It's The Season...

Victoria, Laughing at the American Girl Store in Boston

Well, here we are, right around the corner from the holidays. The holidays, by definition, are hectic. So I'm trying to think about preparation now, in all respects. The Boston kids, Sunni, Kevin and Baby Victoria, will be arriving soon. Their room needs to be ready, our calendars need to be cleared and all the preparations for a memorable Thanksgiving dinner need to be in place. The more I can do now, the less stress at the time. Organization is always the key!

What a difference a year makes. My mother passed away, Dad was diagnosed with cancer (surgery and chemo complete), Little Victoria was born with an initial blood disorder scare that eventually disappeared. I accepted a job doing community outreach for a free medical clinic. All major changes in our lives with the stress that change brings.

The family is healthy and we're all working hard to maintain our respective life styles. Maintaining health is paramount; all other concerns disappear in light of that. Several of our friends did not make it to see Thanksgiving this year.

So, with that perspective in hand, let the holidays commence! And the true meaning of Family supercedes even the best of tablesettings on Thanksgiving.

Retirement, Redefined...

Everything 'they' said is true, I'm busier now, in 'retirement' than ever before. I counted five (seriously) efforts that take my time, and hopefully, use it well. Among them are charity work for a free medical clinic, therapeutic canine massage and maintaining an active Facebook page for my community. What do they all have in common? I guess I would say, for lack of a better word, 'helping.' Helping, assisting, instructing~ all things to improve Life. Life for those less fortunate, human & animal; and Life to improve communication that ultimately results in more joy for those in my community. So there you have it. Spending my career taking care of my family and using my retirement to help others. Not a bad legacy, all in all...

A Great Grandpa for Victoria

86 year old Dad has done amazingly well with his chemo treatments so far. His survival instincts have really kicked in. He maintains a vibrant mind, enjoys discussing business, family and his personal philosophies of Life. Today, Sunni, my daughter and great-granddaughter Victoria were joined by my son-in-law Kevin for their return trip to Boston tomorrow. I would say that in spite of everything, Jack, my Dad,is a lucky man!

'Family Guy' can be hypnotic!

Okay, so Little Victoria's dad Kevin is a big 'Family Guy' fan. I'm not much for cartoons, adult or not...but today in NY, Victoria was watching (what else) Family Guy. Her little eyes glzed over and she was channeling her Dad with that mesmerized FG look...what do you think?

Pride in My Daughter

Today I'm feeling great pride for my daughter Sunni. She felt it important to care for her grandfather, my Dad, during and after his second round of chemo, following his colon cancer surgery. Sunni and new daughter Victoria, have been staying at Dad's in New York for the last week. She'll remain there for another week. I'll arrive on Tuesday, Aug. 11 in time for Dad's third round of a three month ordeal. Sunni's sacrifice, compassion and sense of duty have not only made me proud, but inspires me as well. The love of family is a beautiful thing...
Sunni shown above with Baby Victoria during her recent trip to Florida.

Family ~ The Way They Were...

That skinny tall kid on the right? My Dad, circa 1935.

It's been a roller coaster these past few months. Stresses galore. Heavy Life stress. My mother passed away two months ago. My daughter's new baby was (mis) diagnosed with a possible blood disorder (thank goodness it was a mis-diagnosis). And last week, my father was diagnosed with colon cancer. And I thought these years were going to be a cakewalk! Balancing these stresses with my own health as a cancer survivor has been nothing short of a daily commitment to living and being joyous regardless of what's going on 'out there.'

But during my father's diagnosis, his siblings bonded together in a way unknown to me in my immediate family. His sister, the family's matriarch, was front and center. His youngest brother also called me with great concern. When I think of my Dad's childhood, the difficulty of raising five children during the depression years, I think they share a 'survival' bond unbeknownst to me and my modern-day sisters. In times of stress and actually, in holiday times as well, Dad's siblings rally 'round with a strength, resiliance, compassion and love that supercedes all my sibling squabbles. Something great has been instilled in this family raised in the '20's and '30's. Something strong, forged in bygone but difficult times, that has emerged as a model for those of us a generation away.

My prayers and love are with you, Dad, and all your wonderful brothers and sisters!

Miss Victoria Ann Fleming

Our precious Victoria Ann Fleming has arrived! We are blessed and grateful for her health and robustness. This beautiful 8 lb. 7 oz child arrived the evening of February 21, 2009 to the delight of her mother, Sunni; dad Kevin and Aunt Lisa. This is our very first grandDAUGHTER, and I'm so delighted. I'm predicting yoga classes together, shopping trips, craft days and lots of bonding between Grandma and Granddaughter. Welcome to our world, Miss Victoria Ann!

Our Daughter's Birthday...

Lisa is pictured on the right at five years old!

Tomorrow is my oldest daughter's birthday. Lisa will be 36 years young. I really can't believe that thirty-six years have gone by since that Groundhog Day in '73. A lifetime has passed in the interim. She has grown into a caring person, the 'glue' of the family, always reaching out to include everyone. She's a born teacher. The Montessori children she cares for, have the precious gift of her extensive knowledge and love.
Lisa is capable of exceling in anything she chooses. College, real estate, advanced Montessori studies...She's quite amazing. She's raising our twelve year old grandson and is doing a beautiful job.
So somehow, someway, that little newborn with the head of jet black hair (Oh, the indigestion!) has evolved into a beautiful woman, making her own way in this world. Lucky World!

Lisa is on the left at her sister's wedding last year.

The Map on the Wall, A Family Travelogue...

Last night I happened to see a travel show about China and the Great Wall. It brought back vivid memories of my two trips to mainland China. My career afforded me unique opportunities to travel the world. So much so, that I started a wall map to mark my venues. My youngest daughter was entering the business world, as I was ending my career. It became a bit of an international contest, with Mom marking red flags, and daughter marking blue flags. Sunni actually did business in Brazil long before I did the same. She, however, got to enjoy Rio, which I missed.

And she traveled to Australia, a place I would have loved to experience. But I sure had her beat with my extensive Asian travels. We called it even in Europe, but Central America was mine!

Now that she's looking forward to Motherhood, and I'm not traveling for business, we're both content to stay put for awhile. But you never know when that old Mother-Daughter travel competition may start up again - or maybe in time, it will become a Grandmother-Grandchild trip...Actually, I can't wait for that!

Alzheimer's and Dad's Devotion~

Typad blog is frozen in time, and I can't figure out how to fix it, so I'm filling in my blogging itch here on Blogspot. If Typepad continues to disappoint, I'm back here for good!!

Well the wedding has come and gone - It was a weekend to remember! Sunni & Kevin were 'over the moon' happy. And afterall, that was the objective of the whole effort!

I'm here in New York, sorting out my feelings on my mother being admitted to a nursing home. She is in the mid to later stages of Alzheimer's disease. So I'm here for a few days trying to give my Dad the support he desperately needs at this time of his life. He made the decision to put his wife of 64 years there. His affection and concern are almost overwhelming. I think he just doesn't know what to do with himself, other than be with her almost every waking moment. He's not getting the rest or break he needs to keep himself healthy.

He did however, start back at 'work' on Monday. He works three days a week at an upscale department store, fixing the fixable retail items to be returned to the floor - or sold as is. At least, that's what I think he does! The benfits to him are obvious - the few hours keep his mind off his wife's sad state, and put him in an environment of younger, healthy people who work retail, the trade he was in his whole working life. So that's a good thing.

Prognosis for Mom? It can't be good. It's a progressive disease, with little hope of turning back, especially in her physical condition. What will happen next? It's anyone's guess, really. My sister and Dad are looking into a nicer place. That would help, although at this late stage, it seems she's getting the care she needs right there, without the trauma of moving her again. But it certainly would be a nicer environment. Whether or not she'd actually know the difference is a moot point. But it probably would make Dad and certainly my sister happier with the surroundings.

The future is uncertain for any of us. For Dad, it's essential that he take care of himself now. For without him, my mother could not survive.

Wedding Plans March On!

A month away from the Big Day, and the frenzy is heating up, but in an organized way!! Even after a long businesss career, I am amazed at all the 'little details' that must be addressed. Sunni is doing a masterful job of keeping all issues moving towards resolution, and David is a key component of that effort. He is keeping close tabs on the ever-changing numbers on the guest list, and is Chief Contract Reviewer. Thursday, David and I will be meeting with Terry to give her the deposit and discuss the event details. And the clock keeps ticking....!!!

Remember When???

Make a free ecard - it's easy!

Wedding Update!!

We're talking less than forty-five days to the Big Day!

• Tuxedos figured out - Check.
• Card holder for cards and checks - Check.
• Alteration lady sewing a matching jacket for my dress - Check.
• Lisa's dress altered - Complete and Check!

Of course there are more than a million other details, but things are moving along rather quickly and fairly well...Let's put it this way - I'm still vertical and able to talk and walk at the same time!! Invitation confirmations are arriving daily and the Grand Total could be about 150 people. Fifty for the rehearsal dinner and fifty for the afterparty..But we're 'rising to the challenge' to make this a great day for our daughter and her soon-to-be new husband...

Excuse me, is this WORK??

We heard from Sunni today, and thankfully, she's made it to her destination safely. She's off to work at the factory, but did manage to relax at her hotel...The Sofitel Royal Lagoon Hotel in Dongguan, China. The luxury hotel features a business center, concierge services, Internet access, car rental service and for the sports-minded guest~ a golf course, basketball facilities, tennis courts and a jogging track. She's sure to take advantage of all the spa facilities, with a mani-pedi during her stay. Okay, so we work hard! But we play hard, too!

On Her Way...Again!

Despite poor weather in both Boston and her connection city of Chicago, Sunni's flight took off for her Hong Kong destination and ultimately, mainland China. She'll do a two week assignment, meeting with her factory personnel to review each individual customer's product, overall project & timeline. Of course her nervous Mom will feel much better once the trip is over and she's once again on US soil. Renting out her condo, moving to a new home and planning a wedding rounds out the busy life of our youngest daughter! Picture above is famous Oriental Pearl TV tower in Shanghai, China, taken by Sunni during her last trip.Click for a closer view, then use your back button to return.

The Family Recipe Book is Finally Published!

Recipes to Rem...

Compiled by the chi...

By Nikki Hoffman

Book Preview

Our World Traveler...

Our daughter Sunni headed back to the UK last week to generate business for her new endeavor. She is now an 'independent contractor' working with a former associate from Tru-Fit. Her stops this time included the Manchester area and Amsterdam as well. She's pictured above with boyfriend Kevin attending a destination wedding in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. I wonder where that travel bug came from??? Hmmm.....

The Best Holiday Surprise of All!

Well, it didn’t take long, but hard work, negotiation skills and a great personality (gotta love those genes!) helped Lisa seal her first deal with a home built by Hartley Brothers. In December, Lisa called to tell us she sold her first home. We were all thrilled, but no one struck the celebration pose quite like our Lisa!! We’re so proud of her!

Looking for a New Home??

We are so very proud of the new real estate agent in our family!! Our daughter Lisa recently landed a job selling new homes with a prominent builder, Hartley Brothers. in the Gainesville area. Check out her website if you're in the market, or even if you're not!! The homes are beautiful and frankly, so is she!!

Having Fun at Harbor Hills

Grandson Danny spends the weekend, and all kinds of activity takes place! Practice putting, golf cart rides and doggie walks are all on the agenda. Even an "Hibachi" dinner makes the cut!