Something to November

The leaves have fallen. I reach for sweaters and not tank tops. I lace up my Dr. Martens, not slip into my Birkenstocks. I leave the house early to warm up the car and dash from the parking lot to my desk, not stroll to enjoy the morning. I run on a treadmill so my ears don't freeze. I turn my face to the sun and soak up all the rays I can, when I can, because it seems I never know when I'll see it again.

Winter is here.

At least I can get a little more sun than I did in PA.

I've been busy since my last blog. I went shopping and treated myself to a massage. I had a date. I hunted real estate since the season is so good, looking at 9 places in the past 2 weeks, 4 of which are promising. I partied with some new friends (and JunkFood!). I had a lovely dinner with my favorite ex-boyfriend (no, I don't hate all of them). I had a girl-date. I had two guy-friend-dates. I worked a lot. I had another date. I welcomed home one of my girls with a ride to her car and a cup of coffee and lots of girl-talk. I finally got my hair back to its relatively normal color, plus a slightly different cut (think a shorter version of Shannen Dougherty - it looks dark enough to make me look mildly goth and I might play w/ that at work tomorrow).

And something happened that hasn't happened for a year . . .

I got flowers.

I got flowers!!!! I promise I will only "girl-out" for two sentences despite wanting to gush volumes . . .

1. Flowers are simply a really nice thing.

2. I like to get them, not all the time, but occasionally.

OK, done. And sure, o reader, I'll give you what you really want . . .

Yes, the dates were good. Excellent, in fact. They're very cool guys and I had a lot of fun. One is even a Steelers fan from 'da Burgh.

But neither of them has the smile that the flowers saw before the sender clicked "SUBMIT ORDER." Neither of them has the laugh I miss. Neither of them has the sweetness to laugh off a ridiculous night of celebratory drinking or to hang my towel closer to the shower door. Neither of them knows what songs I sing when I blow-dry my hair. Neither of them are quite there.

Yep, I'm a sap. But I've found someone who's very important to me and that's just how it is. I don't know if it's love, or forever, but it makes me smile now. And that's all I need. Be safe out there, Goldilocks. I'll be missing you.

I'm off to PA this week for some family holiday time and my high school class reunion. No doubt this will be an adventure, and I will post a count of alcohol units consumed (if I manage to keep track, that is!)