Thanks, everyone, for the good wishes! I've been enjoying the day, working on my family history scrapbook and ID'ing old photos. (Retirement means you still work all day, and you don't get paid for it, but *sometimes* you can do what you really enjoy, and that makes it all worthwhile!) Lars, the derivation is: MT = empty (i.e., empty nester). I chose that moniker when I first joined the forums because everybody seemed to have "Mom" names in those days, but my kids were all grown up and out on their own. Tricia, it's sunny here today but much colder than it has been--I was getting spoiled, thinking of 40's as "normal" for January. Today it's back to reality, highs in the mid-20's. I hope to get out for a walk while the sun is still shining. Nothing special is planned for tonight's dinner, except the turkey soup I made yesterday. Thanks again! Sue

Happy Birthday, Sue, it's a whole new year. I hope you started celebrating yesterday on the holiday and just keep on going through the weekend! Annie

Thank you to each and everyone of you that took the time out from your busy lives to wish me a Happy Birthday. So appreciated. No party here or cake. I did have a trip to the hospital for more blood work and afterward picked up lunch from McDonald's and ate it here at home with Amber and Alyssa. However being with them made it special. Sue

Thank you so much everyone for the nice birthday wishes. My day was a busy day. The forenoon spent on making a lot of phone calls to doctor's offices and then made lunch of potato soup. Cheryl, Amber and Alyssa came and we ate and then we started cleaning the living room and moving things out and about and dusting well. We were making room for a small round dining room table to move into there which did get moved in last night. In the late after noon, Terri, Mandy and little Alex came with a very nice birthday supper from Bob Evan's. Pot roast meal, chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese, rolls, banana bread, and they brought a birthday cake. Son Randy also came and ate with us. Our son in law Kevin had to work over so he came much later. It was a very different birthday eating in the living room so Norm could eat with us. Oh, by the way, I am now 80 years old. Thanks again everyone for the good wishes. Sue