Tomorrow Is Another Day

Busy week. I worked on Monday, ten joined friends for SATC at the after 8 pm. showing. Pretty impressive in my opinion since that means I was not home until after 11; stayed awake for the whole movie, too.

Tuesday I was the delivery person for GAW. Now delivery as a job is not what I would call hard; not intellectually taxing nor physically taxing since I was delivering micro greens not pianos. But stressful it is. There are a LOT of people out there delivering product so we can consume them and there are “rules of the road.” Rules I did not always know (flip flops do not meet safety standards at Shamrock Foods) or follow (oops, forgot to put the money IN the meter—no ticket however).

Wednesday I took the day off and don’t really remember what I did, but I did have sushi for dinner. Did I mention Mark was in Grayslake for the week?

Thursday I took an Excel class. Very good instructor; he was funny, he taught off the book and he answered questions directly. I learned that I’m a beginning intermediate and I will be hoping to achieve intermediate status before the end of the year. It’s hard to know if this is achievable since I really don’t use Excel on a daily basis, but it’s worth a try.

Friday Mark came home and Patricia had a doctor’s appointment. I went with her since Cody had one too.

Before I hooked up with them I had a hair appointment with Mary who was leaving for San Diego as soon I was finished. Even though I’m sure she was anxious to get going she did a great job on my hair.

Well Patricia’s appointment went well. Dr. LaVigne is the perfect doctor for PJ.

She is not drama driven, but wisely cautious and as such she wanted another ultrasound of baby Craig. We went to lunch at Panera (yes, again their salads are GOOD). We arrived promptly for the 1:30 pm. ultrasound appointment and still had not been seen by 2:30 pm. So I said maybe she should re-schedule as I was going to the opera that evening.

Well they got her in in less than 10 minutes so I got to see baby in utero. Amazing.

The opera, Nixon in China, was terrible. We had a light dinner before at Tamayo a new Mexican cuisine restaurant on Larimer with a balcony setting – lovely. Since my companions Gil, Helen and Helen’s neighbor Carolyn thought 10:15 pm. was too late for dessert we did not stick around to discuss the pluses (few) and minuses (numerous) of the opera.

Saturday was hot so I joined Liz for lunch at Jill’s (St. Julien’s restaurant).

With the floor to ceiling windows open we looked out onto Pearl St. and we could have been thousands of miles away. The food was good, inexpensive and the afternoon was delightful.

Sunday was a baby shower at the Craig residence, small but very fun. Guests were from Jason’s work

and they are a hoot. We played the obligatory games, ate good food and watched Cody play.

After the guests left PJ and I took Cody for a haircut.

He is one doll baby. And he kisses me, too. One cool dude.

All in all a good week off of work – it seems like forever since I sat at my desk.

No Camera

Well, my camera isn't working. I think my posts are more interesting if there are photos, too. But here goes another musing without the photographic proof.

Last week I looked after Cody while his mom had a doctor's appointment. We walked over to a school playground where he had a great time. He slid down the slide -- holding a basketball! -- it was fun to watch, that first expression of confidence and then a moment of terror and finally a successful finish.

He sat on my lap at lunch and nuzzled in. I love him.

Gil came over for dinner to practice his Piaget presentation. It was interesting, emotions and the developing pattern for children. He has a much better title, but I did learn something and I hope he has a great time in Quebec.

The bathroom remodel progresses. The sink is out (I hope the marriage can survive sharing a sink--it's been several years). The serious plumbing re-configuring happens in a couple of weeks and it is a huge improvement over the 80's footprint. Larger, more open, private, and it will be beautiful. Lots of fun surprises in store. You will have to come over to go potty in a couple of months!

My bedroom closet is updated, too. There is so much more room. I have more room for clothes and shoes. So pay day is next week and I will do my part to fill it up.

Saturday is anniversary day. I found an old card/book from my children celebrating 25 years. It's hard to believe it's 33. Whew! This might work out after all.

Graduations

This was a weekend to shop for and celebrate some of the graduations of friends of mine. I like to give jewelry. There’s always the possibility I can borrow it at some time.

Kristin completed her Masters Degree. She is a therapist now – officially. There are few occupations that you want your friends to have, car mechanic, massage therapist, hair dresser and I would add to the list therapist. Think of the money I will save.

Anyway, Kristin celebrated with a party on Saturday. Her mother made fajitas that were delicious. I’m so glad I’m on a new diet plan – see how much one person can eat before they explode. So far I have come close, but there’s still room for more. Her parents, David and Ginger are DELIGHTFUL. No wonder Kristin is great – she comes from a good family.

Kacey graduated from UNC on Saturday the 9th. So exciting to finish the work and move on. Although the ensuing week was a little rough for her – a possible bunion in her future – she (and I) are ready to work out as soon as we get medical permission.

One more HS graduation to go. Maybe I’ll have pictures of that.

Grayslake is NOT Chicago

I went for a visit to see Noah last weekend. When I tell people I’m going out of town I usually say “Chicago.” Interestingly those from Chicago do NOT consider Grayslake, Chicago. When I asked a news seller at the airport if he was voting for Obama and he did not commit I said, “But he’s from Chicago!” I was firmly told he was NOT from Chicago, maybe Springfield, but not Chicago. It’s funny to me but then I’m not from Chicago.

Noah was a blast. There’s the spontaneous break out into Tomorrow in a Broadway-style performance, the horsey-man you tube requests and Curious George IN the toilet that surprise and delight. He really is growing up – potty training, definitive tastes (vinegar water is not in the top ten) and activities like the riber (the lake outlet) where we throw rocks and sticks.

Mimi went to Boogie Baby Dance Class at the Community Center. I’m still pretty good, but Noah is really doing it. Jeenie combed his hair – the faux hawk is totally stylin’.

Dancing with the worm (ribbon) was a highlight of the class.

The worm travels your body, sails through the sky and even hides behind your back. Miss Judy is VERY patient.

We made the mandatory stop at Starbucks (note product placement). Noah however was tired, unusually tired. But when he woke up we finished our snack and then headed over to the nursery where we came in contact with the gray cat. Apparently Noah is scared of cats -- he wanted to be held. My back is still recovering.

Sunday was Mother’s day so Noah had some great presents for his mom. Jennie helped him get some tulips. Mimi helped Noah serve his mommy coffee in bed, along with a very pretty card.

The train ride to Golf Road had its own issues. I probably will NOT be traveling to Europe alone, but just remember I did what was necessary to get the job done.

All in all worth the $138 round trip air fare.

Another week

Well this last week had it's ups and downs. Mark and I went to Jill's at the St. Julien Hotel & Spa for a drink on Wednesday night. It was a BEAUTIFUL day, a bit windy so we sat inside and shared some nachos. We decided to splurge and share the banana split for two.

Well I think it's inappropriately named. It should be banana split for 4. Although our waiter said he can eat the whole thing by himself (after a ride up Boulder Canyon).

Then on Thursday when my weekend begins, I stopped by Contempo NAILS and had a pedicure.

It was my first time in this shop in the Gunbarrel shopping center so I did not know they ddo NOT accept tips on credit/debit cards. Well, I told Thu that I would come back with a tip the next day, which I'm sure she thought this was probably not going to happen. So when I stopped in on Friday she was all smiles. I hope this becomes a good business relationship.

Friday night our small group from Flatirons met at Yvette and James' home in Longmont. They are selling this house and moving to Erie to facilitate family life and work. James has a new job that will have him travelling out of town. Yvette teaches at Erie Middle and her two children still at home, Reed and Whitney both attend Erie schools.

Well it turns out it was celebration of Dan and Yvette's birthdays as well. Dan is older; Yvette would want you to know.

The other couple is Lisa and Chad (his real name is Chester and he's a Boulder native). They are VERY fun and Chad is FUNNY is a big way. He had me laughing all night. Lisa is a flight attendant and she is a CA native so I like her at the get go. She brought a fun drink for the evening (pomegranate juice--one of the "super" foods, vodka--arguably SUPER, with soda, a yummy concoction that left my face numb so I tried to keep my mouth shut just in case my brain was equally numb). It was a good night sharing joys -- Dan and Cheri are celebrating their 25 anniversary on a Caribbean cruise next month -- and sharing what we are learning -- how God is working in our lives to do His good will -- kids, jobs, relationships, etc.

Then Saturday Cody came over to go garage sale-ing with his mom and me. We went to this Twin Club sale and PJ got a change table for Alyssa's room and sling for carrying her. I bought a cute little purple onesy. Next location yielded a shelving unit for the Craig laundry room and a Hot Wheel-type bike.

By now we were starving so we stopped in Louisville Abo's for sustenance. Cody loves pizza, but mostly he like walking around the place. Although he was willing to pose for this photo.

Note the scrapped elbow. He notices the "pain" when he stumbles, but he keeps on going.

We wandered over to Hobby Lobby (after mistakenly going into Big Lots) to buy more denim for the big boy room rug. I think I bought other things, but I can't remember. The sales clerk gave me a 40% discount on the fabric since there was a coupon -- true kindness.

Here it is Sunday another beautiful, sunny, warm, but not hot day. A good conclusion to a restful, pleasant weekend.

High School and Other Fast Times

Lately I’ve been having some good times with girlfriends, talking about clothes, participating in activities, phone calls for help and advice, quick dining after work to name a few. It caused me think about female friendships and what they mean to me now and what they have meant to me.

High School was the time for hours and hours of my week devoted to time/conversation. Kathy was my best friend in High School. We went to class every day, saw each other between classes since we shared a locker and then called each other after to school to talk about our day or whatever. I’m still amazed we had that much to talk about. It must have been dreams and schemes, at least half of which never materialized.

College was an adjustment. No parents around to monitor activities or selection of friends, but I didn’t get to see my closest friends as often as I would have liked. There was school work, which frankly wasn’t hard until the senior year, but you did have to do it. Times with girlfriends like Melene or Paulette became more event oriented, we went to concerts in the park, movies in Westwood, dinner at the home of grandparents and of course, shopping. There was THE pair of jeans that we all wore which seems weird since we were all shaped differently, some long and lean, some curvy. But those jeans made us all look GOOD.

Dates really entered the picture during college times. Guys change the dynamic. You want to go out, be desired, but who was ready to get into something serious? Apparently most of my friends as they were married and some divorced before I was married at 23 years old. Whew! The advantage of girlfriends when dating is obvious, someone to help you dress for the date, either advice or shared clothes. And then following the date the debrief. There’s nothing like the positive re-enforcement from a friend before you head out with your ego on the line.

Then marriage and family. No husband wants to be girlfriend, besides they don’t remember what everyone was wearing, what was said and what was meant by what was said. But they probably do remember the food. Friends have to be able to pick up where we left off, peppered with lots of grace for forgotten birthdays and other significant events or the relationship falls by the wayside. But those enduring friendships are the meaningful, precious, joyful rewards of living a people focused life. Doing work together from MOPS to PTA to HOA boards, from family camping, picnics at Lake Loveland, or coffee at Starbucks, girlfriends add the conversation, fashion and relationship to any activity.

Aging doesn’t change the need for those comfortable, casual encounters. When a friend says, “relaxing in my bedroom, stretched out on the bed talking about our day in the mountains and planning the next time together reminded me of high school,” or when loaning scarves for a trip to Paris to other friend who says, “Oh, just like a best-friend.”

That’s when you know what James Taylor means when he says “you’ve got a friend.”

Some things you never learn ...

Well, today I went skate skiing. After running into friends, Libby and Falk, yesterday I was prepared. I had information about the terrain, after the first hill it was "easy." I had ski pants (thanks Mary--I was dry the entire time!)

And I was with 2 GREAT friends on a most beautiful, Colorado day. Kacey invited Liz and I to join her at Eldora ski area, just above Nederland.

None of us were sure what skate skiing was but we were willing to enjoy an hour lesson and find out. Boots on, we were ready.

While I never really did it, being in the mountains trying was very fun. I fell a few times, no pain, good information to know you can fall and get back up. Kacey did GREAT or maybe Peter the instructor just like talking with her :-)

This fall happened just after a great run that I got on film, but for some reason I am unable to upload. Really.

Liz is strong. She just took to the skating technique right away--maybe she really already knew what she was doing.

Did I mention it was a gorgeous day? It was too warm for hats and when you were moving the jackets came off, too.

Then we returned to the "lodge", turned in our skiis, took a couple of pictures

and then headed out for lunch. The Nederland Cafe was our second choice (the pizza place was stinky). We had fun "de-briefing." Good times.