Erin on Commons Drive – Mon. Feb. 29, 2016

When I got home this afternoon, I learned that Barbara Bravos, Erin’s former hospice volunteer, had come by and taken Erin out around the block to see the beautiful blooming evergreen pear trees on Commons Drive. Erin said she walked a little and rode a little, but got very tired.

That was great that Barbara came by because I think Erin was feeling a little sad not to be celebrating Paco’s Feb. 29th 12th birthday with him.

Here is another view of Commons Drive alive with evergreen pear blossoms. Thank you, Barbara, for taking these photos! I was delighted when Erin showed them to me.
Barbara

Happy 12th Birthday, Paco!! – Mon. Feb.29, 2016

Paco is a leapling, born on Feb.29th. We talked to Steve tonight and he said that Paco celebrated his birthday Sat. by going bowling with friends. Earlier in the day Paco and Steve went skiing. (Tommy didn’t want to go.) Steve said that Paco was skiing the black diamond, most difficult, slopes at the nearby resort they went to. Their black diamond slope would be like an intermediate slope at Tahoe.

Barbara

 

Happy Birthday, Wheeler!! – Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016

Today is Wheeler’s 20th Birthday. I asked him if he would like to go out to dinner tonight or last night, but he said he would rather not. I imagine that he is planning to celebrate with friends.

He has been with us for 4 weeks now, but we see very little of him. Either he is asleep when I leave or I am asleep when he leaves for school. Thursdays he has a class at 4PM, and I was afraid that I might be gone when he got up. So, I posted the Happy Birthday sign on the front door with our birthday cards underneath. Erin wrote, “ I love you.”, and then “Happy” inside of hers, but could’t remember how to spell Birthday. I suggested that she just put a B. And then she signed it, “Love, Erin”.

Erin says she is so happy just knowing that Wheeler is in the house.
Barbara

Happy Birthday, Tom Z.!! – Tues. Feb. 16, 2016

Today is the birthday of one of Erin’s favorite people – her cousin, Tom Zavadil. (Tom is the youngest son of my sister, Patricia.)  I mentioned to Erin that it was Tom’s birthday, and she said that, unbeknownst to me, she had left a phone message for Dean on his Valentine birthday, which she had remembered all by herself.

Tom wrote me that he was pleased to receive a phone call from Erin at work today wishing him a Happy Birthday. So, despite all Erin has been through, she still remembers some things and keeps in contact.

Today for our Tuesday-lunch-out Erin wanted to go to Cape Cod Fish and Chips on Folsom Blvd. Their fish is Alaskan pollack, rather than cod. … good.

Barbara

Erin shopping; 46 1/2 years of social bridge -Fri. Feb. 12, 2016

As I was driving home from shopping at the Galleria in Roseville after social bridge in Sun City this afternoon, Clark called to say that Erin was going out with Shannon and wouldn’t be back until 9 pm. So, he suggested that we go up to the bridge game in Shingle Springs and have dinner beforehand at China City in Cameron Park. (Clark loves Chinese food!)

When we got home from bridge this evening, Erin was home. She had difficulty explaining what she and Shannon had done. But, eventually we figured out that she and Shannon went Costco shopping in Rancho Cordova. And then they met Cindy for dinner in Gold River after Cindy got off work.

Erin had filled our refrigerator and pantry with a roast chicken, 6 avocados, 2 different kinds of bread and other goodies.

Our Social bridge had 4 substitutes today. Each time it is getting harder and harder to get 8 players. Some have memory problems and don’t want to play anymore, and there are other health problems. The group started playing 2 years before Erin was born. So, after 46 1/2 years our bridge playing days are coming to a close, and I think we will just meet for lunch every couple of months or so.

Barbara

 

Erin and Crab; Bao – Wed. Feb. 10, 2016

Erin just informed us about midnight that while we were out, she had gone to the refrigerator, and opened a can of crab from Costco. She had spread mayonaise on bread and had had a crab sandwich!  I was excited that she was so productive! There were 2 cans in the fridge, so she wasn’t worried about using up something that I had planned for.

I accidentally posted pictures of the bao that was served at bridge today. I meant to send it to my sisters who were interested in knowing what it looked like.

Barbara

Visit from Barbara Bravos – Wed. Feb. 10, 2016

Barbara Bravos, Erin’s former hospice volunteer, came to visit Erin today. Barbara took Erin around the block (about 2/3 of a mile), and Erin pushed herself a good portion of the way. It was the first time Erin made the excursion in quite a while. We are having very mild weather. Monday’s high of 74 was a record high for Feb. 8th.

Sorry I didn’t take a picture. It would have been a picture with no food!

Barbara

Erin & Nopalitos Taco- Tues. Feb. 9, 2016

For our Tuesday lunch outing today we went to Nopalitos Southwestern Cafe, a small cafe at the corner of 56th and H. Erin ordered the Nopalitos taco which was huge. Clark and I had tamales in a bowl.

Erin’s taco was a crispy flour tortilla filled with beans, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, mild salsa, and carnitas. She barely made a dent in it, so Clark helped her finish it.

Afterwards, Clark suggested going for ice cream. We headed for What’s the Scoop for Gunther’s ice cream, and when we tried the door, it was locked. We were too early. So, then we went to Burr’s fountain which is a lunch place as well as a source of Vic’s ice cream, and it, too, was closed, so we headed home.

It seems as if I am always talking about food!
Barbara

Erin having Midnight Snack – Mon. Feb. 8, 2016

Erin had a 2nd helping of Chicken-South-of-the-Border at almost midnight tonight. Then Clark talked her in to having some of his maple bar.
Barbara

Brandon at El Novillero – Sat. Feb. 6, 2016

Brandon suggested that we all go to El Novillero for dinner tonight. Pretty striking shirt he is wearing!
Barbara