this year

Valentine's Day this year was not spent at a fancy restaurant or at an expensive hotel. I didn't receive flowers, we didn't exchange cards. It was the most relaxing, Valentine's Day ever. Sal came over in the evening, and we began preparing dinner/dessert, for not only the two of us, but also my Daddy. My mom went to Florida to be with her Dad, my poppy, who had a stroke. 


While Sal was getting dinner ready, I was making cupcakes!


We exchanged gifts as well. I only got Sal an ESPN Trivia Desk calender; I had wanted to do something a little more special, but when my poppy had a stroke, I kind of forgot. Sal made me a wonderful collage of pictures of us, tickets to events we've been to, "Love Is" newspaper clippings, and even a rose :)

Dinner was served and we spent the night laughing and smiling. 

Chicken Italiana over Thin Spaghetti, and Potatoes, and Green Beans.

For dessert... Red Velvet Cupcakes made by ME!

After dinner we watched t.v and cuddled up on the couch. What a perfect ending.

Times Passes By

I've been keeping busy between classes, work, and volunteering at a hospital in the Child Life Department. I've also been trying to get my small cupcake business going; starting with business cards, a logo designed by me, and trying out new cupcakes. I might have my first customer, as well as a contribution to a baby shower [super excited about that].

However on the other hand, things have taken a downward spiral this week. On Thursday my family got a phone call. From Florida, where most of the family lives. My poppy was found on the bathroom floor, he was conscious and breathing, but passed out. We later found out he had a stroke. We were immediately filled with grief and helplessness. I went about my daily business after a good cry. When I returned home that night some relatives were over discussing travel plans. My mom, cousin, and uncle decided to head out on a plane in the morning to be with him and the rest of my family. I decided I would go if things took a turn for the worst.

Right now he's slowly making progress; however, he is still in the ICU. Not only did he have a stroke, but he also has congestive heart failure, and pneumonia. He's not the type of person to want to sit still, he still plays softball and is just itching to leave the hospital.

It sucks not being able to do anything, and being here while he's there. I talked to him on the phone... even though he couldn't really talk. I told him I loved him, he replied, "I love you too." It felt good telling him how I felt about him, even though I do that every summer.

Isn't it crazy how one phone call can change everything? How in one moment you're happy, and the next you're sad? I can't begin to figure out why bad things happen to good people. It makes me sick. To top it off, since my poppy was hospitalized, my grandma hasn't been feeling well and isn't able to sleep at night. I guess they say that happens when something happens to your spouse, or ex-spouse in this case.. because they remained very close friends.

I know my poppy is a fighter and can battle through this. He has so many people praying for him. I don't know what I'd do without my poppy's sense of humor and sarcasm. We'd always share coffee cake when I visited him at his house - and he'd always make sure he had some at his house when I went to visit.

I remember the days he used to pull my brother, cousin, and I around the yard, while we sat on towels. We could do anything to him and he'd just think of a way to make us laugh. He's a stubborn old man, but he sure loves his kids and grandkids.

I love you Popparoo. Stay Strong <3