Last Week in Rewind – Tampa, Spring Break & More Captain

My best friend, Beth, lives in Tampa and recently had a baby.  Unfortunately, there were some complications during the labor and with the baby’s health.  Beth is originally from Miami and does not have family in Tampa.  So as she was recovering from her C-section, I went to Tampa to help her with the daily activities she could not take care of.  What did this mean?  I was Beth’s bitch. 😉

Last week was Spring Break in Miami for public schools.  Rather than take the kids with me, Grayheart stayed with them in Miami.  He’s been traveling so much lately that it kind of was a good way for them to spend quality time together.  Plus, he gets a taste of what I go through on a regular basis!

Prior to my visit to Tampa, I made a detour, headed South and stayed the night with Captain.  When I arrived, he had a lovely bottle of champagne and fresh fruit waiting for me.  We had a nice, casual outing at a burger joint and then hung out at his house.  Needless to say, I needed no caffeine for my drive to Tampa that next morning since I was on such a high!  (Soooo worth the extra hour out of my way!)

The week in Tampa consisted of dropping Beth’s older kids off at their elementary school and then heading over to the NICU to be there with her newborn.  Although it’s pretty mundane to write about, it was a really nice week.  I was able to bond with my best friend during the delicate time, see the baby and spend time with my niece and nephew.  By the end of the week, the baby was doing incredibly well and the hospital staff was floored with his recovery.   (As of today, baby has gone home and is doing very well!)

When I returned from Tampa, Captain came to visit me at my house the night after my arrival.  It sounds so crazy but I tucked the kids into bed, shut their doors, put up the child safety gate to block them from escaping that part of the house and then played hostess once everyone was fast asleep.  I then had the opportunity to greet him with champagne, strawberries and a candlelit bedroom… He left before midnight and the kids continued to sleep soundly in their rooms.  I felt like a sneak with my little at-home rendezvous but what’s a girl to do when she’s limited on babysitting options?

As a side note, I did “hide” my Match profile (a cautious deliberate step prior to deactivating the account) and I found out Captain ended up cancelling his service.  =)   Seemed like a nice move in the right direction.

This Week’s Mantra:   I have decided I’m going to own being a MILF!!! 😉

 

 

Last Week in Rewind – St. Paddy’s, Pests, Wicked & Wine

Last week was full of fun activities even though it started with a curveball!

Monday – Lice struck again. FML.  My best friend called me that she found it on her daughter and that I should check She-ra.  Of course, I found some on her.  I am SO over these little fuckers.  I took her straight to a professional lice clinic and spent the $150 to get it treated and guaranteed. Ain’t nobody got time for that.  So, by the end of the day, we were officially lice free in my house.  Which then led me to indulge in some serious retail therapy.  New shoes and clothes were what I needed to feel better. 😉

Tuesday – St Patrick’s Day!  I joined Jazz and my cousins for a night of green filled fun!  We went out to a bar that plays music and pretty much danced and drank the whole night.  Which was then followed by our weekly late night Dr. Phil session.  Jazz is recovering from a bad breakup last year with a long term boyfriend.  We tend to go grab something to eat after our nights out which started turning into lengthy therapy chats.  This one was no different but you can really sense our progress!

Wednesday – I’d found a great deal through Living Social for discounted tickets to see Wicked, which I’d been dying to see.  So my mother, aunt, cousin and I all went to see it.  

The show was playing at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Downtown Miami.  It’s a beautiful theater and the energy is just so great there!

 

The show was amazing!  We had a phenomenal time!  I’m sure many of you have seen it before but I was so moved by the performances and songs.  I recommend seeing it if you have not, especially if you are a fan of The Wizard of Oz.

Friday – Date night with Captain consisted of a lovely evening at Schnebly’s Winery.  We tried the beer and wine tastings and then had a delicious dinner outdoors while watching folks sing karaoke. 

Just a side note about this place, they are a winery and brewery but the unique thing is they do not use grapes for their wine.  They use all sorts of local fruit such as avocado, mango, lychee, etc.  I didn’t particularly care for their beer or wine but the staff was very friendly and well informed on their stuff.  And the food was excellent. 

  

It was a wonderfully romantic evening. We had great conversation and it was nice to be in a relaxing atmosphere just enjoying each other.  I really am smitten. 

Sometimes I can’t believe how different my life has become.  Seven months ago I thought my life had fallen apart.  I knew that everything would be okay but it was hard to picture happy moments.  I still struggle a bit with waiting for the bubble to burst.  As if good things eventually go bad…but I’m working on keeping those negative thoughts at bay.  I’m doing my best to live in the moment.

So although I started off the week with pesky invaders, I had a fabulous week! 

This week’s mantra:  Stop telling yourself that it’s all too good to be true!

Last Week in Rewind – Dating

The theme for my previous week seems to be “dating.”

I decided to give Julius a chance for a first date since he seemed to be such a nice guy.  I felt a bit guilty because I’d really been talking and seeing Captain quite a bit.

Tuesday – My kids were staying the night with Grayheart – for the first time at his new place! – and I was going to have my first evening home alone.  It was strange…I was looking forward to the break and a night of uninterrupted rest yet a little glum that this divorce milestone had now been reached.

I met Julius up for drinks and dinner at a cafe in a nice part of town.  I was, of course, late.  But only by 10 minutes!  My first impression was that he was a clean-cut, intelligent, good looking man.  He instantly told me I was beautiful and continued with sweet compliments throughout the evening.  (Flattery will get you everywhere with me!)  I felt comfortable with him and could tell he was a nice guy.  

He’s Cuban, divorced and family oriented so we shared plenty in common.  He’s a teacher and seems to be very passionate about what he does.  But he’s looking for a relationship; someone to share his life with.  I just couldn’t picture myself as that person.  I didn’t feel that sizzle with him that I have with Captain.  I quickly ended the night after we were done with dinner and then prayed he didn’t try to kiss me.  Which I knew right there was a bad sign.  He asked to see me again while we exchanged our good-byes.  I didn’t have the heart to say no. (I know, I suck.  I just have a hard time hurting people’s feelings.).  I didn’t commit to an actual date but I left it open as a possibility.

The restaurant we went to, by the way, had some great quotes on the restroom walls!   

 

I did not tell Captain about my date with Julius but on Wednesday we got into the topic of dating since I had another date scheduled with a different guy (Sonny).  And I thought it fair to share it with him at this point.  

Yeah, that didn’t go so well. 

Captain was like “Oh, ok, sure. Go ahead and date.”  I could tell that he was not pleased.  Part of me – okay, most of me – told him just to see what his reaction would be.  Just to see if he was dating others (which he advised he was not) and if he cared if I would.  He cares.  And without having to outright ask it of me, I told him I was not interested in spending my limited time out with a bunch of random guys if I knew I enjoyed spending time with him.  Not that we are looking to move fast or have a serious relationship but I don’t want to be sleeping around or trying to balance multiple men if I really am having fun with a particular guy.  (Note to self: Change my Match profile to “hidden”.)

Thursday –  So I cancelled my date with Sonny.  And met with Captain for dinner.   We met up midway and had dinner at a really fun kitschy restaurant that I’d heard about called “White Lion Cafe.”

 

We had such a great time!  I swear, just being near him makes me want to devour him.  Damn guy has crazy sex appeal and we just have the best chemistry together.  And it’s not just physical with us.  We talk and have fun and seem to really enjoy being around each other.  

And since I’ve been in a naughty mood as of late, I’ll share that we ended our night getting busy in the back of his truck. 😏

Don’t judge me.  Yes, I know I’ve regressed into a teenaged girl.  Let me have my fun! 😉

Friday came and I needed to recover!

Saturday – Captain asked me to lunch and drove up to Miami to see me.  We had a fantastic lunch and then went to a nearby mall to walk around and shop.  

My kids were with my parents so I invited him back to my house.  Which I felt slightly strange about but I really wanted to get rid of the ghost of Grayheart in my house.  I could tell Captain felt a bit awkward about it as well while there.  He later shared that he was uncomfortable and felt like he was disrespecting another man’s house.  As much as I appreciate and understand the sentiment,  it annoyed me.  Captain didn’t annoy me.  Grayheart annoyed me.  (I need to speed up my damn divorce process.)

That night I went to my girlfriend’s house for a St. Patrick themed party.  There were about 7 couples and their kids as well as me and mine.  Kids played in the backyard and adults drank and ate.  We had a fantastic time.  Great hosts, great company, great food… just a great night altogether.  

It was a good week, friends!  Mama is getting her groove back! 😉

Mantra that week:  Who says you can’t have a life after divorce?

Last Week in Rewind – Getting Funky, Dating & Full Moon Parties

I’m a bit behind blogging lately.  I think working, kids, illnesses, trying to maintain a social life and actually dating is starting to catch up to me!  Once I put the kids to bed, I’m so tired I can’t even keep my eyes open to be able to jump on a computer.

Here’s my attempt at catching you all up on the highlights of last week.  It was a fun week. 🙂

Wednesday – Captain asked me out to dinner and drove his little cute bum up to see me.  I was a little bit worried that maybe the second date wouldn’t go quite as perfectly as the first one.

Well, no sophomore slumps here!  First thing he said when he picked me up was “Damn, I forgot just how beautiful you were.”  (Pick me up off the floor, y’all.)   That started it all off right!  We had drinks at a bar and then dinner at a gastropub by the name of Barley & Swine.  Great drinks + great food + great conversation + sexy man + fabulous goodbye makeout session = Perfect night for me.  I can’t say enough good things at this point.  I’m enjoying this early dating phase where everything is perfect!

Thursday – Grayheart was on travel last weekend for work so my typical “Friday Night Fun” turned into “Thursday Night Fun!”  (Side note… Can’t you kinda already see why my marriage was so challenging with his travel?)

My girlfriend, Jazz, and I decided to spend our night of fun and debauchery at a club in Little Havana (in Miami) known as “Hoy Como Ayer.”  They had a live band called “Spam All Stars” that plays a mean Afro-Cuban/Latin funk infused with hip hop and salsa.  Totally awesome!  It was my first time seeing them and they rock!  We danced and had a blast.

Saturday – I had my THIRD date with Captain.  This time I went to the Keys to visit him.  He’d been wanting to take me to something called a “Full Moon Party” that occurs once a month.  Luck had it that it fell this particular weekend. He had a most romantic evening planned for us…

A few bottles of Moët & Chandon and fruit were waiting for me when I arrived.  We drank our bubbly while sitting on his deck overlooking the water.  He then took us to our dinner reservation at a fabulous restaurant where we shared food and great stories.  The next stop was the Full Moon Party on the beach.  VIP treatment, fireworks, performers, drinks, dancing… it was SO much fun!  I, also, met all his best friends.  We all got along really well and you can rest assured that I wiggled my bottom to show off that I was an old pro on the dance floor.

So, how did we end the night, you ask?  More champagne and a most memorable evening at his house.  Screw my year of celibacy.  OH. MY. GAWD.  HOW. DID. I. GET. SO. LUCKY?

I’m still in a haze over last week.   It was just ah-mazing.  Seriously.  Pinch me, I’m dreaming.

Last Week’s Mantra:  I am on such a high right now.  ENJOY THE NOW!!!

Car Insurance $@#%

I received a sucker punch right in the gut today.

My car insurance company called me to let me know that since Grayheart moved out during this marital transition, I will be losing status – or certain things – on my policy.  He had updated his mailing address which set off all sorts of alarms for the insurance company.

I lose a damn discount for having a multi car policy as well as the discount for being married.  I have an excellent driving record, mind you.  Yet my policy went up $45 per month.(Grayheart loses the discounts as well, by the way.)  Just burns me up.

I also need to eventually look into my own health insurance once we are legally divorced.

Funny how you take certain things for granted.   I would not have thought about my auto policy had he not contacted them.  It’s fine that he did but it’s nonetheless annoying.

Thanks for letting me blow some steam!  I’m off now to go drive recklessly in only the way a single woman can!

Friday Night Fun – First Date with Captain

OMG!

I had the BEST first date experience with Captain of Match!

Let me back up though and just share how the night started.

Remember my things to do list?  Massive fail.  My hair was great but the manicurist who did my mani/pedi was blind as a bat and took forever to do my nails.  Which set off a chain reaction and eventually caused me to be almost 30 minutes late!

I rushed through my beautification process and threw on make up and got dressed.  And smudged my nails in the process.  So the very thing that made me late was completely a waste of time because I RUINED it!

I threw everything in my car into my trunk.  (I’m afraid to open it for fear of it spitting it all back out at me!)  And drove like a mad woman to the place.

I looked nice but it wasn’t my ‘A’ game.  It was like my ‘B’ game.  And I absolutely loathe being in a hurry.  So I was frazzled and nervous as hell when I parked.  Terrible first impression if your date is already 25 minutes late.  (Mind you, he drove an hour and twenty minutes to see me.)

Our plan was to meet at World of Beer.  I felt like it was a safe bet because if it went poorly, we would have our drinks and leave.  If it went well, we could continue on with dinner in the area.

The moment I walked up to the beer bar, I saw him seated outside and was floored by how handsome he was!  He was cuter than his pictures! Dark hair, twinkly brown eyes, clean and neat appearance… not to mention what looked like a nice, hard bod underneath it all.  Swoon!!!

I walked up with a big smile, swinging my hips and let my long hair flow freely so that he could really feel my presence as I walked up. We gave each other a big hug hello and then sat down.

Nerves kicked in!

This is where my foot-in-mouth disease commenced.  And my clumsiness.  And the freaking inability of mine to not talk with my hands at rapid speed (condition exacerbated with nerves).

I couldn’t at first look him in the eyes because I felt like he was staring and that makes me über self conscious.  I busied myself with the menu and was just talking nonsense.  In which I kicked the wobbly table as I tried to cross my legs.  Teeter totter, teeter totter (when is it going to stop?!).  When my drink arrived, I spilled it. Twice.  He was actually laughing at me at this point.  And called me out on my nervousness!  (I’m crimson at this point.). But he kept saying he loved it because it put him at ease.

We chatted and had nice steady conversation.   Unfortunately, he did ask about my divorce, which I’m really  still separated, and expressed dissatisfaction that I was still legally married.  He has been divorced for about 5 years now.  His wife cheated on him.  He seems to be huge on honesty – which I love – since he was obviously very hurt by the infidelity.  We quickly changed topics and moved on to other things.

Very soon into the date, he asked if I was interested in dinner later in the evening.  (YES! And dessert…my brain and loins screamed!)  We finished our beer at WOB and then stopped by a bar at a nearby Italian restaurant to grab a glass of wine.  We were sitting pretty close to each other at the bar so that our legs were touching side by side.  I was feeling much more comfortable and chill at this point.  I wasn’t knocking down anything or tripping.  There was lots of music playing and you all know how I love to dance.  There was no dancing but I couldn’t stop from feeling like I was in a groove.

We held hands as we walked to the little Cuban restaurant in the area.  We had a great dinner and the convo was flirty and fun.  After dinner we walked around the town center (over this adorable bridge in which my heels got stuck in… why was I born with no grace?!) back to the bar at the Italian restaurant and had another glass of wine.  At this point we were sitting on the stools very closely facing each other.  Our legs were practically intertwined and he was playing with my hair and rubbing my arms.  (My ovaries were about to burst from damn excitement!)

Finally, sometime after 1 a.m. he walked me back to my car.  We were saying our good-byes and all I know is I somehow ended up pressed against my car as he was kissing me.  That probably lasted about 15-20 minutes (I was good; all we did was kiss!) and I felt like I was REBORN!  Despite feeling disoriented, dazed and high as hell, I somehow managed the drive back home.  I should, also, mention that the moment I got in the car, he sent me a text message that said “you’re amazing.”

Cupid, I’ve been struck.