Today is John’s new life day.
It is not a birthday but the day he survived a devistating stroke.
2012, Aug 13
Since that day, he has struggled with what most of us find so easy.
Something about John
smart
determained
commited
a friend
hard working
inspiring
loyal
This is my short list. Please feel free to add to this list.
Hugs,
Mary Jane
Trying to keep the HAPPY in front of ....Thanksgiving 2016 began while reading an email from Williams Sonoma advertising precooked and frozen Thanksgiving Dinners. Thinking this was the answer to a free from troubles Thanksgiving I was sold.
I was wrong about a day free from troubles.
My trust issues came on board and I called their Turkey hotline to inquire about delivery. Every questioned and concern was answered with, "All will arrive packaged with dry ice on the 22nd." Ok!!!
All did not arrive on Tuesday.
The Star of the show was late and rock solid frozen delivered Wednesday along with the side dishes.
Calling customer service and given a $25 gift certificate for my sorrows and the helpful hint of leave it out in a pan of water, thinking disaster I went to bed with Willie Bird put to bed in fridge for the night.
Waking to a beautiful CA morning and gratitude for the many blessings in our lives, it
was time to wake up Willie.
Willie safety in a cold water bath was ready for his unveiling at 2pm.
Willie Bird is a spatchcocked turkey. His backbone had been removed before freezing. He was packed without labelling and until unwrapped I thought I had a frozen whole turkey. When he magically appeared, I was thrilled but now without directions he became an instant problem. I checked the web for how to roast.
Daniel found all kinds of methods all very interesting. He decided on a 450 degree oven for 90 minutes.
Mash potatoes, stuffing, and creamed kale went below at 375 degrees for 55 minutes. All sides were well labelled with how to reheat.
Would I do it again yes!!!!!
Willie Bird was delicious as was the sides.
Ready or not here comes the dinner.
To all our family and wonderful friends I hope your Thanksgiving Feast went well. Always your friend,
Mary Jane
Hi Everyone,
Just needing to SHOUT out a huge thank you to our family and friends for participating
in the 100th birthday party on Jan. 25th of Dad/Grandpa Rossi.
The making of a dream into a realty is so gratifying.
A little 100th birthday history...
A year ago (2013) dad/grandpa called a family meeting and told us that he didn't want a party for his 99th but the invitations should go out for his 100th.
However we were unsure if a party was a good idea in December of 2014 due to the ups and downs that come with old age.
All that changed when we hosted the Rossi Lab Christmas Party at our home.
We invited not only members of the lab but Dad/Grandpa Rossi as well for the celebration.
He was among the last to leave and as he was leaving he said along with his goodbyes,
"I'll see you next time at my birthday party."
How could we deny him this?
Party planning time....
What I learned from party planning.
It does take a village and if you are reading this a big hug and a thank you for being a part of the village I live in.
Wishing my friends and family
the best that this world has to offer in 2015.
We as a family ended 2014 in the most wonderful way
with a visit to Cambria.
This holiday was made so very special because
our 4 children along with grandchildren
and two wonderful son-in-laws
plus 3 grand-dogs
enjoyed
the paradise that Cambria so quietly shows us.
The photo above was taken as John
with the help of Daniel walked along the road trail
located on the Fiscalani Ranch.
Ike + Jennie along with people friends...
Gigi Love and her true love....
Below the grands :-)))
Beauty
JOY
Happiness +
HUGS
= A Cambria Christmas
A health update
John continues to improve a little bit everyday.
As a family we will be celebrating John's dad's 100th birthday Jan. 25
Happy 100th to you dad!!!
Until next time wishing you the best....
Hello Everyone
Just want to share that there are all kinds of birthdays.
Those birthdays that celebrate the day of your birth
and
those that celebrate a second chance at life
and
that one is called,
"LIFE DAY".
John will celebrate his 2nd LIFE DAY on August 13.
Please join with me in
sending him many thoughts of continued healing.
We are looking forward to another year together.
Happy Summer:-))
We couldn't be prouder of you
as we wached (UCI streamed the event at Angel Stadium) as you walked
with your graduating class at UCI as one
of the first to be part of a
new major at UCI, "Earth Systems Science".
Congratulations Class of 2014!
Hello Everyone!
a moment of joy to share and wish you could have been here..
with the most gratitude to two wonderful cousins, Janice and Victor, who shared their
cooking and hospitality gifts and created a wonderful evening for our family to enjoy
and celebrate.
We came together Saturday to celebrate four 90 plus years of life with these 4 siblings,
John Louis 94, Oscanio 99, Edith 90, and Louise 97. Sadly due to many miles that
separate them this can only happen with the help of their adult children who arrange
plane flights, hotel accomadations, and rental cars. I applaud your gifts of time to
your parents.
There aren't many opportunities in our lives to celebrate long life and I am honored to
have been able to have joined in their joy!
Hugs until next time....happiness always:-)))
What I realized and will always remain very humbled by is that
Christmas is not only an opportunity for us to remember our Christian heritage but
also to relish in the glow of friendship and family love.
The holidays give us the push to connect by
way of cards, gifts, and shared meals.
I hope all of you had an opportunity to enjoy
your friends and families yesterday.
Thinking of all of you and a big hug to all.
Mary Jane
Wishing
all my friends and family
health,
happiness,
and
joy!
Merry Christmas
from
our family to yours and Jennie too!!!
Hugs,
Mary Jane
A Thanksgiving Story 2013
A big hello from our family, a huge thank you, and multiple hugs
for all the support that we have received this past year
from all of our friends, extended family,
City of Hope employees,
and all the wonderful health care workers at Keck Medical
that saved John's life on August 13, 2012.
2012 was a life changing year for John and our family
during a strenuous racket ball game, he tore his carotid artery
that led to a major stroke.
Next followed 4 months in Casa Colina Rehab Hospital with daily rehab.
Just before Thanksgiving last year,
he was discharged and our journey continued
with daily trips to Casa Colina Rehab Hospital as a day patient
and as the weeks and months followed
our daily trips were shortened to a few days.
Insurance would not continue to cover for PT and OT
so the challenge was taken up by my sons, daughters,
and myself who carried on
with trips to the Central Coast with long walks on the Ranch and
at home.
John continues to strive in every way to regain his lost abilities.
The day to day changes are small
however as I look back on this year the changes have been
grand and sometimes great.
John can now walk with little assistance,
speech gets better every day,
and on April 1, 2013
he began to attend a few meetings at COH
and mentor his students and lab on site.
He has kept up with the rest of his work
by way of email and Web Ex.
John feels that he still has much to offer to the field of science
( We like to call this his hobby!)
and an affirmation of years of discoveries and publications came a few days ago.
NIH funding will continue for his research.
Now as we count down the days before Christmas
and life begins to get overly busy.
I hold on to the fact that everything does change with time.
Just don't give up!
Life has something always to be thankful for even on the darker days.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Hugs,
