this post needs some wine!

 I almost didn't write this post today. In fact, here it is 11:00 p.m. and since I usually 

post on Mondays, I'm quite late. My emotions are quite flighty right now, knowing Tim

is moving out on Friday. Not only that, but I'm a little panicky about him getting

 everything done. He hasn't even started packing; he has to pick up his drum set

 (lots of pieces!) from his friend's house and he doesn't have a truck, so it means lots

 of trips with a car...and speaking of cars, his old Honda is in pieces all over our garage.

 He has taken on the task of doing all his own repairs lately, which is great. I commend

 him for that. He teaches himself by watching youtube videos. Well, his latest project

 has been to replace the heater core, timing belt, and head gasket. It's been nothing

 but one problem after another. He's had friends helping him and Brian even had a 

mechanic friend come over the other night and help Tim out a little bit. 

Insert cute picture to break up the monotony...

 This morning I went through my usual routine and did a little housework, but I was

restless and tweaking and knew getting out of the house would do me some good.

I should've just went for a walk in the State Park, but I needed a few groceries so I

headed up to Trader Joes. I had emailed Brian at work beforehand and asked what

he needed. It was just a few produce items. I only needed a few items myself. Oh, ho

ho, I kill myself. Who buys just a few items at Trader Joes?! I don't think I've ever

gotten out of there without spending about $100. The really bad part about this? I 

hadn't seen Brian's line in the email that said the balance in our checking account was

only $78. AND, to make matters worse, I also went to Goodwill and bought a few

things. Talk about GUILT! I felt like such a dolt. We have a little bit of money in savings

that we can roll over to cover my "mishap", but that savings is supposed to be for

Tim's schooling. Double stab in the heart. Guess this is what I get...I got caught in

an unexpected torrential downpour when leaving Trader Joes with a cart full of 

groceries. The drowned rat look is not attractive. My pissed off look says it all.

Enough of that - on to better stuff. The party for Tim on Saturday went pretty well.

I was disappointed that an aunt and uncle had other plans so couldn't come; and

another aunt and uncle were sick, so backed out at the last minute. And please don't

tell me I'm not the only one who obsesses over the house being perfectly clean and

presentable before having company, but then realizes how silly that is when your

house is pretty much in shambles within an hour? Since we had so much food, Tim

called some of his friends to come over. There went the leftovers!

I had mentioned in my last post that Saturday was also my birthday. I got

cards from family and friends, and cash from Brian and my mom since I'm saving for
a camera lens (Tim gave me his first DSLR since he has a nicer camera now), but
that's about where the excitement ended. No going out for dinner or anything because
 of the party, and no one ever bakes me a cake. (OMG, I just realized this post sounds

incredibly whiny!) I'm just trying to explain how my birthday usually isn't a big deal...

last year was because I turned the big five-oh.

BUT.

Brian and I were taking a break from party prep on Saturday. We were sitting at the

kitchen table playing a few games of Backgammon. We heard the cats making

some noise in the living room, so we went to investigate. I heard a voice at the

door saying, "Hi Brian, it's Melanie's friend, Penny!" I couldn't believe it...it was none

other than Penny from At Home in English Valley! She decided to pay me a surprise

visit for my birthday and came bearing a gift...

I had admired this vintage parsley keeper jar that I saw on Penny's blog and had

made a comment that, "If I were with you, I would've fought you for this!" I am 

actually tearing up just writing about this...how loving of a gift is this when you admire

something that someone else has, so they give it to you? And tucked in the jar was

a gorgeous blue and white Laura Ashley tablecloth that I had also admired on her blog.

 I'm using the jar on my countertop to hold onions and garlic - love it!

And if you will please excuse my lousy, temporary centerpiece ~ 

the tablecloth is just beautiful in my kitchen. Thank you, again Penny -

you are such a blessing in my life!

Oops, can't forget that Tim and his friend gave me bottles of wine for my 

birthday. Wine is always good. Goes well with my whine. Thanks for reading

and indulging me if you got this far.