Thank you all so much! It was so wonderful and I began a couple of days ago, it goes until lunch on Monday when my boss takes me out. Linda, he gave me the sweetest card. The greeting was "Dear Birthday Girl". He's only 11, who is he calling girl? I had to laugh! Y'all are the best. Sol, will you sing Rockin' Robin? ;)

Thanks for asking Annie. I'm one of those people that spend a week celebrating. This past Sunday was my biological family. We had lunch out and then cake at my mom's house. Tuesday night was the big night out, that in the past would've been my husband (still not ex) and son, but since I am separated, just me and the son. We went to Ja Alexander's and had grilled artichokes, baked chicken and smashed potaotes. I had a cappuccino and carrot cake and he had carrot cake. :) Wednesday was lunch with the work friends, emails from friends accross the US (including here on GardenWeb (((big smiles!!!)))), and the research nurses, lab, and my counterpart had two cakes (my counter part's birthday is today). I did't do anything last night but slay the cake dragon. That is, I made the cake with too much baking powder again with less baking powder and upped the butter on Sol's suggestion. It actually looked like a cake! I ate horribly and loved every morsel. Gravy covered livers in a crispy coating, bad girl! Mmm. I'll probably do one more big night out with my mom who wanted to take me out last night, but I didnt' feel like it and she needed to meet with a realtor last night anyhow. She seemed disappointed, and I think that her not coming over was why. It's been nice, but I am getting so much sugar I am ready for some veggies! I appreciate all the nice wishes. I really do. Thanks

Thank you so so much! Y'all are the best! I ate all weekend long. I had to get rid of the leftover (because it is sacrilegious to have it!) hollandaise and so I had an artichoke. I also had to get rid of the leftover bacon and BBQ sauce, so I had barbequed prawns. You know how it is. Then, mommy didn't feel like make the yearly pie, so I made it. Oatmeal crust chocolate meringue pie! That was Saturday. Yesterday, I was ill. To the point of, I refused to touch any doorknobs or people. I even had a fever, which rarely happens. But I still ate the fried chicken, beans, hashbrowns, beans, and deviled eggs. We had an oreo ice cream cake. Mmmm. Mommy sent me home with her soup and that was good to eat and rest. I feel better today and so it's the meal out with the LF. He'll be looking sharp and using his good manners, so it'll be nice. Tomorrow is a glass of wine with a friend whose birthday is today! Unending food, so you know it's fun!

Thanks guys! I appreciate any wishes, late, current, you name it. It was a good day. I woke up to my nine-year old son wishing me a happy birthday, came to work (at a teaching hospital, we do research) and the lab gave me flowers, the nurses gave me an ice cream cake, and I heard from friends via phone and emails from St Louis, to Huntsville, Vero Beach, Philly, all over. It was so nice. I hadn't heard from a couple of them in years. Mommy and I took the kiddo to an Italian restaurant and I gained back a couple of pounds. Mmm. I'm still celebrating. Today I'll go to lunch with work administration, my "true" group, where I fit in. I appreciate all you do for me. And I'm glad to know I can contribute something over here, as an old hat. :)