Dippy

Last night my first pet, our family dog, Princess Diana XII aka Dippy crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She was my mom's birthday gift 13 years ago and has been an important family member ever since. I remember they got her when I was away at sleep away camp and they were going to surprise me with the fact that she was already home and waiting for us... but my brother Stefan was about four and couldn't keep his mouth shut! We were barely in the car five minutes and he whispered, "Allie... Allie... we got a dog!" When I got home the cutest, fluffy ball of fur was waiting, she looked like a little teddy bear.

 

Puppy Dippy... she was so tiny! I was about 14.

She was a perfect family dog. She was endlessly patient with my brother who would tug on her tail and climb all over her like little boys do. She had tons of energy to run around in the backyard. She was good on guard, letting us know when deer were in the yard. I had many nicknames for her... none of us ever called her Princess or her full name of Princess Diana, that was all my mom's doing by the way, her birthday present her name choice. At the time I told her she officially ruined my chances with Prince William and Prince Harry since I could never casually mention my mom named our dog after their mother..... sigh. So yes, many nicknames... Dippy being the most common. Others were Dip, Dipster, Diana Marie Jones, Diana Suzanna from Louisiana and Doo Da Bee.

 

My high school graduation day... man I look awkward

She loved people and hated stairs. Our house was a split level, so essentially you came in the front door and could go up stairs to the main part of the house or down stairs to the family room and extra kitchen. Dippy never went down those stairs, even as a puppy. Especially after the mean trainer tried to drag her down. She would stand at the top of the stairs and cry, wagging her whole body. As a puppy she would pee from excitement so we'd usually put her on the deck when we knew people were coming. She'd also bring you a toy... or the remote or a shoe or whatever she could reach. We used to joke that if someone broke in she'd bring them the silverware.

"Family photo"

As she got older, she calmed down a bit. She would sneak onto the couch when we weren't home and hop down as soon as she heard the garage door open. As she got older she stopped caring if we caught her and would leisurely stretch and take her time getting off the couch after she was caught.

Every Christmas she would shred our wrapping paper to bits, she never ate it, just tore it up!

When my parents traveled she either went with them or stayed with my grandparents, she never went to a kennel. It probably would have broken her heart! She would do ten or twelve hours in the car without batting an eyelid. At the vet she was always gentle and never flinched when they took blood or gave her a shot. The nurses and vet loved it when she came in. She always slept in the bathroom, usually right next to the toilet or bathtub where it was cool... otherwise she was inbetween all our bedrooms in the hall, right in the middle of us all. I'd get home from school and my mom would get home from work and we'd all sit on my parent's bed and have girl time and chat about the day. Dippy also slept there any time my dad was not home.

Dippy LOVED the snow

 

After making "puppy angels" as we called her snow art work

On my wedding day she was underfoot and loving everyone. It was fantastic. Especially with her big white bow.

My wedding day

 

When they moved to North Carolina her age caught up with her a bit... her golden fur became like a lion's mane. We used to tease that she was chubby but she slimmed into an old lady dog. She met her niece, our Dup Dup, and was thoroughly annoyed by her presence and barked at her a lot. But they tolerated each other!

Being bugged by her "niece" the Dup Dup

Last week she just declined. She stopped wanting to get up, wouldn't really eat or drink... and my mom knew it was time. So last night my family took her to the vet and my mom was with her as she crossed the rainbow bridge. I cried when I got the text telling me but I know she is in a better place. Even Pope Francis agrees. Rest in peace "little sister"... I miss you already.

 

Thankful

This year I have so much to be thankful for... well I do every year but this year has been one of many ups and downs, today of all days I am thankful for my ups. Even if they have been accompanied by some downs.

 

I am thankful my husband is home. He is not deployed like last year, he is not working, he is here and able to give me a kiss whenever I bug him for one. Which is often.

 

I am thankful for plentiful Dup Dup kisses too. I don't ask for those often but she gives them always. Especially if you don't want them really.

 

 

I am thankful for amazing friends. For friends who are truly there for me when I need them. Friends who watch football with you on your birthday even though they have no idea what is going on.

 

I am thankful for friends who live far away but are always there by phone call or text whenever you need them. And ones that give you excuses to buy pretty dresses so you can stand beside them on one the most important days of their lives, just like they did for you nearly five years ago.

I am thankful for my crazy, large, wonderful family. For my parents who support me in all that I do. My amazingly talented little brothers who I am convinced will change the world. My awesome inlaws who made me feel like my family doubled in size since before I was even officially married.

 

 

 

I am also thankful for adventures. Ones that happen here at home or around the world. This year there were many firsts. My husband's first trip outside the US that was not to a war zone. My first time on the continent of Africa... and on a camel. My first time stepping foot in some foreign countries like Spain and Monaco. Even little things, like having my first sweet potato in years a few weeks ago and realizing I do actually like them. Adventures.

 

 

Being thankful is something I try to be more than just on Thanksgiving. It is nice to have the reminder, but everyday I am thankful to open my eyes and see this amazing world we live in. I am thankful for my family, my friends, my faith, my home, my Dup Dup, and everything else that I can or cannot think of at this moment.

 

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving, whether you are travelling or staying in or your family is near or far.... know I am thankful for all of you in blogland too.



 

 



Father's Day

Any man can be a father but it takes a special man to be a dad.

 My dad, the one I always mention in my blog, is not my biological father, but he is my dad. He has always been there for me in every way that matters. He met my mom before I was even two years old and as far back as I can remember, he has been there. I may not have called him Dad right away, but he is definitely the best dad I could ever ask for. He is the one who taught me to ride a bike, took me to the library on Saturday mornings and helped me with my math homework (and I don't just mean as a kid, that went on through college!). My dad is the one who went to band concerts (even if he filmed the wrong blonde girl the whole time... who played the trumpet whereas I played the flute), my plays, girl scout events and swim meets. He picked me up from meetings, drove me to school in the morning and took us on trips up and down the east coast.

My dad is the one who put me through college. He is the one who walked me down the aisle to Ryan and gave me away. He is the one who danced with me at my wedding to Josh Groban's You Raise Me Up and then gave a killer father of the bride speech that still brings tears to my eyes when I remember it or watch our wedding DVD. My dad helped us move in to our first home and clean and paint like crazy people. He is the one who talks to Ryan about stocks and business and politics. He is the quiet man who sends some of the funniest text messages and emails and constantly keeps me on my toes. We may not be blood but we are family in every way that matters... I am proud to be his daughter.

I am also blessed with some wonderful grandfathers, both here and not.

My Papa died when I was thirteen. He was a charming man, a former salesman, and a Korean War Veteran in the Air Force. He had a huge booming laugh and even though he has been gone twelve years I can still hear his rich baritone calling "Hi Honey!" every time he saw me. Even though Stefan, my brother, was not his biological grandchild he still treated him as if he was. My grandparents were always so sweet to him and to my mother... they kept ties with her long after my biological father went downhill. My Papa's gold cross still hangs around my neck on a daily basis and it is one of the most precious things I own. I miss him dearly.

I talk about my Poppy a lot on this blog... a World War II Marine Veteran and one of the best men I know. At 90 years old he is still going strong. My mom and I lived with my grandparents until I was six and my mom always said I was like his seventh kid. This picture is us sitting on the front porch watching the planes come in. Their house is in the landing zone of Newark Airport and by the time I was three I knew from the tail designs which planes were American Airlines, Delta or United. It's a gift. My Poppy helped pick me up from school (sneaking me chocolate pudding to eat on the way home using the foil lid geniusly as a spoon) and taught me my first jokes. I call him at least once a week to just talk and catch up. He stepped in and helped raise me and be a father until my own Dad did so officially. I am so blessed to have these amazing men be my father figures in life when the one who was supposed to do so failed spectaculalry.

I am also blessed to have been priviledged enough to know Ryan's grandfather. Like my own he stepped in and helped raise Ryan and was his dad as well as his Papa. Unfortunately he passed away when we were still newlyweds and I know our family misses him everyday. He was a long standing member of the Air Force and one of the kindest men I have ever met. He was actually the first member of Ryan's family I got to meet when he came up for a special DC visit way back when Ryan and I were still dating. My husband is the honorable, kind and wise man he is today because of his grandfather's amazing influence. I wish I could have spent more time as his granddaughter in law but I am so thankful for the time I did get to have with him.

I even get to have a terrific godfather in my life, my mom's cousin Ken. He was my sponsor for my confirmation and always came to see my shows whenever he got the chance. I road with him in my first convertible and got to hear some wonderful stories as he is an alumni of Catholic University, just like me. We even lived in some of the same dorms.

So, on this father's day I am remembering the dads in my life who are no longer with me and the ones who are still going strong. I hope all the dads, grandfathers, uncles, father figures, godfathers and every one else who celebrates this Father's Day has a wonderful day. And I am counting my blessings.

What I was like in High School

I saw this post over at Mandy's Blog and wanted to write one too! To be honest, I really did hate high school. I am one of those people who came into their own in college… I didn’t care what people thought of me anymore and I made my strong friendships there. But I did ok in high school for the most part.

Actually, I went to two high schools. In the morning I attended what we in Jersey call a “vo-tech” or a vocational technical high school. My votech was a little different as they also offered an arts program. In the morning, when I went, there was acting and musical theatre, then in the afternoon there was dance. So I had the option of taking the bus to my “sending high school” aka my regular academic one and then taking another bus to votech, which was a process that went from almost 6:20am-7:40am. OR. My dad would leave the house at 6:40am and drop me off at votech and I would nap on the stretching mats for an hour until class started. Guess which one I did more?

So votech saved me. Those people were amazing. They were not only all uberly talented, yes there was an audition process to get in, but some of the kindest and most open people. We were from all over the county, most of us from different sending schools, but we bonded! Artists can be that way sometimes :P Out of the 12 people in my freshman class we grew and shrunk through to senior year, but in the end only three of us were there together all four years. There was level one, which was the first year you were there, and level two which were any years after that. So I was a level two for three years. Some people don’t go to votech freshman year; others come in during their sophomore or even junior years… so our class was always fluctuating. But out of that dozen or so I still talk to nearly all of them. One was a bridesmaid in my wedding, and at least five more were present at my wedding.



We would spend the morning doing Meisner exercises like walking the grid or repeating exercises. There were days of diction classes, technical theatre, movement, dancing for actors, singing for actors, monologues, and when we were in productions actual rehearsals. We did an informal and formal show a year. Informals were in the studio and involved a monologue, sometimes a song or dance number, and were smaller. Formals were full scale productions. I was in Exploring Shakespeare, Class Action, The Laramie Project, and Joseph Andrews. We would also tech for the other classes, level one teched level two, level two teched MTs (musical theatre), and MTs teched for level one. So I got to run lights, manage props, and other things. During formals we’d have rehearsals at night, usually around 6-10pm, on top of all of our normal days!

Once I left that bubble though, I went to my high school. I didn’t take any electives *(including gym!)* since votech took those from me. I did go crazy and try lots of sports as I never did them growing up. Freshman year I played tennis, did cheerleading (and lettered for varsity), and track and field (pole vaulting and long jump). Sophomore year I cheered again, Junior year I quit cheer and joined the swim team which I carried into Senior year. Often times I would go from a swim meet to votech rehearsal after trying in vain to not reek of chlorine and our British costume lady Kate would yell at me for making the smell stay in our rented costumes! Freshman year I was in the chorus in Sugar, the musical that my regular school put on. So not the same as votech. I never did the show there again.

Dating, eh not so much. I dated one guy freshman year (he was a junior at the time) but he put way too much pressure on me and then ditched me for a good friend of mine when I would not comply. Nice right? I had some vacation flings but otherwise that was about it. I did have a crush on one guy all four years, not the one I dated, but to this day he never knew! Haha. I was a total dork and very awkward around most guys. We also had been together since 2nd grade in a small town, it just was not going to happen!

For me, romance was not meant to be in high school. Maybe that is half the reason I was so shocked when in my junior year of college Ryan came into my life like he did. It just was not the sort of thing dorky me had happen! I had convinced myself, through years of experience, that I was undatable and uncool. Why would someone so attractive be interested in me?

But, that is a post for another time.

My best friend Sam was a year above me and did swim team with me. Jay went to votech and my sending school with me and was my other best friend, but he graduated early. Senior year was rough without them but I made it. We had open campus lunch sophomore year on up, so we could walk/drive to tons of different restaurants. It was wonderful. Senior privileges fourth marking period were awesome too; if you had a study hall you could leave campus then too. My last marking period was kind of awesome.

See, senior year I could finally take electives again. So I opted for Wood Shop I. I had built some sets at votech and wanted to learn more. When I walked in to class the first day people thought I was lost. Not only was I the only senior in the class, I was the only female! I was the lone lady in a class that was 90% freshman boys.

Oh boy.

The teacher seemed impressed I was there, but it wasn’t that big of a deal to me. But he retired after midterms and they didn’t find anyone to replace him. So we all were given a study hall. I already had one of those…so my schedule became amazing. I would go to votech in the morning, then I had study hall, lunch, study hall… which means from 10:30am-1:30pm I didn’t have to be on campus! I would drive to the mall or meet my mom for lunch, then go back for senior English, creative writing, and psychology. Hard right? :P

It was senior year before I could drive as NJ driving laws kind of stunk, but at least I got to drive in high school! I had to use street parking as I did not have my license the first day of school when they did the lottery for spots. Why not? Well, I turned 17 the second day of school, so I missed it by one day!

So I was the drama geek who tried a lot of sports and different things before hitting her stride in college when she just struck to the acting thing.

I don't have many pictures I can access from work but...


Votech Kids - summer (during college) reunion


Votech kids again


This picture appeared in the paper when Class Action was about to start, my show Sophomore year. My hair looks like a very weird color but it was the lights, I promise!


What were YOU like in high school??