Miss Malayna Pies

Per Susan's request, I am posting a couple of the videos I took of Malayna last week. Please be advised they may only be adorable to her Grandma, and may have been funnier in person.... so sorry but the videos would not upload, can I ply you with an adorable photo of a hand knit

Half-Year Birthday Celebrations Begin!

Marcia's is the first half-birthday we celebrated and it marks the beginning of a new tradition for the four of us. Rather than lunch, we did C-Level's happy hour and it was such a happy, happy night. Marcia had just returned from New Hampshire where she taught a wonderful group of woman and had an unusually special time. Gail joined us after her recent trip to meet Bruce's mom and sister in Florida where she got the skinny on the other Judy (good-to-know kind of stuff). And she is still crazy in love and her happiness makes us all very happy. Judy had a challenging week at work, but joined us nevertheless bearing stick-on crystals and carrying a feather headdress for Marcia. Gail tried to stick crystals on her ring finger and I knocked them off and told her not to even think about it until she had a pre-nup in place. And me, well I had a boring couple of days at the store and fear that I might lose my mind during the slow summer so we're going to have a brainstorming meeting on the 14th. It's amazing how hard we can laugh at our troubles and yet take them seriously. We ended up holding hands around the table and telling each other how much we mean to each other. When we left the restaurant, Gail headed home to Bruce with his dinner and Judy, Marcia and I walked to the edge of the water

where we stood looking at San Diego's skyline capped with clouds. As we were standing looking at the sky line, a group of women came up to us and asked us to take their picture. So in turn, they took ours: And I was able to get this adorable shot of Marcia carrying this extraordinary work-of-art purse that was gifted to her by another talented artist.

Still the same.....

Thank you Judy for having picked up the slack when you may be the busier of any of us...well vying with Val for that honor.....I am vowing to be a better documenter of our life together. I went back through all of our posts and it is really amazing how much we've done together....I am really glad that we have this blog.

Here is a post I found from 2009, but it still rings so true, that I thought it beared repeating

Ode to 'The Five of Us'

Warning, I am feeling mushy, be advised.

Just have to check in and celebrate 'TheFive of Us'. It has such a wonderful ring to it. I am forever going on to Mark abut 'my girls' and does he get it, how special it is and how I've never really had this before and.....his eyes glaze over. But, he will make us waffles and he does get it and I think he is grateful that I have this connection.

I just felt the need to share. From each of you I get something special, something added to my life. I am awe of being in the presence of such artists, who are articulate, with whom I share laughs and heartaches and celebrate accomplishments. From whom I can get advice I trust and with whom I relate to their lives.

You are all so truly special to me.

I love you all, see you soon.

Marcia

Here is Judy in the Reindeer Ears

Gail's beautiful tree
and one of her little gardens
and her beautiful dining room

December 23rd 2011 was a special evening, of warmth, friendship, laughter and love!

The Life and Times of 2011

Hard to believe the year is gone already! Many challenges, many laughs, many shared memories,always food and much love has kept our bond through out the year. Here's a potpourri of pics from our Birthdays, and get together's!

Gail's Tree


I apologize for no Birthday pictures of Val and Judy (me) my computer crashed and I lost all the pictures I had taken off my camera. These were still on my memory card!

Judy's New Year's Wish Comes True!

Well, Judy's new year's goal was to walk through open doors, and she has indeed done so!!! Judy announced today that her bead mats have been accepted to this year's Bead 'N Button publication that identifies new products!!! This could be HUGE! It wasn't easy for her to even meet the deadline for submission since she is super-duper busy. But with incredible determination she did it! She walked through the door Marcia showed her! Bravo!!!

BIG CONGRATULATIONS, JUDY!!!

Judipatuti's Birthday

Judy's birthday celebration could not have fallen on a better day. The January sun was strong and warm drawing a big lunch crowd at C-Level. It was so warm that Judy wore her bathing suit with a long glittery necklace as pictured above. Hah! Just kidding but you can tell it was 80 and sunny by that adorable sleeveless top (purchased at the Grove) and the squint in our eyes. Val had some Drew business to take care of so we weren't expecting her but she surprised us all by making a quick stop to deliver Judy's birthday present...hair accessories. Perfect for Judy since she has such a gorgeous head of hair. Unfortunately, the sun was so bright that the photo of Judy and the rest of her gifts did not come out. If it did, you would have seen the beautiful miniature succulent garden in a china red pot that Gail gave her. And the cheerful striped clip board, accordian file, and packet of mini journals from Marcia to help Judy stay organized while she launches her online bead mat business. And you would have seen the maple drop spindle I gave her to help her launch spinning classes at the Grove. (Hmmm...sounds like this is a year of launching for Judy...forget walking through an open door. Let's focus on Take Off!).

Judy ordered our special ahi nachos dish which was enormous especially following the traditional onion rings and sweet potato fries. Shane, the chef, was extremely generous. And the lunch was served by our favorite waiter, Juan, whose smile was as big and bright as the sun. Judy chose a trio of creme brulees for her birthday desert. Pomegranate, lemon, and traditional...yum!

We have discussed having half-year birthday celebrations since we don't have another official birthday to celebrate until Val's in late August. We'll be working on that since it is not possible for us to stay away from C-Level for that long.

New Year's 2011!

Dear Ones,
Our "flying" wishes for 2011 (in order of appearance):
1. Susan: Good Fortune
2. Judy: Walk Through Open Doors
3. Marcia: Align Body & Mind
4. Val: Finding Balance, Stability, and Success.
5. Gail: Continue Healing Through Beauty & Creativity.