KoKo is 18

I got the biggest laugh from this email I got today from the vet. Do you think Koko knows my name is "Dineen"?  

My boy is 18 years old this month. Well...actually we have no clue of his exact age or birthday because he was a stray (estimated to be about a year old)...BUT I do know we adopted him on September 17, 2009 and his given birthday by the vet is today September 1st. So Happy Birthday to my old man!

In human years that's approximately 88 years old : ) 

I'm still laughing over this email...referring to me by my first name like he would know that and "sweetened with A treat"...more like 50 treats a day for this old man who literally plants himself next to the treat cabinet...

Dear Koko,

We have a very special occasion to celebrate... It's time to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

We hope all birthday wishes come true and that your big day can be sweetened with a treat. Thank you for letting us be a part of your healthcare team! We hope you have a special day filled with fun and love from Dineen.

When you miss me most

 When you feel you are without me, close your eyes. 

Float down beneath your skin, retreat within. 

I am the blood that flows.

I am the courage in your gut that grows. 

I am the chamber in your heart that feels like home. 

I am the seed from which your life was proudly grown. 

Only my body has flown. 

But me, I dwell still within your bones. 

My voice and all the good I've ever known, is yours to own. 

When you feel you are without me, listen close. 

I whisper louder, when you miss me most. 

by Donna Ashworth

(My bridal shower 1993...ignore the belt)

Yup and Yup

Julia's Birthday

This gorgeous birthday girl turned 24 this year...

I think I say this every year but I don't know anyone who loves their birthday as much as Julia! Her friend Ava, who was her co-captain and one of her very best friends at Endicott, is in town staying with us for the weekend. So she joined us for the birthday dinner at Izumi and then cake, ice cream and presents on the porch...

This year I got Julia a bag from LLBean, two books, a candle, the new Moroccan Oil perfume and a gift card to TJMaxx...her favorite place to shop these days. Julia is busy working the night shift in Med-Surg. She's looking forward to coming off nights soon maybe doing something a little different. She's learning so much and "saving her pennies" as my Nana would say by living at home. She has a new boyfriend too...

HAPPY BIRTHAY JULIA!! You are so loved by so many!! I hope this year is a fabulous one!!!

Senior Year move in

Well, today was the very last time we have to do a college move in. Gianna starts her senior year at Endicott! I'm very excited for her. She's in the same dorm that Julia was in her senior year but Gianna is in a quad...and thankfully on the first floor right by the door! That made for a super easy move in. 

She's rooming with the same girls as last year. This dorm is so much nicer than last year. They have a full kitchen with a much larger living room and bedrooms. There's a big closet in the hallway and they have their own washer and dryer. So nice! The only thing she liked better about last years dorm is that they were in the middle of campus. This year they're further away from everything so there will be a lot more walking. I hope it's not too cold or snowy this winter. 

After move in we had our first dance team family luncheon of the season. This is year SIX for us so we've got it down. Go Gulls!

Gianna used this HUGE bag to put ALL her clothes in. Yes convenient but so heavy!  You should have seen us trying to move that thing...

Her other roommate isn't on the dance team so she'll move in later...

The perks of going to a college right on the ocean...

My Birthday

Yesterday I turned a new number that I'm not really liking but hey...I'm still here, right? I started my day with an early breakfast with Julia at First Watch...

and ended the day with dinner at Izumi with Danny, Nicholas and Julia (Gianna had to work). 

Just look at all the beautiful heartfelt gifts I received from my little family! Such pretty flowers from Daniel...

Gianna gave me this beautiful mug! She knows I love yellow and the word "joy". Just so thoughtful! She's also getting me some lash serum which I so desperately need at the moment. 

This made me cry (of course). It represents the butterfly that came to me that beautiful summer morning...

My girls know me so well...

And so does Nicholas! He gave me a target gift card, M&M's and a funny card. Love my boy so much!

Julia also gave me this watercolor paint set! I'm so excited!! And a crackling candle that smells sooooo good and some yummy jelly belly candy : )  She knocked it out of the park this year! 

My sisters also got me some really fun gifts! Kimmy got me a new miniature house to build! I can't wait to work on it...

And Kerry got me these. I'm not sure what they're called but they're kind of like Colorforms. It's relaxing and fun!

And CeCe got me this to hang in a window...

I also received lots of texts and phone calls from family and friends. I feel so loved : ) 

Nicholas turns 25

Oh my Lord...I'm officially old now that The Boy is 25!! He's still my sweet boy...

Ogunquit

I spent last weekend up in Ogunquit with my sisters. Kimmy's home and yard are so peaceful and relaxing. Around her home there is a theme of birds...and wouldn't you know...Kerry gave me a card with birds! Just by chance!

My Mom wrote "love" on this chalkboard years ago and it's still there...

Around her yard...

We had so much fun doing watercolor. I'm a true beginner but whatever...

My blueberries came out a little better...

A yummy healthy lunch at a local restaurant...

and then ice cream for dinner! Nothing better...

and I bought this encouraging book of JOY at a local bookstore...

Such a relaxing weekend! 

Always remember...

 I should just listen to myself sometimes. 

July

Welp...July was a bit of a bust. That's what happens when you're saving your pennies to pay for that last year of an expensive college. Ugh. We took last week off for a staycation and it literally was cloudy and rainy all week. We did sneak in one day at the beach though. Unfortunately, that beach which is usually so perfect was filled with seaweed and small rocks that hurt. Ugh again. I ended up working most of the week as there wasn't much else to do. So I wouldn't consider that a vacation at all. 

But Julia went to the Cape with some friends and had lots of fun. She's a beauty...

She has a new beau so we don't see that much of her these days. 

What else...hmmmm....my two kitties are very cute and have been keeping me company...

I love Eli's feet...

That's Eli's favorite spot under the window...

I miss Mikey so much it hurts. I still cry just thinking about him. Ugh. Just so unfair. Look how cute...

Love Island was sooooo good this summer!!! It kept me entertained every night! It was so good that I watched all 30 episodes for a second time. Haha! That my friends just shows how little is going on in my life at the moment. The winners...Trinity and Bryce...my favorites!! Genuinely such nice people. Wishing them the very best... 

Sadly, my Uncle Chauncey (my Dad's oldest brother) passed away on July 25th at the age of 96. He lived a very long fulfilling life. I knew he was going to pass soon but of course I didn't know exactly when. But me being me...I just happened to think of my Dad that morning and the thought crossed my mind how happy he was going to be having his brother back with him. Then didn't I get a text that afternoon from CeCe telling me that he had passed that very morning. So crazy. I have lots of memories of my Uncle but one core memory is how he would jingle his change in his pockets. Silly I know. 

Gianna left today for her very last UDA camp in Philly. She is beyond excited that it's the last one! Just not her favorite thing...at all! I've already been getting the "I miss you" texts. Haha! She's so cute! I miss her too. A lot. 

Then lastly, my right eyelid is really swollen, sore and very red. I ended up going to urgent care and found out it's called a Chalazion. Ugh. I hope it gets better soon. 

And that folks just about sums up my rather slow and somewhat dismal July. Although...I really should stop complaining because I love being home and have so much to be grateful for. Right? : ) 

Now moving on to August. Let's hope it's a little better than July. I do have a couple weekends planned with my sisters and girlfriends. That should help with my mood!