Xanga friends! I have been so terrible about posting.

So how have you been? Here, have a seat. We have iced tea, Diet Coke, water, Vitamin Water, Sunny D, Pina Colada wine coolers, or non-fat milk. What'll you have?

Life has been mostly great; of course, I live in the knowledge that my brother loaned to me: "EVERY day is a good day." Even the bad ones, because the option is being done here, and I am not done here. I'm not at all afraid to die (though there are methods of dying I would prefer not to experience), but losing my friend Brenda and my mother-in-law this year reminded me that I would like to be around long enough to at the very least see all of the kids get through college. Since I started so late with having my babies and had the last one at such an "advanced maternal age" (the phrase my OB/GYN office used repeatedly), I need to get healthier so I can stick around long enough to see him grown and paying off his student loans. With that in mind, Celine and I have started taking walks, and it's been nice to have her to myself for a few minutes a day. Today Cameron and I played at the park, and played "Follow the Leader". He was the leader, and I had to follow him crawling through plastic tunnels, going down the squiggle slide, and jumping from rocks. Now THAT was exercise!

Celine had one of her photos published on an online tourism guide; it's in the area on Moonlight Beach: http://www.schmap.com/sandiego/sights_water/#r=none&mapview=Map&tab=Places&topleft=32.90006,-117.3048&bottomright=32.64718,-117.11185&i=196262_15.jpg

Christian is at band practice (so many hours it's like having a real job).

Cameron is singing "You Can't Always Get What You Want".

Alex is in San Diego with his mom. Recovering from Swine Flu.

I'm sitting here talking to you. What's on your mind?

Lloyd A. Iddings

Dr. Lloyd A. Iddings, 88, of Latrobe, passed away suddenly Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, in Atlantic City, N.J. He was born Aug. 19, 1921, in Catonsville, Md., the son of the late Llewellyn L. and Mabel D. (Andrews) Iddings. Prior to his retirement in 1977, Lloyd was an engineer employed by the Navy in Washington, D.C., where he helped design the cruise missile. He was a member of St. Vincent Basilica Parish in Latrobe, the Knights of Columbus Daniel P. Nolan Council 940, and the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus St. Vincent General Assembly. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth C. (Banigan) Iddings, in 2002. He is survived by three children, Lenny Lianne Resch (Robert), of Ramona, Calif., Phillip B. Iddings, of Imperial Beach, Calif., and Vincenzia "Vinny" Morineau (David), of Chula Vista, Calif.; two grandchildren, Kerry Steele, her husband and their five children, of Greensburg, and Dez P. Iddings, of Chula Vista, Calif.; and his beloved companion, Pauline "Pauli" Makoski, of Greensburg. Friends and family are welcome to attend a memorial Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, in St. Vincent Basilica, Latrobe. Private interment will be in St. Clair Cemetery, Hempfield Township. Arrangements by HARTMAN-GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., Latrobe. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund, 300 Frazer Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650.

Gladness: My father-in-law's surgery took place in September. This week he got the staples out, is now walking without walker or even cane, and I am thinking that knee replacement was a success! I'm glad he is recovering so nicely.