OOPS!!! Sorry I didn't know that about Jan. 1 being "everybody's" birthday, if a specific date isn't given. Oh well, Happy Birthday, whenever it is. :>) Mwoods, your statement about each year bringing "joy, laughter, and some tears" is so true. None of us ever knows what's ahead for us. But, as my DH says, "It's been a trip, but I wouldn't change any of it!"

Thank you all, my dear, dear friends. Yesterday we had one of those days here at our house -- no water for 36 hours, Freya sneaking a pizza off the kitchen counter, and the smell of fresh polyurethane pervading the cold, damp house.... On the other hand, I had the loving affection of Tom and my DS Jacob, calls and cards from family, and greetings from all of you. And tonight we're going out to dinner to try celebrate again. Carla, Luanne, Jon, Anita, Lori, Ingrid, Sue, Carolina, Pamela, and Carol -- each one of your messages brought smiles and memories to my mind. I just realized that with the exception of Ingrid, I know each one of you in the Real World (as opposed to online) -- Ingrid, we'll just have to correct that soon. The only birthday wish I have left (besides more rain) is to hope that I get to see you all again as frequently and as soon as may be. Rosefolly

Thank you everyone! I had a wonderful day. Got to sleep in a little, and after getting Mom up and "cared for", I took off for the DMV. Only had to wait about 5 minutes for new stickers for my vehicles. Bought new underwear at Target (and remembered to use my $5 gift card!) then off to the spa! I had a massage, full body scrub and a facial. Four hours of relaxation and bliss! Then home to check on Mom and back to my place for a short nap. Found a flower delivery from my cousins! Back to my brother's for a nice steak dinner and leftover chocolate cream pie from yesterday's celebration at work. Tomorrow night my brother and sister-in-law are taking me to the Hard Rock casino! It's been a wonderful day! Barbara

Oh wow - just reading this - sorry for such a delay in updating. First my brother - he seems to be recovering well, but with an exception. We just found out that he needs some sort of heart catharization as he has been experiencing a fluttering feeling. He's currently hooked up to a heart monitor and the doctor's office called today to tell him of this new test he needs. Looks like it may require a pacemaker. He's not a happy camper. On the bright side, his Cholesterol is down, as are his triglycerides and he's lost about 25 lbs. It's just unnerving about this new development. Mom is holding her own. She's never really recovered her strength fully from all these infections and we just recently saw a specialist. Unfortunately, he's not the right kind of specialist. The hospital told us to see a nephrologist but he said a urologist is better. In the meantime, she's on a low dose antibiotic to ward off any reinfections. She's mostly in bed all the time, but one of her granny nannies get her up on ocassion. She can only walk a little and with much assistance. At least she's eating well and we've stayed away from the hospital so far this year. I'm looking into changing her primary care doctor - even though I like her - she did nothing to follow up with Mom after all her hospitalizations and ER visits. I thought she didn't have hospital rights but it turns out she does - she just never came. So that's it from here. Sorry to make Kat_WA check up on me so much. Barbara