Let's keep it in the closet

Last week I celebrated my 26th birthday. Not a particular milestone year, but it was a nice, relaxed multi-day proceeding (are there any other kind?). Yes, I am on the backslide of my 20s, but I think 27 sounds a lot worse (no offense).

Paul had been holding out on me as to what my gift would be. All I knew was that I was going to receive it a few days before the big day, which of course sent my mind reeling. I had limited it down to either a DVR instillation or a second dog. Of course, the latter would probably be a Paul present rather than mine.

I came home from work one evening and the doorway to our dining room --which really is a transformed second bedroom (and also known as the room that contains my closet)-- was wrapped like so...


Of course it still didn't occur to me after unwrapping the door, but then it finally clicked. It was a new, professionally-installed closet to hold all my deeply discounted (but still brand name) fashions. Anyone who has been on our home tour knows my disdain for the post-War tiny closets. Carrie Bradshaw would have a coronary, while I was just bugged by the single, 3-foot rod spanning the closet. Such wardrobe management inefficiency! But now, thanks to my darling darling, it now looks something like this:

Ooh!

Ahh!

Mmm-hmm!

We celebrated the actual day (ok it was Sat. Aug. 2; apparently I'm very good at slipping in my birthday into everyday conversation) with a small-gathering, predictably delicious lunch al fresco courtesy of Paul, followed by a wonderful lemon tres-leches cake with caramel layer (per my request). Yes, that's a 3 candle from Paul's 30th birthday earlier this year, but the deliciousness more than made up for that particular oversight (also, my cheek looks fat but it's just air).


We then proceeded to an evening wedding and bountiful reception, then wrapped up the night with some drinks at home before transitioning to an unfortunate hour at a dance club.

All in all, a varied fun day.