Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Friday, February 08, 2019
Sunday, September 09, 2018
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Girls Night
I talk to the girl in the middle multiple times a day even though she lives hundreds of miles away. As she left, we said "talk to you tomorrow" ... "talk to you tonight before I go to sleep" ... "Talk to you in 10 minutes" ... It wasn't even 10 minutes, I ran upstairs, watched them pull away from the curb and texted her "Bye! Watching you leave! Safe drive!" And we continued chatting a few more times before they even got out of SF. #bff 💛
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via Instagram http://ift.tt/2h9QXgm
Union Square
BFF @mon427 came up for the evening with her cousin and we spent some time in Union Square enjoying the festivities.
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via Instagram http://ift.tt/2gm2mFF
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Sunday, December 06, 2015
12.6 First Partay of the Holidays
Every year our dear friends host a fun Christmas Cookie party. I missed last year so this year despite rain, sleet or snow (haha), I wasn't going to miss it.
While there were many other guests, our core group of 5-6 families were all there this year, too.
These guys have known and worked with each other at least once over the past 20+ years. They've all moved around to different companies, but a few of them still work with each other. They're an amazing group of guys who not only share similar work ethics, but also have similar lifestyles. It's hard to find 1 person so compatible with another, but 6 is downright amazing.
While there were many other guests, our core group of 5-6 families were all there this year, too.
These guys have known and worked with each other at least once over the past 20+ years. They've all moved around to different companies, but a few of them still work with each other. They're an amazing group of guys who not only share similar work ethics, but also have similar lifestyles. It's hard to find 1 person so compatible with another, but 6 is downright amazing.
Sunday, November 08, 2015
11.7 Trek
I haven't taken a lot of crafting classes lately. Mostly because of guitar. That doesn't mean my paper crafting has taken a back seat, well not really...maybe just a little...but I've chosen to spend my ducats on lessons instead of crafting. Besides, I pretty much know most the techniques and have all the supplies for crafting.
I've known Debby Schuh since 2006. She lives in New York and tries to come to the Bay Area a few times a year. I missed her this spring and summer, but finally caught up with her this Saturday. Doris and I had dinner with her before her evening class.
She taught a beautiful travel album, which I'm hoping to use next year if we go on another road trip.
I've known Debby Schuh since 2006. She lives in New York and tries to come to the Bay Area a few times a year. I missed her this spring and summer, but finally caught up with her this Saturday. Doris and I had dinner with her before her evening class. She taught a beautiful travel album, which I'm hoping to use next year if we go on another road trip.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Less Hijinx, More Fun
Aside from the one day's hijinx, the rest of the week was a lot of fun. There weren't as many of us, a total of 12 with 6 different families represented.
The other 3 were at their own cabin closer to the lake.
We've got a pretty good routine that we stick with time and again.
Lots of jumping from rocks.
Touchdown fetching stuff from the lake.
Great smiles.
Lots of boys on the boat.
Max and I were the only girls this year.
And of course, smores every night that we weren't so tired that all we wanted to do when we got home was have dinner then hit the sack.
This year we had unpredictable summer weather.
3 of the days bordered on cold. Notice the boys wearing the shirts under their lifejackets.
A downpour cut our afternoon short on our 1st day. No complaints though, we all treasured the rain.
But another evening we had this view.
We had a few new events:
Reggie's old enough to pilot the boat by himself.
And our wrap around deck is finally done!!
We admit that we so very much love it. It was worth the 3 year wait.
The other 3 were at their own cabin closer to the lake.We've got a pretty good routine that we stick with time and again.
Lots of jumping from rocks.Touchdown fetching stuff from the lake.Great smiles.Lots of boys on the boat.Max and I were the only girls this year.
And of course, smores every night that we weren't so tired that all we wanted to do when we got home was have dinner then hit the sack.This year we had unpredictable summer weather.3 of the days bordered on cold. Notice the boys wearing the shirts under their lifejackets.A downpour cut our afternoon short on our 1st day. No complaints though, we all treasured the rain.But another evening we had this view.We had a few new events:
Reggie's old enough to pilot the boat by himself.And our wrap around deck is finally done!!We admit that we so very much love it. It was worth the 3 year wait.Tuesday, April 07, 2015
Another One Bites the Dust
I say that with the utmost respect. But my friend and old boss, who was snarky and sassy as hell, died last week. She'd want me to be sassy in paying respect or tribute to her.
I met Leigh in 1994 when we both worked at a stamp store in the mall during the Christmas season. She's always been a force of nature. Speaking her mind, standing up for what she believed in and jumping into something head first, flying fast. She had charisma, people automatically liked her the 1st time they met her, and learned early on not to cross her. It was very easy for me to be friends with her because she was straightforward, so I knew what her plans were and the direction she wanted to go. We were opposites, really, but we got along very well. She knew how to push me to motivate me, but knew when to stop. She understood that I have buckets of tolerance and patience, but if I'm right at the edge, to back off because I'll burst. She pushed me creatively, had a lot more faith in my abilities than I had in myself, and trusted me more than I thought I deserved. I was lucky that I was friends with her before I started working for her, because I never felt like I had to tiptoe around the boss. I could speak with her candidly.
Grand opening of her store, 1996.
In 1998 she had to close the store because her manufacturing company took off and she needed the space for warehouse and shipping.
Company photo, 2000.
Company photo, 2001.
After my mom died, she gave me a lot of leeway. She knew that I would need a lot of time to figure everything out and I needed to do it at my pace. She understood that I process things different than she does. But 9 months later, I was still trapped in my own headspace, and she bluntly but with kindness said: "ok madeline. it's time to come back to work." And I knew it wasn't because she needed me as an employee, but because it was just time to get out of my own head.
She had wanderlust more than anyone I knew. She used to tell me stories about growing up in New Zealand, her maori 'family', living and working on a kibbutz in Israel, working in the south, traveling through Europe. When she felt the desire to travel to Singapore and Bali, she asked me to go with her. I couldn't refuse.
At a temple in Bali.
She bought that big yellow dragon kite above her for her son.
Another temple in Bali.
At a Hindu temple in Singapore.
After selling her business, she and her family moved to Florida because there were more programs available there for her kids. After they finished high school, she traveled a lot more. I would enjoy seeing her photos from all over the world. She was spending a lot of time in Israel again. Last month she was hiking through the sandy deserts in Jordan. The sand in the air as well as smoke from fires in Slovenia, aggravated her asthma enough for her to go to the ER. She started posting snarky photos from the hospital. Making fun of her bruises, joking around about being transferred to ICU. Showing photos of a dragon she bought for her son with an oxygen mask on, saying "uh oh, it's not looking very good". Unfortunately, it was a lot worse than anyone thought. Especially since she was still posting just hours before she passed away. And still being sassy...
I met Leigh in 1994 when we both worked at a stamp store in the mall during the Christmas season. She's always been a force of nature. Speaking her mind, standing up for what she believed in and jumping into something head first, flying fast. She had charisma, people automatically liked her the 1st time they met her, and learned early on not to cross her. It was very easy for me to be friends with her because she was straightforward, so I knew what her plans were and the direction she wanted to go. We were opposites, really, but we got along very well. She knew how to push me to motivate me, but knew when to stop. She understood that I have buckets of tolerance and patience, but if I'm right at the edge, to back off because I'll burst. She pushed me creatively, had a lot more faith in my abilities than I had in myself, and trusted me more than I thought I deserved. I was lucky that I was friends with her before I started working for her, because I never felt like I had to tiptoe around the boss. I could speak with her candidly.Grand opening of her store, 1996.In 1998 she had to close the store because her manufacturing company took off and she needed the space for warehouse and shipping.Company photo, 2000.Company photo, 2001.After my mom died, she gave me a lot of leeway. She knew that I would need a lot of time to figure everything out and I needed to do it at my pace. She understood that I process things different than she does. But 9 months later, I was still trapped in my own headspace, and she bluntly but with kindness said: "ok madeline. it's time to come back to work." And I knew it wasn't because she needed me as an employee, but because it was just time to get out of my own head.
She had wanderlust more than anyone I knew. She used to tell me stories about growing up in New Zealand, her maori 'family', living and working on a kibbutz in Israel, working in the south, traveling through Europe. When she felt the desire to travel to Singapore and Bali, she asked me to go with her. I couldn't refuse.
At a temple in Bali.She bought that big yellow dragon kite above her for her son.Another temple in Bali.At a Hindu temple in Singapore.After selling her business, she and her family moved to Florida because there were more programs available there for her kids. After they finished high school, she traveled a lot more. I would enjoy seeing her photos from all over the world. She was spending a lot of time in Israel again. Last month she was hiking through the sandy deserts in Jordan. The sand in the air as well as smoke from fires in Slovenia, aggravated her asthma enough for her to go to the ER. She started posting snarky photos from the hospital. Making fun of her bruises, joking around about being transferred to ICU. Showing photos of a dragon she bought for her son with an oxygen mask on, saying "uh oh, it's not looking very good". Unfortunately, it was a lot worse than anyone thought. Especially since she was still posting just hours before she passed away. And still being sassy...
Monday, December 01, 2014
12.1 Daily December
It's that time of the year again! The busiest time, but the time when we should try to remember what the season is all about.
You might recall that the Daily December idea was started several years ago by Ali Edwards as a way to document and remember the little details that happen during this month. I've done this on my blog for several years, though I didn't really follow through last year. I'm hoping to do a bit better this year. Admittedly, starting off is easy this time around because my 1st Christmas party was tonight.
I got together with my crafty friends. Every December we go out to dinner and exchange presents.
The tree and gingerbread house were at the Palace Hotel. I walk by the hotel almost every day. As I walked by today, I looked into the hotel and saw they had a stunning tree in the garden courtyard so I stepped in to enjoy the tree and take a few snapshots.
A fun start to the month!
You might recall that the Daily December idea was started several years ago by Ali Edwards as a way to document and remember the little details that happen during this month. I've done this on my blog for several years, though I didn't really follow through last year. I'm hoping to do a bit better this year. Admittedly, starting off is easy this time around because my 1st Christmas party was tonight.
I got together with my crafty friends. Every December we go out to dinner and exchange presents.The tree and gingerbread house were at the Palace Hotel. I walk by the hotel almost every day. As I walked by today, I looked into the hotel and saw they had a stunning tree in the garden courtyard so I stepped in to enjoy the tree and take a few snapshots.
A fun start to the month!
Monday, November 24, 2014
11.24: Map My Walk
Last month when we were Southern California, I went on a walk with my BFF. She used an app on her phone that tracked how many miles we walked and how fast we went. It's different from a pedometer because it only tracks your 'workout' steps. Whereas a pedometer will also calculate the steps you take from the couch to the kitchen, too. Which maybe sort of count, but not really.
I started using it about 5 weeks ago and I've walked almost 65 miles. Which for me is a lot. Because it doesn't include my regular walking around the house steps or walking to and from the car or around Trader Joes. I joked with Danielle that I used to walk maybe 12 miles a month. Maybe it was more, but nothing close to 65 miles. It also keeps track of your route, which I love. I have an attraction to maps. Is that weird? I donno, seems normal to me. But I like studying maps, north south east west. One way streets, how long it will take to walk or drive 3 miles. Raise your hand if you remember the old Thomas Guides from the days of yore.
Anyhoo, this was my walk today. It was a gorgeous sunny day for a walk. The air was crisp, maybe 63 degrees but sunny so it felt warm while walking.
For some reason, it lost connection at the red dot. I could probably add an additional .6 mile to that.
Here are a few snapshots I took along the way.
The tree at Pier 39.
101 California.
Really big ornaments at 101 California.
I started using it about 5 weeks ago and I've walked almost 65 miles. Which for me is a lot. Because it doesn't include my regular walking around the house steps or walking to and from the car or around Trader Joes. I joked with Danielle that I used to walk maybe 12 miles a month. Maybe it was more, but nothing close to 65 miles. It also keeps track of your route, which I love. I have an attraction to maps. Is that weird? I donno, seems normal to me. But I like studying maps, north south east west. One way streets, how long it will take to walk or drive 3 miles. Raise your hand if you remember the old Thomas Guides from the days of yore.
Anyhoo, this was my walk today. It was a gorgeous sunny day for a walk. The air was crisp, maybe 63 degrees but sunny so it felt warm while walking.
For some reason, it lost connection at the red dot. I could probably add an additional .6 mile to that.Here are a few snapshots I took along the way.
The tree at Pier 39.101 California.Really big ornaments at 101 California.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
11.20 Sneaky Friends
Monica sent me a surprise package today...
Last week we were chatting about these beautiful scarves. We talk constantly about coveting miscellaneous odds and ends so I never in a million years expected a package from her. I literally cried when I opened the box and saw 2 gorgeous scarves from her. Super generous and thoughtful! She picked great colors didn't she?? Even though I totally look awful. I was just so excited when I got them that I had to do a fast no-makeup selfie to send to her.
Last week we were chatting about these beautiful scarves. We talk constantly about coveting miscellaneous odds and ends so I never in a million years expected a package from her. I literally cried when I opened the box and saw 2 gorgeous scarves from her. Super generous and thoughtful! She picked great colors didn't she?? Even though I totally look awful. I was just so excited when I got them that I had to do a fast no-makeup selfie to send to her.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Good friends are like stars. You don't always see them but you know they are there.
In October, I tagged along with Jimmy on one of his work trips. This time we just went to S. California. We drove down but Jimmy needed the car, so I was stuck at the hotel for 3 days. But I really wasn't stuck. Because I got to see my 2 besties and their families, plus another friend and her son who I've known since elementary school, and of course the 3 nephews and their parents.
BFFs for 32 years. One of my most special moments of my life was being with her when her daughter was born.
I remember playing jacks and hopscotch in elementary school with Loretta. I hadn't seen her in 4 years, but we keep in touch via Facebook and Instagram. I knew that we'd be within a few miles of her, so I hoped she'd be free for a quick lunch or coffee. Our quick lunch ended up being a 2+ hour gab fest.
I spent several hours with my bestie Monica and her son. We talk every single day. She's the easiest person to talk to. How we can manage to talk about who know what for what can add up to an hour or more of conversation amazes me. We went to college together not far from where I was staying. One of our senior year projects was to analyze the real estate marketability of a retail shopping center, just 5 miles from my hotel. It was barren land back then, but development was happening quickly. It currently looks like this:
Neither one of us became real estate tycoons.
Jimmy's brother is a college football coach in San Bernardino and we managed to get there before half-time and watch his team win!
BFFs for 32 years. One of my most special moments of my life was being with her when her daughter was born.I remember playing jacks and hopscotch in elementary school with Loretta. I hadn't seen her in 4 years, but we keep in touch via Facebook and Instagram. I knew that we'd be within a few miles of her, so I hoped she'd be free for a quick lunch or coffee. Our quick lunch ended up being a 2+ hour gab fest.I spent several hours with my bestie Monica and her son. We talk every single day. She's the easiest person to talk to. How we can manage to talk about who know what for what can add up to an hour or more of conversation amazes me. We went to college together not far from where I was staying. One of our senior year projects was to analyze the real estate marketability of a retail shopping center, just 5 miles from my hotel. It was barren land back then, but development was happening quickly. It currently looks like this:Neither one of us became real estate tycoons.Jimmy's brother is a college football coach in San Bernardino and we managed to get there before half-time and watch his team win!Sunday, October 12, 2014
Day 3-5 Gratitude
I totally flaked out of posting my daily gratitudes here, so for continuity, I'll quickly update them...
Thankful Day 3:
1. Reconnecting with old friends. Staying in touch with family and friends here and on instagram. Love seeing all the reunion pics. (my high school had a multi-year reunion in September. I wasn't able to go, but I enjoyed seeing all my high school friends photos).
2. Being able to enjoy a city life and a rural mountain life.
3. Having a good amount of creative energy. I always have something creative going on.
Thankful day 4:
1. eye contact.
2. laughter and giggles.
3. forearms. um...did i just say that outloud? (ok, so one of my bff's and I have a recurring inside joke about forearms, but my husband will attest to my love of his forearms.)
Thankful day 5:
1. multiple farmers markets within walking distance.
2. griffins, unicorns, elves and imagination.
3. holding hands every now and then, even after 29 years.
Thankful Day 3:
1. Reconnecting with old friends. Staying in touch with family and friends here and on instagram. Love seeing all the reunion pics. (my high school had a multi-year reunion in September. I wasn't able to go, but I enjoyed seeing all my high school friends photos).
2. Being able to enjoy a city life and a rural mountain life.
3. Having a good amount of creative energy. I always have something creative going on.
Thankful day 4:
1. eye contact.
2. laughter and giggles.
3. forearms. um...did i just say that outloud? (ok, so one of my bff's and I have a recurring inside joke about forearms, but my husband will attest to my love of his forearms.)
Thankful day 5:
1. multiple farmers markets within walking distance.
2. griffins, unicorns, elves and imagination.
3. holding hands every now and then, even after 29 years.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Thankful meme
There's a meme going around on Facebook to list 3 things you're thankful for for the next 5 days.
My bbf of 30+ years nominated me, who of course, I am so thankful she's been a huge part of my life all these years. We're lucky if we see each other every other year (I haven't seen her since 2012), but we text at least 3-4x a week, just to say hi and that we're thinking of each other.
I love listing things I'm grateful for. I've done the november daily challenge several years. it's easy for me to find things to be thankful for. and it's always a great reminder when things are just not going the way you want them to go. it's nice to review those things when life is a little shakey. I would much rather remember the wonderful things and forget the yucky things.
I wanted to share my 3 daily 'thankfuls' here, too, mostly because I'll add photos here, where I won't on facebook. Photos help me visualize the gratitude. I need them to go hand and hand, so my lists on facebook feel incomplete without them.
1. lots of nieces and nephews and friend's kids, who are like family. Their parents are pretty awesome, too.
2. cling free peaches. Don't you just love when you cut a peach in half and it easily pulls away from the pit? One of my favorite simple pleasures.
3. finding whole sand dollars at the beach. They're so fragile that 99% of the ones you see are broken. So it feels like you've found a real piece of treasure when you find a whole one.
My bbf of 30+ years nominated me, who of course, I am so thankful she's been a huge part of my life all these years. We're lucky if we see each other every other year (I haven't seen her since 2012), but we text at least 3-4x a week, just to say hi and that we're thinking of each other.I love listing things I'm grateful for. I've done the november daily challenge several years. it's easy for me to find things to be thankful for. and it's always a great reminder when things are just not going the way you want them to go. it's nice to review those things when life is a little shakey. I would much rather remember the wonderful things and forget the yucky things.
I wanted to share my 3 daily 'thankfuls' here, too, mostly because I'll add photos here, where I won't on facebook. Photos help me visualize the gratitude. I need them to go hand and hand, so my lists on facebook feel incomplete without them.
1. lots of nieces and nephews and friend's kids, who are like family. Their parents are pretty awesome, too.2. cling free peaches. Don't you just love when you cut a peach in half and it easily pulls away from the pit? One of my favorite simple pleasures.
3. finding whole sand dollars at the beach. They're so fragile that 99% of the ones you see are broken. So it feels like you've found a real piece of treasure when you find a whole one.
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