Birthday Memories

 Today is my 65th birthday. As birthdays go, this one will be forgettable. That made me think of other birthdays that were more memorable. In a family that did not spend much time on birthdays, there are only a few that stand out until I married Toby and he has done a better job of spoiling me. 

The first birthday I really recall was when I was about 6 or 7. My dad came in and put a few things on my bed. They were things that he had probably picked up at an education conference - like a pen that turned into a pointer for using on the overhead screen. I was old enough to act like it was funny and that I liked the gift knowing that he had probably forgotten my birthday, but I was young enough to be disappointed. It was actually fairly typical of birthdays in our household. The next year, my mom made a beautiful bundt cake with one of my Barbies in the middle and icing making the cake look like a dress. I had several of my little girl friends over, and it was a great birthday.  But I was ugly to my brother and didn't want him to be at my party. I'm sure we had had a squabble and I was carrying a grudge. My mother seemed to be okay with my not wanting him there. But then a year later when it was his birthday, she sent me away and said I could not be at his party since I did not let him attend mine. Geeze! Mom had a great memory and really taught me a lesson.

After that, I don't really remember birthdays until I was 16. Then I had a slumber party where we stayed up all night giggling and telling stories and listening to records and dancing. After everyone went home the next day, Mom took me shopping and bought me some plaid bell-bottoms and tops to match. I loved the new clothes, but I said something snarky to Mom on the way home. Rather than getting on to me, she said, "Are you worn out?" I answered yes, and began to cry. She just laughed at me. She could be a great mom sometimes.

I remember turning 18  - I had a week to go wearing a cast on my leg from a car wreck. I had a pity party. Nineteen was a terrible birthday that I won't go into. My 30 the birthday was skiing with the girls in Taos. My 40th was a surprise party at a friend's house. We were two hours late, because I did not know about the party and Toby was, well, Toby. Of course my 55th birthday in Paris still holds the no. 1 spot for birthdays with getting Rocket, my dog, two years ago as second place in birthdays. All in all, I am a spoiled brat and I have had some good birthdays with good friends. Toby does try to make my birthdays fun. This year I am a little under the weather, but I was a princess all day with Toby taking care of everything else. 

Here is a little portrait that I have been working on 

Here is Jesse's first-round painting at the Texas Art Battle 

 

And here is her final Art Battle painting

Now she goes to Daytona Beach, FL for the National championship. If you download the Art Battle app, you can watch and vote in real time on April 1st.