Life is Good (as it can be)

So - since Jim has been at Loretto there has been a TV in his room, left apparently by the former occupant.  It was a 1980's type big, heavy tube model.  It seemed to work fairly well a 1st but recently the picture has been going flookie making it annoying to watch.  So even though there was never a complaint from Jim, I was flipping out when I was there watching TV with him.

Today I said "That's it".  I went to Walmart and got a flat screen (light as a feather) for Jim and took it up today to hook it up.  I got some assistance from David, one of Jim's aides, who lifted the albatross off the shelf and made it disappear.

I did the "simple" hookup that the young sale professional guaranteed me it would be.  I turned it on and it loaded the channels and presto-chango it was ready for action.  I got out a couple of Smirnoff Ice (that I packed and smuggled in for Jim and I), cut some sharp cheddar cheese and put out some pretzel chips.  I settled into my regular chair and we were ready to watch.  Our luck, a good Will Smith was on and we spent some good time together watching a movie and snacking.  Just like our past Saturdays!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Life is good - or at least as good as it can be right now.

Friday Letters

Dear Home: I know you need a scrubbing from top to bottom but I'm not in the mood.



Dear Archie: Now you are throwing up.  Why do you develop symtoms after 5pm on Friday when the vet is closed for a long weekend? 






Dear Jim:  Life has sure dealt you a lousy hand.  Sorry I am not able to care for you at home.  You don't deserve this!








 Dear Anya:  Stop anoying Archie, he doesn't feel good! 





Dear Weekend:  I wish you were longer.

Enjoy Memorial Day weekend and remember those who lost their lives to keep us free!

I Soooooooo Need a Long Weekend

I don't want to sound like a complainer, whiner and ungrateful chump.  What I am saying is that it will be nice to have an extra day that I might be able to call my own.  I want to catch up on "spring" cleaning.   That pretty much consists of washing windows and dusting eveything.  I've got to say that my days of polishing from top to bottom have dwindled to tidy and organized. 

With my time being shared with work and visiting Jim at Loretto, I find myself dozing on the couch and procrastinating my duties to another day.  With this "x-tra" day hopefully I can get my yard work done, windows washed, laundry done and breathe!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and don't forget to say a prayer for our military personnel who have given of themselves so that we can live here in peace.  Remember it's not just the men and women on the front line who give their everything, it's also the military personnel stateside who train, work and prepare for what could happen.  They also sacrifice their time and family to assure that we have the best protection we can have if and when something should happen.

Everyone enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nancy

MY Friday Letters

Plagiarizing my nieces idea of wrapping up the week which I find amuzing, I thought I would jot my Friday Letters.

Dear Archie:  Sorry you are having trouble with your back leg.  Don't know why you are limping, but as Dr. Baker said, if you aren't better in a few days we may need to take you in to the office to have it checked.

Dear Anya:  If you are the reason Archie is limping, mommy's gonna punish you!  You need to leave the little old dog alone.

Dear Office:  As much as I like my job I have to say that I am sure glad this week is over.  Although I only worked 3 days, it seemed like 6.

Dear GPS (Natalie):  Thanks again for your continued support to get me from point A to point B.  It was also good of you to help get us out of a lost mode when we were looking for the winery in Placerville, CA.  I thought Todd was going to blow his gasket!  You are my hero!

Dear California:  I will be back!

Dear NY State Lottery:  I'm buying a ticket this week and would appreciate it if you could make sure it is a winner of something substantial.  Pretty Please.

Happy Friday!

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

As the song states "I left my heart in San Francisco, high on a hill it calls to me".  I fell in love with San Francisco this past weekend.  It was lively, beautiful, scenic, fun and everything that I expected and more.

Going out to California to visit my baby boy and his special lady was full of love, special places and laughs. 

We toured, ate, played poker, had a few brewski's and shots and shared valuable family time.   We went wine touring on Friday purchasing several red tasty treats.  A little poker game to end the evening was rewarding for ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Saturday we hopped on down to San Francisco to see the sites.  According to locals it was one of the best days in a long time in the Bay area.  No fog, no clouds, maybe a bit breezy but sunny. 

We ate lunch at a restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf, hopped a tour bus for a ride around the burrows of San Francisco seeing memorable sites like the church that Marilyn Monroe and Joe Dimaggio wanted to get married, passed by China Town, Haight-Ashbury, Filmore street for shopping,

We rode across the Golden Gate Bridge and ate dinner at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory. Then we hopped the ferry back across the San Francisco Bay toward our car parked in Valera.

 I'm feeling the love of the area.  "When I come home to you San Francisco, Your gold sun will shine for me!!!!!!!!!!!"

.

As my life has headed into a stressful, heartbreaking era, my family is what keeps me positive and bring smiles to my face. 

I was fortunate enough recently to get to Virginia for a few days to see my new grand-daughter and both of my adorable and handsome grandsons.  I made time and found the energy to do an overnight trip to Detroit for my precious Emma's baptism and now a much needed trip to California to see my youngest son's new house.  It is their presence in my life right now that keeps me going and the strength not to feel sorry for my situation. 

What breaks my heart is that Jim is NOT fortunate enough to share these trips with me.  He adores his grandchildren and he has yet to meet his granddaughter Emma in person.  I tell him in detail all the things I share on my visits, but I know somewhere in his forgetful brain he must wonder why he isn't able to go with me.    He's always considered my children his from the get-go and is so proud of them and what they accomplish.  I know he would love to be here in California with me to see Todd and Christines house and visit with them.   I will bring back pictures and stories but it just isn't the same.

So today we are off to the wineries for some wine tours and testings, tomorrow is San Francisco (we'll catch the 45 minute ferry to there and back) and Sunday weather permitting Lake Tahoe.  Jim will be with me in spirit and I will take mega pictures to share with him.

See you Tuesday Jim.  Miss you!!!!!!!!!!!!