everydayjill

G and I had a girls' night last night. My mother was in town with a woman, Judy, whom she works with. We met the two of them and Jackie, one of mom' s closest friends, for dinner on the 16th street mall. I forget how much I LOOOOOOVE Denver until I am in one of the cool areas.
We ate at Marlowe's, which happens to be next to the Paramount Theater. Fabulous people watching, both in the restaurant and right outside...Yummy food that makes me wish I was a food critic. Then I could fill my blog with all sorts of tidbits about my crisp Valley of the Moon Pinot Blanc, blackened amberjack that even a confirmed fish-hater could love, authentic New York style cheesecake in a delicate black cherry sauce...
Actually, the star of the show was definitely the  Shirley Temple. Two of those, and G was in rare form. A little giggly, a little goofy from sugar overload, and G was truly the highlight of my evening. We drive each other so crazy sometimes that I forget she is actually a lot of fun to hang out with. We spent a couple of hours with Nana and her friends, watched all of the cool contraptions at the Niketown store, rode in a RAMSHACKLE (that is a G word, but methinks they are called rickshaws or pedi-cabs), went to Tattered Cover, got completely lost in a magical neighborhood (note to self, I want to live off of Lowell Street in the Highland Neighborhood when I grow up), and then had a great conversation-filled ride home.
Now, back to that velvety cheesecake lovingly draped in a black cherry infusion...

1) Ninety-eight percent of the world should be banned from wearing  a bikini. That includes tankinis and monokinis.

2) Actually, monokinis should be outlawed completely. Who thought those things up? Only a supermodel could get away with them, and even THEY would look better in something else...

3) Just because the flesh is bare, doesn't mean it should be covered up by a tattoo. More tattooed flesh passes through the gates of Elitches than my poor little brain can fathom.  Loving a well-done tat, but the other ninety-seven percent... All I can say is , learn how to spell, people! "Daaddy's girl" tattooed across your ample chest is enough to give someone like me a nervous tic.
 
4) Less soda, more water. I am thinking that America has serious issues, and NOT doing the Dew might be a step in the right direction.

5) Putting greasy barbecue kiosk by the killer swirling, twirling, tilting, rolling over ride- not the best idea. More garbage cans and bathrooms in the BBQ stand's place- excellent idea.

6)  Beauty can be found absolutely ANYWHERE. In the dirty outdoor dining area of a faux fifties diner, I was grossed out enough that I became one of THOSE women who wipes the seat and table down before she will sit at it. And then I noticed the most amazing thing. A beautiful mama bird bringing food to her babies in a truly intricate little nest. Right above my head, wedged in a rafter. She was such a wonder to watch that I forgot I was in a greasy gross place. Absolutely beautiful.

7) Airbrushed tattoos- wow. In a brangelina moment, I watched the amount of people getting these stupidly expensive things and thought about the small countries we could provide immunizations and food to with the money being wasted on TEMPORARY body art. 

8) Riding scary out-of-control roller coasters is an amazing thing. Hanging upside down, going in frantic teacup circles, flying down ginormous hills at the speed of light- these things can make one forget about mortgages and medical bills and grown-up things.

9) Watching the thrill of a good scary ride on your kids' faces is priceless! G is fearless and will ride ANYTHING, which is one of my favorite qualities about her. N is much much more cautious, so when the child rides a ride, it is a big deal!

10) I am happy to be among the smart people who know that we should not be wearing bikinis. Thank God for one-pieces, and the wisdom to know when to wear them.

We survived G's birthday! The girl had a BLAST, from her chosen birthday breakfast of biscuits and sausage gravy to her very own IPOD to her eleven hour jaunt through Elitches. Roller coasters and water rides and concerts, oh my.
Learned lots of life lessons at Elitches- to be continued later...

G now has the coolest kid bed ever- heck, i would even be excited about this bed and i am 'older than dirt'...