But I want a Valentine's Day Tooooooooo

Valentine’s Day was quiet; Garrett was in Laguna Niguel for a kind of long weekend.  Stephanie and Mike, I’m sure had a lovely time in NYC.  My dogs were such lover McLoversons.   Mark, of course, gave me flowers.  And for his birthday…..I gave him….. I forgot.  Boooooooorrrrrrrrring

Happy 2011 EVERYBODY

Happy Happy Quiet New Year.

Both of my kids did something different:  Garrett had Jen out to Dallas and they spent New Years partying downtown Dallas at a swanky club overlooking Victory Park, GhostBar and watched fireworks out the club window.  How perfect for him while he is enjoying his new digs and built by hand furniture aka Ikea.  It’s all great for him.

Stephanie went to the Berkshires for the New Year, at a house party……..a big big house with a big big party.  I don’t think she new what a Berkshire was, but she is learning.

Mark and I were cozy at home because as the MOB, I have a busy time ahead.  Everything to be done.  EVERYTHING.....

But first.......let's have a lovely shower ala Veronicas.  What.........a beautiful day, party, food.....The day was painted with colors that will never fade and we cherish the happiness we feel from the friendships of my Veronicas.   Everyone contributed from the heart and we are grateful.  Sentimental?????    yes!

Christmas,and Cookies, and Lights....Oh My.

Merry, Merry Single Christmas

It’s Stephanie’s last Christmas as a single laadeee.   However, a persuasive Power Point presentation from Mike, enticed us to join his family in festive Idaho.  So we tried.  Due to the expense of getting there both in monetary and time, it could not be done.  It was hard to have the engaged couple be apart for actual Christmas, but it turned out to be only a few days.

Thinking this may be our last Christmas in our Laguna Niguel home, we decided that the four of us would spend it there.  How perfect for Garrett to see Jenny.  After a couple of months,he is having a long distance romance.  And Roooooomance it is... because he now has money so the visits consist of nice wine, food, flowers and yes, teddy bears.  He even got to meet her large family.  Good for him.  Christmas Eve was enjoyable   at my girlfriends beautiful home with delicious food, great wine, interesting people, fun people…..  Thanks Donna!  Note:  "nice wine is always included". 

Christmas day was relaxing and cozy.  Mark and I have been walking BBMMD Mountain (Butt-Buster-Make-Me-Die).  And while it was a mild gift giving season, I am so happy that we do not get charged for baggage.  Mark was very imaginative in getting me a gift. It was one of those nights, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except Mark watching Home Shopping Network.  I received a pressurized  wine opener; one of which we used a lot because it so much fun.  By the end of the holiday, we received no less than 4 phone calls, 2 letters and an email with an emergency RECALL .  Apparently, the pressure was causing wine bottles to explode, injuring, blinding, killing people......  It’s the thought that counts…..and it was not a carpet cleaner or Rocky DVD.

Gobble, Gobble, MOBble

Thanksgiving in CT.  Because Stehanie is living in NYC….boooo hoooo,hoooo hoooo, we decided to go to East for the holiday.  Mark and Garrett flew in Thanksgiving day…..because, ya know, they work.  Garrett, the working man, man of honor.  
Truly, our holidays at Susanne’s table just blend from one holiday or party to the next.  It’s always great food, not that I partake in the cooking.....otherwise it wouldn't be, ya know good food.    It’s always sports on the TV.  We play games at the table for hours ........ along with and in addition to:  Drinking, joking, story-telling, catching up, movies, a little karaoke,  some chair dancing, facebook stalking, recycling,  playing the lottery.......just the things that every normal American family does, right?        I hope not, because we OWN the good times we have.    Not surprisingly, Mike blends well with the family.  Whether he is booking a trip online along side Tammy, playing the piano while singing with the kids all around him, or thinking he can compete with a family of Yankee fans, playing board games.  Not that I'm one of them.....but it's fun.

October, Month of DA Bears.

The month began with Mark and Garrett and Burton, of course, driving halfway across the country to move Garrett to our Los Colinas home.  A new chapter in my life is having another adult child, work and be on his own.  October is always the busiest.

Not only is my husband never home with his travels, but he doesn’t have time to extend a trip and take me along.  Feel sorry for me!  I have not been on a planned vacation in years.  Years…….  But hey, we are going to the football game in Chicago.  We got Great tickets to include my brother and his wife and son.  Included were Mike and Stephanie coming in from NYC, and Garrett on his first weekend away since he started a job.  It was great.  Pizza is Great.  Italian food is Great....  Love Chicago for many reasons to include family and friends. 
My brother did not come to the Bears game.  Maria  and  Marissa did.  Great friends.  But in true form, we had to leave early to catch a flight.  This included walking 3 miles, rushing around Chicago by the best of the best of city drivers…..not a cab, but Maria.  We got to the flight with time to spare for a beer.  Interesting.  Stephanie and Michael took the El for their flight, getting there just in time.  You see planning a wedding is just  NOT enough to do, we have to make our lives a little more rushed, complicated, exciting and stressful.  It is all in fun. 

To add to this, we enjoyed our annual American Airlines Charity Golf & Tennis event benefiting Susan G. Komen at the beautiful Park Hyatt, Aviara Resort.  Always a beautiful event, always fun to play 12 hours of tennis in 2 days.  Always fun to meet those of whom have become my favorite friends.

However........we all went to Laguna Niguel to actually do wedding stuff.  The florist did beautiful samples.  The fun part, kind of, was CAKE TASTING!!!  Our first place, which we were led to believe was in Newport Beach, CA.... but it's really Costa Mesa, should have been our first clue.  But then we heard they were on "Amazing Wedding Cakes" and we were prepared to be impressed.  Before I say "why", let me just say I would NEVER refer ANYONE to Let Them Eat Cake, particularly a snooty baker named Christen.  This rude girl, told us, Stephanie's idea of a white cake was "nothing" and would not photograph well, despite the beautiful pictures we brought in for samples.
She proceeded to tell us that NO ONE was allowed to touch our cake or put fresh flowers on it.  IS she frickin kidding me??  After what they wanted to charge????  I can put Yankee M & M's on it if I want.......next.........

Garrett mentions that his friend's mother owns a bakery in Laguna Niguel.  He tells me it's Donna B.  OMG, the cookie lady that came to the PTA functions and Little League games???  Let's try it. 

What a sweet staff....pun intended.  But the cake was the most delicious...Let's see which Bakery should we go with.....DUH.