Merry Christmas

Christmas was wonderful... for everyone but Alex :( She spent the better part of her day in the emergency room because, despite the antibiotics and the apparently ineffectual pain meds, she was continuing to get worse (the diagnosis was tonsillitis) and spent late X-Mas eve and early X-Mas day vomiting. Strep and Mono were ruled out, which is good as far as contaigen goes, but bad because it means she just has to wait it out. The doctor - a much better doc than the first one she went to - gave her better antibiotics and much better pain pills. For the first time in days she's not on the verge of tears. My poor baby. After picking up the Rx we got home about 5:30 this evening and just laid around. I'm hoping that she'll feel great by New Years and will get to go out for a really good time.

One More Birthday to Go

We celebrated Lo's birthday today (she turned 21 on Wed, but had a final that night so we couldn't get together til today). Since the demise of my good camera/phone I'm not so quick to take pictures, but hopefully Michele, Ali, or LoRen will post some that they took of the day.

I love it when everyone is over to the house. The girls usually migrate to my bedroom to talk - Elsie hangs out at the table and holds court over the snacks - and I usually end up giving in to Aaron and Charlotte's request for another chapter in the ongoing adventures of Timmy, Jake, and Oscar. Of course, today we also sang to LoRen and watched her open presents and reminisced about what a ham she was as a toddler; singing, dancing, posing for the camera... I have to pull out the videos of the kids when they were little and have them playing next time I have a get together (LoRen is sure to be in every frame).

So the countdown is on for Elsie's birthday, and then we're done with '08.

An Addition to the Family

Those of you who have been to my house know my baby Baroness (Baron for short). She's about to turn 13 which is really old for large dogs. It's been on my mind that even though she's in relatively good health I haven't got many years left with her, and I don't want to go through the process of getting a new dog when I've lost a dog. Anyway, a few weeks ago LoRen went on a quest to look for dogs on Craig's List of all places, and found exactly the kind of dog I was looking for. I got home to find her and Gigi waiting for me. I told her it was the best Christmas present ever. Just having another dog around has really perked Baron up, and the icing on the cake is that Gigi chases squirrels!

Lots of Sewing

I just finished building several costumes for Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This is the kind of show I love sewing for because there is so much color and creativity. And it was the first time I actually got to put my new sewing room to the test. As the pin cushion got put to use I realized that this particular pin cushion has been in service for about 30 years. It started life at the costume shop and came with me after that. The picture is fuzzy, but you can kind of see that the sawdust is falling out and the "skin" is so threadbare that I'm not sure how much longer it will last. It has so much history with me, Mom, and all my sisters that I can't bare to get rid of it. I did take several minutes to squeeze and prod 9 needles from the center that had been pulled in. How many of those needles were last used by Mom?

Anyway, my next project is building a wedding dress for a friend who is getting married in February. Not as creative as show stuff since she has a specific pattern, but I'm looking forward to it.

A Brighter Future

The air seems to be charged with a special kind of electricity. I feel like I played an important part of history, and our country is a better place because of it. I have always been very moved by my country - have always felt very patriotic. It could be that my Mom imprinted upon me the importance of government and pride in the United States. I actually remember going to Roeding Park to see Kennedy when he was on the campaign trail in the early '60's. I took Michele out of school to go see Clinton speak the first time he came to the valley, and we were lucky enough to have him visit the Elementary school the kids attended a few years later. While I am a Democrat in heart and by party I have always looked at all candidates equally, and have voted Republican when I felt that was the better choice. But I feel exceptionally thrilled that Barack Obama has been elected. Not only for the promising change that this country will benefit from, but because of how far we, as a nation, have come as we made our choice of president from options that weren't thought possible not so many years ago. I am so proud to be part of this country.
Yay for us.

I'm wireless again

Well, after looking all over, waiting patiently, and retracing my steps about a million times I finally convinced myself that the phone is gone for good. I went to Verizon and got a new phone which only came out to about $40 because I was due for an upgrade. In my excitement to get more pictures (all of the pictures in the phone are gone baby gone) I took a few around the house so I'd have something to put with this post. I was pretty disappointed with the lack of clarity in the shot until I realized I hadn't taken the plastic off of the phone yet. Michele, stop laughing! The next round of pictures should be better.

Halloween was a blast... I spent the majority of the day watching GH (not General Hospital), and that included the 7 hour live broadcast of Ghost Hunters. It ended at 2am and I went on line to see what was posted on their website since they had a simultaneous live feed going during the show. Long story short, I didn't get to bed til 4am. I was up by 9am and don't feel too bad. Aaron's second to last soccer game was today so that got me out of the house, and then I kidnapped LoRen from work and we had sushi. I'm still feeling pretty good, but I may go to bed early tonight.

This is a big shout to my best friend Dez (the one Desi is named for) Happy Birthday! Hope Channy won her soccer game! We'll get together soon to celebrate - promise!

Happy Halloween

Boy these last two weeks have flown by! Opera has come and gone (La Boheme), and I'm just catching up on my housework. The bad news... I've lost my phone. Normally not a big deal, it's a big tragedy to me because there were a lot of pictures on the phone I didn't have a chance to download to my computer. So that makes me kinda sad. Halloween is here already, and Aaron, Charlotte and Elsie helped me decorate a little the other day. This is my favorite holiday and I can't wait to dress up, hand out candy, and enjoy the nights festivities (for me this includes watching a live show of Ghost Hunters). Yesterday I went with Michele and the kids to the pumpkin patch and we got a lot of good pictures - Michele can now update the pictures on her blog. I promise to start collecting pictures again to post.

This is a sidenote to Nick C's comment about Lila's nose - it's actually a Robbins nose, even though you've only seen it on the Freeman kids... yes, it's one of the strong features they got from me. She certainly can't deny my as her Grama :)

Newest Angel

Lila Jaylene Cabiness - arrived October 17, 12:15pm - weighing in at 6 lbs 14 oz - just shy of 21"

Michele says this is the best delivery for her. For me, it was the longest birth of any of her children to date. I've been with Michele for the last four days waiting on the baby. Tuesday night through Wednesday noon at the hospital with false labor. Thursday hanging out and going on a long walk. And today, Friday, starting at 5am with the call that "this is the real thing". It has all been worth it.
Lights, Camera, Action

as you can see, we couldn't get enough pictures. Michele and Lila looked so fantastic (Michele looked like she hadn't even given birth - the brat)
Aaron finally held Lila, though he was unwilling to do so for a while. He was scared that if he wasn't at home on the couch holding her he would drop her. Charlotte was all for holding her and walking around with her, so we had to curb her a bit, but the funniest was Elsie, who was actually scared of Lila. She didn't want to touch her, kiss her, or even be on the bed while Michele held the baby. She kept lunging for me and hiding behind my legs. She finally warmed up when she decided that Lila wasn't a big bug that was going to get her. There are a lot more cute pictures, but you'll have to wait for Michele to post them on her blog when she's up to it.
I know I'm biased, but this is the cutest family ever! (No disrespect to any of my nieces, nephews, or friends - I love you too!)

Mama/Grama

Well, to catch up... my last day at the fair was Sunday, Oct. 12, however I went Monday late afternoon on the last day to pick up my check. The check wasn't ready so I just stayed and helped with the show (Great White, and Brett Michaels). After the bands left I helped pack up supplies and load everthing back into storage. What should have been my day off actually ended at 1:15am on Tuesday Morning. I had to meet with the associate director of the Opera that morning re: picking up equipment for the orchestra, which we did from 8am till noon. Then from 1pm till 9:30p I watched that rehearsal. *sidenote - I may not always like the operas, but the orchestral arrangement was beautiful About that time I got a call from Michele saying that she had been having contractions about every 5 minutes and if it kept up for an hour she was going to the hospital. So I told her to call me if she was admitted and I'd be right there. The call came at midnight! When I got to the hospital everything was progressing, but slowly. We sent Nick home to sleep and take the other children to school in the morning. Needless to say, Michele and I both had fitfull nights. I can't begin to tell you how absolutely horrible the chair they gave me to "sleep" in was, and Michele's bed had a bar going across the center of her back that kept her up all night. By 8am she had dilated to 5 and was 80% efaced, however, at that point her contractions had all but stopped. At 9am she was examined again and we learned, to our shock and dismay, that she had actually un-dilated! Have you ever heard of that before? We hadn't. The doctor on call (her own doctor was on vacation starting that day) told us to go home and wait till the contractions came back and were 3-5 minutes apart. We were stunned, then mad, and then sad. We were also extremely exhausted.
So, for now, no baby yet. It will happen soon enough and that will be great. I can't wait to see my new granddaughter. Keep checking back here and on Michele's blog to see the latest pictures.

Cooldown

The weather has finally plummeted! The wind was so crazy last night that we had to weight everything down. Smokey Robinson played at the fair and although everyone was very nice and easy to work with it was extremely busy trying to keep everything from flying away. I actually got a little more personal interaction with the group and even Smokey because I was working wardrobe as well as the usual backstage stuff, but that also meant that I didn't have a chance to take a picture :( - I had to add a Smokey song to my playlist when I got home. The man is older now, but like Earth Wind and Fire his voice is still strong and pure. For those who are interested, the secret must be ginger tea. They make it strong (EWF has a staff guy specifically to prepare it) but you can't argue with the results. Another fun fact - chicken wings are a must in the dressing rooms for Smokey, his band and even the dancers.
Now for some bragging rights
If you go back to the picture I posted of Chicago's drum set on the empty stage... look at the black back drop. It's a huge curtain in two panels - each panel is about 40 feet wide by 20 feet long with an extension of 5 - 8 feet in length that is folded up with industrial strength velcro. That's my claim to fame! I made that for the fair two years ago, and it goes up for every show. So many famous people have touched it (they enter through the curtains) so it's kind of cool.

OK, that's enough for now. I have a day off and I plan on getting as much done as possible.

Even More...

Well, the fair is coming to a close in a few days. Michele, Nick, and the kids came again last Monday. We went to a "mermaid" show and then the kids went to Kid Town. Elsie is definitely ready for some independance... having a little sister will be good for her.

Earth Wind and Fire played Monday Night and it was such a good show. Tower of Power and Average White Band played last night... boy, this week has been a blast from the past with bands that were popular when I was in high school. I'll be happy for the rest when the fair closes, but I'm sure having fun now.

More Fun At The Fair

As Promised...
Today's entertainment at the Paul Paul Theatre started off with the Doodlebops. This group has a TV show that is aimed at 0 - 6 year olds and I guess they've been touring for 3 years. The stop in Fresno marked their last live show ever! They literally were throwing away everything they could at the end of the show. I was so glad that Michele, Nick, and the kids were able to come see them. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

I took this picture of an old fashioned fire truck. So many fun things come to the fair. You can't see it but there is a beautiful dalmation sitting up with the firemen.
I really enjoy working at the fair. It is so much fun meeting people from all over. And there is a huge diversity of acts that appear at the fair, so I feel like my mind is always being broadened.

Hi Again

I know it's been a long time since I've entered a blog. I wish I could say it's 'cause I've been so busy, but the truth is I've had nothing to blog about. Last week I got back into cutting mats and framing some things - like an embroidery that a friend did, a watercolor of Mom, and my kindergarten diploma. I'm also working on a shadowbox of a guitar signed by Pat Benitar. But the really fun thing is that the fair started this week and so I'm back at work with Luis. The fair opened with Chicago! A favorite band of mine (from the prime of my youth). The pictures of the band are fuzzy because my phone camera can only focus so much on moving people. The pic of the stage before the show is nice and clear - and see the giant corn dogs in front of the Fresno Fair sign? Anyway, the show was great! The next concert I work will be the Doodlebops (if I didn't have grandkids I wouldn't know who they were). I'll keep you updated as the bands come and go.

Big Weekend

Here are the first pics of the big reunion. The top photo is of the people I spent the most time with in High School, and then there's me with some other girlfriends. I had so much fun! A good portion of people who attended were people I have known since I was 5 years old. Remarkably, no one in our class has passed away. I don't think we'll be able to say that at the next go around, so I really want to start keeping in touch with as many friends as possible. A booklet was handed out with everyone's current contact info and I plan on using it.
I'm kinda beat ofter this weekend, so I'm leaving this entry short, but I'll be back soon with more pictures and a better commentary on what happened (the "date" was very fun)

Death to the Blazer

Actually, there is a possible reprieve. The flywheel has been on its last legs (or teeth you might say) for a couple of weeks. Then a few days ago I had to drive to Reedley for a costume fitting. When it came time to leave I just couldn't get the engine to turn over. My great friends, Mark and Denise Norwood had it towed to their mechanic and are having it repaired for me. Of course I'm indebted to them for life now, but I couldn't have better people to be indebted to. Meanwhile, I was looking at a '97 Thunderbird that had a really clean body, but so far we can't get it started. So started looking at an Isuzu Rodeo. Keep your fingers crossed, because I need all the luck I can get in the auto department.

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