Fun Weekend!

This weekend reminded me how awesome my friends are. And also, in a weird way, how many awesome friends I have from so many facets of my life. It was just one of those weekends, the weather was gorgeous, I didn't have a ton of plans, but everything fell into place perfectly.

Friday night Sara and I decided we were both too young to sit on our couches on a Friday night (we have these moments often, and they usually lead to some fun outings). We started at Boon's, our favorite Friday night beer establishment (it is so Raleighs from college, only with astronauts). I have to admit, we have spent a few evenings there recently when we almost gave up because the parking was such a scene, but this time we both found spots and ended up in "our" table in the big fireplace. We solved the world's problems in a couple of hours, and then decided it was high time for some dessert. We started at BJs, but with a half hour wait, we soon moved on to House of Pies. My first time, but Sara is a veteran. One slice of strawberry rhubarb pie a la mode, and I was pretty much good to go forever. It was an awesome night or good conversation, lots of laughter, and a few life problems solved. And it was topped off by an awesome phone call from Colleen to tell me she was getting married! Woohoo!

Saturday morning I got up and drove up to IAH to pick up Raven, who had an 8 hour stopover in Houston before flying to Ecuador. Some people have such problems! Anyway, I haven't seen Raven since a long night in a pool hall in December 2004. Thats 7 years ago, and so much has changed...but then, not that much has really changed at all. We spent several hours playing catch up and just laughing over how it was, how it is, and how it will always be. Raven and I were so close in college, I mean, we basically lived together my sophomore year, in an apartment the size of a shoebox. And even though we haven't been too in touch over the last few years, we still fell right back into old times, like we had seen each other last week. We laughed and told stories, and talked about the good, the bad, and the ugly until he had to get back to make his flight (which, Raven, I hope you made, because you know I am much more of an early arriver than you are).

After that I made the 3 hour drive to the lake house, with the company of Veronica. We again solved the problems of the world (yea, you are welcome world).

Once at the lake house, we did some justice to some fajitas and then a 10lb cake that Kathy had brought, and sort of just vegged on the couch for the rest of the night. Brooklyn passed out at 7, Brylee by 9, and Jess and I were both in bed by 10. Apparently we are super fun on Saturday nights!

This morning was awesome! We spent the morning on the back deck, overlooking the lake (well, in theory, although the lake is super low currently, so you can't see much), drinking Diet Coke (ok, yes, coffee would have also worked, but DC just sounded good), PJ pants rolled up, and sun shining on my very white legs. I can say with some assurance that this year, I am getting my tan back. Last year was a little rough, but this year, it is on! And this morning, it started. We watched the babies roll themselves back and forth along the deck, and then held them on the railing and let them watch the deer. They were fascinated! Brylee especially loved just watching the deer. That little girl has literally just stolen my heart. I mean, they both have, but Brylee has such facial expressions, and you can just watch her concentrate so hard on something, and take it all in. I can't wait to watch her grow up and see what she and her little sister come up with to cause trouble and grow their parents' gray hair!

We eventually did get showered and dressed and loaded up into the truck. I started in the front seat with Jess, and the babies were asleep in the back seat. Strangely, this is just how the Ike evacuation started...we really havent come all that far, have we? Anyway, this didnt last long before Brooklyn announced that she was awake with some crying. And there went Aunt Debs, face first, into the back seat. Luckily Jessica is a pretty good driver, and did not swerve off the road while I climbed over the seat to hang out with the babies. There was some whining, and Brooklyn and I had words over her throwing of the toys, but eventually we pulled out the ipad and set the animal flashcards up, and then threw a bottle (uh, or 3) into the mix, and things were good. That is, until the other mini woke up from her marathon 2 hour nap, and clearly was confused as to why her bottle was mostly water (after her sister ate her formula filled bottle), and why Aunt Debs wasn't giving her the ipad. Now, when Brylee gets mad, she totally grumbles. Loudly. Like low growly voice, and some yelling. It is hilarious, and cute as heck, but you know when we laugh at her, she just gets more upset. So, anyway, this started the meltdown. I was passing out puffs at an alarming rate, but only Brooklyn was interested. We tried some Chicken Noodle (pureed, and one of the grossest smells in the world), but the minis were not having it. This was about the time Jessica says "hmm, do you smell something?" Aunt Debs went in for the check-in, but found nothing other than 2 screaming babies who were not happy about being sniffed and asked "did you poop?" Yea, I am classy like that. Anyway, eventually, after a lot of screaming and toy throwing, we stopped for a diaper change and a quick walk around a parking lot. And then back we piled in to continue...it was a long 3 hours, but we all made it home in one piece, and even all fell asleep as we pulled off the freeway (the babies, not me and Jess).

I spent the weekend with friends from so many different parts of my life. I love that I have friends from college, or high school, or even earlier that show up in my life and it is like nothing has changed. Raven and I laughed about people and times I haven't thought about in years. It really made me smile. And it really made me realize how much you forget about life as things go on. There were entire situations in college I had forgotten about completely. And I love that my friends from high school, who I have talked about and planned our wedding for years, call me right after their families to tell me they are getting married! And then my friends in Houston, the ones that sit next to me when I am crying, or make me laugh when I am having a bad day, or celebrate my successes as they happen, they are awesome! I couldn't have asked for better people to share my life with, past or present.

All in all, it was an awesome weekend. I love this weather, the blue skies and cool air reminds me so much of Newbury Park and all it perfect weather (wish it wasn't so damn expensive to live in Cali these day, and that there was a NASA center closer to NP). It just puts me in a good mood. The windows are open in my house, the cats are sleeping on the deck, and I am happy. And damn it, that hasn't been the case for an entire weekend in a few weeks, so I'll take it. Back to work tomorrow, and this will begin some serious chaos because CAS is officially less than 3 weeks away, and I have pretty much no clue what the heck is going on, so it should be an interesting setup. Exciting eh? Yea, good thing I am comfy flying by the seat of my pants, because I tend to do it often.

Just as a warning, I have somehow signed up to babysit the minis for 4 nights (and the weekend in the middle of these nights) in 2 weeks. Anyone want to come hang out with this sucker? Woohoo!!