Tag Archives: Christmas

A Couple of Things…

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So…Happy New Year!  As I write this, today is January 1, 2020. I have not written a blog since last March for a number of reasons but mostly because I lost my father on April 9, 2019.  What I’ve learned is that you can’t really predict how you’ll handle a death.  I thought I had it figured out as we had time to prepare.  He had been diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer the previous spring; it was a long year in many ways, yet a short year in many ways as well. I’ll be honest, I feared and dreaded that my dad would succumb to bitterness and anger, something so many people faced with pain do.  But he remained dignified and always looked strong while his body betrayed him.  Even during his final days I thought we had another month with him.

My dad, less than a week before he passed away.

I was with him his final night.  He had grown weaker and hospice supplied a hospital bed that evening at 8:30 to make him more comfortable and so I wouldn’t have to worry about him getting up in the middle of the night and falling.  The last thing anyone wanted was for him to end up in the hospital. We had spent the previous day together indoors and then outdoors in the sunshine in the backyard.  He talked about many things, I tried my best to alleviate his worries he had about those he was leaving behind.  In any case, that final evening, I slept on the couch with the hospital bed nearby in the same room.  I knew immediately something had happened. It was about 12:30 am and I got up, and saw he was peaceful with no pain in his face. He had passed.  I kissed his brow and said, “Good job Dad.”

The next few days were a blur, but I was surrounded by loving family and friends who I am indebted to for their kindness and support.

I compiled photos and short stories and anecdotes dedicated to life and created a website for him:  www.GilbertRSanchez.com.  He was 84 years old.

After writing the above, and then reading what I wrote, I’ve taken a deep breath and know that 2020 is the year to move forward.  Not necessarily to “let go”, but I have to confess that I’ve had this thought in the back of my mind that it would be disrespectful to be joyful and happy, but you know that is exactly what he would want for the ones he loves, for Sydney, for Carol, for all his family and friends, and of course for myself, so onto 2020 and creating that life he thinks I deserve.

A Couple of Things…

1. Last July, the day after my birthday, I adopted two senior dogs. They came as “Bambi” and “Lady” but I immediately dubbed them “Barney” and “Missy.”  They are 11 and 12 years old respectively and Barny, the tan one, is a Shih Tzu Maltese mix and Missy is a Shih Tzu (she may have been a puppy mill dog, and I’m pretty certain Barney’s mother).  I melt every time I open the door to these faces.

Barnie and Missy

2.  I got a promotion at work!  I’m a Management Technician, no longer a Secretary.  That’s quite a title, right? I get to handle all the Engineering Capital Improvement Project files for Design.  I make sure contracts, insurance, terms and payments are handled.

3. I will be traveling abroad this year with Linda.  We are going to Italy.  I got my passport a couple of weeks ago in the mail, we’re working with a travel agent to line up our flights and hotels but most importantly, I need to learn key phases such as “Where is the wine?”
Thank god for online translators, I now have the following phrase embedded in my mind, “Dov’e il vino?”
4.  A couple of highlights from the past year were being asked to emcee shows: the Topa Mountain Music Fest at Libbey Bowl in Ojai, and the fundraiser for Tommy and Paddy Marsh at Oak and Main.

5. I spent Christmas in Ashland, Oregon, with Sydney Rose as she has to work (I have time I can take off), it’s super cute there, and home just reminds me too much that this is my first Christmas without my dad.  We had a blast as always talking about everything under the sun, taking walks, playing backgammon and on Christmas we took in a movie (our tradition) at the local theater.  We saw Bombshell and settled in with a tub of popcorn knowing that would be our dinner, but the butter flavored oil they used could not have been further from butter tasting if you tried.  It was made out of soy which I guess Vegans would love.  I had to move the tub two seats down so I couldn’t smell it anymore!

6.  Back to Bombshell, the movie is about taking down Roger Ailes for sexual harassment at Fox News. We both really enjoyed it. Charlize Theron needs to be nominated for best actress portraying Megyn Kelly as well as Chalize’s make up artist.  I didn’t even realize it was her until she spoke!

7. I would venture to say this is one of my top peeves: when listening to the personal recording of the person I want to leave a phone message for and they say, “I will get back to you at my earliest convenience.”  I’ve even seen that in an automatic response on emails when the person is away from the office.
That’s just rude!  You’re suppose to say, “I’ll get back to you as soon as I can” or something along those lines.  The correct way to use the phrase is the other way around, “Please get back to ME at YOUR earliest convenience.”   Of course, these folks could actually know what they’re saying and just be that rude!  My Water Store has that greeting.

8. You know I’ve had my own music scene column in the Ventura Breeze newspaper for over five years, but I always get a kick when I get quoted every year in the VC Reporter

9. You’re not one of those people who thinks 2020 is the start of a new decade are you???

10.  From my favorite quotes files: “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” – Oprah Winfrey

Thanks for listening!

 

 

 

A Couple of Things…

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So it’s been a year now since my last post. I trust you’ve been good. Thanks for checking in and I hope, if necessary, you’ll forgive my absence. As for an explanation, well someday I’ll explain.

Meanwhile…

Sydney Rose was home for the past month arriving a few days before Christmas. Unfortunately she missed out on this all important photo shoot at our local Wharf store, the one that caters to animals. Santa was there patiently taking photos of locals with their animal friends. I’m still not sure how I got roped into this one, but you can’t say I’m a poor sport. I love the dog’s expression. To me she’s saying, “Really?”

Preparing for Sydney’s visit, I managed to drag the Christmas tree upstairs and get it set up. First time in years, and apparently Molly was fine with it.

 

On Thanksgiving, my dad decided we needed to go see The Blue Man Group, so Carol and I arranged a family trip to Las Vegas in January. We flew out of Burbank on one of those private jets, JetSuite X (I highly recommend it); staying two nights at the Luxor. It turns out, The Blue Man Group was a lot of fun! Afterwards in the lobby we enlisted some stranger to take a photo of us and lo and behold, one of the Blue Man members stepped in just in time for the shot! And I can’t stress enough, once again, you can not say I’m a poor sport as I wore that blue shirt provided to me by Carol…and Sydney to wear as a group to the show.

Sydney Rose and I decided to participate in the local March for Justice held here in Ventura. Several thousand residents showed up along with Assembly member, Monique Limon, Congresswoman, Julia Brownley, and Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson. Also in attendance were all four of the women on Ventura’s City Council. Yep, we now have a majority of women two of which are minorities! In any case, we march along with everyone else, and it was a few days later that Sydney spotted the front page of the Ventura Star on her grandpa’s coffee table and exclaimed, “Mom! You made the cover!!” Yes she was right, but just barely.

Sydney is one proud woman stating it like it is.

Jumping around just a bit. This year for Halloween, my group in Transportation at City Hall decided to dress up after taking a hiatus last year. The theme? You guessed it, the Addams Family.

This past fall, the Breeze celebrated their ten-year anniversary, and Sheldon took his staff to lunch. I’ve now been writing my Ventura Music Scene column for five years and I’m proud to report that I’ve never missed a deadline.

Mimiaga took me to a Dodger game last summer. We had great seats too. Little did we know they’d go to the World Series this year!

Just a few friends to help celebrate my birthday.


Sydney Rose sent me this photo…or I stole it from her FB page. In any case, I had it, and I’m sharing it! She’s been a baker on bread detail at St. Honore French Bakery in Portland. This is from last spring or early summer. She’ll be taking some time off soon to return to school moving to smaller town in Oregon. She’ll be going for a Food Science degree. Ain’t she cute?

 

I believe this past year was the first time I didn’t actually ride my bike to work on Bike to Work day. We are a motley crew, no?

Okay. I think I covered, a lot.

Thanks for checking in, I hope to get back into the swing of posting my silly observations and such.

A Couple of Things…

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Dad Syd and meSyd and Robby1. Sydney’s visit was short but fun.  She got to visit with friends and spend time with family and pets left behind here in Ventura.  I hated to see her leave but so grateful for the time we spent together doing last minute shopping, baking and catching up with one another.

Her first night in town, Sydney spent it with a good friend who wined and dined her.  They looked so freakin’ cute.  They pretended like they were going to prom which she never had the chance to attend since she didn’t attend a public high school. Too cute!  Before you get too excited, he’s just a friend.  Sydney has a boyfriend waiting for her in Oregon.

As a Christmas tradition started several years ago, we took in a movie together on Christmas afternoon.  We saw Into the Woods.  I thought it was cute, but then I like musicals.

christmas_2015_005Syd Rose once again took the opportunity to attempt to bond with Molly.  You got to hand it to her for her persistence, but the cat is not only mean and anti-social, she’s so fat!  I can’t get my roommate to quit feeding her!

Sydney returned to Oregon on Friday, the day after Christmas and I have to say Friday evening rush hour traffic out of LAX wasn’t so bad! I even got home to text her before her flight took off!

Looking forward to the next time I see her beautiful face which I fear will be after she turns 21 in June this year.

2. Well as far as my knee rehab goes, I’ll be honest, it’s been a tad tough.  First there was the pain of the torn meniscus, then the short-term pain from the surgery.  I was feeling pretty good, pretty great actually, until I started physical therapy.  Now it’s a whole new type of pain!  I’m being a good girl and enduring and getting in those special exercises in between appointments, but man on man!  The whole surrounding area really hurts and gets stiff overnight!

I’ve been doing some brisk walking and bike riding, so I thought I’d go out to shoot some hoops.  Nothing major, just stand close enough to hoop to stretch out my arms.  My  REALLY old basketball needed to be pumped up after two months of neglect.  First the needle broke and then the ball went completely flat, and that was that. The next day I bought a brand new ball and took it up to my favorite court behind City Hall.  Damn I miss shooting!

basketball-mom3.  Speaking of basketball, I saw this and thought, “Yeah!  That’s me!!” Then it occurred to me it’s about moms with kids who play basketball.

4. At what point during a text do you give up and delete and just make a freakin’ phone call?

5. Speaking of which, I heard there might be an app soon for recalling a text.  Didn’t there use to be one on Microsoft Outlook for emails?  What a great idea.  I don’t think I’d use it much for having second thoughts about having written something.  I think I would use it once I noticed I made a faux pas.

My funniest faux pas in a text message?  I was texting my boss and I asked him to pick me up on our way to a breakfast meeting.  Unfortunately I texted, “Will you lick me up?”

True story.

10342889_10152577651433581_1673275093986553011_n6. I came across a brilliant Facebook page when I saw a friend “like” one of their posts; they’re called Team Growing Bolder.
I love their outlook and look forward to their future posts.  I invite you to check them out too:  https://www.facebook.com/GrowingBolder

7. I had a dream that Kim Jong-un and the president of Sony Pictures were actually in cahoots over getting tons of free publicity for the movie “The Interview.”  Jong-un was given a cut of the profits based on number of tickets sold, the US was given another enemy to hate diverting attention from the Isis and idiot police, and Franco and Rogan gained another ten minutes of fame…

Then I woke up.   But I ask you, is it that far-fetched of an idea?  All that free publicity?

I guess it is far-fetched as Sony spent so much money (allegedly) on cleaning up their security breach done by the hackers.

8. Have I ever mentioned that I’m a spicy mama?  I love hot food and hot sauces!!

9. I can’t believe how long it’s been since my last post.  I’ve been busy, but I’ve also been just taking care of the body and resting.  I’ve been cooking more and reading recipes and trying them out. I’ve watch a few movies on my Kindle Fire and looking at the possibility of making living quarter changes.  I’m certainly looking forward to taking on 2015.

10. I won’t be sharing a favorite quote this time, but rather presenting my own: “May the New Year be an opportunity for you to realize you are responsible, you are good, you can make life great.  Begin!” – Pam Baumgardner

Thanks for your time!

 

A Couple of Things…

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stiches1. My surgery was pretty much a complete success.  I say “pretty much” because I’m a little disappointed on my prognosis.  Okay, I don’t want to sound ungrateful, so on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being thoroughly disappointed, I’m a “1”. The doctor fixed my knee, he repaired a torn cartilage and Mencius tear and cleaned up some arthritis.  I was on crutches and pain meds that day and a little the next.  The out-patient procedure was Friday; I was back to work on Monday.  Stitches removed on Wednesday.  I start physical therapy to strengthen my left knee next week.

The problem?  It’s been recommended that I give up running/jogging due to the arthritis.  I was looking forward to my first 5K in 2015.  Yeah, I know it was just a recommendation, but I’m leaning towards swimming, biking, brisk walking and some hoops from time to time might have to be enough; but I can’t help but think, my knees had never given me trouble before the injury.  I never noticed I had arthritis.

I am completely thankful I’m no longer in pain.  I had just been so proud that I had pushed myself out of my comfort zone and started exercising four years ago.  I turned off that little voice trying to talk me out of pushing my body.  My first time sweating due to exercise was four years ago while running; now I totally consider sweating a badge of honor!  I had never run before; I had never pushed my body. Oh well, I’m healthy, I’m active, I have other exercise options.  Glass half full, right?  And…it was a recommendation.  One 5K couldn’t hurt, right? companyBy the way, the two days I was on the couch, I had lots of comfort from my furry friends.  I knew I could count on Sammy to keep me company, but I was quite surprised that Molly felt the need to keep close. So sweet!  And the two actually did their best to tolerate each other.

2. Sydney Rose will be home for Christmas.  She comes in on Tuesday but has dinner plans in LA so she won’t be around that night.  She’ll be home Christmas Eve and Christmas and back on a plane to Oregon Friday evening.  Short visit, but so worth it! I sent her the picture of the stitches on my knee which grossed her out…but she did say she was going to show her boyfriend the photo.  Confidence is high my knee will look pretty much normal by the time I see her in a week.

Charlie-Brown3. One evening recently “A Charlie Brown Christmas” came on the TV  while I was working on websites.  I had seen it every year growing up, it was a tradition in my family; but now I fear times have changed and this cartoon special doesn’t hold up.  Those kids were just plain mean; they actually bullied Charlie Brown.  That Lucy was a bitch! And even though the kids had a change of heart at the end, I couldn’t imagine that comic strip special would get released nowadays.  Even Snoopy turned on Charlie Brown!  Damn!!

Santa4. Another thing I like about City Hall is the annual chance to visit with Santa Claus where City employees round up their kids who get to visit with St. Nick. One of these days I’m going to take advantage of a photo op and sit on his lap. 😉

Oh!  And yet another thing I like about City Hall…every week us employees receive an email called “Open Line” from the City Manager’s office and it’s an update on what’s happening in the City and some updates from all the different departments.  Each one of these memos start with a “Quote of the Week”.  Last week the quote was: “Who can’t relate to the idea of leaving one chapter behind and moving on to the next?”  – Mike Shinoda

Yeah, that’s Mike Shinoda from Linkin’ Park.  I even double-checked with the City Manager’s office to see if there was another Mike Shinoda, but I was told, “Oh! He’s a member of a band called “Linkin’ Park”.  How cool is that?

5. Did I ever mention I use to do surveillance work?  Yep, my friend had a P.I.’s license (Private Investigator) and he use to hire me to keep an eye on certain people.  Trust me, this was the most boring job I ever had.  Most cases were women trying to see if they were being cheated on.  The stupidest case was a psychiatrist who wanted to see if her boyfriend was seeing other women; the kicker?  She was married.

chia-pet6. Hchia-pet-bas anyone ever received a Chia Pet for Christmas?  Do people still give those away? While searching for a picture of Chia Pet, I came across a real live chia pet.  Love this sense of humor!  Poor pup!!

7.  By the way, not only was my doctor the best, but the team at CMH outpatient facility totally took care of me.  They were cheerful, attentive, caring and professional.  I didn’t even have a mark on my arm where the IV was inserted!  I’d do it again in a heartbeat!!

8.  Now something even harder to confront.  Wish me luck, I’m about to start my Christmas shopping…any day now.

9.  No matter what religion you follow, I wish you a happy and safe holiday season.  I suspect my next post will be after Christmas.

10.  From my favorite quotes file, “”My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” — Bob Hope Thanks for your time!!

Best Christmas Ever!!!

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So for the past month or so I’ve been sharing my sad story about how I would be without my Sydney Rose for Christmas this year (witness my last post).  I had no Christmas tree, no decorations except for my white lights on my front kitchen window and little Christmas wreathes on the silly pink flamingos down in the side yard.

I had been looking at past Christmas photos and missing my baby for several weeks.  She’s a good daughter and calls me and lets me know what she’s up to and what her Sydeny-Christmas054plans are.  Remember she moved to Oregon last summer so it’s nice to be kept in the loop a little.   My understanding was that she would be flying with her employer to Florida and while there working as a nanny, she would be spending Christmas with her dad. She had told me she would keep in communication on travel day as is SOP (Standard Operating Procedure).  We always let each other know when we land safely.  But to add insult to injury, Syd Rose being the good daughter she is, decided she would also call me when she actually got on the airplane.  Now I’m not one to turn down a phone call from my daughter so I did not balk at the fact that it would be before 6:00 in the morning on Monday and so I was expecting that call.

Sydney called me at 5:45 am to let me know she was on the plane ready to take off.  She said, “Okay Momma, I’m on the plane, I’ll call you on my next stop.” With that assurance, she hung up and I laid in bed waiting for the alarm to go off in fifteen minutes to start my day.  A few hours later I got a text saying she was running to the next terminal and that she would call when she landed next in Florida, which as it turned out, she never did.

About an hour or so after getting her text,  I decided I should finally confront and start my Christmas shopping.  I already knew I was already going to be mailing Sydney a year’s supply of contact lenses, but I still needed to get something for my Dad and Nancy. Sergio, who works me me at City Hall,  asked what my lunch plans were, and I told him.  I didn’t think anything of it, because we sometimes work out for lunch (them cross-fit training, me shooting hoops) or we head downtown as a group and grab something to eat.  But I told him I was shopping, which I quickly did, then headed back to work for the shock of my life.

I arrived back at my office and turned the corner to my work cubicle and there was a stranger sitting in my chair. At first my mind couldn’t register what I was seeing.  The office was pretty much empty and the front door locked during the lunch hour, and while my first thought was Sydney Rose, my mind wouldn’t allow me to grasp that at first.  But clearly her smile and “Hi Momma!” assured me my mind wasn’t playing tricks and I realized that she really was here in Ventura, not in Florida!   I dropped all packages, jacket and purse on the ground and grabbed her and kissed her and cried tears of joy.  I asked how long she would be here, thinking maybe she had just made it go right to swing by to see me on her way to her dad’s, but she said it was for a complete week! Shocked, I asked how long had she known, and she said for over a month!!  I had no clue, no idea, and I learned how everyone had been in on it including my dad, several of her friends and Sergio (who had been texting her and letting her know when I was out of the office).
christmas-2013-city-hallWhat a rush!  What a relief!  What a gift!!  I left work early and spent the rest of the day catching up, holding hands or just being with her with my arms around her, and just enjoying her company.

The next evening, Christmas Eve, we had a big blazing fire in the fire pit in the backyard with my dad, Sydney’s friend Cheyenne who was home on leave (she enlisted last summer in the Navy), Steve and Eve Mimiaga and even Staci Brown came over to hang out.  The warmth I felt that night could of been the warmer-than-normal weather, or the rum or the fire itself, but it was most definitely the warmth of love and friendship and family.
Cheyanne and SydneyThe rollsChristmas morning I woke up with Sydney Rose, she got up and baked a batch of delicious homemade cinnamon rolls and we made it down to Grandpas for breakfast.  And we went to the movies in the afternoon with the Mimiaga family, and we had dinner at my dad’s as a family.

It was a typical Christmas, but it was also a sort of Christmas miracle for me.  I had been resolved to be without my Syd for the first time since she was born.  And though it was still a frugal Christmas, and we never did get that damn tree up or get the decorations out, I venture to bet it will always be my best Christmas ever.

Christmas Morning

A Couple of Things…

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by Bill Watterson1.  Feeling both naughty and nice as Christmas quickly approaches.  Sad because my Sydney Rose won’t be home with me, her first Christmas away and it’s a bit awkward because I have a new roommate, a virtual stranger in my home.  Yet, I’m still determined to make the best of it.  So happy to have Eve to lean on and keep our holiday traditions alive.

white-lights2.  I love my string of little white lights and strings of snowflakes in my kitchen window.  But  to be honest, I think that’s as Christmas as it’s going to get this year without my Syd Rose.

3.  At first I was embarrassed, when I realized that Tweakers and Twerkers are two different things.   Of course that whole Miley debacle immediately took on a whole different meaning!  I originally thought it a travesty…and you know what? I still do, but for different reasons now.  😉

4.  I’ve yet to make it out shopping  If I play my cards right, it’s all online this year!  I know, I know, my time is running out!!!

Stupid Pink Flamingos5.  Oh wait!  There was a Christmas Elf who left wreathes on my silly pink flamingos to help get me in the holiday spirits.  So a little more than twinkling white lights this year.

Winter Wine Walk 20136.  I love going out with friends, and then running into even more friends.

7.  How cool would it be to have a menagerie of perpetual baby animals? I’d have bunnies, kittens, puppies, piglets, fawns, even baby hedgehogs.  This makes me smile, and it’s the only thing I’m asking from Santa for Christmas this year.

Tammy - Rob - me8.  We had our 2nd annual radio reunion a little over a week ago, with Tammy Myers and Brother Rob. Though the years have passed, and we’ve gone on to live our separate lives, raise families, start new careers, etc… some things never change!   Love these guys!!!

9.  My goal is to continue to love despite all the reasons why not. That does not mean that I forgive bad acts. In fact, I hold people accountable for their misdeeds. One must act to protect oneself, and you have to preserve order and decency. But you don’t have to hate or seek vengeance.

Sydney10.  While wrapping up my blog this morning, Sydney Rose called to chat.  I love my baby so much and I’m so proud of her.  She got me caught up on the Oregon scene, baking, gift exchanges and the weather.  She said it’s been extremely foggy and she was quick to remind me of that time years and years ago when I said,  “Never drive with your high beams on in the fog.”  Somehow that driving tip has stuck with her.  She even remembers it was on one of those crazy winding back roads in Ojai while coming back from her friend’s house. Good to know some things sunk in!

And on that note, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and that you are able to celebrate this time of year with family and if not, then with good friends.  I’m here if you need me.

“The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.”  George Carlin

Thanks for listening