Folks, we missed a few birthdays! - Pondboi! Pondboi, are you still visiting the forum? Happy belated b'day friend! - Mike from Illinois! Our much appreciated all-around helper with pond construction etc etc. Mike, you too, belated but no less warm wishes for all the best this coming year! Also, Adrea's (Isis) birthday is coming up the 30th, so, girl, we might as well include you in our waves of cyber hugs and kisses. This cake is for all three of you! The picture is a bit fuzzy but it's the best I could do with this very, very special cake. Btw, if I missed anybosy else's birthday, that's because I don't know everybody's, and life has been too busy for me to extend the list... but feel heartily congratulated as well! :) Mary

Hi everyone! Thanks for the birthday wishes! As you can see, i've been busy and haven't been on the computer for a couple of days. We had a shower planned for Sandy and my mother is here for the weekend, and other stuff going on, so i just haven't been here. It was a good birthday. My first present came at about 5:00 a.m. when i heard "Mrrrrow!" outside my bedroom window. Java brought me a dead bird. How sweet of her.... Someone said that maybe she misunderstood and thought it was my "bird"day. Grooooooooooooooan! LOL I got lots of birthday hugs at school and the kids sang over the intercom. A couple of older girls gave me a box of chocolates and a homemade card. We had our shower for Sandy that evening. My birthday was the cover plot, so she showed up with presents for me and got presents for her instead! The doctor told her "any day now" last week, even though her due date isn't until June 17th, so i was hoping the baby would come on my birthday, but i guess this one wants its own date, to heck with grandma! :) We're still waiting. Gifts for me included an adirondack chair and a crabapple tree from Eddie and Sandy. I think they might have it planned for me to sit under the tree with the baby! LOL They also gave me some gardening tools and a few plants. My sister-in-law gave me some magnetic photo frames for baby pictures, and i got gift certificates from local nurseries as well. Just while i was writing this, i remembered that my mother-in-law had handed me a gift on Friday before the shower and i'd forgotten about it in all the commotion, so i just went to open it - some stepping stones and a garden plaque. :) I'll have to call her up and say thanks. No, Sharon, i was not freezing my (54-year) old butt off at the lake! LOL Even Mike thinks it's too darn cold to bother going out. There are lots of disappointed tourists around here this year! Thanks again, everyone - you all make birthdays a lot more special! :)

I see Jessy beat me to the 'puter this morning, obviously neither of us were getting much sleep! I'm finally feeling much better, the sinus infections just hung on until the doc mixed my antibiotic with prednisone. I can finally breathe normally, but it shot my sleep pattern to he!! Work is crazy right now, ramping up to a big fundraiser. I have lots of talented parents right now, but I still need to be everywhere and oversee everyone! Invitations hit the mail yesterday, so that chore is over, but the auction catalogue, prizes, tribute journal, honoree speeches, decor etc are looming. Plus the boss is taking off for almost 3 weeks before! She's incredibly helpful,so that isn't great timing! DSIL is off to Chicago yesterday for what looks like a longish job. That means DD and DGS's will follow soon. At least this time the film is in this country! DGS Mason was one yesterday! i missed being with him due to work and the late demands of the job. Sunday DD is going ahead with the plans for a little afternoon party for the family and a couple of close friends. That shoudl be fine. Both boys have had sinus infections too...gee wonder who gave it to me? LOL Dinner tonight? I have no idea! Last night was steak, grilled asparagus and some other assorted veggies. I munched all day with our volunteer parents so I really shouldn't have eaten at all, but I think DH would disagree! Anyway, at this hour I'll just clink with my synthroid pill and water. Not very exciting, eh? Good weekend to all!

ah--i'm happy to know that i'm not the only one that almost missed this event! but you know i wouldn't let it pass by without my very best wishes for a wonderfully happy and healthy year! you've helped me many times and in ways beyond the confines of my kitchen linda and for that i thank you. happy, happy birthday to you!