For once, the birthday was great.
Bowling with E and E’s dad was pathetic especially since the two adults were within the same ten-point range as the five-year-old. With lane bumpers. The good news is that it was fun.
Then dinner: Chicken Fromage at the downtown bistro with a bottle of white wine. For dessert, Pot au Chocolate with real whipped cream and birthday well-wishers. Afterward: Martinis and live music with friends. Good stuff.
My mother came up with the best birthday present ever. Take notes! A transparent plastic box filled with envelopes, pens, pencils, and a roll of 100 stamps, hereby known as the bill-paying box. I came home immediately after Thursday’s dinner and happily paid all my monthly bills without even getting a headache. Dad remembered my request for a hand-cranked popcorn popper and apparently searched the town to find one. This is from a man who doesn’t know my actual birthdate (sometime in February) and can’t quite remember the age of any of his three daughters. I was touched that he remembered.
Today’s plans: Paint the front door, begin garden and flower seeds, trim the dead grape vines from the arbor, hand scrub the wooden floor, and finish a black scarf. I feel productive.