Birthday Weekend Extravaganza

See what happens when I’m having fun? I have no time to write about it. Here's the Birthday Weekend Extravaganza in review.

Friday

I turned 49.

Simon wished me happy birthday without prompting, first thing in the morning. He wanted to be duly noted for that so Gramma and Grampa wouldn’t yell at him, he said.

Steve and I went out to breakfast at Steve’s Place. The country toast was so exquisitely undertoasted, as I was exclaiming over it, Steve said, “I know, you wish you had your camera.” Yep, it was picture-worthy, alright.

Went to Home Depot for a few things.

Read the paper.

Took a 45-minute nap.

Worked on paperwork.

Had an outstanding massage at 2:00, using the $10 off birthday postcard she sent me. Turns out it was her birthday too!

Had subs for dinner that Steve picked up.

Went to see Off the Map at The Little Theatre. I had never heard of this movie until reading the review in the Friday morning paper. I'd call it a character study of 5 people, 2 of which are old hippies, played by Joan Allen and Sam Elliott. Yeah, Sam Elliott – can I get an amen, girlfriends?? Just like Robert Redford, I don’t care how old these dudes get – I’d do either one in a New York minute. Joan Allen was stunning, as well, physically - and her acting of course. Not much plot, shot in New Mexico. I loved every frame of this movie. I’d see it again even. I think Steve tolerated it, he didn’t really say. It’s actually the kind of movie I would normally go see by myself, rather than subject Steve to it, but since it was my birthday, I had a legal right to drag him along.

Saturday

Went to breakfast at The Log Cabin with Mom, Dad, Steve, Simon, Gretchen, Paul, Gershum, Lizz and Erick.

Mom always brings flowers for the table when we go to a restaurant. (And Dad usually brings a jug of maple syrup. I know, aren’t old people cute?) But she outdid herself this time – two vases of roses.

Gretchen’s birthday is April 2 so we always do a joint celebration. Thus the two vases. And Gretchen would want me to remind everyone that for this three-week period between our birthdays, I’m FOUR years older than she is. Whatever.

After breakfast we all went back to our house so Mom, Dad and Gretchen could see both the kitty condo and the pool table, neither of which they’d seen before. We all played a game of pool – no teams – just took turns.

Then Gretchen and Mom and I drove out to North Rose to Barbara Jean’s Furniture Farm. (It’s 45 – 60 minutes away, I’d guess.) I don’t remember if it’s really called that but it could be. It’s a bunch of (new) barns connected to each other, loaded with furniture. It’s fairly well known for reasonable prices. Mom & Dad just had their living room painted (I’ll take pictures to show you someday) and are giving two of their old chairs to Gretchen. So they really need one new chair.

You need to understand that their couch and chairs are 40 years old! They’ve been recovered so they don’t look old. The quality of goods made in "the old days" just amazes me!

So we walked our legs off, found a chair, which is being delivered Friday. We also found an area rug, which we brought home with us.

We decided to take Route 104 home, looking for an ice cream place. It’s sort of our tradition to stop for ice cream, anytime the three of us take a day trip. Or an hour trip, it doesn’t matter!

Then I said, "I know you guys aren’t that hungry, but just up the road here is Bad to the Bone Barbecue . . . " I barely finished the sentence when they both agreed we should stop. Guess I’ve mentioned that place more than I realized. We ate there and brought home plates of ribs – for Dad, Steve and the boys.

Gretchen stayed and visited for a while, waiting for Paul to finish his ribs so she could take him home to get his stuff to spend the night here Saturday night. As soon as they left – I took a nap! On the bed, under an afghan, slept like a rock – an hour or more I think.

I spent the rest of the night doing desk work. Never ate dinner since we ate lunch at 3:00 or so.

Sunday, I made cards all day. I’ll save those for tomorrow’s entry.

All in all, it was an excellent birthday! An excellent birthday weekend even. Since I was on my feet all day at my craft table making cards – I can’t wait to go back to work tomorrow and relax.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes I received. I heard from several people that the Blogger comments were down. Hope all is working now.

Yep. Forty-nine.

This is the picture of the flowers I really wanted to post because it shows both cats nosing around the flowers. And I think we all know how fond Mom is of felines.