I'm in Love, I'm All Shook Up!

That's right. Henry was Elvis for Halloween. So damn cute. He could be my teddy bear any time. And I must give equal time to the equally adorable Audrey who was supposed to be Strawberry Shortcake but changed her mind at the last minute (like every woman) and was a butterfly instead. Spending time with Audrey and Henry has been the biggest perk of wintering in SoCal. Here's why.

I knew that Audrey and Henry's babysitter had taken them somewhere to see some chickens. For whatever reason I thought they were in someone's backyard.

Me: Audrey, does the babysitter have chickens in her yard?

Audrey: No.

Me: Where are the chickens?

Audrey: They're in the fridge, Non.

Another example. Audrey came out of her room wearing a princess costume a few weeks ago.

Rick: Audrey, you look just like a real princess!

Audrey: I am a real princess Appa. All I need is a castle, a wolf and a bush for the wolf to hide in.

The stories go on. One funnier than the last. Simply precious.

I had a terrific and much needed visit from Nancy and Colleen. Since I don't have any friends here (I am not a loser!) it was a welcome holiday from my duties as Lauren's slave. However, this visit was not without what seems to be our usual car trouble. No, not the new Traverse. We only have the Traverse here so with one car it can be challenging. The girls and I decided to rent a car for the duration of their stay to make things easier on everyone. Monday afternoon we are enjoying the views on PCH driving home from the beach in the rental. Lo and behold, the brakes went OUT. Fortunately we were near Neptune's net, and honestly, if you have to break down somewhere this is the place. Called Avis who gave us the roadside assistance number. Called roadside assistance and they said it would be 4 hours to get out to us with another vehicle. WHAT? Not acceptable in any way, shape or form. The supervisor that I spoke with advised me to drive the car back to the rental agency near LAX if I wanted to get another car sooner. I asked if the call was being recorded, and it was, so when me and my two friends die because there are no breaks in this car, this recording will be available for the lawsuit, RIGHT? Surprisingly, there was no response. Ultimately, we had it towed and did not get another car. Rick came to pick us up and we did just fine with one care for the last two days. Note to self: Do not ever, under any circumstances, rent from Avis. Morons.

Lauren is doing well. She enjoyed a much needed trip to spend a week with Nathan. And Rick and I enjoyed the time she was away. First break we have had since July 18. From empty nesters and loving it to 24/7 care. Tough deal. Her doctor back at Rush did not give her the okay to start putting weight on her foot. He said he does not want her to do anything until he sees her when we come home for Thanksgiving. We all sort of expected that. And after everything Lauren has been through theses last 3 1/2 months, we do not want to rush things and have a setback. She is so done with the crutches and I can't blame her. Hopefully in a few weeks. Fingers crossed.

Expecting rain in SoCal tomorrow. If it does rain, it will be the second time since we moved here on September 9. Far cry from October in Chicago.

Appa Love

If Only

If only the NFL donated the monies spent for pink gear to breast cancer research. Now that would be something. We all know someone. Someone's mom, friend, sister, aunt, cousin, daughter, co-worker. I am pretty certain that if I were to ask my few friends that have survived breast cancer what their take on this is, they would agree with me wholeheartedly. That being said, there was much less pink garb this year than last year. Do you think they actually read my email? Seriously. I did not email them last year but I so wanted to. I'll stop now because this could get ugly.

The Bears had a great game today. Matt Forte was on fire and Devin Hester is simply unbelievable at punt returning. Not being able to go to the games this year has been so hard. While we miss our families and friends, we miss the Bears games. Tailgate, champagne, good food, my family and a W, now that's the perfect fall day. We watched the Bears from a sports bar nearby and proudly sang the fight song with each score. Loudly. It was awesome. The bar had a special: all you can drink mimosas for $15. Sign me up. I ordered mine without orange juice. I'm confident that I drank my $15 worth and then some. So there.

And a shout out to the Fighting Illini on their big win over Northwestern yesterday. Always a contentious game in our house since Justin went to Northwestern and Lauren went to U. of I. But it was a nail biter to the end. The Illini won it in the last minute after coming from way behind. Man I love football. Especially when my teams are winning. That's the key.

Lauren goes to see the doctor at USC tomorrow for the first time. He will take X-rays and send them back to her doctor at Rush. Her physical therapy is progressing nicely and she is able to move her foot/ankle a little more with each session. With any luck, tomorrow she will get the okay to go in the pool. Nice to be in California with this great weather, not so nice if you can't go in the pool.

We had to skip the farmer's market this weekend because I cannot possibly eat all the fruits and vegetables I am buying. I really need to get a grip and the first step in doing that is to stay away for one Saturday. Going just for the flowers might have been a good idea but I know that I could not go there and only buy flowers. I just stayed away and I'm proud of myself for not caving.

Saturday was instead spent with Audrey and Henry. Those kids are so special. I know everyone says that about their grandkids, but you've never met Aud and Henry. Audrey is still smitten with her Appa but I got her attention most of yesterday. Nothing compares to the deep belly laugh of a toddler. The kind where they can't even control themselves and sometimes end up with hiccups from. I witnessed a lot of that yesterday. And big Hank, he has lots to say but you can't understand a thing. He will come up to you and look you in the eye and go on and on about something that is apparently very important to him. Not understanding all but two words you respond with, "really?" then he looks at you so seriously and says, "BRGNT!" And he continues about his business. Awesome.

On this week's agenda:

Dr. David Thordarson

Malibu Seafood for whole lobsters

Dog beach with Ozzy, but only once. He is getting too old for twice in one week.

And maybe a massage

Life is good in Southern California.

Its Official

Skating is over and Lauren is heading to California this summer. Two big whammies.

IllinoiSkating actually got the chance to spend a day at Disneyland before competing. This photo is of the four seniors, at Disneyland, who skated all four years. There were others but they didn't last. Illinois placed 8th out of 9 teams. They had their best skates of the year and you can't ask for more than that. So sad to see it end. I can hardly look at the pictures without tearing up a bit. It's been a crazy 12 years. But so much fun. To my daughter: While I will miss all the good times we shared during your skating career, I am totally psyched for the next stage of your life. Pepperdine look out!

Yep. Its a done deal. Lauren will be attending Pepperdine University . We went for a tour and she was sold. We were sold. It wasn't hard to sell any of us. The campus is gorgeous and the graduate program that Lauren will be in only takes 6-12 students per year with about half of them continuing studies to pursue doctorate degrees, something Lauren is interested in. Most of her classes will be 6-12 students with the exception of her few "gen ed" classes that will have about 20-22. There are only 3500 total students at Pepperdine, smaller than Lauren's high school by 500. Wow. What an opportunity. Good for her. She has worked very hard, not only in college, but high school as well. I have always said that good things happen when you work hard. I think she gets it. First thing on her list is taking surfing lessons with her brother!

As for our time with the grandkids.......Too short. Audrey and Henry are growing up so fast. Henry is the happiest baby you have ever seen. The only time that kid fusses is when he is tired or hungry. That makes things so simple. Feed him or give him a nap. All the pictures can be viewed here. Disneyland, story time, park trips, meals and just plain fun. And we get to see them again in August when we take Lauren to school. Yippee!

Precious

We spent the day with our little Audball yesterday and Grandpa got to read her bedtime stories. There's a particular book (not this one) titled Knuffle Bunny that has a cartoon picture of an old man with glasses, a mustache and no hair that Aud likes to point to and call Appa, her term for Grandpa. She waits and waits for that picture and when the page is turned she points to Appa faster than you can begin reading. Way too cute. Rick is the best storybook reader. We look forward to lots of bedtime stories, not only with Aud, but with Dos as well

My Italian Heritage

I can't help it. I just want to feed Audrey. And feed her some real food. This girl loves her groceries. So on Sunday I made Audrey her first sweet potato. Clearly it was a big hit. Next up: butternut squash. YUM!

Like No Other

That's all I can say about New Orleans. What an interesting place. We had a spectacular time this past weekend. Lots of fun on Bourbon Street, lots of yummy food including char grilled oysters and the best beignets ever. One thing I learned for certain is Lauren is never going to New Orleans without me. It is no place for a cute young blond. And it's a good thing it took me until this point in my life to make it to New Orleans. I think if I was young like Lauren I may not have come home.

We arrived in NOLA late Friday night and immediately upon checking in our hotel we headed straight across the street to Chuck's Bar and the party began. We only stayed out until 4 that night. Saturday was graduation day. I cannot begin to express the pride we felt for Marc. He has worked so hard for the last 7 years. First undergrad at UCLA then off to Tulane for law school less that a year after hurricane Katrina when no sane person wanted to live in such a devastated city. No sane person but Marc. Here we are 3 years later and he has a Juris Doctor degree and a place he finally calls home. That's right. He and Ashley are staying in New Orleans, they love it there and Marc has a job. Something that many of his fellow graduates do not have. We enjoyed a fantastic celebratory dinner at Desire Oyster Bar with the entire family including all both of Ashley's parents and their spouses, Marc's mom, J&J and Audrey. Rick made a lovely toast to the newest lawyer in the family that brought tears to my eyes and his. He is so proud of his son. But I have to tell you Lauren and I were done with all the lawyer talk between Marc and Rick this weekend! Then it was time to experience Bourbon Street. I am speechless when it comes to Bourbon Street. It is like no other place in the world. Nowhere else in the world can you get a "Huge Ass Beer" to go. Bar after bar after bar, most with live music and all with crazy drunk ass people (not us of course). Ashley told us of a game that her and Marc frequently play when they're on Bourbon Street. It's called "Costume or Not." I have to say that most times it's not!

On Sunday we enjoyed a lovely brunch at Lil' Dizzy's. $20 all you can eat and all the mimosas and champagne you can drink. My kind of place but it would have been better had we all not stayed out so late the night before! Then it was off to a traditional New Orleans craw fish boil that was hosted by a friend and fellow Tulane Law graduate of Marc's. Marc described their craw fish boils as being akin to out bonfires. Nothing but a keg of beer and all the craw fish you can eat. No napkins, just a hose. Very interesting to experience the local culture on this level. After a brief rest we were off to dinner, again with the whole gang, at Acme Oyster House and then on to Bourbon Street again. After three consecutive nights of partying til the wee hours we decided on Monday night that none of us, including Lauren (go figure that we could have worn out the college kid) needed another night on Bourbon Street. There was a point on Sunday night that Lauren and I were in a bar and Rick was waiting outside for Marc to show up. Lauren had a clear view of Rick outside and leaned over to me and said, "I don't know what's going on out there but Dad has a bunch of beads!" Turns out he was being pelted by some drunks up in a balcony! Time to move on before somebody gets hurt! Another fun filled day on Monday including lunch with J&J&A, a cocktail at the Carousel Lounge (The bar actually rotates like a carousel. Lauren and I agreed that we were only good for one drink at this place! I'm not good with the round and round thing. When I would watch Lauren practice her spins for skating, sometimes I had to leave because just watching would make me dizzy.) and finally some shopping for all that touristy stuff. Dinner Monday night at Drago in the Hilton. Probably one of the best lobsters I've ever had. Not to mention the shrimp fondue and more char grilled oysters. You can't go too far in NOLA without having char grilled oysters. Tuesday was time for a muffletta. Not any muffletta, the original muffletta from the Central Grocery. Turns out the Central Grocery and the muffletta are both Italian. Who knew? After stuffing ourselves once again Marc and Ash took us for a scenic (I say this sarcastically) drive of the ravaged lower 9th ward. Absolutely devastating to see the damage from hurricane Katrina even four years later. My prayers go out to those people. And yours should too. Then it was off to the airport and home to the HG. Our time with the kids is always too short but 4 days in NOLA is about all I could handle without going to rehab!

Some highlights from our Cajun adventure:

Audrey-she is the best travelling baby EVER! Never heard her cry all weekend and we put her through the wringer.
HUGE ASS BEERS to go-no explanation needed.
The trail of powdered sugar from the beignets that went from our elevator straight to our hotel room door. Not to hard to figure out who made the mess in the hotel hallway!
The drag queens on the seedy party of Bourbon Street, now there's a sight!
The guy in Chuck's bar with the fake mustache that at one point in the night was actually on the guys cheek.
The old broad on Bourbon Street who showed her "stuff" and scarred us all for life!
The craw fish boil-gotta love an afternoon of cold beer and head sucking!
Riding the streetcar-a first for me and Lauren.
And last but certainly not least-seeing Marc get his diploma. A proud, proud moment.

Deck update:
While in NOLA work continued until the building inspector showed up and shut us down. No more work until I go to the Health Department and get them to "sign off" on our septic system. That's on my list first thing today. My builder said there are all old men at the health department so I'm going to wear something a little low cut and smile pretty and hope for the best this morning. If all goes well the earliest they will be back at work will be next Thursday. What a pain in my ass. What really makes it a pain is the fact that the building inspector showed up because a neighbor called in to complain. Complain about what? That my deck will be better than yours? Get a life and mind your own fucking business.

Heading to Cadiz later today for a sun filled weekend on the boat. We are missing a celebration at my brother Ken's house this weekend for my niece Allison's college graduation. She graduated from University of Missouri in just three years and is moving to Denver with the BF in 2 weeks. We are so proud of her too, and since we love Denver I know it won't be long until we visit. I know I'm getting old when the nieces and nephews start graduating from college!

To view pics from our trip click here.

The first two pics are of the bullfrog that is living on the edge of Karla's pond. They got mixed in with the grad pics. The bullfrog is probably about 6" round. He (or she) is HUGE!

It's a Girl!

Finally. Meet Audrey Jane Anderson. I'm not really sure of the spelling but I'm taking a wild guess. And since J&J are relatively normal I'm thinking so is the spelling of the baby's name. 8lbs. 15oz. 21 and 1/2 inches long. And while I did not witness this for myself, I am told she has huge feet! Born sometime around 8pm after 21 hours of labor. Mama, Papa and baby are all well. Tired but well. So long Wyatt, Hello Audrey!