non-Twin birthday...

Jenny and I turned the big quarter-of-a-century on Monday! Since graduating from ACU, we have been apart for our birthdays each year (first in Switzerland, she in grad school; last year Houston vs. Memphis; this year Dallas vs. Memphis). I enjoy spending time with people on special occasions like birthdays, so this weekend, I tried to spend as much time with my friends as possible.


I began the weekend by organizing a girls' night for my church class. Friday night, 17 wonderful gals got together for a lengthy fondue dinner at Simply fondue. We had all four courses (salad, cheese fondue, meat fondue (where you cook the raw meat in oil or broth), and the best: chocolate fondue -- all eight styles). The meal took four hours to enjoy and we had a blast going from fondue pot to fondue pot to try everything. I believe we were all in heaven at the final course. We were able to choose eight chocolate fondues, ranging from Peanut Butter Swirl, Bailey's, Banana's Foster, Chocolate/White Chocolate Swirl, White Chocolate Amaretto, and some others that slip my mind at the time. I recommend doing the fondue thing with a group; I think it would be an awkward, say, first date.

Saturday, I helped a friend move out of her apartment and just spent a relaxing evening at home watching movies. I did make my grandmother Virginia's enchiladas as a birthday treat! Yum!

After Sunday night church, my friend Jessica spread the word that we were all going to dinner. Emily helped me choose Cheesecake Factory (an excellent birthday choice!) and there were 20 of us total! I don't really hang out with one specific group at church, and it was fun to see the variety of groups that came to celebrate. I don't really believe I have 20 friends at church; I think they were there because of the cheesecake. Unfortunately, with that many folks, we had to split into two tables, so I wasn't able to visit with everyone. Luckily, Monday night is small group night. I think I'm really going to like my small group with church. We've only met twice so far and we're studying the Love Language book for Singles. Pretty funny how the author changes up the analogies for "Singles", but it beats hearing about "how to treat your spouse" all the time. :)

I talked with Jenny several times on Monday; I even had my students sing to her! (all the while she was saying, "I have to go, Laura, I have to get back to work! Aww, thanks, kids!" so funny!) My students were so cute -- some of them (honors class) brought me two cards they had all signed (mind you, they made the cards in their social studies class because they had a sub that day), and a rose. Cute, you may think? Hmm, the fake rose's bud was filled with this horrid-smelling red perfume. So precious... When I got home from school, Anne had covered the door with a "Happy Birthday" banner and had blown up balloons for me to trip on as I entered! Flowers, more cupcakes, and DVDs. She's the best!

Anyway, that about did it for the big 2-5. I didn't freak out like I kind of expected. I'm looking forward to a fabulous year. I think I'll rent a car. Any suggestions? I'm thinking either a Z-3 or a Hummer -- you know, something I wouldn't normally drive (something with at least a power antenna!).

Peace out!