“So Lisa B, what have you been doing during your rather ahem lengthy blog hiatus?”

“Thanks for asking oh-curious-unnamed-blogger! I suddenly looked up and months had gone by. How in the world did THAT happen???”

Anyway, here are a few of the highlights:

HCFG and I celebrated our one year anniversary. I truly can’t believe it, it’s almost hard for me to remember when he wasn’t a part of my life. And yes, we are still nauseatingly, blissfully, shmoopily happy.

We went to San Francisco on business and took an extra couple of days to celebrate. Lots of fun, but what’s with those darn hills everywhere?! Quite aerobic, anyway. We saw a couple of friends, including the lovely Kailyn. One of the highlights was a special anniversary supper at Boulevard. Quite chichi and absolutely delicious. We hung out all over the place including: Chinatown, North Beach, Union Square and San Jose. We were also complete tourists and went to Alcatraz. HCFG had been many years before with his son, but it was my first time. It’s quite something, all those old crumbling walls, along with the “to die for” view of San Francisco. The audio tour by the former inmates, guards, and families who used to live there was fascinating, and made it very easy to visualize what it was like back in the day. Next time we’re going to go on the presumably spooky as hell night tour!

We now have 8 bottles of SF’s most affordable finest wines sitting on my table. I had almost forgotten how much I like California wines! At the rate we drink we will still be enjoying them in time for next year’s trip.

We also went to Texas to celebrate our dear friend John’s birthday party. HCFG met the rest of my family, not to mention many of the Tea crowd. Of course everyone loved him and several of the older ladies whispered to me, “He’s so handsome!” I thought I was going to have to arm wrestle one of them cause she was definitely on the prowl. MEOW. One of the funnier moments was when I noticed all of my family was inside the house while all of John’s family was outside. I whispered to my Mom that it felt like “West Side Story.” MEOW IN STEREO. Hey, it’s me, remember? You know snarky remarks happen on my blog!

What else? Well, I got an iPhone. Which I love more than you should love any inanimate object. Best. Toy. Ever. All hail the mighty Apple!!!

Alrighty then.

I’m feeling creative again so you will probably be seeing a whole lot more of me ’round these parts. Hope to see you as well!

Wha? Oh wow, another weird dream. There were rabbits, and a scary Red Queen who was screaming for my head, and a smirking cat, and all sorts of weird and wacky creatures.

Oh and Tea. Lots and lots of tea and cookies.

I’m awake now, whew!

Anyway, a quick summary of what I’ve been up to since I last saw you…

The Tea was WAY fun.

My favorite desserts were brown sugar brownies, tea time tassies, (bite size pecan pies,) homemade scones with lemon curd, and a divine rum cake.

It was hot as hell in Texas, with temps in the balmy 90-100 range.

Mom and I had a great time baking and hanging out. Oh and of course we bought shoes. Even better, we bought shoes ON SALE! I got some really sexy high heels as well as some casual ones. My feet were killing me after the tea but my legs looked GREAT, (she modestly says.)

Lots of meetings since I got back in town. Some interesting things in the mix which I can’t discuss right now.

Hot Cute Fun Guy and I have been having a ball. We’re quite inseparable. Me likey!

There are so many interesting things to do in NY in the summer. Yummy dining al fresco, awesome concerts, (Steely Dan this weekend!) and outdoor sculpture gardens.

That’s it for now. Thanks for checking up on me! I’ll be around to visit all your blogs and catch up later today. I missed you guys!

Translation = I’m in Texas for our 20th annual Tea Party! Mom and I are busily baking assorted lovely treats. We are expecting more than 60 women from all over the country.

“But I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked.
“Oh, you can’t help that,” said the Cat: “we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”
“How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice.
“You must be,” said the Cat, “or you wouldn’t have come here.”

I’ll update more later.

Lisa: “I wish we could spend my birthday together.”

Mom: “I do too, dear. Are there any cheap flights right now?”

Lisa: “Let me look online… Hey there are! So if I come to Texas for my birthday will you take me out to supper?”

Mom: “I’ll even buy you a steak.”

Go Mom.

Off to Texas to for the festivities. Be back next week…

Saturday is the big day.

Thanks again for all your support!

Come out and cheer us on, ok? You won’t have a problem spotting me – I’ll be the brunette surrounded by 40,000 of my dearest friends.

Hope to see you there!

Because you asked, (well Bud did anyway,) here are a few of the highlights:

(FYI, it’s Restaurant Week here, so great prices on three course meals. It’s twice a year and I try to hit as many different restaurants as I can. Great way to visit the pricey places at a reasonable cost.)

Last Friday was lunch with Last Girl on Earth aka my lovely friend, Deni, at Union Square Cafe. It was cold outside and warm inside, (and the bottle of wine didn’t hurt!) I always love hanging out with Deni.

My dear friend, Annie Dennison, sent me a special birthday package. Highlights included a green and purple birthday tiara with just a touch of purple marabou. Oh and several purple lei’s. And a beautiful pair of earrings. I adorned myself with all as I opened my gifts and drank my coffee. I looked lovely!

Sunday Brunch at Sarabeth’s, and then the movie Babel with my always fun buddy, Julie. The pumpkin muffins, desserts, and company were outstanding! We both adored the movie but I highly recommend going to the bathroom before you see it, I think it’s around 3 hours. Julie always makes me laugh – she is a riot!

Mom was my first call on my actual birthday. I always look forward to that. She gave me a beautiful pale blue cashmere afghan for those chilly winter nights. It’s so pretty! She is such a great Mom.

And the ever dear and charming Se7en was my second phone call. Plus he sent me elegant earrings that got several oohs and ahhs from various friends. The man has taste!

Finally, last night was my birthday supper party. 11 of us elegantly dined at Zoe. It was a very congenial group, including Deni and Last Guy, Julie, Boogie and some non-blogger friends. The food was yummy, I had Porcini Mushroom Soup, Pan Roasted Sea Bass and Warm Lemon Pudding Cake. And a glass or two of Chardonnay. Everyone either knew each other or knew of each other. It was so much fun – we all laughed ourselves silly!

Alas, no cake from Sweet Lady Jane. Sigh. But you know what? I had such a great time that I didn’t really miss it. Much. Maybe next year.

Thanks for all your lovely thoughts and wishes. You guys are the best! And a special thank you to my friends and loved ones who made this birthday so absolutely wonderful. Just wait until YOUR birthday!

Oh and should some incredibly rich thoughtful person wish to spend big bucks to overnight express me a cake from L.A., please order my favorite Triple Berry Shortcake from Sweet Lady Jane. I’ll even share a piece with you. Oh heck, cake for all the blogosphere! Of course it would be even more wonderful if the lovely folks at Sweet Lady Jane actually sent me a cake for all this free publicity. That would rock. Especially since I almost never eat sweets anymore, but am ready to blow all my good intentions for a Triple Berry Shortcake from Sweet Lady Jane. The yummiest cake in the world. I miss it so! Kinda brings tears to your eyes, right? That’s what I thought. I’ll let you know what happens.

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Happy New Year to my fellow Bloggers!

Stay safe, and remember no drinking and driving. Or walking drunk in Times Square, (as if!)

See you in 2007.

Wishing you and yours joy, happiness, and peace.

Hugs from Lisa B. & Ally da Pup.

Saturday I received this in the mail:

“Your mammogram showed a finding. Please contact your referring physician. We recommend an ultrasound. Please schedule an appointment for an additional evaluation.”

If you think my heart didn’t immediately drop to my knees then you are sadly mistaken. And it was freaking Saturday so I couldn’t even reach my doctor! I called my friends in a panic. Everyone said over and over, “it’s common in our age group, it’s no big deal, it happens to a lot of women, they are just being careful, don’t worry.”

I was worried.

Terrified actually.

Finally Mom calmed me down. Have I mentioned how much I love my Mother???

I called my doctor first thing Monday morning. He also felt like there was no major cause for concern, but agreed with having the ultrasound to rule out any possible negative results. I called the radiologists office and made another appointment.

Yesterday I went for the ultrasound. I was watching the screen as the technician tried to pinpoint the specific area. The spot was very small but she was still able to find it. I was scared.

This morning I called my doctor’s office to confirm the test results were in. They were, but he was with a patient. The receptionist promised he would call me back very soon.

I sat there and stared at the phone willing it to ring.

My phone finally rang. I saw on the caller ID it was the doctor’s office.

“This is Lisa”

“Hi Lisa, this is Dr. Whooseywhat. Your results are in and everything is FINE. You have a tiny cyst but it is benign.”

I began to breathe again, “Thank heavens.”

The doctor laughed, “I thought that would make you happy. Now stop worrying!”

I thanked him profusely and hung up. Waves of relief rushed through my body. I immediately started calling my family and friends to give them the good news.

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…”

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UPDATED: And Hanukkah! And Kwaanza! And all the holidays thrown in together!