IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!

Scarlett Schmidt was born at 9:41 pm on Friday, October 23rd.

The baby is doing fine, and Chrissy and Eric are recovering from their HUGE day

becoming PARENTS!

We are just thrilled, and have already hounded mom and dad for

Scarlett's stats and pictures!

So proud of you, Chrissy!

We are still in a bit of shock that you are a MOMMY now!

Love you, sister!

!!!! BABY WATCH !!!!

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of _______ _______ Schmidt, AKA the baby that will not leave the womb.

Axel is convinced that Chrissy and Eric are having a boy. His reasoning is that girls are always ready to go, and would fly out of their mommies if they could; where as boys are a little slower and lazier, content to drift in fluid forever.

Chrissy has been at Riddle since Wednesday, on drips and drops to get the birth going. Original due date was Monday the 19th, but he/she is not ready to make their debut yet.

Chrissy is hilarious - I've been able to talk to her everyday, making normal conversation, like she's not about to push out a human being or anything :) That's my girl!

She is fine and the baby is fine.

We just have to wait, and patience is not my forte.

Stay tuned for news......

For My Godmother

All Is Well

Death is nothing at all, I have only slipped into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always use
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household world that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well.

My godmother, Athena, passed away on Friday, October 16th.
She had the best laugh that I think I've tried to duplicate my whole life!
My godparents were a constant presence in my life, and never forgot to send me $5 for Easter candles every year. I am blessed to have all of the memories.

May her memory be eternal, and may she rest in peace.
I love you Nouna, and will miss you terribly.

Shower Appearance!

One thing I could not miss was Chrissy's baby shower. Timing was perfect to attend, and since I was already in NC, the trip up to Media was short and sweet. I also got to spend a week with my mom, and help her with her kitchen remodel, too.

Obviously, I kept this secret from Chrissy, and only told the shower hosts & my two Kellys. Everyone in NC could see how excited I was to get to this shower....I was literally giddy and giggly from the time I left NC until I walked up the Heddy's back door to announce my arrival. I entered the shower saying "I heard someone was pregnant here", and then I was hugging Chrissy and her adorable belly. Tears were flowing....I was hoping the surprise would make her have the baby right then and there!

Chrissy looks amazing! Also, depending on your angle, she actually doesn't look pregnant! There is definately a glow around her and Eric. It was wonderful to see Boots and Bill at the shower, and they are so proud of Chrissy. I also got to meet Eric's mom, a sister-in-law, and Heddy's parents, as well seeing all of my girls. There were times during the day when I just looked around and couldn't believe how fortunate I was to be around so many of my gals! Why the hell do I live in CA??!!?? Anyway, I was at the shower from 1pm to 7pm.....lots of fun, chit-chatting, laughing, eating and of course, drinking. I admit I was hammered on the way home.


Eric, Kelly & Chrissy






















Kim, Kelly, Elan, Susan & Greta












Chris with the Jojo LAX blanket




















Greta, Missy, Kelly, me, Kelly, Chrissy & Kim

Kudos to Heddy, Kate and Kimmy Cupcakes for throwing the world's best baby shower!

I rode the shower high all week while with mom. We really worked hard on the kitchen, and ran around every day running errands. The weather in PA was perfect...I felt bad as Axel & Barb were just soaking in NC the whole time.

The Thursday night before I left, Chrissy, both Kelly's, and Missy met up in Media at Stephen's for a few drinks before I left the next day. Media was hopping! We sat outside, listened to the band playing.....the next thing you know, we were singing with the band, dancing with homeless people, and shaking it in the middle of State St. I love my girlfriends!

Special thanks for their special appearances: Chuck & Cheryl....so good to see you both!!!

Missy, Kelly & Cheryl with unkown Media man

Chrissy & Chuck

Missy & the homeless guy



















Jojo, Kelly & Chrissy















Missy, Media man & Cheryl

Sapphire, NC

We travelled to see Barbara in Sapphire in mid-September to celebrate her birthday with her. The weather was fine when we got there, but then the rain started and didn't stop! It was the same rains that messed up Atlanta so badly. We were ok as Sapphire is up pretty high, but some of the NC towns at the bottom of the mountain did get flooding.

Despite the wet weather, we kicked it up and celebrated in grand style! Barbara has really good buddies there, and one of the couples had a dinner party on her special day. It was a blast!















Shopping in Highlands, NC.
















View from the Country Club dining room.




Pete & yours truly.











Barbara & Dave





















Bobbie, Ulla & AK