Birthday and More...

So I had a great Birthday evening and Birthday dinner the following night with a big group of friends! Not everyone made it who originally planned on it, but almost everyone! About 16 people total, we had a huge table and it was a fun night. Good food, good drinks, and good company! We had a nice dinner and then a few of us went to have a drink at a bar nearby.

On my Birthday Joe brought home dinner and a cake for me, which was a nice surprise! The cake was one of the best cakes we have ever had (that wasn't homemade). He got it from my favorite cupcake/cake place, Sweet Mandy B's!! YUM! Let's just say we had a slice of cake that weekend after every meal and that sucker was gone by Sunday. Oops! But really...Best. Cake. Ever. 
Joe also got me a book called DSLR Cameras and Photography for Dummies, which I am super excited to read to start to understand my new camera. He also got me a new duvet cover, which I am super excited about! Goodbye ugly floral comforter from 2001, you had a good run!

Also, in other news, I found out about a job (on my birthday) from a friend and I submitted my resume and was called right away for an interview. I interviewed on Monday and things went well. She acted like I would be hearing from her regarding a second interview and I did! I am going in for the second interview this Wednesday! I am trying not to get my hopes up, but I am hoping this is the one. Even though the position is not with a design firm, it is still within the industry and the pay is great, so that's all I can hope for. They are looking to start someone fairly soon, so it should work out great if I get it. Cross your fingers for me! 2011 is starting out pretty good!

Here are some photos from my birthday and birthday dinner. You know the drill, watch the slideshow here small or click on it to view it larger directly in Picasa.

Happy Birthday to...ME!

Today is my 31st Birthday!!!...gulp....31....

I've had a nice low-key b-day today so far.
I slept in, took the dogs for a walk (as usual), hung around the house, and then went and got my nails done downtown, which was a nice treat to myself. Probably the last time I'll be doing that for a while...

I also spent the day reading TONS of Facebook Happy Birthday messages, which was so nice. I feel so loved/popular! ha-ha. (Thanks to Facebook's automatic birthday reminders!) 



Mindy 3rd? B-day Party (Cathy on far left in high-chair)



It's a cold, windy, snowy day here in Chicago today, so I am glad we are staying in for the night. Joe is on the way home from work and is picking up something for dinner. We'll stay home tonight and then tomorrow night we are headed to Carmine's for dinner to celebrate my birthday with a big group of my friends! Should be fun! Several of my friends are coming and lots of them are bringing their spouses/significant others/partners, etc, so I made a reservation for 20! It will be a nice big group! I don't think I've ever had a big birthday celebration (as an adult), so this should be exciting!

Seems like a lifetime ago...

I opened my present from Cathy today and she got me the Philosophy face wash and exfoliating wash that I have been eyeing! YAY, can't wait to try it out! :-)

I was talking to Cathy tonight and saying that I can't believe I am THIRTY ONE years old. We both agree that it sure doesn't seem like that can be right. I always wonder when I will feel like a grown up?! HA! I guess I still feel young at heart! Maybe all of that will change when we have kids of our own, but for now, I am happy feeling like a 31 year old kid! :-)

And many mooooore....

Happy Birthday to Andy!

Today is my little brother-in-law Andy's 19th Birthday! Well I guess he's not so little anymore! Hard to believe that the little 7 year old that I met when I was first dating Joe is now NINETEEN! Wow....time flies.... Its nice to see him growing up into a nice young man. I'm glad that we stay connected on Facebook and get to chat on there often. He's my buddy whether he likes it or not! :-)

Now for some photos to remember the little twerp when he was young and sweet. hee hee. ;-)

Andy at our Wedding in 2001.

When he was really little....Halloween (left) as a duck with Joe and Ben

Christmas morning (right) Joe is not happy to be up early, but Andy sure is! :-)

Happy Birthday, Andy!!!

Welcome to the 3rd decade...

Happy Birthday to me!

30 years old today! It's a quiet snowy day here in Chicago on my birthday. I am hanging out at home with the dogs today and tonight Joe and I are going to stay in and order some take-out and have a quiet little birthday dinner at home. We will probably go out somewhere this weekend, just haven't decided where yet. :-)

Here's to 30 years....