Jan Curran Events

Out in Ventura...

Out on the town...

Guess I should say out on the harbor.  I got out of the old folks home and out for lunch with my friend Ann who I have known since the 70's.  We went out to lunch, the day was beautiful, the food good, and I felt fine!  And, I learned that if the food is really good, I can eat and swallow pretty well and not choke.  The way I shoveled in the food at the French cafe , I probably gained some of the weight I need to gain.

Thought you might like to see some of the photos we took. Click on the photo to get a larger image.

That's Ann.

We walked along a boardwalk, eying all the boats.

You can see some of the beautiful flowering plants that are so common in this area.

Next week my two daughters are going to try and come here for lunch. Think we'll shoot to go down to the harbor again.  I really should take myself there more often.

I went alone on Monday, but not to the harbor, went to the ocean... walked along the boardwalk to a bench and sat there and watched the surfers like the senior citizen I am!  Was a nice break and one I promised myself I would do more often.  When I was in radiation, some days driving back home I would take the route along the shoreline. Always relaxed me.

In the dark...

Last night we had a power outage, lasted about two hours.  Was interesting. Nearly everyone left their apartments and went to the hall to see if they were the only one with no power.  It was hard to see people, but I could hear the voices, and see the flashlights.

One woman, who had been a professional entertainer, went to the lobby and to the grand piano there and began playing show tunes. You could hear her all over the building, and people began working their way down the dark stairs to get to the lobby. Me, among them. I was still dressed but lots of residents showed up in robes and slippers.

For over an hour she played wonderful music to keep people entertained.  It was a rather serene setting. The lobby full of people with flashlights, gathering together. Some had come down three flights of stairs to be with others. That old safety in numbers I guess.  I  couldn't help but think what if - what if I was living alone in a house and the power went out like that. Sure we used to get the rolling blackouts in the desert in the summer but it wasn't like that. Understand 7000 homes were without power last night. But, bet we were the only " home" with live entertainment.

Talking books..

I got my copy of my daughters, Karen Dinino and Linda Woods, book, "Journal Revolution.".  .. was so eager to see the pages I sat in the parking lot of Barnes and Noble for 45 minutes reading the book.  You can take my word for it, it's wonderful. Now, don't just sit there, either go on-line or to your neighborhood book store and get a copy.

~ Jan

Updates

Updates...

Daughters Karen Dinino and Linda Woods new book, " Journal Revolution" is now on line at Target, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and on shelves at Barnes and Noble.  Run, don't walk, to get your copy.  And if you want more news, go to the girls web page, visualchronicles. com, for updates ,news and views. The best stuff in on their blog.

Son Lee jets off to Germany again this coming week.  Get his more detailed news and learn about his action film at Leegoldberg.com. It's his blog you want, too.

Son Tod is doing his weekly rant against Parade Magazine at Todgoldberg.com on his blog, working on his masters degree and busy teaching others in a masters program.

Now, me?  I'm finally on the mend from what ever it was coupled with exhaustion that felled me on my return from Seattle. Not been out in a week, mostly either on or in the bed, but beginning to eat more, be awake more... but bedtime for me is still before 8 p.m. and afternoons are spent resting. Pretty exciting social life, wouldn't you say?

Mom? She seems stable.  I call Seattle two or three times a day to check in and see how she is, but can't jet back up there until my doctor gives me the okay and that okay is not about to come down for at least another month. Mom told me today that she misses me and hurry back.  We didn't discuss what today's date was. Mom doesn't always know what the date or day is, and I decided not to tell her since today is the anniversary of my Dad's death. Why upset her, was my thinking. You agree, don't you?

Other news and views...

I'd rather not have watched Dan Rather on Larry King. Embarrassing, wasn't it? The man clearly needed a rewrite man, a p.r. adviser, or just someone who would have said to him " take your ego, go home, do not talk."

I'm still not back as a regular VIEW watcher.  There is no spark there and just out of pure not liking her, I didn't watch Joy Behar on Larry King.  I never find her witty or wise.

It's  starting to look a lot like winter in Ventura today. We've got dark clouds, and thunder and lightening and rain. It's a good day to get back under the covers and read a good book.

My book? Just have a bit to go, but been too weary to write, hoping to get back in the groove next week and get the thing wrapped up and done, done, done. Didn't have a computer with me in Seattle so lost a month of writing then.  Back home again was just to sick too write, barely even logged on to check emails... but thinking positively that next week I shall be more ME and the ME that loves to write.

The lights are flickering, so going to cut this short now before my computer shuts down on me.

That's it for Saturday, the 22nd....

Cheers!

My son Lee sent out this email to his siblings while I was having a blood test...

<Her scan was good -- her neck was a bit "hot" but they think that's a byproduct of the radiation. Everything else appears clean. Mom still needs to rest and recuperate from her treatments (the trip to seattle was ill-timed for that) and they will check on her again near the holidays. So... Good news!>>

I sat there pretty much like an idiot, high, or low, on an antibiotic and strong decongestant.... but I know good news when  I hear it.  Do you realize this will be the longest stretch I have gone with a good result?

When I got my wits about me ,I did ask about my lack of a voice, not being able to raise it to yell at someone, the constantly getting hoarse. It's going to stay that way. Scar tissue from radiation. Okay, so I can live with a husky sexy voice.

Dr. was pretty strong about me having a vacation, just rest and rest and rest -- something I didn't do in Seattle.  So will follow her orders and my son Lee, too, who said for me just to be lazy, read books, write on one, but no stress stuff. When I learn how to avoid stress ,I'll get the Nobel prize.

It's the Jewish New Year. I have to say this is a great new beginning for me.

Shalom.

Jan

Back from Seattle

I'm back. My trip was to be for one week, lasted a month.  Mom was in very bad shape when I got there .Every child's worst nightmare, she had been abused by a caregiver ,one who had good references and came from a licensed agency. It's that old story ,you need to be there, check in often, and often by surprise.

I won't go into details only to say that the proper authorities were notificed ,the State of Washington also sent out a nurse/investigator. Mom was truly traumatized and in a lot of pain, all of which could have been avoided and is very heart breaking. Neighbors heard her screaming, but thought she might have had a nightmare. It was a nightmare alright, but a real life one.

I arranged for hospise and all sorts of wonderful care for Mom and then stayed right there with her, reassuring her that no one would ever hurt her again.  I'm happy to say that when I left yesterday she was happy again, not so scared, feeling better, and had a cute new hair cut, some new clothes, and a manicure, too.

I'd still be in Seattle, sleeping on the terrific Euro bed my cousin Claudia brought over, but I had already postponed my pet scan twice and just had to get back for it.  I'll have it on Monday the 10th with results on the 13th, so keep positive thoughts for me, and for Mom.

My goal is to get back up to Seattle in two weeks and spend more quality time with Mom, doing things like going on a walk along the lake , going to the beauty parlor, taking a ride in the car -- little outings that make her smile again.

I won't say it hasn't been rough, because it has and I'm emotionally drained and physically spent, too... but once I get unpacked will rest up for my scan.

The weather in Seattle was absolutely perfect, in the 70's every day, blue skies, no rain. Mom was able to sit in her wheelchair out on the deck over Lake Washington, enjoy the sun shine and the views and that made her happy. She kept telling me how much she loved me and how it just made her happy to look up and see me sitting next to her or holding her hand. I also slept with her some nights and that was very comforting to her, that knowing it was me with  her and not a stranger she might not trust.

I'm amazed at what hospise does. It isn't about dying, it is about quality of life and  comfort and love and doing things geared towards happiness rather than pain and sorrow. The social worker is wonderful, kind and loving and cute... the nurse who comes in three times a week is top of the line -- heck, they all are and it has made a giant difference in mom's abilities to cope. Mine, too!

Now , I must unpack.

I've got a month's worth of mail , aka bills, and unpacking to do, but thought I better get something on here before you began to file a missing person report on me.

~Jan