See you on the other side Soupy!

Soupy, Pete, Donald, Dad Dad, Sarge, Don, Dad! So many names to match the many different sets of people who loved him.
I lost my own father when I was 16 to a hard fought battle with Leukemia so when I fell in love with Don, I was thrilled to have a father figure in my life again. We had a great 22 years together. I like to cook and he was the best cook/baker I have ever known since my Dad passed away. They were two of a kind in that way. You know, the throw in a bit of this and a pinch of that kind of cook that only time spent cooking on a Navy ship can teach. Dad C made the best stuffing I have ever savored. So last November, seems I had taken over the Thanksgiving dinner, I asked if we could prepare it together. I mean he had it written down but I am a visual learner. So we spent several hours in his kitchen together and I learned the nuances that go into making that delicious turkey stuffing. It is so much more than ingredients: it is the way you cut the bread and let it stale. It is the way you cook the sausage and bacon and then use that same grease to saute the celery. (Hey, I never said it was healthy!) I keep thinking back to that day together and so many other wonderful memories of my father-in law. He was a master story teller. He was a devoted husband. He was a loving father. He was a funny and wise daddad to my kids. He was colorful yet gentle. He was a problem solver. He was a protector. He was a true patriarch in every way and our family now has a huge void gaping hole. On Tuesday night about two hours after we said goodbye to this giant of a man, we had gathered at my mother in laws home and the roof shook and an overwhelming sound of rain quieted us all. We ran to the window to watch a thunderous downpour that stopped almost as soon as it started. We all just looked at each other and I turned and cried. "He is there! He made it to heaven. He wanted us to know he got there!' We all agreed especially the next day when others in Catonsville said that it hadn't rained at their house that night before. Oh, he is in heaven all right! He and our girl Meghan and my Dad as well. Can you smell that? Yup, smells just like celery sauteing in a pan of bacon fat.....mmm!

On turning 48...

It is funny that about a month ago, I was dreading this birthday. It seems that every time I finish up a decade of my life, I swear that the next, upcoming decade, will be the best one yet: The 20's were when we were going to travel...not! The 40's were supposed to be my time to get fit and feel better....not! You get the idea. So of course with the 50's coming up I have reflected on the 40's and back. I was thinking about all of the things I hadn't accomplished or the disappointments of those years. WHY? When did I become the "glass half empty girl?" All my life, I have been complimented on my optimism and love of life! As I have sat in the hospital with my failing mother (just 73 years old) the past two weeks, I have had a complete reversal in thinking. My God, how lucky am I to even be celebrating a birthday? To have lived and loved on this Earth for 48 years? Sitting with mom has put it all in perspective. I have experienced so much happiness over the years and it had nothing to do with what my age was or what decade I was in! I haven't traveled the globe but I have journeyed through such moments of pure love with my family. I have explored and challenged my intellectual self by continuing my education. I do not have a passport but I have lifeport filled with treasured conversations, memories and experiences. I am the luckiest and most blessed 48 year old I know! The big 50 coming up....hell yeah! Bring it!

Ravens, Royalty and Reefer

Welcome to Bmore Jimmy Smith!

Well it has been a crazy 18 hours for me. I had to stay up late to see who my beloved Ravens took in the first round of the NFL draft. Much to our amazement Jimmy Smith, an amazing, 6'2" reefer loving cornerback was still there. From the looks of Jimmy's photo he will fit right in with our Ravens. Hey, it's not like we haven't had to offer a little player reforming in the past! I like him already....just look at his swagger! Went to bed at midnight.





David Beckham is smokin' hot!!!!!!

Woke up at 5 AM to get my Royalty on! Wow is all I can say. I loved every minute of it. It seems the twentysomethings don't "get it."    I "got it" in 1981 when I was almost a twentysomething and got up to watch Lady Di and Charles. This wedding seemed way cooler to me. Loved the convertable ride to the reception that William planned. And Kate really seemed to be having fun! Beatrice and Eugenie were over the top and I loved their ensembles. I am sure you can tell from the photo that David and I had a wonderful time. I am so honored to have been able to attend such a historical event.
But I must say I am a little tired so I think I shall nap.
Signed, Lady Margaret Muffin Brandford 
(no! that is not my stripper name too)



Just the Girl I Ordered!

Allison Margaret: The girl I ordered!

I won't disclose when, in order to protect the innocent, but recently a "Mental Health" Day was taken by the Campbell Girls!  Allison is the best daughter and such good company. She has spent the better part of this spring her life being shuttled to her brothers' games and events. So it was with great pleasure that I spent a day with the girl of my life. I let her sleep in till 9! Then we watched some "What Not to Wear" episodes. Next, we went to the State Park and took an unintentional 6 mile hike. (Thought that trail was shorter!)



A photo of our shadow from the swinging bridge!

 Bought new nail polish at CVS and painted our toes. We finished the day with a trip to Opies for our first snowball of the season. It was a wonderful day filled with honest conversation, genuine laughs, and limitless love. I have often been overheard saying that Allison "is not the girl I ordered!" I mean she is such a tomboy, hates pink, and prefers to roughhouse with her brothers than to craft with her mother. But I love her more than life itself. She has been such a gift to this family and is actually JUST THE GIRL I ORDERED!

I love Craigslist!

Now you see it, now you don't! I sold a car on CL in exactly 3.5 hours. This car doesn't even run! I think it is karma because we bought Brent's car off of CL and that worked out too! Last year we demolished an entire brick and concrete patio and guess what....I put all the broken up crap on Craigs and people came and took it by the truckload....you know why? Because it was FREE! I often check the "wanted" section on CL and have made some nice pocket change selling some of my stuff that others need! We may not even need a dumpster for the kitchen demo....might just put it all on CL!
So yeah, it is true, I LOVE CRAIGSLIST!

Bye Bye Volvo!    http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/2316589016.html

There Goes the Honey Do List

No Government Shutdown!
Good news: We will have money to continue paying our massive tuition bills.
Bad news: My  honey do list for Don will have to wait.



Don's Furlough To Do List:

• Strip the ktichen wallpaper
• landscape the side yard before Brent's graduation
• Sell the dead Volvo that has been sitting in our driveway for a year
• Steam clean the carpets in the entire house
• Go to the dump
• Clean the garage
• Shred all that stuff that needs shredding

He would have done all of this and more. He is a very good "To do list crosser off-er." Damn that Federal Government!!!

My Wounded Warrior

Brent #2 with his jersey and without!

My oldest is a college senior and captain of his lacrosse team. He has been playing through the pain of a shoulder that continues to dislocate. He will have his third shoulder surgery after graduation.  As his mother, protective and prayerful, I would not be unhappy if he sat out the rest of the season. As his mother, patient and proud, I support his decision to play through the pain. Today was a wonderful day for my wounded warrior. He won 10 out of 14 of his faceoffs! The smile on his face with his teammates after the winning game really tells the whole story. This Son of mine: He loves life. He loves lacrosse. And because of his passion---I love him!