I had a wonderful birthday yesterday. I heard from all my favorite people and that made it a great day. I especially loved it when Nancy sang the birthday song to me. Brought tears to my eyes.

So here's a funny story. Winston called me last night and the conversation went something like this:

"I wanted to speak to a 60 year old woman."

"Then you'll have to call me next year because I'm only 59!"

"Are you sure?"

"Unnhhh! YEAH! I was born in 1949!"

Today has been another really good day healthwise -- as long as I take the Motrin regularly, I function pretty well. I'm not dancing any jigs, but I'm getting errands run and doing a few things at home. That's 3 days in a row and I'm feeling just like Ginger when she says "I'm so happy, if I was a dog my tail would be wagging!"

This morning I made another tote. I stopped at DollarTree yesterday and bought a bare-minimum kind of tote that I thought had some possibilities, so here's the before and after pictures. Bear in mind, it's just a prototype.

BEFORE

AFTER

For the next one, I think I'll use a different (similar but stiffer) fabric for the lining and I'll make the embroidered initial Hot Pink instead of orange. Let me know what you think. I need the constructive feedback because I bought 2 more of these today and I'm going to try to sell them on ebay.

Well, my Sweetheart is home now and we've got barbeque, potato salad, Dos Equis and a movie for dinner at our favorite theatre-- our sitting room. Okay -- none of the food is low calorie or low fat, but it's Friday night!

Gotta celebrate Friday!

I haven't written in awhile -- This back problem has had me down for three full weeks and I'm ready to be OVER it.. I've been refusing to accept it as a sign of aging, but whenever I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I slowly walk by the mirror, I have to remind myself -- even very young people sometimes injure their backs.


No matter -- I'm finally on the mend and I've been trying to do a few things now and then, here and there. I've been able to cook for the last few days -- mostly with Bob's help, but nevertheless, I've been VERTICAL and I consider that a triumph! Yesterday we fixed Beef with Rosemary Mushroom Sauce (from Cooking Light magazine) and it was very, very good. The Oven-Fried Catfish we tried last Saturday will have to be modified -- it didn't rate real high on Bob's list of favorites -- but last night was a true winner. Tonight we're preparing Walnut-Crusted Salmon with roasted asparagus. Sounds good. I'll let you know how it turns out. This is a Martha Stewart recipe from her new Everyday Food publication. Not all of the recipes in the book are low calorie/low fat, but many of them are and so far everything we've tried has been tasty.



Big surprise -- Bob bought me a new sewing machine and it embroiders. Woohoo! It arrived the weekend before I hurt my back! In spite of the back injury, I've managed to make one item .. a little at a time. It's a purse inspired by a Kate Spade tote. I figure if she can put her name on a tote she designed, I can do the same thing with a purse I designed. I used a matching toile on the inside. I may make a couple of toile items to go with it -- tissue holder, check cover. It may take a little time to complete those. It's the old gag -- Slowly I turn... step by step ... inch by inch. That's exactly how things are for me right now! LOL!












I think I'll do a few things differently for the next one (pockets, etc), but all in all I'm pleased. I think it's sassy!



Oh, by the way. I heard an interesting Willie Nelson song today called I Never Cared for You. I really love it, so I found it on youtube and thought I would share. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guXuQTbgwNk This is the long version and it's preceded by some wonderful instrumentals. I liked this so much, I ordered the Teatro CD from Amazon. Can't wait to get it.


Okay - BIG ANNOUNCEMENT. Tomorrow is my B-day. I have a philosophy regarding birthdays. As I approach them, long before the big day arrives I'll start saying to myself "I'm almost 34". (or whatever) As a result, I get confused around that time of year and then can't remember if I'm still 33 or am I 34 already.


However, for the BIG birthdays (you know -- those that end in zero) I start saying to myself, "well, as long as I've achieved (XX ... buying a house ... financial solvency ... getting down to a certain size dress ... whatever my pressing need or desire is for that period of time) THEN I'll feel okay about turning 40." (or whatever) Fortunately, because I start this process about a year in advance, I usually DO achieve whatever the goal is for that year. (This proves my belief that setting goals and focusing on them with a good amount of intensity DOES work).


SOOOOOOO, since next year has a zero at the end (notice how I'm not mentioning exactly which B-day it is?) -- my goal is to walk 5 miles ... with ease. Not only that, I want my family and even a few friends to walk the 5 miles with me. I'm thinking we could walk in Trinity Park in Fort Worth. I'll send out the particulars at the beginning of 2009, but I thought I'd give you all a big old HEADS UP that I'm expecting you all to walk with me next year and celebrate .... okay, I'll say it ... my sixtieth birthday!


BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!