Archive for 2009

Summer Vacation Photos

Posted on August 20, 2009

Here are some photos of this summer’s family vacation.  These are pictures with my daughters Victoria, Vanessa and Samantha, on a boat in Italy, near Corsica (which is actually French).  We had a graduation party for Victoria, who graduated from college in May.  And the young man in one of the photographs is Vanessa’s boyfriend, Chad Muska, who is a famous skateboarder.  (Younger fans are sure to know who he is).  We had a great time!! » read more »

Filed Under Family, Holidays | 17 Comments

My Summer Vacation

Posted on August 13, 2009

I chuckle as I write that, wasn’t that the topic of the first assignment we wrote in first grade???

I’ve had a great summer so far, in Europe with six of my kids. We’ve spent time in Paris, seeing friends, going to dinner in little bistros, doing some shopping (there are GREAT sales in all the Paris stores in July and January). We just hang out together, and enjoy each others’ company (cards, Scrabble, movies on DVD, and casual lunches and dinners out, or cooked at home). I revel in the joy and blessing of being able to spend time with my children, and am so grateful they are still willing to spend time with me!!! » read more »

Filed Under Family, Paris | 15 Comments

Annabelle

Posted on August 6, 2009

Hi Everyone,

I’ve been having a very busy summer, and in the past few weeks a good one, after a very bumpy late spring. I shared with you that we lost my beloved stepmother, my late son’s best friend, and even my daughter’s much loved little dog. We had one more big loss and heartbreak, before the summer got off to a decent start. And since I share family events with you, and have talked about our dogs, I wanted to bring you up to date on this too. » read more »

Shopping My Closet

Posted on July 30, 2009

When things aren’t going well in my life, or feel out of control, I find that one of my ‘quirks’ is that I clean out a closet. The short form of that is cleaning out the refrigerator, I start checking expiration dates, notice a bunch of things no one wants to eat (all those weird jams and jellies people give you at Christmas, the hot sauce that looks like it would kill you if you ever ate it), and the next thing I know, I am surrounded by a million jars and bottles, tossing them into the garbage. And presto magic, two hours later, my refrigerator is nearly empty, scrubbed and immaculate.

The long form of that is cleaning out a closet. No expiration dates, but a stack of clothes you no longer want to wear. » read more »

Filed Under Shopping | 15 Comments

An Award

Posted on July 23, 2009

I don’t like tooting my own horn, but I can’t resist doing it a little bit here. I recently received an award that meant a great deal to me. I received an ‘outstanding achievement award’ from three venerable institutions jointly, Columbia University, Cornell, and the American Psychiatric Association—for service, in my work with mentally ill adolescents, and the prevention of suicide. » read more »

Filed Under Current Events | 16 Comments

Girl Talk

Posted on July 17, 2009

Okay, a moment of girl talk. I had my annual mammogram recently, five months late, after canceling it five times before I finally went to the appointment. » read more »

Filed Under Age | 14 Comments

A Night On The Town With My Girls!

Posted on July 8, 2009

Recently, on my way to Paris, I stopped for the night in New York, to visit with my daughters, as I always do. I usually arrive at dinner time, and go to some simple restaurant with them. I wear my travel outfit which looks » read more »

Filed Under Family, Kids | 12 Comments

Blind Dates

Posted on July 1, 2009

Let’s talk about a taboo subject. Blind dates. If you’ve never had one, been happily married since you were sixteen, met your husband/partner/boyfriend in fourth grade and married fresh out of high school, you don’t need to read any further. If you’ve been set up by friends on blind dates, read on, and hopefully this will resonate for you. » read more »

Filed Under Relationships | 11 Comments

Contrasts

Posted on June 25, 2009

Although I know I’ve said it to you before in describing my life, I am always struck by the contrasts between my Paris life, and the one I live in San Francisco. Paris is my play life, and San Francisco is my work life. The moment I arrive in Paris, all I want to do is go out, see friends, shop (when I can reasonably do so, depending on my budget!!), play, and have fun. » read more »

Filed Under Kids, Paris | 9 Comments

Thank You

Posted on June 18, 2009

Hi Everybody,

I want to thank all of you for your incredibly kind letters of condolence about my stepmother Kuniko. You touched my heart so much with your kind words. » read more »

Filed Under Current Events | 13 Comments