I spent last night at Johnny Mango's for my birthday. If my father were still alive he and my mother would have been married for 34 years yesterday. Today I am 30 years old and the changes in my life since last year have been significant. I loved being surrounded by my friends last night, I loved being in their arms and seeing their smiling faces. I was honored with a delicious red velvet cake with cream cheese icing, and the presence of Kerry, Nevin, Jeff, Becca, Justin, Ira, Rebecca, Toby, Meghan, and Joe. I'm getting my heart, an iPod - dunno specs on it, kinda don't care - just excited to start playing with it - entering the age of mp3 players as I stare at the 17+ year old boombox that has served as my surrogate stereo and DJ booth respectively during this time, both yet to be delivered. Among the other gifts were an OhMiBod so completely unexpected, it had apparently been back-ordered for 6 wks - cause I am the luckiest girl in the world, with the best boifriend/lover ever - I'll spare my beloved readers the details, but know that this Stella has had her groove handed back to her on a gilded pillow. Several Stephen King books (thank u guys, I can't wait to start reading them, I have to finish "Power, Sex, & Suicide: Mitochondria and the secret meaning of life" first). Nevin gave me The Avenging Unicorn playset wrapped in recycled x-mas paper done up w/ Charlie quotes & pic - topping the best wrapped gift category (it makes me laugh sooo hard). Which was a wise choice - I think the Avenging Narwhal might have made Becca cry. I sat up after we got home yesterday crying while I read the book that Rebecca made for me. I love you so much, thank you for sharing that with me, I know it will keep me warm on the nights ahead, just like our love has brought us both strength in the past.

As to the rest of me, I have Vicodin in my system, TENS unit on my back, and leftover Red Threat in my belly. I am craving pancakes & waiting on the pain to go away.

I'm so happy that I can't stop crying.Thank you.