Holidays, Family time, with a sprinkle of drama.

To catch you all up…..I enjoyed the drive back from PA to CT. This east coast scenery changes so much with the seasons, that this west coast girl is in awe around every corner. I definitely love being by the water, driving over the Hudson is always a treat, especially with views of the NYC skyline. I arrived in CT in time for dinner at home and a warm welcome from all my family, including the sweet Darla Doo & Coconut!

Everyone is home for Thanksgiving. A real family gathering with a full house. I had my work days at my favorite Sofia’s coffee shop, have become friends with all the regulars. It’s like real life living in West Hartford. My cousin Jared’s Law Firm has a membership at a prestigious club, The Hartford Club in the middle of downtown. 4 of us worker bee’s all got to work from there one day. I felt like I was living in a movie set. They served coffee, lunch, and we ended the day with a cocktail. The scenery was from the olden days, hard wood floors, fancy old fire places, huge chandeliers, and the creaking of an old building. A real good ol’ boys fancy club.

I have all my favorite restaurants I get to frequent with family & friends. Treva, Brico, Boqueria, and Zohara. My cousins plan a super holiday party always on the Wednesday before Turkey day at the infamous, Max Oyster Bar. Everyone pays $100 to drink all you want and eat the appetizers trays provided. My mom and I got to experience it last year when we visited. It was such a fun night seeing many familiar faces….kids, friends, family, etc.

Turkey day some went on a walk, the kitchen was booming with everyone cooking and prepping dishes. We had a lovely meal with great conversations. We all stayed up until after mid-night. My Aunts nephew from her side of the family had come down from Monsey, NY with his brand new bride. They are modern orthodox and she gave us all a lesson on her wigs. Fascinating night hanging out. We all loved this spunky high energy young- loving girl.

Drama started in the early morning when I looked out the window at 7 am and my car was gone. With everything in it- not so smart I had not fully unpacked my car yet with so many other house guests. Two huge crates of all my summer clothes were in the trunk, (bathing suits, shoes, cover ups, sun dresses, workout clothes, purses etc), and sadly a very important backpack I had not brought in with computers and my passport. Not a smart move on my part. Im clearly too trusting. All other locations I brought in everything, when staying with family or friends I did not- Dumb!! I have learned my lesson the hard way, and am truly grateful for insurance. I was in serious shock at 7am, Julie immediately called the police.

The police arrived and made the police report, I have since learned car theft is 103% on the rise in Hartford, CT. I spent the day on the phone dealing with all the details of identity theft etc. by the next day I had a rental car. While out to dinner 4 days later with my cousins and their kids I received a call from the Police, my car had been found abandoned in a lot in downtown Hartford in a totally bad area. It had no tires, no wheels, a little scrape on the bumper, but looked fine. I screamed with serious joy SO loud in the restaurant, MY CAR was FOUND! I had to wait until morning to go see it. I was soooo excited to see if anything was still in the trunk. THIEVES…… they took it ALL. Leaving behind my laundry detergent, book collection, stationary, toilet paper/paper towels, rummy cube set, ziploc bags, and the lamp I purchased in the Cape. Sad and disappointed they wanted all my clothes.

Now it became a new process with insurance and a total headache with making the inventory list of property, to dealing with the car damages. Long story short, as to not hijack this lovely entry with the sprinkle of drama. I have my car back- in great condition, new passport in hand- still able to go w/ boots on our cruise, and money for replacement items to purchase. I have since become better friends with all the police officers that frequent my Sofia’s Coffee work spot every morning. And the owners- 2 sisters who are actually friends with one of my cousins give me special treatment. This feels like my town. I have discovered a new trail I walk on the weekends, The Trout Brook Trail, goes along a river, and through the woods, ending on the cute WeHa center……Its 6miles round trip. All bundled up with snow hats, gloves, scarfs, 2 pair of pants (lesson learned from Woodley), I was warm and enjoyed the brisk cold exercise. I would start at Starbucks for a warm drink, and by the time I made my way to my favorite Hotel Delamar it was time for another complimentary hot drink.

I had another sleepover in the country with Adams family in Ellington…..Dinner at Jareds, so nice to spend so much quality time with my cousins and their kids. I love that these kids know who I am. Saige is 3, Lincoln my Birthday twin just turned 1, and Alex is 8. Everyone is growing up.

It was Julie’s birthday, everyone went out for dinner at the place where they cook in front of you with the fire, and a night out painting. Soooo much fun with such a big group.

Lot’s of incredible time spent with all my CT family, memories to last a lifetime. So much laughter, great conversations, and snuggles with these sweet kiddos. Dinners out with individual families and lots of Hanukkah celebrations with everyone. It snowed light flurries one day which got me so excited, like a little kid I ran back inside screaming……”Its snowing”, with serious excitement.

My Aunt Marlene is a baker, and made her hannukah cookies, the infamous chocolate mouse, and pies. Im seriously starting a real diet program in February. My Aunt & Uncle had appts in the city in preparation for her big foot surgery. I was solo in the house for many nights. We got everything ready for her homecoming and it worked out well to be able to help get them situated. On one of my last days, Adam & I both worked from the house, he was at the table and I was privileged to work from my CUJ home office desk. This space is like a shrine to the meaning of family. He has such sentimental memorabilia everywhere. Black & White pics of my mom and him from their childhood, many just them and some of my grandparents. There are many photos of everyone, including my dad, all UJ’s own family, kids, grandkids, even a scrabble set with the names of every family member spelled out in the puzzle, paintings, scrap book type collages, and so many home made arts & crafts with pictures. It was such a soothing nice day looking at all our family history with his added creativity. I had walked in/out of that room many times, but had never truly taken it all in. Such a great wk day, and it ended with me accompanying Adam to pick up Saige from school. She was SO excited it made my day.

I got to have a nice last 24 hours with my Aunt/Uncle after she was discharged from hospital to come home before my departure. This was such a nice family time spent with all The Alfins, until next time….

I made my drive to PA on a Wed, via the 5 hour passport appt with a fire alarm evacuating the building. ( never a dull moment). I had the special treat to have 2more nights w/ Woodley and family for some early holiday spirit. A warm cozy organic bed to snuggle in, games played both nights, hot tea after a home cooked meal from scratch. Holden performed a Cello concert, and I got more quality time in with my dear old friend.

Friday started with my adventure South, I drove to Calverton, Maryland for an appointment with an adoption agency/partner. I’m the PairTree traveling ambassador. I passed by such beautiful landscape of PA. Horse buggies in the Amish country, lots of open land- the USA is a beautiful place. The appt was a success, I love meeting the people I virtually spend time with, in person. I drove past DC and got to the Auto- Train station in Lorton, VA. My car and I were seperated again. I said if cars have “feelings” my poor car is having a panic attack, after all it has been through the PTSD of being stolen, now being shoved inside these long trains……geez! I said a prayer, that all my belongings remain in tack in the car for the 17 hour voyage. LOL. The train was not crowded, many solo riders were blessed with 2 seats. I had my blanket and all my valuables with me. The ride was a dream. I highly recommend it and am thankful to my cousin Debbie for suggesting it. I would do it again. I watched a movie, slept, ate, saw pretty scenery, and poof, arrived in Florida by 10am. Wow, the weather here is SO different. Can you say tropical storm- humidity. The 2.5 hour drive to West Palm Beach was torrential rains. It was scary.

I have made it to spend 3 nights with my second parents while growing up. We have not spent quality time together in 20+ years. Mike Beck taught me to ride a bike, while Jill was our betty crocker second mom who made home made after school snacks and the BEST pancakes EVER.. There house was where Jackie and I played everyday growing up. A short stay here filled with exploring the Palm beach area, before I meet my mama for our Eastern- Caribbean cruise and start my final chapter in Miami.

Planning to write more often to avoid these long posts, as lots of excitement is on the horizon with a Dora & Boots reunion. Stay tuned…..

wishing everyone my very best wishes for a happy and healthy upcoming holiday season.

love Laurie Sue aka DORA xo 💋 😘❤️💫🧚🏻‍♀️