Don't eat Milk Duds in Bed When Exhausted

This weekend has been full of excitement and quite honestly I am exhausted.

Friday night I was so tired that I crawled into bed with Ella at about 8:00 p.m. In an effort to get some reading time for myself I started eating Milk Duds thinking that the sugar would give me a bit of a "lift". My eyes kept trying to shut while I was reading and I was so frustrated because I wasn't ready for sleep yet.

Well, I dozed off while reading with three Milk Duds stuck to the roof of my mouth. I like to eat Milk Duds in groups of three. I suck the chocolate off and then kind of let the three of them mold into one. Too much information? Anyways, I woke up with my book on my chest and three Milk Duds stuck to the roof of my mouth. Kind of scary and dangerous.

The exhaustion was induced by the excitement and preparation for Ella's dance recital which took place yesterday at noon. The recital was great and Ella was adorable.

After the three hour performance, we went to a "late lunch and early dinner" with extended family members.

We made it home at about 6:00 p.m. just in time for me to quickly change clothes and head over to my girlfriend Anydrea's house. My girlfriends and I used to go for an annual trip to Palm Springs. However this year, family and financial obligations were not going to allow for a weekend get-a-way to Palm Springs but we still needed a girls weekend together. We decided to have a "Palm Springs" weekend experience at Ayndrea's house instead. A lot cheaper and without the travel time.

Unfortunatly for me, the weekend we decided on was Ella's recital weekend. Instead of scrambling for another date I told them to stick with the date and I would join them after the recital.

Well, Ayndrea got sick but she rallied and still wanted everyone to come over. When I arrived at about 6:00 p.m. I found a very mellow little group. I love my "forty and fine" friends. I laughed more in the few hours I was them than I have in weeks.

Tonight Kassie, Ella, and I will head back out for the Sunday 6:00 p.m. performance of the dance recital. Ella is not dancing in this one but my nieces and some of our friends are in it.

I am thankful for a relaxing day today and look forward to some pool time and a nap before we have to start getting ready for the event tonight.

My Fortieth Birthday Party

I entered my "forties" one and a half years ago. Being "forty-something" has been my favorite age thus far. To kick-off the new decade of my life I decided that I wanted a party that spoke to me and my soul. Instead of waiting to see if my husband was going to have a party for me I decided to plan my own party.

I decided on a “Dessert and Yoga Party”.

I love dessert and have been known to eat small amounts of the “healthy” stuff so that I can save room for the “good” stuff. There is a deli nearby called Roxy’s that has the most amazing bakery in it. They have a cake display that is to die for. I picked out three different cakes. I chose a carrot cake, a chocolate cake, and a white cake with raspberries.

I love yoga and so I also decided to incorporate another of my favorite things into my party. I hired a teacher from the YMCA to conduct a yoga class for us. I told everyone to wear their workout clothes and bring a mat if they had one. I felt it would be a wonderful way for me and my girlfriends to relax, stretch, laugh, and celebrate together. Not to mention burn off a few calories before we devoured the desserts.

I splurged on my invitations. I have a friend who makes the most gorgeous invitations. I had seen her work several times but never had an invitation made by her. Her work is worth every dime, but a bit pricey. However, I decided that this was the opportunity to use her talent. I was keeping my guest list very intimate so I only needed ten invitations made. The invitation was done in black and pink and the heading read,“Life is Short, Eat Dessert First”.


In addition to the cakes, I served lime and lemon infused water (to drink after yoga), wine, and cheese. I found a great wine from CostPlus called Cupcake Chardonnay. It was yummy wine and had a cute label on it with a picture of a cupcake. Perfect for a dessert party!

We played a fun game involving a book called "Chocolate Therapy" by Murray Langham. The book disected what each person’s selection of chocolate from a box said about their personality. The book also had an interpretation for what each person did with the little brown wrapper that the chocolate came in. Did they twist it? Did they flatten it? Funny!

I ended the evening by reading a prayer that I wrote. I gave each person a copy of the prayer along with their party favor. I cannot for the life of me remember what the party favor was. However, if I had it to do again, I would give each friend a writing journal so that I could share my love of writing with them.

Although there was no “surprise” in throwing my own party I wouldn’t have done it any other way. It was empowering and awesome to have everything just the way I wanted it to be. It was my dream party. It was the perfect way to start my 40’s!


Prayer at the End of the Party

Dear God,
As my friends prepare to go,
Back to their homes and their families I ask you to bless each of them.
Help get them home safely.
Let them take the peace and the fun of this evening away with them in their hearts.

To my friends, I pray for your happiness.
I pray for great fulfillment in your work.
I pray for easy communication with those you love.
I pray for a sense of satisfaction in all you have accomplished.

Above all, I pray that you may rest securely tonight with the knowledge of God’s constant love and care for you personally.

You all mean the world to me and I thank you for celebrating my 40th Birthday with me tonight.

May God keep you in touch with all that you are and all you are meant to be.

Amen.