Psych!

Post-Washington: Day 230. And when you wonder what else could happen in 2020, this pops up...

Say what? That's not nice, 2020. Not funny either. Somebody is feeling old around here. And it's not just Jake Ryan!

Good thing I did the math. If Sixteen Candles came out in 1984 and assuming he was the same age as Sammy Baker Davis Jr., then he'd be my age. And ladies and gentlemen, that is not even close to 60. As we would've said then: Psych!

As I'd say now: Whew. That was close.

Let's concentrate on positive things in 2020. Mr. Austin has survived 230 days – about 33 weeks – with me mostly close by. Too close by.

C'mon hubby. We can get through the "crush" of 2020.

In the words of Mr. Baker: "That's why they call them crushes. If they were easy, they'd call 'em something else."

Signing off. The Donger, er Blogger, need food! 

Sweet and Soaked Sixteen

Even a hundred years ago when I was Carter's age, it was still a big deal to turn 16. And not just because Sixteen Candles was one of my favorite movies.

The age 16 is a huge step from stepping (aka walking) to driving. Not that everyone gets to actually test for their license on their birthday. Carter didn't.

Instead he spend another wet and chilly day at the ballpark. Due to our field conditions at "home," we actually had to travel up to Marathon for today's game. We were glad Lukas had some other plans with a few of his countrymen. It would have been torture if we forced him to sit through another dreary display. Especially how the game went.

Our lead-off batter Brady actually hit one out of the park to start the game so we were encouraged. Didn't do much scoring after that, though.

Carter did his share of base running but did not get an opportunity to cross home plate.

 Here he rounds third but is signaled to stay.

The final score ended up being a cold and drizzling 10-3 loss to still undefeated Marathon. Shoot.

We picked up Lukas on our way home and when Carter got home after 9, we had a quick birthday celebration for him. He'd already gotten dozens of birthday wishes, but we hadn't had our Birthday Pie yet!

Yup. Birthday pie! Lukas bought an apple pie last night since he had never seen an actual round pie – except in movies. So we threw on one big candle for Carter to blow out and then served it with some Schwan's cinnamon ice cream. Yum!

A great treat but not as great as Carter's ultimate TREAT. A new car! Well, new to him. I said we spent a LOT of money getting me a car so he could have (well, USE) the "old" Honda Civic. He was just going to have to be happy with that.

I think we was more excited about the light-up NBA key chain than the car. Of course, that's only because he doesn't have his license yet.

And because he's still a kid! 

And still my baby.

King of the hill

"You say it's your birthday. It's my birthday, too ..." That song, which I remember being performed by the "Geek" in Sixteen Candles (one of my favorite flicks), is so fitting when you have a twin! Happy birthday, Raylene!

We are both 39 today, still climbing that hill they talk about. I think my sister RoAnn said it best today when she told me to enjoy my year on top of the hill. Apparently when I hit 40 next year, I am over the hill. (That surprised me, coming from someone who turns 50 this year, RoAnn!)

I like the concept, though. I can be king of my own hill for the next year! What will I do with all this power?! I could treat this like New Year's and figure out what I can resolve to do or accomplish in the next year ... while I'm still young.

Frankly, I don't have to be young to accomplish things like "live clutter-free," "catch up on scrapbooking" or "fit into my clothes." I just have to resolve to do it. Make them a priority!

Not today, though. I'm using my "Get out of jail free" card ... my birthday pass. My only resolution today is to enjoy the aging process.

I love my birthday as an adult. I think it's because I always shared the birthday attention as a child. No offense, Raylene.

But I love today that there are balloons hanging over my desk for MY birthday. I love that people are stopping over for my "not quite older than dirt" cake for MY birthday. Tonight we're going out to eat with friends for MY birthday. Then I'll get some good-night hugs from my guys for MY birthday.

Next year, though, Raylene and I will hold hands and crest the tippy top of the "hill" together for OUR birthday! I can't face that one alone.