Happy birthday to me

So, I am now officially 28. Doesn't feel any different than 27, except when I think about it means I'm one year closer to 30. But back to happy thoughts...

Here's what I got to do this birthday:

Wednesday night we went to Longhorn (since I had a Darden restaurants gift card I'd been meaning to use) and got some steaks and such to go so we could take them to Stone Mountain. We checked into the Evergreen Resort at Stone Mountain (Yay, free night from points) and laid out our spread. So much food. I had a really yummy sirloin that was parmesan crusted. Jeff had a filet and crab stuffed shrimp. I got to taste his, too. Delish!

Then we went down to the pool and even got to see some of the fireworks from the laser show. It was so relaxing, swimming around, looking up at the stars, and sitting in the hot tub while sipping on some yummy Strongbow.

We watched the college world series (Yay SEC/LSU!) and sat up talking about all kinds of random stuff. Such a fun night.

I woke up on my birthday overlooking a lake and ordered biscuits and gravy from room service. Yum! We then went out for a fun day at Stone Mountain Park. Even though the peddle boats were closed, we still got plenty in... putt-putt -- I even got a hole in one, 4-D movie, ride up to the top of the mountain (I know, slackers... we didn't walk it), Italian ice, and then the Skyhike.

Then we went downtown to stay (free voucher from Marriott!) and grabbed some yummy apps and drinks at Ray's in the City. Super nice and we had a free app coupon (thanks to the e-mail newsletter) and they gave me a free dessert for my birthday. Heather got to join us, too. So nice... great, fresh food and really nice server. Then headed back for a swim in the pool looking out over downtown and finally crashed from a busy day.

Lots of fun. I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday! Now, we'll celebrate with some friends and family on Saturday. Can't wait! Have a good weekend, everybody!

Almost 28.

So, another birthday is fast approaching. I think it's natural for a birthday to make you look at your life and assess things.

Where have you gone? Where are you now? Where do you want to go? How are you doing?

I started doing this tonight. Sitting. Looking out my backyard. I felt very proud of who I am. Of course, I have things to work on (Who doesn't?). But, I think I'm doing pretty well. I am so very lucky because I have an amazing support staff... family and friends who have helped make me the person I am today.

And here's what makes me so very happy... sitting in my backyard (it's newly fenced, now filled with lovely plants and flowers) with nothing to do. It's quiet and peaceful and this lovely Georgia pre-summer breeze makes it so nice.

I am very excited about my birthday coming up. Here are some fun things that will be included:
1. My sister will be back from Costa Rica.
2. I'll wake up on my birthday at a lovely Marriott resort at Stone Mountain. I want to do peddle boats (Jeff says they're called paddle boats, but I like my name for them). Then that night, I'll go out to dinner somewhere in Atlanta and stay downtown at the Marriott Marquis. Just fun to get a change of scenery. I might treat myself to a massage, too. We'll see how the budget looks for the month, but I'm hoping if I watch it carefully, they'll be room.
3. Then on Saturday, we'll have people over to the house to celebrate with friends and family.
4. Sunday will be a lazy day.
5. Even more exciting is just having a nice four day weekend to relax and do whatever I want (see above).