066

I spent the day with my family today. My mom, sister, nephew and I met up with our Aunt and cousins for lunch. Afterwards, Melanie and I dropped Joe off to his other grandma's house, and then we ran some errands. Stopped at Old Navy and Borders, where I bought a cool "weird facts" book for 5 bucks. Then, we went to Target so my sister could buy some lingerie for the bachelorette party she had to go to.

My parents babysat Joey tonight. The little stinker loves my cell phone, and got his grubby little fingers all over the lens, thus why this picture is foggy. lolz. But, he's a cutie (who always makes that cheesey "grin") I love being his aunt :)

065

We took my nephew to the zoo today since the weather was fairly decent. He seemed to really enjoy himself and liked looking at the animals. My sister and I had even more fun with the llama who kept trying to eat my sweater, and have staring contests with me. It was quite humorous.

Later, I met up with Katie, Mike, my sister, Melissa and Carly for a couple drinks and some karaoke at Rack N Roll.

064

Busia was buried today after a beautiful, yet tearful ceremony. I thought the funeral home would be worse, but it wasn't. I guess seeing the casket closed, knowing this was the final goodbye was what made it tougher. My brother gave a beautiful speech that caused the watergates to flood, again. Katie and Ryan were there, which I am completely thankful for.

As we left her at her final resting place, each of her four children got an angel from her casket to take with them. I thought it was neat, and a really cool design concept.

The rest of my day was spent with my family, Katie and Ryan, who ended up staying until later in the evening. I couldn't ask for better people in my life.

R.I.P Joan E. Wargo
February 7, 1934 - March 1, 2009

063

Today was Busia's viewing at the funeral home. In the end, we decided to keep the casket open because she looked SO much better than she did when she passed. She looked too good not to allow people to see her. Tons of friends and family showed up, and by the end of the day I was tired of telling people what I'm up to these days. I realize they are conversation starters, but it gets tiring.

The day was a lot easier than I thought it would be in terms of emotions, which I was grateful for. At the end of the night, it was weird seeing her one final time, knowing that would be the last time I'd physically see her face.

062

Last night as I was trying to pack my stuff to go home, the fire alarm went off. At first, I wasn't going to bother vacating because no one else seemed to be. Then, I realized that people were putting their coats on and heading outside. I quickly threw some clothes on, stuffed the fur kids in the carrier and made my way out. Three separate firetrucks! However, it ended up being just a small grease fire on the fourth floor. Better safe than sorry, but seriously? Dramatic. I did get to meet people that live in my building that I never knew lived there. And here I though civilization didn't exist there.

061

Over the weekend while I was home, my mom was telling me about these new "diet" bars she had read about. These bars were created by a bariatric surgeon, and when you eat it with an 8 oz glass of water, its supposed to expand in your stomach so that you feel fuller and eat less (much like gastric bypass, minus the whole surgery part)

In my never ending effort to drop pounds, I decided to try some. On my way back to Pittsburgh, I picked up a few bars from GNC. The trend must have caught on because there were only a few left, and only one flavor. Caramel apple crisp -- not my first choice.

My opinion? Not very tasty, but bearable with a glass of water. Result? Well, I honestly did not have much of an appetite most of the day after I ate it (right before lunch)..so, thats a start!

060

Busia took her last breath of life around 9:30p and passed peacefully with her family by her side -- as a tear ran down her cheek.

That tear signifies to us, that she is happy now. She is in a better place, where my Papa was there to welcome her with open arms. After nearly 27 years apart, they are once reunited again.