The birthday is over…and I’m exhausted!
I had a great day…thanks again to everyone (especially my fellow Plotmonkeys!) for my amazing party…the fantasy day was amazing.
But here’s the real deal:
I expressly told my brothers not to call me early (we usually have a contest to see who can be the first sibling to call the birthday brother/sister) because I use my phone as an alarm and I wanted to sleep. My alarm was set for 7:30am, mind you…and my older brother texted me at 7:04am and woke me up. I still love him, but I can’t wait for November…
I got up and went to Jazzercise. I asked my instructor to put some of my favorite songs into the set and she did–which was great incentive for getting my butt out of bed. I had a great workout, came home, took a shower and helped my daughter with a story she’s writing for a summer workshop.
I took her to the class and dropped her off, then headed to a favorite restaurant for lunch with my sister-in-law. We had their amazing she-crab bisque, salads and the most delicious chocolate cake with warm ganache and ice cream. Yum!
Then I picked up my daughter and came home for a marathon of Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes from the final season that I’d never seen. After three, I have to admit I was itching to get back to work. I’m not used to not writing. It’s kind of weird.
At 6pm, my parents picked us up and we went out to dinner at yet another favorite restaurant of mine, where we had the most delicious appetizer (salmon bruschetta), grilled skirt steak and bananas foster. Yum! Oh, and a mango mojito because it was my birthday!
My parents were too tired to hit a late movie, so my daughter and I went to see Toy Story 3 just the two of us.
OMG!!! You guys, it was AMAZING. I just couldn’t imagine them topping the first two, but they most certainly did. I wish I could tell you my favorite part because there were a million of them, but to keep from being spoilerific, I just want to say: GO BARBIE!
And if you go, bring tissues. Lots and lots of tissues. (Unless you’re not a softie like me, in which case you’ll be fine.)
Laughed a ton, edge of your seat plotting–the kind that had my daughter repeating to me, “But this is a Disney movie…it has to have a happy ending!” (it does)–emotion galore. Just amazing on all counts. Animation is off the hook–particularly the short, Day & Night, that runs before the movie. Never before seen stuff, IMO. Just like Pixar.
I came home, walked the dog, and am now writing this blog.
I’m exhausted, but I had a spectacular day…made better by all of you stopping by to send their birthday wishes. Thanks so very, very much!
Lastly, don’t forget that next week is our book club! If you haven’t read your copy of 3 SEDUCTIONS AND A WEDDING, please move it up on the TBR pile so you can join in! Fun should be had by all!
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
Subscribe to Posts 
Comment
What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday! Sounds like a fabulous day.
I bought the BtVS series and I haven’t seen the last season, you’re reminding me I need to do that.
I also need to rent the Toy Story movies so I can see the 3rd one!
Comment
Yes, you do! You don’t need to see the first two, but it is nice because you see the progression and feel the poignancy of the story in a keener way. My daughter and I don’t really remember much about TS2 except the main storyline. We’re going to rewatch this weekend.
Comment
I’m glad you had a wonderful day yesterday!!!
Comment
Thanks, Melissa. Had a great time tonight, too. My Jazzercise instructor and two friends from the class took me out for margaritas. YUM!
Comment
Wow, sounds like you had a great day! It reminded me of the Christmas newsletter we got from our cousin a few years ago. It started off with, “I’m tired.” And then it went on to tell about all the fun things they’d done as a family that year and ended with, “May you be tired too.”
I’m glad you’re exhausted from such a great day!!!
Comment
LOL! I love that! May you be tired, too. GREAT line!
Comment
Sounds like you had a great day yesterday celebrating. I can’t wait to see Toy Story 3! I’ve heard nothing but great things about it.
Comment
Thanks, Liza! It really was a fabulous film. When you see it, listen to the song running over the credits very carefully. I died when I realized what it was.
Comment
I’m so glad you had a wonderful day with first rate company and great food.
Cher
Comment
Thanks, Cher. The day rocked.
Comment
What a fun day. I just started reading “Three Weddings” last night. I am hoping to get it finished by Friday. I didn’t read the prequel, so hopefully, that is okay. TOmorrow is “Toy Story” day. Usually, with my oldest (pixar boy), we see movies the first weekend they come out, but last weekend was SO busy! So, the boys and I are going tomorrow (in 3D and then they’ll see it again with my husband, which is so weird, because he insists on seeing movies with me, but with my trip next week and stuff, we wouldn’t be able to fit it in).
Glad it is awesome. I need an awesome movie :)
Comment
You don’t need to read the prequel. It really is just an “extra.” Let me know what you think of the movie. I was blown away, particularly by the Pixar short.
Comment
sounds like a fun day! I love the mango mojitos part…..yum! oh, and of course, watching BtVS….what a great way to spend the day!
Comment
It was, Kris! Thanks! I can’t believe I missed the entire last season of Buffy. Where was I? On deadline, no doubt.
Comment
Most phones with alarms can be turned off and will turn themselves on when the alarm goes off. Just a quick tip although a little late.
Glad you had a great day. I can’t wait to see TS$ myself. I will bring a box of tissues.
Comment
Really? I need to explore this option, ev.
Comment
As long as your brother doesn’t know about it and uses it for his b’day!
Comment
Trouble is, he gets to work by 7 most days. I’d have to get up, text him and then go back to sleep! I hardly ever get up before 7:30 since I stay up past midnight every night.
Comment
I saw Toy Story 3 last night also, and I’m glad to hear I was not the only one crying! I immediately went home and hugged my Miss Piggy doll, after digging her out of her “attic” place. What a fabulous movie.
It sounds like you had a fabulous birthday! I hope the spirit of fun continues
Comment
I wish I had my Drowsy doll to hug…she’s the one I miss. I had to settle for hugging the one I got for my daughter that she never plays with, but who has a seat of honor among the stuffed animals that sleep with her in bed.
Comment
I’m glad you had such a great birthday!
Comment
Thanks, Debbie! I love the MM icon, don’t you???
Comment
Glad that you had a great birthday. Mmm… mango mojitos…
Comment
They were every bit as good as they sound. :-)
Comment
Julie, I’m so happy to hear what a wonderful birthday you had. Thanks for sharing your day with us. Sounds like it was a truly special day.
Glad to hear you enjoyed Toy Story 3. I think I only saw the first one, maybe with the grandkids!
Thanks for the reminder about “Book Club”. I was probably going to read 3 Seductions next anyway but now I will make sure that it is up next. While on my trip I was visiting friends & family, there was very little reading done! Not a surprise, after all the purpose was to visit with the people I saw!!
Comment
Glad you had a great time visiting, Donna! You need to rent the first two movies. They’re not just for kids by any means!
Comment
I love all of the “toy story”movies…we had a weekend when we watched 1 and 2 to prep for #3. They are awesome!
Comment
Sounds like a fun, amazing day, Julie! The girls and I are definitely going to see Toy Story 3 (in 3D of course!). Glad to know it’s a good one!
Comment
3-D was awesome. We weren’t going to splurge for the 3D, but it was worth it.
Comment
Sounds like you had a lovely day. I want to see toy story 3 too.
Comment
I can’t imagine you’d be disappointed!
Comment
I just celebrated my BD yesterday too. Your day sounded better than mine. Guess I need to go see Toy Story-i was good this one must be tons better.
Comment
Happy Birthday, Nancy!
The first Toy Story was incredibly awesome, but I’m amazing at how the movies just got better and better. I really loved this one…but probably not better than the first, only for sentimental reasons.
Comment
Glad you had such a fabulous bday. All my fav things, good food, spending time with family and a great sounding movie. Many, Many, Many more.
Comment
Thanks, Pat! Those are all my favorite things, too!
Comment
Hey Jules, sorry I missed your big birthday celebration. It looks like Les, Janelle and Carly threw you quite the partay. Your guest list was off the chain. It looks like you had a wonderful time as well. Did you get pics? I hope so…I would love to see some of them. I have been hearing wondeful things about TS3! I might have to catch that one. Maybe I can catch it tomorrow with one of my friends and her son. Happy Belated Birthday!!!!
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment