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A dozen roses! , originally uploaded by gina.banina.

I didn’t do the obligatory birthday blog post this year, but I absolutely should have at least mentioned this:

He got me a dozen roses!!!

I am a very, very lucky girl.

Day 160 – Make a wish!, originally uploaded by intanchly.

This weekend was the birthday of my one and only. For his birthday I made him from-scratch peanut butter cheesecake. The only cheesecake I’d ever made was a Jell-o brand cheesecake, so I was excited and nervous about this first-time endeavor. The birthday boy ate every morsel of his piece of cheesecake, so I guess I did pretty well. So far I can apparently do no wrong with my baking. :)

Being that both of us have injuries at present, the weekend was mostly spent inside and watching movies. We always watch movies I would never have picked on my own and most I have never heard of. I love it. This weekend, we watched a Bruce Campbell B-movie, a horror movie, and an odd, futuristic movie. It seems there’s little else to do when you’re both falling apart. Good thing we both love movies!

We did escape to the outdoors for a few hours Saturday evening. We spent time in nature, catching up with friends around bonfires and enjoying time with each other outside. Eventually my ankle began hurting quite a lot and we were exhausted, so we headed home. I am glad my one and only was able to get an outdoor escape this weekend.

So this coming weekend is my birthday. Plans are currently up in the air. All I know is that my guy and I will spend it together. I do have my birthday off from work. I took a vacation day. I hate working on my birthday and have done so for years now. I shall enjoy a three-day weekend, for sure… and we shall see what the weekend brings!

pretty pink tuesday, originally uploaded by patti | dearmissdoll.

“So is that what happens the closer we get to our birthdays? We fall apart?”

I asked my beloved this last night.   You see, my beloved’s birthday is coming up shortly and soon after it’ll be my own birthday. This week he developed a pinched nerve that makes it painful to sleep or walk. Yesterday it suddenly felt as if I’d sprained or twisted my ankle, but I’d done nothing to bring such pain on. Today his and my pain is worse.

Does this mean we’re getting old?

My father would be 61 today had he lived. Instead he died at 48. He was a good man who gave everything he had to those he loved. He treated strangers as friends. He taught me about respect for life – animals and humans alike. My dad could make you laugh just by making a goofy smile. He knew that there is so much that matters more than money, possessions, and status. He affected everyone he came in contact with and left many friends behind.

Some memories I have of my father: He called me his baby girl until the very end (I was almost 21 years old when he died). My father danced like Gumby and sang Bette Midler tunes in karaoke. He wouldn’t miss his television programs for the world and he loved the Simpsons (like father like daughter) more than any other show. He was a Democrat for his entire life. He was a faithful man but respected everyone’s right to their own beliefs, choices, and lifestyles.

Over the past year I have connected with new friends and reconnected with old friends.  I have been in relationships and am now single again for the first time in 11 years.  I have developed an abundance of gratitude for the people in my life.

I was diagnosed with ADHD and epilepsy in February of this year and have had more doctor appointments than I can count.  I visited an ER once.  The 12th anniversary of my father’s death passed.

I have been to art shows and have been featured in an art show too.  I even won an award for one of my photographs (so I was informed this week!).  I have taken hundreds of shots this year and have become improved at composition and continue to work on other aspects of my photography. I did some modeling.

I went on a vacation to Cozumel, Mexico, and watched friends get married.  I visited friends in Detroit and DC and had a friend visit me.

The greatest Presidential campaign of my lifetime happened. I helped canvas for Obama and then watched history happen as he was named President-elect.  That will be a day I will never forget.

My 32nd year was a good one.  I can only imagine that my 33rd year will be a great one.  I couldn’t ask for more than art, friends, laughter, and peace, all of which I continue to be blessed with.