Registering for life

There are a lot of things that we have to register for throughout our lives that do not make us excited...registering for classes, car tags, gym memberships, fa passport (well that is a little exciting/stressful) Any whoo, my point is that the Squid and I FINALLY began registering for our wedding! Yippie! I really had to sweet talk my way into this one, considering the Squid has about a two second attention span for all things wedding. I buttered him up with brunch and bloody mary's and then we were off to Crate and Barrel! I was concerned that it was going to be more of an ordeal or hassle to get the things we needed from the customer service rep, but she said "here is the scanner, go wild!"

It still amazes me that after living with someone for over a year and a half that he can still surprise me with his interests, likes and home decor style. We live in a small apartment in DC we really haven't decorated much (other than the many wooden shelf's, boxes and other wooden gadgets that the Squid has made by hand) because who knows how long we will be there. And I rarely have an opinion on things like this - not to mention I don't know how to hang a picture.

So we were off to the races and of course he went straight for the canning gadgets, grilling utensils and knives, while I preferred little kitchen knick knacks like muttlers, choppers and cutesy little bowls. In the end we decided to not look into china, glassware and other items that will take over our small apartment...I think that is what they call "baby steps." It only lasted about two hours, but I think we started making some great decisions as a couple about the things that were essential, the things we could live without and the things that we hope someone decides to splurge on! However, it was quite interesting when we got home that we had registered for 8 butter warmers...hey! They looked like French Onion soup bowls to us!

I am so happy that I am on this journey with the Squid. It is hard for us sometimes to get on the same page, let alone have dinner at a reasonable hour because of work schedules and the fast paced life that this city requires of us, but man its great to know there is one person out there that knows exactly how much honey you require in your coffee.

Feels like home

Last night I enjoyed a girls night out. I have to admit, its been a while since I have 100% devoted all my time to the same sex...I have been a little Squid obsessed! But, who could blame me...he is so damn cute. Anyhow, I had the best conversations about life, love, religion and yes - getting married!

This was a reunion with the coconut girls - if you don't remember, these are the women that I embarked on a fabulous little trip to Turks and Caicos - the first adult trip since I had been back in DC. We drank, we snorkeled and made some serious life decisions on the sand.

So 8 months later we are all in completely different places than we were on the Island. Marti is leaving us for a new adventure on the West coast, Candice is in a exciting, committed relationship that has her biking, running and kayaking all over DC (and beyond) and Heidi is about to marry a wonderful man that continues to make her smile everyday. And me? Well between the engagement, the job change and turning 29 I think everyone is aware of the new places I am going.

For so many changes, it is incredible how four people can come back together and still have so much in common and have a true interest in each other's lives. I love these ladies, and I hope that they continue to include me in their journey's across countries, rivers and cities. I have no doubt that the coconut girls will have some amazing adventures to come!

It doesn't matter if someone has been in your life for one week, five years or twenty - if they make you feel like you are at home, they are worth having around.

Dreaming of the "could have beens"

As I sit at my desk this morning, my mind is full of thoughts about things that could have been.Over the past few years friends have come and gone, hair colors have changed and locations too! Jobs, men, diets - all flashing by me today. I wonder sometimes about life and God, and why things happen the way that they do. Why I was born with an insatiable appetite for food, love and life. Oh, and also shopping. "I have enough dresses!" I said NEVER.

Anyway, the reason for this post is to wander through my thoughts and why I feel the need to long for other things. I spoke with a good friends mother the other night who is so wonderful and shares the same appetite I do for travel. I was supposed to visit her daughter in Asia this month, but I went the practical route and decided to wait until next year. But I can't help but feel unsettled with my decision. I am a victim of searching friends on Facebook and turning pea green with envy because of the places they are going or the things they do. How ridiculous considering I have done my own fair share of traveling this year!

There has always been the saying "the grass is greener" but when (and how) do people arrive at the idea that their grass is the best? I don't want to miss out on my life because I am flying here or there and just snapping pictures of things to say I've been there (I do know people who do this, what a waste.) My mother always tells me "Lacy, you're young, you have your whole life ahead of you to travel!" Mom, I love you but I want to do it all and the sooner the better!

So I am trying to relax because the Squid and I have a wonderfully fulfilling life that keeps us running from life experience to experience (it just isn't Amsterdam to Chile.) I think the bigger problem is that for the first time ever my life is feeling settled, and I am feeling restless. I am not traveling for work or having 80 hour work weeks any longer. The routine after work HH isn't necessary anymore. BUT, I have a wonderful new job that is challenging me in new ways, I am able to be productive in my spare time (I am finally learning how to sew) and I AM GETTING MARRIED! What do I have to complain about? I have been struggling to get into a comfortable groove with life these days. How does my sister do it? She is the Queen of nesting and I can't seem to sit still.

So I welcome any ideas, thoughts, remedies, medication (just kidding, but seriously) that can curb my appetite for the "other stuff." Well, I know that my journey will begin once I have the courage to open my eyes.