Happy Birthday to Me!

Yes, I've totally been out of blogging... I might get back into it... just using a site with limitations doesn't make it very fun!  Plus, idk, I just haven't been in the mood to blog as much recently.  I guess we got in spurts of doing it a lot and not doing it a lot... this is a non-writing spurt!

But I just had to stop on in for a very special day... MY BIRTHDAY!  In all honesty I wasn't super excited about my birthday this year.  I think it was a combination of what happened last year and just an overall reflection on life.  But I will say that whatever that anti-birthday funk I was in has been totally and completely lifted.

It all started last Thursday when my amazing step-sister took me to see Hunger Games.  As you might recall, I read the books and loved them.  I was soo super excited to see the movie and we did at a midnight showing at West Olive theater.  Of course most of the people there were in high school, but the movie was amazing and you should all go out and see it!  She also got me an adorable salt and pepper shaker kit of a ladybug and leaf... I can't wait to put it in my (someday) kitchen!

Then on Saturday I went shopping with my grandma, mom and sister.  We go every year.  As you may recall from past years I've gotten dresses and this year was no acception.  Let's see if blogger will let me post pics...

Okay the pictures won't load - but I'll include links, does that count for something?

This dress is polka dotted with ruffles and a cool bright belt - I'm so excited to wear it!

I can't wait to go out in this one.  That bright color and cute style will be so much fun!

I am wearing this dress as we speak.  I'm loving the pockets and pattern and high waisted belt - swoon.

Finally, potentially my favorite from this day is this one.  I just love how it's dressed up but casual and super flattering... I'm in love.  I actually wore this dress on Saturday night.

Speaking of Saturday night... my friends are the absolute sweetest and threw me a surprise party with all my friends and family.  It was so touching to have them do that.  I really can't express it.  It meant so much and it was perfect.  I had a wonderful time and it was good seeing some people I haven't seen in awhile.  It really meant the world to me - so thank you friends for organizing it - I am so lucky to have everyone in my life.  I felt so loved and cherished.

On Sunday evening my mom took me, Keith, Lindsey, and Sarah to dinner of my choosing.  I wanted to go to City Diner and get the best French Toast in the whole wide world. (seriously, if you like french toast and haven't tried theirs you're missing out!)  After dinner (or breakfast in my case) we went to Ted Drewes for some ice cream.  It was the perfect little evening.

Today... my actual birthday... has been pretty great as well.  I woke up to find a gift on the table that included the sweetest card from my mom.  I'm serious it totally made me tear up.  My gift was this little guy...

I finally have a working digital camera again... I'm so excited to start using him I can't stand it!  (That's the Canon Powershot ELPH 300 HS if anyone cares)

My birthday celebrations will wrap up with a celebration with my dad's side of the family sometime this weekend AND the St. Louis Blue's game tonight which I'm totally stoked about.  I am seeing it with a boy, but that's really all I'm going to say about that for now.

All-in-all it has been a wonderful birthday this year... thanks for anyone who participated in any of it.  It means the world to me.

What have I been up to?

I'm thinking it might just be easier to do a recap post of some things that have been happening in the last month or so...

In the beginning of February I took another art class with my mom and her friend Jen.  This is the same place I have blogged about before - the South Broadway Art Project.  This time we took a class where we used paper pulp to create Mardi Gras inspired masks.  (of course you didn't have to make Mardi Gras masks, but that's the colors had to choose from.)  In this class we make paper using the screens and then used that paper to create masks.  You can use the paper pulp kind of like play-dough and make really cool stuff.  The teacher person had these awesome busts she made they were really cool.  Anyway, here is my mask.

Then, that next week  I had a primary care doctor's appointment.  I've been scheduling a lot of appointments recently b/c this whole situation just seemed like a good time to take care of myself.  So I headed there.  I actually made this appointment months ago, and I kinda used it in my head as a way to really gauge my overall sadness with the potential it could be something more... like depression.  Luckily, I have been feeling much better in that regard so, I'm pretty confident when I say I'm not depression, just have some sadness that is to be expecting going through a situation like this.  I did have to get a blood test which we all know is not my favorite... but don't worry - I survived!!

Later that week I went to happy hour with a couple of friends on Main Street in St. Charles.  I've never really went out on Main Street and it was a lot of fun.  I did end up feeling kind of sick by the end of the night, but I honestly had a really good time going to happy hour and extending it to a bit of dancing at a club-like place.

Later that weekend I had some lunch with a couple of high school friends.  It's always nice to catch up with them.  We get together a few times a year.

That following week I had a fasting cholesterol test... my cholesterol has read high again... the first time it did was a couple of years ago, so they wanted me to have a fasting test.  Of course I freaked about it, and ended up getting there and it was only a finger prick test... haha... all that freaking for something so simple!  That test showed my bad cholesterol still high, but I'm just supposed to diet and exercise, so it must not be that out of control!

That Friday night I went out with Susan for a random night out.  We went to 1904 Beerhouse (one of my faves) and then over to the tin can.  It was just a nice night out.

Saturday, the 18th, I went to my first ever Mardi Gras.  You would think living here in St. Louis I would have been before now, but that just wasn't the case.  Liz invited me, so I went with her and had a pretty good time.  I'm glad I finally got to experience what it was all about!

The last weekend of February was one of the annual events I look forward to each year - VA Trivia Night.  While we didn't win like we did two and three years ago, we did come in third place - not too bad if I do say so myself.  We had a ton of food and I made this super yummy dessert - it's like a peanut butter Captain Crunch rice kripie treat.  So yummy, although next time I'll either increase the marshmallows or decrease the cereal.

Last weekend I had some drinks with Liz and Ken at an old 'hot spot'.  I enjoyed being back in familiar territory.  But of course we were all super tired, so we ended up calling it a nice fairly early, haha.  That Saturday we had a awesome family dinner at Charlie Gitto's at Harrah's Casino.  My aunt took us out on some credits she earned since she gambles there a lot.  It was a really nice meal and it was nice having everyone there together.  After dinner we hung out at my cousin's new apartment and played some  Mario Party on the 64 - nostalgic!

Last Monday, the 5th, I had three... yes THREE cavities filled... ouch!  My mouth was super numb and that was totally strange.  I don't know what it is with me - I freak out at all medical procedures but when it comes to getting three shots in the mouth it's nothing!  I'm happy to have those buggers filled, but my jaw was so sore for a week later.  I have a totally wonky jaw and it makes times when I have to keep my mouth open for long periods of time really rough and annoying.

Finally, that brings us to this past weekend... Friday we celebrated my mom's birthday.  We took her to the Fountain on Locust... it's so yummy.  They have this special ice cream from the only dairy that ages it... SO GOOD.  Afterwards we played board games.  On Saturday during the day I went shopping with my mom, aunts and grandma for her birthday, that was a really nice day.  Saturday night I went with Liz and Ken to a bar in Valley Park it was a blast.  I had a really good time and enjoyed that bar a lot.   I think we'll be headed back there soon.

That pretty much catches you up with my life.  I know there are things I missed... and maybe a thing or two I omitted... but overall it was a good time had by all!

I'm alive!

Well, I'm going to try to type this post as the internet seems to be letting me actually post!

So where have I been?  It's been ages since I posted... and I'm going to tell you why!

Well, my laptop is broken.  I mean, it still works, but the power cord was all jacked up, and then about a month or so the tip of the power cord broke off... hmm.  So then I was able to get my hands on a new power cord, but the new one is all straight and and doesn't hit the spot it needs to since the internal part of the power thing is so jacked up.  So the new power cord doesn't charge my laptop... boo whoo whoo

Now, normally I would just blog at work.  Well, my Internet Explorer is not up to date - which I can't upgrade it and it won't load blogger properly, so that was not an option.  Could I blog on my iPhone or borrow my mom's computer to write posts (like I've been doing to do homework) sure, but I just haven't.

I've missed the blogosphere... so here I'm back and ready to start posting again.  I've missed you!