Home again, home again

I'm not sure why I can't just revel in happiness, but it's just not a skill I possess. We arrived back on the cape sometime around 2pm today and the reality that I am back to my normal everyday existence has sent me spiraling into some kind of withdrawal/depression. This weekend may have been the best birthday of my life. The only one that may be comparable was my 10Th. And that's only because I got a 4 wheeler, a new bicycle and a pair of grey and pink chucks.

A few key facts about my birthday that you should know before delving into this. 1) It always rains 2) It's typically the most depressing day of the year for me 3) It always rains.

So Saturday morning Scott and I headed out to Vermont. We didn't really have an agenda, I don't like agendas. They make me feel pressured and anxious. Scott booked us a room for Saturday night at The Inn at Shelburne Farms . Shelburne Farms is one of my favorite spots ever. It's incredibly beautiful and there are chickens, sheep, goats, cows, pigs and they are all well taken care of. If you've never been you should go. I can't put into words how rad it is. And get cheese, and bacon don't forget the bacon!

The inn was really cool to be in. How often do you get to stay in a mansion that was built in the 1800's? And 75% of the furnishings are original. So it was pretty novel to be spending the night there. We had 8:30 reservations to eat at their fancy pants restaurant. We didn't fit in, at all. It actually became sort of hilarious. When one of the 4 different people to tend to us came by and shoved "cold rabe from the garden" on our table in little shot glasses we just stared at each other.

"What do you do with this?"

"Drink it?"

"Nope, doesn't smell drinkable."

"Why is it warm? It came right after the bread do we dip our bread in it?"

"It's got curry in it."

"Just ignore it. It will go away."

Later on I watched the diners who sat next to us when theirs was delivered. They drank it down, and marveled at how wonderful it was. Ooops. Maybe next time?

The food was quite good. Though it was so dark I couldn't fully inspect my chicken to make sure there was no pink. I am obsessive about my food and I swear one of the pieces was practically raw. I didn't eat that one, and I'm feeling fine so I think I'm safe. By the time we were finished with dinner it was 10:30. We retired to our room and went to sleep. It was a long day, and we're officially old people now.

The next day was my birthday. I was greeted with a flurry of awesome text messages and a musical voice mail. Scott and I checked out of the Inn and went to Winooski to have breakfast at "Sneakers". We fit it much better there. The kid who brought us to our table complimented me on my clash shirt and I dined on Kahlua dipped french toast and a fresh fruit cup which was (much to my delight) more strawberry and blueberry than various types of melon. I also had coffee and I don't think it was "Green Mountain". Green Mountain Coffee is my only problem with Vermont. That stuff SUCKS. I refuse to drink it and it's EVERYWHERE. I get it, support your state. I love that about Vermont. Local, local local. But guys...your coffee is no good. For real. It's just as bad a Starbucks, and I wouldn't drink Starbucks when I worked there and it was FREE!*

After that it was off to the record stores. Mmmmhmm. I scored "Combat Rock" and "Shock Troops" on vinyl. As well as "Thriller" and "Off the Wall" (best MJ albums EVER!) a Jackson Five album and Scott bought me Crystal Castles when I wasn't looking. Scott fucking rules. Then we went to "City Market" and perused the merch and the customers. This metal kid named "Ivan" (I'm not convinced that is his real name) sold us our T-Shirts. Scott and I have been acquiring a lot of matching T-shirts lately. One day we are going to slip up, wear them on the same day and look like total tools.

Then we took off back to Shelburne and checked into our second inn. The Heart of the Village Inn
I know it's a lame name but it was a pretty sweet place. And apparently we were the only ones staying there that night that were NOT a part of Robert Redford's daughters wedding. Yeah...random.

Then we went out walking around. There is a cool little bookstore, toy store and country store all right there. I bought "Candy Girl" and Armageddon in Retrospect. I also picked up unicorn band aids for Sierra (or were they more for me?) and a Fairy Doll making kit that later turned into a major cause of child meltdown. I'm always great for picking out that sort of thing....

Then we went out to birthday dinner. For years I've wanted to go to Al's . I can't explain my love of diners but it's strong. Milkshakes and burgers, black, white and red color schemes. I don't know, I just love it. What can I say? I had a grilled cheese that was made on a burger bun and cost 91 cents and a cup of fries. Scott had a two dollar double cheeseburger, a cup of fries and a vanilla milkshake. After we got creemies (it's just soft serve. No idea why they call it that) and purchased and delivered a red bull for the overworked/ underpaid pregnant girl who was working a 13 hour shift that day. **

On the way back to the Bed and Breakfast we saw a rainbow. Shortly before that I had glanced over at Scott. He was wearing his newly purchased "Al's French Fry's" Hat and he had put bluegrass on. I don't know who it was, I always assume all Bluegrass is the Stanley brothers but it probably wasn't them at all. Regardless, I looked over at him and I thought "This is why I love Scott. Who else would be so proudly wearing an "Al's french fry" hat and jamming out to bluegrass in a grandma car?" No one...just Scott.

Anyhow, it was nearly 8 o' clock and it hadn't rained all day. I was pretty sure I had tricked the universe by temporarily relocating for my birthday.

We took showers and put on those big cushy robes they always have in Bed and Breakfasts and fancy hotels. I never use them, but damn it, it was birthday! I was going to lounge in a robe! We positioned ourselves in our king size bed and got to reading our new books. I am half way through "Candy Girl" and highly recommend it. Finally it was time for bed, and almost the exact anniversary of my birth. I was born at 10:36pm. As we were milling about getting ready for bed all of the sudden the sky opened up and it began to downpour. I glanced at the clock...10:36. Perhaps I hadn't quite tricked the universe after all. Well, at least it held out until my bed time.

The entire trip was great. I feel so spoiled and I'm not at all used to it. I have new records, books, DVDs, tshirts and memories. Turning 29 might have been one of the best days of my life....

*When I worked at Starbucks we got a lb a free coffee a week. Most of the time I never bothered to get it because I wouldn't drink that crap if you paid me.

**I'm pretty sure pregnant chicks aren't supposed to have energy drinks. But Scott said one red bull wouldn't hurt this lady's fetus. I got her the small can, just in case.