FIFTY EIGHT IS GREAT!!

It was my birthday on Thursday and I had nothing planned.  I was mostly okay with that.  I had work that day and so thought I would just have a nice, quiet, normal day.  I was determined NOT to feel sorry for myself!!

My daughter and daughter in law sent me a creatively handmade card and I loved it.  they also gave me a wonderful gift card for my kindle complete with book recommendations!  How thoughtful these girls are!

My son sent me two beautiful serving trays which have been on my Amazon wish list forever - since last Christmas I think  I was thrilled to receive them and touched by his 'thinking ahead and planning'.  Of course, both kids called me to wish me a happy birthday.  My baby brother called, too, and did the traditional singing on the phone to me.  I love it every year!

My dear friend Anne Marie called and also sang - she has a great voice!!

Everyone at work gave me birthday greetings throughout the day which was fun.  I got tons of Facebook message and emails which I loved.

Best of all - my dear friend, Cathy, planned a picnic lunch for us.  She came to my office complete with wicker basket in hand.  As she opened the basket and began to take out the contents I was amazed.  She brought linen napkins and place mats, fine china, silver flatware and 'good' glasses - not a paper plate or plastic fork in sight!

Cathy preparing the table!

We feasted on three kinds of salad including a fantastic butternut squash and spicy pepita one, a curried chicken one and a wild mushroom and quinoa one.  All three were delightful.  We enjoyed two kinds of fresh lemonade and two delicious desserts.  There were also presents!

I felt very, very special and SO happy to be alive and healthy. My life is richly blessed and I am humbled and grateful for everything that has been given to me…

THANK YOU CATHY!
(for my birthday picnic and for 22 years of friendship!!)

Cousin Time

with her 1 month old foster baby!

I am still reflecting about the sheer pleasure of being amidst family and friends at home in New England. Not that I don't love and appreciate my LA peeps - I do!  But, there is something special about spending time with someone with whom you have shared  childhood memories!

Sherry putting up Halloween lights!

For me, Sherry is that special cousin. She is four years my senior (and I take every opportunity to tease her about that) and is the sister I never had!  She bought me my first Beatles album, let me try on her bra when I was too young for one and we spent many, many hours together growing up.  I was the 'goodie two shoes'  of the two of us and would be sent (by our mothers) to tag along on her dates with boys with instructions to report back on her behavior.  I did!

Her beautiful deck in Suffield, CT

Sherry has three adult children, three girls she has adopted, five (I think) grandchildren and 13 years worth of foster babies!  She's an amazing person and I love her!!

Sherry's birthday is October 16th and I made her a cake

Love you Sherry!  See you next year….maybe this time it will be in California!! Here's to Cousin Time!

Cousins

New England Adventures

My trip continued on and I got to spend time with dear cousins in CT and an old college friend in MA.

Anne Marie and her daughter, Sophie, (along with Gloria) live in a sweet house in rural Florence, MA.   They have a great yard, a hot tub and a beautiful old pooch named Max.  They made a delightful dinner of scallops and salad and we just laughed our heads off enjoying one another's company.

Cheers with Anne Marie and Gloria!

Adorable old Max

Sweet Sophie and mom

I miss you ladies!  And, Max too!!

Making Merry in Maryland!

Tyler as "Super Mario"

I miss living on the East Coast for many reasons - among them is proximity to family and friends, the changing of the season ( especially Fall) and the local seafood!  the past few years I've gotten out there every year in either Spring or Fall with the exception of 2012 since that was the YEAR OF THE WEDDING!

Note nephews in background both throwing gutter balls!

This year I was able to go for more than a week but it still didn't seem like enough time.  I began my trip in Maryland to spend time with my baby brother, David, and my delightful and busy young nephews, DJ  - 12 years and Tyler - 10 years.

Meredith and Jordan accepting their mission to carve the jack o'lanterns

Jordan and Meredith were able to join us.  Meredith took the AMTRAK from Lancaster, PA and Jordan from NYC.  We had so much fun together.  We ate lots of delicious food - David is the best cook in the family.

The end result!

We enjoyed Pho,  Filet Mignon topped with Gorgonzola, a crab feast, good breakfasts and some local pizza.  Our activities included going bowling, playing 20 questions (lots of rounds), cards (I lost every game), pumpkin carving and an ill fated trip to the Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore.  I did not know it was blocks from the stadium where the Ravens were playing. There was NO parking in the entire city!.


I really enjoyed seeing DJ gleefully consume almost a dozen crab.  he was such a little expert and explained every step of 'deconstruction' so patiently to Meredith.

Crab King

I had fun taking the boys to choose their Halloween costumes!

DJ as "Bloody Scream"

Thank you David for your warm and generous hospitality, to the boys for giving up your bedrooms for all of us and to the girls for making the trek!!  I had a blast...

David - diehard Patriots fan!

When it was time for me to travel to Connecticut, the girls arranged for us all to depart on the same train.  We had fun for the next three hours traveling together.  They got off at Grand Central and I continued on for another three hours to Windsor Locks to visit with Cousin Sherry.

My sweet daughter and daughter in law

NATHANIEL KIRK SMITH

It was a beautiful, crisp autumn day on October 20, 1988 in Old Lyme, Connecticut and I was three weeks over due! I was ready for this baby to be born.  Grandma and Grandpa Smith had come from Oregon to be there for the delivery and to help with big sister Jordan (aged 4 1/2 years) but Grandpa had to give up and go back to work since baby did not arrive on time.  Grandma stayed behind.

Kirk called Yale New Haven hospital early that morning introducing himself as Dr. Smith (he did not bother to clarify that his 'doctor' title was from a Ph.D. and not an MD degree).  He explained that his wife needed to be induced that day and the nurse hurriedly agreed and said to come right in.

We drove the 45 minutes or so with me wearing one pink sock and one blue sock and checked in to begin the looooong process of getting Nat into the world.  I was induced by 8am and we (meaning me) struggled through the long day and night to get the baby out.  I couldn't figure out why it was taking so long since I had pushed for 3 1/2 hours with Jordan and delivered a whopping 10lb baby girl - I knew I could do this!

At 11:35 that night, Nathaniel made his entrance.  ELEVEN POUNDS AND TWENTY FOUR INCHES!!

The biggest baby on record at that hospital to be born 'normally' not via C-section as of 10/20/88!!

We were thrilled with the new addition to the family.  And, I was lucky enough to bring him home four days later on MY birthday!  Big Sister and Grandma were there to welcome us home!

Nat is the loveliest son a mom could want.  He is delightfully funny, super creative, annoying at times and I LOVE him to pieces!  He always has been a loyal, thoughtful and patient son and I enjoy him so much. I am proud of his accomplishments and am so pleased that he has grown into a responsible, hard working and caring young man.

Nat - HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY DARLING!  You rock my world....