Email & The Internet

Email has become an integral part of communication for me and for Butch. It saves time. It connects me with people I haven't seen in as long ago as 50 years or as recently as 25 minutes. It enables me to share humor with friends around the country. It keeps me informed. It brings news from others that brings joy or grief. It opens up my world each day to learn, to share information, to contact friends, and to conduct business for a variety of reasons. I love the pictures I get that acquaint me with the growing families of friends. Did I place online orders for a lot of gifts this year? Yes! Will I do that more this next year? Yes! Do groups I'm in conduct business via email? Yes! Does that help everyone who's involved? Yes! Does it free up time for other things both serious or necessary or just plain fun? Yes! Can I be right there with you in every sense of the word except physically? Yes! Keep sending those emails, friends. I LOVE EMAIL!

A Party at Bath Junkie in Claremont

Today I attended a party at Bath Junkie in Claremont and it was so much fun! A friend had won a party at a fundraiser and a group of us were invited to celebrate with her. The staff had things beautifully set up for us and it was wonderful to sample fragrances and try out products. We played a game guessing the fragrances and it gave us clues to the ones we might want to use. The conversation was fun, the tea party food was delicious, and the items we all purchased for family and friends will make ideal gifts. The store was busy while we were there. If you haven't been, you've missed a treat.

Luke's 1st Birthday Celebration

Luke Jacob Tucker was 1 year old on April 14, 2010, and today was the "Birthday Bash." Family & friends gathered to celebrate the day. The party had a football theme & guests wore football jerseys representing their favorite team. There were two football cakes made by Oma (Eric's mom) and Luke had his own cake to eat & share with Grandpa Butch. Good time, good friends, such cute kids, & a great party = a birthday to remember. Happy Birthday, Luke!

Happy Birthday, Maria!!!

Today is Maria's 34th birthday.  

What a joyous day it was 34 years ago in Lawrence when she arrived. Mark & Claire were excited, too. In those days kids couldn't visit, so they waved "hi" from under a tree in front of Lawrence Memorial. Rachel Christoffersen was born the day before Maria, and Barbara and I became good friends from the very beginning. We referred to ourselves as "the geriatric wing." It was fun to watch the girls grow up together. Maria is a beautiful, fun, loving, super wife & mom, gifted teacher, supportive & caring friend, & involved community & church member. Butch & I are so proud of her and we love her very much!

Dinner & a Movie & a Yogurt Treat with Friends

Dinner with good friends at Cafe Montclair (GOOD food!), "Date Night" movie at the Laemmle (Tina Fey & Steve Carell - gifted actors with great comedic sense & timing), fill-your-own-cup (YES!!!) at Yogurtland, checking out Chico's & O My Sole = a PERFECT EVENING!!!

Zac & Luke in the Fountain at Victoria Gardens

There is nothing like a boy who LOVES playing in the water AND a toddler who discovers the joys of a fountain for the first time. Listen to his screams of delight, along with the screams of others. This fountain is ideal for children and you can see from the number there that it is very popular. What a treat on a warm spring day!

The iPad

I want an iPad. Do I need an iPad? No. But, do I want one? Decidedly YES! What's the appeal? For me it's something completely new that I've not explored. I don't have an iPhone and I don't have a MAC. But, I love computers and all that they can do and all the vistas they can open to all of us who take advantage of what's offered. I love being connected with friends I've not seen in over 40 years who are now as close as next door via the internet. I love email. I love blogs. I love Google and the vast array of information that is so easy to access and the fact that Google is user friendly to pro and novice alike. I love having the ability instantly to look up something and learn the actual facts. I love seeing pictures of family and friends who live close by and in distant places. I love the ease of communication with family, friends, or colleagues as we deal with issues, resolve problems, plan for something, or just share information. I love sharing humor or good news or difficult news with a lot of family and friends with one click. I love the worlds that computers open to us every moment at the touch of a button or the touch of a fingertip. So, I WANT an iPad!!!

Happiness

Through my daughter-in-law's blog I discovered another interesting blog, The Happiness Project. It's worth checking out. For a one minute "ah-ha" on perspective and what's really important, watch this video: http://www.theyearsareshort.com/

Lunch at Nordstrom

Have you checked out lunch at the Nordstrom store at Montclair Plaza? The food is good, the atmosphere is pleasant & inviting, and the general feel of it is warm and welcoming. Nordstrom's features a good menu of salads, sandwiches, panini, soups, and pastas, with meals for children and the always popular dessert possibilities. The chocolate chip cookies with big chunks of chocolate looked ever so good today, but I resisted. My friend and I had a great visit and a delicious meal. Unbeatable!

Earthquake Near Mexicali

As I sat at the computer today, I felt my chair, which is on rollers, moving gently from side to side. I called Butch and went to find him. He had not felt anything, but Maria called from her home to ask if we had had an earthquake. The reports were just coming in on TV that a 6.9 earthquake centered near Mexicali had occurred. Our grandfather's clock had stopped and the water in the pool was gently rolling in waves from one end to the other. So, the sun is shining, the wind is gently blowing, and the earth has reminded us once again that anything can happen without notice.

P.F.Chang's - A Huge Favorite of Ours

When we want a special treat, Butch and I go to P.F. Chang's at Victoria Gardens. I LOVE the Lemon Scallops and Butch loves the Won Ton Soup. Those dishes, with an appetizer of Spring Rolls, make for a perfect meal and two very satisfied & happy diners. Bon appetit!

Spellathon at Allen Avenue

Today we celebrated the conclusion of this year's Spellathon at Allen Avenue Elementary School with big assemblies for everyone. Students received blue, red, or white ribbons for scoring 80% or above, and everyone got treats, trinkets, coupons and specially designed certificates to mark their participation in the event. Those scoring 100% got to choose a special gift and those raising the most money got gift certificates donated by supportive stores in the communities around the school. Each student gets pledges for financial support from family & friends. One upper grade and one primary classroom each received special packets of coupons for having the highest percentage of participation in getting pledges. The funds raised go to support technology in both the classrooms & the school as a whole. The retired staff members volunteer their time to do all of the behind the scenes work to make the Spellathon happen, but the teachers and the students do the hard work of learning all of the words, giving & taking tests over the words, and getting and then collecting on pledges from family & friends. It's fun, it's educational, & everyone benefits from the end result. The students, their families, the teachers, the principal, the office staff, and the retired staff members all deserve a huge thank you for their commitment to do this for the school. Kudos to all!