Serendipity waits for a baby brother or sister

What a lovely time at my cousin's baby shower! Roseann and Jamie (and their loving dog, Serendipity) are expecting. They do not know what gender the tiny gift from God will be yet! They faked many out by their list of 'wants' --some being blue and boyish and others sporting the green-yellow theme. However, when we all showed up, there was a good mix of pink and blue and all baby colors!

Marian, Lexi, and Lainie put together a wonderful get-together from the decorations, to the games, to the delicious food and inviting atmosphere!

It's always a joy to see old friends, neighbors, and family members who you do not get a chance to see very often. A few of the staples were missing from the group, which was a disappointment, like Auntie Annette and the Yambor gang....

This was a nice gathering, none the less. Time scooted by fast. No one seemed to be clock watching. The games were fun....the food tasty including the beautiful baby cake....and Roseann and Jamie received a boat load of wonderful gifts from the party-goers ranging from the always needed diapers to onesies, to cute clothing, to the homemade afghan my sister made to the wreath I made them to Jamie's favorite gift: Baby Butt Paste!

Of course, Mom had to win one of the prizes! You had to guess how many mints were in the baby bottle, and of course, Mom was only 2 away without going over! Ok, we were all pretty lucky....my sister and I got runner-up prizes for the baby jumble game (TV Tommy would be so proud!)...

God placed me in the midst of a great family tree...and hopefully, Roseann and Jamie's new little bundle of joy will feel the same way!

Magical Mystery Ball

Another magical night at Progressive Field!

So, I have not gotten everything done this week that I had on my 'to do' list; but the stuff I have accomplished has been successful!

What a great game C.C. pitched! A gem! And my guy, Casey Blake, is still on a tear! No better catch than the one Grady made tonight.....we were part of history seeing C.C. go head-to-head with Ken Griffey Jr. That's what this game we call baseball is all about!

Before the game even began, I felt like I was in a movie or a sitcom. I think this may have been the 1st time this has happened to me (if not the first, then one of the few!)....but, when we arrived at Progressive Field, the line to the Terrace Club was LONG. At least 30 people. However, because Mom had made reservations for the waiting list and because they absolutely adore her up there, the nice police officer called up to the hostess who said 'Let them up, we are ready for them!' Holy Cow, what a feeling to cut in front of 30 people. Only with Mommacita!

So this is the first time I have been able to attend a "Mystery Ball" event....and it was exciting. Once we got situated with dinner, I headed downstairs to search for the Indians' wives and their Mystery Ball fundraiser. It's kind of exciting to help a good cause and not really know what you will get in return. I bought Mom some baseballs and took them up so she could open them. She was utterly surprised that there were any left. They usually run out by the start of the game. We unveiled them with the servers and surrounding tables watching in awe. First mystery ball: Andy Marte. Next up, Josh Barfield. Oh oh, another Andy Marte which we will surprise our Pastor with.... And finally, we have Wally Joyner. WOW, he's a catch!

There were so many memorable moments tonight from the kid helping Mom taking off his shirt to dry her seat....to being ushered into the Terrace Club......to seeing all our buds upstairs.....to our Mystery Ball unveiling.....to just setting back and watching a fabulous ballgame.....to the colorful fireworks at the end of the game.......and more importantly, for Mom, a real trooper, who had a full day but is still going strong!

Can't ask for a better night to spend with Mom and good friends! This is what memories are made of...and what life is all about!

She is Royalty!

Mom is amazing! Everyone loves her. I know I have said this before and will say it everyday until I die, but it's worth repeating!

One good thing that has happened during my vacation is that Mom has felt up to going to all of the Indians' games (knock on wood!)....it's always a challenge but we manage.

A few nights ago we were in our seats and saw the grounds crew scampering. That is always a sign that within 15 to 30 minutes the skies will open. While we were planning our attack and escape out of the impending rain, our favorite usher, Laurie, popped over and told us that word has it the rain will hit at 915pm. She wanted to help get Mom to dryer ground. WOW! What an amazing gesture, coming from an acquaintance! So we grabbed our stuff and Laurie helped get us quickly up the stairs just under the overhang, where we sat for the rest of the game!

I'm awe-struck every day how folks (complete strangers and acqaintances) are drawn to Mom and just love her. I am invisible and think they may not be as nice if Mom were not there, but who knows...maybe Mom's charm is rubbing off on me too!


Then last night, the rains came as we were entering the ballpark. We did not have Terrace Club reservations but went up there to stay dry. As soon as we entered, the hostess jotted down our names for the standby list. For not having reservations, we got a MARVELOUS table for the entire game. Each server comes by to Mom and says hello. One darling server, Kyle, just adores Mom. He brought something out to us yesterday and said "my favorite customers!"

Mom spends time in the Terrace Club and friends know that. MaryJo the manager told Mom that Lydia Esparra had been up the night before nosing around for Mom. How funny is that!


And, though it was a kind of harrowing day yesterday, it ended nicely. First off, Cliff Lee pitched a gem of a game....All-Star caliber! Omar played his normal top notch performance....having Duane Kuiper in the yard was tremendous as well. He is also salt of the earth! A wonderful dinner at the Terrace Club topped off with their Raspberry Flan Dessert. And as we went to leave, Mom needed a little assistance. Who should come to help us than a long, lost friend, who Mom had not seen in years. Michael just started with the Indians over the last few days and was just as surprised as overjoyed to see her! Again, the love was overflowing and everpresent.

That's just the way this woman is --she IS 'royalty!'

'The Vacation' is dead as I once knew it

So I am on vacation this week. And it is wonderful not having to rush around to get everything done before I either take Mom to dialysis or head off to work....it's fantastic not having blaring scanners in my tender ears....or being tugged in 19 directions all at once, at least at work!

But I've realized the so-called 'vacation' as I once knew it is dead to me.

It will never again be the same.

Family and friends can flit off to foreign lands and be gone for 9 days or more enjoying the good life. Never again for moi! I can not even get to Tampa, FLA to visit one of my best friend's in the whole wide world for a long weekend!

I am more than halfway through my vacation and have not had one free moment to do all the back-logged stuff that I have been meaning to do over the last 5 years, including cleaning the awfully disgusting Kitchen Floor!

True, I took a night for Petty and we have been to a few Indians' games. But the rest of my days, so far, have consisted of dialysis....and numerous doctors appointments for Mom. Even when we are at the Indians' games, I am 'on call.' Mom is a handful, if you do it right.

Others tell me "oh, how hard could it be caring for you Mother."

Well, true. Mom has come so far from just one year ago. She's amazing and almost back to true form! That zest for life and fiesty-ness has been back for a long time! But it's all in the approach. When I do something, I like to do it RIGHT! Mom is a living human being that deserves to be pampered. Because I, by far, spend the most amount of time with her I know all her nuances--her medicines, when she should take them, how to feel the pulse in her fistula, what foods she is supposed to eat and likes, EVERYTHING! I certainly hope nothing happens to me or else Mom is screwed to the life she should live and is accustomed to living. She's my Mother who gave birth to me, raised me, and has given me an absolutely wonderful life! It's the least I can do to make her life as special as she has made mine!

Don't get me wrong, it has been AMAZING just being able to BE....to spend time with Mom, not rushing off to work, or worrying if I will get to work on time because we are waiting in a doctor's office (I am the designated 'take Mom to a doctor stooge' and spend a few days each week in some doctor's office!). A huge weight is off my back this week.

And the weather, holy cow, I feel like I AM in FLA! I always tell Craig, FLA is a great place to visit but not live because Cleveland IS just as nice from May through October if not later.

I still have 4 and 1/2 days left....and I am confident that at the end of my vacation, regardless of what I have been able to do or not do, to accomplish or again add to my 'TO DO LIST,' I will have gotten a little rest and will cherish the time and events of the week FOREVER!

Welcome home, old friend!

Omar is back, well at least for 3 games!

The crowds paid him homage! The Indians Front Office paid him homage with a wonderful pre-game 'thank you, Omar' Video. Afterward, Omar got an amazing standing O for at least 5 minutes if not more where he graciously waved at the crowd, placed his hand on his heart and blew kisses into the stands!

My eyes were not dry, and I'm sure there were many others feeling the same way!

The Prog is our home away from home....a lot of magic happens there! A lot of memories are made!

When the opening line-ups were announced & Public Speaker Announcer Bob Tayek read Omar's name, the throngs of applause.....you just knew, win or lose, it was going to be a magical evening!

During pre-game warm-ups, Omar went through his normal ritualistic moves....as well as signing autographs for the adoring fans.

The next momentous occasion: Omar comes out on the field during the bottom of the 1st inning and the fans go wild! Then Omar comes up to to bat and gets yet another standing O. The umpires and both teams were tres cool to let him stand up there and wave at the crowd again....

And then it goes without saying that Omar's prowess in the field has not changed once bit. He is simply amazing! He razzles, he dazzles the crowd with his acrobatics and skill.

And he's not so bad up at the plate. A perfectly executed suicide squeeze bunt which Casey bobbled, but even if he hadn't, not sure if he would have gotten Omar!

The Indians lost but the fans, as usual, were treated to something extra special.....

You can count on that night-in and night-out at Progressive Field, especially for the true Indians fans!

Thank you, Omar!

'I felt so good like anything was possible'

Just what the doctor ordered! What a fabulous night!


I missed it! I did not realize how MUCH I missed it until I was living it again and 'runnin' down a dream!'


First, going to see an act that I really wanted to hear...Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers! Gearing up for a great night ahead!


Then just hanging out with friends, special friends who are there through thick and thin.


And something that NEVER happens...my friend actually drove. I am always the one schlepping people around. I honestly did not know how it felt to have the night off from driving. To have someone pick me up at my house and drop me off at the end of the night. I kinda liked it! It was great just enjoying the scenery, jamming to Petty all the way!


I was the 'GPS' since Yak is not from here and had never been to Blossom. In fact, every step of the way I was giving a little tour of our great city...not as good a tour guide as Flynn, but Flynn knows everyone and every inch of this city!


The whole phenomena of seeing an event through the eyes of someone who has never experienced something is a blast! Seeing my friend's reaction to the "Blossom Experience" made the concert and everything surrounding it even heartier!


Now, tradition has it, before a concert at Blossom: FISHER'S!


So a group of us all met up at Fisher's for pre-concert cocktails...and 2 of my dearest friends shared some great news that they are expecting again! Their 4th child! We are all keeping our fingers crossed for a little girl in their world of three boys!


Now more than ever, we all had to celebrate!

Nothing like being out in the open air, enjoying the company of good friends, drinking a corona with lemon and just taking it all in!

I warned Yak, he was gonna be baptized into the whole "Blossom scene" with the drive from Fisher's to the venue. And unfortunately, I was right! What normally takes about 20 minutes, 30 minutes tops took us almost an hour! The traffic was horrendous BUT true Blossom traffic, especially for a sold out show! So we continued to jam to Petty, the Beatles, and back to Petty as we made our way up the winding road.

Oh to be young again....seeing the young kids dashing out of their cars while we were at a standstill and peeing in the woods.....I remember it well, unfortunately!

I guess some things NEVER change! Every car you drove by had Petty blaring out of the speakers....

Finally, we made it into the venue. Fortunately, we had a parking pass so we were kinda close. Parked our car, and tried to catch WHERE we were (will get back to that later!).

I'm just soaking it all in. I can not verbalize the wonderful feeling of going to a rock and roll concert at Blossom Music Center with good friends!

First order of business, rain and all, hitting the restrooms on the way down. We did our business and then made our trek down the huge Blossom Hill. As you enter, there were signs "no mud sliding." That just about says it all. The day's rain covered the entire lawn and it was as slick as a sheet of ice....trust me I know....I have mud all over my black flip flops and almost wiped out a few times!

But, what a rush! I loved people-watching and seeing the vast range of the crowd. I think of myself as fairly young and hip still...had people my age but the amazing thing was the large group of really young kids--late teens into early twenties for Petty. And these girls had little summer strapless frocks on with their flip flops! I loved it!

Two things that really took me back to my college days: the smell of Marlboro Lights 100's which emanated from various lawn locations and the line of 10 guys strategically standing in a line on the outskirts of the wooded area all taking a pee at the very same time....what a hoot!

Once inside the pavilion, the concert is about to start. Unfortunately, our traffic melee made us miss most of Steve Winwood.....

We grabbed our brews and continued to dance the night away for the next two hours! At least I know I still have it. Stood the entire time dancing and never felt better! Just an AMAZING SHOW! Oh man, I just love the acts who sound like their records when performing LIVE...and Petty sounds better than ever! The night went to quickly! Next thing I know he's playing my favorite song 'American girl' as the last song of the night.

After the concert, again, some things never change. The mass exodus up the hill and folks start 'mooing!'

We made our way to the parking lot where we 'thought' we parked. Now mind you, Yak is not familiar at all with this venue so it is all on me. We searched high and low. My phone, which is on it's last legs, was about to die but I ventured on my own to an area where I thought the car was and voila, a sight for sore eyes! I called Yak and just as I had weaved him over to where I was, my phone conked out! It's all good!

Lesson learned: Oh there were many during this amazing experience...but it made me realize that I am not yet old....I still have a lot of living and zest for life inside of me....and hopefully, I always will!

Happy Anniversary Father Gary!

Father Gary is celebrating his 30th anniversary as a priest. What a feat in today's times! And, he's great at his craft. My church is very lucky and blessed to have him as our current Pastor!

When Mom was the parish secretary, I think her love of baseball and enthusiasm for the game rubbed off on Father Gary. Mom would get Father to go to some Indians Games with her...they'd have a nice dinner up in the Terrace Club. And the rest is history! He is now a huge baseball fan and Indians fanatic!

His family, friends, and parishioners are well aware of his 'hobby!'

So in honor of his anniversary, the parish threw him a 'surprise' baseball party with all the fixin's! We had the freshly grilled hotdogs lathered with authentic ballpark mustard and the works.....popcorn....snacks.....and 3 festive baseball decorated cakes. Father Gary had kinda figured this part out. What we were able to keep a surprise was his main gift: an authentic Indians' jersy with his name on the back! It fits! He loves it and vows he will wear it to the games!

Happy Anniversary, Father Gary! Many more and hopefully those 'many more' will be right here at OLP!

Never too old for love

Mom and I were honored to be invited to a good friend's 90th birthday party! Frank Oklessen turned 90 years old and looks like he is in his 60's! He said he hopes all of us can make it to his 100th birthday party and we gladly accepted!

I'm not sure how his sister-in-law did it, but Kay kept this baby a secret! About 100 of his family members and closest friends gathered for lunch. He had no idea. He walked in and got tears in his eyes. He was overwhelmed as he went from table to table.

There was a display area with pictures and a high tech slide show picture frame that kept scrolling through Frank's life from childhood to today!

It was a wonderful afternoon. A reminder on how important family and friends are, especially as we get older.

Frank lost his wife, Anne, 2 or 3 years ago. They were married a very long time. They were inseparable. The last function we saw them at was my niece's graduation party. Shortly thereafter Anne passed away, I believe.

The big news today was that 90-year-old Frank has a new girlfriend! He was pleased as punch that Kay flew her up for his party. She was down in Florida and was planning on coming into town...however, surprised him by coming in a little early!

It was such a re-assuring lesson which I witnessed first hand, that life goes on and can be joyous and beautiful even after we lose someone dear and near to us.

And it gave me hope that love can find us at any time, any place, and at any age!

Happy Birthday, Frank! We love you!

Happy 1/2 birthday!

Usually, I hate being in the spotlight. I get very uncomfortable when folks draw attention to me.

However, it's my 1/2 birthday!

Mom was kind enough to remember and I am going to celebrate!

When I was a little girl, having a birthday so close to Christmas, I often got slighted just a bit. I'm used to getting one gift for both my birthday and Christmas and oftentimes, that gift was wrapped in Christmas wrapping. Just the way it is!

However, Mom would celebrate my 1/2 birthday to make up for it!

One year, a very very dear friend of mine actually sent me a 1/2 birthday card with half a check for a million dollars....said I'd get the rest of the check on my 'real' birthday! I'm still waiting!!!!

I decided to celebrate this 1/2 momentous occasion because my real birthday last year was awful! Just awful. I'd like to forget I ever became a year older last December and do over TODAY!!!!!

Everything happens for a reason

I was discussing Tim Russert's passing with a few people who were amazed at Luke's demeanor. He was on 'The Today Show' only a few days after his father's passing. He did not 'appear' to be grieving in the 'normal way' people grieve.

I tried but could not get my point across (which is normal). No one knows how the next person feels inside. No one knows how one deals with grief or sadness. I dislike the phrases "I know what you are going through" or "I know how you feel."

Every human being handles life's situations differently and uniquely--whether it be joy, hardship, terror, ecstasy, or whatever emotion. We all have our own little quirks. Some handle adversity better than others. Some run from hard times. Some fall flat on their face. Some let us down. And then there are those that come out even stronger and triumphant.

From everything I have heard, read and seen about the kind of person/father/husband/friend/co-worker Tim Russert was, I CAN understand Luke's display. His father told him he loved him every single day of his life. There is no greater gift.


On a personal level, my Mother is still here today after some rough times. She tells me she loves me every day and at the end of every phone conversation --as do I!


I know some people on this earth don't think others can change.

Well, I am a living, breathing, walking example that people can change and for the better! I have changed over the last 5 or 6 years. I have always believed that people should evolve daily, as we learn from our life experiences, mature, and try to find out who we really are and want to be. It's amazing what changes us and brings us around to what is important in life. I've also always believed that good things come out of tragedy.

My dog died. I grieved for over a year.

Of course, Katie's death happened around the same time my best friend moved to Tampa, Florida. I was in a horrible tailspin. I gained a lot of weight and was in a deep depression. Then my Mother became very ill, battling lung cancer and other ailments. She almost died at least 3 times. The tailspin continued and there was no light at the end of my tunnel. I felt alone and as if I had no one to turn to. The one person I really needed was 2500 miles away.

Well, I never gave up. I have great friends who helped me get through the rough times. And frankly, traveling to the hospital everyday before work and trying to keep everything going was enough to make me work harder and keep my head above water.

Through it all, and possibly because my Mom has given me some really tough genes, all of this adversity, these hurdles, and what appeared to be an awful run of luck made me even stronger.

I realize that life is fragile and out of our control. I put my life in God's hands every day and know that, whatever happens, he will never give me more than I can handle.

I celebrate life, as Luke Russert does.

It's not worth ever feeling sorry or grieving over something we have no control over. We must just live life to the fullest, cherish every moment, love those around us, TELL those around us we love them on a daily basis, never have any regrets and CELEBRATE LIFE!

TIM RUSSERT FUNERAL son LUKE eulogizes- prez hopefuls 6-18

George Clooney's flower inscription says it all, 'There are no words.'

Russert Remembered on Meet the Press

Not a dry eye in the house--in studio or at our house.

When the opening shot of this morning's meet the press showed an empty commentator chair, you knew it was going to be a heart-wrenching 60 minutes.

A wonderful tribute to a brilliant broadcaster and a wonderful human being. Each second was absolutely riveting.

People of diverse backgrounds coming together to pay tribute to a man taken, in our eyes, before his time.

When moments like this occur, very humbling. They show us that ultimately GOD is in charge. No matter how much we want to think or believe we hold the reins, times like these tell otherwise.

Tim Russert, in my eyes, was an icon. He came from a town similar to Cleveland in many ways. He adored family and grew up Catholic. He was taught by the nuns and the Jesuits and never strayed from his religion or his beliefs. He carried a rosary in his pocket at all times and was not afraid to proclaim he was Catholic, even when and though the Catholic religion was being persecuted by so many.

He loved the game of baseball. Another plus in my book.

He loved life and lived it to the fullest. He worked hard BUT made time for his family (which was his top priority) and enjoyed life.

Everyone should look at the life Tim Russert lead and take heed. We should learn from the way he lived while here on earth but also learn that life can be plucked away at any moment, so we should live life to the fullest. We should live each day as if our last.

Love family and friends, no regrets, stick to our beliefs and convictions, and keep that playfulness and love of life in our hearts, always!

Tim Russert, you will be missed but left a wonderful legacy for all of us to emulate and live by.

Happy Father's Day

I'd first like to say Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there! Honor your father and your mother.

It's nice to celebrate these special occasions, but I guess with everything I have been through over the last 5 years, we've learned to cherish each day and celebrate each day as if there were no tomorrow. Right now, EVERY DAY is Father's Day, Mother's Day, happy to be alive day, happy to be an American day, Easter Season & Christmas Season all rolled into one, treat others with respect day, fawn over people as if it were their birthday day, thank you for giving me life day, be kind to all day and the list goes on! I sure wish others had these same values!


But I would like to thank my Mother and my Father for getting together so that I am here today. Unfortunately, Mom and Dad divorced when I was a little girl, so I really don't know my Dad very well, or his side of the family. It appears to have been an amicable parting and I saw my Father on a regular basis as a little child. However, as I grew into an adult, he was not obligated to visit me anymore.

I've never felt jipped because my Mother has been Mom and Dad to me. She is an amazing person and has always given all of us more love than anyone could ever imagine...she also gave us everything we always needed and probably everything we wanted! She would do without so we had the latest clothes, the latest gadgets, a nice house and pretty much everything!

I did and still do feel bad for my father. He has really missed out on some great life happenings. He has never once heard me sing. I just thought about that last week as I was cantoring the Mass. He has never been on one of the fantastic baseball trips that Mom used to take us all on. We had some GREAT times and have hundreds of tremendous memories --not only from our baseball trips to other cities, but just to Cleveland Stadium, Jacob's Field and Progressive Field! He does not know the great friends I have from Hiram to my work friends. They are all the salt of the earth. And I think, maybe God has put great people in my life because I am missing out on the 'father figure!' My family, when we were all living together, shared great times every single day. We'd watch a movie and just laugh. We'd sit around the dinner table and something funny would come up causing my sister to start her laughing wheeze....To this day we'll all start reciting lines from 'While you were sleeping'! Unfortunately, with everyone being so busy and moving on with their own lives, there are not as many memories being made. But the memories I do have will last me a lifetime, and unfortunately, my Father has missed out on that aspect of our life.

And there were always great male figures in our family that were tremendous role models. My Uncle Johnny lived with us for a few years while he was on dialysis. He was amazing. He was a teddy bear underneath but always taught us the meaning of respect which came with his Air Force background. I wish I would have had more time with Uncle Johnny but the short time we did have together was wonderful! One of his greatest gestures to Mom was our Cleveland Indians' Season tickets. He, too, had a love for the game of baseball. That's one reason we really never want to relinquish them! Uncle Johnny is in our heart always, and when we are at an Indians' Game, we know he is right there with us!

Then there was Uncle Bill. We lived in close proximity for much of my life. He's still only 20 minutes away. He was and still is yet another father-figure to me. I remember when I was a little girl just walking downstairs (we lived up, Auntie and Uncle Bill lived down), knocking on the back door and bothering them all the time....having treats together....watching television (either thrillers like Perry Mason, or Hee Haw or a myriad of other shows).....going to shows or the zoo to see the monkeys.....playing with their cat BIDA.....going to the race track and watching the horses run....and to this day, buying him stuffed animals (cats especially) to add to his collection. The joke is that whenever we go somewhere, even if Uncle Bill does not go with all of us, he always winds up getting some kind of gift!

Two other uncles who also played a part in my growing up: Uncle Tommy (RIP) and Uncle Casey. Uncle Casey is still alive but living in FLA so unfortunately, I really don't get a chance to spend time with him. But the stories I hear and the great pictures of him as a little child are so adorable! I have really been blessed with having a wonderful family. There were so many other uncles as I was growing up. My Mother's family was so rich (not necessarily with money but with so many other wonderful attributes!)....and I am just pleased as punch and blessed to be a part of this family!

(Uncle Casey, Grandma, Uncle Johnny, Auntie Annette, Mom, Uncle Tommy, Grandpa)

Uncle Bill and Dani and Bida

Slammed

This new dialysis schedule, work, trying to keep everything else afloat, and the tropical temps have me slammed! However, I am trying to get back on track with my daily updates, rants, experience sharing, and overall semi-wise words of wisdom!

Aren't you all in trouble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John Mayer: Say (music video from

Life is too short. I have many regrets from my younger days when I let people push me around...when I listened to folks who I 'thought' knew what they were speaking of or who said they knew what would make me happy...when I was so fearful of my own shadow, I jipped myself of some great life experiences.

I've learned a lot over the last 5 years after being tossed head first into an ice pond and being told to learn how to swim FAST!

Not saying what you need to say, feel you need to say, want to say, are yearning to say is a mistake. I do not make that mistake anymore. I may ruffle feathers by speaking my mind at times, but in my heart of hearts, I speak the truth and am at peace.

At this time in my life, I like or love everyone, have no enemies (at least on my end) and go to bed at night at peace knowing I gave 100 percent at work, and did the best I could everywhere else!

Cheers!

Mr. Exhaustion is here (wish it were Mr. Big!)

The entire year has been a whirlwind. Ok, I lied. The last 5 years have been a whirlwind dealing with illness and then 2 and 1/2 years of hospital visits....

Hoping that 2008 would bring a little good news, a little time to 'catch up' on everything I have gotten behind in over the last 5 years and just maybe, get a head!

No can do. The last 4 weeks have been kicked into high gear...as Emeril would say, 'kicked up a notch!'

And Mr. Exhaustion finally found me. I would have loved for Mr. Big or even Smith to have found me! Maybe Samantha's LA neighbor!?!?! Yea, that would have been great! But no, down for the count for a few hours today. Thank goodness there was nothing big going on, because I was dead to the world.

And then back to reality. Whether we want to or not, the hustle and bustle is back. Have to get back on the merry-go-round or the running treadmill and hope that I don't fall flat on my face as I begin, yet another hectic, week ahead...

Have a great week everyone and enjoy the warmer weather! Cheers!