Introducing Dana – my new friend who brought over home-made carrot cake for my birthday! We went for a walk last week with her doggie and Sammy. We learned we both had birthdays within a week and that we both love carrot cake. Lucky for me Dana enjoys baking! She brought over a wonderful cake last night and Dave made us mai tais 🙂 My dear friend Angel came by, too, with a very mysterious present. I totally loved the card – “to the crazy redheaded haole settler lady” then inside a shoe box was a glue gun and various crafty items. I can’t wait for what she has in mind. I have long believed that owning a glue gun is the root of all mischief. Now I am the proud owner of one! (Turns out Dana owns TWO herself! Hmmmm! Have I found another good co-conspirator?) Dana and I decided next year we’re throwing an adults-only bouncy house party replete with various beverages on “drip” – hanging in camelback reservoirs from the ceiling. Every time you fall on your butt you take a drink. Sound good? As much as we like to say birthdays don’t matter at our age…they do. When the day actually comes I want to be the center of attention, even if for only a few minutes. And I still want cake. The corner piece, too. Yes, this is embarrassing to admit. But I’m finally able to own up to it. So plan on joining us this time next year for some good times 🙂 ha ha!  Dave bought me several really great little treats – a new watch (since I manage to flood or lose them), a DVD of Bruce Springsteen’s Sessions Band in concert, and some Rostropovich tribute works. A nice card, too. Sammy finished the evening off by giving me many many kisses saying “I give mommy nice smootches!” accompanied by little arms wrapped around my neck. I was in love. Completely in love with my little buddy.  A great day.