Blue

Portland, Maine: worlds away from the tall pine trees and fine blond sand of East Texas, but is still felt like "the real world."

Where men wear blue collars and work boots and drive pick-up trucks. Where people live within communities- places their families have been for generations, hundreds of years perhaps.

People play in parks, mow their yards, pick their children up from school in minivans and hang clothes out to dry on clothes lines.

The sun kept us warm in the 50 and 60 degree weather, and when we were out of the breeze it was quite nice. We walked along the shore, climbed some boulders, basked in the sun, pick up sea shells and rocks worn smooth with the oceans constant rolling tide.

In South Portland we visited Head Light an iconic lighthouse just off the rugged shore. The day was gorgeous and I actually went without my coat in the afternoon. In Portland we ate some amazing seafood, of course. Chris had a large bucket of steamers (clams) and I had a nontraditional dish: lobster & shrimp stir-fry.

The clams were phenomenal; although a new

experience for both of us. We've had mussels many times and even prepared them once at home ourselves, but clams are an entirely different experience. The stir-fry was really good and full of broccoli and peppers and carrots and snowpeas (and tons of lobster and shrimp too!!), but given the opportunity again I would not have chosen stir-fry. The entire dish just tasted of teriyaki sauce and I really wanted to taste my seafood.

We walked the brick streets of Portland, stopping in little shops here and there and ending the day sitting in the park watching what appeared to be a sailing school.

I love that the ocean water is a clear blue, and that the coastline is rugged and rocky and not beach covered. New England is full of people who shop at Land's End and Eddie Bauer and still wear flip-flops when it's 40 degrees outside.

It's not my homeland and it's not familiar but it still leaves me feeling better than I've felt in awhile. It makes me feel like it's okay to long for open skies and a place to put my toes in the grass every once in awhile.

Into the woods

For our annual fall anniversary get away (Five Year Anniversary) this year we stayed in Boston. While Chris has spent some days in and around Boston, I have only driven through a couple of times. And while we did sleep only a couple of blocks from Boston University and were in Boston each day- this really wasn't a Boston trip either.

Some really dear friends of ours that previously lived in NY now live in Boston and it just so happened that they were away for the week in sunny Florida. So, they got us a set of keys to their apartment, secured us a parking spot, and sent directions on how to close the widows (among other quirks of their place) and the rest was history!

We rented a car and left Wednesday evening, getting to Boston pretty late. We had no real plans or places that we just had to see, but longed to be out of New York. It was nice to simply lay in bed, at 7:00, 8:00, even 9:00AM and not be able to hear a thing. Nothing. No sirens, no car stereos, no one squabbling on the sidewalk, no people laughing or car alarms going off. It was so quiet. Even in the middle of Boston.

During our days we drove along the cost, stopping to take pictures, grab some local fare, or wander through a city park. We thought about stopping in Salem, but it was too much of a tourist attraction. I might be interested at some point, but I didn't really want to spend an entire day in Salem- waiting in line with everyone else and paying for just about everything. I'm looking for free forms of entertainment!

I've never been much for road trips, but I guess living somewhere where I never experience the road makes it quite nice to get out and hit the open road, even if I do have to sit in a car for a few hours each day. On the drive up to Boston we listened to the David Crowder Band Christmas album that just came out. (And I hate to announce here: The DCB are splitting up!) Because I can't let food go to waste, that night we snacked on turkey luncheon meat wrapped in corn tortillas & roasted Brussels sprouts from the night before. (Don't tell me I'm not frugal. However, eating Brussels sprouts in the car may not be the best idea ever.)

We even cooked a couple of meals in our friends full-sized real life kitchen! I just couldn't resist.

I liked just going; seeing new places from my passengers seat in the Mazda 2. Sitting in the sunshine. We rented a tiny car (because it was the cheapest option) and continuously laughed about how ridiculous we must look. Drinking convenient store coffee and eating Chex mix - this is acceptable road-trip behavior. This, and eating ice cream as a meal!

Our weekend made me truly happy, perhaps the happiest I've been in quite awhile. Maybe it's because I was lenient on myself; not subconsciously imposing a set of rules or list of things to get done. Chris and I dreamed and were honest and had excellent conversation. I love my husband- and we have a blast together. I can not imaging being with someone just for the convenience of it, or because I felt like I could just "make it work." My husband challenges me and asks the hard questions. He thinks I'm pretty great too- which isn't to say, "I'm so great" but I know he adores me.

This back to school "fall time" has been really hard for me. I feel pulled and pushed and squashed in one million different directions. It's partly because I am, and partly because I need to say "No" some, and partly because I need to be renewed, suck it up and realize that some things take work.

Right now, I'm trying to focus on what really matters, to me, to eternity. What gives me joy? Because doing things out of obligation is not where it is found.

Me and Free

I know I've written several times previously about how I take much pleasure in getting a good deal. Bargain hunting and comparison shopping are two things I do quite well.

But when it comes to just plain old free- I will go to extremes.

Today I had my first ever free Sprinkles cupcake. And it was glorious. It was too easy and very gratifying. NYC has dozens of cupcake places, and each one has there specialty, and boasts the reasons why they are the place for the best cupcake. And each one of my friends probably has their own favorite spot (I am still aButtercup Bakeshop fan).

But Sprinkles, the newbie in town, gives away free cupcakes every single day. On Facebook each day they post a secret word that is viewable if you follow, or friend, or like, or whatever it is. Usually they give away 50, today, they gave away 300. Obviously, I rushed uptown on my lunch hour to snag my free pumpkin cupcake. Then, little bag in tow I slowly wandered back to midtown in the sunshine, happy as a meadow lark.

I just want to take the opportunity here to share that I also got a free full-sized Fiberwig Mascara a couple weeks ago. Sephora was passing them out in front of Grand Central. And I also got about six free Fiber One brownies, because I hit the girls at each corner as I walking in Grand Central through the terminal and out the other side. (Is that wrong?) I didn't eat them all at once, or all in one week. My stomach can only handle about 1 of these things every 4/5 days!!! And just today yoplait was giving out free cartons of yogurt.... FREEE!!!!

Nothing tastes as good a a free pumpkin cupcake on a lovely fall afternoon. I split it with my co-receptionist and smiled even wider since Wednesday is my Friday. We're heading to Boston for our anniversary weekend! I can not wait to get out of here.