Do you remember or do you think you remember

The other day my daughter was telling me about something she remembers from her childhood.  She went into great detail and I was honestly impressed that she had such a great memory.  She does really.  There are times she recounts a dream, in it's entirety.  I've learned not say anything to her that I don't want her to remember because, she will.  My sister is the same; she remembers things that most people don't even notice happened right before their eyes.

I remember stuff too you know.  Like the time I colored on the wall in the living room behind my dad's red chair.  You know why I remember?  Right!  I got one of the very few spankings I ever received. 

I also remember a night I found myself laying on the bathroom floor telling my Aunt Camille she didn't love me...you know why I remember?  Ahh,ha she spanked me too.  I guess your not supposed to tell people who love you that they don't cause if you do they're overcome with this crazy desire to spank you.  I remember that Auntie!

I also remember being about 8 years old, sitting on the back porch of my parents house.  I was wearing a white button down shirt and some old brown cowboy boots (whose were those anyway?).  I was eating white bread with refried pinto beans on it.  The memory is so clear.  Oh! Maybe that's because I have a picture of it.....and there, my friends is the key.  Not that all memories come from old photos but, I wonder if I'd remember much of anything from my childhood if there weren't pictures to trigger the memories.

I don't know about you but my family has so many pictures.  My parents had pictures that go waaaay back.  Way, way back.  It's a beautiful thing too.  My brother Rusty (Daniel A. Leonard V)has done a wonderful job of putting some some of those pictures on a webpage (it's a geneology); click on his link and check them out by clicking on the highlit names.  I'm actually quite surprised he didn't put more pictures on there.

 

Daniel A. Leonard 2nd

In the 40's, my mom and her cousins used to take the best pictures.  Looking at them makes me wish I could have been there.  I loved the clothing and the poses they chose.  They'd all climb on top a car and strike a pose or theres the picture in someone's living room with them posed around the piano.  Just makes you wanna jump into the picture cause looking at it you can almost feel the mood.

I remember the pictures my dad used to take of us when we were kids.  Most of us wore flat tops....Oh, wait, that was no flat top, that was my dad cutting our heads off.  His artistic abilities must have been somewhere else because it wasn't in picture taking.  Then again, maybe he just didn't like what he saw and did a little editing.  Thanks Dad, you really could have told me the hairdo needed some changing.

For a while there I stopped taking as many pictures...what a mistake!  They're like family gold.  No family should be without them.  So if by some chance you've put the camera in a drawer or closet, get that sucker out and start snapping away.  It's less expensive these days and so much easier to get to.  Do it!  Your family memories are slipping by you if you don't.  The kids need to see the pictures and videos of themselves so they can remember just how cute and dorky they once were.  Sorry, I was probably thinking of one of my elementary school pictures with my hair standing up in the middle of my head.  Can't look at it without laughing and neither can anyone else.

Go on now, go make some memories!

Not exactly what I had in mind but it'll do in a pinch

Geez! I forgot how long it takes to set up a new blog page. What with the Blog Background thief still at large, I had to pick something quick to try and make my blog as inconspicuous as possible.

Some of you out there are constantly giving your blogs facelifts. New pictures, new colors, new backgrounds, new, new, new....Me, I'm quite content to keep the same scenery. I mean, if you have time to do it, more power to you....I guess.
So I chose this one because it has plenty of color. I wasn't able to figure out how to make the photo of my dance shoes fit better so I finally just thought, "so". Really, that is what I thought. I've found that saying "so" helps release me of the pressure of having to do anything. "So", perty much says it all. It's almost like saying Amen...okay, well not quite but it's a good closing line word.... Theres something so final about "so". I mean what are you gonna do when someone says "so"? Challenge them? What more can you get out of them...how about "so what?" That's taking it a step further.
And as usual, I've gone off on another tangent and forgotten about the original message of this post, so I should finish....but, on the other hand, I'd rather not.....SO!

Not there yet...

I'm still not sure what took place exactly, and I'm not where I need to be with my blog look but I'll be back tomorrow to see if I can't get a little personal feel to it.  Such a cryin' shame. tisk, tisk.

What the heck!!!

Okay, fess up whoever you are! I'm mad as heck and I'm not gonna take it anymore. I wanna know who stole my background. How can you have a blog without a background? How?


If you're envious of my blog background, I'm really sorry but that's no reason to steal it. Seriously, there are a ton of blog backgrounds out there, so why did you have to take mine. I'm a simple person. I do no one harm. I get mad like anyone else now and then but that is no reason to rob me of my background. I feel violated.....

And what am I supposed to do? Is there such a thing as a blog background police? Do I go to Detective Wallpaper? Do you think CSI would take my case? How about 20/20, they're always looking for a new story. Maybe they'll help me. 60 Minutes might show some interest if I beg but why should I have to go to such extremes?

And another thing...how did you manage to steal my photobucket video? You are a sly one, aren't you.....I'm just not all that sure I like the floating notification you left in its place. It doesn't belong. I know this much about you, and I'm sorry to say it but ... you have no taste! Who leaves a sign of what they've taken illegally?


Whoever you are, please return my background...I have nothing to offer in return except a thank you but I can promise it'll be sincere and non-accusatory if you return it without making a big scandal. I'll give you until tomorrow evening after which time I'll probably cry a little, throw some dirt on myself and then move on and over the grieving process by looking for a new background. It hurts me to think I'll have to go with another layout but sometimes life just throws a hardball our way and we have to do what we never thought we were capable of.


So tomorrow,7 o'clock P.M. Return the background or I'm sticking out that stiff upper lip and moving on. If you’re out there and you're reading this, you dag nabbit thief, keep an eye out over your shoulder Miami Vice, L.A. Vice, Sergeant Friday, Barney Fife and the rest are looking for you. (Okay, I just had to get that last threat in) I'm so disappointed.


Signed,
Background Less in L.A.

Not Again!

Let me start by saying that this is NOT a fun post.  Having delt with this myself, I can tell you that Pancreatitis is far from fun.  I've had it so I know first hand.

Karina, at about age 9, began having stomach problems.  Not exactly stomach but for the sake of this post I'll use "stomach".  So I'd take her to the doctor and he'd say "she's not getting enough fiber, she's constipated".  I wanted to punch that guy in the gut and say 'now does that feel like constipation to you?'  I didn't, but I still wish I had.

So for months, we made our little trek to the doctor and he'd say "What did you eat today? If she doesn't eat enough fruits and vegtables, this is what happens".  Okay so after I don't know how many trips the last thing I remember him saying was "If you're gonna keep bringing her back here because she's constipated but never change her diet, what would you like me to tell you?  It's your fault she's like this."  And I said 'bye, bye Doctor Stupid', out we went, never to return again.

I'm not a doctor but there have been a number of times when I went to a doctor and told him exactly what was wrong with me before they could do any labs.  Why? because I know my body and I listen to it.  But this joker was too dumb to listen to what the patient was saying.  He only knew he was right, or so he thought.  Big Jerk!

So, we found another doctor who, was nicer but still could not recognize that this was something other than bad fruit or too much candy.  I tried to explain what I thought it was from my own experience but could not be heard. Poop! We liked her too. 

Well as it turned out, after several visits to the doctor, being sent home with an "it's nothing" response, we decide to stay home and ride out the pain.  I was getting desperate as Karina's pain was increasing and there seemed to be no end in sight.  Finally in desperation and fear as I watched my little girl turn into a skeleton I took her to the ER where, not only was she admitted for Anorexia, Child Services were called on Juan Carlos and I because, and here's what the doctor said "I was raised with a step-parent too.  I know how terrible it is.  Your husband should not be hitting your child"......Hold the phone Miss Doctor Stupid Numero Dos.  First of all, neither of us are her step parents and second, we do spank our children if they really need it but the heal of your hand to the forehead as a joke has never, as far as I know, won a case in court for physical abuse.  This doctor was slightly off her rocker. 

So she admits Karina for Anorexia and I let her.  Why?  Because even though I knew she was a dim wit and would lose her case in court, all I really wanted was to get medical attention for my daughter who I knew was suffering with something other than malnutrition.  Holy!

After many, many tests, many, many doctors and a switch to a children's hospital, it's confirmed by a wonderful doctor who was intelligent enough to see that this was not Anorexia or anything of the sort.  It was an unusual case of Pancreatitis.  Yes, it's unusual for children but that does not mean it does not exist. 

Our wonderful doctor sends us to yet another hospital where the specialist does what they call an ERCP...don't ask....and removes these little stones from Karina's pancreas.  No sooner did she come off the drugs used during procedure when she's asking, "can I have some food?".  Let me tell you, Godzilla himself would have melted and spoon fed her.  She ate as if she had never eaten before and wanted more once she finished with the first plate.

If you've never had pancreatitis and would like to know what it feels like, simply take your everyday dinner fork, poke it into your stomach right below your left ribcage.  Twist the fork repeatedly while using a hammer to push it in as far as possible.  And then....... yes, it's that painful.  There is absolutely no position that makes it better and for as much pain as your in, you'd better not even look at a drop of water or crum of food becuase my dear, that fork will soon turn into a jack hammer.  PAIN!  So on top of being in pain, food is out of the question....for days.

Karina during a pain break

Well, that's where we are.  Back at the hospital after I don't know how many visits.  On drugs and holding on to the pounds by getting a healthy diet of Potassium Chloride, drip, drip, yummy, yummy.

If you have a heart, please pray for my little girl.  She's been hospitalized about 5 times, her fist stay 7 weeks long.  She been prodded, stuck, x-rayed, scanned and starved far too many times.  She's a good kid and manages to get through this everytime.  I wish I could do more for her but unfortunately I'll just have to pray that she out grows this terrible thing as I did, some time in my 30's.  I really pray she doesn't have to go through this for another 15 years.  Sometimes life is just not fair.  :-(

It's a mystery to me....

Today was the first day in quite a while that I visited my Facebook page.  I didn't intentionally keep away, I just hadn't made it a point to visit....well, I take that back.  I suppose if I don't tell you and you find out, you'll think I'm lying.  I have FB on my cell phone.  I'm not a FB fanatic or anything of the sort, it was during a crazy whim that I decided to add it and everynow and then while sitting at a doctor office, on the shuttle from work to the parking lot or when I get a good piece of gossip and need a way to validate it, I use my phone.  Come on now, you've got to admit, it's not a bad idea.

So, as I was saying, today I visted my Facebook page.  I watched a video a beautifully voiced bass baritone friend of mine posted of himself, visited the Rio Hondo College page, jotted a quick hello to Meredith and was on my way out when I see one of those people you "might want to be friends with" thingys on the side.  I had to take a second look because it was a very dear friends son.  That in itself is not strange.  What's strange is that I have no idea, NONE, how any one, or in this case any "thing" (meaning FB) would know that I know this young kid. 

My first thought was 'Hmmm, maybe I became friends with his mom or dad and don't remember'.  So I went through every single face in my friends list and they weren't there.  I'm thinking this is kinda creepy.  I mean, are people from my past gonna start popping up on my FB  sidebar?  This is a Twilight Zone moment.  Who knows I know this kid?  Who?  Is someone trying trap me into sending him an email and then make it look ugly like I'm one of those sicko's so they can have me thrown into jail while being taped by one of those after prime time shows that airs on tv?  WHAT IS HAPPENING?  This is a real mystery.

I don't wanna make a big thing about this but...I just don't understand.  I went back to my page to see if he was still there and he was gone.  Gone.  Just....gone.  And in his place people I knew in High School.  How the heck did they show up? 

Listen people, FB, FBI, CIA, whoever you are...I did nothing...I'm innocent...and I stand my ground.  You cannot destroy me.  You cannot break me...you cannot, you cannot, you can.....NOT!  But just in case, I'm locking my doors, pulling the shades and getting a pitbull.  Are they expensive?  It doesn't matter, I'm getting one and I've heard them yelp on tv when a burglar sneaks into the back and hits it or whatever it is they do to make a dog yelp.  I know that sound so don't think your gonna get me or my dog!

If you didn't already know...

Last weekend was one I'd waited for, for quite some time.  You see, my cousin and her wonderful husband flew in from Minnesota....yes, way over there where if you don't freeze during the winter, your able to take a vacation to a warmer part of the world, like good old Califor.NI.A

Let me just say that it was a visit I wished would never end.  We met on Friday, which was long in coming because they flew in on the 19th.  Of course there was Ruben's side of the family to visit with and friends they hadn't seen for years and then....having saved the best for last (my opinion only), Friday the 25th rolls along.  Six days, count 'em 6 days, later it's my turn.  And heck yes, I was excited.  My daughter, Karina, had heard so many stories of the famous Anita, she just couldn't wait.  She kept telling me how excited she was to meet my cousins. 

Friday arrived and at approximately 11:42 my door bell rang.  I tried to play it cool but I nearly bore through the hardwood floor in my living room running to the front door.  As I answered I had to fight back the desire to shake my head in order to believe that it was actually them standing before me.  We sat and talked, and talked and well, you know....Let's just say that talking must run strong on our side of the family because Anita already had larengitis and Ruben, he's not shy for words.  Had I been thinking in advance I would have installed one of those little thingys that have in the meat department of the local grocery store so we could pull numbers and make sure we all had a chance to speak.  I'm sure Karina had plenty to say too but her bad luck, she speaks slowly.  Too bad kid, that's all I can say.  Out of shear sympathy we did allow her at least 4 words every 15 minutes....poor little thing, it was the least we could do.

Saturday, it was Breakfast Club and then some.  My long time friends Bunny from I'm Just Sayin', and Debbie from From Venting to Viggo were there along with the rest of my family...I say the rest because like it or not, Debbie and Bunny are family.  They've known us far too long to be anything but. 

Breakfast was to start at 10:00 a.m. and although we were starving, okay so we weren't and I just felt the need for a little drama; the truth: although we normally start at 10:00 oclock on the button, we waited patiently for the guests of honor to arrive.  I passed out wipes so we could wipe the drool off our chins as we sat and smelled the awesome breakfast my brother Rusty and his wife Juliet prepared for us.  And then, and then, they were there, here, with us...whatever!  You get my drift; we could eat!  No!  I didn't mean that...

Bloggers Debbie, Marie, Anita, Bunny and Ruben

After 15 minutes of hello's we finally grabbed our plates, served ourselves and sat down for coffee, food and chat.  We ate and ate, and ate, and ate....and talked and talked.  We switched tables, switched chairs, changed rooms, changed shoes, laughed, cried, told old stories, talked about junior high, high school, dorks, school fights, being kids, being adults, books and then as if it had never happened we started all over again...food, chat, talk, laugh, switched tables and on and on it went.  I admit, my feet hurt.  I switched from the left to the right and then again so often it looked as if I were in the middle of a salsa dance.  And then after what is typically a 3 hour gathering, we realized 12 hours had passed and it would have to end. 

                                                                                                                  

I really didnt want to leave but we were all tired.  Plumb tuckered out.  All I can say is, next time, we're meeting at a hotel with a dance floor a live Salsa band, a restaurant with buffet and of course beds for resting.   Sure would make the 12 hours a lot easier.  But I'm thinking we could do a weekend trip, why not!  I'm all rested up and raring to go!

Juliet, Aunt Camille, Erick, Bunny, Michele, Danny, Debbie, Anita, Ruben, Marie

Rusty, Christopher, Donte, Karina (Not pictured Carlos and Juan Carlos, sorry boys)