Monday, December 08, 2003
becoming older
Yesterday was my birthday. It was probably one of the least eventful birthdays I've ever had. Everybody had to work! Juli had to work as usual, Sherry had to work because it was La Jolla's Christmas parade, and even Bret had to work. It didn't even seem like my birthday until Bret came home, bringing me a beautiful card -- and a brand new chair for my computer desk! It was completely unexpected, and I was thrilled. He loves to give me things that I'll use often, and think of him when I do. Like I need a reminder to think about him! I had requested steak for my birthday dinner, so Bret took me to Stuart Anderson's Black Angus. It was not a positive experience. Bret's margarita was literally undrinkable, and my "medium-well" steak was so rare, I had to send it back. The food was merely mediocre, so we will not be going there again!
Sheryl and I spent the day together on Saturday. Bret dropped me off at her house before work, and we started the day with breakfast at IHOP. Well, that was AFTER we thawed me out! I had arrived at 6:50, and Sheryl didn't hear me knocking. Her dogs were barking like crazy, and after almost ten minutes, Zack opened his window to shush them. I called up to him that I was there, and Sheryl finally came down and let me inside. I was so cold my teeth were chattering! She turned on her fireplace, and I toasted in front of it while she finished getting ready. Before we left, Sheryl gave me my presents. I was highly amused (but also delighted) that part of my gift was four boxes of Quick Covers! Now I won't have to wash and re-use them. I love the lighthouse ornament she gave me, too (if only we had a tree to hang it on :>{ ). She also gave me a little purse-sized picture book of lighthouses, in case I need a quick "fix."
After breakfast, we stopped by Steve and Patty's holiday crafts open house. This was the first time I'd been to their house. They have lighthouses all over, so of course I loved it. The Christmas craft items they were selling weren't really to my taste, and all we bought was baked goodies.
We had made plans to meet Lia at Casa de Pico for an early dinner, as a joint birthday celebration and gabfest. Sheryl and I decided to go down to Old Town early, so we could browse the shops. We were actually looking for some palm tree Thirstystone coasters for her, but no luck. Every other thing you can think of in the palm tree motif, but no coasters! Still, we had great fun wandering through Bazaar del Mundo. We made sure to make our way over to the flagpole in the center park by 4:00, when we had asked Lia to meet us. She never showed up. We sat at the nearest picnic table until 4:35, and kept looking all around the park, but never saw her. I hope nothing happened to her! We finally gave up and, cold and hungry, went on over to the restaurant.
Dinner was delicious, as always, and Sheryl kindly didn't mention that it was my birthday, so I didn't have to eat the dreaded birthday flan (thank you, Sheryl!). Afterward, we strolled down to San Diego At Sea, still on our quest for coasters. I love that store. They have so much cool lighthouse stuff! If we had room, I could spend a fortune there. But alas, still no palm tree coasters.
Today, I spent the day with Juli. Once again, I rode up with Bret in the morning. Juli gave me the two new Clive Cussler books (Trojan Odyssey, which I've been DYING to get, and Golden Buddha) for my birthday. Woo hoo!!! We had planned to have lunch at The Old Spaghetti Factory (we haven't been there in forever), but when Juli said she needed to go the North County Fair mall, I immediately thought, Red Robin! So that's where she took me for my birthday lunch. I had my favorite Whiskey River BBQ burger, but Juli broke with tradition and did NOT get Que Pasta! I am still in shock.
Sheryl and I spent the day together on Saturday. Bret dropped me off at her house before work, and we started the day with breakfast at IHOP. Well, that was AFTER we thawed me out! I had arrived at 6:50, and Sheryl didn't hear me knocking. Her dogs were barking like crazy, and after almost ten minutes, Zack opened his window to shush them. I called up to him that I was there, and Sheryl finally came down and let me inside. I was so cold my teeth were chattering! She turned on her fireplace, and I toasted in front of it while she finished getting ready. Before we left, Sheryl gave me my presents. I was highly amused (but also delighted) that part of my gift was four boxes of Quick Covers! Now I won't have to wash and re-use them. I love the lighthouse ornament she gave me, too (if only we had a tree to hang it on :>{ ). She also gave me a little purse-sized picture book of lighthouses, in case I need a quick "fix."
After breakfast, we stopped by Steve and Patty's holiday crafts open house. This was the first time I'd been to their house. They have lighthouses all over, so of course I loved it. The Christmas craft items they were selling weren't really to my taste, and all we bought was baked goodies.
We had made plans to meet Lia at Casa de Pico for an early dinner, as a joint birthday celebration and gabfest. Sheryl and I decided to go down to Old Town early, so we could browse the shops. We were actually looking for some palm tree Thirstystone coasters for her, but no luck. Every other thing you can think of in the palm tree motif, but no coasters! Still, we had great fun wandering through Bazaar del Mundo. We made sure to make our way over to the flagpole in the center park by 4:00, when we had asked Lia to meet us. She never showed up. We sat at the nearest picnic table until 4:35, and kept looking all around the park, but never saw her. I hope nothing happened to her! We finally gave up and, cold and hungry, went on over to the restaurant.
Dinner was delicious, as always, and Sheryl kindly didn't mention that it was my birthday, so I didn't have to eat the dreaded birthday flan (thank you, Sheryl!). Afterward, we strolled down to San Diego At Sea, still on our quest for coasters. I love that store. They have so much cool lighthouse stuff! If we had room, I could spend a fortune there. But alas, still no palm tree coasters.
Today, I spent the day with Juli. Once again, I rode up with Bret in the morning. Juli gave me the two new Clive Cussler books (Trojan Odyssey, which I've been DYING to get, and Golden Buddha) for my birthday. Woo hoo!!! We had planned to have lunch at The Old Spaghetti Factory (we haven't been there in forever), but when Juli said she needed to go the North County Fair mall, I immediately thought, Red Robin! So that's where she took me for my birthday lunch. I had my favorite Whiskey River BBQ burger, but Juli broke with tradition and did NOT get Que Pasta! I am still in shock.
