Happy Holiday Everybody . . .

Checking in with wishes that all had a wonderful holiday weekend - Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Sikh, Buddhist.  It is a time for new beginnings and I wish all my readers the happiest year ever.

Christian

Non-religous

Hindu

Muslim

Jewish

Sikh

For me today was a wonderful get-together for a large portion of my family at my daughter Kari's lovely home in El Dorado Hills, CA.  It's not often, and has not occurred in years, that all three of my children and their various families were here to both celebrate the Season, two birthdays, and very importantly, the marriage proposal and acceptance for my oldest granddaughter, Quinn.

Landon, her boyfriend of about three years, chose this day to honor her in front of her whole family with an "on-the-knee" popping of the question in front of all at the dinner table.  You can bet there were lots of tears of happiness.

Quinn knew absolutely nothing about it.  Quinn's family has a tradition of having each person sharing one thing that has been important to him in this past year.  Landon had prepared personalized messages that all began with, for example, "Quinn, I love how patient you are with your siblings and friends."  The round table event started with Kari.  Quinn appeared a little confused as to why her mom, then her two sisters, and on around the table, began each statement with "Quinn."  She said she knew something was going on when every single person at the table (there were 20 of us) began with her name.  Then she said she noticed that some people were laughing and crying at the same time.  She didn't have to wait long; everyone was anxious to get their statement out.  Then Landon, got down on his knees and asked the important question; but her hardly had time to get it out when Quinn said "Yes" loud enough for there to be no mistake regarding her feelings.  WE all clapped and shouted our good wishes while Landon put an absolutely gorgeous diamond ring on her had.

I'll have photos to share soon.  A wonderful day was had by all.  Landon's musician brother even put on a little concert - playing the piano and singing and being accompanied by his wife.  What a treat for all.

On another level, I know I've shared about my almost 100-year-old father-in-law, Charles Spencer Sherman.  Sadly, he passed away on Easter Eve, just had his wife about 30 years ago.  We're all thankful that we had chance to visit him over the last two months.  His brain was intact until the end; his body just gradually slowed down until he slipped into unconsciousness and passed away in his sleep.  Spence was more like a real dad to me, as my own died forty years ago.  I've loved Spence and know he loved me.  What a wonderful human being and I'm sure he's treat all the angels in Heaven with all the caring he gave us all our lives.

Lastly, I'll share that tomorrow is my big KNEE day.  I'm scheduled to have my Right Total Knee Arthroplasty at Kaiser Permanente Hospital at 11 o'clock.  Being an old Operating Room nurse, I know that surgery schedule times are 'approximate.'  It could be 11 - or any time after that.  I have reading material to keep me busy while I wait; and my daughter, Kari, has family members' assignments for 'staying with Mimi' all in place.  Tomorrow morning my younger son, Spencer, who's here from Brussels, will drive me to the hospital and stay with me in the pre-op area.  Then, Kari will give him a break and she'll be there to speak with the surgeon after the surgery and for when I wake up - whenever that'll be.  I'm a little nervous, probably more so because I pretty well know what the surgery entails.  I promise to do my best to be a good patient, follow instructions, and try to the best of my ability to quickly get on the road to recovery so I can get back out there in Floribunda and see the World.

Eleanor made her first trip out of the RV yesterday when I took her to a lady's house right here in El Dorado Hills, to be cared for until I'm home from the hospital and well enough to want my kitty on the bed with me.  Lacy will stay here in Kari's house with their 2 small dogs.  I swear Lacy knows something's going on because she's sticking to me like glue.  It'll be over soon and we'll be back in our RV where we live a very wonderful life.

My best wishes go out to all to make this Spring and Summer the best yet.  It's such a gray time to Pay It Forward.  Let's all try to do something good for someone.  If we were to do that once a day, the World would be a much nicer place to live.

Happy New Beginnings All!

Monday morning April 21st - I'm off to the hospital.  Tonight, a new knee!