This blog is all about my small, but amazing family who lives in the suburbs of Philly.
1994 - Sue & Chick in Bonita Springs
It's about my cousin, Chick, who was married to my 1st cousin, Ida. It was Chick & Ida who worked tirelessly in the 40's building the beautiful home I visit as often as possible...and to their daughter, Sue, who meticulously maintains it.
Ida May - 1947
1981 - Ida & Sue
1981 - Ida, Sue & Chick
It's about their only daughter, Sue, who is also my best friend.
2006 - Two crazy broads
It's about Sue's only daughter, Loni, who was a newborn when Ida passed away.
1994 - My wonderful mom & dad, Sue & Loni
in my Bonita Springs home
1999 - Sue & me
1999 - Loni & me
2006 - Loni & me
2011 - Hailey May - What a ham
It's about Loni's wonderful kids, Hailey May & Mason.
2014 - Hailey, Mason & beautiful Bella
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2014 - Mason & me
It's also about Sue's fiancé, Dean, (who I call Jersey-boy) - a staunch Republican & pro-Trumper like me.
2018 - Chick & Dean
2013 - Dean & Sue in Key West
2012 - Sue, me, Loni, Dean & Hailey with that face.
A little back story - My parents, in their infinite wisdom, sent me to live with Chick & Ida for a few weeks every summer starting when I was about 7. They thought it would be good for me to get out of the city & experience another way of life. Boy, were they right!! I learned so much. I learned to ride a horse, collect fresh eggs, bail hay, clean a barn because I met Peggy, whose grandfather had a farm across the street. I learned to eat what was put in front of me or go without & so many other life-changing things. (lots of back stories to all this)
It was a great time in my life until I was 10 - that's when my nemesis, Sue, was born. I was an only child in both places until Sue came along. Another lesson - learn how to share & not be jealous.
Two years ago I surprised Sue & the gang by arriving, unannounced, for Christmas.
2016 - Sue & Loni
2016 - Old friend, Bonnie & Hailey
But Chick was already in Bonita Springs, FL. so I didn't get to see him. (he typically goes to FL in October for 6 months) This year, he's being treated for a non-healing wound & decided to remain in Hatfield until after Thanksgiving. SO, I decided to surprise them again and, this time to see Chick. It took me 3 days to find the right flights for me. I wanted to leave from Key West but every flight had layovers of over 9 hours!! Obviously that option was unacceptable to me so my only choice was to leave from Miami...that option requires me to drive 3-4 hours & stay at a hotel the night before. Ugh! But the good news is I can keep my car at the hotel & shuttle to & from the airport for free The flight left on 11/18 returning on 11/24.
Sue & I talked endlessly about her plans to take Chick back to FL after Thanksgiving...she checked flights & was going to leave on 11/24. This was a good thing because I was leaving the same day - then it all changed & she decided to fly out on 11/23!! Loni & I tried to convince her not to leave the day after the huge dinner she has...blah, blah, blah but there was no changing her mind. They had to leave the house at 3am as their flight left at 6am!
Loni & I concocted a plan. She arranged a lunch with her mom on the 18th using the excuse that it would be nice to get together before Sue & Chick left for Florida. Loni never told a soul that I was coming.
I thought it would just be the 3 of us for lunch.
Loni picked me up on at the airport - bless her heart. Lunch reservations were made at Ooka Japanese Sushi &Hibachi Steakhouse on Rt. 309 near Sue's house. We were racing North up the 309 to get to the restaurant first while Sue left her house driving South on the 309. Loni somehow could follow Sue's movements on her phone. (beyond me how all that works) By a miracle of the traffic lights, we got there first. I raced into the restaurant while Loni went home to get the kids. I think I freaked out the hostess by saying, "I have to see the manager right now". I must have looked like a crazed maniac because she quickly dragged me to the back of the restaurant to be out of view of the customers. I explained to the manager our planned surprise, Megan, I think was her name. She was awesome & hid me behind some barriers in the back. Within moments, all staff was aware of the plan & were so supportive. I warned them to tell their customers that there might be screaming but to assure them it wouldn't be because of an active shooter!
This beautiful restaurant is divided into a regular sit down, order off the menu section; a well done sushi bar & a hibachi room where everyone would meet. Like I said, I thought it would be just the 3 of us. Turns out there would be 7 - Chick, Sue, Dean, Loni, Ryan, Hailey & Mason. Every time one of the group came in, the staff ran to tell me. Soon everyone, except Ryan, was seated & with a drink. Megan lead me to the room. They were all sitting around the Hibachi cooking grill chatting & drinking Sangria (in a Japanese steak house?? and BTW it was terrible) I snuck in & stood in front of the grill & said, "OK, are you people ready to order or not?" Chick saw me first - he had a screwy look on his face but it didn't click right away that it was me. Then I stared at Sue. She was just sipping her drink when she looked up - then it registered - her face turned white - then she screamed. It was pure mayhem after that. Everyone had an IPhone but did anyone take pictures?? NO. Think it was shock & awe!
I was freezing! What was I thinking?
Really??
I wore 2 pair of socks, 2 shirts, a sweat shirt, long pants, a warm scarf & that was just in the house...in addition, a coat, hat & gloves outside. Thankfully, the kitchen floor is heated which warms the entire room. Guess where I spent the week. Instead of watching the big screen TV in the living room on a comfy sofa I watched a teeny-weeny TV in the kitchen. The only time I wanted it to be cold was when I went to bed. I opened the windows & turned on the ceiling fan on high then snuggled under several layers of comforters. It was awesome!
We all went to see my other cousin, Charlie, who is Ida's brother & the amazing Millie, his wife. He was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Fortunately, the cancer is on the outside of the pancreas. He's undergone chemo, lost some weight (50 #s) & some of his hair, but he's doing well. Much thanks to Millie who takes great care of him.
1999 - Millie & Charlie
2014 - Millie & Charlie
2018 - Millie, Chick, Dean, Winnie, Charlie & Sue
It was a magical week. I had a great time. I got to see the whole family every day...lot's of activity; lots of chaos.
Loni teaches at a school. They had a 'crazy hair day' & the best won a prize. Loni put a water bottle in her hair then lit it up with Christmas lights - she won!
Loni's crazy hair
Loni, Hailey, Mason & I played Skip Bo. (a game I originally learned from Chick years ago) Easy game, quickly learned. It was great to have the kids involved. Know that Mason is in the body of a 4 year old but has the mind of a 30 year old! He 'got' this game right away. Perhaps I haven't been around kids enough - those growing up so fast with the help of all the electronics at their fingertips.
Loni brought home a 'pre-fab' ginger bread house. (really?) No sweat to put this together - or so Hailey, Mason & I thought. We tried & tried & failed. We just couldn't get the walls & roof to stay up using the editable, gooey white stuff that came with the kit! I was so frustrated that I almost used crazy glue. We gave up leaving it in heap on the kitchen table. Then Loni, the magician, arrived. We watched her make the house 'stick'. Hailey decorated it. I don't remember ever eating the damn thing - but it sure was cute.
Had a great time with Mason too.
Paul, Carol & Tina visited too.
2018 - Tina & mom, Carol
We went on an 'adventure' but we didn't know it would be an adventure when we left the house.
Paul (& his Coors), Carol & Tina
The goal was to go to Wal-Mart so I could get underwear - yes , underwear. I flew to PA to get underwear! I never in my life saw so many choices in underwear as I did in that store! It took me forever to make a choice. Tina & Carol got some stuff too. I also looked for Vigo black beans & rice (it's the best & our Winn Dixie stopped stocking it)but they didn't have it. Then I looked for a manual can opener for Sue because she has issues with her electric one - Years ago, I found an amazing one made by Kitchen Aid. I thought I got it at Bed/Bath & Beyond so we left Wal-Mart...but after going to BB&B, I realized I got it at a Target...onward to Target. Paul, as usual, was very patient in driving us all over the place. But, there it was. I got one in turquoise - Sue's favorite color. 
Loni & Paul
I think we made pasta that night. Paulie is always in the kitchen to help.
2018 - Carol, Paul, Tina Dean, Sue, Chick,
Loni, Mason, Hailey, Me & Bella
Living in the Keys doesn't give us many choices for shopping - other than Home Depot, Bealls outlet, Ross & the terrible K-Mart, there are no big box stores. They are in Homestead/ FL City but that's a 2 hour, one way, trip! I was dazzled & delighted by all the choices of big box stores just minutes from Sue's house.
Driving around on the back roads & seeing the big, beautiful trees, slow moving streams, the smell of newly cut grass, then spending time with my wonderful family brought back so many memories. I had a fleeting thought of how much I missed my old life & perhaps I should return...fortunately, it was only a fleeting thought as I stepped out of the warm car & into the 20 degree temperature! What was I thinking??
When I woke up on the 23rd
the house was eerily quiet. After closing the windows & turning off the ceiling fan, I quickly put on my 2 shirts, a sweat shirt, 2 pair of socks, long pants & neck scarf then raced downstairs to the warm kitchen. No one was there except Bella who wondered who the hell I was & what was I still doing there.
Beautiful Bella (my mom's name)
Made coffee, turned on the teeny-tiny TV & sat in silence. For once, I missed the chaos.
Tina arrived about 11 to take me to the airport. (bless her heart too)
When I made my plane/hotel reservations I realized that day light saving time would be over - my plane landed in Miami at 5:30 & it would be dark for the drive home. I made a reservation to stay at the hotel for that night.
I had plenty of time until boarding so I went to a bar/restaurant & got a drink. The young 'kid' next to me at the bar ordered a Philly cheese steak then did the unthinkable...he put ketchup & mustard on it! (you're kidding me right?) He was constantly on the phone but managed to offer me half - I politely declined - I mean how could I tell him that it was totally unacceptable to add ketchup & mustard on the most perfect sandwich in the world! He left & I ordered a Philly cheese steak hoagie (Steak, cheese with lettuce, tomato, onion & mayo) - it was the best I've had in a very long time...I took half of it with me & had it for dinner at the hotel along with the wine I had in the trunk of my car.
I always try to plan ahead.
A great trip with my wonderful & loving family. I can't wait to return...BUT perhaps in the summer.
