Christmas

It was a wonderful Christmas. Aaron and the family had me over to share their traditions and celebration. I was so happy. We Went to the movies. I saw Precious while the children saw The frog and the princess. KK said it was not as she expected and she took Kendra to the bathroom during the scary parts.
We went to Chico pres. Church service which was delightful and then came home for Chipino and Oyster stew( Stew was for Aaron and I the oyster fans).
Then we opened the Christmas pajama presents and proceeded to get into them which KK and Cristi stayed in all day on Christmas...
I tryed to stay up to watch Christmas with the Cranks but Dosed off quickly as usual.
Christmas day we opened presents, Aaron made a great dinner of prime rib and double baked potatoes which was delicious.
Grandma S. was there for dinner with the Sorenson's and a good time was had by all...

I am so lucky to have such a loving family to share my holidays with.
When I was a child we went to my father's family on the eve and Christmas day we went to my mom's mother's house. We had all the best of the Italian foods and played cards after lunch .... It was great fun. I went to My Grandmas Asti's house every sunday for lunch(pasta) and played cards even after I was married and took the children too. She died when Aaron was about 2 and then we started to have everyone to our house until we moved to California. Once in California it was only our family.
While we were still in wisconsin we would go to see Grandpa Johnson at Thanksgiving because it was hunting season and the children's dad liked to deer hunt.
We had a friend named Freddie that he hunted with. Andrea stood up for Fredie's wedding when she was 3 years old.
Christmas always brings up past memories. But the present is the most precious of all gifts because it is the only reality of existance. The past is history and future is a dream. It is okey to remember the past but not okey to live in the past. Live in the present for it is the true gift of Christmas....

Merry Christmas

So much to say and so much going on birthdays, holidays and new adventures.
The most wonderful and new adventure is my moving to Chico. The first house we put in escrow fell out because it flooded. God did not want me living there and as Deanna calls it A God incedince... There are no accidents just Goed's will.
Now we are in excrow a gain and it is the house I really loved and if it is God's will I will be living in it soon. I will be 5 minutes from KK school so when she needs me I will be there for her. I am blessed with the most wonderful children and grandchildren. On Tuesday night Aaron't family performed for the sons of Italy and I keep getting calls telling me how wonderful they were and can they come back next year...
The room was filled with love and affection as they performed. MY heart was bursting with pride. I wish there grandpa could have been there to share in the joy. Perhaps he was looking down on them . I hope so.
Deanna and her family will be here tonight and tommarrow we will all be at Arron's to celebrate his birthday and Jonathon's.
I am excited to see all their shiny faces and get so many hugs and kisses.
Nana

Such a day

Saturday I worked in the kitchen at Magalia church. We served 1000 people a free turkey dinner. I was very tired because the kitchen was very warm.
Sunday I went to church and then to lunch at Leon's . It was spactacular. Eggs benedict on top of yams and spinach with feta.... I have to take KK there.
Monday I played cards in the afternoon and came in second place. I won several dollars.
Someone out bid us on the new house in Chico so we did not get it. It was a disappointment but we will find a great one soon. Hopefully close to KK's school. I was really wanting her to be able to walk over after school.

Today I am sending out my Christmas cards. Always, early....
Have a great day,
me

Back at last

Time gets away from us. I was very sick for ten days and I am still tired but recovered. I did a small acting job in a musical comedy that the Sons of Italy put on last week. We had lots of rehearsals and put alot of co-ordinated effort into our little play. Aaron and Penny, and Penny's parents gave it a good review. I was one of the teachers at a high school reunion.
I am going to move to Chico to be closer to my wonderful family so I have been spending time looking for a new home for Rahab and I. Penny and Aaron are helping to make this possible. It reminds me of the time they took me to Italy. All the love they give to me is such a blessing. When I was 15 my grandma moved next door to me. It was so great. I got to spend many of my teenage years at her house. We cooked together, watched tv and had lots of long talks. She drove me to the school bus stop. When the snow was too deep for her to drive to work we walked to the bus stop together. She was a professional semstress. She made all my clotthes.


Rahab got sick last night but she is better this morning. When she gets sick it is very scary. She is my constant companion.
Grandma Grace, Rahab and I and the Sullivan's will be joining Aaron and the family for Thanksgiving on thursday.

Love,
NaNa

Packers

I am not a football fan but I am an AAron Rodgers fan. He is from Chico and he is the quarterback on the Packers team. He did a great job last night. They lost by 7 to Farve and the Vikings but they gave them a run for there money. I met Aaron several years ago when he washed my car and he reminded me of my son Aaron. He was very polite and helpful and he had his goal set to be a pro ball player and he did it. I am so happy for him. He is a great fella.
Later,
Toni

9-5-09

This weekend I spent Friday nite and Saturday with my grandchildren in Chico. Christi, Kendra and I cooked dinner and baked a cake. Christi loves noodles and we made a brocolli and noodle dish. We put alittle cottage cheese on top under some crushed up chips. Caleb did not like cottage cheese and we did not know that but he ate it with us. We all watched a movie about children saving some puppies. It was very cute. Sat. we went to the Johnny Appleseed celebration in Paradise. KK could not go with us because she had to mow the lawn and clean her room. We missed having her along. Kendra got her face painted like a kitten and Christi got a dolphine painted on her Cheek. I had a great time and I think the children enjoyed themselves. It was nice of them to spend time with me.
later,

Juror

9-28-09
9-26 and 9-27 I was on a jury for the very first time. It was very different than I anticipated. It was nothing like the TV shows. It was long slow and tedious. The Attorney's were very methotical and slow. The witnesses - some were creditable and some liers and it was obvious as to which were which. The jurors were very smart and nice to be with . I did my civic duty. I will not share the details. I feel that if you were not there then you don't need to know more.

Today I am home fighting a cold off that I got at the court house. I am going to spend the day eating chicken soup. echanesia, garlic, oregano oil and taking naps.
stay well,
Toni

Just Hanging out

It has been a quiet week since my cousin left. I checked out a couple of interesting web sites today. I went to family watchdog to find out if there are any sex offenders on my block. Thank the Lord there is only one but I have the address and it is 3 houses away. Such a sad state of affairs.
I went to wowowow to see what all the ladies had to say today but the site was down. What would my grandma think of all of this. Well, she was married to a deputy sheriff so I am sure she heard some of his stories. And, she worked at a lady's dress shop so girl gab was not unusual to her.
Later, Toni

family

My cousin Jack and his wife Donna came to visit and we had a great time. We got to renew our relationship. I saw them 4 years ago in Orlando when my Aunt Benny (Jack's mom) died. We reminissed about childhood times. His father had polio when Jack was age 1 and his brother Jerry was 2 . His father was in an iron lung for a long time and then spent the rest of his life as a paraplegic in a wheel chair. He was a brilliant and handsome man. He developed the landing gear for the first space travel. He died at 48. Benny moved the children and Jerry to California shortly after he got out of the iron lung. They lived in their car for several months until Locked Arospace hired him. She was a dynamic woman. Jack is battleing serious health problems but he is a defense contractor and is traveling all over the world. He wants to make sure Donna has money when he dies. He has a very bad heart.
He got to meet my son and his family and he loved that opportunity.
He had to take a long flight to get here but he loves me and wanted to get so see how I live. He, Donna and I did alot of soul searching and sharing.
Toni

09-12-09

I had a great day. I went to the Chico farmer's marked with a new friend that was visiting from Redding. We laughed alot and had a great time.

09-10-9

I attended a luncheon put on by my russian friend Galena. She became a US last July after being here five years. She has over 200 rose bushes in her yard and many other assorted beautiful plants. When we lived in Escondido we had ten rose bushes and that was alot of work. The lunch was wonderful.
I cannot imagine my grandma having a russion girlfriend. When I was growing up all we heard was about the terrible communists that were going to take us over. Well, needless to say it was alot of scary propaganda. Galena explained to us how they lived and the government had alot of control for awhile and then it lossened up in later years. The had alot of starving people probably like the depression rationing here in the 40's.

It was a delightful lunch and so wonderful to think that one can have a friend all the way from Russia.

Health Care 09-09-09

President Obama gave an elequent,intelligent ,informative, to the point speach tonight in his usual stylish manner. He deserves our utmost respect and support. The nath sayers need to stop being childish and grow up .

My grandmom was an open minded progressive woman and I know she would be one of his avid supporters as I am.

These troubles times with so much political decent reminds me of the 60's. We that were against the vietnam war were the protestors then now the conservative fearfuls are creating a fuss. Medicare passed in the 60's and we need to pass this healthcare plan. He spelled it out clearly and if anyone is still confused they were not listening.
I am proud to have voted for him.

life by the sea

This weekend was very special because I got to spend it with my son and his family. He has always been a very special person to so many people and I am so very proud of him and how he treats everyone especially his family and me. He is so respectful and considerate of my needs .
Each of my grandchilren are special to me in their own ways.
Some of the special moments this weekend are as follows: KK is practicing her drama improv and we did a few moments together. She was the ultimate interviewer. Also, I heard that KK can eat 6 saltine crackers at one time without a drop of water. And, She loves the sound of music.

Caleb decided to share a room with me again. I felt very honored that my 11 year old grandson still enjoys my company and likes me to read to him before he goes to sleep. He also told some amazing jokes and laughed very hard at the funniest videos that we watched together.

Cristi shared something with us that I did not know . She gets all squarlly and emotional when watch people on t.v. have special moments.

Kendra and I got to play a game together and she is very quick for her age.

We all went for a hike on the beach and On the way back I got to walk alone with my son which always feels special when I have him alone. It reminds me of his childhood.
I have the greatest family on earth and feel very blessed..

New subject.
I found out when I got home that President Obama was to speak to the school children on the 8th. He wants to encourage them to further their education so they will have better lives and be good contributing citizens.
I was very disturbed when I found out that most of the schools in Paradise and Chico where going to block the broadcast and that some parents objected to their children listening to the president. That is a disgrace and I am ashamed of anyone who would do such a thing. One does not have to agree with all sides of anyone's political views. But, this is the highest office in this country and the children need to have this kind of encouragement. I say to all parents give your children a foundation of good ethics and integrety but for heaven sake let them have an open mind and be open to listening to our president.

Have a great day,
Toni

off to bedega bay with the family

I am so lucky that my family loves me and feels comfortable enough to ask me along on some of their short adventures to the coast. I miss the coast after living in Marin for 9years. It is my favorite place but I chose to be closer to my family and that is why I live in the forrest.
The very first time I came to California was when I was 16. I took the train with my grandmother. We went to the Fernando Valley to see my Aunt Benny. I had a great time and my aunt worked in a restuarant that Clint Walker owned. My grandma got me an autograph from one of the little rascals whith was my favorite t.v. show at the time.
later,
Nana-Toni

9-2-09 there was a huge moon peering out last night

It was early to rise today. I had much to do. Went to see the chiropractor to get my leg ultra soundeddd. Packed meals on wheels for those who can't get out. what a great idea someone had when they thought of this.
Then I went to work-out for an hour or so. It was invigorating.
Then I went to see the neice of one of my hospice patients that went to the Lord. She was 89. Her parents came from Greece to she could be born in the U.S. and then went right back to Greece for 8 years so she could have dual citizenship.
She never had children. She knew alot fo famous people. Lue Castello, Joe Demogio, Lue Forigno and more. She was raised on the Jersey shore. Her family had 7 greek restuarants. I was with her several times and was impressed with her wonderful attitude.

She was an independent strong woman like myself and my grandmother. My grandmother was born in Sicily and came here when she was 8. They had that in common, also.
Volunteering I get to meet many different people even if it is only for a short time.

Sweet Thoughts,
nana=Toni

Monday morning/week start

I read my daughter Andrea's blog yesterday. I did not realize that it had been a year since she was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. She is and amazing woman. She barely dealt with her breast cancer then was hit with sar.. She handles it all like a true champion. She doesn't let it detour her from her mission in life at work or home. She makes me proud each and every day.

I started the day with my situps and pilates. I have been talking about my grandma alot. Well, she would not be doing sit ups. Women of her generation did not work out. But, she used to take me and my friend Midge to the Elks swimming. She was a short lady 5'1"" or 4'11"" not sure. After swimming I had to help her put her corrsett on. Had to tie it up the back. imagine wearing one now . Pantyhose did not exist until I was in my 20's.

Choa,

Sunday a day of peace and tranquility

I went out for Chinese last night with the sons of Italy. My friend Judi went with me and someone asked if she was my daughter... She is 3 years older than me .. Am I in trouble or did the inquirer need glasses.... Judi was a happy camper and we had a good laugh over that one. I let my facebook buddies know about kk and my blog buddy deal. Hope to hear from them.
Back to stories about my grandma and I. She had a terrior(black and white)named skipper. When I stayed over at her house I slept on the couch and my uncle Jack that still lived with her slept in a elcove off the living room. I thought my uncle was snoring but it was Skipper. Skipper was my grandma's best friend like Rahab is my best friend. I would be so lonesome without her. She is a preciaous gift.
more later,
Nana -Toni

Sept. 29 20009/Kennedy

Well another Kennedy brother has a funeral today. When Jack died I was in the break room of the phone company in Wisconsin. My fience was in Germany and the Germans were in great morning with our nation. It is amazing how much the Kennedy's impact history. I am not sure if another family will do that going forward. Obama was Ted's choice and I agree with his choice. Hopefully our nation has grown enough to let Obama do what he needs too.. I am afraid that there are still too many closed minded in this great nation to let it happen.
More,
Toni

Another bright shiny day

I am so glad that KK my delightful granddaughter encouraged me to set up this blog.
When I was a very young girl one of the most influencial people in my life was my Grandma Asti. She was an inspriation to me. She was a woman of great strength and wisdom and a woman way ahead of her generation. She was a professional seemstress and drove her own car. My grandpa died at 47 and she had to run her family from that day forward. My husband died at 40 and I was put in the same position. Without her wisdom and grace I may not have been able to do what was needed of me.

Some of my favorite memories were sharing a brick of neopolitan ice cream with her while watching 1 12 inch tv..
She always made me cinnaman (spl.?) toast when I spent the night.

I hope that this daily blog creates a very close bond between KK and me.
My fondest dream is to have a special and close relationship with all my grandchildren. Caleb and I have a natural bond and I want to have that with KK and all the others.
Parents are special to children but grandparents can create another special kind of love for children.
Thanks to KK once again.
Later

Day One in the Life

My wonderful granddaughter KK and I went to see Julia-Julia and decided to become blogers.
Of course we have very different agendas and interests but our love for each other inspired us to enter the world of bloggers.
I guess in my youth it would have been a diary and not so public but things have changed.
I will be sharing the adventures of a single lively grandmom...

My thought for today is : how did I ever get to be where I am today. 65+ and single and feeling 25.....?????

Later,
Toni