life
2020 is Here and I'm Making Things Happen
January 1, 2020 • baltimore, holiday, life
Happy New Year, everyone!
I rang in the year a few blocks away with Sean and our amazing neighbors. Between the abundance of sparkle, the nostalgia of last year's silly resolutions (I achieved most of mine, yay!), and the laughs had while playing Jackbox games (how did I not know about these until now!?), I'd say the night was a success!
The girls decided to have some fun with coordinated sequin dresses. They were a $40 Amazon Prime purchase that fit all of us (sizes M-XXL are all being worn here, mostly true to size), in an abundance of colors - we represent 6 of the 12 available (taller girls, take note: it will be short!).
We're already thinking of opportunities to swap colors amongst ourselves and wear them again.
While I'm not sure if I can top my 2019 record of 30 shows seen, I am starting the year off right with a show today at a Baltimore theatre I'm embarrassed to say I haven't yet been to.
Cheers!
Baltimore, MD, USA
2019 | The Year in Review
December 30, 2019 • life
As I scrolled through Google photos scouting for potential holiday card photos, I couldn't believe all of the memories made this year. So many times I had to stop and say "wow, that was this year!?" or share with my friends, saying "remember when...?"
January
- I started Arbonne's 30 days to wellness program, losing a total of 25 lbs. I've kept them off all year!
- I saw my first two musicals of the year: The Little Mermaid (yay!) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (nay!)
February
- Sean & I celebrated 14 years together
- I visited Atlanta for the weekend to see one of my Broadway faves, Sierra Boggess, in a regional production of Ever After.
- 5 more shows: Monty Python's Spamalot, Rock of Ages, Once, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, and The King & I.
March
- My friend Katherine tied the knot!
- Two musicals: Gypsy and The Hunchback of Notre Dame
- My neighborhood was out and about enjoying occasions together including Greek Independence Day and St. Patrick's Day
April
- Two of my favorite shows (and Sean joined me for both!): The Book of Mormon and Come From Away
- Attended a live taping of American Ninja Warrior
- After successful avoidance for 30+ years, attended my first 80s party - with the neighbors, of course!
May
- Speaking of decades, went to 90's trivia and won the costume contest - as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
- Celebrated my sister-in-law's college graduation
- No theatre this month. Womp womp.
June
- Celebrated 9 years of marriage to Sean.
- On our anniversary, Trump announced that cruises to Cuba were no longer permitted - we had a booking only 10 days away! Womp womp. We instead cruised to the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
- Two shows, and Sean attended both: The Play That Goes Wrong and Hamilton.
July
- Celebrated Sean's birthday and then did nothing in recovery of the first half of the year and anticipation of the second.
August
- SIX shows, including five on Broadway: Cabaret, Moulin Rouge, To Kill a Mockingbird, Mean Girls, Oklahoma!, and Frozen
- 3 of those shows were because of a trip I won to NYC, so I enjoyed playing tourist in the city for a few days.
September
- Labor Day getaway: despite living less than two hours away, I'd never been to Philly. I enjoyed exploring the city for a few days.
- 1 show: Mike Birbiglia's The New One
October
- Joined a new social choir in Baltimore and performed at my first concert in....forever
- Participated in my fifth Miles for Mothers
- Two shows: Escape to Margaritaville and Phantom of the Opera
November
- Another Caribbean cruise: since our ship was no longer sailing to Cuba, prices were slashed for the rest of 2019 and we figured...why not!? We even tried parasailing for the first time!
- Our neighborhood's third annual "stoopsgiving"
- Another quick getaway to Philly, this time with Sean
- Three shows: Rent, Aladdin, and Singin' in the Rain
December
- An extra festive neighborhood: from local lighting ceremonies to giving back in the community, we got together frequently in the holiday spirit!
- Final four shows: Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays, Once On This Island, Jersey Boys, and Jesus Christ Superstar (If you're counting, yes, I saw 30 shows this year!)
Baltimore, MD, USA
Happy Holidays!
December 25, 2019 • holiday, life
This is the third year we took advantage of the Groupon deal for Staples - 100 cards for $25 - and they are ready within 24 hours!
I'm usually enthusiastically ready to get our cards together the first week of December, but this year was a near fail. That quick turnaround was more valuable than ever. We didn't even have a photo until a colleague snapped one at our 12/20 work party! Thankfully, cards were ready and mailed barely before Christmas.
For those of you who received one on time, yay! For those of you who will randomly receive them by NYE...womp womp. Sorry. I'll do better next year.
For those of you whose address I don't have, think of this card as yours. It means a lot to me that you're here reading along with me. Happy Holidays!
Baltimore, MD, USA
Five on Friday
November 22, 2019 • life, theatre
Happy Friday!
The days have been racing by as they always seem to from Labor Day until Christmas. It's been hectic, but fun!
1. Aladdin
The national tour of Aladdin made it's way through Baltimore. This was my third time seeing it (previously on Broadway and in Chicago) and this time, I brought my mom and siblings along as a birthday/Christmas gift to them. It was such a fun night out!
2. Stoopsgiving
For the third year in a row, our group of neighbors turned close friends got together for our version of friendsgiving. It's amazing to see how our group has grown.
3. Daily ritual
I might be late to the party on this, but how did I not know Amazon has their own clothing brand now?! A lot of my basic T's were getting to the worn, pilling stage and I knew it was time to replace them. Amazon has the basics in multiple weights, styles, and all the essential neutral colors in the softest fabrics — and with reasonable prices! My personal favorites so far are this Jersey Elbow-Sleeve Boat Neck Shirt and the Supersoft Terry Short-Sleeve Shirt. I've got a handful more on my wish list.
4. Singin' in the Rain
One of my favorite local theatres, Olney Theatre Center, is currently performing Singin' in the Rain. I haven't seen the film since I was a kid and wasn't sure what to expect, but it was such a strong performance (just like every Olney show I've ever seen), and I was stunned when it actually rained on stage for the titular song! If you're nearby, the show runs until January 5. Some performances have discounted tickets available on Goldstar.
5. Booties
I struggle every year to find good boots and generally order multiple pairs before I find something that works for me. I ordered these toffee leather Lucky brand booties on sale and loved them so much, I ordered them in black as well! My office mate was curious so she ordered a pair and also ended up ordering a second! They're so comfortable and go with everything.
Baltimore, MD, USA
Five on Friday
January 25, 2019 • life
Happy Friday!
2. My brother and my high school bestie are both driving up today for some good ol' theatre time watching the national tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! Excited to spend time with them both.
3. I'm nearing the end of week 3 of my Arbonne30 and I'm loving the results, both scale and non scale. I realized this week that aside from the desired weight and inch loss, I also haven't taken a Sunday nap since I started and I haven't had a headache since week 1! I've already ordered a second kit to continue the progress in February.
4. Back in the fall, I turned my house upside down looking for my prescription sunglasses. I knew I'd brought them back with me from Key West but hadn't seen them since. On Wednesday, I had to check a cord under my desk, and was surprised to see a familiar case. They'd fallen out of my bag one day! Cheers to not having to pay for a new pair!
5. I received enough books for Christmas to last me all of 2019, but the first one I read was Reshaping it All by Candace Cameron Bure. It's an older title of hers, but it was exactly what I needed to keep me motivated through the first week of reaching for my wellness goals.
2018 | The Year in Review
December 26, 2018 • life, theatre
As Sean and I decorated our Christmas tree, it was impossible not to pause to be grateful. Our tradition of collecting ornaments allows us to remember where we've been together and appreciate even more where we are now. I never tire of the pitiful paper "wedding ornament" we made in 2010 when we couldn't splurge for a custom one, or the emerald-colored glass Hershey kiss ornament from one "vacation" just up the road at Hershey Park. Those were all fond memories that make the ones we made this year even more special:
January
Our neighbors became some of our best friends in 2017 and it was only fitting that we ring in 2018 together. I hit the 1-year milestone since having PRK. My neighbor and I saw our first show of 2018, Waitress, at the Hippodrome in Baltimore.
February
Sean and I celebrated 13 years of dating! We had a blast at Pour the Core cider fest with one of our neighbors.
 |
| I realize we are holding water bottles, but I promise, much cider was consumed. |
March
A snow day cancelled a production of School of Rock that my neighbor and I had tickets to, but thankfully we were able to get tickets to another performance-and meet up with another neighbor!
April
I checked an item off my Broadway bucket list: two shows in one day! I enjoyed Carousel and My Fair Lady in NYC.
Sean and I headed to the west coast for a whirlwind California trip including a wedding, sea otters/seals, and Disneyland!
May
Another Broadway first - a show I wanted to leave! My neighbor and I saw American in Paris and it had us thinking #metoo!
June
Summer at last! On top of celebrating 8 years of marriage, Sean and I took in our first foster dog, Pluto, enjoyed our neighborhood Greek festival, and spent some time poolside with our neighbors. Oh, and I saw the tour of one of my Broadway favorites - On Your Feet! - twice! In an especially impressive fashion, Sean willingly joined us for a musical - Avenue Q!
July
Sean celebrated his birthday! We headed to Pennsylvania for his family reunion and also enjoyed a day trip to Gettysburg! While in PA, we took our second foster dog, Daphne, to her fur-ever home.
August
We took in 2 adorable foster puppies - Bonnie and Buccaneer! A long-time friend of mine moved back to the east coast, so we celebrated with a double date at Maryland's new Guinness Brewery! The theatre itch was bad, but the awesome folks at Show Score hooked me up with a pair of tickets to see the premiere of Dave at Arena Stage in Washington, DC!
September
I gave myself the birthday gift of travel and headed to Texas for a girls' weekend with Aleshea while Sean enjoyed all the sports that happen over Labor Day weekend. I finished my first year in business as a freelancer at Fiverr. My neighbors and I enjoyed a Rogers and Hammerstein classic, South Pacific, at Olney Theatre Center.
October
Another vacation! Sean and I headed to Key West in a group of 8 friends...who happen to be our neighbors! We opted to fly to Fort Lauterdale and drive through all of the Keys which I absolutely recommend (I usually hate driving/road trips, so take my word here!)
November
Finally, the first show of the new season at the Hippodrome! My neighbor and I enjoyed Fiddler on the Roof (and 4 other plays including 2 productions of Cabaret and one amazing production of Anything Goes). Sean and I celebrated "stoopsgiving" with our neighbors the night before Thanksgiving which was spent with my family.
December
Full swing festivities! Sean and I went to two work holiday parties, two family birthday parties, two neighborhood holiday parties, and two visiting family from out of town get togethers! On the theatre side of things, I got together with my high school bestie and two neighbors to enjoy the first national tour of Anastasia, then with Sean to see a local production of Black Nativity (yes, he saw two musicals this year! Next year, we have 3 on the books for him!).
In Numbers
13 years together
8 years married
23 plays attended
4 trips taken
4 dogs fostered and re-homed
1 amazing neighborhood
I am so grateful for all the memories made this year and am excited for what 2019 will bring!
What were your favorite highlights in 2018? I'd love to hear in the comments!
Baltimore, MD, USA
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