Photos 20

Josh, here are a few bags of ravs in the freezer downstairs. Only 2 or 3. we did not make them this time and we have not had them to eat while I have been here.

Getting to the end

This will most likely be my last entry as this afternoon I head to the airport for the start of my homeward journey.  If I have time at SFX or LFX I will send one last chapter but otherwise this is it.

Yesterday was so hot, even hotter than the day before.   Noni and I did an early run to the small Mexican grocery to buy the makings for Carnitas for dinner that night. I spent most of the day getting my suitcases organised and fussing around the kitchen. In the afternoon Gramps and I went down to La Tapatia to buy fresh tortillas for dinner. My suitcases are very full and there are many things that just did not make the cut. We investigated sending a box home but that was just ridiculously expensive in comparison to what was in the box.

Yesterday we finally explored the garage and went through various items down there. There is not too much that I can take. But I had a look in the fridge and freezer and although they are not full, they are well stocked with supplies for making Noni's favourites, pie crust for her apple pies, almond paste for Ameretti, walnuts and biscotti, bread crumbs, butter, etc. Only 2-3 bags of ravs though.

Noni and I finally went digging into one cupboard yesterday, the one in the den above the TV.We also spent some time looking at Gardian Service websites selling the pots, just to get some idea of the selling prices. We even found a Guardian Service blog with recipes, history, etc. Noni was fascinated.

Yesterday Gramps read the Blog from start to the last entry. He really liked it. I thought he would get tired but he said no, he found it really interesting and wanted to read the whole thing. He liked the idea of the blog and later that evening when I was taking pictures he had a better understanding of where the pictures were going.

 The Martinellis arrived in the afternoon with Noah and Uncle Mike went in to Gramps room for a short nap. Gramps and Linda sat on the front porch with the front door open and Noah went in and out with various small toys. Krista arrived just before Dinner with Lucca but did not stay long, just collected Noh and carried on. After dinner Non and Gramps and Linda and I spent a long time recalling various All Souls families and kids we went to school with. Now and then former All Souls people come into Linda’s office and then because there have been so many funerals in the past year, especially in January, lots of people are just seeing one another again after many years, similar to my experience at Cynthia’s mom’s funeral. So this is stimulating lots of reminiscing.

Noni is still fixing things and has many small tools laying around the kitchen. She still has a weakness for old wooden tools and has a few special items that she uses. This morning she was investigating a rough spot on the back of the shirt she was wearing yesterday and discovered that there was a small piece of ribbon that must have melted during ironing. So she had a look and found that she could just take this off with no change to the top so she has just finished doing this.

This morning we have a few last minute errands to run and then we will be heading up to the Martinellis for a last day lunch and hang out before bringing me to the airport. It is good that I am leaving on a Wednesday as I know now that Thursdays are a really big day for them as this is the afternoon that they have to get Noah down to Burlingame in the afternoon and Uncle Mike often works at the ball park on Thursdays.

See you all soon. Love mom

Photos 19

Here are a few photos of the morning routine, Gramps checking out the papers before going off to his exercise class and Non cutting out coupons for Walgreens before going to do her morning run up there and Noni sharpening knives on one of her many sharpening tools that she has available in the kitchen.

Chapter 15

Yesterday was one of those days when everyone in South City realises that they really don't mind their crap weather. It was hot, very hot and everyone was struggling.  While most houses in So City are well set up for cold weather in terms of heating, it is not the same for hot days as usually there are not very many. Noni and Gramp's house faces west so they really collect heat in the afternoon and by the evening the house on that side is pretty warm. But the rooms on the east side, kitchen and den, are not too bad and they can open the kitchen door to pick the evening cool of course the basement is very cool. Noni left the front door wide open too for the little bit of breeze that was coming in. This morning it is already feeling warm at 7.30 in the morning! definitely not the norm for South City.

Today I am hoping to get some photos of the pumpkin displays that are out now. This year they have had some problems with their pumpkin crop as it was either too wet or not hot enough for the pumpkins and they are not as big and many pumpkin growers lost most of their crop. The same weather conditions have caused problems for tomatoes and walnuts. Noni has been compalining about these last two things, especially as she counts on getting those from various people for her cookies. Fran and Dan Weber told non that their walnuts are still on the trees and the some of the outer shells have not even cracked yet. I have not heard anyone talking climate change for all of these weather-related anomalies, but they certainly are noticing the weather changes.

Yesterday we bought Noni a new phone and I have given her a crash course in using it and will show gramps too. The one we had our eyes on was ony available through a contract and gramps was not going to do that. The young man who was helping us was a bit impatient at first but once Non and Gramps were back in the shop he seemed to take a different approach and was very helpful in transferring the Sim Card, setting dates and even put a label on the back of the phone with Noni's number on it. So all up the new phone cost $32 and hopefully it will not take her too long to get used to it.

We did the suitcase check last night and it is right down to the wire with the two big bags. I have to work some magic today as I have not bought the sees candy yet. oh oh. Also there is no room for any of noni's pots. It is weight that is the issue for me, not space.

There are so many things I need to print out today and as the Martinellis do not have a printer, I need to visit Kingkos or some such place to do all of that today. I need to make a copy of the photos i have taken for them and print out somethings I have typed up for Noni. Then also today I hope to buy the pork to make the carnitas for them tonight.

Last night as Noni and I were looking at Gardian Service cookware websites we got a skype call from Noni and Eleanor and Sara's face popped up on the screen. Noni said "hey, there's Sara!". We had another visit with Eleanor too. That is all for now.

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Photos 17

Chapter 14

ok folks I accidentally wiped the photos from the Dante Sciandri party. Sorry anna, no cupcake and decorating ideas, but the photos will probably show up on face book.

Noni and Gramps had a great time at the party yesterday but they were the last ones to be picked up. We were waiting for Noni to call us but she never did and we did not want to just show up in case they were not ready to leave. Michelle and I went to get them and this was lucky as we missed young Lucca throwing up. But I did get to see Dante and wish him a happy birthday.

Yesterday afternoon we had two great Skype connections with Sara and Eleanor one at 5.15 PM us time and a second one at 6 PM. We took a short break in the middle to get Eleanor sorted and to round up the 2 little guys on this end. Noah was bonding with the toilet and Lucca was playing with cars. But overall this was a great success. Lucca tried to share his chuchi with Eleanor and she looked like she was interested. Sara got to see Non and gramps, Michelle, Krista, Tony, Mike and Linda and the 2 boys, so that was the best yet.

We had a great dinner again last night. Auntie lindy makes a pasta with cherry tomatoes and eggplant. She cuts up the eggplant and tomatoes and tosses them in oil and salt and pepper and  some garlic then roasts them in the oven until they are starting to dry out. Then she tosses them in a pan with the pasta and it is very yummy.

Last night I also met Michelle’s friend Lee who is a very nice guy. Everyone likes him and thinks he is a keeper. Little Noah has really adopted me now. Anna and Josh will remember that he really did not want to talk to me when I was here 2 years ago and would start singing if I said anything to him. But he has decided that I am more than ok this time and comes and leans against me all the time.

This morning I need a reality check regarding my luggage. I have to try to get all my stuff in the suitcases and see how much it weighs as weight rather than space is going to be the big challenge. I have not been to Sees yet and need to know how much more I can fit in. Honestly we have not gone near the garage!