More. More. More.

“I want to dye my hair blonde and cut it short.”

“I want to dye my hair red and grow it long.”

“I want to dye my hair pink. Who cares the length at that color?”

“I think I’d like to try yoga. Just a few classes. Only a few dollars.”

“I want more yoga more yoga more yoga.”

“I’d like to run a 5K.”

“I’d like to run a 10K.”

“I’d like to run a marathon, then a triathlon, then another marathon …”

“I want to buy a house.”

“I want to buy a big house with lots of guest rooms for our parties.”

“I want to sell our house because no one comes to our parties anymore and get a studio apartment in the city.”

Folks, if you haven’t noticed, that’s me in a nutshell. When I decide I want to do something, I want to do it yesterday. I look at things like budgets and finances as mere suggestions. I will come up with any scenario and any twist to make it fit what it is I want to accomplish. I will drag along anyone who is willing to go on whatever crazy adventure I’ve decided to embark.

And the man who is turning 36 37 (Editor’s note: 2012 – 1975 = 37.) today has not only been there with me during the past 12 years of crazy adventures, but he’s been my biggest cheerleader and best sidekick at it all. I don’t walk, I sprint full speed until I crash into a wall or run out of breath. I don’t nibble, I bite off the biggest damn piece I can fit in my mouth. I don’t want $1 for a cup of coffee, I want $3,000 so I can own the best coffeepot I’ve ever seen. This is what it’s like to live with me. And he not only tolerates it, but he actually loves it. In fact, he’s much more practical about these crazy adventures, and thankfully for our bank account he does know when to say no (Ok, he never ever says no, he just sometimes says not yet.)

You might not know it to first meet him, but most of the time, he’s the instigator. He suggested London to celebrate Elizabeth’s 40th birthday for New Years this year. He sets lofty goals about how far we’ll hike, where we’ll travel, and then sits back and waits for me to bug him endlessly until we do it. In fact, a few months ago, he said to me, “I cannot wait to see what we get to experience next.”

Don’t worry, babe. I’ve got a whole list of items to choose from.

Proving Mia wrong

Her 95th birthday party was supposed to be tomorrow. We had been planning it for months. My grandmother’s major desire was that we all be there. That’s why the party was to be 10 days after her actual birthday – because that was the first time everyone could be there. And it totally sucks that she’s [...]

‘like peeing in your pants’

Ah, I turn twenty-thirteen today. Love being in my 20s. I was going to write a post going on and on about how wonderful all those in my life are (yes, I am talking about you!) but I have been doing that a lot lately. Instead I’ll show you some of my super-cool presents. Pampering [...]

For Anil, on his 32nd birthday

Because now he can’t use old jokes against me anymore. For at least a few months. = You can’t call it happy hour anymore. You have to start calling it “early bird special.” = It’s a good thing you like grits because you might have to start eating soft food soon. = Just because it’s [...]

Why I’m a sucky gift giver right now

Birthday spoiler alert warning for Elwood, Heather and Michael. I pride myself in being able to pick out gifts for people. I call it a, uhm, gift, if you will. Which is why it was so sucky for me in December when I could not, for the life of me, think of what to get [...]

The world is my oyster (and so is Charlotte on a Tuesday night)

— It ain’t easy turning 32 on a Tuesday. I mean, who wants to go out on a school night? Well, apparently I have some of the coolest friends in the world because my birthday kicked ass and I didn’t even expect it to. We went to a hibachi grill for dinner (Kabuto), and beers [...]

I was destined to be an Aries

Today is my birthday. My birthday. But for some reason, I’m not thinking of myself so much today. I’m thinking of my mom. Because the day of my birth was a much bigger deal for her than me. Heck, I don’t even remember it! Apparently I was impatient even in the womb. Because my mom’s [...]

You can’t go back

Change comes, whether we like it or not. Getting old beats the alternative. You’re only as young as you feel. — Sentiments such as those above have been whirling around in my head ever since I reached my 30s. My mom had me when she was 29 years old. So when I reached 29, I [...]

Lump of coal just what’s needed to light the fire

    In 2009, thank you for always reading and joining the conversation, whether the topic was naughty or nice, spicy or sweet, healthy or  mischievous. Every time I get an email that someone has commented on my blog I get a huge smile on my face and can’t wait to see what the comment says. I don’t [...]

From training bras to hotel porn to 31

Our friendship was sealed at 8 years old when we decided to spell it out on the Lite Brite: “Amy and Melissa: Best Friends Forever.” We lived across the street so that made this arrangement very convenient, but over the years we’ve ended up an entire 15-minute drive from each other and I’ve realized proximity [...]