nephew on Christmas. They live in a place I like to call Pensyltucky, aka Hanover, PA. Grover (my brother-in-law) has chickens in his back yard. He built a coup for them, but it is more like a chicken mansion. They have  a small house with a small yard and Hanover is technically a city I suppose, so the chickens seen a little out of place, although it is Pensyltucky so they also manage to fit right in.  Grover had a genius idea though, he wants to have a miniture farm in his back yard in which he only has miniture ponies, cows, donkeys, goats and any other animal that comes in minature. My sister picked a winner.

“This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be when the world was younger and you had everything to lose.” December 8, 2008

This past Wednesday was my Birthday, and it was a pretty good one, possibly one of the best. I started my day with Breakfast with Daniel and Alicia at Buzzy’s. Then at work my student’s and the other teachers threw me a birthday party, the kids were so cute about it. They wanted it to be a surprise but they couldn’t keep it a secret. I came home and of course there was chaos, but I wouldn’t expect anything less on a community dinner night. I was greeted by children. Matthew cooked veggie Shepard’s pie with “rescued” veggies and donated mashed potatoes. I also received dumpstered flowers.  Niki, our old neighbor stopped by to give me probably the nicest card I’ve ever gotten. It meant a lot to me that she sees me as a friend rather than some crazy hippie white girl who moved in next door. Another great thing I received was a cake that Kenyada picked out for me. She went through the trouble to ask what my favorite color was and had the people at the store write on the cake in that color. It amazes me the kindness and strength people have. It was a Gabriel house Birthday at it’s finest.
I also got to pick the theme for pot luck, I picked grilled cheese and champagne. David grilled up some excellent grilled cheese. I think the best part of my birthday this year was being surrounded by people and not feeling alone, especially being in a new place. It made me feel a little more settled and most definitely blessed.

Visiting December 1, 2008

I really enjoyed visiting with friends and my mom this holiday weekend. I was really careful to spend my time wisely and not spread myself too thin and it made for a relaxing time. There was lots of Birthday celebrating which is always fun. It was my friend Brittany’s 21st Birthday and her son’s 1st birthday this weekend. It was also Vince’s 23rd Birthday which we celebrated on Saturday. It’s hard to believe I have been friends with him for almost 10 yrs. now. Although I enjoyed visiting with everyone, I am ready to go back to Virginia. I am so blessed to live at Gabriel house and to know the wonderful people ive met on the journey.

Although there was a lot of celebration of life this weekend I have to remember my good friends father passed away this past Wednesday. He was 56 years old. I am close friends with the family and can feel the weight of death. It just really sucks. Everytime someone I know dies I can feel the heaviness of death and I think back on all the people Ive known who have died and all the people I know who have been deeply affected by death. As cheesy as it sounds and as hard as it is to say and to see in times of mourning the only thing I know to do is cling to hope and love. I really liked Mr. Tasch, he reminded me of my own dad. He loved to joke around. He was hardworking and loved his family. I am glad to have known him. I only hope I can be a good friend to the family during this time.