Cross It Off The List - Day 38

I can cross one thing off my list: “Have a Brunch”. I hosted a small gathering last Saturday to celebrate Pride. The parade was a few blocks from my house so I thought I would throw together a quick meal for some friends who were going with me. It was small, but perfect. Chris, Darryl and Renee were my guests for a delicious, but healthy morning meal.

Brunch seemed apropos for Pride since what rings more stylish and celebratory than a gay brunch? I used to share in this occasion with my neighbors, Dale and Dan, but they moved and subsequently parted. It was something to look forward to with guest stars like Max and Chuck and whoever else wandered over. We usually had the same thing since Dale was on KP duty and cocktails.

One morning particularly stood out when the D-twins didn’t want to stay at the grocery store any longer than necessary (particularly to wait for the 11 a.m. allowance time to buy alcohol.) Instead they called me and asked if on the way over I could pick up a bottle of champagne. They live right behind me, across the alley, and I never noticed any champagne vendors strolling along the alley before (which would have caught my eye immediately). So I was supposed to drive to the store and purchase said libation. Max stopped me from being a smart-ass and suggested we make our own mélange to share, which we did and it was luscious. I think it had some kind of juice and of course vodka, definitely vodka.

This time though, it was even better.

Now I was the chef du jour. I concocted a frittata of bacon and glouchester cheese; cold berry soup with kiwi and yogurt; an apple tart; fresh baked wheat raisin bread and herbed French bread; a veggie salad and coffee (of course). Renee brought over chocolate-covered strawberries, which were magnificent and Chris and Darryl shined with exotic fruits like a horned melon, kiwi and lychees. Since we were going to be in the hot sun, walking past tons of people, we kept the alcohol out of this.

Overall I loved the prepping the night before, the cooking that morning and sharing my hospitality with my friends. Plus it was nice to show off my house to these folks that have never seen where I rest my weary bones.

My home is a work in progress, with nothing too fancy and a lot not fancy at all, but it is all mine. I am getting rid of a lot and have major construction to think about in the next year to two, but it houses my art, books, trophies and knick knacks. Chris referred to it as a museum and even took pictures of a few things to share with others.

It’s hard sometimes getting it all done. My leg has kept me out of commission doing the hard stuff (both physically and financially). Plus there is only so much time in a day. Not a huge neat freak, I clean what needs to be clean and figure the rest I can save for when I die. (Guy says that the reason ghosts move things around is because they are cleaning, that’s what we are supposed to do when we pass on.)

So now for the next thing on my list. It was supposed to be “Visit Someplace New”, but that will have to wait for a while since Misha is sick so we aren’t going on vacation like planned. No worries though, he is getting better and North Carolina will be even more beautiful in the fall. For now I will keep working towards losing the weight (the doctor said I can swim and bike now) and cleaning my garage (which must be done at the butt-crack of dawn otherwise you could drown in the humidity.)

And I will need to plan another brunch – that was way too fun to not do again.

Making a List and Checking it 10 Times - Day 36

Inspired by the June book club choice, The Next Thing On My List by Jill Smolinski, I decided to write my own list of things I want to accomplish by my next birthday.

I have always been a big list maker. Sometimes the lists turn out to be just the thing to get me moving or organized and sometime they are fruitless causing only depression and frustration. Following all the rules to goal-making and getting it all set in my head doesn’t always work, but this time will be different. Why?

Because I said so. I am closer to personal discovery than I have ever been and my life’s evaluation has a lot of highlighted moments that stirred me from reading the book. I’ve kissed a stranger (a few really). I have worn sexy shoes. I have donated to charity (not just money, but time and a torn tendon.) I have gone braless.

So what do I want to do by my next birthday? First came the “shoulds” and the “groovy” things. Both left off this time. I read Jill’s notes on how to create a list as a guide to what to do. (It’s the list me. I am creative, but I like structure and such). Her advice helped me construct a list of 29 things. Seems like a lot, but some are small. And 29 is a prime number, I have a thing for primes. I was just too inspired. All of them sound like good notes for my future and since I am ready to try new things it all comes down to “Why Not?”

Conspiring with thoughts of my past “Live in Europe”, “Swim with Dolphins”, my present re-evaluated these touches to make them more within my heart’s realm. I love my home and where I live, plus all my friends and family that I wouldn’t want to leave them. Maybe next year for the dolphins, it just doesn’t have a loud gong sound in my heart like “Learning to Ride a Motorcycle”.

Some big tasks are Lose 50 Pounds, Volunteer with Hospice, Go Someplace New, Clean Out My Garage and Have a Garage Sale. Some are small, such as Change My Hair Color, Buy New Drapes, Bake Treats for My Coworkers and Write the Article for Misconceptions (which has haunted me for months). Learning to Play Golf and Drafting a Vision of My New Bathroom and Kitchen will take a bit of time, as will Learning Photoshop and Knitting a Pair of Socks.

But I am up for it. Not too much to kill me with my already busy schedule. Plus I haven’t forgotten those around me. I have also added Babysit (for which person I do not know), Host a Brunch, Make Thanksgiving Dinner (which may happen by default since Patrick and Guy will be in Miami the night before to see Madonna and won’t be back until the afternoon) and Buy a Meal for a Stranger.

Simple self-improvements dot the list like Getting a Makeup Lesson, Toning My Triceps and Start an Etsy Business. A kernel of fear rests inside of me with additions such as Go to Adventure Island (after losing the 50 pounds of course), Taking the Bus to Work (never afraid of public transport when I travel, but here it is a bit different) and Walk 400 Miles (since at the moment I can’t even walk one).

Lastly are those boring things that just need to get done like Re-do My Soffits, Buy New Blinds for All My Windows and Paint My House.