Number 37

I had the best birthday ever.
I will tell you all about it tomorrow.

Edit:

I'm sorry to all my Florida and Tennessee friends that I left hanging.

I should tape a note to my computer, "No drunk blogging on your birthday."

Stacy made me this card that I got a couple of days before my birthday. It's pretty amazing considering that it's my face on all the pictures. It made me laugh out loud in the post office and race home to thank her. I think I even texted her from the Post Office. I love that I can be a ballerina, what I think is Alice on crack, or a turtle in Tennessee. I can't wait to get there and be a turtle for a day. I think I'll sit around in the sun for awhile, eat a salad, and take a nap.

I woke up to about six messages on my IM's wishing me happy birthdays. I got about ten texts before I was ready to make my way out of bed. My pop texted me once an hour for the entire day. I loved it. It rocked my world. I hope he is able to do that every year. Shelly texted me a few times and I love her for just including me as her girl. I love her.

I woke up and had brunch with Nicole at Egg Harbor. The conversation went like this, "Um, well, I want brunch and I don't want to go alone, so you are coming with me." She enjoyed brunch.

She was seriously just as excited as I was about my birthday, maybe a touch more at 10am. She brought me flowers and a pretty card that made me cry.

Her plate was ginormous and so was mine. See the slideshow for visuals. It was so good. The coffee was to die for and they always leave a pitcher of ice water with lemon slices in it on the table. The company was better than the food any day of the week, though.

Then we went over to Target to putter and get me some birthday wishes so we didn't have to leave each other yet.

Finally when it was time we said our good-byes and made our ways to our separate homes.

I spent the next five hours doing exactly what I wanted on my birthday.

I cleaned and talked to Nicole on the phone all day. I had to plug it in because I killed the battery. My kind of day.

My house was torn apart and I needed some order. I got some things packed up and thrown away and taken care of. I got the bathroom in order, my bedroom in order, and even the rest of the living space.

J dinged me on the IM and asked me if he could come over and help. Seriously? The best birthday present ever. Ever. He came over and cleaned with me for almost four hours without complaining and he was the best help. I am so grateful to that boy o' mine.

Caetie came over to babysit Karrie's boys so she could come to dinner with us. She then made me cupcakes that I found when I got home. I was so touched. It was very sweet of her. The note, "Happy Birthday, Mo." and the candle with the unlit match in the cupcake that was just for me made my night. I sang happy birthday to myself and made a wish. I'm sure that it will come true!

Then it was time for dinner. We went to Houlihan's in Lake Geneva. Their bruschetta is to die for. I love it. I got it as my dinner. I had a house salad for appetizer and it had roasted corn kernels in it and it was so good, I want another soon. Karrie, gonna join me for that?

I passed my camera off to Toni's son and he got some great candid shots of the diners at Houlihan's. We had quite a crowd. Toni got me a small gift of gel pens and some pretty note cards that I can use to keep in touch with my Wisconsin family and friends. She also got me some of the shiny lip glosses I love. I loved it.

Karrie & Jess got me a card with a monkey on it. It's not JUST another card with a monkey. It's MY monkey card. :)

I was so glad that Rebecca & Livvie, Bernie & Abby, Lacie & the kids, Toni & her son, Karrie, Jess, Steph, Kristin, Jamie, Nicole, and Coral were all able to share my night with me. It was so good to see some new faces join us outside of work for some fun.

About 9pm we walked over to Hogs & Kisses for drinks and dancing. It was pretty amazing to be again surrounded by old and new friends who were there for me, to celebrate my day, and just hang out with.

I had a few drinks.

We did the "Summer Shot" as a birthday shot. It's Amaretto and cranberry, kind of tastes like a maraschino cherry. It makes me think of summer.

We danced. We laughed. We sang. I was loved. I loved.

My favorite DJ sent out a Happy Birthday to Kimmy song.

It was a good night. I had a nice designated driver take me home. I don't think I could have walked it, so I'm very glad he was there. And hey, I love lamp, too.

I am so very blessed.

I have a pretty amazing life.

I woke up to motorcycles outside my window, spring in the air--the honeysuckle is finally in bloom, a text from my pop saying, "Happy day after your birthday," and a mystery bruise on my hand.

That's the sign of a birthday done right.