Happy Birthday, Baby...

Today is Steinvic's birthday.

And while I've been asked to keep the celebration low key this year, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to publicly wish him a wonderful birthday.

Why do I like to make such a big deal of it? Because it is my favorite day to celebrate...

What a magnificent world I live in because he was born!

We began celebrating a little yesterday. Pup bought him a lovely pair of RayBan Wayfarers and couldn't wait until today to give them to him. I made a giant, Dutch apple pie from scratch and it turned out really well (and I can't bake or follow a recipe to save my life, so big accomplishment!) so if you're interested in the recipe, here it is.

And we will finish celebrating after work today. I'm making a special meal, we'll go out for cocktails, and open presents from me later on.

Raise your glass and toast to Steinvic with me! It's a truly beautiful day...

Surprises

I have waited for WEEKS to post this entry...

On Saturday, we had a surprise party for Steinvic in Columbus. I've been planning it for months and months, with the assistance of Young Man.

We had it at a cafe/pizzaria in German Village, and I have to say, they were brilliant about arranging it.

I contacted lots of family and friends and they all gathered in the back room of the cafe, waiting for us to arrive.

Young Man told his Dad that one of the bands he plays in was having a CD release party, and asked us to come to Columbus to see them play. And, since a good friend of his worked in the kitchen at the cafe, would we mind stopping by there to drop off a CD, since the friend couldn't make it? It was the perfect set up and Steinvic fell for it: hook, line and sinker.

These things aren't about "getting someone," although that part is fun. The whole point was to show Steinvic how loved he is. He was totally surprised and definitely moved. J and my parents even came up, which I really appreciated, and so did Steinvic. He said it many times that night, and several times since..."I can't believe they came all the way up for that!" And I told him, "Of course they did. They care about you..."

And, we had a cake. But...that cake is going to be a whole post all on it's own, because it was a TRIP.

The worst part was scheming...I've been catting around, sneaking and scheming, for months. But the best part was that it was all worth it and I had a BLAST working with Young Man to make it all happen. So...that is where I've been!

It was a blast and I'd do it again...though I've promised to reserve the big stuff for big milestone birthdays... wink! :)

Happy Birthday, Baby...

Yesterday was Steinvic's birthday. He doesn't want you to know, but he turned 50. He looks at least 10 years younger than that...gets compliments and wrong guesses all the time, so it's not just because I'm smitten...

Saturday, we took a ride on the Cincinnati Dinner Train. I knew he'd never heard of it...I've lived here my whole life and never heard of it...and so it was a great surprise. Our girlfriend - a barmaid at our local - helped immensely with the teasing about where we were headed. I'd texted her the name and she smiled at Steinvic and said, "Hope you're not afraid of heights!" Perfect...he was completely put on, a little worried we were going to do a hot air balloon trip because my parents once had and I told him we were going to a place that they'd been to.

We got there and he was pleasantly surprised and relieved.

I, on the other hand, was a tiny bit worried because we were seated at a four top and who knew who would be joining us for dinner? Would they be young? Our age? Make out couple? Super old? Who could have guessed...

This couple was fabulous and friendly...just very real. They've been together 5 years and share as many children (none together but they're 100% invested in them just the same) and they were just lovely. We all laughed a lot, about many things. The company was just right, the scenery was beautiful, the staff was perfect and appreciated, and the food was pretty good, considering that the whole thing was more about the experience than eating to us...

We stopped at our local on the way home, but we were tired. We woke on Sunday - his actual birthday - and I ran out to the market for fresh produce. While I prepared a big brunch, he got a few calls from family and friends. And I gave him the rest of his birthday gifts. I'd given him a new Claddaugh ring from Ireland, and a bottle of 18 year old Jameson, but I'd also been working on a photo album, from birth to present, since January of this year. That went over quite well...

Meanwhile, as we sat comfy in our home, Steinvic didn't know that Young Man and I had been plotting, and that he was on his way, lovely girl in tow, to our house. I scampered around, doing house things, but Steinvic thought I was on my usual weekend rampage.

Boy, was Steinvic surprised. To be honest, he'd been a little quiet. Contemplative. Or...just...it doesn't matter. The thing is, no matter what I'd planned for his birthday, no matter what year we were celebrating, everything melted away when Young Man walked in our door. Big hugs. Giant smiles. Warmth. (A different kind of warmth than the 90 degree plus weather...the kind of warmth that you remember at 60, 70 and 80 years old.)

The kids are still here. I could have them here every day and be perfectly happy...Young Man's girl is an absolute sweetie. And Young Man? We get closer all the time. And Steinvic helped me throw together a big meal of grilled such after work, so we're all comfy and watching stuff on tv, the kids in the basement and us up here on the main floor.

The crazy thing is how comfortable I am with this exquisite family feeling. I am sitting here in my PJs, typing away, and I've got this happy-sad lump in my throat. It's because this is all I've ever wanted - a family. A real, live, no weirdness, comfortable, solid, normal, unusual, gorgeous family.

Happy first day of your 51st year, Steinvic, and thank you a zillion for our incredible life. Because of you, every day feels like my birthday...

Baby We Were Born to Run..........

...and that is just what Steinvic and I did this weekend. We had a blast. We laughed and I needed laughing.

Thursday night, we had drinks. Carry out pizza from Tammy's. I zonked on the couch until 2 before crawling into bed, but still, a good evening. On Friday morning, we woke up, packed up and dropped off some art I'd made for his sister (after a detour filled journey, but it was worth it because she loved the art). We got back on the highway and headed for Cleveland.

We made great time, despite our detour. When you speed, you make great time. Which I did. And for my efforts, I earned a ticket (Thanks, Linndale!) but even that couldn't stop us from having fun. We walked to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and saw the Bruce Springsteen Exhibit, and plenty of other awesome memorabilia. You should go. Really. If you love music a lot, like we do, and history, go. Worth it! Oh! We also got to check out Johnny Cash's tour bus, which was very, very cool.

Soon into our adventure, I realized that the shoes I selected were a poor choice. Now, don't judge...I was not traipsing around in stilettos. These are funky, low-heeled, pink leather sandals. They just...kind of suck if you're going to walk very far and somewhat briskly in the heat, and I have the top-of-foot blisters to prove it. We'd planned to go back to the hotel and change before dinner and drinks, but it just didn't work out that way. We were on a roll, and after about three glasses of wine, I stopped thinking about my poor feet. We found dinner. We went shopping. We talked with nice and interesting people.

We were out very late but managed to get up, grab lunch and get on the road by 1:00 Saturday, and we headed back to his sister's to help her prepare for her baby boy's annual birthday bash. He's five now, and this party is always great fun, lots of people, lots of kids, lots of celebrating. Steinvic's sister constructed a lovely cake in the fashion of an Irish Flag, so after Nephew-cake-singing, there was Steinvic-cake-singing. I think Steinvic had a good time. His son came to the party and brought Steinvic a Celtics' jersey and hung around most of the evening...I happen to know that time with his son was the greatest part of Steinvic's weekend. Makes me smile...

As the evening wound down, we just sat and visited. I had wine. I held a baby - our new Great Niece - and fed her and changed her and sang to her and rocked her and that is always a wonderful way to spend an hour.

And yesterday - nada. Home. Grocery shopped. Cooked dinner. Watched Walter Cronkite Remembers. And Columbo. Sewed some felt pouches for no real reason.

Meanwhile, my Grandma spent the weekend getting lots of visits and love from people in from out of town. People she hasn't seen in a few years. People who just wanted to be close to her, just once more. I talked to her every day this weekend and kept updated by my Mom. I'll see her this afternoon. I'm glad she was so surrounded by people who care. Now that they're all gone, I'm right back in to keep her company. And we have a dinner date, just the two of us.

So, that's all folks...an excellent weekend. As I said to Steinvic...it's a good think we're back at work this morning so we can relax a little! Happy Monday, y'all...

Happy Birthday to Steinvic...

Happy Birthday to Steinvic - okay...it's not today. It's on Saturday. But on Saturday, we'll be coming home from an overnight and heading to a party for our nephew. Steinvic, your birthday is not just a special day for you, it's a special day for me! And for everyone who knows you. It marks the day a genuine, talented, intelligent, decent, kind and extremely handsome man was born. A day when your most interesting life, full of twists and turns and accomplishments began. The day when your path began curving gently toward mine, (even though mine hadn't officially started yet.) How lucky I am to know you and love you, Steinvic...So thankful on this day and always!

Note: Even though Steinvic and I both offered to postpone our mini-trip to celebrate his birthday, we were asked to keep our plans. Now that things seem to be improving/stable with my Grandma, that seems even more reasonable to take this time where she is feeling better and go celebrate life. So, until later...be well.