with leftover cherry pie. Justin and Glenn drove over to the Napa Valley for the day.
The edges needed continuous straightening.
Author Archives: arletelouise
Thanksgiving dinner
Later in the afternoon, Justin, Glenn and I went to dinner at Dave and Phyl’s house. Dave, Sharon and family:
Carolyn, Corey, and Mary:
Glenn and Chuck:
Jerry and Justin:
Master carver Dave:
Chris, Mary, Greg:
Each year, Carol gives to family about 30 different paintings as Christmas gifts. Each one is different and wrapped. Everyone was excited to see which penguin they got. Carol searches for ideas all year and begins painting during the summer. The images also become her Christmas cards.
Thanksgiving breakfast
A new tradition is born: Walnut Gathering with Grandma.
We gathered 79 pounds and still had energy to climb in the trees – a slightly heart-stopping experience at times.
Memorial Service at Calvary Lutheran
The Gospel Choir was very special to Mom. They went to Atria El Camino Gardens every 2-3 months to sing for everyone in the Life Guidance unit.
The women’s group at the church did an amazing job providing food for the reception afterwards. As we all know, funerals are also a great time for catching up with family and friends. Most of the people in this picture I considered my cousins as I grew up. L-R Back row: Chuck, Phyl, Carol (siblings), me, John, Jim.
Around the table: Rebecca, Judy, Aunt Rosebud, Cynthia, Christine, Tom, Eva Lee, and friend Mary Lee.
Vi, Jason, Stacey, Justin, Jennifer.
Sunset Lawn
Auburn Elementary Bike Club
There was some misty rain, but I set up a simple course anyway to practice riding in hazardous conditions and using the stop and right turn hand signals. It had been a minimum day with parent conferences – a challenge for good attendance. Hurray for the four girls who showed up! There were only two bicycles and were generously shared.
Lindsey zooms by.
Mr Brownell is the staff advisor.
(Honestly I needed to go to work this afternoon, the past two weeks have been difficult. Coaching this bicycle club is so rewarding, such a happy place with eager learners. After the club meeting, I went to my friend Maria’s and that’s when I got the phone call, Mom had passed away. Her suffering was over.)
More news
Mom rallied for a few days, but then turned for the worse and we just couldn’t meet her needs at Atria El Camino Gardens so we said goodbye to a most loving group of people. Art is the guy in the back and a resident, he was thrilled to be included in the photo.
Mom moved to College Oak Nursing and Rehab Center.
Update on Mom
Mom was released from the hospital yesterday. Tomorrow she will go into hospice care. Meanwhile, Justin and I are taking turns spending the night at Atria El Camino Gardens because 24/7 care/supervision is needed. Despite her pain, she still smiles and makes jokes. 
The staff at Atria ECG has been excellent.
Ashleigh, Angelina, Carlos
Mom to the hospital
Yesterday, Mom was taken by ambulance to Mercy San Juan. The official diagnosis is colitis, but it seems there is more going on. Unfortunately, Mom can no longer tolerate invasive exams to find out exactly what it is.
Pomegranate jelly
Phyl and I have been pom jelly-making machines. After Project Ride Smart on Oct 27, 28, 29, I went to Phyl’s. We made 4 batches of 6 jars each. But there was still juice left, so I made 2 batches with Thais, and one more batch on my own:
The grand total was 406 ounces from 92 poms which made 72 8-ounce jars of jelly. Thais and I used the juice from Tom and Julie and got 18 jars. With the final two cups of pom juice, I made pomegranate molasses.
