Reorientations of the Day
I had a splendid birthday this year.
I took the day off of work.
I slept in, walked down to the spa and used my massage certificate that I had been meaning to schedule for a year, took my time in the spa shower washing and conditioning my hair with the spa stuff, then Rick came down to meet me and took me to Cafe Pierre for lunch (unplanned, but living in the moment), walked home together by way of the farmers market, took a nap...basically lived the cat life.
The hour massage was wonderful - she asked if I had any areas I wanted worked on, and how intense a massage I wanted. As usual, my shoulders needed help, and I told her to chase after anything she found and I'd let her know if it got too intense or painful. Then I went face down on a warm massage table and she rearranged my musculature. When I got up from the table an hour later, I could raise my right arm above my head for the first time in a year. It was like having a couple of years peeled off. And I kept warm hands and feet for at least the next day. Weird to get into bed and realize that Rick's feet felt cold! I told Rick that he could just schedule a massage for me every year for the rest of time and never need to think of another birthday present for me.
The evening was spent separately - Rick had set up a fantasy dinner at Il Moro, but Becca's Winter Guard show was scheduled for the same birthday evening, so I chose to watch the show while Rick went up to host the dinner, and take the kids for Subway sandwiches after the show. Well, actually Connor had one before the show too. He came along to see it with me, and ended up hanging with Eric Pao for a while, so we both had much fun. After sandwiches, Becca and I watched a Dr. Who episode... truly a splendiferous day!
I realize that I forgot to mention that Becca sang me the They Might Be Giants' birthday song for a wakeup, then again with her dad when he got back (and in harmony!) and once more for me to go to sleep by.
We delayed the family dinner until the 2nd, so Bill & Jean would be in town, and went to LA Food Show so there would be something for everyone to enjoy eating. B&J gave me an antique filigree pin that has the neatest hanger to put my initial or charms on - it's beautiful, practical, 'antique' and family, and I love it. Eileen & Wolf got me a certificate for a manicure and spa pedicure, so even more pampering and self image, and no 'stuff' to clutter my universe. Connor made me a CD of music just for me, and Matt wrote a birthday duet which he and Becca played for me, and then Matt gave me the score. Utterly fantastic!
This all made me realize how much I tend to run myself down to the nub. It's hard to function at top speed when one hovers on the edge of exhaustion all the time. I am trying to take my lunches as 'hour' walks, as much for disengaging myself as for the calorie burning. I am also trying to be aware of my posture all the time.
:o)
More later. No point in staying up past my bedtime and making tomorrow harder.
I took the day off of work.
I slept in, walked down to the spa and used my massage certificate that I had been meaning to schedule for a year, took my time in the spa shower washing and conditioning my hair with the spa stuff, then Rick came down to meet me and took me to Cafe Pierre for lunch (unplanned, but living in the moment), walked home together by way of the farmers market, took a nap...basically lived the cat life.
The hour massage was wonderful - she asked if I had any areas I wanted worked on, and how intense a massage I wanted. As usual, my shoulders needed help, and I told her to chase after anything she found and I'd let her know if it got too intense or painful. Then I went face down on a warm massage table and she rearranged my musculature. When I got up from the table an hour later, I could raise my right arm above my head for the first time in a year. It was like having a couple of years peeled off. And I kept warm hands and feet for at least the next day. Weird to get into bed and realize that Rick's feet felt cold! I told Rick that he could just schedule a massage for me every year for the rest of time and never need to think of another birthday present for me.
The evening was spent separately - Rick had set up a fantasy dinner at Il Moro, but Becca's Winter Guard show was scheduled for the same birthday evening, so I chose to watch the show while Rick went up to host the dinner, and take the kids for Subway sandwiches after the show. Well, actually Connor had one before the show too. He came along to see it with me, and ended up hanging with Eric Pao for a while, so we both had much fun. After sandwiches, Becca and I watched a Dr. Who episode... truly a splendiferous day!
I realize that I forgot to mention that Becca sang me the They Might Be Giants' birthday song for a wakeup, then again with her dad when he got back (and in harmony!) and once more for me to go to sleep by.
We delayed the family dinner until the 2nd, so Bill & Jean would be in town, and went to LA Food Show so there would be something for everyone to enjoy eating. B&J gave me an antique filigree pin that has the neatest hanger to put my initial or charms on - it's beautiful, practical, 'antique' and family, and I love it. Eileen & Wolf got me a certificate for a manicure and spa pedicure, so even more pampering and self image, and no 'stuff' to clutter my universe. Connor made me a CD of music just for me, and Matt wrote a birthday duet which he and Becca played for me, and then Matt gave me the score. Utterly fantastic!
This all made me realize how much I tend to run myself down to the nub. It's hard to function at top speed when one hovers on the edge of exhaustion all the time. I am trying to take my lunches as 'hour' walks, as much for disengaging myself as for the calorie burning. I am also trying to be aware of my posture all the time.
:o)
More later. No point in staying up past my bedtime and making tomorrow harder.