Out of hibernation

Spring is a Tease.  After weeks and weeks of feeling like Spring had finally arrived, it'd retreat and winter would wave, "hello."  I finally feel Spring now because I feel like I can venture outside of my four walls and have adventures.  This is the first weekend in many, many weeks that I've had all to myself.  I believe since February, I've either had guests visiting, or I've been out visiting.  It has been nice to relax and have my own time.  Friday night some of us celebrated Lisa's birthday at JJ's and it was so much fun, though I was the youngest and the only non-divorcee.

Yesterday I found myself exploring my neighborhood.  I went by Halls Crown Center for the first time in eons and I couldn't believe how great the store looked.  Really, really, really good and terrific merchandise too!  I'm really glad that store is getting a much needed, and overdue facelift.  Though I didn't find shoes to wear to the wedding here in a few weeks, I did find so many other things that I did like.  After that I wondered the floors of River Market Antiques.  I don't think I've ever gone alone; it's always been Michael's and my place to scavenge.  I did find a table for my massive, shedding, and sunburnt fern.  It's just perfect and now the plant is further away from direct sunlight and should get even bigger and greener!  Going to the gym was great, taking my time in the shower, and then meeting Meredith at Aixois in Crestwood.

We ended up closing the place!  I don't know how many times that's happened for me, but everything was fun.  I even tried escargots without blinking an eye and they were great!  The staff and owners seemed to take to us so we even had a glass of a port with a chocolate, on the house.  I swear, sitting and eating at the bar of a nice restaurant is a good way to go.  Every time I do it, I usually get something extra as well as meeting someone new.  Thanks to my friend Sloan who introduced me to that style of dining.  It's great.

Together in Boston, Alone in Kansas City

After an incredibly busy and stressful week at work, I took off for Boston Friday evening and arrived just after midnight.  After what's coming up on four years, I still get some butterflies when I see Michael for the first time.

Saturday we ventured out a little bit to a Boston neighborhood, Jamaica Plain, or JP.  It didn't do much to thrill me.  I felt like the houses and store fronts were smushed together and then shoved all the way to the street curb with a narrow sidewalk as a divider.  Not my ideal neighborhood, not to mention every single house was four plain walls, no yard to speak of, and covered with monotonous vinyl siding.  On a positive note, we had a pleasant lunch at City Feed and parked in front of the Mother Ship JP Licks.  It was too cold and windy that we weren't in the mood for non fat (non calorie?) delicious ice cream.

I did get to see more of Brookline and Michael even spotted a house he thought was neat and then we ended up (of course!) at Trader Joe's.  My favorite thing that I spotted was a massive display of matzos and overhead it said, "Don't Pass Over This Deal!"  Hahahahaha!  We hung out for the rest of the evening, had a nice dinner, a little wine, and watched Slumdog.

On Sunday we got up and had to head out to Cambridge to hit the antique market because Michael found a pair of Eames chairs for the dining table.  They were perfect!  Since neither one of Michael's cars are, "practical" in the practical sense of the word (both are two-seater sports cars) one chair went in the back, and the other went upside down on my lap with the window open for one of the legs to stick out!

It was a beautiful day and we spent hours walking outside and looking for deals.  I finally hit the jackpot at second hand shop.  I found three great dresses: one Prada sport, one Miu Miu, and the other was a no name, but it was a sweet trench dress with fun yellow trimmings.  Bad thing: not what I was looking for to wear to a wedding and no extra money for great deals, no matter how great they are. :-(  Being poor is not easy.  We did find things to wear to the wedding and we both got great deals, so we did do well.

I had such a hard time adjusting to Michael living in Boston and visiting Boston and over my past few visits, I've found my rhythm.  I feel like I've found some sort of niche which makes every time I leave so much harder, and harder on both of us.  Totally sucks.  Thank goodness for a great small book, "The Four Agreements" which is a great guide to help me figure out what's best for me.  I wonder how much longer I'll be alone in Kansas City?