16 December 2013

Happy (Monday)

It's Monday morning and I'm sitting at City Dock Coffee with my favorite beverage...caramel latte, extra shot, extra hot. It's so nice to hang out a a place other than Starbucks. I still miss my Border's. 17 years of it being my place. Anyone else miss it? I've never been a Barnes and Noble person. Maybe if it were more convenient. I'm all about convenience.

I've been sick, but carrying-on. Not much of a voice, and I have a nasty cough like I've never had before. I had a brief fever on Thursday night. I hope I'm on the waning side of this thing. I know so many people who are sick. I haven't had to miss any work, thank goodness.

I went to see A Longwood Christmas at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA on Wednesday with a friend. I bought a membership and it was my third trip there this year. I have always wanted to be there for their holiday display. If you live anywhere within driving distance, you should definitely go. It's about a 2-hour drive for me. The 4-acre Conservatory was transformed into a wonderland. Poinsettias in every color grown there. I can't even begin to describe it. So many trees were lit on the grounds. 500,000 lights! The landscape was snow-laden and the sky was crystal-clear.

4,500 apples floating in 4" of water arranged in a tapestry. 


Karen and I. The theme this year is fruit.





Saturday was our salon party at Pam's house. Our first one without Mason. He would have been so proud of Pam. We toasted with a shot of Grand Marnier in his honor. It's been 10 months since he died. He is very much alive to me.

Some of us 'girls'. Pam is second to the right. Vicky, my 'sister' who has worked at Mason's just a little longer than me is to my right. All of us are thick as thieves and family.


My new 'friend' Peter came to the party with me. He was well-recieved i.e., approved-of. He enjoyed meeting my work family. I look a little pregnant in my shirt. Not.

Peter cracked my safe for me. I lost the key a while ago. I'll be making a trip to the bank tomorrow :-)

I met 5 friends from one of the Meetup groups I belong to yesterday. The first stop was Fadò's Pub in Annapolis. I thought it was a hole-in-the-wall place. It was huge and gorgeous inside. There was an Irish Band playing when we first arrived. Then a cover band that played a lot of Led Zepplin. On a Sunday afternoon! We walked from there to Maryland Hall to see a performance of The Nutcracker. I remember not being really crazy about The Nutcracker, but wanted to see it because it's such a classic holiday thing to do. I tried my best to stay in the moment. The dancing was outstanding. So fascinating to see the ballerinas dancing en pointe. Beautiful. I wonder if they, like the Chinese women of old with their bound feet, wind up crippled later in life?

And here I am, back to today hanging out at a coffee shop. I'm in downtown Annapolis. I plan to shop/browse the stores on Main Street. I went to the mall last week and it was not any fun at all! Hard to find a parking spot. Lines in all the stores. I didn't have the patience to even buy gift cards. I bought Emily a new iPhone at BestBuy and there was one complication after another. I drove home in gridlocked traffic. I was not my usual happy self. I was happy to find I had a fever when I got home. Happy because it helped explain my gloomy outlook. Today I'll shop local.

Time to get moving. Happy Monday!











1 comment:

happyone said...

Nice to see the 'girls' of Mason. Tell them Merry Christmas for me. : )

Post a Comment

I love comments!