Super Sadness

I can't believe after 20 years my beloved TGI Friday's has been closed. It was the first Friday's in Utah. We were like a family there and to just know that I can never go into the building anymore is just so tragic. I started working there in January 1995 when it was only six years old. I had just came there from The Kowloon Cafe and was so shocked that a restaurant could be so immaculately clean, thanks to Troy. I met and worked with and trained countless people over the 11 years I worked there. I ran into a guy the other day and I didn't remember who he was until he said "hey, you trained me here in the far cafe". I will still be close friends with my dear friend Barbara who will keep me up to date on everyone else. Oh, but there is no solace for me, wonderful Friday's as I know it is no more. Unfortunatley I had to quite there three years ago for my other job but the last few times they let me work there were like a dream. I will treasure it always.

Floor Dining

I had to write about the special dinners we had at Rolf and Nicole's. It was casual yet so elegant. They would just whip up something amazing and it would be like no big deal (fresh baked croissants, pizza, sage stuffed chicken breasts) or it would be authentic English fish and chips from a little take away down the street. It was amazing that we could enjoy an exquisite meal and fabulous company just lounging around on the floor.

England

Lance and I had the opportunity to go to England last week. We stayed with Rolf and Nicole. They were so super hospitable and showed us around some of their favorite places. We saw an awesome castle, the 7 sisters on Beechy Head, beautiful countryside, Canterbury, many many things in London and had some incredible food. We also took the car under the English Channel on a train and drove through France and spent a day in Brugge, Belgium. We had chocolate, waffles, and some good beer. We also rode around on a boat (they call Brugge the Venice of the north) through quaint little canyons of homes and shops. It normally rains quite a bit in February but we didn't get rained on once. What a wonderful blessing.

Alligator Adventures

Anytime I get the chance to hang out in NYC I just can't pass it up. You wouldn't think a wilderness girl like me would enjoy it so much but I just can't help it. The night was filled with the usual adventures but one was especially special. In little Italy we went to a friends local favorite from when he used to live there. Cha Cha's is the name. After talking to the owner a bit the man he was sitting with (he was from Gatorland in Florida) unzipped this duffel bag on his lap and pulled out a 3 foot albino alligator. I was freaking out. He then opened up a smaller bag and inside was a 6 month old alligator which I am holding here and a 5 month old Crocodile. Amazing. After that we ended our night at a crazy club called Happy Endings. It truly was.

Beautiful Ring

A couple of years ago I went to Israel and among other fabulous items I purchased a ring that was in the shape of a crown. There's an amazing street market that takes up two entire streets offering fresh produce (the largest I've ever seen) and endless art from locals of Tel Aviv and beyond. A while back I actually lost the ring. It's unfortunate demise was that of a DC landfill I'm sure. Shameful. I grieved my lost memento for quite sometime. Well, I have just received another ring from the treasured street market. Julie just came from there and actually bought it for me. This one has a wrapping olive branch around it, so fitting for right now with such a need for peace.

Desert Dreams

I miss the desert desperately. It feels like an eternity since I've been there. It is so cold where I am. I think I was fooling myself when a friend and I tried to go for a walk along a beautiful frozen river in Golden. It was sunny but I think only 5 degrees. Yeah. I know the desert is probably frozen right now but I can pretend. Right? If only I could just play in some dirt (or lay in it) and smell some sagebrush mmmmmm.

New Activities of Boredom

The skiing was incredible. I didn't forget a thing. I was about as good as I ever was which is not very good at all. I can't wait to go again but I'll have to save up for a while due to the high cost of everything skiing. Today I can add some new items of accomplishment to the list: Painted a dresser, made a measuring stick for Jackson, went ice skating , and baked a pie for national pie day. I also purchased some paint for the kitchen but believe it or not I actually have to go back to work now so there's no time for that. Sigh! I think I'm more productive when I have less time off. I know,weird.