Bar Lubitsch Holiday Party!

The Lubitsch Holiday Party was the first Sunday in December and I knew exactly what I was going to wear.  I had a dream about my Mom the night before the party.  A year before on that night, it was the last time I spoke to my Mom.  I spent the day chatting with her, calling her and interrupting her work day at least three times, and not once was she ever annoyed or bothered by my phone calls.  I had found the perfect dress the year before, went to Angl to get it, and they said it was shipped to another store because they couldn't sell it.  Then one employee remembered she had packed it, but it hadn't yet gone out, went through the box, and pulled it out.  It was my size, the color I wanted, and when I walked out of the fitting room, she called me Beyonce.  Did I mention it was on sale with an additional 30% off?  I got for a steal (and since my Mom was the Queen of bargain-shopping, I had to call her a couple more times).  I knew since I had a dream about her the night before the party, it was a sign I had to wear the dress.

The dress <3

Giana and I got ready at my place and then we ubered over to Carolyn & Matt's and picked them up on our way to Jones for the party. Per usual, the food was incredible, salmon, chicken, two kinds of pasta, vegetables, desserts and more.  It's also open bar, yes, our Committed Inc. company certainly appreciates their employees and treats them well!  I'll take another Hendricks & Sprite please ;)

Giana, Carolyn, & I...and my amazing co-workers and friends! 
There's a whole lot of good-looking people in these photos :)

Most of my co-workers were there so we all caught up, had some shots together, enjoyed a wonderful meal, and our glasses were never empty.  It also gives all of us a chance to get dressed up for a special occasion!  I'm close friends with a few of my co-workers so we do see each other outside of work on occasion but it's always nice to get together and have everyone be fancy!  I may have missed the dance party but I did get pictures all night long!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from all of us at Bar Lubitsch and more!

*Mom's Anniversary*

December 5th was the one year anniversary of my Mom's passing.  Interestingly enough, the two night's before I had a dream about her.  I was able to hug her in the dream, hold her, cry and and talk to her for a little bit, telling her I loved and missed her so much.  She was trying to be strong but I saw how much it was breaking her up to see me this way.  She said she had to go and that it was her time.   I didn't want to argue with her although so many of us believe something so very different.  And then it was over.  I'm sure this was her way of letting me know she was ok but I just can't help but feel a part of me will forever be missing.  That's what made that Monday the 5th, so special, that my friends have continued this past year to help fill that void, and I'm so appreciative of all of them.

Drinking Palmina Wine from the last trip to Solvang the family made with Mom!  Thankful for the wonderful
gals in this photo and everyone who stopped by that day, reached out, has checked in throughout the year, and
more.  I couldn't be as strong as I've been without your support and love.  My Mom is smiling down on the fact
I have such wonderful friends and family.  She'd really be proud <3

I set up the day with a morning walk, and then relaxing, food, Champagne & wine, cheese, dessert, movies, my girlfriends, and memories of Mom.  A special thank you to Kristina (all that amazing wine & Champs), Emily, Giana, Carolyn, Rachel, Lauren, Courtney, Fern, and Kenni whom stopped by, brought flowers, special gifts, Wisconsin cheese, wine, or hung out (thanks to my Improv crew for excusing me for the day), and to Nick for the beautiful flowers and thoughts from Wisconsin, my family for their special tribute, and all of my friends that said prayers, sent texts, messages, and more.  They were so greatly appreciated.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Beautiful flowers from Rachel, Nick & Giana :)

It was truly the best day it could have been, barring the circumstances and I'm so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life.  I read the Eulogy I read at my Mom's funeral; it was the first time I had read it since the funeral, and there was not a dry eye in the room.  We shared funny stories about my Mom, and just had a girl's day, the way Mom would have wanted it to be.  Even if she would have taken a nap in the early evening before the movie started.  We closed out the night with 'Pretty Woman,' one of my Mom's favorites and before I knew it, the day was over, and it was just another day in December.

Mom...the hugs, phone conversations, love, funny jokes, memories or thoughts never cease to exist, and I wish I could have a million more shared with you.  I'm actually surprised I've been able to go on at all because this was the most difficult thing I've ever gone through, and I know I'm only able to because of the strength and compassion you have instilled in me.  I end this blog with a quote I posted to my Pinterest.  "For the rest of my life, I will search for moments full of you."  It's amazing how I feel your prescence and all of a sudden you're there, and then you're gone; but I will forever live for those moments knowing you're walking beside me, except when it's too hard for me to walk, you will be the one carrying me, and that set of footprints will become one <3

We miss you every day, Mommy!

I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my Mommy you'll be.

Photos from Dad's Visit to LA :)

My Dad came out to visit for nearly a week at the end of November for Thanksgiving!  We always pack so much into our trip and this one was no different.  From Karaoke, to Thanksgiving, the LA Auto Show, steak dinners, cocktails at Blind Barber, time with friends, and more, we had a great time.  I can't wait for Dad's next trip to LA!

Dad, Rutherford, and I ready to celebrate Thanksgiving after a fun morning
making our side dishes and having some Champagne :)

Rutherford & Kristina (the beautiful Hostess) on Thanksgiving!

Our Saint's & Sinner's reunion at Lubitsch...Dad's chilling in the back with his Maker's & Coke!

Dad loves his Grand-Dog Rutherford <3

I'm always looking for new ideas and fun things to do so I have something planned for Dad's next visit.  Feel free to comment below if you have any ideas you'd like to share :)

*And you may recognize some of these photos from my Instagram, but if not, feel free to give me a follow by clicking this link: Lyndsey on Instagram* Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone!

Thanksgiving in LA and Dad's Visit!

We're already into December but a little wrap-up about the week of Thanksgiving is always on time!  My Dad came to visit me and it was his first time flying solo.  He's always flown with my Mom, and the last time he came out here, he was with my brother and my brother's girlfriend.  I was very proud he was able to do it all on his own!

Dad got into town on Wednesday so I picked him up at the airport and we headed straight to Karaoke!  We had a fun night there and Thursday morning was all prep for our Thanksgiving Dinner at Kristina & Alex's.  I was making a Corn Succotash for the first time and my Orange Bourbon Cranberries.  Dad actually measured everything out for the Cranberries and stirred them while I prepped the Succotash.  I was very impressed with his ability to help me in the kitchen AND stay out of my way.  Oops ;)  My Succotash turned out great and Dad even ate it with all the random veggies I put in it, so I knew it was good.  We headed over to Kristina's that afternoon with Rutherford in tow (he got to spend the night playing with Ringo), we all and enjoyed a meat and cheese hour complete with cheese and summer sausage from Wisconsin that Dad had brought with him.  There was Butter Chardonnay among so many other beautiful wines, Champagne, and then Dessert Wine for later.  Our Dinner was a true feast with a Sunchoke Salad, Creamed Spinach, my Succotash, Mashed Potatoes and Stuffing, Turkey, Beef Wellington, Cranberries and more.  We all had to take a break before eating Pie for dessert!  Alex's friend, Jim, played some songs on the guitar for us, and we spent the rest of the night chatting about music, the old times and fun.  It was such a lovely Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Vibes

On Friday, Anthony had gotten us tickets to the LA Auto Show so we spent all afternoon walking around the show and checking out the cars.  We did some research for a new car for me.  Of course, now the Honda Accords are getting great gas mileage, I apparently got the lemon year of 2010.  In the running is the Mazda 6 Grand Touring, Chevy Malibu Hybrid, and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.  I decided against the Lexus since the mileage is way too low, and while I like the BMW, I didn't necessarily feel like it was 'my' car when I sat in it.  I still need to go and test drive all of them but it was a great way to check them all out in a short time frame.  To top it all off, as we were walking to the other section of the show, I recognized an actor from my favorite Netflix show, 'Wentworth.'  I said his name out-loud, not thinking it could really be him, and he turned around so I had to think quick, and of course, started blurting out random information as Dad complimented his accent (he's Australian) and then we took a photo.  I was stoked; Luke McKenzie was so humble and friendly, and just an all-around nice guy.  That was really all I could talk about for the next hour, so Dad and I finished up at the show and came back home for Dinner.  I had specifically got a Blue Apron order for us that week.  It was a NY Strip Steak with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Lemon Broccoli.  I also did a Carrot Souffle.  We went to Blind Barber for some after-dinner drinks and Dad found a new whiskey thanks to Daniel!  I may have to get him a bottle of Four Roses for Christmas!  We went and got Hawaiian Shave Ice and Dole Whip at this place on Sawtelle that Rachel had introduced me to and got settled in for the night to watch a movie.

My home-made steak dinner!

Saturday it was raining in LA, a rare thing for Dad to experience and we stopped at a couple Guitar Shops and also the Harley place in Marina Del Rey.  That night we went to Ruth's Chris for Dinner which was a nice treat.  We definitely ate well the week of Thanksgiving!  After Dinner, I had to head to work at Bar Lubitsch and it was a Saint's & Sinner's reunion with Mike, Carolyn (our new Bartender there) and I behind the bar.  Dad was kept company by some regulars and around midnight I went out and got him all settled in an Uber back to my apartment.  At the end of the night, a guy approached me and asked if that was my Dad I had gotten the Uber for.  I said yes, and he said, he has two daughters and he hopes that one day, they take care of and show that much concern for him, as I had done for my Dad.  Seriously started to tear up right there in the bar; such a sweet compliment!

Met Luke McKenzie at the LA Auto Show!

Sunday was more low-key.  I had been fighting a cold so I took a nap while we were watching a movie.  That night Dad and I met up with Giana and her parents at C&O in Venice for an Italian Dinner!  It was so nice to get our families together since they have so much in common, especially about their love for motorcycles.  On Monday, Rutherford went into surgery for his 'snip snip' and they also fixed his Umbilical Hernia.  It was nice to have Dad here to keep me calm since the second I dropped him off I started to cry.  Dad and I had Brunch at Overland Cafe and found out his flight was delayed so we'd be able to spend a couple more hours together.  We picked up Rutherford on the way home, and he was very out of it, so we just hung out with him and Dad got packed up so I could take him to the airport.

We had such a great few days together, just me and Dad.  It really was our first time hanging out together in LA since Mom was always with him when he'd visit.  Mom would come out on her own a couple times a year which I loved, so it'll be a new tradition that Dad and I will do now.  I may have to get him in the Kitchen more often too.  He's already excited about me coming home next week so we can have a Wine and catch-up night.  I'm really excited to be going home for Christmas the Holidays. Plus, Rutherford is going to have a new friend to meet, and me too, but that's a story for another day :)

Check out my new blog above with more pictures from Dad's visit!

November Karoke

November was a good month for Karaoke!  I was in my 'No Drinking' phase until that last week so my voice was healthier than normal, even though I was fighting a cold or sore throat.  Dad was visiting me for Thanksgiving so he came into Gabe's the night before and even sang a song.  Overall, it was a fairly busy month!

Rick Astley - 'Never Gonna Give You Up'

Shania Twain - 'That Don't Impress Me Much'

Paula Abdul - 'Cold-Hearted Snake'

Rob Thomas - 'Someday'

Roxette - 'Listen To Your Heart'

Marty was really excited that I was
finally drinking again!  I ordered the
girliest shot I could, perfect for this
Winter weather ;)

Cher - 'I Found Someone'

Pat Benatar - 'Treat Me Right'

10,000 Maniacs - 'Because The Night'

Jewel - 'Angel Standing By'

Natalie Merchant - 'Wonder'

Madonna - 'La Isla Bonita'

Wilson Phillips - 'Hold On'

The Ronettes - 'Be My Baby'

Lifehouse - 'Breathing'

Stockard Channing - 'There Are Worse Things I Could Do'

The Beatles - 'Come Together'

Sara Bareilles - 'Gravity'

Blondie - 'Call Me'

Rent - 'Another Day'

Kansas - 'Carry On My Wayward Son'

Nancy Sinatra - 'These Boots Were Made For Walking'

Rent - 'Take Me Or Leave Me'

Cher - 'The Shoop Shoop Song'

The Kinks - 'My Sharona'

Journey - 'Separate Ways'

It had been a while since I sang some Rick Astley so I opened with that and my new song of the night was 'Someday' by Rob Thomas.  A personal favorite song and it was great for my voice.  I saw Matchbox 20 and Goo Goo Dolls in concert a few years ago and they re-invigorated my love for them!  The next week was my Mom & Dad's Wedding Anniversary so I did a few of my Mom's favorite songs and a song I wish I could have sang for her when she visited me as my new song.  I did Jewel's 'Angel Standing By' which is such a beautiful song and it was fun to sing.  The next week was a little more low-key, people must have been prepping for Thanksgiving.  I added some more songs to my history and did 'Breathing' by Lifehouse which was pretty difficult and needs to be lowered a note or two for my voice.  It was just out of my range with his jumps.  With my Dad in town for Thanksgiving I did songs he requested or that he hadn't heard me sing.  I had to open with The Beatles, he sang a Beatles song later too, and then I did 'Gravity' by Sara Bareilles.  Another favorite song of mine, to hear and to sing!  Dad requested 'Call Me' which is vocally difficult but I was able to pull it of, and then Zach and I sang 'Another Day' from "Rent" which is a song I adore!  My new song that night was 'Carry On My Wayward Son' by Kansas, a fun song to sing, and of course pays homage to my Afterbuzz TV Aftershow I do for 'Supernatural.'  That closing week in November we were celebrating Hadiyyah's Birthday and we had a bunch of friends singing, so Emily and I sang 'Take Me Or Leave Me' from "Rent" and my new song was The Kinks 'My Sharona.'  It's lyrics are only slightly scandalous ;)

December has already started and it's only two weeks of Karaoke for me since I'll be heading back to Wisconsin for a couple weeks for Christmas and the Holidays with my family!  Next week we'll be doing Holiday music so join us at 9 pm for an exciting night of great music!

No Alcohol for Six Weeks!

In October I got sick with a sore throat and cold.  I was run-down from rehearsals for two different shows, performances, work, Rutherford, and life.  I found myself having a glass of wine for Dinner with friends, or a beer while we watched Football on Sunday, or multiple beers while at a Dodger Play-Off game, or shots with friends at Karaoke, and before you know it, you're having at least one drink a day, a couple to a few times a week.  I enjoy drinking but I certainly don't need to have a drink to get through the day, and I'm very glad and thankful for that.  Although, I sincerely appreciate a great glass of wine with a home-cooked meal or while out to eat and work hard so I can enjoy that.  I knew I wanted to take a little break so I figured since I had just come down with this cold, it was a good time to take a week or two off.  

Headshot by James DePietro

On October 12th, I decided to not drink for two weeks.  Those initial 10 days flew by and I knew I'd be able to hit two weeks easily.  As soon as I hit two weeks, I thought, I can do another week, maybe I can do a full month?  I liked challenging myself.  As I went through that third week, a month seemed like a breeze.  In fact, as that month was about to hit, it was simple to not drink.  Mind you, I work in a bar three to four days a week, so I am constantly around alcohol, and yet, it was easy to say, no thanks.  Even on Halloween, while at a friend's House Party, I was able to enjoy the night with friends, food and games, and a glass of tea in front of me.  I did miss having a glass of wine while I was cooking my Blue Apron Dinner's, but it wasn't the end of the world.  I didn't even drink the night of the election when I think everyone was having cocktails!

I figured after a month, I'd go back to my occasional cocktail, but at that point, I really had no reason to drink so I was going to see how long I could go.  It was nice to be the Designated Driver, to know we were all getting home safely, to leave the bar at 3 am and not worry about being pulled over because I was completely sober.  As Thanksgiving was approaching, I knew I was going to have wine and I didn't really want to be a 'party pooper' and be wrecked after a couple glasses while we were with our friends.  So a couple days before, Giana and Adam came over, we played Wineopoly (leaned about wine from all over the world) and drank some delicious reds, watched a movie, and laughed.  It was fun, it was contained, and I woke up the next morning feeling great.  I felt healthy, there was no hangover (although I did take an aspirin just in case), and since I wasn't drinking alcohol lately, I had been on red alert to drink tons of water, and did the same thing that first night back, so I was hydrated.  I'll write more about that in my blog for my New Year's Resolutions from this past year ;)

What did I learn in six weeks of no alcohol? 

I'm still getting sick; no alcohol also means I'm restless in my sleep.  This past year has been a rough one and I still haven't gotten back to my normal sleep patterns, so I truly think that's the reason I've been on and off with a cough and cold for the last couple months.  I'm just worn down; alcohol is not a major factor in that but that doesn't mean it helps if you're already feeling under the weather.

My singing voice has improved.  My voice is much clearer, I'm able to hit higher notes, and it sounds more full.  I'm still working in the bar, yelling over the music, and my voice is still healthy.
I feel more accomplished.  I started writing the sitcom I've had on the back-burner for years.  Could this inspiration be because I haven't been drinking?  Maybe, maybe not.  But my thought process is clear and not clouded, and it's completely creatively-fueled!  I've been having late night writing sessions to keep up with the ideas in my mind, and sharing this project with my close friends has gotten me more excited about this whole process.  It also makes me want to start working on little projects that we can film and put up on YouTube since I have so many talented friends.
No hangovers (which I rarely have anyway) and no drinking time means more time for hanging with friends, getting my work-outs or work done earlier so I'm more available for the people who are important to me.  My friendships have flourished in the last couple months and when we're hanging out just a few of us, because I'm not drinking, it usually means, none of the other gals are either.  We're able to enjoy each other's company and really talk.  

I've been eating more healthy and doing two-a-days for my work-outs.  I've gained weight (it's probably muscle, right) but I feel stronger and healthier in that aspect, and can run for longer periods of time, do more push-ups and squats without tiring.  I've also been taking yoga classes once a week, and a positive mind means a positive body.  
My skin is clearer (another thing I attribute to drinking copious amounts of water) and there's no bloating!  My stomach is flat, aside from the little food baby, since I enjoy eating.  My eyes look brighter, in fact, my body as a whole just looks healthier, and that's a natural glow!

I've been working more hours, longer hours, and picking up shifts at the bar and I've been able to handle all of that much better than I normally would.  Stress is still there but I'm not drinking to make anything feel better.
I didn't even think about the monetary savings...as I said, I'm not a big drinker anyway, but I know I saved money by not going out, not eating food just because I had a cocktail or two, or buying a bottle of wine when the girls and I were hanging out!  That's money better spent on other fun activities!
Lastly, it's cool to not drink!  Go on, and try it!

Overall, it was a really welcomed break.  I didn't mind being the one not drinking, and I really do believe I've gotten more accomplished in the last six weeks because of it.  Now perhaps we'll see how the next six weeks go that I'm gradually welcoming cocktails and wine back, and see if I'm still on this creative path, healthy-eating, strong work-outs, and awesome relationships.  I know I will be...fresh perspective means positivity and I'm not about to let anyone down :)