Birth

A conversation with Mom reminded me of something I’d forgotten or misheard: I should have been born at the beginning of July. I’d assumed for a while that I’d been ten weeks premature. No, no. Twelve weeks. Three months. I was six months in the womb when Mom started her contractions (incompetent cervix; my almost-brother had been even earlier). It’s… kind of hit me harder now that I know about those other two weeks. There’s a huge difference between twenty-four weeks and twenty-six weeks when you’re a fetus.
I had oxygen deprivation and hyaline membrane disease and cerebral palsy. In 1979, they didn’t have surfactants, and some of my roommates in the NICU preemie ward didn’t make it or were badly damaged. If it were not for the talents, skills, and powers at Coney Island Hospital, I would not be here.
Well.
On Monday, I enter a whole new decade.
Thirty years ago on Monday, at 11:58 PM, I survived.
Have a lovely weekend, friends. I know I will.

And the Soma just kicked in, too

I miss my husband.
He drove to Chicago yesterday for a job. He will fly home on Sunday morning.
At least we can celebrate my birthday together.
Eventually he will have consecutive days off. They may even be both days of a weekend.

So far, my birthday present to myself was going to the Laura Mercier counter at Bloomingdale's and buying a new tube of the Sheer Lipstick in Sexy Lips, since I had run out. The only other lipstick I have worn to a nub, besides Revlon Renewist Lipstick in Sheer Sangria and Aveda Nourish-Mint lipstick in Cherrybud. Also, I went to Macy's and the MAC counter and I got the new Studio Sculpt Foundation in NC15. It is perfect and contains hyaluronic acid, haberlea extract, tamarind extract, and shea butter.
That's it. I have no idea what else I want. Maybe stuff for my cats.

Oh, and Vicki, the herbal toothpowder arrived last night. I love it. Adore it. Good god, it feels amazing.

Saturday will involve me, Charlotte, Billy, Robeks smoothies, Whole Foods, and hanging out.

I seriously need to see more friends more often. Everyone else I know lives in Virginia and I don't drive. Someone come up and see me sometime. I'm exciting, I promise. I tell fantastic stories and my cat gives hugs on command.

*flails and stretches happily in yoga positions otherwise difficult without Soma*