Ctlss told me how to resize the photos...hope this works. And I think it's a little better picture- shows my flat tummy! :D Thanks, ctlss! <3
So, we went to the boss' party Sat. night. Holy cow! (and that actually fell out of my mouth upon entering this ... mansion!) I have never been in a RESORT as nice as this house. The main house was about 12,500 sq ft, plus there was an 1800 sq ft. guest house AND an 800 sq foot pool house. This place is incredible. There were two bars set up outside, one inside, food stations all over the place and I counted no less than 9 of those huge propane outdoor space heaters - the kind you see on patios at restaurants. Near the pool (and fountains!) before you got to the one bar, there were at least six 6' round tables set up, a huge lighted umbrella, and several other seating areas in that area.
Even the patio furniture was incredible - I'd swear the cushions were a foot thick. Gorgeous. And there were many other tables set up in other areas, and a lot of that gorgeous patio furniture. The entire length of the house had a ten foot covered section, and the "main" covered patio was probably a good 30' x 20' with a roaring fireplace on one end. The pool house even had its own kitchen. The guest house was gorgeous, too, with a beautiful crystal chandelier in the entry. There was no expense spared with this place - huge polished travertine tiled flooring and deep walnut flooring, the cabinetry, even in the bathroom, was beautiful, the fixtures, the ceilings and coping. In the main house, there was even a ceiling painting like something you'd see in Versailles. Only NOT gaudy. That was the most impressive thing to me - I fully expected to NOT like this place, thinking it would be ostentatious and too ornate, but it was so completely tastefully furnished... I know I could live there easily! lol... (and wouldn't be found for at least a month!) Whoever the decorator was - worth their weight in gold!
We didn't really tour the house - guess this was the second year for the Christmas party there, but did wander just a bit. Found the theater room - wow! A screen the size of my family room wall, probably, and I think three rows of seating, about 4 or 5 across. Deep, leather rocker chairs with the cup holders... just amazing. We parked and walked up the long, cobblestone drive, past a beautiful fountain, saw this gorgeous, glass and ornate wrought iron door (my favorite kind of front door) and there was a note on it to go around to the FRONT door! That should have been my prep for what was to come. So we continued along the curving driveway and I mentioned you get tired just reaching the front door. Dropped off our gift for the Boys and Girls club in this beautiful sleigh by the front door, (also passed another fountain!), walk in and out comes, Holy CRAP! I was just taken aback. This entry was beautiful - stone and incredibly furnished, beautiful pieces here and there, spacious. But what really got to me where the huge columns and archways lining this very long corridor that led to the kitchen area and the ... sitting room? Not sure.. again, so beautifully appointed. But that entry/corridor... just like walking into the most beautiful hotel you could even imagine. I've been to a few nice places, but nothing that could even compare to this. Hence the "holy crap". AND... I didn't even see him, but the boss was standing there to greet people maybe 10' from me. I KNOW he heard! lol... oh well, I'm SURE it wasn't the first time he saw such a reaction. He was gracious (and Lord-ly!) and escorted us toward the food/bar/first gathering place. Pointed out the bar inside and said there were two outside, as well.
We did talk to a couple of people and went outside to the bar. GOOD wine! I should have asked the bartender what I was drinking because it was really good. Oh, and I had some great ego-boosting, too. Before we went to the party, we stopped to buy a toy and a total stranger came up to me and told me I looked "great" and then she said, That's a really nice outfit. OMG... THAT'S never happened to me before! lol... (and not what I'm wearing in the picture above, but similar - deep purple sweater dress over black leggings and black boots with that scarf in the picture and that belt). And when we were there, I got several compliments about looking "incredible" and "amazing". My favorite one came from Cindy, my husband's immediate supervisor's wife. I really like her, but she can intimidate me - gorgeous, thin, health conscious, into yoga, outdoorsy in some ways. She came up to me, eyes widened and said, "Wow! You look incredible! Oh, but you're probably tired of hearing that..." OMG... I'd NEVER tire of hearing something like that! I was told I looked very fit, too. Loved that one, especially having not been able to work out for two months. Oh! Surgery was two months ago today - I can hardly believe it! So it was a good party for me, anyway! lol... it was so nice to be complimented like that. And no one asked if I'd had a boob job! ha ha ha... My husband asked me what I would say if anyone did and I said that would be a pretty rude question to begin with! (plus how familiar are they with my boobs, anyway? I've only seen these people a few times!) I told him all I'd say is, Wow, I've never been asked THAT question before... try to make them feel crappy for asking. :D Didn't have to do that, though.
Well, I have a lot of wrapping to do. And pick up a couple of stocking stuffers... you know... to help out overworked Santa. Hope you're all having a great day!
