Time seems to slip by me these days. I’m constantly in that whirlwind of work and life and love and trying to get my acting shit together. But this past month, with all its insanity and overbooked weeks, marked itself as one of the best months I can remember. 

Started with Adam and my little day jaunt to DC for Grandpa Harry’s Honor Flight. Had to be up beyond early (we should have just stayed awake), almost missed our bus, and upon arrival spent a good hour on a wild goose hunt for a CVS/Duane Reade, etc, hustled to Arlington National Cemetery only to be waiting in the wrong spot. Then had to sprint across the grounds with all our camera gear on what turned out to be a bloody hot day and we were in jeans and sweaters… but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Grandpa’s face when he recognized me as Dad wheeled him towards me, and saying “Well, I’ll be darned!” was priceless. Harry is a man of few words, and with one of the biggest families around, it’s a gift to have a few just to keep for yourself. Adam and I spent the day following Dad and Grandpa around, snapping photos, asking questions, and listening. I learned more about this amazing person in my life in one day then I had in an entire lifetime. I also was given a new-found hope in my fellow countrymen when I saw the lines of people who were waiting for this honor flight group, just to thank these veterans for the services they performed. I’ve never in my life felt so proud. It’s one of those days that you know you’ll always treasure.

The next weekend was my birthday. Everyone who knows me well, knows that birthdays are not one of my favorite things. I like to keep things low-key, very personal. I’m definitely one of those “keep your expectations low and you’ll never be disappointed” kind of celebrators. Not one of my best traits, but I always appreciate when people abide by my wishes. So this birthday, Adam and I started to plan our yearly trip to Boston, hopefully catch a Red Sox game, enjoy the sites, eat some nommy seafood. But allll the hotels were booked up or incredibly expensive. After searching and planning and not finding anything reasonable, I was ready to throw in the towel when Adam finds us a nice little resort outside of the city, but just along the commuter rail. We planned for a nice 3 day getaway, which for me is pretty unreal, and opted not to get tickets for the game since we weren’t staying in the city proper. On my birthday’s eve I had to work (naturally) and my co workers and boss kept me there and kept me there and kept me there, way past when I should have been done, all the while I’m bitching that “everyone else gets a damn cake for their birthday, why shouldn’t I?” until quarter after midnight when chef comes out of the kitchen with a homemade strawberry shortcake, a rousing round of “Happy Birthday” which almost made me cry from sheer embarassment, and a glass of champagne from Claiborne which prompted the chant “She’s old enough to drink! She’s old enough to drink!” The next morning we hopped the bus to Boston, he surprised me with tickets to the game the next night and best of all, we got to hang out with our friend Liz from Door County! She’s one of those wild personalities that is infectious and I’m so so glad we got to see her again, and can’t remember a time that I laughed harder. Oh and David Ortiz hitting two homers at that game may have been a lifetime highlight… just sayin. Easily one of my best birthdays ever!

THEN just two days after we returned my mama and Lindsay came out to visit! Whirlwind month, like I said! It was Lindsay’s very first visit to the big city and I did everything in my power to make it a memorable and exciting trip and I think I did pretty darn well. We made it to absolutely everything on our extensive list of sites and events in the five days we were given, the weather was an absolute gift and I was able to give my mama a very memorable birthday! Highlights of their trip would be my giggling tipsy mother (a reoccurring instance) and Newsies! One of the most exciting shows I’ve ever seen anywhere. Of course my purist heart was resistant to some of the changes they made, but I was won over 110%. 

THEN after playing catch up with work and putting in a 50 hour week, last night I FINALLY got to meet one of Adam’s absolute best friends from Wisco who was in town, and I cannot believe we waited so long! It was as easy  and comfortable hanging out with Sam as it would be any of my girlfriends back home, and I foresee many fantastic times in the future whether she’s visiting out here or on our future jaunts home. She also hooked us all up with tickets to Wicked last night, very last moment, and we got a tour of the entire backstage! Coupled with the fabulous dinner at Left Bank before the show, it was yet another amazing day with amazing company.

Here’s to keeping the good times rolling!