Saturday and the living is .....Easy?

The Dish Network guys showed up right on time at 8 AM.  Does this every really happen?  Well, he re-pointed the dishes and we have great signal now.  YEAH!

Frank in Happier Times

I, unfortunately, had to wake Frank up so he could make sure his TV was OK.  Frank was NOT happy about that since he had only gone to sleep at 6 AM.  He must have been doing well at the casino that night.  I saw more of him than I wanted too (shorts and a tee-shirt).  I'm so glad Randy is not a hairy beast!

East Side of Cabrillo Bath House

I was able to get to look at some more venues with Christa.  We started in San Pedro at the Cabrillo Beach Bath House.  We weren't able to get inside as they are closed on Saturday unless there is an event.  We knew that, but wanted to at least look at the grounds.  Trey and Christa have an appointment on Monday to see the inside. 

So far our more hopeful site.  She really likes the idea of getting married on the beach.  When we were having lunch with Trey later (thanks for lunch, Trey!), he was stoked and asked if he could wear an Hawaiian shirt instead of a tux.  I think he thought I was going to have a reaction cause he was looking at me with a twinkle in his eye when he said it.  I told him I didn't care what he wore.  Christa, on the other hand, jumped in with, "Oh no!  You are NOT wearing an Hawaiian shirt!!!"  I told her why not?  Your dad could really get on board with that!  We left it up in the air.  Then we went on to talk about since this place allows outside catering, we could do a Taco Cart or In and Out Burger truck or even Charo Chicken.  I think it could be really FUN!  Even if we use a regular caterer, it's definitely the most budget friendly and truly beautiful.

Trey and Christa

We also looked at El Dorado Park.  We both forgot to take pictures, but here's the link http://www.choura.us/venues/eldorado  Really pretty and it looks like they ARE available.on the date.  There was a hold on it when we looked, but he e-mailed Christa last night and the other couple booked elsewhere.  It's pretty.  There are fountains and a pond and ducks and, unfortunately, geese.  (People that know me, know I almost killed a gander in this park when Christa was about 2 or 3. Let me know if you want the full story.)   Also very pretty and a lot less work for me, but about twice the cost.  I would still be fine with it.  The coordinator/catering manager was VERY easy to work with and there was a great feeling about it.

Went back to Recreation Park to nail down price and see what alternate dates were available.  I was underwhelmed.  The deals she was originally willing to work were gone.  The service that was promised also Kaput!  Her attitude was snotty and condescending.  I'm glad we were forced to look at other options.  At least we can walk away feeling like this was NOT the right place for us.

After the aforementioned lunch, I went and saw my mom.  We had a nice, long visit.  I sat in on the Po-keno game.  There were only 4 people playing, but MAN, were they competitive!  I guess those red-tickets they give out are REALLY status symbols!  It was quite cute and quite fun.  I my mom out, but she was getting chilly so we went to a coffee house across the street.  I bought her a small coffee and we sat at a table.  We met a young lady who just started the nursing program at Cypress College.  She will be doing her first clinical at my mom's place in about a week.  Her name is Condra (Sondra with a "C", she said.) She was very nice and we had a nice little chat with her.  Then one of Christa's old teachers came by and we had a great little visit with him.  Mr. Mekna.  He is still at Poly and I told him to drop by the Make Up Room and say Hi to me at the next play.  His son is getting a second Masters in Music and is going for a PhD in Chamber Music.  I didn't even know there WAS a Ph.D. in Chamber Music, LOl.  He was happy to hear of Christa's upcoming nuptials. Randy joined us after he got off work at the rehab.

Alex and Billy dropped by in the evening and we had a really nice visit.

Life, in general

Still looking at venues.  Christa didn't like the one that I loved in Anaheim from the website.  She didn't even want to go and see it. She did like the one in San Pedro and she's going with Trey to look at it in person on Monday.  I'm hoping to drive by it today, but might not have time as I'm waiting for the Dish-network guy to come replace my box.  We are going to El Dorado today to look at their place.

Gillian and Carole 1979

Alexandra Thanksgiving 2010

My mom was in the dining room watching t.v. when I got there.  She was happy and upbeat.  I took her out on the patio to enjoy the last day of summer weather for a while.  Someone told me that this January was hotter than last July.  Weird weather.  At least we're not like the East where they have used up their snow removal budgets one month into winter.  I had some pictures in my purse that we looked at.  Some old ones of Gillian that I had re-printed for her and some of Thanksgiving with Jon's baby, Alexandra in them.  We couldn't believe how much Alex looks like her auntie!  She looks a lot like Christa did as a baby too.  It was really bothering Mom that she couldn't remember being at Thanksgiving.  But it bothered her more that she couldn't remember her own wedding.  For some reason, she can remember her cousin, Jean's wedding vividly.  Personally, I think it's because of the near-sibling rivalry my mom always had in her head about Jean.  She kind of tossed me out after about a half hour today.  I think I was making her uncomfortable by making her aware that her memory was going.  She told me, "When you think about getting older, you don't like thinking about not being able to do for yourself any more, but here, it's really nice and comfortable.  And you get pushed in a wheelchair by your daughter.  That's really not so bad."  She really does like it where she is and she really does like the interaction with people her age and her caregivers. But she is still quite upset about her nice roommate that is ill.
My friend, Corina, came into my work today for a quick physical therapy screen.  I hope I'll be able to work a deal for her so she can come to our AFT program.  It's a program for our former patients that want to keep up the progress they've made in PT.  It's twice a week and they get to work out with a trainer and can advance the program as they improve and reach plateaus.  We have quite the regular crowed.  I've had patients tell me it's a real community.  Our morning group comprises mostly of housewives and retirees, all but one female and the male, really like that, LOL.  They have been most helpful so far in helping me find venues and one has even gotten me started on my candy bar, bringing me a beautiful jar she wasn't using.

I was hoping this was going to be a little more humorous.  Guess that will come along in time.

My cat, Amber is trying to entertain me now by running the length of the house and jumping and clearing the two wide steps in a single bound from 5 feet back.  She would be Olympic Class if they had Cat Olympics.  But when she gets "shark eyes"  she is down right scary.  You know that if she wanted to, she would find a way to kill you, lol.  She and my other cat, Trinket are now rolling on the floor "fighting".  Trinket is always so melodramatic, she yowls and cries like she's really hurt so Amber will let go and then she attacks.  Amber falls for it every time SMH.

Annalisa Inspired Me

I can't let Annalisa, the former Luddite, have a blog and not have one myself!  LOL

 I figure now would probably be a good time to blog anyway. Since I'm planning my daughter, Christa's wedding.  I just have to make sure that I remember that this is a public forum!  I will do my best to mind my manners, but for those of you who know me, you know it's going to be a struggle.

Christa is trying to get married on September 10, 2011 (9.10.11).  We had a spot picked out, http://www.americangolf.com/CA/long-beach-weddings-and-events-recreation-park-golf-course-18  but they booked the venue to someone else before we formalized plans.  It's like in real estate, it's not yours until everything's been signed.  So the last week we have been looking at other sites.  They are either over our budget or already booked.  We are looking at a golf course in Anaheim http://www.greensidecafe.com/ and a banquet hall in San Pedro http://www.sanpedro.com/sp_point/cbrobath.htm


We checked out Eagle's Nest in Cypress and then had a $10,000 minimum and Old Ranch in Seal Beach had a $15, 000 minimum.  For the SITE?  Are they crazy?  That's a down payment on a HOUSE even out here.  We were looking at a mainly outdoor venue in Huntington Beach, but they didn't allow the booze Christa wants to have.

It has been an emotional week with many tears and screaming.

My mom is doing well.  She was looking really great yesterday.  Upbeat and happy.  Loving her lunch and getting ready for the residents party for the January birthdays.  Her evil roommate wont attend parties and cusses whenever there's no bingo.  I took her outside so she could enjoy the 75 degree January weather.  She really loves looking at the flowers.  Harold and I visited her on Tuesday and she remembers it with great fondness.