Napa

"Wine to me is passion.  It's family and friends. It's warmth of heart and generosity of spirit. Wine is art. It's culture........"

Robert Mondavi 

What a wonderful weekend.  Familiar faces from home visiting here in Napa.  I felt like I was on a much needed vacation-- and I loved it.  Good food, great wine and even better than all of that, my wonderful friends. 

Cheers.

Publish Post

Did I Really Just do That?

Being in a new town, even almost 3 years later can be sort of well....lets say....intimidating.  I have my moments, where I am confident in the friends I have made, the boys I have dated, the people I have chosen to surround myself with.  Then, I have days like yesterday....that emotionally kick.my.ass.  I swear it's the weather, because normally, I am happy and chipper, and bouncy, and a goofball, and full of life, and I don't give a shit if that annoys you....because that's me, so deal with it.  But yesterday....I don't even want to talk about yesterday.

So, today, I meet this girl at work, and she and I introduce ourselves, and I go on about my day.....I start thinking she and I should exchange numbers...yes...that is a fantastic idea, and then I start to get nervous, and think what if..."what if she thinks that's weird, and says no, and then our work relationship is awkward and creepy".  Eeeeek.  It was seriously like getting a number or giving your number to a dude, only I wasn't/am not attracted to her, I just want to make friends. I have always been good at making friends.  But living in a town, where you know NO ONE.....and basically starting from scratch...that's tough some days.  So, at the end of my shift, I asked her if she lives here, if she'd want to grab lunch sometime, and she seemed super excited, so we exchanged facebooks, and emails.  I made a new friend...yay!! Let's see where this may lead, I love making new friends, it's one of the best feelings in the world.

a run for fun

 A run...for fun.

After 3 days of eating, and drinking and shopping, (and enjoying all of it)  today I decided to take it easy.  But....of course, if you know me, that's sort of impossible.  I have a hard time relaxing.  Even when I'm sick, I find a reason to not be lazy.  So, with my new pedometer, super fancy, software to track your miles online, I set out for a run.  Originally I was going to go a familiar route, but instead I decided to take a left onto Silverado Trail a road that takes you up and up into the mountains, but along the way you pass winery after winery.

 I got this idea from Rachel

I decided to take my camera since it was such a nice day. So, with my iPhone, my new camera, and my pedometer I set out.  I just wanted to see where the road took me, how long I wanted to be out for, and the more I ran, the more I wanted to, and the longer I stayed with it, the longer I wanted to go.  And at mile marker 4.5 I decided with a little sun burned face, a little dehydration, that I needed to turn around. But, in 40 minutes, I had made it out there. And in 45 minutes I made it home.  Good time for me.

 My nifty new gadget for running.

I was running and I thought to myself, I live in such a pretty place, although I may not be from here, I am proud to call Napa home.  The mustard is out, and the poppies are blooming.  I loved everything about my run, especially the guilt free pasta dinner I had afterward.

Tacos and Trisha

Monday night, I invited Trisha over for dinner.  I was craving Mexican food, wait...no, I always crave Mexican food, come to think of it, the last time she came over, I made Chicken and Spinach Enchiladas.  But, I digress....I couldn't wait to see her, and see the ultra sound pictures of her sweet baby girl, growing in her little belly, that is SMALLER than most Chico State Girls' beer guts after their Freshman year of College. 

Seriously.....Anyway. I made Tacos, with homemade guacamole, FROM SCRATCH...that's my new thing, everything from scratch.  We caught up with Real Housewives of Orange County, my secret love, and caught up on our lives, both professionally and personally. 

A little bit of Gossip mixed in makes for a perfect night with my good, good friend. 

Oh how I love Trisha!  She is by far, my most prized girlfriend in Napa. She is so honest, and real, and a listener, but not a bullshitter.  She gives advice when it's sought, and says her opinion at the risk, of it not being the same as yours.  She's real, and true. And what's crazy, is I met her 5 years ago, and didn't even know it. 

When I owned my business in Chico, I saw a lot of girls, and if I saw most of them today, I'd probably still recognize them.  yea...I'm that good.   Back to my point, skip to April of 2008, and I was working as a pre-school teacher when I walk in and this girl is sitting there, as the new 2 year old groups teacher...I immediately thought....I must have seen her at a bar or something, so I ask..."Do I know you?"  To which she replies..."No..I don't think so."  I asked...randomly...did you go to Chico State? Did you tan at my tanning salon??  And she relplied Yes, and YES!!!  I knew her right away.  From that day, on we have been great friends.  And I adore her so much, and when I left the pre-school, I felt like a piece of my daily life was gone. 

But, 2 years later, and with her and James' baby on the way, I can't imagine my single girl life without her. 

I went out last night

I went to a wedding, as a guest yesterday.  I had a great time. First wedding in Napa, at a Winery. "I do's" always make me tear up, even though I feel like marriage isn't for me....not right now anyway.

Found an amazing dress, drank wonderful wine, ate too much food, but it was all wonderful.  My date: my friend AK32.  Made new friends from Washington state!! Can't wait to visit them.


After I posted the pics, I got a really great email from an old high school friend, he called me beautiful.  That's always nice to hear.  

 Me, in my BCBG Dress. LOVE

                                                                    Me and My Date

 Fist Pumpin' at it's finest.

who's life is this

Somedays, I wonder...When did I get HERE, HOW, WHY?  Not in a bad way, not at all.  But today, I was thinking, that just 4 years ago...I was in Kansas City with my (Ex) husband....visiting Sandy and Nani, (no sons yet) and Brian. 1 year before that, Arizona for an emergency with EXH1's grandpa. 2 years before that..I was at a funeral for a co-worker.  I could go on to tell you what I was doing last year, and the year before, but I won't because it's super rain-manish, and sometimes it makes people look at me with a crease in their brow.

Now, same date, as all of the above....I live alone (happily), in my PERFECT apartment, in NAPA, just 45 minutes from my favorite city, and 2 hours from everything else.  I've got my  bedroom exactly the way I want it...busy....I'm talking about my decor ;-).....and I finally have my Peacock bathroom. I have a wine rack full of wine that I love. I am surrounded by friends that I have made on my own. I'm traveling this year. I have my cat, who thinks he's a dog, and my nail polish collection, and shoe collection growing on a weekly basis.  I love my life right now.  I'm organizing my life this year & getting ready for a class reunion.  I do think to myself...when did I get here, but I think of it with elation!! I may not be familiar with this life yet, but I think I'm starting to get comfortable, and I'm so thankful for all of it.