Only one carry-on allowed.

When I was eight years old, I started the third grade in a new school.  I was awkward and shy and to say I was scared was a severe understatement. 
My teacher, Miss Scarborough sat me behind a slightly chubby girl with long, dry hair and glasses.

Her name was Anne Cogan and she would become my first best friend.
Both of our parents were divorced and that instantly bonded us together.
An even more amazing turn of events happened when I found out that my dad's new girlfriend lived in the apartment right next to Anne and her mother.  And since my dad now lived with her...YEAH!!

Over the next few months, Anne and I shared everything.  Our deepest, darkest secrets, fears and dreams were revealed and not once was I ever afraid to share with her.  In fact, it was easy. 

Along the way we accepted two more into our little group.  Dawn Vaida (affectionately referred to as Darth Vader) and the on-again off-again member, April Hilbert.
Together we giggled, talked about boys and solved the ever increasing mysteries of McKinley Elementary School (all based on the Nancy Drew series of course!).

When 6th grade came along, we were all separated.  I had no classes with Anne or April.  Dawn moved to another district.    I struggled to make new friends in my classes and couldn't wait until lunch/recess when I could finally see my friends again.  April drifted away and two more were brought into our tiny circle.
Carrie and Edy. 
Carrie was in 7th grade but had grown up with Anne.  Edy was new and seemed pretty cool.  Our mystery solving days were fading away and discussions turned to boys, sex, drugs and lots of cursing (yep, here's where the behavior started folks.)
Some of my best memories are from my time on that patch of paved ground, and during our 2 mile walks home.
We always stopped at the York Peppermint Pattie factory to buy treats for the trip home. 

But before the end of the year was up we started drifting apart.  And then came the kiss of death in April.  My grandmother, mother and I moved to Manchester.

I made friends eventually but it was never quite as effortless as it had been with Anne. 

I saw Edy again as her family moved to the same district around the same time we did.  And I saw Anne once again when I was a senior but we didn't know what to say to one another by then.


This past week I took a day off of work to go along with my son's daycare on a field trip.  I watched them on the bus both to and from the Dutch Apple Theater.  They giggled, whispered and talked about things so freely. 
I watched my son and wondered if he had a friend like Anne was to me.

Worst of all, I wondered when that freedom was lost. 
As we become adults we begin to accumulate baggage.  It weighs us down with fear and becomes a sign to others to beware.

Wouldn't it be great if we could let that go?

In which I ponder...

I wonder if he is just as afraid of me as I am of him.

One score and 18 years ago...

My birthday has never been filled with much fanfare. 
The problem is...I've always wanted it to be.
And every year I was disappointed and let down.

So a few years ago I decided to let go of those expectations and just enjoy myself.  Even if that meant spending my birthday alone.

This year has been only slightly different so far.

Friday evening I spent the evening with two of my favorite people.
We had a few drinks, great conversation, and lots of laughs.
Of course this was after we made it out of 'The Deliverance Zone'.
The possibility of horrific tales was close but somehow we managed. 

So we ended up at a bar in down town York.  The waitress might have been a little green (or annoying to some), the animals were sharting, and I'm pretty sure I lost the snorting contest.  But we all blinked, so I know we are mammals.  Which is a good thing.

Saturday I spent the day recovering.  Thanks to copious amounts of alcohol and the fact that I am a woman, I ended up with a nice little migraine.  So I pretty slept all day.  But honestly, who gives a shit?  I certainly don't.  And it was a nice break to be able to sleep the day away without worrying about the consequences.
So after my headache was gone, I spent the evening catching up with some of my favorite sci-fi peeps in the Star Trek world, and eating some of my favorite candy. (Thanks Celena!!)

Today, Sunday, is my actual birthday.  I had big plans for today.  My past two birthdays I have fallen into a tradition.  I go to Border's and buy myself a book or two.  Books have sort of become a luxury item to me.  And although I do buy them from time to time throughout the year, it's really nice to treat myself to something that I might not normally spend the money on.
This year my target was another Brian Keene book.  For those who have never heard of him, he is an incredible horror author.  I can't say enough great things about the two books of his that I've read.  So I have been very excited to pick out at least one more for myself this year.  (Can you say nerd alert?)
But alas my plans were thwarted by the 'chapter 11' filing from Border's.  I was sure that the York store was safe, but when I showed up and the parking lot was literally buzzing I started to have my doubts.  And the signs on the windows confirmed my worst fear. 
Going out of Business.

Ugh!

But I decided to go in anyway.  I figured at the very least I might get a book on sale.  I scurried through the crowd to find the horror section.  And on my way there I realized that the line to check out was literally snaking through the store.
Not looking good.
But I pressed on.  I turned the corner only to see the 'K' section completely blocked by a large, sweaty freak of a man (who by the way was wearing 1970's shorts that were WAY too small for him).
I snuck around him hoping to lay my eyes on a 'Keene' section.
But what do I see instead?  Row after row of Stephen King books.

AUGH!!

Don't get me wrong, I love Stephen King.  But I didn't want another Stephen King book.  I've got plenty and some I haven't even read yet.

I slowly sulked my way back to my car and just headed home.  BOO!! 
How disappointing!

My only hope of redeeming this day was the second plan I had for myself. 
I was going to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2.
I know I know I know. 
I've already seen it.
But damn it...I wanted to see it again!
And so I did. 
Nothing like a seeing Voldemort die to bring my spirits up.

And now here I am, cooking myself dinner. 
I'll finish the evening with a little television or perhaps a movie on Netflix stream.
I'll wear my tiara, eat my animal crackers and drink a bit o' Raspberry sweet tea vodka.

I'll cherish the fact that my best friend gave me gifts that actually mean something. 
The most important being her company. 
And I'll hope that someday, someone will get me what I've always wanted.

Happy Birthday to me. 
Happy birthday to me. 
Happy birthday dear Jennifer. 
Happy birthday to me.