Be it ever so humble- there's no place like home....

HOME!
yep... my journey is over!  here are some highlights from my trip.....and a separate post for an AMAZING class i took in Dallas...... I had hoped to do some visiting of friends and family that lived nearby on my days off, but i was contracted for 6 day weeks and a "day off" really never happened.

OK...here's a summary. ..i tried to keep a diary, with pictures and souvenirs and illustrations like my friend Kara does when she goes away on trips, but i never got past 3 days.  The best laid plans....

When i first arrived in Dallas the company put me up at the Ritz Carlton in downtown. 12th floor.  Fabulous view.  Fancy. Valet everything.  Great restaurants. 

                                                                      Maid service. YAY.
But after about a week, this got real old.  I had no SPACE....and 6 more weeks to go!
SO
I opted to move into the SOUTHSIDE AT LAMAR LOFTS.....(really, check out the link) which just so happened to be where the production offices where also located......so no more driving to work......just hop on downstairs... (3 minutes!) and my loft was across from the gorgeous gym which I was convinced i would do each day before work.  (hahaha...that lasted about ONE DAY)

My loft was on the 9th floor- 2 bedroom, 2 baths 2000 sq feet......and no doors except the laundry room and the toilets...fully furnished with washer/dryer, cable tv and internet.  concrete painted floors and 16 foot ceilings.  On the main floor was the consierge and a dry cleaners.  The building also had a cafe, a Carribean restaurant, a bar and a grocery store. Rooftop pool and sauna and BBQs. The basement housed the storefronts and living quarters of artists in residence...and a large art gallery.  It was a very lively and friendly place to live...I LOVED it!

rooftop pool

night view from my loft

...i thought i had pics of the interior of the loft...but i can't find them!

The first 4 weeks i spent "prepping" - mainly going all over town location scouting - the script had a zillion sets.....

my niece Jenny came to visit with baby maggie. We had a blast! They came to visit on the set....I ran around on the set (outside a church) with Maggie on one hip and a radio in my other hand - barking out orders to the crew...,,
Somewhere I have the pics .....she's 3 and a beauty ( and so's her mom).
On the last day of shooting my artist friend Jan came to visit...we were shooting the :Longhorn Ball" at the Dallas fairgrounds an all-nighter.

Me and Jan
Here's another slideshow.....

After i finished the show i went to San Antonio where my sister Marianne and her hubby Frank live.  Jen and I and maggie went to the San Antonio zoo.  The butterfly cage was Maggie's favorite!  ...I'd never been to a live butterfly exhibit before!

Then Jens and family went on a long needed vacation to Hilton head....Jens is a 2nd year medical resident.....Britt, Jens sister came over with her two babes.  More BEAUTIES!  My sister Marianne is sooooo BLESSED.

Izzy and Marianne

Britt and monster baby, Skylar Jr.

Izzy giving us a puppet show

Skylar destroying the puppet theatre

From San Antonio I flew to LA for a few days to visit my son Vince.  Vince was in midterms, so I visited my long-lost friend Twink Caplan.

skewed view of Twink's turret (watching mad crows)

cool red chandelier in a red french room

Twink the bag lady

Twink's eclectic and bohemian house

Me....Twink

and i visited my dear friend Sandy and her husband Patrick

Sandy and I

and of course I spent some quality time with my son Vincent.

Vince and I