* Another Trip Around the Sun *

It's finally here.... A Really BIG Birthday. 

image: www.kauffmanpost.com

I didn't have to buy my own birthday cake. The Ronald bought one for me! Plus helium balloons! 

Happy Birthday, also to my blog friend Rachel Cotterill.

"Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened." -- Jennifer Yane

"In childhood we yearn to be grown-ups. In old age we yearn to be kids. It just seems that all would be wonderful if we didn't have to celebrate our birthdays in chronological order." -- Robert Brault

"I'm 60 years of age. That's 16 Celsius." -- George Carlin

Yep, those quotes just about say it all!

Correspondence, a Campaign, and a Cake

Yes, I "owe" but it's not credit card bills because of Christmas shopping. 

Nope, what I owe: E-mails and Christmas cards!

source: Cafe Press

Please don't think I've forgotten you, but I just didn't send Christmas cards. If you did receive one, it's either because your last name is in the first part of the alphabet, or you're just lucky, because I did send out about ten of them!

So, to catch up on my correspondence, I intend to send something after January 6th, which is my birthday!

If you're a regular visitor to my blog, you'll know that particular date is very significant and for TWO BIG reasons this year. That's the date my Kickstarter Project ends. Please help me reach my goal. And it will be the best gift I've ever received and it will be for.....

source: bookriot.com 

  my 60th Birthday. Yikes!!  

source: onesweettreat.com/2011

"Authorities say brain cells may shrink, but they don't necessarily die. Frankly, I am cheered by the fact that something is shrinking. I'd be even more thrilled if what was shrinking affected by dress size, but you can't have everything." -- Erma Bombeck

* Finding My Bliss *

This evening I needed a break from my usual activities of watching TV with The Ronald, blogging, e-mailing, and more recently trying to force a story out of my head that just wasn't happening. In fact, earlier this afternoon, I got a migraine headache, probably due to the stress I've been putting on myself. I decided it was time for a change in my routine, so here's what I did to reclaim my bliss.

Remember the beautiful flowers and "birthday cake" The Ronald gave me for my birthday on January 6th? I finally got around to baking that cake and he said it was delicious! (Don't worry, I'm sure I'll be having a slice or two.)

Then I took some pictures of a salt and pepper set I bought at Hobby Lobby last night. I "sort of" collect them, which means I don't have many. These just shouted at me to buy them and they were 50% off, so what could I do?! Just looking at them makes me smile from ear to ear.

Aren't they just adorable?? So cute and funny, and with beautiful spring colors! They remind me of cartoon characters from long ago.

And The Ronald and I played Scrabble this evening, which we haven't done in ages. I had all the weird letters: Q, Z, V, and Z. I trounced him, too, which hardly ever happens.☺

It was a very good evening, recapturing my bliss!

"Who could be so lucky? Who comes to a lake for water and sees the reflection of the moon." -- Rumi

* Nostalgic Sundays *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday....Already??

Today I had a difficult time coming up with something for Nostalgic Sunday. Actually, that's not quite true. I had an idea, but after rummaging around four or five boxes of photos, and still not finding THE ONE photo I was looking for, it was time for Plan B.

This is what The Ronald gave me for my birthday this year. He's been down and out with some kind of cold or flu, but still managed to go to a store and bought the lovely basket of fresh flowers. (Carnations are one of my favorites because they last so long.) 

And then, his sense of humor shines brightly with the cake mix box (He didn't feel well enough to  make it...don't know why he didn't just buy one while he was out!) And of course, the numbered candles on top really made me laugh, because that's not how old I am this year, which he knew...but he said we didn't have a "9" in the cabinets! (another thought of why not buy one?!)  ☺But, I was thrilled with his thoughtfulness!

Flash Back quite a few birthdays. This was during my contact lenses and perms phase. That is my baby boy, Mark, and myself on my 35th Birthday! Awwww... Very happy times!

Back to the year 2012 and reality! Oh, how I used to love to tease my mom about her flabby under-arms. Shame on me, but how was I to know I would have the same affliction someday?!

Welcome to my newest follower, Denise Covey. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you!

"Life is a handful of short stories, pretending to be a novel." -- Anonymous