Something I Have Always Wanted

So, my life has been just super busy recently.  I seem to be doing something every day and nearly every night.  I cannot remember the last time my life was so full.  I just love it.

Friday, a friend of mine from Arizona was in town on business.  I lived in Phoenix from 2000-2004.  I also have a cousin, Dan, who lives there as well.  He’s still there.  I left and moved back to the DC area in 2004 because, let’s face it, I’m an east coast city chick at heart.  Well, Jeff is friends with my cousin and I met him through Dan.

We went to dinner Friday night.  It was so much fun.  Jeff told me he’s not a big dinner out kind of person, and I told him that’s perfect, because I am not a big eater, anymore.  Now, Jeff and I became Facebook friends a while back and we have sort of followed each other’s lives, ups and downs, etc via FB.  He knows all about my surgery and the changes I have made in my life since he last knew me in Phoenix.

We chose to go to Cheesetique since we could just nibble on a cheese platter and not feel pressured to get a big meal that neither of us would eat.  Jeff had never been to a place like this and didn’t know quite how to order a cheese plate.  I totally love Cheesetique because it’s really kind of perfect for me.  I can get little pieces of cheese and small portions of veggies and I love it.  So, he very kindly permitted me to order for both of us.

Truth be told, I’m a take charge kind of girl.  You give me the power to make all of the decision, and I will.  The server came to the table and I very decisively ordered, “Yes, we’ll have te six cheese platter with the brie, the blue cheese, the Swiss, and the pumpkin cheese, and these two meats.  On the side we’ll have olives and the spiced Greek figs.  Thanks!”

Jeff was like, “Well, OK then!”

It was awesome, I have to say.  It was nice to just nibble on our snacks and catch up on old times.

Saturday, a friend of mine from my writer’s group had a picnic at her new house.  She moved to far away Maryland, (really only about 1 1/2 hours from here), and bought a house in the mountains.  Actually, it’s more of a compound as the house has about 4 buildings.  It’s gorgeous!  Here is the view from one of the buildings:

I know!  Hard life she has, right?

It was a great day.  I am happy that they bought this place and are happy there.  She and her husband have three kids and this place is pretty perfect for them.  They all live in the main house, but the kids can go and have their own private time in one of the other buildings. And my friend has her own little writing house.

Then last night, my former work colleagues had one of their twice yearly meetings/dinners.  The team all works remotely, and they have these meetings to bring everyone together, meet with the client, each other, and just have fun.  Well, they called me and asked me if I would like to meet them after for drinks, which I did.  I haven’t seen them since January.

I still worked with them in January, but in February, I started a new job.  I have changed a lot since then, obviously.  So, I made sure that I got all dolled up and did my hair, make-up, etc. I wanted to look good.

I was meeting them at the Grant Hyatt in Washington.  I walked in, and they were all gathered in the lobby waiting for me and our friend Greg.  Greg gave me a ride as he lives about 2 miles from me.

First, let me start with Mario.  Mario was waiting outside the hotel for a friend of his.  He’s grown a beard since the last time I saw him, and I didn’t recognize him.  He didn’t recognize me either.  The look on his face was priceless.  He was like, “Oh my God, Colleen! You look so different!”  We exchanged hugs, and I went into the hotel.

I saw them in the lobby so I waved to them.  A couple of them looked at me and then looked away.  I kept waving as I walked towards them and then finally someone recognized me.  The oohs and aahs started as each of them in turned hugged me and told me how great I looked. I have to say, it was quite awesome.  They were all so happy for me, which was nice.

We had a great time and hung around in the bar of the hotel until about 1230am.  Just FYI…no alcohol for me.  I did have a cafe Americano and some water.  It was so nice to see everyone again, but I have to say, I am glad that I changed jobs.  I miss the client, I miss my friends, but I am glad that I expanded my horizons and tried something new.

On a side note, I wanted to update my experience with the dating site I signed up for.  A guy who is seemingly, somewhat normal contacted me.  He lives in this area, a bit far out in the boonies for my tastes, but still, in Virginia.  We exchanged emails on the website and he gave me his phone number and asked me to call him.

I called him this am.  He sounds relatively normal.  I gave him my number and are planning to meet one day this week, or maybe next weekend to talk some more.  He asked me what I was looking for in a relationship.  I hate that kind of question, really, but I guess it’s kind of natural when you’re looking for a date.

I really have no preconceived notions of where any of this may take me, and I told him that.  I told him that I am open to whatever possibilities may lie ahead, but I don’t believe in setting false expectations and trying to mold the relationship into something it may not be.  I just said that my goal is to meet someone, talk, get to know them, and just see how things develop.  If it turns into something, great, if not, then, whatever.  These things need to develop organically, in their own time.

He seemed OK with that.

I have to admit, I’m a bit nervous about dating after such a long time not having that kind of relationship.  I’m in no rush.

I did tell him about my weight loss and what I have been doing for the past two years.  I also told him that I have not reached my goal, but I am close.  He was not put off by that at all.

One thing I have noticed recently is that I am not quite as focused on my weight as I used to be.  I mean, I am paying attention to what I eat.  I exercise.  I walk.  I am taking care of myself, definitely.  But I am not quite so focused on the scale so much anymore.  I will definitely continue to try to lose the additional 46 pounds to reach my goal, but it’s not the main focus of my life anymore.

I am living my life.  I am going out and having fun.  I am busy.  I am enjoying my friends and all of the new possibilities this new life has opened up for me.  That is all I have ever really wanted.  If I only measured my weight loss success by that marker, I have already achieved my goal!