31 (and fun!)

Well I am officially "in" my 30's.  That's no big deal when I talk to all the "adults" in my life.  Just wait till your 40, or wait till your 50, or 60 is what kills you... they say.

I went all out for my 30th.  Because I knew my future years would be taming down.  I have never had a wild and crazy birthday.  Age 10= Double Dare Live at the old Rosemont Age 16=sick as a dog, friends came over, and I love them to this day for eating the cake I blew the candles out on, didn't get that magical license you think you are going to get on the 16th birthday, I was still in the class.  Age 18=Miraculously the weather was like 60 degrees and the state was in shorts and tshirts, bought some lotto tickets and a pack of cigarettes.  Age 21= sat at home and studied for a huge nursing exam.  Age 25=very special... my golden birthday, sick again, but had many fun surprises.  Age 30= Key West, booze cruises, nude bars, swimming with dolphins, and sunsets...

Now I am 31.  And as I review all those birthdays and all the others that were in between... all that really mattered is that my friends and family were there.  And at every age they almost always were.  Gifts are fun, but what matters more is that they show up for a dinner I plan, go to a hockey game, put on cone hats and eat cupcakes, or slap on a pair of roller skates and skate to songs of the late 80's, even though we were all 23 years old.

Not that this is anything new, but I am reminded almost daily how precious life is, if something is not happening in  your life that makes you know that, just watch the news.  I have been a little extra teary eyed lately due to a friend of a friend losing her battle with cancer at the age of 29.  If that doesn't hit home.  Nothing will.  So, when I feel like my birthday is not "special" anymore, I remember that actually, it is.

My day consisted of going door to door and collecting all my free birthday goodies from particular stores.  It was nice to just have a day where I did whatever I wanted.  My request for my birthday to my mom was some floor lamps, which was received with an "are you crazy?" this was followed by my 2nd request to make beef stroganoff, which she obliged and my parents brought over to our house complete with the noodles and dessert.  My birthday dinner was excellent.  It was overall a very relaxing Tuesday.

I may not have that extra hop in my step, like when I was younger, or that gleam in my eye, but I suppose that is a part of growing up and I have had many wonderful birthdays to look back on, and there are sure to be many more to come... but yes, I am now "in" my 30's.

A birthday is just the first day of another 365 day journey around the sun.  Enjoy the trip.  -Unknown

Naureen's Last Day

Naureen's last day of work was this past Friday, so we got together for a mini going away party at Mago's in the Arboretum.  I have heard nothing but good things about this place, and was not disappointed.  I think I would have been perfectly fine just eating the guacamole that is freshly made beside your table.  It was delicious.  

Naureen is moving to Ohio to be with her husband.  They got married last April and have been separated because he is doing his residency in Cincinnati.  One more year to go before he is a full fledged pediatric doctor...  and then we hope they will be back in Illinois so he can practice at Children's... here's hoping... but until then Naureen, enjoy true day to day married life.  We will miss you!!!!

Lacey Visits

 Lacey came for a visit to good old Chicago and I was her tour guide.  It was cold.  But it was doable.  And her one request was to go up the John Hancock.  And that we did.  Going up on a Monday afternoon to the Signature Room was awesome.  No lines.  No problems.  And we even got a close to the window view.  

We walked around the city and had lunch downtown... and I wish it was something I could do every Monday afternoon.  I was so happy to have her visit.

#flossersforlife