Today, October 22nd, is Mary's birthday and we are going to celebrate in classic sister style.

Left to right:  Just me, our sassy sister, Sheila, our silly friend, Gwen and my rockin' hot sister, MaryTKelly!  This photo was taken last January at my b-day party and will have to suffice.  I will have follow-up photos to add after the birthday bash!

OUR BIRTHEDAY GIRL AT YANKEE PIER IN LARKSPUR FOR FRESH SEAFOOD.  SKIPPED THE ITALIAN RESTAURANT.  WE SHARED A WEDGE SALAD, A FRESH BEET SALAD AND EACH HAD ANOTHER FOOD SELECTION.  ALL YUMMY.

So, our day will start out something like this:

 Mary will wake up early thinking about the last minute goodies to throw into her carry-on luggage, remembering baggies for security screening of her fluids.  Don't forget the Ambien or the Xanax!  Fear of flying a thing of the distant past.  Hopefully.  So go ahead and buy that jumbo box of face masks at the airport.  You never know.  I did mention to bring hand sanitizer and those disinfectant wipes!  You can never be too careful these days!  PS - If you've been looking for those cool yellow reading glasses...?  Yep, they're here.  You left them last time.  Aging causes forgetfullness, disorientation and mindless mishaps.  But don't worry.

She'll throw in a good book she's been trying to read, however, it won't be read while she's under my watch.  Oh no!  We've got stuff to do, see, hear, eat, lounge around on the living room sofa, laugh till we cry, and keep up with OS, for sure.  I will likely be running to the store for last minute treats, fresh flowers for the "Marester" (she does 'love her' some fresh flowers!) And some wine for the "bad sisters!"  Oh yeah, we be b-a-d!

 Yep, the "Bad Sisters"

Sheila, youngest sister and I, some years ago.  An "olde" photo, 'cause reference to anything old, as long as it is not about Mary, makes her happy.  I will never put the word "old" and Mary in the same sentence.  Not a chance!

So, off to the airport we go, Sheila and I, to pick up our birthday girl and head north and over the Golden Gate Bridge.  Entering Marin County through a scenic tunnel, outlined in rainbow colors ("The Rainbow Tunnel," my kids named it years ago) will be the entrance to Mary's old stomping grounds (oops)!  It's harder than you think to form a sentence without using the words "old" and Mary in it.  Dang!

In another short 10 minutes we will arrive in historic Larkspur, where Mary spent many of her growing up years, high school days and general messing around.  This is Mary's beloved old home town and one which has cast a spell over her, bringing her reoccuring fits of nostalgia, wistful memories and a longing for the old days.  Well, maybe not so much.  But she does love this town and insists we always go back to her's and Mom and Dad's favorite Italian restaurant, which we will likely do for her birthday lunch.  Maybe even sit outside.  She would like that.  Or we'll go somewhere else.  Mary's call.

Happy memories of St. Patrick's School and Church (will leave it at that!)

Downtown Larkspur with that "old" town charm

The "old" Lark Theater, still there after all these years

So, yeah, this is where we'll be hanging tomorrow for Mary's birthday.  A beautiful day is promised by the weather god's for this special day.  A perfect autumn day with all the colors of fall that Mary is hoping to see.  And she will.  We'll walk through town, all 3 blocks of it, reminiscent of old days gone forever.  A town full of rich history, both for it's proximity to San Francisco and for it's family adventures during Mary's developing years, now like a distant star in the universe.  (Cue music)  Right about now, Mary is thinking, "blah, blah, blah...!"

After our filling lunch (Gnocci) and some walking around town, we will head back up the hill to my place and just hang out together, relax, be cozy, talk smack about our husbands and kids, absolutely avoid any talk of politics or "Balloon Boy" or "Health Scare"...and enjoy our sister time which is becoming fewer and farther inbetween...then later decide whether to eat dinner in or go out...or simply go wherever the wind blows us...

AFTER LUNCH HANGING IN MY LIVING ROOM, HAVING COFFEES AND BIRTHDAY CUPCAKES.

PISTACIO CUPCAKES FOR MARY (HER FIRST GREEN CUPCAKES EVER!) 

YEP!  MARY ON LAPTOP LOOKING AT OS COMMENTS!

We are 3 of 5 sisters, the other two who live in Colorado and see Mary more regularly, won't be here for this birthday celebration.  Just Mary along with Just Cathy and Simply Sheila (the "bad sisters" who will be popping open the wine cork to toast Mary before Ellen comes on)!  And perhaps an "Olde Virgin Bloody Mary" for the wiser, sober, younger sister (younger than me, not Sheila), though that drink sounds *just wrong* somehow?!  May go with the "old" standby,  Arnie Palmer instead!  Less graphic than the aforementioned bloody drink.  Tea and lemon, "tea and jam...jam and tea..." Better visual.  (Fade in Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music...one of Mary's old favorites!)

EVENING IN LARKSPUR, CHATTING, MAC-ING, EATING. LOTS OF CHARDONNAY FOR THE "BAD SISTERS" AND A POMEGRANITE ICE TEA LEMONADE FOR THE SENSIBLE SISTER.

Then, best of all, a sister's sleep-over where the real cuddling and giggling begins.  The 3 of us undoubtedly will all climb into my big (not brass) four poster bed, get under the big cozy down comforter, get all comfy and watch some Thursday night "T-Vers."  Flash Forward a must.  Non-negotiable.  Followed by Grey's Anatomy. Also non-negotiable for Sheila, who works in a big hospital and lives for the drama of real life, made for TV medical love triangles. 

Check out Mary now, on her Mac-top with those sexy granny reading glasses, the ones she left here last month, wearing her cute jammies, scanning the OS (with childlike delight) for comments to this birthday post.  You know she will!  And mark my words, there will be follow-up photos!

SNAPPED THIS PHOTO QUICKLY BEFORE SHE SAID, "NO PHOTOS WITH MY READING GLASSES!"  BUT, IT FITS!  AND SHE IS ADORABLE IN HER READERS, THOUGH THESE ARE DIFFERENT THAN THE ONES SHE LEFT LAST MONTH.

This is always the best time of all.  Just us.  Sisters and friends, like we were still 8 years old.  All snuggled in one big bed.  Just hangin'.  Just being silly girls.  Girlie girls.  Lucky duckies! It's always the same for us.  Predictable, anticipated; cherished times.  Some things never change...old habits die hard... and all that "malarkey! " 

Somewhere, in lies some Irish wisdom passed on by our dearly departed Mom, who taught us the importance of togetherness, being genuinely content at home, family time, sisterly love and the "petting," or loving touch that was her signature.  All that said, these are Mary's gifts to all she loves and comforts, in her home and surroundings, brightened by her smile...her fiery spirit... her "Maryessence!"

SO, OK, THERE AREN'T TOO MANY PHOTOS CAUSE WE WERE LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY MOST OF THE EVENING AND JUST LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL! 

FUNNIEST MOMENT WAS WHEN THE PIZZA DELIVERY GUY CAME TO THE DOOR.  MY DOG WAS BARKING MADLY, PIZZA GUY WANTED NO PART OF MY DOG SO I CLOSED THE DOOR WHILE MARY HELD HIM BACK, I TRIED TO MAKE EXACT CHANGE TO PAY HIM, DROPPED THE MONEY AND MY DRAWSTRING LOUNGING PJ'S SLIPPED BELOW SAID BUTT CRACK LINE OF DEMARCATION, CAUSING 3 VERY SILLY SISTERS TO DOUBLE OVER LAUGHING TO THE POINT OF TEARS, PIZZA GUY LOOKING LIKE HE MAY EITHER ENTER THE HOUSE AND JOIN US OR RUN IN FEAR OF BEING EXPOSED TO SOME CONTAGIOUS, MOUTH FOAMING DISEASE.  ALL HE SAID WAS, "YOU CAN WRITE A CHECK?"  TO WHICH, WE ROLLED OUT ANOTHER ROUND OF HYSTERIA, HOLDING OUR STOMACHS, DOUBLED OVER IN UNSTOPPABLE LAUGHTER.

THE PIZZA TASTED SO GOOD.  MAYBE THE BEST PIZZA WE'VE EVER EATEN.  MORE WINE, MORE GIGGLES, MORE CONVERSATION AND GOOD TIMES.  BIGGEST REGRET WAS NOT GETTING A GROUP SHOT WITH PIZZA GUY! 

"Melted Butter"

~~~

Just a silly little birthday post for my baby sister, wh0 does, without a doubt, look younger with each passing year.

(more points!)

Coming to get'cha soon, Mare!

xoxoxoxo

(note:  Expecting Mary to read this post before she takes off from Denver for San Fran,   (OF COURSE SHE DID!) so a little something to kick off her birthday fun, full of sunshine, surprises and sisterly love).