really grateful for an early birthday present

Although I am glad to be alive and grateful my parents had me, I do not really like my birthday. It means I am getting older and it takes place too close to Christmas. I always feel like such a bother, and wish it would get overlooked and celebrated on my half birthday in June, or not at all (heavy on the not at all). I never liked big parties, or surprises, but I will admit to liking cake. Who doesn’t like funfetti cake with rainbow chip frosting? I do and I am not afraid to shout it from the rooftops.

This year I received an early birthday present – Hint: it’s the coat in the photo. I have owned short, puffy coats, but never a long puffy coat. I wore it yesterday for the first time to an outdoor benefit concert. Yesterday’s high in New Jersey was 43 degrees, plus the concert took place from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m., so not only was it freezing, but it got colder as the sun went down. Normally, I am shivering and shaking in the cold, but it didn’t happen. (Well, I was cold during the latter part of the evening, but it was freezing, like really cold and we weren’t dancing - we were standing around drinking beer because the proceeds went to support Highlands, New Jersey.) Needless to say, this may be my first long, puffy coat, but it will not be my last. It is an acceptable way of wearing a sleeping bag in public, but is much easier to walk and move around in. I absolutely love it.