Some of you may know I celebrated my 37th birthday this month.
I was well prepared and settled into the idea I am nearing 40 (really?) Every year around November when my sister has a birthday I find myself a wee bit sluggish and reflective on my life. You see, if Andrea is nearly 40, then I am right behind her! All along this is the way it has been, why should it change now?? She turned 16 and began to drive and "Whoa, what do ya know?", not soon after so did I! So, I had no problem turning 37 after settling it for 3 months and wrapping my little brain around it! Bring it on, Lets have some fun!
I have this wonderful friend who understands the need for "girl time", and also knew I was missing my DEAR friends in California, ( I won't name any names, you know who you are!) She and my daughters secretly text-ed up a surprise . . .
I kinda had a hunch something was up when she said, "Do you have plans next Friday? Amanda is going to watch Audrey and I'm going to take you out.", then it was, "Make sure you shave your legs and bring a bathing suit". Hmmm our local swimming place is closed for the winter . . . so the jesting began.
Jim would say, "maybe she is taking you for a massage."
I would reply, "Oh. that would be nice."
Jim would giggle "Yeah . . . until Bruno walks in to give you your massage".
Well, very funny Jim but I need a massage, that would be fabulous!
And it was. Miranda picked me up and together, the two of us gallantly trotted off all smiles leaving Jim behind with a 16 month old baby, a 5 year old, a 6 year old, two 10 year olds, a 12 year old and Amanda! Yes! This was nice. Jim's eyes were as big as saucers when he realized he was the babysitter! Ha! Smugly he said, "have fun with Bruno"!
The next 2 hours were so relaxing and very needed. I settled into the sand in the hot sand room and drifted off to dreams of Southern California and didn't even once try to clean, fix, cook or plan anything! No referee needed here! Miranda and I sat in the hot tub and giggled like a bunch of teenagers. Did I mention I should turn 37 more often?
Well, we had decided to take a self guided tour of the old historic sandstone hotel that housed this little spa, and as we were nosing around the rooms and inspecting the eclectic decor a woman appeared from around the corner and just about stumbled into us. What a sight! Two women, with damp hair wrapped in towels with bare feet and a face of "ops you caught us being nosy"! The lady was holding a single rose and said, "which one of you is the birthday girl"? Feeling kind of, well, caught and quickly realizing how silly we must look I reluctantly said, "I am." The woman said, "I have a delivery for you." and handed me the rose.
The card read:
xoxo Bruno
Miranda and I busted out in laughter and just about fell over!
Life is good.
