Friday Five - Princess Edition

The princess is turning 8 years old on Monday. Eight.years.old. How is this possible? I'm not sure but this weekend we are having another Birthday Princess Weekend Extravaganza and I can't wait! In honor of my favorite almost 8 year old, Here are five of my favorite princess moments!

1.  We have a long standing family tradition regarding newborns in our family. Once a baby has it's first in the tub bath (after the gross umblical cord thingy comes off) the baby is then rubbed down with extra virgin olive oil. Now, I was probably delirious from lack of sleep and lamenting my sore and hard as a rock boobs at the time my mother told me *why* this was a tradition, so I can't give you any solid facts as to what the EVOO was for, suffice it to say, the princess got a full rub down after her first bath. As I stood in the doorway looking at my mom and my daughter, the most amazing thing happened. The princess opened up her eyes, looked at the ceiling, and then she grinned. A full out ear to ear, "I'm going to Disneyland!" kind of grin. Her very first one. I of course bawled, but as we know, I'm a complete sap.

2. Like most Los Angeles natives, the princess is a hardcore Lakers fan. Now I can not measure the amount of eff I do not give about organized sports in general, but Lakers games are a good opportunity for celeb sightings so if given an opportunity, I'll pretend to care just so I can see if Leo is in the audience. The princess' Lakers love was ignited the year they made it to the championships and were playing against the Boston Celtics. It was Game 2 or 3 in the series and all of a sudden she knew the game, the players, and that "Lakers rule and the Bostons drool". She also told me that her favorite player was "Big Steve". I had no idea who she was talking about and even a quick Google search of the roster didn't help. I asked a few of my Twirlie girls who are fans and they didn't seem to know either. Finally my curiosity got the best of me and I turned the game on and asked the princess (who was watching it in her room and shouting "DEFENSE" every few seconds) to come and show me Big Steve. She would point him out when they were all running up and down the court so I had no idea who he was...until there was a foul and Kobe Bryant was at the free throw line. At the top of her lungs, the princess yelled, "there he is Mom, THERE'S BIG STEVE!!!"  As I tried hard to stifle my giggles at her misinterpretation, I heard the crowd yelling things like "MVP" and "GO KOBE" and figured the princess must have decided his name was Big Steve based on that. I broke the news to her and she was emphatic that Big Steve is a much cooler name than Kobe. I kind of have to agree.

3. I have discussed the princess' deep lack of love for Michael Jackson. She did not understand the history and the importance that Michael has on the American popular music landscape and being that she was around 6 when he died she probably never will. Luckily, someone decided to develop a video game based on all of his old music videos which the princess plays regularly at her after school care. One evening she came up to me and asked if I wanted to see her sweet dance moves. Always a willing audience, I naturally said yes and she proceeded to bust a move right there in our living room. When I asked where she'd learned her sweet moves from (after generous applause of course) she told me they were from Michael Jackson. Then she performed the moves again ending with her hands in the air (in a very typical MJ move I must say) while singing, "Are you the ghost of jealousy?"  Now I consider myself to be a big fan of MJ and was dumbstruck by the whole ghost of jealousy thing. She *insisted* that those were the lyrics and even described the video to me as MJ in a house surrounded by zombies with green lighting in the background. I still had no idea what she was talking about so off to Google I went. (What did parents do before Google? Seriously I don't even want to think about it) After an extensive search of MJ, zombies, music, etc and coming up short, I finally just googled the words "michael jackson ghost of jealousy" and holy crap...there was the video! Apparently Michael did some Halloween special in the late 90s and performed a song called "Ghosts".  He totally asks "are you the ghost of jealousy?" in the song! Oh and best part...the princess is totally an MJ fan now and we are currently working on choreography to PYT (Pretty Young Thing) which I may have mentioned before...is my favorite MJ song.

4. 2 years ago the princess decided to be Hermione Granger for Halloween. There may have been some slight prodding from me on the subject (HP4EVA) but the decision was all her own. When I decided to show her Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as preparation...her entire world changed. She spent the next week speaking in a British accent and saying things like "It's Levio-SUH" not Levio-SAW" etc and I suddenly understood what Robert DeNiro's mother must have felt like.  We walked into the costume shop to buy her Gryffindor robes and all of a sudden her life changed again. Why? Because there was a Batgirl costume available in her size and super heroes are WAY better than witches. Exit British accent, enter cheesy comic book dialogue. Did I mention that I loathe Halloween?

5. Whenever someone asks the princess what she wants to be when she grows up, she almost always says the same thing. An international pop star. After dinner one night she came to me and emphatically stated that she wasn't going to college because international pop stars don't need to go. She said that instead she would go to New York and be on Broadway and become super famous and *then* become an international pop star. I countered her by mentioning a school called Julliard. I described how it was a school just for kids like her who love the arts and want to perform. She soaked it all in then skipped off to her room. Five minutes later she came back with what she deemed was a "New Plan". She would go to Julliard, graduate, then be on Broadway and become super famous, and then become an international pop star. I'm glad one of us has it all figured out.

Book Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

I think we knew I was going to have multiple exclamations over this book, especially because it was written by my bestie Stephanie Perkins so please bear with me.

When I first heard about this book, it was around this time last year right after I finished Anna. I was so in love with the characters in Anna that I as much as I loved Stephanie's writing, I was doubtful that I would have the same intense love for Lola even though I was sure I would like it.

I am happy to say I was completely misguided in my initial feelings! Lola and the Boy Next Door is awesome!  Stephanie is masterful at nailing down Lola's narrative and I didn't feel like I was reading a book, more like I was getting a chance to be 17 all over again but instead of being clumsy awkward bookish me, I was Lola Nolan. Spunky, costume wearing, incredibly sweet and expressive Lola.

Oh and then there's Cricket. Now I should preface that I love me some Etienne St. Clair, (like have his babies while holding up a radio in front of his house kind of love) but Cricket is SO different! Cricket is the guy that you don't have to worry about holding on to, because you know he'll always be there. He's nerdy, awkward, sweet, and unsure of himself and I loved him because instead of being some dream boy fantasy, he's an absolute real life boy next door, and he's awesome! And hot! And tall!!!!

I know I sound biased because Stephanie is my best friend, but I seriously loved this book SO MUCH! I hope you all go out and buy it today!!! Or that you received it today because you pre-ordered like a smart person!!

So if you're thinking like a smart person, then you must have entered my blog contest for a wicked awesome signed copy of Anna and the French Kiss! Well I'm happy to announce that thanks to Random.org the winner is:

 Kayla!!!

Oh and also I figured that I would announce the winner of the pre-order of John Green's upcoming new book The Fault in Our Stars...did I mention that all copies would be signed? 

Yay Jennie!!

ETA: Apparently Kayla should buy a lotto ticket or play some online poker because her luck is definitely on the upswing! She won a signed copy of Anna on my friend Jacki's blog last week, so thanks to a redraw the new winner is...

Lauren!!!


Ladies please email me to claim your prize! Thanks everyone for entering!

Just a Quickie

I'm a bit overwhelmed with life and midterms and the princess turning eight in a few days. You do not want me blogging about what's going on in my brain...trust me. 

But I'm sure you'd LOVE to win a signed copy of Anna and the French Kiss right? Especially because it looks like this:

Well then enter my giveaway!!! Deadline is tomorrow!!! 

If you enter, guess who will love you forever? Me and this guy:

32

You may have noticed that my 101 in 1001 list has kind of disappeared. I made a decision at the end of the summer that I was going to do away with the list, not because I no longer have goals to accomplish, but because 1001 days is a long time for me to procrastinate and I am the Queen of Procrastination.

Instead I decided that given my recently acquired new age, (you should still call me 30ish though) it would be fitting to make a new list of goals that I could complete in a year. So starting on my birthday I went through my old 101 list picking a few tasks I hadn't completed plus a few new ones that have recently sprouted into my brain and Wah-la! The 32:

1. Lose 50 pounds

2. Complete the 30 Day Shred

3. Do a Charity Run/Walk

4. Go an entire week without television

5. Go an entire week without Internet

6. Read 50 books

7. Learn 50 new words

8. De-clutter my entire house

9. Redecorate my bedroom

10. Make a 30 day photo diary

11. Do an outfit of the day post for an entire week

12. Take a dance class

13. Go on a hike

14. Volunteer at a shelter or food bank

15. Go to at least 3 museums with the princess

16. Finish and revise my current writing project

17. Find a writing critique partner

18. Start the getting published process

19. Pick 5 new recipes and try them out

20. Move into a new place

21. Save 10% of my net income

22. Move into a new place

23. Redecorate the princess’ room

24. Do laundry once a week for a month (folded and put away)

25. Find a new comfortable happy non judgmental church

26. Watch a sunrise and sunset on the same day

27. Finish an entire book of crossword puzzles

28. Go to 5 weezermonkey reviewed places

29. Donate blood

30. Watch 10 foreign films

31. Buy a new dining room table

32. Write a letter of thanks to a soldier

I'm excited about quite a few of these, but am less than thrilled about a larger portion of them but I know they have to be done. Either way, it's good to have some fresh goals and another way to improve my life.

Go me!

Musical Memories

Do you ever hear a song and suddenly feel like you're in a time machine? I do. I was recently inspired by one of my favorite bloggers, Busy Bee Lauren to give a glimpse into a few songs that have been the soundtrack to my life.

You Oughta Know

Holy crap. This song was released in 1995 when I was a teenager. I loved it then and rocked out and felt all female empowered and what not...then 2004 happened. The summer of 2004 this song became the narration of my life and I lived every single thing that Alanis was singing about. It's amazing how real the lyrics became for me 9 years after I first heard the song. For a long time, every time I heard it, I remembered all of those feelings and it would fill me with justifiable rage and bitterness. Now when I hear it, I'm just reminded of how strong I am, how much my life has changed, and how I will never be that girl again.

I Can't Trust Myself With Loving You

My obsession with the Mayer is obviously well documented. I was actually just talking with a friend of mine about how his album Continuum pretty much got me through the last half of 2006. I listened to it in a steady loop and would rock out in my car singing along to every word. This song is not as talked about as Gravity or Slow Dancing in a Burning Room,* so imagine my surprise when I got the opportunity to hear him play it live at the Hollywood Bowl last year. This song is kind of like musical sex in my opinion. Optimum fangirl bliss achieved. 

Since You've Been Gone 

This song is a reminder of fun times with the princess. She was around 3 when this song came out and every time it came on the radio she would freak out and sing her heart out to it. She was so adorable and earnest, it made me crack up every single time especially because she pronounced it, "Shoopin' Been On."

No Scrubs

This song is kind of like anthem of my early 20s. Whenever I hear it I'm transported back to when I was young and had no stretch marks. Two of my best friends and I would always play this song on road trips and we had incredibly cheesy choreography to go with it. Now we famously perform that same cheesy choreography at weddings and whenever we are reunited. We are so awesome.

Flagpole Sitta

I was at work recently and this song randomly showed up in my Alternative Music Pandora station. I laughed when I heard it because I still remember the lyrics. A decade has gone by since I first heard this song and I still have no idea what it's about. Doesn't matter though, the minute the bridge starts with, "Paranoia, paranoia everybody's coming to get me..." I still sing it at the top of my lungs.




Miracle

Don't judge me for this one. It was released while the princess was still a baby and at the end of the most awful summer of my life. When I heard it for the first time it made me bawl (though truthfully it didn't take much) and I wanted to hold my little baby and tell her that everything in the world would be okay. As the years have passed, I still get teary when I hear that song because it's sappy and describes the overwhelming feelings of motherhood so succinctly, but more so because now I know it was pretty much written about Brody Jenner** and that disturbs me on a level I can't even discuss.




PYT (Pretty Young Thing)

Couldn't have a nostalgic song list with mentioning MJ! This song reminds me of family gatherings and dancing in the backyard with my brother and sister. It takes me back to such a simpler time when my family was my entire world. This song is always on my house cleaning playlist because no matter where I am or what I'm doing, I always have to bust out with some sick dance moves when I hear it.

I was going to include my favorite Beatles song, All You Need is Love in this list and then I got sidetracked by all of the YouTube videos of people copying the scene from Love Actually for their weddings, which somehow led to me watching people perform Single Ladies by Beyonce which led to me watching her performance at this year VMAs where she rubbed her baby bump at the end.

Then it was after midnight and I remembered I had to work in the morning.

YouTube is obviously dangerous.

So, what songs are like a time machine for you?

*Did you see all of that Guitar Face? You're totally welcome.

**Brody Jenner's mother, Linda Thompson co-wrote.

Stephanie and Me

Disclaimer: I am about to fangirl the freak out. You've been warned.

The highlight of DBF for me and one of the biggest factors in me deciding to make the trip to Georgia was getting the opportunity to meet Stephanie Perkins. I think this sentence deserves a big fat duh squared.

The panel and signing for Stephanie was at the end of the festival and it was the perfect punctuation mark on what had been one of the best weekends of my book loving life so far. Our little group was so excited to meet Stephanie, we all gushed over her during the panel. I was especially moved when Stephanie talked about writing about deep and true love at a young age and how she fell in love and married as a teenager.

Terra Elan McVoy, Elizabeth Eulberg, Stephanie Perkins, and Jennifer Jabaley. Fabulous women who write contemporary YA.

Before I read Anna and the French Kiss last year, I was feeling really blah about my writing. In fact I was conflicted about whether or not I should continue writing as anything other than my secret hobby which it has been for most of my life. There was something about Anna and her story that woke me up. It probably seems a silly, but for what feels like forever I just wanted to write a story that made people happy. It didn't have to be the greatest literary achievement of my generation or even be depressing enough to be an official Oprah Book Club selection, but if I were to write something that made people smile or laugh, I'd feel like the biggest success in the world.

Anna and the French Kiss made me laugh. It made me smile and want to hug something after I read it. In short, it gave me butterflies. It's a simple and beautiful story that doesn't try too hard but creates a world in which I desperately want to live. It also inspired me to become the kind of writer that inspires butterflies, especially in myself. I love to read books about regular life with characters that aren't necessarily undead or wolfy or fae or existing in a world a hundred years from now and I want to write those kinds of books as well. I'm incredibly grateful to Stephanie for making me believe that could be a reality. I would never assume that I am as gifted a writer as she is, but I appreciate the inspiration, the happy feeling I take away from reading her books, and the existence of my reigning fictional boyfriend Etienne St. Clair.

Since I tend to be a basket case and incredibly spastic when meeting my favorite authors I spent my time in line going over what I wanted to say with my friend Julie and trying to calm the freak down. When it was finally my turn to speak with her I was shocked when I actually was able to articulate everything I wanted to say and actually not freak the freak out! I told her all of the reasons that I loved Anna and that I recently had the chance to read Lola and the Boy Next Door (which releases on the 29th...preorder now people!) and how I loved it even more if that's even possible. I also made sure to drop my book event bestie Jessica's  (who I totally missed at DBF by the way) name into our conversation since she won the ARC of Anna that I first read last year, and how I had traveled all the way from sunny Los Angeles to muggy Decatur just for the chance meet her.

Then I mentioned that right after I read Anna for the first time I sent her a tweet saying something to the effect of, "I just finished your book and now that I've met Etienne St. Clair, I need to tell Marcus Flutie that we need to see other people." Her response? "Oh my gosh...Tameka?" She totally knew who I was! (death btw, complete and utter death)

Ok so maybe I was a *little* spastic but she's laughing! She thinks I'm funny! (PS -What the fudge is happening to the back of my head? Darned southern humidity!

What made my time with Stephanie such a John Green Moment was when I mentioned the fact the Libba Bray is indeed my best friend. I told Stephanie that I'd be quite willing to make her a part of the best friend trifecta if she were willing, and she told me that since Libba was one of her idols, she was totally in.

We're adorable together.

Did we just become best friends? I think so.



I told Stephanie that when Libba signed one of my books, she mentioned that we were BFF. (Side note: She did really do this. I would have spoke of  it before but I didn't want to be completely bragadocious about it...obviously I'm over such foolish thinking now.) Since Stephanie is now a part of the trifecta, she pretty much made my life when she signed the book I bought specifically to give away on my blog with this:

I KNOW RIGHT?

She also signed my own personal copy and brought a mild and brief ugly cry.

I think the only thing left to say is that Stephanie Perkins is amazing. She is sweet and funny and nice and beautiful and cool and has the most amazing streaks in her hair that are the most vividly pretty blue in person. She exceeded my expectations exponentially (how's that for alliteration?) and I feel like my life is better for having met her. 

So....how awesome would it be to have this signed copy of Anna? Seriously it's pretty much the most amazeballs signature ever in life. All you have to do is comment and tell me what gives you butterflies. Contest will run until 11:59pm on September 28th...so I can remind you all to buy Lola and the Boy Next Door immediately on September 29th. You don't have to be a follower either, though I'm hoping now that you've seen with whom I roll, you'll want to stick around.

Third Grade...

So the princess entered the third grade last week. Third. Freaking. Grade.

I remember third grade vividly. 

It's where I learned to write in cursive. 

It's where I learned to square dance.

It's where I first started writing book reports.

It's also where I first learned about the Little House book series. 

I can't believe the princess is going to start having all of these memories. 

She's on the "big kid" side of the playground now. Instead of going right in when the morning bell rings, she and her fellow upper elementary classmates play on the playground for an additional 15 minutes.

THIS is a very big deal.

The only thing that kept me from bawling (much), was how adorable and nervous she was on the first day. She asked me to stay with her until she lined up for her new class and held tightly to my hand...until she saw a friend from her second grade class who exclaimed, "Princess! Oh my gosh I love your backpack!" (Hello Kitty of course.) Then I was treated to a "Bye Mom!" and dismissive wave and she gushed over how totally awesome her summer was. 

Is it possible that I'm this old? Old enough to have a daughter in UPPER ELEMENTARY? 

Don't answer that.

Isn't she adorable? 

Never Forget

When I think about that day 10 years ago, the one thing that sticks out besides the stomach clenching fear I felt, even 3,000 miles away from what was happening, was how much basic human kindness was on display that day and the weeks following. Last night, I read this blog post by one of my favorite authors, Meg Cabot about her 9/11 experience and it made me cry myself to sleep. I think everyone should read it...it's a glimpse of her story and the interconnection between her and so many others that I'm sure was similar to all of the goings on through all of NYC that day.

I'm spending today with the princess and still trying to figure out a way to explain to her something that happened before she was born. I want to explain without freaking her out but I highly doubt that will happen or that I'll be able to talk about the events of that day without tearing up. It's important that she knows though...so like most things having to do with parenthood, I'm going to muddle through it somehow.

Be kind to one another today. Love you all. <3

Friday Five - Decatur Book Festival Edition

Happy Friday! Here are 5 things about my time at DBF last weekend!

1. In preparation for my trip, I went through the list of authors and bought books from ones I knew I'd be seeing. In an effort to stay organized I kept the purchased books in their Amazon box and put my already owned books on top of it. This was fine until I went to pack my suitcase and ended up with this:

Yeah...75% books, 25% clothes. That is true book nerd stuff right there. Oh and bee tee dubs, not pictured were the two heavy as heck textbooks I brought with me for studying in my "downtime". I know what you're thinking, but where the heck were you when I needed someone to explain to me that there is no down time on a book nerd weekend? Lugging my 54 pound suitcase in addition to my 20ish pound carry-on around the muggy Atlanta metro was so the opposite of fun, but bringing back so many signed books, including ones I'd love to giveaway on my blog made it totally worth it.

2. I debated back and forth about making this part of the festival public knowledge, but I really feel like it was an  important part of the experience. There was a guy working the festival who personified the word douche. He was rude, snippy, and far too drunk on his own power for my taste. There were lots of moments where he was flat out disrespectful to me and to a few of my friends and it took all of my energy and good Christian upbringing not to get in his face and go full on neck roll and finger wave on him. I purposely took no pics of him because the temptation to put him on full blast would be far too great. So, I'll just give advice to those who work events like these. People like myself, and by that I mean book nerds, are a simple people. We just want to meet our favorite authors, get our books signed and have a tiny moment in time with the person who created characters that we connect with so there's no need for snippy comments, hands in our faces, or eye rolling. You should always remember that you catch far more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. Simply translated...don't be a douche. The end.

3. So I've made no secret about the fact that my big draw for going to DBF was for the opportunity to meet Stephanie Perkins. Stephanie was in a panel with 3 other authors who I had vague knowledge of, but I did buy two of their books to get signed, one of which was Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg. During the signing, the line for Stephanie was epically long so I took the opportunity to scoot over to Elizabeth's line and meet with her. I haven't read any of her books yet, but during the panel she mentioned that she is friends with David Levithan so when I met her I introduced myself and told her that I would DIE to be besties with David. She laughed and told me how awesome he was and I told her how being in his proximity always gives me Tourette Syndrome and I blurt out random spastic fangirl epithets at him. She was SO nice and I told her I was looking forward to reading her book since Pride & Prejudice is one of my favorite books and I actually like to read modern re-tellings. She told me to email her once I read because she "really wants to know what I think of it."  O_O

Elizabeth is terribly amused at my gushing over David. Terribly amused.

4. Libba Bray is still my best friend. I know I mentioned this in my last blog post, but really...it totally bears repeating.

When Libba Bray is your best friend, um, your life is just that much more awesome. True story.

5. Speaking of friends, the best part of my trip was hanging with my awesome friends who I sadly don't get to see because of us living in different parts of the country. We speak to each other daily but coming together for this weekend of nerdiness was so much fun I can't even stand it. I never had the opportunity to join a sorority, but if I did, I imagine it would be something like the weekend I had with my friends. Notice I don't call them fellow bloggers or anything like that because really, I am close enough to these girls that I would totes hand over a kidney if needed.

Not only are Jacki and Jennie two of my closest book nerd friends, they are also two of my favorite book bloggers!  They are both moms to tiny toddlers and manage to read more books in a month than I think I have all year. Plus they are both incredibly sweet, funny, and just generally awesome.  Jennie had me in stitches all weekend, and Jacki made us Harry Potter cookies...it seriously does not get better than that!

Crystal is one of the sweetest people I know. I'm lucky because I get to hang with her THREE times this year! We had an  epic road trip from ATL to Alabama together and she showed me all the sights of Alabama which were trees and the Talladega Speedway.  Good times!

DBF was my third time meeting Heather. To say she is awesomesauce is a vast understatement. She is  adorable, funny,  an incredible writer, and the only person I know who can totally pull off purple tights. In short, I love her to death. 

Ashley takes the award for "Came the Furthest" because she lives in Canada!  She is also a supermodel as you can see in this picture. I knew she was pretty but I was not expecting her to be so stunning I felt like a schlump in my t-shirt and denim capris when she greeted me at the airport! Luckily Ashley's gorgeousness doesn't prevent her from hardcore nerding out like the rest of us. She had a particularly fangirly moment with Jackson Pearce that was one of my favorite parts of the weekend.

All I can say about Julie is that everyone needs a little bit of Julie in their lives. She is as sweet and kind and amazing as you would think by looking at her and I am so glad I finally got the chance to meet her in person so I our best friend love story could begin!  Also, she has the best Southern accent and bought me various Hello Kitty paraphernalia for my birthday in addition to a copy of  The Great Gatsby which I have never read (I KNOW).  She's awesome. That is all.




Ok, so that was the bulk of my trip. There will be a few more posts showing all my swag and of course the epic retelling of me meeting Stephanie Perkins but right now I'm too emotional about it to write anything other than "OMG I LOVE HER!" While that statement is incredibly accurate, it's unfortunately not all that interesting to read 100 times over but it is coming.

Happy Weekend!

Scenes from My Birthday Sphere

I have SO much...I just can't. I have no words. Seriously.

First there was a birthday dinner with my best girls at BJ's Brewery. Love them to infinity!

Then was the best Dirty South weekend ever! Please note that Libba Bray greeted me like the besties we are!

My first funnel cake EVER! YUM!

 

 

Only a tiny portion of the 26 books I carted with me to have signed!

I met Rachel Hawkins! She was funny awesome and then funny and awesome again! Plus she recognized me from Twitter!

 

 All my Nestie Besties who didn't let oppressive heat, long signing lines, or a Festival volunteer on a power trip stop our good times in book nerdery. Love these girls!

 

Leah and I at birthday brunch in Alabama (with mimosas!). She is totally my sister from another mister. Feel free to massively envy our adorableness.

My perfectly pink birthday cake made especially for me by Crystal. It was really hard for me not to cry at the sweetness and generosity of all of my wonderful friends.

And then this happened. Yup...I'm best friends with Libba Bray.

I love my friends SO much!!  This birthday has been my favorite of every birthday I've ever had because I got to spend it with so many awesome people. This trip to the South was the perfect way to cap off my summer!

PS- You may notice that there is no mention of Stephanie Perkins. That's because my interaction with her was so awesome...she gets her own post. Stay tuned.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Me and my complimentary Pizzokie from BJ's Brewery.

It's officially my birthday! I have had the best birthday weekend here in the Dirty South and feel so immensely grateful to all of my sweet friends for making me feel so special these last few days! SO MANY THINGS have happened and I can't wait to go on and on about them, but right now I'm in Alabama with my fabulous friend Leah and her beautiful brand new baby boy and plan on spending the day soaking in baby cuddles and bestie goodness before hopping a plane back to reality*. Catch you on the flip side! Feel free to wish me a happy birthday multiple times today!


*Reality means changing time zones 4 times in 4 days. Reality is going to totally bite tomorrow.

Friday Five! Birthday Edition!

Ok so maybe I like exclamation points! Here are my five!

!!!

1. It's my birthday weekend! I'm so excited because this year my birthday falls on Labor Day so I really have no choice but to celebrate for the entire weekend! Isn't that awesome? Truthfully, I consider my birthday sphere or Birthday Princess Week as it's officially titled to be the first seven days in September. My sister's birthday is the last day of August so to be fair I don't include her day in my BPW, and celebrating the additional two days afterward gives me the opportunity to receive well wishes (and presents) from any stragglers. Really, it's a win/win. 

2. Funny story: My birthday is on Labor Day, but my mother did not go into actual labor with me at all. I was one of those C-section appointments, she made it for September 5th, went in at around 7am, and I was born at 9:20. My other two siblings have incredibly detailed stories about the birthday, mine...not so much. I was also the tiniest out of my mother's 3 children at 5lbs 12oz...the irony of me being the largest of us as an adult has not escaped me.

3. I'm so excited for DBF this weekend! I'm starting to become a bit anxious since I'm traveling so far and all by myself for the first time. I've flown to Vegas alone before, but it's an hour flight from here as opposed to the four hours it'll take me to get to Atlanta. Plus I'm bringing around 20 books with me so I have to check my bag. I tried to avoid it but my little carry-on couldn't withstand the immense weight of all the books. Please pray that my bag arrives safely with all of my books I want to have signed! I'm sure all those books means I'll come back with a few things to giveaway...after all it wouldn't be a birthday without presents! 

4. Speaking of DBF, have I should mention how stoked I am to hang out with all of my nestie besties this weekend? These ladies who I spend huge portions of my day with are amazing and sweet and funny and kind and make me laugh forever. It's going to be a blast finally meeting them most of them in person and being incredibly socially awkward (as I do) and overcompensating by being loud and overexcited. I am the human equivalent of a chihuahua when I'm nervous so I'm sure they'll think I'm a completely insane by the end of the weekend but no matter...I can't wait to hang with all of them and take tons of pictures!

5. Last night a few of my friends and I went out to dinner for my birthday. I had the best time and had to stop myself from getting all choked up when I looked around the room and saw how blessed I am. I'm super sappy on normal occasions but when it's my birthday and my friends all took time to drive (some from really long distances) to celebrate with me well...let's just say I cried happy tears when I got home and uploaded all the pictures to Facebook.* I didn't even make a list of things I wanted this year, I think for the first time in a really long time I'm completely happy and in my advanced age have come to the conclusion that everything I have is enough. 

Happy 30ish Birthday to Me!**

*Immediately uploading pictures to Facebook is proof that fun times were had and most decidedly how I roll.


**If you've already wished me a Happy Birthday, thank you and please feel free to do so again on Monday.***


***Or by Wednesday the 7th at the very latest.