Happy June, y’all! What a fun theme Joyce wove into her questions this week! Without further ado, let’s get to them.
1. What do birthdays look like in your house? How are they celebrated? Any special traditions? What about birthdays growing up?
Now that we are empty nesters, birthdays are very low key. Our kids live several hours away from us, so so it’s rare when we have them with us for any of our birthdays.
Phone calls and texts from family start arriving in the morning and continue throughout the day depending on everyone’s schedules. Sometimes we go out to dinner with the Mr.’s parents and our siblings, who also live in our town.
I don’t like much fanfare when it’s my special day, although I prefer a phone call from my each of my kids versus a text. Texts are okay but impersonal. I really love FaceTimes though, because they allow me to lay eyes on my kiddos’ faces and see my grand babies’ beautiful smiles as well.
We don’t have any special traditions any more. We used to let our kids pick where they wanted to eat for their birthdays. I always made a white cake with chocolate icing. We still give our children a birthday gift, but these days, it’s money that’s sent via Venmo.
When I was growing up, birthdays were rather ho hum. I remember a couple of cakes, and for my 16th birthday, my mom did throw me a surprise party. That was a lot of fun. But I also remember waking up on my 18th birthday to no family and my gifts sitting on a new hope chest, waiting for me to open on my own. My mom and step dad had driven to Atlanta for the day and didn’t get back until late. It was a lonely day.
Funny story: Many years ago, when our kids were little things, and we were living in Miami, it was my birthday. The Mr. Didn’t say a word. He never wished me happy birthday, and I wasn’t about to remind him. He did comment that I was getting a lot of phone calls, but he had no idea why.
It wasn’t until the next day when he remembered, and he felt horrible.
The next year came around and guess what happened?
Yep. He forgot. Again.
I don’t know how long it was before he remembered, but when he did, he had a lot of making up to do.
He has never forgotten since.
2. Someone is sending you a dozen roses…what color are you hoping for? Are you someone who gets accused of seeing the world through rose colored glasses? Is your accuser correct? Elaborate.
I love fresh flowers. Roses smell amazing ing too! I love pink, white, and yellow roses if given the choice. When we lived in Miami, the Mr. brought home roses fairly regularly. People sold them from buckets in the middle of busy roads, and they were only $5 a dozen.
I am often accused of seeing life through rose colored glasses. I tend to find silver linings in everything. Although I am very practical, I like to see the bright side of things.
3. June 4th is National Cheese Day…will you celebrate? What’s something (besides a burger) you make in the summer months that calls for cheese?
I am lactose-intolerant and have been since I was pregnant with my second child, so no, I will not be celebrating. I do love the taste of cheese, though, and often buy the vegan versions. Summer months don’t change up what I cook. I prep whatever I’m in the mood for. Recently, I made a lasagna soup that called for vegan cheese. It was delightful!
4. ’tis the season…any weddings on your June calendar? What’s the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage?
We don’t have any June weddings to attend; however, we will be attending a baby shower for a friend’s daughter. She’s expecting twins! We were guests at her wedding last August.
The first word that comes to my mind when Joyce says “marriage” is work. Marriage can be tough. It’s the fusion of two very different personalities and two very different histories. If worked on properly, it should mature and, hopefully, age with grace. Being married and having young children involves work of a different kind than what one experiences once the kids leave the home. I think that those who marry younger-ish often don’t realize this because they don’t have the life experience to be far sighted. Being happily married involves the daily work of having open communication with your partner, acknowledging when you personally fall short, extending grace when your partner flubs up, and being mature enough to make the changes necessary to keep the marriage rolling.
5. What are you most looking forward to this June?
I’m having shoulder surgery next week, which weirdly enough I am looking forward to. I am beyond ready to get it over with, start physical therapy for that shoulder, and get my life back together. Ha!
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Last weekend was absolutely delightful. It was super lazy, which I needed after a busy Memorial Day weekend.
There was a lot of reading . . .
A lot of dog-loving . . .
And a lot of tea-sipping.
All in my pajamas, of course. I did get dressed for church on Sunday. 😉
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