tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57963597906911292142024-03-28T21:55:21.249-04:00Party of FiveMy place. Where I share whatever needs to be shared. Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.comBlogger267125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-68781138711794460782022-04-03T12:08:00.001-04:002022-04-03T12:12:27.889-04:00Counting Down89 days left to serve as an officer with my local PTA unit. 42 days left to serve as I finish my work with New York State PTA.(Give me a minute. That was just as hard to write, as it was to say when I began to tell my PTA friends that I would not be returning next year. For the record - PTA friends are some of the BEST friends you will ever have!!)Let's be Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-3704912854197151272021-09-25T22:14:00.000-04:002022-04-03T14:37:08.162-04:00It has been a rough week for many of us who lost a friend this past week. But last night I heard Jim’s own words on an old podcast, when he was talking about a terrible loss in his own life. So today I am reconciling that Jim has finished the work God created him to do and he has been called home to heaven. There are soooo many people, very literally, all over Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-26118844638275692052020-12-13T14:40:00.000-05:002022-04-03T14:41:21.784-04:00Christmas 2020 WHEN I WAS A CHILD - I would spend hours going through the Christmas catalogs and then very carefully drafting my list for Santa in my very neatest handwriting (because neatness counts!) Even when I was "old enough to know better", I still longed for the magic of the season, so the list was still written and in a very stealth manner left on the kitchen table.CHRISTMAS 2020 - My children draft Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-433169862359181542020-11-05T17:34:00.000-05:002020-11-05T17:34:36.746-05:002020 Election ThoughtsMy oldest son has just voted in his first presidential election. His younger brother, although wise in his 14 years, is still an impressionable young teenager who is watching how his parents and siblings react to current affairs. At 16 and a junior in high school, my daughter has become very opinionated about what she hears about or reads with regards to politics and social justice issues or Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-20698700968342984562020-03-03T19:44:00.000-05:002020-03-03T19:44:39.107-05:00A Good DayWinter Break.
A rather odd week, that even after 20 years with kids in my school district, I have no idea what this week is for and why my kids get it off from school. But there were no plans for the week other than pure relaxation. Possibly assisting mom with who knows what project might come up, but really just a time to unwind from the daily norm.
Our last full day there was Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-60401699586567530552020-01-02T11:15:00.000-05:002020-01-02T11:15:20.600-05:002020 - Game On.I am officially calling 2019 - CLOSED.
I am also officially calling GAME ON for the new year.
I was writing in a journal this morning - a brand new, full of clean lined pages, journal - and Mr. D. caught on and asked me about it.
Nope, not journaling. Not really. More like..."Note taking"
I've been thinking about this over recent weeks, and I know that change is in order.&Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-42060980446733303732019-12-12T08:15:00.003-05:002019-12-12T08:16:18.697-05:00Just A BumpThe other day, I bit into a slice of pizza, and I burned my tongue. You know, the very tip of it. The next day, it was sore and raw every time it rubbed against my front teeth.
Also that next day, I bit the side of my tongue. As in, it got in the way of my teeth and I bit down. Hard.
So now my tongue is burned on the tip, and has a big bump on the right, and it Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-49236703971674279242019-11-27T21:02:00.001-05:002019-11-27T21:07:33.151-05:00The Orange Ribbon
This orange ribbon represents:
The kidney cancer that took her right kidney in 2006.
The metastasized kidney cancer that took a section of her right lung in 2017.
The cancer that has once again reared its ugly head on her spine and adrenal gland.
Kidney cancer is a reality in our family.
Mom has been quick to remind us, her doctor, and the hospital staff - "There are others who Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-91223903259724873292019-08-08T01:43:00.001-04:002019-08-08T01:43:37.506-04:00What Strange Hell Is This?I feel as though I should preface this post with a disclaimer...
About a year and a half ago...at the ripe "old" age of 45, I would find myself melting into what I THOUGHT was a hot flash. Everyday. Like clockwork. At the same time of the day. However, they weren't debilitating. They didn't warrant me changing outfits before work because I had sweat through Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-47130199320677788252018-12-14T09:20:00.000-05:002018-12-14T09:27:41.122-05:00Silent Night...
It was December 14th, 2012.
On that day.... I spent the afternoon at my kids' school watching my 1st grader and his classmates perform their Christmas concert for all of my fellow parents and grandparents. First and Second Graders were singing together, bringing joy into the season. I watched them all, recognizing many of the faces, probably able to name most of them if I really Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-34332549561086819552018-12-01T10:22:00.000-05:002018-12-01T10:22:07.090-05:00I can't believe he's back..."The Elf", who is affectionately known as Jingles in our house, has been around for many, MANY years. He's a roly-poly sort-of elf, who shows up every year, looking like he has spent his time at the North Pole trying just a little too hard to channel his inner-Santa by growing a full beard that is completely out of control. However, he has been part of Christmas with our family long before Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-87036225319367696992018-09-02T19:10:00.002-04:002018-09-02T19:10:23.865-04:00He's Yours.
I've been sitting on this for the past 7 days, contemplating how to pull out all of the thoughts that were filling my head and had been trying to claw their way out. Yet each time I sat down and started to type, the thoughts were silenced, and my fingers hovered merely over my keyboard, not knowing where to go.
Sometimes it's a good thing to sit and ponder on all of those thoughts for Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-75753224257331697932018-04-12T22:53:00.001-04:002018-04-12T23:21:50.434-04:00Dear GrandmaIt was just five short days ago when I hugged you goodbye and told you I loved you.
Today I wish I could have just one more hour with you.
I think we should have tea, for you were the one to gift me my first tea set as a young girl. I'm certain that it was probably mere water and crackers that we dined on outside on that sunny day for our impromptu tea party, but we "clinked" tea cups andCandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-22648548404294275752017-11-06T01:55:00.002-05:002017-11-06T11:30:56.767-05:00Eye-Opening
That's the one word that describes the weekend I just returned from. (Okay, so maybe it's technically TWO words, but since it is hyphenated, that counts, right?)
After just returning home from NY State PTAs annual convention, I HAVE to sit here and get some thoughts down before too much time passes. It was inspiring, exciting, motivating, and just chock-full of "aha!" moments Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-74438683779434419602017-09-07T10:19:00.001-04:002017-09-07T10:19:18.519-04:00#WelcomeBack2017I've always been a fan of the first day of school. That day when the monkey children can no longer sleep in until the afternoon sun begins to pass over the house, and they manage to find 18,000 ways to do absolutely nothing all day. Hey, I'll admit that I drop the ball every summer at providing structure and making sure my kids amount to more than mere slugs over their summer Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-87858348955633878772017-03-15T13:13:00.000-04:002017-03-15T13:13:37.801-04:00NYS PTA: Leading the WayOne day recently, I was sitting at my desk, watching the U.S. Senate confirm our current Secretary of Education. A co-worker had come in, and she commented, "You know, some day Candy will be on the other side of that camera and we'll be watching her!"
Please. Stop right there. I have absolutely NO intention of becoming a political figure.
Been there, done that, bought the Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-41320734439167608452017-02-25T00:11:00.002-05:002017-02-25T00:11:35.202-05:00Don't Blink.
http://cassidyvinci.deviantart.com/art/Don-t-Blink-149655760
I have these "mom moments" when, despite all the crazies of my life with three monkey children, one (or more) of them will do or say something, or have a moment when I'm stopped in my tracks, and I catch myself looking at the individual that they are becoming right before me. At the same time, I find myself remembering Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-22247295515843692672016-07-27T00:07:00.000-04:002016-07-27T00:26:31.864-04:00The Great Adventure
"Discover all the new horizons, just waiting to be explored.
This is what we were created for....
Saddle up your horses, we've got a trail to blaze." **
Giddy-up, cowpokes! I have just returned home energized and ready to dig in after a weekend at NY State PTA Summer Leadership Conference. Added to that, it was a whole western theme, so I also have these images of cowboy Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-61503700916312580812016-07-02T20:43:00.000-04:002016-07-02T20:43:35.315-04:00Who I AmA few years ago, I had made the decision to run for a seat on my local school board. I made the decision. I was not asked to do it by anybody looking for their own end result. I was also not asked to run to counter someone else's decision to seek out one of the available seats. When I made the decision that I was going to pursue this, I thought hard and I prayed even harder. I Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-75145910215319114832016-03-09T23:28:00.000-05:002016-03-09T23:28:55.603-05:00Mrs. D. Goes to Albany
Standing in the NY State Senate Chamber
There comes a time when you think you know what you're supposed to do in life, or when what you may do with your life when you finally grow up becomes clear and you actually get the opportunity to go out and do it. When you've found what you're called to do, at least for this moment in time.
This past Monday, the realization hit me. Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-19591154951851141632016-02-01T21:45:00.000-05:002016-03-03T21:25:55.995-05:00A Disappointed Advocate***The following post represents MY personal thoughts, and should not be considered as representative of any unit, group, or association.
I am a PTA member.
That makes me a member of my local unit, my Regional PTA, the New York State PTA, and also the National PTA. I've been a member for eight years, and seven of those years have been spent volunteering as an officer in myCandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-21881543991712519902015-12-24T23:23:00.000-05:002016-02-02T17:41:54.163-05:00Christmas Blessings
A six-hour drive to Michigan, and tonight the monkey children are all nestled and snug in their...air mattresses, as visions of sugarplums dance in their heads. Actually, it's probably dreams of Lego Dimensions, Nerf guns, and One Direction CD's. But dreams and innocence of a child nonetheless.
As we drove down the road, arriving at my mother's house for the holiday season, the Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-26350305295662034212015-08-04T22:58:00.000-04:002015-08-04T22:58:01.284-04:00I am an Advocate
Those who know me personally, know that I am passionate about my own kids' education. I believe that, without a doubt, no one will advocate on their behalf more than I will. That passion rolls over to their elementary, middle, and high schools, to our school district, and to students everywhere who deserve to have someone looking out for them, making certain they have healthy and Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-10626373962428250392015-07-14T16:44:00.000-04:002015-07-15T10:48:26.011-04:00Meeting Jack In The Rain
This was one of those rare mornings when I was up, awake, showered, dressed, dropped a kid at designated location, and managing to run errands....all before 10:00. These kinds of mornings don't generally happen very often when you're a "non-morning" person, and quite honestly, it amuses me when I find myself being that productive.
On this rare productive morning, I stopped at a local Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796359790691129214.post-33143997017598220912015-07-09T13:52:00.002-04:002015-07-09T14:05:03.405-04:00A Hug Good-ByeWhen you are moved in such a way to write about an individual, their life and their character, it's a telling way to remember them when they're so important to you. It speaks volumes, however, when more than one person will find a way to express themselves, writing in such a way that you desperately want the world to know the importance of these people in your world. My brother Candyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830998310033498161noreply@blogger.com0