Tuesday, January 29, 2013

It's My Party


First things first...
Downton Abbey.
Lord have mercy.
I don't want to spoil it for those that haven't seen it yet, but can you guys believe it!?


The guilt that Lord Grantham shall carry now will be heavy for sure.
And Thomas - did you see the softer side of Thomas? Yes you did.
Mark my words - there is more to come.

Second things second..
The BoyChild.
He was home this weekend, because it was a very special weekend indeed.
M'birthday.
The big 51.
We'll get to that in a minute.
I finally got all the details of LasVegas.
He stayed in Caesar's Palace.


Look at this child.
Is it me, or is he the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?
I'm sure it's just not me.
He's so danged happy, and exhausted.
It's so cute how he gets here, eats and within a half an hour, he's sawing logs.
Luckily we get to jabber jaw the whole way home on the just over an hour trip.

OK...now the post.  I just had to get that off my chest.

I turned 51 on Saturday.
It's most ridiculous because wasn't it just a couple of months ago that I posted saying I was fifty?

I had a ridiculously nice birthday - it was more of a birthday month actually.  Gifts and wishes kept rolling in.  Doesn't that sound funny?

For some reason, it does to me.
It felt that way, but actually it was only a few.

A fabulous aqua blue Life is Good hoodie.


My dear, dear friend Gina - get a load of this gift - a month's membership to CrossFit.  If you've never heard of it - well, it's like this hardcore gym, I do mean hardcore.  I've determined that they call it CrossFit because you will pray to the one that hung on the cross while you are there, and for the days that follow your visit. 


 I never knew I was capable of the things I'm doing now.  I'm not entirely sure I am.  Yesterday my glasses were completely fogged from sweating, and I felt that I would surely faint a couple of times.  As well as the one month membership to hell, she bought me an entire workout outfit, and took me to a session at a Reiki master, followed by a fabulous lunch.

I knew nothing of Reiki, and I'm still not entirely sure I believe it to be anything - but I did find the woman that did it an absolute doll and a very sincere, loving person.


Apparently my chakras are all high frequency, in line and I'm balanced.
I'm assuming it's a good thing since she teared up and told me that I had a lot of work to do, that the world needed me.  
Interesting.



I got a fabulous red Vitamix mixer for my birthday, a gift from Glenco, which I ordered.  Glenco never knows what to get me.
I've been drinking green smoothies like nobody's business.

My sister gave me a JoAnn fabrics gift card.
Yay!

My friend Renee stopped over with two large bags of gifts.
I'm so blessed!  Not only did I get gifts, but she also brought gifts for the camper as well.
She's my vintage camper buddy - this is what I made for her birthday a couple of weeks ago.




I also found gifts placed at the back door a couple of times, and got cards in the mail - so exciting to get real paper mail, isn't it?

Interesting enough - with all of this fantastic stuff going on - the morning of my birthday I found myself feeling a little down and sorry for myself.  I know!  Ridiculous, but true.  I'm not even sure why - and it's difficult for me to admit that I was down - I still struggle with admitting that - it seems like a sign of weakness to me - and I don't like to appear weak.  I'm working on it.

Glenco planned on going to a gun show with a friend of his - and we were to meet up later in the early afternoon and hang.  We were going to pick up Aaron in the evening, so there really was no plan for the day - just letting it unfold.  No worries.  The comical thing is that Glenco has never gone to a gun show, and really isn't interested in guns - but he needed some guy time, and I get that. 

So here I sat, all alone on the morning of my 51st birthday, and I was feeling sorry for myself.
It's like eating your Thanksgiving dinner on the Wednesday before - it's just not quite the same if all of the festivities don't actually take place on the day, or is that just me?

So I sat here for a moment and realized that life was what you make it.  I decided that I'd do whatever made me happy - and off I went.


First stop...thrift stores.  (it's becoming a bit of an addiction, and well, a job - I'm an officially picker.)
Thrift stores make me really happy, the thrill of the hunt.
I went to a bunch - all over tar-nation.

I passed an old bakery and noticed how old the sign was, and I thought - golly, that's gotta be a good bakery - look how old it is, and it's still in business - then I noticed a little old babushka'd lady emerging, and that sealed the deal.  I u-turned it and stopped there.


I got myself a birthday cake.
Doesn't that sound sad?
: -)
It was an atomic cake and I even had them put my name on it.


It was right there in the HiWay Bakery in So. Chicago Heights, Illinois that I realized that I had the power to be happy today or not.  It was all a matter of what I thought.
Life is what you make of it.
I wanted a cake, so I got one.
I was going to have a happy day - and I did.

(The cake was delicious, but due to eating wheat, my joints are killing me right now!)


What else makes me happy?
Starbucks.
I went there.
Triple shot vanilla latte is my weapon of choice.

As I sat there sipping that, I thought about what else would make me happy on this first day of my 51st year.
Cats.
Cats would make me happy.
I'm going to go to the shelter and play with cats.
The nearby shelter was under renovation, and I had to go to Petco to see the cats that were up for adoption.
This is why I should never be left alone - especially on my birthday.


For a brief moment I felt incredibly sad thinking - it's my birthday, I'm alone, I got my own cake and now I'm looking at cats.
Then, I thought it was funnier than heck.


I'm sure you realize by now that I brought one of those cats home, don't you?
I felt it my civic duty to give a cat a good home on my birthday.

This is where it gets a little creepy.
This kitty that I brought home, a six month old little girl - is the splitting image of my Jinxie that passed away last Christmas.
I feel like in someway I've married the twin brother of my dead husband.

She's a fabulous little kitten that is a lap cat extraordinaire, and I'm in love.
She slept in my arms all the night long.


Glenco loves her too, and laughs that he'll never leave me alone again on my birthday.

Amen. 

66 comments:

  1. I so love reading your blog! Good for you for making the best of it on your birthday. I usually always spend my birthday alone. I love it...I am not a time limit, can do what I want, with whom I want. Last year I went to Bend , Or for my birthday and mothers day....I walked along the river, went to a friends boys baseball game, out to dinner with same friend and drinks with another...on Mothers day I went for another longer walk on the river and then home.

    Good for you and that cake looked awesome.

    Enjoy your 51st year.

    M

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    1. Thanks Michelle...you know - in retrospect, it was really nice being alone - going and doing what I wanted - like you said, no time limit. It's taking me time to get used to being alone. I don't think I've been alone much at all since I was 21. Thirty years of always having someone around with me, it's going to take some time to get used to being alone sometimes!

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  2. Happy 'late' Birthday! I'm so happy you chose to make it a good and happy day!

    I'd do the same thing if left alone on my birthday. I'm so happy you adopted a kitty. I have two black cats now that needed me when they were kitties. I can't say no (which is probably why I'm rarely left alone as well, lol!).

    Oh, and try to enjoy killing yourself at the gym, hahahaha! I'll just sit here and work out vicariously through you, lol!

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    1. Oh girl - I'm seriously sore from head to toe. I'm about ready to go do some easy cardio now, just keep ye olde muscles moving. You know - as the Celebrex commercial says - a body in motion stays in motion!

      If it were up to me, I'd have an addition built on the house and there wouldn't be any shelter cats to be found!

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  3. Damn, I missed your birthday :( Happy Belated and I'm glad you turned it into a fabulous day. I get the being down on your birthday thing- it happens to me too and I can't figure out why the heck it does. SO glad you had a fun day. Looking forward to getting back into the swing of things back at L180. This one will take me to goal! Hugs to you you Jayms..xo

    Chris

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    1. Thanks Chris! I'm so excited about it too! It's gonna be a great year for both of us. xo

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  4. I adore you, . .
    .
    You make me smile, laugh, cry, ponder, think . . . did I say laugh and a little cry too . . .

    Your writing . . . and style, . . . I "get," . . . adore . . . like . . . enjoy

    Happy 51 . . . great birthday present, cuddlingly cuddled black cat.

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  5. Replies
    1. Oh thanks Lynne, that is so sweet of you - I really appreciate it, you have no idea how much!

      I'll never forget how old this kitty is. : -) A great birthday present indeed!

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  6. Happy belated 51st, Jayme! Good thing you reminded us...I'd forget my own birthday if it weren't for my kids.
    Sheesh...
    On the other hand I'm 9 years older than you, so forgettin' is kind of expected, right? RIGHT?
    As for the kitty cat, all I could do is laugh out loud.
    All alone on your birthday, buyin' yourself a cake and havin' them write your name on it, and stopping to look at orphaned kittens! Too funny!
    The bestest part is you brought one home with you.
    How could you not?
    Pretty sure I don't believe in chakras, but the gal did get one thing right....the world needs you!!!

    xoxo,
    Cyn

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    1. You are so cute! I know - seriously - doesn't that almost sound pitiful - getting my own cake and looking at cats? HA!

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  7. Favorite ever. You, this post, BC, Glenco, Jinxie Deaux. All of it.

    "I feel like in someway I've married the twin brother of my dead husband." HAHAHAHAHA!

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    1. Jinksie Deaux. So true so true. I feel like he's reincarnated, I'm not sure it's healthy. I needed something that could tolerate my affection. I know you know what I mean.

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  8. I don't care if Thomas appeared to be soft... I STILL DON'T LIKE THE GUY AND NEVER WILL!!!

    Oh, love that you bought yourself a cake... we should all be good to ourselves every day of the year, even if it entails buying our own cake. And Kitty loves you for bringing her home with you... perfect gift from you to you. I'd say it was a pretty smashing birthday! xox Happy Birthday, Girlie... 51 looks fabulous on you!!!

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    1. Diane - maybe it's because my chakras are aligned I can embrace Thomas...LOL. Thanks for stopping by, I always love seeing your name pop up here!

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  9. First of all: Happy Birthday! It sounded like a good birthday, all in all. My birthday is this Thursday. I never celibrate my birthday because as a child, everyone always forgot it was my birthday. Everyone else in the family's is in August and somehow I always got overlooked. Never had a party, never got a cake. So, I just stopped hoping. This year will be different. For the first time in 56 years I will be celebrating my birthday. Wish me luck. I decided it was time. I am nervous...

    And now: Aaron is so doggone cute! He will go far just on that beautiful smile of his.

    I am glad you are well. Pam from Colorado.

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    1. Oh Pam. Law. Now you listen to me right now - you'd better go get yourself a cake and do all the things that make you happy on Thursday. Celebrate yourself!!!! I want a report!!! I used to have reoccuring dreams when I was a little girl that I got home from school on my birthday, and everyone was gone - and there would be a cake sitting there with a note that said 'sorry, we couldn't wait for you , we left for vacation'. WTH kind of dream is that!? I do declare that if I lived closer, or if I had money coming out of my butt, I'd hop on a plane and we'd have one heck of a fun day to celebrate you!

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  10. Happy Birthday Jayme! Well I love the kitty. She is beautiful. My hubs would certainly not leave me alone on my birthday again if I came home with a cat. He keeps saying we are on our last cat and dog...I just keep my mouth closed. My choice of coffee is a Starbucks or Bigby Mocha. Been doing the Skinny ones not quite the same. Weight loss at a standstill because Chiropractor thought I should take a little break from my walking and see if she can get my back in some sort of shape up. Down 12 pounds though so I feel better already only about 13-14 more to go. I did do a post on the orange cleaner and I do like it, you asked for a report on that. Have a great day! Glad you are still blogging!

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    1. Oh I almost brought a canary home today, but I really realized it wasn't a good idea. : -) The skinny lattes are yucky - and all that fake sugar. You are doing great on the weight loss - keep it up!

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  11. Happy, Happy Birthday!!!! Nothing you did sounds strange. Nope. Yes Arron is beautiful and if my own girls weren't so spectacularly gorgeous I would say he won first prize ;). As for the cat thing there is a reason I don't go to shelters or adoption centers actually there are 4 reasons Midgie age 20, Nemo age 4, Ruby age 4 and Mr French age 2. When I was going through my infertility I had to mother something someone so that is how I ended up with my first 4 cats and my sweet dog Lily (my shelter story) that died last year from cancer. My husband suggested maybe we should adopt or else end up on a show about animal hoarders. Well 2 daughters age 10 and 8 (we have a son age 27 who is with his wife expecting my first grandson next month so I guess adding more children didn't end my love affair with my pets. JOY!!!! Anyway I think is is wonderful you have room in you heart and home for another pet and I think it's neat that she looks like you Jinxie.

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    1. I am in the need of mothering something since Aaron has gone...tis true. My heart knows no bounds when it comes to cats....yes, I'm one of those. : -) Congrats on your grandson!!!

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  12. Sorry for typo. Pam from Colorado I want to say "Happy Birthday"!!!!!!!! I'm sorry you haven't been remembered on your birthday because everyone should be singled out on their special day even if it's just acknowledging that special day when you came to be.

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  13. Sounds like a fabulous birthday!! :) You are right about making our own happiness but I think we all have those "down days" that we can't explain. Love your new kitty!! :)

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    1. Thanks Gina! Yes, we all have those days. I need to learn to just relax and embrace it.

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  14. Isn't it amazing how we can turn something sad into something bright and beautiful? I do think that's a God thing there. Happy belated 51st birthday- I LOVED my 50's and I know you will, too. Love your new kitty-love your boyo and love you- xo Diana

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  15. Happy 51st birthday Jayme! Like wine...we just get better with age :)

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  16. First - Happy Belated Birthday!!! Second - Downton Abbey...GASP..say it aint so...:(......Third- Boy Child looks so very, very happy.....fourth - Cross Fit..:(....Fifth...beautiful new kitty.....Sixth...great post...:))))

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  17. Just when I thought you could not get any more awesome....you went and adopted a cat! That is wonderful...we need more people like you in this world.

    Happy Birthday!

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  18. Happy Birthday Jayme!! Sounds like you had a great day and I hope the next year is filled with many more days like that. Ok, maybe minus the bringing home a cat part... ;-)

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    1. Oh Anke..I was thinking of making it a new birthday tradition. : -)

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  19. What a fabulous birthday you had! So happy you shared it with us, and tho I am not a "cat person", I applaud your adoption of that sweet kitten! May your 51st year be filled with lovely surprises, great adventures and more love and laughter than you know what to do with!!

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    1. Thank you so much! I so appreciate it and yes...the Vitamix is pretty fabulous. It's scary it is so powerful!

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  20. PS- Coveting that Vita Mix!! What a great gift!

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  21. Oh, I am just loving every ounce of this post, jayme. A lesson we can all learn, we are all responsible for our own happiness and it doesn't have to be handed to us in a package at the appropriate moment or written on a cake someone else brought home.

    Aaron, dude.. you look like a freak'n ROCK STAR!!!

    Love the cat story, and a luckier kitten there could not be. Glenco will never ever leave you alone again on your birthday, know this to be true.
    :-)

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    1. Oh she is a pretty lucky kitty! I'm lucky too. God knew I needed her. Thanks for such a sweet comment Karen, you always bless my soul!

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  22. happy birthday!! so glad you had fun. what a special day you had. i think buying your own cake is freakin' awesome because you get the flavor you love. too cool!! i think i will try that tradition. ha. ha!! i love that you got to celebrate with Aaron. so fun!

    now to Downton Abbey ... girlfriend - that episode was so sad. i was crying. i would have never thought they were kill her off. sad sad sad. i did read several online sites that when you go way out there... you have the chance to go where you wish & get your writers the chance to keep going. expect the unexpected. ha. ha!! ok, i give ya a bit about Thomas - he did cry & show a bit of his softer side - but i still have yet to go to love him totally. ha. ha!! we will see. ( :

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    1. there's supposed to be some other big twists coming on DA! Will we survive!! Thanks for stopping by girl!

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  23. Happy Belated Birthday Jayme...I love your attitude!

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  24. Although alone it sounds like you had a splendid time on your Birth day, especially that darling little black kitty. So adorable. She'll begin to discover that she hit the kitty lottery coming home to live with you.

    I got one word for Aaron-AWSOME and good looking, okay that two.

    Now Downton Abbey. What a shocker!!! I could not believe they actually killed off Lady "oh what's her name". I'm still in shock two days later.

    I don't get jealousy, at all, but I am now that I see you have a Vita Mixer. I have coveted those since I've known about them but can not justify the price. I'll just have to take the extra fiber with my juice from my mixer. However, I am also extremely happy you got one :)

    Again happy belated birthday Jayme.

    Donna

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    1. Hi Donna! Oh man, and there are supposed to be a couple of others dying this season - or so I'm hearing rumors!

      The Vitamix - I wish I could tell you it really was no big deal - but it's kind of a big deal. : -) I've been wanting one for years - and well - I got a good deal on it, free shipping, and I do use it everyday. My motto is 'put your money where your mouth is' - meaning - eat good food - this helps me get all my greens in without chewing all day! Aaron and Glen love the green smoothies too, so that's a bonus. I bet if you chopped things smaller, a regular blender would work, but holy moly - this thing is so powerful it's almost scary!

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  25. Happy Birthday

    The cat is adorable! Adopting a cat is a great way to spend a birthday

    Soooo glad you didn't give up blogging after all .....

    Aj

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    1. I think it is too, and I think it should be a yearly event. Let's see - by the time I was 60 then, I'd have 11 cats. That's not too bad. : -)

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  26. Jayme, I've been a reader of your blog for quite some time now and hate to admit that I've never once commented but you bringing that cat home seriously made me laugh out loud! My husband would flip his lid lol Glenco must have been hand-picked for you girl!
    And Happy Birthday!

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    1. Oh I'm so glad you commented! Thank you! Yah, Glenco is pretty used to my shenanigans. I almost brought home a canary yesterday. : -) He balked for a few minutes at the new cat, but now you should hear him talking sweet talk to it, and loving it sitting on his lap! : -)

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  27. Happy Birthday to you and your Chakras, too!

    And, I so want your Vitamix.

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    1. If the house ever catches fire, that's on the list of things to grab!

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  28. A birthday kitty!! Love that you adopted a kitty. Bless you. Do you know the Vitamix is its own dishwasher? You rinse it out, add dish liquid and hot water and turn it on (with lid on). Then rinse. Says so in the instruction book. I rec'd one as a job perk. I have never used it. My son uses it for smoothies.

    Great seeing a pic of Aaron in Vegas. He looks so happy. And handsome.

    Andrea in Calif

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    1. Use that Vitamix! I still wash it the old fashioned way, I'm not sure why. Old habits die hard I reckon. Thanks for commenting on Aaron. I love that boy!

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  29. Happy Birthday, Jayme! So wish I would have known it was your birthday and that you would be celebrating alone... I would have been there in a minute. Well, okay it would take me like an hour, but I would so have been there!

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    1. Awe! I would have loved that! We would have been fighting over thrift treasures though...ha ha! You might have tried to talk me out of the cat too. : -)

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  30. Happy Birthday Jayme, from a fellow 51 year old!

    HOORAY FOR THE CAT!! More photos please!

    Kathy from Tasmania

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  31. She's hard to get photos of! So black and slinky. There will be many more though. : -)

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  32. Belated Birthday wishes Jayme. 51, your a baby yet. 57 here, ouch! I'd say from the looks of it you had a wonderful birthday and how lucky is that cat to have you to be cozying up with, though how is Jax taking to this new roomate? I loved your little creation of the camper. What material do you create them with? I think you could start an Etsy account by the looks of it. Aaron is adorable. How fun that trip must have been for him. Jayme you are awesome. I am wishing i lived near by, as I would be at your door borrowing a cup of sugar weekly. Blog on girl! Thanks for being such an inspiration.

    Debra

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    1. Thanks Debra! Jax is taking it pretty well. I kept them separated for the first few days, and still do at night. He wants to play with her, and he plays too hard at times. There hasn't been any serious fighting going on at all - which is a relief. That was my main concern about bringing another cat home, the whole 'getting used to each other thing' - but they are doing pretty good. : -)

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  33. Happy late birthday Jayme! Emma and I were cracking up over your birthday adventure especially the cat portion of the day. That's what Glenco gets! I hope this year is as amazing as the one that came before it!

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    1. Thanks sweet Jen! I know - I am still cracking up over thinking about what I did that day - Glenco loves that kitty as much as I do...don't let him fool ya. : -)

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  34. Happy belated birthday and welcome to the Vitamix family! We hope you enjoy your new Vitamix blender and members of our team were just as shocked as you were about Downton Abbey last week! If you are looking for recipes or inspiration please visit us at Vitamix.com and on Facebook and Twitter.

    Thank you,
    Jenn from the Vitamix Team

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  35. Sorry accidentally hit anonymous! If you ever need anything please email us at AskVitamix@Vitamix.com

    Thank you,
    Jenn from the Vitamix Team

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  36. Happy 51st! I'm glad you were alone on your birthday since it led to that sweet lil lump of love to getting adopted! I'm gonna be 51 this year too... wonder if I can get away with this???? Hummmmmmm

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  38. Happy (belated) Birthday Jayme! I am sure that little kitty is happy about the circumstances of that day!
    Sometimes being left alone to do as we please is a gift in itself...as long as we behave ourselves, that is :)

    P.S. So very happy you didn't stop blogging, I would have hated to miss that picture of Aaron's big smile. I love your drivelings, and I love your artwork. The camper/snowpeople are so stinkin' cute.

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