Friday, or the beginning of my birthday week

Yesterday, Friday the 13th, was the beginning of my birthday week. My Mom had the kids overnight, and after stopping at the gym and coming home to shower, Dave and I went out for the evening. Normally, whenever the kids sleep over at my Mom's, we are so focused on the Alone Time that we are going to get to have that we don't leave our house. But I wanted to go paint ceramics at Get Fired Up, and Dave was very nice to go along with me. We went to dinner first at Harbor City Diner, which is right by our house, and if you live in Brevard, you should give it a try. They have really, really good food. I got the chicken soulvaki platter, which comes with a very delicious Greek salad. Dave got his usual, the French dip and french fries (he's very cultured) which made me happy because then I got to steal some of his fries. They have one of those cake refrigerators, with the cakes and pies that rotate in the glass case? So we ordered two pieces to go, one German chocolate for me, and one Triple Chocolate for Dave. After the monstrous portions we had for dinner, we needed to wait a while before indulging in the cake (which by the way, I had some last night, and there was still more than enough to give each of the kids a piece that they could never hope to finish). After dropping the cake off at our house, we went to Get Fired Up. We have not been there together in years (like, probably at least 5?) and we had a relaxing evening. Dave painted an F-something fighter plane? I don't know; he could tell you the exact name. He is going to give it to Jonathan, and I started work on an Ariel mermaid for Anna. I wanted to paint her hair blonde to look like Anna, but Dave suggested that this might anger her. I think he's right. She would probably say, Not Princess Mermaid! I can just picture her throwing it down on the floor in anger, and it smashing into a hundred pieces. So I went with Rocket Red for her hair. I really enjoyed our evening together, and I am so happy to be married to someone that I love to spend time with.
Saturday, the second day of my birthday week, is not proving to be quite as fabulous, but still good. I woke up early (and was very, very tired) and went to a VBS meeting for church. But like all things with our church, even though I had to drag myself there, I left feeling positive and glad that I went. Not that I always have to drag myself to church stuff. I just mean that even if I don't feel like going, I always leave with the same happy feeling every time. It's just a good place to be. After the meeting, I had to go grocery shopping. I was alone! At Publix! By MYSELF! To me, this is about as good as a pedicure. I came home and made a really, really yummy new recipe. A barbeque chicken pizza. The sauce was made of raspberry preserves, chipotle chiles and BBQ sauce. It had red onions and pineapple on it, and was smothered in mozzerella and shredded parmesan. We had mango salsa and chips and fresh pineapple on the side. It was really GOOD! A combination of sweet and spicy hot, which is my favorite! Now I am making some Turtle Bars and Bean Salad for tomorrow's Father's Day party at my Mom's house. (I will have to give up one day of my birthday week for Father's Day festivities.)
Later I am going to float in the pool with a yummy drink and read my book. I am suddenly wanting to sunbathe, which is very strange. I have never been the type to lay out. Even as a teen, I was very sensible with the sunblock. I guess I just feel like I never feel well, so I might as well indulge in a little self-destructive behavior anyways. (Yes, I really do think tanning is a self-destructive behavior.) I had better stop thinking about it before I talk myself out of it. Of course, I will keep my face well protected. I don't want to get all wrinkly.