Ilze Day

There was only one item on our dance card today. At 12 o'clock we were headed to Ilze’s for a relaxing Saturday.  The girls had made “thank you” cards for Ilze and some brought some LOGO gifts for Ilze's boys.

Knowing it only takes 20 minutes to get there we caught a cab around 11:30 and we knew we were in trouble when two people (cab drivers) were using their GPSs and could not find it. Soon when one driver said to the other “blah blah blah” and he told us he knows exactly where it is.  Once again we knew we were in trouble when he crossed the bridge because to get to her home you don't cross any bridges. Soon he realized his mistake and started to turn around but then he kept losing his GPS signal.  We would drive a couple of blocks pullover he would load in the address again and tell us I know exactly where it is and then a block or two and his GPS would go out again. This happened four times.  Finally I got  on the phone with Ilze and handed it to our driver.   As Nata is usually in the backseat with us she looked at us and told us the driver was speaking Russian. Little did we know at the time that Ilze speaks Russian as her second language and English as her third language.  Who knew? Soon we arrived at her familiar house and saw her youngest boy waiting for us at the door.

It was great seeing her entire family again and we got a tour on the updates they have completed on their remodel since the last time we visited in May.  She has been in the process of remodeling for over a few years and within the next few months she plans on completing the job.  Yeah!!

Sheri and I along with the girls were also introduced to a new type of table game similarly called…..called….doesn’t matter what it is called. In American we had a similar game call Curems…or something like that, but unlike our Curems it has its own set of rules and skills.  After a game or two, Sheri and I teamed up to take on Ilze and her husband. Each team starts with eight bones, as they call it (or at least that is how it translates in English).  When they shot their last shot Sheri and I still had seven bones to go. Not what you would consider our stellar championship moment.

Beside a full spread of chips, veggies, cheese and other snacks she made homemade smoothies that the girls and especially Sheri love. It is made out of the fruit that I can't remember what its name is but they grow it on their farm [insert from Sheri, it’s call seabuckthorn]. Delicious!

Before long and way too early to leave our company we had to go.  It was so wonderful seeing Ilze in a non-work related environment.  She has a great husband and three wonderful kids. We only wish that they were our neighbors in San Diego. The hardest part about returning to home is knowing that Ilze will be 5000 miles away from us.  We honestly don't think of her as our attorney but rather a friend that has helped us in more ways than she probably knows.    

This morning before we left I was having a bit of a difficult time with Nata and her showing me respect.

So I needed to have a little talk with her. I let her know by her pulling away from me and running to Mommy for everything actually hurts my feelings.   We spoke for a while and eventually mommy joined in and she said she understood.

Well after we got home there were still a couple of errands we need to do. Sanija wanted to take mommy out to get a few gifts without Nata around. So I took Nata and we did our own thing.   Whatever we said in the morning she completely remembered in the late afternoon as she was sweet and loving. She held my hand walking down the street, said “I love you Daddy” about a half of dozen times.

We got back before the others did and once again she was saying and doing all the right things. She even asked me or I should say told me, “I'm trying to be better am I doing a good job?”

                                                                                                    

It actually brought tears to my eyes and a chuckle to my heart. Without saying much I simply gave her a huge hug and a kiss on the forehead and said “yes honey, that's exactly what I've always wanted to see out of you”

“I will give you the world and all I want from you is love”. “And I will always love you”. She asked then, “Can you take me the place where no street but boats” (She was talking about Venice Italy…insert Sheri’s cheering right now J) There was a little bit more conversation about it but I told her I understand where she came from but that's not the important thing right now. The important thing is that she remembered and she tried and she wanted to make sure she was doing a good job.  

My oldest daughter also knew I was sad this morning and when her and mommy went out she purchased with her own money a tiny Pascal (Lizard from Tangled) for me.

Before bed, we all sat down together and watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Nata this time sat between Sheri and I and I felt great. Although…….she may have been doing it for the one hour foot massage. Only kidding, it was one and a half hours.