My birthday yesterday!

I had a really marvelous time, even though I had to work and I spent the evening alone (Harlan had to work). I treated myself to a new book called Pinkerton's Sister by Peter Rushforth. Here's from the back of the book:

For Alice Pinkerton, trapped in a suffocating life of convention and party chatter, 1903 New York society is enough to make a woman mad--or at least make her a madwoman in the attic. So Alice escapes through the looking glass of literature, finding companionship and inspiration in Shakespeare, Wilde, Hawthorne, Stevenson, Poe, Austen, and the rest of the literary pantheon of her day. Like a character from one of her favorite novels, Alice holds a biting, eccentric view of life, seeing beyond the limitations of her circumstances to create a fascinating portrait of her society.

Heartbreaking and wildly funny, intelligent and dazzling in its range, Pinkerton's Sister is a true celebration of the imagination and a mesmerizing example of the saving power of fiction. Most of of, itis the quintessential novel for readers.

Now I ask you: how could I possibly resist that one? I know, I keep trying to get my tbr under control, but after all, it was my birthday and it gave me something special from my co-workers.

They surprised me yesterday with a cupcake tree (they couldn't find a sugarfree cake anywhere in town for sale) and some Hershey kisses, the ones with cherry in them. They are to DIE for! And then of course some meat and cheese and crackers. And! A gift card for $25. I certainly wasn't expecting any of it. Each cupcake had a plastic ring in it, some with butterflies, some with Easter eggs. I chose a blue butterfly for myself and had fun wearing it all day.

Yesterday had some phone calls after work, too. My sister Mary called and my brother John rattled on for quite a while, too. Michelle, mom to a few of my grandchildren, called last night, too, although she didn't realize what day it was and I didn't remind her. She was having a really bad day and needed an ear more than anything. I'll have to try calling her tonight and see if she is having it any easier in the light of day.

Harlan was home later from work than usual and then had to watch his Mavericks game. Me, I read and fell asleep. All in all, a decent day.

Uncle Sam

I've been working on our income taxes (I know..just prolonging the agony, waiting till now, aren't I?). Of course, Harlan's stuff is in his computer and for some reason, his computer has decided that it doesn't want to let him in. I sure hope it doesn't take till past the 15th to get in there! Life is grand. We're going to have to pay in. I had to sell off a couple of investments (Taxable income) to pay my hospital bill from last year. It's not enough to deduct, but you know how that goes. So it's going to have a little ouch factor this year. I hope I get to see where our bottom line is later on today. I need more coffee before I agonize too much over this.

We have progress!

Harlan had to go to the dentist yesterday and I went along, so we could browse Home Depot afterwards. I love that store. My pretty countertop was still there! Anyway, we ended up getting a door for my sewing room (aptly named Neverland). It has glass panels in it, so I can see into or out of the room. I love it! We need to paint it yet ..it'll be sky blue on the inside of the sewing room..Harlan wants it white on the outside, but that won't work with what I'm going to do with the kitchen. I don't know for sure what color I want, so I'll wait. I can change it later on. Now that you can see into the sewing room, I'd better get my books cleaned up off the floor!