The Ipad has landed....

At exactly 12:47pm today, I met the UPS man at the door and signed for Ak's Ipad. He will be engrossed with his new toy for many, many hours....only surfacing to grill our lambchops for tomorrow's Easter dinner :)

I am looking forward to playing my current iphone games on the larger screen, and I can't wait to watch a movie on it. It's going to be awesome for travelling. In the last 13-14 years that we've been together, the amount of tech stuff (and all the stupid heavy power bricks) that have travelled with have diminished significantly. Hitting the road with this thing is going to be great :)

One of the new TV shows we do watch is Modern Family - we find it hilarious. Anyway, the episode this week was all about the Ipad, and the shennanigans the whole family went through to get one for the dad. Good stuff.

I am preparing for our Easter dinner tomorrow, however, I am sick with a sinus infection - bad this time. All tired and puffy eyed, falling asleep wherever I sit down. I've downed almost a case of Gatorade this week. In spite of it, we are festive, and have lots of Easter decorations going on, and daffodils everywhere. We are painting eggs today, too.

I am posting the pic of Scarlett Begonia, too, that I received from CNN today. What an Easter treat! She is definately a pollyanna girl :)

HAPPY EASTER!

Addiction-Project Runway

You know how much I love Project Runway, and this week Axel installed the Project Runway game on my computer! It is so much fun - I am completely addicted. The challenges are just like on the show, and you have the ability to cut fabric, pick colors, etc.. My favorite part is the hair and make-up studio because it is so realistic as you apply blush, eyeliner, eye shadow and pick out crazy eyelashes. The challenges are exactly the same as each particular season. I am halfway through one season, and have won every time :) The only part I have trouble with is the runway walk beacuase you have to press the arrow keys in a specific order, but I am working on it.

In other news, I had to take a break from therapy on my doctors orders. Last weekend, my knee was killing me, and I was so scared that I had messed up the surgery as well as being on the Vicodin train again. As it turns out, I was doing too much and strained my quad muscles and IT band muscles, which was causing all the pain. I've been taking Celebrex (sounds like a club) and feeling much better. I return to therapy tomorrow, and hope I can continue.

I can't believe we'll be into April in a few short weeks! This year, Orthodox and American Easter fall on the same Sunday, which is nice. I made crazy candy wreaths this year - I'll post pictures of it later. There are 3-5 pounds of candy on each!

Xmas 2009

Going backwards in time a bit....here are a few shots from the wonderful week I was home for Christmas!

The day after Christmas - Joanna and Nicky

Uncle John & I in Brickersville, PA








My first encounter with Scarlett Begonia - LOVE HER!








Scarlett laughing at one of Aunt Joanie's jokes

Cheesesteaks West Side - Amato's

Hey kids! Ak and I went here for dinner and we were NOT disappointed!!

Nothing like hitting Amato's and getting an authentic cheesesteak and cheese fries to make being far from home a bit more tolerable. The place is decorated with all kinds of Philly memorabilia, sports jerseys, city pictures, etc. I can't wait to go back!

Also, the owner has this crazy truck all tricked out Eagles style. Here is the picture, as words cannot do this vehicle justice. Love it!

Later, Brian

Spent this am reading about the Eagles releasing Brian Westbrook - damn. I know he's had the injuries and concussions, but in my mind, Westbrook = Eagles and Philly.

I really hope he retires, as I couldn't bear him playing for another team. My heart hurts watching Brian Dawkins on the Broncos, and it would be the same with Westbrook. Maybe even worse!

Wow - I am still a bit dazed at this....need some coffee for clarity!

To all the East Coasters - good luck with this next storm. It's shaping up to be a ballbuster, so make sure you have all of your supplies, and hunker down.

Been Too Long...

WOW - it's been a while since I posted!
Many things have happened - Christmas, New Year's Eve, the Superbowl...

Anyhoo, here were are, almost at the end of another month! I had my knee surgery the first week of the month, and I think things are going ok. I really had to slow it down, though. At the end of last week, I was back to cooking & laundry, putting up our Easter stuff, and other things I should not have been doing. Then this past Friday, I drove 1/4 mile to the grocery store & CVS for some stuff. I think I should have waited on that! I am just antsy, and I get really uncomfortable after sitting or lying down after a while, so I do things like rearranging my undies drawers (like I did yesterday) and standing for 45 minutes to an hour. I also just wanted to give my honey a break - he's been his usual amazing self while taking care of me. I get sick of asking him for every little thing, so I wanted to do things for myself. Of course this has backfired - my calf and foot keep swelling up on me, and all of my muscles are so sore everywhere from compensating for the right knee - aye papi! I am back to doing ice packs and taking pain pills again. It's not worth messing anything up, that's for sure!

So I am back to reading, writing letters and TV :) I can sit at my desk for 20 minutes at a time now for correspondence and computer time, which helps break it up. Right now I am waiting for Axel to come into the office at any minute to tell me to put my foot up :) He is like a policeman! He's a trooper, that's for sure!

I totally got into the Twilight vampire teen books during this surgery recovery. Let me backtrack - the week prior to the proceedure, I finally went to our local library, got a card and started checking out books. I've been keeping a list of books that I want to read forever, but I always buy them, so going back to the library after at least 20 years seems amazing and ridiculous for me! Let me tell you, I was blown away! I can put books on hold online, wait for the email that tells me they are ready, head out and go to the hold area at the library, go to the self check out with the books, and I am on my way home! Yesterday I had to renew some books, so I just did it through my online account. I love it! And you get receipts at the library when checking out or returning, so it's like shopping :)

So back to Twilight.....I am a big A. Rice fan, and all of her vampire books, so I thought I would give the series a chance. Plus, it's all you here about, and the teens go crazy for the books, movies, and especially the actors (I may have a crush on the Rob Pattinson dude, I admit). I LOVED the books - I was so surprised! The 4 book series reads like modernized Jane Austen - very cool. So of course we had to watch the first 2 movies. For teen dramas they certainly aren't the worst, and it's not over-sexed, but very romantic. Now I have the Twilight game app on my iphone, and honeyman got me my own set of the books for Valentine's Day! How sad is that??!!??

Okay, I am about up to my time limit for sitting in my desk chair, so I will sign off now.
Next, I will be posting pictures from my 2 recent trips back to Media - lots to share! Great trips!
Tata for now!
xoxoxo

Holidays again??!!??

Editorial note: I forgot to write about what I am doing tomorrow...wait for it, wait for it...I am going to be a chaperone on a high school field trip tomorrow!! My girl Julie didn't get enough parents to help, so I am going with her and 30 of her art students up to Stanford to visit their art museum. I am not sure what I have gotten myself into, and hopefully you won't see me in the news tomorrow. Full report to come if I get home alive!!!

I can't believe that Christmas and 2010 is right around the corner! Why is it that when you are a child it takes FOREVER for Christmas to get here, but as adults it seems that one Xmas is on top of the other? Just another perk of getting older, I guess. Joy.

Well, I will be heading to Media to be with Felicia for the holiday, and Ak will be heading to FL to be with his mom. I am a little pissed that he will be in the warm sunshine, but I get to meet Scarlett Begonia for the first time, and see the Greek Meatball godson. Cold weather can't come close to dampening my excitement for those 2 things, and it never feels like Christmas out here.

So it's been a while since the last post. One of the reasons is that I actually have to have surgery AGAIN. This time on my right knee. Apparantly, all the walking that I had been doing for my back bit me in the ass, and I tore some cartilidge. The tear is causing joint fluid to leak, and I have a lovely cyst sticking out of my knee. Fortunately, the proceedure is the most minimal and least invasive, and I'll only be on crutches 3-4 days (compared to the 6 weeks back in college). I am really beginning to think that my destiny is to be in the Guiness Book of World Records for the most surgeries in a lifetime - not something that I aspired to, I assure you.

So I've been in a bit of a funk as of late. I considered not telling Axel and the moms and to try and have the surgery done secretly - I've put them through the ringer the last 6 years with my problems, and really didn't think I could face telling them the latest thing that was wrong with me. Of course I told them, and Ak's mom's first response was - "I am 73 and am in better shape than you". Gee, thanks, Barb, just what I needed to hear! Anyway, I will probably be having the porceedure sometime in January or early February.

Enough of that crap, and on to the next subject!

My new favorite show is Dexter - LOVE IT!! I read the books years ago, and Showtime has done a brillant job of converting it to TV. Ak says that this show appeals to my Stephen King side - definately dark. Speaking of the master, I of course had his new book "Dome" on my doorstep the day it went on sale, and as always, King doesn't disappoint. Fantastic read!

Last night we caught Gone With The Wind on TCM. Wow - I forgot how powerful that movie was! Ak had never seen it, so it was fun watching with him. They just don't make them like that anymore. We watched the "Cloudy w/Meatballs" the other day, and it is adorable. I wish I were a cartoon! Both of us came up with the food we would want it to rain. Ak's are: filet, lobster, carpaccio, fresh bread with Danish butter and creme brulee. My tastes are more simple: Twizzlers, chicken fingers and pretzels :)

The Beebe-baby should be making an appearance any day now. In an email he said if the munchin is not out by tomorrow that they may induce labor on/around the 25th. If that isn't the best Christmas present, I don't know what is! Wishing Chuck and especially Meg a nice easy labor. The baby will definately have more hair that Chuck :)

Ok, that's all the news from here. Heading back into my Rita Room to work on more crafts. My new title is "Stay At Home Professional Craft Maker".

Happy Holidays - see some of you soon!

I was going through a ton of pics on Tuesday, and dug out this treat from our Las Vegas trip in May 2004. I love this picture!

SCARLETT SCHMIDT

11-10-09

11-6-09

WELCOME TO THE WORLD, DOLL!
CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU!

Hannah & Scarlett Halloween

Hanging by the couch, a dazed Hannah












The Bunny & Cinderella

















Hannah's got Scarlett in the hug/strangle hold

Julie and Gabriel brought the girls by on Saturday night before they went out Trick-or-Treating. They were very excited!

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!

Scarlett Schmidt was born at 9:41 pm on Friday, October 23rd.

The baby is doing fine, and Chrissy and Eric are recovering from their HUGE day

becoming PARENTS!

We are just thrilled, and have already hounded mom and dad for

Scarlett's stats and pictures!

So proud of you, Chrissy!

We are still in a bit of shock that you are a MOMMY now!

Love you, sister!

!!!! BABY WATCH !!!!

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of _______ _______ Schmidt, AKA the baby that will not leave the womb.

Axel is convinced that Chrissy and Eric are having a boy. His reasoning is that girls are always ready to go, and would fly out of their mommies if they could; where as boys are a little slower and lazier, content to drift in fluid forever.

Chrissy has been at Riddle since Wednesday, on drips and drops to get the birth going. Original due date was Monday the 19th, but he/she is not ready to make their debut yet.

Chrissy is hilarious - I've been able to talk to her everyday, making normal conversation, like she's not about to push out a human being or anything :) That's my girl!

She is fine and the baby is fine.

We just have to wait, and patience is not my forte.

Stay tuned for news......

For My Godmother

All Is Well

Death is nothing at all, I have only slipped into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always use
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household world that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well.

My godmother, Athena, passed away on Friday, October 16th.
She had the best laugh that I think I've tried to duplicate my whole life!
My godparents were a constant presence in my life, and never forgot to send me $5 for Easter candles every year. I am blessed to have all of the memories.

May her memory be eternal, and may she rest in peace.
I love you Nouna, and will miss you terribly.

Shower Appearance!

One thing I could not miss was Chrissy's baby shower. Timing was perfect to attend, and since I was already in NC, the trip up to Media was short and sweet. I also got to spend a week with my mom, and help her with her kitchen remodel, too.

Obviously, I kept this secret from Chrissy, and only told the shower hosts & my two Kellys. Everyone in NC could see how excited I was to get to this shower....I was literally giddy and giggly from the time I left NC until I walked up the Heddy's back door to announce my arrival. I entered the shower saying "I heard someone was pregnant here", and then I was hugging Chrissy and her adorable belly. Tears were flowing....I was hoping the surprise would make her have the baby right then and there!

Chrissy looks amazing! Also, depending on your angle, she actually doesn't look pregnant! There is definately a glow around her and Eric. It was wonderful to see Boots and Bill at the shower, and they are so proud of Chrissy. I also got to meet Eric's mom, a sister-in-law, and Heddy's parents, as well seeing all of my girls. There were times during the day when I just looked around and couldn't believe how fortunate I was to be around so many of my gals! Why the hell do I live in CA??!!?? Anyway, I was at the shower from 1pm to 7pm.....lots of fun, chit-chatting, laughing, eating and of course, drinking. I admit I was hammered on the way home.


Eric, Kelly & Chrissy






















Kim, Kelly, Elan, Susan & Greta












Chris with the Jojo LAX blanket




















Greta, Missy, Kelly, me, Kelly, Chrissy & Kim

Kudos to Heddy, Kate and Kimmy Cupcakes for throwing the world's best baby shower!

I rode the shower high all week while with mom. We really worked hard on the kitchen, and ran around every day running errands. The weather in PA was perfect...I felt bad as Axel & Barb were just soaking in NC the whole time.

The Thursday night before I left, Chrissy, both Kelly's, and Missy met up in Media at Stephen's for a few drinks before I left the next day. Media was hopping! We sat outside, listened to the band playing.....the next thing you know, we were singing with the band, dancing with homeless people, and shaking it in the middle of State St. I love my girlfriends!

Special thanks for their special appearances: Chuck & Cheryl....so good to see you both!!!

Missy, Kelly & Cheryl with unkown Media man

Chrissy & Chuck

Missy & the homeless guy



















Jojo, Kelly & Chrissy















Missy, Media man & Cheryl

Sapphire, NC

We travelled to see Barbara in Sapphire in mid-September to celebrate her birthday with her. The weather was fine when we got there, but then the rain started and didn't stop! It was the same rains that messed up Atlanta so badly. We were ok as Sapphire is up pretty high, but some of the NC towns at the bottom of the mountain did get flooding.

Despite the wet weather, we kicked it up and celebrated in grand style! Barbara has really good buddies there, and one of the couples had a dinner party on her special day. It was a blast!















Shopping in Highlands, NC.
















View from the Country Club dining room.




Pete & yours truly.











Barbara & Dave





















Bobbie, Ulla & AK

Fantasy Draft Results

Last night our league did its draft online for our teams via Yahoo. I prepared all day, and thought that I had gone overboard, but at draft time I was glad for my anal rententiveness! I had a fantasy magazine to study strategy from "experts", as last year I ended in last place by picking my QB first.....and that sealed my fate, as we all know what happened to Tom Brady last year. My strategy this year was to draft 2 RB's and 2 WR's first, and left the QB pick for the 5th round. I am happy with my results, and felt confident each time it was my turn.
Yahoo randomly set the picking order, and I was 7th. Each time it was your turn to pick, a 2 minute clock started in the corner. I felt like I was on a game show! Due to my preparation, I was the fastest picker, and only scrambled the last 2 rounds as the player selections were slim. We finished in a little over one hour - amazing how we flew through it without the distractions of alcohol and chit chat! There was a box for instant messaging, so we harassed each other using that. I felt a tiny bit sorry for the guy who picked first. He didn't know how it worked, and ended up with someone he didn't want. He was already asking me for a trade before the first round was over!! Anyway, here is what I ended up with, and I am pleased.

QB Matt Ryan/ATL
WR Roddy White/ATL
WR Wes Welker/NE
WR DeSean Jackson /PHI*
RB Matt Forte/CHI
RB Steve Slaton /HOU
TE Dallas Clark/IND
K Mason Crosby/GB
DEF Indianapolis
B QB Ben Roethlisberger/PIT
B RB Willie Parker/PIT
B RB Sammy Morris/NE
B WR Laveranues Coles/CIN
B WR Deion Branch/SEA
B WR Ted Ginn Jr./MIA
*had to represent EastSide :)

In other news, another project that I worked on this week was organizing my books. A daunting task, but it had to be done. Books were all over - in boxes, under the bed...basically in every room of the house. I dove in, and just started piling things together by author or genre, and eventually had things spread over 3 rooms. I was unsure if I would be able to reign it all in, but everything fell into place. I ended up with 30 boxes (5 for my boy Stepehn King). I use Banker's boxes because they are easy to handle....if you pack books in larger boxes you cannot pick them up due to the weight. Each box is numbered, and a coordinating list tells me exactly what is in each, so it makes looking for a specific book so easy now! I am just glad it's done!
Hot here - been running the A/C that past 3 days. School has started again, so the days are peaceful once more. That's it, peeps! Thanks for tuning in!

Happy Birthday, DOLL!

Wishing our girl Chrissy a Fabulous Fortieth Birthday!
What an amazing year you have in store!
We love you!
Always, AKJN

Vick is a Bird

Okay, I just read that the Eagles have agreed to terms with quarterback/wide receiver/football player Michael Vick on a two-year contract - didn't see that coming at all.

I am unsure of how I feel about this, but I am not surprised. Philly likes the thugs. Hopefully, he's as great an athelete as he was before all the dog shit.

Can you smell it?

..... the 2009 NFL season is almost here!!!!!

My fantasy draft is set for 8/22, but trying to coordinate everyone is a hassle. One of the dudes is flying up from LA this year because he's done so poorly the last 2 years trying to make his picks over the phone. I am ready to go whenever ...I need to come back strong from a poor finish last year.
I purchased my Complete Guide to Fantasy Football 2009 late last week, and perused it over the weekend. I have no idea who some of these rookies are. I am coming up with my draft strategy, too. I got lucky the first year, sucked last year, so I am putting some effort into it this year. Also, Axel will be attending the draft for the first time, so the team will be represented.

I was very sad to hear the news about the passing of Jim Johnson, Eagles Defensive Coordinator. What a bummer. First we lose Harry Kalas, and now this. Definately a tough blow for the Birds. I hope they can rise above it and be inspired to kick some ass and get the the Superbowl this year, damn it!

It was exciting to watch the Hall of Fame pre-season game on Sunday night, but was again heartbroken as Al Micheals announced that John Madden had retired. Did I miss something? However, I am down with his replacement, Cris Collinsworth. I have always liked him, but am aware that most people don't. So all things are coming together for what should be an interesting season, and I can't wait!

Well, akjn is finally street legal again, after riding under the radar for 3 months with expired everything. That entailed spending an entire day at the DMV, which is the world's largest freak festival, with a little Ellis Island thrown in (immigrants coming in from the other side, though). Today's teens are scary, too....dirty looking and lazy. But we were patient, and thankfully had our phones, so I played Trivial Pursuit, Yahtzee and Solitaire in between reviewing our study guides. I texted CNN and chatted with her for a bit, too. We had to take written tests that we actually studied really hard for. We took 8 pratice tests each the night before :) Ak got a 100%, and I got 1 wrong - just glad that we passed! I am totally jealous of his license picture, though, as he looks totally awesome in it with a great smile, all handsome, while I am all crooked and smirking, sunglasses stuck in my nest. I am seriously tilted to one side, and you can't see my teeth. I have to carry around this shitty picture until 2014. Oh well, it's good to be legal again.

That's pretty much all from here. We are in our 3rd heat wave of the summer, with temps from 95-100. It's like being in a pizza oven. They last about a week, so we are halfway through this one. We ran errands earlier, and literally had to carry each other in the house when we got back. Our plants need watering twice a day, as opposed to every 3-4 days.

Heading downstairs...much cooler because of the tile floors.
Later, peeps :)

Thursday -Girl's Day Out!

This past Thursday, my friend Julie took me out for a lovely lunch at our fave crepe place, Sweet Peas in Los Gatos. She was sans kids, so it was especailly nice to have a long lunch with lots of yummy coffee. Julie had the afternoon free, so we made a detour on our way home, and stopped at the SAVANNAH-CHANELLE Winery in Saratoga. The best thing is that it is only 5 minutes from our house! The views are spectacular, and it was so wonderfully quiet. The city of Saratoga will not give them zoning to allow weddings or any parties due to their entrance driveway ... it's only one lane going straight up, so there is a large potential for wino accidents. No matter - you can bring a picnic there, buy some wine and their homemade mustard, and set yourself up in several beautiful locations for a panoramic afternoon.

Here are some pictures from Thursday:


Savannah Chanelle Winery

Zinny Vines - you are allowed to walk through the rows














Chardy Vines















Silicon Valley is tucked right in the middle of this shot










Gorgeous view




Pretty flowers




Fountain




Julie in line with the Adirondacks

Tasting Room and Shop

Rest In Peace

To our dear friend Jeff & his family ...

Our hearts are filled with sympathy for the passing of your mom.

She was a strong woman to raise the Peyton boys, and you brought her joy with your accomplishments & your son, Brandon.

Your mom is in a better place, healthy & happy. Now she can watch over her large Peyton flock as a guardian angel.

She will be missed just as she was loved.

We are so sorry for your loss.