Quarter of a Century

Kiddo turned the big 25!!! Her bday ended about 4 minutes ago. It’s late here. But I was in bed and suddenly extremely sad about missing so many of her milestones. Figured maybe trying to put a positive spin on the day here might help.

I had that image set as my Facebook cover image from midnight to midnight. And I made a very silly meme with a birthday cake that read “Quarter Life Crisis” in frosting, and added it to my Instagram story with a song about sending help.

AND I also shared a nice photo of her from a visit to the Neville Public Museum’s exhibit of the 1950’s, from the part of it where you could try on 50’s fashion. She had the cutest glasses, and a sort of poodle skirt, and scarf on, over her everyday clothes.

I had to work today, but we texted and talked, once I was done.

She got some more Sleep Token merch from her boyfriend’s brother (the brother who lives with them). Sent me pics of the hoodies he got. He must’ve spoiled her, too! Hoodies aren’t cheap!

And they got some Dunkin in the morning, and some freebies here and there. But she never got an offer for a free Starbucks item, even though they have her birthday on file. She had wondered if you have to purchase within the same calendar year to qualify. Maybe that’s why I didn’t get a free bakery item offer from Panera this year? Who knows!

But they did get some freebies.

AND they went to her fave chicken fingers restaurant, for National Chicken Fingers Day (which was entirely started by this particular restaurant chain). It just happens to coincide with her birthday. Because she’s awesome like that.

When she told them it was her birthday, one of the employees gave her all kinds of swag free, and announced it was her birthday over the intercom and asked everyone to sing “Happy Birthday” to her.

I really wish I could have been there.

But, as kiddo said, we will soon enough be touring Halloween stores together.

I hope we get a Spirit again this year and not just Halloween Express. There was one year Spirit didn’t come to my city. They’ve got all the licensed stuff. And, I think, more selection.

Much sadness descended as the day ended, and it just felt like nothing good had happened, for me personally, with kiddo so far away, and with a rather strenuous day, stress-wise.

BUT… highlights:

I successfully saved a 7-legged spider, escorting him back outside on a Post-It note.

My coworker noticed my clothes were making prisms in the sun, against the floor, by the glass doors. “Like disco!” I said, and they agreed.

I stopped by to see my parents and had a Mandarin orange with my dad, then my mom and I drove to a park on the bay. It was too early to see the sunset, but I had a nice time watching the reflected sunlight rippling on the water.

Then, I treated her to an appetizer and a drink.

I had a “Dirty Diet Pepsi,” and wings. I hadn’t planned on getting a pic of the wings, but one of the celery stalks was in a perfect curlicue and looked so whimsical I just had to.

The first image you see, btw, is one I added to my Instagram the day before kiddo’s birthday. It’s a “flower” made from some of the mementos of our adventures. At the center, there’s a token for using the machines at House on the Rock. We could have cashed them all in for bigger discounts at the gift shop, but it’s kinda cool to just have some, too.

Around the edges, for the “petals,” are stretch pennies we made. Some in Oklahoma and Texas, and some in Wisconsin. I told kiddo to check out the post, and she was so excited to see that I still had all of them. Even more so, when I told her I carry them in my purse with my change, all the time.

Restaurant food with my mom, followed by coming home to unwind. I made some more herbal sweet tea for the coming days. That was fun! And I showered. One less thing to do tomorrow before work. And it’s nice to feel squeaky clean. Used some conditioner leftover from one of my bleaching kits, too, and my hair feels super soft.

Ate the rest of my takeout leftovers.

While I was driving to that park with my mom, we listened to one of my playlists, and I pointed out a Sleep Token song for her, and told her a little bit about the band, since they’re kiddo’s favorite right now. That was fun, too.

Mkay I am fading fast. Time for sleep.

I think I feel a little bit better now?

I may eventually make a collage of non-copyright images associated with my current work in progress book series, to share here. Just for fun. But not tonight.

Peace!