The shovel...

this is a follow up to my last post.

Every morning or when we walk down the stairs we pass by the collage that I made for my dad's funeral. Sometimes I think it is weird that I stop with Avery in hand and say "good morning, grandpa" or "hi, grandpa". I might have a hard time explaining that someday, but for now its great! He gets a big smile on his face each and everytime he passes by it. and will occassionally scream at it. It helps to keep his memory alive, if not for me at least for my son. It also is filled with positive memories of my dad...at least the ones I can remember.

I'm not sure why I have such a hard time remembering the good ones. But someday I will compile a list...

So the reason for the title of the blog. We borrowed a shovel from my mom and its sitting out in our front yard for the moment. It was a shovel my dad always used for whatever he was doing around the yard. It makes me think of him when I see it. We also have the picnic table that my dad built us the summer before he died, so that table better last a very long time!

I also made eggs this morning and was trying to flip all 4 together in a circle, my dad would have been able too, I couldn't. But it got me to laugh! I think of him when I make homefries too b/c he was also good at making breakfast, even if he didn't always make enough for everyone!

I remember he would always cook food, but make it spicy, to the point where no one could eat it especially my mom. I learned most of my cooking from him as he was the one home at the time and made me learn. How else was I supposed to feed myself on my own?

so here's a list for you dad...I've been thinking about you alot lately and can't believe that is has been a year since you have really left my life. Although sometimes it feels like you are more in my life now than you ever have been...

1. walks in the woods: he would teach us how to find our way back in case we got lost. ALways look for the lake! our neighbor miracously found us in the woods once...still don't know how she did that!

2. fires in the back yard: when we were little we would beg to have them every weekend. But we had to find fire wood first. we would roast marshmellows, hotdogs, and play hide and seek.

3. he built us a tree house

4. we helped plant 4 trees in the yard one year, one for each kid...there might be 5 now...

5. he would jump out and scare the crap out of me in the middle of the night...not sure that is a good memory but is funny now. NOT so funny then.

6. he attempted to teach me to drive a stick shift...yeah not successful. But he did take me driving.

7. taking us to see the deer in the field, nothing like being up close to nature, but safe in the car.

8. night fishing...was ok, but got eaten alive by mosquitos..

9. swimming at night...but never alone!

10. going camping: taught us how to set up a tent, build a fire, etc.

11. sand castles at the beach, walking along the rock in York searching for starfish, snails, hermit crabs, etc.

12. eating lobster every year we went to maine

13. always calling my now husband Tim...apparently they look alike!(tim is my uncle on my mom's side)

and the list shall continue, avery just doesn't want to sleep!