"Happy Birthday to you, you live in a zoo...you smell like a monkey, and you look like one too!"

Once a year we celebrate

With stupid hats and plastic plates

The fact that you were able to make

Another trip around the sun

And the whole clan gathers round

And gifts and laughter do abound

And we let out a joyful sound

And sing that stupid song....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Another year older, people!! I can honestly say it doesn't bother me. Some of my friends get all stressed out and don't want to talk about it, but not me. I figure if I survived another year on this planet alive, healthy and happy, then kudos to me, and let's celebrate!!

So, every family birthday, the birthday girl/boy gets to choose somewhere special we don't normally go to eat dinner. My brother for AGES would choose Outback...every year, without fail...in fact, come this November, I'm sure we'll be there...again. Me? I'm a little more adventurous and try to choose a different place every year.

This year, I chose Bonefish Grill. If you haven't been...GO! Go quickly, I tell you. That place will change your life. The Wahoo special they had was out of this world. It was a grilled wahoo with a spicy lemon caper sauce topped with fresh crab...beautiful. Their caesar salad was the best restaurant salad I've had in awhile...it tasted just like if I'd made it at home.

While we were waiting to get inside to eat, I decided to provide entertainment for the patrons outside by opening my birthday presents first...it's all about priorities, y'all. So, there on the sidewalk I did just that.

Now, before I show you what I got, I have a little story to tell. While some girlfriends and I were on vacation, I fell in love with a designer named Holly Yashi. Her jewelry is fantabulous. Yes, her stuff can be a little pricey, but it is sooo worth it. So I skimped. I saved until finally I could order one of my very own...the laurel bracelet would be MINE!

It came to me all nice and shiny and I was in love with it. I never took it off, which is really the downfall of this little love story. I was taking my trash out to the dumpster and when I threw the bag over the side, the catch caught and the bracelet of my dreams floated into the grimy abyss of the dumpster. Oh hell no. No. No. No. I go back to the car and get my mag lite, and let me tell you, if I had caught even a sparkle, I would have found a way in that dumpster. As it was, it was 11:00 at night, and there was no sign of it.

So, fast forward to my birthday...now let's remember, my Laurel's dumpster demise occurred in January. So all this time, my mom remembered...and it probably didn't hurt that I whined like a two year old about it for weeks. There, on the sidewalk outside of Bonefish Grill, my mom made her little girl so happy I did a little chair dance for all the world to see...inside the box was a brand new, shiny LAUREL from Holly Yashi. My life is complete. Best birthday...and my mom and dad ROCK!

This is Laurel....she owns me. She goes with EVERYTHING. Perfect accessory. Love.