Remember my birthday (but forget my age)

If you *have* to get older, this was a pretty cool way to do it. I slept in, lallygagged a little, then met some friends for lunch. And by lunch I mean appetizers and drinks. I'm sure it was 5:00 somewhere....
After lunch, we went to the new coffee house in Archdale, The Wet Whistle. It is right at the south end of High Point--if you haven't been yet, it is awesome. But make sure you fix your hair and makeup before you go because you will see every dadburn person you know if you stop there. Ask me how I know this...
Laura was doing a chocolate tasting there today. Okay so maybe we were doing more of a caramel and toffee tasting, but there was definitely chocolate present. As I sit here updating my blog, I am "sampling" Laura's famous English toffee. That stuff is smack mammy good.

I received some great cards in the past couple of days! My farthest came from Paula in Australia! I received a handmade card from Ashley in Arkansas, Dee's card played music, most every one's card made me laugh, -- I love all of my cards! And wow, I was spoiled this year with gifts! Mom and Dad gave me a BEAUTIFUL jewelry set (pendant, bracelet, earrings -- diamonds and white gold) I can't wait to get dressed up just to wear it! Spencer gave me a lovely blue topaz and diamond pendant--his birthstone. He was so excited for me to open it. He kept saying, "That's a REAL gemstone Mommy!" I assured him that I did NOT think it came from the gumball machine at the fish house. It is beautiful! My friends showered me with lots of $$$ for my upcoming cruise, books, scrapbooking supplies, and giftcards to my favorite stores.

Even though a couple of my friends blew me off for really lame things like their daughter's dance recital (ahem, Lesley), stomach flu (ahem, Deb) or their vacations (ahem, Kim and Pam), we still managed to have a table full of silliness and laughed the entire time. A good part of the time was dedicated to our favorite "drunk Julie" stories... ah... good times indeed!
Jen drove all the way in from Charlotte just to have lunch with me. I had not seen her in over a year! That was probably my biggest surprise today!
I love how well all my friends merge together. I guess that means that I make friends with about the same type of people (nut jobs). My work friends, my neighbor friends, my scrapbook friends, friends of the family, my old high school friends-- all of them laugh and carry on as if they have known each other for years. I love it!