The Big Day - Part 3

The Pomp & Circumstance ....

The birthday elves had been hard at work at 2106 Stonehill Court. Flowers (inside & outside), balloons, banners (thanks Haley) and many, many photos.

It seemed everywhere I looked there were photos - and I do appreciate all the time and effort that took to pull together !!  Going down memory lane had some emotional moments - some poignant and some hilarious (more to come on that in part 4).


A beautiful birthday cake with an added bonus of german chocolate cupcakes - yummy !

And yes, just a few things with the big 50 prominently featured.  I have to say for the most part I was spared the aging part of 50...that is until I opened my cards...and box of Depends from my brother, Steve.  I will remember in 3 years ;-)

None of this celebrating would be happening if these 2 hadn't met in Evanston all those years ago.

Mom & Dad - so glad we got to celebrate together - your 50th in Toronto and my 50th in Texas.

The Big Day - Part 2

Hello all - yes, I'm back.

It has been a whirlwind since turning 50 - so there will be a few "parts" still to come.

My actual birthday was August 30th and the festivities started with lunch at a place I fondly remembered from my university days.   It was much smaller then and no outside gardens, but filled with memories of yummy margaritas, guacamole, enchiladas & fajitas.

As I'm walking up to the entrance I see my niece and nephew arriving from a different direction.  I wave ... I think they wave back ....but alas they dart inside.  Hmmm...well I guess they are really hungry !

Actually they needed to scoot inside first because awaiting my arrival was a sea of ME, through the decades !  Now I must say it is a little disconcerting to approach a table where all I see is myself looking back at me.

My life actually did flash before my eyes ..all 5 decades !

Unfortunately wee Kate was sick and so she and my mom were at home, but as you can see we really enjoyed our luncheon at Joe T's. And yes, Heather was there but being photographer extraordinaire !

And I can honestly say high fiving takes on a whole new meaning  - thanks Anne !

The Big Day : Part 1

Well the day finally arrived and it is going to be a hot one in Texas
 judging by the reading on our rental car !

I enjoyed a bit of a sleep in - in anticipation of the planned events of the day.

Thank-you to Carla, Carla & Bryden for the lovely flowers sent to my parents house.

This is just a teaser ....

additional photos of the day still being compiled, so stay tuned ....

Birthday Weekend

 We stayed at the Four Seasons in Las Colinas, which the is also home to the Byron Nelson Golf Course. We were greeted with these yummy Texas treats upon arrival. 


Friday's itinerary was to start off with 9 holes of golf with my Dad.  Tee off time was 8:20 am, we were meeting at 7:30 to practice on the driving range.  Now the storm we saw from the air had followed us, so it was disappointing when I went to place my room service order at 6:30 am that the hostess informed me that security had put a hold on all outside activities (they deliver room service by golf cart on the resort) so I had a sense that our plans might need a back-up.

But low and behold the weather gods smiled upon us and 10 minutes later it began to clear and the ban was lifted. The first 4 holes we even had a bit of a breeze which was appreciated.    It was the first time that my dad & I had played together just the two of us.  Meant to be :-)

PS: Heather - I see your clubs getting more use in the near future.

The afternoon was spent at the pool, first the adult pool but it began to be invaded by FSU alum in town for a big college football game against OSU, so we moved to the family pool which was actually perfect.  Having had a lovely cool off at the pool - Anne and I then had massages (and mimosas) before we headed off to dinner in Dallas.


My sister and brother-in-law (Heather & Brandon) were waiting in the bar of Abacus.  Known for their lobster shooters.  We had a delightful waiter with a mixed Irish Newfie accent, some wonderful wine choices - (thank-you Rob), entertaining conversation and a great meal.  Some really interesting flavour combinations - for example, "Pan Roasted La Belle Farms Foie Gras,  Blueberry Gastique, Maple – Almond Nougat, Pretzel Soil."  And for enquiring minds, no - I did not have the salmon ;-)

Brandon, Heather, Me, Anne, Rob & Paul

From beginning to end - just a fantastic Friday !

Deep in the Heart of Texas ...

To my blog followers...I did not take my computer to Texas and therefore I have some catching up to do. I plan to back post on the actual dates things occurred for posterity sake.

When my cousin Anne asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday - have a big party up her with my friends or a party with my family in Texas, I opted for Texas.  I love my friends dearly and know that we will have some mini celebrations, but I'm so fortunate to be turning 50 and able to celebrate with all my family members.  So off we flew on Thursday night from Toronto to DFW.  I generally don't have a window seat but because we were sitting in the first row I got to stretch my knee and watch out the window. 

Sunset from plane

Lightning from plane

Now another little tidbit about me is that I really enjoy thunderstorms especially with lightening (not while I'm driving though).  Mid way through our flight, all of the sudden I saw lightening out in the sky.  I've been on a flight a couple of times when this happens and I think it looks pretty cool.  Unfortunately, I didn't have a camera to capture the moment as well as I wished but I will try and describe using this attempt from my ipad.  It was dark with the exception of this great big hole of light in an otherwise dark sky - in the hole it was a beautiful blue sky (which didn't photograph well) and on either side the lightning would flash - you can see a tiny bit to the right in this picture. 

Now I guess I could have looked at this and thought hmmm ... gates of heaven are awaiting, but I took another approach.  After all the Frisina genes are going to take us all to triple digits.  Instead I thought it was a beautiful metaphor for embarking on a new chapter....the next 50.  Or as my FUSE Health team put it ... another year of fabulous.

The women in my life

I've shared a blog about my friends and I am so very fortunate to be surrounded by a great circle of women.The thing about friends is that we can have different ones for different reasons.When I read this quote I am reminded that I am doubly lucky because I not only have friends that I choose as family, but I have family I choose as friends.

There are 3 family members that I talk to every week - by phone, by text, and in person.

1. The first is my mother.

As my dad can attest to we have had the opportunity to break some Guinness book records for longest phone calls.   My mother has an insatiable curiosity. Not about a few things, but about everything. Going to buy a car - she will get back to you with the highest safety ratings and which ones you should test drive. Need a new book to read - she can tell you when the next Elizabeth George is going to hit the shelves. She reads reviews of many things - cars, books, theater.  I've seen more theater performances with my mother than anyone else.  And not just the main stream, but some off the beaten path....we won't ever forget "Adam & Steve".  Curiosity is an amazing quality in a Nana because when she is asked a question by Heath or Haley - they are going to find out the answer together - be it old school encyclopedias, searching the internet or exploring the real thing.  Thanks mom for all that you have shared over these past 50 years.  I look forward to exploring Paris with you next month as I am sure to experience things I would not have if on my own and I'm so excited to get to share them with you.

2. The texter is my sister Heather.

August 1988

This picture was taken the day before I left for my Toronto adventure, which was supposed to last 2 years. Well 26 years have passed since then.  When I left the main forms of communication were letter writing and telephone calls. Letter writing ....not so appealing to a 10 year old.  However, technology has blessedly evolved so although it has been a quarter of a century that we have lived in the same city, I communicate with Heather more now than ever.  With us, we text the everyday things that we observe, find funny or simply can't believe and have to share.  We also watch football together via text and I am a long distance Aunt who gets to see and be a virtual part of all the good stuff in Kate's life.  I like to think that we are but a text away to boost each others spirits when needed - by a joke, encouraging word or a  ;-).  Thanks Heather for always being a text away.  It's going to be great getting to spend time live with you in Paris !

3. And thirdly is my cousin Anne.

  
My recollection of Anne when I was younger and would come for a visit was "wow" I would never be able to drive in a big city like my cousin.  And here we are living a 10 minute drive from each other in the big city. Anne is my partner in crime - for traveling, shopping, dancing, walking, you name it.  We talk, text and see each other every week. We have supported each other through thick and thin (literally).  She's my emergency contact and lately I've need that ...lol.  And luckily for me, her partner Rob doesn't mind (at least he doesn't show it) having me around as a third wheel for a quick bite to eat after work, or hanging by the pool on a Saturday afternoon.  In many ways we are more like sisters than cousins.  Anne - I look forward to the next 50 years of shared moments! And by the way, she has been instrumental in orchestrating my birthday weekend in Texas which kicks off tomorrow.  Looking forward to another wonderful adventure Anne !    

Chapter 2 of the Men in my Life

When I started this topic many different angles came to mind ....

Dating in my 40's - yes I admit it, I gave technology a try. The logical side of me was intrigued by the numbers game, but it was a lot of work. I did meet a cast of characters and those stories require a cocktail or two or three .....

 

Dating in my 20's - Looking through these pictures brought back many memories, I saw lots of smiles and a range of hair-dos !! But there was also heartbreak and disappointment...comes with the territory.




I'm very lucky - because through all my life I've always had a special man in my corner.  He has encouraged my career choices, given me tips on the golf course, took me to dinner every homecoming when I didn't have a date, and is my forever Valentine.

That man is my dad.