Things I Love

I love lots of things in this world, but here are some of my favorites

1. *Sushi* I was first introduced to sushi in grad school when most of my friends were Asian and I was the token "white girl". There's nothing quite like sushi. Sometimes squishy, sometimes crunchy, always fulfilling. Lately, sushi has become a monthly outing, a reward of sorts. I, and I know the other ladies as well, look forward to sushi night so much. Had a bad day? Sushi will make everything better. And while I am hardly a connoisseur, my favorite sushi is from Noble in Southington. I've never had any better than theirs.

2. *Hawaiian Pizza* There is nothing logical about why I like this. I don't like pineapple by itself. I don't even like Canadian bacon on its own. Somehow though when you put them on a pizza with cheesyness and some sauce, it is just so tasty. Actually, pineapple on just about anything makes an exotic treat. Ever had grilled pineapple on a hamburger? Its like your on vacation in your own home.

3. *Nature* I love animals. I love nature. I love watching animals. It intrigues me, always has. When I was a kid, we used to go to the Mystic Aquarium all the time. I knew all the different types of fish and things. I loved it. I often wonder why I didn't go into a career involving animals. I certainly enjoy being with animals more than most people.

4. *Speaking of people, I love my friends* I once read a quote that went something like, "God gives you your family, thank God you get to pick your friends". I love that quote. Don't get me wrong, I love my family. Friends though fill in the spaces family can't. Friends are there when family can't be. You can say things to friends that you can't to family. You need to have both friends and family. Can you be friends with members of your family? Sure. Can your friends be like a part of your family? Absolutely. But they aren't the same thing. And I believe, I know, you need to have both in order to be a healthy individual. I've had good friends and I've had bad friends. Really bad friends. I love the friends I have right now. And I know exactly who the good apples are.

5. *Coffee* Have I mentioned my obsession with coffee?

6. *Pictures* I love taking pictures. I love being surrounded by the smiling faces of my friends, family and dog. I love looking at the picture and remembering what was happening at that specific moment in time. While I love the digital age and love my digital camera, I miss having to print photos. I miss flipping through a photo album. I love reminiscing about vacations and college and times gone by. I once wanted to go into photography. I had a crappy camera in high school and for my birthday my friends all chipped in a bought me a new camera. I wonder why I decided not to go into photography.. I could have photographed animals.. *sigh*

7. *Reminiscing* I love talking to people and doing "Remember when..." Remember when there was a bat hanging from our dorm room ceiling? Remember when we went snorkeling with sea turtles? Remember when my sneakers smelled so bad I put them on the wind sill and then they filled with snow? Remember when I choked on the steak at our rehearsal dinner and ended up in the ER? Good or bad memories, I love to reminisce and remember.

8. *I love writing this blog* I have no idea how many people actually read this blog. Regardless, I love having it as a way to get things off my mind. I love having a way to take all of the "stuff" in my head and putting it down on, well not paper, but, you know. And its free! Its like free therapy and I think its great.

Elmo in da house

*You need to pretend that it says "SOLD" on this sign*

Congratulations to my dear friends, D, B (and K!) on selling their house after 4 short (or were they long?) weeks on the market. I wish them the best of luck in finding the house of their dreams, a house in which they can continue to raise their family and grow old together in. Not only do I look forward to helping them rejoice and enjoy their new home, I look forward to not having to look at their stuff in the place where I used to park my car.

My day today began as usual with my coffee, cereal and the Today show. A disturbing phone call from my mom and I decided I didn't want to spend the day home with no plans and no one to talk to but Rex. I wanted to help D prepare for what will probably be the biggest 2nd birthday party in history. An Elmo theme deserves nothing more than an Elmo cake. D and I spent the afternoon recreating Elmo out of cake and icing. It was a fantastic experience. Never would I have thought that so much effort would go into this. Smear some frosting on and that would be the end of it. No, no~ bags and nozzles and dabbing and special food coloring. I was a cake decorating virgin, but a quick learner. Here is the before and after.

Between cake decorating and playing with one of my favorite (almost) two year olds ~even though she told me I could NOT ride on her swing~ I pine for a child even more today.

Jealousy.

Sometimes I have an irrational fear that Rex doesn't like me as much as he likes L. While this could very well be true, I also know there's not a whole lot I can do about it as he is a dog. He perks right up whenever L is in the room or enters a room. Today for example, Rex laid around and slept all day long. Didn't play, didn't bark, just slept. As soon as L pulled in the driveway, he bounced up. Barking, jumping, craziness. I mean, I know Rex loves me. I feed him, I walk him, I play with him. He listens to me more than he does L. But it just never ceases to make my heart drop a bit when his eyes and ears perk up when L walks into the room. I know though that I need to get over this before a child enters our lives. Heaven help me, or us for that matter, if I am constantly worried that my child loves their father more than me.

I saw this sign on our way home from Maryland. I wonder if Barry Manilow ever thought his name would be on the same billboard as Beyonce's. Or maybe the better question is, did Beyonce ever think her name would be on the same billboard as Manilow?

A Ridiculous Purchase

This is a dog biscuit. I paid $2.50 for it. What's worse, Rex wouldn't even eat it.

Pubes and funnel cake

Personal hygiene is an interesting thing. It is, as the name says, personal. However it is something that everything around you sees and experiences with you. For example, yesterday at the pool a woman had very, how shall we say... unkempt pubic hair. Unkempt like I have never seen before. You couldn't help but stare, and think "Isn't she embarrassed?" I get stubble down there and I'm embarrassed. Very interesting. Weird and a bit scarring, but interesting. This same individual when jogging in the morning and got all sweaty because it is wicked hot even at 7am. Then, instead of taking a shower, she jumped in the pool to cool off. Ew. Other people go in that pool. Granted, little kids are probably peeing in there, but she's a grown adult. Gross. It all somehow makes me more conscious of my own personal hygiene.

L and I had our second vacation funnel cake. He insisted on eating it with a fork and knife, but ended up making an even bigger mess that way. Funnel cake makes me happy.

Brothers and Sisters

Families are funny. Not funny haha, but funny interesting. Its been 31 years and I still haven't figured out my own and now I've also got L's to try and figure out. Families are funny. My brother is six years younger than me. For many years he was my best friend. We did all kinds of things together. Our favorite was Rosie's diner. We'd sit and eat fried food and chat. We had a lot in common and we enjoyed each other's company. My brother is a great person; he's funny, he's smart, he's very caring. Unfortunately, I don't think my brother knows or realizes any of those things about himself. In the last year and a half, my brother has become very sad and depressed. Very anxious about everything. Physically he is fairly healthy, mentally he is not. He is not the same person I once sat and chatted with. He has a family who love him very much, but he can't seem to see that. No one seems to know what to do for him. It is very difficult to watch someone you love be so unhappy, and know that there is little you can do. He's a wonderful person. I hope that he realizes that soon.

Bring on the relaxation!

After two days and eleven hours of driving, we have arrived in Ocean City, Maryland. We visited with family in Baltimore yesterday, and saw the home of Charm City Cakes; Ace of Cakes on Food Network. We drove five hours to the beach, swam in the ocean, ate funnel cake, ate fried chicken and walked the entire length of the boardwalk. We are exhausted to say the least. Tomorrow's plan is to sleep in, take in some sun, and start reading my new book. Not worrying, not stressing. I plan to eat funnel cake and decompress.