I'm sooooooo tired; happy but exhausted.

[helenkacan]

And I had a weird night sleep-wise (or should that be unwise?) and many stomach upsets this morning which did not predispose me to want to get out of bed. So, after a few semi-naps, I finally got out so I could have a lovely shower (uh ... I may have also inadvertently flooded the bathroom floor). It had been thunderstorming vigorously in the morning and I didn't expect much from the weather, certainly no warmth. So I decided to wear my long, low-cut black dress together with my sparkly capelet, along with a blue-green flower in my hair and my pakua shell earrings ('cuz I answered "blue" to Brian's colour scheme question).

My ride was early, so I arrived at Brian's at 4:55 (along with a stowaway, namely Giggly Ballerina Piggly). I went upstairs and was invited into ... oh, look, it's an indoor jungle. He made me a different jungle two years ago. There were all sorts of adornments on the table, from a sparkly centrepiece, to a reproduction Greek urn to a male nude statue (hey, where'd that come from?). I received a beautiful menu (printed on exquisite heavy paper) as a memento of the event.

So what'd he serve me? We started off with aged cheddar and blue cheeses on crackers and garlic toasts. Then came shrimp cocktail. The drink was a refreshing homemade lemon-limeade. The main course was very messy (at least for me). It was broiled lobster tails with a Chardonnay/lemon sauce; also served with a real crabmeat & farfalle salad. The entrée was accompanied by the rest of the New Zealand Chardonnay.

Okay, by now we were both stuffed and I'd had to rip apart my lobster with my fingers (thankfully OFF camera, 'cuz we filmed this as an epi of the show); so I got to open gifties. I received a pink pig silicon pot holder (squeeeeeeeee), a wee butterfly and a bottle of my fave liqueur, Hypnotiq. After gifties came dessert. I kid you not, but Brian spent the whole week making this cake: multiple layers of coffee-infused chocolate with mousse and a bright blue enclosure covered with leaves, flowers and butterflies. ::wails:: It was so beautiful, I didn't want to cut into it. But he photographed me making the first cut. And then I had a few bites along with a glass of sweet, sparkling Moscato wine. I brought most of my piece home as well as many of the decorations. I need to take a picture.

I was so stuffed, I thought we'd need to roll me out the door. And, eeeeeek, it was 7:55. Where'd the time go? Brian escorted me downstairs. My ride arrived at 8:15 (only 5 minutes late, so I was relieved). I was home in a flash and was so happy to fall apart (after putting the cake in the fridge). I spent the last 80 minutes rewatching last Sunday's church service, so I'll be all set for tomorrow. [Yeah, you can tell I'm making that up, because I'm so full and exhausted.] I've tried to tell my tum to behave by swallowing a pill and drinking a glass of tonic water. I hope it helps.

Anyway, I had a splendid day celebrating my birthday while trying NOT to feel every day of those 5 million and one years of my existence. So, I'm exaggerating. And I've told Brian that next year we get to have a very simple b-day for me: a picnic with a potato salad. After all, I want him to survive, too! Okay, sleep now. Real life returns tomorrow!!!