Something I Have Maybe Done Right

This is a picture of me with a llama, and has absolutely no relevance to this post

Fact: I have done some stupid crap in my life. Like for instance, trying to take a picture with a llama. That llama turned on us shortly after. It was mildly terrifying, in a petting zoo sort of way. The good news is that I am, for the most part, harmlessly retarded- but there have been occasions.

• Such as the time that I tore a tree from landscaping and hauled it home for a Christmas tree in college. And sort of got caught.
• Such as the 10 year reunion situation (let us not speak of this)
• Such as next month, when I have agreed to do a polar bear dip?

And yet (says Tevye). The good news is that I have apparently not messed up so colossally. It's true, I'm 30 and I have a kitchen painted like the Green Bay Packers locker room. I will be paying off my student loans until I qualify for social security. And, let's be serious, I am not making any more money than I would without ever having taken out those student loans. But here is your #1 most important sign of success: lots of good friends. What fun is it to do stupid crap when there's no one there to witness it and bring it up 10 years later? At dinner. Sara.

Let me tell you about yesterday and today. It went like this: I got tonsilitis, and so I picked up some penicillin and went home to sleep all afternoon. When I finally got up, I went to get the mail, and found this package from Amazon on my side door step:

(Okay, not that exact one, but one much like it). This was confusing to me because I had recently ordered a wall mount for my new tv from Amazon:

My thought was basically this: Effing A. Because if the wall mount fit in that box, it wasn't holding up my tv. Second thought: Why the hell would they even make a wall mount that small?!

But it wasn't the wall mount (which came today, in a much bigger box, if you were wondering)- it was this!

And it was from Sarah!

And it was a surprise birthday present!

Seriously. Follow me here. If we all woke up on our birthdays and found packages on our doorsteps that we did not order, and they turned out be from friends, how happy would everyone be? What could anyone possibly do that's kinder than that?

Later that night, I went out for dinner with Sara and Ryan. Beyond the fact that the Stockingers treated me to birthday dinner, I think I have celebrated pretty much every birthday with Sara for as long as I can remember, and how lucky is that to have someone who is always willing to be there on your birthday?

Today, my actual birthday, I spent at school getting ready for the start of the semester. And then I get this text picture (texture?) from Rebecca:

My first thought: Oh, she must have made that for the party on Saturday.

My second thought, 5 minutes later: Why would she hang that outside of her house to take the picture?

My third thought, 5 minutes after that: Hey...is that my house?

It is, of course, my house, and now my neighbors think I'm "flirty":)

Point being? There are people in my life who care enough to embarrass the hell out of me.

When I got home, I had a card in the mail from the fabulous mom of twintuplets, Erin "A" (C), with a Biggby gift card?!? There is nothing like a friend who enables your addictions.

I'm really trying not to be all It's a Wonderful Life on you, but...

Seriously. I don't think that 30 is old, but 30 is not college, and I don't think that there are so many people who turn 30 and find themselves surrounded with so much on their birthday. And what's more amazing is that this is not unique to my birthday. Last week Jen T. (of the Ts) showed up at my house with coffee for no real reason at all. Both sets of the T's parents have somehow adopted me- the fabulous Michela sends me coupons and coffee cards (are you seeing a trend here?) year round, and last year the D's had me and B-man over for Easter dinner, even when there were already 30 or so people coming.

Plus they love my baby. Here is a baby math equation for you. If you love my baby, I love you. The end.

And my own family is fabulous as well. B has my sister wrapped around her finger, and she buys him a whole new wardrobe every month or so. My dad just came over and fixed about 20 things that were wrong with my house (including the mailbox that got run over). Danny and Scott have agreed to turn my Packers kitchen into a regular everyday kitchen. As long as they can approve the paint colors ahead of time.

Plus, Scott sent me this video of a kitty singing Happy Birthday (don't watch it, it's terrifying).

For crap's sake this is getting long, what's your point?

Love, love, love.