HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

It's time...
Let's ring in the NEW~
throw out the OLD~
and begin a fresh New Year.
Do you make resolutions????
I try to think of things I'd like to improve,
or change or discontinue or...whatever-
New Year ~ New You
Although...
I do like the old me (figuratively and literally)
For The Most Part...
so maybe I'll just try to~
# 1. Be Kind to others
# 2. Be Kind to me (when I forget #1)
Have a safe and happy new year!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Merry Christmas
***
love and joy
***
The Gerardi's

the insanity...

It's rude!
Lorraine (mom-in-law)
had her final RADIATION treatment.
Given at the hospital.
Loma Linda.
She had to lay still on her back for about 30 hours
while receiving an ultra strong last dose of radiation.
Her hospital bed had steel shields on both sides and
she could only have visitors in for 15-20 minutes MAX.
At the end of this treatment...we were told to pick her up,
they needed the bed and she had to get out. ???
The treatment ended at 10:30 P.M.
That's what time Jim had to go check his mom out of the hospital!
It is beyond belief.
But that's what he had to do.
ARGGGG
Hospital bureaucracy!

Yippee!

It's taking a long time but it's getting closer!
Today the counter tops were installed...
Say good-bye to little white tiles
and line after line of grout to clean!
Tonight the new faucet, new garbage disposal (it was 20 years old)
and pipes and hoses and knobs and yada-yada stuff
are all being hooked up!
I have photos but can't upload them...
but I did get them on my facebook post.
You can see the beauty there.
Next step...
I am studying the "how to tile back splash"
because that's the next step
that may OR may not happen before our big family bash
~THIS SUNDAY~
wish me luck!

No more white tile squares & grout!!!

All I can say is
hurry!!!!!
Tomorrow is the big day...
New kitchen counter tops!
I'm a little giddy...
Of course, the house is 20 years old,
and we've been here 15.
Bit by bit, we are doing improvements.
We painted,
inside ~ then outside.
We got laminate floors downstairs,
we got carpeting upstairs.
We've replaced some light fixtures.
We rebuilt our balcony (you can actually go on it now)
and got 1 block wall in the back
(2 to go...we'll see).
We replaced the kitchen appliances.
(wow the oven really does close now)
and now~ ta da! ~ counter tops!
This project (as all of them have been) is
not going totally smooth.
I will keep you posted....

O Christmas Tree

Jim usually buys a small tree for his parents
every year for Christmas.
But...
with Lorraine in the middle of radiation we thought an
artificial tree would probably be a better solution.
I looked and looked and found a small (4 1/2 feet) tree.
The display really looked nice, but seemed a little pricey.
It went on sale and so we bought it.
Today, we took it to their house and took it out of the box.
It wasn't hard to assemble (hinged branches).
Then I looked at it and my heart sank...
This did NOT look like the display tree in the store.
We have NEVER had an artificial tree so this was something new.
As I stared at the tree longer, I realized that it just needed a little fluffing.
After all, it had been in a box for who knows how long.
So with a few pulls and pushes and twists and fluffs...
voila'
We beheld a beautiful tabletop tree.
Well, that meant we needed to decorate it and so we did!
It turned out even better than I expected it.
And ...
Lorraine loved it!

Can you believe it?

It was decided,
that we would drive
to Crestline in the In-laws
CAR.
(not my choice)
Jim drove and pulling into
the little town of Crestline...
the car died!
We coasted to the side of the road.
We were in the driveway of a Tax service business.
Fortunately, closed on Sunday.
Maybe the engine is hot? It's not the starter, right?
Something is WRONG. The car will not turn back on.
WELL....
Jim walks to the cabins (about 1 mile) and the owner
drives him back and picks us up and all our gear.
Before leaving, we push the car up the driveway and into a parking spot.
We arrive at the cabins. "We've upgraded you!" Sounds good...
but...In reality, not so great. We had reserved a two-bedroom cabin.
We got a one-bedroom cabin and upstairs a one bedroom/ bathroom room.
Kind of great, it was like a tree house room. The problem was the kitchen,
living room and dining area were all downstairs.
Stairs that were outside.
Meaning, awkward kitchen forays in the night (in nightgown or change back?)
"hang on I'll get it" stop and run up the stairs and then back down again.
Whatever....
The jacuzzi was EXCELLENT!!!
we found yummy places to eat.
the beds were clean and very comfortable.
Back to the car....
Jim and I pushed (yes, pushed) the car about 2/3 of a mile
to the Mechanic, thankfully on the same road.
(no one offer any help until we had to push the car across traffic
and up the driveway of the mechanic. Then 1 kind man ran out and helped. Bless him!)
The mechanic would call us. And he did about one hour later. It (the CAR)
would have to be towed down the mountain...it was too much for his small shop.
Somehow this doesn't sound very encouraging. That CAR is our only transportation.
How's your stomach feeling? Are the juices boiling yet?
Well the tow truck guy is out on a job...back in about 2 hours.
when you're in the mountains these jobs are long and expensive...
So finally, the tow truck comes..Jim will ride with him to Sun City.
The driver will also drop Jim at our house, where Jim will get my car and
drive back up the mountain. The new mechanic will be in contact tomorrow.
Tomorrow is the day our relaxing get-a-way is ending and
we go back down the mountain and return home.
So the CAR had a timing belt blow. This is a very BAD thing to happen.
Little pieces of metal flying around the engine doing lots of damage.
The CAR should be ready in one week...if all goes well.
( I'm not holding my breath)
Can you blame me?

We'll be...

We'll be comin' 'round the mountain when we come,
we'll be....
Get it???
We're going away for a couple of days.
We are going to Crestline.
We'll be staying here...
http://theplacetorelax.com/
Can't wait!

Oh to be a waitress ~~~~

Today work was long.
Customers were overall pretty nice.
But on to me...
I hate to recommend things.
I am a
VERY,
VERY, PICKY
EATER.
When I'm asked about things
I don't eat...
I say "oh, That's my husband's favorite"
or
"That is really a popular choice"
or
"It's just the perfect light meal!"
BUT, sometimes....
I will try
to steer a customer away from an item.
"That is NOT sweet,
if that's what you were thinking"
or
"people love this or hate it"
or
" well...."
If you hear these kinds of replies~~~
you might want to reconsider your option!
If you want advice
and
you get advice,
you should TAKE the advice!
And
don't complain later!
But that's just my...
RECOMMENDATION!

The Results....

lymph nodes
SIGH

wah....

I had a big old melt down;
crying jag
yesterday.
I feel much better now.
Things are actually progressing
nicely.
Today ~
Lorraine was released
from the hospital.
We were giddy,
we kept repeating
"There's no place like home,
There's no place like home".
Then I broke into song
"be it ever so humble,
there's no place like home."
Now...
Let the healing begin.

summer fun

So...
Diane and I went to Oceanside.
We went to kayak!
It is such a fun thing to do.
The day was gorgeous....
the weather was warm,
being on the water was refreshing!
We were in the marina
and
by the floating bait store
(yeah it's a dock that's a bait store)
there were many, many pelicans
and
also some sea gulls
and
the best part...
the three seals!
They were bobbing around in the water,
flipping on their backs,
diving and just having fun.
While watching...
one of the seals emerged
about 3 feet
yes 1 yard!
from my kayak!!!
Then I was worried...
would he pop up under my kayak
and
tip me over????
Well of course the seal didn't.
but....
We had so much fun.
I
love
to kayak!
(who knew it was so much fun?)

Okay....
I don't feel ancient.
I don't think I look ancient.
As of tomorrow...
I will be
52.
The number does not freak me out.
I mean we all know what the alternative
to getting old is.
I do not want THAT!
BUT....
Why does it have to be so hard to stand up?
Or get out of bed in the morning?
Or bend over to pick up something?
Why do I forget simple things
but remember meaningless drivel?
Oh cruel age...
tomorrow is my birthday
so
please
be
kind!
Happy Day!

When you gotta go, you gotta go!

It's been 18 months.
My last visit wasn't very happy.
I get so frustrated.
He's going to make comments...I already know!
He's going to ask questions...they make me sad.
He's going to suggest things I don't want to hear.
But...
That yearly physical has to be done.
Even when it is sometimes 18 months instead of 12.
He told me I had waited 2 years...since 2007
But it was the end of December 2007,
I make sure he knows!
And...
now it's done.
whew

And it was just the beginning of the day...

So Monday after nearly incapacitating myself....
Diane emerges from her room 90 minutes later
I hate my bank!
My ATM card won't work
AGAIN!!!!
I'm going to go in and close my account and open one
somewhere, ANYWHERE else.
Then she looks at me,
"Are you Okay?"
I burst into tears and relate my story.
After hugs and consoling...
she leaves for the bank
"I've got to get gas money, my truck's on empty
and the ATM won't work!"
Sorry I can't come with you for support but I'm JACKED UP!
20 minutes later she returns home...
she's nearly
hysterical
"The bank says they've frozen my account.
Someone is SUING me!!!"
She's holding a card the bank wrote a name,
phone number and case number.
WHAT...
Apparently, there is someone in
New York with her same name. The New Yorker is being sued.
And... she banks at our bank!
Unfortunately,
care wasn't exercised
and they froze whatever came up with her name.
That is why her ATM card wouldn't work.
After phone calls and bank visits and more phone calls
we are hoping
(Fingers crossed!)
things will be better this Monday night,
Tuesday at the latest.
***
Mondays,
watch out for Mondays!

Ouch, I think I Cracked My BUM!

I know I haven't posted for a long time.
I just feel so boring most of the time.
What's going on? The same old same old.
Then,
Monday morning (my day off and nearly always laundry day)
As I head in to the garage to do the laundry
( Yes, I am jealous of everyone with indoor laundry)
(and remember I've lived here almost 15 years)
(and the garage door is the door I use ALWAYS, Who uses front doors? )
(oh, maybe all the people with indoor laundry!)
So, back to my story...
I'm carrying a basket of laundry
=like I've done 52 weeks a year for ALMOST 15 years=
And I step down the first step and as I step down the second step
******OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH******
I step wrong.
I'm not sure how, or what happened.
All I know is it's "slo-mo" time and I'm going
DOWN
And down hard.
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Smack on my tail bone.
My mom would call it a PRAT fall.
The basket popped out of my hands.
It was so sudden I couldn't even brace for the inevitable.
Bam...tail bone...ouch...
the force then knocked me backward,
Back hit the wall...thunk...
the force still forcing me,
I toppled over onto the CONCRETE floor...
THUD.
And there I lay.
"I wonder if Diane (sleeping in her room upstairs) heard anything?"
" I wonder if I can move?"
"I know I'm not paralyzed because my bum is ACHING."
"I'm really glad NO ONE saw this."
"sometimes I can be sooo graceful."
"Am I old, how could this have happened?"
And with those thoughts I knew the shock was wearing off and I should
TRY
to move, maybe even get up.
And so GINGERLY I get up...
start the stinking laundry ...
walk in the house slowly...
Then cry like a little girl.
**********
You know from the shock.

Now, don't be all worried.
I'm moving pretty well now,
just a little slow to sit or stand.

The CLOSET under the stairs! OOOOOOOOOH

It's been haunting us for a while.
Others, who shall remain nameless, were doing it!
The challenge was there!
Could it be accomplished????
Should it?
Would it?
YES
That freaky, messy, cluttered catch-all.
That place where things go to hide and never be seen again.
The CLOSET under the stairs!
Jim and I were both off work today.
We agreed to tackle the job.
Blankets, quilts, shelves, mirrors, pillows,
sleeping bags, a cot, a wig, hula skirts, photo albums,
Mom's books, gift bags, tissue paper, ribbon, boxes,
wreaths, framed pictures, the spare leaf for our table
and lots of toys for the grandsons!
So we sorted,
combined,
trashed,
condensed into new bins,
moved out to the garage,
donated,
and gave away
STUFF.
Then we vacuumed.
And bought some new big boy toys!
Now it's done
and we'll have the boys over tomorrow
to test the new toys out!
Hopefully, that closet will stay clean now!
(BUT I DOUBT IT!)

Oh My What A Day!

There's a saying at work...
"When it rains ...
The customers POUR in"
And let me tell you--
That was the way work went today.
I am sooooooo tired
We were so busy and we had a sick call.
It was like those work nightmares.
Do you ever have them???
Everything goes wrong and you just can't fix it!
When I delivered mail,
I'd dream about taking a lunch for 5 hours.
Leaving the restaurant, it would be dark and I still
would have all my mail.
Yikes!!!
As a waitress,
the dream is getting so many customers
and not being able to get anything done.
Can't fill the drinks, no glasses.
Out of hot cocoa,
people keep stopping you for other things.
The sweat breaks out it's been 10 minutes.
(they're probably secret shoppers!)
Waking up only pauses the dream.
Dropping back off to sleep only restarts the same dream!
Get me out of this mess!!!
Well
Back to today...
It was the shift that wouldn't end.
It was the never-ending customers.
It was having to make up for the sick call.
I am glad it's over.
Excuse me while I soak my feet.
P.S.
I am wiped out!
and....
Yes,
The tips were GREAT!

The right time and the right place for fun!

So...
Jim and I went to the movies.
We went at 2:20 and saw 'Last Chance Harvey'.
(Loved it!)
When we were just getting to the car to leave,
someone honked at us!
It was Mike, Melissa, Ethan and Owen...
They were just arriving for 'Bedtime stories'
So....
We turned around and went back to the movies with them.
It was fun to go to a movie with the grandsons.
(the movie was so-so)
Ethan (5 1/2) seemed to love it
and Owen (almost 3) was happy eating popcorn
and switching from Grandmas' lap to Grandpas' lap.
Then.....
We drove back to Mike & Melissa's home and had pizza.
What a fun time we had.

I'm just a bore

So ?
What's going on?
NOTHING
Besides all my frustrating aches and pains!
( You know; )
(plantar fasciitis in the left foot)
(remember tendonitis in the right elbow aka waitress elbow aka tennis elbow)
(the poke in the eye is healing nicely)
(the sprained ankle is still sore and likes to puff up)
(the sore throat is gone but the nose is still drippy)
(Hawaii-envy my sisters there now!)
(the dental implant is healing nicely, 2 more months to go)
Besides all that stuff-
I did play singo-bingo in primary and that IS fun
I am still working with my gimpy foot & arm
Is that fun?
Well there you have it
my boring post!

Christmas with the Gerardi's

December 25, 2008

Mom and Dad Christmas morning.
Thanks Santa!

Diane opening goodies from her stocking.

The Girls
Shawna, Melissa, Sara & Diane

The Boys
Jim & Mike

Grandma with Ethan & Grandma with Owen

Sara & Boyfriend Jason

Jim's parents
Rocco & Lorraine.
Yes we had a great time,
and
Hope you all did too!