53rd Daylong Birthday Celebration

Proving once again that I can have a meaningful celebration even if it’s midweek and for a day, I started off my birthday with a light breakfast at home, followed by a mango smoothie at one of the coolest coffee shops in town. As a matter of fact, one of my prolific poetry-writing friends had sent me two of his latest self-published books of poetry for my birthday. Since he freely passes out these gifts of poetry, I knew he’d love to have them regifted in a space that he’d feel at home with his writing buddies if he were here instead of in Austin.

Places such as this coffee shop, together with its take a book/leave a book area are numerous in Austin, but scarce around here. I tried to find such a place when I initially moved here, but had to ask for a recommendation when I kept striking out at several different places.

Most of the selection looked like “airport books,” but then I saw two copies of the same Holy Bible. Not sure if people had lost their religion, but I placed the two good books together and inserted my friend’s poetry books in between. Hopefully, future readers will be interested in some good words along with their religion.

Speaking of religion, I found a jewel of a book among all the “airport” books about a Pakistani young woman who was attacked by religious fanatics. I’d placed this book on my ever-growing booklist when it first came out. As I sipped my smoothie and started to read, I suddenly stopped. I saved reading it for when I returned home. I was excited to read it aloud to my father, who was currently confined to bed. (Turns out, he wasn’t interested in the story after four times of me reading some chapters to him.)

Next up, shopping. Normally, I only buy gas, groceries and occasionally food when I go out to eat. However I made a birthday shopping list of things that needed replacing, starting with sports bras. I exercise at least five days a week, so I usually wear a sports bra versus a regular one. The most challenging thing about the whole experience was trying to take a selfie that included both my tiara and the bra. I know, first world problems!

Across the parking lot, I shopped at a shoe store, not knowing whether I could actually get a stylish flat shoe. In the past, all the comfortable shoes were either sneakers or outright ugly. Once again, I found a jewel.

I felt like a sucker to marketing when I looked over from the checkout line, and spotted a bunch of anklet socks. Truth of the matter is that I needed to replace the socks that I used for dance class. At least I wasn’t just buying frivolous stuff because I needed them to support a fun way of exercising.

Now that I’d bought my new shoes, I got my nails done. Of course, my freshly painted blueberry toes couldn’t be seen while wearing my new shoes, but that wasn’t the point. I knew from the onset that I would intertwine pampering with shopping.

I ended part one of my birthday celebration at a sushi restaurant that I’d never visited before. The spicy edamame was inspired, which I coupled with my favorite sushi combo of avocado and unagi with the newest palate pleaser: a crunchy crab mixture. Along with miso soup and jasmine tea, lunch was divine.

Part two of my birthday celebration unfolded hours later. When I’d seen that the local regional theatre had an opening night social gathering, complete with champagne and snacks, I immediately bought two tickets.

The bartender complimented my tiara. When I told her that I was celebrating my birthday, she offered me a full cup of champagne, which I graciously accepted. Fortunately, the bubbles didn’t get on my nerves and it was tasty. Everything absolutely worked out for the preshow event, especially since the finger food spread coupled well with champagne.

My sister was a good sport, accompanying me to the event because she usually uses the weekday evenings to catch up on her sleep. At least the show, which I’d never heard of was very entertaining. Apparently, it was a Broadway or off Broadway show…not a fact that I cared about because the champagne pre-event was the draw for me with the show being a cherry on the top.

Earlier in the day, I received a BD gift from a friend. The boxes were just as beautiful as the jewelry itself. I struggled with bracelet clasp so much that I wore it for the rest of the day, so I was lucky that it matched my colorful dress. I’ll wear the earrings for another occasion.

As much as love to make my own greeting cards, I appreciated the cards I received from my family…and not just for the gift of money contained in them! The cards reflected everyone’s personality from the religious inspired message of my parents’ card…

…to the humorous message of one of my sister’s cards…

…to sentimental and stylish card from my other sister. As a matter of fact, when I saw this last card, I knew that I’d pluck those flowers off the card to be reused on another card that I decorate for someone else.

My sister and her family came for the weekend to celebrate both Mom’s and my birthday. Since Dad was confined to bed, we ordered takeout, popped a bottle of non-alcoholic sparkling cider for the teetotalers and a bottle of spicy red, essentially for my niece, one of my sisters, a sip for one nephew and me.

My sister and her children took shifts with Mom, so Dad had company while he ate. That was our compromise in lieu of us going to a restaurant and having someone sit with him. We’re hoping that next year this time, that Dad will be able to at least join us at the table either at home or at a restaurant.