Hello 2007

I had an absolutely marvelous time saying goodbye to 2006 and saying good morning to 2007. What a year, what a way to end it!!!

It was a much needed relaxing and lovely long week-end. My fantastic husband planned, arranged, coordinated, and successfully pulled off treating me to a wonderfully romantic week-end.

Do you realize the weight of that statement? He PLANNED (two months ahead of time) a romantic weekend. I am lightheaded in blissful amazement and appreciation.

We spent a lovely early afternoon at a local restaurant and brewery drowning ourselves in cheesy fries and Mac and Jack while chatting the afternoon away. Thank you to my mother who enabled us to get away without having concerns over the children. We checked in to our "suite" early so that we could take advantage of an afternoon of soaking away in our own private outdoor hot tub overlooking the marina and Puget Sound.

It was a blissfully lazy afternoon of mimosas. After a nice little nap I took the world’s longest shower and subsequent primp session. I had bought a little black dress just for the evening and although the Doc said I could not wear the stilettos I thought appropriate for the outfit it was still fun to dress up. I am a housewife and mother of two who doesn’t have a lot of opportunities to play dress up in a "big city girl" kind of way. I was going to have FUN this weekend!

And our big plans for the night? We went to the Symphony. This was my first experience at the symphony and I LOVED it!!! We enjoyed an hour of horderves and champagne before the performance. I guess the trend of the weekend was turning into "champagne hour" quickly! We were defiantly in an “older” crowd and although we were the minority it proved to be quite amusing and delightful. I laughed myself into a fit at the elderly women, dressed to the nines, which were having conniptions that the champagne was running out! Anyway, I would love to go again and remarkably my husband (who basically does not appear to be the “symphony going” type) said that he would enjoy going again as well. I just loved the experience of being surrounded in music to the point that everything else simply fading away. I loved it; I loved it, I LOVED IT!

On a side note my hubby looked simply smashing in his three piece suit and trendy purple tie. You have come a long way in the fashion department baby and I LIKE IT, and the fact that you stick to your basic principals and refuse to wear anything other than your cowboy boots with your suit is endearing to me. Plan another couple of these weekends and I will buy you a tux! Gosh I love you my green eyed, surprisingly romantic, sexy man!

I want to make a point to mention that my hubby opened every door and did every perfectly gentlemanly thing ALL evening! For all you men out there, married or not, DON’T forget to do this once in a while, your women will look all misty-eyed-love-puppyish at you all over again.

After the show we took a speedy and swervy cab ride back to the hotel. Watch out for those cab men! Then we took a long walk down the length of the marina. My little sequined bag swinging in perfect happiness to a fancy little restaurant on the water. I have never understood why normal average people would make dinner reservation for ten at night but here it was, ten thirty, and I was waiting to be seated. I think I get it now. It was a great way to wind down the evening. I would love to say that it was the best meal in the world but to be honest I don't think I am cut out for the fancy shmancy salad and such that I had. It may have looked pretty but it was difficult to eat gracefully without toppling the "structure" of the presentation. I am a girl that appreciates food and it should be eaten with enthusiasm, appreciation and passion while trying to decipher the recipe so that you can duplicate it at home. Oh well. The lights, the night, the boats and the company made it great anyway.

We concluded (I would say concluded our evening but by now it was morning) by a long walk back to the hotel and a full bottle of champagne while soaking again in the hot tub until three in the morning. The cool night air, starry skies and ring around the moon was incredible. I was chin deep in the hot bubbling water in perfect happiness. It was the most ideal way to end the evening and it (almost) made painless the dawn of my thirty-fifth birthday. If you MUST turn older than you care to be, it helps to do it in STYLE while feeling romantic and lightheaded from too much champagne!

HEllO 2007!