Christmas in San Diego

Both of my grandkids are home for Christmas break so my heart is happy. We had a lovely Christmas with Onay's sister, her son Chris and Onay's brother joining us for our traditional prime rib dinner. We had many gifts and fun. I got a new printer and router for my computer plus the expertise of my son to fix whatever can be fixed on my computer after being attacked a few weeks ago by a virus. Still not sure what can be salvaged from the hard drive. Keeping my fingers crossed that all is not lost and dedicated to backing up in the new year.

Tomorrow I leave San Diego to drive to LaQuinta, CA. to do Christmas with my brother and his wife. I'll spent the night with them and head home on the 30th. It seems to have become our tradition and a good one it is. New Years eve I am meeting up with Karen to go to the Burning Bowl ceremony at the Unity Church. At this service we let go of the past and look to the coming year. Another wonderful tradition.

So I am ready for the New Year in which I will have the joy of an extended visit from my friend Sandy. A surgical adventure to replace my right knee joint and the May graduation from College for my granddaughter Katie. Then summer in WA. with my friend Marianne. Already a full calender and it isn't even January!

Christmas in San Diego

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All

I started my drive to San Diego on Dec. 22nd so that I could be here for my son Dan's Birthday on Dec. 23rd. The drive went well but I started to get drowsy after I crossed the AZ./CA. border and decided to stop in El Centro for the night. So at about 5PM I pulled into a Motel 6 and crashed. Fortunately this Motel 6 was newly renovated and very nice plus being under $50 for the night. Refreshed and ready I completed my journey the next day.

Dan's birthday was being celebrated at the Port brew pub and pizza place in Solana Beach so we headed over to meet up with Dan. We had a fun night and I had my first piece of pizza since my heart surgery. It tasted good but won't start me back on the road to runination, at least not with pizza.

Judy's Birthday

Before I left San Diego at Thanksgiving, the kids had a birthday party for me and a great gift card to HomeGoods. One of my new favorite stores. Yes, it is fun to get out of the thrift stores from time to time and especially nice using a gift card. When I got home I had my traditional Hot Fudge Sundae lunch with Karen and yet another gift card to enjoy, this time to Amazon.com. I spent an extra "birthday" pampering myself with a pedicure, massage and hair cut. Total heaven.

I have to say that this years number is a little amazing to me. Seventy years old and still feeling young and ready for a new adventure. The only thing slowing me down is this damn arthritis...but I'm working with a good Dr. at the Mayo Clinic and am in good hands. I know I have to get back to my weight and exercise program for both the arthritis and my heart. It is so hard to get myself motivated when I am in pain. I can always come up with an excuse to keep me from doing the right thing for the long haul. On my birthday, I heard from everyone I love and all the friends on and off Facebook. It was a wonderful day.

The sad news I received was that my dear cousin Peni had passed away. I knew it was coming soon but for her way too soon. She and I had birthdays only a couple of weeks apart and sadly she didn't get to see her 70th year. She had a good life, especially when she married her Lee at 17. He was 10 years older and at the time nobody in the family gave them much hope. Well everyone was wrong because they had a good marriage and a house filled with love. Peni and Lee have two children, and grandchildren and good, good friends. I hope they will all find comfort in each other and the memories of Peni. She was an artist and had an open and loving heart. I had gotten especially close to her since my retirement and I consider that a real gift. I know she will rest in peace and love.

So I am filled with gratitude for the blessing of seventy years, good friends and a loving family. I can't wait to see what my next adventure will be. Stay tuned, something is bound to turn up.

Thanksgiving in San Diego

I love the tradition of Thanksgiving with my Havens-Hulusi families and friends. The grandkids were home from college and it was a short but good visit. Only downside for me is my arthritic knee. The injection I got in September hasn't lasted and I'm back in pain. Really makes my life difficult.

This year we had 3 kinds of turkey. Deep fried, smoked and our traditional roasted. My preference went with tradition and the dinner was wonderful. We had a full table plus another table. I got some Christmas and "Judy" shopping done in San Diego and enjoyed a day at the beach. I so miss the water so these trips to SD mean a lot to me.

My Three Graces

Karen, Marianne and Sandy, my 3 for always and forever friends. I have been friends with each of them for well over 30 years. What a blessing in this life of mine. I just want to acknowledge and let anyone who reads this blog, know that without my women friends my life would have been so empty. So today call your own "Graces" and let them know what they mean to you.

Things are Better

I spent last week in San Diego with Onay and Dan. We are all having to get used to not having Katie and Michael around. Michael is in his first year at Boise State and Katie is in her last year at Sonoma State...empty nest time for Dan and Onay. I wish them well, it is a hard adjustment...at least it was for me. Dan had to go to the Northwest this week for business and Onay went along to keep him company when he's not working. Nice.

Home now and catching up with Dr. appointments. Got a good report from my Cardiologist and got a shot of steroid in my knee. Orthopedic Dr. says I've got another 3-4 years before I will need a knee replacement....he stressed the no stairs. So it is time to get back on my healthy eating and exercise program. Tomorrow I attend my first Board meeting of the League of Women Voters. They will be electing me to the Board as Director of Immigration. I've got some learning to do on this one....it is a complicated issue, especially in the Mexican border states. I chose it so I can educate myself and others on the issue, and hopefully, get past all the racial and emotional roadblocks to a real understanding. Wish me luck....I will need it.

My Gorgeous Grandkids Katie and Michael