Great birthday weekend
Wow! I sure did have an AWESOME birthday weekend. I’m feeling a little “post-birthday” depression though, and eating everything in sight… I miss all the activity of the weekend and having all the people over. I love having people over, but I hate all the nervous cleaning I need to do beforehand!
My mom and dad delivered a goody basket to me at work with a big balloon tied to it. They do it for me every year, and it is one of the sweetest (if not one of the most embarrassing) things they do for me. Actually, I get choked up thinking about it. I always forget that it’s coming, but when I get it, I’m never surprised. But every year I get more and more touched that they do that for me.
Patrick threw a FANTASTIC joint birthday party for me and our friend Liz, whose birthday falls a day after mine. I was pretty nervous about it, and about having all my circles of friends come together in one spot… mostly I think they hung around their own familiar circles (I mean, I do the same thing at parties, really – gravitate towards people I know) but it seemed like most people had fun… I think. My parents again came through for me, being the sweet, generous parents that I am so lucky to have – we needed large amounts of food for the party, and they gifted us with these huge trays of pad thai and fried rice, and my mom made curry, and my friend Michelle’s mom made 100 spring rolls… there was no shortage of food at all. And friends were so wonderful with gifts of food and wine – I need to mention Jennifer and her GORGEOUS, DELICIOUS cupcakes of many flavors… I wish I had photographed them! Actually, I wish I took a lot more pictures than I actually did, and I’m kind of bummed about that! All of my friends together in one place, laughing and having a good time… man. I regret that. I was too busy having fun to document the fun! Oh well. And I have to give a huge shout-out to Ryan and the Dukes of Uke for performing… what a fantastic gift, I wish I had thanked them all individually. Wow, I didn’t have a ton to drink but I guess it was just a whirlwind of a night! Anyway, my mom and dad were there too for the beginning of the evening and I was so glad to see them there. My mom definitely kept people entertained, and even though my dad wasn’t feeling very well, he cracked a smile now and then. Man, I’m getting teary again.
Anyway! Patrick and Ryan had finished the deck earlier last week, just in time for the party, and it looks great. I bought a few plants and chairs to add some coziness to it but that’s about it… Patrick just did an amazing job. I tell you… when that boy sets his mind on something and has a particular goal, he sure is determined and he gets the job done. I think that’s how he went about pursuing me, as well. Ha!