When the dust settles...

... it is still the real thing. For the past week, Kevin and I have battled the completion of one beast of a project, an intense head cold and coordinating our friends for my 27th birthday festivities this weekend.

Considering I had the head cold and Kevin had the rest of it, I fared better. He never ceases to amaze. Ever since I met him, I've always said that he is impressive. And my birthday was no exception. We spent a lovely Saturday with 8 of our closest friends jetting from one winery to the next in a kick ass limo, complete with fried chicken and beer.

There are so many stories I don't know where to start. I think it is the final one that says it all. We all crashed at my parent's house. All 10 of us scattered throughout the house. Since I was one of the last to turn in, I got the floor. Kevin shortly followed. I woke up with him next to me in my makeshift nest with an empty couch immediately to my left.

The conversation went like this:

Me: "Baby, why didn't you sleep on the couch?"

Him: "I wasn't going to let you sleep on the floor by yourself."

It just proves that when the dust settles and my birthday fades to black I already have the best present. A man who loves me enough to bypass the couch and sleep right beside me on the floor. It is so simple but sometimes the hardest thing to do. He's with me - straightforward, honest and without measure.

To many more simple days :)

HP

Norman | August 2008

Today, he looks like this... still adoreable - all 80 plus pounds of him. :)

Norman | August 2007

I forgot how darn cute this dog was when we got him. It has been a year. A full year... wow!

Discipline

It has been almost eight months since I've written a blog post. It might as well be an eternity for any blog.

Mostly because I didn't have the discipline or the courage to write everything down. There are thoughts I don't want to read... ever. I also wanted to spend the time living rather than writing, thinking, postulating or for goodness sakes, talking.

The joy of being a PR professional is you lose your will to speak after 7 p.m. This is probably why my relationship with Kevin works out so well. There are other reasons, my reasons. And I happen to find that very cool.

I am going to pick up the pieces and start writing again. Because well, that is what this life is about... trying again.

love,
HP

Out of the closet!

It is official. I am including a photo of Kevin and me - face first. Don't freak out. There are only three people that read this blog. And if Norman's face didn't add readership, nothing will.

Speaking of, here is a photo of THE NORM, eating Santa:

Are more people reading now? Because I wanted to start out with the goods. Why come out of the closet? Very simple. I ran out of photos hiding my face. And besides, hotpokkets, in general, are about the things you forget. The twist on this "hotpokket" blog is I write about what I remember. I know, brillant. ;)

Here is what I remember about the holidays. I had an awesome weekend in NYC with Lindsay. We had a Paris-inspired day, complete with french art, french food and french manicures. Hella good.

Since Lindsay's birthday falls close to the holidays, we always try to get together. Something to know about HP, I LOVE ME SOME BIRTHDAYS. Which is why, as Lindsay was out to dinner and people are arriving for hersurprise party, I convince myself to blow up as many balloons as possible. Because, hello, more balloons means more fun. Nope. I was so lightheaded after the performance, I knocked over the entire bowl of eggnog. And no, I wasn't in heels. I had to promptly put myself to bed, as I could barely carry a conversation.

For Christmas, I spent an awesome few days with my Dad and his wife. I love it out there. We had the best time together and it was really nice to just chill on the couch for hours. I love them so much for giving me space to simply not have to worry about everything. I get to check out.

With new years fast approaching, I boarded four, count'em, four planes to get to Aspen. Long story, but you know it well. It is your standard holiday travel hoopla. Regardless, Aspen is simply breathtaking. I met Kevin and his family there and stayed with them. It was freezing, but stunning. I skied blues and tried not to kill myself. The whole trip was like nothing I've ever experienced.

But most importantly, I had the best new years of my life. I was so happy, in pictures when I smiled, you can see my bottom teeth. Hence the above photo.

Happy New Year! May 2008 bring you lots of big toothy grins.

Love,

HP

All good things must...

...result in sickness. 2007 was a great year. So much so that I have a kick ass hotpokket to write yet am recovering from a lingering cold. I've been in NYC, Apsen and back again to DC. My life is just awful. ;)

My new year's resolution this year is to train for a half marathon and stop dillydalling and blog more!

Stay tuned... I will be back this weekend. Oh, and HAPPY FRICKEN NEW YEAR! 2008, yes, so exciting!

-HP

Going Mute

It has been almost a month since I've posted a hotpokket. I'd apologize and invent a good excuse, but I don't have one.

For the first week, I decided it was because Kevin likes it when I include pictures and I couldn't decide on a photo worthy of the first week of co-habitation... I mean do large cardboard boxes scream exciting to you?

The second week, I was just too damn tired to talk, let alone write. In addition to working, we painted two rooms, installed a light fixture, re-did our entire closet and dealt with a dog that had severe diarrhea.

The third week was Thanksgiving. And it was time for Kevin and I to go to our separate corners - his in Kansas City and mine in St. Pete Beach. For this past week, I checked out of all imaginable responsibilities and threw out the list.

Today is the second day back home. It feels like home. And the dog has recovered. Thank Gawd. And I missed the shit out of Kevin, which "they" tell me is a good sign.

I've decided that it is simply too hard for me to capture the one hotpokket that demonstrates where and what life is like for me right now. It is too new. And for those of you that know me and know me well, I've spent a lot of time analyzing, understanding situations and people, which mostly resulted in a lot of accepting, even though at moments I didn't agree or like it.

For the first time, I want to live moments without my inner dialogue. Am I doing the right thing? Is this going to back fire? How do I know I know is what I know?

Two of my dear friends got engaged over this past holiday weekend - Ms. Holly and Ms. Rita. I am so happy for you two! What I find most interesting is your experience and your new fiances.

Holly and Juan have been together for over seven years. Rita and Joel first met in April of this year.

The point is time doesn't really matter. Or at least time isn't what makes or breaks a situation. Whether a relationship succeeds is unique to each person and their experience and comprehension of what works for them.

There isn't a perfect formula. How awesome is that?!

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year. I love, love it! May you all know how precious you are and how much you are cared for by those who love you, always.

You mean the world to me!

If I could offer one lesson learned this year it would be don't waste your time trying to fit a round peg in a square hole. Protect and support all that you are, cut the rip cord and just fucking go for it.

And don't think about it so much...that bit is for me!

hugs!

HP