43

I turned 43 yesterday (11 July).  For once, I went to work -- I usually take vacation on my birthday, but this year I worked.  Am trying to accumulate vacation time. 

I got to work late in part because I stopped by Office Depot.  Well, it was actually because I was wearing a new shirt the hubster bought for me ($20 on sale at Eddie Bauer) and it was a little low.  I had a serious case of gaposis with a mock wrap top and I didn't want everyone to see what kind of undergarments I wear.  I stopped by Office Depot to buy some double sided tape.  Got the tape (which only came in a permenent type and two packages, not singles) and spent 10 minutes in my truck trying to apply it successfully. 

There's a hitch with my vision these days.  Since I'm over 40, the close up range isn't so good.  I have monovision contacts now which helps most of the time.  So I'm applying the tape to one side of my blouse with my right eye closed.  I think I'm supposed to peel off the top layer of the tape.  I fight with this for about 10 minutes (with the engine running and the a/c going, 'cause I don't want to be hot, sweaty, and I don't want everyone in the store to see me doing this).  Then I realize that maybe I should read the words printed on that top layer of tape.  It's the leader for the tape.  Duh.  Once I actually got to the tape, all was good for about 3 hours.  Then I had to replace said tape.  But it worked.

So I got into work and my student assistants greeted me with "Happy Birthday!"  "Who told you it was my birthday???"  They flushed.  My friend Mosker had brought in a cake for them and told them it was my birthday.  Mosker and I had a deal -- no presents for the birthdays, but candy was allowable with a card.  Because the cake was for the STUDENTS, she thought she was off the hook.  I kept her sweating for a while.  The cake was delicious, and as it turned out, was my lunch for the day.

So, the rest of the day was punctuated with "Happy Birthday!", cards, e-cards and cake.  Even my hairdresser called to wish me happy birthday! I left work to visit my young friend who is STILL in Children's Mercy Hospital.  I brought her McDonald's for dinner and brought her lovely acid green flip-flops I crocheted with furry yarn.  Photos to come.  Yes, my bday dinner was McDonald's, but she was happy I spent some time with her on my special day. 

Then off to Stroud's to meet up with friends visiting from out of town.  They ate, and we all talked and had fun catching up.  My friends have a delightful 5 year old daughter, Emma.  I had stopped by Barnes and Noble after work en route to the hospital to pick up a little something for her.  I spent a gift card the in-laws gave me on her (sorry, but hey, it worked!) for Make Way for Ducklings and an alphabet word and coloring book in French.  She spent time before dinner and during dinner coloring and chatting with us in French and English, even correcting my French!  Voila!  After dinner, we went down to the pond on the restaurant's property and fed the ducks and swans cottage fries.  Emma was delighted and a little frightened all at once.  She would fly to my side when a gooce decided to come closer.  But it was all fun and safe.

What a birthday!  And today Mosker and Rustee took me out to Chipotle.  Let the celebration continue!

Comments

[mosker]

I believe clarification is necessary. I did unknowingly reveal your birthday to your students, but I had NOTHING to do with all of the other birthday greetings you received throughout the day. NOTHING.

(I had no idea librarians don't have birthdays...)

[Carl V.]

I wish you the happiest of belated birthdays. You certainly deserve to be treated like a queen all week...remind your fellow tarts and coworkers and hubby! ;)

[Jo]

Happy birthday! How sweet that you spent it doing something nice for someone else.
BTW, I think you and I have met -- when I talked to you I meant to say that I've read your blog but you looked busy (if it was really you) and I didn't get around to it.

[Shari]

Happy Belated Birthday!
You have such a kind and giving spirit, hence the love and blessings that have flowed (and, I'm sure, will continue to flow) for your birthday! Have a blessed week.

[suzanne]

Happy (belated) birthday!