Paying Tribute to a 60 Year Old Marriage

Who doesn't love an old fashioned wedding? I certaintly did, 60 yrs ago when I was a flower girl in my Aunt and Uncle's wedding at age 5. Now, at age 65, I am toasting them to 60 years of an incredible marriage filled with five children and all the grandchildren, an extraordinary career of my Uncle Charley with art, art design that spanned space travel to political cartoons for a newspaper to to freelance work to working with Hanna Barbara to luxurious paintings. My Aunt was the stay-at-home, raise the kids Mom, but got her Real Estate license in 1976 and continues to use it! She is a wonderful Auntie to us all.

Just a personal backstory to reflect on. My Aunt held me from birth, watched me grow every step of my journey, then when Uncle came, he became my stand up comedic surprise and when necessary, taskmaster while we all lived on the farm in New Jersey. Later, when we all moved to California, I watched their home being built from bottom up in Orange County and then would stay with them on occasion while my Aunt tried to teach me how to sew. Sorry Aunt Sara, I still failed high school sewing! The logistics escaped me. After I married and carried my one and only child, I found myself traveling to open up Cardiac Rehab centers up and down the coast. I was seriously pregnant and would stay with my Aunt and Uncle on occasion again. I remember settling into a beach home they rented for a while in Newport Beach and the cousins who I adored, catered to me while we ate crab and walked the sand. So many other memories of my Aunt and Uncle and their children have colored my life which play back in my memory for comfort and ease.

Now we hold ceremony ( literally) for the Aunt and Uncle while they renew their vows in their eighties, still hopping on a dance floor despite crickety joints, while their oldest and dearest friends applaud them and toast them and speak so reverently about their relationships.

Nephews, nieces, first and second cousins, in-laws and children and grandchildren were there. Aunt Sara's oldest sibling, my Mom, sat at the honorary table. We watched with awe while a soon-to-be-son-in-law displayed a slideshow of their lives.

A life so full, still so, with Choir at Church every week, traveling abroad, involved in charity work, concerts and Philharmonic Orchestration events, baseball games for the young and graduations too many to count, keeps them alive and on point.

Later in life, what is there left? Not possessions, but caring for and being cared for in a quiet and peaceful ambience so that each minute is savored. Their faith and love for each other binds them.

It was a grand tribute we were blessed to be a part of.

Now the pictures:

Uncle Charley who personifies the title Dapper Dan

Aunt Sara and Uncle Charley Adamo renewing vows



Dr. Charles Adamo Jr. making a tribute to his parents

Harper Wilkerson, 3 mos old twin of Hudson

Christy and Tim Wilkerson parents



Mike Navarro nephew-in-law there with whole family

Tim, proud father of twins

left to right: Jay, son-in-law, Rosanne, daughter, Mary Ellen Szabo, niece and Phil Szabo nephew-in-law

Mom, surprised I snapped the photo, Sister of Aunt Sara

Donna, my baby sis, and niece of Aunt and Uncle

Donna and Aunt Sara

My bro, Dr. Phil Convertino and his wonderful love, Debbie

DJ and the dancers

My sis Mare and dancers

Beautiful Erica, Rosanne's daughter, Aunt Sara and grandchild Carly who is now an R.N. working!

Dr.Larry and I enjoying the party

God Blesses you and yours dear Aunt and Uncle!

You are an inspiration of abiding love!

Brother Phil's 60th Surprise Birthday!

This is my Bro who I watched grow up from high chair to baseball field to his Chiropractic graduation. He married, had a beautiful child and went through the trials of life, loving and losing loved ones and things dear to his heart. Now at age 60 he is renewing his life, fit as a fiddle and concentrating on all the parts meaningful and fulfilling. There is a new woman in his life and a grown up (21 years) daughter, and including in his circle among his brothers and sisters, nephews, nieces and in-laws, is another family that adores him. So it is fitting and proper to surprise our Phil on his special day -- in a back room of a Mexican restaurant on Cinco de Mayo!

 

Me, Phil and Debbie

The big entrance

Sis Cathy and Phil having a hugging moment

Nika and Uncle Phil

Larry and Phil

Debbie and her girls on both ends and Johanah, Phil's daughter in the center

Mary Ellen and daughter Lea

Donna and brother Phil

Johanah and boyfriend Tyler who is in the Navy. Great guy!

Toasting to the Bro!

Getting silly with the Mexican birthday song.

Happy Daughter, Happy Dad.





The Matter of Clothes

I have a bone to pick. It is bad enough our clothes mostly are made in China, Vietnam or in some gawd forsaken sweat shop, but now it is a matter of finding 100% cotton. This takes us to the realization of our farmlands and how the clothes industry has dismissed the breathability and health of cotton, instead opting to produce the petroleum saturated synthetic fabrics. And how do you feel with those fabrics on your body on a hot day in the city?

We can all thank God for the online purchasing power but yet, even online our available purchases are nill. I spent a good portion of a day just searching for one thing. It could be comfortable, wide width sandals with toe enclosures to protect my fragile toenails or it could be cotton nightgowns. It could be cotton tops that do not mimic a European housekeeper with a babouska or it could be cotton crop pants that has a little spandex. Forget about linen. Although linen is a true commodity long lost to the era's of the past. Linen is made from flax. I found some beautiful cotton tops ranging in prices I dare not repeat that would shock you into the next century. These brands come with an entitlement and a price that goes up into the high hundreds every year. That statement alone should give us pause.

The synthetic fabrics are toxic to our skin, our body. Polyester has reigned supreme now in all stores and especially plus size departments. There is no draw there for me. I used to shop the clearance rack at Nordstroms and that is a tragedy now. They have gone to polyester hell. Let me expound on the negative effects of polyester. They are unsaturated resins. Normally you would find these resins in sheet molding compounds, wall panels reinforced with fiberglass and in the toner of laser printers. Polyester resins are flammable. The care of those resins are done with gloves and a chemical respirator. That is the backstory.
http://www.ehow.com/about_6504388_polyester-respiratory-breathing-problems.html
The above link came to my attention.

Is your bedroom making you sick? That was another headline related to polyester brands of sheets. I buy 100% cotton sheets. This is where you lay your body 8 plus hours a day! Now I have since learned that even cotton is mostly treated with pesticides and the goal is to find organic cotton sheets. I know Company Store does have them online or in catalog. Virtually all bed sheets that say "easy care" and crease resistant and perma press are treated with formaldehyde.

Polyester fabrics when thrown away, will just sit in the dump and never breakdown. That got my attention! All that soft fleece polyester that is so cheap on the dollar is actually recycled plastic bottles. Patagonia brand is a scheme on that. They tout eco friendly but it is recycled polyester!
Any man made fabric is made from petrochemicals and contains plastics. It is finished off with formaldehydes. This has always been a concern of eco-friendly advocates, let alone health experts. Be mindful that alot of polyester fabrics are now blended with some cotton and you can be fooled. Wool presents another problem: organophosphate via sheep dip.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2860731.stm
Organophosphates, which are used in sheep dip, have been linked to excessive tiredness, headaches, limb pains, disturbed sleep, poor concentration, mood changes, and suicidal thoughts.

The chemicals are also at the centre of controversy over the mysterious illness suffered by veterans of the 1991 Gulf War.


My goal is to find organic cotton growers for fabrics that do not use pesticides. Also bamboo clothing is anti-microbial. Hemp clothing is making a revival. You can find at the HEMP store, Clothing works, Hemp Trading Company.

Rayon commonly called viscose, is made from cellulose which comes from plants. However, because of the wood pulp of the eucalyptus trees draws up alot of water, the wood pulp is treated with hazardous chemicals like caustic soda and sulphuric acid.

We can get all fired up about eco-friendly products and yet forget to put natural fibers on our body in the form of clothes or shoes on our feet. We can survive the onslaught of this synthetic race to create more havoc in our bodies with chemicals IF we get smarter.

Bettye Cart

The Shadow does not hold

sway yet not over you,

not over me.

Elvish Lang

Lord of the Rings

End of 2012

I am remiss in getting back to this blog because I had to learn and re-learn certain technical elements since Picasa web albums are now my storage unit. I finally sorted all the jibber jabber chaos to codify my already stored pictures into a new album so I could post the image on my blog. If it weren't for all the troubleshooting forums and help centers ( which one needs help to figure out the help centers) I wouldn't be able to share so here goes everyone while I catch you 'all up.

Christmas took a detour this year - a round about way to connect since Sister Cath and family took off to a deliriously happy adventure through Italy.



We lived vicariously through their undaunting trip from delayed starts, missed flights and circadian rhythms off as they landed in Paris to Rome to Florence Tuscany then on to Venice to ring in the new year. The slideshows helped us feel the spirit of not just Christmas in Europe but their embracing of it.

The kids on break from college and work had one blast after another. Cathy made sure they checked off historical sights and museums on the long list. They ate their way into holiday oblivion. Just to mention, I am forever indebted to my sister for carrying from Rome to Florence to Venice to Paris to LAX a most delicious, still fresh and soft, a baked panettone from the shops of Rome. The big hat box was not even dented. I can imagine the care it took at every stop. Thats real love folks.

Our favorite and only son Jason arrived by train on Christmas day and we spent the hours before we joined the rest of the family at Mom's.

Let's all just give thanks that our flu bug and coughing is now at rest and we have crazy beach weather of cold, rain and fog this January 2013.

Thanksgiving Reunion 2012

Friday, November 23 was our appointed day at Clubhouse #3 in Laguna Woods. Mom couldn't capture the very Thanksgiving day so she opted for second best. It was the same banquet room we used for Dad's 90th birthday and one other Thanksgiving a while back. It had the big restaurant size kitchen and all the tables and chairs. We settled for the room.

We also decided to do a reunion with Aunt Sara and Uncle Charley's side of the family who we love and cannot gather with unless there is a wedding or funeral, so we had extra joy to celebrate about. Food was over-plentiful and desserts glared back. A tipsy of wine and appetizers and alot of standing around. By the time we settled into our chairs we piled on obscene amounts of turkey, potato puff, stuffing, cranberry sauce, yams, vegetables, sausage and peppers, pasta ( two kinds), salad. butternut squash and extras. If I were to rate the best of the best on the main food line I would say potato puff, my gourmet stuffing ( Bobby Flay I bow to you), and the salads. I loved the yam casserole as well. Mom's caponata was the main event at the appetizer table and a famous artichoke dip. Mare's carrot soup in the crockpot was a humongous hit.

The event pulled off by Mare was an event. She decorated in harvest colors and the kitchen was swarming with hands washing and preparing. I counted 34 people but I could be missing some. Not all could be present.
Some of the pics below:

I plant Mary Ellen's smiling face first since she was the creator and coordinator of the event. She was a veteran for decades serving the Szabo clan in their huge events. Natch. She was the one.

Mom, our matriarch was shuttled over to the clubhouse to oversee the family. Here she is cuddling to her son, Frank, our Bro.

The next wise and wonderful is Aunt Conny, who lives in our lives. My Larry, the honorable Dr. Larry, sits close.

Dr. Phil, our Bro arrived with wine in hand. He is 59 yrs young. I stare at his youthful appearance and know he received the genes we all wished for.

Time to honor the generations in this picture. Uncle Charley, in the middle, who is now inching towards 86 yrs old, still culturally and musically in the zone, an avid enthusiast of critical thinking, and the arts. His constant love of painting keep him forever young and we bow to his genius. To the right, my old and constant cyber friend and brother in laughable crime is Jack Tulanian, cousin Sandy's spouse. Yes, the story goes I knew Jack before Sandy did. They brought forth a precious daughter Amari, bright and beautiful. To the left, is Donna, my baby sis who is forever dancing and on stage whether in a theater or not. Her youthful appearance says there is hope for a Convertino after 50.

Nice pic of three generations. Aunt Sara to the right is the last of the sisters trio. She is into life and all it can offer saying her social calendar is full to the brim! Maria her middle daughter, my cousin stands behind her graciously beautiful daughter Sara. Sara is married with two gorgeous children, Michael (6) and Maddy ( 4). Both children eagerly came to all of us, unknowingly and hugged us. That speaks volumes of how family is prioritized in her parental teachings. Sara announced she is pregnant with her third baby. Yea!

Nadine, a consummate Mom and wife, is recovering from her October back surgery. She is doing well and her son, Tim standing here is making sure she does not overdo. Beautiful boy. Tall like his Dad. Nadine is our precious gem in our family.

The boys, er, uhm, the Men. Attorney Tim Peabody is center, Nadine's hubby, and to the right, Jay Bagnall, Rosanne's sweetheart. Mike Navarro to the left, still surfing and working out and getting younger with Dr. Larry's help.

Here is our Ro. Aunt Sara's daughter, Jay's wife and mother to three of the kids who could not make the event, Erica, Jamie and family and Bren. Rosanne is one of those people who can do anything and make it look easy. She was Mare's right hand in the kitchen.

Cathy my sis center and to the right Appelusa, Jason's longtime GF and Jason , my son, to the left. Appelusa teaches skating and does photography (head shots for young actors) and Jason well, you name it. Artistic endeavors, directing, editing, scriptwriting and recently, architectural renderings for a huge sculpture. All of his aspirations are shooting stars.

Cathy's kids. Dean to the left, home from Chapman University and had just finished his soccer season. Gina, home from freshman year at San Diego State as a coxsain on Crew. She is loving college but can't wait to cook again with Aunt Bettye. Marc, the man is following the same track as Dad, Mike. He is involved with Commercial real estate work. Warms all of our hearts to have them with us together. We are loving their company so much.

Okay, okay. Someone else took this picture of me, Jason and Appel.  Here I am flushed from the heat, hair curling infinitum.

The kids table. Nika, my niece on the left, Amari, my cousin next to her ( Sandy and Jack's child) and the far two on the right, Kelly and Matt, Nadine and Tim's kids. Adorable! Nika has a serious bond with Amari and they so love each other.

Marc and Lea. Lea is Mare and Phil's oldest daughter. Jenna could not make it but Councilman-to-be-Matt stopped in for some dinner. I am remiss with a picture of him but check out my past blogs to see him.

Newcomers to my blog! Chris on the left, who is the love of cousin Maria's life, a good man and happy to have him in our family. Jesse on the right is the proud Papa of Maddy, Michael and baby X, Sara's ( Maria's daughter) hubby.

Cousins in a row. Phil Szabo in the background, Mare's husband, then Ro, Mare and Cathy at the stove preparing the food.


Now we are faced with digestive enzymes, naps and slow moving activities to help counter the meal. Maybe the idea of a Black Friday is, lights out! Blackout! However, in its final hour, we gave thanks to all of us with the glorious prayerful words of Phil, those here and departed, especially for JoLynn's Dad passing and Tim's Dad passing, oddly on the same day. I missed a picture with JoLynn, but here is one from a month ago.

JoLynn, Frank's wife is a blessed one in our family. Her compassion, love and courage is exemplary. Frank and Jo came alone as Joey and Katie, Katie and Drew were in Tennessee starting their life and Christy, pregnant with twins, and Tim had another commitment to Tim's Mom.