HB2ME

Yesterday was my birthday. While it's not all that exciting to turn 62, it sure beats not turning 62, so I celebrated. I don't think I have ever planned my own birthday to the extent that I did this year if at all, so let me tell you all about it. Oh stop rolling your eyes and humour a poor, old sod.

Since we awoke fairly early, I did our first non-standard thing by zipping out to Tim's for coffee and a breakfast sandwich. I wouldn't have done this if we had slept in a bit because I knew we were going to McDonalds for lunch. You see, I wanted to do something with Nikki Dee that she would like. Although everybody was welcome to join us, only Cuppa managed it because it was Zach's nap time.

On the way to the restaurant, Cuppa did what she frequently does: turn around and take a picture of Nikki Dee. Although she must have taken hundreds from this position by now, I think this one is pretty doggone special. Have I ever mentioned that I love this kid?



Here we are at McDonalds. She liked the fries but left the chicken. I enjoyed both my Big Mac and fries. Somehow, it seems right to share a meal with the kids at Mickey Dee's.



Better still, here's one without Buppa spoiling to photo.



The only McDonalds in our town is in Wal-Mart, so we sauntered around the store afterward. We bought her a bag of play food (for my birthday) which she ported heroically. In the photo, I am examining a little slide scanner that I glimpsed in passing. Earlier this year, I tried to scan slides using my flatbed scanner, but the results weren't good, and I wondered how well a dedicated scanner would work. It's not terribly expensive and may be worth trying as I have boxes of old slides that should be converted. I'll have to think on it.



With that little event out of the way, Cuppa and I made our way into the city to take in Julie and Julia. The movie was my choice, and I and two other guys say in a theatre filled with women and watched a good film. As usual Meryl Streep was awesome. Although I don't particularly know Julia Childs, except very dimly, Streep seemed to have her down pat. In case you don't know, the movie has a blogging connection as Julie blogged about her year of working her way through Julia's cookbook. They even showed her setting up her account on Blogspot, our very favourite blogging vehicle, presumably before Google took it over.

From there it was to the kids' place for Chinese and birthday cake. Thank goodness there were just 6 + 2 candles and not 62. We wouldn't want to burn the place down after all. Nikki Dee got right into the spirit and was a big help in blowing them out while Zach looked on in fascination.



Zach was a happy contributor to the festivities in his own right.



All in all, it was a low key but satisfying way to spend a birthday: sharing simple pleasures with those whom I love.