December, 2009

Well, I never thought I would be one of those bloggers that let months go between posts but it seems that I have turned into that person. Let's see, October is just a busy month for me and as soon as Halloween is over, BAM! the holidays are upon us.

Homecoming was nice, I always especially enjoy getting together with my pledge sisters. Lea couldn't attend as her daughter got married that evening. Yes, the first Turtle offspring! Dr Ibahim and Virginia, our last founding member of the Thalians, were both honored at the Brunch. Shock of shocks, Kelley attended her Brunch, the first in quite a long time. Our Society experiences evidently meant different things to the both of us. That night, Annelle took us out to dinner at the Spaghetti Factory in Newport Beach, significant because that is where our Rush was in 1977. We then had a farewell for Annelle's dad, I was honored to be with her that evening.

Our Union weekend was fun. We went up to Oxnard again to the old place, and when I say old, I'm not kidding. Years ago, Casa Sirena was lovely but the last two years, the rooms were OLD! This year, we stayed next door at a Hampton Inn and it was so nice! The staff was great too. We had our "Peace, Love, and MTA" party which was officially known as "Return to Woodstock". Our member really got into the theme and the stuff I bought from Oriental Trading was great. They had wall decorations, temporary tattoos, and peace sign necklaces. We made an awesome arch using psychedelic colors and I made some cute, I thought, anyway, vases of flowers with mod colors of paper, all punched from Sizzix dies and punches glued on bamboo skewers. Tico, our DJ played great music from the 60's, I was one of our best parties up there!

My mom has a pacemaker put in. Don't worry, she's doing great, driving and everything and of course her house looks as immaculate as always. She woke up with her eyes doing crazy things. He eye doctor examined her and told her it was a neurological problem and to go to the hospital. Whittier Presbyterian was wonderful, they were very kind to her. She got an outpouring of support and visitors and the most special was a visit from Monsignor Cox! Our family is so blessed to have him in our lives. She only stayed a few days, my sisters Barrie and Kelley stayed with her at all times, even at night. She was supposed to take it easy for a couple of weeks but that for my mom is very difficult.

I turned 51 also in November. Can't say that 50 was the best year of my life, a lot of deaths, and Nevin's cancer plus my mom's scare really didn't add up to great memories. So I wasn't terribly sad about kissing that age goodbye. Hopefully, being 51 will be less eventful. I did talk Nevin into going to Disney land on my birthday. We haven't gone since he left Disney, over 15 years ago! He had one free pass left for himself and I got in for free because of my birthday. Too bad that promotion is ending. My sister Barrie is there right now for her birthday. We had the most wonderful time and were able to go on many rides. One notable excepting was Space Mountain, Nev doesn't do those kinds of rides any more. Too bad! Indiana Jones was scary, my first time on that. I hadn't been on the submarines for a really long time, it felt as if you were very deep in the lagoon. Out in Thunder Ranch, they have a new again restaurant with all you can eat barbecue that is brought to you. It was outdoors, a little chilly, but there was the sweetest Western Christmas singing show as entertainment. Small World was amazing for Christmas. I was walking through a crowd and I heard a voice say "That's Miss Ponce". I went back and it was one of our Bandini students with her family, what good eyes she has! I know her mom pretty well, she was a Bandini student also. Too funny!

Thanksgiving was great also, a smaller crowd that sometimes. My Uncle Robert, his girlfriend Mary Ann and his daughter and son in law, Antonia and Warren joined us as well as my friend Dorothy and her boyfriend Gilbert. I cooked 2 turkeys, but we only touched one, I really tried to make a lot of sides for the non meat eaters.

Christmas will have to wait! Keep in touch and Happy New year to you if I don't post before 2010~

October

I finally got paid on the 1st, what a good day! Not as an ambitious to buy list as last year but I did manage to get a few things and spend $180 at Costco. That place is terrible/wonderful. Both!
I finally used the laptop to create a Power Point presentation for class. Jeez, it was hard for me. I kept reaching for the mouse, there isn't one, weird to me. My sister Barrie had to help me a lot, all she has to do is click, click and there it is. Me, I had to change fonts at every section of the slide, it kept switching back to another. I'm sure there an easier way...

Nev B-day passed. I had bought a Lewis and Clark Caverns t shirt that came in a water bottle while in Montana. I loved the presentation, that was a surprise to him. Also, he got a fleece throw that matches his colors in his office, rusts and black, a manly throw with Yellowstone animals on it. Also, I got 3 prints in W Yellowstone, he picked them our, kind of an Art deco/orange crate art style. Sure there's a word for it, but I got the frames at Michael's and they need to be matted. His brother and family took both of us out to Applebee's, Nev didn't want the traditional both family deal. Him and I went to Lucille's, dang that place is good!

Creatively speaking, I started working on on Sizzix flowers to put together for my Unions next party, "Return to Woodstock". They are punch outs in mod colors and will be glued on the ends of wooden skewers. Looking for an appropriates vase or container.
Found a dress I may wear to Homecoming but only if it is a cool day. It is a green sweater dress, I love the color. Also, I found a blouse, again green, to wear tomorrow for picture day.

Our insurance is changing, it will still be Blue Cross, but as our district joined Calpers, we have better bargaining power and are able to negotiate better. It won't be exactly the same, but we are still very fortunate in MUSD.

Sad news, Annelle's dad passed away a couple of weeks ago after a long illness. Annelle is the most devoted daughter, she has always taken care of her dad and my heart goes out to her.


I am getting sleeeeeeeepy! C U!

Quite a week!

School started, boo, hiss! My class is currently at 21. Only one pain in the you know what, he runs outside, yells and hit me with a piece of paper! Didn't hurt but I really need to do something.

Had lunch in Riverside with Carol, an old friend from Whittier College who is also is a Thalian. Her daughter is now a college grad, Congrats Dominique!

Today, had Brunch with Anita and her dd, Becky and her dh and me and Nevin. Ate at Calif Grill, just fun talking. Dancing starts in Oct, recital in Dec!!

Finally brought over my frog and my laptop from my parents' house. My mom named the frog Croaky. I still haven't opened the laptop but I will! This computer needs a tuneup. Or something!
Nev's b-day is Friday and I'm trying to talk him into Disneyland or something. So far, he doesn't even want to go out with the families.

Have a great week!

Back to School!

Well this is the last official day of freedom, school starts bright and early in the morning. Can't say that I'm jumping with joy but Nev and I stayed until 5:30 Fri and the room looks good. Still have an area that needs to be gone through but the room is ready for students. I've have been trying to tidy up stuff so it is in one place when I need it. Some stuff has been tossed, not as much as should be tossed but still. I have a couple of organizational ideas to try tomorrow after the kids are gone. The won't be full day until Dec. I bought some plastic folios, in green, of course and I'm thinking of using them fro folders instead of making them. I'm going to put the essential info inside page protectors and tell them the bring the folios back everyday. Reason is that we frequently have notes to send home. One pocket will be for homework, another for communications, another for sight words and whatever. Found the perfect white daybed and Nev put it together. Sucker is huge! I think I'm running out of room in my craft room! Decided to try one more class at GCU, this time it is Linguistics and I really liked that at Whittier. Looking forward to dancing and maybe taking the stamp class again. Wish me luck!

Over!!!!

So I didn't think it would take me this long to post, so sorry about that! Hmmm, we were in Idaho for 9 days, I did get to see my dh's Aunt Pat, she's the one who used to work for Provo Craft. She has a clue! (crafty stuff!) I had bison short ribs in one of the lodges in Yellowstone. Had a cow at my fil's driving, not used to it, mil and dh didn't seem to have a problem with it. I was really just ready to go home, I missed my computer, my TV, my space!! We left in the morning, our last stop was at the dump. I know it sounds weird, bit the dump in Island Park was cool. Lots of seagulls and beautiful scenery. Stopped at Porters's in Rexburg, a huge craft store with some very friendly people and some not. Then I went to a SB shop but sadly, it was going out of business We ate an early dinner at Maddox, a wonderful restaurant in Brigham City, Utah. They had this lighter dinner menu, it was wonderful! They serve their food with a container of well water, I have never had so much water in one sitting! Was happy to see that there are 2 more Cracker Barrels in state!
I am fading fast folks, promise to finish in the next couple of days.

Vacation, part 2

So in Idaho, I found out my in laws have no working TV. Now those of you who know me well know I LOVE TV! The TV situation up wasn't ever good, usually 2 or 3 stations. But when they went up there, their converter box didn't work or so they watch DVD'[s somethings at night. Their collection did not reflect my tastes, we were never a Laugh In family. But, I was on the computer most of the time anyway. Their garbage disposal was dieing and Nevin replaced it, it was a four day deal. The new one came from Bozeman, Montana which is 90 mikes from the cabin, one way. It works beautifully! More later.

Vacation, 2009

I am writing from Idaho! It has been quite a week. We went to Cambria, our favorite place for what really amounted to a day and a half. Then, we drove up to Emeryville, next to to Berkeley. We went to a family reunion in Martinez at my cousin's house. My mom is from the Bay area and her remaining two brothers are still there. There were cousins I hadn't seen for years, it was so nice and my mom was so happy. My sisters Tracey, Kelley, Barrie were there as well as my nephews Scott and Brett. My mom and dad and all of the rest flew up, we drove up and met them. After that, we took off to start the drive to Idaho. The first night, we drove to Elko, in Nevada. It is a very small city, interesting place but HOT!! Our room was lovely, one of the few with no smoking and no slot machines. We made a few stops yesterday, mostly to shop, I'll be honest. I stopped at Robert's in Idaho Falls, a very nice craft store chain owned by my pals at Provo Craft. They had a bunch of Cricut accessories at 40% off, how's that for a deal!!! I also bought some magazines, one was the last edition of Simple Scrapbooks, sad! I purposely brought not craft things up here so I wouldn't get distracted and work on my class work but to be quite honest, it hasn't worked. I need to buckle down tonight so I can do a little sight seeing/shopping.
Should be home in a week!

Celebrations!

There are so many reasons for me to celebrate lately. Let me share a few of them.

-Nevin got his first PSA test back and it shows that the cancer is gone! He needs to keep the low number for 2 years to be considered "cured". We celebrated at Lucille's, thought of you Chrissy!

-We celebrated our 20th anniversary on July 8th! Can you believe it? I had homework due that night so we put off dinner and I keep having stuff to do. I guess we'll celebrate during our vacation.

-My mom had a birthday, she turned 79 on the 6th! Happy Birthday Mom!

-Happy Birthday USA! We had a quiet 4th this year, my mom was not feeling too well so we didn't have the usual games. But the food and the company was good. Then, we went to my in law's house in La Mirada where fireworks are still legal. We met one of Nev's brothers and did fireworks with the kids. Men sure are pyromaniacs! I took some good pictures, I am getting better with the digital camera. At least with the taking the pictures part. :-)

-Celebrating family, my mom's family is from the Bay area and this Sat, there is a family reunion, most of us are going. My mom is the youngest of 6, there are only her and 2 brothers left.

-Celebrating vacation, Nev and I are going to Cambria for a couple of days, then going to the reunion in Berkeley, then off to Idaho for a week or so at his parents' cabin. I ordered a laptop from Costco.com but didn't realize it would take so long to arrive so I am a little worried about my homework getting done. I have no self discipline! :-(

_ And finally, celebrating a life well lived. Our long time (30 years) adviser of the Thalian Society passed away yesterday. He was a wonderful man and so generous with us. We never would have survived all of these years without him! Dr Hilmi Ibrahim will be missed by us all and it will never, ever be the same without him!

Sad Things

Today I went to the memorial service of a very special woman, Virginia Merithew Jones. Those of you that are Thalians, will recognize the name as one of our founding members. We've been visiting her for maybe eleven, twelve years? One of our alums Googled her name and found her happily living in Redondo Beach. She was such a really gracious and friendly woman. As the years went on, both her health and her hearing deteriorated but she was always so glad to see us. Her mind was sharp! She loved to hear us sing. We sang "Today" at the service, I have to say it sounded great! I was really proud to be there and happy to see so many Thalian sisters. Mary Butterly was especially close to her and understandably upset but know Mary that Virginia was smiling down as us saying "You are all so beautiful!" Farewell Virginia, we will miss you!

I was saddened by the news that not only were Jon and Kate separating, they are filing for divorce. I love the show and those kids just crack me up. I must say I relate to Kate, the anal part, because if you've ever worked on an event with me that involved decorating, I am that way also. She sometimes was mean to Jon, but jeez, get a backbone and quit whining. I guess he did get more than a backbone if you believe everything you hear. If you want a job, get a job. I hope it all works out for them and the kids, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Happiness is fleeting I fear. Grab it when you can and appreciate it!
Robin

How about those Lakers?

Well, the Lakers did it! Yeah!!! So happy around here. We saw the games on our own, not like the olden days when we'd see the games with Nev's brothers. He says too many bad words now to watch the games with all those little kids that are his nieces and nephews!

The Retirement Banquet went beautifully! The different colors of purple looked so elegant together. I had lots of help and only one thing didn't go exactly as planned, well two. I used glass blocks as vases and a couple of them were not water tight. But the agapanthus, aka Lilies of the Nile, held up beautifully. Also, we ran out of time and didn't get to make the big balloon arch (my fault, misplaced the other nozzle), I wanted but we had two huge bouquets on either side of the stage and they looked very nice. I even liked the food at the new venue and the parking was great. But, I'll be happy to return to the Reef in Long Beach next year. One lady retired after 50 years of teaching!! Can you imagine that, I sure can't!!.

School is over for another year. It was so sad, we are loosing 4 teachers due to the cuts and our class size going up. There were lots of tears all around. Going to miss you Myrna!! I got my 25 year pin from the district but that wasn't so happy, the principal forgot to give it until almost all of us were gone. Not feeling so happy at that point but grateful I have a job I suppose in this day and age.

I need to go back this week and clean and finish up my cums, I hate that! At least I got those pictures in. Ugh!

I am not thinking about my on-line class for another 10 minutes, when I finish this. I never had established the deadlines to my missing work , when Nev was busy, and I'm not sure how to proceed. The teacher suggested my advisor and guess what? He didn't respond. So that's about three departments I am unimpressed with at that school. This is the last week. Don't know if I can make up or repeat the parts I am missing or what. GCU, are you listening?

My family had a cute little Dodger party for my dad today. We all wore Blue Dodger shirts, ate hot dogs and just hung out. Finally have the hang of the self timer on my camera, only have had it for a year and a half. Am hacking away, I got sick and had to miss the Mariachi Festival at the Hollywood Bowl last night. I was really looking forward to it and just hanging out with my dancing friends. Felt worse this morning so I tried not to get too close to my family today, no reason they should get sick too!

Nevin has a PSA test this week and we'll find out the results next week. Fingers crossed!

June Gloom

Weird weather, it has rained, not enough to clean off my car, just make it look worse.

Nev is doing OK, just tired of not being 100% and tired, the sleepy kind too.

My Master's class continues to dog me, I am so behind. Can't wait for school to be out so I can work during the day. But I am such a terrible procrastinator...

My big thing this week is the Retirement Banquet for my Union. Trying out some new things, will be curious to see how they turn out. A new venue just for this year. I'll let you now.

No time for Facebook yet, still don't see the big deal about the little games they play but my friends sure do .

My little nephew, he's 16, made his confirmation Saturday. Congratulations Brett! I am so proud of you !

Did red and white flowers for the occasion. My sister Barrie hosted the party and the food came from Lascari's, yummy!

Went to the Aquarium of the Pacific with the K classes last week, nice place, probably more fun with out 20 kids behind you. :-)

Go Lakers!!! Go Dodgers!

May Wrap Up

I meant to post last weekend, I had the most perfect three day weekend! It started with dinner after school with my good friend Rita, we've known each other since we were freshman and Whittier College, way back in 1976. She is also my pledge sister and was one of my bridesmaids. I had a Group Project due also, there were six of us in the group for this class and I have to say, a more polite group of women you will never meet. I even spoke on the phone to one in Washington DC, Dallas and Colorado Springs. We got an A on the project!! My mom had a pre Memorial Day dinner for us on Sat. She made a brisket, and used the rest of the frozen brisket from Easter to made barbecue beef. Both versions of the beef were delicious!! I don't know why we haven't had it more before, easy to cook and so good and tender, thank you Martha Stewart! Sun, between working on my project, I made dinner for my parents, sauteed onions and mushrooms and stuffed then with brisket into bollios, Mexican rolls, kind of like french rolls but softer. really good for sandwiches. Mon, I got up really early and went with my sister Barrie to the LA Marathon to volunteer for our Teacher's Union Water Station. It took us a while to find the meeting place, but we spoke with some very nice firemen who pointed us in the right direction. The runners were so appreciative and even though I am not a morning person, it was fun. After, I went for lunch at Mr Sandwich, a little place in Uptown Whitter that I used to frequent. They have different owners but it was still good, then we saw Night at the Musuem at the Village Cinema. I get a kick out of going there because when I was in college, it was a Pussy Cat Theater. :-) I have to admit, I kept falling asleep, I was so tired, but what I did see was excellent. Wouldn't mind seeing it again. Even though it was a short 4 day week, it sure lasted long a work. We had Open House Thurs and Nevin came to school to help me clean and set up the kids' projects. He also bought me an iced coffee, aren't those new ones from MacDonald's great? People commented how good he looked, he is still more tired than usual but is doing great.

Then there is the Lakers and the Dodgers. They provided hours of enjoyment and angst. GO LAKERS!!!

I get to see Amy tomorrow! She retired from Bandini and moved back to Hawaii. I also will see Perin who also retired from there and Derita who thankfully, is still there! Can't wait!

Read my brain book, this has been the first textbook that I am really enjoying. Not 6 chapters worth, mind you, but still interesting. Our work need to be put in that #$?%*! electronic portfolio. Should get back to work but Susan Bolyle didn't win, now that's really ^%&*!!!

Post surgery

When I saw the spelling of the last post, I was apalled! I was really tired and I'll try to edit it.

My great organizing hint: Those white cubes for sb storage they sell at Michael's and Target with the shelves to make 4 sections are great for storing your Sizzix letter boxes. You know, those long ones that hold 26 or so of the sizzlets in those lovely boxes Jeanne hates? I put a cube together, with NO help from dh, I told him I was starting something that he's probably have to finish for me, but I didn't need the help after all. Went together easily and there is enough room for 16 boxes!!! I'd like another plain cube but all I've seen right now is what I have and the corner units and the one the turns around, cute but I just want the plain cube. With the extra tower I got on ebay, that makes 3, all my dies are stored, the Bigz are in the tower vertically with the shelves removed, no room for more!

Nevin is home! Cedars is a wonderful hospital, he got great care, and hopefully that cancer is GONE!!! He has his follow up visit on Tues and the nasty catheter can be removed!!! Icky thing but necessary. I got to meet Tom O'Connor's wife Linda, a lovely person who is a social worker there. I had been out of touch with Tom for a few years, when we reconnected, he had gone back to school, was teaching and got married. If you were at our wedding, he did one of the readings, the "to every season" one, otherwise known as "Turn, turn, turn". My mom and dad, Nev;s mom and dad and brothers were there most of Monday waiting for him to be out of recovery. The operation started hours late and he didn't get in his room until 8pm. I stayed the night with him that night but that couch was hard!! They keep the rooms chilly and they come in all the time to check on their patient. His nurses were very kind to him. His doctor is the best! Hopefully, none of you will ever need his services but if you do... he's good. He used the Da Vinci machine to operate, it was on Gray's Anatomy Thursday, wasn't that a sad one? The food in the cafeteria was good. The hospital even has a Starbucks! I met up with my friend Perin at Jerry's Famous Deli right across the street form the hospital, the pastrami was to die for! And I got to chat with my friend who I don't get to see nearly enough. My hotel was a cute, kind of retro chic right on Beverly so I didn't have the chance to get lost. They were very nice, it is the Beverley Laurel Hotel, I'd stay there again, well I did. I had checked out because Nevin was supposed to be released but then they decided to keep him another day so I had to check back in. This time to another room, mine had already been given away. This one had a shower big enough for 6, no lie. All done in black granite, slate and glass tiles. Really stunning. Just not as much fun with just me. Nev got released late in the day so we caught a lot of traffic coming home. Getting off the freeway was no better, every bump and dip in the road was uncomfortable for him. Great to be home, it is hot here! Picked up from the vet's this morning. He had been there for a week!! As you may know, we are not best of friends, only loves Nev, but he did very well at the vet's and they said he was so friendly and loved to be petted. I asked them if we were talking about the same cat. He came home and was very happy to be here, I think, and looks happy to be with Nevin. He let me pet/hold him when Nev was asleep.

I didn't knit hardly at all and I just couldn't concentrate on my reading for my class. Horribly behind. They didn't have an Internet cafe but they did have WiFi which didn't do me any good since I still haven't got a laptop. My financial aid finally did come through so I guess I can start shopping for one. Any suggestions?

Thanks to all of you who prayed and send good thought for Nevin. Your texts and calls, and e-mails were very much appreciated!

May!

So I wasn't overly crushed about Nev's surgery getting postphoned. I really wanted to go to my Nana Tille's 100th or so birthday party! I RSVP'd thinking it was yesterday, but it is next week!!! Where's my mind been?? Don't answer that, I'll tell you!

I am done, minus a just a slight adjustment of an old project, with the first class of my Master's program. We had a group project to do, that was probably harder for the other three having me on their tram because of the time difference between Calif and the East. When you are part of a group, I think there is more pressure on you because ypu don't want to disappoint the group. So glass all of that is over. I have a week off, then back to class the same week Nev has his surgery.

Craft room coming along swimmingly. I have the best organizing tio, but it will have to wait, I am sleepy and need to get up in the morning!

Surgery postphoned

Well, what we were afraid of happened, Nev's white blood cell count went up this week and so the surgery was moved to May 11, same place. He was given some medication last week for all of his congestion and wheezing and that is the most likely culprit. He is more bummed than I am, I was upset that I didn't find out until Fri afternoon as I was preparing for a substitute teacher for 3-4 days. I had the biggest mess, my mom always says it gets worse before it gets better. It was at its worse stage in there. The night custodian was so nice, kept dumping my trash cans and finally gave me a huge one to fill. I was there until 7 pm, on a Friday no less! But my room looks better and more organized. This will be the last week of my online class, then we have a one weeks break and start again. So I will be gone during Week 1 which is better than the last week of this session. Tomorrow, we can go to Rey and Rowena's son's b-day party and we can go to our Church carnival next week and my Nana Tillie's 100th birthday party. I am also going to a Stampin Up event with my friend Elaine and meeting her sister Linda in Corona for this stamping thing. Not sure exactly what is going to happen, but I know it will be fun!
Go Lakers! Go Dodgers!
Thanks for the well wishes, we really appreciate them! Robin

Quick update

Nev's surgery is scheduled for Mon at Cedars. My friends tell me the Beverly Center is next door and there are lots of things to do there. Never been. They think I'm nuts for not staying with Nev in the room, it never occurred to me. I'll be really close, a mile away . One problem, potentially, Nev's white cell count was high and he had to have another blood test yesterday. Haven't heard anything yet so we can only assume it is still a go. Any prayers for Nev will be greatly appreciated!! XOXOXOX, Robin

Changes :-(

If you know me at all, you know I don't generally do well with changes. Never have. One of my morning radio stations, Movin; 93.9 changed format and Rick Dees is gone again! Now, the music is secondary to me in the morning. I like the talking, jokes, gossip, contests with a tiny bit of music thrown in. I actually have been listening to 3 stations and I have my routine. KRTH, KOST along with "Rick Dees in the Morning". i Adios Rick Dees! Te voy a extranar :-(

PS I hate that Mervyn's is gone! Don't even get me started with "Men in Trees" and "October Roads".

Happy Easter!

My vacation is over, wah! I didn't get done all or even half of what I wanted but I did do a lot. We had our dance recital yesterday. It went ok, one mind fart with me and a wardrobe malfunction but all in all, not too bad! We practiced every night during the week. My feet are tired! I danced when I was little and the dances don't come as easily as they did before, but I still enjoy it. I couldn't help but think of my mom's friend Mary Helen who passed a way, she was at my last recital.

Easter was nice, we went to Mass, sangs songs I knew, I like that. Had french toast at my mom's then our annual Easter Egg Hunt. The boys, my nephews were invited to participate for the first time, they are 19 and 16. My mom bought us all dresses and we had all kinds of toiletries and goodies from my parents and each other. Then, got down to the business of cooking. I had seen a segment on Martha Stewart (my idol), on a Passover menu. I though the brisket sounded great and my family was hammed out so hey bought me a HUGE brisket. I made 2/3 or it and froze the rest. It was good but I had to cook it a little hotter than I should have so a lot of the lovely onions on the bottom of the pans stuck and I am so glad I didn't have to clean up! It was just us, not even Nevin or my bil were there, just us Ponce girls and my nephews and parents. Not Sandy, she doesn't usually make Easter. There were just 8 of us, a really small crowd. The house still looked great and the Easter decorations were still up and the floral arrangements still looked great!

I am so frustrated with Grand Canyon University! Actually, the Financial Aid Department. I made many phone calls to my designated $ advisor and no return call, no email, nada. I punched "0" and was told the first time to e-mail him, this is after I asked if he was on vacation, he wasn't, because "everyone checks their e-mail". That didn't do any good. Finally, at the end of the week, another advisor helped me. Sarah was an angel who found out why I had received a bill for $2,700. Seems, my Whittier College transcripts hadn't arrived. And they were going to tell me when...? So I'm hoping to have everything fixed soon but not holding my breath.

I had wanted to purchase a laptop so when Nev was in the hospital, I could keep up with my work. St John's is booked till the end of May so Nev's surgery will be at Cedar Sinai in two weeks. Scary for me and him too, I'm sure. He's more stoic than I am.

Better get back to my homework. Or bed, can't decide.
Robin

Palm Sunday

This last week is over and this next week is MY VACATION!!!! yeah!

Teaching K is a little nuts at best but this year, quite a bit more. Stick in a holiday like Easter and you get the picture.

My on-line class continues to torment me, well not really torment, maybe just plagues me. The computer stuff is what gets me. I think I have attachments down, as long as they are in My Documents somewhere. Nev helped me by putting all of my school stuff in a folder, now if I could figure out how to put my latest creation in... We had a group project to do. The ladies in my group are really go getter's, started early and everything. Took me a while to figure out how to to it in table form and send it but I used some else's to have a template. There are 6 studies we are supposed to report on. Interesting but would be more so for me, if I could talk to the people face to face. The others are from the East Coast and I'm the night owl from California. Actually, most of the people are from the East Coast, closest one is in Colorado. :-(

I need a lap top, big time. I'm hoping to get one with some student loan money, need to return the call from the Financial Aid guy from GCU in the morning.

My mom had her guitar party last night. I made her take out her Easter decorations. Usually, they are out for 1 day only. Can you imagine? I also made several floral arrangement for the house and it looked beautiful. Of course, if you know my mom, you know that the house was spotless.

Nev has decided to go with the Doctor in Century City that does the lathroscopic surgery. We are very relieved, seems perfect for the job! We chose St John's in Santa Monica, I had a friend stay there and it seemed great!

A positive to Nev's diagnosis, we started to go back to church after Nev first went to the urologist in Feb. That part is nice as were turning into the Christmas/Easter crowd only. This is the beginning of Holy Week, may the love of Christ be with each of you. Love to you all!
Robin

Nev

We have some news. not the best, I'm afraid. My husband has prostate cancer. It has been a scary, very stressful couple of weeks since we found out (on St Patrick's Day). It is Stage 2 which I guess is better than Stage 3 0r 4, I don't know too much about=this stuff but Nevin has been pouring over on line articles on the Internet to learn things. His dad had this about 15 years ago, had surgery is fine. Nev is considerably younger but his prognosis is hopeful. He has one more appointment with a Dr in Century City, who performs lathroscopic surgery. After that appointment, Nev has to make a decision. Ideally, I'd like him to do it during my Spring Break, week after next. But it is not my decision. So anyone who has a few extra prayers, this is the time! We really appreciate it!!

School on line is certainly different. I am struggling through the technical aspects. How am I to know that when you paste something to send the teacher, all the margins and spacing disappear? The teacher was nice enough to let me resubmit it!!! This week, I make a graph, oh glory!

Busy, busy!

I am ruing the day I didn't take a computer class in the last few years! I took one in 1983! Can you believe that? I am to start my on-line Master's Program tomorrow and am trying to do all the orientation stuff before. It should not take an hour to log on/reset a password! So one of my "hint" questions was "What do you have 6 of?" Well heck if I know! LOL!

I finally caught that bug that everyone else has had. Hopefully I won't get the upset stomach part.

I did take a break to watch Big Love, a really good one! Almost over, hate these short cable seasons.

Nev and I went to the Irish Faire yesterday, it was fun! We sat a listened to a couple of good bands and I bought a couple of CD's. We've gone 3 years in a row. As we were starting to walk out, we ran into my friend Loretta with her dh, sister and bil. We met in 1987, while on a language learning trip to San Felipe. Fun! We convinced her to change Districts and she started in Montebello in 1988.

Speaking of the District, they reached their magic goal # and won't be sending out any RIF notices to permanent or probationary teachers, just the temporary one. Any victory is good.
Finally got the YUDU transparencies made on the copy machine at work. Didn't get them printed in time for the end of Literacy Week but will shoot for next week's Fri assembly.
iAdios friends!

March, in like a lamb!

Happy March! I love this month! Today was a beautiful day, but hot!

Lots to report, let's see, I am starting a Master's in Reading program through Grand Canyon University. Finally, I know, I should have done it sooner but I am needing to bulk up the last few years of my salary for my STRS credit (State Teachers Retirement System) and the additional units and advanced degree will make quite a difference when I retire. And a little extra $$ every month while I work will be nice too. Of course, I'll be paying off the rather large student loan, this is a private school and the whole business is conducted on line. Hopefully, I'll have the self discipline to stay away from all the distractions while I am doing my work.

My family lost someone very near and dear to us, my mom has been friends with another family for 65 years. Mary Helen was my sister Sandy's nina (godmother) and my mom was her daughter Audrey's nina. Mary Helen was always such a funny, warm and generous person with us. She had come to a couple of my recent dance recitals and I enjoyed having her there with my family very much. We will miss her.

My Craft Room is really shaping up! Nev put together my Shabby Chic, from Target, bookcase and hutch. They are really pretty. He also set up my closet system, trying to use every last speck of room. The YUDU arrived and I am wrestling printing the transparencies, my printer did not like them. I'll try to make one at school since my first project is "Reading is my bag" canvas book bags for Literacy Week. As we speak, my dad's beautiful, and very old desk he got from my grandma when he graduated, is getting painted with white primer. It will soon be a lovely almost white desk, it is an Early American design that will look great in white. Both of my parents balked at the change and I offered them the desk back and they refused so white it will soon be.

I am using my "event planning" skills to put together an 10th anniversary dinner/celebration for the Thalian Alumnae Association. It will be at Sizzler's in La Mirada, on Sat, March 14 at 5pm. All Thalian welcome, lmk if you need any further info.

Watching the "Brothers and Sisters" movie event. Jeez, Louise, how many commercials can you cram into a show? I think we've had six breaks already and it hasn't been on an hour. Grrrr... Rob Lowe's character has had a hard attack :( I didn't realize how much I liked this show!

See you!

Fresno and the Super Bowl

Well, my trip to Fresno was a blast!! We had the best time and my friend Becky was so hospitable! We shopped and ate mostly. They had a fantastic Farmer's Market and I bought the best raisins! I made a floral arrangement for Becky using a bouquet of flowers I bought, it even came with a very cute, long stemmed cabbage! kind of looked like a green rose. The farmers were nice and I bought a nice set of note cards from the artist, almost too pretty to use. Frenso has some really nice store like a Coach Store, and not the outlet, a Whole Foods and a Skecher's outlet. We had lunch and tea in Clovis, a totally cute little town. I even signed up for a punch card in their local quilt shop, you never know when I'll be back and for that matter when I may finally learn how to quilt. Dinner was at Harris Ranch. I had been there last summer but it was for breakfast so I had steak and eggs. This time, I has a rib eye, very yummy! The desserts are to die for. They present them on a tiered rack in shot glasses so they aren't very big, except on taste.

I got back home at 1:15 on Super Bowl Sunday , did a load of wash and then was off for the big party. For the first time ever, I paid pretty close attention to the game and the other spectators, they were so entertaining. On of our friends, Rey, is a huge Steeler's fan and is very passionate about them. All in good fun of course, but there was a lot of yelling after every play. If all football games were this close and exciting, I might lie it!

Yudu is set to arrive tomorrow!

Provo Craft Rocks!

While I was in Provo this summer for CKU, my bus tour got to tour Provo Craft and I was very lucky to win a Cricut Expression. It is a cutting machine for the unscrappy people I know. Well, they also gave us a demonstration of their newest item but we had to sign a confidentiality agreement. We could talk about it but not really mention too much about it. now, the crafters out there have probably heard of "Yu Du" a silk silk machine that makes it easier to do than the old fashioned way. And to top it up, some of us from the bus tour were chosen to try it out! It should arrive any day and I can't wait to make bags I think first, shoe bags for my folklorico shoes, maybe book bags for Literacy Week at school. Can't wait to try it out!

I am going tomorrow, after school, to Fresno! My friend Becky works up there and My dancing friend Anita and Becky's mom are going for a couple of days of shopping and having dinner at Harris Ranch! I went in the summer but it was early so I had steak with my eggs. Good, but I think dinner would be even better.

Will be back in time to attend the Super Bowl party. Not fond of football, but the party is always fun!

Happy January!

Well, hello there! It has been a long time, I know. Happy New Year, let's hope 2009 is healthy and happy for us all.

Let's see, my Christmas vacation was certainly eventful. Sadly, I attended three funerals. I mentioned my Great Aunt Lucy, also Lou, my teacher friend's husband lost his long battle with ALS. Also, my Principal's father passed away, I have never been to a funeral where so many people spoke. I really am trying to appreciate the time I have with my parents, they are in pretty good health so we have been pretty lucky. They both are active and if you've ever seen their yard, you know where a lot of their time is spent.

School started up and the kids were a lot more calm than they were before Christmas. They are thrilled to have a morning and a lunch recess. Now, if I could just make them stay and play in their areas, apparently, they just go where they want. We watched the Inauguration at school, my teacher friend Margie was in the parade. She'll be back at work tomorrow, can't wait to see her pictures.

Dancing starts tomorrow! I have my custom made shoes from Duran's and am ready to roll!

I have attended some scrapping/stamping classes and want more! I really want to utilize some of the stuff, and I mean a ton of stuff, that I got from CKU and the shopping before and after CKU. I need nothing else, but when has that ever stopped me? Well, lack of money has but then I just knit something. Still making booties and scarves mostly.

Pledging is over for another year. I am very proud to announce 17 new Thalian sisters! Whittier College Pledging has changed in the last 30 years or so but some things are exactly the same. I must confess, I didn't love pledging either as a pledge or an active and as an alumna, even less. The stuff I love is everything else but pledging teaches you how to work together. The nicest part was sitting by Dr Ibrahim, our long time advisor. Even though he finally retired from teaching, he is and always will be our advisor. We do have another on campus advisor that graduated maybe 10 years ago. She seems so young but already has her doctorate so that is nice, not to have to have an outsider be an advisor.

I have floor! Or rather, my craft room does, the hardwood looks great! We were having problems finding a pole long enough for a set or three windows that are side by side, but Nev bought a pole, probably a closet pole and voila, we have a curtain rod. For the other window, we are recycling a closet pole from the previous wardrobe that was in that room. I need to buy some beautiful finials, Lowe's has some white "Shabby Chic" ones Nev thinks I'll like. I have the curtains and bedding, need a white daybed, preferably with a trundle. Painting my desk my dad gave me is the next big thing, it is big and as old as I am. My grandma gave it to my dad. I was a little scared about painting it but I know it will look great! Getting all my craft stuff in there will be daunting, but hopefully, everything but the floral arranging supplies will fit.

"Big Love" started last week! It has been a long time. Also am watching "Top Chef"and "Real Housewives of Orange County". Besides my soaps, thank you for Soapnet, on regular TV I am watching "Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters" and "Gray's Anatomy" when they are one. I won't even try to justify my preferences, life is complicated enough, I want to enjoy what I watch.