I’m back from a fabulous trip with my sweetie to the happiest place on earth. Yes it was crowded. Yes it was cold. Yes I had a fantastic time. Here are some of the highlights: (Please keep in mind that I’m on vacation, not a lot of make-up action going on.)
Birthday mimosa! Photo by Corey Rickrode
You all know there’s going to be alcohol involved. This was my first day brunch at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen.
Mickey and the Magical Map. Photo by P. Rickrode
Cool new stage show with singing, dancing and awesome special effects. I love me some good theater.
A princess and her castle. Photo by C. Rickrode.
I’m waiting for my ladies’ maids to bring my tiara and glass slippers. Pay no attention the crowd behind me. I invited them all into my home for tea.
Birthday happy hour! Photo by P. Rickrode
Did I mention there was going to be alcohol? Hey, I turned 50, there was lots of alcohol. This was my birthday happy hour celebration at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney. Yes, this was my second drink. I can’t remember what it was called, but it was refreshing.
Happy birthday to me. Complimentary dessert for the birthday girl at Steakhouse 55. Photo by C. Rickrode
Yes I am wearing my birthday button and yes I did get a lot of free desserts. Wish there’d have been free alcohol, but I’ll take what I can get. This was the end of my delicious birthday dinner at Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel. Yes, it’s chocolate.
Me and Mr. Potato Head. Photo by C. Rickrode
Just some clowning around while we wait – for a very long time – in line.
My home of the future, complete with self-playing piano. Photo by C. Rickrode
Had I known self-playing pianos were going to inhabit every home in the future, I would not have wasted 20 years on lessons. And yes, I am bundled up – inside – because it was freaking cold.
Spring gardens at California Adventure. Photo by P. Rickrode
Come on – you knew it was coming. I can’t go anywhere without photographing the foliage.
Mickey beignet at Cafe Orleans. Photo by C. Rickrode
Did I mention free desserts? Hey I milked that birthday button for all it was worth. I’m 50 damn it – give me my free stuff.
So there you have it. A glimpse of my So. Cal. experience. Absent is a photo with Jenny Hansen. We met at Enchanted Sam’s Tiki Bar for drinks, but in my excitement I forgot to snap a photo. What a lovely treat to meet a lovely lady. Thanks for the birthday ginger pear martini, Jenny. The next round’s on me.
Have you ever been to Disneyland? What’s your favorite birthday memory? Do you take advantage of free stuff?
Word of the Day: Hexapod
Fun fact about me: My ears are pierced 3 times.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, April 2014. Original photos by the family Rickrode.
jansenschmidt 
Very fun photos Patricia! Happy Belated!!!
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Thanks, Susie. I wish I was a better picture taker.
Patricia
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Very nice, birthday girl. So glad you were pampered and spoiled on your birthday. Huggles!
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I was pampered and spoiled that’s for sure. My only wish is that it would have been a little warmer and a little less crowded, but we had a blast and I really enjoyed time away from the daily routine.
Patricia
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You DO know how to have a good time. Happy Birthday, Patricia!
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Thanks, Pat. It was a lot of fun. We’ll be having some fun soon in San Antonio!
Patricia
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Patricia,
It looks like you had a great birthday.
I love Disneyland. Walt and I share a birthday. I’ve been as a kid, a teenager, newly married without kids and of course, with the kids. The last time we went, my husband had a convention and his work put him up in the Disney Grand Californian hotel. Nice. Very nice. Except for the pool. My son, then about 9, discovered the hard way it’s too shallow when he swam too deep and cracked his tooth on the bottom of the pool. We had been there just long enough to throw on our swimsuits and order a drink poolside. Fortunately we were able to email a photo to our dentist and he told us what to watch for. He chipped it as close as possible to the nerve without actually hitting the nerve. There was plenty of pasta choices around Disneyland and we stuck it out for three days.
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Oh my – that does not sound like fun. But, still, you were at Disneyland. Even a bad day as Disneyland is better than most days doing the same old routine.
Thanks for stopping by.
Patricia
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Yeah! Multiple birthday desserts at Disneyland – not much can beat that! Enjoyed your pictures, but now I REALLY want to go! Thanks for tormenting me. Appreciate it. 🙂
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I love tormenting my friends. It’s what keeps us so close.
We did have a delightful time and I found as many birthday treats as I could. That birthday button is a remarkable thing. If you ever go and it’s even remotely close to your birthday, get a button.
Thanks for stopping by on this beautiful Monday.
Patricia
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You look SO happy in those photos. Awesome! I’ve never been to Disneyland, but been to the Disneyworld a couple of times. 🙂
My hub would probably have a few things to say on the subject of hexapods (he’s a mechanical design engineer). 🙂
Hope you have a great week!!
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Hi Coleen – I was indeed a happy girl that week. If you have to turn 50, do it in style I say.
Perhaps some day you’ll make it out here to the west coast Disney park. It’s unique from the bigger version in Florida and it’s cool because it’s where Walt actually walked. I love that.
Mechanical design engineer sounds about as detail oriented as they come. I suppose he’s quite familiar with hexapods.
Patricia
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Happy Birthday, Patricia! Looks like it was a fun one, especially with all those fun, fruity drinks. I have never been to Disneyland, but I have been to Disney World–most recently, when the 2010 RWA National conference was there!
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Hi Jennette. Disney World is way bigger and exciting than Disneyland, but it is fun once in a while to walk in the same areas that Walt walked. Something about the original park is nostalgic to me.
I was at the 2010 RWA conference in Orlando as well. It was my first RWA conference and I was so excited that it got moved to Disney World.
Thanks for visiting.
Patricia
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Happy belated birthday, Patricia! When were you at Disneyland? I was there on April 4th and had a great time with friends and family. I must take advantage of all the free birthday desserts next month. Glad you had such a wonderful time! 🙂
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Hi Jessica. We just missed each other. I was there from March 23rd through the 27th. We had a blast despite the cold and crowds. I imagine it was quite crowded when you were there as well.
There is something magical about Disneyland no matter the drawback. Like I always say, even a bad day at Disneyland is better than a day at work.
Thanks for stopping by and the belated birthday wishes. Always appreciated!
Patricia
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Welcome to the fabulous Fifties, Patricia! And there is no better place on earth to spend it. So glad you had a great time.
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Thanks Suzanne. Fifty is just a number.
And I understand you just had a great plotting weekend! I can’t wait to hear all about it.
Patricia
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Happy Birthday! Spending it at Disney along with lots of alcohol was a perfect plan!
We are huge Disney fans and love the parks. Can’t wait to go back.
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Yes, birthdays at any Disney park are the best. We had a wonderful time.
Now – get thee to a Disney park!
Patricia
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