Fat Tuesday: Then and Now

Oh Fat Tuesday. This used to be one of my favorite holidays - yes, it is a holiday. A day where everyone is expected to drink too much and it is okay. How could a German Catholic like myself not love this day?!!?

Then: 
In my early 20's and when I was in college I didn't really give this holiday the justice it deserved. I was usually with my friend Leslie Edwards in some Marketing class from 7-10 and then back to work until 2 a.m. Yay.

My favorite memory of Fat Tuesday was in my mid-20's when I was living in Austin, Texas with my friend Kate Bowles. We got all gussied-up and went to our favorite watering hole. I remember us sipping appletinis and talking about how men are stupid and one day we were going to rule the world. We had a great evening, staying out too late, having way too much fun and drinking WAY too many appletinis. The best part of this story, the next morning Kate woke me up WAY too early considering the quantity of appeltinis consumed the night before. She was like a little girl on Christmas morning, so excited. I stumbled out into the living room to see her pointing outside. This is Texas, in February, and there was snow on the ground. I might add that Kate grew up in Florida, so this was a huge deal. The city of Austin shut down, they do not have the infrastructure to deal with snow, even if it is a TINY amount. Seriously, it was like an inch! I remember saying a few obscenities and reminding her I grew up in Idaho, where it snows 6 months out of the year, before heading back to bed.

Now:
I am elbow deep in sugar and frosting for Hunter to take cookies to school for his teachers on Valentine's Day. My appletini is now a glass of cheap white wine in a coffee mug - it was the only thing that was clean. I have been trying to finish this one glass of wine for about two hours now. Not really gussied up these days either. I am covered in flour and what I hope is slobber on my shoulder - I am pretty sure that is what it is. I am just home with my boys and dogs - baking, doing baths, getting Hunter fed and down and trying to accomplish all this and be in bed by 10. This is my life now and I couldn't be happier.

For those that are going out, please be safe and careful. Also, call me tomorrow and tell me about your fun night out. I live vicariously through you these days, so I want all the details!!

HAPPY FAT TUESDAY!

P.S. Like any good Catholic, yes, I am going to Ash Wednesday service tomorrow to justify my Fat Tuesday "activities" - that is what Ash Wednesday is about, right!?!? :) JK