Saturday, I turned 37 years old.  (Yeah, sounds shockingly close to 40.)  In the 10 or so days prior to my 37th birthday, I...

...got my first speeding ticket in 15 years and was informed by the Maryland state trooper who caught me doing 60 in a 40 (hey, it's a very big country road that should at least be 45 mph - really) that "there's not a road in St. Mary's County with a speed limit of 60 miles an hour."  But at least the generous trooper in mirrored sunglasses only ticketed me for 49 in a 40 - this time.  But never being able to go above 55 mph?!  Damn you, Texas, for your interstate highways and straight country roads - you're going to get me in trouble down here in southern Maryland!

...fell going down our stairs and bounced so hard I actually have a vague memory of being airborne.  My tailbone is still recovering.

...corresponded with faculty at two local colleges about pre-reqs I need to complete before enrolling in an intensive, year-long MAT (Master in the Arts of Teaching) starting summer 2012.

...marked one year since our last miscarriage, the second in under a year.  It's been a very quiet year on that front.  I know many of you wish I could tell you otherwise, but I've felt for awhile now that my life is not like a movie where this experience will be wrapped up all neatly like a sad, but short, side story to be quickly forgotten in the larger picture.  Of course, I don't know how it fits (God, I really don't know), but I'm certain it's pivotal.


The birthday itself was quiet but ended well.  Jeremy had to work, so Gideon and I "went to town" - library and grocery store.  Jeremy got home earlier than expected, carrying an even more unexpected birthday gift - a Kitchen Aid mixer.  We tried a new local Chinese place for dinner and had homemade (a team of three effort) red velvet cupcakes at home for dessert.  We plan to make an overnight excursion to D.C. next weekend.


As a belated birthday gift, I'd like everyone who reads this to leave a comment (even if it's six months from now), especially you blog-stalkers.  I'm not looking for birthday wishes, but just really want to know who my audience is out there, since I have only about three regular commenters and a handful of people who tell me they read, but never take the time to let me know.   Sometimes a girl just needs a little encouragement.

And, if you need some encouragement, well, I might just figure out one of those random name drawing thingies and reward one commenter with a little something from my sewing project stash.

Thanks for reading!