35 Candles

It was the day Lincoln was shot but didn't die. It was the day the Titanic hit the iceberg but didn't sink. It was the day Pete Rose was born which is only significant because I don't think Steve was interested in me until he found this out. Just in case you care, I loathe sharing the same birthday as Pete Rose. I have always been a loyal person. I'd also like to think I'm honest and I don't believe Mr. Hustle to be either of these. Now that I've written this, Steven will read it and one can be sure a debate will take place later in brown brick, again. Sorry Babes, but loyal people don't bet on the game that fed them, especially when it's in the rule book.

I also don't enjoy the fact that two of the biggest tragedies in history began on my birthday. I wish John Wilkes Booth wouldn't have killed The Great Emancipator at all, but I especially hate the jerk for doing it on my birthday. But that's enough of the soapbox and onto happier things, like my birthday.

Normally I would not post about myself but I had a really great birthday today. I thought I was going to be grim because I was leaving Disneyland. Those who have spent time with me are well aware of the post-Disneyland depression I experience for a full week after my Anaheim departure. I believe this to be the reason that most of you texted and emailed instead of calling. You did not feel like playing therapist today, I know. I completely understand. I would avoid me too.

Steven did the usual pretend-to-not-get-me-anything routine. If there were ever a year that he hadn't gotten me something, I might believe him just once, but I'll continue to play along with this game for his enjoyment. The present always appears though and this year it was perfect. Long gone are the days of buying me grandma sweaters and peach lotion. You think I'm joking? True story - about 3 years ago, he bought me a sweater with real wood buttons across the chest. The year before that he bought me a red cashmere sweater. I've never even seen my Grandma in cashmere for hell sakes. But this....this is no sweater my friends:

It is a color scanner, copier and photo printer. He came to his senses a year or so ago and decided to start asking my sister for ideas. THANK YOU HERMANA. and thank you Coach Poll. He even wrote 'happy blogging' on the box and placed the same ribbon on the box that he uses for every gift he gives me.

Then I went to my parents for enchiladas and cake. It's the best cake I've ever had.

I heard Steven from the corner say, "Real funny" so I thought I better go take a looksie and then we laughed so hard that I cried. A picture of me & Rob on my 35th birthday cake. Too funny! It took my bro-in-law, Jeff, hours to get the superimposition just right and I loved it. I'll be trying to figure out how to make a poster of it soon enough.

Then I opened my cards and presents. My sister's opted for the breach of contract on zero gift giving to each other. Lyndee got me a gift card to my favorite Cheesecake Factory and Val got me a watch that is exactly the same watch I bought in California on Saturday. My watch broke in Mickeyland making it impossible for us to hit all shows, parades, & fastpass times so I broke down and went to the hotel gift shop. Val must've felt the vibe all the way in Utah because she was purchasing a duplicate watch at nearly the same time. Funny thing is that this watch is very mickey-original and not one I would even think that Wal-mart carries. Scary how much my sister's know me. My mom made me the cutest tote ever. The fact that I could shoplift a 32 inch TV in it isn't bad either. Her and my Dad and Gram also gave me a good amount of cash which will not be spent wisely but is still greatly appreciated. My best friend, Andrea, of 30 years was also in attendance which was unexpected since she lives in Taylorsville now, but I was so happy have her there (why didn't we take more pictures?)

One of the best things of all was the nice things people put in my cards and the trouble everyone went through to get there and to get that heavenly cake there. I really felt loved today so thank you. Your actions did not go unnoticed and Steven will not have to worry about getting me a 7 day prozac prescription now. I'm not 35 and holding, I'm just 35 and lucky.

Keep up those prayers on the two Travis boys. Just in case you haven't checked Karianne's blog, her Trav had a leak after his surgery so he is still in the hospital and will be there longer than they hoped. Her birthday was Saturday and she spent most of it at the hospital. Love ya Kar! Then there's T who is coming to the end of his chemo & radiation and it hasn't been rosy for him. I know you're remembering our Trav's in your prayers and we are most grateful for the precious time you spend on your knees for them and their families :-)