Stage Fright

My home town...why do I live in Texas again?

This weekend I am heading to my home town in Colorado to attend my dear friend Rene’s wedding. Andrew is staying home since we just got back from NYC and as you know flights are not cheap these days. Rene and I have literally grown up together sharing many fun, meaningful, and hard times. I think one of the reasons I feel so close to her is because she knew and loved my Dad who passed away when we were in High School. He loved her too and always considered her part of the family. It is comforting to have a person who remembers him with me even now who is not technically in our family. Sadly, I only get to see Rene a couple of times a year (if we are lucky), but each time it is as if we were never apart. We do frequently talk on the phone though so that helps. Bottom line, she means a lot to me and I couldn’t be happier about her nuptials to her love named Bob. I think it is fun to type the name Bob especially when referring to a man in his twenties. Just makes me smile….

So of course I agreed without hesitation when Rene asked me to be part of her wedding by singing ‘Come Thou Fount’ in the ceremony. For those reading this who have known me 8 years or less, I used to sing. In High School I was quite the performer in our school’s rendition of Oklahoma and was a valuable asset to the soprano section of the choir. I know what a geek right? To my horror, my mom has the video tape of my Oklahoma performance and gladly showed it to Andrew one Christmas. The fact that she even has a VCR is beyond me. He was highly entertained, although I am certain not impressed.

Back to the issue at hand. After graduation in 2002, I ended my music career and now limit my singing to the car, and at church with everyone. Needless to say, I am very out of practice and feel completely inadequate to be the feature performer at a wedding. Don’t get me wrong, I am honored that Rene has asked me to be part of her special day. I also love the song ‘Come Thou Fount’, and love to sing it. However, I would not be honest if I didn’t confess that I am nervous about how this will go down. To Rene, who never had an ear for music (no offense Rene but you know it is true), will think it is lovely no matter what. I also realize that she did not ask me to sing because she wanted a stellar musical performance, but because she loves me and wanted to include me. As I grow anxious and the day (Sunday) approaches, I am comforted by one thing. I have a sister with TWO degrees in music! Maria has promised to sing with me which will make it A LOT better!! Rene is all for it too as she and Maria are practically sisters.

So tell me to ‘break a leg’ as they say. Maybe it will be more fun than I think since it has been so long. It will also be fun to sing with Maria worshiping the Lord together with Rene and Bob at their wedding. My one request is that Andrew never sees the video!

Nathalie

Happy Birthday Andrew!

This will have to be short and sweet since my lunch hour is coming to an end, but wanted to do a quick shout out to my husband who turned 30 yesterday! He was a little down in the dumps about it, but I think he's going to be OK. His spirits were certainly lifted by the party we had for him last Saturday. One of these days I will get the pictures downloaded of which I didn't take a one. Thankfully, my mother-in-law had the where with all to take a few shots during the event. It was lovely thanks to the McClish extended family coming in from the Texas Panhandle to help! Mercy I don't know how I would have made the food, decorated, or set up the party without them! If you are a McClish and are reading this....THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Lets just say it was a pretty fun time. We had amazing meat prepared by our friend Justin (he has a gift), red velvet cake, and a pinata! Really the party needs a proper blog post and hopefully I can get to that soon. Thanks to all of you who came to celebrate with Andrew. It reminded us how blessed we are to have such wonderful friends and family to walk with.

To Andrew: I for one am very glad you were born May 19th 1980. Happy Birthday! I love you and being your wife....even if you are an "old guy" :)

Love, Nathalie

June Update:

 

June will have a new family starting on Friday. A woman was immediately interested in meeting her as soon as we posted her information online. The woman is in her 50’s and wants a dog to walk with and keep her company since her husband works late. We invited her over last Saturday so we could meet her and introduce her to June. I think June liked her and we did too. Her home will be a good place for June where she will be the only dog and there won’t be any young kids around. It is sad, but honestly I am more and more affirmed this is the right decision for our family. We will miss June, but having one dog and not worrying about June’s behavior is a weight lifted. Wesson might have the hardest time of anyone though. He loves him some June.

Nathalie

Last NY Post

I was on a roll there for awhile documenting our trip out east. Then the weekend came and I didn’t feel like blogging, and now it is almost too far in the past to keep talking about. However, because Pat McClish (Andrew’s mom) has patiently been awaiting this post, I must share. After all, she was the first and is still the most diligent reader of “Those McClish’s”.

NYC the Conclusion:

The last day in a half in New York we spent seeing more sights. To our disappointment and utter discomfort, there was a terrible hot spell the days we were there. Hot and muggy I might add. One news weather man called it “the dog days of summer in May…we are seeing unseasonably warm conditions”. I did not pack for such weather as I had heard New England is lovely this time of year for jeans and layers. Fortunately, Maria’s roommate lent me an airy sun dress so I could occasionally feel some of the nearly non-existent breeze. I am forever grateful to her and her generosity to a hot, sweaty, girl in need.

First stop: Grand Central Station

It really is neat and very pretty to look at

Where are the McClish’s? My sister tells me Andrew and I are both in this shot. I still can’t find Andrew though….can you?

We noticed a lot of people in NY refuse to comply with the local rules and regulations.

Kind of random, but since we are on the subject, another example of a non-enforced rule. I can’t say I saw anyone doing this while we were there…and we saw many dogs.

Next: Staten Island, Statue of Liberty, Little Italy, and Central Park

There is a free ferry that takes you out to Staten Island. Last week some people actually were injured on one of these vessels when it hit the dock or something. It seemed pretty safe at the time…thankfully our voyage was without incident

From here we could see Lady Liberty…pretty cool for a free thing

The boat trip gave us an appetite so we headed to Little Italy for lunch. Each restaurant has their menu outside and an Italian man who tries to convince you to eat there when you stop to check it out. Eventually we settled on this place. The Italian man was convincing and they had air conditioning…sold! We were more than pleased with our selection.

AMAZING!

The next morning before we flew back home, Andrew and I spent some time in Central Park. I think this was my favorite attraction of all. It is a beautiful oasis amongst crowded dirty streets and buildings. Somehow you felt alone in the park surrounded by natural beauty. I am so glad it exists for New York’s residents and dogs to retreat to.

so peaceful...

Apparently they also film things here. We couldn’t tell if this was a Law and Order episode or gum commercial. All I know is they made that girl you really can't see walk 20 feet over and over then smile into the camera. If you ever see this scene anywhere I would love to know…

And that is NYC for us in a nutshell. Honestly, I am not sure we will be back. It was a fun place to visit, but I think my heart longs to be outside the city. I am glad we experienced it though and I admire anyone who takes on the challenge of living there.

Nathalie

Maria's Recital and Avoiding Pathfinders in Times Square

 My sister Maria is the reason for our travels to the Big Apple. She has been attending NYU for the last two years earning her Masters in Musical Theater. In order to earn her degree, she had to perform a recital showcasing herself through singing and acting. We were in attendance and it was an EXCELLENT performance! We laughed, we cried...she is so talented.

Here was the program...a lot of work went into this document...and yes Maria, I read all of it!

Her performance was in here...very New York show business.

After the recital we headed back to Maria's place to eat and re-charge. Apparently this woman had also had a busy day. Poor girl missed her stop too...

oh..side note...see my new green bag? I got it on Canal street in one of those shady shops! It was so awesome...we asked if they had designer names and before we knew it the back wall of the shop opened and we were hurried into a secret room! Inside were walls of designer bags for the taking. After some indecisiveness, I selected the one shown above. The shop woman stuffed it into a black bag, we gave her cash, and she radioed her fellow shop keeper in an unknown dialect to verify there were "no cop" around. Then, as quickly as we came, the little woman hurried us out. It was crazy!

OK where was I, oh yes...after we took a short rest we decided to see some more sights as a family.

First stop: Bryant Park...this was a wishing fountain.

Mom made sure we had some money for wishes...thanks Mom.

Andrew eagerly making his wish....gotta love the man's passion here

Then we were on our way to the "Top of the Rock". Rockefeller Center for those of you not up on your NY lingo.

Inside we ran into NBC Studios...that was a nice coincidence....

Blurry...but you get the idea...$21 a piece later we were on our way to the best views of the city.

Going up...

The TOP! Maria didn't know you had to pay to use those...

View from the top! Maria took this...can you tell?

Another view

It really was one of the best things we did....well worth $21.

Oh no...someone is hungry...how about a cupcake?

 

These things are famous...and I can now attest to their deliciousness

Mine was the chocolate...

Yumm...hit the spot

Wanna try mine?

 Little did we know one block over a terrorism plot was unfolding...

Ignorantly we headed that direction to see if we could get tickets to a show

We didn't make it. The police had several blocks barricaded. The next day we discovered what was going on...scary indeed. Because these types of crowds are not something we enjoy as a family, we left this area and headed back to rest up for our last day in New York.

Nathalie

The NY Subway and Brooklyn Bridge

 

Our first day of sightseeing brought us to the infamous Brooklyn Bridge. It is a wonder to behold as I am sure you can tell by my excellent photos of it. Note the sarcasm.....I would Google it for a better idea. I really need lessons in photography... 

In order to get to this magnificent work of engineering, we had to get our happy tails on the New York Subway. Above is our stop as we awaited to take part in the world's largest public transit system.

Still waiting...we discovered that you can never be certain when your train will arrive. Mom was enjoying her breakfast (I had already finished my "egg on a roll") and did not want her picture taken. Oh well...she doesn't read my blog anyway. What she doesn't know won't hurt her:)

This new experience was full of interesting tales. For example, the man above got on the train with his buddy and began performing quite a nice little song and dance number. Thinking this was part of the NY charm, I listened and laughed and very much enjoyed their performace. Little did I know that no one else on the train was looking at them, as it is an unsaid rule that you must pay them if you look. Andrew caught on right away and fearing they might rob us if we didn't pay for their entertainment, reached for some cash. Then I snapped this picutre which is also apparently a no no. Luckily I don't think they noticed.

Andrew is a little perturbed he had to give them a dollar. Mom, again not in the picture mood.

That is better....

Finally we arrived at the bridge! It was quite spectacular, although very crowded. It was actually a small crowd to what we would experience, but I am glad I was eased into this reality slowly.

Looking North...I think that is Manhattan Bridge but I couldn't say for sure...

To the South. You are looking at the Financial District behind us...

North again...

Handsome man on a bridge!

North again....I think that is the Empire State Building back there. Neat hunh?

 Nathalie