A Bittersweet First Day of Spring

Yesterday marked the first day of Spring. It was a chilly (by San Diego standards) 60 degree day. It rained on and off most of the day, at times pouring. The weather fit my mood pretty well. March 21st was my Grandmother's birthday. She would have been 79 years old. Up until 2 years ago she was the picture of health. It never crossed my mind that I wouldn't have her around for the majority of my adult years. Then we got news that changed all of that. My Grandma had a stage four brain tumor. There was nothing that medicine or surgery could do to cure it. We had 7 more months with her, as the tumor progressively got worse. There were times when she was just like her old self and others when she was really confused. It affected her short term memory the most. She had to be reminded often what was happening to her and why she couldn't go home. She lived in a nursing home with around the clock care, and my Aunt took her home to her house nearby on the weekends. She had been an independent woman living by herself for almost 15 years since my Grandpa passed away. So this was really hard for her - she was a stubborn lady!

I visited from North Carolina as much as I could and called often. Sometimes the conversations were just like ones we'd had before she got sick. She'd tell me everything was going to be okay. Our whole family spent one last Thanksgiving together in Georgia. I'll never forget all of us playing Trivial Pursuit, and Grandma beating us all! Right before Christmas my brother and I went to see her before heading home to Virginia. At that point she was unresponsive and slipped in and out of being lucid. We held her hand and said our goodbyes as we knew the time was near. Even though she couldn't talk I felt she knew it was us there. She passed away December 30th, 2009. Even though it's been more than a year I still get the urge to pick up the phone and tell her good news. Like when I got the job in San Diego and decided to move here last summer. When I did my internship out here in the summer of 2007, my Grandma drove here with me. We called ourselves Thelma and Louise :) We had an amazing week long cross country trip seeing all the sights along the way. I'll always treasure those memories and the time we had together. I know that she'll always be with me.

~Irma D. Burger - March 21, 1932 - December 30, 2009 ~

As if yesterday wasn't a hard enough day for my family, it was the anniversary of my Grandpa's death. (From the other side of the family, my mom's Dad) I was only 13 when he passed, so I didn't have the strong relationship with him as I did both my Grandmas. But I still miss him all the same. He was a very accomplished Colonel in the United States Army serving 28 years and earning a Silver and Bronze Star. He had a traditional military funeral at Arlington National Cemetary with a 21 gun salute.

~Colonel Charles H. Curtis, 1923 - 1997~

Sorry for the somber post. Losing loved ones is never easy and no matter how much time has passed that void still remains. I heard this song awhile back that rings so true.

Save a Place for Me by Matthew West

Don’t be mad if I cry
It just hurts so bad sometimes
‘Cause everyday it’s sinking in
And I have to say goodbye all over again

You know I bet it feels good to have the weight of this world
Off your shoulders now
I’m dreaming of the day
When I’m finally there with you

Save a place for me
Save a place for me
I’ll be there soon
I’ll be there soon
Save a place for me
Save some grace for me
I’ll be there soon
I’ll be there soon

I have asked the question why
But I guess the answer’s for another time
So instead I’ll pray
With every tear
And be thankful for the time I had you here

And I wanna live my life
Just like you did
Make the most of my time
Just like you did
And I wanna make my home up in the sky
Just like you did
Oh, but until I get there
Until I get there

Happy Mardi Gras!

Laissez le bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll! A year ago I took a road trip with friends from Charlotte to the Big Easy. It was my first time to New Orleans, and I'd never experienced anything like it! We spent 4 nights (including Mardi Gras) full of parades, hurricanes, jazz music, cajun food, dancing - and adorned ourselves with an excessive amount of feathers and beads. It's definitely something everyone should do once in their lives!

I'm proud of the headdress! They cost a fortune at the costume stores so I bought feathers and sequins from a craft store and made it myself! And it somehow got out of New Orleans in one piece! I still have it. You know, incase I have an occasion calling for a headdress again - you never know!

I think the history of Mardi Gras is fascinating, and all the different kinds of celebrations around the world celebrating the day before Ash Wednesday - the start of the Lenten season in the Christian Church. Besides New Orleans, celebrations in Venice, Italy and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil are also extremely elaborate. "Fat Tuesday" is traditionally when we eat all the fatty foods in our home before beginning the ritual fasting of Lent. A last time to have what you will give up during Lent - whether it's chocolate, soda, coffee, sweets or any other bad for us vice. I'm still deciding what to give up this Lent, something I haven't given up in years past.

Happy Mardi Gras everyone!

Oscars 2011 - The good, the bad and the ugly

Last Sunday I attended my first Oscars Watch Party hosted by a friend and her husband. They went all out and even rolled out a red carpet and took "papparazzi" shots as everyone arrived. Dang, I should have dressed up more! Snacks included popcorn, candy and hotdogs - to fit the movie theme. We all filled out Oscar ballots as we arrived as to who we thought would take home each award and put in $5 to enter. There was a prize to be won, as well as money, so I had done my research! I'd watched the Golden Globes and read some blogs online to know who were the favorites to win.

This was the first year I'd watched the Oscars on West Coast time, so it was a little weird that they started at 5pm instead of the usual 8pm on the East Coast. But the plus was that they were over at a reasonable time! I've always loved watching award shows, mainly for the fashion! And this year didn't dissappoint. Here are a few of my favorites.

Halle Berry looking flawless as ever in a champagne Marchesa dress. She never makes a Red Carpet mistake. I love the tulle train and detail at the top. It's so elegant and she gets an A+ from me!

Reese has been my girl crush forever, and I always love her style on the Red Carpets. I think she pulled off the vintage look beautifully with the teased ponytail and simple Armani Prive black dress. I actually wore a very similar dress to a formal before.

And who could take their eyes off Mila Kunis in this gorgeous Elie Saab Haute Couture lacy gown?!?! That must of involved a lot of body tape to keep everything in place. The Black Swan star looked stunning!

As far as the show goes, it was kind of a bore. Anne Hathaway had some funny moments and was charming as ever. But what the heck was up with James Franco? He looked so uninterested and almost annoyed about being there. He also seemed like he may have had a little Pineapple Express before getting on stage. The Opening bit spoof of the Best Picture nominees was cute, and it was somewhat amusing to see James Franco in a dress, but otherwise the show lacked comedy.

King's Speech was the big winner with Best Picture, Best Actor to Colin Firth and many others. I need to see this film! I liked Social Network but I'm glad it didn't win. It was an amazing film, but not of the Academy Awards Best Picture caliber. I saw 5 out of the 10 Best Picture nominees. I didn't think I'd like True Grit but I loved it! I was surprised that it didn't win anything.

All in all, I guessed 12 out of 20 winners right. The hosts got the most right at 14, but they didn't want to keep the prize :) Three of us tied for second place, and then drew names to who got the grand prize. I won!

Now it's time to see all the other Oscar nominees!