new milestone

Best birthday ever.

As I mentioned in my last post, Stu, Laurie, and I took my birthday off work to go to Cedar Point. The lines aren't too bad this early in the season, but because they opened later this year the schools have fewer weeks in which to squeeze in those end-of-the-year field trips. My birthday usually occurs during Math & Science Week, so there are always quite a few students there.

Another reason for going during the work week is that Stu and Laurie can leave their daughter in daycare like any other workday, and now that her mom lives nearby, she could pick up Chloe and allow us to stay at the park later.

The temperature should have been a "RealFeel®" high of 67, but in fact got up to 75 by afternoon, with very low humidity. Warm enough to be comfortable, but not so warm as to require shorts and thus an extra 10 minutes of sunblock application. Which is exactly how I wanted it. :)

We had dinner at Famous Dave's, which was new for all of us, and feasted on some awesome BBQ ribs. Stu and I have both lost 13 pounds over the last six weeks by eating healthier and limiting calories, and even though we designated today as exempt due to the 'holiday,' we really didn't do too badly. Plus we did a ton of walking around the park.

However I do intend to do badly when Stu and Laurie take me to The Melting Pot next week as my gift.

The topper for the day was that I got to ride the Jr. Gemini, which means I have now ridden all 17 roller coasters at Cedar Point! To ride, you must be between 36-54 inches tall or be accompanied by a child. Since I didn't start riding until I was in 8th grade, and have not since gone to CP with children old enough to ride it, I could never get this credit.

UNTIL YESTERDAY!

The park was mostly filled with adults and teenagers, so the kids' areas were pretty dead. There was no one in line for Jr. Gemini, and the ride hosts looked rather bored. I went up and asked if I could ride, and one of them said I needed a child with me. Laurie and I whined that it was the only coaster I needed to say I've ridden all 17, and pointed out that there was no one in line. The other ride host heard this and let me on! When I was done, I thanked them again and said it was the best birthday present EVAR! [sic] (Duh, I should have mentioned it was my birthday during the negotiations. Oh well.)

I did the 'family' birthday stuff on Sunday, and got gift cards to Target, Giant Eagle, and Guitar Center (which is going toward the purchase of a stool for my digital piano). Plus, my mom made an orange-Kool-Aid-mix-flavored cake, served with orange sherbet. Mmmmm.

As birthdays go, this one ranks toward the top. However, I now only have one year left to Get My Sh!t Together Before I'm 30.