11:30 a.m.

I got a cold sore for my birthday, YEAH!
Gotta grin and bear; what can you do?

When I came upstairs it was to find two birthday cards on the kitchen table; one made by Everett and one bought by Scott and signed "Love from Your Boys."

I poured a cup of coffee and made my way into the office here, where I am comfortably settled into the new computer chair and have already received two birthday calls. The first came from Joanne, who is one of my mother’s and our family’s dearest friends. We had a nice talk and, right after we hung up, Jack called and sang the first line of the birthday song. 

Emil and Everett have been hugging and kissing me in a serial manner, and Everett has just served me toasted cheese-buns for breakfast. He baked and iced chocolate cupcakes yesterday, which we plan to take to Grandma’s after lunch. It’s 30 below, though. I’m thinking it would be much smarter to stay close to home.

The phone just rang again: my bifocals are in. “Welcome to Old Age!” Joanne crowed scant minutes ago when I mentioned them.

I keep a pair of glasses on the coffee table in the living room, and am constantly pushing them up onto the top of my head when I want to read during commercials or non-engaging television. That wouldn’t be such a trial if the frames didn’t get wound up in my hair all the time. Bifocals mean, I hope, that adjusting the angle of my eyes is all that will be necessary in future, and the glasses can stay put.

Everett brings me a mug of fruit juice.
“Mmm, GOSH I’m lucky!”
“Yeah, you are,” he says matter of factly.

He has insisted I shall do no dishes today, even if he has to do them ALL himself.

There is a book in at the library for me, and the boys and I want to rent a movie for the evening. My sister Karen (previously known as Jill) is curling at five and I’d like to watch her play at least one game before she’s done for the year. I guess there will be more curling before the ice is gone, mind you, so it doesn’t have to be today.

But first — whatever happens with the rest of the day — a bath and some clothes are called for.