Pat and Rosemary have you heard from Dee? Is she alright?

Hi everybody.
Sorry I have not blogged in so long but, I have been busy.
On Saturday Dana went down to LA. It was his father's last day of dialysis and he wanted to be with him. It was their 50th wedding anniversary and he and his brother were going to made dinner for their parents. Steve and Robyn and Dexter came up here to take Carolyn out to dinner for her birthday and I was in charge of all three kids. They did not go out until about 7PM and Claire was already sleeping. No big deal .. right?...Wrong....! When I put Dexter to bed he began to howl, that woke up Claire and SHE was screaming, which made Dexter scream. They cried for 20 mins. It was so bad that Finn asked me why I did not call the parents home. I decided as long and no one was hurt or sick I could handle it. I kept thinking, "I know I have had worst days than this, but I can not remember them right now". They finally settled down.
Sunday morning I was having breakfast for everyone when Dana called to say that the caregiver had called and she thought he was dying. Mark ,Dana's brother and Dana went over and by than the caregiver had called 911. Dana stayed with his mom whilr Mark went to the hospital.
He died shortly thereafter. He was a wonderful man. I spoke to him on Friday and his voice was strong and he was very lucid.
Carolyn and the kids went right down on Sunday . The funeral is on Friday at 1PM. I'll go down on Thurs.
He sure did it his way.

We had a great time.
We went to Cambria to see the elephant seals. They were lying all over the beach. Than we drove back to San Luis Obispo and took the kids to the pool. It was outside and pretty cold. Only Finn and Carolyn went in the regular pool. Claire and I went in the hot tub. Don't think it was really hot. It was luke warm just right for the elderly and the very young. The hotel had a bar-b-q that night. Everything cost $3.00. It was Quality Inn. We all slept pretty late. After breakfast Finn went into the pool again while I took Claire for a walk around town. It is a quaint little place. Reminded me of Atlantic Ave before Malls. Some stores we passed were: Security Blanket Safety , The WaterBed House and Tails Pet Shop. Than we went to the famous bubble Gum Alley. It is sooo gross! Finn loved it. Carolyn has a picture of my Mom there in the 1980's.
It was a good trip. I will try to send some pictures.

Today I took Claire and Finn (he is off school for 3 weeks) to a neat little park than we came home and they played under the sprinkler. They had a good time.
Tomorrow Carolyn and the kids and I are going to San Luis Obispo. There are some things for little kids and a nice hotel with a heated indoor pool for Nana.
Next week they will spend in Alhambra because of Dana's dad.

I had a wonderful quiet Easter. Carolyn and Dana dropped me off at Steve and Robyn's about noon on Sat. We just sat and talked until dinner when we went to a real Mexican Restaurant! We were the only people not Mexican. We all had fish tacos, as that is what Steve said was the best. I actually had never had a fish taco before so I was a little leery . It was delicious. There was a strolling singer who was very good. He sang a cute little song for Dexter who smiled away the whole song. I bought the CD the guy was selling. Only $8.00.
On Easter I went to Mass at the Mexican church not too far from where S&R live. It was in English. Last year I went on Palm Sunday and it was all Spanish. The homily was beautiful about life on the "other side". It hit me hard because of Dana's father who is ending dialysis next week.
Steve's friend from high school, Mike DiLonzo and his wife came for brunch. He and Steve met when they were freshmen at HSHS. Steve got him a job at G4TV last year. We had a nice visit. I have not seen Mike since the Christmas before last when he and his parents came to SB and we all went to lunch.
Carolyn and Dana didn't pick me up until about 7pm . We got home at 9:15.

Here are my birthday stories.
I met the guy who was going to put the teeter-totter together for Finn. He has a truck and the thing was really BIG. 7 kids up to the age of 12 can play on it. He was charging $120.00 to pick it up and put it together. We got it to Carolyn's and he started to put it together. After about an hour he came to me and said it would take at least a day. The instructions said about one hour. He told me there were no information on the pipes etc. and suggested we return it. Mind you this guy put a whole schools playground together. The upshot was we returned it and I had no gift for Finn. He was, of course getting lots of other gifts. I drove 40 miles to and from Costco. The guy was not going to charge me but I wrote him a check for $50.00 and he said that was too much. We settled on $30.00 . Our gas in now over $4.00 per at most places. I found one for $3.55 so I think $30.00 was pretty good. All this was on Carolyn's birthday. That night as part of her gift we all put pictures in albums . It was a big job but fun.
On Finn's birthday (20th), Carolyn worked and I took Finn and Claire to the Mommy and Me group at a park. Finn took some books and playthings so it was good. All the mothers and kids (1-2yrs old) sang Happy Birthday to him. Last night C& D the kids and I went to Deano's a pizza place for dinner and cake. There are lots of pinball machines ,so Finn was in his glory. The noise was deafening . I decided to give him a card good for a trip to the toy store and lunch with Nana.
Today I am catching up and getting ready to go to La tomorrow for Easter with Steve, Robyn and Dexter.

I have been so busy with Carolyn and Finn's birthdays that when I get home at night I am too tired to Blog. I hope to get to it tomorrow.

Claire and I went to the bank and than shopping today. At Trader Joes we picked up lots of stuff for Carolyn than to Ralphs for food for me. I just got veggies and fruit. Tomorrow is Carolyn's 40th birthday. do you believe it! My baby girl is 40. The next day is Finn's 7th birthday. I am getting him this big teeter/totter. It's for older kids and seven kids can ride on it at the same time. I saw it at Costco last week. The handyman for my building is going to pick it up and put it together. He is going to charge me $120.00. I think that is not too bad. Finn will love it.
I will go to Carolyn's for dinner tomorrow. Dana will cook.

This morning Carolyn and Claire came over and we went to, The Daily Grind" a really neat coffee shop for breakfast. It was nice. She is upset about her Father-in-law. They are going to LA for Easter. I might go to Steve and Robyn's or I just might stay home. Doesn't matter to me. Pat I do remember the processions and long time spent in church during Holy Week. EEK! I go to church on Sunday. Did not do much else today.

Yesterday was Finn's party. Twelve 6,and 7 year olds about 5 younger siblings and most parents. Steve, Robyn and Dexter were there too. The kids were really pretty good. She had rented a Bouncy Room so that kept them busy. It was shaped like Scooby Doo. It was a dog party don't forget. They played, Pin the nose on the dog, hunted for dog bones and had hot dogs to eat. Lots of fun. Steve,Robyn and baby stayed at my house. Today we all went to Carolyn's to mind the kids because Carolyn and Dana had to go to La. His father is doing very poorly. The kids were great.
I am tired.

As you can see the pictures I was trying to put up are not the same ones that DID come up. Please enjoy. I'll try to get the ones of Dexter up next.

Oh, I had soooo much fun at the," Shoot"for the H2O mop.
We got there at 2:30pm for the 3PM shoot. Well as we were walking in to the house where it was being done they told us the crew was breaking for lunch. We went to the back yard where there was a nice lunch . Table and chairs were also in there but we decided to sit by the pool. After we sat down a man came over and asked to join us. Of course we said yes and I asked what he did He said he was the PM. I asked what that was and Robyn said ,"He is the production manager" than a woman came over and sat down and she was the Producer! So we got to eat with the big wigs. The Producer is from Canada and the Director's parents are Japanese and Chinese. We talked about everything from illegal aliens to Socialized Medicine.
After lunch we went to ,"hair and make-up" . I only watched. Dexter was wonderful. I took him out for awhile and we hung with the crew. All of whom were really nice, explained their jobs etc. This was in the backyard, we were talking when someone shouted, "quiet on the set" ! It really did happen.
Later the ,goofor guy ( the one who gets everything for everybody) was talking to a man all in black. I asked who he was and the goofor said, "he is the boss". Later I talked to him and told him how nice everyone was and I wanted to know when it will be on TV and he said to give him my email and he would send me pictures and let me know when it was on TV. I did, and today he sent me some pictures and said to email him in June and he will let me know when it will be on. Turns out he is the owner of the film company. All together there were 15 crew members in the house. EEK
The actual filming took about an hour. Dexter was in some of it. He is the best baby. When it ws over the boss said they were both wonderful, Said Dexter was, a Hollywood kid if there ever was one". (Stephen said that was his last time). He said Robyn did a marvelous job. too.
The house was the home of the owner of the mop or the shopping company or something. He has 4 little children and both he and his wife said I could take the baby up to the toy room or anywhere else.
We did not get home until about 8:30 at night.
I came home on the train and it was a very interesting trip. I'll tell you that next time. Tomorrow is Finn's 7th birthday party. His birthday is the 20th but they are having it on Sat.
It is a dog theme. Finn's idea. Carolyn even got little dog bowls filled with candy but it looks like dog food.

Good News:
I had my appointment with the doctor today. He was really nice. Very down to earth. He aspirated about 5cc's of really black thick goo from my right boob. He said he was not going to send it for analysis because he did not think it was needed. He will see me again in 3 months. I got to watch the whole thing on the screen. He told me that this type of fluid comes in many different colors, red, green, blue etc.
Carolyn, Claire and I went to Shoreline restaurant for lunch. It is right on the beach. Today was a beautiful day about 75 with lots of sunshine. Claire poayed on the beach and did not want to leave.

I decided to drive to LA tomorrow. I was going to take the train but it takes an hour longer and I don't feel like doing that. The traffic wont be bad until I get within a half hour of La.Steve and Robyn live about 5 miles from the freeway so it will be ok after the morning rush hour.

Today I minded Claire because I have to go to the doctor tomorrow and to LA to watch Dexter on Wed.
We picked up lunch and went to Barbara's house. She lives in an over 55 community and is right on the golf course . Claire loved it she ran all over . There is a little bridge that she went over about 20 times. On the way home we stopped at Trader Joes and did some shopping for Carloyn.
Got home and had a call from a man interested in my land in NY. I had put it up on Craigs List after such a good deal on 6 No. I gave him all the information I had to give. I may get the land surveyed because they are trying to take 2 acres on the road away from me.

I just had a very hard time getting into my blog. It kept telling me the password was wrong. I had to redo everything. Ugh.
Today my friend Barbara and I went for a long walk than we went to dinner. It was a beautiful day, sunny and 70.
The last Saturday of this month she is going to help me take care of Finn, Claire and Dexter because C&D and some friends are going kayaking to celebrate Carolyn's 40th birthday. I think it will be a long day but should be fun. Her birthday is really the 19th. Finn's is the 20th. He is having his party this Sat. because of Easter. He is having a,"dog" party, complete with pin the tail on the dog, dog bone hunt and each kid will have dog ears to wear. I am in charge of getting the cake and this is what he has ordered, " a dog cake with NO icing. He says he does not like icing and it is his party . I'll see what i can do. I am not going to make the cake , I will order it but I don't know how they can make it look like a dog sans icing.

I LOVE CRAIGS LIST!!!!!! I LOVE IT!
Last year when I wanted to sublet my apartment I put it up on Craigs list and within 12 hours I had it rented to two different men. One a visiting professor from Spain and the other a Grad. student at UCSB.
Well------Thursday night about 11pm I listed my NJ house for summer rental and the first person who looked at it rented it!!!!!. She is a doctor from Cherry Hill with a husband and 14 mo. old baby.Perfect! Which is just what she said about the house.
Three other people contacted me about the house so I referred them to Connie Halpin who is renting her house too. One family is looking at hers tomorrow.
Tonight I am watching Finn and Claire, C&D are going to a fund raiser for Finns school. It is a dinner dance and art auction . $100.00 per ticket. Glad I am not going. I did buy some tickets for some kind of prizes. I don't remember what they are.

I went to lunch with Norma today, than took her to pick up stuff for her cats! I should get a medal.
Last night I put my house up on Craigs list again and have gotten a few calls including one from a woman whose mother lives down the block. My Niece will show it to her tomorrow. I hope it rents soon because it is keeping me up at night.
I am going to get my land up on Craigs list very soon. It is very messed up but I'll put it up with two less acres than I really own. I want to get it up before spring.

Forgot to post yesterday. I will try to do 2 today.
I took Claire to our park group yesterday. Another new park that is just for little kids. She was able to climb up the stairs, go over a bridge to the slide and slide down herself. So much better than most parks. Than I took her to a music group for 1-2 year olds. There were 30 kids of that age there. I thought Claire would like it, but she just sat on my lap and watched. It was cute, they banged drums etc. It was her nap time. I might try it again next week.
Robyn and Dexter's ,"shoot" is next Wed. I think I will drive down. I was going to take the train, but the times are off and it might be too much trouble getting to the station early in the AM.

When I get up in the morning I always check the Obits in the Atlantic City Press. Yesterday it was Jack Wristbridge and today Trudy Seiden. She was my next door neighbor for about 10 years on Atlantic Ave. She was only 60, died in LasVagas . She had four sons, all around my kids ages. I saw her about 5 years ago. She must have been sick for awhile because she had been on Hospice.

Watched Claire for a short time and than went to lunch with friend Barbara. We had not been out for a long time. We went to a place with all you can eat Mexican! I love it so ate waaaay too much.

I am still having fun with Facebook. Today I joined a site called,"

I judge you when you use poor grammar.

it just seemed funny.

Minded my sweet Claire today. We took two long walks where we met three other little kids. James who is 10mos, Hatty 17mos. and Daisy who is 16 mos. Claire called them all,"baby". She was the oldest one.
I am still having so much fun with Facebook. I now have 17 people in my network. Friends and relatives. Only 3 of my Misery classmates have signed up. I heard some think it is dangerous, or they hook you up with monsters or steal your money. Anyway, I researched it and the upshot is as on site said,"It is as safe as Email". I will send them this and maybe they will get on board.
Tonight I am having dinner with two women I worked with as Hospice. Judy who is the Discharge Planner and Kitty who is still a MSW at Hospice. We get together about every 3 months.

I went out and got all kinds of stuff for my orchids. Soil, food, stones, pots. I hope this does not become a new obsession. I had the plant obsession once before and ended up having plants all over the house! Had the ultrasound done today and now I need a biopsy. I'll have that done in a few days. Pretty sure it is nothing, but something looked funny.
Pretty dull day.

Went to church with a friend, Judy. I worked with her at Hospice. She is now a Discharge Planner at Cottage Hospital. We went to IHOP for breakfast. Than I came home and did next to nothing. My Facebook is up to 17 "friends". The latest to join is Dan Schott. He was Carolyn's first boyfriend in high school. He was raised in Absecon. He lives in San Fransisco. Its so much fun. I made up a group for Misercordia too.

I keep forgetting to Blog! I look at the other ones I read and than I forget to do my own.
Well, anyway I watched the little darling (Claire) on Thursday we went to the Mommy (or Grandmommy) and me class at a new park. It was really nice. Had a whole area for kids her age. (20mos). A slide they could climb up without help and a platform they could get up on and be safe without an adult up there too. She loved it ,came home and slept for 2.5 hrs.
Today Norma and I went to the Santa Barbara orchid show. It was fun. There were people from all over the world with orchids. I know nothing at all about raising orchids but I bought two orchids called, Phalaenopsis. It is my new challenge. These are both in bloom now with buds so they should last 2-3 months. I want them to bloom again next year.