Can you believe we’ve arrived in November? Little Dude celebrated his 12th birthday this weekend, as a family tradition we let whomever has a birthday pick where they want to have their birthday dinner. He was all about having rib-eye, so that’s what we did. The local restaurant we went to has this giant foam cowboy had for the birthday person to wear while everyone sings happy birthday – I can’t believe I didn’t get a picture of that, but it was equally hilarious and adorable.

Princess Nagger’s birthday is coming up a week from Friday – she’s debating on which restaurant to go to that has Prime Rib, because that’s what her choice is this year. Honestly, that’ll probably be my choice three weeks later…heh! November and December are rife with birthdays – my brother and sister (twins) were born a year and three days after me, so we celebrate in one fell swoop – my mom had fun hosting a party for us last year, and plans to do so again this year.

With everyone’s schedules being so hectic year round, and particularly this time of year, it’s nice to make a point to get together to celebrate, so having our birthdays so close together is more convenient as adults than it was when we were kids. When we’d celebrate our birthdays together back then, I didn’t think it was fair they got to open their presents 3 days early. I know, right?!

My mom would make one cake, light the number of candles for me to blow out first, then remove one and relight them twice to let each of the twins have a turn blowing out the candles. We re-initiated that last year, and will do it again this year.

Of course interspersed in between all the mix there’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, and my sister-in-law’s birthday is the day before New Year’s Eve, so we finish out the season and year with celebrating her. Told you this time of year is crazy! It’s nice living back in the same state so we can get together in person to celebrate, though. Lots more fun than celebrating over the phone.

Plus, getting to see this kind of view (especially when I go out to visit my mom) is priceless:

Born and raised here in Washington State, I never truly appreciated getting to see Mt. Rainier on a regular basis until I moved to the east coast (NY and PA) and was gone from here for 16 years. Coming back, I marvel at getting to see all the mountain ranges driving around. I don’t think I’ll get tired of it (and certainly won’t take them for granted).

Speaking of not taking things for granted… Last week we lost a long-time fixture in our tiny town. Suzanne Smith ran her little espresso shack for over 20 years:

She always came up with awesome specialty drinks, and I always had to plan extra time to drive through and get her delicious coffees, because she was so much fun to talk to. She was kind and beautiful inside and out. She unfortunately had a massive heart attack a week or so ago, and sadly left this earth. I’ve been so busy I hadn’t had a chance to pay her a visit over the last month or so, and of course now I’m regretting that I didn’t make time to do so. She will be greatly missed.

Princess Nagger keeps nagging me about getting a brother for Reddington, now that he’s a solo dog. Apparently, whenever I’m gone, he howls heartbreakingly. He didn’t do that when he had Rolex to keep him company, and he doesn’t do that when anyone else is gone, just me. So I’ve been keeping an eye out for a puppy brother – I’m thinking I’d rather wait until spring so potty training will be easier, but we’ll see.

This weekend we moved the clocks back (I sure like getting that hour back!) and this hilarious sign was posted somewhere out east:

This is hilarious:

This cracked me up:

This is hilarious and perfect positioning:

This bat doesn’t look real, but it is:

This is hilarious:

This is also hilarious:

I bet the dog was miffed at the sudden burst of rain:

Look at the cute puppy:

Absolutely adorable:

This is hilarious:

And I’m just going to leave this right here for you:

That’s a wrap for this week – you know the drill, link up and join in the , everyone is welcome.

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4 Comments

  1. That view is priceless! Wonder how much slobber you and your siblings got on your cake with three of you blowing out candles? LOL! Your funnies are awesome today. Love the cuddly bat. Who woulda thought? And the permanent boop!

  2. You live in such a beautiful place, i want to come see mountains again.

    Great funnies, especially the catnip and the bat.

    Tell your son i wish him many happy returns of the day!

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