A Highlight of Thanksgiving

Mike and I had the privilege of spending time with our niece, Lexie, over Thanksgiving. Thanks for the memory and the pic Kiyosi. (And thanks to Duke and Courtney for sharing their beautiful baby girl with us.)

We just got back from Tello's visitation... I haven't checked email in days but just opened my computer and found this. It's an email Candice sent Thursday morning - THE DAY BEFORE TELLO'S ACCIDENT! This breaks my heart. She didn't have to lose him to appreciate him God. Candice loved Tello every second of their life together.

Subj: Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are.

I walked into the grocery store not particularly interested in buying groceries. I wasn't hungry. The pain of losing my husband of 57 years was still too raw. And this grocery store held so many sweet memories. He often came with me and almost every time he'd pretend to go off and look for something special. I knew what he was up to. I'd always spot him walking down the aisle with the three yellow roses in his hands. He knew I loved yellow roses.

With a heart filled with grief, I only wanted to buy my few items and leave, but even grocery shopping was different since he had passed on. Shopping for one took time, a little more thought than it had for two. Standing by the meat, I searched for the perfect small steak and remembered how he had loved his s teak. Suddenly a woman came beside me. She was blonde, slim and lovely in a soft green pantsuit. I watched as she picked up a large package of T-bones, dropped them in her basket.. Hesitated, and then put them back. She turned to go and once again reached for the pack of steaks. She saw me watching her and she smiled. 'My husband loves T-bones, but honestly, at these prices, I don't know.' I swallowed the emotion down my throat and met her pale blue eyes. 'My husband passed away eight days ago,' I told her. Glancing at the package in her hands, I fought to control the tremble in my voice. 'Buy him the steaks. And cherish every moment you have together.' She shook her head and I saw the emotion in her eyes as she placed the package in her basket and wheeled away. I turned and pushed my cart across the length of the store to the dairy products. There I stood, trying to decide which size milk I should buy. A quart, I finally decided and moved on to t he ice cream. If nothing else, I could always fix myself an ice cream cone.

I placed the ice cream in my cart and looked down the aisle toward the front. I saw first the green suit, then recognized the pretty lady coming towards me. In her arms she carried a package. On her face was the brightest smile! I had ever seen. I would swear a soft halo encircled her blonde hair as she kept walking toward me, her eyes holding mine. As she came closer, I saw what she held and tears began misting in my eyes. 'These are for you,' she said and placed three beautiful long stemmed yellow roses in my arms. 'When you go through the line, they will know these are paid for.' She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek, then sm iled again. I wanted to tell her what she'd done, what the roses meant, but still unable to speak, I watched as she walked away as tears clouded my vision. I looked down at the beautiful roses nestled in the green tissue wrapping and found it almost unreal. How did she know? Suddenly the answer seemed so clear. I wasn't alone. Oh, you haven't forgotten me, have you? I whispered, with tears in my eyes. He was still with me, and she was his angel. Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are.

Please pray for my friend Candice Vasquez. Her amazing husband Tello was killed in a freak hunting accident Friday morning. He was only 28. I know it's not for us to understand but this has been awful...

Taking my sis to Oprah tomorrow for her 21st b-day. I haven't seen her this excited about anything in years! Hopefully some good pics and stories to come.

"They love me..." - Coach Mike

Mike has been teaching an undergrad beginner golf class this semester. I know this is somewhat surprising, especially for those of you who are familiar with his golfing abilities, but he saw it as a chance to get out on the range; something that would (hopefully) improve his own game while also contributing to the skill sets of his students.

The whole process has been really cute. Mike watches hours and hours of golf videos online - pointers on grip, swing, stance, etc. Then he takes these lessons out to the range with his kids. Scared he might shank a ball and lose all credibility, he uses other students to demonstrate the video "hints."

Last week he took his class out on the course for the first time. I think they only played 9 holes, but Mike said it was absolutely hilarious. One kid would spend 5 minutes teeing-up and taking practice swings. Then he'd finally go to hit the ball and miss it completely. (Kid, if you're reading this, I totally feel your pain.)

Anyway, the whole reason I am writing about golf 101 is because the kids were so excited to be out on the course that some brought cameras and wanted to take pictures with "Coach Mike." I got an email from him a couple days ago... All that the message said was "they love me" and these pics were attached.

SCC Member Guest

A friend just sent these over so I thought I would share... They are pics from the pre and post parties at Sedgefield's Member/Guest Golf Tournament a couple weeks ago. Mike played with Brad Harder. They we're in second place in their flight after the first day but didn't end up playing too well on day two.

P.S. Sorry no golf pics, the parties are where the photogs spend their time.

Mom & Pops in C-ville

My parents just came up to visit us in Charlottesville and we had such a great weekend. On Friday we went to dinner at an Italian restaurant called Fellini’s #9… (It’s a cute little place I’ve been wanting to try around the corner from where I do yoga.) The food, atmosphere and service were all fantastic and, on top of leaving “fat and happy,” we also left with two interesting tid-bits of information: First, the owner came out of the kitchen and gave us the recipe for her olive tapenade (a restaurant-first for me; recipes are typically top secret). And two, we now know why it’s called Fellini’s #9. (Fellini was a famous Italian film producer and the name of the original restaurant. Jaclyn, owner, saw the place was for sale during a random trip to Charlottesville to visit an uncle who was getting a toe amputated. After buying it, she decided to keep the “Fellini’s” for recognition purposes, but added the # 9 to give it her own flair, and in honor nine toe uncle.) A little weird and quirky, but very Charlottesville! I guess it would be like calling a place Starry Night 1 ½…

After dinner we met up with a friend of Mike’s, Jason Allevato, and went in search of live music. Sadly the jazz club we were shooting for was closed so we re-routed to a hip tapas restaurant called Mas. Highlight of the evening was a very large waiter, dressed if full jean overalls, randomly coming up to Mike with a tiny espresso cup in-hand and telling him to wake up… I think he saw Mike yawning from across the room and thought it was very un-cool.

Mom and I woke up early Saturday morning and ventured out in search of some of Charlottesville’s best girly activities (yoga, coffee & shopping), while the boys found their way to the golf course. I couldn’t believe it when they got home (my dad limping because his legs were so sore) and said they had played 34 holes, walking 16 of them. My mom and I had just finished baking cookies and were gearing up for appetizers & wine; the guys wanted to turn on football and take a nap… Where was overall man when I needed him???

We met up with two other friends, Lucy and JJ, for dinner on Saturday and went to a place called Duners. Mike and I had heard a lot about this place (highly recommended from multiple people) and it definitely lived up to the hype! So I’ll pass on the recommendation for anyone visiting C-ville…

Sunday morning my dear hubby proved to be a trooper yet again. Dad and I thought it would be cute to dress Addie in a holiday costume and take the first Bucy family Christmas photo… Needless to say, Mike was not jumping out of his skin to go out in public, foo-foo dog and all, and take Christmas card pictures. I haven’t seen the end product yet, but it very well may end up in your mailbox… Sorry baby, but I’m sure it will give the Summiteers a good laugh!

After the quick photo shoot we all headed to the soccer fields to watch Mike’s law school team play the med school. My parents had to leave early, but you would not have believed how intense things got out there. One guy came up and pushed Mike from behind – no ball anywhere in sight... Another guy fouled one of the Law players and then kicked a ball smack at the back of his head while he was lying on the ground… Ordinarily I would run to Target during the second half of his game, but there was no way I was leaving him on Sunday. Honestly, I was a little worried punches were going to fly, and while I am not sure what I would do if someone hit my husband, I know I would not stay seated on the sidelines!

So that was the weekend. Thanks mom and poppy for coming to visit! All of our parents are welcome anytime!

Hope Grows Here Tournament

As most of you know we just wrapped up the 6th Annual Dustin's GreenHouse Golf Tournament, which was held October 15th at Sedgefield Country Club. There are still a few invoices outstanding, but it looks like we will have raised just over $30,000 during the one-day event! To put that in perspective, a typical Globetrotter trip runs approximately $45-50,000, so we are well over half-way to raising what's needed for the 2008 team.

Thank you to all the players, donors, and volunteers who continue to give so much of themselves in order to cultivate opportunity for local students.

Picture 1: Fanny & Bruce Taylor and Brad Harder about to tee off

Picture 2: The famous "Pink Ladies" but in black this year - Lin Bostian, Karen Bills, and Kris Bullock

Picture 3: My sweetie giving me a victory kiss at the post-play party

Picture 4: Jack Murphy and his wife, Michelle

Picture 5: One of Dustin's signs...

Pics from Mexico...

Thanks to Lin Bostian we all have proof we were actually in Mexico... Such an amazing experience with incredible friends. A lot of relaxation, and yes some cocktails too (as you can see).