Birthday blues...pity party warning!

It was my birthday yesterday. My birthday usually passes quietly with little fuss. (much to my despair)
Don't get me wrong, I hate being the centre of attention but on my birthday I always wish I felt a bit more special. I suppose I haven't really asked my family to make it more special but for me it's one of those things that just aren't the same if you have to ask. (like valentines day)

I received one card for my birthday, just one. My children did remember to wish me a happy birthday. My beloved Mr. B gave me chocolates and a chiller/cooler bag that has been on my 'wish' list. To be fair Mr. B never forgets my birthday and usually gives me a lovely card but he hasn't had much time to himself starting his new job.

Maybe I just have the Winter blues but I still felt a bit disappointed with my 'special' day.
I spent yesterday at home doing housework and playing around on my computer. My online friends and family made my day special by inundating my facebook page with birthday wishes. My thanks to them all.

One other person that made my day special was my ex mother in law. We still get on well and my son stays with her during the school week. I never expected a gift from her (I don't think she gave me one last year) so it was a great surprise when she handed me a lovely gold gift bag with two boxes inside.
This is what she gave me....

Aren't they just divine? I love them to pieces. I know where she bought them so may just have to go in and see what other matching pieces are available! I love that the little spoon in the sugar bowl is made of china as well.

The one card I received was from ex mother in law.
We had cake and coffee in the afternoon and that passed as my birthday cake. Since I am trying to lose weight I suppose I shouldn't care that nobody organised a birthday cake for me at home but I did.
Oh well next year I'll organise my own I guess. End of pity party, it's still good to be alive.

wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen

How did that happen?......

My baby girl turned 18 today. I am sure all parents can relate to my question of how did that happen?
It only seems like yesterday she was a baby in my arms, a busy toddler playing dolls and dress ups or building trains and lego. I missed puberty as she was living with her father at that time. She returned home to me as a fully fledged teenager at age 14. Kate has always been old for her years and a very unique individual.

She celebrated her 18th in her own individual style today, an outing to the second hand bookshop where she enjoyed a big spending spree on foreign language books. Kate has Aspergers syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. Obsessions are a characteristic of the disorder and Kate has had various obsessions throughout her life, foreign languages being the latest and most long lasting. (She has studied various languages over the last several years and speaks Japanese and Indonesian)

Kate's birthday cake was a plain old madeira cake as per her request. The rest of the family did enjoy a more traditional birthday cake! We are not big on parties but birthdays always involve getting together as a family and sharing cake. As fitting to the occasion Kate and I shared a Midori cocktail. I'm not sure she was impressed. I suppose she will eventually find an alcoholic drink she does enjoy but I trust she has enough sense to drink responsibly.

I wish for my darling daughter as I do for all
sunshine in your shadows (Happy Birthday darling)
Helen

Happy Birthday Sam

A day late and a dollar short as they say! My baby boy turned 14 yesterday. I was feeling unwell yesterday though so the post is a day late. I'm proud of my son, he is growing into a fine young man.
I know all mothers are biased but it never ceases to amaze me that Sam is such a well mannered young fellow.
It must be so - his teachers tell me it is!

Whilst it's a lean year this year financially we still managed a card and a couple of small gifts and a chocolate mud cake. Sam was one happy boy.
Being on the autism spectrum means Sam likes routine and sameness in his life. Every year I ask what kind of cake he would like for his birthday and every year he smiles and says just a chocolate mud cake mum.
Happy Birthday Sam - never forget mum loves you!
always wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen