If only my life were more like 1996...

While looking for pictures to use at my Grandmother's funeral, I came upon this classic. Allison and Daina on their graduation day from Serrano Intermediate School TWELVE YEARS AGO.
Allison and Daina are together again--right now--
living and serving with the beautiful people of Kitale, Kenya.

Remember TYFSAKM

I got home today around 5, took a bath and made the mistake of laying down on the couch. I woke up at 7:30. The weird thing is--I had the craziest dreams during this sleep! First I dreamed that I lived in a big brick mansion and Zac was there with his friends Ken and Dennis (I did not know them.) THEN, I dreamed of going to ZODY'S. ZODY'S was a store that my Nana used to take us to. I remember buying Hai-Karate for my dad for Christmas there.
I woke up very groggy, in the dark and then a TON of no longer-existent stores filled my mind. I don't know what made my brain go there...
Tell me you remember...
Two Guys
Big A
Gemco
Gilberts
T G & Y
Fazios
Lucky
Alpha Beta
Clothestime
Kinney's Shoes
Thrifty Drugs
Thriftymart
K Mart (our favorite place to eat too! Tacos on Tuesday night!!)
Woolworth's
Bullock's
Broadway
Buffums
Builder's Emporium
National Lumber
Montgomery Ward
Newberry's
Whitefront
Akron
Fedco
Boston Stores



Please tell me you know what this post's title means.
Seriously...I don't even need to do drugs.

Nice Day for a White Wedding...

Congratulations Alyssa & Pat

And the Dodgers will be going to...

Chicago.

...my kind of razzmatazz
and it has, all that jazz...

...yeah and, apparently, it's one town that won't let you down...
I'm counting on it.

Life is Good!

Just a few of the reasons I am especially happy today...

1. I slept SO well last night! It's GREAT to NOT have to set the clock or get up early! It was one of the best night's sleep I've had in a long time.
2. I got on the scale this morning and am down a full SIX pounds since getting back from Kenya! (Chipati is a wonderland, but it's a killer on the waistline!)
   
3. The Sunday Times was waiting on my doorstep when I got up! And...the Sports page is FULL of baseball!
4. I went on my 'tougher' two mile walk (lots of hills!) and felt great the whole time! It is beautiful outside.
5. Though it's for our Grandmother's funeral, this Thursday, four of the five DiLallo sisters will be together. Looking forward to that a lot!
   
6. The Dodgers start their postseason games this Wednesday. (I like that line!) I have tickets for Saturday and Sunday's games. (Damn, life is good.)
7. I talked on the phone to my son AND my daughter this week!!
8. I am going to a wedding today where SO many old friends will be! (And I got a sexy new dress to wear...)
9. My house is clean. My laundry is done, I am watching the Mets game and literally relaxing!
10. Though my stocks are down and my money is all in WaMu, I'm healthy and I'm happy! And, honestly, I don't think I've ever felt better about life.

It really IS good you know.

Baseball Prospects

So...I have (GREAT) tickets to game three and game four (if the Dodgers don't sweep of course) of the NLDS playoffs at Dodgers Stadium. We know where...we know when. The only thing we DON'T know is WHO they will be playing--the Cubs or the Phillies. We SHOULD know tomorrow and game one will be on Wednesday.
Just a little random fact to add to the suspense of the upcoming games: The Dodgers have won just ONE postseason game since 1988. Yeah. One.
I'm feeling really good about the Dodgers this year. What with all the Padres Diamondbacks and Astros fans that have been recruited lately--seems like the whole country is gonna ROOT ROOT ROOT for the Dodgers! Are YOU on board? Go BLUE!

You can call me Betty...

I've made quite a few batches of chocolate chip cookies lately...
And it has been a JOY to whip them up in my beautiful new mixer!

Seriously, the cookies have been SO good--the best I have ever made.
Perfectly blended. Absolutely delicious.
And made with love.

Congratulations Dodgers!!

The NL West Division Champs!

Way to go Dodgers!!!
I am taking this opportunity to invite all of my
Diamondback-loving relatives to jump on board and
ROOT ROOT ROOT for the Dodgers!!

And the Dodgers' Magic Number is...

Magical!

Current magic number...

Thank you Cardinals...
Go Dodgers!

Hello Papa?

I talked to Allison today!
She's run out of books to read and movies to watch,
but other than that, she's doing great.
So good to hear her voice.

My Nana

Though we truly thought it could never really happen,
my Nana passed away last night.
She would have been 95 on October 15th.
I am actually amazed at how sad I feel...I know she had had a long, full life...I know that 95 is a fabulous, 'ripe' old age to live to! But to know that she is gone--that I can't stop by and visit anymore--is truly odd.
I no longer have grandparents.

So glad I always take too many pictures...