tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15802425027221736282024-03-06T00:02:18.531-08:00Rita'z R-tistic RamblezRita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-14978123794919917832016-08-16T11:14:00.002-07:002016-08-16T11:15:29.548-07:00<h2>
<b> New Cookbook Out by "Barefeet In the Kitche</b>n"</h2>
<br />
I follow a lot of cooking blogs, and one of my favorites just published a cookbook. She posted a sample recipe today and it looks and sounds so good you can almost smell it. <a href="http://www.barefeetinthekitchen.com/2016/08/sheet-pan-chicken-green-beans-potatoes-recipe.html">http://www.barefeetinthekitchen.com/2016/08/sheet-pan-chicken-green-beans-potatoes-recipe.html</a><br />
<br />
I hope you will give it a try. There is also a way to win one of her new cookbooks at the bottom of the above link. Her recipes are super simple, delicious, and quick to prepare.<br />
<br />
Lots of things in my life have changed since my last post, but I will save all that for an upcoming post. Let's talk again soon. (much sooner than I have been posting) ;) Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-39961257165301247222014-10-06T19:41:00.002-07:002014-10-06T19:41:24.405-07:00Dramatic ChangesI can't believe it's been a year and a half since I last posted on here. What a lot has happened in that time.<br />
<br />
No, I haven't gone back to glassworking (lampwork made with a propane torch), or done much with my other arts, but I am thinking more about art and trying to get my house in shape to be able to work on jewelry more and get my brain back in painting mode.<br />
<br />
My brain has also been cogitating on the idea of writing some sort of fiction piece based on some of the crazy things that have happened in my life. Maybe it has more to do with the fact I am now 61 and thinking more about past accomplishments (few and far between), and interesting things that have happened. I think my granddaughters and soon to arrive grandson might enjoy reading some of the things that have occurred, without naming names.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1Jem5XqyMkMd015fwEVF190r9oPpwlwNsnz_srqHJjXhBFFDwFds4jqRSrYa9UEYwd5kIh0vraPg1TCYMMtYXWBlc5ruADJh3TKo-SsljJg09s_yqE1DKZ1_GVv7fEFuqEC57or43DVM/s1600/Baby.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1Jem5XqyMkMd015fwEVF190r9oPpwlwNsnz_srqHJjXhBFFDwFds4jqRSrYa9UEYwd5kIh0vraPg1TCYMMtYXWBlc5ruADJh3TKo-SsljJg09s_yqE1DKZ1_GVv7fEFuqEC57or43DVM/s1600/Baby.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful boy, Baby.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My 17 year-old kitty Baby had his nose put out of joint a couple months back when I added an adorable little silky beauty, named Sally, to our lives. Baby was so put out by her being in his house he pretty much refused to come back indoors. This really suited him fine since summer was his favorite time of year. Back when I first moved into my home I wrote a bit about the "fun" of moving with cats, including his refusal to stay indoors, in spite of the fact he was an indoor cat. Over the past few years he had determined he liked the outdoors far more than he liked being a "house cat."<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIn45I2dPNMqMciWdpSlz9deweiQSLqIlqAVlgcVjm0bjPzd7jsCjqRHiAph2mnHzPEfBI3lDjd7twhKXRgYuaKXefR3326K9UVOFUDgWf1O9fZzJ5nWg___H9CL9bVC08NJANeV3vRGB/s1600/0814141235a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIn45I2dPNMqMciWdpSlz9deweiQSLqIlqAVlgcVjm0bjPzd7jsCjqRHiAph2mnHzPEfBI3lDjd7twhKXRgYuaKXefR3326K9UVOFUDgWf1O9fZzJ5nWg___H9CL9bVC08NJANeV3vRGB/s1600/0814141235a.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sweet silky little girl, Sally.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nearly four days ago (now) he vanished. With him being 17, I knew he was not going to be around much longer, but I had hoped he would be kind enough to let me know when he was departing. His vanishing precipitated my ex-son-in-law coming over and shining a very bright light into all the spaces under my house. He was nowhere to be found. Not knowing is the worst thing imaginable, although I would not have liked to find his body, I would just rather know what happened. We have many wild animals nearby including bald eagles, coyotes and raccoons.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUGSsKO4t81jqIQitU21VEs5z1e1R0HbIGP_133GBQlf5f_8z8q3-yMJelAr-0dMoBJDH5nKbeGGDZ-XdTk5uc4tqzqx4BA6H3PIXdwLTB1a8gKClQIV_4MdBb0t3P_QIS-Kla_LL_AtE/s1600/passing+the+torch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUGSsKO4t81jqIQitU21VEs5z1e1R0HbIGP_133GBQlf5f_8z8q3-yMJelAr-0dMoBJDH5nKbeGGDZ-XdTk5uc4tqzqx4BA6H3PIXdwLTB1a8gKClQIV_4MdBb0t3P_QIS-Kla_LL_AtE/s1600/passing+the+torch.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take good care of our momma!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
He never wandered far from home. The biggest distance I had seen him go was about 1/2 block well after dark, I was sitting at my daughter's house chatting with her in the car, and he came looking to see what was holding up his dinner. He was the best boyfriend I ever had, and I have grieved him for several days. Today I find I am at peace with whatever the outcome will be. If he has gone off somewhere and died I know what joy he brought into my life and how loved and spoiled he was. If he has wandered away, and decides to return, I will of course welcome him with much love and more spoiling. I know he hated Sally being in his space, but he had also come to accept her as a part of our lives. He knew he had not left me alone, but with a new little love who will take care of me for him.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-2248546947538205952013-03-02T19:12:00.004-08:002013-03-02T19:12:59.769-08:00Playing<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnmrm-enDejgp2oBsFSDY4PL3_cC9zNb7vm3HTNC4XIF4So0IV-rT84YWucs_yCfuId6aMHUHhixbsZZ5VBNQ-KdnmgrHq_3KsRalI7JLP_rrSZmDrwmeo7s2al2gTOFepX_Uhqazi7bR/s1600/beautiful+baby+experimental.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnmrm-enDejgp2oBsFSDY4PL3_cC9zNb7vm3HTNC4XIF4So0IV-rT84YWucs_yCfuId6aMHUHhixbsZZ5VBNQ-KdnmgrHq_3KsRalI7JLP_rrSZmDrwmeo7s2al2gTOFepX_Uhqazi7bR/s200/beautiful+baby+experimental.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7h8hGUS2xVUf8QQxyvlj3ObQIvfMZ52Vgq5F0WGO8y0nChctBOEW06HhZztfvYLctb5HIZCxb0o9kkyjpxIuJdwdPzehIWmR2tuRY9KH1EAswvSDue4TxWpgefL42mQIvgZuO_IORW3vp/s1600/Cassie+exploring+PS6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7h8hGUS2xVUf8QQxyvlj3ObQIvfMZ52Vgq5F0WGO8y0nChctBOEW06HhZztfvYLctb5HIZCxb0o9kkyjpxIuJdwdPzehIWmR2tuRY9KH1EAswvSDue4TxWpgefL42mQIvgZuO_IORW3vp/s200/Cassie+exploring+PS6.jpg" width="189" /></a>My daughter is working on her teaching degree and gets a student discount on computer programs through her university. She let me work in Adobe Photoshop6 yesterday and I had fun. Wait until I really get going. In the meantime you can see a photo of my granddaughter, Cassie, I tweaked a bit, as well as one of my sweet 15.5 year old kitty, Baby.Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-50845129071604025312012-12-06T11:03:00.000-08:002012-12-06T11:08:03.557-08:00Burgers, grandkids and fun!As you can see by the photos, my grandgirls have fun wherever they go.<br />
They are naturally energetic, outgoing, and LOUD!<br />
My daughter says her home is never quiet, but on days when the girls' friends are around the decibel level is even higher. She says it wouldn't be a big deal, except she is now taking college courses online and trying to think with the kids going full bore isn't even a remote possibility.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueRcKO-psLCDuorVk3a6CJcG15lobN6IrpRzYHjt-Kq3C2S_cfpcmH_MCwVyeecyXTYz4ZRZanoHX3G9P9GVix6JCnLUq5NQzlryFyETCA1TyDXcRHLMeu0jYc_SjQpmvi70Y95dmh1F0/s1600/quadruplets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueRcKO-psLCDuorVk3a6CJcG15lobN6IrpRzYHjt-Kq3C2S_cfpcmH_MCwVyeecyXTYz4ZRZanoHX3G9P9GVix6JCnLUq5NQzlryFyETCA1TyDXcRHLMeu0jYc_SjQpmvi70Y95dmh1F0/s320/quadruplets.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So, in order to induce food comas and a bit more peace and quiet we take them across the street where we live and visit one of our favorite hamburger "joints," <a href="http://hwy101burger.com/" target="_blank">Hwy. 101 Burger</a><br />
The girls have a fascination with writing on the tires which are used as table bases and advertising, with paint markers. You will see many I "heart" Vance, the owner of Hwy. 101 Burger, and many instances of Cassie loves Shayla, Neena loves everyone, etc.<br />
From the first time we took Cassie to Hwy. 101 Burger, she fell in love with the owner, Vance. Who can blame her, he really is a very sweet guy. She even had her last birthday party there. She and Vance are in the planning stages of their first holiday party, complete with a free gift exchange and food for all the kids in attendance.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjci798bwQVKrAjE46dN0OqBFgvuRAqV5r0bD7oXsuqaaIzVOdFjKItItX6dNN-xKLxFICUmtGCk5Tp4bEMOwFuRJlGWcuPQYnmDF92VQU-Os5UrXLS-xdAFWlwDx9RWX1_SDzmaolemJgp/s1600/Vance+and+Cassie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjci798bwQVKrAjE46dN0OqBFgvuRAqV5r0bD7oXsuqaaIzVOdFjKItItX6dNN-xKLxFICUmtGCk5Tp4bEMOwFuRJlGWcuPQYnmDF92VQU-Os5UrXLS-xdAFWlwDx9RWX1_SDzmaolemJgp/s320/Vance+and+Cassie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Not only are there amazingly good, hand-formed burger patties, but the best fries in town! He hand cuts all the fries, and hand forms every single burger patty. Several days a week there are optional add-ins like bacon, jalapenos, and pastrami. Needless to say we pop in there for a bite quite often. The prices are reasonable, starting at $5 for a burger, fries and a drink.<br />
If you ask Cassie where she wants to go out to eat, it is either a pancake day, or a burger day. On burger days, there is no choice in her mind, or ours.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsUKLTdiEK-tt4Q0gObdaDicyonj-M5s7i753BP3Q-6QkmilUMuFY5tqaIFhLZ7v2nN2yz6cHzwj2JaL24yuEW5e0S7UcXjkb183RzCzyuSL3vKF4xtmExnSz1OG8malGwWyNfaikJ3PP/s1600/Aiden+and+Athena-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsUKLTdiEK-tt4Q0gObdaDicyonj-M5s7i753BP3Q-6QkmilUMuFY5tqaIFhLZ7v2nN2yz6cHzwj2JaL24yuEW5e0S7UcXjkb183RzCzyuSL3vKF4xtmExnSz1OG8malGwWyNfaikJ3PP/s320/Aiden+and+Athena-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PaMnXVo1zN9sq4YYpYRiiIDnfZ0ZtEfkVpuTOo4QToln6hKkZacLTEailtfW_it-5BLyddltAHJw9ZY45yK-53LLiTiRZ4lbIa4U5gAlOXKsM-xDgQ8XpsxI37Dd065AlAhZDIDoVsQy/s1600/Shayla+and+Cassie+sharing+a+Malt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PaMnXVo1zN9sq4YYpYRiiIDnfZ0ZtEfkVpuTOo4QToln6hKkZacLTEailtfW_it-5BLyddltAHJw9ZY45yK-53LLiTiRZ4lbIa4U5gAlOXKsM-xDgQ8XpsxI37Dd065AlAhZDIDoVsQy/s320/Shayla+and+Cassie+sharing+a+Malt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Our lunches or dinners spent at Hwy. 101 Burger may be any assortment of our family members as well as various kid-friends of our sweet girls. When you want to go somewhere with reasonable prices and darned good food in Lincoln City, Oregon, you can't beat Hwy. 101 Burger! Tell Vance my friend Cassie told me to stop by!Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-77349812645634080132012-09-08T21:46:00.003-07:002012-09-08T21:46:34.549-07:00My granddaughter is an internet star!My granddaughter Athena and her cousin Kat went to Kumoricon 2012 in Vancouver, Washington last week. My daughter Tess and I made Athena's costume, and we thought they looked great. Little did we know that a lot of other people did, too. One fan even posted this photo of them on their photo-blog. I thought I would brag about her and share the photo with you. You totally rocked it Athena!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjq3bcaFFXCwIIGPgJDgLTcfZucWwRRi1VfalPIKoqfC4D2bA3hfAAaSK72B0LE-F3YOA1lwHM2nfbVWH7TlkeuiGH05-0OqIgZsKVe_frhi07uPNOcVIh96DBznffeLHz31h2MZiFj5BL/s1600/feena+and+kat+at+kumoricon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjq3bcaFFXCwIIGPgJDgLTcfZucWwRRi1VfalPIKoqfC4D2bA3hfAAaSK72B0LE-F3YOA1lwHM2nfbVWH7TlkeuiGH05-0OqIgZsKVe_frhi07uPNOcVIh96DBznffeLHz31h2MZiFj5BL/s320/feena+and+kat+at+kumoricon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-78018219399288675932012-08-31T10:59:00.001-07:002012-08-31T10:59:17.065-07:00Pictures from Rita<object name="Slideshow" id="Slideshow" width="425" height="425" align="middle" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="configurl=http%3A%2F%2Fws.shutterfly.com%2Fshare%2Fexternal_slideshow_config%3Fsid%3D2IbuHLVs5auNg" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed id="Slideshow" width="425" height="425" name="Slideshow" align="middle" quality="high" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="configurl=http%3A%2F%2Fws.shutterfly.com%2Fshare%2Fexternal_slideshow_config%3Fsid%3D2IbuHLVs5auNg" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="#869ca7" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf"></embed></object><p style="width:425px;margin-top:0;text-align:center;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=2IbuHLVs5auNg&eid=115">Click here to view these pictures larger</a><img width="1" height="1" border="0" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=pictures&c2=blogger" /></p>Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-66434574840585642072012-08-09T17:44:00.000-07:002012-08-09T17:46:00.927-07:00Eric the "Mad Scientist"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81rbl8MiNtUDiWm_briWPVu0en7BMbFbuCAGsIWN5u-DUPFwm5Vc9aqy6_h1pRfPwt9z8H17ODbQ1k0YFuxJl21KeRF0u7cvAk3zMWT6K58HNCizIE2xwSWUuvJUt9CkO4YvDAY7V8Fpf/s1600/Mad+scientist+Eric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81rbl8MiNtUDiWm_briWPVu0en7BMbFbuCAGsIWN5u-DUPFwm5Vc9aqy6_h1pRfPwt9z8H17ODbQ1k0YFuxJl21KeRF0u7cvAk3zMWT6K58HNCizIE2xwSWUuvJUt9CkO4YvDAY7V8Fpf/s320/Mad+scientist+Eric.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My oldest granddaughter, Athena, is really into Steampunk. Knowing this I looked high and low for something for her birthday this year. I found a fabulous pair of authentic vintage welders goggles in the original metal case for a relatively reasonable price. I intended to give them to her on her birthday, but of course "lost" them temporarily. Trust me on this one, that is super easy in my house. I have a "collecting" problem, not exactly hoarding, but very nearly. When I found them again, I called her to have her stop by so I could present them to her. She fell instantly in love with them, and toted them home. She left them sitting on the front of the hand-made hutch that used to be in my mom and dad's house, but now lives at my daughter's home. A week or so ago my son-in-law, Eric, walked past the hutch and noticed the little metal case and wondered what was inside. Upon opening it he put them on, just to try them out and see what they actually were. My daughter snapped this great photo of him, Eric the "Mad Scientist."Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-53838299648715726012012-07-01T15:44:00.001-07:002012-07-02T11:08:56.367-07:00Cassie loves Howie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2T8AYlxnvzKCOEJO_xtIuhDFYJcTbF927tYk96qegrrUJ5n0iC07tKvy4u2PLJuR_1Oc4_37yu0NH_Y0TQfclIXgMJmzKmxzT_Pi3XDdA2ooVGvXqJPLPJGAfRsGf1zNDOGRaI4egxUyR/s1600/cassie+feeding+penguin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2T8AYlxnvzKCOEJO_xtIuhDFYJcTbF927tYk96qegrrUJ5n0iC07tKvy4u2PLJuR_1Oc4_37yu0NH_Y0TQfclIXgMJmzKmxzT_Pi3XDdA2ooVGvXqJPLPJGAfRsGf1zNDOGRaI4egxUyR/s320/cassie+feeding+penguin.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
May in our family is always busy and filled with fun since not only was
my daughter, Tess, born May 5, but her daughters: Cassie, 8 years old,
born on May 1; and Athena, 13 years old, born on May 31 are May babies, too. This
May in addition to the usual birthday festivities my littlest
granddaughter, Cassie, got to have her wish granted by <a href="http://kidswishnetwork.org/" target="_blank">Kids Wish Network</a>. The wish process began a couple years ago with "Make A Wish,"
who rejected her
since she doesn't have a firm expiration date. Kids Wish Network takes
kids who are healthy, but dealing with tons of complications, surgeries,
etc. and tries to make a real bright spot for them. After being
notified she was getting her wish she received a
giant box of gifts from them, all specially chosen for her, along with a
couple of things for Athena as well. (Kids Wish Network not only does
wishes, they also do toy
giveaway events for hospitalized kids and other kids with chronic
illness at a number of locations throughout the year. I can't begin to
tell you what a wonderful job they do.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxKFO92FBdNER4P6E13qoKK5tyogRlm8fLkMGwtywk2G2tYoEay3ONjvWn2qSiViiGgTfugz21vI9M34HEhvacb82fAqsArWKGwJ-NSyvKxCDaYDjSmvZNQqVZ0ZfkWYaMkwDYAwqCDQ4/s1600/cassie+petting+penguin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxKFO92FBdNER4P6E13qoKK5tyogRlm8fLkMGwtywk2G2tYoEay3ONjvWn2qSiViiGgTfugz21vI9M34HEhvacb82fAqsArWKGwJ-NSyvKxCDaYDjSmvZNQqVZ0ZfkWYaMkwDYAwqCDQ4/s200/cassie+petting+penguin.JPG" width="144" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIgJuqFiEDOlYNiFLevs0v0gRSbhwb2B63yh55RCWsUIhm7IK47xJBE1A6iSP9HbFZEQRr6tYkvLowqVjI3ZQBr4JbVdyDmdDVDylnFD_QikCiRjcXqQR3RCMAtMA1Drx3dm3ZJa5-3iW/s1600/SAM_0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIgJuqFiEDOlYNiFLevs0v0gRSbhwb2B63yh55RCWsUIhm7IK47xJBE1A6iSP9HbFZEQRr6tYkvLowqVjI3ZQBr4JbVdyDmdDVDylnFD_QikCiRjcXqQR3RCMAtMA1Drx3dm3ZJa5-3iW/s200/SAM_0811.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
We were all blown away with how amazing Kids Wish Network is. Cassie
could have chosen to go to Disneyland, Disneyworld, or any number of
different things, instead she wanted to meet <a href="http://www.howiemandel.com/" target="_blank">Howie Mandel</a>. She has been
absolutely in love with him since he started judging on America's Got
Talent. Tess had let Kids Wish Network know he was coming to Lincoln
City to perform, so they could try to do it here. (Tess is afraid to
have Cassie fly, since we never know what will make her sick)<br />
<br />
So when the time for her wish came, she went to Portland along with
Athena, Tess and their dad, Brian and headed to the <a href="http://www.oregonzoo.org/" target="_blank">Oregon Zoo</a> where she got another wish granted. She
was treated like a princess, greeted by their hostess for the day and
taken straight to the "Penguin House" where she went behind the scenes
to feed the penguins. She actually sat on the floor, hand fed them fish and
got to pet one. Since they are revamping the penguin exhibit, the polar
bears are right there, too, and Cassie got to choose their toy for the
day and watch one of the biologists work with them as well. They
spent the night in a fancy hotel in Portland and met their Kids Wish
Network Jill and headed to IHOP for Cassie's favorite food: Pancakes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEl-LhobD1oNPkRl1QS5gPMcznI2D-LUhjc0pqROZML9K_tIe23YozkwsJP_T49d9QT-H6fdHO4jJHUJbTCF7HH73-jrvcg3Z2tNwuZm6085_vokmqxuobNCxm0rpmAvLbDN6OfZJ0z-48/s1600/SAM_0751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEl-LhobD1oNPkRl1QS5gPMcznI2D-LUhjc0pqROZML9K_tIe23YozkwsJP_T49d9QT-H6fdHO4jJHUJbTCF7HH73-jrvcg3Z2tNwuZm6085_vokmqxuobNCxm0rpmAvLbDN6OfZJ0z-48/s200/SAM_0751.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Of course they went back for more pancakes the next morning then headed for <a href="http://www.buildabear.com/" target="_blank">Build-A-Bear</a> where
Cassie got to build a special bear to remember her wish by.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRnKRWzc4sNUZAatinQvlublz3efqgTajenI3_KlYEHwFvqE5P-22wqILG9GJ5C9ZsN2ekuGSj0Lj1zmJJZiZzIlJE3aS7vGRC7WBgOVU5wzPC5hD3wRzO5XWh_2c79pQHHG_3U-HtuOR/s1600/SAM_0837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRnKRWzc4sNUZAatinQvlublz3efqgTajenI3_KlYEHwFvqE5P-22wqILG9GJ5C9ZsN2ekuGSj0Lj1zmJJZiZzIlJE3aS7vGRC7WBgOVU5wzPC5hD3wRzO5XWh_2c79pQHHG_3U-HtuOR/s200/SAM_0837.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Tqq4pWirK1OHX1bBiKVz-CYNusN9oU16ViylrurBvctvZ2x4ZXB8e0ZiKUqKdiviTJYk7V73ZUS2IX5nI8HI3CBj3mrIonkuKK0cR7UXJFL3Xkv-Geg4PucgrcOi9UtFgBST-yPCxu2c/s1600/decorating+her+pancake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Tqq4pWirK1OHX1bBiKVz-CYNusN9oU16ViylrurBvctvZ2x4ZXB8e0ZiKUqKdiviTJYk7V73ZUS2IX5nI8HI3CBj3mrIonkuKK0cR7UXJFL3Xkv-Geg4PucgrcOi9UtFgBST-yPCxu2c/s200/decorating+her+pancake.JPG" width="200" /></a>They headed back to Lincoln
City and stayed at <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CF0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.seahorsemotel.com%2F&ei=FsDwT8LpPIinrQHkqszlDQ&usg=AFQjCNEx35OgOxnhUjKcR20j-hRZcA6Aqw" target="_blank">Seahorse Oceanfront Lodging</a>. At 7 pm, a limo picked them
up and took them to the <a href="http://www.chinookwindscasino.com/" target="_blank">Chinook Winds Casino</a>
to meet Howie. I sat in the lobby, since
we were told only Cassie, Athena and Tess could go in (although Brian
went too and no one questioned it). After a few minutes I heard a
scream: HOWIE!!!!<br />
Cassie calls him Howie and talks to him a lot when he
is on TV and when she watches his YouTube videos. I knew he must really
be there, since I was sitting in the lobby and they had passed through
the showroom and were supposed to meet him backstage. I was amazed at how well Cassie's voice
carried. He spent at least 20 minutes talking to them (with his make-up
and prep people tapping their watches). He hugged Cassie
multiple times, and told her "I love you" when she said she professed
her love for
him. Tess says he is one of the nicest people she has ever met.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6nNSqCak2Sg03vtt0JkVU4C7aPBhWdImsZmOvvwbc8WrSyT8xC-1Bpcqab9GbKxmkvymuwpm7QzTcC-GUr4g6CwTsGrp6jaSfDyNwh8Gqjoox74Wgu4-oCYUuxdniZTluxEjCwJ91Ekl/s1600/CIMG4994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6nNSqCak2Sg03vtt0JkVU4C7aPBhWdImsZmOvvwbc8WrSyT8xC-1Bpcqab9GbKxmkvymuwpm7QzTcC-GUr4g6CwTsGrp6jaSfDyNwh8Gqjoox74Wgu4-oCYUuxdniZTluxEjCwJ91Ekl/s200/CIMG4994.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFk-iJvl811xZoIE6t0V9rujGuc0d3EPr7nFxBDIAyJhHA9sL9MMuJQdQoV5_KbHH8uER89fJybPvw_5vTbJYOqNu4DoDfKqtZENgifi2Thih3XgceVbBZ6cD8HGCDaBIT07NJ1UNRZTDe/s1600/CIMG5002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFk-iJvl811xZoIE6t0V9rujGuc0d3EPr7nFxBDIAyJhHA9sL9MMuJQdQoV5_KbHH8uER89fJybPvw_5vTbJYOqNu4DoDfKqtZENgifi2Thih3XgceVbBZ6cD8HGCDaBIT07NJ1UNRZTDe/s200/CIMG5002.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PPCiRWqHLwL6FR-sVmIRfImDyweSmdewSNmCR0szlRKUsDUxWCs9UdzxPMSdChTKA69t_STw9wGDD_MEeb_Rf7HTbmK8k1Y9RN2AlNRWocYU-8EpFCLEQSTh9BPscTOjmvSQxAk5M_5d/s1600/CIMG5007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PPCiRWqHLwL6FR-sVmIRfImDyweSmdewSNmCR0szlRKUsDUxWCs9UdzxPMSdChTKA69t_STw9wGDD_MEeb_Rf7HTbmK8k1Y9RN2AlNRWocYU-8EpFCLEQSTh9BPscTOjmvSQxAk5M_5d/s320/CIMG5007.JPG" width="320" /></a>He
told Cassie what a cute girl she was. She replied, "I know" to which
he responded, "and humble." He
recorded his voice saying, "Cassandra this is Howie, I love you." The
day after she met him the voice went into a special Howie-styled bear,
complete with gold earrings and a Sharpie soul patch. Now she can talk
to him and hear his voice whenever she feels the need.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GVoiAysGlvChgGVN9Ou-CvD5-Cs_eQMw5lgegXt3TcasAXoMU_OcJcIAr7o0unQYhpIyczK_YYn04OODiSii8vPY6aOFsy4nX0kJBVcrm8toY1W33AgK3z3A-0aSW_6r54tEbjXtFjht/s1600/happy+post+howie+dinner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GVoiAysGlvChgGVN9Ou-CvD5-Cs_eQMw5lgegXt3TcasAXoMU_OcJcIAr7o0unQYhpIyczK_YYn04OODiSii8vPY6aOFsy4nX0kJBVcrm8toY1W33AgK3z3A-0aSW_6r54tEbjXtFjht/s200/happy+post+howie+dinner.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWn2MhvDe33nmkInbbgsEr_xjKpsxk-pPGDrFk5ooD5GMNKUCb3xxPaM3Qzbf8PmSL6VXxCNGcdwHD4T8MoasugF5hRdsTVxr_bvSLYYFeS3ewW3ejrSqhWzQm-yBcWoSKVOjve-yngZn/s1600/CIMG5018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWn2MhvDe33nmkInbbgsEr_xjKpsxk-pPGDrFk5ooD5GMNKUCb3xxPaM3Qzbf8PmSL6VXxCNGcdwHD4T8MoasugF5hRdsTVxr_bvSLYYFeS3ewW3ejrSqhWzQm-yBcWoSKVOjve-yngZn/s200/CIMG5018.JPG" width="200" /></a>After the
meeting with Howie we went to the buffet for dinner. They rode
back to Seahorse in a limo with a bucket of ice and bottle of sparkling
cider. Cassie floated around on a cloud for weeks afterward.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNc9qJUjHujdKEDLccY7eqsJo9X2pmhNonTBTpoRBezBU-8oBpoT-Ai4PBWfAAq-ZfEWqxi7pqQXoHHlTnlFkgRz1d9CaCeeVN-RTLJHCzIKJP6QGjyJXZhm1AITPP9wsiVJXXNsUEI9K/s1600/CIMG5014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNc9qJUjHujdKEDLccY7eqsJo9X2pmhNonTBTpoRBezBU-8oBpoT-Ai4PBWfAAq-ZfEWqxi7pqQXoHHlTnlFkgRz1d9CaCeeVN-RTLJHCzIKJP6QGjyJXZhm1AITPP9wsiVJXXNsUEI9K/s200/CIMG5014.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
She had
given Howie a build-a-bear with the same clothing on she was wearing,
and a little "shoulder buddy" (sort of like a troll doll which can sit
on your shoulder). Howie wore the shoulder buddy he calls, Chip, on his
shoulder when he made an appearance on "Ellen," a week or so later. He made sure to
let Cassie know he mentioned his friend Cassandra had given it to him. So not only did
she get her wish, but heard her name mentioned on TV. So the round of
cloud floating started all over again. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8YjiHsROHwB1wGGpxJtnwhdZ3DgNAooh37hITpXwrWVwgzVJXTmoD8L2FBF4oKCK9azEB-JEFL5n2AZ0US4GkLCN-nlNTtf_cR4151BUYDrXld0b4y3RXB5ITbbu2gcruTeo5BclrD3n/s1600/SAM_0944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8YjiHsROHwB1wGGpxJtnwhdZ3DgNAooh37hITpXwrWVwgzVJXTmoD8L2FBF4oKCK9azEB-JEFL5n2AZ0US4GkLCN-nlNTtf_cR4151BUYDrXld0b4y3RXB5ITbbu2gcruTeo5BclrD3n/s200/SAM_0944.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
Her photo with Howie was in The
News Guard, News-Times and in the Oregonian. She was also featured in
the casino's employee newsletter, so she gets recognition everywhere we
go now. Tess helped Cassie set up a special Twitter account <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/CassieLuvsHowie" target="_blank">@CassieLuvsHowie</a>
where she tweets him quite often. She gets very excited when he tweets
back to her. Since she now knows him personally it makes her memories of
her special wish even better.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-73881817469207716332012-06-23T22:23:00.000-07:002012-06-23T22:24:31.451-07:00Off into the blog-o-sphereEvery blogger has that space in their heart where they dream of being read by people far and wide, few of them achieve it. One of my favorite bloggers is Dan, from "Single Dad Laughing." His topic this week was <a href="http://www.danoah.com/2012/06/thats-just-depressing.html" target="_blank">depression</a>. He wrote it when he was in a low place, and many of us have also been in those places he described so accurately. One of the things I love about his writing is his honesty, which many times happens to be funny. He is a brave man who brings up topics people would rather keep "swept under the rug" where they are safely hidden away from "polite company," as my mother was apt to say. I read his blog for insight and humor but also because he is genuine in his care, compassion and sensitivity.Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-77336902797998794642012-04-06T17:23:00.001-07:002012-07-01T14:14:57.455-07:00San Francisco with Cassie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5K3ucAJ-hPi4ROMIdHBK5KguzxOvLEts8RRBelGVSiIpYQGFMp6T5_sOdFc1d3b0rqYkXDfW2B1NPOzvbrbXjGUqVarNdZXkmtvfWvxLxXdWlOMozhci7WeZXvhu7EanYwIH5Qx11D-DC/s1600/cassie+and+momma+and+alcatraz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5K3ucAJ-hPi4ROMIdHBK5KguzxOvLEts8RRBelGVSiIpYQGFMp6T5_sOdFc1d3b0rqYkXDfW2B1NPOzvbrbXjGUqVarNdZXkmtvfWvxLxXdWlOMozhci7WeZXvhu7EanYwIH5Qx11D-DC/s200/cassie+and+momma+and+alcatraz.jpg" width="200" /></a>Just returned from a wonderful vacation with my daughter, Tess and youngest granddaughter, Cassie. We had a blast, wore our selves out daily, and struggled with a few places being not as handicap friendly as indicated. But the places that were accessible were wonderful enough to more than make up for the places that were not.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j7qGbKdV5nQNag9oA0u-R8tHc7vqTZHMIIrjK9oAivXga57jWA_8xG4DjpniCNJWHu5njZP4C4Aj4XQO6aY5R3sAEpvsyJZZBkAFg7rjNs3MJknc8PrwTJ8VW5wJIQkvfT0XpjaISwG6/s1600/pigeon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j7qGbKdV5nQNag9oA0u-R8tHc7vqTZHMIIrjK9oAivXga57jWA_8xG4DjpniCNJWHu5njZP4C4Aj4XQO6aY5R3sAEpvsyJZZBkAFg7rjNs3MJknc8PrwTJ8VW5wJIQkvfT0XpjaISwG6/s200/pigeon.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRy7noUsmKhsTlnwvow02-dh3W2ER7alSz54QPKDOfTIpDG8_NhFZROw14SSP6FlWBNCf-7zm5hYz4lc2Bekydffbk7p4j5CEmSQrnqgbcmwXVHkRLHXOl5_1e0vDXTx_dl7kB6K_J2An/s1600/cas+meets+ben+and+jerry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRy7noUsmKhsTlnwvow02-dh3W2ER7alSz54QPKDOfTIpDG8_NhFZROw14SSP6FlWBNCf-7zm5hYz4lc2Bekydffbk7p4j5CEmSQrnqgbcmwXVHkRLHXOl5_1e0vDXTx_dl7kB6K_J2An/s200/cas+meets+ben+and+jerry.jpg" width="150" /></a>We had planned a lot of places we thought would appeal to us by buying CityPass SF books. They are wonderful IF you are ambulatory and no one in your party is in a wheelchair. Many of the places and things are not accessible, or have limited accessibility.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6-18WzvyYeBPu8Gqs6lMrcObFRgmX3__dxKI58AEo1riWp-2qiQHbTynqt0QuHofsza6s-Fn_icqUQspeB-wNF9sophByPhx_71zPCQ_OvGisSwGi2LV04HRtuftLC3KWMzrm9smjiR-/s1600/Cas+with+Zakhida.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6-18WzvyYeBPu8Gqs6lMrcObFRgmX3__dxKI58AEo1riWp-2qiQHbTynqt0QuHofsza6s-Fn_icqUQspeB-wNF9sophByPhx_71zPCQ_OvGisSwGi2LV04HRtuftLC3KWMzrm9smjiR-/s200/Cas+with+Zakhida.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWerTRThtzgPOgF2W_72121gjBqd8VhiOqn6jZ9VLzbJVf5JdkNNGZiOBvDc_u_2VjwLJtncMe_niV6cvYbHHM9YnfdlHiMctX78nWw1PhTfUiB7WYEzqE0PLvSDrT8GYmR87ZlpWH41jq/s1600/crepe+maker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWerTRThtzgPOgF2W_72121gjBqd8VhiOqn6jZ9VLzbJVf5JdkNNGZiOBvDc_u_2VjwLJtncMe_niV6cvYbHHM9YnfdlHiMctX78nWw1PhTfUiB7WYEzqE0PLvSDrT8GYmR87ZlpWH41jq/s200/crepe+maker.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkCEDOajNTEpTWseCM0yI0S6A2yxe97thlGXX-Jtd79TcWu9hIdbbDvLdyIHl3S8AcbtJHHfDbwV5-IM7i7jjC9uroxSbwGkS1b-LSK7aevH9_ByxNYwz70pPX8CaDZh8-3VZy0PO2nLH/s1600/crepes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkCEDOajNTEpTWseCM0yI0S6A2yxe97thlGXX-Jtd79TcWu9hIdbbDvLdyIHl3S8AcbtJHHfDbwV5-IM7i7jjC9uroxSbwGkS1b-LSK7aevH9_ByxNYwz70pPX8CaDZh8-3VZy0PO2nLH/s200/crepes.jpg" width="200" /></a> One of the places we had not recognized in our online searches was Pier 39. It was the best place for touristy things, complete with a carousel (double-decker even), an aquarium, fabulous restaurants, tiny food carts, fresh-baked goods, a crepe shop with outdoor tables and birds to watch, an Alcatraz shop, and spectacular viewpoints. It is 2-levels and has elevators and ramps everywhere so Cas could access all of it, and plenty of benches for me to sit down on while my body recovered from each stage of our journey. Souvenir shops of every sort, including "ThePerfect Purse" and a shop featuring all things "Hello Kitty." Our favorite thing there is the California Welcome Center on the 2nd floor. They have a wonderful staff, especially <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Zakhida </span><span class="fcg"><span class="fbPhotoTagListTag tagItem">Makhmudova</span>. She became instant friends with our Cassie, and they bonded in no time at all.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="fcg">We took a cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, very
close to Alcatraz, and around the harbor area. Of course the day we
scheduled turned out to be the rainiest while we were there. We think it
was just trying to make us feel at home, being from the Oregon coast
there is a lot of rain this time of year, too. It was interesting to
hear people complaining about the weather on the warm days we were
running around without coats. Low 60s feels like summer to us, so we
were very happy on the sunny days, and there were plenty of those.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkFEjIxOlnOMBcfq72DNAKDMSlYrNutChMbFDhhMgLVwjsj-LbLYIy5l7b2Le_Sjl_kDR6TUosUfppSJpTQRQonyDfgBn7APBzMDYemSgNPupFbRt1uNmUWTdrFrY4rcR3adtI9NcxjsH/s1600/cas+and+family+lol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkFEjIxOlnOMBcfq72DNAKDMSlYrNutChMbFDhhMgLVwjsj-LbLYIy5l7b2Le_Sjl_kDR6TUosUfppSJpTQRQonyDfgBn7APBzMDYemSgNPupFbRt1uNmUWTdrFrY4rcR3adtI9NcxjsH/s200/cas+and+family+lol.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="fcg">Our hotel, </span>Crowne Plaza<span class="fcg">,
was wonderful, the only thing we would change is it's proximity to Pier
39. It had Cassie's required hot tub, and indoor pool. The staff was
wonderful and accommodating. However it was also located just south of
the SF airport, which places it a long ways from where we spent most of
our time.</span> <br />
<span class="fcg">Cassie agrees that the hot tub was nice to have, but
not required if it means she could have more time on the carousel, and
watching the pigeons on Pier 39.</span> Where t<span class="fcg">here were street entertainers including a balloon man, a human statue, mimes, rattle-can artists, lots of musicians, and much more to keep us entertained even on the day it rained so much.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKsGEDM92ioT7K12oJ0IhgUv2s59hiCd6FSOSVEd2sPjoWtGeMb6TgP79BdZTL5TyTDezH49ZJX65-VACMZJopoKuuh6LMn5jKbIUirWl6jv7myM_D6IyrbrbJfNZorj2PjfnBReexttf/s1600/Tess+and+her+hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKsGEDM92ioT7K12oJ0IhgUv2s59hiCd6FSOSVEd2sPjoWtGeMb6TgP79BdZTL5TyTDezH49ZJX65-VACMZJopoKuuh6LMn5jKbIUirWl6jv7myM_D6IyrbrbJfNZorj2PjfnBReexttf/s200/Tess+and+her+hero.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMrdNSe2Cjy_rcJ1tvTi4N8-GuDhYwo0lgT_hyMrIdnv0HaAX-7-P-VUppmgGYupT9Ci8lpejvTkitA8XspQYKyormYDzmT53Wc3uq1Ea89r3U-uQwcsN7RMyuL7UTPBsgcY2y-jLXBUw/s1600/cas+and+I+with+yoda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMrdNSe2Cjy_rcJ1tvTi4N8-GuDhYwo0lgT_hyMrIdnv0HaAX-7-P-VUppmgGYupT9Ci8lpejvTkitA8XspQYKyormYDzmT53Wc3uq1Ea89r3U-uQwcsN7RMyuL7UTPBsgcY2y-jLXBUw/s200/cas+and+I+with+yoda.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRWTU1p7cHA8rUomHYc3rqtI4bPgTFHLvUtzRIB8zjqAIQTObWTdcLIihRA49bznhRO0SjRtaknDltzr-ATpVSEghGbTlUF4H9AHax6_dLTKRvMZeEeJdrWa68PJTLQ_Z4ljB6QIS-Cpq/s1600/ILM+and+Yoda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRWTU1p7cHA8rUomHYc3rqtI4bPgTFHLvUtzRIB8zjqAIQTObWTdcLIihRA49bznhRO0SjRtaknDltzr-ATpVSEghGbTlUF4H9AHax6_dLTKRvMZeEeJdrWa68PJTLQ_Z4ljB6QIS-Cpq/s200/ILM+and+Yoda.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="fcg">One day we went to find the "Yoda fountain" in front
of ILM (Iindustrial Light & Magic). Tess was confounded by there
being a security guard (complete with gate) at the entrance, but once we
discovered he, too, was a Star Wars fan we were on our way. The
entrance to ILM is very subdued (having looked it up on Google Earth
once I had a physical address, I recognized it instantly). The Yoda
fountain not obvious from the streets nearby was a dead giveaway to me.
Tess was worried about trying to get in to see the memorabilia, but I
had read visitors were welcome and promptly approached a door. Just then
a nice woman came out and as she passed said, go in and look around,
there really are some wonderful things to see. I motioned to Tess and
Cassie and I went inside. We were oohing and aaahing over the marble
typewriter, then I spotted a little silver statue of R2-D2. The imposing
figures of Darth Vader and Boba Fett, complete with original movie
costumes, were in front of beautiful banners, between bookcases full of
StarWars books and original movie props. Around the room were a number
of rare and collectors books, and several new magazines. The man at the
reception desk engaged Tess in a lengthy conversation about her
collection of memorabilia and books, stating one of Tess's books was
extremely rare, and that she was the first person he had met who had a
copy (other than the one in the lobby). Tess said she would gladly move
there and live in the lobby if they would allow it. She said it was like
going to Mecca is for muslims, or Jerusalem for christians and
jews.</span><br />
<span class="fcg"></span><br />
<span class="fcg">Of course ILM also houses LucasArts and Lucasfilm Ltd. She now has a photo of the wall showing the three businesses being together as her banner on facebook. She had people argue with her in the past about them being separate entities, now she can say I was there, trust me they are all together.</span><br />
<span class="fcg">Cassie and I also had a girls day out bonding time
getting Mani/pedis done complete with cute hand painted flowers on our
nails, while Tess checked out the sales at a local shopping mall.</span><br />
<span class="fcg"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWeuWAWSlYl0U52hVtxh3ZrjukzyFjN_pdgjquwSLdftfH4Z7ZvA5TF0QswGVyct1L0inhwERpfKg5mR0pFxY6eb7a_Kv2xcthEgb5jPZN0YAwCcgsKDqlVgFyAx6-Nn_4a5wOpmNeQPm/s1600/mani+pedi+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWeuWAWSlYl0U52hVtxh3ZrjukzyFjN_pdgjquwSLdftfH4Z7ZvA5TF0QswGVyct1L0inhwERpfKg5mR0pFxY6eb7a_Kv2xcthEgb5jPZN0YAwCcgsKDqlVgFyAx6-Nn_4a5wOpmNeQPm/s200/mani+pedi+girls.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmV5EPGvJ1pFEj8ElpLX_mq1BT9HCvvPsFs5vQMgL3JE4TqQ5pz7S5RpQMIfSj3rsQ_o0AY8KUWRg1tGe3z96GpuaBvk-T-hP8XXA7vndVPIHi-nTwv4ZPSH6wM_zam3GJsFqmrjykfnWY/s1600/cas+mani+pedi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmV5EPGvJ1pFEj8ElpLX_mq1BT9HCvvPsFs5vQMgL3JE4TqQ5pz7S5RpQMIfSj3rsQ_o0AY8KUWRg1tGe3z96GpuaBvk-T-hP8XXA7vndVPIHi-nTwv4ZPSH6wM_zam3GJsFqmrjykfnWY/s200/cas+mani+pedi.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYpO7TLII_-UxPXEZ51ej8rNcHtvGnrOo5u874ddzxb4pwAqvRC5_zsdjx4M7mrhSDGeedtiLMq9imfE6xhSI5WwauJ0uzLucGvSpDkfj4v61khE38XXEbgpX-t32aHJ2X8UCwfdtXCoE/s1600/cas+and+rich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYpO7TLII_-UxPXEZ51ej8rNcHtvGnrOo5u874ddzxb4pwAqvRC5_zsdjx4M7mrhSDGeedtiLMq9imfE6xhSI5WwauJ0uzLucGvSpDkfj4v61khE38XXEbgpX-t32aHJ2X8UCwfdtXCoE/s200/cas+and+rich.jpg" width="150" /></a><span class="fcg"> </span><span class="fcg">I'm sure we all gained weight after all the
wonderful food we ate. Our favorite restaurant was Elephant Bar, and we
ate there the last three nights of our visit. Our waiters were very kind
and our favorite waiter, Rich, was kind enough to pose with Cassie for a
photo and gave her a big hug.</span><br />
<span class="fcg">All in all we found the people of San Francisco to be kind, friendly, and helpful. The drivers however is another story. Tess said she swears they get their licenses by showing they know how to start their cars.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBC0keezqm3Az1uy0WdYp9i2sitgGyP0T9yuaaSFGRRNKLGpD4nMfkjrvUe8rUsFDUHu50444iJiRU0eaIkciU1yorMr4qsJkQjCR8LALWj2N1kGIs7e_sDW6wVTqJm5w9RMZcGAZkIVl7/s1600/cas+and+grams+at+CAS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBC0keezqm3Az1uy0WdYp9i2sitgGyP0T9yuaaSFGRRNKLGpD4nMfkjrvUe8rUsFDUHu50444iJiRU0eaIkciU1yorMr4qsJkQjCR8LALWj2N1kGIs7e_sDW6wVTqJm5w9RMZcGAZkIVl7/s200/cas+and+grams+at+CAS.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="fcg">One of our favorite places is called the California Academy of Science, which is like a museum, aquarium, and zoo all rolled into one. </span><br />
<span class="fcg">We had a wonderful time, Cassie and I came home with colds, but as Tess said, at least we waited until we were leaving. We definitely left pieces of our hearts in San Francisco.</span>Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-63558107033558506742012-03-14T00:23:00.001-07:002012-03-14T00:26:59.024-07:00Cheering in Lincoln City!!!!Once again I have been a blog slacker. I have had some serious issues in the past few months, but that doesn't excuse not posting. In November my friend Kip drove me to Salem to follow up on my application for disability with Social Security. Apparently the online application I had filled out a year previously did no good, and wasn't even considered an actual application. So I had to start all over again at the beginning. I did however get a really wonderful lady named Mrs. Gonzales. She helped my fill out applications for both disability and SSI. She said that was a smart thing to do in case one got approved faster. It would at least give me money for continuing to pay my meager $250 a month rent and utility bills.<br />
<br />
I developed vertigo last fall sometime, and had trouble with losing my balance so much even grocery shopping was nearly impossible for a while. The dizziness most days is much better than it was. Then I fell on Christmas night and dislocated/sprained my right shoulder which made doing pretty much anything annoying and horribly painful. Add these to my rheumatoid arthritis, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel, etc. and it was pretty much the straw that broke the camels back. Of course all this was followed by me hurting my back a little over a week ago (seems to be a chronic state lately), and I did it getting up off the toilet. At least the doctor and I couldn't figure out how else I did it. My daughter says, "Mom, I can't believe how many meds you take!" I have a row of them now. I am however starting to feel a bit less pained most days.<br />
<br />
Finally a couple of weeks ago I got a call from my daughter Tess telling me she had received a call from the Kids Wish Network. My littlest granddaughter Cassie has been approved to receive her wish. (This was after being rejected by "Make-A-Wish.") I am sure many of you think all seriously ill children are eligible for Make-a-Wish, that is not the case. They need an actual timeline of their life expectancy. What they didn't seem to understand is that her doctors don't know that. There is no way to predict what sort of issues she will have. Every time she has a growth spurt there are new problems, and that has been happening since she was born. Last year she endured a nearly 12 hour surgery to augment her bladder, which this year has caused her to have kidney stones. The first time she passed hundreds of them in a few hours. Then she had to go to Doernbecher Hospital for ultrasounds of her kidneys and bladder where they discovered a giant stone had passed to but was too large for her to pass, and wouldn't fit in the catheter. She later had to go back to the hospital and have it surgically removed. She is doing fine now, but of course every invasive procedure leaves her with infections that have to be fought. She has an open immune system and catches everything that goes around.<br />
<br />
The same morning within a couple of hours I also got a call from Mrs. Gonzales at Social Security. I figured it was going to be the rejection call I had been warned by many people to expect. She sounded so cheerful I really wasn't sure what was going on. She told me I had been approved for both Social Security Disability and for SSI (which would have taken it's place had my disability app. been rejected). I am going to be receiving enough to pay my rent and bills and for the first time in years not have to rely on my daughter and friends for month to month expenses. I feel like an elephant was taken off my back. What a supreme relief. I am hoping I will have enough from the retro money I was sent to hire someone to help me clean up my house since I have been unable to do it myself for a long time now.<br />
<br />
When I called Tess to tell her the news I was so happy I was crying. I could hardly talk and she could tell I was crying. She was really upset and I said, "It's happy tears, Tess, it's just too much good news on the same day. They approved my disability app." Then she laughed and said, "I was just so worried that you had fallen again." Needless to say we are a happy bunch, and Cassie's wish is going to come true, too. She wants desperately to meet Howie Mandel. She has been watching him on "America's Got Talent" for several years now and says she is his #1 fan. <a href="http://kidswishnetwork.org/2012/03/i-want-to-meet-howie-mandel/" target="_blank">Cassie's wish on Kids Wish Network!</a>Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-35355809574622719222011-09-27T15:09:00.000-07:002011-09-27T15:11:11.833-07:00Bad bloggerYes, I admit it. I am a bad blogger. I always say I will try to post more often, then fall short on my goals. So, I am going to make a promise to post at least twice a month. I can't ever seem to manage the daily or weekly, this will give me the option to increase the amount of posts without committing to something I fail at. I can post more then twice, and can fulfill it by even posting twice on the same day. (ok, maybe it's cheating but twice a month is twice a month)
So here is post number 1 for this month. Hoping to be back soon ;) I forgot to say my sweet girl Cassie had a miserable tube removed today and we are all cheering for her!!!!Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-65968029485171468402011-07-05T21:12:00.000-07:002011-07-05T21:44:46.833-07:00July 4th family fun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n6mbrYrhZqzXGoD6TjTqXcNzPD1x5pIIT1d7GYHRbHiWXxtwLXc_FQNR7SlX4ot6Mt6aLAOzrKS8_xreIg-d7KEZ1zm-eAT6QVdvCkAoTm23YHFLJhF_Wv88jogycLbexYPEdVgmNQzv/s1600/Olive+girl.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n6mbrYrhZqzXGoD6TjTqXcNzPD1x5pIIT1d7GYHRbHiWXxtwLXc_FQNR7SlX4ot6Mt6aLAOzrKS8_xreIg-d7KEZ1zm-eAT6QVdvCkAoTm23YHFLJhF_Wv88jogycLbexYPEdVgmNQzv/s200/Olive+girl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626093726622151650" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFj8_iMSxxNe1R8uuijr_l7PHRSQIXM8BUo3p7Ni74ZYLbcOouC8g7xwhwopNGwTCoIuKqKnM97pDsMlgIR02DT7aSe6ZXV6DEdobvszEGzeaP1IBCrONkNNn3Ns1InVhdpz2vYOQLOtm/s1600/burger+tess.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFj8_iMSxxNe1R8uuijr_l7PHRSQIXM8BUo3p7Ni74ZYLbcOouC8g7xwhwopNGwTCoIuKqKnM97pDsMlgIR02DT7aSe6ZXV6DEdobvszEGzeaP1IBCrONkNNn3Ns1InVhdpz2vYOQLOtm/s200/burger+tess.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626093734604405442" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO42PrszuqbETQStNT7oBv2Gl5yeHRj50uuM29h0v0nPBuLum65RS0KfWZsYUQQ-33VB-7S0fWOeWynAYYwyj-tiQ2KBRAITwpVdk0dykrZzbaYwPX5UipcKrHWJFqE1OR2tC6FI2FehD/s1600/burgers+and+sausage.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO42PrszuqbETQStNT7oBv2Gl5yeHRj50uuM29h0v0nPBuLum65RS0KfWZsYUQQ-33VB-7S0fWOeWynAYYwyj-tiQ2KBRAITwpVdk0dykrZzbaYwPX5UipcKrHWJFqE1OR2tC6FI2FehD/s200/burgers+and+sausage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626093739769827090" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQjJga0t5yVdAkDM_-KT25fU2fwYr7LDOdK_xkhePD6RWLKWnE_p3MrcK8-ATUDXHpcF6bKa47ZcNQSdB8gZwu7jemKdQE62JgnqG_sqrgz-xQFSmYiKdwkXZRrku9fa77bKhjhfpsiDA/s1600/melon+basket.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQjJga0t5yVdAkDM_-KT25fU2fwYr7LDOdK_xkhePD6RWLKWnE_p3MrcK8-ATUDXHpcF6bKa47ZcNQSdB8gZwu7jemKdQE62JgnqG_sqrgz-xQFSmYiKdwkXZRrku9fa77bKhjhfpsiDA/s200/melon+basket.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626093747178248786" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwacMR8jNJlbi-aN_4eShgIqIl-8_LOBmZwoHbmOId2nYl_UHzHvAecBXrN_j_mlmsgJ_89qHdH8WmK3yWHOy883p6Hnpf4h4xK5noacz7KrNo9JYlcVscZyJI5JToLYjGsen0JQnSmev/s1600/cass+and+thena+at+the+fireworks.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwacMR8jNJlbi-aN_4eShgIqIl-8_LOBmZwoHbmOId2nYl_UHzHvAecBXrN_j_mlmsgJ_89qHdH8WmK3yWHOy883p6Hnpf4h4xK5noacz7KrNo9JYlcVscZyJI5JToLYjGsen0JQnSmev/s200/cass+and+thena+at+the+fireworks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626095563918695698" /></a><br />We shopped for sausages, hot dogs and potato salad ingredients on Saturday. We thought the traffic flow might be a bit less, and due to the fact the salad is always better made a day ahead of time. The traffic was so horrible, the trip to the store which on a good day takes 15 minutes to drive there, and maybe an hour to shop if we take our time, was unbelievably long. The store was so crowded that at one point it took almost 15 minutes just to get from one aisle to the next. We finally got out of the store and it took nearly 30 minutes to get home. One of the clerks told us Friday was even worse, and by Sunday (from what my cousin told me) the food was nearly gone. Oh the joys of living in a tourist town.<br /><br />Our family BBQ was held at Tess's ex, Brian's, home nearby, he has a bigger house, awesome grill, and big back yard.<br /><br />Tess made her famous dill potato salad on Sunday, photo to come later since the one in my phone is horrible. It aged overnight, and was joined by a wonderful melon basket (much larger than we actually needed), hamburgers, hotdogs, a variety of sausages, and black and garlic stuffed green olives, along with a variety of chips, a bit of cottage cheese, and supposedly some maple smoked beans. I say supposedly since they were still in the microwave being reheated when Tess was packing up the food at the end of the night. Oh well, no one missed them.<br /><br />While Tess was making the melon basket Cassie and I were playing a dress-up game on the computer. I will find out what the website is, I think even adults could spend some enjoyable time playing dress-up. She loved having me choose the outfits, accessories, etc. She kept telling me to choose the items I wanted since the character was ME! She is such a funny girl. She also wanted to take me on a tour of the house. It is her dad's house we were at, and I have been there dozens of times. What a silly kid. Her sister was horrified that I had "seen" her bedroom, since it was such a mess. (actually for Athena it wasn't all that bad)<br /><br />We then discovered the olives, black for Cassie, and garlic stuffed green for me. The garlic stuffed ones were from Trader Joe's, provided courtesy of my "sis" Patricia. I think they are the best olives EVER!!! Brian, Tess, and I made them disappear rather quickly ;)<br /><br />Tess then took the hamburger and put her spin on it, making wonderful savory burgers from simple ground beef, and started the grilling process. She is amazing with a BBQ, and the burgers, sausages, and hot dogs were cooked to perfection.<br /><br />By the time we had finished eating my back was way past the point of surviving a walk to the beach and back sandwiched around sitting on the sand watching fireworks, so when Tess and Brian were taking a run to the store I hitched a ride back home. I am so glad I did, even though I missed seeing the girls set off their fireworks, I enjoyed the fireworks extravaganzas on TV accompanied by music. The fireworks ended about 10:30 pm here, but the neighbors, and nearby homes ended theirs around 1:15 am. So I really didn't get all that much sleep, evidenced by my taking a 2 hour nap this afternoon.Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-3023791095876631302011-06-23T22:17:00.000-07:002011-06-25T13:05:47.782-07:00Cassie the farmer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4bg8vXmnemM35OqWHfl2q0SEI0EnWe4ISK_MKBm09kL9U6xTEkXmPBXYFoWBDH2k77XO6ZX-vXt5oO7x-_LAD99mforSJOeM2YZlKVEyL3yzxC0Ucg0WicnsnAkcvGhk-3TqlSwuVxqz/s1600/cassie+the+gypsy.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4bg8vXmnemM35OqWHfl2q0SEI0EnWe4ISK_MKBm09kL9U6xTEkXmPBXYFoWBDH2k77XO6ZX-vXt5oO7x-_LAD99mforSJOeM2YZlKVEyL3yzxC0Ucg0WicnsnAkcvGhk-3TqlSwuVxqz/s200/cassie+the+gypsy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621657049649401026" /></a> My daughter, Tess, took Cassie and I out for Chinese lunch today. We had a nice relaxed and delicious lunch and took our time getting back home. Cassie decided since school is out she wanted to come to grandma's house for the afternoon. That was around 3:30 pm.<br /><br />After playing with necklaces for almost an hour, trying a pile of them on at one point and looking like a gypsy. She then tried making "pendulums" of them and swung them back and forth and said, "Grandma, this is like a clock." She tried about a dozen different ones, she also tried a couple of bracelets, finally deciding some of them were a bit heavier and swung a lot better than the rest.<br /><br />We drew and colored birthday cards for my friends Jerry and Patricia's daughter Meg. We had a lot of fun and put a lot of love into them. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-5frYoE7wCK9UcimhkcZ2hDqn8Pxg3_pzewYgPbXu1tu9LCt_TgfCFCY9C63-4YL-5NtkuQTyxbBR8tnLNASlqHOAiULkMfxPQsmbD2Ne9r3Vj_ooL2WL9E2KCElbZmMq_1fLNuCjoVa/s1600/card+to+meg-cassie.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-5frYoE7wCK9UcimhkcZ2hDqn8Pxg3_pzewYgPbXu1tu9LCt_TgfCFCY9C63-4YL-5NtkuQTyxbBR8tnLNASlqHOAiULkMfxPQsmbD2Ne9r3Vj_ooL2WL9E2KCElbZmMq_1fLNuCjoVa/s200/card+to+meg-cassie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621814520027618002" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_3Trvo6R1fo2bHGw8NAsc0QPcFpsSr2uzpPqOLWw8rjbhTJxkos0fiJuclLgOeBTSJRJ28hAbHAALPIrZEfak4SF8At_oefbsRQ0WSVAG0Iw0fi35hVtjWjlw4REB2pwudH0CLwvmsEV/s1600/card+to+meg-me.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_3Trvo6R1fo2bHGw8NAsc0QPcFpsSr2uzpPqOLWw8rjbhTJxkos0fiJuclLgOeBTSJRJ28hAbHAALPIrZEfak4SF8At_oefbsRQ0WSVAG0Iw0fi35hVtjWjlw4REB2pwudH0CLwvmsEV/s200/card+to+meg-me.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621814522702318146" /></a><br /><br />Next we decided to open (again) a package that had come from my friend Yamiko. She went through the treasure trove of stickers, oggled the beads, and decided which kitty picture was the cutest.<br /><br />We also massaged each other's feet and legs with lotion, and snuggled for a bit.<br /><br />After doing all the activities she could do on the floor she decided she wanted to check out some games on FaceBook. She clicked on my traps in MouseHunt and Ghost Trappers. She was delighted to find a new game from the creators of GT, Diviad, it is called Alien Visitors. She laughed, and ooohhed and aaaahhed looking at the cute aliens I had caught. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibingcVgH_siFsnG8ml5IreiOnDa8Sd31nTUW3byGRGuJAecQVo2wSRZ4wKcQ-WMlOZrgJ7QDUrg4EP0hTXIHI6LdJFCRugu4Tt-TXBhYs8Yhf3ROGY37bQPoaSJ3i6tvbOd6N-CsATDRO/s1600/cassie+the+farmer.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibingcVgH_siFsnG8ml5IreiOnDa8Sd31nTUW3byGRGuJAecQVo2wSRZ4wKcQ-WMlOZrgJ7QDUrg4EP0hTXIHI6LdJFCRugu4Tt-TXBhYs8Yhf3ROGY37bQPoaSJ3i6tvbOd6N-CsATDRO/s200/cassie+the+farmer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621657048022281330" /></a> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeb1DrnG5N89R4Rlrt4bKLBWw61rrzAC_5twBq_dQvss3PWYAdkBzH06hz32TtKlBVc4Jl-eJwQxgN5njJ9FdC54bkgP_sQxagN3ZW3oc5ycaQ-URjf56HPTKQo8yrvG5a3T4VRAHVYBY/s1600/cassie+concentrates.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeb1DrnG5N89R4Rlrt4bKLBWw61rrzAC_5twBq_dQvss3PWYAdkBzH06hz32TtKlBVc4Jl-eJwQxgN5njJ9FdC54bkgP_sQxagN3ZW3oc5ycaQ-URjf56HPTKQo8yrvG5a3T4VRAHVYBY/s200/cassie+concentrates.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621657035854276962" /></a> She asked me if I had any more fun games and I told her we could go check on my farms on Farmville, and she kept herself busy for a couple of hours. She laughed most at clicking on the various animals who were "ripe" and watching the farmer and dog running from one side of the farm to the other. She then discovered she could move the animals, trees and other landscaping around and rearranged both my farms. She also discovered there was a "storage" option and put a lot of the things I had out away. In fact she loved it so much she asked her mom if she could play it at her house too. Tess told her she had her own farm and would get it all logged in and ready so Cassie could play with it. I figure if it took her a couple of hours to move all the stuff around I ought to be able to get it all back in place in an hour or so.<br /><br />She left for home at about 8:30 pm, and was laughing and telling her mom all about our adventures. It was a busy, and wonderful day.Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-28950835883236957082011-05-24T19:11:00.000-07:002011-05-24T20:24:26.245-07:00Wow, it's been toooooo long<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHanqLiuuGNyDxVgss5RTcmzVtaeIVdzHJlbkKo66RZ_u2hZ-XB0FTevfHf9fhtGQGIcNmB_hYGy6DXtxT4mtfvH51DnSvs9AtRRgz0wr8GwHb2xZcPw_1B9Pv3JQWV2Y0ucc0yPwr7zMq/s1600/Cassie+the+pirate2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 157px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHanqLiuuGNyDxVgss5RTcmzVtaeIVdzHJlbkKo66RZ_u2hZ-XB0FTevfHf9fhtGQGIcNmB_hYGy6DXtxT4mtfvH51DnSvs9AtRRgz0wr8GwHb2xZcPw_1B9Pv3JQWV2Y0ucc0yPwr7zMq/s200/Cassie+the+pirate2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610489038651373666" /></a><br />Okay, I swear I am going to try to be a better blogger. It's not that I haven't had things going on interesting enough to post about. It's more like I have been too lazy to put my thoughts into words.<br /><br />The most recent adventure in our family's lives was "Outdoor School." My daughter, Tess, her ex-husband and kids dad, Brian, and my oldest granddaughter, Athena, went to outdoor school for a week. Well, okay, it was just five days. Last year the fifth and sixth graders went, this year just the sixth graders.<br /><br />Tess and I ran around like freaks trying to get food donations, and cooperation and assistance since she had, once again, volunteered to be the camp cook. <br /><br />Last year there were 185 people. No one had arranged for a camp cook. None of the parents, who had volunteered to help serving meals wanted, nor were able, to cook for that many people. Tess, however took it all in stride and prepared food, 3 times a day, with very few supplies, and no spices. She is a spicy cook, so one afternoon she drove the gravel road about 15 miles round trip to get her herbs and spices and gallons and gallons of water and stuff to flavor it with. It's not that the camp doesn't have water, it's that the water is sulphur smelling, and kids just won't drink it.<br /><br />This year she coordinated efforts with the people planning the camp and put together her list of proposed meals, looked at what they had already been promised, and figured out how many of this and how much of that would feed the 85 people for five days. I have no idea how she does it, but she is so good at cooking, food prep and menus I know she got that particular cooking gene from some alien somewhere. I would have fainted if it had been me in her place, or passed out from exhaustion and everyone would have starved to death. Not my girl, in fact this year the managers of the camp where it was held wanted to hire her to cook for some summer camps. The problem with that is she wouldn't see her girls, and summer is time for them to get the momma-time they miss out on during the school year.<br /><br />While they were away at outdoor school, Tess's step-sister Kori and I were responsible for Cassie, my youngest granddaughter. She is 7 years old and in first grade, so it wasn't like we had her all day. However, Kori got her and her wheelchair to school each morning and delivered her to her classroom and left for work. I went at lunch time and catheterized her and made sure she was doing okay. I then went back when school got out to pick her up. For most people that would be a fairly easy task, for me (with a bad knee, hip, and back) it was a huge undertaking. Her classroom is quite a distance from the school entrance and the handicapped parking isn't exactly near the front door. The first day I got to her classroom just as they were starting their reading circle time, and Cassie wanted me to wait until the story was over. After about 20 minutes we finally took care of the things I was actually there for. When I picked her up after school I got her into her carseat, and one of the parents helped me get her wheelchair into the back of the Jeep. I headed off to work for a couple of hours with Cassie in tow. Fortunately I had arranged to have her with me, and the customers at the shop I work at were completely charmed by her sweet inquisitive manner. She sat at a table used by customers and staff, drew, colored and generally entertained people.<br /><br />Needless to say the lifting and moving took a major toll on my back, knee and hip. I ended the week in the ER getting pain meds and spent the next week in bed, recliner and pain. This week is going better, but the strain on my back certainly was hard on me. I wouldn't trade the wonderful time we had together for anything, but I would like to be rid of the pain. The rest of the week when I picked her up we came back to my house and played, watched Mickey Mouse, and talked about all sorts of interesting things. She told me she had just found out she was Kori's niece. I asked her if she didn't know Kori was her aunt, but she said she knew that it was the niece part she had missed somehow. She has an amazing imagination and often tells me about the new idea she has for how she can fly, or what she can do to make her legs work so she can walk. She seems to accept her "disability" well most of the time, but conversations like that just break my heart.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfG4W3f69wcgf3lXZMCrNyR0_SJa0qb6yoMwg3gq5BlYvJebhgkTMWKF4Bnr7yGldWFgJ7qvqISuOKCovOx_elUje-JFFxFZCCAp7sWbQI9_ke9eDirTawwjHu-iD7XYupYuRSY7Qhnz0/s1600/Cassie+the+pirate.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 86px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfG4W3f69wcgf3lXZMCrNyR0_SJa0qb6yoMwg3gq5BlYvJebhgkTMWKF4Bnr7yGldWFgJ7qvqISuOKCovOx_elUje-JFFxFZCCAp7sWbQI9_ke9eDirTawwjHu-iD7XYupYuRSY7Qhnz0/s200/Cassie+the+pirate.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610489037611483682" /></a> Ending on a happy note is a good thing. Last week one of the days at school was pirate day. Tess always makes sure the girls have appropriate costumes for spirit week and other "themed" events. No one had told Tess it was pirate day and as she was wheeling Cassie into the school everyone was asking, "where's your costume, Cassie." As you can imagine Cassie was very upset and sad by the time she got to her classroom. She always is the center of attention and everyone looks to see what fascinating costumes she has. Tess promised her she would make her a pirate costume and be back really soon. So Tess called me as soon as she cleared the front door of the school and I got work on making her a "pirate" necklace. Tess frantically went through Cassie's clothes and finally settled on making her a pirate dress from one of the Christmas dresses (red check) and if you know Cassie you also know she is the pink princess and rarely wears any other color. Tess tattered the edges of the dress, both layers, and made her a vest from a T-shirt, found a sash, and boots. She then visited the nearby (I mean practically next door) Pirate Pastry Shop and bought her a pirate "do rag," an eye patch and a tattoo. She grabbed the Big Pirate Flag from Cassie's room and rushed back to the school. Needless to say her entire class gathered around her cheering for "Pirate Cassie" when she emerged from the bathroom in her new garb. The necklace I made using little purple skull beads and a skull key. Cassie told everyone it was the special key that opens all the pirate treasure chests. There was a special pirate assembly complete with people in costumes patterned after "Pirates of the Caribbean," and of course a treasure hunt (scavenger hunt style). The wonderful principal of the school was Cassie's escort. He whispered to Tess, "I know where all the things are hidden so she won't miss out on anything," and away they went gathering their loot.Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-79640452467279944252011-01-16T11:29:00.000-08:002011-01-16T12:05:06.761-08:00The adventures of Mommy, Grandma and Cassie: The Pink Hair Caper.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDhuIZKlkdH5LMPdMAiQhhPFHfYjdR9Np6yUX8iD9TiXGWYtp1zAJcV6EFv3GY0Tf8zKpZDnn-e01yJLs3irDOpbYlOU4ZQ9rjRbSWPU56mzGIbWexeQrce0hqwIT4QDN2JKCWbKKv-yG/s1600/wrapped.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDhuIZKlkdH5LMPdMAiQhhPFHfYjdR9Np6yUX8iD9TiXGWYtp1zAJcV6EFv3GY0Tf8zKpZDnn-e01yJLs3irDOpbYlOU4ZQ9rjRbSWPU56mzGIbWexeQrce0hqwIT4QDN2JKCWbKKv-yG/s200/wrapped.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562873471181558754" /></a> This week included a major celebration in our family. Cassie is finally back at school. This is her first time back since the end of October (right before her surgery). She had home tutoring to keep up with her class, but actually being in the same room with your friends is so much different. She also is being mainstreamed this year so she is in her regular classroom all day instead of being in the "options" class half the day. Progress is measured in small steps some weeks, but this was and is huge. A lot of credit goes to her teacher, Ms. Hunt. She is not only a wonderful teacher, she is a kind and compassionate person. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgof2q2Fi64GRkyCz7hlEHTuYyRyK3DwZVW1G8GV1zvNRrjHnItVL6WhxDqLds6dnLyD0Efsh34_PKNOFIccP-WzGcYiMgg5E9YFNUJfMbycE1WsTMxbkBJZM4Q_bdg_fdvPSAZfQK9d8Jf/s1600/drying.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgof2q2Fi64GRkyCz7hlEHTuYyRyK3DwZVW1G8GV1zvNRrjHnItVL6WhxDqLds6dnLyD0Efsh34_PKNOFIccP-WzGcYiMgg5E9YFNUJfMbycE1WsTMxbkBJZM4Q_bdg_fdvPSAZfQK9d8Jf/s200/drying.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562873462674724322" /></a> Her first day back included her favorite outfit, Leopard spot long-sleeve T and matching tights (pink with spots of course), matching skirt, bright pink cowboy boots, topped by her faux black leather jacket, and her fuzzy pink vest. Of course this is all set off by her pink wheelchair. Naturally she wanted her hair sprayed pink to match. She loved her pink hair so much she couldn't resist rubbing it on her cheek, which in turn colored her cheeks a lovely pink. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyywaCW7NM3p75ISkMyw-cvrBGAwVOqBfFEmO1EwI05lfEfosFYAwqz58-PZUIVbeJMMuVR8lUyguC0gfZHf7SIWWLpfrSKet5VxJEbxGfCGsbFtPsc3-1OiKGgSsEGjx9G2AGKTtQkf13/s1600/dried.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyywaCW7NM3p75ISkMyw-cvrBGAwVOqBfFEmO1EwI05lfEfosFYAwqz58-PZUIVbeJMMuVR8lUyguC0gfZHf7SIWWLpfrSKet5VxJEbxGfCGsbFtPsc3-1OiKGgSsEGjx9G2AGKTtQkf13/s200/dried.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562873457531362498" /></a> Once the boys in her class discovered her hair was pretty much a giant chalk-like crayon they all patted or rubbed her head on the way past her. Pretty soon the entire classroom had pink spots, smears, etc. all over the place. Momma brought a cupcake cake for all of them to share after lunch, and juice for everyone. She was the hero of the day, but Cassie was the star. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjqPQOhhS-OtkLLgKEdaFPI90vRKohoqaVj0ypVXlxWN1wF6yfNd5-_TqiemJKbGFlYMQw3XKUOoqflG9EVHbdgbxr0_V-sAs6yQ5HNgaGPfzePoOP79hD-BwtX5gIgY9L7LG-J1TSM99/s1600/outside.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjqPQOhhS-OtkLLgKEdaFPI90vRKohoqaVj0ypVXlxWN1wF6yfNd5-_TqiemJKbGFlYMQw3XKUOoqflG9EVHbdgbxr0_V-sAs6yQ5HNgaGPfzePoOP79hD-BwtX5gIgY9L7LG-J1TSM99/s200/outside.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562873449565688002" /></a> On the way home Cassie said, "Momma, I want my hair dyed with the stuff that doesn't rub off." So, of course, we acquired the necessary equipment and proceeded to dye Cassie's hair PINK. I have included documentary evidence. ;) We really have no idea how long it will last, but it wasn't all that hard to apply. Cassie was very patient in spite of the fact 6-year-olds don't enjoy sitting still wrapped in plastic wrap for 1/2 hour while the dye soaks in.<br /><br />My friend Jeremiah, upon reading the title of my post about this on Facebook asked, "ooh.. new RPG video game? I want pre-order info!"<br /><br />I told him, "LOL, sure Jeremiah!! That'll be $49.95 (isn't that the going rate?) LOL, just check out the photos hun ;)"<br /><br />To which he replied, "Yup!! can I download it straight from a site? LOL"<br /><br />So I told him, "Will have to get my daughter and son-in-law to write the code first LOL"<br /><br />As you can see I take myself seriously, I really hope you will also. Of course Cassie also told me, "Grandma, for my birthday I want to get pink dye and you get purple dye and we will both have pink and purple stripes." She also asked if I could do hers and she could do mine. LOLRita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-67089854330707571252011-01-11T14:14:00.001-08:002011-01-11T14:35:54.089-08:00Holiday blur<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyEcEI6UybomW0mhhzqKhK3_SQXekQPv63kaqh-aGdzG7MQsfNd5gECIUo_oLRjNwgqd9pL29t8GJzKSSYTF_NRgZM2gBQut9xw0EXP36fvdgy4CuptbCQRME1QFrh6pi04v7k8wu8DwF/s1600/cass+and+box.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyEcEI6UybomW0mhhzqKhK3_SQXekQPv63kaqh-aGdzG7MQsfNd5gECIUo_oLRjNwgqd9pL29t8GJzKSSYTF_NRgZM2gBQut9xw0EXP36fvdgy4CuptbCQRME1QFrh6pi04v7k8wu8DwF/s200/cass+and+box.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561060078837418226" /></a> That is the best description of the past month, a blur, confusion, fun, festivities, family, the usual holiday insanity in short. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8gAq9QeDtnL1X9R_KQ1SK1x2aHTI_DbvCsL6jnYTvS-p5Cg8BYzJ0YiKVp9P_VgzGS6EIydLnY1w1YeAlFlx1OL_zxLQoxxJ17adlaLjYNtU0oS7-HIumZ1yTmiggPncY7icFqMvKVBg/s1600/Cass+ride.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8gAq9QeDtnL1X9R_KQ1SK1x2aHTI_DbvCsL6jnYTvS-p5Cg8BYzJ0YiKVp9P_VgzGS6EIydLnY1w1YeAlFlx1OL_zxLQoxxJ17adlaLjYNtU0oS7-HIumZ1yTmiggPncY7icFqMvKVBg/s200/Cass+ride.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561060069118368418" /></a> We planned our family gathering for Christmas eve, with as little last minute cooking as possible so Tess could have a good time, too. She and I made a last minute trip in search of the perfect gift for Cassie. When I say last minute I mean the 23rd, and really a last ditch effort to find what Cassie had asked for. This was sandwiched in between sewing on wild "rave" style legwarmers and kitty ears for the older girls, Athena and their cousin Kat, and making a custom marble pouch for my son-in-law Eric. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQThXPfiBE_hpXT63eZl8yqifIyzVPEWItnO39F0J84LX2Zi-vnyvKS8gAQxIIl43-81yZlkImV3VKKAmfLmKik3DTV1aYiMudn5dU0er64ZvkIT2O4PGr-bBm48TS8ihGMIHhyphenhyphenchBFuFR/s1600/3+girls.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQThXPfiBE_hpXT63eZl8yqifIyzVPEWItnO39F0J84LX2Zi-vnyvKS8gAQxIIl43-81yZlkImV3VKKAmfLmKik3DTV1aYiMudn5dU0er64ZvkIT2O4PGr-bBm48TS8ihGMIHhyphenhyphenchBFuFR/s200/3+girls.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561060061853420338" /></a> Tess and I had been trying to figure out where and how to find a "bike" for Cassie. Those of you who read my blog realize Cassie is a paraplegic, so a bike she could ride without using her legs was crucial. We searched hand-powered bike for kids online and eventually found a forum where someone else with a child with Spina Bifida had been told about something called a <a href="http://www.plasmacar.com/">PlasmaCar</a>. On their website was a link for finding where you could buy them "locally." Well, there was a toy shop listed within 20 miles of us, of course they didn't have one anymore. So the next closest place (roughly 70 miles away) was a cute little toy shop in Albany, <a href="http://www.frogsandpollywogstoys.com/">Frogs and Pollywogs</a>. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1MzAR88m4QGlI82xlnyN_bDXTeY5wMdwCgTpipiDVzyE89YEIyQM1ESeKrF9CA9oHAuA1-cfCjVrGWul1Pa36iNvZ02kvzPhh6roLTT9oxQAdSa32BsoQENTdvdRTeiGosSZ32R2EYWz/s1600/Eric+and+marble+bag.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1MzAR88m4QGlI82xlnyN_bDXTeY5wMdwCgTpipiDVzyE89YEIyQM1ESeKrF9CA9oHAuA1-cfCjVrGWul1Pa36iNvZ02kvzPhh6roLTT9oxQAdSa32BsoQENTdvdRTeiGosSZ32R2EYWz/s200/Eric+and+marble+bag.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561060047548891042" /></a> We got lucky, the store had a PlasmaCar available, one, only one. AND they were kind enough to hold it for us after hearing our dilemma. It took us about an hour to leave town, and another nearly two hours to get there, but it was worth the drive. The smile on Cassie's face on Christmas eve was worth all of it.<br /><br />Was our celebration perfect? Was it a festival of fun, food and family? The answer to that is a resounding YES!!!Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-23746756410408821152010-12-16T09:46:00.000-08:002010-12-16T10:08:31.689-08:00Cassie's bathOn Monday, Dec. 13, Cassie went back to Doernbecher, yet again. BUT, and it's a very big but, it was to remove the final tube from the outside of her belly. She told everyone who would listen she was keeping the inside ones. When she was called in for her appointment she was already in panic mode. Afraid of what was to come, but looking forward to getting the final step over with. As they followed the nurse she kept saying, "We need to go slow. Can you please be slow like Dr. Austin did?" The nurse asked her if she was walking too fast. When she was getting ready for the tube removal she was starting to hyperventilate, Dr. Austin told her to calm down. Then she kept sobbing and breathing hard and saying, I need to calm myself, I need to calm myself. This was all before he had done ANYTHING. LOL Momma told her to breathe (like Lamaze breathing). She started to breathe deep and hard, and again Dr. Austin told her to calm down. She asked him, "Can you please go slow like last time?" He told her fast would get it over sooner, but she wasn't too sure about that. She finally told him to go ahead. (she's amazing for a 6-year-old) He removed the final tube, wiped the blood off and put a bandage on the wound. The second he was done she popped up and threw her arms in the air saying, "I need a hug, Dr. Austin." He said she was the first child who had ever popped up so fast, and certainly the first to ask for a hug following this procedure. He said they were usually so caught up in the crying they didn't even notice him. Not our Cassie. She had her eyes on the prize, a real bath. She hadn't had a real bath for a month and a half.<br /><br />So last night, after the wound had a couple of days to heal, she got her tub bath. She was the happiest girl in the world, surrounded by hot water and piles of bubbles. She didn't want to get out. Ever. LOL And who could blame her after a month and a half with . . . as my mom always called them "spit baths."Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-53628449423212338722010-12-10T11:15:00.000-08:002010-12-10T11:18:03.939-08:00Best giveaway EVER!!!I just entered the best giveaway ever. It is from the great online and brick and mortar store Gamestop. Anyone with kids, or who is into gaming knows this name well. They have outdone themselves, and the prizes offered are well worth the few minutes it takes to enter. Check out my note, and click the first link in my note to enter yourself.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&¬e_id=477698753497">http://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&¬e_id=477698753497</a>Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-74122844801305613322010-12-03T14:17:00.001-08:002010-12-03T14:33:57.905-08:00Frozen windshields and pancakes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFz1Es2V53DriOq3mwL8-b9uoG26oSSJtj85jDRXA2u3jsRM34g2_AArikBrlXh7nv3IQ_37BE_EFPg8gDNm3Oz4UxibLoOC7IIRue7BNuIDEiismt1puoxk1NdizGUdNrefIfCgWcdZrk/s1600/icy.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFz1Es2V53DriOq3mwL8-b9uoG26oSSJtj85jDRXA2u3jsRM34g2_AArikBrlXh7nv3IQ_37BE_EFPg8gDNm3Oz4UxibLoOC7IIRue7BNuIDEiismt1puoxk1NdizGUdNrefIfCgWcdZrk/s320/icy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546586754650209394" /></a><br />My day started off way too early, and frozen. I woke to my alarm blasting to remind me I had a doctor's appointment this morning. I generally stay up fairly late and get up around 9 am or so. So, having a doctor appointment at 9:45 am put a cramp in my style, to say the least. However I was really glad I got up so early and got to witness the beautiful ice on my windshield. Of course the bad part of this story was my car's unwillingness to start. So since we couldn't get my car running with any sort of speed, I drove my daughter's Jeep to the doctor (an experience in itself).<br /><br />Now on to the important stuff, <span style="font-weight:bold;">an update on Cassie:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTxNG2I20QsvyO611gud0ZNcDQu5qqlhlXXsz0G_l7cAF20p4Pk7BMVs2xhRreQIw6z20ZQQ7ZGbymi06Sojc0cGvOvv-3jEwWsBwZYiPnUdyOdvKesvYuGw61Ev86V5UUEjqiG1osrqE/s1600/cascake.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTxNG2I20QsvyO611gud0ZNcDQu5qqlhlXXsz0G_l7cAF20p4Pk7BMVs2xhRreQIw6z20ZQQ7ZGbymi06Sojc0cGvOvv-3jEwWsBwZYiPnUdyOdvKesvYuGw61Ev86V5UUEjqiG1osrqE/s320/cascake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546586753064887842" /></a><br />Cassie is home and doing fine. She has had most of the tubes removed and is starting to use the new catheter port next to her belly button. She will go and have the final tube removed in a week or so. Since she has missed an entire month of school and will miss a bit more (before the holidays), she has been working with a tutor. She is doing great, feeling better every day, and starting to move around on her own again. I think her favorite part of being home is getting to eat her mom's cooking, and having pancakes whenever she wants them. The dietitian has added instant breakfast to her food regimen as often as she wants. Since Cassie has been addicted to chocolate milk for a long time this is really a simple change. She weighs in at a mere 30 lbs. so needs all the calories she can get. As a 6-year-old she is definitely on the slender side, but with the lack of muscles in her legs it's not surprising she doesn't weigh as much as other kids her age. She has had visits from her best friend, and been out and about as much as possible, including going to her favorite Chinese restaurant.Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-37341293549228286662010-11-05T20:29:00.000-07:002010-11-05T20:32:50.200-07:00Scary night and afternoon, but better now<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNujFhQcI1c4zrgSd4SPmrprKzgVOczWWK-fR6Nu-ZYSdntF02T1zmQJWMWVnhb_1_o48IbEsGy1FwvdunBlIDFGY8Nk9IKCtPK_dQyHCc_B5PWq16_XbS370XeYEENWp85JS6eJ9NrvI/s1600/sleeping+angel.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNujFhQcI1c4zrgSd4SPmrprKzgVOczWWK-fR6Nu-ZYSdntF02T1zmQJWMWVnhb_1_o48IbEsGy1FwvdunBlIDFGY8Nk9IKCtPK_dQyHCc_B5PWq16_XbS370XeYEENWp85JS6eJ9NrvI/s320/sleeping+angel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536274535983810002" /></a><br />Cassie was vomiting and screaming during the night due to pain. So they took her way down on her morphine dosage thinking maybe that was causing the vomiting. It all started again this afternoon, so meanwhile they did x-rays, ultrasound etc., trying to figure out what was causing all the pain, and they all came back negative. So it is supposedly gas etc. as her bowels start working again. She was finally able to get a little rest as they increased her morphine again. Don't know whether I will be able to update again until Monday, but I will try.Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-82054229910335657802010-11-05T07:19:00.000-07:002010-11-05T07:52:51.226-07:00Day 2 post op<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LRqoMTFlDHqQgW-CW_JsjwAzNv3wghLHUdLgb5s924yx1Qimz42eOsobf9eYgzDpzjKsQAMzT6NLEXSaiwqRmdqcDhX6w8GxlM8MwGNb8dflAso2Kt6o7FIqzePZGYuXOUIwPH5gc-ak/s1600/monopoly+crew.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LRqoMTFlDHqQgW-CW_JsjwAzNv3wghLHUdLgb5s924yx1Qimz42eOsobf9eYgzDpzjKsQAMzT6NLEXSaiwqRmdqcDhX6w8GxlM8MwGNb8dflAso2Kt6o7FIqzePZGYuXOUIwPH5gc-ak/s320/monopoly+crew.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536078594009294754" /></a><br />Cassie had a hard night Wednesday night. She wasn't breathing as deeply as they would like and ended up on oxygen a few times during the night. Thursday night though she was doing better, fever down, and complaining because no one had fed her or given her anything to drink. We played with the controls on her bed a bit and sat her up a bit straighter. If she continues to do well she will get some liquids on Friday. She was definitely doing better when I left, and I am heading up to see her in a few minutes now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKlZoAg_-cEq4HIq-TpNG4ywChkTtOgF17T289pty0pKXaiudl16BIE-FgSVkwpQvNM0U0_1kxM9xV4DZiXAcPkSM_FjMWfsMirRFd8ut0vbp6_-1BmHyJspZX2zB4Q8Kuy1-TXyn1hLz/s1600/closer+flashlight+girl.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKlZoAg_-cEq4HIq-TpNG4ywChkTtOgF17T289pty0pKXaiudl16BIE-FgSVkwpQvNM0U0_1kxM9xV4DZiXAcPkSM_FjMWfsMirRFd8ut0vbp6_-1BmHyJspZX2zB4Q8Kuy1-TXyn1hLz/s320/closer+flashlight+girl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536078586673623314" /></a><br /><br />Mommy, daddy and I decided to try playing Monopoly. We are in the middle of a game. We photographed the board so we would know who had how many hotels, houses, etc. since we had to call it off so I could go back to my friend's house to eat dinner and sleep.Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-89640084614419481582010-11-04T00:03:00.000-07:002010-11-04T00:30:30.176-07:00Day 2 post-opMy gorgeous angel-girl, Cassie, had a long hard day. After being awake much of the night, once the anesthesia had worn off, mom and dad didn't get much sleep either. Grandma showed on the scene about 10:30 am and gave them a much needed break from being the person at the center of Cassie's universe. After Cassie discovered she was hooked up to a morphine pump, and that pushing the button was a way to fight back against the pain, the day progresses with a bit more humor. She wanted to hold the button, which mommy and daddy had been pushing for her originally. She knew there were several things hooked up to her that beeped periodically when they needed attention, like the infustion pump controlling the antibiotics, and the O2 monitor attached to her finger. She also knew she couldn't exactly control those beeps, although breathing deeper could make the O2 one stop beeping once it started. We were talking about the beeps, and other odd noises in the room and coming from the TV speaker. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qcc6gLM0IKnuysVV7BzlPX77XZJA-uwCFtRXoRs5N5Z3MdwV2j102EhazAG9YABvSwq9I7S33qsC0suzb2_TF5qCpSlgSSUnrsX-xVH_DFbrO0CN1EHvizXqsiXR8lANiv0R1qh6fjtU/s1600/cas+n+mom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qcc6gLM0IKnuysVV7BzlPX77XZJA-uwCFtRXoRs5N5Z3MdwV2j102EhazAG9YABvSwq9I7S33qsC0suzb2_TF5qCpSlgSSUnrsX-xVH_DFbrO0CN1EHvizXqsiXR8lANiv0R1qh6fjtU/s320/cas+n+mom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535593129242963442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEBCZUx23_ENlw9KOQqoCYY-eazw_sRr8UHQuesf35LHZZZ_ggwO6Cg4Shzmyx31H06XITbpNFpfU_uyFf162Xfj0mjZW2c-vDXcAe6fmxURGJXqzOFa5F_u3K9kONevAmyfsXPDnSM49/s1600/cas+tubey.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEBCZUx23_ENlw9KOQqoCYY-eazw_sRr8UHQuesf35LHZZZ_ggwO6Cg4Shzmyx31H06XITbpNFpfU_uyFf162Xfj0mjZW2c-vDXcAe6fmxURGJXqzOFa5F_u3K9kONevAmyfsXPDnSM49/s320/cas+tubey.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535593126579579730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEmZgosV5bWy8S1PGhPccYkJ2P_fGZjnprHjPrkoMjt27KmV70542zwLyHKIj_wt_DX0sQpxRGVmZiqWUgtkaMwT4tV_E1JEur6pDdtNnr2oNIKqS-K71qtfweoeF_Vt3ammpf0aLI8Ky/s1600/casntube.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEmZgosV5bWy8S1PGhPccYkJ2P_fGZjnprHjPrkoMjt27KmV70542zwLyHKIj_wt_DX0sQpxRGVmZiqWUgtkaMwT4tV_E1JEur6pDdtNnr2oNIKqS-K71qtfweoeF_Vt3ammpf0aLI8Ky/s320/casntube.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535593122904041426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBf5LMOzTOGbK-S1RAl19_xaVbo2p-6LOQ1M1DdfwOZ2kgO22uQeytipZ1OAaGJPjvnyHdE3eU8AZCRFBNvFajphJ6DHp7dzWHVzcP94x1ReKLNdFOItmhRgVTyavpAt1vbmkW2ATrZ1K/s1600/casmily.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBf5LMOzTOGbK-S1RAl19_xaVbo2p-6LOQ1M1DdfwOZ2kgO22uQeytipZ1OAaGJPjvnyHdE3eU8AZCRFBNvFajphJ6DHp7dzWHVzcP94x1ReKLNdFOItmhRgVTyavpAt1vbmkW2ATrZ1K/s320/casmily.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535593115590932386" /></a><br />Well, mom and dad were both on laptop computers and checking on various things, not really paying attention to Cassie and grandma. Suddenly the morphine pump went Beep-Beep, and daddy said, uhoh what was that. Cassie said, "Daddy, it was me." She loved the sound it made, but she also loved the fact she could control or at least effect the pain level she was experiencing. We talked about her pain, and that it would get better over the next few days. The nurse came in and wanted to move her to change the bedding. Cassie didn't want to be moved, she was very afraid of what it would do to the pain level. I tried to explain to her that yes, it would hurt worse for a minute or so but it would get better fast. I don't know whether she really believed me, but she knows I won't lie to her about things not hurting when in fact they do. So she agreed to being picked up if it meant she could lie in mommy's arms for a while. The nurse and I picked her up and gently slid her into Tess's arms, which was no small feat. She has 4 tubes coming from various location in her abdomen, and each tube is attached to a different drain pouch. They are each clipped onto her sheet when she is in bed, but had to be moved and reattached to her diaper for moving her. She is also attached to a couple of different IV lines and infusion pumps, and a picc-line. So it was interesting trying to make sure all the things moved in unison and nothing pulled on her tender little belly. She slept on mommy for nearly an hour, then wanted to go back to her bed. The photos on today's post show her smiling at the joke of her being the cause of the beeps, as well as a couple of shots of her various hoses and one special one of her just after being moved with mommy. She was still hurting there, but wanted her photo taken anyway.<br /><br />Once she got back to bed, my being there gave Tess and Brian a chance to eat, and just breathe without worrying about her. They had a leisurely lunch break, and returned in time to find Cassie and grandma both asleep. Like I said, it was a hard day, but the fact Cassie was finally asleep meant we were making progress. Not too much later she woke up and wanted to paint, I know at last count she had completed four paintings and was looking forward to doing more tomorrow. She won't get anything to eat for at least another day or two, and won't get solids for about another week. This is probably the hardest part of all since she has always loved her food, especially her pancakes and scrambled eggs. She is getting nothing by mouth at this point in time, and didn't say a thing about it today. She is so tiny, I worry about her losing weight. She barely hits 30 pounds and at 6 years old there is none to spare. She is quite tall, but has always been very tiny due to her being such a busy girl. I know she will rebound quickly once she is allowed to eat, but until then we just keep hoping and praying she won't lose too much.Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-91185601651027176552010-11-03T09:00:00.000-07:002010-11-03T09:17:09.974-07:00Post Surgery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPV6tWlvLDplhzvecYlGNEpN67cBsCNl_e_ziI1u64Y6W5N4d4C1fZVfoUm98_N9nxe_SmhaABE3a0KAAQndFWzBXXi1MPkVhzZbRX9RTQIdQv4ZS1cNponVYb8tHO4yEXq3u-Gp31J08/s1600/Cass+smaller.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPV6tWlvLDplhzvecYlGNEpN67cBsCNl_e_ziI1u64Y6W5N4d4C1fZVfoUm98_N9nxe_SmhaABE3a0KAAQndFWzBXXi1MPkVhzZbRX9RTQIdQv4ZS1cNponVYb8tHO4yEXq3u-Gp31J08/s320/Cass+smaller.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535357497015922450" /></a><br />Well, yesterday was brutally long and emotionally and physically exhausting for all of us. It was also a rousing success. The urologist we met with after her surgery said it was very successful. Her appendix was used to create new "ducts" from her kidneys to her bladder, and from her bladder to the outside of her belly. A piece of her small intestine was used in augmenting the size of her bladder. She has a small vertical incision below her belly button, and 5 tubes coming out of her belly in various places. By the time she comes home she will only have 3. <br /><br />She won't get anything to eat for at least 2-3 days, and to start of course it will be clear liquids. For a girl who is all about the food, especially pancakes, this is going to be the hardest. She hates the broth they tried to give her the day before surgery, the only part of her tray she found edible was the jello and the apple juice.<br /><br />Last night she got to video-chat with her sister, but can't sit up well enough yet to see the laptop screen, so mom and dad had to each take a side of her bed and hold the laptop so she could see and be seen. She was very happy to connect with her big sis, her cousin, and her aunt. I am heading off to see her on her first day post-surgery. She is a trooper, and asked if she could go home yet last night within an hour of awaking from the anesthetic.Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1580242502722173628.post-79698598321353816972010-10-28T19:39:00.000-07:002010-10-28T19:51:27.051-07:00Cassie and her impending surgeryMy littlest granddaughter, Cassie, the one with Spina Bifida will be having surgery next week. On Monday she will have a pic-line installed so they can easily infuse her without having her arms strapped to something. Since she uses them as her mobility, the doctors actually get it this time to put the IV somewhere else.<br /><br />She is having bladder augmentation, which will expand the size of her bladder, and while they are at it, they will put in a port next to her belly button for self-catheterization. She is pretty excited about it. She knows she has to have an operation, and that it may cause her some discomfort. But she also knows she will be more grown up when it is over. At least that is her take on it right now. She will be in the hospital for at least a week, and out of school for up to six weeks. The surgeries require the coordination of 4 different doctors schedules, and a block of time of up to 12 hours. Her urologist, proctologist, neurosurgeon and pediatrician will all be in the OR. The neurosurgeon will be there just as a precaution since he oversees anything to do with her shunt, and it empties into her abdomen.<br /><br />The proctologist will resection her large and small intestines for expanding her bladder size, and adding the belly port, the urologist will actually put the parts together and hopefully it will prevent her left kidney from failing due to backflush. The other doctor who will not have to be there for an extended period (doctor #5) will put in a special line for flushing her bowels from the top once she has healed from her other surgeries. This is another of the big girl things that is happening. I am sure if you look up Spina Bifida you will find references to exactly what I am talking about.<br /><br />Suffice it to say, Grandma, Mommy, Daddy, Step-daddy and sissy are scared half to death just waiting for the surgery. All positive energy, prayers and good thoughts are more than welcome. I'll try to keep you posted post-surgery.Rita'z R-tistic Ramblezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02495366884346841233noreply@blogger.com0