Over the Hill

At my Dad's 40th surprise birthday party, I was given the assignment of putting the "hill" in front of the door for my him to step "over" as he came in the house.  For some reason it is a very vivid memory. Well I have now stepped over that proverbial hill myself.  It's an odd feeling.  I don't feel old.  Until I look at Tom Cruise, my teenage heartthrobs who has grown even older.  I don't feel old...until I look in the mirror and find gray hair.  More than one of them.  I don't feel old...until I realize I have to get a mammogram this year. I don't feel old until... I have to listen to the Oldies stations to find 80's and 90's music.  I could go on.  It's weird to "be old" but not to feel it. Nevertheless, here I am.

Rock asked me months ago what I wanted for my 40th birthday party.  I said anything but a surprise party.  So he orchestrated the best possible 40th birthday for me..  It was perfect.  Every day the week of my birthday I got a new surprise.  On Monday he and the kids surprised me by taking me to dinner. I had gotten Liberty all dressed and ready for dance, I had gotten the chicken out to thaw and they whisked me away to Red Robin.  Then Rock handed me a catalog from Ethan Allen and Cade gave me an origami table to tell me that I get a new dining room table for my present this year!

Woohoo!  Now I won't have to worry about any of my guests falling flat on their rear ends when one of my chairs breaks.

On Tuesday I was supposed to watch my nephew for a few hours.  Instead of Penny, my two good friends Adrianne and Barbara showed up with black balloons and informed me that they were kidnapping me for the entire day!  Almost in tears I told them I couldn't go because I was watching my nephew.  They just laughed and informed me that THEY were the nephew.  Rock had set it up weeks ago!

On Tuesday I was supposed to watch my nephew for a few hours.  Instead of my sister in law, my two good friends Adrianne and Barbara showed up bearing gifts and black balloons and informed me that they were kidnapping me for the entire day!  Almost in tears I told them I couldn't go because I was watching my nephew.  They just laughed and said THEY were the nephew.  Rock had gotten Penny to help with the surprise weeks before!  We spent a great day eating out, furniture shopping, eating some more and then going to a movie.  I was so grateful to my friends' husbands and families for sharing them with me for a whole day.  I know that was a sacrifice.

 These awesome balloons lasted for 3 weeks!

A card to make all my Richardson Aunts proud.

Wednesday I received two email surprises.  The first was a hilarious comic strip written by my sister, Alli, informing me that she was going to Time Out For Women with me for my birthday present.  I love TOFW or Tofu, as she likes to call it.  When Alli asked me months ago what "we" were going to do for my 40th birthday she was shocked that I hadn't planned some momentous trip to mark the occasion.  She's never going to let me live that down, but she graciously agreed to go to TOFW with me when Rock asked her to.  The second email was a Bed, Bath and Beyond gift card from my in-laws.  Buying stuff for my house is my favorite way to spend money!

Thursday was my birthday and my parents showed up that evening to take me to dinner.  I'm pretty sure that hasn't happened, just me and them, since I was about two!  

Friday was dinner at Tucanos with Derek and Penny (who I share a birthday with).  That has become a tradition that I love! 

And Saturday Rock took me shopping for our new table.  He does not enjoy shopping so this was a real treat!

I had such a fabulous week.  I don't even think I made dinner the entire week!  I really have the best husband in the world.  Thank you, Rock, for making this big milestone special in the perfect way for me.