March MADNESS!

Can you believe this month is already nearing an end?  Where did it go?  It's been such a great month.  The weather in Phoenix has been phenomenal, the basketball has been exciting, and we added to our family.  

 

March through May are the most perfect months in Phoenix; the weather is warm, the smell of orange blossoms fills the air, the cactus are blooming, people are enjoying their yard work and their bike rides.  It's a little piece of heaven.

Also with March comes the NCAA college basketball tournament!  Watching these games and filling out brackets has been a tradition of mine for years, thanks to my friends, Greg and Blair, who got me addicted!

I do miss my Indiana friends during this time, as we would all sit together at our favorite sports bar, Average Joe's.  But Eric and I are making our own memories.  Last year it was Vegas, this year we found Blue 32 and Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers...both fun places to watch all the games.

 

And also this month we adopted Hemingway.  It's been quite entertaining to have her as a new addition to our family!  She is FULL of life and energy!  She chases our 3 year old kitty, Grace, up down and all around the house; and that makes our 10 year old dog, Cyrus, curious so he chases the both of them!  I just sit back with my camera and enjoy the show.

Grace is still trying to get used to not being the only cat in the house.  This is how they currently interact:

 

Hopefully I'll soon have some cuddling photos to share!!  Fingers crossed!

Finally, a big thank you to "our" cousin, Adam.  We received a box full of coffee that came from the coffee business he previously owned!  Eric went out today and bought a coffee grinder and we're looking forward to starting our week out with fresh ground coffee in the morning!   Kismet, Honduran, or Sumatran?  Decisions, decisions!

 

I am going to try to pay attention to the spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers, and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen.

Anne Lamott

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/spring_3.html#g6bsGRs31vXIymVu.99

I am going to try to pay attention to the spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers, and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen.

Anne Lamott

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/spring_3.html#g6bsGRs31vXIymVu.99

"I am going to try to pay attention to the spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers, and look up at the hectic trees.  I am going to close my eyes and listen."  ~Anne Lamott

"Great players are willing to give up their own personal achievement for the achievement of the group. It enhances everybody."  ~Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

'When Harry Met Sally' and Other Reminisces

I was asked today if I had any male friends, and if so, if it was a problem for Eric.  My response?  "Yes, I do!  Er...I did.  Back in Indiana."  And in a saddening voice I replied that, to my knowledge, Eric had no issues with it.  And the sadness has gone on from there for the remainder of my day; missing my friends; missing my youth. 

Greg T and Me at Average Joe's

I suppose it's a combination of getting older (not OLD...just oldER) and now being across the country from my "first" friends.  The longer I am in another state, the further apart we grow.  Blame can't really be placed on anyone (for the most part).  Life happens.  Time differences hinder the matter.  And typically the once a month phone calls or weekly FB check-ins or bi-weekly e-mails suffice.  But then there are days like today,  where I would love to own a travel machine that could transport me to Indianapolis in the blink of an eye.

Robbie and Me at Average Joe's after Indy 500

What I wouldn't give to have the old crew back at Average Joe's, my local hangout.  Robbie behind the bar, Greg T and Greg D and myself bellied up to the bar with NTN boards in front of us...serious competition.  We would sit there for hours as others flitted in and out through the night.  Me and my boys. 

Robbie behind the bar on St. Patty's Day

Greg and I had been playing NTN and Lisa and Stacie joined us

I met two of my best girlfriends right there at that bar...Lisa and Angela.  Friends for life, I can promise you that.

Angela and Me at Average Joe,s (Robbie flipping us off!)

Myself and Lisa at Average Joe's

Everyone who worked there became friends to me.  Cowboy, Happy Lisa, Hot Candice, Dana, Bruce, Dave, Austin....too many to name.  We all took a trip to Vegas one weekend...I think myself and the two Greg's were the only two non-employees who went!  LOL!  It was my first time to Vegas and I couldn't have picked a better group to go with.

Angela, Kassie, Lisa, and Me at Average Joe's

Then there were the nights that my girls and I would get gussied up and go out dancing.  Curly, Lisa, Angela, Sandy, Pamela, Taylor, Blonde.  We had some WILD nights in Broadripple!  Oh, to be that age again...just for a weekend!  The secrets we all have on one another are so fun!!  Those were the best times of my life.  I wouldn't change any of it for anything.

Me...singing and dancing...so much fun!!

Me, Curly, and Angela celebrating my birthday at Average Joe's

Me, Sandy, Curly, and Pamela heading out on Halloween

Of course, I also can never imagine moving back to Indiana.  I love Arizona so much.  And I love the friendships that I'm (finally) building here.  Karen, Kristi, Jennie, and Danielle have been Godsends...true friends.  I really needed to find that here, especially after my horrible, unspeakable "friendship" with Randie.  That one about did me in on making real friends here.

Karen, Jennie, Kristi, and Me at Narcisse Champagne Lounge

Danielle, Karen, and Me on Spa Day!

I am looking forward to bringing (some of) these two groups of friends together in a couple of months in Napa.  I hope my Curly can make it!!  I look forward to creating new memories and sharing new secrets.  Wine country may be a far cry from the college bars, but we must age gracefully, right?!

As for my male friends back in Indiana, I miss being your little sister.  I keep hoping you'll come out for a visit.  I hope you know how much I love you Robbie and Talley.  And, to answer that age-old question, we were always 'just' friends.  Even better, we were/are family.

Me and my Big Brother, Talley

Just a few of my friends who came to my AWESOME going away party held at Average Joes

**And now, going through photos on my computer, I realize that most of my memories are printed and in albums...back before digital!  I must work on that!**