I Am A Slacker - Catching Up On Two Months

This morning, as I was going through my recent photos I was again reminded of how life has been in session and I that I have captured none of it on my blog since March!  It is a discipline to sit down and record the events that compose my life and I have slacked off. (Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault!)  As a result, 2 ½ months have passed like a blank page.  So…this blog is going to be a quick synopsis, a quick replay of Key Moments…kind of like the reports I used to write, “What I Did On My Summer Vacation!”

In March, I accompanied Milli, Michael and Gabriel to Lanai, HI to bury Milli’s dear mother, Basillia.  Sharing in key life moments, happy and sad, is the thread that binds us as a family. I was grateful to be able to be there, to give a hug, to relate a story, to carry the Kleenix, to run an errand.

Life is death and new life and in April, we shared in the exciting news that Marc and Charlotte are going to have a baby.  This new little Altieri is due to arrive in mid-December…just 4 months after our current baby of the family, Gabriel, turns 13!  I call that good timing.  Marc and Charlotte are ecstatic and this baby is so wanted!!  I have already started knitting!

We watched Gabriel finish grade 6 and watch the tell-tale signs of a teenager emerging.  “I can do it myself, Mima.”  “You don’t have to remind me, Mima.”  “What’s wrong, Gabe”… "NOTHING!”  “Gabe are you done combing your hair yet?”  “Why don’t you want to go with us to the golf course?”…”just because, I’d rather stay here.” “Mima can you drop me off at my dance?” (Dance?...you are 12 years old!) We love this little boy…this young teen and are so proud of the young man that is emerging.

Gabriel and still the woman in his life...his mom, Milli!

These past months have been filled with doctor’s appointments, medical decisions, treatments, cooked meals, encouragement, car repairs, errands, and general hand-holding as my brother, Fred, and I care for our sister, Cathy, as she deals with her bladder cancer.  It has been an emotional time and at times depleting, but we know the best gift we can give her is our support and our presence.  We don’t have a crystal ball to see the future, but we can walk the daily path with her and her husband, Karl.

Cathy

 

Cathy and Karl, renewing their vows at their 40th Wedding Anniversary!

In May, Jay and I took a wonderful 3 week Enrichment Voyage to the Baltic Countries with a stay before and after in Paris and Stockholm.   

Our most prideful moment was when we boarded the plane with only carry-on luggage!  Three weeks of items in a carry-on suitcase and a back pack each!  

 I have so many photos that I may back track and do some posts of the interesting locations so I can remember…

In St. Petersburg at the Peterhof Palace...we had sun!

I took many early morning walks with my dear friend, Cindy.  It is our "walk and talk!"  We meet at the Interpretive Center and walk for about an hour and then stop at Starbucks and talk for another hour.  It is wonderful to have a friend who will listen to my whining and applaud my happiness.

On the walking path, watching for whales and discussing life!

We began what started out to be a simple deck repair of dry-rotted wood and has become a major project!  Our view of the beautiful Pacific is what we enjoy most about our home and we don’t mind putting the time, effort and MONEY into making sure we and others can enjoy it.

The demolition

Jay checking the framing!

We cheered the LA Kings on to a second Stanley Cup Victory!   

The team photo on the ice after the victory game...Michael is in the upper mid left!

Watched a long series of games…games with multiple overtimes…and agonized over each penalty and erupted in joy with each goal!   

We drove Pegasus around the golf course with our Kings flag!

The entire family was involved with texts flying in all directions in group distributions between those family members who were at the game with those who were home this time in front of their TV.   

Michael was thrilled to share the victory with his brothers and son and Gabe's best buddy Sean. 

 

 

Charlotte and Milli were also there!

Jay and I attended one game of the final series and experienced the frenzy and excitement that fills the Staple Center.   

With Fred and Sharon having a beer before the game started!

We are excited for the team, but we are MORE excited for Michael.  He is the main reason our family is so present…sharing in his life and his joy!

Michael lifting Lord Stanley's  Cup!!

I look back over these events and realize that through it all, my life is GOOD!  What gives it meaning are the connections...the people who cross my path...my family...my dear friends...and most of all, my partner in life, Jay.  I write my blog as a gift to myself…so that I can capture all the joys and sorrows that give meaning to my life.  While this recap is not really fleshed out, at least when I look back at March thru June 15…like Kilroy said… “Patricia was here!”