Day 313 or Turning the Page, Part One

Well, settle in folks because this is going to be a long one.

So it is my birthday -- yay, yay, yay! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the much beloved author of the award-winning blog "38 and Growing" has turned 39. (I know, obnoxious, huh? After years of reading about people I knew written up by publicists, I thought that I would be my own publicist. LOL) Anyreality, it is my day. And I am celebrating. And who knows how to celebrate better than the Beatles?

You say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too--yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you.

Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party.

I would like you to dance--Birthday
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance-Birthday
I would like you to dance--Birthday
Dance

You say it's your birthday
Well it's my birthday too--yeah
You say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you.

Now I promised you a party. And to start this party, I have a winner to announce. The winner of the $40 CSN gift card is... (Insert drum roll here.)

Debbie from Suburb Sanity. Yay, Debbie. Sometimes it works out great to be the first commenter!

And there is more to celebrate than my birthday. You guys really came through on my Heifer challenge! Here's how the math broke down...

18 Comments = $18.00
(The Amazing) Erin of Mother Load's Donation = $50.00
My Donation Match = $50.00
(My REALLY amazing) Son's Donation = $2.00 -- Yes, he donated two of his own dollars. So proud. SOOOOO Proud!

TOTAL: $120.00 which buys a goat, And here is what Heifer International has to say about the wonders a goat can do.

Goat
Goats Are Great for Families

The gift of a dairy goat represents a lasting, meaningful way for you to help a little boy or girl on the other side of the world.

Goats can thrive in extreme climates and on poor, dry land by eating grass and leaves. The gift of a dairy goat can supply a family with up to several quarts of nutritious milk a day - a ton of milk a year. Extra milk can be sold or used to make cheese, butter or yogurt. Families learn to use goat manure to fertilize gardens.

Goats often have two or three kids a year making it easy for Heifer recipients to pass on the gift of a goat to another family in need. This great investment allows our partners to lift themselves out of poverty by starting small dairies that earn money for food, health care and education.

So pretty darn awesome, right?

And over the past year, I have had so much to celebrate. This may not be the Oscars but here is my moment on the stage to say thanks. Thanks to everyone who has been along for the ride. Whether you stopped by once or once a day, you made the journey all the better. Thanks to everyone who has supported me, showered me with awards, listened to me whine (yes, I said whine, I know I have on occasion), given my tears a shoulder, and my wins a "Whoo-Hoo!".

Thanks to CSN for allowing me to give away some fun stuff and thanks to eShakti for a beautiful dress to play with. Well there are so many thank yous that I will have to have a page two to turn. Many awards to acknowledge (some new, some HORRIBLY overdue!)

Remember those two men that I bragged on for Father's day? Look what they conspired together to get me for this birthday...


So light. So cute.

Only 3 Strawberry Shortcakes tall.

My husband said it was a perfect blogging laptop. How much do I love these guys??? Another huge thank you there!

I have so many blessings, my plate is full. I am going to San Antonio tomorrow for an exciting opportunity brought to me by blogging. It's still a secret now but I can't wait to share it. I am now an eShakti affiliate, as well. So many great things that 38 and Growing has brought me. But best of all is you -- my blogging friends. So much more to say. Much more to come. But here's what you have all been waiting for...

My new in real life friend and long time blogging inspiration Lee over at Headaches, Hormones & Hot Flashes, is going to help me make a proper blog so I am currently under construction, but I wanted to share the name of my new blog -- A Star in My Own Universe. It's a nod to my past career aspirations and the fact that I spin in my own orbit (We have already established that I am a little weird. It's okay, I know this about myself!). So stick with me a little while longer here while I get it all straight over there.

Whew! That was a long one with more to come. But the clock just clicked my birthday away so I'm letting the keys rest. See you on the next page.