happy birthday to me

I'm notorious for stretching my birthday out as long as possible. But just when I thought it was really over (two days after the fact, in fact), I came home to find my lawn covered with balloons, staked into the ground with lollipops. Thanks to all my loving friends and family for making me feel loved!

What a weekend. First, dinner with my parents. Then they babysat while Berkeley treated Mike and me to the next, next generation of Star Trek. Which I recommend with all my heart. Intelligent twists. Romance. Humor. This movie really delivers.


Then off to my sister's house in Bend. She knows me very well: tacos, banana cream pie, strawberry pie, a late night trip to Cold Stone to harass my niece at work.


Here we are, hiking in a lava tube, deep under the earth.

And an amazing new adventure. I feel bad blogging about it, because Sheryl should blog about her new toys herself. So I won't say much. But I'll just throw in a picture of myself, still hip and happenin' at 37:

Thanks, everyone! For the t-shirts, the earrings, the cookies, the balloons, the hanging basket, the saltwater taffy, the phone calls, the book, the pies, the cards, the kindness!

I really do feel loved. (By the way, this is your thank you card.)