At a loss .....

It has been a long 24 hours and my mind has wandered frequently today.  I learned last night that an old friend from high school took his own life and is gone far too young.  I wonder how bad things must have gotten for him to feel this was his only way out.  I wonder how he ended up feeling so isolated and alone. 

We grew up in a small town - sort of like Cheers - where every one knows your name and your parents and lots of stuff - maybe even stuff you wish they didn't.  Word of this tragedy has spread fast and left many sad and bewildered.

I am sad that he is gone but even more so my heart aches for the family he has left behind.  I am certain they are devastated, confused, and maybe even angry.  They are left to pick up the pieces and go on without him.  They have dealt with so much sadness over the years.  It seems unfair that they got dealt this hand.

Bob and I lost touch for a long time, reconnected via email in the last few years and then were friends on FB.  I keep looking at his profile on Facebook, his profile picture is the perfect image.  It is the Bob that I remember from HS and I swear he looked exactly like that all those years ago.  He was gentle, kind, funny and sarcastic, but in a charming way.  You were happy in his presence and spent most of that time laughing.  It is unfathomable to me that his last hours were filled with violence and confrontation ... it just is not the person I knew and isn't the man I will remember.

I choose to believe in a God that does not intercede in tragedies, but weeps for them.  A God that offers strength and courage to go on when nothing makes sense.  I pray that God will allow the people that are overcome with grief to mourn and, in time, to heal. 

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance ........ a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace" Ecclesiastes 3:1-8


For me, this doesn't seem like it was the "right" time, but I don't make the rules or shape the future.  I hope beyond all hope that this is his 'time for peace'

1971 ~ 2011

This CANNOT be Good

The other night I walked back into the kitchen to discover these shenanigans ... Kristen had carried her stool over to the gate, carefully placed it down and then ....... well the pictures speak for themselves.

She climbs onto her stool

Surveys her next move

I was not fast enough to catch a photo of her lifting her left leg and trying to swing it over the gate but that was the next move.  She is going to be the one that tries to climb out of her crib, jumps of the playscape from the tippity top, and jumps into the deep end with out any additional floatation devices.  Thank goodness we have good insurance and that is why we already have her enrolled in swimming lessons.

Go Red ....

Heart Disease is the Number 1 killer in women age 20 and over.  Heart Disease kills more women then the next four causes of death combined. Today is "Go Red for Women Day" to raise awareness and last year on this day I devoted a blog entry to the event. 

I made some pledges that day last year ......

• to personally exercise more (OK who am I kidding - this should really read START exercising!)
• to teach my children the importance of exercise
• to encourage healthy eating for our family

 Are you wondering how we've done on these pledges here in Romanskiville?  I'm happy to report (and sort of proud) that we have made definite strides forward.  We didn't get off to a blazing start in February it took a while to get going.  Last summer we swam, we walked, we biked every day on our Cape Cod vacation and we sweated off a few pounds on those days that were in the high 90's and WICKED humid.  Recently, we setup our Wii and I'm loving the Wii Fit Plus. Kristen and I do Yoga together in the wee morning hours.  I've tried to explain to her that we do NOT need to get up at 5:30 am, we would have plenty of time to get our workouts in even if we started at 6:45 am ..... we are still working that one out.

 

I cook more then ever and I'm not talking about frozen pizza, boxed macaroni and cheese or other dinner in a box concoctions .... these had been our friends in the past.  In the summer, we grilled almost every night and it was rarely a hot dog or hamburger.  This winter our new favorite is Jessica Seinfeld's oven roasted chicken.  Yup, I can actually roast a chicken and no one gets sick !!!!   The best part is that since I've been paying more attention to what we are eating, when and how much I'm 20 lbs lighter ... I still have some to go,  well a good "chunk" to go (no pun intended) ... but there has been significant progress.  

 

To learn more about the movement or get some great information on prevention, etc. Check out the Go Red for Women website.

January Sledding - Live Footage

That is Kristen yelling "Weeeeee" while Paul & Brooke are pulling the sled up and down the driveway.

Winter Time Fun

We've had record snowfall for the month of January in CT and we are expecting more later this week - oh joy !! On more than one morning, we've been awakened by the joyful squeals of Brooke announcing "it snowed last night - let's go sledding"

Bundled Up

 Ready to Ride

 The girls share a sled ride

At first, the girls were impressed by the whole snowman, sledding, snow angel thing but even the novelty has worn off for them.  It takes me longer to get them dressed in their snow gear than we last outside.  I have cheap winter boots - they leak, they lack insulation and the flipping zippers are always getting jammed.  We don't normally get a lot of snow, so they have served their purpose and not warranted a more sizeable investment.  This Winter The Snow Gods are doubled over laughing at me.  So today, after shoveling for a mere 15 minutes,  I came in with frozen toes.  The Snow Gods win - - - I ordered new, expensive boots.  I am sure I have seen the last sizeable, boots needed snow for the season. 

All you people who are sick and tired of the snowy weather can thank me - I took one for the team!!!!

365 Project

When I grow up, I want to take pictures .... really good pictures.  For now I am happy with my point and shoot camera (thanks for the recommendation Mark Burbidge) and the pictures I snap of our everyday life. Since I need to save for the more sophisticated camera and have the time to devote to learning how to use it I decided that I was going to attempt a "365 Project" this year as sort of a warm up.  What's a 365 Project you ask?

A 365 Project is a photography project where you take 1 photo each day for a year on a subject of your choosing and share it with the world.

I'm a little worried that I'm going to forget one day ... so if you see me in person or virtually, ask me what I've photographed that day.

You can follow my project here http://365project.org/hromanski/365

Here's two that didn't make the cut .....

Yup, I've got lots of room for improvement .......

Christmas 2010 Memories

Now that all the chaos of Christmas has passed I'm finally finding time to post some photos from the Holidays.  Brooke was so excited to see Santa at the mall.  As we got closer to the spot she was filled with anticipation but visibly distressed when we rounded a corner and she didn't see him.  "Mom, I don't see a man in a red suit anywhere ..."  Thankfully we spotted him after taking a few more steps.  She was so proud to tell Santa she only hoped to get a new sketch pad on Christmas Morning.  Santa came through.

Santa Claus also made an appearance at Miss Carol's Daycare.  The kids returned from playing down the hall to discover him waiting in the living room.  Love the looks on their little faces.

Brooke was so happy to be on Santa's lap again and this time getting an early present.

Kristen, well let's just say this wasn't her year for Santa Claus