Was It Worth It?

Yes, it was. Quite worth it, thank you. And my older daughter and I ended up on TV. (Takes a bow).

Picture it. Hammonds Field. 3/29/08. Rain. 45 degrees. Blustery wind. My children, my beloved, his child, and me. Front row, general admission, on the cold, hard, wet ground. Tell me, weather man... where was that 55 degrees and partly sunny sky you promised? Hm? Lies, all lies. Still... THE Cardinals were there. I love me some Cardinals baseball. I love it so much that not only did I endure the elements, but those I care about the most endured it with me. Why? It was how I wanted to celebrate my birthday. THE Cardinals lost to the Cardinals by 7. We didn't stay to witness the loss. We left after the 6th inning. There comes a point, after all, where it's just crazy to stay. I did learn something, however, and that is that it takes exactly 1 minute 37 seconds for nacho cheese to turn cold while walking in the cold air. There's not much worse than very cold nacho cheese sauce on soggy chips. I don't recommend it.

So why was it worth it? A few reasons:

1. Family time. Memory-making stuff. 'Tis good.
2. My friend Kelly got to see Kailey and I on TV, all bundled up, my hair quite the mess.

And last, but not least, something I found out just today:

3. My beloved's beloved son told him upon hearing that I was 40 that I looked 30. My beloved told him that I'd appreciate hearing that. To which beloved son replied, "Well, maybe 37."

Good enough. I'll take that.

Cardinals baseball season opened today. Then after an hour and a half rain delay somewhere around inning 5, closed again. They'll officially open tomorrow. I can probably knock 3 years off my looks and get away with it. I have wonderful children who keep life from being dull. I am loved even when I am unlovable. Life is good.

Yep, totally worth it.

It Wasn't Nearly As Bad As I Thought Until...

The (apparently) not-so-bright waiter at Olive Garden just couldn't seem to keep his trap shut about women our age knowing about MySpace and blogs and the internet and oh... ELECTRICITY, in general. Hello!! Did your mother never teach you not to make comments like that? Oh, I'm sorry, she probably hasn't hit 35 yet, and hasn't yet learned about tact, etc.

Forgive me, I've ranted without setting up the cause for said rant. 3/28, approximately 7:00 p.m., Olive Garden. 9 women, ranging in ages 20-something to 50-something. All celebrating yours truly's 40th birthday. We had a fabulous time talking, laughing, eating things we shouldn't eat, especially that late in the day, and just enjoying being out of the house and the daily routine of life. I had dreaded the birthday, but it was turning out quite lovely in spite of my fears. Until Seth, our waiter, couldn't keep his comments to himself. He obviously didn't ever practice thinking before speaking. I'm sure he thought he was trying to be funny or coy, but uh, my advice? Don't quit that serving job at OG for that stand-up act you're contemplating, and poorly attempting to hone by insulting a group of nice women who could probably hand your butt to you in a fair fight if need be. I did not let it slide. I pointed out the blunder(s). The more he tried to explain himself, the deeper the hole he was digging. Wonder how that foot in his mouth tasted? Methinks he wasn't even aware of what he was doing, which made it all that much easier to laugh at him.

Oh well, still a quite wonderful birthday. Wonderful to be with friends. And even more wonderful that, after all these years of trying to impress others, I no longer care about impressing anyone. Others' opinions no longer weigh so heavily on my shoulders. There is a burden we tend to carry in our 20s and 30s of which we're not really aware. I wasn't aware of it until recently, upon contemplating 40, that I saw how much time and effort I'd put in to making sure others thought certain things of me. Why did I do that? Did it make any sort of difference in my life? NO! Not one bit.

So ladies, if you're still carrying around that burden, no matter what your age, I recommend you set that burden down and walk away. You don't need it. Take care of your family, your job, your spiritual and emotional health, and first and foremost your relationship with Him. Nothing else matters at all. And, in taking care of those things, how could anyone think anything but wonderful things about you? Sort of all falls into place, doesn't it? It's quite nice. And you'd be amazed at how much better you sleep!

Campbelli Ristorante

That was the name of my kitchen and dining room tonight. Only the best chefs will create their masterpieces here. Tonight's line-up of chefs? My children. Why? They were preparing my birthday dinner (a day early because I have some fabulous plans for tomorrow night, thanks to Alana and 7 of my friends). They wanted to get me something for my birthday, and this was what they decided upon. And let me say, it was the best idea ever.

Last week, the children put together a menu with 3 choices in each of the following categories: appetizer, drink, main course, side dish, dessert. I got to pick my preference from each, and the menu was set. We had spinach artichoke dip and chips for the appetizer, pink lemonade to drink, salad as our side dish, and chicken bacon ranch sandwiches for the main course. It was all incredibly delicious (I'm serious!), and I'm absolutely STUFFED. Kailey also made the dessert: chocolate chip pound cake. It smells scrumptious (just out of the oven, and has to cool before we can dig in)!

After dinner, there was entertainment: DVDs of my favorite cartoons - Bugs Bunny (there is no one better, although Spongebob comes in a close second to ol' Bugsy). I am watching these as I type this, and it's quite a treat. Not since I was a kid, living with my parents, has anyone fixed me a birthday dinner. That's been over 20 years ago now. The kids were quite pleased to be the first to do this for me. This has been quite the memorable evening, and my heart has been warmed beyond imagination. What thoughtful, fun children I have! How blessed is this birthday girl!

Time for some cake, then the birthday girl has to clean the kitchen. Heh!

Homework

Uh, so B-town is in the heart of the Bible Belt Buckle, right? So tell me why, oh WHY, do kids have so much homework on Wednesday nights, hm? As a single parent of 3, I find it quite difficult to fit homework for 3 children and a couple of hours at church into a weekday evening. It's quite frustrating. I remember a time when homework wasn't given on Wednesdays, simply because it was understood that people attend church that evening. I suppose I could be wrong, of course, but I'm pretty sure that's part of the reason homework was non-existent, or light at the very least. Anywho, homework is done. Finally.

T Minus 5 Days

Yeah, the Big 4-0 fast approacheth. It's really bothering me, too. I called my brother today to wish him a Happy Easter, and he mentioned the big day coming up fast.


"How old will you be, Sus?"


"Oh, I'll be 40."


"40?"


"Yes, 40. And it's really getting to me for some reason."


"Well, just be thankful for another day of life."


Of course, I agreed with him. And I AM thankful for yet another day on this earth. The alternative is, well, unacceptable. But 40? Really? Certainly doesn't feel like it.

To take my mind off things, the day after my birthday, the kids and I will be accompanied by my beloved and his son to the St. Louis Cardinals vs. the Springfield Cardinals game. Yes, I actually got tickets. We'll be sitting on the grass in General Admission, but by golly, we've got tickets! The weather is supposed to fairly decent, so I'm guessing it'll be a fun time. I really can't wait for this, as I have been chomping at the bit for baseball season to start.

And to take my mind off things even more, my beloved has planned 2 games of the Cardinals vs. the Cubs for us in St. Louis in May. Now THAT, my friends, is a birthday present to top all birthday presents. He certainly knows the way to my heart. :-) Teehee!

Okay, so I feel better now. This shouldn't be a blog. It should be a vent.

Happy Easter!

Today, the children and I spent our second Easter with my beloved. 'Twas a good day, and I must say, he has patience when my patience has taken the first fast train outta town. Heh.

Where Does the Time Go?

Today would have marked my mother's 70th birthday. I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around that one. I can't imagine what she'd be like at that age if she were still here. I can envision her only as she was before she left this earth. I mentioned this to my sister today, and she figures Mom would be the same, just older. I suppose she's right.

I've thought a lot about Mom today, as I do every day. But today, a little more of my time than usual was spent with thoughts and memories of her. I suppose that's only fitting, it being her birthday and all. The first day of spring. The earth coming back to life after a rather long, cold winter. And what a perfect day today was. Mom would have liked it. The clear blue sky, the sunshine, the warmth.

My mom has been gone nearly 10 years now, and it's difficult for me to wrap my mind around that fact as well. She knew only one of my children, Kailey, although she did get to feel Timmy kicking me, as I was about 5 months pregnant with him when she died. Kenzie is named for her (her middle name is Dee, my mom's first name), and it amazes me how much Kenzie is like her. When I look into Kenzie's eyes, it's like looking into Mom's. The rest of my family has noticed this, of course, and it warms our hearts.

It's not my personal belief that, when people die and go to heaven, they can look down and see us, keep up with what's going on here on earth, etc. Look at it this way, if you were in heaven with direct access to the Lord Almighty, would you really want to keep up with the goings-on down below? Uh, no. Too much to do up there! People gone on before that you'd probably want to catch up with. Not to mention, praising and worshiping God. Methinks that's what one's time would be spent doing upon entering the pearly gates. And I'm sure that's what Mom has been doing these 10 years. She did love to sing.

So, I said my prayers today, and I asked God if He could just give Mom a message for me. Tell her Happy Birthday and that she's missed, that sort of thing. I wonder if He does that. I really don't see why He wouldn't, and feel that He probably already did that for me. He's cool that way.