December 26th - Year 28

I wake this morning to my beloved boyfriend grumbling/bellowing, "I can't find the sandwich bags." You would think I could at least get a "Happy Birthday Macaela!" before the sandwich bag question. Well, he remembered as he was heading out the door. I think me sitting on the couch opening my birthday presents from my family was a pretty good hint. We're not morning people so I totally understand the one track mind mentality when you are trying to function in the morning. Our trains were on different tracks this morning, his was "Damn it, I have to go to work." and mine was "It's my birthday, pay attention to me!" So he went to work and I went back to bed, I thought that 7:00 AM was entirely too early time to be up on my 28th birthday. And all was well again by the time my head hit the pillow.



At 9:30 I'm awakened by a very off-key rendition of "Happy Birthday." Apparently I can answer my cell phone in my sleep now! It was my Dad, Aunt, Uncles and Mother by Marriage, calling to wish me a "happy birthday." I thanked them for the presents. I have come to the conclusion that one is officially getting old when the previously funny birthday cards are replaced with the thoughtful tear-jerkers. Apparently parents get nostalgic when their only/youngest child is creeping closer to the age of 30. At 9:45 my good buddy Melissa calls to wish me a happy day and we talk for a good long time-a good long time for us is about 7 to 10 minutes-she has two small kids and I have...well...stuff. So after gabbing with her I figure, I'll drag myself out of bed. No sooner than I had started to make coffee, my mother calls. Along with the "happy birthday," I also get the yearly reminder of the day of my birth. "I'll tell you what, I sure feel a lot better today than I did (fill in my age) years ago at this time." She continues to tell me of the details of my birth like what I weighed, what I looked like, how my father didn't believe she was in labor but was quite happy I was born a week early because I was a tax break - you know the usual mother stuff.



While drinking my coffee I start to watch, Dr. Phil. I know, it is sad but I really don't like to miss the show if I can help it. And besides, its my birthday, I can do what I want. And then my grandmother calls - which completely surprises me because she usually forgets I exist. It is not intentional mind you, but I'm the only grand kid that doesn't live within a 30 mile radius of my mother's birthplace. Of course it was a "happy birthday" with a side of guilt, because it has been almost two years since I've seen my family in Minnesota. Maybe next year - but I'll be damned if I'm celebrating Christmas on my birthday (but that is another blog entirely.)



By noon I headed to the mall to see National Treasures: The Book of Secrets. Good movie, if you're a history and legend buff, which I am. I thoroughly enjoyed myself - I splurged and decided to see the movie in the Director's Hall, where they have leather-like stadium seating, assigned seats that you choose and someone who escorts you to your seat. I'm living the big life now! (That was sarcasm in case you missed it.)



I hit the mall of course, the one good thing about having a birthday on December 26th, you will always find a sale! Shopping on my birthday has never been a bad experience. At precisely 3:27 pm (eastern time) I rang in the beginning of my 28th year with a chocolate covered strawberry from Godiva and a medium cafe mocha.



I was afraid this year was going to be a bad birthday because I was spending a majority of the day by myself. I had never done this on my birthday before, and frankly, I was dreading it. But it was a great day, I didn't have to worry about pleasing anyone but myself! And I still got to have dinner out with Scott and spend time talking at a dinner table rather than on a couch in front of a television set. And I think one of my happiest moments is that for the first time in 20 years, I didn't binge on my birthday.

Here enjoy a piece of virtual birthday cake. Mmmm, tiramisu!