Overwhelmed - in a good way

Well, today is my birthday. I have no regrets about my age for if I didn't have a birthday what would the alternative be? Not being alive? I'll take the birthday. I love my life and all who are in it. On the whole, it was a great day. I headed off for work as usual and met my boss in the parking lot. Lyn promptly sang to me as we walked in! Cindi was at her desk already and had left a package on mine. It had a neat bag in it that she cut out with her Cricut - that's a neat tool! Inside the bag was a sweet little PC mouse that her daughter Alex made. He now resides on top of my inchie shadowbox with the albino rat. ('nother story - 'nother day) There were also TWO bags of Flaming Hot Cheetos! (I just discovered those - Yum!) The card was the best, but I won't go into details here. I was showered with many good wishes, cards and gifts. Among them candles & hand crocheted towels from Carole, some fabulous office wall accessories from Lyn and a great gift card from Donna! Chris stopped by on his way to work and brought me a dozen roses. He is just the perfect husband! Throughout the day I was serenaded several times - once by the 4th grade band over the phone! After that Mr. O ran out and brought back a banana split!

Overall, I was very overwhelmed by the real and genuine happy birthday wishes I received. My phone rang often during the day with people calling just to say Happy Birthday. Everyone at my job is so nice and they have made me feel very welcome and a part of the team right from the beginning. Our motto is 'Hidden Hills Family .... Be In It.' You can't have a school community family if the staff doesn't feel it. And we feel it - it's great. In my nine years of being a part of this school, I never felt it more than I did today. Thanks Guys!

After I got home, the kids got several flats of pansies and repotted my large outside pots that I didn't do in the fall. That was so sweet! A pain-free back for me! They also gave me some awesome cuttlebug dies and embossing folders. I'm going to be digging that! We headed out to Flamingo Palace for dinner. We started going there about 22 years ago and it was one of our favorites for years and years. Then you grow tired of it. We hadn't been in quite some time and it was just as good as it always was! The kids loved it too so it'll be added back into our repertoire of restaurants.

My good friend, Boel, from home called, too. We've sort of lost touch over the last few years, so it was good to hear from her. We sure have a lot of crazy history! I had to cut the call short because the family came home with gifts and all, but we're going to pick up the conversation - hopefully - tomorrow. That could go on for hours!

It was a great day. I felt loved, appreciated and honored all day long. I have a fabulous family, great friends and phenomenal colleagues. What more could you ask for?