May 3, 2000: In Memory of Grandma Thomas

Grandma Thomas was a wonderful lady.  She used to make such wonderful meals for us at Easter, birthdays, and Christmas.  I remember her making us homemade chocolates which I looked forward to every year.     She was an Avon Representative for several years and had this room in her basement with all kinds of samples. Kelsey and I loved to try out the lipstick samples when we were kids.     

She had been battling with arthritis and alzheimers for many years.       

My mother had been keeping me up on Grandma's health the past week.     She said the priest was going to give her the last rites today.    When she said that, I knew it wasn't long before she would be gone.    After work, I walked down Oakdale and along Lake Michigan.   I was happy to be back in the city.   On my walk home, I was thinking about Grandma and my family.  It was as if I knew something had happened.  When I got home, I had a voicemail from my mom saying Grandma Thomas had passed away at 6:30 p.m.    My heart dropped.   She said Grandma died in peace and that Charlene had read Psalms 23 over and over to my Grandma.   Aunt Elsie heard the 'death rattle' which was where you hear this rattling sound in the person's throat.    She had heard this before with other family members. She quickly yelled for Grandpa, Charlene, and my Mom to come back to the room.  A few minutes later, she took her last breath.    She said it was the most faithful experience she had ever had.    She said as soon as Grandma died, her skin instantly cleared and the color came back.    It was the sign that her soul was already on its way to heaven.    I will miss Grandma dearly.   

Brandie came downstairs to give me a hug.    Then, I called Grandpa to give him my condolences and was surprised he was so cheerful.    He went out and cut the grass. I was shocked, but I guess everyone deals with grief in their own way. Plus, he knew she had suffered for so long.

April 29, 2000: Moving Back to the City/Dawn Klee's Wedding

I was sad that I wasn't able to make it to Dawn's wedding, but I did call her a few weeks ago to let her know and had a nice conversation with her. Glen Brien helped me move back to the city.   

I found Brandie and I separate apartments in the same building at 553 West Oakdale, which was just north of Diversey.    I was in apartment 209.    I spent about 4 hours unpacking.  

April 2-9, 2000: Mexican Cruise

On April 2, I took a limousine from my apartment to O'hare airport which was really nice.  I flew to Los Angeles and met the rest of my family there.    We went on the Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas cruise ship.    

Our first port-of-call was in Cabo San Lucas where we took this boat over by these beautiful rock formations, surrounded by crystal blue water.   We had drinks at this neat restaurant overlooking the ocean.    Had lunch at this Shrimp Factory Restaurant.     We were going to go shopping, but Grandpa took off and we had no idea where he went.   We had someone page him on the ship to see if he was there.    We searched the stores and all, but no sign of him. When we got back on the ship, we were so mad at him for taking off.    He was mad at us for worrying about him.    We had a nice dinner and saw three of the Osmond Brothers perform.  

Tuesday, we went to Mazatlan, Mexico.  Charlene, Kelsey, Matt, and I went over to a nearby island and went kayaking and did some rock climbing.    Charlene and I were so funny on the kayaks as we couldn't get the boat to move very fast.   Everyone else was way ahead of us.   We were laughing so hard.   Then, Charlene wanted to see Old Mazatlan so we walked around.     Kelsey, Matt, and I walked to Senor Frogs Restaurant.    That was a fun restaurant.  The waiters made us all these funny balloon hats and we danced to several songs.     We danced on top of the platform. My balloon hat was so high that it kept hitting the ceiling.   We saw our head maitre'd there dancing with some girl.    We got some shots and the waiter shook our head several times in different directions.   

Wednesday, we went to Puerta Vallarta.  Charlene, Grandpa, Mom, and I rented a car. We got a car with a cracked windshield which made us so mad.    We got lost in Puerto Vallarta and ended up in a residential area where no one spoke English.  

I had a body massage on the ship which was relaxing.  Wish I wasn't so ticklish, though.  

On Sunday, we left the boat to fly home.    I flew from LA to Chicago.   Brandie and Josh picked me up at baggage claim.  We drove back to Josh's house on North Ave. in Elmhurst. I bought them pizza for dinner for helping me out.    This cruise was one of the most relaxing ones I went on.    

March 24-25, 2000: Mom's Visit to Downers Grove

Friday was my day off of work so I made an appointed to go to Robert Anthony's Salon on 55th St in La Grange.  Josh Bulak had his hair cut there and told me about it.    The girl did a great job on the hair color.     My mom was coming to visit.     We picked up Brandie from the Metra station.  Then, we went downtown to the Batons to see the female impersonator show.    

On Saturday, Mom and I drove to Gurnee Mills to go shopping.   We drove around the suburbs near there.     We had dinner at White Fence Farms, which had the best chicken dinners and fritters. It was in a southwest suburb of Chicago.   

March 19, 2000: Home & Garden Show

Brandie's parents came to visit us in Downers Grove. We lived at 6510 Woodward.     We had breakfast at Steven's restaurant on the corner of 63rd and Woodward in Downers Grove.    Then, we drove downtown to Navy Pier for the Home & Garden Show.    It cost us $11 to get in.   

February 24, 2000: Train Buddy, Dave Bradburn

My roommate, Brandie and I took the Metra train from Downer's Grove into the city every day for work. I really enjoyed taking the train.     We met Dave Bradburn on the Metra train at the beginning of the month.    He had gorgeous blue eyes. We talked to him everyday on the train.  We named him 'Train Buddy'.   He worked with cable connections at Point One Communications.  
Brandie made him a ham and cheese croissant meal, which he enjoyed.  He installed some programs on my computer. 

Dave gave me some rides into the city for work.  He drove about 110 mph down I-290 and weaved in and out of traffic.   The worse part of I-290 was by Hillside, which was nicknamed 'Hillside Strangler' as many highways came together at that point.   

February 11-12, 2000: Sold Ford Escort/Grandma Thomas

After work, I drove home for Valentine's weekend. I was so thrilled when my cousin Joy said she would buy my 1997 Ford Escort for $6,000.   I decided a few months ago to sell the car, as I got myself into credit card debt and wanted desperately to be out of debt in a year.

I visited with Grandma Thomas at the Agape home.   My Mom came to visit, too. She said she could tell that Grandma was happy I came to visit.   Little did I know that this would be the last time I got to see her before she passed away.   

On Saturday, I visited Mike Tabaczka at Glen Oaks apartments and brought him a chocolate rose that I had bought for him at Fannie Mae Candy in Downers Grove.