Halloween

Oct 31, 2009
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Got to the eye doc for an eye exam so I could get more contacts. They wouldn't re order them when I called the other day because it was more than a year since my last exam. I've had other eye exams, but not for contacts since '07. I'm tellin' ya they have more ways to make money. I was there on time for my 2:45PM and didn't get seen till 3:45PM. I was afraid I wouldn't get back home in time to meet Rich so we could go over to Norfolk to see the kids in their costumes.

I called Rich and he said we could meet at Rich and Lissa's rather than me backtracking by coming home first.

He got there about 10 minutes before I did. Lots of activity in that house. They'd been out partying all afternoon at Waterside and the party goes on. After Trick or Treating they go to a civic league party...Lissa's the President of their little civic league so she has to make an appearance. The whole family will go. Here's a video of preparations before a night of begging.

Preparing for Trick or Treating

And here's a shot of me with Trevor and Brooke.

GrandmaPatti with Brooke and Trevor

It was fun to see all the excitement. Halloween was always a fun time for me when I was kid. Here's Trevor with his mask.

Brooke&Trevor in costume

Labor day weekend....Saturday and Sunday

Sep 6, 2009
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I'm beginning to think the grim reaper is determined to get me before I'm ready to go. Earlier today I was in the living room talking to Rich and I started to back up rather quickly. I was wearing flip flops and I either bumped the chair behind me or caught my flip flop on something....anyhow I went flying backwards and in the instant that I was falling....I thought...I won't have to worry about metastatic ca....I'm going to break my neck here..right now. Amazing how these thoughts so quickly go thru your head. Dee, I'm sure you know what I mean here. The wall broke my fall and I was unharmed, but it coulda been mighty different. So, Mr Reaper....leave me alone.

I want to explain something about this medical thing. If the PET/CT simply said "suspicious for neoplasm"....I'd not be happy, but when it said "very suspicious for metastatic neoplasm".....that's a whole different story. The scary words there are very and metastatic.

As I said to Janice earlier today I am using denial.....a healthy denial by telling myself there is no metastasis. There's something there, I can't deny it....but I will not let it enter my consicousness til it is proven to be metastatic. I only had this scan done for peace of mind...I was totally shocked to learn there might be cancer let alone one that has spread from somewhere else. Same thing when I had my breast biopsy in '03.....I only flew down to Pensacola to have the biopsy to put my mind at ease that there was no cancer.....I was flabbergasted when the pathology report from the biopsy revealed cancer....early and small, nevertheless cancer and invasive at that.

I told Rich yesterday I was not going to 'waste today' worrying about tomorrow. Even the bible says worrying doesn't extend one minute to your life. That kind of thinking works for a while until my emotional self kicks in. But I'm trying.

Yesterday for diversion we finally went to see 'Julie and Julia' with Meryl Streep. We both thoroughly enjoyed it. It's not easy to be on WW and look at all that delicious food tho'. Streep is fantastic and the story is well done....two separate stories intertwined. One time we're in Paris and the next Queens. I felt I was in both places. We stopped at the No Frill Grill for a salad....a far cry from Julia's boeuf bourguignon,

but more in line with WW.

Today I called brother JIm......he's hanging in there, but now has absolutely no taste. He makes himself eat and can distinguish hot from cold, but no taste. I wondered with him why he can't get some taste on the opposite side of his tongue from the side being radiated. Also he can't sleep more than an hour and a half at a time because of the extremely dry mouth. He has to spray inside his mouth every time he awakens. He's anxious to get the next two week behind him when radiation is complete, but we have no idea how long it'll take for him to once again taste food.

I went over to WRHO and read for the visually impaired from 3PM to 5PM. Rich met me at the Azalea Inn and we had pizza which wasn't worth the calories plus we spit a greek salad. Usually their pizza is good, but not tonight.

I'm waiting to hear from LIndsay to find out when I can have another pottery class. Brooke's all girl birthday party is Saturday and we'll go over on Sunday to celebrate with her. I can't wait to see how she reacts to the pottery wheel we're giving her.

Today (Sunday) was a gorgeous day....A/C off...windows open...temp in the 70s. Great beach weather and I noticed Chick's Beach was very crowded as I passed it.

ODU (Old Dominion University) at one time known as William and Mary --Norfolk Division re-instituted their football program last night. First game in 69 years. It was a huge event and even I was excited for them. Tickets were sold out. They won too. I saw clips of it on the 11PM news.

Lissa was planning to run/walk the Rock 'n Roll half marathon at the oceanfront this morning. I'm wondering how she did.

Sunday

Jun 28, 2009
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Instead of doing the exercises in the ACTIVE program I tried the dance moves. This was much fun. I'm only doing a few exercises from the various ones offered. Gotta see which ones I like best. Last night in bed I woke up with my quads still quite sore from doing the 'squats' 2 days prior.

Today Rich and I met nephew Mike along with his friends for lunch at 'The No Frill Grille'. Nice group of people and it was so good to see and be with Mike. He'll be heading back to Jersey tomorrow and Chrissy will drive back with him.

Shortly after I got home Pete and Kate called me on Skype. I got to see (soon to be 7 months old) Colin for the first time. I've seen pictures, but today we could smile at each other. He was fascinated by the webcam his Dad was holding up in front of him. Such a cutie pie. Pete then took me on a video tour of their home and I even got to see Molly, their English springer. This technology is just amazing.

I talked with Lissa tonight to tell her I spoke with the CEO of a bottled water company ....he was with Mike at lunch today. I mentioned DiL Lissa is in Marketing with Val-Pak and he might want to do some advertising with her. He said he'd be glad to talk with her and gave me his number.

Also asked Lissa if she wants to volunteer Thursday evening with me for a fund raiser at the newly renovated Towne Pointe Park. There's a VIP sneak preview for the VIPs to check it out before the Grand re-opening on Saturday. Samaritan House was asked to man a tent and serve beer and wine. Lissa will do it with me, if SH still needs volunteers.

Here's a picture of Lissa and Brooke taken the other day when they were in Ocean City, MD. I always wanted to do this....but too chicken to do so.

Lissa and brooke

Trevor turns 10 today

Apr 22, 2009
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April 22, 1999 we were living in Pensacola. Rich (the younger) called about 10:30PM to tell us Lissa's water had broken. The baby wasn't due for 6 more weeks. I told Rich (the elder)..."we may as well go to sleep, she'll be in labor for a first baby 12 -18 hours". Thirty minutes later, "hi GrandMa". It was Rich calling. Unheard of---to deliver a first baby in 30 minutes. Well Lissa did just that. The prematurity was somewhat expected due to the stress of her mother's near fatal ruptured abdominal aneurysm 2 week prior to this. GrandMa Joan was 'touch and go' surviving the emergency surgery following her collapse at Lissa's baby shower. Lissa prayed harder than ever that her mother would make it. She wanted/needed her mother for a little while longer. Prayers were answered and Joan lived til Trevor was 6 and Brooke was 3.

Trevor of course was a tiny one. He weighted 4lb 1 oz at birth and dropped to 3lb 15 oz. They wanted to discharge him as soon as he reached 4 lbs. Lissa said "I'm not taking him home til he's 18 years old. But they took him home. And together Rich and Lissa became parents and did a super good job.

Tonight we had a small birthday celebration. He has his kids' party last Saturday with 40 kids.

Here's a video of tonight's fun. In it are Rich (GrandpaBuck), Brooke, Trevor, and Rich (the Younger). Cousin Victor joined in and then Lissa. It was fun. Hopefully you have sound for the full effect.

Trevor turns the big 10

Out and about

Mar 19, 2009
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Now that the Facebook bug has bitten my nieces....not sure if they read my blog anymore. So, I rely on you Dee, Janice, and Cathy to give me feedback. Shay are you still there? There's no way to know who reads if folks don't comment, and Vox makes it so difficult to sign in before commenting, I probably wouldn't comment either.

So, much of what I will write today is for me to recall at a later date. Today, I got my hair done. I asked Kathy what those women with real shiny hair are using to get such shine. She opened a jar of some 'silk essence'...rubbed it on her palms and then on my hair...voila...I now have shiny hair. I said "hmphrh...those women always act like it's just their natural hair....not so, and now I know".

Stopped in Bed, Bath and Beyond and picked up some cute summer thongs (for feet not underwear). The cashier said they arrived just today, and I was the first to buy them..Capelli's (of NY made in China)...$14.99. I said 'yes, that's me always ahead of the fashion curve'....LOL. I got a B&W pair and may go back and pick up another color. They'll be a lot more comfortable than the Crocs/Trellos I have.

Picked up a few other things and headed to Sally's beauty supply store. I always thought they were in business for professional folks....not so. I was able to find the jumbo hot rollers Kathy (hairdresser) had recommended I use when I do my hair. Also found some of the same 'shiny hair stuff' that she'd used on me today. She'd probably charge me 10 bucks for the jar, and I got it for $5.99. The sales girls asked if I wanted a membership. "No, thank you". When she said it was free for military dependents and only $2.50 for senior citizens, I whipped out my military ID, became a member, and immediately got $4.00 off my bill. Not that I'll ever go back, but who knows?

Next I headed to the Kroger store to get the cream cheese to make the Irish potato candy. Also got the makings for more moon pies. Jessica (neighbor across the street) said her kids are asking when I'm going to make moon pies again. Trevor had also said they were very good. So, I'll make some for Easter. Will make the Irish Potatoes this weekend ...Jess' kids are sick and they surely don't need candy now.

Stopped at Qdoba and picked us up some delicious southwestern dinners. Rich thought both entrees were very good.

Lissa called this morning and we talked about Carpet. She said the son of Cherry carpets now has a place of his own in Norfolk. This would eliminate having to drive thru the tunnel to get to the Portsmouth store...which I would do, but if I can find what I want on this side...that's OK too. Lissa also knows another guy who sells 'wholesale to the public'. I will meet Lissa on Monday to go to this last place and see what he can do. I'm thinking however, that even though a family owned businesses might give better customer service, will they fold under this economy? Then again, Home Depot could fold...after all Circuit City did. Once I got the carpet installed there'd probably be no need to call the store anyhow...so I'm not really concerned.

Tomorrow Sherri will come to clean. When we saw 'Nickel and Dimed' the players (reflecting the writer) said cleaning women should get $25/hr. When they clean for an agency the agency may charge that much, but the worker doesn't get it. Sherri no longer works for Molly Maid, but I will pay her $25/hr plus tip because I think that's a decent wage. It's not charity...she'll work hard and she deserves decent recompense. I have to put my money where my mouth is.....I talk about social justice issues and agree workers need to make a 'living wage' and not just a minimum wage...so I won't be a hypocrite.

Basketball and moon pies

Feb 21, 2009
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I wanted to get to Trevor's basketball game today as it was his last day to play this season. The family will be at DisneyWorld next week so this was my last chance to get some good video of him with my new little fuji digital camera.

According to his mom he really didn't want to play today....she gave him some leadership that only a mother can give, and he suddenly felt well enough to play. I was late getting to the game, but got there during the last 10 minutes. Trevor was sitting on the bench...(they rotate the kids)...I thought for sure I'd missed him. Well, as it turned out...he was to play for the last part of the game. He was outstanding. Lissa said he played better during the last several minutes of today's game than he did all season. I think he saw me come in with my camera and performed. You can see him in the video below. You can hear a proud Grandma Patti at the end of this clip as he scores. I was thrilled to capture him. He went on to score 3 more times.

On the rim and then another

I gave the Moon Pies to Lissa to take home. I had errands to run. Later in the evening I was paid the highest of compliments....Brooke called me and asked me to tell her the recipe so she could have her mother write it down. She said they were so good. I asked her what she thought of me substituting the marshmallow with peanut butter the next time I make them...her reply, "I think that would taste terrible."

Apparently she hasn't had reeses peanut butter candy or peanut butter tandykakes. She is in store for some good treats. Until then...she loves my 'moon pies'. I started to tell her the story about moon pies being so popular in the south during Mardi Gras....she said " oh I know, Natalie (her girlfriend) told me". Natalie and I had been discussing 'King Cakes' as part of Mardi Gras celebration, and she told Brooke. Brooke didn't want any more detail than she now already knew. She lets you know when she's heard all she wants to know. Later, I emailed Lissa the video of the man making the moon pies in Pensacola.

I stopped at Thrift City USA on the way home to see if my donated couch was still there....I don't even know if it went to this particular store. The store was smelly and not nearly as nice as the one a mile or two down the road. Lots of folks shopping tho'. I'm glad these places exist to help those in need.

Saturday B4 Christmas

Dec 20, 2008

Rich and Lissa and the kids stopped over after 'Breakfast with Santa' at the Resort Hotel down the street. They had invited us, but I knew we couldn't make it by 9:30AM even if it was within walking distance for us. I was awake from 4AM -5:15AM then went back to sleep til 9:30AM.

Trevor showed us why he is classified as a 'pro' on Wii. He is quite good. Even Brooke played. When they come over on Christmas eve they can bring a second controller and two can play together.

I transferred my Christmas CDs to the iMac so I can have pretty music the entire time I'm on the computer. I could just play them on the Bose player, but this way the music is continuous.

Glad to see niece Meg joined Twitter. Her b/f is playing in a gig tonight and it sounds like lots of fun. Meg will be in the audience.

Cousin Marn called and we chatted for almost an hour. We always have so much to talk about. We often talk about fun shared experiences from our youth and young adulthood.

Michelle (Lissa's sister) called to invite us to come over to eat and celebrate with the family Christmas Day. Lissa has a large family and we've been with them each Christmas since we've lived here. I thanked Michelle and declined. It's too difficult for Rich to be in a group. He did get his hearing aid repaired, but he won't get the new one til January. I'd go myself, but I don't want to leave him alone on Christmas Day. He told me yesterday he doesn't want to go to any more movies til he gets the new aid.

Rosemary and Betty, if you are reading this....I wish you a very HAPPY BIRHTDAY.

Is it so important to be right?

Sep 1, 2008
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I used to be so sure of everything....the more I studied, the more I realized 'facts' are constantly changing. It's easier when you are closed minded and refuse to see the other side......however it makes it more difficult to work with others when only my way, my belief system, my world view is the right one. We all need to listen to what the other says and then say to ourselves....hmmm maybe, just maybe they are right. Can we find common ground to solve our problems...do we even want to try, or is it more important to be right? I have strong opinions and I'm comfortable expressing them (outspoken), but I don't believe I am opinionated..i.e. closed to other opinions, ideas, thoughts.

As soon as we replace one fact with another, doubt about all things enters...Then we are ready to become truly wise. "We know accurately only when we know little," Goethe wrote.

My Labor day was one of list item completion. Some things I wanted to do and others I felt I had to do. Here's a sampling.

Call Renee about the upcoming 6 month Spirituality program. Find out if they will have one at night. I am not a morning person. .....DONE.
Make Gaspacho......DONE.
Dust......DONE.
Vacuum......DONE.
Clean all mirrors.....DONE
Do my brain training exercises...I paid for a yr subscription and am not making any more progress i.e. getting higher scores. I guess you have to do the exercises (games) more regularly, but then, am I making new pathways in my brain or just getting better with practice?.....DONE....according to the testers...I am making steady improvement. I bet they place those pop-ups for everyone...so you'll think you are improving.

Talked with Lissa....told her I didn't see her name in the top 500 runners. She laughed and said..."maybe in the top 9000". There were 16,000 in the marathon...she finished in 2 hrs and 47 minutes. BIG TIME CONGRATS LISSA! Lissa is a runner, but by no means runs on a weekly or even a monthly basis. She's always doing some kind of exercise and is in great shape.

Tonight we had a nice summer supper.....Shrimp cocktail, spinach salad and gaspacho with sour dough bread. After supper we called Janice to sing her a belated happy birthday. She spent Labor Day weekend painting her bedroom and home office, but she did go out for dinner on her birthday....a "real Mexican restaurant".

Tomorrow, I must color my hair...can't put it off any longer. Jury Duty the next day.

Who tells the truth? Who embellishes the truth? Who lies?

Aug 31, 2008
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Best Friends

[The above photo was in an email I received from HSHS classmate Joannie M. I just had to post it. Cathy H. I expect you'll be posting similar pics on your blog.]

***************************************************************

This blog is not going to participate in any political talk. I document my daily activities along with some of my thoughts and feelings about life in general, but I am not going to expound on my personal political views. Quite frankly...they are evolving all the time.

I, like many of you wonder about the facts in all the speeches and written words we hear/see every day. When I was in high school I was on the forensic team and we were required to be able to argue both sides of an issue. We had to research the facts. I have found this link to help me find the truth in what today's presidential candidates say. I have subscribed to their email list as well. Click here for a reputable source of facts.

****************

Congrats to Lissa for completing the half marathon at the Oceanfront. Rich called to say she finished, but didn't know her running time. The kids got to see Mommy run, and the rain stayed away.

Congrats also to my God-child and niece Rosemarie and her handsome husband John on their 10th Wedding Anniversary. I talked with her today and she is busy studying for yet another certification exam....they'll celebrate their anniversary after she takes the test 3 wks from now.

Pleasant weekend

Jul 27, 2008
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CLASS PHOTO

You may have seen this photo in today's Parade magazine ...I thought it was adorable and wanted to save it. I titled it Class Photo because that's what it reminds me of. They are so precious, but I'm glad they belong to someone else. I just want to admire them.

Yesterday (Saturday) Rich and I met Janice for lunch. It was good to see her. She looks good and seems happy. She was in town to visit family and friends, but also to check on her property in Norfolk which she says will need quite a bit of renovating before she gets new tenants. She was so smart to buy that house when she was living there and then keeping it as a rental when she got married. She will head back to DC on Monday.

Rich jr called from San Antonio and said it was a very nice experience. We got to talk to Brad the retiring Lt Col and then Rich called again this AM. He said it was just a great 'male bonding' experience ...total relaxation. Brad's Dad had rented some cabins on a lake and all the celebration (after the formal one) took place on the lake. No driving involved. Eating, talking, floating in a rubber tube on a fresh water lake was truly re creating. He's back home in VA as I type.

I was mentioning to RIch sr. this afternoon how perfectly contented I was feeling. No place where we had to be....just 'hangin out'. Then, a knock on the front door and it was Trevor, Brooke and Lissa. Lissa had taken them shopping for 'school supplies' and decided to stop by. What a fun surprise. Rich was just on his way to the commissary and couldn't stay long. I introduced Trevor and Brooke to my lumosity.com brain games.

We had fun with the games and then Brooke wanted to play 'Little house of Treasures'...that was such a good suggetion from friend BettyJ to get it. The kids enjoy it and so do I.

Lissa changed a light bulb in the kitchen ceiling and also placed a picture on top of the

cabinets in the great room for us. Lissa is so agile and carried the ladder back upstairs like it was nothing. Thank you lisserella.

After they got home Lissa called in sort of a panic. She had gotten Brooke a stuffed dog which had a little tag around it's neck. Brooke wanted to cut the tag from the dog and she did...handing the tag to her mother. We were busy playing games and

I guess Lissa inadvertently put that tag in the trash can. WELL....that tag according to Brooke had a secret code which could be entered into the computer and then Brooke could do something or other related to her dog. So, Grandma Patti put on gloves and went thru the bathroom trash which was already placed in the big trash can in the garage....no tag. Then I thought, I wonder if it's in the kitchen trash can....and sure enough...there it was. But the code was sealed inside of a plastic cap, so Grandpa Buck was called to the rescue, he opened it and VOILA the secret code was revealed. I immediately called Lissa with the code and Brooke raised her arms saying Yay! Some things are very important in life and finding a little girl's secret code for her dog is one of them.

After supper I called Tommy M to make sure he was OK for tomorrow's procedure where they will do what is called an ABLATION of his heart. He had open heart surgery 11 wks ago and developed Atrial Fibrillation (not uncommon following the surgery). He could have elected to stay on medication to prevent a stroke ...the irregular heart beat of Atrial Fibrillation can lead to stroke. He elected to have this ABLATION procedure so he won't have to take medicine. It is 90% successful in getting the heart to beat in a normal rhythm. He's anxious...naturally. I told him to take a Xanax and just let them know when he gets there that he took Xanax. They'd told him to wait til he gets to the hospital....well....that info wouldn't help him sleep...so he'll take Xanax tonight. I think he has to stay in the hospital for 2 days so I will check with Lori to find out how he does.

Now, I am going to get ready to watch Season 2 of 'Mad Men'. Season 1 was excellent. It won several awards....HBO didn't want it and AMC did, and they got a winner.

25 posts tagged “lissa”

Halloween

Labor day weekend....Saturday and Sunday

but more in line with WW.

Sunday

Trevor turns 10 today

Out and about

Basketball and moon pies

Saturday B4 Christmas

Is it so important to be right?

Who tells the truth? Who embellishes the truth? Who lies?

Pleasant weekend

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25 posts tagged “lissa”

but more in line with WW.

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