Pop's Day 2009

An amazing brunch at Di Vince Restaurant overlooking the Long Beach Airport. FABULOUS food, FABULOUS live music, FABULOUS views and even more FABULOUS company!

We all ate like horses (including Dad). It was nice that my friend Jon Finwall was able to join us on this special holiday celebrating the best father in the world!!

New Puppy for Dad's Day!

There's no greater medicine than doggy kisses! And if you really want to up the ante, couple those kisses with puppy breath!

Mom and Dad rescued a Chihuahua mix at the local Farmer's Market last Sunday. Dad named her TYLER after fond memories of a beloved Northgate street in Dyer!! She was born April 14, 2009 and is A CRAZY BALL OF ENERGY--NON STOP PLAY = NON STOP LAUGHTER. It's been a healthy, beautiful thing for both of them.

Dad is feeling good these days despite certain setbacks. He's on a new medical treatment akin to chemo...more on this later....

Friday in Long Beach

Rough patch has turned into be the norm. Dad just has some more things that are starting to go wrong and they can't be fixed with meds.. I won't go into it all.....it just is. He and my mom are upbeat and they are an inspiration to me. I try to stay positive and enjoy each day we are blessed together. Your prayers and God's love are a beautiful gift and a source of strength for us.

It's raining in CA and since he gets so incredibly cold, it's important he stay warm and not catch anything as his poor immune system could not handle it. He stays indoors with a warm wool hat and scarf on and the temp turned high.

We did get word that a few of Dad's sisters from Utah are coming next weekend! It will be a wonderful visit! More pics to come soon....

Rough Patch

My mom caught Vertigo earlier in 2008. With Dad's immune system so poor, he has now caught it.

"Vertigo: Causes nausea and vomiting and, in severe cases, it may give
rise to difficulties with standing..."

Dad is extremely weak and not able to eat, contributing to even further weakness. Doctor gave them both some pills but without food I think that just causes more nausea. He even fell but there's nothing broken thank Goodness. His fever spiked to 104 two days ago and my mom was just about to take him in when it broke after an ice bath.

Tough time in their household.

Paris, Food and January

Recently returned from a business trip in Paris and thought I'd share a few pictures of my culinary adventures! My mom and dad watched the "girls" which allowed me time to work and eat in this magical city. I ate far more than the pics show -- TRUST ME! Buttery, flakey croissants were in abundance....mmmm! From a business standpoint it was very successful and from a personal standpoint...well....it's PARIS!! I've always loved the colors of this beautiful city.





A favorite restaurant in the 5th Arrondissmont, near the River Seine. Our owner/waiter was a hoot, but you gotta love the "level" kitchen and stove! These would never pass building code inspections in the States! But man did this small uneven kitchen produce some AMAZING bistro fare!


Their cellar, which housed all the potatoes, etc, is similar to Midwest basements, only accessing their area below is via a narrow area of stairs in the floor. Reminds me of the basement at the Arias home on Osborne. {REMEMBER THAT LAUNDRY SHOOT? what a blast it was to a child!}


For a non-meater, it's still appealing to me how artfully they hang their meat EVERYWHERE!



Of course, what good meal would be complete without French Wine! I wonder if the Custom's Officer would allow one of these large beauties....


BURP!

Happy 2009!

An abundance of God's blessings for a beautiful 2009 for all family and friends.....

From our homes to yours.......

Phil, Phyllis, and Kathleen
(along with Biscuit, Coco, Truffles and Agnes....and the many rescue "orphan" animals being feed by the backdoor of my parents and by my back gate!)

Heartfelt THANK YOU

A HEARTFELT THANKS....

A most heartfelt thank you to the most special family anyone could ever hope for. We are so thankful for your abundance of prayers, and I know this has had a hand in helping me to feel better. Yesterday I had my monthly doctor visit and bloodwork check. I continue to be blessed as I was told that instead of going in every month, the doctor will instead see me IN TWO MONTHS!!! We rejoiced! This is obviously great news on so many levels.

He did tell me I still can not fly so I regrettably will not be coming to Indiana this year.

I can not thank you enough ---ALL OF YOU ---for sharing, caring, and loving me and my family with with your stories, your visits and your continued prayers...

Over the holidays each of you sat with us at our dinner table and became part of the blessings that have surrounded our lives.

Reading all of your stories and comments is something I will never forget and it is hard for me to put into words how much it affected me.
We laughed, we cried and cried somemore, and then we laughed again. We all enjoyed reliving the times spent with each of you as the stories unfolded.

For all of this and more we are THANKFUL....

We love you with all our hearts--
Felipe (and Phelia)