My Birthday!

I'm a bit behind on blogging. Work has been exceptionally busy this month and I just haven't gotten around to writing about my life. I did, however, want to share a bit about my birthday which was last Saturday.

Last year I planned a birthday party for myself, and while that felt a little self centered, I also realized that it's a tradition I want to continue (esp when my birthday falls on the weekend.) I want to continue because I know that I can quickly fall into a little pool of loneliness and depression if I am alone on special days like my birthday - being single feels much bigger and harder on those days that it does most other days. When I plan something fun with people who are special to me I am reminded that I matter to people and that my life has value. And, yes, I know that those things are true every day, but somehow when I'm at home alone on days that are "meant" to be spent with people who love you, being alone in my apartment can feel overwhelmingly sad. Anyway...

ME in my favorite city!

I turned 39 on Saturday. My last year in my 30s! I love Chicago, so I invited about several women to go to Chicago with me to have dinner at Buca di Beppo (my FAVORITE Italian restaurant), to make a quick stop at Trader Joe's and to walk around the city a bit and get some photos at the Bean.

My friends who could join the fun - Amanda, Patty, Bonnie, me, and Megan

At the Bean - notice Megan's reflection next to Amanda's shoulder - she had to rest the camera on the cement to get it to come out clear without the flash!

Pointing out the butt view statue that we had to look at all during dinner! :)

Ladies in the city!
Amanda, Megan, me, Bonnie, and Patty