Happy Birthday (to me)

I keep waiting for the birthday that comes with an engraved invitation to the secret grown-up club...  Apparently I haven't reached it yet, because no such invite arrived in today's post.  But, I did get a wonderful birthday card from my mother-in-law, and a hand delivered card from one of my girlfriends, sneaky!  My cell phone greeted me with good morning birthday love from my mother and my oldest bestest friend first thing this morning; always a great way to wake up.  And, of course the FB yielded a collection of delightful birthday wishes from far away friends (and some not so far away).  I am so lucky to have all these people in my life!  Birthdays are always a sweet reminder of who you have in your corner, they are like an annual support group check.

Now on to the celebration, since I am still running around in my adolescence (at age 34) I will be dressing up, feather boa and tiara included, and heading into Seattle to squeal with glee as men in dresses serenade me.  That's right!  Look out, Le Faux Show, I'm coming to town, so make it fierce!  Time to go wax some things, and charge up my camera battery...  Tomorrow there will be pictures!

Autumn...

I love the change of seasons (I am pretty sure I've said that before) and watching the leaves turn and fall is one of my favorite things.  I have been soaking up all of the beautiful autumnal goodness around me, but I have been so busy I have neglected my diary!  So to catch myself up:  I have enjoyed the crisp weather, played in the woods, ridden my bike around town, visited friends, mourned friends passing, knitted, thrifted rad new sweaters and a flannel, visited the pumpkin patch, walked in a corn maze, eaten oysters for the first time, sipped tea, and generally reveled in all things fall.

Crack Heads Are People Too...

So it is a beautiful, sunny day here in the Pacific Northwest.  I am avoiding chores so I decided to walk down the street to peek inside a new antique store and grab an iced tea from the corner drugstore.  On the way I passed some people hanging outside their house smoking, chatting, and generally enjoying the sun.  They inquired as to my destination, so I offered the antique store bit, just to be polite, and quickly went on my way.  "There goes a classy lady," I heard one of them say to the other, "she's going antiquing."

Now don't get me wrong I am not adverse to a chat with a stranger.  Just last weekend I got some wonderful gardening tips from a couple I stopped to chat with outside their home in Fremont.  But in my neighborhood you get the occasional "crack head," and I try to avoid them.  I have a bit of a curse when it comes to attracting attention from crazies, especially the homeless ones, so I just try to be friendly and keep moving. 

Well  I made it to the little shop, it was nothing special, though I will probably go back and buy a Thai tiffen set I found for $17.  I popped into the drugstore and grabbed an iced tea, and I headed home.  As I walked I realized I either had to pass the same house with the crazies, or go a different route.  I decided to be polite I should walk back past them, they could see me coming and it just seemed rude to turn down a different street. 

I ended up trapped in conversation with a delusional butch lesbian, a drunk, and one seemingly normal guy who just wants to move out of Washington (I am sure he is on something too, just not right now).  After about 5 minutes, and an invitation to visit the woman's house on Whidbey Island for some "crabs and butter clams," I finally got my out when the guy who actually lives in this house came cruising up with his rolling trash can full of other people's recycling (Friday is garbage day in my 'hood).  This man I have had the pleasure of meeting many times before, he is an older Native American gentleman with a very serious drinking problem, he is sweet, but he makes me sad.  As everyone started their hellos I said my goodbyes and walked away with my new friend Heidi shouting out her fondest farewells.  Yeah bitch I am cool with you too...

Twisted Teal

Today I was on my way to the grocery store with my husband when uselessness struck me from above, or perhaps below...   I'm not sure where it came from, I just know I was unable to resist it's diabolical derailment.  I suggested we skip the groceries and go to the mall.  Yep, the mall.  I can't say I love the mall, in fact, I worked in one long enough to loathe them on principal.  But the mall boasts a very popular store that has the only decent selection of vibrant hair color around, and I wanted to dye my hair. 

The boy that works the register in this store probably thought me and my hubby were a little old to be customers, but what can I say?  We are still more than a little bit punk rock.  The hubby in question has finally given in to my non-too-subtle suggestions that he stretch his lobes, so he picked up some tapers and I came home with Twisted Teal and bleach. 

I am not quite done with my hair, there will be an update tomorrow, but for tonight this is where I am at.  The dog seems to like it, or maybe he just likes the kisses...