Bowling Night

Here are some photos of our recent night out bowling. Dawn & Tim organized the evening out. It was a nice mix of people and I was so thrilled that Vickie and Rebecca managed to show up for a bit. I love spending time with my friends.

Old Crew Performing – The Backz

Some of my old High School friends will be performing this Saturday night at the Carpool. Go check them out if you’re in the neighborhood. I’ll be in DC for the evening but I’ll leave it to Tracy to update me on the nights antics!

Save The Date – Cassanova Point to Point Races

Saturday, February 20, 2010 the Montgomery clan will be attending the annual tradition of tailgating at the first steeplechase of the season! Come on out and join us. The more the merrier as always! Just remember this typically becomes a big muddy mess so bring your SUV or Truck!

Buckland Farm
Vint Hill Road
Gainesville, VA 20187
540-788-4806

Happy Hour at Jackson’s (Reston Town Center)

Last night I met a few of my close friends for drinks at Jackson’s at Reston Town Center. As usual the group got a bit rowdy. Ladies, I’m looking forward to our first PA Advocacy Group meeting (wink…wink…those who where there know what I’m talking about – lol). Plans were discussed for Dawn’s upcoming birthday bash. We are all looking forward to the Mardi Gras theme Tim has planned. We’ve all started shopping for our Mardi Gras masks online. I’ve got mine selected already. If you weren’t at Jackson’s last night – you missed a good time!

Champagne Brunch – New Years Day – Mon Ami Gabi

This New Years was absolutely amazing! For a host of reasons. Spending time with friends, making new friends, and having a great time. After a night of partying, drinking, and all around general debauchery it was great to roll out of bed and head to the annual Mon Ami Gabi’s annual pajama brunch. We wisely scheduled brunch for 2pm. Who in their right minds scheduled reservations at 9am??? Abby and Liz joined me. Sadly, Kleo wasn’t feeling so fabulous New Years Day. We missed you Kleo!!! After brunch Abby and I headed over to the theater to watch “It’s Complicated”. Of course we were still in our pj’s so we certainly got some funny looks. By the time I got home I was ready to crash and burn. Not sleeping for 24 hours can really get to you!

Cathy & Bob Climes’ Open House Party

This past Sunday my dear friends Bob and Cathy Clime hosted an Open House party in their Fairfax home. The moment we walked in the door we were greated by our friends and shown the way to Bob’s famous bloody mary’s. I do believe I had at least five of them (yes they are that good!). Cathy had an amazing spread of delictable foods (as usual…Cathy is an excellent hostess!). I met lots of Bob’s old buddies from the military days. I especially liked the very engaging retired police detective. His name eludes me at the moment. I have his email though so we’ll be inviting him and his wife to join us on a wine tasting outing soon. Cathy’s and Bob’s kids stopped by for a bit with their children. All in all it was a wonderful day catching up with friends. Thanks to Keith for being my designated driver! Abby and I are lucky girls!!!

80’s Themed New Years Party

My friends Diane and G hosted this years New Years Eve party. The theme was the 1980’s. We had about 50% of the guests showing up in costume which was a lot of fun. I rocked hotpink tights w/ black fishnet hose on top of the tights w/ my hot pink sequined heels, a black ruffle skirt, a black tube top w/ flouresent hot pink, turquoise, and yellow stripes, with a hot pink cardingan. Of course I couldn’t forget to complete the outfit without my pink pearls and black cross necklace.

We played our traditional game of Battle of the Sexes in which G & Diane host a triva challenge. They get very creative with the questions and it’s always hilarious! There was a flip cup challenge involved as well as a 80s video game challenge. We had plenty to eat and drink (thanks G for putting us all over the edge w/ your famous shots!). Tons of great 80s music to dance to. G has the most amazing collection of music I’ve ever seen!!!

It was a fantastic party which I still feel like I’m recovering from! Hope you all had a wonderful New Years Eve as well.

Happy New Years Everyone!

Hello Everyone. I wanted to write a quick post to wish you all a Happy New Years!!! I hope you have a fun evening planned with friends and family. I’ll be heading to G & Diane’s 80s themed party this evening. It should be tons of fun and I’m sure all post lots of entertaining pictures before the weekend is up. I’m sorry I’ll be missing the Brightest Young Things New Years Eve Party. I love the 2010 Space Odessey theme! I’m looking forward to seeing what costumes get dreamed up for their big party. Hope you have fabulous plans to celebrate New Years! Send me an email with a photo of your group out on New Years and I’ll post it here. (curebloodcancers – use the at sign here – .gmail.com)

Bella Blehr

Dear friends, family, and random blog readers:

Those of you close to me likely already know about the ordeal my dear friends younger sister is currently enduring. For those of you who aren’t yet aware of their plight…read on. On December 21st my childhood bestfriends youngest sister, Maryann delivered precious baby Bella. She was born healthy, however became sick shortly after day one. She was transported to a larger hospital in Winchester, and just a few hours after arriving there, was flown to UVA Charlottesville Children’s Hospital.
Bella has had a rough start into this world, but we are all so thankful for the advancements in technology and that she is here with us today. The doctor’s saw an urgent need to get her to the hospital she is at now. Bella had to have heart/lung bypass surgery almost immediately. She responded well to the ECMO procedure. A brief description on what that is-
The ECMO machine works for the heart and lungs. It is the same heart/lung machine used for open-heart surgery. When your loved one is placed on ECMO, blood will flow through the ECMO tubing where it receives oxygen from the machine’s lung. This happens until the heart and/or lungs are able to work on their own.

As of yesterday, December 28th, she was successfully weaned off the ECMO. She still is hooked up to a ventilator and another machine. Maryann and her husband Ryon were informed today that Bella will be there for a long time, at least a lot longer than their anticipated 7-10 days more. Unfortunately it takes time for babies to be weaned off the ventilator.
Now, I am reaching out on behalf of my friend and her family and most of all our little miracle baby Bella. They of course are under a lot of stress seeing their baby this way and not being in the comfort of their own home. Other stresses of course involve the financial aspect, gas, meals and hotel. The parents work pay check to pay check and these unexpected expenses have created a terrible burdon. Unfortunately in these times Ryon still has to work. Charlottesville, VA is three hours away from home, so their gas expense will likely add up. Thankfully they are staying at the Ronald McDonald house, which is relatively inexpensive, though unfortunately it is not a very welcoming and comforting place.

If you are able to help alleviate their stress by making monetary donations that will help a lot and I know they will appreciate it immensely! If you can’t, of course that is understandable too. Having them in your thoughts and prayers is what is most important and has helped them through this ordeal thus far.

Thank you on behalf of the family for all your love and support. My friend Tammy will be flying up there to be with Maryann, Ryon and Bella this Thursday- Sunday. I am sure it will be an emotional visit. We all look forward to the day they can bring this little miracle home.

Cards of donations and/or well wishes and prayers can be sent to their home.
Maryann and Ryon Blehr
208 Evergreen Drive
Charlestown, WV 25414

Our visit to Monschau Germany

Today the family visited Monschau Germany. Here is a map of where we were. Once I am home I will download my photos but in the mean time here`s a stock photo of Monschau in the winter time. The city was covered in a blanket of snow and they had the annual Christmas Market. I was happy to get my first glass of Gluwein. Certainly something you need to indure the cold weather. More updates later. Hope everyone is well.