Hello Friends!
Sorry I have been absent for most of this month. Things were moving along fine and life happened as it has a way of doing. I found out I needed a surgery for a fibroid at the beginning of the month. All went fine thankfully and then a week later my dear Grandma Jody passed away.
Grandma was almost 101 and so precious to me. We were lucky to spend every Thursday together. She got the flu however in December and never really walked again or ate after that. Though it was expected, it has still felt so final as I have always had her in my life. I never expected to have my grandmother still at age 52, and my dad still have his mother at 78. While I know were lucky, I still wish we had more time. We are planning her memorial and I think I am going to encourage everyone to wear pink, her favorite color and have pink fuchsias in the church that she loved. We have been reminiscing this week with all the stories she told about her life. More about my grandma on this post about her long life. I know a lot of you have followed my posts about her and were so kind. She loved to hear the comments.
Before all this Max and I had a four day trip to Hawaii planned. I wasn’t sure we were going to make it with everything that happened, but we did. My youngest son Griffin was with his school music group on a trip to Spain and Jackson was back at college. It was the first time Max and I did a real vacation -not just a weekend, without the kids for almost 20 years! It was relaxing and low-key, which was just what I needed.
Some snaps from The Big Island. More about our trip on an upcoming post…
When I got back I took my dad for Moh’s surgery all day on Saturday. Fortunately he is doing okay, but what an ordeal for all the people doing it and boy seeing that will make you commit to regular sunscreen! Most of the patients were men with spots on their scalps or faces or ears, though a woman had hers on the front of her leg. It’s an all day thing and I got to know everyone else in the waiting room pretty well!
After returning from our mini-break (that’s a cute Brit word), I wanted to share about this week’s Trina Turk event in Burlingame. Last month’s had to be postponed as both Suzanne and myself were under the weather. Please come this Thursday if you live in the area. I absolutely love this beautiful boutique. Trina is my favorite California designer and I always find something special there.
During the event where you can get 20% off your items! Suzanne, who writes Ask Suzanne Bell and is so stylish and fun, and will be my partner to help anyone who wants pull together some looks for spring events or just wants to find a few things to update the spring and summer wardrobe. As I’ve said before, downtown Burlingame is my favorite little downtown to shop in the whole Bay Area. There are rows of outdoor restaurants for an alfresco lunch with a friend and a large mix of unique boutiques and shops. Last month Suzanne and I went up there to preview what is in store for spring which you can read about here. Since then they have gotten even more in store, so pop by and check out the Trina Turk website to get a look. The store though has more than the website, including some lovely shoes and bags and resort wear, so it’s worth a trip.
Hope to see some of you there. It is the most fun time. I adore the clothes and I always like to support California girl Trina who is originally from San Jose and designs and makes almost all her clothes in our state. Gotta love that.
Kim
All photos property of NorthernCalStyle. Please use with permission only.
Hi Kim, sincere condolences on the passing of your Grandma Jody. I well remember the post that you wrote about her, so I have some idea of how bereft you must feel now that she is no longer in your life. But, as you say, you and your dad have been extremely lucky to have had her for so long and I’m sure you have so many memories to treasure.
Best of luck for planning the memorial, and well wishes to both you and your dad after your surgeries.
Hi Patricia,
Thank you very much. Really appreciate it. 🙂
Kim I am so very sorry you have lost your dear Grandma Jody. I was thinking about you this weekend and I was going to email you to see how you were doing, I thought you were busy maybe with some renovations but now knowing what you’ve actually been going through I’m very sorry I didn’t reach out earlier.
You did have lots of time with Grandma Jody but she will be very missed because I know how much you loved her. What a special lady. Thinking of you dear friend and I hope your health is good, take care of yourself. xxx
Dani, Thank you so much. Doing okay right now. Still planning those renovations.. coming soon between everything. Trying to keep some funny and happy things about my grandma in my heart. It helps. xo
OH BOY!
I apologize I forgot ALL ABOUT your surgery!Here I had you doing sit-ups to pass it and I thought that would work so it left my HEAD!Your sweet GRANNY…………can’t believe she is gone!Ever since I have been reading your BLOG you have always mentioned her!LOVE THE IDEA OF PINK!DO IT!!!!!!!!!
BIG HUG TO YOU………I know it’s tough to get through!
XO.
Contessa, All is good. Yes doing yoga was not going to work for this particular fibroid! LOL. Thanks so much about grandmama as you say. Love that. xo
Hi Kim, what a tough few weeks you’ve had… Good to hear that your op went well and your dads too.
So sorry to hear about your Grandma Jody. Over the time I’ve been reading your blog, your love for her is so apparent in how you write about her. How wonderful that you spent time together every week … I’m sure you both treasured those times as you’ll treasure your memories of her always. The picture of her is gorgeous, she has such a twinkle in her eyes! Both my grandmas died when I was quite young and my children didn’t have their grandparents for very long either… I always feel to have a long and loving relationship with a grandparent is such a special thing.
Good Luck for Thursday and have fun! I’ll look forward to being ther vicariously via your blog! 🙂 take care,
Rosemary ( loveswitzerlandsnow on IG)
ps I didn’t comment at the time, but I loved your post about your visit to Wengen, last summer. It’s one of my favourite places in the world … my definition of heaven on earth!! Lovely to read about your time there.
Hi Rosemary, Thank you so much. I know I love that photo too. It really showed her personality! Yes I was so lucky. So many never get to know their grandparents right? They are such a treasure we can learn so much from them, but sometimes we are just to young to appreciate their wisdom. I was fortunate to be older and know her too.
Thanks about the Trina Turk day! I wish you could be there. I still need to write more about Wengen. Isn’t it special? My kids still keep talking about it. They think it was the best vacation we ever had. I do want to go back too. I think people have to experience it to understand how magical it is! So happy to have connected with you Rosemary. Thanks for your kind notes. xx Kim
Hey Kim, although you’ve hit a rough patch with health and the loss of your beautiful grandmother, it sounds like you have an amazing perspective on life. Wishing you speedy recovery; sending sweet thoughts for Jody’s memorial (love the pink idea); and good luck with your Burlingame event.
Kim, Wow, I am so sorry to learn that Grandma Jody has gone over…I know how much you love her and how devoted you have been to her…Thursdays, when you shared manicures and fun talk, may be a trial …I will be thinking about you…BUT…Your plans for a Pink Celebration are beautiful…..I know somewhere Grandma Jody is smiling over your continued devotion…What a wonderful idea!
You have truly been baptized by fire this month…I am so glad you and your day had successful surgeries…Take some time to relax and let all of this settle…Take care…Deede