I turned 50

look at me, enjoying time with Jamie at a ball game while my dad photobombs us

Well, I turned 50 this weekend.

I always acknowledge my birthday at the media review branch of League of Melbotis by finding a song and lyrics that seem to articulate the way we're feeling at the time.  I have a playlist if you want to jam out to my vibes the past several years.  

It's been a wild few years, to be honest.  But that's just life as an adult, I think.  I try to be zen about it all.  Things are tough sometimes, but we have a great family support system, and that does a lot to keep you going.  I've refocused.  You keep moving.

To celebrate my birthday, I managed to pull together family that was in town (Dug and K live elsewhere, but more details on that shortly) and we all did one of my favorite things.  We went to a baseball game.  We watched the Round Rock Express triumph over the Oklahoma City Comets on a windy, sunny day.  

Spike, the RR Express mascot waves the Whataburger Win Flag

But this was technically the day after my birthday.  

Before my big day, Jamie and I had a co-gathering at the house as her birthday is so close to my own.  The shindig was full of family, friends and neighbors (who are friends, who live close by).  It was lovely.  But we had too much cheese.  So much cheese.  Also, people don't drink like we did once upon a time.  So that was different and probably good, as we're all 50-ish.

There was a mini-college and high school reunion happening.  It was wild.

Most exciting was the Dug and K came into town for like 36 hours to attend the party, went to breakfast with us, stayed til evening before jetting off, and merriment was had.  

On my actual birthday, I woke late and we didn't do much.  We had a nice breakfast with the folks at Casa G's.  

50 years after I interrupted lunch plans, we had breakfast

Then, I went to the comic shop and picked up some Superman back-issues and my latest pulls.  

Jamie gave me two things:  1) the hat in the picture at the top as a kind of spontaneous gift at the ballpark - it's that mascot Spike, and 2) this 30 lb tome

 Randy had sent along:

So, a nice haul!

For dinner, we hit El Alma South, and I got Chicken Mole, some cocktails and Tres Leches.

an ideal view

After, we came home and watched the Cubs beat the Dodgers 16-0, which was a nice capper on the day.

PS - they beat them the next day on the 13th, taking the series

After Jamie retired, I watched a terrible movie.  Balance in all things.

Sunday, we went to the ballgame with the family.

Jamie, Dick and KareBear at the game

the nephew lays down knowledge while the niece ponders ice cream in a hat whilst Steanso dads

Cousin Sue ponders whatever nonsense Steanso is spouting

Somehow I failed to get a picture of my sis-in-law.  But Steanso had one, so here it is:

I like Dell Diamond, but it was a slow day at the ballpark.

when Jason and the kids noticed the seats were open up front

Once home, I blogged some and then Jamie and I finished watching The Godfather Part II.  

All in all, a victorious birthday weekend.  Jamie does know how to make a birthday feel special.

So far, I don't mind being 50 at all.