Sunday, April 26, 2009



...and every splendid element that accompanies this fabulous city!

Just shy of a year ago, after coming to terms with the sad truth I would not be able to accompany my high school friends on a girls' trip to the Mexican Riviera as a celebration of our fortieth year, I resolved to plan an alternative means of commemorating this milestone birthday. New York was the obvious choice of destination and Jennie and Rachelle were must-have companions on this momentous adventure. We plotted and planned a vacation that seemed so far away in time...

When it finally arrived we were fully prepared to take the Big Apple by storm and leave no sight unseen, no experience...un...experienced!

How can I even begin to describe four days brimming with freedom, shopping, stalking, exploring, adventuring, eating, strolling, hailing, applauding, screaming, all while laughing over everything and nothing, creating memories and taking full advantage of an incredible once in a lifetime (hopefully not-we REALLY want to go back) event!




At the airport as we awaited our long plane ride home, much more subdued than we had been for several days, reflecting on our experiences, and anticipating reentry into real life, Rachelle questioned,

"K...What are your top three highlights?"

I answered first though Rachelle and Jennie both had identical lists.

1. "Constantine"





After four years of obsessed infatuation we finally were able to meet/accost the stunning long-haired rocker/American Idol Alum (season four for those not quite as obsessed). He was gracious and humble, accommodating and charming...even the second time we came around to see him! His Broadway hit Rock of Ages was delicious, rowdy fun that took us back to the famed rock and roll era of our youth!


2. "Wicked"




The music, the story, the emerald themed theater all created a Broadway experience unlike any other! I was so consumed with the mesmerizing production that when it ended I felt as though I was saying goodbye to a long forsaken friend!

3. "Shopping...SoHo and Canal Street."



While taking in the outrageous awesomeness that is Canal Street we were approached by a tiny Asian woman.

"you like designer purse?"

"yes we do!"

We followed our swift little guide down two blocks, around a corner and into a little store. The shop looked just like the many lining Canal Street, but then we were led through a door and down a long unfinished staircase into a musty basement below. I figured we would either come out of there with some rockin' purses...or we wouldn't come out at all...Luckily we were ushered into an obscure room filled to the brink with beautiful handbags and purses of every shape, size and color. Dolce and Gabana, Juicy Couture, Guess, Prada, Coach, Louis Vuiton...displayed in all their lovely knock-off glory! Needless to say, we walked out with humongous smiles on our faces and black plastic garbage bags containing two purses a piece in our hands!

Can I really limit it to three...? Of course not, here's the rest...

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge and strolling through Central Park. Gazing at the illustrious Statue of Liberty as we skimmed by on the Statten Island Ferry. Oh how I loved the infectious energy of Times Square, and the pizzeria in Little Italy where we each ate an entire pizza while guessing how many people were named Vinny and Tony in the vicinity. Riding the subway where I had hoped only to not be knifed, and to see rats--both were accomplished. Watching Rachelle hail a cab like she was a NY native, and posing every two feet so Jennie could take another picture. The people, the sights, the sounds...






All culminated into a trip that was so much more than a trip! It was a much needed escape from the worries and trials of life. A celebration of reaching forty...

...and a reminder that best friends are are a gift unparalled, to be appreciated, adored and admired!



(even more than a cheap G&B purse!)

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Who dyes Easter Eggs at nine o'clock at night?

...someone who just can't seem to get her (c.r.a.p.) together...!!!

At eight thirty five Friday night before Easter I said to Jaycee and Luke,

"Go get your pj's on, I'm running to the grocery store, when I get back we'll dye our eggs."

They looked at me, then looked at each other.

"Yay! We get to color eggs AT NIGHT!!!"

I put a pot on water on the stove to boil and filled it to the brink with pure white fragile looking eggs.

"Keep an eye on the stove, guys!" I hollered on my way out the door.

Twenty two minutes later our kitchen smelled of vinegar, as eggs, hands and counter tops began to turn shades of green, blue, hot pink and orange.





Thus began our whirlwind weekend of celebration.

Why must everything be so rushed?

Saturday commenced with a memorable trip to the temple to witness the sealing of sweet Trey to his family. What a beautiful experience watching my sister and her family all dressed in white standing together in the plush glory of the temple sealing room. It was a rare glimpse in an eternal perspective...so appropriate this Easter weekend.

A quaint family gathering organized to perfection by my fabulous younger sis was a nice time to visit with relatives and celebrate Trey's official conduction into the Halling family and onto the records of the church.

Work followed.

Then a late night filling baskets with goodies and toys. No secrecy needed as we do not believe in the Easter Bunny in our family. Years ago one Easter Eve when Lexi and Kelsey were young I spent the better part of an hour (at least) attempting to calm two hysterical little girls who were suddenly terrified at the notion of a giant bunny hopping through our house during their slumber. I finally had to dispel the ridiculous fantasy in order to soothe their worries...

"THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS THE EASTER BUNNY!" I exclaimed. "Dad and I fill your baskets, hide the eggs, EVERYTHING!"

They just looked at me with eyes wide and tear-filled.

"Ok, that makes me feel better..."

and that was the end of the bunny!




Easter Sunday was lovely...up until Primary where I attempted to teach the story of the Resurrection to a group of nine six year olds visibly rushing from the gallons of sugar engulfed in the form of marshmallow peeps and jellybeans. A young visitor to our class added to the mayhem as he recounted experiences of helping his grandfather slaughter cattle (what?!). Before I realized what was being said, he explained in great detail the slicing, bleeding, and whining of a dying animal to the horror of myself and the rest of the kids and compounded the attention issue by regaling my young class with a nauseatingly nightmarish story. Attempts to bring focus back to the sacred subject at hand were hardly possible, so I relented and passed out plastic eggs containing...even more sugar.

After church we hosted an Easter dinner with Scott's side of the family and each of the kids gathered multi-colored eggs hidden within the nooks and crannies of our backyard. Bubble gum, tootsie rolls and even a few dollar bills (slipped in by Grandma) ended up in the baskets of the enthusiastic children.







As the day came to a close I had just a few moments to reflect on the holiday that had just taken us by storm. Despite late night egg coloring, out of control primary kids, and organizing Easter dinner, I was somehow able to hold consistently in the back of my mind an image of the Savior in his resurrected glory and feel his sacrifice and love for me...


...the one who just can't seem to get things together.