BIRTHDAY BRAG

Yesterday was by far one of my most enjoyable birthdays. Yeah I turned fifty one but have decided to say I'm fifty something which is the new thirty something. The day started with a trip to a posh spa which Nicole had arranged a facial for the two of us. It was decadent. I've realized a facial really makes you focus on the part of your body that everyone sees first but you can only see in the mirror. Having so much attention to my face was uplifting. The spa was beautiful like a luxury hotel. Big soft puffy robs and towels, comfortable slippers and mood lighting. After our face pampering we had some spa water and sat with our toes in the hot tub while the product applied to our faces did it's work. It all made me feel so special. Thank you Nicole for sharing your spa time with me.
When we got home there was a package waiting for me. I hurried to open it since I noticed it was from MFC Susan. A blue Tiffany box inside made me chuckle. This gift was more priceless than anything Tiffany could have made. It was a box of Cape Cod complete with a shot glass that said F*CK IT I'M 50. Thank you Susan for reminding me of all the good in my life.
The mail included two birthday cards. One from my Ma that was personally created for me on her computer with a lovely wish and a poem. Thanks Ma. The other was a card form EFSIL (everyones favorite sister-in-law) Tricia. Such a nice greeting with twenty bucks to by some California scratch tickets. I'll let you know if I win.
I spent time in the park with Cooper and his playground pals. It was a beautiful, sunny warm February 28th. So unlike any other birthday from the past.
I missed many phone calls. Danielle and Owen phoned lots of times. So I phoned back at an inconvenient time and was told to go check out fletchonneaus blog. I cried with such happy tears at what she wrote for me on my birthday. The photos were nice too. Thank you Danielle and Owen
Joe came home right behind us with a bunch of bundles and a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers. He cooked an Italian feast of veal parm with pasta complete with an amazing birthday cake from a fancy bakery. Nicole, Jakob, Joe and I enjoyed while watching Lost. They sang Happy Birthday and we ate cake. Then Nicole announced "present time" at which Jakob handed Joe and I two tickets to Wicked for tonight. So we have a date tonight. A real honest to goodness date. WOW Thank you Nicole,Jakob and Cooper.
I'm not sure this day could every be topped by another but bring it on.

IT'S COLD AND IT'S DAMP

Do you recall the Frank Sinatra song, That's why the Lady is a tramp? The line about California being cold and damp never rang true to me. Now I know what this means. The winter in Southern California is very similar to spring in New England. It has been gray, damp and chilly for about a week now with quick glimpses of the sun and slits of blue sky. The forecast is for more of the same until the weekend passes. All of the flower beds have primrose and pansies happily planted. It has almost been a year since being transplanted here. My roots are still trying to take hold of this unfamiliar soil. The Susi is great here. Other fish like cod or haddock are rare and not the same as Cape Cod caught. The wines are amazing and reasonable. Oh one other perk... ripe avocado whenever the urge for casual guacamole.

VALENTINE'S DAY 2008

To my Valentine,
You are my inspiration, courage, coach, mood elevator and best friend all rolled up in one unbelievably optimistic being. Good thing because you above everyone else knows how pesimistic I can be. But that is what keeps us together through all these past Valentines days. We know the good and the not so good about each other and we love both. Thanks for all the Valentines days with you and I together.

CELEB SIGHTING

Well we have been in California for almost a year, can you believe it? The closest I came to seeing anyone famous was Saturday afternoon while stopped at a red light on our way to Big Boy for breakfast, Jay Leno drove past us in a silver roadster. I didn't know it was Jay Leno till Jakob said, "There goes Jay". We saw the back of his head. His hair was the same silvery color as his car. Joe saw Kirsty Allie at the Corner Bakery in Burbank when he went in to order coffee while I waited outside with a sleeping Cooper. We're going to take a trip to a shopping area called The Grove someday soon. That's where all the celebs shop. Maybe I'll get a photo of someone really famous. Keep checking up on my progress.

THE LITTLEST ARTIST

Yes he loves to draw. This is what Cooper does as much as possible lately. He is so happy when he has a crayon and a pad of paper. It makes caring for him so much fun. It's a lot easier to clean up from too. Did you know that Crayola makes washable crayons? There is also a crayon that is triangle shaped so it won't roll. I'm learning so much from this job.