A Memorable Memorial Day Weekend...

I love 3-day weekends...thank you, US Government, for creating Memorial Day Monday every year!

Last Friday I spent most of the day with Karen and Dave, beloved daughter and son-in-law, while Karen had her gall bladder surgery. I'm so happy that all turned out well, and that she should be experiencing tremendous relief for the tummy ailments that have plagued her since high school! Praise the Lord for a skilled surgeon (handsome, too), and nurturing female anesthesiologist, and the wonderful nursing staff at Baylor Hospital.

Saturday morning found me riding in Mike's red Toyota MR2 southward to Georgetown, TX to visit his daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Byron. Their four children (Sarah, Michael, John and Peter) were so excited to see their Grand-Dad and since I had met them on a previous occasion, they were also delighted that I was coming, too.

Sharon and Byron's home is amazing! It's a Texas historical landmark, built in the late 1800's, and it has been beautifully restored by these amazing two adults. I've posted some pictures for you to enjoy...I'm particularly enchanted by the exterior and in love with the colors and schemes they have chosen for the interior.
The beautiful staircase (which is hard to see because we took family pictures in front of it) was the original wood and design...so well-preserved and beautiful. Hardwood floors throughout...Oh...such charm!





Who is in the photo to the right? Mike is holding adorable little Peter, age 10 months. I'm holding John, age 3. To the right of John is Michael, age 6, and behind Michael is Sarah, age 8 (going on 12...the girl is brilliant)!


While hard to see them, John and Michael are sitting on the front porch of this beautiful Georgetown landmark.

The photo to the right is taken from the side of the house. The backyard is behind the wrought iron fenceline; the front yard is to the left beyond the trees at the left edge of the picture.

We spent a lot of time enjoying the Georgetown community. We had dinner at a new Italian restaurant downtown. Mike and I walked the quaint streets and looked through antique shop windows. The weather was warm, breezy, humid, and somewhat rainy, but it didn't stop us from touring the historic streets of this charming town.

I experienced one new adventure...something I'd never seen nor done before! The children caught lightning bugs (aka fireflies) and secured them in their bug box! I'd never seen these flying creatures before...quite amazing!

Michael is on the left and John is on the right; the "bug box" is on the floor...this was the next morning after the lightning bugs had been incarcerated through the evening! They were set free! You might notice two injuries on these active little boys...a fall resulting in Michael's broken arm, and a spill for John which produced a very colorful black eye!



Speaking of bugs and "critters"...8 year old Sarah is a budding young scientist. Her interest mainly lies with insects, crawling creatures, snakes, crocodiles, and dinosaurs. She is an expert on most wildlife; instead of pink ruffles, dolls and glass figurines in her room, you'll find acquariums, hermit crabs, foliage, and insect collections. She graciously gave me her room for the weekend.

The photo on the right was taken next
to her prized possession...
quite a piece of taxidermy, wouldn't you say?




Last, but certainly not least, I post a photo of our lovely hostess, Sharon (Mike's daughter). She is an amazing woman...she keeps a lovely house sparkling clean, she home schools her children, she does the weekly gymnastics trips, the shopping, the laundry, and even manages to feed her domestic bent further by sewing her own wardrobe and those of her four children! Her sewing room is every seamstress's dream...I'll have one down the road again when I embrace retirement! Thank you, Sharon, for a terrific weekend!

I'm in love with a younger man!

He's actually quite a bit younger than me...but I'm totally enamored with him....


My great-nephew, Victor Ventura....and his two best canine friends....see below...

The canines are Tillie on the left (white poodle) and Trixie on the right (grey poodle).

He is so amazing...I love him to pieces!

Pam caught up with us while out for a stroll.

Random Photos

A few pictures taken at Mother's party this evening...and some family shots as well. See below!

Me, DeeDee and Mother

Didn't quite get this pose mastered!

Party Guests...

The Sisters!

Backyard Patio Party Progressive Dinner!

Mother and Dee Dee remain active leaders in the Sonoma County chapter of the Lioness Club. Tonight is their club's progressive dinner, beginning with appetizers and beverage in Mom's backyard...which is so lovely. I had scrub brush and soapy water in hand this morning and washed all the lawn furniture which had collected dust and debris during the winter months. They are now sparkling clean and fresh for the guests. The yard looks so pretty; I couldn't help but post some photos of the beautiful green grass and colorful roses and blossoms. Mom does a great job of backyard gardening.

Catching up on lost time...as in 25 years plus!

When I was in the fifth grade at Proctor Terrace Elementary School in my hometown in California, I was blessed with an amazing circle of little girlfriends! We did everything together...trick-or-treating on Halloween; birthday parties at each other's houses; blue birds and camp fire girls; trading "charms" at recess; going steady with boys during junior high; cheerleading and drill team; summer school and summer camp; first dates; first cars; first kisses...oh my gosh...such memories!

Tonight I rekindled four relationships with women I hadn't seen in 25-40 years...literally. Donna and Diane (fraternal twins), Peggy (their dear, beautiful mother of 83 years young), Eloise, my grade school and junior high friend, and my dearest sister, Pam. We shared hugs, and kisses, and laughter and tears as we shared our joys, disappointments, successes and regrets over the past 25-30 years. Peggy, Diane and Eloise had to leave after an hour. I was so caught up in the conversation that I forgot to snap their photos before they left....I'm so bummed! But, Pam did snap this photo of our hostess, Donna, and me! I treasure it! I've been invited to our 40th class reunion in August...and I really want to go...we'll see if I can make it happen.

Here's to the next twenty-five years, dearest girlfriends, with my heartfelt love and affection!

Angie and Donna, class of 1967

A Mother's Day Weekend Surprise!

What a delight to surprise my mother yesterday afternoon when I unexpectedly appeared at her front door! She was overjoyed and extremely pleased that I had taken the time and resources to visit her this weekend.

A few photos below from lunch out today with the daughters and the great-grandson! More comments and photos to follow, but here's a sneak preview.

Lunch at a very popular 50's diner in neighboring Windsor. Nan, Nicole, Victor.
The matriarch herself, Nan Bardes, with eldest daughter, Angela.

Angela Bardes and Pamela Leazer, daughters #1 and #2 in descending order!

More family photos soon....stay tuned!

A Mother's Day Weekend Surprise!

Regal, Royal, and Enchanting!

I must admit that I was indeed captivated by the royal visit to the White House this week. I found myself caught up in the splendor of the planning, the glitter of the white tie and tails and floor-length evening gowns, the VIP guest list, and of course, the unparalleled, elite artistry of Itzac Perlman.

I met a most extraordinary married couple last night. He is 89 years young and she is 95 years young. Their names are Tom and Kathleen B. (Again, I am somewhat reluctant to publish last names without permission.) Tom and Kathleen have been married 38 years. Prior to their 38 years of marriage Kathleen was married twice before...yes, Tom is her third husband! Her first two husbands both died early in life, she's been a widow twice, and today she is blessed with a third husband of 38 years, a man who truly adores her for her grace, her dignity, her beauty and her charm.

Kathleen and Tom are Mike's mother and step-father. We met them in Dallas last night for an early Mother's Day dinner. When we arrived at El Fenix restaurant, we found them seated side-by-side at the table, enjoying the company of their grandson (Mike's son), Allen. I recognized Kathleen right away from a photograph Mike had shown me on another occasion. But what astonished me so incredibly was her amazing physical beauty! Even though she suffers from macular degeneration (she only has peripheral vision), she has a carriage and confidence about herself that exudes the most amazing lovliness! She has a wrinkle-free face, beautiful white hair, creamy skin (no blemishes), and a stately, trim figure (even though she uses a walker). Her husband, Tom, is absolutely charming! A real tease (he and I had a great time together), he is a very intelligent man...staunch Republican, astute conversationalist, and very handsome! His adoring love for Kathleen was more than evident..."...we are a wonderful match for each other..." he says, "she's almost blind and I'm almost deaf; we compensate perfectly for each other"...he tells me as his arm rests on the back of her chair.

After dinner we visited them at their home in Dallas. They live off of Northwest Highway, just a few blocks from Hillcrest in a spectacular Retirement Village...more like a 5-star resort! Their condominium home is decorated southwestern due to having lived in Taos, NM for many years. I visited with Tom and Allen while Mike took his mother to the den where she sat in her chair and used a very high-powered, lighted magnifying glass to look at pictures that Mike had taken at a recent family reunion (Kathleen was wearing a striking bright red dress and jacket at the reunion...nothing frumpy for this Southern Belle). We visited together for about 45 minutes to an hour...and then dear Tom announced that it was bedtime! Our cue that it was time to leave so he could help Kathleen retire for the night.

Why have I spent blog time describing this? Well, one reason is that I've rarely witnessed a more loving, caring relationship between two seniors. We didn't have parents or grandparents who shared this kind of heartfelt affection and respect for each other, therefore I missed out on observing these treasured relationships. What a gift! And what an amazing testimony of what marriage should be, can be and actually is for many couples. My prayer for my family and for myself is that we might all look to Him each and every day, asking for wisdom and guidance in our own relationships, that they would be honorable and pleasing in His sight.

And so I end with this...Kathleen is so like Queen Elizabeth...stately, graceful, beautiful (much more beautiful than the Queen), revered, and charming! I am blessed to have met her and I hope I will see her again! And Tom is indeed her earthly King!

Oh....by the way.....we presented Kathleen with a gift of European Dark Chocolates for Mother's Day from a new little chocolate shop in Grapevine...so fitting for a proper southern senior!

Aren't they handsome?

And they can sing and play great jazz music, too!

I had a wonderful time this evening with Mike...he took me to see The Four Freshmen at the Irving Arts Center, and that was after a great Tilapia dinner at my favorite seafood restaurant, Rockfish.

This great foursome pictured above sang songs from the 50's...most were very familiar, but some were new to me. The lyrics were beautiful...soft and romantic...endearing love stories sung in melodious harmony. There is nothing that comes close to live music! The horn player (he played Cornet tonight, versus trumpet) was very skilled; each of his solos reminded me so much of my father...tonight's music indeed reflected that of the famed handsome, Greek, Northern Californian trumpet player and musician of the 60's and 70's...my dearest Dad!

And having Mike as my date certainly added a warm sparkle to the evening. So Mike, if you're reading this, thanks for a great dinner, meaningful conversation, fun laughter, and terrific music! I'm looking forward to our next outing...