No snow, thank heaven, but very windy today! Jim was up and in his dungeon by 6:00 a.m., as is his usual Thursday morning routine. This is when he reads part of the Washington Post for an organization that serves the blind. He used to drive all the way up to Silver Spring, MD to do this (was out of bed at 4:30 a.m.), and would then go directly into work, but after doing it for a few months, the organization finally gave him a device that he put on his phone downstairs. Much better!

I don't know where the time is going either. It's a little scary.

I'd hoped to go back to my old school this weekend, for a fundraiser, but I don't think I'm going to make it. I just don't have the energy to drive down there, and do all the "stuff", although it sounds like it would be fun. The event is called "Chefs, Champagne, and Chocolate". There's going to be a silent auction, Champagne, cocktails, and h'ors d'oeuvres. Then dinner is being provided by the school's "celebrity chefs" which includes the headmaster and his wife. LOL... They're apparently making an oyster and artichoke stew. That HAS to be YUM, and is almost enough to make me drive the 2-1/2 hours, just by itself. Dinner is to be followed by a live auction, and dessert.

Now that I've typed all this, I'm almost tempted to go!

I'm feeling very nostalgic about Staunton these days. A student who was a senior when I was a freshman has been very much involved in the school for years and years. She's been on the Alumnae/i Council (and is making noises lately about nominating me to fill a seat), and the Board of Directors, and was elected "Alumna Of the Year" several times. Anyway, she and her husband live in Miami, but she comes up here numerous times during the year. Recently, they bought a condo in Staunton, on property that used to belong to a massive State Mental Institution (no jokes here, folks!!), and the 18 Thomas Jefferson-inspired buildings themselves were built in 1828, and the masons who built the University of Virginia helped with the construction. This is all part of a massive $250 million restoration project for the more historic downtown area of Staunton.

In looking at the pictures on the main site, I was impressed by the architect's ability to have maintained the integrity of the main building's high ceilings and quirks, while also updating it, and bringing in a lot of light. Lucky Bonnie!! She, of course, is in Staunton for this weekend's gala, and I'm sure she's very grateful that there wasn't another snow storm!

Oh to be in school again...



-- Edited by Moore ideas on Thursday 25th of February 2010 04:23:02 PM

Shelly, isn't it pathetic when shopping for formula exemplifies your big day out?! LOL... I do remember those days. ANYTHING to get out of the house!!

KaeEll, I hope that you and Marilyn had fun, and found some cool stuff for Sarasota. I actually LIKE shopping for light fixtures, but I usually can't find quite what I'm looking for.

Shelly, I'm SO tempted to drive down there, but the event is tomorrow night, and I'm just not quite pulled together enough to do it. For one thing, I haven't made any reservations, and I'm pretty sure that my favorite place to stay will be booked. Not that others wouldn't be available, but the Inn I love is just a block away from the school. Actually, they had a special that ran through 2/15. If you paid for one night, you're entitled to a second night for free! This is a deal that can be used anytime during the next year, and it IS a good deal because the Inn is charming. But...I don't want to use it this weekend, and you have to use both nights consecutively.

The other problem is that I was startled on Monday afternoon when I was on my way out, and discovered that my car was completely dead in the driveway! I had to call AAA to get it started, for heaven's sake. I don't know what the problem was (maybe all the bad weather), but now I'm paranoid that there's something wrong with the battery. I've been able to start it without any problems the past few days, but I'm a little bit afraid to get on a road that takes me through mountain areas of Virginia, and have it all die on me! Until I can put my car in for servicing, I'm seriously reluctant to make this trip by myself.

It would have been fun, though! The next big event is in April. That's when the annual class reunions are held, although it isn't my year. Hmmm... I really DID want some of that blasted oyster/artichoke stew!! LOL...

Maybe I should just stand outside and let the wind BLOW me to Staunton! It was crazy here last night, and still is...

Jim has a cute sports car, and if I felt comfortable driving it, I could always take that. LOVE your suggestion, Shelly! Although, with the way the wind's gusting this morning, it might blow Jim's car off the side of one of those mountains! LOL... Unfortunately there's also a flaw in the other part of your plan: if I were able to drive down there to pick you up, I could get to Staunton by myself, and Staunton is a lot closer than you are to begin with. BUT, thank you for the sweet offer to ride with me, to keep me company. It was a nice try.

I know that everyone is going to have a lot of fun, and I'm sorry to miss it.

Here's where I usually stay. They have numerous buildings other than the main one. Click onto "Accommodations", and then explore all of the houses. Look at "Dining" too. Love the Belle Grae... The other place I've stayed is Frederick House. They also own several vintage houses, but their website doesn't really show them all.

Belle Grae Inn

Staunton