Everything has changed

[cariad]

We need a smiley of the wreakage post package opening! 

I'll see if I can post a pic as a model of what we're going for. 

It's been a fantastic morning. This Christmas was far less stressful than any in recent memory. Gwyn and I had a long, (at times, painful) talk last night and I think we've made some breakthroughs, so that has just added to the feeling of peace that I've been seeking for so long.

My parents gave the boys iPod touches (once again, against my better judgment) but they seem quite taken with their new books for now. Score one for the power of a good story well-told.

Thanks for the Christmas wishes. Enjoy the time with your daughter, Carl, and of course those two little cuties! Give everyone a hug for me!
 

[willowtreewren]

Thanks for the Christmas wishes. Enjoy the time with your daughter, Carl, and of course those two little cuties! Give everyone a hug for me!
 

Done! And I'm glad you had a "less stress" Christmas! Our truly most wonderful gift was given to us Christmas Eve - news that another grandchild is on the way!

 

[CebuShan]

Thanks for the Christmas wishes. Enjoy the time with your daughter, Carl, and of course those two little cuties! Give everyone a hug for me!
 

Done! And I'm glad you had a "less stress" Christmas! Our truly most wonderful gift was given to us Christmas Eve - news that another grandchild is on the way!

 

Glad to hear you had a good Christmas, Cariad!   
Congratulations, Willowtreewren! That is the best news!   

[willowtreewren]

Congratulations, Willowtreewren! That is the best news!   

Yep! It isn't "public" yet, but I know you won't tell. 

[cariad]

Oh, Aleta! How marvelous! Congrats to all! When is the new arrival expected?

[cariad]

My grandmother died last night. It was around 8:30 here, I was watching Finding Nemo with the boys.

Two deaths in one year. I don't think there will be a funeral, but I don't know. We cannot go even if there were.

[Desert Dancer]

Oh, cariad! I'm so sorry. 

[galvo]

My sympathy, cariad.

[CebuShan]

Oh, Cariad. I am so sorry for your loss.

[Joe]

My condolences Cariad. Prayers for all that is needed.

[cariad]

Thanks, everyone. It was not a huge surprise, she way 94 and really enjoyed her life and had the good fortune to decline rapidly. Mother sent an email last night with the details of her passing, which sounded peaceful and exactly what any of us would hope for when it's time. Because my mother had attached a picture of my grandmother, the email would not open on my phone, so I abruptly raced out of the bedroom to get onto the computer to read what I already knew.

I still have to call my mother, though. She seemed OK in the email, but I reckon it's hard no matter what. I wanted to make sure I did not wake her if she needed a lie-in, but as it's past 10AM there, I think I better ring the west coast....

[rsudock]

 

Thinking of you and your family!

Xoxoxo,
Rachel

[okarol]

 

[willowtreewren]

Oh, Cariad....

I'm so very sorry. 

At least it was a peaceful passing. Hugs to your mom, too.

In answer to your question, the new arrival is due in July.

Aleta

[glitter]

I am sorry for your loss, even with the consolation of a long-well lived life, saying goodbye is never easy. I am glad your Mom has you.

[cariad]

Thanks so much, everyone. I truly appreciate you all taking the time to offer condolences.

The talk with my mother went fine. She cried a little bit, but overall seemed to be at peace with it. She asked me if there was anything I particularly wanted of my grandmother's, and I said any souvenir of her travels or something of cultural significance from Alaska (where my mother grew up). I asked for her to especially look for an eskimo yoyo. Anyone else play with these? Since my mother did grow up there, we used to have nice sets made of leather and animal fur, probably made by one of the native populations there (perhaps even Eskimos? I don't know.) I think my boys would get a real kick out of learning to use them. Yes, like the hula hoop, I have no doubt I could pick up an eskimo yoyo after all these years and keep it going for hours.

I am so grateful that my mother did not have to watch her mother linger on for years with severe dementia. That is what is happening with Gwyn's mam, and it is so devastating I can hardly bear it.

[cariad]

Gah! I have to leave in 24 hours, the boys and I are all under the weather and I just have too much to do. I need to mail out returns from Christmas before that gets too far away, need to drop off the car at the shop to have a repair done from when another mom at the childrens center hit the car as we were parked in the loading zone. I so hope she doesn't fight me on this. The damage is not that bad, but I hate having to call her up when it's over and say "Hi, remember me? You owe me several hundred dollars! Happy New Year!" We don't know each other as her daughter is much younger than my boys, and I just hope she is still reachable. She was very embarrassed and apologetic when it happened. (I was not even in the car, standing by the curb with Aidan waiting on his school bus.) It has been almost a year since it happened, but as usual, too much to do and too little time so I am only addressing it now. I wanted to go to Costco today but that will probably have to wait until we get back.

Gwyn moved into the new place and says it's pretty good. He has his bed and he bought a dining table and chairs off Craigslist last night. He should have internet access, so I will probably be around as usual. He is borrowing airbeds for the boys and I sent extra blankets in the truck so those should be there and ready to use. Condo has laundry which is a necessity for me. I cannot go back to coin-op! I would love to be able to connect with any SoCal members, assuming both parties have the time and energy, but a warning, kids will be in tow. If it looks like it will work out on my end, I will try to connect via email, and I'll have my mobile, too. Please feel free to contact me if you like.

Ta for now!

[Desert Dancer]

I guess you're probably flying, not driving. *sigh*

An hour before you get into L.A., look down and wave to me! I wish you safe journeys.

[chook]

  for you, Cariad, on the passing of your grandmother.

[Chris]

Sorry to hear cariad on both parts regarding Gwyn and your Grandmother. I still need to reed pages 2 thru 7 to get caught up.

[KraigG]

So, Cariad, where in So Cal did you move to? I spent over 11 years out there, and lived in 6 cities there. Some of them good, some not so good. The best city for kids, neighborhoods, and houses, was Thousand Oaks. Stay out of the high desert area.

I'm back in the northern Illinois area now, just a few miles south of WI. People and food are better here, but the weather sucks. I came back for a transplant, but my kids are still in CA.

Good luck to you!

[okarol]

All my phone numbers did not carry over to my new phone, so hopefully you'll call me soon!

[cariad]

Hi Kraig,
Well, it's a bit complicated where/if I am officially moving in SoCal. G's job is on the westside of LA which is too crowded/expensive and a touch too superficial for my taste. Everywhere I could picture myself living makes his commute too long. We are discussing N. Holl or Sherman Oaks area. Traffic is perpetual nightmare. I think we'd rather go to the UK though the weather is divine here. Oz won't have us. Meanies! Have to disagree with you re: better food in Wisc. Had my birthday dinner last night. Much to tell, pickies of amazing food, but that will have to wait as we are going to try to meet up with Karol for a working visit.


More later....

[rsudock]

 


thinking of you...still....

xo,
R

[okarol]

Great to see you both at the kidney prom last night - how long did you stay? I limped home, my poor ankle had enough abuse.