Frustration - a Note to Donna S.

It's too late to call so I am putting my message here...for Donna S. ... I responded to your e-mail but keep getting a "MAILER-DAEMON" message... that it's undeliverable. I have tried to send it 6 times but to no avail. I have send my e-mail to you as a "reply" and by putting it into a new e-mail window. I have no idea why. I hope you are getting this message, as I didn't want you to think I was being neglectful. So, DS - it could me something at my end but please check your e-mail anyway and let me know... I am able to get your e-mails.

Back in Atlanta

Here I am...cold hands and all. It's still cold in Atlanta, though not as freezing as last time, but I am still chilled most of the time. Mom and I flew in Friday night. We were both supposed to fly home Monday, but Michael "won" a trip from work , to Cancun, so he and Alison left Sunday and will return on Thursday, with me watching Avi (now THAT wasn't a hard thing for me to say yes to). Alison looks great, only 7 weeks to go till her due date. She has been so busy sewing and doing many other things. She made the bumpers, crib skirt and curtains for Baby Girl's room, is sewing cloth diapers in various sizes, and more. While she hated to leave Avi and with so much to do, it was good for them to get away on their own for a bit. When Alison and Michael left, Alison (and Mom and I ) were teary, but Avi just said, "Bye" and reached for me (ah, it's GOOD to be GRANDMA!!). Later that day Mom and I took Avi to the park. We had such a good time with him. On Monday Becca came over for a bit, and later on after Avi's nap we went to see where she and Phil are living (right around the corner from Alison). Then they joined us for dinner. I had to take Mom to the airport. We left with some time to spare, but there were three accidents that held us up. Mom missed her plane by LITERALLY 2 minutes. She was able to get on another plane an hour later, to Fort Lauderdale instead of W. Palm Beach. I had to make some calls and my wonderful cousin Ray agreed to pick her up - at midnight. Today Avi and I went to Northpoint Mall in Alpharetta, GA. There is a "soft play area" there for little kids. He has been there before with me but he is always a bit overwhelmed by the other kids. He won't go on the equipment if another child is on it (ah, he's not stupid...he doesn't want to get knocked down). I had pre-arranged to meet an online friend there as well. Donna S (Hi, Donna) always comments on this blog. I finally got her e-mail address and we have been corresponding. She is in town to help her son with his new baby boy, Anderson. So we took advantage of both of us being here and met. She is so lovely, and so easy to talk to...you would think we have known each other for years. Afterward Avi and I went to PF Changs for lunch - yup, the very same one where Becca works. She sat us at a table in the kitchen, which was great. We got to watch the goings on and were able to be with Becca at the same time. I had their egg drop soup for the first time...it was fabulous, and Avi loved it. He was an angel - and the kid loves to eat!!! Then we came home, looked at some photos of family and we both napped...I AM tired! Tomorrow I am taking him to a nearby gym where there is an open house for two hours where he can jump into a foam pit and bounce on trampolines, etc. On Thursday I will take him to his swim class (yup - I have to get into the pool, too). I won't get to see Alison and Michael as they will get home just around the time I am leaving, but their good friend/neighbor will take Avi for the 30 - 60 minutes till they get home. Avi and I will both go through withdrawal at my leaving. I am so thankful that he loves to be with me and is comfortable enough with me that he can deal with his mom and dad leaving (sorry, Alison). I will be back for two weeks in April when Baby Girl is due, then again Memorial Day weekend, with Mom. 

Nights Out with "The Girls"/Mom

This month my cousin Michele is in town. She lives in Pittsburgh but has a beautiful apartment in Boca Raton. She came down for a few weeks so we have gotten together for dinner - once with another cousin, Connie, and my mom. Then we met, just the two of us - that was GREAT!! as we always have so much to talk to. Last week we met again... Michele, her sister-in-law Donna, Mom and I. We had so much fun we didn't even realize that we were the only ones left in the restaurant and it was almost 11 PM - and I had to work the next day.

Yesterday I took Mom out for her birthday. She's 84 and going strong (most of the time). We went to a vegan restaurant in Fort Lauderdale - Sublime - which was fabulous. Then we went to Parker Playhouse to see A Bronx Tale, a one man show written by and starring Chazz Palminteri . He was absolutely amazing!! I bought a little t-shirt (something I NEVER do at a show) because it said A BRONX TALE...I passed the door test! You'll have to see the show or the movie to "get it." We both had a great time together! I love you, Mom!

Gotta Dance!

So I dance and I dance and I dance. This month I have been going to the dance studio for lots of lessons and group/practice sessions. I really love it!!! I have been asked to compete in May...I'm thinking about it! I have always danced but now I am learning technique and ...did I say how much I love it? Well, I do!

Run, Run as Fast as You Can!

Today I ran a 5K race to support the Milagro Center in Delray Beach - and I ran the whole way. I had met a young woman - Heather - who invited me to join her in this race. I figured I would be ok since it's 3.1 miles and I do 4 miles twice a week as practice for the 1/2 marathon I am doing in March (plus I now do 8 - 10 miles on the weekend). I met her at the start of the race - that was the only time I saw her (well - I did see her as we passed, me still going forward and her returning). It was a beautiful day, cool, the route was along A1A in Delray Beach, along the ocean. At the end they had some refreshments and raffles. I stayed for the raffle drawing - didn't win a thing, and then they started to give out medals on ribbons. I didn't think I would win anything but stayed. They called overall winners and then started calling 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each age category. When they got to mine - SHOCK!! they called MY name in 3rd place. I figured that there probably were only three people IN my category...I was right! When I got home and looked up the results, it was there in black and white! No matter...it was fun and I got my first medal (to me, it was for completing the race, which is good enough). Can't wait to get past the March race.