House Show

No, not Gregory House, sorry Tree, but a band house show. A couple of weeks ago some of Desiree's friends (older friends) had a show at the house. Four or five bands showed up and played during the afternoon. This was just days after the back neighbors cut down the shade trees, so the kids got pretty warm. They seemed to have a good time and found what shade they could. I stayed inside, but kept watch through the window. A couple of the bands were pretty good, but I know how old I am because some of it just sounded like noise... really loud, irritating noise.

Getting Back into Shape

Week two, day five of the diet! Well, I have to say that once I started and got through the worst part (the first four days) I'm really not having a hard time sticking to my plan. Clothes are fitting better, but because I don't have a scale I don't know how much I've lost. I've been doing some exercising at home, and I still walk on the weekend with my girlfriends, but last night Alex called and the exercise started in earnest. It was late and Ali wanted to go for a walk to Fresno High and do the stairs. I really didn't feel like it... but since it was on my list to get back to walking I went. So wish me luck because I really have to do this. Not just for the reunion, but for me. I'm really too old to play around with my health.

A Wonderful Dream

I had the best dream the other night
When Jimmy passed away (can you believe it's been over 22 years?) I often had dreams that he was still alive at the hospital and I had to go get him and sneak him out because they wouldn't let me keep him. The dreams were bitter sweet because even though in my dreams I was with Jimmy again, I always woke up without him. Similarly, when Mom passed I dreamt of seeing her, talking to her on the phone, at convention events... and while waking didn't bring the same heartache, I still felt a little lonely. Anyway, it's been a long time since I've had a dream about Mom, and longer still by far since I've had a Jimmy dream. However, the other night I had the kind of dream that was free of sadness or any sense of loss. The time frame was right now, but Mom was still very much alive, and in fact we lived together. Jimmy was also alive - but still 3 years old - and had been living for years at an institution that taught children with disabilities how to mainstream. I hadn't seen him in years (a condition of the school) and decided to go and get him, take him by force if I had to, so he could come home and be with me. So, Mom was my support who stayed home and got things ready, and either Alex or Desi came with me to confront the people at the school. I was worried that Jimmy wouldn't know me, or maybe he'd be indifferent to who I was because it had been so long, but as soon as I walked on the grounds Jimmy saw me from across the play yard and just started running to me with a huge smile on his face. He jumped right into my arms and we both were so happy. The school had no choice but to let him leave with me, and I was able to tell Mom we were on our way before I woke up. The big difference was that I awoke with a sense of happiness for being with loved ones instead of saddness for losing them again. It was a great morning. I don't want to jinx it by hoping for another like it soon, but if and when I do have another dream like that I know it will signal another good day.

Both of these objects are favorites of mine. The antique Curious George and my gaurdian Gargoyle. I guess this shows a huge spectrum of my tastes.

Pac Man Rules!

If you scroll down a bit you'll see that I added a pac man game to this site. With this reunion coming up I must be feeling nostalgic. Anyway, pac man use to be my favorite video game way back when - you know, during the time when the only way to play was by going to an arcade. I'm not very good anymore, but I use to hold my own

20 Questions with Teenagers

Michele's 20 questions answered by Aaron and Charlotte made me laugh so hard. But it got me thinking about how well my kids know me. These were answered by Alex and Nick (Des is in Disneyland) you'll see the answers are sometimes more informed, and sometimes sarcastic - and I also asked them at separate times.

1. What is something I always say to you?
Alex: Did you make this mess?
Nick: Wake up!

2. What makes me happy?
Alex: Books
Nick: Weird Sci Fi things

3. What makes me sad?
Alex: Everything, I don't know
Nick: When Baron digs holes

4: How do I make you laugh?
Alex: When you talk in your sleep.
Nick: I don't know.

5. What was I like as a child?
Alex: I didn't know you.
Nick: You were a weird child

6. How old am I?
Alex: 42 (loving her)
Nick: 49 (hating him)

7. How tall am I?
Alex: 5'4"
Nick: 5'3"

8. What's my favorite thing to do?
Alex: Yard work.
Nick: Read Stephen King.

9. What do I do when you're not around?
Alex: Poop
Nick: The dishes-ha ha, just kidding, I know you don't do the dishes.
(where does the sarcasm come from?)

10. If I become famous what would it be from?
Alex: Some kind of costume thing.
Nick: A weird YouTube video.

11.What am I really good at?
Alex: Making food... sometimes.
Nick: Sewing stuff.

12. What am I not very good at?
Alex: Being patient.
Nick: Getting rid of stuff.

14. What is my favorite food?
Alex: Spaghetti.
Nick: You don't have a favorite food.

15. What makes you proud of me?
Alex: That you got out of that nasty old house.
Nick: There's something I just can't think of it. (said after a looooong pause)

16. If I was a cartoon character who would I be?
Alex: Like Grammy Goose or something.
Nick: Sponge Bob Square Pants, Sponge Bob is the coolest.

17. What do you and I do together?
Alex: Go shopping the day after Thanksgiving.
Nick: Buy clothes behind Desi's back (there's a whole story connected to this answer)

18. How are you and I the same?
Alex: We laugh at the same jokes.
Nick: We both exaggerate sometimes.

19. How are you and I different?
Alex: You are very stubborn, ha ha.
Nick: I don't like Baron.

20. How do you know I love you?
Alex: Because you rub my back.
Nick: Because you feed me.

For Aaron, Charlotte, and Elsie (and Moe)

YES, WE ALL GET OLDER

I got a great phone call last night from an old boyfriend I had in High School. Our 30 year class reunion is next month and he tracked me down through my best friend (who happens to be on the committee) We talked for a while and caught up on family and commiserated on how we've all slowed down, gained weight, etc... I had to admit that I must have aged more than everyone else because while just about everyone in our class has married and had kids - his boys are 14 and 8 - I'm a grandmother 3 1/2 times over. My grandson turns 6 in a few months! But you know I wouldn't change this for anything. So here's my obligatory "picture of me taken with my cell phone" Yeah, I know, all my pictures are taken with my cell phone. Moe, I was able to take this with out having to put my glasses on, so at least there's that :)

Just A Few Things I Like In My House

Here is my kitchen with a close up of the back counter. That's right, 1970's orange counter, and it was just asking for Curious George to help with the cooking. It's actually growing on me.

Well, you can't really get the feel of the bedroom from this shot, but I think this is the best bedroom I've ever had. Maybe when the window dressings are in place I'll try to get a better shot.
Again, just a small angle of the room... this is Mom's curio cabinet that I get to put my stuff in. If you look closely you'll see by boyfriend, Hugh Laurie, on TV in the background.
Don't you just love the wood paneling? (When they built this - 1973 - they didn't miss any fashion design crazes)

First of all... OK, I mis-named Charlotte in the picture, but come on - 6 kids, 3 1/2 grandkids, I have to be doing better than grama Dexter did with us, right?
On to other news. I met the new, right behind me, neighbors this morning. Except for taking my shade and removing all of the privacy they had from canal walkers, I really like them. I don't think I'll be interacting with them much, but it's always nice to have a good relationship with someone you share a fence with.

OK, Michele got me... I guess Aaron comes by
funny picture faces naturally.

Introduction

Well, I got moved in enough to have a party at the house and since Michele has been after me for about a month to start this blog I guess it's time. I love this new house I'm in. I'll take more pictures of the inside and some of the outside and post them as soon as possible. I'm sorry to say that the property directly behind me has sold and the new owners are completely denuding the land. I've not only lost most of my morning shade, but a good bit of privacy. I'll have to think on how to get some of both of those back. I'll get back to you soon... I promise :)

First BBQ at The New House

Some of Desi's friends showed up to
help celebrate

It's crazy how much Michele and Des look alike
(except for the prego stomache)

Isn't this a good shot?
The guacamole didn't last long

Is he dancing? Is he posing?
Is he delivering a one liner?

I got Des a voodoo doll for her birthday... I figured
better the doll than me :)

Here is Elsie trying to finish her missile pop before
getting in the van to go home. Mom and Dad didn't want
to risk any sticky drips