I could easily dedicate another month to retracing all of my steps in the US. All of those wonderful conversations. Catching up. Going deep. Laughing much. EATING much. Good stuff. Really really good stuff.
Three weeks after my return, and I'm still picking up new memories from my mind. Here are but a few...
Drinks, food and eye contact with Dan and Cady. And seeing their beautiful new house.
Shoe shopping with Brenda and discovering that I qualify for Macy's "foreign shopper" discount. Who knew?
A marathon Target stop with Audrey, lots of good card time with her and Craigery, and splashing in the pool with the boys.
A fabulous chance to meet up with all of the Denver crew...family and many of Norm and Brenda's good friends.
Operating a massive movie exchange with Marcus at a Coffee Bean parking lot in Hollywood.
Encountering strange waitresses at Pain de la Quotidien with Annie, Marcus and Jason.
Brilliant views and quiet at the top of Laurel Canyon.
Seeing Janae in her pregnant state, glowing and functioning as effectively as ever.
Oh my goodness. Sydnie Loeb and a swimming pool. A lazy day at the Kretchman's.
Learning what's new with pianos and their concepts with Arthur and Jeff.
Blue Moon ice cream with Jon, Janice, Ollie and the Friedlanders.
Saying good bye to Pac 9 once and for all.
Seeing Dave's awesome group of friends at an only-in-L.A. bar within minutes of de-boarding.
Knowing that Dave was getting up to go surf.
San Diego playtime with the family ("Good night, Sheldons!").
Lily's ponytails, Jonah's smile, Jack's calves, and Ben's first wave.
Seeing Neil and Shayna's amazing house project. It's going to be incredible.
Donatelli's. Plain and simple.
Roller skating the night away with so many friends and family members that it felt like our second wedding.
BBQ with the Johnsons and Jacksons.
Boating, sporting and Wii-ing with Dave, Beth and the girls.
Time on the Hannah farm.
Lakeside dinner with Sue.
Bonding with the staff at Macy's in Maplewood.
Playing piano for Imogene and grandpa's nursing homes. Always the best audience.
Taking Dave to the cottage on the river. We'll be back for sure.
Being there when grandpa got visited by his old drum and bugle corps boys.
Boating with the two Daves and the girls.
Finally giving in to learning how to ride the wave board. It was fun just to be playing with my dad.
Being around for lots of new phases in mom's life: retirement, 65 and iTunes.
Going on a bear hunt with Maddy and Alaina.
Kung Pao and Lo Mein with the Fabyanske's.
Re-connecting with the Natives, the Douglases and the Kernkamps.
Meeting Heather at our favorite catch-up spot, Panera Bread.
Splitting a MASSIVE brownie with Bridget.
Talking about shoes, parenting and Pole-ish politics with Sara.
GNO with Alaina.
Playing tennis with mom.
Spending time at the Polo Match, at which time Adam sadly discovered that the party he had agreed to attend involved roller skating. Not his cup of tea.
Nordstroms and manicures with Beth.
Lots of Aggravation with mom and dad. (That's a card game, not a state of mind!)
Everything to do with getting Number Five into our family. Much of it, with Alaina's irreplaceable help.
Catching up with Jenn Alexander over square burgers in the Wendy's parking lot.
Precious wonderful time with Jenny Bays and her little Mess Maker in Nashville.
Caribou and great conversation with a glowingly-pregnant Michelle.
I love you guys all so much. Our guest room is yours for the taking. Come visit anytime.
And to Dave...Thank you so much for always supporting me when I want to visit my friends and family. You're the best. Really. Thank you for offering up our time together so I could be home for a while. Love you huge...
me
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