Peg’s Journal

Our week and weekend was very busy and emotional….filled with both sad and happy events. I really want to thank everyone for your heartfelt emails and comments after my post about Nathan. It’s been such a crazy week/weekend, and if you haven’t gotten a response back from me, you will.

Saturday, we took the kiddies shoe shopping and to lunch, then ran some errands before Nathan’s Viewing. We got to see many relatives (who flew in from the East Coast). As well as meet new family members (lil’ Zoe and baby Robert). Afterwards, Aric, the kiddies, and I had a late dinner with the in-laws at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Fullerton.

CONGRATULATIONS to my bro-in-law and his new wife!
Sunday, Patrick and Karen got married. The ceremony and reception was soooooo beautiful and breathtaking. They never followed the traditional route when it came to wedding planning. From the invitation, wedding website, ceremony, reception, and slideshow/movie…everything had a humorous and personal touch. I loved it! And I love them!

For Aric, who rarely talks to his brother (they share an odd brother-relationship), I know it was a very proud and joyous occassion for him.

During the slideshow/movie, we sat at the bar for a better view of the screen. The bartender had some fun with the girls and hooked ‘em up with drinks (soda water)…and Aric got some fun pictures. I had to put them in a separate album because I didn’t want anyone to report me to Social Services. HAHAHA!

Oooh, and I almost forgot…we got to meet Adam Watts! He’s a close friend of Patrick, and a songwriter who does quite a bit of work with the Disney family (Everlife, Aly & AJ, etc…)…and Ashlyn’s favorite – JESSE McCARTNEY!…that’s HUGE!!!

All in all, we’ve been on an emotional roller coaster…high, low, high, low…with me crying all the way. I’m physically and emotionally drained….plus I still have a lingering cold that flares up on certain days. It’s weird. Both kids are runny and coughing, too. *sigh*

For Summer’s party, I spent the most time preparing caramel apples. Poor Summer practically spent her birthday (Friday) ALL BY HERSELF ALL DAY…with me checking in on her every so often through the child safety gate.
The recipe is easy enough, but not so much when you’re making 36 apples. Anyhow, the apples turned out awesome, and I’d thought I’d share the recipe.

INGREDIENTS:
- wooden craft sticks
- 6 large Granny Smith apples
- 1-1/4 (14 ounce) packages individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
- 2 tablespoons and 1-1/4 teaspoons water
- 1/2 pound chocolate candy bar, broken into pieces (or semi sweet chocolate chips)
- 2 tablespoons shortening
- 1 cup and 3 tablespoons colored candy coating melts

DIRECTIONS:
1. Wash apples with veggie wash or bring a large pot of water to a boil, and dip apples into boiling water briefly to remove any wax that may be present.
Wipe dry and set aside to cool. Insert sticks into the apples through the cores. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and coat with cooking spray.
2. Place the unwrapped caramels in a heatsafe bowl over a pot of boiling water. Lower heat to simmer or turn off altogether avoiding overheating. Add water and stir until caramel is melted and smooth. Hold apples by the stick, and dip into the caramel to coat. Set on waxed paper and refrigerate for about 15 minutes to set.
3. Heat the chocolate with shortening in a heatsafe bowl over a pot of boiling water, using the same process until melted and smooth. Dip apples into the chocolate to cover the layer of caramel. Return to the waxed paper to set.
4. Melt the candy melts in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Use a fork or wooden stick/chopstick to flick colored designs onto your apples for a finishing touch. Refrigerate until set, overnight is even better.

Adding the finishing touch (flicking of candy) was so much fun…but it was the messiest. I got candy on the wall, the counter, the floor, my hair, my shirt…basically everywhere! HAHA! I found out that instead of flicking the melted candy onto the apples (on wax paper), it’s best to place each apple in the middle of a large mixing bowl then fling away!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sweet, EM!
wishing you lots of love, hugs, and pampering on your special day!

Summer’s birthday weekend was great…*YAWN*..but I’m so tired. I’ve gotten an average of 5 hours of sleep a night since Thursday (the longest being Sunday night of 6 hours).

Friday night highlights:
- dinner and Chuck E Cheese for Summer with my father-in-law and Netty

Saturday highlights:
- a trip to the Farmer’s Market at UCI
- Em’s birthday dinner at M-Grill
- party prepping with Wil till 3am

Sunday highlights:
- Summer’s birthday party, Greg’s act, water fountains, lots of pictures, and wonderful friends
- Mother’s Day dinner with Brian, Grace, Sue, and the kiddies

Planning and prepping for Summer’s party took a lot out of me (a carnival theme and junk food complete with hot dogs, hot links, sausages, nachos, cotton candy, kettle corn, and caramel apples). Luckily, her party was a success and I’m really relieved it’s over. *whew!*

Birthday parties have evolved since I was a kid. Growing up, we didn’t have much money nor did we have many parties…but when we did, we there were no games, prizes, or favors. We had some soda, chips, cake, and maybe ice cream. We’d invite some school friends, chinese-school friends, and some neighborhood friends over. We ran amuck (indoor and out)…and I remember it being SOOOO MUCH FUN!

I feel like the caliber of planning/prepping for a birthday party, nowadays, is comparable to a small wedding…or at least in the area where we live. You have to consider themes, food, decorations, games/entertainment, and favors.
And kiddies are hard to impress too! Case in point – after our pinata got busted open, I watched in disbelief as the children picked through what they wanted and tossed back what they didn’t. Aren’t you supposed to grab as much as you can as fast as you can and stuff ‘em into your bag?!
In the end, Aric told Ashlyn to pick up everything left on the ground and put it in her bag, which she replied, “but I don’t want those.” *hrmph!*

THANK YOU to all our friends who took time away from their mothers on Mother’s Day to celebrate with us. A special THANKS to Tony, Wing, Em, and Wil who came down from NorCal to be with us. *HUGS TO ALL!*

(with Nathan and Eleanor at William’s birthday BBQ)

Eleanor told me that Nathan passed away from cardiac arrest this morning. I was in complete shock (still am)….he was 6 months shy of his 39th birthday.
I just saw him a couple of weeks ago, when we celebrated William’s 9th birthday, at the park.:cry:

Aric’s cousin, Eleanor and Nathan (her husband), are down-to-earth people who are generous, thoughtful, kind and patient. They made me feel like part of the family from the moment I met them (which was before Aric and I got married), and I’ve grown close to them through the years…particularly with Eleanor, as we meet every Wednesday for lunch. She has become my trusted friend, confidant, and spiritual role model.

I cried for Eleanor and William’s pain and loss. I cried because Nathan was so young. I cried because William is so young. I cried because it’s so unfair. I cried because I was reminded at how fragile life is, and how often I take things for granted. I cried thinking that it could happen to anyone of us at any moment, and the thought of my own kiddies without a mother or father. I cried for reasons I can’t even put into words. I just cried and cried.

I don’t think I handle death well….and it seems to get worse the older I get.

Tonight, we went to visit Eleanor and William. The mere sight of them nearly made me burst into a total sobbing fit. I’m so glad I didn’t. They are so strong. Eleanor spoke matter-of-factly about what happened, the 911 call, and the aftermath. William silently nodded along.

I’m so sad. Nathan was a great husband, father, and friend. He will be sorely missed.