The Streets

L.A.

dirty * colorful * delicious

"What did you do for summer vacation?" Well, on one particular morning, I ate Tasty's Donuts, turned down $1,200 a piece plane tickets to Palmyra, and happened to impersonate Christie at the eye doctor when I picked up Ron's contacts for him. 

"Hi, I need to pick up Ron White's contacts."

"Oh ya, your mom came by yesterday and ordered them. She said you guys are going on a trip."

i just can't give up the actress in me and i think, "play along, staley." 

"Oh ya, we're going to New York for a couple of days. There is a lot of history there about our church."

ha. you've got her fooled AND you're spreading the gospel. go you.

"I know. You're dad's my stake president."

booooo staley.

I laugh and say, "oh right! K bye!" and leave asap. 

The day turned out better than it started. We toured L.A.'s fashion and fabric district, where I was too nervous to buy anything.  Any place without a return policy is not my kind of store.

We moved on to Olvera Street. A lane in L.A. equipped with taquitos, famous avacado sauce, handmade leather loafers, mexican jewelry, candy, knock-off Lakers shirts and the very best people - thanks to Marky and Paul Hatch who obliged to join us.

 

Done and done.

In 'n Out

Welcome to our first apartment and most recently vacated apartment. Because what was once this...

...is now this.


Moving is awful. I've been doing this whole packing and unpacking thing since my fourth birthday when we moved to Germany. But no matter how many times you do it, moving is still the worst. Why is that?
Thankfully, we have the best family and friends who helped tirelessly. Can't tell you what a relief it was that my family, after a 10-hour drive, stopped by our house and dug right into packing.

Well, It's been fun, apartment #302.

Fraulein Pingree

I completely understand that a blog should include things that people can identify with, political beliefs, DIY crafts, pop culture references, food, instagrams... but believe me when I say you wont regret reading about a spectacular person, and now, missionary.

Today is the day I bid farewell to one of the greatest people I've been able to call "friend." She is leaving on her mission to the Alpine, German speaking mission, which includes Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Lichtenstein.  Any place that uses a glockenspiel, I believe.

Claire is going to be an amazing missionary for a number of reasons.  I feel inspired to make an acrostic poem (Claire = Cozy, lovely, A little tall...) but I'll spare you.



She's adventurous.  She travelled across California with me, a driving and direction mess.  Mostly, she's spontaneous and willing to stop the car at any site we feel inspired to see.


She's picture perfect.


She's as brave as can be.  Here's when we thought we got a tick in Liverpool.  Claire calmly endured a quick surgery of tweezers and carmax while I writhed in fear on the bed next to her.  Turns out my "tick" was a freckle, people.


Claire = popular. We always joke around with Claire about how popular she is, but lets face it, when you are kind to everyone there is no way you wont have a million bajillion friends.


She's a master photographer.  I'm getting this lovely printed for my home very soon.  Can't wait to see all the Alpine pics!


Oh and Claire's a little bit famous for her generosity.  This picture was a full page spread in the BYU magazine last fall featuring Claire dancing at the Best Buddies Ball.

Ich Liebe Dich, Claire Pingree.  Enjoy my long lost home in Germany and love every minute of your mission.  I'll be missing you and obnoxiously writing you way too many letters.