[caption id="attachment_9625" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="The Jammy Brigade"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-694/" rel="attachment wp-att-9625"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9625" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110005-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

&nbsp;

My friends are obsessed with jammies.

&nbsp;

First, there are my friends at work.  At Noble Publishing Superpower, we are granted a telecommute day or two a week.  From numerous conversations that I've had with my fellow telecommuters, the biggest draw of the telecommute day is the ability to work in our jammies.

&nbsp;

Epic tales of Working in Jammies are spun to new employees who have to wait an<em> entire 6 months</em> before they are eligible for telecommuting.  The new employees can hardly bear the anticipation of 6 months that suddenly feels like an <em>eternity</em>.

&nbsp;

Forget the steady salary, the bonuses, the benefits, and the great culture.  What can possibly outshine Working in Jammies?

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<span style="font-size: medium; color: #800080;"><strong>What is it about jammies that cause grownups to drool?</strong></span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Is it because jammies make us feel comforted and nurtured as we did when we were children?  If you were a good girl or boy and put on your jammies when asked the first time, then you might win the right to curl up on the sofa with a warm glass of milk and cookies?

&nbsp;

Mmmmmmmm . . . . That memory lane ritual does it for me.  It was a loooooooong, eye-crossing day at work today, and I could use a bit of cookies &amp; milk therapy right about now.

&nbsp;

My friend, Dawn, (you might remember her as <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/05/day-19-poolside-palm-reading/" target="_blank">Sister Dawn Catherine</a></strong>) (no, she's not a nun, it's just her nickname) (but she was schooled by nuns) (and the nun memories are not as warm &amp; fuzzy as the milk &amp; cookies) (so I'm not really sure why it's her nickname) recently celebrated her birthday.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<span style="font-size: medium; color: #800080;"><strong>Dawn is Queen of Birthdays.  Unlike some women who start to dread their birthday past the age of 29, Dawn greets birthday after birthday with glee.  </strong></span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Kind of like someone else we know whose blogger initials are LB and whose real life initials are MD.  This is one of the many reason why Dawn and I are lifelong friends.  We speak each other's birthday language.

&nbsp;

This year Dawn planned her own Birthday Brunch.  She invited us girls over for a breakfasty-lunchy feast.  Dawn is World's Best 2nd Grade Teacher, a career designation which translates to Uber-Nurturing Personality both inside and outside of the classroom.  Which means, YES, the BIRTHDAY GIRL cooked for US as a celebration of HER birthday, and somehow we selfish wenches allowed it.  Because it's Mama Dawn (her alternate nickname), and it feels oh so good to be pampered and loved.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<span style="font-size: medium; color: #800080;"><strong>Dawn had only one request of her borderline opportunist party guests.  </strong></span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-size: medium; color: #800080;"><strong>Dress code:  Jammies.</strong></span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

We happily obliged.

&nbsp;

Because it's Mama Dawn and when she asks, we obey the first time.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_9626" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="Birthday Girl cooking up a storm for her party guests. I am so ashamed. But WOW those cinnamon rolls were DELISH!"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-695/" rel="attachment wp-att-9626"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9626" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110001-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

For showing up at noon in our jammies, we were rewarded not only with milk &amp; cookies, but also with waffles, eggs, bacon, muffins, chocolate, fruit, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and a few other delights that I can't remember because I've celebrated 42 birthdays and this is what happens to your brain at 42, you 29 year-olds who think 30 is old.

&nbsp;

Oh, yeah.  I also had to purchase my first set of "cheaters" a few weeks ago.  They're hottie ones in the style of <a href="http://www.lisaloeb.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Lisa Loeb</strong>,</a> but still.  Just you wait, 29ers.  Just you wait.

&nbsp;

All of this aging talk makes me want my warm milk &amp; cookies therapy pronto.  I'm off to put on my jammies.

&nbsp;

But before I go . . .

&nbsp;

And before you're too freaked out, 29ers . . . .

&nbsp;

(And this goes for the 30-something crowd as well . . . .)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<span style="font-size: medium; color: #800080;"><strong>Allow me to let you in on another secret:  </strong></span><span style="font-size: medium; color: #800080;"><strong>I wouldn't go back to 29 for anything.  </strong></span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-size: medium; color: #800080;"><strong>And each year I am <em>still</em> ecstatic over my birthday.</strong></span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

You'll see what I mean when you get there.  It's well worth the wait.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

************

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Who would like to join our Jammies Brigade?  Share your favorite jammies rituals below in the comments section.  Even though the milk &amp; cookies thing never gets old, let's be open to new ideas in the name of self-care.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_9627" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Gratuitous photo of Cutest Party Guest"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/02/21/playdate-6-pajama-brunch/olympus-digital-camera-696/" rel="attachment wp-att-9627"><img class="size-medium wp-image-9627 " title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/P2110002-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

&nbsp;