the very last day of the year

2013 is merely hours away. That is so hard for me to believe. 2012 was such a different year for me - and I know that the year ahead will be pretty spectacular and a lot of thing will fall into place just as the universe intends. 

Its been a wonderful few weeks of celebrating with family and friends. I completely wish that I was laying on a beach somewhere or exploring some far away destination. In truth, I haven't used my passport all year. But I have rediscovered the meaning of a true support system, been able to spend quality time with so many people that mean so much to me, been across the country to see my west coast people and been down south, been on tv, taken care of some fabulous little souls...

Happy new year to all! 

Christmas this year

What a blessing to be able to see so much family in such a short amount of time. I love that the holidays bring people together and am forever reminded what an amazing support system I have.
This year I got something for Christmas that I totally was not expecting - the FLU. Ugh, after not being sick for over a year, I was not happy about this recent development. I spent hours at the urgent care on Sunday with what looked like the rest of the town who had it much worse than me (weird that I looked out of place in my faux fur coat on my mac editing photos at a clinic). Yup, the flu (note to self, get the shot next year. It wasn't fun to deal with the consequences). Luckily, there was a lot of merriment and celebrations leading up to the onset - and they continue but it sure did knock me off my perch for a few days. I missed the big open house party at my aunt's Christmas Eve as well as church which is the whole reason of the season. As with everything, there were silver linings. I had friends and family coming out of the woodwork and checking up on me. I was forced to reflect and relax and rest. Thankfully, by Christmas day I was feeling well enough to leave the house and head up to Frederick to celebrate. It was hard to stay away from the kids and not get close to anyone (so not me). But I survived  and will not take my health for granted.

On Sunday I had my very first paying photo session! Jen hired me to take photos of her and her siblings  to give as presents to her mom and other family. I was soooooooooooo thankful and happy and excited. We decided to meet at Baker Park in Frederick and it was very cold but they were all troopers and I was able to get some great shots. There was a lot that I learned about what I need to do better next time and I have been obsessed with editing the pictures just so and making sure that they are happy with the results.

December cheer

There is so much that is sometimes lost about this special time of year in the whole hustle and bustle of it all. It is my hope that people take the time to sit back, reflect, count their blessings, give thanks, pay it forward, help those less fortunate, give prayers of thanks and enjoy the simple pleasures. I am guilty of growling a bit at those that steal "my" parking space in the packed lots and worrying about finding the right gift for everyone on my list. But really I just want to spend quality time with all of the people that make my world bright and have played a part in me becoming the person that I am. 

I was able to have a superb Saturday which started with Makenna opening her birthday gifts. There was such delight on her sweet little face and she completely ate the extra large lollipop right after breakfast that morning ;) That afternoon I spend the day at the Neith's with some fabulous people that I don't get to see nearly as much as I would like to but that I have known for forever. Lynn, Dad, Jamie, Jenny and Anna were baking cookies and I loved pulling up a chair and watching it all happening while catching up on the past year. I love these women - their goodness, their honesty, their sense of humor, their openness. I also tried my first rolo cookie that I may try to recreate sometime very soon. 

That night was the Bickley's holiday soiree - and oh what a delight to my senses that was! I love getting to spend time with Jaime and Michele and all of their people. Colin made ridiculous dishes (I kid you not, like tempura-ed quail egg over crab meat with caviar - really!) and delicious french wine was flowing. Late night, there was whole rockfish roasting over the bonfire and we devoured it along with the crispness of the night and each other's company. Certainly one of my happy places :) I felt so full and cheery. 

hbd mlh!

Two years ago today, my world changed. I was a bit sleep deprived and not thinking clearly and filled with emotion and love and wonder. Makenna was born and my life completely changed. It is truly amazing how one little person's being can make your day or give you such perspective that you have never had before. Lately, people have been saying that she looks much like me - and I so love hearing that. She is my little lady and has the brightest personality and sense of humor. I know that I could be a bit bias but in this case I am not and it is absolutely true! I don't know what I would do without her and am so thankful to Kara and Brian for bringing her into this world. Happy 2nd birthday little lady!

#yolo

Returned from New York this morning - what a trip! There was a lot jammed into this trip and it was so much fun. After playing nanny Monday - Wednesday, I raced downtown and literally made my bus with two minutes to spare...several hours later, I arrived at Penn Station. 

Thursday I was able to spend time with a bunch of my sf people that I haven't seen in some time. It was awesome! We went to a BOGO bar which apparently is nothing but trouble. But it was wonderful. YOLO was the theme of the night - You only live once! I must admit that part of the night was a happy and somewhat emotional blur. The night ended at an amazing vietnamese sandwich shop in the west village. The next morning came very quickly as we scrambled to get ourselves packed up and together and head down to Rockefeller Center. The sun had not yet come up and it turned out to be the perfect time to see the just recently lit Christmas tree! You could not help but feel the Christmas spirit all around. After a few photo opps, we crossed over to studio 1A to watch the Today Show filming and just maybe make it on tv! It was very cool to see what happens on the plaza each and every morning and a bit of the behind the scenes stuff. It was cold but we powered through and it paid off. When it was time for us to head out for breakfast and coffee (note to self, next time stop and bring this to the taping), we realized we couldn't yet go anywhere. There was a segment that was right in front of where we were standing and sure enough we could be seen :) It was a very funny feeling and experience and we left giggling and looking for Lenny. 

But it was yesterday that I was blown away. I was asked to be an extra on the set of Saggy Saddle - a pilot pitch written by Will! And it is brilliant. I took the L train over to Brooklyn where I expected to be greeted by a plethora of hipsters. The set was the R bar @ 451 Meeker. I walked in and could not believe my eyes. There were about 40 people crammed into this dark, hot place. Some behind the huge cameras, some were carefully watching, some were having to perform the same scene a forth or fifth time. I stood there feeling lucky enough to get in glimpse into all of this. How amazing. I spent the afternoon in complete awe.