turning 30, finale

At home, Jessie and I chatted and caught up while Darin was off Doing Who Knows What. (I'm pretty sure my kids were being taken care of by my dad and Beans.) At around 5:45 or so, I got a phone call from Darin: "Get the kids ready."

"For what?"

"Dinner. I'll be there soon to pick you all up."

A mad rush ensued, to get everyone dressed, clean, etc.. I had expected a dinner somewhere, but I didn't know where.

When Darin got home, everyone at my house climbed into various vehicles and we headed east on Center Street. Darin made me promise to close my eyes, which I did. I kept my head down. At around 700 East, he made a phone call and this is what he said: "Hi, I have a reservation for 6:30. It's under Eckton, first name Darin. We're just a few minutes away, so please don't give our table away."

This was beyond confusing (which I think was the point) because there are no restaurants where we were driving. We turned left onto 900 East, and then I lost track of where we were (side streets). As we slowed to a stop, Darin told me to keep my head down but to open my eyes to read my last clue:

While it may not be Bombay House or even Tepanyaki

The food you will eat was catered by a different company

There is not one perfect birthday surprise

Rather the entire day for you with many highs

So off with the blindfold you have arrived at the last place

I can't wait to see the look on your face

Not Bombay House or Tepanyaki? I could tell that much from where we were. My thought was, "Holy crap, Darin somehow got Johnny's Lunch out here!" (Johnny's is a food joint from my hometown in NY, which I love, but the thought of it traveling 2,000 miles is a little gross.)

I looked up.

Cjane, my own personal greeter (I totally stole those two photos from her blog)


my lovely birthday banner, a-la oh, judy!

completely and utterly overwhelmed

HUGS! from oh, judy!,

compulsive writer,

kristen,

the lo down,

peef,

and a look at suedonym's princess's new braces

I got to say a few words, and gave some very sincere, very emotional thank-yous

...my friends listened...

...my friends mingled...

...my seester read one of her homemade poems, loaded with inside jokes...

...and, yes, it's true...

...I sang a duet with cjane!!!

(for some reason, people quickly disappeared after our song)

my brother shared some very beautiful words...

...as did Jessie...

You KNOW my friends love me!

(yes, it's the 7-pounder from Costco)

presented with perfection by suedonym

casual guitarring with Jessie

Now, more than a month later, I'm finally finishing this post. It has taken me a while to do because I was afraid that I wouldn't do it justice -- and I haven't -- but I'm glad to have shared it with you. I wish I could print out the vision in my memory of when I was sitting in my van and looked up to see all of those wonderful people who I love. I won't soon, or ever, forget that. It's as if Darin cracked open my mind, pulled out a dream, and made it happen.

Things I've learned from this birthday celebration:

~Not to wear those grey shorts in public

~Always wear a belt and keep my shirt pulled down in the back

~Always be at-the-ready to sing a song with Courtney

Having this party meant, and means, the world to me. The only flaw was the absence of those who could not be there. Thanks to EVERYONE who was there and had anything and everything to do with planning and helping out: Sue & Family, Christopher & Courtney, Tiffany & girls, Dalene & Family, Shannon & Family, the Clarks, Kristen & Family, Suzanne & Tom, Azu'car & Family, Lorien & Family, Angie & Family, Meta & Boyfrennd, Kuulei & crew, Dad, Beans, Jessie, James, Monica, Ellie, Sarah Asay, Coral & kids, Nicole & Aubry, The Crippen Family, The PearTree Family, the Sethuardo Family, Suzanne & Family, and most especially Darin. Looking around, I realized that my 10 & 1/2 years here has not been transitory, as was the original plan; I'm home. This is my home, and there were my friends, not just random people I had met and liked along the way.

That night, when all was said and done, I kissed Darin, thanked him, and said something to him that, if you know me at all, is a huge thing:

"I'm okay with staying in Provo."

turning 30, Act IV

Yes, at this point, I did think that my birthday celebration was finished. While grateful for the guitar and amp, I kind of knew that I would be getting them because I had been asked so many questions about which I wanted. And I was...not sad, but I guess longing for my sister to be there with us for the hike that morning. She had originally intended to come for a visit, but remember when she flew out in February to help me after my surgery? That visit was a week long, and she wasn't able to get the time off to also come for my birthday. I was, though, genuinely surprised and so excited that Sarah Starr Asay was in town, and so grateful to see her and to get those unexpected and fabulous gifts from friends from around the country.



Being the day before Easter, Darin, Bubby, and I went to the Wal*Mart to get a few things. I was tired, just enjoying that I had had a very nice birthday. Darin was acting a little silly in Wal*Mart, though. Stalling. Or something. He was acting fascinated by the weirdest things: "Let's look at these for awhile..." and "I'm going to go look at the fish." Whatever. It was a Saturday and the day before Easter, and three million people were in the same building that I was, and I wanted to get out. Once in the van, Darin (surprise!) handed me another clue.



"What?" I asked. "Really?"



Yes, really.

With such a large breakfast you may not be ready to eat

But how about we go out for a tasty little treat

So hugs and kisses for the kids before again we go

This time blindfolded and you can't say no

You might recognize the smell when we open the door

It might surprise you to see what lay in store

He made me PROMISE to keep my eyes closed, which I did, but, duh, I live here, I know where we're driving. Just the same, I couldn't understand why we ended up at Starbucks. What's more, I was a little embarrassed because I could hear a lot of people around me, and I was just, you know, holding on to Darin's arm with my eyes closed. I cautiously entered, and he sat me down at a table and said, "Okay, open your eyes."



My thoughts? Hm. Maybe I'm meeting Kuulei here.



Nope.



It was Beans.



I cried, she cried, we hugged, I sobbed. (Forgot to take photos again.) "How did you manage this?"



She told me that rather than asking her managers for the time off, she just made an arrangement with a fellow co-worker: "If you'll work Saturday and Sunday for me, I'll work whatever shifts you want for the next three weeks." Or something like that. She just snuck away without telling anyone. It was wonderful.



We went outside and Darin handed me my next clue:

The next surprise is quite unique

Distance is tricky with this one

I've been excited about this all week

It will bring back many great and nostalgic times

By the way, I'm running out of rhymes

You were just stimulated by taste and smell

In order, next by what you will hear, feel, see and touch, I cannot tell

Before I tried to figure out what that clue meant, Beans said she had to get a card for Azu'car's new arrival, so let's go to the Hallmark Store at the mall. I started walking toward the Spaghetti Factory entrance, and Beans said, "Isn't it over there by PF Changs?" No, I told her, it's not, and trust me, I know where the Hallmark store is. Darin then piped in, "Well, I need to go to the T-Mobile store anyway, so let's just go in the main entrance and make a loop." Okay, what did I care, I just wanted to talk with my sister.



While Darin was in the T-Mobile store, Beans's phone rang. She looked at me and said, "It's for you. It's Jessie Post."



Let me take a minute and tell you about Jessie Post. Jessie is two years younger than me, as is our friend Amy. The three of us were very, very close friends back in the day. We shared a love of music and theatre and being together. We drove to Toronto to the theatre district for the sole purpose of singing on the street corner for money. We did lots of fun things. And Jessie is an amazing individual. She is someone who makes significant improvements in this world. Although she'd HATE that I tell this story, she was valedictorian of her class, but missed graduation because she was in Alabama competing as Miss New York in the Junior Miss pageant/scholarship program/crazy-lame party. She is an accomplished pianist. She went to the University of Chicago. Then she went to Honduras to help build houses for homeless people. Then she went to Africa for awhile. Then she taught for Teach For America in the Bronx, where she very legitimately feared for her life after dark; she created an outstanding theather program in a run-down, inner city school (at which school she'd often spend the night, if she didn't get a chance to leave before nightfall). She lived in New Jersey for awhile and then...I don't know. Darin had just asked me about a month previous if I had talked to Amy or Jessie in awhile, and I got sad because I realized that I had lost them. I didn't know where they were.



But here she was, phoning me on my birthday.



"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNEEEEEEEEE!!!" is what I heard. I could not believe it. I could barely talk. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.



"Jess! What? Where are you?"



"I'm in L.A.."



"Why L.A.?"



"My husband makes video games, and that happens on the west coast."



"Your husband?!" (It had been that long.)



"Yes, I got married! It was right about the time you had your baby boy, congratulations! How is he?"



"Oh, Jess, he's such a good baby. And he's so cute."



"I know. I can see him."



And there she was.



We hugged and I cried some more and in general made a huge spectacle. I absolutely could not believe it. We were there, together.

It was wicked-good.

(And, as it turns out, Darin did NOT have to go to the T-Mobile store, nor did Beans have to go to Hallmark.)

On the way home, we three girls stopped by to visit cjane. I wanted to introduce Jessie to Courtney, in a small attempt to blend some of the very best parts of my worlds. We neglected to mention to Darin that we would be making this stop, however, and since we had left our phones in the car, my family didn't know where we were and was really REALLY worried -- even called the police and went out looking for us. Oops. Sorry.

Once back at my house, we just enjoyed the time visiting. Darin went somewhere, but I wasn't sure where, and it didn't really matter to me because I was so enjoying my time with Jessie and Beans.

Stay tuned for the finale!

turning 30, Intermission - bonus photo essay

turning 30, Act III

I went downstairs, dressed (too) casually (sloppy), and sat down. My next clue:

Sit down on the couch and enjoy your guest

Before you leave on another quest

By the way, here are a few gifts to be opened at different times

Each to be accompanied by more of my rhymes

With each it will be explained, on them you can depend

Many who have responded and to you much love they send

With the first gift, half comes from royalty and and the other half from Clue

If you haven't figured it out by now, think of blogging, open it and you will see who

Queen? Really? Yes, really.

This lovely friend sent a few gifts to my husband's office: Arrested Development Season 3, some guitar pics, and a pic holder. Thank you!!!

Next clue:

Instead of a rhyme

What about a nice haiku

To describe the next

Friends at a distance

Road trip through cornfields, saved you

Lincoln, Nebraska

Well, WendySue! Yes, indeed, she did save me. Had Wendy not agreed to meet me and my girls for a playdate with her girls last summer during our roadtrip, I just might have gone completely crazy!

Thanks for the chocolates!

Another clue:

From Redlands to Wymount and for a few years south of the BYU

We didn't follow after that but still friends true

Wonderful children of similar ages

Who at times you might think need cages

The next is a type of tree
Her name is ________.

Kerri! (For the record, Ker, the kids to be in cages are mine, not yours!)

A beautiful homemade photo holder, for memories of this awesome birthday, as well as a Target gift card. Wow -- it's as if she REALLY knows me.

Thank you so much, Ladies. I wish you could have been here.

My next clue:

It's time once again for another surprise

Hop in the car, put on the blindfold and please, no cries

About 15 minutes is all it will take

But worth it I tell you for with this, something sweet you will make

I refused the blindfold in exchange for a promise to keep my eyes closed. We put Bubby in the van and the three of us drove to Darin's office. Once seated, I kept my eyes closed while he made a lot of unwrapping noises. When he told me to open my eyes, I did.

And we forgot to take pictures.

But it was the acoustic-electric bass guitar and amp that I wanted. Thanks, Mom!

And that was the end of my birthday.

Or so I thought...

Stay tuned, once again, for more birthday surprises to come.

turning 30, Act II

Darin usually makes a scavenger hunt of some sort for my birthday, where he gives me clues, or I have to find clues, or something like that. Here's the clue he had intended to give me with the iPod (which came a few days earlier than scheduled):

The Hunt for a Perfect 30th Birthday Surprise

On Saturday early morning you will hike the Y

Why would you do this, some may ask, Why?

Though you will hike with those with whom you can speak

Something will likely arrive today so you'd better take a little peek

This gift may help distract you from the pains of working out

You'd better thank the Galans, great friends no doubt

I woke up at 5:30 Saturday morning to the alarm on my phone (Hello,Moto! *chingchunkachingchang*...), and went downstairs. I quietly woke up my dad and my brother, and told them it was time to get ready to go. As I was filling up the water bottles in the kitchen, Li'l ~j. appeared.







"Mom. I woke up at 5:10, and I've been waiting for you. I want to go on the hike, too."







Well, how can I deny an almost-8-year-old who gets herself up for such an event? She got herself ready, and we gathered our water bottles, our kleenex (early hikes breed runny noses, don't ask why, it's just so), our cameras, our inhalers (just in case), our flashlights (which we didn't need). We piled into my van and drove over in the...twilight? Is it twilight? Just before dawn, whatever that's called.







We took our time on the hike, walking slowly enough to talk, and stopping for rests to catch our breaths and to rehydrate. Once at trailmarker 10, I let my dad decide if we should just hike to the bottom of the Y, or if he'd rather take on a bit more to make it to the top (which was Li'l ~j.'s vote). We opted to take the trail to the bottom, which was a first for me. We saw a family of deer searching for breakfast, which was so neat. We sat on the Y and enjoyed the view, each other's company, and the music my brother had on his phone.

(Is that her trying to do an impression of Grandpa? I'm not sure.)

On the Y, Tio gave me my next clue:

You have reached the Y as the sun rises

So much in store with many surprises

I hope you enjoy the breathtaking view from the Y

Prepare yourself for breakfast draws nigh

The food will be great quite possibly the best

Enjoy also the limited time you have with each guest

We hiked back down to the van and headed for our next stop: Magleby's Fresh. MmmMMM! If you're going to got to breakfast in Provo, go there. We walked in and I saw a familiar face: Sarah Asay, my dear friend and former roommate (TEN years ago!). She lives in Mission Viejo, but on my birthday was sitting pretty at Magleby's Fresh with some pretty flowers. Surprise! She told me that she was in town for a family reunion in Salt Lake (lie), and since she was in town anyway, had arranged with Darin to meet me for breakfast. Monica joined us and brought Ellie and Curly with her. Delicious omelettes (is that how you even spell that word?), perfect french toast and strawberries. Wonderful company.

Tio gave me my next clue:

Now off home you go to prepare for your day

Hop in the shower no time for delay

Choose comfortable clothes, maybe a necklace, some earrings, but not needed a dress

Much more fun to come, I must confess

So home we went, and Sarah came with us, we got to visit a bit. I love when Sarah comes to visit. And I love to visit Sarah (hmmm...maybe I should do that soon...). After a while she left and I took a shower and got dressed, as instructed.

Stay tuned for Act III -- with more photos!

turning 30, Act I

I already told you about last Monday, when I got my iPod from la yen, and I found out that I would be at my favorite radio show later on in the week.

Tuesday, I treated myself to having the cleaning ladies come over for three hours. Aahhh. That is SO worth it, really, it is. My dad was supposed to have arrived from New York on Tuesday, but his flight was cancelled (bad weather at O'Hare), so instead he arrived on Wednesday.

Thursday brought a fabulous bloggers-and-then-some birthday lunch at The Chang. Love that place. (ps, I don't care that it's not authentic Chinese food, just like I don't care that Cafe Rio isn't authentic Mexican -- it's still yummy.) And, love those ladies. Thank you, all who took the time to enjoy a friendly lunch. I wish they made round tables in large enough diameter to suit the lot of us.

Thursday evening I went to a darlybird LIVE! show, and man, was it lovely! Got a few things for Li'l ~j.'s birthday, which is next week. I may get myself that apron for Mother's Day. Thanks, Rachel!

Thursday night didn't bring a whole lot of sleep. I went to bed at around 12, I think, but tossed and turned. I set my alarm for 4:15 (I was to be at the station by 5:50 a.m.). After waking up AGAIN, I remember looking at the clock, and it was 3:58. It was then that I fell asleep and had my slept-through-it nightmare. Thank goodness it didn't last very long. I got up with my 4:15 alarm and showered, got dressed, and put together a batch of scotcheroos (my specialty treat), and drove to Salt Lake. I was 2 minutes late, but I got let in just the same. It was so freaking awesome. I sat there with a headphone and a microphone (except for when the love psychic needed to use them), and chuckled and made a few comments here and there. (Both Gina and I don't like borrowing books from the library for fear they've been other people's toilet books.) I got a free psychic reading (oooh, she's SO WISE! she knew it ALL!!). I got a Burger King breakfast sandwich. They gave me a scrapbooking gift basket ("What else would someone named Molly Mormon possibly want for her birthday?"). It was great fun.

That evening Grandpa watched the girls while Darin, Bubby and I went on a date with Mr. & Mrs. suedonym; a gallery stroll of Our Fair City. A very enjoyable evening which ended in meeting up with my brother & his family for dinner (free birthday dessert!).

That night I tried to get to bed early, but my brother made me stay up and talk at him. He's always doing that. I finally went to bed at around 1:a.m..

I had NO IDEA what I was in for on Saturday.

Stay tuned...Act II, including photos, to come!





Today's Yay: Stepdad's heart procedure went well, and he's okay.
Today's Boo: Bubby's 6-month shots.

filled up

I'm still trying to take it all in.

I thank you more than I can say.

It's not often that you get an absolutely perfect day.

I had one yesterday.

More to come...

livin' this week like it's shark week

I haven't put up a post in the past few days because my own personal shark week is in session. Here's a brief review:

~I got news that, as just one of my birthday gifts, my husband has arranged for me to sit in on my favorite morning radio show. I have to get there pretty early. Don't get too excited: in all probability I won't say a word on air, I just get to sit and watch them work their rated-in-Rolling-Stone-Magazine magic.

~I received a Fed-Ex package, which I rarely do. It was an unbelievably (or, completely believable, considering the source) wonderful and thoughtful gift from my favorite nayvor (wish you were here).

~My dad's flight yesterday was cancelled, but he'll be here today. His first time at our house.

~Cleaning ladies came yesterday. Aaaaahhhhhhh.

~I get a fancy lunch tomorrow. Fancy.

~Hiking the Y on the birthday morn. WAY early.

~Lots of other surprises yet to come. (Does that make them surprises?)




Today's Yay: Clean house & sunshine.
Today's Boo: The yucky thoughts that are trying to plague me -- not working, yucky thoughts! It's SHARK WEEK!!!