An Interview with a Ten Year Old

Here is the third installment of my yearly tradition to "interview" my kids.

Since my daughter's birthday is in the summer, I wait for her new school year pictures and share her answers in the fall. AJ's birthday is in January when I already have his school portrait, so I try to share his right afterward.

This year he is TEN! I happen to think 10 is a little special because you've made it to the double digits.

Go Fund Us!

At my husband's behest, I set up a GoFundMe campaign last night.

Hall Home Help

I titled it "Hall Home Help" because we need to do some things around our house. And I enjoy alliteration.

We're going down this path because we tried applying for home equity loans/lines of credit but were summarily denied by three different banks.

41 Things I've Learned in 41 Years

Today is my 41st birthday.

I didn't !! that sentence because, meh. Forty-one just isn't sexy.

Although, I have a friend who thinks it's the bee's knees. She's not here yet and is hoping to have life a lot more figured out by 41.

I told her I think maybe I have it at least half figured out. Also, that some of us are late bloomers. I say that because I think I should have learned more by now. Slowly but surely...

You wanna know what I've learned in my 41 years? Here ya go!

And My Heart Melted

Yesterday was my son AJ's 9th birthday.

Altogether now: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AJ!

This kid, man. He has been such a good guy these past months. Before Christmas I teased that he must be trying to get to the tippy-top of Santa's Nice List.

One day during Christmas break, he was spending most of his time hanging out with his friend who lives right next door to us. He was even planning to spend the night there.

His sister was also at a friend's house when my MIL and I decided to run to the store for a few things. This left my husband home alone.

10 Reasons I'm Thankful For My Mother On Her Birthday

Today is my mom's birthday!

Everyone say, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEN'S MOM!!"

Or, you could use her name, which is Deanne (Dee-ann).

I am her only child and we live in different states. I never get to celebrate her birthday with her, so I thought I would write up a list of the best things about her to let her feel my love today.

40 Years Lived

Today is my 40th birthday!

Forty. The Big 4-0.

Middle age? Pfft! Only if you plan to live to be 80. I could live longer than that. I've never smoked a day in my life or done hardly any recreational drugs. I drink alcohol, but not excessively. I don't get sick very often, I've started exercising again and have accepted that I shouldn't choose french fries as my side at every meal. I've even managed to curb my sweet tooth.

Never mind that it seems to have just switched to a salt tooth.

Yep, I'll live past 80 for sure!

But that's not really what I'm supposed to be talking about today, now is it?

April Blogging Business

I don't believe in April Fools' Day. I will not be lying to you, trying to trick or prank you, or otherwise manipulate you today.

Pinky swear.

We'll have none of that here.

Besides, I'm not feeling all jokester-y today considering I've had only 3 1/2 hours sleep due to yet another trip to the ER with my husband last night.

He's OK, but he has an infection that may or may not have to do with two broken wires in his chest from his bypass surgery in September 2010.

So no, no pranks or pointing and laughing happening on this blog today. Instead I want to work on getting you guys -- and myself at this *yawn* point -- excited for the month ahead!

You see, April is an important one around here.

Every April 16, like clockwork, my birthday rolls around. And this year? I'm turning 40, people.

I will graciously accept any and all gifts!

Also, every April 30 is my blogiversary. I am coming up on four years of blogging.

And then....actually first, because it's a little bit earlier than usual this year I think....I will be participating in the Ultimate Blog Party over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Now, it's possible that none of this will be exciting to anyone but me.

Whatevs.

You read my blog, you must kinda like me, so get with the program, OK?

I'm just saying.

So, how will this impact your life, you ask?

Self-absorbed much?

There will be some sort (I haven't decided yet because I'm currently distracted by a family visit) of #UBP14 post at the end of this week and you will probably see me using that hashtag on social media.

Then there will be an "I'M 40-FREAKING-YEARS-OLD!" post.

If you're super young and can't see 40 yet, or you've already hit that particular milestone and you're thinking "been there, done that, bitch", you're just gonna have to humor me, OK?

The part you will probably like the best, is that I will be having a GIVEAWAY for my blogiversary.

Don't get too excited. It's not an iPad or a DSLR, or some such fancy-shmancy thing.

If I had anything like that in my hot little hands, it would be MINE.

I do have a Dancing in the Rain notebook and pen personally personalized by me!

If you win them, you can conveniently be reminded to not wait for the storm to pass whenever you find yourself doing so.

To review:

• UBP14
• 40th birthday
• Blogiversary giveaway
• Other stuff thrown in because I'm awesome like that.

Maybe this post is superfluous, but like I said earlier, I'm in the midst of a visit with family (MIL and niece) and just really wanted to blog about something. I mean, I tend to go through withdrawals when it's been more than a couple of days since I last posted.

What? There are worse things to be addicted to.

And now you are well informed!

You're welcome.

Subscribe to Weekly Rain!

Three Days, Two Jennifers, One Cruise Ship

What happens when long-time besties go on a cruise together?

The short answer is lots of walking and drinking.

But you don't want the short answer, do you?

First, a disclaimer: I am going to be talking about jetBlue Airways, the Queen Mary Hotel and Carnival Cruise Lines. These are the travel companies involved in our trip. I am not a representative of, nor advocate for, any of them. I'm not a big enough blogger to have been asked to write about them. I am just going to be sharing my experiences because I had a great time, this was a special thing that happened in my life and several people expressed interest.

You know her, you love her, my best friend since high school, "JHo", was my travel companion. She made the very wise decision to have us fly into Long Beach, CA the night before our cruise began.

This was my first time flying jetBlue and it made me want to fly them forevermore.  It was also my first time flying into Long Beach Airport so I had no idea it was so outdoorsy. I was seriously shocked when I walked through the plane door onto a zig-zag ramp OUTSIDE. I had to stop for a second, but quickly gained my composure because I didn't want anyone to yell at me.

Not only do you leave the plane outside, but half of the airport itself is out of doors. It's like al fresco flying!

Have you ever heard of the Queen Mary? It was a transatlantic ocean liner back in the day (1936-67). It is now permanently docked in Long Beach, operates as a hotel and just so happens to be right next door to the Carnival terminal.

We stayed in a very cute little stateroom, had drinks in the art deco lounge, ate breakfast in the Promenade Cafe, wandered the upper deck and got our toes done at the spa.

As soon as our toenails were dry we were able to head right over to the Carnival terminal, which is a giant, white dome where Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose used to reside. It is the world's largest -- at 115 feet high and 400 feet wide -- free-span aluminum geodesic structure!

We set sail at sunset!

Like I said in 10 Things I Learned on a Cruise, the logistics of getting on and off the ship were super easy. I think we were on board by 1:30. We settled into our stateroom a bit, put our Sail & Sign cards in our lanyards, grabbed our little map and schedule of activities and set off to explore the ship!

I've heard people go on and on about how much there is to eat and how good the food is on a cruise, and they're not lying (more on that on JHo's blog). But there is also SO MUCH WALKING. I mean, do you see all those decks up there? There are elevators, but they were usually too busy, so we took the stairs most of the time. I cannot count how many times we walked back and forth and up and down that ship! They say the average person will gain 1-3 pounds on a cruise, but with all the walking, I think you'd have to be eating an awful lot. Maybe I gained a pound, but I suspect that would be from all the cocktails. Ahem.

We're talkin' Typhoon, Kiss on the Lips, Disaronno on the rocks, a Tiramasu martini, Angry Orchard with a shot of Fireball
dubbed "Angry Balls" and Margaritas, among MANY others!

The first night, Thursday, we had dinner, saw the Divas show, listened to some karaoke, played name that song at the piano bar and saw an adults-only comedy show. Upon waking the next morning, JHo says to me, "I think I actually slept pretty well." To which I replied, "Yeah, because we were exhausted!" But in a good way.

Friday was Ensenada day! We had planned a shore excursion to spend the day at a resort, but it was cancelled, so we had to choose another. We went with the City & Shopping Tour (a three hour tour), and we ended up very happy with the change. Our lovely tour guide, Irma, took us to what is now the Ensenada-Riviera del Pacifico Cultural and Convention Center, the Santo Tomas Winery and a little shopping area.

Sipping on wine at 10:30 in the morning is a trip, I gotta say. The wine was SO GOOD! Our main objective when we were dropped off for shopping was fish tacos. Because of course.

Upon our return to the harbor, we made sure we had all the souvenirs we needed and re-boarded the ship, where they confiscated took our wine to be lovingly cared for until the end of the cruise.

It was sunny and generally warm down there so we got our bathing suits on and headed for the Serenity Deck where there are no children allowed. JHo smuggled baby bottles of flavored vodka with us, so we got some soda and OJ and mixed our own little drinks and enjoyed some relaxation.

Friday was also "cruise elegant" night for dinner. We both wore black. I felt extra elegant getting to have lobster tail for my main course, a glass of Moscato and creme brulee for dessert. If you choose an assigned dining time, you sit at the same table and are waited on by the same servers every night of the cruise. The food was DELICIOUS. But again, I'm letting JHo handle that portion of things on her blog....

You see these pictures here? There are professional photographers roaming the ship snapping shots of you all the time. Besides alcohol, I suspect this is where people spend the most extra money on a cruise. It's fun too, because they make you feel sort of glamorous. I am loving that picture of me taken at dinner. I only wish I had remembered to take my lanyard off first.

You wouldn't know it by that picture of the two of us in our dresses, but JHo was feeling pretty darn seasick at this point. She put her pressure bracelets on and sipped on some ginger ale, but neither was helping, so we went back to our stateroom so she could lie down. The Epic Rock show was happening that night so I changed into more comfortable clothes and slipped out to go watch while JHo rested. She ended up finding me about halfway through the show, but she really shouldn't have. After the show, we called it a night.

Saturday was our one morning to sleep in if we wanted, with nothing in particular scheduled until JHo's massage at 10:30. Guess what time we got up? Seven o'clock! I groaned and demanded coffee. JHo was feeling better, but coffee was the wrong choice for her. 'Nuff said. Thankfully, a hot rock massage and some advice from her spa gal helped JHo and the rest of the day was much better for her.

I wandered around the ship taking pictures while she got her massage.

I cannot get enough of blue ocean and blue sky! My seagull friend was following us. Took me several tries to get that shot of him.

Next it was my turn for a Swedish massage. Then we sunbathed and just chillaxed until it was time to get ready for dinner. We spent the rest of the night with Marty in the piano bar. It was epic fun! He did Love Shack for us and we played the cowbell!

Something that was super funny was that the crew kept doing double-takes whenever they noticed that we're both named Jennifer. Going on and off the ship, when ordering drinks...."You both are Jennifer!?" They were so amused.

I sincerely hope I get to go on another cruise someday. It really is a little bit of everything wrapped up into one vacation. There's so much to do; we totally didn't do everything we could have. Also really didn't eat enough. We never even went to the breakfast/brunch buffet and JHo regrets not indulging in more soft serve ice cream. The crew take such good care of you, and it looked like there was awesome stuff for kids to do. Aahhhhh....

So that's that, my big, fat 40th birthday trip! I have not a clue what, if anything, I'll be doing for my actual birthday next month. I already feel so spoiled. On the other hand, you only turn 40 once, right? ;-)

The sign JHo made for our stateroom door

And if the above pictures aren't enough, here is a chronological slideshow!

Have you ever been on a cruise?

Please Don't Begrudge Me

be·grudge

biˈgrəj/ - verb
1. envy (someone) the possession or enjoyment of (something).
"she begrudged Martin his affluence"
synonyms: envy, resent, grudge

2. give reluctantly or resentfully.
"nobody begrudges a single penny spent on health"
synonyms: resent, feel aggrieved about, feel bitter about, be annoyed about, be resentful of, grudge, mind, object to, take exception to, regret

The little cruise my BFF and I are taking in celebration of our 40th birthdays is rapidly approaching.

I find myself using words like "little", just like I did above, to try to diminish it a bit for others.

To place less importance, to insist that it's not too much or too extravagant.

If I say it's "little" or "short" then maybe I'll deserve it more.

I further feel the need to share how circumstances and stars have aligned in a way that my BFF and her husband wouldn't have me paying for any of it if I didn't insist that I must pay for something.

As if I don't deserve to spend any money on myself.

My husband is jealous that I get to do this. He loves me and wants me to be able to do it, but he is indeed sad that he cannot. Probably also sad that I'm experiencing it with somebody other than him.

I have a friend who also turns 40 this year, but due to her personal financial situation, she and her husband just do not have the funds to do something special for it.

She is jealous of my trip too.

I love birthdays and think that everyone should get to celebrate theirs in some special way, so it does make me sad that Mark's health problems hinder him. I also feel sad that my friend might not have a "fabulous 40".

But here's the thing: I should not be made to feel bad for getting this opportunity. I should not have to apologize for it, nor try to diminish how special it is to me in any way.

It's not fair.

I do deserve it.

I have NEVER done anything like this.

I met Mark just after turning 20. We married when I was 24 and I had babies at 26 and 31. I fell in love and wanted to be married. I've always wanted to be a mom. I made those decisions and I don't for one single second regret them.

But my entire adult life has been about everyone else. I've never "sown my wild oats", had a Katy Perry "Last Friday Night" or "I Kissed a Girl" experience or spontaneously jumped on a plane to Vegas. It took until I was 36 to get my first tattoo!

I have said no to going on girls weekends away, including a very special trip in honor of my friend Emily who died of breast cancer, because I was too afraid that something would happen to Mark and I wouldn't be there.

But something has shifted in me in the last year. I have learned that I cannot control whether or not Mark will have any problems and my presence doesn't automatically make them better. I have also learned that there are others who love him too, and are willing to step up if he needs. My children aren't babies anymore and can absolutely handle my absence. I am not the be-all, end-all.

And maybe I could use a break from feeling like I am.

This is HUGE for me.

I wrote last summer about how we don't take real, just for the fun of it, vacations. That all our trips are to visit family only.

So yeah, if I want to take a few days out of my life the year I turn 40 to celebrate that milestone and where I am in my life, and spend quality time with my oldest friend while sipping drinks with umbrellas in them, I'm damn sure going to.

I'm going to be Brave, and I'm not going to feel bad about it.

I'm a Lying Liar Who Lies

Week before last I wrote a lovely little post about my 25 year friendship with my high school BFF and how we're taking a little trip together in celebration of our 40th birthdays.

That wasn't the whole truth.

I lied by omission.

There was something I HAD to leave out because it was a BIG SURPRISE. I couldn't tell you guys because JHo reads my blog (of course she does!), and if I had spilled the beans on this and ruined the surprise her husband planned for her birthday, I'm pretty sure I would have been stoned to death!

For serious. You guys, this surprise was planned and executed as if the Secret Service themselves were in on it.

The cruise JHo and I are taking is true. We ARE indeed doing that. That is a separate thing from what her husband had planned for her big day.

JHo's husband is Joe, and he hatched, plotted, schemed and orchestrated this elaborate plan on THE PLANNER herself. He made it so she had all her best friends on hand to celebrate her birthday with.

Three of us had to be flown in for the festivities. One local friend was charged with making semi-fake plans with JHo to get her to Joe's Crab Shack where the surprise would be sprung. Joe had to round everyone up at the airport, which was nearly foiled because I almost didn't make my connecting flight. My luggage didn't make it.

Do you have any idea how hard it was for this social media lovin' girl to keep her tweeting fingers from saying anything about the fact that I was leaving home all by myself for the first time since my daughter was born? Can you imagine my excitement? My anxiety??

But everything came together with perfect timing. JHo spent just the right amount of time shopping at Ikea before heading to the restaurant. We pulled up JUST AS JHo was walking in, her friend making sure she didn't spot us.

The plan was that Joe would give JHo "gifts" that were framed pictures of the three of us who flew in. However, my picture was in my suitcase which didn't make the connection in Las Vegas. So I called her instead, and walked into the restaurant as I was trying to have some sort of normal conversation with her. I was failing miserably.

Thankfully, it wasn't hard to find her. When she spotted me, she burst into tears. I quickly came around the table for a hug.

Joseph!

All JHo could think to ask when we sat down was, "Who drove you to the airport?" I answered her, but was thinking, "Really Jen, that's what you wanna know?"

Her other peeps came in and surprised her. There was an "OMG!" and a "NO!" or two or twelve. JHo was shaking with excitement as she started putting the pieces together.

"LIARS!", she called each and every one of us.

Yes, we're liars, and damn proud of it!

We ate lunch, my luggage was retrieved and we headed to the JHome in Chico where we were whisked off to a birthday dinner with more friends and family.

The next day we took a mini tour of the Sierra Nevada Brewery and went bar hopping. I had Fireball and "Scooby snack" shots, and a Sex on the Beach. We attempted to dance to the longest techno rap song ever, were refused entry into the Crazy Horse, took a cab home where a few of us sampled apple pie moonshine and I ate the other half of the best turkey melt in creation, albeit cold and not at all still melty.

On Saturday we watched my Godson's basketball game, dashed into McDonald's for sustenance and made our way on BFE two-lane roads back to the Sacramento airport which was eerily empty, but therefor seriously easy to get through.

Once aboard my flight home I settled into the row I had all to myself and thought about the whirlwind that had just ensued....

Prior to the trip I figured getting to do this would make waiting for our cruise together easier. I wondered when the last time was JHo and I had spent any time just the two of us. You know, before husbands and babies and LIFE. I thought hard and could only come up with the weekend we went shopping for my wedding dress 16 years ago. Suddenly I ached for just a few moments to sit, relax and TALK to my friend. It feels like a very selfish thought after having a fabulous and fun time with such cool people.

Very cool people who are good liars, helped pull off the birthday coup of the decade and will leave JHo questioning everything for the rest of her life!

An Interview with an Eight Year Old

It's AJ's 8th birthday and finally time to share his 2nd grade school portrait and ask him some questions!

Back in October, when I got my daughter's 8th grade portrait, I had her answer 20 questions along with sharing her picture, as further illustration of where she's at as a 13 year old.

Now for the boy!

Totally bugs me that they used a lowercase J in his name!
I checked and double-checked that I entered AJ.

1. My favorite food is: Tacos

2. The best show on TV is: Agents of SHEILD

3. The coolest person on earth is: My dad

4. My favorite subject in school is: Math

5. The subject I like the least is: Music

6. The thing I do best is: Play video games

7. If I could go anywhere in the world, I'd go to: California

8. My favorite color is: Purple

9. When I grow up, I think I might like to be a: Marine Biologist

10. My current favorite song is: "The Other Side" by Bruno Mars

11. Three words that describe me are: Funny, nice, cool

12. My favorite season is: Summer

13. The snack I like the best is: Chocolate pudding

14. My best friend is: Mikey

15. My current favorite book is: Poppy by Avi

16. If I had one wish, it would be: My dad being healthy

17. My best memory is: Going camping at Lake Tahoe

18. My current favorite movie is: Avengers

19. One food that I really dislike is: Peppers

20. My favorite thing to do is: Spend time with my family

I was surprised when AJ said Music is his least favorite subject because he loves music....listening and dancing to it. He explained that he just doesn't like doing music at school.

AJ wants to go to California so he can both see his cousins and go to all the cool places like Disneyland.

I was also surprised that he said spending time with us was his favorite thing to do because he also spends a ton of time with his friends. Super sweet that he said family is his favorite. And of course what he said about his dad. Ooph.

Happy, happy birthday, kiddo! We love you so very much!

Seven

Today is my son AJ's 7th birthday!

He was born at 4:01 PM after I was induced early that morning. It was just 2 days after his due date, but my doctor chose to induce me for several reasons, including Gestational Diabetes and being Group B Strep positive. I had back labor that felt like my low back was being ripped apart. I was stuck at 4 cm until I finally decided to get an epidural. Relief from the pain relaxed my cervix, it opened right up, and less than an hour later our baby boy entered the world.

He gave us quite a fright at first, being slow to catch his breath. When he did, his little cries were so soft and sweet. It felt like forever before I got to hold him. But the moment he was placed into my arms I knew our family was complete.

Today AJ is pretty much the life of our home. He is happy and energetic and so funny! He makes me laugh daily. He can also be a bit self-absorbed and have anger issues. But for the most part, he is bright and curious and quick-witted and I am very proud of him. Oh, and just so cute!

Goofy smile because he was self-conscious
about lost teeth.

Seven Reasons Having a 7 Year Old is Awesome

1. First grade - it's all day, they learn SO MUCH and AJ seems to really be enjoying it.

2. I don't have to go out to the bus stop anymore.

3. Learning to get some of his own food - although he really doesn't want to.

4. He has developed a great sense of humor.

5. No longer have to have several kinds of snacks handy.

6. He can play games grown-ups like.

7. Has made lots of neighborhood friends whom he plays with A LOT.

Linked with Monday Listicles.

Happy Birthday, Husband!

My Dearest Mark,

Here is your birthday card from me. Of course I would publish it on my blog!
I mean, it is NaBloPoMo and all....

Forty-four years! My god, we're getting old. But YAY, we're getting old! Because, you know, earlier this year, we weren't so sure you'd see this birthday, right?

Wait. Let me rephrase that. YOU'RE getting old. Not me. Just so we're clear.

Excellent job getting here, my dear!

You know, some might call you an overachiever, what with all these miracles you seem to keep pulling out of your ass pocket.

We also call you the boy who cried wolf. My cousin says you're a big faker.
You know, just to keep you in line.

You really don't need to keep having near death experiences to get our attention!

I'm serious. Stop it.

Mark, I love you so much it....I mean....it's indefinable. I love you to the moon and back.
I love you HARD.

You are a part of me, the love of my life. You make me happy and worried. You make me laugh and you piss me off. And I love every minute of it.

I hope you have an awesome birthday during which you feel loved and have fun. Enjoy your new gaming chair and dinner out tonight. Don't worry about that thing you accidentally shoplifted from Walmart yesterday. We'll just call it their gift to you!

It's your birthday, now you're brand new So Happy Birthday to you!
All my love, Jen

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My mother was born on June 6, 1957. Today she is 55!

My mom was only 16 when I as born, turning 17 shortly after. She got pregnant, married my dad in Reno, and moved with him back to his home state of Washington. She was 16 and he was 19. Just babies themselves!

Things didn't work out between my parents and they split up when I was 5. My mom left her heart in Lake Tahoe when she married my dad, so she decided to move back there. I stayed with my dad, visiting my mom on every school break until it was time to live with her after I turned 12. This wasn't easy, but they both loved me and I knew it.

I like to say my mom and I grew up together. Lots of people thought I was her younger sister and I think she liked it. I remember once when I was about 16, we were in the grocery store. I was an aisle away and yelled, "Mom!" She came around the corner Ssshhing me. She didn't want me to call her mom so loudly. Because if she's the mom of a 16 year old, how old must that make her? Of course I was just like, whatever, mom.

I am very sad that I don't seem to have any pictures of my mom and I when I was a teenager. Actually, don't think I have any with either of my parents. What's up that?

Her name is Deanne, by the way. That's "Dee-anne". She is the middle child of three, a Gemini through and through and a free spirit. She's a vegetarian, but not a vegan, thank God, and gets totally bitchy when she's hungry. I find this so hilarious because she absolutely needs food at regular intervals, yet it's sometimes hard to find her food she will eat. She hates doing housework, leaving most of it to my step-dad, who is a veritable saint. She's a pretty good cook even if she didn't bother to teach me how. She and my step-dad are very active, outdoorsy people.

The most important thing to know about my mom, probably the biggest part of her, is that she is a horse lover. She currently has two horses, Gabe and Bandit. Gabe is an old man now; Bandit is her youngin.

The white horse she's on? She rode an Andalusian horse in Andalusia, Spain last spring. Pretty awesome, hu?

This horse thing? Totally skipped a generation. I think horses are beautiful creatures. But I'm a little afraid of them. Because not only are they beautiful, they're also large and powerful. Gabe was the first horse I ever felt comfortable around. He's such a sweetheart (and only 14 1/2 hands). But my daughter? The love of horses went from my mom straight to her. A fact which I know my mother is quite proud of.

Speaking of my kids, to them she is GrandMama. This came about when Cami turned one and my mom was trying to teach her to say grandma. It came out like, "Grandmamamama". It was so cute, and my mom decided it sounded great. With several grandmothers to choose names for, it wasn't already taken either. Also unique is what Cami and AJ call my step-dad: GranDoug. Don't tell anyone, but that's my favorite!

Camping at Lake Tahoe last summer

My mom and I have turned out to be quite the opposites. Sure, there are traits and mannerisms I inherited from her, but that's about it. She and I have very different interests and have had very unsimilar life experiences.

Sometimes I think my mother is completely nuts. I'm sure sometimes she thinks the same about herself me. I know we've each hurt the other.

But here's the thing: We have unconditional love and respect for each other. I'm very proud of that. Here's another thing: We have mutual admiration for one another. I admire my mom's utter determination to live life to the fullest, and to do it authentically. She doesn't apologize for who she is or what matters to her.

Mom, I love you and I wish you the happiest of birthdays! I wish I could give you a big hug today, and have a a glass of wine. How 'bout this? Close your eyes, imagine hugging me, and later on, sip some wine with me in mind, remembering that we are connected, always. XOXO

Oh, and I think this is the BEST birthday card I could ever give you, so maybe print it out? Just sayin'.

It's My Birthday!

AND this is my 400th post!

Holy blogging, Batman!

It's also Monday Listicles so I will present to you a list of 10 Things Birthday. Sound good?

Well, it's my birthday so I say what goes.

1. I was born exactly 38 years ago today, at 5:12 AM. My mother's onset of labor was marked by hurling her spaghetti dinner.

2. I was named after Jennifer O'Neill. Or so says my father. I wonder if all the other millions of Jennifers were also named for her. Something tells me no. My mother says she liked Jessica and Jennifer, but preferred the nickname Jenny over Jessie. She's never called me Jenny.

3. My astrological sign is the first on the zodiac, Aries. I have spent all of my life disagreeing with much of what is said about Aries, as relates to me. I'm told that both your sun sign and rising sign matter. According to a Free Instant Rising Sign Wizard mine is Pisces. Apparently: "This peculiar mix is more like a multiple personality disorder." Huh.

Aries Traits

Adventurous and energetic - No & No

Pioneering and courageous - Not pioneering

Enthusiastic and confident - Iffy

Dynamic and quick-witted - Not really

On the dark side...

Selfish and quick-tempered - not usually & a little

Impulsive and impatient - when I was younger

Foolhardy and daredevil - NOT EVEN

4. I spent my 16th at Disneyland, my 19th in Florida, 21st in Reno (legal, baby!), 25th in Orange County and another in San Francisco. I got engaged on my 23rd.

5. I thought my 30th was all big and important and invited all these new "friends" I had met right after moving to Washington out to lunch with me. There were 8-10 women at my table that day. I felt so special and important and liked. Eight years later, I know it's not the quantity of people, it's the quality of the people. Also, most of them were moms with young kids and probably just wanted an excuse to get out of the house!

6. My 31st was only 4 of us, but it was one of my most memorable.

My very happy friend there is Jessica!

7. I got pregnant with AJ shortly after the above photo was taken, so by the time my 32nd rolled around, I had this little cutie to cuddle:

8. I've shared my 33rd birthday photo before. My 34th didn't yield a good pic, but it was a fun night of homemade fondue and Friends on DVD. Um, my 35th...don't seem to have any pics. Probably did dinner and a movie. Oh! I got my tattoo for my 36th birthday! And last year on my 37th, we took a day trip to Leavenworth, WA.

9. As this birthday approached we met a new heart specialist, an Electrophysiologist, who diagnosed Mark's arrhythmia as Ventricular Tachycardia. This is more serious than Atrial Fibrillation and means Mark's heart could freak out and stop again at any time before he has a defibrillator implanted. I thought about cancelling plans to go to dinner an hour away from home.

10. But I didn't cancel and everything was OK (except Mark let the kids stay up really late). Here are a few pics from dinner at The Melting Pot in Seattle. It's an amazing fondue place. This dinner was from my dad for my birthday, and also to thank my besties for being so awesome while Mark was in the hospital.

Carin and Jessica - Carin brought extra lighting for me

Me and my Dad

The Flaming Turtle chocolate fondue

Dessert bits to dip

My s'mores martini - crushed graham cracker around the rim of the glass!

Tonight we're hittin' Red Robin for my free birthday burger! Hmm, which one should I get...Blue Ribbon, Banzai, Whiskey River, Guacamole?

I think I like my late 30s. Mostly. I like not being young and dumb anymore, but I could do without the aches and pains. Seriously, my lower back PITA decided to act up this weekend. Why? Just to mke me feel me age? Probably.

Well I say Pfft! to my back.

Oh, my kids let me sleep in until 11:00 yesterday morning! I don't think I've done that since I was in my early 20s. The next logical thing to do after sleeping the morning away is stay in your pajamas all day. Yup, pretty nice Sunday, I'd say.

Day, say...that rhymes!

PS: All my fave bloggy friends contributed to a special post as a gift for me over at The Sarcasm Goddess' For the Love of Writing!