I'm in love...

...with Washington DC.

This past weekend I flew down to DC for my cousin's 40th birthday. Her husband had surprised her with a long weekend in DC and my brother and I thought it would be nice for me to surprise her and come down.

Getting down there was a nightmare! I got stuck in LaGuardia overnight because of rain and an unfriendly gate agent who wouldn't check to confirm that they were supposed to hold the flight for me. I spent the night in a hotel room across the street from the airport...loud and smelly and I got no sleep. Friday morning my flight from LaGuardia to Baltimore was delayed, but they put me on a flight to National, which worked out even better because its super close to where my brother lives. My original flight to Baltimore was eventually cancelled.

I spent Friday morning down by the Capitol and at the Museum of the American Indian. Really made me miss my work in Mexico. Jay and I had Ethiopian food for lunch...yummmm! I met up with Jill and Larry after lunch and walked around the mall for a while. Dinner was at an amazing Asian resturant in the city.

Saturday Jay and I went to the gym. Yes, I go to the gym on vacation if at all possible...I brought my spinning shoes and everything. We met up with Jill and Larry in lunch in Georgetown and then walked around for a while. What a beautiful part of the city. We all had dinner together and then went to a movie. After the movie, Jay and I went back into Georgetown for a drink and to talk. I really enjoy being with my brother, he's one of the most amazing people I know.

Sunday morning we drove around a little bit to look at places where he may want to buy a townhome or condo and then he drove me to the airport. Flights back were fine. I was absolutely exhausted when I got home and really just crashed until bedtime. Which means I have to unpack tonight. :(

It was a fantastic weekend and I got to see some of the most important people in my life for a happy occasion in a beautiful city. What else could a girl want?!

Old Friends

So the other night I posted on Facebook that its a true sign of a good friend when even after years you still just get each other. I was referring to one specific situation, Elisa, my college roommate, but it really is true of a lot of my friends. I could start rattling off the names and reasons why, but I don't have to because they knew who they are in my life and they know what they have, do and will mean to me.

I got in touch with another old friend last night...we had been playing message and phone tag for a few weeks, but last night, the voice on the other side of the line was the real person. I had a bombshell dropped on me right from the get go, that he had married the wrong person and was now looking at facing a divorce, which doesn't look like it will go smoothly or end amicbaly. So basically after close to 15 years of not talking to someone I find out his life is in shambles. Not what I had hoped for and not what I would have ever wanted for him in his life.

It seems he is also not supposed to talk to me because his wife gets upset when he talks to people he doesn't know. Now part of me understands how she feels, been there myself, but my situation was different. I hadn't asked for a break up (divorce doesn't work in my situation because I wasn't married) and then flipped out about my partner's habits and cell phone texts/calls. Of course I only know one side of this story, but knowing my friend, he is not in a good situation and needs to take care of himself and move on with his life.

Old friends, sometimes they come and go, but they are always a part of you.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

St. Patrick's Day brings up my yearly debate about is corned beef Irish or Jewish? Of course it depends on how it is served. With cabbage, Irish, on toasted rye with mustard and a pickle, Jewish.

My preference? Definitely the Jewish version...cabage is NASTY!!!

That's all for today...too much going on in this crazy mind of mine to put down just yet... I am learning I'm not patient once I make up my mind about something though. LOL!!!

Sad News

I just found out a knitter friend of mine past away yesterday from colon cancer yesterday. She was diagnosed after having emergency surgery to remove her appendix and was pretty quiet about things at first. I remember sitting in the LYS on a knit-in night and hearing Nancy talk to another knitter, their conversation caught my attention when I heard Nancy mention cancer. I had noticed Nancy didn't seem well but no one seemed to know much.

A few months ago, my comadre told me that she had heard that treatment wasn't working and that Nancy was on pain management. Nancy made every effort to come to knit-ins (better efforts than I do and I'm healthy) and put on a smile while she was there. But you knew she was in pain and struggling.

The first time I met Nancy was probably in 2004 when CB took me to my first knit-in. I had been working on a first attempt at a blanket for my cousin's new daughter and made some horrible mistakes. Nancy sat down, analyzed it and told me that it was best to start over. She said not to worry that it happened to everyone and we pulled out the needles and started ripping back. I felt like I was a horrible, novice knitter, but had realized I was among friends.

The last time I saw Nancy was maybe a month ago. She came to a knit-in that I was at (with my comadre of course) and she looked tired and weak. We all sat around, knitted and it almost felt like Nancy was there to say good-bye. When we left I went over to Nancy, she told me to take care of myself, I told her the same and stroked her hair (which was quite thin) and squeezed her shoulder. CB and I walked out in tears and just gave each other a huge hug! CB saw her one other time, a day she brought Katharine to the shop, it was Nancy's first time meeting this beautiful little girl.

Nancy and her best friend Laurel would crack CB and I up. They were like an older version of the two of us. One blonde, one brunette. Both full of life. One married with a family, one single but with a family of friends that truly cared for her. Nancy's family didn't live in the area so her friends were her family. I can only imagine what Laurel is going through.

Nancy was supportive of everyone, knitting and otherwise. One night I was in a horrible spot and mood. Nancy asked me if I was okay and I said no. Her response was it was okay not to be okay and to go with the mood. She just got it sometimes. She would ask CB how I was doing after that and was happy to hear that I dusted myself off and am so happy and at peace now. What amazing woman...and I didn't even mention what a fantastic knitter she was!!!

I can only hope that Nancy now has the peace that she so deserves. I will miss her terribly and I know I'm not the only one. Be well dear friend...be well...

Time to sing...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MOM,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Today would have been her 65th birthday!!!

The waiting is the hardest part...

So as some of you may know I have been working through some potentially life altering decisions lately. Now that I have decided to act on things I am in a waiting mode. I am not the most patient person and I have had a couple of "what have I done?" moments but I am trying to remember that life is about experiences and sometimes taking risks and sometimes that involves a leap of faith. So, I lept and now hoping I don't go splat! I guess if I do, I just pick myself up and keep going forward. Keep your fingers crossed and send as many good vibes, prayers and thought that you can. Will keep you all posted!

February 14th

Day I started a new job, 10 years ago. Its crazy to think that I've been there for 10 years. My department bought me a cake a week and a half ago (boss is currently traveling so they did it beforehand). Got a glass plaque with my name on it and a pair of white gold hoops from work. CEO sent me a congratulatory email and lots of people have been stopping me and congratulating me.

As for Valentine's Day? I can take it or leave it. Never been a big fan of the holiday, its up there with New Years Eve on my list of least favorites. Why do you need a day contrived by a card company to tell the person you love that you love them. They should always know that. I try to make sure the people I care about know that everyday. But to those who do like the sentiment behind today, I do hope you have a happy Valentine's Day!