In my next 30 yrs

I recently had a monumental birthday. I am now in my 30's! I guess I can no longer be called a "young" single adult. Just a plain adult, I guess. I was a little apprehensive about it, who knows why... maybe because I'm a silly girl. Yup. That's why. I had long decided to plan a trip to celebrate so it was more something I looked forward to. It's not Italy, but it is something else on my bucket list: Seeing the autumn leaves in Maine. I'm all set to go the first of October. Too bad they couldn't come a month early for my real birthday.

Looking back on my last 30 yrs, I can't believe how much I've experienced and learned. It is definitely something to be proud of.

The rest of this post is inspired by the Tim McGraw song "In my next 30 yrs".

I think I'll take a moment, celebrate my age,

The ending of an era, the turning of a page

Now it's time to focus in on where I go from here

I'll be much better in my next thirty years.

In my next thirty years I'm gonna not keep track of scores

Cry a little less, laugh a little more

Focus on the happiness and not the hurt and fear

Remember what I'm doing here, In my next thirty years.

In my next thirty years I'm gonna balance more my time

cross off more bucket lists while I'm still in my prime

Change a few more lives at home and in my great career

Make up for lost time here in my next thirty years.

My next thirty years, I'll make the best ones that I can

Raise a little family and hang out with my man.

Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear

Trust God to lead me through my next thirty years.

How we met

I think it's kind of a fun story.

I went to my 10 yr high school reunion

Ran into Jade there (we were good friends back in elementary school days) and mentioned I had just bought a house and was looking for roommates.

She happened to think immediately of Michele (whom she works with at the University hospital, that was looking for a new place) so I gave her my number.

Michele moved in and we became fast friends.

Michele also met Ben about that time while working at the hospital

She couldn't get over the feeling that she should set us up. She did a lot of covert questioning while working with him to make sure he was a good enough fellow. She would tell me about him every time I would end a relationship or start dating someone she didn't particularly like over the next 6 months.

She showed him a picture or two on facebook... she said he thought I was "out of his league".

She finally got around to actually setting us up.

He called me and we set a date to meet.

We met up for dinner. He didn't think I was interested and so he walked me to the car after our dinner and was about to leave until I stopped him and told him very plainly that I wanted to go out with him again. He said "Really?"

We've been dating ever since.

He's a wonderful man.

I still love him to pieces... even when he's driving me crazy.

Michele doesn't set people up that often, but hen she does, it always works. She does her homework, pays attention, gets the feel, and it pays off. She has a flawless record so far. Now that's the kind of roommate I needed.

So, thanks Jade and Michele and high school reunions...

Hives give you answers

I had a very interesting visit to an allergist yesterday. The consensus? I am officially allergic to almost every plant. Well, not pine trees...too bad my favorite trees are the ones that turn colors in the fall. I am allergic to all those. And every grass and weed. I actually think I already knew that but now I have the proof! I am also allergic to cats, dogs, feathers, and mold. I guess this is a better excuse for me to not like animals or pets, right? So please don't be offended if I avoid your pets from now on. Unfortunately, there goes my down comforter as well... I am not, however, allergic to foods (thank goodness!), dust, dust mites, or rabbits. Random, I know. Perhaps I should live in a pine forest and make friends with the rabbits?

For those that have never experienced an allergist appointment, let me describe what it was like. You have to go several days without taking any allergy medicine so the doctor can examine your raw symptoms (so you are very uncomfortable already going into the test...wanting to itch everything), you fill out a long questionnaire that includes everything about what symptoms you have and when, your living conditions, bedding, pets, other triggers, your allergy history, family's allergies, pills used, etc. and discuss them with the doctor. Then they draw lots of little dots on your back and prick each one with a specific allergen. They tell you to sit there for 20 min. and resist the temptation to itch while hives grow all over your back. They came to check on me after 10 min. and said "Woah, maybe we'll stop now". They measured the size of the hives and marked down which ones I reacted to. They were so impressed with my reactions that they brought in another nurse to come and see. They wipe off the allergens with alcohol and put cream on them to help stop the itch. (Lucky me, I still have a few hives that decided to set up camp and continue to pester me). The doctor then discussed the results and treatment options. Avoidance is actually the preferred treatment... imagine that... but since I have no intention of avoiding the outside or living in a plastic bubble, I think I'll opt for the pills and shots. Looking back, I've gotten so used to allergy symptoms, I'm not sure I would recognize life without them. I am very interested in trying it, though. How amazing that modern medicine that can give me that option!

Summer Herbs and Chicken

It's been quite a while since I did a food post. I admit, I am not as motivated to cook in the summer. I do quick and cold food more than anything (sandwiches and salads mostly). Never fear, Michele's garden is starting to produce some magnificent looking veggies this year-which I am committed to cook/eat. That's our deal: she grows them, I cook them, we both eat. She even gave me a little herb garden of my own this year. This is how successful I was at keeping it alive. Pathetic, I know. Kinda reminds me of the Botanical Gardens in Denver last year...remember that?

Anyway, yesterday I made some delightful, summery chicken and thought I would share it.

Lemon Garlic Chicken

1/4 C fresh lemon juice

1/3 olive oil

1/4 C fresh oregano (or dried if your garden just died)

2 TBSP minced garlic (fresh is really better for this recipe)

2 tsp salt

2 tsp pepper

chicken (breasts, thighs, legs, etc.)

2 lemons (sliced)

Oil grill or grill-pan well (or use non-fat cooking spray like me). Grill chicken on both sides until cooked all the way through. While cooking, combine first 6 ingredients together. Brush or pour sauce over chicken mid-cooking and again after it is cooked through. Lay sliced lemons on grill and cook briefly on each side until grill-marked and deliciously warmed. Serve lemons atop chicken on platter. The sauce goes a long way-this recipe should give you enough for about 8-10 thighs or breast halves. Extra sauce, however, is no problem. It was great on top of the veggies, potatoes, and salad, too.

Quote of the Day

"Emily, what if someday you get old and go to look for your memories and can't find them because you've thrown them all away?" --Kimi

Vampire Eyes

Freaky, huh? I scared the bejeebers (is that a word?) out of my family at our Murder Mystery Night at the BBC. My character was Ivana Bytiznek a Romanian princess or "vamp in a red dress". Pretty good, eh? Really, any excuse to dress up and I'm there.

The eyes were definitely a worthy new addition to my costume closet. I will most assuredly use those again...maybe this Halloween.