The Wild Card

Every year at our family Thanksgiving, before we dive into the yummy food, each person shares one thing that they are thankful for. This is my second* favorite tradition of the holiday's. Mom usually says something about how she doesn't know why she's so emotional. Auntie Ruth is always thankful for something about Noah. Grandpa always mentions health, God's grace and provence. But there's always a wild card. Last year it was cousin Stephen. This year it was Aimee - who wore her true feelings about my BIL on her sleeve - free for everyone to see! Good for her. Happy [belated] Thanksgiving everyone! 

*The first is Christmas morning at home, just dad mom Aimee and I. In our pj's in front of the tree with all the unopened presents - and dad reads the Christmas story out of Luke and then we pray together. Just thinking about it makes me so excited.

"Yes to the Dress"

Last week Sandi (mil), mom, A, and I drove down to David's Bridal to try on dresses. We had to go there first because of this. Although Lucy (Linda's amazing consultant) no longer works there, a wonderful Russian lady was there to help us, Oxsana. She was kind, to the point, and patient (she hung out with us for 3 hours)! A had no idea what silhouette looked good on her so she tried on a bazillion dresses but nothing was really wowing her - or the moms (and we all know from Kleinfeld's that the mom's opinion is sooo important).

Aim heard of a sample sale of sample dresses happening this weekend at a cute shop on La Brea in L.A. All the dresses are designer gowns tried on by bride's in expensive boutiques. But everything is marked down 60% because of that. The shop was teeny - but mom, A, and I walked through the tiny aisles and saw Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Melissa Sweet, Oscar De La Renta (gasp!), Platinum, and on and on. It was a discount couture heaven in there!

She tried on a handful of dresses and narrowed it down to two. Then the consultant, Caitlin, asked if she could put Aimee in one more dress... and of course, that one ended up being "the one". Last night Aimee said, "yes to the dress"!

Mom, elated. :) She has made this whole process so special and fun. Cool beans mom.

San Jose > Los Angeles

I have been up to San Jose many times in the last month and feel like I have had enough time to assess the city and compare it to my beloved Los Angeles.

+'s of Los Angeles

1. Family

2. Church Family

3. Nichols and the Marina

4. The familiarity of the city, the best places to eat, where to shop, the #1 Target, etc.

5. The laid back hustle and bustle

6. The unique people

7. The art

8. It's not cookie cutter, that's for sure. :)

9. Work

10. Lakertown

11. The grid

12. Old Town Pas, Marina del Rey, downtown Culver City, Abbott Kinney, Santa Monica, Palisades, Palos Verdes, Cheviot Hills, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo

13. 10 and 405

14. UCLA and USC

15. The best Japanese food and Mexican food anywhere in the 50 nifty.

16. Different cultures

-'s of Los Angeles

1. Some parts are dirty

2. 10 and 405

3. Traffic

4. Smog

+'s of Nor Cal
1. The crisp fresh clean air
2. The wide streets
3. The cleanliness of the city
4. The SJ Airport (come on lax - can we please get it together?!)
5. The mini J-town
6. The small town vibe

-'s of Nor Cal
1. Drivers - ugh!
2. Blah. When you don't take risks you are left with a bunch of blah. It's like Irvine, just deeper.
3. Giants fans
4. Curvy streets
5. No uniqueness
6. Lack of risk taking
7. Expensive
8. Chains

Los Angeles wins. But San Jose holds the Ace for this competition on best city because it has Josh, and wherever Josh is - well, that's what wins. So for now, and just right now, San Jose > Los Angeles.