"House-Keeping" Note

Hi...I am trying to have this be a bit easier....I will set it so only 2 days of posts will be on front page and if you want to read more in the past, click on "older posts." And I took out the word-verification check if you send a comment and I think I made the "comment box" bigger or different...not actually sure about that one. But after each post is the word "comment" and you click on and comment....or you can do your own post...or not if too confusing. And i will delete the very first posts on Friday...so re-read if you want. (Maybe there is a way to save to my hard drive?? I'll check it out.)

Small discussion b/w Celeste and Toni

Just want to post that Celeste commented on the post of Feb. 1 "Two E-mail Responses"..and I commented to her...in case you want to follow. I'm sure there is a way to "follow threads" in the blog...one specific converstation to another...but I don't know it. Anyway...I had pasted e-mails from John and Cis...and Cis commented back...and then me....

Later on Feb. 1, I added the post about my phone call with Dad on Sunday about the resources I knew about and had contacted...and he did not argue or "walk away" too fast from what I was saying. then Feb. 2, I posted the e-mail from St. James...

Just trying to keep it all straight. Please each let me know if I should delete the older posts..may keep it more simple...leave on 2-3 days and then delete..unless there is a long discussion going on a specific post? Let me know what you think.

Had a great talk with JoAnn today and caught her up to date...she has been calling Dad and Mom more frequently also.

Nothing particular to post today. Dad's voice sounded a bit "gravely"...said he is fine. went to exercise...had breaded filet mignon again....Mom was pleased with herself. And she is struggling with the "books"....I've offered several suggestions...Dad says she won't do anything differently. Night for now....I'll keep talking.....and prompting....love, Toni

MORE RESOURCE NEWS...

Hi. just want to copy a note I received from St. James' office. I will keep all the numbers and the e-mail addresses of the office and Sr. Mary Jo...I e-mailed Ms. Duerst back and thanked her and told her I would let Mike know they had attempted to visit Dad. (Funny he didn't mention to me???) or am I surprised? It may mean a "visit from a priest" means something else besides what we all want it to mean. I don't know. Just trying to see it from his eyes and heart and soul. That doesn't mean I am against trying to have him accept a visit. (I can hear him thinking now, "how can a priest help me with the finances Mom is so preoccupied with and I know nothing about!!!") SMILE......Here's the e-mail:

Dear Mrs. Spunar:

Thank you for your note regarding your parents Dr. John and Laura Cifala. Father Posey received a call from your brother in the West Coast about a month ago asking if he would stop by and visit your parents. Your brother mentioned that he was concerned that your Father felt a bit overwhelmed. Father Posey asked me to call your Dad to see if he and Sr. Mary Jo (who oversees Ministry of the Sick/visits the elderly, etc.) could stop by and visit with them. I called twice and finally received a return call from your Dad saying that they had been under the weather but that he would be calling Father Posey to schedule a time for him to stop by and visit. At this time we are awaiting a call from your Dad to set this up. Father Posey can’t force the issue at this time. What I said to your Dad in my calls (I left phone messages, I never spoke with your Dad directly) was that Father Posey and Sister Mary Jo were visiting our elderly parishioners to keep in touch. If you could would you please let your brother know that Father is trying his best to schedule a visit. If there is anything else we can do to help let us know. In the meantime we will wait for your Dad’s call to schedule a visit. Sr. Mary Jo’s phone number is 703-532-8815 Ext. 130. You could also e-mail Sr. Mary Jo at the following e-mail address srmaryjomcdonald@yahoo.com.

Frances Duerst
Administrative Assistant
St. James Catholic Church
905 Park Avenue
Falls Church, Virginia 22046
703-532-8815 Ext. 128


I'll be back later...

Good Morning....

Hi all. By the way, I think all us Cifala's are awesome!!!! So glad I wasn't an only child! Anyway, had a good or maybe even great talk with Dad yesterday. "Sad-fully" I think he has become more and more worrisome about how Mom is managing the finances. I held my breath, so to speak, and said, "Dad, I am going to say this and you can take it as you will, but I think I have spoken with a group of very good people that possibly could help you and Mom out." I further explained about the Buckley group...he said "I knew there were groups out there like that, how did you find them?" (Dah!?) I explained it all to him. Told him about Mr. Evert...what the people had said, etc. He actually listened and asked questions. Then I told him I had found a ride for him to Philadelphia next year. He sounded very slightly eager to know more. In fact he said, "I'll need a ride in June!" So we chatted about all this for awhile. He wondered what it would be like to "talk to one of these people. What would they say? How would the meeting go?" (He almost sound fearful or at least worried about such a new experience for him and Mom.) I role-played a bit with him....this made him a bit uptight and I could feel him backing off a bit. I did jump in and ask if he wanted to speak with Mr. Evert, as he would get an hour free from Buckley's the first time. That perhaps he could help with sorting out what has to be done with the books, or he could sit with him at the computer. And then Dad really backed away. (I wasn't surprised) I told him, I am glad I have found these possibilities for them, but he would have to decide what he wants. So........who knows. He listened and exchanged his thoughts, and sounded curious.....Oh, Celeste, I asked him about using a ministry at Church. He said he had spoken to the woman who runs the "Widows" group who said that Father Posey and the church doesn't actually do much...that they "give out a bunch of phone numbers!" So??? Maybe I could call this woman to see if she has anything to suggest. But for good or bad, the decision lies with Mom and Dad for now. We just have to send all our good energy their way, because I believe just having this blog work, is strong....oh, and he was able to receive my e-mails with Martha Stewart recipe links...and look at the links! He asked me to send because he had watched her show and liked the recipes. See, when he is calmer, he can do things. And they are cooking more meals...guess he decided he may as well start doing more because Mom just can't do it alone. That's all for now....Keep the positive vibes and prayers coming. I know it helps me to know you all are here, just beyond this key board....SMILES....love to all and i'll be back...Please let me know what you think....Toni

Two E-Mail responses...

Before I write my own post for the day, I wanted to "cut and paste" e-mails from Celeste and one from John.....we'll all figure out how to use this site one day....until then, I'll help with keeping us "all on the same page." And I am realizing, that the more all of us use this blog, the more we will know the happenings in each other's lives....I think that's a good thing. So, here are the e-mails....I'll write more later. Watching the Super Bowl and making dinner...love you, Toni
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To: spunar@sprynet.com
Subject: RE: [The Cifala Loop] Just a bit..

Hey Toni, Wish I was better at this but I'm overwhelmed with tech challanges at work and with home office support. I lovin what i'm seeing on the angel blog.......so love to alll!! I'll figure it out...I'm grateful for a cool family. Mom and Dad rock!!!!!!! Thanks, Toni. John
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To: ToniAnn Spunar
Subject: Re: The Cifala Loop : NEW RESOURCE LINKS..ST. JAMES

That's great. I think they may be more willing to take help from church members. I'm sure those folks would be open to whatever they'd need. Not sure about a trip to the beach, but who knows.

Super Bowl Day !!! And Rene's birthday. We are going to friends to watch the game. I'm bringing the birthday cake. Last night I took Rene out on a surprise date to see my favorite Cajun band and there were dancing lessons before the concert. Danny and Lisa came with us and we danced alot and after went to a great Greek place. It was a lot of fun. Talk to you soon. Got to get ready for church. Love you, Celeste