Jack and Jill

POST BIRTHDAY-AND NO MORE REDEYE FLIGHTS IF YOU ARE OVER 50

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Gigi in Aging, My Life, Travel 1 Comment

CHARLOTTE

The FB likes have subsided, texts are few and I have heard from all my besties via phone and even had 2 serenade me. I am officially headed toward the next milestone birthday, seems like only yesterday I was celebrating my 40th.

Gigi @ 40

My actual birthday was business as usual, driving a 100 plus miles, taking my son to his various appointments and then home to complete the arduous packing chore. I’m going to the Jack & Jill National Convention in Charlotte, I’m typically a light packer but as I stare at this agenda with all the suggested attire, I know this is going to be complicated. I will also be the official photographer for our region, which means packing my gear as well, with no “honey do” to help me.

By the time I’m done packing everything, my lower back starts to ache at the thought of dragging, and lifting all these bags. My travel buddy Marie graciously picked me up, I don’t think I could have driven another place. Finally settled on my “redeye” flight seat 33 d, I’m surrounded by a 2 year-old convention, and I realized I forgot my hat…suggested attire for one of the luncheons. The flight was overbooked, not an empty seat, and I was happy all the babies all fell asleep.

This will probably be my last J&J convention, my son will be graduating out next year, I am looking forward to documenting the week, of course I will post my favorites here.

BTW on another note, if you must take a “redeye” not recommended if you are over 50…heheheh to hard. Here are a few tips.

1. Drink as much water-even more than you normally drink.

2. No alcohol! I repeat No Alcohol.

3. Slather your face with your favorite supa dupa “night” cream. Don’t be concerned about what you look like, this is a “redeye”.

4. Dress confortable and warm–those pashiminas you may have stockpiled from the past are perfect for this.

5. Try to sleep…

a little tea to wake me up

J & J flowers at registration

Happy Tuesday,

XOXO,

Gigi

WEEKEND OBSERVATIONS

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Gigi in Weekend Observations Comments Off

This was an incredibly busy weekend, so many events, I really had to juggle. My Saturday started off at an graduation, my friend Rosetta finished law school. We met when our girls were in preschool and I recall back then she was interested in law. I was so excited and happy for her, being a person who returned to school as an adult, I know it is not an easy feat to balance everything while being a full time student.

Rosetta J.D.

Rosetta won the Deans award and finished her program in 3 years. I have had quite a few friends that have returned to school and started new careers. It truly is never too late.

Gigi & Rosetta

Rosetta and I many years ago trained for a marathon and raised money for TEAM in Training. We did the Maui marathon together along with our husbands.

Gigi’s Graduation 2006

Here I am at my “late” graduation from U.C.Riverside. I went back to school and finished my degree MANY years later. It was not easy going to school with students who were close to my daughters age, but I’m so glad I went back and finished my degree. I will always continue to learn something…

Speaking of school, my next stop was at my elementary school reunion. I remember moving to California from New Jersey, it was a big adjustment, my parents had divorced, and we moved to a new place, and I started school at St. Albert, a catholic school in Compton. It was the first time I had ever seen an African-American nun, I was convinced that there was no such thing coming from a racist area in New Jersey. These friends were a big part of my life, so I could not miss this reunion.

St. Albert School

Gigi, Lynn & Anna

We were all little 12 year-olds running around, now we are all grown up and that period of our lives is behind us, just a faint memory.

ANNA

We were best friends…we shared so much and at the time we both were going through so much. Countless sleep overs, note writing, puppy love, and sharing our deep dark secrets, Anna and I had a lot of good times. It was nice to see her after 30+ years.

Gigi & Anna

Next stop LA Curly Girl International Natural Hair Meet UP Day. I have been on my natural “hair” journey for about 15 years, what that translates to that I made a decision to stop chemically straightening my hair. It was truly a journey, one that I have never looked back on. Since I started embracing my natural hair I have watched an entire movement start, there are numerous products, hair blogs, video how to blogs, books and meet ups. I attended my first such event, and it was wonderful. I was in AWE of all the variations of “natural” hair do’s all so beautiful. One of the highlights of the evening was when I won the “Wash N Go” contest! It was a fun evening and I am looking forward to the next one. Here is a snippet of the evenings festivities featuring CurlyKimmyStar a popular vlogger.

Sunday Jack & Jill Induction Ceremony. I have been a member of Jack & Jill for about 16 years. The organization is full of tradition, some of which date back to 1938 when the organization was founded.

Jack & Jill

Finally the weekend ended with a date with my Sweetie…at our new favorite restaurant Baco Mercat.

GIGI at Baco Mercat

Well I am glad this weekend has come to a close. I am looking forward to next weekend being a bit more leisurely. Hope you had a good weekend as well.