Whirlwind Weekend

Where do I begin? How about Friday. How about spending far too long at a conference for work on my birthday. Try 8 hours. Sounds like a typical work day right? Well this conference just kept going and going and going. Maybe because I needed so desperately to just get to Friday night, ie. my birthday party, ie. the most fun I've had in such a long time.

No really.

Came home to my favorite Island girl and my brother all but waiting on me when I returned from my all day event. Showered and came out to roses from Mr. Perfect, and more people continuing to come through my door. My co-teacher, also make-up artist for MAC, did my make-up and my shopping had proven to be successful earlier in the week. Everyone looked hot and we headed out for a long night on the town.

Things went by quickly, but here's a quick re-cap: first stop, cute bar off the main strip that wasn't too crowded until our eleven person entorage showed up. I walk in the door, some of our party was already there and already ready to order me a beverage of choice. I knew it would be a great night from there. After a few hours here, we began walking down the strip to find a girl shouting at us to come in for free cover and free shots at the bar for the birthday girl, etc! I love being famous. Had our free shots, plus another select few and then headed out again. This time for dancing. And we danced and danced and drank and danced. My younger brother managed to find his way into the middle of a group of thirty year olds dancing, my beautiful heels managed to be pryed off of my dying feet, and the dj managed to announce it was my birthday, along with three other girls there. No matter, it was fantastic. What a birthday. It was everything I had wanted it to be.

The next morning, however, was not what I wanted it to be. Not feeling the least bit sick, thanks to the brother's remedy of late night taco bell, we all had to get up and pack up for the trip back home. Our grandmother's funeral was late Saturday and the burial took place on Sunday. Talk about polar opposite emotions Saturday night from those had Friday night. I couldn't keep myself from crying... a lot. My whole family seemed to feel that way. It was really hard. Then again, it was good to be with family. Even those I really have trouble caring about because they don't care about themselves. I know everyone has them. All of my cousins of course were in full force. I had friends show up to show respect and not allow me to completely fall apart. I feel like I did okay for the most part. I kept saying last night that I was ready for a new week. A positive beginning.

So, here we are. Still focusing on Friday night and trying to keep from concentrating on our sad weekend, I'm very thankful for my friends. New or old, my hometown girls or my city friends, all made my birthday special or held me up when I needed them most. I didn't know I could have as much fun again as I had on Friday. I thought they were gone with the college life. Alas, the city night brings a new light. Especially when your party is eleven people deep. I'm ready to go out and do it again. However, my Mr. Perfect's bar tab at stop number 1 was $70, thanks to your's truly, and there were two more stops after that... so he's probably okay with waiting a little while. At least until another payday.

And the Wait is Over.

At 3:45 this afternoon my grandmother passed away. I didn't know about it until after work when I called home to check in around 6. I cried all the way home, went and sat on my back porch alone and cried some more, simply taking in the cool breeze and the silence. I feel it hasn't fully set in and probably won't until I'm actually home surrounded by others who feel the way I'm feeling. The ironic part of it is that my mom said that this morning she actually had looked better. You know, more color, a little less "living dead" as she had been when I saw her Saturday. Her blood pressure, however, was something like 78/36. She warned me that it was probable by the end of the day, but I still wasn't prepared when she actually spoke the words. 

Another irony, today had been a really good day for a Wednesday. You know how my typical Wednesdays are. Well, today the children were relatively well-behaved, I had my favorite sub with me and we pretty much laughed all day, and I was productive, getting a lot of work actually accomplished. I was pretty proud of myself and feeling rather peaceful. More so than previously this week. Maybe that should've been my sign. 

At least it wasn't on my birthday right? From the looks of things now, hopefully the funeral won't fall on my birthday either. Hopefully, I'll be taking home a dose of a fun night out to keep me going throughout the remainder of the weekend. My brother says we should still go out Friday. I'm hoping things will settle within me and I'll be able to enjoy what I've been looking so forward to. We're trying for a positive Friday so we can make it through the negative Saturday and Sunday. Yay. Happy Birthday to me. 

Anyway, I'm just filing through many emotions at the moment. Hurt, Guilt, Anger, Sadness, Exhaustion.. all things that I'm sure anyone feels during this time. I could've held a few less grudges, I could've cared a little less about the late birthday cards, I could've been a little less distant, I could've been a little less selfish all around I suppose. 

Coulda, woulda, shoulda... Isn't that the way it always goes? I've really struggled tonight, but I'm a tough one. At least I can make myself seem that way. It should be quite the emotionally diverse weekend. I'll keep you posted. 

Love, Laughter, and the Pursuit of New Fashion

Well contradicting my last post entirely... I've decided and made known to those living around me that all I want for my birthday, all I really want, is a party. I want a night out of fun with all of my new city friends with a few old ones thrown into the mix. And flowers. I want flowers. But mainly I want a party to celebrate your's truly.

With this decision however, comes the task of finding new clothing to wear to such an event. I've already started talking it up, in true Classy style, so I have to now find something fantastic to wear out for the festivities taking place. What does this mean? SHOPPING!

You guessed it! And this is the way I've laid it out for myself... I'm in a new city away from the majority of my friends for the first time on a birthday. I'm also in a new job where I'm making more money than I've ever made on previous birthdays. I'm also celebrating downtown with a group of people and Mr. Perfect. This means... "it's my birthday present to me! I'm so happy!" Splurging every now and again for yourself can't be too terrible for you. Right? Right.

I'll let you know how it goes. I've gone round one with no success.. Nothing catchy enough. But never fear, I will not give up. I suppose that round two of this mission will take place this weekend in between scheduled nothingness. I'm looking foward to it. I believe Diva and maybe even Ditzy might be joining me at least on Saturday. It will be the first time that dear Ditzy has come out this way... could be interesting. Could be painful. We'll see.

Don't worry Roxie, I'll be missing you. Plenty.

Classy's Birthday List

Can we first talk about how awesome this cake is? This is now at the top of my list. A birthday cake like this one. Get on it.

But really...Okay, let's talk about this. I have a birthday coming up in a little under two weeks. This is both exciting and tragic at the same time. I just want to lay out what I have on my list this year and then talk about comparisons with years past... thus leading to the tragedy of it all. Follow along..

For entering into the 23rd year of my life, I wouldn't mind receiving the following:

1) Spending it with bests I know I won't be able to be with. (sigh).

2) Lamps I've been eyeing at Target.

3) Patio furniture for my pretty screened in porch that currently has nothing on it but two bicycles.

4) A large bookshelf.

5) My college diploma framed nicely.

6) Various other items of home decor that I would like to be residing in my home.

7) What Happens in Vegas & Sex and the City on DVD

8) A larger dvd tower to hold such dvds since my mother tells me I have more movies than the average stiletto.

9) Lastly, new clothes, shoes, or money to be spent on either would be much appreciated.

Now, let's compare.

What I wanted for entering into the 21st or even the 22nd year of my life:

1) Money (didn't have to request the presence of my bests because they were already there).

2) Clothes and shoes or money to be spent on either.

3) I'm sure a cd or dvd of current interest.

4) Alcohol.

5) Clothes.

6) Money.

Okay, let's be real... I'll always be okay with money for my birthday. Who would turn down spare cash, not this one. But let's just take a minute to reflect on the rest of my lists... mainly how badly I simply want my friends to be around or how the majority of my list this year revolves around lamps, patio furniture, art, and decorative pillows for my couch! Honestly! I'm so lame! But this is where I am in my life... deep breath... I'm coping. That hole I was referring to in my last blog... this adulthood thing... I continue to be reminded of it.

Good news. I get to be told how lame I am by my favorite younger brother tomorrow. I am taking advantage of my day off and driving up the interstate to spend the afternoon with him. It's been a while since we've shared quality time together, it should be entertaining. It usually is. QT with him is good for my soul. Maybe I'll start the new work week off in a good mood. Let's get back to being up beat again, shall we?

Ready. Set. GO!