Thank you, thank you, thank you all for your birthday felicitations!! I've had a wonderful day, even with my (almost) disastrous attempt at changing my hair colour (see this thread!

I got permission to take the credit card and go shopping for myself!! You fellow parents know what a wonderful and fantastically guilt-free experience this was! I bought black lingerie (ooohhh!!), shoes, a handbag, a really cool cowboy hat (I'm a REAL Texan, remember?), and a push-up bra (OK, so the famous ya-yas don't need anymore help, but all my other ones were worn out - Spaw and Amos, behave!) I got my hair cut and styled (this led to the impulsive hair colouring episode). The good news is that after years of wearing my hair very, very short, I am growing it out. Dear Hubby (and Amos) are very excited and happy at this. We'll just see how long I stand it -- not being a woman given to glamourizing herself, don't ya know ;-)

I got happy birthday phone calls from my dear darlin' eldest son and Amos (who sang to me, of course). And the biggest surprise - a birthday card from my sister, whom I haven't spoken to in three years. She's actually invited the whole family to come and visit her in Austin this summer. Talk about being gobsmacked! If getting a year older leads to healing the wounds between us, then bring on the AARP!

You all mean so much to me. And after the hellish year I've had, just making it to my birthday without any pain, with a good report from the back surgeon, a garden that's taking care of itself and growing all kinds of funky native plants, and most important, the kindness, advice, help and love from all you wonderful Mudcatters, has made this the happiest year of my life.

Ya know, Dear Hubby suggested this morning that we should celebrate by hosting a Mudcat Gathering here at Moon on the Hill. Amos had suggested the same last night on the phone, but I hadn't mentioned to Himself yet. Great minds, eh? Well, what do you think? It would have to be in the cooler part of Texas season, say early Fall? Let's think on it, OK? I'll just say that you won't go hungry or thirsty -- just ask Amos.

Here's a big group hug and snog for you wonderful, fantastic friends that make 'surviving' in this world such a happy, happy experience.

Holding you all in my heart, Áine (the still Redheaded Gaelic Goddess)