Weekend of Parties

Saturday was my 30th birthday party thrown by my friends Becky and Sarah. It was a great time. Before this party, I never realized there was a certain etiquette to arriving at your own party by yourself, but I was quite quickly enlightened on the subject. The evening before Becky and Travis had come over just to relax and have a few drinks, I also witnessed for the first time in my life a person actually getting hypnotized by the television, (ahem, Becky); at one point the conversation turned to how I would be arriving at the party on Saturday night. I knew Becky and Sarah would be busy setting up, and in all honesty it had not even crossed my mind that I would not just drive myself to The Kathouse Lounge, where the party was being held. However, when I made that statement, I found out quite quickly, this is just not done. Becky was quite adamant I would not show up at the a birthday party being thrown for me, on my own. So, I appeased her stating we would figure it all out on Saturday, the whole time, knowing I would just drive myself to the party, what is the big deal? Then on Saturday, the issue arose again when my cousin Dan and his girlfriend, Kristiana, who had made the trip from Hays, KS for the occasion, also commented on how I needed someone to take me to the party, followed by Sarah, and Becky again raising the issue later in the day. So, needless to say I gave in, but only partially. Sarah went with me so I would not enter on my own, but I drove my car. I go everywhere by myself, all the time, so to me it really seemed like a silly thing to be concerned about, but alas, I listened to my friends on this one.

The party was great. My friend Travis made a wanted poster that was hanging on the door of The Kathouse, and every where it could possibly be inside the bar, even on the bathroom door. I wish I had a copy, I would post it on here. It looked like and old western wanted poster, with a picture of me, Jennifer "El Zapato" Anguiano, wanted for "Crimes against Pomtinis", and a bounty on my head of $63.50. It was also clearly stated on the poster I was not allowed to pay for a drink on my own all night, which is exactly what happened! The place looked great, and it was just so nice to have so many of my close friends and family there to help me celebrate. A million thank yous to Becky, Sarah, and Travis. The three of you are so special to me and such a big part of my life. I appreciate all the time and work you put in to make this a special night for me, you mean the world to me!

Sunday it was time to head home and celebrate Father's Day and have another birthday celebration with my parents and my sisters and their families. One of the many things I love about my family, is every year we get a birthday dinner and the birthday honoree gets to pick the menu. Mom usually wants chicken and biscuits; Dad always has homemade tamales, enchiladas, fideo, and re-fried beans (this is one of my favorite days of the year for many reasons); Kari has enchiladas and fideo; Natalie always picks homemade bierocks, soup mac salad, and occasionally carrot souffle, and since my birthday is in the summer we usually just grill out and I must have my Grandma Wetzel's macaroni salad. This year was no exception, with the added birthday dessert of homemade lemon meringue pie. It was a delicious meal, just like always.

After gorging ourselves on all the yummy food, we gave our presents to Dad for Father's Day. I think TheYankeeYears was a hit, and I requested he begin reading it first so he could then hand it over to me. My parents and sisters then gave me wonderful gifts for my birthday. Mom and Dad gave me my first string of pearls, which are beautiful, along with some bamboo bracelets and sparkly flip flops, Kari, Tim and the boys gave me a Oregon Scientific weather radio, and Natalie and family gave me the Melody Gardot record, My One and Only Thrill, which I cannot stop listening to.

It means so much to me that every year I get to celebrate my birthday like this with my family. We have such a strong family, and we have had our hard times, our up and downs, our arguments and ugly moments with each other, but we come through it every time, stronger and wiser, and never doubting the love and support we have for one another. My family has created a base to my life that will forever be sturdy, it will never sway, and it is something I never have to worry about losing. I am grateful every single day I am a part of this family.