Bob and Darryl take NYC!

Memorial Day weekend was quite a treat for me. My Mom and Dad came to visit for the first time in years! We had the most wonderful time together. 

I am constantly amazed by my parents. 

Their resilience, kindness & dedication always inspire me. 

Even though I will always miss being able to see them every day, it was so great to have them here and get a better picture of my life and why I love New York so much. They were such troopers! I walked them all over the city, they stayed in my teeny tiny little mouse house (mom even dusted my plants! She's incredible!), they tried all sorts of new foods, met nearly every single neighbor and were constantly up for doing anything. I was so grateful that they were able to come to work with me and meet my boys. I had been telling my boys for weeks that my parents were coming. We talked about 'digging' through the floor in our tendus, just like my dad had to dig and plant my mom's rose garden. 

I have so many wonderful memories from our weekend together. We explored every delicious gluten free restaurant in the city, had a belated birthday at Porsena, Saturday night fun at Upstate.  We did do more than eat...I promise!  I can't really remember a time in my life where I had them all to myself. My relationship with them has grown so much over the years and I now have two of the most incredible people that I can be honest, open, sharing, loving and myself with. They are so important to me. I wonder sometimes if they will ever understand the magnitude of influence they have had on my life. Their continued support and encouragement allows me to be confident living my dreams....as far away from them as those little dreams have taken me. I love them so very much. 

California Dreamin'

That's all I can think this week.

I want to be surrounded by love, caring, warmth and compassion. 

Bring it Cali.

Until then, a mix-up of last week's happenings.

Open Classes at Ballet Tech & the annual holiday dance (The best week ever. I learned to "Dougie!")+

Megan McKenna catch up time+

Listening to people talk about jobs they love (and seeing Grover live!)+

Holiday Parties Galore+

Emily's Birthday(secret Speakeasy & apparently people like a Hipster Tamsham)+

Cookie Baking with Annie & Dave+

The phenomenal Laura Careless in Snow White and Oaxaca Taco (which I just like saying)+

Brunch with Immigrant Crew+

Seeing my favorite boys and the memories of youth with ShrinkyDinks=

Get me to the cozy fireplace and calm of my parent's house. Yes, please. 

infans

Last week, I had the invitation to accompany my dear friend Megan to her doctor appointment. I've never actually seen a sonogram before and I was blown away. What an amazing, life affirming experience. Part of the appointment was to listen to the heartbeat and hearing that amazing little one, the ebb and flow, the speed and slow, the constant drum of a tiny miracle, well, let's just say this sap monster was filled with joy.

Another baby project I've been loving is reading to my nephew, Hudson, that lives in California. You may think you have the cutest nephew in the world, but hells no, I get that title. He is adorable! He had to go back into surgery this week and is still getting back to normal after having surgery to fix his shunt that wasn't functioning properly. I can't wait to see him and the rest of my family at Christmas. He is such a charmer and sweetheart. His mom and dad are so amazing and they've been through so much this year.

Hudson and I have reading dates and I am building a collection of YouTube videos where my dorky self sits on my couch and reads to him (Goodnight Moon, Gossie, Little Pea--thank you Facebook friends!)...I'm a goober I know. But, I'm a goober who loves my peewee of a nephew. Major hearts. He leaves me speechless...infans.

Fave 20

Thanks to the good 'ol Facebook, some of my darlings recommended some children's books for me. Thanks to the genius of my amazing mom, I spent the best 20 minutes of my day with my nephew. She had this great idea that I could read bedtime stories to little Huddy when he was at their house! Genius! We had an agreed upon time and we tried to FaceTime so I could read to him after his bath. Now, it's not as easy as those commercials make it seem. But after 15 attempts, I somewhat read Huddy Goodnight Moon, watched him play ball, and had tears streaming down my face the whole time. I'll have a date with you any time Hudson. My boyfriend won't even mind! Gosh darn it, why does CA have to be so far away from NYC!? Tell me the best 20 minutes of your day!

I miss my family. Sniffle. 

Grateful Gratzies: Birthday Twins!

October 22nd celebrates two of my favorite dudes!

It's Double Trouble days of birth for two men that have each been an integral part of my life.

I met Jed Jackman (or as I always have called him, Jeddy) my first year at the University of Utah. He was my Resident Advisor at the crappy little dormitory halls. He would always make his rounds, and I would inevitably be home baking, cooking, or writing my homesick letters to my friends in California. He and our friend Ron St. Amant became my best friends there at the U.

I recently gave a phone recommendation for Jed for a job in his new home state of Colorado. The prospective employer wanted to know what I thought were Jed's best qualities. It was so easy for me to recommend him because his good qualities are abundant. He has been a true confidant since I've known him. My favorite memories are of Jed & I going on hikes. Our first outing was hiking the skiing trails (which in the summer and fall are open for hiking). We packed a picnic lunch and just talked and talked the entire day. He was always my date to the ballet, the Pope to my bad Catholic school girl for Halloween, a great travel companion to Moab and Mexico. He is a man who is so loyal, warm and caring. He has lived all over the country and in Canada as well for art school, but no matter where he's living, he always maintains our friendship. He picked me up from the depths of despair in Utah and continues to warm my heart whenever we manage to connect after a long game of phone tag.

I am so grateful for his honesty, his compassion, and his never failing support. I love you Jeddy. My own little Star Wars Jedi. You are amazing. I am so blessed to have you in my life and today I celebrate you. My forever friend.

The other Birthday Twin is Dave Scher.

Dave and I have known each other since my first year here in NYC. He and I have been all over the world together and he is someone who I know will be a lifelong friend.  He's never been big on celebrating his day of birth. Today, I celebrate the man who is still an encouraging friend and amazing travel companion.

My favorite memories with Dave I often find when I'm searching through my internal database of trips. We always had such a wonderful time traveling together and his willingness and eagerness to see new things and have new experiences have always been our best moments. He is always finding new & fun things to do in the city and thanks to his perceptive detective work, we always see the best music and shows together. I love thinking back about the first time we met; that "Summer of Dave" was my favorite time with him. We ended up taking a spur of the moment trip to the Islands of Tahiti and have memories that we will never forget.

We would have the best holiday parties. Our annual White Elephant Holiday Party was always a huge hit. I loved putting the whole party together, and Dave hated that damn chocolate fountain. He's always been by my side through all the storms that life has thrown us. He's the karaoke king, the borat, the Lloyd Dobler to my Diane Court. Dave, thank you for being you and always being there for me. You are amazing. I love you. Enjoy your special day.

Lilacs, Linen & Lace

October 1st was the beginning of my ninth year here in NYC.

It's been quite a life here. When I first moved here, I don't think I gave much thought to how long I would be here. I just went on vacation by myself for two weeks and then very soon after I moved to Brooklyn. I left behind a very stable, very secure, very adult life. I had a job I loved. A wonderful boyfriend. I lived in a four bedroom house all by myself with Lloyd Dobler. I was surrounded by my family and friends...and yet, somehow, I was driven to come to this crazy town. My life isn't that much different I suppose. I have a job I love, a wonderful boyfriend, amazing friends. The one component that continually draws me back to California is my wonderful family & friends (oh, that and the possibility of fantastic weather year round).

It's been eight years of:

Trips that included:

Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Australia, Mexico, St. Lucia, Barbados, Spain, England, Scotland, Wales, Thailand, Cambodia, Bali, Laos, Myanmar, Puerto Rico, Panama, The New SLC, Moab, Wilmington, Seattle, Tahoe, Monterey, Carmel, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, LA, San Diego

Hundreds of dollars shipping things from CA (including my beloved red glitter bar stools that I packed into my luggage, only to sell them when I moved from Brooklyn to the East Village. Whomp whomp whomp).

Acquiring more Kermie's than I know what to do with (the five footer has to go...). I did propose to him though...maybe he's still checking with Piggy.

Reuniting with Deborah Lohse after five years and then having the privilege of dancing with ad hoc Ballet in some amazing venues

Countless Jet Blue flights to Sactown

All my siblings getting married

Ten different teaching jobs

Three different boyfriends

Making new friends

Two new nephews

Three Flat Stanleys

Five Apartments

I kissed a frog, and I liked it.

Some of my favorite memories are hanging out the in backyard at Devoe St. with a building full of dancers. My annual white elephant holiday party with the chocolate fountain and enough food to feed an army. Ladies annual clothing exchange with Deb & Karen parading matching outfits. Dancing at Vig all night long. Performing Her at Joyce Soho. Silo Residency. Maine with Deb. Late night concerts with Greg Peterson. Halloween with Diana. I'd love to hear your favorite memory with me & NYC!

I am the most me and possibly the most crazy I've ever been. I currently live in the smallest apartment I've ever had.  On my favorite block of all time. I have a job and 150 kiddos I adore.  I have the best friends I could ask for. And you know what? I love it all. Every once in a while I think of what my life would be if I would have stayed in Roseville...I'm glad I am where I am. Who I am. Being the me that I'm meant to be. I think it all began in my seventh year of life when I wrote a simple sentence:

Travel alliteration from second grade.

Here's to more years of being nice & nasty in a city I love. 

Thanks NYC. I heart you major.

Grateful Grazies-Jaime Noche

Jamie Knight is my oldest friend. No, wait. She's really young, but she's the friend that I've known the longest. I've called her Jaime Noche for as long as I can remember...

She is one of the most creative people I know. She works as a graphic designer and comes up with some of the most clever ideas I've ever seen. I can picture her right now as she's working on a project: total concentration, so much so that her tongue sticks out the side of her mouth and she leans down into the paper. She has been so generous with her time and talents over the years. She recently created a birthday gift for my mom's 50th birthday that everyone loved. It was so special because it was from Jamie. She's crafted my birthday invites, save the dates, t-shirts, and my recent fave: some dishtowels that aren't necessarily pc (thank goodness!).

Our friendship began in high school and has lasted from Chico to Salt Lake, Roseville to Madrid  & Sacramento to New York. No matter where we've lived, I know Jamie Knight is always going to be in touch. She continues to snail mail, email, call, text and show up whenever I visit my family in Roseville. She's gotten fancy with me to go to the ballet and has sat up with me all night in our matching pjs. There have been times where we have the same outfit in different versions and we often manage to get each the same gift without having planned it. She loves monkeys and on her 21st birthday I got her 21 monkey themed gifts...let's just say I was banned from buying any monkeys ever again!

She has visited me in New York several times and we always have a blast together. We've wandered through the city seeing all the sights, but mostly just enjoying the time with one another. We've had some hip shakin' at The Bear, invited Mates of State to stay with us after a show, buried spoons under a waterfall, swung lightsabers with the top down, had midnight cake runs to Ricks, worn the dorkiest overalls together, been chimpancrazy at Disneyland...she's been there through everything. I was there for the date to a man who kindly followed us around Anthropologie who, last year, became her husband. 

We are very different personalities and her very quiet side offsets my loud nature. She and I are on opposite ends of the spectrum and I often wonder how she puts up with me! She is shy, demure & one classy lady. Despite her quiet side, she is hysterically funny. Her wit and humor add a zing to any time we spend together. We have had so many moments on the phone and in person where I end up in tears because I'm laughing so hard. I have spent so many moments on the phone with her and she makes me feel like she's right here next to me--giving advice, making me smile or giving me a hug. I am so grateful for her. She is truly a person who is authentic. I have loved growing up with her and watching her grow into herself and the amazing woman she is. She is a fabulous friend, sister, daughter and now wife. It's been an amazing journey to take with her and I love that we've been there to support and encourage each other along the way. Although I've had many close friends over the years, Jamie is truly my best friend. She knows all about me and loves me just the same. Even though she's busy forming her new life with marriage and an adorable dog named Gadget, she continues to remain part of my life. I know she's got a whole new little universe that she's forming, but I'm grateful to remain in her orbit. 

Jaimie Noche--Thank you for being my friend, my confidant, my fashion guru and sometimes my sanity. I love you and every moment I am blessed to share with you. My favorite moments are when it's just you and I. The two of us sitting (hopefully with Eddie in your lap) and sharing our memories, hopes, fears, and loves. I love how welcoming you and your family have always been to me. Despite the fact that I feel like a firecracker whenever I visit your fam, I know I am always welcome and I appreciate the warmness you and your family always offer to me. Our most recent slumber party will remain a favorite memory for me for years to come. I am so proud of you and all you have accomplished in your life. You are a woman of strength, beauty, and kindness. I love you Jamie Knight Bryson. Thank you for being you and for being awesome.