Posted by barb on Oct 26, 2010 in
Pictures,
Random Thoughts I’m a day into being 39, and it’s not so bad. I’m not actually one of those people who dreads certain ages; there’s no point in it really. In fact, I look at the “big numbers” as excuses to get all my girlfriends together – since they’re scattered across the country, I need an excuse every now and then!
I have to admit that 38 hasn’t been the best year….parts have been great and parts have not been so great. I was looking forward to 38 because 37 seemed to suck pretty hard. Now, I can hardly remember why 37 was so hard because it’s been eclipsed by the curse of 2010.
I suppose 37 sucked because I had just graduated (which was a good thing) and was on a job hunt (which was the bad thing). It was a year-long hunt that only garnered three interviews (still, not bad compared to most recent science PhDs without PostDoc experience). And it looked like I was going to have to take a job in Mississippi…without my husband for at least the first year. 37 felt like I was in a holding pattern the whole year. I was just getting out of that pattern when I turned 38 – I had been offered a job at my current work, doing the part of my job that I loved, and had just started working full-time. The rest of my life seemed like it should fall into place nicely.
That lasted until January, when my kitty (Ares) was diagnosed with cancer. Another kitty (Duncan) had been losing weight. January through March were all about sick cats and getting them to eat. The house had a pall of sadness…it was bleak. Things turned around for Duncan when we figured out how often we needed to feed him. We had to wait until July to hear about Ares, but then the news was good – remission!
(I’m happy to say that my little girl, Artemis, has been healthy – we’ve told her that she is to stay healthy, because we can’t deal with another sick cat any time soon!)
On the plus side, we got a dog in May…you know how some women yearn for kids? You know, they have an ache in their hearts when they see others with kids? Yeah, I could give a crap about having kids, but I had that ache for a dog. So you can imagine how happy I was when we got Aurora.
I also accomplished a goal that I set in February – biking 50 miles in one shot. I honestly wasn’t sure if I could; I thought this was maybe too big a goal. And yet, in September, we did it!
I got to have a fun girl’s weekend with my BFF in June…wasn’t sure we’d be able to figure that out, given our busy schedules (and her cute little guy!), but we did it. Not sure when we’ll manage again, but I think we’ve proven that it can be done.
So, I guess that parts of 38 were very stressful, but there was some awesomeness as well. I’m looking forward to 39!
Tags: birthday
Posted by barb on Oct 16, 2007 in
Pictures,
Random Thoughts 
Yesterday was Andrew’s birthday. We spent a quiet evening celebrating his 35th year, with dinner and cake.
Inspired by Chocstress over at Chocablog, I decided to make a Dalek Cake.
That’s Andrew with the final product.
I told my coworkers yesterday that this would either turn out really cool or that it would be one big mess. Little did I know that both would be the case. Details on the making of the cake below the fold.
Read more…
Tags: baking, birthday, my man
Posted by barb on Oct 21, 2006 in
Pictures,
Random Thoughts The big 3-5!
Sweetie flew in last night, so she and I headed off this morning to pick up balloons and ice. (I bribed her my noting that there was a Starbucks next to the party store – this got her going without too much cajolling this morning.) When we got back to the house, Crash and Mushi had arrived (a 4-6 hour drive for them, which they did this morning…yikes!). We used the tall boys to help us decorate for the second phase of the party; though, some things were better left to us girls.
Next we took off for lunch and a quick stop at the Hello Kitty porn store (as Mushi calls it), since Mushi wanted to see what new stuff they had. From there, we headed off to Tysons Corner for phase one of the party.
The girls convened at Build a Bear Workshop, while the guys went off and did whatever. Our party leader was great with our bunch of crazy, fun-loving, more-kid-than-adult adults. Oddly enough, none of us actually picked out a bear at Build a BEAR – there were four bunnies, two puppies, and a giraffe. We all danced while we stuffed our “bears”:
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Tags: birthday, build-a-bear, friends
Posted by barb on Oct 20, 2006 in
Random Thoughts Wondering why things have been quiet ’round here? I’ve been cleaning like an idiot so that we can have PARTY this weekend. A birthday party to be exact…for me! I’m not sure if it’s really sad that I’m throwing myself a party or not, but I frankly don’t care. My best friends are coming into town for the day, and, of course, friends from the area. The girls are starting at Build a Bear, and then we’ll all be at our house for dinner, cake, booze, games, whatever.
I’m soooo looking forward to tomorrow! (And tonight, since Sweetie gets in tonight…w00t!)
[Update (2:40pm): We have cake!!!!]
Tags: birthday, friends
Posted by barb on Mar 8, 2006 in
Random Thoughts Last weekend, Andrew and I stopped in at Build-a-Bear Workshop, and I had an inspiration. I’ve been thinking about having a birthday party this year (okay, so it’s months away at this point, but I can plan early, right?). I turn 35 – I didn’t do anything special for my 30th birthday, and I don’t want to wait another 5 years for my big four-oh to celebrate, so why not have a party this year?
So, the inspiration was to have a party at Build-a-Bear. I love their bears, and I love picking out outfits for them. A party there would entail all of the guests building their own bear, and picking out an outfit and accessories (all on us). Andrew thought it was a weird idea – that none of my friends would have fun building a bear and dressing them. I think he’s crazy. Can any of my “girls” correct Andrew? Or am I just high?
Tags: birthday
Posted by barb on Oct 26, 2005 in
Random Thoughts 
I had a great day yesterday, despite the cold and rainy weather. JD and Lorna took me out to lunch at Chevy’s, and Goddard had its semi-annual craft sale yesterday, so I bought a bunch of stuff (no Christmas presents, as I’d hoped to do, but a few presents for myself…hey, it was my birthday so I was allowed!). In the evening Andrew and I went to see In Her Shoes (an excellent movie) and had dinner at The Woodlands (a vegetarian Indian restaurant nearby). When we got home, we had cake and I got to open my presents from Andrew. The day would have only been more perfect if I had actually recorded Gilmore Girls instead of the wrong channel.
Tags: birthday
Posted by barb on Oct 25, 2005 in
Random Thoughts
Your Birthdate: October 25
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Your birth on the 25th day of the month (7 energy) modifies your life path by giving you some special interest in technical, scientific, or other complex and often hard to understand subjects.
You may become something of a perfectionist and a stickler for details.
Your thinking is logical and intuitive, rational and responsible.
Your feelings may run deep, but you are not very likely to let them show.
This birthday makes you a more private person, more introspective and perhaps more inflexible.
In friendships you are very cautious and reserved.
You are probably inventive, and given to unique approaches and solutions.
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Tags: birthday, dumb fun
Posted by barb on Apr 9, 2005 in
Pictures My best friend, Sweetie, turned 30 last Thursday, so I flew in to MN for a big bash. I won’t go into the gory details, but we started the day with lunch at Cossetta’s, one of Sweetie’s favorite restaurants, and then embarked on a journey chronicling our favorite memories with her.
After our journey, we met up with a bunch of Sweetie’s other friends at Keiran’s Irish Pub, where we got her a bit drunk.
I have an album of my pictures from the day up in my photo album.
Tags: birthday, friends, trip report