Living the Moment: October 2005

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Saturday, October 8, 2005 - The Hafli, a yearly tradition.

It was pouring rain...but we had to get ready for the St. Ann's Hafli. It's an exuberant Arabic party at our local Lebanese church. We go to every year and It's always a blast. This year was no exception.

...Here's Lovely Lori P. As always she was the first one ready. Bee-atch.

and here's Jordan, aka Jordy, aka Jiggy...she's just survived a marathon make up session.

Yeah Jig, the eyes definitely have it.

And then of course there's Rania, aka Ranchi, aka Ron. She's the token blond in our little posse. We need her.

Jiggy and Ron...finally ready to hit the danse floor.

Cat and I dressed as the Tabouli Twins, which Nick always hates. His theory: Twin children dressed alike = cute, Twin adults dressed alike = ridiculous. Well, I guess that's his problem...cause it's certainly not ours. So there.

Despite the stormy weather, people came from all over ...these guys drove up from Long Island.

...and Sara came all the way up from Staten Island.

Mike and Nala, the newlyweds.

...and here's Elie with the two John's.

There was a live band playing Arabic music, Nick and Ron were among the first on the dance floor... The highlight of any Hafli is always Arabic dancing...

...Arabic dancing...

...and more Arabic dancing!

These guys reached new heights in Arabic Dancing.

Kids seem to love the Arabic Dancing. These little gals were good too.

Steve joins the crowd for a rousing Debke. The Debke is a Lebanese folk danse that looks really easy...but it's not.

They may call us the Tabouli Twins, but we can't do the Debkee to save our lives.

I don't think Mike really got into the Debkee either.

Rania always smokes double apple tabacco in her nargile.

the guys enjoyed the nargile too...along with their cigars.

The St.Ann's Hafli, a yearly tradition that's always a lot of fun.

Sunday, October 2, - Sister Mary Beth's 60th Jubilee in Hartford. An occasion for the family to get together.

I love stained glass windows. Jordan took this picture in the church where we celebrated Sister's mass.

The day was a celebration of Sister Mary Beth's 60 years in the convent.

Here's Sister Mary Beth, the Jubilarian, at her celebratory lunch.

There were presents and champagne...two key ingredients for a good party.

It was a wonderful occassion for the family to get together...
Cousin Beth came with her boyfriend Roger.

Jim came east from MI with Jay. We rarely get to see them so that was fun.

Colleen came up from Greenwich with Dad...later she presented Sister with a Papal blessing.

Cat and I really liked the corucopia decorations!

Sister Mary Beth...with her nieces.

It was a perfect early fall day and the convent's gardens were looking pretty and autumnal.

...Jordy was inspired to pose with this religious statue.

June and I drove back to Foxwoods. She and Halim continued on to Boston, Nick and I stayed the night...and enjoyed a chocolate sculpture, as usual.

We left early the next morning. There was a mist over the forest and one could see the that the leaves were beginning to change color.

had to finish this post with another stained glass window from Sister's church. Just love the light and color.

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September 15 through September 23 - Steph and Nasos pay us a visit!

We had a great time with my stepdaughter Stephanie and her fiance Nasos. They arrived from Greece via Montreal and spent a week with us.

Of course we did lots of shopping...First stop: Woodbury Common where Steph and I posed on this purple dinosaur ride. We both look like we're enjoying it, don't we?