Happy Birthday To My Best Friend

Today is my best friend's birthday... fortunately, my best friend is also my husband.

I LOVE this picture.  It makes me smile and my insides go all squishy when I look at it.

 

 I could wax lyrical about how much I love him; how lucky I am to have him and how grateful I am for him every single day, even when I'm giving him a really hard time or I'm ridiculously grumpy.

But he knows all that, and I thinkthe whole world knows, because I'm pretty open about how crazy I am about this guy.

He loves me so much, he married me twice.

Happy birthday to my best friend, husband, rock, punching bag and protector. I love you an awful lot you know. Thank you for being so wonderfully you.

xox

Happy Birthday to An Amazing Woman

Today (in Canada) was Mum's birthday.  I tried to write something yesterday (on her NZ birthday) and I drew  a blank.  I stared at the blinking cursor, getting more and more irritated with the single, vertical line flashing at me.  "Write something.  Write something.  Write something."  That's what was saying (shouting) to me.  I'm finding it frustrating.

I mean, how do I adequately express how thankful I am for my mum?  How do I explain how inspiring and strong she is?  Can I do it justice?  Do I say that sometimes I sit and wonder how she can be so much of everything for everyone, and always has been?

How do I express my gratitude for the way she raised me?  The strong values and belief in myself that she instilled in me?  What about the fact that she willingly sacrificed anything and everything for us at the drop of a hat... How about when she'd take control of things when no one else would, even if it was a crap job?  She'd do it.  End of story. 

She pretends like she's a hard arse, but she has a heart as big and vast as the ocean and has never hesitated to open her heart, her arms and her home to others.

I suppose I can't really do her justice.  You'll just have to take my word for it.  When I was younger, I used to think she was the most beautiful woman in the world; now that I'm older, I know that she is - inside and out... her smile could always light up a room. 

Happy birthday to you, Mum.  Thank you for everything you have done, do and will do.  I love you and I pray the coming year brings you only happiness.  I hope one day, I can do as much for my own children as you have done for us.  xox me. 

 "I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine - she helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights." ~Terri Guillemets

Happy Birthday To Me! – Part Deux

I was showered with love, showered with kisses, and showered with good wishes – now I'm happily swimming in a vast, wide, endless ocean of happiness and gratitude.
 

My birthday celebrations began during the long weekend, when we went to Katikati to celebrate my 30^th (again) and Louisa's 21^st. It's amazing how I seem to remain the same age, as everyone else carries on aging. It's an acquired skill. It was lovely to hang out with the whole family... Jenna and I went on a tour of Tauranga and The Mount, we ate, we laughed and we just relaxed.  Phill's mum made both Louisa and I an awesome birthday cake each - she found the cutest decorations!

Mum picked shoes and butterflies for my decorations... PINK shoes!

Checking out the goods (my eyes actually ARE open, I'm just looking down.)

Then, during the week, Tuesday Phillipa and I shared one of the BEST pizzas I've ever had (her choice – so glad I went with it!) and we went to see Eat, Pray, Love. It wasn't an intellectual film, but there were some good lines, good messages and best of all a bit of romance. A lovely evening with a lovely friend.  I also think it's high time I confess my girl-crush on Julia Roberts.  I really do heart her!

This is my favourite scene, where Julia Roberts essentially says that she will not be obsessing over the size of her arse and embraces the muffin top and enjoys every last morsel of her pizza.  I like to think I look that good when I'm stuffing my face (please do not shatter my illusion.)

On my actual birthday, I was spoiled with good wishes and hand-made birthday cards from the children in our class. I got some lovely bits and bobs from my girlfriends that I'm very much looking forward to using… a cute passport holder, gorgeous sticky notes, note pads, body stuff and so much more! So many goodies for me! I love that my girlfriends know me so well that they know what cuteness I adore. The spoiling continued, when at lunch the most beautiful bouquet of flowers arrived at work. Ché was most put out the flowers were not for her and refused to sign for them… I felt a bit bad about that, but not bad enough to offer her my flowers.

My.  Husband.  Rocks.

The birthday treats didn't stop there! Phill masterminded a lovely and romantic picnic dinner at the Waitakere Ranges Visitor Centre (I mentioned the park in the post here.) It was a bit of a long drive, but worth it for the view and fantastic company.

His long arms are perfect for these shots.

On Thursday, after my gruelling (birthday) workout with my trainer (who quite happily takes the abuse I liberally heap upon him) I popped in to pick up some things I had stored at an old friend's shop. We had a lovely little yarn and picked up where we left off several years ago. I was very proud of myself when I showed some modicum of self control and didn't accept the offer of an ice cream (it was very difficult) but I simply couldn't turn away the lovely flowers he gave me to say Happy Birthday as my adopted big brother.

Pretty!

And it continues still… On Friday, a bunch of work friends came down to The Attic in Mission Bay and we all sat, had a few drinks and simply enjoyed each other's company. The sun was shining; the week had ended; summer is on the way. Can't complain about any of that, eh? 

You may remember this handsome young man from this post (you may not recognise him without his beloved blanket though!)

It was an awesome birthday week (and a bit) to celebrate another year of living, laughing, crying, loving, laughing, learning, and growing.  I can't think of a better way to start the coming year.  Wishing you all a year of love and light. x

Happy Birthday To Me! - Part I

source

As I am not done celebrating my birthday, I shall not write about the fabulousness that was today until the celebrations are complete. I just wanted to share Phill Booth's wise words. (This guy is so good, it's scary.)

If today is your birthday
A life of perfection is most certainly a tall order and not very feasible when you consider how unpredictable things normally get on this fair planet. You will find, though, that this year brings long stretches approaching a state of utopia. Certain vital areas of your life will be noticeably better than what you're normally used to.

(Can't argue with that!) 

I always check my horoscope on my birthday.... I'm not into astrology, nor does it guide the ebb and flow of my daily life, but out of curiosity...

My horoscope for today: (and in light of yesterday's post - uncannily accurate!)

October 27th, 2010

Scorpio- Wednesday, October 27, 2010

It's hard to shake off the memory of painful experience that caused a great deal of emotional grief. But if you don't find a way to control your thoughts on the matter, you won't be able to move on to the next new wonderful phase in your life which is eagerly awaiting your arrival. Mercury is providing the right conditions to get your thought stream back on a positive flow. 

Uncanny, eh??

Another Letter to Dad

Possibly the best picture ever.  Dad feeding me birthday cake... I'm guessing 4th or 5th birthday, based on the fact that I know I have a school photo in that sweater.

Dear Dad,

Tomorrow's my first 'First' without you. Everyone at home's had their First… this is my first one. I feel a bit nauseous to tell the truth.

I had a lovely evening tonight while I was at the movies with Phillipa, but there was a scene, where a father had to say good bye to his son. While I am not your son, it seemed to kick me in the gut in just that way... Let's just say I sniffled more than once. That's when I remembered that tomorrow will be the first time ever, that I don't talk to you on my birthday. I don't like it. Not one bit. Some part of me will still be waiting for your phone call.

You'll be in my thoughts tomorrow, Dad… I know you're always with me.  Please don't worry about me too much, like I always tell you, I'm fine - promise.  I have Phill and Mum, as well as Navaz & Shazeen.  In addition, I've got some fantastic, loving, supportive people in my life.  I'm truly blessed, Dad... so it's okay (and normal) for me to be a bit sad.  I'm okay with it.   

But I'll still be thinking of you and waiting for my call.
 
Love you & miss you,

me.

My KFC birthday feast.  I think this was my 9th birthday... I got to pick dinner and have a friend over to join us.

Can't leave out my wonderful Mum & fantastic brother.  Dad was behind the camera (of course.)