Recipe for a Great Birthday

Here are my big golden birthday plans:

Friday night- Hubby and I are going to eat at BD’s Mongolian BBQ. I have a free meal at BD’s because I signed up for their birthday club. Other places you can sign up and get something for free on your birthday are Baskin Robbins (free scoop of ice cream), Culvers (a free sundae), Cold Stone (which I am getting tonight after my stir fry), Noodles and Co. (a free meal), Houlihans (a free meal), Red Robin (a free meal), Firehouse Subs (a free sub on your actual birthday), and one of my favorites- Caribou Coffee (a free coffee if you go on your birthday). There are a lot more deals like these that you can find on the internet. The only problem for me is- once I have the coupons, I feel obligated to use them. I end up with probably twenty coupons that all expire in a two week period.

Saturday- Hubby and I are going to Nordstrom’s and I am going to pick out a pair of Toms shoes (www.toms.com). I am in love with Toms, not only because of their fabulous prints, but because they are so philanthropic. For every pair of Toms purchased, the company donates a pair of shoes to a child in need. A pair of Toms costs around $55.00, not such a bad price considering it pays for two pairs of shoes.

After Nordstrom’s, we are going to Firehouse Subs for my free sandwich. I haven’t been to Firehouse yet, but I’ve heard amazing things about it. After Firehouse, we are dropping by Caribou for my free cup of joe. I love Caribou, but I don’t get to go there too often, so it will be a real treat. After Caribou, we will probably head home, unless I can convince Hubby to stroll through HomeGoods with me. I love HomeGoods. I was introduced to this store by some co-workers who could not believe I had never been there before. Now that I am acquainted with the place, I can’t believe I drove past it so often and had no idea what was inside.

Saturday night… is my birthday party! I am having a Minute to Win It birthday celebration. Hubby and I are going to set up stations around our home with different Minute to Win It games. For dinner, we are serving bbq grilled chicken, beer brats, potato salad and corn on the cob. For dessert- PUMPKIN PIE! As a take home gift, we are giving each guest a pint of our homemade salsa (remember all those tomatoes from a while back- these are them).

Sunday- homework, homework, homework. Did I mention I have homework? In all honesty, we will also be spending some time out at my uncle’s house. Fair time is right around the corner and there is a lot to get done before then. More about the fair later- I promise.

Meanwhile, in honor of my golden birthday- eat a piece of cake and take a moment to relax and enjoy life. Blessings!

Reading, Writing...My Birthday?

Let's briefly take a trip down memory lane and see why having a birthday in the end of August is not always that amazing, shall we?

1987- It's my 5th birthday and I celebrate by having my first day of kindergarten. I'm crying because my best friend in the whole world (who is also my cousin) is not in the same class that I'm in. To make matters worse, the music teacher yells at me and tells me I need to shape up and start participating or I have to sit in the corner. No cupcakes for me, not even a happy birthday song (yes, I remember this exactly).

1993- My first day of junior high and again, my birthday. Two different elementary schools are combined into one junior and senior high, so a lot of the kids are strangers. One girl, who just so happens to have the same first name as me, gets her locker right next to mine. Unfortunately, back at a second grade mixer, I told her I didn't want to play with her on the jungle gym, so now she hates me. Happy birthday gawky teenager.

2000- My first day of college classes. I know only a handful of people and none of them know it is my birthday. I am overwhelmed by my first experience with college syllabi and I spend that night at the Big Brother/Big Sister Freshman Welcome Party, following the commands of my upperclassman big sister to kiss guys on the cheek and sing Barney songs to the architect students. Embarrassing- yes, memorable- for sure.

There was just never a way to escape it- my birthday always landed on the first or second day of school. If I was lucky, it would be on a Saturday and I could escape the classes and just focus on finishing my new homework before blowing out the candles. Then, for several years after college graduation, I didn't have to worry about school anymore and my birthday was free of all worries.

Now, I am back where I started. Today is my first day of class for the new semester and this weekend I will be focusing on getting my class reading done around my birthday plans. This puts me in such a reminiscent mood; I want to go out and buy some Trapper Keepers, Yikes! pencils and Mr. Sketch markers.