Speedy Sonoma

Most people think of Sonoma as a place to relax and sip wine while walking through endless vineyards. This is true, but it is also home to Infineon Raceway. The Mr. is a longtime Nascar fan and insisted we visit the raceway on our recent trip. Since he came with me to meet blog friends and ate at Herbivore, it was only fair.

Mr. B&B at Infineon Raceway


I was not a Nascar person until I met my husband and learned that not all race fans meet the stereotypes placed upon them. We had been dating less than a year when he invited me to a Nascar race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. I am always up for new experiences. The seats were about 8 rows up and right in front of the pits near the start/finish line. It was exhilarating!

I go with him and my Father-In-Law to the summer race every year now. The sun is warm. The people we sit near are friendly, her in her leather bra top and him with his "fun flask". The pits and the race are always entertaining. It isn't anywhere I would ever choose to go without Mr. B&B, but even I, the environmentalist vegan, have come to enjoy and embrace it.

Check out the inspiration for this post, The Meanest Mom's Nascar Adventure, here.

I leave you with photos of Infineon Raceway in Sonoma:
The sheep on the hill behind the Grandstands.

The Start/Finish Line

One for the Ages

Mr. B&B and I hung out with a variety of different people on different occasions this weekend. In every group, the topic of age and aging came up. I never really think about my age. I just keep blazing my own trail.

Saturday night we joined Mr. B&B's extended family at a dinner celebrating his sister's 21st birthday. Of course, we all spoke vaguely about our 21st birthday parties and joked about how long ago they were. Then people got around to talking about when Melissa was born and how long they have all been married and "Where did the time go?" I wanted to scream, "Instead of moaning about the past, think about how you want to spend the rest of your time on this planet!" Eternal optimist, glass half full girl, I am.

Sunday afternoon and evening, we went to a party in Mr. B&B's hometown. It was actually thrown by two people I went to middle and high school with. Oddly enough, the best man at our wedding worked with the guy I know from school. Mr. B&B knew a lot more people at the party a lot better than I did. Inevitably, I was hanging out with our best man for most of the party. At the end of the night he and I were filled with randomness and got to talking about ex's. I told him I admire how friendly he is with one of his ex's after all of the messiness at the end of their relationship. He replied, "We were just 19 year old kids. It was ten years ago. We've gotten over it." That hit me head on. If he was 19 ten years ago, I was 18 ten years ago. I suddenly felt what the people at Melissa's birthday party must have felt. Yeah, those people I wanted to yell at. So, I yelled at myself.

When I turned 25, my younger and only brother called and said, "You're almost 30." What is this anxiety we attach to numbers? Why do we give them so much power over our lives? Maybe I feel a bit more freedom from them because I have done things unconventionally, on my own time table. Just try and make the most of every day, I say. Some days we have more to give than others, but give it all you got, whatever it is you've got to give.

Sunday evening, I talked to a long time friend of the family, in part to wish him and his wife Sherrie(my matron of honor), a happy 23rd wedding anniversary. I was the flower girl in their wedding and I wore a magnificent black and white dress with a gigantic twirly hoop skirt which I l-o-v-e loved. Joe said, "I've known you all your life, kid. I'm gettin' old." I have no words to say how grateful I am to still have people in my life who have known me since conception and are not blood relations. It's outstanding.

Monday, Keith and Alison brought Alexander to our house and we all munched on food and played on the playground. Keith and Alison are expecting another baby (or babies) in January. I remember when they found out they were pregnant with Alexander. I hope that Brad and I get to be Alexander and his siblings "Joe and Sherrie".

We're born. We grow. The cycle continues. Age after Age after Age.

To life.

Cause for Celebration

You know you're growing up when... you need a cause for celebration. When you're little, EVERYTHING is worth celebrating even if you just do it with mud pies, pretend tea, and 15 of your closest stuffed animal friends. O.K., I know I am still young (28 next month) and that my inner child is very much alive, but I am feeling a bit more grown up these days thanks to my younger siblings.

On Sunday, my younger brother graduated from Clark University with honors. I am so proud of him and excited about what the future holds for him. On the other hand...

I talked to him while he grew in Mom's belly. I gave him "horsey rides" on my back. I met him at his bus stop after school every day. We watched Howard The Duck, Ghostbusters I and II, Karate Kid, and Gremlins over and over again. I was his biggest fan at his basketball games from the time he was 5 through high school.

How can this be happening? How can it be that he is grown and ready to face the world?

Part of me wants us to be giggling in the sandbox or playing piano together. If he is grown that means I am six years more grown and that just astonishes me.

A few graduation pics:




Then there is the matter of my Sister-in-Law turning 21 today. Happy Birthday, Melissa! Last night she got to our place at 11:20. At 11:55 we walked over to an asian restaurant a block away from our house for her first legal drink. At midnight, the bartender presented the birthday girl with a free Scorpion Bowl. I had a few sips of that and a Cape Codder. As we were paying the bill at 12:55, we were all given a shot. We all protested, but ended up giving in because they were already mixed and being poured into light up shot glasses. I haven't downed a shot in years! Melissa had a good time though. When we got home and Mr. B&B was in bed because he had work this morning, Melissa and I went and played on the playground next door and chit chatted before bed. We also drank lots of water and munched on crackers and corn chips. Really fun times.

She's 21! I still can't believe it. When Mr. and I started dating, she was 13 with braces and ponytails.

When Mr. B&B headed off to work this morning, Melissa and I had vanilla ice cream with strawberries, blueberries and banana for breakfast.

They may be older. I may be older. But having ice cream for breakfast? That never gets old. Plus, it reminds us that every day is a cause for celebration.

Connections

So, once upon a time I started a blog. Then I started reading other people's blogs. First I met this radiant lovely, Melissa, of Stay Forever Sunday. Next, independent of meeting Melissa, I met this incredible talent and dandy of a lady, Julie of Tangobaby.

When Julie sought subjects for her I Live Here: SF project, I instantly thought of Melissa. They were both interested in working together. I virtually introduced them via email.

Here are the MAGICAL results of their connection:
M&J on Tangobaby
M&J on I Live Here:SF
M&J on Stay Forever Sunday, twice
M&J plus B on Stay Forever Sunday

I dare you not to smile!