Catching you up...if you're still around.

Okay, in September 2007 (!) I made a promise I couldn't/didn't keep. So sue me. If that's the way you really want to spend your money...if that's the way you roll...

I guess life has gotten in the way of my blogging. If I had to pick between a moment to sit with Harvey and the pups or enter some not-too-witty blog, well, guess who wins?

This is my mom (August 2008)--she is beautiful!

You see, things got a little shaky on February 15, 2008, when I got The Call from my dad that mom was being turned over to hospice with only 1-2 weeks left due to her end-stage primary liver cancer. Yep, that pretty much turned our life into something unexpected and by June, we'd logged in about a total of 9 weeks "in residence" in Okeechobee Florida, while helping out as best as we could. But let me say this about that: the doctors must have underestimated mom's innate strength to defy the odds and she's doing very well, thank you. In April, through a comment from Margaret, mom's hospice nurse, and with some further online research, I found an alternative cancer treatment called the Budwig Protocol--the core of which is flaxseed oil thoroughly mixed with cottage cheese (1 T FO to every 1/4 cup CC, building up to 1-2 cups of FOCC per day) to create a sulfur-based protein bond that when eaten carries the oil to the cancer cells and causes them to die off. Does it work? Mom is only doing the FOCC part of the protocol--she has not changed her diet in any significant way as the treatment recommends (cutting out meat, sugar, processed foods, etc.) and now it's heading toward the end of November and she's doing quite well, all things considered. Her last CT scan from about 2 weeks ago shows that her tumor is decreasing in size and the lesions from her 2 prior liver resection surgeries are fading. Does it work?? It seems so! In June, she celebrated her 74th birthday; in August, she and dad drove up to Akron for a 10-day visit during which we rode the Cuyahoga Valley Train, enjoyed a lovely tea party at Maynan's, and had a big Quattrocchi Family Reunion with about 70 relatives. We've been given a special gift of Time, which we greatly appreciate.

Mom's 74th Birthday Party!Dad's dream: riding the Cuyahoga Valley Train. Aunt Thelma, Aunt Helen, Aunt Nancy, and Dad.

In early July, Harvey and I took Eddie and Debbie (our dogs) and drove to visit with Kay and her mom in Boothbay Maine. Getting away for a long weekend was just what the doctor ordered. It was relaxing and fun and a nice break for all of us. The weather was perfect, Harvey had his first lobster roll, and we got in a couple of games of miniature golf. We enjoyed the Maine hospitality--well, except for our run-in with the Town Bitch at the convenience store--and we're looking forward to the next time we can visit again.

In July, we lost our beloved Uncle Bobby Quattrocchi, who had been battling cancer for quite some time. But in the process--and as a karmic gift?--we also "found" our long-lost cousin Bobby, for which we are very grateful. Welcome back to the clan--we are so happy to know you (again) and your family. But remember, we're like the Mafia (and Uno): once you're IN, you don't get OUT. And now we know where you live...

In August, I turned 56.

Shit.

No, really.

But while Harvey and I were out having a celebratory dinner with our friends Mike and Faith, the girls (including granddaughter Elliott) had a surprise waiting outside for our return. Candles on the ground everywhere, a cake from Westside Bakery (yum!), red wine breathing, after-dinner coffee already made, and a beautiful white wrought iron bistro set. That set is *exactly* what I wanted to complete the new mini-patio, my BD gift from H. BTW, I have been truly blessed with the most loving daughters a person could hope for. Thanks, guys!

A dear friend from my Law School days came back this summer for a very brief visit. Bill has been living in Thailand for quite some time--we even lost touch for about a decade. But through my perseverance and the Powers of the InterWeb, we happily reconnected. Bill was passing through Ohio and even though it was for one evening, it was great to have dinner at Russo's and catch up. I was glad that Bill finally met Harvey--he confirmed that H was, indeed, Mr. Wonderful, as Bill kept calling him before they had their chance to meet.

Oh, yes--then there's that Election Thing. Yes, I voted for That One. For the first time, ever ("can you say that again?"), I got off my butt and did some things that maybe added three additional votes for Barry O--some emails, some phone calls, donations, bumperstickers on my car (yes, on my previously unstickered Beetle) and finally some door tagging on the night before the elections and canvassing in Highland Square on the day of. (But nothing like the hard work and many hours that Maynan put into the campaign. Her efforts were AMAZING and we're so proud of her.) Our prayers have been answered and we'll soon see "The End of an Error." Plus, we are now living in a Blue State, which means we no longer have to have those fearful family talks about our mass exodus to Canada...or Paris... Now, if we could just get all of the states to approve gay marriages, I'd be a happy camper.

On a very sad note, we lost another Mark in another November. Continue to rest in peace, Mr. Akron--if you can read this (under-the-radar, of course), please know we still celebrate your life. Now, rest in eternal peace, Mark Price--this was a tough road for you but you are safe now--we already miss you greatly. We'll see you in our dreams.


Lastly, the main thing on everyone's minds is WHEN WILL DAO HAVE THAT BABY? After talking with Gayle, we've pretty much decided that Lil' Frankie Jane is holding out so she can be born a Saggitarian. I guess there are worse reasons for holding up progress. But still, everyone's ready...so let's get this show on the road.

Will I blog more often? Aw, who knows.
But for now, we're caught up a little, yes?

ciao, tesori xo