Daddy Daughter Dates

Father's Day is coming up this Sunday and tonight I was thinking about my Dad.  We used to go on Daddy Daughter dates.  I LOVED them!  My dad and I just have this special connection and I always love getting to spend a few one-on-one moments with him.  He is a typical working class dad - always busy - so it was really nice when he made extra time just for me, and he did it frequently.
I imagine these "special dates" (or sometimes moments) started long before I can remember.  The first one could have been when I superglued my mouth shut because I so desperately wanted to be outside where he was, or it could have been the time when we were enjoying popsicles on the front porch (one in each hand) after he finished mowing the lawn.
These dates certainly included the million times he tucked me in (yes, every night, all the way through my senior year of high school) and frequently had brief (and sometimes not-so-brief) conversations with me and Big Doggie (because, after all, Christmas was just around the corner).  They included walks around the block after dinner and talks in the evening on the big swing about everything and nothing.  They included going with him to his office and playing secretary one Saturday morning while he worked.  They included riding in his Honda Del Sol with the top down and the heater blasting (because it was winter) on our way to Captain Billy Whizzbang's for hamburgers.  They included walking to Waco High School to pick up the car and go get mom for lunch.  They included walking to Fuddruckers for lunch during Christmas Break my senior year of high school, and going to Trujillos for lunch for my 18th birthday.  They included sleeping in the living room with me during the "tornado", and on my bed with me when I was too scared to sleep in it by myself (after the giant cockroach - major ick factor!).  They included helping me with Science Fair (because science is so not my thing).
I'd say they even included walking me down the aisle on my wedding day, and the brief moments we shared beforehand.  I'd go so far as to say they included the notes I, more often than not, found in my lunchbox in elementary school from him - all of which I still have.  And, of course there were the more obvious ones that we officially called Daddy Daughter Dates, like our dinner date at Fuddruckers one night.  Every single one of those moments spent with my Daddy are precious to me and I look forward to having many more.

Daddy,

I miss you terribly.  Texas and Connecticut are separated by way too many states.  I look forward to the day when we live closer together again and can have more Daddy Daughter Dates . . . and perhaps eventually, some Grandaddy Granddaughter dates too.  I love you more than words can say.  Thank you so much for all of the wonderful memories you've given me.

I'll love you forever and always,

Sarah


Here are a few of my favorite recent pics of me and my Daddy:

I love this man.

6th Anniversary in NYC

On June 4, 2005 (6 years ago), Andrew and I were married.  We had a lovely wedding in Waco, took a limo to Dallas and spent the night, and then flew to NYC for our honeymoon on June 5.  We had the most amazing time, and ever since then, NYC has been one of my favorite places.  I LOVE being in the city.  It has such a great energy, and there's so much to do.  Andrew and I have been many times now, since we live so close (one BIG bonus of living up here) and every time we go, it's exciting and wonderful and different and it never disappoints.  Yesterday was no exception (except for this delightful bakery that was closed before we could get there to enjoy the yumminess that is cupcakes . . . that was definitely disappointing).  Anyway, we got there in time for a late lunch at 'Wichcraft, a tasty sandwich place located all over the city - we ate at the one in Bryant Park, a nice outdoor venue.  Then we hiked over to the subway and caught a train to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Because it was the first full weekend of the month, and we are Bank of America cardholders, we got in for FREE!  We strolled around looking at several of the exhibits for 3.5 - 4 hours.  By the end, our feet were VERY tired.  We left the museum and walked over to a quaint Italian restaurant - Bello Giardino.  Very good, but a wee bit overpriced.  We thought we had left ourselves plenty of time to make it back to Grand Central Station and the bakery - Crumbs - located just around the corner.  Sadly, we did not.  We waited for a subway that took it's sweet time coming and just missed getting to eat dessert there.  Not surprisingly, I was a bit of a baby about it (I do love cupcakes and I had really been looking forward to eating one from Crumbs for at least a week) and I may have shed some tears.  I know it's stupid, and I am ashamed of myself for ending such a wonderful day on such a sour note.  But, all in all, it was still a really great day spent with my love and we had fun together.

First exhibit we looked at - Egypt:

Then, we looked at Arms and Armor:

this one was made for a 5 year old!!

After that, we looked at the Sculptures:

Wind

Fire

Water

Earth

 

 

We went up to the rooftop garden for a bit (it was cold!):

Finally, we looked at the Impressionist's Paintings:

Van Gogh - Wheat Field and Cypress Tree

Cezanne - The House with Cracked Walls

 

 

 

 

 

Degas - Dancers Practicing at the Bar

don't remember the painter, but the colors were gorgeous and I liked the technique

on the steps of the museum

A Dress A Day In May - Challenge Accepted!

A high school friend of mine posted on Facebook back in April that she had accepted a challenge to wear a dress or skirt every day in May.  After reading that, I thought that I would accept the challenge and try it too.  I'm not really sure where it started, but there are people in Waco doing it, my friend who is now in Boston, a lady in Spokane, others in surrounding Waco areas, and me, here in CT. 

May 1:

white skirt with black trim: Ann Taylor Loft
black long sleeve t-shirt: Kohl's

May 2:

red and white skirt: Belk
white long sleeve t-shirt: Kohl's
brown 3/4 sleeve sweater jacket: ?? gift

May 3:

navy 3/4 sleeve shirt: Bass
brown skirt: Target

May 4:

brown skirt: Ann Taylor Loft
blue and white checked shirt: Bass
white tank: Old Navy

May 5:

khaki jacket: Ann Taylor Loft
maxi dress:  Kohl's

May 6:

black eyelet skirt: Gap
yellow 3/4 sleeve sweater: Ann Taylor Loft

May 7:

denim-like pencil skirt: Ann Taylor Loft
pink 3/4 sleeve button-up shirt: Bass

May 8:

denim-like pencil skirt: Ann Taylor Loft
white tank: Old Navy
black and white striped cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft
flip flops: Yellow Box

May 9:

coral cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft
brown tank: Old Navy
brown and cream skirt: Ann Taylor Loft

May 10:

black eyelet skirt: Gap
white tank: Old Navy
pink striped 3/4 sleeve button-up shirt: Express

May 11:

brown floral patterned dress: Kohl's
khaki jacket: Ann Taylor Loft
flip flops: Yellow Box

May 12:

blue floral dress: Kohl's

May 13:

black and green dress and cardigan set: ?? catalog purchase

May 14:


kids are my business pink and brown 3/4 sleeve shirt: Frogstreet SPLASH conference
brown skirt: Target
flip flops: Yellow Box

May 15:

white cardigan: Kohl's
navy and white polka dot dress: Kohl's
blue patent closed toe shoes (not pictured): Dillard's

May 16:

navy tiny polka dot dress with belt: Ann Taylor Loft
white long cardigan: Wet Seal
blue patent closed toe shoes: Dillard's

May 17:

denim skirt: Dillard's
brown 3/4 sleeve shirt: Bass
flip flops: Yellow Box

May 18:

orangey striped skirt: Old Navy
cream shirt: Kohl's
denim jacket: Old Navy

May 19:

brown halter dress: Marshall's
pink cardigan: Express
flip flops: Yellow Box

May 20:

black sequin skirt: Ann Taylor Loft
white tank: Old Navy
green cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft

May 21:

black eyelet skirt: Gap
turquoise cami: Mervyn's
black shrug: ??
shoes (not pictured):  Dillard's
necklace: gift from in-laws

May 22:

purple, black, and white 3/4 sleeve dress: Ann Taylor Loft

May 23:

floral skirt: Off 5th Ave
pink tank: Old Navy
brown 3/4 sleeve jacket: Belk
beads: Kohl's

May 24:

red and white floral skirt: Belk
white tank: Belk
3/4 sleeve jacket: Coldwater Creek
flip flops: Yellow Box
jewelry: gift from in-laws

May 25:

orange cotton dress: Kohl's

May 26:

denim-like pencil skirt: Ann Taylor Loft
gold sequin shirt: Ann Taylor Loft

May 27:

brown pocket skirt: Ann Taylor Loft
white tank: Old Navy
turquoise short-sleeved sweater: Ann Taylor Loft

May 28:

brown pocket skirt: Ann Taylor Loft
red sequin shirt: Ann Taylor Loft
flip flops: Yellow Box

May 29:

black and white floral print dress: New York and Company
black shrug:  ??

May 30:

pink and black dress: Kohl's
flip flops: Yellow Box

May 31:

orange dress, take 2: Kohl's
flip flops: Yellow Box

Well, there it is . . . a dress (or skirt) a day  in May!  I actually did it!  And, I'm wearing a dress again today!  I found that I actually enjoy wearing dresses more than I thought I did.  And, amazingly enough, I have a lot already!  I only bought 1 dress (the orange one) during this challenge.  Who knew?  I did re-wear some pieces, but for the most part, I had a new look every day - with the exception of the orange dress.  I wore it twice and I'm ok with that.  And, a big shout out and thank you to Andrew, my picture-taker.  Love you, honey! =)