Is it cliché to say

Is it cliché to say, where has the year gone? Well, I’m going to say it anyway because I say it every year. Where has the year gone?! Last year I actually spent time smelling the roses. I was pregnant and took my time with things. Ever since my daughter arrived it has been back to business.

In January, I came back to the show after my maternity leave. Isabella (my daughter) was already kicking me out of the house to return to Nicole’s evil ways. Just kidding. She was only seven weeks old at the time. She can’t really kick me out. Anyway, it felt great to return to set. I actually had about 2 1⁄2 months off of work to prepare and give birth to Izzy. It was wonderful to come back to work, but difficult at the same time because it was hard to leave the baby. I am lucky because Izzy is a very independent child and I know she is well taken care of when mommy is not around. That is a big load off of my shoulders and allows me to put forth good work while I am away from her.

One amazing thing that happened this year was how quickly things sped up at work. We really picked up the pace and are shooting more episodes in less time. It really strengthens your memory muscle, that’s for sure. I feel like I have a photographic memory. However, if Gary Tomlin reads this he might say differently so we will just hide this letter from him. No seriously, my memory is amazing…for dialogue. Not for anything else. It’s like I lost it in one area (mommy brain) and gained it in another. What is it they say? You can’t have everything?

What else happened? Let’s see. Oh, Oh, I got an Emmy nomination! That was really a highlight for me. I have been on this show for 12 plus years and it was my first nomination. What a treat. We got to go to Vegas for the Daytime Emmy’s and we all had such a great time. Imagine, all your favorite Soap Stars running around Vegas. I felt bad for all the publicists trying to wrangle us into the theater. Can you see it? Publicists #1: “ There’s one (actor) running behind that cab with a cup full of quarters and a show girl on his arm” Publicist # 2: “ Quick, grab that Emmy statue and shine that spot light on it and see if distracts him”. Publicists # 3: “Good idea. I’ll grab a couple of martinis and meet you inside. HILARIOUS!

We traveled to New York to visit my husband’s family. It was such a relaxing trip. We all hung out on the lake. We went swimming and kayaking and swimming and we played in the sand. It was wonderful for the family to be together. Izzy loved the water so much. She was so adorable floating in her little blow up princess boat with a convertible top you could take on and off. After awhile, the constant flow of the waves would put her to sleep.

Kyle made a few trips to Italy this year to work on his music. He sang on the very popular show Io Canto in Italy and will be headed back again probably when this letter comes out. In fact, you could be reading this letter and he will be in Italy singing on the show. I must say his Italian accent is really coming along. And by accent I mean when he is singing in Italian. It’s pretty perfect. Hopefully, by the New Year we will be moving to Italy. JUST KIDDING. Although, how cool would that be? I am very proud of him and I am glowing just knowing he is doing what he loves to do.

I also, closed my business Lowd Suga late this year. I did it because one, I just got way too busy at work and with my family. Two, because I have been developing another project that is “goodwill” based. It is a passion of mine and I cannot wait to share it with you when it is ready. Three, I started volunteering more time with Habitat for Humanity and we (as in other actors) are beginning to travel to different cities. This is my way of giving back in the world and hopefully someday I will follow in the footsteps of Melinda and Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Ted Turner. Maybe I won’t have the actual bank account, but the drive to truly make a difference in the lives of many.

I hope you have a very positive 2011, Arianne