Goodbye 2015

When I look back on the past year I remember;
Brilliant things happen when you stop pushing and start trusting.
There is nothing more powerful than light.
I’ve spent most of my life fighting, pushing, praying, searching, dreaming;
Now, I’ve found a place of peace––I am open to the path unwinding.
I’m not afraid of the shadows,
I will conquer the darkness and hurdle the roadblocks.
My journey leads me on a new adventure: I am ready.

Find The Light

Mesmerized by the glowing ambers;
The flame dances,
Reminding me to see my passion everywhere.
Ignited and ready to blaze in the new year!

A New Day In LA

Golden slivers pierces through my window;
Enticing me to separate from the warmth of my cozy bed.
Awake the day with coffee and conversation,
Mind fresh, gratitude plentiful, and endless possibilities.

Mimosa!

Effervescent joy,
Fresh orange tang awakes my mouth;
Delightful nectar!

Christmas Coma

The day after Christmas I fight back the urge to take down all of the decoration:
Standing as a defiant reminder of a day that comes and goes;
Leaving a trail of financial ruin, selfish children, and cranky parents.
I admit, I fall victim to the joyful cheer that begins in early November––commercialism and the lure of family traditions.
I have to take it down, now!
But I know, regardless of how hard I resist, next year I will shower my home with Christmas too early, and all will be right again.

A Trip To The Mall

The line for the parking lot was a parking lot;

People with bags of returns passing people exiting the mall with armfuls of merchandise and clothing now at "blowout" bargain prices!

Store associates ready to hide,

There's no escaping the angry woman without a receipt.

Why did I come to the mall? Tradition.

I walked in with a return, 

And departed with two leather club chairs and twelve linen napkins...

Don't judge me!

Merry Christmas

I miss my family who are not near this time of year;
But I’m thankful for the man who brings me cheer.
The Christmas spirit: Sharing Faith, love, and goodwill to family and friends.
Midnight mass was a reminder to release fear and trust in God;
Beautiful music, a joyous celebration of the season.

Twas the night before Christmas and all through our condo;
Not a creature was stirring,
Because we’re all lounging on our brand new sofa!
The stockings are hung and our fireplace is glowing,
Our tree is gleaming;
And thank God it’s not snowing––it’s a fabulous perk of living in LA.

The Wait Is Over

Today marks the end of a fifteen year wait;
From my very first day working at the Pottery Barn on the Upper West Side of New York City, I knew that I would one day own a well-built piece of furniture.
The anticipation hurts almost as much as my butt from sitting on a less-than-perfect couch for too many years.
After a decade of dreaming of a designer, u-shaped sectional sofa of my very own––I will experience the comfort of luxury.
#MerryChristmas

Holiday Break

It’s a rainy LA morning.
Christmas is just around the corner, and I am in full vacation mode.
There are hundreds of activities and errands I should be doing;
I’m giving myself the rest of 2015 off!
Although I just spent the last hour deleting emails from 2006 from my server––what can I say, I love an organizational activity.
Now, time for hot coco and puppy cuddles on the couch with a Christmas movie.

Proof I'm No Longer In My Twenties

Watching Saturday's episode of SNL at 6:30 AM & then heading to yoga. 

The Calm Before Christmas

The end of the year approaches faster than department stores axe their Halloween displays and deliver us Christmas.
Longing to delight in the decadence of the festive season, I plan too many parties, dates with friends and family, and overbook my schedule;
Leaving me overwhelmed and stressed.
Every year I remind myself to enjoy the moment and appreciate each event, but I end up spending more time just trying to stay calm and get through it.
So today, I’m offering myself the chance to binge watch cheesy Christmas movies (thank you Hallmark Channel) while wrapping presents, chatting on the phone with loved ones, and yes––eating too many Christmas treats.
Tis The Season.

Christmas Is Coming

When I was young, my grandma would sing Christmas carols with me;
It was an exciting way to welcome in the holiday––full of joy, love, Faith, and family.
While I’m grateful for the blessings and life that I live now,
I get nostalgic for those simple memories.
Today I’m treating myself to a trip to the Grove (an outdoor mall) where I will thrust myself upon the holiday madness, search for gift bargains I can’t live without, and hopefully hear a carol or two around the piano at Nordstrom;
Christmas is coming, and I need a boost of jolly!

Find The Light

It’s thrilling to be awake early enough to watch the sky change from dark to light;
It’s remarkable how fast the transition is:
I glance outside to see a cold, dark winter morning,
Then a sliver of light cuts through the bare trees that line my backyard––and in a breath the sky is brilliant blue.
Another reminder that light will always overcome darkness.

Day Off

Breakfast at home,
Walk along the LA Riverwalk, Sherman Oaks,
Window shopping on Ventura Boulevard,
Barrel and Ashes––deliciousness,
DVR on the couch with the family!

Note To Self

The holiday parties are bad for my waistline!

But great for wasting time laughing, drinking, and reconnecting.

Tis The Season

Tis the season for holiday cheer;
A party every night will surely lead to a ten pound surplus of Christmas jolly.
And by “jolly” I mean fat like Santa...
Time to ho, ho, ho myself to yoga!
If I’m going to eat, drink, and be merry––I need to find the inner peace to shake like a bowl full of jelly.

Oh Shoot!

Life on set gabbing with artists;

Sex talk at the craft service table,

Poop talk between takes—

I'm not sure who is more explicit:

The crew or the talent. 

Hanukkah

Family, friends, food and wine;
Lighting candles and illuminating the reason we celebrate.
The parties and gifts are fun,
But Faith is the true gift.

Family Vacation Day 5

A day to relax and spend quality time;
Blocking the negative from my mind––I’m focused on positive energy.
I love my family.
After we’ve said goodbye, I watch them drive away.
Back to their lives, and me to mine;
I will hold onto the fun memories and erase the dark spots.

Family Vacation Day 4

Long days,

Sleepless nights,

Hungry bellies;

Pointless fights.

I love my family. Even when they hurt my feelings.

Family Vacation Day 3

Expectations lead to let-downs;

Gratitude, love and letting go inspires laughter.

Sometimes.

I love my family.

Family Vacation Day 2

Early morning wake-up call;
Five grown adults and a kid have to shower.
I’ll let them fight over who goes first––I need a Starbucks!
The drive to Disneyland will be long:
Puppies in tow.
Christmas cheer among the crowds waiting in line for a thirty second ride;
Tis the season!
I love having my family in town.

Family Vacation Day 1

Nineteen years and worth the wait;
The city I call home––where we spent our childhood, my sister returns!
Mom, sister, and niece are here.
Breakfast at our favorite childhood hole-in-the-wall,
My niece and I collect seashell at the beach.
Sand in our feet, I love watching her react to the foamy, brisk Pacific water.
Memories of laughter and love as we drive past the house from our youth.
Now cuddling on the couch with a cartoon before our journey to Disneyland.
I love when my family visits me!
Life is good.

Note To Self:

I am capable of accomplishing more in one day when I set targets;
Release the negative energy, and take action.
A full day equals a day fully lived!

Six Word Essay on my Return to LA.

Sleeping off the New York haze.

Times Square Last Night

Time Square drunk and scared;
The glowing neon leads me,
Safely on my way.

Friendship

Catching up with old friends,
We shared New York City in our twenties––our youth;
Bonded for life like family.
Like sipping an expensive bottle of champagne, I savor the evolution of our relationship.
Neither time or distance will discourage our love.

City to the Suburbs

Riding the train into Brooklyn with my friends, who swore they’d never move to Brooklyn (back when we were in our twenties), I discovered that I appreciate distance from the city life.
Interesting how age makes you appreciate space;
In life, love, friendship, and housing.

Travel Day

I'm up;

The airport is not.

No coffee,

Where's the donut guy?

Blame It On the Puppies...

If cuddling with my puppies while watching reruns of The Golden Girls was a sport––I’d be a Gold medal winner.
Their soft little bodies warm my bones better than grandmas electric blanket;
But it’s their unconditional love that provides such an enormous amount of joy which forces me to stay in bed an hour longer.