Where in the World is Mabel Lew?

By Janice

Has anyone seen Mabel lately?.....Have you checked under the bright lights of Las Vegas?! I did!!!

Ken, the girls, and I had planned a trip to Vegas for the Easter weekend to attend a friend's wedding. Little did we know, Mabel had planned a trip to Vegas for the same weekend! After reading Mary's story on our dinner with Karen, Mabel found out that I was going to be in Vegas. Thanks Mary for keeping us updated!!

The Loos stayed in the Venetian Hotel while Mabel stayed at the Monte Carlo Hotel down the street. Although we were on the same street.......only hotels apart...and a cell phone away...it took us several days before we were able to hook up. Finally, on Easter Sunday, at the Cheesecake Factory in the Forum Shops at Cesears Palace.......we saw Mabel!!!

Kaylin had a great time playing with Auntie Mabel. Malia was still a little under the weather from a stomach flu she had several days earlier......but she enjoyed looking at the fishes in the aquarium outside the restaurant. It was great catching up with Mabel.......even if it was in another STATE!

It was quite amazing to have been able to see Mabel.......but it was even funnier when I met up with Edmund and his girlfriend, Pauline! They stayed at the Venetian too. We spent some time with them just walking around the hotel. It was definitely a popular weekend to be in Vegas.

Smiles at the hotel...


Smiles in front of the aquarium...

The Phoenix Files

ok, new to this so forgive if this is lame. saw "BlogThis!" at the top, curiosity got this cat & i just had to click & attempt ... you know, just to see where it would take me & what would happen. i promise, more substantive efforts in the future. ~:D

The Phoenix Files

Girls Night Out: A Recap by Ravenspunk

I wrote a little recap of Girls Night Out but lost my internet connection at home as we prepared for the move. Thanks to Mary Ann for a great review. Here's my two cents . . .

First I want to thank Carla, Janine, Mary Ann and Janice for the fun send-off on Thursday, March 17. I think this was the first time we ever went out for a Girls Night, especially on a school night! As the saying goes, better late than never. I also want to thank Gladys, Bernie and Mabel for their farewell wishes. We missed you, but you were there in spirit (especially during our many toasts).

Janine and I arrived at The Elephant Bar around 5:45 p.m. to warm up at the bar. Of course, since it was St. Patrick’s Day the bar was crowded but a table opened up right in front of us and we claimed our spot. Carla arrived shortly afterwards. She and I tried the decadent Chocolate E-Bartini (which we highly recommend) and Janine had a very strong yet tasty Mojito. (Don’t ask us the ingredients – we just drink what’s in front of us.)

The drinks were probably stronger than we expected, because we couldn’t believe it when Mary Ann arrived early! We asked her, “Who are you and what have you done with Mary Ann?!” She just giggled and joined us for a drink and chicken quesadilla appetizers. Janice soon arrived and we were soon seated in a cozy corner booth with an ocean view.

Dinner was delicious. Janice and I tried the lamb shank. Mary Ann and Janine had the tri-tip. Carla had a combination plate of fried shrimp and chicken. We all shared a colossal layered dessert made of brownies and vanilla ice cream with swirls of caramel and chocolate. Yuuuummmmmy.

We had a great time talking about the first person we met in high school. Carla remembered that I introduced myself to her on the first day of school. Mary Ann said she met Mabel Sze, but that was probably a time traveler since Mabel Sze didn’t join us until our sophomore or junior year. We also talked about how lame guys can be when it comes to splitting the parental duties (i.e. changing dirty diapers) or trying to agree on what to watch on TV (or not agree and that’s when the battle of the remote control comes in). I realized that the décor of The Elephant Bar matches our theme in our bedroom and was tempted to take a few zebra pictures and leopard spotted coffee mugs, but reluctantly decided against it.

So on the eve of our Big Move, I want to thank you all for your years of friendship, laughter and love. The memories we’ve made will always bring a smile to my face. And I know I have to stay on your good side for the memories you can blackmail me with (especially you, Carla). The next Girls Night In (or Out) may be in the thriving metropolis of Antelope, CA. But we will definitely have a house warming party in our jungle house.

Ciao! And see you all soon!

Home is Where the Heart Is

Last night, Carla, Janine, Janice and I got together at the Elephant Bar to see Karen before her trip to Antelope, CA -- her soon-to-be new hometown. I arrived at the bar and there was Janine, Carla and Karen enjoying Happy Hour drinks and quesidillas. When Janice arrived, the stars must have been aligned because our table was ready shortly afterwards. We sat in a relatively quiet corner (it was St. Patrick’s Day) where a few of us could see a view of the bay. For about two hours, we talked, ate, and updated each other about what’s been happening. This is what I remember from our dinner and conversation... the lamb shanks, tri-tips, fried shrimp and non-acoholic drinks are pretty good at the Elephant Bar... when you plan a field trip, the two most important things to remember is transportation and lunch... "Rosco," Janine’s cat, is NOT named after Rosco from the Dukes of Hazard... when you’re doing laundry, it doesn’t mean the water will only go through one pipe (you can do dishes at the same time)... Carla and her boyfriend are going to Hawaii... Janice, Ken and the kids are going to Las Vegas... and Karen’s bedroom in her new home will have a Jungle theme. After dinner, we shared dessert (the dessert was HUGE). Then the waiter came to bring us our check and said something so quickly that we had no idea what he was saying. Carla intended to ask him what he said, but before she could, the rest of us just nodded our heads politely and he left. After that, Janine and Karen joked around, mimicking geisha-like gestures (“Oh, Master...may I wash your feet?”), and we laughed. On my drive home, I thought about what Karen reminded me during the night... that we’ve been friends for more than 20 years... can you believe it? Best wishes, Karen and Keith! See you in Antelope!

Cheers to 20 years and more...


Object is LARGER than it appears...


Still smiling at 8:45 PM...

Victor's Special Day

Last Sunday, Janine and I attended Victor's baptism. We gathered at St. Gabriel's church and afterwards, we all drove to Gladys's place for some good food and conversation. It was nice to meet Gladys's friends, co-workers and family. Here are a few pictures of Victor's special day.

Victor with some friends and family at St. Gabriel's...


Victor celebrating with his Mom and Lola (grandma) after the event... doesn't he look enlightened?

Little Rascal?

Little Rascal? Not quite. He's a big boy now... almost 10 years old. When Janine brought him home as a kitty, he scurried across the floor like a little rascal. From "Rascal," Janine sounded out the name, "Rosco." Janine adopted him in May 1995 from Mabel whose cat had a litter of kittens (does that mean Janine and Mabel are related?). In case you're wondering how much he's grown, here are pictures of the lovable guy.

Rosco just after naptime...


Rosco wide-eye awake...


Rosco's afternoon exercise...
"And stretch...1 and 2 and 3...And stretch...4 and 5 and 6..."