Congratulations Colleen and Jeff!

What a whirlwind week! It began just over a week ago as I met someone new, if only through texting....but the real buzz of the first week of August were all the preparations for my youngest niece's wedding!

We've known it was coming for months yet it's been action packed with shopping and hair and nails and final preparations for the big day!

Colleen and Jeff are simply perfect for each other! They definitely complement each other and the love exudes for all to see.

It was a no brainer when Jeff entered the picture that he was truly a member of our family even before the official reciting of the vows of matrimony.

So Monday I got a dress.....Tuesday I shopped for accessories for my adorable party dress including amazing matching shoes, a wrap, a clutch, and a few other items. I usually hate shopping because that constitutes spending money which I never have. However, this trip to the Mall rocked as I was texting my new friend the entire time. He makes me laugh, he makes me smile. Those 2 attributes are quite important to me.

Finally, mission accomplished! It was only Tuesday and I had everything I needed for my niece's wedding! I contemplated Spanks --NOT happening. Those are awful. They are made for women who are thin and don't need them. There is absolutely no freaking way someone like me with a belly can yank those suckers up around my belly and hips. Thankfully that company has the rich and famous thin models brain washed into believing that they need them so those rich folks can spend all their money!! HA!

Got the nails done.....finally, THE DAY!

Colleen's vision and planning for this wedding simply amazing. She did everything! She was in charge of every idea, every decoration, every final flower and candle placement. We all gathered at Manakiki Saturday morning to put the final touches on her big day. Yes, there were many nerves inside everyone but that's expected. The bottom line, we did it. We set up the three rooms she and Jeff were using for their nuptials. Everything looked beautiful. Could not have had a better day or place to tie the knot.

After a quick lunch....and giving Colleen an early surprise gift: her long lost Elephant hat which we purchased in Canada about 25 years ago, we were all off to get our hair and makeup done.

Then back to the venue for the real deal.

Everything went off without a hitch. It was a bit warm but it was perfect and every single wedding guest had the most memorable time. Colleen was so worried it would rain. It did but God (and Gram) had everything under control.

During the wedding ceremony, which was outside under the trees and sky, you could hear the rain but no one ever felt it. God made it just so that it cooled the day, and enhanced this miracle about to occur, but did not affect it in any way shape or form! It was simply perfect. And at the conclusion of the service, the rain ended, the sun came back out and it was party time!

We all danced, sang, and ate the night away surrounded by close family and friends under the beautiful Cleveland sky....Sara gave an amazing speech and Colleen had the most delicious lemon cake made just for family. Honestly, everything was P-E-R-F-E-C-T!

I concluded my day talking to my new buddy......and then meeting Colleen and Jeff back out at Manakiki Sunday morning to finish cleaning up and fetching last minute items we'd left the night before.

I royally pissed off the golfers as the management let us park at the snackbar doorway to load our cars. Oh, well. Get over it! As one final parting gift from Manakiki, the girl Colleen was working with gave us the most delicious grilled hotdogs I'd ever tasted! MMMMM.

We all gathered at my sister's to unload and reload and eat, for there was a ton of food left over from the wedding, and more importantly visit with my friends, "the girls" --Colleen's 2 chihuahuas!

I could not believe how exhausted I was but everyone was......I headed home and took a nap.....Sunday was pretty much a wash out!

And fortunately my boss gave me Monday off due to me working the following weekend.....every minute of that 4-day weekend was definitely needed to recoup from the wedding of the year!

I raise my glass to two of the nicest, classiest, most adorable people in the world: Colleen and Jeff....and love you so very much! I am blessed to have you both as family! I love you! XOXO

Love,

Auntie Dani (one of the coolest people you know)

My new friend has calming effect on me

Holy moly!

Not even a flooded sun room and busted fridge can rattle this girl who has been talking non-stop to a nice, new, charming friend.

We spoke for hours on end last night....I finally went into the Sunroom around 430 a.m. to find a flood! No. I did not freak out. I matter-of-factly assessed the situation, got my sham wows to start mopping up the excess water and make sure my computer system was not submerged.

Well, some computer wires were damp so I asked for assistance on Facebook before I had to unplug myself from the world.

I moved the love seat, unplugged everything, got all the computer stuff to safety, texted my sister to call me when she awoke and texted a great friend who is a computer whiz.

Still not rattled. Thank you new friend.

I finally got the water up and laid down more sham wows.

I needed a few hours of sleep so I napped on the love seat until my sister called and my computer friend called me too..... I asked my sister to put an addendum on fb for folks who can help to call me since I was unplugged! My computer buddy was gonna be in the neighborhood so he was going to try and stop by as well.

I contacted Sears who said they'd be out in 3 weeks. No can do. I called a local mom and pop fridge fixer and boom --God was on my side. They were actually in the neighborhood! They fixed my problem ipso facto pronto! My very good friend put my entire computer system back together. I am ever so indebted to him for the rest of my life! I really do have good friends and Mom as my guardian angel always watching my back.

Never did the smile leave my face through this adverse situation. Thank you new friend!

Breath of fresh air

God works in mysterious ways. I've been very unlucky this Spring and Summer in the man department and a few of my girlfriends are not happy about how a few humans of the opposite sex have treated me.

One of my pals said, "I'm gonna find you a nice boy." Well, she just may have found a great boy.

After hemming and hawing, I told her she could give her friend my phone number and sure enough, he texted me.

What a gem! I don't even know him and am 'in like' with the dude! He's absolutely perfect! I'm not really going to say much more because I'm sure I'll jinx it and this time next month, I'll be back to crying myself to sleep or very disenfranchised with the male persuasion. But for now, I have a nice new friend who I really enjoy speaking with and sharing things and getting to know.

He won me over in the first 5 minutes....especially when he said I needed a change of scenery from my bf's --my Cleveland Indians -- because hockey players are much better looking! He IS simply P-E-R-F-E-C-T!

As I said, God really works in mysterious ways.....and is always totally in charge.

Ervin Santana's no-hitter

I can't believe I witnessed a no-hitter. Pumped!


Just as unbelievable as the reception when I arrived into work.... everyone expected me to walk in wearing black mourning the no-hitter just pitched against my Cleveland Indians! When they saw my eyes beaming and heard me talking a mile a minute so excited, jaws dropped to the ground.

I tried explaining that when you go to the ballpark, if you see that your team is not going to win, the next best thing is witnessing history. That my friends is what happened on July 27, 2011 as The Los Angeles Angels' RHP Ervin Santana pitched his 1st no-hitter. Now, ironically, the Indians DID score a run but got no hits. Quite the exciting game (though UGLY for my Tribe with 5 errors). David Huff pitched yet another gem with nothing to show for it except a loss. I was 1 of 21,546 fans to experience a historical sports moment. Would not trade it for the world, even though the Indians came out on the short end.

Just a superb day at the ballpark all around! And when the 9th inning hit, the fans left, myself included, began cheering for Ervin Santana to successfully achieve this great feat.

I can not put into words how exciting it was to be in the ballpark to see, feel, smell, and take in the vibe being doled out about what was about to happen. As a true baseball fan, the excitement brought chills up and down my spine. You know when a truly great moment is about to occur, and sure enough, it did!

Congratulations Ervin Santana! I'm sorry you pitched the game against my Indians but I am very blessed and lucky to have experienced baseball history in the making!

Just like a giddy school girl

It's hard to fathom the unbelievable turn of events this week putting a spring in my step and twinkle in my eye.

One of THE hottest weeks in Cleveland this summer coinciding with a heated romance with one of the hottest guys I've ever met. My new friend from the bar and I have been talking/texting this week. He seems to show interest as I've already seen him 3 times.....our schedules completely opposite causing a slight glitch in this relationship. He's substantially younger than I causing a rift as well, though age means nothing to me. However, when I told one of my girlfriends how old he was, she gave me a glowing compliment!

Honestly, I'm not quite sure what to expect. It could be a short lived fling or pan out to be something much bigger. I've learned through the years to take each day as it comes, as a gift from God and just roll with it. I am rolling with it as this very hot guy has me feeling like a giddy school girl again.

He has me being more attentive to myself, my successful fitness program which was just about to stall, and has me feeling ways I've never felt before. We are flirting, acting like school kids, having fun with each other and enjoying the moment. Isn't that what life is all about? For me it is with what has happened in my life over the last few years. You never know when life will be plucked out from under you.

Unfortunately, through the giddiness, I still have an underlying uneasy question--with weekends being the only time we can really get together because of our work schedules, why haven't we? I just have a bad feeling this romantic interlude will be hitting a wall soon, turning cold, though that's not my intention.


The entire weekend like a fantasy! Saturday night I hit the Indians' game, which was postponed due to rain, yet I was still there for 3 hours and spent a bunch of cash --and they never even played! How's that for ya!!!! The whole evening though simply magical. My guy and I texted back and forth all night ....but again, WHY couldn't we have gotten together? The game was postponed. What is going on here? There is never sheer perfection. Always one factoid that just doesn't sit well or make sense. Just like that square peg in a round hole.

Because the Indians' game was postponed, the Lifehouse Concert was moved to Sunday after the game. Simply amazing. Lifehouse helped me get through the days and months after Mom passed away. I'd listen to them while working out and driving to work. They gave me hope, they too, put a spring in my step and made me feel like a giddy school girl with their music. I could not believe I was sitting in Progressive Field so close to the band that helped me get through a very rough time in my life, which continues to this day. For that hour they played, I was in heaven transported to a place where there were no problems, no sadness, not even any issues concerning my new 'friend' and whether or not it will really last.

Exciting few weeks

How could I ask for anything more? Summers in Cleveland never disappoint. The last few weeks my Cleveland Indians have been up and down but still very exciting! How can you beat 'beating' the dreaded Yankees, then Carlos Carrasco dueling CC Sabathia, Pronk's walk-off come back win all heading into the All-Star Break where Cleveland's representation consists of Asdrubal Cabrera, Chris Perez and Manny Acta.

I was fortunate to experience a dear friend's very first ballgame at Progressive Field and trip to the Terrace Club for girls' night out!

On the man front, an unprecedented summer like no other, though absolutely nothing has panned out yet.

In the movie, "Pretty Woman," there was a scene where the twins were speaking of Edward's 'flavor of the month.' Ironically, it seems there have been different boys stepping up to the plate each month....May had a charming boy-next-door suitor who still remains a friend....June brought a social media pal, who again, still remains a friend. July just brought an unsuspecting charming friend who I met at a station party in a bar of all places, and I instantly fell for his smooth lines. I violated many of my rules, one being never meet anyone in a bar! I could not resist. Where will this go? Who knows, but all my friends say just have fun and savor each moment.

My mystery man tossed me a line like I've never heard before charming me to no end. We have
a mutual friend so when I thought he left without saying goodbye, I still had a glimmer of hope knowing both of us could track each other down through our mutual friend. And sure enough, I received an email from my mystery man ....which started this unsuspecting rollercoaster ride leading who knows where?!????! I've seen my mystery man a few times already. Fingers crossed.

On the home front, very proud that I am finally crossing a few things off of my 'to do' list including important doctor appointments.....for the first time in a long time I feel as if I am catapulting the highest mountains....with an uneasy background feeling of 'what if' waiting for all of my test results. What will be will be.


Finally, wrapping up this whirlwind stretch at the "Taste of Tremont." What a tremendous festival. If you've never been before, please go next year.... you will sample the greatest fare of foodstuffs, adult beverages and music like no other. This street fair a small slice of the pie encompassing what happens in Cleveland, Ohio all summer long. It's a great place to live. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world!

Nothing better than beating the Yanks!

Independence Day 2011!

There is absolutely nothing more American than baseball! After an excellent 4th with the family eating, laughing, relaxing, playing with the pups, and just spending quality time with those I care for freely doing what I love in this great country I adore, on to the ballpark!

A fantastic match up: The New York Yankees against my Cleveland Indians! Josh Tomlin battling A.J. Burnett. SS Derek Jeter in the midst of his quest for his 3K hit! Would it happen here? Could it happen here? Anything is possible. We are in the United States of America, and it is Independence Day.

What an amazing evening at the ballpark! A fantastic sold out game surrounded by Cleveland AND New York fans. Cleveland and the Indians really put on a great show for all of our visitors. Be proud C-Town! The pre-game festivities moving for the 4th....and the fireworks shows at Progressive Field are THE absolute best you've ever seen around!

My Indians did not disappoint. A tremendous game to take in and feel proud about being not only an American, but a Clevelander and Cleveland Indians' fan. The scrappy boys played hard and strong. Austin Kearns hit his very 1st homer of the season to put the Indians ahead and they kept tacking them on to beat the Yankees 6-3 ultimately. Derek Jeter just back from the DL and went 0-4. Yes, I cheered him back as did the 40,000+ fans who flashed their cameras everytime he came up to the plate.

Carlos Santana's homer in the 8th sealed the deal. Josh Tomlin pitched a fantastic game. He became the ONLY pitcher in MLB to pitch at least 5.0 innings in each of his first 29 career appearances --since 1919! Tomlin went 7 innings then enter: The Bullpen Mafia! Tony Sipp, Vinnie 'boom bah' Pestano and Chris Perez entered the game and held it for their buddy Josh Tomlin.

I am a true baseball fan. I enjoy watching Major League Baseball (and minor league baseball too). I see talent for what it is worth. If a member of the opposing team makes a great play, I'll clap and give kudos where it's due. The Indians are my boys, but yes, I think I may have a favorite player on every team. The New York Yankees are a talented team. Some of you may say that is absurd, of course they are one of the best. Well, they are good. The New York Yankees get calls they should not because they are the Yanks. They make their share of mistakes. And I can not believe how arrogant A-Rod is strutting around his spot at 3rd base. I'm not a fan. Yes, I do like Jeter, Teixeria, Posada, and other dreaded Yanks.

I don't know what it is but even though winning is always accompanied by a tremendous feeling, beating the New York Yankees has it's own special feeling. You've not experienced that feeling of sheer ecstasy and satisfaction until you've sat in the stands at Progressive Field and watched the Indians pummel the Yankees or just win by one. It's a feeling like no other with any other team (except maybe the Red Sox) where you want to scream at the top of your lungs and party all night long after a win.

Yes, Independence Day 2011 brought that feeling to all Cleveland Indians' fans past and present. You feel like hugging everyone you come in contact with while wanting to just jump out of your skin and float on cloud 9. It's truly a phenomenal feeling that you never want to release. For the moment, after seeing the Indians beat the Yankees and one of THE best Cleveland fireworks shows ever, it is time to savor this feeling. I wish I could bottle it.

Sitting out in the open air watching my favorite sport & my favorite team on the 4th of July epitomizes what it means to be an American to me. I thank my forefathers from the bottom of my heart allowing me to be at this point where I can be me, say what I want, do what I enjoy, have hobbies and passions that bring tears of joy to my eyes knowing that no one can take any of this away from me.

Thank you, I love you, I have no idea how to pay you great forefathers back except to try and live the life you began and emulate you all as best as I can standing up for this great country and her ideals while keeping the definition of freedom ringing loudly!