Another Wake Up Call

Today’s my birthday. It’s 7:30 in the morning here in Portland, and I’ve already had the best birthday.

My hostess’s cat joined me in bed this morning. Nothing quite like waking up to a charming little black furball curled up at your feet (except, of course, having a fiesty grey stripey furball laying on your head).

I dozed in bed for a while. Then, ten minutes ago, my phone rang. Sadly, I had not anticipated this happening (though I should have) when I plugged my phone in last night, so I had to get up and walk across the room to answer it. Boy, my feet are sore from tromping around Portland and attending the wonderful wedding last night!

The call was from my sister, and she and her 2 wonderful children sang Happy Birthday to me at full, wonderful volume (plus “Charmin– cha cha cha” for some reason– would someone teach that kid “and you smell like one too”? His birthday’s next week– surely there’s an opportunity if ever I saw one!)

Upon hearing which time zone I was currently in, my sister shrieked an apology and promptly hung up. But it really was a wonderful way to wake up on the morning of my birthday.

Yesterday, we went to Powell’s and I bought presents for my nephew’s birthday (to be shipped out tomorrow) and a couple of small books for myself. I know, I know…. buying moratorium, no space, just got rid of seven boxes of stuff from the RV…. yada yada. But they really are small books, and they were both used books, which means they do not violate the “don’t buy anything new” rules (the rules are not to buy new stuff, but food and healthcare items are OK, as are work things and digital, non-impacting things). The books for my nephew were not used, but they were inexpensive and really, really enjoyable, I think. Plus, I found one of them in a remaindered section on sale after I’d already bought the brand new, non-remaindered version for $20 more. I exchanged them and bought him an additional book with the extra money.

Since he might read this blog, I won’t post what the books were, but I’ll say this: one of them was completely panned by the Library Council on Amazon.com, but all the reader reviews gave it 5 stars and said “listen to the boys on this one– it’s a great book!”

Later today, the plan is to have mimosas here, then head up to a cupcake bakery for cupcakes at 10. My hostess will then be heading off to her busking job, while we go play around Portland for the day. Anyone in Portland wishing to join me for the birthday cupcake is invited! Be at Saint Cupcake at 407 NW ave and Flanders at 10 AM this morning.

Finally, I wish everyone a very merry un-birthday today!