Going in Style

Hi all,
Had a fabulous weekend (again)!

Friday I went to see Extraordinary Measures. Good movie with Harrison Ford. Met up with friends for some cocktails and gossip. Great girl time! Finished the evening with many more cocktails at our house with friends - great discussions, giggles, and gathering.

Saturday was a Napa day - this time going in style! Our friend, Matt, hooked us up with a very nice limo (fully stocked). We enjoyed great conversations on the way. Visited 5 wineries:

- Peju

- Beringer

- Turnbull

- Heitz

- Alpha Omega

Our last stop was Alpha Omega where we attended a french 5-course meal with all you can drink vino. It was delicious!!! We made a memorable mark on the winery!

The limo ride home was nothing but dull -- music pumping and more alcohol flowing - thank goodness for limo drivers (and it was a treat for me because for once I didn't have to drive home).

A special thanks to Matt/Meg for setting up this fun-filled trip; more memories to store (lots more where those came from). So very blessed to have fun friends.

I am now trying to attack Monday.

Cheers,
V

Enjoy this rain! Be safe; drive carefully, and stay dry!

42 Years....

of awesome musical talent! This would describe Amillio Castillo who is the founder of Tower of Power. We had the fortune of being able to see them in concert this past weekend in Lake Tahoe, NV at Harrah's. Such a great performance and a sold out show. The vibes just want to make you get up and groove. After the show we had a chance to go back stage and meet up with the performers. Great times and super memories!

We also did some dancing, drinking, and eating. We visited Cabo Wabo; this place was insane; crawling with people. A fun atmosphere with a live band playing.

We went to Villa Roma for the first time; this is a great italian restaurant in Tahoe. The dishes are very generous; they have a killer salad bar and homemade minestrone soup. I enjoyed my cheese tortellini with pesto sauce.

Much thanks to Carlos for organizing this trip and getting us the VIP tickets to the concert. And don't forget,

You're Still A Young Man

(In the photo is Carlos (left) and his brother Amillio.)

Open your arms and embrace the joy of today!

Drum Roll Please

How can you narrow 4,000 excellent drummers down to 5? You do that with the help of Drum Off (presented by the Guitar Center).

We were fortunate enough to attend their competition on Friday, January 8 in Los Angeles at the Wiltern. Five drummers competed for the $25,000 cash prize and tons of drumming equipment. It was an awesome show with Tommy Lee (Motley Crue) as the special guest - he did a drum solo and participated in a few additional combined sets.

There were 2,000 in attendance and the place was sold out. We stood for 5 1/2 hours during the show (yes, that tore up my back and feet). Now I know why I don't do rock conerts.

During this same trip, we had fun cruising Sunset Strip, visiting Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, The Promenade, and taking a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway. The weather couldn't have been better -- it was 80 degrees!!! So very warm and sunny! Of course - that's why it's California!

L.A. always has so much to offer. Not only do they have "stars", but they also have a lot of culture, museums, parks and observatories. I could easily spend a week there.

Didn't want to come back to the cold (40 degrees) but here I am finishing yet another Monday.
V

STRONG....

ALL YEAR LONG!

Make this a "strong" year! Whatever that might mean to you (physically or mentally), attack it!

today!

My Top Nine (9) of 2009

This was so difficult to do; I chose my favorite 9 photos of 2009 (I have tons more but had to narrow it down).

An unforgettable Maui vacation with best friends (Maui, HI)

A Maui Sunset (Maui, HI)

My beautiful children (Sept. 2009)

My loving parents (May, 2009)

Sea anenome (Monterey, CA)

Breanna's New Addition - Marley (Sacramento, CA)

Sunset on the Delta (Isleton, CA)

Llamas (Dillon Beach, CA)

Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Maui, HI)

New Beginnings

Like many others, I am attacking the fitness scene with vigor and intensity. I am going back to my old tried and true work-outs. I conquered it this morning and it felt great!

Looking forward to some new classes being offered at my gym (R.I.P.P.E.D. and Will and Grace). Ready to switch it up and trick my body.

I hope I will be succesful - gotta shed a few unwanted pounds from all the goodies I ingested during the holidays. I'm pumped and ready!

Hoping for a very healthy 2010!
V

Preserving Memories

Hi all,
I finished my Photo Of the Day project on Dec 31, 2009 - what a great way to document an entire year in photos. My friends have asked me to share my project and they are hooked. Many have started their own projects.

I have began documenting 2010. I love telling a story thru photos (and captions). I once again am taking a photo a day for the year. It's a great way to preserve memories and show others your life and times thru photos.

Enjoy this upcoming first week of 2010 - I know it's going to be a struggle for me getting back into a routine after 10 days off.

Happy trails,
V

2010

Welcome 2010!

- A new year

- New beginnings

- New friends

- New challenges

- New goals

- New visions

I hope you all had a great ringing in of this new year and I hope everyone will be healthy and happy!

Happy trails to new beginnings,
V