Is this as disturbing to you as it is to me?

Every day on my way to and from work, I pass a pet grooming place. About two months or so ago, we noticed a few 'new additions'. At first I just thought they were ridiculous - which they are. But then I decided they were both ridiculous and disturbing. I'll post a couple of photos in a minute, but first, let me first give you a bit of background info on this particular place.

Eleven years ago, Kevin and I hosted our first annual Mother's Day Brunch. The day before the brunch, Kevin had a game and I was busy running around getting everything ready for our outdoor event the next day. One of the first things I did was drop my precious Hobbes off at a new groomer (can you guess which one?) for a bath and haircut. They seemed pleasant enough when I dropped him off, but as the day went on and I hadn't heard anything from them, I began to get a bit concerned, so I gave them a call. They told me that they were particularly busy that day and that Hobbes wasn't finished yet, but they'd let me know as soon as he was ready. I went on with my other preparations and time flew by. Before I knew it, it was 5:00 p.m. and I still hadn't heard anything from the groomer. Once again I called and was told that they were just running really behind, it would probably be another hour or so. I was perturbed, but waited another hour and still, no call. Just as I was ready to call yet again, the phone rang and it was the groomer. They told me that he still wasn't dry yet, but that I could pick him up at 8:00 p.m. EIGHT P.M?? I'd dropped him off at 9:00 a.m., and this seemed like a ridiculously long time to me.

Something about this situation just didn't seem right to me, so I got in the car and headed over to pick up Hobbes, dry or not. When I walked in the door the guy looked pretty shocked to see me. He told me that Hobbes still wasn't ready yet and I told him that I wanted him right then and there, regardless of whether he felt Hobbes was ready yet. It wasn't until that moment that he began shouting and told me Hobbes had bitten him. I apologized to him and told him that it seemed strange to be because I'd had Hobbes for 12 years and he'd never bitten anyone. He was belligerent and told me that he could sue me for this and as he continued shouting, his assistant brought Hobbes out from the back room. I was so involved in the discussion with the owner that I didn't check Hobbes out as thoroughly as I should have. I noticed that he was pretty lethargic, but thought he was probably just a bit depressed. I paid the bill and off we went.

It wasn't until we got home that I noticed that Hobbes had a HUGE SWOLLEN RED EYE! I immediately called the groomer to find out what had happened. He told me he knew nothing about it, at which point I told him he better find out about it otherwise I'd be stopping payment on the check I'd given him. He put me on hold for quite a while and then came on the line and gave me some cockamamie story about how he'd 'slipped' as they were trying to lift him into the tub for his bath. I told him he was a liar and that I knew he'd hit Hobbes. He never quite admitted it, but eluded to as much. I told him that I was glad Hobbes had bitten him and that I hoped it hurt like hell. He asked me if he had a current rabies vaccine. I know it was mean, but I told him no, and ended the conversation by saying something to the effect of 'if you're foaming at the mouth anytime soon, you'll know why.'

Needless to say, we never went back there again. I think about this incident every time I pass that building. I hear that the man who owned the business sold it recently and there are new owners. I read some online
reviews and it doesn't sound as if the new owners are an improvement over the old one.

Anyway. Here are a couple of photos of their new additions:

Disturbing, right? I mean seriously - wouldn't Giant Floating Dog and Creepy Hidden Kitty keep you awake at night? Blech.

Vive la France!

Something that I've always dreamed of owning is copper cookware. I just absolutely love the warmth and patina that are innate to this lovliest of utilitarian objects.

Our new kitchen is beautiful! It was remodeled just about 3 years ago and there are some really wonderful features that I just love about it (great cupboards, and a beautiful new hood over the stove to name a few). The color scheme is very different from what we have now, so I've been thinking about how to incorporate 'our' colors with what's in there now. The cupboards and walls are white, so that's not an issue, but the countertop tile is a dark green. It's really pretty, but it's not a color I'm used to; I tend towards warmer tones - think gold, copper, and warm brick red.

One of the gifts we were going to give mom this past Christmas was a kitchen tray by one of her favorite artists, Carl Larsson.

As you can see, it incorporates all of those colors really well. (I think it's kind of ironic that I would be drawn to that particular Larsson print for mom; coincidence? sixth sense?)

Taking my inspiration from the colors in the tray, I've been dreaming up all sorts of ways to incorporate the old with the new. With that in mind, I thought this would be the absolute perfect opportunity to begin collecting my coveted copper cookware! Yes, it's outrageously expensive, but I was able to rationalize it by pointing out several things: 1) it will last a lifetime, and 2) it will be the perfect glue that brings everything together. 'Besides,' I told myself, 'if you only buy one piece at a time, it won't be all that expensive.'

Last week I began my study in copper cookware. I read about it, lusted over various piece of various brands. I'd finally decided on Mauviel - the standard of French chefs. And, to make it even easier, they carry this particular brand at Williams Sonoma. Easy peasy!

On Sunday we picked up dad for an outting. He wanted to go to the mall and people watch (always a fun activity in my book!). As we passed the Williams Sonoma store, I spied that delicious copper cookware in the window! Don't you just know that we had to make a detour and check it out.

Whoooooooaaaaa Nellie! While the price did make my eyes pop, I wasn't surprised by that. What caught me off guard was the weight of those puppies! Holy moly. I could barely lift some of those pans - and that was without food in them! Needless to say I've all but given up on that idea. Who knows - maybe I'll hang a piece or two just for decoration. I guess that's sort of the best of both worlds, right?

...just like combining the old and new in our kitchen ;o)

New Year, New Life

As I'm sure you can imagine, the last month or so has brought about a great deal of change in our lives. One of the biggest changes on the horizon is moving to a new home. Well not a "new" home exactly, but a different home. In fact, it's my childhood home.

Shortly after mom passed away, dad asked if Kevin and I would consider moving in with him. In some respects, it was a difficult decision to make. We have our little house just the way we want it, and it's in such a lovely area ... plus, we really like our landlords. But then, of course, we thought: Helllooooo! How often does one have the opportunity to repay their parent for all they did during their childhood? For always being there; for being a wonderful provider; for being a wise and ever-present figure in an unsure world.

Yes we love our house; but this will be our home. Afterall, home is where your heart is, and our heart is here. Plus, we're moving to an area that is also lovely. Still at the foothills of the mountains, and only about 20 minutes from where we're at now. And while we may like our landlords, we love dad.

So there you have it: decision final. We're not fooling ourselves into thinking it will be easy for any of us. We are all well aware of some bumps that will no doubt come up along the way. But it's worth it.

And so, over the next couple of months we will be packing up houses (two) and painting a house (just one, thankfully!) and preparing to move into our new home. We've already either started, or in some cases, finished projects, so I won't have a lot of "Befores", but I will have lots of "Afters"!

I hope you'll join me on our latest journey. I'm looking forward to the adventure and even the twists and turns along the way!

Latest Obsession

I've always loved Yardley soaps. I know, I know - they are considered 'cheap' soaps by some, but I love them! They cleanse your skin without stripping it, and they always smell so fresh and clean; like laundry on the clothesline.

Until now, Oatmeal Almond has been my #1 fave scent, but just after Thanksgiving, I discovered Winter Spice. Mmmmmmmm. I wish this blog had 'smellivision',but alas, it does not! The scent is warm and a bit spicy without being overly 'baked goods-ish'. It's a scent that can be used year-round, and definitely will be!

Initially, I bought two bars of the soap. It's hard milled so it lasts a long time (which is great - can you believe how expensive bath soap has gotten?! These little babies are a bargain at just $1.00 a bar) I opened the second box the other night and put it in the shower. Kevin commented that he really liked the soap, too, and I decided to high tail it back over to Big Lots to stock up before it goes away (it's a limited edition scent - seasonal for the holidays). Whew - glad I did! They had just 12 bars left and I bought every one. Hopefully it will last us through the year until it makes is re-appearance around Thanksgiving.

Hmmm...just in case, maybe I should check out a few more Big Lots!

In Loving Memory

(I've tried to write this many times over the last month, but just haven't been able to do so. These few words will never begin to cover my thoughts and feelings of the events over the last couple of months; nor will they touch how much I miss my mom and how much I loved her. Words alone could never be enough.)

On December 21st, the unthinkable happened: my beautiful, loving, caring, generous, amazing mom passed away.

It's still so surreal that I can't quite wrap my head around it. It's unfathomable, really. How does one go from alive and (mostly) well in October, to passing away in December with a horrible infection that stemmed not from the initial injury, but from poor care in a facility that's supposed to help you recover and get back to your life?

Mom was such a fighter. She kept her spirits and sense of humor up as long as she could. Near the end, she was suffering so much she just couldn't take it any longer. The Sunday before she passed away, we'd gone to visit her in the hospital before we picked up dad from the rehab facility to come home. When Kevin and I walked in the door, mom smiled and said she was glad to see us and that she wanted to talk to all of us. I knew then and there what she was going to say - and she did. She told us all that she loved us very much, but that she was ready to go. It was just too much for her to continue to fight. One day she'd be a bit better, then the next, much worse. She just needed the rollercoaster ride to end.

That Tuesday we brought her home with hospice care. By the time mom arrived, she was mostly sleeping by benefit of morphine. But when they brought her in the house, we said "Mom, you're home. Welcome home!", and she opened her eyes and had a huge grin on her face. She knew she was home, safe, and with the people who loved her the most. That night, we all had dinner together at the house with mom right there in the middle of things. We shared dinner as well as stories and laughter. The next morning at about 6:30, the hospice nurse phoned to say that mom's blood pressure had dropped and her breathing was faint. Kevin and I walked in the door at 6:50 and she had just passed.

I'm so sad to have lost my mom. She was truly a very special woman; a friend as well as a mother. However, I'm so grateful to God that her suffering is over. She deserves to be happy and pain-free, and that's exactly what she is now.

This past Sunday, we had mom's memorial service. It was wonderful to have so many family and friends there to share such a special event. It meant the world to all of us.

Mom, I know you know it, but I just want to say that I love you with all my heart. How thankful I am to have years and years of wonderful memories of you and our life together. Thank you for always being there for me; for loving me even when I wasn't lovable; for teaching me how to live and to love, and how to make it in this crazy world with a positive attitude and boundless sense of humor. Though we're apart now, I know that one day we'll be together again. God willing, it's a long ways off, but I'm looking forward to seeing you and catching up. In the meantime...how's the email server in Heaven?

Power

"Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe."

Voltaire

Over the last several weeks, I've been witness to countless aspects of power and it's varied consequences in our lives. If you think about it, "power" is really an amazing concept. It encompasses so many different sources and a nearly endless array of outcomes. It can be both good and bad - often at the same time. Let me show you what I mean:

Power: Good v Evil
Last week, a terrible injustice was perpetrated against someone we know. A local School Board called a last moment 'emergency' meeting to discuss the dismissal of a Principal. The meeting was very hush-hush, and was called in such haste that is was clear to those close to the matter that something was amiss. The Principal in question has been a long-time district employee who has both taught at this particular school, and whose children attended the same school as well. She is well liked by students and staff alike, and has dedicated many years of service to the community she represents. Those 'in the know' felt that charges being made against the Principal were baseless and the issue really stemmed from a personal vendetta of one particular Board member. Though I'm sure not what they expected, at the meeting, the Board faced an angry gallery that was filled with parents, staff and students who supported the Principal - many of whom spoke up on her behalf. After half-heartedly 'listening' to the attendees, the Board went behind closed doors to vote on whether or not to dismiss the Principal. It was no surprise to anyone that the Board voted not to renew the Principal's contract for next school year. Score: Evil 1, Good 0

Interestingly, this 'emergency' Board meeting took place just two days before a regularly scheduled meeting. At the regular meeting, one Board member retired, a new member was sworn in, and elections for Board positions took place. With the new Board member seated, and positions delegated, a new 'emergency' meeting was called for January to re-visit the dismissal issue. Though the outcome has yet to be determined, it's fair to say that most everyone believes the Board will rescind the dismissal and renew next year's contract for the Principal. Score: Even-Steven

Power: Mother Nature v 60-year Old Christmas Tree
Wednesday (or WINDSday as we now call it) November 30th brought the most powerful windstorm that's hit our area in a very, very long time. Winds up to 90 miles per hour ripped through local towns downing power lines and uprooting 60/80/100-year old trees - snapping them like they were twigs.

When all was said and done, our small town, as well as many others in the surrounding area, lost hundreds - literally - of majestic trees of all shapes and sizes. There was no rhyme or reason as to which trees were toppled and which remained - Mother Nature was indiscriminate in her fury. One particularly significant loss was our town Christmas tree. It's been standing at the north east corner of Library Park for 60 years. Each year it's decorated with lights and ornaments and we hold an official tree lighting ceremony and follow that with a town Christmas parade. This year the lighting ceremony and parade were to have taken place on Thursday, December 1st. Sadly, the Christmas tree was downed by the powerful winds and is no longer standing. Obviously the ceremony and parade were canceled. Here's a look before and after:

Heartbreaking. Score: Mother Nature 1, Tree 0

However, there is a bit of a bright spot: the local Home Depot has donated a 17-foot Cedrus Deodara to replace the tree we lost. Hey, at least it's a start! Score: Tree 1, Mother Nature - well, I'm not one to trifle with Mother Nature, but let's just say we didn't completely completely go down in a blaze of glory ;o)

Power: Super Bug v Super Antibiotic
I mentioned in my last post that mom came home from the care facility, but was still experiencing some difficulties. Shortly after I posted that, mom returned to the hospital - she was very, very ill.

As if the accident and surgery weren't enough, while in the care facility, she developed pneumonia which they treated with antibiotics. A couple of days before she was due to be released, she developed severe diarrhea. They treated her for a couple of days with Flagyl, but it did not subside. Still, in their 'ultimate wisdom', the care facility released her to come home - even with severe diarrhea (go ahead, ask me how I feel about this ... I double-dog dare ya!). Within a few days, mom had grown worse. The diarrhea still remained, and in fact had become even more severe, and she was terribly weak and short of breath - a sure fire sign that the pneumonia had not subsided either.

On Monday, November 28th, I took mom back to the hospital where she was admitted with pneumonia and a severe intestinal infection. She had an extremely elevated white blood cell count - 43,000, and they began treating her with antibiotics immediately. By Wednesday, her white blood cell count had soared even higher - 50,000 - and they told us that mom's intestinal infection was so severe, in order to survive, she would need surgery to remove her colon the following morning. They felt at that time that surgery was the only way she would be able to get rid of the infection. She had contracted Clostridium difficile; a 'super bug' so powerful, if not treated immediately and aggressively, it can cause death. We were stunned - shocked. How can this just keep spiraling out of control? That day, they started treating her with a brand new antibiotic that just hit the market in August. It's the first drug in 25 years that was created to specifically treat this particular infection. The following morning, we all gathered at the hospital early to be with mom before she went in to surgery. By the time we arrived, they'd already taken blood to do some lab work prior to the surgery; while we were talking to mom, the doctor came in and said that the lab work had improved significantly from the previous day. Her white blood cell count had dropped from 50,000 to 38,000; the new medication was definitely working!

It's been - and continues to be - a very long, slow process, but each day mom gets a little bit better. Currently, her white blood cell count is within normal limits, her vital signs are stable, and she's recovering. Score: Super Bug 0, Super Antibiotic 1

Power: The Awesomeness of God
Though not overtly 'religious', I'm definitely a believer - I always have been. But the last couple of months have really shown me the incredibly awesome power that is God. Most days I have my own casual conversations with God; thanking him for the many blessings in our lives - each other, our families, our jobs, food and shelter - the usual things. Lately, however, with the lives of two of the people I love the most dangling over the edge, my prayers to God have been different. Multiple times a day I find myself talking to God - praying for my parents' restored health; praying for the wisdom of the doctors treating their ailments; praying for the compassion of the nurses tending to their needs. These prayers are different; they are more direct in desire, and more complex in scope. I find that I'm praying to God for wisdom of my own; for the strength to give everything up to Him, as I know it should be, and to be at peace with His chosen results.

I've always known it - and somehow felt it, but recently I've witnessed first hand the power of prayer and the power and awesomeness of our loving God. By the grace of God, I am blessed. Score: God 1 - and really, that makes us all winners.

So Much to be Thankful For

The day after my last post, our family had another near tragedy.

With mom away in the rehab center, dad was left at home all alone. Deb, Kevin and I had been going up a couple of times a week to check on him and calling him several times a day. Still, he hadn't been feeling well and hadn't been eating much and kept getting weaker. Friday morning on my way to work around 7:00 a.m., I called the house and there was no answer. It made me a bit uneasy, but I thought maybe dad was out getting the paper. I waited another five minutes and called again. This time, mom and dad's neighbor, Jose, answered the phone. He sounded frantic and said that he'd found dad in the driveway; he was curled up on his side and wasn't breathing. Jose said that 911 had been called and they were just pulling up. I told him I was on my way. I called Deb immediately and she made a quick dash into school to let them know there was a family emergency and she could not stay; she headed over right away. I called Kevin and he said he'd meet me up at the house.

Of course it would be raining that morning. Of course there would be a ton of traffic. Still, I made it up to the house in about 12 minutes or so. By the time I arrived, they already had dad loaded in the ambulance and they wouldn't let me see him. I knew by the look on everyone's face, it was grim. I began sobbing, got in the car and followed the ambulance to the hospital. I called Kevin and told him to meet me at the hospital instead of the house - I lost control and just sobbed into the phone.

When we arrived at the hospital, I insisted upon seeing dad. The ER doctor did try to stop me, but I marched past him anyway. Dad was laying on a gurney and did not look good. He was completely gray and his chest was sunken in. I leaned over and gave him a quick kiss before they rushed us out to keep working on him. Someone from the hospital - a social worker I think - escorted us to a private conference room. Kevin and I sat in there not knowing what was going to happen. We were both in a panic and crying. The doctor came in and asked what we wanted him to do. He said it did not look good and they didn't know if they'd be able to get dad to hang on. We told him to do whatever he had to do to keep him alive. At this point, Deb was still driving through traffic and hadn't yet arrived at the hospital. The doctor came in once again and told us that they'd inserted a breathing tube and had set up a dopamine IV; both things were keeping him going, but he was still in grave danger.

Deb arrived and we all waited in the conference room for the next update. The doctor came back in and told us that we could go in and see dad in a few minutes. The three of us huddled together and said a prayer. After several moments, we gathered together and went in to see dad. He still looked so pale and fragile just laying there in that gurney. Deb and I each took a hand and began talking to him. He was completely out - they'd also given him a sedative - but I still think that even in that compromised state you can hear what's going on. With that in mind, we just kept talking and talking. We told him how much we loved him, and what a great father he is. We told him he was a good man who'd lived a good life. We said that we didn't want him to leave us yet, but gave him permission to do so if that's what needed to happen. We took turns talking, and then talked at the same time. On and on it went.

Finally they told us that, though he was still in danger and they didn't know what to expect, he'd stabilized enough to be transferred to the Critical Care Unit upstairs. Up we went. As it turns out, he was placed in exactly the same room mom was in just a few weeks before. We affectionately dubbed it "The Maxwell Suite". We kept talking throughout the day and into the early evening. Around 6:30, dad began to try and open his eyes. We called the nurse in and she said that sometimes that just an involuntary reaction. She called his name and said "George, if you can hear me, hold up two fingers." HE DID! For another hour our so, he kept opening his eyes and looking around at Deb, Kevin and myself. He was agitated with the tube in his mouth and, had it not been for hand restraints, would have tried pulling it out. About 7:30, they asked us to leave the room for a while during the nurses' change of shift. When we got back an hour later, they'd sedated him again and said that he'd be out the rest of the night.

We called first thing in the morning before we left to go to the hospital to see if there was an update on his condition. The nurse said that he was awake, alert, responding to commands and seemed to be doing well. UNbelievable! By the time we arrived at the hospital, they'd removed the breathing tube (to which he responded: Well, that's better!) and he was breathing on his own and talking up a storm. He continued to improve over the next several days; his only complaint was that his chest hurt from the CPR the paramedics and docs in the ER had performed.

As it turns out, the reason the fire department would not let me see dad in the ambulance is because he'd crashed and they were certain that he'd passed away. En route to the hospital, they were able to resuscitated him - only to have him crash again while in the Emergency Room. When mom and dad's neighbors heard that he'd pulled through, they were astounded; they had been told that he'd passed away. I called the fire department that Sunday to let them know, too, that dad had pulled through; they couldn't believe it.

It's been a very long and emotional six weeks for our family. Both mom and dad have had some major obstacles to overcome - and are still in the long process of doing just that. However, at this point, they are both on the mend. Mom came home from the rehab center just this past Monday. She's still having difficulties, but is enjoying being back in her own home. Dad is now at the rehab center and will, hopefully, be coming home by the end of the week. It's a long and difficult road ahead. Deb and I were saying just this morning that it sometimes feels like mom is making a baby step in progress, and then a slide to two steps behind. We're still very concerned. Dad is really doing well. He's hoping to 'get his legs under him' and gain some strength so that he can be home soon.

Thank you for all of your kind wishes, words, thoughts and prayers. God is so good! Prayers do work, and miracles happen.

Mom Update

First, let me say thank you all so much (!) for all of your kind emails with prayers and good thoughts for my mom. My family and I really appreciate it - it just means the world to us.

Mom is still in the rehab facility, but is progressing. Her wounds are healing nicely and most of the stitches in her forehead were removed this week. We've had a very difficult time with the facility with regards to getting appropriate care and communication, but we had a meeting with them the other day and things seem to be looking up. She's now getting physical therapy twice a day, which is making her stronger, and she's been able to eat more which is helping to build up her strength as well.

We have an appointment with the neuro-surgeon on Monday. Hopefully he'll give us a good report on how her neck is healing.

The closest estimate we have at the moment is that she may be released from the rehab facility in a week to a week and a half. The (GP) doctor phoned this afternoon and said that, based on her chest x-ray, they were putting her back on IV antibiotics as a precaution. The last thing she needs at this point is pneumonia!

Please keep mom in your prayers. God is good.

Little Green Men

Kev's school had a Halloween costume contest on Friday. Hands down the most clever and creative costume of the bunch belonged to the trio of girls who were dressed up as the Green Army Men from the movie Toy Story.

Kevin said they walked around with something that looked like a skateboard, but when asked to 'strike a pose' the girls would drop the things and stand on them - their platforms! - and hold their pose.

Take a look (click on the photo to make it larger for a better view):

Too funny!

Ahoy Mateys!

So ... remember the ship? Well take a look at the final product:

Isnt' it the coolest?!

Sunday morning we were going to breakfast with my mom-in-law, Vicky, and her brother, Bob who was visiting from El Paso. I asked Kev to drive us by the 'ship house' so we could see the progress. As you can see, they added a TON of stuff since the last set of pictures! First of all, they stained the natural wood to a darker finish. But the biggest additions are INside the ship. We parked the car and got out to take a closer look and, when we did, we happened to see the homeowners outside getting ready to begin work on their project for the day. We struck up a conversation about the ship and asked a lot of questions. For instance, there is a door in the side of the ship...

and I asked the homeowner if that's where the Trick-or-Treaters would come in to walk up to the door. She said that it actually led to the 'Treasure Chest'. She invited us in to take a look. DARN IT! I didn't have the camera with me - of course! But it was SO COOL! They had it all set up ala Pirates of the Caribbean. with lots of glistening treasures and skeletons of the unlucky souls who tried to hoist the sunken treasure. It was so much fun! We were all so impressed with the Treasure Chest that she invited us over to the other side of the ship's interior where the 'Voodoo Hut' was located. Amazing! It contained all sorts of bones and bats and shrunken heads - and a stone fireplace that looked pretty darn close to the real thing. We asked what it was made of and she said styrofoam! They have a styrofoam cutter that sort of melts the edges of the styrofoam to make whatever you're creating look more like 'the real thing'. Here's an example of the cut styrofoam (the ship's railing, not the skull):

After our tour, I asked her about how many Trick-or-Treaters they were expecting. She said that they've been doing this for 23 years and they're now up to about 1,000 Trick-or-Treaters! They have goodie bags for the smaller children, mardi gras beads for the teenagers, and candy for everyone. They will have family and friends dressed up as pirates on the ship handing out the loot. How fun is that?

You just gotta love the kids that never grow up ;o)

Knott Knott's .... who is there?

For the boys' 8th grade promotion in June, mom and dad bought them tickets to Knott's Berry Farm. Well actually, they bought all of us tickets to Knott's Berry Farm! Somehow the summer escaped and we never quite made it there, but we still had through November 1st to use the tickets. Even though things have gotten a bit crazy lately, we didn't want to miss out on the generous gift from mom and dad, so we decided to meet at the Farm this past Saturday for a little bit of fun and relaxation.

We had such a great time! The boys have never been to Knott's Berry Farm and the rest of us hadn't been there in ... well, years - literally! It's changed a lot since the last time I was there - they've added quite a few roller coasters and thrill rides. On the one hand, Pat is a thrill-seeker who absolutely loves roller coasters. Drew, on the other hand, uh ... not so much. But it all worked out. We went on some rides together, and split up in various groups for other rides. Overall, everyone got to go on the rides they were interested in, and we had a great time together.

One of the best parts of the day was dining at Mrs. Knott's Restaurant. They have the best fried chicken dinners - YUM! We haven't been there in years either, so it was a fun treat. Saturday was Deb's birthday, too. I'd made her a birthday badge to wear for the day, and a cut-out that said 'Birthday Girl'. At the restaurant, I snuck a cupcake candle into her celebratory boysenberry sherbet, and we all sang Happy Birthday.

Thanks mom and dad, for treating us all to a fun family day!

Old Blue Eyes

Several months back, we found a great deal on a 3-show pack of tickets to the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. Last Friday night we went to the first show: Come Fly Away. We didn't know too much about the show - other than it's a concept piece by Twyla Tharp, and it's based on the music of Frank Sinatra - so we weren't quite sure what to expect.

WOW. It was amazing!

The show is completely free of spoken word. It consists of a small jazz band on a riser on the stage, a nightclub-type set that stays the same throughout the entire show, and a troupe of dancers that are phenomenal. Though there's no spoken word, you know exactly what the story is just by listening to the choice of Sinatra song, and how the dancers move. I know, it sounds a bit out there, but trust me, it was phenomenal. The show was 80 minutes long with no intermission and it felt like we'd only been there about 30 minutes; it flew by quickly because we were so entranced. The band was fantastic! All of the Sinatra songs were mastered to contain only his voice; the band played the music to each song perfectly. The dancers were incredible - they made it look so easy ... but of course, it's not. As Kevin said, it didn't ever look as if they were even breathing hard.

Next up: Riverdance in mid-November, followed by Wicked in early December. We've seen Wicked before and can't wait to see it again. We haven't seen Riverdance, so I'm sure it will be fun. Or as Kevin says "First we see the full dance (Come Fly Away), then we see the waist-down dance (Riverdance), then we see the play (Wicked)." He has a way with words, doesn't he? ;o)

Just in time for Halloween ...

a smashed pumpkin.

One week ago today, my mom went out to get the newspaper at 6:30 in the morning and fell. She leaned over and either lost her balance or slipped - either way she landed right on her head. Dad wasn't out there and she couldn't get up, so she crawled up to the garage on her hands and knees. She made it into the house and dad called 911. They took her to the emergency room with a huge gash in her head, all of the skin off her legs and knees, scraped up hands and a scraped shoulder. Dad called us and Kevin went to pick him up while I went on to the hospital.

The result was two broken vertebrae at the base of her skull which required surgery and 28 stitches on the gash in her head. She had surgery on Thursday and came through it just fine. The surgery consisted of inserting a screw through one of the vertebrae and putting it back into place; the other vertebrae did not require surgery but both with take quite some time to heal.

Currently, she is doing pretty well. The scrapes and gashes are beginning to heal, her facial swelling is mostly gone and she's a lovely shade of purply-yellow ;o) They've transferred her from the hospital to a rehab facility just across the street. We're thinking that she may be home by the weekend, but we're not certain at this point. She's getting physical therapy to build up her strength and help her walk (she's been off her feet for a week now and is fairly weak) and to help her adjust to the collar she will be required to wear for the next 10 weeks.

It's been a terribly frightening experience for everyone, but really, she was very lucky. The broken neck could very well have resulted in paralysis, so we're thanking God every day that that's not what happened. Mom said that when she fell, she could heard what sounded like a smashing pumpkin and realized that was her head. UGH.

I have no right to ask, but I'm going to anyway: If you're reading my blog, please keep my mother (and father who has not been feeling well, either) in your thoughts and prayers. I will be eternally grateful.