Hey there ULG crew. Yes, it’s birthday time. This year I’m leaning into the celebration.
Sunday night trivia at Austral Bowling Club they had a cake for me. Here is my super butch reaction to snuffing the candle with wet fingers.

Just had my Birthday phone call from Varun in India (my last long term partner) can’t believe he left Australia 22 years ago. Still miss his stupid face.
My Birthday day (Wednesday 25th) is all about study because I’ve been too busy to get anything done in the last week and I have stuff due. Actually due weeks ago. It’s causing me stomach curdling anxiety. Thing is, weddings, extra gigs and funerals aren’t something that can be put off.
The evening will be Trivia with my Greystanes Inn crew. Jin, BFF Kath and her Dad are coming for that. I’m pretty happy with this small scale on the day event.
Thursday night Jin is taking us to the Darling Harbour Sofitel for the night with dinner at a restaurant I like and hotel breakfast. Just us. Super chill.
Saturday we are having a bit of a party at the local Chinese restaurant. It serves Authentic 1970s Australian Chinese Food. Believe me, it’s a thing. We have this extraordinary history of Aussie Chinese. It’s getting hard to find nowadays because everyone is going much more Traditional Chinese FROM China. Anyway, it’s cheap as chips and the food is So Good!
It has been a toss up whether to buy a big ticket perfume that’s been on the To Buy List or art. I haven’t been able to decide, and we already have a surfeit of both. So I’m hoarding my money for our November family trip to Taiwan.
Rahele by Neela Vermeire Creations is my birthday perfume. It’s the scent of events ever since our wedding in 2018. It has been the perfect fragrance for important moments because it’s beautiful enough to be intoxicating but not so overwhelming it takes precedence. Osmanthus, violet and mossy leather with a whole bouquet to back it up. Perfection.

Notes of green mandarin, cardamom, cinnamon, violet leaf, osmanthus, rose, magnolia, jasmine, iris, violet, cedar, sandalwood, oakmoss, patchouli and leather.
Well, I’m off to get things done,
Portia xx
Many happy returns, Birthday Boy! You look so good!
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Thank you Jilliecat!
Portia xx
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Happy birthday, life is good at 56! You smell lovely.
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Let’s hope life is good last 56 Hamamelis!
Portia xx
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Happy birthday, Portia! Lots to look forward to, and I hope you enjoy every bit of it!
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Thank you Nose Prose!
So much to look forward to.
Portia xx
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Love that you’re getting together with friends and having a big celebration! Here’s to many many more, Portia :)
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Thanks Carole,
Funny about birthdays, some years I want to do 50 little things with each buddy and others I want them all together for a bit of a party. This year feels like a big get together year.
Portia xx
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Happy birthday! Looking great. Rahele is a perfect choice. Enjoy!
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Thanks Moragana62,
Rahele was perfect.
Portia xx
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Happy Birthday! We are the same age, I would have thought you were younger than me… although neither of us is old – your energy and spirit belie your chronological age. Enjoy all of your celebrations!
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YAY! Twins MMKinPA!
Thank you, on all counts. Enjoy 56.
HUG
Portia xx
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Happy Birthday! We are the same age, I would have thought you were younger than me… although neither of us is old – your energy and spirit belie your chronological age. Enjoy all of your celebrations!
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Have a wonderful couple of days of celebrations. Every birthday is precious.
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And you’re STILL younger than me. Dangnabbit☺️
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HA!
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Agreed Cassieflower, I’m still here living and remembering those who didn’t get this far, every day is precious.
Portia xx
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Happy birthday! Wishing you good health, happiness and many more birthdays to come!
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Thanks TaraC,
Right back atcha.
Portia xx
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Happy, Happy Birthday!!!
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Thank you handsome man,
Portia xx
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Happy birthday 🎂🎁🎉 You look fabulous ❤️. Have a wonderful time with all the celebrations. I’m going to research Aussie Chinese cuisine. Sounds fascinating and delicious.
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Thanks RR,
OMG! Aussie Chinese, if you know any Aussie expats our age or older, ask them, it’s one of the things they all miss about home and search out on return visits.
Portia xx
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Happy Birthday, dear Portia!
I love that you love your birthdays and celebrate them with multiple events! It’s so great! I hope you enjoyed everything you already did and will enjoy the rest that’s coming. As to buying something special, it’ll be great whenever you do it (and whatever you end up spending money on).
I wish you a LOT of happiness and health.
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Undina, thank you.
My continued great good fortune to be a part of your Looking Glass crew makes me extremely joyful every fortnight. Now THAT is a gift worth treasuring, as are you.
HUG
Portia xx
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Happy birthday, Portia! And many more. Your birthday plans sound lovely!
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Thanks OH, They’ve been so much fun.
Portia xx
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Happy Belated Birthday Portia! Hope you’ve enjoyed the extended birthday celebrations over the week! Enjoy the upcoming family holiday to Taiwan and enjoy whatever you end up splurging on to celebrate your birthday.
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Thanks on all counts Juli.
Portia xx
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Better those digits than the reverse, like me… ;) Belated birthday wishes – I spent 15 hours on trains that day coming back from France and missed the occasion, sorry! That perfume of Neela’s sounds great – I don’t think I have tried any since Picola.
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Congratulations on hitting my reverse # Vanessa.
Neela has been doing beautiful stuff but it gets lost in the maelstrom of new crap.
There’s another coming next year, I’m particularly excited for it.
Portia x
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