Week 47- Sis

Post Thanksgiving and I need to re-adapt to my normalcy and so does my dog. Being gone for two weeks has left my dog's allegiance a bit uncertain. See in those two weeks Lisa was her caretaker. She took her for rides everywhere she went, to daycare during the week and made sure she spent time playing with her while I was gone. Wonderful! Big deal, as I reminded oneeya that I'm the one who has sunk the moola into her healthcare, food, bedding, toys, rescuing and giving her a loving home. Also walking her everyday, giving her nice rubdowns, treats and lots of playtime. " You know little girl loyalty is one thing dogs are known for and is key in our relationship. You might remember oneeya that there is another animal in this household. Here kitty, kitty, oh sunii you're such a beautiful CAT!" Hey guilt and jealously worked for me when I raised my two human daughters.;-)



Week 46 - Sis

While I was home I met some of the newer additions to the family and reintroduced myself to other young ones. Remember when older relatives use to look at you and just smile and you had no idea why? Well now I know. They were looking at us and seeing the innocence, curiosity, potential and beauty of each one of us. Here are the ones I watched and smiled at whenever I saw them. Looks like while I was gone Lisa must have picked up a few things at the grocery store besides Thanksgiving supplies. not sure if she planned on opening a pizza parlor or had a dream that there would be a gigantic cheese shortage!

Week 46 - Lisa

We lost my Tia Connie on the 17th.  Not a whole lot to post this week.  It's been hectic and difficult to be away from my family during times like this.  We all want to help.  Thankfully we have a big loving dysfunctional family that knows how to rally and care for our loved ones during their last days.  My mom was able to be with her sisters and I'm grateful for that.  RIP Tia.  I am glad you are home withe Lord free of your many pains.  My fondest memories are of us in Tia Berta and your room on Pensacola singing and dancing to Mr. Postman and other Motown hits with our hairbrush microphones, mini-skirts and go-go boots.  We were not that many years a part for an aunt and niece so in some ways it's like losing an older sister. 

Week 45 - Lisa

My mom had to fly home to Cali this week.  I was left to care for both pets.  Our two sweet little Divas; sunii (cat) and oneeya (dog).  My mom requested I find oneeya a dog bed for her to lounge on in the living room.  As for the other Diva, sunii has a bed, a mat, a cat stand, our beds, the couch, the recliner, the folding chairs, the computer chair and of course all the rugs so no need to worry about her.  So I found a great deal! A Martha Steward Living "plush" doggie bed even.   <sigh>

It took several days before oneeya could find it empty and finally had the courage to slink over and enjoy it. Of course it was under the watchful eye of the cat.

Week 45 - Sis

The evening of the 8th the call I was expecting came. "You better get here as soon as you can." I was on a plane the following day to California, thanks to my daughter Lisa finding the flight for me and printing my boarding pass. From the minute I landed there was a long list of relatives and friends who had already started to volunteer to help in any way possible. My sister Connie surrounded by many caring people, passed away at 1:30 a.m. November 17th. The funeral services were held on the the morning of the 23rd and I flew back to Georgia late that night, arriving at 5:20 a.m. Thanksgiving morning. I'm grateful I was able to be there among my remaining sisters and the many younger generations, to tell Connie everyday that I loved her and to join together with my large family to say our final goodbyes. Since 2000, I've lost my husband, mother,a brother-in-law, plus my two brothers. Now I have an older half-sister and three younger sisters living and that may seem like a lot of siblings to some, but the gap left after each loss is enormous; in so many ways to me. Connie joins that list of people who impacted my life, leaving memories from childhood to her last breath. When I hear Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt I will also hear my sister Connie's great voice and joy in singing it. Now with the Lord, she is, at last, at peace. I let you go Connie, feeling both sadness and joy.

Week 44 - Lisa

My 2000 4Runner has been very very good to me.  I've never had her brake down on me until this year and it was minor.  I took her in this week for brakes, tires and general tune-up.  While I know I got a deal I was still kind of stressing about the overall cost.  Then I ran across the picture below my truck.  Put things in perspective real fast.  Kicked my hukkas into counting my blessing for all I have and what I can afford.  Funny how these little messages just magically appear.  ;>

Week 44 - Sis

As everyone knows it's November and deep into Fall. Will someone explain why the tomato plant I started growing in May is now producing it's first fruits?!!! I mean I've heard of late bloomers but geez. Guess this plant produces and then freezes it's crop, all on the vine.

Week 43 -Sis

First thing for us to do on returning from vacation - pick up the pets. Get the cat first so she doesn't lose her position in the family rankings. The dog could care less, just being in a family is good enough for her. Have to say her highness, didn't shun Lisa for very long this time, must be the dog's influence. ;- Second thing - unpack the souvenirs, separate, box and mail them. Love sharing the trip in a small way with family and friends. My one sister, Madeline, enjoy receiving a newspaper from the different areas we travel to. No problem, one of the easiest things to pick out for her along with a few other things. Third thing - wait for the purchase of the apples I ordered. Apparently in the Northeast there is a variety of apple some of us have not heard of, the Macoun. We saw signs saying, " We have Macouns" at some small fruitstands, (back of a pick-up). When we asked what they were, the reply was overwhelming praise for this APPLE?! They arrived and the praise for the Macoun is now coming from me. My shaky picture must have been from my excitement. LOL. Sorry, California and Arizona, they do not ship to you because something about the holding time the two states require of the company. Sent a few to one of Lisa's friend and she thanked us with pear/apple tarts the next day, thank you Laura. Going to have to send her some peaches with the hope she might want to bake some cobbler.;-

Week 43 - Lisa

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!  I "zombied" my family for fun on FaceBook and here's the link to our pics.  I did not intentionally make myself look like a tore up Amy Winehouse, it just kind of happen.   Tonight (Sunday) I did some baking for my crew: cupcakes and mutilated ninja's!  My friend "Darla Kendricks" from Bakersfield a bonafide artist had the clever idea.  I shamelessly am ripping her off.  Ripping seems appropriate!  Bwahahaha!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150375584019668.373398.756824667&type=1&l=ef95d905fa

Message from Dos Dames #10 ~

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball.  I'll tell you what I do.  I stare out the window and wait for spring."  ~Rogers Hornsby

Congratulations to the St Louis Cardinals.  I hope their fans savor and enjoy their time as World Series Champions.  I know it was glorious year being the reigning 2010 World Champion San Francisco Giants.

That team and year will live fondly in my heart and mind for the rest of my life.  No matter if more championships are ever won again by my Gigantes, 2010 was the unthinkable, unimaginable year of surprise, delight and TORTURE.  I tip my hat to the boys; my beloved men in Orange and Black.

I've been very lucky in my baseball life.  My sister and I lived in Chicago the year the Giants beat them for the National League Championship.  This year my mom and I were able to make the trek to the hallow grounds of Cooperstown to see the magical display of the 2010 World Series and San Francisco Giants Champions, walk the grounds of Doubleday Field and Main Street, Cooperstown where you can get a souvenior at "Shoeless Joe's" or a bite to eat at "Mickey's Cafe."  Timing is always key in baseball and life. 

Can't wait for Spring to arrive.  Let's play ball!  ~ Lisa

Week 42 - Lisa

Loved New England!  Especially Maine and upstate New York.  My pictures do not do the colors justice.  Everything and more than I imagined it to be.  Love the sense of humor of New Englanders and of course the accents.  Only pictures link I do not have available yet is Cooperstown.  Still editing.  I took a mere 1522 pictures.  My mom shattered that with over 2600.  It's a wonder we can see straight.  Between our quest to "find an Indian, free a bear," running my mother over not once but three times while finding "the" perfect shot to laughing till we cried while practicing saying GORGE-JUS and Bee-U-Tah-Fah, it was a fantastic trip.  Meeting Massachusetts version of Clarence from "It's a Wonderful Life" to eating at a Diners, Drive-Ins and Dive restaurant were just a few highlights along the 1100 miles driven.  Shout out to the Sparhawk Oceanfront Resort, wonderful property to stay in Ogunguit.  I already want to go back.

Here's a few favorites and my links to 1500 more!

http://tiny.cc/NewEngSatSun2011

http://tiny.cc/NewEngMon2011

http://tiny.cc/NewEngTue2011

http://tiny.cc/NewEngWed2011

http://tiny.cc/NewEngThu2011

Week 42 - Sis

Yep, here comes some more vacation pictures. I did do a lot of clicking on the camera but I promise not to post the one hundred shots plus, of the sunrise! Now starting the travel log. Arrived in Ogunquit Maine late afternoon, we checked in and settled into our room and headed to the beach. Ahhh, sea air, blue Atlantic Ocean, almost felt like home but not much time before sunset started. The next day we took a ride up the Maine coastline, went over to Portland; highlight being a ride on the commuter car ferry line to Peak's Island. Not much time spent in Portland as we didn't want to get back too late for our first lobsta' dinner. Third day-We the "peepers", (what the locals call tourists who come to view the Fall colors) of Georgia and California, spent the day in the White Mountains forest of New Hampshire. Stupendous, spectacular, sensational display of the colors we saw in the trees/foliage of this area and to top it off, a covered bridge! Understand now what the great New England writers and poets were inspired by and loved. Really heard the "accent" at the ranger station where we stopped for information on the best road to take our peeper viewing pleasure. "Speck-tack-q-luh", "guh-jush" is what I heard while there. Wonderful day on the road and Lisa would include the young moose we were able to stand and watch as it lay in an area on the side of the road. Seemed very relaxed, even eating a little grass, no one knew why it was there, injured or not. Could have been it's day to peep at the peepers. When we returned to Ogunquit we spent time walking around and absorbing our last look of a great little vacation locale. Next morning off to driving through some more Maine small coastal towns. Saw a lighthouse I'm sure was used in the the tv series Providence and ate the best and last lobster dish, of the ones I had consumed. Pretty done with that shellfish.  Wednesday's our goal was to get to our motel outside of Sturbridge, eat dinner, get up Thursday morning and visit the Norman Rockwell Museum. Circumstances changed and we didn't eat until after 9 p.m., didn't sleep a lot of hours but did get to Sturbridge and the museum, another story there too. Loved the time there and after a few hours headed to Cooperstown, New York. Baseball town, Hall of Fame, beautiful rustic farm area with the fall colors in abundance. Loved the time we spent there and lots of baseball references in the restaurants and shops. Quaint is a good word for this place. Okay, taking th pencil out and marking two things off my bucket list. Saw the leaf changing of the New England area and visited the honored names I've read, saw movies about or seen play in person; the stars of my favorite sport, baseball.