Winding Down

A few months back, Steven asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I told him that the only thing I really wanted was to have both of my children together.  I hinted that it would be great if he could make it happen.

A few weeks ago, Sir showed me the email he had with Jake,wherein Jake said he couldn't make it for my birthday weekend, he had to work.  Little did I know, this was a scam.  Steven, Jake and Taylor plotted behind my back,and flew Jake in for the weekend.

 

I opened my gifts the morning of my birthday to find out Jake would be in town within 24 hours, and would be joining us at my birthday party.  

We picked him up Friday evening, and got to play with him all weekend long.  

 And, on Saturday, my birthday wish came all the way true.  I had my two kids together!!  And it was great.

My dear friends,my family and my wonderful husband were all with me to celebrate at Mellow Mushroom.

 We got to play the next day at a teeny tiny Oktoberfest. (complete with the world's worst Oompa Band!)

 

It was the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER. Turning 50 was no big deal.  But celebrating it?  With all my loved ones together?  That made it the best deal.

Thanks Sir. xxx

WHEW

I have had a whirlwind kind of week.  Once I get a chance to sleep, I'll share some details, but until then, let me tease you with some pictures:

 

50 Tulips

 

 Two Offices Decorated

 Two Snack Days

 A super special birthday present

 50 Memories on 50 Wine Corks

50 Pictures of 50 Different Hairstyles

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I turn 50 on Thursday.

I'm the last of all my school friends who are reaching this milestone.  I was always the youngster in the class. You know, everyone else was able to drive, vote and drink (legally) before me.  It was a real pain in the keester back then, but at least I'm one of the last ones in my 40's.

Last year, my forever friend, Laura, turned 50.  To honor her birthday, I sent her a list of 50 memories I had with and about her.

Saturday, I walked out of my house and saw a book from Shutterfly on my front step.  Look who's on the cover:

 

Oh, you might not recognize her.  That's Jake's mom.  (seriously,  I totally see Jake in myself here!)   This girl was all purity and filled with hope and dreams.  (pretty funny, really, since I was stood up at the dance I attended in this dress)

My 50 before me friend took my memories,and went one step further.  She found photos, memorabilia, and put them all together to bring those memories back to life. 

I love stuff like this, I love gifts like this, and I so appreciate that she took all this time to put it together.

Don't be jealous of my blue shawl.

We haven't seen each other in many years. She lives in Colorado, and of course, I'm here on the East Coast. But she's one of just a few people in my life that  have been there for years and years; close to 50 years, really.  Our birthdays don't pass without each of us sending a card, and we correspond at Christmas. For the most part, that's about it. But, I always count her as one of my forever friends.  I mean, she IS.  The advent of Facebook has helped tremendously, as we're able to share our lives more easily, and more often.

But, what a treat it is for me, to start this birthday week with such a special trip down Memory Lane.  Thanks Laura! I think I'll go listen to some Ohio Players now.

Mid Week Mute, One Day Late

Yes,You Can Thank ME

Two Warnings:

#1:  If you haven't watched the final Breaking Bad, there is a major spoiler coming up in this post.  (MIKE JACKSON, I'm talking to YOU!)

#2:  I promise this will be my last post about Breaking Bad.  Well, maybe.

Anywayyyyyyyyyyyyy

I saved Jesse Pinkman.  Yep, you read that right.  I saved him.

You see, I went for my run on Saturday.  As you all know, I'm a wee bit obsessed with this BB show,and the life of Jesse. In addition, I have been a bit bothered about the fact that I'm such a slow runner.  (see previous post) 

So, on Saturday, I was trying to find ways to up my speed and pace.  Fast music helps, as does reminding myself that Diana Nyad didn't meet her goal until she was 64. But, I needed something to really kick my tail into high gear.  (Well, high gear for me?)

So, I promised myself that if I could get over two miles total (between walking and running) OR get over one mile running, that Jesse would live. 

So, I pushed these short legs.  I made them make bigger strides.  I spit loads of saliva.  And, when I made it home, I checked my screen and saw this:

 

Whereas I didn't save him with total distance, that final sprint pushed me over the one mile mark on the run.  

And ladies and gentlemen,

Jesse lives!!

Of course, now the series is over and  now I need to find someone else to save with my exercise program...

In another Breaking Bad moment of my weekend, my little friends made some blue meth for me:

Yeah, okay, it was really rock candy.  But, how fun is that? 

Thanks Nick and Dave!

***************

and Saturday, we celebrated with friends as they married at Folly Beach.  Congratulations Drew and Mandy!!  A beach wedding sure is lovely.

I took the day off to recover from a stressful week of work, a busy weekend, and the suspected emotional duress experienced during BB.  It's been a nice quiet day, and now that I've written this post, I promise to put this part of my life back into just my little delusional head.  Thanks for sticking it out with me.

Who knows what my next addiction will be?  I bet you can't WAIT to find out that one!

It's Official!!

Yep, it's official.  I run slower than I walk.  Here's your proof:

This is week four, and I'm getting slower.  Huh?  What's with that?  Granted, I'm still pleased with myself for sticking with it, but good gravy, what is up with my body?  I honestly think the simple fact is that I don't know HOW to run.  My knees are aching a bit, so I think I might be a bit afraid to up the ante.    But either way, I am S L O W.  Turtle slow.  I don't scare the squirrels slow.

In other news, one more week of Breaking Bad.  After that, I will have some kind of emotional let down, and then I don't know what.  All I want is for Jesse to live and Todd to die.  Other than that, I'm easy.

We went to a Great Gatsby party this weekend, super fun.  It was a promotional event for YELP, so all the food and drink were free.  Let me just say if you ever get a chance to try pumpkin infused vodka, DO IT.  Yum!  It was like drinking pumpkin pie.

There was no sign of Leo, but these folks sure looked hot!

We always enjoy dressing up (Sir calls it Fancy Dress) and it was neat to see what all the people wore.  We had most everything sitting around our house, I think the only thing purchased was Steven's white tie.

I had help with my dress---

 

I introduce you to Domino, my personal tailor.

 He is oh so helpful.

Things have been busy and good.  I hope all is well in your part of the world and that your running pace is faster than your walking pace.  Sheesh.

My favorite picture of the Gatsby night:

 

And then he told him about Jane...

Breaking Bad ends in two weeks. I don't  know if I can stand it.  I don't want it to end; one, because it's such a great show, and two, because I just know it won't end well.  I am very emotionally wrapped up in this show, and as it nears its end, it's just getting bigger, better and more gasp worthy than ever!

For the last few weeks, I watch the show on Sunday, become an emotional wreck, and lie awake in bed unable to sleep, for thinking about the show.  I think about what just happened, and worry about what will happen next.

 

I look on Twitter and Tumblr, and read posts from others like myself:  Breaking Bad Addicts.  

 

(at least I'm in good company with this one ↑ )

The only other things I have time for at this point is work and that dreaded exercise thing I'm doing.  (I start week 3 tomorrow, still chafing strong!)  Mentally, I'm all tied up in New Mexico, and worried to death about Jesse Pinkman.  I'm hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. 

For some reason, I just don't see this as the end result---