I know, I know, you’d think one day a year would be plenty at my age but I still go for the “birthday week” approach to this time of year. 
That really pays off when you have friends and family who so generously play along as mine always do.
First, my incredible friends, Cheryl and Joe down in Cali who we haven’t heard from in far too long, send along a very fun birthday card and package in the mail. Cheryl, my wonderful long-time friend, you are far too thoughtful and kind! No one is as good about remembering special occasions then you. Thank you!!!! Let’s talk soon. And one of my bestees Diana, who is as you recall, laid up with a broken foot, still didn’t miss a beat in sending me along with a package that I’m saving to open on my actual day. Honestly Di, if ever there was a year you had a pass to miss, this was it! But thank you bunches for adding to my fun.
Then Friday night, my middle sis Lor and her guy, Darryl, finally rolled back into town after waaaaaay too much fun diving and frolicking in the tropics so family night was on! Which turned into a nice little impromptu birthday party for moi and mom — and even a late one for dad with a homemade red velvet cake he had been hungering for. We had a yummy barbeque dinner a la Darryl that started with a decadent truffle soup. wowzaa! And I got spoiled with some early gifts — Lor is taking mom and I to see a group named Il Divo later this month in Seattle which sounds like a blast to both of us. Jen and Rod got me my own acrylic paints so I can finish my dragon painting that I started ages ago now. I’m very excited about that too. But my middle nephew Nathan gave me my favorite gift. It wasn’t what it was necessarily, it was how thoughtful it was. He read through my birthday list that I posted last week on the blog and he creatively found ways to tie the gift to things I had asked for. Love that! He got me paint finisher to help me “finish my book”. I got Vitamin B6 to help cure my carpal tunnel. He printed me a map of where our house is with a note about kindness “starting and ending here.” He gave me a box of Good & Plenty candies to share with others so “everyone can have plenty.” And he got me a lotto ticket in pursuit of “six lucky Lotto numbers and a big jackpot.” Don’t you just love that kind of a kid and that kind of fun?!?! Right up my alley. He even was trying to find something that weighed thirty pounds “so you could drop it Aunt Julee.” Love, love, love that! Too much fun! (How I wish it was just that easy! )
Then yesterday, Glen took me out shopping for the day wherever I wanted to go. I got my new shoes, a couple pillows for the couch, and a bonus new purse. We hit Trader Joe’s for groceries and had lunch at a fun place called Saffron Grill that we both really enjoyed. In fact it supplied dinner last night and will do lunch again today. Loads of good Indian food! yum.
I’m lovin’ my new shoes. I ended up getting some Reebox Comfort Runners that look a little strange but feel great. I wanted to try and finally catch seeing “Hunger Games” too — I’m pretty sure I’m the last person who’s read the books that hasn’t seen it — but I still seem to be having a tough time shaking this head cold and it knocks me back when I’m not expecting it. So home we headed where I got a nap and then started on some of those ever-present house chores and then sat and finished my “Age of Miracles” book. Mixed review from me. I liked the premise but felt like it never matched it’s promise. But exactly what I most didn’t like — the slow, deliberate voice of the book — is what is being most praised. I’m thinking I don’t know good writing any more.
Today we are heading over to my folks for some fun playing cards. It’s a drizzly morning which is highly hated by most around here but I am determined to appreciate it for what it is — NOT 100 plus with 100 percent humidity like much of our country is experiencing right now. In fact, for us, it actually has been quite humid here which is unusual. But it’s nothing compared to what so many areas have going on — and many of them without power since big storms have knocked it out. To me, it’s a beautiful first day of July. I feel lucky.
