Undone

I just went to the grocery store without taking a shower. I put a baseball hat on to hide my greasy hair, put on baggy jeans and a sweatshirt, and I left. This may not seem big to some of you, but to me, it's magnormous. I don't go out until I'm presentable. I have to have a shower, my hair has to look at least half-way decent, and makeup has to be applied. I've never been one of those women to just go, no matter what I look like. But today, I did. I don't know why. I can't explain it. But I did it. And I loved it. Maybe it's because I'm realizing that looks really don't matter when you need juice. Or maybe it's because I have bigger things on my mind now that do not include my appearance. Whatever it is, I enjoyed the liberation. I'm going to have to do this more often. Too bad I can't show up at work like that. Oh well--you can't win them all.

Birthdays aren't for little ones

My birthday isn't for another three and a half days, but yesterday, I was treated to a birthday extravaganza. First, my best friend Vanessa came and picked me up. She took me back to her little town and arranged for me to get my very first massage. It was odd, lying on a table naked, but it felt oh-so-good. The lady even got the knot out of my shoulder that's been bothering me for months.

After that, Vanessa drove me over to her house where Thea had prepared lunch for us: chicken thingys and veggie pizzas. See, about a year ago, I met Thea at Vanessa's Halloween party. She had made these chicken thingys (little chicken tenders breaded and fried), and I feel in love with them. In July, at her boyfriend's birthday party, I told her that she'd have to make those for me for my birthday. I had forgotten all about saying that until I walked in and saw them. It was great!

Then we went shopping. It was a great day filled of girl's-day-out fun. We went all over the place in two different malls. We were getting hungry, but before dinner, Thea wanted to go to Borders to buy Wagon (his real name is Chuck---we just call him Wagon) a gift. Little did I know that was all a ruse. We pull up, and there are all three of "the boys" (my husband, Vanessa's fiance, and Thea's boyfriend) holding a bag of clothes. The girls grab me and say we have to go to the bathroom. We get in there, and the bag is full of fun, flirty-sexy clothes for us to change into. We get dressed, and they lead me to the Cheesecake Factory. I had never eaten there, so that was a GREAT surprise.

I opened my gifts there, with my tiara on (Vanessa bought it and MADE me wear it). It was so much fun. My friends love me so much. I got SO many wonderful presents. It was unbelievable that they were all for me. CDs, clothes, Disney things, this great Japanese hanging with my name written on it. It was just an amazing night. And to top it off, my waitress brought out my dessert with a candle in it and sang me happy birthday. It was just so special.

So to all those of you out there that think birthdays are just for little ones, you're so mislead. You just haven't surrounded yourself with the right people. Thank you my wonderful, beautiful friends! You are all outstanding, and have made me feel like the most special person on Earth for a day. I will never forget it!