50 is the new 40

today, jane takes stays in - no work, just recuperating! i'm actually amazed, simply amazed, that she's heeded my advice and listened to her own body - she knows that post-chemo tuesdays are rough for her, and she wisely decides to conserve her energy - bravo!

she does sit, lie, and relax - incredible! and after all that, she IS feeling okay - a bit sore here and there, but good nonetheless. some doctor's appointments beckon, and we go together, even stopping at h&m for a little shopping - flirty dresses, flouncy tops, hip hugging jeans - and although her heart's not in it, she does get a boost from it. we return home, a sunny afternoon, and jane takes it easy. busy preparing dinner, talking to debbie in bruxelles, baking a cake, and we decide on an impromptu and quick, light dinner in honor of rochelle's impending birthday (she'll be away on the big day, so there's no time like the present).

how nice to celebrate these milestones. after all, getting old positively sucks, but NOT getting old is even worse. and we're not quite at the walker & depends stage yet, so yah, we'll take all those candles and happily extinguish them while looking forward to another year. we know too many people who have had their share, so it's our time to take a little back!!!

as i wait for my own cardiology appointment today (routine) i tell jane: "see, you've already had your big thing, your cancer ... think of all the rest of us, just waiting for the other shoe to drop! see how much you're ahead of the game!".

she just rolls her eyes (routine).

la cage aux folles

well, the good news is that it's 7pm, and when i ask jane if she needs to get ready (we're leaving in 15 minutes), she says "not really". just a flip of one of the many wigs, sitting ominously on their hollow head racks, and she's good to go ... sure beats hours of haircare every day! jane comments that when she has her makeup done, and just prior to putting on a hairpiece, she feels as if she's something out of the film la cage aux folles - too funny!!!

someone doesn't sleep a wink all night ... when i am up at 5:30 i find jane slumped over in a fatboy beanbag in front of the flat screen, kind of listless and staring into space! alas, she's fine, just in need of a latté, and promises to take a good afternoon nap.

i spend a few hours out alone with marlee, shopping and running errands on this glorious winter day - crisp and clear. we have a great time, and return home to make giant bowls of asian noodle soup with bok choy, napa cabbage, udon noodles, thai chilis, scallion, carrot, and thinly sliced chicken - all in an eastern coconut broth (delicious). the afternoon passes, jane rests, and i walk in the state park behind the house with the [complaining] kids. lovely all around.

we enjoy an intimiate and warm dinner party, celebrating a friends' 50th in the company of riotous, fun, and good friends. a spectacular time is had by all, and at 11 we depart - fearing jane will turn into a pumpkin. she looks fantastic and is feeling great this evening - good color, energy, and spirits - leading all the rest of us into a relaxed state of mind.

and of course, demain matin, café gitane!