Because I say so

What do you get when you cross a lunch time trip to Target with your bloaty, emotionally charged mood swings while in the throes of your period?

1. Californication on DVD. David Duchnoney is half naked, witty,and a writer.
2. Carefree panty-liners.
3. OPI Nail polish in Cherry, Cherry Bada Bing.
4. A 10 package box of 94% Fat free Kettle Korn popcorn.
5. A mint musketeer chocolate bar.

I already have the midol in case you were wondering.

Old Man and the Sea

Happy Birthday to the man I used to call Daddy Quinlan.

Now, I call him dad. And he is a dad in that sense.

Checking to make sure I've got gas money to get back and forth, making sure I know where I'm going, and if not happy to give me directions, offers dating advice like, "Plumbers need love too.
And he bought me a corsage because my prom date was a dead-beat.

Took me on excursions. Like the time we went fishing. We had to get up super early. Our first fishing trip, I hooked my pole into my dad's back and he coached me on the fine art of removal using his large fishing knife. In my defense, I was only eight.

Worried about my taking a sick day when I'm sick. He's not quite familiar with the corporate environment I roam around in during the week.

Helped me fix or purchase various cars. We finally got it right on the last one. A.It still runs great and B. It's all paid off.

Paid lots of his own money to send me to school in Atlanta so I could get paid to sit in my cubicle and write a birthday blog to him that I know he won't read.

The computer is a skill he's learning. And getting better. We used to have tech support phone calls to ease the confusion for him.

Rumor has it, my dad used to carry me every where when I was a child.

I'm to big to be carried in the literal sense of the word but I still am grateful every day that my dad is here.

Present and accounted for. He's been sick for almost 5 years now.

But he presses on. And so do I.

And really, on a birthday you can't ask for more than a life that keeps bringing you surprises, kids that love you, trips to Las Vegas Casions, and an baseball game, can you?

I love you dad.

Happy Birthday.

Birthday Re-Cap

Contrary to my Gemini nature, I have to make this brief.

Monday was a milestone birthday and I'm happy to say I passed it with very little trauma. Mostly because of all the support, friendship and love from my friends and family.

My day:

Slept in till 8am.

Realized I had no coffee cream or Splenda so I threw on some clothes and ran to the local grocery. Also picked up fresh blueberries for my grape nuts that I promptly ate upon my return home.

After that I watched an episode of 90210 Season 4 from Netflix. Awesomeness.
And enjoyed some bonding time with my sofa.

Nevada showed up with a gift and champagne and OJ. We had a birthday toast, drank Mimosa's and chatted. We walked up to the nail salon to get pedicures. I had my first pedicure by a man. A little strange but ok.

Walked back to my house and headed out to go shopping. I'm in love with Ann Taylor Loft. They are like Banana Republic. Good quality clothes that are classic and will look good next year.

Here a miracle happened. I bought a two piece swimsuit, a tankini type with a halter style neckline. Shows off just the right amount of cleavage.

Came back to my house where we promptly inhaled our lunch of cheese-sticks and roast beef sandwiches. (Birthdays are calorie free)

Nevada had to get going after lunch and I attempted to do a little cleaning, which really turned into more lounging on my part.

Time to get ready for dinner. Spruced myself up, and donned my new dress with the little hummingbirds all over it, and my new sparkly sandals. WHOO HOO.

Meanwhile, fielding phone calls and messages from folks full of good cheer for me.

Rachel picked me up at 6:45 and we headed out for my birthday dinner at O'Mara's.

A nice Irish and family friendly restaurant. I was met by Connie and Lisa. Amy, and Becky joined us a few moments later.

Lots of laughing, wine and good food followed. Including an incident where we accidently forced our bus boy to pause and become our photographer.

And of course I had to finish the evening off with a piece of homemade carrot cake.

Nice gifts to boot, but more importantly, I was surrounded by smart, funny and warm hearted friends on my birthday.

Thank you. I love you all.

Sometimes I feel Like a Girl

Today is lunch with Becky and her daughter Lucie. I'm excited to meet Lucie, as of yet I've only dreamed of her and I've seen her in photos.

It's nice knowing that on a beautiful sunny day I won't be stuck in the office all afternoon. This is the sort of amazing day we get every now and then in Michigan.

Even better, this afternoon I'm getting my hair cut. Hooray! Nothing says summer quite like a new look to keep things fresh.

Faced the scale showdown and lived to tell about it. I lost a small amount but it's really not about that. It's about not gaining. And keeping on this journey for the long haul.

And it's about wearing a girly dress that I wouldn't have been able to fit into or even have the confidence to wear a few months ago.

Heart-Breaker

Scenario: Fancy shopping mall in Troy inside Macy's.

Me: Walking to the bathroom. Near the Men's Department.

There is a handsome and nicely dressed man holding hands with a beautiful blond child wearing a sundress.

Enter a beautifully blond woman in a sundress. She starts moving quickly in her strappy heeled sandals while crouching down and talking to the child:

"It's Mommy. Mommy's here honey."

Cut to Handsome husband looking at his wife adoringly and saying:
"Hello Sweetheart."

He then kisses her while their pretty daughter smiles on.

And at that moment I was overcome with an equal mix of awe, sadness, joy and wonder.

I want to be some body's sweetheart.

Grace is Gone

Watched a good movie last night, titled you guessed it, Grace is Gone.

Starring my boyfriend, John Cusack.

Short synopsis, he's a dad taking care of his two daughters while his wife is serving in Iraq.

Can I tell you it was intense? And sad? But powerful. I've been thinking about it off and on all day and I don't think it's all because of Mr. Cusack. He was a bit dowdy in this role, but he sure could play a convincing father.

I really liked the fact that the movie didn't wrap up all tidy at the end. It was an audience winner at Sundance for drama.

If you're a fan of John Cusack or just good movies that don't have the Rock in them, don't miss this one. It just came out on dvd. I watched it on Netflix.

D Day

David Sedaris's new book came out today. I've been stalking this release for months. It was snowy and cold and I thought, just wait. One day, it'll be almost summer and you'll be reading David's new book. You like how I say David as if we're friends?

I read everything he writes and have actually met him at a reading, so in a way I do feel like we're friends. We had a brief conversation about his new computer and why you can't eat Cheetos while using it,and about his dad.

In my opinion a good writer makes you feel welcome. Lets you into their world and invites you to take a seat. And he does.

His new book is titled, Engulfed in Flames. I can't wait to start reading.

He's one of a handful of writers that I'll actually spend the money to buy the hard back copy on day its released into the book wild. And it was technically free, since I was using up a gift card from Christmas.

And since I had a few dollars left over, I bought myself a 4 piece box of Godiva chocolate. A good read always tastes better with a snack.

As long as the snack isn't in the ETO family:

Cheeto
Frito
Dororito
Taquito

Table for One

I need work friends. I used to have some. But between company lay-offs and people leaving on their own accord, I find myself alone. In an office full of people. But you understand what I mean. No friends to come in and chat with about the weekend.

True, I got a few casual friends, but we haven't broken out much past the polite and into the real.

Consequently, this makes me shop or wander around during my lunch break. I can't think of anything more depressing than sitting in here alone on a beautiful sunny day, perched in front of my computer.

In some ways it's nice. I tend to get my errands done during the day now leaving me time at night to meet a friend for dinner or go for a long walk.

The funny thing is, I used to enjoy my solitary lunches. They were a nice escape from the chaos. And I'm one of those people who genuinely enjoys my own company. But, it's nice to share a sandwich now and then, don't you think?

SEX and The City

Readers who haven't seen the movie yet, may wish to stop reading now.

As a loyal SCTC watcher, I was pleased with the movie. I can't imagine the immense pressure the whole movie was under and part of the reason I wanted to see it as soon as possible after its release was so I wouldn't get caught up in the swells of the hype.

Both me and the movie succeeded. There were hot men, hot shoes, and clothes to be sure. But for me, the show and the movie have always at its heart been about friendship between women.

That to me was the true love story. Friends that have been there for every major milestone in your life but also are so involved in your daily life, you can discuss mundane things like which shampoo works best or what you might make for dinner.

And as the four women move throughout their lives, there's no doubt that they'll always be there for each other.

Strong women need other women. I don't think it makes them weak to admit such things.

Bad days get better when you've got a friend's shoulder to cry on, and happy news is best shared.

To all my friends, single and married:

thank you for helping me live this life, for believing the best of me, for encouraging me, for listening, and for always showing up.