I wanted my first post from my sabbatical lair to be about how life on the river was free and easy, that sabbatical was doing just what it was supposed to do and the mister and I were getting more and more relaxed each and every day.
We've been here for a little over a week. I can finally write at least some of that. Sabbatical has been far from stress-free so far but we still have high hopes. Or lowered expectations. Either works, right?
It started off amazingly well with a visit to the Emerald City. We got to spend quality time with Bebe, her big man and used-to-be-a-baby-but-is-now-definitely-a-toddler. It was so very good for our souls. I can just hear Eyelashes saying "Hi" over and over in his adorable voice and playing with the bubbles on my iphone. Then we were treated to an amazing dinner by the amazing Ms Scrambled Eggs and her mister. Yes she is as good a cook as you might imagine and yes you should all be very very VERY jealous. They are the perfect hosts and had to kick us out for fear we'd never leave. Then we had some good quality time with our friends, Initial Girl and Sandal Boy. It involved bridge, vintage wine, pedicures and much male bonding time over various video games. Perfect so far, right?
We did make it to the river ok and have been working on getting settled in. We now know the fastest route to the closest 24 hour emergency vet thanks to a butt crack of dawn fight between our two dogs. One has three staples in her cheek (just for another 5-7 days). The other has a long laceration on hers. Both make me cry just thinking about it. Sometimes I think we've come a long way, then we let our guard down and don't recognize signs of stress or structure situations enough and we all learn painful lessons. They're both over it already but the mister and I are still very sad that this kind of thing still happens.
Yesterday I think we all turned a corner. The mister and I had one of those perfect days. We slept in. Had a lazy breakfast. Biked to a famous Champagne winery just down the road on my spiffy new bike. Toured. Tasted. Picnicked. Biked back (in a pretty straight line). Made an amazing root vegetable braise from Local Flavors, our current favorite cookbook. Drank more wine. Watched Weeds. Does it get better than that?
Why, yes it does! Today has been even better. It's my birthday* which has recently been a time for sadness and reflection about what I don't have. Not today.
The mister cooked an amazing breakfast of chorizo scrambled eggs, croissants, coffee and mango mimosas. I'm looking at a rainbow of assorted roses. There was an appliance (R0kU) to aid and abet my on-demand tv/movie watching. Greetings from friends and family far and wide. A wii fit age that is actually lower than my chronological age. Time spent reading. Time spent watching the river flow by. No dog fights. And surprise plans that begin in about an hour.
Life is good. Really good. I'm really really happy and have so much to be grateful for this year. When I blow out the candles on my birthday cake, I'll wish for the one thing we still seem to be missing but for today I'll be grateful for all that I have. I am truly lucky.
Today's blog title is brought to you in honor of another birthday boy. He is exactly one year younger than me, btw. Check out his new single, the amazing duet called You Don't Know Me which is almost as catchy as that painfully addictive Little Boxes from Weeds.
Dear Millie, that sounds very, very good.
Happy Birthday! May wonderful things happen for you this year.
Posted by: Kath | Saturday, 13 September 2008 at 01:07
Happy birthday! Don't feel so bad about your difficult dogs - I have a couple of those myself. Your dogs are so lucky to have you and the Mister.
Posted by: Sue | Saturday, 13 September 2008 at 04:46
Happy birthday, sweetie.
Posted by: Mel | Saturday, 13 September 2008 at 05:27
Happy birthday!
Bea
Posted by: Bea | Saturday, 13 September 2008 at 06:41
Happy, Happy Birthday!
Hoping for good things in the year to come!
Posted by: PBfish | Saturday, 13 September 2008 at 07:47
Happy birthday! My birthday wish for you is that you spend your next birthday covered in baby spit-up, stepping around toys, onesies and empty bottles left on the floor and that the closest you get to breakfast in bed are the baby toes you and the husband smooch that morning.
Posted by: chris | Saturday, 13 September 2008 at 09:27
Happy birthday, sweetcakes!
Posted by: Pamplemousse | Saturday, 13 September 2008 at 10:43
wishing you a very very happy birthday millie! if a day belated. sounds like you've been enjoying yourself and had a great day!
I'm sure the dogs were just working out the new territory thing. hopefully they're getting along by now again.
Posted by: luna | Saturday, 13 September 2008 at 11:42
Happy birthday :)
Posted by: Kay/H | Saturday, 13 September 2008 at 11:51
Happy Birthday. I'm glad you are having a good time inspite of goofy dogs fighting etc. Hope the rest of your time is great.
Posted by: Michell | Saturday, 13 September 2008 at 18:21
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Bonnie | Sunday, 14 September 2008 at 03:22
Happy Birthday my dear!
Posted by: Amyesq | Sunday, 14 September 2008 at 08:38
Happy Birthday, Millie ! Sounds like you are off to a (mostly) wonderful start to your sabbatical.
Posted by: tracey | Sunday, 14 September 2008 at 20:32
Happy birthday, dear Millie. I am glad that you are having some peace finally.
Posted by: Roni | Monday, 15 September 2008 at 06:08
Sweet lady!
Happy belated birthday! May the rest of the year be as peaceful and full of love as the day you had on Friday.
Sending you much love.
xxoo
Posted by: Anna H. | Monday, 15 September 2008 at 10:20
happy birthday millie!
wishing you everything you wish yourself - and then some...
many more,
karen
Posted by: another karen | Monday, 15 September 2008 at 10:32
Happy Birthday Millie, and I'm so jealous of you vacation. Hope your doggie heals quickly also.
Love,
Kimmer
Posted by: Kimmer | Monday, 15 September 2008 at 11:05
Millie, I'm so glad you had such a terrific weekend. Sounds simply divine.
Happy birthday, Girlfriend!
Posted by: Lori in Denver | Monday, 15 September 2008 at 12:38
A belated Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Summer | Monday, 15 September 2008 at 13:16
I'm a few days late here (as per usual), but happy birthday!
I can't say I'm a Ben Folds fan, but I do love the new song with Regina.
Posted by: MsPrufrock | Tuesday, 16 September 2008 at 04:15
Happy Birthday and thanks for the 'from sebatical' update!
Posted by: beagle | Tuesday, 16 September 2008 at 13:56
Happy birthday Millie!!! I hope it was a truly happy day. (hug)
Posted by: Linda | Tuesday, 16 September 2008 at 17:09
I know I'm a little late, but happy birthday!!!
Posted by: Heather.PNR | Tuesday, 16 September 2008 at 21:31
Happy Birthday! That sounds amazing - all of it.
Posted by: T | Wednesday, 17 September 2008 at 04:30
Oh my dear, happy belated birthday. I'm just now getting around to checking in on you -- I didn't expect an update as I expected you to be ignoring your PC on your break :) and, the dog is still a puppy and all that entails.
We had such a wonderful time with you and the mister. Thank you for the kind words. Never fear, you guys can stay as long as you like -- next time I'm breaking out the sleeping bags :)
Posted by: Emily | Wednesday, 24 September 2008 at 12:18