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and caught a plane to Washington, DC to spend the Thanksgiving weekend with my family. From National
Airport, I caught the Metro to Bethesda where my brother, Neal, picked my up. I usually stay with my x-brother-
in-law Steve Schram, but his father, Ludi, was not doing well, so I didn’t want to be an inconvenience. This
would be the first time I would stay with Neal, his wife – Sharyn and their two infant son’s – Ethan (3 and a half)
and Jared (one and a half). After carrying my bags in, we had dinner. I took it easy this evening. I really like
being around and playing with my nephews and Sharyn and Neal couldn’t be more accommodating and making
me feel at home.
Thursday, November 27: Awoke at Neal and Sharyn’s house. Sharyn made homemade pancakes for
breakfast. We played with the kids and packed for the trip to the Hyatt Resort and Spa in Cambridge, Maryland
on the Eastern Shore. After lunch we drove to the Marriot to meet my entire immediate family to celebrate
Thanksgiving, my birthday and Neil Numark’s (my brother-in-law) birthday over this holiday weekend.
Thanksgiving dinner was very nice. This year my birthday fell on Thanksgiving. So, I got a cake, everyone sang
me Happy Birthday and I got many nice gifts.
Friday, November 28: Awoke at the Hyatt. I had lunch by the pool with Neal and his family. I worked out in
the gym and then had a massage at the spa. The spa at this resort is very large and very nice. Dinner this evening
did not go as smoothly as the previous night. My father wasn’t feeling well, the kids were getting figity and the
service was very slow … a volatile mix.
Saturday, November 29: I awoke at the Hyatt Resort, I packed, then had lunch with Neal and his family. I sat
between the two boys on the ride home. I played with them for a while until Jared starting crying uncontrollably (I
swear, I didn’t do anything). Sharyn and I switched seats, so she could calm him. This evening I met Imalia,
Eric, Elizabeth, Rick, Joel and a few others at Dragon Fly. Imalia was kind enough to set this gathering up. I
enjoyed catching up with some of my DC friends. Later we walked over to Vida, but it wasn’t very good. There
was a High School Reunion party going on. We attempted to go to Cities in Adam’s Morgan, but there was just
too much traffic and no where to park. So, we headed home.
Sunday, November 30: This morning was a lazy Sunday morning. Neal and I played with the kids after
brunch. This afternoon I exchanged the driving gloves I got for my birthday for a smaller size. Then I picked up
some groceries for the house. I had dinner with Neal and his family and my sister Marla and her family at
Outback Steakhouse in Bethesda. I enjoyed this family gathering.
Monday, December 1: I ran a bunch of errands today, including three doctors appointments, exchanging gifts
and the pharmacy. The three doctors included my regular bee booster shoots, my orthodontist – for a clear
retainer and my dermatologist. I exchanged a few birthday shirts for a very cool leather jacket. I had a light early
dinner with Neal, Sharyn, Ethan and Jared. Then I napped for a half hour before heading out to meet my friends
for dinner at Sesto Senso in Dupont. Nunu was kind enough to put this gathering together. Maury, Jon Harrison,
Jon’s ex-girlfriend – Julie, Wilson, Nunu, Nunu’s friend – Diana, Lee and his girlfriend, Imalia and a friend of
hers. It was really a good time, catching up with these guys. Sesto looked really good. It was the first time I had
been there since they renovated a few months earlier.
Tuesday, December 2: I packed this morning at Neal’s. I drove to my parents place to drop off a few items
that I didn’t need. I got a chance to say good bye to my Mom who I probably wouldn’t see again for quite a
while. I drove to my sister Cheryl’s new gallery at 7th and E Streets. She gave me a tour of her new, fabulous,
contemporary art gallery. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Cheryl. We then had a heart to heart over lunch
at Teaism – one of my favorite DC places. Initially, she expressed her concerns and confusion over what I was
doing. Hopefully, I was able to make her better understand what I am trying to accomplish during my hiatus. I
know my sister loves me and is just concerned about me as big sisters tend to be. From lunch I headed to the
airport for my flight back to Miami. Once arriving at Ft. Lauderdale airport, I helped someone jump start their
truck in the long-term parking lot. Then I drove back to my hotel, the Cadet, in Miami Beach.