Somehow, ok, maybe it’s because I’m good at it, I’ve become quite the “milestone birthday party planner (MBPP). Through the years I’ve planned three 50th birthday parties (my mother’s dessert & cordials festivities, my ex’s Tuscany/London celebration and my own DeFazio’s & wine shindig) and, in recent years, two 60th birthday fetes, one of which … Continue reading Notes from a retired party planner
Category: birthdays
Fiddling while home burns
My heart remains full from last week’s Laker gathering in Saratoga in honor of my brother’s milestone birthday. Being able to spend a couple of nights with friends we have shared since middle school is a gift none of us take for granted. We’re very, very lucky. The timing of my brother’s birthday coincided … Continue reading Fiddling while home burns
A legendary weekend
When it comes to my birthday, I take things pretty seriously - at least as far as self indulgence and celebration go. My attitude is that it is MY day and I’m going to spend it as close to precisely the way I want to. This condition has been consistent for me as far back … Continue reading A legendary weekend
5 8
Beyond the fact that it is inevitable, growing old isn’t easy in any fashion. While I certainly have moments of feeling frustrated by changes in my skin, brain and body, most days I feel pretty comfortable with the process. I think it helps that I try to remain aware that most of the women presented … Continue reading 5 8
Liverwurst as love language
As a child, my relationship with food was pretty weird stuff. There was a phase when I refused to eat steak other than if I could gnaw on the bone. I was inclined to eat my pancakes with jelly, rather than syrup, and I oddly enough picked soft boiled eggs over fried every time. Vegetables, … Continue reading Liverwurst as love language
Hey, 19
My youngest son recently began his last year as a teenager causing me to deeply exhale. I’ve been parenting teenagers for about 14 years now and frankly, I’m exhausted. There have been a lot of challenges and poor decisions made along the way, on both sides, and while I'm not one to wish time away, … Continue reading Hey, 19
Let’s go (to) Brandon!
I’m not going to lie - when the special evening in Woodstock which had been planned for my birthday had to be canceled because of a family event, I was less than happy. I’d never been to a Ramble before and I was looking forward to making a night of it, including drinks at Silvia, … Continue reading Let’s go (to) Brandon!






