Monday, October 18, 2010

Apple cider makin' time again!

God has really given me a tremendous life surrounded by family, friends, and the ability to see his miracles in my daily existence.
My weekends are usually jam-packed and entertaining. This one did not disappoint and I was actually quite excited in the days leading up to the festivities.
I did have a full plate but back-timed everything perfectly.
The first main event was attending Jamie and Lori's 5th annual Cider Press Party! Jamie and I go back almost 30 years to our college days. I knew we'd always stay friends. There's just that initial connection which you know will last.
Lori's cooking prowess rules the kingdom. Holy cow. Not only do they make the delicious apple cider with their cider press contraption but Lori makes home made pumpkin soup and was cranking out the fresh apple fritters, which were to die for....
There's never a shortage of tantalizing food and beverage.
I enjoy seeing these two because they are two of the nicest people you could ever meet....and there are usually a handful of other folks from college or that I've met and seen at this bash in years past.
On a more serious note, Jamie and Lori are one of only a few married couple friends who continuously include me and welcome me with open arms. Most of my married friends exclude me. My single friends have boyfriends, girlfriends, or always have to travel in pairs, as Noah advised. My married male friends can't seem to grasp that they really are allowed to have female friends. And many married female friends have moved on. I seem to be odd girl out, and though that's awkward for me at times, it really makes so many others even more uncomfortable.

I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I am so blessed and humbled that God allowed our paths to crisscross and continue meeting up at strategic points, it seems, just when I need that boost and encouragement as do they.


Next stop--meeting my few single friends for an OSU party. Though the outcome was not what we all wanted, it was quite exciting. I really had not been out with these friends for a while...we just hung out, caught up, drank beer (I never drink beer anymore), laughed, and let off some steam.
There had to be hundreds of folks, dozens of big screen tvs, not a parking spot in sight so we all needed to valet. No matter who you were, what you did, where you came from, there was a bond and everyone was there for the very same reason --to watch OSU. It was very cool and you made new friends along the way!
There were a few bittersweet moments. I saw someone I knew and really wanted to chat with....but circumstances did not permit and steered us otherwise. I have to be totally honest. It really sucks when you want to spend more time with someone you adore and it's virtually impossible. It's like being handcuffed, held back, helpless, frustrating to no end.
Fortunately, the folks I had just been with pulled me through, as did my Tampa buddy.
Unfortunately, when nights, days, or moments like this occur, my only outlet is either getting on the treadmill and going miles and miles or blasting the music and sobbing myself to sleep, which is the option I chose this night.
Fortunately, a new day is usually around the corner, and though the sadness is still there sometimes, you gotta press on...I did have something else to look forward to on Sunday. Yes, I was excited to see Colt McCoy QB for the Browns, win or lose. But I was gonna see my niece's dogs and get to play with them all night long! Ah, that's just what we did. We all ordered out for Chinese and played with Zoey and Izzy. Thankfully, they were just what the doctor ordered, for a quick fix at least, after my previous late night emotional distress breakdown.


No comments: