Happy Valentines Day!

I have never really been one to hide my emotions.  Maybe that's why I love Valentines Day.  

This year I haven't really done much to celebrate except for send this email and in a few minutes I'm going to play ping pong with some friends and watch them get drunk.  Happy Valentines Day to me!  Also, Happy Valentines Day to you!

Since I've been 30 for almost 6 months...

Last weekend I was in DC spending the weekend with Melissa and was finally able to get the photos of my birthday weekend that we spent in South Carolina back in September.  

I was a bit worried about my 30th birthday and all I wanted for my big day was to be with my best girlfriends and to laugh the day away.  The day that we all arrived in Charleston we went to see a movie and I remember looking to my left and to my right and seeing Kristy, Melissa, and Jacque all at the same time made me teary eyed.  

Jacque has been my best friend nearly my entire life.  We met when I was 7 and she has been a major player in my life ever since.  Melissa was my roommate in college and the one that I have stayed the closest with.  Kristy (as if you haven't read this blog at all before) was my roommate in San Francisco for years.  These three have essentially been sisters to me.  I often say that heaven to me is being with everyone I love at once.  I talk to these girls multiple times per week and when Jacque invited me to spend my birthday at her house in Charleston, it became quickly apparent that Melissa and Kristy would obviously be joining for the fun.  

I grew up just a few hours outside of Charleston and have been there many times, but it was wonderful to be able to experience it as an adult and with friends.  

One of the first things that we did was go on a swamp tour at Cypress Gardens.  A ranger stuck us in a boat, told us that there were crocodiles in the water, to stay on course, and to have a good time.  

This place was amazing.  The water was completely black due to the cypress trees which made it look like glass.  I can't lie and say that I wasn't a little nervous on the tour and we were all looking for the alligators the entire time.  Unfortunately we didn't see them in the water there.

We bought a Charleston Heritage pass which gave us access to something like 12 houses over a 2 day period.  I always wanted to do this when I was growing up, so this is what we did.  We toured until we could tour no more.  We learned a lot about what life was like before the Civil War started and Melissa and I learned that we have a pattern of going on tours of homes where George Washington has visited.  Random and interesting fact, I say!  Also, I was tempted to read Gone with the Wind again.  Sometimes it is hard for me to believe that I grew up in the South - I feel like it is such a part of me from so long ago, but I love it.

Couldn't you just die over the color!?

Drayton Hall

Middleton Place

Please note the alligator!

Isn't it beautiful?

This is also from Middleton Place:

[photo source]

When Jacque was trying to convince me to spend my 30th with her she promised me that she'd make me a red velvet cake and give me a massage.  She did not tell me that she'd make me dress up like Elton John while everyone sang to me.  How could I turn any of that down?!

Blurry, but you will have to deal.

Some favorite things that happened over the weekend that I don't want to forget:

1. Swinging on the pier with Kristy and Jacque

2. Cheesy shrimp and grits with fried green tomatoes!

3. Jacque's daughter Ari is a complete diva and she will pretty much do whatever you want if you promise her bling, a baby doll, or that you will brush her hair.

4. Jacque's delicious fried chicken

5. Swimming in the neighborhood pool and having it feel like a hot tub.

6. A very large crocodile dead in the creek around the corner from Jacque's house

7. Melissa saying to me the night of my birthday: "Do you feel any different?  See, it isn't so bad."  I needed that.  For real.

8. Feeling grateful a million times for such wonderful girlfriends.

9. Helping Jacque with some design stuff around the house and her husband was SO patient.  

10. Jacque gave me a great massage for my birthday

11. Jacque's bread sticks. (I think I gained 10 pounds on this trip)

12. Jacque saying to me "We ate out twice today!" as if that is something that never happens in my life. It is more shocking if I said to someone "I ate at home twice today!"  Seriously. 

13. Watching the crocodiles get fed at Cypress Gardens.  Think frozen rats and rabbits.

14. Seeing a commercial where an old lady (think 70s) was wearing the top that I'm wearing as picture above.  For real.

15. Ari screaming bloody murder in the car for almost an hour straight and Jacque just turning the music up louder.

Melissa, Kristy, Jacque - thank you.  love you all.

And as a bonus for you - just because Jacque is so wonderful.  Kristy said to me a few weeks ago that she wanted to adopt Jacque as her sister.  I quickly told her that I called dibs 23 years ago and that she'd have to pry her from my cold dead hands.  She is just that great.  I frequently tell people that Jacque is the type of friend who if you need a shirt, she will give you hers and go topless rather than you go without.  I did carry her across an ice cold river once, so this friendship isn't completely one sided! Thanks for hosting, girl.  Here is one of my favorite pics of us.  This is another.  

When can I turn 30 again?  Let's plan another trip!

Here is another post from my birthday.

Cliff Hanger!

Wow - from that last post, I really kept you on the edge of your seat!

Did you think I died?

You probably did.

Surprise!  I lived!

Also, I ran my 2nd best half marathon time ever.  Take that, training!  You are dead to me.

The last few weeks have been rough - between some work stuff, feeling ill, feeling super sore from the untrained running of a half marathon, lots of traveling etc., I have been tired and cranky.  Overall I have decided that I need a wife who can do my laundry and get the groceries while I am at work.  And I am not above shlepping dirty laundry across the country to take advantage of free checked bags and a washer/dryer that does not need quarters to operate!

I have a few posts coming up that are majorly delayed, but what do you care?  You are just along for the ride!  For the record, this is not a democracy.

And as they say in Zion: Carry On.

miami.

i'm going to miami tomorrow to run a half marathon.

there.

i said it.

i think i was in denial since i signed up.

is it too late to train?

4 days of Christmas

I have been too busy laying on the couch lately to update anything here on le blog.  But here is a small recap of Christmas.  I went to Utah for four days.  It was very quick but just right.  

On Christmas Eve we got a nice pic of the entire fam.  Those kids are so great.  Also - check it out - my mom is standing!  She also walks these days without the help of a walker.  So much progress!

 And just like always, I got the kids matching pajamas to wear to bed on Christmas.  The stripes were a hit, but Riley was a little concerned about how tight they were.  Daniel tells me constantly that I am his favorite.  Oh I wish they could all be 3 forever.

After a depressing hour of church, we came home and opened gifts with the kids.  I think Hannah got 3 dolls, 2 stuffed animals and a myriad of other toys that I can't remember.  She did call me today though to tell me that she wanted a tamagotchi for her birthday, which is what I got Riley for Christmas.  Then she got back on the phone to tell me that she wanted it to be pink.

We had our annual After Christmas Clayton Cousin Cookie C'Party.  I think there were about 45 people in attendance and Grandma even came this year.  I put my lovely Aunt Marsha in charge of the half-time show and so we sang Christmas carols and ate yummy food and had a white elephant gift exchange.   Hannah sat with Grandma the entire evening.  

Erica and her son Lincoln

Me with the Orton cousins - love these girls. 

The entire gang - that is a lot of cousins.  Four generations of people in that pic!  

I know that most people aren't very close with their cousins and I am grateful to not be counted among them.  I can honestly say that my cousins are all my friends and even though I don't get to see many of them often anymore, I love being around them and seeing their darling kids.  I was raised to pretty much consider my cousins to be like my siblings and I just love them all so much.  

Since Christmas I have been catching up on my tv viewing and the next three weeks are restaurant week here in New York, so I have been eating a ton lately.  I will definitely need to tell you all about the delicious food I have been eating.  Then I will tell you about the 10 pounds I gained this month.  Stay tuned for that!

On being supportive - updated

When I was 21, I fell in love with a boy.  I fell hard.  So hard that I dropped out of school in Logan, Utah, and moved into my parent's basement so that I could be close to him while he was in school in Provo.  He told me he wanted to marry me.  I had a ring picked out.

We broke up about 4 months into our relationship.  I lost at least 10 pounds due to the depression; I had to pull over when driving because of the crying.  It has been almost 10 years since we dated, but I still have a heavy heart when I think about the pain during our breakup.  I had some amazing friends who really loved me during that time and I am still so grateful for the support they showed me.

The truly unfortunate part about this entire relationship was that I was(am) really close friends with his sister.  I was a bridesmaid in her wedding.  I love(d) her entire family and was fairly close with them.  At the time, his sister told me that she thought her brother was an idiot and that she still wanted me in her life.  I told her that I still wanted her in mine but that she should never bring up her brother in conversation unless I asked.  We have had this agreement for years and it works like a charm.  And yes, sometimes I ask.

For Christmas, she and her husband and children were in Utah staying with my family.  One night I took her to Rachael's house so that I could drop off my Christmas gift and say hello.  One thing lead to another in our conversation and Rachael said something to the effect of: "yeah, it's too bad about your brother not marrying Steph".  My friend's response was "Well, I knew that it was never going to work out."

Ouch.  I cried later.

Now let me say something to preface what else I am going to say, but I know that her comment was never intended to hurt my feelings.  She is a very loving person and I love her very much.  

And on to my rant.

First off, I have determined in the past few days that for a girl, being broken up with by someone that you are in love with is the equivalent of a married woman having a miscarriage.  Those are harsh words, but I mean it.  There are real emotions and growing love for this thing - this relationship - and then for whatever reason, it is gone.  Nothing can be done to salvage it and it just hurts and is horrible.  And if this is the case, I have experienced 4 major breakups in the past 10 years with several minor ones along the way.  It hurts.  It hurts a lot.  And people say really stupid things about something that hurts so much.

Secondly, you may be around a couple quite a bit during the course of their relationship, but unless you are actually one of the two parties in the relationship, you don't know everything that goes on behind closed doors.  You just don't, so please don't act like you do.

Lately this has been a major topic of conversation for me.  As friends, we need to be supportive of each other.  Being critical of someone's choices or life is never helpful.  I can't really think of any exceptions to this rule.  If you are my friend, just be supportive.  We are all insecure - me especially - and I am also a smart girl who just needs support and love.  Comments such as "He is leading you on" or "Don't assume that you are in a relationship unless he is kissing you" or "you will find someone better" are not helpful.  

I recently read Mindy Kaling's book and one of the chapters is rules of being her best friend.  This got me thinking about rules for being my friend, which are:

1. We are honest with each other.  I do not tolerate lying on any level.  If you need to say something rude, please preface it with "Bless your heart."  I grew up in the South.  I can take it.
2. You must make me laugh.  If I cannot do my part to make you laugh, I can always direct you to some good youtube videos.  Outsourcing is one of my strengths.
3. We support each other, even if you think I am crazy.  For example, when I fly across an ocean to see a boy that I've met once, you tell me how awesome this is and call me as soon as I get home to see how it went.  When we break up, we lay on the couch and eat candy for at least a month.  When you decide to participate in an Ironman, I will be at the finish line with a poster.
4. You must have a passport so that we can flee the country together if necessary.
5. I have high expectations of you.  I will love you if you let me down and I will do my best to keep my expectations in check.
6. If I come visit you, I will be using your face wash, shampoo, blowdryer, and toothpaste.  Plan on it.
For best friends:
7. We do not date each other's ex's.
8. If you hate someone, I hate them too.  If you love someone, I love them.
9. If you have a crush on someone, I will beat up any girl that gives them any tiny bit of attention and you will do the same for me.
10. If we are sleeping in the same house, you'd better believe that we are sleeping in the same bed.

I got back to New York last night and I am happy to be back in a world where 19 year old girls are not engaged and people don't think that there is something wrong with me because I am not married.  For the record, I am very happy.  I have been so blessed by good friends and family and by this amazing life that I have.  I am under no illusion (or delusion) that marriage makes one happy and although I would love to be married, am happy serving and doing what I can with what I've been given.  I know from experience that idiots get married every day.  Fat people, skinny people, dumb people, smart people - they all get married.  

I mean - either I get married in the next 10 years or I'm moving to Martha's Vineyard to work in an ice cream shop.  And that doesn't sound so bad, does it.

Merry Christmas!

A day late and a dollar short as usual.  Many of you received this in the mail already, but for those of you who didn't, here is my 2011 Christmas card.  

And before you start feeling sorry for me, here is what the back said:

I mean it.  Thanks for being so awesome.  Also, I can't wait to see what 2012 holds in store.

PS - if you didn't get a card, please email me your address and I will add you to my distribution list.

Apartment!

Better late than never, right?  

I remember the good old days when there were leaves on the tree below my window.  This photo was taken the day after I moved in - which was also the weekend of Hurricane Irene.  Yep, this is what New York looked like an hour after the eye of the tiger hurricane hit us.

In August I moved into a new apartment.  I have been there for almost 4 months now and life is grand on 74th street.  I walk up to the 5th floor several times a day and am greeted by this huge bedroom.  Well, at least compared to my last room, this is ginormous.  I love it.

This is what I have over the dresser now:

 

The living room - 

And over the sofa now - 

My very own bathroom!  Well, kind of.  

When your bathroom is off the living room, you kind of share it with everyone.  

 The medicine cabinet mirrors and lights are the best thing that ever happened to my makeup routine.

We also have a patio upstairs off of Caroline's room.  For a tour of that, you will have to come visit and/or wait until summer when we are spending time outside again.  This post was horribly exciting, but this mostly for my mother and those of you who still need to come visit.  

Tis the season to be jolly

This year I have been the instigator of many a Christmas party.  Here is a very brief summary of all of them.

1. Holisizzle - this party was in New York with many of my close friends here in Manhattan.  We had dinner at Brody's house then came to Caroline and I's house for after-dinner activities; aka - visit from Santa, karaoke, and dancing.  Brody was my hot date and Santa read poems about each one of us and we all got gifts associated with the poem.  What a fun time.  I laughed so hard I had a headache.  

I have such wonderful friends here in New York and this is just a handful of them.  Oh I love you all. 

2. San Franidazzle - this party was in San Francisco and it was so great to be with so many dear, dear friends.  I told someone that day that it was good to be with so many people who just know my heart.  In a million ways it was like I'd never been gone.  The food - as always was amazing - and the company was just the best.  Having Adam as my date was great and Homie Santa was a highlight of the evening.

Love. Just love.  For everyone in this photo.  

3. The most recent Christmas party (not the last!) was last night with Ryan.  We had a Christmas party for 2 and it was great.  We had great food, gifts, laughs, and danced.  He is just the best. 

More Christmas updates coming soon - this is just the tip of the iceberg.

I'll have a Blue Christmas without you!

I have been working a whole lot this week and so doing anything other than sleeping has been low on the totem pole.

All I really have to say currently is that I am going to San Francisco in less than 12 hours and I cannot wait.  I will be with these girls - amongst others - and just thinking about it makes my cold dead heart swell up like a balloon.

Also, Uzi.  And Andrea.  And Kirsten.

I found this one in the vault.  w.o.w.....

also, HOTTTTTT

And last and not least, Marshall's wedding!

Remind me - things to catch you up on:

1. My new apartment.  Is it new if I've lived there for 4 months by the time I tell you about it?

2. My birthday

3. Holisizzle & other festivities

At this point, I can't make any promises, people.  Flossing is already apparently too much to ask.  

And off I go to ice skate.  I am SO Christmas-y.

Autumn in New York

I know that it has been entirely too long since I have been posting regularly, so here is an update on how my Autum in New York is going.  

At the end of October, Scott came for an entire week.  How lucky am I!?  

We have a thing for pumpkin flavored items and were delighted to see that the frozen yogurt place by my house had "Fist Pumpkin" flavored fro-yo.  Please note that Scott did not have any sugary substances in the taking of this photo.  

Scott attempting to hide in storefront Halloween decor in the village.

Our friend told us about a Halloween exhibit at the Highline so we met up to check it out one night before dinner.  I love this photo of us just being normal - except with wolf masks.

The text that Scott sent out to our friends with this photo was: "Happy Halloween from the Werewolf family"

On our way to dinner, we had a run-in with some astronauts.  Yes, that is a mini cooper attached to a rocket.  And an astronaut.

Scott and I went to Laudree on the Upper East Side to pick up some gifts.  This was on the day where it felt like the world was going to end - we had a freak snow storm at the end of October and it was horrible.  As my coworker says: "I lost the will to live" about halfway through the day.

At least the macarons were delicious!

For lunch Scott and I ventured out to find Melt Shop.  Find we did - it was a walk-up window at a subway station.  We persisted though and got the sandwiches anyway and luckily found a building nearby that had some tables setup in the lobby.  

The snow

Since I was not prepared for the amount of snow and the amount of time Scott and I would be spending outside that day, we ended up buying a much needed bubble umbrella.  Might be one of my favorite purchases yet this year.  Say goodbye to wet hair in the rain!  I love it.

This year for Halloween I dressed up as Princess Beatrice.  It took the girls a matter of seconds to know who I was dressed as - and the men - most of them are still trying to figure out why I had such a weird hat on.

Rustin was in town and was dressed like Katy Perry from this video.

Brody and I on the way to the Halloween party.  We are so fancy!

This is a horrible picture, but I just had to put it up since it is of me and Jen.  Most people didn't recognize her.  Awesome.

I was in a pumpkin bake-off with the girls from work.  With Caroline's help I made some very tasty pumpkin chocolate chip pumpkin bread.

At the beginning of November I had dinner with Karen who was in town from San Francisco - it was so wonderful to see her.

I went to DC for work and was taken on a nice tour of some of the monuments that I hadn't seen before.  This one is form World War II.  Each gold star represents 500 people who died in the war from the United States.  Wowza.

The Martin Luther King, Jr monument was just dedicated in October - pretty awesome.

The Capitol

I went to the Quidditch World Cup with some friends - please notice that the people in this photo are riding brooms.  I went into this thinking it would be a joke.  I was wrong.

Ashley demonstrating how to double fist at Shake Shack.

I cheered on Scott & Annie when they ran in the New York City Marathon a few weeks ago.  They ran the entire race in less than 4 hours - I believe their total time was 3.5 hours.  Crazy!  So fast!

Adam came to town and we were able to spend a fair amount of time together since he was here for a week.  Here we are at Momofuku having milk and cookies.  Yummmm

Walking back to work from lunch

Adam took me to Katz's Deli for Pastrami one day for lunch - they were incredibly messy and delicious.

Melissa came to town with her Mom for a few days and she bought her first size 0 jeans at 5 months pregnant.  What a cute pregnant lady!

I went to Daytona for work for a few days and went on a tour of the Daytona International Speedway while I was there.  Since I grew up with a NASCAR affiliation due to my dad's job, it was pretty surreal to me.  

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was testing a new functionality on his car while we were there, so we got to see him go by a few times - to just stay up on the track, the cars have to be going a minimum of 95 mph.  Crazy!  I was so proud of my little iPhone camera for capturing him while going by so fast.

Winners Circle!

The view from my hotel room - I am sad to say that I didn't even touch my feet in the sand the entire time I was there.  I just didn't really have time.

I got back in New York and the next evening, my coworkers and I had an event one night and we ended the evening with our very own dance party.  Good times.

Jersey Pout

My cousins came to town and we went all over the city - one of the coolest things we did was go to the 911 Memorial.  It was awesome.  If you are close by, go.  

Playing the piano at FAO Schwartz

On our way to see the Rockettes.

Madison was named after the Mermaid on Splash - which was named after Madison Ave.  :)

First subway ride.

At the temple!

Outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art

I went up to Albany for the day to pick up Madison after she spent a week upstate and was able to see my friend Becky, who I grew up with in North Carolina.  I hadn't seen her since college and it was great to catch up and meet her husband and darling kids.  Also, I got to hold baby Richard for like 3 hours that day - pure bliss.  I really need to get me a baby!!!

In case you can't tell by the photos in this post, I still want to kiss New York every single day.  What a great place.  What a great life.