Friday, May 28, 2010
Seema's Wedding Shower!
Thanks to Facebook, I have been reunited with some of my oldest friends, Swapna and Seema.
Swapna planned the party for her sister. She made delicious appetizers, planned fun shower games and collected recipes from the guests for Seema's first cookbook. We had a great time celebrating Peems' upcoming wedding!
Swapna and Seema posing with the ice cream desserts Swapna made!
The bride and me. She is just beautiful!
Right after school got out, for the summer, Seema had her bridal shower and I was invited! With great anticipation, I drove back to my hometown of La Crescenta to see the whole Athalye family. Jaya came to the door, and I couldn't help but to tear up - I hadn't seen her since high school at least. Ten years had passed since I last saw the girls, so it was overwhelming and exciting to see them again! I even got to see Suhas, the girls' dad and meet Brian, Seema's future husband. They both arrived at the end of the party after their dudes' day of suit buying (no photos exist, for some reason... grr!). We promised to not let as much time pass between visits.
Swapna planned the party for her sister. She made delicious appetizers, planned fun shower games and collected recipes from the guests for Seema's first cookbook. We had a great time celebrating Peems' upcoming wedding!
The mother-of-the -bride, Jaya, and me
Swapna and Seema posing with the ice cream desserts Swapna made!
Below is a close up of the lovely dessert. Swapna baked a white cake, used a cookie cutter to cut small circles of cake and place them in the bottom of the mini terra cotta pots. By adding the cake to the bottom of the pots, she was able to scoop vanilla ice cream on top and it didn't leak out of the bottom. She sprinkled Oreo cookie crumbs on top to give the appearance of dirt. She then put a straw in the middle of it all and placed a live flower inside. So cute and tasty!
The bride and me. She is just beautiful! 
Stay tuned... the wedding post is coming up!!!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tattoo Time!
So, as you may or may not recall, one year in Pismo, Danny demanded a tattoo right after his mom died. He was 15 that year. Keith said no, but Danny has been thinking about it and planning it ever since. When he turned 18 in May, he knew it was just a matter of time before he finally got his tribute tattoo.
In the middle of May, he drove up to Pismo, where Jeremy and Ben have gotten tattoos from Shane Knight at Mothership. He is a creative and amazing artist, a person who listens to what you want and someone who will take good care of your little brother.
Danny wanted us to come, but we were a little afraid as Keith was not made aware of the tattoo and we didn't want him to think that we were pressuring Danny to get it. We don't think Keith would blame us, but we talked to Danny about it anyway, made sure he knew that this was a lifelong commitment, and really pushed him to tell his dad, etc.,. Danny was determined to get the tattoo and to keep it a secret. Even though Ben and I both wish that Danny would just tell his dad what he decided to do, he is an adult now and is making his own decisions. To this day, Keith does not know the tattoo exists.
Ben and I drove up to Pismo separately and met Danny and his girlfriend Jamison at Mothership, where the tattoo was already in progress.
This is pretty big for your first tattoo, Danny!!! Like Ben's tribute tattoo, it has Marilyn's favorite flowers, the rose and gardenia. Unlike Ben, Danny decided to have his done in black and gray, except for the beams of light coming off the cross at the upper center of his back. Two sparrows are holding a banner that says, "Marilyn Phillips, 8-21-49 - 5-06-07." Whereas Ben preferred the word "Mom" on his tattoo, Danny liked the formality of her full name and the scripted lettering.
Providing moral support.
The finished product! Danny loves it and afterwards he said he felt relieved to finally be able to honor his mom this way. His mom actually liked tattoos, even though she never lived to get one. (But she hated piercings !!!)
Afterward, Ben and I had lunch at Splash. Ben had to have their famous clam chowder (even though they no longer get the clams from Pismo), while I had a grilled cheese with tomato. Afterward, we walked the pier.
It was unusually warm and sunny for Pismo that day - perfect for a lovers' stroll.
On our way home, we stopped at the Firestone Brewery. We have said we would one day, but have always been in a hurry to get home. Ben had the little glass because he was driving, but I enjoyed a tall glass of delicious and refreshing goodness! 
Saturday, May 15, 2010
May Celebrations
May is a happy time! We celebrate moms on Mother's Day! My sister drove my mom out to Simi and we had dinner at Famous Dave's - my mom loves that place! And I love my mom!
Danny also celebrated his 18th birthday in May!!! It's crazy to think that I've known him since he was 3 years old! Keith threw him a birthday party catered by Famous Dave's!
He spent the day in Venice with his girlfriend. While we waited for his arrival, Keith let me drive the Viper!
My nephew Jake cruised with me!
We are so cool!
Afraid I would crash Keith's car, we came back in and checked out the Danny shrine.
My nephew Trevor, my sister in law Jennifer, my nephew Jake, Keith and Michele.
My sweet prince, Ben, Danny and his girlfriend Jamison.
Danny, Jamison, my nephew Chad, my brother in law Jeremy and Grandma,
along with Sarah and Trevor's backs.
I had to get myself in a picture with my awesome heart shades and my doll!
Danny opening his presents with Chad permanently attached to his lap.
At the end of the summer Danny will be moving out and who knows how often we'll get to see him. It's bitter sweet, for sure.
Later in May, with my dad turning a one day carpet cleaning into a four day affair, my mom and sister came out to get away. We headed to the beach with Lucky and Bula. Unfortunately, while my car was parked on the street, someone hit it with their car. I have some scratches on my side mirror, which is better than what could have happened, but my brand new car is no longer perfect. And no one left a name or number and because I don't want to pay the deductible, the scratches will remain.
On the way home, my mom really wanted to go pick blueberries in Somis. I was a little bit hesitant as it was the opening day. But because my mom is so busy with work and doesn't get to come out that often, we gave it a go!
Ben stood there for the picture, but left the picking to us. It was so hot! I have an even greater appreciation for the farm workers that I see out there every day of the week!
My mom and I with our containers, ready for blueberry picking!
Those blueberries were the best!!!
Later in the month, we celebrated the weekend (and a near end to the school year for me) with our neighbors!
Bula always has to be where the action is, hogging the best seat in the house!
May was an awesome month!
Danny also celebrated his 18th birthday in May!!! It's crazy to think that I've known him since he was 3 years old! Keith threw him a birthday party catered by Famous Dave's!He spent the day in Venice with his girlfriend. While we waited for his arrival, Keith let me drive the Viper!
My nephew Jake cruised with me!
We are so cool!
Afraid I would crash Keith's car, we came back in and checked out the Danny shrine.
My nephew Trevor, my sister in law Jennifer, my nephew Jake, Keith and Michele.
My sweet prince, Ben, Danny and his girlfriend Jamison. 
Danny, Jamison, my nephew Chad, my brother in law Jeremy and Grandma,along with Sarah and Trevor's backs.
I had to get myself in a picture with my awesome heart shades and my doll!
Danny opening his presents with Chad permanently attached to his lap.
At the end of the summer Danny will be moving out and who knows how often we'll get to see him. It's bitter sweet, for sure.Later in May, with my dad turning a one day carpet cleaning into a four day affair, my mom and sister came out to get away. We headed to the beach with Lucky and Bula. Unfortunately, while my car was parked on the street, someone hit it with their car. I have some scratches on my side mirror, which is better than what could have happened, but my brand new car is no longer perfect. And no one left a name or number and because I don't want to pay the deductible, the scratches will remain.
On the way home, my mom really wanted to go pick blueberries in Somis. I was a little bit hesitant as it was the opening day. But because my mom is so busy with work and doesn't get to come out that often, we gave it a go!
Ben stood there for the picture, but left the picking to us. It was so hot! I have an even greater appreciation for the farm workers that I see out there every day of the week!
My mom and I with our containers, ready for blueberry picking!
Those blueberries were the best!!!
Later in the month, we celebrated the weekend (and a near end to the school year for me) with our neighbors!
Bula always has to be where the action is, hogging the best seat in the house!
May was an awesome month! Thursday, May 06, 2010
Another Year
There isn't a day that goes by that we don't think of Marilyn and wish she was here with us. Three years have come and gone so fast and so slow. You may not be able to tell, but we are much different people than we were when she was still here.
We miss you and love you forever!
We miss you and love you forever!
