POOR JUDE! "Puppa just giving you a HUG!" I don't get it- I think it must be the size, but how funny is it! Notice the cute little short ensemble Jude's Auntie Jill got him!

Here is Heather (naked) posing with Jude at the kiddy pool at my Dad's. Heather is imitating Jude, who pants like a dog. It's probably just as well. Jude doesn't know what quite to make of a naked girl- like most men, Jude sits with his mouth open- befuddled.

Detroit Joe Puppa Dog is by Heather's side at all times, even when she's sleeping. She was snoozing in the back of the car and instead of sticking his snout out the window, Pup's jumped in the back to snuggle her car seat. Gotta love him!


Well, summer makes me lazy: if it's not the heat, it's the rain. I still have to finish one of my school projects from last school session. I'm hoping to finish that tomorrow while at work. I have enclosed more pictures of the past couples of weeks, such as my volunteer opportunity with the Coalition on Donation, which is now DONATE LIFE AMERICA, or if you live in Florida- DONE VIDA AMERICA!

That's all for now!

here is a picture of Courtney and baby Shay in Florida. Shay definitely has Court's eyes- perhaps we'll finally get an idea of what Court's natural hair color is- just kidding. I'm not sure why the image came out so small, but I'm at work so we won't push it.

This would be funny for my autopsy- huh! Thanks to Jill Peter for thinking of me. It seems Copa Cabana will be my legacy, not that I mind! More later- I just got more pictures!

SORRY SO LONG....


It's been a little while since I have blogged and my loyal readers have been gravely disappointed at the lack of consistency so I will try to make up for it with this entry.

I opted not to take classes this summer. I found myself to be drained and I owe Northeastern almost $3K because of the error in my financial aid when I got the kidney- yes, six months later and there is still no resolution.

We've been experiencing a lot of rain here this June so I am still pale, though I guess I should be avoiding the sun anyway since kidney recipients are like 10 times more likely to get skin cancer than other transplants. I have been concentrating on organizing my life and putting things in perspective. I am so lucky to have so many friends and family. I just celebrated my 29th birthday (6/17: thanks to those who remembered) and 30 will really be a highpoint- I never in a million years thought I would live this long. Yippee! Though my stomach has been off- the doctors told me malabsorption is worsened by my antirejection medicine so basically I will just have to deal.

In the meantime, Carrie got a new doggy- Gizmo, an Apricot toy poodle the same as Scooter. He is very cute as you will see. My dad had a cookout on Father's day and Heather and Jude had some fun in the pool. Kevin took me to Isaac's on my birthday and we sat on the deck- a nice date. My mom watched Heather and when we got home, Heather was still awake- I guess Deb was having too much fun to put her to bed.

Wedding season is growing closer. Scott and Audrey came by and asked if I would do a reading at their wedding in September- sure! I presented them with the Blue Shirt Chronicles scrapbook, as Scott was very fond of his blue gingham shirt and has sported it at every family outing for the past two years.

Well, that's about it for now- enjoy the pictures!

Rest in Peace Scooter

Poor Carrie. She was driving with Scooter and he jumped out the window and was hit by another car. He died. Carrie has been hysterical and her life is in upheaval with the move, worries about the surgery, and now this loss. She seems to be getting a lot of support from her aunt and her family. He brother even came up to help her move and her aunt had a burial for Scootie. My mom is pretty upset too. She loved him and would always walk him. She treated him just like he was her own grandpuppy. Carrie cam eto Kevin's to visit and she seemed very rational about the grief process and getting life back to normal. She wants to get another pup just like Scooter. I think that is a good idea. I don't what I would do if Detroit was gone. I feel sure I would need some strong medication. Pets are like children and I wouldn't have survived 2004 and 2005 without my boy, Detroit Joe Puppa Dog.
All dogs go to Heaven...

My dear friend Jenn Cross, who you may recall from earlier musings, is living in Barcelona and endeavouring to become an international media mogul. She, with the help of friends and her boyfriend Marcus, have started a free cultural newsweekly based on Barcelonian culture- muy interesante- it is in English. Please visit her site:
www. bcnweekly.com

More tomorrow...

Okay- here are the pictures as promised. I didn't think I would get so much use out of my flash drive but with moving and using so many pictures it has been wonderful.

This is the one and only baby Jude. He is a happy and healthy baby and boy has my brtoher Chris grown up since his birth in October. He looks like Chris from the eyes up and Tiggy, who's is gracefully beautiful in an understated way from the nose down- lucky for him, Jude may not have the Fraccalossi snoz. Jude weighs about as much as Heather and according to Nonna Anne has been panting like a dog. Too cute.


This is Heather palying with Mandy's hair as Dr. Rushforth looks on. Mandy got a kick out of telling Heather to say "Jill Bad Driver".

This is baby Elise, daughter of my cousin Kristin Galletti. She was born May 2nd.

I should get extra points for blogging twice! Until next time...

I am working at self-storage today to cover for Deb Savastano. It's been a quiet day- I haven't had one person come in. Instead, I did a resume for a girl my mom's works with- it's a nice side business I have going and it passes the time. I have 2 classes (2 weeks) until summer session begins and I can't believe how quickly it has gone. I am exhausted. Something about working and gettin gup early and driving- perhaps even the rain for the last week has taken an effect on me.
The rain brought sadness this week. Mike Galletti, Darryl's cousin, was found dead the day after Mother's Day. He was supposed to pick up his wife Claire from the airport, as she was in California visiting her children for the holiday. As I was told, Mike was supposed to pick him up but never showed. His son Randy went over to the house and found him dead. Everyone assumes it was a heart attack, but being that no one was there and that he was a mere 59 years old- he was taken for an autopsy. The services are this weekend. I am hoping I can leave for a bit on Saturday so that I can go to the service. Truly a testament to celebrate each day.

GALLETTI Michael Anthony, age 59, of Plymouth, died unexpectedly at his home on May 15, 2006, he was the devoted husband of Claire E. (Mantenuto) Galletti of Plymouth. Loving father of Randy Galletti and his fiancee Anita Daniels of Kingston, Shaine Galletti of RI, Janine Maker and her husband Robert of Halifax and Bonnie Mangini and her husband Michael of Quincy. He was the beloved stepfather of Matthew Bergman and his wife Gretchen of Santa Monica, CA and Diana Bergman of San Francisco, CA. He was the cherished grand- father of Alexandra, Kelly, Zackary and Kyle. The Funeral will take place on Saturday morn ing at 9:15 from the Cartmell Funeral Home, 150 Court St., Plymouth, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Church in No. Plym outh at 10:00 a.m. Friends may call at the Cartmell Funeral Home on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Interment will be in Vine Hills Cemetery, Plymouth, MA. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701-4680

Since I have been so wrapped up in things I missed Kara's visit to Lexington- I'm sorry Momma! Additionally, yesterday was Courtney's birthday. I will see her this weekend and hopefully make it up to her when I go to Shay's baptism on Sunday. New beginnings and endings....
I am still moving my stuff into Kevin's. I have one room that he allocated to my junk. I still have stuff at my mom's in storage, at Chapel Hill and in his basement. It's going to take me a while to get settled and unpacked. It has been good so far. I wake up to a little voice saying I love you Jill in the morning or I overhear "Jill sleepin', Puppa sleepin'". Heather has taken to calling my mother Gramma after hearing me talk to the dog with Gramma as reference to my mom. She also goes around the house saying Dahwryl and BIGD, BIGD. I wish he could hear it, certainly that would brighten his day. Heather is also picking up Jill mannerisms- such as flipping her hair, her new words are shopping shoes shopping mall. I know she didn't get that from Kevin. Although she did pick up a scratch ticket from the ground and say money- that is more likely to be from Kevin. They have both brought a lot of joy to my life and I definitely feel alive.
Next time, pictures!

Well, it seems that the beginning of May has come and gone before my very eyes. Here we are in the middle. School has been keeping me busy. I had another altercation with the little middle eastern boy at the Disability Resource Center who chastised me for taking notes for Steve, the deaf man. The note coordinator had not responded by Tuesday and I figured I better take notes for Steve, rahter than have him go without. I took exemplary, neat notes for all 4 hours of class. When I went to the DRC to have them copied and delivered to the man, Ammis, the middle eastern prick, told me these notes are not authorized. You can't just take notes - you are not yet approved. I explained that the note lady hadn't gotten back to me. He told me that taking notes unauthorized was the equivalent of doing a job which you are not hired for (after all there wasn't an I-9 on file, perhaps, Ammis had an issue with this as the likelihood he was na international student is high, clearly, I am a citizen). He told me that it was Steve's problem, once again and that he was going to follow rules and not copy the notes. I told Ammis that the money was no longer the point, I just wanted the man to get his notes- I must have repeated this a million times. Finally, a girl stepped in and offered to copy the notes and have the coordinator handle the situation.

My stomach has been malabsorbing more frequently indicating that the pancreas is probably truly needed and my diabetes is growing more insulin resistant. I try to keep it in balance and cheat only once a week with sweets. But since I got he kidney, I have a sweet tooth.

Mandy was homer for her dad's birthday and it was great to see her! Perhaps a baby is in her near future...no, not yet. She adopted a kitten for her dad and was teaching Heather to say "Jill Bad Driver"- which, really I am not!!! Heather really took to Mandy and has been saying "Mandy coming, Mandy coming" since she met her.

Kevin, Heather and I went to my dad's house for Jude and Heather to play and to make official introductions. My brother Chris and Tiggy were there and they really are good parents to Jude, who is beautiful and healthy, all I could wish for him. According to my stepmother Anne, Kevin is a good egg, which is a good thing. I have known this all along of course. Careful not to repeat mistakes.

I other news my cousin Kristin had her baby on May 2nd: Elise Shirley Majca. She is adorable and I will post pictures as soon as I have my computer on track- I can't reall save pictures to the work computer. ( But all this typing really makes me look busy on camera!)

I want to give my thanks to those who point out when I am slack at blogging for keeping me on track. I am so lucky to have a troupe of committed friends.
Mini storage has been pretty quiet this weekend, as Plymouth has been fully engulfed in deluge conditions. It's a good day to nap, which I would if I wasn't on camera here all the time.

That's all for now...more SOON!

I volunteered to be notetaker for a deaf man in my Strategies class and I brought my notes to the Disability Resource Center to fill out paperwork. They asked for volunteers to take notes to accommodate the student and in return you get paid $10 and hour, $40 a class you are already taking notes for anyway. I was very disturbed by the whole experience. First of all, they thought my notes maybe too messy. They asked for a notetaker mid-class and I had no idea I was being judged. Secondly, I looked into what services were available to me-lung/kidney transplant girl and I discovered that I could get a tuition waiver for classes I had to withdraw from. When I inquired at the reception desk about the process, this kid didn't know the half of it and kept telling me to go to the website and about how I had to register first, so on, so forth. So what's the point of the office if everything is web-based? Clearly, the office is designed for undergraduate students- asking that you register 3 months before arrival on campus- uh hello, it will be three months practically until I graduate. Northeastern does not have a medical withdrawal policy and has this option, but in my struggle to get the tuition situation cleared up, wouldn't someone have suggested this? Instead, they took $3000 out of my loan to pay for classes I was enrolled to be taking but couldn't because I was in the midst of surgery! BAHUMBUG!
I am working at mini storage, as I do every Saturday and while my mom usually stops down to bring me lunch and chat with me at my solitary post, Kevin and Heather filled in today. While I am quite attached to Kevin, I am even more attached to little Heather, who ran up to me with arms open to pick her up. My mom and I are teaching her to blow kisses. Kevin brought me a sub and Mt. Dew- such a lifesaver. He is watching Puppa and A-scootie, as Heather calls Scooter, while I am working because 9 hours is a long time to go without a pee/poop break for anyone, even a dog. I am prepping kevin to meet the Rushforths and my dad tomorrow, perhaps if my dad isn't golfing. I brought Heather to play with big baby Jude on Friday. Juse loved her. He is 6months old and is bigger than Heather. Jude is a very happy baby, giggling and smiling and Anne keeps him so stimulated that even I was tired. Jude kept trying to touch Heather, was cooing at her and was following her around in his wheely walker thing. She hitched a ride on the back- she's no fool. Jude just really can't steer. I have a picture I will upload later.

First let me note that my divorce is final- the 90 days have passed and that chapter of my life is over. A new chapter is starting and despite those who caution me about taking things too quickly, I want to say that I am keeping that in the front of my mind as things progress- progress nicely.With Mandy home this weekend, and the girls around, not to mention the Rushforth seal of dis/approval, we will certainly get a new perspective. I am thinking of taking Heather to see my nephew Jude tomorrow at Anne's and bringing Kevin to meet the Balboni side.

I am dogsitting Scooter and Carrie isn't really talking to me, just to my mother, but I guess she is still having me watch the pooch out of necessity. I will bring him home when I am at school but he likes rides in the car and playing Heather and Detroit Joe Puppa.

I started the next six week session at Northeastern and although I was trying to hussle to get it done, last session killed me and I missed more classes than I wanted due to exhaustion. So I dropped to two and dropped my masters project online this summer. There's no reason I can't graduate in the Fall. I was going to find a part-time job, but as the evaluation period begins for the pancreas transplant, more and more time will be spent dealing with medical issues. Perhaps I will see if there are any lecturer positions at the local campuses.

In other news, I have been invited to speak for the Massachusetts Respiratory Therapists in September- a paid gig. Whohoo! That's what I would love to do. My first assignment in my Strategic Leadership class is to write an autobiography. Maybe this will kickstart progrressing with my book.
more later....

Well, Carrie is really pissed now. While it is okay for her to post about her "surgery" on her blog and disclose the details of my relationship on her blog- apparently, it is not okay for me to write on my blog. Double standard? Reality-based thinking? She is mad as hell. If you would like to read more about how pissed she is, visit: anewdaytolive.blogspot.com.
Anyway, I editted my post and asked her to do the same with hers.

Well, another 9 credits down. Next week I start another three classes: Human Resources Management in Nonprofit Organizations, Strategic Leadership and Program Evaluation and Assessment. I am hoping that I get my financial aid cleared up or I may have to reconsider summer classes, which stinks because I should be done at the end of the summer should everything go right. Needless to say, however, I love school and did well this semester.

Easter didn't go as planned, but it was good just the same. Little Heather ended up in the emergency room while I was at Aunt Deb's for dinner with an awful stomach bug. She was admitted for dehydration and Kevin was with her every second- he really is a great dad. My mom and I brought him Easter dinner at the Jordan. Every time I went back to visit, Heather had more bunny rabbits- you know what they say about rabbits. My mom and Anne both got her gifts and Heather loved them. She was released Sunday night and I watched her most of the rest of the week. She was back to normal.

In other news, Carrie is upset with me. I told her that I can't live with her anymore and that I would probably end up moving in with Kevin in a couple of months. I spend most of my time there, he has a yard for Detroit, plenty of space for junk and it is a house. He would charge me the same that I am paying now. We discussed that it was soon, yes, but when it is right it is right. I have to make sure he meets the rest of the family so they don't think I am moving in with a stranger or repeating mistakes. I want to keep everything above boards. I have talked to Carrie that I am not stopping being her friend but that I have to go my own way and she feels ditched. I can't help her out of her misery when she is uncomfortable and depressed because she is overweight. She could get support from her Aunt who lives in Westborough but she doesn't want to tell her of her plans for surgery. I can't take responsibility for that one. I told her that I thought she was out of control before, now it is worse. She continues to be in a bad space with the cycle of depression and eating. The only suggestion I made that she heard was that she should get into therapy again. She took this as an insult although she is a therapist herself. But I also suggested going to the gym, easting better, stopping fast food, going out, walking the dog, etc. but, apparently all those suggestions fell on deaf ears. I understand that her feelings are hurt, but she is not considering my point that I can't live in a mess anymore, accompanied by misery and negativity. I don't know whatelse to say or do. AND NOW, SOME QUOTES:
for a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin- real life. but there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. at last it dawned on me that these were obstacles in my life. this perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. happiness is the way, so treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. happiness os a journey, no a destination.-souza

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE IS TO LIVE IT, TO TASTE EXPERIENCE TO THE UTMOST,TO REACH OUT EAGERLY AND WITHOUT FEAR FOR NEWER AND RICHER EXPERIENCE.-Eleanor Roosevelt

RISK more than others think is safe, CARE more than others think is wise,DREAM more than others think is practical, EXPECT more than others think is possible.

On Saturday night, we ate a combination pre-Easter/group Birthday dinner at my aunts Deb and Merle's house. Rob and Jennifer were visiting from New York City. My deaf aunt Diane was present and Johanna's new boyfriend Jacob was there too. My grandfather rolled in. We had a cake from The Cake Lady, who makes the best cakes in town.

WOW! What a great week! First it was dinner for my 7th lung anniversary on Monday, April 10th. My mom, Kevin, Heather and I went to Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse. Unfortunately, my steak was yucky and in all the pictures we took, at least one of us looked like a goof ball. School has been keeping me busy. This is the last week for this session. Next week another 3 courses for six weeks and then two more and my masters prokect and I'm done. I may slow it down and scale it back depending on the circumstances that arise.

Wow! I can't believe how "slack" (thanks Shippy) I have been with my blogging lately. What can I say? I have been busy living life, and my friends, Life is Good.
First, I have become the organ donation advocate extraordinare! I have done three college fairs in as many weeks- all in Newton. It's been a great experience and is definitely fulfilling work. I have been asked to return to tell my story to classes at these colleges and be involved in other potenital projects, like blood drives and speaking at events, such as a conference for respiratory therapists. April is Organ Donation Awareness month and is also my anniversary of my lung transplant (on Monday). So I have been compelled into action to promote this very personal cause. Next Tuesday at Northeastern, my group will present on the Ethical Considerations related to Donation: including the black market, incentives for donation, financial aspects and international foci. Cathy, Deb, Linda, Zowie and Heather have joined me in spreading the word and have, I'm sure. learned a lot along the way. While many group experiences I've had have been less than ideal- this group really took assignments seriously and shared the burden of work- Allelujah- for once! For my leadership class, I have taken it upon myself to test the awareness levels of college-students to see if the "Get Carded" project is on target for the audience. Get Carded started at UCF in 1997 and in 1999, I was the keynote speaker for the awareness event. Get Carded is still at UCF and is also an annual event at the other State Universities in Florida (UF, FLorida State, USF, etc.) I have used the college fairs to collect data. Likely, this will be morphed into my Master's thesis. I am still planning on graduating at the end of the summer, should all go as planned.

I have been a little under the weather. The stomach is always a challenge- between the CF malabsorption and diabetes there is a fine line for balance. There rarely seems to be a happy medium. The doctors are still pushing the pancreas transplant and I have several appointments to be worked up for registration. The surgery itself is like a kidney transplant, they don't take out the old organ: instead, they leave it in, add a new one and switch the connections. So in the end I would have three kidneys and two pancreases...and a partridge in a pear tree.

And then there is Kevin...and Heather too, of course. I saved the best for last. I can't believe the supportive interest I have gotten post-post. To update, they're both great, Kevin and his added bonus. I have such much respect and admiration for the responsibilities he's accepted- not just in being a single dad, which is plenty, but let's not forget that I've got quite the baggage myself. But that being said, I think that we have been real with each other. Clearly, my life isn't going to be all glamour and there may even be a slew of bad and worse days, but that being said, he knows that there will probably be more good days than bad and when there are bad days, they make you value the good days even more. He has a great air about him. He's not concerned or intimidated by my lifestyle and there's not a comparison like I'm/he's not good enough. There's just a fair partnership and a shared sense of what is right in the world. I have gotten a lot of advice from both my mother and my stepmother about the "second time around," especially when kids are involved and instead, of pretending that I know everything, I have actually been listening intently, recognizing that this (relationship with child-as-bonus) is new territory for me.
I still have yet to get a picture, but they're coming to the Galletti's for Easter, so photos will follow. Since neither of my older stepbrothers have children, my mom has take to a grandmother role and said I am not allowed to break up with them because she's attached to Heather. I don't think we have to worry about that.
Carrie says she is happy for me, but she is pretty unhappy with life right now. I know what that is like. I know what it is like to be stuck. I have tried to include her as much as possible so that she doesn't feel ditched, but I think there is more going on than just me being involved with someone. Sometimes things are out of your own control.
In other news, Kelli Belfatto is moving back to Orlando- congratulations. Shippy had a birthday this week and Bokas, I hope that your Alabama Food Poisioning has resolved. Congrats to Bonnie on her pregnancy! And to Jenn Cross in Barcelona for the successful delivery of her online news mag. (I need to link you- send the link!) I can't post pictures from this computer, but I have some baby updates on the way. More sooner than later, I promise!

First of all, this is Carissa's baby Hailey who turns 10 months this week. Carissa, you better hope this girl has not inherited your wild side or you are in big trouble! I miss you!

Okay, in other news, I got up this morning and Carrie handed me a bag and said she found it on the door. I looked inside and was utterly speechless. It was a pair of PINK bunny slippers. I guess Kevin found a pair. I thought it was sweet when he said that he looked for him, but to actually deliver, I couldn't believe it. I called him and he asked if I found them and if liked them. ???Are you kidding??? So he knows all about my scars and my life and still finds me beautiful. Astonishing. It's still early and I'm not going to rush it but so far so good. Let's hope it keeps going that way.

It seems that the problems of the blogger have self-resolved and we can get on to the business of reporting.
I would like to congratulate Ashley Trowbridge Rodriguez and welcome her new baby Chloe into the world. Ashley sent adorable pictures. However, if you want your pictures posted here they need to be in an email. While I love the Kodak slideshow, it is difficult to post them. You know, I'm only keen to the basics!
Above are pictures of Baby Davis and the Monkey I made him at Build-a-Bear. The ever hormonal Shippy, forever my monkey, was brought to tears. I had them put a sound card in his paw that says "I love you monkey." I can't wait until I meet him in person.
In other news, I think I have a boyfriend. Well, let's just go ahead and say I do. While I met Kevin in my internet dating exploration, he actually is at my condo complex everyday. He owns a professional cleaning service and has the contract on the condos. He is a single father of a beautiful two year old girl (see above) and he fought for custody for her. That says a lot, doesn't it? I love men in glasses and of course, he wears them. He is responsible, passionate, thoughtful and considerate; he listens and we talked for hours on the phone before we met in person. I have never felt so lucky. We've seen each other four days in a row. Each time we meet I learn more about his world and share a little more of mine. I have been honest about my health, my life, my expectations. He has welcomed me. Even Carrie likes him- she never likes anyone I date. So I write this hoping things are jinxed and I feel like the risk is worth it to put myself out there with faith and hope in my back pockets- hoping for the best. I expect he'll be posted here soon enough:)

Hmmm... for some reason I am getting reports of difficuties getting into the blog. Blogger.com was doing some updates and I am hoping that this is the reason for the problems. I would never prohibit someone from reading the blog- it's an open forum for anyone, as we have seen, to respond. It is a day in the life of one Jill Balboni. If youa re this far, well, you obviously aren't having trouble getting in.

So here we go.

I am takingLDR 3300, or in regular language- Developing your leadership capability. For many of the peers in the class, this is their first class. THis should have been my foundation class but with the screwy Northeastern schedule, it wasn't offered. I guess that I have an advantage then, so I won't complain. At one point tonight I found myself giving a basic management tutorial on how to handle a difficult employee. I apologized to the professor later but he said I had a lot to offer the class dialogue so he wasn't wary. Plus, I have had him before. He had seen me before my transplant and said I looked 100 times better. I told him I felt 100 times better and I was back living again- actually living more than I ever have.Once again I have to reflect and keep a journal- so the blog it is. My professor was impressed, I would say, when he looked last time- that was last July. Oh the entries since then! AND aren't you so pleased that my blog entries are more frequent. I know the Southern Monkey is... all you have to do is google balboniblog and there I am!

Something moved me this afternoon and while I was returning from CVS, the pharmacy I have been going to pre-lung tx, pre-Florida/college, I stopped in the cemetery and paid my respects to my family, especially Bobby. I don't know what motivated me- it's not a usual practice for me or my family, but I felt like I needed to.

I finally met the guy I have been talking to on the phone to for hours. I mean, we have marathon conversations. Last night we chatted for 2.5 hours. A record! I didn't even talk that much in jr. high. We have a date tomorrow but I am keeping the rest on the DL as I don't want to be a jinx. Plus, as we have seen, you never know who is reading, right?

More tomorrow- hopefully some pictures too.

MANDY IS COMING HOME- YIPPEE! She will be here, I suspect for Dr. Dad's Birthday and an early mother's day visit, April 29th! Not sure if Ted is coming as well. I will be happy if he does though, we can celebrate my kidney. What a smart man and good husband, opening and reading his email and remembering enough about me (and my bloodtype) to get the kidney rolling! How much do I love the Rushforths, Ted and of course, my friend 'til the end, which there have been a couple close calls we can laugh about now, Miss Mandy!

Here is Mr. J. Davis Kendrick, look at his little man features! He is sure to have some monkey in him if he takes after his Mama! I finally got to the post office today to send a little banana to him! Shippy, I better get pictures ASAP when my package arrives, I think Thursday!