a p r I l . 2 0 2 5

April showers and cold!

m a r c h . 2 0 2 5

celebrating one year

winning the Warrior Wreath

     I got my diagnosis and had my surgery last year in March.  it's only appropriate that I won having the pink wreath for my front door for the month of March!  so for me, both March and October will be BC awareness months. 

     my theater friend Barbara was in our "neighborhood" visiting with her sister, so asked if I wanted to meet up before she headed back home.  the three of us had such a great time!  of course I showed off the pictures of the grand baby!  on the way home I stopped at the local Harley shop and got some biker duds for the little dude!

     last month at work, I put my name into the pot to win the chance to watch a band we've known "forever" since the 70s ... Heart was going to be performing at our downtown arena.  and I won!  I told Craig it was his birthday present.  we had a nice dinner downtown at Foundations across the street, then went to our seats in the suite with my company's name on the door!  Ann had recently fractured her elbow, and instead of postponing concerts, she decided to sing from a wheelchair with her arm safely propped on a pillow.  she's a warrior - a survivor warrior! - and she wanted to sing for all of us!  She and Nancy still have the most beautiful harmonies!  we were so lucky to be able to win these tickets for their show.

     another one of our talented attorneys couldn't resist an awesome offer, so I needed to go to his going away lunch at work.  after all, I had been instrumental in his on-boarding, so I was like his work mom!  I took the train down and back.  and even though I only worked five or six hours, the six-hour commute and one hour of driving to/from the train took a LOT out of me.  

     I shipped all the baby goodies that both Barbara and Susan had given me since my Christmas trip, as well as the Harley haul; the box was 12x12x12, stuffed full!  now to finish crocheting his first present from Nana Ana, or Nan'Ana, or whatever he calls me <3 

     I had a follow-up visit with my laser eye surgeon because my eye just "feels funny" and tires easily.  she said everything looks great, this is just my new normal. <<sigh!>>  even more not normal, they only dilated one eye, so driving home before it had worn off was really weird.  good thing I did because after four-plus hours it was still dilated!  I had to get back to work after the appointment - - which I did with one eye closed for most of it. 

     at the most recent band practice, one of the sax players asked if any of us want to come to his band's fund raiser spaghetti dinner in our home town.  since I'm all for supporting a local community band, I bought us two tickets.  what was really fun, is that sax player is the assistant band director of that other band - yes he conducts one band and plays in another - and he was trying to "poach" me or at least coax me to also join his band!  they practice Monday nights, so he thinks this old lady should be able to do it.  I told him when I wasn't working a 40-hour week I'd think about it.  he assumed I was retired like so many of the oldies in this band.  but I was flattered that he wanted me in his band!  we attended the dinner, which was like so many fund raiser dinners.  what was cool though was that all the band players were also the wait staff and kitchen workers!  that's right, the band cooked and served us!  after we had eaten, the band played several songs, and they were really good.  I would definitely be upping my game if I also joined them too.  because I won't ditch Ron's band for Peter's.  Craig and I were early enough that we were first to sit at our table.  Ron came along much later, and opted to sit next to me instead of anywhere else at the table, and we have a lovely ongoing conversation throughout dinner, until it was time to go.  I was really lucky Judy recommended his band. 

     at work, I helped to organize events over two days at headquarters, so needed to be down in the bay area for all of them.  instead of getting up early Monday, I paid an extra night for the hotel (on my dime) and drove down Sunday afternoon - a leisurely drive with minimal traffic - and had dinner at a restaurant recommended years ago by our Ethiopian logistics worker who was with us for a summer.  I had an amazing meal of roast goat, grilled veggies, savory rice and delicious flat bread.  I checked in at the hotel and conked out.

     the next day I ran around getting things organized, test-running the conference room which wasn't as technologically advanced as many other rooms.  since it's the largest, you would think it would be, but ... <sigh>  for lunch (st. patrick's day) I got the vegan bangers and mash option, and it was really good!  in the elevator on my way back to my desk with my tray of food one of our most senior execs was pleasant and conversational with me, and commented on the smell of my meal.  since she's originally from Ireland, that was high praise indeed.  I found out later she is retiring soon!  I was lucky to see her live in person one more time.  our dinner at a local Greek restaurant was a lot of fun, even though we were going to be seated on the patio and they moved us inside last minute due to rain forecasts.  

     the second day of meetings went off with only one small glitch, which of course was related to the age of the in-room technology.  our Chinese team members brought "souvenirs" or small inexpensive items for each team member.  they asked me to make numbers for choosing from a box, so of course I went all out and used a Year of the Snake image with numbers written in gold ink, and used a tin box from Hong Kong to choose the numbers from.  after my part of the meetings were done, we went off to Top Golf for lunch and an afternoon of competitive club swinging.  I was a cheerleader, as swinging clubs isn't in my range of motion yet!  all in all it was a great two days of meetings and proximity, food and fun in the fresh air.  I had dinner that night with Janet at her favorite Italian place, and we ended up enjoying over three hours together!  I gave her the bottle of wine I got her in SoDak, and the chef coat that I had made for her.  she tried it on when she got home and said it fit perfectly!  of course I stayed over one more night, got a few more site related tasks completed, then hit the road for home at mid-day to beat the traffic.  it was a three hour drive with only minimal usual slowdowns.  

     I saw the cutest sushi set on a social media marketplace and because it was birds of paradise, I knew I had to get it for Janet.  this led me down the highway to a cute second hand store - which could be very dangerous if it were closer!  I picked up a few more "must haves" while there including another onesie for the little dude!  I finished crocheting the present I made for him, and got that out the door in a giant shipping box.  it cost a "small fortune" but he's worth it.  He is a buffalo, or Tatanka in Lakota, and his name is Tanka which means Big.  I found a crochet pattern for a cow stacking ring toy and modified it to be this rough and tumble toy with "tattoos" on his back / behind. 

  

     Joyce loved it! 

     we still have quite a crop of carrots, so I pulled them all up, cleaned them somewhat, and then Craig scrubbed the rest of the dirt off them.  I wanted to pickle some of them since that was a suggestion for use on salads, tacos and sandwiches!  

     Barbara recommended a book club book, and a companion live webinar with the author.  I was able to listen to the whole audiobook (part of my "1960's collection") before the webinar, and found this author quite captivating!  I may need to read more of her books.  the one I read/heard was "The Women."  

     on the last weekend of the month I attended an afternoon production of an event called Edgar Allen Poe Speakeasy.  we were encouraged to dress up in funereal finery, so I pulled some things old and added a couple new pieces, and made my way to "the party!"  the event was the reading of four of Poe's more famous works, accompanied by themed beverages, cocktails and mocktails.  I had three mock and one cocktail.  I don't know how the people who had all four managed, since we were only there for about 90 minutes!  it was a fun and unique "experience" to attend!  and I wasn't even the "most dressed up" in the crowd! 

f e b r u a r y . 2 0 2 5

Black History Month 

now more than ever. 

     continued with the reading / audiobook list of great black lives.  it seems apropos for the month ... and the times.  <<sigh!>>

 

     took on the long-term project of making sourdough starter - first time since Joyce was a baby.  the first loaves I made using half rye flour, so they were a little sour and a little rye ... and completely delicious.  I made a sort of tapenade out of fridge products - stuffed olives, sundried tomatoes, banana pepper slices, Pommery mustard, mayo.  it tasted awesome on thin slices of my rye!

     band practice continued, but we missed one practice because we were having torrential rain, and our director didn't want any of us driving / getting stranded in it!  apparently this location has flooding issues regularly.  

     reached out to some of my Portland family members for help on an audiobook project.  before my mom's mom passed away, my aunt had spent her last few years transcribing her life as grandma reminisced.  we all have a copy of the written memoir, but I want to do an updated version and make it an audiobook!  that will be something I can pass down to Joyce's baby!  

     once again a Disneyland Rose plant became available on the market so I snapped it up.  I planted it one weekend when Craig was golfing.  of course, the following week the weather turned and we had an overnight freeze, but it seems to have fared well enough through it.  

     we watched the super bowl this year in hopes to see the dashing of a three-peat run.  we didn't feel that the team was worthy of the title.  luckily, they didn't, and were soundly thrashed by the NFC team.  the halftime show was definitely thrilling to watch, as it had a tremendous message to send to those currently in power.  F3L0n47 was there but apparently the cameras didn't focus on him so that was a gift.  he was also in attendance at the Daytona 500 - who is running the country?! - but since it was rain delayed he probably bailed and went back to his country club to sulk. 

     sadly the rain delay affected my schedule for the day.  I was going to watch the race in the morning and then make a Shuffle dinner of Chicken Tinga Tacos with another online class.  the race ended during the class, so I missed the finish.  I had done prep for the class starting Saturday morning, so the flurry of activity for the one hour cooking session was only the actual cooking part, not the other necessary activities that I wouldn't have had time for!   since I wanted to also make a Cilantro Lime Crema drizzle, I also went deluxe on the topping where they recommended just shredded lettuce.  Instead I made a slaw of chopped arugula, radish and scallions.   both of these I made the day ahead, so they were ready when the chicken was done.  I did break down and buy store-bought pico de gallo, cilantro rice and refried black beans, but they were the lesser ingredients of the meal.  everything was delicious!! 

     I finished my jar of store brand marmalade, and decided to get ambitious and make my own.  Craig got a bag of mandarin oranges, which I then zested and chopped and cooked, then added some spices to make a delicious fall-scented delicacy fit for a Tea with the Queen!

     Joyce called to let me know that her doctor recommended a change in her due date.  because of her age and the stroke she had in 2020, she pulled in the due date by two weeks, and planned to induce, to keep more control over the delivery.  we now expect Finn will join us at the end of this month!  time to really get down to finishing the toy I'm crocheting for him :-)  

     they started to induce Thursday morning, but by the end of the day progress had halted so they wheeled her in for a C-Section.  he made his appearance at 12:01 Friday morning!  he's beautiful!   he's perfect!  Mom was doing as well as can be expected.  Tim is so proud!  I stayed up until 2:00 a.m. our time just so I knew that everything would turn out well and see the first pictures.  too bad I had to be online for work at 7:00 a.m.  oh well, I would just run on "new grandma adrenaline" for the rest of the day.  because that evening ...

     several of the surrounding county chapters of the BC support group gathered at a restaurant in Roseville and welcomed a guest, an influencer and survivor herself, the energetic Fitz of Fitzness fame.  she was such a delight - she hugged me ... twice!  and, when they were passing the pink "fight" wreath around, I ended up being the next person in line to get the honor for the month!  how appropriate since it was just under a year ago when I had my diagnosis and this journey began.  

j a n u a r y . 2 0 2 5

looking forward to a better year ahead

     for the first time in five years, since before the pandemic, I found an opportunity to play my French Horn in a community band again!  a former member of the Campbell band where Janet still plays and I played for many years now lives in this area, and she pointed me to a very casual and friendly group who meet on Tuesdays and play two seasons per year, just like at Campbell.

practice room for the Capitol City Concert Band

 

     this year's inauguration day was supremely disappointing.  luckily, it also fell on Martin Luther King's birthday holiday, so I didn't have to work.  I chose instead to listen to several hours of YouTube videos that were the good Doctor's speeches and sermons from the 50s and 60s!  so much more inspirational than the current news of the day.  sadly, the words from 60 years ago could have easily been spoken today for all their relevance.  these many speeches and sermons prompted me to check out several more books, enough to spend the remainder of this month and all the way through Black History Month February reading and listening to stories about so many great lives.      

     toward the end of the month I worked up the energy to join the sisters of our Sacramento area breast cancer support group at a lunch; it was up in Rocklin, which I thought was close, but apparently it stretches on for miles and this restaurant was at the farthest edge!  it was so much fun meeting with these ladies who have gained a greater zest for life considering all they've gone through.  a few like to wallow in their pity party, but luckily there are survivors who try to redirect that nega-energy into more positive talk.  I opted to have a delicious brunch of Avocado Toast with eggs and bacon, plus a mocktail of OJ and ginger ale. 

     if I were going to start a resolution, it would be that I will get onto the exer-cycle in the garage.  I can spend 15 minutes on it and ride 3 miles.  I definitely need to build up my leg strength as well as lose some weight.  may this be the year! 

     last month's Greek meatballs were such a hit that Craig ground up some lamb and I made the same lamb meatballs again.  we don't need a class to enjoy chef-worthy eats!!  

2 0 2 4 . i n . r e v i e w

 Highlights of 2024

JANUARY - Got to spend a long weekend with Joyce and her fiancé!  She worked in the bay area for a few days, then came home with me, and Tim met up with us when his work week ended.  We spent the weekend roaming around Old Sac and the Railroad Museum, and Craig and I each cooked a dinner for them.  **  The following week, after a work trip to the bay area, I came down with RSV and had to take the prescribed knock-out meds and work half-days until it worked itself out.  The residual breathing difficulty lasted for several weeks after that.  **  Our football team made it to the Super Bowl again, finally!   **  At the end of the month I cooked another truffle meal with our next level chef Tucker, the wonderful NOLA style Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo.

FEBRUARY – the kids were successful in buying a home in Eastern Wyoming. **   Just as I was starting to feel better from last month’s virus, on a trip into the office I fell down hard on both my knees in the cafeteria on the beautiful but sturdy granite floor.  That led to a trip to the site nurse, and then to their preference for occupational health facilities where I got checked out.  No breaks, but I will be on at least six weeks of PT for my knees and walking with a cane.  **   We prepared wonderful food for the Super Bowl but our team couldn’t win during the overtime.  So sad.  **  I auditioned for the play Hallelujah Girls but wasn’t selected.  But I did run into an old high school friend Dawn, and we had a lovely chat while waiting to be called!  **  it is the end of an era at work, as my official transfer to the local office as my home office went through.  While it’s good my commute is now only 15 minutes, I had to take a huge pay cut too.  Sigh.  So I drove down to the bay area “one last time” to grab some personal items and to meet up with Janet to get fabric from her to make a chef apron and jacket for her; and I made her a fluffy purple blanket.  **  Her cat Wilbur only had a couple days of enjoying that blanket before she had to put him down on Leap Day.  **  One bonus of now being on the Folsom Site team is they have a bi-weekly happy hour activity led by a local bartender who teaches us how to make two delicious cocktails.  Now this is the way to make it through a virtual meeting!

MARCH – I got a tune-up for my serger sewing machine in preparation for making Janet’s chef accessories.   I completed the apron and got halfway through the coat before I was sidelined again.  **  Cooked Spanish Paella with our truffle team.  I even bought a proper paella pan to make sure it turned out right.  **  we dined out for Craig’s birthday, enjoying his favorite seafood joint.  **  I completed another paint & sip painting titled “Bee Kind” of a fluffy bee among thistles.  **  In old town Folsom there is a cute little theater where I went to see a heartwarming production of Cotton Patch Gospel.  I was in tears and heartily laughing throughout.  **  my cancer journey – March 7 I was in my doctor’s office getting checked out for a lump I discovered.  The 12th I got a mammogram and ultrasound, and on the 14th a biopsy.   By the 19th I met with the surgeon and on March 27 I had bi-lateral mastectomy surgery.  No more hauling around 10.4 pounds of excess weight!

APRIL – while recovering from surgery I did meander out to the safety of our patio to experience the Great American Eclipse.  **  Chemo treatments started mid-month.  **  before I had gotten my diagnosis, I had signed up for a truffle class; I still completed it but did a lot of prep beforehand, so I could take rest breaks during the class.  I made a braised pork belly with garlic demi-glace and fricassee of spring vegetables.  **  Craig planted some new, perennial, climbing vines on the peacock trellis since the morning glories didn’t grow back.

MAY – I took six weeks of full disability from work for my surgery and recovery, but needed to get my brain active again, so asked my doctor and my manager if I could come back 20 hours a week; both said yes.  the team who had been covering for me were delighted I was back in any capacity!  **  my hair had started falling out after the first chemo session, so I had my hairdresser give me a really short cut this time, to make my clean-up from the fall-out a little easier.  Two weeks later most of my hair was gone, so I shaved off the rest.  I bought a wig and a few cheap turbans for when I need to go out in public.  **   watched the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.  **  for my chemo sessions I find a tee-shirt to match the theme of the audiobook I have downloaded (very limited wifi in the hospital).  My choices usually make the staff and volunteers smile.  my mission here is accomplished.  **  last month we had the eclipse and now this month we had several days of spectacular aurora borealis lights.  **  the winner of the Preakness Race was different from the Derby, so no Triple this year.  **  Craig went on his annual boys golf trip to Palm Springs right after my second chemo infusion, but luckily I’m excellent at planning so I made sure I had everything I needed to get along on my own.  Yup, the pain is crippling, but I’m a warrior!  **  I ordered a second, different wig, which looks like a cute Dame Judy or Dame Helen.   **  for my third chemo session Craig went out of town again on business, so again I had to suffer through without any support.  Each session has a longer agony period and recovery takes longer.  I can’t wait until I have had the last session.  **  when I was feeling better I went into work at the local office, to a remote recording booth, and did another narration for my colleague and his latest training video.  This audio tech even complimented me saying, “you could read audiobooks!”   That would be fun!

JUNE -  the historic Belmont Race was being run this year in Saratoga, as Belmont is getting a facelift before their next big anniversary.  **  my final chemo session fell on Juneteenth, so I wore an appropriate tee-shirt and selected a Dick Gregory audiobook.   **  I’ve started a beautiful pineapple filet crochet afghan to work on when I need to keep my mind and hands busy.  **  At work, my manager put my name in as a nominee for the company’s twice a year admin excellence award – not department or division level, but company level – and I won!  I was selected as one of eight winners.  While she mentioned many of my various business- related activities, it was my work making training videos using my theater background that got the mention in the internal bulletin write-up.  This semi-annual win also puts me in the running for Admin of the Year which is selected in January 2025.  **  Recovery from the final chemo session took twice as long as previous ones.  Luckily it is the last!  Next month I start working full time and will use my abundant sick time if I need to take time off during the day or week.

JULY – too hot to go outside – so says my body and my doctor.  Temps were over 110 over the holiday weekend.  **  I flew down to the bay area on the corporate jet to attend a goodbye lunch for one of our long-time colleagues.  It was wonderful seeing people again after so long.  I also met up with Janet to give her the finished apron and the chef jacket I had used as a model.  **   loved the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics!  Tremendous production and so rich in showing all that the city and country have to offer.  **  I ventured out to see a local production of Sunset Boulevard at the big round theater downtown.   This was my first outing to see a show since the weekend before surgery.

AUGUST -  this month was even hotter than last, with thunderstorms to mix things up a bit!  **  watched very few Olympic events but did enjoy the equestrian activities, and especially Snoop and Martha!  **  our garden this year is growing eggplants among the squash, so I made a big batch of my favorite Panda meal, spicy tofu eggplant!  **  at work they were offering an early enhanced retirement package but I missed eligibility by nine days.  Since Craig got laid off this month, I guess it’s good that I have to still work.  But the Enhanced package was really sweet!  <<sadness>>  **  the air shuttle was being permanently cancelled at the end of the month so I took two more trips to the bay area to try to bring more order to the chaos in the Lab where I work that went on while I was on leave.  **  at a fireside chat opportunity at my local office, I gathered with old colleagues who greeted me warmly; and the VP who was invited to the chat even made two opportunities to chat with me separately both before and after the session!  These are the people that give me reasons to stay working!  **  as if surgery and chemo weren’t enough, my general doctor requested that I endure a colonoscopy.  Such a “lovely” way to end the month.  **  Actually, we really did end the month in a lovely way … Joyce shared that she and Tim are expecting a baby!   We’re going to be Grand-Parents to a baby boy!!! 

SEPTEMBER – Joyce was laid off from her company.  I pray that both she and Craig get work soon.   In the meantime, Joyce and Tim moved up their wedding plans.  They got married in a simple ceremony, and now she can be included on his health insurance through work.   **  went to see one of my FB peeps in a local production of Titanic the Musical. It was tremendous!  **  I planned a multi-day trip for work to see off one of our colleagues who took a separation package, but I planned it slow and easy.  I drove down Sunday morning, caught the matinee of Waiting for Godot, worked from the office Monday, had the celebratory lunch, and stayed over one more night.  That gave me two dinner opportunities at two of my favorite locally owned eateries.  My drive home midday Tuesday was the shortest it’s ever taken to get home, only 2.5 hours! 

OCTOBER – had a very unsatisfactory visit with my oncologist who harangued me about my weight – which hadn’t changed even though her own instructions were to eat during chemo – and about my blood pressure – when it was her equipment and technician who were causing it to spike!  Boy do I need a vacation!!  **  the touring company of an international ballet company was in town, so I got to see my favorite ballet, Swan Lake, for my birthday!  **  I worked right up to the day before our birthday.  Joyce and Tim had gone to Florida to see his family and to hopefully go to Disney World, but Hurricane Milton changed their plans and made landfall ON OUR BIRTHDAY.  Luckily they made it through without a scratch!  And all I could do was worry from 3,000 miles away.  **  Craig and I had dinner at the new restaurant on the lake in Folsom, which was delightful!  **  I flew out to South Dakota the next day, to see bucket list sites and to see the kids once they got home. 

BIRTHDAY TRIP – Day 1 – the first morning I spent sightseeing around the town of Custer, then I went to the Crazy Horse Memorial and Museum.  **  Day 2 – I drove through the Wild Life Loop where I saw many animals along the drive, and ended by having a bison meander across the road, causing a traffic jam of sorts!  Then I went to Wall Drug, and finally ended the day in Chamberlain, and saw the Dignity of Earth and Sky statue, and the Lewis and Clark Museum, located along the Missouri River.  **  Day 3 – I started the day at the Atka Lakota Museum filled with lots of art and many historical displays.  Then I drove an hour east to Mitchell to see the famous Corn Palace.  After strolling through the many historical displays there, I was off to Huron to see the World’s Largest Pheasant.  Pheasant hunting is big business in this state.  **  Day 4 – this was Indigenous Peoples Day and many locations were closed for the holiday.  I strolled through the Veterans Park and saw another pheasant statue.  Then I headed west again, stopping at the Pioneer Auto Museum where I spent some time strolling through the many cars, motorcycles, and memorabilia.  I wanted to see the Minuteman Missile Museum, but it was closed for the Holiday.  Made it back to Hill City which was home base for the rest of the trip.  **  Day 5 – this was a morning of rest, with a quick trip for snack and milk supplies for my room.  Then I drove to the kids’ home in the afternoon, spent time with Joyce, and when Tim got home, we went out to dinner at their favorite pizza joint.  I got home very late (for me) - - driving these highways there are no street lights; you only have your headlights to see your way safely home again.  **  Day 6 – went to my long-time bucket list destination of Mount Rushmore.  That was followed up by a stop at the Presidential Wax Museum.  **  Day 7 – discovered there were segments of the Berlin Wall in Rap City, so I had to go see those.  These are the fifth sets of Wall I’ve seen in my lifetime.  The Wall fell when Joyce was only one month old.  It will always be memorable for me.  It was built when I was a child, and torn down when I had a child.   I dined at a restaurant we saw on our favorite “Diners” TV show.  Then I walked around several presidential statues in the downtown area.   Still trying to find open attractions but finding a lot of “closed for season” signs, I finally drove out to Sylvan Lake for a short rest at this lovely locale.  **  Day 8 – it was projected to snow, so I stayed in, rested and ate my leftovers from the day before.  It didn’t snow.  **  Day 9 – I packed my bags for the trip home, and then hit the road for Spearfish.  I drove up through Deadwood, and got to my destination with plenty of time to detour to Belle Fourche and the Geographic Center of the US, and the Tri-State Museum.  Then I met up with the kids and Tim’s mom, Mary, and grandma, Pat, where we had a lovely lunch.   Mary and I toured the Spearfish Fish Hatchery and had a lovely time getting to know one another.  Then I hit the road again, stopping at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum, before finally getting to the final hotel in Rap City, near the airport.  **  Day 10 – after witnessing a spectacular SoDak sunrise, I got to the airport, boarded my flight and found myself sitting next to celebrity football player, movie maker Jim Warne.  We had a wonderful time and I was able to FB friend him and got his info to pass on to our event planners at work!  **  This was a truly wonderful and memorable Birthday Bucket List Vacation!!

Still October, and boy does getting old suck!  I went to get my eyes and glasses checked, and the optometrist saw something concerning, so she referred me to go to Kaiser’s Ophthalmologist, who then recommended I get a little laser repair done on my left eye.  That’s what I get to do in late December! 

NOVEMBER – saw a post on FB for a Fairy Trail and Goat Walk!  The location was an hour north of home, deep in the California forest.  I had such a delightful time being out of doors, carefully walking along the trails, and even met another Denali!   **  I had three severe episodes of violent vertigo over several days, and then mild dizziness following those, so I pretty much took it easy.  **  I did some light cooking but found that each time I did it would take twice as long to recover.  **  Passages – our dear friend Lisa whom we’ve known since elementary school passed away.  Since her birth day falls between mine and Janet’s – yes, she was far too young!  And our rabbi’s wife’s mom passed away at the age of 85.  Tell them you love them before you can’t any more.  **  For Thanksgiving, we played it simple and got a honey baked spiral ham, and Craig cooked yams.  I made raspberry and custard tarts for dessert.  

DECEMBER –  I auditioned for Book of Will, but wasn't cast.  after all the changes at work, we gathered for three days at headquarters for our group lunch and face to face meeting, and our division’s Summit.  I also made time to meet up with some of my theater lady friends / fellow board member/producers, and had a leisurely two and a half hour dinner.  they sent me away with presents for mama Joyce.  at the happy hour gathering at the summit, I finally won the ugly sweater contest!  I’ve managed to come in second in every previous years’ contests.  **  I had the laser surgery ordered by my optometrist in the previous month.  immediately after surgery my eye was swollen shut for several hours.  headaches and light sensitivity followed for a few days.   **  by the last Sunday of the year I worked up enough energy to participate in an online cooking class (Shuffle of course) and prepared Greek meatballs, herby tzatziki, pickled shallots, and a deluxe rice pilaf with dried fruits and nuts.  so much work but the food was delicious.  New Years Eve dinner was prime rib plus I got blush sparkling cider.  as it was finally available for streaming, we watched Wicked.  

We Wish all of our Loved Ones, a Safe, Restful and Happy New Year!

Find all these events plus pictures to boot on the blog at:   http://flamingeau.blogspot.com/2024/12/d-e-c-e-m-b-e-r-2-0-2-4.html 

d e c e m b e r . 2 0 2 4

the holidays are ahead

  

     Craig started the holiday decorating during the Thanksgiving weekend.  
 

     I thought the wreath needed a little extra, so we got a prime delivery of little lights! 

     started off the month trying to make yummy things in the kitchen.  I'd been craving a delicious calzone as prepared by one of my favorite restaurants in San Jose, which is no longer there.  so I found three recipes that I could modify - eliminating oregano - and made fresh dough with our garden's basil, fresh pizza sauce, and used some of the leftover ham to make a ham and cheese calzone!

     the next day I found another recipe from a lady pioneer - one of Craig's favorite cooks - and made meatball subs, making the meatballs from scratch and using the pizza sauce from the day before.  all of these recipes have passed the "make these again" test. 

     during the chemo recovery - my bald phase - I said, "all I want for Christmas is hair."  I've now got about one inch of wavy hair! 

 

     on the first Friday of the month I got a call from my old boss.  he was replying because I sent him email with a scan of some mail that had arrived for him - hey it gave me an excuse to reach out!  I usually would wish him "happy" on his birthday, but this year I had missed it, so this was a belated greeting call.  I caught him up on all my troubles and happies and he congratulated me on my upcoming grandparenthood.  we talked for about 30 minutes, and it was just wonderful to hear his voice and that they were all doing so well, some five years into his retirement. 

     found another audition opportunity, about an hour from home, but the role would have been cool!  the show was Book of Will and the role was Anne Shakespeare.  I didn't get warm fuzzies from the staff, and only one of the auditionees was friendly to me.  boy is it hard finding a new theatre family! 

     mid-month I spent the better part of four days in the bay area for work.  Tuesday we had a team meeting and team lunch; it was wonderful to see so many of my colleagues that I work with so well and miss so much!  I checked in at the hotel and found it was one that didn't have a restaurant, only a bar whose only food was pizza.  since it was happy hour, I ordered the pizza, and got two free glasses of wine to go with it - very happy!   Wednesday I started work early, knowing I wanted to end by 4pm to go to the my evening events.  I spent lunch hour writing holiday notes to be handed out at senior centers as part of our community outreach!  I enjoyed talking with the new intern managing the group now that my regular contact coordinator has retired.  I briefly attended the happy hour preceding our Summit event which was held at my hotel, and then I went to dinner with my fellow producers from our theater, Susan and Barbara.  we had a lovely dinner that lasted for two and a half hours, catching up on so much.  of course they gave me presents to pass along to Joyce.  the people in the hotel room upstairs must have had a small child because I had to endure the sound of thudding zoomies for about an hour before I finally drifted off to sleep. 

     Thursday was the Summit day, and I started early to get work done before I went to the big auditorium with hundreds of my colleagues.  sadly also in the auditorium were all their fragrances and I was a swollen mess within an hour.  I had to move to the perimeter and put on my mask to keep most of the scent-cloud at bay.  [besides fragrances I also had two coughers in front of and behind me, so my dear colleague next to me thought I was escaping for my immunity's sake too.]  during the breakout session I was allowed to be the reader, so I got to use my best audiobook voice.  for lunch I again stayed separate from the crowd but it also allowed me to catch up on the confidential work tasks that must be done throughout every day, despite a summit.  my manager Eva came over to make sure I was fine, and we had a laughing chat about something, so our CLO came over to take a pic of the two of us together.   back in the auditorium I got the word that I could possibly meet up with the tech who will be coordinating the Santa Clara side of the fax move back from Folsom.  I headed back to my desk, and watched the rest of the program's activities in the virtual room.   instead we set the meeting for Friday morning at 9:15, so I took a short snooze while the summit had a video break for another team building exercise.  that snooze was much needed!  the summit ended after 6pm and we all trooped downstairs to the Museum to have our wine and cheese gathering with some of our biggest law firm partners.  I also chatted with some of the security team that I work with regularly; they keep me safe and I let them know how much I appreciate it!  we also held an ugly sweater contest, and this year I was not the "bridesmaid" but finally "the bride!"  I won with my "Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal" sweater, and twirling the pompom on my plaid and black faux fur holiday hat!  of course I had to utter - several times - the famous phrase in the voice of the character from the movie too!  it was a wonderful evening!!  Friday I worked in the office from 7 to 11, and had the meeting with the techs about the fax machine and the port setup in the room and their hub closet.  but before we could meet, we had to endure the site emergency evacuation drill, at 8:30 in the morning, in the cold!  at 11 I gassed up and hit the road to minimize travelling with too much snowbird traffic.  it still took over three hours to get home. 

     last month at my optometrist visit I was instructed to get my left eye checked for two retinal tears, and my ophthalmologist booked the surgery.  this month I finally had that laser surgery, where my eye was bombarded ~550 times by the beam.  can I just say it was excruciating!  then, for several hours after, my eye was swollen shut.  I also had a wicked headache and I was extremely sensitive to light.  I thought my eye looked like I had been in a fight, but Joyce said it looked like I had botox!   it reminded me of a FB "list" that was going around a few years ago among my friends, "how high-maintenance are you?"  besides having manicures and spending way to much on hair cuts, one category was: have you ever had anything lasered.  well now I can say I have, but I'm sure it's not quite in the same way as the List was contemplating!  given everything else I've had to deal with this year, hopefully this is my last medical visit for 2024!  

     since I'm not going anywhere and we're not doing anything special, I planned to work all week except for Christmas Day.  it's usually quiet and I get a lot of prep work done for the next year.  Christmas day I celebrated by making delicious blueberry Minnie waffles with fruity blueberry syrup!

 

     on the last Sunday of the month I enjoyed another shuffle class, with a new chef this time, Chef Angus, and made delicious Greek meatballs, tzatziki sauce, pickled shallots, and nut and fruit rice pilaf with pistachios, almonds, golden raisins and cranberries.  while I was doing the prep for the 3pm class, I heard that our longest living president had passed away at the age of 100! 

     for new years eve dinner we had leftover prime rib, green beans and yams, plus the last of the dutch apple pie I baked over the weekend.  since it was available for streaming, we watched Wicked, the new movie.

n o v e m b e r . 2 0 2 4

 getting ready

to give THANKS!

     so much turbulence but we need to be grateful for the serenity we can create for ourselves. 

     one of my FB groups offered a singular event that was only open two days this season.   a family opened their property, which they'd decorated with a fairy village along a winding path through their woods, and invited families with children especially to come enjoy the fantasy and be outdoors with God's creatures.  the owner's daughter's name is Denali (!!) and she was delighted to learn that I knew not one but two other Denali's!  they have taken in several rescue animals, so besides their goats, they have pigs and llamas, chickens, ducks and turkeys, fluffy rabbits, and burros and donkeys.  here are some of the adorable fairy dwellings and critters I saw on the sylvan trek.

      

     after several severe bouts with vertigo and dizziness, I worked up a little energy to cook something I was craving.  based on two meals I had in SoDak, I made an open face char siu bao taco and topped it with spicy peanut cole slaw from an internet recipe like the one I love from Armadillo Willy's. 

     two days later, as it was cold, rainy and windy outside I made rib-stickin' spicy boom boom shrimp with cheddar grits.  the pancetta and garden grilled scallions bumped it up to next level! 

     we had a ready-made pie crust in the fridge nearing expiration and some blueberries in the freezer, so I made a blueberry galette, which was incredibly tasty even though it didn't want to release from the tart plate. 

     we hosted this little girl over a weekend ... we think her owners may have been away or somehow left her outside by accident.  she was skittish and ran if we came near the patio door, but she meowed at us when she saw us.  that's a learned behavior!  so we fed her leftover chicken until we could buy a bag of healthy kibble, and I put a giant beach towel out for her to at least try to stay warm. 

     on another cold and rainy day, during my work lunch break I started making a "baked potato soup" using a recipe from my catering friend in Tracy.  by dinner it was done, and we "topped" it like we would any baked potato with cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, and instead of chives we used chopped scallions from the garden.  I also slivered some sun-dried tomatoes just to add a little punch!   it was delicious, and someone called it a keeper!  leftovers the next day were just as tasty. 

     Craig got some fresh raspberries during a shopping excursion, so I thawed some puff pastry baskets and whipped up some cream cheese custard, and made these delicious tarts!

 

     I used the very last of the garden's eggplants and made my fave spicy tofu eggplant for lunch one day.  we didn't have any red bell peppers, but I did chunk up a very large scallion from the garden too, and that made a nice substitute.  we both finished it in one sitting.  so good! 

     the week before Thanksgiving week I got the sad news that a woman Janet and I have known over 50 years, so much like a sister, had passed away.  she had been struggling with health issues for many years, but we never expected it was her time to go.  I was blessed to be able to make her wedding dress for her - she trusted me of all people to be able to make a dress fit for all of her - of course I could.  she also asked Joyce to be her flower girl!  and Joyce and I have very special memories of a crazy/wonderful trip to Disneyland too!  Lisa, alarms are off in memory of you, dear friend!  

     another loss I found out about on turkey day was the mom of our rabbi's wife.  she had lived to be 85, so certainly a long life.  but we've been away from our Congregation for so long that it was a shock and surprise to hear she had passed. 

     started the process of holiday decorating.  Craig found a live wreath when he was food shopping and couldn't leave the big box store without it.  We'll keep the forever wreath under wraps for a year, or find another place to hang it. 

     for dinner we had a honey-baked spiral ham and buttery yams.  and I made more of the raspberry custard tarts with buttery filo dough this time. I've now used up all the "leftover" pre-formed pastries that we had in the fridge and freezer.  

 

     wished happy T-Day to all the cousins and aunts and uncle on FB, and got a few replies back.  caught up with Aunt Denali on a 30 minute phone call before the Ducks game!  Janet has a leg injury so she was housebound this year, but was happily watching football when we texted. 

     the two days after T-Day, Craig made pomegranate short ribs - I demonstrated the easiest way to pick seeds - and then I made a mustard and brown sugar glazed salmon with steamed green beans drizzled in lime butter.  excellent ways to end the month, full of food and gratitude.