1. Love the house.
2. Many boxes yet to unpack and many things to put away.
3. Still not sure where I have put things that I have put away. I open four cabinet doors before I find the cereal bowls each morning. It's nice to have so many options though!
4. We decided not to have Rebecca in the dance competition team. It just didn't sit well with me to have her in competition at four years old. I think that at this age, the focus should be on teamwork and cooperation and being a good sport and trying new things, not in outdoing other people. There will be plenty of that in the years ahead, and if she wants to do it when she is old enough to understand the commitment, then we'll be happy to support her in that. For now, we're going to branch into some additional extracurriculars....swimming, Hawaiian/Polynesian dance, maybe gymnastics.
5. Since we moved, we have not had a digital cable box in our bedroom. Unlike in Chino Hills, where we still 99 channels which included the essentials (Bravo, HGTV, TLC, and the Food Network), here we only got 30. Those 30 included mostly home shopping networks. I have missed Real Housewives of New Jersey and New York for the last two weeks.
6. Ramy picked up the cable box for our bedroom today. I love him. Even if he did it so that I am not trying to make him talk to me when he is usually already asleep and I am watching Real Housewives.
7. Grammy made a chocolate chess pie yesterday. It had never worked before in California. I thought it was a difference in the butter/margarine (original recipe called for margarine, horror of horrors). Then I thought it might be that my oven in Chino Hills was gas. Apparently that is indeed what it was, because it turned out perfectly in new oven, which has the gas cooktop and the electric oven, which is the perfect combo in my book.
8. I finally found the sectional sofa I wanted in leather! I took a lot of searching, but I sleuthed it out. And we ended up getting it at a good price. Unfortunately, it will take a couple of weeks for it to come in.
9. Gymboree has increased their prices, which makes me unhappy. However, they seem to be having sales sooner with deeper discounts. So I will have to see if I might actually come out better in the end. This is why I took so many statistics classes.
10. Still no approval to take the EPPP. And now that we've moved and I am just a few weeks away from having all my postdoctoral hours required for licensure, I really have no more excuse to not study. Please remind me of this!
7.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
We're in!
The old house closed on Monday.
The new house closed on Wednesday afternoon. We slept at the new house Wednesday night, though we were sleeping on mattresses on the floor.
We were fully out of the old house and into the new house by Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Ramy's text message to me on Thursday morning was "How can a family of 3 have so much $%!#."
Since then, it's been a marathon of having people come in to put up ceiling fans, measuring for our shutters, deliver furniture, and for us to get drawers and cabinets lined and to begin unpacking. We still have boxes everywhere, and the organization will be an ongoing project for the next few weekends.
The new house closed on Wednesday afternoon. We slept at the new house Wednesday night, though we were sleeping on mattresses on the floor.
We were fully out of the old house and into the new house by Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Ramy's text message to me on Thursday morning was "How can a family of 3 have so much $%!#."
Since then, it's been a marathon of having people come in to put up ceiling fans, measuring for our shutters, deliver furniture, and for us to get drawers and cabinets lined and to begin unpacking. We still have boxes everywhere, and the organization will be an ongoing project for the next few weekends.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Real Estate Update
On Thursday afternoon, the loan documents for our new house came in, and I took off work early to meet Ramy so that we could drive to Corona and sign everything. That was supposed to be the very last paperwork we needed to do before closing. Also on Thursday, when we were supposed to close escrow on our old/current house, I got a call from our realtor Shirley. Apparently the buyer's lender realized they needed two more pieces of paper, which were technically optional but they wanted anyway. These were things like a variation of the disclosure statement that had been signed in mid-May and a piece of paper agreeing that we didn't have termites, something that the inspector's report had said three weeks ago. As a result, they wouldn't fund his loan, which meant we couldn't finalize the purchase of the new home. It would have been nice to have a few more days, since we had the recital and all this past weekend. Of course, however, we'd already arranged for the delivery of the new refrigerator, for the people who are doing the shutters to come in, for the cable people to come set everything up, and we'd had our mail forwarded to the new address; plus, Ramy was already set to be off work Friday and this week. Oh well, it was a minor delay, but a pain nonetheless.
The walk-through on the new house was on Friday afternoon. It was so exciting to get to see the house with everything complete. The construction superintendent did the walk-through with us and noticed some imperceptibly miniscule things that needed to be perfected and marked those to be done before we closed. The wood floors look so beautiful! I love them so much! Rebecca gave Grammy a tour of the house while we were being oriented to how to run the house (ha!). Of course, Friday was also the day of Rebecca's dress rehearsal in Upland, so we had to take off a little before we were done to be sure we got there in time. This weekend, we did some furniture shopping. We bought Rebecca's new bedroom furniture, and we also bought a new formal dining table and chairs for the dining room and informal table and chairs for the great room. I also went on a wild goose chase for a leather sectional sofa that apparently has existed at one time but is discontinued.
Our buyer's loan was funded today and also recorded today, so we officially no longer own this house we're still living in for the next couple of days. We have three days in our contract to turn over possession, and I think the buyer would like to have moved in a second after we closed. In fact, he had a contractor over this afternoon to see about knocking down a wall that is actually structural. Whatever, it's his to do with now! Whew!
If everything goes according to plan, the transfer of title on the new house will be recorded on Wednesday. The moving-in will commence on Wednesday as well! Ramy will be off the rest of the week, with Grammy and Rebecca to help him, but I'll be at work! Hopefully I will leave for work at one house and come home to a new house. If only it would be fully moved and unpacked too! A girl can dream, can't I?
The walk-through on the new house was on Friday afternoon. It was so exciting to get to see the house with everything complete. The construction superintendent did the walk-through with us and noticed some imperceptibly miniscule things that needed to be perfected and marked those to be done before we closed. The wood floors look so beautiful! I love them so much! Rebecca gave Grammy a tour of the house while we were being oriented to how to run the house (ha!). Of course, Friday was also the day of Rebecca's dress rehearsal in Upland, so we had to take off a little before we were done to be sure we got there in time. This weekend, we did some furniture shopping. We bought Rebecca's new bedroom furniture, and we also bought a new formal dining table and chairs for the dining room and informal table and chairs for the great room. I also went on a wild goose chase for a leather sectional sofa that apparently has existed at one time but is discontinued.
Our buyer's loan was funded today and also recorded today, so we officially no longer own this house we're still living in for the next couple of days. We have three days in our contract to turn over possession, and I think the buyer would like to have moved in a second after we closed. In fact, he had a contractor over this afternoon to see about knocking down a wall that is actually structural. Whatever, it's his to do with now! Whew!
If everything goes according to plan, the transfer of title on the new house will be recorded on Wednesday. The moving-in will commence on Wednesday as well! Ramy will be off the rest of the week, with Grammy and Rebecca to help him, but I'll be at work! Hopefully I will leave for work at one house and come home to a new house. If only it would be fully moved and unpacked too! A girl can dream, can't I?
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Dance Recital
Rebecca and her fellow dancers had to be at the auditorium 2 hours before the recital began. They sat outside with their class until everyone had checked in. Then they went with their bags of snacks, makeup, and other necessities and their room mom to wait patiently for the show to begin.
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If you'll notice, the children to the left of Rebecca watched Rebecca the entire time to see what they were supposed to be doing.
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Such good balance!
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Rebecca really belted out the song. You could clearly hear her!
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After the recital, I was finally able to go check her out. I assumed she would be totally exhausted. Not our girl! She said, "I loved my recital!" She got a new stuffed dog and a ballerina puzzle as gifts, which she loved. We were so proud of our beautiful dancer at her second dance recital!
Mommy, Daddy, Grammy, and Grandma were very excited to see the fifth performance, Little Stars!
Definitely not the best picture I've taken! However, notice that Rebecca is the 4th from the left and in midair! Great jump!
At the end of their song, they were supposed to hold their final "kiss" pose until the lights went out. There were only two kids who held their pose....Rebecca was one of them.
After their performance, the class sat together in the audience to watch the remaining two and a half hours of the show! Then they had their final bow.
After the recital, I was finally able to go check her out. I assumed she would be totally exhausted. Not our girl! She said, "I loved my recital!" She got a new stuffed dog and a ballerina puzzle as gifts, which she loved. We were so proud of our beautiful dancer at her second dance recital!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Dance Recital
Today was Rebecca's dance recital. She was a champ! She had dress rehearsal yesterday, in which I had to drop her off and come back and pick her up two and a half hours later. This morning, we were up early to get her hair done, then she had to be there an hour and 45 minutes before the show. Then mommy stood in line in the broiling sun until they opened the house doors. The Little Stars were the 5th number. I was glad they were early in the program for several reasons - less time to mess up hair or costume, less time to get sleepy and not want to perform, and less time for mommy to be nervous. I have to say that Dellos definitely puts on a good production, but it is a bit of an ordeal!
Here she is! (Video by Ramiro P. Cisneros....I was snapping pics, which I'll get up tomorrow).
Incidentally, Rebecca was invited this week to audition for Dellos' competition group. I had no idea that they had competition groups for kids as young as 4, but they do indeed. I'm glad that they recommended her to audition, because of her skills, listening/attention ability, and how fast she catches onto steps. However, it just seems a bit young to me to be in that level of competitive activity. At this point, dancing is just fun, and she is into being part of the group. I'm thinking emphasizing teamwork instead of competition at this age is the right way to go, and having the opportunity to try several activities instead of honing in only on one is probably better. Not to mention that the time commitment and financial outlay are weighty! (A minimum of a ballet class plus another area class each week, plus special group rehearsals and specific technique instruction. From January to July, they perform in 6-8 competitions). I don't think we're going to do it at this point, but if she continues to love dance and wants to do it when she is old enough to get what it entails, then I'm sure we will.
Here she is! (Video by Ramiro P. Cisneros....I was snapping pics, which I'll get up tomorrow).
Incidentally, Rebecca was invited this week to audition for Dellos' competition group. I had no idea that they had competition groups for kids as young as 4, but they do indeed. I'm glad that they recommended her to audition, because of her skills, listening/attention ability, and how fast she catches onto steps. However, it just seems a bit young to me to be in that level of competitive activity. At this point, dancing is just fun, and she is into being part of the group. I'm thinking emphasizing teamwork instead of competition at this age is the right way to go, and having the opportunity to try several activities instead of honing in only on one is probably better. Not to mention that the time commitment and financial outlay are weighty! (A minimum of a ballet class plus another area class each week, plus special group rehearsals and specific technique instruction. From January to July, they perform in 6-8 competitions). I don't think we're going to do it at this point, but if she continues to love dance and wants to do it when she is old enough to get what it entails, then I'm sure we will.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Ten on Tuesday
1. I'm waiting to go pick my mom up from the airport. She got delayed in Las Vegas. It could mean that they want her to keep spending money in the slots there in the airport.
2. We're set to close on the houses on Thursday and Friday! Moving will commence on Friday!
3. The Real Housewives of Orange County reunion shows were fabulous! Love all the nasty back-biting and catfighting. Million Dollar Decorators is a new show, and I love it. I love it when one of the gayest of the gay men on the show said they thought their job was more stressful than that of the President of the United States.
4. I'm taking a group of clients to a bar on an outing for Therapy in the Community on Thursday. We've got plans to take them to Therapy in the Community on an outing to a baseball game in a couple of weeks. Hopefully I can find a way to work in some therapy at the beach! It's a tough job, huh?
5. Rebecca is excited that she has to wear makeup for her dance recital. She is not excited that she has to wear her hair up in "piggy buns." I am not excited about that either. In fact, I woke up at 3 in the morning on Friday thinking about how much spray gel and how many bobby pins were going to be required for this feat of hairdressing.
6. I'm a little nervous about the dance recital. They have to be there 2 hours early and parents can't stay with them. Instead, they have a "room mom" for each class, who is to get them fed, keep them calm, and make sure they don't get scared, keep them quiet in the dark for 3 numbers before they go onstage, and then keep them orderly while they sit in the audience for the rest of the show. Initially, they chose a woman to be the room mom who shows butt cleavage in her jeans and whose children are named Londyn and Rocket.
7. Casa Colina hosted a varicose vein screening, and I went to it today with three of my colleagues. It was kind of a team-building exercise. Three of us (me included!) indeed have varicose veins that should be treated. One of my colleagues is actually getting hers fixed tomorrow (sclerotherapy). If hers turn out well and her leg doesn't fall off, I might get mine done. Luckily, I don't have to work with radiology very often or that would be weird.
8. My niece graduates from middle school tomorrow night. Yay, Jessica! (Pics from her graduation dinner will be coming soon...as will pics from the graduation).
9. We have a crazy neighbor lady who staggers drunkenly down the street to go to the hot tub every night. Ramy informs me that this same lady (crazy! old! batty!) sometimes washes her car in a bikini. Yikes!
10. It is time to go to the airport!
2. We're set to close on the houses on Thursday and Friday! Moving will commence on Friday!
3. The Real Housewives of Orange County reunion shows were fabulous! Love all the nasty back-biting and catfighting. Million Dollar Decorators is a new show, and I love it. I love it when one of the gayest of the gay men on the show said they thought their job was more stressful than that of the President of the United States.
4. I'm taking a group of clients to a bar on an outing for Therapy in the Community on Thursday. We've got plans to take them to Therapy in the Community on an outing to a baseball game in a couple of weeks. Hopefully I can find a way to work in some therapy at the beach! It's a tough job, huh?
5. Rebecca is excited that she has to wear makeup for her dance recital. She is not excited that she has to wear her hair up in "piggy buns." I am not excited about that either. In fact, I woke up at 3 in the morning on Friday thinking about how much spray gel and how many bobby pins were going to be required for this feat of hairdressing.
6. I'm a little nervous about the dance recital. They have to be there 2 hours early and parents can't stay with them. Instead, they have a "room mom" for each class, who is to get them fed, keep them calm, and make sure they don't get scared, keep them quiet in the dark for 3 numbers before they go onstage, and then keep them orderly while they sit in the audience for the rest of the show. Initially, they chose a woman to be the room mom who shows butt cleavage in her jeans and whose children are named Londyn and Rocket.
7. Casa Colina hosted a varicose vein screening, and I went to it today with three of my colleagues. It was kind of a team-building exercise. Three of us (me included!) indeed have varicose veins that should be treated. One of my colleagues is actually getting hers fixed tomorrow (sclerotherapy). If hers turn out well and her leg doesn't fall off, I might get mine done. Luckily, I don't have to work with radiology very often or that would be weird.
8. My niece graduates from middle school tomorrow night. Yay, Jessica! (Pics from her graduation dinner will be coming soon...as will pics from the graduation).
9. We have a crazy neighbor lady who staggers drunkenly down the street to go to the hot tub every night. Ramy informs me that this same lady (crazy! old! batty!) sometimes washes her car in a bikini. Yikes!
10. It is time to go to the airport!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Ten on Tuesday
1. It's been a fast and busy week! Work is still ridiculously busy, but I have high hopes that the stress may have reached its peak and that we're on the way of getting things back under control. We have a consultant who we're working with, so I had to work on Saturday to meet with him. It was a LONG and intense day, but I think progress is being made. We love the patients SO much....if we can just fix some of the administrative stuff we're dealing with, work would be so perfectly golden.Knock on wood!
2. That said, every day has its own set of crazy. Yesterday, I was chasing a brain injured client with no memory as he ran out the front door and across the parking lot, as he was yelling and throwing various articles of clothing and personal belongings. Today, I had a client whip out his penis in the middle of a brain injury support group. I love it!
3. What do you say when a client whips out their penis in the middle of a support group, you might ask. Well, what I say is, "So-and-so, that's not appropriate for brain injury support group. Put it back in your pants until you have private time." It's hard to segue back to group conversation after you've discussed genitalia.
4. On Thursday night, Rebecca is going to start taking hula lessons! Actually, it's Hawaiian and Polynesian dance (they even throw in some Filipino dances!), and they get to wear little sarongs to class. She and her cousin Hannah are going to be taking the class together. How cute is that going to be??? I know there will be some fabulous pics to come from this adventure. How sad is it that I have been planning her wardrobe for class each week?
5. In reality tv news, Real Housewives of Orange County is finished except for the reunion show. It was a good season! We've still got New York and New Jersey. Plus now Million Dollar Decorators is on and Flipping Out is starting up. Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time fitting in the Bachelorette. It's good stuff, my friends. Don't knock it!
6. Rebecca is able to essentially give herself a complete shower, though we still watch over her and make sure her hair is really washed and that she doesn't drown and such. It's hilarious to see how much soap she uses to wash her tummy though. As if she ever actually gets dirty or sweaty. The best part is when she washes her underarms. She giggles so hard, because she tickles herself as she does it. Every time, it is a new set of giggles.
7. We should be closing on our houses sometime next week! Everything is in on the sale of our house, except for the last finalization of the loan stuff after they got in all the paperwork from the HOA, the appraisal, etc. Can't wait to get a firm date! We'll still have to do a walk-through a couple of days before closing, but other than that, it seems as though we are good to go!
8. All is going well with our new house as well. They put the tile in last week. The wood floors got started today and will continue to be installed tomorrow. The carpet should go in on Friday. After that, they still have to do some paint touchups in a couple of spots, install the facing on the fireplace, and the only other remaining thing should be to put in the sprinkler system and landscaping in the back yard. It looks like we'll still be able to close concurrently on both! Please pray for no last minute hiccups in this process!
9. It's going to be a crazy couple of weeks. This weekend, we will be packing like crazy (Ramy, please note that this means no naps this weekend)! We also have a graduation party for our niece Jessica. Next week, Grammy arrives for her visit on Tuesday night. Our niece Jessica graduates from middle school on Wednesday night. We should be closing sometime around Thursday. Hula class is on Thursday night. On Friday, Rebecca has her regular dance class dress rehearsal. Saturday is her dance recital. Sunday is Father's Day. And sometime within three days after closing, we'll be moving.
10. Do you know about Sorelli jewelry? They make pieces that are inspired by antiques but made with semiprecious stones. Good stuff without the major expense of true antiques. If you love jewelry like I do (and, oh, I do!), then you just might need to check out their site. Even better, find a retailer so you can see it in person. They make gorgeous pieces! My mommy bought me a necklace and earrings for my birthday, and now I'm obsessed. Because it wasn't enough to love all kinds of beaded necklaces that I have spilling out of my jewelry drawer. I really needed to start a new jewelry love affair.
2. That said, every day has its own set of crazy. Yesterday, I was chasing a brain injured client with no memory as he ran out the front door and across the parking lot, as he was yelling and throwing various articles of clothing and personal belongings. Today, I had a client whip out his penis in the middle of a brain injury support group. I love it!
3. What do you say when a client whips out their penis in the middle of a support group, you might ask. Well, what I say is, "So-and-so, that's not appropriate for brain injury support group. Put it back in your pants until you have private time." It's hard to segue back to group conversation after you've discussed genitalia.
4. On Thursday night, Rebecca is going to start taking hula lessons! Actually, it's Hawaiian and Polynesian dance (they even throw in some Filipino dances!), and they get to wear little sarongs to class. She and her cousin Hannah are going to be taking the class together. How cute is that going to be??? I know there will be some fabulous pics to come from this adventure. How sad is it that I have been planning her wardrobe for class each week?
5. In reality tv news, Real Housewives of Orange County is finished except for the reunion show. It was a good season! We've still got New York and New Jersey. Plus now Million Dollar Decorators is on and Flipping Out is starting up. Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time fitting in the Bachelorette. It's good stuff, my friends. Don't knock it!
6. Rebecca is able to essentially give herself a complete shower, though we still watch over her and make sure her hair is really washed and that she doesn't drown and such. It's hilarious to see how much soap she uses to wash her tummy though. As if she ever actually gets dirty or sweaty. The best part is when she washes her underarms. She giggles so hard, because she tickles herself as she does it. Every time, it is a new set of giggles.
7. We should be closing on our houses sometime next week! Everything is in on the sale of our house, except for the last finalization of the loan stuff after they got in all the paperwork from the HOA, the appraisal, etc. Can't wait to get a firm date! We'll still have to do a walk-through a couple of days before closing, but other than that, it seems as though we are good to go!
8. All is going well with our new house as well. They put the tile in last week. The wood floors got started today and will continue to be installed tomorrow. The carpet should go in on Friday. After that, they still have to do some paint touchups in a couple of spots, install the facing on the fireplace, and the only other remaining thing should be to put in the sprinkler system and landscaping in the back yard. It looks like we'll still be able to close concurrently on both! Please pray for no last minute hiccups in this process!
9. It's going to be a crazy couple of weeks. This weekend, we will be packing like crazy (Ramy, please note that this means no naps this weekend)! We also have a graduation party for our niece Jessica. Next week, Grammy arrives for her visit on Tuesday night. Our niece Jessica graduates from middle school on Wednesday night. We should be closing sometime around Thursday. Hula class is on Thursday night. On Friday, Rebecca has her regular dance class dress rehearsal. Saturday is her dance recital. Sunday is Father's Day. And sometime within three days after closing, we'll be moving.
10. Do you know about Sorelli jewelry? They make pieces that are inspired by antiques but made with semiprecious stones. Good stuff without the major expense of true antiques. If you love jewelry like I do (and, oh, I do!), then you just might need to check out their site. Even better, find a retailer so you can see it in person. They make gorgeous pieces! My mommy bought me a necklace and earrings for my birthday, and now I'm obsessed. Because it wasn't enough to love all kinds of beaded necklaces that I have spilling out of my jewelry drawer. I really needed to start a new jewelry love affair.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Birthday
I am not one who is embarassed by being fussed over or being given attention on my birthday. Phone calls, text messages, email cards, and hugs? Love it! Birthday cake? Yes, please. Happy birthday song by the loud operatic singer at Macaroni Grill? Bring it.
I am also not one to lament turning another year older. I realize that I'm only entering the years where people really gripe about birthdays, but I really believe strongly that I never will. Whining about a birthday is a pessimist's way of complaining that they're not dead yet. Having stared death in the face in my early 20s, I'm game for all kinds of birthday celebration! Never mind that I have now found a few more glistening silver hairs in the mirror and that I'm regularly using anti-aging moisturizer. Just a good excuse for more beauty products and trips to Ulta and Sephora.
This year, my birthday fell in the midst of a lot of hectic goings-on. I was hearing news about appraisals and inspections and title reports and escrow documents and CC&Rs (still have no clue whether that is a rock band or a financial statement), work's so chaotic that I worked late to try to be able to go on vacation, and Rebecca got sick. I have to admit that I had given little thought to my birthday this year. No wish list, even!But it ended up being one of my most enjoyable.
I took a few days off to fly back to Tennessee. Being "home" is always a wonderful treat. My mom plied me with biscuits, country ham, and sweet tea. I got to hang out with (at least a few members of my) girl posse. Seeing Les Miserables again after 9 years and being with my pals on the third row to see the 25th anniversary tour was an amazing celebration. I got a lottery ticket at a sketchy convenience store we dashed in because we all needed a bathroom and won $20 on it. I had a girls night for Mexican food and at the movies, complete with raucous laughter. My little girl selected my gift with such care and excitement that nothing could compare, and her hugs and kisses and repeated wishes of "Happy birthday, Mama!" made the day so precious. I started my actual birthday in Tennessee and then flew across the country (and Southwest gave me the gift of there being relatively no major delays) to end the birthday with my darling hubby. He picked us up at the airport and took me out for Italian for dinner and wrote sweet, thoughtful words in my birthday card. When I returned to work the next day, my co-neuropsychology partner-in-crime brought me my favorite Panera cinnamon crunch bagel with honey walnut cream cheese and iced tea and a funny card. On Friday night, my bestie Julie took me out for more pasta and the delight of a girls night of chatter. The weekend after, Rebecca and I made my aunt's famous strawberry cake as my birthday cake, and I'm not sure which of us enjoyed the fact that we were baking together more.
It was a wonderful birthday, because I'm blessed to be surrounded by so much love. My mom and Rebecca ooze love with their words and hugs and kisses and adoration. Ramy shows me love in the thousand things he does so carefully and with such devotion for me and the way he painstakingly writes sweet things in my cards and then tells me twisted jokes that only he and I would find funny. My girl posse can simultaneously give me the town gossip, important news, withering assessments of people we know, and make me laugh until I get a cramp in my side. I get to work with people who have my back and with whom I get to share hard work that is amazingly fulfilling. Julie shares with me this season of life in which we're balancing motherhood and career and has an uncanny ability to disarm my insecurities and recognize that my own quirks and obsessions maybe aren't so freakishly unique.
That kind of love is the best celebration!
I am also not one to lament turning another year older. I realize that I'm only entering the years where people really gripe about birthdays, but I really believe strongly that I never will. Whining about a birthday is a pessimist's way of complaining that they're not dead yet. Having stared death in the face in my early 20s, I'm game for all kinds of birthday celebration! Never mind that I have now found a few more glistening silver hairs in the mirror and that I'm regularly using anti-aging moisturizer. Just a good excuse for more beauty products and trips to Ulta and Sephora.
This year, my birthday fell in the midst of a lot of hectic goings-on. I was hearing news about appraisals and inspections and title reports and escrow documents and CC&Rs (still have no clue whether that is a rock band or a financial statement), work's so chaotic that I worked late to try to be able to go on vacation, and Rebecca got sick. I have to admit that I had given little thought to my birthday this year. No wish list, even!But it ended up being one of my most enjoyable.
I took a few days off to fly back to Tennessee. Being "home" is always a wonderful treat. My mom plied me with biscuits, country ham, and sweet tea. I got to hang out with (at least a few members of my) girl posse. Seeing Les Miserables again after 9 years and being with my pals on the third row to see the 25th anniversary tour was an amazing celebration. I got a lottery ticket at a sketchy convenience store we dashed in because we all needed a bathroom and won $20 on it. I had a girls night for Mexican food and at the movies, complete with raucous laughter. My little girl selected my gift with such care and excitement that nothing could compare, and her hugs and kisses and repeated wishes of "Happy birthday, Mama!" made the day so precious. I started my actual birthday in Tennessee and then flew across the country (and Southwest gave me the gift of there being relatively no major delays) to end the birthday with my darling hubby. He picked us up at the airport and took me out for Italian for dinner and wrote sweet, thoughtful words in my birthday card. When I returned to work the next day, my co-neuropsychology partner-in-crime brought me my favorite Panera cinnamon crunch bagel with honey walnut cream cheese and iced tea and a funny card. On Friday night, my bestie Julie took me out for more pasta and the delight of a girls night of chatter. The weekend after, Rebecca and I made my aunt's famous strawberry cake as my birthday cake, and I'm not sure which of us enjoyed the fact that we were baking together more.
It was a wonderful birthday, because I'm blessed to be surrounded by so much love. My mom and Rebecca ooze love with their words and hugs and kisses and adoration. Ramy shows me love in the thousand things he does so carefully and with such devotion for me and the way he painstakingly writes sweet things in my cards and then tells me twisted jokes that only he and I would find funny. My girl posse can simultaneously give me the town gossip, important news, withering assessments of people we know, and make me laugh until I get a cramp in my side. I get to work with people who have my back and with whom I get to share hard work that is amazingly fulfilling. Julie shares with me this season of life in which we're balancing motherhood and career and has an uncanny ability to disarm my insecurities and recognize that my own quirks and obsessions maybe aren't so freakishly unique.
That kind of love is the best celebration!
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