Winter for the Sandy Hook Hasselbergers...blah

March 7, 2013

It's winter.  It's gloomy.  And as I look around each day at the gloomy sky and white ground I can't help but fantasize about a warm Florida beach.

Thomas celebrated his 12th birthday on February 25, 2013...  I can't believe it.  Daniel has been doing so well.. he's healthy and strong.  Sitting tall and very alert.  Me?  I'm perpetually exhausted, sick from sinus troubles, and pushing through depression.  

Daniel has been really happy since returning to school after his surgery and illness.  He sure looks happy in this picture with the girls.  Sitting tall and handsome.

The volunteer kids who take him to gym... his crew!!!

Life in Sandy Hook is hard to describe.  We all are just going about our business, and there are constant reminders about the day we refer to as "it".  The day "it" happened.  Adults and children alike are sensitive to so many things now.  Sensitive to both acts of kindness, and things that frighten you.  Living here, and being here is surreal sometimes, because this is just Sandy Hook, CT.  And yet, it is now the place that "it" happened. Not a thing we want to be defined as.  But not to be helped.  The comfort dogs that are in the schools have been wonderful, and a treat for Daniel who is really starting to enjoy them..

Comfort dogs are a daily event at STARR since 12/14

Daniel having therapy at STARR

Friday night, last week, I brought Daniel to a fundraiser for the Josephine Gay and Dylan Hockley memorial foundation funds.  It was a movie night at the highschool.  Quite fun.  Great to see familiar faces. And yet, always still strangely isolating to have the only non ambulatory child at these things.  Daniel really enjoyed watching finding Nemo.  It was on a big screen and there were lots of kids all around.  Good snacks.

As I write this tonight, it is snowing outside. A storm called "Saturn".  What does that mean for tomorrow? I am not sure, but kind of hoping for a snow day.  

We have snow.  We have wildlife (Opossum, Turkeys, and Deer) that come up and eat the stale bread I provide to them.  I love seeing the animals.  

Happy Birthday Baby Brother Thomas... 12 years old

Monday. What...no BIG STORM THIS WEEK???

Today is November 12, 2012.  Monday.  About 16 days until Daniel goes in for his surgery on his spine.  I feel like the world is kind of closing in on me. Between Sarah's college applications, my schedule of MOM things...

Today Daniel's bed is being repaired, later his lift system. Routine wear and tear, the boy is getting older, and taller.

It was a blessing yesterday to bring Daniel back to church, and for me to have time to worship.  I had not been in so long...  months and months.  I felt revived and connected to Jesus when I left, and I'm trying very hard to maintain my faith and positive feelings.

At least there is no SNOW or bad weather predicted.  We can accept that.

Parties to plan... Daniel is 15 on November 22, and Sarah is 17 on November 20....

MY creative side is napping right now so I am going to end this post.  My MOM "things to get done" side is taking over because I have things to do, places to go....    as always.

We were still cleaning up from Hurricane Sandy this weekend....  I think finally everyone is back to normal, even with another nor easter that hit last Wednesday, gave us snow...but the snow melted fast.  We won't forget this Superstorm...   and I have to keep reminding myself that our home really really needs a generator.

GoFundMe in the Fall...2011

Man....grey sky, orange leaves, cold air... so damp ....  Clearly winter is starting to move closer.  Today I have spent the entire morning on my computer...  Looking for other funding mechanisms, grants and programs for special needs children.    Looking for jobs...feeling very frustrated.  I am a confused jumbled mess today.

I did get a recommendation to use GOFUNDME.com   Which I think is a cool new website ...  You can set up a measureable goal to attain and work towards in your fund raising efforts.

And then share it with Facebook, twitter, etc.  So I set one up for my guy Daniel.  Who God knows needs so much more than I can provide in my meager time consuming all encompassing life.

If I could draw life as a giant rollercoaster I would.  Because I am on one every single day. It never settles, it never stops, there are moments of relief ....and then it starts again.

and again.

and again.

Please see GofundMe   recommend it to a friend.  Maybe you need to raise funds for something or someone special.  Try it.  

Somewhere in this house there must be warm sweaters.  I know its pretty to look at...but Fall this year is a prelude to wondering... "after last winter what the heck is going to happen this year?"