Suggestions for a present

Hi all,

I finally got a chance to talk with Samy (of Samy's camera) - he said that Sharry already bought the lens that she used in Africa and it pretty much covers what she'd want so she doesn't need one. He suggested a "viewer" (used to view the memory card) but i would think it would be better for Sharry to just use a computer (or let us do things with her pictures which is probably what will happen:-). He also suggested a printer that prints out really nice pictures - what do you guys think about that idea? I know she'd like to be able to share the pictures but i'm not sure she'd print them out herself? If we got one that was really easy to use maybe she would? Another idea would be a digital frame for her office so she could have all her pictures flash through (although maybe she has a computer at work and already has the pictures flashing up through her screen saver?) Another thought is a photography class but it sounds like she's already signed up for one?

-Debbie

First Findings

Thanks for checking in everyone!

• I do have an update on the food. It appears that a caterer would be very expensive from the two examples I found. I do have a call into our villa and they are going to ask our cook if she can accommodate a few more for a nice dinner on Sunday instead of hiring an outside company. If that is okay with everyone, I can get that arranged. Todd and I will plan to pick up wine, cheeses, meats, olives, etc for afternoon appetizers. We will also look for a cake. As an alternative we could go to town for lunch or even dinner instead. Thoughts?

• A DJ will run around 400 eruos. Maybe it would be better to bring our own music? Is anyone willing and able to bring the music and a way to play it?

• We discussed a black and white or black/white/gold theme. Fancy and dressed up. Thoughts??

• Debbie is working on getting information on a camera lens or tripod as a gift.

• We also discussed recognizing each decade of her life. Perhaps we could do 0-20 over breakfast 21-40 over lunch and 41-60 over dinner and then a peek into her future. Or would everyone prefer to keep it all together, more like a presentation after we eat? Other ideas? Are we even heading down the right path here?

Looking forward to hearing back from all of you...

Present progress

Hi Lysa,

Great idea to start a blog!

With regards to the present - i sent an email to the people at samy's camera to see if they have suggestions to offer for equipment or a class in the LA area. I haven't heard back yet. I'll call if i don't hear back in a few days. Samy's camera is a bigger business than i thought - they have multiple stores so i'm not sure how to get the owner by phone but i'll find a way.

-Debbie

Getting The Party Started

Hi Everyone,

I thought that the easiest way for us to communicate might be through a Blog. (Imagine that, me setting up anything that has to do with a computer!) Anyway, this site is for all of us so feel free to post ideas, thoughts, findings, comments, as you please. Please do NOT share this web address with Sharry; we can let here know the details of anything she is involved in through regular email.

What I know so far is that everyone will arrive in Cortona some time on Saturday, the 9th of June. On Sunday will will be celebrating Sharry's birthday, and that is where all of you come in. Here are some things to get everyone thinking and sharing:

• Do we want a theme for her day?
• How do we recognize and celebrate her life?
• What should we "do" to make this a special event?
• Do we want food, wine, cake - in the evening?
• Music?
• Decorations?
• A present?
• A presentation?

What else should we be thinking about?

So looking forward to hearing from all of you and planning our time in Italy!

Much love,
Lysa