32 Candles

Whoa...I am 32 now. Not 22. Where did time go?

I am constantly surprised by my life and the twists and turns it takes. Now, at the start of my 32nd year, I am markedly different than 31. A different and more important job, no longer a "Mrs.", a Mother of 2 kitties again, minus 23 lbs of excess weight (thank you running) and an accomplished athlete, an asthmatic, a friend to new and fantastic people, a belly dancer, a weary traveler...etc. So many changes in just one year - some good, some "meh". Most of all, I am excited to take on 32.

When I get some time, I'll defintely blog on my kick-ass birthday part-ay...but for now...a glimpse at the 32 year old.

Friends with Grooming Skillz Like Mine

Too busy to do much blogging. I have great stories to tell though (like the drunk clown hitting on me Starbucks...). More on that later. Today I went to an Alpaca show and made some new BFFs. Makes me wish I had a big yard and about $200,000 to buy them.

The Stinky Cheese Man

Not this one, but close enough.

I have now had the priviledge of running next to a man I am calling "The Stinky Cheese Man", or TSCM, thrice at my gym. I got my first taste (pun intended) about a week ago when TSCM first appeared and jumped on the treadmill next to me. I could smell him before he actually got on the treadmill, but this is really secondary to what I am going to tell you.

As he sets out his "gear" near the treadmill I notice a zip-loc bag, which, and I am NOT shitting you...has a hunk of cheese in it! I watched this already b-o-rific dude run about ten minutes then stop for a cheese break. Then ten more minutes...followed by more cheese.

Now I get water and Gatorade, and I might fall for a Powerbar here and there...but cheese? Like my friend Shelley says "What da Freak?"

I'll keep running but if TSCM comes back I might have to fake lactose intolerance and run the opposite way.

*Also, tonight I watched a total douchebag answer his cell while running on 6.5 and fall off the back of the treadmill. Sadly, I took delight in laughing a bit too loud. However, it's a gym people...not a phone booth.

Uppers, Downers and All-Arounders...

I was recently cleaning out some of my collegiate textbooks and found the one I am using in this title. Although it dates back to the early nineties...it's still a stellar read and I am completely certain worth the $74 price tag still faintly visible.

Let's update for January:

Spent New Year's Eve with a huge group of friends. We had a roaring table of ten going at a corner wine bar and danced to live music. Then we ended up at the greatest dance party of all time where Jennie and I perfected "The Robot" (shown above).

Signed up for two mini-marathons for May and one 5K my job sponsors for March. I work out or run every other day now and am up to about 6 miles on my "good days".

Moved up to Intermediate Belly Dancing class as of last week. I can say with pride I have not injured myself or others in the name of dance. I can't speak for other embarrassments that may have occurred (Bern and Michele...you know my t-shirt incident). I am now using zils in my class - that's the actual word for 'finger cymbals' for you non-dancers. There will be a recital in Spring...you will not be invited for fear of photography, videotape and quite honestly... You Tube.

We are beginning a massive project at work on Monday that I believe will consume most of my work week(s). This means my consumption of fine single malt scotch will need to increase. Anyone looking to make good on old (alcohol-related) debts from me should be advised that I don't like the cheap shit.

Nyla turned 8 this week. To celebrate, we're going rollerskating tonight. Let's all cross our fingers that Nyla is too young to remember me slamming into a five year old carrying a jumbo coke and hot pretzel at the rink...because that's truly what she's in for with my "skating skills".

Off to limber up...

Why Does This Girl Look So Happy?

Did she win the Hoosier lottery? No.

Did she get a promotion at work? Double No.

Did her condo finally sell? Big NO.

She's simply happy that a week of complete mayhem is behind her. This is how it played out without the sordid details:

2 asthma attacks both resulting in ER visits.

1 abcessed tooth resulting in one emergency dental visit and the beginning of a painful root canal.*

1 emergency vet visit for Nyla cat when she almost ceased breathing.

1 car having trouble.

All in one fricking week. I can only hope this one is better.

*This visit resulted in massive amounts of antibiotics and painkillers (the likes of which sold would pay off my car).

You Wouldn't Guess We've Been Fighting All Day, Would You?

The tortie is outta the bag, or room so to speak. She spent most of today with Nyla, chasing, jumping on and basically annoying the crap out of...but they sure are sweet and cuddly when they're tired.

In Camelot

I am still on my weeklong trip, but wanted to tempt you with a photo - this was my morning bike ride, which extended halfway around Martha's Vineyard and into Chappaquiddick - roughly 35 miles in all. I've downloaded about 50 photos already, including a smart-assed one for Jennie, but those will have to wait. I have more chowder and beer to down.