Happy endings happen all the time!

Bill joined us for lunch today at Coco's Restaurant.  I took some pictures after lunch and then Bill had to leave.  Finally, when the family was leaving, a nice lady at a nearby table offered to take a picture of the four of us.  As I called for Uncle Joe to come back for one more picture - the woman suddenly recognized the family.  They all knew each other from growing up and dinner dances at Columbo Club and her dad had actually wanted to marry Auntie Dorothy!  Her dad is now 90 years old and he still has a picture of Auntie Dorothy on his wall!  It was a fun reunion. 

At 3:30pm I called about my car.  The mechanic thinks it "might" be my air conditioner and if it is, it will cost about $700.00.  Will I get my car back before next week?  I'm not optimistic.  It's not fair to expect one person - on two crutches - to handle all the cars he has to work on.  Next time, I will go somewhere else.  It's no surprise - I Want My Car!

LindaRae's surgery went well yesterday. The doctor said that everything went as expected and the results should be good. We are hoping for a speedy recovery after a few more days in the hospital and some rehab after that. The procedure called for a rod to be placed from T9 to L2, which seems like a lot considering that is 6 vertebrae, but doctor says it will not limit her range of motion and that is what we are hoping. She will be in hospital another 2-4 days, then to rehab or home or some combination to complete the antibiotic regimen that began a while ago.

8:00pm
LindaRae is back in surgery.  A screw was affecting a nerve.  Some nightmares continue a little longer.

Hope is stronger than doubt


We took dad to the eye doctor today.  Just a broken blood vessel.  His vision is still good enough to pass the driving test.  Because of his age, they don't think he needs to have his cataracts removed until he says he can't see well enough.  They gave him some refresher eye drops.  I just feel much better knowing everything is looking good.  He suggested we come in every six months, but we think he just said that to keep me appeased.  I just like to have peace of mind.  We probably won't actually go in, unless something else comes up.

I had a Great visit to the dentist.  I've been using this cool electric toothbrush called Hydrabrush with 8 micro brushes that clean all surfaces at one time and only takes 30 to 40 seconds to brush your teeth.  Although, I also still use a regular toothbrush for my gums to keep my mouth feeling nice and fresh.  The hydrabrush is doing a great job, and instead of having to go for a cleaning every four months, I can now go for the regular six months!  Yea!
Here is a picture of my dentist, Dr. Wick.

My car has been with the solo mechanic on crutches for two nights and he still has not checked out my car to listen to the noise yet.  mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm  dare I say.........      Not Happy!  Tomorrow, I may need to move my car to a different mechanic.  Although, it is Family Day tomorrow.  I'll call him again in the morning.  This has been a fun day.  We brought Luigi with us.  Dad was our chauffer.  Usually, dad sits in the back seat of my car.  Although, this morning dad had a scare.  His back.  He couldn't get out of bed this morning and really scared himself.  We decided he needs to keep the telephone on the other bed next to his with the remote controls, so that if he has something else happen he can call either me or Bill next door.  He has taken about four pain pills today and it has helped.  Never a dull moment.  We just try to laugh and keep it light.  We actually had a nice day today.  Got a call from Craig.  LindaRae was going in for her surgery today.  Should be in surgery about four to six hours.  Bill and Sadie just came over to play with dad and Luigi.

Nothing can stop you!

Nothing can stop you - except your car.  Yep, I was running around with Luigi this morning getting lots accomplished when I kept sort of hearing a noise my car was making.  It kind of comes and goes, and gets lower and louder.  Muffler?  Belt?  I have no idea, but it was starting to make me nervous.  Dad and Bill had gone out for hot dogs for lunch after Clark's Pest Control had serviced both our houses, and now they were running around having fun.  So, they were kind enough to cut their fun short and come meet me at the auto repair shop.  We dropped my car off and came on home.  The poor mechanic works alone and he is on crutches!  An old classic car he was working on jumped from park to drive and ran over his foot!!!  Hopefully, tomorrow we will find out what the noise is.  Dad has to skip exercise so he can take me to my dentist appointment in the morning.  He in the afternoon, we have scheduled an eye appointment for him.  He has another broken blood vessel in his eye, and he has been having a lot of trouble with his vision recently.

Tonight he goes to his NEVRA meeting at the club house.  I think he goes for the donuts.  :-)
It's a good social outing for him.  I get the luxury of an hour to myself.  aaaahhhhhhhhhh

You're beautiful - in mind, body, heart and spirit!

We had such a fun day with Uncle Joe and Auntie Isabel!  We got to their house at the same moment they were getting back from a perfect morning.  One of those mornings where they went to do half a dozen errands and everything went fast and perfect.  They were buzzing with energy and excitement.  We spent a fast two hours laughing and chatting and then all of the emergency bells went off in the hallways.  Every single person in all of the apartments came pouring out into the halls.  It turned out to be a test, but wow was there a lot of action before we found out.  People confused, upset, anticipatory - running around, not sure what to do.  These are pretty much all folks in their 80's and 90's.  Quite a hearty bunch, despite all the walkers and oxygen tanks!  We just kept laughing and having a fun afternoon and then off we went for lunch to Jack-in-the-Box.  Sounds like a simple day doesn't it.  But, you know, there are some days you will remember always as the Best Day!

Hey, about 9:00pm I finally got down to the swimming pool.  The water was perfect.  So, I swam a while and jacuzzied a while.  This has been a perfect day and a pefect night.

Charlie Chaplin - Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum

Dad, Luigi and I went to the Charlie Chaplin Museum in the Niles District of Fremont today.  It is only about five miles from us, but we have never been to the museum before.  It had just opened at noon, and we had it pretty much to ourselves and they gave us a private tour.  It was so great and so interesting.  There were lots of pictures and Neal, our volunteer docent, told us all the stories and histories.  They had all the original crank cameras and films and authentic artifacts.  The screening room walls lined with tin - full of old film cameras, the original, turn-of-the century projection room and adorned with century-old graffiti!  The details in the background and history were captivating.  Absolutely awesome piece of history of the town, the studios, the stars.  You really feel like you've been transported back in time.  Charlie Chaplin made five films in Niles, including The Tramp.  I highly recommend everyone stopping in and visiting this museum.  The tour is free and was so informative.  And they will take you to parts of the museum you just will not discover walking around on your own.  We were so surprised and impressed with this museum.  Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons they show original silent films for $5.00 including live piano and guest celebrities and they encourage the audience to participate with boos and cheers, etc.  We now have the current schedule and definitely are going back to enjoy the films.

 

The journey is the reward

Sometimes it feels like we can hardly wait until our lives change so we can at last be happy.

We tell ourselves it will happen when our kids get older, when we get a better job, a nicer car or a bigger house.  Or it will surely happen when we are able to go on nice vacations or retire.

The truth is there's no better time to be happy than right now.  If not now, when?  Your life will always have its challenges and goals to be met.  It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

Philosopher Alfred D. Souza said, "For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin, real life.  But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid.  Then life would begin.  At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life." 

There is no "way to happiness."  Happiness is in the journey and the way.

So treasure every moment that you have.  And treasure it more if you can share it with a family or with someone special, someone special enough to spend time with you.

Dog Plays Dead Video on David Letterman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DalB-CvO7Qc

Let's Drive!

Wow!  Regular gasoline is now officially over $4.00 a gallon.  What a surprise at the fuel pump.  Especially, since I usually fill her up at half a tank, and somehow I was down to under a quarter-tank.  That was really a shock.  It will be curious to see what happens from here. 

Ran my errands today.  First, I took Luigi with me, but I realized it was getting a tad warm and I can't leave him in the car.  So, I had to bring him back home and go back out.  Glad I did though.  I sure got a lot accomplished.

Looks like I will not be going to Kat's high-school graduation.  The plane tickets are just so darned expensive.  Guess this is a sign that I'd better stick close to home with dad. 

Today they opened the swimming pool at the club house.  How did this day get away from me?  I never made it down there.  Well, tomorrow is supposed to be nice and windy, so I'm sure I'll make it down to the jacuzzi.