fam·i·ly [fam-uh-lee, fam-lee]

(noun) a basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not: the traditional family.

We all take family for granted. We've all been guilty of "Ugh! I've got to spend Sunday with my family, can't wait to get it over with!" We'd rather be with friends doing something; or going on vacation; etc. Well, I think as we get older, we realize, we should cherish every moment we have, before it's all gone.

Our family are the only people that we can really depend on. They were there while growing up. They were the ones that went right through that awkward stage with us! They are the ones that we have laughed the most with and the ones that we have cried the most with. They are the ones we have the inside jokes with. Our families are the ones that are in most of our life memories and if one of them passes, it is these memories that we try so hard to refresh, to hold onto!

Our parents, all though we don't want to think about it, in the back of our minds, we always know, they won't be around forever. It's still hard losing a parent. I can honestly say, I believe it took me 10 years to get over my Mother's passing. By "getting over" I mean being able to function as a complete human again. There was a big gnawing hole in the pit of my stomach that took a long time to heal to the point it was bearable. Again, though, our parents we (sort of) expect.

The passing of my sister Francine has hit us all hard. She's one of "us". We're supposed to live for many, many more years. There was always the "three" of us . . . the three girls. I have a hard time accepting that isn't the case anymore, I can't wrap my mind around the fact that my older sister is no longer around. She was the "older" sister. She was the one that was born "old". She was the one that paved the way with the parents and grandparents that made it much easier for those that followed.

We recently gathered for Francine's 40 Day Memorial, even that seemed surreal . . . how are we having a 40 Day Memorial for my older sister Francine? All my cousins (except Phillip) came to VA. It took a terrible tragedy like this to bring us all together again. There we were, cousins, back being kids again enjoying just being together. The laughs were a plenty that weekend. The whole time, I kept seeing the twinkle of my sister's eye; I kept thinking how much she would have enjoyed the time we were having. I, also, kept thinking how proud she would have been of the beautiful spread Stefanie, Maria, and Eddie had all worked so hard on, and, especially, how proud she would have been of Maria's Koliva (no koliva for you!!). Francine was SO proud of her "girls", Maria and Stefanie. She was even more proud of her grandchildren, Jimmy and Zoe . . . the room lit up when they entered, according to Francine (and rightfully so!!).

So, I know this is the evolution of man; the evolution of family . . . but it doesn't mean I have to like it!!!

I miss my older sister; I miss the fact that I can't just talk to her whenever I want. We shouldn't take family for granted. They may be pains in the butts (at times), but they are our pains in the butt!! We need to cherish them always, for we never know when they will be taken away.

Beauty School Drop-out . . .

OK, it's been awhile . . . . a l-o-n-g while since I have posted anything. My niece Alexis puts us all to shame, but we love keeping up with the Dilullo gang and being updated while we wait for the "big arrival"! Can't make any promises, other than to say, I'll see how it goes in the future upcoming months . . . maybe Alexis will inspire me as she did in the beginning.

Well, for now, I have something to share, it will probably make most of you laugh, but I think it's neat . . .

I enjoy getting pedicures, actually I enjoy the result . . . much better looking feet! I have never been a real foot fan, the least of all my own!! I "lovingly" refer to my feet at "shoe box" feet. They are rectangles of foot and squared off toes. I have never had the prettiest of feet. Never the "dainty", pretty, perfectly shaped feet of a model, or even a girl, as far as I'm concerned!! YUP, just squared off rectangles!! And, as those of us who are aging have realized, they don't get better with age!!! Ergo, the pedicures!! At least some regular maintenance and polish make the whole foot thing easier to swallow (or at least look at!).

Now, like most of us, I gave in and was frequenting one of the "Asian" owned nail salons. Let's face it, who's got the time or the money to "pamper" themselves with an American owned actual salon pedicure? So, I became a regular of the "Asian" owned salon. You know what it's like . . . you walk in, the place stinks of chemicals, they're all wearing masks, but we just breathe! Dusty cluttered nail stations and the pedicure stations with the "massage" chairs, that the remote is always set on some kidney busting "pulsating" action. You walk in and you are told right away "pic cola" "pic cola" as you are directed to sit in a chair. Now the direction is all in some universal "nail salon" sign language, because they don't speak English and Vietnamese wasn't one of the language choices to learn when we went to school. Now you've "picd yo cola" and you are sitting in the massage (?) chair. All through the pedicure you are being gently nudged on your legs and feet to move here or there, in and out of the water. The whole time, as you notice how dainty there bodies and feet are, you are thinking of the Seinfeld episode where the Asian nail techs sit there talking about Elaine as the "big hoofed American"!

OK, so, getting more and more displeased with the experience, I decided to try a whole new experience . . . a beauty school pedicure!!! There are two beauty schools close here. One is only available 8:30 to 2:30 m-f, so that one was out for working people! The other is right around the corner from the place where I get my hair cut, they have evening hours, AND take appointments . . . I'm there! So, I call and make an appointment for a pedicure. I must admit, I was a little apprehensive as I walked in . . . but the place is decorated like a first rate salon, you know, those dark wood cabinets, dark tanish, grayish painted walls, leather furniture in the reception area. I am quickly greeted by a young woman who is very nicely groomed and speaks English!!! She greets me and takes me back to the "pedicure" room. We are in a back area of the salon, secluded from the rest of the clients and noise. OK, there was no massage chair, but there was a nice black leather chair and foot stool. My "student" proceeded to give me my pedicure. She explained, they are graduating students that need a "certain" number of manicures, pedicures, etc to graduate. She needed 14 more pedicures, after me, 13!

All in all, it was a very relaxing experience, no yelling "pic cola! pic cola!"; no incessant chatter in Vietnamese; no hitting the leg or foot to motion that you need to put it in or out of the water; just, simple directions in English, simple conversation in English, and in the end it was $15!

I will be returning, for sure . . . matter of fact, my student needs just 4 more facials, I've booked one in June for $20!

It sucks getting older!

It sucks getting older! Main reason is because all our elders that we hold near and dear get older, too, and then as laws of nature go, pass on.

Yesterday God took a wonderful person back home, Thea Zoe. I do not think I can ever remember seeing her without a HUGE smile on her face (except, of course, when she and Aunt Lula would sit and something would happen and they would get those "Mom" scowls! Even then, though, the twinkle was still in her eye♥). She had a personality that she just didn't smile, her whole body smiled. Whenever I would see her, from as far back as I can remember, she would exclaim "HRISE!", with her Greek accent. I would be very proud of my name when she said it. It would reinforce my Greek heritage and the fact I was named after my Grandmother, Hrise. Most people don't realize that I was named after my Yai Yai Hrise but my mother put a "C" in front to make it easier for the Americans to spell and pronounce . . . WOW! if she only knew how that backfired!!! Anyway, Thea Zoe would always exclaim "HRISE"! and give me a big hug. Perhaps she was channeling my Yai Yai through me, I don't know. Thea Zoe was an amazing woman and she will be missed tremendously by all. She led a good, long life, but that's why it sucks getting older . . . for those of us left behind, it wasn't long enough!

Thea Zoe may be physically gone, but she will always live in our hearts and memories. She will especially live on in her daughter "Noula". It is so hard to lose your Mom, but theirs was a special bond. There will be an emptiness in Joanne's life, those of us that have lost parent's know that pain, but Joanne's will be even larger. It will be up to us, her family and friends, to help her through this. So, even though we are hurting, ourselves, we need be there for Joanne, even if she thinks we don't need to be. We will get through this the Greek way, together!

I'm telling you, it sucks getting older!!

FAMILY GATHERINGS (Laura Eggebrecht)

Family Gatherings - they bring happiness and cheer . . . moments of precious memory's to hold within and remember the following year, and years to come.
Family Gatherings - are for those who live at a distance . . . to bring that closeness, and warmth contentment.
Family Gatherings - have many smiling faces.
Playful children dancing all around . . . as if an outside play ground. Family gatherings - brings forth that social communication. Updating to present life situations.
Family gatherings - for those precious moments being shared - making beautiful memories of reminiscing being shared.
Family gatherings . . . pus forth that smile and song in heart . . . bring us together, not so far apart.
Family Gatherings.

Easter was WONDERFUL!!! It was emotional, but great at the same time. I'm glad I got to spend time with everyone.

LOVE TO MY FAMILY, CLOSE AND FAR

♥♥♥♥♥♥

FRIENDS

Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you don't say.

A good friend is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with, never say a word, and walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

We all take different paths in life but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere .

True friendship isn't being inseparable, it's being separated & nothing changes.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Deborah (Pearsall) Marino and her husband Joe took some "me" time and took a trip to Florida. I got a call yesterday morning, early . . .when you think only bad news comes, WHY do we think that?!? Anyway, it wasn't bad news, it was good news, Deborah and Joe where "driving through" Cape Coral that day, and wanted to see me. What a fantastic phone call!!! We made arrangements, and I was able to take a real long lunch, and we got together. They got to meet Kenny, which I never realized, they never had. We, of course, went to a great local Greek restaurant, and ate and ate and ate, OPA!!! As anyone who knows Joe and Deborah, knows they will adapt right in to the situation! We spent a great time eating and talking and visiting. They had to move on to getting over to her family on the east coast, so we soon had to part. It was, however, a wonderful visit!!! Chronologically, it only lasted 3 hours, but in our hearts I know it will last forever.

Most all my true friends are still my friends from high school, and there have been many miles and years between our get togethers, but that doesn't matter with us, our friendships are still, even not even more, strong.

I want to thank Deborah and Joe for that great diversion, and just let all that call me friend, how happy I am that you do.

Chrise's Christmas Vacation!

I was so fortunate to be able to travel to see all my family over the holidays! I flew into VA where Stefanie and Christopher picked me up from the airport, and we (Stef) drove to PA. Poor thing, she was driving in terrible driving rain or thick fog . . . she's a trooper!! We got to PA in time for this awesome pizza Pete and Alexis had ordered (only in Philly!!). The real prize of the trip was seeing Samantha, she's such a sweetheart. By the end of the evening, Nicole and Justin were there, and even my cousin Evelyn and her GEM of a husband Gerry had come in from NY. It was just a nice night filled with family, love and LOTS of laughter!!

Next day was Samantha's 1st Birthday!!! What a loved child! The house was full of people; Pete's family, us, even my other cousin from NY with my Aunt and more second cousins! It was such a great day of love and laughter!!

Next day, with much better weather, we (Stef, Christopher, and I) drove back down to VA. We no sooner got into town, the rest of the VA BCH family came over Stef's house. Again, great to see everyone and spend another evening full of love, joy, and, yeah . . . more laughter!!

I get very sad being so far away, but I am SO grateful that I get the chance to spend such quality time with everyone.

Love you all!!!

Ok, here in Florida, we don't get the cold weather, or we can wish all we want, we are NOT going to have a White Christmas, but don't let that fool you . . . we still do Christmas!! Right now our end of our street looks like the Griswold family has all come to town. We've got our neighbors across the street that actually start decorating for Christmas before the Thanksgiving dishes are cleared from the table! We also have the poor guy next to them that just keeps hanging up lights and Christmas decorations, daily (we believe just to escape from what's going on inside his house)!! Next to him, with the utmost of dignity, we have the couple that strategically hangs a very nice thought out, tasteful, display each year. Across from them, we have the new neighbors, who (my kind of people) decorate for every holiday!! They've got pink flamingos with Santa hats on, flashing lights, a whole array of decorations. Then we have the poor recently married fireman across the street that had the fortune(?) to marry a girl with a young daughter. This year, not only does he have Frosty, spiral trees, and lights on the palm trees (we do that here), he's added icicle lights to the entire house and flashing snowflakes in the front window, all to the young girls delight!! He and Kenny "Bah Hum Bug" together when they know people are watching. However, secretly, we KNOW they are loving it!!

Then there is the Felton house, which in recent years gets decorated due the shame the neighbors used to put us through, and the fact that Kenny installed outside electric! Through the years, between discards from the condo where we work, Dollar General, and Walgreen's (we are high-end, aren't we?) we accumulated quite a stash. Now, the weekend after Thanksgiving, Kenny goes out and turns into Clark Griswold. The lights get strung on the bushes, the spiral trees go up, the lighted angel gets plugged in, and the reindeer get placed (this year, with one facing his butt to the street, but that's another blog, I guess). Now the crowning glory is not any pink flamingos, we are not allowed to have them (too tacky), no, instead, our crowning glory is a MERRY CHRISTMAS sign that lights up and hangs in our middle front window!!

HO! HO! HO!