CHRISTMAS 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Cooper and Joseph both look handsome in their Santa hats. We had a wonderful Christmas and loved seeing our grandchildren so happy.

CRYSTAL COVE

This beach is in Crystal Cove National Park in Neport Beach. It's about three miles from us and what a gem it is. Susan, MFC and I set out to find this beach and to watch the sunset with a Martini in hand. It was very easily accomplished. We found a shuttle bus to take us into the park and it was a short stroll to the beach and the Beachcomber cafe. A great adventure. I don't know the woman who wandered into my video but she knew she wandered and exited stage right.

We live in a beautiful part of world. When people visit they inspire us to find new places. I'm learning so much from my friends.

WE'VE BEEN PUNKED!

What a surprise Joe and I had on Sunday when we went to a cook out at Mary LeClair's house in Sunland. We arrived with no Idea that Mary had been keeping a secret. Out of her back door came Barbara and Crissy with Martini's in hand and tears a flowin. We have had a wonderful visit with trips to the San Diego Zoo and Main Beach Laguna. A memorable walk at night to Las Bresisfor a cocktail overlooking Laguna Beach. Joe and George had a moment in the beautiful park across the street where he threw George off the most breath taking cliff. We will remember the laughter of this time together forever.

HOTEL PICTURES

Here are some pictures of what our hotel looks like. We are trying to get AAA approved so I had to take some photos of the place.

This is the front where the lobby and our apartment are.

.

Some of the rooms have balconies that over look the Pacific Coast Highway which is very noisy.

This is the Lobby. Our apartment is the door behind the desk.

The pool is very nice. Joe keeps it nice and warm.

No swim up bar....yet.

This is one of our guest rooms. They all look the same. Some rooms have two queens instead of one king.

SUMMER ENDS

On a walkaround our neighborhood one day with Nicole and Cooper we discovered this mail box. One of kind.
The tourist season is winding down here in Laguna
Beach. It will be the first off season that Joe won't have to shovel
snow. We won't have to put the grill away or put the air conditioners
in the cellar. No ice scraper in the car. Some of our guests at the
hotel ask what it's like here in the winter. We had to respond, come
back next year and we'll have an answer. So far it has been a good
experience. Hopefully we can remain inLaguna Beach for a long time.

We celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary on Thursday. This is a picture take before we went out to dinner at French 75 in Laguna Beach. What an amazing dinner and evening we had. Champagne cocktails, delicious food and a chocolate souffle. We listened to live jazz and enjoy each others company. After all these years together we always have things to talk about. We make each other laugh everyday. Life is Good.

SUMMER ON THE OTHER SIDE

On Sunday we had he whole afternoon to explore Laguna Beach. The plan was to take the Trolley downtown and stroll slowly home. We ended up walking the whole way. Yep that's right Joe and I walked two miles of Laguna and we are both able to stand today. The picture above is where we found a bench and watched a man on a surf board ride the waves standing with an oar like a gondola driver in Venice. This area is what I always pictured California to be like. All of the people in the parks and the boardwalk along our stroll were laughing, playing, grilling, swimming and enjoying the sea. Lots of families sharing the day together.
Joe is getting very good at the one handed photo. We have the same picture from a year ago when we first visited Laguna on the 4th of July.

The fire works were beautiful. But Onset still had the best displays. The summer season isn't so obvious here. The signs of summer on Cape Cod are very obvious. Traffic on the Bridges, Dairy Queen is open, corn on the cob farm stands and blueberry picking in Wareham. On this side there is always plenty of sunshine and traffic even in the winter.
I have to admit after reading Danielle's blog today that I miss the gray salty Cape Cod. Mostly the feeling of home and family.

SAN DIEGO

Elmo's world was invaded yesterday by Memere, Nicole & Cooper. Sea World is where Elmo and all his friends spend the summer away from Sesame Street. The trip was a big one for Cooper. He was star struck by the BIG BLUE! COOKIE MONSTER. The smile was the biggest I've seen yet from this happy boy.
Sea World needs some toddler friendly advice however. Preferred parking means you drive around forever trying to find the preferred parking lot. Parking the stroller is just as annoying. Access to the sites are not stroller friendly nor are are they handicapped accessible. Diaper changing stations are very difficult to find. Nicole found one as we were leaving the park.
We had a fun filled day looking at all the fish and birds that live in beautiful San Diego.
On the way home we stopped in to se Grand Nana Marie and Bill. We had a lovely visit and Cooper was an Angel!

WHAT A WEEKEND!

Blue's Clue's and Bubbles. It doesn't get any better. We had a fun time celebrating Cooper's second birthday at the pool in Laguna Beach. With all his favorite people around Cooper was a happy boy.
It doesn't seem possible that it's been two years already since becoming a Memere. I have to admit it's been an amazing time. This event two years ago set into motion a major change. A whole new life started for Cooper and me.





Life is beautiful!

A VISIT FROM NICOLE & COOPER

Since Jakob is in India for a couple of weeks Nicole and Cooper are out and about. They spent Saturday and most of Sunday in Laguna with Memere and Pepere. This picture is of Main Beach in the heart of Laguna. Nicole and I walked from the hotel to this spot where there was a nice restaurant that served refreshing cocktails with this view.
It was great to see them and to have them stay over. Cooper stayed in with us in his own crib. Nicole had a room by herself and was able to sleep in a little in the morning. Something she hasn't done in about two years.


We had a great time keeping up with Cooper. He swam in the pool, played in his sand and water table, played in the waves and sand on Main Beach Laguna. Riding the elevator at the hotel seemed to be Cooper's favorite activity since he could push all the buttons.

TIME TICKIN AWAY

It doesn't seem possible that a year has passed since leaving Massachusetts. When I arrived last May it was just in time for Mother's Day. Well another Mother's Day has just passed and it makes me feel so blessed to have my girls and their guys in my life. Cooper will be turning two in a couple of weeks. Danielle turning twenty seven, Owen is turning the big 30. Birthdays and Holidays mark such milestones and memories. This weekend is Memorial Day. Traditionally the start of the summer season. A Holiday that Joe and I never seem to celebrate properly. My grandmother would always buy geraniums right after Memorial Day because the price went down. She used them all around her little White Island cottage to bring bright red and pink blooms to greet visitors. I recall during one of our jaunts to Boston, with Nana Blanche in tow, we stopped to visit Grampa Joe's grave site where she placed a pot of these geraniums. Memorial Day for me will be greeting and accommodating tourists and visitors to the sea shore. Kind of like the potted geraniums of Nana Blanche's.

TIME IN THE POOL

This is my first attempt at posting video. Nicole and Cooper visited in Laguna Beach on Mother's day and spent some quality time in the pool.

I love this stuff.

FIRST TIME HOLDING JEF

This was taken the morning I arrived in New Jersey at the hospital. Owen made special arrangements with the staff so that I could come right in at 8am since I had flown all the way across the country. This little bundle made me feel as much at peace as he looks at peace. A perfect mix of his parents. Born out of love. Love for family.
Spending two weeks with the Fletcher family was so special. It went by all to fast and left me missing so many special moments. I'm thankful for the ones I was there for.
Joseph's umbilical cord fell of just in time for a first bath. He loved it. He had his first lunch date with his Mom and I at an East Coast Chinese food restaurant. He slept the entire time. Danielle, being an observant Mom, noticed a rash on Joseph a few days after her milk came in. We concluded it was the pepperchinies and salsa from supper the night before.
I cherish the time I spent with The Fletcher's. There is a tightness there that fills my heart with goodness.
This is a more recent picture of JEF Joseph Edward Fletcher. A born politician. Taken two weeks ago.

BEING MEME

It's just Cooper and I.
The best part of the day is when he looks up at me to tell me something he sooo wants me to know. It is amazing how much a young mind can develop so fast. This Meme stuff is a workout for my mind and body too. I sleep like a log. Getting up off the floor takes less effort now since we spend so much time there. An almost two year old is the best motivator I could have to get myself in good physical and mental shape. He's an angel boy.

BACK TO THE TASK AT HAND

Finally the job we've been waiting for.
We interviewed for this job on Joe's birthday 4/14. The address of the hotel is 1404. It turned out to be a good omen. His birthday this year was soooo much better than last year.
Joe started today as the resident manager of the America's Best Inn, Laguna Beach.

He was sad to be leaving Cooper this morning knowing he wouldn't be seeing his smiling face each day. We have both become accustom to having Cooper in our lives. Jakob and Nicole have done a super job of raising Cooper. I know having us here was the right thing to do. Now it's time for us to use our wings and fly an hour's drive from here to start our new adventure. I'll be lingering on in Burbank till Nicole finishes up with the Ax Men through May. Joe and I will work together on the weekends at the hotel and get our apartment in shape. I'm looking forward to sleeping in our own bed and together.

Here are some of my favorite photos of Pepere and Cooper.

HOW AM I GOING TO SAY GOODBYE?

I have to admit it's going to be very tough to leave this little package. This is one of the only pictures of JEF crying.

Danielle, Joseph and I went out and about in New Jersey on a beautiful spring day. We did errands and took a drive to the highest point where you can see all the way to New York. The view was beautiful but the gnats were out in full force. Joseph slept comfortably attached to Danielle via the Baby Bjorn.

I took this picture when we got home. He really likes the car.

It looks like my flight hasn't been cancelled so I'll be headed back to La La Land tomorrow morning. Things are looking bright. My girls are Moms and I'm so proud of them. This Mothers day is going to be so special.

ELEVEN DAYS YOUNG

Joseph Edward is a real ladies man. He winks and nudges just like his name sake. With all the company he had last weekend fussing over him he took it all in without a fuss. Barbara, Susan and to my surprise Tricia visited New Jersey to meet Joseph and to have a girls weekend at the beautiful Marriott in Bridgewater N.J. We had lots of laughs and Martini's with a few tears. I miss these women so very much and having them share in this beautiful new grandsons life is wonderful.

This is a picture of Joseph after his first bath. He really enjoyed it even though this picture may say something else. I'm so bless to have been present for both grandsons first bath. I have to thank Joe for supporting my need to be with my daughters after birth. I know he wishes he could have been with them too.

JOSEPH EDWARD FLETCHER GRANDBABY NUMBER 2

He's here! Boy was he worth the wait. I'm in New Jersey being mom to my baby who just had a baby. Now both of my babies are mommies. I guess I blinked ! Everyone agrees the timing of it all was perfect. Danielle and Owen are in a baby bliss that is so beautiful to witness. It brings back all the memories of when I was a new mommy and Joe a new daddy. We were babies ourselves back then. Danielle is 27 in June and Nicole was 29 when she had Cooper. Smart girls I must brag.



They picked good daddies too. I'm blessed with two of the most loving, compassionate, dedicated, tolerant and handsome son in laws. Hey one has let me live in his home for months on end without a fuss and the other lets me move right in with his new baby. Remarkable.


I hear Little Fletch, that's what his grandfather Ed Fletcher calls him, fussin. It's a sweet fuss.

Waiting for the "Little Guy"

It's March 27th and grandson number two is late. His arrival date was yesterday but it wasn't meant to be. He's an Aries all right. Well if he decides to wait till I arrive to help out then that's just fine. It would be so special to see our grandchild's birth. I can remember his mom's birthday like it was yesterday. I'll arrive in New Jersey on Sunday morning come rain or come shine. I only wish I could bring my better half with me. Stay tune for pictures soon.

A SUNDAY AT MALIBU

This is what we did last Sunday. We headed out on an adventure to see some beautiful sites and have a picnic. The drive was breathtaking and the table Joe set was perfect. We stopped at the nicest Ralph's in California. The deli case had duck pate, mini baguette and gourmet paninin sandwiches. The beach was beautiful and empty except for a group of young foreign men who seemed to be seeing the ocean for the first time. There was a pier that stretched into the surf with a few people fishing and some strollers. Not a lot of swimmers on this early March Sunday but there were some surfers.
Malibu is a favorite of ours. The sounds and smells of the seaside remind us of The Cod. Being near the ocean is so refreshing. It has a way of bring balance into our lives. Now all we need is a way to stay in this beautiful state of mind.

BIRTHDAY BRAG

Yesterday was by far one of my most enjoyable birthdays. Yeah I turned fifty one but have decided to say I'm fifty something which is the new thirty something. The day started with a trip to a posh spa which Nicole had arranged a facial for the two of us. It was decadent. I've realized a facial really makes you focus on the part of your body that everyone sees first but you can only see in the mirror. Having so much attention to my face was uplifting. The spa was beautiful like a luxury hotel. Big soft puffy robs and towels, comfortable slippers and mood lighting. After our face pampering we had some spa water and sat with our toes in the hot tub while the product applied to our faces did it's work. It all made me feel so special. Thank you Nicole for sharing your spa time with me.
When we got home there was a package waiting for me. I hurried to open it since I noticed it was from MFC Susan. A blue Tiffany box inside made me chuckle. This gift was more priceless than anything Tiffany could have made. It was a box of Cape Cod complete with a shot glass that said F*CK IT I'M 50. Thank you Susan for reminding me of all the good in my life.
The mail included two birthday cards. One from my Ma that was personally created for me on her computer with a lovely wish and a poem. Thanks Ma. The other was a card form EFSIL (everyones favorite sister-in-law) Tricia. Such a nice greeting with twenty bucks to by some California scratch tickets. I'll let you know if I win.
I spent time in the park with Cooper and his playground pals. It was a beautiful, sunny warm February 28th. So unlike any other birthday from the past.
I missed many phone calls. Danielle and Owen phoned lots of times. So I phoned back at an inconvenient time and was told to go check out fletchonneaus blog. I cried with such happy tears at what she wrote for me on my birthday. The photos were nice too. Thank you Danielle and Owen
Joe came home right behind us with a bunch of bundles and a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers. He cooked an Italian feast of veal parm with pasta complete with an amazing birthday cake from a fancy bakery. Nicole, Jakob, Joe and I enjoyed while watching Lost. They sang Happy Birthday and we ate cake. Then Nicole announced "present time" at which Jakob handed Joe and I two tickets to Wicked for tonight. So we have a date tonight. A real honest to goodness date. WOW Thank you Nicole,Jakob and Cooper.
I'm not sure this day could every be topped by another but bring it on.