Birthday Weekend

I did have a nice birthday. Thank you for the happy wishes you sent - I looked at them upon waking and after getting back from my massage and was, in fact, quite happy.

“Not impressed?” I asked Mom as we left the building. She got in the car, we buckled in and I glanced over at her.

“I wouldn’t do it again,” she offered politely. I nodded and began to back out. “I felt good when I woke up this morning,” she continued conversationally. “Now my back hurts. And I have a headache. I don’t remember the last time I had a headache.”

I laughed and apologized for making her go through such a miserable experience. She said she gets nervous and uncomfortable and really doesn’t like anything about the massage experience. She did, however, enjoy meeting some of the people I work for. We parked illegally and wandered in to drop off my new violet pot. Then we met Boss and Tim, Colleague and Jill. They said lovely things to her and she enjoyed hearing them so that was nice. We came to fetch Dad and went to get lunch. I had delightful jambalaya pasta and came home to enjoy a cookie from a bakery back home. We rested in the afternoon and watched Death Wish V that night. I was a bit disappointed in the birthday event, but I ended up enjoying it more than I thought.

Saturday was much busier. Dad wanted to go to a car event. Mom wanted to do some shopping. We did both in addition to lunch, a trip to see puppies (!!) and Lowe’s.

“Hello,” I said to the man working at the plumbing counter. “I’m sorry to bother you,” I added when he looked up impatiently. “Can we find this,” I pulled the part out of my purse that Dad removed from the bathroom faucet, “here or in hardware?”

“Next aisle,” he huffed at me and after I nodded, sighed again and walked briskly to the appropriate place. He handed me the part and I thanked him.

“Dripping?”

“I’m sorry,” I said, blinking at him in confusion.

“You’re dripping?” he clarified a bit.

“Oh, the faucet? Yes.” I nodded at him as he handed me another small package. I turned to look at Dad, the worker went away and we looked at the tiny parts in the package. I then went to find potting soil and a fern. I bought 2 new pots - a pretty violet one and a silly cow self-watering one. I wanted a fern for the latter and we soon checked out.

We arrived home to start dinner. We made the most fantastic potatoes (I’ll put the recipe in the comments) and steak and salad and vegetables and my favorite rolls. Friend, after much whining and pleading that turned out to be unnecessary since it was her plan all along, brought her cheesecake of ridiculous goodness. Cousin, et al., brought 4 quarts of ice cream. We ate and ate and ate, but massive amounts of leftovers remain. It was lovely though.

“Good birthday party!” I proclaimed. “Even if only two of you aren’t related to me.” I glanced at Friend and Jay, then shrugged. “Still! Good birthday party!” We talked and laughed and sang over candles that looked like crayons tucked into delicious cheesecake. Friend and I finished off a nice bottle of Riesling that Mom brought for me. Friend slept in the office and came to church with us this morning. Mom has a cold - coughing terribly. And her back spasmed last night after the long day of walking and shopping and cooking.

“I don’t want to leave,” she said this evening as we baked cookies and sat together to frost them. “I didn’t feel well at all last time, but this trip has been wonderful.”

“Yes. Massages you hate and car shows that demand you walk on concrete for long stretches. Shopping trips and picking up groceries and coughing and cooking.” I shook my head at her, but smiled.

“I get to see you. And I am feeling stronger. I just have a cold. And I think you need a bigger hole in that bag.”

I giggled as I looked up at her to take the scissors. “Oh, no!” I laughed as frosting began to drip from the open end of my baggie in addition to the hole I cut and the hole that excessive pressure created. “Frosting everywhere!” We tried to control chuckles as we frantically transferred icing to thumbprint cookies I am to take to work tomorrow.

My parents will make the drive back, leaving in the morning. I will miss them. The house is warmer with them here. There’s noise and light and actual warmth - the thermostat is set 7-10 degrees higher than I normally keep it. Chienne has people to snuggle with. Sprout has playmates - he bites Mom when she rubs at his belly. He decided that Dad was safe enough and will allow him to stroke the stripey coat and play a bit.

“I need the New Releases case opened, please,” I said to the WalMart worker after lunch this afternoon.

“Sure,” he replied, “what do you need?”

“Dora.” I said resignedly. “The new one - it was released last week, I think.” Little One asked for the DVD upon her grandparents return and Friend and I went to fetch it when my folks came home.

“Which one?” he asked. “Undercover or Puppy Power?” After I asked when they were released, I said I needed both since they had the same date. “What about this mermaid one? It has the same release date too.”

“Well,” Friend offered when we went back to the car, “at least they’ll have two extra gifts for another time after they give her one movie.”

“She’ll get all three,” I informed her. “Grandma and Grandpa are generous.” And after a weekend full of food and gifts and not buying anything myself, it seems like a very good quality.