My 2014

I've sat down to write this several times but walked off each time. It seems like a lot a work and perhaps it is emotionally.

Quite simply put, my 29th year was not what I expected. It was better, it was more, and I could have never imagined how I would grow.

The year rang in with an awful call center job, soul sucking. I put in an application at Origami Owl to work 2nd shift emails support. I didn't care, I just needed out. I was so confident I got the job after my interview I walked out of my other job. End of story, I got the job.

On March 15, my estranged sister had an emergency cesarian section to deliver her daughter. I started Origami Owl the next day. We began slowly texting over the months.

On April 25, I awoke to a panicked phone call from my cousin Cher. Uncle Tom had suddenly died. My Dad's baby brother. His funeral was on my birthday. His loss was deeply painful for all of us.

Rapid changes occurred and eventually we became full time (regular business hours) phone reps.

At the end of May, my mom and I, embarked on a trip of a lifetime. Sentimental as it was important. This sounds silly but we both likened it to a curse on our family, like the movie holes. Paris was amazing. Normandy was emotional. We cried for my grandfather, Uncle Steve, ourselves, our cousins, everyone that was robbed of knowing Nick but most importantly Nick that didn't get to live a full life. I remember placing my hand on his grave and whispering, "I'm so sorry this happened to you". I left Normandy with an inner peace.

Upon return I did confront the solider that shot Nick, he was a coward. I know and I tried - he has to live with that - not me.

When I returned to work I was asked to work back up to the front desk. Eventually I was asked to take over. From there I was asked to interview for the front desk position at our other site that came with progressively more duties. I learn something new everyday in my role and adore all my co-workers there. I've learned to be more social, outgoing - hell I wear dresses and skirts most days. I grew up and I became more professional. I'm proud of the person I'm becoming.

In July I got to meet my niece Audrey. She is perfect but tiny. It's very strange to see how things have come along with my sister. I don't think things are perfect and they won't ever be but they are good. I've grown and tried really hard to let things go because I want my niece to know her silly Aunt Sarah. She's a small, amazing, beautiful little girl - my cupcake.

I was able to mend some friendship by just letting go. My Aunt gave me the best advice " water over the dam" let it go. Do not spend time  dwelling or being angry instead of living the life you could be living.

Next year is my 30th year. I hope to visit my cousin Cher and go to Vegas for my 30th birthday. And of course, spend more time with my cupcake:)

Yearbook Fun!

I found some fun photos and information on my grandfather last night:

1943

1948

WWII 

1942

Ukrainian Crazy

My Great-Grandmother, Eva, is a bit of mystery. Not even a photo of her exists.

The only story I know about her, from Aunt Arlene, is that she had a temper  - and she was nuts.

She would get so upset she would smack her kids around with skillets and the only thing that would calm her down was vanilla ice cream. Aunt Arlene recalled several late nights of running out for ice cream (along with Uncle Steve whom she was dating at the time) so she'd stop beating the kids.

Marge

I didn't know my maternal Grandmother but despite dying suddenly at age 53, she lived a colorful life.

She was born Margaret Mary on April 11, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio. The circumstances of her early years can be found in previous blogs (See Tag: Evans).

Her friends and family called her Marge. She went to South High School and was quite popular. During a game in which her school played Holy Name, my grandfather asked her out. She had been asked out by a suitor from her home team and eventually declared she'd go with whomever's team won. My grandfather's team won.

In 1943 she enlisted in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. According to a cousin she did this by running away to Columbus, and was then stationed in Florida. She did this due to an affair with a married man gone wrong. After 3 months she was discharged due to a skin condition the Army was tired of attempting to treat despite the humid location aggravating it.

She married my grandfather and raised 4 kids.

On 4th of July weekend in 1975, she suddenly died to a ruptured cerebral aneurysm.

Thanksgiving

Gosh, when did life get so busy?

I wanted to write a VERY quick post for Thanksgiving.

Every year my Grandma Miles brought the same thing to dinner, nobody liked it. Nobody wanted to eat it. She would even put it on your plate.

Rutabaga's .... gross!

DNA

I wanted to share some of my results between myself, my mother, and my father's first cousin (my first cousin 1x removed).

Presidential Memorial Certificates

I learned about this service this past week. Thought I'd pass it along.

Still hunting for the death certificate for my Grandma Marge but I've mailed in requests for the others.

The link is pretty self-explanatory.