Dreary

That pretty much sums up everything today... this past weekend, the weather, my mood, the experience I just had in the cafeteria.....

I owe you guys an update regarding Officer S*******. Well, as far as I know, an investigation is still underway within the Police Department. Who knows? I have to say, I was disappointed last week when a Captain called me and told me he was in charge of the investigation and could I please give him names and numbers of the others that were there. So I excitedly got off the phone and called our closest friend who was there and he said "I don't really want my name involved..."

Huh?

Everyone was so damn angry and gung-ho when this went down! Everyone was ready to take off work and go to court with us and confront the injustice. So I put MY name out there (I wasn't even there...) and wrote letters and had meetings with lawyers and security people.... So, I was upset but told him "that's your right, I suppose." I called Toby and asked him to give me the other guys' numbers. Well, when HE asked the other guy, he said the same thing. Nice. I think Toby's feelings were hurt... I know mine would have been.

The third guy and his girlfriend agreed to be interviewed. So I gave their names and number to the Captain...and have yet to hear back - from anyone. I have a feeling the Captain called them, left a message, and they never called him back. So, it's probably all being swept under the rug. And you know what?

Fine.

Matt' girlfriend Kristen worked for a lawyer years ago and when she told him the story, he was so mad that he offered to represent Toby for FREE. So I told Toby about it and he squashed it. He doesn't want to fight it. He wants to pay the fine and forget it. Forget the charge and forget the investigation.

So, FINE.

I'm done. It's not my charge. It's not my record or my reputation. I wasn't even freaking there!! I was fighting for Toby's rights, but if HE won't even fight for his rights, then screw it. And if his friends won't even stand up for him.... I can't do it alone. And I WON'T do it alone. So, there you have it. I guess it's over....and I'm writing a check to the courts for $101 tomorrow.

So, the first half of this weekend was pretty good. Toby's aunt and uncle kept Stella overnight on Saturday. They live about 40 minutes from us...so we drove her out there and you would think we were driving her to summer camp to stay for a month. We were so distraught!! Not because we were nervous or scared, but because we were going to miss her. I know you all are gagging now, but it's true! I just ENJOY her.

We left there and had dinner at a new mexican place we have wanted to try (El Toro Loco) and it was NOT that great. Richmonders, don't waste your time or money. Just stick with the best: Mexico!!

While eating, were were talking about what to do next and we seriously could not figure out what to do....

I don't want to go to a bar....
I don't want to go see a movie, I'm too tired....
I don't feel like drinking....
I don't want to go hang out with people....

So, we ended up at Barnes and Nobles and walked around for a long time... which actually was perfect! I can't remember the last time I did that. And I didn't have to rush because someone was getting antsy... it was nice.

And it was REALLY nice to be able to sleep in until I am done sleeping, you know?!?!

I slept in until the late hour of 9am. WOO HOO!

We got up and I had my coffee and turned on the laptop to find an upsetting e-mail from my Mom about my cousins - they had been in a horrible car accident on Saturday night. She sent an e-mail because she didn't want to wake us up so early.... She had left for church by the time I got the message. So I called my Grandma and she filled me in.

They were drunk driving. I can't say I'm surprised, but I'm so incredibly sad and upset. I won't go into it all but I'll just ask for prayers for them both. Neither one is in good shape, but one is way worse than the other... And pray for their wives and children.

And pray for the other people they hit - a guy and a girl - both with broken limbs.

It was a horrible accident, but so far, everyone is alive. If they make it out of this, then pray for some LESSONS to be learned. Some major lessons. And CHANGE. Pray for change.

Accidents are horrible; but they are really horrible when they are 100% preventable.

So......... I'm kind of on edge today about all of this.

And work is a nuthouse today with some big restructure/transitioning thingees going on. (And that is the technical term. ha!)

I'm a wee bit sensitive.

I went downstairs to get some lunch in the cafeteria. We have several "stations" of food. The saute station, sandwich station, pizza station, grill station, salad bar, etc... At the saute station, they were fixing a pasta dish. I didn't want the whole dish, I just wanted about 10 of the penne noodles on top of my salad. SO I ask the girl behind the counter for just a few noodles....I mean, I will be paying for them; my salad will be weighed. And the girl says No.

Huh? (I'm doing a lot of that lately.)

I said "I can't have just a spoonful of cold pasta?"

And she points to the whole station and says "The pasta is just for this."

And I say "But I just want a spoonful..."

And she gets all huffy and mad and says "Whatever!" and reaches for my salad container.

So I snatch it back and say "Well if you are going to get in trouble over some pasta, just forget it!" (Honestly, I was surprised at my outburst. I never do that.)

And I went and got a turkey burger.

The point of all that - it really upset me! I almost cried! I mean, WTF?!?! I am seriously contemplating putting in a complaint. My boss is the VP that is over the Employee Amenities Department which includes all food service. If I wanted to be a twerp, I could totally name drop. And I am close to doing it.

But I know I'm not upset over some cold penne.

It's the fact that lives have been altered over stupid alcohol and idiotic decisions.

And I just don't get it.

Easter Weekend 2008

Here she is on Saturday for our Easter Photo shoot. I put this pic in everyone's Easter card.



Here she is with the one treat she got at the Church Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday morning. A bite-size butterfinger. That took a dang HOUR for her to eat and GOOD LUCK getting it out of her death grip despite the dirt, rocks, and butterfinger sticky goo that was running down her arm and all over her white sweater - that I washed ATLEAST 3 times this weekend.



The Easter Bunny came on Sunday!!



Stella had her first PEEP! Check out all the easter grass stuck to the wet marshmallow - AND in her mouth...



We had Zana, Kim, and Kendall over to our house for Breakfast. The girls were too cute in their dresses....



Then we headed to Mimi's for Lunch. Here are the kiddies on that side of the fam....



And OHMYGOD - check it out! This is as rare as a two dollar bill. An actual picture of me and my daughter!!! (Usually I am behind the camera...)



THEN we headed to Mamaw's for a little Egg Hunt for the girls. Stella had to take a quick bobcat nap first, though.





THEN (no, I'm not kidding) we headed to my Nanny's house for that side of the family's Annual Easter Egg Hunt - which is a 30+ year tradition....

Here are all the Great-Grandbabies....



And Stella's healthy dinner of a "dookie." She was too distracted to eat.



And then we went home and we all passed out!!! It was a busy, but wonderful day.

Happy Easter Everyone.

I fought the law and..... I hope I win.

Alrighty!! It's been an interesting week here. That is the understatement of the century.

Stella and I went to Northern Virginia last weekend for a "Girls Weekend" with Toby's sister Kim, her daughter, Kendall....we went up to visit Zana, Toby's Mom. We had such a great time. My next post will include pictures and videos of the girls. They are only 10 months apart and are best buddies and SO enjoy each other. We shopped Saturday at the Leesburg Outlets and I stocked up on 2T Carter's pajamas (my favorite!) for the summer. I also got myself a few spring/summer things at the Lane Bryant Outlet. It was a fun, successful trip.

So on Sunday, we were getting in the car to come home and I called Toby to tell him so...and he had some major news for me. Instead of telling you the entire story, I am just going to post the LETTER I wrote to the CHIEF OF POLICE this week. We are now involved in a full-fledge investigation of a certain Police Officer. (Oh, and just a side note, the "Officer S*******" actually stands for his name. But it could stand of Officer Shithead, if you so choose.)

Sit back, relax, grab a snack, and catch up on our recent event:

********************************************************************************
Good Afternoon, Chief S******.

Thank you in advance for you attention in this matter. My husband and I strongly believe that his rights were violated this past weekend by one of your H****** County Officers. If I felt that Toby was in the wrong in any way possible, I would not be contacting you whatsoever. Infact, he might still be in jail because I would not bail him out! However, this situation is cause for concern to us - as well as cause for concern for our neighbors on L******** Avenue.

On Saturday, March 15 at approximately 8pm, four of our friends arrived at our house, 1234 L******** Avenue. I was out of town with our 19 month old daughter and Toby wanted to have the "boys" over to play pool and have some beers in the garage. One gentleman brought his girlfriend, who was his DD for the night. The other 2 gentlemen planned to spend the night so they did not have to drive home after drinking beer. Our garage is detached and is located at the back of our property and this is where the pool table is located.

At approximately 9pm, the girlfriend noticed a police car in our driveway and a spotlight was coming from the car into the garage. Toby looked out the window and instantly thought that maybe the radio was too loud. (May I also note that my parents live next door at 1234 L******** Avenue. They were home all evening, watching TV in their living room which is on the side of their house closest to our back yard. They did not hear a thing this entire night - so a noice complaint is highly unlikely.) Regardless, Toby stepped out of the garage and walked the length of our yard towards the police car - he wanted to ask what was wrong and if there was something he could do. As he was walking, the spotlight from the car was in his eyes so he had his hands up to shield the light, and actually tripped over some window weights that were stacked next to the fence. He said "Would you mind dropping the light? I can't see." When he straighted up, Officer JR S******* was out of the car, had called for backup on his radio, and had his weapon out. Toby even remarked at the gun "What is that? What's going on?" Officer S******* then told him to get up against the car, he forcefully used his feet to try to spread Toby's legs to pat him down and asked if he had any weapons or drugs on him. Toby said all that he had was a can of Kodiak (dip) in this pocket. Officer S******* took the can out and threw it across the yard. He then asked Toby if he had been drinking. Toby answered "Yes, in my garage with my buddies. We're playing pool." Officer S******* then said "How many beers have you had?" to which Toby answered "4 or 5?" Officer S******* then said "That's an admission of guilt. You are under arrest." and then cuffed my husband and put him in the back of the car. Toby said "I'm in my own garage!" Officer S******* told him "Well, you should not have left the garage." Please tell me WHO would not go outside to inquire when a police car is sitting in his driveway and is shining a spotlight into his dwelling? By now, three additional police cars have shown up for "back-up."

At this point, our dogs had roamed to the front yard. They stick by Toby's side when he is in the yard - normally they are in a fence. Officer S******* would not let Toby take the dogs back to their fenced in area in the back of our property. He said "Someone get this dog out of here or I'll put it down or call Animal Control." Our friend grabbed the dogs and took them to the back of the yard to fence them in. He also locked our house up for us, since Toby was not allowed to do that either.

As Toby was sitting in the car, Officer S******* then asked whose cars were parked on the street in front of our neighbor's house. This is apparently the reason he was there in the first place. That house, 1234 L******** Avenue, is a run-down, nearly abandoned rental property owned by Joe Hayes. We believe this property is on a "routine patrol" route for officers because of vandalism in the past. We have been questioned several times by incredibly nice and helpful officers, Officer R*** is one I remember being especially nice. We have never heard a thing when this so-called "vandalism" happened in past. Infact, I would not know the difference between new vandalism and the windows that have been broken since I moved in nearly 1.5 years ago. Toby did not feel it was a big deal for our friends to park their car in front of this abandoned house since our driveway was full. One of our neighbors had a party a few weekends ago and there were cars up and down L******** in front of EVERYONE'S yards. I didn't see anyone being questioned or arrested.

While in the back of the car, Toby overheard Officer S******* telling one of the back-up officers that Toby had approached his car "in a threatening manner." Toby said from the back "I can hear you. You are lying." Officer S******* then drove him to H****** County Jail and on the ride continued to taunt Toby with comments such as "I get to go home to my wife tonight. Where are you going? Oh, I KNOW where you are going." He contined to ask Toby questions like "How old are you?" and "Are you from around here?" to which Toby replied "I am not talking to you. You do not make any sense."

My husband then spent the night in jail with very intoxicated men who were vomiting everywhere and spooning each other on the bed. Our friends called all night long to get an answer as to when he would be released so they could pick him up. They were told several different times. When they called the last time, they were told he was gone. No one ever informed Toby that someone was trying to pick him up OR offer Toby his one phone call. He then walked 3 miles home.

My husband is ashamed and embarassed. His in-laws live next door. We have older neighbors who we respect very much. He is devestated at the thought of them seeing him cuffed and arrested in our front yard. My husband also has a criminal record from years previous - before we met and married. He did his time and paid his dues and has turned his life around 100%. We are both professional, contributing members of society. We have a house, cars, and we pay our bills. We have a family and we mind our own business. This incident has brought up all of the memories of his painful past and have him apprehensive to even leave his house for fear of getting into trouble. This sickens me.

I have met with a lawyer acquaintance on this situation. I understand that this arrest was a "legal arrest" as he was outside of the house (public) and admitted to having some beers (drunk.) We do not have the money to hire a pit-bull attorney to go to the court date to try to get this dismissed when there is a chance that a judge would deem it legal. We will pay the $101.00 fine. That is not our issue.

Was this an ethical arrest and was Toby treated with integrity? No. Is this charge on Toby's reformed record deserved? No. Why was this officer (and 3 additional officers) spending time in my front yard arresting my husband who had 4 beers in his garage, when there are actual DRUNK DRIVERS out on the road? My husband and his friends were drinking responsibly. Instead of being ARRESTED, I feel my husband should be AWARDED for his smart decision to not endanger his life and the lives of others. Instead, he was punished, embarassed, ashamed, abused, and humiliated.

I will be honest and tell you that my husband has major anxiety about launching an investigation regarding Officer S*******. While he knows he was wronged, he is afraid of retaliation. He is afraid this will blow up and we will be targeted, which is no way to live. It would be much easier to just pay the fine and let it go. So, I ask for your support in making sure that we are not "punished" for sharing our story with you.

Thank you for taking the time to investigate this matter. PLEASE contact me if you have any questions.

******************************************************************************

How's that for an eventful week?

I'll keep you posted on the outcome of this.... and maybe you could say some prayers for us (especially Toby) as well.

Weekend Update

My Dad's band had their first show out in public (besides playing in church every Sunday) on Friday night. They played at a VERY cool place out in Goochland called the White Hawk Music Cafe. It was a long ass drive in the rain and I couldn't see, but we made it safe.

We ate dinner there too - it was yum! They even had Kraft Mac n Cheese for the kids...and Stella ate hers up - with a spoon - and didn't get any on her. Score!



The band is called WMD (Which could stand for Weapons of Mass Destruction but really it stands for Wayne Mike Doug. LOL!) They are so good and they really enjoyed themselves. Several of my work friends came and a lot of our family and friends....









Their BIGGEST fan would NOT leave the dance floor. Click this link and see for yourself.

She really put on a show.

Check out the hand movements! LOL!

And the Highchair Dancing - with Uncle Matt in the background.

She also picked up 2 plastic knives and started playing drums on my hot tea cup lid. She was keeping a beat, ya'll. I'm not even joking!!





On Saturday morning, my friend Marcie picked me up at 7am and we met my other friend Leslie at Einstein Bagels to fuel up for the West End Assembly of God Annual Kid's Yardsale which started at 8am. Usually there is a line around the building. I think the rain kept people away - which opened it RIGHT on up for me! I hit the MOTHERLOAD!!

Check out my loot. All 24 mos and 2T spring and summer clothes - some Ralph Lauren, Gymboree, Children's Place, Talbot Kids, etc... Amazingly cute stuff. Also got some toys (Backpack and Map!!), a little Dirt Devil and a Leapfrog steering wheel thingee. A TON of books...some summer sandles.... ALL for $157.00. I rock.







And here's Stella wearing a pair of the sandles - OVER her footie pajamas.


What a goofball.

And what a good weekend. :) Too bad it's over....

Beer: The new Meeting accessory

I am particularly proud of the centerpieces I made for a meeting yesterday.

It was a "St. Patty's Day" theme-ish kind of thing... nothing overboard... but I saw a really cool flower arrangement online that resembled a pitcher of beer and thought that would be cool....but they were $30 each and I needed 6. That's $180 for centerpieces, so being the fiscally responsible employee I am, I decided "Hey! I can make them myself!"

So I scoured the internet and bought 6 Pilsner Glasses for $31, some ribbon and floral foam stuff for $35, 500 amber colored marbles for $48, and a bunch of fake white carnations for $33. That's $147. So, I didn't save much....but I also was up for the challenge of making them myself and showing off my creative side.

So the marbles arrived on time. And the package from Klinq.com arrived which SHOULD have contained my pilsner glasses....but I opened it up to find a nice, shiney, red, cheese fondue pot. You can't make this stuff up, people.

So I went through hell with those people to return the pot. They also informed me that they could not resend the glasses because as of that day, their warehouse was undergoing renovations and could not ship anything out. Sweet!! Credit my Amex, please. And kiss my ass.

The meeting is on Thursday, and by Tuesday night, I had not received anything but 500 marbles - which is NOT enough for diddly squat - just for your future reference.

Out to Ben Franklin I go...with visions of Beer Mugs in my head. I just KNEW they would have them on the same aisle with the giant margarita glasses. Well, no they don't. And neither does Michaels Crafts. And it was raining. At rush hour. In the West End. And I was hungry. And I was pissed and irritated.

I did end up buying 15 more bags of marbles. Not even joking. They were smallish bags - but still. And I also bought a bunch of fake white carnations because my internet order had not arrived yet and I couldn't wait anymore. To the tune of $31.02.

THEN I still had to find glasses. I headed to Target and found Guiness Pint Glasses. Perfect! They came in sets of 4. I needed 6. So I decided to be even and do 2 for each table and got 3 boxes. To the tune of $62.

So, for all of you mathmaticians, in order to SAVE money, I made the centerpieces myself and spent $60 MORE than I would have if I had just ordered the F&^%*#$ things to begin with.

But ain't they pretty?




In other exciting news, I now have 9 blocks of floral foam (that I ended up not using) and a giant box of fake white carnations that I have to find a place to store them.... So if you ever find yourself in need.... give me a shout.

And since I haven't posted some recent pics of Miss Thing, here she is in my shoes. She ALWAYS get this pair out to clunk around the house. Now, Toby used to yell his head off at me if I walked inside with my shoes on - I had to take them off immediately inside the front door and CARRY them to my closet. And here she is flopping the heels into the wood floor CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK and he just smiles..............





And here's a lovely self portrait after her bath last night - wrapped in a towel. My little bathing beauty.

Ode to my Sweet Wild Orange

You KNOW I love my coffee. But coffee has some competition now.

Yes, I am just as shocked as you are!!

I am now obsessed with the Tazo Sweet Wild Orange tea. Like 10-cups-a-day obsessed. Like I-have-one-cup-of-coffee-in-the-morning-and-that's-it obsessed. That is UNHEARD OF.

I first tried it at the coffee bar in the lobby here at work. My friend Julie drank it all the time and I thought I'd give it a whirl. It was really good. I turned my "partner at work" Debbie onto it as well. Then Julie found it on sale at Ukrop's and bought several boxes and gave me a whole box. I thought that was nice and great but that it would last me 2 years like the other teas that are in my cabinet at home. To make a long story short, the box was gone that weekend. I got quicky addicted!

So I went on a search to buy myself more but can't find it anywhere. I tried "my" Ukrops and also Kroger....

And now it might seem like I am changing the subject but I swear this will come full circle.

So, I did not get the job.

I've over it. I had a pity party last weekend but now I'm ok. I'm NOT ok with how it was all handled and I feel rather disheartened - but I'm not going to rehash it, I'm just movin' on!

The manager of the department that I interviewed with is one of my boss' direct reports and I see him all the time. He is in charge of the food service in the building - amoung many other things. I asked him about the tea and if they were ever going to sell it by the box here in the store we have. He said to shoot him an e-mail with my request. That was Tuesday.

Today, I get a call from the Chef and he says "I have 3 cases of some Tazo Orange tea down here..." I guess the guilt of the whole "job situation"........... anyway, I'm not even going to say it. Atleast I got some tea out of the whole debacle!!!

So Debbie, Julie, and I bought all three cases! The tea is normally $4.59 at the store and they sold it to us here for $3.50.

What does it mean when some sweet orange tea is the highlight of your week?

It means: GET A LIFE.

Go buy some tea.

Uncle Donnie

I met Donnie in 1995 (right? Good Lord I am old...) when he was a freshman and I was a sophomore at Lees-McRae. We hit it off instantly and our friendship grew and grew over the years at school - and beyond. He is currently a designer for William Ivey Long - the famed Broadway designer. (You may have heard of these little plays like "The Producers" and "Hairspray" - haha!) Anyway, I stay with Donnie when I go up to NYC which is not nearly enough!! He has not met Stella yet because the man works 8 days a week. Literally. He barely gets home to S.C. to see his family on holidays. What is amazing to me, is that in his busy life, he finds the time to pick out amazing gifts for her during his time in NYC and on his work travels. They are always addressed to "Stella O." and from "Uncle Donnie."

I have decided to document all of the cards and presents that my friend Donnie sends to Stella.

He started this before she was born...and has created such an amazing tradition that we ALL treasure. I will post as they come...but for this post, it will be a catch-up.

The first gift was sent to me and Toby before Stella was born...

Dear Stephanie and Toby,
I found this little vintage 1930's infant gown while I was out shopping and thought Stella O'Dell could use this. As you can tell from the inconsistencies in the smocking and pin tucking, it is handmade, most likely American. I do hope you like it. Sweet and Classy, just like your Stella will be.
Much love,
Donnie


Right after she was born....

For Darling Stella O,
The sweetest flowers in all the world - a baby's hands.
Love,
Your Uncle Donnie


(**This one earned him the name of RICH Uncle Donnie. LOL! And S.O.C. is engraved on the side of the rattle...)

October 2006:

Darling Stella O,
I hope that this little fall treat isn't too small for you, sweet pumpkin. All my love to you and your parents and the rest of your family,
Love,
Uncle Donnie


Feb 2007:

Darling Stella,
I found this little Victorian hanger (English, circa 1886) and thought it could be the perfect way to hang your winter jacket. Thinking of you more often now that your Mom and Dad have sent your beautiful photos. I promise to get down to Virginia to see you very soon. Much love to you Stella O!!
Love,
Uncle Donnie


(**I hung the Victorian Dress from it and it's hanging on her wall in her room...)

September 2007

Dear Stella,
I was working at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina this weekend and saw this in the gift shop - I thought you might enjoy. Now I know that it's a little large, but thought you could grow into it. Thinking of you!
With much love,
Uncle Donnie


(This is a Hokey Pokey Skirt and it plays the song! And check out Rocky Balboa! Lord the bruises!!!)

December 2007:

Dearest Stella,
I love my Opening Night ornament! How very thoughtful! Please find enclosed a small New Year's Gift. It is an elephant bank that used to belong to me. My relatives would fill it with change (and dollars when I was lucky) and every January my Dad and I would go down to the bank and deposit the money into a saving account for my college fund. It took eighteen years, but I had a very nice nest egg when I started college as a result of saving - I hope you will do the same. All my love to you dear Stella O!!
Uncle Donnie
P.S. "PNB" stands for People's National Bank - they were doing a promotion in the Christmastime of 1968. The bank first belonged to my father.

(**Note from Stephanie: Just the thought of him giving this family heirloom to MY daughter makes me cry!! PNB 1968 is engraved on the side - but you can't see it in the photo.)



January 2008:

Darling Stella O,
I was working out of town in Asheville, North Carolina, very near where your mother and I went to school together. I found a little doll, handmade by a local woman, and I fell in love with it. It is 2 of my favorite characters, Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion. You may be too young to red the story of the Wizard of Oz, but you are never too young for a little Judy Garland!!
All of my love to you,
Uncle Donnie


And then flip the doll over and.....


February 2008:

Darling Stella,
I have just returned from Manteo, North Carolina where I was working on the costumes for "The Lost Colony." It is an outdoor drama about Sir Walter Raleigh's colony that disappeared long ago before America even existed. I picked up a few treats for you while I was there. When you are old enough, we will go see the show, but in the meantime, enjoy the dolls and learn about the story.
Much love,
Uncle Donnie




And here she is playing with the dolls last night. Under STRICT supervision. LOL! They are now on a HIGH shelf until we get a bit older....

Kissing them...

Amazing

The coolest girl on the planet, Beth Raebel, drew a picture of my Stella and just e-mailed it to me. Like out of the blue. How cool is that? I could cry!

Beth is the "Merch Girl" for Motion City Soundtrack. She travels with them and set up, tears down, and sells all of the merchandise (t-shirts, etc) before, during, and after the shows. She has been with them from the very beginning.

And she really is one of my favorite people on the planet. She is multi-talented and uber-interesting. She is an amazing artist (obviously), she makes all of her own clothes, she makes curtains and shelves out of comic books, she made a LIFESIZE rice krispie treat person one day because she and her friends were bored, she has amazing tattoos, she is nice to everyone...She is just cool all-around.

Here is her MySpace page so you can see all of her pictures.

She's so talented - and not to mention gorgeous.

I want to be Beth when I grow up.

The Greatest Show on Earth

I didn't get any actual CIRCUS pictures.

But I got pictures of US at the circus.

And we came home empty handed. I forgot to take out a LOAN to buy the $15 program and the $22 light up princess wand.

But Stella had a great time - she was enthralled. And that's all that matters!!!!