So... what's been going on the past 10 months. What could have possibly kept me from opening this page and writing down my thoughts. Work has been busy... but that should not be used as an excuse. My Ole Miss Rebels had me glued to to season.. but surely, I cannot use that as an excuse. Wait... I have one...
... I turned 50. Can I use that as an excuse? I finally hit the big 5-0. It really turned out to be an amazing journey. I decided that I really wanted to do something big for the half century mark. So.... I invited about 7 of my closest friends to join me for a week in Napa/Sonoma. Why Napa? It's truly one of my favorite places. I love everything about it. For this particular trip, the house was located in Sonoma. For the first night.... I had a professional chef come to the house and prepare a meal for everyone. Everyone had been traveling most of the day... and when you're going east coast to west coast... the last thing you want to do is go out. It was a great way to get the trip started and she was an italian cook... which made it even better. There is nothing more special than enjoying a fabulous meal with many toasts with people you love being around. Laughter and love... isn't that what makes life fabulous?
The week consisted of blending our own wines, tastings in caves, winemakers sharing their passion and the highlight of the trip... was my very first visit to The French Laundry. If you have never heard of this restaurant... please... look it up. It's one of Thomas Keller's creations and my expectations were very high. I had tried to get a reservation for like 5 years and was never successful. A very dear friend who knew the Chef... got me in and I can honestly say that it is an experience that I will never forget.
Everything I thought would happen... did and so much more. Impeccable service, the food was amazing, the atmosphere was simply special... and the people that I shared this experience are truly my dearest of friends. I can check it off my bucket list... and I know that if I ever get another opportunity to visit... I will jump on it.
The birthday journey was something special... and to top it off... I had another surprise 50th when I was in New York a month or so later. It seems that turning 50 ..... means... you just reverse the clock and start going backwards!
One thing I did decide is that I have been letting life pass me by... so to speak.. and now, I have a commitment to grab on and enjoy it.
So... for those of you with big milestones coming up... don't sit back and let it pass you by. Grab it, embrace it and make a memory that will last.
Now... I'm ready for whatever comes next... as Buzz Lightyear would say... to Infinity and Beyond.
