10.13.

My anniversary was just as low key as I could have hoped. We slept in, went to our favorite sushi place for lunch, then took a boat ride through winter park, the wealthiest and oldest part of Orlando. I though the point of the boat ride was to look at the beautiful scenery, foliage and maybe try to spot some interesting wild life but it was more a tour of how the wealthy live: "over here we have a 5 million dollar house that after buying, the owner's wife decided she didn't like so they tore it down and built another 5 million dollar house." And that was just the beginning. There were his and hers boat houses, a property with 4 large guest houses, a 7 car garage because the owner "likes to drive a different car to work everyday."

Mostly, I sat quietly and occasionally whispered to Nathan "I can't imagine." Because, lowly little me can't imagine. I feel incrediably fortunate in this economy to be able to pay my $1200 mortgage. I feel fortunate to have a tiny, tiny townhouse that we can call ours and 2 cars (fully paid off!) that are gaining years and milage but get us from point a to point b. We don't take expensive trips (mostly just day trips around the state) or have expensive items in our house (I can say with great satisfication that nearly everything is Target or World Market) and there is not a moment in my life where I don't think I have enough.

Would it be wonderful to have a guest house for my guests? To be able to attend a $42,000 school? To live in one of the most beautiful parts of the city? To be able to afford a physical trainer or a chef or both? I can say with utmost certainity, yes. But I don't need it, and some times when I think if for some reason we struck it rich, what would we do differently, I can't come up with any good reason to do anything differently.

One woman on the boat made a poignant comment: "these people have more money then sense." And it's true. No one needs 7 cars when some don't have enough money to put food on the table. No one needs a ballroom in their house when people struggle living pay check to pay check. People don't need 8 bathrooms and 21 bedrooms in their house when only 2 people live there. It's silly. And reckless. And down right greedy.

I suppose I have some things they may never have. A happy marriage. A dog that lights up my day and my life. And the realization that money is not everything.

Regina Spektor

I've had this album for about 6 months. It is, now, just beginning to grow on me. Check it out.

#1

God bless his soul, N went along with me to the Maitland Rotary Art Fair today. I saw it advertised on television this week and thought it would be a good way to kill an afternoon and since I know longer have the privilage of attending the Fallsburg Art Fest in Michigan, I thought this would probably be the next best thing.

Unfortunately, it didn't quite have that fall feeling that I adore (temperatures that require heavy sweaters and warm apple cider) but it had it's own charm. And while it's eternal summer here, I am never more grateful than when my friends call me in the dead of winter and are shoveling snow off their cars. That's a feeling you just can't beat.

My big purchase of the day was 7 old Oprah magazines from the library book sale for a whopping $.70. I know i'm a big spender. I also know that this categorizes me as an 80 year old white woman who just can't get enough of that Oprah. My friends remind me. On a daily basis.

In my defense, however, I do subscribe to Rolling Stone as well.

Well, the big 1 year anniversary is coming up. N & I can't decide what gift to give ourselves for putting up with each other for the last 365 days. In a romantic gesture, he suggested we purchase our wedding pictures. I suggested we spend the $600to fix his car or purchase a new computer (since mine is on it's way oooouuuuutttt). He was less than impressed with the romantic thought that went in to those two suggestions. I just say i'm a realist.

Who knows what we'll do to celebrate the day. We both have it off and we've batted around everything from staying in and sleeping all day, to a hike, an art museum and a dinner out to a dinner in and a netflix to follow it up. Also there has been discussion of a star light dinner cruise and an afternoon brunch cruise. Again, I suggested the afternoon brunch cruise to save ourselves $24 and the humiliation of having to dance in front of strangers. Maybe I am a party pooper.

Regardless, I just think there is WAY TOO MUCH PRESSURE to make a big deal of a big day. Isn't it enough to wake up next to one another. To acknowledge the fact that you're both still there despite a year filled with fights, tears, laughter, smiles, trials, tribulations and celebrations. Shouldn't it be enough to say thank you for putting up with me: for loading the dishwasher when I was too tired, for tolerating pms and bad moods, for loving me despite all of my shortcomings (and there are so many). And shouldn't it be enough to follow all of that up with making love?

I hope so. Because that is my idea of a perfect anniversary. As I see it, there is no need to get dressed up (when you see me in blue jeans and messy hair, everyday), serenade me with expensive wine (i drink the cheap stuff at home anyways) and pretend to be people we're not (I don't dance. You don't either). I love you as you are. Just you. Everyday you. Not special occasion you.

Happy Anniversary, baby.