Hi, MIA

I haven't posted in such a long time, I feel weird.

Freeze my head, please

I turn 35 tomorrow. I have mixed feelings about it. I wish I knew the little I know now, when I was younger. Here's a list of the things I would tell the me in my 20's:

1. Everyone will always have an opinion about what you do, wear, or say, and those opinions will never, ever be one of uniform support. So, while you may not be able to forget about what others think, at least try to enjoy everything you're doing while you're doing it.

2. You don't have to be the world's premier expert at something to continue to do it.

3. Failing does NOT mean you are a failure.

4. You do not need to lose any weight.

5. Don't give your amazing dog, Truman, away after you have children.

6. Be choosy about who you date. Don't be flattered just because some guy talks to you.

7. You are attractive and have a lot to offer. Stand tall and be proud of yourself.

8. Call your youngest sister. Remember that you love her.

9. Even if you have to beg, borrow, or steal, scrape up enough money to attend the destination wedding of your best friend from high school.

10. You are capable of making smart decisions and controlling your destiny.

11. Find a little company that goes by the name Google, Inc. in Menlo Park, California (Palo Alto, after 1999). Offer to enter data, answer phones, mop the floors, clean the bathrooms, anything in exchange for stock options.

12. You're not shallow by thinking you need money to be happy - you're smart. While money doesn't guarantee happiness, it sure makes it easier to find happiness.

13. I've sent you $7000 via a time machine that looks like your microwave. Use the cash to get a boob job. A really good one. And don't go with the double Ds.

No. 1 Kitchen

I love my power drill. I thought lovingly about it this morning, recalling the ease with which I drilled holes for the handles in my new kitchen cabinets last night. The drill also screws in screws in a marvelously quick and easy fashion. Anything that makes a job quick and easy is A, number 1 in my book. That's why I love my egg steamer/toaster, microwave, dishwasher, hand blender, apple corer, Google, email, text messaging, and DVR/Tivo.

My contractor is here right now, putting in my sink! I am so happy about that. It's a beautiful new sink too - glossy white porcelain, farmhouse-style. I couldn't be more pleased with it. My kitchen is mostly modern, toned down by some cottage-y elements - stainless steel appliances, plain white cabinetry with stainless steel handles, steel cabinet legs in lieu of toekicks, shelving on the walls instead of wall cabinets, butcher block countertops, farmhouse sink, wood floors. I'm thinking of painting one wall a pumpkin/paprika color, one wall a faint sky blue, and the others a glossy white.

Yes, I am aware this post sounds very pretentious and yuppie. HOWEVER, I chose everything for its reasonable price. I didn't get marble or granite countertops, although I love the look of white Carrera marble. My cabinets are from Ikea and are not custom-made. I assembled and put the cabinets in myself. My dad and I gutted the kitchen. So, anyway, when it's all done, you're all invited over for a kitchen-warming party! And I'm not even registered at Pottery Barn.

Some stuff

Had my first interview today. I liked them very much, particularly the hiring partner, who is a very well-regarded litigator in this state. They said good things, like "If we don't call you right away, don't think we're not interested. We go slowly on these things." And "If you get another offer from another firm, call us right away and we'll speed up the process." And "You'll find that you'll have no problem meeting your billable hours." Sounds promising, but I won't be excited until I get a call that goes something like "Welcome to the firm! You'll be making twice what you're currently making, i.e. a living wage!"

Blahblah. I feel blah today, overwhelmed a bit, out of sorts. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I have no functioning kitchen at the moment (getting new cabinets & sink put in) and I have to wash my dishes in the bathroom sink.

I am not Demi Moore

The Judge has a new intern, who is 23 years old, entering his second year of law school, has lovely white teeth, and looks smashing in a business suit. My co-clerk and I went to lunch with him today and, there, found out that he can cook the perfect omelet, make a good cup of coffee, eat, wash the dishes, and be out the door, all within 10 minutes' time. Have mercy.

1 for 3

Got an interview for next Tuesday at a firm downtown. It's the 19th largest law firm in Baltimore, around 45 attorneys.

Father's Day

Yesterday, my dad came over to my house while my girls were at their paternal grandparents' house. He came over bearing tools and the capability to help me tear out my kitchen cabinets. I saw him at the front door and I was sort of shocked at how little my dad looked. Short, slim, old. Briefly, I felt sad, but brushed that feeling away like a cobweb in my face. It was the first father-daughter time we've had in decades, probably. We worked in silence, me taking out the cooktop stove, him taking out the garbage disposal and sink plumbing. He liked my supply of tools in my Bucket Boss organizer. He also said that I do good work on this sort of thing for a girl; these are both great complements from my dad, so inside I felt all shiny.

When my girls came home, Char had made a card for her dad, who she did not see. I don't know what he was doing, but he didn't visit with the girls. Maybe there was an emergency in the dog food aisle. She also took $1.00 of her allowance, made her granddad take her to the store, and bought her dad one of those chocolate-covered cherries wrapped in red foil, the kind you can buy just one of, near the cash registers ("Because Daddy LOVES those!"). I can't bear to look at the card, because I know what's in there. Every year, Char makes a card for her dad, and on the inside is a drawing of her holding hands with him. There are birds flying all around, the sun is happily shining, and bees are buzzing around. My heart breaks for her every year.