Being all growed up

Last night was girls night with my friends, Christine and Danielle. We had pedicures and ate yummy mexican food till we nearly burst.

Christine, who's 7 months pregnant, looks like a complete doll. Some women manage pregnancy so splendidly. If I were to ever get pregnant, I'd probably gain 75 pounds, none of which would go to my boobs. All of which would distribute itself rather immensely on my rear end. And I'd get stretch marks on my feet. Christine, God bless her, she's avoiding all of that. She looks like a glowing, rounder-bellied version of herself. So sweet!

In these gatherings with friends, as much fun as I have, I can't help but be reminded of just how young I am NOT anymore. At one point, we were discussing rinsing with baking soda and peroxide to prevent the onslaught of gingevitus. And how certain foods should be avoided to prevent 'binding'. Yes, that was a new word for me. I've since learned the definition. I will now be including more fiber in my diet to avoid that word.

Speaking of tooth care, I have a reoccurring dream - or should I say NIGHTMARE - where my teeth are falling out. Crumbling into a mouthful of teeth bits as I frantically try to pick up the pieces and fit them back into their sockets. I awake, relieved to find them still intact and not jiggling around in there.

Upon googling 'dream interpretation', I've come to learn this: I am NOT crazy!! Teeth dreams are the most common of all dreams. One theory is that dreams about your teeth reflect your anxiety about your appearance and how others perceive you.

Uhm...how they know that?

I just thought it was because I've had so many appointments in the last year, I'm sure I've helped put my dentist's kids through college.

Yet all the teeth dreams and old people conversations in the world can not keep me from feeling young. Though the mirror in the morning might reflect otherwise, my heart tells me different. My restless spirit keeps me moving, running, climbing, creating, ANYTHING to keep the child in me alive. Age is only a number, right? Youth is a state of mind!

Now, I must be off...I have to go order more anti-wrinkle eye cream, I'm just about out.

It's been a while...

Hi people who actually read this.

2008 has been whisking along rather nicely. No resolutions made therefore no resolutions broken. I figure with this mentality, I am already one step ahead of the game.

Holidays were wonderful. I spent a lot of time visiting with the family, over-eating and not working. Complete and utter bliss. I returned to work after almost two weeks of Christmas vacation - - only to promptly fill out a time-off request card for a few days of snowboarding in Vermont. My boss was less than pleased and word spread like fire around the office that I was off on yet another adventure. I will not be a slave to the cubicle prison. There is too much world to see!

Thursday morning, Wes and I woke early to begin our treck to Okemo, Vermont, just north of Killington. I'm piling my things in the car and realize I might have been a little overzealous in my packing. Too many clothes and too much stuff - JUST IN CASE. (You know what I mean, ladies.) But as I'm loading in my snowboard, I hear the 'ruh ruh ruh' of something moving down the sidewalk. It's Wes. And his SUITCASE the size of a small bus. My normally self-reliant minimalistic boyfriend, who can carry two days worth of necessities in a genuardis plastic bag, has surprised me yet again. I still chuckle at how we had to unload the car to make room for his monstrous suitcase. He never ceases to leave me guessing. I assume he needed 12 pairs of socks too.

After a bit of rearranging and teasing, we were off. We took our time getting up there, no hurry, no worries. Instead of dealing with the traffic and mayhem around New York City, Wes took us through the Delaware Water Gap. The road was almost empty and the view so serene. Still waters, mighty trees, God's handy work at its finest, yet again. One of the many things I love about Wes is his patience. In the slowing down and taking the long road, we got to see what we otherwise would have missed in the blur of NY traffic. We got to experience the essence of simplicity, the beauty of slowing down.

Not to say my friend Susie, who we were meeting up with, wasn't checking in every few hours asking "WHERE ARE YOU???"

Almost there, just 100 more miles to go....

Finally, at about 8 pm, we turned into the resort where her boyfriend Paul has a house. And when he said it was a steep drive to his house, he wasn't kidding!! We weren't sure the civic had it in her to make the decent. Seemed just when we thought we were getting to the top, a sharp turn around another bend and we were only half way there. Ah....so this is when 4-wheel drive comes in handy. My little 4 cylinder was not pleased!!

The house was great, nestled between snowdrifts and treetops, the smell of the wood stove greeted us at our arrival. After settling in, we all sat by the fire to unwind, chatting and laughing. It was the beginning of what would be a memorable weekend with friends. With perfect snow conditions, yummy food, laughter over wine and board games, what more could I ask for. Uhm well, lets see. How about a two week trip to Montana in June? Yes, sounds perfect. I am counting down the days.

Even besides the last-minute trips, life still seems to bring on it's own mini-adventures every day. I've learned that there is not much you can control, everything is a mystery. I just try and let each day pan out how it may. It's exciting, all the possibilities. I try and remain open-minded to what God has in store for me. And with each morning I awake, I see it all slowly unfolding for me. And I am thankful. More thankful than I could ever express.