40? Who's turning 40?

March 4, 1972 was the day the magic happened; I was born.  OK, OK, FINE.....the seas didn't part, the Earth didn't stop moving, and life did continue on as it always had.  But, at least I was now a part of it.

11 more days until wheels up and we board a plane heading east - Long Beach Island here we come!  For my 40th birthday celebration I decided I wanted to be in a place that I loved with as many of the people I love as possible.  So, I've rented a house on Long Beach Island and several of my Philadelphia friends are gathering to hang out, celebrate and have a good time.

Long Beach Island is a magical place so it just seemed appropriate.  

More updates to follow...........

Friendship and the test of time....and distance

Recently I had some friends come to visit from out of state.  Sabrina, my best friend, our mutual friend Maria, and Maureen another mutual friend from Florida.  And, with the world being as small as it is, a dear childhood friend of Maria's who lives in Canada just happened to be in the Bay Area on a vacation by herself.  So, our home became home-base for several days over Father's Day weekend.

Maureen's visit was a surprise to Sabrina.  Maureen had told Sabrina she was planning to visit her in Philadelphia over July 4th; however she and I were planning a surprise visit in California.  So, Drew and I went to the airport and picked up Maureen.  While waiting for Sabrina and Maria to arrive we headed over to dinner.  Speed up to Sabrina's arrival......Maureen is hiding in the back of our van.  It's approx. 11:30pm so it's late, dark, and they are tired.  We start to drive away and of course, Sabrina starts bitching at me because we were out to dinner and she had to wait at the airport for a whole 4 minutes.  Well, mid-bitch Maureen decides to speak up.  "Oh quit your bitching!"  Well, Sabrina about had a heart attack with this voice from the back of the van. From that moment on, the party had started; and the bitching stopped. hahaha

Sabrina was so shocked and excited to see Maureen and it was a wonderful thing to watch unfold.  Maureen and Sabrina used to do hair at the same salon in Pennsylvania many years ago.  I met Maureen via the salon. Since then Maureen has moved to Florida; but we've all remained in contact.

Now it was time to start their visit and make the most of every minute we had together.

Sabrina and Maria were here until Wednesday morning.  Maureen was staying with us until they flew home and then she was continuing on to Yosemite National Park for a few days.  She should actually be on a plane back to Florida right now as I type this.

On Saturday we had the Grand Opening for my company's newest location. My family and our friends where there and got to enjoy all of the classic cars that were on display.

On Sunday, which was Father's Day, we had a big BBQ at our home.  Many of our friends and family joined us for good food, great laughs and to share the love we all have for each other.  It amazes me the connections that remain and weather the test of time apart and or distance between one another.  Maureen and I haven't seen each other in 11+ years; but recently reconnected on Facebook.  Maria, while I did see her last October on a visit to Philadelphia, reconnected like it was just yesterday that we were all in high school, hanging out and driving to Great Adventure to see Stevie B in concert.

Another friend, MaryJean, who was in from Atlanta was able to make the party along with her son and his fiance.  Her son, Jeff, is a great saxaphone player. He treated us to a mini-concert right in our back yard.

The night ended with a great feeling of family, friendship and love.  Each night that our friends were here we wrapped up the day by hanging out on our patio, party lights light, gas lanterns burning and the patio heater keeping the chilly late evening air at bay.

Over the next couple of days the girls visited San Francisco, Muir Woods and Stinson Beach.  It is always fun to play tour guide and see the reactions as people take in the beauty and diversity of California; especially the Bay Area.

Maria and Sabrina @ Muir Woods

Sabrina, Maria, Me and Maureen @ Muir Woods

On the way to Stinson Beach

Maria and Val

Sabrina, Me, Drew, Bev, Andy @ Asmara, our favorite Ethiopian Restaurant

Sabrina

Maria, Maureen, Me, Sabrina

Maria, Sabrina, Maureen

The visit was a great time for everyone and it was sad to see it come to a end; but on the bright side that means that we're that much closer to the next get-together. These kind of trips and visit always make me think about and realize how important friendship is and how dear these people are to my heart.  Each and every one of them has had a role in shaping me and the person I have grown to me.

If you'd like to see all of the photos, simply click HERE.  They are uploading as I type, so they might not be there quite yet.

I love and miss you all!

Mother's Day in Paradise

For Mother's Day 2011 we decided to take a vacation to Rosemary Beach, Florida.  A dear friend of mine owns a beautiful home at this beautiful ocean-front resort community.  "Casa al Fin" (meaning "Home at Last"!) is a beautifully designed and comfortably decorated 3000+ sq. ft. luxury home in Rosemary Beach.  It is just within a block, with a gorgeous view, of stunning white-sand beaches of the Emerald Coast.  Super for family getaways where fun and R&R are top priority! Click on the Casa al Fin link for a beautiful YouTube video.

The developers and designers have done an incredible job and are to be commended.  This community is like no other that I have ever visited.  "Rosemary Beach is a neo-traditional town located on northwest Florida's gulf coast, between Panama City and Destin, at the eastern end of Scenic Route 30A. The Rosemary Beach Land Company and President Patrick Bienvenue had a vision they wanted to share with the world.  In 1995, that vision became a reality and Rosemary Beach was born.  Rosemary Beach Land Company’s development plan is founded in the principles of New Urbanism and Traditional Neighborhood Development.  Inspired by other classic beach towns, the 107-acre, gulf-front town of Rosemary Beach was designed to bring back the notions of community, neighborhood and convenience.  In other words, this slice of heaven on earth offers residents the opportunity to live and work in paradise.

My parents, living in southern Georgia, drove out the night before we arrived from California so that we could be picked up at the airport. Upon our arrival to the Rosemary Beach community we were taken back by its beautiful architecture, urban feel and prestine white sand beaches.  

The community is master-planned and features a "down-town" or "city-center" area that offers quaint restaurants that go from quick and easy deli choices all the way up to dressy dining options; of which we didn't partake during our beach vacation. One of my favorite daily stops was The Sugar Shack. 

Many people who have not experienced the beaches of Florida's west coast, particularly this section of the panhandle known as the Emerald Coast,  can't truly grasp just how fine and powdery the white sand is. It remains cool under your feet and if you dig down just a bit it will actually be very cool and refreshing. Although I spent as much time as I could at the New Jersey "Shore" growing up and have incredibly fond memories, my preference is for this white powder sand.

Beverly & My Mom, Gail

One of the beautiful homes along the boardwalk on our way to the beach.

Do you not just immediately fall in love w/ the architecture?

The cozy fire pit in our private courtyard.

Beverly, Andrew & my Mom, Gail

Warm and crystal clear

During our stay we rented a pontoon boat and went to Shell Island. Shell Island, Florida, runs approximately seven-and-a-half miles adjacent to St. Andrew's State Recreational Area. Totally uninhabited by humans and only accessible by boat, Shell Island is a hidden gem for surfers, scuba divers and snorkelers. Because this barrier island is relatively secluded, its guests will be welcomed by pristine sand dunes, flocks of colorful seashells and rare ecological delights preserved from eons past.  While we were on the beach we we able to watch hermit crabs traveling thru the clear water, live sea urchins as well as some vacated urchin shells that we brought home and live sand dollars.

Our east-coast beach vacation ended on a wonderful note - a incredible thunder storm came through the night before we left.  The rain came down in buckets and the thunder and lighting shook the house and lit up the night as if it was Noon.  For me, a east coast native who grew up with the strong storms, it was a welcomed event.  We sat in the screened-in patio and just listened to mother nature make her music.

If you are looking for a up-scale, relaxing and simply beautiful vacation - make sure you check our Casa al Fin @ Rosemary Beach.