Golden Trough

So, of all the glamorous restaurants in town, of all the places to feel special on your birthday, Ch chooses to eat at the Golden Corral. "Why?!" I asked her a number of times - but to no avail...her heart was set. I used to have an aversion to buffets, they would make me nervous. People standing behind you waiting for you to get out of the way so they can get what they want...the pressure was too much, and almost inevitably I would crack and spill things, drop olives, lettuce flying - really a sad scene. It might have something to do with an experience at Bonanza as a small child. I was looking for the best pieces of lettuce at the salad bar and was scolded by a woman about playing in the food. It shook my world, and think I even cried.
I've overcome most of those feelings and can handle the buffet like an adult - although I noticed last night that I kind of mumble to myself, "Oh my, oops, dropped a bit over there." Even, or especially, when there is no one around to hear me.
I do become concerned when I look around at buffets - "all you can eat" - really does encourage over-eating and over-eaters are abundant. I can't judge them, I too was an over-eater last night. It is far worse than even Thanksgiving - at least at those huge meals at home, you know you can have some more tomorrow, in fact the less you eat today, the more you'll have for lunch the rest of the week. Not at buffets, no take home boxes, if you want your money's worth, it's going out in your belly. Well, my belly was jam-packed, eating things out of obligation, eating things because they were there, eating things because that's what you do at these places. "Get we get some more plates? More rolls?" It was a great time, although everyone left feeling uncomfortable, needing to lay down, unbutton things, and swearing off meals for a week. -J

Birthday TODAY WHOOOHOOO!

Howdy!! I just wanted to say thanks now for the great evening I will have tonight. Gorging myself in the presence a great family and friend. Ca- Thanks for the call today!! Love you bunches and J and I plan to call you and gush about how excited we are about our trip!

Today at work, the ladies celebrated for me by having a themed party. They brought in all sorts of olives and cheeses and non-alcoholic drinks for us to try. It was fabulously fun and made me feel special.

Love you all!!

ch

Mr. No Game

I met a boy at a bar. I know, it is absolutely not recommended. I know these things, but can't help but discover them on my own. Same with dating co-workers: DON'T DO IT! Everyone knows that, but I had to learn the hard way. I am a very responsible, practical girl - but when it comes to dating, I really compromise what I know is best. It's just the pickings are so slim! Where is a girl supposed to meet a boy? There aren't any prospects at church, they don't approach in the produce aisles anymore, on-line has not worked for me, and I can't stand WalMart (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,157073,00.html) as is.
So I had had some drinks, Mr. No Game was a really nice guy, we chatted a bit, and before the end of the night he asked for my number...and then he called?! We went out a couple of times - again, a nice guy, but no game. It's the trait you think you will miss the least, especially if you've been fortunate enough to date a player. But a guy with no game just isn't attractive. He lacks smoothness, finesse, and that Rico Suaveness that really makes a man a bit more desirable. "Self, don't be so tough on the guy. So he can't handle a phone conversation, so he can't think outside of the 'want to meet for coffee for the third time?' box - doesn't mean he isn't a good guy." I stepped out of my comfortable bubble and decided to ask him out for a Saturday morning outing, shake things up a bit. I called him mid-week and asked him if he wanted to go the Farmer's Market and then hang out in Old Colorado City. His response? "uh, well, it's only Wednesday, I don't normally, uh, make plans for Saturday until Friday night." As it turns out, I rated slightly below a kegger. Mr. No Game explained to me much later that week, that he was going to a kegger and wouldn't be able to get up Saturday before 11:00am. Woa - and I was giving him the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes I should go with the gut. -J

So I got an accident today.. Some lady on her cellphone rear ended me. She actually wanted to just exchange information and handle it without police involvement. After Ca's experience with the biker rider and expired insurance, there would be no hearing of it. More later. ch

The inevitable Trip

In every relationship there comes a point when the two involved must decide is this worth their time, especially in a long distance relationship. They must decide if there is potential for long term; are the multi-hour phone conversations getting them anywhere, any closer to a deeper commitment? Well, I made the trek to Texas to see my beau and figure some things out. My goal for the trip was to spend lots of time together and help us to both recognize our deeper desires for this relationship.
Ahh, what a womanly perspective...Right, but a ten day face plant into reality was awaiting me. I had a fantastic time; we hung around the house, went for drives into town, went on dates and so on... But, as a female, I realize, I was looking for enlightening moments of clarity... is he my future; can we get along all of the time; can I mesh into the family?
The answers I found---yes, we could have a great future; we get along great; I get along with the family smashingly well.
What I was not expecting to learn---how to shoot a gun; that men think on such a different level when measuring a relationship; THAT THIS TRIP ANSWERED NO QUESTIONS AT ALL.
Upon my return to Alaska we knew no better where we stood on the future of our relationship. We are still facing the same questions and still trying to decide for ourselves... IS ALL THIS WORTH IT?
~Ca

micodermabrasion

So I have come to the age where youth is a memory but I am still dealing with acne, redness and gross skin. My vanity has caught up wiht me and I can no longer live accepting a yucky facial texture sooo within the month I am goin to find the BaL#s I need to step out and get the face taken care of.

Background: I went to a friend's house for Wine, Chick Flicks and Fancy food. The crowd was older and the conversation naturally drifted to old age, wrinkles and as one girl stated,"I am considering BOTOX!"

When did this happen?
-ch

Smart Moms

I was having lunch at Pikes Perk today and took the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather by sitting outside. There were three women sitting at the neighboring table, in the midst of some pretty interesting conversation and not bit bothered that I intruded in on their space. They must have been there a while because they weren't eating or drinking anything but just talking. I didn't get a good look at two of the ladies, I think that they were older around 45 to 50 but the loud one facing me was probably the youngest of the three. They talked about their kids, religion, doctrine, their husbands, their idea of a women's role in family, society and in marriage. I felt like they were kindred spirits + 15 years. It was so reassuring that there are mothers and wives out there that are passionate about their families and are committed to taking hard roads in order to see their family grow together. For example, the loud one was taking about the family's choice to homeschool the children until the 8th grade. She referred to some university research about about children's continually waning interest in school once they they enter kindergarden. She said that homeschooling her kids until high school has helped them keep the energy to appreciate school and that environment. Now, I am not the smartest person and the idea of homeschooling freaks me out but I respect a mother who chooses her children's happiness above the desire to get the kids out of the house into school. She admitted that they had to sacrifice financially for her to stay at home. "So they don't get soccer lessons, we play soccer outside every afternoon. So they don't get dance lessons, I dance with my daughter everyday and I handmake her all her dancing outfits."

She was a healthnut. "I told my older son to ask his future wife hard questions. Did her parents raise her on fast food and food coloring? Because those things can affect the kids. I mean, seriously, they are creating our future generation." I had to smile. Some parents find it hard to encourage their kids to ask about the girlfriend's/boyfriend's interests, jobs, faith and this woman cuts through all that and helps the son understand that his future wife will contribute half the genes of his kids, food coloring and all.

I was sad when they left.n