A Time When Love Matters Most

My mom had surgery last week. I can safely say it was one of the scariest events I have been through. Surgery is always a big deal, and it's scary when a loved one must go through it. But I am so relieved that things went even better than what anyone thought. I found out throug this event that I have a mother who is strong and who can make it through so much. The surgery was Thursday morning, and by Friday morning she was out of bed taking a walk. By Saturday I was there all day armed with our Starbucks mochas ready to have our girl talk and Arnaud Jessica and Isabella all come down from LA to visit. And by Sunday she had the staples removed and home in her own bed by noon. She is the strongest person I know, both physically and mentally. I know that for her and her dearest ones, it has been a hard thing to go through, but it only makes our bond stronger. Because of this I have come to realize that in such moments as these, love is what matters most. Family is the most important things in one's life, and when having to deal with something to this degree, it shakes the tree a little and put's things in persective.

I had to take the opportunity to make her time in bedrest a photoshoot, just to make the stay a little more eventful. You can tell that a certain someone was pampered with flowers and stuffed animals.

not looking too shabby if you ask me...



surgery won't stop us from having our girl talk over Starbucks mochas!

It may have felt like a long four days, but things are definitely looking up now. From here on out it is simply a matter of taking it easy, but also reintroducing little physical efforts every so often. As time goes on, movements will become easier and easier and things will be back to normal before we all know it. I am just glad to have been able to say that we all have come out stronger and everyone is still in good (or in some cases better) health after this.

A Colantonio Sunday

Yet another wonderful weekend has elapsed. From spending quality time with friends, old and new, to spending an entire day with family, I feel so incredibly fortunate to have this life. Friday and Saturdy I was was able to have some great time to myself, and relax from the busy life I lead during the week. I had a full day of baking on Saturday, trying to prepare something for the family day Sunday. I know that many of you out there just assume that when I make something, it always turns out. Well, try this on for a change. First, I attempted at making a Berry Pavlova. Essentially this is a cake that is but one very large meringue. It foiled, and went into the trash. Next, just a regular white roll cake to make a log to fill with whipped cream and berries. That too, foiled, and into the basura it went. I was so frustrated with my lack of positive outcomes in my baking that I made crepes. I took the recipe, made some alterations and "healthy" crepes were born. Who knew that something that takes more care and attention is the only thing that really became a success. And finally, after all that time slaving away in the kitchen I met up with an "old/new found" friend Catie, and we went out for sushi and saw Shrek the Third. All in all, it was a roller coast of a day.
Then a rare occurence came to the family on Sunday. My brother came down to Orange County with Isabella to spend the day. From noon until ten pm that night, we all were together, laughing, telling jokes, looking at old photos, and taking care of the next generation. We had lunch at Mom and Dad's, and on the menu was scrumptious seafood lasagna made from scratch.

This is my serious 'don't bug us we're eating' look...

then the comment Mom made about looking like a new mom!
suuuuuuure

We then took a little trip to my condo to have dessert and for my brother to see my new place.

Isabella was wide eyed at the new place and you could definitely see it in her face...

Nonno playing with Isabella and the "fishy"

Nonnina taking a break from the madness to pose

And the final good shot before...

giving us the sign that it's time to leave.

Once Isabella was cranky we went ahead and went back to Mom and Dad's and put her to sleep, all the while the grown-ups were able to sit around and talk about everything and anything without interruption. It always amazes me that eventhough this rarely happens anymore, when we are together we can just sit and talk for hours, the four adults and not see the time fly by. And to cap off the weekend I had an entire night of giggling and telling of stories and helping my best friend. We stayed up until three am with a bottle of wine and spent quality time tgether that we never get to do anymore. So to everyone that I saw this weekend thank you for the time that you share and tahnk you all for being my family, be it by blood or not.

Memorial Day Weekend 2007 in Palm Desert

This past Memorial Day weekend, the Three Graces decided to take a little reunion trip and make the most out of a long 3 day weekend. Needless to say, when Cameron, Christine and I get together, times are never short of being eventful. Each day was filled with new laughs, and the making of fabulous new memories. It's after one spends a weekend like this as 'just the girls' that makes it evident that girlfriends are the most important thing in one's life, along with family.

Saturday, bright and early, we headed out to the desert. Cameron had just gotten off a shift in the ER and drove directly up to Orange County and Christine and I had naively stayed out till 4 am. But I must add, being tired, with your 2 best girlfriends, and knowing you are going on a mini vacation just makes the drive that much better.

the usual, first shot, Cameron sleeping while we drive

Ronnie and Betty

this is how we hoped we would be driving...

but,ummm, not with this traffic.

self portrait, traffic = boredom

oh Veronica...

Who knew that it would be over 90 in May at noon!!!

The moment we got to the house, we unloaded the car, went grocery shopping, and then the clothes just needed to be taken off....

Best Times Ever!

the before shot (we are quite white)

And of course, while at the store we had to get our margarita mix so that we could stay well hydrated while laying out pool-side.

a classic "Three Graces" pose

Ok, now if you ever are at a pool and need to lay out, always having flotation devices such as these, I must admit they are life-saving!



After having darkened one notch, and mostly not being able to stand the heat anymore, we decided to do what girls do best....hit up the mall and act crazy. Never did we know we would find the best clothes ever! And just to reminisce from times in Paris and finding the most hideous shoes, we had to reenact it!









The styles were splendid, I just don't understand why people don't go out to the desert to find fashion...

'gangsta' belt fetishes?

I guess it works as an over shirt, but it's gotta stay open

nerdy teamwork, woohoo

she always did want one of those 'Big Wheels' bikes...

After the mall, and the exhausting time spent trying to find the great deals and the amazing clothing wear, we headed home. With pizza, salads, wine, what more could anyone want to just wind down a long fun day. Then Sunday rolled in. After having spent a very restful night, with the A/C humming (oh the sound of summertime) , we decided maybe it would be a good idea to get up at 11 am and make breakfast. No time to waste, we ate then headed straight for the pool. While laying out, a golf ball decided to join the party. Swimming around we see a white ball fly over to our area and bounce around. Then the owner of the ball comes over and makes small talk...'strategically' hitting his ball over to our area....right. So after he retrieves the ball and walks off, I feel a stabbing pain in my chin. Now mind you, there are plenty of bees to go around. And yes, I was stung by a bee on my chin!! I've never been through that, let alone getting stung on the face. Luckily, with my two medical friends we limited the damage and I didn't even swell.

more sad that I had to leave the pool than the fact that my chin is hurting

that's more like it

After the bee sting, we decided that since we were going to see Pirates of the Carribbean that night, that we should get dressed, go rent the second movie to refresh our memories while we have lunch.

yes, we did drink half of that bottle over the weekend

after the movie, we felt kinda silly, and I just had to steam roll Christine...

can't leave one person out of the fun!

so I now realize that I have two "Cousin It" friends...

After we freshened up, the three of use headed over to Cheesecake Factory! Of course, we had to start off with a nice yummy drink!

Then things got weird....the service was really lagging, and by this time we had finished our plates and all we wanted was a slice of cheesecake, but the waiter seemed to be avoiding us. And this is what happens when we have to wait for a long long time....

the march of the spoons??

After dinner we went to the movies and saw Pirates. As we all admit that we were so tired and practically fell asleep. That is rather sad since we are 22, but it was a 10:20pm showing so that counts for something. Leaving the theater at 1 am, the weather had cooled off and it was a comfortable 80. Unfortunately, Monday had to come. But that didn't stop us from getting up just a little earlier and still get some rays at the pool. Sure enough, we did sneak in a couple hours of tanning.

quick little candid shot by Christine

Before hitting the road, we needed our usual little "pick-me-up" at Starbucks!


And then traffic hit again. And you know what else happened, pictures.

the trip comes around full circle

Thank you my wonderful girlfriends! Weekends like the one that we just spent, makes me realize that life really cannot get any better!