Social Distancing Diaries: Day 53

Dear Diary

It’s my birthday eve! But it’s also my sister’s birthday. We’re 5 years + 1 day apart. Growing up we didn’t always appreciate having to share birthdays, but now I have twins so as a parent I get it! Happy Birthday, Karen!

My goal this birthday is to take advantage of as many restaurant birthday offers as I can. Houlihan’s offers a free entrée up to $15 when you buy an entrée. That’s such a great deal and Tom and I go out for lunch every year for my birthday while the kids are in school. Not possible today. And I didn’t want to buy dinner at Houlihan’s for 6 people, even if I saved $15. It would still cost too much. So I timed my Houlihan’s offer redemption to coincide with Taco Tuesday at Good Burrito Co. That way, we could order $2 tacos for the kids and Tom and I would order from Houlihan’s. I am SO brilliant! But then when I was finally ready to call in my order I couldn’t find my birthday coupon email! I was devastated. I still can’t figure out where in cyberspace it is. I called to order anyway. When the person on the other end told me my total I said, “Ok, this is going to sound really lame, but I have a birthday coupon email but I can’t find it.” She said, “Oh that’s ok! We can still give it to you. Things are hard enough right now. We don’t need to make it harder.” I just about cried. I couldn’t believe it. I was so happy. Kudos to Houlihan’s. Go sign up for their emails. It’s worth it just for the birthday coupon. AND, because it was Cinco de Mayo they were offering free chips and salsa if you spent over $30. And they gave us that even though our total after the coupon was less than $30. Tom and Ellen went to Good Burrito Co. to order the tacos. I had a birthday coupon for $5 off my order. So my 8 tacos only cost $11. Hee Hee! I have a coupon for a free burger at Red Robin. Not sure if I can get out to redeem that one this year. We’ll see if Starbucks will offer me a free drink tomorrow on my birthday. What’s your favorite birthday offer?

And besides my friends who thought my birthday was this past weekend, I received my first birthday wishes today from my dear friend, Joan, whom I haven’t seen since we moved from Pittsburgh 14 years ago. Her birthday is the day after mine so we’re Birthday Buddies. You know how some people cause you to smile just thinking about them? Yeah, that’s Joan.

I have no plans for tomorrow (my birthday). If the kids ask what I want for my birthday they know the answer—“I just want all my children to get along.” I’ll let you know how that turns out!

I had no interesting pictures from today. But Lily saved this scavenger hunt and she and Eden caused quite a commotion today when they competed against each other to complete it. Have fun!