Playing Catch-Up

O.K., so probably, the really good bloggers blog every day. And I'm glad they do, because it can be rather entertaining. However, I am not a really good blogger. I am a beginner. And probably I will look back on this and cringe. But it is what it is for now.

So . . . I have a lot of catching up to do today.

My Birthday 2009

Monday was my birthday. Now, I had originally planned on starting school that day, but I hit a couple of snags: 1) The Heart of the Matter Online Conference started that day with Sheila Wray Gregoire speaking on "Living Up to the Potential of Homeschooling." I love this gal. So part of my present to me was to listen to her first thing in the morning (6:15 AM). 2) My mom called me to say that she had asked off work for the day so she could spend it with me. Well, school could wait a day. So my mom came over and made french toast for breakfast. She used a bread she bought at Safeway that was made for making french toast. It actually had maple syrup baked into it. Anyway, this was a huge treat for me, because I tend to shy away from yeasted breads. But, you will be happy to know, I enjoyed it to the fullest.

Now, here's where it gets a little funny. I had decided to give myself the day off, right? So, why at 11:00 AM in Tucson (can we say, "Hot!") did I decide to go outside and do serious work on my pumpkin patch? We moved vines and pumpkins and mowed under them. We raked up grass. We were very sweatish. Well, I know the reason why: it was something I had been wanting to do, but wouldn't give myself permission to do because of all the other things that need my attention during a normal day.

So after a nice shower and a little nap, what did I decide to do next? Clean out the dirty, nasty, yucky, icky, gross pee trap in one of my children's bathroom sinks. Yes, I have a weird way of celebrating, don't I? But I was happy. This was something else I needed to do, but so many other things always pulled me away.

Dinner of the Birthday Day

Mom made Taco Rice for dinner. Basically this is what she did:

Browned 2 lbs. ground beef
Added taco seasoning and tomato sauce with a little water
Added cooked brown rice

This was served with all the usual taco fixings. Yummy, yummy to our tummies.

For dessert: my husband made me a Butterscotch Apple Cake. Can we say ohh, ahh? Why, yes, we can; and, yes, we did.

Heartfelt Presents

From mom: Pink roses and a day without having to cook or clean the kitchen (Happy dance!!!)
From sis: Dove bar (Dancing, again!!!)
From hubby: This may sound a little weird, but he got me a plain wedding band. Now, I asked for this. We take karate, and I am not allowed to wear my wedding rings to class because of the setting. So I take it off for class, and several days later I realize I haven't put it back on. So now, I can still let everyone know that I am a happily married woman who goes to karate.

Here's where I choke up: This was the first year my children spent their own money on a gift for me. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I have been waiting for them to spend their money on me, but this is a MILESTONE, people! For an 11 year old and a 7 year old to go to the bank (or piggy bank), take out money, plan on the gift they want to buy, then ask Grammy to take them to buy the gift . . . that's big.

From 11 YO DD: Pier I gift card
From 7 YO DS: New yogurt bowl (I eat yogurt and cereal practically every morning for breakfast, and I like deep bowls with lots of room for mixing), new cup (that matched aforementioned bowl) for, "Anything you want to drink, Mom.", and a new mug. How absolutely sweet and precious?

Thus ended one of the happiest birthdays I can remember.