On Turning 30

I turned thirty at a little after 1:00 this afternoon. This has been the longest birthday celebration I can remember. So many people did so many wonderful things in my honor and I feel truly blessed. Here's a rundown of my week long birthday lineup:

Last Thursday: A friend gave me 2 tickets to see Bombay Dreams at The Fox Theater. The theater is gorgeous and the show was unusual, but very interesting. Greg and I enjoyed the chance to get away for the evening.

Saturday: My mom, sister, and I traveled to Kimmswick, MO for lunch at The Blue Owl. The food is heavenly. We then spent the afternoon shopping in St Louis, where I was allowed to choose my own birthday gifts and made out like a bandit. At exactly 3:30 pm, my mom suddenly gets very antsy to get on the road. I was under the impression we had to get back for a benefit concert at our church. Little did I know that more than 50 people were waiting to surprise me at our church with a fabulous birthday party. Greg did so well and put so much effort into organizing the party. He had 3 different singers/bands play music for me, had a meal and 2 beautiful cakes, collected an offering for our church nursery, (which I manage), had flowers for me, and really great door prizes for my guests. At the end of the party, he showed a video slide show of my life from birth to now, that he put together on his own, complete with a perfect soundtrack. I was so proud of him, given that he was able to keep this a total secret since last Fall and that he was brave enough to talk on a mic on stage, which he hates to do. He's a keeper!

Sunday we celebrated Easter with family and went to dinner at our brand new Olive Garden.

Today, my coworkers decorated my cubicle, showered me with presents, took me to lunch, and bought me a yummy ice cream "log" from DQ. My internet buddies left me lots of happy birthday wishes online and Carson made me a birthday card all by himself. My friend, Becky, snuck into my house and left a beautiful geranium and a delicious birthday cake while I was at work. My inlaws took us to dinner at Shogun, a hibachi restaurant, and gave me a great present. My little brother called to wish me a happy birthday and I even received a birthday email from one of my college students, (she may get bonus points!) Greg waited until the very last minute to get my gift and ended up running into me at my local scrapbook store after work, where I was shopping and he was rushing in to get me a gift certificate. Too funny!




I must admit that this birthday has been hanging over me like a grey cloud. Not a black cloud, because I don't feel older, but just a little reminder that the years are passing very quickly and I still have a lot I want to accomplish. It's now 11:45 and I've survived the first day of my third decade. My only wish is that my next 30 years are filled with as many blessings as my first 30. Happy Birthday to me.

A weight lifted

I had just finished typing an incredibly long explanation of my childhood friend's wedding that took place yesterday, but since I am trying to be a better person and Christian, I am leaving it at this:

My dress was very pink, the temperature was very cold, there was lots of wind, the bride drew lots of obvious attention to herself and I'm glad it's all over. I rewarded myself with 8 beers at the reception. I rarely drink, especially in excess, but the past year of waiting for this wedding and being made to stand outside for 3 hours in 50 degree weather with a sinus infection and wearing a sleeveless gown, warranted a little public drunkeness.

And with that, I stayed in bed until 10:30 this morning and am looking forward to starting a new week!

In Mourning

That's where I've been. In mourning. Mourning the loss of many things. Here's a list of things that I'm grieving over:

1. The loss of my money. My tax bill was so astronomical that I am not even going to let you take guesses as to how much money I owe the IRS. Put it this way, I'm looking into refinancing my house. Yes, it's that bad.

2. The loss of my birthday trip to Chicago. See loss number 1 for explanation.

3. The loss of my trip to the Florida beach in June. Refer again to loss #1.(I'm now riding with my in-laws to Pensacola, going to the beach for one day and driving back home as soon as the wedding is over.)

4. The loss of the dream of a trip to somewhere tropical and remote this December. I detest taxes right now.

5. The loss of my youth. I will be 30 in 16 days. I had planned to be much thinner, wealthier, and have another child by this point in my life. I'm chubby, broke, and the parent of a single child. 31 better be a freakin' fantastic birthday to make up for this year.

I guess that's enough bitching for one post. I'm off to convince myself that 10:00 is a great bedtime and that rising at the crack of dawn to exercise is a fabulous idea. This could take a lot of convincing. 'Night.