Summer Fun

New Jersey Writing Project

Just as I was getting use to sleeping in every day, my first workshop of the summer started. Intense. Three weeks, eight hours a day. It has been so wonderful, learning new strategies, challeging myself, and more than anything growing as a writer. I have a reflexive piece due in a couple days and then I will begin working on my extensive piece that I must send off to be published. While I hate the alarm clock every morning, I truly have learned so much.

My relfexive piece is not fully fleshed out and is still a work in progress, but I thought that I would share it with my close friends and family (or other people who are bored reading my blog) :)This is a piece that is dear to me.

So, here it is, a draft of my piece. I am still titleless as of right now (and I hate my closing sentence, so bare with me)....

“Hush Sean, he is going to hear us”, I would nervously say, anticipating his arrival.

It was after nine o’clock so dad would be home any second. My little brother, Sean, and I would lay in our parents’ bed waiting for our dad to get off of work and come home. We would pretend to be asleep and any time the bedroom door would slightly open, we would lay as still as we could, hoping it was dad. Looking back now, I realize dad knew every night we were awake; yet, every night he played along. Quietly coming in and walking to the nightstand to gently take his watch off, acting like he was trying not to wake us. Sean and I would lay as still as we could, somehow covering our mouths to where we could breathe, but if we cracked a smile it wouldn’t show.

“Well, I guess I will have to eat ice cream all by myself,” dad would say, as if he were just thinking aloud. Sean’s side of the bed would begin to wiggle as his giggle made the covers bounce up and down. Dad would then say, “I sure wish these kids were awake so I could have ice cream with them.”

Depending on the night, Sean and/or I would start the laugh that made our whole bodies move but still not making a sound; but, clearly saying we were wide awake. Dad would jump on the bed, laying across us and finally making us laugh out loud. Anticipating his arrival and the thrill of dad finally being home, our excitement couldn’t hold us back any longer. Both, Sean and I would jump up and start playing with dad. Often times we forgot about the ice cream and just enjoyed being together with him. Dad worked a lot and was not home often, so we soaked up this ritual every night.

Dad has been gone for eight years now, but even as an adult, I can still smell him walking into the room, I can still hear him put his watch quietly down on the nightstand and I can still feel the bed move as my little brother and I couldn’t hold back our laughs any longer. Above all, I still feel the love I felt from our dad, as he would come in and play along every night showing us he too enjoyed soaking up every second with us he could.

My birthday bash and Bella

Although May was already exciting and HUGE life changes took place, my birthday was no let down...

1. The Wednesday before my birthday Stephen called me at work and asked if I would go with him to Baytown that night. Of course I would, but why? We NEVER go there. He knew it was too suspicious to keep from me, so he said he had bought my birthday present.... BELLA! I was so exciting, we picked her up that night and have been ATE UP with her ever since. Bella is a maltipoo, she was 6 weeks old when we got her (she was born on Mili's birthday... April 1). She is the sweetest and best puppy ever! Potty training has been a breeze and she hasn't chewed up anything yet, so we are feeling pretty lucky!! She is one spoiled puppy,Stephen swears I talk about her more than I do Mili now... lol. I tell him my love just doubled, but he has doubts. :) Bella is the best, I will puts some pics up of her.

2. Stephen threw me a little cook-out-get-together at our house my birthday weekend. He was really sweet and thoughtful. He asked all my friends to write a letter to me, about what I mean to them, along with a funny memory. They went around and shared each letter, it was so meaningful and thoughtful. I cried and laughed... I truly have the best friends, as well as the very best husband.

3. Family dinner on my actual birthday was sweet too. As much as I love married life, and I do with my whole heart, I miss my mom. She means so much to me, and so many evenings I look at Stephen and say I want to go visit her... and he is so good to go anytime I want. (He loves her almost as much as me anyways). So my birthday dinner with my family was great, some great quality time!!

As you can tell, I was a very fortunate and blessed girl this year. Thanks to everyone who made it so special!!!

BTW... being out for summer is a great present too, I am LOVING it!