my family

Oh My gosh, after all this time I am finally starting to figure out how to put pictures on my blog.
So here is a picture of my daughter, her husband (Bubba) and daughter Carly. I'm just so proud of them. Especially Bubba since he got his teeth fixed.
LOL, they are all at a Halloween party. I just love their costumes.

al's birthday

Yesterday (Sunday), I had a dinner for my son Alex's birthday. Which was last week, but I had to work. GooGoo and her family came. Ashley brought Jessie her boyfriend. Al's father was there. And Alex brought his girlfriend Dawn.
I made a nice meal. And just as I was going to serve it I heard. "Just wait a few minutes it's almost half time". Well I have forgotten about Sun. football since there are no more males in my household. Years ago I would have known better to plan my timing of a meal. Anyhow it turned out fine (food maybe a little cool.
And this day was the reason I bought my digital camera. I did take one picture and then the batteries died. Can't be!!! I just put in the new batteries when I bought it 3 weeks ago. So this adds to my paranoia about anything tecno. My granddaughters look at me like "What is you problem?"
I always tell the story about my grandmother who never learned to use a rotary phone. I wonder if my granddaughters will tell the story of me and my digital camera woes.
Well I will just buy new batteries. This camera is the kind you don't recharge.
I babysat for L&A on Sat. and L (who is 5) had his little digital camera out. And I wanted to ask him "can you give me a little help with mine?"
Today I am going to catch up on all the movies I have gotten during my free month with Netflixs (thanks Sam). This is a good day to be lazy and do this. And I have decieded that Netflixs is a pretty good deal and will get just 2 movies a month from now on.
It looks like video stores are all going out of business. The Hollywood Video store in Brookside Plaza is closing and selling their videos. I bought a few. But they should be even cheaper by the end of Oct.
I bought The Flamingo Kid with Matt Dillion. It really is an old movie but I want to watch it with my grandaughters, because it is very cute. I also bought Don Juan de Marco with johnny Depp, a Bruce Springsteen video and a movie that got little recognition The Fisher King with Robin Williams.

np pictures

I guess the pictures from my last 2 blogs are not showing up. I think GooGoo will help me with that. I do have the digital camera. Just haven't taken any pictures with it yet.

my cute kids

This is a picture of my very cute kids when they were young. I never marked the back of the picture with the year. But Alex (left) must be 6 or 7 because his new teeth are coming in. They look a lot better now. But that is after years of braces and even some jaw surgery!! That story is to long to tell. But stuff not for the faint of heart. Chris is in the middle. The only one of my kids to have my curly hair. Gabby is on the right. And I think she is looking at butterflies. Does that run in the family GooGoo?
Anyhow, I wish I could shrink them back to this size again. I know I would have more fun with them and do less housework. And definitely not work as much as I did.
So I guess that is what grandchildren are for. They are all the fun and without the work and the worries.

I am a Nerd!!

This is my son Chris with Ken Jennings. No Chris is not the nerd ,I am. I love Ken Jennings. He is one of my heros. Why? Because I love trivia. And Ken knows an incredible amount of useless trivia. Except he keeps winning a lot of money with this knowledge.
Chris was at a conference in Sun Valley last year. And Ken was the speaker. So Chris, knowing my admiration for Ken had his picture taken with him. And I also have Ken's autograph to me. And it hangs in my computer room.
Computer room. Does that sound impressive? Well it is also my laundry room, or spare bedroom, or office. I have file cabinets in there. But that is just for looks.
And by the way. I do own a digital camera now. So I can take pictures to put on my blog. It sits on my kitchen counter. Out of the packing. With the insrtuctions open to page 1. And there it sits. As I have new tecnophobia attacks. This is my Everest. And I will concur it. (just not in a hurry)
I am thanking God every day for the beautiful weather we have enjoyed. And up until a few days ago, have been swimming in the condo pool. Which is not heated. So it is like jumping into a tub of ice cubes. But you can get use to it. The pool never stays open this long. It is clean, and they put chemicals in it every week. So why not take advantage.
No one is ever there. It is so peaceful and quiet. And I seem to feel closer to God as I swim and do a lot of my praying there. Mostly prayers of gratitude for all I have been given, my wonderful family, and the beautiful earth we have to enjoy.

Hairspray on Broadway

This is the cast of Hairspray when we saw it on Broadway. And OMG there is Ashley Parker Angel. My granddaughters were just crazy about him. Oh yes, and Nana (me) too.

CIAO LUCIANO

happy birthday Gabby

Yesterday I had a birthday dinner for my daughter Gabby (GooGoo). We all had a really nice time. But was funny is that Gabby left all these fake bugs around my house. Even in the shower!! And when I opened my eyes this morning there was one staring at me from my clock radio. Gabby did this because I love to put big fake bugs in her bed. I love it when I hear her scream when she pulls down the covers. (yes, I've got a sick sense of humor.)
Well what is funny is that now I am walking around the house looking for these bugs. And it has become a game to me and I find myself laughing everytime I find a new one. Good one Gab. Your really got even with me.
On Sat. nite I went to my friend's Lee & Carol's house for dinner. And I actually had "shrimp on the barby" . It was a lovely evening. We sat outside on their front porch and listened to the crickets. No one has front porches anymore and that is a shame. Years ago everyone sat out at nite, as there were few TV shows and of course no internet.
So thanks Lee & Carol for a little trip down memory lane.

what happened?

I don't know what happend to the Cat Stevens album cover. So here it is again.

Teaser and the Firecat

teaser and the firecat

This Album by Cat Stevens came out on 1971. I probably bought it on an 8 track.. My kids and I always loved it. And I can remember Alex singing MOONSHADOW when he could barely talk. It brings back a lot of good memories. So 30 years later, having skipped the cassette era, I just bought it on CD. And have been playing in every day since it got delivered. I love Cat Stevens voice or Youseff something now. I know he just made a new CD after all these years and will look into maybe buying it.

good movie

I watched Breach last night. A really good movie. Even better because it was based on a true story.

Diana and John

Travolta dancing with Diana, Princess of Wales at a White House dinner on 9 November 1985. This is one of my favorite pictures of Diana. You can click on the picture for a larger view.

Diana

There never was a bigger Diana fan than me. I know it is corny but I loved watching her. She went from "Shy Di" to a Princess. She had overwhelming personnel problems and her own demons to contend with. And I think she did the best she could. She was a wonderful mother, as you can see now. Anyhow I think she gave the world something beautiful. And at times made us all feel like royalty.

U.S.

the week that never was.

Summer seemed short enough to me. And then this week got wiped out by me getting sick. It was a cold that almost made my head explode. At one point I thought " this not a cold. I'm having a stroke"> I got up and took baby aspirin to disolve the clot I thought was in my head.
So no Menapause the Musical. No anything. The weather was not that great so I didn't get to depressed about that.
Gabby and her friends went to see the play. And had a good time. I just can't believe I missed the play after we talked about it all summer.
So not much to blog about. I'm going to take care of Dr. G. this afternoon. I asked his wife if she minded me still having the very end of this cold and she said "well your not going to kiss him are you?" And I said "no we stopped doing that awhile ago" Hope she thought that was funny. She is such a nice lady.
I also am working overnight for 2 nights in Trumbull. Where I now have my own room to stay in.
I treated myself to some movies on demand. Because I couldn't even get up to go across the street to rent one for $1. I saw the Painted Veil. And loved it. Also watched Zodiac and regret that one. It was just to creepy. And also Fracture. With Ryan Gosling, who I love since the Notebook. And that was a very good "who done it"
I hope next week is better. It is the last week the pool will be open. So if you are looking for me. You'll know where I am. (or the beach).

what happened?

A few days ago it was summer and was swimming every day. And this morning I woke up to 63 degrees!!!. No, no, no, it is to soon for the Fall to be here. Everyone else is saying "Thank goodness the hot weather is gone. Not me!!! Why does the summer last 2 weeks and the rest of the year 14 months?
Anyhow Gabby, Ashley and I went to see Hairspray (the movie) last week. We all enjoyed it. But having gone to the play last month deceided we liked the play better. John Travolta was really good. And I have always liked him.
This week I am going with Gabby and some of her friends to see Menopause The Musical at the Long Wharf Theatre. It will be funny to me. Because I've already been through it. Just think what these girls are in for. Haha.

rain rain go away

What a dreary day!!! I have had to drag myself from project to project today. Really not that many projects, but it sounds good.
I have a lot of furniture and pictures and nick nacks to put back. Since my room painting is done. And I think it really turned out well. Someday I will buy that digital camera and be able to show pictures of my rooms.
It is always a sunny day at my house. No I'm not a cock eyed optimist. It's the color yellow paint I picked out. Wow it is bright. But I really like it.
Yesterday I went on the Port Jefferson Ferry with Gabby, Carly and Carly's friend Alyssa. And I sure was a nicer day than today. We just walked around. But the ride home at 7PM was lovely. We got to enjoy a beautiful sunset all the way back to Bpt.
John Denver says some days are diamond some days are stone. Yesterday was a great big diamond.

back to normal

Well life is getting somewhat back to normal. Chris and Cassidy left on Wed. and we all miss them very much. Cass took home her pet hermit crab named Dude. I know he made it back to Utah. I don't know his present condition. We all were at the beach the day that poor seal came ashore. And it was difficult to watch it suffer while waiting for the Mystic crew to come and get it.
The painter has been here for 2 days. And I am very happy with the colors I chose. He is doing a great job. If anyone needs a good painter let me know.
I watched the movie Red Eye again last night. It was really a good movie and I like the lead male actor Cillian Murphy. He really is an Irish actor. But he has no accent in this pic. I saw him the movie The Wind That Shakes The Barley (You never heard of it?) It was a very moving story of the 1920 Irish rebellion. But the accents are really hard to understand. You need CC. It makes me realize that there will always be a war somewhere. Someone will want what someone else has. They will hate their religion or or want power over others. World peace is nice to think about. I just don't think it is reality.

what a week

There is so much to write about. I just don't know where to start!! All the services for my mother went very smoothly. And without the aid and support of my family and friends it all would have been very difficult for me. So thanks to all that attended the wake and funeral services. You will never know what comfort it brought.
Having the opportunity to have all of my family together for a week was very healing. We did share a lot of laughs. (It's the best medicine. Right?) And I don't want to seem disrespectful, but the Italian priest who said my mother's Mass just took us all for surprize. He had such a thick accent and was sooooo dramatic. It was like having someone from the Corleone family there.
I think the next weeks (months) will be difficult. I already have started saying "I'll have to tell my mother this or that" And then realize I can't anymore.

sad day

My mother did pass away this afternoon. I was there with her and it was very peaceful. I really thought my mother would be around for many years. Even though she was 88. Up until last week she was still caring for herself in the nursing home. And still very independent. But I think this is exactly the way she would have it be. Never bedridden and relying on others for her care.
Her wake will be Sun. and funeral Mon. morning. I'm waiting for my Utah son to get here.
Tomorrow I am going with Gabby and mu granddaughters to NYC to see Hairspray. We have planned this trip for awhile. And all agree it will help lift ours spirits.

long day

Sat. was a really long day. I got to the hospital very early. My mother is on the hospice floor. And at Bpt hospital it is a great unit. Right next to my mother's bed is a little sitting room. With a couch, TV, chairs, pillows and a small table. But by nite time I was wiped out.
She got a blessing from 2 brothers from church and 2 sister missionaries came as well. Then my 2 kids came, son-in-law and 1 granddaughter. We all went out to eat. And it was just great. I just got so tired
My mother looks like she is just sleeping and is very peaceful. So we will see what Monday will bring.

baptism

Yes< I was rebaptized when the toilet exploded all over me yesterday morning. I had to change all my clothes and there was water everywhere. I shut off the valve and then had to leave for the hospital.. But my handyman son-in-law came over and fixed it last nite and also installed a new faucet in the bathroom sink. Which I needed badly.
Things are still bad for my mother. When you enter her room you now have to put on a gown and gloves. Because she has and unidentified infection. And she is still not responsive. She will have an MRI and Ultra sound of her abdomen today. Just to see what else is going on.
I am enjoying all the other blogs. I still am amazed by the technology we have today.

5am

Well now it's 5am. I've been awake since 3am. But last night I feel asleep in front of the computer while playing scrabble at 10:30pm. I was so tired I said "oh just go to bed". Went to go to the bathroom and water all around the toilet. So I just shut off the valve and thought I'll deal with this tomorrow.
My mother is still unresponsive. She does have a clot in her brain and urinary tract infection. I'll be going up to ICU shortly.

bad day

Sunday was a very bad day. My mother is now in ICU at Bpt Hosp. She is unresponsive and they are not sure if she had a stroke. Gabby stayed with me all day and that did make the day more bearable. I am on my way there now.
Everyone with you blogs keep it up. Seeing all your kids is a great way to cheer up.

new furniture

Hurray it's here. My new furniture. And I just love it. Especially the chair. It is big and over stuffed and I can see myself reading alot of good books in it. And that is why I picked that chair. I am waiting to go to the nursing home. As my mother is being discharged from Bpt Hosp. today. But she seems to be in a lot of pain and I don't know what to do next for her. But her heart, the dr's said, is veeeery stong. And she has no cancer of any kind.
I am trying to find time to read a new book, Bel Canto. I just can't keep my mind on it. I just keep thinking of things that need to done for my mother.
I think I may go to Utah for my son's 40th birthday. That's right. How can my son be 40 when I am still only 28. So have fun with your kids. Don't worry about how clean the house is. Because someday you will be going to their 40th birthday. And you will wish they were little again. Like I do.
You become a much better parent after they grow up and you can see all your mistakes. Hind sight is 20/20

what a week!!

My mother has been in the hospital all week. I think she will be ok. She should come home tomorrow. Had diner at Gabby's with Mike and the girls and Jessie. Steaks on the grill. My favorite!! I alos paid off my new furniture and it should be here on Thurs. The painter should be here next week or so.

dancing with the stars

What a great night. Gabby and I went to see DWTS at Harbour Yard. It was great fun. John Ratsinburger was there. Just for one dance. I don't think he and the endurance for 2. Apolo Anto Ono was faaaaaaaboulous. But no Joey Fatone and I was disappointed at that. Otherwise alot of fun. Apolo call me!!

end of the day

Hurray, I am home. I took care of this pt this morning. When I was giving her a shower I kept saying "boy this shower is up high. Your husband Jack must have put it in. I said this a few times. Her husbands name is Dave!! So who is the confused one here. I was thinking of another women's husband. We all went to the dr's. And then I came back to take my mother to her appointment. My back is killing me but I am going for a swim. The water is cold and there is no sun. But it just makes me feel soooo good. So glad today is over.

nursery calling

Oh boy!!! Am I tired. 9 little kids in nursery all crying for their mothers. This is my new calling in church. To be honest there were other sisters in there, but I am still tired. The kids a awfully cute, I have to say. The 1st and 2nd couselours came in to set me apart and one of them caught a little girs fingers right in the door. I heard screaming, turned around and saw 4 little fingers just sticking out. She was ok, but we had to bring her back to her parents.
This has been a good week. I spent time with my kids and grandkids at the beach. And also Ben, Molly and Max came swimming at my pool. With their mom, of course. We really had a good time and will go to the beach next week.
But boy did I pay a price for not going to the nursing home almost all week. My mother tried to make me feel so guilty but that just isn't going to work anymore. I do my best and that's it. Anyone might think she is getting dementia, but not my mother. She is just working everybody at the home.
I am going to a caregiver focus group at the end of July. I just need to talk to other people going through the same thing. I really need some support.
Tomorrow i have to take a pt to her Dr's appointment in the morning. And go and take my mother to hers. Marie Walker again. Oh goodnight nurse!!
I did go to FFld U. last night with my friend Louise for the Pops concert and it felt good to do something entertaining. Tues night is Dancing with The Stars and I am going with my daughter. And that will be great fun.

Well I know it has been ages since I blogged. But I just have been so busy. And I wish it was all interesting events to blog about. Just alot of work. I've been saying I'm changing my name to Marie Walker. Because I am surrounded by people in walkers. I just can't stand the thought of getting old. It is just horrible. Oh yes!! I know what the alternative is. It wouldn't be so bad if you knew ahead of time what condition you would be in. But I dread the thought of someone else doing everything for you. And I mean everything!!!
I know we must endure to the end. But why does the end have to be so awful? Anyone ready to commit suicide after this blog? I'm sorry. These are my thoughts today.
I did,however, stay with my grandaughters this weekend. And I must say that helped my spirits. They are just so beautiful. And such nice girls.
I would rather be with young people than old. It does keep you thinking young.
I could have gone to church with Ben, Max, and Molly today. That would have been so much fun for me. But I just feel so sick I can't get off the couch.
Well as Scarlett O'Hara said "tomorrow is another day"

the Mall

I hate the mall. It just seems like you are walking around and around in circles. I never know where the stores are because they always seem to change. But I went to buy a necklace to match my new peasant blouse (which I love). Well the store I wanted was gone, of course. So I headed for another I knew was there for sure. As I am walking along I hear little voices sayong "Wee. Wee" It was my Trumbull grandchildren Max, Molly and Ben. And of course Sam. We had time to have lunch together. And that was fun. And I think fun for Mom with an extra pair of hands..
Ben asked me "why do you love me so much?" I told him, because he was such a wonderful little boy" Plus when he grows up to be a doctor he can take care of me at the nursing home!!!
I finished The Weight of Water. It was such a good book. The kind of story you just have to keep reading. But what a sad ending.

nice day

This was such a nice day. I had nowhere special to go. And had plenty of time to do things in the house I need to do. But why does it seem like things are still a mess? Well I guess because I am trying to get ready to paint the living room and dinning room. And all the other rooms are filled with "stuff" I really have to throw out some things. I never realized how much junk I have.
But I did find time to sit outside and read my new book. The Weight of Water. It's funny that it another book about a small island. This time off the coast of Maine. I like it already.
It is so beautiful where I live. So peaceful. But the pool opens up this week and then it's nothing but "Marco"---"Polo". I mean kids yelling and screaming. But I don't mind to much. It's nice to hear them have fun.

update

On Wed a got to babysit for the twins. The children I like second to my own grandchildren and also their brother Ben. Their mom was not too happy when I got there. The kitchen was decorated with chocolate syrup and milk!!! Max got busy doing that while mom was in the basement cleaning Molly's mess. I know I can laugh about it because my days of doing that are gone.
I remember when my grandaughter Ashely decided to decorate my brand new sofa with magic marker. And her entire body as well!!!!
Got my mammo on Thurs. And am glad that is over with. Got no call to come back for another view. Which happed last time.
Took my mother to the dermotologist for a growth on her foot. Yuck what an ugly thing. I thought I wouldn't look during the procedure. But just can't help myself with that stuff. I'll have to Google the diagnosis because I never heard of it. But he said it was caused by a virus.
We are going back for a full body check.. And he will have a field day when he sees all the sun damage she has. I decided a few years ago. No more sun for me after I saw what her skin had turned into. And now my kids and grandkids are rethinking the sun. But.oh, we all love the beach. Just now we are bringing umbrellas.

good news

I had my follow up appointment at Yale yesterday. Dr. Heald (good name for a Dr.) thinks I my not even have that strange skin cancer. I will have another biopsy in 3 mons. But I don't have to use that cream that burns my skin anymore. Yeh!! It hurt.
I'm reading the Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. Because I really loved The Secret Lives Of Bees. Mermaid Chair is not bad. It's veeeeery romantic. It just is not as interesting as her first book. No real depth to this one. A good beginning of summer book, though.

nice weekend

What a wonderful weekend. Just very quiet. And that is fine with me. I did things in the house and am trying to do things to get ready for painting. I never realizes how many nic nacs I have. Sunday was great. But I did skip Stake conference. We had Mother's Day again. This time with the whole family. It was held at my daughter's. I made my Scotch eggs and Gabby did the rest. And it was all great. The weather was really nice. And we got to sit outside on the deck. Our family just loves to be outside in the air and the sun.
No work today. But Carly my come over while Gabby and Ashley go to St. V's for a tour. As Ashley is thinking of a nursing career. And I think that will be a great choice for her.

way behind

As I have been reminded I am way behind on my blog. Maybe because I just don't think my life is interesting enough to blog about.
Let's go back to Mother's Day. That turned out to be just great. I was supposed to work for Dr. G. But his wife said "take the day off". You don't have to twist my arm on that one.
So I got to sit outside and read my book. And then had a great day with my daughter and grandaughter's. We went to the movies and then went to Outback to eat. And, oh yes, one other great thing. I got 2 tickets to The Dancing With the Stars Tour in July!!! What a great gift.
The rest of the week has been work and taking my mother out and to the Dr's. or something.
I know I sould be doing something more with today. But I am just happy to be home. And besides it is raining out. Good reason, Huh?

tired

I worked all weekend. 12 hours Sat. 12Hours Sun. Not hard work, just a long day. 3:30 to 9 the rest of the week. Plus 2 overnites thrown in. I can't wait to got shopping. And I've had a headache from hell until I took 2 Sudafed.. Went to by more today and they make you feel like a drug addict when you purchase it. You have to present a card at the pharmacy counter and then your drivers' license and then you have to sign something!!!

dinner

Wen to dinner with my friends Lee and Carol. It was a birthday dinner for both me and Lee. We went to Ralph and Riche's in downtown Bridgeport. Everything was great. And that area if Bpt seems to be improving.
I watched the end of The Mormon's on PBS. It was more negative than the night before. But I think all churches face that problem. It is up to the individual.
I am off to a job tonight until 9pm. Not to bad.
The sun just came out and that always makes everything seem better.

frustraition

I stayed up until midnight trying to get my Utah pictures on my blog. No dice!! My friend Sam will help me. Please help me!!! But I did figure out how to send some of those pics on a photo show. And have no idea how I did it. But it looked good.
I watched PBS show on The Mormons last night. And thought it was very good. It did not portray Mormons as such "peculiar people". Second half tonight.

pictures

I am trying to upload my vacation pictures. This may take some time.

new blog

I'm sure this will take forever to figure out. But I am trying my blog for the first time today. My friends do this every day with pictures.
I am trying to get to read The Audacity of Hope by the next president of the U.S> Barack Omama. I'll let you know. Just finishin Fall On Your Knees. A very interesting but depressing book.