Meet Me On Monday

Java @ Never Growing Old hosts "Meet Me On Monday" over on her blog. It's always fun getting to know a little more about blogging buddies so I thought I'd join in too. She asked us to answer these 5 questions about ourselves...

1. Crunchy or soft tacos: Homemade crunchy tacos are my favorite. I don't make them often because they are so messy to make but boy does my family love some homemade crunchy tacos.

2. Do you scrapbook: I never jumped on the scrapbooking bandwagon. I'm very organized with my photos and kept up the baby books nicely but never did officially scrapbook.

3. Do you take any daily medications: Nothing other than Vitamins and such. No prescribed medications, thank goodness. I do take Boniva for my bones but it's one pill once a month.

4. What is your favorite sound: It would have to be the sound of water, either the sound of crashing waves on the shore or the sound of a nice gentle waterfall. As much as I love the sound of water though, I love it even more when I hear my two grown children having a conversation together. They don't get to see each other often so I love it when they get a chance to connect and be together.

5. Where were you born: Right here in California...and I'm still here...much to my chagrin!

Happy Monday!

It's Friday

And I'm nosy...

So here's the question: How many siblings do you have? Sisters? Brothers? Are you great friends with your siblings?

I am the oldest of three girls, no brothers in the family.

My middle sister is 3 years younger and we have always been best friends. She is incredibly funny, beautiful, soft hearted, and generous to a fault. I cannot ever picture my life without her in it.

My youngest sister is 9 years younger than I am and is one of the nicest, sweetest people you'd ever meet. She NEVER says anything bad about anyone and I respect her so much for that character trait. It's just not in her nature to bad mouth anyone or anything. She too is beautiful, funny, soft hearted, and generous!

I am beyond blessed with wonderful sisters and that is the one thing that I will always feel sad about for my own daughter. I wish she was able to experience life with a sister, but you know what, God is good! God blessed my daughter with a fabulous long time best friend that is a true sister of the heart. I'm sure they will be best friends and sisters for life!

Wordless Wednesday

You never know what you'll see on the open road...

Stand Up Paddle Event

Even though Howard is still recovering from his recent surgery, we decided to go out of town this weekend as originally planned. Our very dear friend Kathy's son Steven died unexpectedly one year ago from a thoracic aortic dissection and a memorial stand up paddle event was scheduled yesterday, come rain or shine, and rain it did!

Steven was 40 years old when he literally dropped dead on the floor at the surfboard shop he owned. He had no idea he had heart issues although his father, Kathy's husband, had died of heart problems at the age of 39. Since Steven's death, all of Kathy's family has been tested and subsequently one of her other son's has had heart surgery so as to avoid the same fate as his brother and father. Luckily, he was there yesterday, healthy, and able to support his late brother.

Steven was an avid surfer and was one of the first ones to promote SUP (stand up paddling). The idea of stand up paddling on a surf board was new to me but since learning about it, I've noticed it more and more. I saw alot of it in Hawaii this past summer and thought of Steven every time. Here is a picture of Steven in a SUP race...


Yesterday was WINDY, RAINY, and FREEZING but about 100+ people gathered at the Long Beach Harbor for the 1st Annual Adler Paddler SUP event. It was a 2.8 mile race around the harbor and fundraiser, raising money for Steven's son's college fund as well as The John Ritter Foundation. John Ritter died unexpectedly of the same thing and his wife and daughter were there with us yesterday to show their support. John's widow, actress Amy Yasbeck, called Kathy months back and has been a great comfort to her. It was a wonderful thing to witness and be apart of. Twelve of us camping buddies braved the cold and rain to support Kathy and even a few mentioned that maybe next year they'd join in on the race. FYI, I wasn't one of them. I'll stay back, take pictures, and buy raffle tickets to support the cause! John Ritter's wife said next year let's call it "Adler Paddler Ritter Sitter!" She thinks like me, she'd like to watch this event while sitting on the sidelines!

Here are a few pictures from the day...








Here's Kathy with us, some of her camping club buddies (it must be the angle of the camera because I look like 2 ton Hanna in this photo!)


This girl was smart, she's showing everyone how she attached her jacket to her paddle and used it as a sail...


Here are a few pictures of Amy, John Ritter's widow...



And this is a picture of Clark (far left), Steven's 14 year old son as he finished the stand up paddle event. He was chilled to the bone but smiling from ear to ear from such an accomplishment. The wind was brutal and I'm sure it was so hard for this little guy to finish the 2.8 miles but he did it. He did it in memory of his Dad...


And now getting a congratulatory kiss from Grandma Kathy...


The weather was horrible but the spirit at this event was bright and sunny, just like Steven Adler and John Ritter were in life. May they rest in peace.

My Poor Hubby

My husband had surgery on Wednesday for what we thought was going to be a fairly simple procedure but it turned out to be not so simple after all. During this past summer, Howard noticed what he thought was a boil on the back of his neck. In the meantime, months passed and all was forgotten until I caught a glimpse of his profile about a month ago. Oh my goodness, it stopped me in my tracks. He obviously knew it had gotten bigger but had done a good job of wearing things with collars and was really good at hiding it from people. That small boil had grown to about the size of an orange!

After much arguing (why do men not want to take care of themselves and go see doctors!?!), he finally went to my doctor and was referred to a surgeon. In addition to finding out he now has high blood pressure, the surgeon scheduled surgery to remove what he thought was a benign tumor. Once he got in there though he found out it wasn't a tumor at all, it was an abscess. Howard had a hugh abscess and is really lucky the bacteria didn't spread to his bloodstream. He could have gone septic at any time.

As soon as the surgeon and anesthesiologist saw the abscess they immediately agreed that Howard is a diabetic, which was total news to us. It makes sense though. It may have started with a little boil but if you are diabetic, you don't heal properly and it looks like that was the case. He will be having blood work done next week to confirm the diagnosis.

They also noticed a heart arrhythmia during the surgery but an EKG done yesterday showed that he had converted back to sinus rhythm, thank goodness, but he'll be seeing a cardiologist soon too.

So now my husband who never took any medication at all takes blood pressure medication, heart medication, aspirin, vitamins, pain meds for the incision from surgery, and may be starting insulin soon. Poor thing, but he's handling it all pretty well considering it means a complete lifestyle change for him.

So as you can see, we've been pretty busy around here with the surgery and many many doctor appointments but I'll keep you posted on his progress. So many friends and relatives have called, dropped by, and sent texts wondering how he's doing. He's a lucky guy to have so much support.

A sweet friend dropped off these beautiful tulips Wednesday night for Howard. Aren't they pretty and spring like!

It's Friday

And I'm nosy...

So here's the question: Do you use a PC or do you have a Mac Book? My computer died last weekend so it's at Best Buy trying to get repaired right now, but in the meantime, my husband talked me into getting a Mac. It's definitely different and I'm not sure I like it.

I hear the Macs take about a week to get accustomed to and then I'll be in love. We'll see about that!

If you have a Mac, do you have any helpful hints or words of advice you'd like to pass along?

Computer Issues...

I don't know what happened but sadly my computer died this weekend. I even had some computer savvy camping friends take a look at it but they weren't able to bring it back to life. I guess it's gonna have to go see the Geek Squad at Best Buy this week.

I'll be back when I can!