Thanks for all of the birthday wishes! I had a good weekend. I definitely missed my sister, but the rest of my family kept me occupied. On Saturday, we did a cookout up at the lake (the seasonal campground my grandparents have had a site at since before I was born). I chose the lake because it was one of Popi’s favorite places to be, and I feel closest to him there. Noni made me spignata, which is an Italian layered bread, with salt, pepper, rosemary, and garlic between each layer. It’s my favorite thing that she makes, and I wanted it specifically because I hadn’t had it in a long time. We did hamburgers, hotdogs, ribs, and macaroni and green salads, too, and then we had ice cream cake. We all agreed that Friendly’s ice cream cake is better than Carvel’s.

After we stuffed ourselves, I opened my presents. I got lots of money, which I plan on putting toward new clothes* and some treats**. I also got a gift card to Victoria’s Secret, which I really needed***.

Nana, Aunt Elyne, and Kate left before it got dark. Noni, Aunt Wendy, Vin, Mike, Mom, Dad, Biz Noni, Aunt Barbara, and I all stayed overnight (Biz Noni and Aunt Barbara’s site is right next to Noni’s). I attempted to make a vodka collins and failed; Smirnoff vodka really sucks unless you’re using it for mixed drinks. (You know, the ones you can barely taste the alcohol in. Sigh.) Mike and I got into a relatively stupid fight (but talked things out the next morning and throughout the next day). Dad built a really big fire, and we all just hung out until we were tired. I also ended up crying like a five-year-old on Aunt Wendy’s shoulder because I really missed Popi, but I still had a good night.

Sitting around the fire, 08/28/2010

The next day, we had a huge breakfast after Dad and Vinny got back from fishing. A bee ended up stealing my pancakes and eating my syrup, so I mostly ate bacon****. Then Dad went to go visit one of his childhood friends who now camps there, too, while the rest of us went down to the water for a swim. The water was a little cool but very refreshing. Mike and I talked some more while I floated around, and things were worked out.

I’m proud of us; we’re learning to communicate better and to recognize when we are overreacting. Everyone — I don’t care who you are — picks stupid fights, and it’s important to talk even when you think you’re overreacting, or when you think the other person is being unfair. I realized years ago that I tend to pick fights for no reason, and have been making a huge effort lately to ask myself, Is this really that important to me? before I open my mouth. (I have a hard time thinking before acting.)

Like a good wine, we just keep getting better and better.

And speaking of, tomorrow is our four year anniversary. When I stop and think about it, four years isn’t really a long period of time — but it is a long time to be with someone, and it also feels like we’ve been together forever. We know each other really well. In some ways, I think we know each other better than we know ourselves, which has helped me learn more about myself. We have come a long way from the uncertain beginning we had.

I just realized that I got way off track here, so I’ll write more about us tomorrow.

Anyway, we spent most of Sunday up at the lake. Aunt Wendy and Vin left shortly before we had an early dinner, and Mom and Dad left just before dark. Mike and I would have left then, too, but he saw the sun setting over the lake and thought it would be romantic to go watch it. Noni had suggested we watch the sunset the night before, saying that she and Popi used to all the time. I think that was when he had his headphones on and I was annoyed with him, so we ended up not going, hahaha. But we did go last night, and it was beautiful. I ended up taking him on the trail to the old root cellar — what we kids always called The Cave. There’s a little shore there with a great view of one side of the lake, and that’s where we sat, talking about the future.

For all of the times we get on each other’s nerves, we have at least ten good “moments” or days.

We left after walking back up to the site and kissing Noni goodnight, trying to beat the sun setting completely. We made it… sort of. We ended up missing the exit to get on the next route, getting off the expressway (which ended right after the exit), getting back on, and jumping on the next route… in the wrong direction. Luckily, we were able to find what we thought might be a shortcut, but naturally we ended up sitting on 84 in Hartford because they decided Sunday while people were driving back from weekend getaways was a good time to do night paving. We just sat there listening to music and laughing at our luck, which if you know me is funny, because I have no patience for traffic. Although, I should add that I did make a few comments, so I’m still me. I think I’m growing as a person, but Mike says he’s just rubbing off on me. (I’M GROWING AS A PERSON, DAMMIT!)

By the time we got back and hit the bank, we were too tired to do anything else. I made us scrambled eggs and toast, and then we went to bed.

Operation Twenty-Two was a success! I had a good time, with good people. And oddly enough, I slept better in the air mattress in the tent Saturday night than I did in my own bed last night. This tells me my mattress sucks.

*As soon as I lose more weight, I’m treating myself to a new wardrobe. A couple of people told me I look like I’ve lost some weight this weekend, and I managed to squeeze myself into my size seven jeans Thursday night before going to the bar with my friend Sean.

**I desperately need some new CDs, and I want to get a pair of boots, and maybe some DVDs (I still need Firefly, and Dollhouse comes out October 12th)!

***GIRLS ONLY post about this coming soon!

****Seriously. The little fucker refused to get off of my plate, and I’m too chicken to swat at bees anyway, so he had an easy victory.