Under Pressure

I've been feeling the pressure lately, as nine -yes, NINE - of my friends/acquaintances/colleagues got engaged since Christmas. Now don't get me wrong, I am excited for every one of them, but the pressure has really gotten to me.

During this time it occurred to me that I would crack like fine China if I had to endure this pressure under the ever-watchful eyes of the papparazzi. I mean, take Johnny Depp and his partner of 10 years, Vanessa Paradis. They have 2 kids, have been together an eternity - by Hollywood standards - and are just content. She doesn't "need a piece of paper to say we're together" and presents a brave face whenever she's asked why they haven't "made it official."

In my situation, I've cried. No brave face, just tear-stained cheeks. I'm blessed with a great partner, we have our life, our two "kids" and things are on the right track. But I am very aware that our friends are getting engaged all around us and we're not there yet.

I need to count my blessings and let things come naturally, but if I have to hear one more time that someone else I know is engaged, I'm likely to cut off all communication and sooth my nerves with multiple pints of Ben & Jerry's.

Feeling Funky

I feel a little funky lately.

I blame it on all the bad news going on with our friends being laid off and the never ending snow around here. Not to mention Stephen's company just announced they're having mandatory shut-down in April, so everyone is required to take 2 weeks of vacation. At least he's keeping his job.

This winter has been especially hard on us, but I can't help but think (or maybe it's wishful thinking) that Spring is just around the corner. I hope it's quick, because I'm quickly falling out of love with this city.

I suppose that when the memories of shoveling 49 inches of snow to-date fades away, my appreciation for Boston will be renewed. But for now, I get angry when I think about the snow (and p.s., we're expecting another 2-4 inches tomorrow --- GRRR) and I get REALLY upset when I have to shovel the stuff. The banks on either side of our driveway are already taller than me, which means I have to walk down the sidewalk to dump the snow.

I knew this is what we were signing up for when we moved, but it is getting a little tedious, and it's driving our conversations to leave sooner than we anticipated. I guess we'll see what happens right?

Confronting My Demon

I finally confronted a lingering demon and let it go. I won't go into the details, but it feels good to finally confront an issue that's been pestering me for a long time and to make peace. I am so looking forward to moving forward and never looking back.

Excuse Me Miss, What's Your Age?

I just had to share the cutest story that made my weekend. While working Saturday night at the Garden and Blazers game, a gaggle of boys came over to my counter and one started sassing the other. After one called the other a "fag" (ugh, I hate that word as much as the C word) I asked a) how old the little boy using the "f" word was, and b) were they brothers. I correctly assumed they were brothers and the foul-mouthed 9 year-old said the older boy was his brother.

Older brother asks me to guess his age, which I assume is 10-11 (wrong, it was 12) and then the rest of the boytourage asks me to start guessing their ages.

Well, 9 year-old then asks me how old I was, and said he guessed I was 15.

EXCUSE ME?!?!?! After telling the little boy you were not supposed to ask women what their age was, I told him he just made my day.

How great that in the eyes of a child I don't appear to be "old"? Seriously, that's the best compliment I've ever received.

I Love You

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I'm planning Stephen's gift. This year I've decided to make it relatively inexpensive, so let's just say it involves one of his favorite things and this:

I can't say anything else beyond that, but I'll reveal everything the day after Valentine's Day.

Baby Jesus Cake

Stephen's sister and niece have a tradition of baking a birthday cake for Baby Jesus every year at Christmas and this year I volunteered to help. After finding a recipe for a lemon-filled coconut cake we were set.

I would just like to say that the recipe called for everything to be made from scratch - batter, lemon-filling AND frosting. Without the aid of my new Kitchen-Aid mixer, which came the next day, I managed to bang out a three layer, lemon-filled coconut cake. Personally, I have a feeling that's what won over his family.

Welcome to 2009!

Yeah, I'm a day or two late, but I wanted to quickly look back on everything that happened in 2008. It was a year of change for me, and while not all of it was positive, it all worked out for the best and I can't complain too much. A very special thanks goes to the boyfriend who took everything that came our way like a champ. We both had to rely on each other for support this year and it made us a stronger couple as a result.

Here's a quick run down of 2008:

January:
-Say goodbye to the job and all the friends I love, pack up everything I own and move to Boston.
- Start new job in Boston, make new friends.
- Settle into East Coast living with the boyfriend.

Feb. - April:
- Adjust to cold winters and snow.
- House hunt with the boyfriend.
- My first nephew is born.

May:
- Boyfriend finds a house he likes, closes on it and we move into it.
- Start renovating the house immediately.

June:
- Devon comes from Texas and we spend 4 glorious days doing the tourist scene in Boston.

July - September:
- Head to L.A. with boyfriend so he can tape his appearance on Wheel of Fortune.
- More friends from Texas come, we see the city (again.)
- Enjoy the warm weather while it lasts.

October:
- Boyfriend's Wheel of Fortune show airs, viewing party commences at our house.
- Get laid off from job due to "economy."

November:
- Become personal salesman and try to sell my abilities to anyone and everyone hiring.
- Host first Thanksgiving dinner at our house for a few friends -- turned out successful.

December:
- Selling paid off! Land job at a corporation specializing in environmental services.
- Bought expensive handbag to celebrate job.
- Bought tons of gifts for family and friends for holidays.
- Baked tons of cookies for friends and family for the holidays.
- Head to Michigan to celebrate holiday with boyfriend's family - had the best time getting to
know them.
- Celebrate NYE with boyfriend on a Boston Harbor Cruise.

Here's to hoping that 2009 is a good one to everyone!