SBC #19 @ City Island

I think what I have been enjoying about the SBC besides the obvious of all of us getting together, is that we're finding different things to do.  Today was Winnie's birthday and although we did a "traditional" shopping run - we skipped our usual sushi lunch and went to City Island for a Lobster Special!  After the tremendous 3 course meal, I drove the ladies down to the tip of City Island to enjoy the view and see the popular Johnny's Reef Restaurant which is a fast (sea) food court - think "Coney Island" and picnic tables.  If the weather wasn't so steamy hot and muggy, that would have been a nice choice for some good chow-down.  Next time.

Love Kathy's first look at her lobster!

No doubt about it
WeAreLikeThis

Winnie gets a surprise serenade!

At the tip of City Island - a Look-Out point

                                  

                                  

Another Day at Wendy's

Fun day (it always is!!) at Wendy's. A lot of hootin' and hollerin'....so good to connect with the sis'tas!!

A Wedding Video

It took forever but I was finally able to get my video up to share.  Enjoy!

Kris & Baz

Tying the Knot..

My niece, Kristina got married to Baz today.  It seems like it was just yesterday that Kathy gave birth to her so this felt sort of surreal.  But it was all TRUE!

It was the first HOT day of the year...90 degrees.  We all met at the Office of the City Clerk for their City Hall wedding at 9:30am.  The parents and aunt (moi) were right on time.  The photographer and friend also.  The cousin(s), Nikki & Tom plus the bride and groom were late!  Luckily it did not appear as if there was a mad rush to get married.  Not like 12/12/12 or when gay marriage became legal.  Around 10am, we marched into the building and I was pleasantly surprised.  I knew that the city had upgraded its venue for "city hall weddings" but it was even nicer than I expected. Everything was very civilized and orderly.  We waited less than half a'hour before being called into the "west chapel".  We were able to relax, take pictures and just get ready.  The officiant came in and was very friendly...not "all business" as I thought he would be.  The vows were short and sweet and perfect.

We were all left alone for a while in the room to take more pictures and I would assume it was because there wasn't a long line waiting outside so we never felt rushed or on some sort of assembly line.

The bride was glowing.  We were all smiling...it was a beautiful day....

PS: Because it ended up being a whirlwind last minute wedding...plans are in the works for a more elaborate celebration...invites to follow...

Mom presents the bride with her bouquet who is seeing it for the first time

The bouquet was a labor of love

Boutonniere Time

Mom has better luck

Happy Bride

Here we go...

Check - in

An area for picture taking

Just prior to the ceremony...

License in hand - It's Official!

Kris being Kris..

Posing at The Wedding Garden situated across the street

Photo-bombing a sleeping "grandma"

The card I made for the newlyweds

Nikki photo-bombing a "kiss" moment or trying to...

Kathy really outdid herself on the bouquet

Congratulations to Kris & Baz!!!

Miranda - Ailey Show 2013

Had a wonderful time today seeing Miranda dance the Flamenco.  Wish I was allowed to take pictures of the show.  These are post - show.  With her fellow dancers and the newly engaged couple. :)

Big N-E-W-S!!

Today is April 3rd.  It is almost 6pm on a Wednesday evening and I am jumping around like that Mexican - you know what - bean!!  Why, you ask?

Because about 4 hours ago, I was doing absolutely nothing but lounging on the sofa with the TV on and playing games on my iPad.  When I have the iPad in hand, I frequently check my emails.  Suddenly I see an email from Tom!  What an unusual occurrence.  As I read it, my heart started to beat faster!!  OH - MY - GOD!

In the email, Tom was asking if I knew Nicole's ring size.  I think at that moment, my heart rate went rapid.  And then he confirmed my - suspicion - but asked that I not tell anyone.  OH - MY - GOD!

WOW OH WOW is all I kept thinking and maybe even saying out loud to no one in particular since I was, after all, alone.  I also think I had a huge smile on my face.  I ran around looking for Nikki's old rings and trying them on.  Just imagine: drawers, boxes, little bags being tossed around all over the place. I fit a size 7 these days and her rings all fit me.  So...size 7?  I quickly emailed Tom with the info.  In my eagerness to help him and my quick reading of the email, I missed the part where he mentioned he thought she was a 6.75.  So yes...6.75 sounds about right.  OH - MY - GOD!

He mentioned that he wanted to surprise her while they were in Europe.  WOW OH WOW
I imagined...Paris..Eiffel Tower...ahhhhh....

Of course part of me is sad that I won't get to see all this unfold (unless he records it which I feel I should demand / command him to do!) but I AM SOOOO H-A-P-P-Y!!  And it's weird to be so happy when my mom is about to face such a momentous time in her (our) life/lives.  But that's how life is...right?  Timing is everything!

So how will I keep this gigantic, wondrous, fantabulous secret!?!  OH - MY - GOD....

Bursting at the seams.  Beaming.  Hence me writing this all down.  For when I can let it all spill.  I want everyone to know what I was feeling!!

Best news in like FOR-ever!  EVER!!  :-D

Update:  Tom popped the question at EuroDisney - at night under the glowing Cinderella's castle.

The bride-to-be cried.  She said "yes!" 

A Tribute to My Sisters

The last two weeks have been extraordinary.  Actually the last two months.  Regardless, I want to dedicate this post to my two sisters, Kathy & Evelyn.

 

First:  Evelyn.  Today was Evelyn's first craft fair where she sold her hand-knitted items.  She has spoken about joining the craft fair circuit for a while now but like many things, it's more talk than action.  But in March, she put her money where her mouth is and took a gigantic leap forward and for that, I give her such kudos. 

 

It sounds easy.  Knit.  Draw.  Make something.  Sell it.  But when you come right down to it, it's daunting.  Overwhelming to say the least...especially when you commit yourself.  "OMG - What have I done!!!"  I was fortunate enough to ride on her coattails.  She asked me if I would like to include my handmade cards and I said yes.  Nothing to lose.  Sort of.  Because somewhere between easy and daunting is the awareness that you will be put on display.  There's a possible sense of rejection.  The energy, thought and yes, even love, you put into your own projects will be subject to other people's criticism and that's a whole other dimension - People!

So I am proud of my sister for putting herself out there...for taking a chance and for taking the opportunity to learn from mistakes and saying "it's okay"...and moving forward to the next time and knowing it'll be better. 

Second:  Kathy.  Today is coming to the last few days of two weeks after my mom's mastectomy.  She has been nothing short of an angel in the care and recovery period of our mother.  From the moment we discovered that there was breast cancer in our family, Kathy, being Kathy did her research from bottom to top.  The pre-surgical items of a mastectomy camisole to a post surgical pillow were a God-send.  And then the methodical care she took in dealing with the drains, checking the stitches and doling out medication is something I will be forever grateful and appreciative of since I don't know (although I do know and the answer is "no") if I could have handled it as well.  I don't think I have the right words for how to describe Kathy during this period in our family's life.  Maybe: Excellent. Competent. Patient. Phenomenal.  Yes, words like these and still they don't feel enough. 

 

I have always felt this way...that I am so lucky to have sisters...to be a sister...BUT never more than these last few weeks.  Amen.