I’m having a great (birth)day so far today! After waking up to snow (not my favorite part of the day but I guess it's to be expected for February in Chicagoland)
and finishing up my workout on the treadmill this morning, I walked downstairs to find an unexpected gift on the kitchen table. We went out for dinner at Parker’s last night (had a delicious cedar-planked Caribbean Cobia, a fish I had never tried before) and we’re going to Japonais with some other friends for sushi on Saturday, so I guess I didn’t even think about getting a gift too. I figured I was supposed to open it as it was sitting there, staring at me with its nicely wrapped self, so I discovered that Jim got me this:
It’s kind of like a keg-orator (which he has for kegs – he usually has Guinness on tap!) but for wine. We saw a similar setup at a hotel restaurant we visited in Michigan, where they had multiple bottles of wine “on tap” and preserved perfectly through the nitrogen tanks attached to them. I usually order half bottles of wine, but I also get some great full bottles as gifts (or there are ones I buy in Michigan) and I like to savor them. As Jim doesn’t really drink wine, I don’t want to feel like I have to let some of the bottle go to waste, so this is perfect!
I also got a Gorgeous Fabrics gift certificate from Jenny, which gives me a perfect excuse to go over there and pick out a great piece of knit fabric for a new dress! That was a real treat and totally unexpected! I also got some nice cards from my friends at work and one of them gave me some Partylite candles. Then today they are taking me to lunch at Sushi House! Tonight I have my usual hair and nail appts, which at first I tried to move to another day (to no avail, due to vacations at the salon, etc.) but I think it will actually be fun. It can be my own miniature “spa day”.
Tomorrow, I took the day off as a vacation day as my car is coming off its lease and we decided to buy it instead of getting a new car and incurring a new lease/purchase payment. It so happened that my bonus (paid tomorrow) will almost exactly equal the amount I would need to pay off the car and also turn it into a “certified pre-owned” vehicle, which will extend my bumper-to-bumper warranty to 4/15/2013, or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. So I took it as a sign. Now we have three paid-for vehicles (including the Harley) so I’m a happy person. I also got a voicemail that my chaise lounge is ready to be delivered, and so I’m going to try to get them to do that tomorrow afternoon as well if I can get the dealership rigamarole done in the morning.
So far, 37 is starting out as a good year! I wasn’t feeling that great about this birthday this year, because ironically, this is the first year ever that I’m happier with my body than my face! Not to be crass (but you know I will) - you know that saying about “at a certain age, you’ve got to pick either your &ss or your face?” I think I must have chosen my &ss. But that’s OK, because I feel young and healthy on the inside because of it!
Happy Birthday!!! So glad its a good one too! I think your beautiful both inside and out! :)
Posted by: Monica | February 19, 2009 at 09:37 AM
Happy birthday! Sounds like you have a great couple of days planned :)
Posted by: Emily | February 19, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Happy, happy birthday sweetie!!! I hope the rest of your day is just as fantastic and that the year ahead is everything you hope for and more!
Posted by: Kerry | February 19, 2009 at 11:50 AM
You crack me up with the &ss comparison! I love the wine saver. What a thoughtful gift! Kudos to Jim! Sounds like a great, fun long weekend!
Posted by: Jenny | February 19, 2009 at 11:56 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY FRIEND!!!
Posted by: Yvonne | February 19, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Cynder | February 19, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Happy Birthday Robin! I hope your day continues to be wonderful!
Posted by: Julie | February 19, 2009 at 01:19 PM
Happy Birthday, and don't suffer from a sushi overdose!
Posted by: bettyc | February 19, 2009 at 01:27 PM
Happy Birthday!!!!! Here's to many many more!
Posted by: Susan - Knitters Delight | February 19, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Happy Birthday!!!!! It sounds like you have a great birthday week planned. 37 was pretty good, and you are off to a great start, with your newish car and lots of great food and pampering!
I am staring down 39 next week, and shall we say working on the reverse of your face/body dilemma. Lots of miles on the bike. Just need a gift certificate to laser the red patches of rosacea on my face, and life would be perfect. Sort of.
P.S. Check your mailbox. Hopefully something will arrive today.
Posted by: Debby | February 19, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Happy Birthday, Robin! Your birthday buddy Zac says Happy Birthday, too!!
:O)
Posted by: Heather | February 19, 2009 at 02:28 PM
Happy Birthday!!!
Posted by: wmk | February 19, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Happy Birthday!! I'm glad you're enjoying your day. I think your new year is starting out great. By the way, I agree with Monica, you are beautiful inside and out.
Posted by: Andrea | February 19, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Happy birthday Robin!!!
Posted by: Katie J | February 19, 2009 at 03:00 PM
Happy Birthday!!!
Posted by: adrienne | February 19, 2009 at 03:23 PM
OMG Robin! You are too funny! At what age were we supposed to choose? I haven't chosen either yet....I'm 33, should I start to panic? Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day!
Posted by: Shannon | February 19, 2009 at 03:25 PM
We have to choose between our faces and our &ss??? I had no idea. I am choosing my &ss too - but you know are a very pretty woman, Robin! Funny too.
Happy Birthday! I hope your day continues to be wonderful. I love the wine tap thing - I want one!
Posted by: Lara | February 19, 2009 at 03:57 PM
Don't settle for just your ass or your face LOL. You got your ass in gear, now just hop on over to the dermatologist for facial renewal :) . I'm getting new prescriptions from my favorite doc in two weeks.
Happy 37th! KimB is celebrating her 37th too.
Posted by: Kat | February 19, 2009 at 04:09 PM
Happy Birthday :-) I've never seen a wine-keeper, so does that make it a wine-orator ;)
Posted by: Denise | February 19, 2009 at 04:16 PM
Hey happy birthday! I was also 37 on the 18th.
Posted by: meg | February 19, 2009 at 04:56 PM
Happy Birthday! Sounds like you are having a wonderful day!
Posted by: 2BSewing | February 19, 2009 at 05:26 PM
Happy birthday! What a great day so far; I hope you have a great long weekend too!
Posted by: Sarah | February 19, 2009 at 05:27 PM
Happy happy happy birthday to you!!!! Enjoy your day !
xxxxx
Posted by: Liz | February 19, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Happy Birthday! Cool news about the car! I bet you can't wait for warmer weather to enjoy your chaise ;)
Posted by: Zonda | February 19, 2009 at 06:59 PM
What a wonderful day!! Hope your evening was just as nice!
And many more!!
Posted by: Stacey_CrimsonPurl | February 19, 2009 at 08:32 PM
Happy Birthday! Best wishes for a great 37th year. You certainly don't need to worry about your looks. Ass and face look great .
Posted by: Rita | February 19, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Happy birthday!
Posted by: Emilee | February 19, 2009 at 09:06 PM
Happy Birthday!!!
Posted by: turtlegirl76 | February 19, 2009 at 09:37 PM
Happy Birthday ! Meant to email you from by Blackberry while stuck in endless meetings, but got distracted!
Blue Ginger soon!
Posted by: Lisa | February 19, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Happy happy happy birthday! I hope you've had a wonderful day!
Posted by: tiennie | February 20, 2009 at 01:15 AM
Happy birthday! wishing you an awesome year!
Posted by: Phyl | February 22, 2009 at 09:44 PM
I'm so SORRY to be so late. I haven't been on in days!
HAPPY BELATED BDAY!!!!!
Since I'm late, I already know how your day turned out (:-)
Sounds like you got off to a good start!
Posted by: Jeanine | February 23, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Sorry I missed your birthday, but you seem to have done just fine without these belated greetings. Congratulations on the car and everything else.
Posted by: marjorie | February 24, 2009 at 10:18 AM
I am so far behind on my blog reading... HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!!
Posted by: Sourire11 | March 05, 2009 at 12:32 PM