It's my 50th birthday. It's been coming for a while now, and so I was not a bit surprised when I woke up and it was my big day. I took the day off work because really, who wants to work on their birthday? I had WAAAAAY too much celebrating to do to be bothered with work. While I didn't do things that might have been fabulous (spend 50 days in Italy, eat 50 scoops of ice cream, have 50 of my favorite people over for food), I was able to do lots of other fabulous things, most of them thanks to Mikayla, that made the day terrific!
Before we even get to today's celebrating, Linda and Gregg Pugmire sent me Crumbl Cookies on Saturday. They were out of town and certain they would not be back in time for my party (Linda was invited), so they had cookies delivered to mark the occasion. They were delicious! It was nice of them to honor my day, and even nicer when they got home on Monday so Linda could come celebrate with me at lunch today.
I got up early to go bike with Maureen (not 50 miles), and when I went outside, I discovered the front lawn was covered with balloons--50, in fact, on little sticks. It looked like we had a balloon infestation that needed to be sprayed. I don't know who put them there, but they were festive and fun and I'm grateful to whoever planted them. Sadly, it was a windy day, and by noon, a great many of them had blown away or deflated, leaving sticks sticking out of the ground all lonely and unadorned.
Mikayla, Mom, and Ava had all made cupcakes, and as many people drove by to wish me a happy birthday, Mikayla distributed cupcakes. All the DeMartinis came over to see me, including Bryan and his kids, although they didn't get out of the car or take a cupcake which I thought was a bummer. But I was so glad to see them!! Sarah Westerberg also stopped by at the end of parade time which was so great because we visited for quite a while. Neighbors brought me gifts, several sang, and everyone was so kind. And there were cupcakes, too!
Neighbors who drove (or walked) by: Elizabeth Cutler, Shon and Shelly Whitney, Charlene Doman (on her bike), Charles and Heather Helquist, Nelson and Hilary Davis along with Sam, the Banks, the Bradfords, the Bergevins who walked by, Wendy Bird, all the Blads, Brian and Briahna Bushman, Stephen and Jeri Covey, the Drakes and the Fickers who both golf carted over, though separately, Ryan and Elizabeth Elder who also rode their bikes, Chris and Corene Jensen who brought the orange sign, Dennis and Rose Mary Lindberg who walked over, Cinda Morgan, Adam and Meghann Nebeker, Tami and Rachel Oyler who also walked across the street for a visit, Becky Phillips, Gregg and Linda Pugmire along with Sydney, Jason, and Taylor, John and Angela Richards, all the Seamons, Dakin Stovall and the younger kids walked over for a cupcake, Kerrie and Jake Thornock, Robbie MacArthur, Richard and Dorothy Jensen.
As if Mikayla hadn't already done so much, she topped off the day with a basket full of fun gifts, including a video she put together of 50ish people who said incredibly nice things about me. Family and dear friends included messages that made me laugh and cry and warmed my heart. I wanted to give the video my undivided attention, so I didn't watch it immediately, but waited until the morning (it was a bad sleeping night), before I went to work, to enjoy it.
It was a wonderful day! I felt loved and appreciated, almost to the point of embarrassment, almost like I was watching people share nice things at my funeral. BUT! 50 isn't really all that old (that's my story and I'm sticking with it), so I'm going to continue to enjoy all that life has to offer.
Here are a couple of text messages I received, as well as some very nice things people shared on Facebook.
Hi Hun,
Before we even get to today's celebrating, Linda and Gregg Pugmire sent me Crumbl Cookies on Saturday. They were out of town and certain they would not be back in time for my party (Linda was invited), so they had cookies delivered to mark the occasion. They were delicious! It was nice of them to honor my day, and even nicer when they got home on Monday so Linda could come celebrate with me at lunch today.
Oreo, chocolate chip, chocolate caramel, peanut butter
YUM-O!
I got up early to go bike with Maureen (not 50 miles), and when I went outside, I discovered the front lawn was covered with balloons--50, in fact, on little sticks. It looked like we had a balloon infestation that needed to be sprayed. I don't know who put them there, but they were festive and fun and I'm grateful to whoever planted them. Sadly, it was a windy day, and by noon, a great many of them had blown away or deflated, leaving sticks sticking out of the ground all lonely and unadorned.
When I got back from biking, I made honey bran muffins and scrambled eggs for breakfast. Delicious!
Last week, Utah moved from Orange to Yellow on the Covid-19 quarantine scale, so Mikayla and I went for a pedicure. It was the first time in months and months, and I was delighted to have my feet worked on, my toes painted, and a really great leg massage. I felt pampered! I had my toes painted the same color as my dress, and was tickled every time I looked down at my feet.
Mikayla wanted us to have BIG birthday celebrating--girls weekend, huge party, wildness--but we're just coming out of a two months long quarantine, and she had to temper her expectations. We did feel that an intimate gathering of friends, eating outside in the backyard, would be entirely appropriate, so in the early afternoon, we had a lovely meal provided by Mikayla and my mom, and visited with many of my favorite people. We had curry chicken salad, bridal shower chicken salad, caprese, and fruit, with peach Melba for dessert. All delish! We should have taken a picture of all of us at the party, but I was too busy visiting and didn't think about it. Everyone brought me a gift, which was unnecessary but fun, and although it was a bit windy (minor gale-force winds), it was lovely to be outside in the backyard visiting while we ate.
Those in attendance: Mikayla, Mom, Aunt Georgianne, Aunt Darlene, Tysen and Ava, Sharae, Sharon, Paula Hamblin, Linda Pugmire, Barbara Niven, Andrea Blad, Maureen Ogles, Janie Rasmussen, Ramona Stice, Stacie Mason, Suzan Nelson, Eva Fisher
After adios and clean-up, I rested and read while gearing up for the next part of the celebrating. I had ordered take out Indian food from Bombay House for me and Kent, and Panda Express for the kids, and we had plans to pick it up simultaneously in two cars, then eat together. Unfortunately, Richard Ledford had an episode, and Kent had to go save him, so I went to get food which I ate with the kids. Kent got home just about the time the birthday parade part of the partying happened.
Mikayla sent out an online invitation through our neighborhood Google group for people to come wish me a happy birthday. She wrote words to go along with the Pancake Robot song which made for a darling invite! Here is her message.
The cupcake robot is coming to town
He's heard there is a birthday and he's making his rounds.
White cake, yellow cake, or chocolate chip,
Katherine has turned 50; he's gonna flip!
Kate Barrus' birthday is here at last
50 years have flown by so amazingly fast
With her sparkling smile and her contagious laughter
She's gonna serve the world, cause she's the friendship master!
Hello Everyone,
This is a (goofy) virtual invitation to come celebrate Katherine Barrus' 50th birthday tomorrow evening, Tuesday May 19th, 2020 from 7 - 7:30 pm with a drive-by parade. Please come by and say hello and wish Katherine a happy birthday. Cupcakes will be served!
Thanks,
Mikayla Johnsen
Neighbors who drove (or walked) by: Elizabeth Cutler, Shon and Shelly Whitney, Charlene Doman (on her bike), Charles and Heather Helquist, Nelson and Hilary Davis along with Sam, the Banks, the Bradfords, the Bergevins who walked by, Wendy Bird, all the Blads, Brian and Briahna Bushman, Stephen and Jeri Covey, the Drakes and the Fickers who both golf carted over, though separately, Ryan and Elizabeth Elder who also rode their bikes, Chris and Corene Jensen who brought the orange sign, Dennis and Rose Mary Lindberg who walked over, Cinda Morgan, Adam and Meghann Nebeker, Tami and Rachel Oyler who also walked across the street for a visit, Becky Phillips, Gregg and Linda Pugmire along with Sydney, Jason, and Taylor, John and Angela Richards, all the Seamons, Dakin Stovall and the younger kids walked over for a cupcake, Kerrie and Jake Thornock, Robbie MacArthur, Richard and Dorothy Jensen.
Birthday balloons courtesy of Mikayla.
She was up until 3:00am blowing them up.
I texted to thank her for the balloons that were all over the yard, and she said,
while looking at all the balloons she had, "What balloons? I didn't put balloons in your yard."
But then she came this morning and put up others.
As if Mikayla hadn't already done so much, she topped off the day with a basket full of fun gifts, including a video she put together of 50ish people who said incredibly nice things about me. Family and dear friends included messages that made me laugh and cry and warmed my heart. I wanted to give the video my undivided attention, so I didn't watch it immediately, but waited until the morning (it was a bad sleeping night), before I went to work, to enjoy it.
It was a wonderful day! I felt loved and appreciated, almost to the point of embarrassment, almost like I was watching people share nice things at my funeral. BUT! 50 isn't really all that old (that's my story and I'm sticking with it), so I'm going to continue to enjoy all that life has to offer.
Here are a couple of text messages I received, as well as some very nice things people shared on Facebook.
Hi Hun,
Hope you had a super happy birthday. You are one amazing gal. I truly love you and admire you. You inspire me in so many ways.
Becky Phillips
Happy belated birthday to one of the most amazing women I know. I hope it was as truly amazing as you.
Keyaira
"You don't look a day over 32!" said Ford Stevenson. He says all the right things!
Rosemary Bosco said, "On you it looks great!" What a sweetie!
Hey Katherine! Happy 50th birthday! Thanks for being the awesomest aunt ever! From the fun childhood memories (swimming in your parents pool, having Brandt and Blythe visit me and Char at the Scera, sleeping over at your place when our parents were out of town, introducing us to Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit, having fun books, ping pong wars, etc) and the fun dinners, game nights, family get togethers and parties! Thank you for your love and support for me my whole life, especially with school and a mission. I really, really appreciate it! Love ya and have an awesome birthday! Annie
My dear neighbor, Elizabeth Cutler, sent me a digital birthday card that starts out seemingly serious. A voice over narrative begins to speak about the North American Black-tailed Prairie Dog and a ritual they seem to be preparing for. Then, a prairie dog pokes up from a hole with a party hat on its head. Then many prairie dogs in party hats sing happy birthday, surrounded by presents and balloons. I watched it three times and laughed and laughed every time. So, so funny!
In the video, Mikayla and her gang sang and danced to not one but TWO songs about me being 50. One was to the music for "Breakfast Burrito" and one was to the music for "Raining Tacos." Words and dancing were hilarious! I absolutely loved them both!
Keyaira
"You don't look a day over 32!" said Ford Stevenson. He says all the right things!
Rosemary Bosco said, "On you it looks great!" What a sweetie!
Hey Katherine! Happy 50th birthday! Thanks for being the awesomest aunt ever! From the fun childhood memories (swimming in your parents pool, having Brandt and Blythe visit me and Char at the Scera, sleeping over at your place when our parents were out of town, introducing us to Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit, having fun books, ping pong wars, etc) and the fun dinners, game nights, family get togethers and parties! Thank you for your love and support for me my whole life, especially with school and a mission. I really, really appreciate it! Love ya and have an awesome birthday! Annie
My dear neighbor, Elizabeth Cutler, sent me a digital birthday card that starts out seemingly serious. A voice over narrative begins to speak about the North American Black-tailed Prairie Dog and a ritual they seem to be preparing for. Then, a prairie dog pokes up from a hole with a party hat on its head. Then many prairie dogs in party hats sing happy birthday, surrounded by presents and balloons. I watched it three times and laughed and laughed every time. So, so funny!
In the video, Mikayla and her gang sang and danced to not one but TWO songs about me being 50. One was to the music for "Breakfast Burrito" and one was to the music for "Raining Tacos." Words and dancing were hilarious! I absolutely loved them both!
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