40

Eric turned 40 this weekend and even though he's not big on birthdays, I wanted to make it extra special for him.  We're both so happy that friends and family were able to make it over to help us celebrate.

There was no shortage of food, alcohol, love, or laughter.  It is an evening Eric won't soon forget, I'm sure.  Thank you to everyone who came out and made his day special.

And Eric, welcome to your 4th decade! 

 

Cheeses

Party Room

I put up baby pictures of Eric...this one is my favorite

Eric and Clare

40

Mac and Cheese from Bobby Q's - best stuff ever!

Meat and Taters

Brenda, Rita, Daniel, and Crosby

Eric got several REI gift cards...perfect gift!

Handsome Devil...the wine, I mean.  ;0)

Beer candle from Aunt Rita and Uncle Paul

A bottle of scotch from Tony and Kelly

Beer packed in Depends!  Good one Karen and Rob!

Italian beer glasses from Karen and Rob

Eric, Daniel, and Bret

The cake!  Thanks Caketini...for making it so quickly and delivering it!

 "At the age of 20, we don't care what the world thinks of us; at 30, we worry about what it is thinking of us; at 40, we discover that it wasn't thinking of us at all."

Girl Time / Spa Day

Not that we ever really need a reason to get together, but birthday's do create a good one!  This weekend 3 of us girls met up at the beautiful Fairmont Scottsdale Princess hotel to celebrate Karen's birthday.  We signed up for a great deal via Travelzoo for a full day at the spa, including a 60 minute massage, lunch, and a glass of sangria. 

We started with an Aerial Dance class which was a blast!  Think clumsy girls on Cirque du Soliel silks, lots of spinning, and lots of giggling!

 
After our class we changed into our big, comfy robes and relaxed for a bit in the Eucalyptus Inhalation Room.  Then we enjoyed our light lunch and sangria and lots of catching up and girl talk.

 
Finally, we went to our separate rooms for hour long massages...heaven! 

It's no secret how much I love my girlfriends; and days like this just bring us closer together and create great memories.

Now, if only we weren't bruised and sore from the Aerial Dance!  ;0)

Happy Birthday Month, Karen!





"No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each others worth." - Robert Southey

Day of Birth

I have always found it interesting how differently people look at birthdays.

Some lie about their age.


Some celebrate it as if it's an obligation...just another "Hallmark Holiday" in their year.

Some dread the day and ignore it altogether.

Myself?  Well, ever since I can remember I have celebrated the day of my birth with complete joy...only to become more joyous each year!

Basically, throughout the years I have used my birthday as an excuse to get my best group of friends together.  To me, that's what it is all about.  There's nothing more important to me than family and friends.  However, everyday life creates so many obstacles that keep us from connecting; so what better reason than someone's birthday to come together?!

And as I get older, and I have moved across the country, and friends have moved all over the globe, birthdays have become even MORE important to me.  Today, I can't even tell you how many people sent me well wishes on Facebook.  Hundreds.  Now, I'm not going to pretend that each one of these produced a sentimental feeling in me.  But you know what?  MANY of them did.  I heard from people that I haven't seen in over 10 years.  And even though it's been a long time, they are people who I will ALWAYS love.  If it weren't for FB I may not even still be in touch with...

Vickie...my (what do guys call it??) wing man?!  Vickie and I were inseparable in our 20's!  If our stories ever got out we would be pretty embarrassed !  LOL!  Flash forward to present day...Vickie is happily married and the mother of an adorable, bespectacled 'Bing'.

Edra...my Godsend of a coworker/friend on my first job in the "Big City" of Indianapolis.  I worked in the construction business on the accounting end.  Edra held the same position on a job in Kokomo.  We became fast friends over the phone and then in person.  Flash forward to present day...we rarely communicate.  Although I'm a big FB user, Edra is not so much.  But today she sent a wonderful private message.

And as a final example, I will reference my more recent friends I made during my previous job of Corporate Trainer.  I was lucky enough to travel all over the country and meet SO MANY wonderful people whom I now count as friends. It was so nice to hear from so many of them today.

In summary, I am blessed to have made so  many friends throughout my 41 years.  And if it's something as simple as birthdays or Facebook (or both) to remind us of those friendships...well, then to me that makes my birthday worth celebrating!!!

And I would be remiss to not comment on my friend, B, who is fighting for her life as I type this.  I'm sure she would give anything to be guaranteed another birthday.  So THAT is a great reason to celebrate!!!

Thanks to everyone who sent me sweet messages.  I miss and love you.  XoXoXo

Celebrate the day that you were brought into this world...each and every year.