Hi there.

How are you? I’ve been running, spent some QT with Mr. SOTSS and yesterday I had an epic milkshake. Yeah, I said epic.I know the word gets overused, but I mean it. I’m not being dramaticOK, let me back up and tell you about my week first and then we’ll get back to that milkshake.

RUNNING

I had another solid week in freelance-ville and like last week, I was able to get a few short runs in on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and the theme for all 3 was HOT and HUMID!

HOT and sweaty...the pits don't lie

HOT and sweaty…the pits don’t lie

 

Thursday trail run because shade was necessary

Thursday trail run because shade was necessary

Sunday pictureless 4

Sunday pictureless 4

RELATIONSHIPS

I ended up seeing Mr. SOTSS 4 days straight which is a lot for us unless we’re on vacation. It was lovely though. We went shopping so I could to pick out a birthday gift for his daughter, spent lots of time with the pooches, rented a movie (we saw Room—and it was really good!) and just enjoyed a whole lot of conversation. He even made me coffee in the mornings and cooked Sunday dinner for us.

The dogs fell asleep while we watched the movie. I think they were hoping we could rent the Secret Life of Pets.

The dogs fell asleep while we watched the movie. I think they were hoping we could rent the Secret Life of Pets.

After walking in the rain. Not amused

After walking in the rain. Not amused

Duncan loves his "PapaG"

Duncan loves his “PapaG”

We’ve been together now just over 2 years. The first 3 months were truly the “get to know each other” months. Dates were once every couple of weeks and eventually we added in our every Thursday evening weekly date. Somewhere over the next month or so things really clicked and we knew this wasn’t a casual dating scenario anymore. We really complement each other so well and I’m so grateful that he is in my life, and I am in his.

I told you his smile is as big as the smiley emoticon I usually use to cover his face.

I told you his smile is as big as the smiley emoticon I usually use to obscure his face.

We obviously don’t live together (we don’t even live in the same state—although we’re only 30 minutes away) but we make sure to take the time now to talk about how it will be to share a home in the future. We’re really clear with each other about things we will need, want, be willing to compromise on, etc. It sounds so silly but you can never be too prepared. I’ve lived alone since my husband died in 1999. In 2000, I purchased my home which is my haven and my pride and joy. I love having my own space and I’m not the most flexible when I’m out of my element.

Returning to my home sweet home yesterday

Returning to my home sweet home yesterday

So I let him know that it would be imperative for me to have a separate space for my graphic design studio that would also be set up as a mini apartment for me, a place I can escape to (and hide my stash of peppermint patties so he can’t find them 🙂 . I envision it like a little cottage in the backyard with a pathway of scattered stones leading up to it. Lots of windows because I love natural light! And he will have his shop/garage where he can do his woodworking and home reno projects and work on his car. He’s volunteered to be make the beds and I’ll be the Swiffer-er! The good thing about meeting later in life is that we really have the wisdom and the determination to make a relationship work. Communication, compromise and above all mutual respect and kindness.

MILKSHAKE MADNESS
And now I’ll tell you about the milkshake that changed my life. My sister-in-law emailed me last week asking if I was going to be free yesterday because she wanted to take my niece to this restaurant in the city called Black Tap that she heard about that had some amazing milkshakes. I told her yes which meant doing some work over the weekend so I’d have the window of free time yesterday. We arrived at Black Tap about 30 minutes before they opened and there was already a line to get in. It was a short line and we were seated almost immediately after they opened. I hear that if you try and go later in the day you could wait 2 hours!

black-tap-milkshake

Yes that’s a chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich attached to the side of the glass like a garnish!

black-tap-cookie-shake

cookie milkshake from Black Tap

My sister in law got the black forrest shake. It was chocolate everywhere with brownies on top. Tasted very much like black forrest cake

My sister in law got the black forrest shake. It was chocolate everywhere with brownies on top. Tasted very much like black forrest cake

I got the chocolate chip cookie shake. It was a vanilla milkshake with mini chocolate chips and cookie crumbles tossed in. There was also an entire ice cream sandwich attached to it. And chocolate frosting and cookie crumbs were covering the outside of the glass along the rim.

I got the chocolate chip cookie shake. It was a vanilla milkshake with mini chocolate chips and cookie crumbles tossed in. There was also an entire ice cream sandwich attached to it. And chocolate frosting and cookie crumbs were covering the outside of the glass along the rim.

Niece got the cotton candy shake. It was a strawberry milkshake with insane amounts of sweets on top. Rock candy and lollipops and cotton candy.

Niece got the cotton candy shake. It was a strawberry milkshake with insane amounts of sweets on top. Rock candy and lollipops and cotton candy.

My niece who now towers over me. I'm a shortie. She's a beauty.

My niece who now towers over me. I’m a shortie. She’s a beauty.

How cool is this shot I took of a door to the building the restaurant is in

How cool is this shot I took of a door to the building the restaurant is in

And now I am off to my couch to work…..oh wait….I’m already there 😉

Happy Tuesday! Happy August! Happy Summer!

What’s the most epic dessert you’ve ever had?
Are you good at relationships? Can you compromise?
How have your running workouts been lately?

7 Comments

  1. good insightful post to read at this point in my life and relationship! THat milkshake is incredible, but may I ask for details about those cute black sandals?

  2. I will back you up and confirm that those milkshakes were life changing. The cotton candy won the vote for most beautiful. The black and white won for most delicious chocolate shake, and the cookie shake won the best shake overall.

  3. This is such a great post and you weren’t kidding about the epic milkshake! You look so incredibly happy and I wish you all the best in your relationship!

  4. OMG – that milkshake looks unreal! I’m literally drooling.
    Running has been great for me. I have great beach trails by my house and they are so relaxing.

  5. Pingback: Running route shake up and anxiety lift -

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