Day 138: Everyone should be so lucky to have a Chad

The Chad. The BFF. The bestest friend a girl could really ask for. He's stuck around the longest, and he's who I can truly be myself around. Even through all my moves, the distance seems to have made our friendship stronger. Still, there's nothing like just hanging with him, watching TV, running errands, getting something to eat, seeing a movie, just like the old days.

These times are rare, but meaningful and looked forward to! I was planning to meet him for just a movie, but after my brother ditched me (for whom I had put my friend Ilona on hold for...but, whatever.), I was able to get some dinner with him, then just hang with him at work. Sounds boring, but he's just that friend where we can talk about random things forever. I can pig out on french fries with him. I can tell him about my stupid worries and crazy thoughts. I can share my problems and laugh about anything with him. I mean who else would take get their Bieber on and not think their friend was an idiot? It's these friends that get you through the good, the bad, the mundane and the awesome. I may not tell him as often as I should how important he is to me, but he's truly an awesome friend. I'm lucky he came over to talk to me 10 years ago in the Regal Cinemas cafe, if only to make fun of my trashy romance novel. Look where it's led us, Mr. Edwards. Thanks for sticking it out...I can't wait to see where the next 10 take us. :)

Day 137: Sometimes you just need an afternoon of shopping...

And, doing it with a favorite girlfriend doesn't hurt. In fact, it makes it the best way to shop! Most often, I'm a no-nonsense solo shopper, but it's fun to have company. After passing out at 9:30 at Ilona's Saturday night (seriously, one minute we were chatting and drinking wine, the next I woke up on the couch at 12:30 covered in a blanket), I was bummed I'd missed out on some serious girl time. So, I was psyched to be able to spend some more time with her today before I have to head back to PA tomorrow. I was really up for anything, and when women don't have set plans, shopping tends to head to the forefront of the list. So off we went...

First stop, Beers of the World. Yes, seems random, but not with Ilona. This is why I love her. She wanted to inquire about Polish beer for her Polish Heritage dinner, so in we go, no shyness when it came to asking, all the while checking out the beer and cracking jokes about silly names. Apparently, the guy she needed to talk to was at the other location, so off we go again. Such an awesome store! I honestly could have done all my Christmas shopping there, from imported beers to fun micro brews, something really for everyone. We spent almost an hour in there and it was a blast.


On to the Christmas Tree Shoppes...one of my favorite places. Oops, first we stopped at Taco Bell. No, not classy, but what better time to indulge (cheaply) than with a best friend? Once refueled, the shopping continued... I don't know if you've ever been to the Christmas Tree Shoppes, but if you haven't, you don't know what you're missing. It's fabulous. Things you need, things you didn't know you needed, quirky things that seem perfect for those hard to buy for people, such an assortment that it's easy to devote an afternoon to wandering the entire store, all while filling up a cart. And the best part, it's all so pleasantly priced, you can feel like you did some major shopping without breaking the bank!

Finally, it was on to the grocery store. I wanted to load up on groceries (compliments of mom...thanks!), so she came along for the ride. It was so nice to have someone to just chat with while dodging other carts in the packed store. It made a sometimes menial and boring job so lighthearted and pleasant, that I think I'm spoiled for all my future solo grocery experiences.


Of course, what day of shopping isn't complete without topping it off with a manicure? Another indulgence, but what's more girly fun than that? Thanks, Miss Frederick, for a truly fun day. I'm so glad you're my friend. :)

Day 136: Like riding a bike!

5 years of my life were spent helping run the show at a movie theatre. I learned the ins and outs of management, customer service, and best of all, what makes the movies. The actual movies, that is. The reels of film that come together to bring the story to the big screen and give you a 2 hour getaway from real life. I always got a little thrill when the movies arrived in big cans, and I got to splice together the film into a giant reel to run through the projector. You may have all the Hollywood stars and lights and sound guys and Kraft Services on a movie set, but without the projectionist, no one would ever see all that work. Hmm...come to think of it, they really should make more money...

Anyway, I visited my old stomping grounds on Sunday to a.) see a movie, and b.) see my BFF Chad, who happened to be working upstairs where the magic happens. It's been a few years since I spent my day in the dark hallways of the projection booth, but as I threaded the start of the movie through the brain, it was like riding a bike.
I remembered it all, right down to the framing! I was hit with a flood of memories of hours spent starting movies, fixing brain wraps, building movies and repairing burned film. There's a fluidity to threading the movie from platter to projector (nerd alert: I even did my college tech writing report on the process!), that it's almost soothing. And, I remembered how click and whir of the projector always seemed a little exciting... Anyway, I may have moved on, but there's nothing like a trip down memory lane to remind you of good times and one of the steps that lead me to where I am today. Thanks Chad, for letting me dabble in the past!

Day 135: Hello Christmas! Welcome back!

It's officially Christmas when you've got the tree. This year, I was entrusted for the first time in my life, with picking out the perfect evergreen to fill the spot in the living room. Truly an adult responsibility, but I couldn't help but feel like a little kid with a big job. I mean, the tree anchors the entire holiday! We've always gone as a group, but it's usually Mom who has the final say. But this year, me and my brother headed out to bring home the green. And, a fine job we did, if I do say so myself.
Well, there were a few moments where said tree may have tipped over after we believed it to be anchored in the tree stand, but as we stare into the twinkle lights and bits of memories hung from branch to branch, it's very easy to forget all about those slip ups. All that matters is it's not moving now, right?

The older I get, the more this ritual, all these holiday traditions mean to me. The time I get to spend with my family, the people that do the holiday JUST the way I do it, it's special and something I look forward to sharing with my kids some day. Yes, I'm nearing 30, and Christmas doesn't have the same mystery or sheen it did when I was a kid. But, you can't seem to keep that feeling of childhood glee from bubbling up a bit, and why not let it? It's a season of shiny, tinsely, sparkly, glittery fun, so why not go with the flow? Trust me, you'll have much more fun if you give in to the Christmas cheer. :)

Day 134: The first snowfall!

Welcome back, Old Man Winter! While Christmas fills me with a sense of pure jubilation, the white stuff catapults me back into childhood. Snow. I get a shiver of excitement as I see the first flakes fall. And, as they start to accumulate outside, I desperately want to bundle up and head out to make snow angels, snow men, and snow balls. So you can imagine my glee when I looked outside to see the faint flakes scattering past my window this morning... Still in my pjs, I ducked outside, under the pretense of taking the dogs outside, and turned my head to sky, mesmerized by the bits of icy fluff. Yes, I stuck my tongue out to catch a few...how could you not?? :)

Now I'll admit that working in news has made me slightly resent rough winter weather, only because it can be a crazy mess trying to cover it. I'll also admit that driving in it is no picnic either... But, there's just something special about looking outside to a winter wonderland.?
It's magical in a way, making the world around you sparkle with promise and hope. Whoa Linds, time to reign in the sunshine and rainbow talk, but can't you feel it a bit, too? Try and tell me you don't smile when you look outside to a world of white and you're snug and warm inside That's right, you can't. Told you so. And if that doesn't get you, pelting your brother with a snowball will always give you good feeling...

Day 133: Home for Turkey Day!

Leftovers. Truly my favorite part of Thanksgiving. Granted, I love the actual day. The warm house, the family all in one spot, the snacking, the football, the laughing. This one's actually extra special because it's my first trip home for it in 3 years! But, once we've eaten, once we've dabbled in the desserts and packed everything up into an assortment of containers collected over the years, it's time to pick at what's left over the next few days, maybe even later that night! There is truly no turkey sandwich like the one you make from leftover Thanksgiving Day bird...it's the one time of year it's perfectly acceptable to add cranberry sauce and stuffing to your sandwich and no one blinks an eye. Not to mention a side of mashed potatoes... And, how about pumpkin pie for breakfast? (Ooh, speaking of, if you're looking for a recipe, my mom has one that will change your take on pumpkin pie for life - see bottom for recipe!)

Anyway, it's the leftovers I look forward to, but it's the people that make the whole day possible that I'm thankful for. To just take a moment, I give thanks this year for all the people in my life who love and support me, who make me laugh and talk me down from a ledge. You know who you are...thanks for enriching my life and making this one hell of a journey.

**No Bake Pumpkin Pie**

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 1/2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
1 cup cold milk
2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice



In a large bowl, mix 1 cup of milk with pudding mix, pumpkin, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Spread in pie crust.
In another bowl, whisk together cream cheese, 1 tablespoon of milk, and sugar until smooth. Gently stir in whipped topping. When thickened, spread over pumpkin layer.
Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Refrigerate 4 hours, or until set.

Day 132: Gearing up for a little home life!

I love seeing this sign. It seriously tugs me a little inside, whispering, you're back, Linds, you're home. I can't help it. There's just something about coming back to the place you know. But, as I get older, it seems to be the ever present personal tug of war, stay or go? Stay or go? I'm always pumped to come home and see everyone, to see familiar street signs, use my internal navigation system, indulge on a garbage plate... But, would it hold the same feeling if I was here all the time? If I returned to make my life here, would I treasure my time here as much as I do during my visits? It's true, that my time with friends and family always seems so rushed and brief, so very squeezed in and one visit to the next. What if I could see them once a week?
The more I think about it, the more people I know who have either returned home for good, or have never even left. Why do I have this fear I'll be bored? Or maybe it's not bored, more like what am I missing out on by surrounding myself with what I already know? Or is it I'm indulging in what's already comfortable? I don't know, I don't know what the stigma is for me that's attached to returning to my hometown for good? Whoa, I totally started this as a "yay! I'm going home!" entry and this is the turn it took. Guess that tug of war's a little stronger than I thought...