{Post 1,242} End of Birthday Day

The rest of my birthday was splendid.  Several of my children went together and got me an hour-long massage to be scheduled later.  Mmmmmmmmm.....  Thanks so much Emily & Steve, Ben, Rachel, and Isaac.

Then I went to the studio to await the surprise.  I put a movie on loudly so I wouldn't be tempted to listen for clues.

When I was finally brought up, I was sooooo surprised.  Wes had invited over a great friend, Molly Swaffer, and her family.  She has 4 young children (7 down to 1), and I can hardly believe I didn't hear any noise from downstairs!  Amazing!!

Wes and the kids made one of my all-time favorite meals, shrimp fettucini alfredo.  Ben made Red Lobster biscuits.  They were as good as the originals!!  Molly brought a fruit pizza.  What a tremendous meal.

They wouldn't let me help clean up supper dishes (oh, well!), so I taught Andrew (7) how to play Five Crowns.  He picked up on it really well.  A little bit later six of us played a game.  

Then I played Settlers of Catan for the first time.  There was a lot to take in, but I didn't do too shabbily.  Came in second with 8 victory points.  I learned a lot about it while playing and fully expect to win next time (here's to high hopes!).  

All in all a very special day thanks to my precious family.

{Post 1,241} It's My Birthday!

Today's my birthday!  I woke up to a love note on my bathroom mirror from my hubby.  That made it special.

Then he brings me a diet Dr. Pepper on ice.  That made it special.

Then he brings me my own package of Pecan Sandies.  That made it special.

Then Rachel yells at me from down the hall to come get the door (I am thinking, "Get it yourself--you're right there!").    But I go.  It's a man from a local florist shop with these...that made it special.

Daisies are my favorite flowers.  The card says "Happy Birthday.  I love you.  Wes.  Yours for life."  That made it special.

Then I go down to do an exercise DVD (thankful I have the health to do that).  On my sewing machine table (I exercise in my studio) are a canister of multigrain cheddar Pringles and a bag of garlic bagel chips.  Kinda counterproductive to the whole exercise thing, but I had the will power to wait to open them.  I did cast a lot of glances their way.  They remain unopened.  That made it special.

Then my husband suggests I take our youngest two kids out for lunch.  That made it special. 

Don't know how much more I can take, but I'm up to the challenge!!

He told me I am being sequestered to my studio at 4:30 until he comes to get me.  THAT I can handle.  I told him whatever it was, to take his time!!

I got phone calls from my second and third daughters.  Some of the things I talked about with each of them brought tears to my eyes.  They are both such sweet, accomplished girls.  They are grateful for things they learned growing up here.  That was so good to hear.

Update tomorrow!

{Post #779} Binding and Birthday

This girl needs her pancakes!!  Rachel asked me last night if she could take me out for my free breakfast at Denny's this AM.  So we did! 

There was no end to the fun of the AM...we went from Denny's to Leonard Truck Supplies to have a hitch put on our Pilot...Rachel and I both brought hand sewing for the two-hour wait.  Here she is working on a pair of pants for Jacob.

And here are my 49-year-old hands stitching down the binding on my Crumb quilt by hand.

When Susie gets back from a grocery run, she wants to sew with me the rest of the night!  Whoo-hoo!!  Fun times ahead.

~Joan

It's My Birthday (or at least it was a few days ago)

When I hear the phrase "it's my birthday, it's my birthday" I can't help thinking of Sid on the movie Ice Age. Hilarious fellow, that Sid. Especially when playing keep-the-watermelon-away-from-the-dodo-birds.

A friend from church (hi, Tammy!) told me days ago that my blog was behind the times. I was touched that she reads it (sniff, sniff). As an excuse, here's what I've been doing:

Saturday (August 23 in case you want to make a note so you can send me a nice gift next year) was my birthday and we didn't do anything all that special but my WH and I did go out for lunch which is always special to me because eating out at a real live sit-down and look down at the menu place is just such a treat then much later we had the delicious recipe I posted a couple posts ago for supper but not cake (4-layer dessert is so much better) because cakes are just not special enough for someone embarking on year 46 who also had to select and perfect an offertory for the next day which included other family members in spite of being busy doing laundry grading schoolwork chauferring children and self and going to Curves altering a jumper for a young lady at church to deliver on Sunday and so on and so forth. And that's just part of Saturday!! Are you tired yet??

Seriously, though, there were a few special moments on the big b-day. Not in order of importance or anything...more of a chronological thing. I was walking into Curves when I received a text message. It was from my son's friend, Josiah. He was wishing me a happy birthday and ended with "are you 36 yet?" Don't you just love a kid like that? And all you hear about is the bad teens. Well, this one is a keeper.

DD1's boss (hi, Vik!) drove her home after work (what a great guy), and he made a special stop so Elisabeth could get me some fresh flowers. That's her story and she's sticking with it. She knows how much I love flowers, potted or otherwise. She picked several types and made sure to include my favorites...daisies. They still look lovely. She was so thoughtful.

Emily bought me some of my favorite chocolates. I am horrified to see that I have eaten them all already. Honestly, I reached in the box for one today and they...were...gone! I pulled out the tissue paper and shook it several times just to make sure they truly were all eaten. I gave a few to my offspring, but how could they possibly all have been consumed? Where did they go (imagine me looking down at hips)...oh--there they are. Never mind...drop subject.

I could have done like my b-friend, Elaine, and asked my DH to hide them from me (and dole out one a day), but think of the time I would have wasted searching for them! Elaine--that was hilarious. We must be twins separated at birth...I'd have done the same thing! Oh, my!!

It's nice to know I have been missed. Once my children's violin and piano lessons are regularly scheduled again, I'll have more quiltiness to share. Until then, stick a daisy in your hat and be happy.

~Joan