Lol, you know I had a great cake. It was a molded chocolate one with chocolate pudding and strawberry sauce and iced with that hard chocolate shells and topped with chocolate covered strawberries and hubby got me my favorite cut flowers 2 big bouquets of alstromeria. I had gotten some in one of my first trades but they came up. I love those. I fell asleep after fishing and they had to wake me up at 9pm to eat my cake, lol. I was whooped bad I guess. Not used to all this running around. Thank you all for the nice birthday wishes.

aaaWWWWWWW! A little "bunny" told me you were all wishing me a happy day. Thank you! God, I miss you guys! As you can imagine, there's not a heck of a lot of time to check in here. I used to lurk quite a bit, but haven't even done that in weeks. Things will settle down a bit in a few weeks, so I hope to be back to share some fun with all of you. I'm sure I've missed tons. I hope everybody is well. I think of all of you often. In fact, just this weekend, my son had to use my cell phone because his broke. He was going through the address book and wanted to know who the heck Riverrat is. heehee. Remember the last time one of my kids snooped on me? They thought Shaun and I were having an affair. Life is good. It really is. Don't get me wrong, I miss Bob every single day. But I am blessed with what I do have. His death has changed my whole life and the outlook I have on it. I no longer complain about the little things. Perspective. I've grown up alot. I had a sinus infection yesterday so I called work, told them I'd be out, and I slept the day away. It was great and the perfect pampering. The kids came home from school and made me dinner - beef stroganoff. Sure, they fought the whole time they made it, but it was the best. The kids are getting so big. Brian is almost 17 now and driving. He's gotten so mature and responsible. Connor just celebrated his 14th birthday last week. He will be going to high school with his brother next year. They are getting so much closer. Mackenzie is still my princess and almost eight now. The other day she wrote in the dirt of my car: I miss you daddy. I love you. Then she made me drive up to the cemetary with it. Cutiepie. He's still such a big part of her life. I took the kids to the arcade for connor's birthday and Mackenzie was playing a game. Before she took her turn, she closed her eyes and said, Come on, daddy, help me win big! LOL In my "spare time" I have begun orgainizing a widow support group. I think I told you all about it the last time I checked in. Our first get-together will be April-May sometime. Cooking-related, life is pretty sad. LOL. I decided for the month of February, I'd stay away from the grocery store for the whole month except bread/milk - staples. I wanted to use up everything in my pantry. Let me tell ya, if you want to be an even better cook (ha...like I need to tell any of YOU!!!!), try this little challenge. It sure made me creative. Baking has been almost zilch. Again, maybe in the spring when things slow down a bit. Jeez, it feels good to be here. You are my family and I should spend more time with you. I'd still be in a gutter somewhere if it wasn't for all of you. Love you all!

Happy Birthday! I, too, cannot believe how wonderful and young you look with twins just slightly older than mine! (you look young even without knowing you have twins.) I know you deserve, and it appears you received, a wonderful birthday celebration!

I have to teach on Wed. and Thurs. so I'm kinda in a submarine, but I just wanted to post here and wish you a very Happy Birthday and a fantastic year ahead. What a year it has been, and I am so happy to be able to celebrate yet another year with sweet Lee! Lpink