Susan is Sixty

Happy birthday to my amazing mother, who is 60 years young today.  She is a remarkable woman of many attributes, many of which I take after.  Most notably, one of her nicknames is Little General (my Grandma Huber was famously known as The General) and I have been, on more than one occasion been dubbed the Little Little General, a title which I wear proudly.  Otherwise, nothing would ever get done!

Smart Susi:  Mom always points out how smart she was for pointing to the camera man

Small Susi

Awesome bangs on Sophomore-in-high-school Susi

Saved by the Susi:  the College Years

So-excited-to-get-this-warm-up-suit-Susi

 Some more S words to describe my mom:
Stubborn, Self-sacrificing, sarcastic, sassy, sleepy, sedentary, strong, secretarial, sea hag, senile, short, seriously gullible (the Little Haubstadt Bakery, mom?  Really?), sociable, spotted, sour-loving, superhuman, supportive, scholarly, seamstress, sports fan, selfless.

She's also an amazing cook, and it's too late at night for me to come up with a synonym that starts with S.

Happy birthday, Mama B!  Love you!

Happy birthday to...

Yes, it happens to be my birthday today, 31 and proud of it, but I also share this day with many other noteworthy characters:

• Nelly (37 today... boy, now if THAT doesn't make me feel old as he was in his prime during my college glory days!)
• Cookie Monster (42 today)
• Dr. Noemi Lugo, my college voice professor
• Daniel Boone
• Carter Beauford, drummer for the Dave Matthews Band (54 today)
• Ricky Martin (The Big 4-0 today)
• David Schwimmer (45 today)
• Marie Antoinette

I don't believe I see cookies in my future tonight, but perhaps a nice piece (I almost said slice, but I really hate that word) of chocolate cake would satiate my sweet tooth!

Thirty, Flirty & Thriving

A couple of my favorite gal pals turned 30 this past spring, and they also happen to be some of the best party planners I know.  These fabulous ladies threw themselves the most amazing 30th birthday parties, and I'm just glad I got to celebrate with them, especially considering I was vomiting with food poisoning on the night I was supposed to celebrate my 30th 21st birthday!

Miss Mary Anna Brown, aka Queen MAB turned 30 on April 12th.  That weekend, she hosted a group of friends by booking us a hotel suite in Midtown.  We noshed on appetizers and wine while we got all dolled up, and then had an excellent dinner at Sunset Grille.  After dinner we frequented a few bars including the Tavern, and Broadway Brewhouse  (mmmm, Bushwackers!).  If only the tattoo parlor had been open just a wee bit later, someone might have got a new piercing that night!  It was funny trying to explain to the cabbie who took us home why we were from Nashville but staying in a hotel.  He was a different ethnic background, and so I feel some of it was just lost in translation!  You would think that was the end of the night, but wait, there's more!  Our hostess with the mostess thought of everything.  We put on our jammies, and MA opened her gifts, then we capped off the evening with champagne and cupcakes. 

the birthday celebrating night-owls

Former roommate Stephanie turned 30 on May 21st.  Steph planned a spectacular visit to Nashvegas to celebrate her big birthday.  She came into town on a Friday afternoon where she picked me up, and we drove south to Lawrenceburg, Tennessee to spend the night with Argo.  I made Steph an awesome mix cd, titled "Steph & Da:  the UK years" with all of our favorite songs from college, so we jammed to that with the convertible top down on our drive.  I was fascinated to learn that the horrible cicadas that plagued Middle Tennessee at this time did not inhabit Lawrenceburg, and so we were able to enjoy a festive cookout at the house that night with several new friends. 

A funny street sign in Lawrenceburg- the corner of First and First

The Nexus of the Universe (you fellow Seinfeld fans will love this.)

Me, Steph & Argo with our "mascot," Dozier

On Saturday we drove downtown to yet another Nashville hotel to celebrate Steph's birthday. Likewise, this birthday hostess provided beverages for us to sip as we got dressed and ready before the limo picked us up. That's right, a limo. We had champagne during our ride around Nashville until it was time to make our dinner reservation at Sambuca. 

Here's to being "thirty, flirty, & thriving"

 "29 Until Further Notice"

Steph had these amazing cocktail napkins for us

One of the funniest things I thought about our dinner at Sambuca was that every single one of us ordered a pizza (except for Steph who got some kind of sea bass- not the mutated kind, though).  I wondered why we bothered to go to a swanky restaurant if all we wanted was pizza!  The live band sang happy birthday to Steph, and we obligingly sang along, much to the dissatisfaction of the other diners, I'm sure.

The former Sugar Shack Girls reunite

After dinner, we hit The Big Bang piano bar, and then Paradise Park on the LoBro strip.  (I love how two different weekends going out in Nashville can be two totally different scenes.)  As much fun as the evening was, I was ready to call it a night, and ready to see my little guy the next day.

These two ladies are as smart and witty as they come.  I guess that's why they were wise to befriend yours truly.  We sassy ladies tend to move in packs, you know.  MA and Steph are each well-versed in planning spectacular shindigs, and so I am thankful to have taken part in two amazing weekends celebrating their fabulosity.

Toy Story 3rd Birthday Party

This year I didn't do a big party, but invited family and close friends the Reeds over to celebrate Bradley turning 3 years old.  I purchased a couple of decorations from Party City, and used the mantle to display all of Bradley's Toy Story figurines and action figures.  Laura and Mom made us a Mexican fiesta spread of quesadillas, rice, beans, pico de gayo, and fresh guacamole.

The birthday boy enjoyed his dinner.  Andrew & Alesia's little 8 month old Jackson, and he was the best baby!  He sat in the high chair and ate puffs (aka Baby crack) while we stuffed ourselves with Mexican, and then was content to play with the ribbons from Bradley's presents.  I love the picture of Bradley and Ya-ya (Sandy).

For one of his gifts, Bradley was presented with his first baseball glove from Papa

He also got several puzzles since that's one of his favorite things to do right now, as well as a water table, new bedding, a Superman figure, and a Fischer Price Stand and Play race track that's really cute.

Jackson playing with the ribbon

Laura & George got Bradley a set of Toy Story figures that he was very excited about.  (Isn't Lu tres fashionable in her nod to Victoria Beckham with her birthday hat?)

The cake was a point of contention between me and my sister. This one came from Publix. I wanted to make a box mix and decorate it myself, however, I was coerced into buying one.  After tasting the expensive Publix cake, I determined I must have cheap taste because I would rather have Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines any day!  Bradley liked the icing and Buzz & Woody figures on top, so I guess that's all that matters.

Shoveling in the cake and ice cream

I ordered Bradley this adorable shirt on Etsy for his birthday

The party guests (Left to Right):  Tim, Dad, Parker, Sandy, Alesia, George, Mom, Bradley, Me, Jackson, & Laura

Bradley & Papa

Happy Birthday, Bradley!  Here's to celebrating more birthdays to infinity and beyond!

Happy 3rd Birthday

Bradley is officially 3 years old today.  Time flies, and all that other cliche stuff.  We had a Toy Story themed birthday party for him last night, and didn't get him to bed til 10 o'clock, so I didn't even think about trying to go through pictures or get a blog done last night.  Tonight after putting him to bed, I had high hopes for myself, and for the waning DivaDomain.  Alas, editing and organizing said birthday party photos took up my entire evening, and now I am spent!! 

There just are not enough hours in the day.  So the party will have to be recapped later.  Here are a few shots from today, because if I don't at least get something posted now, I fear I never will!

Carrying on my family's tradition of putting a present on Bradley's bed to open first thing in the morning on his birthday- this was a set of 3 dinosaur puzzles.

 Eating leftover birthday cake and ice cream in his birthday t-shirt I ordered from Etsy.

 Bradley & Grandma B

 Bradley & mommy

 The new bedding I got for B from Target.  He's also wearing new pjs from Aunt Conley...

 ... and proudly displaying the pillow that Ya-ya (Sandy) made for him

 Putting a band-aid on Buzz Lightyear's boo-boo.  We're all about the boo-boos these days.  It's a hot topic for conversation, and many a boo-boo, both genuine and fictitious, have been doctored up with a brightly colored band-aid. 

We go for his 3 year check up tomorrow, so I will post the official stats soon.  Happy birthday, B!  Becoming a mom 3 years ago has changed me, and made me a better person.  Having you was the most unexpected blessing I have ever been given, and even though I'm 30 and still don't know what career path suits me best, I know one thing:  being a mom is the best job I never knew I wanted. 

Celebrating my sister

My baby sister is officially in her late 20's. She turned 27 on May 1st. To celebrate, I met up with her and a group of her friends and coworkers on Friday for dinner and drinks at the Brewhouse, and then went to a classy cool springs establishment called Losers, where I aptly "lost" my debit card. We sang, we danced, we tried on Leah's designer shoes, and we conversed with the "regulars."

On Sunday morning, on Laura's actual birthday and the one-year anniversary of the great Nashville floods, we braved the torrential rains to go to a swanky spot in Franklin called "55" for brunch. It's a southern-seafood-Cajun-type place. Oddly enough, this is where Laura ate last year for her birthday too, before we knew just how bad the flooding would get, so it was a bit eerie to be there again this year with all of the continual rain and storms we've been having.

Laura & George shared some kind of oyster appetizer while I tried not to look. Then they got seafood-poached egg- blah-blah-blah for breakfast- more food that I won't eat. Mom and I ordered the french toast and the bacon & cheese quiche, which were both amazing, but I honestly could have done with bigger portions on both. I wish I had taken pictures of the food because the presentation was very nice. For dessert they brought Laura a heaping ice cream sundae that had chocolate sauce and nuts poured over the outside of the glass, and ice cream-cake-chocolaty-yumminess on the inside. That I DID remember to take a picture of. Note to self: take Bradley to more seafood restaurants. The crackers on the table kept him busy!

After brunch, and opening her presents at the house, I went down to the Hill to help Laura organize her closet while Bradley napped. I DO love a good organizational project! For dinner we went to the Olive Garden, and finished the evening with some homemade strawberry birthday cake back at the Murdoch place.

Laura & Bradley

 Sisters being silly

 Birthday girl with mom & dad

 the Birthday Ween

 Blowing out her candles on the homemade strawberry cake- a combo of Paula Deen & Sandra Lee's recipes

I was happy to have spent so much time with Lu this weekend. Now we have a month reprieve from birthdays until my favorite little guy turns 3 next month. Holy cow, I cannot believe I am about to be able to say, "I have a 3 year old!" Time sure does fly when you're having fun, (or when you have a boring 8 to 5 job).  Happy 27th, little Sis!

Queen MAB's birthday celebration

The ever fab Queen MAB hit the big 3-0 this week, and to celebrate, she threw herself one dang good party.  She rented a hotel suite in downtown Nashville, and provided her guests with wine and snacks while we hung out and got ready on Friday afternoon after work.  Then we drove over to Sunset Grill for a 7:30 pm dinner, shared her yummy birthday dessert, and regrouped at the hotel before cabbing it over to the trendy Tavern bar in Midtown.

We ordered a cab for 8, but somehow I ended up sitting on the floor, and holding onto the OS handle while the crazy cabbie wove through downtown.  It's okay- it was a short drive.  (Yet somehow, still $13... I think his math was a little shady) Actually, we made a brief stop at the next door Broadway Brewhouse first while waiting for our table at Tavern.  Of course, I just Had to have a Bushwacker at BB- it's like an alcoholic frosty, if you've never had one.  They are quite delish.  At Tavern, we had a big roomy round booth, perfect for conversating, and people watching.  Someone might have gotten a piercing that night if the place hadn't been closed (Not me!) but alas, it was not meant to be.

After a couple drinks, we cabbed it back to the hotel, trying to explain to the foreign driver that while we were "from here," we were staying in a hotel.  The drive was too short for him to get it, I think.  Back in the suite, we changed into our jammies, MA opened her birthday gifts, and we enjoyed champagne and cupcakes.  (The girl knows how to plan an event, doesn't she?)  We were in bed by 2 a.m. and were totally exhausted!  After breakfast at the hotel the next morning, I was anxious to get home and see my little man.  It was a blast, MA- thanks again for being born, and for being a great event planner.  I enjoyed my night out with the girls.  I also napped both Saturday and Sunday to catch up on sleep!

More birthdays

Dad celebrated his 59th birthday this week.  We went to Uncle Buds for dinner, and then came home for banana pudding and presents. 

Dad proudly displays his Final Four t-shirt

 My ghetto wrapping job.... it was a big present, and I didn't have enough of one kind of wrapping paper.

 Bradley's homemade stepping stone.  This gift is appropriate because he flips over the stones outside in the backyard to look for bugs.

 Dad's new toy- a new blower

 Dad and his kids

 Mom and dad- notice the banana pudding stain on his shirt!  (I really like this picture of them)

 Oscar cheers for his Sox.

Now the birthday week is over.  Happy birthday mom & dad.  Next on the birthday review:  Queen MAB.

Mama B's B-day

Yesterday mom celebrated her 58th birthday.  I can be honest about her age because she isn't vain enough to care about a sily number.  Her eldest daugher however, remains 21 and in college.  (Riiiight...)

Bradley and I made her cupcakes with Pooh Bear sprinkles.  I think Bradley ate as many sprinkles as went on the cupcakes, but he enjoyed the "pupcake" project.

 Bradley also enjoyed helping Grandma open her presents!  This one is the one from him:

 Two wooden magnets that Bradley painted to put on Grandma's refridgerator.

 Bradley & Aunt Laura

 Birthday girl and grandson

 Dad shared this on Facebook, but it's hard to believe he has celebrated every birthday with mom, save the first 13!  They are truly an inspiration to me about the example they have set about what it takes to be in committed marriage.

 Mom and her girls

 Tim & Sandy joined us for dinner at Macaroni Grill.  Bradley loves his "Ya ya"

 Whoa- is that cake on fire?  No, it's just got 58 candles on it!

Happy birthday, Mama B!