Friends in Wonderful Places

There is something about the mountains, and visiting Mel & Jay's life that fills me with both love and wistful longing.

I long to live somewhere that I cannot for a minute forget how beautiful the earth is. Somewhere that the view from the back deck makes me stop mid-step and give thanks. And I am filled with love for my friends, my family, my life - for all the blessings I do have.

While this visit to Montana was short, it was no less the relaxing, fun, inspirational trip. I met Aspen for the first time. I saw one of my best friends who I've known more then a decade as a mother. And I got to chill out, laugh, enjoy time with friends in an epic way.

(Click here for pictures)

We soaked every day in the hot springs pool at the lodge. The water was between 106-109 degrees, and gave me goosebumps when I got it because it was so hot. I think it put me on the same sleep schedule as Aspen.

We drank wine, ate delicious food, went up to the National Forest behind their house a lot. I went to bed early and got up even earlier. One night, I was in bed before it was fully dark.

I played with Aspen a lot. He's an amazing kid. Super smart, very mellow. He's a white light already. At 11 months, he's walking around, and had just learned to pull himself up without help when I got there. His smile and laugh melted my stress. An expressive, inquisitive child, I never got tired of playing with him.

We made a day of hanging out in the forest on Tuesday. Mel & Jay's friends came up with their big raft to float on. We grilled, rode the 4-wheeler, and had an amazing float down the river. Us girls drank tasty champagne fruit smoothies, and did some yoga, while the boys went to do some quick, unsuccessful fishing.

I was sad to leave, but have been so relaxed since I've been home. I'm going to enjoy this 3 day weekend. Stacy is in town. I've got a house project and plenty of fun stuff to do. I expect to float into the (new!) offices on Tuesday.
No worries people, I am not planning a move out to the country.... At least not yet.

Yuppie- fied

Amber isn't wear a rhinestone collar, and I am not sporting Polo-plaid, but it's possible I might have taken one small step toward yuppiville.

But my step is shiny, beautiful black and goes very, very fast.

I bought a Saab. A 9-2x Aero to be exact, which is actually the Subaru WRX sport wagon with a Saab logo slapped on it, which means it's a non-yuppie Japanese sports car.

Look at me trying to justify myself. Fuck it. I bought a new car and I love it!

Ever since I got my license, I've wanted something 'faster' and now I have it. In fact, it's kinda silly how much punch this car has. Really, no one needs to go from 0-60 in 6 seconds (for the record I haven't actually done that yet).

I've been hemming and hawing over getting a new car for months. Finally I decided to just do it. It's not like starting a car payment is ever going to feel awesome. Plus my civic has been feeling a little cursed. After 7 years of smooth driving, I've had 3 incidents in the last 2 months. I had one terrifying 360-degree skid out on Lamar in the rain, where I miraculously didn't hit anyone. Then on my way home from testing driving Subarus a couple weeks ago, I got into an accident and banged up my front bumper. Then Saturday, right after I signed the civic over to the dealership, some guy cut in front of me. I missed him by a literal inch. Cursed!

But not this car. Someone at work calls the car the Saabaru, which is fitting. It's a sleek, but cute car, just like the name.

Car & Driver has all sorts of exciting stats that I don't really remember, but I know this. I smile every time I accelerate. In fact, I've just barely stopped squealing with glee every time I mention, see or think about my new car.

I suspect I'll be smiling every time I drive for the next 6 months. I will even smile as a I pull away from my first trip to the gas station, which will no doubt make me choke when I pay to fill it with fancy gas.

Also, I think I look mighty sexy driving my saabaru, but that is currently unconfirmed. Let's see if I get out of the inevitable speeding ticket that comes with this gas pedal. It's WAY too easy to go fast on slow roads.