My Birthday

Yesterday I celebrated another birthday. It was the perfect day!

I arrived at school and waiting for me with a colorful bouquet of balloons and a cupcake were Arvonique and Arvon. At my school, we really don't do a lot of staff "celebrations" like we used to, so until 2:11, things were pretty much as usual at Golden Valley.

After school Arvon and I picked up Dre from the house and began our mission: get them a haircut. Arvon was first: pretty sure when he walked into Great Clips on University, the ladies on the other side of the counter were contemplating taking their break a little early. One brave soul stepped up and actually took the job. (not sure how many years it had been since his last cut)

After a brief stop at Farmer Boys (if you haven't tried the Oreo shake, I highly recommend it), we dropped Arvon off at the house, where Tolano asks if he can get in the action. Next stop--a hole-in-the-wall barber shop on Sierra Way. 6 barber chairs, one "stylist"--we waited for about 20 minutes watching "cage fighting" on the big screen, before walking out.

One of Tolano's friends who was along for the ride, Treshawn, suggested a place over by Bakers near Shandin Hills. Now THIS was a place right out of the movie ("Barbershop"). Didn't mind the wait, because the conversation was beyond entertaining. After about 30 minutes, Dre was in the chair. During Tolano's turn, two guys brought in these mouth-watering dinners from 3 shops down--fresh soul food. We decided to ditch Tolano (he doesn't like chicken, anyway) and check out what was cookin'. We ordered one 4-piece meal--$10.99. She started dippin the chicken pieces in the flour right before our eyes. We got to pick 2 sides: mac n cheese and spaghetti--and she threw in a large peach cobbler on the house (fairly certain it was because I kept commenting what a lovely smile she had). Unbelieveably delicious . . .and enough food for me, Dre, Tolano and his two friends.

On the ride home they spotted some ballers at the church around the corner, so dropped them off for some hoops action. Auntie texted me to see if I could pick Nemesia up from class (she gets out at 8:20 on Thursdays) so Arvonique and I took a road trip to Valley College. We arrived a bit early, opened the moonroof and listened to praise music until she came out. One last stop at the Carl's Jr. drive-thru before calling it a day (ok, night). Arrived back in Yucaipa about 10:00 pm, called my friends Brian and Elisa, and went to bed.

Tomorrow night, I will be celebrating at Andrew's house (his grandma and I will share a party) after a full day of tennis in the afternoon, and one week from tomorrow my family in Rancho Santa Fe will wrap-up this year's birthday celebration with dinner, and possibly a movie the night before Easter . . . .

Lately, I am feeling beyond blessed!