Saturday Adventures

In the past few years, I have developed a love for Saturday adventures. They are days when nothing is planned and you meet up with a buddy (or not) and just have a random day of fun. It all started with the HLP. We used to meet up for a mid-day meal and then the day would turn into a mix of errands and always something fun. The real magic of a Saturday Adventure is the total joy of an unplanned day and the fun that is out there to be had.

Well, today was no exception. It was a beautiful day in Seattle (and that is saying a lot with our current weather grossness, just read the news!). I was a little obsessed with the idea of returning to the tulips to see the fields in full bloom. My previous adventure buddy (and co-creator of Saturday adventures) lives far away, so she was not an option. My new adventure buddy was spending time on an island. So I revisited a very old adventure buddy. I figured if she was out then I would just adventure alone (no big deal, but it's always better with a friend. She was in! It was true adventure for her (she had never seen the fields). And others joined us.

We had a perfect Saturday Adventure of late departure, fun & random meal, an activity, and of course an ice cream to top off the day! It was grand.
Here are a few shots from the day, Enjoy!

Cheers to the Saturday Adventure tradition!

King-sized

Have you ever laid in a Kind-sized bed and just felt small?

This week I stayed in a hotel and they actually gave me the kind-sized bed (normally it's two full size-- one for me, one for my stuff!). During my 10 nights in the world of king-sized sleeping, I took on some new sleeping habits--horizontal sleeping, diagnal sleeping (fav!) and any which way I felt.

Last night when I laid down in my own lovely bed, my feelings were not of instant relaxtion and happiness but rather wondering when I got to be so huge. I am not a huge person- 5'2" will never be considered tall, but as people I have shared a bed with can contest I sometimes take up more space than a 5'2" person should take. After a week spent king-sized I feel exceptionally huge sleeping in my lowly full-sized bed. I have been king-sized.

My lowly full-sized bed feels very, very small for me now. I know I will become accustomed to it again, but momentarily I kind of crave that gigantic space again. (Not that I could even fit a king-sized bed into my current bedroom anyway.)

The humor is not lost on me...

As a teenager and young pre-adult (college age), I thought owning a Volkswagon Jetta would be the end-all, be all. If that ever happened, it would mean I had arrived! While I still think the Jetta is a cool car, it is no longer the end-all, be-all. (Frankly, I am not sure what would be...so not a thought on my radar. There are way more important things to focus on in life than the car I drive.) Anyway, in the process of determining the total amount my mouth would cost me, I saw an ad for the new "affordable" Jetta.

My mouth was the exact same cost.... Of a brand new Jetta.

The thought both amused and sickened me.

I mean I guess I do have a "grill"*, but the fact remains my mouth is the cost of a new car. Whoa.

I casually forget this fact on a regular basis, but today in my ever-humorous world, I exchanged my broken rental vehicle for none other than a brand new Jetta!

Hours later, as I see the shiny vehicle out the coffee-shop window, I crack a smile to show the Jetta my "jetta".

Funny, Universe. Just funny!

*(Ok- maybe I am tired or slightly over-caffinated, but while I think that was funny, it was admittedly a lame joke.)

Peas in a pod

During my time here in the desert, I have been noticing little old ladies with their friends. It started yesterday when I was out to lunch with my friend and has continued through today while working from a coffee shop. Cute ladies of a certain older age (60, 70, 80) out and about with their pals. I have loved watching them giggle and gossip like school girls.

My hope is that someday when I am old and grey that I, too, will have a set of ladies to lunch with. We can be snappily dressed, and shamelessly flirt with the young staff as only older distinguished ladies can.

(Whoa- two posts in one day. It might be a record, but I just felt like I needed to post before this left me.)

Mighty Morphin Indeed

I have completely fallen off the radar this week due to an intense work trip plan.

I spent three days in the car with my Manager and our client. No matter how enjoyable they each are (and they really can be!), that is just a lot of time in the car- driving, observing, brainstorming. It's A LOT. My brain becomes mush by the end--I stop talking and tend to zone out. Not the best default mode...

Luckily, I was able to comabt all the work with some fun time with good friends. I started the weekend with the most random Sleep-In Saturday ever (hotel SIS are just not the same), then met a good friend for a yummy lunch and a random Saturday of fun-- pedicures and pampering included! Our randomness took us to a softball tournament. It was a warm day, so time in the sun was just perfect. As we sat watching the littest batters come up to bat, THWACK!

I got hit in the face (jaw actually) with a Mighty Morphin power ranger. No joke. Some non-kid friendly words came out of my mouth (due to the shock). The tiniest little boy that hit me looked terrified (it was an accident). My friends were so sweet and VERY worried since it did hit my newly minted jaw. But aside from the scare (and the impending bruise), all was fine. My jaw was NOT hurt--it still works as it did before. A little victory.

Although it hurt and is slightly tender to the touch, it was just a normal injury. Could have happened to anyone. And that makes me happy! Two month later, I am relatively healed. I mean there is still some jaw exercising left to do- it's still a little stiff and sore, but it gets better day after day. And now I know I really can get back to contact sports--even if it's with plastic toys thrown at warp speed.

An Open Letter to Airplane Travelers.

Dear Fellow Airline Traveler- As a regular traveler I have noticed some things about most of you and have some questions. 1- Do you really need to stand up as soon as the plane stops at the gate? You have to wait until the front of the plane unloads before you can go anywhere anyway. 2- Why MUST you place your overhead baggage at the front of the plane if you are seated in the back? You just mess it up for those who sit in the front and then there is chaos when we land and people need their bags. Moving forward, if you could place your overhead bag near your seat that would make life easier for everyone. 3- Why wouldn't you gate-check your bag if the flight crew is recommending it? It's a gate check and the bag will be waiting for you at the gate when you get off the plane. There's no charge (on most airlines) and you still don't have to deal with baggages claim. Double bonus! 4- Why do you have to get your bag first off the baggage claim carosel? The bag is not going anywhere and neither is the taxi, shuttle, or personal ride home if you all spread out around the thing. Just try it, you'll see. I look forward to seeing these changes ensue. Best, Your Fellow Frequent Flyer

Ten Years

This past weekend I was able to join a group of friends for a Las Vegas Birthday celebration. We had a great time and surprised the birthday girl (which is hard for 10 people to pull off!). There were drinks and laughs and some gambling (mostly on the penny machines). But with all the fun, I also realized 21 was a long time ago!

My 21-year-old self would have been very sad to see that I did not consume gallons of alcohol and dance on bars and wear high heels and fancy clothes. Rather I enjoyed a beverage or two, played some penny slots and laughed with a group of friends over meals. My 31-year-old self is quite content with the weekend and the activities that ensued but my 21-year-ol self would be sad. I used to hang with the best of them- we even made an after after-hours bar in our basement, every bartender knew us (and liked us). We (I) was the life of the party.

Ten years doesn't seem that long ago, but it really is. To think about behaving as my 21-year-old self is crazy to me. I had an incredible experience at that age and wouldn't trade any of it, but I would not change who I have become. I enjoy the trade-in of high heels for comfortable shoes, late-nights out in loud bars for laughs over amazing food and waking up with a hangover for super fun weekend brunches. Now that is not to say, I can't fire up every once in awhile because I definately can. But I have to say I like enjoying a good meal with good friends and good conversation much more than I like screaming to hear a comment in a club whist wearing uncomfortable (albeit super cute) shoes.

And if that makes me old--bring it!

All I can think is, "Oh, what a difference ten years makes!"