***UPDATED 8/10/11*** His 50th Trip Around the Sun...

Happy Half-Century to you, dearest Mark!

I was honored to be with him as he celebrated his 50th birthday along with a boisterous roomful of close friends at Kimbro's Pickin' Parlor in historic Franklin. Mark's brother Steven drove in from St. Louis as a surprise, and everyone got to have a big hunk of gooey chocolate cake. Yes, his birthday is on St. Patty's day, but that just makes it all the more fun! 

I always tell him that he's getting crabbier as he gets older, so our friends, The Secret Commonwealth, comprised a special song just for him, sung to the tune of "Dirty Old Town." 

I love you, sweetheart. You are wonderful beyond words. Thanks for being my friend, my cohort in all things fun (and even those that are less than fun). Here's to making the next 50 even more eventful!

The St. Patty's Day Birthday Boy is only just hitting his stride! 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

It was 50 years ago today...

To everyone who made turning 50 years young a special event for me.
You rock!!!

From the surprise party last Saturday night at Kimbro's Pickin' Parlor in Franklin, to the Secret Commonwealth (who really put on the most fantabulous show ever - particularly the specially-written song for my birthday), to everyone who spent time with me - it was awesome!!! The entire weekend has been one huge love-fest, from our dinner & movie Friday with Linda and Gary, to the show on Saturday, up till today, my actual birthday.

Wow. Warm fuzzies to the umpteenth degree. I'm incredibly blessed, and extremely humbled. I keep hearing Sally Field's emotional, post-Oscar winning voice in my head: "You like me... you really like me!"

Thank you to everyone...  dear Linda, Gary, Amanda, Jeffrey, John, Bernadette, Rod, Beth, Carl, Gwen, Michelle, Randy, Troy, Franko, Malin, Ron, Rob, Don..... the list goes on.... you know who you are, and you know how special you all are to me. I have never been happier in my  life, and you all are a part of it.

Most of all, words alone cannot begin to express my thanks to my husband... my Soul Mate, Mark - Mr. Poopy himself - for making this all possible. The specially-made cake (it was scrumpdillyumpcious), the songs, the marvelous outting to buy me all the fun, frivolous girlie stuff I like, the love you constantly show me... I'm gettin' all verklempt here again. You are my best friend, you are my heart. It may be snowing and freezing outside, but YOU are the coals in my fire, baby. I love you.