Being home in New Orleans again, enjoying a made-just-for-me muffuletta built by Sweet Guy for dinner (the best!).
Ending the evening curled up in my own bed with Sweet Guy and my two Siamese cats, Kismet & Pixel (the girls are finally starting to get with the program with regard to my guy being in the house!).
Breakfast at the Bay Café at Fishermen’s Terminal in Seattle (pan-seared halibut and awesome freezer jam on multigrain toast!).
Breakfast at Coastal Kitchen on Capitol Hill (a sweet & savory crepe filled with ham and guyere cheese plus extra-crispy shoestring pommes frites!).
Taking a driving tour of Seattle to show Sweet Guy my favorite places (the Gasworks Kite Shop, the Fremont Troll, Lighthouse Coffee, and the amazingly colorful leaves of the University District, Capitol Hill and the Arboretum).
Seeing Cowboy Mouth at the Tractor Tavern, who played my favorite song at Sweet Guy’s request (he got a few shout-outs from the band as someone who traveled from New Orleans to Seattle just to attend the show)!
Breakfast at Top Pot Donuts with Sweet Guy.
Completely exploring the Pike Place Market, showing Sweet Guy all the nooks and crannies and special places/treats.
Giving Sweet Guy the window seat while flying into Seattle on a beautiful, clear afternoon (his first time). It was a beautiful introduction to the city; couldn’t have wished for a better experience!
Amazing grilled halibut for dinner at Elliott’s Oyster House for dinner (after not having the opportunity to enjoy halibut in more than six months’ time!).
Café au lait and beignets with friends at Café du Monde on a breezy Autumn day (powdered sugar decorating everything, everywhere!).
The intoxicating aroma of fresh-brewed coffee as the first thing to delight my senses in the morning.
Receiving the Sephora holiday catalog in the mail today (affectionately referred to as “Beauty porn!” in some circles), choosing my favorite offerings, and then visiting the brand-new store that opened in Sweet Guy’s neighborhood to pick up those favorites! My weaknesses are lip colours/glosses and glitter (wry grin!).
Decorating my street-facing living room window with an Autumn leaves motif (since the leaves don’t change color in this semi-tropical climate the way they did when I was living in the Pacific Northwest).
Knowing that Bush & Cheney’s reign of error & terror is soon to be over; let the healing begin!
Pepperoni bacon pizza from Louisiana Pizza Kitchen (yum!).
Being initially assessed as being a “20-something” by a cardiologist! (Chronological age is actually mid-40s.)
Finding the perfect bed (which, by some stroke of fortune, already belongs to Sweet Guy ;).
Turning Sweet Guy (and also one of my gal pals) onto the New Orleans Bingo! Show for the very first time (it’s a beautiful, soulful thing!).
Remembering loved ones no longer in my presence on All Saints Day.
White Chocolate Raspberry Flan ice cream from Creole Creamery.
The nurse was kind and had a gentle touch, and I didn’t pass out (I hate getting shots). Here’s hoping that it helps to keep me healthy throughout the winter (that’ll determine whether or not it was worth it).
Finding and retrieving my friend’s wayward cat… It was an adventure! (The look of happiness and relief on her face when I handed that bad boy over to her was definitely worth it.)
Having a leisurely breakfast at a new-to-me café with my friend Rai in the French Quarter during a beautiful morning (deep blue skies, no clouds and golden sunshine).
Wearing a Hallowe’en costume that made people gasp and laugh throughout the evening (it took a fair amount of moxie, but it was definitely worth it!).
Perfecting my Hallowe’en costume!
(There are two streets in New Orleans that run parallel to one another, never intersecting: Piety and Desire. My Hallowe’en costume is the non-existent intersection of those two streets… A full-blown nun’s habit in the front complete with geeky black glasses, white gloves and a gaudy gold cross; plus red fishnets, black tanga lace panties, a red leather devil’s tail and black pumps visible only from the back.)
Oh, yes, that’s what I’m wearing while carousin’ on Bourbon and Decatur Streets tomorrow night—heh!
My new sexy bombshell dress and the effect it has on Sweet Guy.
Riding around Bayou St. John, the St. Louis No. 3 Cemetery and City Park on my new bike for the very first time.
Making my travel arrangements for two weekends in Seattle during December to catch annual special events (the Squirrels XMas show at the Tractor Tavern and the Guitar Outlaws Christmas Chorale at the Eastlake Zoo).
Lunch at the Blue Plate Cafe (portabello mushrooms, spinach and polenta in a creamy, savory curry sauce—yum!).
The day really feeling like the first day of Autumn in this semi-tropical locale (cool, crisp air and a bright blue sky).
After I’m finished with my cuppa joe, I’m heading out into a cool, clear morning on my new bike to City Park. I’m very happy that this is now complete.
Life goes on, only just a little differently by my choice and effort. My new version of normal was worth the effort.
Sweet Guy admitted yesterday that he’s having difficulty with this, but he’s still giving it his best shot. I’ll do what I can to give him support with this. (It’s a little like the airline safety demonstration… Put your own oxygen mask on first before assisting others.)
I’m doing well at this point. I’m looking forward to riding my new bike for the first time tomorrow when my challenge is officially ended.
