Tag Archives: holidays

Day 185: Thom, Tressa, Tegan and Tate

Manassas fireworks from the side mirror.

Manassas fireworks from the side mirror.

Happy Independence Day!

I hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday. Mine was awesome! I spent it with some amazing friends out in Manassas, VA. And while I had a terrific day, I’m not sure my friend Reuben would say the same. Reuben is my friends Chris and Karrin’s dog. I’ve been taking care of him while they traveled up to New England for the weekend.

My best friend for the weekend.

My best friend for the weekend.

Reuben is one of the best dogs I’ve ever known, maybe the best. My ex-girlfriend even offered to buy him for $1,000. I know, that sounds crazy – but if you met Reuben you’d want him all to yourself too. Reuben likes to lounge around the house, take walks, chase and retrieve things you throw, have his belly rubbed, eat grass, sniff telephone polls and occasionally let out a long howl. He likes a lot of things. One thing he does not like I discovered: fireworks.

I thought it would be fun to join my friends and watch the fireworks that they set off in Manassas – which is quite a show I might add. I pictured us sitting in those collapsible chairs or on a blanket, Reuben next to me sitting on his back legs watching the aerial display with the wonder of a two-year old. Nope. It was nothing like that. #DogSitterFail

Day 185

Tom, Tressa, Tegan & Tate, 

It was great to see you guys today. Dinner was delicious – the quinoa salad, fish, shrimp, veggies were all amazing! Sorry I had to leave abruptly – note to self: dogs do NOT like fireworks, they will freak out. We got stuck in some traffic heading out of Manassas but had a great view of fireworks from all over on the ride home. Sorry about all the water issues (the house and the car!) – you know what they say, when it rains it pours. Sorry…I couldn’t help myself.

Love you guys – your friendship means a tremendous amount to me.
Reed

I recycled a bag from Paper Source to make this envelope.

I recycled a bag from Paper Source to make this envelope.

Day 166: Dad

Dad and me doing renovations at the cabin on New Year's Eve 2014.

Dad and me doing renovations at the cabin on New Year’s Eve 2014.

June 15th is the Worldwide Day of Giving! It’s a day that I helped start 5 years ago after embarking on a year-long journey of micro-philanthropy. Hopefully you will consider some form of altruistic giving today.

Today, my letter is to my father. As much as I tease him about his quirkiness (he tethers his phone and wallet to his clothes so he doesn’t loose them), he’s a amazing man and incredible Dad. He’s supported me, listened to me, believed in me and loved me unconditionally for 41 years. I’m thankful for him every day, but Father’s Day is a special time to recognize everything he has done and continues to do for our family.

Thank you Dad. I love you very much.

Day 166

Dear Dad,

If you take route 7 west past Reedsville (I like that town) to Morgantown and then pick up I-79 south for about 20 miles you’ll discover the small city of Fairmont, WV along the banks of the Monongahela River. It was there in July of 1908 that the first Father’s Day was celebrated. It was held in honor of the more than 200 fathers who lost their lives in the Monogah Mining disaster of 1907.

Day 166-2I’ve got tickets to see the Pirates farm team, the West Virginia Black Bears, take on the Cleveland Indians’ Mahoning Valley Scrappers Sunday afternoon. I thought we could have lunch in Fairmont and then catch the game. How does that sound?

Happy Father’s Day! I love you very much.
Jason

Day 146: Dad

Day 146

Dad,

When I look back at the letters that I have from you and Mom growing up, the majority were sent while I was spending time away from home at camp, as an exchange student, at college, etc. I’ve kept those letters, I treasure them. They bring back beautiful memories when I hold them in my hand and read the words that you wrote by hand.

As you spend time at the cabin, I thought you could use some mail. It was great to see you this past weekend – I really enjoyed the time we got to spend together.

DadJason

With Dad at a Nationals game a few years ago.

I wonder if you saw the Nats yesterday – close game, they beat the cubs 2-1, Ramos hit the game winning home run. You should google Michael Taylor’s catch if you didn’t see it already, beautiful!

Things here are going fine. I got your check for the Street Sense event on June 2nd. Thank you, that was very generous of you. Put Oct. 1st on your calendar – the 2015 Street Sense Gala. It’s shaping up to be a really cool event.

I’m going over to Ryan’s tonight to babysit Jacqueline and Mackenzie – Ryan and Mandy are going to see comedienne Amy Schumer.

We need to talk about our trip to Europe – we put it on hold as I recall when you had your knee surgery, but that’s been four years now and we still haven’t made plans for the trip.

I’m not sure how long you’re planning on staying up there, but maybe I will try to come visit. And I hope you know that you are always welcome here – I really enjoy when you visit. Maybe we can find time for you to come when we can get to a couple of Nationals games. That would be fun.

I know you have things you want to get done up there, but I hope you take some time to relax and enjoy yourself too.

I love you very much,
Jason

Day 146-2

Day 3: Michael Amez, Whole Foods

All too often people go out of our way to make our experience at a store or restaurant and we don’t take a moment to thank them. Yet when they do something to piss us off, we are quick to kill them on social media and tell everyone we know how terrible they are.

I was reflecting on the holidays this morning and remembered a nice man who helped my sister-in-law out over Thanksgiving. He certainly didn’t Continue reading