Turning 50

The boys couldn't get us out the door fast enough. They would have free reign of the house for 24 hours. All the computer and Television that they wanted to watch. We, Tom and I were headed to Seattle for another 50Th. some friends were in town that we hadn't seen in a long time. This was the only way we would get to see them. It was an overnight down and back. One of my dear friends, she and her husband had been a grooms man and brides maid in our wedding, had offered us their guest room to crash in the night of the event. Saving us the cost of a hotel room. That was the clincher. If we only are out the gas and dinner out, we could afford to go right now. I really wanted to go. Tom is rested and has energy. He likes to play again. What fun to go out and party with our old party mates in our old stomping grounds. My girlfriend has an old house right on the water on Lake Washington. It is so soothing and peaceful. I feel sometimes that I have dropped into a little piece of heaven when I visit her. They are always fun company and good people. Their children are delightful. The house and grounds need work. Her husband had just rebuilt his lawn mower and mowed the lawn before we arrived. The elevation from the front lawn to the back lawn on the water, is probably 80 feet. He has a mower for each level so he doesn't have to carry it down and back each time. I keep telling them to invite us up for a work party. Have a long weekend and put all us free loaders to work that come up and visit regularly. I would love to work on that house or that property. It feels like a vacation home with its location on the water. What we liked about Longview was that same feeling of vacation home. We were always hosting parties and having friends come stay. The golf course was just down the block, an easy golf cart or walking distance from our front door. It was our playground year round. That is what we want to recapture. We have a vision. For 24 hours we will go to Seattle and recapture some of that sparkle we had when we were dating 20 years ago. I was good. I did not have cocktails at the house. I did try one of those 5 hour energy drinks. It was going to be a late night and I had never had an energy drink before. They don't taste bad at all, but half of one would have been best. I could feel my heart change tempo shortly after. I didn't feel razzed like when I drink coffee. I definitely felt wide eyed and alert. The reservations were at a blues club down by the piers downtown. My girlfriend drove. Tom had wanted to take a taxi, and refused to try the light rail which is just a few blocks from their home. Tom doesn't do public transport if he can help it. We agreed that if everyone drank too much we could pick up the car in the morning. It would be Sunday and no parking fees or fines. Like magic we found a spot on the street not far from the blues club. We were early. The band wouldn't start for two hours. When they did start it seemed like we had just arrived. The talk and news flowed like water. It was just like the old days. I was being good. I ordered a diet coke to start slow. Then one of our friends ordered a round of drinks for everyone for the toasting. Half a Guinness or stout beer and a chaser of baileys and whiskey. I don't do beer, so I passed my beer off to Tom. But the baileys and whiskey were delightful. It was the ice breaker. After that I ordered a gin and tonic. Several of those later the music was playing, we were dancing. I ordered a couple of vodka and crans to change up the routine. I remember giving Tom a boof lick, its a taquila shot with salt licked from his neck and taking the lime from his lips. I remember thinking this drink was a mistake. Some time later I felt that need to expunge the liquids with a quick race to the bathroom. That is when I knew tomorrow would be trouble. I believe we stayed until closing but don't quote me. I figure the only reason I wasn't asleep in some corner was because I drank that 5 hour energy drink. I was some what wide awake. But when those 5 hours were up, Cinderella had hit a wall. I slept soundly until morning in a nice dark room, but eventually the need to put in an appearance made me raise my head up from the pillow. Major mistake moving. I dragged myself to the bathroom for three ibuprofen. A little OJ from the fridge to settle the blood sugar. Then more lying prone on the living room couch. The TV was droning on irritatingly thanks to the men. I dragged myself up to my girlfriend's room where she was trying to decide if she should get up after such a late night. She was not hung over as she didn't drink much if at all. But it had been a late party night with lots of energy expelled on the dance floor. I was able to convince her to stay in bed and talk to me about what was going on in her life and with her family and friends. That way I didn't have to be sitting up to listen. I could curl up under the blankets again in a prone position while still enjoying her company. It took several hours before I began to feel normal. She found some saltines in her kitchen cupboards to settle my stomach. I nibbled at one for a good half hour. Once I had that saltine to help absorb the acid in my stomach I felt much more human again. It only emphasises the fact that I am way too old to drink any more. I should have stuck to the diet coke after the toasting. Luckily Tom is so in love with his Cadillac that he would not consider me driving it. He had to do all the driving. I got to sleep on the ride home. The house was messy from the boys. Dishes were scattered everywhere. They had not missed us. It didn't take that long to clean up with their help. Thank you who ever invented dishwashers. A lovely time was had by all over the weekend. Monday it is back to school and work.