Trish arrived last night at 2:00.  Thankfully, I was able to get several hours of sleep before going to the airport and then several more upon my return.  When it comes to sleep, I’m not sure if two halves equal a whole or not, but that’s what I have to work with today.

Trish (she was “Patricia” before but has done a bit of midlife reinvention – good for her) is back after her first visit two years ago.

Right: Trish at Wat Yai in Ayhutthaya in November 2006.

A friend and former professional colleague of Albert’s, we were introduced in 1999 when Albert and I attended my sister’s wedding in Kansas City.  Family housing was full, so Trish offered us guest rooms at her house, which was nearby. 

Since then she has become a close friend of the family, someone who is always a pleasure to have at birthday parties and holiday gatherings.

A widow with two post-university children, Trish has a taste for style and fashion.  While she was here two years ago, she had several outfits custom made from Thai silk, based on her own designs.  She received so many compliments that she has decided to start her own online business, selling dresses made to order from Thai silk. 

The designs are varied and I’ll share more of them this week, but many are geared towards mothers of the bride/groom, or women of a certain age who are brides themselves.  Designs that flatter the women who look more like society as a whole, rather than the unfed supermodels that we see airbrushed on the covers of Vogue.

Above, Trish goes through a final fitting on one of her outfits while Tawn’s mother, Nui, looks on.

(Have to give kudos to jojobaDESIGNS who shared a lot of useful information about online retailing.  Check out her beautiful jewelry designs.) 

Trish chose a great time to visit.  The weather has been cool and breezy, the rain seems to be letting up a little, and not only will she be here for my birthday but also for Loy Khrathong.

Over the next few days, I’ll provide more details about Trish’s visit and the dress-making adventures.  That should be interesting.  Also, there’s some news on the home front: we may finally buy a television after living nearly a year without one.