Tonight is the Earth Hour 2009 event.  Turn off your lights for one hour, 8:30 - 9:30p.  And that is exactly what I've done.  There are no lights on in my house.  I am sitting here in bed, in the dark, typing this, talking about Earth Hour. 

The point of this event is to show the world that we choose Planet Earth over Global Warming.  And the point of that is to make an influence at the Global Climate Change Conference. 

So I signed up as a participant.  I was asked to blog, tweet (twitter) and picture my participation.  And I can say I've done it all.  Though you cant tell because of the flash, I am sitting in the dark.  

Attempted to make a chocolate mint cupcake, or a batch of them, this morning.  I went to ice them, and 'FLOP!' off the top went. 

Now, Plan B.  (dont know what that is at the moment, maybe I'll paint a door in the meantime)

Tonight, Heather Armstrong was at the Oak Brook Borders store for a reading and signing of her new book, It Sucked and Then I Cried .  Heather is the author of the most read personal blog, dooce, on the web.  I've been reading her blog now for about a year, year + half.  She is very realistic, not pretentious at all, and bottom line, funny. 

She's just as funny in person.  I went to Oak Brook to see her in person, to see this virtual persona that makes me feel good about my simple, normal life.  I purchased her new book, listened to her read a couple of pages from the book and answer audience questions.  After the discussion, the book signing commenced.  With close to 150 people in the Borders, I wasnt about to stay and wait. 

I can lay in bed tonight, as I do every night, reading my new book and probably stay up way too late as I cant put it down!

Monday was our last day in Philadelphia.  And when I say last day, I mean there isnt any reason for me to ever go back to Philadelphia. 

We had to be at the church at 9:15a, for the service that started at 11a.  So to kill the time, all the grandchildren sat together in the pews and talked, remembered all the good stuff about Grandma + Grandpa.  It was exactly what Grandma would want, all her grandkids together.  It was a great hour + half.  It definitely will be one of those good memories I will have. 

All of us at the luncheon afterwards were so so drained.  I think we were relieved the worst part of the final goodbye was over, but still sad.  There wasnt too many laughs like there were on Sunday, or even prior to the service when we were sitting in the church.  We sang Happy Birthday again, just so the birthday people would know their day was still special to all of us. 

I am convinced they should have a drink cart in the cemetery to serve the families post closure ceremony.  I could have used a drink after kissing Grandma goodbye.  But she's finally with Grandpa, probably dancing and smiling, happy.  Definitely, happy. 

Luncheon:
 
*my sister Laura, my nieces Megan + Sara, my cousin Ian + fiance, Danielle

 
*my cousin Rebekah, her husban, Ian + newborn daugher, Olivia

 
*my Aunt Syrl, and Uncle Mike (sitting)

 
*cousin Ian, holding Olivia, Danielle, Aunt Syrl + Mom.

 
*niece Megan + 2nd cousin Gavin, both March 22nd b-day babies. 

 
*goodbye Philly.

Miss you already, Grandma.
 

Today we caught up with the rest of the family.  Its a weird feeling to see all of the cousins all grown up and parents.  But its also a good feeling to see we've all turned out pretty good. 

All 12 grandchildren plus 4 great-grandchildren.  (no matter how many pictures that were taken, not one captured everyone's eyes open or smiling) 
 

The people above are the offspring of these people:
 
*Uncle Donald, Aunt Syrl, Mom and Aunt Dorothy (not in birth order)

Today is also my niece's birthday and my cousin's son's 1st birthday.  There was ice cream had at dinner.
 

We, my family + I, are in Philadelphia for a sad event.  My grandmother passed earlier this week.  She was 95.  She had an absolute great life.  I dont believe she had any regrets.  In her honor, basically the entire clan is in Philly for the funeral.  It'll be so nice to see everyone.  It'll be great to catch up and remember the childhood.  We, my immediate family, arrived tonight.  So, my sisters, brother and I headed out for a few drinks. 

We tried this angle.
 

Then we tried it again,
 

Then finally we asked someone to take the picture.
 

We need to do this more often.  I love them.

Sundays should alwasy be spent with family or friends.  Or both.  I really do enjoy spending time with my family and friends sitting around a dinner table or being out shopping or going to an event.  Just having them in my presence for a few hour makes me feel good.  I feel good seeing them, seeing their happiness or helping them/listening to them with their struggles.  It is this bond that makes me feel whole, a valued member of society. 

Today, after I worked, and spent some quality time with my ipod, I met my friends for dinner to celebrate Heather's birthday.  I love Heather.  She is fun, sincere, loving, caring and most of all always has a good story. 
 
*Heather and I

 
*The whole gang, minus a few people

 
*Cant go out without the boys goofing around - Eric + Dan

I purchased an ipod many years ago, probably now 6, maybe 7 years ago.  I've never been without it since.  I listen to it all the time.  Working out, taking a walk, cleaning the house and most recently, painting.  I dont know what I would do if ipod were to ever go away.  For right now, its a part of my soul.