?????

I have nothing really interesting to say right now. Have a great week!!!!

Reckless drivers!!!! aruugh!

So this morning on my 9 mile commute to work which takes 40 minutes, There was a very impatient woman in a pearl white Mercury Mountaineer, On Northern just before Grand where the traffic backs up, she chose to drive down the center turn lane (illegal) to pass everyone who was waiting for the light to change and there was a truck in the lane waiting to turn left( legal). After the light there is a bit of construction and the road narrows to one lane for about 10 yards, She sped up on the right to get as close to the cones and tried to swerve over in front of cars (reckless) who waited in the left lane because of the closure. then of course traffic wasn't moving fast enough for her @ posted 40 mph. She tried her hardest to get past the cars and through the light which turned red just as she got within one car of the light (me). Then she fought in and out of each lane because she couldn't pass me and the few cars ahead of us. I was really getting joy out of the fact she couldn't get ahead in her speed demon way of driving. Finally she sped throught a yellow to red light to get ahead just to slam on her breaks because of what ....... TRAFFIC.

was that wrong of me?

10 Months

Here is my (nephew) Caleb almost 10 months old. I got to spend a whole day with him. Here I was keeping him busy with a partially frozen water bottle for the teething.

Sunday, Dad and Chad went to El Centro to hunt Dove ( poor little things) Kimmie, Caleb and I went to Issac's 7th birthday party at the AMF bowling alley. Caleb loved watching the kids run around and all the noises of the balls hitting the pins and the clapping and screaming. It was a bit much for me. Then we went to the mall just to walk around. We found some cute shoes at Stride Rite for Caleb (we didn't buy) the doctor says don't put him in them until it is cold out. He would be a 7&1/2 baby (huge). The sales lady was surprised by his age after we took him out of the stroller. She said well I hope his dad is a large guy or there is a genetic issue. CAN YOU believe that!!! Caleb is just sturdy!!!

90% in height and 95%in weight.

Go D'backs... or Dodgers oh what now?

I went to another Diamond Backs game this time against the Dodgers, they passed out signs that said "BEAT LA" I really didn't want to carry one but... I am now in AZ at the D'backs stadium.

They also had kids from the CAYFL California Youth football league there with the signs, they got to parade on the field and in the stands with their "BEAT LA" signs. They were so boisterous with the chanting of "BEAT LA", and actually the D'Backs did beat LA that game! So many of the Dodgers fans were arrested I was very surprised. I sent this photo to Chris and Cynthia, the biggest Dodgers fans I know and now I have been written out of Cynthia and Erik's wedding plans and I am no longer welcomed at Chris and Lesley's place. We'll see how long either of those hold up!.

After the game Toya, Michelle and I decided to go to Bobby C's a bar/restaurant in the downtown area to meet up with a long time friend of Toya's. Toya and I were in her car and Michelle went home to change clothes. While looking for the club, on Washington there were crews repaving the road so the entrance of the club was blocked so we went around the block to try the back. When we turned the corner onto 11Th st, I noticed a guy jumping into the back of a white car as it fishtailed and sped away. Toya and I looked at each other like "What the Heck!!!"

As we kept going, on the right side of the street in the gutter was a woman. I immediately grabbed my cell and called 911. She was beaten and bloody and was breathing very hard and inconsistently. She didn't respond when was asked if she needed help but clearly she did need help. Her dress was ripped and around her waist. She was in bad shape. The 911 operator asked if we has seen the car, I responded that we were so shocked by it fishtailing that we didn't pay attention to the model or plate. Within 5 minutes 5 cruisers and the fire dpt were on scene and the paramedics showed soon after. I was fine until I was giving one of the officers the rundown of what happened, then I started shaking and thinking what if we came one minute sooner, what if they guy has a gun.. OMG!!! the officers were very nice and thanked us for calling. My hunch is that she was a "lady of the night". I am glad that we were in the right place in the right time for her sake.

We decided to go ahead a find the club, a strange night could only get better right. Bobby C's is tiny I mean TINY!!! and they have the nerve to make a dance area in the middle of the place. Most of the crowd was older (I guess I now fit into the older category) 30 and above, some patrons were quite older and some definitely had alternative lifestyles, but variety is the spice of life right? We had a good time with Toya's friend and his friends. The music was great reminded me of the parties my mom and dad used to have.

Caleb is 9 (months) Today !!!!!

One day old Nine months old

Go Padres.. I mean D-Backs... oh I am torn

So last night Toya and I went to the D' Backs/ Padres game. I am always torn when a CA team plays AZ. I have always liked baseball and I like that I can take the time and go to games now. There were these older men sitting next to us joking with us because we had garlic fries and beer and margaritas, like women wouldn't go to a game and have those things. WHATEVER!!! There was this young woman whom I am guessing didn't know she was going to the game or maybe she did; She was wearing FMH's and shorts with a bandeau top. Of course she was a feature on the jumbo tron. Oh and the D'Backs won!!! I also bought my first D' backs t-shirt ( # 10 Upton) I thought it was about time, but I still cheered when the padres scored. Now I just have to go to a few Cards games.

One Year later...

I was in CA this weekend, I went to moms plot and put two yellow roses and one small purple rose in her vase.

A time to remember...

So this week last summer was a tough one as I started a couple of days ago. Once Chad and Kimmie arrived I took a back seat for a day so I could regroup and figure how to move forward with all that was happening. We decided not to bring mom home for the last week, I couldn't have handled it if she left us at the house. I can't imagine still living there, and when I stated that it occurred to my dad the same. I do think it was best for her to be in the IPU with constant assistance and med control. She fought to get out of that bed, I mean to the point that Kimmie could no longer stand near the bed because mom could have kicked her in her preggo belly. At one point Chad had to restrain her arms and legs by leaning over the bed spread eagle.

Mom was never I mean never without a family member in her room. Dad took the 6pm-2 am shift Chad and Kimmie would take the 2-10 am shift and I had the 10am-6pm shift. Judy our neighbor would come with Dad most times and I had Gail or one of moms friends with me so it was not hard to sit there. From Monday to Friday the RN's couldn't get the meds just right to help mom relax, she was laying back on her elbows the whole time, at times she would sit up and rock back and forth. She also had moments I mean seconds of clarity, when she would hear one of our voices she would almost light up. Once there was a smile and it was the craziest thing, because for days nothing and then Chad laughed and she knew it was him so she smiled.

Finally Friday the 17th mom started to relax, I knew the end was coming but I was okay. I came in on Friday with one of her best friends Sandy who flew out to see her and say goodbye. sandy told mom that when she gets up to heaven make the biggest ruckus ever so Sandy would know that she was okay. Grace and Bern and Harley our neighbors from CA came also and Grace had lost her husband earlier in the year, Grace asked mom if she had seen Arthur yet ans mom shook her head no, the next day Grace asked her again and mom nodded yes. CRAZY !!!! Grace cried even harder and told mom to tell to take her hand. Mind you the passing process in the brain takes a while so mom had been back and forth for a few days. She had been talking to her brother Michael and he mom Bessie for I think three days, like they were in the room. She asked Michael to get out of her room at one point ( the have both passed) years ago. Saturday I came in for my shift and I remember mom snoring so loudly Gail and I were laughing at her. Larry and Laura mom's cousin had drove in and we were all hanging in the room laughing and telling our memories of all the thing my mom did and said. We all had lunch and were chatting and one of the CNA's came in to reposition her, she stopped snoring. I remember thinking cool now she is resting completely off of her arms, she looked so peaceful. At around 6:00 I was expecting Dad to walk in but he didn't until 6:20 and we all told him your late! we are docking your pay. dad said hello and sat down no sooner, I looked at mom and her chest was not moving I looked harder. I said " she isn't breathing. Gail left to get the nurse, I stood and took moms hand ( I never thought I could do that) and the nurse came in and listened.. no breath, but a faint heartbeat. I called Chad and Kimmie and Grace. Laura and Larry and Gail were there. Larry started humming a hymn and we consoled Dad and the nurse called the time. She was gone... so in her way no bells or whistles. Mom waited for Dad to get there and said bye. We said a prayer together and made sure dad was sitting and I started the phone calls. I was okay through most of them until I got to my god mother who is moms oldest girlfriend. and Amanda my best friend.

I wasn't able to get a hold of Sandy to tell her mom was gone until Sunday evening. This is how it went: Sandy? Cecily. " Please this isn't the call is it? Yes. She came did it.. did what? Made noise at 2 or 3 am I sat up because a loud noise startled me out of my sleep.. It was her she did it She is fine. You know that she is fine.

Random but worthwhile purchases.

So I saw this purse at http://www.shopsueyboutique.com/ Love IT !!! Ordered it and it will be here in a couple of days.. I am so excited!!!

I also purchased this Airbrush machine for my cake decorating. Now I can do such colorful cakes and cupcakes next is brushing up on my fondant techniques and I will be set for a while.

This is the last photo I have of my Mom. It shows her vanity and her sense of humor. We had taken her to the doctor and convinced her to go to lunch even though she couldn't really eat, we wanted to spend time with her out of the house. I think this was the last time she ever left the house with us. No she attempted to go camping in early august spent one night and Dad brought her home. Anyway today Aug 11 one year ago is when we knew she was going to leave us soon. Dad, Gail and I had such a hard day. It consisted of picking mom up off the floor three times, moving mom every five to fifteen minutes because she couldn't get comfortable, from the bed to the couch to the chaise lounge to the front room to the backyard over and over for 12 hours. Finally a Hospital bed was delivered but she wouldn't stay in it. One of the most un-nerving falls that I witnesses occurred when she scooted to the foot of the bed and leaned out and fell face first on to the carpet just missing the massive wood corner of the bed she shared with my father for 7 years. That is when we decided to send her to the In Patient Unit for comfort care.

Hospice of Arizona was fantastic, we got literature on the stages of dying and I figured we had a week left with her. I called Chad and Kim and they drove out immediately (she was five months pregnant with Caleb) mom really wanted to live until her first grandchild was born but that wasn't Gods plan. Essentially in the IPU she was given meds to control the pain and the brains urge to fight, in order to let the dying process be easy and comfortable because it really is painful until the very end.

Over the next few days I will write about that week and what we did as a family, a neighborhood and with the fabulous staff of Plaza Del Rio IPU.

Cakes !!!

I am a self taught cake decorator with grocery store bakery decorating experience and now I do cakes and cupcakes for friends and family. Made from a mix at times but usually made from scratch if time allows. Here is a Kung Fu Panda Cake I did for a co-workers sons 5th birthday.

The Month of memories

So today is the beginning of the month that I hate and love. I always loved August because we would take trips to the river, to see grandma and it was the last hoorah before school started. But this year I want to skip the month. The 18th will be the year anniversary of my Mothers passing. I can't believe it has been a year but then again I don't cry as much so there has been time to heal some. I just wonder what is going through the heads of my dad and brother and my moms living sibling. Do we acknowledge it or let the day pass and celebrate the day of her birth a week later? Or we can celebrate for a whole week, her life. The woman who loved teenagers, and books and butterflies. She was the best mom to me, my brother and many others kids from across the world and in our neighborhood. I thank her everyday for the wisdom and insight she instilled in me and the courage to live my life and not to follow someone else. I just wish she could have held Caleb in all is monkey glory. I know she sees him and is guiding him like she guided Chad and I, but the selfish me wanted to see her with him. One day I will.

Here is Caleb in the Onsie I bought for him when I was in Vegas !

The northern view of the Strip


Me and Toya at her reunion mixer

Went to Las Vegas, stayed to the NY NY hotel and casino.

I just love him so much, look at those eyes.

Sunburned and sick

I stayed home today from work.. I got sunburn on my face while eating lunch at the beach Sunday... it hurts and is starting to peel. I also have a stomach virus.

My Boss doesn't believe me but oh well.. she will live.

Lesley gets married !!!!!

The Bachelorette Brunch
06-01-2008 Shanghi Reds, Marina Del Rey, CA













At the Rehersal Dinner, Niko was given a gift for being the ring bearer. Nikko is Chris's God son.









Mr. and Mrs. Valverde !! 06-21-2008 4pm


The Wattles Mansion, Hollywood CA






Erika, Lesley, Chris, Fabian, Me! Dave was no where to be found at this time.

Sarah, the flowergirl and Niko.

Three of the "Get Along Gang" My brother used to call us that.

Isabel is one of Chris's closest friends

Cake !!!

Mother- Son

dance

Father- Daughter dance

how adorable !!

I caught the bouquet, and Erick caught the garter.

it was about 100 degrees !!!

we wanted to sit down for a while..

The After Party to the reception... the Rosevelt Hotel, Hollywood CA

Don't ask... I didn't plan to be in the wedding suite. Chris insisted so I didn't sleep on a chaise lounge in the garden.








Our flowers after the 100 degree heat.








Gladstones for lunch !!





Olvera street LA.











It was such a great party, lots of love , friends and family. I hope they know how special they are.
I love you two and happy "proper" honeymoon in the Yucatan!!!!!

New life

So now that I have been in Az for a year, life is becoming normal again. I have great friends here and some still in CA. I have my dad and soon my brother and his family will be only 25 minutes away instead of 6 hours. I really am blessed to have all of these great people around me. The one thing that aludes me is the love of my life. Did I miss him did I let him walk out of my life or was I five minutes late to the gym and he walked out before I got there. This is the one question I have about my life. I like my job, working and helping people in a simple but fulfilling capacity.

life happens

So it is now Oct... let me tell you haw my life has been. First, the bakery thing fell through with the financiers I had, luckily I had not signed anything. Also I was able to spend the last six months of my mothers life with her. Yes she passed two months ago today August 18 2007. Wow what a day, family and friends we all together in her Hospice room and we were reminiscing and laughing. I think that she felt that we were okay and we all said your goodbyes so the moment my father walked in the room and said hello, she said goodbye and went with the lord, her Mother, Brother favorite Aunt and so many friends. It couldn't have happened any other way, it was so her no fuss. we had two services for her one in Arizona and one in California where she and my father lived for 50 years. the Arizona one was small and nice, Dads' relatives and friends from the neighborhood and a few from hospice came and said nice quips about my mothers sweet but sharp tongue. the California one was huge and so many people came out of the wood works to pay their respects to our family. Friends from her childhood, my brother and my school teachers, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Teammates and new friends. It was heart warming.
I now work for the Hospice service my mother was on Hospice of Arizona, they are wonderful and I am proud to work for them. I know what the families are going through when they call me with questions and requests to page the RN's. It is such a great service I would recommend hospice for anyone who has months, not years to live.

I have started back to church and the gym, I have to loose the wt. that I gained not working for 6 months. I am excited for my nephew to arrive, he might arrive earlier than expected because he is growing so fast. By Thanksgiving we should have our own little turkey.

Germany was Great !!!

Well I am back We had a great time. I was there for two weeks, met some great people and had some great food and drink. In Europe, Martini & Ross sell a bottle of Martini Bianca, this stuff is great. I have not found it in the states though. I might have to have a friend ship some over. Well Here are a few photos...

This is just one shot of the hillsides in Friebug, Germany. The weather there is great even though they get quite a bit of rain, but that makes everything so green and beautiful.

This is the famous Dom Cathedral in Koln, Germany really this photo doesn't do it justice. I was huge and old and beautiful. It was almost better than Notre Dame.

This is in the town Witzenhausen, we stood out because first there were three dark skins and one was 6'6 and one was 6'1. Toksi on the far right was our exchange student in 93', Marc is on the far left, he was marring her the next day. That was the reason for the trip.

This is the tower of the castle we stayed in for about a week. Toks and Marc wanted to have a wedding where everyone and their kids could stay and not have to worry about driving home the same night. Burg Ludwigstein is a 15Th century castle overlooking the river Werra and surrounded by beautiful woodland. It is situated southwest of the town of Witzenhausen (Nordhessen) and can easily be reached by car or train and bus. Grounded in 1415 the castle's buildings today were built in the 16th and 20th century The Wandervogel and German Youth Movement joined its history when they joined together to save the Burg. They bought the castle, renovated it, and founded a memorial for the Wandervogel that were killed in the 1st World War. The group that was founded in 1945 still take an active part in the history of the castle and in its support.

This is the adorable little church that they were married in. It was very storybook. The town it was in is actually on the former East German side of the Werra River, so years ago they could not have gotten married there.

My Dad, Toksi and Me after the ceremony. It was a very emotional time because my mom was suppose to be there but because of her illness she was unable to travel.



The cake and Toks Olivia and Me dancing to a great band the was put together for the reception.




This was taken in the Black Forest. Toks, Britt and I took a hike and enjoyed the views and chatting about everything possible. When we reached the top of the mountain we stopped for ice coffees and an ice chocolate. Wonderful !!!





While we were in Frieburg, Toks's band mates had a cookout on the roof of their building. I was very nervous because this man I was having heart palpitations over was going to be there. This photo is only one of many we took that night.. Mark Me and Olivia.











This is my favorite family Lorenz, Britt, Jannes, and Lilly. Lorenz is in a band " The Brothers" Britt is an amazing photographer, Lilly ans Jannes are actors and singers. I don't know any other family with so much talent personally. Oh and Britt is on of Tok's best friends and Lorenz's brother is Toks' roommate.

I had the chance to catch up with another student who lived with us. Nick is Dutch and he and his friend Robin drove 6 hours to Frankfurt to meet up with me while I took a 2.5 hour train ride to meet them. Is was a fun and crazy 10 hour, 30 beers, one Baltic nightclub adventure. Now Nick is a new Papa, no more overnights to bars in foreign lands with Americans for him.

This I took on the flight home. I think that is England and Wales. I was so surprised how clear the view was and that the photo came out also.