What a fabulous birthday weekend. Thank you so much to all my friends who came out to various events to celebrate. I am feeling very spoiled. I'm such a lucky person to have so many wonderful people to call friend.
It all started Friday evening after a shopping trip on the way home. I bought myself a couple of treats (bargains of course) and then called Michele to join me for a bite to eat. Now this was not part of the celebrations but it was a good start to a busily fun weekend. We ate, drank beer and had a nice visit.
Then Saturday morning I was up early to get bundled up for a few hours of Winterlude activity. Sue and I met at the Rideau Centre then walked to Confederation Park to see if there was anything left of the Ice Sculptures. The big ones were looking pretty sad following the near record high temps and rain of the last 2 weeks but there were still several that were recognizable and in fairly decent shape... considering. We enjoyed a few minutes of watching the 2 hour ice sculpture challenge that was about 25 minutes gone when we arrived.
A short SnowBus ride over to the Snowflake Kingdom at Jacques Cartier Park and the real fun started. We started with the very adult activity of viewing the snow sculptures. These are gorgeous. Some really fantabulous work indeed. Then we toddled over to the sliding area. First up, or should I say down, was the inner tube slide... a nice long run down into the hay stacks. We then prceeded to each and every slide to try them all. What a hoot... 2 grown women. Old enough to know better and too old to care. There we were, amongst the 2-10 year olds, acting like a pair of 12 year olds and enjoying every moment. Thanks Sue. Definately a day to remember. But that's not all.
After that we walked back to Ottawa across the Alexandra Bridge so Sue could get some photos she has been wanting. Back in the Market we stppoed at The Brig where we were lucky enough (and early enough) to get that prime table right in front of the fireplace. Ooooo, so toasty. We had an excellent lunch and a couple of beers. Sue's treat. I felt so spoiled and honoured. Then a stop at Chile-Chillies where I purchased spicey chocolate (my personal favourite is the Lime Tequila Dark Chocolate) and Sue stocked up on spicey goodies. Then we stopped at the Expedition shop so I could pick up a stow-away nylon backpack like Sue's. She got it a few weeks ago and when I saw how good it worked for her I wanted one. But get this, she bought it for me. I am such a lucky woman!! Thank you Sue. You are truly a good friend.
So now you're thinking "that was a great day for Gailene" but that's not all.
I went home, took a shower, prettied myself up and the evening's entertainment began. Michele and Tracey met at my place which was our jumping off spot for the night. I was treated with gifts first. Michele had knitted a beautiful scarf for me that is now in use and Tracey's herbs are already in use in sachets, etc. Thank you Michele and Tracey for the great gifts! A taxi whisked us off to Absolute Comedy. The 3 of us had a nice supper (thank you Michele and Tracey for treating) and were joined after by Elizabeth and Peter. We got our seats upstairs, ordered up drinks (thank you Elizabeth and Peter for treating me to lots of brew) and laughed for the next 2 hours. It seemed that everyone enjoyed it. Elizabeth and Peter had to go home (too sad, but couldn't be helped) so the 3 girls headed back to the Market to Suite 34 for dancing. Not Michele's scene and since she isn't really into the dancing and Tracey and I are danceoholics, Michele said her good nights early. Tracey and I stayed to dance until it got too crowded to dance (the way we like to dance - you know, with lots of room) then just headed home. It was an early night but it had also been a long day. Thank you Michele for organizing everything and thanks to Tracey, Elizabeth and Peter for coming to make it even more fun. Again, I feel so lucky to have all of these wonderful people to call my friends. Truly blessed.
Sunday was actually my birthday. The usual Sunday brunch came with a couple of additional surprises. Sara and Linda were at brunch. We don't get to see them often lately and it was special to have them both there for my birthday. Sara gave me wine (always a good gift) and Linda gave me a pretty little crystal angel in a treasure chest. Thank you both for the great gifts. I received cards and many good wishes and felt very warm all over. I really like my friends!! Thank you all for being there. So nice and loving. I can't say this enough. I feel truly spoiled to have such generosity heaped upon me. Sara, Linda, Michele and I went off to Sunnyside Books so Sara could buy a copy of Diane Lanthier's book "On Lonliness - Angelic Wisdom to Comfort and Inspire" which was recommended by Tracey. Linda decided to get one for herself and I. Another birthday present. What a lovely surprise and quite a treat. Thank you again Linda.
Linda said her goodbyes and the remaining 3 girls dropped into Chrystal Dawn on the way home. Laura Young was there doing mini-readings so Sara decided to put her name down for one. We ran off to put things in her car and drop stuff at my place before going back for our readings. Yes, I decided to get a reading too. Laura really is good and this reading was right on as per usual. My third mini-reading from her over the past couple of years. Then I went home, saying my goodbyes to Sara along the way. I did a few chores and had a brief rest before getting ready to go to Mom's.
On the way to Mom's I bought a Winter Olympics hat at The Bay. I've been wanting one since the first time I saw them advertised and in the Bay displays. This is the first time I've liked Olympic clothing enough to spend money on it. It was my birthday present to myself. So a bus ride to Mom's for supper. When I got there Mom told me that the gang would be arriving later for desert. The whole gang (family) except Dave and his family. They were moving his father-in-law into a nursing home yesterday so were unable to attend. I was expecting to just spend the evening with Mom but got to see the family. An unexpected treat. My Grand-niece Cassandra is the centre of attention. At 2 1/2 years old, she is too cute and quite the little comedienne. She is quite bright and such a little princess too. But as the first of her generation in our little family she deserves all that attention.
So that was my busily enjoyable birthday weekend. It finished with a quiet bus ride home. I was the only passenger on the 18 from Scott St. to Centretown so I just read all the way. Now that is not the end of the birthday celebrations though. Cathy is giving me a night out at the NAC and has chosen my favourite, The Black and White Opera Soiree. This is especially generous as she is not even sure she'll enjoy it much. She says she's not a great opers fan. But I love this event because it is not just all one opera. So you get a sampling of composers, performers, styles and eras. It's like an opera sampler live and up close. AND we get to wear our fanciest dress-up clothes. I love dress-up! I have new pretty, sparkly, shiny clothes and accessories for the occassion. I've made a hair appointment too. Oooo. How exciting. I'll tell you all about it next week.
Then on 5 March "Les Girls" (Michelle V. & her daughter Madeleine, Debbie, Christine, et al) will gather at Michelle's place for another celebration. I am really dragging this out this year. This is a good thing. Party, party, party! Oh, and just for an extra nice treat... today's mail contained the cheque from my insurance company to pay for my glasses. Yes, glasses. Something new. I got my first ever pair of prescription lenses in early January. They are to correct astigmatism and night vision only but I do notice a big difference. Especially at night and when my eyes are tired after a long day at work in front of 2 monitors.
It's late and I'm done.
Posted by gailene at February 13, 2006 09:17 PM