Ushering in the New Year!

I rarely get sick, especially since my asthma has gotten totally under control.  I use to have at least one asthma related episode every year, but I did my best to not allow it to get the better of me.

For the past several years, I have had a few sinus infections or bronchitis, but nothing major.   In August, I lost my voice off and on for about six weeks.  It happened the day of Teresa's burial.  I didn't really feel bad, but trying to talk at times was exhausting.

I didn't feel well over New Year's Eve weekend.  I had a mild case of bronchitis.  I was in the backyard hosing off the cool deck and the turf when I pulled the hose.  Somehow, I ended up in the pool.  It was COLD!!!  Fortunately, I was able to get out even though I was in shock from the cold and falling in the pool so quickly!  It took me a few hours to get warm, even after a hot shower and putting my pj's on.

Between coughing and sneezing, it was fairly miserable.  Lack of sleep didn't help.   On Tuesday, a headache was really bad.  I went to Urgent Care and have a very severe sinus infection.  I am thinking that the "December Swim" may have contributed to it a bit.

A strong antibiotic, cough medicine, and another prescription certainly have made a difference.    Even though I am not 100%, what a difference!

I am not good at being "sick" and I know that is part of the problem.  I can't seem to just rest.  With Patrick here, it was hard not to do things. I made him green chili burros and beans.  Last night Judy came over and fixed tostados which really helped.

Here's hoping that I got all of the bugs out of the way for the rest of 2018.  Looking forward to the second year of my four year term on the GPS Board. Things are looking up!!

Chunk, the Grand Pug!

For Christmas, I got Patrick a fawn male pug.  He had been wanting one for companionship for Paco when he is at work.  I found one and Cameron and I went an picked him up.  He is absolutely precious.  

I have had him for the last two weeks and have gotten very fond of him.  He is cute, smart and fun. When Patrick got here with Paco, he was thrilled to meet his new "dad" and "brother." I am not sure Paco was as excited to meet him.

Having a puppy around is a lot of work. He is especially adventuresome. He figured out how to get out the doggy door so I have to keep an eye on him. He follows Diego and Seamus around and they don't really want to be bothered with him.  It is funny to watch. 

I know all puppies are darling, but this one is special, I think.   I am going to miss him when he moves to Oakland and know I will have to go out and visit soon!!

Reflecting on 2017

I have to say that I am glad 2017 is over.   It seems as I get older, I am more anxious for a new year to start.

2017 brought a lot of changes, some good and some very sad.  I will start with the sad ones and go to the good ones.

We lost our incredible aunt Teresa on July 2.  It was a blessing as her last many months were not the best.  She was not the person we knew.  Even though she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, at 94, is it really that or is it just old age and dementia?  However, as with Alzheimer's and the saying that you lose someone twice--once when they do not have cognitive abilities anymore and then when they pass.  I believe that.

The one consolation I (we) have is that we did the very best for her during this difficult time.

But 2017 was the end of an era.  Our family has been in southern Arizona since 1903 and in Douglas since 1912.  The family home (858) was purchased in 1918 by our grandfather.  I had the privilege of growing up there.  My kids spent their summers there as did many of our cousins.  But the best part for me was the time that I spent down there with Teresa from 2010 to 2015.   

I spent a little over two weeks in October in Douglas cleaning out almost 100 years of "things."  I had help from Judy, Ken, Kerri, Cecilia and Jay.  However, I was there the whole time and got it done, even though I had dreaded it for many years.  The house sold immediately and it closed the end of November.  There is a new family living there now and I hope that they love it like we did.

Losing Teresa was harder for me that losing my mom.  I am not sure why, because my mom was the best and we were close.  I think it is because I had her much longer in my life and I lived with her for five wonderful years.

This is really not the same, but I lost my Lucy pug last March.  She had been with me through some very trying times and was my loyal companion.  I miss her, too.

The good things were my year on the GPS Board.  Much happened, but I believe for the greater good of a wonderful school district.  We have our new superintendent who truly understands the importance of relationships.  I think we are back on track to having GPS be one of the best districts anywhere.  We just need to work on the legislature to make them understand the importance of funding public education.

I won't even begin to get into the national politics.  All I can say is my mom would be absolutely appalled by what is happening.  I am concerned that we have lost focus on caring about people.  I hope I am wrong.

So here is to 2018.  I am hoping for better times in many ways.  It is so hard for me to imagine that I am the age I am.  I never thought about this part of my life and I hope that I can do it right!!

Weekend in Bisbee

Kerri and I had a weekend in Bisbee planned for a few weeks.  She was selected to participate in a science activity with Game and Fish near Douglas.  At the last minute it was cancelled, so we headed down anyway so she could do some research for her fourth graders.

I can't quite bring myself to going down to Douglas just yet. With 858 being sold and the family moving into the house, it is just too hard for me.  I had ordered tamales so Kerri went down and got 24 dozen green and meat from my favorite tamale person!

We stayed at Gloria and Craig's little house by theirs on Brewery Gulch.  It was absolutely perfect. It is a great location to walk into Bisbee and it is so comfortable. I would recommend it to anyone!!!

Friday night we went to dinner at the Bisbee Table.  It is really good food.  We did a bit of shopping and then went back and went to sleep early.  I had to buy a beanie because it was cold, which turned into a good thing since I forgot to bring a brush and comb!!

Saturday we walked downtown and looked at shops.  Kerri got a few things.  There are a couple of jewelers at the old "PD mercantile" building.  They make some amazing jewelry.

It was cold which is usually is this time of year in Bisbee.   We had lunch at the Copper Queen hotel and then a late afternoon cheese crisp at Santiago's.  

My favorite place that we went was Arizona's smallest bar at the Silver King Hotel.  It is up two flights of very steep stairs and is an actual hotel room turned into a bar.  It has about enough room for three or four people, but there is plenty of room outside on the patio--just a bit too cold for now.

Only in Bisbee will you see the beautiful lights and a Peace Sign, which is really appropriate this year in  particular.

All in all, it was a very nice weekend and I hope to get down there again soon, especially with such a great place to stay.

Judging Doors at MHS

On Friday, I was a "Christmas Door Decorating Judge" at Mesquite High School.  Principal Ken Fetter asked me if I would be willing to do this and of course I was!  It was so fun to go through the school with Ken and Chad Fitzgerald.  Chad is principal of the alternative high school in the district and was one of my wonderful teachers.

When I walked in to Mesquite, I was greeted by Toni, the receptionist at Mesquite.   Toni worked at Gilbert El and she is truly one of the nicest and friendliest people I know.  She showed me the door that they decorated and she had put a picture of a pug on it.  I was being "bribed" and we had a good laugh.

When I went to the office, I ran into Debbie and Jane. Both of them are IA's at Mesquite, but they got their start at Gilbert El.  Debbie is a good friend and I had let her know I was going to be there.

As we walked around the school, I saw so many people that I know.  Many of them started out at Gilbert El and are now working at Mesquite.  I also saw some people that I have known for many years.  It was so awesome.  As Chad said, it was like a mini high school reunion for me!!

About five of the doors had the picture of the pug on them--haha!   It was really hard to chose the best because they were all good.  Some were hilarious and some were designed around what subject the teacher taught.  

When we got to the classroom where Debbie and Jane work, there was the pug again.  They work with Tom Waechter who teaches high functioning students with Autism.  He was also at Gilbert El and is a wonderful teacher and human. Both of his kids were students at Gilbert El and I love his whole family.

I loved their door and if you look closely, you can see the pug (it certainly made the rounds).

I don't know which door won.  It was hard to choose the best one.  It was fun all the way around and was done in good spirit.  

I had such a great morning.  This is truly one of the best parts of being a board member!!

A Memory Triggered!

This morning I went to a funeral at St. Anne's Church here in Gilbert.  It was a very sad occasion as the funeral was for the husband of a wonderful lady who really helped me with my campaign and who has become a friend. 

As I was standing waiting to go into the church, the line was by the office.  It triggered a memory of Teresa.  It is amazing how memories are triggered all of a sudden.  It put a bit of a smile on my face at a very sad event.

The summer of 2016, Teresa really wanted to go to confession.  I couldn't even imagine why she, of anyone I know, would need to confess something. But that was her life.  

Our cousin, Maggie, made arrangements for her to go to confession one afternoon at St. Anne's.  So I took her.  Since it was not the regular time, I gave the priest a donation.  I so wanted to listen in to see what on earth Teresa could have confessed.  No such luck.  Just paid the money and took her home.

Later, I found out from Maggie that Teresa told her she was worried because in May she had missed mass because she had diarrhea, the wonderful priest told her that WAS NOT a sin.  As I said, she never said a word to me about it.

I MISS HER!!!

Weekend Wanderings

It has been a busy weekend, busier than the week was for me last week.  Saturday, I had the absolute privilege of attending the Highland High School Concert--Home for the Holidays.  It was put on the their orchestra department.  Their orchestra department alone has over 300 students participating.  And it was delightful.  

I cannot begin to say how important the arts are for our students.  And Gilbert has one of the best programs anywhere.  

When I got there yesterday, there were several small buses from retirement communities around us. I was so touched to see this. Not only is this a wonderful opportunity for senior citizens to see what the schools are doing and be entertained, but it is also a good PR move for when we have to go out for a vote on an override or bond.

The music was unbelievable. One of the many incredible parts was the Harp Ensemble.  Having this is unusual at the high school level and they were wonderful!

It was a very entertaining two hours and I am so happy that I was able to attend and see the work of our wonderful educators and their students!

Sunday morning brought the annual "Breakfast at the Barn" at Shannon Underhill's house. I have been to the last three, but they started while I was still in Douglas.

It is a group of very dear friends who worked at Gilbert El.  I will always value their friendship and the opportunities to get together often.  This has become a very nice tradition. Every year we make a donation to some one in need or an organization.  

I am so blessed to have this wide circle of friends who mean so much to me. My days at Gilbert El were the best!!!

And to cap off a great weekend, went to Glendale to celebrate my cousin, Cecilia's birthday.   She has been more than my cousin since we were young.  She has been such a great friend and such a great support.  I love her like a sister and don't know what I would do without her.  She is one of the truly good people in the world. On top of that, she is FUN!!!!!!!