It made me so happy

So..if you know me..you know that my Grandmother is my favorite person to be around. She is so positive and intelligent--her wit and tact leave a permanent smile on my face. She's 95..and amazing. My favorite thing to do is sit with her and read, looking out over the garden, talking about life, books, and everything in between. I curled up in my grandpa's old chair, blanket on my lap, eating cherries, reading "Emma" by Jane Austen. 
It was one of those rare moments where you are totally, undoubtedly, home. My childhood is tucked away in every corner of her garden; from playing in the creek, picking apples in the apple orchard, sprawling out in the grass with the sun on my face, to enjoying lunch on the deck, looking at the hydrangeas.

This weekend meant so much to me--I decided that I need to go back and visit my Grandma before school starts on the 24th so I'm trying to set out a solid week to spend time with her. When I was perusing her bookshelves, I found a journal with a red flower on the front, inscribed inside was 'From Amy--1981.' Her scrawled penmanship encapsulated over 20 years of life and experiences. I slid onto the floor, completely oblivious to everything going on around me, and started reading the stories through my 23 year old eyes versus the memories I remembered from my childhood perspective. These are the things I wanted to ask my grandmother but never have been able to, given the day, after her stroke in December 2006. I swear to you, written notes in books have been the puzzle pieces to the past. Grandma reminded me that the notes we leave in books are like having a conversation..and I can't tell you how many times I've re-read Lenna's writing in my favorite books and laughed in agreement or scrunched my nose at a shared dislike. I don't know how to explain it to you...but I read that she planted a rose plant on each of our birth days...told me my parent's anniversary was March 23rd, explained the move from their estate "Los Arboles" to "Seven Gates" on Armstrong Woods Road..and told me about her love for my grandpa, they shared "the closest thing to a perfect marriage that could exist." Her re-telling his last days with us, and laying in bed holding him for 2 days before he passed away will always be with me. Those are the stories you don't hear as a child..and those are the things that mean the most now.

I left the book for now..I'm going to dedicate a whole day to it when I go back in a couple weeks. My mom said it was only one of many diaries. I hope with all that I have that I can find them. That would mean the world to me. The conversations I may not ever get to have with her after the stroke, in her own words, in the moment. I hope that encourages you guys to keep a diary. Sometimes for kicks i'll go back to the same day 2 years back to see where I was at that time..it's good to see where you've grown and where you still have work to do. Does that make sense?

Okay enough about that. After we first got to Guerneville, I took Antonio to one of my favorite places--The Redwood forest. It's about 1 mile up the road from my grandmother's house and it's breathtaking. It's quiet, peaceful and dark. Like entering another world, losing yourself in the height of the trees, where the sounds of the city fade away and after a few steps are long forgotten.






On Saturday we went into the city, started out by Ghiradelli and Fisherman's Wharf--then hopping on the cable car to China Town and Union Square.

Spotted--totally metro man rocking a fanny pack at Union Square in San Francisco. I almost did a happy dance. I wanted to be like.."(nudge nudge) I have one too.."


I have to tell you..in all seriousness..the fanny pack is so convenient. That's why they were so popular. Who needs a shoulder bag when you can have all your essentials conveniently located in a little pouch? Likewise when your cell phone is going off in your fanny pack..a nice glow effect is created. Fanny packs really up the ante of any outfit..especially... when dazzling with 80s-esque dance moves. I wish I could wear it everyday. Maybe i'll bring them back.


We went to my Mom's old house in the Berkeley hills..it's so beautiful there. We went up to the lookout point and took a couple photos over the city..

Then we went down to grab coffee and lunch on Telegraph AVENUE (WILSON)..I got yelled at by a homeless hippie who was saying "I just want to get drunk!" about the same time I was looking to make sure Antonio wasn't totally traumatized..but she thought I was shooting her a nasty look and yelled "Don't judge me or i'll start to judge you" I was going to stop and explain the misunderstanding but decided..better if I don't.

The rental car PT Cruiser (right up there with my love of mini vans..no offense. it's like cruising around in a pimped out hearse). performed a fantastic feat today at the parking garage..we got locked in and I got out..moved the cones and propped up the traffic block bar (correct word..no clue) and my mom flew out the entrance. I don't know what happened to the parking attendant or why the cones were there...but needless to say my mom was riding dirty in the pt cruiser with Antonio as a fateful co-pilot.


you should also know..antonio has one of those pay as you go phones and this 480 number keeps texting him about covering shifts, birthday parties, etc. he's told them several times its the wrong number and after they have refused to stop calling/messaging. So he is now texting this 'kendall' person back--"how much does the shift pay? what time should I be there? how are you?" they have been texting since we were in the shuttle from the rental car place..his latest text read "Well I was hoping to talk because I feel depressed. Love you honey" while anxiously awaiting them to realize he is not the person they meant to text---a lesson to not text the wrong person.