Denise and I celebrating the big 53 at where else, but Chili's! Did someone call us Thelma and Louise?
A few birthday stories...
My first birthday greeting: Shaking my head still! Tuesday morning...Doug had to go in to work at 2AM. There was no school, so the B's invited the babes over for a sleepover. I decided that since Doug was leaving so early, I'd just stay up until left for work, then go to sleep and sleep in. That way I didn't wake him climbing into bed at midnight. However. It wasn't that simple. I took the phone off the hook and read, but fell asleep in the lazyboy in my gallery. I crawled into bed at 2. Half-asleep, I turned off the alarms on my phone. However, I didn't put my glasses on. Mmm-hmmm...at 4:00, the "make sure Doug's up" alarm went off. I rolled over and turned if off. At 5:55, the "time to get the babes up" alarm went off. I rolled over and turned it off. Next, the "kids have two minutes to be out the door and on the bus" alarm went off. Thirty minutes later, the "Is ZJ up yet?" alarm went off. (thankfully, that's the last alarm. And yes, they all go off every Mon-Friday to keep me on task in the mornings because I could totally space that I have a family if I'm immersed in a book or a project at 5 in the morning.) I digress. A few minutes later, Carol texted me. Then, five minutes later, Liza texted "R U UP?" then five minutes later, Mom called and wished me a Happy Birthday. "Aren't you up yet?" "Actually, I've been up. All night. And Mom, it's not my birthday." Mom said, "Yes it is. It's the fifth." No, Mom. It was the 4th. She was a day early. I'll sleep when I'm 93. ;)
Funny birthday call: Liza called on the night of the 4th to say, "Happy Birthday Eve!" I thanked her and asked her if I sounded older. She said no and goodbye. Two minutes later, she called again. This time she said, "Happy Birthday Eve" again and said, "Oh, yes, now you sound a little older."
Surprise!: Natalie took me to Coppermill for lunch on Tuesday. We had a lovely visit and our server informed us that it was his birthday too. When it was time for the check, he said "a friend" had bought us lunch. That friend was Lynn, who is my awesome friend, April's husband. He's awesome too! I love their family. And I loved that Natalie, without hesitation, left the server a "birthday size" tip, since lunch was on Lynn! His good deed begat another!
Impromptu party: OH. MY. HECK. The Chili's gang were a riot for my lunch today. Denise and I had shopped and ran errands all morning, then arrived at Chili's at opening. We walked in and everyone there made a point of saying Happy birthday before we'd left. Kevin, one of the managers, brought a skilled with balloons tied to them with Happy Birthday, Sophia! written on them. Kelly called and invited herself to join us. She was there in minutes. We ate and laughed. Denise is a second mom to my kids since they were toddlers. We had a ball! Then, Kevin and all of the servers came out with molten lava cake singing, quite loudly, I might add, their little special birthday chant. Kevin treated us all to lunch. SWEET of him! It was a riot! Poor Doug called during his lunch break and I told him he'd missed my party! So fun!
Liza:Liza and I had a 90 minute phone call/skype with her and Buddy for me to open the package that they'd UPSed. It arrived right while I was opening the gifts from Doug and the babes. I loved our time together and I've decided that Skype is just wonderful and awesome. It really takes the edge of the sharpness of not being together on days like today. We all decided that we'll not skype all of Christmas morning though. ;)
Family party: Doug had offered to take me to Elements for a quiet lovely dinner. But, I didn't want to exclude the kids on my birthday. (He said, "See, that's why I like for you to plan our events!") So, we picked up Papa Murphy pizzas, I made one of my favorite treats ~ fruit pizza (a total no-no for me, but I only had one little piece). We had a little birthday/Survivor night party in the family room, which to the kids is better than going out for dinner! My favorite part of the evening was the sweet prayer that Doug said when he blessed the food. He expressed gratitude "for the love and joy and happiness that I bring into our home". I heart him!
Gifts: Doug insisted that I must buy a Blue-ray. not just a DVD, so we'll pick one out when we are in town together. He saw to it that I had some pretty special and thoughtful gifts from the kids. Liza and Buddy sent me some very snazzy green chargers for my tablescapes and an insulated cover to store my CHI. SWEET! My mother gave me three fabulous sweaters and a few other little odds and ends. Dad told me he loves me and wished we were together to take me out for lunch too. (I assured him that he'd treated me quite well with the past two trips that he's paid every dime for!) Gifts were left on my doorstep throughout the day! Several friends dropped by with gifts and treats and goodies and I received a gazillion emails, facebook wishes, phone calls and text messages. It has truly been an amazing day. I am humbled!
Tears: Now, I say this in all humility. Liza and I were talking when I stopped to pick up fruit pizza toppings. I told her that I'd call her back when I was done shopping. I always look for my favorite checker/friend, Suzanne, regardless of how long the lines are. She was so sweet when she wished me a happy birthday and said, "Thank you for being born. You bring so much happiness to so many people." I was taken back by this comment. No one has ever thanked me for being born. I walked out to the truck and thought of all the people in my little world and how blessed I truly am to have to many friends and neighbors and to be appreciated...over the top, wild and crazy, high strung, Type A person that I am... just makes life a little sweeter! I started to cry as I called Liza back. How blessed I feel! I've said many little prayers of gratitude on this special day!
It's been a great day! There's still much celebrating left to do, but, now that my day is "officially" past, I will begin planning Quayd's big 14, which is in ten days! Octobers are just too fun! Life is just too good! Quite humbly, enough said!
Happiness is a warm hug from a good friend!
This sounds like a memorable birthday day full of celebrations but then you deserve it!
Posted by: Nicole | Monday, October 10, 2011 at 01:43 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Sounds like you had a wonderful day filled with family, friends and lots of love. I wish for you a year filled with all that and more!!
Posted by: Cindy Thomas | Thursday, October 06, 2011 at 06:02 AM
Happy Birthday! This post made my morning! I am crying from laughing so hard! There are many, many more people that are glad you were born, too. :-)
Posted by: Pamela K. | Thursday, October 06, 2011 at 03:59 AM