We made it home from California, it took us hours to get across from West Hills to Palm Springs. I think everyone who had come out there headed back with us. It was insane. We got home Sunday night around midnight. Yikes! Hard to get up for work the next day. But fortunately I only had a two day work week-sweeeeeet!! Some of the fun we had was going to Corbin Bowl on Ventura Blvd and doing karaoke. Chelsea and Aaron both sing incredibly well so I was extremely proud to hear them. Chelsea sang a song I had never heard before called "Gunpowder and Lead" and from the response of the crowd she nailed it. There were a table full of women who were there to "celebrate" either a breakup, divorce or something because everysong that was a militant female anthem was met with huge applause. However....when Aaron did the Michael Buble "Try A Little Tenderness" they were swaying along, enjoying his voice. Here are some pics from that night.This is Chelsea rocking the house. She did such a great job. Here is Aaron making them swoon. He sounded so great. Of course I have no bias in this at all. There was this guy there who sang the Journey song "Don't Stop Believing" and he was incredible. We all were so impressed. As soon as Chelsea sends me the pics I will show you my visit to Hollywood. Chelsea was the only one who would go with me! She will be a very good daughter-in-law, I can tell already.

the day after

We are enjoying a mellow day after all of the festivities. Chuck and I, with our kids went out for breakfast to Weiler's. Yummy. We went over to Northridge Mall to a shop called C28. It is a very trendy Christian store. They were busy and incredible sales. They also have an online catalog. Aaron gets a lot of stuff there. We picked up a few things as well. Chuck is cutting down a dead tree in the back yard and I am watching Christmas Carol on TV. I think Melissa is napping and Chelsea and Aaron are picking up her gift from Aaron. He couldn't get it before today. Tonight is dinner at Boca Di Bepo. I love that place. I did hear from mom and she said it was snowing in Catalina. How wild and of course it happens when I am gone. I wanted to share a wonderful picture of my self with my dear friends. L-R Me, Mary Thierman, Rita Ward and Kristen Thierman. We were at Kristens for the annual ornament exchange. We always have a great time and lots of good food and laughter. I'm lucky to have such great friends.

A Very Merry Christmas

It has been such fun to be with our kids in LA. Actually we are in the San Fernando Valley, in West Hills. We joined them at West Valley Christian Church for a beautiful Christmas Eve service in their new sanctuary. It was standing room only and the church building was beautifully decorated. We came back and had sandwiches for a later supper and watched "It's a Wonderful Life" on tv. It was a late night, but nice to be together. Chelsea's roommate, Erin (funny huh) came over and spent the night so Chuck and I were parents to four "kids". This morning we got up, opened presents (very fun) and then Melissa made buscuits and gravy for breakfast!!! Yummy. We have munched on snacks, candy and sweets for the afternoon. Played a fun game of Apples to Apples (you gotta try this one it is so fun, this from a game hater) and now I am making my lasagne for dinner. Probably more movies, munching and fun. I hope all of you are having an equally fun Christmas day. More to come and pics too!

Mom's courage

Many of you know that my mom lives with us. It isn't always a picnic, but there are times when it is special. Yesterday mom had her first of two cataract surgeries. Her left eye was repaired, and she is doing pretty well. It is times like this that I see how much she is aging. So many people comment how young at heart she is and this is really true. But her body has decided to stop cooperating. She takes six meds a day, three in the morning and three at night. Yet...when I told her that Aaron would give up his bed for her if she wanted to join us on our trip to LA she declined. Her reasoning was that since she is still healing she wanted to be near home and her doctor should there be a problem. I know she would like to be in LA, but she knows that my sister, Lisa, would drop everything to help her. Also, Kris and Heather, as well as Josh are more than willing to be there for her. So... she is gonna go it on her own (with Mocha) and handle things herself. She sounds like me.

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and a new year full of dreams come true.

I hope I can do this!

I have always thought my friend, Denise Sullivan, was so creative and clever. So since I cannot create fantastic and inspiring art as she does, I figured I could do a personal blog. I'm getting ready to leave town to be with my kids for Christmas. It has become really hard for Aaron to come out here (thanks FedEx) so we will invade the house Melissa and Aaron share in West Hills CA. It's kinda nice that my kids are roommates. Makes it very easy for us. Their other roommate, Bethany, is gone so we can use her room-yay-private bath!!!. We will get there just in time to change and go to the Christmas Eve service at West Valley Christian Church. We have gotten pretty comfortable there since we have been out there so often. It is a wonderful church and the senior pastor, Glenn Kirby is terrific (he can sing really well too!) A second bonus is getting to spend the holiday with Aaron's fiance, Chelsea. She will find out how crazy our Christmas traditions are (bows anyone?) Pray for safe travels since it will probably rain on us the whole way.