So I'm Getting Old. What's Your Excuse??

That's right. I'll be 32 on Tuesday. What that means is that I still need 10 hours of sleep (but can't get it), I can't lose that last 10 pounds anymore, I have no idea what I wore the day before, I have had to invest in an assortment of lotions and exfoliants, and yet, I still get zitts.

Since this week was uneventful other than the shopping event my mother, Mason, and I went on yesterday, I'm going to bore to death my readership of 5 with pictures of birthdays past. Course the aforementioned shopping expedition did involve my birthday - my mom bought me a lovely new black coat which Luis didn't think I needed but everyone else understood I did.

It should be noted that Mason voluntarily chose to go shopping with us than to stay home and watch football with his father.

We met up with Luis, Siena, and my dad after shopping at Stanfords for dinner. It was a nice dinner and a dollar of each of the Cause-mo Politans I ordered went to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. I am curing breast cancer by drinking. God Bless America.

Anyway, its time for that trip down memory lane. I had a great pic of mom pregnant but didn't want to scan and since I have gotten lazy in my old age, I didn't try it again. Just picture a miserable looking pregnant lady. I suppose she had some reason to be. I was 10 lbs 9 oz when I was born - naturally.

So I was born Oct. 7, 1976 as a chunk of a child. Modern folklore has it that mom had to hike up Mt. Tabor in order to keep labor rolling along. Note that back in the day, Portland Adventist Hosp. was located at the foot of Mt. Tabor rather than its current location off of I-205. There is also an urban legend about dad stopping off with her for a hamburger after said hike at a nearby drug store. Yes, those are the parents I was born unto...

Here's dad - ala 1976. This is more like Christmastime but the hair was too priceless to exclude. And the shirt. Someone please explain the shirt. And are those tinted glasses?!?

This is, I believe, b-day party #4. Those are some spiffy plastic rollerskates. Only in 1980 would such a thing not only be on the market, but popular.
This was my 6th b-day party at McDonalds. Yup, my choice. Here's the cast of characters, best I can recall clockwise from bottom right - Julie Rodriguez, no idea, me, Betsy Gibbons (HI-so glad we're in tough again), Andrea Sweigart, Random McDonalds employee, unknown child, Erin Carkner, Alicia Dahill, and no idea. See - I have memory issues.

I recall the Mickey D's b-day party being fun but also remember the party at Ferrells Ice Cream parlor being fun. That was during grade school at some point. The purpose of the Ferrells people at parties is to embarrass the birthday person to no end. I recall a piano, marching band drums, and loud singing. However, they had FANTASTIC sundaes so it was worth any public humiliation they imparted upon me.

Here's my 13th b-day party at our house. Erin Carkner and I had the same kinds of dogs at that time so we're posing with them. Jill Neary is between us in the background and Joy McAlister is behind to the right. Yes, I do have braces. And poofy bangs. And I'm wearing a turtleneck under my sweatshirt. There is no end to the horror.

Here's dad and I celebrating a joint party. I'm not sure which age this is...20 I think for me which would be 50 for dad.

Luis and I celebrating yet another birthday. The hats can only mean that this is a party sponsored by Gloria Cruz.

Since October is a busy birthday month for many that I know, I want to give a shout-out to the other October birthday celebraters we know and love. Happy Birthday-

Andre Cruz

Cousin Craig

Tia Mandy

Baby Tristan

Papa Ron

Siena

Betsy