I had a very happy birthday

On Monday I awoke to this sky.

I thanked God for this most magnificent present...my first birthday gift of the day.
Such a beautiful way to start the morning.


I picked up my daughter Athena and we drove to Pasadena for a mother-daughter spa day. It was the perfect way to relax...jacuzzis, saunas, towels rolled in ice chips, fruit bowls and lemon water and teas and luxurious massages...a real treat.

At 1:00 we crossed the street to City Thai and had a nice lunch and thai iced tea. I loved that.

What a gift to be able to spend time with Athena who fortunately is still on winter break from college. I love whenever we can spend some quality time together.

This is Colorado blvd. in the heart of downtown Pasadena. You can see how close the foot of the mountains are to this city. When I was around 19 I dropped out of college for a year and leased a store front a block down from this intersection. Along with 3 other college students we owned our little hippie store. We made clothes, jewelry and crafts and had alot of fun. After a year my parents said I had to go back to college. It was an exciting time but this part of town was not fancy like today. Now this place is booming with stores like Abercrombie and Fitch, Pottery Barn, Tiffany's and the like. A great place to shop and eat.

Also the main street for the annual Pasadena Rose Parade on January 1 of every year.

I love these old fashion street lamp posts.

Lots of quaint alley way cafes and shops.

We got carried away shopping after lunch. Then I had to fight traffic going home to meet Mike for our night out.

Photo courtesy of Jerry

We didn't have time for a fancy restaurant but the famous "In and Out" burger, with french fries and a coke went great with our movie plans.

Made it just in time to see this movie at the 7:00 showing. Thought it was a perfect "feel good" movie" to cap off a great birthday.

And for those of you who might be wondering, I celebrated my "29th birthday" this year. Just as I have done for several decades now. Soon my children will be older than me but then again age is sometimes a state of mind.

In one sense I do believe the following by Emily Dickinson

"We turn not older with years, but newer every day."

- Emily Dickinson

And in another way I think the following though funny is feeling truer each year:

"Inside every older person is a younger person - wondering what the hell happened." - Cora Harvey Armstrong

PS. Thanks to everyone that sent me such wonderful birthday wishes on my blog, on facebook and via email.

I am rich beyond measure because of your friendships.