A million hugs of thanks!

A friend is someone we turn to
When our spirits need a lift.
A friend is someone we treasure
For our friendship is a gift.
A friend is someone who fills our lives
With beauty, joy and grace
And makes the world we live in
A better and happier place.
    -Jean Kyler McManus 

I want to thank my dear, sweet, friends, Donna of Brynwood Needleworks and Jillayne of A Fine Seam and each and every one of you for all the wonderful birthday messages you left for me! I have to say it was such a surprise and I feel like I've received a big hug from all of you! What a fun party!

   Zoey Bunny sent me a lovely photo of herself for my birthday. (She's so fluffy I'm gonna die!)

Friendship really is a gift we give ourselves and I sure do know how to pick out a present! hee,hee,hee.

Of course, I'm also incredibly blessed to be married to my best friend. We've shared 22 birthday celebrations since we stared dating in 1989. David and I hardly ever get a picture together. I thought this one turned out great. (Plus my hair and makeup were playing together nicely for a change!)

Love to all of you and a million hugs of thanks. You are truly a treasure to me! Blessings come in many ways and the nicest come as freinds. :)
xx, shell

A Very Happy Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 42. I never care about telling my age as I'm always glad that I have lived for another year on this journey called life. I decided I wanted to go to my favorite town, Wilmington NC. It's about 2 hours from where I live. I have a lot of major changes coming up in my life (more on that later) and I decided I wanted to "run away" and act like I was 22 again. To my surprise, my dear friends wanted in on the action! So, 13 of us hit the town, ate good food, drank fun drinks, laughed like crazy and boogied our booties off! Oh....there might have been some bull riding involved too! I'll have pictures soon. I also received some wonderful cards and gifts. I wanted to share these with you first. My life is blessed always by the people I choose to be surrounded by.

My friend Lyd know's my obsession with white things and blank frames. She gave me this gorgeous piece! She also makes beautiful cards and I won't let her "buy" me a card. She must make one. This beauty is her dog (my niece) Frankie dressed in her bunny ears and sporting the rose collar I made her. Isn't she precious!

This card was made by my friend Michelle, whom I call Captain. I'm so proud of her as she got promoted to Captain in the Navy. She is responsible for making me, the work-a-holic, remember how to have fun and thus Friday nights are always about relaxing and having fun. Captain is a lover of life and a ray of sunshine.

My sister sent me this card. I had to do a double take as I thought it really was from our family album. That looks just like my sister as a kid and the green shag, icky carpet....helloooo hideous flashbacks! This card made me laugh so hard as my sister really does know my personality.

Together with our husbands, this group of 40 and ups ran away for the night to 20 years ago. The time without the responsibilites, stress, and bills. We just played. They presented me with this wonderful book.

This is what they all wrote to me inside.

More than anything, I strive to "Be Happy." This was the first quote I found inside and it is exactly how I sum up life. Even when the "poo poo" moments come, I try and stay focused on this.

It was indeed a Very Happy Birthday.
Thanks everyone. I love ya bunches!
Your friend,
shell