Real Housewives...

I had a mammagram appointment this morning - always relieved when I'm cleared to go.  Sat in the waiting room with about five other women who were all breast cancer survivors.  All very positive women and it was uplifting to be there with them even though we'll likely never cross paths again.  So I have the rest of the day off and I'm watching reruns of the Housewives of OC.  There are wives I don't recognize but what's most notable to me is that you don't see any of them on their iPhones (or smart phones).  Those phones didn't exist then... just the little flip phone and the only reason you would use those would be to answer a call.  Wow, how times change and so quickly!

Catherine is in Boston on an internship with Mass General Hospital.  Paul and I moved her there to a cool little apartment around Beacon Hill.  It was so great to see Robert... I feel thankful my two beloved, wonderful, amazing "kids" are in the same city this summer.  Boston is such a great place to be too.  Allison is moving on to Illinois (just finished her doctorate in PT).  Stephannie is doing well, loves teaching at St. Thomas.  Paul is healthy and happy.  And our cat, Jack, is fat, lazy and cool.

So I'm just rambling along and this is my annual check in... as the world continues to turn around me.

Catherine has decided to attend Cornell University for graduate school. We will be visiting this weekend to secure an apartment (hopefully). It's a bit sad that she did not get into the UofM, but the experience she'll have at Cornell will likely strengthen her resume when she applies for job positions.

I'm ready for spring/summer. The winter has been mild, but it's always way too long.

You would think the world is coming to an end with Hurricane Irene blowing up the east coast of the United States this weekend. Glad to be in Michigan (except in the winter). I took Catherine to California to meet her paternal grandmother for the very first time. As stressed as we were about traveling there, the visit went better than I expected. I had not seen the Martinez family in 25 years, and the welcomed us with open arms. Mrs. Martinez, Ida, Rose, Phil, and Ed all greeted us. And Catherine's cousin, David, showed up as well. It's good for Catherine to finally know that, yes, her extended family in California actually do care about her.

We also checked out UCLA, in case she wants to attend grad school there. Nice campus. Took a tour of the LA area (not a very pretty city to be honest) and stopped at Manhattan Beach. Catherine's first look at the Pacific Ocean. All and all it was a good trip.

The Norton's of Meadowbrook in Inkster, Michigan are together again. The last remaining survivor of this once amazing family passed away on March 17th, 2011. Of all days for my Uncle Pat to decide to pass on - St. Patrick's Day, of course! I should have known it would happen this way. He could never pass up a good Irish party, and I imagine there was one waiting for him in the heavens above. Rest in peace, good ol' Uncle Pat. I will forever miss hearing the laughter of the family that once lived on Meadowbrook Street.

Can't sleep, can't sleep, can't sleep. What is with getting older and not being able to sleep? I'm tired but my brain won't shut off. So I get up and wander around the condo, surf the net (do people say that anymore?), and waste a lot of time wondering why I can't sleep!

I remember a time when I couldn't finish the day without writing in a journal. Now I spend so much time working, exploring the internet, and wasting time watching reality television shows I rarely write what's on my mind. Not that it matters, does it?

Back in September I volunteered to serve as a community member on the AnnArbor.com editorial board. Every Monday, at 5:30pm, I meet with three of the editors and two other community members to discuss local issues. It's been quite interesting getting to know how the online newspaper business works (I wonder how long before the word "newspaper" is obsolte?). Last night we met with a local group opposing the expansion of the Ann Arbor Airport. They have very valid reasons to be concerned.

Lo and behold (that's how old people talk) I was born in 1955 and this is the year I turn 55! Honestly, the year 2010 sounds a lot stranger than the year 2000 did. Happy New Year!