Let's Celebrate!

It's been an incredible weekend.  I didn't go on any fancy trips, or win the lottery, but I was able to enjoy a fun, family and friend filled birthday celebration that started on Friday.  I'm on call this weekend and so far the surgery Gods have been kind and I was only called out once...so far...it's not over until Monday morning at 7am!  Friday I didn't have to be at the hospital but I had to take call from home starting at 7am.   My BFF, Miss Donna, decided to take the risk and treat me to a birthday lunch in hopes I'd be able to be there.  It all worked out and we had a lovely lunch at a wonderful spot here in Ashland called  "Bella Blue". 

It was a huge home in it's former life, but it's been renovated into a beautiful event center located on a small lake.  Please note the snow on the ground in this pic.  It will be a big contrast to the rest of the weekend! 

We don't often get the time to sit and chat and laugh and enjoy some one on one girl talk.  Donna is the sweetest thing going and I'm so glad we could spend lunch together. Thanks so much DJ for a fabulous time and her beautiful gift to me was such a surprise. However, the best part was the time we spent....priceless! Thanks so much!

The food was so yummy! Here's my desert...chocolate, sour cream cheese cake.  Wow.

I think Donna's cobbler was picture perfect and so was she!  Yes, I'm one of those nutty folks who will photograph food. Sorry!  Saturday came and so did warmer temps. Jack had seminars all day and I did errands, cleaning, some surgery work, dog walking, and prepared for a Sunday lesson I had to teach.  Thankfully one of my coworkers covered call on Sunday so I could teach that hour...Thanks Peg!  After Church I headed home to put on the ribs I had prepared along with some other goodies because my kids were coming around 3.  Jack got home from his seminar in Columbus around 2 and the weather really got super nice.  All sunny and in the 60's...perfect!

Flowers, gift card, jewelry, a Fitbit, and my favorite phone call from my Mom.  She always calls on our birthdays and tells us what the day was like when we were born. Today she said what she always says to me:  "Today is a day just like the day you were born!"  Love you Mom!  The weather was gorgeous and also very windy...perfect for kite flying. 

Anthony and Cameron getting them ready.

A little help from their Dad.

Oops....a big crash into the pines!

Oops...another crash into the trees.

The scary, silly Sponge Bob kite was the only one that made it back safe...figures!  Kites gave way to a ride to the woods.

Notice the short sleeves and lack of snow from the first pic?  What a glorious day! It ended with a phone call from my son in Oregon, and my Sister. Then our house guest for this week arrived....Eddy the Boxer!

Jordan has a business trip for the week and asked if we would dog sit. It's the first time they will be separated for that long.

Someone is a little sad.  Sharing us with Chubbs is confusing for them.  Luckily they are both good dogs and non aggressive.  I'm hoping by the end of the week they will be best buddies....Welcome back Ed...it'll be OK!  I'm off tomorrow so I can be with them and make the transition a bit easier.  Also it's Leap Day...a freebie day....Spend it wisely!  Maybe I did win a lottery after all.  So many blessings in my life...Thanks everyone!