Throw Back Thursday

TBT: My Nose & Me

Seven years ago, my face underwent a rearrangement due to Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma. If the surgery had been on my leg or arm I think I could have handled it better, but having my cancer right smack dab in the middle of my face was hard. Very hard.

The picture below was taken well after the initial surgery. That is somehow too gruesome to reshare. You can go back to March 2013 if you’d like. I posted pictures back then because I was really struggling with the horrific image that met me in the mirror each morning. It took me well over 7 months of additional surgery to get to where I am today.

Below as I look today. Scars have faded and after extensive reconstruction, this is the face that greets me now. I can handle this. I think it’s not so bad.

Savannah asked me about this one time. I explained that I felt ugly back then and she was the only one who never noticed. She smiled and said, “That’s because I see your heart, Oma.”

Out of the mouths of babes.

TBT: My Dad

It’s fun to look at my Dad in this picture. He was in his late teens before graduation from High School when he signed up in the Navy.

Since Dad was pretty young, my grandfather had to sign papers so Dad could join the Navy. Dad wanted to serve overseas, but he spent most of his time in the service State-side. He did secretarial work and also played the organ for all church services on the base as well as the funerals.

Dad was short a few credits when he returned and he made up the classes he had missed and graduated from High School and was accepted at college.

He and Mom married at about this time. They’d been sweethearts since they were 13 & 14 years old and in the end, they were married over 60 years.

Dad graduated from The New England Conservatory of Music. And after that, they moved to Cape Cod where they lived nearly all of their married life and raised us, three kids.

And yes, the littlest pip-squeak is me with one of my Mom’s horrible hair-cuts.

Dad taught school, music, and he played the organ at several churches in town for Sunday services, weddings and funerals. He also gave lessons, and during our busy summer months, Dad worked as a Police Officer. Mostly he worked on the desk, answering phones, typing reports, and dispatching officers.

Dad was a man in motion really. I recall very few times growing up when Dad wasn’t busy with doing things that helped others.

I’m thinking about him this week because Sunday is Father’s Day. How I miss him, and his corny jokes and wicked sense of humor.

Happy Father’s Day Daddy!

Harry & Meghan

Since it was announced last night that Harry & Meghan are basically quitting the Royal Family I thought I would take a look back at the beginning of their life together.

Oh, it was all sweetness and light when Harry & Meghan made their “love” public and announced their engagement. Call me a cynic, but an actress who had been previously married and had several live-in relationships just didn’t seem like the kinda gal that would settle down with Harry and pop off the expected Royal kids.

Meghan just never really seemed to want to do the requisite charity work. Oh, she loves her title, but basically wanted to sit back and be served.

Eventually, little Archie was born and even that was weird. No showing off the baby and then not showing the baby with his Godparents. Well, it was just strange.

In Africa, Meghan was all for using little Archie for a photoshoot with Desmond Tutu. That was also when she was crying over being mistreated as a Royal!

Now I am sorry. You are given a mansion, completely redecorated, you have servants waiting on you (when they are not quitting to get away from you) and you have more money and things than most of us could ever dream of.

This includes private jet planes to vacation spots, a trip to New York to watch her friend play tennis, (without the baby) and then another weekend where she left her son with Nannies so she and Harry could go to a destination wedding.

They made a documentary in Africa and said how sad she is, how hard her life is, and that no one cares about her? Yeah, just didn’t sit well with me.

Now they are leaving the Royal Family and moving to Canada and hopefully, they will find a way to make enough money to live. (That cracked me up)

Sorry, Canada. Looks like you are getting these two ingrates.

TBT: Christmas, Amanda

The best Christmas gift I have ever gotten was when my daughter Amanda was born. She arrived just 5 days before Christmas. It was such a joyous first Christmas with our baby girl. Beautiful and healthy, we were truly blessed.

A year later we had the fun of sharing Christmas with our year old little girl. She was bright and energetic and running all around. She always had a smile on her face, and even now as a grown woman, she is such a warm and loving person.

I see so much of Mandy in her two children. They are bright, loving and kind little people. She and Matt are doing a great job as parents.

I am so lucky to have Mandy and her children. They all brighten my life!

TBT: Grandchildren

Christmas is nearly here. It’s funny, but now I almost forget what the holidays were like before my grandchildren!

Here are Savannah and me. Savi was six months old.

Here is Quinn at his first Christmas. Nine months old and running all around!

It’s wonderful to watch them and celebrate with them and share in their joy! I really do love Christmas!

TBT: Anneliese & Me

I was looking through pictures and found this one of a three-month-old Anneliese and me. She was such a precious little pup and stole my heart immediately. She still owns it today some (almost) 13 years later.

Anneliese and me March 2007.

Lucky Me!

TBT: Anneliese & Arnie

I have had these two since before they were born. Their Mama Greta was huge when she was delivered of 5 healthy puppies. And from the moment they all drew breath, I knew that my life was blessed. I just didn’t realize how much.

Here they are at about 7 weeks old. Side by side as they have been from the very start.

Anneliese on the left and Arnie on the right.

And here they are now. Still best friends and still side by side. On December 10th they will be 13 years old!

Arnie on the left and Anneliese on the right.

What a blessing it has been to have these two sweet pups in my life. How special it has been to have enjoyed every moment of their lives since before they drew their first breath!

And how comforting it has been to have Greta’s babies with me after she left for Rainbow Bridge.

Yes, I am so lucky to have these two very special puppy friends.

TBT: The Cousins

Family

This picture was taken back in 2011.

This is my family. In green, my cousin, Janet. In yellow, my sister, Melodie, In lavender, my cousin Rikki and in blue, me. We’re New England’s version of Steel Magnolias.

We have all been through so much in our lives, but we are a tough bunch and never give up!

We have a cousin (not pictured) and he is the only man in our little group. He is dearly loved, although he was not with us on this day.

TBT: Mandy & Me

Here is a golden oldie. I think Amanda was about 5 years old in this picture. I’ve always loved this one of the two of us!

TBT: Savannah & Me!

Whenever Savannah has the chance, she asks me to tell her the story about when we first met each other. She loves to hear about how happy I was, and how I couldn’t believe I was her Oma!

Savi actually knows the story so well, she could tell it herself, but she always will sit there listening to me, and if I miss something she will jump right in and correct me!

“I saw you lying in a little hospital cot. You were all wrapped up in a blanket and little hat! I went over and looked into your face and asked Mommy if I could pick you up? She said yes, and I held you in my arms and my heart filled up with so much love. You see, Savi, I immediately fell in love with you!”

This is one of the pictures taken when I got to hold her for the first time! Me and my darling grand-girl!

The next day, I was back snuggling with her! Look at those beautiful long fingers and that perfect little face! It just doesn’t get any better than this. Or that was until Quinn came along!

This week Savi wanted to hear all about Quinn. That was a fun story too! But that is for another day!

Savannah Rose and her Oma, Me!