I celebrated my 54th birthday on March 8 and as a gift to myself, I switched my day off from Friday to Tuesday so that I could do some fun, birthday-type things on my official, birthday-type day.
Some of that fun stuff included puttering around for the afternoon at several of my favorite thrift stores (I had birthday money to spend!) and then driving over to Duck, NC for some photography at the golden hour. The weather was pristine–72 degrees, cloudless sky, no humidity, no bugs, hardly any people around. It was basically just one step away from heaven. (I’ll share the pictures in another post.)
At my request, Steve grilled burgers for my birthday dinner. We don’t eat a lot of red meat but I just had a hankerin’ for a hunk of hamburger, so that’s what we ate. (I don’t know what other people get, but we southerners get hankerin’s!)
I also requested sliced cheddar cheese on the burger and sauteed onion. Eating doesn’t get much better than that.
Sarah made my requested chocolate eclair torte which takes me to my happy place. For some reason, I have always had an inordinate fondness for desserts with graham crackers in them.
We Skyped with Nathan and Meagan for a while which is why I am staring intently at the phone. (And no, I am not asleep.) By the way, the lovely necklace was a gift from my childhood friend, Lorrie. Love it!
Sarah caught this fun perspective of the proceedings.
Sarah got me some slimline hangers for my closet (which I had requested), fuzzy socks (which I am addicted to) and some darling thank you note cards. (She knows me well.)
Steve did his usual fabulous job of gift-wrapping. I usually slap paper and tape on gifts in a slaphappy, haphazard-ish fashion while his gifts are always a work of art.
Here is one of the things he got me– a gorgeous shawl which can also be worn as a scarf. He knows how much I love unique clothing.
He also got me this necklace and earring set. It has tassels on it which is so fun. The saleslady told him that tassels are really in right now so, for once in my life, I am on the cutting edge of the fashion world. (Doesn’t happen very often.)
Here are a couple of pieces that I got during my Birthday Thrift Store Shopping Extravaganza. (Shirt and skirt were each $3.69.) The shirt just happened to perfectly match Steve’s necklace set so I wore it all to work the next day. My Birthday Bedazzlement.
But with all the shopping, photography, food, cake, Skyping, and gifts, do you know how I could REALLY tell that I was celebrating a special day?
It was when I went into the bathroom and found that Steve had folded the toilet paper like this.
Nothing signifies love, respect and admiration like triangled toilet paper. Don’t I have such a great husband?
Here is a video of Noah and Meagan singing me happy birthday. I cannot describe to you big I smiled when Meagan first sent it. I especially love how Noah sings “gramma” at every point in the song where a name doesn’t usually go but then gets slightly stymied when he arrives at the point in the song where it IS supposed to go! Too, too funny.
And this video also showcases the fabulous mommy that Meagan is–loving, patient, nurturing and fun. So thankful my grand babies have a mom like her!
Pretty sure it is impossible to watch this without smiling.
So glad you enjoyed your birthday. I check out thrift stores some but never find bargains like you do. We have a few but not much in them that interest me. I did buy 4 votive candle holders to complete the ones I need for Pilot services in May and June. Noah was precious singing to you. Our grandson had his 4th birthday today and a party yesterday. He wanted us to sing “Happy Birthday” to him twice. Steve is definitely a keeper! Sarah did good in her gifts, too.
Ann,
Thrift stores can be a hit and miss proposition. Sometimes you walk in and find several treasures and sometimes you find absolutely nothing. It’s the treasure-finding prospect that keeps me hooked. 🙂
I know you’re so proud of your big boy 4-year old grandson! The years pass quickly, don’t they?
So glad you had such a wonderful birthday, and Steve, well what can one person say about a guy who will fold it up into it’s loveliness as the hotels do. He’s always thinking – and such wonderful gifts. You talked about fuzzy socks. Have you ever bought Snoozies – slippers. They are so warm and have the non-skid bottoms. They have come out now with spring ones that aren’t so fuzzy. They can be costly (up to $15.00), but I keep an eye out for stores that have them at a lesser price. Going to thrift stores on your birthday – that’s the way to do it. We are in a part of Florida on vacation that I don’t think is known for inexpensive items. Went into a store today to look for a t-shirt to remember this vacation by and one was $33.00 and another $55.00. Saw a nice shirt and it was $108.00 – I walked out of the store. Not my kind of prices. SHOW ME A THRIFT STORE (but certainly won’t find one here)!
Sharyn,
Will have to keep my eyes open for Snoozies. They sound wonderful!
That is the most adorable birthday song ever.
Jenna,
I would have to agree. I’ve listened to it about a hundred times.
steve surely excels in shopping !!!
wish i could hear noah’s singing. he did look cute, though.
Mrs. Pam,
Steve excels in shopping and Noah excels in cuteness.
oops, blue layered skirt!
Glad you had such a good b-day. Love that green layered skirt you have on. So rustic/farm-girl/shabby chic/ romantic/hippie…! Steve is a good wrapper, a hidden talent he should bestow on other gift-fumbling husbands. You are blessed, as I know you already know! Ruth
Ruth,
Yes, I was quite happy to find that skirt. It’s blue color can basically take the place of a denim skirt, which means it goes with a lot of stuff. But unlike denim, it is very light and cool, which will be lovely on a southern summer day.
I am soooooo jealous! I’m decades older than you (almost), and no one anywhere has ever triangulated my toilet paper for my birthday. Holiday Inn may have done it once or twice, but not for my birthday, and not for less than $80.
Noah is too cute for words. I love his enthusiasm for singing “Grandma,” except at the appropriate place. What a hoot. His high school will have to have a digital yearbook so that video can be included.
Steve is very special to make your birthday dinner to your wishes, and to do that beautiful gift wrapping! (Hope this makes him feel better about Debbie’s neglect. Maybe now he’ll like me better than he likes her…at least for a few seconds. But if he doesn’t, that’s ok, too, as long as he feels a little bit better.)
Love the serendipity of your new necklace matching your new outfit. Looks like you were bewitched, birthdayed and bedazzled!
Jan,
How nice to know that Steve can like you better than his sister-in-law for a few seconds at least. 🙂
And I’m so sorry about the lack of triangulated toilet paper in your life. Maybe for some birthday in the next decade (or three,) someone will come along with triangulation skills.
Isn’t Noah adorable! The folded toilet paper is just the detail that makes a day special. I’m going to do that to someone on their birthday because it’s so clever. So who is the tp expert? Steve or Sarah?
Lesley,
Thanks for that question–it reminded me to edit the post and say that Steve was the tp folder.:-) I forgot to specify that earlier. 🙂
Happy belated Birthday, Becky! 🙂
Thanks, Kristi. Five days into my new year and it’s going pretty well so far! 🙂
Happy belated birthday!!! Looks like you had a lot of fun. Your video was so precious. Noah is growing up fast and is so cute. Take care and have a wonderful weekend!
Shawn,
Yes, Noah is growing up incredibly fast. He is an actual real little boy now, leaving babyhood behind. Amazing how fast that happens!
Ann loves thrift stores but we do not have any around here. She is going to have to come down there and you give her a tour. The video was the icing on every thing. I had to watch it twice!
Jim,
I’ll give Ann a thrift store tour any ol’ time!
I’m like you–I had to watch that video more than once, just to capture all the cuteness. 🙂
Yep, I sure did smile! Cutest video ever. So glad you had a birthday full of doing the things you like best.
Even though I was a rotten sister and got my card and gift out late, I was there in spirit! Probably plucking worriedly at your sleeve.
I was reading over at Smithellaneous Classic last night and came across some of the posts when you had the mastectomy. How does time do that thing that makes us forget the intensity of the pain of some of life’s circumstances? It must be God’s mercy to help us heal over time.
As I read, I was horrified all over again at what you went through. But I was even more amazed again at the caliber of person you are. You are a courageous and strong and you possess that particular deep beauty that is crafted in the fire.
I love you and am so proud of you!
Love, Deb
Debbie, great comments for a great lady! But alas, no comments about me?!
Ha! Hmmm, let’s see. Yes, there’s always plenty I can say about you :-)–just give me a minute…. To say it succinctly, I am always so thankful that Beck has such a rare husband who cherishes her and sticks by her side no matter what. Plus any guy who can say “I love you” with a fold in the tp, unfailingly remembers his wife’s b-day and is nice to his sister-in-law is an all around fab guy in my book. (although my guy is fabber.) Bless your heart and all the rest of your guts too!
Deb, and I fix the truck!
Deb,
My first thought after reading your comment was “How Does Time Do That Thing” would make a wonderful country song title! 🙂
And as for all the stuff I went through with my mastectomy, you and mom were there for hardest part of it–that week after the surgery. You were a very brave and diligent drain emptier and pill dispenser. Thanks again for being at my side through all of that yuckiness.
And as for you and Steve? You’ll just have to duke it out yourselves. 🙂
Happy belated birthday! And what a cute happy birthday song! You’re right you can’t watch without smiling.
Phyllis,
I’ve probably watched that video 20 times this week. Made me smile every single time!
“these are the good old days!”
Steve–yes, they are! Even bad days are good days because we’re alive and we’re together.
ADORBS! He looks just like his daddy!!!!
Jodi,
I’m not sure yet who he looks like but the kid had got some charm goin’ on!
Oh my goodness….Noah is just adorable! Being sung to by sweet little grandchildren is the BEST! I have a voicemail message from my oldest granddaughter from a year ago that I keep saving because it is just too sweet. So glad you had a happy birthday!!
Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend!
Leaanne, you should try make a digital recording of it to keep forever 🙂
LeeAnne,
I agree with Jenna that that is a recording that’s worthy of keeping forever. I’m so thankful I was not a grandma 100 years ago since they didn’t have photos or recordings. Such priceless treasures, aren’t they?