“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln

The Hubbs made the card to the front left




One tradition that I never sway from is taking my birthday week off from work. I started taking a birthday vacation every year  7 years ago.   It just makes sense. Instead of squeezing all my festivities into one day - I spread them out over the entire week. I know, brilliant idea. I also have time to try the new age on and wear it a while to get comfortable.


 Now, my mom - GeeGee still thinks I'm a kid. She really doesn't even know her own age. Just ask her. She will purse her lips and the eyes roll skyward  like a number is going to magically appear over her head.  Then she does "the calculation".  It's the same every time.  She asks me how old I am and adds 21 to that because she does remember she was 21 yo when she gave birth to her firstborn child. Then the shock of how old she is sets in and gets worse when she realizes I am old enough to now pick her nursing home.  (HeeHee...behave yourself)
What's a birthday without lots of good food to eat


So, I have had a great birthday so far. GeeGee & Pookie made an awesome Sunday dinner of black bean cakes with fresh papaya & strawberry salad, carrot slaw, baked squash, & flat bread. One of my bff's stopped by to join us. And presents too.  The Hubbs made me a beautiful card on the computer. Wait till you see the picture of his present to me - so cool. 
This is how I roll!
New beach bag & aqua socks


 My present to myself was a blog makeover.   Not a complete nip & tuck - just a little rejuvenator.  I love what Julie from Deluxe Designs has done with place. 

Deluxe Designs

The birthday love is coming at me from all sides.  My fb page had 40-something birthday wishes from family & friends.  A really special post came from my shell sistah Shellbelle over at the Tiki Hut.  


Sunday afternoon after dinner Pookie took me to Englewood Beach for a little sharks tooth therapy.
I don't know if it's eyesight or more comfortable to look for sharks teeth this way


Happy Birthday to me!

This morning I went out before dawn & hit Nokomis Beach for the early low tide. The shells weren't great but it was so beautiful out there.  I did find another little piece of junonia. (I might make a junonia jigsaw puzzle with all my pieces) This little guy gave me a shout out.
All the fun people are out before dawn


Trying to peak out of the coming rain clouds - about 8am
The shell pile at the North Jetty on Nokomis Beach
No I am not throwing you any potato chips - Hello




 Not to worry...tomorrow Casey Cakes & I are heading to Marco Island for the day.  I've never been and I've heard it is the bomb. There is also talk of visiting a u-pick-um Tomato farm...whatever. So stay turned for more birthday vacation shelling and festivities.  Let me know how you like the new blog layout.

Comments

  1. Leo January 17, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Great quote! And Happy Birthday - hope you enjoy your week off. May the shells be bountiful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Leo January 17, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Oops and I love the new look! Nothing wrong with a little rejuvenation on your birthday! And the little junonia on top is so cute...and a constant reminder. Have a great day!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Simple DaisyJanuary 17, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    Well Happy Birthday!!!
    I think that's a great idea...taking your birthday week off!!!!
    Enjoy! and I love the new look of your blog! It's so happy:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. ShellbelleJanuary 17, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Love the new look and the "new" older you! Those bean cakes look so yummy and your beachy birthday haul is spectacular, I love that bag. Did you thank Pete for me for getting you a matching beach cart to mine. Now we just need to get matching bathing old lady bathing suits and we'll be ready to hit the beach in tandem.

    Happy Birthday Again! Love ya!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Drawn to The SeaJanuary 17, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    So glad my antibiotics kicked in so I could stop by & wish you a Happy Birthday! I wish you so much happiness you think you're gonna pop... & of course, great shelling.

    I'll be watching for that junonia mosaic... what an awesome idea. And the sandy blog color is so you :-)

    Hey, what's in the eggs? Money?

    ReplyDelete
  6. ShellbelleJanuary 17, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    I came back to check out your new tabs, they are GREAT! You so shell!

    Plus I forgot to tell you how funny your new sharks tooth method is, now that's what I call dedication! What position would you call that? I think it needs a name like the Sanibel Stoop does.

    Hmmm…maybe the Shark's Teeth Sprawl, what do you think?

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Florida BloggerJanuary 17, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    Nice blog header!

    ReplyDelete
  8. gpcJanuary 18, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Happy birthday, what a great way to celebrate! Finding sharks' teeth is on my Bucket List, I've never shelled anywhere but Sanibel but I am ready to consider other options on my next trip! I've never been to Marco, either, so I'll look forward to hearing all about it. Your bloggy nip 'n tuck is fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  9. rjerdeeJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    Cool new blog look, Karen! And a great big happy birthday toya. LOVE the shot of the seabirds...the low viewpoint is totally cool...gotta try it myself.

    My daughter and her husband, while visiting here in December, went to Marco Island. They said it was PACKED and could hardly find room to park.

    ReplyDelete
  10. JoyfulJanuary 19, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    LOL I enjoyed your post. Happy Belated Birthday to you! It's funny what you say about your mom because I am probably considerably younger than she is but I started forgetting my age at around age 31. Truly I did...and I still often find myself telling people who ask that I am older than I really am. Now that is something most women would never do, lol. Have a great rest of your week.

    ReplyDelete
  11. jmacJanuary 19, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    So, what is the actual day for your birthday? We may just be b'day sistahs!! Have a happy week! and I'm flying to Ft Myers on the 6th...should sail around to Sanibel by 7th or 8th...are all of ya'll right there or is it a drive to get there? As i told Pam, I'm dying to get my hands on those shells!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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