I would return to Casa Amor the next summer.
Isabella graduated from William & Mary Summa Cum Laude and at the same time Liam was graduating high school. Each of them were at the top of their class, respectively and were ready to do big things.
Belle had been offered several opportunities. Locally with Dixon Hughes Goodman, and nationally with Price Waterhouse Cooper, Merrill Lynch/Bank of America, T. Rowe Price, the Federal Reserve in Richmond and a private equity firm in Charlotte. It would be a hard decision.
We decided not to decide until the last week at Casa Amor. We left for Casa Amor in late May and would stay until late August. This time, we would spend less time at the beach and more time buzzing around town. The kids were officially grown-ups and wanted to explore a bit. I was proud of Belle. She had focused on her studies and not on boys. That would come much later to mys surprise. Liam would begin dating first, I just had a feeling. Isabella had that "laser focus" that my late husband had for his career.
Even upon reaching Casa Amor, I decided not to reach out to Paul. While we would be in the same geographic location for the next few months, we had not left Disney on the best of terms. While we each had a good time, Paul only once reached out via email and a note in the mail after the holiday. It seemed as if the note and the email were "closing statements" toward the relationship.
It bothered me some, ut in the end, I was glad that I had guarded my heart and myself. I had refrained from giving all of me to him at Disney; and just as I thought, I feared that might make his decision. At any rate, I wanted to see the outcome of that, and if that was how he woud make his decision, I wanted to see it be made.
Circumstances aside, we arrived at Casa Amor. Silvio was thrilled to have me back and he was excited to return to Italy knowing that the house; his home in America, would be taken care of.
Once again, I would not take care of Casa Amor; rather, it would take care of me!
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
She would start June 15th and the internship would run until September 9th, just before her last year at William & Mary.
Prior to this, she would take a heavy load of economics courses. Isabella mentioned that they were focusing more on theory; and of course, developing their own at the student level. While Isabella's focus was entrepreneurial economics, she was no stranger to the basic tenants of the many theories within the economic space; both past and present.
Her semester was tough. And while Isabella was busy studying, Liam was busy "knocking the ball out of the park"; literally. In eighteen games, he had fifteen home runs and forty runs-batted-in. He was selected for the All-Area All-Star team, and would play traveling baseball that summer. Bella would be hard at work, and Liam hard at play.
It was hard that summer to split my time between traveling baseball and with Belle in Richmond. I did my best to go to Richmond every two weeks, and stay the weekend. Liam had a much busier schedule that kept me on the road. Because of this, I had to relax with Belle on the weekends in Richmond.
We had formed a tradition of having a "Girls Nite Out" on Saturdays. She had developed a taste for craft beer and wine, which was not far from Brady's footsteps. It seemed as though she was following them in lockstep. And not to go unnoticed, she was doing it seamlessly. Liam, too, was doing his very best on the baseball diamond. He typically had averaged one run a game and three RBI's. His batting average was a bit over .400; which is better than many professional players who have ever played the game.
That summer came and went. We were unable to return to Casa Amor. Silvio was additionally saddened that I did not return. Frankly, he had wanted me for a renter that summer because of the care that we had taken with Casa Amor. We gave it love and affection.
Prior to this, she would take a heavy load of economics courses. Isabella mentioned that they were focusing more on theory; and of course, developing their own at the student level. While Isabella's focus was entrepreneurial economics, she was no stranger to the basic tenants of the many theories within the economic space; both past and present.
Her semester was tough. And while Isabella was busy studying, Liam was busy "knocking the ball out of the park"; literally. In eighteen games, he had fifteen home runs and forty runs-batted-in. He was selected for the All-Area All-Star team, and would play traveling baseball that summer. Bella would be hard at work, and Liam hard at play.
It was hard that summer to split my time between traveling baseball and with Belle in Richmond. I did my best to go to Richmond every two weeks, and stay the weekend. Liam had a much busier schedule that kept me on the road. Because of this, I had to relax with Belle on the weekends in Richmond.
We had formed a tradition of having a "Girls Nite Out" on Saturdays. She had developed a taste for craft beer and wine, which was not far from Brady's footsteps. It seemed as though she was following them in lockstep. And not to go unnoticed, she was doing it seamlessly. Liam, too, was doing his very best on the baseball diamond. He typically had averaged one run a game and three RBI's. His batting average was a bit over .400; which is better than many professional players who have ever played the game.
That summer came and went. We were unable to return to Casa Amor. Silvio was additionally saddened that I did not return. Frankly, he had wanted me for a renter that summer because of the care that we had taken with Casa Amor. We gave it love and affection.
That next Saturday, we ferried Isabella back to William & Mary. She had a meeting with our acquaintance who worked for the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond the next Wednesday, as we might have an inside track on an internship.
I wanted to attend the meeting, so instead of returning to Asheville, Liam and I booked a room at the Ft. MacGruder Hotel and Conference Center for three nights. We would return late Wednesday, after the luncheon.
The three of us went to Busch Gardens on Monday after Isabella's only class which ended at 11:00 AM. The three of us rode roller coasters until we were about sick. We ate turkey legs and pizzas and really enjoyed each others company. I have always enjoyed seeing my kids smile, and Brady had taken us on many vacations with activities such as this.
Tuesday we ate dinner at a local Gastropub on the market square and spent time at the W & M bookstore; which was a Barnes & Noble property. Liam wanted a lanyard and sweatshirt from the college that his sister attended, so I obliged.
The meeting Wednesday was supposed to be in a relaxed atmosphere, but seemed more intense. While we felt we had the position "in the bag", Jeffrey mad Isabella work for it. He asked her questions about her economics views and what policies that were in place that she agreed and disagreed with. I was impressed by her answers, and felt like he made a good showing. At the end of the lunch, Jeffrey said, "I'll give you a try for three months".
Belle was ecstatic. You could see the smile and also the glow on her face. Working at the Federal Reserve Bank for a summer would really give her a leg up on the competition for graduate school or whatever she desired to do.
I felt relieved.
I wanted to attend the meeting, so instead of returning to Asheville, Liam and I booked a room at the Ft. MacGruder Hotel and Conference Center for three nights. We would return late Wednesday, after the luncheon.
The three of us went to Busch Gardens on Monday after Isabella's only class which ended at 11:00 AM. The three of us rode roller coasters until we were about sick. We ate turkey legs and pizzas and really enjoyed each others company. I have always enjoyed seeing my kids smile, and Brady had taken us on many vacations with activities such as this.
Tuesday we ate dinner at a local Gastropub on the market square and spent time at the W & M bookstore; which was a Barnes & Noble property. Liam wanted a lanyard and sweatshirt from the college that his sister attended, so I obliged.
The meeting Wednesday was supposed to be in a relaxed atmosphere, but seemed more intense. While we felt we had the position "in the bag", Jeffrey mad Isabella work for it. He asked her questions about her economics views and what policies that were in place that she agreed and disagreed with. I was impressed by her answers, and felt like he made a good showing. At the end of the lunch, Jeffrey said, "I'll give you a try for three months".
Belle was ecstatic. You could see the smile and also the glow on her face. Working at the Federal Reserve Bank for a summer would really give her a leg up on the competition for graduate school or whatever she desired to do.
I felt relieved.
Mom,
The children and I have just returned from Disney. We had a fabulous time and Paul picked up most of the bill. He is kind, gentle, intelligent; and I believe, genuinely interested in me. He is also good with the kids, and they seem to have accepted him at the moment.
I, however, am not fully jumping in with both feet. I pondered giving myself to Paul on this trip and could not. While part of me wanted too, there was a bigger part of me which told me to wait; just one more time. I had spent the summer in Coronado and met him there, and now nine days away in the same room. My doubts won, and we will have to see where it goes.
This Saturday, I will taxi Isabella back to William & Mary, and Liam has a few months before baseball season starts. He was an All-Area recipient at both the tailback and receiver slots.
I am proud of both of my children and continue to be amazed. Isabella has chosen Economics as her major at W & M, and I think tat Liam will attend a private college as well. We will be "running the gauntlet" this summer trying to pick the right college.
My hesitancy with Paul is in part the distance. If both of the children were in college, perhaps Paul and I could live part-time in Asheville and part-time in La Jolla, California. There is plenty to do there with San Diego in the back yard and Coronado Beach within fifteen minutes. I plan to return to "Casa Amor" next summer if Silvio will have me. I will book in March.
Sixty seemed ok, but I can feel a subtle decline as the number grows. I will be sixty-four by the time Liam enters college and Isabella will graduate. I pray that she does a summer internship and goes onto graduate school, but I can see her entrepreneurial spirit growing and growing each day. She may enter the business world and get her employer to pay for her MBA or law degree.
More later, as I must get Isabella packed.
With Love,
Stephanie
The children and I have just returned from Disney. We had a fabulous time and Paul picked up most of the bill. He is kind, gentle, intelligent; and I believe, genuinely interested in me. He is also good with the kids, and they seem to have accepted him at the moment.
I, however, am not fully jumping in with both feet. I pondered giving myself to Paul on this trip and could not. While part of me wanted too, there was a bigger part of me which told me to wait; just one more time. I had spent the summer in Coronado and met him there, and now nine days away in the same room. My doubts won, and we will have to see where it goes.
This Saturday, I will taxi Isabella back to William & Mary, and Liam has a few months before baseball season starts. He was an All-Area recipient at both the tailback and receiver slots.
I am proud of both of my children and continue to be amazed. Isabella has chosen Economics as her major at W & M, and I think tat Liam will attend a private college as well. We will be "running the gauntlet" this summer trying to pick the right college.
My hesitancy with Paul is in part the distance. If both of the children were in college, perhaps Paul and I could live part-time in Asheville and part-time in La Jolla, California. There is plenty to do there with San Diego in the back yard and Coronado Beach within fifteen minutes. I plan to return to "Casa Amor" next summer if Silvio will have me. I will book in March.
Sixty seemed ok, but I can feel a subtle decline as the number grows. I will be sixty-four by the time Liam enters college and Isabella will graduate. I pray that she does a summer internship and goes onto graduate school, but I can see her entrepreneurial spirit growing and growing each day. She may enter the business world and get her employer to pay for her MBA or law degree.
More later, as I must get Isabella packed.
With Love,
Stephanie
Disney never disappoints. I continued to have coffee overlooking the safari each morning with Paul and the children. Liam seemed to be awestruck each morning and watched the animals intently. Isabella and I would laugh at the quirky things we saw, and at just the pure amazement of the animals before us. Paul was a little like Liam, enjoying his coffee and taking it all in.
And we dined! And when I say dined; I mean to say, that we sampled some of the finest food on the planet. Jiko, Wolfgang Puck's, Boma, Sanaa, Victoria & Albert's; just to name a few. Paul and I continued our tradition of planning each evening and we talked about where we had been, where we were now, and where we felt we were going. I began to feel more comfortable with him, and to that end the sensations in my inner body and soul did as well.
Two nites before we were to leave, Paul was serious when he asked, "Stephanie, where do you see us going"? I had been contemplating this fact for three months. Paul had called initially when I got home from Casa Amor and then not for several weeks. He had then called Thanksgiving Day and proposed this trip. Despite the lack of constant, or at least regular communication, I felt in my heart that Paul did genuinely want to move forward. Lord knows he did not "bat an eye" while dropping thousands of dollars on hotel and dining accommodations on this trip. Despite all this, I knew what his underlying question was as well.
I still was not ready to "let down my guard" with Paul, and he would have to understand or move on. In my mind, the thoughts of Brady would never leave nor did I want them too. Brady would want me to be happy, but I also wanted me to be happy. In some respects, I was ready to make love to Paul, and on the other hand I was not. He seemed sympathetic and understanding to my answers, but I could see an air of disappointment on his face. He would have to wait, or move on.
The end of the trip soon came. The highlight being the fireworks at Epcot on New Year's Eve, it was hard to imagine being anywhere else in the world at that point. Paul estimated Disney's budget for fireworks that evening at $5-10M. I had no doubts.
As we left the baggage claim in Charlotte, I turned around nearly five times to look at Paul. He was waiving each time, and I could see a glimpse of sincere loss and that of a goodbye. "Was this the end", I thought? I would soon know.
And we dined! And when I say dined; I mean to say, that we sampled some of the finest food on the planet. Jiko, Wolfgang Puck's, Boma, Sanaa, Victoria & Albert's; just to name a few. Paul and I continued our tradition of planning each evening and we talked about where we had been, where we were now, and where we felt we were going. I began to feel more comfortable with him, and to that end the sensations in my inner body and soul did as well.
Two nites before we were to leave, Paul was serious when he asked, "Stephanie, where do you see us going"? I had been contemplating this fact for three months. Paul had called initially when I got home from Casa Amor and then not for several weeks. He had then called Thanksgiving Day and proposed this trip. Despite the lack of constant, or at least regular communication, I felt in my heart that Paul did genuinely want to move forward. Lord knows he did not "bat an eye" while dropping thousands of dollars on hotel and dining accommodations on this trip. Despite all this, I knew what his underlying question was as well.
I still was not ready to "let down my guard" with Paul, and he would have to understand or move on. In my mind, the thoughts of Brady would never leave nor did I want them too. Brady would want me to be happy, but I also wanted me to be happy. In some respects, I was ready to make love to Paul, and on the other hand I was not. He seemed sympathetic and understanding to my answers, but I could see an air of disappointment on his face. He would have to wait, or move on.
The end of the trip soon came. The highlight being the fireworks at Epcot on New Year's Eve, it was hard to imagine being anywhere else in the world at that point. Paul estimated Disney's budget for fireworks that evening at $5-10M. I had no doubts.
As we left the baggage claim in Charlotte, I turned around nearly five times to look at Paul. He was waiving each time, and I could see a glimpse of sincere loss and that of a goodbye. "Was this the end", I thought? I would soon know.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Epcot is one of my favorites. With plenty to do and all the countries to see, I am always amazed and never see the same thing twice. And since we were going to be at Disney for the better part of nine days, I knew i would return to Epcot a few times before the trip ended.
Paul was a gentleman the night before. While we laid in the bed, barely propped up enough to read he magazines and the attractions to make a plan for the following day, he never once moved himself over to my side of the bed. Additionally, we had charged the kids with making their own plan for each day, and then we would compare notes in the morning and make a joint effort to do all the proposed activities for the day.
Sitting on over three-hundred acres, Epcot has plenty to offer. There are the scientific expos and my personal favourite, the "World Showcase" . Of all the countries in Epcot, Germany is my favourite. The Bavarian and German influence is unmistakable.
About midday, we decided to have lunch in Germany. At Biergarten, there are German offers abound. I had the "Boisterous German Buffet" and Paul had the same. Te children were in a purely German mood, so the opted for straight from the menu. Isabella had a Bratwurst that came with sauerkraut and all the fixings; including the German mustard. To my surprise, Liam opted for some venison in a gooseberry sauce.
After we were completely stuffed, we decided to walk as much as possible to reduce the weight and pressure we had just put on our guts; literally. We walked thru Switzerland and Holland, among other places. We even found out our exact height and weight; measured scientifically, which I felt sure was a little jaded at the moment.
My favourite part of all is the fireworks and light display. Music is played in unison to one of the most amazing; if not "THE" most amazing, displays on Earth. Not even the symphony and water display at the Bellagio in Las Vegas comes close.
We adjourned to our boudoirs; as all was calm, and so was I on this very day.
Paul was a gentleman the night before. While we laid in the bed, barely propped up enough to read he magazines and the attractions to make a plan for the following day, he never once moved himself over to my side of the bed. Additionally, we had charged the kids with making their own plan for each day, and then we would compare notes in the morning and make a joint effort to do all the proposed activities for the day.
Sitting on over three-hundred acres, Epcot has plenty to offer. There are the scientific expos and my personal favourite, the "World Showcase" . Of all the countries in Epcot, Germany is my favourite. The Bavarian and German influence is unmistakable.
About midday, we decided to have lunch in Germany. At Biergarten, there are German offers abound. I had the "Boisterous German Buffet" and Paul had the same. Te children were in a purely German mood, so the opted for straight from the menu. Isabella had a Bratwurst that came with sauerkraut and all the fixings; including the German mustard. To my surprise, Liam opted for some venison in a gooseberry sauce.
After we were completely stuffed, we decided to walk as much as possible to reduce the weight and pressure we had just put on our guts; literally. We walked thru Switzerland and Holland, among other places. We even found out our exact height and weight; measured scientifically, which I felt sure was a little jaded at the moment.
My favourite part of all is the fireworks and light display. Music is played in unison to one of the most amazing; if not "THE" most amazing, displays on Earth. Not even the symphony and water display at the Bellagio in Las Vegas comes close.
We adjourned to our boudoirs; as all was calm, and so was I on this very day.
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