Yesterday I made myself very proud as I did something I have not done in over nine and a half years: I drove a car by myself on the freeway. I know it may not seem like a big deal to most of you, but I went eight years without driving (much) at all and nine years without owning a car. The handful of times I drove on a freeway in that period were always supervised 🙂

But I really wanted to see Tamara and I felt awful that my unconfidence in freeway driving had kept me from attending her amazing party last weekend. Apparently the party was wonderful and my non-appearance was quite a disappointment to Tam. So I steeled myself to drive the twenty miles to her house on Sunday.

Saturday I went for a practice drive, which means about four minutes on 280 to get from 19th Ave to the Serramonte Target store. Brian went with me, and we also brought our two cats. Allison made the suggestion that we start bringing them on car rides every once in awhile so that they get used to being in the car.

As Sasha howled away with great melancholy, we went to Target, ostensibly to finish off our wedding gift card. Our drab apartment needs decor, so we got a couple of framed prints.

Sunday I left around 10:30 in the morning and was happy to find that beautiful 280 S was traffic-free, and that the thick blanket of fog from Saturday had all blown away. Piece of cake!

Once at Tamara’s, we got in her car and went down to Stanford shopping center, where we had a fabulous time as always. I spent some money, Tamara just got nice MAC eyeshadow. I had to make up for the last time we went shopping together when I didn’t spend a nickel. Our next date is sometime next week when we will get pedicures and get wine and cheese, possibly in that order.

I love Tamara’s house, btw. They rent, and it is such a nice place. Every time I go down to visit I am tempted to look at For Rent signs in her town. You inevitably get more for your money when you leave SF. They probably pay $100-200 more than we do, and they get 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a huge living room, fireplace, 2-car garage, backyard, eat-in kitchen, etc etc etc. What a score that was! I know we could do it too, if we decided to hang around here longer and adjust our commute dramatically.

Yes, still hating on our apartment. Pffft.