Things I Love Thursday

It's been another long week. My grandpa passed away on Wednesday night. Thanks to all of you who have send along prayers and positive thoughts. I really appreciate it. It makes this post all the more poignant, reminding me not to take things for granted. So on with the post.

• watching the fireworks with my sister: Watching fireworks on the 4th has been a sibling tradition for as long as I've had my license to drive us down there together. We always went super early and found the perfect spot near the fallout zone, but far enough away not to get set on fire. We'd go early and bring card games and snacks and drinks. Last year we missed seeing them together because I was at a friend's wedding, so this year was the first viewing in Dubuque. The YA church group was going to watch together so I thought it'd be fun to go with them. It was really nice. We ended up just blocks from my apt, and away from the fish flies on the river. We had cupcakes for a friend's birthday and ended up making the guys night by playing euchre with them. It was just fun overall.

• buying Dave's EP: You've probably all seen the video for the song from my twitter or gmail status. If not, go watch it. It's really well done, both musically and visually. If you're so inclined, you can get the album on iTunes or Amazon for about $4. I've been listening to it ever since I got it. Totally a good investment for $4. It's really helped me cope this week, letting me escape mentally for a little while. I really feel like I'm constantly whoring some music or YouTube channel out here, but that's just what I do. I love sharing things I love with other people :)

• my friends: everyone has been really supportive and thoughtful this week. I love my friends every week, but especially this week, you guys have helped me smile and stay grounded, whether is was a funny tweet about the hiccups, or a long email about a weekend in Barcelona to distract me from everything, I really appreciate you all and want to remind you how much I love you.

• my mother: She's had an awful week, losing her father. But she's such an amazing person that when I told her about needing to post tonight, she told me that she knew it was Thursday and had already checked my blog to see if I'd posted yet. Even after all that's happened this week, she's so cognizant of her family and everyone else that she knew I'd be writing something today. She's my emotional rock and best friend. And even though I tell her every time I see or talk to her, I don't tell her nearly enough how much I love her.

• my sister: she came down for the weekend to hang out and spend the holiday with me. I had so much fun hanging out for 3 days. Then she came back when we found out about my grandpa not doing well. She stayed at the apt when I went to work Tuesday, and I came home to find her doing dishes and laundry. I'm absolutely spoiled with such wonderful family members. I'm really glad I'll have my little sissy so close for the next two years!!

• my grandpa: he would have been 89 in 3 weeks. He never really acted his age until he got sick a few years ago. When I was younger, he and my grandma would travel on 2 week driving vacations with us. I saw the Rockies, Washington D.C., and Maine with them. I'll never forget going whale watching with them. Because of it being so windy on the boat, everyone had to wear their hat backwards to keep them from blowing off. That picture became the 'rapping grandpa' picture. I think that was the same trip that he ate cold pizza for breakfast with Manda and I. He was a farmer, and stayed one his whole life. Even after they'd moved to town, grandpa and grandma always had at least 2 gardens. No matter how my dad tried to compete, grandpa always seemed to have the first ripe tomatoes. I'll never forget the many nights of playing card games around the kitchen table, listening to the women complain that the men beat them everytime, all the while grandpa claiming "Rose always wins when we play." Grandpa Wally, I'm glad I inherited your competitive streak, your stubbornness, and your playfulness. I love you dearly and you will be missed!

A few other things I loved: my dad (for being my mom's rock this week), my co-workers (for being so understanding about me being so spacey this week), amy stopping in mount vernon on her way to chicago, finishing "little brother", starting the ARC of "fire", watching lots of dr. who w/ manda this weekend.