The Whirlwind

Life has been crazy--in a good way, and this post is in two parts. This first part is all about the fun that's being had. What follows is all the post-treatment stuff going on later....

Let's Play!

The end of the school year was as hectic as ever. The week before school got out, Maggie co-hosted a party with several of her friends. Here they are: Shayna (whose parents graciously provided the house for the party!), Sarah, Maggie & Hannah (who both shaved their heads for kids cancer research--don't they both look fab?), Lilia, Nina, and Megan.

On Thursday, June 12, we went to the promotion ceremony for Albany Middle School. Here's a pic of Maggie in the dress that she & I made for the event, along with Siobhan, Julia, and Shayna (all girls we've known since kindergarten). The day after "graduation", the 8th graders all went to Marine World, and I hit the road for Santa Barbara. Em and I got her moved out of the dorms, and since she was the last of the three girls to leave, she got to take out all the trash/recycling and vacuum and get the room inspected. All went well and she and I checked in to the Days Inn in Buellton and then went to see Indiana Jones 4 at the local theater, after a nice steak dinner.

We got home Saturday and on Sunday, the 15th, we joined a Father's Day brunch for Frank's tennis buddies and then I got a wonderful birthday dinner of grilled lobster and Caesar Salad.

Monday we left for New York. I've cataloged our trip below, so for those of you who don't want/need all the details, you can avoid them easily.

Are We Done Yet?

Before we left for NYC, I had a brain MRI. (Purely cautionary--breast cancer can spread to the brain, and rather than worry, I'd prefer to rule things out.) This past Monday, I had a PET CT and today, Friday, I'm having a mammogram. Sheesh. But it's all for peace of mind, so I really don't mind.

I'll see Dr. Kuan on Monday, July 7, to go over all these test results and will hopefully get an "all-clear" sign. And then I can schedule having this port removed. Yay!

I'll post again after I see Dr. Kuan. But till then, no news is good news. :-)

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New York, New York, It's a Wonderful Town...

We got in Monday night, and met Ellen* & Mike at the very new & hip Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel for $20 martinis (images #2, 3, and 4 here), and then went to the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park for a less expensive, late night dinner (amazing shakes and cheeseburgers [Frank and Mike had theirs with a deep-fried portobello mushroom--I had a bite of Frank's, it was too much for me, but it was way yummy]). (*Ellen is Frank's youngest sister and Michael is her wonderful fiance. They live in Brooklyn.)

Tuesday we met Ellen for breakfast at Balthazar's, in SoHo--food was yummy and servings were *perfect*. Then we went to visit one of the two "Bird" stores in Brooklyn that Ellen manages and then on to Ellen & Mike's charming flat in Brooklyn. Wandered *all* over Greenwich Village and had pizza at John's (solid NY pizza). We got to the Daily Show at 3:30 (when they suggested you be in line) only to find that we were numbers #194, 195, 196, and 197 (out of 260). :-) The Daily Show was really, really fun. Then we went to the Garage in the Village for dinner and jazz (good steak, fun music, solid bar--thanks to John & Lynn for the recommendation.)

Wednesday.... Our anniversary! We wandered uptown (hotel was at 32nd between 5th and Madison ) and we got lunch at the Burger Joint (hidden in the Parker Meridien--Ellen showed me this place when I visited her last spring) and then walked the few remaining blocks up to Central Park and ate our lunch al fresco. Walked through the park where we witnessed, up close, the wacky phenomenon that is Upper East Side nannies and their charges in the park (mini soccer and softball camps set up within, while the nannies sat at the benches, visiting) and made our way to the Met so we could see Jeff Koons' rooftop sculpture (the balloon dog). Went back to the hotel and changed for dinner and then went all the way back up to Lexington and 74th(?) for dinner at Payard--really, really wonderful.

Thursday, whew! Mediocre breakfast in the hotel (eh, what do you expect?) and then made our way down to Battery Park and said "Hi" to Lady Liberty. We found Trinity Church and paid our respects to Mr. Hamilton, then headed back to our hotel's neighborhood which is now Little Korea. We found some really solid Korean BBQ and had lunch. Then changed for the evening and met Kevin Fitzpatrick (author of "Dorothy Parker's New York") for a walking tour of the places associated with the Algonquin Round Table tour. He was really gracious and informative and I would heartily recommend him to anyone visiting NYC. He left us very near our dinner/theater destinations, which also happened to be where my sister Dawn was staying with my niece Kiersten and so we went to see them in their hotel (Marriott Marquis). The four of us walked the five blocks to Natsumi for sushi dinner (Yelpers are the best--I found this place online and it was quite good). We said goodnight to them and went to the Music Box theater to watch "August: Osage County". Quite good. Frank and I still were talking about it, days later. Think "Sam Shephard with a sense of humor..." :-) (And as soon as I get Dawn's pics, I'll upload a photo of the 4 of us....)

Friday, packed and had the bags ready to go. Then wandered the city for the three hours until time for the limo to pick us up. Ran into my sister Dawn and her daughter Kiersten (don't you *love* cities?) and ended our walk at Bryant Park. I had already dragged Frank through NYPL, so this time we just sat on the grass and enjoyed relaxing for 10 or 15 minutes before time to leave NYC.

As you can see, a really wonderful trip.

On the Road Again...

When it rains, it pours, right?

Today is Maggie's 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony, so we're a bit hectic at home about that. After the ceremony, she and Frank and I will have a nice quick dinner (her choice: hot wings) and then she'll head off to the 8th grade dance at Albany Middle School.

Meanwhile, I hit the road first thing tomorrow to go bring Emily home from Santa Barbara. We're spending tomorrow night at the Days Inn in Buellton/Solvang that was in the movie Sideways. We'll head home on Saturday.

Sunday is Father's Day and my birthday. We'll start the day with a brunch after the Dads' tennis game at the home of Beloved Husband, Tom Weimer, and his Lovely Wife, Carol. :-) Then I'll enjoy some quiet time at Azul Spa, getting ready for the week.

Because, on Monday, Frank and I head off for a week in NYC, to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We're staying at the Avalon, in midtown, and we've got quite a week lined up.

Tuesday, we'll be catching the Daily Show (hopefully with Frank's sister Ellen and her affianced, Michael). Wednesday we're enjoying dinner at a sweet bistro/patisserie (Payard), and on Thursday, we're dining with surprise friends (more later) before taking in a performance of the Pulitzer winning play August: Osage County.

In between the evening engagements, we hope to get to the Metropolitan Museum and maybe Battery Park and maybe the Guggenheim and maybe the Museum of Natural History, and maybe Central Park, and oh my. We might need to extend our stay.... Catch you on the flip side!

The Performing McKeowns

So, Emily went to a summer theater program at Columbia University a couple years ago and came home declaring that she could never major in Theater. Having gone through a similar epiphany after my freshman year of college (and a year of Theater classes), I heartily supported this decision. She went off to UCSB in the Fall and dove into some really interesting classes in Philosphy, Art History, Comparitive Lit, Geography, and more. She was thinking she might major in English (this was beginning to feel a bit too familiar: I majored in English Lit).

Meanwhile, she had been "dabbling" in Theater at UCSB. She worked costumes for the Fall production. She took a Theater Movement class second quarter and a beginning acting class this quarter. But still, her communication with us indicated a "probably English" major. So, imagine our surprise. ;-)

After writing in her livejournal last Fall that she would *never* major in Theater, since that would probably just kill something she loved, she found it impossible to ignore the siren call. She auditioned for the BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) program in Theater last weekend. And out of 40 kids who auditioned, she was one of the 13 who got in. Heh. Heh heh.

I've asked her if "Table Waiting 101" is part of the curriculum. She mostly ignored me.

But Maggie will not be outdone. She has been singing with the middle school choir this year and has been enjoying it tremendously. And she was fortunate enough to be asked by the 8th grade Jazz Workshop if she would sing a song with the band for the Spring Concert last night. Here she is, bookended by the passing BART trains.
And stay posted for the further adventures of the Performing McKeown Girls.

I'm a Media Star!!!!

When I was in Chicago with my sisters in April, we chanced upon the Cottonelle Comfort Haven® on the Navy Pier. After getting chair massages and learning some exercises to help tone our gluteus maximi, we all filmed a "Be Kind to Your Behind" video testimonial.

Two weeks ago, we each got a check for $200 via certified mail to pay us for our services. And now you can see us on their website (go here). We're third on the video.

Now we're all just waiting for Cottonelle to realize what a gold mine we are, and ask us to appear in a regular ad. :-) Don't you think?

(Oh, and for those who don't know my sisters: Lynn=Banker, Dawn=Endoscopy Nurse, Bonnie=Cop. And you know me.)

Bridging and Motherhood

Last weekend was quite wonderful--alternately busy and relaxing.

Friday night, Maggie's Girl Scout troop (which includes Siobhan, Lila, and Celia) met at our house, so we could discuss how they want to spend their cookie earnings (they have not given up on Disneyland....) and how we'll get started on the Silver Award. They spent the night and the next morning we all were on the road by around 6:45 a.m.

We arrived at Crissy field at 7:30 a.m. to help volunteer for the annual Golden Gate Bridging. (For those not in the know, when you move up to a new level of scouting, you "bridge" from one level to the next. Because we live near one of the greatest bridges in the world, scouts can walk across the Golden Gate Bridge to move from Junior Scouts to Cadet. Emily's troop did it, and I remember it being quite wonderful.)

Our troop worked at the registration tables until about noon, when the girls were released from their bonds. The girl scouts provided lunch and the girls spent the afternoon hanging out at the beach (Siobhan and Maggie) or in the field, listening to the DJ and taking photographs (Celia and Lila). When we left, I got this pic of the girls, with the bridge in the background.






I was utterly wiped out that evening--combination, early rise, sun, wind, volunteer duties, and old age--so it was a good thing that the next day was Mother's Day. Frank was a sweetheart, and arranged for a picnic at Tilden with the Rick and Becky Prices (including Jake and Nina), John Price, (Rick & John's mom) Harriet, (Rick and John's niece) Julia, and Jackie and Yusuf (and their nephew, Zaheer). We got the same spot in Tilden that we scored last year, and it was lovely. A bit chilly, but really lovely. Here are me, Harriet, Jackie, Becky, and Julia.



It was a wonderful weekend.

This week, Frank and I are playing hookey on Thursday afternoon to attend a Giants game together. And Saturday evening is Maggie's end-of-the-season soccer party. The fun never stops around here. :-)

Midwestern Sojourn

My, but I do love the midwest. And I especially love Bloomington, Indiana.

My vacation last week was relaxing, blissful, fun, and just plain wonderful.

Part I: I flew into Indy on Saturday the 19th. My college friend, Janine, was gracious enough to put me in her guest room for the weekend. She and her charming family were going to a Seder (to which I was invited), but I went to dinner with Janine's college roommate, and my friend, Sue. The next day, we went on a fundraising walk for Best Buddies and then the three of us played around Indy. Sue and Janine made a wonderful quilt for me (pictured here) that has a cross-stitch of Maxwell Hall (from IU) in the center, and is surrounded by photos from our friendships, over the years.

On Monday, I drove down to Bloomington (a.k.a. B-town) and checked in at the Indiana Memorial Union. The campus was beautiful and I enjoyed walking around for a couple hours, revisiting some old haunts. My roommate, Melinda, drove up from St. Louis to play for a day or two, and it was wonderful to catch up on each other's lives. Here's a pic of Melinda, on a bridge over the "mighty Jordan River" that cuts through campus.

In Bloomington, I/we visited: our old dorm (where we managed to smuggle ourselves aboard an elevator, to get our pic taken in front of the door to our old room), the Arboretum, the aptly named HPER (Health, Phys Ed, and Recreation Building), the Art Museum, Beck Chapel, Myers Hall (the Bio building, where Melinda spent much of her undergrad career), Ballantine Hall (the liberal arts and humanities building where *I* spent most of my undergrad career), the Kiva Commons (where they had coffeehouse performances when we were students, but which now appears to be a pretty good sandwich/salad place), the Sugar and Spice bakery (where we rediscovered the joys of the peanut butter/Special K cookies), and so much more.

It's so satisfying to visit your alma mater and see it aging so gracefully. Whenever a change is made, it seems to be an improvement. The campus is in good hands and I look forward to future visits.

Part II: After three days in B-town, I hit the road for Chicago (and "enjoyed" the attention of an Indiana State Trooper along the way. Prone to a "leadfoot" on the gas pedal, I was being extraordinarily cautious on the road. What I didn't know, though, is that it is now a law in Indiana that one must move to the outside lane when passing a law enforcement vehicle that is stopped on the side of the road. Because I was ignorant of the law, the trooper "kindly" lowered my fine from $200 to $150. <sigh>)

Anyway. The weather in Chicago wasn't as perfect as it had been in Bloomington, but what a fun city. I got in on Thursday afternoon, checked in at the hotel, dropped off my car at the rental facility downtown, and then spent a lovely two hours or so at the Art Institute. My sisters got in around 9 p.m. and hijinks ensued. :-)

We visited the Navy Pier (where we videotaped a testimonial for Cottonelle toilet paper--look for us online at cottonelle.com in about three weeks), we took an architectural/historical boat tour,
we saw Blue Man Group and the Baton Lounge, we reminisced on the Northwestern campus with Lynn, and we walked and ate a LOT. (I still had indigestion when I landed in Oakland on Sunday.)

I always have a wonderful time with my sisters. I think we all feel so blessed to have each other and to enjoy each others' company so much. Three of us have kids (and one of us has a dog that is treated like her baby, but, ahem, enough about that), and we all work outside the home, so scheduling time together is a challenge. But it's so worth it.

Many thanks to Janine, Sue, Melinda, Lynn, Dawn, and Bonnie, for making time and travelling distances to play with me. And thanks to Frank and Maggie for being gracious about me being absent for so long. :-)

Maggie McKeown: Artist

Well, artist is just one of things Maggie is, of course. But Grandma Mary came to visit last week, during Spring Break, and taught Maggie some basic watercolor technique. (Grandma Mary paints and teaches in Ocala, FL.) Herewith, a sample of Maggie's work. I, too, took a lesson, but I didn't have quite the same natural proclivity as did Maggie. I did, however, paint a tree, an pear, and an apple, with great assistance from Grandma.

We had a lovely, but all too brief, visit with Grandma, and our house is full of watercolors, to prove it.

Tomorrow, I head off for my "Post-Chemo 2008 Tour". First, I'm visiting Indiana (Indianapolis and Bloomington) where I'll get to see three out of four of some of my dearest friends, and my alma mater (Indiana University). Then, on Thursday, I'm driving up to Chicago, where I'll get to play with all three of my sisters. This is kind of a big deal. We're all busy and I'm interrupting more than one of their lives right now, but they're good sisters and they're humoring me by making an appearance in a city that I love. I'm sure I'll have lots of pics to share upon my return, on April 27.