goodbye 2016

So 2016 ends in a few hours.... while most people are under the impression it was a totally suck-ass year overall based on all the amazing people who died this year and the election insanity, in retrospect, my own life was actually okay.

One part of it was, in fact, AWESOME -- I became a real auntie for the first time (I will be one for the second time in January when my new niece is born!) and it's been amazing, because this little guy is the absolute light of our family and my life right now. Seeing Kaden grow, and now starting to babble and roll over and recognize and understand things is so fun. I can't imagine my life without him!

I also had a bunch of great adventures and accomplished an altered version of about a third of my 2016 Vision Blog (hey, better than nothing!) ... 

I finished these books, which included four from my original "to read" list + two new ones....

+ I also read Where Am I Now? True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame, by Mara Wilson, who I had the pleasure of interviewing back in the day when she was a child actor starring in Mrs. Doubtfire and Matilda. She even fondly mentions one of our Disney Adventures photo shoots in the book, which was an awesome surprise! (The book is now being borrowed by my Disney Adventures wrangler La Lizzz, thus it's MIA in this photo ;)

I didn't go to Hawaii or another "tropical" locale like I wanted to, but I did go to Santa Barbara for my birthday weekend and finished 2.5 of the books above (finished The Interestings, started and finished Best Year of Your Life, and started John Taylor's auto-biography).. and I got my gorgeous view!

I also got a ton of gorgeous views on my Sunday Funday adventure to Santa Rosa Island with Linda and James. The Channel Islands are right in our backyard here in Southern California, and they are beautiful! Can't wait to visit more of them in 2017!

And while, I didn't make it to Europe, I did travel Internationally... to Vancouver. It was a relaxing, fun trip with my fave positive person Cwennen. The city was BEAUTIFUL and its food delicious!

On the "did not accomplish" side of the "vision blog" to do list, I only wrote (soon-to-be) 30 blog posts this year, and did not order my new front door yet. January 2017 - I swear! 

And on the sad suck-ass side, a lot of bad stuff did happen this year. One of my best friends has been dealing with an inner ear issue since June that affects her vision and makes her dizzy and exhausted. Four of my friends lost a parent this year. My childhood friend lost her son. And there seemed to be more and more senseless acts of violence taking innocent people too soon...

The one that hurt the most was the murder of Christina Grimmie, who was shot by a deranged "fan" while signing autographs after a show in Orlando on June 10th, the night before the massacre at Pulse nightclub, also in Orlando. Most of you probably knew her from being on Season 6 of The Voice. I knew her from the YouTube video game show she hosted for my team at Disney.com in 2014. I met her twice, and she was so sweet and full of life. She loved video games and she loved making music. The fact that some guy could walk into her show with a gun and shoot her four times still makes me SO MAD. This world is just insane...

Then there was the fact that entertainers who have been part of my life forever have started dying... cancer, drugs, heart problems. It was just so sad... the music world was hit hard first - David Bowie, Glenn Fry, then Prince, Leonard Cohen and shockingly George Michael on Christmas Day at the age of just 53. And in the last half of the year, actors I grew up watching on TV and in movies - Gene Wilder, Florence Henderson, Alan Thicke and Carrie Fisher - passed away as well, all shockingly without any advance warning or time to prepare. So, so sad...

A few days ago, I decided to make what I'm calling my "FU2016" playlist, filled with my favorite songs from the musicians I loved that we lost this year. (Note: I love Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"... I just don't love his voice, thus the Justin Timberlake/Charlie Sexton version below. They are both still alive and well. #knockonwood)

Some of my playlist is sad but a lot of it makes me want to dance, which brings me to this video that my sister posted a link to today. It will also make you want to dance, and is a loving, positive tribute to all these great people and the joy their talents brought to the world... enjoy!

And now it's on to 2017... I'll talk about that tomorrow. Right now, I'm going to go get a cocktail, because I just saw this and really need one. God help us all in the New Year... we're gonna need it! (And @alexandergold, you're my new hero!)

wizards, minions and drunk little green aliens

The impetus behind last October's Girls weekend with the Portland crew (aka Jen, Ruthie and Leslie) was visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter since it was on my 2014 trip to Portland that Leslie and I convinced/bribed Ruthie into reading the books, which she was adamantly opposed to reading and now LOVES and has read multiple times.

So on the Monday following Sunday Funday, we headed up the hill to Universal Studios and entered the Wizarding World, which (with the exception of the 3D on Forbidden Journey, which I hear they are removing now... thank god) was awesome!

Here are some of the photographic highlights....

Hogwarts... aka the exterior of the "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" ride

Part of the Forbidden Journey queue... the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, with Harry, Ron and Hermione projections talking to the guests in line. 

Snow-covered buildings in Hogsmeade.
Who knew it snowed in LA? Must be magic ;)

Leslie, Ruthie, Little Green Alien and I pose with the Hogwarts Express conductor (left) and Ruthie with her new Gryffindor scarf (right). Did I mention we did a LOT of shopping in Hogsmeade? :) 

LGA in Honeyduke's trying to guess the number of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans in those tubes.

We had lunch at the Three Broomsticks, where LGA reminded me how much he looooves Butterbeer...

..... a little too much. #drunkalien

After lunch at the Three Broomsticks, we went on the Universal Studios Tour, and walked through Springfield... where the #drunkalien discovered Duff Beer. Oy..

Then we went to Super Silly Funland and hung out with Ruthie's other favorite characters, the Minions on the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride, also in 3D (Ugh. I'm getting a headache just typing that... Getting old sucks!)

Little Green Alien considers a new career option after being marketed to in the Minion Mayhem ride queue. Double Oy.

Then we ended our day at the Animal Actor's show, where a certain, fearless kid I know volunteered to go up on stage and help with the dog tricks.

She had a blast! But I have an annoyed auntie comment: Hey Universal Studios, how about when you give kids a "front of line" voucher for participating in the last show of the day, that ends 5 minutes before the park closes, you give them a voucher good for ANY day, not JUST that day?!?!? Kthxbai. #endrant

sunday funday: oak glen apple orchards

Back in October, my dear friend Jenny, her daughter / my eye-rolling mini-me Ruthie and our friend Leslie flew down from Portland for a girls weekend of fun and wizardry. Saturday was catch-up day, Monday was our trek to Universal Studios for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (more on that later), and Sunday was this Funday -- introducing Jen, Ruthie, Leslie, Jen's cool cousin Erin and her daughter Emmie to my "Find Fall" go-to spot, Oak Glen Apple Orchards in Yucaipa, CA.

First stop was Parrish Pioneer Ranch, where I purchased delicious apple butter, peanut brittle and kettle corn. It's also home to a few cute shops (where I did some early Christmas shopping) and a mini-animal farm, home to these colorful guys... who I hope are still there post-Turkey Day. Gobble, gobble, gulp...

Second stop on the Oak Glen loop was Law's Cider Mill, for jugs of fresh apple cider. Then we did some shopping at Oak Tree Village, where Ruthie and I snapped this awesome selfie...

And then I bought a beautiful teal infinity scarf, fingerless purple mittens to wear at Kings games (yet still use my phone), and a cute little doggie baby blanket for my niece-to-be from Shari at Creations by Shari. All so cute/cuddly, and Shari is so nice. Go buy stuff on her Etsy page!

After lunch at the Mexican food restaurant (aka the only place without a 30+ minute wait), we hit the highlight of our adventure.... waiting in line at Snow-Line Orchard for their famous, fresh-made apple donuts! 

While waiting in the line outside (because it was THAT long), I found Fall -- beautiful, pretty colors!

Then we made it to the door of the store... getting closer...

Once you're inside and around the little corner, you can watch them making the donuts. From there, it's like 5 minutes till you get your own warm, bag (or two!) of mini-apple donuts, which then disappear in about 60 seconds! So good!

 

Snow-line is also where I always actually buy apples.... this year they had mini-bags of mini-apples, which are great for someone like me who does not eat an apple a day (although after how sick I was two weeks ago, maybe I should!) I purchased mini-Jonagold and mini-Braeburn apples. Yummy!

gal pals rock

I went to an event with my dear gal pal Cwennen on Saturday night at her church (yes I went to a church) in celebration of International Women's Day. Her's is not a normal church like I - the ex-Catholic - grew up being forced to go to. They had a rock band playing and people singing rock/pop songs for the first 15 or so minutes of the event, which whatever remnants of a Catholic still exist inside me had a hard time comprehending. But the overall theme of the evening was "amigas" aka girlfriends, and their girl power. And that's something I could get on board with. 

Our "parting gift" was the "suitable for framing" card below, which I loved so much I had to share. I'm lucky to have Cwennen and many other amigas in my life that fit this bill :)

anniversary of "the white folder club"

One year ago today pretty much sucked. It was the day "The White Folder Club" was formed. The members of this club did not choose to join it. But when I think about it now, I think most members of the club are much happier for being a part of it.

You see, a year ago, 100 or so people walked into a building (that some of them had been walking into for a decade or more) and then walked out 2-3 hours later with a white folder full of information about employment severance from the entertainment conglomerate they'd dedicated thousands of hours of their lives to.

At the time, there was shock and tears and fear. But there was also an unexpected and thoroughly incredible new sense of camaraderie. While sadly watching co-worker after co-worker be escorted through the lobby carrying that tell-tale white folder, something happened: a major shift in perspective. Suddenly those with the white folders realized they were free.

Now I realize not everyone who was forced into the club that day may agree with me (as not everyone's white folder was as thick as those that had been walking into the building for more than a decade). But I -- and many of those that I am close to -- believe getting that white folder was an amazing blessing.

I'd given way too much of myself to that place. But being (figuratively) smacked upside the head with a white folder was the wake up call I'd been needing for at least five years to move on to something that puts a smile on my face versus knots in my neck. And that white folder was my golden ticket.

My current conundrum is I'm not 100% sure where I want that ticket to take me. But that's okay... for now.

I've landed in a new place with a great new title and really nice co-workers and I walk out of the office most days at 6pm on the dot. Am I doing what I want to do "when I grow up"? Nope. But I think getting to that ideal place where creativity meshes with my monthly mortgage payment might take some time. So for now, my goal is work/life balance.

To me, that means focusing on things I neglected for years. So, a little less than a year ago (after the white folder shock wore off), I made a list of all the things I'd wanted to do for years but put off because I was too busy working all the time. And I started checking things off the list.

The list included practical things like painting my guest room, changing the 60+ year-old-doorknobs on the closet doors of my house, and tending to my gardens that I love.

After much contemplation, research and threats from people who were sick of hearing me talk about "someday..." for years, I added a two-week trip to Italy to the list. My mom joined me, and I will treasure those memories forever.

It also included things I had to do for my own sense of well-being. I started signing up for workout classes and got into a schedule to keep myself sane. And I made myself start writing more. I missed writing.

And the list also included fun activities -- museum visits, hiking, trying popular restaurants when they weren't totally packed -- that I and many of my fellow members of "The White Folder Club" started doing together on weekdays ... because we could :)

I'd always said the reason I stayed at that place so long was because of the people I worked with. And that (plus being too tired to update 13 years of my resume) is the honest-to-god truth.

So a year ago, when all but eight or so people I cared about all got the boot at the same time, cutting the cord was surprisingly easy for me. I went back to pack up my office and never looked back.

Early this morning, a fellow member of "The White Folder Club" published a blog post about our anniversary today. His blog mentioned someone comparing that day one year ago to "The Red Wedding" from Game of Thrones. And as bloodbaths go, it's hard to argue.

But his post also pointed out all the things he's learned since then.

My comment: "Well said my friend/fellow member of The White Folder Club."

His response: "If only John Hughes was still alive to write a film called 'The White Folder Club.'"

It's kind of crazy how dead-on that implied comparison is. I don't think any of us who declared ourselves "The White Folder Club" one year ago today while sitting in the The Federal Bar in Noho consuming a lot of alcohol at noon were thinking about that quintessential coming-of-age flick from our teens. (At least I know I wasn't.)

But I do know that -- like The Breakfast Club -- we've all learned a lot about ourselves and are better because of it. And we're all bonded in a way only we will ever understand.

So, my fellow members of "The White Folder Club," congratulations on entering what seemed like a scary void a year ago and coming out on the other side.

And here's to friendship, remembering what's really important, and new adventures in this thing called life.

an awesome four-day, food-filled weekend

Sadly, the awesome 4th of July four-day weekend is coming to an end. It started out cray-cray as I prepared for my annual BBQ (under my new "pergola"), but by Friday, was super-relaxing and fun. Here's a recap of a great weekend packed with good friends, food and fun!

The BBQ

While I will never be Martha Stewart, when it comes to gardening and party throwing, I am getting better. I have a bunch of 4th of July decorations I've been using outside for years. But this year, I decided to make the indoor buffet table look more fun. 

Inspired by a recent Hawaiian birthday party I attended, I created fun buffet table decorations out of red rock candy sticks, blue and white gumballs, and stars and stripes pinwheels I got at Michaels.  

I also used those pinwheels, plus a block of foam and blue painters tape, to create little food labels. (And for those of you making fun of me/my OCD, some people can't eat certain things, so a caring hostess labels things on the buffet table :-p)

Speaking of food, this year, rather than hot dogs and hamburgers, I decided to actually make food that required some thought and prep work. I kept the hot dogs for the kids, but then was debating between shrimp and carne asada. I couldn't make up my mind, so I made both!




Upon hearing I was making grilled shrimp and veggie skewers, a co-worker suggested that -- rather than soak the sticks in water -- I should soak them in white wine. This, he said, would prevent the food from having a popsicle stick aftertaste. So I broke out a bottle of Two-Buck Chuck and poured it into a casserole dish and soaked the skewers overnight.







I didn't get around to eating any of my chili-lime shrimp (marinated with a variation on this Bobby Flay recipe) but the veggies I ate, including these gorgeous red onions, tasted great and included no wooden aftertaste. ;)

Last Sunday, after driving by for four and a half years and thinking, "I need to go in there for carne asada one day," I finally went into the Vallarta Market and got carne asada, fresh tortillas, salsa, guac and churros (!!! five minutes from my house!!!). Then I did a test grilling run for family dinner at the 'rents. 

It came out pretty good and, emboldened by my first attempt at making a marinade from scratch (guided by master chef Mom), I searched the interwebs for a similar but slightly different marinade recipe.

I found this one, prepped it Wednesday night with some slight variations so the meat could marinate overnight (that's it marinating at left :) and then on Thursday grilled it up to yummy deliciousness!

I think carne asada is now going to become a staple of summer grill nights! Did I mention is was delicious?




In addition to shrimp, carne asada, veggie skewers, hot dogs and Aidell's yummy chicken apple sausages, we also grilled up corn (with yummy homemade lime butter provided by Diana). Here's the grill in action! Thanks to James and Dad for helping me grill in the heat :)

After grilling, it was time for dessert-a-palooza, with fruits and sweets provided by Diana, Maureen and Erin. Over the last three days, I've tried all of these and can attest, they were all amazeballs! (Note: the recipes I'm linking to are just similar recipes I found online, not necessarily the ones my friends used.)

Hamburger Cupcakes

Berries with cheesecake frosting

White chocolate-covered strawberries

Red, white and blue parfaits

"Brookies"  (aka a brownie with a cookie in the middle!)

Saturday Playday

On Saturday, the poker people (minus one) convened on Maureen's pool for a swim and lots of food, including BBQ leftovers, fruit, In-N-Out french fries, and a lot of new food Maureen felt the need to make us, cuz she's the hostess with the mostess. 

When not eating and swimming, we were entertained -- for a while -- by looking over the deck wall at the street below every 20 minutes to compare and contrast the different "Star Tours" tour buses driving by on their way to Justin Timberlake's gate and security guard booth, then turning around to go back down the hill. One of the tours blares "Sexy Back" as they drive up the hill. We don't like that one. 

Following pool time, I came home to do exciting things like laundry. I also lit the inaugural fire of the season in my chiminea. 

I have decided I might be a minor pyromaniac.... I was highly entertained by keeping the fire going for two hours. I also toasted the marshmallows I wanted to toast on the 4th of July but didn't (see photos of five desserts above) and made some smore's. More yummy deliciousness. Now I need to go figure out how many times I can make it to Pop Physique this week to work off all this food!