Happy Birthday!

Twenty-four years ago yesterday was the big day, the wonderful day the world was first introduced to missheatherkristine. I've always loved my birthday and not just because it's an excuse to eat cake & ice cream and generally sit around celebrating me. Well okay, that's mostly why. Plus I was very fortunate that this year my birthday was on a weekend, as my boss seems to forget that I'm entitled to time off for any reason other than my own death.

In typical fashion I began the celebration by taking a quiet evening and reflecting a little on yours truly, which I like to do each year on my birthday. So I had a bubble bath, my new pj's, a whiskey sour, some candle light and my journal. And I must say I have high hopes for this year. Finally I've reached a place in my life that I can honestly say is the place I used to daydream about. I've actually attained something I never really thought I would. Which I am quite proud of, that I've reached it, and that I recognize it and can enjoy it for a few years before the next thing. Forget new year's resolutions...I'm all about the new age resolutions. So as I begin my twenty-fifth year of living I'm excited for what comes.

Before meeting my vip's for a late birthday lunch I spent a little time with my grandma. (My grandma is a whole different post for many different reasons, but for now I'll just say I enjoy spending time with her.) My grandma makes amazing pie, we're talking blue ribbon here, so this year sans birthday cake we were having birthday pie, and it was a team effort. I bake pies now. Woo Hoo! And boy are they yummy! So I had a great morning with gramma baking apple pies and making memories that will later become stories I share with my kids.

Birthday phase 3 was a late lunch with some of my favorite people and quite honestly some of my favorite food. And cosmos. So after feasting on black bean and lime halibut it was onto the birthday girl dessert tray. Delicious. I was really eyeing that explosive chocolate cake configuration but instead went with the huckleberry cheesecake which was worth every calorie. Spectacular! Then back home to open up my cards and presents of which I make me a very busy gal in the coming months:

***Tickets to GYPSY courtesy of my bro and K-- of course they'll be attending, as will my mama, yay!

***The most beautiful piece of luggage I've ever seen (this, except in RED!) which inside contained a plane itinerary for a trip to ALASKA with my mom!!! That's right, my very first real vacation ever! 10 whole days away from work, and responsibilities. 10 whole days to enjoy life, relax, and take lots of pictures!

***And courtesy of my father a new pair of hiking boots for the next expedition to Chimney Rock, or for when we finally make it to Hunt Lake!

All of that would have made this birthday the best ever...but that's not all! We came back to the apartment, ate apple pie and watched Gonzaga soundly (it was a bit of a nail biter there for a few minutes) beat Georgia! Whoop Whoop! Still just that would have made this birthday the best ever. But there was more to come.

It began simple enough, and turned into one of those days we don't get to enjoy nearly enough. My mom stayed the night so we could hang out on my actual birthday. Right.... She wanted to watch Gilmore Girls and I don't blame her. Since Christmas Day '07 my GG collection has been complete. That's right seasons 1 through 7, which is somewhere in the vicinity of 123 hours of Lorelai, Rory, and the rest of Stars Hallow. And yea I've been telling mom how much she'd love the show. And I was right. So last weekend when we started off with the first three episodes I didn't realize the damage I was doing. I've created another addict.

We watched a few episodes Saturday night. Which led to a 5 AM wake-up on Sunday to continue our viewing pleasure. We did not stop until we had finished season 1. Holy hell, Batman! That's right...right around twelve hours of solid tv watching. Sure, we had a few breaks in there--you know, refuel on coffee, trips to the fridge/pantry, bathroom breaks what with all the coffee/tea drinking. At one point we managed to tear ourselves away long enough to look out the window to discover with some amazement that we'd been immersed in several inches of snow. Which meant we had to keep watching. When the snow starts falling with no end in sight there is nothing to do but cozy up and settle in for the long haul.

It was a perfect way to spent the day. Hanging out with my mom, relaxing and watching good tv. Everybody needs one of those days every now and then and I can't remember the last time I had anything close. No getting dressed, definitely no showering, no real cooking. Popcorn, hot cocoa, lots of laughing with my bff :)

Definitely the best birthday. Definitely.