Brewsters Millions

Two Inches of Snow? We'll Take it!

2012-01-29T20:17:00.005-05:00

We have had noooooo snow this year. Maggie is very morose about this. So the other morning when we woke up to just under 2 inches, we threw on her snow gear at 7AM and ran out because it had already turned to rain, and I wanted her to get some playtime this year!
The truck cap was the first thing she passed exiting the garage and she shrieked and smacked it yelling, "SNOW!"

Her attempt at a snowman.

Our sad little castle that utilized the snow of at least half of our small front yard.

The snow was slush by the time we came in an hour later, but Maggie had pink cheeks, and soggy snowpants and gloves, and a big smile on her face.

2012-01-26T08:42:00.000-05:00

"BYE DADDY CATHERINE CHARLIE! BYE DADDY CATHERINE CHARLIE! BYE DADDY CATHERINE CHARLIE!"

Every single morning.

Passive aggressive jerks.

I should send her on rounds through the building every morning.

Getting Ready For Spring

2012-01-25T09:23:00.005-05:00

Seeds for early plants received this week. We don't have any good south-facing windows, so I built this stand with grow lights. I have a second unit that fits on top if your Ma gets her act together and orders flower seeds. A lot of the wood came from Annie's old kitchen cabinets, and the rest was rescued from the dump.

Happy Birthday Roob!

2012-01-22T19:07:00.001-05:00

Happy birthday my love! Hope this year is a good one for you. Henry and I love you very much!!!

A mouse in the house?

2012-01-22T16:01:00.007-05:00

Do you ever have a situation you just don't want to confront? And you're not quite sure why?
Last week mine was about mice in my kitchen.
I've never looked the other way when I've suspected the critters have invaded, so why this time? And I still don't have an answer to that but what I can tell you is that the problem didn't become any easier to resolve after last Wed.

Leo and I were on our way to visit Martha and Lucia when he heard a squeak in my car. I told him, yes, there was a squeak and it was coming from my glove compartment, which did not close properly.
"It sounds like a mouse", he commented.
"Yes it does!", I replied.
When I confirmed that there really was NOT a mouse in my glove compartment, Leo went on to tell me, "No sir! Because mice live in holes" and then Leo took off as only Leo can.
He (and I, when I could interject a word or two) talked about mice in holes and barns and cats chasing mice but they went into their holes and they did NOT live in houses but barns and how cute those holes were and cats and dogs could be friends but mice and cats could NEVER be friends and on and on and on. I didn't say anything to him about mouse traps but he mentioned that mice liked cheese.

"And peanut butter!", I added.
"Mice like peanut butter?" "I like peanut butter too. I eat organic peanut butter!". And on and on he continued.

Then he was quiet again. For just a moment.
"Ma", he said, breaking the silence, "I have a song about mice and peanut butter". When I asked to hear the song he murmured, "Well, it's in my head now; I'm still singing it in my head".

Silence again followed...and my mind went to my kitchen counter where, for a few days, I was pretty sure I had seen evidence of mice. The evidence was around the toaster so it could have easily have been just toast crumbs. Once scraped away I saw nothing else during the day that would indicate we had mice feasting in our kitchen. Which was odd because, come cold weather, we always seem to have mice.

As I looked back at Leo composing his song in his head, his mouth now and then forming words, I wondered what he would think if he knew how we take care of mice who don't know enough to stay in their holes.

Deep, deep inside, I knew there was a mouse in the house. But I didn't want to think about that. Because listening to Leo talking about the cute mice, I determined that these little black things were, indeed, toast crumbs, rather than face the situation head on.

A few days passed when I pulled a pot cover out from the cupboard and it was FULL of mouse droppings. FULL. I almost gagged.

I'm not going to be the one to tell Leo what happens to mice when they take liberties out of their holes. Suffice to say that we are 8 and counting. We would probably have more, but one trap disappeared. Seems the critter took it with him...maybe back to his hole.

Hi from New Jersey

2012-01-21T08:41:00.001-05:00

We miss you guys.

Is Someone going to claim us?

2012-01-17T14:15:00.004-05:00

I thought I'd lost my slippers today.
And then I found them.
I also found Mary's black glove.
The one that had gone missing when I noticed she'd left her coat, scarf -and one black glove- behind after Christmas.
Mary hasn't inquired about her coat, scarf and gloves.
And I didn't want to say anything because that one, solitary glove made me sad.
Where was the other one?
I didn't want to say anything until the glove appeared.

But now it's time to tell all.
Lisette owns Mary's coat and scarf these days. She wears them to work, drapes them on a chair after work, and wears them again.

The one glove? It has been resting on top of the living room bookshelf, pining for it's mate.

Well, now they are together again.

And now the question needs to be asked:
Do I send the pair of gloves?
Do I send the coat and scarf as well?
Or...do I keep all of them until Mary asks:
WHERE IS MY STUFF?!?!?!

Angel Boy

2012-01-08T02:18:00.002-05:00

Is there anything else to say?

Reasons for Hope in a World Gone Mad

2012-01-02T15:27:00.001-05:00

Congregational Church in Somers is Gone

2012-01-02T00:21:00.009-05:00

It's 12:20 am and Lisette and I have just returned home after watching the Congregational Church on Main St. burn to the ground.

Just past 11:30 I was about to turn out the lamp post light when I noticed a HUGE orange light in the sky. Looking closer I thought it was Noah's house on fire. I woke Lisette and looking out the front hall window she said, "No! I think it's on Main St". We both ran outside to look.

The blaze was tremendous. The church steeple hadn't fallen yet and this is what caught our eyes - the fire reaching so far up into the sky.

We walked near the Somers Inn. After about 10 minutes, we heard and saw the steeple fall. Shortly afterwards the entire structure was gone, with the exception of one column that still seemed to be standing.

I'm sure you'll find pics on Facebook tomorrow. Lots of people there taking pics on phones. I almost ran in to get the camera...it really was an awesome sight from our driveway.

Wow. The church is gone. Karen and Sandy showed up and Karen said that the pews in the church had the names of the original congregants. Such a loss. Gosh. Main St. in Somers will never look the same.

CHEERS!

2012-01-01T19:50:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T07:44:00.002-05:00

I love them both. Just got her new Christmas album for Sean.

Cheers!

We're still screaming Christmas over here

2011-12-30T16:15:00.001-05:00

Christmas 2011

2011-12-29T17:16:00.002-05:00

Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus & Fans join me in thanking all of you for the Merriest of Christmases.
May we all take time to cherish the memories and each other.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

2011-12-23T08:11:00.001-05:00

Lisette

Yay Christmas!

2011-12-22T11:48:00.003-05:00

See most of you SOON!

Happy 60th Mom!

2011-12-21T15:48:00.002-05:00

We sure do love you. Happy 60th Birthday to you.

Dreamin' of the Dream Castle

2011-12-20T09:21:00.002-05:00

I remember lots of magical Christmases. But the year I got decked out in My Little Pony was The Best. It's my reference point when selecting gifts for my own kids. (Leo is getting the Batcave - shh!)

Oh it really is the best day of the year! I am so excited for Christmas this year.

What was your favorite gift??

I love good Fathers

2011-12-17T20:22:00.003-05:00

I just saw this guy and his six year old daughter on Yahoo, and how cute! They originally did "Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes' (not sure who they are) and it was really sweet, but then this one popped up and I couldn't get over how into it she gets (especially after they get quiet in the middle). So cute, and he smiles so sweetly at her. They apparently got popular because they have a lot of songs...anyway, this gave me a smile.

Yo.

2011-12-16T00:35:00.000-05:00

Happy Feast Day Lucia

2011-12-13T08:53:00.005-05:00

Little light, you were aptly named. Be good.

My Boys

2011-12-11T16:22:00.003-05:00

I can't believe it! Both of my boys together. What an amazing day yesterday was. How good it was to see him so smart, handsome and lovely. It was so wonderful to see Jonathon so excited about meeting Henry and interacting with him. He has asked for a 5x7 of this pic for his room! I was greeted by him outside with a HUGE smile and a great big bear hug. Couldn't have asked for anything more. He showed me all his badges for boy scouts, his awards from school, played the piano for me and took me up to his room to show me literally everything. He filled my ears with many stories about himself, his family and his friends. When we realized we had to go, his face looked a little bummed. I got not 1, not 2, but 3 big hugs on my way out the door. I could have stayed all day! I'm so in love, more than ever! Diane sent me an email today and said he thought I was REALLY nice, oh, and Rob too:) The whole family was quite lovely. He seems so happy. It makes me even happier! What a great young man he is. Can't wait to tell you all more!

Missin' the Cousins (or) Hey, Look at How Much We've Procreated

2011-12-10T13:38:00.013-05:00

You are not all represented here, but I assure you, you are all equally missed. Oh, and it was nice to see all you adults too.

Some people have good ideas

2011-12-09T21:09:00.001-05:00

Fun site. Lisette? Anyone?
http://pinterest.com/

Holiday Party 2011

2011-12-08T17:01:00.000-05:00

BMills 2011
by: fgramuglia

What a great party!*

2011-12-07T09:28:00.001-05:00

Thank you Lisette, Martha, and all for the planning and work you put into this party. As Martha said to me before Mom got there, we will remember this night forever.

I don't want to be a spoiler and post our family picture for BMills readers. It and more photos are on flickr. //www.flickr.com/photos/cosmic-charlie/

*With a second look at this post I realize how gay that title was. Sorry boot that.

Such a wonderful surprise!

2011-12-04T14:42:00.002-05:00

It's all I know to say. And I can't say it enough.

Have You Stocked Up Yet?

2011-12-03T13:32:00.003-05:00

My ONE birthday request

2011-11-29T19:11:00.003-05:00

I was working on this last night when Dad posted Dave's Solo flight. Thought I'd give it a day or 2 of exposure before posting.
But things changed today.
text from Annie a bit ago: "nurse just applied to our add looking for nights and evenings!! excellent experience including St. Luke's in NYC"
As well, Annie interviewing 2 nurses today for weekend afternoons.

My birthday request stands.

But now I want you to pretend my birthday is a LOT closer to today than the 21st!

I don't need anything for my 60th (OMG, say it isn't true!) birthday. But I DO want something:

If you could all say a rosary (or 2 or 3 or 100) for Paul and his family, I would be one happy Mama.

Ask Mary to intercede. Ask Her to do it quickly. Ask Her to move heaven and earth for some resolution; a miracle for Paul or, at the very least, nurses who will love and be dedicated to him and can bring Frank and Annie some relief.

Ask Mary to bring this petition to Her Son.

And if it's God's will that things remain the same, ask that we all remember to not stop asking.

Dave, We Hardly knew Ya

2011-11-29T13:08:00.002-05:00

Intensive Googling turned up this secret footage of Dave's first solo flight.

Heavens to Betsy

2011-11-27T22:13:00.002-05:00

Christmas Wish List

2011-11-25T12:15:00.002-05:00

Let's do this thing!

Family Pics

2011-11-21T14:57:00.001-05:00

Just a few of the many pictures my sister-in-law took of my family this weekend. Can't wait to see them all. She is so good at this!

This One's For You, Maggie

2011-11-20T07:23:00.001-05:00

Denver Museum of Science "Dino" from Smoke & Mirrors on Vimeo.

Lisette Really Likes the New Stove

2011-11-19T06:06:00.002-05:00

Dissing Brewsters MIllions?

2011-11-17T19:12:00.002-05:00

Say it isn't so!

This is for all of you who have travelled from Brewsters Millions to Facebook.
Please don't forget us.
We were here first.

Election 2012

2011-11-17T15:34:00.008-05:00

With only a year until the next presidential election, I thought I would post a few informational videos to start your own explorations of the likely candidates and their various issues.
It's important to be an informed citizen after all. As far as campaign/political speeches, I think these are some of the more articulate and sensible positions you'll find.

Mitt Romney:

And in the interest of equal time, President Obama: http://youtu.be/ehYoIKTsiV0

see also:

Michele Bachman: http://youtu.be/LFB6LQ1-WKU
Howard Cain: http://youtu.be/uE5xZKszXMQ

Christmas Party!!

2011-11-15T09:40:00.004-05:00

Chad and I invite you all

to a Christmas party at my house Saturday December 3rd at 4pm!

Let us kick off the season with a Yule Tide bang and celebrate.

After speaking to many of you out of towners, I know that most can not come.

However, if something changes, come one come all!

Please, bring only your Christmas cheer. We will provide the rest.

The Mood Cure

2011-11-12T13:03:00.005-05:00

A third of the way through this book, and must recommend it.

If you've got insomnia, blahs, are oversensitive, PMS or any hormonal sensitivity, crave sweets, alcohol, caffeine, feel sluggish mid-day, have anxiety, depression, anger... read this.

She discusses how amino acids are the precursors of neurotransmitters, which in turn control our moods. And how you can supplement with OTC aminos to help your brain relearn balance.

Supplementation is only necessary for a few months, because for long term balance you also need to...

Eat three square meals, with lots of protein in each one, every day. Protein is our source of amino acids. If you're eating toast and cereal instead, you're screwed. Top it off with coffee, and woah. If after eating this way you're feeling yucky and emotional, that's why. And it just ain't necessary.

We've already tried some aminos, the effects are instant and wonderful. Will be trying some on my kids as well, all three.

Enjoy not feeling like crap!

"Tis "almost" the Season

2011-11-11T19:37:00.002-05:00

Now that you have your Secret Santa names, I think it might be a good idea to do what you've done on past Christmases:

Make out a list of possibilities for those who have you.

I know some have argued against this in the past, and I can understand why. But the fact is that I DO get so many requests, which tells me that quite a few of you become quite stumped when it comes to picking out gifts for your people.

I don't think that A GIFT idea MUST be chosen; these are just ideas. But I DO think that your lists may help a LOT when that stumbling block is in YOUR way. :)

Either way, I am here, at your service, when the Season begins...my job as the Secret Santa elf... always insanely enjoyable!

Clare had an angiogram—everything looks good!

2011-11-11T15:21:00.001-05:00

Just a heads up in case any of you didn't know (or maybe no one did?) that Clare had her angiogram today. She's now already out of the hospital and on her way to relax at a friend's house nearby.

It's been a year since her last surgery so they needed to go in and make sure everything looks ok. And the doctor said it went well and she would follow up with her after the weekend. So YAY!

Now there should be no more angiograms! From here on out she will simply have a yearly MRI.

Good work, Clare Bear brain!

And if you're interested and need a refresher, here's how the angiogram process works.
cerebral angiogram

Father Barron's Catholicism Series

2011-11-08T14:14:00.006-05:00

http://www.wordonfire.org/The-Catholicism-Project/Trailer-New.aspx

I've been meaning to tell you all we have this DVD series and its great! If anyone would like to borrow it let me know and I will send it around. It's a 10-DVD set so I would send one DVD at a time and that way we could circulate around the family. The first person would forward the DVD to the next and then get the second etc.

I highly recommend it.

Dad,

CEO: BMFlix tm

I love to laugh

2011-11-08T13:54:00.002-05:00

Sorry about the shaky camera work, I was shaking my head to make her laugh.

little cuties

2011-11-06T12:57:00.001-05:00

Stand By Your Who?

2011-11-05T18:40:00.002-04:00

Dear Father:

I am very proud of you. You've just spent 7 nights in total darkness without uttering a single complaint. You've kept the house warm, lived off bread and water and honey, and barely showered (yet still smell fresh!). You have truly lived up to our Brewster pioneer heritage.

Dear Mother:

Hmm. (eyeroll) Haven't seen a lot of you these days. (eyeroll) Not quite sure what you've been doing. (eyeroll) Whatever it was, you sure as shit weren't listening to this song.

We're Back in Electric Land

2011-11-05T17:14:00.002-04:00

Too Late??

2011-11-02T12:00:00.004-04:00

Lolly from Candy Land

Secret Santa Claus is Coming to Town

2011-11-01T09:48:00.002-04:00

Welp, Halloween is over and it is officially time to move on to bigger and better things! I know only some of you (OK, one of you) share my sentiments that the day after Halloween marks the official start to Christmas season (Lisette), but I just can't help myself. So...

MERRY CHRISTMAS SEASON EVERYONE!!!!!!

In honor of this unofficial special occasion, I'd like to put in the request to pick our official Secret Santas. Anyone else?

Also, I realize Nora's point that most of you schmucks without power won't see this for a few days (anyone want to move in with us in Florida?), so I leave you all with a little "welcome back" gift for when you can finally rejoin us.

(Yes, I really am bringing this back.)

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T08:37:00.005-04:00

We started our morning with Jack-O-Lantern pancakes and pumpkin juice.

So sorry some of you don't get to Trick or Treat tonight because of rediculous snow...maybe you can get your neighbors to agree on another day this week?? Everone already has costumes and candy, after all.

I'm posting Maggie's costume later...what are you all dressing as tonight?

What's Your Idol?

2011-10-27T18:24:00.001-04:00

The Bad Catholic Blog

2011-10-26T16:45:00.003-04:00

Check this kid's blog out -- I think he's in his very early twenties.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/badcatholic/

Here's a recent post with a Walker Percy quote thrown in for good measure.

How To Pray Badly

If you look at a thing 999 times, you are perfectly safe; if you look at it for the 1000th time, you are in danger of seeing it for the first time.
G.K. Chesterton

The modern world cannot comprehend the fact of the Saint. Actually, I’m becoming ever-more convinced that the modern world can’t comprehend much at all - but that’s beside the point.

The reason she shudders and grinds to a halt when contemplating the Contemplators is the false idea that ‘one must simply get tired of it all’. At the end of the day – putting beauty and truth aside – surely there are only so many Ave Marias one can mutter? Surely it’s extremism, to live a life in constant prayer, constantmortification, and constant contemplation of Christ? Surely the Saints get bored of Sainthood?

As a mediocre Catholic, I understand the complaint all too well. We’ve all been there, when our prayer suddenly curls up and dies like spiders on our lips, when the faith that surround us bores, when Mass is a chore, fasting a pain, obedience to The Church frightfully difficult. There are times when I do get tired of it all, dammit. I am usually made aware of this sad fact when praying my Rosary, and halfway through the third mystery I realize I’ve spent 35 Hail Marys thinking about bacon. (And not even the Father-of-the-English-Renaissance-variety.)

But the Saints hold a terrifying secret. It is the answer to the uncomprehending modern and the mediocre Catholic. Are you ready for it? It is the reason for their small smiles in their portraits; it is the reason their eyes burn like hearths within them. They have no idea what they’re doing.

None at all.

Now I hear the battle-cry of Thomists rising slowly from their desks, so swift I run to my explanation. A Saint is not a man who has done a thing so many times that he is good at it and rewarded appropriately. He is not an ‘expert’, as we might call the top scientist in a field, nor a winner, as we might call Usain Bolt. He is not a man of whom we would say, “He’s good at what he does.” No, a Saint is a man who repeats and repeats and repeats again the spiritual life, not to become good at it, but to become bad at it.

Bear with me, for the Thomists have been joined by herds of Benedictine nuns, and they are streaming down the hill, enraged goats charging the library.

You think it's funny, but it's not.

When you repeat a word again and again, soon the word is utterly strange on your tongue. Who invented such an obnoxious mouthful such as ‘toast’? What is ‘toast’? It’s this strange, wet tap on the roof of my mouth, a stupid slackening of my jaw and tightening of my cheeks, then a entire reformation of my mouth into an evil grin that pushes out a hiss of ‘ssss’ air, ending in that same odd slap of tongue against the back of my teeth. I have no idea what ‘toast’ is now, but when I re-establish it with slightly-burnt bread, it’s something of a newfound delight. What a marvel, that that awkward mouthful means this crunchy, peanut-butter-coated mouthful. (This makes two breakfast item references in one post, I apologize. I’m hungry.)

Or take our fathers. We see them every day for 18 years. We think, surely, this is one of the men I know best. But have you not experienced this moment, speaking to your father, looking at his face, when suddenly the who-you-think-he-is falls away, and you realize you don’t know in the least this giant individual who runs your house? Who is this man? I’ve been hugging him on a daily basis, thinking nothing more of it than it is that-which-I-do, but he was born of some woman, he grew up and kissed girls and had religious experiences, got drunk for the first time and all the times after that, set things on fire and hugged some other man on a daily basis! My God, who is this creature?

And again, when we re-establish this strangeness with the idea of Father, what a powerful view we are granted of fatherhood! Here is a man, in all his mystery, who has raised me and protected me from my youth. What a guy.

I hold that the constant prayer of the Saints is not an effort to become good at praying, but a fiery effort to pray for the first time. To speak the words, “My God I believe, I adore, I trust and I love thee,” in somewhat of the same manner we spoke ‘toast’ – that is – to utter them as they are; incredible, virgin, foreign. Truly, to pray well is to pray badly, to allow the words to shock us as strange, to permit the well-worn phrases to be things we can scarcely comprehend, to cave in to those names of Christ – Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace – to let them be names that strike us rudely, not mere names we project for a lifetime onto the Savior. To pray constantly is to seek that shining moment of praying as awfully as a child.

Similarly, the Saint gazing at an icon of Christ does not gaze to gaze well, to get used to the Divine Face or to understand it. He gazes to confirm the suspicion that he cannot understand it at all. He gazes for hours to see the face of Christ for one second. He contemplates for years to realize that he has not enough lifetimes to contemplate. The expert would seek an answer. The Saint seeks a mystery. The expert would gaze well. The Saint looks at the face of Christ like an idiot child looks at a bird on his windowsill.

This Christianity of ours is dying. It is dying because we are seeing it for 999th time. Its language has been destroyed. Think of the phrase our Evangelical-Protestant culture has gifted to the world. “Jesus Saves.” This is entirely true, but it is entirely dead. As Walker Percy says:

The Christian novelist is like a man who goes to a wild lonely place to discover the truthwithin himself and there after much ordeal and suffering meets an apostle who has the authority to tell him a great piece of news…He, the novelist, believes the news and runs back to the city to tell his countrymen, only to discover that the news has already been broadcast, that this news is in fact the weariest canned spot announcement on radio-TV, more commonplace than the Exxon commercial, that in fact he might just as well be shouting Exxon! Exxon! for all anyone pays attention to him.

Jesus, save us from ‘Jesus Saves!’ Everyone knows it for the 999th time, and thus no one knows it at all!

But there is an answer. Our Lord speaks to us in the lives of the Saints: It is up to you to move the universe towards the thousandth and the first experience of the Truth. It is left to you to become Saints, to see your God, your faith and your world so awfully that it might be shocked with new life. Do you think I was lying when I told you you must become like little children? I was speaking the truth. Unless you are as wide-eyed and stunned by My grace as a child is by the first robin of Spring, you will not enter the Heavenly Kingdom. This is because to exist as anything but a child is to believe that you know my Heavenly Kingdom, that you know what it is like, that you have it nailed down like a beetle to a card. Only the recognition of the appalling strangeness of my Being, the utter inconceivability of my mercy, and the total mystery of my Grace will prepare your heart for What I Actually Am. Only if you open your eyes to see as I see will you ever experience the fullness of life I have planned for you on this earth. For I am The I Am That I Am: I see everything for the first time.

In this context it is safe to say that the Saint is the worst Catholic of us all. Look back to the picture of of our beautiful Pope Benedict: Is he not seeing Our Lady for the first time? May we all be given the grace to imitate.

Baby Central

2011-10-24T22:25:00.002-04:00

Today's Feast

2011-10-22T14:40:00.001-04:00

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011

"Blessed Are You, John Paul II, Because You Believed!"

“The absolute, and yet sweet and gentle, power of the Lord responds to the whole depths of the human person, to his loftiest aspirations of intellect, will and heart. It does not speak the language of force, but expresses itself in charity and truth.
The new Successor of Peter in the See of Rome today makes a fervent, humble and trusting prayer: Christ, make me become and remain the servant of your unique power, the servant of your sweet power, the servant of your power that knows no dusk. Make me a servant: indeed, the servant of your servants....
Do not be afraid. Open, I say open wide the doors for Christ. To his saving power open the boundaries of states, economic and political systems, the vast fields of culture, civilization and development.

Do not be afraid. Christ knows “that which is in man”. He alone knows it.

So often today, man does not know that which is in him, in the depths of his mind and heart. So often he is uncertain about the meaning of his life on this earth. He is assailed by doubt, a doubt which turns into despair.

We ask you, therefore, we beg you with humility and with trust: let Christ speak to man. He alone has words of life, yes, of life eternal.”

--Inaugural Homily of the Pontificate
22 October 1978
Office of Readings for 22nd October

See you in 2 days

2011-10-20T12:09:00.005-04:00

I can't take her hair here!

Her new best friend.

Happy Anniversary, Rob and Catherine!

2011-10-16T08:41:00.000-04:00

Aloise and David's house :)

2011-10-14T15:35:00.002-04:00

Aloise will be here next Wed.! How COOL is that?

Sweet tooth

2011-10-12T12:29:00.005-04:00

Hangin' out, watching a show on the iPad.

Best friends.

What. Mom wanted pictures.

Ball and Bawler

2011-10-05T09:46:00.000-04:00

Just because he's that cute

2011-09-28T17:33:00.004-04:00

Looking through pictures to send some to Mom. From 5 months ago. (Better with sound off...)

History Lessons, Part 2

2011-09-27T16:58:00.003-04:00

2 Pumpkins

Cyrus, Catherine and Mary Brewster.
Red Creek, NY
circa 1980

History lessons

2011-09-27T15:18:00.005-04:00

History is a symphony of echoes heard and unheard. It is a poem with events as verses. ~Charles Angoff

[History is] the story of the magnificent rear-guard action fought during several thousand years by dogma against curiosity. ~Robert S. Lynd

History maketh a young man to be old, without either wrinkles or gray hairs; priviledging him with the experience of age, without either the infirmities or inconveniences thereof. ~Thomas Fuller

History is the action and reaction of these two, nature and thought - two boys pushing each other on the curbstone of the pavement. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Conduct of Life: Fate

And sometimes history is just a big ass pumpkin ~ me, this post

How did he know this was going to be a pumpkin for the ages? Does he have a ton of B-roll footage of other pumpkins that didn’t break the record??

Seriously, though, congrats to this guy (from Broadbrook!). Great job.

Happy Birthday, Again :)

2011-09-26T00:00:00.004-04:00

I'd been searching all day for a picture that would say something about who Dad is today, at 67 years old.
And I kept coming back to this one.

You can say a lot about who Dad is: about his loves and passions, about his profession and his "hobbies." But this pose with Cyrus is what says it all to me.

P.S. I could have posted any number of photos like this one, but I couldn't resist the oldest and youngest namesakes.

Santo Pio

2011-09-23T17:27:00.003-04:00

Padre Pio died 44 years ago today. His last words were, 'Jesus, Mary.' Ten minutes after Padre Pio's death, all traces of the stigmata on his hands, feet and side which he had borne exactly 50 years (since September 20, 1918), had disappeared.
He had visions throughout his life, from childhood visitations by angels when he was playing in the fields to horrific confrontations with demons in later life.
During the consecration, he had visions of souls on the precipice of hell and he bargained with Jesus, offering up his own suffering in their stead, to save them. At the moment of the mass when he held up the host, these visions could last for hours. On that night in 1918 when he received the wounds, he was in such physical pain that he had to crawl back to his cell from the chapel, leaving a long trail of smeared blood behind him.

Bi-location, transubstantiation, miracle cures, visions, supernatural knowledge of people’s souls in the confessional – sounds at least like old superstition and more like a marvel comic. What did this “phony self promoter,” this “huckster” do with his ill gotten fame? He built a hospital to relieve the suffering of the poor. He stayed his entire adult life in the desolate craggy landscape of southern Italy, cloistered in a monastery and isolated himself further still, spending up to 18 hours a day in the confessional. He saved countless souls through confession including and especially his “spiritual children”.

And, even though he could lose his patience with the local women who competed with each other for his attention (even sticking each other with sewing needles to cut in line and sit closer to the front at Mass – love that!), he smiled often even in his excruciating pain and fragile health, and had a reputation for his practical jokes on other monks.

As the only person in human history to both consecrate the Eucharist and bear the stigmata, I would posit that he was possibly the most powerful man who ever lived – and he is probably even more powerful in his death as an intercessor. How’s that for a superhero.
Happy Feast Day. Thank you.

For the very cool story of his interactions with a young John Paul II read here:
http://www.catholicdaily.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=14968

Poor Davo

2011-09-21T18:07:00.003-04:00

A tasking, a tasking

You wonder why I'm asking

Louise is wondering why I joined

And ironed all those t-shirts

(Oh dear, that doesn't rhyme)

Stand by for tasking

Florida's for basking

I earned my wings (and other things)

Is this too much I'm asking?

Homestead Seasons

2011-09-20T11:31:00.003-04:00

Goodbye, Summer...

Hello, Fall.

What is everyone most excited for?

Scavenger Hunt

2011-09-17T07:42:00.005-04:00

After a fairly "indoor" summer due to the heat and new baby, I'm trying to encourage Maggie to go out with me more. We were out nearly every day last Summer. But habits, even new ones are tough to break. So when she said she only wanted to take a walk if it was to the corner store to get candy, I introduced her to the idea of a scavenger hunt. Well, she was impressed. So we came up with ideas of things to collect, made our list (and packed up the baby) and headed out.

I was glad I added things too big to carry like a dog, stop sign and basketball. She accepted that we could at least take pictures of these things.

I got a lot of ideas for future hunts as we walked much farther than the corner store :)

You should do this with your kids. Good excersize, it encourages imagination when coming up with ideas (even specific ones like blue truck or red car - we found both), and she was so proud each time she spotted one. I had a lot of fun too.

Ah, the Golden Years

2011-09-16T13:16:00.001-04:00

Thought you'd like to see Ma's and my new video

Happy Birthday, Adela!

2011-09-14T22:29:00.003-04:00

Oh, Henry!

2011-09-14T18:15:00.005-04:00

Introducing Henry Micheal Ruscz, for those of you who have yet to meet the little bugger! Sorry its taken me so long to post these. I can't believe hes already 2 weeks old. What a love bug he is. He is my sunshine.................

Cys matters

2011-09-04T14:56:00.006-04:00

found these advertisements in the Windham Herald from the early 1800s. I believe the first Cyrus referenced here is Cy I in the line (although not entirely sure). I do think the Cyrus in the third ad is Cy II.

Here I Am!

2011-09-03T12:56:00.000-04:00

Where was Lucia?

2011-09-03T09:42:00.004-04:00

I think my phone would divorce me if I didn't have to erase my text inbox at least 1x a week.
Dad laughed when I told him this a week ago. "You do get lots of text rings", he acknowledged.

I get it. For me it's much easier to text now that you are all either on a different time zone or busy with your babies and at your jobs.

So, yes, I get it.

And there's also that dynamic of "ask Mom?" if there's any question about anything. What would my days be like without these questions? If these stopped coming, I would barely recognize myself.

Early this morning, at 3:45 to be exact, I rec'd yet another text. I was startled out of a deep sleep. What the heck? That text tone sounded like a fire alarm, breaking through the silence of the night.

I struggled to reach the phone (thankfully always left on the same spot of my nightstand) and opened it to find a message from Martha:
"Lucia ok?"

What? Do I have Lucia here? Did I forget I had Lucia with me? Why did I have Lucia with me?

Wide awake, I checked the phone again. There it was. The text hadn't gone anywhere, "Lucia ok?" The time? 3:45 am.

I don't want my phone to divorce me. I don't want to ask for less texts...if you need me.

But, honestly! Keep track of your babies!

Annie's birthday today!

2011-09-03T09:31:00.000-04:00

I woke up with images, past memories of Granny and Dad bringing Maureen, Clare and Mr. B (Cy) to the hospital to visit and meet you. Granny had done her best to dress the girls in their best outfits, but all I could see was their hair, very long and left down, flying all over the place. Every time they bent down to kiss you, you'd squirm, what with their hair all over your face. Cy was less forward; he gave you one quick kiss and then traced his fingers over your face over and over again. Granny assured me, "You know, I made sure their hands were clean before we left the house!" She was too funny.

Maureen and Clare called you Baby Ann. Cy, not quite 18 mos., could only manage "Baby Yann".

And for Dad and me? You were always Annie.

So, Happy Birthday, Baby Ann, Baby Yann, Annie!

Holy Guacamole. Look what I Found

2011-09-02T10:27:00.002-04:00

I apologize in advance for my uncouth language (Dad). But I promise (Dad) it is worth it.

First recorded laugh

2011-08-31T11:37:00.001-04:00

Well, she likes slapstick! I was letting her mobile animals bump me in the head (you can hear Maggie laughing in the background at her sister.

Come on, Irene!

2011-08-26T16:03:00.003-04:00

Our flights have been cancelled so we're out here for another couple of days. Poor us, right?

They've shut down subways in NYC tomorrow and are even going to do a mandatory evacuation for low lying areas in NYC. Never done that before.

Hey, we missed an earthquake AND a hurricane??? It would have been kind of exciting to be in Brooklyn for it though.

Baby Girls!!

2011-08-25T15:09:00.003-04:00

I'm so in love with my new nieces already!! I LOVE the picture of Aloise with his Godfather..:)
And mom says the Luke/Lucia one is worthy of the fridge!
.........so Catherine and Rob.....tell your new one that he/she has PLENTY of people WAITING TO MEET HIM!

Marcel The Shell With Shoes On

2011-08-24T01:12:00.001-04:00

People I imagine really finding this funny (in order of age): Annie, Catherine, Aloise, maybe Brent

Happy Birthday Not So Baby Brother

2011-08-23T07:51:00.002-04:00

Watch out!

2011-08-15T14:16:00.001-04:00

Someone got his permit today......after the 6 months you have to practice and wait.....watch the roads!

Making S'mores!

2011-08-14T13:35:00.002-04:00

Grandpa sent the marshmallows and Cyrus asked for "a fire" for s'mores. And here you have it.

(IF Lisette had deleted her pictures from my camera, I would have been able to take more of Cy, Cathy and the boys. Lisette!)

Happy Birthday, Aloise!

2011-08-11T13:27:00.002-04:00

You are now officially an out-of-the-home birthday child. But you must know that the Birthday Balloon hangs all day in celebration of you.

And your "room"? Still all kinds of Aloise there. Which is good. Any kind of Aloise here is always so good. Will we ever stop missing you?

I hope you have a wonderful day, celebrating your first birthday as a married woman. I'm guessing you'll spend time with the Buri's and for that I am so happy.

Happy Birthday, little Girl.

Do You Like Impressions?

2011-08-08T18:55:00.003-04:00

Baby Shmalz

2011-08-05T13:56:00.005-04:00

Hanging out with her mobile "friends". I love that she is becoming more aware of her surroundings.

Tender Mercies

2011-08-01T13:10:00.026-04:00

Sometimes life stinks real bad and I get the blues. But then I get reminded of the graces around me.

Like when my best friend in the entire world gets married to a wonderful guy...

Or when a sissy I love comes home for a spell just in the nick of time...

Or when all I want to do is hang out with a 7 lb person,

and I find out this little girl feels the same way...

Or when I find little bums picking tonight's dinner in the backyard...

And turn around to see a deserving Poppie drink a cold beer after a hard days work...

Or when I learn this little man has perfect pitch...

And it dawns on me that I have few memories in life before I was an aunt...

...which means I get to see my sisters be good mommas...

And evenings at the house look like this...

Then after all this I think, life may definitely stink sometimes, but mine will never be bad. And I thank God for the tender mercies He sends my way.

Today's Gospel with Father Martin

2011-07-31T07:06:00.003-04:00

Happy and Glad

2011-07-30T08:00:00.001-04:00

is how Luca says he feels to lay sprawled on his marble mat surrounded by marbles. Which is how I found him.

Happy Birthday, Nora!

2011-07-29T09:28:00.002-04:00

(Wow. I need some new pictures!)

But between now and then, we have to wish you a Happy Birthday, Nora.

A new year, a new baby! Here's wishing you a year full of "news" - good news.

Love you to the moon and back.

Cosmo's in the Hospital

2011-07-25T19:09:00.005-04:00

Clare's Maserati shit the bed this weekend so I arranged for it to be towed to Rich's this morning. Called the Sears towing service at 0900. The tow truck showed up at 1615. I called Rich to say the car was on its way and informed him if he left it outside locked up there was a special way to get in in the morning:

"Well, Rich if you lock the car there's only one way to get in. The key only works for the trunk , so open the trunk and you'll see what looks like a fishing line. Pull on this (no this isn't a fart joke) and it will open the left rear door." He said: "Well, Cy, in thirty years this is a first."

I'm sure he chalked it up to a Brewster eccentricity -- He wouldn't have understood if I had tried to explain it was my son-in-law, what's-his-name, who was responsible (you know, the guy with the cowlick and no socks).

Today's Gospel with Dear Father Martin

2011-07-24T10:03:00.001-04:00

Miss Lucia Frances

2011-07-22T18:27:00.006-04:00

Lucia Frances Allegro was born Tuesday, July 19th at 8:05pm. She currently weighs in at a whopping 7lbs of deliciousness, and 20 inches of positively edible limbs and skin.

Mommy, Daddy, and baby are all doing wonderfully.

Hope you enjoy her as much as we do!

QUE ALLEGRA!

2011-07-20T08:02:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday little girl!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations Martha and Chad! Martha, a battle well fought. WOW. Chad a terrific coach I heard.

Now, little one, if your parents could only get on the ball and name you.

I mean, didn't you guys have about 9 months to come up with a girl name? Golly.

Foto! Foto! Foto!

Hard Day's Night

2011-07-18T07:00:00.003-04:00

Last night Sean went in to check on Maggie. We always have to go in a while after she goes to sleep to put away her books and tuck her in properly...and this is what he found!

WHERE IS MY BABY?

2011-07-16T10:40:00.000-04:00

Surfing at the Homestead

2011-07-16T09:39:00.003-04:00

We had such a good time with the Buri kiddies (and Mary!) when they came to visit last week. Dad was especially thrilled when, after a morning at the park, the little one's announced, "We want to go back to Poppi's house"!

The last morning here, Lisette attempted to have Charlie, Catherine and Adela "surf" in the pool. What a blast!
But, as you can see, Catherine was not particularly interested in the sport. She looked quite knowingly as Lisette and Charlie took their tumble.

Not Normal

2011-07-12T14:28:00.031-04:00

Hydrocephalus central apnea syringomyelia hypotonia severe dysphagia bilateral vocal cord paralysis kyphosis paraplegia bladder disynergia autonomic dysregulation fevers tachycardia tachypnea macrocephaly microcephaly heterotopia partial agenesis of the corpus callosum innervation enervation vesicouretal reflux pneumonia hydrocele hernia chronic lung disease bacterial colonization yeast slipped cervical disk oral aversion tactile defensiveness echolalia hyperlexia pragmatic language disorder eczema allergies seizures ulcerative process blue spells spina bifida closure repeat chiari decompression repeat repeat fundoplication tracheostomy gastrostomy repeat? orchidopexy repeat third ventriculostomy VP shunt repeat repeat repeat

LTV 1950 enteral pump suction machine chamber pulse-oximeter oxygen towers compressed oxygen tanks nebulizer Microvasive mic-key neo pedi flexi bivona custom 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Shileys suck VP shunt braces standers positioners soft restraints walker crutches wheel chair augmented communication devices emergency go-bag ambubag power cords battery packs thermometer luer lock syring and tooth on vent at all times please.

propranalol ditropan clonodine detrol sanctura ativan morphine labetalol Tylenol ibuprofen robinul atrovent normal saline miralax pedia-lax flovent probiotics bactrim nexium albuterol pulmicort mycolog cream nystatin tobimycin antibiotics repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat

aquacel mepilex duoderm split gauze silk vs. paper vs. orange tape alcohol swaps catheters lubricant sterile fields cath cups bzk wipes sterile gloves nonsterile gloves trach ties spare trachs same size downsized feeding bag extension tubing circuit suction ballard humidification chamber puffer attachment bactofilter black filter sponge filter soft restraints omniflex extension tube sat probe syringe sterile water suction catheter scissors

PRN NPO PDN LTV ETV BPD CLD CPR DNR ADD PIP PEEP LMV MRI CAT ML CC GFCF GAPS ASD IEP AFO ER CCMC YNHH CHB NICU PICU MICU EEG EKG VCUG U/S swallow studies gastric emptying studies x-rays sleep studies hearing tests urodynamics resuscitations developmental score cards scheduling rescheduling attending specialists neurosurgery neurology urology otolaryngology pulmonary respiratory gastroenterology cardiology genetics orthopedics orthotics developmental pediatrics nutrition therapy occupational physical speech language social skills aquatic riding manual chiropractic training nurses organizing nursing supervisory checks taking and giving shift reports watching monitors watching vitals taking temperatures covering night shifts day shifts filling prescriptions considering medication side effects researching everything establishing bowel programs ordering supplies changing out broken equipment filling oxygen tanks fighting with nursing agencies checking for slack before moving with my baby taking half an hour to move baby to another room weaning baby from vent choosing between and farming out my children finding childcare for a child who is cathed attending IEP meetings purchasing gifts for their therapuetic value dictating conversations on note cards compensating for inability to walk or pretend-play correcting insurance issues back and forth trouble shooting todays crisis on the phone on email in my living room

Homemade food homemade laundry soap homemade dish soap homemade pureed formula temperature no higher than 70 degrees boy(s) in a bubble. Dreams of beach days, evening walks in the neighborhood, two parents on the weekends, kids playing in the yard, cereal for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, pizza night, conversations with my 6-year-old, family movie night, attending social gatherings together, eating whatever is served, Mass on Sunday, and toilet training for all.

This is what we are, who we are. Either you know this, and it shouldn't be surprising. Or you don't, and therefore you don't know us. (And you need to know us because this is lonely: Having to pass as normal.)

Either way, don't call it Our Normal, because it isn't normal at all. Please do save the pity if you love us. But pass the wine, and maybe some sourdough bread.

Wedding picture preview

2011-07-10T20:05:00.002-04:00

We thought we were doing better. And then Lisette showed us these pictures from Aloise and David's Wedding.
Joy and sadness in equal measure.
Sigh.

http://www.whoyou.net/blog/?p=1932

Good Morning!

2011-07-05T07:18:00.007-04:00

They thought we tookatocacielos

2011-07-01T13:50:00.006-04:00

Our dear Uncle Brent is so very diplomatic (and kind). This is an email from me to him when we left Tocacielos in April. Only somehow he and Norma just got it last night. I hope he at least contemplated a response with some sarcasm or something.

mary.e.b.buri@gmail.com to Brent, Norma

10:47 PM (15 hours ago)

Hi uncle Brent and aunt Norma. We just left. I hope we did the alarm right. Hit 1230 then away. We turned hot tub down to 85. Turned off hot water (i hope we did that right too!) A/c to vacation mode and unplugged tv-just the main unit.
We had such a nice relaxing time. Thanks again. Love you both. Mary

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

And he writes back:

Hi Mary,
I forgot you were there!! (We returned from Europe last night and I'm jet-lagged, I guess.) I hope you had a good time. I'd have had the lawn mowed earlier had I realized you were there. Oh, well. Next time.
xxx Uncle Brent

I can't believe he had to think we just went on over to his house this week. Made ourselves at home. Oh my word.

"What the hell are you doing at my house?!" is what I told him he should have emailed me.

Too Sweet for Me

2011-06-28T21:01:00.002-04:00

The oldest sister's wedding and the youngest sister's wedding. What a blessing a family is.