Happiness...

...does not exist in a vaccum. This is according to my very best friend (the person who knows me better than myself) who is going through a very difficult time at the moment. Now, I know she sometimes reads this and I would never share what is going on without her permission. But I hope that you can all just send some positive thoughts out to the universe for her. I have been on and off the phone with her all week and even made a trip to see her so I could be with her through this. All I want to do is make everything better for her, my heart is breaking for my best friend.
And in the middle of all of that, my heart is so happy with this new relationship with M. I know that I light up whenever we are together and even my mother says I sound happy and different on the phone. Everything is so much better when he is around and I love every minute we spend together. While there has been no decleration of love, there has been the decleration of being on the way there. I can say in all honesty that I have never been with someone that I felt like this about. And I know (as I said before) it hasn't been that long, but I don't want to change any of it. I think about him being there for things down the road, like holidays and family stuff (I have never done that before). I told a friend that this is all so weird, but she says it is all just wonderful and to go along with it. So that is what I am going to do.
But in the middle of it all, there is my best friend. The one person who wanted this for me more than anyone else and I don't want to tell her how happy I am while she is so upset. I know that things happen for a reason, and I know in my heart that she will be okay. I just wish this wasn't all happening right now.

Splitting the Bill

So this story comes from a lovely single gal I met out at a brunch recently. We were all sharing some of our more interesting dating stories, but I think S's story was by far the best! And with her permission, here it is.

S is a runner and has been working with a training group (which by the way, what a great way to meet people). She met a guy (I am going to call him Big Spender, BS for short) and they became friendly until one day he asked her out on a date. S was super excited and said yes! Well, BS suggested a really nice place that was a bit pricey, but S figured okay. When they arrived at the restaurant, BS suggested appetizers and entrees and S happily agreed to it all. After all, he had asked her out and she was just along for the ride. She was enjoying herself and they enjoyed a lovely (and expensive) dinner. When the bill came BS asked S to split the bill. Well, S was shocked (and this is my favorite part of the story) she said sure, took the bill from him and tore it two pieces. She handed the half with the total and said, "that's your part."

Best dating story ever!! What do you think? Should BS have paid the whole bill or was it right for him to ask to split it. I mean he did pick the expensive place and pushed to order more items. What do you all have to say....I can't wait to read your responses!!

Sunday Special

I got back from celebrating Yom Kippur in Philadelphia early on Sunday morning and M came over around noon to spend the rest of the day together. When he arrived he had some cards in his hands for my birthday. He had told me before he felt so badly about not having a card on my birthday, but I wasn't upset and I was surprised he remembered. Anyway, the first card wasn't even from him. He picked up a card and signed it from Poppy! I thought that was so sweet and really cute! The next card was from M and it was very funny. The thing I didn't notice until today was that he signed it "love, M." I am not going to make more of it than necessary, but I don't throw that word around, so when I really looked and noticed it, it did throw me for a bit of a loop. Anyway, moving on....
We made a list of all of the things we wanted to do. M is moving into a new apartment and he needs all sorts of furniture. So we started at Sleepy's trying out mattresses and moved onto furniture stores. When I asked M what his style was he was like, "what style?" He was basically thinking of just getting a leather couch and calling it day! I won't lie, I have black leather furniture too, its easy to clean and you can add all sorts of accent pieces to make it individual. When I mentioned to M what other colors he would want he looked at me like I had three heads. It was pretty funny! We had so much fun looking at so many different couches and tables and all of that stuff. By the end of the excursion he said he had a better idea of things he would like and that he got some great ideas. After we were done pretending to decorate his new place we went over to Brooks Brothers because he needed some new shirts for work. We found some great options, one that I just LOVED! But they didn't have his size. He said he was going to see if they have it at another one, who knows? Maybe he'll show up wearing it one of these days? We finished the day off my having yummy sushi and walking around a street festival that we found on our way home.
The whole day spent together was so easy. And when we got back to my place it just seemed natural that he should stay. We both had work the next day so we had to be up early, but i didn't want him to leave and he didn't want to go anywhere either. While we were in bed he started to laugh about something and when I asked him what he said nothing. Now, I couldn't stand for that, so I made him tell me. He then proceeded to tell me how when we first started dating he was surprised because I wasn't what he thought he was looking for, but now he really wants to be with me. That I surprise him every time we are together, he likes being with me and maybe the things he thought he wanted weren't really what he wanted at all. Yes, I will be honest and say that my heart was pounding and I was blushing and didn't know what to say. I told him how much I like being with him and how I feel like we just fit together and this is all just so comfortable.
So, who knows where this is all going (my mother is already planning my wedding, I am sure of it). I just know that I like where we are, and even though its all happened so fast I don't want to change anything.

The Boyfriend and The Birthday

Wow, I just used the word boyfriend! I know that I mentioned that M and I talked about being exclusive, but I am very wary of using the "B" word. However, the other night M used the word girlfriend about me so I guess that's what it is. And wonder of wonder I am totally great with it! Holy crap, LMG has a boyfriend?! Who ever thought that would happen (I think we all know not me).
Anyway, M did such a great job making me feel special on my birthday. I won't lie having a birthday on a Monday is no fun and having a birthday at my crappy job was even worse! To be honest it isn't even worth getting into. Needless to say I needed a pick me up when I got home. M called me during the day to give me a bit of a hint as to where we were going , the word he gave me was "spicy." My mind was racing to all sorts of different places where we could have been going. When I got home, M came to meet me and we headed in a cab downtown. He apologized for not having a card or anything but he had been running late after a work meeting and wanted to make sure to be on time. I was a little disappointed in not getting at least a card, but once I saw where dinner was I was so excited that it didn't matter! M took me to Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill! I had been there once before with my family but can't really remember it. Anyway, what an AMAZING meal!! I don't think I can go into total details (take a look at the menu, I promise everything was delicious!!) but I will tell you that I enjoyed every single bite. I can tell you that dessert was like nothing I have every had before, a deep dish banana cream pie (which I don't think was like pie at all). OMG, there are no words! The plate said "Happy Birthday" and I got to blow out a candle, and I was just so happy.
After dinner M came over for just a little bit but had to leave since he had an early train to catch (eve though he wanted to stay). All in all, 31 is starting off well and I look forward to what else it has in store.

Thanks so Much!!

As I mentioned in a previous posts, I was nominated for a couple of awards and a game of tag from some of my fellow bloggers. So, now I am going to make good on my promise and post about it.

The award is called

Thanks to my fellow Blogger The Frisky Virgin I think you are very brave to share your story with the blogging community. I love that you're so honest and funny about what you have been through, and your posts on other subjects (like sports and makeup) just make it better! Keep your chin up, you're awesome!

Also, thanks to Cinderita (same award). I have to say first off that your comments to me always make me smile. Besides that I love your blog! You are very open with what you are thinking and feeling and sometimes I can identify so strongly with what you're going through. I hope nothing but good things for you!!

Now the game of tag was something I was tagged in by one of my favorite bloggers, MCW. It is one of the first blogs I started to read when I began blogging and I am addicted to it! So here are the rules for this game of tag. I have been asked eight questions, which I will be answering in this post. Then I will come up with eight questions of my own and tag some of my fellow bloggers (so be on the lookout!).

1. What were you like in high school? In High School, I was a total theater geek (and I won't lie, I still am). I loved working on all the shows we did and would be at school until all hours painting sets or running lines. I even went to theater competitions and won a few!
2. If you could bring one clothing style back what would it be? That is such a good question because I have no idea, I love classic simple lines which seem to always be in style. However, does anyone remember Units? You could buy one item and wear it like seven different ways?! I used to love them, it made getting ready so easy!
3. Do you have a green thumb? No.
4. What is one thing you would love to do if you came to NYC? Well, I live in NYC right now, so I have gotten to do most of what I want, but if money was no object....I would love to eat at Per Se and shop along 5th Ave!
5. One is one thing we would do if I came to visit you? We live in the same city and still have not met up, so let's do that! Drinks? Food? You name it!
6. If you HAD to decided between having a beautiful face or an amazing body which would you choose, and why? That is soooo tough! I guess face, but I don't know why, it's the one that jumped at me.
7. Are you more like your mom or your dad? I think I am a bit of both (actually all three if we can count my stepdad).
8. Is there something about yourself that you hide from people when you first meet them? I probably hide alot of things, it takes me time to warm up and open up to people. But once I do, I am an open book.

Okay, so tag you're it. I am tagging the following blogs in this game and below that you'll find my questions. I can't wait to read your answers!!
1. Nola Girl
2. Lacey Bean
3. Dee
4. Flip Flops on Lex

And here are your questions...
1. What is the one place in the world you have never been but have always wanted to go?
2. Where did you meet your best friend?
3. What movie do you watch over and over that always makes you laugh/cry?
4. Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts?
5. Have you ever had a celebrity run in? If so...share!
6. Are you a cook, baker, or none of the above?
7. What is your favorite part of everyday?
8. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall?

Happy Birthday!!

It is official, today we enter "Operation 3.1" as it is my birthday! So far the day has been pretty uneventful, but I know that good things are on the way.....

W.A.W.

What. A. Weekend.

So, I took a really long weekend this past Labor Day starting with taking Thursday off as my mother was in town for the US open. We woke up early, took Poppy for a walk and then headed out to Flushing Meadows. I have been to tennis matches before in Miami (yes, I still call it the Lipton), but this was something totally different. The grounds of the open are HUGE! There were people everywhere and it was soooo hot!

As you can see from the picture, I was fully prepared with my big hat, sunglasses, and I got a great fan to use as well! I kept reapplying my spf 45 and I was good to go. We had so much fun with a group of ladies, drinking mojitos, hitting up the Heineken lounge, finding cooling spots, and of course watching some tennis! When my mom and I got home we were pooped! We bought a sandwich to share and just watched tv until we went to sleep.

Friday came and my mom headed back home. It was a good thing too, since M and I had planned to spend the day together and my mom didn't want to "cramp my style." M took the day off from work and came into the city and we headed down to the Museum of Natural History (after a quick bite at the Whole Foods uptown). Now, I had never been to this museum before although I have seen the movie, so I was super excited to see the big whale! That was pretty much the only thing I wanted to look at and M was just happy to be out of work (and in air conditioning). We walked around the museum a bit and then headed out to pick up Poppy who was at the groomer's. We also wanted to be back uptown before Earl rained down on us (which we know didn't really happen). After having a short rest inside we headed out to dinner and a movie. Without even knowing it we had a theme going for the evening, a yummy Italian meal, followed my cool gelato, and then "The American" (which if you don't know takes place in Italy). After the movie we were both exhausted and we went back to my place and went to sleep (after some serious kissing of course).

Saturday morning came all too soon and M and to head out early to meet his dad (it is a Saturday tradition with them). Not a big deal since I had to go to work in the afternoon (my second job as a receptionist) and I wanted to watch some of the Gator game (opening day in the SWAMP....Go Gators!!!). After the game was over and I was at work my phone rang. It was M. He explained that the family plans he thought he had were cancelled and since I had mentioned going out with friends after work he was thinking he would come back into the city to join in. I was so excited! Of course he could come, I had invited him before he left that morning. So when I got home from work he met me a few minutes later and we headed out for some dinner and drinks with some friends from college (including my former roommate and one of my best friends, A). I have to say that I was really surprised he wanted to come, meeting friends can be a big deal. But I think the situation was so relaxed and calm that it was just easy. After dinner we headed back to my place and he spent the night again.

Sunday morning rolled around and after I took Poppy for a quick walk we decided to go get some brunch with the dog and sit outside since it was a gorgeous day. We both had to be places in the afternoon, work for me and meeting a friend for him. Since I had to leave before he had to meet his friend, I told him to just stay at my place and the door would lock behind him when he left. I went to work and I'll admit I was so bored. It was not that busy, so thank goodness for my friend A who stopped by a few times to update me on her thoughts about M (all good). When I finally got to go home I took Poppy out before meeting A and some friends for dinner and noticed that M's car was still around the corner. A few minutes after the walk, he called mentioning he was headed back to my area to get his car and wondered where I was. I told him I was out with friends and he should come meet us for a drink (since I knew he had already had dinner with his friend). Well, one drink turned into a few drinks and needless to say M spent the night again. Somewhere in the middle of the drinking and picture taking and all around good time, M and I decided we don't really want to see other people since we are enjoying being with each other so much. And I really am enjoying the time I spend with him, it is just so easy.

On Monday M really did have to leave and I had plans for breakfast so he dropped me off at the bagel shop and went on his way. I don't know when we are seeing each other again because the Jewish holidays are upon us (when did that happen?!?). I will be traveling for a part of it and he may be traveling on the days when it isn't a holiday. In the midst of this, today is his birthday and mine is next Monday! So, we for sure want to do something for that (any ideas?).

Also, as I mentioned in another post, my friend Crusher's wedding is coming up. She recently sent me an e-mail mentioning that I could bring M. What do you think? Should I ask him if he wants to come? I mean going out with friends for drinks a couple of times is one thing, but a wedding? I just don't know....help!

In other news....thanks so much to my fellow bloggers for the awards I got! I will be posting about them in other entry as this one seems a little long as it is, so stay tuned!

Dancing in September

I cannot believe that September is already upon us! Even though we are reaching near record highs here in the Big Apple, I am ready for Fall to come and I feel like change is in the air!

As many of you know, this whole dating "Operation" thing got started around my birthday almost two years ago. And that day is almost here again! Yes everyone, Little Match Girl is moving past the big 3-0 and will be 31 in a short while. And I have to say I am pretty excited! I thought I would be all sorts of sad or depressed to be really entering my 30's, but that isn't the case. I have heard so many people say that your thirties are the best years of your life, and I am really hoping that will be the case! I feel like with everything that has been going on I have nowhere to go but up! I am holding onto the promise of that horoscope, I am keeping my thoughts positive about the job possibility in Miami, and I am just going with the flow with M. Even though those of you who know me know that I am not a "go with the flow" kind of gal. I will readily admit I have done a little bit of obsessing (like checking jdate to see when he has signed on or over analysing a couple of conversations), but for the most part I am keeping myself low key.

So come on September! I am ready to DANCE!