Another year...

Would you look at that? October 11th came around again? I just read a post from my 35th (yes, my REAL 35th) birthday. Seems like just yesterday - not 3 years ago!

Where has the time gone? Zipped right on by. It's true that life doesn't stand still - for anyone!

I'm one of those people who likes to celebrate birthdays. Not just another day for me! Why not do something on the day that's 'yours'?? Life is not nearly full enough of times to make memories, so I'm going to make sure my birthday is one of them.

The 'big' things this birthday weekend were dinner with Cattail & DragonSlayer with Cop'er. Always good getting together with them! The other day I got my gift from Cop'er - a new Zune HD. Love it!

I have a Zune currently & it's one I've used since 2006. That's a long time for an MP3 in this technologically advancing world! So, now I have moved up in the world. No regrets either!

We also went to see "Case 39". It wasn't bad, not sure it was good either though. But one thing I know, any slightly 'spooky' movie that has kids and/or dogs in it is going to be that much scarier! I don't know what it is with those 2 additions to scary movies, but it really creeps me out!

I got to spend a little time with my BFF & her sidekicks. We went to lunch & 'walk through' the new Garden Ridge store on her end of town.
The best part of the whole birthday weekend is the day off I got... not because it's my birthday, but because Columbus was thoughtful enough to discover land & have a holiday declared for his efforts. And now I am reaping the rewards of his discovery... on my birthday.

So, thank you, Mr. Columbus, for all your hard work. Your little discovery really paid off for me!

I 'Make Things'

What is the difference between a craft room & man cave? Let's have a comparison.

Craft Room = organized space of all things crafty, room to spread said crafts out, creative headquarters for artsy types, colorful 'things' for projects as yet unknown, cat haven

Man Cave = foolish nonsense abounds, testosterone corral, dog shananigans area, poker palace, masculine movie theater

And, yes, it's true. I make things. I have a whole craft room for making things. To be honest, it's not the WHOLE room. There is a guest bed & furniture in there in case we might have an overnight visitor. It's also a good place for (literal) cat naps!

Cop'er likes to complain about all the 'things' in the room. I believe I have heard him refer to these 'things' as... junk. Some of that 'junk' is from my college days (art major!) and very expensive to replace in case i decide to take up pastels & pen & ink drawing again!

(I know you are laughing about that!)

Needless to say, I like to go into the man cave & point out his 'junk'... the paddle from your fraternity days? Really? The strange smoking frog your brother gave you???

Seriously??

You wanna talk about JUNK?

But to make my point, I do make things in the craft room. Just the other day, I assisted AriCaVa in putting together invitations. She came over to use the (very organized & labeled) supplies & low & behold - I had everything she needed! Just think of how much money I might have saved her!

I'm doing watercolors now as well, but I don't do them in the craft/guest room... There's no DVR in there...

Race for the Cure - 2010 - Richmond, VA

Mi madre, mi padre, Sister Fantanimal, AriCaVa (& kiddos), FlyRunner & youngest son, ChildPilot (with 2 sons & hubby), Uncle Tom & wife, Kris and CycleCaster all converged on downtown Richmond, VA to take part in the 2010 Susan G Komen Race for the Cure.

We were "Jean's Team"! Walking for my aunt, Jean, we did it to celebrate her life, to raise awareness & do something in her memory as a family. It was a fitting weekend to get together - Mother's Day weekend! The weather was beautiful - sunny, warm, even a nice WIND!

There are lots of others with the same thoughts - celebrating life & walking for a cure. It was inspiring to see so many people in their pink, with the loved ones, living life.

The smallest of the team (Jelly & Otoño Poco) rode the 3.1 miles, but were alert & definitely enjoying the hustle & bustle of people passing them by.

At times we walked together, other times we were separated as walkers sped up & slowed down throughout the race. But in the end, we crossed the finish line together.

A little warn out from the excitement of the day, we left the race with plans to meet up at mi madre's house for lunch. What a spread to feed the hungry masses! With full bellies and lots of family in the vicinity, it was a nice afternoon to share with loved ones.

We survived this year's event & it was mentioned we should do it again next year...

I think i might just do it! See ya in 2011~

Maxine - the frog

Several years ago before AriCaVA moved back to VA & was living in Monterey, California, I fly to the west coast to see her. I left Cop'er back on the East Coast (please, don't give me a hard time - we'd just gotten back from a cruise!) to spend time with my BFF. Since he wasn't able to see all the sights I was seeing, I told him I'd send him shots of some of the highlights.

These shots were sent by text message and they all included something we take when we travel - a small stuffed frog we call Maxine. 

** back story on Maxine: When Cop'er & I went on our honeymoon cruise, we took Maxine on the cruise with us. I'd read somewhere that the frog symbolized "coming back soon." In other words, to come back safely. So, since then we have always taken a frog when we travel.

Of course, I shot the picture of Maxine in the backpack while Cop'er was carrying it around. I don't know that he was too thrilled to be seen with the little stuffed frog as we rode horseback through the Puerto Rican rainforest!**

I'm pretty sure as my time in CA wore on Cop'er became more & more envious that Maxine was on the trip & he wasn't back home.

Maxine on the plane to the West Coast - strapped in for safety.

Maxine chillin' at the Pacific Ocean

Maxine at Monterey Bay

Maxine outside Pebble Beach, watching the mating of seal lions in the background. (Ok, stop lookin' they aren't really mating at that exact moment.)

Maxine's last big stop on the trip - Big Sur.

A Day trip to Ireland

Cop'er & I met AriCaVa & her brood at the Irish Festival in Church Hill today. We had a late start, b/c... well... you know, it was the morning. Plus, Cop'er didn't know he was 'invited' to go until I woke him up to get the day started.

When we got there & were parking the car, Cop'er mentioned "Kilts aren't Irish, are they?" (as we watched a kilted gent gross the street). Now, this got me thinking. I am assuming the name is just that, a name. "Irish" was obviously encompassing everything that could have been English, Scottish & Irish. After all, those bagpipes weren't Irish either & i would have hated to miss out on those!

We ended up checking out all the little tents they had set up. I can't lie - we did come home with some things. Even Cop'er didn't come back empty handed!

We tried some traditional Irish food... spiral fries???

ok, maybe not from thee Emerald Isle.

Jelly & Otoño Poco recognized us, but weren't too keen on being separated from Mommy. I can't say that I blame them! There were millions of people there! I'd have been worried about being separated too!

Fine... I MIGHT have exaggerated a little about the amount of people there. In my estimates, there were a million. Obviously, I have an imagination.

By the time we sampled the Irish fare and pilfered the Irish jewels, AriCaVa & her clan were long gone for naptime in a land far, far away. That meant it was time for Cop'er & I to make our exit.

The weather was be-u-tee-ful. You couldn't have asked for better! It was 77 in the car when we were leaving & it really felt like one of those days you are thankful to be alive.

Cop'er drove me down to Pony Pasture (a park, not some overt sexual reference) and we took in sights of the James River & many very pricey houses overlooking it. We have long discussed our 'retirement' and can agree that we want to live on the water somewhere. I think one of those houses might be added to the list! What a view!

In case you weren't keeping up on these things, today is the first day of spring... & what a glorious day it is! I hope there are many more just like this to come!

Perhaps a new career?

I don't know if you have noticed, but I like to write. It's not just in this blog either. I also write notes, write letters, write poems... Now, I'm writing articles.

It all began a few days ago... (well, not the writing, but the article part).

AriCaVa started writing articles about Landscape Design in the Richmond area for examiner.com. Sounded interesting... so I talked to her about it. They are always looking for writers for the area you live in and they have a variety of topics you can write on. All you have to do is select what you are interested in writing about and submit your prose samples. "The powers that be" review your submissions & let you know if you are "in."

It's a little like joining a special group - a club that not all are invited to join. Actually, it was a flashback to portfolio review in college!

My sample article was about... you'll never guess... General Hospital. Yeah, the soap opera. I must have done good because they invited me onboard to write for them!!!

Now, I'm going to be the Richmond TV Examiner. Shocked that I am going to write about TV??? I doubt it. It's something that I tend to work into my life just about every day. Thus far I have written 2 articles, one about Americal Idol/Ellen's first week; the other about The Bachelor Season Finale.

Based on several criteria, you can actually earn MONEY by writing these articles. (Don't come claiming I owe you money, it's not that much!). I haven't really figured out what i need to do to rake in the $5/week, but I'm working on it. If you see my article link - click, it. Humor me.

Cast of Characters

It's come to my attention that I am introducing more & more "characters" to my blogs & maybe it's time to do a little synopsis of these people & where they fit into the Grayzeee Life.

Cop'er = my husband, Aaron. We met on match.com & were married 4 yrs again. He's 'from' Missouri, though he's lived in many places since his dad was in the military. Cop'er is... a cop. He's also got a great retirement & pension! Hmm. Is that info only important to the woman who will be retiring with him???

Sister Fantanimal = my sister, Candice. She's the 'forgotten/overlooked/stepped over/pushed aside' (did i forget any of the words you told me to use?) middle sister. MEN - She's single!!! Sister F is an animal lover. I'd like to say 'dog lover', but I'm just not sure it matters what kind of animal it is! Her house is a menagerie with animals coming & going.

Sister KidEduc8r = my sister, Heather. She's the 'parents' favorite/baby/always got her way' (Sister F - did forget any of the words you told me to use for her?) youngest sister. (Yes, you guessed it - no boys in this family. Defective sperm?) KidEduc8r is a teacher of America's future. You know the kind - looking for snow days & school holidays. She's mommy to Ry-Guy & Caidelcake with another on the way.

Mi Madre = pretty obvious that this is my mother, mom, mama, Ellen. She's... hmmm... well, she's RETIRED! That's right. She now keeps a pretty mean house, cooks a wicked dinner & watches my nephews in her massive amount of free time. Sometimes she's just too tired to do all though, especially after a long battle with her computer!

Mi Padre = this is my pops, pox. dad, Ted. He's a pharma-father. We like that & enjoy having our own personal pharmacist 'on staff' at home. He's a collector of things too - coins, baseball cards, a few Civil War odds & ends (well, what did you expect - we live in VA!). Mi Padre also gave me a love for thunderstorms (something Mi Madre curses every summer)!

FlyRunner = my cousin, Angel. FlyRunner is a swimmer (from VT [scholarship] days) and mommy to Austin & Carter; wife to Collins (look for their character names in a future posting). She's a writer and photographer too - perhaps this runs on Mi Madre's side!? She is also a wonderful friend, soft-spoken and ballsy.

AriCaVA = you met her here. She's Betsy, the BFF, the big cheese, my 'go to' person. We met at Circuit City in 1994. After her west coast adventures, I am THRILLED that she calls VA home again. She's a landscape architect by trade, but I believe she likes "partner in crime to her BFF" as a better title. AriCaVa is mommy to Jelly and Otoño Poco; mistress wife to Mr. AriCaVA, who I have decided to introduce by another name later in this episode.

Cattails = I mentioned her lack of surprise about me in this post. She's Ashley, my lunch buddy, bridesmaid, DD, Saturday afternoon playdate. I met Cattails through Sister F. They were friends; now we are friends. Big ole happy family. She's a number cruncher and works for the state. (Possibly a State of Confusion?). She's wifey to DragonSlayer & mommy to Sweet Pea and soon-to-be Little Pea.

Ry-guy = my oldest nephew, Rylan. He loves to call Cop'er, "Snickelfritz" and play in our 'pirate ship' (swingset outside). He's a smart cookie, is in his first year of 'big kid school', loves drawing and is very sweet. Ry-guy is into being best buds with Cop'er and stirring up trouble when the 2 are together. I have to admit, Cop'er is VERY impressionable!

Caidelcake = my younger nephew, Caiden. He's 'the man' - much more rough & tumble than Ry-guy was, but loves him some fruits & veggies! He could put most adults to shame! Caidelcake loves being involved in anything Ry-guy is into and makes faces that will keep you laughing for hours. He also has a great sad face -- pretty convincing when he needs it! I totally fall for it!

Jelly = my honorary nephew, Jeffery (who I call Jeff), Since our first meeting when he was a mere 2 months old, we've been compadres. I'm Aunt Amie to him - even if he won't let ME read bedtime stories. We always have a great time eating pancakes & checking out everything in Michaels! 

Otoño Poco = my honorary niece, Katie. Katie & I are still feeling each other out. She's new to my world, so I understand it takes a little getting used to. I also know sometimes you just have to let it all out - just scream until it's out! You gotta be heard! I think she's starting to like me though. Just this past weekend I got a SMILE & A CRY out of her! Talk about progress!

Sweet Pea = Cattails' daughter, Sarah, who is 5. She's a character! I have this recent memory of her walking right into my house for a pool party. She just opened the door, walked in ahead of her parents & said 'hi Amie'... then walked right past me to where the action was. I was amazed by her seemingly fearless side! She's a talker & a questioner & I think someone is going to have their hands full when she gets older! Time to lock her into the bedroom!

DragonSlayer = Cattails' hubby, Kev... or as I like to call him Kevey and my 2nd husband. Since he was with Cattails before I got to know her, he came with that package. It's a good thing I think he's pretty cool! He's currently best known as director of "daddy daycare", but he also does a good interpretation of mechanic, computer repairman, mover, painter, gamer, friend. He's gearing up for the arrival of Little Pea... hoping for a repeat performance of pink.

DuJour = AriCaVa's hubby, Josh. DuJour is a chef! Calm your tastebuds down! He's taken! Well, I suspect for the right price he could be yours! Wait. I mean, for catering, cheffing, those food things. Not the other thing you were thinking about! He's quietly witty & one of the (if not THE) biggest Star Wars lovers I have ever met! DuJour is also outdoorsy &, from what I hear, might just be someone's Prince Charming.

Until our next casting call...

The Trip to Becoming My BFF

When it comes to the times in my life where I have made friends that have lasted a lifetime, I'd have to say it was college & the 7 years I spent at Circuit City. Perhaps it was the time in my life where relationships with peers were the most important part of life, molding me for the future, challenging me, keeping me sane in the transitional period into adulthood.

There are many people I am still very blessed to call friends--18 years later. I can't imagine what life would be like without them! We've grown up together, gotten married, gotten divorced, been through births & deaths, jobs & unemployment...

Through those years, there has been one person in particular who has managed to cement her place in my life. Little did we know that when I started working evenings part-time at Circuit City that it would be the makings of a lifelong friendship.

At the time, Betsy (let's call her "AriCaVa'" from this point out) was given the task of showing me the ropes and the inner workings of the Advertising Production Department. It's safe to say I don't remember much about the 'working' aspect. The images that come readily to my memory were 'snack time' every night at 7pm, and then dinner time once we were both working full-time; proofreading; felt tip pens; her engagement; her wedding; crazy co-workers; me dating someone she didn't like; understanding the signs of a 'bad day'... it really goes on & on.

Then AriCaVa & Mr. AriCaVa decided to move to Arizona.

What? Do you KNOW how far that is??? It's not a day trip, for certain! Just HOW do you think we are going to stay friends when you won't even be in the same time zone???

I admit, in the beginning it took a little getting used to. She's not a big phone talker; I'm a big writer. We started with letters and emails, pictures & cards. It wasn't too hard, but not the same as being in the same city.

What about girls' night out? Who was going to see chick flicks with me? Would I have to find a new "go to" person?

At that time in my life, getting the money and time to go see AriCaVa in Phoenix just wasn't an option. I was only able to see her when she was in town visiting family--and let's just admit I usually had to be squeezed in because the trips were so frantic! Hey, not a complaint. I loved the chance to see AriCaVa when I could. It was ok though, because whenever we met up, we just fell into that familiar place in our friendship. And also, by this time we were keeping connected even better! We had moved from regular 'ole letters to actually writing in notebooks. It suited me anyway, because i just write THAT MUCH!

Over the years, there were several BIG events I was lucky enough to have AriCaVa by my side... the couple's shower Cop'er & i were thrown for our wedding, my bachelorette party, my wedding. She wasn't just HERE for my wedding, she was my Matron of Honor. Where some ladies don't make the best MOH, AriCaVa was fantastic! She was so awesome, saying the right thing, doing the right thing, being supportive. Doesn't get better than that!

I have always been so humbled that she would fly all the way back to VA to partake in the activities of my life. I know the cost to both take time off work & purchase multiple plane tickets to the east coast was more than I could ask for. I can't imagine her not having been there though.

Cop'er & I got the chance to meet up with AriCaVa on a trip we took to Las Vegas. No, we didn't meet them in Sin City, but rendezvoused in beautiful Sedona. Cop'er & I made that side trip more for me to meet up with my best friend than to see Sedona, but it turned out that I loved all aspects of that journey and was glad to have seen it with her. (If you haven't been to Sedona, I highly suggest making time to go!)

Eventually the 'shine' of Arizona wore off, AriCaVa packed it all up again & found a new residence in... California??? When you hear the words "We're thinking about moving," you HOPE the next sentence is "We've decided to move back to Virginia."

But not... further west???? (& was she going to move all my notebooks with her?).
Personally, I thought it was time for her to move back to her FRIENDS and family.

Ok, fine... move further away if you must. (Secretly hoping they don't fall in love with the far west coast)... Sure, I guess i can still do the long-distance friendship thing.

They settled in Monterey, a stone's throw from the Pacific Ocean. While sounding as picturesque as it looked, it seems the weather left a little something to be desired. I believe AriCaVa referred to it as permanently foggy, cool & missing the 4 seasons of the East Coast.

Darn. Sorry to hear that. That really sucks.

It was here in Monterey that our friendship took on a new facet. AriCaVa brought Jeffrey (we'll call him 'Jelly') in the world--even if it was into the Californian world! She was a mommy!

uh... i don't know how to act around Mommies. How would that change our friendship? I have no idea what we will have in common--i don't do diapers!

Jelly was born in December and i was able to make my way to California before he turned a year old; 2 months later, in fact. What an incredible time! It was so wonderful to see AriCaVa with her firstborn, learning the ropes; me, being able to practice and patent the famous "butt pat" with Jelly.

AriCaVa is the kind of friend & mommy who doesn't make every conversation about 'what baby does'. (Have I mentioned I love that about her?) We still talked about the same things, laughed over nothing & compared how nutty our husbands were. She never made me feel like I was 'less than' or 'didn't understand' because I wasn't a mother. You really can't ask for more than that...

Wait... I lied. You can. How's about moving back to Old Virginny???

Fast forward to my next birthday ----> I received a card/package from AriCaVa, as I usually do. What was in the package was the best part! She'd sent a notebook she'd finished writing in. It was small, so i could read it in one sitting. When I got to the end, she said she knew where they were moving next. (Yes, i knew they were thinking about moving again. They just weren't digging the West Coast with all it's expensive lifestyle, crazy weather & no BFFs).

You're right. I don't know if she really SAID that, but it was definitely implied!

Anyway, I thought to myself --- YES! Finally she is going to say she's moving back to the East Coast, somewhere like Charlotte or Charleston or New York or Philly. YEAH! Those are all easy plane rides away or a day trip driving. This was going to be awesome!

Except... she didn't mention any of those cities. I reread it again. Did she...? Really? There?

Hell yeah!!! HappyHappyJoyJoy! What AriCaVa did say could be some of the sweetest words a BFF can hear: "We are moving back to Virginia." (By this time, it had been about 10 years since they picked up their life in VA). I don't know that I have ever had a better birthday surprise... Well, except that year my parents changed the spelling of my name, but that's another story.

It seemed like forever and then it seemed as quick as the blink of an eye, but finally they were on the East Coast. Though they didn't move into my neighborhood like I campaigned, I'm just fine with a drive across the river. I have never been a fan of "South Side", but I do love getting together for girls' day, dinners, lazy get-togethers, holidays, celebrations and should either of us have one, emergencies...

Here's hoping I don't hear "We're talking about moving again" anytime soon!

* There is one side note I'd like to add: When 'unloading' their belongings from the cross-country move, they found themselves with a little something extra. AriCaVa, Mr. AriCaVa and Jelly added a special shade of pink to their new home: Katie (We'll call her "Otoño Poco"). Now their family is complete.