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. 😉
Filed under: This-n-That |
AuburnChick's Adventures 
I enjoyed reading your answers and I agree, I like a phone call from my daughters on my birthday and Mother’s Day if I can’t see them. I hope your surgery goes well! Have a good day!
Good morning! Thank you for visiting my blog this morning. I’ll be taking a little stroll over to yours shortly! Thank you for the well wishes for my surgery. Have a lovely day!
Your thoughts about marriage are so true. It does take a lot of work to make a marriage work. How long will you have to be away from work for your surgery and recovery? Will you be able to type so you can let us know how you are doing?
Good morning. So far, I have requested a week off of work. I’m hoping I can return after that with no issues. I was fortunate with my left surgery and that we had two weeks off for Christmas. Going back even after that two week period was challenging, so we shall see. I am planning on still blogging, even with limited use of my right arm. I’m pretty decent at doing things with my left hand, so we will see how it goes, but now that I’m back in the habit of writing, I think something would feel “off” if I didn’t!
Aww! The facetimes on your birthday sound wonderful! It was the same when I was growing up, birthdays were not a big thing or celebrated in a big way which is probably why I go all out for them now with my family.
That is so true about marriage, it does take work.
I hope your shoulder surgery goes well and you make a speedy recovery!
I made a decent deal of them when my kiddos were little for the same reason! I suspect my daughter will be a little more relaxed for her children’s birthdays. My daughter-in-law, however, will forever go all out. She loves herself a birthday celebration!
Marriage absolutely takes work. Every single day. And you’re so right that once children leave home you have to figure out how your married life looks with just the two of you there. Bummer about needing another surgery, but hopefully you’ll be good as new soon. My hubs would say he cannot possibly forget my birthday because I talk about it so much lol. To be fair his birthday, my younger daughter’s birthday and mine are all in September so it’s kind of the month’s theme. I will pray your surgery goes well and recovery goes smoothly.
The month of May is like this for us. We have three birthdays and Mother’s Day to contend with that month.
Bless your heart… your 18th birthday. That makes me so sad. & what is it with husbands & memories on important dates? Its a thing. For sure!
Why did I think your surgery was further our? But yep, we’re in June!!!! You got this!!!
He! If I could have had the surgery the week after my doctor’s appointment, I would have, but my boss was on vacation, and I didn’t want to put her in a lurch.
Your words about marriage are so well articulated! Agree 100%! Lazy weekends are great! I don’t mind being active and having a lot to do and I most certainly don’t mind slow mornings (and afternoons…) at home relaxing and reading. Have a great day!
Retirement cannot come soon enough for when I need lazy days that fall in the middle of the week! Ha!
Your Memorial Day weekend sounds fantastic!
Thank you for visiting my blog this morning, and I did so enjoy returning the visit. I am so sorry about your upcoming surgery; however, I can relate. When I thought I might be a candidate for surgery, I couldn’t wait and planned my summer around the possibility. Now, that it won’t happen, I am trying to look on the bright side and adjust my planning accordingly. You asked about my shoulder: At some point, I tore my rotator cuff, labrum, chiseled the cartilage, and developed tendinitis and tons of arthritis and inflammation. I’ve done a lot of body strengthening since my youth in anticipation of needing to compensate for spinal stenosis. I guess I just wore everything out in the process, and at soon-to-be 81, it’s all coming at one time. I am not disappointed about the surgery because who in their right mind at my age would desire that. So, I’m trusting the only alternative will give me some relief. I pray the same for you.
Wow!! That is a lot of damage to your shoulder! I tore my labrum and rotator cuff in my left shoulder and know that I’ve got a torn labrum in my right one. I may have a torn rotator cuff too.
It is difficult – especially when everything happens at once. I hope your treatment brings much-hoped-for relief.
Oh my, so sorry he forgot your birthday twice. My husband hasn’t bought me flowers in years. I do like yellow roses. Sorry to hear about your issues with cheese. Enjoy the baby shower. Yes, marriage is a lot of work. I hope all goes well with your surgery. That does sound like a delightful weekend. Take care.
Reading, tea and dog loving in your pjs – sounds perfect!
I’m late commenting from last week. Enjoyed your answers. i’m the same in that I don’t like a lot of fanfare but do appreciate small gestures.
Well aren’t you sweet to come back! Small gestures really mean the most, don’t they? Have a wonderful weekend!