It’s long over due to pay special tribute to my Dad who had such a huge impact in my life.
His special manner of reserved, quiet dignity & the way he lived & carried himself always spoke volumes to me of a true Gentleman, a man of honor & of the highest character.
I was always so proud & supremely blessed by the time he would take to spend with me.
When I came along, the little family was really rooting for a boy, (they even had a boy’s name all picked out) & so, it was a shock, to say the least, when I came barreling into their world.
Not to worry, my Dad rallied & I became the tomboy he hadn’t seen coming!
We went on weekly walks & long hikes collecting driftwood & shells, he taught me how to ride a bike, play competitive tennis, throw a fast ball, mow a lawn, map out a plan to sell the most Girl Scout cookies in our community, drive a stick shift at age 12, develop my love of writing & got me my first job in sixth grade, as a check-stand bagger/box-girl at ‘Toyland’ at the Navy Exchange. I loved it there & have never been more proud of my work! We went to work together over my school vacations & as he went off to his office as Procurement Supervisor, I went to my check-stand. Nothing could have made either of us prouder.
Thru him, I learned my work ethic & of always, always staying the course.
When I filled both sides of my Girl Scout sash with patches, he was there - smiling,
when I played in tennis tournaments, he was there - cheering, when I attempted to speak only in French on the weekends, he was there - chuckling, when I graduated from College, he was there - beaming. Thru all my victories & defeats, he was there - standing in my corner.
Thru out my life, he provided a steadfast calm & unwavering show of strength & class, my mighty oak, never wanting or requiring any fanfare, special attention or fuss made over him. He was my quiet cheerleader, always rooting for me, believing in me & was most content to encourage & stand tall behind the scenes - where I always looked for him.
Now, whenever I smell fresh mown grass or night blooming jasmine - I’m instantly taken back to warm summer evenings long ago, when a kind-hearted Father took the time to play catch, back & forth across the street long into the night, with his youngest daughter.
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So here’s to my humble hero - the world has so few,
For giving, teaching & showing me - always in the quietest of ways,
Life’s most powerful & noble lessons…
Here’s To You, Dad

For our French Riviera themed, summer kick-off party last month, only the amazingly creative Susan Darnell could have come up with the idea of a spot-on tribute to the Cannes, France - Film festival.
Her labor of love consisted of a FABULOUS, custom-designed, ballroom gown, constructed entirely of FILM & elaborately displayed on a mannequin!
We’re talking head-turning, over-the-top celluloid whimsy!
(This just might be our most outrageous mannequin display - ever & we’ve had some doozies!)
The stars in Cannes this year had some amazing designer gowns on but they had nothing over this Kodachrome darling.
At every one of our themed events, Susan rises mightily to the occasion with her tres magnifique custom creations, & this, of course, was no exception.
When you get a chance - come in & see this starlet’s remarkable stateside debut. She’d be perfect to showcase in your home theater & she’s definitely ready for her close-up.
Thanks to all of our loyal friends, fans & followers
for nominating us into the top ten of the
‘Union Tribune’s 2011 Reader’s Best Poll’ for
BEST ANTIQUE STORE!
We do have the hardest working dealers in this business & they scour the countryside for you on a daily basis so we really appreciate this nod of approval. (Plus, we have frequent themed events & soirees & if you haven’t been to one, you need to make it a point to attend!)
Now, the voting begins to narrow it down to the
TOP THREE city-wide.
Put your vote in at:
www.sdbestpoll.comunder the shopping category.
Merci Beaucoup to all!