Chatty Cathy

Twelve hours after take off, I was on another flight back to DC after a successful but tiring day in New York. Before being able to turn on my iPod, the stranger next to me sparked up a conversation. (I hate when that happens. I am not a fly-and-gab kind of person.)

But because he was nice enough and because, well, it was too early to turn on any electronic devices, I got roped into a chat.

Turns out he's a real estate attorney for Verizon and has been for 22 years. Learning that he lived in Alexandria, I pictured him in one of those giant homes in the neighborhood where I walk Lucy. I was surprised to learn that he lives in Park Fairfax, a cluster of quaint, modest townhouses--and has for many years. He's not married (that I could tell), takes the bus to work downtown, seems to be the world's biggest penny-pincher (for example, he doesn't shop at Costco because he doesn't go through three or four rolls of paper towels in an entire year, he says), and was not in the least bit flashy.

Thinking back, actually, this guy did a lot of the talking. And most of it I couldn't care less about. That said, the hour passed as quickly as it would have otherwise.

What I really wanted to ask him--the incessant question that wove in and out of my mind during the entire conversation--was what on earth he spends his money on. A single guy living in a small townhouse making big bucks in corporate real estate. I really should have inquired because this is going to bug me for awhile.

I got home and was still obsessing about this guy to Chad. "But how do you think he spends his money?" I said. "Do you think he just invests it all? That's so boring!"

Chad stopped what he was doing, turned around, and replied: "That's exactly what you'd be like if you hadn't married me."

Touché.

"Abundant Sunshine"

I'm heading to New York again today to speak at another analyst conference. Trying to decide what to wear (a thick jacket or a light suit?), I figured I'd check the weather. I pulled up the website to find that the high is supposed to be 59, so I'm going with the light wool suit.

But here's the best part: In describing today, it says, "Abundant sunshine."

Is that the best phrase you've ever heard or what? (And I'm not just saying that because the last time I was there it rained all day.)

Surprise!

I have mentioned before that I am no good at surprises--giving or receiving them. So when I decided two months ago to keep Chad's birthday from him, I knew what I was getting myself into. I almost let the word spill a million times over the past few weeks but I didn't...which goes to show that apparently I do think before I speak!

Last night, a dozen of our very best friends got together for dinner at the Farm Table, a big table for 14 in the middle of a wine store connected to one of the best restaurants around. (This is a new partnership between the wine store and the restaurant, which Chad hadn't heard about, so this wasn't even something he would have guessed.)

Each month the chef creates a special menu for "the table" from local fish, meat, and vegetables, then one of the wine connoisseurs from Planet Wine makes recommendations on the best pairings for each course--or you can just walk through the wine store and select your own bottles. The menu was fabulous, the wine was superb, and the dessert was, well...better than what I could have made (think chocolaty and caramel with some unexpected crunch and a taste of peanut butter added in).

After dinner had ended, we sat at the table for another two hours catching up, giving each other grief, and trying to figure out whose birthday was next so we could have an excuse to return!

Today...

Reasons why today is fabulous:

1) It's Chad's birthday! (And we have great plans tonight he doesn't know about yet. I've been keeping this secret for two months!)

2) The sun is shining for the first time in about a week.

3) The trees on our street are in fabulous bloom.

4) We've had Lucy for an entire year!

5) The windows are open and my house is on the way to becoming clean.

Pooped

We've had something almost every night after work, culminating with a Saturday that was none-too-relaxing. After football practice this afternoon, Chad wanted to invite the entire team over for hamburgers. (It was a lot of fun, since we hadn't seen many of them since the fall season.) Still, it's been a week of nonstop running.

In all of the excitement, we hit a wall when everyone left about 7:30. I found Chad and Lucy in the kitchen:

Heartbroken

Just last week I blogged about how my American Idol favorite Danny Gokey wears his wedding ring as a quiet tribute to his late wife, who passed away less than a year ago. I just watched tonight's episode (it was on tonight since Obama was on last night) and Danny is not wearing his wedding ring! I'm positive. Literally. I paused it and walked up to the TV just to be sure.

I'm not going to lie, I feel a little like I've been punched in the gut.

I will give him a little leniency just in case he forgot it, but I will be watching closely next week. If I had to guess, some producer told him to take it off so he'd appeal more to the "ladies." This bothers me.

Best buds

I'm never fully convinced that spring is on its way until I see buds on the trees on our street. Last night I noticed that the first signs of life were really apparent and not just my imagination. By the end of March, they are usually fully in bloom, which is beautiful. (After they bloom they start dropping little berries all over the cars parked under them, which is not so beautiful.)

Granted, the poor garbage men were out in hats and gloves this morning, but this is a sign that spring is coming, folks!