Happy Halloween!!!!

This is my favorite little pumpkin. Isn't my niece the cutest! I just love her and I'm so glad she came to all of us - life is a miracle. And if I could make a suggestion for a guaranteed spirit lifter - go hug a baby then eat a couple of peanut butter cups - mmmmm. To see more pictures of this fabulous little soul you can visit here.

Back From California

California... there really is no place like it. The amazing sun, ALL THE TIME and the traffic, ALL THE TIME. It was great to catch up with friends, lay in the sun and eat at my favorite places. One of which is Bob's Big Boy in Burbank. It's been around for ages and almost every time I go there I see "someone." My meal of choice is a pattymelt and french fries with ranch dressing and then to it with Bob under his hamburger.I also had lots of time on the flight to think about my future "job". I would love to just paint and make a living doing that. So, for the next couple of months I'm going to paint up a storm and just work as hard as I can and see what happens. I figure if I don't try it now, I may never give it a go. I met an artist here in St. Louis - MaryBeth Flynn and we spent the morning together last week. For the past 14 years she's been making her living painting watercolor house portraits. I was so encouraged to hear her story. She did let me know it was a great deal of hard work. For years I've been working two jobs - that of my day job and in my spare time, I'm painting. So, I think on some level it will be nice to just focus on the painting. So that's the plan. One step at a time, one day at a time.

Forty - 40 - Four, Zero

... not a number I really have looked forward to. But here it is. And my dearest friend flew in from sunny California to cold, wet, flooding St. Louis to ease the blow. How can a person, even a person who is rounding the "adult" corner be blue with friends like that. Thanks Samantha!!!! I love you!

First 39th





What's the best way to celebrate your first 39th Birthday? HIGH TEA! In fact, I find that High Tea is the best way to celebrate ANY birthday. My lovely friends and I met up at the Vintage Tea Leaf in Long Beach, put on old hats, sat up straight as we carefully dropped sugar cubes in our bone china tea cups and sipped the hot brew with our pinkies pointing straight out. It was DEEElightful! I will never out grow my love for a girly tea party. Whenever I travel I try to find a tea room. I do need to mention that the best scones in Long Beach are at Starling Diner. In Washington D.C., the scones at the Ritz Carlton melt in your mouth. I'm still searching for the best in New York City and San Francisco. So stay posted, because I WILL find them. So here's my Sassiest of Friends in her feather hat - wearing it as if she never knew a day without it.