On an adventure with Studly Doright on his 59th birthday. I call this one, “DrivingThrough New Orleans.”
Tag: birthday
Studly’s New Toy
Studly Doright thought I should share photos of his new toy. It’s a ’72 model 350 Yamaha R5, a two cylinder, two stroke. He bought it for himself and then told me it was his birthday present from me. That’s how you cut out the middle man. Or middle woman, in this case.
It needs a bit of TLC, so I’ll be supervising the work. I do have a stake in the thing, after all.
Peace, people.
Twenty-four Hours
Days aren’t as long as they used to be. Back when our two children were feisty toddlers and my
Husband worked revolving shifts, twenty-four hours lasted twenty-four years and nobody
Cared that I was drowning in every single second. Nurturing was a foreign concept peddled
By well-meaning matrons and judgemental church ladies. What in hell was wrong with me
That I didn’t gush over every milestone, each budding tooth, too exhausted to care that my babies
Wouldn’t be babies forever and that someday twenty-four hours would feel like twenty-four
Minutes, and a year reduced to a week and my babies grown and out on their own. Too soon.
My daughter celebrates her 36th birthday today. Even though I love her fiercely I wasn’t a patient mommy. The days of her infancy passed as slowly as liquid concrete, and I wish with all my heart we could have a do-over.
But she’s grown into an amazing, beautiful woman, and I’m so very proud of my Ashley. I love her, like her, care about her. Every day.
Peace, people.
Little Things on the Occasion of My 60th Birthday.
I’m going to admit to starting out this first day of my sixties feeling a little sorry for myself. Yes, I’d enjoyed a surprise birthday weekend with Studly on the gulf coast, but today was the DAY and I had nothing going on. No party. No family here (except for Studly). No cake. No dancing. Poor pitiful me.
My long time friend, Hunny, turned 60 on the third of this month with a flourish. Her kids threw a surprise party and there was live music and her grandbabies were in attendance. I might have felt a twinge, ok, a rush of envy, knowing there was no way I was going to be feted in such a manner.
But on my way to work this morning I got a FaceTime call from our youngest grandchild who sang her special version of Happy Birthday. Then in the office at the school where I’m working a second grade boy told me he thought I was pretty. Just out of the clear blue sky. When I thanked him and told him that today was my birthday he said, “Well, that explains everything!”
Throughout the day I’ve received hundreds of birthday greetings from friends on WordPress and Facebook, and each one makes me smile. I also have two gifts to open later tonight and Studly has promised to take me to dinner.
On my way home from work I was listening to John Fugelsang’s show and his guest, one of my favorite poets, Taylor Mali, read his poem, My Deepest Condiments. It was as if this poem was meant just for me today. So I’m feeling pretty awesome. No more pity party. It’s great to be 60.
Here’s Taylor Mali. Enjoy.
http://youtu.be/P8NF6WJw50k
Peace, people.
Pre-Sixties Inventory
‘Twas the night before sixty
And while tossing in bed
I considered my body
From my toes to my head.
My arches have fallen
My calves ache with fatigue
Poor ankles are swollen
Oh, where’s the Aleve?
My thighs nicknamed thunder,
Hips ache all the time.
Stomach pooches with abandon,
Breasts droop, it’s a crime!
My neck’s crepey like a chicken’s
My face wrinkled like a Sharpei’s
But brown eyes still a’twinkle
While brown hair’s turning gray.
The changes have been gradual,
And not overnight
Thank goodness I’ve had time
To deal with the fright.
Today’s the day I kiss my fifties goodbye. I’m really looking forward to this decade. If it weren’t the middle of the week I’d go out dancing until 2 a.m., drink my companions under the table, and run naked through the streets singing “Born to be Wild” at the top of my lungs. Good thing it’s Wednesday.
http://youtu.be/xm5DPlNCmtk
Peace, people!
It’s My Party
My birthday is October 5, and I will be 60! Let the festivities begin today and continue throughout this greatest month of the year.
In my honor, another Lesley (close, but no cigar) will sing the most ambivalent party song of all time:
I’m not crying, even though I’m now officially older than dirt. Nope. I’m dancing, y’all!
https://g.co/kgs/ZgmE5y
Peace and party, people!
Best Laid Plans
Studly Doright never sets an alarm. He’s been getting up at the same early hour for the past 40 odd years now unless he’s sick or on vacation. So when I realized he was still in bed at 6:42 this Friday morning I immediately checked to see if he was still breathing.
Having confirmed that was still among the living I shook him vigorously. “Hey! You’re still in bed.”
“Mmphm,” he replied.
“You are late for work,” I persisted.
“Not going in today,” he mumbled.
“Oh.”
“I’m taking you to the beach for your birthday.”
Well, alrighty then!”
So here I am, sitting outside a hotel in Destin, FL. There’s not a beach within a mile.
“I swear,” Studly swears. “I booked us a room at the beach.”
There might be a reason I always book the hotels. Sigh.
Snapshot #33
My newest t-shirt! I call this one, “Thanks Studly for My Early Birthday Present!”
Suggestions?
If you were a smart, beautiful girl, who isn’t into girly-girl stuff, what would you want to receive as a gift for your 14th birthday?
This isn’t a rhetorical question. Our eldest grandchild will celebrate her 14th birthday on September 13. Today is September 7. Surely someone out there has a suggestion. I’m getting desperate.
Here she is with her dog, Toby.
Life Changing Invention
Forget Jonas Salk, Eli Whitney, George Washington Carver, and Thomas Alva Edison. Sure, they were great inventors, but did a single one of them think to create this?
Finally, some enterprising genius has invented a poolside chair that will allow one to suntan one’s back without compromising comfort. No more deciding which side of the face is going to get sunshine while the other side is plastered sweatily against the chair. No more aching neck. No more abandoning one’s book while working on a complete tan.
I’m seriously considering plunking down the $99.99 (plus $10 shipping) for one of these ergonomic delights. Or, maybe my children would go in halvsies on one for my 60th birthday. (October 5, hint, hint)
Here’s the catalog:
Note the 1-800 number.
Peace, people!
Praying for Eyebrowz 