Exercise the mind...

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry with that, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

End of summer fun

This past Sunday I, along with Mom and Dad, trekked our way up to Los Angeles to see a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Before heading to the venue, we stopped by to visit Arnaud, Jess, and Isabella.

Zia and Isabella

Nonnina and Isabella

Arnaud and Isabella

We all took a brief walk and had a late lunch at Amandine Cafe across the way and spent some family quality time. (of course with food)

Jessica and Isabella

Isabella has this new way of looking at life. It's the new "side swing" which apparently makes life a lot more interesting and fun...

Nonno participating and checking out Isabella's new found view

After lunch, I along with Mom and Dad headed over to Hollywood for the concert. From where we parked we had to traverse the main road through this tunnel....it was very metro-esque.





All I had originally asked for was one or two pictures...this what ensued...




First up, my personal favorites, was Brazilian girls.





Then up second, was Zap Mama, who had put on a marvelous show. Unfortunately she had to get off the stage for the next performer...but she should have stayed on.






And lastly, Macy Gray appeared as the main liner. I am not necessarily a fan, but I have to admit that now that she has become such a known name, she does know how to get a stadium as large as this going.




Hopefully some more concerts will follow soon...

Warm August Days

As the summer season is coming to a close, what better way to spend a weekend outdoors having a barbecue than with friends and family and lots of kids!?

Saturday August 18th the Manzo family came to mom and dad's house around 3 in the afternoon for a bbq. Nick and Michelle appeared first at the house, along with 1 1/2 year old Evan. Such a cutie. Then Nick's parents came, and the party began. Michelle leaked out the information that she is pregnant again, but the catch is....it's twins! So with time I hope she does well with this pregnancy as she did with Evan's. The barbecue lasted about 7 hours, with plenty of food and drink, and with a great news to cheers to. The men played several rounds of bocce on the court atop the slope, as the women just relaxed in the shade provided by the trees and awning, and of course the misters. The kids were great, running around, enjoying the outdoors, and of course playing with tupperware.

Isabella watching Evan figure out the high chair

Nonnina and Isabella

Best Friends now with kids of their own...

Isabella proceeding to devour my camera case

I swear, she's going to be a tennis player, that outfit is just too cute

my fav (not that I'm biased) Zia and Isabella

Then on Sunday, before out large lunch of leftovers, Brad and Erica came to my parents place with their twins, Zach and Katie (5 months). There was much more interaction between these babies and Isabella, granted they are only 2 months apart. It was fun to talk with Brad and Erica to get to know how their lifestyle has had to change, although the two babies were EXTREMELY well behaved and mellow.

Great Friends/Ex-Coworkers with their kids...

Brad, Erica, Katie, Zach, Arnaud and Isabella (and mom's legs)

Isabella and Zach playing together with the 'bounceroo'...

There is nothing like spending a weekend with the family, and seeing how the kids are growing exponentially. Although it was incredibly hot it was a beautiful August weekend.

P.S. My health has remained stagnant. I am still just rolling wit the punches, one good day, one so-so day, one bad day, etc. I have seen a gastro-enterologist and found out that all I can do is blender-ize my food, and slowly reintroduce solid food to my diet. I have tried that, but am constantly shot down by my body and head straight back to frozen yogurt and sorbet. Hopefully with time this will all go away and I will be back to my old self.