Happy (Belated) Birthday

My best friend Heidi celebrated her birthday yesterday. I was going to write her a nice post and direct people over to her blog to say Happy Birthday, but . . . well, we have been so busy here.

And there's this:

Yesterday I took the kids over to her work at the un-named studio lot for lunch, and we all had a great time. I don't drive very much. I mean, I drive to pre-school, and the grocery store, and the drug store, Target, the library, my in-laws--you get the idea. Los Angeles is a big place, but since I rarely need to travel more than 10 miles from my home, I don't know it very well. If Lance is in the car, he always drives. (I know, I should set a better feminist example for my kids, but I hate driving. I fantasize about having a driver at my beck and call.) The drive to the un-named studio lot was outside my area of expertise. No worries, Heidi sent me directions and I got there just fine.

Going home was another story. I turned the wrong way out of the lot. Once I realized this, I looked for a place to turn around but didn't find one. I did find a sign for the 134 freeway, and thought "Okay, I'll just take that. I know how to get home from the 134". Except I never know whether I need to go north or south or east or west, so of course I got on the 134 heading the wrong direction. No problem, I'll just get off and turn around. But wait! There's a sign for the 5 freeway. I'll just take that and go through downtown. Fine. Except I didn't get over soon enough to make the exit to the 110, so I had to take the 110 going the wrong way. Damn. Oh well, I'll just get off and turn around. Oops, the exit I got off of does not have an entry onto the 110 going the other way. Well, I just drive around here until I see a sign. The freeway is right there! There has to be a way to get on it! After driving around a fairly sketchy area of Glendale for what felt like hours, I finally got back on the 110 going the correct direction. And made it home without another glitch. Sheesh.

In my defense, during all of these driving and turning around and swearing and wishing I knew my south from my north and my right from my left, I was also constantly turning my head to the back seat and making faces and funny noises in an effort to keep Miss Viv awake. If her eyes close for more than 60 seconds at a time before her afternoon nap, then she does not take one. I failed to keep her awake. She did not nap yesterday, aside from her snooze in the car.

So, Heidi, I'm sorry! I know you had a somewhat pissy birthday but I'm glad that we could at least be a bright spot in your day. I love you and hope the best for you. Thank you for always being there for me.