Sundays in the Park with The Ladies

I have the distinct honor of knowing the world's most classy women. What's more, they allow me to vacation with them.

Our little traveling society.

In 2010, these sophisticated ladies elevated Newport, RI to even greater heights by their mere presence. They glided across society lawns and planned extravagant events, all while looking just as glamorous as the mansions they visited.

I was there, too. At one point I did a cartwheel on the lawn of The Elms.

This year, my classy friends decided that it was about time they graced Manhattan's high end design houses, art galleries, and imported Parisian bakeries with their patronage. Ruthie served as vacation mastermind and secured deluxe accommodations in Times Square, Kelli elegantly photographed the trip and instructed our drivers, and Maggie guided our culinary expeditions with aplomb.

I was there, too. At one point I bought David a Mickey Mouse chocolate bar and dragged the whole group to a toy store. 

 

Taking in the ballet.

Contemplating the view from our 33rd floor hotel room.

I returned from Manhattan uplifted and inspired. And then, less than 24 hours after my return, my newest niece Elizabeth was born.

Suffice it to say: October has been exceedingly awesome.

In Which We Finally Leave The Apartment

I'm a little worried about you, reader. I believe you're going to be spoiled, because I have yet another post with pictures coming your way.

Since David is feeling much better after he cast off his tonsil-shaped shackles, we've had several more adventures of late. We've enjoyed family time in Maryland and Virginia, played with friends, delighted in the messages of general conference, and generally taken lots of opportunities to get out of the sick bay. We even took a quick jaunt down to Charlottesville to visit Monticello. It was a cold, cloudy day, but the grounds were as beautiful as ever.

See? We were there.

TJ's gardens.

David particularly enjoyed all of TJ's inventions, with the awesome revolving reading desk topping the list. Quoth David: "It's like tabbed browsing . . . for BOOKS!" And for the low, low price of $619, we could own a piece of browsing history in our very own home. What luck! Alas, we settled for a bar of chocolate instead--which tastes a lot better than a desk anyway.

I Have That Within

While David is busy recovering, I've been spending my down time at home in the company of The West Wing. This isn't my first time 'round the block with the Bartlet administration; four years ago I tore through the entire series at an embarrassing pace. Either I haven't grown much as a person since then, or the show is still really, really excellent, because I've been burning through episodes with alarming frequency. (I'm in good company.)

I have a theory. This theory is corroborated by a few of my dear ones, as well as spurious vanity personality tests on the interwebs. My theory?

I am White House Communications Director Toby Ziegler.

Meet my doppleganger.

Sure, I'd like to be more like CJ Cregg or one of the Barlets or even Josh Lyman. But I have the soul of a middle aged, bald curmudgeon.

I'm mostly cool with that.