My birthday on Friday was the usual crappy day as always. I don’t know why, but I have learned that my birthday itself will always suck. It’s okay though, Emily made it up to me on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday we went to Marion/Carbondale and got her some shorts and a few other items at Target. My Lord the woman loves her Target. Saturday night the kids stayed with Aunt Jennifer at a hotel so that they could swim and have a fun excursion. Em and I went to eat at Lone Star (my choice) and then went to play mini-golf. Despite her whining about going, she remarked “This is fun.” at one point. The local min-golf joint isn’t impressive, but I wanted to go. Then we went up to the Jaycees and relaxed with the guys for a bit.

Sunday we got wild and I took her to Bob Evans for breakfast. After going to uncle Bob’s, we hit up Lowe’s and got some supplies to paint the kitchen cabinets. Em picked out a maroon-brick red. I don’t get it, but whatever makes her happy. Then craziness ensued as we purchased groceries at Kroger. We’re some wild ones.

Then we picked up the kids and came home. Sounds pretty lame looking back at it typed out, but I swear we had fun.

Today I took the morning off. I thought someone had to be home when Terminix did the termite treatment, but I was wrong. It was nice to have the morning off.

When I went into work, there were a few things to do. THEN my day blew up. I was running from the time I got there until I left. I got most everything done, though. Never fails, every time I take some time off everyone and their mom calls.

I did get some yummy deer jerky courtesy of one of my cube-mates. It is yummy.

We get to wear jeans tomorrow, yay.

Well, thanks to the rain and crappy weather, I now have a cold. Congestion, coughing, fever, and tired. It’s a lovely combination to have in the spring.

On the positive side, I did get to hang with Jim on Friday. Tonight I ran into Andrew at the store. I heard someone call my name as I was walking to the car, but figured I was hearing things. Then he called my full name and I turned around. There he was. Haven’t seen him in 10 years and run into him by chance while buying a PC mouse. Huh.

Tomorrow night I’m taking Drew up to the Jaycee’s meeting with me. Maybe he’ll make some contacts and get everything back together. He just moved back from Atlanta to here.

Last night was awesome and awful at the same time. The evening started great as Em and I had a great dinner, and then went to play poker at the Jaycee’s building with Kevin and some of his buddies. Then Jim came up and all was fun.

THEN Kevin’s wife calls and wants him to come home because there’s a tornado watch. Now we live in tornado alley, so we’re all thinking “pfffftttthhhtttt”. Then his sister calls, and then his wife again. So we call the game on account of wife, and he bolts. Then Em decides that we should go get the kids.

By now the rain is torrential. So we get to Jennifer’s and get the kids, and come home and watch the weather coverage. By about 12:30 things have calmed a bit and we all went to bed.

Surveying the damage this morning, there’s a lot of tree barf (small limbs, etc.) and standing water. Nobody got blown away that I know about today.

The pictures are the promised ones from the kids playing in the mud.

Today we relaxed, went to the department store and drove around looking for a new Haunted House for the Jaycees. We had Bob Evans for lunch, and the kids had fun with bendy straws.

Early evening, we took the kids to Jennifer’s for a sleepover. They were all excited and covered in mud within 10 minutes. I’m still amazed how entertaining throwing rocks into a creek can be to them. Pictures to come later.

Em and I then went to the 9th Street grill to eat. OMG! They have the best food ever. I don’t know how they season their steaks, but it was sweet and grill-y all at the same time. Tender, juicy, and just outright amazing. Also, they have this sauce they call “False Alarm”. I just thought it was a play on five-alarm, but it isn’t. It tastes like it’s going to be hot and then isn’t. Truly it is a false-alarm. If you’re nearby, TRY IT!

Now we are heading up to the Jaycees to play some poker and relax. I’m only taking $15, so hopefully I won’t regret it in the morning. I’ll let you know how it goes.