ALOHA!!!

What an amazing gift.....8 days and 7 nights in Paradise! Thank you Tim for my relaxing birthday present! We just returned late last night from our vacation to Hawaii. It was sunny and 85 each and every day we were there. It was tough to take! We were at the beach every morning by 9:00 and spent a few hours playing in the water (or trying to surf if you were Tim) then we'd just spend the afternoon walking around, shopping, driving around the island, snorkeling, whatever seemed to be enjoyable at the time. Not having to be anywhere or do anything for an entire week, was a much needed break from reality! I don't remember the last time I could just sit and do nothing and not be freaked out by that - it was so un-type A of me!

I climbed a tree one day, mostly just to prove to Tim that I could. We took a sunset catamaran cruise one night - all the free drinks you could handle....some could handle them more than others! We also did a snorkel cruise one afternoon. I don't like fishies swimming around where they can touch me, it kind of freaks me out, but Tim enjoys it. I did get in the water for one quick picture and then out again. I enjoyed just lying in the sun on the boat. Thank goodness for SPF 30! No repeats of my last trip to Maui with 2nd degree burns. Whew!

It's back to work tomorrow after a day of grocery shopping, laundry, and the dentist today. I think my batteries were recharged this week to make it through the end of the year, the holidays and two more securities exams - at least one can hope.

Surprise Party

Last night Tim & Dani, with help from Terri and Chris, executed my 40th birthday surprise party at The Parkway in Tacoma. The "red room" was filled with my friends and family to help me celebrate.

Dani & Chris created this amazing scrapbook of photos from the last 40 years. These photos were also playing on a big screen TV throughout the night.
A BIG Thank You to everyone who braved the bad weather (and some long drives) to join in the fun.
Tim & Dani - Thank you for all your hard work and for making me feel like a princess...even if I am an OLD one!

Aimee, Lisa & Per

Larry & Brian (with Tim in the background)

Lisa & Darren

Triple Threat (Dani, Kris & Chris)

Gayle, Karen, Mom & Joni

John, Pam & Terri

John & Celeste

Me & My Hubby

Homecoming 2007

40?

1967 to 2007....no matter how many times I do the calculation, whether I use new math or old math, I can't come up with any answer other than 40.


Math doesn't lie....today has to be my 40th Birthday. How the heck did I get to be 40?

My day started off with a bang when my alarm didn't go off and I woke up at 6:47 (I need to leave at 7:00). Tim's wish to me this morning was "Happy 40th - Only 10 years to 50!". Gee, thanks honey!

I got to my office to find it decorated in black streamers, with big 40's on my windows, two birthday cakes (one chocolate and one white with lemon filling), and lots of birthday cards. About 1/2 hour later, I get a delivery of a dozen roses....not just any roses....BLACK roses. The management team at work is a little over the top! Not only did they send me black roses, but my boss even climbed on my desk and unscrewed the lights so that it would be dim in my office. He thought that at my age the bright light would bother my eyes. Most of the office wore black today, in my honor. Nice!

My friend Aimee took me to a yummy mexican lunch and when we got back I found a beautiful bouquet of pretty pink flowers on my desk from my friend Dani.

When I got home this evening, I found black streamers hanging from the doorway and black balloons all over the kitchen. Tim even bought me black jelly beans (my favorite flavor ever!).

Is anyone sensing the theme for today.....black maybe?!

Tonight it's off to dinner with Kaitlyn and Tim. We're headed to Red Robin for my free birthday burger!

Thank you to everyone who made today so memorable and my leap into this decade bearable!