Sunday, September 11, 2011

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Thursday, September 8, 2011

3 Days, 60 Miles, 1 Goal

In less than 9 hours I will be participating in my second Susan G Komen 3 Day for the Cure and today I hit the $3000 mark in donations.

My friends and family have supported me with donations, good wishes and their enthusiastic support. This walk is an indescribable experience. So much time and effort is put into the training, the fund raising - it's a huge commitment. The whole experience is amazing but what touches my heart most is being able to wear the names of their loved ones, some who have survived and some who have not, on my shirt.

Our mascot Tallulah will be with us in spirit as will so many others. Thank you everyone.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

I'm Walking - T Minus 5 Days

In just 5 days I will participate in my second Susan G Komen 3 Day for the Cure. Because of the support and generosity of my friends and family, I have once again exceeded my fundraising goal!!

I am walking to end breast cancer and to raise awareness that pets get breast cancer too. During the walk, it will be my privilege to walk in honor and in memory of my supporter's loved ones who have had cancer. I will be writing the names of people on one shirt and pets on another shirt.
 
Our mascot, Tallulah, a breast cancer survivor who went to the rainbow bridge on August 23, 2010, will be with us in spirit. I will proudly wear my 3rd t-shirt - Crazy Cat Ladies for the Cure with Tallulahs' picture on the it.

I look forward to the day when I won't need to add even one name to my shirt.
 
I will be posting here throughout the walk. I hope you'll follow along and post comments.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

A Tribute to Our Fallen Heros

Yesterday the City of San Francisco solemnly laid to rest two of its bravest. My husband and I went with our neighbors (one of whom is a recently retired SFFD firefighter) to the memorial service. We wanted to show our respect and gratitude for these brave heros who made the ultimate sacrifice while in service to our city.

In addition to the family and friends of Vincent Perez and Anthony Valerio, firefighters and police officers from all over the nation as well as Canada and Mexico came to honor these men and recognize their selfless service to our city. And there were many members of the public who like us, wanted to pay our respects.

It is difficult to describe what it was like to be there. There was all of the tradition, pomp and circumstance befitting such an occasion. There was great sadness and yet there was also laughter as friends and family members shared stories of Vince and Tony - who they were and how they lived their lives as firefighters as well as sons, brothers, uncles and friends.

As we left the nearby auditorium where we had viewed the service with hundreds of other mourners (the church was so full we never made it in) my neighbor reminded me that I had once met one of the firefighters. Up until that moment I had not made the connection that the friendly and funny fellow wearing a Hawaiian shirt on a sunny day at the SFFD fireboat station was Tony Valerio. The recollections I had just heard about him during the service became very real to me.

The memorial ended with the procession to the cemetery. It was led by two fire engines, each bearing a flag-draped casket, and as they passed by the hundreds of people lining the street, those in uniform saluted while others bowed their heads or placed their hands over their hearts.  The engines were followed by at least sixty trucks and engines from firehouses as far away as Los Angeles. As we looked down Gough Street the line of red flashing lights extended to the end of the street where it turned onto Market Street. It was a sight I will never forget.

Rest in peace Tony and Vinnie and thank you for serving us and our community. Thank you for all of those times you got up at 3:00 in the morning and responded to save the life or property of someone you didn't know. Thank you for the days you spent on duty when you could have been at a family bar-b-que or graduation party. And as cliche as it sounds, thank you for being the guys who ran into a burning building when everyone else ran out.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Heading Home!

I got up a little early this morning so I would have plenty of time to pack up. What a treat since I got to watch the sun rise over Manhattan. Beautiful!

I had a very fun dinner with Tracy and Roberta last night. Lots of laughing!

Bill sent me a text picture of Eve, Sugar & Chai eating their Tiki Treat last night- all 3 of them side by side. Now that is progress! Little Bit was still out in the backyard. She has been acting out in my absence - I'll have to have a chat with that  young lady when I get home! (after lots of hugs and cheekrubs).

Can't wait to get home!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Last Night in Manhattan

On Monday, I took a walk down to Ground Zero and went to the 9/11 WTC Tribute Visitor's Center and the 9/11 Preview Site. It was a sad and sobering way to begin the day, but I wanted to pay my respects and remember.

Next I headed to Battery Park to get a glimpse of Lady Liberty and then walked through the Financial District back to the hotel.

That evening I met a friend for dinner at Becco, one of Lidia Bastianich's restaurant. What a terrific meal.

Tuesday I was back at work and when I got to the hotel that evening there were lots of men in black suits. Later I learned that Sarah Palin was staying at the hotel and that was her security detail.

This evening I'll see Tracy and Roberta for dinner then pack up for my departure tomorrow. I teach my last class then I'm headed home on the 7:30 pm flight and I'll be waking up in my own bed on Saturday morning with the kitties and the hubby.

It's been a great time here and I am looking forward to being home!

Monday, May 30, 2011

NYC Kitty Fix

Yesterday I was up early and took a nice 25 minute walk to Tracy's flat in the West Village. When I got there I was greeted by her four adorable kitties. I could not believe how friendly Raypod, Coco, Mouse and Mochi are. What loves! I got some very good kitty lovin' that I truly appreciated it. I would have been happy to take any one (or all of them) back to my hotel room!

Later Tracy and I headed up to Harlem and did a walkabout that was very fun. We checked out the Apollo theatre, St. John the Divine Episcople Church and had lunch at the Red Rooster. After a short walk through the park we headed back to Tracy's place where I got another kitty fix, then I came back to the hotel for the evening.

It was a great day!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Great Day!

I had a really fun day yesterday. I started out by heading to the Shake Shack where I had a burger and Creamsicle Float. The burger was very good but not as good as an Animal Style IN-N-OUT burger. The Creamsicle Float was heavenly.

Next I cruised around Times Square while waiting for my matinee to start. Very fun people-watching. I stopped off for a short foot massage then it was time to get in line for the show.

The show, Memphis, was outstanding! If you love Broadway musicals with great esemble dancing and knock-your-socks-off voices, check it out. I can see why it won the Tony for Best Musical in 2010.

Next I stopped at Junior's for a piece of cheesecake and a cup of coffee. Junior's makes one fine cheesecake and I may have to take a slice home.

I ended the day at Macy's where I did a little shopping. Hey my credit card and discount coupons work just as well in New York as they do in San Francisco - go figure!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

It's the Weekend!

And it's going to be wonderful 80 degree weather all 3 days!

Thursday evening I met up with a friend of a friend who lives here in Manhattan. We had dinner at Marsielle (where I enjoyed a terrific Manhattan and fabulous food) and went to see Billy Elliot. I enjoyed the show although I was not crazy about all of the music. The perfomer who played Billy was amazing - 11 years old and starring in a Broadway show!

Yesterday I had a lunch with a CCL (Crazy Cat Lady) whom I know through Catster and Facebook. We had a terrific lunch at Cafe Noir here in Soho. Delicous tapas and I tried Blue Point Toasted Lager for the first time - DE-licious! After that I headed down to the half-priced ticket booth at South Street Seaport and had a nice conversation with a fellow while in line. Turns out he is in the training biz and may be moving to San Francisco to open a branch for his company.

Today I'm going to a matinee to see Memphis. I may go a little early to I can have lunch at the Shake Shack and then drop by Macy's on 34 Street.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Another Beautiful Day

It's a gorgeous, sunny morning and I'm enjoying my cup of coffee while looking at the fabulous view of lower Manhattan. The water towers on top of the buildings are a unique sight. I read about their origin in my tour book. Apparently, in 1800 city government required that buildings higher than 6 stories have a water tower to prevent the need for high water pressures (at lower elevations) that might burst the pipes.

My class went so well yesterday and I really enjoyed the participants and the topic. A focus of the class is the power of relationships - certainly one of my favorite topics.

Looking forward to a show and dinner out tonight!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Good Day Sunshine

It's a bright and beautiful morning - 80 degrees is predicted.

My class went well yesterday and I slept like a rock last night so I must be adjusted to the time change. I wasn't very hungry so I stayed in the room for dinner - a bottle of Kronenbourg and some fresh pineapple - and prepped for today's class.

There were two problems that I hope don't occur today. One - the room got very hot so I've asked for a fan. Two - there is some construction upstairs and even though they are not supposed to they were hammering and pounding away off and on.

I'm starting to think about and look forward to the weekend. I think I will spend one day exploring upper Manhattan and plan to go to a few museums up that way.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Foggy Morning

I don't think I've ever seen fog on any of my previous trips to Manhattan. But given that it's surrounded by water I guess it's no surprise. Gee I feel right at home.

I managed to navigate my way to the Brooklyn office and back via subway yesterday. It's a quick trip.

Today I deliver my first class so I'm up and at 'em early. Sippin' coffee and checking email. Trying not to think about what time it is on the West Coast (still adjusting to the time change). I did sleep pretty well last night.

Across the street from my room is a building of aparrtments or condos. Since I'm on the 14th floor, I can see that it has a gorgeous penthouse apartment and pretty roof garden with a hot tub! No signs of life in the penthouse but what a cool setup.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Good Morning Manhattan

My first morning in New York.

Surprisingly, the flight from San Francisco seemed to go pretty fast. I worked most of the way, prepping for my classes. There was a lot of unsettled weather across the country so we had a few bouts of turbulence - the captain told the flight attendants to be seated twice. But overall it was a pleasant flight.

When I got to my hotel they had upgraded me to a really great room on the 14th floor. I can see the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge from my window. I'm just steps away from the pantry which is open 24/7 with a self-serve coffee machine that grinds the beans on the spot. Nice!

Once I got settled in the room I went to the hotel bar for a Manhattan (of course!) and a late dinner - penne pasta with sun-dried tomatoes. I had a nice conversation with a lady from Mississippi who is in town visiting her daughters. She is an artist and recommended some museums that I have not visited (including the Frick which I plan to visit this weekend). Not surprisingly we got on the subject of pets and she is a cat-lover who has 2 kitties.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Heading East

Well I leave for New York today. I'll be doing some training for our West Elm brand which is headquartered in Brooklyn. It's always fun to go to New York - there is just no place in the world like it. I'm looking forward to some CCL get-togethers and I might see some former colleagues too.

When this trip was planned we had hoped that Bill might be able to join me for a few days but he had rotator cuff surgery four weeks ago and now he is in physical therapy. I'll need to put fresh sheets on the bed for him before I go. He is doing very well but making a bed with one arm would be pretty tough. And I don't think the kitties will be much help with that chore!

Tim Lincecum pitched a shutout against the A's last night and Chai is just beside herself with excitement!! Oh she does love The Freak. I think she may have snagged my "Let Timmy Smoke" t-shirt cuz I can't find it anywhere!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Purrleased to Meet You!

Welcome to my blog.

I live in the Outer Mission District of San Francisco with my husband and our four kitties Chai, Little Bit, Sugar Bear and Eve. We're working folks, in our mid-50's and we enjoy our little piece of paradise here in the city. We both love to travel and have adventures, but we're always happy to come home.

We have a good life. For both of us, it has not been without its ups and downs, but then isn't that the challenge of life - keeping it all in balance? You get one thing working and oops, there's something else that needs attention. That's what the journey is all about and our experiences shape us along the way.

I'm passionate about my relationships and that includes our kitties. I also believe in helping others and I do that as often as I can in any way that I can. Right now I'm training for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure. I've raised $1750 of the minimum $2300.

It's a sunny day today. I'll be busy since I am leaving on a business trip for New York tomorrow. I'm looking forward to 2 weeks in that wonderful city but I sure will miss the kitties and the hubby.