31 is the new slightly-older-than 30.

OhKAY!

Today marks the anniversary of D-Day, the founding of the YMCA, and the coronation of the German King Henry II the Saint.

Way more importantly [personally/distressingly/not surprisingly] is my birthday. (It is also the birthday of my nephew Quinn, my cousin Eammon, and my favorite teacher Ed Udel. I think I've made my case. Also born today is David Abercrombie, founder of Abercrombie and Fitch, a brand which I have never worn- I'm about five...ish... years too old- but I'm trying to get some more star power up in here.)

I have a birthday request. A wishness, if you will. But more on that in a sec.

If I may be permitted a bit of Pollyanna, I'm extraordinarily lucky. And blessed. And happy. This past year has been simply stellar; not only do I get to live in an increasingly livable home (in my absolute favorite city) with my super-duper crush and our wicked fun mini sidekick, but I'm actually [starting to get] paid [a little] more and [not that much] more for freelance and blogging, plus I'm carrying a little monkey who is threatening to be just as cool as every other current card-carrying member of my life.

And even though I wasn't feeling Birthday Party-ish, the King of Troy Street took me out to one of the nation's top restaurants last night (deets on that unreal experience soon). And two of our exceptional friends became our Pinch Hitter Sitters when Nora's regular gal came down with a fever. (They wouldn't even let us PAY them. I cried. In a good way.) Tonight's taco fiesta (party of 3.5) is brought to us via my folks, all the way from Western MA. Friends and family have been showering me with literature, my favorite foods, pedicures, certificates for spa treatments, and at least one Happy Birthday rendition that transitioned from classic to swing to Christina Aguliera to Little Richard.

My daughter even made me a card that proclaims me to be the Best Mommy in the World. (The world!) There was a collaged flower inside, so you know it's legit.

So how can I even hope to ask for more when presented with the actualization of every single childhood hope and dream [the trick- wish vaguely] I've ever had? Because I think it's a decently small and simple thing to request. (Tell me if I'm wrong. I'm rarely wrong on my birthday, but it wouldn't destroy me. Much.)

My Grand But Smallish Birthday Request is to have this be a really, really good year for my blog. This one. The one about the nothingness (but not in the NeverEnding Story kinda way). My ten year plan for this site is to have it fully finance my lifestyle in Virgin Gorda in a [tasteful] villa after my husband has retired and my [11 year old!] daughter has announced her plans to never leave my side, ever, and my as-yet-born kiddo has announced his/her line of How To books, detailing how motherhood Should Be Done, as shown by the mother figure in his/her life (making him/her the most precocious nine year old ever).

Or.

To have this be a really, really good year for my blog, as evidenced by the handful of new followers and/or advertising campaign or two.

If you'd like to help with either of these goals (for real, it's totally your choice), and wanted to repost this blog, or "like" it, or "love" it (which is NOT a current Facebook option but is, in fact, the only real option at Coldstone Creamery), or follow it on Google or Twitter or Networked Blogs (or recommend that someone else do so)...well then, I wouldn't be able to stop you. Except with my tears. Of gratitude. Which- I'm told- can be quite off-putting.

But now I must return to my tea party- currently in progress- whereupon my daughter has presented me with her choice of [plastic] birthday foods: ice cream, doughnuts, french fries, and a celery stalk. Mixed together with a fork and presented on a tray with some Legos.

Sure, I'm celebrating differently than I did ten years ago (21 seems like a different planet) but I wouldn't change a thing. (I love celery.)

And I love you, too. May you all feel so stoked on your individual birthdays, whether you celebrate with tacos or liverwurst- or (more likely) something that is decidedly NOT tacos nor liverwurst. Again, up to you.

Have a really good day.