A Very Birthday Weekend

Anyone who knows me, REALLY knows me, knows that I am all about experiences over "stuff."  And if I do get "stuff," I like simple things, nothing extravagant, that shows the giver is thinking of me.  Which brings me to my Very Birthday Weekend.


It all began Thursday evening when my husband, in conspiracy with my daughter, told me that when I came home after school on Friday I was under strict orders to go to our bedroom, relax, and not worry about supper.  As I pulled up in the driveway around five (son is on the robotics team at school, and they were STILL working when I left), my husband was sitting on the tailgate of his truck, and my daughter came outside with a light blanket wrapped around her.  While she does wear that blanket inside when watching tv, I did think it odd that she was wearing it on such a muggy day.


To my surprise, the blanket was to put over my head as I was directed to my bedroom.  Well, being the agile person I am, the first thing I (nearly) did was run into my husband's truck.  Fortunately he was there to redirect me and decide that I could go as far as the porch before having to cover my head again.  Following the instructions I had been given, I went to bed where I was given my laptop and a bottle of wine.  Hmmmm....nice touch. Periodically, my husband or my daughter would come to see if I needed anything, and to top off my glass of wine.  (Son is still at school at this point.)


Later, when I was allowed to emerge, I was led out by my family to see our table beautifully set, candles lit all over the living room, and a small gift at my setting.  The gift was a book that I was eager to read written by a co-worker.  (Insert unashamed plug here:  Muddy Bayou by Jessica Tastet)  The meal was shish-ka-bobs, potato salad, and sweet corn.  Perfect!


After supper, the presentation of the cake was in order.  By now, my son was home from school, and my entire family sang me Happy Birthday and I blew out the candles on my strawberry shortcake birthday cake.  What did I wish for?  What could I wish for?  What could top this?


.....But wait!  I titled this a Very Birthday WEEKEND, not evening. While Saturday's special evening was not planned, the spontaneity of it all was equally special.  


My husband has been reorganizing the garage so that it is not only a working space, but a space for him to relax and collect his thoughts.  He often asks me to come sit with him when I am able to bring whatever I am working on with me.  Last night we talked, and at some point he began playing old country songs from youtube. (He has quite the elaborate set-up.  He plugs his phone into computer speakers and "jams.") After hearing some Ray Charles and others, my daughter suggested he just put on Pandora, but he was reluctant to create a station.


After a while, I logged into Pandora on my phone, then created a classic country station.  My husband switched out phones, and that's when the magic began.


For one song, I believe a George Strait classic, I stood up to dance with my husband.  To my immediate shock and pleasure, he took my hand and we danced.  For the rest of the evening, we crooned some songs, and belted out others at the tops of our lungs.  We danced for I don't even know how many more.  At one point, we were even brave enough to dance to a "fast" country song. He twirled me around, and I twirled him around.  We laughed, danced, and sang our hearts out.  We reminisced about the songs that my parents and his grandparents loved.  For hours we had fun, just the two of us, in our own home.  No drunks, no smoke, no fights...just fun.  How many hours?  Well, I believe the music started about seven, and I called it a night well after midnight.  Last night will be the first of many evenings of its kind.


Relaxation, time to myself, a wonderful meal, an evening of dancing and singing.  A weekend of memories.  Experiences over stuff.  I wouldn't trade my Very Birthday Weekend for anything store bought.

Take a Deep Breath...Here We Gooooo!

With all of the things that float, fly, and take up residence in my head, I suppose it is time that I jump on the bandwagon and create my own blog. Not being the bandwagon type of person, I have heretofore resisted undertaking this endeavor. Sigh. I caved.

So, with what you may ask, might I be filling your head, or ears, or more likely eyes? Nothing, if you choose to stop now. However, I may include whatever I wish here, since it is MY blog.

The plan is to have one place where I may post book reviews (tipping my hat to my friend/co-worker Blake Petit. I will direct you to his book soon), post things that I have been making and/or thinking of making, asking your opinion of things, post Scriptures, and general ramblings that are starting to leak out of my head. I promise, I have been trying for quite a long time to keep the rambling inside my head. My resolve is weakening, hence the new blog.

That is the plan. We all know that the best laid plans of mice and men...well, you know. This creation may take its own direction after a while. Who know? But I had to start somewhere.

I hope that you enjoy it. And perhaps, just perhaps, you may find something useful here.

Until next time... :)