Secret Me-Birthday Celebration

Preview birthday celebration is a wrap.  And it was a tiny bit of a mixed bag.  Isn't that always how it goes?

First, I took a mountain and neighborhood walk -- EXACTLY 6 miles.  Couldn't have planned that if I tried.  I found the super hilly route that lead to the best views.  Lots of little wildlife -- bunnies, squirrels, chipmunks and cute birds.  Lots of bright flowers in a sea of green woods.  Here's a few things I noticed.

This is the street view of the
pictures above.  Tiny little
guy tucked away in the rocks.

Left one of my rocks.

Grabbed this.  Turns out it's
one of a series so I left it
in another LFL along the way.

Bee garden.

Bird houses all over the woods.

The walk was the highlight of my day.  Never would've bet that.

Hubby and I had a couple of terse conversations about "house management" stuff after the walk and after my massage that weighed on me more than it should.  Communication is hard, but we have to keep at it.  I think it's okay now, maybe.  Won't be our last bit of retirement friction -- that I know for sure.

The massage.  The new building is incredible.  Heated neck wraps and weighted blankets as you wait.  Local Asheville teas too (I spilled one, minute one -- oops).  The toilets have heated seats -- it was a nice surprise when my tush hit the seat.  I miss being able to walk there, but it was only a 10 minute drive.  The massage was just fair though.  I think it's time to switch massage therapists.  A lot less massaging, a lot more stretching and hand placement.  It was a smidge of a disappointment.  I felt good, but I didn't get lost in the massage like I usually do.  This is the second one that has been subpar to what it was a couple of years ago.  It's too expensive to not be fabulous.

Then I stopped in at the teahouse East Asheville location.  It's way, way, way less interesting.  The teas were delicious (did hot chai and an iced cold herbal) but the lunch wasn't what I was expecting.  I ordered a rice and bean dish, but it was basically rice.  I had a little and left the rest -- not filling up on rice before my big dinner out.  The place is basic (for lack of better word).  Downtown is delightful and quirky.  This looks like a strip plaza shop (which it is). 

As I mentioned, another terse conversation with hubby when I walked in the door.  He gets an alert when I disarm the alarm so he hits me the minute I walk in the door.

Rested my back for the afternoon and regrouped for dinner.  THIS has been on my radar for 2 years.  Pretty please be a joy!  And it was.  Phew because I was having a hard time mustering a good mood out of thin air.  I needed some outside help to boost the experience.

I got seated at the counter on the corner (yea).  My server was very nice, very attentive.  I read while I waited and then had a steady stream of food to occupy me.  I ordered small plates and a cheese platter -- everything vegan and GF.  Also a flavored seltzer and a mocktail -- both tasty.

My view.  Fast paced kitchen.
Lots of people watching to enjoy.

Lime and basil

Tons of flavor.
Greens, carrots, "cheese" and seeds.

Sweet pea GF toast
with so many good sauces.
I don't know how Asheville
does such good GF breads.

Cauliflower for lunch tomorrow.
Didn't even taste it.  No room in the inn lol!
I'm sure it's good but it's stinking up the house.
I had to transfer it to another container.

Wellness Mocktail
Fresh pineapple puree, ginger,
spices and soda water
and something else I'm forgetting.

Incredible cheese platter with strawberries
GF toast, pickled radishes.

Ended the day on a high note -- although my mood still hung relatively low.  Guess hormones?!?  I'm like a broken record on this, but it's hard to shake when the mood hits.  It was the edgy conversations that I let upset me and settle into my head.  The fact that it stayed with me means it's probably punctuated by a hormone shift.  

Heading home today, but not before another walk.  I'll stick to the neighborhood for a less hilly jaunt.  Maybe a stop for an iced coffee too.  

And my mood (asked no one)??  It's better.  So much REM sleep last night and I knew it before Oura told me.  I dreamt like crazy -- all uncomfortable dreams with hubby.  Guess my mind had some things to work out.  

I'm in no rush to get home.  I'm going to let the morning unfold slowly.  The mountain air is perfect again and I know summer temps are on the way.  I'm taking it all in.  Yesterday I journaled outside on the patio -- the rocking chairs are so comfortable and we've hardly used them.

Anyway ... off to have a good day ... right?!?  Hope yours is too.  Later gators.