Only the Coolest Among Us Can Be Born on All Saints' Day

Thanks to all you spacers, callers, emailers, snail mailers, and texters out there who took time out of your busy days to say happy birthday! It was, indeed, my birthday (by now, yesterday... phew, thank goodness that's over), and I appreciate that you noticed... even though I kinda told ya here for the past week or so. I know I shouldn't, but I just can't help myself. I'm wrapped up in me like that, I reckon. I like my birthday. I like celebrating it. So, I talk about it every chance I get. I like to think it doesn't bother y'all too much. Thanks for letting me continue to live in my happy place.

Chili's brought me to a happy place tonight. The Boro has been expecting this new establishment for weeks/months now, and as I drove by yesterday, I noticed they were finally hanging the sign. Plus, Jon noticed lots of cars in the parking lot as he came by yesterday evening. So, we thought we'd drive by and see what was going on over there. Jon dropped me at the front door to go ask about the dealio. The greeter answered my "so when do you open?" with "Monday, November 5"; but the manager standing there with her decided to grace us with a preview of what I'm sure will be many meals to come. He said, "Come on in and eat with us tonight." So, we amble on in and find out that, in addition to having the privilege of dining in the brand-spanking new restaurant, we get our meals for free. It's training day. And evidently, no one pays on training day. I want to know how those other people all got it. Nobody told us about it or invited us to an invitation-only event. We just stumbled upon it, by gosh. They all probably had a reason to be there. Anyway, Shanghai Wings, Chicken Crispers, and Bacon Cheeseburger later, we were stuffed and thrilled with a zeroed-out check. We really wanted to give the waitress or the restaurant (whose alcohol sales -- the only thing they HAD to charge for -- were going to Saint Jude) something to compensate for our experience, the waitress let us know that they really weren't ready to take payments. So, could I please keep my money? LOL... the fiscally responsible side of me (that which is completely inherited from Dad, whom I knew would be thrilled to hear our entire dinner had been FREE) rejoiced... while the overly generous give-when-you-can side of me (even though she's not sooo fiscally irresponsible, she's definitely a little freer with the funds than Dad; so I'll assume this half-trait comes from Mama) was a little stricken. Luckily, Memaw called to wish me a happy birthday just as we were discussing the leave-a-tip, leave-'em'something options, so we were able to forego the whole thing and slip out while I was on the phone.

So... thirty-one is evidently a much sleepier age than thirty. I'll just be over here drifting off while you're reading...zzz...

Thanks again for the birthday wishes. Love you guys.

Oh, and one more thing... b/c it makes me smile. Cooper says, "Can we not... PLEASE?!"