Each and every year it happens... if we're lucky. I'm talking about birthdays. Up until my early 20's, I remember knowing exactly how old I was in years and months. Then came 30 which wasn't a big deal at all, I actually welcomed it, but then it was a few years later that it started - age forgetfulness. I used to wonder how this could happen to anyone... you know, you ask how old someone is and they have to stop, think, reply and then question their response? Well, now the shoe is on the other foot and I can barely remember how old I am. Maybe my head is too full of life, or I'm just not waiting for the next 'big' or 'meaningful' age? Whatever it is, I usually remember that I am having a birthday and I'm lucky that my loved ones remember and want to make me feel special just because I was born.

My birthday was last month, but things get spread out and that's almost better because it makes it last longer. I celebrated the weekend before my birthday with my hubby, sister-in-law, mother-in-law and her boyfriend. My mother-in-law's birthday is the day before mine, so we jointly celebrate and it's always a lot of fun.

This year, my sister-in-law got each of us orchids. Isn't it pretty? I'm really hoping that I can keep this one alive - which reminds me that I forgot to water it this last weekend. Oops, I'll do that when I get home.

This gift is interesting... You know those people that are ridiculously good at gift giving? They never go overboard, yet they always seem to come up with the perfect gift that means so much and makes you nervous to give them gifts? Yup, that's my dear cousin and this is what she sent me:

I visited my family in Colorado last summer and my cousin introduced me to Lush products. I stayed with her during my visit and she gifted me the silver tin in the back with an amazing chocolate and marigold massage bar. I fell in love!

Then for my birthday a package arrived with:

Left: Rehab Shampoo in the 3.3oz size. I'm giving you the size because I've been using it for a month and it's still about 2/3 full. It smells great and goes a long way!
Center: Wiccy Magic Muscles massage bar that does work magic on sore muscles.
Right: Butterball Bath Bomb that smells deliciously of vanilla and they say it contains chunks of cocoa butter that melt in the bath water to moisturize - I have yet to try this one, but it sounds heavenly!

Pretty awesome gift, right? We're only a few months apart so my turn is right around the corner. Eek!

Then came along hubby surprising me. He was helping me at the store a few weeks back while I was teaching a class and I ran up to the front counter for something and saw that he was printing tickets for a show. He wanted to surprise me, and surprise he did! Last weekend we made our way to the big city of Milwaukee for a night out.

He knows I love the band Green Day and knew I wanted to see the broadway musical version of American Idiot, so he made an executive decision and got us tickets for my birthday. Thanks, babe! This was a night I will never forget.