B'day Party 2014

Slidehow pictures from my B'day Party

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Grateful I was able to share some thoughts and memory's at Randy's service

It was the best of times and the worst of times…if there ever was a statement that personified my relationship with Randy that would be it.  And I would guess you all would relate to that as well.  Thank you Charles Dickens for the perfect opening line!  

That said, I wouldn’t trade in our friendship for all of the money in the world.  And anyone that was close with Randy knows exactly what I mean.  He was the most thoughtful, generous and loving friend one could ask for.  He would do anything for someone he loved.  I’ve never in my entire life had a friend that I felt had my back more than Randy.  He said what he thought without thinking about consequences and after the fight we moved on. 

 

When he loved he loved with all of his heart and soul.  There was never a doubt in my mind that he would always be there if I needed him even over the last decade that we weren’t close.  I’m totally 100% sure that if I said I needed him for anything he would do it in a flash.  For me the word that exemplifies Randy is authentic. 

The passion and intensity that he brought to our friendship is the way he lived his life.   Whether it was his relationships or business or his travels if he did it, it was big, it was bold, it was explosive and for the good and not as good that was Randy.

Right after we met he invited me to a Billy Joel concert.  He picked me up at my showroom on a motorcycle…I was like WTF???  And that ride took us through decades of shared B’days with Alan, Patrick & Mitch as we all turned the next age one after the other.  There were many Sunday night dinners that we all cooked together, a few weekend trips all disasters at the time but somehow became fond memories for both of us and many, many gift shows with all of us together and…. sadly too many scares where we were rushing him to the hospital.  Somehow we always found a way to find a laugh when he was sick.  One time he was in the hospital and opened his eyes, looked at me and said “while you’re here maybe you can find a cute Dr” or joking how we had seen the inside of so many hospitals we could write a book or do a tour of the best and worst hospitals in LA.  Only with Randy could you be in a hospital room terrified and worried yet finding the humor and laughing together.

Last but not least, we all know when Randy got something in his head it became an action, a decisive and often spontaneous action.  So when he decided to get me a dog for my 29^th B’day he didn’t ask if I wanted a dog or if I wanted a dog what kind dog I might want he just said “get in the car, we’re going to pick up your B’day present”.  We arrived at his friend Glen’s house to find Jack Russell Terrier Puppies, we left with my Sadie.  What a perfect gift, she loved me and brought me so much joy and pleasure (just like Randy) but she couldn’t argue with me like Randy!  The dots that connect the best things in my 20’s and 30’s will always link Randy in some way and all the good and joy and love he brought to my life will give me comfort until my last breath.  He’s gone from this earth but he’ll never be gone from our hearts.

 

In Memory of my Dear Friend Randy Slater

Jude, Randy, Me & Mitch

 

One of the many B'day's we shared together, this was at the Four Seasons

Randy, me, Alan, Mitch & Patrick

 

Randy's B'day party at my house & we played pin the penis on the man

                    

 

Randy in my pool with Sadie and Sophia

 

 

 

                      My birthday with Randy and Alan at the Ivy          

                               

Hiking 

 

Randy loved to garden and gutted my whole front yard to "make it right"

                    

 

Randy and I with our beloved girls Sophia and Sadie

 

 

Randy and I took my nephews Jason and Gary to Hard Rock at Beverly Center for lunch then walked through the mall. This was a spontaneous moment in a clothing store and before the days of phones with cameras ~ just got lucky I had my camera!

 

Don't let Life get in the way of your Dreams

I'm very excited to share my commercial featuring a tag line that I have trademarked. I have my ideas but watch it and post what company you think this slogan would be a good match for

6th Annual Race for the Rescues

Huge turn out and record breaking dollars! Wish we could prevent the suffering and mass euthanasia but until then, we do our best to save as many as we can!

Wonderful Words of Friendship Passes on and on

I was going through old emails between my friend Brenda and I and found this one she forwarded to a few of her girlfriends back in 2005. So to all my gal pals and for them to forward to theirs and so on and so on.....

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.

"Don't forget your girlfriends," she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. "They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you'll have, you are still going to need girlfriends. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them. And remember that "girlfriends" are not only your friends, but your sisters, your daughters, and other relatives too. You'll need other women. Women always do.

"What a funny piece of advice,' the young woman thought; "Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! -- a grownup; surely my husband and the family we'll start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'

But she listened to her Mother; she kept contact with her girlfriends and made more each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, girlfriends are the mainstays of her life.
After almost 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Love waxes and wanes.
Hearts break.
Careers end.
Jobs come and go.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Men don't call when they say they will.

BUT girlfriends are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girlfriend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it for yourself, your girlfriends will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you. Or come in and carry you out.
My mother, sister, sister-in-law, "sisters," extended family, and friends bless my life! The world wouldn't be the same without them, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other still.

Pass this on to the women who help make your life work.

I just did!

In Brenda's Memory

Donations in Brenda’s memory can be made to:
International Cancer Advocacy Network (ICAN)
Attention: Brenda Diener Program 27 West Morten Avenue
Phoenix AZ 85021-7246
OR
online secure contributions at www.askican.org (left side: ICAN Donate)
Information, please call ICAN at 602-618-0183

My Dear Friend Brenda Diener

In November of 1999 I was going through an incredibly difficult period of my life. In an effort to meet new people I went to a myriad of events, seminars and yes even forced myself to attend a round of Speed Dating where I met an extraordinary person. Nope… not the man of my dreams but a magnificent women who would become one of my closest friends. Brenda was seated at the table to my left and the guys would go from my table to hers. I guess we bonded over a bit of sarcasm and snide remarks as she and I exchanged comments and opinions as each passed through. While neither of us found love we found each other and for that I will always be grateful.

On Saturday March 5th my dear friend Brenda died. A piece of me died too. You see she was my biggest cheerleader. Good friends acknowledge your accomplishments and attributes but great friends actually see them when you don’t and Brenda was always there to point mine out. She commiserated with me, disagreed with me, advised me, consoled me, encouraged me, challenged me, supported me and loved me. Brenda was one of the smartest, feistiest, courageous, lazer light focused, direct, committed, curious, sincere people I’ve ever known. I’m desperately trying to feel the joy of the preverbal cup half full for knowing her rather than the pain of the cup half empty that she’s gone. I know that in time the tears will stop flowing and the sadness will subside but the depth of how she has impacted my life is iindelibly inked into my soul forever.

Brenda actually did meet the love of her life shortly after we met but fortunately for me she still loved a night out at a bar and I served as her perfect wingman and she mine. We had lots of fun, shared many a cocktail….literally I had one, she had two and then I would order another that she would ultimately drink most of. I can picture us at almost every location of the bar at Bandera at one time or another as it was a perfect half way meeting spot for us. With a glance she could easily attract a group of guys to circle us like bees to honey and would flirt harmlessly on my behalf being that I was genuinely single. For her it was all innocent fun and although she enjoyed the attention (who wouldn’t) she really, really wanted me to meet my Mr. Right. Barely more than a week before she died she didn’t miss the chance to express her concern of me being single. I’m reminded of the time she turned to me and said “you know… you can date someone that doesn’t like Jon Stewart or Bill Maher” and I said “uh uh, nope, can’t do it”. Or when she said “you can date someone that voted for Bush, seriously you can’t eliminate half the men in the country” my response…”ok, if they voted for him the 1st time I’ll consider it, but no way if they voted for him twice!”

I think our relationships are a snapshot reflecting who we truly are at our core. A tribute to how amazing Brenda was, she leaves behind a life partner David who has been at her side through a decade long roller coaster ride until her last breath Saturday; Jennifer, a college friend turned business partner who together built a successful business and extended loving, connected family anyone would be envious of, two incredible boys Jordan and Ryan that were the greatest loves of her life, two brothers and a mother whose relationship was so fueled by love, respect & adoration I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes plus a bevy of friends that she touched in a way making each of us feel as if we were the only one and the most special.

I miss my friend Brenda so much and have no doubt she would tell me to stop crying and start a new chapter just like I did back in 1999 when we met. She would tell me to go out and have fun, drink and flirt shamelessly. I wish I could channel her devilish, light hearted, playful spirit and if I could I would raise a glass (of excellent tequila of course) to my dear, beautiful Brenda and say “Brenda, I love you and miss you so much!”

Kevin Spacey on Being Successful

Love this video! It's less than 2 minutes and incredibly inspiring!

Inez and Bob Part 1

I don't remember life without Inez and Bob. I just always felt like I had two mom's. A black one and a white one, both strong and determined women who taught me life lessons from completely different perspectives. Both faced abundant challenges throughout their lives and together they wove a tapestry of life blending two complete different paths into one forever tied together. With my parents and grandparents all gone, I went to visit Inez and Bob and asked them to share what they remember of my family and took the videos below.

Inez and Bob 2

Inez and Bob 3

Inez and Bob 4

Inez and Bob 5

Il Portale ~ One of the best dinners I had in Italy

My niece Jamie was going to school in Florence and suggested this restaurant. She thought that although I would love the food that I would particulalry enjoy the owner and the way he tells you about the menu. She was right, Claudio went through the menu and described many items. We only wished we had taken notes because everything sounded so good and we couldn't remember everything he said. The food was outstanding and I would definitely go back if I went back to Florence.

A Very Special Private Dinner at Antica Locanda di Sesto in Lucca Italy

Attention Foodie friends! You'll just love this video! How fortunate we were that Marilyn planned a private dinner made by a chef in one of the oldest restaurant's in Lucca. Originally built in 1368 and taken over 4 generations ago by the Barattini family. We enjoyed this multi course over indulgent meal our last night together and it was extraordinary!

Who is the Most Famous Person from Tuscany as told by the owner of Il Profeta

Claudio, the owner Il Profeta tells us a cute and funny story:

Cinque Terre

I heard a lot about walking the 5 cities of Cinque Terre but hearing about it and walking it are as different as can be. It took us 6 hours and was one of the hardest things I've ever done - but worth it as it was simply beautiful. Cut this down as much as I could, hope it's not too boring

Santa Margherita and Portofino on the Coast of Italy

I can't imagine a living breathing human that would fall in love with this place. I was fortunate that my friend Larry suggested we stay in Santa Margherita and visit Portofino. It's all pretty pricey even in off season but Portofino is twice the price and honestly we think we're in paradise here in Santa Margherita.