Thursday, August 27, 2009

Italian festivus











Last weekend my family from Richmond came up for a visit and as usual we had a great time!

We headed to the Italian festival in Baltimore; what a hot day, no sun just sweat!!
A little lunch at Caesar's and then back to Mom's. Nicole joined us later back at the house for the torrential downpour and flooding of the basement and sun room. It was a nightmare!
Seriously, the rain was so terrible it looked as if we were hit by a monsoon.
Later after the clean up we enjoyed a Vietnamese gambling game, drinks and then on to a few rounds of Poker.
Nothing like a little gambling to help you sleep!






















Saturday, August 22, 2009

Early Dismissal!

Friday I decided to take a half day; what a great idea!
Daniel has worked until midnight 2 nights this past week and 7 days in a row.
Business is good but we need a break!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

I'm a dancer!?


Seriously, when Marissa Jaret Winokur was on Dancing with the Stars a few people would come up to me and say...you look like that girl on TV. Hmmm who could that be?

Well it happened again today Marissa has her own show now called

Dance Your Ass Off http://dyao.oxygen.com/about-dyao; hello its me again!!


Monday, August 17, 2009

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Busy Bee

Ahhhhhhh Saturday!
Lately I wonder where the time is going we have been so busy with work; Dan has worked late 3 out of the 5 nights and is on his way in this morning. I have had a load of vendor appointments and meetings with rep's. Since they cut the travel budget this year we are unable to travel to the big gift shows (NYC & Atlanta) and have been scheduling the show to come to us! On Thursday it was the marathon my rep arrived at 11:00 and left after 6pm with no lunch. UGH! It was worth it.

Friday made up for it though; I went out with my gals Melissa and Naomi to celebrate Naomi's belated birthday. My suggestion for lunch, Co Co- Sala; Naomi and Melissa agreed and off we went!
It was amazing! Their lunch was delicious and reasonable; fabulous gourmet versions of mac and cheese, Philly Cheesesteak, Proscuitto with melon AND the most fantastic chocolate. Chocolate drinks and treats. Lunch was filling so we skipped the dessert however we each tried a wonderful entree and shared three ways including our tasty chocolate drinks. I had a frozen dark chocolate, Melissa a hot chocolate with homemade marshmallow and Naomi made the best choice with her frozen salty caramel. Delish! When you are in need of a swanky relatively quiet lunch that dishes up a delish treat, spoil yourself and try Co Co-Sala. http://www.cocosala.com/

I returned to work happy and continued the day successfully with no major anythings.

Spontaneously Naomi and I went to Cafe Atlantico (Our hero! Jose Andres makes Penn Quarter spectacular for all) after work for a rum tasting. They had the usual suspects, Appelton and Mount Gay but we discovered PYRAT! New to us and delicious at all stages of maturation. http://www.pyratrum.com/ http://www.patronspirits.com/

Unfortunately Daniel has to work all weekend so I am heading to Annapolis to hang out with mom!!




Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Daddy

It is very hard for me to believe it has already been four years since Daddy passed. I can still remember the day the call came "something is wrong with Dad". I was out with Mom all day and had such a bad feeling for most of it. I figured it was just me being a crank, nothing unusual.
I ran in ahead of my mother and saw him slouched over in the chair.
I was terrified of what was about to happen.

There are visions in my head to this day of people coming up to us in Daddy's office saying "I am so sorry". Sorry for what? The whole scenario was shocking. Somehow I knew when we were there that he was gone. I can not begin to describe the overwhelming wave of emotions and thoughts that were non stop on that day. All I knew was that I could not cry or be hysterical because I had to be a big girl and be there for my Mom. What would she do? What can I do? Is there anything I could do?
Bring Daddy back was the only logical answer I could come up with.
So I shed a few tears in the car with my brother and Mom who thought Daddy still had a chance in life. Somehow I knew he was gone and it was time for me to be a rock.
On a very hot August fourth we buried my Daddy. All the days leading up to that are one.
I did not sleep for three days.
I did not cry for three years.
Now, in year four, I am crying. I can cry. I can be sad. I can be angry and frustrated.
I have not been living since Daddy passed. I have simply been getting through each day.
Just doing what needs to be done.
This is not a way to be.
Now I cry a lot, easily from anything. I miss my father, his laughter and his humor. I miss his ability to create comfort anywhere he was. I admire him for finding the best in everyone.
You just can not imagine what life is like without your Dad, there is a void that can never be filled.
Today Charlie,
a very good man who is now helping someone else to be the best person they can possibly be.

"You can't always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need"
-Rolling Stones
I love you