Happy Birthday to Casey!

Today is Casey's 36th birthday. Saturday night we had his friends Paul and Michelle (left) and Creed and Shaunna (right) over for dinner to celebrate. Unfortunately Tim and Rachel couldn't find a babysitter so they couldn't make it. Please note: Yes, Casey is wearing a headlamp. Don't ask my why.

He worked today and tonight we had dinner with his mom. Thursday we leave for a long weekend in Nashville, visiting my sister and her family, and that is sort of a birthday trip too. I'll post more on that when we get back.

I haven't sung happy birthday yet. I'll have to do that tonight...with some leftover homemade banana cream pie from Saturday night.

Girly Girl.

So that last two days I have been a total girly girl. We are going to Nashville, to visit my sister and her family, on Thursday and I decided to get all kinds of primping done in celebration of our last summer vacation. Yesterday I got my haircut. I don't know why I don't do it more often (yes, I do. It is a pain to drive to the salon and it costs $50) because it always looks so much better after I get it cut. I always let it grow too long and shaggy and am always amazed at how much better groomed I look after a trim!

Today I went for a manicure and pedicure with a friend. I have been opposed to manis and pedis for a couple of years, after reading several articles about gross fungal infections, but she and I went last month (after she got a coupon in the mail) and we loved it. So, since I'm going away and my toes weren't in tip-top shape, we decided to go again. My purple toes, with white flowers and a blue crystals, look super-duper. And, the manicurist gives a really good manicure.

Then, after getting my fingers and toes done, I went to the aesthetician for my monthly (or so) grooming. I've gotten hooked on getting my eyebrows and bikini line waxed and now I hate when they are unruly. If I had unlimited funds I would do this all the time. In reality, I go every 6-8 weeks, depending on how I'm feeling and whether or not I'm up to spending money on something as silly as a bikini wax! I must admit though, I really love it. I haven't worked up to anything more than a basic wax but who knows I might be a convert and go to Brazil one of these days! And, today, for the first time I had my upper lip waxed. This is kind of personal but since only Kate, Jen and Ann read my blog I can write about it! I was a bit concerned because many months ago I asked the aesthetician about doing it and she said that many people get very, very red on their upper lip and that I shouldn't do it before going anywhere (to run errands, out that evening, etc). It was definitely very red when she did it. I was embarrassed when I paid and walked to the car but now, 1 1/2 hours later it looks perfectly fine...and smooth as a baby's butt! Boy, if I had unlimited funds I would be pampered from head to toe all the time. But for now, until I win the lottery, I'll have to settle for every couple of months.

Here's to feelin' glam!

Happy Friday!

Remember Me?

It is has been so long since my last post that I don't even know where to begin. It isn't that I don't like posting, or keeping you guys up to date, but I just don't think to do it too often. And, that makes no sense because I read your blogs every day or two! As Kate would say, anyhoo:

• Casey and I went to San Diego two weekends ago. It was spur of the moment trip and we had a great time. Well, we had a great time after we found a hotel. He called hotels for two days and couldn't find anything under $200 because a) it is summer in Arizona and everyone runs to San Diego at the site of 100 degrees and b) the weekend we chose to go to San Diego was also the weekend of some huge comic book convention. Casey being Casey refused to give up and finally found a hotel some 30-odd miles outside San Diego. We weren't thrilled with the location but, hey, at least we would be in CA and not AZ! However, the day after making the reservation, I came home from work to find that Casey had cancelled that reservation and made one at a Sheraton right downtown. He told me that it was going to be a surprise (and wouldn't tell me what he agreed to pay!) but that he decided to fill me in and I was so pleased. It made the weekend much more enjoyable. We were able to spend the day at the beach, go back to the hotel for a shower, and then head out for dinner.

Speaking of the beach, that is pretty much all we saw. We decided that this was going to be a relaxing weekend so we did pretty much nothing. Friday afternoon, after getting in, we put on our bathing suits (in the car!) and hit the beach right away. It was so nice and relaxing, even though there were gazillions of people around. The next day we went to the dog beach! If you've never been, I highly recommend it. There were tons of dogs (big, little, ones who liked water, ones who didn't) running and playing and kicking sand all over me. For a split second we thought, "oh, wouldn't it be nice if Oso were here" and then we both looked at each other and said, "he would hate this. Too much commotion, too many other dogs, too much sand." He was probably much happier spending the weekend at Grandma's house.

• The other new and exciting thing is that Leah is teaching me how to knit. Leah taught herself to knit about a year ago and when I saw her a month or two ago she had to go to the yarn store so I tagged along. I was taken by all the cool yarns and agreed to have Leah teach me how to knit. I've only learned the (basic) knit stitch but I've started my first project. The woman at the yarn store told me that most beginners start with a scarf but, no, I had to start with a throw for the couch! It is going to be like a patchwork quilt with many different (complementary) colors (aubergine chenille, chocolate brown wool, etc). I started making 6 x 6" squares and was feeling really good, like I was making good progress. That is until I put them out on the bed and realized that I had completed 15 squares and I needed 99 (!!!) to complete the throw! I felt overwhelmed so Casey suggested I just use the 6 x 6" squares as a border and then make 12 x 12" squares for the interior. It is just as much work but won't look as busy. I've started the first 12 x 12 square and it looks good but the larger square is taking me much longer and I don't have that same sense of accomplishment. I worked for about 3 hours and only have 1/4 of one square completed! Previously I was working on the throw every day and I haven't worked on it for 2 days because I'm feeling a bit frustrated and don't want to get burnt out. Maybe I'll get back to it today. Ann, send good crafty thoughts my way!

• I'm still hitting the gym regularly and feeling pretty good because I'm up to running for 35 minutes. I've been using the elliptical for 15 minutes (to warm up my legs), run for 35 and walk for 5. A few weeks ago I started adding weights to my routine and now I am spending much too much time at the gym! I'll keep running for 35 minutes (at 4.5 on the treadmill) and then slowly increase the speed so I'm getting a better workout but won't have to run for as long. I am only seeing minor physical changes to my body but, as Casey kindly reminded me, apparently there are changes going on because when I started I could only run a couple of minutes (we're talking 2 ) and now I'm up to 35! I'm really pleased and that is what is keeping me going on the days I really don't want to go. I did a bunch of serious leg weights on Tuesday and my legs were pretty sore so yesterday I focused more on arms. However, I was foolish and did a few legs yesterday and my knees were really sore so I had to take 2 Aleve before going to bed. I feel great today but will need to remind myself not to push it when I go again tomorrow.

Okay, this has turned into a novel. I'll really try to write more and write more often.

Have a great weekend!