Monday, February 28, 2011

Diary of a Birthday

Today I turn 30. I think the offical time is 6:46 pm.

Its been a several day celebration and today is the capstone.

There was a facial, a massage, a pedicure, lunch with my mom and sister, and the purchase of my Nook Color.

And I'm not even close to being done yet.

Consider this my audition diary for Real Housewives of central Iowa.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Thursday, February 24, 2011

My Wednesday Rocks

Every Wednesday we are together*.

These ladies keep me entertained.

One is my sister.

The other a dear friend.

There are stories.

Common histories so rare its funny to have found each other.

They are my rocks.

The favorite part of my week.


*Except when life, aka work travel, gets in the way.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Ski Trip

Part of the 2011 vision included a ski trip and this past weekend I did just that.



There were tumbles.

Wipe outs.

Crashes.

But for someone who hadn't skied in 15+ years and who had NEVER skied in the mountains. I did pretty darn good.

I never conquered the blacks but I held my own on the blues.

And I perfected the art of falling and having multiple cute snowboarding boys stop to help me up.

All in all it was a vacation success.




Note: the difference in the two pictures is best explained in the change of weather. The first day was ideal. High 30's, sunshine and no wind. The second day was overcast, heavy snowfall and winds. 




Tuesday, February 15, 2011

When I Wish I Weren't Alone

I live in a small town.

Very small.

Safe.

I live in a town where crime doesn't exist. Literally, no crime.

Where you make jokes like - why don't people use turn signals here? Because everyone knows where you are going.

But recently there has been a rash of burglaries.

I realized on Sunday I had been a target.

I didn't get out of bed very early on Sunday. It may have been 10:45 a.m. when I crawled out of bed and made my way directly to my couch.

Around 11 there is a knock on my door.

I answer.

"Hey! You aren't old!"

(no shit!)

I just stared at the guy. He starts in about some contest.

I am too tired to listen. I say that I am not interested.

He persists.

I say that I am not interested and shut the door.

Monday morning I am checking Facebook. You know how it shows you the most popular posts and you have to click to get get back to most recent? For once I am glad for most popular.

A friend and neighbor says that the cops stopped by her house to warn them about some break-ins. That the people were using a rouse of asking for help with a contest and when you let them in to hear about it they see what you have to steal. If you aren't home they break in and take what they find.

I'm so glad I was home.

My doors are locked. And thanks B for keeping the boogy man out.

Book Reviews

The HelpThe Help by Kathryn Stockett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I absolutely loved this book. Its absolutely astounding to remember that just a short time ago segregation existed. Its unfathomable to me. A brilliant must read for anyone.



View all my reviews

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's NestThe Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Excellent book. Hands down best in the series. I only wish there were more to come.



View all my reviews

Holly Would DreamHolly Would Dream by Karen Quinn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Easy mindless chick lit read. Good for the beach or when you need a filler.



View all my reviews

Monday, February 14, 2011

My Valentine

He's my buddy.

My best friend.

My Valentine for the last 8 years.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Love

Today is not my favorite holiday.

Not because I am alone. But because I think that if you love someone, you tell them everyday.

But this I tell you today, because I know I do not tell you enough -


Thank you for reading, the comments, the support and encouragement.

Friday, February 11, 2011

False Alarm

My sister called as I went through airport security - he wasn't missing. Apparently the open doors didn't tempt him. Shocking since he tries to run out at every opportunity. He was on the counter when she came back to look for him.

Very, very relieved.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Again

My new house has lots of doors. Front door, back door, sliding glass doors to the back yard and french doors to the hot tub/side porch.

It was through those french doors today, after they blew open, that my traveling cat set out on his latest adventure on the 2 year anniversary of the letter that started this blog.

Please come home buddy. I want you home, warm and safe, where you belong.

I hope you greet me at the door when I return from NYC. I need you to do that for me.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Travel Tales

On Tuesday as I looked forward to returning home I encountered a series of travel related mishaps.

*A meeting that ran long
*A wrong turn in the parking structure where you return your rental vehicle
*A non-motivated, lethargic rental agency worker who did not seem eager to hand me my bill


All of which culminated in me being paged to my gate because my plane was to depart. I had 9 minutes to make it.

I made it.

Today I woke at 3 am for my 6 am flight. After sitting on the plane for 2 hours we were told to deplane.

Where we sit still at this minute.

The trip I'm trying to take has already been reschedule once due to a blizzard. I'm beginning to think its not meant to be.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Monday, February 7, 2011

Another Reason I'm Single

This week I am in Seattle Monday and Tuesday, Minneapolis on Wednesday and NYC on Thursday and Friday. When do I have a chance to meet someone?

And contrary to some peoples thoughts, I am open to it. I just need it to happen organically.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Word to Live By

Never make someone a priority that only makes you an option.

~overheard on a TV show this morning. I think it was Rachel Ray.


Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Rosy Cheeks

5 signed up.

3 showed up.

1st 5k of 2011down.

1 5k I've done where I have run the entire time.

It was cold.

But I made it.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Friday, February 4, 2011

The Fake Boyfriend

Me, my sister and some friends often joke about the fake boyfriend. He is the one that my brother in law wishes would show up when I have furniture that needs built or when I move (but we aren't doing that again for a very long time, if ever).

He's fake because he has yet to materialize in my life.

But we have really high expectations for him.

Ideally FB will drive a truck, have a camper, be handy and like to hunt. He will be caring, thoughtful, faithful and love the outdoors. Having a boat would be an added bonus.

Dear FB -

Its almost Spring and soon it will be Summer. Now would be a great time to show up. Please & thanks!

Sincerely,

StartedOver@28

PS - this could very well have something to do with the birthday that is fast approaching. The one where I really don't want to wake up alone.

PPS - this too shall pass.