...asking this question in my best Carrie Bradshaw-esque narrative/musing style. If you're a Sex and the City fan like me (HBO Series a few years ago for those who have been living under a rock) you know what I'm talking about.
But even if you don't you might be intrigued by this post's title perhaps? And are there scientific studies out there?
My answer is who cares about scientific studies!! There's no better way to welcome your man back home from a long 2-week overseas vacation. Halfway across the planet mind you. And the bitch of the international date line when returning. 20+ hours of flying plus what the hell day/time is it anyway?
I literally bounced out of bed on Saturday morning - far earlier than my usual snoozefest. I knew G's flight was scheduled to arrive early afternoon but who knows with flight delays how it would really turn up. Well, turns out his flights were pretty much on time. I fell back into bed in a blissful doze, enjoying the unexpected sunshine pouring through my bedroom window blinds. The sun felt SO warm and glorious inside, but damn it was cold outside!
After some morning coffee and a quick shower I blasted down to the airport, my heart pounding and fluttering. Had it really been a whole two weeks since G was away? I'd gotten emails from him nearly every day - very unexpected given he wasn't sure how much online time he would have, plus the texting/calling fees are outrageous. No worries there.
I won't ever forget seeing him walk up to my car at the airport in the sunshine...big smile, great shades and looking incredibly hot in his travel gear. And bringing him back to his apartment so we could just crash out and spend some wonderful time together...so very missed. And oh - did we forget to eat? Does he feel like eating? Yes! Time for a late lunch.
I was perfectly OK with just letting him sleep given I had no idea how exhausted he would be, but was glad he wanted to hang out for awhile before going back home to sleep. So we grabbed a couple burgers + manhattan for him/beer for me, with more of that incredible winter sunshine streaming through the restaurant windows.
And then while hearing all about his trip, suddenly there was a long, black jewelry box on the table.
He bought me the most incredibly gorgeous Opal bracelet...a double row of oval-shaped, turquoise blue opals set in sterling silver. AHHH, this is so incredibly gorgeous it took my breath away and I about burst into tears. Turquoise blue is probably one of my favorite colors of all time and I LOVE all things sterling silver. This beautiful bracelet, now on my wrist thanks to his help and a big kiss too makes me so happy. And you know, I'm not really in general a huge gifts-oriented person...I'm more of a quality time type girl when it comes to Love Languages [see my post on our weekend at Discovery Park and elsewhere], but I'm blown away by his generosity.
Generosity with a huge helping of quality time too. Today we met up for a long walk around my neighborhood, loved hearing more about his trip and then went off to see friends at their house for dinner. Soft tacos and delicious southwest-style homemade soup with pork, green chilies, cilantro, hominy and spices. Bliss. These are some of the people from his supper club which I was very honored to join for the first time back in January. And we'll be meeting up again here in early March.
His family. And how humbled, welcomed and happy I feel to be a part of this group.
Scratchy throat on a Sunday morning - ugh. As I am waking up and continuing my weekend ritual of drinking lots of (plain, still) water, I am hoping this is just my voice being tired and not me coming down with something.
And as I was looking for a picture for today's post, I realized my title is the same as one of the Psychedelic Furs' albums from the early 80s. Not done on purpose here, but love the Psych Furs as an aside!
Yep, I burned up the phone lines something fierce yesterday!
But before all that I shook up my routine and watched a tennis tourney on Friday after work. My co-worker/office mate (the one I had the 'emergency girls night in' with last Monday) asked if I'd like to see her play in a womens doubles tourney after work. Why not? I know she's a great player and I hadn't ever seen her play before. Come to think of it, I probably hadn't watched any tennis live and in person in decades! And the tennis club was right on my commute home. Sold!
I remember watching my parents and other relatives play tennis when I was a kid. There were some courts at the park right near our house growing up and also on the school playground near our summer beach house. And I remember taking a few lessons when I was probably in 6th or 7th grade with a friend of mine - something through the parks department. I sucked. But it was fun!
So yep, it's been a few years since I've watched a tennis match. How cool they were playing on the court closest to the viewing area too! And my co-worker and her doubles partner won! Nice.
Saturday was pretty much spent in my jammies and on the phone, save for a brief break to come up for air and get a mid afternoon shower and make a short trek to the grocery store.
One of my neighbors in our HOA (who is also a good friend) is in the process of renting out her townhouse here and at the same time is buying a house with her longtime boyfriend. So exciting! And so...well...the old saying 'it ain't over till it's over' couldn't be more true. For she ran into a snag here just two weeks from closing that has caused our HOA Board to spring into really quick action to tweak a few things. And we're likely not done yet. I had another (long) chat with our Treasurer later on, who had a new, creative idea to fix things short term and avoid having to kick our HOA anthill unnecessarily. We have an annual HOA meeting coming up next month, but the snags for my neighbor's situation need to be fixed by end of this month. Ah, the joys of homeownership, right? One way or another, we'll get this resolved.
And then there's more on the newsflash last week about my (adopted) brother getting a letter from a court intermediary that he has a sister out there who wants to meet him! My brother forwarded on a letter to our family - a letter written by his sister. She's his half sister - they have the same mother. She would be willing to travel to see my brother if he wants to meet her. She's married....two daughters - and has a grandson! Wow. Keep in mind my brother is almost 39 and his biological mom was 16 when she had him, so his sister is younger than he. This was one of the most heartfelt, sincere and genuine letters I have ever read. I read it 5 or 10 times, with tears of joy in my eyes.
So I was talking with Mom about this on the phone yesterday and she said OH have you seen the pictures?? Huh? Nope I hadn't seen any - his sister mentioned pictures but I figured my brother didn't forward them for some reason - no biggy. But then. DUH. I forgot to scroll!
I about fell out of my chair. She looks SO much like my brother it's amazing. No doubt she truly is his half sister! I really, really hope he wants to meet her. This is all beyond incredible!
So I am a little mentally fried and plan to spend today relaxing, reading and giving myself a manicure. No hockey tonight; this two-week bye is odd and I can't wait to get back on the ice! And a trip to the gym couldn't hurt. Need to get my butt in gear and get training again for a 5K this spring...and there's an 8K I want to do with a team later in mid May!
And dang, I miss G so much. He's having so much fun in Australia, and I've been getting almost daily emails from him which is fabulous, but definitely not expected. He's staying with friends who have dial up, and the cost to call/text overseas is super expensive. Plus, the timezone difference is nuts. Anyway, my heart flutters every time I hear from him. His friends had a beautiful little girl a few days ago, and how awesome for him to be there for the birth! And they've asked him to be her Godfather, too.
They could not have picked a better man. And I can't wait to be back in that man's arms on Saturday.
It was a wee bit of a wine-soaked week...great nights out and a catapult into a jam-packed Saturday.
Monday: "emergency" girls night in with a co-worker at her house, bottle of wine and fresh cut tulips in my hand. We needed to decompress after a shitty Monday. Hmmm...the honeymoon in our respective job assignments is long over apparently (we each started the same day last May). Remember all my pissing and moaning about my job hunt over the last year and a half? Guess it took 8-9 months back on a real job to get a good bitch/gripe session under our belts. Healthy and bonding vent session. And tulips seemed to soothe our stressed souls...so delicate yet so strong...with the promise of Spring tucked deep within.
Tuesday: monthly Silpada (jewelry) team meeting. Gosh this past month flew. Felt good to relax with the girls again around L's dining room table decked out in our silver, munch on some crackers and hummus and toast with a nice glass of wine. At last month's meeting I was still trying to process the news of my cousin's ex wife passing away that same day so I'd arrived in a confused daze, yet grateful for the women there surrounding me. And last Tuesday night I walked off with a recognition trophy our team passes around every month. Well shucks, I'm not *yet* in superstar jewelry sales mode, but hoping enough seeds are planted to accelerate into March!
Wednesday: his and her pedicures! G had a great idea for us to get pedis together. Woo hoo I love how this guy thinks! He really wanted to get one before leaving on his vacation to Australia (after all, it's hot and sunny summertime there right now) and, well, I was overdue for one as it hadn't been since pre company Christmas party in December. Ahhh...relaxing pedis, sipping on wine, and holding hands side by side with him the whole time. Sushi later...and a little weepiness on my part realizing he was going to be gone for TWO entire WEEKS. So many intense, sputtering emotions going through my head...excited for him and his trip, sad knowing we'll be apart for awhile and a little surprised how someone I didn't know even existed 6 weeks ago has this much impact on my feelings.
My heart aches when we're apart. What IS this? What's going on here?
Thursday: G asked me to swing by his place after work to help him finish packing and just hang out; we were both a little stressed that night before but it was all good; that's life, it happens and we roll and get through it. Does he know how much this all means to me? He's very organized - case in point with his clothes, documents and things all laid out and folded - but it felt good to have a few ideas bounced off me on what to take and what to leave behind. And a text as I was in my car en route...."stop by and pick up some wine?" Well, heck yeah. An Australian Shiraz/Cabernet blend, of course! Salute!
Friday: met up with A, the newest homeowner in our small HOA (10 townhomes) at Brix, a wine bar a short drive from our complex for some girl talk and unwinding. In fact, a 2nd (large) glass apiece was in order. TGIF! Lots of good stories to share - jobs, men, dating, life...she is awesome and I'm looking forward to growing our friendship. This was a great distraction for me, as G was kicking off his longass journey halfway around the world that night so I was both happy and sad.
Saturday: here's the clump/catapult! I got my hair highlights touched up (a necessity, especially now that my dark roots are more shot through with greys, yuck) and headed off to two parties. First, a birthday party for a good friend of a friend, and THEN off to China Clipper - a great spot for northern Chinese cuisine in Woodinville. After all, we needed a good Chinese New Year celebration! Year of the Rabbit! Gung Hei Fat Choy!!
Major laughs with this table of 8. And I savored the connections here...for some people I know through hockey, others I know through networking connections with the job search and one of the couples was part of that infamous river rafting adventure last summer (check out my late July '10 posts for scoop on that). Too funny how all these months later we can still bond and laugh/reminisce about those completely hysterical few hours down the Wenatchee River and all the fun afterwards. I'm ready to do another raft tour this year. [and G, if you're reading this, we did a toast to you for your adventurous travels.]
Got the tingly text from him too last night - made it to his destination after God knows many hours in flight. YAY.
So I'd bookmarked today for cleaning and doing some overdue laundry. No hockey tonight. This is a tradtional bye as no one would likely show up given it's Super Bowl Sunday and those who would would not likely be sober, ha ha.
I slept in till nearly 10am and really didn't feel guilty. One of those washout days where no one expects anyone to be the slightest bit productive.
So what in hell are these two whammos from out of nowhere??
First, an email late last night from a guy I dated six (yes, six had to check) years ago. " [fivenineteen] are you still out there? If so I'd like to apologize if you will let me." Ummmm...nope. Puke. Nice guy at first but wayyy too needy and creepy. Lived (lives?) 50+ miles from here and ugh, just not worth rambling about. Except that when I broke up with him he said back then after a couple weeks that he wanted to meet me at 'x' restaurant super close to my house at 'y' time, I opted to stay that night at a friend's house (at her insistence.). Was that overkill? I don't know but I suppose it was good peace of mind. I am not going to respond to his email. Scab has long since healed.
And then, one of my brothers.
My Mom called and asked if I'd seen my brother's Facebook updates lately (I hadn't). [I have two younger brothers...the middle one is adopted (as a newborn) and the youngest one, well, was a surprise, LOL.]
My middle bro (who is turning 39 in May) got a letter on Friday from a court intermediary informing him he apparently has a biological sister out there and she wants to meet him. OMG!! He was born in the early 70s and his bio parents were 16 and 18. Records were sealed; my folks never met his birth parents and there has been zero contact by design - this is an older era mind you. So now...whammo. How exciting! And a lil' scary too, no?
Not sure what my bro is going to do yet but our family will be behind him 10000% no matter what he decides.
I think he should go for it.
All I could think about was spending the next two days with G.
So after a giddy night's sleep and some blissful sleeping in, he picked me up and we were on our way. Some things we'd planned and some (well, most) other things were up in the air by design. This is my idea of wonderful - have a couple ideas planned but be ready to improvise. And so we did.
First, a surprise. I got a Valentines Day gift - a pair of gorgeous, red high-heeled pumps that fit like a dream. And HUH??? A Valentines Day gift - in late January? Trust me, people, Valentines Day to me is usually totally meh. So the fact I got this wonderful gift from a wonderful guy a couple weeks ahead of time is pretty dang amazing. [He's going to be out of the country on the actual day turns out].
We headed out to Discovery Park in Seattle. Good Lord I cannot explain how near and dear this Park and the surrounding Magnolia neighborhood is to me. A quiet, delicious neighborhood tucked a few miles outside of Seattle proper. Glorious in its beauty; pain in the ass for commutes. And this time of year the weather is grey and rainy. But when you live in the Great Northwest you don't let the unpredictable weather stop you from having fun. We could have easily just slacked around and watched movies in our jammies all day, but we headed straight into the rain decked out in polar fleece, windbreakers, hats and all.
I'm sure I talked a blue streak the whole time and G was a good sport and great listener as I reminisced. For this neighborhood does, literally, Sing. To. Me. The happy vibes are so strong it's indescribable. I lived in a crappy apartment a short walk from the ship canal and Ballard Locks back around 1992 to 1997, so when I wax nostalgic about my time in this neighborhood I have to check myself, realizing I'm blabbing about stuff from nearly 20 years ago. I'm too young to sound old...right? Hopefully G can both appreciate it and laugh along with my quirks here with random-ass storytelling. My gut tells me he does.
My apartment back then was a 1 bedroom 1 bath with no dishwasher or washer/dryer. Laundry meant a short drive to the do it yourself carwash to plop a few dollars in the change machine to get quarters and dash back home with the hope to snag one of the community washing machines down the hall. No dishwasher? Well, when you live by yourself doing the dishes by hand can be a somewhat soothing (although warped-sounding) chore. Kind of like ironing. It sure saved on the power bill, even though it wasn't super convenient.
The view from that apartment more than made up for lack of amenities. Sure, the (huge) deck faced north so it was a challenge doing shade-style container gardening, but I had a kickass view of the Ballard Locks to the north and mountain ranges both to the east and west. Total bliss. And I took the bus into work by walking through the Locks every morning across the ship canal to catch the bus downtown on the Ballard side. These things may seem simplistic but the memories run deep. Not to mention my Mom grew up in this neighborhood too - well, pretty close by - so the family roots run deep too.
Just so much to remember. My heart is full.
And so many more new memories to come. Fast forward back to 2011 here...G and I heading out on an entirely unpopular Saturday. Rain. Grey. Fog. Felt like being in an outdoor black and white TV set it was so grey. The Park visitor parking lot was virtually empty. And as we trooped through woodsy, muddy trails and later through open meadows sometimes it seemed we had the entire place to ourselves. How wonderful to steal a few moments for incredible, passionate kisses. Hugs. In rain when it didn't seem rainy. Talking...words...sharing...things as we get legs under our burgeoning relationship (I'm stealing 'burgeoning' from G as it's spot-on)...knowing we don't know what's to become but mutually knowing THIS is something special. And precious.
I've been to Discovery Park several times, but it felt new all over again being there with him and experiencing it in the rain...and the tide so high the waves were butting up against the rocks along the landmark lighthouse. Slippery logs on the beach soaked in rain...with his strong arm and hand to guide me up and over the tough spots. Watching the white caps, ducks, geese and even a seal make their way over the grey salt water...
We later headed over to In the Red, a wine bar on Phinney Ridge for some vino and puff pastry with brie while we dried out from all that rain. So cozy. And as we lingered over our glasses of red and white (him red, me white) we talked about what we wanted to do for dinner and all.
Do we head back to my place, clean up and head back into the city for dinner? Or just go a tad soggy and uber casual somewhere? We opted for the former. And let me just say it here that I was blown away when days before all of this he'd suggested us going for a walk and then downtown to Nordstrom to get the shoes he wanted to buy for me. And then, thinking outloud, changed his mind saying that while that sounds fun but wouldn't it be even better to go shopping downtown when we're a little more cleaned up and not so muddy/rainy from an outdoor walk? HELLO. I could have said these exact same words myself; that was precisely what I was thinking too. Hmmm.
Couple showers and clothes changes later and we were back in Seattle again - Quinn's Pub had an expected long wait so we went with Capitol Hill Plan B...Via Tribunali - a fabulous authentic Neopolitan pizzeria...a former car bodyshop transformed. Bring on the vodka martinis, munchies and a couple of fabulous pizzas. Fun camera shots with the phones...Facebook...gotta love it.
And boy did we savor the food.
So while our shopping trip post-dinner in Capitol Hill was deferred given the later hours, we'll definitely be back.
Umm...after a stop at Hector's back on the Eastside and one mind-blowing evening later it was time for brunch chez moi. Coffee. And more sexy lingering over the Sunday paper. One of those magical timeframes where the concept of time has no fucking place in your bubble of goodness.
I made us coffee, scrambled eggs, bacon...and waffles from scratch. I was a teensy tad nervous about the waffle recipe for the one I've used for years suddenly disappeared out of my recipe box and I was frantically searching online for one that seemed decent. Plus I hadn't busted out my Belgian waffler in a year or so, so I prayed all would work out well. I figured Williams Sonoma online was a good place to search for a recipe. G and I are not Bisquick people if we can help it.
OH and yeah...as I came up for air...hockey Sunday too.
Don't get me wrong - I love my hockey, but this dizzy, lusty weekend trumped any ice time. *blushing*
Do you embrace change? Or run screaming away from it? Or perhaps somewhere in between?
Change definitely stirs up flutters (or sometimes earthquakes) within me. And as the years roll by it's immensely easier for me to accept and embrace whatever it is rather than dig in my heels and bitch. After all, what's the worst that could happen? I've jumped through lots of firestorms in my life and I always land on my feet, albeit a bit bruised or burned sometimes. But always wiser and stronger.
I'm spinning in a whirlwind web of change that's inserted itself into my life since the calendar flipped to 2011. And not complaining, just trying to digest it all. Like I've said before, it's already been a hell of a year.
3 weeks ago I had a (first) coffee date that turned into 5 hours of conversation, laughter and a short walk to go get a beer and nachos. How can it be that I feel so happy and comfortable (and excited/nervous too) with someone I've known just a few weeks? Someone who dare I say it I might not have ever met were it not for an internet connection? I was thisclose to closing out my online dating membership thingy when it was up but got a "wait, we'll give you 'x' more months half price." And I caved. And wow am I ever glad I did.
There's a connection for sure. Great chemistry, great comfort. This is a warm wash of happiness I haven't felt in, well, perhaps ever.
Nope, not ever like this before.
The fun discovery of getting to know someone - all of someone. And I'm still relishing the memory of last weekend's supper club gathering at his place. Although a teeny part of me felt like an alien who was suddenly teleported into a group where everyone's known eachother for years (hence a tad nervous but hey it was people, food, conversation and most of you know how important that is to me), moreso and much moreover it was a joy.
Making plans in advance? Wow. Yep, he's asked me to join him at the next supper club gathering. Which is in early March. I don't know if he knows how much that gesture means to me. Hmmm...if he doesn't know now he soon will.
Now, let's talk hair. As in haircuts and hairdressers. Relationships with hairdressers are uniquely intimate. OK, that might not be true for guys, but I think most women will agree with me here. This is someone who touches you in ways most people don't. Not trying to be flip, funny or kinky here, people. Seriously, how many people do you let touch your hair? See what I mean about it being so intimate? And trusting someone to cut and style it - this is something intensely personal. Yet we wear our hair out in public every day. I read somewhere in a beauty book years ago to invest your money in a great haircut (and color). Because, yes, "...you wear your hair every day." Makes sense!
And after getting your hair cut every six to eight weeks by the same incredibly talented person for 20+ years, well, you get to know them. Not in a "let's go shopping someday or go on a girls' weekend in Vegas" way - at least not in our case - but still, there's a friendship of sorts there. 20+ years is half a lifetime after all.
I guess it was time for a change. I love her haircuts and her company. But I got so goddamned tired of hearing how life for her was spiraling downward into dark, uncomfortable places the past 2-3 years. Foreclosure on her townhome. Bankruptcy. A relationship that was peppered with restraining orders, drug abuse and the tense struggle to maintain their sobrieties. Death of a parent after a long illness. Is it wrong to cut things off (no pun intended)? Am I being disloyal for not sticking by her while she loses her (non haircutting) job and struggles financially? Calls me to tell me she has a new phone number because her other one got cut off? And then when I call her to make a haircut appointment a few weeks later she doesn't return my call - and doesn't have email? I can't even send a freaking postcard - no idea where she now lives. So yeah, I might be making too big a deal out of making that change, but as you can see I put some thought into it!
Yep, I think I'm breaking up...with my hairdresser.
So now there's H - a recommendation from the salon where I get my highlights done. I'd forgotten what it was like to get my hair cut in a salon (R'd been cutting my hair at my house for a decade) with someone who's happy and sparkling! I wasn't nervous at all - I guess I'd thought I would be as I told her she's the first new person to cut my hair in years. And I laughed thinking that, yep, when I first met R, H (the new hairdresser) was in preschool - she's 27 I found out. Dayum.
I gots me a new 'do. And I love it.
And then there's the work ecosystem. We've had a few recent splashes and white caps in the proverbial pond here. I am taking over a project from someone who left our group recently and am scrambling to find puzzle pieces where I'm not sure what they look like. Or they may have fallen off the table onto the floor. So I feel good that I'm being entrusted to grab the baton and run, but a little nervous too. And a few of us in our immediate team realm have had changes in their roles and titles. It's fascinating to see how this change affects each of them. We've got no change, we've got some attitude that needs to be put in check, to, well, behavior changes that reek of passive aggressiveness (major ewwwww) which disrupt what we've worked so hard to build for months in good rapport and in very close workspace quarters. I guess things are bound to flare up occasionally, but I'm one to talk things out and clear the air in the moment, not let it linger over a weekend. GUH. This is an unfinished story as I write these words and I honestly don't know how much detail I want to share here. For the words make it seem stupid and petty. Which it is and isn't. How's that for cryptic? Let me put it this way - when buttons get pushed and boundaries get crossed, watch out.
And this, my friends, is my one hundredth post. 100!! Please raise your glasses and join me in a (glass of water) toast! After all, it's only lunchtime here.
"...so how was your weekend, fivenineteen?" Not rushing things at all here for the weekend ain't over yet - still some good stuff coming up, including maybe a nap, some laundry, watching hockey (Canucks vs. Wild) and playing hockey later tonight.
Great food, drink, laughter and conversation are huge cornerstone essentials for me. And I can't blog enough about that, really - it's just so how I am I don't promise to ever stop. Hmmm...that last sentence was a little clunky but let's move on.
So when I got invited to be the Host's guest at a dinner party for 10, I swooned. Didn't matter that I would only know him and would be meeting everyone else for the first time. I shed shyness long ago. And did I mention the Host is a guy I've been on just a few dates with over the last couple weeks? OK, a few = four, including this dinner party. This is a group of incredible foodies - his incredible friends. I felt so honored he'd asked me to join. And I pinch myself to remind me that yes, it's only been a couple weeks...exciting with a healthy dose of mutual nervous. Didn't I put it out to the Universe late in December that I was tired of being single and really wanting to meet someone special? [Answering my own question...YES, I sure as hell did.] I've only turned a few pages in this story so far. No need to rush and skip ahead. Like a great meal, I'm savoring it.
And this was a dinner experience like none I'd ever had before - BONUS for I love new adventures in food. This was a potluck meal planned backwards and eaten forwards. This Supper Club meets a few times a year for a dinner like this and rotates who hosts...and there's always a different Theme each time.
Last night's Theme was Rustic French. I was blown out of the water impressed with not only the food choices, but how they were plated - simply gorgeous and heavenly.
Check out our menu!
Appetizer 1: frog legs on a bed of Arugula (yep, Host butchered himself), venison pate on toasted bread, and venison sausage with cherry-cranberry mustard. Did I mention the venison was from a deer Host hunted himself? Impressive. Check out the photo up top. OK, I sheepishly admit I was a tad squeamish about trying frogs legs (first time for everything eh?) but they seriously do taste like chicken.
Appetizer 2: Artichoke with a Dijon vinaigrette and mushrooms a la Grecque.
Salad: Arugula with sliced pear, walnuts, roquefort and mustard-walnut oil dressing.
Ready for more?
Entree #1: Coq au vin. By now the taste buds were in high gear - and each course had its own unique wine pairing as well. Love the mmms and yummms heard 'round the table...that au jus was so to die for flavorful that if it came as a lipgloss flavor I'd buy it.
Entree #2: a trio of confit on mini baguette. Olive oil poached fennel and garlic paired with fromage blanc, one with duck and the 3rd with pork. Did I mention the baguette was made from scratch too? 3 fabulous mini sandwiches.
Dessert: dulce de leche-topped cheesecake, served with shortbread and 3 apple slices.
Whew. And thanks to D, fellow guest (and food blogger extraordinaire), for documenting this amazing experience and for the pic above - yep, I'm shamelessly perma-borrowing it plus some details I'd missed about our food.
And while there's much more that happened after the last bite was savored, the last bit of wine enjoyed and the last guests had gone home, I'm gonna play the discreet card. Let's just say there was a lot of lingering 1:1 over coffee this morning.
"...so when can I see you again?" Words that make me smile and melt my heart. The answer is Tuesday and there will be some (hopefully fantastic) chowder from one of my favorite recipes - potatoes, fennel, a little cayenne pepper sauce and...bacon.
My turn to host - and I can't wait.
Hoo doggy, 2011, you blew in fast and furious. It's already been a hell of a year...and we're only 9 days into it.
Ever have really cool AND really tragic things happen right on top of eachother? At the same time? Enough to where you kinda feel guilty about feeling the good feelings while processing a tragedy? My brain's been doing 180 degree flip flops and I'm exhausted. I don't even know if it's a good exhausted or a bad one. It just is.
We lost a family member this past Tuesday...my cousin's ex wife to be specific. P was a beautiful blue-eyed blonde with the kindest heart imaginable. A loving mother of two incredible daughters, 14 and 11. Alcoholism caught up with her and she was rushed to the hospital on Christmas Day. We thought she'd somehow pull through - God, we prayed and prayed...but after a few days her liver failed and she passed away. At 41. I still can't believe it - writing these words feels so strange. Even Facebook went silent for me and family members...it just felt wrong writing about other things in life while we mourn.
I had a very, very vivid dream about P the night I found out she'd been hospitalized. She and I were kind of floating around in the air from our shoulders up while having a conversation - sounds really weird but it's one of those dream-y things that's perfectly normal in your dream. I wonder if that was her way of saying goodbye. I hope - know - she is at peace. P, we miss you.
A chilly and gloriously sunny New Years Day, topped off with brunch with my friend J, her boyfriend and her folks here visiting from Calgary for the holidays! Somehow I was able to curb my emotions (P was still alive) and enjoy the afternoon, even sneaking away a couple times to make some phone calls to my family while J, J and her parents and I were strolling around outside shopping. I told J what was happening later...still in disbelief about it all.
Sunday night hockey...great way to greet the New Year and restart the Engines of Routine. Know how things get all wonky and off schedule during the holidays? For us at work it's a slow period, and with Christmas gatherings and all it's its own bubble of Unique in late December. Felt really good to get back on the ice again and start blasting away at the 5 lbs I probably gained with all that holiday food eating and not much exercise.
January 3rd was a holiday - a delicious Bonus, really. So nice sleeping in after a late night of hockey.
OK, everyone, have you ever met someone new and ended up talking for about 5 hours...when time just kinda stops and you just fall into your own world? Guhhh...I think I made some pseudo-sorta-pact with myself that I would avoid writing about my dating life, but I've slipped up in prior posts and guess I have now here too.
I'm not even sure. Not sure how much to write about here or just keep to myself. Not sure what's going to happen. Just sure that Discovery is a red hot aphrodisiac...with a nice slice of Anticipation on the side. Hmmm.
And while I take in the lows and the highs I sailed through the weekend - birthday celebration / Happy Hour with my great friend P who is freshly back from a couple weeks travel in Belize (heavenly...I could feel the sun and warmth radiating from her and her amazing pictures too!) And yesterday with new and old friends - first jewelry show of the year and it was a huge success - lots of fun and about $1100 in sales for ol' fivenineteen here.
Tonight's hockey and hopefully a sound sleep. This week's gonna be a busy one at work but I have lots to look forward to otherwise.
And I just peeked at our work holiday calendar - it's gonna be a long haul till Memorial Day.
Happy New Year!
