I've still got it

Well, I made it back in one piece from my little vacation home to Indiana. I picked the perfect time of year to go there too...it was nice and warm in the 60's, but the leaves had changed color and were falling all around. I got back to Seattle last night to some nonstop rain and some pretty frickin cold temperatures. Forget frickin fall, I think winter is here!

Some highlights from my trip:

1.) Went to my sister-in-law's Longaberger basket party (aka "The Hen Party"). Let me tell ya, these ladies spend money on baskets like I spend money on my horse. I was easily sucked in and will soon be the proud owner of a very pretty red pasta serving bowl...so, for the record...anytime I have any dinner guests, you better believe we're having fucking pasta.

2.) Got to see my niece and nephews...they are growing sooo fast! (Their mother was even civil to me while I was home....SURPRISES ALL AROUND.)

3.) Night out at Purdue with two of my best friends from college, Rebecca and Stephanie. I got to have dinner with Rebecca and her fiance, Dane, whom I had never met before. I had heard tons of great things about him (duh) and was glad to find that he lived up to the hype...super happy for them as they plan their future together! And my friend Stephanie, amazing fun girl as always...stuck it out with me and we made it over to campus by the end of the night. For the first time ever at Purdue, I FELT OLD.

Even scarier, is that there are still doormen and bartenders working at the campus bars there....WHO KNOW WHO I AM. These people are true "lifers." And I don't quite know how to take the fact that they still remember me. Am I truly unforgettable?? (*laughing my ass off while typing that comment*) Or maybe I was just a really fun party gal that used to work at one of the campus bars myself =).

Something else I've discovered about myself...I might be a cougar in training! That's right...I'VE STILL GOT IT. Those college boys...it's like that scene from Dazed and Confused with Matthew McConaughey: "I get older...they stay the same age." In a much less creepy way of course, since they are all in their twenties...and I'm still in my twenties. Anyway, the night out didn't end up being anything too crazy, but it was good times reminiscing.

4.) It's so relaxing being lazy at my parents' house...and having my Mom's home-cooking...that's more than enough reason to come home.

Going home was a good thing for me. I had been having doubts about whether I should move back there or not at anytime in the near future, and I think I've had those doubts answered. I CAN'T MOVE BACK THERE...at least not anytime soon, unless absolutely necessary. Why? Because I would never get anything done...something about being there automatically puts me into an extremely relaxed, almost lethargic mode. The tempo just isn't fast enough...I appreciate the simpleness of it all, but I think I would just end up feeling depressed and maybe a little unchallenged. No offense, it's just not me, and that's a good thing...means I'm in the right spot!

Leaving is always bittersweet though. I miss my fam, for sure. At least I know it will only be a couple months until I see them again....at Christmas!!

Song of the day: "The Battle" Missy Higgins (cause it's bittersweet too!)