FINISHED, all 985 pages……

………..

With almost two weeks of down time this was manageable.  I can’t remember when I’ve had to stay in bed for so long or when I’ve been so resigned to doing nothing.

Note to all:  GET A FLU SHOT!!!

Mom came over to give me a pep talk….

…and Kita would come by often for a nuzzle and a good scratch (for her…not me).

Then the amazing ‘Meals on Wheels’ team, Eileen & Miss Judith brought some ‘soup of love’ with all the trimmings and that made everything better!  I don’t know how they do it but they are always there to offer help in any form where ever it’s needed. I’m in awe of these two, my friendship template.

And here’s the ‘Soup of Love’……mmmmm good!

And of course, everything is better with bacon!

 

Boy, for a while I thought I was turning orange!

My ‘room with a view’.

Thank you Nikka…

And thank you Amazon….

But most of all, my heartfelt thanks to all my dear friends for all your love and concern…..that’s the best medicine there is!

THREE BIRTHDAY’S in SEPTEMBER……

…….Laurie Pie’s came first and we decided to celebrate at the new Nordstrom’s in Americana. Their restaurant, Bar Verde is amazing!!!

Everything was so yummy and I made sure we had a booth that looks out at the kitchen. 

So fun!

Don’t even ask!

Then it was mom’s turn……Nikka had to go to the Cheesecake Factory to get a candle as they’re not allowed at Bar Verde.  Apparently they don’t have a license for them but an exception was made for mom.

Along with well wishes from the servers….

Dear Amy had made an exquisite floral arrangement for mom and I stopped by to see it….

….and have a cup of tea…..

…..and fall in love with Mia, her adorable pooch…

Mom was thrilled with Amy’s creation….

….and her ‘Queen for a Day Roses’…..

Beautiful flowers from Vicki, Nikka & Emma…

And lots of chocolate…..

Next day dear Alice came over for lunch and a visit in the studio.  I was delighted to share the news that I’m on the board of the newly created Suma Center, a non-profit whose main goal is preventing bullying in the schools.

…..Finally on the 30th it was time for Charles birthday!

……Peggy sent a card she had made for Charles 50 years ago…..

…..Make a wish!!!!

To be continued……

WHERE WAS I?

………it seems forever since I’ve blogged……my cousin Ronald came in from Memphis for a couple of days three weeks ago……

Our first stop was Le Pain Quotidien…..

…..he hadn’t eaten all morning & was on Memphis time………….

Next we went to Billy’s Deli to clean them out of all  take out……

I’m not kidding about that!

….see……

…..then the inevitable happened……

Mom was so happy to see Ronald….it’s impossible to get a picture of him not making a goofy face!

.

I had gone to DC Autocraft to clean out my car….take the Leaper off and say goodbye.  It was a sad moment for me and I just wept.  It’s hard to believe that it was totaled just from a little fender bump but there was no way to convince State Farm otherwise. That meant I had one day to make a decision about a new car.

  Eden is my wonderful service advisor at Rusnak so I knew it would be best to have lunch first and ask for her help in making a decision.

We have our priorities….

Here it is…..wish the color were different and sure miss the old Jaguar styling and the Leaper on the front..

Inside it has all the bells and whistles and it will take me forever to figure it all out. 

Next day, Monique my brilliant architect came over and we spent the morning sitting inside the car trying to learn everything.

Saturday’s class was a welcome change of pace and everyone did beautifully. Kathy’s pleased!

Kathryn’s beautiful painting…..

Smile Laurie Pie….

Meanwhile Nikka was downstairs working on a Christmas card order…..

And Kitta was looking for dinner……

To be continued…….

HAVE YOU MISSED ME???????????

……’cause I’ve missed you!  It’s been like the lost weekend that went on for two weeks.  I told you about my car getting that ‘little bumper bump’…….well…..I took my car to DC Autocraft and waited for State Farm to give me their estimate.

Meanwhile, Francisco came over to do some work around the house and yard.  He’s been with us forever and if you should need someone like that let me know.  Kita always thinks he comes over to play with her!

Time to chill out and have lunch with my forever friend Lisa at Le Pain Quotidien…..they should have a table with a Nan Rae plaque on it as I’ve become way more than a regular. I’ve been voted the person with the most amazing friends by the servers!

The next day it was time for calligraphy with Tom in the studio.

Later, Nikka went back to work cataloging….this project will most likely take another 2 months! Can you tell how dark it is outside?  We definitely burn the midnight oil around here.

But the sunset was beautiful!

However, just so we wouldn’t get too relaxed around here the Surge Protector decided to blow a gasket or whatever the following day & so I was off to Staples to figure out what to get.

The next afternoon Nikka had this to contend with!

While Kita ate what was left of the mailman….

Somewhere in all this I rented a car from Enterprise (after finding out I don’t have ‘renters’ on my auto policy).  How did that happen????

After that I really needed a break and what better than lunch with Grace at Le Pain Q.

Remember I said I should have my own table at Le Pain?  Next day, there with precious Amy.  I love her so and it’s always a joy to be with her.  Remember the beautiful flowers she did for mom’s B-day party? amy@menuah.com

Next day I took Miss Kita to the doggie spa and checked on my car….oh my….

Can you tell how clean Kita is?  I wish I could say the same for my car!

Note to self:  Do not, I repeat do not go to Porto’s for anything on a weekend!

So now it’s Saturday night and Tomiko & I decided to go to Far Niente and check out the new ownership. Is that yummy pasta I see?

I refused to share my Panna Cotta so Tomiko ordered one as well and we declared it the best ever! Soooo creamy!!!

While there we saw Stan & Helene, mom’s friends.

My biggest treat and the best way to begin the week was dinner at the Reilly’s Sunday evening! Sandie is showing me the inspiration for her Mahi Mahi Puttanesca while Jim reads additional instructions.

Doesn’t this look yummy???

Three kinds of bread…..love the crunchy ends….

….and salad to start…

I’m going to have to get details on the new ice cream from Whole Foods…..we had a choice of two flavors and oh my….

With crunchy toppings and plum slices…..

Fortified I could now brave the coming week that began on September 16th.  To be continued…………………..