Galway - Rainy Day Parade & The Lord Mayor

On December 29, 2009 in Galway, Ireland, the UDMB and UMass Band combined for a parade and concert in the park. Although it was cold and raining, we made the best of it and, in true marching band style, decided the parade must go on. I pulled a few photos from the UMass website, their photographer was fabulous! He got these shots... enjoy!

That's me in the center...

Drumline

This is me with the Lord Mayor of Galway. They picked me out for some photo ops (for the local paper? I don't really know and we did stay long enough to ever find out) I had to squat down because I'm 5'10" tall... the person taking this photo instructed me "Please squat down and give us a blow!" LOL!

Lord Mayor, Declan McDonnell and Me

After it all, it was time to party with our friends!

I'm on my way!

Today's the day and I'm on my way! There won't be any updates on the blog until I return. I'll post Christmas then too. If you'd like to follow along, here's the link:

All Things Ireland for UD and UMASS

A little out of order but...

At Thanksgiving this year, both Kindergarten classes at Camille's school had a traditional Thanksgiving Feast. The Pilgrims and Native Americans (you are no longer allowed to call them "Indians") got together and put on a program. I was not able to attend the celebration, but I found these photos on the school website and could not help but share them on the blog... looks like everyone had a great time! Camille was a pilgrim girl... (I believe I posted a photo from home in an eariler post in November) Enjoy...

Camille delivers her lines from the program into the microphone as her friend Kevin looks on...

Father John and Camille's classmates enjoy the meal.

Prayers (so cute!)

Snow Day

New Hair

A Gig... then the Pour House

Camille had a gig today at the Costume Gallery for the 2011 Catalog. We don't take photos at gigs; for one thing, it's terribly unprofessional, for another, I don't think the costume company would appreciate it much since I am sure the designers work very hard and would not want their very unique designs to get "ripped-off" by other designers before they are debuted. Camille did a wonderful job again this year and afterwards, we took her to dinner at a new restaurant that Mike and I found in Haddon Township called "The Pour House". It was terrific and I am sure we will go back again soon!

Scattergories : F

*What is your name: Faye
*Boy name: Frank
*4 letter word: Fabulous
*Girl name: Fiona
*Occupation: Fisherman
*A color: Fuchsia
*Something you wear: Fidora
*Beverage: Fanta
*Food: Fudgesicle
*Something found in a bathroom: Feces (eewww!)
*A place: Fort Bragg
*Reason for being late: Fell asleep.
*Something you shout: Fine!

Your turn... play along! :)

First night of Hanukkah 2009

Zayde makes his famous latkes...

Yum!

Camille and Zayde light the first candle...

The Hanukkah Menorah...

The candles are getting low, the first night of Hanukkah comes to a close, but there are still seven more nights to celebrate!

Camille's Hearing

We have known for some time now that Camille suffers from a hearing loss. It was picked up the doctors office when she had her first hearing test at age 3 1/2, but we were told not to be concerned because she did not have any speech or language delays and the screenings that are provided at the doctor's office can sometimes be unpredictable. She had a second hearing screening 6 months later at age 4. Again, she failed the hearing screen. This time we took her to the audiologist who was associated with her ENT specialist who sees her regularly for her chronic nosebleeds. The audiologist performed a evaluation and found a mild loss in Camille's left ear but said it was "insignificant" and sent us on our way. This year Camille's reading teacher and Kindergarten teacher both questioned her ability to hear properly so we took Camille to a speech and hearing specialist at Cooper. Cooper's assessment was different than the former audiologist in that the hearing loss was indicated in both ears.

Camille has a high frequency hearing loss, very similar to the audiogram below (this is a representative and NOT Camille's actual audiogram) If you click the link that says "Full Bandwidth" you can hear a short sentence. If you then click the link that says "Low Pass, 2000 Hz" you can hear how Camille might hear that same sentence.

Full Bandwidth

Low Pass, 2000 Hz

In any case, the course of action right now is to get Camille better equipped to hear better is school. In the case of high frequency hearing loss in very young children, this is accomplished though an FM system, rather than hearing aids. The teacher wears a small microphone and her voice is fed to a speaker. There are two types, one where the speak system amplifies the whole classroom and the other where the speaker is fed directly to the child's hearing aid. Mike and I are in favor of the whole classroom version where other children could benefit from the system as well.

Take a moment

Sometimes I think we get too caught up in the day-to-day rush to realize and remember how lucky we really are. Lately, I've been feeling bogged down. I have too much to do at work before the end of the year; an impossible workload really. I have the holiday "rush" to deal with, getting ready for Christmas and top that with a trip to Ireland (I leave the day after Christmas). I have band rehearsal for my trip to Ireland. There are lots of piano gigs for Mike to run to, we have one more big even for the foundation, the annual children's holiday party. Camille is so excited! It's another event she will be able to volunteer for.

On the other hand, I think we need to stop, take a moment and just remember how very fortunate we are to have so much, to have each other and what a very special time of year this truly is...

What a difference a year makes

Granted I am not proud of the photos, but what a difference a year makes. I found a photo of me from last summer...

When you compare it to a recent photo of me, the difference is really quite dramatic...

For those who are wondering, I've lost 85 pounds this year and I am continuing to lose weight. I'm hoping to lose another 40-50 pounds bofore I'm at my goal! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ireland, here I come!

The director has started a blog, which you can find here: All things Ireland for UD and UMASS

I'm getting excited! Mike is getting a little nervous about being home with the cherub for 10 days solo. They both will be fine (she is quite independent and I have no doubt that she will take good care of daddy while I am gone!)

There is a lot to do between now and then. Rehearsals are being scheduled as we speak. 16 pieces of music! Considering we only played 2 pieces for alumni band in October, I think it's going to be quite a challenge. I'm going to have to get a flip folder... I'm not even sure where to buy one of those these days, but I've got Mike on the case... he's checking the local music store. Probably a good place to start. We're also heading to LL Bean this week for some comfy waterproof shoes. Lots to do... the countdown begins!

Great advice from a doctor

Thought this was worth sharing because it applies to nearly everyone and everything. Great advice!

Without question, this is a composite assault on the mind, the body, the spirit. First, I think one needs a support group — positive friends, nurturing friends, who are with us during the good times and the bad times. No. 2, the importance of visiting with a registered dietitian, because we become what we eat. Most of us do not have adequate nutrition, and we need to understand the importance of nutrition as it relates to dealing with this. I think a spiritual dimension is crucial, whether this be a priest, a minister, a rabbi, some member of the clergy to walk with us during these difficult times, but equally importantly to prioritize your activities. What's important to you? What do you want to accomplish? We cannot do it alone; we cannot do everything.

Goodbye 'Uncle' Kieran

I've waited to post this because it's just so painful. We lost a dear friend on Monday night... Kieran Lynch. And while it's so sad and so painful for us that he passed, it is also a blessing for him, because if you are a regular reader then you know that Kieran has been battling a horrible, ugly and incurable disease known as ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) And you probably also know that the end is always death and that for those suffering, it's the only relief.

I met Kieran through my husband, Michael. They were friends first. But from the first moment I met Kieran it was like I had known him my whole life. We feel into an instant friendship and that's just how it went right up until the end.

Kieran was a special man. I would love to write more, but I'm having a difficult time with this right now. I will try to write more later.

Props for Mommy

This past weekend mommy was awarded the Presidential Citation for Outstanding Acheivement at the University of Delaware's Homecoming. You can read all about it HERE. Congratulations Mommy! We are so proud of you!
Love,
Daddy and Camille

All Saints

Camille goes to catholic school, so the children are not permitted to wear Halloween costumes to school. Instead they have an All Saint's Day parade. They choose a saint, find out 3 facts about their saint and dress up like that saint. This year we helped Camille choose St. Lucy. We think she looks great!

Halloween Party at Chinese School

The dress

Photo's from Sydney's Bat Mitzvah

Camille, queen of party favors! LOL!

Our wonderful host and hostess, Rick and Donna... (hey lady, what are you doin' walkin' across my shot?)

Camille and Nina

Camille dancing with Dr. William Tasman, Cheif of Opthamology at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia (you go girl!)

The girls

Karly gets a boost during the Horah.

Camille and Ryan (how cute!)

Sydney's Bat Mitvah Cake before the lighting ceremony.

The centeropieces were spectacular.

Loved the rainbow ice sculpture!

Tree-man and butterfly girl (can you see Tree-man's face?)

Camille loved the Butterfly girl (I thought she was a little creepy, lol!)

Camille and Roxanne. I haven't seen Roxanne in an age! She's modeling in NYC right now and I can totally see why... she's such a beautiful girl!

Roxanne, Syndney and Camille. Roxanne used to be Syd's babysitter.

All dressed up for the big event.

As you can see the photos are in reverse order, but it's too much trouble to right them on blogger, so they'll stay this way. Mazel Tov, Sydney! You did a great job! We're so proud of you!