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.

Friends make the good times better and the bad times easier ...

I have been very fortunate to have been surrounded by wonderful friends throughout my first 50 years.

Thank-you all for the smiles, laughs, hugs, walks, swims, lunches, coffees, shoulders to cry on ....

I look forward to the next saga of adventures and I've realized I need to take more pictures !

Yes those are hens....I couldn't find any pictures of the real ones so had to improvise.

Grandmothers

Today is August 24th and was my Grandpa Charlie's birthday.  If I had been forward planning a bit better, today could have been my blog on Grandfathers, instead today is about my Grandmothers. My mom's mom Della and my dad's mom, Catherine both had significant events that took place early in their teenage years.

For Della, it was the passing of her mother and leaving her the eldest of 7 children. So in her early teens she was thrown into the responsibility of mothering. Admirably, all the siblings banded together led by their eldest sister with education at the forefront. They became engineers, nurses and teachers.  My Grandpa Charlie actually had to wait to marry my grandmother until all her siblings were raised. Patient man that he was, he did.  And then they began a family of their own with my mom Wendy and Penny.

My grandmother died of cancer when my mom was 17 and Penny 15.  A bit of history repeating itself.  My mom became a nurse and my Aunt Penny a teacher.  When my grandmother's sister Hazel began her journey with Alzheimer's she would tell stories of she and her sister.  Whether they were true or not did not matter to me because they were of happy times and provided me with memories of my grandmother I did not possess.  What I do know is she was strong and determined and raised her own 2 daughters in that likeness.

For my Grandma Catherine, her teenage years brought about an arranged marriage - my grandfather paid her passage from Italy to America and she became his bride. They went on to have 7 children, my dad Carl being the youngest, and celebrated their Golden Anniversary.

I think perhaps because we lived with my dad's parents for a awhile from when I was a year old that my grandmother and I had a special bond.  I do remember spending time in the kitchen and can her saying  "mangia, mangia".  Perhaps my love of food comes from her.  I do know I acquired dishwashing skills in her kitchen - she later had a real dishwasher but it was never used ...lol.  

Both strong women in their own unique ways...and I thank them for passing that on to me.



     

Laughter might be the best medicine

I have seen billboards for Menopause the Musical which will be coming to one of the smaller theater venues in Toronto in October and I'm thinking of planning a girl's night out to go see it AGAIN.  I was really hoping, especially since I have the body structure from the Frisina side, to also inherit the hormonal genetics too (easy peasy menopause) but no...not how my genetic die were rolled.

 I first saw the musical with my mother (and can't remember where but I don't feel like it was Toronto). On my mom's side, menopause seems to go on forever - so when I originally saw this musical was out I thought she might enjoy it.  We both really enjoyed it but at the time I could not relate to it.  Fast forward to today. Note to my male readers: guys you can stop reading now and wait until tomorrow's blog on another topic ;-)

Heading to 50 in the full swing of perimenopause I decided to google how long this phase might last .... 

1. The average length of perimenopause is 4 years, but for some women this stage may last only a few months or continue for 10 years. Perimenopause ends when a woman has gone 12 months without having her period. (webMD)

At the rate that my body is flip flopping between hot flashes or periods, I can't even see the end of this stage in sight.  And as I was standing at the check out counter yesterday, ironically buying 100% crisp cotton nightgowns because when the sweats happen at night they are far more comfortable, I can feel the heat surging from within and my cheeks getting hot and then the little beads of perspiration along my nose.  I put everything down, twist up my hair and start fanning myself with a pad of paper I keep for such emergencies.  The store clerk, being I bit older than I, of course understood completely.     

Yesterday was an anomaly day (I hope) as I seemed to have a hot flash about every 20-30 minutes.  I wasn't drinking wine on my shopping trip or eating spicy food - so no outside triggers (darn).  Which brings me back to Menopause the Musical.  If this is my life (and interrupted sleep) for the next how many years ?? I think I need to have a evening out to at least laugh at the subject :-)

The end of summer

The start of the CNE has always marked the winding down of summer, the beginning of school ... and that my birthday is just around the corner !  

Now I've always been a bit sad to see the summer wind down, but the trade-off when I was younger was back to school shopping.  Shopping for stationery supplies comes in a very close second to shopping for new school clothes. One year when my Grandfather was ill we were in Ontario for the summer wind down and so some of back to school supplies were Canadian which I thought was pretty cool. 

No back to school for me anymore but I still like "back to school" shopping ...lol.  Luckily for me this year "flats" are in for fall.  I have been slowly giving away my heels a few pairs at a time.  So I appreciate that fashionable flats can fill some of the vacant slots left behind in my shoe closet. 

And as for my birthday being right around the corner, well the celebrations were kicked off tonight with a wonderful dinner with my friend Teresa. Besides the friends I made in my MBA program, Teresa is probably one of the "oldest" of my Canadian friends ... in that we met when I was doing my internship at Searle.  She was instrumental in some of my early career opportunities and our professional lives continue to criss cross. 

  

Thanks Teresa for officially kicking off my 50th festivities !








PS - new "band" photo on the music blog - thanks mom !  Check out the uniform :-)

Music

Following up on yesterday's blog on concerts I realize that music has always been a very big part of my life.  As a young child I can remember going to bed and listening to my mom play the piano.  We still enjoy joining around the piano at Christmas time and singing Christmas carols.

I started playing the flute in the 4th grade in the marching band and played all the way through high school.  Many hours practicing in the Lamar High School parking lot in over 100 degree weather to get our routines perfect for the halftime shows.


Songs can certainly take me to a specific place and time.  Here are just a few of my musical transporters:

1. Queen's "We are the Champions" - senior year in high school
2. Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" - summer nights in Killarney
3. "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera - Stephen's bachelor party trip to Toronto
4. Johnny Cash's "Jackson"  - a very young Heath singing in Cleburne
5. Michael Buble's "Everything" - my sister's wedding
6. "Blister in the Sun" by the Violent Femmes - sorority talent show
7. "Islands in the Stream" by Dolly (Wendy) and Kenny (Carl) - Stephen & Dedra's Halloween party
8. Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" - Killarney fish fry
9.  'Lookin' for Love' - Johnny Lee - dancing at Calamity's
10. "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynrd ..... it's my current ringtone
    
    Many great musical memories  :-)

Just 10 days ....

Yikes ... why is August rushing by so quickly !!
I had a call from my niece Haley today, she wanted to let me know she is going to her first concert to see One Direction this weekend.  Very cool and it got me thinking about concerts I've attended through the years.

Now my brothers might remember this ... we used to go Six Flags (season's passes - thanks mom & dad) and they had a concert area. One of the first I remember seeing at that venue was Sister Sledge ..."we are family".  I remember their big hair and platform shoes.  The first concert I remember going to in university was "The Bangles" ...hmmm all girl bands so far.

Now I do have more eclectic taste than that.  So here are a few other memorable events.

My brother Greg was a huge Billy Idol fan, so for a birthday one year we went o a concert - all decked out in black.  Great music and I think we pretty much danced through the whole concert.

I saw REM at the Texas State Fair and we sat out on the grass and it was a beautiful night, you could see all the stars and the big Ferris Wheel behind the bandstand.

Saw John Mellencamp at Casino Rama with Anne, Rob & Paul.  It was  great sing-a-long night. Jack & Diane and Little Pink Houses.

Now these guys I try to see whenever they come to Toronto. First - Jesse Cook - amazing Canadian guitarist who is very influential in "nuevo flamenco".

And then getting back to my roots - Lyle Lovett.  I've seen him in almost every venue in Toronto - my favorite is Massey Hall.  We took my mom to see him at the outdoors Molson Amphitheater and she has been a fan ever since. My latest concert was the evening after I had my kidney stone blasted to see Keith Urban. I was determined not to miss that one !

And of course Bon Jovi always holds a little piece of my heart and the tickets I won to see him up close & personal ...yes, that blog still is yet to be written ,,,,stay tuned.

Thanks Haley for today's inspiration :-)

Yes I have brothers too

Circa 1978

Yesterday I talked about sisters, but I do have brothers too.  This shot was taken in our backyard in Texas. That's me in my bikini days (lol) and baby Heather, Greg in the middle (5 years younger) and Steve (3 years younger) holding Heather.  Remember boys that I may be 50 first but you aren't too far behind ...be kind.

What a contrast in skin tones !!  My mom has said this was before sunscreen was widely available. From this photo you might think we were a blended family.

Circa 2013

When my mom shared this photo with us all it was suggested, I believe by one of my brothers, that we do a re-enactment.  Of course we would need a bigger pool and Heather might not want to go topless...lol.  SO instead I'm offering up this pseudo re-enactment.  Steve still holding a baby, Kate in this case.  Our skin tones a bit more comparable.

We are extremely fortunate that 35 years later we still enjoy getting together and hanging out in the pool ... albeit - bigger & rented ...lol

Here's to the next 35 sibs !