Washington Heights Move-in Week-end

After a year and a half in an apartment in New York's financial district, a move was in the cards.  The apartments were going to be renovated, and Chelsea and Jenna were told they must move out.  They could continue to live in the building, but for a higher rent.  Well, the rent was already the equivalent of most people's mortgage, so when the time came, they set out to find another apartment.  Long story short, Washington Heights was the chosen area--a lot of struggling artists in this neighborhood--and the apartment was somewhat bigger with a much less expensive price tag.  

Sooo, off we went to New York to help her move.  Now, some have said, she's 25, she can do it herself. And yes she can; however, I have so few opportunities to help her now that she's so far away, that I feel fortunate that hubby and I could go to help.  We arrived and they had packed up quite a bit, so it was a few nights of stepping over boxes to get in and out of bed.  The next day we headed off to the new place, and after parking illegally on the street, we unpacked what we had brought and proceeded to paint.  We got three-fourths of the room done and ran out of paint.  What to do?  I had brought the paint from the paint store at home.  We also discovered that even though the small kitchen had been re-done, there was no drawer.  So after a Google search, we headed to the subway to find a store that carried the right kind of paint and to find a utensil caddy.  After all that shopping, we were exhausted and ready to relax with a glass of wine and dinner.  

The next day was her show, so not much was accomplished, but this was the highlight of our trip.  She sang two songs with other accomplished young talent, and we thoroughly enjoyed meeting some of her friends and, of course, hearing her sing.  While we were there, we heard that a snowstorm was headed our way, with up to 2 feet of snow.  Wow.  Movers were coming the next day.  We had to move the car. Geez, not such great timing.  But we proceeded and moved in blizzard conditions.

Moving in a snowstorm?  Not so much fun!

The living room was the catch-all during move-in day.

Living room after... floors were so pretty!

Window wall was painted a dark, charcoal gray.  Did you  notice the sconces have no candles?  They were there, but radiator below sort of melted them down.  Battery operated taper candles will go there instead!

Aaron Michael Krueger and Chelsea Moss sang "Little Red Hat" from 110 in the Shade.

And, if you are interested, here she is singing her solo, Much More from The Fantasticks.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_fo7p8KW0tmY0wxS01DZzZWekE/view?usp=sharing

A few pointers if you are from out of town and moving in New York:

 Expect no where to park.  Tip profusely to attendants in lots and garages to allow you to park if they refuse. We could have stayed in a nice hotel in the south for several days for what we paid in parking.  

If painting, buy more paint than you think you'll need.  It takes awhile to find the store, buy the paint, and get back.  

Try to move the small stuff and boxes yourself.  Movers charged per box, and everything had to be in a box, or it wasn't moved.

Back to parking.  If you do park illegally in front of your building, leave your flashers on and have someone stay with the car.  The ticket lady was very sweet when she was informed that we were moving our daughter and did not issue us a ticket.

Have fun!  Take breaks and get outside, even in cold weather.  We had a glass of wine and enjoyed being with each other.  It can be stressful, so remember to eat healthy, and relax.

For more pictures of the "new" apartment, go to www.aperfectsettingalways.blogspot.com !

That's it, for now!  Stay tuned for more adventures!

Introduction and Welcome!

Today begins my first post--well, not really my first post as I have another blog which is all about home decor and table settings, but my first post of my new blog and what's really on my mind these days. I have seen lots of blogs from mommys of young children, which are definitely needed and appreciated, but none concerning grown-up children.  Do we ever really stop parenting and/or worrying about our children?  I can't seem to cut off the mommy switch even though my children are 21 and 25.  So, here I am, hoping that a little of what I am going through will help someone out there while giving me perspective of the here and now.  I will attempt to give you a run-down on my daughter's life in New York, pursuing a Broadway musical theatre career, and my son--who is a first-year senior at Virginia Tech.  More on that subject later.

My oldest is a James Madison University graduate.  We were so proud and excited when she graduated from college and we couldn't wait to see what her next step would be.

With a psychology degree, she talked about continuing on with her major, getting her masters, and doing some sort of counseling work.  But a rest was needed, and she decided to take some time off and do something fun.  So she auditioned for a theater company, was cast, and off she went on three national tours with a Virginia theater company.

This child has always loved theater and performing.  Wicked, of course being her favorite, to Legally Blonde following a close second.  From a very early age, she was gathering up the neighborhood kids to direct plays, of which she always cast herself in the lead.  Even though they would want to play dolls, or tag, or whatever, she was in charge, and convinced them of the fun they would have playing some character that she had conjured up in her head.

With a flair for the dramatic, and a love of singing when she was old enough to talk, we enrolled her in dance lessons at an early age.  Why not acting or singing lessons, you ask?  Because this child had so much energy she had to have an outlet.  Not an overnight dancing sensation, but we all enjoyed watching her on stage, and she sure did love being up there.

The years flew by, as they do, and so it went.  School plays, show choir, cheerleading, dance recitals, church choir rehearsals and mission trips, and even softball and field hockey.  Whew, we got caught up in it.  The thing is, she enjoyed it all.  If we could have had more time, she would have done more, I think.  School work did suffer, at times, but we had activities to go to and schedules to keep.

Fast forward to 2013.  She sent in an audition tape to Broadway Dance Center's professional dance semester, and was accepted.  The surprise came when she announced to us that she was moving to New York to pursue this musical theatre career.  You could have knocked us over with a feather.  Yes, we love the fact that she is talented and ambitious.  We love watching her perform.  But but but... we had no idea that she would go for it.  "I don't want to be 60, look back, and say I wish I had gone for it," was her response. How can you deny a person's dream?  On the other hand, how can we let her do this?

So, you ask, would did we do?  That's what this blog is all about.  What we did, what we are doing, and what we will do.  Along the way, I hope you will give me your input.  I will take you along on this journey, and in my eyes, a journey it is.  You see, whatever happens, was meant to be.  This journey will lead her to where she is supposed to be, what she is supposed to do.  I believe that with all my heart, and I pray for that every day.

So come with us as we look at the ups and downs of this industry.  While we are at it, I will take you on my son's journey as well.  We think he will take a more traditional route, but as a parent you can never be sure. Stay tuned, and hang on.  It's going to be a helluva ride!