Happy Birthday To Me

25 Feb

My memory of childhood birthday celebrations is family dinners, with my mother’s lasagna always being my meal of choice. One lean year when I was in middle school I received a pair of oxfords as a gift. No penny loafers for me.

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Leaving Austin, Tx in September 2013 for our move to Mexico.

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The last garage sale before we left. Our sons and their dad and my DIL and grandson. Bittersweet.

To make up for my lack of childhood parties, I guess it wasn’t a thing in the stone age, I planned my own fun adult parties.

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Family portrait for my big 6-oh. A lot has changed in six years.

My annual celebrations included a kite-flying picnic in the park and glow-in-the-dark bowling which was a big hit. We had musical performances on the patio in Austin and even a poetry reading. But the absolute best was my sixtieth birthday in a hardware store!

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Treehouse Hardware in Westgate Mall, Austin, TX.

Formerly a Boarder’s book store, Treehouse is an upscale, swanky hardware store. In 2012 it had just moved into its current space and wasn’t doing that great. I approached the staff about having my party in their large central workshop area during store hours. I wanted to promote the store because I liked having it within walking distance of my house. Staff looked a bit confused but seemed willing to humor me. My good friends The Therapy Sisters performed and we served a large sheet cake to all comers. It was a blast and the best birthday party ever.

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Not your daddy’s hardware store.

Today is my birthday and Lisa and I have slipped off to a jungle B&B for a few days R&R. No electronics allowed. I’ll be back next week with some great pictures.

DOS TORTAS

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18 Responses to “Happy Birthday To Me”

  1. Pam February 25, 2018 at 6:37 am #

    Happy, happy birthday. Hope you enjoyed your relaxing get-away. I was surprised to read about your childhood…I never knew. Completely changing the subject, I love Mexico. Had a chance to visit Acapulco for 4 days with a brief few hours in Mexico City. Would have loved to connect with you, but time didn’t allow as we travelled with Charlie and all of Julie’s family to celebrate Charlie’s wedding. It’s funny how I had lapsed into using my Spanish a great deal (though not fluent!); I hated giving that up once back in the states. Hugs to you and Lisa…

    Like

    • afish25 February 28, 2018 at 1:13 pm #

      I bet you can find volunteer work that allows you to speak Spanish. Or you can come visit me! Retirement is good that way.

      Like

  2. Karen February 25, 2018 at 7:42 am #

    A wonderful and happy birthday to you, and enjoy your time. Kisses and hugs xoxo

    Like

    • afish25 February 28, 2018 at 1:04 pm #

      Thank you dear friend. You are missed.

      Like

  3. janaline's world journey February 25, 2018 at 8:08 am #

    happy Birthday!! Hope you have a wonderful Birthday week. It is sometimes hard to diconnect from technology, so goiung to a place where you have no option is the best idea!!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Karen Bates February 25, 2018 at 8:09 am #

    Have a wonderful day today. Feliz Cumpleaños amiga!

    Liked by 1 person

    • afish25 February 28, 2018 at 1:04 pm #

      Thank you Karen. Every day’s my birthday.

      Like

  5. Laird Markland February 25, 2018 at 7:18 pm #

    Happy, happy birthday. So happy that you are now 16 years old!!!

    Hope your birthday is great!!!

    Laird

    On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 6:03 AM, the adventures of dos tortas wrote:

    > afish25 posted: “My memory of childhood birthday celebrations is family > dinners, with my mother’s lasagna always being my meal of choice. One lean > year when I was in middle school I received a pair of oxfords as a gift. No > penny loafers for me. To make up for my lack” >

    Like

    • afish25 February 28, 2018 at 1:05 pm #

      I am quite content to be my 66 year old self. When will you be back?

      Like

  6. Jack Scott February 26, 2018 at 6:30 am #

    Have a wonderful birthday. 🎂

    Like

    • afish25 February 28, 2018 at 1:03 pm #

      Thank you Jack. We are off climbing pyramids and watching monkeys.

      Like

  7. Pamela February 26, 2018 at 11:00 am #

    Have a wonderful Birthday, Alex. May this year be filled with happiness and good health!

    Liked by 1 person

    • afish25 February 28, 2018 at 1:00 pm #

      Life is good. Nice to hear from you.

      Like

  8. midwife87505 February 27, 2018 at 2:13 pm #

    Happy birthday, Alex!

    Like

    • afish25 February 28, 2018 at 1:02 pm #

      Why thank you my dear. Life is good.

      Like

  9. Caroline Hill February 28, 2018 at 6:11 pm #

    Happy birthday Alex, in your posted pictures I can see the amazing loving person you are, kids, grandkids, exes and your wife…… You deserve all the happiness in the world, every day!!!

    Liked by 1 person

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