Having a Classy...

Ok. I have a pretty amazing sister in my little Pirri.

She is a model of a modern major general. In other words, she is a tough-as-nails, no nonense yet highly sensitive, loving little lady. We are almost 3 years apart (although she would be quick to tell you it’s really only 2 and a half.)

She served as my partner in crime growing up in the mean streets of Country Club Ranches. Our backyard served as a blank canvas where our over-active imaginations could run wild. Armed with our dress-up box of treasures and a keen scene of play, Paula and I would spend hours outside, barefoot and scheming.We were big fans of climbing trees, stealing the neighbors camo-painted paddle-boat (and joyriding in the canal in the ten foot space between our yards,) playing in what we considered to be the ULTIMATE playhouse—two levels with a loft, painted in our own designs—and generally living it up in the hot Florida days.

She has one of the strongest work ethics of anyone I’ve met, although I think this is a family trait (looking at you, Mams and Paps.) She is funny as hell. Probably funnier than I am (although I pride myself on my sense of humor. I have to cling to something…) She watches scary movies with abandon and screams at just the right moments. She is brave in ways that I could never be.

She is fueled by an incredible sense of discipline, rivaled only by certain Buddhist monastic orders.

She cares about her family, is both supremely dedicated and attached to us. Unparalled devotion unlike any I’ve ever encountered. Her care for and sense of tradition are remarkable; she reminds me of what love should look like.

I wish I could adequately express how much I relish my role as a big sister, how seriously I take the attendant “first child” responsibilities. Living far away and with such radically different schedules makes it difficult to communicate as often or for as long as I would like. Despite my failings, I want her to know that I want to protect her always and will love her forever.

I recently asked for my havingaclassy reader(s) for their best Thanksgiving traditions, recipes, etc. Her response prompted this post.

Pirri’s Best “tradition:”

“Going to McD’s with my nana and papi (no matter how far away the only open one was) since mommy would give us this stink eye if we tried to eat something before dinner.”

Seriously. We did this every year as Momma Koernig was a firm believer in eating late. I assume her argument was to approach the table not only with gratitude, but with an empty stomach to allow for maximum consumption. However, it has been proven that eating a large amount stretches the stomach and one can actually cosume MORE Thanksgiving fare this way. It was our quiet time before the madness of family and massive amounts of food descended on our little house. We would drive around, make the same jokes every year (about how sad we were) and enjoy the splendor of the Golden Arches with gusto.

This ranks among my Top Five Favorite Koernig Family Traditions. As I forge my own path, I look to my past for both comfort and inspiration. I was raised in a home where family is first, it is everything and I believe that I am a better person for it.

I miss you.

…expect a lengthy post about our lives.

…photos.

…Thanksgiving recipe ideas.

…phone calls.

We expect to…

…get some sleep.

…drink some wine.

…eat some cheese.

…make some plans.

…update.

…take photos.

…plan our first Thanksgiving.

…make phone calls.

‘It can be difficult to accept others and to accept ourselves. “I should be better. I should be something different. I should have more.” All of this is conception; it’s all mental fabrication. It’s just the mind churning up “shoulds,” “ought tos,” and “supposed tos.” All this is conceptual rubbish, and yet we believe it. Part of the solution is to recognize that these thoughts are conceptual rubbish and not reality; this gives us the mental space not to believe them. When we stop believing them, it becomes much easier to accept what we are at any given moment, knowing we will change in the next moment. We’ll be able to accept what others are in one moment, knowing that they will be different in the next moment.’

Thubten Chodron

(via scenes-from-my-hood)

Lots of changes (see above) of late. Anthony and I are working at the same company, in different capacities. Thus far, it is going quite well. I am learning a lot and seem to be getting the hang of it. In terms of convenience, this could not be a better situation…with one car, transportation to and from different jobs would have been an interesting (read: difficult) course to navigate. I am happy to be earning an income and am pleased to be establishing a routine. We do not interact at the office as we work in different departments; we are not CONSTANTLY together; a concern we had and many have shared. As I try and adjust to this ever-evolving life, I hope to maintain this little corner of the universe. I have grown to love havingaclassy and do not want to neglect it but posting may be a bit more sporadic than I would like.

Moving on…

The holidays are rapdily approaching. Anthony and I both had a bit of a panic attack in the grocery store—we both were uncertain as to the exact date of Thanksgiving this year. For a moment, we thought it was less than a week away. I think I might have caused a mini-scene in my flustered state. Either way, Appy the iphone corrected us and rescued me from further embarrassment. Since we (thankfully, ha!) have time to prepare, I was hoping that you, dear reader(s?) could send along your favorite Thanksgiving recipes, anecdotes, traditions. Anthony and I are unable to return home for the holiday and have declined our neighbors invitations to join them. We are forging ahead with our first solo Thanksgiving meal and need all the help we can get. Email havingaclassy@gmail.com with your suggestions, stories. We would be most grateful.

Lots of love, kisses and cinnamon to you.

So many things to write about. Anthony and I are walking around feeling very grateful and more-than-a-little-bit lucky. I found a job that I am very excited about. The outpouring of love and well-wishes we’ve received have warmed our wee little hearts. The weather is cooperating. My best lady, Rosita, is going to be celebrating the new year with us. We’ve been gifted avocados, persimmons, and…WINE (details on this most magnificent gift to come.) In both large and small ways, we feel like the universe is tossing luck our way and we’re going to channel that into a winning lotto ticket. Because that is obviously how it works.

Love, sunshine and luck to all of you.

A short note on this Veteran’s/Armistice Day….

A humble, deeply-felt thank you to all who have served, particularly to the Mr’s. Renaud Jr. and Sr. and my Frederick.

Before I moved out to California, I had the opportunity to spend some much needed “Momma and Paps” time in Miami. I lived at home for about a month and a half; I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend with my parents. I moved out at 18 and did not spend much time at home since that initial move-out. I’d forgotten how much I missed that atmosphere and I was able to reestablish an appreciation for it as well as for them.

In that time, Mama Koernig and I, being the intrepid chefs we are (ha!) spent a lot of time trying to perfect a homemade pizza dough recipe. While I was happy to sample all of our efforts, I cannot honestly say we figured out the perfect combination of flour, yeast. We were patient. We prayed. We drank margaritas—all in the name of cooking science, of achieving the ultimate dream (because good homemade pizza is THE ultimate dream for anyone, right?)

Anthony and I have continued the search and I think we may have found it. We utilized Food Network favorite Mario Batali’s recipe for the dough, which called for both wine AND honey. Sounds a bit odd but I am confident we’ve done well. I write this as the pizza is baking in the oven, covered in very healthy amounts of cheese, jalapenos and various other delicious, fresh veggies.

I will be sure to include the recipe should it meet our expectations.

I will, however, link to a very valuable resource to anyone on a similar quest (and this is a quest, damn it.)

Havingaclassy presents: The Pizza Lover’s Easy-To-Use Guide for Successful Pizza-Making at Home (whew!)

**Click for perfect pizza guide**

Using our vintage shaker for the first time…

Drinking “Sex and the City” (my Mamita’s name for “Sex on the Beach” cocktail.)

Eating hummus, goat cheese, fresh gala apples (@ .47 cents a lb!,) homemade artichoke dip with flat bread, delicious California avocados. Quite a spread.

Best night ever?

Celebrating being an engaged for a week (and still liking one another,) my NEW JOB (!) and the newest member of our family, Appy the iPhone. Anthony has a new toy, a new baby and we may never see him again. But we are happy, healthy and movin’ on up. Hoping the same for y’all on this wonderful Saturday night.

Our relationship has blossomed in a relatively short period of time. Anthony and I began dating in April and as you know, are already making plans to be married (tentatively next New Year’s Eve, so GET EXCITED.) Whirlwind much? We spent the beginning of our relationship 3000+ miles apart with monthly alternating visits (thinking that a collection jar to cover credit card and phone bills might be in order.) While it was difficult at the time, I now recognize the value in that situation. Being so far apart meant dedicating a lot of time to marathon telephone conversations where we covered the gamut—our respective upbringings, our political views, our thoughts on cheese (VERY IMPORTANT,) taste in movies, our goals and views on the afterlife. We utilized our unique situation to its fullest advantage; there was simply no room for pretense, games. It forced us to be honest in ways that are often challenging in that they require a healthy amount of introspection. Looking inward isn’t always fun or easy, particularly when you are in your early-20’s, in transition, trying to navigate the treacherous waters of adulthood, trying to “figure it all out.” I think that, in a lot of ways, we served as the others’ life vest (or hand to hold, or soft place to fall but let me roll with the nautical metaphor I’ve got going.)

Through our discussions, we found that we were raised in a similar fashion. While many of the details are distinct, we both were taught the value of family and hold that in high esteem. We were fortunate to be raised in homes where both our mothers and fathers were present. We have fine examples of loving, lasting marriages. I firmly believe that our ability to love and to express that love is wholly informed by these examples. We recognize that relationships are not always easy-like-Sunday-morning. We are aware that effective communication is not just a good idea, its is absolutely necessary to “make it work.” [via Tim Gunn of Project Runway]

We have done a lot to make this relationship happen because we were shown what good, honest love can mean. My parents recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. That same weekend, Mr. and Mrs. Renaud ushered in their 26th year of marriage. As Anthony and I continue our marathon discussions (this time face-to-face, over a bottle of wine, THANK GOD) we are honest about what we want, how we envision our lives. While our individual autonomy and independence remain vitally important (yet another lesson imparted by our parents,) we hope to honor the legacy they have established: fruitful, meaningful love where family (security, health, well-being) is everything. While I am certain we will make mistakes and stumble more than once, I type this secure in the knowledge that our relationship is strong because we were taught how to make it so. I am grateful to have found a person with similar ideals, goals and as we start to build our family, I look forward to blending our traditions, familial inside jokes and histories.

Love to you all.