Baby Blanket #2

Yeah! I finished another baby blanket....This pattern was fun...I might do it again...since I have another blanket to make. Right now I am taking a break from BABY blankets...and am making a nice soft blanket for ME!!! Of course it is mainly purple with blues and a little tan mixed in...

I have two more blankets....both boys...to make....if anyone has any quick and pretty patterns...let me know!

Sweater update....still knitting away....I took apart the right side and am currently doing it over...

In Memory of Kiku

Everyone hates to lose a pet....today, we had to take Kiku to the Vet. When we woke up this morning, she was struggling to walk. She has arthritis in her back hips...and by the afternoon she couldn't walk. She would sit up and roll to her other side. Honestly, I thought that maybe there was something we could do for her...but, the doctor at Banfield (PetSmart) said that the only thing we could do, would be an oral medicine to improve her quality of life...but, she would still not be able to walk...and this would be a short-term solution. She said that I could take her home with a 5 day prescription....but, we should really think about "putting her down" by the weekend. Jeff and I talked about it and decided that it wouldn't be fair to her ... so, we talked to the boys and we said our goodbyes.

Kiku was a very loving and good cat. She was really good with the boys and has been going to sleep with either Neil or Jordan (mostly Jordan for the past 6 months) every night. She was our cuddler, purrer, and just snuggler. She loved being "tucked in" under the covers and would stay there for hours. When Jeff and I got her and Shaq, they were kittens and could fit in one hand. I still remember how I freaked out when I lived in my apartment because I couldn't find Kiku...I kept hearing her meow...she had crawled under the wall heater...luckily the heater wasn't on.

That was about 17 years ago....she lived a long, loving and privileged life of a housecat...as her food bowl says "Royal Highness"....

Our Anniversary Dinner....

So, the day started out wonderfully!!! I had breakfast with Michelle and Makaela at Panera...I love Panera...yes, I was there yesterday with Nick for lunch....

We had a great breakfast celebrating Michelle's birthday and my wedding anniversary...(yes, I celebrated it WITHOUT Jeff)....afterwards, we visited with Steve and Doreen at The Flower Shop.

The day ended with dinner at Black Bear in Gilroy. Karen and Haku met us "halfway" to deliver Jordan's retainer that he forgot at their house in Monterey. Thank you guys...you are GREAT! Jeff was VERY disappointed in the food/service at Black Bear...which is a bummer...guess we will only go to the BB in Salinas.

Side Note: When I walked into Neil's class today, one of his classmate got me...what is an April Fool's joke to a 2nd grader? "Your shoes are untied"....I didn't have shoe laces. sigh! Then Julie, Neil's teacher said that Neil tried to "get her" by telling her that Jeff and I got married on April 1st...she was surprised that it wasn't a joke....now, come on Julie...think about it...are you really surprised?

Lunch Date!!!!

Usually lunch involves getting together with the "girls". Today, I was really lucky and I had lunch with Nick B. (AKA Uncle Nick from Canada)...we had a really nice lunch and chat. I am sure he found our conversation about wine humorous...but, hey...what can I say????

Here is a picture of Nick and me.

A while back I posted a picture of Lori (aka Auntie Canada), Nick's wife, and I @ Peets. It was the picture of our shoes because Lori didn't want her picture online...(I did find her in a matter of seconds...). So, here are Nick and my shoes....

Friends, Friends, Friends!!!!

We spent last weekend in Salinas with my brother Dean...and dog sitting. This is a picture of my mother's "baby"....she went to the groomers. The funny thing was there was a page of what to do for the dogs (Kristy is an outside dog...she doesn't have a bow on her head....) and cats...but, no mention about when Dean needs to take his medicine...hmm....I wonder what that means....
On Sunday, we met Elizabeth and Brian for breakfast at Sang's Cafe and then we made a Costco run. (Dean took this picture....um, at least he got "some" of Jeff in this picture....the 1st picture was a great shot of Eliz, Brian and me...no Jeff)...Sang's Cafe is a great place...a typical "greasy spoon" that boosts a sign that reads "John Steinbeck ate at Sang's". It is right by the National Steinbeck Museum...which we haven't been to yet. Maybe this summer.
Monday was a wonderful day! It started with coffee at Peet's with my friend Jenny!!! It's been a while since Jenny and I were able to catch up! I really do miss all my friends at DCTM. I can't believe her daughter is towering over BOTH of us and is in high school...(Megan...um, I NEVER received your basketball schedule...make sure to send me your volleyball and basketball schedule NEXT YEAR!!!)
It was a day of DCTM people! After meeting with Jenny, I ran some errands, checked in with Grandma and jetted over to P-town for lunch with Toga and Fu. hee hee...it sounds like characters from the Lion King! It was a great visit...and we even were able to harass Fu about his "future". (Fu: we are ALWAYS ready for a Vegas Trip!!!)

Monterey...with the cousins!!!

Today, we spent the day with cousins, Karen, Haku (Jeff) and Dylan at the Monterey Aquarium. It was a beautiful day in Monterey...the sky was clear and sunny...it wasn't even cold...yes, I am still wearing a jacket...it was chilly when we left.

One year, the boys sat in the oyster shell...and it was our Christmas picture. They weren't too happy doing
this AGAIN... and they don't fit as well as they did a few years ago.

Poor Dylan....I made him do this....he is probably regretting going to CSUMB right now....Go Otters







Even Dean got in the shell...hee hee....Dad won't be happy with this picture...but, doesn't Dean look like he is having a good time???

Lisa drove down from Sacramento after work. She was able to join us for dinner at the Fisherman's Grotto on the Wharf. It was fun to have her along....right now the boys, Dylan and Lisa are having a slumber party at Karen and Haku's....hmmm...wonder if they will get sleep....

Jeff, Dean and I tried to go see Watchmen....but, we missed the showings at ALL THREE theaters...mental note: check the movie listings...or get internet on the phone. One thing at a time. I convinced Jeff to get texting...that took about 3 years....

Impressive, yet sad

Usually, a sunny and clear day at Oakland Coliseum is a happy event. But, today, Jeff and I went to the Memorial Services for the Oakland Police officers that lost their lives last weekend.

On the way to Hayward to pick up Jeff, numerous law enforcement cars passed me with their light flashing. I convinced Jeff that we should BART to the Coliseum...and it was a good call. Traffic on Bay Area freeways were complicated not only with the funeral processions, but also with normal commute traffic, accidents and can you believe road work!

We reached the Arena before 9:30...and were surprised that the line was going so quickly....we were in the wrong line...it was the line for law enforcement. Luckily we got out of line before anyone "kicked us out". We met up with our friends Ernie and Regina and were seated in the Coliseum...along with a few thousand people...including other law enforcement agencies...there were about 3 sections of just law enforcement. (I heard there was 22,000 people in total at the services)

Someone had told Jeff that he will feel really safe with all of the police at the service...actually, it was quite the opposite. There were snipers on the Arena roof...and lots of people making themselves "visible". (At one point we heard a supervisor instruct a canine officer to make himself "visible"...really? With literally thousands of police, sheriffs, etc attending the service...he sort of blended in...but, I appreciate the "visibility")

It was refreshing that the politicians who spoke kept their messages short. Senator Feinstein gave a wonderful and meaningful speech. President Obama sent a beautifully worded letter.

Two people spoke for each officer. It was touching, humorous and completely overwhelming. The outpouring of support for the fallen officers and the OPD is so amazing. We saw people from Canada, New York, Shasta, So. California, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Soledad, Salinas, Fremont, Newark, Elk Grove etc....

Our hearts go out to the fallen officers, their families, the OPD and law enforcement everywhere.

We were there in honor of Officer John Hege. He was the officer who donated his heart, liver and kidneys to four men. Isn't it ironic that out of this tragedy four men died, and four men now are able to live?