It’s a delightfully rainy Thursday AM here in Saratoga, a perfect setting for a less hurried post (day 2 of 2) – despite the fact that my Mac is acting up so I am typing on my phone. So, here we are!
I think I am going to share the Maven and Magpie blog on FB soon (gulp!), and perhaps use that as my distribution mechanism (at least for a while). With that in mind and because the timing seems right to do so, I am going to step back and set the stage for where we are in our journey – Maven & Magpie pretty much settled in and shifting into full gear here in Saratoga. Not so much the “how did we get here”, but the “what are we doing up here” for folks who may just be joining us now – and also to lay a bit more solid foundation for the stories & snippets that will follow.
Perhaps the Q & A approach might make this easier to structure…
Question #1 – what is the Magpie up to job-wise?
Kim’s role is Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF). She started on May 1st and to say this job is a dream come true is an absolute understatement. The specific objective for this role is to develop and solicit large dollar gifts (over $10K) for the lifelong sanctuary we provide to our herd of 750 horses, and the many more we will save over the years ahead.
Question #2 – so what is the TRF exactly?
Here’s our mission:
Since 1983, the mission of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation has been to save thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete on the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse and slaughter.
The TRF was founded 35 years ago by a group of women (yay!) who cared passionately for the horses at the heart of the racing industry. I had the opportunity to go to our flagship farm at the Wallkill Correctional Facility (aka prison) with one of our superstar board members last week, Maggie Wolfendale-Morley, who is an analyst for NYRA and who brought her cameraman to film a segment on the TRF/ Second Chances program. See photos below! By way of further introduction of the TRF, here are the speaking points that I prepared for that video:
35 Years Ago the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation was founded by a handful of visionary, forward-looking and dedicated individuals who cared about the horses and were active within the racing industry. These individuals included Penny Chenery, the owner of Secretariat, and Allair Dupont, the owner of Kelso. They were led by a woman named Monique Koehler, an animal lover and marketing executive, who saw the plight of horses after their racing days had ended and jumped in to start addressing the systemic issue with the industry. These women, with many others, devoted their energies and their focus was on providing for the long term welfare of the race horses after their racing careers had ended. Together they created the first charitable organization devoted to thoroughbred aftercare, they gave generously of their resources and worked tirelessly to raise funds to create a sustainable and scalable organization that would provide a safe haven for horses whose careers had come to an end.
In 1983, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation was founded with the express mission of saving Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete on the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse and slaughter. In 1984 the first horse, named Promised Road, arrived at the TRF Second Chances Program at Wallkill Correctional Facility. Since then more than 400 horses have found a safe and peaceful retirement at Wallkill.
Today, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is the largest TAA (Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance) accredited charity providing lifetime sanctuary to Thoroughbred racehorses no longer able to run. The TRF herd of 750 horses live in farms located in 12 states, from New York, Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and California, and 8 of those farms are Second Chances programs located at Correctional Facilities where the horses serve as teachers in vocational programs for the inmates. The TRF is proud to play a specific and important role in the community of thoroughbred aftercare by providing sanctuary to horses who cannot be retrained for new, athletic careers. Together the aftercare community is working to provide the best possible life for these beautiful animals when their racing days are done.
On behalf of the TRF, I wish to thank every individual who has supported our work for the horses over these 35 years with their time, talent and financial resources, with your continued support we look forward to a long and bright future ahead. We are celebrate every individual and organization who has done the right thing for the horses over the years, by caring for these beautiful animals when their days at the track have come to an end.
Question #3 – so what exactly are you doing (are you really working)?
While I’ve spent the first couple of months in my role learning alot from our staff and board members, and planning a number of new outreach initiatives, my whole orientation for the next 7 weeks is outward facing – meeting as many people as possible through our TRF events, media outreach, going to the backstretch in the morning and going to the races, while “everyone who’s anyone” is in town. The racing season began here for the summer meet on Friday, July 20th and with it a whole new routine!
Much more to share, but I’ll finish for now with the flurry of media opportunities I’ve fallen into this week – feeling very, very fortunate to have friends who find our Maven & Magpie story interesting and who think it somewhat “newsworthy” to have me tell our tale, and in so doing, raise awareness of the TRF. To that end, I found myself on the set of the Capital OTB “Racing Across America” television show this week, thanks to an invitation by my friend Seth Merrow (the host) and Teresa Genaro (who helps him book guests). I was on Monday AM and then again as a pinch hitter on Wednesday – what fun! I also anticipate an article in the Daily Gazette this week, thanks to good friend Mike MacAdam. I’ll share that when it runs.
Here are the links to my TV appearances (crazy!!):
Monday, July 23 (start at 24:00): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFtTmVn001M&t=116s
Wednesday, July 25 (start at 56:00): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wSHCl2MOQ0&t=149s
Thank you for all your kind support & I promise to share the Maven’s story soon!
XXOO
Kim & Maggie at Wallkill – July 2018Kim with the TRF rockstar, Quick Call – 34 years and doing great!Kim with Seth on Capital OTBKim & Seth – too bad we’re not having any fun!
So we begin again with day 1 of 1 for the blog, after missing 2 days, but they weren’t missed for lack of action. 🙂 It’s now Wednesday, Day 5 of the racing meet, and our first morning to wake up in a quiet home with just the 4 of us in 10 days. We’ve so enjoyed all of our guests, and the fun of sharing our beloved town with friends & family (and a bunch of newbies in this recent batch), but it’s also a welcome bit of peace to have a few days to recharge and regroup. Very much looking forward to Doodles & Paul arriving on Friday, and possibly seeing a few of the Oldfields family on Thursday as they come to town for the Smithwick memorial race.
I’ll be out the door in a few minutes to go to the backstretch for coffee, visiting with folks and hopefully doing a tour around with Tommy Bellhouse from Westpoint Thoroughbreds. I have a list of trainers I’d like to meet, and I think Tommy might be really helpful in breaking the ice.
On the work front, it’s been a big week already – with our major fundraiser event on Monday night “Hay Oats & Spaghetti” at the Saratoga Automobile Museum. By all counts from folks who have been to others, this one was a success. It sure seemed like we had a great turnout – and the food and setup went well, I’m hopeful the financial impact comes through positively. The other big highlight from Monday was my first ever appearance on TV – live TV – with my friend Seth Merrow. I need to dash now to get to the backstretch, but for any dear friends who are checking the blog… here’s the link. (I’ll likely add a bit more on this later).
This is the on-my-phone-in-the-dark-just-before-midnight version of the blog, simply trying to nurture this baby Streak (now 3 for 3) despite my burning eyes.
With little time & energy, I will simply say how pleased I am about all of today’s logistics. From feeding horses, to breakfast sandwiches from Five Points, tickets at The Stretch, lunch at Shake Shack, invited to go on air with Seth Merrow, Hattie’s fried chicken on the porch, 4 new dresses from Le Marais from Megerly – perfect sizes & colors, and a walk to see the ponies.
All that to say, I definitely need to run in the AM…so goodnight!!
It’s a beautiful Saturday, Day Two of the racing meet and the house is abustle – we have dear friends en route from just north of Montreal, and loved ones (thank you Padre for all the projects you’ve tackled this week) waking up to pack and get rolling on to their next venue. The Summer of Saratoga 2018 train has left the station and we’re rolling – 39 more days of this incredible ride. We’re off!
I’m happily here in my writing room, proud of starting the makings of a “streak” with two posts in two days, but struggling a bit to quiet the racing mind that wants to jump in to all the to dos on my list this AM. That will likely be the battle to over these early weeks of trying to write daily. Much like the practice of meditation, which I’ve now quite firmly established in my daily routine (it took about 3 months and a commitment to Headspace to get there, with the invaluable “cheering” of my meditation-mate, Lisa, in AV) it takes discipline to value the long-term benefits of something thoughtful versus the short-term payoff of doing something tangibly practical. However, I’m sticking to the belief that there will always be a never ending list of to dos – and if I don’t sit back and reflect on this experience and these precious days in our new life, I might risk missing some of it – or forgetting some of it – in all the flurry and frenzy of day to day life. This is one of those times that I think the Maven’s quote applies very well:
Discipline is Remembering What You Really Want
So, Day 1 – wow! It was a huge day, it was a good day, it was a beautiful day and it was an exhausting day. The learning curve was steep (and there’s surely more ahead), but it was wonderful. Lot of pics to share, but the big takeaway was one of those tried by true nuggets – pace makes the race (a.k.a. it’s a marathon not a sprint). As my wise friend Kendra once noted “a good pace and good company make all things possible” – so true!
Much like this exercise of writing every day, and my meditation practice too, the key (I think ) to successfully navigating this new and fabulously complex circus-like routine over the next 39 days will be to sort out a reasonable schedule, and to set the pace in the reasonable range – which actually isn’t my comfort zone. The danger here is my penchant to want to and try to literally do it all… and we all know that doesn’t end well. 🙂
So, a quick recap of things I learned about my weekday routine (as the to do list beckons) –
I need to wake up by 5:30 to have a chance of doing all that I want to do, and next year I might aim for 5:00 – both of which are totally wimpy compared to most people involved in the horse-side of racing, but I’m a rookie.
I need to figure out which days to run – because I can’t do backstretch walkabout and running on the same AM. I think Sunday (tricky with feeding the horses), Tuesday, and then…maybe Friday?
Big lesson, when I go to the backstretch in the AM, I need to plan to be out for a long time and to go directly to the office from the track.
The fun thing is that this means lots of hours in the office in jeans, a baseball cap and pre-shower, it’s a brave new world.
The unexpected things are that I need to have a better, bigger breakfast plan, I need my wallet, and I need to plan to drive to the track (which seems crazy when we live so close), because I need to drive to the office (or other errands) after the backstretch, and then drive home to shower and prep for afternoon at races – to get there for the feature & some networking. Ah logistics!!
And, all this reinforces how important it will be to have our dinner plans in some sort of shape before the day begins, because there’s just not much wiggle room in this sprint.
Above all, need to be heading for bed by 10… or earlier!
Highlights from Day One included so much – a beautiful backstretch walkabout with Jennifer, a couple fun errands (pies!), some focused time at the office, a mad dash back to the track to see Adam & Alyssa, a quick hello with OS friend, Erin, and a first race in our new seats – a wonderful gift from my Madre, and a lovely evening to soak it all in on our front patio.
Day Two awaits!
XXOO
Maven & Magpie – in our new seats, section N!ErGu in the Grandstand – such a fun, but all too brief, visit!This is what makes this place so magical…No more pressing nose thru the fence!Nothing like it… post paradeHappiness is…
The view from the rooftop… hard to capture in a photo, but in a word, spectacular.
Hello Friends!
Following the foreshadowing of my last post, I’m very focused on the process of building habits in this new life – with the motivation of the fact we simply have no excuse if we can’t build the lifestyle we’ve dreamed of here, where there are next to zero external factors preventing us from structuring our time as we wish, and accomplishing the things we’ve decided are important. Much as we’ve repeated throughout this journey, this our moment – if not now, if not us who – we simply have to make the most of it in honor of all that we left behind (if nothing else).
(I started that little bit a week or so ago, and here I am – 6:40am on Opening Day 2018, July 20th, determined to give some effort to building a new habit: writing!)
Here we are!A glorious morning in mid-July, Opening Day has arrived – and the anticipation has been wonderful. I think of each of my wintery walks in March, chatting with Meg in Paris, looking down Crescent Ave toward the track and imagining horses there. By May it seemed like they might appear any moment, but then I learned they don’t start working on the Main track until the last days of June… but still things were slowly, but surely coming back to life – not only all the glorious flowers of the Saratoga Spring, but barn by barn along Gridley Ave, a few more stalls were filled and a few more sets were walking across Nelson to trek over to the Oklahoma to stretch their legs. And how many times have I greeted Mr. Bond and his exercise riders? It’s really going to be fun – at least for me – when we finally meet “officially” and I can offer my name along with my always crazy-enthusiastic grin and my shock of blond (I suppose I’m rapidly moving toward platinum) hair popping out of my visor.
I vividly remember that last Friday in June as I walked back from my morning jog along Nelson and realized the first horse I’d seen on the main track, was there, jogging backwards along the first turn. I think there were 3 or maybe 5 that day, a very rare and special day indeed. And in a flash of summer fun – my auntie’s visit, Cynthia’s rainy weekend visit, and the girls coming up from VA & NC for our hot & steamy 4th of July with the Doobie brothers, a parade, fireworks and lots of horsie fun – we’re now here on July 20th. Wow.
Yesterday, Jennifer and I made our reconnaissance trip around the frontside of the track to give our press passes a spin. To my amazement, I learned that at the beginning of the meet there’s a rather lush carpet of grass all across the backyard and under all the picnic tables. Something I’d never encountered in all our August visits over the years! We oogled an absolute herd of beauties schooling in the paddock, each set of grooms greeting us and a few making sure we knew their baby’s name. Gorgeous! And then, we spotted TRF Board member and New York racing’s favorite hometown hero, Richie Migliore in the paddock (with Barbara Livingston), and popped in to say hello and attend to a fun bit of TRF business. The stories he shared about his childhood and the pony races were amazing. I really do want to write down a draft to see if there’s any chance I can help him turn his story into a book – I can’t believe it’s not already been done.
After a fun visit to the Jock’s room, gathering our loot for the TRF Open Barn, we headed to the press room – and in a very auspicious twist, we were greeted by Dave Grening’s trunk and our good friend Mike MacAdam typing away in his own private office – offering a warm welcome to this newbie. Of course, we had to go up to the roof, and it was positively spectacular – straight up PINCH ME – when Richie and Jennifer and I had been chatting earlier, we were talking about a certain scene that we all agreed must be what heaven looks like… and then suddenly, we’re up on the rooftop of the Saratoga grandstand… and I’m pretty sure I have my own clear vision for what that the view from that happy place might be.
So, in the spirit of starting a new habit – my goal is to write at least 20 minutes a day, ideally 30, and maybe on a rainy day more and just because I love to share, and it will kind of keep me accountable, I’m going to write straight into the blog – for any of my dear peeps who might want to follow along.
Thanks for joining me on this adventure. We are now entering a new chapter, an exciting one, 40 days of a new life – lots & lots of new people in my world, a new routine for both Bobby and I, as we find our place in the racing community that is now our home.
Off to the backstretch!
View from the porch – my perch for morning meditationPretty babies schooling in the paddockOMG – a dream come true! My backstage pass. Yay!Progress on the home front – a whole new bed full of pretty plants!The backyard – with grass!Beyond thrilled to have such a fantastic teammate to tackle all the fun & adventure that lies ahead – this is Jennifer, my wing-woman at the TRF. She’s awesome!
Despite my best intentions it appears that June was not the month of reinventing my blog that I thought it would be. I may tell that story at some point – kind of funny & finishes with a great big rave about Go Daddy Telephone Support.
Now, another month and I want to buckle down and make a plan, create a habit, and find my flow …I have a zillion ideas, and just need to find the time & commit to it! And 11:18pm is not that time – so To Be Continued.
Here we are on the first Monday in June, watching game 4 of our CAPS in the Stanley Cup Finals after a very fun night out with our super-fun neighbors across the street, Frank & Tammy. Happy Hour at Prime at Saratoga National where we were introduced to bartender Sean, and heard a great review of a bunch of other favorite spots around town.
My goal for this month is to pick up the pace on my posts, so as to not inflict an further mega-updates on any of my patient peeps, and hopefully offer some slightly more interesting content than our simple, happy day to day. (And by the way LET’S GO CAPS (up 4-0!) as we go into the 3rd.)
A few interesting tidbits I have picked up lately, enjoy!
Concept: 4 stages of happiness (from the Book I am reading “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin, and I’m also doing the Happiness Project Once Sentence Journal)
Anticipate – I so agree!
Savor – perhaps the hardest part, the test of being present
Express – the naming makes it so
Recall – possibly my favorite part (Le Bon Rue!), but it sure helps if you share the process with someone
Quote to Ponder:
“I used to want to save the world. To end war and bring peace to mankind; but then I glimpsed the darkness that lives within their light. I learnt that inside every one of them there will always be both. The choice each must make for themselves — something no hero will ever defeat. And now I know… that only Love can truly save the world.” – Wonder Woman
So, with these random gems offered for my friends & family to enjoy, we turn our eyes to the Belmont on Saturday – my first official “business trip” and the first big Road Trip for the Maven and I from our new home.
I’m hoping that each & every friend of mine following the Triple Crown & Justify will join Bobby & me in watching, cheering & praying for safe travels for each and every beautiful beast as they make their way around Big Sandy.
Personally, I’ve had my heart set on Justify’s big beautiful blaze and pink nose since I first saw him – I am all in!
And, regardless of who you pick to win the race, I am choosing this post to make my personal pitch – intending to only ask once – for each of my friends/family & followers to help me launch my 2nd month at TRF with a spectacular show of support (every little bit helps a lot!).
The inspiring thing about the TRF is that we provide lifelong care for 750+ horses at the same time and that we deliver the powerful double bottom line benefit with our Second Chances programs — through which we save the horses, and simultaneously change the lives of the humans (inmates), who so many have forgotten.
While my big goal for the year focuses on major gifts, from corporations & individuals who are able to make sizable contributions, it would be FANTASTIC to show my new “boss” how engaged & enthusiastic my friends can be in helping me succeed! 🙂
And…as I wrap this up our CAPS have WON!! One More Game!! #ALLCAPS #LetsGoCaps
A snapshot of our new normal – The Maven in his bucket hat as the Magpie flies off to work!
Hello Friends!
Among my many intentions for the next 6 months, I am pretty sure “starting a new blog post at 11:59pm on a wednesday” will not be included – but here I am. As proud as I am of our beloved Washington Capitals making it to the Stanley Cup finals, I am looking forward to a life post-playoffs to find my much better bedtime.
So, why the late night missive? Well, with June around the corner and so much excitement contained in May, I am ready to shift gears for the Summer – and foreseeable future – with our story here in Saratoga and my subject matter with the baby blog. Setting and manifesting clear intentions is my theme for June and I’m hopeful this new focus, post-transition, might open doors for a bit more thoughtful and interesting reflection in place of the merciless blow by blow narrative of the path that we’ve travelled over these first five months of 2018.
Aheartfelt hug of thanks to all of the friends & family who have so good-naturedly listened to my tale to date – your encouragement has been a great gift. We’ve made it!
And now, the next chapter begins! Please hop aboard the magpie’s wing and we’ll see what we see as we settle in to this new life – living the dream, it’s now up to us to make the most of it!
My, how this month has flown – in all the best ways. Since that last little missive on the eve before my first day at TRF (Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation), May 1st, I think I’ve been focused – whether intentionally or unintentionally – on just soaking up every moment of this new life and not spending much, if any, time analyzing it. Just being present and saying thanks – a lot, almost constantly – while smiling pretty much nonstop.
Today, I’m airborne on the third leg of a fun-filled travel day with Bobby en route to Maui for a wonderful wedding celebration for Bobby’s aunt Melanie. I’ve set up my nifty little Bluetooth keyboard with my iPad mini so that I can do some writing and thinking via the baby-blog and here I am!
I’ve always found a travel adventure helps me put some things in perspective. In several significant moments of transition, I’ve found a dramatic change of context the perfect backdrop for finding clarity. While this trip won’t likely include a big life decision (we’ve made quite enough of those over the past 12 months), and I certainly wouldn’t dare say I’m in need of a break from my real life dream come true, but I’m excited about a gift of time and distance to look back on my new life.
So, where to begin?
As always, I find myself tempted to start with a recap – making this much more of a journal than a blog, with apologies to those of you following along from afar. Really, this waaaay more day-by-day than you could possibly find interesting. Full permission granted to skim or simply skip and go to next more (hopefully) reasonable post.
Here goes, the marvelous month of May in review!
*Monday, April 30th – Last day of the quasi-vacation, starting my couch potato to 10K program, errands with Bobby and then a night before the first day, we walk down to the the Thirsty Owl for our night before the new chapter toast & celebration. It was a fitting spot for that milestone, as the Thirsty Owl was the same place I’d sat & sipped a Pinot noir by myself and worked on my first interview prep, notes & questions for the TRF.
* Tuesday, May 1st – The first day! Bobby walked me to work, and the plan is for him to walk me into town every Tuesday (no racing on Tuesday, you know). I think that would be grand! We stopped by Five Points Market, as I’ll do just about every day, walked thru Congress Park said hi to the Ducks, and arrived 10 min early (changed my shoes at Mrs. London’s). A great day – but I won’t give you that blow by blow (there were flowers) – and Bobby met me at Max London’s for celebratory 1st day Happy Hour (and I got there first!).
Big Theme: A major focus for me this month has been on creating a schedule designed to include all the things I want to prioritize in this new life – the things that I think are important to helping me realize my vision for the balance, health and happiness that I want to form the foundation of this next chapter. It’s so empowering to have a blank slate to work with, and also a somewhat heavy responsibility to be sure that I don’t squander this opportunity to include all the pieces that I want to be non-optional in this new life. The ones I’ve done a pretty good job with so far are:
* Getting up at the same time every day – Mookie is doing her best to help
* Meditating (Headspace) every AM – before going out for my walk or jog (and it’s been such fun to do this with my friend Lisa in VA – my zen buddy & a great way to keep in touch). Also very excited that Bobby is trying to do this daily .
* Going for a walk or jog every AM before work (making the most of my 9am Office hours!)– might need to dedicate a whole post to the pony-filled sights of my daily out-n-about!
* Walking to and from work (which includes daily stop at Five Points & stroll thru Congress Park) – also worth a post with pics of my amazing “commute”.
* Spending very little money each day – taking my lunch to work & eating at home for dinner, I love it!
* Leaving the office at just about 5pm – not hard, so far, since everyone else does too!
* Volunteering once a week at the Shelters of Saratoga – Wednesday 5-7pm
* Less successful, but working on it, my intent is to make more quick, frequent phone calls to keep in touch with friends & family – usually while walking home.
* More of a goal than a habit, we’re looking to go to Happy Hour once a week and pizza on Saturday night – although we’ve not had very many weeks to establish those routines.
* Wednesday, May 2nd – Day 2 at TRF and second training day at the Shelters of Saratoga, (SoS) and my first meeting with a new friend, Steve. Steve is a lovely guy, somewhat recently retired from running his family business which his daughter is now running (after leaving her successful career at SAIC). He and his wife, Cathy, have recently moved into a newly constructed home in downtown Saratoga – they have a home at Lake George too, an have lived their whole lives around each the Ballston Spa/Clifton Park. Steve is new to volunteering, but he’s diving in with both feet. He is a great new friend, and my new front desk partner SoS – we’re going to share the Wednesday night shift each week (5-7pm for me, 7-9pm). Plus, as I told Meg, it appears he was placed in my life to speak a bit of valuable truth to me on that early day in my new chapter to say “slow down – don’t over program, don’t just recreate the over-busy life you had in Alexandria”. Wow. I am so grateful – just another gift from the universe to help me navigate this new course.
* Thursday, May 3rd – Day 3 (and I will not write this summary for every day all month), I’m invited and encouraged to meet my colleague, Fran LaBelle, in person. Fran is a colorful character with a long history with racing and Saratoga, a retired sportswriter, who had worked for NYRA and the DRF at various points. He works part time for TRF as our Media Liasion, and he is simply known to know everybody in town. He invited me to meet him for a drink at the Horseshoe (our nearest watering hole) – and what fun to have my boss tell me to cut out early to go to Happy Hour & get acquainted. Fun!
* Friday, May 4th – My first Friday! Oaks Day & a quiet night at home.
* Saturday, May 5th – A glorious Saturday, first day of the Farmer’s Market and Spring in full glory. First Saturday in May = Derby Day! Mostly home working on projects and cheering for Justify – my pick (Baffert + a big chestnut with a pink nose), and the big winner. Plus, our 2nd pizza night – and a funny incident with the Farm Nine pizza guy, who hoped we might be those Weirs. Hee hee!
* Sunday, May 6th – My 2nd visit to the New England Presbyterian Congregationalist Church, which is likely to become my place. Met a nice guy named Frankie who would be a great volunteer buddy for Bobby, if I can get him to give it a shot. The church serves a hot lunch on Tues & Wed. That evening we walked over to meet Al and Nancy Coleman, introduced to us (to Bobby) by Andy Beyer – as Al and Andy have been friends for many years thanks to a common interest in cycling. The Colemans are long-time, home-grown Saratogians, with a beautiful home on Madison Avenue, where they welcomed us to their wonderful porch for a glass of wine with their darling puppy Jesse. We then walked to Brook Tavern for dinner – much fun, and enough leftover spaghetti & meatballs for several days of lunch.
* Monday, May 7th – My first Monday. A lovely & uneventfully peaceful day. Fun exchange with my neighbor, Michele, about how she learned about my new job (from the Paulick Report, wow!).
* Tuesday, May 8th (Happy Birthday Marilyn) – Home from work in time to participate in my first Carpenter’s Shelter Board meeting by phone at the kitchen counter.
* Wednesday, May 9th – First solo shift at SoS, very quiet & easy, nice visit with Steve and lovely walk home.
* Thursday, May 10th – Met JoAnne after work, we had a wonderful walk about town, around the park and then to the Inn at Saratoga on the porch. My first chance to tell JoAnne the whole TRF story since we’ve not caught up since my week in VA and her trip to the DR. Much fun!
* Friday, May 11th (Happy Birthday to my Padre Bear) – Up early for the trip to Atlanta for the birthday weekend with my dad & auntie. First experience with what I imagine will be a rather frequent routine with the puddle jumper to Newark (not a whole bunch of direct flights anywhere from ALB). Had a great time with Susan, Karen, Caroline, Stuart, Padre & Linda. Dinner at home on Friday (dad’s bday), party on Saturday, Mother’s Day church & brunch on Sunday. Pics below.
* Monday, May 14th – A new first, flying home – when home meant Saratoga! Yay!! Upon arriving home, a nice visit with neighbor Michele, and then a special treat Happy Hour with Bobby at Brook Tavern (4-6) to make the most of my day off – because I can’t quite do 4pm happy hour everyday.
* Tuesday, May 15th (Happy Birthday to my auntie Sue & Grammie Farley) – A special day at work because our Board Chair, Patrick, came up for a visit with the teamfrom Long Island, and I took on the role of planning where we’d go for drinks & snacks after work. (Yes, it’s really a thing up here, and yes, I am who I am!) We went to Morrissey’s the bar at the newly renovated Adelphi – and it was a big success & a very fun chance to spend time with the team out of the office. I ended up missing my Carpenter’s Shelter training session for our Campaign launch, but I know I made the right call to be present and make the most of this time in my new life, with the people who will be such a big part of my world going forward.
* Wednesday, May 16th – What a fun surprise! While getting ready for work, I had a text from my friend & colleague Jennifer (our Director of Development at TRF), asking if I’d like to go out to the Oklahoma to see Patrick’s horse work. Another sign – can you imagine a better question for me? Yet another sign – yes, I am really in the right place! It’s so affirming. I enjoyed a sunny AM sipping my coffee at Five Points for Jenn to swing by to get me – and what a different scene at 9am, compared to my normal time (8:40ish). Working guys, exercise riders, and a whole cast of interesting characters. Then, a wonderful AM walking around the barns and watching Patrick’s pretty filly gallop. Other highlights included Bobby jumping in to give our yard our first mow – he did a great job (pics below) plus, we made a plan to see Al and Nancy again. Big night at home…building our new bed frame for Guest Room 1. Not a small task, and Bobby was a hero for sticking with it and getting it done. Yay! We’re ready for the big party weekend ahead.
* Thursday, May 17th – a great day, and fun rendezvous at Max London’s for 5:30 dinner with Al & Nancy (yes, we live in the world of the early bird and I got there first.it’s the new me!). They really seem to have taken us under their wings – it’s so kind. They offered to give us a tour of Broadway – to see the building that (Kolmer?) has been such a big part of their lives here over the decades. See snap of the sunset from the roof below.
* Friday, May 18th – The big weekend begins! Shana and Kathy flew up from DC and let me know they’d arrived with a pic from the front porch at Casa Weir. So cute!! It was a fairly quiet day at the office, so when the girls arrived at Max London’s for lunch, I realized I could meet them! Many pics from weekend below – so happy to have my girls in town! After lovely lunch sitting outside with a beer and breakfast pizza, I went back and worked for a couple more hours on my intro letter while the girls went exploring and enjoying the sunny, Springy day. At about 4:30 I met them up at the Broook Taven, for Happy Hour (yes, two times at Brook in one week and two times at Max’s in one week – we have faves, it’s true!). Such a lovely, laughter filled visit – and JoAnne popped over to meet us at Brook, so the girls could meet her – my first wonderful Saratoga friend – before the party. Such fun!!! Then, we headed home to meet Bobby and head to the Mexican Connection for Mexican dinner – inspired by Kathy’s recent trip to Mexico City. Que Divertido! Ole! Very proud of myself for not letting party prep or worry to clutter our Friday together (and thankful to Bobby for helping with a few more picture hangings before the fiesta).
* Saturday, May 19th (Happy Birthday Doodles)- Housewarming Party & Preakness Day! We were up early to watch the Royal Wedding – such fun with the girls and so beautiful. What a happy, joyful, uncomplicated dose of joy… two lovely young people starting a life together, and a celebration of hope and faith and love. I just loved it all! Then we were out for a walk to show the girls the ponies, the James Bond Barn and to get coffee & breakfast at Five Points. Much to my delight, we had a chance to visit with Pat and to meet her daughter Cindy and to confirm that both were able to join us for the soirée (as I had dropped Pat’s invite at her house on Wed), then to have a nice long visit with Maura while we had our yummy breakfast sammies… what a treat. The girls had the chance to meet 3 more party guests before the party!
Once we made it home, admittedly a bit later than planned, the girls & I launched into full party made. I tell you, if you ever plan to host a party (especially your first in a new home and simultaneously host 5 houseguests), you need amazing girlfriends like Kathy & Shana – they are amazing! They were incredibly helpful, tolerant of my bossiness, and we had so much fun turbo-ing thru BJ’s & party prep. We nailed it, I never freaked out, Bobby was left unimposed upon and able to focus on Preakness Day racing. We were happy to welcome our friend Mike on the early shift, as he had to go to work at the paper in the evening, then our dear friend Sack arrived from Baltimore, and awesome Alyssa & Adam arrived as the girls and I rotated thru showers and we were totally ready to roll by 4:00 with guests expected at 5!
The Party – so much fun (pics below). So grateful to friends Old & New for joining us and warming our home with their friendship!! I just loved seeing everyone mix & mingle, the neighbors, the work friends, the new Saratoga folks and our treasured “imports”…I dare say a good time was had by all, especially me! Plus, we had a great group gathered to cheer for Justify thru the rain, slop & fog – and they all made it around safely! One thing I’ve been wondering is exactly how many folks dropped by – so since this is truly the longest, self-indulgent post ever – I am going to list & count them here to remember for posterity!
The guests at our First Party:
Shana
Kathy
Sack
Adam & Alyssa
Mike
Al & Nancy
Brian & Aimee
Joe & Kim
Michele & Randy
Frank
Jennifer
Kylie
Chelsea
John & Joanne
Pat & Cindy
Pat
Maura
Fran
Bob K
Seth
Steve & Cathy
Pat & Craig
Bobby & me
So, just about 30 lovely people who we’ll always treasure for helping us make our new house really feel like our home!!
*Sunday, May 20th – Busy AM, and so nice to wake up to a house full of our favorite people, with (almost) every element of our accommodations in use…both guest rooms, comfy couch & basement too! A & A we’re up and out early to meet the filly they now own a piece of and to watch her gallop at the Oklahoma, Shana was up early to find her way to 7:30 Mass, Kathy & I went for “the walk” to get coffee and we all convened about 9 for bagels from Brooklyn for breakfast Chez Weir. The girls & I departed for the Roosevelt Baths for a soak & massage, the boys went to play a few holes of golf, and A & A off to farmers market then homeward. After one last walk, I took the girls to the airport – then took Bobby & Sack to a very entertaining work event…in memory of a David Cassidy. Kinda nutty, but hey, we do it for the horses!
* Monday, May 21 – Just when you are thinking “surely, there can’t be anything interesting about a Monday after all of that…”, but no, there’s more! It was “Kimmie goes to prison” day! What fun!! A field trip with the team to the very first Second Chances Program at the Wallkill Penitentiary. An absolutely beautiful day for the trip, Pat kindly drove us in her lovely car, fully stocked with road trip essentials. Also worth a full post, but pics below & a wonderful “work” day.
* Tuesday, May 22nd (Happy Birthday Bobby & Camille) – a good, busy day at work, pushing to get a big batch on letters out to introduce myself to a long list of a TRF friends & donors and including my first Saratoga haircut! What a treat to walk 2 blocks to lovely Saratoga Debut, meet Laura (introduced & recommended by Katie R), and get a great cut – my first by someone other than Cori in 20+ years!! Met Bobby at Hamlet & Ghost for his bday dinner – oysters, Old-fashioneds & fried cheese curds, yum!!! Then home to prep for trip & pack… Hawaii here we come.
Which brings us to Thursday, May 23rd – Travel Day! As I am finishing this up from our room in Kihei on the 24th (heading to Wailea after breakfast), I’ll save Hawaii highlights for next post – but the Travel day was great. ALB – ORD – LAX – MAUI and all went smoothly. I just so treasure a good long trip. Plenty of time to relish a luxurious mix of napping, knitting, podcasts, reading, a movie (coco – loved!), and a lot of writing. We had the treat of an hour & a half in the United lounge at LAX for a snack & rest – and the crazy fun of running into a work friend from my MAVA Days ( Harry Klaff/JLL) ! Funny, small world!
So there it was – phew, the marvelous month of May in review.
So grateful for all of it – and especially this incredible gift of this wonderful trip to a Paradise to reflect on all of it & let it sink in – while spending time here in this beautiful place with each other & our family to celebrate the love & happiness of Ben & Melanie.
And BEST OF ALL, when this trip is done…we fly home to Saratoga and all that awaits us in June and Beyond!
XXOO
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
Walking to work – Day 1My TRF office – first day!Happy Hour at Max’s – Day 1!Atlanta Reunion – Susan, Karen & the awesome kiddos!Happy Birthday (75!) Padre – we love you!Happy Birthday Auntie Sue – the hostess with the mostest!Saratoga sunset from the rooftop with Al & Nancy!Happy Friday with my favorite Rockstars – Kathy & ShanaThe terrific TRF team – with JoAnne & Kathy!A houseful if friends – cheering for Justify!Final snap of the dream team! (Until the next shindig at Casa Weir)Curious about the nutty David Cassidy event? Ask Sack!Welcome to Wallkill Penitentiary – home of the 1st Second Chances programFortunately no razor wire around the horses!Have I mentioned that I love my job?
It’s a very special Eve here at Casa Weir del Norte… the night before a new adventure begins. Yes, I know those may be the most over-worked words in my vocabulary these days… but really, tomorrow is a 1st day of the rest of my life. On May 1, 2018, I’ll start my new career as the Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.
In a word… it’s amazing.
I am grateful beyond words.
I’ll likely bore you all with the whole story, and maybe even a few of the letters written along the way, but for now – this extraordinary opportunity is now before me. Years of dreaming and stalking and keeping in touch, and an incredible strike of lightening driven by karma, my postulate or simply the universe saying “yes, you were meant to make this move”. As of April 18th I accepted the offer to join the TRF Team (and that sure made last week’s farewell tour all the more sweet and fun!).
I’ll add the press release to this post sometime in the AM, and I’ll share that on FB and update my LinkedIn Profile ,and generally make a great big huge fuss to shout the news from the rooftops. For now, I’ll simply share the quote I shared with our TRF Media Relations guy, Fran LaBelle, this AM.
“It is a dream come true for me to join the TRF team in this new role. Combining my business background with my lifelong love for horses and racing, I will passionately promote the TRF mission to provide sanctuary to the horses upon whom the racing industry depends, when their racing days are done.”
Here’s to powerful postulates, good karma, prayer, love, and a huge tidal wave of love and good wishes… and maybe even a little unicorn dust – however this happened, I could not be more happy.
Looking forward to all the weird & wonderful-ness of a First Day! (And many thanks for all the good advice from many as I’ve pondered this first first in an eon. I’ll likely share all those soon too!)
Hi Friends!!
Hello Friends!
