Despite the work situation, the lost hours, the lack of paid time off, the threat of a paycut looming overhead … despite all of it I am going off to Atlantic City for an overnight with my friend “M2″. This was planned months ago as we both hit the big 4-0 this summer and with her free room and a b-day gift card providing dinner it should be a relatively inexpensive outing.
While I was forbidden to procure a gift for my friend who is finally joining me on the other side of the hill I have been naughty, disobeyed her outright, and filled a gift bag with chocolaty goodness and a copy of the book Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
I will be laughing a lot, and drinking free watered down drinks, and playing penny machines (nickel machines if I really go crazy). The bulk of my gambling fund is coming thanks to the generosity of family when they gave me monetary gifts for my birthday – though I’ll be pulling out just a little bit extra I am sure.
The laptop is staying home, I will be (gasp!) offline from the time I go to bed later tonight (I may get a few minutes on Thurs morning before I leave) and will not be home until Friday. I may be working both Friday night and Saturday morning to make up for the time I will otherwise miss this week and so I may not get a full update up until late Saturday.
This is it though, the final birthday outing. It is the last time I will in any way be celebrating turning forty. It has been a wonderful ride filled with a trip to an Herb Farm, too many presents, too many birthday cakes, and an amazing concert. But, I am glad to get back to life as normal with the knowledge that there is no need to make a big deal out of any future birthdays until, at least, I turn 50 (ack!).
That being said it would be great if this whole birthday thing went out with a bang. In other words, this would be a good time for a windfall. If you want to light a candle and send a little luck my way I will accept any and all of it happily and I will of course fill you all in when I arrive back home.
Blessings
Mama Kelly
