Monday, September 21, 2009

Happy Birthday!

Saturday was the husband’s birthday!  His first gift was a beautiful day!  He really loves the outdoors, so it was nice that he got to enjoy most of his day outside.  I spent most of the morning inside getting things ready for his celebration dinner, but took a breakfast break to try something new… oats!  Well, it’s not really new to me, however, I’ve never been much of an oat fan, so it’s not a usual breakfast choice for me.  I’m always so inspired by other bloggers’ morning oats and various toppings, that I decided to give oats another chance.  I went with  Cranberry Chocolate Almond….

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It was delish!  Of course, anything with dark chocolate would be!  I think what holds me back from oatmeal is the fact that it doesn’t really hold me over that long and the addition of lots of toppings also adds lots of calories.  But this mix did a good job and held me over pretty long which was a good thing because the husband had a “special” request for his birthday – flu shots!  I know that sounds like a strange request, but this has become a family tradition and a source of extreme fun for the husband and daughters due to the fact that I am scared of shots and get all screamy/giggley/weepy when I have to get one!  What makes it even more comical is that the husband and I usually go to a public venue (Target, Walgreens, Township bldg., etc.) to get our shots because it costs the same as the doctor’s office and easier since we don’t have to make it an appointment.  I usually make such a scene that the husband and daughters have been bringing a video cam to record my histrionics!  This year, I decided I would be stoic.  No freaking out.  I told the husband and daughters that this year there would be nothing to see.  They would be sorely disappointed. Yeeeaaah, riiiight was their response.  While the husband gave his pre-shot speech to the camera, I maintained my steely approach and told them to prepare to be bored.  I walked into the Walgreens, filled out the paperwork and sat in the waiting room, patiently and relaxed while waiting to be called.  We were called back to the pharmacy and the husband went first.  I made the mistake of looking at the GIANT needle, but quickly dismissed it and erased it from my memory because I AM NOT SCARED.  Nope.  Not one bit.  The husband ooooohhed and aaaaahed and winged and whined in an effort to try to break me, but I wasn’t budging.  Nope.  Calm, cool and collected.  That’s me.  Then, it was my turn.  The daughters set up, with cameras in hand, ready to record my behavior.  The technician began by asking me some questions…’did I have fever, diarrhea or vomit this morning’?  Yes, I told her.  Yes to all.  “Oh well, guess I can’t get the shot today” I said.  Unfortunately, she didn’t believe me and the husband and daughters outed me anyway, so out came the BIG, GIANT, MILE LONG needle and JAB

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Boooo!  Okay, it really didn’t hurt, but it’s just the whole anticipation of it all that gets me!  I did a much better job maintaining my composure this time and as I told the husband and daughters before we left…show’s over…nothing to see here!  They still thought my biting my lip and shaking was hilarious, though.  Warped, aren’t they?? 

The daughters took our picture outside after that torture was over…

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By the time we got home, it was 1:30, so as I said, the oats did their job!  I knew we would be eating a lot later, so I made a mini turkey, cheese and spinach sammie on a piece of baguette with some carrots on the side…

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I ate outside with hubs and soaked in the beautiful sunshine :)

Later, everyone came for the birthday celebration.  I started us off with a Hot Artichoke-Cheese Dip with toasted baguette…

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I had about 3 of these…

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After some yard bocce, it was on to dinner.  I made all the husband’s faves…

Ravioli…

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Meatballs (regular and turkey- for the haters)

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Salad…

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Italian-style Squash…

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Gram brought her Milanese Torte…

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I tried to control my portions, but had a bit of everything…

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also a half piece of the Milanese Torte and a few bites of foccaccia (not pictured).

The gang’s all here…

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Later, we sang ‘happy birthday’ and dug into some cake and caramel apple pie…yeah, me too…

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We finished with presents, a bonfire and board games.  It was a great day to celebrate my awesome husband!  He works so very hard that I’m so glad he got a chance to relax and enjoy all the things and people that he loves. 

ONE GOOD THING:  I have the best husband in the world!

Hope you all have a great day!

Question of the Day:  Do you get the flu shot?

20 comments:

Jessica said...

Cute blog! This wknd was my husbands bday too! :)

Yum Yucky said...

You conquered the needle! Woo-hoo!

Look at that bread! Look at those ravioli carbs! Look at that cake! All such beautiful sights.

Thinspired said...

Can you make my birthday dinner?! YUM. It looks so good, and I love the differnt kinds of meatballs :)

I find that oats always hold me over really well so I'm glad you gave them another shot today :) I'll have to try dark chocolate...that is just genius ;)

Jen, a priorfatgirl said...

YAY for birthdays! Great job on staying within a portion controlled allowance! You didn't deprive yourself of anything! Love it!

I am not on the flu shot bandwagon. Hate shots. Can't do it. Just can't do it. :)

Cole Walter Mellon said...

Ayyyyyyyyy... get it away from me. Artichoke dip is my krptonite!

Nicci said...

Ravioli is one of my favorite things I ate growing up. I love choco in the oats, cranberries look good in it also.

Di said...

Looks like a tasty day !

Flu shots- we do not get them. One of the contributing factors in my son's autism was the mercury levels in vaccines, and the flu shots contain a certain level of this as well. Not every child that receives vaccines and flu shots will develop autism, as there has to be a genetic predisposition as well as other factors. Because of his condition we are extremely hesitant to do any form of inoculations, and take other measures as a flu preventive ( increased vitamin D, hand-washing and more). I think it is really cute in the way you turned it into a family event !

Kim @ Kim and Mikey said...

This weekend was my husband's birthday as well. I normally do not get flu shots, but since I am pregnant this year, I bit the bullet and got the shot.

Unknown said...

That's so funny about the shots - don't you love it when you family gets their kicks from seeing you squirm?? But at least you still did it!
I get the shot every year, since I'm asthmatic, I'm considered a high risk for complications.
What a wonderful birthday bash for your hubby!

Dutch said...

Happy Birthday to your hubby. The food looked amazing. It sounds like you all had a wonderful time.
I am going Thursday to see my doctor and hopefully they will have the flu shots available. I didn't go last year to get one but I want one this year. I remember one year not getting it and I was sick for about 2 months. It just stayed in my chest. I was miserable, so keep fingers crossed that they are available.
Have a fantastic week.

Amanda said...

Happy birthday to your hubby! Food looked great!

I do not get the flu shot, not because of the needle, just b/c I don't really get the flu much anyway, and it seems everyone I know gets way more colds b/c of the flu shot, then just getting the flu one time! lol

Anonymous said...

We did the birthday dinner this weekend too - my mama's birthday is today! Birthday's can be so much fun.

I use to get the flu shot but don't anymore.

Wendy said...

all your eats looked good. i am glad that you were able to enjoy some cake anad apple pie! GOOD FOR YOU!

Andrea@WellnessNotes said...

You are so funny! ;) Sounds like getting the flu shot was a fun outing... :)

Happy B-day to your husband! The food looks fabulous. Great job on eating delicious food without going overboard!

Inspiration CAN be found EVERYWHERE said...

Happy Birthday to hubby - the celebration meal looked great.

As far as the flu shot is concerned - nope not here either. I've never gotten a flu shot. For one reason, the flu changes each year (different strains, etc) and the vaccines are based on the prior years strain .... so why bother? Thankfully I don't really get sick - for the most part we are a "healthy" family. Now if I could get rid of these extra pounds once and for all .....

Now if they had a shot for that!

Lesli @ aHealthyKitchen said...

Yummmmmm! I think your oatmeal looks splendid! Rather tempting, I dare say ;). Love your blog. I'm sure I'll be spending some time here!

Unknown said...

I don't normally get flu shots, only had one the year I was prego. I will most likely get one this year b/c of the H1N1 going around.

Ann-Margaret said...

I've gotten the flu shot for the past few years, and I am sure my PA will talk me into another one this year. But they always make me feel like poop! Are you feeling okay after yours?

Miz said...

today is our flu shot day.

fingerscrossed there are no meltdowns (hers or mine :))

happy belated to the husband!!

Anonymous said...

Awww.... so sweet. Just got back from attending a wedding over in SF so say happy be-lated birthday to your husband for me. You and your husband are adorable.