The Next Ace of Cakes? Okay, Probably Not.

As I mentioned earlier, I celebrated my birthday this weekend and I asked John to make me a birthday cake. It could be from a box and it could be any flavor he wanted. The only rule was that he had to buy, bake it and decorate it.

So off he went Saturday morning to the Jewel Osco to get his supplies. John hates going to the grocery store, so I fully expected a frantic call from him 20 minutes later mumbling about the 500 slightly different variations of chocolate cake mix they carry while he lay curled in a ball in the baking supplies isle.

But he was back about an hour later with the cake, frosting, decorative icing and candles. And the man did well, people! He got chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (possibly the best cake-frosting combination ever), green and yellow decorating icing (GO DUCKS!!) and enough novelty candles to burn down a small village. Actually, I'm not sure how I feel about that last one.

And here's the best part.......he bought the Reduced Sugar cake mix AND frosting! And if you don't know why this statement isn't even the slightest bit sarcastic, please refer to #5 here. Does he know me or what?!

It took everything in my being not to jump right into the kitchen with him and "help", but I think I showed incredible restraint. Instead I busied myself with taking pictures...

John was wary of the Kitchenaide at first, but was soon asking me if he could turn it up all the way to watch the batter fly out of the bowl.

Man, we keep a lot of junk on our countertops!

Can't you just smell the chocolate now?!?!?

Thumb print. Oops!

Frosting like a pro.

This is the point where I stopped watching because I wanted the finished product to be a surprise. And guys, look what it says!

372 Months

Yesterday I turned 372 months old. (That's 31, for those of you that aren't Good Will Hunting. Or have a calculator nearby.)

In years past, you would have been hearing about this for weeks.* Regular reminders and countdowns and what-not leading up to what I usually managed to stretch into a full birthday week, if not birthday month. But something weird happened this year. I just couldn't get myself psyched up when John or others mentioned it or asked me what I wanted.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those people that dreads getting older or lies about their age. I guess I just feel that after the 30th birthday, only the changing of decades really garners much hullabaloo.** You know, 40, 50, 60, etc. I mean, is there really much difference between 36 and 37? No so much. And to add to the lack of enthusiasm, my birthday fell on a Monday this year. Basically the worst day of the week to celebrate anything.

So yesterday was pretty much like any other day. I went to work and forgot my cell phone at home. Then had yoga class, where I managed to tweak my neck. (To which my mom very helpfully pointed out, "Maybe a 31-year old shouldn't be doing headstands." Thanks, Mom!) Then John and I walked the dog, made dinner and watched 24.

For those of you 20-somethings, take a look at your future birthdays. This is it. So party it up now.

That's not to say I didn't do ANYTHING. I still managed to do a little celebrating on Saturday, which I'll share with you now. Because thats the kind of generous person I am.

The Rock Wall
I started the day by tackling another goal on my Life List. I wanted to get certified to climb the rock wall at our gym. I won't go into detail, because I'll post a separate story later. Lets just say there are pictures. And bruises. And wedgies.

Mythos
That night we had dinner at this little Greek BYOB in Lincoln Square with some of my closest Chi-town friends. Large quantities of saganaki, lamb and wine were consumed and a great time was had by all.

John Baked a Cake
When John asked me what I wanted for my birthday this year, I told him I wanted him to make me a birthday cake and decorate it. This wouldn't seem like a large request, except that John has never baked anything in his life. (Not counting a different kind of baking he did in college.) Again, separate post to follow.

Beer
After dinner we headed to a nearby bar and proceeded to try to rid them of their entire premium draft supply. Lucky for everyone, I forgot to get out my camera for this portion of the night.

Presents!!!!!
I'm so lucky to have such generous and thoughtful friends and family. John once again was a gift-giving rockstar and got me an awesome cast iron skillet that I can't wait to use! And I'm so loaded up on beautiful jewelry and spa gift certificates from everyone that I feel like a Kardashian.

And thats about it! Thanks to everyone that has sent me birthday wishes and helped me celebrate my continued existence! I love you all!


*I realize this blog didn't exist in years past. I'm older, not dumb.

**God bless Google for helping me spellcheck the silly words I like to use.

My Life List - 2010 Edition

A year or two ago several of my friends told me that they were creating a "30 Things To Do Before I'm 30" list. And I, of course, decided I needed one too. (What can I say, I'm part lemming. I think it was on my maternal great-grandmother's side.)

The problem was that my 30th birthday was only about a year away and my list was pretty ambitious. By the time my I hit the big 3-0, I had only accomplished 7 of the list items. That's when I decided to turn it into a "Life List" (AKA a "Bucket List", but I hate that name).

I'm continuously marking off items as I accomplish them - this blog was one - and adding new goals as I think of them. They can be as simple and short-term as attending one of the movies in the park that Chicago holds every summer (accomplished Summer 2008) to swimming with dolphins (not yet, but let me know if you're friendly with some dolphins that might like to hang out with me).

The problem I came across a couple of months ago is that I keep adding really grandiose items that take time, money or a combination of the two. Things that will most likely not happen in the immediate future. Things like trips to Africa or completing a marathon. So I decided that, in order to stay motivated, I needed to identify the things on my list I could complete within the year. And that is how I come up with "My Life List - 2010 Edition".

I'm not going to give you the full 2010 list (a girl has to maintain a modicum of mystery), but here are a few goals:

1. Get completely out of credit card debt. - This was a big one and something I've been working on for a few years. And I'm so happy to say that I'm only 1-2 payments away from it actually happening!!

2. Take tennis lessons. - I'm signing up for a 3-week class in May. If you're in Chicago and want to take it with me, let me know.

3. Donate to at least 5 separate charities. - I can't believe this one is already done! I'll admit that the amounts I've contributed don't exactly compare with Bill & Melinda Gates, but it feels great to support wonderful organizations like Children's Memorial Hospital, United Way, Red Cross Haitian Relief Efforts, and National Public Radio (NPR).

I'll let you know as I continue to check things off my list. But in the mean time, what's on your list?