Book Meme!

I got this from Observations of a Librarian. It's a meme and it's about books - how can I resist?

1. Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews?
   Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude. I know, I know...but it is *impenetrable* to me. I've tried in English and Spanish, with Cliff Notes - I can't get through it. I own it though...so some day maybe...
2. If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be?
   Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's, Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird, Lestat from Interview with the Vampire. I'd have the over for drinks. I'd try to set Holly up with Atticus - I think they'd be good for each other, she'd help him loosen up and he would be a steadying influence for her. Lestat, would be my date...:)
3. (Borrowing shamelessly from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde): you are told you can’t die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realize it’s past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave?
   Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. Not only do I disagree with the philosophy the book espouses, but 645,000 words in 1168 pages - I mean come on!
4. Come on, we’ve all been there. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you’ve read, when in fact you’ve been nowhere near it?
   I don't think I've ever done this.
5. As an addition to the last question, has there been a book that you really thought you had read, only to realise when you read a review about it/go to ‘reread’ it that you haven’t? Which book? Wuthering Heights. I would have sworn I read it, but I didn't and when I tried to I couldn't finish it - but I loved the movie!
6. You’re interviewing for the post of Official Book Advisor to some VIP (who’s not a big reader). What’s the first book you’d recommend and why? (if you feel like you’d have to know the person, go ahead and personalise the VIP).
   To Kill a Mockingbird because I think everyone should read this book at least once.
7. A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with?
   French.
8. A mischievous fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick?
   There are several I have read several times, but again I'll go with To Kill a Mockingbird. I've read it several times already, but not quite once a year.
9. I know that the book blogging community, and its various challenges, have pushed my reading borders. What’s one bookish thing you ‘discovered’ from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art-anything)?
   I read about graphic novels and now it has become a genre I really enjoy greatly.
10. That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she’s granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leather bound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead-let your imagination run free.
    Bookshelves built into the walls , a big comfortable chair with an ottoman, a rocking chair, a rolltop desk, a ceiling fan, and a nice sound system. The books would be a mixed lot - raggedy paperbacks, hard copies, some leather bound stuff, big art books, etc.

If you want to play, leave a note in my Comments section :)

Regarding Dubyuh's "Economic Stimulus" Check

1/26's cartoon by Jim Morin for The Miami Herald.
(click on image to enlarge)

Two Little Miracles

Amidst all the craziness that's been going on in my life I have been lucky enough to witness a wonderful event.

A friend with whom I work and his wife, with lots of faith and lots of hope, made the decision to initiate the adoption process back in June/July 2007. They applied to an agency where a friend from their church works. They went through the classes, background checks, home visits, paperwork, etc. Time passed and nothing happened. As 2007 drew to a close they were starting to believe it wouldn't happen, in fact they told each other "It looks like we're not going to have children" and they started to plan their annual summer vacation for 2008.

Through a series of events and conversations, my friend and his wife were told of a woman who had 5 kids - two of them infant twins - and needed to give up the twins, because she simply couldn't afford them. On January 3rd, my friend made an initial phone call to find out the details about the situation. Many phone calls later to lawyers, the birth mother, the agency's social worker and others, on January 9th my friends drove to Central Florida and came home with beautiful, 6 month-old fraternal twin girls. The lucky little girls are absolutely adorable, and the parents are beaming with happiness.

In just 6 days the lives of 4 people (plus extended friends and family) were changed forever! The clincher: the girls were named Faith and Hope by tehir birth mother! And, they were born at about the same time my friends decided to try to adopt.

Here they are, Faith on the left and Hope on the right.



These little girls are so blessed and have been greeted with so much love that their new dad was a bit overwhelmed the other day as he thanked all of us for the quick baby shower we put together for them. They had less than a month to prepare for not one but two babies - they had nothing! He told me that it hadn't been just us, but the new mom's workplace had done the same thing, as had members of their church along with their family.

What a way to begin the new year! I was lucky enough to see a miracle occur, one that has blessed four very special people.

Book Review - "Darcy's Story" by Janet Aylmer

Between reading this book and being in the midst of PBS' "The Complete Jane Austen" series, I have been submerged in Jane Austen's world the last few weeks. And you know what? I like it. Everyone is so civilized, and there are parties all the time and nobody seems to actually work for a living. They just have some sort of stipend allotted to them and they ride around in carriages and drink tea. I like tea.

Anyway, Darcy's Story is one in the ever growing genre of "sequels" to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, only they're not written by Jane Austen. This is actually the second of this genre that I've read. A couple of years ago, as part of my now defunct book club, I read Mr. Darcy's Daughters by Elizabeth Aston. I think I liked this one much more because I knew and liked the character of Darcy, but I had not "met" the daughters.

We see a new side to Darcy where we learn that he really is an arrogant snob, but for all the right reasons. See, the thing is, he's actually shy and socially inept. Really. I always wanted to know Darcy's side of the story regarding his meeting and tortured courtship of Elizabeth Bennett, and that is exactly the story this book tells.

Aylmer tries to write in the style of Jane Austen and does it well enough; she also often uses direct quotes from P & P. What I liked best is that she parallels the timeline in P & P so that we see what Darcy is doing when we don't see him in P & P.
Is this great literature? Absolutely not. Could it stand alone without P & P? No way. This book is only for tried and true fans of "Pride and Prejudice" - which I am. Otherwise, it's not worth the time it takes to read.

The Lola Shuffle - "The No Time to Think of a Name Edition"

I can't think about a cute name today...go Lola...do your thing...

1. Back in the USSR - The Beatles
2. Hand in My Pocket - Alanis Morissette
3. Lady - Lenny Kravitz (love this song!)
4. You Should Be Dancing - The Bee Gees
5. Run to You - Bryan Adams
6. Bicycle Race - Queen
7. Black is the Color - Nina Simone (amazing song, amazing voice)
8. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word - Elton John
9. Scenes From an Italian Restaurant - Billy Joel
10. Buffalo Soldier - Bob Marley

Wow! Lots of cool stuff we haven't shuffled before...nice job.

See...I knew something like this was gonna happen...

So...today was my mom's first day of outpatient physical therapy. The way it's supposed to work is that the ALF where she lives calls the transportation service to pick her up and take her to PT and then bring her back home. The ALF has to call the day before therapy to arrange for transportation, and they did, telling them the appointment was at 3 and that she would be there for an hour - they should pick her up at the house between 1:30 and 2 p.m.

Well, they arrived late to pick her up so she technically arrived to her appointment late but the Rehab people were nice enough to take her anyway. About 15 minutes before she was done the Rehab people called the transport service and told them to be there by 4:15 - not because they had to, but just to make sure everything went well.

At around 4:00 or so, hubby and I drove by the Rehab place on our way home. I said to my husband, oh, they should be picking Mami up around now, she should be done (I didn't know she had started late). Then I said "God, I hope the transport doesn't forget her and leave her there".

Fast forward to 5:30 p.m., I'm sitting in my comfy chair watching what appeared to be the first-ever episode of "Beverly Hills 90210". I get a call from the Rehab place telling me that MY MOTHER WAS STILL THERE! The transport hadn't come by to get her!

OHMYGOD!

The girl said she seemed OK, but they felt sorry for her because she had been there so long.

At this point my back, which has been bothering me for over two weeks, went into an immediate spasm. But I didn't have time to deal with that because the Rehab place was going to close at 7 p.m. and we either had to find out if transportation was on the way or if we had to go get her.

After several calls to several places they told me they would be there in 15 minutes - that would be 6 p.m. At 6 p.m. they still weren't there. I called some more people and finally got the number for the transport company dispatcher. OK - are you ready for this? Do you know what the dispatcher's name is? Wait for it...

Fidel.

Yes, the horrible man who had abandoned my 84 year old, broken-hipped, Alzheimer's confused mother is named Fidel! I swear I am not making this up. If you're not a Cuban-American from Miami you may not appreciate the black irony of this.

So I called Fidel. My husband who understands Spanish relatively well realized that I had gone as he calls it into "Little Havana mode". See, Fidel started yelling at me ! when I asked him - way more calmly than the situation merited - what was happening. So when Fidel yelled at me, I of course yelled at him. I'm talking arms flapping, eyes popping, pacing back and forth yelling.

Then he put Maximiliano on the phone, because I guess Fidel had lived through enough abuse in his life because of his name and couldn't deal with me. Maximiliano wanted to tell me this long drawn out story about why they hadn't picked up my 84 year old, broken-hipped, Alzheimer's confused mother. I told Maximiliano, OK maybe a little bit animatedly, that I didn't have time to hear his story because I needed to know whether or not Hubby had to finish putting on his pants so we could go get my 84 year old, broken-hipped, Alzheimer's confused mother before the rehab people who had been working all day and wanted to go home parked her in her wheelchair in the handicapped space in the parking lot!

So then Maximiliano started yelling at me and telling me that his wife was getting her and that she was *right there*, she was getting her *right now*! Meanwhile half-panted Hubby is on the phone with the Rehab people, and Maximiliano's wife was NOT *right there*. THEN Maximiliano asks me what the suite number was.

Me (in loud Spanish): What do you mean what suite number? Maximiliano you just told me your wife was *right there*. How can she be *right there* when you don't know the suite number for *right there*?

Maximiliano (also in loud Spanish): She IS right there, she IS right there! So, uh, what's the suite number?

So I give him the suite number and Ana - Maximiliano's wife - actually arrived. My husband then hands me the cell phone because Ana wants to talk to me. So now I have Ana on the cell in one ear and her husband Maximiliano on the land line in the other ear. Ana asks me "So, can you mother walk?"

WTF?

So I start yelling at both of them that they should already know this seeing as to how this is THEIR JOB, and yes, she can walk with some assistance for short distances - meanwhile my husband still with his pants half way up his legs is sitting on the bed looking at me somewhat bemusedly.

Ana, who apparently has more patience than either Fidel or Maximiliano - perhaps because she has a regular name - calmly told me that everything was OK and she would be taking my mother home and everything would be fine.

(sigh)

I called the ALF and she arrived just fine, had her dinner and went to bed.

Thank God, in this case, her dementia actually seems to have helped because she didn't realize how long she had been waiting or that anything was wrong. As for the therapy, in one of the million phone calls I spoke to the Physical Therapist and he said she did very well. She took instructions perfectly and the only issue was that she was afraid to stand up with the walker, but once she did she was fine and did everything she had to do.

Clearly, she's doing better than I am.

Book Review - "There's Nothing in This Book That I Meant To Say" by Paula Poundstone

I love Paula Poundstone, I think she is one of the best female comics of our generation. I love her humor, her delivery - just the way her mind works. And I so admire her getting through her much-publicized rough patch with drinking, and losing her kids, etc. I totally ready to absolutely love this book. As it turns out...not so much.

I just don't understand why she wrote the book the way she did. She has taken what to me seem eight random historical/cultural figures - Joan of Arc, Abraham Lincoln, Helen Keller, Charles Dickens, The Wright Brothers, Beethoven and Sitting Bull - and mushed up her story and humor with their stories. What's up with that?

I have no problem with her stream of consciousness style, I expected it, as that is often how she performs. And when she writes about her life, family and general observations she's hilarious - but when she writes about those other people it's boring and meandering, barely making sense!

Maybe it just went over my head and I'm missing something, but I can't recommend this book.

Beba Update - The Beba Has Landed

Well Mami is back home at her ALF. Everything went smoothly and when I left her she was reading a magazine in the living room sitting in her wheelchair.

She's not supposed to spend too much time in the wheelchair and only use it for long distances, but she was tired from the transfer and in a bit of pain, so I figured she could sit in it for a while. However she's supposed to move around accompanied but using the walker at least until physical therapy is over.

Next week she has to see the surgeon so he can remove the last of the staples from surgery, and she has to start the outpatient therapy - so we'll see how that goes.

She's in good spirits and seems to have reacclimated herself, so that's good.

Thanks for your good thoughts, I'll keep you all posted.

The Lola Shuffle - The "I Watched a Disturbing Rap Video This Morning" Edition

I mean really! It involves Snoop and 50 Cent (aka "Fitty") and some other people I don't know but apparently are big in the "Gangsta Rap" world.

This had to be the most blatantly vile, misogynistic, sexist, crude, tacky rap video ever. The song is called P.I.M.P. (Remix). Go ahead and check out the lyrics while I throw up in my mouth a little bit. Be warned, there is nasty language in there, but the "bad" words aren't really the problem - it's the whole point of the song. Y'all know I'm no prude, but come on!

This wouldn't bother me so much except that the video was playing at 7:45 a.m. on one of the digital video channels. Now, yes most of the bad language wasn't heard, but really it was the images that got to me. Of course there a plethora of scantily-clad beautiful girls of all races and sizes writhing all over the men, some of them thrusting their rumps into the camera (?), etc. But at one point there was a guy holding a leash with three attached to it! What the hell?

The worst part is, the beat is awesome. If you don't listen to the words, it's a great party song - which makes it all the more insidious. I guess I'm officially old now...I just don't get it. Oy, vey, the mind wobbles.

OK, that's it now I'll let Lola shuffle up some music that promises to be *pimp free*!

1. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da - The Beatles
2. Me and Julio Down By The School Yard - Paul Simon (Genius! One of my favorite Simon songs)
3. The Chain - Fleetwood Mac
4. Be My Life's Companion - The Mills Brothers (Their voices are like velvet...)
5. Don't Know Why - Norah Jones (Her first hit - rememebr how refreshing she was? Easy, elegant, beautiful voice. Great song.)
6. Let the River Run - Carly Simon (Awesome - probably my favorite Carly Simon song!)
7. My Baby Just Cares For Me - Nina Simone (Lola is on a roll - phenomenal rendition of this song. Again, what a voice!)
8. Whenever, Wherever - Shakira (Wow - this hadn't played in a while - I lke it.)
9. Lonely People - America
10. I Would Die 4 U - Prince (Perfect! I loves me some diminutive purple one! These lyrics are great...and by the way, how many years before text messaging did Prince start writing that way?)

Lola, that was wonderful, it was exactly what I needed! Good job...

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Culinarily Adventurous Girls Club

Have I ever told you about how a group of my friends and I get together once a month to try out new restaurants and foods? We call ourselves the Culinarily Adventurous Girls Club, (yes, I know "culinarily" is not a word - just go with it). We even let our boys be "honorary adventurous girls"!

If you have time, visit our web site and let me know what you think. Go ahead and explore - look at the pictures, check out the News Feeds we have some interesting stuff there, etc.

We have so much fun! We've been doing this for about two years and have enjoyed all kinds of cuisine: Ethiopian, South African, Korean, French, Indian, Salvadoran, Vietnamese, Mexican, Filipino, Bengali, Portuguese, Indonesian, etc. Obviously, in some cases the *adventure* is in trying a new restaurant rather than the type of food, but there's always something new to be discovered and tasted.

This is one of the ways I stay in touch with my friends regularly - we schedule time to just hang out, eat some good food, drink some good wine (or other things!) and just have fun.

Do you do anything special with your friends on a regular basis to maintain those important connections?

Beba Update

Yesterday I attended a "team conference" at the rehab hospital. I met with Mami's "team" which included her doctor, her therapists, etc. She has continued going to therapy every day. She is 75%-85% independent in all the *skills* they look at, can walk 100 feet on her own using a walker with wheels and she's doing exceptionally well in the occupational therapy exercises. They were all amazed at her progress.

The big news is that she's doing so well that as of today they're planning on sending her home to her assisted living facility on Saturday! If she goes home Saturday she'll have been in Rehab exactly 2 weeks.

Once she's in the ALF she'll need more assistance than she did before, but they are supposed to be equipped to handle that. Also we're going to try out-patient therapy where she will be transported back and forth for one hour of physical therapy a couple of times a week. Because of her mental state we don't know how she'll respond, but we'll at least try it, as it will help her be mobile sooner.

It appears the second phase of the *adventure* is almost over, but now we're entering the third phase which will have its own challenges. I ask for your continued prayers and good wishes for her. I'll keep you posted as events warrant.

As always thanks so much for your support.

Jane Austen's "Persuasion" on PBS

Have you seen "Persuasion" yet? I watched it last night and it was awesome! The hour and a half flew by.

The story of course was great, less humor than P&P, but the actress playing Anne (the heroine) was fantastic and wholly likable. She's made to look very plain and dowdy but she manages to make you think she's beautiful. And the hero was suitably dashing.

Of course BBC's trademark staging and scenery was, as usual, phenomenal, even incorporating a few breathtaking seaside scenes. The details in all the sets and costuming were spot on.

I can hardly wait for next Sunday's "Northanger Abbey" which supposedly parodies Gothic fiction. From the trailer, it seems like it will be funny and maybe a little scary!

Jane Austen rocks!

Scattegories Meme

I got this from a friend via e-mail:

SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks! Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following... they have to be real places, names, things...nothing made up! Try to use different answers. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl and no combination words (only one word)!!!

If you wanna play, leave me a note in my Comments section.

1. What is your name: Hilda
2. 4 letter word: Hope
3. Vehicle: Honda
4. City: Honolulu
5. Boy's Name: Henry
6. Girl's Name: Hillary (YAY! Go Hillary!)
7. Alcoholic drink: Heineken
8. Occupation: Herbologist
9. Something you wear: Hat
10. Celebrity: Harpo
11. Food: Halibut
12. Something found in a bathroom: Hair (ewwww!)
13. Reason for Being Late: Husband
14. Cartoon character: Hägar
15. Something You Shout: HELP!
16. Animal: Horse
17. Body part: Hand
18. Word to describe you: Harried

Yes, I'm posting about Britney Spears!

I know, I know, I'm shocked too! But here's the thing, the other day I saw Spears' latest video for her single "Piece of Me". See it here on YouTube. Here are the lyrics.

It's really good. The lyrics are spot on about what she probably perceives as her life and they're smartly snarky, it sounds good, she looks great, she's dancing well. YAY Britney!

If only she could get her life together as well.

WOO HOO! "The Complete Jane Austen" on PBS!

Yes, I am that much of a geek that I'm excited about this! Click on the picture above, or on the picture of Jane Austen on my sidebar for details. Every Sunday beginning this Sunday (January 13th) they will be airing the BBC versions of Austen's major novels.

I've seen, own and am mildly obsessed with the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice . With all due respect to the plethora of other versions of this classic - I think the BBC's is the definitive version. Why? Because, really who is a better Mr. Darcy than Colin Firth ?

OK, I'll say it - I think Firth is a better Mr. Darcy than Laurence Olivier (gasp!).

So watch it - you won't regret it!

The Lola Shuffle - The "Now We've Got Us a Horse Race" Edition

I have to admit, I'm starting to get into the whole election spirit...let's see what political statement Lola makes today:

1. I Shot the Sheriff - Bob Marley and The Wailers
2. Calypso - John Denver
3. Fell In Love With a Boy - Joss Stone
4. Brilliant Disguise - Bruce Springsteen (not a huge hit for him, but fabulous lyrics)
5. Oye Como Va - Santana
6. I Am I Said - Neil Diamond
7. Dust in the Wind - Kansas
8. Mi Tierra - Gloria Estefan
9. Gold Dust Woman - Fleetwood Mac
10. Pata Pata - Miriam Makeba (I love this woman's voice - so much rhythm and feeling)

Well I'm not sure what Lola's thinking, but I know she's a Democrat!

New Year(ish) Meme

This is supposed to be a New Year Meme, so I figured I'd better post it before much longer. I found this at Pop Culture Librarian - fun! If you want to play, let me know in my comments.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
A bunch of stuff, but I'll say pumped gas

2. Did you keep last year's new years' resolutions, and did you make more for 2008?
I don't do New Year's resolutions

3. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2007?
Yes! A couple of friends at work, well technically their wives gave birth

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No - thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?
Only domestic travel.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Better health and healthy loved ones.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory?
12/30 my mom broke her hip.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Pumped gas for the first time! OK, seriously, stayed in close touch with my friends.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I don't keep track of my failures - I just try and learn from them.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I was diagnosed with Diabetes.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Our iPod docking station with speakers

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My friends, always my friends - they make me happy.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Dubyuh and company

14. Where did most of your money go?
I have no idea.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Hubby and my vacation to New Orleans to celbrate our 10th anniversary - it was fabulous.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
"Irreplacable" by Beyonce...it was everywhere and I really like it

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Sadder

b) thinner or fatter? Thinner

c) richer or poorer? Poorer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Travel.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worry.

20. How did you spend Christmas 2007?
With friends.

[21 is missing. Couldn't be bothered to stick around, apparently.]

22. Did you fall in love in 2007?
I stayed in love

23. How many one-night stands?
None, I'm a married lady!

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Lots, but I'll say "Brothers and Sisters"

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone.

26. What was the best book you read?
Several, but the highlight was "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows".

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Mika.

28. What did you want and get?
An iPod Shuffle.

29. What did you want and not get?
"Planet Earth" DVD set

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The only that come to mind is "Beowulf"

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 44 and my in-laws came to visit from Philadelphia.

32.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More travel.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Exactly the same as 2006.

34. What kept you sane?
Hubby, as always, kept me as sane as I'm gonna get.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I discovered Clive Owen - ohmygod where had he been all my life?

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The war in Iraq

37. Who did you miss?
My father

38. Who was the best new person you met?
My two year old niece, Celia.

39. What valuable life lesson did you learn in 2007?
I should try to be less controlling - I'm working on it.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums 2007.
"If I couldn't laugh I just would go insane" - "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" Jimmy Buffett

Go Hillary Go!

Hillary won the New Hampshire Democratic primary on Tuesday. Frankly the press is making such a big deal, you'd think Mike Gravel had won the damned thing. I mean, OK, she came in third - albeit by a minuscule margin - in Iowa, but come on!

As I had written before I have been torn about who to vote for in the primaries. I have now decided I'm voting for Hillary. In short, IMO, Richardson is not viable; Obama lacks experience; and Edwards has become very aggressive and reckless in his economic positions.

I always liked Hillary best, but thought she would be too polarizing in the general election - she still might be. But I'm glad I made up my mind.

What Did You Write? Meme

I guess this is a meme of sorts. I found this on The Nose Knows - I'm posting the first sentence of the first post for each month in 2007 - let's see what comes up. If you want to read the complete post, click on the month.

January
"Beyonce's 'Irreplaceable'.

February
"Author and syndicated journalist Molly Ivins died of breast cancer yesterday."

March
"...and little man...little Lola wants...to shuffle"

April
"Since a lot of us like to read, here are brief reviews for a couple of books I recently read:"

May
"One of my best friends and I got season tickets to the opera this year, we do Sunday matinees - and for the most part it's been great."

June
"The weather people are telling us we are in for a rainy weekend, so we've pretty much decided to cocoon - possibly not go out at all!"

July
"(This is a bit long - about 10 minutes and requires sound - but IMO, worth the time.)"

August
"I received this via e-mail today and thought I'd share it with you all. "

September
"50 years ago today Jack Kerouac's landmark novel "On the Road" was published."

October
"Some of you may have noticed the Donors Choose thingy on the upper left of my Blog.."

November
"Happy 10th Anniversary to hubby and me!"

December
"Today is World AIDS Day. "

If you participate, please let me know in my Comments section. It was fun looking back...

Beba Update - Sunday

"They tried to make me go to Rehab and I said No, No, No..." - Amy Winehouse

Hello all...

Thanks for your continued calls and inquiries into my mom's condition - and most importantly for your prayers and good thoughts, they appear to be working. So much so that she was released from the hospital and into rehab 2-3 days prior to the earliest projected release day.

Needless to say her partial hip replacement surgery was an absolute success and she basically shocked the doctors regarding how good a condition her 84 year old bones were. She barely has osteoporosis!

Initially we had been told that she would be in the hospital at least 3-4 days after surgery (Thursday 1/3), which would be Monday or Tuesday. Well, because my mother is my mother and stronger than anyone gives her credit, on Friday 1/4 I found out they were planning to release her Saturday 1/5! I of course was at work and freaked out. We needed to pick a rehab facility RIGHT AWAY!

She was evaluated and it was determined she could go into one of the more aggressive rehab programs which provides 3 hours (not consecutively) of rehab per day and that she might be able to get out of there and go back to the ALF as early as a week or two.

It was agreed upon by the social worker, doctor and me that it would be better if I wasn't there for the transfer - as she tends to behave better and be more cooperative when I'm not there. So Saturday at around 3 p.m. they transferred her to a facility relatively nearby. She has her own room, she'll be evaluated today and rehab will begin in full Monday.

I'm going to visit her and check the place out later today (Sunday) but have already spoken to the nurse. It seems like it's a strict place with a serious routine and schedule...we'll see how that goes.

Again I ask for more prayers that my Mom will be able to handle this challenge as well as she has handled the past few days. She never ceases to amaze me, and more often than not I wind up worrying for nothing.

Once again, thank you,

Hilda

In the Winter Leaves May Fall Off Trees Where You're At...

...but here in beautful Miami, it's Iguanas!

The Lola Shuffle - The "I'm Actually Glad To Be At Work - How Messed Up Is That?" Edition

Hello all!

Lola's first shuffle of 2008 is here!

Before Lola shuffles - a brief update on my Mom, as some of you have asked I keep you updated. She's resting comfortably, slept through the night - today's "big event" as the surgeon called it will be to get her to sit up in the big chair they have in the room. She should also be getting off the post-surgery clear liquid diet which failed miserably because she refused to drink/eat any of it. When I called this morning the nurse said she was fine, but told them all to leave her alone and stop poking her so she could sleep. Yep - that's my mama!

OK Lola...do your magic!

1. Landslide - Fleetwood Mac (As much as I like the Dixie Chicks' version - Stevie Nicks' voice is amazing in this song)
2. I Told You So - Keith Urban
3. Let It Be - The Beatles (Wow! Good timing for me...)
4. The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get - Morrissey
5. Unbreak My Heart - Il Divo
6. Who's Your Daddy? - Toby Keith (I can't help it this song makes me smile)
7. These are the Days - 10,000 Maniacs
8. In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening - Bette Midler (phenomenal!)
9. Wanted Dead or Alive - Bon Jovi
10. Love of My Life - Santana featuring Dave Matthews

I can't find Lola's common denominator here...can any of you?

Have a great weekend!

Beba Update

Hi all,

Thanks to all who have e-mailed/posted in my Comments showing support and concern for my mother and me (that's her up there on my wedding day 10 years ago). This is the most efficient way to spread the word, so I'll use the technology.

Mami is scheduled for partial hip replacement surgery Thursday at 10:30 a.m. EST, so if you can, please send up a prayer or good thought for her.

Surgery will be followed by a few days at the hospital and then a stint in rehab - so we've still got a ways to go.

Hopefully I'll be back at work Friday (did I just write that?!?!).

Again, thanks for everything.