It does

And, I'm lucky enough to be going back in less than a month.

Reunited with my place where my soul lives, reunited with my goddamn heart (gotta pick it up from Stoke--rumor has it that's where it will be hanging out) (thought I got the bastard back in January, turns out, I was wrong) (Jasper effing Bloom).

I am a very spoiled little girl, and I am fully aware of it.

Looking forward to running a race in Luxembourg with a good friend waiting for me at the finish line; looking forward to taking her to my favorite pub in London; looking forward to crazy tackling Molly in Cambridge; looking forward to hopefully meeting up with some lovely London blogger friends (looking at YOU LovelyJubblyLondon!); looking forward to a lot of things. (wishing my Madrid sister was going to be there--this is the first race in a year I've done without her by my side. Going to be bittersweet and sad)

Can't believe it.

Can't believe this life I've been blessed to live. Even the heartache, the heartbreak, the tears and the sorrows--and trust me, there are plenty of those--even through that, I have been given much. This, this I do not forget.

#blessed

"I'll stand and fight, I will not run": Air For A Wise Celtic Fool

I stumbled across this a few weeks ago and on Friday night got sucked into the rabbit hole of listening to it on repeat.

This song and the accompanying soundtrack may be the most beautiful thing ever written (by people other than Lloyd Webber or Boubil and Schonberg). Just all hauntingly beautiful and moving. I can't get it out of my head!

Oh, I love it so.

I am determined to walk down the aisle to this on my wedding day--and even more determined to marry a lovely man who can sing like dear Killian here. My love for the Irish continues to grow. I should just up and move--I'd be a delightful little pub singer there, eh?

Give it a listen, you can thank me later.

On Mother's Day

If you've been reading here for a bit, you know that I don't have a mom. She died when I was 19 in a very sudden and horrible accident. Losing her so suddenly has certainly shaped the course of my life. 

My twink. My momma. THANKS FOR THE NOSE, MOM. 

Anyone who knew her will tell you I am her clone in every sense of the word. From the way I look (her twin), my laugh (noted, here), my expressions, and the way I talk is exactly like her. I've never been one of those people who was afraid of becoming their mother--mine was pretty awesome and to be one third of the woman she was would be quite an achievement for me. 

I hope and pray daily that I am living a life she would be proud of. 

Even without my madre, I have some awesome mom folk in my life:

I have an amazing stepmom who I adore, who rocks my socks and gave me my mini sis. 

Stepmomma and me on her birthday 2011

Last year, my best friend, Sara became a mom. 

My favorite picture ever!

Oh lord, y'all, I can't talk about her and Mac without crying. She is my rock. She's been by my side for several years now and I honestly can't remember my life without her. She has been there for some of my best moments (meeting Hugh), and some of my lowest. She has never failed to make me laugh, or to answer the phone when I am a hysterical mess. She has supported me forever and always. I have no freaking clue what I did to deserve her, but, I am hoping no one ever figures out I'm not worthy of her friendship, I want to keep her around! We have the most fun together and she gets me in a way very few do.

When she had Mac last year, I was a mess. She called to tell me she was in labor and I basically cried all day. She waited so long for him and y'all should have seen me telling everyone in NYC that my best friend was pregnant! Hilarious. I love that kiddo more than I could even tell you. He is her clone in every sense of the word, which means, I adore him. 

Watching her as a mom has been such a great joy for me as a friend. She's a brilliant mother and I can't wait to learn from her when I eventually have my own children.

Another amazing mother is my Dallas bestie gal, Ro. 

Musical theatre sisters

Our meeting was very happenstance and I fully believe God gave me her because He knew I'd need her. She is a redheaded London educated, soprano singing, daughter raising goddess. She is my sister. My angel of music. She gave me my voice. The woman who protected me when I needed it, who stood for me when I could not stand for myself and who loved me when I could not even like myself. 

I took her Mother's Day gift to her the other day and she argued with me about it for a few minutes until I burst into tears telling her to take the damn gift because I could never repay her for what she's given to me. I could never do enough to show her what her friendship and her family has meant to me these last 18 months. I thank God for her daily--I pray He doesn't realize I'm not worthy of her either! 

My sister. 

Drowned rats in Central Park. Worst picture, but we agree it's our most "us". And, our favorite candid of us ever. 

Oh, my sister. My soul mate. My other half. I'm convinced I don't need a male other half, because she completes me. She gave me my nieces, the pride and joy of my life. She has raised two amazing daughters, and has shown me what it is like to love through the good times and bad. This woman has been there and protected me when I needed it the most--when I didn't think I did, but, she knew better than me. I'll never forget the day after my mom died--I had to go into work with my dad and my sister just grabbed me, took me in her office and hid me from everyone. She continues to do just that. I'm amazed at her devotion and dedication to me, this little wretched soul. I am too blessed. 

My longtime bestie, Amy. She's mommy to a wee little half Aussie, half Texan bundle of sweetness. She makes me laugh, makes me cry, has grown up with me and shared the hard times and the good. She's an amazing mother and equally amazing friend. 

And, my Maine girls. 

I love them more than I could ever say. Sarah has sweet little Ty, who calls me "Aunt Owwie" and Danielle is a momma to be. They too, have given me more than I could ever return. My heart is so full when I am with them!

Thank you to all these women for being my friends, for showing me such great examples of womanhood, of strength, and of love. I hope I can eventually repay you for what you've given me, although, unless Warren Buffet leaves me his entire legacy, I think I will fall short. But, I love you. 

Happy Mother's Day to all you lovely momma ladies out there, I hope the day is as fabulous as you!

xoxo

The only skirt you'll ever wear

Last week, because I was having a rough week and a paycheck burning a hole in my yoga pants, I roped the bestie TPG into an Anthro trip. Lucky for me, she's usually a pretty easy shopping con.

(hard to believe it's been a year since I forced her into an Anthropologie store for the first time!)

I went looking for a dress to wear to see a show on Friday (yeah, because I don't have enough dresses) (shut up) (I really do wear at least one dress a week--it's a sickness), and instead found one to wear all.summer.long which we can discuss later, but, TPG spotted THE BEST SKIRT EVER. And I, I do not like skirts. I then have to find a shirt to "go" and usually the skirt hits at my waist which isn't really the most flattering on me and it's just too much dang work. 99.999% of the time. Until now.

Seriously, I could wear this every single day of my life. It even has a ruffled petticoat liner. Y'ALL.

 The online pictures do not do it justice at all. 

I wore it to the show with a black tee, turquoise necklace and my red Valentino's. I felt so glamorous and received no less than three compliments from total strangers on the skirt. Winning!

Oh, and it comes in orange--for all us Texans! Or, I guess, Tennessee fans too. It's not quite burnt orange enough for Texas. But! Orange! Pretty!

Y'all, get thyselves to Anthro and purchase--you will not regret it! Most favorite essential wear to everything purchase I have made in recent memory.

(wasn't compensated or anything for this, no, no, just that obsessed with the skirt)

"We go together...."

There is nothing like a reunion with your theatre friends. 

Of this I know too well.  I have experienced it in London, and then again this weekend. 

Cause nothing says "class" like bathroom mirror selfies

Seeing the people who have pushed me, challenged me and learned with me for so many years; laughing over stage doors and dressers. Telling stories about how far we’ve come, and how far we’ve yet to go. Singing Rent at the top of our lungs. Crying tears of heartache and shared sorrow. That is a type of love that is very, very hard to find.

I've known these girls for 20+ years

Sometimes going home is really hard, and sometimes, it’s really special.

My friends are so crazy talented, I can't even tell you!

Like when your childhood best friend sings a jazzy/blues version of “If I Were A Bell” (it was my audition song for 7,000 years) and the Rizzo to your Frenchie announces in the midst of our friends’ concert that she is pregnant.

I spy a mama to be! 

When you have a heart to heart with your big sister where you learn so much about yourself, about your relationship and about what it means to be family that you get in your car and are just floored by the hand you’ve been dealt.

SISTERS!!!!

And sometimes, sometimes, you find yourself left home alone with an 80 inch TV and no supervision, which obviously means LES MIS KAROKE PARTY.

"Look down!" (and see, the Diet Coke)

That’s not too bad either.

However, when the Scottish girl sits in the sun for two hours and becomes a roasted peanut—that, that is not so good.

Proof.

Effing tan lines. Again. 

Pass the aloe.

ps. It’s like Barcelona Burn all over again—my timing, is nothing short of perfect.

What did y'all do over the weekend? Does going home scare you as much as it scares me?

Wherein my nephew ruins my game

My bestie babe and her wee babe came to visit me this last weekend--and it was the best thing ever! I have a zillion pictures, but need to send them to Sara first, and we have a zillion funny stories to tell, but, y'all need to hear this one. No really, you do.

This was bestie's first time traveling alone with Mac, which was a big huge honor to me--I couldn't believe I was going to be their first solo trip. Holla! Because of that, we wanted to make sure we had EVERYTHING that they could possibly need. I had a pack and play, a high chair, and stroller. Man, I was going to ROCK being Aunt Ally this weekend.

And I did, I mean, duh. Kid loves my dogs, got to play in a fountain and ate a giant turkey leg at the Ren Faire. I'm the coolest Aunt ever.

Anywhoodle, Sara rented a stroller, and I haven't had time to return it yet, naturally.

Yesterday, I was carrying loads of bags out of Whole Foods and a lovely gent offered to help me to my car. I refused several times, but, he was so polite and cute (!) that I said yes. We made chit chat and I explained that I do not in fact eat all this, it was for a work function. Lovely chatting all the way to my car which was parked in Siberia at the end of the lot. A few giggles, a few little glances, it's all very nice and fun and well done me for parking so far away.

I'm thinking "maybe he will ask for my number or something" knowing full well men are giant pansies (said in King Julian from Madagascar voice) these days and chances of him saying anything were slim, but, that hey, stranger things have happened, so, maybe....

Welp, chances pretty much went to zero when lovely gentleman opened the trunk of my car and found a STROLLER. You know, the one that is not mine, that I haven't had a chance to return. And I wanted to say "oh no, it's my nephew's, I am single and kid free!" but he was so flustered and calling me "ma'am" and running in the other direction, that I didn't even get a chance. You've never seen a man move so quickly!

And that, my friends, is how my nephew ruined my game with the lovely man who could have been his future uncle at Whole Foods.

Good thing he's cute.

I'd rather hang with this dude, anyway

Mac: 1
Aunt Ally: 0

Game on, kid, game on. Just wait until you're in high school, just you wait.....

Lifesavers

Somehow, I got really lucky along the way in life.

Somehow, despite all my mistakes, my short comings, my flaws, I was given the most amazing people. (I suspect it is God apologizing for letting Hugh meet Deb before he met me) (or something less creepy stalker sounding)

People who have saved my life. Who have held me up. Who have held my hand, been the air when I couldn't breathe, been my legs when I was too weary to walk. People who save me from going to The Bad Place when I get depressed. People who send flowers. People who watch Skyfall with me because we can. Who listen to me cry at all hours of the night.

Who call me at 4am on their drive to work because they know I am awake and want to talk with me.

Who text whenever there is anything Eddie Redmayne, Hugh, musical theatre, Princess Kate, Anthro clothing, London, or Aussie related happening anywhere. People who make me laugh

Who take me to McDonald's for a Diet Coke because they know I love it. And support my belief in French fries as a meal. Who send me cards of singing hamsters.

Who post silly things to my Facebook (Hugh, Grumpy Cat, Psych, etc).

Who indulge my watching of stupid and emotional videos on YouTube because all I want is a hug and it's 10:30 at night and I am home alone with no one to hug. Who listen to me talk of better times because I am scared and lonely and the only people I want to comfort me are worlds away.

Who offer to freeze everything and fly to Europe when my life comes crumbling down around me and I am thousands of miles from home and have no one to turn to.

Who have opened up their homes and hearts to me. Who pick me up at the airport with their baby in tow, and take me home to Thai and Love Actually. Who gave me a place to sleep for a few days when I hadn't in months--literally.

People who go on grand adventures with me--who let me crash at their place so I can run (er, walk?) a race. Who love me unconditionally. Who love me for me. For the imperfect mess that I am.

I don't know what I would do without the people in my life--my lifeline, my saviors. I'm so lucky because I have you all. I'm so amazingly lucky. I may not have fame and fortune (yet!), but, I am rich beyond measure. My life might not be what I thought it would be, I could have never imagined this a year ago, but, I also couldn't imagine all the wonderful things so many good hearted people have done for me. And for that, I am richer, luckier and more spoiled than any little redhead could ever have imagined.

And today, one of those very lifesavers comes to town. I can't wait to tackle her at the airport and will probably cry the moment I see her--she's blessed my life in more ways than I can count and stands by me even when I'm being an idiot and when she has Much Bigger Problems of her own. For her, for you all, I am blessed.

Thank you for reading my silly blog, for being my internet friends, for being my real world friends, and for your sweet comments and such. I hope you know that I am the worst replier in the world, so, if I don't say thank you, this is a huge giant THANK YOU.

Cause I mean it, I really, really do.

(end sappy, emotional post now)

We continue to run

Nothing I can say hasn't already been said, nor will do justice to the horror that happened yesterday.

But, I can remember the wonderful memories I've made there, the power of the human spirit and remember that no matter what, I am a runner. I'll never run Boston, ever (well, maybe when I'm like 89), but, as a runner, it is THE event of our sport, and it impacts us all.

That cannot be taken away from me--from us. Our community is strong, resilient and united. We will continue to run, we will continue to love and we will support our beloved Boston and those lives lost, those injured and those who will never be the same again. We love you, we pray for you, and we will run to honor you.

For me, this will always be Boston:

My marathon guru, Sam, booking it down Boylston in 2011. We cried so hard seeing him that day!

Redhead sandwich in front of our spectating spot at Trader Joe's (um, Red? I miss your face)

Acting like idiots with my Maine girls, Danielle and Sarah 

Red Sox games and singing Sweet Caroline 

Running the BAA 5k with my best girl, Christie--Boston is where we met in 2010!

Blessed to have those memories, blessed to know those people, blessed to have experienced Boston.

I am so grateful that my friends who were in Boston yesterday are safe--I cannot imagine how they are feeling, please keep them in your prayers.

xoxox

(assistant to the regional) Manager

(I couldn't resist an reference to the good ol days of The Office)

So, it's been a week. One week since my beloved Pure Barre Arlington opened, and let me tell you, there were enough blood, sweat and tears to kill a small army, but, it was all worth it.

I work with the most wonderful, hilarious, smart, sweet, talented gals on earth.

The week before opening, I was lucky enough to receive a promotion within the organization. I've moved up in my career before ya know, taking jobs that were higher than what I left, etc, etc, but I've never been promoted. It was a pretty exciting, big moment for me. Silly? Yes. Do I care? No.

It's official!! 

Even the second in command has to manhandle the mannequins. 

So, not only do I get to teach pure barre, but, I get to manage schedules, make friends with the clients, order retail items (hi, I get to buy clothes and jewelry!) and make sure our entire staff is enjoying their jobs and that we are successful. It's daunting, and I'm not sleeping much (even less than usual, if it's possible), but, I'm loving it.

This goofball makes it all worth it. Love my boss!

The faces of survival--and exhaustion.

Opening morning, neither of us had been to sleep. Yay Laura Mericer makeup!

But, we did it!

Yeah, even the boss lady has to do silly things. Like sneak into apartment complexes and hang flyers

It's taken a long time to get here, but, I am so thrilled to be part of this team, and can't wait to see what amazing things are in store for PB Arlington. Fingers crossed, y'all!

ps. Arlington friends, come on by, ask for meeeee and let's lift.tone.burn together!

xoxo

Insert Catchy Title Here

Showwwwweeeeee! Welp, we survived the grand opening of Pure Barre Arlington, and now I need to go to sleep for 300 years and probably buy ALL THE SHOES.

It's been an exhausting, crazy, mental, hilarious, stressful--did I say exhausting?--past week, but, we are alive and kicking.

Lots more about the grand opening that I want to tell you, but, I'm publishing this in between classes and errands, so, you'll have to be held over with a few pictures.

Thank you to everyone who sent texts, tweets, facebook comments--you have no idea how much that meant to me. Thank you so much, I am truly blessed to have some wonderful people in my life. GIANT GROUP HUG FOR EVERYONE!

Anyways, pictures n'shit:

Our Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader pose. We are in Texas, after all!

 I have to tell y'all about getting these damn mannequins into the studio, but, suffice to say, I am injured and there are pictures to prove it. Lawdy.

You need to know that the mannequins are named Janelle and Tiffany-Therese 

My girl, AB taught THREE, count them, THREE classes on Saturday and I might have cried during her first class because a) I love her, b) she was born to do this, c) OUR FIRST CLASS!

Our very first class!! I was the creeper taking pictures per boss's orders

And this was the result of endless hair teasing and more makeup than a certain someone wears in Priscilla. Black is slimming, right?

Gratuitous self promotion here..... 

And, if you so happen to find yourself in the Arlington, TX area, stop on by and take a class! I might even teach it!

xoxo

Happenings

So, Easter happened.

And I survived. It was a hard day, to be sure. I cried a lot more than I expected. It was my first real single girl holiday--Thanksgiving, I was with my family (and dating someone), Christmas, I was with my family (and dating someone); New Year's, I was with my Molls in London (and dating someone), Valentine's Day, I was NOT dating someone, but, I was so busy with yoga that I honestly didn't care-- I had my yogis by my side.

Easter, was... different. My folks didn't even invite me home, and I knew if I didn't host a dinner, I'd be all alone. But, it was really nice to have people in my house again. Aside from my cat assaulting my Ro's daughter and my inability to set a formal dinner table, it was great!

I goofed off with Kim's kiddo at church

I wore ALL THE PASTELS. With a side of Valentino of course.

 Yeah, I bought the Anthro dress. Couldn't get the pink on in time, boo hiss! I suck at budgeting.

Full length dress shot on the left--I added a jacket for church.

I did this to the boxer. He hates me.

I can't be trusted to plan events--look at this food!

We ate a lot--I made scones (obvs), we drank lemonade and had an Easter egg hunt. I never need to eat again ever. 

Yesterday I ran like a mad woman all day but had a few brief moments at home and sat outside with the pups for a spell. 

Resulted in FOUR mosquito bites. Texas, you're on my list.

After 20 minutes outside, I ventured back into Dallas traffic for team headshots at the new studio. I teased my hair to heaven height and wore more makeup than a British drag queen (if you know me, you know why this is funny to me)--it was hilarious to see us all "done" up. 

Reliving my theatre days sharing a mirror

But, it was worth it--have you ever seen a more fabulous group? These girls are amazing and I can't believe I am part of their team!

Sarah, Amanda, Erica and yours truly (WTF, is that wisp of baby hair doing?!)

So, that's about what my last few days have been. Not exactly exciting, but, still, kinda great. 

How are y'all?

Single & Fabulous Question Mark

My darling long time bestie Amy always says "no! You are single & fabulous EXCLAMATION POINT!", which, naturally, is one of the 8,754 reasons I love her. But, sometimes, it's hard to remove that question mark from a statement about your life, especially when you aren't really sure how to change it.

I could give you my standard "I had a dream my life would be, so different from this hell I'm living" speech, because, you know, I did have a dream and all that, but, not today. Today, on April 1, I am claiming April 2013 as MY month. This whole "my" year thing, is just too taxing and honestly, the first few months have sucked donkey weenie, so, meh.

But! April 2013? Oh it is on!

The new studio opens (come take classes with meeeeeeee! I will kick your butt and you will love me for it--kind of), I am introducing my redheaded boo Rora to Wicked (can you believe my musical theatre girl has never seen Wicked?! I know, it's shameful), hopefully taking my kindred spirit and generally lovely Dallas pal, Soliel to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's production of Carmen, my bestie and nephew are coming to visit (YOU GUYS!) and I am jetting home for a quick weekend of In N Out-ing, sister snuggles and See's Candy.

It might not be the life I had envisioned, or even the month I had envisioned, but, hot damn it is shaping up to be pretty dang great.

I might not have a man by my side, or even within spitting distance, I might repel them like oil and water, my heart may still be grieving, but, I am fabulous. Or, something less bratty.


Single & Fabulous! Exclamation point.