So, of course, in advance of today, the big 4-0, I decided to start my celebrating on Saturday. It started off on a small scale. I took Jordan to the Home Depot for one of those kids' workshops. With no hammering and a few screws, it was right up my alley. And, I was able to lift and carry the full propane tank back to the car, so clearly I am not over the hill! We followed that up with a quick trip to Kohl's, where I treated myself to a new wallet. Even waiting in a 20-person-deep line could not dampen my spirits, what with my happily telling the two people in front of me and one behind me that I was turning 40 on Monday.
Yesterday was the real highlight. With my Steelers Santa cap and Hines Ward jersey on and my Terrible Towel in pocket, I headed downtown, where I got to park for free! I had a nice walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge and over to the Bettis 36 Grille, where I had a less-than-stellar, but-still-enjoyable, bloody Mary. A while later, when my mom, aunt, uncle, and two cousins showed up, I showed a beer maid outside the place that I was turning 40 tomorrow, and she said my and my cousin's beer was on her. Sweet!
After a tasty lunch, I headed over to Heinz Field, where I spent the next three hours watching the Steelers dominate the Bengals. I sat behind Andy Dalton's parents, which was kind of cool. I teased them and his cousins, asking why Andy did not get them better seats. But as it turned out, our seats, located between the 10-yard line and the end zone about 20 rows back, allowed us to see four of the scores perfectly. Even the drunk, repetitive guy next to me could not dampen my day; it probably helped that when I told him I was turning 40, he said he would have guessed I was 21. Ha ha!
Today I woke up at just after 6, with a phone call asking me to sub, but it was all good, no doubt helped by the "It's My Birthday" pin I have been wearing for the past 15 birthdays. I had about a half dozen cookies, many birthday wishes, and pretty good kids overall.
When I got home, there was an edible fruit arrangement from my little brother, his wife, and their kids; and one of my best friends from college sent me lovely flowers. Brian and Jordan had some cards waiting for me, and we had shrimp and crab cakes for dinner and some yummy chocolate cake for dessert.
Among the cards, phone calls, text messages, and probably 70 Facebook posts, I felt a lot of birthday love today.
So far, 40 is just fine!
Comments
I have my 5-0 in February. (Like that's not a depressing enough month.) Told the wife I don't want a party. I just want to celebrate it sitting on a beach somewhere. So I've got that to look forward to.
Yours sounds like it was a bit more festive.