30 Day Meme: Day 18--Your Favorite Birthday
My favorite birthday would probably be my 40th. Turning 40 didn’t bother me at all. I had just moved back to Bowling Green the previous summer and was looking forward to spending more time in Nashville again. I was teaching as my primary occupation again, even if it was part-time at two places. I had money in the bank. Life was good. 40 was no big deal.
I talked to Chris and decided to throw my own party. That way I would get what I wanted. I just had to figure out a theme. After thinking long and hard I decided on a Mardi Gras theme. I loved New Orleans and with my birthday falling at the end of January Mardi Gras party stuff would be easy to find. I checked on locations and found out I could rent the Faculty House on campus for 50 bucks since I was a faculty member.
Next, I began looking online for recipes for New Orleans food. I ended up with po’ boys, red beans and rice, and Cajun deviled eggs and a few other things Aunt Nancy helped me whip up. Chris even ordered a King Cake from a bakery in Louisville.
I ordered a shitload of stuff from a party supply website… a variety beads, masks, hats, and decorations. The day of the party I found out that the calendars at the store were clearancing out at 1 buck apiece. It was 2006 and there had been a New Orleans calendar put out by the Red Cross to raise money for Katrina. We had a couple dozen left, so I asked my boss if I could take them Saturday night and come in and pay for them Sunday so I could give theme as gifts to my guests. She agreed and I was set.
Chris arrived early and he and Nelda met me at the faculty house to decorate.
About 20 or so of the 30 people I invited showed up and we had a blast. I had some Dixieland jazz cds playing in the background and had burned a cd of dance music for later. The only down side was that Mom was terribly sick and didn’t get to come. Given that I was one of the youngest at the party, we started around 5:30 or so and everybody headed home a little after 8.
All in all it was a wonderful evening. Nelda and Lee stuck around to help Chris and I clean up, then Chris and I threw our bags in the car and headed down to Nashville to hit the Chute.
Day 19 - Something you regret
Day 20 - This month
Day 21 - Another moment
Day 22 - Something that upsets you
Day 23 - Something that makes you feel better
Day 24 - Something that makes you cry
Day 25 - A first
Day 26 - Your fears
Day 27 - Your favorite place
Day 28 - Something that you miss
Day 29 - Your aspirations
Day 30 - One last moment