The Great Pumpkin Sale

Since early September, Jon and his students have been busy making glass pumpkins. This weekend, their efforts culminated in a glass pumpkin sale. I enjoyed hanging out with them as they sold their work to raise money for the student sculpture organization. They ended up making over $10,000 total and at the end of the sale, only 20 pumpkins remained. It was definitely a success! The only damper on the day was the weather; I don’t think it could have been chillier.

One of Jon’s students borrowed my camera for a bit and took some really nice photos. She managed to snag this one of me as I was texting my mom. It might just be my new favorite picture of myself.  My hair got so long!

Jon worked really hard to make this fundraiser happen. He taught his students how to make the pumpkins, spent countless hours making them alongside his students, organized the marketing, and presented the idea to do a sale in the first place. During the sale on Saturday, a customer asked the students about why the sale was happening and how it came to fruition. One student responded, “Well it’s basically because of him,” and casually pointed towards Jon. Needless to say, I remain quite proud.

Leaving Tex (and Tony)

If you’ve read my blog for any amount of time, you probably know about obsession with love for my dog Tex and kitty Tony. I gush about them a lot, so it might be a surprise that neither of them is coming with me to Wisconsin. This makes me incredibly sad.

When I moved back into my parents’ house after college, our Great Pyrenees, Hercules, still lived there. Unfortunately, that summer he passed away in a very tragic way, devastating my family. We were in no hurry to get another dog, but my mom and I  found joy visiting the pet store to play with puppies. (I realize that pet stores are a sensitive subject and that adopting is always the best option, but I also know that my love for Tex isn’t any less valid because of where I got him.) On one of our first visits to the pet store, we met Tex. Only then, we’d nicknamed him Pepe after my mom’s childhood pet.

On the way to visit that pet store every time for the next four months, we’d  wonder aloud if Pepe would still be there. We were happy to see him every time we returned, but also a little sad that he was growing up in a cage in a Pet store. I’m not sure how it happened, but somehow, after visiting him for four months we decided it was meant to be and we were going to get that little Pepe and bring him home to be my dog. He was part of my graduation present from my parents, only I changed his name to Teixeira (yes after the Yankee).

I never thought that I would get a dog, especially a little dog. Before Tex, I didn’t understand the appeal of small dogs. Don’t get me wrong, I thought they were adorable. I just preferred big dogs. But I’ve learned that small dogs are so much easier to care for, but no less loving.

And despite his imperfections, Tex is awesome. He comes mostly when I call him. He stays in our unfenced yard, only leaving to chase the occasional squirrel, or greet a passerby on the sidewalk. He loves the water, but hates when his feet can’t touch the bottom. He is the fastest runner I’ve ever met and loves all squeaky toys. He will retrieve a ball and allow you to forcibly pull it from his clenched jaw to throw it again. He can come, sit, shake, lay down, high-five, speak, and dance but he will be upset if you don’t reward him for his efforts with a dog treat or a piece of cheese.

So obviously, I’m quite upset that the house Jon and I will be living in, in Wisconsin, does not allow pets. It’s the very dark cloud on my horizon; leaving Tex (and Tony) behind.  I’m going to miss the fact that every time I sit down on the sofa, Tex immediately sits beside me. I’m going to miss his enthusiastic welcome whenever I come in the door after work or going out.  I’m going to miss his cuddle in the mornings too, but mostly I’m just going to miss him.

And I know it’s going to be hard, but I also know that Tex will be happy with my parents. He’ll have the familiarity of his house and his yard. He’ll have two people who love on him all the time (and feed him meat off their plates) and two cats who provide him with countless opportunities to referee cat spats. I also know, that as soon as Jon and I are able to have pets, I’m going to swoop in and take Tex and Tony back. I love my pets, and leaving them is extremely hard, but I do know they’re in good hands, until I can be their mom again.

Have you ever had to leave a pet for any reason? How did you deal with it?

Ice Cream Love

going for ice cream on a Sunday night

taking the long way because we can

winding along the river in the car

letting a warm summer breeze drift in through open windows

taking the turn in the direction he thinks the ice cream store is

betting that it’s the other way

losing the bet, happily

sampling a new flavor

opting to get my standby: cake batter with graham cracker crust swirled in

hearing his advice to get a kid’s size because I’ll never finish the medium

choosing to ignore him and get a medium anyway

sitting in the car in the parking lot eating our ice cream

tasting his coffee heath bar crunch

realizing I definitely don’t like coffee ice cream

attempting to eat as much of my medium as possible

failing miserably,

anticipating the “I told you so” look

smiling when I get it

knowing how well he knows me

watching wasted ice cream melt as we drive home.

 

Love, Frankie

The Wedding

This weekend my family and I went to the wedding of one of our closest friends. After some concern about the possibility of rain, we were delighted by the beautiful weather she had on Saturday. Everyone had a great time. The couple was gorgeous, radiating happiness the entire day. I was so happy to celebrate a happy union with family and friends.   I ate purple mashed potatoes, wore my mustard yellow dress with a soft teal necklace, felt guilty taking pictures during mass, and delighted in dancing too much. Here are some of my favorite shots from the day. (I stopped taking pictures after the first dance, and instead I let myself just have a good time.)

Hello Again.

I’ve been neglectful of this space for past month or so, but I’m back. I’ve missed writing and sharing here. You may or may not have wondered where I’ve been. I could use the excuse that I was sick (for like three straight weeks) but that’s a lame excuse because being sick didn’t mean I couldn’t create things, and compose thoughts and type. It’s more that I’ve been wandering, in the I-felt-a-lot-lost-and-quite-lonely-kind-of-way. Sometimes that can just happen you know, except I can identify my melancholy trigger.

Jon left to go work (teaching the art of glass blowing) at a University, in Wisconsin, until mid May. Before he left, I knew I’d miss him terribly, but I was almost-but-not-really, the-teeniest-bit excited about having total control of my time.  I also felt capable and ready to achieve all these goals I had for myself. And then… well, I didn’t, which made me feel worse. Instead, I purposely lost myself in the entire Sookie Stackhouse series, and a few other books. That’s a total of 14 books in about a month-time-period. I didn’t think about how sad I was or how lame I was being, because I was thinking only about the characters in the alternate worlds I could escape to.  I was pitiful but I am definitely not looking to be pitied. This whole sadness deal was my fault and I was the only one who could rectify it.

I’m back here and I’m starting to do better. I booked a flight to go visit Jon (in less than a week for more than a week!). This past weekend, I finally, finally, cleaned the craft dungeon. I’ve traded in my books for some knitting needles (I’m making myself leg warmers… and they’re gonna be awesome). I ordered and received all the seeds for my garden 2012, and I’m planning and scouting supplies, and itching for the time to actually plant some stuff. (and even more anxious for summer, and the garden’s bounty in the height of summer, and canning, and freezing, and sharing said bounty)!

The clouds are starting to dissipate and the sun is warm. I feel hopeful. I’m ready to be productive again. I’m ready to be present in this moment, even if it’s not ideally how I want it to be. I’m not going to escape into a book again. I’ll read, but I’ll try to read slowly, savoring what I’m ingesting. I will create, cook, garden, and share. It feels so good to be back. Right now, I’m off to knit, launder some clothes, and watch last night’s Smash.

I photobooth took a photo of myself with my knitting, but then stumbled upon this gem of a photo to share instead. This is one of the few photos I have of Tex when we had just gotten him. He’s so small and so cute!

Sometimes…

Hope vanishes, allowing Sadness to cast a shadow called Doubt. Doubt creeps and crawls and wiggles its way stage front in your mind. And suddenly, it feels like the rug is pulled out from underneath you, and all your decisions seem irrational. The oxygen is sucked out of the room, by the enormous elephant who’s standing on your chest, prodding you with his trunk. You look up into his eyes, which are uncannily familiar, a soft blue you recognize but can’t place and abruptly your cheeks are moist. You’re crying but you’re not sure why you started something you can’t possibly finish.

 

Loss is devastatingly cruel but self-pity is futile. Yet sometimes, sometimes, you just have to allow yourself to grieve.

 

Yesterday, the afterlife (whatever it may be) , gained a beautiful, loving, soul- my grandma. While my family is dealing with the grief of losing someone so dear to all of us, we’re also glad for her release from pain.  Cancer, and particularly pancreatic & liver cancers are cruel and painful, and at least, she’s no longer suffering. She was truly an incredible person , who lived a long, full, beautiful life.  

 

Thank you all for your kind wishes, vibes, and thoughts sent our way.

{This Moment 3}

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

Amanda Blake Soule

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23 Reasons I Love Cass

Hey Guys!

In honor of today being my little sister’s 23^rd birthday, I thought I would share with you 23 Reasons why I love her. (Side note to Cass: I know there are a few things on this list that you might think are bad or embarrassing but really these are some of my favorite things about you. You’re perfect in your uniqueness. I hope you always hold onto these qualities with both hands; change for no-one. I love you so much and I wouldn’t change a thing about you, not even for a million dollars…)

1.Cassa has the most infectious laugh ever. When she finds something really funny, she laughs with her entire essence and it’s contagious. You can’t help but laugh with her.

2. She innocently asks the silliest questions. She must save up all her questions from our time apart to ask when we’re together. I bet it’s because I’m her older sister and she trusts me, but sometimes they are just so outrageous I can’t help but crack up.

3.She’s an accountant but she always asks me to do the everyday math, like calculating sales prices and tips.

4. She calls me up to ask what she should make for dinner. Then she calls me back to ask how to make it.

5. She has the worst sense of direction of anyone I’ve ever met, ever. It’s endearing.

6. She sings show tunes with me, quite loudly, sometimes with no music to back us. Occasionally, she knows some of the words, but never the notes.

7. Once, she accidentally let her dog walk in wet cement.

8. Another time, she realized half way on her way to the vet, that she forgot something… her dog.

9. She confuses cities, for countries, for counties, for continents. Understanding geography is not her forte.

 10. She occasionally repeats phrases that she heard wrong and never understood. It’s hilarious and I wish I could think of an example but I can’t. (Update: Jessi gave me some examples: “The cradles have turned.” “It was the straw that broke my back.”)

 11. She is absolutely gorgeous but has no idea just how pretty she is.

 12. She remembers to send cards, flowers, or presents for all the appropriate occasions. I admire this, because I’m terrible at it. (side note to Cassa: I will order your present tonight, you should get it next week sometime…)

 13. Whenever she goes out to sushi with me, we get a complementary roll from the sushi chef.

 14. Whenever we go to Dunkin Donuts, she gets several extra free donuts from the Dunkin Donuts guy.

 15. She buys nice clothes which she decides she doesn’t like so I get.

 16. She has such a giving soul. And she gives the best presents.

 17. She’s learning to cook, and tries exotic (to me) recipes like Pork Chops. It impresses me.

18. She actually likes beer, and drinks it. ( I hate it and highly admire any woman who enjoys the taste).

 19. She has the craziest curliest hair and she looks like a lion when she doesn’t straighten it.

 20. She introduced me to some of my favorite people. Her best friends have become some of my best friends. She is a great judge of the character of women. (Historically, her taste in men has not been as good.)

 21. When we were little, she ALWAYS forgot to wear underwear. ” Mom, we have to turn around, she forgot again!” was shouted by yours truly from the back of the car on the way to school.

 22. She can be in the worst mood ever and then twenty minutes later be laughing and have forgotten about it.

 23. Because of her, I am a big sister. It is my favorite title. She’s my little sister and my best friend and I miss her when we’re not together.

Happy Birthday Cassa Mae!! I love you so much.

<3 Frank

Magic…

Hey Friends,

Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about the trip Jon and I took to Portugal last December.

Now that my dad’s party is over, I feel like I don’t have anything to look forward to and it’s bumming me out a little bit. I want to get excited for the holidays, but right now I can’t help but reminisce about our trip. Thinking about it makes me feel better but also makes me long to get away.

Portugal was amazing. This picture was taken in a garden full of different secret passageways in Sintra. These stepping-stones were in a little man-made pond that had green algae floating on top. It was a magical place. It makes me happy just thinking about it.

Where do you go in your head when you need a little magic?

<3 Frankie

The Sweetest Simple Thing

Hello Friends,
 
Since I still can’t share about the special visitor and it’s been a while since a cheesy post about the boyfriend, I thought I’d talk about him just a little bit.
 
Jon and I met shortly before we both graduated from highschool, I was pretty smitten from the get-go although I didn’t realize it right away.  Luckily my best friend and his best friend were seeing each other so Jon would ask my best friend to invite me to hang out with all of them. Thinking about it now, I feel like a lot of stuff did not go smoothly that summer, but somehow when September rolled around, I was able to convince him to give long distance a try. Well we made long distance work for five years not that I recommend it to anyone. It’s really hard, and I still have difficulty believing we suffered through 5 years of late night phone calls and daily text messages being our only communication. We did visit each other about once every month and half, so that helped, but regardless our relationship’s history still impresses me.
 
Since Jon graduated a year and a half ago, we’ve been able to be in the same town together most of the time, but he’s always going off to pursue various avenues to find success in the art world. In the year and half since he’s been home, he’s also been to Japan, Ireland, Seattle a few times, New York State a few dozen more, Brooklyn quite often, Connecticut, North Carolina, Michigan, and we went to Portugal together. He’s quite the world traveler. Also in case you didn’t know, my Jon is an artist, a glass artist to be precise and he’s pretty amazing.
 
One of the reasons our relationships works, besides the fact that Jon has way more patience for my ridiculousness than the average joe, is because of the little things we do for each other (mostly it’s him doing nice things for me). This morning he did one of his signature sweet moves and it’s totally 100% the thought that matters. He left for work (in Connecticut) at 5:30am, and left me asleep in bed. When I got up and left, there on my keys by the front door, was a post it note. “Love you” he wrote, just for me. It was the sweetest, simplest thing. It reminded me of the (thankfully) long ago days after one of our weekend visits together, when I’d find little handwritten notes from him in my coat and jean pockets, under a cup on my desk etc. He used to hide them so I’d find them all for a few days after we’d said goodbye. I can’t tell you how much this sweet little gesture meant to me this morning. He had me smiling at 6 in the morning. (this is not an easy feat, as I am not nice after just waking up.)
 
Jon is sweet, thoughtful, and romantic. I am lucky to have him.
 
So I want to know, what’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for you? Better yet, what is the sweetest thing you’ve ever done for someone else? Please share!
 
<3 Frankie