Bentley’s Restaurant at the Lake of the Ozarks is one of Ted’s and my favorite restaurants.  I used to have a lot of business conferences and meetings at the Lake, and if Ted joined me, we would often eat there.  Now that we’re retired and business conferences are a thing of the past, we decided to make dinner at Bentley’s our gifts to each other for our birthdays and for our anniversary.  It’s a three-hour drive each way, but the Ozark Mountain area is very scenic and we both enjoy driving, so making the trip three times a year is fun.

Ted’s birthday dinner was delayed because the restaurant is closed in January and I was sick in February.  We made the drive yesterday for a joint celebration.  It was sunny and in the 60s, the Bradford pear trees were blooming all the way, and the redbuds were just coming out, so we had a beautiful drive.  Our favorite waiter took care of us and, as always, we agreed the food and the drive were worth it.  We’re looking forward to our anniversary dinner at Bentley’s in June.

Bentley’s Restaurant and Pub, Lake Ozark, MO

Outdoor seating area–a little cool to eat here this time

Indoor view of the Lake. Lots of boats to watch in the summer.

The guests of honor ?

My son-in-law, Dean, teases me about my “birthday month” because I usually spend at least a month (more, if possible) celebrating my birthday with friends.  This year’s kickoff event was last night at Kari and Dean’s home–and there’s some irony in that, Dean–where Kari cooked a delicious dinner and baked an equally delicious cake for my birthday.  In addition, she gifted me with a mother-daughter lunch or dinner at a future date to be mutually agreed upon (thus extending the birthday celebration).

Today, I had a birthday lunch with two friends; I have another lunch scheduled later this week; and there is yet another lunch coming up next week.  Ted and I celebrate our birthdays with dinner at Bentley’s, our favorite restaurant at the Lake of the Ozarks.  We plan to make the three-hour drive for that within the next two weeks.  In April, I’ll be meeting with a group of retired women friends from the college, and I’ve still got at least one more friend with whom I need to schedule a celebratory lunch.

How boring it would be to celebrate one’s birthday on a single day!

By the way, the TV weatherman acknowledged that even though spring technically began at 11:30 pm on March 19, March 20 was actually the first full day of spring.  That means I can still say my birthday fell on the first day of spring, just the way I like it.  Whew!

Awesome! The second time since I got married that I didn’t make my own birthday cake. (The first time was also thanks to Kari.) Adult kids rock!

Spring is my favorite season, and I love that my birthday is almost always on the first day of spring.  This year, the first day of spring just missed my birthday.  As we all know, this is a Leap Year, so every day after February comes a day later.  As a result, I had to wait an extra day for my birthday (like everyone else) and because of that, spring began at 11:30 pm last night.  (So close!)  At least the Google doodle of the day is spring blossoms.

Our health insurance company offered us a free gift if we completed a health survey.  I scored 98% in good health and habits on the survey and chose to receive a Fitbit.  Today it came in the mail and I set it up for wireless tracking.  Unfortunately, as a result of my foot surgery, I’ll be wearing a boot on my right foot for the next four weeks.  I don’t think I’m going to make my 10,000 steps per day for awhile.

I was talking with a gentleman who mentioned that he is now 70 years old.  I responded by saying that I will be 69 this month.  His response:  “You must take very good care of yourself.”  How nice!

He loves me.  He loves me not.  He loves me.  He loves me not.  

He loves me!  And I love him!

More than three weeks later, we still haven’t finished the puzzle we started on a chilly January night.  In fact, we demoted it to the dining room table two weeks ago and haven’t worked on it since.  I guess we’re not puzzle people.  I rarely give up on a project, and can think of only three that I deliberately quit without finishing.  I’m starting to wonder if I should go for four.

Those who know me well know that I believe spring begins on the day following the winter solstice.  Holding the thought that the days are getting longer keeps me from whining about winter, my least favorite season.  This week, I discovered a literary soulmate.

One of the characters in the book I’m currently reading was walking outdoors “into the blustery cold” of February in New York.  She asks, “Why is there February? . . . February should be eliminated altogether for the good of mankind.”

Time moves on in the story and it becomes March.  At this point, the same character notes that, “Seeing it’s March, it’s practically April, so it’s almost summer if you think about it.”  Yes!  I get that!

P.S.  There was a small flock of robins in the front yard this morning.  It must be nearly summer!

After 60+ degrees on Thursday, the cold front has arrived and the next few days will be very cold.  We had a cozy evening with a fire in the fireplace while we worked on a 1000-piece puzzle.  125 pieces connected; 875 to go.

I was invited to attend the City of St. Charles School Board meeting tonight to be recognized for my volunteer service at the Success H.S.  I’m always uncomfortable with public recognition, but I’m glad I accepted the invitation.  When I was at the school Tuesday, the teachers asked me if I would be at the meeting, and they were very happy when I said “yes.”  It made me think that if I’d said “no,” I would have disappointed them in their desire to thank me.

Five other people from two schools were also recognized and it was enjoyable to hear the stories from the principals describing the wonderful things they had done.  I still don’t feel I deserve recognition for doing something I’m enjoying so much, but it’s always nice to be thanked.  Best of all, as a result of the story about one of the other honorees, I went home with a wonderful idea for a way that Ted and I can do some meaningful charitable work through the school district.

A few months ago, Thom suggested that I write a travel blog.  I haven’t journaled or kept a diary since I was in seventh grade, so I told Thom he was very funny and that wouldn’t be happening.  In spite of my best efforts, Thom’s suggestion stayed in my mind.  I enjoy reading Jeff’s blog, and it makes me feel more connected with what’s happening in his life.  Sometimes it even makes me want to contribute something from my own life in response.

I asked Jeff for some help in getting started, and (as always) he was very generous in sharing his computer expertise with me.  So here I go–living on the edge and trying something new.  I’m started.