When I Was Nine - Sentimental Sunday No. 29

When I was nine years old I had a horse. His name was "Sputnik"; we called him "Sput". He was named after the first Earth orbiting satellite that the Russian's launched in 1957.

"Sput" actually belonged to my sister, Sherry. He used to live in our backyard in Culver City. Sherry loved horses, and when she got cancer my Grandma Julia bought "Sputnik" for her. Unfortunately she couldn't ride him for very long and after she was bed ridden he came to live in the backyard. My dad laid down covering on the floor in the house and they used to bring "Sput" into the house so my sister could see and touch him.

After Sherry passed away "Sput" went to live with my grandma in Acton on their little ranch. When I was old enough grandma said he was mine. I loved that horse - although I didn't get to see him very often. Grandma also had two other horses, "Mollie" and her son "Stinker". I enjoyed those carefree childhood days of visiting Grandma Julia and Grandpa Carl and riding my horse, "Sput".

And Now...

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It's been almost four weeks since Richard had his surgery. He's doing well, but his recovery has been slow going. I know he will be 100% again soon, but I'm a bit frustrated that he even had to go through this. Hindsight is, as they say, 20 - 20.

At his age he should have had a colonoscopy a long time ago. But, at 62 his Dr. only ordered a sigmoidoscopy. Now, at 66 they discovered the large polyp that couldn't be removed without major surgery. Don't get me wrong - I am so thankful that it was discovered and that it COULD be resolved with surgery. I'm thankful that it wasn't cancer. But, if the colonoscopy had been performed four years ago he may not have had to go through this surgery.

I shouldn't play the "what if" game. I should just be thankful for the blessing that we received... and as I said - I truly am. However, if ONE positive thing can come out of all of this - I want to pass along this advice to all our family and friends. If you are 50 or older, PLEASE make an appointment for your colonoscopy. If there is someone in your life is that is 50 or older, pass this information along and make sure that they get theirs done too. It not only could save your life - but it could save you a fairly major surgery and unnecessary pain and discomfort.

Now, we return you to our regularly scheduled programming....

We Got...

... Beatles RockBand this weekend.

It is SO fun. A little different than Guitar Hero - but we are totally loving it!

The Patient

Richard had surgery last Monday. (it was planned) We knew he would be in the hospital for five to seven days but we anticipated that he would be feeling pretty good and planned accordingly with books, dvd's and his computer... all to keep him occupied. Unfortunately he didn't recover quite as quickly - or as pain free - as we thought he would. What is it they say about the "best laid plans" and all....

In any case, he's home now; recovering but still rather weak and tired. This picture was taken on Monday night after surgery - when he was feeling really good. Morphine in an epidural directly in your spine will do that for you!

I kept trying to convince the nurses that the spouses should have a "happy button" that we can push to make us feel better. They agreed with me, but alas I am still waiting for my "happy button"!

It was a really rough week on him, John, and on me. Being the organized Virgo that I am, I will be scheduling my nervous breakdown for Friday! Cheers!

Happy Anniversary - Sentimental Sunday No. 28

Sylvia and Johnny were married on September 13, 1941 in Las Vegas Nevada. It was a Friday; Friday the thirteenth! Some say that is a “bad luck” day. My family obviously feels the opposite about Friday the thirteenth.

On September 13, 1981 we celebrated their 40th anniversary with a big Hawaiian luau at my godparent’s home. It was SUCH a fantastic evening; complete with catered Hawaiian food, hula dancers, a Hawaiian band, and fresh flowers everywhere. I felt extremely honored to be able to give them this spectacular party to celebrate their lasting love.

My Mom and Dad always made sure to include me in their anniversary celebrations. We usually went out for dinner at a nice restaurant, but on a few occasions we celebrated with others. Their 40th anniversary and their 25th stand out in my mind as being with my godparents; my parent’s best friends. Great times; the best!

Today would have been Sylvia and Johnny’s 68th wedding anniversary. I sure wish they were still here. It would be wonderful to celebrate this milestone with them. Instead, I raise a glass and toast their undying love for each other. They stuck together – through thick and thin. They knew how to fight “like cats and dogs” and they knew how to make up and show each other how much they were still in love. They parented me together and always acted as a team – and in my best interest.

They were great parents – they were great human beings – and I can only hope that I can live up to the example that they set for me, and to what they expected from me.

Love to you both Mom and Dad. Happy Anniversary. Cheers!

Hawaiian Birthday

We spent nine glorious days in Hawaii to celebrate my birthday. It was the perfect vacation. As they say, pictures speak louder than words... So, here you go!

One day we drove up to Haleakala Volcano. Perfect weather! We did a fairly rocky hike up to a viewing area. It was SO windy. I was petrified!

Dinner at Sansei in Kapalua. Oh! So delicious!

The view from our condo. Heaven!

Gorgeous sunsets - every night!

The Iao Valley was spectacular. Here are Richard and JJ in front of the Iao Needle.
A "self portrait" along the path in the valley.

My birthday dinner at Mama's Fish House in Paia.

Lunch in Ulupalakula

I decided that if one MUST turn 50 - then this is definitely the way to do it! Maui is certainly on our list of return vacation spots. It was a wonderful getaway for our family.

ALOHA!!

One More Celebration

Well, no birthday would be complete without my YaYa Sisters.

Last night we celebrated two birthdays - Adrienne's and mine.

Our "sistahs" really spoiled us...

My favorite Virgo (other than myself, of course) and I love to celebrate our birthday's together. Love you Adrienne!

And the curtain closes on another perfect Ya Ya night... complete with DELICIOUS chocolate cake and ice cream. YUM-O!

Welcome Home!!

We arrived home from Maui around 11:30pm last night. This is what was waiting for me on our door !Our crazy neighbors - and totally excellent friends - decided to leave me a little "Welcome Home" to celebrate my birthday and welcome into a decade! The entire house was decorated with balloons and references to the fact that I am now "Over the Hill". They're just happy that I've finally joined THEM on the other side of that hill!

Kerry with Alyssa - Caught in the act of blowing up all the BLACK balloons! Dodi was too clever to be caught on tape!!

There were 100 balloons scattered on the floor. Hey Guys!! I'm only 50!!!

Look at this awesome tablescape that Dodi set out for me! Complete with cake and some much needed wine after the trip home!
What a sweet sentiment written on the envelopes of my two birthday cards!

Very yummy chocolate cake. My favorite; although I could have done without the skulls and RIP humor! tee hee hee....

It was a wonderfully funny and entertaining way to welcome me back from my vacation! Thanks guys! Love you tons! xoxoxoxo

Aloha! - Sentimental Sunday No. 27

Sunset - Aug. 29th from our lanai

I'm taking a little break from Sentimental Sunday this week. We've been in Hawaii, on Maui, this past week - and I could be VERY sentimental about the wonderful trip we have had. I needed this vacation; I think we all did!

We've had lazy days and just enjoyed being together. We've snorkeled, walked, read books, watched a few seasons of "Will and Grace" and just relaxed. I can't remember the last time we went someplace and just kicked back. This was the perfect trip - and a wonderful way to celebrate my 50th birthday.

I will blog sometime this week with some of our photos and more about our trip - and I'll be back with a Sentimental Sunday post next week.

Aloha!

Happy Birthday to Me - Sentimental Sunday No. 26

Cindy - 3rd birthday

Wow! 50! FIVE - OH - as in OH MY LORD... How did I get to be 50??

They say that fifty is the new forty. OK... Then, can I say that I am celebrating my fortieth birthday tomorrow? I guess I can say whatever I want to say - right? I'm 50... I'm an adult... I'm not getting older I'm getting better.... blah blah blah. Yeah, tell that to my knees and back when I struggle to work out the kinks each morning.

I guess I'm not dealing with this birthday very well. I'm not sure why. I suppose I am acutely aware of how quickly time passes; how fleeting life is; and how much I miss all of the special people in my life - especially at milestones like this. My Mom and Dad ALWAYS made my birthdays so special. We celebrated in style and I felt honored and loved year round - not just on my birthday.

Some of my favorite birthday memories:

6th birthday - I remember a fun party at my house with several of the neighborhood kids. Nothing about the day really stands out in my mind, but I remember how much I loved the dress my Grandma had bought for me to wear.

10th birthday - celebrating with dinner at Robaires in Los Angeles. My favorite restaurant for years - now long gone. As we were seated in our booth, my father looked over and recognized a man sitting there with his wife. The man was the social worker that had handled my adoption. He remembered my Mom and Dad, and it was wonderful for me to get to meet him - and for him to see the happy family that he had helped create.

15th birthday - seeing Elvis Presley at the Las Vegas Hilton. Wow! What a night. That has been a pretty hard one to top! We spent a lot of my birthday's in Las Vegas, and we always had a really great time. My parents and my godparents traveled in style. Must be where I get my "princess" qualities from!

21st birthday - Fantastic party at my godparents home. So much fun; so many friends and family. Good memories!

26th birthday - my first birthday with Richard. We celebrated with my parents, my godparents, and my brother. This was the last time that we were ALL together. My godmother had passed by my 27th birthday - and unfortunately my Mom wasn't too far behind her. But, I digress. The day after my birthday Richard took me to Hawaii to celebrate. We went to Maui, Kauai and Oahu. It was a fabulous trip with the man that I love!

30th birthday - I had an "over the hill" birthday party with friends. It was fun. Oh! If I only knew then what I know now... 30 is definitely not "over the hill", and I suppose when I am turning 70 and I will laugh at how silly I'm being about turning 50!

36th birthday - my first birthday as a Mommy! I love my son. He is the light of my life.

40th birthday - a fabulous party with a huge group of my girlfriends. We had so much fun together... dinner at a local restaurant, the Ram. I told them "no presents". But, one of my friends organized each lady bringing me one flower so that I had a huge gorgeous bouquet by the end of the evening.

I've celebrated 49 birthdays so far - #50 tomorrow. My friend Tom keeps saying this our 600 month birthday! Lord! That sounds even older...

Cindy - 4 years old

I'm celebrating in style this year - we're going to Hawaii. I'm 50, Hawaii is celebrating it's 50 anniversary as a state and it is the 50th state! I really LOVE Hawaii... so I guess I'm in pretty good company.

Aloha and Mahalo for the memories!