Saturday Night

Stephen is finally off to his bachelor party, and after a day of errands...run/car/shop/take care of cranky husband, I'm home, with zucchini bread in the oven and a tummy full of risotto and shrimp. Yum. I am happy, except for the fact that the only station I can turn on upstairs happens to be the weather channel. WTF?

I want to exercise tomorrow, go to church, and then see Eat, Pray, Love with Meg. My day. My time. I'm feeling so stressed right now, with way too much going on and not to mention a cranky husband. I just want to chill out. I just want to have a "me" day.

We don't do that enough. We don't spend enough doing whatever we want to do. Me, me, me. That is what I'm talking about. I need some sanity before face the week ahead, largely doing what I have to do, with both the good and the bad together.

Too Busy

So too much going on after this weekend. It's a span of NC-dinner out-new furniture-Donna!-Texas-dinner out-dinner out-event-possible visitors. Sigh. I really need some relaxing time but then I responded to a movie request. We shall see.

Hopefully this weekend will have some relaxing time, as we start to put the downstairs together from the new floors and await our very long awaited, very anticipated new furniture. I am just looking forward to having the place be "normal" and be able to veg out on a comfortable new sofa.

As for tonight, gym or dinner out or what will win out? Just glad to be home and not traveling this weekend!

So Tired

Sleepiness just hit me like a brick. I'm drained and I need to go for a run tonight. But now I feel so tired I could sleep here.

Gonna close my door for a few and snooze.

This travel is too much.

Home

Today was a day "off" but after a red-eye, errands galore (oil change, Target, bridesmaid dress, hair stuff, etc., yet another purchase at Crate), I don't feel like I had much relaxing time. Plus the entire house smells like polyurethane after all of the floor work we have had done. I am very optimistic that everything will look nice once we complete the work, but we'll be a little broker too. And it will be worth it.

Only two trips next week, sheesh. I am tired of travel. San Francisco was great but I was so tired yesterday and I still have not slept. After B&N, I walked back toward Chinatown and the Italian part of town. I stopped in the (in)famous City Lights bookstore, and then got a bite to eat. I was feeling woozy and dehydrated. After some time chilling in the airport and two glasses of wine, I made it home. And one more Peet's scone.

So I've put on a few pounds, and I find it a bit inexplicable. Granted, I've been eating crap lately, but I have maintained regular workouts and the scale jumped overnight, almost literally. I am going to stick to salads the next couple of lunches and just be healthier again. Almost like a detox. Even the bridesmaid's dress was tight! I think the heat, lack of sleep, irregular eating, and just general stress of a hectic month have caught up with me. It'll be okay, I'm sure. I will get up earlier and run again tomorrow, and I will be far, far away from San Francisco thai food. Oh god that was good.

And the weekend ahead should be quite quiet, right? That is a good thing. Next week, though, not so much! But our furniture will arrive, work travel will end, and that I am looking forward to.

San Francisco

I'm sitting in a Barnes & Noble near Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Trying to decide what to do next. The convention is over, and it's 2:30. And my flight leaves at 10pm.

I might see a movie or find some wine. I've already walked through Chinatown and had some Boudin, like a full loaf practically of sourdough. And I have some Ghiradelli Chocolate, and I desperately need to brush my teeth.

Last night I had wine here. The Press Club was good wine with good friends, and I was happy to have that diversion.

But now...not so sure. It's cold here, and I've already walked almost 3 miles, I think, and I ran three this morning. It would have been smart to pack a gym ba for the gym but oh wel.

Think I'm going to browse a bit, maybe hit TJ's, slowly head toward Union Square, and then figure it all out. I should refrain from spending money.

Crazy Raining

It's about to start thunderstorming outside. Dark and ominous, windy and deserted streets. I'm having a bored day, so I am enjoying some down time just staring out the window and listening to the Avett Brothers.

And now sirens.

It is fitting my mood today, bittersweet and melancholy and just down. I'm not sure why. Dissatisfaction with work, tired from travel, overwhelmed with house stuff, homesick a bit, feeling bloated, etc. etc. A good rain can be like a good cry and wash some of this away.

I've been following the Operation Beautiful blog stuff. I still don't buy the concept, because while positivity is all well and good, it's also superficial. It doesn't address, or embrace, the fact that some people live unhealthy lives and need a serious wake-up call. No, everyone is not beautiful. Some people are ugly and they don't have a beautiful bone in their bodies. Some people need to find the strength from within to improve, not a Generation-Y endorsed "We're all wonderful!" message. Seriously. I think it being so Gen Y is what irritates me the most.

Rain rain don't go away. I am enjoying it right now.

Twenty Years Ago III

So I could be off by a day or two, but 20 years ago our family left Detroit and settled in Fraser.

I lived in Fraser for four years, went to high school in GPW and Royal Oak, and then left for Indiana in 1994. Four years later, I came to DC and I have never left. So after twelve years, DC is so much more home than Fraser was.

But it's still "home." Detroit is home, Fraser is home, it is where my family is and where I grew up.

Michigan is at a crossroads this year, just like in 1990 when John Engler was elected. Yesterday was the primary, pitting Virg Bernero vs. Rick Snyder. Not the top choice for many Republicans--more people voted against him yesterday than voted for him--but I am hopeful he will prevail in November. Just like twenty years ago, Michigan will elect a Republican governor in November.

And things will get better.

Arcade Fire

I haven't been a fan of Arcade Fire, but I've been listening to their new album off and on today on All Songs Considered and I like it. It's also on sale at Amazon, so I might just have to buy it. Why not?

It's made an annoying day more bearable, which is always good. And yeah, it's been one of those days....

Two Years

Two years ago today we got married, at a beautiful chapel on a beautiful campus on a mostly sunny, warm day in front of our friends and family, in a town we both now call home. We were blessed.

Ten things I want to remember from that day...

1. Spending the night before by myself.
2. Mom dancing.
3. Dad eking out a smile or two.
4. Paul's hangover.
5. The Piano Man.
6. That beautiful dress.
7. The limo having issues getting to the church.
8. The brief rain storm before the cocktail hour.
9. T's toast.
10. Searching for that damn passport!!

Has it really been two whole years???!!!

Morton's

We had a nice anniversary dinner last night, caesar salads and filet and shrimp and pie. Key lime pie to take home with us. Good stuff. I am making more food tonight, fresh pesto and shrimp and bread and tomorrow I have lamb. Good food with good wine.

Now I am vegging out on the couch and watching The Notebook. Yes, I am lazy. But I did run nearly 6 miles earlier today so I have not been lazy all day. Later I will make dinner and do all sorts of a million things. But right now, it's about me. And good food. And opening that bottle of wine, soon.