I haven't blogged in a long, long time. Didn't really think alot was going on in my life to do so. But when I was listening to a friend the other day recount all that has gone on in the last few months, I realized there had been alot going on.
First of all as you know my wonderful Nanny (Grandmother) passed away this past Dec. 1st. After the funeral, I then had to get my mother moved into a one bedroom apartment. My Mom and grandmother had lived together for almost 14 years in a 2 bedroom apartment. Luckily for my Mom there was a one bedroom apartment available in the same building where she lives. Going through all the things that through the years she and my grandmother had collected was very time consuming. I cannot tell you how many trips I made to the dumpster, the new apartment with boxes, furniture ( I bought a furniture dolly that ended up being a God send!) Cher and I moved and boxed, cleaned and sorted, saved and threw away, kept for memories, etc. It took every weekend in the month of December for me to get all this done. My Mom moved into her new apartment in January 2007. I got her cable TV so she could watch her favorite shows (her and Nanny didn't have cable), bought her a new recliner to be comfortable in, new towels, etc. all for her new apartment. She needed so much NEW things, all the old and worn out, were tossed out! There was so much paperwork to go through, the bank, calling Social Security, etc. all the things that just have to be done. Thank goodness my Nanny was pretty much organized and I found alot of her paperwork rather quickly.
Christmas was ok, not like in the past where I would have one or both of my sons come to visit. This year they couldn't.......Joey just getting married last July, this was his first Christmas as a married man! Allen is doing ok, moved into some assisted independent living on a trial basis, and as of right now, it is a day to day process as to see if he can live there on his own. He is taking a horticulture class which he seems to like.
Also we received some very sad news, Erin's Dad (Joey's wife) Rick was diagnosed with a brain tumor 2 weeks before Christmas. Rick was such a wonderful human being.!He was strong with his faith in God, the love and support of his family and friends, and sad for all of us, but he was ready and he went to heaven just a couple of weeks ago.'
I was down in New Orleans when this happened, and when I got back to Massachusetts, I couldn't get off of work to go back down to Virginia for his funeral.
Cher's family is still having alot of health issues. Her Mom has to have a total knee replacement, her Dad is still totally dependent on his family for just about everything. He has to get his blood tested every week as he has a slow bleed, and then blood transfusions when he is getting low. Kenny is on the mend, slowly, still hasn't gone back to work in the fire department, he had his accident on Halloween and is just now walking without the help of a walker or his cane.
Last week Cher got the stomach flu very bad! She was out of work for 2 days, and let me just say she was spending alot of time with the porceline Goddess! I got a touch of it this past Saturday but not to the extent of what Cher did and I am feeling a little bit better.
I have been scrapbooking, I have so many projects that I haven't even finished yet, like my son's wedding, New York City (last year visit) New Orleans, and just alot of pictures that I really need to do.
Dabbled a little with making bracelets and such. I haven't done that in a while.
Cher and I have discovered the worlds best pizza! It is at JP's in Holyoke, MA......it is a white pizza with shrimp and fresh spinach! Needless to say we like going to JP's! Kenny , Michael and Kim are there sometimes too and we have a good time. We went for St. Patricks Day and it was packed!!
The kitty's are doing fine.......spoiled as ever and the snow is still on the ground here. We got walloped on Valentines Day this year and again on St. Patricks Day (over a foot).....so everything is still white and cold. I am getting alittle bit tired of this snow ya know.
I will be posting and showing some pictures of New Orleans. While I was down there I did the tourist thing........Cher and Donna (another nurse from the Hartford Ins. Co. where Cher works) were in classes and conferences all day. I took some tours in the city during the day. At night we went out to taste the wonders of New Orleans cooking, listened to all the lively music, Jazz, etc. did the Bourbon St. and French Quarter thing.....but all that will be on another post and also of alligators eating marshmallows and Muffalattas! (not sure if I spelled that right)...
Until then, this is the latest update in a while.........but I will be writing more.......til then.............have a great day!
During the day Donna and Cher had to sit in stuffy rooms and attend a Medical Conference while I did the tourist thing. But when night fell, the girls went out!! I think that night we were out until about 2AM. Started out at Harrah's, then after some drinks, watching a live trio during the Motown Decade, and me loosing money$, we headed down to the French Quarter and the infamous Bourbon St. The Jazz bands were great! lots of music, lights, people, beads, beads and more beads.......vibrant colors, alot of police presence which was comforting and just a great time. This was a week after Mardi Gras and there was still plenty of life (alot of Medical Conferences were in town that week).
