KA-BOOM!!!!!!

KA-BOOM is right!

I decided I wanted to get another Espresso/Cappuccino Maker but I didn't want to spend a lot of money on one - Riyoko spoiled me in LA, making me a Cappuccino every morning and I then realized how much I had missed mine!  So, I set out to Wal Mart yesterday and bought a Mr. Coffee 4-cup Espresso Maker and I went to make a Cappuccino this morning and the frother wouldn't work - I packaged it all up and returned it.  I decided to try another one, same kind, and, as it was brewing, it exploded everywhere and coffee, coffee grounds and glass all over the place!  Thank goodness I had walked across the kitchen because glass flew all over and the coffee was steaming.  I had a pot of soup on but it did have a lid on it!  It scared the hell out of both Dick and I and I then preceded to clean up the mess, including the food saver, the shutters, the stove, the floor and anything that was in the way - it  took me an hour to do this but the floor needs to be mopped again!

I thought about putting all of the pieces of glass in the box that I was returning to what was left of the machine but changed my mind so off to Wal Mart I go tomorrow to get my money back and I will then go to the Mall to find a decent maker!

Will let you know what happens with the next one!!!!!!
                                           

THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS!

Yesterday was a busy day - we first went to AT&T so Riyoko could transfer her Blackberry to Dick and put him on their plan because Dick will be helping Cory do the travel and hotel coordinating for a movie that Cory is working on.  Dick's first stop will be Moab, UT and we have been calling him "Moab Dick", but I don't know where the next stop will be for him!  Cory goes on to Costa Rica, however, he has help down there from someone who speaks Spanish.

On to lunch at a fabulous Japanese Restaurant where we had a little bit of everything as well as a Ramen Soup which was delish!  I tried to get a nice picture of Riyoko & Cory but Cory insists on making his faces so after 11-1/2 years of their marriage I still don't have a decent picture except for when we had pics taken at a studio and they both were making faces - so much for that.

Homeward bound and I gave a little help to Riyoko while she was fixing dinner that she calls, "Sunday Supper" which consisted of Veal Meatballs, Hot Italian Sausage, Beef Tenderloin Chunks and many spices cooked in Riyoko's home-made Pasta Sauce - the dish was excellent and it was served with a fabulous salad!  (Riyoko is a great cook and it's always something different - Christmas Eve dinner consisted of a Short Rib dinner that cooks for quite some time and falls right off the bone along with many other side dishes.)  While dinner was cooking last evening, Riyoko and I watched the movie, "Bridesmaids" and it was a funny chic flick.

Friends, Wenyee and Melvin and Joe, the bulldog, came for dinner and an evening of fun.  Wenyee, who is a wonderful Baker, picked up a cheesecake and decorated it with raspberries and blackberries, made home-made ice cream and hot fudge that topped off the evening meal!

Melvin showing Riyoko something new on his phone (this was not such a good picture but the one of Wenyee and Melvin together was worse).

Isn't Joe soooooooooooo handsome but he is the sweetest boy?!!!!

This a picture of Joe and I!

We "Old People", as Riyoko and Cory call us and Riyoko's parents, headed off to bed about 10:00pm after an evening of fun with the young-un's but I have now been up since 3:30am when Burn came in for me to let him outside to tee-tee and I couldn't go back to sleep with Dick snoring so Crash came out to the Florida room to keep me company.  I will be very tired by early evening so I know it will be an early to bed evening for Colleen!

We have had a fabulous time and can't wait to do this again!  I hope everyone had a fabulous healthy and fun Holiday like Dick and I had!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM LA!!!!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!!  We are in LA and, no, it doesn't look like this here but I have always loved the Thomas Kinkade pictures!!!!!

We are having a wonderful time with soooooooo much food and so many cocktails - my jeans are really getting tight - UGH!

We didn't bring the dogs over this Christmas but we have been enjoying Crash and Burn - the kids' babies as seen below!

The first two pictures are of Burn in front of the Presto - the portable heater!   Back in the sun room, there is no central heat so in the morning and evening, the portable heaters are used and Burn wants to make sure he keeps warm - one crazy pup!

The second picture is of Crash (Crash & Burn - long story) and he has to wear a Depends 'cause with his last surgery, a little mistake was made and he doesn't know when he is making a mistake, and when he does, he feels soooooo bad so he wears a Depends-who knows, I may be there soon!

Tomorrow is another day in LA with more food and drink and pictures of all of us so stay tuned - we have had so much fun and I hope y'all have had as well!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!!!!

Happy Birthday to our son, Cory, who is 41 years old today - how can that be - I'm in my early 50's, don't I wish!

It's been so long since we have been able to spend his birthday with him and go over what happened 41 years ago, however, it's still very real in my mind - I don't think women ever forget, no matter how long!

Last year, Riyoko, Cory's wife was in NYC and this year Cory is in Philly working on a movie and soon to leave for Costa Rica with the movie so he spends his birthday with whomever!

I remember years ago when Cory was a teenager, (weren't those wonderful years), we continually did butt heads and I knew one of us wouldn't survive but we both did and he grew into the most loving, caring, wonderful and charitable person anyone could ever have for a son and Riyoko is the same way! We are very lucky!

Happy Birthday, my loving son - I love you very much!!!!!!