The Last T

melodramatic

Here’s some drama for you:
Today I start the final year where my age begins with a “T”. Ever.

birthdays+bite

Actually, I don’t really think Birthdays Bite, but these two little pictures are my favorites out of a bunch of posters that Julie made to hang all around my house when she and Jim threw my surprise 30th birthday party (so long ago…).

Some childhood b-day memories that stand out?

*When I was four or five, a party guest barfed up her pigs-in-a-blanket. She left the party shortly thereafter.

*Growing up, I had a Holly Hobbie party, a Little Lulu party, a Miss Piggy party, a telephone party, a “jeans” party…Mom was always FABULOUS with the party themes. (That’s where I get it from!)

*Turning 13 and in 8th grade, I had a MAJOR crush. My friend made sure that my crush, along with his dad, “just happenned” to want to bowl at the same bowling alley where I was having my birthday party. In the next lane over. While my mom snapped photos.

Some adult b-day memories that stand out?

*The aforementioned surprise birthday party for my 30th that Jim and Julie managed to pull off (because once I get wind of something, I usually use my mad P.I. skills to sniff it all out) IN MY OWN HOUSE. The decoy? My friend Kate, who flew up from Tennessee for the weekend (unexpected by me), making me think that SHE was the biggest surprise of the weekend. When she and I arrived back at my house, the party was only the second surprise. The third? The 8th grade crush had flown up from Tennessee with his wife for the party, along with the first boy I kissed, and also the boy who was like a brother to me in high school. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I had been keeping in touch with the Crush over all that time because our families knew each other, and he was really good friends with the second guy. The third guy I had lost touch with, but Julie located him. What a shocker!

*Last year, when Jim sent Julie and I to NYC as a joint b-day gift. We had the time of our lives!

I don’t know if I should be happy or not that I turn 40 one year from today. I guess I’m a little indifferent about it. What I do know is that right now I can say I am very happy! I have a happy and healthy family, I am seeing some success with my writing, and my life is full of people who I really enjoy being around: that says alot! So Happy Birthday To Me! LOL

14 Comments

  • Linda Seid Frembes

    Happy Birthday to you! (You live in a shoe… you look like a monkey….. and you smell like one too!) Tee hee. Have a great day!

  • Melisa

    Thanks, girls! 🙂
    I’ll have a piece of French Silk pie for each of you this evening! LOL (not really, but I’ll think of you as I eat my ONE piece!)

  • Soosh

    Happy Birthday!! I had a Holly Hobbie party too. Have you seen her recently? She’s had a “makeover” and looks nothing like her old self.

  • Melisa

    Soosh:
    EEEEW!! After your comment I had to go and look her up. I am so disturbed! She’s cute and all, but NOT Holly Hobbie. What happenned to the innocence of America? It’s all gone, I tell ya…it’s all gone.

    What’s next, Laura Ingalls Wilder in the clubs a-la Britney, Lindsey, and Paris?? YIKES.

    If you all are curious about the New Holly Hobbie, check her out here:

    http://www.hollyhobbie.com/HollyHobbie/index.jsp

  • Anonymous

    I love my daughter! I’m a lucky Dad as I have TWO fantastic daughters who always make me proud to have become their Dad!

    Today, Melisa is in the spotlight..Happy Birthday honey! You continue to make your Mom and me so happy! I’d be lying if I didn’t credit your Mom for passing on her greatness to you!

    You constantly amaze me the way you’ve grown up to be a wonderful woman, Mom, and wife! (and author!) I applaud you and wish you all the best on this birthday! YOU are your Mom and Dad’s present to us everyday!

    I respect you! I’m so very proud of you! Most of all…I LOVE you!

    Dad

  • Melisa

    Shucks Dad, you’re going to make me get all teary-eyed! Thanks for posting, and I love you too!

    Dad, meet “Everyone”. Everyone, meet my and Julie’s Dad! 🙂

  • Manic Mom

    OK! Your dad is SOOOO sweet! Tell him to cruise on over to Manic’s later this week for Jules’ Minute!!!

    Or, maybe not! I’m not sure what she said yet! LOL!

    Whenever my mom visits my blog, all she does is tell me I’m sharing too much information!!!

  • Andie

    Happiest of Birthdays to you!

    if you wouldn’t have told me, I wouldn’t have known… i thought you were my age! 🙂

  • k a t i e

    Firstly…Many Happy Returns!
    Secondly…your dad sounds like a sweetheart, and I can see where the family’s writing talent comes from!
    Thirdly (and possibly most importantly…)

    You’re really only in your forties when you’re 41. The 40 part is a little bridge between the two…so technically you have two years in which to live!

    And honestly…I second Andie. I would never have guessed your age.

  • Anonymous

    Melisa…Happy Birthday!

    I wish I could have been there to treat you to McD’s (remember our college days?)

    Love ya!!!

    Dawn

    PS…HI Dad and Julie!

  • Kat

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY Melisa,I can’t believe I missed it. Even with the time difference I am no longer in time for it. Anyway I hope you had an awesome birthday with tons of great gifts. Loved the pics. They are so cute.