Summer finally hit in Burbank. It was over 110 degrees for several days and that is hot for an Oregon girl. Thankfully the temperature dropped to the mid 80's last week but we are going to be in the 90's today. I made a huge discovery that cotton bras are a necessity in such extreme temperatures. I ordered several at the website for Just My Size and just received them. They aren't the greatest for support but are sooooo comfortable. I don't feel so sticky and hot.
We spent the last couple of days gardening and upholstering dining room chairs. Last week we stopped at a garage sale and Diane found a great buy on a food processor. And my "Garage Sale Queen" eyes saw some curtain panels in a rich cranberry/tan stripe. There were also solid cranberry panels. I asked the lady how much they were and she said $10.00 for the lot. After conferring with Diane we bought them, came home and replaced the green checked cafe curtains in the dining room. What a difference it made. We are using the solid cranberry panels for the dining room chairs. The effect is stunning and goes so well with her new remodeled kitchen.
Life in Burbank is great. Last night we sat under the newly installed fan on the covered patio and had a delicious dinner while 60's music played on the radio. And this morning we had coffee on the other patio and read the Sunday paper. It is just too relaxing. Of course Diane, being the exercise freak she is, had to go walk the dogs then ride her bike for several hours. Meanwhile I sipped coffee, read the paper and listened to all the song birds. What a life.
Spent last Thursday evening with Brooklyn. She is just the most cuddly baby. She loves to be held and feed a bottle. I am enjoying Baby B as her Grandfather calls her. Michelle's Mom and Dad came out from Minnesota and spent a week with their first Grandchild. I went over for a BBQ and we good naturedly fought over who was going to hold her. I acquiesced as I knew how hard it was going to be for Dawn and Dennis to leave her at the end of the week. I still think there should be a law that Grandchildren are prohibited from living more then 5 miles from their Grandparents.
Dawn and Dennis have a farm in Canby Minnesota where they raise breeder cows or maybe it is bulls or steers. What do I know, we had sheep! Canby has about 1500 people and was a good place to grow up according to Michelle. Her Grandparents also live on the farm so were always available. Michelle being the first grandchild holds a very special place in their hearts and now Brooklyn is the first girl great grandchild. The Grandparents came out for their wedding so I was able to meet them. Great Grandma made several lovely things for the baby and will be keepsakes for Baby B. Good thing because this Nana has no talent for making anything .
Mike and Michelle are taking to parenthood like ducks to water. Michelle told me that she couldn't imagine being a parent and now she can't imagine being without Brooklyn. She is a great mother. I am so lucky my daughter in laws are wonderful mother. I couldn't ask for better!
After I had held Brooklyn and eaten pizza Mike told me it was time to go. He was tired of sharing Brooklyn with Grandparents. He is a great Dad. He gave Brooklyn her first bath and changes diapers like a pro.
I am flying to Sacramento on August 6th to spend time with Jaclyn and Abyah. Jac turns 11 on August 13th. It is so hard to realize she is so grown up. She starts middle school this year. And knowing she is almost a teenager makes me a little nervous. But Isaac and Jenny are so involved in their lives it will be extremely difficult for the girls to take a wrong turn. Thank God. Abyah will be in third grade and last year told everyone to call her Aby. But little Aby Fields will always be Bubba to me. Her father started calling her that because she looked huge when she was born. And all the family calls her that. So it is Jac, Bubba and Baby B, my granddaughters. Life is good.
Love to you and yours,
Nana Carol
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
The Eagle Has Landed
Little Brooklyn finally decided to make an appearance. She was born about 1:30 AM Saturday on the 14th. I was going to wait at home until she was born but couldn't stand it so I drove to Cedar Sinai around nine. Thank God for GPS or I would never have made it. Mike and Michelle went to the hospital at 5pm Friday afternoon. Michelle had a relatively easy time, good drugs, only had to push for about a 1/2 an hour. In fact the doctor didn't even have time to put her gloves on before she caught the 9 pound 3 ounce baby. She has lots of dark hair, and chubby cheeks. I think she looks like Jaclyn did when she was born. She was very awake and looking around. She topped the tests charts which is no wonder with such smarty pants parents. I was so surprised how awake and aware she was. She was really looking around and tracking with her eyes. She has the Field's nose and a little cupid bow mouth and is quite lovely. She certainly has the Fields' appetite. She was smacking her lips and making little sucking noises. Right now she has lavender eyes but it is hard to tell if they will go brown or stay that lovely purple color. I told her about all the fun slumber parties we would have and how my job was to spoil her. My promise to her is her first Barbie doll and prom dress. I think I feel a spending spree at Toys R Us coming up.
I was so glad I went to the hospital. Even though I was in the waiting room, seeing the look on Mikey's face when he came out and told me she was born was priceless. He cut the umbilical cord and everything. It is amazing to see the transformation in my sons as they become fathers. I am glad I was there and I think Mike was glad I was there to share it.
Michelle was on the phone to her parents when I came in the room and met my new Grandbaby and her parents said they were so jealous. This is their first grandchild. But they are flying in on the 18th and will soon see her. I know it will be so hard for them when they go back to Minnesota.
I am exhausted as I didn't get home until 4 and had to be out of the house for a hair appointment at 8:30. Mike is picking me up at four to go back to the hospital so I guess I will rest tonight.
I will post pictures as soon as Mikey emails them to me in the next couple of days.
Love to you and yours,
NanaCarol
I was so glad I went to the hospital. Even though I was in the waiting room, seeing the look on Mikey's face when he came out and told me she was born was priceless. He cut the umbilical cord and everything. It is amazing to see the transformation in my sons as they become fathers. I am glad I was there and I think Mike was glad I was there to share it.
Michelle was on the phone to her parents when I came in the room and met my new Grandbaby and her parents said they were so jealous. This is their first grandchild. But they are flying in on the 18th and will soon see her. I know it will be so hard for them when they go back to Minnesota.
I am exhausted as I didn't get home until 4 and had to be out of the house for a hair appointment at 8:30. Mike is picking me up at four to go back to the hospital so I guess I will rest tonight.
I will post pictures as soon as Mikey emails them to me in the next couple of days.
Love to you and yours,
NanaCarol
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Well Spoken With Good Diction
I have to apologize for my lapse in blogging. For the past month I have had a low grade headache and have felt run down. To make a long story short I ended out at Kaiser ER a week ago Tuesday. I woke up on Monday and couldn't breath. By Tuesday I was in real distress so Mikey drove me to the ER where they admitted me over night to get inhalation therapy. The therapy consist of me sucking medicated air from a tube like pipe. The Kaiser location I went to is old and in fact they are building a new hospital. I knew I was in a bit a dilemma when they didn't ask me for any medical history. Once I got to my room which had a lovely view of LA, I thought OK I was breathing easier I could spend the night. As I lay in my bed I could hear conversations in the hallway in at least 4 different languages as the nurses and doctors went about their business of keeping people from sleeping. I felt like a stranger in a strange land.
The next morning a different therapist came in and introduced himself and chatted with me before he started my treatment. All of a sudden he asks me if I was a teacher. And I said no but why are you asking. He said I was so well spoken, with such good diction. I was puzzled and after thinking about it for a while I realized I was the only native English speaking person on that floor. In fact all the nurses and doctors come from foreign lands. So of course I sounded well spoken. English is my first language. I thought it was so hilarious.
I shared a room with an Armenian women who didn't speak much English so we didn't visit at all. But I enjoyed my view. Right across the street is the Center for Self Realization. It had a tall wall around it with metal lotus blossoms on each corner of. The blossoms were closed but there were two more inside the compound that were open. Guess they were self realized.
On the other side of the block was the Church of Scientology. It had a neon flashing a message from L. Ron Hubbard. I suddenly had the urge to sing the song Hotel California...such a lovely place...where you can check in but you can never check out.
Kaiser reminds me of how it was back in the mid 80's. It wasn't very good, poor quantity health care. But they are great now in Oregon. Maybe California will get with the program.
Still loving my job. Another pleasant aspect of my job is I talk to Tiana Dressel Julian Joan's daughter frequently. She works for the scooter store which is one of my accounts. She is such a wonderful girl and it is funny to be doing business with her.
I realize this is a rather rambling blog but the doctor put me on steroids for 7 days and one of the side effect is not sleeping. I have been up at since 2. Tomorrow is my last day so hopefully I will start sleeping again.
Michelle and Mike still haven't had the baby. They are going to induce labor Saturday night at 10 if she hasn't had the baby. They plan on naming her Brooklyn. I asked why not Manhattan? Oh well, little Brooklyn it will be. Will keep you all informed.
Love to you and yours,
NanaCArol
The next morning a different therapist came in and introduced himself and chatted with me before he started my treatment. All of a sudden he asks me if I was a teacher. And I said no but why are you asking. He said I was so well spoken, with such good diction. I was puzzled and after thinking about it for a while I realized I was the only native English speaking person on that floor. In fact all the nurses and doctors come from foreign lands. So of course I sounded well spoken. English is my first language. I thought it was so hilarious.
I shared a room with an Armenian women who didn't speak much English so we didn't visit at all. But I enjoyed my view. Right across the street is the Center for Self Realization. It had a tall wall around it with metal lotus blossoms on each corner of. The blossoms were closed but there were two more inside the compound that were open. Guess they were self realized.
On the other side of the block was the Church of Scientology. It had a neon flashing a message from L. Ron Hubbard. I suddenly had the urge to sing the song Hotel California...such a lovely place...where you can check in but you can never check out.
Kaiser reminds me of how it was back in the mid 80's. It wasn't very good, poor quantity health care. But they are great now in Oregon. Maybe California will get with the program.
Still loving my job. Another pleasant aspect of my job is I talk to Tiana Dressel Julian Joan's daughter frequently. She works for the scooter store which is one of my accounts. She is such a wonderful girl and it is funny to be doing business with her.
I realize this is a rather rambling blog but the doctor put me on steroids for 7 days and one of the side effect is not sleeping. I have been up at since 2. Tomorrow is my last day so hopefully I will start sleeping again.
Michelle and Mike still haven't had the baby. They are going to induce labor Saturday night at 10 if she hasn't had the baby. They plan on naming her Brooklyn. I asked why not Manhattan? Oh well, little Brooklyn it will be. Will keep you all informed.
Love to you and yours,
NanaCArol
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Drinkin Wiine, Spo-Dee-O-Dee, Drinkin Wine
That is actually the title of a Sticks McGhee song sung around 1947. It should have been sung last night at a wine tasting event at our house. One of Diane's co-workers started a girls wine tasting club to meet once a month. So we hosted the kick off event last night in the back yard. Each person either brings wine or something to munch on. We tried to come up with a name but tabled it until the next meeting. One of the gals suggested the name Luscious Ladies. I thought wino's was a fitting name. Of course I was veto'd. I wasn't looking forward to it but I had a lot of fun. They are a diverse group of ladies and fortunately there were a couple of other women who were not knowledgeable about wine. After tasting a bunch of different wines I still don't care for wine but shhhhh don't tell the wine women or I will be banned.
It is very warm here about 92 degrees but I heard Oregon is having a heat wave too. It is lovely but very warm. Thank God for air conditioning.
I went shopping for the new baby and found a swing and several adorable pink outfits. It is so much fun shopping for baby girls. The swing is such a necessary item especially for a fussy baby. Mikey was very fussy so I told them to never run out of batteries.
My friend Steve and his partner are coming down to LA for Memorial weekend and I look forward to seeing them. I met Steve when I worked for Xerox. When he was hired his cube was next to mine and we had low walls. I kept looking over at him thinking I had seen him somewhere. I finally got it. He was featured on AM Northwest when the oldest son from the Brady Bunch came to town. Someone had called the show and told them about Steve's Brady Bunch collection. They unexpectedly rang his door bell and when he opened it there was Greg from the Brady Bunch. It was a pretty funny show as here were two grown men ogling all the trinkets Steve had collected. He was the one who initiated me to EBay.
Love to you and yours,
NanaCarol
It is very warm here about 92 degrees but I heard Oregon is having a heat wave too. It is lovely but very warm. Thank God for air conditioning.
I went shopping for the new baby and found a swing and several adorable pink outfits. It is so much fun shopping for baby girls. The swing is such a necessary item especially for a fussy baby. Mikey was very fussy so I told them to never run out of batteries.
My friend Steve and his partner are coming down to LA for Memorial weekend and I look forward to seeing them. I met Steve when I worked for Xerox. When he was hired his cube was next to mine and we had low walls. I kept looking over at him thinking I had seen him somewhere. I finally got it. He was featured on AM Northwest when the oldest son from the Brady Bunch came to town. Someone had called the show and told them about Steve's Brady Bunch collection. They unexpectedly rang his door bell and when he opened it there was Greg from the Brady Bunch. It was a pretty funny show as here were two grown men ogling all the trinkets Steve had collected. He was the one who initiated me to EBay.
Love to you and yours,
NanaCarol
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Pink Martini Concert
I just have to share my experience at the Pink Martini concert. Michelle decided she felt too pregnant to go so Mikey went with me complaining all the way. We stopped for dinner next to The Thousand Oaks Art Center and Mike, being his mother's child, struck up a conversation with another couple who were also going to the concert. In all there were about 8 couple in the restaurant going and Mike was pretty amazed the group is so popular. When we got into the center we struck up a conversation with a couple of guys in line. The son in law to the older gentleman is from Oregonian. His wife came up and she is an OB-GYN from Oregon City. They love Pink Martini and planned their vacation to her Dad's to coincide with the concert.
We had great seat in the second row. We were so close that we could see the sparkle in China Forbes eye shadow. The Oregon City couple sat in the right behind us and when the group came out on stage we started chanting "Oregon Oregon". So of course the band had to ask us where were from in Oregon. It was quite fun.
The band is coming back to Oregon to play 4 benefit concerts at the Crystal Ballroom. If any of you get a chance you should go. They are amazing. Their first song was an old Carmen Miranda song from 1938. Here is their website. http://www.pinkmartini.com/
You will not be disappointed. After Portland they go to Canada and then on to Europe where they are extremely popular.
Here is an excerpt from their web page that describes their music:
Both China Forbes and I come from multicultural families,” says founder and pianist Thomas M. Lauderdale, “and all of us in the band have studied different languages and music from different parts of the world. So inevitably, because everyone in the band contributes in the writing and arranging of songs, the repertoire is wildly diverse. At one moment, you feel like you’re in the middle of a samba parade in Rio de Janeiro, and in the next moment, you are suddenly in a French music hall of the 1930s
Mike conceded it was the best concert he has ever been attended. And way better then the last concert he and I went to.....Journey. I got tickets from Xerox and we sat in the skybox. Peter Frampton opened for Journey which is who I wanted to see. He and his talking guitar! But Pink Martini is absolutely wonderful and worth every penny.
On the way home Mike said he was totally amazed at how good this group is and the best part is they are from Portland. He even said I was pretty hip. Or maybe he said I was a hippie or had big hips. Anyway we had a ball and it was nice to have alone time with my son.
Let me know if you do go to the Crystal Ballroom and what you think.
Another website that you can check them out on is NPR http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4764792
Love to all
NanaCarol
We had great seat in the second row. We were so close that we could see the sparkle in China Forbes eye shadow. The Oregon City couple sat in the right behind us and when the group came out on stage we started chanting "Oregon Oregon". So of course the band had to ask us where were from in Oregon. It was quite fun.
The band is coming back to Oregon to play 4 benefit concerts at the Crystal Ballroom. If any of you get a chance you should go. They are amazing. Their first song was an old Carmen Miranda song from 1938. Here is their website. http://www.pinkmartini.com/
You will not be disappointed. After Portland they go to Canada and then on to Europe where they are extremely popular.
Here is an excerpt from their web page that describes their music:
Both China Forbes and I come from multicultural families,” says founder and pianist Thomas M. Lauderdale, “and all of us in the band have studied different languages and music from different parts of the world. So inevitably, because everyone in the band contributes in the writing and arranging of songs, the repertoire is wildly diverse. At one moment, you feel like you’re in the middle of a samba parade in Rio de Janeiro, and in the next moment, you are suddenly in a French music hall of the 1930s
Mike conceded it was the best concert he has ever been attended. And way better then the last concert he and I went to.....Journey. I got tickets from Xerox and we sat in the skybox. Peter Frampton opened for Journey which is who I wanted to see. He and his talking guitar! But Pink Martini is absolutely wonderful and worth every penny.
On the way home Mike said he was totally amazed at how good this group is and the best part is they are from Portland. He even said I was pretty hip. Or maybe he said I was a hippie or had big hips. Anyway we had a ball and it was nice to have alone time with my son.
Let me know if you do go to the Crystal Ballroom and what you think.
Another website that you can check them out on is NPR http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4764792
Love to all
NanaCarol
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Saving Grace and Planting Basil
First off, planting soil has a heavy smell of cow manure so right now three dogs think I smell heavenly. Diane and I have been busy planting tomatoes, basil and other herbs. Not knowing the planting season in California I called a nursery that specialises in tomatoes to ask if it was too early to plant tomatoes. His response was, "what....you haven't planted them yet?" So we spent Sunday morning planting. With all the sun they should do real well. But I smell like cow manure.
Last week I was rushing to my bus stop as I thought I was running a little late. The light was red on the main street I needed to cross but there were no cars coming so I thought I would scoot across the street to get to stop. All of a sudden, out of nowhere came a the Burbank police car with their lights flashing and their loud speaker blaring, "DO NOT CROSS THE STREET ON A RED LIGHT". I couldn't believe I was getting busted while walking!!! Fortunately I did the blonde old Oregonian Grandma routine and he didn't give me as $80.00 ticket. And I didn't miss my bus but I was very embarrassed. I felt like a criminal especially since one of the people I visit with every morning is a high school girl. She got quite a kick out of seeing me get stopped. Not exactly setting a good example.
It is amazing how you get to be friends with people you meet on the bus. I have also gotten acquainted with an older women in her seventies who goes to the gym and then to her job at McDonald's. We get off at the same stop and always stop for a couple of seconds to complain about the surly bus driver. Then in the afternoon I visit with an Asian women who works in an accounting firm next to my work. And of course riding the bus gives me such an opportunity to people watch.
One afternoon a young man got on the bus with a huge garbage bag of stuff. He looked a little off so I tried not to make eye contact and continued to read my book. All of a sudden he turned on his radio and with total abandonment started singing 60's songs. At first I was a little irritated but then I saw the joy on his face and I realized he may be considered developmentally delayed but he knew every word to each song he sang. It was a valuable lesson on not being so quick to judge people.
I was at the coffee shop one morning having coffee before work when all of a sudden I thought I heard the police over the mega phone and thought they had decided to come give me that ticket. I looked out the window and saw they were filming an episode of Saving Grace. And I finally saw a celebrity. Saving Grace is on TNT although I don't watch it I recognized the star Holly Hunter sitting right across the street. So the small town girl from Dundee finally got to see a star!
We are on the baby countdown. Michelle is at the miserable stage. I told Mikey this is the point that he is to say yes mam, no mam to every thing she says. It wouldn't hurt to salute too. Otherwise she may grab him around the neck and strangle him. You just don't mess with a 8 month pregnant women.
Will keep you all advised
Love to you and yours,
NanaCarol
Last week I was rushing to my bus stop as I thought I was running a little late. The light was red on the main street I needed to cross but there were no cars coming so I thought I would scoot across the street to get to stop. All of a sudden, out of nowhere came a the Burbank police car with their lights flashing and their loud speaker blaring, "DO NOT CROSS THE STREET ON A RED LIGHT". I couldn't believe I was getting busted while walking!!! Fortunately I did the blonde old Oregonian Grandma routine and he didn't give me as $80.00 ticket. And I didn't miss my bus but I was very embarrassed. I felt like a criminal especially since one of the people I visit with every morning is a high school girl. She got quite a kick out of seeing me get stopped. Not exactly setting a good example.
It is amazing how you get to be friends with people you meet on the bus. I have also gotten acquainted with an older women in her seventies who goes to the gym and then to her job at McDonald's. We get off at the same stop and always stop for a couple of seconds to complain about the surly bus driver. Then in the afternoon I visit with an Asian women who works in an accounting firm next to my work. And of course riding the bus gives me such an opportunity to people watch.
One afternoon a young man got on the bus with a huge garbage bag of stuff. He looked a little off so I tried not to make eye contact and continued to read my book. All of a sudden he turned on his radio and with total abandonment started singing 60's songs. At first I was a little irritated but then I saw the joy on his face and I realized he may be considered developmentally delayed but he knew every word to each song he sang. It was a valuable lesson on not being so quick to judge people.
I was at the coffee shop one morning having coffee before work when all of a sudden I thought I heard the police over the mega phone and thought they had decided to come give me that ticket. I looked out the window and saw they were filming an episode of Saving Grace. And I finally saw a celebrity. Saving Grace is on TNT although I don't watch it I recognized the star Holly Hunter sitting right across the street. So the small town girl from Dundee finally got to see a star!
We are on the baby countdown. Michelle is at the miserable stage. I told Mikey this is the point that he is to say yes mam, no mam to every thing she says. It wouldn't hurt to salute too. Otherwise she may grab him around the neck and strangle him. You just don't mess with a 8 month pregnant women.
Will keep you all advised
Love to you and yours,
NanaCarol
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Pink Martini and Strawberry Fields Forever
I am sitting here listening to Pink Martini. I think they are just the best group and the fact that they came out of Portland certainly doesn't hurt. I just ordered their third CD from their website and saw that they will be in LA so I ordered two tickets and plan on taking Michelle. Sort of an early birthday present. She also likes them and I think will enjoy it as long as the "little girl" doesn't decide to make an early appearance. She is due June 10th. Her friends from Seattlle flew her up there for a baby shower last weekend. She said she got so many cute outfits for the baby.
My friend Linda just had her second grandchild. A little girl, well not so little as she weighed in over 10 pounds. Her Mom Megan is a tiny one so I imagine she was glad to pop that one out. They have named her October Rose but plan on calling her Toby. At first I was a bit taken back by the name but then I remembered when I was pregnant with Isaac and Dad was overseas in Korea. I was sure I would have a girl and was going to name her Strawberry Fields and nickname her shortcake. Well it was the 70's. But alas Dad came home early and we had a boy so no Shortcake. I did think it was funny that Mike went shopping for baby clothes and he came home with several adorable girlie outfits. One little dress had strawberries all over it. And he said it was for Strawberry Fields. Who said the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Or in this case the strawberry doesn't fall far from the vine.
Sorry I missed last weeks blog. It just seemed I didn't have any stories to tell. I spent Saturday getting a pedicure and hair cut. This is my second pedicure and hair cut and I just can't seem to find someone that satisfies me. Mary Etta, tell that gal in Newberg I miss my pedicures. I did find a dollar book store. I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I found it. I came home with two big bags of books.
I sure enjoy my roommate Diane. She does the cooking and I clean and let me tell you I have the better of the deal. She is a wonderful cook. Last night she fixed a baked chicked seasoned with rum and ginger and was so delicious I wanted to eat the whole thing. She loves to cook and hates to clean so it works for us both.
Love to you and yours,
NanaCarol
My friend Linda just had her second grandchild. A little girl, well not so little as she weighed in over 10 pounds. Her Mom Megan is a tiny one so I imagine she was glad to pop that one out. They have named her October Rose but plan on calling her Toby. At first I was a bit taken back by the name but then I remembered when I was pregnant with Isaac and Dad was overseas in Korea. I was sure I would have a girl and was going to name her Strawberry Fields and nickname her shortcake. Well it was the 70's. But alas Dad came home early and we had a boy so no Shortcake. I did think it was funny that Mike went shopping for baby clothes and he came home with several adorable girlie outfits. One little dress had strawberries all over it. And he said it was for Strawberry Fields. Who said the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Or in this case the strawberry doesn't fall far from the vine.
Sorry I missed last weeks blog. It just seemed I didn't have any stories to tell. I spent Saturday getting a pedicure and hair cut. This is my second pedicure and hair cut and I just can't seem to find someone that satisfies me. Mary Etta, tell that gal in Newberg I miss my pedicures. I did find a dollar book store. I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I found it. I came home with two big bags of books.
I sure enjoy my roommate Diane. She does the cooking and I clean and let me tell you I have the better of the deal. She is a wonderful cook. Last night she fixed a baked chicked seasoned with rum and ginger and was so delicious I wanted to eat the whole thing. She loves to cook and hates to clean so it works for us both.
Love to you and yours,
NanaCarol
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