Operation Redefinition.

I could write a whole other post about my feelings, but nothing has spontaneously changed since a few days ago. Suffice to say it's great to know that I'm not the only person who oftentimes feels stuck in-between roles and phases in life. To make a long story short I'm going to start dealing with being out of sync by identifying the things that I enjoy and bring me happiness, and I'll be investing heavily. It's a start.

I'm also going to continue making life choices that are informed and reasonable. And hopefully that ends up being inspiring instead of insulting to the general public.

I got a bundle of emails, texts, and heartfelt comments after my last post. Thank you so much for the love. It's good to know I'm not the only person who doesn't like wallowing in literal darkness (SADS) and I'm also not the only person who feels displaced on occasion. I consider myself really fortunate to be surrounded by genuine friends (both online and offline) and family. Hopefully you will all bear with me as I'm transitioning and redefining.

Shall we talk about yesterday? There is a CUP conference in town and a few old friends are visiting.

Did you guys know that Don and I met at the campus newspaper? He was my managing editor in my 2nd year and once saved me one of the three baby doll XS t-shirts from a similar conference many years ago. How thoughtful! He used to also grab the frame of the door in the offices and hang from them like a monkey.

And no, we didn't date back then. We were both with other people. Ran into him at a random party years later where I was wing woman for a girlfriend and who did I see in the kitchen? None other than Mr. Don himself. The rest is history.

We had dinner plans with one of the delegates, and upon reading my post about feeling out of whack, Don and Leanne arranged for the get-together to be a little bigger on my behalf. The conference is being held at a hotel that isn't all that transit friendly, so Don went to go pick up the dudes in the car and I biked. There wasn't enough room in the vehicle with Dexter included, and winter Bern needed an inaugural ride.

First things first. Wore a chevron-y striped dress.






And winter biking friendly boots (meaning, ordinary boots).




I thought residential roads would be less busy. There WERE less busy. Brown snow is the reason why.

UGH.




I stuck to the sidewalk and dismounted to walk across intersections. On the way home I just rode on the main street and it was infinitely more fun.




Despite his teething we decided to throw caution to the wind and continue doing what we've been doing since his birth. We just took him with us, argyle cotton arm socks and all (all the other hand coverings were in the wash, so I improvised).




Dexter hadn't seen uncle Matt (scroll to bottom) since last May.




And Dexter is always game for lap time with his dad.




Who doesn't love DaCapo pizza? Too bad he can't eat these kinds of solids yet.






It's such a great place. Perfect location. Loud enough so your baby can cry and nobody will really notice. Killer gelato.






Clean plates mean delicious food.




The helmet.




Then outside.




Tons of ambulances were going by.




It was a fun night with Kona, baby, and friends.