I'm FIFTY!

Although I've been claiming to be 50 for over a year and a half, yesterday officially marked the occasion! Steve and I went to dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant called Rosso where the wine list is superb and the food more than delicious. My sister Sonya and Vipin sent this floral cake...which our cat Shadow would very much like to eat. I got some stitching and art paperwork accomplished and am looking forward to this Sunday when we leave for Manchester, England to see Mathias and Laura-Jane in the Birmingham Royal Ballet productions. Best of all, it looks like I'm finally going to meet Laura-Jane's parents! Steve has met on another trip but I wasn't along that time.

Family friend....from the past!

(Above: Steve with Maria Giomi)

Steve and I generally attend the monthly Vista Guild meetings. The Vista Guild is the neighborhood association for part of downtown Columbia, South Carolina. I am the liaison for Gallery 80808/Vista Studios. Steve is the liaison for CMFA (Columbia Music Festival Association). There's generally a meeting featuring an upcoming event or topic of local interest. There's always familiar faces and new people to meet.

Yesterday was the June meeting and we ran into Maria Giomi, Director of Sales for the brand new SpringHill Suites by Marriott at 511 Lady Street. The last time we say Maria.....well....she was in the sixth grade at St. Peter's Catholic School. She volunteered to sponsor our elder son Mathias at his confirmation! In a sense, her was his Godmother! It is simply shocking that so much time has past.