The Pleasure of Growing Up

I had a wonderful birthday! I love being 27 so far. It really is an elegant sounding age. I think the truth is I prefer odd numbers.

Highlights from the last few days:

*Andrew got me a Eee PC because he wants me to write a book. It isn't much bigger than a graphing calculator, so I'm trying to get used to typing on a smaller keyboard. It is very quiet and portable and I am currently writing you all from a hip coffee shop in downtown Santa Barbara. So far it really is proving to be Easy, Excellent, and Exciting. And a huge upgrade from my 2002 dinosaur desktop computer.

*We went out to dinner at The Palace Grill, sharing an indulgent platter of well-spiced seafood. It was a lively Cajun spot, where the staff and patrons sing songs together; they passed out the lyrics to It's Amore while we were there.

*We took a moonlit walk on the beach. The sand was still warm and all the white caps in the ocean were glowing under the moon. The best things in life really are free.

*Lots of wonderful phone calls and messages from people I love. I am a keeper of friends--near and far, but mostly far it seems. Watch out folks, if I pick you, you will be mine forever!

*My best girlfriend in town, a southern gal from Kentucky and a talented baker, presented me with my very first Red Velvet cake. It was delightful--I also got a DVD copy of Steel Magnolias so I understand the significance of such a Southern delicacy.

*I bought myself a new orchid with the TJ's gift card I won. And then I purchased a new pet: A lovely blue and red Beta fish. He is extremely happy and is currently going by Sparkles, aka "Sparks." I bought Fluffy, my goldfish, exactly a year before. I've heard fighting fish are much hardier.

*Pottery class was very informative--and challenging! I've gone to the studio hours twice so far and am still working on centering my clay on the potter's wheel. I stare in awe at the people who whip up masterpiece planters and vases in mere minutes. When I asked for some tips, a talented older guy told me the squat, lopsided piece I was working on and rather proud of--my best bowl yet-- was "beyond repair." I laughed and felt better when he said the same thing about one of his huge, impressive vases.

What is new and happy in your lives, readers?

*I'll add pics at a later date--my digital camera is still broken.

More Good News--BYOB pays off

Just say no thanks!

It finally happened. I won the $20 gift card drawing at our local Trader Joe's. I've been bringing my own bags to the store for the last few years...and we shop there almost 2x a week. The odds should be good, right?

Well, sadly, the USUALLY friendly workers (lovely folks at our Oregon TJ's but here it's staffed by flirty college students who notice each other--not the customers) rarely offer me a raffle ticket as a reward for bringing my bags.

I try to be polite and not be a bother--but this time...I spoke up. And the girl checker was out of them. So I went to the front and had to get one.

On the ride home I told Andrew how it felt good to finally ask for a ticket. And that I win every contest I enter and that I would have won already if I did this before.

The next morning I had a voice mail from TJ's with the good news!

Just say: yes please!

I like bringing my own bags anyway. I buy them from my favorite stores Mana Foods(Maui) and New Seasons (Oregon) represent! They are so much easier to haul--canvas straps on your shoulders vs. plastic cutting the circulation off your fingers--or paper bags splitting and prematurely showing off your purchases. And I have less clutter piling in the cabinets. And of course it is now fashionable to be "green."

Happy October

Reasons I feel like celebrating:

I woke up to rain. Hooray! It is currently cleaning the dust and ash off of the leaves--we finally got some homework/coffee shop weather around here.

It's my birthday month! I like the sound of being 27 waaaay better than 26. I'm ready. Bring it on.

I joined the posh Rec Cen at UCSB. I've been biking or walking there most days and am having some quality workouts. It has been WAY too long. Why must I always have to rediscover that working out makes me feel better in all areas of my life?

I've been purging major clutter from my home. And my strong affinity for light blue has disappeared--I'm over the "beach house" theme. Suddenly, I am drawn to black, whites, and reds. I rearranged the furniture in our bedrooms and am going for a more sophisticated look.

I've applied for some jobs I actually really want. And my little sis Lantana got a dream job I am living vicariously through.

It's squash season again.

I got out my paint can and slapped a fresh coat of glossy white on some dingy, chipped, multicolored wooden stools I've been collecting.

Figs! I recently picked some and they are my new fave. My body enjoyed them soooo much. Then I read they are super high in iron, magnesium, and calcium. I must have needed those.

I got one of my early birthday presents--Andrew signed us up for a pottery class with our good friends.

Oh, the same good friends regularly brew--and we were given a pack of the most rich, decadent, delicious homemade beer. One shared is indulgent enough.

I read an article about living simply that validated my lifestyle--we already are a one car family, don't have a home phone, don't have cable/tv, frequently buy things second-hand, and grow some of the food we eat. It made me feel pretty hip.