Happy Birthday to Tonya

For this first post, I'd like to congratulate Tonya on the occasion of her birthday. No, a birthday is indeed not just another day. I know this because I have birthed two children. Your mama had to earn your birthday, girl, and now we get to celebrate it.

Of course, in the manner of all things that should be celebrated on that day, we'll have to postpone the actual party, but here's a promisary note from the Waynesburg chapter of the Elaine Society, 2008:

Tonya's Birthday will be Celebrated

With: Pomp and Splendor

Without: Children
With: Fellow Energetic Members
Possibility: Amazing Food/Incredible Conversation/Entertainment (perhaps Sally will tapdance? Nancy will sing opera? I, Kim, will juggle?)

Here are just a few things I appreciate about Tonya:

I am amazed at her resourcefulness: if I ever have a question (how to can artichokes; how to glean seeds from pumpkins? how to peel four bushels of apples?) I would e-mail Tonya.

Tonya is kind and generous; she is open with her life and home and full of good ideas and hidden talents (i.e., sews up special purses for her daughters, builds scarecrow and names her, constructs a 'kid wash').

Tonya is a good cook and a good mother and a good cleaner and a good organizer and a good seamstress and a good gardener and a good canner and a good professional. . .hmm. . .and manages to keep her daughters' hair brushed and done up. These are things most of us only hope to touch the outside seam of.

So congratulations, Tonya, on the occasion of your birthday, from all the Elaines. May your day proceed with alacrity, your children be kind, your husband be dashing, and may all the cold winter sky smile warmly upon you tomorrow!