She's a Delta, Tri Delta, you can tell her from the start.
By her walk and her talk and her uh-huh, sets a Delta girl apart.
She's a Delta

I had a wonderful five days in Orlando with my mom and 750 Tri Delta sisters. Here are some highlights of all the fun we had!

Our home for five days, the JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando

With Florida Gulf Coast University Tri Deltas - current and alums

Walking a 5K for St. Jude (we raised $10,000!)

Listened to a wonderful speech from Tri Delta Deborah Norville, met her and had my book signed too.

A fun night exploring Sea World

Met a real Sea Lion (he smelled like fish!).

Celebrated at the final banquet.

Florida Gulf Coast University Tri Deltas at the chapter roll call.

Happiness pulses with every beat of my heart.
Terri Guillemets

Five full days at a beautiful resort in Orlando, Florida + my mom + the 2010 Tri Delta Convention = a happy, happy girl!

Can't wait to get away from work and life, spend time with my mom while enjoying Convention slathered in pansies and pearls.

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.

G.B. Stern

Sunday gratitude:

• my wonderful father, who I called Papa (even though he isn't here with me anymore!)

A man's soul can be judged by the way he treats his dog.
Charles Doran

Officially announcing the newest addition to our family, Winnie!

Relaxing in her new home.

I didn't want to jinx it so I didn't mention it earlier but we picked her up on Saturday from a local rescue. She is three years old and was rescued six months ago from a home that had her on a chain outside and starved her down to just 12 pounds.

(Her foster mom gave me the photos from when she received her so I'll post them sometime. A nice little "those people should rot in hell" reminder and a wonderful testament to the good work that animal shelters and rescues do everyday.)

Anyway, she's here and happy! We introduced her and Bella this evening and it really went well. Bella is quick enough to jump on the mantel or slip under the bed and Winnie has generally left her alone. Curious, but not entirely interested. When I get worried, Winnie looks at me as if to say, "Uh, she's just a cat!"

So I finally have a little dog of my own. What fun we will have!

Our first picture together when we picked her up.

No man needs a vacation so much as the person who has just had one.
Elbert Hubbard

We had a great and busy Memorial Day weekend here in St. Louis and on our little trip to Louisville, Kentucky.

Nick's mom and dad stopped in for two nights on their way back from Florida. I took them to Schafly on Saturday for the World Porksteak Championship. Needless to say, it was delicious! Then we headed out to Nick's club because they wanted to try out some new golf stuff. They practiced, I relaxed in the Adirondack Chairs on the driving range! That night we enjoyed dinner together on The Hill at Cunnetto House of Pasta.


On Sunday, they headed out and we left for Louisville. It was a rare day to have Nick off on Memorial Day so we took advantage of the time. We spent Monday at Churchill and got an awesome backstretch tour from horse trainer, Tom Amoss. We also had the chance to watch the horses saddled in the paddock and even stand in the winner's circle. Nick was in horse-heaven!

Tom Amoss' barn on the backstrech

Watching the morning workouts.

Race 4 winner (and Tom's horse!) Alicia's Pretty Boy.

In the winner's circle - fun!

With jockey Miguel Mena.

I wanted all of the hanging planters but did get to snag the centerpiece from our table!

With the famous Twin Spires.

It's not the men in my life, it's the life in my men.

Mae West

Happy 31st birthday to my smart, funny, handsome,
ambitious and downright darling husband!

Education is the best provision for old age.

Aristotle

Nine years ago today I graduated from high school.

I know that many, many people have graduated many, many years ago more than that but to me it feels old.

It feels like that was another lifetime ago. Like, shouldn't I be retired by now? Seriously. I'm exhausted.

Oh well, I'm glad to be at this point in my life now. My old soul is much happier as a 27 1/2 year old than as an 18 year old.

So in honor of the anniversary of my high school graduation-ness, I wore the bracelet that my parents gave me that day. I still love it but have since upgraded to a bigger version.

[Funny how the older I get, the larger my jewelry has become. Chunkier watches, bigger necklaces and bracelets, larger pearls and diamonds. Dear Lord, what I will be wearing fifty years from now?! Nick is in serious trouble.]

But I digress.

It has a charm with my monogram on one side and May 25, 2001 engraved on the other. So on this May 25, 2010 I think it is only appropriate to wear today!

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.
G.B. Stern

Sunday gratitude:

• Nick is madras shorts.
• finishing my first year as an active member in Junior League.
• New Town in St. Charles - so quaint (and totally like The Truman Show!).
• first outdoor dinner of the summer at Amigo's.
• one week until the neighborhood pool opens!
  

The highest happiness on earth is marriage.
William Lyon Phelps

This past weekend, my mom and I met up in Williamsburg, Virginia for the marriage of her oldest friend's daughter. It was a lovely wedding with a lot of fun stuff to see in Williamsburg and plenty of planned activities.

In front of our hotel, the Williamsburg Lodge

My new husband.

Horse and carriage on the street.

One of the beautiful gardens

Outside the Williamsburg Inn before the bridal tea.

With the bride-to-be and her mother.

I love Nicholas (also the name of our hotel wing)!

Fife and drum

New military "recruits"

Dinner at the King's Arms

The morning of the wedding I enjoyed the pool with a Mallard.

My one and only photo from the beautiful wedding at the Jamestown Memorial Church
(my camera battery died!).

At the Sunday brunch before we left.

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.

G.B. Stern

Sunday gratitude:

• my wonderful mother!

Heaven give you many, many merry days.
William Shakespeare

I'm heading out of town this evening to meet my momma in Williamsburg, Virginia for the wedding of her oldest friend's daughter, Brittany. It will be a nice time to celebrate with them but also have a little vacation getaway in an interesting area.

The weekend bride-to-be, Brittany, with her mom, my momma and me at my wedding rehearsal dinner. They have been friends since they were in elementary school!

And talk about daughters looking like their mothers...

A Sunday well-spent brings a week of content.
Proverb

We had one of those rare weekends a while back where Nick was actually out of work on a Sunday before 1 p.m. We took advantage of the beautiful spring weather and all the free amenities St. Louis has to offer.

After sitting in traffic in Forest Park for what seemed like forever, we finally got a parking spot and headed on foot to the Saint Louis Zoo and up Art Hill to the Saint Louis Art Museum.

Beautiful trees in bloom near the zoo.

Funny Guy Fieri hair attached to a zoo visor.

One of my favorite exhibits at the zoo, the penguins!

On top of Art Hill.

In front of the museum (we appreciated the shade!)

I love her (in the Impressionist gallery)!

Every child begins the world again...
Henry David Thoreau

This past weekend I took a trip to my hometown, Sarasota, for a little Florida getaway. It was a great chance to spend time with my mom and also host a baby shower for my dear friend Casey.

She is due June 3, what a wonderful reason to have a party!

Main table with gifts and the betting game.

Yummy spread!

Daisies everywhere (plus a picture of us at my wedding).

Old friends (yes, we're getting "old" but I mean friends we've known for a long time!).

Beautiful rocking chair - a gift from her mother and mother-in-law.

He'll be all decked out in his parent's alma mater!

With my mom and fellow hostess.

The clothespin game winner, Melissa, and the mom to be.