Now you can see why the curtains sit in permanent Un-Done-Ville.  I KNEW that SOMEDAY I’d turn 39, and maybe 2 little girls would want to surprise me with a banner.  Curtains would just mess up the whole thing.  Grandmommy has been in town this week, so we’ve been very busy with this, that, and the other thing.  Very busy indeed.  I went ahead and turned 39, which the only thing I can say about that? 39 goes better with many mojitos.

As it turns out, I did a smart thing: I moved my birthday up by one day this year.  What?  You didn’t know you could do that?  There’s a coupon in your Val-Pak, right next to the chimney cleaning service “Buy 1, Get 1”.  I know what you’re thinking.  How many people have more than ONE chimney?  HEY, I’m not in charge of the Val-Pak.  I don’t make the rules.

SO, I proclaimed that my birthday shall occur on the 12th, and there should be fried chicken, which was lovely.  Any chicken you might purchase from a restaurant named “Maxine’s Chicken and Waffles” is bound to be delish.  Greg then took me to dinner with a group of friends whom I adore to no end, and we laughed  for 3 hours straight over sangrias and mojitos….and, wait…I think we had some food too. Grandmommy stayed home with the girls and introduced them to “The Sound of Music”.  Mesmerized is the only word I can insert here.

I awoke on the 13th, which I turned into my “unbirthday”. Good call.  The girls didn’t want to work on their class Valentines, despite my pleas that I could not move Valentine’s Day.  The coupon was “one use only”!  I realized I was in charge of gluten-free and nut-free Valentine’s Treats for Kelly’s class party.  Yikes! Greg’s Grandmother, who has been very, very ill for many years, passed away.  My car battery died as we were dashing to a 6 year old’s birthday party.  And now you see why I moved it.  Year after year, the fates kick my butt on my birthday.  Not this year.  This year?  Ha Fates!  You MISSED me after all! SUCKAS….

We did make it to the adorable little French-themed birthday party with a mime and magic show, and while the girls sipped on apple juice in Eiffel Tower cups, the parents handed me a glass of champagne.  OH YEAH! The magic show was hilarious.  I thought I was going to pee my pants, but maybe it was the champagne.  We ate cheeses and lovely meats and sandwiches…it was a delightful party.  The young lady turning 6 is famous for her impeccable manners and engaging personality, and today was no different: this little girl is so delightful you wish you could bottle up her spirit and slip it into your own children’s juice boxes.

I guess I’m a 6 year old at heart, save my love for champagne.  Because a little French music, a magic rabbit, and I was good to go; well, that, and some good jumper cables.  Greg gave me the greatest birthday gift a Mommy living in a northern climate could ask for: a hot water tap.  At the push of small lever, I can have boiling hot water, PRESTO!  Tea, oatmeal, hot chocolate, speedy mac and cheese…you name it.  When it’s snowy and cold, there’s nothing better than not waiting for hot tea.

I anticipate another busy week ahead, and a house full of family.  I hope we can share a few good memories and stay warm in good company.  If losing 5 grandparents in 5 years has taught us anything, it’s that life moves along a little faster than we think it will.  Greg keeps referring to this year as, “the last year Lori can say she’s in her 30’s and not be lying”, so if anyone spots a “cancel an entire birthday and stay in your thirties” coupon, I will sew you ANYTHING if you mail it to me.  Godspeed this week to you as well, my friends.