365 Days of Smiles - Day 112

Someone suggested yesterday that I should write a blog. It seems a lot of folks are living vicariously through my Facebook posts! Well, I have this little blog here, and no… I haven’t abandoned it. May has just not really been a very happy month for me. I had to break up with a friend. Ever had to do that? It sucks! So the first week or so of May I was struggling with the question… to break up or not break up? Then, after I did it… well of course I felt like crap for making them feel like crap. Or maybe it didn’t make them feel like crap. I don’t know… I love this person to death and only wish the best for them. I finally just had to walk away for my own sanity. I hate that there is nothing I can do for this person. But I finally had to admit that to myself and walk away. I’m still a little down about the whole situation, but it’s getting easier day by day. sigh!

Now, happiness is going to see White’s Lies again and again! I’ve seen it 5 times already and am going to go see it again this weekend. The last time I saw it was about a week after I broke it off with this friend. Tuc is keeping track of how many times I see the play. I don’t know how, but he is. Maybe he has a giant calendar in the back where he writes in the dates that the crazy girl keeps coming back? LOL Anyway, he really lifted my spirits when he said “since you’ve seen the show 5 times, you should have 5 photos”! And the gorgeous man posed for 5 different photos with me after the show. I love this man! And I love that I can speak to him in complete sentences now too! He’s such a cool dude! I’m so glad that he was cast in this role and that I have had the opportunity to get to chat with him outside of the soap opera world!

White’s Lies also allows me the opportunity to see Betty Buckley in a Broadway play. Off-Broadway, but still… New York is just a little bit brighter with Betty Lynn in town. She’s got this positive energy that just seems to beam throughout the city. I have been a fan of Betty’s for many many years, and I’m so glad that I’m living here in NYC now that she’s back on stage. What a great opportunity! I was able to attend the very first preview of the play. It’s changed a lot over the past 6 weeks, and I love that I still am completely exhausted after seeing it… from laughing SO hard for 2 hours straight!

This past Saturday, a friend and I waited outside of the theater where Love, Loss and What I Wore is playing. She has seen the show, I haven’t. But she wanted to meet Brooke Shields, so I went with her. I got a picture of Brooke and of Doris Roberts. Super cool! Sometimes I can’t believe I’m actually living here in New York City. It was a dream for so long, it’s a bit surreal that I’m here! I’m really here! People still tell me how proud they are that I followed my dream and moved here, and they rave about how brave I am. I don’t really look at it as being brave. I just followed my dream. The opportunity opened up, and I grabbed it. Sometimes you just have to jump in with both feet. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. This is where I belong.

Oh, another fun thing that happened in May… I became a member of The Imperial Court of New York. I LOVE these guys and gals! I’ve been attending their events and volunteering at their events for the past two years. My court name is Lady Marguerite. Marguerite means daisy in French. I love daisies because they are so happy! The court does the most wonderful fundraising. Every event they have is a fundraiser for some deserving group. Now… I realize that the chances of meeting a husband in a group that is mostly gay are probably quite slim. Oh well… I get to do fundraising, which I love! I get to dress up… which I really miss from being in shows! And, I get to hang out with some really great people… and soak up fabulous beauty tips from the most beautiful drag queens EVER!

Wow… have I made up for not blogging nearly the entire month of May? Looking back on the month, I guess I did have happy things to blog about. The friend break up thing kind of overshadowed all the happy times… gotta stop letting it do that and move on! Funny, that’s what my friend would always say after they tore into me and made me feel like crap. They never wanted to talk about it, just let’s move on! Sigh!

In order to make anything a reality, you have to dream about it first. ~ Adora Svitak (age 7)

365 Days of Smiles - Day 111

'nuf said... :o)

My Happy Place! ~ S

365 Days of Smiles - Day 110

Disappointment sucks, don't it? When you have plans and receive an email with the subject "unforeseen" you know it's bad news. I don't know why, but I've been expecting an email all day... and it came! People get sick, I understand... but I'm still disappointed. The auction thing, which totally changed once Robin found out it was me, was scheduled for tomorrow. But, she's got a sinus headache. I've been battling sinus issues for a week, so I totally feel her pain! Unfortunately I made plans for Manny to go to the groomer tomorrow. They are closed now, so I can't cancel and reschedule and then go into work! sigh!

So basically I waste a day off tomorrow! double sigh! Good grief, now I have a headache too!

But she said she is traveling again! That is SUPER fantabulous! And THAT makes me smile! :o)

I got this cute new dress and the weather tomorrow is going to suck. So, hopefully when we reschedule the weather will be better. Since we are not doing the studio thing, it opens up the weekend as a possibility too. The weather this weekend is supposed to be awesome! We'll see... I know it'll happen... but once again, I have no idea when! :o/ I répondez s'il vous plaît'd LOL!

Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness. --Seneca

365 Days of Smiles - Day 109

I saw White's Lies again for the 3rd time last night. It's getting easier to speak to Tuc. I even had him sign the pic my friend took at the 1st preview. Tuc said that his expression definitely says "call the police" LOL! I just love him, and am so glad that he is as nice as I hoped he would be! I don't think he's as shy as I've heard he was! I love him! :o)

Jeff has been visiting for a few days. He did my hair while he was here. It's cool looking. I'll post a pic tomorrow, cause MY Tuc gets the photo spot today! Jeff and I have been all over NYC! He goes home tomorrow!

Wednesday I dine with my fav. diva! I am really looking forward to a little visit with the Divine Miss S! LOL

Poetry is plucking at the heartstrings, and making music with them. --Dennis Gabor

365 Days of Smiles - Day 108

I'm going to stop trying to catch up when I miss a day. We'll just wait and see what number we end up with at the end of the year! LOL

I didn't feel like blogging happy yesterday b/c the idiot upstairs was stomping around. Thunder foot kept quiet for 4 days after the super talked to her and then she fell right back into her stompy self! I called 311 today and filed a report with the NYPD. I'm tired of being tired. This has been going on for 2 months now... I need sleep!!!

Tomorrow I'm going to see White's Lies again! Yay! Can't wait to see Tuc... and Betty! :o)

There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue those. --Michael Nolan

365 Days of Smiles - Day 107

OK... so who wouldn't smile at this??? :o)

Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something. ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

365 Days of Smiles - Day 106

So... still pretty happy about the little sun dress I purchased at Macy's yesterday! :o)

I got to see my friend Ilene today! She always makes me smile!
I went to this fundraiser this afternoon. I supposed it was my own fault I didn't have a very good time. But instead of the entire bar, we were smushed in the back room. Couldn't even walk thru the room. I sat at a table outside of the back room with some other fans that were having just about as much fun as me! sigh!

When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people. ~Abraham Joshua Heschel

365 Days of Smiles - Day 106

So... somehow I am sick! Throat burning, nose running, ear aching sick! yuck! I was actually fine until they polyurethane'd something on the 3rd floor last night. Do you think that could cause all of this misery? I'm having some frozen yogurt to make my throat feel happy! Vanilla Raspberry Swirl... yum!

I went to Macy's today. BIG sale. Crazy crowds! Wow! I was SO happy to find a cute little sundress that I knew would fit AND look great. And lucky too, because the line to get into the fitting rooms was actually longer than the line to pay. I ended up waiting on a short line to pay... saved 30% and an additional $10! Sales rock! Then I found a really cute leather purse, by someone I've never heard of... 50% off! Score!
So, now I'm ready for my lunch with Ms. Robin. I won this auction back in December... supposed to meet Robin at the OLTL studio and get a pic of her in a vintage Dorian costume and then take the costume with me. Well, when she found out that I was the mystery donor (she just found this out last week!) she suggested we meet for lunch instead of meeting at the OLTL studio. So we'll be meeting at a little French bistro. oo la la!

Love, love, love the quote below. I have a fundraiser tomorrow... I love giving. :o)

It is in giving that we receive. --Saint Francis of Assisi

365 Days of Smiles - Day 105

Thunder foot was talked to yesterday and I'm happy to report that I didn't wake up until my alarm went off this morning! :o)

Today is Friday.. everyone SMILE!

From Joe White: Joe's rule for today: Calling everyone man, buddy or hot stuff makes sure you never get called on forgetting names.

365 Days of Smiles - Day 104

I found out today that a person can adopt a tree in Central Park. I also found out that the endowment is $5,000! Well, it was a nice idea! LOL

A friend took some pictures of Tuc Watkins and myself after White's Lies on Monday. I think I love this one the most. Tuc's eyes seem to be saying "back off you crazy woman" LOL

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. --Thich Nhat Hanh

365 Days of Smiles - Day 103

So happy a certain person is back in my life. :o)

Seeing White's Lies again next week. THAT makes me smile! Hopefully I'll be able to speak when I see Tuc this time! oy!

It's good to live in NYC!

Our lives are a mixture of different roles. Most of us are doing the best we can to find whatever the right balance is. For me, that balance is family, work, and service. --Hillary Rodham Clinton

365 Days of Smiles - Day 101 & 102

Folks, RUN don't walk to see White's Lies at New World Stages. I'm still laughing today! I can't wait to see it again!

I'm so happy to report that the auction item I won in December is going to finally be fulfilled this month. The actor I won the costume from knows me... but had not been informed (in over 4 months!) that I was the one who had the high bid. Well, she found out yesterday and I got an email last night offering a bit of a different experience! Will be so lovely and I am SO glad the middle person is out of the picture! :o)

In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. --Albert Camus

365 Days of Smiles - Day 100

100 Days! Actually, it's probably more, but I've missed days & then tried to make them up... oh well! Like I said... we'll see what I end up with at the end of the year! LOL

Another beautiful day in NYC! I love the Upper West Side. Some day I'm going to live there. Right now I'm on the Upper Upper West Side! :o) The flowers are beautiful all over the city. This photo was taken on W 66th St. I love tulips!

Tomorrow night I see White's Lies. It's the first preview. I can't wait. A friend has read the play and she said that it is FUNNY!

I went searching for a quote for today's blog. I love this one. Towards the end of last year, a friend (who had a pretty rough couple of years) did ask most everyone to just leave them alone. It was very hard for me because I care about this person. But because I do care, I did what they asked. Seven months with no contact at all. I must say... I saw this person a few weeks ago. They seemed very happy. So, whatever they did/are doing is working! And that makes me happy! :o)

Never miss an opportunity to make others happy, even if you have to leave them alone in order to do it. ~Author Unknown

365 Days of Smiles - Day 99

So, saw this photo posted on Joe Luckinbill's facebook page. How funny is this? Peeps show up in the strangest places!

Today was great. I started Spring cleaning. Got my bedroom mostly done. In between running dogs here and there. I kinda felt like a soccer mom! Harry Potter had a groomer appt. this morning. Manhattan got his shots this afternoon!

Was thinking about seeing Looped again tomorrow. It closes tomorrow! But, Manny's vet appt. cost $295... and the shots were FREE! oy! Still thinking about it.. I don't know!

Tomorrow is supposed to be gorgeous! You know what that means?! Central Park! But first, must do laundry!!! :o)

If we live truly, we shall see truly. --Ralph Waldo Emerson

365 Days of Smiles - Day 97 & 98

No, I didn't forget yesterday... I just had plans last night and didn't have time to turn on the computer. I met a friend for dinner and we went to see Looped! I think she loved it!

Good news about Looped today... they are in talks to take it on the road! If it plays in your city, GO see it! :o)

My friend and I were talking at dinner last night that I still don't have headshots! So she took my camera and snapped a few shots on the way to the theater. I think she did a marvelous job! WDYT?? I def. want her to take some more shots some time!


Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree. --Martin Luther King Jr.

365 Days of Smiles - Day 95 & 96

Oops! Forgot to blog yesterday. Sorry! Sometimes I veg out when I get home from work and do absolutely NOTHING! I just know that at the end of the year there are not going to be 365 days to this blog! LOL

I heard from a friend today. Someone I haven't heard from in 7 months. They had a really hard year last year, and just kind of shut down in the Fall. It was so good to hear from them!

Going to see Looped tomorrow night for the last time. I still can't believe it's closing!

I'm still being good with my eating healthy and all. Yay me! I feel so much better too. I'm sure losing weight is helping with that!

Jeff arrives in 17 days! He's already asking about rent, utilities and jobs! He's SO going to want to stay! I just know he's going to love it here! :o)

"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." -Abraham Lincoln

365 Days of Smiles - Day 94

It's a good thing there are so many cute doggies on the streets of NYC to make me smile! Because... I just found out today that Looped is closing on Sunday! I don't understand it... Valerie Harper IS Tallulah Bankhead! She's brilliant! sigh!

I'm going to go see it one last time this week. I just can't believe it's closing! :o(

Now it's time for Dancing With The Stars... bring on Niecy! :o)

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. --Anne Frank

365 Days of Smiles - Day 93

Look at this happy window! I took this photo while I was walking up 5th Ave. during the Easter Parade.

The Easter Parade was a little more fun last year. This year... too many tourists just standing around!

But after I walked up 5th Avenue, I ended up at E 72nd and strolled thru Central Park. What a beautiful day here in NYC. I think I may have got a bit too much sun! oops!

I love love love not having to work on weekends! I just get to have fun!

Jeff will be here in 19 days. I know this because he sent me a text this afternoon that said 19 DAYS!!! LOL

Happy Easter! :o)

A smile appeared upon her face as if she'd taken it directly from her handbag and pinned it there. ~ Loma Chandler

365 Days of Smiles - Day 91 & 92

Met a friend for drinks after work last night & we ended up talking until nearly 2am! :o) So much fun. And, I discovered a great new place to hang out. Matt's Grill on 55th and 8th! It reminds me of Cheers! It's a nice quiet place... a bit more mature crowd... and the bartender is fun!

This afternoon I saw a great play, Next Fall. My friend Ilene's friend Anthony is one of the producers. There was a time when I would only see musicals. But I've seen more plays this year than musicals. And I have a feeling with Tuc & Betty in White's Lies... the play count is only going to rise!

So many cute kiddos in bunny ears today! :o)
Tomorrow is Easter, and I'm heading to 5th Avenue for the Easter Parade! It's a mix of funky hats and queens! Last year the Easter Bunny was even skating at Rockefeller Center!

Happy Easter Eve! :o)

Generosity consists not in the sum given, but the manner in which it is bestowed. --Unknown

365 Days of Smiles - Day 90

In a city as large as NYC it seems like a person would never run into someone they know. This morning on the subway these two guys spotted each other from opposite ends of the train and came together to chat. I love that! And dang if it didn't happen on the way home tonight too! :o)

The subway is a great place to people watch. The next stop this dude gets on groovin’ to his iPod. Business suit and all… he must have had some good tunes on there!

I did something this morning that I haven’t done for a while, but it always brings a smile to my face. Walking down the street, listening to Liza Minnelli singing New York, New York is a really good thing!

My eating habits have recently changed. I’m not sure why, but I think it may have something to do with hanging out with my friend Ilene a bit more than usual. She is most definitely a positive influence on my health! I am a diabetic... a self-proclaimed, poorly maintained diabetic. I know, but every so often I pretend I’m not diabetic and pretty much eat anything I want. I’ve done that the past year for the most part. I haven’t even checked my blood sugar because I was afraid of what it would be. (hangs my head in shame) I am happy to report that my new healthy eating habits, in just three short weeks, have my blood sugar back where it was when I was on medication! (and I’ve lost weight!) So… Miss Ilene, thank you for just being your healthy self!

Spring has returned to New York City and she is beautiful! I am looking forward to the weekend and the Easter Parade. The weather is supposed to be FAB-U-LOUS!

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. --Hans Hofmann

365 Days of Smiles - Day 88 & 89

Sorry, yesterday was an icky day and I didn't feel like blogging. Well, the whole day wasn't icky. But I was in a foul mood when I got home from work. Let's just way I wasn't smiling!

I am so grateful for wonderful friends! Friends that make me smile! :o)

What the teacher is, is more important that what he teaches. --Karl Menninger

365 Days of Smiles - Day 87

I love doggy clothes! The little doggies down by my office are so cute in the morning! :o)

I got some really good news today. I can't say what it is right now. But I am so happy for my friend! Really, I think I'm more happy when my friends get good news than I am when I get good news! :o)

We should not permit tolerance to degenerate into indifference. --Margaret Chase Smith

365 Days of Smiles - Day 85 & 86

Night of A Thousand Gowns is the event of the year! Seriously folks, you should consider attending next year. It'll be the 25th Annual Night of A Thousand Gowns and you KNOW it'll be a big fat blast! :o)

Last night Bree Williamson (OLTL) and BethAnn Bonner (ex-OLTL) sang the Canadian National Anthem. They ROCKED! Earlier when they had first arrived, Bree told me I looked beautiful. How sweet is that!?

I haven't seen Robin Strasser in 7 months, so it was really good to see her last night! Doesn't she look gorgeous? She is wearing Dorian's inaugural gown! :o)

It was just a beautiful night of fund raising and fun! The guys and gals of the Imperial Court of NY are such wonderful people! It gives me so much joy to be able to volunteer at this annual event. And I must thank Robin Strasser... you see it's because of her that I got involved with the ICNY. But it is because of the generosity and love of the ICNY that I remain involved!

"Helping others is perhaps the greatest joy! You cannot have a perfect day without helping others with no thought of getting something in return." -- John Wooden

365 Days of Smiles - Day 84

Only in New York could I walk a few blocks at lunch time and meet Lucie Arnaz! I love NYC! I chose this photo, with her son Joe, because the one with me is questionable! LOL Well, Lucie looks radiant but I am trying to look tall and stretch across that blue table! It's not pretty!
Lucie's new CD is awesome! They were playing it in the store while we waited in line. I just loaded it into iTunes!

Tomorrow is Night of A Thousand Gowns... YAY! I'm going down to the Marriott Marquis in the morning to help with set up. Then back home to primp, and head back down to escort some celebs! Yes, of COURSE, I'm taking my camera! :o)

Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them. --A. A. Milne

365 Days of Smiles - Day 83

OK, so let me begin by saying "but the elevator still works!". Sigh, no hot water this morning. NONE... just cold, not ice cold... but cold is cold in the morning! Also, no heat... that is not such a big deal. Still not heat, but there was a little bit of hot water when I got home from work. I took a shower with the hot water turned ALL the way on and NO cold water turned on at all. This is just in case the hot water has disappeared by morning! My hair was SO gross today! Ew!

But the elevator still works! LOL

And I'm still smiling about White's Lies! Really, this is the best news! Two of my most favorite people in a play together and I'm living in New York! Yay!

Oh, and I got home early on the A train AND no crazies on board tonight! Double Yay!

Saturday is almost here! I am so excited about The Night of A Thousand Gowns! This is such a fun ball and it's for two great organizations. This year the ball benefits Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids and God's Love We Deliver! I'm working both shifts because it's THAT fun! :o)

I'm trying out these ads on my blog. So if you see something you like, click on it... buy it through this site. Any $$ that is made will definitely be donated to a charity, because that's the way I roll! :o)

Experiment with this mental model: It is my duty and privilege to be of service. I will do whatever I can to make life easier for all people who cross my path. --Srikumar Rao

365 Days of Smiles - Day 82

I'M STILL SMILING! :o)

Betty Lynn Buckley... you lucky girl!

I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy. --Rabindranath Tagore

365 Days of Smiles - Day 81

Can u see my smile from where u are? I am BEYOND THRILLED that it has been announced that Tuc Watkins is starring with Betty Buckley in White's Lies! Really, the only thing that could make this cast better is if Ilene Kristen was in it!

Anyone want to place a bet on how many times I'll see this show??? LOL

I literally can NOT stop smiling!!!! :o)

Doing things for free encourages people to share. It encourages people to be community, to be family. It provides people the chance to be generous with each other. --Tree

365 Days of Smiles - Day 80

Last night was SO much fun! I went to ABC Salutes Broadway Cares for the first time. What amazing talent! The night was even more special because I got to spend it with a great friend!

Tonight Dancing With The Stars begins again. Not too sure about this season, but we'll see!

I took the day off today because we went to the after party last night and the night before we went to see a band perform after the fundraiser. I can't party hop all weekend and then work on Monday! LOL

Next weekend is another fundraiser for Broadway Cares. Yay, I can't wait! :o)

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far place. --Russian Proverb

365 Days of Smiles - Day 78 & 79

So, I missed yesterday but I had a great day! I met Jacklyn Zeman from General Hospital. She is so sweet. And I found that she treated everyone like she had known them for years!

After The Gabriel Project we went to hear Michael Lowry' band, Done Dirt Cheap, play. They are VERY good! I'd definitely go see them perform again. I love crowd watching too. The guy with the bright red/orange Mohawk was awesome! LOL

Tonight is the ABC Salutes Broadway Cares fundraiser. It's my first year attending, I can't wait! I love NY! :o)

"I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can." -- George Bernard Shaw

365 Days of Smiles - Day 77

Still LOVE my new shoes!

Just to let you know, I may not blog tomorrow... which means a double blog on Sunday. I have a fundraiser tomorrow night... Daytime at Night Time to benefit The Gabriel Project. I love this fundraiser and have attended for the past 4 years.

Then on Sunday I'm going to ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares... for the first time! A dear friend called me this afternoon with news of a spare ticket. So... YAY!

Today was another beautiful day in NYC. I walked down by the Sea Port during my lunch break. And I also spotted Mister Softee... that's a sure sign of Spring! Yay for Mister Softee!

As much as we need a prosperous economy, we also need a prosperity of kindness and decency. --Caroline Kennedy

365 Days of Smiles - Day 76

Today I heard the weather forecast for the weekend. It made me smile! Supposed to be in the 70's and sunny. Central Park here I come!

My new shoes from Macy's came. I LOVE them! They are Paris Hilton, and they kick ass! Now that I compare them to the original ones I liked at JCPenney, these are WAY better! :o)

Nature provides a free lunch, but only if we control our appetites. --William Ruckelshaus

365 Days of Smiles - Day 75

OK... Geico commercial just made me smile. Whew, I was getting worried cause this has been a sucky day!
A-Ringiddy-Ding-Ding-Dingy-Dong... that is MY ring tone now too. It makes me laugh! It's so stupid, it's funny!

Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one. --Stella Adler

365 Days of Smiles - Day 74

No rain today. It was absolutely gorgeous, and supposed to be even more beautiful tomorrow! I love it when the weather warms up, and the windows are open... all of the sounds of the neighborhood!

Tomorrow is St Patrick's Day. Good thing my backpack is GREEN!!

The greatness of a society and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals. --Mahatma Gandhi

365 Days of Smiles - Day 73

Happy Monday! It's still raining here in New York City, but I think today is the last day of rain until next week!

The boss is out of the office all week! This will be a nice week! :o)

The elevator is still working. And Manny LOVES getting to go outside with his big brother again! This morning I saw this guy with a little dog that looked like HP a little bit. He was going into his building and it had a revolving door. The dog sat down right outside the door. There was NO WAY it was going into that revolving door! LOL

If you help and serve others, you will ultimately gain. ~ Dalai Lama

365 Days of Smiles - Day 72

So, today was a good day because it only rained. Yesterday, the wind mixed with the rain was nearly impossible to navigate!

I went down to Macy's this morning to hunt for shoes. There were some cute Paris Hilton pumps that I saw online. Of course, they didn't have them in the store. But I ordered them online when I got home. I need to go down Macy's way more often, and when it's not raining. LOL It's nice down there. I also got to see my friend Felicia. We used to work together at Build-A-Bear Workshop. She works at Macy's now, and I stopped by to see her before I left the store.

The elevator is still working. It's even moving quicker. But, it still sounds like parts are falling off as it runs! LOL

Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

365 Days of Smiles - Day 71

Let's talk about monsoons! Today apparently began the monsoon season here in NYC! The wind and rain were ridiculous! I really hope that tomorrow there is less wind. It's still supposed to rain, but it'll be much more pleasant without the wind! LOL

Lots of "dead" umbrellas today. But it was too windy to stop and take pictures. Maybe I can get some pics tomorrow. I def. have some running to do, so I'll be out in the rain again!

Everybody is sleeping... furry kids, that is. I'd better get to bed too, we lose an hour tonight. BUT that means that we get more daylight hours... and that's always a good thing! :o)

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. --Leo Buscaglia

365 Days of Smiles - Day 70

Sorry I missed a day again. I came home from work yesterday, took the dogs out and went straight to the Marriott Marquis for orientation for Night of A Thousand Gowns. It is going to be FAB-U-LOUS!!! By the way, I didn't even turn the computer on yesterday. I know... hard to believe!

So, anyway... Night of A Thousand Gowns. So fun! This is THE event of the year! I've got to find a fantastic black formal skirt. SHOPPING tomorrow! yay! These guys and gals are the fundraising kings and queens... literally! I love these people so much and I am honored that I get to volunteer again this year. This is an event that I wouldn't miss!!! There are so many folks that are volunteering for the first time this year. I am so excited for them to experience the ball!

The elevator is NOT fixed. It still sounds like parts are falling off. It does, however, move much more quickly! I can't believe that they made major repairs on that thing and it still sounds like that! Clunk, clink, clunky clunk!

It's supposed to rain all weekend, but I say bring it on! I have nothing planned, and I love it!

If we all do one random act of kindness daily, we just might set the world in the right direction. --Martin Kornfeld

365 Days of Smiles - Day 69

Weird day in soapland folks! One Life to Live is really cleaning house. Just one day after we learned that Scott Clifton was let go, now Kish seems to be out too! This seems to be a bad move, but I'll just have to wait and see what happens with this one!

So, this made me smile today. Actually, it made me laugh out loud! I was heading back into my building after getting some lunch and this girl ahead of me walked into the revolving door and stopped. She just stopped there, like she expected it to turn on it's own. Push genius! So I give her the benefit of the doubt... maybe she's there visiting someone and doesn't know that it's not an automatic revolving door! NOPE, once she finally got inside she whipped out her badge to go up to her floor! Ya just can't fix stupid!

I'm thinking about writing a subway etiquette book to partner with my laundromat etiquette book! Really, do some people just not have any kind of perception of space. When you have a big ass and you eye a spot to sit down, how can you realistically think that you can squeeze into that teeny little space!? And then you proceed to SQUEEZE into it, pushing everyone around you out of their comfy space! Oy!

Oh, and I've shared a funny sign that was posted all over my building tonight. Duh! Really? The elevator needs MAJOR repairs? I would have never guessed! Double Oy!
note: well for some reason I can't upload a photo tonight... some kind of internal error with blogspot... I'll try to post it tomorrow. Or if you are on my Facebook, I've posted it there! LOL

"The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off." ~ Gloria Steinem

365 Days of Smiles - Day 68

Yay, I reached the Gold Level at Starbucks! I get my own personalized card and free stuff! woohooo!

The guy who sits in the next cubicle at work has a 2 yr old son. I love when he talks to him on the phone. It's so cute!

The elevator is still working! :o) And it still sounds like parts are falling off! LOL


" If a man smiles all the time, he's probably selling something that doesn't work" ~ George Carlin

365 Days of Smiles - Day 67

So the elevator is still running. 4 days in a row... a new record! However, it now sounds like it's losing parts as it passes the 2nd and 4th floor! I will only get in the thing with Harry Potter. Otherwise I take the stairs. Tonight, I almost carried him back up the stairs, it was that freaky sounding!

The weather was so beautiful today. Spring arrives in two weeks. I can't wait! The Gabriel Project fundraiser is also in two weeks! March is a great month for fundraisers... the week after TGP is Night of 1000 Gowns. Orientation is on Thursday night! I'm so excited for this!

I love NY!

Oneness is very simple: everything is included and allowed to live according to its true nature. --Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee

365 Days of Smiles - Day 66

Sometimes I feel like this has been a wild year-long vacation... and then I realize nope, I really live here! :o) Sometimes I'm walking down the street and I just stop, look around and smile! I am living my dream, not a lot of people get to do that! And.. I've met Tuc Watkins! LOL ;o)

Will I make it til the end of the Oscars? Probably not. But Ilene's friend Rebecca is up for best documentary. She's out in L.A. cheerleading! I haven't seen the film, but it sounds amazing and I hope to see it at some point.

It was another beautiful day here in the city. We broke 60 degrees! I can't wait for Spring. Spring and Autumn are my favorite seasons. Change... beautiful!

Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available. ~Jim Beggs

365 Days of Smiles - Day 65

Today was a beautiful day in New York City. I spent nearly the entire day outside. Manny got his hair done today and he is SO cute I could eat him up!!

Of course I spent sometime in Central Park! I love Central Park. And I got a book about Tallulah Bankhead. THAT is how good Valerie Harper is in Looped... she made me want to learn more about Tallulah!

You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. --Jon Kabat-Zinn

365 Days of Smiles - Day 64

I am so grateful for all of the pet owners downtown. I love seeing all the doggies getting their walks when I go out for lunch. There was this little tiny black dog today with a pink coat that had a white furry collar. She was so proud, just prancing down the street!!

Manny is sitting in front of me eating poop! Isn't that great? He's made himself a nice little snack! GROSS!!! Why do dogs eat poop? Cats don't eat their poop. But dogs eat cat poop too! It's like a delicacy... again I say, GROSS!!!

I went to Build-A-Bear Workshop tonight to get the new Blossom Bunny. I named mine Fleur! She is SO cute and she makes me smile! :o)

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. --Dalai Lama

365 Days of Smiles - Day 63

Today is my 1 year anniversary as a New Yorker. It feels good.

I want to thank all my friends who believed in me. And even those who didn't... because those are the people who made me even more determined to succeed! ;o)

The best part of living in NYC, besides the theatre scene, is all the fundraisers I'm able to attend. :o)

I resolved to stop accumulating and begin the infinitely more serious and difficult task of wise distribution. --Andrew Carnegie

365 Days of Smiles - Day 62

Well now... a year ago today I was resting up in OH after driving a U Haul filled with my stuff and my boys for 9 hours! Half way to my dream of living in NYC!

I love New York! :o)

If a woman can only succeed by emulating men, I think it is a great loss and not a success. The aim is not only for a woman to succeed, but to keep her womanhood and let her womanhood influence society. --Suzanne Brogger

365 Days of Smiles - Day 61

Exactly one year ago tonight I was having pizza at Monical's with dear friends and spending my last night in IL. I still can't believe I've been in NYC for almost a full year! It's been an adventure, that's for sure! I love it here... broken elevators, crappy jobs and all! :o)

The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is. --C. S. Lewis

365 Days of Smiles - Day 60

This week is going to be a reminiscing kind of week! Thursday will be my one year anniversary in NYC! I think I'm staying! LOL

A year ago today some dear friends were loading up the U Haul that was parked out in front of my house in IL. Big dreams. My friends told me I was very brave, but all I knew was that I was heading to New York City to fulfill a dream! Sometimes I still can't believe I live here. And it certainly doesn't feel like it's been a whole year. Sometimes I just stop, when I'm walking down the street, and just look around. ahhhhh...

I miss a lot of my friends back in Peoria. I've made so many new friends here in New York. :o)

I have a personal philosophy in life: kindness begets kindness. --Drew Johnson

365 Days of Smiles - Day 58 & 59

OK... I know I blogged yesterday. Wonder what happened to it? hmmmm

There was the whole mess with the plumber, blah blah blah! Oh well... here's the blog for today! It's so nice spending time with friends. And it's nice making new friends. Saw Avenue Q this afternoon. It was good, but I'm afraid everything I see from now on is going to be compared to Looped... and Avenue Q is nowhere close to Looped!

After the show we went to Planet Hollywood. I know... very touristy. Even the host couldn't believe that we were from NY and in Planet Hollywood! LOL Our server was fantastic and made us laugh the whole time we were there!

"What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories" -- George Eliot

365 Days of Smiles - Day 57

Oops! Almost forgot to blog tonight! I just got back from The Lyceum. Valerie Harper is starring in Looped. It's about Tallulah Bankhead and the chaos that ensues when she comes to the studio to "loop" her last line in the movie Die! Die! My Darling! And so Patricia... this play is SO funny! She has some of the best one liners EVER. But there is also a touching sub-plot... it's so sweet. And SO funny... seriously I had tears rolling down my face!
Afterwards I ran around the block to the stage door and had this weird deja vu moment. Duh! Title of Show was at The Lyceum too! LOL Next time I see this show, I'm paying for a good seat. Just for the record, the balcony at The Lyceum is not a great place to see a show! Especially not the first row... the spotlights totally block anything going on down stage!
Seeing Valerie become Tallulah makes me want to search for Tallulah's other work. I want to know more about her. Valerie not only played Tallulah, she channeled her! Wow

Well folks, living in NYC certainly doesn't suck!

“And so, Patricia, as I was telling you, that deluded rector has, in literal effect, closed the church to me.” ~ Tallulah Bankhead

365 Days of Smiles - Day 56

Well the elevator didn't last too long! LOL I'm kinda getting used to the stairs! It's a little harder carrying the 22 lb dog... but, just me walking up and down the stairs is not so bad. I REALLY need to do laundry, so it would be so great and helpful if the electricians that are coming tomorrow morning can get the issue fixed! :o)

It snowed ALL day today. Big, beautiful snowflakes. It's just starting to stick and it was a slushy mess when I got home tonight! It's gonna be pretty messy in the morning with more snow and freezing temps tonight! A tree branch fell on a guy in Central Park and it killed him. So sad...

Work still pretty much sucks, but it's a job! So I deal with it! LOL And walking from the subway to the office I get to see so many cute doggies that make me smile every morning!

The measure of a country's greatness should be based on how well it cares for its most vulnerable populations. --Gandhi

365 Days of Smiles - Day 55

The elevator has been working for an entire day... I don't want to jinx it... but, the dogs were very happy that I could take them BOTH out at the same time! Come to think of it... haven't heard the elevator for a while! LOL & sigh!

Well, I'm living in NYC and so life is good! :o)

And the super told me that he fixed the leak in the bathroom upstairs. So, after my walls dry out he'll fix the damage done in my bathroom by the leak upstairs. I think I want to paint my bathroom. Lime green seems like a great color! I love lime green! :o)

OK... The King of Queens is making me LOL again!

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. --Cynthia Ozick

365 Days of Smiles - Day 54

I freakin' love the Ensemble Studio Theatre! My friend Ilene is a member, and I've seen her in several shows there. I just got home from Bar Play Night. It was several different scenes about bars! Very funny and fun!

Oh, and I got to ride in the elevator once today before it broke down again! sigh

Art is a kind of innate drive that seizes a human being and makes him its instrument. To perform this difficult office it is sometimes necessary for him to sacrifice happiness and everything that makes life worth living for the ordinary human being. --Carl Jung

365 Days of Smiles - Day 53

A dear friend sent this video to me...

She had to put her dear sweet furry child to sleep after loving her for 10 years. This video made me smile and cry... so sweet!

The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose. --Heda Bejar

365 Days of Smiles - Day 51& 52

Yesterday was a busy one... didn't have time to blog. But it was a happy day... in spite of the fact that the elevator was once again out of order! LOL

Got to see Betty Buckley's show at Feinstein's again last night. It's really musical perfection. If you are in NYC, you need to see this show. Only one more week left. BUT, then Betty goes into rehearsal for White's Lies at New World Stages. I visited the box office today and got a ticket for the March 27 preview. I can't wait to see Betty in this show!

Also went to Central Park yesterday. And that just made me so happy I could spit! LOL I love Central Park! ahhhhhh!

"When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace." --HH The Dalai Lama

365 Days of Smiles - Day 50

Found out some exciting news at lunch time and I've been smiling ever since!

Betty Buckley is doing a show at New World Stages called White's Lies. I can't wait to see it! Living in New York is a good thing! AND I'm going to see Betty tomorrow night at Feinstein's too! I'm so excited about White's Lies... it's a comedy! Yay!

I prefer you to make mistakes in kindness than work miracles in unkindness. --Mother Teresa

365 Days of Smiles - Day 49

A few days ago I was at a pet store, getting dog food. There was an organization there with kittens that were up for adoption. I was talking to the kitties, and then I started telling one of the ladies my pet story about how I adopted a kitten over the summer. And how I'd moved here from IL about a year ago with the dogs and how they all really get along so well. And the woman responded back to me "I knew you weren't from New York, you are actually engaging in conversation with another human being".

Now, I don't really find New Yorkers to be rude... except for my boss (LOL). I really think New Yorkers get a bad rep. for being rude. There's a lot of craziness out there, but not so much rude!

I've decided that I need to stop complaining about work. I have a job, that makes me lucky. My job pays my rent & my bills, that also makes me lucky. I live in NYC, that makes me HAPPY! So my boss ignores me, and barely speaks to me. Considering all she does is gossip, that's probably a good thing!

Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you. --Augustine of Hippo

365 Days of Smiles - Day 48

This guy on the subway platform called me babe tonight. Well, actually he almost ran into me and said "sorry babe"... or maybe it was more like "sorry baby"... pretty sure he was gay too. But, a girl likes to be called babe and baby every once in a while regardless of who is saying it!

They found Sugar yesterday. Sugar was lost in Prospect Park a week ago today. She ran off and then some idiot called the family asking them how much they were going to give him to get their dog back. I can't imagine knowing that someone else has my baby! Whoever had Sugar left her tied to a bush yesterday morning in Prospect Park. A passerby called the family and Sugar was home! When I read that story over lunch time I was SO happy!!! Seriously, I told EVERYONE who came near me that Sugar was found! :-)

The day will come when, after harnessing space, the winds, the tides and gravitation, we shall harness the energies of love. And on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, we shall have discovered fire. --Pierre Tielhard de Chardin

365 Days of Smiles - Day 47

The subway safety song... OMG... I'm watching The King of Queens. That song was funny!

OK... The King of Queens is really funny tonight! I was wondering what I was going to blog about today! :-)

Every day you spend without a smile, is a lost day. ~Author Unknown

365 Days of Smiles - Day 46

Happy President's Day! I had the day off... yay! :-) And, I did absolutely NOTHING! Double Yay! LOL I slept in, until 8:30! The boys and I just acted like slugs today. Well, I think they probably act like a slug every day while I'm at work, but we were slugs together today!

Now I'm watching America's Next Top Model, which I have become addicted to! LOVE IT!

We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth. --George Bernard Shaw

365 Days of Smiles - Day 45

Again with the Yorkies in tiny little coats, being walked by big tough-looking men! Love it! LOL

Today was a beautiful sunny day. It's still close to 40 degrees. They say we're getting more snow tomorrow night. I'll believe it when I see it, cause they've been wrong every time so far!

Completed my tax return today. Didn't do too bad this year. When I left Caterpillar at the end of January 2009, I admit I wasn't too happy with all of the tax taken out of my separation check. Now, I'm pretty happy because I'm getting a lot of it back! Thanks Uncle Sam! :-)

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." -- William James

365 Days of Smiles - Day 43 & 44

No, I didn't forget to blog yesterday. I was on the go all day... run, run, run! I didn't get home until 2am this morning!
I took a half day from work yesterday so I could attend Betty Buckley's interview and CD signing at Barnes & Noble. Why is it that after all these years, I still can't put two intelligent sentences together when I'm standing in front of that woman? Anyway, the interview was great and thank goodness others in the audience had some intelligent questions for Ms. B!

Then after Betty's interview I headed to the Ensemble Studio Theatre to see Ilene Kristen in Silver to a Trading Agent. VERY excellent play. It runs next week on the 18th & 19th as well. I highly recommend!!!

This morning I had to get up early to take Harry Potter to the groomer. He met two cute little girl dogs on the way home from the groomer! LOL

Then tonight I met a friend and we attended Queen Bea: A Soapsical. Very cute show, starring BethAnn Bonner, Bree Williamson, Jason Tam and Chris Stack. We were joined by Ilene Kristen and January LaVoy. Mark Lawson was also there, but we didn't see him until afterwards.

So, now I'm home... exhausted. Glad we have a three-day weekend, cause now I have two days to make up for the past two! LOL

It's super cold here today, windy... and it's supposed to snow again on Monday. We'll see... they've been pretty wrong about our snowfall so far!

I love my life! :-)

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. --Eleanor Roosevelt

365 Days of Smiles - Day 42

Today I received an email about orientation for Night of a Thousand Gowns volunteers! This is such a fun event, and I'm so glad I get to volunteer again! Not only is it a great event, it also holds wonderful memories. Last year the orientation was the day after I arrived in NYC! Happy times!

I've included a picture of Robin Strasser with the Dorian portrait she donated for the silent auction last year. The proceeds from the evening will be donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and God's Love We Deliver.

I just love this group of guys and gals. They do so much and raise so much money. I am so happy to be a part of some of their events!
PS - Christmas in July is a blast too! :-)

When making your choice in life, do not neglect to live. --Samuel Johnson

365 Days of Smiles - Day 41

Well... Manhattan was smiling today! They said we were getting a blizzard. We did NOT get a blizzard! But we got some snow, and Manny was happy!

They didn't close the office, but hardly anyone came in! wusses! It was nice and quiet though! LOL

The greatest distance in the world is the 14 inches from our minds to our hearts. --Agnes Baker Pilgrim

365 Days of Smiles - Day 40

It's supposed to snow tonight... and all of tomorrow, right into Thursday morning. It's supposed to snow a LOT! The mayor has already canceled school for tomorrow. We have a number to call in the morning to see if the office is open. I really, really, really want it to snow a LOT! It hasn't started yet... but I'll keep checking! :-)

I can't wait to see how excited Manny is in the morning when he sees the snow! And there better be a LOT of snow! LOL I don't necessarily want a day off... I'll go in to work... I just want SNOW! It's supposed to be really bad in the afternoon. That's why there is no school. They don't want the buses to get stuck.

The last time we were supposed to get a lot of snow, we didn't even get 3 flakes! So I say, bring it on!

Money itself is just pieces of paper. What gives meaning to that paper is our thoughts, feelings, and stories. --Agent Krafchin