Before I say "thank you", I want to apologize for being such a putz lately, not posting, and then showing up on my birthday. I know it's rude of me, but I just want to tell y'all how much it means to me to be remembered. Days like today can be hard when you can't spend them with the people you want to...your child, your parent, someone (anyone) who cares. So, thank you for the wishes, thank you for remembering, and mostly, thank you for caring! To say I've been busy is an understatement. Last year, I helped deploy over 60,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, on top of running my normal operations, and chalked up over 500 hours of overtime. This year has been tough so far since my one and only remaining employee jumped ship on me in December and took a job in Korea. On top of the normal deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, I'm now sending folks to places like the Horn of Africa, South America, and points in between as well as re-equipping units who have just returned. Stress has become a normal facet of life, but I'm proud to say that I've still managed to ward off the first grey hair! Of course, the payback is a few more character lines on my face and dark circles under my eyes from lots of sleepless nights. But I won't complain, it's a small price to pay compared to the ultimate sacrifice our military makes. I wish I could explain the emotions that wash over me when my phone rings in the middle of the night and it's a Soldier who just needed to hear a voice from home, or it's a Commander who is calling to say thanks for helping him get gear after his convoy was hit by enemy fire, but there are no words that adequately describe it. I've often wondered why I was put on this earth, what my purpose for being was, and now I know. It's to make a difference in another's life any way I can. So, when I do have down time, I'm busy baking and packing care boxes, or writing long letters, or listening to nervous soldiers talk. I spent my birthday doing the things that make me happy...spending time in the bookstore, baking banana bread to ship overseas, baking cookies for a friend who just returned from a deployment in Colombia, SA (where the work he did was paramount on the release of the hostages held by the FARC) who drove 600 miles from an airport in TN to wish me a Happy Birthday before he makes the 800 mile trip back to his home base in FL tomorrow, hanging out for an hour with my DS (who is now 15 yo, 6 ft tall and weighing in at an offensive guard's weight of 203), digging in the dirt, and just being thankful for being able to be part of this life. Thanks, again, everyone for being part of this special day! Maryanne

Wow and thanks all, I was kinda shocked when I saw this because I can't remember putting my real birthdate anywhere. I normally don't or leave it blank LOL But yes it is my bday. The only thing missing was that the Forsythia hasn't quite bloomed yet this year. Wasn't a big day, went for lunch with mom and oldest sis then over to my aunts who's birthday is also today where again I was reminded how as a tyke I was puzzled and then miffed at how Aunt M could have the same birthday as me LOL

Thanks, everyone! So far it's been a lovely day...except it's cold and raining and I had to work, hehe. But it was a stress-free workday and I'm ignoring the fact that I'm a year older, so it's all good. I took off an hour early and I am sipping from my stemless (jelly) glass. As soon as the kid gets home we will head out to a place on the river that serves great food...all homemade breads, salad dressings and desserts. And, yup, Ellen...you nailed it...a bottle of Huckleberry Blush it will be :)

Go ahead and try to say "no" to that face! They like to have your attention, and like to be around their owners. So if you want a dog that is independant and on their own a lot, a pug is not for you. Basically, if I am there then Ruby is there. If I am sitting, she is on my lap, or lying next to my leg, or sleeping on the floor with her chin on my foot. If I am cooking, she is leaning on my leg, squeezed between my legs and the cupboard, or lying on the floor with her chin on my foot. If I am lying down, she is across my leg, on my head, or curled up behind my knees. If I am in the bathroom, she is lying outside the door waiting for me LOL. They snore and they snot and they snorkle. People think they cannot breathe, but the CAN and I do believe those sounds are part of their communication. When Ruby is happy or excited she does this heavy pant that sounds like she is gasping for breath. I have to tell everybody she is NOT having an asthma attack. While pugs might not seem to mind temperature extremes, they really can't handle long periods of very cold or very hot weather. Not an outdoor dog for sure.