What's up?

Okay... It's been a couple of weeks since I've posted anything worthwhile on my blog. I know, I know, that makes for boring reading and for that I'm sorry. But, things have been going pretty well around here.

This weekend Tyler and Michael went away for Michael's confirmation retreat. They were gone from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. Tyler was the retreat leader and Michael was an attendee. All went well.

This gave me a weekend off which, let's just say, I really, really needed. I spent some time away and some time around here but all in all it was just a very well spent time which I will not forget for a long time.

We got hit with about 6" of snow on Saturday which of course brought the area to a standstill! It's going to be cold for awhile so it should stick around for a few days.

What's new? Not much.... Alex has started practice for lacrosse. This is her final season and she was voted as one of the team captains this year. She's excited and so am I for her. Can't wait to visit and watch her and her team play this year. Tyler is finishing up driver's ed and should be getting his driver's license in a couple weeks! Yeah, I'm not looking forward to it but at the same time I really am as I could use the help with all the driving I have to do. Michael finished up midterms at St. Johns and did pretty well for his first semester. His lacrosse season begins in a few weeks and he is really looking forward to it as well. It will be a big adjustment for him as catholic high school lacrosse is pretty competitive. He's small but bounces up pretty quickly when knocked down.

Me? I run all over taking Michael to and from school each day. I'm also, running Tyler all over for school and church as well. Work is going well. Last year was a killer with the recession but personally I'm doing well enough to get through as is the company so hopefully this year we'll see a turnaround. I'm going on a business trip in Feb for a couple days to Biloxi, MS... I am still playing basketball at the YMCA 3 days a week at lunch. I've met a lot of good friends there and it is an incredible workout for sure. I've lost 18 pounds since last September! I'm sort of stuck on the 18 pound mark but for now I'll take it!

Heather and I continue to enjoy relationship beyond belief. We both enjoy one another's families and see each other quite a bit during the week. Often it may only be for a few minutes but that has been great for us to be able to spend time getting to know each other. We had a wonderful December and January has just flown by!!! We take each day one by one, getting to know another better and better each day. We have a busy month ahead and are going to see a special concert right after my birthday... More on that later.

Keep in touch and I'll do my best to keep you all posted on the goings on here in the DeWitt household...

Cheers.

Making the Rink Pink

Well I am now the proud owner of a #25 Jason Spivak Pink RIT hockey jersey!

Check out all the jerseys here.... Mine is on the way. I know they raised a bunch of money for a very, very good cause. I'll post a picture when it arrives!

Pink Rink

RIT Hockey is have a Pink Rink day to raise funds for breast cancer! That is my alma mater from 1985!!!

Hit Counts!

After the news piece traffic to my websites skyrocketed! Over 500 hits on Chris's blog and almost 400 on mine. Many positive comments as well.

On the television NEWS!

Well I have now been featured on the news! I received a call from a woman reporter from our local NBC25 television news department. She has been following my blog for awhile now and after my recent post a week ago she decided that she wanted to do a report on me and my blog.

It was great! She came to my house this morning carrying a huge camera and tripod! You see she not only interviews, she also does the taping, and editing for the story as well!

She asked me a bunch of questions, which you could tell that she read both of my blogs in detail in order to get them. I answered them and then she went about the house video taping us in various roles of normalcy! Me on the computer, Michael doing homework, etc.

I stayed up late tonight and watched it live on the television. It was weird but very interesting for sure. Seeing yourself on tv is a bit odd. As soon as they have the video up online I'll post the interview here! But for now you can go to it's future location by clicking HERE.

Made it through the holidays!

Christmas came so very quickly this year. It seems like just last week that we were in Deep Creek celebrating Thanksgiving.

This Holiday season I was actually looking forward to the coming holiday. That last several years I actually dreaded the entire season. This year, with my new-found friendship with Heather, I was excitedly looking forward to having a good Christmas this year. I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED!

One of the days the week before Christmas I took the day off of work and Heather and I spent the entire day together going to a big mall and looking for some last minute presents. We took in the decorations and the music and I actually enjoyed shopping for the first time ever!

On Christmas eve Alex, Tyler, Michael and I along with Heather and her children went to Mass at St. Johns church in downtown Frederick together. We went to the 4pm mass and although it was very full we were able to sit together. After mass we went back to Heather's house and had a traditional Italian Christmas eve dinner of homemade Italian sub sandwiches. The kids all sat around and chatted and we enjoyed our company greatly.

Christmas morning the kids and I opened our presents along with Chloe. Mid-morning we drove over to Heather's and had a very large and very wonderful Christmas morning breakfast together. We all pitched in and helped and it was a wonderful time together! I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to celebrate the holiday with our new friends!

Late Christmas afternoon we came home and checked on my Turkey that was cooking in a plastic bag in the oven! My In-laws along with Chris's sisters and brothers were all invited over to spend the even together. They all came over around 4. Also, Heather and her kids came over and met all my inlaws that were here too. We all got along splendidly and had a wonderful dinner and gift game. Heather and I were just thrilled to be able to spend the entire day together along with our families.

The week after Christmas was also busy. The kids were home from school and enjoying the remaining snow on the ground. I had some end of the year work to finish up. New Years Eve was fast approaching as well. Heather and I were invited to go to our friends out by Annapolis. After a while we decided to go on out and spend the evening there once we had her young daughter set for the evening. We were able to ring in our first new year together. After several very, very depressing New Year's eves we both have been shown a new future for one another and cannot tell you how excited we are about 2010. Nothing is ever certain in anyone's future but we know that we are looking forward to learning more about one another and enjoying our time together...

On a side note.... I will add that I have been playing basketball regularly 3 times a week at the YMCA as well as working out as well. During that time I have been able to lose about 18 pounds and I cannot tell you how much better I am feeling physically! It's been great and as long as I don't get HURT I should keep on the downward path. I actually had to buy some new clothes as my old pants were too big. I also am wearing dress slacks that have been put away for 5 years!!!!

There are some additional pictures from the holiday on my picasa page and they can be found <HERE>


NOTE: Facebook does not allow people w/o accounts to view photos any longer. If you have a Facebook account you can see all my photos here: FACEBOOK There are no security settings set and all can view.

Snow!

Oh and for those who didn't already know we got hammered last Saturday with 22" of snow in Frederick, MD and the entire surrounding area. We usually only get 15" for the entire YEAR! We haven't had snow like this in a long time. Of course it snowed on Saturday. This picture was taken Sunday and they closed schools for the next 3 days until Christmas break. Not quite like it was when I grew up in upstate NY!

Mike's picture

Michael made this piece of artwork in Art class at St. John's. It was listed in their newsletter that is sent out to all parents and staff. Very nice.

Merry Christmas is on the way...

Hmmm.... where to begin? I know that many of you "followers" continue to follow my blog and want me to keep it up. I will continue to do so as best as I can. I will admit that I have been "busy" the last few months getting to know Heather and meeting her friends and family. In fact this past Saturday we went down to Annapolis and she was able to meet all my close friends from down that way. We had a great time and she got to meet quite of few friends. These are my friends that have looked after me so closely the past couple of years. Yes years.

I find it so very hard to see where I am now vs. where I was. Losing a spouse is an incredibly difficult thing to have to deal with. The emotional pain as well as the incredible household burdens are overwhelming and take a lot to get through. After 2 years it was finally time to move ahead with my life. What has happened in the past 3 months has been a 180 degree turnaround. I am feeling wonderful. Both emotionally as well as physically. In fact I started playing basketball at the Y again on a regular basis 3 days a week. During this time I've lost 17 pounds! So much in fact I had to go and buy new jeans as my old ones for the past 8 years or so were too big!

Christmas has come up pretty quickly and I am looking forward to spending it with someone special this year in addition to my own kids and family. I have yet to finish my shopping. I'm actually taking a day off this week to to shopping with Heather and hopefully she can help me get some of it done. I really can use the female point of view on some things.

Keep your eyes open and check back often and I'll do my best to keep you posted on how things progress in the DeWitt household! Merry Christmas is on the way!

TSO

Since Thanksgiving things have been going along pretty smoothly. Alex has a few days or so left of school and will be home for Christmas next week.
Mike and Tyler are plugging along through school and me? I'm doing very well in my new relationship and looking forward to the holidays once again!

Last night Heather and I went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert in Washington,DC. It was a wonderful show and we both we just in awe at how great the music was.

I believe you can see all the pictures on my FACEBOOK page. That can be found <HERE>

With only 2 weeks left before Christmas we're going to be pretty busy around here. More on that later...

Thanksgiving comes and goes...

This year Thanksgiving came upon us pretty quickly. We didn't decide until about 2 weeks before that we were going to go to Deep Creek again. We did though. Alex came home Tuesday afternoon and that evening she and I went out to dinner with Heather. Since Alex has been at school she has not been privy to the things going on in my life recently. We had a great dinner at La Paz and while there actually ran into Alicia, the woman who watched Tyler and Michael back when they were in elementary school.


Tuesday we went up to the lake and basically went through the same ritual we have in the past 2 years. All you can eat pasta bar came on Wednesday night, coffee shop breakfasts for me on both days, a walk in the woods at Swallow Falls Park, Thanksgiving buffet in the lodge, a movie (2012), that evening. This year we cut it short by one day. We came home on Friday instead of Saturday. Alex wanted to spend some time at home before heading back to school. All-in-all we had another nice get away together.

When we got home we were able to get most of our Christmas decorations up in the house and Sunday Tyler put up the Christmas lights in the 60 degree weather. I am really looking forward to the holidays this year. The past 2 years have been very depressing at the holiday time and so far I can tell that this year will be a complete opposite...

Here is a link to all the PICTURES located on my Facebook page...

Burning Leaves

We burned up all the leaves in the back yard last night. We have too many to bag them so we just toss a little gasoline and whew they're gone like that ! Heather came over to monitor the excitement and make sure no one got hurt...

Here's a little video of Tyler and his biking escapades!

Thanksgiving coming up!

This is Michael's class picture from St. Johns. Got his 1st report card last week and am happy to say all is going splendidly... Great grades, great attitude and no complaints from anyone!

He went to his first lacrosse practice last Sunday. An awakening since he had not done much in 6 months. He's out of shape. Skills are good but he just needs to run more.

I've been actively playing basketball again for about a month at the YMCA and must say that is getting me in shape again for sure. I always get to cover the 6'8" big guy that played in college! We have fun and I don't have any problem running full court for over an hour Mon Wed and Fri.

Last week I had the day off on for Veteren's day. I was lucky enough to be able to spend the entire day, well 9-3 with Heather. We had lunch and did a little shopping together. It was really nice. Things are very, very good between us and for the first time in a couple years I'm looking forward to the holidays and being able to spend it with someone special.

Next week is Thanksgiving and the boys, Alex and I will be going to Deep Creek Lake, MD again. This year we are only spending 2 nights there in order to give Alex some more time at home. She has not been home in awhile and could use the down time. She will also get a chance to finally meet Heather as well. We're hoping to go out to dinner and get the 2 of them to know one another!

Just cutting the grass...

Not much happening here... A quick shot of Michael cutting the grass through the webcam in the front of the house. Tyler will do the back. May be the last cut of the year... We'll see.

Winter Uniforms

Winter uniforms went into effect this week at St. Johns!!! Michael has now learned how to tie a necktie! They all look so professional walking around campus with their jackets on each day.

Prince Michael

Oh yeah... and last weekend Michael went to his homecoming dance and was elected Homecoming Prince by his freshman classmates. Seems he's fitting in quite nicely!

Spirit Week

Oh and last week was spirit week at St. Johns. Tuesday was twin day. Mike and his friend had their picture in the newsletter...

St. Johns Goes Pink

During Spirit Week, Saint John’s designated Wednesday, October 21, as Pink Day in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Students, faculty, and administrators wore pink to show their support and were asked to donate $1.00 to this worthwhile cause. Through the generosity of the school community, $265.00 was collected and will be donated to The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

Fishing!

This year, like the last 2 years, my good friend Danny has taken several of us out on the bay for a day of fishing. It has always been a good time and really has taken my mind off of things.

This year we headed south towards Bloody Point. Unfortunately, the fish were not biting at all that day and we came up empty handed. That gave me a lot of time to take pictures! They are posted on my facebook page. You can see them HERE.

This week wraps up an exciting month for me and my family. Next week brings November and the start of the holiday season. That last 2 have been pretty tough on me especially. I'm quite sure that this season will be a bit different. Life is much, much better with someone in my life to share dreams with...

Catching up and an introduction...

Well it's been a busy couple of weeks around here in the DeWitt household...

Last week I had parent conferences with Michael's teachers at St. Johns. So far everything is going very well. Sure it could be better, but I'll take it over what I've had to deal with the last 2 years in public middle school. He's doing very well in his classes and is making good friends pretty quickly. Never a complaint about school or his uniforms yet. The uniform changes from a polo to a shirt, tie and blazer on November 2nd. The boy will have to learn how to tie his tie!!! We did receive information about lacrosse for the spring season already. Hopefully, things will continue to be positive and he'll play in the spring. It would be a huge boost for him.

Last weekend Tyler drove Mike and I up to Lycoming College to visit Alex on Homecoming Weekend. We got up there and watched her play in an Alumni Game scrimmage. After that we watched the football game with LOTS of people. They still have over 100 players on the team!!! It's amazing to watch. We went to the bullfrog brewery for dinner with her BF Cory and then Tyler drove us home. While at the Bullfrog we did sit right next to the famous comedian Jeffrey Ross. He's the guy who hosts the Comedy Central Celebrity Roasts. Nice guy. He actually went out later that night to the local night club as well. I wasn't there but Alex saw him. Here are pictures from the weekend.

Since we were gone all day Chloe was home alone so my new found friend, Heather (did I mention her?), and her daughters came over during the day to let her out and play with her. They as well as Chloe had a great time together. They played with her for a long time.

This past Friday Tyler attended the Linganore High homecoming (not his HS) with a girl. He and his good friend Tanner went together. They had a good time and got home pretty late I might add. We discussed that the next day. The homecoming dance for his high school is coming up in November and Michael's is this Saturday! Boys are so easy to get ready. When Alex went it was an all day ordeal to get ready. Not with the boys...

Saturday was a terrible weather day. It rained all day. That morning however was the Frederick Pink Ribbon 5K in downtown. Some good friends of mine told me that they were going to see their son run in the 5k. His very first one at that. I told them I would meet them down there that morning. Proceeds for the weekend and the run supported teh Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund in Frederick. A fund where money stays locally supporting those in need. Heather and I (did I mention her?) got there early and found my friends so we saw the opening ceremony. Chris's name was written on the remembrance banner and pink was flowing everywhere! We all walked (in the rain) around the block and saw my friend's son run the race. It was really great. You know, the weather was miserable, but that did nothing to lower the spirits of the runners and the people in attendance. It was a great event. After the race we all went out to breakfast to a wonderful coffee shop in Frederick called Cafe Nola. Breakfast was great and my friends had the chance to chat with Heather for awhile and get to know her.

So... yes I am dating someone and her name is Heather. She is a beautiful and wonderful woman that actually found out about me from reading my blog(s). She read my story and sent me a very nice email about how much she admired what I had done and that she too was going through something similar. I replied back, thanking her, and thought that was it. The next day she sent another email asking me if I would like to have coffee and chat about our experiences of both being solo parents. That got my head and my emotions spinning for sure. It was a very difficult decision for me to make. Difficult then, but not any longer.

We've gone out several times and have really enjoyed one another's company. We have a great deal in common and that has made things very comfortable and easy for us to get to know one another. She has 3 children as well, 2 of which are the same age as Tyler and Michael and they know one another from school. Her 3rd child is an adorable 5 year old girl!!! Both her children and mine are doing well with us seeing one another. I know Tyler and Mike have been able to see a huge difference in me during the past 6 weeks. I feel good and I'm happy and that makes them feel the same. Our household has dramatically changed for the better. So that said, I don't know what my future holds. Who does though? I do know that I have taken control of MY LIFE and started steering it in a new direction. I've spent the last 5 years of my life dedicated to taking care of my family and have finally made the realization that I need to look out for myself as well. Thanks to everyone for the well wishes for Heather and I. They mean a LOT!!! Life is changing... and changing for the better...