Best Gift of 2009

Without Dad's permission, I want to share what he wrote in an email last night, to me, Gretchen and our extended Stahlman family. I've read it three times and tear up all over again every time. I love my family. And they love me. Thanks Dad.

Fifty years ago, I had a job, worked with some great guys, doing work we enjoyed and were pretty good at. Designing office systems using these new computer things. We were all young, smart (imho), driven and close knit. Plenty of opportunities to celebrate triumphs and break-throughs. Also some occasions to bemoan set-backs, managerial stupidity, stolen ideas. Fortunately, right across the street was a pub that was quite accommodating whether celebrating or bemoaning.

On Christmas Eve, we always got to leave work in early or mid-afternoon. Traditionally, it seemed like half the company stopped across the street for a glass of Christmas cheer. Or two. Maybe three.

But not me---never!!! Not once!!!

I knew I had two little girls at home, just waiting for me to pull into the driveway. Excited, babbling, laughing, giggling, wiggling, jumping, both talking at once, hugging, happy, wishful. And why not|? Santa Claus is coming tonight---this very night---to our house---503 Cooper Road.

Can you imagine introducing the smell and effect of alcohol into a circumstance, time, and place as I have described above??? Not me. Couldn't do it then, wouldn't do it now.

The little girls are all grown up now and maybe they have even calmed down a bit. No matter, I am pleased that I never had that glass of Christmas cheer on Christmas Eve.

Martha Stewart Living

PS Just for fun, check Google Images for Santa - such a selection! They run the gamut from ridiculous, sublime, naughty, lots of images with Coca Cola and some disturbing images I don't even "get".

Happy Earth Day!

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I love Earth Day. Just because. I tried to think of something purposeful and meaningful to do at work to celebrate it but came up blank.

I kept fearing I would come off like one of our former employees who was always wanting to promote the ESOP, with poster contests & stuff. I never understood what that meant. We are an ESOP company, we all know what it means, we're vested or not - it's not something you join or sign up for. I only have my perspective, of course, but I'm more about productivity and making money for the company (and thus me) than a rah-rah campaign.

Still, I'm happy that Earth Day is back on the world's radar screen. I remember the first Earth Day very fondly, back in 1970 when I was in the 7th grade, age 14. Here's what I wrote last year about the subject.

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Happy Administrative Professionals Day too!

I ordered one of these Edible Arrangements for our "gal". She likes to eat healthy so I think she'll like this if she doesn't freak out about how much it costs. She knows that stuff and is extremely frugal. I may have to remind her how to accept a gift graciously. :-)

I'm a nut for little compartments. How cute is this?? By day, it's a piece of art on the wall. At night, fold it down to hold stuff, even specifically custom-made to fit your stuff!

First & Last Arts & Crafts Show
May 3rd
5 – 10 PM
Spot Coffee
200 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604

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Stefani Goes Designer

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I don't know who was more excited about going shopping last night, me or Simon. He has always been the shopper of the family, into clothes, fashion, designer labels. Apparently a few years ago I mentioned that if I was ever going to care about owning designer anything, Vera Bradley was right up my alley, all colorful and quilty.

This is the year Simon decided I needed to step up my game., as he puts it He was going to buy me something that's part of their pink ribbon program which donates something to breast cancer research because he knew I'd like that. Then he decided I should pick out my own thing.

So last night we went to The Olive Garden for dinner first.

Holy crap, these Lasagna Frittas are good. Parmesan-breaded lasagna pieces, fried and served over Alfredo sauce, topped with Parmesan cheese and marinara sauce. I had manicotti, which was delish, but a little too much ricotta. I like a lower pasta to cheese ratio, if you catch my drift. But it was all good, including a chocolate dessert thing to freakin' die for.

Then it was over to Eastview Mall, Crabtree & Evelyn for the Vera Bradley shopping.

I chose the Little Betsy. There was another purse I liked the shape of a bit better because it was more unusual, but Little Betsy won because of all her interior pockets.

I couldn't find a good close-up of the design - but check it out. Is there any mystery as to why I chose this?? The only thing better would have been if it was a bit more lime green, than Kelly green. Still. It's Stefani all day long, don't you think?

Simon also insisted I buy a wallet of some sort. Confession: in my former purse, because I could never find a wallet small enough that worked, I kept my money and coupons in a snack size Zip-Loc bag. No one ever saw it - it functioned perfectly! So I upgraded to this Hope Garden Wristlet. Love the pocket for my cell phone. The other side has a window for one's driver's license. (When I've had a driver's license window before, I've usually inserted a photo of Simon instead but I realized last night that my most recent photos of Simon are from high school, 3 years ago. Guess I should take some new ones, huh?)

You'll be proud of me - I never once checked the price tags of this stuff. (Though I had been on the website, gathering a little pre-shopping intel.) Simon kept telling me to pick out whatever I wanted, saying to the clerk helping us, "It's my mom's birthday and she never buys anything for herself so I really want her to step up her game." The woman, a bit older than me perhaps, said several times, "Wow, we don't hear that from boys very often in here and never from girls! That's quite a son you have there."

She offered to wrap it in a gift bag with tissue and ribbon and as she was doing that, I felt sooo in the moment and how much I love Simon, that by the time she handed me the bag, wait for it . . . I had tears in my eyes. Yeah, I know, big fat surprise, right?

There was more to our shopping trip but I'll save that for the next post.

We came home to find these flowers from DJ. You haven't heard me mention him in a while but he is Steve's nephew who became Simon's best friend. He spent a ton of time with us during his high school years, practically lived with us for the summers. He and his former girlfriend had a baby last December. DJ moved in with us a few weeks ago. We love him. He left me this card with the flowers, which included an iTunes gift card.

C'mon, altogether now: I teared up at his thoughtfulness.

Yesterday I remembered to take a picture of the flowers Mom brought to my office on my birthday. (My phone takes remarkably good pictures, I'm always amazed.) When she gave me the card with the check enclosed . . . ha! No, I didn't cry! Fooled you! Okay, I did get a lump in my throat. Maybe if I hadn't been at work I would have teared up.

I don't know what's with me and the waterworks lately. (Lately??) That's just how I roll.

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Birthday in Review

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This is what greeted me when I walked into my studio when I got home last night. Simon has always been a great card picker-outer. Usually they are mushy, but this one was mushy in a funny way. The front says:

Mom. All year long you hear nothing but . . . (through the window) Me! Me! Me! Me! Me! ... but today ... (open card) - it's all about - and all the Me!s change to You! You! You! You! You!

(Can I get an Amen from other parents!?)

The whole thing made me cry. I know, what a shock. I was already on the verge though, driving home from my massage, which my therapist gave me for free as a surprise birthday gift. Mom had stopped by my office with gorgeous flowers and a card with a generous check. (I didn't have my camera at work or I would have photographed them too.)

At work, Jenifer baked me chocolate chip cookies, the department gave me a card that my other friend Jen made and we had ice cream treats. Sherry D gave me a candle & beautiful card and Chris gave me a box of chocolates (which I'm not sharing - already squirreled away in my studio).

And our CEO and a few others took me out to lunch.

Steve brought home dinner for us.

My sweet nephews called to wish me happy birthday.

Steve's daughter and Simon's friend DJ texted me Happy Birthday.

After the tear-fest at Simon's card & flowers, I said to Steve, "You know how I'm all full of myself?" (I love to throw him with these trick questions!)

Steve, never sure how to answer, "Uh, yeah?"

Stefani: Sometimes I don't feel worthy.

We both laughed at my foolishness and I got over it.

Because really, if anyone knows how to milk a birthday, it's me. Because wait, there's more!

• Thursday: Dinner & shopping for my gift, with Simon.
• Saturday: Breakfast with Pam, dinner & movie with Steve.
• Monday: Fleetwood Mac concert with Steve.

The fun never ends!

And thanks for all the nice comments and birthday wishes yesterday. You guys rock.

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