Surprise! I'm Back!

Well, I keep postponing blogging, because I think I have to have a photo to put up. But I can't quite get all the variables in the same place at the same time. You know....camera, computer, time, clever thoughts...all the crucial stuff. But, now it is one month! And has there ever been a lot of cool stuff that has happened in my life!

FIRST - I turned 50!!! It was absolutely awesome! I didn't want to do anything because I was still in my big leg brace, and in my passive-motion-machine, and basically feeling sorry for myself. THEN, the Sunday before my bday I was humming... "These Are A Few of My Favorite Things"....and before you know it, I was listing all my favorite things. Among the top things were friends, family and get-togethers. BINGO!! I was throwing myself a bday open house (it was on Sunday, and I couldn't be totally sacreligious!) and....I was going to give away bunches of my favorite goofy things to all my friends who came. (Don't go to the oprah-thing....she didn't even factor in...)Some of my crazy friends decided I needed a neighborhood tribute, complete with spotlights, pin wheels and balloons. They are really stealthy in their operations!

Needless to say, I had an absolute blast! Lauren & I shopped all week, cooked and cleaned. But, the coolest thing was all the surprises I got that weekend! My big sister showed up on Saturday, my adopted little sister and her boys showed up on Friday, and my niece and her babies showed up during the party on Sunday! Now, what could have been better than that?!!! My friends (the ones I use and abuse and they keep coming back for more) played kitchen elves, kept the food filled, and the kitchen hopping. I got to stand by the door, greet my guests, give out numbers to the women and let them pick from the pile of presents (which my slave friends also came to help wrap....are they cool or what?!) It was a great reminder of how blessed I am. Thanks to all who came, it would have been VERY boring if no one showed up!

The next exciting thing was that I got out of my huge brace, into a medium brace that bends at the knee, AND I got out of knee prison! Let's talk about knee prison....6 hours every day for 6 weeks! I watched TV for a week, read books, magazines, scriptures for the next 4 and spent the last week planning my party! All in all, I got a lot of books off my reading list, and I spent a lot of time thinking ( I know...out of the ordinary for me!) and in the end, sleeping. Yes, that is me...under the covers, leg in said-prison. Basically it was a drag, but a good excuse to read, get other people to do stuff and feel sorry for me. OK, I have just admitted it...my true nature, and how I really roll!

OK...so it's taken a while!

So, I have been chastened, ridiculed, and all those other good words, for not updating my bl0g. I admit...I fell into the "one-hit wonder" category. But now, I am repenting (is it right to put a religious word in a worldly context?).



I have had a lot of time on my hands lately, lying on my bed, 6 hours a day, on a passive motion machine, moving my left knee up and down....time enough to contemplate that my body is going to hell in a handbasket. (I would actually prefer a really awesome purse...but that doesn't quite fit now, does it?) So, while I hate to admit it, I have to make some drastic changes.



In 2 1/2 weeks, I turn 50. I am actually kind of excited. It's like a badge of honor, a Purple Heart, a plaque for years of service! I even kind of know what I am talking about sometimes (the rest of the time, I still shoot the bull).



So, anyway, I have had lots of time to contemplate being older, more mature (and all that crap). I have decided that people who say 50 is the new 30, just didn't want to grow up. I am really liking my lines, they show I smile a lot. Not so crazy about the lines on the rest of my body, but they are a testament to the laws of physics (mainly the one about gravity). I like wearing incredibly cute shoes (ok, there are a few things that still remain vices) with big heels and awesome jewelry. I like my hair short, love glasses, and I love to wear black. And it doesn't really matter to me anymore that what I do or wear or say is out of style, passe', or so last year. I'm not sure I care if people like me or not (even though I would rather they like me...) or if they want to hang out with me. I have found that I am perfectly content to go shopping by myself!



There are a few things that I have come to know. The big one this year, is to not jump on a trampoline just to prove you are fun. Then, if you do succumb to the challenge - MAKE SURE you don't jump with the huge guy that sits down and steals the bounce just as you are landing. Bad things happen. Trust me on this one.



Next, your mind really does go as you age. I used to remember EVERYTHING! Directions, names, phone numbers, cool words, history...well I am now walking proof that time takes its toll. If I don't have my planner, address book, phone with speed dial and notes - I am basically dead.



I also know that I hate to diet. I love to cook...and eat, and invite people over and eat out. I have so many cookbooks, I think they are there for fiction reading. But, truth be told, there really haven't been many carbs that I didn't get along with. But in all honesty, it has taken a toll on my slender youthfulness. So, I need to turn over a new leaf for the second half. I still plan on eating, entertaining, etc, but now I have to add exercise. I swear my husband exercises as much as he does, just in case it might rub off on me. He has stretched every morning for the past 15 years, and can stand straight-legged with his palms on the floor. He plays bball, softball, tennis, and rows. He still has incredibly cute legs (cue children gagging). Alas, it hasn't rubbed off on me...but I promise that I am not going to be that commercial on TV with the little girl talking for her stroke-victim mother who can't speak or move. Not sure what the new activities will be....but there definitely won't be a trampoline involved.

At any rate...this is long. And I have so many more things I want to ramble about. So, I will end, and promise it won't be eight months before I blog again. It's actually kinda cathartic!

The photos!

OK, so I don't know how to do this....hopefully it will work now!

One Central Park West

So, as Stephanie puts it, I blog. I have no idea how often, or what my ramblings may be, but today it is just to put out the pictures of THE apartment! Cathy and I had more fun than should be allowed during a move, not to mention being incredibly tired, multiple hangnails, and some serious bruises. But, all fun must come to an end!