Friends, friends, and more friends

It's been a long couple of weeks. I've had some good times, some not so good times, and many a house guest (some more welcome than others). All in all, however, a good July 2010.

Along with a great 4th of July with wonderful friends, days of sunbathing to prepare for the much anticipated Caribbean sun, and a creative streak that found two pieces of furniture repainted and looking fantastic, two weekends ago I had a few houseguests, and then some... It was a rough weekend for me, so I won't hash out the ugly details, I'll just say that I was more than a little cranky and bitchy and they weren't too happy about my voicing my opinions of their disrepectful behaviors. Ugh, it was just a long, frustrating weekend. Glad we all made it out in one piece - well mostly anyway...

That same weekend, I hurt my shoulder doing a fancy push up at the gym. Stupid me trying to do more than I know I can... I felt it pop and something move inside, and then searing pain. It's been pretty constantly achy ever since, so I've tried to take it easy, but sometimes that just doesn't happen. You know when you turn your head too quickly sometimes and you get that jolting pain? Well, that's what the shoulder does too. I might rotate it freely one minute, then be on the floor in pain the next from a simple handshake. It's really starting to piss me off... As is my personal trainer, but that's a story left for another day.

Anyway, to continue with my string of visitors, this last week I got a visit from two fantastic college friends, Sarah and Harmony. Sarah was on her way to Wisconsin and Harmony was on her way to Portland, so we all met up in good old Walla Walla for some spaghetti and tasty beverages. It was so great to get together with both of them. There was way more catching up to do than there was time, but it was a much needed visit for all of us.

Then I left for Portland for the weekend. Killed a few birds with one trip (i.e. no sales tax), but it was mainly to celebrate a friend getting married.

But first, one of the referenced "birds" was to continue the Harmony/Stephanie pow wow we'd started in WW, and to finally go sailing. Harmony and her now fiance, Jeff, purchased a sailboat about 2 years ago and this weekend was the first time I'd been able to partake in the awesomeness that is sailing. I just have to say, I think I was meant to sail. I LOVE it!! In a matter of hours, I mastered the art of tacking/jibing, the bowline knot (which I actually retaught to Harmony), the different locations of the sails, etc. It was awesome. Now I just need a boat of my own. So now it's a pilot's license and a sailboat.... I choose expensive hobbies.

Anyway, on Saturday Harmony accompanied me to my friend, Geoffrey's wedding reception in Washugal. She agreed to be my "plus one" since I didn't really know anyone there. And since she kept introducing herself as my "plus one" we got quite a few people wondering whether we were "together." Anyway, it was more an all night campout/party, so we set up the tent then headed for the dance floor to get the party started. We also played horseshoes and a little beer pong, found a swingset and made some new friends. I think we finally crawled into bed around 3:30am. It was great. Then I drove the 4 hours home on 4 hours of sleep... not so great.

On the way home, though, I ran across the Washington Stonehenge! I'd heard about it from a few people, but had never driven home from Portland on the WA side of the river (I might actually prefer it to I-84). So when I saw the sign for it, of course I had to stop. Pretty awesome...

And now I'm back home. Not quite caught up on the sleep side of things, but I'm sure I'll be replenished in time for the Seattle adventure I have planned for this coming weekend. :) Bring on the Cook family therapy!

Toodles,
S

Sick or not sick? That is the question...

So back in December I was hospitalized for a few days with some fancy named thing called ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia). In simple terms it's basically severely low platelet levels. Well the last time I had it I noticed a few symptoms after the fact, one of which was a massive bruise that I don't remember getting. Well I just found one on my butt and I have no idea how it got there. And then I remembered that this thing was triggered by my getting sick over Thanksgiving... And I got sick last week. So I will be getting some blood work done tomorrow just to make sure I'm not ITP sick again. Damn it. I was really hoping I'd never have to deal with this again... Please pray that I'm not sick again.

Please don't be sick...

Please don't be sick...

What haven't I had since I was 8?

Answer: An ear infection. Yes. At age 26, the pestering annoyance has returned. Searing pain and all. This cold that I've had since Tuesday has become more than a nuisance, it has literally become a pain. Painful especially after jumping around in a jumpy castle with a bunch of 6 year olds... And of course the doctor's office is closed because of the holiday. Wonderful.

But as I suffered in agony while watching the over the top (and very loud, I might add) fireworks display, listening to the numerous "Fire in the hole!" calls from the youngins, something else bothered me... I noticed the couples around me holding each other for warmth. Now this act alone didn't bother me so much as seeing them made me realize that I've never actually had that. As a hopeless romantic, I found myself a little jealous and bitter over an act so easy and natural. Then I also found myself remembering the "perfect guy" list I made when I was 9. Even at 9 I knew what I wanted, and to be honest after finding that list a few weeks ago, not a lot has changed. But for some reason I've settled for less. Maybe I should take a hint from my 9 year old self and resume the search for the guy I so aptly described...

:)

The search is on.