Grandma O.

 

Today marks four years since my beautiful Grandma passed away. In all honesty, losing her was so much more difficult than I ever imagined it would be. But with time comes relative healing and the ability to think of her and instantly smile instead of cry. 

My family knows that we were incredibly blessed to have her in our lives for 69 years. Of course we wish we could have had her here forever. Instead of listing all the wonderful and unique qualities she had as my Grandma, I want to share some of the wonderful and unique memories I have of spending time with her.

Dear Grandma, some of best memories I have were filled with you:

Marcus and I flying alone to visit Tacoma for 2 weeks every summer

Going to the Commisary and getting to pick out whatever treats, food, and candy we wanted

Begging you and Grandpa to score my dives off your diving board, over and over

Eating the the local Mexican restaurant, you decided to say "How fast was she? Faster than SWOOSH!" and managed to spit Mexican rice all over me and my face. Then you laughed until you cried.

Not packing pajamas when we came to visit, because we would sleep and lounge all day in your t-shirts/nighties

Waking up to my favorite breakfasts, homemade and not

Watching you and Leona play Yahtzee, yelling and smoking

Playing Sorry, over and over

Eating popsicles after every dinner

Wandering around the Tacoma house and looking at all the little decoration and crafts everywhere

Listening to yours and Grandpa's stories about how poor you were at one point, and I always though you were joking/lying

Driving home from SeaTac with Grandpa in the little maroon Camry with the super soft seats, and you would be waiting outside in the driveway or on the porch stairs with all the animal figurines in the front yard

Believe it or not, getting slobber kisses each night before bed

Playing "burr-tickles" and scrating eachothers backs in bed - in a train and then we would all switch so it was fair

Listening to suspensful old-time radio stories in the bed

Watching Game Show Network and old movies with you in bed or on the couch

Hiding with Marcus once Grandpa got home from work

Tony Roma's...no explanation needed

The way you loved that stupid "Cheesburger" song

You would play "Heart and Soul" with me on the piano

And of course, you would always slip Marcus and I money as we left and told us "don't tell Grandpa"

You were simply, the best Grandma I could have ever hoped for.

circa 1994? she managed to look classy on Christmas Eve despite our best efforts to ruin a wonderful holiday with our clothing choices

You loved your grandchildren and great-grandchildren unconditionally

Father's Day weekend 2008, the last time I hugged you. We spend a lot of time together that weekend and I am forever grateful for those few days.

50 years together

There was truly no one like you.

wordless wednesdays

Holiday rush

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind.

It all started when I got a call from the OTC Humane Society about a woman wanting to meet Tasha. The lady lives in Chico and was researching possible dogs for her father, who had recently put down his 19-year-old rat terrier. So on a Tuesday evening we took Tasha to meet the whole fam. On that Friday afternoon, we drove Tasha out to her possible new home in Ord Bend, which is a very small town between Chico and I-5. We spent an hour or so with the woman's father and his girlfriend as Tasha ran around the house like crazy. It seemed like a great place for a little doggy, but she still wouldn't let the couple even hold her. We left thinking that she had a 50-50 shot of being adopted by them. Welp, the very next day we got a call that they were already at the shelter in Orland filling out the paper work.

So after almost three months, Tasha was adopted. It would be a lie to say that we weren't very sad, but we kept telling ourselves that this was the best option for her. So, we had a few more hours with her before we drove her out to her new country home.

It all happened very quickly, but we were very thankful to have her be adopted before finals week and not during. So we put on some smiles and thought positive thoughts as Kevin hammered through his finals and I finshed up my papers and tests. It seemed like the longest week, but then it was over. I thought we would have time to relax, but we had to get busy knitting and crocheting.

I had planned to make something for (almost) everyone in my family instead of buying gifts to save money. Kevin decided to do the same. So we set out to finish up the 20 something gifts we had listed in about a week and a half. Kevin knitted so many scarves, and I took to knitting or crocheting one beanie after another. The result...

I don't even think that was all of it, since we were knitting right up until the Christmas Eve. We were so happy that everyone really liked their gifts and all the hard work - and sore fingers- paid off. Since Christmas I knitted a beanie for myself and one for Kev, a surprise (sort of).

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with our families in the Bay Area. Then on Christmas day we went to Kev's Grandma and Grandpa's house in Modesto for a wonderful dinner and family time. Then Kevin braved one of the worst driving experiences of our lives, driving in the pouring rain from Modesto to Angels Camp in the dark, definitely not doing that again!

We got to spend some time with my niece and nephew, and spent the night in Angles Camp. Daddy made us an awesome breakfast in the morning and we were on our way.

Thankyou to everyone in our families for the great gifts, your support, and love. It's great to be home :)

Now we are getting ready for my step-brothers wedding on New Year's Day. Grandpa bought me two nights at the Rose Hotel downtown, so Becca and I will stay there Thursday and Friday night, thanks Grandpa! Can't wait to ring in the new year with a big celebration, a great new dress, and some of my favorite people.

Also, Kevin an I will be celebrating 4 years together on the 1st. Can't wait for many, many more!

Lately

Kev and I spent most of Thanksgiving Break here in Chico. The Sunday prior to TG, Kev and I made our first (very own) Turkey! It turned out AMAZINGLY yummy, we we're very proud of ourselves. While he tended to the bird (thanks Grandma Landucci for all the baking tips!), I worked on the side dishes. Yum yum yum.

Not bad lookin' huh? The rest of the week we just hung around the house, ran errands, relaxed, and went for a walks around  the neighborhood and campus (I had to renew and check out some more books from the library for another research paper). Kev got to show me a concrete slab that he helped create for one of his classes, that's it in the pic of him below.

Thursday morning we got up bright and early to head "home" for the real TG. We were nervous to see how Tasha interacted with Kev's parent's dogs Max and Petey. Tasha stayed at their house in Livermore while Kev had TG with his Dad, Stella, his sister and his Nana and Papa. I went to Roseville to spend the day at my Aunt's house. We had a lovely meal, but I couldn't wait to see Gaby, Dominic, Grandpa and Bubba.

Gaby is already writing upper and lower-case letters, spelling names and words, and drawing very well for a 4 year old! I couldn't believe how well she can write and draw, I was a very proud Auntie. And of course, Dominic has so many words. We stayed at a hotel and went back to Bubba's (my Aunt) for a Friday morning brunch (also very yummy). Thanks Bubba for two great meals and a happy TG :)

I met Kev in Modesto on Friday to visit his grandparents. Tasha got to meet the whole gang-Grandma and Grandpa Landucci, dogs Henry and Slinky, but the cats Rocky and Grace evaded her capture, lol. Tasha seems to do very well with male dogs, she was interested but more laid-back than I thought she would be. Slinky seems to be very fond of Tasha, he even sent her a little love e-letter! She was very flattered, but we're not sure that she is looking for "anything serious" at the moment (she is, after all, up for adoption). Hehe. But we are so glad she was able to make a friend! Anyways, I was able to get a few cute pics of the love-birds.

We spent a few hours catching up with Grandma and were glad to see that Grandpa Leo is recuperating well from his hip-replacement surgery. Wishing him quick and less-painfull progress!

It's a very rainy Sunday evening here in Chico. I have been crocheting like crazy since Kev's Grandma gave us a bunch of yarn and needles. I'm having so much fun learning. This lady is a saint. Her blogs, YouTube videos, and instructions are amazing. She has taught me everything I have crocheted so far. I plan on posting a picture here soon of all the items I have made.

We have one more week of school, then Finals Week. Wish us luck!

72 years young

Happy Birthday to the greatest Grandma to ever grace the earth with her presence. She would be 72 years today. We miss you incredibly Grandma. Not one day goes by that I don't think about you.

You are so beautiful. And of course, the Queen of all Queens.

Livin' for the weekends

Another school week over, another weekend flies by. We live for the weekends. No three-year-olds crying in my ear, calling me "stupid-head", or sneezing all over me. No long hours in physics and construction labs for Kevin. Just whatever plans we make for ourselves, until Sunday afternoon homework at least.

We did some major grocery shopping Saturday, seriously. The fridge was almost completely empty and we were scrounging up ingredients for decent meals. So we got up early, had some coffee and a light breakfast, watched a little TV, and then headed to Safeway and Winco to do some damage. $150+, ouch. But we should be good-for a long while.

We don't really have cable TV because it is too expensive. We get network channels and a few more, mostly Hispanic programming, lol. So we started using Netflix and are working on three shows at once. We are on the third season of Mad Men now. When we have to send the DVD back and wait for the next disc of episodes we watch The Office (Season 6) and Weeds (Season 4) on instant streaming, it's so awesome! We just log onto Netflix from Kev's Ps3 and episode after episode can be played instantly. Definitely worth the 9$ a month. Some days we watch a few episodes of something, some days we don't watch any-it all depends on the homework.

Speaking of school, things are chuggin' right along. Already 7 weeks in, or is it 8? I write a lot of small papers and do a lot of landscape observation. Not many tests for me this semester, but a lot of writing. Kevin usually has homework assignments, and has midterms for every class. He just took his second physics test on Friday and thinks he "nailed it." He has three tests next week-good luck Kev!

Friday afternoon we drove Tasha out to Orland to have her spay suters removed from the humane society's vet. She was very scared and even peed a little on the table, lol. Then we drove her out to the shelter to show Judy, the person who basically runs the place, how well Tasha is doing. Then it was back to the vet to get her rabies tag. We got so many questions about her looks and breeds, she is very unique I guess.

When we got home we gave her a treat for a job well done and decided to take her to campus and back-a long walk for such a little doggy! But she has so much fun smelling all the new smells, barking at strangers, and trying to chase after grey squirrels.

Yes, she has a snaggle-tooth, we love it!

Saturday was Kevin's Grandma's birthday! We wanted to head to Modesto to celebrate but its a pretty long drive from Chico for a day trip and my car isn't running so well, so we thought it might be better just to stay here. But, Happy Birthday Grandma!!! Thanks for all you do and hope you had a nice, relaxing Saturday!

We played with Tasha a little bit more Saturday afternoon in the front yard with her new Tasha-sized tennis ball.

 

Then, we used our second garden grown green pepper to fry up some carne asada fajitas for dinner, YUM! and settled in for some major TV watching and brownie baking.

All in all, a not-so-eventful weekend-but we have gotten a lot of stuff done around the house. Here comes another week!

Here goes!

So here goes - an update!

Kevin and I are both still in Chico, still undergrads, and still happy. I'm not insinuating that there is anything wrong with "still" being an undergrad. I love it. I always thought I would "get in and get out" so that I could start teaching right away, but what do you know...I'm still here, by choice.

I am now majoring in both history and geography. I planned on minoring in geography, but changed my mind and am so glad. I feel much more well-rounded and believe it or not, I think I love school. No one likes homework and writing papers, but I love school and I love Chico State. I am back at the Child Development Lab (Children's center on campus) for my fifth semester. I love, love, love my job. I don't make much, but I love going to work everyday - yes, Monday through Friday. I work with some great young ladies, teach some amazing children, learn so much everyday, and laugh all the time. I am working on an honors project in Geography - when I graduate in May of 2011, I will graduate with honors in the geography major as well as magna cum laude. Then, I don't know. I am looking into a Masters in Social Science Education program here at Chico State as well as a Social Science Single Subject Credential Program at Cal State East Bay. To be honest, I want to stay here in Chico. I don't know for sure that I want to go "home". We'll have to wait and see. Thinking that far into the future just stresses me out just a tiny bit, I'm JUST getting by right now with schoolwork.

Kevin is still a Construction Management major, he will hopefully graduate in December of 2011, but if not, May of the next year. The major is very, very difficult. It is one of the highest-unit majors at Chico State and it is very rare for a student to graduate from the program in 4 years. He is doing very well so far this semester - some great grades on midterms so far. He is the busiest I've ever seen him, in the library all the time finishing hw - it's great to see him doing so well and trying so hard.

We are now living in our tiny little cottage that I lived in with my roommate, Casey, last year. We even have our own rooms, lol. It's great. He really likes it here - a little ways away from the downtown party scene. It's quiet, and country, and serene, and private, and still so close to school. I have always loved it here - I know I won't want to leave when it is time. And the house has only gotten better with time, it is just so darn cute. We have really worked hard to decorate it on a budget, and I have to say we have done a pretty good job. It does not look like two college students live here, besides the piles of books on our desks and the homework spread all over the living room!

 

I have so many more pictures of the house - but I don't know how to post vertical pictures without them getting flipped automatically :( But anyways, we spent a lot of time in the beginning of the summer decorating, salvaging, thrift storing (our favorite) and garage saling. It has really come together, I love it. There's just one big, loving, adorable thing missing.

We let her go on June 19th. To be honest, it wasn't a hard decision. It was so obvious that she wasn't living the life that we had always provided for her. When we found out her thyroid gland had a cancerous lump in March or April, I honestly thought we would have much more time. A few days before I left Chico to move to Pleasanton for the summer, she started looking very weak. I thought it might have been because her "doggy advil" had run out, but really it was the real beginning of the end. I moved home on a Sunday. By Friday I called my mom to let her know it was time. That same morning she had e-mailed everyone in our family (save for me) to let them know she thought it was time. And it was, we both knew it. Most of my family didn't really get to say 'bye'.  My dad got to see her a week or two before in Chico. Brothers offered to help, but we had it covered since Kevin had come home from Chico for the weekend to be with us. Although it seemed like an easy decision at the time, and I handled it surprisingly well, I wish she was here with me. She had a great last year in Chico, and now she is so lucky to be spoiled by Grandma in heaven.

It would be fair to say that the last two summers have not been especially kind. But so many wonderful things have alleviated some of the pain. I am lucky to have a wonderful job with the Pleasanton Unified School District. Bryan and Lynnon got married in August, only three more to go! I have spent so much wonderful time in Grants Pass, OR - I have pretty much decided that I want to live in Oregon someday, hopefully sooner rather than later. I have spent quality time with Grandpa, one of the most amazing men in this world and have made many visits to Angels Camp to visit my Dad. He has also come to Chico a few times and really seems to enjoy it. Our family is blessed by two of the cutest little munchkins, Gaby and Dominic. They make me feel like the luckiest Auntie. 

So here we are, in our super-senior years at Chico State. Just loving this town, this house, and every minute not spent doing homework. More, shorter, blog posts to come!