Yesterday was the big 5-0!!!

If you notice, I changed my profile from "nearly 50 mom of 2" to 50 year old mom of 2. Yup, it happened, I thought I could avoid it, but it is here, I am 50. You know, 40 wasn't very hard at all because it was 2 years after I was diagnosed with breast cancer and I survived it and was grateful to be alive. 50, on the other hand is a much different feeling. It's hard to say, for some reason. I have been more attuned to when people say, "oh they are older, at least 50....they should know better, they are about 50....well, she (or he) looks about 50". Something in my gut twists in a weird way, because I am now that age. I guess I am grateful to be alive, but man, there are mornings when I feel every inch of my new age. Case in point, Chuck and I ran errands on Saturday and spent about 15 minutes in front of the vitamin section deciding which Glucosamin Condritin was best for us. He didn't want the sharp edged ones because they hurt going down, and I didn't want ones that you have to take more than once per day. We ended up with two different bottles to best suit our individual wishes. Then, I wanted to know if we needed more multivitamins. He asked me why we take the "mature multis" and I told him, it's because the other ones make me constipated. Now if that isn't old folk bantering, I don't know what is.
The happenings of my big day:
My co-workers ordered Chinese food and had a cake and were very sweet with their wishes all night long. I had requested to leave early, because I had a big day planned, but it didn't work out that way and I survived the entire day without sleep.
My boss was actually in the room when the candles were lit and I blew them out. I guess that means she loves a good celebration!!!
I was home for about 20 minutes before my hair appointment and Chuck brought me the morning paper (a ritual in this old folks home) When I opened it, I dropped the BIG hint, "Do you see what the date is today?"Now, here is the conversation exactly as it happened:
"yeah, it's December 11th, the day before your birthday"
"What did you just say?"
"It's the day before your birthday"
"Tell, me you didn't just say that"
"Your birthday is December 12th"
"How long have we been married, better yet, how long have you known me?"
"I thought your birthday was the 12th"
"YOUR BIRTHDAY IS JANUARY 12TH, MINE IS THE 11TH OF DECEMBER!!!!!"
"Oh, (very calmly and with a straight face, I might add) well, I don't have a gift for you anyway"

Let me tell you, I was absolutely furious with him all day long and proceeded to tell this entire exchange with everyone I saw who totally agreed with me that he was in the doghouse for a very long time. Lisa said that it is fuel for arguments until we die.
Well, today, he said he was pulling my leg. I don't know if I should believe him, or if he is weaseling out of penance for the rest of his life.....
Then is was off to my hairdresser for my tune up. On a 50th birthday, it is important to rid yourself of all that reminds you of your age:
That is one of her cats on my lap, "Peanut", who without a doubt is the most loving cat I have ever met. She jumps up on every customer's lap while they are in the chair. She is constantly touching you with her paws. Not everyone is an animal lover but I love the chance to get my fix while I am there.
The finished product:
Cindy and I. She has been my hairdresser for almost 20 years and over that time, we have developed a friendship. There was a time when I betrayed her and went to someone else, but felt like I was cheating on her, so I came back. When you find a good one, you have to stick with her!!
Then Candice and I (she is now home for Christmas break, which is so good) then drove to my friend, Lisa's house in Lake Geneva for a cookie bake. This was just a blast and Candice had a great time, even though she hadn't met anyone prior to that. Like her momma, she can adapt to any group of people. Even though we were 1/2 hour late, we were the first to arrive and got the grand tour of Lisa's new house before the crowd arrived.
Our very gracious hostess:
We all brought cookies, or baked them there. I had made my dough, but didn't have a chance to bake them, so I used the oven for the first hour or so. There were others that had to bake also, and the house just smelled delectable. Lisa is like me and loves to try out new recipes, so her lunches on this day are wonderful. She had 3 vegetarian friendly dishes, so Candice loved the food. There were also two hot dishes with meat in them. So much food, I was so stuffed, I didn't need dinner last night.
Lisa always makes cut out dough for the little ones to cut and decorate:
These three are my friend, Angela's little ones. Are they just the cutest kiddos or what? ( I have to say that, because I know she reads this) Seriously, they are the nicest kids and just dug right in and had a ball.
Well, they weren't the only cute kids there, I brought one of my own. She loves this aspect of Christmas with the cut out cookies and we will be doing some cookies of our own when Catie gets home.
This is one of her special creations:
We decided he was a Cub's cookie. Then Joshua, Angela's little one, told us of the guy he saw at the Cub's game who was all painted blue. (That was at the Zambrano ho-hitter, by the way)
Joshua also made a very special cookie:
Can you say "sprinkles"? We declared it the prettiest cookie of the day.
They sang "Happy Birthday" to me:
This is my embarrassed look while they are singing.
We just had a great day, so much fun:Unfortunately, a couple of people had left before this was taken. Don't you just love Lisa's tree?
Sorry that this ended up being so long, but it was a fun, full day. When I got home, I lazed on the couch for an hour or two, answered many phone calls and e-mails of birthday wishes and Celia came over to bring my birthday cheer.
I fell into bed at 8 and slept until 7 this morning. Have another full day today as tonight is Bunco here at my house and we are playing with 16, which hasn't happened for a long time. Stay tuned...