Happy mail

Normally we get bills or junk mail.  Today, well it was different.

No junk this time.  It was "happy mail"

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P got a letter in the mail from Bellarmine University today.

It was addressed Dr. Paul Loprinzi, which I still think is so cool.  But then again, I've been a RN for 2 years now and I still smile when I sign my name K. Loprinzi, RN...so maybe somethings will never get old.

Back to that letter.  I thought it was the stinking parking ticket, the one he got in early September and still hadn't got around to paying.

So I threw the letter at him and said, this should probably get paid soon so they don't double it or something.

But it wasn't the parking ticket.

He hands me the letter like it is not a big deal.

A month ago he wrote up a proposal, or grant, or something - I'm not a research guru so I don't know the right lingo.  And well, this letter was SO not a parking ticket.  It was a letter saying his proposal was selected for funding.

Huge funding (well huge to us at least, and really that is all that matters).

I jump up and down, tell my Mr. congrats.  He still acts like it is no big deal.

Our checking account will be a lot happier in June when the stipend is issued :).

I'll need to thank the guys who helped my Mr. to become a convincing, scholarly writer.

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I also got an envelope addressed to me.

It was from Nana and Papa, and written in my dad's scraggly handwriting.

A huge deal.

The content - a single check, which I didn't want to cash because of the sentiment.

The memo part was hand written "for my grandkids Christmas."

Such a hard moment for a Papa, his first Christmas in 5 years without little grandkids around.  Instead of hand delivering gifts, he sent money because he won't be here to spoil them rotten himself.  This distance thing, ugh it sucks.

Thank you dad.

So, I'll rock out the mall tonight.  Me and my number one gal.  I'll be sad Christmas shopping without my sisters or mom to go with this year...

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And a great grandma and grandpa sent a new bedtime favorite book, and snowman stickers.