Happy Birthday to Me

Yesterday was my birthday and it was just sort of perfect. I heard from everyone I expected to and a few that I didn't. These days it's texts or calls in lieu of cards, but that's okay...it's just a different mailbox. My peeps were more excited than I was and made my day very sweet and special. Truth is, I started celebrating last weekend as one does when your birthday is smack dab between two of them. You know what that means...I'll be celebrating this weekend too. And tomorrow is already Friday. August is a tease.

We had plans to picnic on Windmill Beach at the end of the day, but it was a little chilly for swimming  so we played tennis instead. Ted and I took Mike and Lils, but they were formidable opponents. I lost track of the number of deuces in game five of the set...a game I'm not exaggerating when I say lasted 30 minutes long. All I wanted for dinner was not to cook and Kopps' Spumoni custard so burgers is was. I didn't know my family surprised me with my very own decadent French Silk from Honeypie. It'll be a sweet stretch of days around here. They further indulged me with a game of Rummikub after dinner although they didn't let me win.

I woke up this morning to the smell of Lil's cup of coffee. She baptized the Nespresso Mike surprised me with last night. He done good. I didn't want to get out of bed though because there was a chill in the air, but then I remembered that Ted had his Audit exam- 4 hour Audit exam - and I wanted to make him a good breakfast to fuel his brain. Results forthcoming, but his exam went well so mission accomplished. Ted is able to take a breath and Lily will be able to soon. Her Ironman is in 3 weeks and she's been training diligently. Saturday she's going to bike the course with Cousin Tim who is also competing. Then Sunday she's going to break out her wet suit and do her first open water swim of the summer. It's going to be warm. Hopefully Lake Michigan will be too. 

It's been a stretch of quintessential summer days and we're savoring each one. Nights too. Last Saturday we sat down for dinner after dark, which is more the norm than not. And then we lingered at the table talking and playing games. I felt beyond grateful that we all enjoy this togetherness. The wine was chosen deliberately, the steaks cooked beautifully and the waffle fries almost worth all the work they took to make. Larry is much better on the mandolin than we are, but I don't regret my State Fair purchase. I have very few regrets at all this summer.

Scenes from last week...

 

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

 

This girl and her guy. I'm pretty sure she felt the love last birthday week. The final hurray was Sunday. It was a beautiful day for a party. This is the extent of the photos I grabbed. I was busy helping Mike fry chicken for Chick FilA sammies that everyone very much enjoyed. Ordering a French silk pie from the Public Market was a wise call.

A few people were missing, but with us in spirit. I dug out this hat that Nanny bought for Lily's first birthday party.

 

 

 

A successful move out day. We were up and out early Saturday. First stop was Orchard Street to pack up Lils. All went smoothly and thankfully we didn't have to contend with the sectional. It has a new home next year as the girls have a furnished apartment that we will be moving her into before month's end. Brooks Street was next to move Ted out. That too wasn't too bad because we only had to deal with his bedroom. Anything in the common areas we left after 2 years and 5 guys I need say no more. Plus Casa Wags is bursting at the seams. The basement is a furniture warehouse.

And yes, I'm thankful for basements. UHauls. The White Whale. Strong kids.

This girl...my constant companion. She is the sweetest cat I've ever known.

 

 

Ted has been steadfastly preparing to take his second exam for the CPA. The kitchen is his office, but wherever he is, his studies are too. Audit it up this week. He passed his first, Financial Accounting Reporting, with an impressive score of 94. I think he's feeling the pressure to keep up that trend because if he does, he'll get a nice big bonus.

He starts his job after Labor Day. First off is a trip to Disney for on-boarding. Gus will miss him.

Lots of good family time lately.

When Ted suggests a movie night. This week it was Nocturnal Animals. It was worth the $4 charge.

When Lily suggests a movie date. Next up is the new M Night Shyamalan movie because we are thriller junkies.

Sweet corn is finally at it's peak. And thanks to my mil for bringing us a dozen ears that we've been enjoying all week. Gus too is a fan.

This one pan chicken fajita pasta...one BIG pan that is all gone because it was absolutely delicious. It's about this time of the year, late summer, that I get a hankering for pasta. Turns out the rest of the family had the same craving.

Leaning into this Chinese Proverb: Tension is who you think you are. Relaxation is who you are.

Wearing white, linen, flip flops, straw hats and pink polish.

It's Irish Fest this weekend and we are able to go. This is our week to be up north, but not this year. And Sunday is supposed to be lovely. It's a great place to kick off my birthday week.

More Lily and Gus.

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

Playing hooky mid-week to celebrate a milestone birthday. We are officially through the teenage years. And for the record...they were wonderful.

We spent the afternoon at the Wisconsin State Fair and then we stayed for the evening as well...we were having lots of fun. We ate things on sticks,  tart fried lemonade and gooey cheese curds and the sweetest corn I ever tasted. We watched a funny man eat fire, Larry showing off his peelers (and yes, I bought them) and so many interesting people in the crowd. Really that's the best part of the fair. We did not buy the massage chairs, but someday we might. We listened to some music, played some games and they went on one ride to the tune of $21. 

Keeping it real. Not long ago, an all day wristband was $30.

 

Presents. Lily would love it if she could take Gus to school.

She is the one person in my life that I always have a gazillion and one ideas for when it come to gifts. I tried to show restraint (by giving her some gifts early).

Things are shifting. I mean we're always in flux, but it was undeniable in the last few days. It's been beautiful and breezy. Today it feels like fall and I'm not mad about it especially after the hellishly hot streak we endured last week. 

Open windows. Cats in sills.

Cats in chairs.

Cats...even...on counters. Fresh pineapples (Ted ate the whole thing yesterday) and Basque cheesecakes that taste so so much better than they look.

Sister Hazel is an anthophile. We should have named her Miss Rumphius.

I finally got my summer hair do. It is very blond and quite short and also a bit sassy. Some days I like it and some days I'm not so sure, but at the end of the day...I don't care about hair.

Our evening spots. Me in my favorite chair and Hazel at my feet on the ottoman.

Alan and I took Linda lunch today. She's in rehab recovering from surgery. She was very happy to see us and after seeing her, I feel confident that this rather large bump in the road, will not hold her back. Life would not be the same without Linda.

It's the weekend. Again. Already.

Last Saturday Mike golfed in an invitational, Ted headed to Madison to help Meryl move and Lil's was on a lake skiing and tubing with friends. I putzed and faffed and hung out with Hazel occasionally getting sucked into a Real Housewives NJ marathon. It was just what I needed. As the sun set, we headed up the hill to end the day with friends. 

Sunday some fam had a foursome on another hot day and then my brother and sil picked up our favorite Mexican food and I made margaritas and canoli cupcakes for our birthday girl.

Tomorrow is moving day. It won't be fun clearing out their houses, but it needs to be done and once it is...I will feel some relief and truthfully also lots of claustrophobia as we house furniture for the interim. Casa Wags is busting at the seams, but it's all good.

Sunday we have a little celebration planned for the birthday girl.

 

 

Happy Birthday Baby!

 

First birthday week celebration.

How is it so, you, my baby turned 20 this morning shortly after sunrise? And yet you have always been an old soul...tender-hearted while wise far beyond your years. You are an uncanny combination of softness and strength. You know who you are, what you believe, what you want. You know your worth, and live by the golden rule. Your internal compass is perfectly calibrated. 

Being your mom and watching you mature into a young woman, fills me with pride and joy. Mostly joy. You work hard, live healthy and know how to have fun. I don't have to poke and prod you to take care of  your business, and never have. You get things done with the exception of cleaning your room (yes, I had to throw that in there), you keep yourself accountable and you discover your own dreams. I've long said it was my job to give you roots so you could find your wings. Trust them. Open them wide without fear of falling. 

You're soaring baby. You're about to start junior year with a semester in Barcelona on the horizon. You have a healthy bank account after a summer of full-time work and plans to explore Europe while you are abroad.You want to go all the places and you should. You are thick in the training for your Ironman in September. I think it shows incredible fortitude and discipline to take on such an endeavor and I cannot wait to cheer you on loud and proud, but it doesn't take swimming, biking and running 70.3 miles to champion you. You make that easy everyday Lily.

After your long morning bike ride and a trip to early vote as a family, we're going to the State Fair. It's been awhile since we've been there. I'm looking forward to spending the beautiful day having fun there with beautiful you. I know you won't request a corn dog, we won't spend hours going between the fun house and the tilt-a-whirl and dad won't have to carry you to the car and that's all good because as much as I miss your chubby, kissable baby cheeks and all the years in between, I love and celebrate the woman you are today. The extraordinary young woman you are today.

I love you to the moon and back Lily,

Mom