My Birthday Week(s)

Yes, I said week(s) :) I feel that after a while a birth'day' just doesn't cut it.....the day thing with presents & cake one day doesn't do it justice. I believe we should concentrate on being with people we care about and enjoying our lives. I also believe our birthdays are our days -- our special days, our real New Year. I make any "resolutions" at my birhtday not New Years. Though, to be honest, I don't make resolutions anymore... as Jimmy Buffet says:
Yes, I'll make a resolution
That I'll never make another one
Just enjoy this ride on my trip around the sun

Anyway......my birthday week started with a wine & cheese party at my house the Saturday before. I had a small group of friends over. As it was a wine & cheese party, I must say Peter has the most creative present this year: he brought me a bag of cheese: English cheese, French cheese Danish cheese and to top it off, 2 slices of American cheese & a bag of Cheese Nips -- aka...hard cheese :) It was hilarious!! We decided to use the American Cheese as a test to ensure anyone driving home was able....if you can open a slice, you can drive home :) LOL!! Toni brought me the first part of my present (she really embraced the whole week thing) -- heart shaped ice cube trays. The trays are unusual as they are rubber -- they're great - easiest ice cube trays I've ever used! We all had a good night, talking, wine tasting, laughing and just enjoying each others company.

Tuesday night - my actual bday - I had dinner with 8 of my friends. It's an eccelctic group of people. We always have a good time just being ourselves and having a few hours of "girl" time :) I picked Via Delosantos for my bday dinner - a great place for margaritas :) Toni brought me the rest of my present - yay! shopping! Jen also contributed to my upcoming shopping trips. And I received a bottle of Baileys (Laura knows me so well!)....mmm..the best coffee cream ever :D We finished at least 3 pitchers of margartias (I lost count there however am pretty sure I had 5 glasses!). It was a beautiful Phoenix night, we enjoyed the weather and great company.

The next night I had my traditional birthday sushi at Akaihana (aka Mr Sushi). Santos made my birthday uni shooter (alcohol & uni, how can you go wrong?) then Nichelle, Kurt and I feasted on the best sushi in Phoenix. A great part of this night was the fact one of my best friends came to celebrate my birthday and spend the evening with me - one of my favorite gifts this year. Meanwhile, Nichelle gets a special prize for coming to all 3 events! We all had a great evening talking, catching up, laughing & enjoying great company.

Tonight - a week + later - I had yet one more birthday dinner (sushi of course!). I just spent a wonderful evening with Josh & Teri catching up and once again feasting on sushi. We haven't just hung out for a while. Josh has been busy with the American Heart Association's '07 Heart Walk (great event, wonderful cause -- watch for it in 2008!). Both have been busy planning their upcoming wedding (44 days left!). The evening was relaxing and fun.

All during my birthday week(s) out of state friends and family called me or sent cards. It's a happy time to get the mail and hear my phone ring. S.Scott called me on my birthday -- that receives special mention because it's rare he remembers ON the day.

Of course, I'm not done yet :) Next week I'm going to Pennsylvania to visit close friends & relax. That Friday it's all about the girls as Pam & I are having a spa day. Mmmmmm.......massage, facial, mani, pedi......ahhhhhh.....a great way to relax :)

All my celebrations just go to show how rich I am -- rich in friendship. Life isn't much without friends and family. So, on those rough days that are sure to come here and there during the year, I will look back on the last few weeks, remember how much fun it's been, remember my friends who shared the time with me and smile.