Letting go of fall

As expected, fall was far too short and winter is here far too soon. This fall was perfect for a birthday picnic at the National Arboretum, the mixing of new friends and old, trying out the "best new sandwich in America" (doubt it), walks involving the carrying of large sticks, and learning to feel at home here in DC. Now, to winter and a brand new year. And learning to appreciate the cold (impossible).

Happy, happy, happy

(Dinner on the beach at Franco's.)

(Dave, Angie and Dave's mustache.)

(Freya and the birthday girl.)

(Wayne's Special. Delightful.)

(Isla and Wes from Canada.)

It was hard for me to believe it was my birthday last week, since I had never experienced a November 6 that was 85 degrees with 95% humidity. But, I was decided to believe it when I heard I might get cake.

And did I ever! Our friend Isla made me the most delicious German chocolate cake, my all-time favorite. The next day, a group of us went to River Number 2 and enjoyed a day of beach lounging and river floating. For dinner we went to Franco’s, a restaurant on the beach owned by an Italian-Sierra Leonean couple. It was a quite a fancy place before it was ransacked during the war, and you can see remnants like street lamps and dark wood railings. I had the Wayne’s Special, a cheesy pasta dish with fresh lobster that was a dream for this cheese-loving girl. (We have gotten used to Laughing Cow, the processed “cheese” triangles that are everywhere around here, but…it still sucks.)

David’s birthday was this past weekend, and he wanted to keep it low key since we had just gotten back from a week upcountry. We watched a movie at a friend’s house and ate pizza, sushi, brownies and champagne. Didn’t think you could sushi around here, did you? Well, Freetown is full of surprises. Actually, the roll we ordered was called “Gary’s Spicy Roll,” which is awesome because my twin’s name is Gary. Coincidence?!

On my birthday, I told pretty much everyone I talked to that it was my special day- my neighbors, the storekeeper down the road, our guards, the boys selling us things on the beach (birthday prices!). People were very kind about it: “Eh! I wish you many, many more!” David, on the other hand, didn’t want anybody knowing about his. That didn’t stop me from bringing it up, of course. I told our guard Michael that it was David’s birthday but he didn’t like people making a big deal about it. When Michael saw David he took his hand, looked him in the eye and said, “Happy, happy, happy.”

Birthday boy

Happy birthday little monkey!

Nothing cuter than a husband who falls asleep with a ribbon around his head. He said he was a birthday present. For himself?

The less cute part of the story:

Right before I took this picture he rolled over and the bow got in his face. I stood there, trying not to laugh, hoping he wouldn't wake up, when he woke up because of the bow irritating his face. He looked up and saw me standing over him, camera in hand, laughing with tears coming down my face. He then accused me of putting the bow in his face and wouldn't believe that I didn't until the next morning.

The birthday people

Happy birthday to all of us. I wouldn't want to share with anyone else.

I'm feeling bad

I have a confession to make. I tried to make a point of saying happy birthday to my friends and family on this here blog, but I haven't been able to keep up. It was an audacious goal, and I think I might have gotten in over my head. Instead of posting some and not others, I'm thinking I should just get better at birthday cards. That will be hard, but I'm ready to try.

So to all those summer birthday ladies I missed...Kerry, Bekah, Marek, Anna...just know I love you and I'm glad to have you in my life. And to those special cupcakes who were born 24 years ago this very day...

Happy Birthday Leigh and Erin!

This pic covers many, but not all of you special girls. To all my friends, happy birthday whenever it is. I feel like when I was little and I would pray, "God, please bless my family and my friends and EVERYONE IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD. Amen."

Leenie!!!

(Photo taken by her awesome photographer husband while in Greece.)

Happy belated birthday to the queen of my heart. Her name is Kathleen, but we prefer to call her Kitty, Kitty Cat, Princess, Queen Sassleen, or Leenie.

Here is my birthday message to you:

Meow meow meow

Meeeowww meow

Meow meow meoooow

Meow meow

Much love to you, my beautiful princess. I miss you!

Birthday girl

Sisters! Happy (belated) birthday to my wildest and craziest sister, Leslie! We love you and your zest for life. And your sheepdog, Dixie. Oh, and Scott too. You guys are great.

(Notice Jen's creepy eye. My family loves the sly eye sneak.)

If it seems like I'm always saying happy birthday to a sister, it's because I am. I have a lot of them.

More birthday lovelies

It looks like my blog is becoming one giant birthday card, but I just cannot ignore all of these wonderful birthday ladies.

Erin is my brilliant sister. We used to wear matching string "soul sister" bracelets that only came off once they disintegrated. She used to take Gary and me on crazy adventures to Sizzler while being pursued by the mysterious "Surfer Dude." What more could you ask for in a big sister?

Vanessa is one-of-a-kind, and one of my dearest, most specialist friends. We were roommates for all of college and have traveled the world together. When she laughs, her head flies back and her legs melt. It's one of her best qualities.

Happy birthday you two. You make my life brighter.

Pretty pretty princesses

Yesterday was the birthday of two of my dearest friends, Meg and Mallory. Meg has a heart the size of the whole world. She has been a perfect friend to me since 5th grade, and I and so thankful for her. Mal is exceptionally beautiful and talented, yet manages to remain kind and perhaps the silliest person you will ever meet.

(Bottom 2 photos by the amazing Manuele Photography.)

I love you both. Thanks for being so cool yet still loving me. Happy birthday to the prettiest princesses I know.

Happy birthday sis!

This is my sister, Kim (the one facing the camera), and it was her birthday a few days ago. Actually, she shares a birthday with Abe and Darwin. Not bad. Happy birthday, Kimosabe!

Things I love about Kim:
She gives me hope that you can have 3 kids and still be hot.
She saves me when I'm in Chico and I feel like I'm going to go crazy.
She got married young and has 3 of the smartest, cutest, kindest, most awesome boys in the whole world.
She loves to dance and she'll do it anywhere, anytime, in any company.
She likes me even when I'm grumpy or feeling blah.
She has not 1, but 2 extra ribs. And she'll remind you if you ever forget.

I love you and I wish you didn't live in the desert so we could hang out more often.

(Me, Kim, and another sis Leslie at the Beverly Hills Hotel the day after Leslie's wedding.)