Monday, April 18, 2011

One In A Trillion

My husband and I celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary last week. He has always been creative about organizing special outings to mark our special day, but this year was exceptional. We started the morning at a light-filled chapel dedicated to the minister who married us, going over the wedding vows in the Book of Common Prayer. Then on to Charlottesville to tour Ashlawn-Highland- James Monroe's home near Monticello. We had a delicious lunch at a new find in C-ville. We then drove the Constitution highway to Orange, Va for a night's stay at the Inn at Willow Creek. The home was built in 1778 and after a $2 million renovation, this magical inn represented fox-hunt traditional with Elle Decor NYC modern edge. The food was absolutely over-the-top outstanding. The next day, we toured Dolly and James Madison's recently renovated home, Montpelier. Marriages get crowded with busy schedules and to take time-out and spend time with that special someone- no distractions- is such a blessing. That's also why we need to take time-out to enjoy dinner together as a family. It takes planning and some extra effort- think of the time it took my husband to plan and organize this celebration. And what are the odds of me meeting and marrying someone this special- one in a trillion!

Monday, April 4, 2011

RAMS RULE RICHMOND!!!

Congratulations VCU! You gave us one memorable week. I was front and center at the pep rally to see VCU off to Houston for the Final Four. I was on TV and interviewed by the Washington Times and WRVA. Going to the VCU bookstore to get my family Final Four t-shirts and seeing throngs of people smiling and full of excitement. I didn't even mind waiting 30 minutes just to get out of the parking deck. Then Friday night, 10pm, waiting in another long line at the grocery store to get my food supplies for friends coming over to watch to watch the big game. The man at the check out said the day had been Super Bowl 2- everybody getting their party food. We came up short but it's amazing to put VCU in the same b-ball category as Kentucky. Also this week, I heard an expert from Boston discuss substance abuse and he encouraged families to think about what really makes them happy. Is it worth missing family dinnertime to make more money, go to one more meeting, gymastics for 7 year olds etc. and then not know what is going on in your children's minds? Before the big game, the team eats their meal TOGETHER. "The ball goes up...and there you are...a shooting star...it's more than a contest, it's more than a race...you reach deep inside." Have "One Shining Moment"-daily!